Wentworth Cheswell

Who was Wentworth Cheswell?

Wentworth Cheswell was an African-American teacher, American Revolutionary War veteran, assessor, auditor, selectman and Justice of the Peace in Newmarket, New Hampshire. He was of mixed race, one-quarter African and three-quarters European, and listed in the census as white. Elected as town constable in 1768, he was elected to other positions, serving in local government every year but one until his death.

Cheswell is considered the first African American to be elected to public office in the state, as well as its first archaeologist. About the time of his marriage, Wentworth purchased a plot of land from his father Hopestill. His grandfather Richard is believed to be the first African American in New Hampshire to own land. A deed shows that he purchased 20 acres from the Hilton grant in 1717. In 1801, Wentworth was among the founders of the first library in the town and provided in his will for public access to his personal library.