Cheshire County NH

Darius Alanson Wood Genealogy

1. Darius Alanson2 Wood, son of Israel1 and Betsey (Pullen) Wood, b. Brattleboro, Vt., Oct. 9, 1830; m. Sept. 13, 1854, Sarah Adeline Moody, b. Landaff, N. H., Oct. 9, 1835, dau. of Moses and Betsey W. (Howe) Moody. He was employed in the U. S. Arsenal at Springfield, Mass. Divorced. After her divorce, Mrs. Wood res. in Sullivan on the Dauphin Spaulding 2nd place. A dau.: Gertrude Lenora3, b. Springfield, Aug. 18, 1855, d. at East Sullivan, Oct. 10, 1904; m. (1), June 27, 1876, Frank Myrick, b. Boston, Mass., Jan. 26, 1851, son of Oren Darius and Mary … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Harkness

John Harkness, born in Smithfield, R. I., in 1767, came to Richmond, N. H., when a child, and lived there until his death. in 1851. His son, James,. a native of Richmond, came to this town when about twenty-six years of age, and is now located on road 19.

Biographical Sketch of Artemas Bailey

Artemas Bailey was born in Lunenburg, Mass., January 17, 1800, and married Clarissa Billings. He was a book-binder, and carried on that business in his native place for several years. He moved with his family to Keene, in 1830, and worked at the same business here for several years. He had three children, two of whom, Lizzie A. and Adaline S., live in Keene. He died November 7, 1865, and his widow died February 2, 1893.

Biography of Henri G. Blaisdell

Henri G. Blaisdell, an accomplished musician of Concord, N.H., was born in Dorchester, N.H., October 23, 1850, son of Pettingill and Laurette (Lillis) Blaisdell. He is originally of Scotch descent. His paternal grandfather was Sanborn Blaisdell, who was long a resident, and presumably a native, of Dorchester, in which town he was engaged in farming and where he spent his last years. He married Mehitable Sanborn. Pettingill Blaisdell, father of Henri G., was born in Dorchester in 1824. He received his education in the district schools and subsequently engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling lumber, for many years … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry M. Jones

Henry M. Jones was born in Phillipston, Mass., July 25, 1811. When about two years old, his father died, and his mother removed to Athol, Mass., and in his twelfth year he came to Hinsdale to live with his uncle, Windsor Bowker, where he remained two years. Next he was an errand and farm boy for Abram Hinds, who was the first lawyer of Hinsdale. Here he remained about four years, and was afterwards engaged as a laborer till about 1835, when he bought a saw-mill on Kilbourn brook, a short distance from the village, which he run about three … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Amos Kidder

Amos Kidder, son of Samuel, who came from Massachusetts at an early day and located upon the farm now occupied by Samuel M., died herein 1873, at the age of ninety-four years and seven months. Three of his six children are living, viz: Amos, in Newport; Mrs. John McNeil, in Westminster, Vt. ; and Samuel M., on the homestead farm. The latter, the youngest son of Capt. Amos, was born in Dalton, N- H., December 17. 1811, He has lived in Alstead since two years of age, and has been identified with the Methodist church over fifty years. He has … Read more

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 Kidder

James Kidder settled in Alstead at an early day. His son Ezra carried on a cloth manufactory for a time, and was also engaged in the manufacture of starch. James, Jr., reared a family of seven children, three of whom are now living. One of them, James A., resides on road 47.

Biographical Sketch of Elijah Towne

Elijah Towne came to Alstead, after having previously lived in Weathersfield, Vt., Windsor, Vt., and also in Munson, Mass. He married Miriam Lane, and had born to him ten children, five of whom are living. Of these Samaria married Dean Towne and lives in Worcester, Mass. Miriam married Richard Blodgett and lives in Claremont, N. H. Marcia married William Ellis and also lives in Claremont. Elisha lives in Keene, and Salem in Walpole. Mr. Townsend died here at the age of eighty-four years.

General History of Keene, New Hampshire

Even at this early date, however, a spirited controversy was in progress between the provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, relative to the position of the boundary line between them (see page 64). The final settlement of this mooted question by King George II., in 1740, left the new township far within the limits of New Hampshire. On the third of October the proprietor held a meeting, to consider this grave subject of, which the following records of proceedings is left: “The proprietors being informed that, by the determination of his majesty in council respecting the controverted bounds between the … Read more

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 Capt. Horace Truman Hanks Pierce

Captain Horace Truman Hanks Pierce, son of Ezekiel Porter Pierce and Susanna Porter, was born at Chesterfield, New Hampshire, February 22, 1822. He was brought up on the homestead farm, and -enjoyed such scholastic advantages as the common school and academy in Chesterfield afforded. He also pursued a partial course at Norwich University, Vt., which, in addition to the usual collegiate and scientific courses of study, imparted instruction in military tactics. Being naturally of a military turn of mind, he gave considerable attention to this branch study while in the university, and in after years turned his martial acquirements to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas French

Thomas French, son of David, was born December 17. 1765, at Billerica; Mass., and married Hannah Cummings, of Londonderry, N. H, March 31, 1788. He came to Jaffrey about that time and first settled on road 19, upon what is now known as the Spaulding farm. He was a farmer and a shoemaker reared nine children, one of whom is now living. His son Luke married twice, first, Nancy W. Blanchard, who bore him four children, and second Lucy Spaulding, by whom he had nine children, seven of whom are living He now resides in Jaffrey village.

Biographical Sketch of Josiah Carter

Josiah Carter came from Lancaster, Mass., in 1803, being at that time sixteen years of age. His father, Joseph, was a shoemaker and he was brought up to the trade, which he carried on until 1818. He then bought a farm and devoted his after life to that. He was a lieutenant in the artillery. He married Betsey E. Foster and reared a family of four children, all now living. His sons, Josiah E., and Charles C., have always resided here and for fortynine years have carried on the carriage business together. Charles C. married Sarah C. Tyler, of Chesterfield, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Aaron Royce

Aaron Royce came from Rhode Island at an early day. He has four children, one son and three daughters. His son David was born in town, married Harriet Streeter, of Hinsdale. N. H., and located in Hinsdale. After living here and in different parts of New Hampshire and Vermont for severa years, he moved to Charleston, Vt., where he and his wife both died. He reared a family of nine children, six of whom are living. Of these, Burnham lives in Boston; Harriet married H. Osman, and lives in Vermont; Cynthia in Lyndon, Vt.; Charles and Clark in Charleston, Vt.; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Sullivan H. McCollester

Rev. Sullivan H. McCollester, son of Silas and grandson of Isaac, was born in this town December 18, 1826, and is now a resident of Dover, N. ii, though he still owns a part of the ancestral estate, He is a graduate of the Cambridge Divinity school, and was given the degree of D. D., by the St Lawrence university, in June, 1874. Mr. McCollester has traveled extensively and is widely known as an educator.

Biographical Sketch of Richard Hopkins

Richard Hopkins came to this town as early as 1787, married Lucy Fairbanks, and died April 5, 1847, aged eighty-three years. Thornton, son of Richard, married Diantha, daughter of William Farr, and died in Fitzwilliam about 1855. William W., son of Thornton, was born December 21, 1831, married Miranda, daughter of Squire Streeter, September 12, 1854, is a mechanic, and resides in this town. His children are Fred W., born October 2. 1859; Etta M., born September 21, 1863; and Harry D., born August 18, 1869.

Biography of Jonathan Shepard

Jonathan Shepard, of English descent, came from Coventry, Conn., in 1768, and a few years later moved his family here. For his first wife he married Love Palmer, of Stonington, Conn., who bore him seven sons and three daughters, all of whom,_ except the oldest daughter, lived in this town. Be his second wife, Polly Underwood, he had one daughter. Jonathan’s son were Jonathan, Oliver, Nathaniel, Amos, Simeon, Joshua, and Roswell, allo; whom came to the town about the same time with their father, and some of them became the most wealthy and influential persons in the town. Jonathan, a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward Pittsinger

Edward Pittsinger was born in West Hampton, Mass., November 29, 1821. In 1846 he went as brakeman on the Connecticut River railroad, where he continued one year, then became conductor from Springfield to Holyoke. In 1851, when the Ashuelot railroad was opened, he became conductor on that road, in which position he has since continued.

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Howard

Thomas Howard moved to Marlow, from Lyme, Ct., about 1780 and settled in the northwestern part of the town. He married Hannah Beckwith and reared a family of eight children. He died in 1842, aged eighty-five years. His son Thomas was born in Marlow in 1784, and lived there till 1837, when he moved to Gilsum, and died here in 1852. He was a farmer and a carpenter, married Parmelia Buss, of Marlboro, and reared a family of nine children, four of whom are now living. Of these, two daughters live in Hamilton, Ont., one son, James M., lives in … Read more