Alstead New Hampshire

Biographical Sketch of Absalom Kingsbury

Absalom Kingsbury, from Coventry, Conn., came to Alstead in 1771, and moved his family thither the following year. His first wife, Rebecca Rust, bore him eight sons and two daughters, the sons being as follows: Asa, Ebenezer, Ephraim, Obadiah, James, Elisha, Joshua and Amariah. His second wife was a widow Wilson. Asa studied medicine with Dr. Frink, of Keene, entered the Revolutionary service, and died at New York, in August, 1776, aged twenty-four years. Lieut. Ephraim, who continued on his father’s farm, married for his first wife, Kezia Richardson, of Wrentham, Mass., and for his second, Hannah Leonard, of Carver, … Read more

East Alstead, Cheshire County NH

EAST ALSTEAD (p. o.) is a hamlet located about 1 mile from the east line of the town, near Warren pond, and consists of one street running north and south, bordered by a Congregational church, one store, and about a dozen dwellings. Just west of this, however, upon the outlet of the pond, is a hamlet containing three mills, a grocery and ten or twelve dwellings, where quite an extensive lumber business is carried on.

Alstead Village, Cheshire County NH

ALSTEAD is a handsome post village located in the northwestern part of the town on Cold river. It his two churches (Congregational and Universalist), six or seven stores, several shops or mills of various kinds, and about 100 dwellings. Formerly there was a large amount of paper manufactured here, and from this circumstance the place was called Paper Mill Village, a name which clung to it until about twenty years ago, when the postoffice received the name of Alstead. A point of interest in the vicinity worthy of mention is the “Cocked Hat,” a name given in eminence just east … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Col. Cyrus Kingsbury

Col. Cyrus Kingsbury, from Worcester, Mass., came to Alstead in 1785. He married, first Annas S. Taynter, and second, Philete Partridge, rearing five sons and one daughter. He held a military commission for a considerable time, served as deacon of the Baptist church, and represented the town a number of years, and finally, in 1814, removed to Bloomfield, N. Y., where he soon after died. His family returned to Alstead. Cyrus, Jr., the only child of the Colonel’s first wife, though a cripple from his birth and ever afflicted with ill health, graduated at Brown University. R. a.. and subsequently … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Levi Townsend

Levi Townsend came to Alstead from Massachusetts about 1800, and located in the southern part of the town. He was a farmer, married Mehitable Chandler, and had born to him four children, all boys. Charles, the only son now living, was born June 6, 1808, and, when young, went to Lowell Mass., and became overseer in a cotton factory. He married for his first wife, Eliza A. Parker, of Lowell, moved to Alstead, and engaged in farming. His first wife bore him six children. He married for his second wife, Lucinda Messer, of Marlow, who bore him two children, and … Read more

Methodist Church Alstead New Hampshire

A Methodist class was in existence at East Alstead previous to 1820. A house of worship was built in 1839, and a church constituted, which at one time had fifty members. The organization continued until about 1865, when, the membership having become so greatly decreased, preaching was discontinued, and the membership transferred to Marlow church. Their church building, a brick structure, was sold and remodeled into a store. Mr. Samuel M. Kidder was connected with this society longer than any other person now living.

Biographical Sketch of Amos Kidder

Amos Kidder, son of Samuel, who came from Massachusetts at an early day and located upon the farm now occupied by Samuel M., died herein 1873, at the age of ninety-four years and seven months. Three of his six children are living, viz: Amos, in Newport; Mrs. John McNeil, in Westminster, Vt. ; and Samuel M., on the homestead farm. The latter, the youngest son of Capt. Amos, was born in Dalton, N- H., December 17. 1811, He has lived in Alstead since two years of age, and has been identified with the Methodist church over fifty years. He has … Read more

General History of Alstead New Hampshire

ALSTEAD, with an area of 24,756 acres, lies in the extreme northern part of the county, in 43° 6′ of north latitude, and longitude 4° 48′ east from Washington,* bounded north by Sullivan county, east by Marlow, south by Gilsum and Surry, and west by Walpole and a part of Sullivan county. The territory now lying within its limits was originally granted by Gov. Benning Wentworth, probably in 1761. He at that time granted charters for seventy-eight townships, lying on both sides of the Connecticut, principally for the purpose of establishing a claim to the territory in the then unsettled … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Dinsmore

Thomas Dinsmore came to Alstead at an early day and settled near the village, upon the farm now owned by John G. Turner. He carried on blacksmithing and farming, reared a large family, and died about 1842. His son, Calvin, born on the old homestead, died here in 1868. He was also a blacksmith and a farmer. Of his large family of twelve children, eight attained a mature age, and five of the six surviving ones reside in the town. John G. is president of the Connecticut River National bank of Charlestown ; Edward resides on Pleasant street, and Thomas … Read more

Military History of Alstead New Hampshire

The first company of militia was formed here in 1973, of which Timothy Dilano was chosen captain, Samuel Chandler, lieutenant, and Jason Wait, ensign. “It is worthy of notice,” says Rev. Seth S. Arnold, in an historical sermon printed in 1826, “that a spirit of independence, and much decision of political character prevailed among the first settlers of this town, when the Revolutionary war commenced. In that time of doubt and peril; when it was so difficult to know what was expedient, and what would be the result of so great an attempt; when the friends of liberty might hesitate … Read more

Baptist Church of Alstead New Hampshire

In December 1790, a Calvinist Baptist church was organized at the Center, which became quite large and was for many years very prosperous. At length, in connection with the Universalist society, formed in May, 1820, they erected a church building at Alstead village and finally became extinct.

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Chandler

Samuel Chandler, from Enfield, Mass., came to this town with his two brothers, Joel and Zebulon, in 1767. Samuel located in the southwestern part of the town, was one of the first selectmen, and died in 1784. His son James, born here in 1771, died in 1857. James bore an active part in town affairs, holding the office of selectman, justice of the peace, etc. His son Lyman now resides here, an ex-town clerk. Nathan, son of Joel, married Esther Marvin and reared three children, Samuel, Polly, and John M. He died in 1824. His widow became the wife of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Russell Tinker

Russell Tinker, born at Lempster, N. H., in June, 1818, located in Marlow when eighteen years of age, where he remained until 1866, then purchased his present farm in this town, on road 14. He has held the office of selectman three years and has also served as supervisor.- He married Mare. daughter of Jonathan Jefts, of Stoddard, November 16, 1841, and has two sons who reside in Alstead.

Benjamin Willis Genealogy

Benjamin1 Willis, who d. at Keene, Mar. 22, 1820, aged 80, was probably the father of Benjamin2, 1, of Sullivan. 1. Benjamin2 Willis, son of Benjamin1, was a farmer and res. Keene and Sullivan; d. in Sullivan, Aug. 26, 1837, aged 75; m. Mar. 17, 1785, Annis Briggs b. Norton, Mass., Sept. 25, 1759, d. Sullivan, Jan. 22, 1831; dau. of Elisha and Mary Briggs of Keene. Ch. b. Keene: Mary3 (christened Polly), b. Mar. 17, 1785; m. John Newman (q. v.) Sarah3, b. 1789; m. Robert. Hall (q. v.) Annis3, b. May 25, 1794. Asenath3, b. unk.; d. Keene, … Read more

Biography of Albert S. Wait

Albert S. Wait, of Newport, the oldest lawyer in active practice in Sullivan County, was born in Chester, Windsor County, Vt., April 14, 1821, son of Daniel and Cynthia (Reed) Wait. His grandfather, John Wait, was among the early settlers of Mason, N.H. John moved to Weston, Vt., and was a sturdy farmer of that Green Mountain town and a highly respected member of the community. He died in Weston at a good old age. His children were: James, John Sumner, Daniel Amos, Lucinda, and Mrs. Davis. Daniel Wait, who followed the trade of blacksmith, was a Brigadier-general in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dea. Jeremiah Howard

Dea. Jeremiah Howard, from Ipswich, Mass., came to Langdon, with his wife and three children, in 1783 or ‘8q.. He took up wild land, built a log house, and reared a family of four sons and five daughters. Stephen, his first born in Langdon, spent his life on the old farm, reared seven children, and died in 1873. aged eighty-seven years. When Stephen became of age, his father bought the land where Alstead village now is, and built a saw and grist-mill where the Holmes mill now is, though a mill had previously been built there,. by Mr. Towne. In … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Emerson Smith

Emerson Smith came to Alstead, from Hollis, N. H., about 1800, being formerly a resident of Maine, and a carpenter by trade. His son, Ralph E., was born at Hollis in 1791. He learned the clothier’s trade and carried on the business here for a number of years. He married Bia, daughter of Esq Moses Hale, reared eight children, and died in 1854, aged sixty-three yea. Of his three sons, two are living, Moses H., in Nebraska, and George H., to Harrisonville, both of whom served in the late war. Two daughters of Ralph E. are living, Maria L. Woodward, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry A. Lovell

Henry A Lovell, son of Aldis Lovell, was born in Drewsville, N. H. February 12, 1837. At the age of seventeen he began life as a clerk, and at the age of twenty-four began business for himself where he is now located. In 1868 his store was burned, but was immediately rebuilt, and for four years he operated a branch store at East Alstead. He married Georgina B. Fellows, of Hopkinton, N. H., in 1866, and has two sons and a daughter.

Biographical Sketch of James Spencer

James Spencer was born at Springfield, Vt., in May, 1819. He learned the blacksmith trade there, married Susan M. McCrae. and reared two children, J. H. and Susan A. The former is a blacksmith in Keene, and the latter is the wife of H. P. Ware and resides in Alstead. James came to Alstead about 1846 and was engaged in the blacksmith business here. He was a celebrated clarionet player and died February 18, 1883. His widow resides in Keene, aged sixty-three years.

Biographical Sketch of Sylvester Partridge

Sylvester Partridge came to Alstead, from Londonderry, Mass., in 1783, locating in the northern part of the town. He was then about twenty-one years of age, and soon after married, though his wife lived but a short time. He then married Mrs. Rachel Fay, who bore him three children. By his third wife he had four children. His only son, by his second wife; Capt Theron, was the father of Alfred W. and James S. Partridge, who now reside here. Two other grandsons of Sylvester, Alva W. and Edward M. Smith, also reside here, and also a granddaughter, Mrs. Melissa … Read more