8000 sheep. It is 105 miles W. from Boston, 12 S. .W. from Greenfield, and 15 N. W. from Northampton.
Ashford, Ct.
Windham co. This town was first settled in 1710. Incorporated, 1714. It .is watered by several small streams -which Word a water power for one cotton and. three woollen factories. The surface of the town is rough and stony, but excellent for grazing. The num- ber of- sheep in this town is about
5,000. It lies 31 miles E. from Hartford, and 14 N. W. from Brook- lyn. Population, 1830, 2,660. The following is said to have occurred in this town, and is told to illustrate the manners and customs of ancient times. “ A concourse of people were assembled on the hill in front of the meeting house, to witness the punishment of -a man who had been convicted of neglecting to go to meeting on the Sabbath for a pe- riod of three months. According to the existing law for such delin- quency, the culprit was to be pub- licly whipped at the post. Just as the whip was about to be applied, a stranger on horseback appeared, rode up to the crowd of spectators, and enquired for what purpose they were assembled. Being informed of the state of the case, the strange gentleman rose upright in his stir- rups, and with emphasis addressed the astonished multitude as follows r ‘You. men of Ashford, serve God as if the D...1 was in you ! Do you think you can whip the grace of God into men ? Christ will have none but volunteers.’ The people stared, while the speaker, probably not caring to be arraigned for con- tempt of court, put spurs to his horse, and was soon out 3f sight; nor was he evermore seen or heard of by the good people of Ashford.” Col. Thomas Knowlton was a na- tive of this town. He was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and fell at Haerlem Heights, in 1776. Wash- ington termed him, in a general or- der after his death, “the gallant and brave Col. Knowlton, who would have been an honor to any coun- try.” |
Ashuelot River, N. H.,
Or Ashwillet, a river in Chesh- ire county, which has its source in a pond in Washington. It runs in a southerly course through Marlow and Gilsum, to Keene, where it re- ceives a considerable branch issu- ing from ponds in Stoddard. From Keene it proceeds to Swanzey, where it receives another consider- able branch which originates in Jaf- frey and Fitzwilliam. It pursues its course southerly and westerly through Winchester into Hinsdale, where, at the distance of about 3 miles from tbe S. line of tbe state, it empties into the Connecticut.
Assabet River, Mass.
This river rises in the neighbor- hood of Westborough ;—it passes through Marlborough, Northbo- rough and Stow, and joins Sudbury river at Concord.
. Athens, Me.
Somerset co. This town was incorporated in 1803. Population, 1837, 1,424. It is about 18 miles N. N.-E. from Norridgewock, 114 N. N. E. from Portland and 45 N. from Augusta. It is watered by a tributary of Kennebec river.
Athens Vt.
Windham co. This town lies 14 miles N. from Newfane, 98 S. from Montpelier, 10 W. from Bellows’ Falls, and about 40 N. E. from Ben- nington. Population, 1830, 415. This towri was first settled in 1780, by people from Rindge, N. H., and Winchendon, Mass. They encoun- tered great hardships. “ The snow was four feet deep when they came into town, and they had to beat their own path for 8 miles through the woods. A small yoke of oxen |