Alstead New Hampshire

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

Biographical Sketch of Thomas R. Prentiss

Thomas R. Prentiss was born in Langdon, N. H., in 1803, and came to Alstead about 1834. He followed mercantile pursuits about ten years, and subsequently engaged in the manufacture of paper. In company with his son, Frederick L., he built a paper-mill upon the site of the one destroyed by fire in 1868, and which was in turn destroyed, in 1881. He died September 27, 1899. Two of his eight children are living, viz.: Lewis M., in Chicago, and Frederick L., in this town. The latter served as a drummer during the late war, and is the present town … Read more

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

Biographical Sketch of Elijah Towne

Elijah Towne came to Alstead, after having previously lived in Weathersfield, Vt., Windsor, Vt., and also in Munson, Mass. He married Miriam Lane, and had born to him ten children, five of whom are living. Of these Samaria married Dean Towne and lives in Worcester, Mass. Miriam married Richard Blodgett and lives in Claremont, N. H. Marcia married William Ellis and also lives in Claremont. Elisha lives in Keene, and Salem in Walpole. Mr. Townsend died here at the age of eighty-four years.

Amos Wood Genealogy

1. Amos2 Wood, son of Joshua1 and Esther (Esty) Wood, was b. in Keene, June 16, 1794; d. Wilton, June 12, 1873; was a farmer and lived in Keene, Walpole and Wilton. He was a Deacon in the Congregational church of Walpole. He m. (1), Sept. 23, 1817, Fanny Seward, b. Sullivan, Nov. 13, 1794, d. Walpole, Sept. 19, 1848; dau. of Dea. Josiah and Sarah (Osgood) Seward of S. He m. (2), Mar 20, 1850. Pamelia Wightman, b. Walpole (?), 1795, d. there, Nov. 16, 1854; dau. of Israel and Frances (Allen) Wightman; m. (3), Apr. 16, 1858, Mrs. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isaac Cady

Isaac Cady, from Pomfret, Conn., came to Alstead about 1763-64, settling with his wife upon a farm at East Alstead, she being the first white woman to locate in the town. Mr. Cady became a Revolutionary soldier, and won a prominent place in the estimation of his townsmen. His son Joseph spent his life here as a farmer and reared a family of six, only two of whom, William and James B., residing on road 39, are living. The latter resides with his son, F. 0., who served the town as selectman in 1883.

Early Manufacturing, Alstead New Hampshire

Messer Bros.’ turning and planing mill, located in East Alstead, was built for a grist and carding mill, about 100 years ago. About 1862 it came into the possession of William H. Messer, and of the present owners in 1881. They employ six hands in the manufacture of baby-carriage spokes, sapspouts, pails, knife handles, etc. E. P Kidder’s saw-mill and rake factory, located it East Alstead, was originally built for a starch factory, by a Mr. Kidder about fifty years ago, and came into the present proprietor’s hands in 1858. He employs six men and manufactures about 100,000 feet of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Abraham Browne

Abraham Browne, with his sons, Abraham, Jr., Nathaniel and Oliver, came from Grafton, Mass., and located just northeast of Warren Pond, about 1775. Oliver, with his father, located where Alonzo M. Fogg now lives, Nathaniel, where James A. Browne now resides, and Abraham, Js., upon the hill to the north. Abraham, Sr., died in r808. Abraham, Jr., married Lucy Golding, of Grafton, Mass., by whom he reared ten children ; was a respected citizen, and died at the age of eighty-two years. Dea. Nathaniel Browne married Molly Gee, of Marlow, had four sons and two daughters, represented the town, and … Read more

The First Congregational Church of Alstead New Hampshire

The first baptism in town was administered in September, 1768, by Rev. Thomas Fessenden, of Walpole. In 1770 the town “chose nine men to conduct religious worship,” one of the number being appointed to procure a minister. Its 1773 a committee was chosen to select a site for building a house of worship, and the same year Rev. James Treadway was employed to supply the town with preaching, and was subsequently given a call to settle with them in the ministry, but declined because no church had been organized. In 1776 a vote was passed by the town to build … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Wood

Thomas Wood, of English descent, came from Brookfield, Mass., to Alstead in March, 1780. He married Molly Taylor, of Hopkinton, Mass., by whom he had seven sons and three daughters. He took an active part in the Revolution and was at the battles of Bunker Hill and White Plains. His sons were Thomas, Samuel, John, Benjamin, Joseph, William and James. Edwin, son of Benjamin, Jr., was born while his parents were in Orange, Grafton, Co., but was brought to Alstead in childhood and has since resided here, being now, at the age of seventy-two years, the only male descendant of … Read more

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 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.

Alstead Center, Cheshire County NH

ALSTEAD CENTER, (p. o.) a hamlet located upon a hill about half a mile east of the geographical center of the town, was formerly the business center of the town, and about 1802, the prospective sight of the county court-house. It long since lost its prestige, however, and now along its single street, a school house, a Congregational house of worship, in perhaps a dozen dwellings remain.

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

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 Nathaniel D. Messer

Nathaniel D. Messer was an early settler in the town, and resided here until his death, having raised a large family. One son, William H., died here in 1881. He was engaged in the manufacture of wooden-ware, rakes, etc., where his son, Frank D., now carries on the same business.

Biographical Sketch of John Slade

John Slade, of Irish descent, came from Enfield, Conn., to this town in the autumn of 1773. He married widow Leason, of Enfield, Conn., by whom he had five sons and two daughters. His sons were John, William, Thomas, Daniel, and Samuel. John, Jr., moved- to Brookfield, Vt. Lieut. William Slade married Anna Root, of Windsor, Conn., by whom he had five sons and three daughters. Samuel married Hannah Thompson, by whom he had three sons and five daughters.

Alstead, Cheshire County, New Hampshire History

Alstead, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, with an area of 24,756 acres, lies in the extreme northern part of Cheshire county, in 43º 6′ of north latitude, and longitude 4º 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. This history entails sketches of early industry, churches, military, and benevolent societies, as well as biographies and sketches of the early settlers. History of Alstead, New Hampshire … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Azel Hatch

Asa, Reuben, and Jude Hatch, brothers, all of whom had served in the Revolution, came to Alstead, from Tolland, Conn., at an early day. Azel, son of Reuben, was seven years of age when his parents came here, and subsequently located on road z5, upon the farm now occupied by his grandson, also named Azel. He held a captain’s commission during the war of 1812. His wife, Rhoda Williams, bore him twelve children, ten of whom attained a mature age, and six of whom are now living. He bore an active part in town affairs, was selectman twenty-seven years, representative … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Giles Marvin

Giles Marvin, one of the early settlers, located in the eastern part of the town, where he was engaged in farming and worked at his trade as a carpenter and joiner, His son William, born here in 1779, died in x867. Five of his eleven children are living, three in Alstead. Jackson resides on High street, and Fred J. is a prosperous merchant, located on Main street.