The History Of Gumpas Pond
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Gumpas Pond-Early History
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​​​Geologic formation and glaciation notes
The earth formed millions of years ago, forcing magma materials from deep within the earth’s crust into domes, flows and layers of basalt, calcite and granite. These geologic features are evident in the hills and trails in Hudson, Pelham, and Windham. The hills that surround Gumpas Pond include Jeremy Hill at 577ft, Gumpas Hill at 443 ft., Cambridge Hill at 429 ft. These hills are the primary sources of runoff waters entering Gumpas Pond and are the upstream features of the Gumpas Brook Watershed. This area is part of the Berwick geologic formation of rock which extends from Maine into Massachusetts. (Point of Rocks, Wizard Island at Gumpas Pond)
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Fast forward to 20,000 years ago this area was covered by the most recent glaciation period. The ice-covered Pelham with multiple advances of ice sheets. Large erratic boulders dot the shore and hillsides of Gumpas Hill and downstream along the old stream path of Gumpas Brook. These boulders were carried from far off distances and deposited as the glacial ice retreated. (see the Meriam Cutler Boulder Loop Trail) This processes striped off large quantities of soil and gravel found in quarry deposits today. Some large ice blocks were buried in the ponds as silt water runoff filled in around the ice to later form our ponds. Some evidence of ice with stones cutting into the exposed granite extrusions creating striation marks can be found in the rock base.
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Early First People arrived to settle in the area 12,000 to 15,000 years ago. They had small settlements along the shores of our ponds and streams. They built dwellings using young growth saplings, covered with bark and furs. They hunted and fished along the rivers and ponds. One the best fishing spots in the area was the Pawtucket Waterfalls and cascades of Lowell, Mass. They traveled by foot on “The Path” (now Mammoth Road) to settlements at Long Pond, and Gumpas Pond. This path became known as Gumpass from Gum Pass. They traveled north to Massabesic Lake and Amoskeag Falls to fish and moved to the beaches in summer for plentiful seafood.
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The early Wachusetts Tradition in Southern NH sites has been the construction of stone mounds is evident in sites around Gumpas Pond. These structures are thought to be used as storage units or shelter materials. Tribes of the area include the Wamesits, the Nashuay, and the Penacook.
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The area along the Merrimack River near Lowell and Dracut Mass. was known as Augumtoocooke by the First People. Many were decimated by early spread of disease from early European explorers from the 1500’s and continued warfare with Mohawks and later European settlers. Prominent leaders of the First People in this area were Passaconway and his sons. (See Early History of Dracut, Mass., Hudson, Pelham, Windham, Nottingham West, Dunstable, Mass) Passaconway was the Bashaba (emperor) Child of the Bear, Sagamore of all First People from Merrimack River North to Lake Winnipesaukee. He was said “to have supernatural power, wisdom most powerful east of the Mohawks”. He sought to, “reserve the rights to fish, fowl, hunting and planting” along the rivers and streams.
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Early Settlers of Pelham, NH and Gumpas Pond
From Dracut, Mass. Early History the land North of the Merrimac was considered the wilderness. Six miles north of Pawtucket was a Great Hill then known as Mash-shattuck (Deer Hill) and Pimmo-miyyi-quonnit-signites, now Long Pond and Pemmomittiqumsusit, now Gumpas Pond. This land was granted to Governor Endicott, thereafter John Tyng, 1661(Tyngsboro) bought the land from the Wamisit, and the Naticooke Tribes.
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Pelham Town History and Hudson Town History
John Butler of Woburn Mass. was granted 600 acres by John Tyng in 1721 and established a garrison house, probably near Burns Road and constructed a mill nearby. This area was part of Old Dunstable Mass. at that time. He was assisted by Joseph Hamblet who settled on the north side of Gumpas Pond. They were operating a sawmill at the outlet of Gumpas Pond by 1723. The Butler family constructed a second and third mill below Gumpas Brook near Gumpas Hill Road, operated by the Seavey Family (Wagon Wells were constructed there) and further down near Marsh Road. (Jacob Butler built a large mill north of Castle Hill Road later Beaver Brook which eventually washed out.)
Gumpas Pond Dams
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The original Stone Dam with working water wheel, buildings, bridges, waterways worked many years to produce lumber for the surrounding area of Hudson, Windham, and Pelham. The mill also had grinding wheels used to mill grains grown from distant fields. (Don Foss relative of John Butler) The upper dam stored water which was released into the lower pond by sluiceway to operate the waterwheel.
The mills were sold to the Atwoods in early 1900’s to continue operation until burning to the ground in 1906. The stone foundations and abutments survive below the home of Don Foss of Granite Drive. The upper dam which forms Gumpas Pond, built of field stones and quarry granite, with center walls and a gravel filled gravity dam is located at the southeastern end of the pond. The dam is still functioning as the reservoir of Gumpas Pond supporting wildlife, recreation, scenic vistas, and residential shorelines. (Dimensions of the dam are 170 ft. long, 15-18ft. wide, 10 ft. high at the base)
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Recent History
The Gumpas Pond Association formed in 1992 (shore land homeowners) purchased the dam sold by Don Foss to make repairs and maintain the dam and preserve the Gumpas Pond area and educate members of the now Gumpas Pond Preservation Association. The association members continue their efforts to maintain and improve the Gumpas Pond Dam for the benefit of all.
