Chesterfield New Hampshire

Biographical Sketch of William Henry

William Henry is said to have come to Chesterfield, from Lunenburg, Mass, between 1770 and 1776. He married May Conn, who bore him six children, as follows: May, William, James, Betty, Eunice, and Freelove. James married Mary, daughter of Gibson Willard, in 1798, who bore him six children. They were Frederick W., Rebecca H., John P., Willard, Mary F., and Betsey E. Willard, born February I, 1809, married three times, first, Mary B. Shaw,. in 1834; second, Emily, daughter of Samuel Goodrich, October 8, 1856; and third, Mrs. Sarah M. Reed, of Fitzwilliam, in 1877. His children are Nathaniel C., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Pierce

George Pierce came from Smithfield, R. I., to Chesterfield about 1816, an settled upon the farm now owned by Mrs. Joseph W. Pierce, on road 1 where he carried on farming. He married Sophrona Mann, of Smithfield, RI., who was born June 14, 1785, and is still living in Chesterfield a venerate, centenarian. The one hundreth anniversary of this aged lady’s birthday observed in proper form by her relatives and friends, about 200 guests beii present, and on which occasion the Rev. Mr. Fowler read a history of thfamily, written in rhyme. Others of those present made short speeches, read … 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 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 Dr. Henry Carpenter

Dr. Henry Carpenter was born in Alstead, N. H., December 24, 1803. His father, Eber Carpenter, was a practicing physician in Alstead from 1802 until his death, May 23, 1841. Henry, the eldest of his eight sons, distinguished himself in the profession of medicine and surgery. He graduated medicine at Castleton, Vt., in 1825, and soon after settled in Chesterfield where he soon gave evidence of superior skill, and with a growing reputation as such, continued the practice of his profession until his death, August 1852. Decisive in all things, ignoring creeds, he spent his life in ministering to the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse Hinds

Jesse Hinds came to Chesterfield about 1805, and settled on a farm in the southeastern part of the town. Corlis, son of Jessie, was born November 12, 1814, and married Harriet M., daughter of Elisha Hill, November 26, 1846. His children are Arthur C., Fernando P., Harriet E., Sarah M., Caroline L., Jesse B., Manly H., Louisa L., Royal T., Flora May, Noble A., Ernest W.,. William W., and Melvin A.

Biographical Sketch of David W. Goodrich

David W. Goodrich, son of George and Lucinda (Wells) Goodrich, and a descendant of William Goodrich, of the ancient line of that name in England, who emigrated to Watertown, Mass., about 1636, came to Chesterfield from Gill, Mass., about 1810. He was a cloth dresser by trade, but after some years’ residence here he engaged in farming. In 1813 he married Salome, daughter of Benjamin Wheeler. He died March 22, 1857. His children were Honor, George W., Lucinda, Mary E., Charles C. P., Sarah, David W., William, and Ellen. The family have quite widely separated, but nearly all are prominent … 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 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

Methodism in Chesterfield New Hampshire

According to tradition, the first Methodist sermon preached in the town, and probably in New Hampshire, was in 1772, at the house of James Robinson, a Scotch dissenter, who settled in Chesterfield on the farm where his grandson, T. N. Robinson, now resides. Mr. Robinson, hearing from friends in New York of the zealous and devoted Philip Embry, sent a message desiring Mr. Embry to come and preach at his house, setting forth the good he thought might result from his labors. Mr. Embry saw fit to respond, and in the fall or early winter 1772, he came to town, … Read more

Biography of Nathan R. Symonds

Nathan R. Symonds, son of Thomas and Lydia (Pratt) Symonds, was born in Rindge, July 6, 1807, on what is known as the “Symonds farm.” He was a descendant of John Symonds, who came from England, and was resident in Salem, Mass., in 1636, being of the seventh generation counting John Symonds as first. Nathan was brought up under religious influences, his mother being a devout woman, whose every advice would be for his spiritual as well as temporal benefit. He married Eliza Herrick, July 3, 1831. They came to Chesterfield, March 31, 1837, settling near the “Channel,” south side, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Eleazer Cobleigh

Eleazer Cobleigh was an early settler in Chesterfield, being here as early as 1776. The first grist-mill as previously mentioned, was probably built by him. Dan Cobleigh was also an early settler, being here as early as 1770, Jonathan Cobleigh, also an early settler, purchased property here April 13, 1763. Jonathan Cobleigh, Jr., is also mentioned here in the tax list of 1770. His children were Lemuel, Lvdda, Jonathan, James, and Sally and Lydia, twins. Oliver Cobleigh was here in 1770, and reared a family. John Cobleigh’s name appears here in 1776. His son John, born April 10, 1776, married … Read more

Biography of William Bennett

William Bennett married Sally Pierce, and came from Harvard, Mass., about 1788, settling near Chesterfield line in the southern part of Westmoreland, near the farm which George Bennett now owns. He was a Revolutionary soldier and was at the battle of Lexington. His grandson, George Bennett, has in his possession a bullet which his grandfather made. Tradition says he run the bullet and passed it to the soldier who stood beside him, which killed the first British officer in the Revolutionary war. William Bennett, 2d, born in Westmoreland, married for his first wife, in 1807, Catharine Smith, born July 9, … 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

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 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

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 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

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 Reuben B. Foster Sr.

Reuben B. Foster, Sr., was born September 9, 1812, and married Betsey, H., daughter of Richard Hopkins, June 11, 1832. He is an employee of Currier Brothers, at Chesterfield Factory. He has had born to him seven children, as follows: James M., Helen M., Mary Jane, Mahalia S., Reuben B., Frank H., and William E. Reuben B., Jr., was born March 17, 1844, married Julia A., daughter of Hosea L. Stoddard, February 16, 1869. He is a mechanic for Currier Brothers at Chesterfield Factory.