Early History of Horse Hill Nature Preserve 

This section describes the prehistory and known history of the Horse Hill Nature Preserve. Much of the information in this section was compiled by the Merrimack Historical Commission and by Merrimack Community Resources Planner Scott McPhie.

This information can also be found in the Master Plan.

Prehistory

Based on evidence uncovered during archeological digs on the Wasserman Park property and other nearby sites, we know that native Americans inhabited this area for as much as 5000 years. It is reasonable to presume that native Americans hunted here, although direct archeological evidence of habitation has yet to be reported. 

State Archeologist Wes Stinson indicated that the alluvial sand deposits on the property make it a potential site for Paleo-Indian occupation or hunting activity. Its rich wetlands and proximity to Naticook Lake and the Merrimack River make it a likely location for Woodland and Contact period hunting activity. 

Cultural Heritage

The Merrimack Heritage Commission prepared a preliminary report on the history of the families that settled the land now known as the Horse Hill Nature Preserve. Their research indicates that at least two prominent families were associated with the property: the Spauldings and the Blodgetts. Additional research will undoubtedly uncover additional information about the role this property and its inhabitants played in our community's heritage.

The Spauldings

The Spaulding families were some of the original settlers of this property.  

According to CHAPTER X of “MERRYMAC---The History of Merrimack, New Hampshire” published by the Merrimack Historical Society, over 100 members of the Spaulding family were born and/or died in Merrimack in its early years. 

Samuel Spaulding—Born January 31, 1726 in Chelmsford, Mass; died on September 11, 1797; buried in the Turkey Hill Cemetery.  Served Merrimack as Field Driver, Hog Reeve, Constable, Surveyor of Highways, Fence Viewer, Selectman. 

Samuel Spaulding's father was one of the first “Subscribers” who requested by petition a tract of land for settlement in the “Province”.  He was granted 80 acres.  Samuel then purchased this land in January 1751 with “all the fencing and buildings on said premises.” He added several hundred acres and eventually built four houses for his sons.  Today, the remains of one of the foundations can be seen on the HHNP along with evidence of an herb garden. (See Appendix F .) 

Samuel Spaulding was described as “a large man with a strong voice.”  He was an important contributor to the establishment of the Town of Merrimack.  He, along with Samuel Coldwell, was chosen in 1751 to build the first meeting house. He was one of the first 13 members who formed the Congregational Church in 1771. He bought the first pews #14 and #15 on the lower floor of the meeting house.  When in 1754 the Town was divided into four school districts, one of the schools was built on his property and named the Spaulding School House.  His son, Samuel Jr., was in the Revolutionary War. Naticook Lake was once called Spaulding Pond. 

The Hillsborough County map of 1858 indicates the presence of two Spaulding houses just north of Old Kings Highway. Many other Spaulding built houses still stand today, including one of the best preserved 1753 Georgian homes in the region, located near the intersection of Peaslee Road and Old Kings Highway. The Old Kings Highway was the most prominent road in town at the time and many of the Spauldings lived along its route. 

The Spauldings would continue to grow in prominence into the 19^th century, founding the first banks and insurance companies in Hillsborough County. The family would become wealthy grain merchants in Nashua and Isaac Spaulding, an early founder of the steel industry in America, would become New Hampshire's richest man of his time. 

The Blodgetts

One of the prominent features of this property is Blodgett Hill, although it is not clear when and if the Blodgetts owned this land or why the hill was named for them. 

The Blodgett families were original founders of Dunstable (which included present day Merrimack) and early victims of French led raids by Native American Indians.  The Blodgetts and Blanchards were neighbors before 1700 and first lived in South Nashua and Dunstable, Massachusetts respectively.  Members of both families were murdered, forcing these early settlers to move to southern Dunstable near the older and more populated settlements of Groton and Chelmsford, Massachusetts. 

The Blodgett name in Merrimack is mentioned only once in the Town History as an administrator of the Fields estate on Naticook Road in 1824.  The area is close to Blodgett Hill and it may have been named around that time.  It is also possible that Colonel Joseph Blanchard, real estate agent and surveyor for the King, may have named the hill in honor of his murdered relatives. 

The Blodgett's connection to prominent events and people in the surrounding area would also have been sufficient enough reason to name a prominent hill in Merrimack after this pioneering family. 

Old Kings Highway

Before the American Revolution it was important for the Royal Governor and his staff to have easy and safe access to inland frontier settlements.  Just as the United States Federal Highway System was built to accommodate trade, military activities and future suburbs, so too were these stonewall-lined early highways essential for their time.  

The most famous Old Kings Highway that many may be familiar with is US Route 1. Route 1 provided a connection from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Boston and beyond making it possible to enforce laws, collect taxes, and conduct commerce. 

Dunstable (which included present day Merrimack) was incorporated in 1673 and reference is made in 1680 of a Mr. Cummings, Mr. Temple and another early Dunstable pioneer to construct the Kings Highway.  It appears to be logical that Mr. Cummings and Mr. Temple would be involved in this early enterprise, as both were owners of ferries crossing the Merrimack River.  The best-preserved portion of this Provincial road passes through the Horse Hill Nature Preserve. 

History of Horse Hill (found in HHNP)

The property now known as the Horse Hill Nature Preserve was used as pasture land as much as 200 years ago. In those days, roads that crossed pastures were subject to "gates and bars." According to local lore, one night a neighboring farmer crossed the pasture and did not secure the gate when he left. Horses were being pastured on the land at that time, and that night something caused the horses to panic. Due to the open gate, one or more of the horses were injured and had to be destroyed. The owner of the horse sued the farmer who left the gate open for the resulting damage. The case went to court and the court found that the negligent person was guilty and had to pay for the damages he caused. This judgment was an early landmark in Jurisprudence for this type of negligence in our newly independent state. 

The episode was of enough significance to the local population that the hill near where the incident occurred became known as Horse Hill. Although the exact date of the incident has not yet been established, it predates 1816, at which time various deeds referred to it by that name and referred to a tract of land as the Horse Hill Pasture.