Cheshire County NH

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

Biographical Sketch of Abijah Richardson

Abijah Richardson, who was born in this town, moved to Royalston, Mass., where he died in 1840. His son, Leander, born in Royalston, Mass., came here in 1860, has been deputy sheriff three years and is now a policeman.

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Wellman

Jacob Wellman, son of Jacob, and a native of Linesboro, N. H., was at the battle of Bunker Hill, under General Warren, and after the war was honorably discharged, and drew a pension. His second wife was Elizabeth Moore, who bore him fourteen children. His son John married Betsey Moore, of Bedford, N. H., and reared nine children, six of whom are now living. His second son, Jesse P., married Acsah J. Coburn; of Walton, N. H., has eight children, and resides on road 39, in this town.

Biographical Sketch of Hugh Mason

Hugh Mason, a native of Watertown, Mass„ moved to Marlboro, in 1794, was a pensioner of the Revolution, married for his first wife, Elizabeth Clark, who bore him eleven children. He married for his second wife, Lydia Moore, who bore him one child. Clark, son of Hugh, married twice, first, Eunice Adams, who bore him four children, and second, Almira Towne, and had born to him eleven children. His son William Clark Mason married Susan W., daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Warren Page, of Marlboro, has one son living, and resides in Keene. Charles Page served in the war of … Read more

The Trinitarian Congregational Church, Marlboro, NH

The Trinitarian Congregational church, located at Marlboro, was organized by a council convened for the purpose, with eight members, in 1778. The first pastor was Rev. Joseph Cummings. The first church building stood near what is now called Meeting -house pond, and was raised November 21, 1990, though it was not completed until 1774. The present brick structure was dedicated October 29, 1834. It will seat 400 persons, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at $12,000.00. The society now has 228 members, with Rev. John L. Merrill, pastor.

Biographical Sketch of James M. Mark

James M. Mark, born December 23, 1787, built here about 1815, and remained until his death. Luther W., his son, was born March 27, 1809, and succeeded his father on this place. He served the town as selectman, married his cousin, Mary Hamilton, and had born to him two children, Luther W. F., and Hans. He died November 3, 1863. The former was born September 15, 1834, and married Emily Z. Boynton, December 20, 1865. He bought the place where he now resides, in 1864, and has since kept a general country store. Previous to this he was a photographer. … Read more

Early Settlers of Dublin NH

Of the first settlement of the town, little is known. The first settler was William Thornton, who located on lot 1, range 6, probably in the year 1752. His daughter, Molly Thornton, it is said, was the first child born in the town. He lived here only a few years, however, leaving through fear of the Indians. He was a brother of Matthew Thornton, who was the first named, as he was by far the most distinguished of the proprietors, and much the largest landowner in the town, having at one time twenty-eight shares, or eighty-four lots. He was a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David W. Lacy

David W. Lacy served nine months in Co. I, 16th N. H. Vols., and was honorably discharged. He married Emma S. Jaqueth, has two children, and resides on road 61.

The First Universalist Church of Marlboro, NH

The First Universalist church of Marlboro, located at the village, was organized by Rev. J. V. Wilson, with forty members, in October, 1835, Rev. Edwin Davis being the first resident pastor. Their church building, a wood structure erected in 1850, will seat 250 persons, cost $2,000.00, and is valued at $5,000.00, The society has fifty members, with Rev. R. T. Polk, pastor. Fourteen pastors have been settled over this parish. The first, Rev. Mr. Davis, served two terms. The present pastor has served the longest term. Two died in the pastorate, Rev. W. A. Barrett and L. L. Record.

Capt. Henry Ide

Capt. Henry Ide, born at Attleboro, Mass., in 1785, came to Hinsdale with his parents when three years of age, and was subsequently adopted by Ivory Soule, with whom he lived until Mr. Soule’s death, caring for him in his old age and inheriting his property. He was early identified with the military affairs of his town and held the office of captain of cavalry for many years. He married Betsey Rugg and had born to him three children, of whom Ivory S., the eldest, is the only one now living. He resides on the old homestead, a fine farm … Read more

Hinsdale, Cheshire County, New Hampshire History

Hinsdale lies in the southwestern part of the county, in lat. 42º 48′, and long. 4º 32′, bounded north by Chesterfield, east by Winchester, and southwest by the left bank of Connecticut river, the township being triangular in outline. It originally comprised within its limits the township of Vernon, on the opposite side of the river. This land, as it originally stood, was granted by Massachusetts at a very early period. Even after the river had been declared the boundary line between the provinces of New Hampshire and New York, and the township had in this manner been divided, the … Read more

Early Government Dublin NH

On November 16, 1768, a meeting of the inhabitants was convened, with John Goffe, Esq., moderator, at which time a political organization was effected by electing the following officers: Moses Adams, Eli Morse and John Muzzey, assessors; Joseph Greenwood, clerk; Henry Strongman, collector; and Moses Adams, commissioner of assessment. This partial form of government was kept up till 1771, when, it not being considered adequate for all purposes of the town body-politic, a formal charter was required. Under this charter the town was duly organized, as previously stated, and Thomas Morse was chosen moderator; Joseph Greenwood, town clerk; and Henry … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Silas Morse

Silas Morse came here from Holliston, Mass., with his parents, who settled on a farm near where Samuel Payne now lives, over a hundred years ago. After the death of his father he traded the farm owned by him for one in Sullivan, which he afterwards sold, and moved with his son, Ira L., to Gilsum. He finally returned to this town, where he died January 13, 1859, at the age of eighty-two years. His son, Ira L., was born in Sullivan, came to this town March 28, 1861, and resides on road 29.

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 John Darling

John Darling came to Chesterfield, from Winchendon, Mass., February 17, 1778, and settled upon a part of what is now known as Barrett hill. He was one of the party that made the famous march to Quebec, in 1775, under command of Benedict Arnold, through the wilderness of Maine. At an early period he built the large two-story house, situated on the road from the Center village to Winchester, long known as the “yellow house,” and at one time owned an extensive tract of timber land in the Winchester woods, from which he cut large quantities of lumber, sawing it … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Watts

Joseph Watts was born here and, resided in the town until his death, in 1816. He resided just north of the village, where he reared four children, none of whom are living. An adopted son, George U. R., is now a resident of the town. John, Isaac and Jesse, brothers of Joseph, also spent their lives here. None of their descendants now reside here.

Biographical Sketch of Timothy Tufts

Timothy Tufts was born in Charleston May 29, 1824. He obtained a common school and academic education and followed teaching successfully for several years, or until 1844, when he embarked in mercantile pursuits, as a clerk in Alstead village. In 1848 he formed a co-partnership with Oliver B. Campbell, and from 1851 has conducted the business alone, doing a very successful trade, and has also a fine farm on road 28. He is a member of the Congregational church and has been town treasurer more than ten years. He married H. Sophia P., daughter of Joseph Kingsbury, and has one … Read more

General History of Dublin NH

DUBLIN lies in the extreme eastern part of the county, in lat. 45° 54′ and long. 4° 59′, bounded north by Harrisville, east by Peterboro, in Hillsboro county, south by Jaffrey, and west by Marlboro. It was originally granted by the proprietors of land purchased of John Tufton Mason, to Matthew Thornton and thirty-nine others, November 3, 1749, the charter being given by Col. Joseph Blanchard, of Dunstable, and was called Monadnock No. 3, or North Monadnock. The grant comprised an area of thirty-six square miles, or a territory seven miles long and five wide, and was given under the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathaniel Kingsbury

Nathaniel Kingsbury settled in the northern part of this town at an early day. He married four times. His son Abijah married Abigail, daughter of deacon Abijah Wilder. Josiah, one of his eleven children, married Eloise, daughter of Zadock and Sarah (Black) Taft, and resides in Keene. William Black, grandfather of Mrs. Josiah Kingsbury, was a pensioner of the Revolution, and the latter has some of the continental money which was paid to him.

Biographical Sketch of William Randall

William Randall came to Chesterfield from Cranston, R. I., about 1780. His children were Eleazer, Anthony, Benajah, and Esther. Eleazer married Martha Staples, and settled in Chesterfield on land given him by his father. His children were Roxana, Prusha, Diana, Nathan, and Eleazer. The latter, born August 4, 1796, married Clarissa, daughter of Benjamin Wheeler, in 1815. He resided marfy years in this town, on the farm on which his fatherin-law had settled, now owned by William L. Clegg. He died in Westmoreland, June 17, 1860. He had born to him eight children, namely: Diana, Roxana, Eleazer, Sarah Harris, Shubel … Read more