Founding Families of Exeter
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.Matches 1 to 2 of 2 » See Gallery
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| 1 | | Gilman Garrison House, Exeter, NH The Gilman Garrison House, Exeter, NH; from a 1906 postcard. It was built in 1709. Photo from a 1906 postcard., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons | |
| 2 |  | ExeterNH_LaddGilmanHouse |
| Linked to | Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA, DUDLEY, Rev. Samuel, FIELD, Darby, GILMAN, Edward Sr, GILMAN, Honorable John, GILMAN, Moses, HAM, William, MOORE, William, WENTWORTH, Elder William |