Cheshire County New Hampshire - Genealogy and History
 

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and history in Cheshire County, New Hampshire.
HISTORY | DOCUMENTS | OTHER AREAS OF RESEARCH
MAP OF CHESHIRE COUNTY | TOWNS/CITIES IN CHESHIRE COUNTY

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BRIEF HISTORY OF CHESHIRE CO., NEW HAMPSHIRE
The province of New Hampshire was divided into five counties in 1771. One of these was named Cheshire, deriving its name from a county in the west of England, celebrated for its manufacture of cheese; hence, the name originally. Keene and Charlestown were made the shire-towns. July 5, 1827, the county was divided, the northern portion taking the name of Sullivan County. This division left Cheshire County with its present limits. It is situated in the southwestern part of the State, bounded on the north by Sullivan County, east by Hillsborough County, south by the State of Massachusetts, and west by the west bank of the Connecticut River. It contains twenty-three towns, eight of which were incorporated in the reign of George II.--namely Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Keene, Richmond, Swanzey, Walpole, Westmoreland and Winchester, -- ten in the reign of George III--namely Alstead, Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Gilsum, Jaffrey, Marlow, Nelson, Rindge, Surry, Stoddard, -- and five under the government of New Hampshire--namely, Harrisville, Marlborough, Roxbury, Sullivan and Troy. In the census of 1880 there were 2836 farms. In 1827 Keene became the shire-town (county seat) of Cheshire County. The Inferior Court met here first in October 1771 and the Superior Court in 1772. The early settlers of Cheshire County came from the south along the Connecticut River. This area was originally the home of the "Squakheag" tribe of Native Americans, who remained here until about 1720.

Get detailed information on how to perform genealogical research in Cheshire County

Learn more about Cheshire County's History
Learn more about Cheshire County's geography and current condition
Learn about Cheshire County's current form of government
Read Interesting Short Stories about Cheshire County - Cheshire Co. Historical Society [Archive]
SEE Biographies of Cheshire County People - USGenWeb Archives
Historical Society of Cheshire County- GREAT resources

DOCUMENTS (this site) for genealogical research - unique to this web site!

These documents often refer to resident living on numbered roads (i.e., road #1, #25, etc). These roads can be viewed on the 1885 cheshire county map seen below.
OTHER AREAS OF RESEARCH FOR CHESHIRE COUNTY
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If you are looking for town/city specific resources, click on the town map.

For other resources within Cheshire County

If you want to know about general genealogy resources (such as how to find vital records, deeds and other documents), visit the "Genealogical Research" section.


Current communities in Cheshire County include:

Alstead, Chesterfield, Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Gilsum, Harrisville, Hinsdale, Jaffrey, Keene, Marlboro, Marlow, Nelson, Richmond, Rindge, Roxbury, Stoddard, Sullivan, Surry, Swanzey, Troy, Walpole, Westmoreland, and Winchester

Clickable Map of Cheshire County NH
 
TOWNS / CITIES IN CHESHIRE COUNTY, New Hampshire

ALSTEAD

CHESTERFIELD
  • History: Established in 1735, this town was the site of Fort #1, one of the line of forts bordering the Connecticut River, which was later known as Fort Dummer. The incorporation of the town took place in 1752 as Chesterfield, after Phillip Stanhope, fourth Earl of Chesterfield. Chesterfield includes the village of Spofford, and Spofford Lake. Harlan Fiske Stone, a chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1872-1946), was born in Chesterfield.
  • Villages and Place Names: Fort #1, Camp Notre Dame Spofford, West Chesterfield
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Chesterfield N.H.- TXT file. Early history of the town including a geographical description, changes in the town's boundary, naming of the town, waterways and other landmarks, incorporation and settlement, early settlers and births, names of settlers before 1767, early population, early town meetings, Chesterfield during the American Revolution (includes name of most of the citizens who participated), signers of the "Assocation Test," War of 1812 in Chesterfield, Participants in the War of the Rebellion (Civil War), history of schools (including Chesterfield Academy) and churches, early physicians and attorneys, Spafford Lake as a summer resort;Aged persons in Chesterfield and their death dates; Civil list including some early town clerks, selectmen and representatives to the General Court;early manufactures, taverns and hotels, early postmasters; Biographies of the following people and families: Jacob Amidon & Family, Joseph Atherton, Dr. Oliver Baker, Ephraim Baldwin, John H. Barrett, William Bennett, Nathaniel Bingham, Samuel Burt, Asa Britton, Capt. William S. Brooks, Francis W. Brooks, John Butler, John F. Butler, Sidney S. Campbell, Dr. Henry Carpenter, Alexander Chandler, Ithamer Chamberlain, Eleazar Cobleigh, Charles Converse, Oscar Coolidge, Amos Crouch, John Darling, Samuel Davis, Moses Dudley, Samuel Fairbanks, Josiah W. Fairfield, Marshall H. Farr, Dennie W. Farr, Field family, Thomas Fisk, Isaac Fletcher, Rodney Fletcher, Reuben B. Foster Sr., Rev. T.L. Fowler, Phineas Fullman, Samuel Gilson, Samuel Goodrich, David W. Goodrich, Sanford Guernsey, William Haile, Samuel Hamilton, Phineas Handerson, The Harris Family including Abner Harris , Broughton D. Harris, John Harris and Wilder Harris, Capt. Ebenezer Harvey, Dr. Solomon Harvey, Benjamin Haskell, George Hawes, William Henry, Jonathan Hildreth, Jesse Hinds, David Holman, Joseph Holt, Richard Hopkins, Eleazer Jackson, Edward Jarvis, Asa Keys, Samuel King, John Kneeland, Benjamin Lloyd Marsh, Levi Mead, Larkin G. Mead, Calvin E. Nurse, Eli Pattridge, John Pierce, Ezekiel P. Pierce, George Pierce, Warham R. Platts, John Putnam, William Randall & Family and Eleazar Randall, Silas Richardson, Archibald Robertson, James Robertson, Elisha Rockwood, Aaron Royce, Ebenezer Safford, The Sargent Family including Erastus Sargent, Waitstill Scott, William Shurtleff, Roswell Shurtleff, Barton Skinner, Moses Smith (the first settler) and Moses Smith Jr., John Snow, Alpheus Snow, Ebenezer Stearns, David Stoddard, Peter Stone, Warren Stone, Charles L. Strong, Stephen Streeter Jr., Nathan Symonds,Silas Thompson, Ezra Titus, Joseph Titus, Josiah Torrey, Francis Tuttle, Dr. Joshua Tyler, Nathaniel Walton, Lawrence Walton, Sumner Warren, Peter Wheeler, Ashbel Wheeler, Hon. Hoyt H. Wheeler, Nathan Wild, Captain Simon Willard, Rev. Abraham Wood, and Professor Alphonso Wood.
    • Chesterfield, New Hampshire annual Reports of the Town, (including vital records, births, marriages and deaths) for the years: 1891-1897, 1900, 1902, 1904-1905, 1926-1927, 1929, 1934, 1937-1938, 1940-1941, 1944-1973, 1975-1979, 1980-2006.
    • Online Book: The History of Chesterfield NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Chesterfield NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: History of Chesterfield, Cheshire County, N.H., from the incorporation of "township number one," by Massachusetts, in 1736, to the year 1881; - Oran E. Randall, 1882
    • Brief History of Chesterfield NH - Keenenh.com
    • FIRST METHODIST MEETING PLACE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE marker in Chesterfield NH - In 1772, "the people called Methodist" held their first religious meeting in this state on the James Robertson farm, 1.2 miles north of here, on Christian Street, with Philip Embury as the preacher. On June 20, 1803, Francis Asbury spoke here using as his text: "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
    • CHIEF JUSTICE HARLAN FISKE STONE marker - Born October 11, 1872, in a modest cottage 1.7 miles west of here on Horseshoe Road. Stone graduated from Amherst College and Columbia Law School, returning to the latter as Dean, 1910-1924. Attorney General of the United States in President Coolidge's Cabinet, he was appointed a justice of the Supreme Court in 1924, and Chief Justice in 1941, serving until his death April 22, 1946. A teacher, lawyer, judge and judicial craftsman of the highest order, he held the affection and respect of the lawyers of the nation. Located on NH 63, at its intersection with the Old Chesterfield Road in the village of Chesterfield.
    • Governor William Haile of NH (resided Chesterfield NH, includes likeness)
    • Harlan Stone, Supreme Court Justice, b. Chesterfield NH | 2nd biography & photo
    • Madame Sherri's Castle (Antoinette Sherri) - history & photographs
    • NH Historical Markers in Chesterfield NH
      • CHESTERFIELD 0060 FIRST METHODIST MEETING PLACE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE; Location: NH 9 1 MILE WEST OF NH 63
      • CHESTERFIELD 0095 CHIEF JUSTICE HARLAN FISKE STONE; Location: NH 63 & OLD CHESTERFIELD ROAD
      • CHESTERFIELD 0216 PIERCE SHOPS; Location: SPOFFORD VILLAGE - NH 9-A & JOSLIN RD

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DUBLIN
FITZWILLIAM

GILSUM
  • History: Gilsum was originally granted, under the name of Boyle (named after Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington and famous architect. Burlington, Vermont), to Joseph Osgood and his associates, December 30, 1752. No settlements were made under this grant, through fear of the Indians, until so late a date that the charter was forfeited. In March 1761, Benjamin Bellows bought from Rebecca Blanchard, widow of Joseph Blanchard, of Dunstable MA, the "Rights he had in Boyle..." This deed conveyed twenty-six rights. Joseph Blanchard purchased additional rights to the area from Theodore Atkinson of Portsmouth. He then sold some of these shares in 1761 to Samuel Gilbert, Esq., Josiah Kilburn, Thomas Sumner, Jonathan Smith and Joseph Mack, all of Connecticut, who in turn, sold some of their shares. In January 24, 1763 Thomas Sumner, on hehalf of the proprietors, petitioned Gov. Benning Wentworth for a new charter of the town, which was granted and the name changed to Gilsum on 13 July 1763. Reportedly the name "Gilsum" was given in settlement of a dispute as to whether the town should be named "Gilbert" or Sumner" after the respective proprietors, choosing "Gilsum" as a compromise.
  • Villages and Place Names: Lower Village, Roundys Corner
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
    • Official Gilsum NH web site (none known)
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Gilsum, N.H. - TXT --Geography, geology and description of the town of Gilsum NH; origin of the name, early town boundary changes, 1880 population and town description, early physicians, early merchants and manufactories, the first settlement and first settlers, churches, early town officers, residents participating in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War (War of the Rebellion); Brief biographies of early and later settlers including: William Banks, Dr. Messer Carmon, Ezra Carpenter, John Guillow, John C. Guillow, Aaron Hammond, Dr. G. W. Hammon, Amherst Hayward, Nahum O. Hayward, Thomas Howard, Roswell Hubbard, George C. Hubbard, Charles Franklin Kinsbury, James M. Mark, Luther Mark, George W. Newman, Dudley Smith.
    • Online Books: Annual Reports, Town of Gilsum, New Hampshire (NH), including vital records, births, marriages, deaths for the years: 1891, 1920 1925-1927, 1929, 1931-1932, 1934, 1936-1967, 1969-1973, 1978-1987, 1989-1992, 1994-1995, 1997-2003, 2006-2008
    • Online Book: History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire from 1752 to 1879 - By Silvanus Hayward, 1881 with photographs and portraits.
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Gilsum NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: The History of Gilsum NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Brief History of Gilsum NH - KeeneNH.com
    • History & Genealogy, Gilsum NH - USGenWeb
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HARRISVILLE
HINSDALE
JAFFREY
  • History: First granted in 1736 to soldiers from Rowley, Massachusetts, returning from the war in Canada, the town was known as Rowley-Canada. In 1749 the town was re-chartered as Monadnock Number 2, sometimes called Middle Monadnock or Middletown. It was one of the first towns established under the New Hampshire proprietors' purchase of undivided lands under the Masonian claim. The town was regranted in 1767, and incorporated in 1773 as Jaffrey, in honor of George Jaffrey, member of a prominent Portsmouth family. George Jaffrey's son was a life trustee of Dartmouth College, and designer of the official college seal.
  • Villages and Place Names: Hadley, Jaffrey Center, Squantum
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Jaffrey, N.H. -- TXT file -- Geography and geology of Jaffrey NH; the history of the town including its earliest settlers and their location settled; the incorporation of the town and early officers; population of the town from 1775 to 1880. Profile of the town in 1880; description of villages in Jaffrey; early and later manufactures, banks, hotels, etc.; the Monadnock Railroad; names of citizens who participated in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Mexican War; names of citizens in the Civil War (War of the Rebellion) including those who died; description and history of the old meeting-house; church history; schools and post office; names of lawyers and physicians; Biographies of early settlers and later prominent citizens including that of: Stephen Adams, Daniel P. Adams, Marshall H. Adams, Shubael Bascom, Timothy Bemis, Dr. Oscar H. Bradley, Jacob Buckwold, Jonah Carter, John Cutter, Benjamin Cutter, Joel Cutter, Joseph Cutter, Gustavus Cutter, Jonathan Fox, Thomas French, Benjamin Frost, John Garfield, Jonathan D. Gibbs, Roger Gilmore Esq., Thomas Goff, Eleazer W. Heath, Thomas Jaqueth [sic Jaquith], Jacob Jewell, David Lacy, Benjamin Lawrence, J.S. Lawrence, Harlon F. Morse, Samuel Pierce, Asa Pierce, Jonas Pierce, Benjamin Pierce, Capt. Eldad Prescott, Capt. I.B. Proctor, Dr. Daniel Ryan, Leonard F. Sawyer, Cummings Sawyer, Joseph Scott, Oliver J. Spaulding, James Stephens, Nathaniel F. Stevens, Green Towne, Peter Upton, and Louis Woodruff (among others)
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Jaffrey NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: The History of Jaffrey NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • History of the Town of Jaffrey NH - online book, FREE (Google Books) | Entire 2nd Book from Internet Archive
    • Genealogy: USGenWeb Archives - brief genealogies of Jaffrey Families: Capt. Benjamin Spaulding.
    • Genealogy - Bryant Family of Jaffrey [archived page]
    • Brief History of Jaffrey NH - KeeneNH.com
    • Hannah Davis-Amos Fortune marker in Jaffrey - Buried behind Jaffrey's colonial Meeting House nearby are "Aunt" Hannah Davis, 1784-1863, resourceful and beloved spinster who made, trademarked, and sold this country's first wooden bandboxes; and Amos Fortune, 1710-1801, African-born slave who purchased his freedom, established a tannery and left funds for the Jaffrey church and schools. Located in Jaffrey Center, on the south side of NH 124, about 2 miles east of its junction with US 202.
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KEENE
  • History: First granted in 1735 as Upper Ashuelot to soldiers in the wars against Canada, and intended to be a fort town. Establishment of the Massachusetts-New Hampshire boundary in 1753 made it one of the largest towns in New England. Under regrant by the New Hampshire governor, the town was named Keene, in honor of Sir Benjamin Keene of England, an associate of Governor Wentworth in the Spanish West Indies trade. Keene was incorporated as a city in 1873, and is home to Keene State College.
  • Villages and Place Names: North Swanzey, South Keene, Arlington
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Keene, N.H. - TXT file -- Geography and geology of Keene (town, later the city) NH, early history including formation and incorporation, early settlers including house lot numbers, early merchants and businesses, early census populations, description of the town in 1800 and 1819, patriotic service during wars, history of the churches, schools, manufactures, history of banks, interesting history of the masonic temples, library, societies, utility companies, fairgrounds and trotting park, brief (a few length) biographies of early settlers and notable citizens including those of Joseph B. Abbott, Dr. Daniel Adams, Dr. Charles G. Adams, Artemas Bailey, David Barker, W.A. Barrett, Hon. John J. Allen Jr., Alfred T. Batchelder, Ebenezer Bigelow, Daniel W. Biscoe, Leonard Biscoe, Hiram Blake, Benjamin Bowker, William S. Briggs, Dr. Eben / Eber Carpenter, Dr. Algernon Sidney Carpenter, Ira C. Clark, John Colony, Timothy Colony, Henry Coolidge, Rev. David Darling, Dr. S.M. Dinsmore, Hon. Samuel Dinsmore, Samuel Dinsmore, Hon. Thomas Mackie Edwards, Francis Augustus Faukner, Daniel Fisher, Arad Fletcher, Francis French, John Houghton Fuller, Samuel O. Gates, Dexter W. Gilbert, Hon. Samuel W. Hale, Silas Hardy, Capt. Noah Hardy, Jacob Hart, Col. Nehemiah Hart and the Hart Family, Dr. Gardner C. Hill, Adin Holbrook, John Holbrook, John Josiah Holbrook, Ralph J. Holt, John Humphrey, Horace M. Irish, Dr. John F. Jennison, Deacon Luke Joslin, Nathaniel Kingsbury, Farnum F. Lane, Thomas H. Leaverett, Hugh Mason, Frederick Metcalf, Hezekiah Munsell, Hon. Daniel Newcomb, Godfrey Nims, David Nims, Eliakim Nims, George H. Nims, Lanmon Nims (and other NIMS family members), Benjamin Nourse, Daniel O'Brien, Joseph Perry, Francis Allen Perry, Capt. Horace Truman Hanks Pierce, Edward Pittsinger, Jeremiah Pratt, Hon. John Prentiss, John W. Prentiss, Ira French Prouty M.D., Ira J. Prouty M.D., Augustus M. Rice, Archibald Robertson, James Robertson, Ebenezer Robertson, Noyes Robertson, C.F. Rowell, Barton Skinner and the Skinner family, Thomas Spaulding, Ashley Spaulding, John Symonds, Hon. Peleg Sprague,Reuben Stewart, Amos B. Tenney, John A. Thayer, James and Samuel Thompson, Daniel Thompson, Dr. George B. Twitchell, Leonard Wellington, William P. Wheeler, Abijah Wilder, Lockhart Willard Esq., Hon. James Wilson Sr., Gen. James Wilson Jr., Nathan Wood, Rev. Horace Wood, Solomon Woodward, Philemon Wright, and Charles Wyman
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Keene NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: The History of Keene NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • The Granite Monthly, January 1901: The Women's Clubs of Keene
    • Keene NH Main Street, from 1925 Granite State Monthly
    • Online Book: Keene and vicinity, its points of interest, and its representative business men, embracing Keene, Hinsdale, Winchester, Marlboro, Walpole, Swanzey and Charlestown - Bacon, George F. (George Fox), 1891 [with photographs]
    • Inscriptions from Old Cemeteries in Keene, N.H. - TXT file this site
    • Map - Village of Keene NH (showing some residents) - 1850 - GIF file this site
    • Online Listing, Vital Records of Keene NH - Keene Library
    • Online Book (Free) - Annals of the Town of Keene: From Its First Settlement, in 1734, to the Year (searchable)
    • Vital Statistics of the Town of Keene, New Hampshire:
    • Cemetery Division, Keene NH
    • Genealogy: USGenWeb Archives - brief genealogies of Keene Families: Capt. Jeremiah Stiles; Col Isaac Wyman.
    • Brief History of Keene NH - KeeneNH.com
    • Keene, New Hampshire, by Francis S. Fiske: The New England magazine; Volume 23, Issue 2; Oct 1897
    • An Old New Hampshire Muster, by Horatio J. Perry;The New England magazine; Volume 13, Issue 1; September 1892
    • Biography: Keene New Hampshire's Civil Rights Activist and Martyr, Jonathan Myrick Daniels (1939-1965) - blog, Cow Hampshire
    • KEENE GLASS INDUSTRY marker - The first of two famous Keene glass factories was established near this site in 1814 and produced window glass for the New England area until 1853. Another glass works (1815-1842), 1.5 miles southeast of here on Marlboro Street, made bottles and flasks now known as "Keene Glass" and prized today by museums and collectors. Located on the east side of Washington Street at Fuller Park.
    • HAMPSHIRE POTTERY marker - About 150 feet north of here stood the famous Hampshire Pottery Works, founded by James Scolly Taft for the manufacture of earthenware. In 1878 Majolica ware was a major product, followed in 1883 by the addition of useful and decorative art objects and souvenir pieces. With the introduction in 1904 of the famous "mat glaze," Hampshire Pottery was recognized as a leader in its field. Located in front of the Keene Public Works Office Building on Lower Main Street.

  • PHOTOGRAPHS:
    • Photograph Collection: Keene NH Library & Cheshire County Historical Society (Searchable on Flickr)
    • Photograph: KEENE, Otter Brook
    • Historic Structure: KEENE Branch River Bridge, Spanning the Branch River (Otter Brook) at Main St - American Memory/HABS
    • Historic Building: KEENE, Cheshire House - American Memory
    • Monadnock Marketplace, Keene NH
    • St. Bernard's Church, Keene NH
    • Old Postcards of Keene NH - USGenWeb (scroll down)
    • Photograph - Francis Skinner Fiske, b. 9 Nov 1825 at Keene, Cheshire Co. NH, son of Phineas & Mary (Hart) Fiske; he died c 1872 at Boston MA; was a Union soldier who served as Lieutenant Colonel in the 2nd New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry and was brevetted Brigadier General of Volunteers; m. Ann Farnsworth (Lucy Ann) Wilson, daughter of James 'Long Jim' Wilson and Mary Lord Richardson; d. circa 1872 Boston, Suffolk, MA [link dead Oct 2017]
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MARLBOROUGH
  • History: Marlborough was first granted in 1752 as Monadnock Number 5, one of the fort towns first known only by number. The town was at one time called Oxford, then New Marlborough, but was incorporated as Marlborough. Many of the settlers were from Marlborough, Massachusetts, which had been named for John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, in the late 1600's.
  • Villages and Place Names: Webb
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Marlborough, N.H. - TXT file; Geography and geology of Marlborough NH; early town history and proprietors; population and description in 1880; description of villages; manufactures and early businesses, the Frost Free Library, early settlers of the town; 1770 list of settlers, first town meeting and officers; town citizens during the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War; early church history; cemeteries, Odd Fellows, lakes, rivers and streams, early school history; Biographies of early settlers and later prominent citizens including: (Duncan) Abel Baker, Dr. James Batcheller, Charles A. Bemis, Dolphus Bixby, Elijah Boyden, Dr. Kendall Bruce, Dr. David Carter, Martin Chase, Fuller Clark, Osgood Collester, Jairus B. Collins, John Converse, Nelson Converse, John Willie Converse, Rev. Charles Cummings, Isaac Davis and Family, Edwin Davis, Hon. George G. Davis, Phineas Farrar, Luther Farrar, Silas Fife, Elijah Fitch, Levi A. Fuller, Elijah Gates, Levi Gates, Daniel Goodenow, Asa Greenwood, Dr. Ephraim K. Frost, Dr. George L. Harrington, Rev. Osgood Herrick, Luther Hemenway, Curtis F. Hunt, James Knowlton, Timothy L. Lane MD, Dr. Samuel J. Martin, Clark Mason, Joseph C. Mason, Sumner A. Mason MD, Charles R. Mason, Ziba Mason, Isaac McAllister, Rev. Sullivan H. McCollester, Lee Sullivan McCollester, Isaac McCollester, John Quincy Adams McCollester, Samuel J. Martin, Dr. Nathaniel E. Merriam, Cyrus Sidney Moors, William A. Nason, Dr. Justus Perry, Jedediah Putney, Dr. Samuel A. Richardson, Charles Ryan, Jedediah K. Southwick, Hon. Andrew A. Stone, Rev. Cyrus STone, Jeremiah Stone MD, Henry P. Tenney, Benjamin Thatcher, Leonard Ellsworth Tilden, Benjamin Tucker, Cyrus Wakefield, Rev. William C. Whitcomb, William White, Rev. Luther Wiswall, Abel Woodward, Daniel B. Woodward, Elisha O. Woodward
    • Online Book: History of the town of Marlborough, Cheshire County N.H - Charles Austin Bemis; 1881
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Marlborough NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: The History of Marlborough NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: Keene and vicinity, its points of interest, and its representative business men, embracing Keene, Hinsdale, Winchester, Marlboro, Walpole, Swanzey and Charlestown - Bacon, George F. (George Fox), 1891 [with photographs]
    • Genealogy: USGenWeb Archives - brief genealogies of Marlborough Families: Richard Porter; Whitney Families.
    • Genealogy: Marlborough Cemetery Records [archived web site]
      Town Cemeteries:
      -- Meeting House - Frost Hill Rd. (a/k/a Old Center Cemetery)
      -- Pine Grove - Granite St.
      -- Graniteville - Granite St.
      -- East - Old Harrisville Rd. (a/k/a Old North Cemetery)
      -- Estey - Hill St.
    • Brief History of Marlborough NH - KeeneNH.com
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MARLOW
  • History: First named Addison, after Joseph Addison, Secretary of State for England, who signed the appointment papers making John Wentworth Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts in 1717. As a result of the French War, few original grantees settled there, and the town was regranted in 1761 as Marlow, in honor of Christopher Marlowe, the famed author and playwright.
  • Villages and Place Names: Baker Corner, Gee Mill, Marlow Junction. Echo Lake
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Marlow, N.H. -- TXT file; Geography and geology of Marlow NH; early history and proprietors; description of villages; earliest buildings, early documents; citizens and their participation in the American Revolution, War of 1812 and Civil War; history of meeting-house and churches; education and schools; early physicians; mercantile / merchant history; inn and tavern keepers; mills; cemeteries; population; accidents in town; biographies of early settlers and prominent citizens including: Dr. Isaac Baker, Willard Baker, Osman Baker, Francis Brown, Hon. James Burnap, Jonathan Butler, Rufus Dodge, David Downing, Daniel Downing and family, Ebenezer Farley and family, Bethuel Farley, Amos F. Fisk(e), George W. Fox, Peter E. Fox, Elisha Gee, Elbridge B. Gee, Patrick Giffin, John Giffin and family; Samuel Gustin, John Gustin and family, James M. Howard, Nathan Huntley and family, John Jones and family, Stephen C. Joslin, Ira Knight and family, Eber Lewis and family, William Lewis, John Lewis Sr., Dudley Lewis, George Lewis, Gurden Lewis, Rev. Ebezner Mack, Isaac Monroe, James H. Morrison, Dr. Marshall Perkins, Phelps family including Luther Phelps, Orville S. Rogers, Hiram F. Russell, George S. Russell, Phinehas Stone and family, Hosea Towne, Andrew Towne, Joseph Tubbs and Abisha Tubbs and family including Daniel Tubbs, Joseph Tubbs, and Eli Tubbs, Daniel Way and family including Wells Way, Christopher Way and Asa Way.
    • Online Book: The History of Marlow NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Marlow NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Brief History of Marlow, NH - KeeneNH.com
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NELSON
  • History: One of the original border towns, Nelson was first known as Monadnock Number 6. In 1767, it was renamed Packersfield after Thomas Packer, one of the grantees, who was high sheriff of Portsmouth. It kept that name until 1814, when it was renamed in honor of Lord Horatio Nelson, who died on board the British ship Victory in the war against Napoleon. Nelson includes the village of Munsonville.
  • Villages and Place Names: Munsonville, Nelson
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Nelson, N.H. -- Txt File -- Geography and geology of Nelson, NH; early history and record of early proprietors and settlers of the town; early mills and manufactures/businesses; population and description in 1880; description of villages; early churches; biographies and genealogies of early settlers and prominent citizens including: Breed Batchelder [Batcheller], Dr. Nathaniel Breed, John Atwood and family, Philip Atwood, Josiah Atwood, Asa Beard, David Beard [Bard], John Burnap and family; John Greene and family, Samuel Greene, Samuel Griffin Esq. and family, Noah W. Hardy and family, Willard Jewett and family, Isaac Jewett, Samuel W. Loveland, Josiah Melville [Melvin] and family, John and Nathaniel Osgood and families, Benjamin Rice, Asa Spaulding, Danforth Taylor, Ebenezer Tolman, Josiah Whitney, Stephen Whitney, Archelaus Wilson, Capt. Asa Wilson, among others.
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Nelson NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: The History of Nelson NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: Celebration by the town of Nelson - Nelson picnic association, Nelson, N.H.August 15, 1917, Sketch of the Early History of the Town, Names and Records of the Pioneer Settlers of Packerfiels which had part in the War of the Revolution 1775-1783, and Program of Anniversary Exercises.
    • Brief History of Nelson NH - KeeneNH.com
    • Lovers Leap and Lake Munson - Granite State Monthly 1898
    • Richardson Family of Nelson NH (genealogy) - use the search engine, Advanced, and type in Nelson for the location.
  • PHOTOGRAPHS:
    • Nelson NH Foliage
    • Photograph: Simon Goodell Griffin, b. born August 9, 1824 in Nelson, Cheshire Co. NH and died January 14, 1902 in Keene NH; m1) Ursula Harris; m2) Margaret Lamson; In 1860 he was a law student in Concord NH; In June 1861 Simon Goodell Griffin was appointed captain in the 2nd New Hampshire, and fought at 1st Bull Run. In 1862 he was made colonel and saw duty at 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Vicksburg. Griffin was appointed brigadier general of volunteers in 1864 and fought at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Crater, and Appomattox. He became major general of the U.S. volunteers in April 1865. [see town history & genealogy above for more about his family] [link dead Oct 2017]
    • Nelson NH on Pinterest
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PLAINFIELD AND OTHER TOWNS FORMERLY IN CHESHIRE COUNTY...
In the US Census from 1790 to 1820, Plainfield and several other towns (see list below) can be found under CHESHIRE COUNTY. Starting in 1830 look for these townships under SULLIVAN COUNTY.

June 23, 1826, the NH Legislature created a new county, named Sullivan County, after General John Sullivan, one of New Hampshire's most distinguished Revolutionary partriots and soldiers. This new county was comprised of Acworth, Charlestown, Claremont, Cornish, Croydon, Grantham, Goshen, Lempster, Langdon, Newport, Plainfield, Sunapee, Springfield, Unity and Washington (in all 15 towns).

Special NOTE: Prior to 1830, census records for SUNAPEE NH will be located as the town of WENDELL in CHESHIRE COUNTY.

See Sullivan County
RICHMOND
  • History: First granted to soldiers returning from the war in Canada, this town was named 'Sylvester Canada', in honor of Captain Joseph Sylvester. When New Hampshire became a separate province, Sylvester Canada was reincorporated as 'Richmond,' in honor of the governor's English friend, Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond, a staunch advocate of colonial independence.
  • Villages and Place Names: Sylvester Canada
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Richmond, N.H. -- TXT file -- Geography and geology of Richmond NH; early history, proprietors and settlers; early mills and manufactures/businesses; population and description in 1880 and 1884; description of villages; schools, churches, post offices/postmasters; early [pre 1850] representatives and town clerks; early physicians; early deeds; other first, i.e. first hotel, births, buildings; citizens who participated in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the Civil War; Biographies of early town settlers and prominent citizens, including: Nathan Aldrich, Levin Aldrich, Hosea Ballou, Uberto Brown or Bowen, James Brown, Jedediah Buffum, Daniel Buffum, Robert Buffum, Jacob Bump, Jeremiah Bullock, Cass Bullock, Daniel Cass, Jonathan Cass, Lewis Freeman, Preston Freeman, Dr. Samuel P. French, Amos Garnsey, Cyril Garnsey, Paul G. Gillson, Nathan Harkness, Elijah Harkness, John Martin, Wikchmess Martin, Reuben Parker, Lemuel Scott, Obadiah Sprague, Enoch Sprague, Jeremiah Thayer, Ellis Thayer, Peregrine Wheeler, Jonas R. Wheeler, William Wright, Luther Wright, and others.
    • Online Book: History of the town of Richmond, Cheshire County, New Hampshire : from its first settlement, to 1882 - Bassett, William, 1884.
    • Online Book: The History of Richmond NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Richmond NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Brief History of Richmond NH - KeeneNH.com
    • Hosea Ballou (1771-1852) was the most influential of the preachers in the second generation of the Universalist movement. His book, A Treatise on Atonement, radically altered the thinking of his colleagues in the ministry and their congregations. He resided in Richmond NH. [from archive]
    • Biography: A New Hampshire Mother of a President: Eliza (Ballou) Garfield 1801-1888, blog: Cow Hampshire
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RINDGE
  • History: Granted to soldiers from Rowley, Massachusetts, returning from the war in Canada, the town was known as Rowley-Canada. In 1749, the town was renamed Monadnock Number 1, or South Monadnock. It was incorporated as Rindge in 1768, in honor of Captain Daniel Rindge, one of the original grant holders. Rindge is the home of Franklin Pierce College, and the Cathedral of the Pines, a multi-denominational outdoor chapel.
  • Villages and Place Names: Converseville [Conversville], Cutter Hill, East Rindge, Jones Corner, Rand, Thomas, West Rindge, Woodmere, Blakeville [not to be confused with Blakeville in Hampton NH].
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • BUSINESS & OTHER:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Rindge, N.H. -- Txt file -- Geography and geology of Rindge NH; Early history, population and description in 1880; description of villages; early businesses and manufactures, hotels, etc.; Churches; the Medium's Camp Meeting of the Two Worlds of Rindge; Incorporation and the officers of the first town meeting; Firsts in town; An extensive description of participants in the American Revolution, including those who signed the Association Test; names of residents who participated in the Civil War; Biographies of early settlers and prominent citizens including: Dr. Walton H. Aldrich, Joel R. Bixby, Aaron B. Bixby, Ebenezer Blake, Charles Broman, John Broman, Rev. Amos Wood Burnham, Reuben A. Buzzell, Joshua Chadwick, Isaac Chadwick, Thomas Danforth, Benjamin Danforth, Lucius Converse, Capt. Ebenezer H. Converse, George W. Cragin, John Danforth, Charles Danforth, John Earl, Ellis or Eills, John Emory or Emery, Warren W. Emory / Emery, Luther Goddard, Martin S. Goddard, Moses Hale, Nathan Hale, Chester O. Hale, Julius A. Hale, Stephen Hale, Samuel J. Hardisen, Thomas J. Hill, Nathan Hubbard, Deacon Hezekiah Hubbard, Levi Hubbard and family, Joshua Hunt, Ezekiel Jewett, Asa Jones, Samuel Jones, Rev. Richard Kimball, George Kimball, Samuel M. Kimball, Warren S. Kimball, Byron D. Leighton, Nathaniel Lowell, Francis Maxwell, George J. Maxwell, James B. McGregor, Charles H. Miller, Clement Tatro Jr., Francis J. Morlock, John Perry, Jason B. Perry, Amos Ramsdell, Reuben Ramsdell, Abijah Rice, Harrison G. Rice, George G. Rice, Thomas Rugg, Luke Rugg, Warham H. Rugg, Nathaniel Russell, Henry Rugg, Sumner Rugg, Simeon Rugg, John H. Rugg, Dr. Ira Russell, Dr. F.W. Russell, James Simonds (Symonds), Captain Freeborn Stearns, Charles F. Stearns, Willie E. Stearns, William Stickney, Simon Fletcher, William, Stickney, Asa Stickney, Elbridge G. Tarbox, John Thrasher, Samuel P. Thrasher, Ned Thrasher, Francis Towne, Joshua Towne, Levi Russell, Greene Towne, George W. Towne, Solomon F. Towne, Dana S. Walker, Ivers Wellington, William Kimball, Daniel White, John White, Abraham M. White, Zachariah F. Whitney, Osborn A. Whitney, David Wilson, Elenzor Royce, Lemuel Royce, Isaac Wood, Addison M. Wood, Marshall Wood, Samuel M. Wood, and Stillman M. Wood among others
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Rindge NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: The History of Rindge NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: Centennial Celebration of the Dedication of the Congregational Meeting-House, Rindge, N.H ... - N H ) Congregational church, 1897
    • Online Book: Historical discourse delivered on the fortieth anniversary of his pastorate in Rindge, N.H., November 14, 1861 - Burnham, A. W. (Amos Wood), 1791-1871
    • Article: Rindge New Hampshire Teacher, Historian, Genealogist, Editor, Legislator, NH Secretary of State: Ezra Scollay Stearns, A.M.
    • History of the Town of Rindge NH 1738-1874 (aka Rowley Canada) - online book, free, searchable (Internet Archive)
    • Genealogy: USGenWeb Archives - brief genealogies of Rindge Families: Abijah Smith; Capt. Othniel Thomas.
    • Rindge New Hampshire's Cathedral of the Pines - Blog: Cow Hampshire
    • Brief History of Rindge NH - KeeneNH.com
    • Ezra Scollay Stearns - born in Rindge NH
    • Rindge Town Reports: [Includes Vital Records, i.e. births, marriages, deaths] :| 1880 | 1882 | 1906 | 1921 |

    • SECOND RINDGE MEETING HOUSE marker - This Meeting House was an outgrowth of the time when Proprietors of the town were responsible for the encouragement of religion. It was built in 1796 when church and state were intertwined. Until 1819, regardless of denomination and belief, residents were considered members of this parish and their tax money supported the minister. In 1839 the town became owner of this edifice and the church society its tenant and this arrangement remains today. This building of simple colonial architecture still embraces some of the religious and civil affairs of this community and stands as a monument to pure democracy. Located on the Main Street in Rindge Center, off the west side of US 202 and south of NH 119

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ROXBURY
  • History: Roxbury was once a part of Monadnock Number 5, one of the settlements reserved for soldiers of the French wars. Monadnock Number 5 became Marlborough, and in 1812, a group of citizens successfully petitioned for incorporation as a separate town. It was named Roxbury after their old village, now part of Boston.
  • Villages and Place Names: Monadnock Number 5, Marlborough, Roxbury Center
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Roxbury, N.H. -- TXT -- Geography and geology of Roxbury, NH; early town history including officers appointed at the first town meeting; population and description in 1880; schools; churches; early physicians and pastors; early merchants and businesses; biographies of early settlers and prominent citizens including: John Nims, Ebenezer ims, David Nims, Zadoc Nims, Asahel Nims, Capt. Eliakim Nims, Matthew Nims, and many other members of the NIMS family; Gideon Phillips, Richard Phillilps, Deacon Reuben Phillips, and other members of the Phillips family; Nathan Nye, Gardner Nye, Eli Clark, Henry C. Clark, Quincey E. Clark, and other members of the Clark family, Solomon Kingbury, Elbridge Kingsbury, Josiah Woodward, and other members of the Woodward family.
    • Online Book: The History of Roxbury NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Roxbury NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Brief History of Roxbury NH - KeeneNH.com
    • Joseph Ames - born in the small town of Roxbury in 1816, the son of Robert and Sarah Ames. Young Ames received his early education in Roxbury's district schools. He showed artistic ability at a young age and began portrait painting early in life. Ames attained some success as a painter in New Hampshire and soon moved to Boston where he opened a studio. He quickly earned a favorable reputation, painting portraits of several well known citizens. He was entirely self taught in his profession. A portrait and genre painter, Joseph Ames worked in Boston from 1841 to 1847 and then went to Italy where he painted a portrait of Pope Piux IX. On his return, he worked primarily in Boston for several decades. By 1870, he was in Baltimore and then in New York where he died in 1872. The Joseph Ames portrait, of Abraham Lincoln, painted in 1865, was the last portrait of Lincoln done from life. Link #2 to another biography
    • Nims Family Association - genealogy & photographs
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STODDARD
  • History: First granted in 1752, this town was originally known as Monadnock Number 7. It briefly held the name Limerick before being incorporated as Stoddard in 1774, in honor of Colonel Sampson Stoddard. Colonel Stoddard was appointed to survey southwestern New Hampshire by the colonial government, receiving several land grants for the service. Between 1840 and 1873, Stoddard was a center of glass manufacturing, home to four glass factories whose products are much prized today.
  • Villages and Place Names: Leominster Corner, Mill Village, South Stoddard, Woods Mill
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Stoddard, N.H. -- TXT file -- Geography and geology of Stoddard NH; early town history; 1880 and 1884 description; villages of Stoddard; early manufactures and businesses; "Firsts" in town; participants and problems during the American Revolution; other early town officers from documents; churches; Biographies and genealogies of early settlers and prominent town citizens including (but not limited to): Zebulon Barrett, Ebenezer Blake, James Copeland, George L. Curtis, Asa Davis, Joseph Dodge, Samuel Foster and family, Simeon Gould Jr., Nathan Gould, Isaiah Gould, Stephen Gould, Nathaniel Joslin, David Joslin, Stephen C. Joslin, and many Joslin families; Daniel Locke, Enos Locke, Elbridge W. Locke (musician), Dr. Asher Loveland, Aaron Matson and family, Francis Matson, Samuel Messenger, Silas Messenger [or Messinger], Nathan Morse and many MORSE family members, Peter Rice, Josiah M. Rice and other members of the Rice family, Ziba Richardson, James Robb, Christopher Robb, and other Robb family members, James Scott, John Scott, Ebenezer Stacy, Abel Stacy and family, Daniel Stevens and family, John Stevens, Hon. George STevens, John Taggard [sic Taggart] and family, Israel Towne, Luman Weeks, William Dexter Wilson, Dr. Nathaniel Worcester and family.
    • Online Book: The History of Stoddard NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Stoddard NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: History of Stoddard, Cheshire County, N.H - Isaiah Gould, 1897
    • History of Stoddard and photographs of old buildings
    • Brief History of Stoddard NH - KeeneNH.com
    • STONE ARCH BRIDGE Marker in Stoddard NH - This twin arch structure, built without mortar and sustained solely by expert shaping of its archstones, is typical of a unique style of bridge construction employed primarily in the Contoocook River Valley in the first half of the Nineteenth Century. These bridges are a significant part of our American architectural heritage. Located on the south side of NH 9, in a roadside rest area about .1 mile west of the the Antrim-Stoddard town line.
    • STODDARD GLASS Marker in Stoddard NH - Glassmaking in this town covered the years 1842-1873. Nearby stood the South Stoddard Glass Works founded by Foster in 1842. A second works was erected in 1846 at Mill Village two miles north. In its day, a major industry of the State, Stoddard glass products are now highly prized by collectors. Located on NH 9, about .1 mile west of its junction with NH 123.
    • Biography: WILSON, William Dexter, clergyman, born in Stoddard NH
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SULLIVAN
  • History: Carved out of portions of Gilsum, Stoddard, Nelson, and Keene, this town was named in honor of General John Sullivan, a Revolutionary War hero. General Sullivan served as a member of the Continental Congress, Adjutant General to Washington, and Major General of the Northern Army. He was elected President of New Hampshire in 1786, and the town of Sullivan was created the following year.
  • Villages and Place Names: East Sullivan, Ellisville
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Sullivan, N.H. -- TXT file -- Geography and Geology of Sullivan, NH; early town history, signers of early documents, description of villages, early businesses and manufactures, early mills and buildings, incorporation of the town, early murders, participation in wars (Revolution and Civil); monument to soldiers; description of town cemeteries, first births and oldest residents; library and bands; politics; biographies of early preachers including Rev. William Muzzey, Rev. Josiah Peabody, Rev. Job Cushman, Rev. Joel Wright, Rev. Alanson Alvord, Rev. Thomas Snell Norton, Rev. George Washington Stinson, Rev. Nelson Barbour, Rev. John Murdock Stowe, Rev. Samuel Stillman Drake, Rev. Henry Warren Lyman Thurston, Rev. George Warren Rogers, Rev. Charles Cummings, and others; early physicians including Dr. Messer Cannon, Dr. Timothy Livingston Lane, Dr. Edward Barton; brief biographies of early college graduates in the town including: Marquis Delafayette Collestor, Samuel Newell Fifield, Dr. Carlton Pennington Frost, Dr. Edwin Brant Frost, Rev. Henry Martyn Frost, George Wallace Keith, Dr. Alba Enoch Kempt, Dr. Edwin Augustine Kemp, Dr. Frank Kemp, Rev. George Solon Kemp, Hon. David Haven Mason, James Bracket Mason, Dr. Rufus Osgood Mason, Dr. Edward Beecher Nims, George Lyman Nims, Rev. Josiah Lafayette Seward, Orlando Lesie Seward, and other Seward descendants, Rev. Granville Wardwell, Edgar Vinton Wilson, Esq., Rev. Enoch Charles Augustus Woods, Prof. J. Willston Wright, Rev. Artemus Bowers Muzzey; Other biographies and genealogies of early settlers and prominent citizens including: Hon. Charles Carter Comstock, Atwell C. Ellis, Joseph Foster, Stephen Foster, Daniel Goodnow, Roswell Hubbard and Erastus Hubbard, Nathan Taft, Elbridge A. Taft, Samuel Winchester, and Harrison Rugg and the Rugg family, and Judson White, among others.
    • Online Book: The History of Sullivan NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Sullivan NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: Annals of Charlestown in the county of Sullivan - Crosby, Jaazaniah, 1834.
    • Online Book: A history of the town of Sullivan, New Hampshire, 1777-1917 (Volume v.1) - Seward, Josiah Lafayette, 1921
    • Online Book: The descendants of Calvin Locke, of Sullivan, N.H. : who was of the fifth generation from Dea. William Locke, of Woburn, Mass. (1628-1720) - Gerould, Samuel L. (Samuel Lankton), 1903
    • Online Book: Wardwell : a brief sketch of the antecedents of Solomon Wardwell, with the descendants of his two sons, Ezra and Amos, who died in Sullivan, N.H. - Stay, Elizbeth Wardwell, 1905
    • Brief History of Sullivan NH - KeeneNH.com
    • Wardwell : a brief sketch of the antecedents of Solomon Wardwell, with the descendants of his two sons, Ezra and Amos, who died in Sullivan, N.H. - Stay, Elizbeth Wardwell
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SURRY
  • History: Chartered in 1769 from a part of Westmoreland, the town was named for Charles Howard, Earl of Surrey, Duke of Norfolk, and hereditary Earl Marshal of England. The county of Surrey in England was known for manufacture of pleasure carriages called surreys, introduced to America in 1872. Surry is an excellent geological area, containing quantities of quartz bearing veins of gold, silver, copper, and lead.
  • Villages and Place Names: Shaws Corner
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Surry, N.H. -- TXT file -- Geography and geology of Surry [sometimes mis-spelled Surrey]; the population and description circa 1880; villages [there is only one, Surry], early mills and businesses; the first settler (Peter Hayward); the first town meeting and officers; other early town history and early settlers; Surry in the Revolutionary war and known participants; names mentioned in other early documents; churches; biographies and genealogies of early settlers and prominent residents including: James Britton, John Britton, William Carpenter, Ezra Carpenter, and the Carpenter family; Warren Carpenter, Charles Carpenter and family; John Cole, Asa Cole and family; Henry T. Ellis, Capt. Thomas L. Harmon, Thomas Harvey, Asahel Harvey and family, Peter Hayward (first settler) and his family; Hon. Lemuel Holmes, Augustus Johnson, Charles Johnson, George Johnson, Henry Johnson, et al; Thomas Harvey, Jonathan Harvey, and family; Daniel Hodgkins Jr., Elijah Holbrook, Francis Holbrook, Stephen Holbrook, and family; John Howe, Rev. Perley Howe, Phebe Howe (who married Dr. John Petts), James Kingsbury, William L. Kingsbury, John McCurdy, Samuel McCurdy and family, William Perkins, Charles H. Perkins, et al., Dr. William H. Porter, Daniel Reed (from IL) and family, Jonathan Robinson, Samuel Robinson, et al, Obadiah Wilcox, Gaylord Wilcox, Wallace W. Wilcox et al, Asa Wilcox, Asa Wilcox, et al.
    • Online Book: History of the town of Surry, Cheshire County, New Hampshire : from date of severance from Gilsum and Westmoreland, 1769-1922, with a genealogical register and map of the town - Kingsbury, Frank B. (Frank Burnside), 1868-
      Includes indexes
    • Online Book: The History of Surry NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Surry NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Brief History of Surry, NH - KeeneNH.com
    • SURRY MOUNTAIN GOLD MINE and LILY POND marker - To the east rises Surry Mountain, stretching four miles north and south. For many years, mines yielding small amounts of mica, copper, lead, silver and gold were operated along the ridge. In the saddle of the mountain, slightly north of the village, there is a Lily Pond, some 750 feet above the valley meadows. Often called a freak of nature, Lily Pond has been measured to be 80 feet deep in places. Located in Surry village, just east of NH 12-A, in front of the town library.
    • Genealogy of Peter Hayward, and family, of Surry NH
    • The Surry House was built circa 1865 part of a village farm in an agricultural town, it is now an inn.
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SWANZEY

TROY
  • History: Troy was separated from Marlborough in 1815, and included parts of Fitzwilliam, Swanzey, and Richmond. A prominent citizen and friend of Governor John Taylor Gilman, Captain Benjamin Mann of Mason, suggested the name Troy. His daughter Betsy was married to Samuel Wilson, famous as Uncle Sam, and at that time a resident of Troy, New York. At least seven members to Wilson's family were living in the town at the time, thus securing the name.
  • Villages and Place Names: Marlborough
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Troy, N.H. -- TXT file -- Geography and geology of TROY, NH; Description of town in 1880; description of Troy Village; Schools and Churches; Early manufactures, businesses, hotels, stores, etc; early history and first settlers; "firsts in Troy" (i.e. first buildings, first birth and death, etc.); military history (American Revolution, and Civil War); early physicians (with brief biographies); biographies and genealogies of early settlers and prominent citizens including, but not limited to: Elijah Bemis, Lemuel Brown, Abel Brown and family; Daniel Butterick, James Capron, Joseph F. Capron, Thomas Clark, Dea. Alva S. Clark, Hezekiah Coolidge, Abraham Coolidge, Elias D. Elliot, Thomas Goodall, Stephen Harris, Abner Haskell and family; Hezekiah Hodgkins, Jonathan H. Holt, Edward P. Kimball, Winthrop Knight, Arthur P. Knight, David Lawrence, Jonathan Lawrence, Rev. Ezekiel Rich, Martin Rockwood, Peter Starkey, Luna Starkey, Calvin Starkey, Levi Streeter, Thomas Tolman, Daniel Tolman, George P. Ward, Preston WHeeler, John Wheeler (adopted son of Luke Harris), Dr. Charles W. Whitney, and Thomas Wright
    • Online Book: An historical sketch of Troy [N.H.] and her inhabitants, from the first settlement of the town in 1764, to 1855 - Caverly, Abiel Moore, 1859 [with sketches]
    • Online Book: The History of Troy NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Troy NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: The town register: Marlboro, Troy, Jaffrey, Swanzey, 1908 (Volume 1908) - Mitchell publishing Co.
    • Genealogy: USGenWeb Archives - brief genealogies of Troy Families: Asa Porter; Noah Porter.
    • Brief History of Troy, NH - KeeneNH.com
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WALPOLE

WESTMORELAND
  • History: Once known as Great Meadows, this town was established in 1735 as Number 2 in the line of Connecticut River fort towns designed to protect the colonies from Indian attack. When New Hampshire became an independent province, it was granted to settlers as Westmoreland, named for John Fane, seventh Earl of Westmoreland. The meetinghouse in Westmoreland, built in 1762, has a Paul Revere bell.
  • Villages and Place Names: East Westmoreland, Parkhill, Gilboa, Westmoreland Depot
  • GOVERNMENT & RESEARCH:
  • HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
    • History & Genealogy: Westmoreland, N.H. --TXT file -- includes the geography and geology of Westmoreland NH; early history of the town; list of the town's proprietors and early settlers; early businesses and manufactures, schools, churches, early "firsts" and unusual weather; early lawyers (with their bios) early town officers of Westmoreland; A description of Westmoreland in 1880-84; description of villages; description of early cemeteries, Residents who partipated in wars (French & Indian, American Revolution, War of 1812 and Civil War); biographies and genealogies of early families and prominent citizens including: William Aiken, Ichabod Albee, Abisa Albee and family; Caleb Aldrich, Capt. George Aldrich (Aldridge), Allen Aldrich and family, Ephraim Amidon, Nathaniel Amidon and family, Nathan Godfrey Babbitt, Larkin Barker, Col. Tileston A. Barker, Benjamin Barker, Capt. Frank T. Barker and family; Willard Bill Sr. (gr grson of Samuel Bill), Caleb Briggs and family including Lemuel Briggs, Amasa Briggs, Oliver Leonard Briggs, Zenas Britton, William B. Britton and family, Silas Brown Jr., George S. Brown and family, Erasmus Buffum, Joseph Buffum and family, David Buffum, Haskell Buffum, Henry Burt and family including Samuel Burt, Hiram Burt, Willard Burt et al, the Chamberlain family including MANY descendants of John & Eunice (Edson) Chamberlain, including STEARNS family members; Charles B. Chase Jr. and family, Samuel Chickering and family; Asa Cole and many descendants of the COLE family in this area and elsewhere, including Capt. Theodore Cole; Jonathan Cole, Sherebiah Cowdery, John Cowdery and family; William Daggett, son of Phineas Daggett and family; Dr. George F. Dunbar; Thomas Dunham and family including Josiah Dunham; Steward Estey [Esty] and family, Henry Esty [sic Estey], Colonel Nat Fisk and family, Nathan Franklin and Family, French family (detailed) including David, Abijah and Jotham; Dr. Noah Fuller, and family including Josiah, Joseph, and Col. Levi Fuller; Christopher Fuller; Edwin J. Goodnow, Jonathan Goodnow and family; Ambrose C. Higgins, Egbert C and Edgar K. Horton; William Hutchins and family including Otis; Frank Jarvis, Artemus Knight; Luther Knight; Henry Leach son of Isaac and family; George W. Nims, son of Roswell and family; Josiah Noyes and family including Dr. Josiah Noyes, Augustus Noyes, and others; David W. Patten and family including John and family, Daniel; George W. Perry, son of Dr. William Perry and family; Sylvester Powers and familiy; Abiatha Lambert Shaw and family; Barnabas Shelley and family; Dr. Barton Simmons son of Edward and family; Israel Stowell son of Reuben and family; Albert Thompson (Tompson) and family including Nathaniel; Levi B. Ware, son of Erastus and family; Erasmus Wellington and family; Shubael White and family including Moses White, Cornelius White, Calvin White, and others; Isaac K. White; Edmund Wilcox and family. Mention of many others not included in this list.
    • Online Book: History of the Town of Westmoreland NH; section from Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 - Hamilton Child, 1885
    • Online Book: The History of Westmoreland NH; section from History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire - D. Hamilton Hurd, 1886
    • Online Book: The Town Register: Hinsdale, Walpole, Westmoreland, Winchester, Chesterfield, 1909 (includes History & Town Officers).
    • Online Book: History of the town of Surry, Cheshire County, New Hampshire : from date of severance from Gilsum and Westmoreland, 1769-1922, with a genealogical register and map of the town - Kingsbury, Frank B. (Frank Burnside),1925
    • Brief History of Westmoreland NH - KeeneNH.com
    • Online Book: The Town register : Hinsdale, Walpole, Westmoreland, Winchester, Chesterfield - Mitchell Publishing Co, 1909
    • Cheshire County "Poor Farm" Westmoreland NH [archived link]
    • PARK HILL MEETING HOUSE marker - This church, built on the northeast corner of Cole Cemetery in 1762, was moved in sections by ox cart in 1779 to this location, then known as Federal Hill. A steeple with a bell cast by the Paul Revere Foundry was added in 1826. This edifice is recognized as one of the most beautiful churches in New England. Located on the north side of NH 63 in the Park Hill section of Westmoreland, directly in front of the Meeting House
    • The Norris Family of Westmoreland NH - GoogleBooks
    • Ballou Family of Westmoreland NH - GoogleBooks
    • Abiather Howe of Westmoreland NH - GoogleBooks
    • Bennett and Gleason families of Westmoreland NH - GoogleBooks
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