Delving into New Hampshire history reveals a narrative of resilience, innovation, and enduring American spirit. From its indigenous roots to its pivotal role in the nation’s founding and its evolution into a modern economic hub, the story of New Hampshire is as rugged and captivating as its granite mountains. The state, often affectionately known as the Granite State due to its extensive granite formations and quarries, boasts a unique trajectory among the thirteen original colonies, shaped by commerce, conflict, and a steadfast desire for independence.
Geographically, New Hampshire is a compact yet diverse state, approximately 180 miles long and 50 miles wide. It is bordered by Quebec, Canada to the north, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Massachusetts to the south, and Vermont to the west. Despite its modest size, being the 5th-smallest by area and 10th-least populous, its historical impact far outweighs its dimensions. Concord serves as the state capital, while Manchester stands as its largest city.
Indigenous Roots and Early European Encounters
Before the arrival of European settlers, the lands that would become New Hampshire were home to various Algonquin-speaking Abenaki tribes, primarily the Androscoggin and Pennacook nations. These communities, though sharing a linguistic heritage with other Algonquin peoples, possessed distinct cultural and religious practices, thriving in harmony with the region’s abundant natural resources.
While some historians speculate that Vikings may have briefly touched New Hampshire’s shores, the first documented European explorers to leave a record were Martin Pring in 1603, Samuel de Champlain in 1605, and most notably, Captain John Smith in 1614. Captain Smith, renowned for his adventures in Jamestown, Virginia, extensively explored and mapped the New England coastline, including the Isles of Shoals off New Hampshire. His vivid descriptions encouraged future settlement, painting a picture of a land of opportunity where, he wrote, “Here, every man may be a master of his own labor and land in a short time.”
The Birth of a Colony: Founding and Early Settlements
The true founder of New Hampshire was John Mason, a London merchant and former governor of Newfoundland. In 1622, Mason and Sir Ferdinando Gorges received a land patent from the Council for New England. By 1629, they divided their grant, with Mason claiming the territory he christened New Hampshire, named after his home county in England, even though he never personally set foot on the land.
Unlike many other New England colonies founded on religious dissent, New Hampshire’s initial settlements were driven primarily by commercial interests, particularly the excellent fishing grounds off its coast. David Thompson established Pannaway at Odiorne’s Point (present-day Rye) in 1623, focusing on fishing. Shortly thereafter, Edward and William Hilton founded a permanent settlement at Hilton’s Point, which became present-day Dover. Strawbery Banke, established in 1630 by settlers from Pannaway and the new Laconia Company, with support from John Mason, became another vital early community. Captain Thomas Wiggin was appointed the first governor of the Upper Plantation (Dover, Durham, Stratham) in 1631.
By 1638, Reverend John Wheelwright, who had left the Massachusetts Bay Colony due to religious conflict, founded Exeter. In the same year, Reverend Stephen Batchelor established Winnacunnet, or Hampton. By 1640, the colonial population numbered approximately 100 individuals.
Colonial Expansion and Conflicts
In 1653, Strawbery Banke was renamed Portsmouth, honoring Mason’s English roots, quickly evolving into a bustling colonial capital and a significant seaport. The region thrived on trade in furs and timber. New Hampshire became a distinct
