Hinsdale New Hampshire

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 Elihu Stebbins

Rowland Stebbins, born in 1594, came from Ipswich, Eng., on the Francis in 1634, landed at Roxbury, but probably went to the Connecticut River the following year with William Pynchon, the founder of the city of Springfield. Thence he moved to Northampton, about 1656, where he died, December 14, 1671. His wife died at Springfield, October 4, 1649, aged fifty-eight years. Elihu Stebbins, whose ancestors resided in Northfield, was a lineal descendant of Rowland. He was born in 1762, settled in Hinsdale, and married, March 24, 1786, Lucretia,. daughter of Eldad Wright, who was taken from him by death, December … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Valentine Butler

Valentine Butler, one of the early settlers of the town, located as a farmer at North Hinsdale, where Mrs. Abby M. Chandler now lives. He married Hannah Osgood, of Newfane. Vt., and reared five children, none of whom are now living. His oldest son, Josiah, died on the homestead previous to his father’s death. Lucinda, daughter of Valentine, married Azor Chandler, who purchased the homestead and remained thereon during life. Nathaniel, their only child, inherited the estate, which he retained until his death, in May, 1882. The property is now owned by his widow, Abby M., and their only child … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Holland

George W. Holland, born in Chesterfield, N. H., in 1824, was educated in the public schools of his district and at Chesterfield Academy. In early life be engaged as a dry goods clerk, and was also in an Ohio book-store for a time. In 1851 he came to Hinsdale and engaged in the general merchandise business, where he has continued since. He represented his townsmen in the state legislature in 1878 and 1881, has held the office of town clerk twenty-five years, and also other town offices.

Hinsdale, Cheshire County, New Hampshire History

Hinsdale lies in the southwestern part of the county, in lat. 42º 48′, and long. 4º 32′, bounded north by Chesterfield, east by Winchester, and southwest by the left bank of Connecticut river, the township being triangular in outline. It originally comprised within its limits the township of Vernon, on the opposite side of the river. This land, as it originally stood, was granted by Massachusetts at a very early period. Even after the river had been declared the boundary line between the provinces of New Hampshire and New York, and the township had in this manner been divided, the … Read more

Narrative of the Captivity of Frances Noble – Indian Captivities

Narrative of the captivity of Frances Noble, who was, among others, taken by the Indians from Swan Island, in Maine, about the year 1755; compiled by John Kelly, Esq. of Concord, New Hampshire, from the minutes and memoranda of Phinehas Merrill. Esq. of Stratham, in the same state; and by the Former Gen. Tleman communicated for publication to the editors of the Historical Collections of New Hampshire.

Biographical Sketch of Rev. John G. Bennett

Rev. John G. Bennett was born in Swanzey, July 17, 1812. He attended the district schools until sixteen years of age, when he attended a private school in Winchester, taught by Rev. Mr. Cushman, a Methodist clergyman. He next attended the Methodist Institute, located at Newbury, Vt., where he instructed several classes and occasionally preached. Before going to Newbury he was employed to preach under the direction of the presiding elder; being at that time only eighteen years of age. In 1836 he married Ruth C Britton, of Westmoreland, N. H., and soon after joined the Vermont and New Hampshire … 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 Abel Fletcher

Abel Fletcher, one of the pioneer settlers of Chesterfield. N. H., married Phoebe, daughter of Jonathan Hildreth, of Chesterfield, in 1784; for his second wife he married Sally Willard, and for his third Charlotte, daughter of Ephraim Hubbard, who survived him. His will was made in 1816 and proved in 1817. Daniel, son of Abel, born August 8, 1789, married Lucy, daughter of Joseph Converse, and resided many years in Chesterfield, but died in Hills. dale, December 5, 18i5, aged eighty-six years. Joseph C. Fletcher, son of Daniel, born May 27, 1822, died May 31, 1873, aged fifty-seven years. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George P. Hooker

George P. Hooker, son of the venerable Henry Hooker, born May 3 1820, married Lucretia J. Ashcroft, October 25, 1843, and settled upon the farm he now occupies in 1849. He began life without any means, but with habits of industry and sterling integrity combined with sound judgment. the time he settled here this farm contained only fourteen acres of tillable land, and his barn, a structure 24×34 feet, was sufficiently large to store crops. Without adding anything to the size of his farm, however, he added to the capacity of his barn till the structure is 40×100 feet, eighteen, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Walter Charles Baker

Baker, Walter Charles; pres. American Ball Bearing Co.; born, Hinsdale, N. H., June 27, 1868; son of G. W. and Jeannette R Hall Baker; educated, public schools, Cleveland, and Case School of Applied Science; married, Cleveland Oct. 27, 1891, Fannie E. White; organized the American Ball Bearing Co.; in 1894 was elected pres. and Mechanical Engineer, still serving; interested in other corporations; member Union, Euclid, Clifton Park and Engineers Clubs; Republican; member Unity Church.

Biographical Sketch of Aaron Blanchard

Aaron Blanchard, born in 1760, came to Hinsdale at a very early date and settled as a farmer on road I5. He was twice married, reared a large family, and died on the farm upon which he first settled, in 1842. None of his children now reside in the town, but he is represented here by five grand children, viz.: Edward C. Blanchard, Mrs. Mary Howe, James A. Blanchard, Mrs. Sarah Howe, and Mrs. Marie Freeman.

Biographical Sketch of Dwight Leonard Sanderson

Dwight Leonard Sanderson was born in Chesterfield, N. H., May 21, 1822. He married and settled upon the homestead of his grandfather, which he still owns, where he lived a few years and carried on farming and dealt in livestock and merchandise. About 1857 he moved to Winhall, Vt, where he resided five years, engaged in farming and stock dealing. In 1862 he came to Hissdale, where he now resides. Here he has been a farmer, live stock dealer and merchant. Only two of his five sons settled in the town. Elliot married Betsey Darling, was a successful farmer, accumulated … Read more

The First Congregational Church of Hinsdale, NH

The First Congregational church of Hinsdale was organized in 1763. Rev. Bunker Gay, who served the parish forty-seven years, was its first pastor. The first house of worship was built of wood about 1760, and the present one also of wood, in 1835 or ’36. Its present membership is 150. The church property is now valued at $10,000, and the parsonage is valued at $3,000. The house will seat 550 people. The Sunday-school has an average attendance of 120. Rev. Henry R. Hamilton is the present parish clergyman.

Biographical Sketch of Henry M. Jones

Henry M. Jones was born in Phillipston, Mass., July 25, 1811. When about two years old, his father died, and his mother removed to Athol, Mass., and in his twelfth year he came to Hinsdale to live with his uncle, Windsor Bowker, where he remained two years. Next he was an errand and farm boy for Abram Hinds, who was the first lawyer of Hinsdale. Here he remained about four years, and was afterwards engaged as a laborer till about 1835, when he bought a saw-mill on Kilbourn brook, a short distance from the village, which he run about three … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Rose

Samuel Rose, born at Groton, Conn., in 1786, married Mary Brooks, a native of Norwich, Conn., and came to Hinsdale in 1810. He located on “Meeting-house hill,” now Brattleboro street, and built the house now occupied by Londus Doolittle. Here he lived a few years, working at his trade of carpenter and builder, then built a two-story house on the site now occupied by the fine Union school building, and entered into a co-partnership with Samuel Spencer, in operating a grist and saw-mill, and carried on an extensive business for that time. in the manufacture and sale of lumber. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel 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

Biography of Henry Hooker

Rev. John Hooker, born March 28, 1729, ordained pastor of the Congregational church of Northfield, Mass., was the father of Seth Hooker, who was born October 22. 1759. The latter married Abigail Gay, daughter of Rev. Bunker Gay, May 5, 1789, and settled on the farm of his wife’s father, in Hinsdale, where he continued to reside until his death, May 31, 1844, aged eighty-four years. His children were Sally Gay, born December 25, 1789 and died January 12, 1797. Henry, born July 5, 1791, in Charlestown, N. H.. married Mary Dagget, of Westmoreland, October 23, 1816. In early life … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lemuel Liscom

Lemuel Liscom, born in Rehoboth, Mass., came to Hinsdale at a very early date and September 26, 1796, married Submit Barrett, who bore him nine children. Of these, Mary married Henry Reed, and resided in Brattleboro, Vt. Lemuel married Emerancy, daughter of Hezekiah Horton, September 20, 1831, he at that time being a resident of Boston, Mass., where he was successfully engaged in the coal trade. In 1835 he purchased the farm where he and his aged wife are now residing with their son, L. F. Liscom. Their house is one of the oldest, if not the oldest in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. Elisha Andrews

Rev. Elisha Andrews was born in Middletown, Conn., September 29, 1768, and married Wealthy, daughter of Thomas Lathrop, of Norwich, Conn. Mr. Andrews had no early education, except that afforded by the common schools, but became a fine scholar through his own exertions and without the aid of teachers, and was often sought by collegians for aid in the Greek and Hebrew languages. He was also a practical land surveyor. In 18×4 he came to Hinsdale, and preached in the “meeting house” built by the town, and which was afterwards converted into a woolen mill, and finally destroyed by fire. … Read more