Fitzwilliam New Hampshire

Biographical Sketch of Phinehas Reed

Phinehas Reed, a soldier of the Revolution, came to Fitzwilliam, from Westford, Mass., in 1784, built a tannery and conducted the business. His son Charles followed the same trade, and employed a large force of men in the manufacture of shoes, which were sold in the South. About 1838, he met financial reverses, and had to begin life anew. He was a claim agent for about fifteen years after 1850, and died in March, 1866, aged fifty-three years His son, D. H. Reed, was born February 8, 1819, and was brought up on a farm. He enlisted, October 11, 1861, … Read more

Industry of Fitzwilliam NH

Fitzwilliam Savings bank, located in the Postoffice block, at Fitzwilliam village, was incorporated in 1871, and commenced business in 1872, with Philip S. Batchellor, president, and Milton Chaplin, treasurer. The present officers are Amos J. Blake, president, and Stephen Batchellor, treasurer. George D. Webb Granite Co.’s quarry and shops are located at the crossing of the railroad and road 31. The firm consists of George D. Webb and C. F. Batchelder, of Worcester, Mass., who began work here in July, 1882. They have extensive sheds, a polishing-mill, blacksmiths shops and enginehouse, using three engines and two steam drills. Their works … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward C. Reed

Edward C. Reed, son of Phinehas, was born here, March 8, 1793, and graduated from Dartmouth college, in 1812. He studied law in Troy, N. Y. and settled in Homer, N. Y., in 1816. He was admitted to practice in one court after another, until 1830, when be was admitted to the court of chancery. He was elected to the Twenty-second congress; was district attorney many years, and also judge. He married Amanda Weller, of Pittsfield, Mass., and reared a family of twelve children, four of whom survive him.

Fitzwilliam, Cheshire County, New Hampshire History

Fitzwilliam, one of the southern tier of townships in the county, lies in lat. 42º 45 and long. 4º 54′, bounded north by Troy and Jaffrey, east by Jaffrey and Rindge, south by the state line, and west by Richmond. The town was originally granted by the Masonion proprietors, as Monadnock No. 4, January 15, 1752, to Roland Cotton and forty-one others. These grantees, however, failed to comply with the requirements of the charter and thus forfeited their right to the territory, and it was subsequently, early in 1765, re-granted to Samson Stoddard and twenty-three associates. On May 19, 1773, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Oren Brooks

Oren Brooks, a native of Putney. Vt., moved with his parents to Massachussets while he was a child. He married Julia A. Wright, of Boston, who bore him twelve children. He moved to this town in 1848, where his two youngest were born, and died here in 1876, surviving his wife sixteen years. Two sons, George W. and Amos W., served in the civil war, the latter dying in the service. George W. is a merchant in West Swanzey, and the only son living. Three daughters, Serepta, wife of Dea. Alva S. Clark, Louisa P., wife of Franklin Whitcomb, living … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hon. John M. Parker

Hon. John M. Parker, son of Amos A., and Mary (McClary) Parker, was born in Kingston, N. H., September 17, 1836, but his father, returning to Fitzwilliam, soon after his birth, he spent the remainder of his life here. He was educated in the Fitzwilliam common schools, and in Philip’s Exeter academy. He spent three years and three months in the army, and was mustered out as lieutenant. He has been engaged in mercantile business here for twenty years, was a member of the house of representatives in 1870 and 1871, and of the senate in 1881 and 1882. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Silas Fife

Silas Fife came to Troy from Bolton. Mass., and settled in the eastern part of the town. He was a farmer, had a family of ten children, and died there in 1834. His son, Timothy, a native of Troy, remained there until his death, December 12, 1872, in his eightieth year. Daniel J., son of Timothy, also a native of Troy, came to Fitzwilliam in 1877, and located on road 49 1/2.

Biographical Sketch of John Shirley

John Shirley, a soldier of the Revolution, was born on board ship coming from England, and was brought up in Boston. He came to Fitzwilliam about 1780, settling in the village, and married Submit Bogle, of Sudbury, Mass. He reared a family of nine children, and died at the age of ninety-three, in the house where his grandson, William H., now lives. His son, Henry, was born in the town, held the office of selectman several years, and died at the same place his father did, at the age of seventy-two. William H., son of Henry, was born in the … Read more

Military of Fitzwilliam NH

During the late war Fitzwilliam furnished 168 men for the service, 162 of whom were volunteers or substitutes for enrolled men not drafted. Of the thirty drafted men, twenty-two were excused for disability, one emigrated to Canada, one was excused as alien, four served, and two furnished substitutes, Of the total number furnished, forty-four were killed or died of disease while in the service. The total amount of money furnished by the town was $29, 933.37, of which $1,500.00 was reimbursed by the state, and $886.00 by the United States, leaving a net expense of $27,547.37.

Biographical Sketch of Abijah Richardson

Abijah Richardson, who was born in this town, moved to Royalston, Mass., where he died in 1840. His son, Leander, born in Royalston, Mass., came here in 1860, has been deputy sheriff three years and is now a policeman.

General History of Fitzwilliam NH

FITZWILLIAM, one of the southern tier of townships in the county, lies in lat. 42° 45 and long. 4° 54′, bounded north by Troy and Jaffrey, east by Jaffrey and Rindge, south by the state line, and west by Richmond. The town was originally granted by the Masonion proprietors, as Monadnock No. 4, January 15, 1752, to Roland Cotton and forty-one others. These grantees, however, failed to comply with the requirements of the charter and thus forfeited their right to the territory, and it was subsequently, early in 1765, rE.granted to Samson Stoddard and twenty-three associates. On May 19, 1773, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hezekiah Stone

Hezekiah Stone came from Massachusetts about 1780, and bought the land where Benjamin Whitcomb now lives. He was a farmer, owned a saw-mill, and had two sons and three daughters. The eldest, Artemas, had a son, Artemas, who was the father of Stillman S. Stone. Moses, second son of Hezekiah, was born in Fitzwilliam, December 31. 1785. He was also a farmer, and operated a saw-mill. He was one who responded to the call for troops in 1812, and went to Portsmouth, but not into active service. He died in January, 1854.

Biographical Sketch of John E. Fisher

John E. Fisher was born near St. Johns, N. B., in 1525, on Darling’s Island, which was the property of his grandfather, Captain Darling. His father, Richard, was a blacksmith, and removed to Boston about 1825, and ten years later moved to Quincey, Mass. He was one of the first four abolitionists in the town. His son John served seven years apprenticeship at stone cutting, working on the Boston custom-house. He had worked on government work in Boston about fifteen years before the Rebellion began. About three days after the firing on Fort Sumpter, he was placed in charge of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Josiah Carter

Josiah Carter came from Lancaster, Mass., in 1803, being at that time sixteen years of age. His father, Joseph, was a shoemaker and he was brought up to the trade, which he carried on until 1818. He then bought a farm and devoted his after life to that. He was a lieutenant in the artillery. He married Betsey E. Foster and reared a family of four children, all now living. His sons, Josiah E., and Charles C., have always resided here and for fortynine years have carried on the carriage business together. Charles C. married Sarah C. Tyler, of Chesterfield, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Silas Cummings

Dr. Silas Cummings, son of Thaddeus, was born in Fitzwilliam, October 7, 1803. He studied medicine and received his diploma from Dartmouth college. He began practice in this town about 1826 or 1827, where he continued until his death, June 30, 1882. He was superintendent of schools for many years, and as such labored hard and effectively to elevate the plane of public education. Although a Democrat in a strongly Republican town, he so endeared himself to his townsmen that he was chosen town representative. He was chosen one of a committee to prepare a history of the town, but … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Samuel S. Dudley

Rev. Samuel S. Dudley, a native of Sudbury, Mass., has been a Methodist minister forty-four years, seventeen of which he has preached in this county. He now resides on road 42.

Samuel Winch Genealogy

Elizabeth1 Winch, spinster, of Great Alhallows, London, in her will, made 1659, proved 1661, calls herself “bound for Virginia” and names her brothers Richard and John. It is thought that John may have been the father of Samuel of Framingham, Mass. Virginia was often used to mean America. I. Samuel2 Winch was in Sudbury, Mass., as early as 1670. A few years later he settled in Framingham and was an original member of the Framingham church. He was buried, Aug. 3, 1718; m. (1), Feb. 11, 1673, Hannah, dau. of Matthew Gibbs and had seven ch. by her. He m. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Royal Smith

Royal Smith came here from his native town, Lexington, Mass. He was a carpenter and died here in 1838. His son, Oliver W., was born here, is a farmer and lives on road 1.

Biographical Sketch of Silas Morse

Silas Morse came here from Holliston, Mass., with his parents, who settled on a farm near where Samuel Payne now lives, over a hundred years ago. After the death of his father he traded the farm owned by him for one in Sullivan, which he afterwards sold, and moved with his son, Ira L., to Gilsum. He finally returned to this town, where he died January 13, 1859, at the age of eighty-two years. His son, Ira L., was born in Sullivan, came to this town March 28, 1861, and resides on road 29.