History

The Town of Deerfield was originally the southwestern part of Nottingham from the original Nottingham grant of 1722. In 1766, the residents petitioned and received permission from the royal governor to become a separate town. Deerfield was settled in the late 1730's. A garrison was built for protection from the Indians near the Parade in 1742. The town covers 52 square miles. Its terrain is largely rocky and hilly. Lying along the main route between Concord and Portsmouth, the town soon became an active center of trade and commerce and remained so throughout its early history. Several small centers developed and thrived.

Shortly after its incorporation, the residents erected a Meeting House on Chase's Hill or what became known as the Old Center. Deerfield Parade, located along the route to Portsmouth became quite a busy location with an inn for travelers, a store, and an academy to educate the sons and daughters of the doctors, lawyers, and other prominent citizens, who lived in its fine homes. Leavitt's Hill became the site for a store, a well-known creamery, and a post office. South Road, which also lay on the main highroad, quickly became a center, of trade, commerce, and hospitality.

Education of its children has been an important part of the history of Deerfield. After choosing a site for the Meeting House and organizing a church, one of the first matters the early citizens considered was establishment of a grammar school. In mid-19th century, the town had 15 school districts and 13 school buildings.