Understand
Amherst came about due to land given to soldiers in 1728 who had participated in King Philip's War. This was first named "Narragansett Number 3" in 1733 and then later changed to "Souhegan Number 3." Settlers there formed a Congregational church and hired their first minister In 1741. The town was named for Lord General Jeffrey Amherst, he initiated the practice of giving smallpox blankets to Native Americans and commanded British forces in North America during the French and Indian War. Today, Amherst houses a population of a little over 10,000 citizens and an area of 34.8 square miles.
