Population, 1837, 1,547. It is 103 miles S. W. from Augusta, and 6 N. W. from Alfred. Sharon, N. H., Hillsborough co., is bounded N. by Peterborough, E. by Temple, S. by New Ipswich and Rindge, and W. by Jaffrey. It is 18 miles W. by S. from Amherst, and 48 S. S. W. from Concord. The streams in Sharon are small branches of Contoocook river, and rise near the S. E. corner of the town. Boundary mountain lies on the line between this town and Temple, and has an elevation of 200 feet above the surrounding country. Sharon was incorporated, 1791. Population, in 1830, 271. Sharon, Vt. Windsor co. White river passes through Sharon and affords it an abundant water power. Here are mills for the manufacture of wool en goods, paper and other articles. It contains a handsome and flourishing village. The surface of the town is broken, but the soil is warm and productive. It keeps about 5,000 sheep. Sharon was first settled in 1763. Population, 1830, 1,459. It lies 22 miles N. from Windsor, and 34 S. by E. from Montpelier. Sharon, Mass. Norfolk co. Mashapoag pond in this town is one of the sources of Neponset river. Sharon has a good water power; one woolen and two cotton mills. There are also manufactures of axes, bed-steads, straw bonnets, leather, boots, shoes, wool cards, machinery, joiners' gages, &c.: annual value, about $75,000. Sharon is a very pleasant town; the scenery around Mashapoag, the Indian name of the place, is highly pleasing. There is good fishing in this pond. This town was incorporated, in 1765. It is 18 miles S. S. W. from Boston, 8 S. from Dedham, and 24 N. by E. from Providence, R. I. Population, 1837, 1,093. Sharon, Ct. Litchfield co. Sharon lies on the west side of Housatonick river, opposite to Cornwall. The eastern part of the town is elevated, mountainous, and stony, but is suited for grazing: the western part, which borders on the state of New York, is a fertile tract of undulating land, and very productive of all sorts of grain. Agriculture is the chief business of the inhabitants: they provide for about 10,000 sheep. Population 1830, 2,615. Sharon was first settled in 1739. The village is situated principally on one street, on the eastern side of a beautiful valley, 16 miles W. N. W. from Litchfield, and 47 W. by N. from Hartford. There is a beautiful village called "Hitchcock's Corner," partly in Sharon and partly in the state of New York: this also is situated in a beautiful valley, and rich in agricultural resources. "Considerable numbers of the Indians resided in the western and northwestern parts of the town, which are watered by two large ponds, and by the Ten Mile river, which touches the western borders of the town. Their principal village was on the east side of the Indian pond, so called, which is a body of water lying partly in the state of New York, and partly in On a romantic and Connecticut. beautiful plain, lying between this pond on the west, and the Indian Mountain, on the east, was a numerous village, where the natives continued to reside for many years after the whites came into the town. This tribe was visited by the Moravian missionaries, and one of them died and was buried there. died in 1749, and a plain stone was placed over his grave, with the following inscription: He "David Bruce of Edinburgh in Scotland, Minister of The Brethren's Church among the Indians. Depart'd 1749." This town took an active part in favor of the liberties of the country. The approach of a large British army from Canada, under General Burgoyne, and the expedition up the North River, under General Vaughan, in 1777, filled the whole country with terror and despondency, and created strong fears and doubts as to the issue of the con He Sheepscot River and Bay, Me. The head waters of this river are derived from ponds in Palermo. Its course is south through the towns of Whitefield and Alna. It meets the tide water between Wiscasset and New Castle, and proceeds to a bay of the same name. The length of the river from its source to the bay is about 35 miles. is valuable on account of its hydraulic power and navigable facili ties. Sheffield, Vt. This river Caledonia co. This town is 35 miles N. E. from Montpelier, and 16 N. from Danville. First settled, 1792. Population, 1830, 720. Sheepscot Bay sets up from the troversy: the firmness and confi-sea between Boothbay and Georgedence of Parson Smith, however, town, and receives the waters of remained unbroken, and his efforts the river. It is about 3 miles wide to revive the drooping spirits of his at its mouth, and extends about 10 people were unremitted. In the miles north. The whole of these month of October, he preached a waters are often called " Sheepscot sermon from these words: "WatchRiver." The mouth of this bay man, what of the night? The or river bears about N. E., 6 miles, Watchman saith, the morning com- from Seguin Light, at the mouth eth." In this discourse he dwelt of Kennebec river. much upon the indications, which the dealings of Providence afforded, that a bright and glorious morning was about to dawn upon a long night of defeat and disaster. told the congregation, that he believed they would soon hear of a signal victory crowning the arms of America; and he exhorted them to trust with an unshaken and fearless confidence in that God, who, he believed, would yet crown with success the efforts of the fricuds of liberty in this country. Before the congregation was dismissed, a messenger arrived, with the intelligence of the surrender of Burgoyne's army. Parson Smith read the letter, conveying the intelligence, from the pulpit, and a flood of joy and gratitude burst from the congregation." This town lies on the height of land between Connecticut river and Memphremagog lake. Branches of Passumpsic and Barton rivers both rise here. It is watered by several ponds. The lands are generally broken and not very produc tive. Sheffield, Mass. Berkshire co. This is a very pleasant town, on both sides of the Housatonick. The river meanders circuitously and slowly through the town, and forms large tracts of rich alluvial meadow. In large freshShawsheen River, Mass. ets the river overflows its banks to a great extent, and forms the apThis river rises in Lexington and pearance of a large lake. The vil Bedford. It passes Billerica, Wil-lage is neat; situated in a beautimington and Tukesbury, and falls ful valley, surrounded by hills, one into the Merrimack, at Andover, of which is 3,000 feet in height, 20 miles N. by W. from Boston. and presents a great variety of de lightful scenery. There are man- | ufactures in the town of leather, hats, ploughs, and spirits, but the principal business of the people is agricultural. In 1837, there were 6,892 sheep sheared in the town: the value of the wool amounted to $11,372. Marble and iron ore are abundant. Sheffield is the oldest town in the county: it was incorporated in 1733. It lies 140 miles S. W. from Boston, 20 S. from Lenox, and 28 E. from Hudson, N. Y. Population, 1837, 2,308. Shelburne, N. H. Coos co. Androscoggin river passes through the centre of this town, into which fall the waters of Rattle river and some smaller streams. The soil on each bank of the river is very good, producing in abundance grain and grass: but as we rise from the river, the tracts are mountainous and unfit for cultivation. Mount Moriah, an elevated peak of the White Mountains, lies in the 8. part of Shelburne. Moses' Rock, so called from the first man known to have ascended it, (Moses Ingalls) is on the south side of the river, near the centre of the town. It is about 60 feet high and 90 long, very smooth, and rising in an angle of nearly 50°. In 1778, David and Benjamin Ingalls commenced a settlement at Shelburne, and not long afterwards, several families were added. In August, 1781, a party of Indians visited this town, killed one man, made another prisoner, plundered the houses, and returned to Canada in savage triumph. This town was incorporated in 1820. Population, 1830, 312. Shelburn, Vt. Chittenden co. On the east side of Lake Champlain, 33 miles W. by N. from Montpelier, and 7 S. from Burlington. Population, 1830,1,123. Logan's and Potter's points were settled previous to the revolutionary war by men of those names. During the war these settlements were abandoned, but re-established at its close. Shelburn is finely watered by Platt river, a pond covering 600 acres, and by the waters of the lake. Shelburn Bay sets into the township about 4 miles from the N. W., and affords the town a good harbor, and a depot of the interior trade on the beautiful Champlain. The soil of the town is strong, fertile, and generally well improved. About 10,000 sheep are within its limits. Shelburne, Mass. Franklin co. This town lies on the N. side of Deerfield river opposite to Conway. It is 100 miles W. by N. from Boston, and 5 W. from Greenfield. Population, 1837, 1,018. Incorporated, 1768. Deerfield river falls in this town a distance of 20 feet, and produces a valuable water power. The manufactures of the town consist of woolen goods, leather, boots, shoes, scythes, palm-leaf hats, &c. : annual value about $40,000. The soil of the town is generally of a good quality; considerable wool is grown, and some cattle and products of the dairy are sent to market. More than common attention is paid to mental culture. This is a pleasant and flourishing town: the scenery about the falls is very handsome. lier, 32 N. by E. from Burlington, | ductive of grass and grain. A and 10 N. N. E. from St. Albans. Population, 1830, 1,427. Shepaug River, Ct. This river rises in Goshen, in the county of Litchfield; it receives several branches, and passes south, through the towns of Washington and Roxbury, and falls into the Housatonick at Southbury. This is a good mill stream, in some parts rapid, in others gentle and fertilizing. Sherburne, Vt. branch of the Housatonick waters the town. Iron ore is found here. Shetucket River, Ct. This fine mill stream receives its head waters by several branches in the counties of Windham and Tolland. It passes between Lisbon and Franklin and uniting with the Quinnebaug at Norwich, flows into the Thames. Its principal branches are the Natchaug and Willi mantic. Shirley, Me. Piscataquis co. This town was incorporated in 1834. It was former Rutland co. Killington Peak, 3,924 feet in height, several ponds, and Thundering brook, with a hand-ly No. 3 in the 4th range of the some fall, lie in this town. Queechy Bingham Purchase. It is watered river rises in this town, and along by the higher branches of Piscataits banks is some good land; but the quis river, and lies about 76 miles lands are generally too elevated N. by E. from Augusta. Populaeven for pasturage. Sherburne was tion, 1837, 213. first settled in 1785. It lies 22 miles N. W. from Windsor, and 10 E. from Rutland. Population, 1830, 452. Sherburne, Mass. Middlesex co. This town is watered by Charles and Sudbury rivers. It is 18 miles S. W. by W. from Boston, and 15 S. from Concord. Population, 1837, 1,037. Incorporated, 1674. The soil of Sherburne is very good and productive. The village is on elevated land; it is pleasant,and commands good prospects. The manufactures of the town consist of straw bonnets, boots, shoes, leather, axes, forks, ploughs, muskets and whips: annual value, about $60,000. Sherman, Ct. Shirley, Mass. Middlesex Co. This is a very pleasant agricultural and manufacturing town, 32 miles N. W. from Boston, 16 N. W. from Concord, and 18 S. W. from Lowell. There are some elevations in the town, but of warm and fertile soil. There are large tracts of intervale land along the streams, which are very fertile and valuable. Shirley is separated from Groton by Nashua river, and from Pepperell by the Squanicook, a branch of the Nashua. These streams afford Shirley a fine water power, which renders it an excellent location for manufacturing establishments. There are 1 woolen and 3 cotton mills in the town, and manufactures of boots, shoes, paper, leather, palm-leaf hats, &c. Annual value, about $125,Population, 1837, 967. 000. Shoreham, Vt. Fairfield co. Sherman was formerly the north part of New Fairfield,and incorporated in 1802. Population, 1830, 947. It is 60 miles S. W. from Hartford, 13 N. from Danbury, and bounded W. by the state Addison co. This town lies on of New York. There is a variety the east side of Lake Champlain, of soils in the town, but they are and is watered by Lemonfair river, generally strong, warm, and pro- | a good mill stream. It is 12 miles S. W. from Middlebury, and 26 N. from Whitehall, N. Y. The lake here is about a mile wide. Population, 1830, 2,137. The surface of the town is level and the soil remarkably good. This is one of the best farming towns in the state. In 1837, there was 26,584 sheep in Shoreham. There are some manufactures in the town, and a pleasant and flourishing village on the banks of the lake. Most of the waters here are impregnated with Epsom salts. See Bridport. Shoreham was first settled in 1766, by a number of persons who adopted the plan of holding all things in common. This mode of holding property was, however, relinquished about the time of the revolutionary war. Shrewsbury, Vt. Rutland co. This town lies 22 miles W. from Windsor and 9 S. E. from Rutland. Population, in 1830, 1,289. This is a mountainous township, having Shrewsbury Peak within its limits, a summit 4,034 feet above the sea. Mill and Cold rivers and Peal's and Ashley's Ponds water the town, and fall into Otter Creek. There is some good land in this mountain town, and between three and four thousand sheep graze on its surface. Shrewsbury, Mass. Worcester co. This is an agricultural town of a pleasing variety of surface, and good soil, 36 miles W. by S. from Boston and 6 E. from Worcester. Quinsigamond or Long Pond lies principally in this town. It is nearly four miles in length and from 40 to 250 rods in width. It empties into the Blackstone river and canal, and produces a considerable hydraulic power. A floating bridge crosses this pond for the accommodation of the Worcester turnpike, 525 feet in length, built in 1818, and cost $6,000. The manufactures of Shrewsbury consist of clothing, guns, hats, chairs, straw bonnets, leather, boots, shoes, &c: the value of which, during the year ending April 1, 1837, was $211,287. The town was incorporated, 1727. Population, 1830, 1,386; 1837, 1,507. Levi Pease, the father of mail stages in this country, was a native of this town. He died here in 1824, aged 86. Mr. Pease was a man of great enterprise; he projected the first turnpike road in New England, and to his zeal and sacrifices the public is more indebted than to any other man for its excellent mail establishment. At the time Mr. Pease started his first line of mail stages between Boston and New York, in 1784, the mail between those places passed only once a fortnight, on horseback, in a pair of saddlebags. Shutesbury, Mass. On This town is on high land, 10 miles E. from Connecticut river, 9 N. by E. from Amherst, 16 S. S.E. from Greenfield, and 78 W. by N. from Boston. Incorporated, 1761. Population, 1837, 816. Copper ore, and soapstone, are found here. Swift river are three shingle mills and a wheel factory. There is a mineral spring of some note in this town, containing, in solution, iron, sulphur, &c. There is also a pond, covering about 700 acres, with an abundance of fine fish. Ephraim Pratt lived in this town many years, and died here in 1804, aged 116 years. He married at the age of 21, and could count 1,500 descendants. He was a very temperate man, so much so that for 40 years he took no animal food. He was a farmer, and his health was so uniformly good that he was able to mow a good swath 101 years in succession. He was born at Sudbury, 1687. Sidney, Me. Kennebec co. Sidney is very |