Prior to its incorporation as the town of New London, the tract of land was known as Heidelburg.  A 1768 map of New Hampshire, published in London England, Heidelburg is shown.  Early settlers called Heidelburg, when 137 lots of 150 acres each were drawn on September 7,1773. The lots that today comprise the towns of both New London and Wilmot were acquired by a small group of men.
Surnames of those early land owners were Atkinson, Wentworth, Wibird, Jaffrey, Meserve, Packer, Minot, Wallingford, Odiorne, Pierce, Moore and Moffat,  Thornton, Talford, McMurphy, Bagley & Ringe.. These 16 or more freeholders were the1779 landholders of Heidelburg.

The first  town meeting was posted  by Squire Messer on 3 August, 1779.13 qualified voters  met at Squire Messer's dwelling house on Messer, (Knights) hill on that day. The election of the town officers and other business made it official New London was now in running order.  The second town meeting was held March 14, 1780 with warrant being signed by Samuel Messer, and Benjamin Eastman, selectmen.

The early history of New London is quite fascinating as it charts the growth of the the town, the development, and the names of the early settlers who participated in this process.

It can all be read, studied, and researched in Volume One, a History of the Town of New London, 1779-1899.The volume published in 1899 is recognized as an accurate authoritative town history, by Myra B. Lord.

Genealogists, descendents, and town residents alike owe a debt of gratitude for the foresight shown by Mrs. Lord. This valuable 780 page archive can still be read at the Tracy Library in New London.

Fifty years later this was followed up by a second, 550 page volume, History of New London 1900-1950, that updated, and carried on the established reporting about the town, its growth and its citizens. This work was written and researched by James Duane Squires, Ph.D. who was also Chairman of the Department of Social Studies at Colby Junior College, now Colby Sawyer,) in New London.

 Few towns are blessed with so thorough a record of their heritage and developmental growth,  but then in the year 2000,  Ann Page Strecker astounded everyone with a volume, History of New London 1950-2000,  that takes over and reports changes up until present day. This 600 page volume embodies all of the latest publishing techniques,  maps, pictures, charts, indexes, and everything to make it both a highly informative but interesting addition to New London's history.  This volume is still available for purchase. However it can also be researched at either of the two libraries in town.  Published now for but a short  time it is already referred to as the "town bible."

So, if you are researching ancestors who lived or came from New London, you are extremely fortunate. There are surname indexes in each of the three volumes.  They should provide you valuable information and documentation that are seeking.