Apples and Schoolteachers.

In 1719, individuals from Hampton, Haverhill, Newbury and Portsmouth met to form a group whose purpose was "settling Chestnut Country," the area that today is comprised of the towns of Hooksett, Auburn and Chester.

Twenty-four people originally settled in Chester, with the first settlements being Walnut Hill and Hill’s Village. These early settlers were given 10 schillings each for three years to promote immigration to the area. Most of these early settlers were farmers who raised, among other thing, apples. There were many fine apple orchards on the early farms in the town. Some of these early orchards remain to this day. Despite some early trouble with hostile Indians, in 1720 the area became know as Cheshire. The name was later changed to Chester after the city of the same name in England.

As Chester grew and prospered, it became known for two exports – apples and schoolteachers. In 1889, the Exeter News-Letter reported that Chester was noted for the production of both apples and schoolteachers because an unusually large number of teachers who had made an impact throughout the state and county hailed from Chester. In 1915, the Derry News noted that the Walnut Hill district alone was the birthplace of 65 teachers.

In the early years, Chester teachers were "boarded around." They would live in different homes each week or month with the "lowest bidder" since the town paid for room and board. As you can imagine, the "lowest bidder" often didn’t equate to the best living conditions. Despite these difficulties, Chester managed to produce more than their share of teachers and, of course, apples.