Keene New Hampshire

Biography of Hon. James Wilson Sr.

Hon. James Wilson, Sr., the oldest son of Robert, was born in Peter borough, August 16, 1766. His opportunities for an education were very limited in his native town. He remembered the alarm given at his fathers house April 19, 1775, and the great stir among the farmers as they were getting their weapons ready to march to the scene of action. He remained at home, working with his parents, until the close of the Revolution. His mother -as a lady who appreciated the importance of a good education, and she finally prevailed upon he somewhat reluctant husband to allow … Read more

Biography of Gen. James Wilson Jr.

Gen. James Wilson, Jr., who inherited not only the practice but the great talents of his honored father, was born in Peterborough, March 18, 1797. His early years were passed in his native town. His educational advantages were such as were obtained in a country town at that time. He had the misfortune to lose his mother at the early age of eight years. In 1807, young Wilson was sent to the New Ipswich academy, and in 1808 to the Atkinson academy. In 7813, he attended the Phillips academy, in Exeter, for a part of the year. Our country was … Read more

Keene Congregational (Unitarian) Society of Keene, NH

Keene Congregational ( Unitarian) Society. – The Unitarian Society was organized March 18, 1824. They had occasional preaching during the year. On the thirtieth of August, of the same year, a call was extended to the Rev. Samuel Barrett, to become the pastor, but he declined the invitation. Mr. Barrett was a graduate of Harvard, in the class of 1818, of the Harvard Divinity school, in 1822, and received the degree of 1)- D., from Harvard in 1847. He was a scholarly and cultivated gentleman. In 1825 he became the first pastor of the Twelfth Congregational (Unitarian) Society of Boston, … Read more

Biography of George William Dunbar

The first known ancestor of the Dunbar family in America was Robert Dunbar, a Scotchman who, circumstances indicate, was one of the Scotch prisoners sent over to the Massachusetts Colony in 1652, by Cromwell after the battles of Dunbar and Worcester. It is certain that this Robert Dunbar was the ancestor of the Dunbars of Abington and Bridgewater, if not of all bearing that name in New England. The family has always shown the characteristics which have so favorably distinguished the Scotch people. They are good, law-abiding citizens, with a frugal thrift and industry, a careful economy, and cautious and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hon. Samuel Dinsmoor

Hon. Samuel Dinsmoor was a native of Windham, born July 1, 1766, He was of the Londonderry Scotch-Irish descent, great-grandson of John Dinsmoor, one of the first settlers, grandson of Robert Dinsmoor, and son of William Dinsmoor. He graduated at Dartmouth college in 1789, read law, and settled in Keene, in 1792. As a young man, he was especially interested in military affairs, and organized the Keene Light Infantry, one of the finest drilled and best equipped corps known under the old militia laws. In 1808 he was appointed postmaster. In 1811 he was elected to congress, and distinguished himself … Read more

The Second Congregational Church of Keene New Hampshire

The Second Congregational church was organized October 16, 1867, with one hundred and twenty-three members, who had seceded from the First church for that purpose. The building and organ cost $35,000.00, and was completed, paid for, and dedicated September 16, 1869, when Rev. Joseph Allen Leach was installed as pastor. Mr. Leach is a native of Rockingham, Vermont, born April 15, 1836, graduated at Amherst college in 1861, at Andover Theological school in 1864, was commissioned chaplain of the 19th Regt. U. S. A., and first settled in Keene as a colleague of Dr. Barstow, at the close of the … Read more

Biography of John Symonds

John Symonds was born in Hancock, N. H., May 18, 1816, and spent his boyhood in that town. In 1836 he commenced work as an apprentice with Elijah Reed, at his tannery in Hancock, and was employed there and at other places till 1841, when he began the tanning business himself, at South Antrim. But before his tannery was well under way it was destroyed by fire. He lost everything and was left $500.00 in debt. He then went to Salem, where he worked at his trade for a time. In 1848 he removed to Marlow, N. H., when he … Read more

Samuel Woods Genealogy

I. Samuel1 Woods of Cambridge, Mass., b. abt. 1636; went to Groton, Mass., in 1662; d. in Groton, Mar. 19, 1712; m. in Cambridge, Mass., Sept. 28, 1659, Alice Rushton, b. abt. 1636. Seven ch.: the first b. in Cambridge, the others in Groton, Mass. II. Samuel2 Woods, son of Samuel1, I, b. Cambridge, Mass., Jan. 3, 1661; m. in Chelmsford, Mass., Dec. 30, 1685, Hannah Farwell, b. Chelmsford, Mass., Jan. 20, 1667-8; dau. of Joseph and Hannah (Learned) Farwell. She m. (2), Capt. Peter Joslin of Lancaster, Mass. Peter’s first wife was slain by the Indians who attacked her … Read more

Biography of Dr. Algernon Sidney Carpenter

Dr. Algernon Sidney Carpenter, son of Dr. Eber and Judith (Greene) Carpenter, was born in Alstead, N. H., October 16, 1814, and was descended from a family pre-eminently distinguished by the large number of skillful physicians it produced. He was educated in the common schools of his native town, and at Middlebury Medical college, from which he received the degree of M. D., in June, 1837. While acquiring his education he taught school in various places, and was, for a short time, in a store at Chesterfield. With the exception of a few years spent in Gardner and Northfield, Mass., … Read more

History of the Banks of Keene, New Hampshire

Cheshire National Bank.-The Cheshire Bank was chartered with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, by the state of New Hampshire in 180„ for a period of twenty years, or till 1824,-then till 1844,-and again till 1864, inclusive. The original corporators were judge Daniel Newcomb, Noah Cooke, Esq., and Elijah Dunbar, Esq. John G. Bond, Judge Newcombs sonin-law, procured most of the stock subscriptions, among which are the names of Samuel and Nathan Appleton, Eben Francis, Stephen Salsbury, John Bellows, Josiah Knapp and several others of Boston, Daniel Newcomb, John G. Bond, William Lamson, Moses Johnson, Alexander Ralston, Stephen Harrington, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Archibald Robertson

Archibald Robertson, born in Scotland, in 1708, emigrated to America in 1754 with his wife, Elizabeth, and children. He came to Chesterfield, and December 14, 1775, he was chosen to represent Chesterfield and Hinsdale in the provincial congress, that was to assemble at Exeter, the twenty-first of that same month, being the first person ever chosen by the town for such a purpose. James, son of Archibald, came to Chesterfield in 1762, married twice, first, Sarah Bancroft, and second, Mrs. Mary Snow. Ebenezer, one of his large family of children, was born July 7, 1787, married Phila, daughter of Samuel … Read more

Biography of John Colony

John Colony, son of a nobleman, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1730, and came to Boston when he was sixteen years of age. He had with him a bag of gold which was subsequently stolen from him, leaving him but four cents. After paying the toll to Charleston he had two cents left and had had no breakfast. He, however, obtained a half cord of wood to saw, thus enabling him to buy himself something to eat. He prospered, being willing to do any kind of work he could get to do. He came to Keene in 1761, and … Read more

Biography of Capt. Horace Truman Hanks Pierce

Captain Horace Truman Hanks Pierce, son of Ezekiel Porter Pierce and Susanna Porter, was born at Chesterfield, New Hampshire, February 22, 1822. He was brought up on the homestead farm, and -enjoyed such scholastic advantages as the common school and academy in Chesterfield afforded. He also pursued a partial course at Norwich University, Vt., which, in addition to the usual collegiate and scientific courses of study, imparted instruction in military tactics. Being naturally of a military turn of mind, he gave considerable attention to this branch study while in the university, and in after years turned his martial acquirements to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Spaulding

Thomas Spaulding, a native of New Ipswich, Mass., married Hannah Brown, of Concord, about s800. He was a carpenter by trade, and built the first church erected in Hancock, Hillsborough county. He moved to Dublin, from Hancock, and from there to Sullivan. He reared a family of ten children-seven sons and three daughters. Only one his children, Ashley, is living. He was born January 21, 1805, and lived upon the home farm sixtysix years. He married, for his first wife, Clarissa Keith, who bore him two children, and for his second wife, Sallie Davis, who bore him three children. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hezekiah Munsell

Hezekiah Munsell, who was at the battle of Bunker Hill, married Irene Byssell, and reared eleven children. Elisha, his seventh son, served in the war -of 1812, married twice, first, Polly Hurd, second, Lucy C. Sibley, and had born to him twelve children. Six are now living, and his widow resides in Keene.

Biographical Sketch of William S. Briggs

William S. Briggs is the great-grandson of Eliphalet Briggs, also of Jeremiah Stiles, both early and prominent settlers of Keene. He is grandson of Eliphalet Briggs, and son of Eliphalet Briggs. He was born September 17, 1817, and for many years was engaged in the cabinet and furniture business He represented Keene in the legislature in 7862 and 1863, and has since been a member of the house of representatives. He has been a trustee of Keene academy and Cheshire provident institution twenty-five years, and is a director of the Cheshire National bank. From his long residence, observing turn of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Nourse

Benjamin Nourse came to this town, from Rutland, Mass., in 1790, and located upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Luther Nourse, on road 17. He reared a family of ten children,-six sons and four daughters. He died here in 1840, aged ninety-six years, and his wife, whose age was ninetythree years, was buried on the same day. His son, Phineas, who was born in Rutland, Mass., December 25, 1775, came here with his father in 1790. He married Anna Thompson, of Keene, and had born to him twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, Eleven grew to maturity … Read more

Military History of Keene, New Hampshire

During the period of the Revolution, Keene performed her part faithfully. In 1773 the foot company of Keene numbered 126, under command of Col.. Josiah Willard. The alarm list, numbering forty-five, seems to have been made up of the older men, including many of the original settlers; the selectmen of Keene, David Nims. Eliphalet Briggs, Jr., and Benjamin Hall, reported the following census for Keene : Unmarried men, from sixteen to sixty 65. Married men, from sixteen to sixty 96 Boys, sixteen years and under : 140• Men, sixty years and upwards : 1, Females, unmarried 217 Females, married 105. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frederick Metcalf

Frederick Metcalf was born in Keene, June i 1, 1769. He married Esther Dwinell and reared a family of eleven children-five sons and six daughters. Four of these, Alvah E., Edwin G., William and Mary E., are living and reside in Keene. Mr. Metcalf died September 16, 1849. His wife died February 27, 1847. Mary E. married Arba Kidder and is now a widow. Alvah E. was born October 30, 1813, married Harriet Willis, of Alstead, and has had six children, only two of whom are living. Of these, Alice married C. H. Clark, and Hattie M, resides at home. … Read more

Phineas Wright Genealogy

Phinehas Wright of Hartford, Conn., m. Zilpha Cooper of Westmoreland, N. H., settled at Walpole and removed to Keene abt. 1796. Caleb2 Wright, son of Phinehas, b. Feb. 15, 1794, d. Keene, Nov. 21, 1869; m. Dec. 7, 1815, Sarah Reed, b. Surry, July 14, 1796, d. Keene, Nov. 16, 1838. Among their fifteen children, was: Calvin3, b. Keene, Mar. 13, 1816; d. Gilsum, Feb. 16, 1907; m. Diantha Leborveau of Keene, and had six children. Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Wright lived in S., on the Old Kemp or John Dunn place for a few years, and had born here: … Read more