Cheshire County NH

Biographical Sketch of Obed Slate

Obed Slate, born in Bernardston, Mass., married Susan Doolittle, of Hinsdale, and came to this town about 180o, engaging as a carpenter and joiner. His first work was building the house of his wife’s father, Oliver Doolittle. Soon after he married, he purchased a farm on the Hill road, leading from Hinsdale to Northfield, where he remained till his death, about 1863. He was a man of influence, and early took an active interest in town affairs, holding all military positions from drummer to Colonel, also the office of first selectman for fifteen years, justice of the peace as many … 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 Elijah Boyden

Elijah Boyden, a native of Massachusetts, came to this town in 1806, and died here July 22, 1814, aged fifty-one years. His son Elijah, born here August 15, 1814, began life as a clerk for his brother, with whom he remained seven years. He then went to Boston, and remained about three years, when he returned to Marlboro, and was a merchant here for fifteen years.

Biography of John W. Jefts

John W. Jefts, a machinist by trade, but who for the past nine years has been successfully engaged in farming in the town of Langdon, was born here, December 4, 1859, son of Alphonso M. and Almira (Clough) Jefts. The genealogy of the Jefts family is traced to England, from which country, on some date between 1620 and 1638, the American progenitor emigrated to Massachusetts, and settled in Billerica. His immediate descendants continued to reside in that State for some years. Jonathan, the greatgrandfather of John W. Jefts, was the first of the name to come to New Hampshire. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Dunton

William Dunton was born here in May, 1824, and for twenty years before the war worked at the manufacture of wooden-ware for N. & J. Howe. He enlisted in April, 1861, in the 2d N. H. Vols., and went South in defense of the Union. He followed the fortunes of his regiment through the peninsula campaign unscathed, until the second Bull Run battle, when he was struck in the left cheek by a gall which came out under his left eye, shattering his upper jaw and knocking out every tooth. He was left on the field for dead, where he … 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

The Second Congregational Church of Keene New Hampshire

The Second Congregational church was organized October 16, 1867, with one hundred and twenty-three members, who had seceded from the First church for that purpose. The building and organ cost $35,000.00, and was completed, paid for, and dedicated September 16, 1869, when Rev. Joseph Allen Leach was installed as pastor. Mr. Leach is a native of Rockingham, Vermont, born April 15, 1836, graduated at Amherst college in 1861, at Andover Theological school in 1864, was commissioned chaplain of the 19th Regt. U. S. A., and first settled in Keene as a colleague of Dr. Barstow, at the close of the … Read more

Everend J. Young Genealogy

Young, Everend J. b. in Croyden, 1850; son of Caleb J. and Eliza (Heath) Young; m (1.) Nora A. Butterfield; m. (2), Nov. 4, 1914, in Keene, by Rev. E. F. Miller, to Mrs. Eunice I. (Rumrill) Howard, b. in Weathersfield, Vt., 1868; dau. of Horace and Lucinda (Randall) Rumrill. Ch.: Harold L.2, b. Washington, N. H.; m. Feb. 28, 1903, in Marlow by Rev. F. O. Tyler of Marlow, to Grace A. Knight, b. in Marlow, Mar., 1883; d. there, Sept. 19, 1914; dau. of Milan A. and Vesta E. (Shelley) Knight. Ch.: Emory E.3, b. June 23, 1903. … Read more

St. James Episcopal Church of Keene NH

St. James Episcopal church.-The history of St. James church, of Keene, dates from the year 1858. Previous to this time, however, services had been held as opportunity offered by various clergymen. About the year 1816 the Rev. Mr. Leonard, rector of St. Pauls church, Windsor, Vt., visited Keene, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Dunham and other parishioners, and held several services in the village. Soon after their visit the regular services of the church were conducted for several weeks, probably by the Rev. James Morse, of Newburyport, Mass., in the old court-house, then standing on the site of what is … Read more

Biography of Alger, William Rounseville

Alger, William Rounseville, son of Nahum and Catherine Sampson (Rounseville) Alger, was born in Freetown, Bristol County, December 28, 1822. He attended the common schools from the age of four to ten, then began to work for a livelihood; he worked five years in a cotton mill at Hookset, N. H., studied attentively in all available house, educating himself in the various branches of an academic course. He attended an academy in Pembroke, N. H., two years, and one year at Lebanon, N. H. He entered the divinity school of Harvard University in 1844, and was graduated in the class … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William S. Briggs

William S. Briggs is the great-grandson of Eliphalet Briggs, also of Jeremiah Stiles, both early and prominent settlers of Keene. He is grandson of Eliphalet Briggs, and son of Eliphalet Briggs. He was born September 17, 1817, and for many years was engaged in the cabinet and furniture business He represented Keene in the legislature in 7862 and 1863, and has since been a member of the house of representatives. He has been a trustee of Keene academy and Cheshire provident institution twenty-five years, and is a director of the Cheshire National bank. From his long residence, observing turn of … Read more

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

Early Settlement of Marlboro, New Hampshire

The first settler in the town was William Barker, a native of Westboro, Mass., who located in what is now Westhill, in Troy. He came on in 1761, selected the place for his future home, and came back again in 1762, and commenced a clearing. He seems not to have done much from that time until 1764, however, when he again came on from Massachusetts, enlarged his clearing, built a log house, and made arrangements for bringing on his family, which he accordingly did that autumn, arriving here on the 17th of September. Soon after, Isaac McAlister, who had previously … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Barton Skinner

Barton Skinner, son of Timothy Skinner, of Westmoreland, was born December 19, 1801, and resided in Chesterfield from 1853 till April, 1863. He was a manufacturer at Factory Village, and was town representative in 185758. He removed to Keene, where he died February 11, 1865.

Biographical Sketch of James 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

Jehiel Todd of Worcester MA

Jehiel Todd8, (Caleb7, Jehiel6, Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Nov. 4, 1818, in Hinsdale, N. H., he was twice married, first, Oct. 7, 1840, Melissa Hildreth, who was born Feb. 4, 1818, in Chesterfield, N. H., died May 28, 1843, in Hinsdale, N. H. He married second, Jan. 1, 1845, Susan Elizabeth, daughter of Zackariah and Lydia (Fairbanks) Whitman, who was born Oct. 20, 1818, in Stowe, Mass. He was a manufacturer of coffee, spices and cream a tartar. His factory was at 171 Union Street, Worcester, Mass. Child by Melissa Hildreth: 2033. Martha Elizabeth, b. Sept. 5, 1841. … Read more

Genealogy of Cephas Clark

Among the ambitious and adventurous spirits that sought homes in the northern part of Vermont were three sons of Cephas Clark, namely Silas, Samuel, and Cephas, all of whom settled in Glover. The design of this work is to treat from now on of the history of the three sons of Cephas Clark who emigrated to and settled in the northern part of Vermont.

John Wright Genealogy

John Wright m. Mary and res. Dunstable. Benjamin2 Wright, son of John1, b. at Dunstable, d. Milford, N. H., res. at Mile Slip (afterwards Milford); m. Betsey Adams of Dunstable (now Nashua). Of their eleven children eight were b. in Mile Slip, and the last three in Milford: Benjamin, b. May 20, 1775; d. Sept. 19, 1777. Benjamin; Betsey; Ira; Joel, 1, b. Jan. 26, 1784; Oliver; Sally; Mary; Lydia; Nehemiah and Gratia. Joel3 Wright, son of Benjamin2, was the fifth minister and third settled pastor of the First Cong. Church of S. See page 409. According to the Milford, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Harlon F. Morse

Harlon F. Morse, son of Elihu L., married Theoda A. Davis, of Hartland; Vt., and is now a resident of this town. He served four years during the late war, enlisting in Co. B, 8th N. H. Vols., and was honorably discharged.

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Jeremy Packer

Rev. Jeremy Packer, was born in Groton. Conn., July 2, 1762, and at a very early date his father removed to Guilford, Vt., where Jeremy was reared. He had no early advantages for obtaining an education, except those afforded by the common schools and academies, but he eventually became a clergyman of the Baptist church, and was ordained pastor of the church in Guilford, September 11, 1800, where he officiated till 1818. He then accepted a call from the Baptist church in the northern part of Hinsdale, where he was installed and continued its pastor twelve years, when his health … Read more