History of old Chester from 1719 to 1869

History of Old Chester title page

The *History of Old Chester from 1719 to 1869* by Benjamin Chase, published in 1869, offers a detailed account of the early settlement and development of Chester, New Hampshire. Compiled with the assistance of local historian Judge Samuel D. Bell, the book explores the town’s founding, genealogies, and significant events, using primary sources such as deeds, probate records, and personal diaries. Chase aimed to preserve the history and traditions of Chester’s early settlers while providing a comprehensive record for future generations. The work covers a broad range of topics, including religious, military, industrial, and genealogical history.

Abstractions from Huron County Ohio, Will Book A

Volume A, Huron County Wills to 1852

This volume is “Abstractions from Huron County Ohio, Will Book A.” These will abstractions cover the years from 1828 to 1852. They have been taken out of order as they appeared in the original volume and sorted by name. This abstraction was done by Henry Timman of Norwalk, Ohio, in 1960.

Shirley, Orville Dee – Obituary

Orville Dee Shirley, 79, of La Grande, died June 2, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Health Services. Cremation will take place at Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory in Baker City. Burial of the cremated remains will be later at the Enterprise Cemetery. Orville as born on Oct. 21, 1926, at Wallowa to Chet and Lady Clair Mabor Shirley. He lived at Enterprise until age 15 when the family moved to the Willamette Valley. He worked in the Oregon shipyards during the war. He later made his career in the timber industry as a log truck driver and millwright. He took a position … Read more

Shirley, Michael L. – Obituary

Union, Oregon Michel L. Shirley, 60, of Milton-Freewater and formerly of Union died Aug. 13 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Mr. Shirley was born Nov. 5, 1945, to Ancle L. and Eva M. Fulp Shirley in Tranquillity, Calif. He graduated from Union High School in 1963, and served in the Air Force specializing in computer systems. In 1966 he was assigned to NORAD Headquarters in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colo., where he received the Armed Forces Commendation Medal. He graduated from the USAAFSS NCO Academy, and finished … Read more

Shirley, Orville Dee – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Orville Dee Shirley, 79, of La Grande died June 2 at St. Elizabeth Health Services in Baker City. Burial will be at the Enterprise Cemetery. Gary’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Shirley was born Oct. 21, 1926, to Chet and Lady Clair Mabor Shirley in Wallowa. The family lived in Enterprise before moving to the Willamette Valley. He worked in the shipyards during World War II and later worked in the timber industry as a log-truck driver and millwright. He worked for Boise Cascade in La Grande until his retirement. He … Read more

Biography of John Shirley

John Shirley, one of Santa Ana’s most respected citizens, is a native of Hancock County, Ohio, born in 1835, and his parents were Daniel and Annie (Crow) Shirley, natives of Virginia. His father, a farmer and blacksmith, moved to Jackson County, Iowa, in 1850, and died there in 1872. When a lad the subject of this sketch drove an ox team across the plains to this State, and for the first several years here he followed mining at Placerville and other places till 1864, when he came with the soldiers to Southern California and Arizona. He enlisted in Company K, … Read more

Slave Narrative of Edd Shirley

Interviewer: Lenneth Jones Person Interviewed: Edd Shirley Location: Kentucky Age: 97 Occupation:  Janitor Monroe County. Folklore. (Lenneth Jones-242) [HW: Essay] Uncle Edd Shirley (97): Janitor at Tompkinsville Drug Co. and Hospital, Tompkinsville, Ky. [TR: Information moved from bottom of page.] Slaves: I am 97 years old and am still working as janitor and support my family. My father was a white man and my mother was a colored lady. I was owned three different times, or rather was sold to three different families. I was first owned by the Waldens; then I was sold to a man by the name of … Read more

Richard Dexter Genealogy, 1642-1904

Arms of Dexter

Being a history of the descendants of Richard Dexter of Malden, Massachusetts, from the notes of John Haven Dexter and original researches. Richard Dexter, who was admitted an inhabitant of Boston (New England), Feb. 28, 1642, came from within ten miles of the town of Slane, Co. Meath, Ireland, and belonged to a branch of that family of Dexter who were descendants of Richard de Excester, the Lord Justice of Ireland. He, with his wife Bridget, and three or more children, fled to England from the great Irish Massacre of the Protestants which commenced Oct. 27, 1641. When Richard Dexter and family left England and by what vessel, we are unable to state, but he could not have remained there long, as we know he was living at Boston prior to Feb. 28, 1642.

Narrative of Robert Eastburn – Indian Captivities

A Faithful Narrative of the Many Dangers and Sufferings, as well as wonderful and surprising deliverances, of Robert Eastburn, during his late captivity among the Indians. Written by Himself. Published at the earnest request of many persons, for the benefit of the Public. With a recommendatory Preface by the Rev. Gilbert Tennent. Psalms 24, 6, 7, and 193, 2, 4. Philadelphia: Printed. Boston: Reprinted and sold by Green & Russell, opposite the Probate Office in Queen street, 1753. Preface Candid Reader: The author (and subject) of the ensuing narrative (who is a deacon of our church, and has been so … Read more

Seneca County New York Biographies

Seneca County History Newsletter Drawing

In the 1980’s a series of newsletters were published four times a year by Seneca County NY featuring historical information concerning Seneca county and her past residents. The current historian for Seneca County placed these online using PDF files. One of the main features of each edition were biographical sketches of early settlers of Seneca County. This is a list of those biographical sketches linked to the pdf copy of the newsletter.

Biographical Sketch of John Shirley

John Shirley, a soldier of the Revolution, was born on board ship coming from England, and was brought up in Boston. He came to Fitzwilliam about 1780, settling in the village, and married Submit Bogle, of Sudbury, Mass. He reared a family of nine children, and died at the age of ninety-three, in the house where his grandson, William H., now lives. His son, Henry, was born in the town, held the office of selectman several years, and died at the same place his father did, at the age of seventy-two. William H., son of Henry, was born in the … Read more