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.

West Chesterfield, Cheshire County NH

WEST CHESTERFIELD is a post village located in the western part of the town near the Connecticut. It has one church (Union), one store, two sawmills, a box-stock factory, two grist-mills, two blacksmith shops, a village-hall, and about twenty dwellings.

Biographical Sketch of Erastus Sargent

Erastus Sargent, son of Thomas, and great-grandson of Digory Sargent, settled in Chesterfield in 1792 or 1793. He married Annas Snow, who bore him seven children, namely: Edwin, Diana, Jason, Edith, Warren, Angeline, and Alanson. Edwin born December 16, 1793, married Sally, daughter of David Stoddard, December 27, 1815. He resided for a while on the paternal farm, then moved to the farm afterwards owned by his son, Oscar E. He was town representative in 1842. He had born to him nine children, as follows: Louisa, Emily, Corydon, John H., David W., Charles R., Jude S., Oscar E., and Frederick.

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 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

Biographical Sketch of William Randall

William Randall came to Chesterfield from Cranston, R. I., about 1780. His children were Eleazer, Anthony, Benajah, and Esther. Eleazer married Martha Staples, and settled in Chesterfield on land given him by his father. His children were Roxana, Prusha, Diana, Nathan, and Eleazer. The latter, born August 4, 1796, married Clarissa, daughter of Benjamin Wheeler, in 1815. He resided marfy years in this town, on the farm on which his fatherin-law had settled, now owned by William L. Clegg. He died in Westmoreland, June 17, 1860. He had born to him eight children, namely: Diana, Roxana, Eleazer, Sarah Harris, Shubel … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Broughton D. Harris

Broughton D., son of Wilder Harris, born August 16, 1822, married Sarah Buel Hollister, March 24, 1851. He graduated from Dartmouth college in 1845, studied law in the office of Hon. Asa- Keyes, of Brattleboro, and then engaged in the newspaper business, being editor of the Vermont Phoenix for a while, and, for several years, of the Semi-Weekly Eagle. In the spring Of 1851 he went to Utah as the first secretary of that territory, Brigham Young being at that time governor of the same. After he left Utah he was appointed secretary and acting governor of New Mexico, but … 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

Biographical Sketch of Jonathan Hildreth

Jonathan Hildreth settled in Westmoreland as early as 1751, and moved to this town about 1763, settling on the farm now owned by Watson Wheeler. He was selectman in 1767, ’70, ’79. Lotan, son of Jonathan, was born March 29, 1763, married Sarah Pierce, and died June 3, 1812. Africa, one of his eleven children, was born April 1, 1797, married twice, first. Mariam Blanchard, and second, Mary Blanchard, a sister of his first wife. He died Tune 22, 1869. His children were as follows: Frances A., Cyrus C., Louisa E., Henry S., Lotan B., John W., George L., Elathine … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ithamer Chamberlain

Ithamer Chamberlain was born at Oxford, Mass., in 1745, married Hephzibah Farr, in 1770, and settled in Chesterfield during that year. He built the grist-mill on the place where the upper one now stands, at the West Village, about 1810. He was killed by a runaway horse, September 19, 1825, at the age of eighty years. His children were Rebecca, Samuel, Anna, Benjamin, Polly, Ithamer and Hephzibah. Joshua Wilder, Jr., grandson of Samuel, now resides at Factory Village. His son David W. is in the employ of Currier Brothers.

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

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 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 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.

Biography of Eleazer Jackson

Eleazer Jackson was born May 12, 1736, married Rachel Pond in 1761, and came to Chesterfield about 1778. He settled upon the land which is now a part of the farm on which his grandson, Jay Jackson, resides, and which has always been, since 1778, owned by members of the Jackson family. He was selectman in 1782, ’83, ’87, ’88, ’93, ’96 and 1800, and representative in 1792, ’93 and ’97- In 1791 he was the delegate from Chesterfield for revising the constitution of the state. He died November 11, 1814. His children were Prudence, Jacob, Jarib, Lydia, Enoch, Elijah, … 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 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 Herbert B. Titus

Herbert B. was born in the old farm house built by his grandfather, and long since demolished. At the age of fourteen he taught his first school of forty scholars, sixteen of whom were older than himself, and with such success that his services were again sought for the same school Teaching and work upon the farm alternated with study at the academy at West Brattleboro, Vt., Chesterfield and Meriden, until 1854, when he entered Yale college where he remained but a single term, the death of a relative who had promised pecuniary assistance, leaving his way not clear at … 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 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