First granted in 1736, before New Hampshire was a separate colony, the town was named Baker's Town, in honor of Captain Thomas Baker, a famous Indian scout. Following establishment of New Hampshire, Governor Benning Wentworth regranted it as Stevenstown. It was also held the names Gerrishtown and New Salisbury, incorporating as Salisbury in 1768 after Salisbury, Massachusetts. Salisbury is the birthplace of Daniel Webster.
