History of Exeter, New Hampshire, USA

One of the four original towns of New Hampshire. Revolutionary War Capital of New Hampshire and site of the ratification of the first state constitution in the North American colonies in January 1776.

Exeter, New Hampshire
Rockingham county. This beautiful town lies 40 miles S.E. by E. from Concord, and 14 S.W. from Portsmouth. The compact part of the town lies about the falls, which separate the fresh from the tide water of a branch of the Piscataqua, called by the natives Swamscot, and now known by the name of Exeter river. Above the falls this stream assumes the name of Great river, to distinguish it from one of its smaller branches, called Little river. Great river has its source in Chester, whence it runs through several towns before it meets the tide water in the centre of Exeter. On this river are many valuable mill privileges.

The Exeter Cotton Manufacturing Company commenced operations April 1, 1830. Their principal building is of brick, 175 feet by 45. They have 5,000 spindles, employ 212 girls and 40 men and boys. They manufacture annually about 1,400,000 yards of sheeting. They consume about 1,200 bales of cotton, 300 cords of wood, and 22,500 pounds of potatoe...

Exeter, the seat of justice of Rockingham county, New Hampshire, on the Boston and Maine railroad, 50 miles N. from Boston, and 37 S. E. from Concord. It has a delightful situation on a river of its own name, and contains, besides the county buildings, from 30 to 40 stores, 3 or 4 churches, a bank, a newspaper office, and a richly endowed educational institution, called Phillips's Academy, founded 1781. The falls at this place, to which the river is navigable, afford good water- power. The industry of the inhabitants is chiefly directed to manufactures, which consist of cotton goods, morocco, paper, blank books, &c. Population of the township, 3229 ; of the village, in 1863, about 3000.

Exeter, N. H., March 15. - Fire broke out in the Exeter cotton mills about 4 a.m. It started in the basement, and burned up through the building, destroying the engine room and the older part of the mill, which was destroyed once before.

The new part of the mill was saved. The fire was under control at 9:30.

Loss estimated at $250,000.

Two hundred and forty hands are thrown out of employment.

Help was summoned from neighboring places.

The building destroyed was a five-story structure, 250 feet along, and was equipped with 10,000 speniles [sic] and twelve pair of mules and contained all the carding machinery. The new mill, which was of nearly equal size, and which was built in 1876, was only slightly damaged by smoke and water. The old mill, so-called was practically a new building that was destroyed by a $100,000 fire in 1887.

Exeter, a post-village, semi-capital of Rockingham co, N.H., in Exeter township, on the £ River, and on the Boston & Maine £ 51 miles N. by E. of Boston, and 17 miles S.S.W. of Dover. It contains a court-house, 8 churches, a national bank, 2 savings-banks, Phillips Academy, which is richly endowed, the Robinson Female Seminary, a pottery, 2 machine-shops, a cotton-mill, 2 newspaper offices, several manufactories of carriages and boots and shoes, &c. Pop. of the township, 4284.

Exeter, N. H., July 14. Fire broke out on the roof of the Swampscott House, the largest hotel in this town. Before the fire department could get in effective work the building was destroyed, entailing a loss of $25,000. The high wind which prevailed prevented the local apparatus from doing effective work, and assistance was summoned from Haverhill, Dover and other points. The augmented forces by great effort confined the flames to the hotel. The hotel employees occupied the upper story. They will lose everything. There were a number of guests in the house, but all escaped with their belongings. There was an insurance of $15,000 on the property.

Exeter, N. H. Jan. 1 - The Goodwin block on Front street was visited by fire early this morning. Loss $28,000 to block and tenants. The occupants of the upper floor barely escaped with their lives, being unable to save anything. The block was owned by Goodwin Bros, who lose $8,000; Dr. A. S. Wetherell $15,000; Mrs. Jennie Bennett, restaurant, $1,000; Goodwin Bros., grocers, $1,500; other tenants $1,500. All insured.

Exeter, N. H., July 3. - An investigation has failed to determine the cause of the fire that ruined the interior of the main building of Phillips Exeter academy, early today. The loss is estimated at $100,000.

Priceless portraits of the founder, instructors, eminent graduates and benefactors and numerous trophies and gifts of former classes were lost in the fire.

The school is closed for the summer and all of the officials were away. The building was beyond hope of saving when the firemen reached the scene, but they saved the gymnasium, physical laboratory and Abbott and Alumni halls close by. Only the walls of the main academy building were left standing and the furnishings and decorations of the famous old structure are a total loss.

Among the portraits destroyed besides that of John Phillips, the founder, were those of Daniel Webster, Edward Everett, Lewis Cass, Jared Stark, George Bancroft and John A. Dix. the war governor of New York. A bust of General Benjamin F. Butler ...