Chesterfield New Hampshire

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

Biographical Sketch of Sumner Warren

Sumner Warren, son of Increase Warren, of Westmoreland, married Luthera Willard, of Charlestown, N. H., September 30, 1841. He resided many years in Chesterfield Factory, was a tanner, and very successful in business; was noted for promptness, probity and liberality in all his dealings. He was town clerk in 1845 and contributed largely toward the building of the Union church, and lately resided in Keene. He had five children, three of whom died young. The eldest, Lyman H., born June 26. 1842, enlisted, in September, 1861, in the 17th Regt., U. S. Infantry, distinguished himself for cool ness and indomitable … 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 Francis Tuttle

Francis Tuttle came here from Winchester, about 1859. He married Sarah J., daughter of John Beal, of this town, October 6, 1857, and has had a family of six children, as follows: George A., born September 7, 1859; Frankie, born February 22, 1863, and died May 22, 1864; Fred M. born March 27, 1867; Willie R., born April 29. 1870; and Charlie A., born January 27, 1876.

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

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 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

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 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 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

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 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.

Biographical Sketch of Capt. Samuel S. Brooks

Capt. Samuel S. Brooks was born in Medford, Mass., March 5, 1781. The early part of his life was spent on the sea, he being a sea captain for a number of years. On retiring therefrom he settled at Cambridge, Mass., where he was postmaster four years. In August, 1821, he came to this town and engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods at Factory Village, in which business he continued until 1850. In 1839, however, he removed to Brattleboro, where he died, in April T865. He married Eleanor Forman, June 20. 1807, who bore him a large, family, seven … Read more