The Reverend John Wheelwright founded Exeter in 1638. After several years of struggling and hardships, Exeter started to prosper. Even after one hundred years of systematic Indian attacks all over New England, Exeter was spared a full-scale attack. Early in the eighteenth century prosperity began to settle in, as Exeter became a bustling center of trade and shipbuilding yards. The Squamscott River and its wharves were then as busy as Water Street    itself. During the late 1700’s Exeter had become the seat of State Government, and supplied troops and gunpowder at the battle of Bunker Hill. Shortly after these years had passed President George Washington would be a guest at Folsom’s Tavern on Front Street. In 1869 Abraham Lincoln visited to see his son who was attending the Phillips Exeter Academy.

Records indicate that the first voluntary Fire Association began in the year 1798. A number of citizens entered into a voluntary association called the “Fire Society of Exeter”. Their constitution provided that the number of members should not exceed twenty-five.