An 1856 lithograph of "Centre
Harbor and Winnipiseogee"
from Gathered Sketches, by Francis Chase.
Moses Senter came up from Londonderry to
the head of Lake Winnipesaukee as early as 1763, to survey
some wild land for the colony. Mr. Senter and his companion,
Mr. Bean, were so delighted with their campsite that they
decided to settle there. Senter built a log house on the
shore with plans to return with his family the following
summer.
On one beautiful June morning, Moses Senter,
his wife, little son, Sam, and Mr. Bean packed all their
household goods in birchbark canoes and began the trip
up the Merrimack River from Londonderry. They carried
their furniture, supplies, and canoes around the falls
as they came to them. They entered the Weirs just before
dark after six days of vigorous paddling. The little party
was unable to find their home until the following morning.
Mr. Bean returned to Peterboro and resumed in the spring
with Lettice Aulds as his bride. They built a log house
nearby, and the two families tried to establish themselves
in an area where there were no neighbors for miles in
any direction. The only mode of traveling was on foot
and the only trails were blazed on the trees. The area
was originally called Senter's Harbor but was eventually
changed to Center Harbor.