|
Hayes, pastor; Union, -.
There are six schools in town.
Average length of schools for the
year, twenty-two weeks.
Literary Institution. Kingston
Academy, John W. Sanborn, prin-
cipal.
Hotels. Alphia House, Towle’s
Hotel, and Farmer’s Hotel.
First Settlements. Kingston was
granted by Lieutenant Governor
Usher, to James Prescott, Eben-
ezer Webster, and others from
Hampton, August 6, 1694, and
contained within its borders, East
Kingston, Danville and Sandown.
The proprietors erected garri-
sons, and other buildings, and
began to cultivate their lands, soon
after they obtained their charter.
But they were soon attended with
troubles from the hostile Indians,
which had a discouraging effect
upon the infant settlement. In
1707, Stephen and Joel Gilman,
were ambushed between Exeter
and Kingston, but fortunately
made their escape. Again in 1712,
Stephen Gilman and a comrade,
Ebenezer Stevens, were attacked
and wounded, and Gilman taken
and put to death. Jabez Colman
and son were killed while labor-
ing in the field, in 1724, and at the
same time four children were
taken—one escaped, and the others
were redeemed. Ancient French
coins, and Indian implements of
various kinds, have been ploughed
up near the ponds. Major Ebene-
zer Stevens, one of the first settlers,
was a very distinguished and use-
ful citizen. Kingston was also the
residence of the Hon. Josiah Bart-
lett, who was first governor of the
State, under its free constitution.
He was a valuable and useful man,
both in the town and State, He |
died in 1795, aged sixty-five years.
First Ministers. Rev. Ward
Clark, (Congregational,) ordained
in 1725, died in 1737; Rev. Joseph
Secombe, settled in 1737, died in
1760; Rev. Amos Tappan, ordained
in 1762, died in 1771; Rev. E.
Thayer, D.D., settled in 1776, died
in 1812.
Boundaries. North by Brent-
wood, east by East Kingston, south
by Newton and Plaistow, and west
by Hampstead and Danville.
Area, 12,188 acres; area of im-
proved land, 5,786 acres.
Distances. Thirty-eight miles
south-east from Concord, and six
south from Exeter.
Railroad. By daily stage to
East Kingston station, on Boston
and Maine Railroad, two miles
distant.
LACONIA.
Belknap County. This town
was disannexed from the eastern
section of the town of Meredith
and incorporated under the name
of Laconia, in July, 1855. It is a
small township, but the soil is
good, and, when properly culti-
vated, yields abundant crops.
It is watered on its eastern bor-
der by Long Bay and Winnipiseo-
gee river, which separates it from
Gilford. A portion of Winni-
squam Lake lies in the south-east-
ern part, near the village of Laco-
nia. This lake is a beautiful sheet
of water, about six miles in
length, and from one half to two
miles in width. A small steam-
boat plies on its waters during
the warm season, to the order of
picnics and private parties. With
these advantages for varied recre-
ations, Laconia has become quite
popular as a resort for summer |
