USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 28
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 28
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Oscar Coolidge, 1836 to 1838.
Nelson W. Herriek, 1839 to 1842.
Warham R. Platts, 1843 to 1844.
Sumner Warren, 1845.
Harvey Carpenter, 1846 to 1848.
John O. French, 1849 to 1852.
Henry O. Coolidge, 1853.
Arza K. Clark, 1854.
Henry O. Coolidge, 1855 to 1867.
Hermon C. Harvey, 1868.
Henry O. Coolidge, 1869.
Hermon C. Harvey, 1870 to 1873.
Murray Davis, 1874 to 1875.
Edward P. F. Dearborn, 1876.
Hermon C. Harvey, 1877 to 1882.
James H. Goodrich (2d), 1883 to the present time.
SELECTMEN OF CHESTERFIELD (1767-1885).
1767 .- Simon Davis, John Snow, Jonathan Hil- dreth, Eleazer Cobleigh, Ebenezer Davison.
1768-69 .- No record.
1770 .- Jonathan Hildreth, Silas Thompson, Elka-
nah Day, Thomas Emmons, Nathaniel Bingham.
1771 .- Moses Smith, David Stoddard, Timothy Ladd.
1772 .- Same as in 1771.
1773 .- Zerubbabel Snow, Ephraim Baldwin, Mar- tin Warner.
1774 .- Same as in 1773.
1775 .- Nathaniel Bingham, Ephraim Hubbard, Stephen Carter, Moses Smith, Jr., John Davison.
1776 .- Ephraim Baldwin, Michael Cressey, Sam- uel Hildreth, Moses Smith, Jr., Ephraim Hubbard.
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1777 .- Samuel Fairbanks, Elisha Rockwood, James Robertson, Nathaniel Bingham, Jonathan Farr (2d).
1778 .- Samuel Hildreth, Moses Smith, Abner Johnson, Kimball Carlton, Jacob Hinds.
1779 .- Jonathan Hildreth, Oliver Cobleigh, War- ren Snow.
1780 .- Michael Cressey, Elisha Rockwood, Andrew Hastings.
1781 .- Moses Smith, Jr., Abner Johnson, Samuel King [Jr.].
1782 .- Samuel King [Jr.], Jonas Fairbanks, Ab- ner Johnson, Moses Smith, Eleazer Jackson.
1783 .- Ebenezer Harvey, Eleazer Pomeroy, Elea- zer Jackson, Captain - Davis, Lieutenant Fletcher.
1784 .- Benjamin Haskell, Peter Stone, Amos Hub- bard.
1785 .- Paul Eager, Jacob Amidon, Reuben Graves.
1786 .- Martin Warner, William Hildreth, Ezra Day.
1787 .- Eleazer Jackson, Michael Cressey, Benja- min Haskell.
1788 .- Eleazer Jackson, Benjamin Haskell, Silas Richardson.
1789 .- Moses Smith, Abner Johnson, Solomon Harvey.
1790 .- Same as in 1789.
1791 .- Same as in 1789.
1792 .- Solomon Harvey, John Braley, James Wheeler.
1793 .- Eleazer Jackson, Peter Stone, Silas Rich- ardson.
1794 .- Same as in 1793.
1795 .- Eleazer Jackson, Silas Richardson, Asahel Shurtleff.
1796 .- Eleazer Jackson, Silas Richardson, David Stoddard.
1797 .- Michael Cressey, Jacob Amidon, Abraham Stearns.
1798 .- Joseph Atherton, Benjamin Haskell, Oliver Brown.
1799 .- Same as in 1798.
1800 .- Eleazer Jackson, James Wheeler, Asahel Shurtleff.
1801 .- James Wheeler, Asahel Shurtleff, Joseph Pattridge.
1802 .- Martin Pomeroy, Joseph Pattridge, John Day.
1803 .- Joseph Pattridge, John Day, Ebenezer Har- vey.
1804 .- John Day, Ebenezer Harvey, Jr., Wilkes Richardson.
1805 .- Same as in 1804.
1806 .- John Kneeland, Abraham Stearns, Josialı Hastings, Jr.
1807 .- Same as in 1806.
1808 .- John Kneeland, John Putnam, Amasa Makepeace.
1809 .- John Putnam, Joseph Atherton, Benjamin Cook.
1810 .- John Kneeland, Amasa Makepeace, Josiah Hastings.
1811 .- Joseph Atherton, Oliver Brown, Phineas Handerson.
1812 .- John Kneeland, Oliver Brown, Levi Jack- son.
1813 .- Same as in 1812.
1814 .- Same as in 1812.
1815 .- John Kneeland, Elijah Scott, Asa Fullam.
1816 .-- John Kneeland, Joseph Pattridge, Elijah Scott.
1817 .- Joseph Pattridge, Benjamin Cook, John Day.
1818 .- Benjamin Cook, John Day, Robert L. Hurd. 1819 .- Same as in 1818.
1820 .- John Kneeland, John Putnam, Robert L. Hurd.
1821 .- John Kneeland, John Putnam, Nathan Wild.
1822 .- John Kneeland, Nathan Wild, Nathaniel Walton.
1823 .- Same as in 1822.
1824 .- Same as in 1822.
1825 .- Same as in 1822.
1826 .- John Kneeland, John Putnam, Orlo Rich- ardson.
1827 .- Orlo Richardson, Ezekiel P. Pierce, Na- thaniel Walton.
1828 .- Orlo Richardson, Otis Amidon, Nathaniel Walton.
1829 .- Nathaniel Walton, Otis Amidon, Abishai Wetherbee.
1830 .- Otis Amidon, Abishai Wetherbee, John Harris.
1831 .- John Harris, Otis Amidon, Joseph Holden. 1832 .- Joseph Holden, Moses Dudley, John Har- ris.
1833 .- Moses Dudley, Joseph Holden, Charles Con- verse.
1834 .- Nathaniel Walton, Charles Converse, Orlo Richardson.
1835 .- Orlo Richardson, Charles Converse, Moses Dudley.
1836 .- Ezra Titus, Asa Marsh, Samuel Goodrich. 1837 .- Samuel Goodrich, Chandler A. Cressey, Al- pheus Snow.
.
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CHESTERFIELD.
1838 .- Ara Hamilton, Chandler A. Cressey, Al- pheus Snow.
1839 .- Alpheus Snow, Reuben Marsh, Ara Hamil- ton.
1840 .- Ara Hamilton, Oscar Coolidge, Mark Cook. 1841 .- Same as in 1840.
1842 .- Sam'l Goodrich, Reuben Marsh, N. Walton.
1843 .- Ara Hamilton, Reuben Marsh, Nathaniel Walton.
1844 .- Nathaniel Walton, Reuben Marsh, Samuel Burt, Jr.
1845 .- Ara Hamilton, Alpheus Snow, Parker D. Cressey.
1846 .- Nathaniel Walton, Parker D. Cressey, Jo- seph C. Goodrich.
1847 .- Ezra Titus, Parker D. Cressey, Richard Hopkins, Jr.
1848 .- Samuel Burt, Jr., Warham R. Platts, Otis Wheeler.
1849 .- Alpheus Snow, Moses Dudley, Arad Fletcher. 1850 .- Chandler A. Cressey, Oscar Coolidge, Ben- jamin Pierce.
1851 .- Warham R. Platts, John M. Richardson, Sumner Albee.
1852 .- Joseph C. Goodrich, Arza K. Clark, George Chamberlain.
1853 .- Arza K. Clark, Alpheus Snow, Joseph C. Goodrich.
1854 .- James H. Goodrich, Reuben Porter, Asa Smith.
1855 .- Ebenezer P. Wetherell, Olney Goff, Ransom Farr.
1856 .- Arad Fletcher, John Heywood, John M. Richardson.
1857 .- Same as in 1856.
1858 .-- Arad Fletcher, Richard H. Hopkins, Wil- liam Clark.
1859 .- Same as in 1858.
1860 .- Rodney Fletcher, Henry O. Coolidge, Tru- man A. Stoddard.
1861 .- Same as in 1860.
1862 .- Rodney Fletcher, Charles C. P. Goodrich, George Goodrich.
1863 .- David W. Beckley, Arza K. Clark, Charles C. P. Goodrich.
1864 .- Same as in 1863.
1865 .- David W. Beckley, Henry O. Coolidge, Levi L. Colburn.
1866 .- Same as in 1865.
1867 .- Henry O. Coolidge, Eli R. Wellington, Frederick L. Stone.
1868 .- Samuel J. Pattridge, George Goodrich, John W. Davis.
1869 .- George Goodrich, John W. Davis, James H. Goodrich.
1870 .- James H. Goodrich, Johu B. Fisk, Murray Davis.
1871 .- George Goodrich, James H. Goodrich, Mur- ray Davis.
1872 .- Murray Davis, James H. Goodrich, Amos R. Hubbard.
1873 .- Murray Davis, Amos R. Hubbard, George S. Fletcher.
1874 .- James H. Goodrich (2d), George S. Fletcher, John W. Davis.
1875 .- James H. Goodrich (2d), John L. Streeter, George S. Fletcher.
1876 .- John L. Streeter, Amos R. Hubbard, Wil- liam Atherton.
1877 .- William Atherton, John L. Streeter, George Goodrich,
1878 .- William Atherton, Murray Davis, George Goodrich.
1879 .- Murray Davis, George Goodrich, David Holman.
1880 .- Same as in 1879.
1881 .- Murray Davis, Larkin D. Farr, David Hol- man.
1882 .- Same as in 1881.
1883 .- Same as in 1881.
1884 .- Larkin D. Farr, Hazelton Rice, David Hol- man.
1885 .- Larkin D. Farr, Warren H. Butler, William Atherton.
REPRESENTATIVES OF CHESTERFIELD IN THE GENERAL COURT (1775-1885).
1775. Archb. Robertson. 1790. Moses Smith.
1776. Michael Cressey. 1791. Moses Smith.
1777. Michael Cressey. 1792. Eleazer Jackson.
1778. Michael Cressey. 1793. Eleazer Jackson.
1779. Nath. Bingham.
1794. Simon Willard.
1780. None chosen.
1795. Simon Willard.
1796. Simon Willard.
1797. Eleazer Jackson.
1798. Simon Willard.
1799. Benjamin Haskell.
1800. Benjamin Haskell.
1801. Simon Willard.
1802. Simon Willard.
1803. Simon Willard. 1804. Simon Willard.
1805. Simon Willard.
1806. Simon Willard. 1807. Simon Willard. 1808. Levi Jackson.
1809. Levi Jackson. 1810. Levi Jackson.
1781. No representative in the New Hampshire Legislature, but Saml. King, Jr., and Silas Thompson represented the town in the Ver- mont Assembly.
1782. Samuel King [Jr.]. 1783. Samuel King [Jr. ]. 1784. Samuel King [Jr.]. 1785. Ebenezer Harvey.
1786. Moses Smith.
1787. Moses Smith.
1788. Moses Smith. 1789. Benjamin Haskell.
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1811. Levi Jackson.
1812. Phin. Handerson. 1813. Phin. Handerson.
1814. Benjamin Cook. 1815. Benjamin Cook. Phin. Handerson. 1816. Benjamin Cook. John Putnam.
1817. John Putnam. Joseph Atherton.
1818. John Putnam. John Kneeland. 1819. John Kneeland. Benjamin Cook. 1820. John Kneeland.
1821. Levi Jackson. 1822. John Kneeland.
1823. Ebenezer Stearns. 1824. Ebenezer Stearns. 1825. John Kneeland. 1826. John Putnam.
1827. Ezekiel P. Pierce.
1828. Orlo Richardson. 1829. Orlo Richardson. 1830. None chosen.
1831. Nathan Wild.
1832. Nathan Wild. 1833. Otis Amidon. 1834. Otis Amidon. 1835. Otis Amidon. 1836. Charles Converse.
1837. Charles Converse.
1838. Otis Amidon.
1839. Thomas Hardy. 1840. Oscar Coolidge. Ara Hamilton.
1841. Oscar Coolidge. Ara Hamilton.
1842. Jay Jackson. Edwin Sargent.
1843. Ara Hamilton.
1844. Jay Jackson. Nathaniel Walton.
1845. Ara Hamilton. John Pierce. 1846. Nathaniel Walton. Saml. J. Pattridge. 1847. None chosen. 1848. Harvey Carpenter. 1849. Alphous Snow. John Harris. 1850. John Harris. David Day.
1851. David Day.
1852. Harvey Carlton. Samıl. J. Pattridge.
1853. Jos. C. Goodrich. 1854. Jos. C. Goodrich. 1855. Ara Hamilton. 1856. Otis Amidon.
1857. Barton Skinner. 1858. Barton Skinner. 1859. Arad Fletcher.
1860. Arad Fletcher. 1861. J. M. Richardson. 1862. J. M. Richardson. 1863. C. C. P. Goodrich. 1864. C. C. P. Goodrich. 1865. Rich. H. Hopkins. 1866. Rich. Il. Hopkins. 1867. Henry O. Coolidge. 1868. Jas. H. Goodrich. 1869. Jas. H. Goodrich. 1870. Warren Bingham. 1871. George Goodrich. 1872. C. C. P. Goodrich. 1873. Gordis D. Harris. 1874. John F. Butler. 1875. John F. Butler. 1876. John Harris. 1877. John Harris.
1878. Oran E. Randall. 1879. Oran E. Randall.
1881. Murray Davis.
1883. John L. Streeter. 1885. W. A. Pattridge.
DELEGATES FROM CHESTERFIELD TO THE CONVEN- TIONS FOR REVISING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE.
In 1791, Eleazer Jackson; in 1850, Ara Hamilton and Moses Dudley ; in 1876, Jay Jackson.
Dr. Solomon Harvey was the delegate from Ches- terfield to the convention that adopted the Federal Constitution in 1788.
SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECK-LIST.
Eleazer Randall, James H. Goodrich, Russell H. Davis, chosen November, 1878.
John L. Streeter, Richard A. Webber, William Atherton, chosen November, 1880.
Rodney Fletcher, John L. Streeter, Richard A. Webber, chosen November, 1882.
Charles C. P. Goodrich, Amos R. Hubbard, Her- schel J. Fowler, chosen November, 1884.
MEMBERS OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE FROM CHESTERFIELD.
Levi Jackson, 1812, '13, '14, '15. Phineas Handerson, 1816, '17, '25, '31, '32.
Nathan Wild, 1833, '34. Murray Davis, 1885.
Levi Jackson was also a member of the Council in 1816, '17.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
JACOB AMIDON, born in Mendon, Mass., in 1753 or 1754, was in college at the time of the commencement of the Revolution, but soon en- listed in the patriot army, and served during the most of the war, with the exception of twenty- eight months, during which time he was detained a prisoner on a British prison-ship.
December 23, 1782, he purchased in Chester- field a portion of lot No. 5, in the eighth range, and probably settled in the town soon after- wards. He resided near the Centre village, on the farm afterwards owned and occupied many years by his son Otis, and built the house now owned by the Methodist Society of Chesterfield, and used as a parsonage. He probably engaged in trade for a while after coming to Chesterfield, as he was styled, in the deed of the land he had purchased in this town, a " trader." In 1785 he was chosen clerk of the town, and held the office, by successive elections, till 1800. He was also selectman in 1785 and 1797.
His wife was Esther, daughter of Timothy Ladd. She died March 26, 1852, in her ninetieth year. He died February 11, 1839, aged eighty-five years.
OTIS AMIDON, son of Jacob Amidon, born April 26, 1794, settled in Chesterfield, after his marriage, on the old homestead, and continued to reside here as long as he lived, engaging to some extent in agriculture, and, for a while, in trade at the Centre village. For many years he took a prominent part in the affairs of the
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CHESTERFIELD.
town and church, serving the former in the capacity of selectman in 1828, '29, '30 and '31, and representing it in the General Court in 1833, '34, '35, '38 and '56. For a long time, also, he held the office of justice of the peace, the duties of which he was well qualified to perform, and was one of the veteran "'Squires " of the town.
He married, in 1825, Nancy, daughter of Benjamin Cook, and had only one son that lived to adult age-Hon. Charles J. Amidon, now of Hinsdale. He died July 22, 1866.
JOSEPHI ATHERTON, son of Oliver Atherton, of Harvard, Mass., and a descendant of James Atherton, of Milton, Mass., was born August 15, 1750. He married, in 1771, Hannah Farnsworth, of Groton, Mass. June 28, 1794, he purchased, in Chesterfield, lots Nos. 11 and 12, in the fourth range, and soon after settled on one of them. The hill on which he lived, and on which he built a large dwelling, is now called " Atherton Hill." He was selectman in 1798, ': 9, 1809, '11, and representative in 1817. He died April 4, 1839, " honored and respected by his neighbors and townsmen."
DR. OLIVER BAKER, son of Dr. Oliver Baker, born in Plainfield August 16, 1788, studied medicine in the Medieal Department of Dart- mouth College, under Dr. Nathan Smith. In 1809 he settled in Chesterfield, where he prac- tised his profession till 1840. He then removed to West Hartford, Vt., where he remained about two years. He afterwards practiced in Plain- field, and in Windsor, Vt. He died at his daughter's home, in Plainfield, July 4, 1865.
EPHRAIM BALDWIN was in Chesterfield in 1763, in which year he bought land in this town. He was town clerk from 1770 to 1785, and selectman in 1773, '74, '76. He was also, for some time, justice of the peace. His name ap- pears for the last time on the tax-lists for 1790. (For an account of his citation before the New Hampshire Assembly, for alleged Toryism, see under " War of the Revolution).
NATHANIEL BINGHAM appears to have settled
in Chesterfield as early as 1767. In the deed of the land purchased by him in this town he was styled a "cooper." He lived on Wetherbee Hill, a short distance north of the Centre village. He was selectman in 1770, '75 and '77 ; representative in 1779. (For an account of his arrest and imprisonment by Vermont officers, etc., see under "Controversy about the New Hampshire Grants "). He died April 26, 1802, in his seventy seventh year.
ASA BRITTON, born in Raynham, Mass., April 30, 1763, settled in Chesterfield in 1790 or 1791, near Spafford's Lake. From this farm Mr. Britton removed to Chesterfield village about the year 1805, where for many years he was an active, energetic business man, merchant, sheriff, farmer, postmaster and justice of the peace. His business career was a successful one, and he acquired what in the country, in those early days, was considered a large property, which he enjoyed, and bestowed freely upon others, until past middle age. Soon after the year 1815 he met with business reverses, caused by the ab- sconding of two successive partners. Old Mrs. Britton, in after-days, used to tell with much gusto a story connected with this fact. Mr. Britton, or " Esquire Britton," as he was called, was a tall, large man, weighing, perhaps, two hundred pounds, and his success, of course, made him enemies as well as friends. On the occasion of the decamping of the second of his partners, while the village was ringing with the news of the gutted store and money-box, a party of gamins, instigated by the enemy, set the church-bell also ringing, and above the noise and confusion of the crowd, which the sound of the bell at that unusual hour had collected, was heard the ery, ever louder and louder, " Great Britton has fallen ! Great Britton has fallen !" Mr. Britton died in Chesterfield, June 30, 1849.
CAPT. WILLIAM S. BROOKS, born in Med- ford, Mass., March 5, 1781, went on a voyage at sea with his unele at the age of nine years. He was in France during the French Revolu- tion, and also at the time Napoleon the First
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
was at the height of his power. Once, when in the Cove of Cork, he was pressed into the English navy, and served six months in the royal frigate " Diamond." At another time, while cruising in the English Channel, he was captured twice in one day-first by the Eng- lish and then by the French. By the latter he died March 4, 1862, having survived his wife was retained in prison six months, a part of but a few hours. which time was occupied in making sails for His son, Henry O. Coolidge, resided many years in Chesterfield, but removed to Keene in 1869. He is cashier of the Ashuelot National Bank, of that city, and register of Probate for Cheshire County. French ships. On his return from France, President John Adams appointed him a lieuten- ant in the navy, which office he declined. He was engaged for some time in commerce, as com- mander of a merchant-vessels at a period when the American flag did not always command of foreign nations the respeet that it now does, and many were the adventures and " hair-breadth 'scapes " that he used to relate in the later years of his life.
On retiring from the sea, he settled at Cam- bridge, Mass., where he was postmaster four years. In August, 1821, he came to Chester- field, and engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods at Factory village, in which business he continued till 1850. In 1839, however, he removed to Brattleborough, but still retained his connection with the factory. He married, in 1807, Eleanor Forman, of Middletown, N. J. He died in Brattleborough, Vt., April, 1865.
CHARLES CONVERSE, son of Joseph Converse, and a descendant of Deacon Edward Con- verse, of Charlestown, Mass., was born Decem- ber 30, 1788. He spent the most of his life in Chesterfield, engaged in farming. For many years he was a justice of the peace, and held the office of selectman in 1833-35. He was also representative in the General Court in 1836-37. He died September 18, 1858.
OSCAR COOLIDGE, son of Abraham Coolidge, of Marlborough, born July 22, 1798, settled in Chesterfield about 1824. He married, in 1824, Lovina Rockwood, of Fitzwilliam. For a period of about eleven years (till 1835) he was engaged in trade at the West village. He then removed to the Centre village, where
he continued in the same business till his death, with the exception of one year, when he was in trade at Factory village. He also took an active part in the affairs of the town, and was selectman in 1840, 1841 and 1850; town clerk, 1836-38 ; representative, 1840 and 1841. He
AMos CROUCH, born in 1769, son of John Crouch, of Boxborough, Mass., afterwards of Chesterfield, settled in this town in 1802 or 1803. In his youth he had no opportunity to attend school; nevertheless, he learned to read and to write his name. In his early manhood he had to contend with poverty and adversity, but by hard labor and exteme prudence suc- ceeded in gaining some property. He was noted for his promptness in paying his debts, and with him " the ' first ' of the month was always the first day." A strict observer of the Sab- bath himself, he brought up his children to attend church, and would not allow them to play or visit on that day. He was married three times. He died August 18, 1861.
JOHN DARLING, from Winchendon, Mass., appears to have settled in Chesterfield in 1778, in which year he bought land here.
He was one of the party that made the famous march to Quebec in 1775, under com- mand of Benedict Arnold, through the wilder- ness of Maine. On this march the men suffered extremely from cold and hunger. John used to relate that, having one day found the leg of a dog that had been killed for food, he scorched off the hair and ate every morsel of flesh and skin that he could get from it. He declared that he never ate anything in his life that tasted better! At one time, while in the army, he came near dying of small-pox. He probably settled in Chesterfield soon after buying his land
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CHESTERFIELD.
he and his wife (according to a tradition in the family) coming from Winchendon on foot. His first wife (Sarah Blood, of Groton, Mass.) died in 1804. He afterwards married twice. He was an active, enterprising man, and at one time owned an extensive tract of timber-land in the " Winchester woods," from which he cut large quantities of lumber, sawing it in a mill erected for that purpose, then drawing it to the Con- necticut and rafting it down to Hartford. He died March 28, 1824, in his seventy-third year.
SAMUEL DAVIS settled in Chesterfield as early as 1766. There are reasons for believing that he was the son of Samuel Davis, of Lunen- burgh, Mass., who was probably one of the grantees of Chesterfield. He owned much land in Chesterfield at different times, having pos- session, at one time, of a part of the "Governor's farm." (For the part that he took in the con- troversy about the "New Hampshire Grants," and for an account of his attempt to break up the Inferior Court at Keene, see under "Con- troversy about the New Hampshire Grants ").
He appears to have removed from this town about 1790.
SAMUEL FAIRBANKS was in Chesterfield in 1776, which year he signed the " Association Test."
He was one of the town Committee of Safety, and appears to have been one of the most zealous patriots in the town. He was also selectman in 1777. In his will, made August 9, 1787, and proved June 16, 1790, he bequeathed all his property to his wife, for the support of his children, and named his son Zenas sole executor. He died April 14, 1790, in his seventy-first year.
MARSHALL H. FARR, son of Ora Farr, born in Chesterfield January 16, 1817, was a car- penter by trade, and resided in Chesterfield till 1854, when he removed to Canada West (Ontario), where he engaged extensively in the construction of railway and other buildings. March 12, 1857, the train on which he was riding was precipitated into the Des Jardins
Canal by the breaking of a bridge, near Hamilton, P. O., and he received injuries that caused his death in a few hours.
DENNIE W. FARR, son of Worcester and Abial (Kneeland) Farr, born in Chesterfield January 7, 1840, was serving as a clerk in a store in Brattleborough, Vt., when the Civil War broke out. He soon enlisted in the Fourth Regiment of Vermont Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned second lieutenant. August 13, 1862, he was commissioned captain of Company C, in the same regiment, in which capacity he served with honor. At the battle of the Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864, he was killed by a shot that struck him in the head.
THOMAS FISK, born 1774, son of John Fisk, of Framingham, Mass., and a descendant of Nathaniel Fisk, who came from England, came to Chesterfield in 1807, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his son, John B. Fisk, Esq., building the large house in which the latter now lives. When about two years old he had an attack of scarlet fever, which caused him to be deaf and, consequently, dumb. He learned, nevertheless, to read, and to cipher in the four fundamental rules of arithmetic. At the age of fifty years he was admitted to the school for deaf-mutes, at Hartford, Conn., for the term of one year. He made rapid progress, and acquired knowledge that was of great use to him during the remaining years of his life. His wife was Lucinda Trowbridge, of Pomfret, Conn. He died July 25, 1861.
SAMUEL GOODRICH, born in Fitchburg, Mass., September 6, 1788, settled in Chesterfield in 1813, on the farm now owned and oc- cupied by Willard Henry, and where he con- tinued to reside till his death. He was a man of great industry and perseverance, and his life was one of ceaseless activity. Though not an extensive farmer, in comparison with some, he was nevertheless a successful one; and his suc- cess in this respect is a fine illustration of what intelligent and well-directed effort can accom- plish in overcoming natural obstacles.
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
His wife was Hannah Cain, of Weymouth, Mass. In 1836, '37 and '42 he held the office of seleetman. He died Jannary 1, 1877.
DAVID W. GOODRICH, from Gill, Mass., settled in Chesterfield about 1810. He was a cloth- dresser by trade, and had a mill on Catsbane Brook, at the West village. After following his trade for some years, he engaged in farming. His wife was Salome, daughter of Benjamin Wheeler. He died at the "Kneeland place " (now owned and occupied by his son, Charles C. P. Goodrich, Esq.), March 22, 1857.
WILLIAM HAILE, son of John and Eunice (Henry) Haile, was born in Putney, Vt., May, 1807. At the age of about fourteen years he came to this town with his parents, but was soon afterwards taken into the family of Ezekiel P. Pierce, Sr., with whom he lived till he was about twenty-one years old. Having attended school about two years, he entered, in 1823, Mr. Pierce's store as a clerk. In 1827 or 1828 he borrowed a small sum of money and opened a store on his own account at the Centre village. With characteristic sagacity, he soon foresaw, however, that Hinsdale was destined to become a busy and thriving town on account of the abundance of power furnished by the Ashuelot River. He therefore, in 1834 or 1835, re- moved to that town, where he continued to en- gage in mercantile pursnits until 1846, when he became interested in the lumber business. In 1849 he began, as a member of the firm of Haile & Todd, the manufacture of cashmerettes. Afterwards the name of the firm was changed to that of Haile, Frost & Co., by which name it is known at present.
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