Rare Old Map of New Hampshire by J.H. Colton, 1855: Concord, Portsmouth, Dover, Nashua, and Manchester

Delve into the fascinating past of the United States with this exquisite old map of New Hampshire, meticulously crafted by the esteemed mapmaker J.H. Colton in 1855. This map is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and superior quality that Colton was renowned for, making him one of the most respected American mapmakers of his era. A beautiful blend of art and history, this map provides a unique glimpse into the early development of New Hampshire, a time when many of its settlements were just beginning to take shape.

This map hails from a period in American history when the nation was still in its infancy. The mid-19th century was a time of significant change and expansion, and this map serves as a snapshot of that era. New Hampshire, one of the original 13 colonies, was still developing and evolving. Many of the settlements we recognize today were yet to be founded, and the names and borders that we are familiar with now have likely undergone considerable changes over the past 150 years.

The map showcases the five most notable settlements in New Hampshire in 1855: Concord, Portsmouth, Dover, Nashua, and Manchester. Each of these settlements has a rich history and played a significant role in the development of the state. Concord, the state capital, was already an established city by 1855. Portsmouth, a historic seaport and popular summer tourist destination, Dover, one of the oldest, permanent settlements in the United States, Nashua, known for its bustling textile industry, and Manchester, the largest city in the state, are all featured prominently on this map.

This old map of New Hampshire by J.H. Colton is more than just a piece of history; it's a work of art that tells a story. It's a testament to the vision and skill of one of America's finest mapmakers and a tangible link to the past. This map is a perfect addition to any collection, a conversation starter, and a piece of Americana that will fascinate and inspire for generations to come.

Notable Settlements in New Hampshire

1. Concord (1733) - Known as Rumford until 1765, it became the state capital in 1808. Concord is notable for its pivotal role in the state's political and economic development.
2. Portsmouth (1630) - Originally named Strawberry Banke, it's one of the oldest cities in the U.S. and was a significant seaport and shipbuilding center.
3. Dover (1623) - Known as the oldest permanent settlement in New Hampshire, it was a major center for the manufacturing of cotton goods.
4. Nashua (1746) - Originally part of Dunstable, it was renamed in 1836. Nashua was known for its booming textile industry.
5. Manchester (1751) - Known as Derryfield until 1810, it became the largest city in the state and a major industrial center.
6. Exeter (1638) - It served as the Revolutionary War capital of New Hampshire and was an important center for trade and industry.
7. Hampton (1638) - It's one of the oldest towns in New Hampshire, known for its rich history and beautiful beaches.
8. Rochester (1722) - It became a major industrial city, known for its shoe factories and mills.
9. Keene (1736) - Known for its granite quarries and as a center for insurance and education.
10. Laconia (1746) - Known as Meredith Bridge until 1855, it was a hub for hosiery manufacturing.
11. Derry (1827) - Known for its potato farming, it's the birthplace of astronaut Alan Shepard.
12. Portsmouth (1653) - A historic seaport and popular summer tourist destination.
13. Salem (1750) - Known for its rich industrial history and as the home of America's Stonehenge.
14. Hudson (1746) - Originally part of Dunstable, it was a significant center for brick making.
15. Londonderry (1722) - Known for its apple orchards, it's the home of the famous McIntosh apple.
16. Durham (1694) - Home to the University of New Hampshire, it was an important center for shipbuilding.
17. Hanover (1761) - Home to Dartmouth College, one of the Ivy League universities.
18. Lebanon (1761) - Known for its manufacturing industries, particularly textiles and machinery.
19. Milford (1794) - Known as the Granite Town in the Granite State, it was a major source of granite for building.
20. Newmarket (1727) - It was a major center for the manufacturing of cotton and woolen goods.

Native American Tribes

• Abenaki - The Abenaki were the primary tribe in New Hampshire, known for their craftsmanship and farming.
• Pennacook - The Pennacook were a tribe within the Abenaki confederacy, known for their fishing and farming.

Natural Phenomena

• White Mountains - A major mountain range in the state, popular for hiking and skiing.
• Lake Winnipesaukee - The largest lake in the state, known for its beauty and recreational opportunities.
• Mount Washington - The highest peak in the Northeastern U.S., it's known for its extreme weather conditions.
• Pemigewasset River - A popular river for canoeing and kayaking.

Historical Events

• War of 1812 (1812-1815) - New Hampshire was involved in this conflict, with Portsmouth serving as a major naval base.
• The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company (1831) - This textile manufacturing company in Manchester became the world's largest cotton mill by 1850.
• The founding of Dartmouth College (1769) - One of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution.
• The Great Fire of Portsmouth (1813) - A devastating fire that destroyed much of the city's downtown area.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 70in (178cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of USA and North America maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.