Towns

Amherst, NH

Like many New England towns, Amherst was the result of a land grant given to soldiers - in this case, to soldiers in 1728 who had participated in King Philip's War. Settled about 1733, it was first called "Narragansett Number 3," and then later "Souhegan Number 3." In 1741, settlers formed the Congregational church and hired the first minister. Chartered in 1760 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, the town was named for Lord General Jeffrey Amherst, who commanded British forces in North America during the French and Indian War. Lord Jeffrey Amherst is also infamous for initiating the practice of giving smallpox blankets to Native Americans in an effort "to Extirpate this Execrable Race" (as quoted from his letter to Colonel Henry Bouquet on July 16, 1763).

Atkinson, NH

Atkinson, NH has a rich history, dating back to the American Revolution. Atkinson Academy, the oldest co-educational school in the country, was founded as a boys' school in 1787 by Reverend Stephen Peabody, General Nathaniel Peabody and Doctor William Cogswell; it began admitting girls in 1791. The school building burnt to the ground in 1802, and was rebuilt in 1803 at a cost of $2,500. That building remains a part of the Academy, housing the fifth-grade classrooms. Other historic buildings, such the Atkinson Historical Society and Library, Rockwell School (current police station), and many more, grace this southern NH town with their rich historical value and education of the history of the area.

Auburn, NH

Auburn was incorporated in 1845. Once a part of Chester, it was known as Chester Woods, Chester West Parish, Long Meadow, and then Auburn. As with Auburn, Maine, Auburn, Massachusetts and Auburn, New York, the name is from Oliver Goldsmith's popular 18th century poem, "The Deserted Village", which begins: Sweet Auburn! loveliest village of the plain, Where health and plenty cheered the labouring swain Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid, And parting summer's lingering blooms delayed

Bedford, NH

Established in 1730 as Narragansett Number 5 for the benefit of soldiers who fought against the Narragansett Indians in Rhode Island, it was regranted first as Souhegan East, then as Bedford in 1750. The town was named for Lord John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, Secretary of State for the Southern Department (1748-1751), and a close friend of Governor Benning Wentworth, whose first wife, Diana Spencer, was cousin to the Duke of Marlborough. Bedford's first moderator was Mayor John Goffe, son of Colonel John Goffe for whom Goffstown was named.

Bow, NH

Incorporated in 1727, the town was one of several formed to ease population pressures on the Seacoast. The town's name comes from its establishment along an arch, or "bow", in the Merrimack River. The first census, taken in 1790, reported 568 residents.

Brookline, NH

First a part of Dunstable, Massachusetts, then settled as West Hollis, the town was granted in 1769 as "Raby." Colonial Governor John Wentworth named the town in honor of his cousin, 4th Earl of Strafford and Baron of Raby Castle in County Durham, England. The town was renamed in 1798 at the suggestion of one of the town's leading citizens, who hailed from Brookline, Massachusetts. The town has several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Candia, NH

Candia was once part of Chester and known as Charmingfare, probably because of the many bridle paths or "parades" through pleasant scenery. Settled about 1743, it was incorporated in 1763 and named Candia by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, possibly in memory of his sea travels following graduation from Harvard. Candia was the name of the principal city of Crete.

Chester, NH

Incorporated in 1722, Chester once included Candia, set off in 1763. First called "the chestnut country," it may have been the first of the settlement grants by Massachusetts selected for expansion of growing populations in the seacoast. The name may be derived from Cheshire, Chester being the county seat of Cheshire in England. Earl of Chester is a title held by the Prince of Wales. Daniel Chester French, sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., was a summer resident and took Chester as his middle name because of his love for the town

Concord, NH

The land was originally settled thousands of years ago by Native Americans called the Pennacook.They fished for migrating salmon, sturgeon and alewives with nets strung across the rapids of the Merrimack River. The stream was also the transportation route for their birch bark canoes, which could travel from Lake Winnipesaukee to the Atlantic Ocean. The broad sweep of the valley provided good soil for farming beans, gourds, pumpkins, melons and maize

Danville, NH

Originally a parish of Kingston, it was chartered in 1760 as Hawke, after Admiral Sir Edward Hawke. The town was renamed in 1836 after early settlers, at least three of whom had been named Daniel.

Deerfield NH

Deerfield was originally part of Nottingham. In 1756, residents petitioned for organization of a separate parish, but were denied. In 1765, while a second petition was pending, two local hunters presented Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth with a deer. Permission was granted, and "Deerfield" would be incorporated in 1766. "Deerfield Parade," a hilltop district first settled about 1740, was located on the early postal route between Concord and Portsmouth. Here, the militia of the Revolutionary and Civil wars trained and "paraded" on the village common. The "Parade" was then a professional, cultural and trade center. About 1798, citizens founded Deerfield Academy, a high school. Unfortunately, it burned in 1842.

Derry, NH

Although it was first settled by Scottish-Irish families in 1719, Derry was not incorporated until 1827. It was for a long time part of Londonderry, which included Windham and portions of Manchester, Salem and Hudson. The town was named for the city of Derry, Northern Ireland, the Irish word "Doire" meaning "oak woods." The first potato planted in the United States was planted here in 1719. The town is the location of two of America's oldest private schools, Pinkerton Academy, founded in 1814 and still in operation, and the closed Adams Female Seminary.

Dunbarton, NH

Originally granted as Gorham's-town in 1735, and re-granted as Starkstown in 1748, the town was incorporated in 1765 as Dunbarton. The name came from Dunbartonshire in Scotland, hometown to Archibald Stark, a prominent settler.

Fremont, NH

Settled in the 1720s, Fremont was originally part of Exeter. The area was once famous for its heavy growth of high-quality eastern white pine trees, reserved for use as masts of the Royal English Navy. But residents began to use the wood for home construction. When in 1734 David Dunbar, surveyor-general, visited the Copyhold Mill to inspect fallen lumber, local citizens assembled, discharged firearms, and convinced Dunbar to leave. Returning with 10 men, Dunbar's group was attacked, and dispersed to a local tavern, by citizens disguised as Indians. This insurrection would be known as the "Mast Tree Riot."

Goffstown, NH

The town was first granted as "Narragansett No. 4" in 1734 by Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher of Massachusetts, which then held authority over New Hampshire. It was one of seven townships intended for soldiers (or their heirs) who had fought in the "Narragansett War" of 1675, also known as King Philip's War. In 1735, however, some grantees "found it so poor and barren as to be altogether incapable of making settlements," and were instead granted a tract in Greenwich, Massachusetts. The community would be called "Piscataquog Village" and "Shovestown" before being regranted by Governor Benning Wentworth in 1748 to new settlers, including Colonel John Goffe, for whom the town was named. In 1761, Goffstown was incorporated. The village of Grasmere was named for Grasmere, England, home of poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Hampstead, NH

Once part of Haverhill and Amesbury, Massachusetts settled in 1640, this town was formed as a result of the 1739 change in boundary lines between Massachusetts and the new province of New Hampshire. It was originally known as "Timberlane Parish" because of the heavy growth of native trees. The town would be incorporated in 1749 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, who renamed it after Hampstead, England, the residence of William Pitt, a close friend. Hampstead's Main Street is lined with antique homes. The town is a popular summer camp location.

Hollis, NH

Hollis has a number of town traditions and celebrations characteristic of old New England towns. Because several farms in Hollis grow strawberries, every June, the town holds its annual Strawberry Festival on the Common to celebrate its successful harvest. Hundreds of tourists descend on the Common to enjoy games and music, and plenty of strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, and innumerable other strawberry desserts. Similarly, given the many apple orchards in the own, there is the annual Apple Festival in the fall, where apple desserts and festivities are equally abundant. There is also a popular apple pie contest.

Hooksett, NH

Hooksett (population 12,807) is located in south-central New Hampshire, just north of Manchester, the State's largest city, and 8 miles south of Concord, the State capitol. First known as Chester Woods and Rowe's Corner, this town was called Hooksett for nearly fifty years before being incorporated in 1822. There were several ferries located here for crossing the Merrimack River, as well as lumber mills and a brick-making establishment powered by the falls. In 1794, the lottery-funded Hooksett Canal became part of the transportation facilities of the Amoskeag cotton mills in Manchester.

Hudson, NH

Hudson began as part of the Dunstable Land Grant that encompassed the current city of Nashua, New Hampshire, as well as Dunstable and Pepperell, Massachusetts. When New Hampshire became its own colony, the New Hampshire portion became Dunstable, New Hampshire. This section was eventually subdivided into 3 towns: Nashville (west of the Merrimack River and north of the Nashua River), Nashua (west of the Merrimack River and south of the Nashua River) and Nottingham (east of the Merrimack River). Nashville and Nashua would later merge to form the city of Nashua.

Litchfield, NH

Originally known as Naticook, the name was changed to Brenton's Farm in 1729 when the land was granted to William Brenton, colonial governor of Rhode Island. The town was incorporated in 1734. After Brenton's death in 1749, the land was granted to another group of settlers and named Litchfield after George Henry Lee, Earl of Litchfield. Wiseman Claget moved to his substantial estates here shortly before the Revolution. He was involved in the temporary government serving as the only Solicitor General, the post being abolished shortly before his death in 1784.

Londonderry, NH

Londonderry lies in an area that was first known as "Nutfield" because of the heavy woods with nut trees. The town was settled in 1718. In 1722, it was chartered and given the name "Londonderry", after the city in Northern Ireland called Derry/Londonderry. Early settlers spread out into surrounding villages, bringing Scottish and Irish names like Antrim, Derry and Dunbarton. Londonderry was the second largest town in early colonial times, and Derry, Windham and a portion of Manchester were formed from it. In 1790, the first year that a census was taken in Londonderry, the population was 2,622.

Manchester, NH

Pennacook Indians called the area Amoskeag, meaning "good fishing place" -- a reference to the Amoskeag Falls in the Merrimack River. In 1722, John Goffe settled on land beside Cohas Brook, where several years later he built a dam and sawmill. The community was called Old Harry's Town. In 1735, the Province of Massachusetts Bay granted it as Tyngstown to settlers from Massachusetts. A decade following the separation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts, Governor Benning Wentworth in 1751 chartered the town as Derryfield.

Mason, NH

First known as "Number One," the first in a line of border towns including area allotted to this state by Massachusetts upon establishment of New Hampshire as a separate state in 1741. The town's charter was granted in 1749 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, and in 1768 his nephew, Governor John Wentworth, named it in honor of New Hampshire's founder, Captain John Mason. Captain Mason was the holder of patent with title to the land that became New Hampshire. Greenville would be set off from Mason in 1872.

Merrimack, NH

Human beings began to settle the area currently known as Merrimack sometime after the recession of the glaciers that had spread over much of New England during the last ice age. European settlers first came to the area in the late 17th Century when the area was still in dispute between the Province of New Hampshire and Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Milford, NH

Milford separated from neighboring Amherst in 1794. Like most towns named Milford in the United States, its name comes from the fact that it grew around a mill built on a ford - in this case on the Souhegan River. Milford was once home to numerous granite quarries, which produced a stone that was used, among other things, to make the pillars for the Treasury building in Washington, D.C. - pillars that can still be seen on the American $10 bill. Its nickname remains "The Granite Town," although only one small quarry is in operation as of 2007.

Mont Vernon, NH

Mont Vernon broke away from neighboring Amherst in 1803, following a dispute over the town parish. It later added a small portion of neighboring Lyndeborough. Mont Vernon's general history follows that of many towns in this region: Originally settled for agriculture, its farms were hard hit after the Civil War when railroads opened up better farming land in the Midwest. Population peaked in 1870 and began to decline.

Nashua, NH

Nashua is a city in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, USA. As of the 2000 census, Nashua had a total population of 86,605[1], making it the second largest city in the state after Manchester. As of 2005, the population is estimated to be 87,986.[2] Built around the now-departed textile industry, in recent decades it has been swept up in southern New Hampshire's economic expansion as part of the Boston region. Nashua was twice named "Best Place to Live in America" in annual surveys by Money magazine.[3] It is the only city to get the No. 1 ranking two times-in 1987 and 1997. Nashua is currently ranked #87, as of summer 2006.[4] In 2007, the Morgan Quitno Press ranked Nashua as the 27th safest city in the country.

New Boston, NH

The town was first granted in 1736 by Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher of Massachusetts, which then held authority over New Hampshire. It was granted to several Boston families, and was to have been called Lanestown or Piscataquog Township. Instead, by 1751 they called it New Boston after their hometown. Not all the grantees took up their claims, and the land was regranted ten years later to settlers from Londonderry. When the town was incorporated in 1763, Governor Benning Wentworth formally recognized the long-used name of New Boston.

Pelham, NH

Pelham was split from Old Dunstable in 1741, when the border between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was changed. It was incorporated in 1746. The town is named in honor of Henry Pelham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1743-1754. Henry Pelham was a relative of colonial governor Benning Wentworth.

Plaistow, NH

The Town of Plaistow is situated in the Southeast corner of New Hampshire. It has an area of nine square miles. Town boundaries are: on the north by Hampstead, northeast by Kingston, east by Newton, south by Haverhill, Massachusetts and west by Atkinson. Plaistow has an estimated population of 7,500. According to the 1999 Town Report, Plaistow had a net assessed valuation of $496,449,347. It's interesting to note that the 1948 Town Report showed a population of 1,800 and a valuation of $1,436,703. Aside from the obvious effects of inflation over 50 years, Plaistow has grown considerably since then, as many long term (and even not so long term) residents can attest. Keep reading for an "early years" history of Plaistow as printed in the 225th Anniversary Report in 1974.

Raymond, NH

This town was first settled by families from Exeter as a parish of Chester, and known as "Freetown" because it was exempt from the usual obligation of reserving its tall pine trees for masts in the Royal English Navy. Incorporated in 1764 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, the town was named for Captain William Raymond, who had raised a company of soldiers to fight in the war against Canada. Land in Raymond was granted to soldiers from Beverly, Massachusetts, and it was known as "Beverly-Canada."

Sandown, NH

Once part of Kingston, Sandown was incorporated as a separate town in 1756 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth. It was named for picturesque Sandown on the Isle of Wight. The first minister of Sandown, Reverend Joseph Cotton, built the Sandown Meeting House in 1774. It had an 11 foot high pulpit and marble columns supporting the gallery, and is still an excellent example of early New England church architecture. In fact, the meetinghouse is said to be the finest of its type in New Hampshire, with outstanding craftsmanship and architectural details.

Salem, NH

The area was first settled in 1652. As early as 1736, Salem was the "North Parish" of Methuen, Massachusetts, or "Methuen District." In 1741, when the boundary line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was re-established, the "North Parish" became part of New Hampshire, and was given the name "Salem," taken from nearby Salem, Massachusetts. It was incorporated in 1750 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth.

Weare, NH

Starting as a 1735 grant by Massachusetts Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher to soldiers in the Canadian wars, this town was named "Beverly-Canada," for the soldiers' hometown of Beverly, Massachusetts. It then went through the names "Halestown," "Robiestown," and "Wearestown." In 1764, it was incorporated by Governor Benning Wentworth as "Weare," in honor of Meshech Weare, who served as the town's first clerk.

Wilton, NH

For many years prior to 1740, the boundary lines of the province of New Hampshire were in dispute. Massachusetts claimed that the division boundary between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was defined by a line drawn from a point on the Atlantic coast 3 miles north of the mouth of the Merrimack River, and running on the northerly and easterly side of the river, at a distance of 3 miles from it, to a point 3 miles beyond the parallel of the junction of the Winnipiseogee and the Pemigewasset; thence due west to the Connecticut. This included all the territory included in the present-day limits of Hillsborough County, with the exceptions of the town of Pelham and a portion of the town of Hudson which was more than 3 miles from the Merrimack River. It also included the whole of Cheshire County and the larger part of the present-day Merrimack and Sullivan Counties.

Windham, NH

Settled in 1719 by Scottish immigrants seeking religious freedom, the Town of Windham was originally home to the Pawtucket Indians. It represented but a small part of a larger settlement, known by the residents as "Nutfield", which also encompassed the towns of Derry and Londonderry. By the year 1741, a small fraction of the original settlers had petitioned for a charter to form a separate community whose bounds included 27.2 square miles of land and water. In 1742, Governor Benning Wentworth granted their request and the Town of Windham was incorporated.

New Hampshire Communities

New Hampshire Community Profiles provides information on the 234 incorporated cities and towns in the State of New Hampshire. Data presented here comes from a variety of sources, including community response, published reports, and maps.