Laconia in Belknap County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
Endicott Rock
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, September 4, 2021
1. Endicott Rock Marker
the name of
John Endicvt Gov.
and the initials of
Edward Johnson and Simon Willard, Commissioners
of the Massachusetts Bay Colony,
John Sherman and Jonathan Ince, Surveyors,
were inscribed upon this rock
August 1, 1652,
To mark the head of the Merrimack River.
A line of three miles northward of this rock was then claimed
by that Colony as the Northern limit of their patent.
E I S W W P John Endicvt Gov I S I I
The structure which covers this historic stone, long known as the Endicott Rock, was erected for its protection, in 1892, by the State of New Hampshire, in accordance with joint resolutions of its legislature, approved September 7, 1893, and August 25, 1885.
John Kimball, Erastus P. Jewell, Joseph B. Walker, Commissioners
Erected 1892 by State of New Hampshire.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is August 1, 1652.
Location. 43° 36.285′ N, 71° 27.321′ W. Marker is in Laconia, New Hampshire, in Belknap County. It is on Endicott
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Lakes Region. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company (here, next to this marker); Meredith New Hampshire WWII Honor Roll (approx. 4.2 miles away); Meredith New Hampshire Civil War Memorial (approx. 4.2 miles away); Dudley Leavitt (1772-1851) (approx. 5.7 miles away); Belknap College (approx. 7.1 miles away); Abenaki Tower (approx. 9.3 miles away); The Grave By The Lake (approx. 9½ miles away); College Road (approx. 9.9 miles away).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
2. Endicott Rock Marker
Also see . . .
1. Endicott Rock. New Hampshire State Parks website entry:
Endicott Rock may be the oldest public monument in New England. (Submitted on May 5, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Endicott Rock (Wikipedia).
The rock provides definitive evidence of one of the earliest incursions of Europeans into the area. The markings on the rock include "IOHN ENDICUT GOV", a reference to John Endecott, who was then governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the initials of the surveyors.(Submitted on December 23, 2025, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
3. Endicott Rock Marker
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, September 5, 2021
4. Endicott Rock Marker with Rock
The monument above documents the inscriptions still mostly visible on Endicott Rock below.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, September 5, 2021
5. Endicott Rock
View of Endicott Rock; alternate angle to view inscriptions
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 768 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on August 23, 2025, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1. submitted on August 23, 2025, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 4, 5. submitted on August 23, 2025, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
