History of People
Pembroke's first company of men, under the command of Captain Daniel Moore, reported to Colonel John Stark and fought in the battle of Bunker Hill on the 17th of June, 1775. Several other Pembroke volunteer companies fought during the course of this historic conflict. Town companies of Pembroke recruits, commanded by both Captains Andrew Buntin and Samuel Connor, reported to General Sullivan at Winter Hill, Charlestown, Massachusetts.
About 1807, three men came to Pembroke: Dr. Abel Blanchard, Reverend Abraham Burnham and Boswell Stevens, Esq. Dr. Blanchard was not a person of good health and began to fail about 1817. He expired March 15, 1818. In his will dated January 15, 1818, Dr. Blanchard (having no family of his own and after making bequests to his friends) left the residue of his property to found a "public school or academy in Pembroke." The school (although for many years called "Blanchard Academy") was incorporated June 25, 1818, as Pembroke Academy. Fire has destroyed the original buildings, but the Academy continues to be a vital institution in Pembroke.
Between 1850-1860, Pembroke had a influx of French-Canadians that worked in the many well-established mills. On January 11, 1885, the French-Canadians formed an association, "Le Cercle Dramatique Et Litteraire", for mutual instruction and amusement. They produced plays and fostered artistic awareness. On September 9, 1888, a library to include French and English works was started, and accounted for about 600 volumes. The French presence in Pembroke enriched the town culturally and helped to make it a unique place in which to live in central New Hampshire.
Shortly after the Massachusetts 6th Regiment passed through Baltimore on April 19, 1861, the New Hampshire Second Regiment followed with fourteen of its complement being soldiers from Pembroke. Pembroke soldiers serving in the Civil War (Rebellion) 1861-1865 numbered 181, of which 32 were killed while serving in the army.
The first census taken in Pembroke in the year 1767, is as follows: 49 unmarried and 85 married men between 16 and 60 years of age; 16 men over 60; 134 boys under 16; 97 married and 169 unmarried females; 5 widows, and 2 slaves. Total population of 557. By 1800, the turn of the century, Pembroke had 982 citizens. In 1850, the census taken shows a count of 1,735 individuals, and by 1890 the population had swollen to 3,172 townspeople.
Historical summary courtesy of the Pembroke Historical Society