Exeter in Rockingham County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Site of the First Mill At Falls of the Squamscott River

Site of the First Mill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, March 25, 2011

1. Site of the First Mill Marker

Inscription. A grist mill built by Thomas Wilson in 1640. The island and site were granted to him by the town which reserved the right for canoe landing and the laying of fish. Wilson’s Creek flows on the easterly side.

Erected by Town of Exeter, New Hampshire.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1640.

Location. 42° 58.91′ N, 70° 56.741′ W. Marker is in Exeter, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County. It is on String Bridge, on the right when traveling south. Marker is on the west side of the bridge, which joins Chestnut and Water Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Exeter NH 03833, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 walking distance of this marker: The Folsom Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary Capital (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Exeter NH War Memorial (about 400 feet away); Abraham Lincoln Speaks in New Hampshire (about 400 feet away); Exeter Town House (about 600 feet away); Ladd-Gilman House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Exeter (approx. 0.2 miles away); Powder House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Exeter.

Also see . . . Mill description

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. The mill is mentioned on page 317 of the History of the Town of Exeter, New Hampshire by Charles Henry Bell (Exeter, 1888). (Submitted on March 26, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts.)

Wider View of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, March 25, 2011

2. Wider View of Marker

Seen through the branches, behind and below the marker, are the Squamscott River rapids that powered the mill.

Squamscott River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, March 25, 2011

3. Squamscott River

On the other side of String Bridge from the marker is this better view (looking southeast) of the Squamscott River rapids, originally called Wilson’s Creek.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,563 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.