Chesterfield New Hampshire

Biographical Sketch of Ephraim Amidon

Ephraim Amidon, from Oxford, Mass., came to Westmoreland previous to 1777, and located upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Ephraim. He married Jane Robbins, reared ten children-Hephzibah, Matilda, Abigail, Ebenezer, Noah, Polly, Salome, Nathaniel, Jane and Ephraim, and died March 21, 1822, aged seventy-three years. Squire, son of Nathaniel, now resides in this town, off road 2. Elijah, son of Ephraim, 3d, resides on road 40. Charles L., son of Squire, resides on road 21. Other descendants reside in different parts of the town.

Biography of Charles Rufus Skinner

CHARLES RUFUS SKINNER AMONG the younger men whose experience in matters pertaining to state, national and educational affairs has already been quite extensive and highly beneficial to his fellow-citizens, is the Hon. Charles R. Skinner, who, on account of his official relations, is now a resident of Albany. Born on the 4th of August, 1844, at Union Square, Oswego County, N. Y., he is a son of the late Hon. Avery Skinner, a worthy New England pioneer who left the granite hills of New Hampshire to seek a home in the richer northern regions of New York State. In October, … Read more

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

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 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

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