NH Was Once Part of Massachusetts
Posted by Raven on July 21st, 2008
Some early history about New England, and NH in particular.
Uugh, grossly we used to be part of Massachusetts.
New Hampshire continued a part of Massachusetts until 1679, when the king separated them. He joined them again in 1686; but they were finally separated in 1691, and New Hampshire again became a royal province, the president and council being appointed by the Crown and the assembly elected by the people. Until 1741, however, the governor was but a lieutenant under the supervision of the governor of Massachusetts.
New Hampshire grew very slowly for many years. The chief cause of this was the fact that the heirs of Mason claimed the right to the land, and their infinite disputes and litigations with the settlers concerning the land titles repelled home-seekers. At last, after a hundred years of controversy, the Mason heirs were satisfied (1749) by the purchase of their claims.
In 1719 a colony of Scotch-Irish immigrants settled in New Hampshire and founded the town of Londonderry, so named from the city in Ireland from which they came. These people were thrifty, and they soon began an industry which they had learned in Ireland — the raising of flax and manufacturing of linen goods. The goods made by means of the old spinning-wheel in these humble cabins in the forests became famous over all New England, and even in the mother country.
My ancestors resided in Londonderry and were of Irish decent. But they came to the US long after these first people; my ancestors came during the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840’s and 50’s. I have the names and locations, births and deaths- the family tree- and most came to Londonderry after living in Boston for many years…they left Massachusetts in favor of the greener pastures and freedom of NH.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:05 am
Compared to the people of Maine, you New Hampshirites are lucky. As you undoubtedly already know, Maine stayed part of Massachusetts until it became a separate state in 1820, as a result of the Missouri Compromise.
Some interesting info, from Wiki:
Maine was settled before the Pilgrims went to Massachusetts, but then became part of Mass for about 150 years, something I didn’t previously know. Fortunately, they were re-separated from Mass, before the arrival of another family of Irishmen, the Kennedys.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:34 am
Maine used to be part of MA too, if my history tells me correctly! My parents used to always say “There’s no civilization north of Boston!” I’ve spent quite some time in Maine, and let me tell you, there IS civilization north of Boston! Much NICER civilization, too!