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flag  History of Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

Journey back in time to Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

(North)

Explore Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.

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Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Main Street Looking North, 1906

The area was first granted on December 31, 1735, by colonial governor Jonathan Belcher of Massachusetts as "Plantation No. 4", the fourth in a line of townships on the Connecticut Rivers..

On July 2, 1753, the town was rechartered as "Charlestown" by Governor Benning Wentworth, after Admiral Charles Knowles of the Royal Navy, then governor of Jamaica.



Explore even more about Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA. Keep reading!



Charlestown Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Main Street Looking North, 1906
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Main Street Looking North, 1906
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Eagle Hotel before fire, 1907
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Eagle Hotel before fire, 1907
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Silsby Library
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Silsby Library
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Main St. looking South
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Main St. looking South
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Summer Street
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Summer Street
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - The Elms, 1915
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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The Elms, 1915
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Old Gristmill Dam, Devil's Gully
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Old Gristmill Dam, Devil's Gully
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Main St. Looking South, 1915
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Main St. Looking South, 1915
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Old Fiddle-Box Factory
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Old Fiddle-Box Factory
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Lovers' Lane
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Lovers' Lane
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Main Street
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Main Street
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Railroad station
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Railroad station
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Unitarian Church
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Unitarian Church
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Summer St.
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Summer St.
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - Ascutney from Charlestown, N.H., 1927
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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Ascutney from Charlestown, N.H., 1927
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA - The Johnson House, 1933
Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

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The Johnson House, 1933

Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to CHARLESTOWN

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I Love NEW HAMPSHIRE Mug – Apple Cider Donuts, Pumpkins & Maple Syrup Coffee Cup

Celebrate cozy New Hampshire autumns with every sip! The I Love New Hampshire Mug features charming illustrations of Apple Cider Donuts, Pumpkins, and Maple Syrup, capturing the essence of fall in the Granite State.

NEW HAMPSHIRE - Arrival of Trains at Base of Mt. Washington, NH – Postcard Ceramic Mug

Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of the Arrival of Trains at the base of Mt. Washington, NH, captured in exquisite detail as featured in a postcard from over 100 years ago!

NEW HAMPSHIRE - Mt. Washington Aluminum Bookmark – "Climb High, Stay on Track" with Historic Postcard Images

Mark your place in style with this Mt. Washington aluminum bookmark, featuring stunning images from vintage postcards and the inspirational slogan: "Climb High, Stay on Track – Mt. Washington, NH." A perfect keepsake for book lovers, history buffs, and White Mountains enthusiasts, this durable and lightweight bookmark captures the charm and adventure of New Hampshire’s most iconic peak.

NEW HAMPSHIRE - Mt. Washington Coffee Mug - Historic Postcard Images of Mt. Washington & Cog Railway

Climb to the Clouds - Mt. Washington & the Historic Cog Railway! Sip your favorite brew while enjoying a nostalgic journey through the White Mountains with this ceramic coffee mug featuring vintage postcard images of Mt. Washington, NH, and the legendary Mt. Washington Cog Railway.

Discover Charlestown: History, News, Travel, and Stories

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1754 - Captured by Abenkai people
Early in the morning of August 30, 1754, Susannah Willard Johnson along with her husband, her three children, her sister and two neighbors, Peter Labarree and Ebenezer Farnsworth, were captured by Abenaki people, marched to Montreal and incarcerated. Eventually they would all escape or be released and return home.
wikipedia.org
1781 - Charlestown joins Vermont
In 1781, Charlestown briefly joined Vermont because of dissatisfaction with treatment by the New Hampshire government. Returning at the insistence of George Washington, it was incorporated in 1783.
wikipedia.org
1839 - Charlestown
Charlestown, New Hampshire
Sullivan county. Is situated on Connecticut river, 51 miles from Concord, 100 from Boston, 100 from Albany, 110 from Hartford, Conn., and 18 miles from Windsor, Vt. The only rivers in Charlestown are the Connecticut and Little Sugar rivers. In the former there are three islands within the limits of this town, the largest of which contains about ten acres, and is called Sartwell's island. The others contain about six acres each, and have a rich loamy soil. Sartwell's island is under a high cultivation. There are no falls in the river within the limits of Charlestown which interrupt boat navigation, although some little inconvenience is experienced in low water from what are called "Sugar river bars." Little Sugar river waters the north part of Charlestown, and empties into Connecticut river about two miles south of the S. line of Claremont. This town has but few factory or mill privileges. The soil is extremely various. West of the great road leading from... Read MORE...

1854 - Charlestown
CHARLESTOWN, a post - township of Sullivan co., New Hamp., on the E. side of the Conn., and on the Sullivan railroad , 50 miles W. of Concord . It contains a bank. Pop., 1644
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1895 - Charlestown
Charlestown, a post - village of Sullivan co., N.H., in Charlestown township, on the E. bank of the Connecticut River, 8 miles above Bellows Falls, and on the Central Vermont Railroad, 10 miles S. of Claremont. It has a national bank, a high school, and several churches. The township has manufactures of boots and shoes, and contains a hamlet named North Charlestown. Pop. of the township, 1741.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1918 - Railway Motor Car - Truck Accident
A. C. Harriman and Walter C. Hackett, of Bellows Falls, and Harvey Garapy and Dennis Brennan, of North Walpole, N.H., were injured near Charlestown, N.H., a few days ago when the railway motor car in which they were riding while doing a job of repairing along the railroad track ran into an auto truck on a crossing. All the men were thrown off the track and down a bank, Mr. Garapy suffering from strained muscles of his back, Harriman with severe bruises and a cut on his heard and the other two with slight bruises.
St Albans Daily Messenger
St Albans, Vermont
July 4, 1918
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Charlestown:
Charlestown Main Street: Start your visit by taking a leisurely stroll down Charlestown's Main Street. It's lined with historic buildings, local shops, and quaint cafes. You can explore boutiques and art galleries or simply soak in the small-town atmosphere.

Fort at No. 4: Immerse yourself in history by visiting the reconstructed Fort at No. 4, a fascinating living history museum. This fort replicates an 18th-century settlement and offers guided tours, reenactments, and demonstrations of colonial life. It's a great place to learn about the region's history.

Charlestown Historical Society: Learn more about Charlestown's past by visiting the Charlestown Historical Society. Here, you can explore exhibits and artifacts that showcase the town's history, from its early days to its role in the American Revolution.

Connecticut River: Charlestown is situated along the beautiful Connecticut River. Take a scenic drive along River Road to enjoy picturesque views of the river and the... Read MORE...

Discover YOUR Roots: Charlestown Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA

We currently have information about 16 ancestors who were born or died in Charlestown.

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Updated: 1/17/2025 4:07:28 PM