Dixville’s Enduring Legacy: Pioneers of the Great North Woods

Lt. Col. Timothy Dix founded Dixville, NH, but true pioneers John & Betsey Whittemore faced extreme wilderness. Their challenges, including John freezing his wife's body, captivate today, with NH State Parks maintaining their legacy despite the town's small population.

The Resilient Whittemore Pioneers

In 1805, Lt. Col. Timothy Dix of Amherst, New Hampshire was approved a parcel of land deep within the enforcing mountains of the Great North Woods. The land featured just one stipulation: Dix had 5 years to have the land settled by at the very least thirty residents. Dix named the town Dixville (fittingly sufficient) yet really did not have excessive time to make great on his assurance, as he would become involved in fighting the Battle of 1812, dying in 1813 in battle.

In contemporary times, little documentation continues to be as to who else lies together with the Whittemores, but the gravesite has been maintained by New Hampshire State Parks, who keep the tradition of the Whittemores and their perils to life for interested site visitors. While today Dixville might only boast a populace that floats around a little over 10, the lives of the community’s very first inhabitants remain to captivate and motivate.

Not able to bury his wife or even leave community, John was forced to keep her body iced up for the entire winter months before any type of proper burial. John would certainly die in 1846, and Dixville would be properly settled in 1865, with new locals being buried alongside the Whittemores at the small burial ground for years in unmarked tombs.

Granite State super-politician Daniel Webster, a buddy and sponsor of Dix, took it upon himself to try and include the area. Yet prior to he did, somebody actually did stay in Dixville before Dix’s fatality. 2 individuals did: spouse and better half duo Betsey and John Whittemore. The Whittemores would certainly arrive in Dixville in 1812, but soon found themselves battling against the elements. As a result of the town’s extreme surface and seclusion, as well as the truth that the only road into town was not equipped for the harsh winter seasons, the Whittemores would sustain extraordinary challenges while attempting to make a life for themselves in Dixville.