Shortly after 1712, this area was settled as Windham Village. The first settlers were primarily farmers, whose immediate work was to clear and plow the land, plant crops, dig root cellars, and build houses, barns, and sheds. They also harnessed water power to run the grist and saw mills.
Cattle were crucial for survival. The settlers needed oxen to plow and cows for milk, butter, cheese, and meat. Their diet also included fish, turkey, deer, rabbit, duck, dove as well as fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Work on the farm was hard. The entire family worked day and night. In addition, some time had to be set aside to home school the children. But none of this discouraged more people from moving to the new settlement.
Years passed...the settlement grew. And when the call came to declare independence from England, the finest men went to fight in the Revolutionary War - among them were Peter Foster and his 12 sons (a united service that was unsurpassed by any other Colonial family). Local farm families generously supplied food for Washington's' men.
In 1786, the Town of Hampton was established. Its citizens were farmers, tradesmen, merchants, teachers, lawyers, pastors, and doctors. Soon after there were mills along the Little River to make cider, shingles, and cotton. There was a tannery and factories that made pins, buttons, rakes, spectacles, hats, and silver spoons. There were one-room schools for the children and inns for travelers. And in the Winter, local ponds were used to supply ice to everyone who owned an ice house.
