Sullivan County NH

Biography of John P. Rounsevel

John P. Rounsevel, formerly a well-known wool buyer of Claremont, was born in Unity, N.H., January 2, 1815, son of Royal and Betsey (Sweat) Rounsevel. Rounseville, the original spelling of the name, was changed to the present form by Joseph Rounsevel about the year 1768. In 1749 Thomas Rounseville wrote from Ottery St. Mary to Philip Rounseville, of England, who afterward came to this country. He settled in Freetown, Mass., and was called by the townspeople King Philip. His son Joseph, who, born January 3, 1737, died in 1827, went to Washington, N.H., between 1768 and 1772, from Middleboro, Mass., … Read more

Biography of John B. Moore

John B. Moore, a prosperous dairy farmer of Plainfield, Sullivan County, N.H., son of Hiram and Ruby (Silloway) Moore, was born in this town, April 9, 1849. His great – grandfather, William Moore, who was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, emigrated to America early in the eighteenth century, and became one of the first settlers in Pembroke, N.H. He was a Deacon of the Congregational church. James Moore, son of William, was a native of New Hampshire, but passed the greater part of his life in Vermont as a hard-working farmer. He was a noted tenor singer in his … Read more

Biography of Almon W. French

Almon W. French, of Plainfield, Sullivan County, represents the third generation of the Frenches in this town. The family is of English origin, and members of it were pioneers of New England. Its founder in Plainfield, Nathaniel French, the grandfather of Almon W., came here when about twenty-two years of age, at the time when much of the district was an unbroken wild. Having done his part in rendering the place habitable, he died at the age of eighty-nine. His wife, Alice Back French, had eight children, of whom one died in infancy. The others were: Liman, George, Hezekiah, John, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hon. Charles Rowell

HON. CHARLES ROWELL, son of Lemuel Rowell, removed from “Ryder Corner” to Allenstown, N. H., where he died Jan. 11, 1867, aged 82 years. He was intrusted with many civil offices. He was Selectman of his town twentyfour years, Justice of the Peace about the same number of years, a Representative to the State Legislature four years, County Treasurer two years, and State Senator two years. He had been an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist E. Church for fifty-eight years. EDMUND ROWELL, a brother of the preceding, studied medicine and settled in Merrimac County, where he died young. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David Putnam

DAVID PUTNAM and CALEB PUTNAM came to this town from Sutton, Mass., among the early emigrants, and settled on the south-east slope of the Pinnacle, in a locality long known as the ” Salt Box.” They were noted for a hardy constitution and great industry.

Biographical Sketch of Miranda Haven

MIRANDA HAVEN, youngest child of Rev. Jacob and Asenath Havea, was born March 8, 1799, married William Armes, Esq., of Stanstead, Canada East. They afterwards removed to Sherbrook, C. E., where he died and where his widow still remains. They had six children. ADELINE ASENATH married Samuel Tusk, of Sherbrook. MIRANDA married Thomas Goldsmith, a successful goldsmith at Troy, N. Y. ADELIA married John McNeil, and CALISTA Lemuel Farewell, both residing at Sherbrook. WILLIAM, the son, went to California.

Biography of Rewell J. Ellis

Rewell J. Ellis, a well-known Grand Army man and a prominent farmer of Cornish, was born at Brandon, Vt., September 5, 1840, son of Seneca and Aurilla (Bagley) Ellis. His grandfather was John Ellis, who married Margaret Holt, and was the father of Seneca and William Ellis. William, who was born at Shoreham, Vt., went West a number of years ago, and has not since been heard from. The family do not know whether he is living or not. Seneca Ellis was born at sea, July 26, 1809. He was educated in the schools at Brandon, Vt., and subsequently followed … Read more

Biography of Captain Harry C. Fay

Captain Harry C. Fay, editor-in-chief of the National Eagle, a bright and thoroughly up-to-date newspaper published in Claremont, was born in Richmond, Vt., November 30, 1830, son of Captain Nathan and Polly (Colby) Fay. Stephen Fay, his great-great-grandfather, was an early settler in Bennington, Vt., and was the father of eight children. His son John kept the Catamount Tavern, which during his day became a meeting-place for many great statesmen, who formed a legislative body, and held there meetings known as “Councils of Safety.” He, John, fell in the battle of Bennington. His son, Nathan Fay, served as a Colonel … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elias Powers

ELIAS POWERS, son of Major Abijah Powers, is a man of intelligence, a respected farmer, a lover of fun and story-telling, an adept at angling, trapping and bunting. He has served the town twice as selectman and has been county commissioner three years.

Biographical Sketch of Amos Hagar

AMOS HAGAR married Sarah Powers and settled on the Hagar place, opposite the C. K. Fletcher farm, and was the man from whom have descended the Hagars.

Biographical Sketch of John Cooper

JOHN COOPER, son of Dea. John Cooper, came to Croydon in 1770, and died March 20, 1832. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and was active in the affairs of the town-for nine years one of the selectmen.

Biographical Sketch of Adolphus Hall

ADOLPHUS HALL, only son of Amasa Hall, was born December 7, 1811; married Sally Leavitt, daughter of Dudley, and sister of Dr. Nathaniel Leavitt. Like his father he was a successful business man. He was bred a farmer, but since 1861 has been engaged in mercantile business. He was Selectman of Grantham in 1859 and 1862, Representative in 1860 and 1861, and County Treasurer in 1865 and 1866.

Biography of Aaron L. Brown

Aaron L. Brown, of North Grantham, the second representative of his family in the ownership of his farm, was born February 1, 1828, son of Jonathan and Mehitable (Stevens) Brown. The family name is well known in every country where the English language is spoken. In America Browns have been prominent statesmen, educators, and soldiers. Jonathan Brown, the great-grandfather of Aaron L., was a patriot soldier of the Revolution. He was the first ancestor of this family to come to this country. His son, Jonathan Brown, Jr., was the first of the family to settle in the town of Grantham. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dennis Powers

DENNIS POWERS, son of David Powers, was born May 24, 1808; graduated from Amherst College, Mass., in 1835, and from Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass., in 1838. He was ordained and settled over the Congregational church and society of East Randolph, Mass., December 5, 1838. At his own request he was dismissed from this church and people April 15, 1841. On the 29th of September, 1842, he was installed as pastor of the church and society of South Abington, Mass., and remained there until 1850, when he accepted an appointment to an office under President Fillmore, and removed to the … Read more

Biography of Amos Richardson

Amos Richardson, an influential resident of Cornish, was born here, November 27, 1817, son of Amos and Sophia (Cummings) Richardson. He is a descendant of Dr. Amos Richardson, who was a physician of note in Pelham, N.H. Dr. Amos’s son, Joseph, was grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Joseph’s children were: Miriam, Joseph, David, Josiah, Sarah, Mercy, Rebecca, and Amos. Miriam, now deceased, was the wife of Joshua Wyman, of Pelham, and the mother of seven children; Joseph married Polly Hilliard, of Cornish, and had a family of twelve children; David, now deceased, married Sarah Ford, and was the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Pliny Hall

PLINY HALL, son of Martin, born September 21, 1817, was a farmer until he was twenty-one; a clerk in the store twelve years; was U. S. assistant census marshal in 1850, 1870 and 1880; representative in 1851 and 1852, and county treasurer in 1855 and. 1856; U. S. enrolling officer in 1864, and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1876. Died January 15, 1881.

Biographical Sketch of Horace Powers

Horace Powers, from Croydon, N. H., came to this town in 1832. He first located at the Four Corners, where he remained until 1856, then removed to Morrisville, where he died, in December, 1867. He was a physician and surgeon by profession, and practiced until his death. In 1833, he married Love E. Gillman, who still survives him, and who bore to him three children two sons and a daughter. The daughter died when only three years of age. George E. was a sergeant in Co. E, 3d Vt. Vols., and died of diphtheria, February 6, 1862, while home on … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Orren Osgood

Orren Osgood, a substantial farmer of Newport, was born there, June 22, 1818, son of Lemuel and Hannah (Spaulding) Osgood. His grandfather, William Osgood, one of the early settlers of the district, took up a farm and built a log house when the place was still a part of the wilderness and was infested by bears. The log house was destroyed by fire, and another wooden structure was built, in which the family afterward lived. The same building is now standing, and is used as a wagon-house at the present time. William was industrious and persevering, and added fifty acres … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Powers

JAMES POWERS, son of Ezekiel Powers, senior, was an extensive dealer in stock and other property; was a sheriff, a ready wit, and a natural poet.

Biographical Sketch of Orlando Powers

ORLANDO POWERS was born May 5, 1810. In 1832 he removed to Cornish Flat, where he now resides. He has been town clerk of Cornish seven years; was representative in 1844 and county treasurer in 1849-50. He has also been postmaster at Cornish Flat.