Foreword & Acknowledgments

Hampton 350

1638 -- 1988

Rockingham County Newspaper -- July 8, 1988

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[The following articles are courtesy of
Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]

Foreword

350th Anniversary Celebration of the Town of Hampton

Three hundred and fifty years ago, Rev. Stephen Bachiler and a small band of religious followers sailed up what is now called Hampton River to a spot the Indians called "Winnacunnet," or "place of the beautiful pines".

It was in the middle of nowhere in 1638. Now, in 1988, it is in the middle of a rapidly developing megalopolis between Boston and Portland, and is still attracting new settlers.

Much has changed since Bachiler and his followers built the Congregational Church and founded the town of Hampton. The Puritan witch hysteria, the Revolutionary War, the signing of the U.S. Constitution -- early Hampton had a hand in all of this. The town has seen its borders shrink, as Rye, North Hampton, Hampton Falls, Seabrook, Kensington, East Kingston, Kingston, Danville and Sandown broke away to form their own towns; and also has seen its population swell beyond the dreams of the early settlers. Hampton, with the town's guidance, has become a major resort community, and Hampton center now sits on a major thoroughfare that runs from Canada to Key West.

But through all of these changes and many more, a strong community spirit and a proud local heritage has prevailed. The year-long celebration, now in full swing of the town's 350 years of history if proof of this.

It is to the town of Hampton and its residents -- past, present and future -- that we dedicate this special anniversary section.

Acknowledgments

Hampton 350 was edited by Howard Parnell and designed by Tom Lynch. Cover photo courtesy of The Piscataqua Gundalow Project. Special thanks go to staff reporter Paul Wolterbeek and 350th Anniversary Committee Chairman Gerry McConnell for their assistance with this publication.
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