EPSOM HISTORY

Articles on Epsom History

History of Epsom, New Hampshire - complete by John H. Dolbeer and published in Hurd's History of Belknap and Merrimack Counties.

Early Settlers of Epsom by John Mark Moses

Historical and Topographical Sketch of Epsom by Rev. Jonathan Curtis 1823

Old Homes Remembered, 1899 Old Home Day address by John H. Dolbeer

pdf icon Three 1899 Old Home Day addresses by John H. Dolbeer, Mrs. J. W. Fowler and Dr. Andros P. Chesley

Epsom's Physicians 1899 Old Home Day address by Dr. Andros P. Chesley

pdf icon Three 1899 Old Home Day addresses by John H. Dolbeer, Mrs. J. W. Fowler and Dr. Andros P. Chesley

Historical Sketch of Epsom NH and pageant written by Loella Marden Bunker for the 200th Anniversry of the Town of Epsom in 1927. Includes some Photos.

Brief History of Epsom, N.H.: Incorporated 1727 by residents of Rye, New Castle and Greenland

The Capture of Isabella McCoy as recorded in the History of Manchester.

pdf icon The Capture of Isabella McCoy by the Indians in 1747. 2 pages

A McClary Grange program written in 1954 for a meeting of the McClary Grange on its 75th Anniversary which takes a look at Epsom and the world from 1885-1954. An interesting look back at live and times, with rotary phones being one of the highlights. Author unknown.

From Epsom Historical Association Publications

EAST STREET : Road to Settle Epsom, written for 275th Anniversary of the Town and Old Home Day, Aug. 10, 2002. Info on the original 20 home-lots. Maps

 

Revolution and the Stone Wall Era.: Following East Street, the history of Epsom from the French and Indian Wars to 1830, including the first church, schools and the Revolutionary War.

A series of 12 publications with the history of various parts of Epsom covering the entire town, available as a web page, and for downloading and printing, as a pdf file.:

Black Hall Road History: Based on memoirs of Benjamin M. Towle, comes this history of Black Hall Road, focusing on its settling families and homes.

pdf icon Black Hall Road History pdf file: 61 pages

Gossville and Goboro Road: History of Gossville from the work of the Gossville Historic District; Goboro Road on memoirs of Benjamin M. Towle..

pdf icon Gossville and Goboro Road pdf file: 73 pages

New Rye's Early History: History of the New Rye District of Epsom including homes and families and the early proprietors.

pdf icon New Rye's Early History .pdf file: 81pages

Slab City: Also known as Epsom Center, follows the Little Suncook River and the site of Epsom's early mills next to the later First NH Turnpike.

pdf icon Slab City pdf file: 59 pages

Mountain Road and New Portsmouth: From the entrance on Center Hill Road to New Rye, the homes and families of what was Mountain Road and the area once known as New Portsmouth are highlighted.

New Orchard Road: Based on the memoirs of George H. Yeaton and inhabitants on the 1858 and 1892 maps.

pdf icon New Orchard Road pdf file: 56 pages
North Road to 107: Families and homes from the Pittsfield line to the town of Deerfield.

pdf icon North Road to 107 pdf file: 33 pages

Sanborn Hill : First settled by the Charles McCoy family, and by 1761, the Sanborns, the road went from Center Hill to New Rye.

pdf icon Sanborn Hill pdf file: 43 pages

Fowler District and Jug City: The Fowler District contains the land in the town's second division lots.

Short Falls: Described as a small community unto itself, it covers the Four Corners to the Suncook Valley Highway and River Road.

pdf icon Short Falls pdf file: 52 pages

Marden's Corner : The area of the Traffic Circle and the roads leading into it, originally the crossroads comprising the Marden District.

pdf icon Marden's Corner pdf file: 59 pages

Center Hill : The area of the Traffic Circle and the roads leading into it, originally the crossroads comprising the Marden District.

pdf icon Center Hill pdf file: 73 pages
Articles on Church History

Epsom Churches: The Free Will Baptist Church, the Congregationalists,and the Christian Society at New Rye

Congregational Church

pdf icon First Church of Epsom by John Mark Moses from the Granite Monthly Magazine. 4 pages

pdf icon 200 Years of Congregationalism in Epsom by Gilbert Knowles - history of the Congregational Church 8 pages
pdf icon First Minister of Epsom - the grandson of Rev. John Tuck takes issue with how his grandfather was dismissed and how history treats Capt. Andrew McClary. PDF only - 3 pages

pdf icon History of the Epsom Baptist Church on its 100th Anniversary by Rev. Donald Macomber and more. 7 pages

Historical Statement of the Church in Epsom. In July of 1899, Rev. John Woodbury Scribner, pastor of the Epsom Freewill Baptist Church, gave four lectures on the history of the church as part of its 75th anniversary. His original notes are housed at the NH Historical Society (277.78b E664) as "Historical statement of the church in Epsom." It is quoted by a later article by the Rev. Donald E. Macomber. Included here are the first two lectures covering the early history of the church.

Centennial Address on the Baptist Church 1961. Dr. Emmet Russell, had retired and returned to Epsom and remained a member of the church. His article on the history of the building was part of the centennial celebration.

pdf icon Christian Church at New Rye and Allenstown Meeting House. 17 pages

 

Articles from Newspapers

History from old Newspapers - News articles divided into catagories, including fires, obits, marriages, news articles, ads, legal and miliatry notices, pauper and personal notices, probate, and real estate sale.

Articles on Structures & Buildings

short falls bridgeShort Falls Covered Bridge: Several photos and short history of the old covered bridge at Short Falls, in Epsom, torn down circa 1950. Includes articles by Russell S. Yeaton.

 

 

EPSOM'S EARLY TAVERNS AND STORES : An Epsom Historical Association publication, the early taverns and stores of Epsom, taken from early town records.

HISTORIC HOMES AND STRUCTURES : Research on some of the older homesteads, buildings and structures in Epsom by Joyce and Carleton Rand.

History of the Samuel Blake Homestead

TOUR OLD EPSOM : Stroll down Black Hall Road, Goboro Road and Mountain Road as Benjamin M. Towle recollects the old homes and families. Dictated in 1936, includes many photos.

TOUR OLD EPSOM : Stroll down New Orchard Road as George H. Yeaton recollects the old homes and families living there in 1892. Includes many photos.

pdf icon Stroll down New Orchard Road 7 pages

 

old libraryThe Epsom Public Library : article by Peg Daniels written on the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Epsom Library.

 

pdf icon The Epsom Public Library 15 pages

Epsom Social Library : Newly discovered pamphlet from 1803 of the Epsom Social Library with rules, regulations, catalog of books and list of members.

schoolhouseEpsom One Room Schools : Short history and photos of 10 Epsom One Room Schools by Geo. H. Yeaton

Epsom's One Room Schools : Overview of the nine old one room schools and information by each district

 

Our Schools 1899 Old Home Day address by Mrs. James W. (Ruhamah Locke) Fowler

pdf icon Three 1899 Old Home Day addresses by John H. Dolbeer, Mrs. J. W. Fowler and Dr. Andros P. Chesley

Warrants and Minutes of the Marden School DIstrict No. 10 for 1851.

pdf icon Warrants and Records of the Marden School District 1851-1885. 27 pages

pdf icon Warrants and Records of the Center School District 1847-1883. PDF only 67 pages

Epsom Town Pound & Tramp House : Read how their histories collided

McClary houseThe McClary Homestead : 1893 article about the 1740 home and family.

pdf icon The McClary Homestead with original artwork. 5 pages

 

One of the Oldest Houses in One of the Oldest Towns : The McClary House and History from the Granite Monthly Magazine August 1925.

History of the Free Will Baptist Meetinghouse built in 1861 and moved in 2007. Includes background on the old parsonage. [pdf version with photos]

 

 

 

Reminiscence of an Old Lady: First hand account about the old Meetinghouse.

Floorplan of the original Meetinghouse

Articles on McClary

The McClary Family by Warren Tripp from the Granite Monthly and General Michael McClary by John C. French. More McClary info on the Biography pages.

The McClary Family printed as a series of articles in the Valley Times Newspaper in 1868. Excellent description of NH militia at Bunker Hill. Possibly by John Cate French, but no author given.

pdf icon McClary Family History a collection of articles on the family and biographies of Maj. Andrew, Esquire John and General Michael McClary by authors Gilbert Knowles, Warren Tripp and John French. Includes Michael McClary's wife's widow's pension and Funeral Sermon for John McClary, son of Michael by Rev. Mr. Jonathan Curtis. Photos. 25 pages

pdf icon McClary Family - Andrew McClary and extensive account of NH Militia at Bunker Hill. From ValleyTimes Newspaper. PDF only 9 pages.

HISTORY of the McCLARY CEMETERY and the early settlement of Epsom Center, from a program presented by the Epsom Historical Association Sept. 2006.

Articles on Business & Industry

historyEpsom Shoe Factory : Short history of the Epsom Shoe Factory and Box Shop. Later the Barmer Narrow Fabric Co.
pdf icon The Epsom Shoe Factory history and minutes of meetings. 19 pages

Hiram Holmes discusses old water powered mills and an article from the Granite Monthly how Epsom re-invents its industry from farming to poultry.

pdf icon Articles on the Short Falls Bridge and Grist Mill, including by Russell Yeaton - Hiram Holmes articles on old water mills - Hattie Heath on the Barmer Narrow Fabric Company and on the growing of the Epsom Poultry industry. 18 pages

GOSS DAY BOOK : Activities of William Goss as he begins to set up 'Gossville' starting in 1855.

 

Articles about People - Diaries etc.

LIFE OF JOHN TUCK : First Minister of Epsom - the grandson of Rev. John Tuck takes issue with how his grandfather was dismissed and how history treats Capt. Andrew McClary

DIARIES of James Babb : Operated a store in Epsom 1819 to about 1830. An outstanding account of events in Epsom. Also served as Town Clerk

pdf icon The Diary of James Babb 1819-1823. 131 pages

Two Love Letters - Two letters written by James Babb of Epsom in 1821 to his eventual wife Susan Mead of Northwood.

Enoch Worthen Eastman writes from California in 1869 some personal recollections of events in Epsom, including first hand McClary family dealings.

Stickney Robinson 1858 California Diary - Stickney Robinson 1810-1866 left his family in Epsom for emplyment in California. Rowena D. Wilson uncovered the diary and offered the transcription.

Charles J. Brown Civill War Diaries : Four diaries fo Charles Jeffrey Parson Brown including his participation in the Civil War:
pdf icon Charles J. Brown's 1863 Diary 52 pages,.. The 1860-1861 Diaries 68 pages 1865 Diary 52

JAMES M SHERBURNE 1859 Diary with his daily activites, company, day book entries and daily weather. Some deaths and marriages.

EDWIN M. SHERBURNE 1862 Civil War Diary details his day to day activities during the Civil War, including his daily meals.

ANDREW J HALL Civil War Diary details his experience with Company E, Second Regiment of Illinois Cavalry. A revised version for easy reading and a direct transcription.

pdf icon The Civil War Diary of Andrew J. Hall 1823-1873. 32 pages

JOHN C. YEATON 1886 & 1887 Diaries written around age 12, these two diaries document life for a young boy growing up on a rural farm - from chores to playing ball. [1887]

CATHERINE A. YEATON 1882, 1885, 1886 & 1895 Diaries : Four diaries of Catherine A Yeaton, (1820-1900) wife of Warren Yeaton who lived at the Yeaton Tavern on North Road. Info on the weather, visitors, work around the farm and some local deaths and information. [1882 1885 1886 1895]

pdf icon Catherine A Yeaton Diaries 1882, 1885, 1886 and 1887, 295 pages

HELEN B STEELE 1881 Diary This diary returned to Epsom after 130 years and gives a day by day account of the 21 year Helen Steele who lived in the McClary house on Center Hill. Trials and tribulations with family and friends. Transcription by Ella Van Camp.

FUNERAL SERMON for Rev. Ebenezer Hazeltine delivered by Isaac Smith, A.M. at Epsom, NH Nov. 12, 1813.

TWO SERMONS from 1815 by Rev. Jonathan Curtis, in Epsom on Fast Day and national thanksgiving.

pdf icon TWO SERMONS from 1815 by Rev. Jonathan Curtis. 12 pages

Memoirs of George H. Yeaton

pdf icon Memoirs of George H. Yeaton who wrote down many of his memories of growing up in Epsom - and many of these are available in the Historical Association files. Not available in any other format on the website. PDF only 97 pages.

pdf icon Memoirs II - Still more memories of Epsom, NH in this second volume. Includes Baptist Church History and winter roads.Only available in this format. PDF only 67 pages

 

Research Links

Additional Historical Information in Adobe pdf format

pdf icon Early Records of the Congregatonal Church and Rev. John Tucke in Epsom with additional membership records through 1882. 50 pages

pdf icon Early Epsom Baptist Church Records from its beginnings in 1824. Some of the manuscript illegible, includes membership. 56 pages

pdf icon Revolutionary War Soldiers of Epsom, Grave Photos and Association Test signers. 23 pages

pdf icon Early Town Vital Records from the old town books at NH Archives. 26pages

pdf icon The Epsom Portion of the Diary of Rev. Moses Quimby from 1850-1886. Minister for the Baptist Church 4 times, including when the Church was built. 34 pages

pdf icon Short Falls Cemetery Association records, bylaws and minutes 1864-1925. 24 pages

pdf icon Epsom Cemetery Book Index - combine this with the Inscriptions of Epsom Cemeteries pdf file to have a complete cemetery book. This is the INDEX only - names and maiden names when known with corresponding page in the Inscriptions portion. 106 pages

pdf icon Inscriptions of Epsom Cemeteries and Dolbeer Death Records by Cemetery. See seperate index for alpha listing. 135 pages

pdf icon Epsom Civil War Soldiers includes men with ties to Epsom, those buried in Epsom, Regiment, Service and Photos. Also GAR info. 16 pages

pdf icon Biographies of 18 Notable Epsom Citizens: Bickford, Goss, Cate, Clark, Doe, Dolbeer, Gray, Locke, Martin, Philbrick, Sanders, Wallace, Webster, Wells, Chesley, Tennant & Yeaton. Some photos. 38 pages