Hampstead is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 8,523 at the 2010 census. Hampstead, which includes the village of East Hampstead, is home to a portion of the Rockingham Recreational Trail.HistoryOnce part of Haverhill and Amesbury, Massachusetts settled in 1640, this town was formed as a result of the 1739 decision fixing the boundary line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It was originally known as "Timberlane Parish" because of the heavy growth of native trees. The town would be incorporated in 1749 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, who renamed it after Hampstead, England, the residence of William Pitt, a close friend.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.0sqmi, of which 13.3sqmi is land and 0.7sqmi is water, comprising 4.93% of the town. Island Pond is in the west, with Angle and Wash ponds in the north. The highest point in Hampstead is greater than 460ft above sea level at the town's northwestern corner, near the eastern knob of Butman Hill. Hampstead lies mostly within the Merrimack River watershed, though the northern slope of Butman Hill drains into the Piscataqua River (Coastal) watershed. Hampstead is home to Camp Tel Noar, an overnight summer camp on Wash Pond (Sunset Lake).