History of Gilsum

The land was originally named "Boyle" after Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington, when the land was granted by the Masonian Proprietors in 1752,
but ongoing hostilities during the French and Indian War prevented settlement. When the grant lapsed, the town was rechartered by
Governor Benning Wentworth on July 13, 1763, as Gilsum, combining the surnames of two proprietors, Samuel Gilbert and his son-in-law,
Thomas Sumner. It was first settled in 1764 by Josiah Kilburn from Hebron, Connecticut.

The Ashuelot River provided water power for woolen mills. By 1859, when the population was 668, there was also a bobbin factory,
a chair factory, and a tannery. Gilsum used to be a center for mining mica and feldspar. High-quality crystals, especially beryl, tourmaline,
and quartz, can also be found. Today, Gilsum is headquarters to the W.S. Badger Company, makers of "balms, potions and natural remedies."

The town contains the Stone Arch Bridge, completed in 1863 with the highest vault (36 feet, 6 inches) of any mortarless bridge
in New Hampshire. In 1989, it was added to the National Register.

Town of Gilsum - Gilsum Web Site

Town of Gilsum - Recreation Committee Website

Town of Gilsum - Current Weather Conditions

Cemeteries in Gilsum - Search the five cemeteries in Gilsum, NH

World War II US Army - PFC Edward J. Grout - 20 years old - 34th Infantry; 133rd Infantry Regiment "Killed in Action" 23 July 1944 - in France - buried in Gilsum, NH
US Navy - S1C Forrest E. Karr - 19 years old - U.S.S. Franklin (CV-13) "Missing in Action" 19 March 1945 - Tokyo Bay - The USS Franklin was hit by
two semi-armor-piercing bombs from a single Japanese aircraft. One bomb struck the flight deck centerline, penetrating to the hangar deck,
effecting destruction and igniting fires. The second bomb hit aft, tearing through two decks and igniting more fires.
The Franklin lost 807 crewmen, S1C forrest E. Karr was amongst the missing.
US Army - Tech5 Winthrop P. Wilbur - 21 years old - 2nd Armored Division, 67th Armored Regiment "Killed in Action" 25 Dec. 1944 in Europe.

New Hampshire Vital Records

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Cheshire Co. GenWeb Project - Founded 15 November 1996
This site maintained by: GN Kidder - E-mail - address
Copyright 1996 by Randall Mitton
Copyright 1996-2023 by GN Kidder

NHGenWeb SC:George Kidder
NHGenWeb ASC:Norma Hass

Last Edited 5 Jan. 2024