Chesterfield New Hampshire

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Hamilton

Samuel Hamilton, born in Ireland, in 1752, was the son of a linen merchant, or weaver, came to Boston about 1772, and settled in Chesterfield sometime between 1780 and 1785. He married Mary, sister of Dr. Joshua Tyler, May 9, 1775. He was engaged after coming to Chesterfield in the weaving of linen cloth. He died February 12, 1810. His children were John, Hannah, Hance, Loammi, James, Samuel, Ara, Fanny, Uri, and Amadella. Ara, born May 22, 1789, married twice, first, Sally, daughter of James Roberston, in 1815, who died December 11, 1823; and second.Almira, daughter of Phineas Fullam, in … Read more

Biography of Rodney Fletcher

Rodney Fletcher, son of Arad H. and Bethana (Darling) Fletcher, wasborn in Chesterfield, November 18, 1826, and married Olive W. Albee, daughter of Captain Nathaniel Albee, of Chesterfield, November 3, 1847. He has one daughter, Sarah E., who was married in 1873, to B. H. Swan; D. V. S. Since 1843 Mr. Fletcher has resided at Chesterfield Factory, and has worked in the auger factories located there, under various firms at different periods as finisher, having had charge of the polishing-room, where b has been for more than forty’ years. Under the old military regime, he was a prominent member … Read more

Biography of Bethel Field

The ancestors of the Field family, of Chesterfield, were of old Puritan stock, who settled in Taunton, Mass., early in colonial times, where many of their descendants still live. Bethuel, son of Nathaniel Field, of Taunton, married Sally Lincoln, of Norton, Mass., and settled in Chesterfield, in 1819 or ’20. “He was somewhat given to accounts, being a ‘Squire,’ and a prominent man in town matters.” He died in 1847, Mrs. Field surviving him until 1867. Jessie Field, one of their ten children, born November 3, 1811, inherited his mother’s refined sensibilities and his father’s good sense and mental acumen; … Read more

Military History of Chesterfield NH

In the troubled times of the Revolution the little town performed her part bravely and well. In September, 1775, the selectman made an enumeration of the inhabitants of the town, and in their report to the provincial authorities stated that thirty-six persons were absent in the army; that there were eighty-three guns in the town fit for use, ninety-nine more being needed; that there was no powder, and no slaves; and that the total number of inhabitants of the town, exclusive of those in the army, was 838. It will thus be seen that the town at a very early … 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 Abner Harris

Abner Harris, son of Abner, came to this town from Woodstock, Conn., soon after 1777, and purchased 150 acres of land, the same being a part of the farm which has long been known as the Harris farm. His children were Abner, John, Perley, Elizabeth, Experience, Esther, Tamar, Deborah, Sarah, Lydia, Mary, Thomas, Zerviah and Dolly. Wilder, son of John and grandson of Abner, was born May 11, 1797, married three times, first, Harriet, daughter of John Davis, in 1817,who died November 2o, 1851; second, Mrs. Nancy J. Wood, of Saxton’s River, Vt., July 5, 1854, who died in December, … Read more

Biography of Lawrence Walton

Lawrence Walton was in Chesterfield as early as 1770, and died here November 28, 1795, aged seventy-eight years. His children were as folio Elisha, Nathaniel, Peru, Sarah, Lucretia, Margaret, Deborah, and Elijah. Nathaniel married, first, Mary, daughter of Eli Partridge, and second, Jemi daughter of John Sanderson. He lived in the “New Boston” district, on the farm now owned by Charles M. Davis, was a blacksmith by trade, and noted for his great strength. His children were Elijah, Azariah, Nathan, Polly, Lovilla and Rachel. Elijah, son of Nathaniel, married Joanna, daught of Shadrack Herrick, and died September 24, 1861. His … 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 Henry O. Coolidge

Henry O. Coolidge, whose father, Oscar, was one of the early merchants of the town, was born January 5. 1830. In 1849 and 1870 he engaged in trade at the Center village in partnership with Hon. C. J. Amidon; from ’51 to ’62 (excepting ’54, when he was in Brattleboro. Vt.) with his father; from ’62 to ’66, alone. He was also postmaster about eight years; town clerk from ’52 to ’69, with exception of the years ’54 and ’68; selectman ’60, ’61, ’65 and ’67; representative ’67. In 1869 he removed to Keene, where he now resides, cashier of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Darling

John Darling came to Chesterfield, from Winchendon, Mass., February 17, 1778, and settled upon a part of what is now known as Barrett hill. He was one of the party that made the famous march to Quebec, in 1775, under command of Benedict Arnold, through the wilderness of Maine. At an early period he built the large two-story house, situated on the road from the Center village to Winchester, long known as the “yellow house,” and at one time owned an extensive tract of timber land in the Winchester woods, from which he cut large quantities of lumber, sawing it … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Barton Skinner

Barton Skinner, son of Timothy Skinner, of Westmoreland, was born December 19, 1801, and resided in Chesterfield from 1853 till April, 1863. He was a manufacturer at Factory Village, and was town representative in 185758. He removed to Keene, where he died February 11, 1865.

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

Biographical Sketch of Alexander Chandler

Alexander, son of Clark Chandler, married Lydia J. Herrick, April 29,, 1839, and died June 29. 1881. His widow resides on 14 1/2. Their children were Maria F., Francis Mason, Harriet Barber and Clark Nelson.

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

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

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 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

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

Biography of Silas Richardson

Silas Richardson, a descendant of John Richardson who came from England previous to 1636, was born in Medfield, Mass., 1748, married, in 1771, Sileme Daniels, of Medway, Mass. In 1776 he came to Chesterfield and settled on land one mile north of the Factory Village. The deed of his purchase under colonial government, still preserved, is dated in May, 1776. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and was called “Lieutenant” Richardson was one of the original trustees of the academy, selectman in 1788, ’93 an ’96, and died in 1803. His children were: Wilkes, born December, 1772 married Mehitabel … Read more

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