Cheshire County NH

Biographical Sketch of George H. Nims

George H. Nims, son of Frederick Nims, of Sullivan, was born in that town, April 19, 1840, and became largely engaged in the wood and lumber business there. In 1868 he and his brothers, Marshall W. and Francis 0., became engaged in the market business in Keene, under the firm name of Nims Brothers. He continued in this until 1874, when he retired, and has since been engaged in the wood and lumber business, now owning 900 acres of timber-land within a few miles of Keene. He has been a Democrat in politics, and, although his ward is strongly Republican, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lewis Harris Kittredge

Kittredge, Lewis Harris; automobile business; born, Harrisville, N. H., June 18, 1871; son of Samuel Grant and Harriet Louise Harris Kittredge; educated, Keene, N. H., High School, New Hampshire State College, degree of B. S.; 1896-1897, with New York Belting & Packing Co., Passaic, N. J.; 1897 to present time with The Peerless Motor Car Co. of Ohio, pres. since 1906, same office for the company in New York and New England; director The Peerlees Motor Car Co. of Ohio; pres. since 1906, same office for the Company in New York and New England; director the Peerless Motor Car Co. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Levi Todd

Levi Todd, born in Rindge, N. H., in 1797 or ’98, was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood, and came to Hinsdale when about twenty-one years of age. He was a shoemaker by trade, and built the first shoe shop in the town, and about six months after he came he married Nancy Corey. of Ashburnham, Mass. He followed his trade several years, then gave his attention to manufacturing brick, his brick-yard being the first in the town. He finally bought the farm now occupied by his son “alter C., where he found excellent clay beds. He continued … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David Townsend

David Townsend, a pensioner of the Revolution, came to what is now Harrisville, from Lynn, Mass., and settled upon the farm where Jabez Townsend now lives. His son Charles M. now occupies a farm in this town, on road 15.

Biography of David Nims

It has been ascertained by the old records of the proprietors of the town of Keene, that David Nims, the subject of this sketch-was chosen their scribe as early as July 25, 1737. The town of Keene having received a charter, he was elected first town clerk and town treasurer, at the first legal town meeting, held Wednesday, May 2, 1753, and continued to hold office as clerk, treasurer, selectman or moderator, almost every year till 1776. He was honest, courageous, firm and discreet, and consequently a man of great influence in the town, his simple word possessing almost the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Stephens

James Stephens, a lieutenant under General Washington in the Revolution, and a native of Andover, Mass., came to Jaffrey about 1769. He was twice married, first to Elizabeth Lacy, and second, to Betsey Wood Litch, and settled upon a farm on road 44, where Henry Chamberlain now resides. Polly,, the youngest of his seven children, and the only one now living, resides on the home farm and is eighty-seven years of age. Polly, a granddaughter of James, has a set of spoons made from the silver mountings that were upon the sword worn by her grandfather during the war. His … 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 Silas Fife

Silas Fife came to Troy from Bolton. Mass., and settled in the eastern part of the town. He was a farmer, had a family of ten children, and died there in 1834. His son, Timothy, a native of Troy, remained there until his death, December 12, 1872, in his eightieth year. Daniel J., son of Timothy, also a native of Troy, came to Fitzwilliam in 1877, and located on road 49 1/2.

Military History of Keene, New Hampshire

During the period of the Revolution, Keene performed her part faithfully. In 1773 the foot company of Keene numbered 126, under command of Col.. Josiah Willard. The alarm list, numbering forty-five, seems to have been made up of the older men, including many of the original settlers; the selectmen of Keene, David Nims. Eliphalet Briggs, Jr., and Benjamin Hall, reported the following census for Keene : Unmarried men, from sixteen to sixty 65. Married men, from sixteen to sixty 96 Boys, sixteen years and under : 140• Men, sixty years and upwards : 1, Females, unmarried 217 Females, married 105. … Read more

Early Settlers of Chesterfield NH

Early settlers on or near the shores of Spafford lake were one Ladd, near the northwest shore, hence the name of Lard’s meadow, one by the name of Jewels, on the “Charlier place, “giving the name Jewell’s point, a Mr. Reed, who settled near the east shore, in the vicinity of Reed’s cove, Capt. John Pierce, who settled on the southwest side, purchasing section No. 12, which lot included Pierce’s Island, hence Pierce’s Island and Picnic Point. The first of the pretty private cottages which now peep out from among the trees on its pleasant shores was built by Azor … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Gustavus Cutter

Gustavus A. Cutter, was one of the three children of Charles A. and Philena, who resided on road 53. He served in the late Rebellion and was honorably discharged.

The First Baptist Church, Fitzwilliam, NH

The First Baptist church, located at Fitzwilliam, was organized in 1815, with six or eight members, by Rev. Nathaniel Bowes, of Richmond, Rev. Arnot Allen being the first pastor. The church building, erected in 1842, will seat 250 persons, cost $1,800.00, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at $5,000.00. The society now has sixty-two members, and a Sabbath-school with ninety scholars, with Rev. Andrew Dunn, pastor.

Biographical Sketch of Luther Hemenway

Luther Hemenway was born in Framingham, Mass., in 1787, and came to Marlboro with his parents when but six months old, his mother bearing him with her on horse-back, making their way by the aid of marked trees. He died in Jaffrey in 1872. His son Luther has served the town as selectman six terms and is engaged in a manufacturing business.

Biographical Sketch of John Converse

John Converse, a native of Leicester, Mass., came to Marlboro in 1780 and located about half a mile east of the village. Here he passed his time as a carpenter and joiner, wheelwright and farmer, until his death, about 1850. His son Nelson was born here and has been proprietor of the Converse House for the past twenty years. He is a justice of the peace, was colonel of the 6th N. H. Vols., has been deputy sheriff many years, represented the town in 1855-56, and has been selectman two or three years.

Biographical Sketch of Alfred T. Batchelder

Alfred T. Batchelder was born in Sunapee, February 26, 1844, was educated at New London and Tilton seminaries, and graduated at Dartmouth college in 1871. He read law with Hon. W. H. H. Allen and Hon. Ira Colby, of Claremont, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. In 7876 he was appointed register in bankruptcy, which office he held until it was abolished. In August, 1877, he settled in Keene, marrying Alice H., daughter of P. B. Hayward, April 24, 1879.

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

Biographical Sketch of Reuben Hildreth

Reuben Hildreth, a descendant of one of the earliest pioneer families of Chesterfield, N. H., was born in that town February 17, 1802, and came to Hinsdale about 1845, and remained here until his death, October 22, 1872. He married, first. Mrs. Maria D. White, who died in Hinsdale, December 4, 1847. She was the mother of his only children, two sons. He married, second, Asenath Bacon, and third, Mrs. Laura Taft. His oldest son, Samuel K., born in Brattleboro, Vt., July 1, 1836, married Clara E. Gray, of Hips. dale, where they now reside. Their only son, Edwin W., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ivory Perry

Ivory Perry, who was a native of Dublin, and son of Ivory, a Revolutionary soldier, married Lucy Hayward, of Hancock, N. H. He was an early settler on the farm upon which Ivory Perry, Jr., now resides, on road 37. His son Charles was twice married; first to Mary A. Salter, of Peterboro, who bore him one son, Charles H. F., and second to Eliza Hall, of Hancock, N. H., by whom he had one child. He resided on road 37. His son Charles H. F. married Mary e., daughter of James and Almira Moore, has seven children, and resides … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Levi Gates

Levi Gates came to Marlboro with his father, from Massachusetts, about the year 1805, locating in the southern part of the town. He died about 1860, aged sixty-nine years. His son, Winslow L., is still a resident of the town.

Biographical Sketch of Joseph B. Abbott

Joseph B. Abbott, son of Daniel, was born in Surry, August 1, 1835. His grandfather, Daniel Abbott, settled in Surry, in 17- was a tailor, married Lucy Harvey, of Surry, in 1794, and reared four children. He went to aid in suppressing the outbreak near Lake Champlain in 1812, and was never heard from again. His son Daniel was a farmer, and was often called upon to do town business. Joseph B. fitted for college at Keene, went to Illinois, where he taught school, and then to Newburn, N. C., where he taught school about four years. After the war … Read more