Cheshire County NH

Biography of Gen. James Wilson Jr.

Gen. James Wilson, Jr., who inherited not only the practice but the great talents of his honored father, was born in Peterborough, March 18, 1797. His early years were passed in his native town. His educational advantages were such as were obtained in a country town at that time. He had the misfortune to lose his mother at the early age of eight years. In 1807, young Wilson was sent to the New Ipswich academy, and in 1808 to the Atkinson academy. In 7813, he attended the Phillips academy, in Exeter, for a part of the year. Our country was … 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

Biographical Sketch of Ivah Newton

Ivah Newton, born in Phillipstown, Mass., came to Hinsdale when a young man, married Sally, daughter of Daniel Rugg, one of the pioneers of the town, and settled in the northeastern part, where Hosea Butler now lives. He was the father of seven children, only three of whom are now living. Albert G., eldest son of Ivah, married first Emily Ide, who was the mother of his nine children. For his second wife he married widow Ruth Wood, of Templeton, Mass. Mr. Newton finally settled on the farm his son Rawson H. now occupies. Here he passed the latter thirty … Read more

General History of Fitzwilliam NH

FITZWILLIAM, one of the southern tier of townships in the county, lies in lat. 42° 45 and long. 4° 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

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.

Pompey Woodward Genealogy

Pompey Woodward, a negro, who did not know his age or parentage, had served in the Revolution as a waiter to some officer. He came to Sullivan, after his second m. He m (1), in Sterling, Mass., Apr. 15, 1788, Rosanna Hendley; both were of Sterling, Probably their last names were those of families where they had been employed. Feb. 16, 1800, he was published to Miss Polly (Mary) Harry of Worcester, Mass. He d. Jan. 13, 1843. In the Sentinel of Feb. 1, 1843, is the following obituary: “In Sullivan, Pompey Woodward, a colored man, aged 77. He had … 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.

The First Universalist Society of East Jaffrey, NH

The First Universalist society, at East Jaffrey, was organized November 16, 1822, and re-organized in 1858, with twenty-five members. Rev. Dolphus Skinner was the first pastor. Their church building, erected in 1844, will seat 275 persons, and is valued, including grounds, at $3,000 00. The society now has about sixty members, with Dr. Sawyer pastor. Their Sabbath-school, organized in 1845, has thirty-five scholars.

Biography of Sergeant Thomas Pierce

Sergeant Thomas Pierce, the emigrant ancestor of the Pierce family, came to this country, from England, with his wife, Elizabeth Pierce, and settled in Charlestown, Mass., in 1634-35. From him was descended, in the sixth generation, Captain John Pierce, born in Groton, Mass., January 26, 1743. . He married Tabitha Porter, of Groton, and came to Chesterfield about 1770, and located at the Center Village, where he kept a store near where the stone store now stands. He served under General Ruggles, in the French and Indian war. When the Revolutionary war broke out, be owned a large quantity of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Valentine Butler

Valentine Butler, one of the early settlers of the town, located as a farmer at North Hinsdale, where Mrs. Abby M. Chandler now lives. He married Hannah Osgood, of Newfane. Vt., and reared five children, none of whom are now living. His oldest son, Josiah, died on the homestead previous to his father’s death. Lucinda, daughter of Valentine, married Azor Chandler, who purchased the homestead and remained thereon during life. Nathaniel, their only child, inherited the estate, which he retained until his death, in May, 1882. The property is now owned by his widow, Abby M., and their only child … Read more

Town of Hinsdale, New Hampshire

HINSDALE (p. o.) is an enterprising, beautiful, and rapidly growing manufacturing village, situated in the southeastern part of the town, in a deep valley, and on the Ashuelot river, about a mile above its confluence with her more majestic sister. “the beautiful Connecticut.” Its principal streets are Main, Canal, Brattleboro, High and Pleasant, which contain many elegant residences, while nearly all the others are remarkably neat and tidy. It contains five church edifices- Baptist, Congregationalist, Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Universalist, and all are in fine condition. The Baptist and Catholic churches are especially fine structures. The business portion is located … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Leonard F. Sawyer

Leonard F. Sawyer, son of Josiah, married Mary B., daughter of Albert and Mary P. (Pollard) Adams, of Rindge, and has two children-Etta ML and Ella M., twins. He is a prosperous farmer and has three Summer cottages on Contoocook lake, which borders on his farm. He has a large collection of natural curiosities, antiquities and geological specimens.

Biographical Sketch of John Streeter

John Streeter was born in Attleboro, R I., August 16, 1751 (o. s.). He married Jane Smith, of Smithfield, R. I., and moved to Hinsdale at an early date, locating in the southern part of the town, where he lived several years, then located in the northern part, where his grandson, Quinton D., now resides. He lived there the remainder of his long life, dying in January, 1845, at the age of ninety-four years. He was twice married, his first wife, however, being the mother of his six children, who were as follows: Lyman, who died at Council Bluffs, Iowa, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David W. Goodrich

David W. Goodrich, son of George and Lucinda (Wells) Goodrich, and a descendant of William Goodrich, of the ancient line of that name in England, who emigrated to Watertown, Mass., about 1636, came to Chesterfield from Gill, Mass., about 1810. He was a cloth dresser by trade, but after some years’ residence here he engaged in farming. In 1813 he married Salome, daughter of Benjamin Wheeler. He died March 22, 1857. His children were Honor, George W., Lucinda, Mary E., Charles C. P., Sarah, David W., William, and Ellen. The family have quite widely separated, but nearly all are prominent … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jebediah Putney

Jedediah Putney, a native of Charlton, Mass., located in Fitzwilliam about eighty years ago, and from there came to Marlboro, where he died in 1866, aged eighty-one years. His son Moses, born in Fitzwilliam, came to Marlboro in 1864, but returned about seven years ago.

Biographical Sketch of Ernest B. Brown

Brown, Ernest B.; mfr.; born, Troy, N. H., June 7, 1874; son H. J. and A. M. Bemis Brown; Grammar and High School education, Cleveland schools; married, Cleveland, Jan. 7, 1903, Mabel S. Herringshaw; two children, E. B. Brown; mfr. and dispensing optician; Cour De Lon Commandery, No. 64; AI Koran Temple, N. M. S.; member Athletic and Rotary Clubs.

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 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 Edward C. Reed

Edward C. Reed, son of Phinehas, was born here, March 8, 1793, and graduated from Dartmouth college, in 1812. He studied law in Troy, N. Y. and settled in Homer, N. Y., in 1816. He was admitted to practice in one court after another, until 1830, when be was admitted to the court of chancery. He was elected to the Twenty-second congress; was district attorney many years, and also judge. He married Amanda Weller, of Pittsfield, Mass., and reared a family of twelve children, four of whom survive him.