The Town of Atkinson
Origin: Atkinson was named in 1767 for Colonel Theodore Atkinson, whose farm covered nearly all of the several hundred acres set aside from Plaistow that become the town. Colonel Atkinson was a brother-in-law to Governor Benning Wentworth, served as secretary of the colony until the Revolution, and was on of the Masonian Proprietors who parceled out New Hampshire lands to over 30,000 settlers. Colonel Atkinson bequested funds to establish Atkinson Academy, incorporated in 1787. In 1809, the state granted 13,000 acres of land in Coos County to the Academy, in unincorporated place now know as Atkinson & Gilmarnton Academy Grant.
Atkinson has a rich history, dating back to before the American Revolution. The town was part of a tract of land purchased from the Indians by settlers of Haverhill, MA on November 15, 1642. The first settlements were made in 1728 by Benjamin Richards of Rochester and Johathan and Edmund Page and John Dow of Haverhill.
The History of Atkinson, NH
Set off from Plaistow on September 23, 1767, Atkinson was named for Colonel Theodore Atkinson. Col. Atkinson had been a commander of some renown during the French and Indian wars and served as collector of customs at Portsmouth. In 1748, he was appointed Secretary of the New Hampshire Colony, a position he received through his uncle, Benning Wentworth, then governor of the colony. Although he never actually lived in Atkinson, his estate, located on Providence Hill Road, was known as the Atkinson Farm. The farm was attended by a caretaker who annually sent the Colonel a wild turkey as his payment of rent.
Colonel Atkinson served as secretary of the colony until the Revolution, and was one of the Masonian Proprietors who parceled out New Hampshire lands to over 30,000 settlers. Colonel Atkinson bequested funds to establish Atkinson Academy, incorporated in 1787. In 1809, the state granted 13,000 acres of land in Coos County to the Academy, in unincorporated place now know as Atkinson & Gilmarnton Academy Grant.
Atkinson Academy, the second oldest co-educational school in the country, was founded as a boys' school in 1787 by Reverend Stephen Peabody, General Nathaniel Peabody and Doctor William Cogswell; it began admitting girls in 1791. The school building burned to the ground in 1802, and was rebuilt in 1803 at a cost of $2,500. That building remains a part of the Academy, with only four classrooms. Other historic buildings, such as the Kimball House and Rockwell School (current police station) grace this southern New Hampshire town.
Relatives of former President John Quincy Adams have lived in Atkinson, along with famous politicians and businessmen.
Grange
Atkinson Historical Society Grange
Atkinson Grange, Patrons of Husbandry No 143, was organized November 29, 1889 with 21 charter members. Herman Noyes server as the first Master. "Atkinson" was selected by ballot as the name of the Grange. The Grange continued to meet in the Academy Hall, which was in need of renovation. In September of 1912, Herbert Poor offered a building lot on Bassett land east of the Academy and diagonally across from the Center School as the site for a Grange Hall.
When the Grange Hall was torn down in 1986 many items were recovered including the main curtain for the stage. There are also a number of current Atkinson residents who were former members who have donated items for the display.
Grange Hall
The hall was officially opened on February 12, 1913. At the time of its construction the hall was considered one of the finest Grange halls in New Hampshire and was valued at $6,000 with a debt of only $3,000. A home talent drama, "Silar the Choir Boy" , was presented and raised about $150. Some of this money was spent for stage scenery, including the front drop with its painting of Menageria Rocks at Island Pond. This front drop painting will soon be displayed at the Kimball House.
Grange Dramatic Moments
The Grange is more than a building and a slate of officers. It has had its dramatic moments. One such event occurred in the mid-thirties, when George White, Sr. was Pomona Master and the meeting began at 3 in the afternoon, there was a break for supper downstairs, and the meeting resumed afterward. It had been snowing all day, and while there was no accumulation at suppertime it became a nor'easter. When the meeting closed at 10:30pm people were dismayed to find their cars frozen under drifts. No one could get out. Three children were put to bed on the pool table, but everyone else settled down for a friendly night of talking and singing.
New Atkinson Grange Booklet
Many thanks to Eleanor Zaremba for her extensive research and effort to put together this booklet on the Atkinson Grange.