About the Property
Powder Major’s Forest is an important recreational, ecological, and historical resource on the Seacoast. Located at the intersection of the town boundaries of Madbury, Lee, and Durham, this land was once owned by Revolutionary War hero John Demeritt (“The Powder Major”), who is credited for hiding the stolen gunpowder that was used in the Battle of Bunker Hill at his Madbury farm. Major Demeritt was also celebrated for his role in a raid on the British Fort William and Mary (now called Fort Constitution) in Portsmouth Harbor. Since then, subsequent generations of the Demeritt family and then the Goss family lived on and farmed the Powder Major's land. The Forest Society acquired the Powder Major’s Forest in 2017.
Hikers will appreciate the relatively level trails, including a 2.4-mile outer loop trail marked with yellow blazes that runs through wetlands along the Oyster River. Two other trails marked with green and with orange blazes provide hikers the opportunity to shorten the 2.4-mile outer loop. Some areas may be very wet. During your visit, try to locate where the town lines of Madbury, Lee, and Durham meet. Pro tip: Look for the granite marker just off-trail in the southern portion of the property.
