Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire
nickname =
motto =


image_

imagesize =
image_caption =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Cheshire County, New Hampshire
settlement_type = Town


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Hampshire
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Cheshire
government_type =
leader_title = Board of Selectmen
leader_name = Andrew Clukey, Chairman
Thomas Parker
Michael Methe
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1773
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 93.3
area_total_sq_mi = 36.0
area_land_km2 = 89.7
area_land_sq_mi = 34.6
area_water_km2 = 3.7
area_water_sq_mi = 1.4
area_water_percent = 3.91
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 2141
population_density_km2 = 23.9
population_density_sq_mi = 61.8
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 42 |latm = 46 |lats = 50 |latNS = N
longd = 72 |longm = 08 |longs = 30 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 349
elevation_ft = 1145
website = [http://www.fitzwilliam-nh.gov/ www.fitzwilliam-nh.gov]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 03447
area_code = 603
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 33-26500
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0873597
footnotes =

Fitzwilliam is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,141 at the 2000 census. Fitzwilliam is home to Rhododendron State Park, a 16-acre grove of native rhododendrons that bloom in mid-July.

History

First granted as "Monadnock No. 4" in 1752 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, this was one in a line of eight towns settled by Scottish colonists. Incorporated in 1773 by Governor John Wentworth, the town was named for his cousin, William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. Two early grantees in Fitzwilliam were Matthew Thornton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and James Reed, who would lead the 3rd NH Regt. at Bunker Hill. The community claims one of the oldest granite quarries in New Hampshire. Other industries included wood-working and yarn-making. The railroad would enter in 1848. Fitzwilliam's picturesque common, together with twelve antique houses that surround it, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"Entries on the National Register of Historic Places:"
* Fitzwilliam Common Historic District — Jct. of NH 119, Richmond Rd., and Templeton Hwy. (added June 2, 1997)
* Old Patch Place — W of Fitzwilliam on Rhododendron Rd. (added September 15, 1980)
* Third Fitzwilliam Meetinghouse — Village Green (added September 26, 1977)

Notable Inhabitants

*Nahum Parker (1760 - 1839), U.S. Senator
* James Reed, brigadier-general in the Revolutionary War

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of convert|36.0|sqmi|km2, of which convert|34.6|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is land and convert|1.4|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is water, comprising 3.91% of the town. Little Monadnock Mountain, elevation convert|1883|ft|m above sea level, is the highest point in Fitzwilliam, located in the western part of town. The town is drained by the South Branch of the Ashuelot River, the source of which is Bowker Pond. Fitzwilliam lies fully within the Connecticut River watershed.cite book |title=Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers |url=http://nh.water.usgs.gov/Publications/nh.intro.html |last=Foster |first=Debra H. |coauthors=Batorfalvy, Tatianna N.; and Medalie, Laura |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey |year=1995]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,141 people, 836 households, and 586 families residing in the town. The population density was 61.8 people per square mile (23.9/km²). There were 1,074 housing units at an average density of 31.0/sq mi (12.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.52% White, 0.37% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population. 17.5% were of French, 16.6% English, 10.5% American, 10.5% Irish, 6.4% Italian, 6.0% Finnish, 6.0% German and 5.6% French Canadian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 836 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $48,125, and the median income for a family was $55,476. Males had a median income of $35,474 versus $29,130 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,127. About 3.3% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Residents of Fitzwilliam attending public high school go to Monadnock Regional High School in Swanzey. Elementary school students attend Emerson Elementary School.

Sites of Interest

* Amos J. Blake House (1837)

References

External links

* [http://www.fitzwilliam-nh.gov Town website]
* [http://www.fitzlib.org/ Fitzwilliam Town Library]
* [http://www.nhstateparks.org/state-parks/alphabetical-order/rhododendron-state-park Rhododendron State Park]
* [http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/fitzwilliam.html New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile]
* [http://www.fitzwilliam.org/ www.fitzwilliam.org - Historic Fitzwilliam NH]