Hinsdale New Hampshire Genealogy – Page 3 of 3

Biographical Sketch of Dea. Bill Burnham

Dea. Billy Burnham, born in Vernon, Vt., married Sarah Thomas, of Chesterfield, N. H., and came to Hinsdale when there were only three permanent dwellings in the town. For several years thereafter the religious meetings were held in the dwellings of the settlers. Dea. Burnham was a Baptist and a devoted Christian, he and his wife being two of the eight original members of the first Baptist church. They were baptized by moonlight, when the weather was so cold that in returning to the house. eight rods distant, their clothing froze stiff. None of their five children are now living. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathan 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

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.

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

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 Simeon Horton

Simeon Horton, born at Milton, Mass., in 1784, came to Hinsdale about 1816, and finally located a home on road 15, where his son’s widow, Mrs. Mary A.. now resides. Here he remained till his death in 186o, aged seventysix years. He was a prominent man in town affairs, held the offices of selectman and justice of the peace several terms, and was the father and leader of the temperance cause here. Of his three sons and three daughters, one son died in infancy, and the others all settled in the town, though only one is now living, Mrs. Ivory … 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 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

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

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 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 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 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 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 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

Biographical Sketch of Daniel Rugg

Daniel Rugg, one of the early settlers of Hinsdale, came from Framingham, Mass., and located as a farmer in the northeastern part of the town, where Daniel Freeman now lives. Here he commenced his pioneer life, on a small clearing, and lived in a log cabin until he built the house now occupied by Mr. Freeman. He reared a family of nine children. none of whom are now living, and attained the age of over eighty years. Elijah, his oldest son, a farmer, located in Windham,. Vt. Nathan, the second son, remained on the homestead with his father, married Sally … 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 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 Amos Thomas

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.