Chesterfield New Hampshire

The Congregational Church, Chesterfield NH

The Congregational church of Chesterfield was organized in 1771, and the Rev. Abraham Wood, a graduate of Harvard, was ordained its first pastor for the following year. The ministry of Mr. Wood continued until his death in 1823. A few months previous to Mr. Wood’s death, Rev. John Walker, a graduate of Dartmouth, was installed as colleague pastor. Mr. Walker remained six years, and was succeeded by Rev. Elisha Smith, who was also a graduate of Dartmouth, and who remained here four years, when he was succeded by Rev. Josiah Ballard, a graduate of Harvard, and who remained for a … 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

Biographical Sketch of John H. Barrett

John H. Barrett was born November 8, 1789, and came to Chesterfield in 1851. He married Charlotte Thomas, of Hinsdale, who bore him four children-Shubael, Miranda, Julia and George W. The latter came here in x85 I, and now resides on road 37.

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 John Kneeland

John Kneeland, son of Timothy, was born in Gardner, Mass., in 1766 or 1767. He married Polly Johnson in 1791. He came to Chesterfield about 1797 and resided many years on the farm now owned by Charles C. P. Goodrich, Esq., and which has long been known as the “Squire Kneeland farm.”He was justice of the peace for many years, and held the office of selectman sixteen years in all, longer than it has ever been held by any other person since the town was incorporated. He was also representative in 1818,’20, ’22 and ’25. He died February 9, 185o, … Read more

Biography of James Burt

James Burt, the paternal grandfather of Samuel Burt, sailed from London, England, April, 1635, for the Barbadoes, in the “Falcon deLondon,” Thomas Irish, master. He was in Newport in 1639; surveyor in Taunton, in 1645; and one of a company making the “Dighton purchase”that year. He took the oath of fidelity in 1657, and was entitled to divisions of land. His will was proved March a, 1681. His wife, Annie, died August 17, 1668. Richard, his brother, was one of the forty-six persons who made the “Taunton Purchase,” in 1637, to be “eight miles square, liberal measure.” He died previous … Read more

Biography of Eli Pattridge

Eli Pattridge moved here from Mendon, Mass., about 1776, and remain in this town until 1800, when he moved to the northern part of the state. He had born to him nine children, namely: Eli, Joseph, Amos, M Rachel,, Charles. Nathaniel, Abel and Adam. Joseph, born in 1753, married Sarah Warren, of Mendon, Mass. He was selectman in 1801, ’03, ’16, ’17 and died in 1817. His children were Caroline, Prussia, John W., Mehitable; Joseph, Simon, Winslow, Sally, Abel, Ora and Samuel J. The last mentioned born November 22, 1800, was the youngest of Joseph and Sarah (Warren Pattridge’s eleven … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sidney S. Campbell

Sidney S. Campbell, now a retired manufacturer residing at Factory Village, was born in Westminster, Vt., and came to this town in 1830. He married Clarissa Daggett, of Westmoreland, who bore him three childrenMary E., Charles S., and Clara Anna.

Biographical Sketch of Lucius Darwin Pierce

Lucius Darwin Pierce, son of E. P. Pierce, Esq., was born at Chesterfield, August 9, 1820. In boyhood and youth he enjoyed such limited advantages for acquiring an education as the common schools and Chesterfield academy afforded. In 1841 he entered Norwich university, Vt., gained a commendable proficiency in the ancient languages, and while yet an undergraduate, was appointed to and accepted the position of Professor of Languages, in a seminary in Portsmouth, Va. He served in that capacity until he found the climate did not agree with his constitution, when he resigned and returned, graduating as A. B. in … Read more

Biography of Francis W. Brooks

Francis W. Brooks, who died at Brattleboro, Vt., February 5, 1885, was born in Boston May 14. 1821, during the residence of his parents in that city or its vicinity. In the following August the family removed to Chesterfield. In 1839, however, they took up their residence in Brattleboro, and it was probably at about this time, or a year or two before, that the boy “Frank” went to Putney where he was the active, efficient clerk of Mr. P. R. Chandler, now of Chicago. After a few years spent at Putney the young man went to New York city … 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

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Marsh

Benjamin Marsh, son of Rev. Elisha Marsh, came here from Walpole, about 1785. He married Mrs. Hannah Graves in 1788, and died April 7, 1811. His children were Reuben, Asa, Elizabeth and Mary L. Reuben was born December 20, 1788, and married Mary, daughter of Joab Wetherbee, in 18r5. He was captain of one of the companies of the 2d Regt_ detached militia, stationed at Portsmouth in 1814, and was selectman in 1839, ’42, ’44. He died November 16. 1855. He had born to him seven children, namely, Laura A. H., Mary W., Benjamin Lloyd, Sophira S., Charlotte and Charles, … Read more

The Universal Restoration Society of Chesterfield NH

The Universal Restoration Society is the corporate name of the Universalist society at West Chesterfield. This society was organized as early as 1798, or earlier. In June, 1818, fifty-five members of the society petitioned the legislature to be incorporated into a society, under the name that had already been adopted. The petition was granted, and an act was passed incorporating Oliver Baker, Stephen Streeter, Jonathan Cochran, with their associates and successors, into a society to be known as the Universal Restoration Society. Rev. Robert Bartlett, from Langdon, was their first pastor. Previous to their building, in 1830; the meeting-house now … Read more

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 Samuel Burt

Samuel Burt6, (Samuel5) whose portrait appears here, was born Westmoreland, November 5, 1990. He married Betsey, daughter of Josia Jr., and Lena (Holbrook) Penniman, born in Mendon, Mass., April 2,1798 He settled on the road where William Atherton now lives. In the spring 1837 be bought the farm where Rodney Fletcher now lives, west of the village, where he lived until the spring of 1845, when he purchased of D. Walton, what is now Walter Wheeler’s hotel, residing there twenty-two years. In the spring of 1867 he sold the same to Sanford Guernsey, removing to the north side of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Gilson

Samuel Gilson, born about 1752, appears to have settled in Chesterfield about 1791, and is said to have been the first blacksmith at Factory Village. He died in 1826, aged seventy-four years. His son Calvin married Mehitabel, daughter of Joseph Pattridge, in 1810. Their children were Prescott W., Louisa M., Luke H., Sarah, and Joseph P. Prescott W., born December 33, 1812, married twice, first, Adeline Whitney, who died in 1836, and second, Urania M., daughter of Benoni Streeter, February 2, 1837. He had born to him two children, Calvin P. and Adeline L. The former was born October 5, … 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.

Chesterfield Village, Cheshire County NH

CHESTERFIELD is a delightful little post village located in the central part of the town. It has two churches (Congregational and Methodist Episcopal), one store, one hotel, two blacksmith shops, town-hall, and about thirty dwellings. Here also was located the celebrated Chesterfield Academy. This institution was incorporated under the laws of the state, by an act passed in 1790. The school was soon after opened and was one of the most flourishing institutions of the kind in the county for a period of over a half century. An academy building was erected in 1794, on the southeastern part of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank A. Pierce

Frank A. Pierce, son of Alson and Susanna (Wheeler) Pierce, was born in Chesterfield, April 20, 1854, and married October 25, 1870, Persis M., daughter of Snow Printice. Previous to her marriage she taught several terms of school with good success. She died June 12, 1883. Mr. Pierceis a farmer, residing on the Ebenezer Pierce homestead, and has had four children, as follows: Earl, born January 8, 1872; Anna L., born October 26, 1874; Guy L., born January 14, 1878; and Ida M., born January as, 1880, died March 6, 1881.

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