1802 Poplin-Fremont Pound Completed

Fremont 250th Anniversary Committee is pleased to announce that members and town volunteers have reconstructed the historic 1802 Town Pound at the west end of the 1800 Meeting House on Main Street

The project was undertaken on September 17th and completed during a second gathering on October 16th with many members and volunteers contributing time, equipment, muscle, and food for this worthwhile community project.  The Town Pound measures 28 feet X 24 feet with walls standing four feet high, with six-foot high granite posts and a seven-foot long granite entablature generously donated by Fremont residents Lee & Rita Danley and Dana & Trish Coulombe.  

Town Pounds were used to restrain local livestock whom escaped from their local farmyards during the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries.  Locals did not want animals trampling though their gardens ruining much needed food and crops harvested to help families survive through long, cold New England winters.  Nearly every New Hampshire town had a town pound, most were used up until about the 1870's and 1880's.  A Town Pound-keeper (usually a newly married man) was elected to round up stray livestock, bring them to the pound, feed them, and get word to the owner that their animal was impounded.  The owner then had to pay a fine that was split between the town and the poundkeeper. 

The Committee wishes to extend its sincere appreciation to Leon Holmes Sr., Leon Holmes, Jr., and Michael Holmes for donating much needed equipment, time and energy towards making this town pound a reality.  Grateful thanks and appreciation are also extended to the Fremont Pizzaria, the Danley's, the Coulombes, Matthew & Tanya Bonagura, Bill & Katie Scholes, the Fremont Selectmen, and to all the many 250th Committee members and community volunteers for generously donating their time and energy in restoring this ancient piece of Fremont's agricultural heritage.