Cheshire County NH

Biography of Hon. John Prentiss

Hon. John Prentiss, the founder of the New Hampshire Sentinel, and for forty-eight years its editor, died at his residence in Court street, Friday noon, June 6, 1873, at the age of ninety-five years and three months. He came to Keene in March, 1799, at the age of twenty-one years, and established the Sentinel under many embarrassments, and with a list of subscribers numbering only seventy. His first printing office was in a low building standing where S. W. Hales house now stands, and for some time afterwards in the new building south of Dr. Edwardss tavern. Subsequently (in 182 … Read more

Biography of Peter Wheeler

Peter Wheeler came to this town about 1762, and settled where Russell H. Davis now lives, not far from the brook that bears his name. His children were Lydia, Peter, Jane, John, Ephraim, Jonathan, Olive, Samuel, and Sally. Peter, born in 1762, married Sarah, daughter of Amos Hubbard, who bore him twelve children, namely: Hubbard, Sophia, Maria T., Sally, Samuel, Laura, Philena, William, Warren, Ward, Watson, and Arminda. Jonathan, son of Peter, Sr., was born September 30, 1770, and married Lavina, daughter of Aaron Fisk, in 1802, who bore him three children, John, Louisa, and Addison. John, born August 6, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of T.L. Fowler

T.L. Fowler was superintending school committee for a number of years, and also taught a term of high school in Factory Village, in 1862, which was very successful. He married, in 1843, Miss Mary Folgier Hazzelton, of Northfield, N. H. She lived about three years, leaving one son, Eugene A., born February 3, 1845. In 1848, he married Nancy M. Giles, of Windsor, Me. They have had four children, Herschel J., born April 23, 1746; Orin R., born May 21, 1851; Oris L., born April 13, 1853, died November, 1855; and Manson L., born February 30, 1859.

Biographical Sketch of David Lacy

David Lacy came from Andover, Mass., and settled in Jaffrey previous to 1790, locating on lot 14, tier 8, and his name appears among those of early. land-surveyors. He married Charlotte, daughter of Jonathan Mollie (Fitch) Blodgett, November 2, 1788, and had born to him nine children. His son William married Betsey Brondson, May 26, 1829, and se in Jaffrey, engaging in mercantile pursuits in company with E. Cutter and L. Sweetzer, occupying the Ainsworth store. By diligence and economy found means to enlarge his trade, and in the spring of 1854, he bought stocked the Foster store, of East … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Banks

William Banks was born in the part of Marlboro now Roxbury, May 13, 1802, and came to Gilsum in 1820. He is a shoemaker by trade. He has served the town as selectman and lives with his son, Elmer D., on road 2. The latter is at present one of the selectmen of the town.

Biography of Asa Britton

Asa Britton was among the earlier residents of Chesterfield, and among those who contributed largely to its business and prosperity. He was the son of Ebenezer and Sarah (Bullock) Britton, and was born in Raynham, Mass., April 30 1763. In 1771, with his father’s family, he moved to Westmoreland, N. H., where his early youth was passed, and where, in 1788, he married Sally, eldest daughter of Major Leonard Keep, a son of Experience (Lawrence) and Capt. Jabez Keep. Early in their married life the young couple removed to Lansingburgh, N. Y., where they buried their eldest son, soon after … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Moses Dudley

Moses Dudley, son of Nahum, was born October 18, 1794, and married Persis, daughter of Rev. Allen Pratt, of Westmoreland. From 1817 till 1851 he was engaged in tanning at the Center village, and afterwards in farming, having purchased a farm in the western part of the town, where he died, April 16, 1874. He was selectman in 1832, 1833, 1835, 1847, and delegate to the constitutional convention in 1850. His children were Allen Pratt, Hannah C., Charles P., William L., and Persis M. William L., born December 20, 1824, married Mary Caroline, daughter of Thomas B. and Betsey R. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel P. Adams

Daniel P. Adams, son of Isaac, and grandson of Stephen, married Emily L., daughter of Edmond and Oliver Burpee, of this town, and resides upon the old homestead of his grandfather, on road 22.

Biographical Sketch of Hon. Samuel W. Hale

Hon. Samuel W. Hale, son of Samuel and Saloma (Whitney) Hale, born in Fitchburg, Mass., April 2, 1823. In 1859 he came to Keene and began in a small way the manufacture of chairs, a business which, under skillful management, grew to large proportions. He has also been extensive engaged in other manufactures, and in railroad enterprises, and interested in farming and banking enterprises. In 1850, at the age of twenty-seven, married Amelia M. Hayes, of Dublin, who has borne him two children, William S. and Mary Louise, the former being now connected in business with his father. Mr. Hale … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ira D. Knight

Ira D. Knight, whose father, Pratt, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was a native of Marlow, in this county. His son, Ira D., married Cordelia Hemingway, who bore him nine children, seven of whom are living, and he is at present a resident of Keene. where his youngest son, Walton, also resides. His son Charles F. married Maria Moore, of this town, by whom he has reared four children. He resides on road 44.

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Pierce

Benjamin Pierce, fourth son of Jonas, born July 11, 1821, married Lucinda, daughter of Isaac and Betsey (Bailey) Stratton, May 12, 1846, and has two children-George A. and Ada L. He located in Boston, where he accumulated a large estate, but finally removed to this town, and now owns the Shedd farm, off road 36. In 1897 he built the Granite State Hotel, which is a valued addition to East Jaffrey. He is a prominent man in town affairs, having held many positions of trust, was town representative in 1870 and 1871, and was delegate to the State constitutional convention … Read more

The Congregational Church of Jaffrey, NH

The Congregational church of Jaffrey village.-The grant from the Masonian proprietors stipulated that a meeting-house be built within six years from the date of the charter. There is nothing in the early records of the town, however, to show that anything was done towards this object previous to 1774, when it was voted that such a structure be built. Neglect to build a meeting-house was not the only instance in which the settlers failed to fulfill the requirements of their charter. From the reports of the settlers to the grantors, testifying of the condition of the colony, we find that … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Guillow

John Guillow was born in Gill, Mass., December 21, 1784, and came here in 10o6. He studied medicine with Dr. Palmer, and was called ” Doctor” Guillow, but never practiced much. He married Betsey Stevens, March 29, 1808, and had born to him thirteen children. His son, John C., was born April 7, 1813, and married Finis P. Hemenway, June 21, 1837, who bore him thirteen children. He is engaged in lumbering and farming, and has served the town as selectman several years. His son, Lucius R., was born February 24, 1842, and married Elizabeth Spooner, in 1862. He is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Eleazer W. Heath

Eleazer W. Heath, son of David, and a native of Corinth, Vt., married Rhoda Merril, of Bradford, Vt., and for his second wife, Mary N. (Gibbs) Gilmore, of Jaffrey. Mr. Heath was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was at the battle of Plattsburg. He is now living, at the great age of ninety years, and occupies a farm on road 29, known as the Emory place. He has seven children.

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 Hon. John M. Parker

Hon. John M. Parker, son of Amos A., and Mary (McClary) Parker, was born in Kingston, N. H., September 17, 1836, but his father, returning to Fitzwilliam, soon after his birth, he spent the remainder of his life here. He was educated in the Fitzwilliam common schools, and in Philip’s Exeter academy. He spent three years and three months in the army, and was mustered out as lieutenant. He has been engaged in mercantile business here for twenty years, was a member of the house of representatives in 1870 and 1871, and of the senate in 1881 and 1882. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Reuben Stewart

Reuben Stewart was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., January 22, 1819. In 1838 lie was engaged in mercantile business in Saratoga county, which occupation he continued until 1840, when he became a contractor in making the enlargement of the Erie canal, New York, also in building the GrotOn Water Works, at Harlem, N. Y., and the Hartford & New Haven R. R., at New Hartford and Meriden. During the building of the Cheshire railroad, he was engaged as clerk, paymaster and foreman of contractors. Since 1848, he has been in the employ of the Cheshire Railroad Co., being successively … Read more

William Henry Harrison Woodbury Genealogy

1. William Henry Harrison2 Woodbury, son of Rufus1 and Charlotte (Knapp) Woodbury, was b. in Northfield, Vt., May 1, 1842; m. May 22, 1866, Ora Ann Dodge Hale, b. Montpelier, Vt., Sept. 24, 1848, dau. of John P. and Susan W. (Going) Hale. He was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion; res. Newport and Hardwick, Vt., and Sullivan Two ch.: John Hale3, b. Apr. 26, 1867, res. in S. on the Asahel Nims Jr. place; m. Dec. 22, 1892, Alice Clinton Dodge, b. Salem, Mass., June 23, 1867; dau. of Charles William and Frances Amelia (Treadwell) Dodge. No … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Wild

Benjamin Wild came here from Norton, Mass., in the autumn of 1801, and settled in the eastern part of the town. His wife was Sarah Babbitt, who died in Chesterfield in 1826, in her seventy-fourth year, he dying soon after in his seventy-ninth year, His children were Sally, John, Nancy, David, Nathan, Abigail and Elsie. Nathan. born June 14, 1787, married Rachel Newcombe, Augu 18. 1814. In his youth he had a fondness for mathematical studies, which he pursued at home, with the assistance of his brother David. He applied himself assiduously to the study of surveying and astronomy, and … Read more

General History of Chesterfield New Hampshire

Chesterfield lies in the western part of the county, in lat. 42° 54′ and long. 4° 40′, bounded north by Westmoreland and Keene, east by Keene and Swanzey, south by Winchester and Hinsdale, and west by the west bank of Connecticut river, and has an area, exclusive of the Connecticut, of about forty-four square miles, or 28,160 acres. In tracing the sketch of the grant of Chesterfield, etc., it is necessary to glance at the trouble attending the settlement of the boundary line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, which are written up in the sketch of Hinsdale and in the … Read more