History of Cheshire County New Hampshire Collections – Page 24 of 25

Biographical Sketch of Timothy Tufts

Timothy Tufts, born in Charleston on May 29, 1824, pursued education before starting a career in merchandising in 1844. Partnering with Oliver B. Campbell in 1848, he later managed the business solo and owned a successful farm. Active in his community, he served as town treasurer for over a decade and was a member of the Congregational church. He married H. Sophia P. Kingsbury and had a son, James A., who became a professor at Phillips Exeter Academy. Timothy’s brother, Hon. James Tufts, held various significant political offices in Nebraska and Idaho.

Biographical Sketch of Azel Hatch

Azel Hatch, born to Reuben Hatch in Alstead after his family’s relocation from Tolland, Connecticut, became a prominent local figure. Serving as a captain in the War of 1812, he was actively involved in town governance for many years. His wife, Rhoda Williams, had twelve children, with six surviving him. Azel lived to the age of ninety-two. His son, also named Azel, continued the family’s legacy in public service, holding numerous positions, including school committee superintendent.

Alstead Center, Cheshire County NH

Alstead Center, a hamlet situated on a hill east of the town’s center, was once the town’s commercial hub and briefly considered the location for the county court-house around 1802. Over time, its significance diminished, leaving only a single street with a school house, a Congregational church, and approximately twelve residences.

Biographical Sketch of Obadiah Blake

Obadiah Blake, originally from Massachusetts, played a significant role as an early settler in Keene. His legacy continued through his son George, who passed away in Wisconsin, and his grandson George W., who currently lives in Alstead along road 46.

Biographical Sketch of John Turner

John Turner settled in Walpole early in its history and passed away there in 1860. His son, John G. Turner, born in Walpole in 1810, moved to Alstead in 1844, where he drove a stagecoach between Charlestown and Marlow for a decade before dedicating himself to farming in 1847. His grandson, E. A. Turner, currently serves as the chairman of the board of selectmen and has represented the town in various capacities.

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Watts

Joseph Watts was a lifelong resident of the town, born and passing away there in 1816. He lived just north of the village with his four children, all of whom have since died. His adopted son, George U. R., remains in the town. Joseph’s brothers, John, Isaac, and Jesse, also lived in the area, but none of their descendants currently reside there.

Biographical Sketch of John Slade

John Slade, an Irish immigrant from Enfield, Connecticut, settled in the town in autumn 1773. He wed widow Leason from Enfield and together they had five sons—John, William, Thomas, Daniel, and Samuel—and two daughters. John, Jr. relocated to Brookfield, Vermont. Lieut. William Slade married Anna Root, with whom he had eight children, while Samuel wed Hannah Thompson and fathered eight children as well.

Biographical Sketch of Col. Cyrus Kingsbury

Col. Cyrus Kingsbury, originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, settled in Alstead in 1785. He had two wives, Annas S. Taynter and Philete Partridge, and fathered six children. A military officer, he served as deacon in the Baptist church and held various town offices. In 1814, he moved to Bloomfield, New York, where he later died. His son, Cyrus, Jr., overcame health challenges to become a missionary to Western Indians, while his half-brother, Joseph, remained in Alstead and was active in local politics until his death in 1865.

Biographical Sketch of Dea. Jeremiah Howard

Dea. Jeremiah Howard, originally from Ipswich, Massachusetts, settled in Langdon around 1783 with his wife and three children. He developed land and built a log house, raising nine children. His son Stephen, who lived on the family farm, had seven children and died in 1873. Jeremiah built a saw and grist-mill in what is now Alstead village, though it was destroyed by a flood in 1828 and later rebuilt. He passed away in 1837, after serving in the Revolutionary War.

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Proctor

Benjamin Proctor, originally from Ipswich, Massachusetts, settled in Alstead, New Hampshire. He lived first on land owned by H. G. Barnes before moving to a farm later owned by Ezra Webster, where he passed away on March 23, 1854, at the age of eighty-six. Proctor married Susannah Lowe, who died in 1858. They had ten children, with only two surviving: Ebenezer and Louisa. Ebenezer, active in local governance, later relocated to Walpole with his family.

Biographical Sketch of James Spencer

James Spencer was born in Springfield, Vermont, in May 1819, trained as a blacksmith, and married Susan M. McCrae, with whom he had two children. He moved to Alstead around 1846 to continue his blacksmith trade. In addition to his profession, he was known for his talent as a clarinet player. James Spencer passed away on February 18, 1883, and his widow, aged sixty-three, resides in Keene.

Biographical Sketch of Absalom Kingsbury

Absalom Kingsbury, originally from Coventry, Connecticut, settled in Alstead in 1771 and later moved his family there. He had ten children with his first wife, Rebecca Rust, and later married widow Wilson. His sons included Asa, a Revolutionary soldier, and Ephraim, who managed the family farm. Absalom held various civic roles, including justice of the peace and treasurer, and played a key role in establishing the town’s first church.

Biographical Sketch of Azel R. Emerson

Azel R. Emerson was born on December 29, 1822, in Alstead, New Hampshire. The son of Hazen and grandson of Richard, he worked on the family farm until age twenty-one, then taught school briefly. In 1847, he co-founded the first iron foundry and plow factory in Alstead, later buying out his partner in 1849. Emerson held various town offices, including selectman and town clerk, and served as postmaster starting in 1873. He moved to Hinsdale for several years before returning to Alstead.

Biographical Sketch of Levi Townsend

Levi Townsend settled in Alstead, New Hampshire, around 1800 after moving from Massachusetts. A farmer by trade, he married Mehitable Chandler and had four sons. His son Charles, born in 1808, became an overseer in a Lowell cotton factory before returning to Alstead to farm. Charles married twice, first to Eliza A. Parker, with whom he had six children, and later to Lucinda Messer, who had two children before her death in 1871. Charles now lives in Keene with his daughter Eliza.

Biographical Sketch of Elijah Towne

Elijah Towne relocated to Alstead after residing in Weathersfield and Windsor, Vermont, and Munson, Massachusetts. He married Miriam Lane and fathered ten children, five of whom are surviving. His children include Samaria, Miriam, and Marcia, who married and reside in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well as Elisha and Salem, living in Keene and Walpole, respectively. Towne passed away at the age of eighty-four.

The Third Congregational Church of Alstead New Hampshire

The Third Congregational Church of Alstead, New Hampshire, was organized on August 3, 1842, due to the local population’s challenges in accessing other churches. It initially comprised thirty-three members from neighboring congregations. Rev. Darwin Adams served as the first minister for three years, followed by Rev. John Lawrence. Constructed in 1843, the church building accommodates 250 individuals and is valued at $2,500. Currently, the church has twenty-five members and a Sabbath school with fifty-five attendees.

Methodist Church Alstead New Hampshire

The Methodist Church in East Alstead, New Hampshire, traces its origins to a class established before 1820. A formal house of worship was erected in 1839, supporting a congregation of up to fifty members. The church remained active until around 1865, when declining membership led to its closure and the transfer of its members to the Marlow church. The original brick church building was subsequently sold and converted into a store. Mr. Samuel M. Kidder is noted as the longest-connected member of this society.

Baptist Church of Alstead New Hampshire

In December 1790, a Calvinist Baptist church was established at the Center in Alstead, New Hampshire, experiencing considerable growth and prosperity for many years. Eventually, in 1820, a partnership with the Universalist society led to the construction of a church building in Alstead village. However, this congregation ultimately became extinct.

Biographical Sketch of Whitney Breed

Whitney Breed, born in Nelson in 1810 to Nathaniel and Nancy Breed, moved to Alstead in 1832. He married Persis Hatch on October 26, 1837, with whom he had six children. Breed served as a justice of the peace for forty years and as a deacon of the Congregational church at Alstead Center for thirty-five years. He is the great-grandson of Dr. Nathaniel Breed, the first settler in Nelson.

Biographical Sketch of John Banks

John Banks, the founder of the Banks family in Alstead, moved from Grafton, Massachusetts, in 1774 to work for Nathaniel S. Prentiss. He married Susan Prentiss and had a large family, one of whom was the father of General N. P. Banks of Waltham. Two of his sons, Andrew and Jabez M., remained in Alstead. Andrew married Fannie Livermore, had eight children, and passed away in 1876. His son Gardner G. has been involved in lumber manufacturing for over thirty years.