First Settlers. Fitzwilliam was
originally called “ Monadnock
Number Four.” The first settle-
ment was made by Brigadier Gen-
eral Reed, John Fassett, Benjamin
Bigelow, and others, in 1760. Gen-
eral Reed was a revolutionary pa-
triot, whose merits, as an officer,
and a true man, will long be re-
membered. Incorporated May 19,

1773.

First Minister. Rev. Benjamin
Brigham, Cong., ordained in 1771;
died in 1799. Rev. Stephen Wil-
liams, settled in 1800; dismisssd in
1802.

Boundaries. North by Troy and
Jaffrey, east by Rindge, south by
Royalston and Winchendon, Mass.,
and west by Richmond. Area,
26,900 acres.

Distances. Sixty miles south-
west from Concord, and thirteen
south-east from Keene.

Railroads. The Cheshire Rail-
road passes through this town in a
north-westerly and south-easterly
direction. •

FRANCESTOWN.

Hillsborough County. The
surface of this town is uneven and,
in some parts, stony; but the
quality of the soil is warm, moist,
and very productive. There is
some good interval.

Rivers and Ponds. The two
south branches of Piscataquoag
River have their rise in this town;
the largest branch from Pleasant
Pond, and the other branch from
Haunted Pond. These two ponds
are the principal collections of
water.

Mountain. Crotched Mountain
has an altitude of six hundred feet
above the common in the center
of the town. One of the summits
of this mountain is covered with
woods, the other is almost a solid
ledge, affording a very extensive
view of the south-west.

Minerals. In the easterly part
of this town is a quarry of free-
stone, which has been extensively
wrought. It is of a dark greyish
color, and, when polished, resem-
bles the variegated marble of Ver-
mont. Specimens of rock crystal
are found in the south part, and
plumbago occurs in the north part
of the town.

Village. Near the center of this
town is the very pleasant village
of Francestown. It is neatly built,
the streets being wide, and, in
many places, beautifully shaded.
It is the center of considerable
business from the surrounding
country. There are several stores,
one savings bank, one national
bank, one hotel, &c.

Employments. Agriculture is
the principal employment of the
inhabitants. About 600,000 feet of
lumber are annually sawed; also,
fancy boxes, fancy writing desks,
kits, pails, &c., are manufactured.

Resources. Productions of the
soil, $51,556; mechanical labor,
$9,800; stocks and bonds, $33,900;
money at interest, $8,300; deposits
in savings hanks, $87,000; stock in
trade, $12,680; professional busi-
ness, $10,000.

Library. Home Circle Library.

Literary Institution. Frances-
town Academy, J. E. Vose, prin-
cipal.

Churches and Schools. Congre-
gational, Rev. H. F. Campbell,
pastor. There are ten schools in
this town; average length for the
year, twenty-one weeks.

Hotel. Francestown Hotel.

First Settlers. Francestown de-