Town of Epsom
History, Traditions, & Community
Epsom’s Early Roots
From Charter to Community
Epsom’s history officially began on May 18, 1727, when the Town was chartered by the provincial Lt. Governor John Wentworth and named after the market town in Surrey, England. The Town began its first settlement off East Street on Sanborn Hill, which today is called Center Hill Road. Earliest settlers of the Town were the McClary, McCoy, Blazo, and Blake families and later joined by the Sanborn, Locke, Libby, Doe, Goss, Dolbeer, Wallace, and Marden families. These families helped develop four different villages in Epsom called Gossville, Short Falls, New Rye, and Slab City (Epsom Village/Center). These village areas are still recognized by the Epsom community, though few remember the name Slab City (due to the lumber slabs by the sawmills).
Check back throughout the tricentennial year as we continue to add historical highlights, stories, photographs, and information celebrating Epsom’s 300 years of history.
