THE MAPS OF DANVILLE

June 8, 1999

As you leave the Danville Town Hall, you might take a minute or two to check out the historical chronology of the town’s land owners as depicted by four recently hung maps, two on each side of the front doors. They span the period from 1759 to 1922, and are computer enhanced copies of reproductions of the hand drawn originals. Modern technology allowed the four maps, all of different size, to be scanned and reproduced to a common size so they could be matted and framed with the same dimensions.

The Danville Heritage Commission voted last year to take on the project of reproducing these four maps spanning one hundred and sixty-three years, and properly frame them for display in the Town Hall as part of its mission to enhance awareness of the town’s heritage. Diane Howes, Heritage Commission Secretary, who actually did the matting and framing, volunteered to coordinate the project, which she did to its completion on a Saturday morning last March when four members of the Commission met to decide on the best location to display the maps.

The earliest of the four is believed to have been charted around 1759 as a visual depiction of the location of the homes of those residents who had petitioned the King of England, requesting permission to separate from the town of Kingston and become parishioners of the newly constructed meeting house (The Old Meeting House on Route 111A) donated and built by several beneficent citizens. Permission was granted, and the new town of Hawke (later to be changed to Danville) was established.

The second is dated 1857, and is copied from a reproduction of “Map of Rockingham Co. New Hampshire From Actual Surveys by J. Chace Junr., Published by Smith & Coffen No. 17 & 19 Minbr St. Philadelphia.” Landowners are again identified.

The third is dated 1892. We believe the original was one in a series done of several of the towns of Rockingham County. They were extensively reproduced in the 1980’s, copies of which occasionally are still found at flea markets and antique shops. This map too identifies the owners of the various parcels of land.

The fourth is dated November 30, 1922, and was created by M.S. George. It is entitled “Map of Danville, N.H., Showing Location of All Real Estate, Dwellings, Mills, Factories, Public Buildings and Camps.” We do not know Mr. George’s reason for drafting the map, but are pleased that he did.

Danville Town Hall now offers it visitors a little more evidence of town history, not to mention four handsomely framed maps adorning its portals.