Strafford County, New Hampshire
Dover, Gilmanton, Gilford, and Rochester, are the shire towns. Strafford county is bounded N. by the county of Coos, E. by the state of Maine, S. and S.W. by Rockingham and Merrimack counties, W. by the Pemigewasset river, which separates it from parts of the counties of Grafton and Merrimack, and N.W. by Grafton county. It is 63 miles in length, from the mouth of Lamprey river to the N. line of Albany; 33 miles wide at the centre. Its shape, like that of all the other counties in the state, is irregular. It contains an area of 1,345 square miles. This county, which extends to the neighborhood of the White mountains, has several considerable mountains within its limits. Chocorua Peak in Albany, Sandwich mountain in the same range, Ossipee and Effingham mountains, Gunstock mountain in Gilford, Moose in Brookfield and Middleton, Teneriffe in Milton, and the ridge denominated Blue Hills, are the most elevated. Red Hill, in Moultonborough, has a commanding elevation, and has long attracted visitors. Below, the waters of the Winnepisiogee [Winnipesaukee] lie open to the eye, and its numerous islands and bays present a fine appearance. This lake is much the largest body of water in the state, being 22 miles long, and varying from one to eight miles in width. Sullivan or Squam lake, lies partly in this county, and is 6 miles in length, and nearly 5 in width. Ossipee lake is also in this county. Great bay, Long bay and Merrymeeting bay, are connected with the Winnepisiogee lake. Smith's pond, in Wolfeborough; Sixmile, in Eaton, Merrymeeting, in New Durham, and Lovewell, in Wakefield, are the principal ponds. The large rivers are the Piscataqua, Salmon Falls, Cocheco, Saco and Swift rivers. The soil of Strafford county, though presenting a great variety, is generally good. The lands are generally hard of cultivation, but the patient laborer finds an ample reward for his industry. This county possesses a large hydraulic power, and manufacturing establishments are constantly increasing on its streams. Population, 1830, 58,916. Population to a square mile, 44. In 1837 there were 53,602 sheep in Strafford county.
