David Thomson Monument
Rye, NH


Photo courtesy of SeacoastNH.com Early Images.

The state of New Hampshire has done precious little to commemorate the settling of the colony in 1623, just three years after the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, MA. Historians generally agree that David Thomson (Thompson) and his wife Amais and 10 hardy fishermen built a small fort and palisade called Pannaway Manor at what is now Odiorne Point in Rye. David Thomson had a charter from NH founders Mason and Gorges to establish a fishing colony. In return he was to receive an island. A year after his arrival he brought stores of much needed supplies to the Pilgrims and two years later he went to the colony of Boston to lay claim to Thomson’s Island there. Then he disappears from history, though the fishermen in his group remained and his wife later remarried. Little is known of the “First Yankee” and it’s too bad since the property is owned by the state of NH today. It was taken from the Odiorne family by eminent domain for use as a military defense base in World War two and never returned. The Seacoast Science Center is nearby. YOu can see the this monumnet, which was moved to the Odiorne cemetery in 1955 and is carefully maintained by the Colonial Dames.

HOURS: Dawn to dusk, year round
WEBSITE: http://www.nhstateparks.com/odiorne.html
ADMISSION: 3.00, children 12 & under free in season
PHONE: 603-436-7406
ADDRESS: Route 1A Rye, NH 03802
DIRECTIONS: Take Route 1 bypass South to beaches. After Yokens turn left to Elwyn Road and continue on past Foyes Corner which brings you onto Rout 1A. Continue 1.8 miles and enter soon after wooden bridge, About 1000 feet before the Park entrance stop at the 1800 farm and barn. The monumnet is a hundred yards toward the back.
LINKS: More on Thomson, See the Monumnet Today,