SWANZEY, originally known as Lower Ashuelot, was first settled by the Abeniqui Native Americans, who fished for salmon in the Ashuelot River.
European settlers came as early as 1733, many of them from neighbouring Massachusetts at the request of Governor Belcher, keen for the natural resources of any ungranted land to be put to good use.
By 1740 they learned that the land they had cleared and settled was not part of their home colony, and entitled to its protection, but belonged to the smaller government of New Hampshire, unable or unwilling to defend the area far from the more populated coast. Constantly bothered by Squakeag tribes, they were forced to abandon the settlement in 1747, burying some possessions in the ground. During their absence all the buildings, save one, were burned down.
Families began returning in 1751 and Swanzey was incorporated as a town in 1753. It saw great activity in the building of homes, taverns, stores, grist and saw mills, cloth and pail mills, and many farms.
There are several theories as to how Swanzey got its name. One source claims that it was suggested by the Rev Ezra Carpenter, the first minister in Swansea, Massachusetts, who originally came from Swansea, Wales. However, the Rev Carpenter was not the first minister in Swansea, Massachusetts. That honour went to John Myles from Ilston, Gower.
Another view is that Governor Benning Wentworth, from whom Swanzey secured its charter in 1753, named it at the suggestion of Governor Brenton of Rhode Island, the owner of a farm in New Hampshire and a large landowner in Swansea, Massachusetts.
Alternatively the name may have been used in tribute to the people of Swansea, Massachusetts, who in 1675 survived an onslaught by the Wamponoags, one of several Native American tribes who attacked English settlements on their land.
Another theory is that the name comes from a doctor or minister called Swansea or Swanzey.
The spelling Swanzey may be due to the fact that most spelling in the 18th Century was phonetic.
Swanzey has four public covered bridges, similar to those featured in the Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood film The Bridges of Madison County.
The Cresson, Carlton, Slate and Thompson bridges attract thousands of visitors a year. The Whitcomb was lost in a 1938 hurricane and not rebuilt.
There are many theories as to why the bridges were covered. Some say they were built to look like barns to encourage horses and oxen to enter them.
Others believe they were covered to protect the lower portions from the elements. Another view is that uncovered bridges would not be able to stand the weight of the area's heavy snowfalls.
At one time the bridges were so important to livelihoods, that at town meetings more than a century ago residents would vote for more money to be spent on their upkeep than on education.
The first Saturday in October is Covered Bridge Day in Swanzey.
The town's bridges have two celebrity connections.
In the late 1930s, Ford Motor Company founder, Henry Ford, wanted to buy the Thompson bridge for exhibition purposes. After much heated debate the town's selectmen (councillors) turned down the offer.
The Cresson is also known as the kissing bridge after it was featured in a cigarette TV commercial.
Swanzey's fame is such in the bridge world that it was chosen to host the first National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges Festival in 1966.
This article originally appeared in Planet Swansea which was published by the South Wales Evening Post.
European settlers came as early as 1733, many of them from neighbouring Massachusetts at the request of Governor Belcher, keen for the natural resources of any ungranted land to be put to good use.
By 1740 they learned that the land they had cleared and settled was not part of their home colony, and entitled to its protection, but belonged to the smaller government of New Hampshire, unable or unwilling to defend the area far from the more populated coast. Constantly bothered by Squakeag tribes, they were forced to abandon the settlement in 1747, burying some possessions in the ground. During their absence all the buildings, save one, were burned down.
Families began returning in 1751 and Swanzey was incorporated as a town in 1753. It saw great activity in the building of homes, taverns, stores, grist and saw mills, cloth and pail mills, and many farms.
There are several theories as to how Swanzey got its name. One source claims that it was suggested by the Rev Ezra Carpenter, the first minister in Swansea, Massachusetts, who originally came from Swansea, Wales. However, the Rev Carpenter was not the first minister in Swansea, Massachusetts. That honour went to John Myles from Ilston, Gower.
Another view is that Governor Benning Wentworth, from whom Swanzey secured its charter in 1753, named it at the suggestion of Governor Brenton of Rhode Island, the owner of a farm in New Hampshire and a large landowner in Swansea, Massachusetts.
Alternatively the name may have been used in tribute to the people of Swansea, Massachusetts, who in 1675 survived an onslaught by the Wamponoags, one of several Native American tribes who attacked English settlements on their land.
Another theory is that the name comes from a doctor or minister called Swansea or Swanzey.
The spelling Swanzey may be due to the fact that most spelling in the 18th Century was phonetic.
Swanzey has four public covered bridges, similar to those featured in the Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood film The Bridges of Madison County.
The Cresson, Carlton, Slate and Thompson bridges attract thousands of visitors a year. The Whitcomb was lost in a 1938 hurricane and not rebuilt.
There are many theories as to why the bridges were covered. Some say they were built to look like barns to encourage horses and oxen to enter them.
Others believe they were covered to protect the lower portions from the elements. Another view is that uncovered bridges would not be able to stand the weight of the area's heavy snowfalls.
At one time the bridges were so important to livelihoods, that at town meetings more than a century ago residents would vote for more money to be spent on their upkeep than on education.
The first Saturday in October is Covered Bridge Day in Swanzey.
The town's bridges have two celebrity connections.
In the late 1930s, Ford Motor Company founder, Henry Ford, wanted to buy the Thompson bridge for exhibition purposes. After much heated debate the town's selectmen (councillors) turned down the offer.
The Cresson is also known as the kissing bridge after it was featured in a cigarette TV commercial.
Swanzey's fame is such in the bridge world that it was chosen to host the first National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges Festival in 1966.
This article originally appeared in Planet Swansea which was published by the South Wales Evening Post.
Carlton Bridge.
Welcome to Swanzey.
