Cheshire County NH

Fitzwilliam, Cheshire County, New Hampshire History

Fitzwilliam, one of the southern tier of townships in the county, lies in lat. 42º 45 and long. 4º 54′, bounded north by Troy and Jaffrey, east by Jaffrey and Rindge, south by the state line, and west by Richmond. The town was originally granted by the Masonion proprietors, as Monadnock No. 4, January 15, 1752, to Roland Cotton and forty-one others. These grantees, however, failed to comply with the requirements of the charter and thus forfeited their right to the territory, and it was subsequently, early in 1765, re-granted to Samson Stoddard and twenty-three associates. On May 19, 1773, … Read more

Early Settlers of Gilsum NH

Of the first settlement in Gilsum, Silvanus Hayward, in his History of Gilsum, speaks as follows: ” The Kilburns have always claimed to have been the first settlers in Gilsum. So far as I know every Gazetteer or similar work names Josiah Kilburn as the first settler. A counter tradition has been met in looking up, materials for this history. It is believed the following record gives a full and fair statement of the case : Josiah Kilburn was in company with a Mr. Ford in a large tannery and shoe manufactory in Glastonbury, Conn. They were prosperous in business, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Phineas Farrar

Phineas Farrar, son of Josiah and Hannah Farrar, was born in Sudbury, Mass., came to Marlboro in 1768, and died here at the age of ninety-four years. His son William, a native of the town, died at the age of eighty-one years. Calvin, son of William, resides on road 9.

Biographical Sketch of Walter Charles Baker

Baker, Walter Charles; pres. American Ball Bearing Co.; born, Hinsdale, N. H., June 27, 1868; son of G. W. and Jeannette R Hall Baker; educated, public schools, Cleveland, and Case School of Applied Science; married, Cleveland Oct. 27, 1891, Fannie E. White; organized the American Ball Bearing Co.; in 1894 was elected pres. and Mechanical Engineer, still serving; interested in other corporations; member Union, Euclid, Clifton Park and Engineers Clubs; Republican; member Unity Church.

Biography of Lawrence Walton

Lawrence Walton was in Chesterfield as early as 1770, and died here November 28, 1795, aged seventy-eight years. His children were as folio Elisha, Nathaniel, Peru, Sarah, Lucretia, Margaret, Deborah, and Elijah. Nathaniel married, first, Mary, daughter of Eli Partridge, and second, Jemi daughter of John Sanderson. He lived in the “New Boston” district, on the farm now owned by Charles M. Davis, was a blacksmith by trade, and noted for his great strength. His children were Elijah, Azariah, Nathan, Polly, Lovilla and Rachel. Elijah, son of Nathaniel, married Joanna, daught of Shadrack Herrick, and died September 24, 1861. His … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isaac Davis

Isaac Davis, the seventh son of a seventh son, and hence called Doctor, immigrated from Massachusetts to Roxbury while that town was still a wilderness, residing there until his death, in 1840. His son Joshua was born there in 1796, and died July 2, 1862, while Joshua’s son, George G., born in Roxbury, August 28, 1842, has been a resident of Marlboro since 1859. He is engaged in mercantile pursuits, has served as state senator from the 14th District, and was in the late war a year and a half.

Biographical Sketch of Hon. Samuel Dinsmoor

Hon. Samuel Dinsmoor was a native of Windham, born July 1, 1766, He was of the Londonderry Scotch-Irish descent, great-grandson of John Dinsmoor, one of the first settlers, grandson of Robert Dinsmoor, and son of William Dinsmoor. He graduated at Dartmouth college in 1789, read law, and settled in Keene, in 1792. As a young man, he was especially interested in military affairs, and organized the Keene Light Infantry, one of the finest drilled and best equipped corps known under the old militia laws. In 1808 he was appointed postmaster. In 1811 he was elected to congress, and distinguished himself … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Newman

George W. Newman was born in Keene, November 18, 1818. He has, by industry and good management, acquired a large property, and has probably built more houses in Gilsum than any other man. He is now engaged in the manufacture of lumber, in building and in farming. He has served the town as selectman, justice of the peace, etc.

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Thompson

James and Samuel Thompson came from Londonderry, Mass., and settled within the limits of the present town of Holden, Mass., in 1718. They were Scotch Irish, and both died in 1755. Thomas, son of Samuel, married and settled in Royalston; Mass., in 1769. His wife died and he married again, about 1782, and soon after came to Keene, residing just south of the chairfactory. He reared a family of eight children, six sons,-Thomas, Isaac, Aaron, Daniel, John and Luther,-and two daughters. His son Daniel bought the “Statia farm” about 1823, where he spent the remainder of his life. His children … Read more

William Yeardley Genealogy

William Yeardley (I), b. in England in 1752, came to Dublin, N. H., in 1776 and died there, June 23, 1805. He m. Sarah Twitchell, dau. of Gershom, b. 1750; d. in Dublin, Jan. 7, 1831. Of their six children the third was William (II), b. 1784; m. 1804, Rhoda Brooks, dau. of Joseph, b. Mar. 3, 1707; d. Apr. 5, 1837. Horace (III), the fifth of the nine children of William and Rhoda (Brooks) Yeardley, was b. in Dublin, Mar. 11, 1814, and m. Sarah Elizabeth Taylor b. Aug. 30, 1822. Their son, William Wallace, 1, was b. in … Read more

Chesterfield, Cheshire County, New Hampshire History

Chesterfield lies in the western part of the county, in lat. 42º 54′ and long. 4º 40′, bounded north by Westmoreland and Keene, east by Keene and Swanzey, south by Winchester and Hinsdale, and west by the west bank of Connecticut river, and has an area, exclusive of the Connecticut, of about forty-four square miles, or 28,160 acres. This history entails sketches of early industry, churches, military, and benevolent societies, as well as biographies, genealogies and sketches of the early settlers. History of Chesterfield, New Hampshire General History of Chesterfield, NH Early Settlers of Chesterfield, NH Early Manufacturing of Chesterfield, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Davis

George Davis was born in Hancock, N. H., in 1816. He learned the carpenter’s trade, which he carried on a few years, was captain of militia there in 1842 and 1843, and owner of a grist-mill, which he operated several years. He married Julia A., daughter 0f Asa Greenwood, of Dublin, in 1840, and moved to Keene in 1844. He was selectman of Harrisville in 1899 and 1880, town clerk and treasurer since 1881, and was chosen representative in 1884.

Early Settlement of Keene, New Hampshire

Up to the winter of 1736 no person had remained in the town during that season. Those who came in the summer to clear their lands brought their provisions with them, and erected temporary huts to shelter them from the weather. But during that summer, Nathan Blake and Seth Heaton, from Wrentham, and William Smeed, from Deerfield, made preparation to pass the winter in the wilderness. Their house was at the south end of Main street. Their stock consisted of a yoke of oxen and a pair of horses, one of the latter belonging to Heaton and the others to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Amidon

Jacob Amidon, born in Mendon, Mass., about 1753, came to Chesterfield in 1782. He was engaged in trade here, held many of the town offices, reared a family of five children, and died February 11, 1839, aged eighty-five years. His son Otis, born here March 6, 1825, became one of the leading men of the town, both in church and municipal affairs, and died July 22, 1866. His son Charles Jacob is a prominent manufacturer in Hinsdale.

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Spaulding

Thomas Spaulding, a native of New Ipswich, Mass., married Hannah Brown, of Concord, about s800. He was a carpenter by trade, and built the first church erected in Hancock, Hillsborough county. He moved to Dublin, from Hancock, and from there to Sullivan. He reared a family of ten children-seven sons and three daughters. Only one his children, Ashley, is living. He was born January 21, 1805, and lived upon the home farm sixtysix years. He married, for his first wife, Clarissa Keith, who bore him two children, and for his second wife, Sallie Davis, who bore him three children. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Capt. I. B. Proctor

Captain I. B. Proctor, the present owner of the so-called Felt farm, and proprietor of the Proctor House, situated on the pleasant southern slope of Monadnock mountain, is a native of Lunenburg, Mass., where he was born in 1824, and at which place he lived until 1844, when he was appointed purchasing agent of the Vermont & Massachusetts railroad, with his office in Gardner. In 185r he engaged in the wholesale flour and grain business in Fitchburg. In 1854 was elected captain of the Washington Guards, a fine military company of Fitchburg. In 1858 he was elected superintendent of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Pierce

Benjamin Pierce, son of George, was born in Smithfield, R. I., February 26, 1815, and in early life lived with his father on the farm. He obtained his education at the common schools and at the Chesterfield academy, taught school winters until his marriage, which took place November 15, 1842, to Caroline A. Gale, of Pertersham, Mass., when he settled at Chesterfield Factory. Here he was engaged in selling goods manufactured by Richardson & Huggins, also goods made by Pliny Merrill, of Hinsdale. In 1853 he bought thebit and auger factory of Barton Skinner and commenced the business of manufacturing … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Henry H. Hamilton

Rev. Henry H. Hamilton, born in Chester, Mass., February 1, 1842, fitted for college at Williston seminary and graduated from Amherst in 1868, from Union Theological seminary, New York, in 1871, and also passed an extra year at Andover Theological seminary. He was installed pastor of the Union Congregational church of Westfield, Mass., June 4, 1872, and continued its pastor just five years. His next settlement was over the Congregational church of Hinsdale, March 1, 1878, where he still remains.

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

Biographical Sketch of Eleazer Cobleigh

Eleazer Cobleigh was an early settler in Chesterfield, being here as early as 1776. The first grist-mill as previously mentioned, was probably built by him. Dan Cobleigh was also an early settler, being here as early as 1770, Jonathan Cobleigh, also an early settler, purchased property here April 13, 1763. Jonathan Cobleigh, Jr., is also mentioned here in the tax list of 1770. His children were Lemuel, Lvdda, Jonathan, James, and Sally and Lydia, twins. Oliver Cobleigh was here in 1770, and reared a family. John Cobleigh’s name appears here in 1776. His son John, born April 10, 1776, married … Read more