Cheshire County NH

Biographical Sketch of David Crowninshield

David Crowninshield, one of the pioneer settlers of Hinsdale, came from Rhode Island at a very early date and settled on road 7, where his grandson Samuel T. Crowninshield, now lives. His farm at first contained only enough cleared land to place his house and barns upon, and here he lived and labored until his death,, at the age of forty-eight years. He was the father of four children, viz.: Artemas, Philo, Leonard and Lydia. Artemas and Leonard settled on the homestead. Philo married and removed to Guilford, Vt., and Lydia (Mrs. Butler) now resides in Chesterfield. The only descendants … 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 Ezra Carpenter

Ezra Carpenter was born in Keene, June 9, 1774, and died in Surry, January 4, 1849, His son Willard was born in Surry, November 1, 1803, and came to Gilsum in 1865. He died January 27, 1875. George H., son of Willard, now resides on road 14, is a scientific and practical farmer, and was president of the Farmers’ Club in 1878. He has been selectman four years.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Hinsdale, NH

The Methodist Episcopal church, on Main street, Hinsdale, was organized in the fall of 1842, by Rev. Justin Spaulding, with six members. Rev. T. Furber was the first pastor. The first and present house of worship was erected of wood in 1876. The society has sixty members. The church originally cost $8,000, it present valuation. It will seat nearly 400 people comfortably, and the Sunday-school has about sixty members. The church is now under the pastoral care of Rev. Joseph L. Felt.

Biographical Sketch of Calvin E. Nurse

Calvin E. Nurse, son of Benjamin, was born in Keene, March 20, 182 He has resided a number of years in Chesterfield, having previously travel extensively in the United States and Canada as an attach€ of a circus co pany. He is a painter and paper-hanger.

Biography of Roswell Hubbard

Roswell Hubbard moved to Sullivan, from Northfield, Mass., at an early day, and settled in the central part of the town where he died. He was a farmer, took an active part in town affairs, being known as Esquire Hubbard, and was also town representative. His son George, born in Sullivan, September 4, 1797, resided in this town until his death, in 1852. He was captain of the militia, and was also a farmer. George C., one of his two chit dren, represented Sullivan two terms in the legislature. He moved to Marlow in 1872, and, in 1874, came to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thaddeus Mason Jr.

Thaddeus Mason, Jr., married Lydia, daughter of Ivory Perry, and had born to him six children, one of whom is now living. His son Dexter married twice, first, Abigail, daughter of James Adams, who bore him four children, two of whom are living, and second, Harriet g., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Adams) Farewell, of Nelson, who bore him three children, all of whom are living. He was a native of this town and settled on a farm on road 4. He finally retired from the farm to the village of Dublin, where his widow now resides. He held many … 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 Erastus Harris

Erastus Harris, from Medway, Mass., located in the southeastern part of Nelson, (now in Harrisville), at an early date. He was a carpenter, owned a large farm, and died in 1798, aged eighty-four years. His son, Bethuel, born in 1769, came on about 16 years later, and located at the village. His house was located just on the line between the two towns, though he voted in Nelson. He married Deborah Twitchell, reared ten children, and died in July, 1851. The part he took in the manufactures of the town. has already been spoken of. He was a major of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jonas Pierce

Asa and Betsey (Pike) Pierce, from Weston, Mass., located in Dublin about 1786. After a few years he died, leaving his widow and two sons, Asa and Jonas. July 29, 1790, his widow married Thomas Davidson, and removed to Jaffrey. Jonas Pierce, second son of Asa, was born in Dublin, April 8, 1788. He married Lucinda, daughter of Benjamin Bailey, of Jaffrey, September 1, 1811. She died in 1838. He married, second, Mrs. Polly Bowers, September 11, 1838, who died March 2, 1895, aged eighty-five years. He died May 28, 1857. He was one of the prosperous farmers of Jaffrey. … Read more