Chesterfield New Hampshire

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

Early Settlers of Chesterfield NH

Early settlers on or near the shores of Spafford lake were one Ladd, near the northwest shore, hence the name of Lard’s meadow, one by the name of Jewels, on the “Charlier place, “giving the name Jewell’s point, a Mr. Reed, who settled near the east shore, in the vicinity of Reed’s cove, Capt. John Pierce, who settled on the southwest side, purchasing section No. 12, which lot included Pierce’s Island, hence Pierce’s Island and Picnic Point. The first of the pretty private cottages which now peep out from among the trees on its pleasant shores was built by Azor … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sanford Guernsey

Sanford Guernsey, son of Cyril, was born in Richmond June 23, 1820. He married Lydia, daughter of John Starkey, of Richmond, January 20, 1846, she being born October 11, 1822. Mr. Guernsey moved to this town in 1867, and kept the hotel at Chesterfield Factory for thirteen years, where he now resides. He has an adopted daughter, Lydia S., born January 23, 1868.

Chesterfield, Cheshire County, New Hampshire History

Chesterfield lies in the western part of the county, in lat. 42º 54′ and long. 4º 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. This history entails sketches of early industry, churches, military, and benevolent societies, as well as biographies, genealogies and sketches of the early settlers. History of Chesterfield, New Hampshire General History of Chesterfield, NH Early Settlers of Chesterfield, NH Early Manufacturing of Chesterfield, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David Holman

David Holman settled in Chesterfield about 1805, married twice, first, Mehitable Gale, and second, Mrs. Laura (Stone) Henry. He had two children, James, an adopted son, and Ella F. The former married Mary Falkner in 1824, who died August 31, 1841. He died April 28, 1844, aged thirtyfive years. His children were David, Hetta, William, Jason R., Sarah J., Esther M., Cynthia, George and Henry M. David, son of James, was born January 5, 1825, and married Sarah R., daughter of Ara Hamilton, April 27, 1848. He was selectman in 1879 and 1882. His children are Frederick H., Alice M., … Read more

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 Joseph Holt

Joseph Holt came to Chesterfield, from Fitchburg, Mass., about 1812. His son Joseph married Elizabeth Osborn, and died in Chesterfield in 1832. He kept a hotel where Leonard W. Leach now lives, also where Mrs. L. F, Bonney now lives. He was also of the firm of Holt & White. merchants, more than fifty years. Abel, son of Joseph, Jr., was born January 15, 1803, married Hepsibeth J. Brown; of Damers, Mass., October 11, 1829, and had born to him five children. Of these, Joseph was born December 9, 1830, married Mrs. Martha E. Bowen in September, 1869, and resides … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Waitstill Scott

Waitstill Scott was in Westmoreland at the time of the Revolution, and commanded the company that marched from that town on the occasion of the alarm at Ticonderoga. He probably came to Chesterfield between 1815 and 1818. His children were Eunice, Lydia, Waitstill, Rufus, Rhodolphus, Lucy, Lyman, Chester, and Justus. Rhodolphus, born January 7, 1780, married twice, first, Lydia Haven, and second, Mrs. Diantha Hopkins. He had born to him eight children, as follows: Noyes, born October 7, 1803; Horace; Alonzo, born in 1807; Cordelia, born August 9, 1; Rhodolphus, died in infancy; Otis H., born May 14, 1826; Romanzo … Read more

Biography of Samuel Goodrich

Samuel Goodrich, son of Abijah, was born in Fitchburg, Mass., September 6, 1788, and married Hannah Cain, of Weymouth, Mass., March 31, 181 r. He settled in Chesterfield about 1813, upon the farm now owned and occupied by Willard Henry, and remained there until his death, January 1, 1877. He was selectman in 1836, 1837, and 1842. He was an influential member of the Methodist church, was deaf for many years, yet occupied his seat at church. His children were Sarah, Hannah, Emily, Joseph C., Abijah, George, and James H. Joseph C., born December 11, 1817, married Hannah F., daughter … Read more

Biography of Ezekiel Porter Pierce

Ezekiel Porter Pierce, fifth son of Captain John Pierce, was born in Chesterfield, April 20, 1785. He lived at home, working on his father’s farm, attending the common schools and Chesterfield academy, until he learned the carpenter and joineis’ trade. At the age of twenty-one he left home, going to Farmington, Me., where he engaged in drafting and architecture. March 1, 1808, he married Susanna, daughter of Colonel Ezekial Porter, of Farmington, Me., who was born May 4, 1785. He moved here from Maine, to live with his mother, on the John Pierce homestead, in October, 1814. Here he attended … Read more

Early Manufacturing of Chesterfield NH

Spafford brook is an outlet from the easterly shore of Spafford lake. The waters from the channel, “which flow easterly, take a southeasterly course, crossing the main road near George Hamilton’s sash and blind shop. Passing Currier Bros. bit manufactory, it takes an abrupt turn northward, again crossing the main road near Fred Pierce’s brush handle shop, descending and curving around the southeastern portion of Mt. Pistareen, through a deep glen. Holt’s brook unites with this stream from the south, into the “Bitshop “pond; Gilson brook comes down a deep gorge and is bridged over in the eastern part of … Read more

Biography of John F. Butler

John F. Butler is the youngest of the children of Jonathan and Martha (Russell) Butler, and was born in Marlow, June 14, 1831. His father, who was a farmer, died when John was twelve years of age, leaving him chiefly to his own efforts to provide the means for his support and education, which he accomplished by jobbing, teaching district and writing schools during his vacations, receiving also substantial aid from the best of mothers. He received his preliminary training in the district school and at Marlow academy, “Tubb’s Union” at Washington, and under the private instruction of Prof. Wood, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ebenezer Safford

Ebenezer Safford came to Chesterfield about 1780, and settled upon what is now known as the “Dudley farm.” His children were Luke, Roswell, and Ebenezer. Roswell, born November 18, 1784, married Fanny, daughter of Jonathan Farr, in 1809, and had born to him five children, namely: Electa C., Philip, Ebial, Jonathan, and Eliza C. Ebenezer, Jr., born October 2, 1787, married Dolly, daughter of William Farr, in 1809, who bore him six children, as follows: Mary T., Norman E., Lydia P., Watson, Oliver H., and Otis. Watson, born February 24, 1818, married Catharine, daughter of Elijah Hildreth, September 27, 1843, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Hawes

George Hawes, son of John, was born in Barre, Mass. He married Eunice M., daughter of Joseph Day, of Chesterfield, N. H., in 1858, and lived in Worcester, Mass., where he was engaged in railroad business about twenty years. He removed to this town in 1870, where he now resides. He has an adopted daughter, Bessie B., who was the daughter of Willis Bemis, of Brattleboro, Vt.

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

Biography of Joseph Titus

Joseph Titus came to Chesterfield in 1777, from Douglas, Mass., soon after his marriage there to Mary Bigelow, and cleared and put in thorough cultivation one of its most rocky, hill-side farms. He was fourth in descent from Robert Titus, who came from near Stanstead Abbey, Hartfordshire, England, in 1635, and finally settled on Long Island. The immigrant was of a family of some note; a brother was the Colonel Titus, of Cromwell’s army, who afterwards espoused the cause of King Charles II., and on the occasion of an attempt upon the life of the Lord Protector, wrote anonymously the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Butler

John Butler, whose father, Josiah, was a nephew of Col. Josiah Willard, the principal grantee of Chesterfield, was born in Hinsdale, February 5.1786, and settled in Chesterfield in 1824. His widow, Lydia (Crowninshield) Butler, survives him, residing on road 27. Mr. Butler reared eight children: Marshall, Warren, Josiah, Ephraim, Erastus, Maria, Roswell, and Otis. Thomas F., son of Otis, resides or road 53. Mervin H., son of Otis, resides also on road 53. Warren H., son of Marshall, resides on road 50.

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.

Biographical Sketch of Joseph W. Pierce

Joseph W. Pierce, son of George, was born in Smithfield, R. I., and came to this town with his parents when an infant. He married Sarah J., daughter of Davis Arnold, who bore him six children, namely, Ansel J., Harry A., John M., David W., S. Jennie, and Josie M. Mr. Pierce died February 27, 1884.

Biographical Sketch of Phineas Fullman

Phineas Fullman, born February 26, 1749, came to Chesterfield, from Westminster, Mass., about 1778. He married twice, first, Lucy Lampson, and second, Mrs. Bathsheba (Britton) Leach. He died August 4, 1823. His children were Paul, Asa, Lucy, Myra, Ellis and Almira. Asa, born February 24, 1780, married Lucena, daughter of Jonathan Farwell, in 1811. From May, 1815 to 1821, he engaged in trade at the Center Village, in partnership with Hon. Levi Jackson, afterwards with Ashbel Wheeler, Sr., and alone. For a number of years he run a freight-boat on the Connecticut, between Chesterfield and Hartford. He also erected a … Read more