Fitzwilliam New Hampshire

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 Dexter Whittemore

Dexter Whittemore, son of John, who came here at an early date, and kept a small store in the cottage where he lived, was born in Fitzwilliam, October 9, 1798. When Dexter became of age he induced his father to buy the store of Dr. Scott, and there engaged in trade, continuing over forty years. He is said to have been the first merchant of Cheshire county to give up the sale of spirituous liquors. He was chosen to many offices of trust, and was very generous and liberal in all good works. He married twice, first, Betsey Wright, April … Read more

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 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 Hosea Platts

Hosea Platts, a descendent of Abel, who came from England and settled in Rindge previous to the Revolution, was born in that town. He married Nancy, daughter of Thayer Smith, of Fitzwilliam, April 16, 1831, and resided in Rindge until 1837, where two sons and two daughters were born. They then moved to Fitzwilliam and located on road 14, where seven more children were born. Of these, John A. Platts, born September 16, 1838, enlisted as a private in Co. K, 6th N. H. Vols., October 28, 1861, and served until July 15, 1865, being mustered out as a first … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel Spaulding

Daniel Spaulding, son of Phinehas, of Jaffrey, married Lucinda Perkins. May 11, 1819, and removed to Gardner. Mass., where he remained until 1825 or 1826. He then bought out Luke Richardson, of Fitzwilliam, and opened a store on the corner where Elisha Chaplin now lives. At one time he had John Perkins, his wife’s brother, as a partner, and later, Dr. G. C. Noble, but carried on the business alone most of his life. He was chosen to all the offices of the town, including town representative in 1833 and 1834. He died July 17, 1882, at the great age … 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.

Biographical Sketch of Dea. Milton Chaplain

Dea. Milton Chaplain, son of Squier Moses Chaplin, was born in thesoutheastern part of this town, in 1805. He attended a district school and the academy at Amherst, Mass. In the year 1824, when nineteen years of age, he “bought his time” during his minority and built a small shop in which he began the manufacture of clothes pins, being the first to make them in town. The method employed when he began was to turn them all in a lathe then cut the slot with a circular saw, when they were finished by boys and girls by hand. At … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Oliver Whitcomb

Oliver Whitcomb came to Fitzwilliam from Massachusetts, and located in the western part of the town, where he spent the remainder of his life. He reared a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, only one of whom, Rebecca, is living, and resides on the old homestead. Jacob, son of Oliver, was born in town, married Phillis Grant, who bore him six children, three of whom are now living, and located in the town of Richmond, on lots Nos. 11 and 12. His wife died November 23, 1866, and his death occurred in February, 1871. Anthony S. now … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ezra Hayden

Ezra Hayden, a native of Sudbury, Mass., came here about 1804 or 1805. locating upon the farm where Ethan Blodgett now lives. He removed to the place now owned by Eli Smith, where he died in 1843, at the age of fiftyeight years. His son, Otis, was born here where he has lived most of his life. His residence is on road 37.

Biographical Sketch of Barzaliel Baker

Barzaliel Baker came to Marlboro from Westminster, Mass., about 1800. He was a farmer and settled upon the farm now occupied by Howard Clark, where he died, at the age of eighty-two. His son Asa was born in Marlboro, where lived until 1833, when he moved, to Jaffrey, where he remained until his death, in October, 1869, at the age of sixty-six years. Edwin C., a native of Jaffrey, came to this town in 1870.

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

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

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 John A. Streeter

John A. Streeter, son of Adam, of Orange, Mass., came to Fitzwilliam. where he married Ruth C. Carroll, and located at Bowkerville, where be lived sixteen years. He then moved to the southern part of the town where he died. He reared a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters. none of whom are now living in town. His widow and two daughters, Jennie L. and Hattie M., live in Baldwinsville, Mass., and John H. resides in Swanzey.

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

Fitzwilliam Depot, Cheshire County NH

FITZWILLIAM DEPOT, a post village located in the central part of the town,, on the Cheshire railroad, contains one church, a few mechanic shops, stores, etc.

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.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Anson R. Gleason

Dr. Aaron R. Gleason, was born, June 1, 1835, in Warren, Vt., where he lived until twelve years of age, when his father, Windsor, moved to Acworth, N. H. He attended school and fitted for college at Westminster, Vt., and taught for two years, more or less, in the public schools. He studied medicine with Dr. K. D. Webster, of Gilsum, and Dr. George B. Twitchell, of Keene, pursued a course at the medical college at Burlington, Vt., at Washington, D. C., and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city. He enlisted in the 2d N. … 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.