Exeter, New Hampshire
From Freepedia
Exeter is a town located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 14,058. It is situated where the Exeter River feeds the tidal Squamscott River.
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History
Exeter was one of four original townships in New Hampshire. It was founded in 1638 by the Reverend John Wheelwright, who purchased the territory from Wehanownowit, sagamore of the Squamscot Indians, a Pennacook tribe living in the vicinity.
In 1774, after Royal Governor John Wentworth dissolved the rebellious Provincial Assembly at the colonial capitol in Portsmouth, the Provincial Congress began meeting in the Exeter Town House. In July of 1775, the Provincial Congress had the provincial records seized from royal officials in Portsmouth and brought to Exeter as well. And so Exeter became New Hampshire's Revolutionary War capitol, an honor it held for fourteen years, until it moved to Concord.
According to some historians, the United States Republican Party was born in Exeter on October 12, 1853. Historical sites include the 1709 Gilman Garrison House, the Old Town Post Office, and a Georgian style house where George Washington took breakfast, called "Folsom Tavern" and part of the American Independence Museum. The St. Louis Cardinals pitcher and 2005 All-Star, Chris Carpenter, was born here.
The town is perhaps best known as the home of the Phillips Exeter Academy, which includes the noted Academy Library designed by architect Louis I. Kahn. When not engrossed in the school's rigorous academics, PEA students might stroll downtown past the bandstand designed by Daniel Chester French, sculptor and Exeter native. He is best known for the statue of President Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, attended the academy. Other places of interest in Exeter would include the Swasey Parkway beside the Squamscott River, site of the Phillips Exeter Boathouse.
On Water Street is the 1915 Ioka Theatre. It was built by Edward Mayer, Exeter judge and resident, in imitation of his uncle, Louis B. Mayer, who operated six movie/vaudeville theatres in Haverhill, Massachusetts, before becoming the mogul of Hollywood legend. Edward Mayer's opening feature was "The Birth of a Nation," by D. W. Griffith. The theatre's curious name was proposed in a contest by a young woman with an enthusiasm for scouting. Ioka was a Native American word meaning "playground."
The name "Exeter" derives from ancient Exeter in Devon, England. Numerous other places also share the name.
Museums:
Notable Inhabitants:
- Dan Brown, author: The Da Vinci Code
- Lewis Cass, politician
- Chris Carpenter, major league baseball pitcher, 2005 All-Star
- Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn, statesman and soldier
- Nathaniel Folsom, statesman
- Daniel Chester French, sculptor
- John Taylor Gilman, statesman and governor
- Nicholas Gilman, Jr., signer of U.S. Constitution
- John Irving, author: The World According to Garp
- Dr. John Phillips, founder: Phillips Exeter Academy
- Reverend John Wheelwright, founder: Exeter, New Hampshire
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.8 km² (20.0 mi²). 50.9 km² (19.6 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.85% water.
Demographics
For additional demographic information on the central populated area of Exeter, which is a census-designated place, see the article Exeter (CDP), New Hampshire. It provides details that are included in the aggregate numbers reported here.
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 14,058 people, 5,898 households, and 3,715 families residing in the town. The population density is 276.4/km² (715.9/mi²). There are 6,107 housing units at an average density of 120.1/km² (311.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.18% White, 0.42% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 0.87% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,898 households out of which 31.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% are married couples living together, 8.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% are non-families. 31.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the town the population is spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $49,618, and the median income for a family is $63,088. Males have a median income of $45,091 versus $30,435 for females. The per capita income for the town is $27,105. 5.4% of the population and 2.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.8% of those under the age of 18 and 4.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
