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www.Fremont.NH.gov
Fremont Historical Society


 
Officers:
Matthew Thomas - President
Mary Stiner - Vice President
Ed Wall - Secretary
Jean Ragonese - Treasurer
 
Historical Society Officers
 
Ed - Mary - Matthew

For Information:
Contact Matthew Thomas
603 895 4032


FREMONT HISTORICAL MUSEUM


New items are constantly being added to the historical collections and exhibits.  This is a great opportunity for young and old alike, new and old residents to come and discover firsthand what makes Fremont such a special town of such historic proportions.  Fremont History has been increasingly being recognized in a number of new books on New Hampshire and New England history. 

Come see what makes Fremont such a fascinating town to write and read about.  For more information please call Matthew Thomas at 895-4032. 

The Museum is open the second Saturday of the month
from May to October
from 10:00 am  to 1:00 pm. 
 
 

HISTORICAL GLEANINGS FROM POPLIN/FREMONT HISTORY

240 YEARS AGO IN 1768 - Poplin votes to dismantle the 1764 Meeting House frame on Sand Hill.

No further votes are taken to build a Meeting House until February 1800.

1788 - Thomas Chase of Poplin represents Poplin & Raymond at the NH Constitutional Convention

held in Concord. Chase is one of 47 NH Delegates to vote NOT to ratify the U.S.

Constitution. The vote was 57 yes to 47 no. NH becomes the 9th and deciding state to

put the Constitution in effect.

1828 - The Poplin Temperance Society is founded about this time. In 1833 it has 53 members.

1858 - Granville Wood organizes the first Fremont Town Band.

1878 - Fremont builds a Tramp House.

1938 - The great New England Hurricane of Sept. 21, 1938 strikes NH causing severe damage in

town.

1968 - Former Vice President & future President Richard M. Nixon and wife Patricia Nixon make a

campaign stop at Ellis School during a presidential campaign swing in early March. Over 200

Fremonters young and old alike greet the future president and many get his autograph.

1978 - A large Oil Refinery is proposed for Fremont & Raymond. The idea is abandoned in 1979

after the majority of locals are opposed to it.

1988 - Fremont's population exceeds 2000 for the first time.

1998 - The new Fremont Public Safety Complex is opened & dedicated on March 7th.



 Fremont Historical Facts & Figures

Date of Incorporation  1764

Date of First Settlement 
Circa 1730

Former Town Name:  Poplin 
Name changed to Fremont
on July 8, 1854

Origin of Present Town Name
In honor of John Charles Fremont, prominent American West Pathfinder and first Republican Presidential candidate in 1856

Area in Square Miles:  17.2

Prinicipal Rivers, Lakes & Ponds
Exeter River, Piscassic River, Loon Pond, Spruce Swamp

Highest Elevation:  Nameless hill in Mountain Pastures, 320 feet

Population Figures
 1767 - 521             1790 - 493
 1800 - 408             1820 - 453
 1840 - 429             1860 - 579
 1880 - 624             1900 - 749
 1910 - 622             1920 - 519
 1930 - 571             1940 - 634
 1950 - 698             1960 - 783
 1970 - 993             1980 - 1333
 1990 - 2576           1994 - 2786
2000 - Census 3510

Voter Registration:

As of January 2008 - 2,752 Registered Voters

Historic Landmarks:
1800 Twin Porch Meeting House - 464 Main Street.  One of only two like meeting houses in New England and the only one in New Hampshire. 
Cavil-Turner Mills, Scribner Road.  Old shingled sawmill built circa 1740-1753.
John & Andrew Brown Gunshop - Main Street.  Circa 1845 gunshop used by two noted NH gunsmiths.

Page Updated 10/14/2009

FUNERAL & BURIAL CUSTOMS IN OLD POPLIN/FREMONT
 
The Fremont Historical Society will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 10th at the Fremont Public Library beginning at 7:30 pm.  The programs for the evening will be an informative talk by FHS President Matthew Thomas on various funeral & burial customs in New England, with an emphasis on those customs performed in Fremont dating back to the 1700's.  Learn who the first person in Fremont was to be buried in a metal coffin; learn about the ca. 1861 Fremont horse-drawn hearse and what funeral biers were; what were mourning rings; what interesting gravestones adorn various Fremont graveyards, learn what Funeral Pie and Cooling Boards were; learn the age & origin of Fremont's 12 known graveyards, and learn what happened to people who died in the cold winter months and couldn't be buried until spring.  This will be an intriguing and fascinating look into the past and how early New Englanders dealt with death.  Don't miss this slide presentation.  Admission is always free to FHS meetings & programs.  Refreshments will be served.  For further information call the FHS at 895-4032.      

 The Fremont Universalist Society membership has diminished over the years to near extinction.   If you are interested in helping to continue this important all-denomination annual event, please consider joining the Fremont Universalist Society.   The Members meet once a year in the Spring to organize the “Old Home Day Service” at the Old Meeting House that is always held on the third Sunday in August. For more information contact Universalist Society President Kim Andrew at 734-2555.


HISTORY BOOK
FOR SALE

Click here to see the hardbound cover!
"FREMONT, NH - OLD POPLIN, 1764 TO 2004 - AN INDEPENDENT NEW ENGLAND REPUBLIC" is full of over 600 old photos, illustrations & maps, and contains 23 insightful chapters. The content is extremely informative and makes for enjoyable easy-reading on just about everything you can imagine about this historic old town with a truly colorful past.

We still have copies of the Fremont Town History book available!  This 1,000+ page hardbound edition sells for $35.00 and is available for sale at the Fremont Town Hall in the Selectmen's Office, the Fremont Library, and at the Historical Museum. 
The 132 page softcover update is also available, if you purchased the original book in 2004. 
Call the Selectmen's Office (895 2226) or Matthew Thomas (895 4032) for more information.

 
FREMONT HISTORICAL MUSEUM

2009 DATES & HOURS

   
Second Saturday of the Month
May through October
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

     New Fremont memorabilia is constantly being added to the museum.  Donations of local historical items are always welcomed.  Be sure to visit this exciting old 1895 One-Room Schoolhouse Museum and learn what makes our town so unique and interesting.  Questions by residents, guests, and historical researchers are  always welcome.  The FHS Museum can also be opened by special appointment by calling FHS President Matthew Thomas at 895-4032.

 FREMONT VITAL STATISTICS PROJECT COMPLETED

     After a year's worth of very intensive research, Fremont resident Tammi Bertolami, with the assistance of Matthew Thomas, has compiled the first indepth, extensive collection of Fremont Vital Statistics dating back to the 1730's and running up to the year 2006.  Nearly everyone who was known to be born, married, baptised, or who lived or died in Fremont, is listed in this extensive 500+ page collection of Fremont Vital Records.

     These Fremont Vital Records are an outstanding contribution to Fremont's rich historical heritage, and Tammi is to be thoroughly congratulated for her hard work and dedication in researching and compiling this massive,  worthwhile local history project.  The Fremont Vital Records Book will now proudly take it's place among the most comprehensive collections of Vital Records ever complied on any New Hampshire town or city.  Copies of the book  can be seen at the Fremont Public Library and Historical Society Museum, the NH State Library, and NH Historical Society's Tuck Library.

         

MEMBERSHIP 
      New members are always welcome to attend our meetings.  Dues are only $5.00 per member.  For more information please call President Matthew Thomas at 603 895 4032.

Meeting Schedule
 
When: Four times a year.  March, May, September & November.
Dates will be announced in the Carriage Town News and on this Web Site, as well as in the Fremont Newsletter.
 
Next Meeting:       November 10, 2009

Where: Fremont Public Library, 7 Jackie Bernier Drive, Fremont NH
 
Time: 7:30 pm
 
Phone Numbers:
(603) 895-4032 - President Matthew Thomas
 
e-mail:
historicalsociety@fremont.nh.gov
Mailing Address
c/o Matthew Thomas
225 South Road
Fremont, NH 03044
 
Membership:
Individual: $5.00
Family: $10.00
Lifetime: $50.00