Hinsdale New Hampshire Genealogy

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Jeremy Packer

Rev. Jeremy Packer, was born in Groton. Conn., July 2, 1762, and at a very early date his father removed to Guilford, Vt., where Jeremy was reared. He had no early advantages for obtaining an education, except those afforded by the common schools and academies, but he eventually became a clergyman of the Baptist church, and was ordained pastor of the church in Guilford, September 11, 1800, where he officiated till 1818. He then accepted a call from the Baptist church in the northern part of Hinsdale, where he was installed and continued its pastor twelve years, when his health … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isaac Estey

Isaac Estey came to Hinsdale, from Royalton, Mass., in 1806, settled on Canal street, and engaged extensively in road building. He was the father of seven children, as follows: Joseph, the eldest, a farmer, and jobber in stone work, died in 1806, where his son George F., now lives; Sarah married a Mr. Parker, and died in Rutland, Mass.; Mary married Philip Fisher, and lives in Brattleboro, Vt., a widow; Israel Bartlet resides in Brattleboro, Vt.; Jacob is the well-known organ manufacturer of Brattleboro, Vt.; James F., also resides in Brattleboro, and is superintendent and vice-president of the Valley Mill … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Reuben Hildreth

Reuben Hildreth, a descendant of one of the earliest pioneer families of Chesterfield, N. H., was born in that town February 17, 1802, and came to Hinsdale about 1845, and remained here until his death, October 22, 1872. He married, first. Mrs. Maria D. White, who died in Hinsdale, December 4, 1847. She was the mother of his only children, two sons. He married, second, Asenath Bacon, and third, Mrs. Laura Taft. His oldest son, Samuel K., born in Brattleboro, Vt., July 1, 1836, married Clara E. Gray, of Hips. dale, where they now reside. Their only son, Edwin W., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elijah Cooper

Elijah Cooper, who came to Hinsdale at an early day, married Sarah Sanger, April 4, 1777, and reared four children, as follows: Lucy, born November 5, 1777; Elijah, born November 26, 1782; Mary, born April g, 1785; Arad, born April 10, 1787; and Pearly, the date of whose birth we are unable to give. Mr. Cooper settled as a farmer upon the place Daniel Smith now occupies, where he reared his family, and finally died at the residence of his son Arad. Of the children, Lucy died unmarried; Mary married a Mr. Stearns, and went west; Elijah married and also … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Streeter

John Streeter was born in Attleboro, R I., August 16, 1751 (o. s.). He married Jane Smith, of Smithfield, R. I., and moved to Hinsdale at an early date, locating in the southern part of the town, where he lived several years, then located in the northern part, where his grandson, Quinton D., now resides. He lived there the remainder of his long life, dying in January, 1845, at the age of ninety-four years. He was twice married, his first wife, however, being the mother of his six children, who were as follows: Lyman, who died at Council Bluffs, Iowa, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David Crowninshield

David Crowninshield, one of the pioneer settlers of Hinsdale, came from Rhode Island at a very early date and settled on road 7, where his grandson Samuel T. Crowninshield, now lives. His farm at first contained only enough cleared land to place his house and barns upon, and here he lived and labored until his death,, at the age of forty-eight years. He was the father of four children, viz.: Artemas, Philo, Leonard and Lydia. Artemas and Leonard settled on the homestead. Philo married and removed to Guilford, Vt., and Lydia (Mrs. Butler) now resides in Chesterfield. The only descendants … Read more

Captivity and Redemption of Mrs. Jemima Howe – Indian Captivities

A particular account of the captivity and redemption of Mrs. Jemima Howe, who was taken prisoner by the Indians at Hinsdale, New Hampshire, on the twenty-seventh of July, 1765, as communicated to Dr. Belknap by the Rev. Bunker Gay. As Messrs. Caleb Howe, Hilkiah Grout, and Benjamin Gaffield, who had been hoeing corn in the meadow, west of the river, were returning home, a little before sunset, to a place called Bridgman’s fort, they were fired upon by twelve Indians, who had ambushed their path. Howe was on horseback, with two young lads, his children, behind him. A ball, which … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Obed Slate

Obed Slate, born in Bernardston, Mass., married Susan Doolittle, of Hinsdale, and came to this town about 180o, engaging as a carpenter and joiner. His first work was building the house of his wife’s father, Oliver Doolittle. Soon after he married, he purchased a farm on the Hill road, leading from Hinsdale to Northfield, where he remained till his death, about 1863. He was a man of influence, and early took an active interest in town affairs, holding all military positions from drummer to Colonel, also the office of first selectman for fifteen years, justice of the peace as many … Read more

Early Settlement of Hinsdale, New Hampshire

In the spring of 1673 a settlement was made at Northfield, which was attacked by the Indians in September, 1675, and soon after was abandoned to be re-settled in 1685, when a fort and grist-mill were erected. In the meantime, May 19, 1676, occurred the memorable fight below the mouth of Miller’s river, when Captain Turner, though at first victorious, was subsequently slain, with thirty-seven of his men, by King Philip and his braves. All through King William’s, Queen Anne’s and Father Ralle’s wars, this section was an unguarded frontier, constantly exposed to the depredations of the Indians. But in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Frederick Boyden

Dr. Frederick Boyden was born at Deerfield, Mass., in 1810, and died at Hinsdale, November 11, 1871. He graduated at the medical school of Harvard university. He located at Hinsdale about 1835, and for twenty-five years was the only physician permanently located here, and was counted among the best in his profession. After some years he became interested in manufacturing cashmerettes with Sylvester Bishop. C. J. Amidon joined the firm, and after Mr. Bishop died the firm was Boyden & Amidon, until his death. During the latter years of his life he almost entirely withdrew from practice. By his energy … Read more

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Hinsdale, NH

The Methodist Episcopal church, on Main street, Hinsdale, was organized in the fall of 1842, by Rev. Justin Spaulding, with six members. Rev. T. Furber was the first pastor. The first and present house of worship was erected of wood in 1876. The society has sixty members. The church originally cost $8,000, it present valuation. It will seat nearly 400 people comfortably, and the Sunday-school has about sixty members. The church is now under the pastoral care of Rev. Joseph L. Felt.

Biographical Sketch of Rev. John Brockway

Rev. John Brockway, the first Universalist preacher in Surry, settled in that town at a very early day and died there about 1810. He was the father of four sons and two daughters. John, the eldest, was an officer in the war of 1812, and died at Schenectady, N. Y. Cephas was a goldsmith and a noted dentist. Rufus was a farmer, and Calvin emigrated to Ohio, where he accumulated a large fortune. Lockhart W. Brockway, a grandson of Rev. John and son of John, was born in Surry and came to Hinsdale in 1819. He boasts the honor of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William S. Leonard

William S. Leonard, M. D., son of Rev. Levi W. Leonard, D. D., was born in Dublin, N. H., October 13, 1832. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1856, studied medicine with Dr. Albert Smith, of Peterboro, N. H., and received his diploma of Dartmouth, in May, 1860. In the following October he located in Hinsdale village, where he still carries on a successful practice. He was associated in practice with Dr. Frederick Boyden during the last ten years of the latter’s life.

Biographical Sketch of Israel Thomas

Daniel, Amos, Israel, and Nathan Thomas, sons of one of the early pioneers, all settled here themselves as pioneers. Nathan married Marion Coats, and settled as a farmer in the northern part of the town. His children were Nathan, Charles, Frederick, Gideon, Thankful, Eunice, Electa and Marion. Nathan Thomas, Jr., was born in Fort Hinsdale, and settled on the place where his son Franklin and Waldo Rouillard now reside. He married Abigail Butler, and had born to him ten children, only two of whom now reside in the town-Mrs. Ellen Tyler and Franklin. The latter, at the age of seventy-three … Read more

Caleb Todd of Hinsdale NH

Caleb Todd7, (Jehiel6, Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born March 16, 1785, in Wallingford, Conn., died May 21, 1871, in Hinsdale, N. H., married first, Jan. 26, 1809, Hepsibah Miller, who was born Aug. 12, 1787, in West Springfield, Mass., died Dec. 29, 1826. He married second, July 10, 1828, Abigail Prentice, daughter of Seth and Abigail (Gay) Hooker, who was born Aug. 28, 1792, in Hinsdale, N. H., died Nov. 26, 1879, in Worcester, Mass. He was a manufacturer of woolen goods in Hinsdale, N. H.; a Justice of the Peace; representative to the State Legislature from his district. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Willard Martin

Willard Martin, born in Rehoboth, Mass., March 6, 1786, married Lucretia Houghton, in 1810, and died in Hinsdale, October 14, 1849. Mr. Martin was long known as one of the leading merchants of Guilford, Vt., where he was distinguished as one of the principal citizens, and for many years received almost the universal suffrage of the town as representative in the state legislature. Mrs. Martin died August 17, 1847. Dr. Oscar Martin, their eldest son, was born March 9, 1815. He married Susan George Sartle, November 27, 1839, and had born to him one child, which died in infancy. Mrs. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles R. Sargeant

Charles R Sargeant, a native of Chesterfield. N. H., was born in 1826. In early life he enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by the common-schools and academies, and was engaged in teaching from 1844 to 1852 Although he learned the stone mason’s trade and followed it for many years, until he finally abandoned it to engage in farming, which he continued till his death April 2, 1880. In 1849 he came to Hinsdale, and in 1857 was superintendent of schools, and town clerk, the latter office of which he held till 1859, when he was elected county commissioner in 1877, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nelson Richardson

Nelson Richardson was born in Hinsdale, February 13, 1817. His educational advantages were limited, but by careful study and reading he has acquired a good business education- At the early age of eighteen years he began to assist in the navigation of the Connecticut, and in 1841 was made captain of a flat-boat, continuing in that capacity until the close of 1847, when the railroad was completed, and the river navigation abandoned. About two years later he purchased a farm in the northern part of the town, upon which he has resided until the present time. He has the confidence … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Henry H. Hamilton

Rev. Henry H. Hamilton, born in Chester, Mass., February 1, 1842, fitted for college at Williston seminary and graduated from Amherst in 1868, from Union Theological seminary, New York, in 1871, and also passed an extra year at Andover Theological seminary. He was installed pastor of the Union Congregational church of Westfield, Mass., June 4, 1872, and continued its pastor just five years. His next settlement was over the Congregational church of Hinsdale, March 1, 1878, where he still remains.

Biography of Capt. Oliver Doolittle

Capt. Oliver Doolittle, grandson of Rev. Mr. Doolittle, the first settled Congregational minister in Northfield. Mass., was one of the early and prominent settlers of Hinsdale. He located on the Connecticut river, about three miles south from the village of Hinsdale, and became an extensive real estate owner. He married Sibyl Field, of Northfield. Mass., and had six children, viz.: Otis, Oliver. Sibyl, Susan, Seth, and Charles. Otis, a farmer, after moving twice, finally located upon the old homestead. He married Sophia Shattuck, and was blessed with a family of eighteen children, fifteen of whom attained a mature age. He … Read more