Hayward’s New England Gazetteer (1839) page 302
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NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER.

has sufficient depth of water for the
largest class of vessels, iS'exceed-
ingly easy of access from the ocean,
and sufficiently capacious 'to con-
tain whole fleets. This harbor is
admirably defended by forts Wol-
cott, Green and Adams, and will
probably soon become a naval de-
pot. Newport was first settled by
William Codington and his associates
in 1638. The growth of the town
was so rapid for the first hundred
years, that in 1738 there were 7
worshipping assemblies, and 100 sail
of vessels belonged to the port.

Newport suffered severely dur-
ing the revolutionary war, and was
for a long time in possession of the
enemy. After the war it revived
again, but the more favorable loca-
tion of Providence for an interior
commerce, deprived it of a large
portion of its original business.

Newport however retains its
former character for foreign com-
merce and the fishery. A number
of vessels are now engaged in the
whaling business, and manufactur-
ing establishments have recently
been put into operation by steam
jiower, which promise success.—
Ship and boat building and the man-
ufacture of cordage are carried on
extensively. The domestic fishe-
ry is to Newport an important re-
sourse. There is probably no place
in the world where a greater varie-
ty of fish, or of a better quality, are
found. About sixty different kinds,
comprising almost every species of
fin and shell fish, fit for the ta-
ble, are taken in great abundance
around the shores of Narraganset.
The tonnage of the district of New-
port, in 1837, was 11,498 tons.

The compact part of the town is
built on a beautiful site, facing the
harbor in a southeasterly direction.
The main street extends more than
a mile in length. The buildings
on this and other streets and on
Washington square are neatly built,
and some of them are very hand-
some The marks of age which
some of these buildings bear, with
the excellent state of preservation
in which they appear, give them a
grace not found in many of those
of more modern construction.

I Although this ancient town has
passed through many vicissitudes
and change's of fortune, still it con-
tinues to advance in the number of
its people. Population, in 1820,
7,319; 1830,8,010.

Newport is celebrated for its
beauty and the salubrity of its cli-
mate. From these circumstances,
and from the numerous inviting
objects which surround it, it has
become a favorite resort for visitors
from warmer climates ; and in no
place can the summer season be
more enjoyed than amid the charms
of Newport.

.Oliver Hazzard Perry, the
victor on Lake Erie, Sept. 10,1813,
was bom at Newport, in 1735.—
He died in the West Indies, in 1820.
A monument is erected to his mem-
ory.

NevKPortland) Me*

Franklin co. This town is finely
watered hy two branches of Seven
Mile brook. This Ts one of the
finest farming towns in the coun-
ty. It produced, in 1837, 10,451
bushels of wheat. Population,
same year, 1,476. This town has a
pleasant village, a number of saw
mills and other manufactories. It
lies 48 miles N. N. W. from Augus-
ta, and 18 N. by E. from Farming-
ton. Incorporated, 1808.

Newry, Me.

Oxford co. A branch of Andros-
coggin river waters this town, and
affords it good mill privileges. It
lies 63 miles W. from Augusta, and
25 N. W. from Paris. Population,
1837, 412. Incorporated, 1805.

New Salem, Mass.

Franklin co. This town is bound-
ed N. by Miller’s river, and has a
good water power. It lies 74 miles




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