USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Swanzey > The history of Swanzey, New Hampshire, from 1734 to 1890 > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
DANIEL3 WOODWARD (Isaac,2 Ichabod1), b. Oct. 14, 1788 ; m. Feb. 16, 1815, Lucy Ball ; d. April 13, 1866. Children : David, b. Sept. 29, 1815. Mary, m. Jesse W. Murphy.
JOHN3 WOODWARD (Isaac,2 Ichabod1), b. July 23, 1792; m. Jan. 17, 1822, Rebecca (b. March 3, 1797 ; d. Oct. 12, 1871), daughter of Ezekiel Osgood ; d. Dec. 15, 1867. Children : Ezekiel P., b. July 7, 1822. Jolın B., b. Aug. 13, 1825 ; resides in Penn. Elisha O., b. Aug. 15, 1828, lives in Marlboro'. Ellen R., b. Sept. 8, 1834; m. Walter Mann ; d. Dec. 15, 1870. Clara S., b. April 19, 1838. Ar- villa A., b. April 4, 1840 ; d. Nov. 18, 1865.
WILLIAM3 WOODWARD (Isaac,2 Ichabod1), b. April 8, 1799 ; m. Betsey, daughter of Joseph Starkey ; d. June 4, 1885. Children : William D., lived and d. in Minn. Eliza, m. Sylvander L. Whit- comb. Rowena, m. Josephus Handy.
DAVID4 WOODWARD (Daniel,3 Isaac,2 Ichabod1), b. Sept. 29, 1815; m. Lucretia Alexander (b. Sept. 11, 1818) of Troy ; d. June, 1856.
-
502
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
Children : Daniel E., b. Aug. 27, 1838. Charles F., b. Aug. 16, 1841. Joseph A., b. March 5, 1843 ; d. 1845. Mary E., b. Sept. 2, 1851 ; m. Frank A. Abbott. Lucy A., b. July 28, 1854 ; m. Charles H. Applin.
EZEKIEL P.4 WOODWARD (John,3 Isaac,2 Ichabod1), b. July 7, 1822 ; m. Nov. 28, 1854, Mary W. Bradford (b. Feb. 18, 1824) of Acworth. Child : Arthur A., b. Dec. 2, 1858.
ARTHUR A.5 WOODWARD (Ezekiel P.,4 John,3 Isaac,2 Ichabod1), b. Dec. 2, 1858 ; m. Oct. 17, 1883, Nancie, daughter of Chiron Holbrook. Children : Leon Arthur, b. April 13, 1886. Mary Eunice, b. June 20, 1890.
DANIEL E.5 WOODWARD (David,4 Daniel,3 Isaac,2 Ichabod1), b. Aug. 27, 1838 ; m. a daughter of Ozial Ballou.
CHARLES F.5 WOODWARD (David,4 Daniel,3 Isaac,2 Ichabod1), b. Aug. 16, 1841 ; m., 1st, Louisa Sumner ; m., 2nd, Mrs. Nancy A. Stod- dard, daughter of Alfred Britton.
HARVEY2 WOODWARD (Samuel] of Keene), b. July 18, 1841; m. Oct. 19, 1870, Mary Adelaide Spinney (b. Jan. 6, 1843, in Boston, Mass.). Children : Mabel Adelaide, b. Oct. 18, 1872. Leonard Samuel, b. Oct. 24, 1876. George Ernest, b. June 8, 1878.
THOMAS NELSON2 WOODWARD ( Thomas L.1 of Marlboro'), b. July 16, 1844 ; m., 1st, June 27, 1866, Emma (d. June 5, 1880), daughter of Frank R. Peters of Winchester ; m., 2nd, Clara Procter of Keene. Children : Jesse F., b. April 2, 1867. Carl, b. June 29, 1882.
WORCESTER.
REUBEN WORCESTER, b. June 9, 1780, came from Boxborough, Mass. ; m. Sarah Draper (b. Dec. 20, 1779 ; d. Sept. 11, 1861). Chil- dren : Sabra, b. Feb. 20, 1802 ; m. Calvin Newton of Marlborough. Moses, b. Dec. 6, 1805. Emery, b. Nov. 6, 1807. Reuben, b. Sept. 2, 1809. Sally, b. July 21, 1813 ; m. April 13, 1843, Martin Wright, of Chesterfield. Tryphena, b. May 5, 1815 ; m. Benjamin F. Draper of Chesterfield. Lydia, b. July 17, 1817; m. Darius E. Wright. Abel, b. March 6, 1820, lives in Iowa. Selim, b. May 26, 1822 ; m. Mary Ripley ; lives in Iowa.
ABEL WORCESTER, b. 1781 ; m. Feb. 20, 1809, Anna, daughter of John Grimes ; d. Dec. 19, 1848. Child : Henry A., d. Sept. 4, 1849.
503
GENEALOGICAL RECORDS.
EMERY2 WORCESTER (Reuben1), b. Nov. 6, 1807 ; m., 1st, April 1, 1830, Polly, daughter of William Griffith; m., 2nd, April 13, 1840, Almira Olcott of Chesterfield.
MOSES2 WORCESTER (Reuben1), b. Dec. 6, 1805; m. Jan. 5, 1833, Susan, daughter of Nicholas Howes ; d. Dec. 23, 1872. Children : Merrick, b. June 13, 1834. Susan E., m. William Ripley.
REUBEN2 WORCESTER (Reuben1), b. Sept. 2, 1809 ; m. April 7, 1836, Eliza A., daughter of Lawson Moore ; d. April 26, 1843. Chil- dren : Reuben, b. Aug., 1838 ; d. March 16, 1841. Charles R., b. Nov. 6, 1840.
CHARLES R.3 WORCESTER (Reuben,2 Reuben1), b. Nov. 6, 1840 ; m., 1st, Flora E., daughter of Calvin Parker ; m., 2nd, Oct. 26, 1873, Nancie P. (b. May 1, 1853), daughter of Elijah Hills.
WRIGHT.
DARIUS E.2 WRIGHT (Remembrance] of Chesterfield), b. April 14, 1814; m. Lydia (b. July 17, 1817 ; d. Feb. 9, 1874), daughter of Reuben Worcester. Children : Calista L., b. Nov. 30, 1834 ; m. Sept. 26, 1854, John Hill. Mary O., b. Aug. 15, 1837 ; m. Andrew Litchfield of Winchester. Cordelia L., b. Oct. 25, 1838 ; m. James Kirkpatrick of Keene. Park E., b. March 12, 1840. Sarah D., b. Nov. 16, 1842; d. Sept. 11, 1849. Reuben R., b. June 4, 1849 ; re- sides in Natick, Mass.
PARK E.3 WRIGHT (Darius E.,2 Remembrance1), b. March 12, 1840 ; m. Jan. 31, 1865, Mary E. (b. Oct. 6, 1841), daughter of Lincoln Wheelock. Children : James L., b. Aug. 3, 1866 ; d. Dec. 4, 1868. George C., b. June 2, 1870. Minnie A., b. Sept. 8, 1872. Ritchie R., b. March 5, 1876 ; d. April 15, 1876.
WILLIAM WRIGHT, b. 1734 ; m. Aug. 8, 1758, Mehitable Graves (b. 1735 ; d. April 6, 1812). He d. Jan. 14, 1812. Children : Mary, b. April 7, 1759. John, b. Nov. 15, 1762. Cyprian, b. May 11, 1765. Alpha, b. Dec. 14, 1767. Luther, b. April 9, 1770. Calvin, b. Jan. 22, 1774.
JOHN2 WRIGHT ( William1), b. Nov. 15, 1762; m. Jan. 8, 1784, Hannah McAllister.
CYPRIAN2 WRIGHT ( William1), b. May 11, 1765 ; m. Nov. 4, 1790, Esther (b. Feb. 10, 1770), daughter of Elijah Belding.
504
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
ALPHA? WRIGHT ( William1), b. Dec. 14, 1767 ; m., 1st, Jaditha -; m., 2nd, Elizabeth -. Children : Sally, b. April 16, 1790 ; m. March 28, 1816, Moses T. Thompson. Alpha, b. March 13, 1798. Paul, b. Sept. 13, 1800.
LUTHER? WRIGHT ( William1), b. April 9, 1770 ; m. Feb. 12, 1797, Rhoda, daughter of Elijah Belding. Children : A child, b. Dec. 15, 1809; d. Dec. 15, 1814. Laura, b. 1806; m. Oct. 1, 1832, John Scott of Richmond ; d. July 28, 1865. Samuel. Elliot. Charles. William.
CALVIN2 WRIGHT ( William1), b. Jan. 22, 1774 ; m. - Capron ; d. March 29, 1812. Children : William. Marilla, m. Feb. 6, 1825, Hiram Underwood. Betsey, m. March 31, 1831, Isaac Stratton.
WILLIAM3 WRIGHT (Calvin,2 William1), m. Dec. 31, 1827, Rachel, daughter of James Underwood ; d. June 17, 1843. Children : Helen M., b. Nov. 23, 1828. Harriet A., b. May 15, 1830. Mary E., b. Nov. 1, 1832.
M. EDWIN WRIGHT, m. May 22, 1854, Ellen M. (b. Nov. 28, 1834 ; d. Oct. 7, 1874), daughter of Carlton Parker.
JAMES L.3 WRIGHT (Martin G.,2 Remembrance1), b. July 13, 1849 ; m. Dec. 1, 1875, Hattie L. Ensigh or Ensign (b. May 3, 1845), of Canandaigua, N. Y. Children : Alice Stone, b. Aug. 22, 187-, in Toledo, Ohio. Mabel J., b. Aug. 8, 1879 ; lives in Spragueville.
ELLIOTT3 WRIGHT (Luther,2 William1), b. Jan. 12, 1808 ; m. Louisa (b. Aug. 5, 1815). Children : Sarah L., b. Nov. 23, 1836. Harriet A., b. Oct. 5, 1838. Almiretta M., b. Dec. 3, 1840. Esther Jane, b. May 16, 1843. John E., b. June 16, 1848. George A., b. Feb. 8, 1851. Frank P., b. April 5, 1853. Charles L., b. April 16, 1856. Walter A., b. April 12, 1859.
YOUNG.
HERBERT O.2 YOUNG (Charles1 of Rochester), b. in Madbury, Sept. 21, 1848 ; m. Nov. 25, 1872, Carrie E. (b. Sept. 12, 1852), daughter of John H. Sparhawk.
CHAPTER XII.
Biographical and Supplementary.
T HE object of this chapter is to supplement Chapter XI by giving the residence, occupation, etc., as far as may be, of different individuals, and short biographical sketches of some of the more prominent citizens. The "places" named are those given on the town- ship maps.
HENRY ABBOTT has lived in Swanzey nearly all his life ; has held many important town offices ; been engaged at different times and places in agricultural, mercantile and manufacturing pursuits, and is now proprietor of a livery establishment at West Swanzey. His son, George H. a store clerk, resides at Keene and Frank F., box-maker, at West Swanzey.
REV. STEPHEN G. ABBOTT was born in Bridgewater, Mass., Nov. 9, 1819, and became pastor of the Baptist church in West Swanzey, July, 1873. In his boyhood he removed with his father, Rev. Samuel Abbott, to Bedford, N. H., and afterwards to Antrim. He was edu- cated at Hancock and New Hampton institutions ; ordained to the gospel ministry at Campton, Feb. 7, 1849, and has since pursued his avocation in New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. He was chaplain of the 1st Reg. N. H. Vols. in the war of the Rebellion, and has recently written a history of said regiment. He was also chap- lain of the N. H. legislature in 1889. He represented the town of Windsor in the legislature of Vermont in 1863 and 1864. He re- ceived the honorary degree of A.M. from Bates College, in 1869. Mr. Abbott married Sarah B., a sister of ex-U. S. Senator P. C. Cheney, of Manchester, by whom he had one son, John T. Abbott, now U. S. minister to the Republic of Columbia.
MYRON W. ADAMS, son of Rev. Ezra and Alice M. (Ware) Adams, born in Gilsum, but having his home during most of his youthful years in Swanzey ; a graduate of Dartmouth College and Hartford
(505)
506
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
Theological Seminary, taking also a post graduate course at Andover ; pastor of Congregational church at Chatham, Conn., and Hopkinton, N. Il., two years each ; and now professor of Greek in Atlanta (Ga.) University.
ALICE M. (WARE) ADAMS, born and reared in Swanzey ; graduated at Mt. Holyoke Seminary ; a teacher for many years in our public schools, and at Wilberforce University, Xenia, Ohio ; now a resident in Gilsum.
DR. WILLARD ADAMS was born in New Salem, Mass. ; studied medicine with Dr. James Batcheller two years ; spent one year at the medical school at Dartmouth College; graduated at Bowdoin, Mc .; practised his profession in Wells, Me., Woburn, Mass., and in this town ; represented Swanzey in the legislature; was county commis- sioner three years and postmaster ten years; residence, Congrega- tational parsonage at L. Crouch place.
His son, Joseph W., has for many years been in business in Cali- fornia ; Thomas, a farmer, in Illinois and Nebraska, and Everett in various employments in Keene and Swanzey.
JOHN B. ADAMS came from Rindge, lived on J. E: Long place, removed in 1890 to Hancock.
HARDIN ALBEE came from Westmoreland ; a farmer, a selectman ; lived on J. Conby place.
CAPT. AMASA ALDRICH came from Mendon, Mass., about 1783, and settled on what is now the J. E. Long farm, owning that and much adjoining territory. He was a prominent and influential man in town. Of his large family of children, Marmaduke early in life removed to Allegany Co., N. Y. Phinehas occupied a part of his father's farm, now the P. P. Carlton place. Amasa, to the close of his long life, remained on the homestead of his father ; a leading citizen in town, of an accommodating disposition, a Democrat in politics, a liberal in religion. Paine lived awhile in Swanzey, then in Richmond, and afterwards in Worcester, becoming distinguished as a mechanic and the inventor of the railroad turn-table. Col. David Aldrich was a farmer and prominent in military affairs, living on F. Downing place. Paul Fisher lived at several places in town, a farmer and cattle- drover for Providence, Brighton, and Watertown markets. His second wife was from Watertown, and after his marriage he resided there till his death. John Langdon died comparatively young ; he kept a public house at the Jonathan Whitcomb place. William Aldrich
507
BIOGRAPHICAL AND SUPPLEMENTARY.
learned the tanner's trade of Capt. L. Blake, lived awhile in this vicinity and then went to Girard, Pa.
Of the next generation of this branch of Aldriches, Nathaniel learned the printer's trade, went South, returned and soon died. Cyril resides at Spring Prairie, Wis., and is an extensive farmer. Harrison resides in Winchendon, Mass. ; married there and was ex- tensively engaged in manufacturing woodenware, but is now a farmer. Amasa for many years was a wooden ware manufacturer in Win- chendon, Mass., and afterwards in Winchester, where he died. Simeon Cook, also in the same business, resides in Winchendon. Carlon C. acquired a good education in our public schools and academies ; man- ufactured pails two years in New York State; lumber and grain dealer five years in Dubuque, Iowa, and since 1860 has continued the same business in McLean, Ill. He deals very largely in grain and flour, is engaged to some extent in farming, is a bank officer and a leading citizen in his section of the state. Phinehas L. resides in Penn- sylvania. George O. lived at different places and died several years ago unmarried. Paul Fisher, after being in trade at West Swanzey, removed to Somerville, Mass., where he now resides. John L. was in the mercantile business in Boston until his death. George Herman, for a few years after his marriage, lived a pioneer's life at the West, teaching school and farming. For many years previous to 1889 he lived in Troy, having an office and doing an extensive business in Keene as an insurance agent. Two of his sons are associated with him, and another son is a prosperous physician in Marlboro. Cyril R., a merchant in Boston. Henry Hubbard resides in Keene, and follows the occupation of his father, a drover to the Brighton and Water- town markets.
REV. TRISTAN ALDRICH came from New Salem, Mass., not a fin- ished scholar, nor an eloquent sermonizer, but an acceptable preacher and a good man. For many years previous to his death he lived on the farm now owned by O. S. Eaton, the house of which stood close by the Ashuelot railroad, and was burned soon after his death. His son, Adoniram J., resides in Illinois, a dealer in grain and lumber.
SANDS ALDRICH, a member of the Society of Friends, came from Douglass, Mass., lived on J. M. Cole place. His son, Sands, resided on J. D. Hale place. David S. has lived in California as well as in Swanzey.
ELLERY K. ALDRICH came from Richmond late in life, lived on F. E. Ballou farm. His son, Frank S., resides in Somerville and does business in Boston.
508
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
ANDERSON ALDRICH, born in Richmond, a painter, resides at East Swanzey. His son, Geo. B., also a painter, lives in Winchester.
PIMAP D. ANGIER came from Fitzwilliam about 1865, a farmer ; represented Swanzey in the legislature. His son, Walter E., educated at the N. H. Agricultural College, is a successful civil engineer at the South in U. S. Coast Survey.
GEORGE W. ALEXANDER, a farmer, came from Winchester when a young man and built the house in West Swanzey where his widow now resides.
CALVIN ALEXANDER and his two brothers, Luther and Charles, were born in Troy and came to East Swanzey where Luther still resides, the other two having died.
WALTER S. ALEXANDER resides at East Swanzey in the house built by V. A. Woodcock west of A. W. Banks', on the opposite side of the road. (Not on the map.)
ISAAC APPLIN, from Palmer, Mass., in 1762, bought the lot where O. T. Thomson now lives. He sold to Caleb Sawyer. None of his descendants have lived in Swanzey.
DEACON THOMAS APPLIN came from Palmer, Mass., in 1763, and was the first settler on the J. W. Murphy place, where he resided some forty years. He was both blacksmith and farmer, and one of the most prominent men in the town; deacon of the Congregational church, town clerk and selectman many years, and was often supported for other important positions by his townsmen. Of his four sons, John was a farmer and miller. He owned the E. W. Handy place, and af- terward that of Mrs. N. F. Newell. Many of the last years of his life he lived with his son Israel and at different times was the miller at the East Swanzey grist-mill. Timothy B. had at one time a farm south of the J. D. Hale place. He removed from town about 1796 and settled in Cazenovia, N. Y. Deacon Thomas was a farmer liv- ing on the N. F. Newell place. Isaac had a homestead north of the old Boston road near the foot of Chimney Stone hill. Of the third generation of Applins, Thomas settled in Chelsea, Vermont ; Ephraim in Sullivan and Benjamin R., in Sparta, N. Y. Israel built and oc- cupied the house now owned by Geo. W. Willis, and afterwards lived in that now owned by J. M. Ramsdell. Samuel Page was always in delicate health and was never married. He taught school many years and was clerk in different stores in Swanzey. Benjamin, after reach- ing manhood, resided in Boston and Cambridge. He was a carpenter and made a specialty of stair building. Perrin was also a carpenter
509
BIOGRAPHICAL AND SUPPLEMENTARY.
and lived most of his married life in Marlow. Philo worked a num- ber of years in a foundry in Portland, Me., afterwards on his father's homestead in Swanzey. He now lives with his second wife in Fitch- burg, Mass. Wesson worked some years with his brothers in Boston, afterwards was a farmer in Townsend, Mass., and for some twenty years past has resided in Swanzey. Of Israel's children, Sumner when young was a pail turner, afterwards with his relatives in Bos- ton a stair builder, and still later one of the principal partners of one of the largest furniture houses in Boston. Benjamin F. has spent most of his life working in different pail shops in town. He is now employed with his son, Arthur F., in the box shop at Spragueville. Henry S. Applin, previous to enlisting in the army, was in the pail business either as employé or manufacturer most of his life, in East Swanzey and Fitzwilliam. John is a machinist in Newton, Mass. Dur- ing the war he had an important position at the Watertown Arsenal. Of the sons of Philo, Charles R. lives in Troy, an employé in the wooden-ware business. William W. resides in Hinsdale, and Edgar M. in Brattleborough, Vt. They have a fish market in Hinsdale. Oscar P. is a furniture painter in Keene. Herbert L. lives in Nebras- ka. Charles H. Applin and Eugene E., sons of Henry, live at East Swanzey ; the former is the manager of Clark's pail establishment ; the latter, recently in the grocery business, is now an employé in a paíl shop.
NOAH ARNOLD owned and occupied William C. Belding place from 1810 to 1822.
FRANK P. ATKINSON, recently from Brooklyn, N. Y., resides on Maple hill and does a successful business in keeping summer board- ers. Arthur and Herbert Atwood came from Hinsdale a few years since and bought the Luther and Joseph Dickinson farms. Arthur has now removed to Keene.
BENONI AUSTIN became a resident in the west part of Swanzey as early as 1812.
HIRAM AVERY lived on the Gates' place at Factory Village ; died in 1877. His son, Edward H., built a house on Keene and Swanzey road, and is employed in the pail shops.
JONATHAN BABBITT, a frugal and industrious man, from Dana, Mass., lived on J. W. Ballou place from about 1818 to 1838 ; a farmer and brick-maker. Of his sons, Roswell was a carpenter, being some- what noted for his taste for scientific studies, particularly astronomy.
34
.
1
1
510
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
Hle afterwards settled in Iowa and became a man of distinction. Mar- cena was a school teacher. He went from this town to Girard, Pa- Jonathan returned with his father to the vicinity of Dana.
AMOS BAILEY in early manhood came from Pelham and located on the O. F. Oakman place. He was a prominent man in town, as was also each of his sons, Jonathan and Amos. Jonathan resided on the old homestead, was a farmer, preacher, and leader in the Baptist church. Amos was an extensive farmer and shoemaker, living where his daughter-in-law, Mrs. A. L. Bailey, now resides ; an active mem- ber in the Congregational Society and a leading citizen in town affairs. Albert W. Bailey, a farmer, remained on the old homestead till his death. Clark Bailey resides at West Swanzey. His eldest son, Charles H., is a physician in Gardner, Mass., and his youngest son, Edward, a clerk in Keene.
CHARLES L. BALL, a farmer, came from Leverett, Mass.
SILAS BALLOU came from Richmond about fifty years ago and located on the farm now owned by his grandson, Willard I. Ballou. His sons, Leonard, Willard, Amasa, Silas W. and Lewis,-all after- wards came to Swanzey, and have remained here, except Leonard, who died, and Lewis, who went to the West. Willard, till 1890, lived on John F. Ballou farm, and Silas W. has had his home both at Westport and West Swanzey, and worked in the shops of those two villages. Willard's sons, Willard I., Joseph W. and Frank E. are all farmers.
LORENZO and WILLIAM W. BALLOU are farmers, and likewise from Richmond.
RUSSELL BALLOU came from Royalston, Mass., and settled on B. Read place, living there some twenty years.
ALONZO BALLOU formerly lived at East Swanzey, but built the house where his son, G. O., now resides, and lived there the last years of his life. His son, Charles R., a laborer and farmer, built his house a few years since near Spragueville.
MOSES D. and ALBERT R. BALLOU came from Troy when young men, lived and died in Swanzey. Moses was a clerk in a store at East Swanzey ; and Albert, a farmer, living where his widow now resides.
OZIAL BALLOU came from Richmond in 1848 and worked many years in the shops at Westport, when he returned to Richmond again.
JOHN F. is a farmer on C. B. Holbrook place. He has recently bought the Lombard stave- and saw-mill.
th
511
BIOGRAPHICAL AND SUPPLEMENTARY.
WILLIAM BANKS, formerly of Roxbury and Keene, bought the P. P. Carlton place about 1838 and lived there till his death. His son, Alanson W., from a youth, has been identified with the interests of East Swanzey. He now owns the blacksmith shop there. H. W. Banks lives with his father-in-law, A. B. Cook.
CHARLES. A. BARDEN came from Richmond, employed in East Swanzey shops.
CAPT. SYLVANUS BARTLETT has spent most of the years of his man- hood in Westport and has been prominent as a business man of the village. He resided for a time in Kentucky, and also in Keene.
JARVIS BATES, with his three brothers, lived at Factory Village and operated the factory.
DR. HENRY BAXTER was for many years a practising physician at West Swanzey, living where his grandson, H. Denman Thompson, now resides. He was a "liberal" in religion and a Whig in politics, though he rarely exercised the elective franchise. He was town clerk for fourteen consecutive years. Darwin D., his son, spent only a small part of his manhood in Swanzey. He was a merchant for a few years at Swanzey Centre.
THE BEALS families came from Chesterfield and Richmond and located at West Swanzey.
THE BELDING family has been prominent in Swanzey since the date of the first settlement. Samuel and David, brothers, settled respec- tively on the J. O. Gary and Charles R. Worcester places. David lived for a time also on the P. Hare place, at West Swanzey. Of the sons of these two brothers Samuel was a farmer and inherited his father's homestead. Moses was a carpenter and lived on the road extending easterly from C. H. Rockwood's ; he afterwards removed to Gilsum. Elijah married Rhoda Carr, lived with his father-in-law, William Carr, and kept a public house (Zina Taft place). David J., a farmer, lived on C. R. Worcester place, and afterwards removed to Weybridge, Vt.
Of the next generation, Seth (universally called "General" Beld- ing, by reason of his untiring zeal and energy manifested in the temperance movement), was a farmer and lived his married life in a house standing between the Worcester and Taft places. Hon. Elijah Belding lived on his father's homestead. He was a noted land sur- veyor, actively engaged in town affairs, a representative and senator in the state legislature, a member of the governor's council, justice of the peace, and a citizen highly respected during his long life. His
T
:
512
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
brother, William C., though opposed to the war of 1812, showed his patriotism by enlisting in defence of his country. He was killed at the battle of Chippewa. He was a very prominent young man. Samuel was a school teacher, a merchant at Swanzey Centre and Westport, woolen manufacturer at Ashuclot, and in Johnstown, Vt. He was a leading man in the Methodist denomination and a pioneer in anti-slavery movements. His son, Delavan S., lives in Swanzey.
ELIJAH C. BELDING was a farmer, living at different times on the farms now occupied by Zina Taft, J. F. Ballou and Henry Hill. His son, William C., previous to his marriage, was a wool dealer in Ver- mont and a miner in California, and since that time a prominent farmer in Swanzey. W. C. Belding, jr., is a grocer in Springfield, Mass.
NEHEMIAH and DAVID BENNETT came from Richmond and located respectively on the T. Hanrahan and J. Wilson places, farmers. Of Nehemiah's children, Col. Amos was a shoemaker and settled in Richmond. Hiram was a physician, lawyer and clergyman. John, a school teacher and Methodist minister, and Hon. Asahel H., a law- yer. The latter practised many years in Winchester, was county school commissioner and state senator. He removed to Davenport, Iowa, and died there. Luke and Capt. David, sons of David, were prominent citizens in town.
AMOS G. BENNETT came from Richmond, owns the old Moses Howard farm, the largest in town. His son, Otto P., resides at West Swanzey, and Oscar O. is an engineer at the west.
A. E. BENNETT resides in Keene and is prominent as a musician.
GROVE BIDWELL, a farmer, lived on P. E. Gay place. His sons, George G. and Henry T., at different times were proprietors of the hotel at Swanzey Factory.
SAMUEL BISHOP is a farmer.
ORRIN BLACK lived for many years in the house north of Sprague's mill.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.