Newfields, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Newfields is a town in Rockingham County
, New Hampshire
, United States
. The population was 1,680 at the 2010 census. The primary village in town, where 301 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Newfields census-designated place
(CDP), and is located along New Hampshire Route 85
and the Squamscott River
. It is a quaint village of handsome old houses.
until 1727, when it became part of Newmarket
. Settled in 1638, it was called Newfield Village as early as 1681, and later South Newmarket, a parish of that town. Garrison
houses, built as protection against Indian attack, were not uncommon. Among the earliest tithingmen
in the village were Jonathan Robinson (1678), Abraham and Jeremiah Folsom (1720), Andrew Glidden (1721), Trueworthy Leavitt (1725), Samuel Edgerly (1728), Nathaniel Gilman (1729) and Nathaniel Webster (1729).
In 1775, a bridge was built across the Squamscott River
connecting the community with Stratham
. This shortened the journey to Exeter, established that year as the Revolutionary
capital. But the new route bypassed the center of town, built on either side of an ancient Squamscot Indian trail. This preserved old Newfields.
Wesleyan Academy was established here in 1817, a Methodist school of 5 boys and 5 girls under the tutelage of Reverend John Brodhead and others. Coeducation
was then rather advanced. Unfortunately, the academy struggled financially from the start because of, as administrators would conclude, "...its location in a setting of relatively few Methodists, of limited means..." And so, in 1825, it removed to Wilbraham
, Massachusetts
. The academy's site is now occupied by the Newfields Elementary School.
In 1841, the Boston and Maine Railroad
extended service to the community. In 1880, Dr. John M. Brodhead presented his own library and $10,000 to the town on condition that it be renamed Newfields. The town was so incorporated in 1895.
, the town has a total area of 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²), of which 7 sq mi (18.1 km²) is land and 0.2 sq mi (0.517997622 km²) is water, comprising 2.23% of the town. It is drained by the Piscassic River
, a tributary
of the Lamprey River
, and bounded to the east by the Squamscott River
. The highest point in Newfields is the summit of Oakland Hill at 240 feet (73.2 m) above sea level
, on the town's southern border.
The town is crossed by New Hampshire Route 85
, New Hampshire Route 87
and New Hampshire Route 108
.
of 2000, there were 1,551 people, 516 households, and 431 families residing in the town. The population density
was 220.9 people per square mile (85.3/km²). There were 532 housing units at an average density of 75.8 per square mile (29.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.94% White, 0.13% African American, 0.84% Asian, 0.26% from other races
, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 516 households out of which 48.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% were married couples
living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.3% were non-families. 9.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 36.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $71,375, and the median income for a family was $75,078. Males had a median income of $50,417 versus $31,607 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $28,687. About 2.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Rockingham County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 277,359 people, 104,529 households, and 74,320 families residing in the county. The population density was 399 people per square mile . There were 113,023 housing units at an average density of 163 per square mile...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,680 at the 2010 census. The primary village in town, where 301 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Newfields census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP), and is located along New Hampshire Route 85
New Hampshire Route 85
New Hampshire Route 85 is a long north–south state highway in Rockingham County in southeastern New Hampshire. It runs from Exeter to Newfields....
and the Squamscott River
Squamscott River
The Squamscott River is a tidal river in Rockingham County, southeastern New Hampshire, in the United States. It rises at Exeter, fed by the Exeter River...
. It is a quaint village of handsome old houses.
History
Incorporated in 1849, Newfields was part of ExeterExeter, New Hampshire
Exeter is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The town's population was 14,306 at the 2010 census. Exeter was the county seat until 1997, when county offices were moved to neighboring Brentwood...
until 1727, when it became part of Newmarket
Newmarket, New Hampshire
Newmarket is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 8,936 at the 2010 census. Some residents are students and employees at the nearby University of New Hampshire in Durham....
. Settled in 1638, it was called Newfield Village as early as 1681, and later South Newmarket, a parish of that town. Garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
houses, built as protection against Indian attack, were not uncommon. Among the earliest tithingmen
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
in the village were Jonathan Robinson (1678), Abraham and Jeremiah Folsom (1720), Andrew Glidden (1721), Trueworthy Leavitt (1725), Samuel Edgerly (1728), Nathaniel Gilman (1729) and Nathaniel Webster (1729).
In 1775, a bridge was built across the Squamscott River
Squamscott River
The Squamscott River is a tidal river in Rockingham County, southeastern New Hampshire, in the United States. It rises at Exeter, fed by the Exeter River...
connecting the community with Stratham
Stratham, New Hampshire
Stratham is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 7,255 at the 2010 census. It is bounded on the west by the Squamscott River. The town is the home of the only U.S. Lindt & Sprüngli factory and the headquarters of the Timberland Corporation.-History:Stratham...
. This shortened the journey to Exeter, established that year as the Revolutionary
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
capital. But the new route bypassed the center of town, built on either side of an ancient Squamscot Indian trail. This preserved old Newfields.
Wesleyan Academy was established here in 1817, a Methodist school of 5 boys and 5 girls under the tutelage of Reverend John Brodhead and others. Coeducation
Coeducation
Mixed-sex education, also known as coeducation or co-education, is the integrated education of male and female persons in the same institution. It is the opposite of single-sex education...
was then rather advanced. Unfortunately, the academy struggled financially from the start because of, as administrators would conclude, "...its location in a setting of relatively few Methodists, of limited means..." And so, in 1825, it removed to Wilbraham
Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Wilbraham is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is also a suburb of the City of Springfield, Massachusetts and part of the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,868 at the 2010 census...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. The academy's site is now occupied by the Newfields Elementary School.
In 1841, the Boston and Maine Railroad
Boston and Maine Railroad
The Boston and Maine Corporation , known as the Boston and Maine Railroad until 1964, was the dominant railroad of the northern New England region of the United States for a century...
extended service to the community. In 1880, Dr. John M. Brodhead presented his own library and $10,000 to the town on condition that it be renamed Newfields. The town was so incorporated in 1895.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²), of which 7 sq mi (18.1 km²) is land and 0.2 sq mi (0.517997622 km²) is water, comprising 2.23% of the town. It is drained by the Piscassic River
Piscassic River
The Piscassic River is a 15.3 mile long river located in southeastern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Lamprey River, part of the Great Bay and Piscataqua River watershed leading to the Atlantic Ocean....
, a tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Lamprey River
Lamprey River
The Lamprey River is a 50.2 mile long river in southeastern New Hampshire, the United States. It rises in Meadow Lake in Northwood, and flows south, then generally east past Raymond, Epping, Lee and finally Newmarket...
, and bounded to the east by the Squamscott River
Squamscott River
The Squamscott River is a tidal river in Rockingham County, southeastern New Hampshire, in the United States. It rises at Exeter, fed by the Exeter River...
. The highest point in Newfields is the summit of Oakland Hill at 240 feet (73.2 m) above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
, on the town's southern border.
The town is crossed by New Hampshire Route 85
New Hampshire Route 85
New Hampshire Route 85 is a long north–south state highway in Rockingham County in southeastern New Hampshire. It runs from Exeter to Newfields....
, New Hampshire Route 87
New Hampshire Route 87
New Hampshire Route 87 is a long east–west highway in Rockingham County in southeastern New Hampshire connecting Newfields to Epping. The eastern terminus of NH 87 is in Newfields at its junction with New Hampshire Route 85 . The western terminus is in Epping at its junction with New Hampshire...
and New Hampshire Route 108
New Hampshire Route 108
New Hampshire Route 108 is a long north–south state highway in Rockingham and Strafford counties in southeastern New Hampshire. The northern terminus of the route is in the city of Rochester at NH Route 125 and NH Route 202A...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,551 people, 516 households, and 431 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 220.9 people per square mile (85.3/km²). There were 532 housing units at an average density of 75.8 per square mile (29.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.94% White, 0.13% African American, 0.84% Asian, 0.26% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 516 households out of which 48.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.3% were non-families. 9.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 36.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $71,375, and the median income for a family was $75,078. Males had a median income of $50,417 versus $31,607 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $28,687. About 2.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Notable inhabitants
- William BadgerWilliam Badger (shipbuilder)William Badger was a master shipbuilder operating in Kittery, Maine, United States who built more than 100 vessels.-Life and career:...
, master shipbuilder - John Brodhead, congressman
- Harriet and Isabel Paul, major contributors to build the Paul Creative Arts Center (dedicated in 1960) at the University of New HampshireUniversity of New HampshireThe University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
and the Paul Memorial Library (established in 1954), the Newfields town library, which is on the site of the former residence of the Paul sisters - James PikeJames Pike (politician)James Pike was a U.S. Representative from New Hampshire.-Biography:Born in Salisbury, Massachusetts, Pike pursued classical studies, then studied theology at Wesleyan University in Connecticut from 1837 to 1839. He served as a minister from 1841 to 1854. He moved to Pembroke, New Hampshire, in 1854...
, congressman