The town of Dunbarton was first granted in 1735 by Governor Jonathan Belcher as Gorhamtown. It was regranted by Governor Bennington Wentworth in 1748 as Starktown after the father of General John Stark. The charter of Dunbarton, named after Dumbarton in Scotland, was signed by Governor Bennington Wentworth on August 10, 1765.
Dunbarton is located in Merrimack County, bounded by Goffstown to the south, Weare to the west, Hopkinton to the north, and Bow and Hooksett to the east. From 1765 until 1822 when the town of Hooksett was incorporated, the bounds of Dunbarton went to the Merrimack River.
Dunbarton has five ponds, all with public access:
