History of New Hampshire facts for kids
New Hampshire is a state located in the New England area of the northeastern United States. It has 234 towns and cities. It is the 41st state in the country by population, with about 1,400,000 people. It is also the 46th largest state by land area. New Hampshire was one of the Thirteen Colonies that fought for independence during the American Revolution. Today, the state is famous for its important presidential primary election. It is also known for outdoor activities, excellent schools, and its growing technology businesses.
Contents
Discovering New Hampshire's Past
Early People and Explorers
Long before Europeans arrived, different Abenaki tribes lived in the area now known as New Hampshire. These tribes spoke Algonquian languages. They included the Androscoggin, Ko'asek, and Pennacook nations. These groups had their own unique cultures and beliefs. European explorers from England and France first visited this region between 1600 and 1605. The first European settler, David Thompson, made his home at Odiorne's Point in 1623. This area is now part of Rye.
Becoming a Colony
In 1622, a group called the Council for New England gave land to Captain John Mason and Sir Ferdinando Gorges. This land was between the Merrimack River and the Kennebec River. Captain Mason sent settlers who arrived at Odiorne's Point in 1623. This was near what is now Portsmouth. This happened three years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. The first permanent European settlement was at Hilton's Point, now Dover, also in 1623.
How New Hampshire Got Its Name
In 1629, Mason and Gorges divided their land. Mason took the western part and named it New Hampshire. He named it after Hampshire, an English county. The name "Hampshire" came from the port of Southampton, once called "Hampton." Gorges named his eastern part New Somersetshire, which later became Maine. The Piscataqua River still forms part of the border between New Hampshire and Maine.
Early Settlements and Leaders
The settlement at Odiorne's Point was later moved to Strawbery Banke, founded in 1630. This place grew into modern Portsmouth. By 1631, other towns like Dover, Durham, and Stratham were growing. These early settlements had their own leaders for a while. Captain Thomas Wiggin was one of the first governors. In 1638, Exeter was founded by John Wheelwright.
Captain Mason passed away in 1635 and never saw his colony. His family eventually gave up on the colony. The settlers then decided to join with Massachusetts for a time. In 1653, Strawbery Banke changed its name to Portsmouth.
The relationship with Massachusetts was sometimes difficult. In 1679, King Charles II of England made New Hampshire a separate royal Province of New Hampshire. John Cutt became its governor. For many years, the governors of Massachusetts also governed New Hampshire.
Border Challenges and Conflicts
New Hampshire was located between British and French lands. This meant it was often involved in military conflicts. These included wars like King William's War and King George's War. By the 1740s, many native people had left the area or were gone.
The borders with Massachusetts were unclear for a long time. King George II helped settle the eastern boundary in the 1740s. The border with Canada was also debated until 1842.
New Hampshire also claimed land west of the Connecticut River. This land was also claimed by New York. This area, known as the New Hampshire Grants, eventually became the state of Vermont in the 1790s.
Life in the Colony: Slavery and Freedom
During the colonial period, slavery was a part of life in New Hampshire, as it was in other colonies. Laws were made to control the movement of enslaved people. For example, a 1714 law stated that enslaved people could not be out after 9 o'clock at night without permission.
New Hampshire did not charge a tax on enslaved people. This meant some enslaved people were brought into the colony and then moved to other places. The number of enslaved people in New Hampshire grew until the American Revolution.
After the Revolution, in 1779, a group of 20 enslaved people in Portsmouth asked for their freedom. Their request was not granted at that time. The state legislature did not officially end slavery until 1857. The 1840 United States census was the last time any enslaved people were counted in New Hampshire households. Even after slavery ended in the state, New Hampshire's economy was still connected to states where slavery continued.
New Hampshire's Role in the American Revolution
First Shots of Freedom
The only battle fought in New Hampshire during the American Revolutionary War was a raid on Fort William and Mary. This happened on December 14, 1774, in Portsmouth Harbor. Rebels took gunpowder, weapons, and cannons from the fort. Paul Revere had warned local patriots about British plans to reinforce the fort. These shots were among the first of the American Revolution. They happened about five months before the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Supporting the Fight for Independence
On January 5, 1776, New Hampshire became the first colony to create its own independent government. It also established its own constitution. However, this constitution stated that they did not want to break away from Great Britain yet. The attack on Fort William and Mary helped provide supplies for the Continental Army. These supplies were important for the Battle of Bunker Hill.
New Hampshire sent three regiments to the Continental Army. These were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd New Hampshire regiments. Local militia also fought in battles like Bunker Hill and Battle of Bennington. Important naval ships, like the USS Ranger and USS Raleigh, were built in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. These ships helped the Continental Navy and privateers fight against British merchant ships.
Concord was chosen as the state capital in 1808.
Growth and Change: 1815-1860
The Republic of Indian Stream
In 1832, a unique event happened on New Hampshire's northern border with Canada. A small area declared itself the Republic of Indian Stream. This was due to an unresolved border issue after the Revolutionary War. New Hampshire took control of this "republic" in 1835. The border dispute was finally settled in 1842 by the Webster–Ashburton Treaty.
Education and Social Changes
In 1835, abolitionists from Dartmouth College started the Noyes Academy in Canaan, New Hampshire. This was an experimental school that welcomed students of all races. At this time, some households in New Hampshire still had enslaved people. Local people who opposed integrated education eventually pulled the school building away with oxen. They then set it on fire, just months after it opened.
Political Shifts and New Ideas
Many people in New Hampshire supported the idea of ending slavery. The Free Soil Party, led by John P. Hale, had strong support. However, the Democratic Party often held power.
A new political group, the "Know Nothing" movement, became popular for a short time. They were concerned about the large number of Irish Catholic immigrants. In 1855, they won many elections. They changed laws about citizenship and reformed the state courts. They also supported banks and corporations. They tried to stop the sale of alcohol and opposed the spread of slavery into new territories.
By 1856, the Know Nothing party joined with the new Republican Party. This created a two-party system in New Hampshire, with the Republicans becoming a strong force.
New Hampshire During the Civil War
Sending Soldiers to War
New Hampshire played an important role in the American Civil War. The state sent 31,650 soldiers and 836 officers to fight for the Union. About 20% of these soldiers died from illness, accidents, or battle wounds. New Hampshire provided many volunteer infantry regiments. It also sent riflemen, cavalry, and artillery units. Troops from New Hampshire also served in the Navy and Marine Corps.
The "Fighting Fifth" Regiment
One of New Hampshire's most famous units was the 5th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was led by Colonel Edward Ephraim Cross. It was known as the "Fighting Fifth" in newspapers. Many people considered it one of the best Union regiments during the war. Historians later confirmed its bravery. This regiment had the highest number of battle-related deaths of any Union regiment.
A state official named Nathaniel Head helped organize records for soldiers. He made sure that families of soldiers, including widows and orphans, received the payments they had earned after the war.
From Mills to Modern Times: 1865-Present
New People and Industries
Between 1884 and 1903, many immigrants came to New Hampshire. Many French Canadians moved to the state. By the early 1900s, they made up 16% of the state's population. Polish immigrants also came to New Hampshire.
Joseph Laurent, an Abenaki chief, moved from Quebec. He wrote an Abenaki-English dictionary. He also set up an Indian trading post and served as its postmaster. Today, his site is recognized as a historic place.
Economic Changes and Growth
The Great Depression and new competition hurt the textile industry. The closing of the Amoskeag Mills in 1935 was a big loss for Manchester. Other mills also closed or changed ownership.
New Hampshire Today
After World War II, New Hampshire's economy grew. It became more connected to the Boston, Massachusetts, area. New highways helped cities expand into smaller towns.
Old textile mills were replaced by new technology companies. For example, Sanders Associates and Digital Equipment Corporation brought defense electronics and computers to southern New Hampshire. This helped the state become a center for high-tech businesses.
The years after the war also saw the rise of New Hampshire's political primary. This is the first primary election for President of the United States. It happens every four years and brings a lot of attention to the state.
See also
- Abenaki
- History of New England
- List of historical societies in New Hampshire
- List of newspapers in New Hampshire in the 18th century
- New Hampshire historical markers
- Timeline of Manchester, New Hampshire
- Union (American Civil War)
