Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
Latitude: 42.9815, Longitude: -70.9478
Media
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| Albums | | The Exeter Combination (1639) (1) Another defining moment in our family history and the early development of New England was the Exeter Combination. This historic document, crafted by John Wheelwright and signed by 35 freemen, including our ancestors William Wentworth, Darby Field, and Edmund Littlefield, as signers on July 4, 1639, marks a significant step in the journey towards self-governance in the New World. William Wentworth, known as Elder William Wentworth, was an early settler of Exeter, demonstrating his commitment to the community through his active participation in its governance. Darby Field, celebrated for his adventurous spirit and as the first European to climb Mount Washington, also left his mark as one of the signatories. Edmund Littlefield, another signer, later became a prominent figure in Wells, Maine, known as "The Father of Wells," for his substantial contributions to the community. While not signatories of the Exeter Combination, Reverend Samuel Dudley and Edward Gilman Jr. were also instrumental in the early history of Exeter. Reverend Samuel Dudley, arriving in New England in 1630, served as Exeter's minister for over three decades from 1650, providing much-needed spiritual leadership to this fledgling community. His influence extended beyond the pulpit, shaping the moral and social fabric of Exeter. Edward Gilman Jr., another direct ancestor, played a pivotal role in the town's economic development. As an early settler, he was granted land and the right to establish Exeter's first sawmill, a cornerstone in the town's growth and prosperity. The Exeter Combination, housed in the Exeter Historical Society, is not just a treasure of the town's heritage but a significant artifact in American history. It stands as a testament to the early attempts at self-governance in the New World and the spirit of resilience and community that characterized our ancestors. In exploring the stories of these early settlers, we gain a deeper understanding of their contributions to the establishment and growth of Exeter. Their roles, whether as signatories of the Exeter Combination or as key figures in the town's founding, reflect a shared commitment to building a thriving community in the face of new and challenging frontiers. |
| Founding Families of Exeter (2) Exeter, New Hampshire, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1638 by John Wheelwright. Wheelwright, a clergyman exiled from the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony, purchased the land from Wehanownowit, the sagamore of the area. He named the town after Exeter in Devon, England, and brought about 175 individuals to establish the settlement. Exeter was one of the four original townships in the province and initially included Newmarket, Newfields, Brentwood, Epping, and Fremont. The town's early economy was based on hunting, planting, fishing, raising cattle and swine, and producing shakes (shingles) and barrel staves. Thomas Wilson established the town's first grist mill on the eastern side of the island in the lower falls. The Gilman family, early settlers from Hingham, England, played a significant role in Exeter's development. They were involved in lumber, shipbuilding, and trading as far as the West Indies. Exeter was also notable for its political significance. In 1774, the rebellious Provincial Congress began to meet in the Exeter Town House after being banned from Portsmouth by colonial governor John Wentworth. Exeter became New Hampshire's capital for 14 years, and the provincial records were brought there from Portsmouth. |
Birth
Matches 51 to 68 of 68
Last Name, Given Name(s)  |
Birth |
Person ID | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 |  GILMAN, Caleb | 1662 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I132 |
| 52 | DUDLEY, Dorothy | 1662 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I98 |
| 53 | GILMAN, Israel | 1661 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I133 |
| 54 | DUDLEY, Stephen Esq. | 24 Dec 1660 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I509 |
| 55 | GILMAN, Jeremiah | 31 Aug 1660 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I304 |
| 56 | GILMAN, Moses | 3 Jul 1659 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I134 |
| 57 | DUDLEY, Timothy | 1656 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I689 |
| 58 | POWELL, Thomas | 6 Mar 1655 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2402 |
| 59 | DUDLEY, Abigail | 1654 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I692 |
| 60 | HALEY, Ann | 1650 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2100 |
| 61 | HALEY, Andrew | 2 Jun 1648 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2082 |
| 62 | WILSON, John | Nov 1647 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2264 |
| 63 | WILSON, Deborah | 1646 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2083 |
| 64 | HERSEY, Elizabeth | Abt 1639 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I774 |
| 65 | MOORE, Mary | 1638 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I7679 |
| 66 | MOORE, Captain William | 1633 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I16976 |
| 67 | SMITH, Elizabeth | 1628 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I809 |
| 68 | Mary | 1625 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2263 |
Death
Matches 51 to 71 of 71
| Last Name, Given Name(s) |
Death |
Person ID | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | GILMAN, Moses | 6 Aug 1702 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I776 |
| 52 | SMITH, Elizabeth | 1702 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I809 |
| 53 | DUDLEY, Timothy | 1702 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I689 |
| 54 | NORRIS, James | 28 Mar 1698 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I16962 |
| 55 | GILMAN, Samuel | 9 Aug 1691 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2018 |
| 56 | HALEY, Thomas | 1688 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2104 |
| 57 | DUDLEY, Rev. Samuel | 10 Feb 1683 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I810 |
| 58 | POWELL, Robert | 1683 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I16924 |
| 59 | DUDLEY, Dorothy | 28 Oct 1681 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I98 |
| 60 | GILMAN, Mary | 15 Jun 1681 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I4754 |
| 61 | GILMAN, Deborah | 30 Sep 1680 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2013 |
| 62 | GILMAN, Joseph | 1680 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2012 |
| 63 | SHAPLEIGH, Catherine | 29 May 1676 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2020 |
| 64 | POWELL, Robert | 1676 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I7717 |
| 65 | DUDLEY, Rebeccah | 20 Dec 1674 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I687 |
| 66 | TREWORTHY, Abigail | 1670 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I8162 |
| 67 | HILTON, Edward | 19 May 1669 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I8062 |
| 68 | MOORE, Mary | 22 Jan 1660 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I7679 |
| 69 | GILMAN, Edward Sr | 22 Jun 1655 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I2030 |
| 70 | UNKNOWN, Hannah | Jun 1648 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I20106 |
| 71 | SMITH, Richard | 19 Nov 1647 | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA | I4672 |