Cornish is a town in York County, incorporated on February 27, 1794. probably named for settlers who came from Cornwall, England. Previously known as Francisborough or Francistown after Francis Small its first proprietor and as Pumpkintown by early residents, it was initially settled in 1774. A small trading post, established by 1665, was a center for fur trading in the Ossipee and Saco valleys. Native Americans eventually burned it to the ground. Joseph Thompson settled the area that is now the village of Cornish in 1782. His house was followed by several others, starting a trend that increased the population to 141 by the time of the first census in 1790.