History
History and Genealogy of Baltimore Vermont
Annie M. Pollard’s 1954 work provides a detailed examination of Baltimore, Vermont’s history, tracing its origins as a part of Cavendish until its independence in 1793 due to geographic challenges. The book explores the town’s early years, highlighting the development of industry, education, infrastructure, and social welfare through town records and personal narratives. Pollard’s dedication as a public servant and her interest in local genealogy enrich the account, painting a picture of a resilient rural community with a unique identity shaped by its small size and self-reliance.
History of Pembroke New Hampshire
Nathan Carter and Trueworthy Ladd’s “History of Pembroke, N.H. 1730-1895” chronicles the town’s journey from its early settlement as Suncook to the close of the nineteenth century. Documenting key events and societal developments year by year, the authors emphasize accuracy and detail, covering land divisions, local conflicts, and the town’s involvement in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The volume preserves vital records and offers insight into Pembroke’s public life, industries, religious institutions, and education, establishing a comprehensive reference for its historical narrative.
History of Rindge New Hampshire
The History of the Town of Rindge, New Hampshire by Ezra S. Stearns, was published in 1875, and covers the period from the original Rowley Canada grant or Massachusetts charter through the year 1874. Stearns traces the legal, territorial, and institutional development of Rindge, beginning with colonial land grants and boundary disputes and proceeding through settlement, incorporation into a town and development into a small manufacturing hub. More than half the volume is devoted to genealogical material. The genealogical register of Rindge families includes thousands of names compiled from a wide range of sources and assisted by contributions from residents and researchers beyond the town.
History of Newport New Hampshire
The History of Newport, New Hampshire, from 1766 to 1878 is a record of Newport’s growth from its early settlement through the close of the nineteenth century. It opens with the original charter and proprietary arrangements and follows the development of Newport’s physical setting, transportation routes, and economy. Particular attention is given to mills, banks, hotels, manufacturing, and the coming of the railroad, all of which shaped the town’s commercial life. The concluding genealogical section identifies families connected with Newport and other chapters provide biographical details that might otherwise be lost.
History of the Townley-Lawrence-Chase estates in England
This book compiles historical documents, legal abstracts, and personal accounts related to the Townley-Lawrence-Chase estates, purportedly a significant unclaimed fortune at the Bank of England. It examines the American claimants tracing their ancestry to figures like Sir Robert Lawrence and Mary Townley. While personal narratives suggest valid connections, the text also critically investigates these claims, providing evidence from researchers that many assertions are unfounded or fraudulent. It highlights the genuine lineage of the Townley family and disputes the existence of the alleged unclaimed wealth.
Sowams
Sowams,” authored by Thomas Williams Bicknell in 1908, delves into the history of the ancient proprietary known as Sowams, encompassing Native leadership under Massassoit and early colonial settlement dynamics that shaped Barrington, Rhode Island, and surrounding areas. Drawing from over forty years of research, Bicknell includes primary records from the proprietary, showcasing the region’s governance, land ownership, and the founding of the First Baptist Church of Massachusetts. This comprehensive work serves as a vital resource for lawyers, historians, and general readers interested in colonial life and legal frameworks of the time.
Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society
The Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society is a 15 publication series documenting the state’s history through various primary sources, including manuscripts, letters, and public records. It collates valuable narratives that were previously difficult to access, providing insight into events, individuals, and communities in New Hampshire. Each volume offers focused topics and historical analyses, and most volumes contain individual indexes.
History of Stratford New Hampshire
The “History of the Town of Stratford, New Hampshire, 1773–1925,” edited by Jeannette Richardson Thompson, compiles decades of historical research prompted by Rev. Lucius W. Prescott. Initially prepared for publication in the late 19th century, the work was serialized before being comprehensively revised and published in 1925 for Stratford’s 150th anniversary. It documents the town’s settlement, demographics, and significant events, drawing from original records and community contributions while ensuring preservation of historical narratives and genealogical information for future generations.
Samuel Lane’s Journal, 1739-1803
Samuel Lane’s journal, covering 1739 to 1803, chronicles the life of a New Hampshire resident who experienced the colonial, Revolutionary, and early national periods. Lane transitioned from farming to various professions, including tanner and shoemaker, while actively participating in community roles. His meticulously kept journal captures local and national events, personal reflections, and societal changes. Edited by Charles Lane Hansen in 1937, it serves as a crucial primary source, offering insights into the daily life, hardships, and resilience of 18th-century New England.
History of Shelburne New Hampshire
Mrs. R. P. Peabody’s *History of Shelburne, New Hampshire*, published in 1882, chronicles the town’s evolution from its 1770 colonial land grant to the late 19th century. The narrative is divided into two parts, detailing the region’s topography, original settlers, and key economic developments such as the Shelburne Lead Mine. Peabody illustrates the challenges of frontier life, highlighting significant events, community structures, and the transition brought by the Grand Trunk Railroad, thus preserving the town’s heritage amidst population decline.
History of Shelburne Massachusetts
The “History and Tradition of Shelburne, Massachusetts” is an account of the town’s development, initiated by a community effort in 1944. The project culminated in 1958 after various committees worked to collect and organize information across multiple aspects, including geology, early settlement, and cultural life. The book, intentionally topical rather than genealogical, features contributions from numerous writers and serves as a reference for understanding Shelburne’s heritage, institutions, and notable figures.
History and Genealogy of Hartford Vermont
History of Hartford, Vermont, July 4, 1761–April 4, 1889, published in 1889, is a comprehensive town history compiled by William Howard Tucker and issued by The Free Press Association of Burlington. The work covers the period from the chartering of Hartford in 1761, shortly after the close of the French and Indian War, through the late nineteenth century. It was undertaken to preserve, in permanent form, the documentary and narrative record of the town’s origin, settlement, organization, and development. It also includes biographical sketches and extended genealogies of prominent Hartford families, along with an 1889 business directory and detailed indexes.
An address delivered at Acton MA 1835
In this historical address, Josiah Adams commemorates the centennial anniversary of Acton Massachusetts incorporation, transitioning from a municipal chronicle to a fervent defense of the town’s Revolutionary legacy. The first half of the text details the founding of Acton in 1735, tracing the establishment of its church, the evolution of its local school system, and the leadership of early town officials. However, the narrative shifts its focus toward a spirited dispute regarding the Concord Fight of 1775, specifically aiming to correct historical accounts that Adams believes overlook the heroism of Acton’s minute-men. He places Captain Isaac Davis at the heart of the conflict, asserting that Davis and his company intentionally took the lead position in the march to the North Bridge, where the Captain ultimately became one of the first to fall. Through detailed survivor depositions and local records, Adams seeks to reclaim Acton’s rightful place in the national memory, emphasizing that the resistance to British authority was defined by the bravery and ultimate sacrifice of his townsmen.
History of the town of Acton Massachusetts
Acton’s story is laid out here as a careful account of how the town grew from a 17th century land grant tied to Concord into an independent community by 1735. Rather than listing events and dates, the author looks closely at the lives of leading families and early freemen, showing how daily concerns shaped the town’s course. The narrative gives special attention to the role of the church, disputes over land and authority during the time of royal governors such as Sir Edmund Andros, and the practical work of putting up meetinghouses and schools in a frontier setting. Drawing on deeds, ministerial agreements, and other early records, and mixing in bits of local tradition such as the tale of the “Count of the Rocky Guzzle,” the book captures something of the character and customs of the period.
Men and Things of Exeter New Hampshire
Men and Things of Exeter New Hampshire provides a detailed record of the early settlement and social evolution of Exeter, New Hampshire, tracing its origins from the 1638 arrival of Rev. John Wheelwright. The text documents the town’s revolutionary spirit, highlighting its transition from a vulnerable frontier outpost to a patriot headquarters where citizens actively resisted British authority. A significant portion of the work is dedicated to the intellectual and religious landscape, cataloging the progression of the local printing press and the complex internal schisms of various ecclesiastical societies. By blending genealogical facts with anecdotes of popular uprisings and visits from figures like George Washington, the author preserves the material history of the community for future generations.
Notable events in the history of Dover, New Hampshire
Notable events in the history of Dover, New Hampshire chronicles the evolution of Dover from its initial colonial roots in 1623 through the conclusion of the American Civil War. The text serves as a connected and accessible archive of local milestones, beginning with the obscurity of the first settlement at Hilton’s Point and moving through the town’s early reliance on fishing, trading, and agriculture. Structurally, the source follows a chronological timeline that highlights shifting governance, including the town’s voluntary union with the Massachusetts colony and its eventual integration into the Province of New Hampshire.
Massachusetts Bay Records 1628-1686
The “Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England” is a five-volume collection that documents the proceedings of the Massachusetts Bay Company and its early colonial government from 1628 to 1686. The first two volumes cover events leading to the 1630 charter transfer and subsequent General Court records. Later volumes encompass significant government activities until the provincial charter of 1692. The records have been carefully transcribed from fragile manuscripts to preserve original spelling and include supplemental indexes for key historical figures.
Massachusetts Bay Records 1674-1686
The fifth volume of the Massachusetts Bay Colony records spans from May 27, 1674, to the May session of 1686, capturing the proceedings of the General Court of Election in Boston. The manuscript, mainly penned by Secretary Edward Rawson, covers various topics including legal matters and community interactions, while presenting genealogical insights. The records are not strictly chronological and contain marginal notes for approximation. The volume features a comprehensive general index and an index of freemen, facilitating research into early colonial life.
Massachusetts Bay Records 1661-1674
The “Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England” is a five-volume edition documenting the original records of the Massachusetts Bay Company and early colonial governance. Volume IV, part II, contains General Court records from 1661 to 1674, includes various records and orders, and contains a list of freemen from 1661-1674. The work serves genealogical interests, offering insights into early colonial life, legal proceedings, and community interactions, all while preserving the original record’s character and annotations.