HISTORY OF KEENE, CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
Information located at http://www.nh.searchroots.com
On a web site about GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE 
and its counties
TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN 
Please see the web site for my email contact.
----------------------------------
The original source of this information is in the public domain, 
however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is 
restricted without written permission from the transcriber 
(who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same).
========================================================
TAKEN FROM SOURCE:
Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 by Hamilton Child,
Syracuse, N.Y.: H. Child, 1885, 882 pgs.

page 223
HISTORY OF KEENE NH
[EXCERPTS ONLY]

KEENE, the county seat, lies in the central part of the county, in lat.
42 degrees 55', and long. 4 degrees 47', bounded north by Westmoreland,
Gilsum and Sullivan, east by Sullivan and Roxbury, south by Swanzey,
and west by Chesterfield and Westmoreland.  The boundaries thus
roughly given inclose a territory of about 22,010 acres, all included
within the corporation limits of the charming little city of Keene.
We say "little,"... despites its large population of less than 7,000
souls. A little over ten years since, this "city" was a township...

In June of 1732, Governor Belcher, in a speech to the Great and 
General Court of Massachusetts, recommended that "care be taken to
settle" that provinces ungranted land.  In conformity to this hint it
was voted in the house of representatives, "that there be seven towns
opened... one between the equivalent lands and Rutland... one at
Poquaig [Athol]... one west or the town called Northtown, two on
Ashuelot river, above Northfield, and the other in the eastern
country."  On the first of July, 1733, this vote was seconded by the
council and ratified by the governor.  A committee was appointed to
make a survey of the townships; but it seems they failed to perform
their duty, and on October 19, 1733 it was voted that another 
committee, consisting of Joseph Kellogg, Timothy Dwight, and William
Chandler, be appointed to lay out the townships of Poquaig and on
Ashuelot river.  This committee, in Feburary 1734, made a return to the
general court of a "plat of two townships, each of the contents of
six miles square, situated on either side of Ashuelot river, above
the tract lately granted to Col. Josiah Willard and others [Winchester]
beginning at a spruce or white pine, standing about midway between the
south and east branches of said river, about five perch east of the 
bank of the main river, and thence running each way, as described on
the plat."  This line was the boundary between the Upper and Lower
Ashuelot townships, the former identical with the present territory of
Keene, the latter that of Swanzey.

In March of that year, a committee was appointed to lay out house-lots
in the townships mentioned, who, in June, made a report of the
house-lots in the Upper township.  Of these, forty-four were laid out
on what is now the city plan, 27 on each side of the Main street, and
the other nine upon the plain on the Swanzey line.  They were 160 rods
long and eight rods wide, each containing 8 acres.  This committee,
being also authorized to admit settlers, notified all persons who were
desirous of taking lots to meet at Concord, Mass, June 26, 1734.
At that meeting the following lots were drawn [the numbers prefixed to
each name denotes the number of his lot, No. 1 being the south lot
on the east side of the street, No 54 the south lot on the west side,
Nos. 27 and 28 the most northern lots on the east and west sides:
1. Capt. Samuel Sady
2. Jeremiah Hall
3. Samuel Heywood
4. John Witt
5. Joseph Wright
6. Samuel Flood
7. Solomon Kees
8. Jonathan Morton
9. Thomas Weeks
10. Isaac Powers
11. William Hoaton
12. Eleazer Allen
13. Minister's lot
14. Daniel Haws
15. John Hawks
16. Philemon Chandler
17. Robert Moor
18. Isaac How
19. William Witt
20. Jonathan Whitney
21. Joseph Hill
22. William Puffer
23. Bartholomew Jones
24. Joseph Priest
25. Jonas Kees
26. William Smeed
27 Joseph Hill
54. Edward Twist
53. David Harwood
52. Amos Foster
51. Ebenezer Witt
50. Jonas Wilson
49. Isaac Tomberlin
48. Jabez Ward
47. Josiah Fisher
46. Thomas Abbott
45. Robert Gray
44. Jonathan Southwick
43. John Nims
42. Joseph Ellis
41. John Guild
40. John Corbit
39. Nathaniel Rockwood
38. Nathan Fairbanks
37. Abraham Master
36. Nicholas Sprake Jr.
35. Joseph Allen
34. Benjamin Whitney
33. David Chandler
32. Isaac Heaton
31. David Moss
30. Edward Hall
29. Ministry lot
28. School lot
The following, Nos. 55-63 inclusive, are those laid out on the
Swanzey line--
55. John Burge
56. Ebenezer Mason
57. Daniel Hoar
58. Elisha Root
59. Mark Ferry
60. Josiah Fisher
61. Elias Witt
62. Samuel Witt
63. Stephen Blake

The next day a full meeting of the proprietors was held, when
Samuel Sady was chosen moderator and Samuel Heywood clerk, and the
meeting was adjourned to the 18th of September, then to be held within
the limits of the township.  In that month the following persons,
proprietors or sons of proprietors set out for the township, viz:
Jeremiah Hall, Daniel Hoar, Seth Heaton, Elisha Roots, Nathaniel
Rockwood, Josiah Fisher and William Puffer.  None of them had ever
visited the township, and as it was then considered quite a formidable
journey thereto, "Deacon" Alexander, of Northfield, was secured to act
as guide. They did not arrive at the line of the township until late in
the evening of the 18th, the day appointed for the adjourned meeting
to convene, so, as soon as their guide informed them that they had
passed the town line, they immediately opened a meeting, only to 
adjourn it to the following day.  Such was the first visit of the
proprietors to what is now the city of Keene, late on a September
evening, 151 years ago.

No. 1 fell to a Mr. Morse who made his pitch in what is now the heart
of the city.  Nathan Blake had a house on what is now main Street,
near the General WIlson house, the first erected in the township,
and the frame of the original Congregational meeting-house was
completed, while just north, on Beaver brook, was a new saw-mill.
Such was the city of Keene in 1737.  Ten years later there had been
forty dwellings erected in the township, though how many of these
were in the city proper is impossible to say.  But during that year
they were all abandoned on account of Indian depredations, and later
were burned by the savages.  Of the buildings known to have been in
the city, however, were five dwellings, a meeting-house, and a fort.
The latter, built in 1738, occupied nearly the present site of the
house of Hon. Edward Gustine.  The church stood just north of
Nathan BLake's house, having been moved from the south end of Main
Street in 1741. Just south of Blake's was Mrs. Clark's house, and south
of that the McKenny house.  On the corner where Baker street turns
off from Main was the dwelling of -- Dorman, while on the north side
of Baker street, near the brook, stood another dwelling.  In a well
belonging to the latter a man hid for 2 days, during the Indian
attack of 1746, and escaped unharmed.  In 1750 or 1751 the inhabitants
began to come back to their possessions here, and in 1752 eight or ten
dwellings had been erected.

Even at this early date, however, a spirited controversy was in 
progress between the provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire,
relative to the position of the boundary line between them.  The final
settlement of this mooted question by King George II in 1740, left
the new township far within the limits of New Hampshire. On 3 October
the proprietors held a meeting to consider this grave subject, and
unanimously voted that a petition be presented to the king, "praying
that we may be annexed to said Massachusetts province." From this time
until 1753, then, the proprietors and inhabitants of Upper Ashuelot
held their lands with no valid title, their property in reality
belonging to the province of New Hampshire.  But on the 11th of
April of that year, upon petition of the proprietors, a charter was
granted by Governor Benning Wentworth [of NH] granting them the land
embraced within the original limits of Upper Ashuelot, and a small
additional strip on the eastern side, forming a new township under
the name of Keene.  This name was given by Governor Wentworth in honor
of his friend, Sir Benjamin Keene, who was then minister from England
to Spain.  As then granted, the township had an area of 25,248 acres;
but from this, September 27, 1787 was taken 1,920 acres toward
forming the township of Sullivan, and December 9, 1812, 1772 more
acres towards forming the town of Roxbury, while at another date,
154 acres from Swanzey was annexed to Keene, so that is now has an
area of 22,010 acres.

Up to the winter of 1736 no person had remained in the town during that
season.  Those who came in the summer to clear the lands brought their
provisions with them, and erected temporary huts to shelter them from
the weather.  But during that summer, Nathan Blake and Seth Heaton,
from Wrentham, and William Smeed, from Deerfield, made preparation to
pass the winter in the wilderness.  Their house was at the south end
of Main Street.  Their stock consisted of a yoke of oxen and a pair of
horses, one of the latter belonged to Heaton and the others to Blake.
During the winter Blake's horse was drowned in Beaver brook while
drawing logs to the saw-mill which had been erected the previous year.
In the beginning of February their provisions gave out, and Heaton 
was sent to Northfield for a new supply, but was unable to make his
way back through the snow.  The others, when they saw he failed to
return, turned the cattle loose where they might have access to the
hay, and started for Massachusetts on snow-shoes.  When they returned
in the spring, they found their cattle safe, but very hungry and glad
to see them.  In 1740, however there were in the town the following
landowners: Rev. Jacob Bacon, Josiah Fisher, Joseph Fisher, Nathan
Blake, William Smeed, Seth Heaton, Joseph Ellis, Ebenezer Nims,
Joseph Guild, Joseph Richardson, Isaac Clark, Edward Dale, Jeremiah
Hall, Ebenezer Force, Daniel Haws, Amos Foster, Ebenezer Day,
Beriah Maccaney, Jabez Hill, Obed ABlake, Jeremiah Hall Jr. David Nims,
Timothy Puffer, Ebenezer Daniels, Nathan Fairbanks, John Bullard,
David Foster, Solomon Richardson, Abner ELlis, Benjamin Guild, Asa
Richardson, Ebenezer Hill, Samuel Fisher, Ephraim Dorman, Timothy
Sparhawk, Jonathan Underwood, John Andrews and Samuel Smith.

Although at peace with the Indians, the settlers were aware of their
treacherous characters, and made preparations for resisting any sudden
onslaught, by the rection of a fort, which was done in 1738, and stood
near the present residence of Hon. Edward Gustine.  This was 90 feet
square, and contained two ovens, and two wells.  It was built of hewn
logs.  In the interior, next to the walls, were twenty barracks,
each having one room.  On the outside it was two stories high; in the
inside, but one, the roof over the barracks sloping inwards.  In the
space above the barracks were loop-holes to fire from with muskets.
There were two watch-houses, one at the southeast corner, and one on
western side, each erected on four high posts set upright in the
earth.  And for greater safety the whole was surrounded by pickets.
  This fort proved of great use to the little settlement a few years
later.  In 1744 was was declared between England and France, and the
whole frontier was in a state of excitement and alarm.  To this was
added, to check the prosperous growth of the new township, the dread
scourge of a throat distemper, fatal in its attacks, which wrought
sad havoc within the fort and consigned many to the grave.  Dea. Josiah
Fisher fell the first victim to the Indians, July 10, 1745, about 
where Gen. S.G. Griffin's garden now is.  Early on the morning of the
23d of April of the following year, Ephraim Dorman was openly attacked
near the settlement, but by a vigorous resistance made his escape to
the fort.  Mrs. Maccaney and John Bullard were less fortunate and
perished during the assault.  Mrs. Clark escaped capture by her
agility, being closely pursued nearly to the gate of the fort.
Nathan Blake was taken prisoner and carried to Canada, to be treated
there with considerate kindness.  His enforced visit with the red-men
formed quite a romantic incident in that dreary war.  He returned in
safety, after an absence of about two years, and lived to recall his
adventures to numerous descendants.  The Indians were beat off, with
a loss of about nine.  In the spring of 1747, after an uncomfortable
winter spent within the fort, the inhabitants resolved to abandon the
settlement, and a strolling party of Indians soon after burnt all
the buildings in the town, possibly with the exception of one or two.
Thus ended the first settlement of Upper Ashuelot.

In 1749 a treaty was made with the Indians, and the following year the
settlers made preparations to return to their deserted homesteads.
In the next French war, the Indians again renewed their hostilities,
compelling the rebuilding of the fort, in 1754.  In June 1755,
Benjamin Twitchell was captured and carried to Canada, and died there.
The savages were seen but twice afterwards in the vicinity, committed
no remarkable depredations, and so disappear from the annals of
Keene. From this time onward, the growth of the town was steady,
the first authentic enumeration of the inhabitants, taken October 7,
1767, showing a population of 427 souls.

During the period of the Revolution, Keene performed her duty
faithfully. In 1773 the foot company of Keene numbered 126, under
command of COl. Josiah Willard.  The alarum list, numbering forty-five,
seems to have been made up of the older men, including many of the
original settlers; the selectmen of Keene, David Nims, Eliphalet
Briggs Jr. and Benjamin Hall reported the census for Keene:
- Unmarried men from 60-70 ... 65
- Married men, from 16 - 60 ...96
- Boys, sixteen and under.....140
- Men, sixty years and upwards. 11
-Females, unmarried .......... 217
-Females, married ............ 105
Widows..........................10
Male Slave.......................1
             TOTAL:            645

In 1774 the town made preparations for war by the purchase of "200
lbs. of good gun powder, 400 lbs of lead, and 1,200 flints,"
raising 24 pounds lawful money for that purpose.  October 17 of
that year, Capt, Isaac Wyman and Lieut. Timothy Ellis were chosen
delegates to the county congress, at Walpole.

The battle of Lexington was fought on the 10th of April 1775.  The
news reached Keene soon after, and Captain Dorman, in command of the
militia, with the advice of Captain Wyman, "sent expresses to every
part of the town, notifying the inhabitants to meet, forwith, on 
the green."  Upon their meeting in the afternoon, the citizens voted
unanimously to raise a body of men to appease the regulars.
Captain Wyman, already an old man, was chosen to command, and under
his direction, a troop of thirty volunteers was on hand at sunrise
the next morning, fully equipped and was led towards Concord.
On the 27th of April, Timothy Ellis was chosen a delegate to Exeter,
and a member of the Provincial Congress.  On the 7th of December the
town, being without higher law, duly accepted a constitution and code
of laws for their own government, which was in force until 1778.
Its provisions were simple and to the point.  It required no lawyer
to elucidate.  Thomas Barker, Eliphalet Briggs and Dan Guild were
chosen a committee to judge and execute the new law, and Elijah Blake,
an officer, with duties like constable or sheriff.  The Declaration
of Resistance sent to the several towns of the state by the
committee of safety of the assembly of New Hampshire, was signed in
1776, by 103 citizens of the town--thirteen refusing to sign.
Col. ISaac Wyman was appointed justice of the peace that year;
and Captain Eliphalet Briggs, one of the committee of safety,
dying of small-pox, Jeremiah Stiles was chosen in his stead.  In 1777,
at the battle of Bennington, Keene was represented by a company of
quickly organized militia, among whom were Major Ellis, Josiah
Richardson and Joshua Durant.  Toward the close of the Revolution,
Keene was much exercised by the controversy in regard to the New
Hampshire grants, but maintained her allgiance to the old state.

In 1800 the village had grown to considerable importance. Aside from
its 52 dwellings, and usual complement of shops, etc. there were
four stores, three school-houses, three taverns, a jeweler,
a distillery, tannery, saw-mill, grist-mill, post and peal-ash works,
fulling-mill, blacksmith shop, printing office and "New Hampshire
Sentinel" [newspaper], masonic hall, meeting-house and jail.  The old
Dr. Adams house occupied the site of the fort and in it was kept the
postoffice.

In 1819 [from an addressed delivered by Samuel A. Gerould in 1868] the town of Keene had "but six stores.. the names of the firms and 
individual traders being as follows: A. & T. Hall, the oldest, dry
goods, groceries, drugs and medicines; Appleton & Elliott, groceries,
dry goods, hardware, and manufacturers of window glass; William
Lamson, a very popular trader, dry and fancy goods, groceries and
crockery; Justus Perry, dry goods, groceries, crockery and manufacturer
of glass hollow are; Dr. Hough, dry goods, groceries, drugs and
medicines; and Lynds Wheelock, a successful trader in dry goods,
groceries, crockery and glass-ware.  Another store, the seventh,
was then closed by the sheriff, which I desired to re-open by
purchasing the goods.  This I did, and here I have been since--forty-
nine years in the business of dry goods, groceries, crockery, glass
and silverware, watches, jewelry and carpets.."

Keene has also an honorable record for patriotic service in the late
civil war.  The whole number of her enlistments for different terms
of service is estimated to have exceeded 600, the death rate being
about one-sixth of that number.   As the village was early made a
rendezvous point for recruits from the neighboring towns, the 
following named companies were recruited and organized, a considerable
portion of the enlistments in each being of the Keene quota--
  Company G., First Regiment, Captain, Andrew J. Sargent; First
Lieutenant, Horace T.H. Pierce; Second Lieutenant, Charles H. Drummer.
  Company A., Second Regiment, Captain, T.A. Barker; First
Lieutenant, Henry M. Metcalf; Second Lieutenant, Herbert B. Titus.
  Company F, Fifth Regiment, Captain. H.T.H. Pierce; First Lieutenant,
Moses W. Rand; Second Lieutenant, Samuel Quinn.
  Company E., Sixth Regiment, Captain, O.G. Dort; First Lieutenant,
John A. Cummings; Second Lieutenant, George H. Muchmore.
  Company I., Ninth Regiment, Captain, John W. Babbitt; First
Lieutenant, Jacob Green; Second Lieutenant, Nelson N. Sawyer.
  Company G., Fourteenth Regiment, Captain, Solon A. Carter; First
Lieutenant, C. Frederick Webster; Second Lieutenant, SPencer L.
Bailey.
  A considerable number of men of Company K., Third Regiment, were
also of Keene.  This company was at first commanded by Captain Henry
C. Henderson and Lieutenants W.J. Butterfield and Samuel M. Smith.
The changes incident to actual service gave to many of the officers
above named a higher rank at a later date.  Company G., of the First
was recruited by Captain Henderson, who later commanded Company K,
of the Third.  Lieutenant Pierce, of the former company was
commissioned later, as Captain of Company F, of the Fith.  Captain
Babbitt of Company I, Ninth was afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel of the
same regiment.  Captain Carter, of Company G., Fourteenth was later
Assistant Adjutant-General, with the rank of Colonel.  Captain Barker
of Company A., Second Regiment, was subsequently Lieutenant-Colonel
of the Fourteenth Regiment.  Lieutenant Titus, of company A., Second
Regiment, was afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninth.  Colonel
Robert Wilson, who commanded the Fourteenth Regiment, was a Keene man,
though residing elsewhere when commissioned.  The entire Sixth
Regiment was organized at Keene and was commanded at first by 
Colonel Nelson Converse, who resigned at an early date on account of
ill health, and was succeeded by Col. S.B. Griffin, afterwards
Brigadier and Major-General.  The Sixth Regiment saw its first service
under Burnside in North Carolina; it was afterwards in the Army of the
Potomac, and participated in several of its heavy battles.  Still later
it was sent West, and was engaged in operations in the vicinity of
Vicksburg and Jacksonville, Mississippi.
  Major Edward Sturtevant of the Fifth Regiment, who was killed at the
battl of Fredericksburg, was of Keene.  He originally enlisted at
Concord in response to the first call for troops, and was the first
man to enlist in New Hampshire.  His name heads the list, as the
official records show.  The Fifth was the regiment commanded by the
renowned and lamented Colonel Cross. All the superior offices of the
regiment were either killed or disabled at Fredericks burg, so that
at the close of the battle, Captain Pierce of Company F., as senior
officer, had command of the regiment.  The first call for troops
named two regiments for New Hampshire, but before the Second
Regiment was equipped and mustered in, the call was changed to provide
for three years' troops and most of the men of that regiment already
enlisted for three months, re-enlisted for three years.  The First,
accordinly, was the only three months' regiment.  Lieutenant Metcalf,
of Company A., Second Regiment, was killed at Gettsyburg. Lieutenant
Muchmore, of Company E, Sixth REgiment, was killed at the second
battle of Bull RUn.
  In the year 1868 the town appropriated $2,000 for a soldier's 
monument, but this sum being deemed inadequate by the promoters of
the testimonial, nothing was done in regard to this matter until 1870,
when the town voted to increase the former appropriation, making it
$7,000.  A committee to carry out the project was appointed, consisting
of George B. Twitchell, S.G. Griffin, C.F. Webster, R.H. Porter and
J. Humphrey, the two latter being civilians, and the three former 
having been in the army.  They caused to be erected a handsome
monument upon Central square, near city hall.  It consists of a finely
wrought base and pedestal of granite, upon which stands the bronze
figure of a soldier.  The inscription upon the tablet is as follows:--
           KEENE
  Will cherish in perpetual honor
   The memory of her sons
  Who fought for Liberty
 And the integrity of the
    Republic.
    ---------
1861              1865
    The Honor
   Of the heroic dead
  Is the inspiration of
    Posterity.

***********
BIOGRAPHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS AND NOTABLE cITIZENS
***********

JOSEPH B. ABBOTT, son of Daniel, was born in Surry [NH] August 11,
1835.  His grandfather, Daniel Abbott, settled in Surry in 17--,
was a tailor, married Lucy Harvey of Surry in 1794, and reared four
children. He went to aid in suppressing the outbreak near Lake
Champlain in 1812, and wsa never heard from again.  His son Daniel
was a farmer, and was often called upon to do town business. 
Joseph B. fitted for college at Keene, went to Illinois, where he
taught school and then to Newburn, NC where he taught school about
four years.  After the war broke out he went to Washington, where he
had charge of the Special Relief branch of the United States sanitary
commission, and in 1868 he settled in Richmond NH, engaging in the
manufacture of lumber.  He has held various town trusts, including
town representative in 1876, and was chosen county commissioner in
1874, which position he held three years.  In 1877 he was appointed
by President Hayes, agent to the Ute tribe of Indians in Colorado,
and resided at Los Pinos agency a little over a year, when he resigned
and came to Winchester. He was soon after appointed to fill a vacancy
in the board of commissioners, was elected to serve in 1882, and again
in 1884.  He married Lydia C. Martin of Richmond NH, September 1, 1859,
and has one son and one daughter, Leon M. and Florence S.  The former
is a graduate of the Keene high school.  Mr. Abbott became a resident
of Keene in 1880.

DR. DANIEL ADAMS, son of Dr. Joseph Adams, was born at Lincoln, Mass.
in 1768 and died in Keene NH Aug 22, 1380.  He had three brothers and
five sisters, one of the former of whom, Dr. Joseph Adams, returned
at the breaking out of the war, to Cornwall, England, the home of his
ancestors, where he practiced his profession during life, and where
his descendants still live.  The other members of Dr. Adam's family
settled in and about Boston.  A sister, Mrs. Wheeler, occupied the
homestead in Lincoln, Mass which still remains in her family.
  Dr. Adams received a liberal education. His tastes led him to the
choice of the medical profession.  His tudies were pursued in Boston,
Mass. He received his medical degree, June 6, 1788, and in that year,
shortly after marrying Mrs. Sarah Apdaile, daughter of Benjamin
Goldthwaite, of Boston, he came to reside in Keene, where, while
practicing his profession, he cleared portions of his land, planted
an orchard, and made and adorned a home.  It is mentioned in the early
records of Keene that "he was the first to introduce the sugar-maple
as a shade tree."  In his chosen profession, to which he was devoted,
he became distinguished, as many yet remember.  He received from
Dartmouth college a diploma for a Latin dissertation on medicine.
Later in July 1811, he had the honor to be elected fellow of the
New Hampshire Medical Society and received the diploma.
  He was the second postmaster in Keene, in 1799.  He was a prominent
mason and an actaive member of the Rising Sun Lodge of keene.  In
the public notice of the death of Washington in Keene, Dr. Adams and
John Pray Blake were marshals of the day. While he was much interested
in public affairs, he was fond of social life and anecdote. His ability
to sing and perform on the flute and violin, added much to his social
attraction.  Possessing a kind and generous heart, he ever listened to
the story of sorrow and wrong.  Never was his door closed to the
homeless and afflicted.  His generous impulses were nobly supplemented
by the ready and constant aid cheerfully afforded by his beloved wife.
Her quiet and graceful manners enhanced her personal attractions,
and her interest and zeal in her husband's pursuits were untiring.
Both were inured to sacrifice and economy.
  Dr. Adams was a steadfast friend, a lover of justice, and his
integrity was unquestioned. He won confidence and esteem and was often
consulted in business outside of his own profession.  His sympathy and
kindness toward dumb animals is worthy of note today, when so much is
legally done for their protection.  To lessen the burden of his horse
he was often seen, toiling up the heavy stone hill by its side; and
in driving, it seemed a trivial thing to alight from his vehicle to
defend the willing brute from repeated stings of some tormenting fly.
He was fond of hunting and often for recreation from constant duty,
much of which was performed in the saddle, he would take gun and dog
for sport--then not farm from home.  He was fond of a practical joke,
and it is related that he once eluded a sheriff's party sent in
pursuit of him by the indignant inhabitants of Walpole to avenge the
theft of a cannon, and by his intimate knowledge of the topography
of the county, lured them into a bog, in which they found it difficult
to secure a firm foot-hold. His health gave way many months previous
to his death, when he left a wife and only son to mourn his
departure.
  DR. CHARLES G. ADAMS was born in Keene NH March 7, 1793. He was
educated at Dartmouth college, from which he was graduated in 1810.
Though one of the youngest of his class, his proficiency is highly
spoken of by his associtaes.  After leaving college he attended for a
year or more the law school at Litchfield, Conn. He entered as a
student the office of Samuel Prescott of Keene, in compliance with the
wishes of his father, who sought to spare his only child a life like
his of toil and exposure in the medical profession. But young Adams,
believing that a more active life would better preserve his health,
left the study of law for that of medicine.  He completed his 
studies at the Harvard Medical School, from which he recieved his
degree.  He was soon after appointed, demonstrator of anatomy in
the school of medicine there.  He was subsequently tendered a
professorship in the medical school at Pittsfield, also in that of
Dartmouth, but he resolved to devote his time and energies to the
practice of the profession of his choice, and attained an eminence
surpassed by few if any in this part of the state.  He scorned
pretension and quackery, and his intercourse with his patients was
characterized by more than a conviction of duty and tender
solititude than the desire for reputation.  His talents, his
blameless moral character, his unobtrusive, gentlemanly and
dignified manner, gained for him the respect of all. 
  In November 1821, he married Mary Ann King of Boston, Mass by
whom he had thirteen children, eight of whom preceded him in his death.
Much of his happiness was found in his home.  His devoted wife, even
though surrounded by her own heavy cares, never failed to interest
herself in her husband's affairs, and cheerly extended a kind welcome
to all who came within their doors.  They bowed with resignation and
submission when death snatched ruthlessly away both bud and blossom
from their happy home.  Great was their sorrow when their eldest son--
a youth of fourteen and of great promise--a member of the freshman 
class in Dartmouth college, died at Hanover.  Then after an interval
the eldest, a young woman beautiful in both mind and body, and
deservedly idolized was taken.  In one year this affliction was
followed by the death of Charles G. Adams Jr., a physician in full
practice in Patterson NJ, only 25 years of age.  He graduated at Yale
college, where he won several prizes for Latin composition and recieved
his degree.  He studied medicine with his father and graduated at the
Harvard Medical school.  He was house surgeon one year at the 
Massachusetts general hospital, where he creditably performed the
duties that position devolved upon him.
  Broken in spirits, by their heavy sorrows, Dr. Adam's constitution,
which was never robust, gave way.  He still continued his practice,
allowing him self little rest, until the winter of 1855, when he was
prostrated with rheumatic fever, of which he died April 9, 1856.
His widow died March 29, 1885.  His surviving children are four
daughters and a son--John G. Adams, of inherited literary tastes, a
graduate of Dartmouth college, where he received his diploma.  He
studied medicine after the death of his father, but circumstances led
him to adopt the profession of teaching in which he has achieved
success.  Mrs. Lemuel Hayward resides on the homestead in Keene;
Mrs. R.S. Perkins and Miss Eliza Adams, on the same street; and
Mrs. G.F. Hurd, with her children, Mary A. Adams Hurd, John and S.
Perkins Hurd, in Boston, Mass.

ARTEMAS BAILEY was born in Lunenburg, Mass, January 17, 1800 and
married Clarissa Billings. He was a book-binder, and carried on that
business in his native place for several years. He moved with his
family to keene in 1830, and worked at the same business here for
several years. He had three children, two of whom, Lizzie A. and
Adaline S. live in Keene.  He died November 7, 1865, and his widow
died February 2, 1873.

DAVID BAKER, son of Thomas, was born in Keene in 1796, married Amanda
H. Ellis, and reared a family of eight children. He located upon a
farm on road 3, and lived there until his death in 1868. His widow
still resides on the farm.

W.A. BARRETT, son of Luther, was born in Stoddard, came to Keene in
1856 and worked that season for H. Pond & Co at the brick-making
business.  He became a partner in the firm in 1857, and with the
exception of three years, he has been a member of the firm under
various titles, until he engaged in the business alone in 1882. He
served three years in the war for the Union in Co. G, 14th NH Vols.
He has been selectman of Keene, married Maria Fradenburg Oct 23, 1850,
and has a fmily of three sons and three daughters.

HON JOHN J. ALLEN Jr. was born at Fitzwilliam NH, March 12, 1818,
and received his education at the common schools. He was a teacher
many years, represented the town of Fitzwilliam in the legislature
four years, and two years in the state senate. He married twice,
first, Sarah E. Horton of Gilsum, who bore him one child, Agnes,
who died when young. He married for his second wife, Susan E. Wood
of Keene.  Mr. Allen was editor of the New Hampshire "Sentinel"
[newspaper] for a short time and was also editor of the "Courant"
of Clinton, Mass. He was register of deeds from 1863 to 1883, and
died June 20, 1884. His widow still resides in Keene.

ALFRED T. BATCHELDER was born in Sunapee, February 26, 1844, was
educated at New London and Tilton seminaries, and graduated at
Dartmouth college in 1871. He read law with Hon. W.H.H. Allen and
Hon. Ira Colby of Claremont, and was admitted to the bar in 1874.
In 1876 he was appointed register in bankruptcy, which office he held
until it was abolished.  In August 1877 he settled in Keene,
marrying Alice H., dau of P.B. Hayward, April 24, 1879. [Note in the
1900 US Census of Keene NH, he is living in Keene with his wife Alice
(b. Oct 1855 in NH), son Nathaniel H. (b Feb 1880 in NH) and son
James (b Oct 1870 in NH).  His motherinlaw Mary N. Heywood b. Jan
1828, a widow, is also living with his family].

EBENEZER BIGELOW, a native of Winchendon, Mass, moved to Weathersfield,
Vt, married Sally Wales, and reared nine children, five of whom are
now living.  His son, Enos Bigelow married Emily B., daughter of
Amos and Lucretia (Buffum) Bennett, has three children, Charles,
Marion and Frederick, and resides in Keene.  The father of Mrs.
Sally Bigelow served as a captain in the Revolutionary war, and
thereafter drew a pension.

DANIEL W. BISCOE was born at Watertown, Mass, November 17, 
1765, was a tanner by occupation, and died at Walpole NH May 16, 1828. 
LEONARD BISCOE, son of Daniel W. was born at Walpole June 9, 1800,
moved to Keene in 1843, where he was appointed clerk of the court
of common pleas and the superior court of judicature. He held that
office until December 1857.  He was also secretary and agent of the
Mutual Fire Insurance company. Mr. Biscol [sic] married Lucy Ann,
daughter of James and Miranda Dodge, who was born at Whitestown NY
January 23, 1832.  They were married at Boston, December 23, 1852.
Their children are as follows: Esther Milicent, born at Keene NH
April 3, 1855, is now the wife of Edward Young; Anna, born at Keene
July 2, 1857, married Edward Young and died September 24, 1881; and
Helen Maria, born at Keene, May 7, 1860.

HIRAM BLAKE was born in Rindge February 9, 1838 was educated at
New Ipswich academy, graduated at Albany Law school in 1862
and practiced in New York city two years.  From that time Mr. Blake
traveled extensively in the West, being located six years in Nebraska,
and settled in Keene in 1873. [In 1880 Census, single and living in a 
boarding house on main street in Keene].

BENJAMIN BOWKER, a native of Scituate, Mass, served in the Revolution-
ary war, was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and died in his native
place, aged 68 years.  His son, ELISHA BOWKER married Sarah Spear
of Quincy, Mass. PIERPONT F. BOWKER, one of the five children born
to them married Mary Ann, daughter of Elijah and Ruth (Stoddard)
Randall, has three children and resides in Keene.

WILLIAM S. BRIGGS is the great-grandson of Eliphalet Briggs, also of
Jeremiah Stiles, both early and prominent settlers of Keene.  He is
the grandson of Eliphalet Briggs, and son of Eliphalet Briggs.
He was born September 17, 1817, and for many years was engaged in the
cabinet and furniture business.  He represented Keene in the 
legislature in 1862 and 1863, and has since been a member of the house
of representatives.  He was been a trustee of Keene academy and
Cheshire Provident institution 25 years, and is a director of the
Cheshire National Bank. From his long residence, observing turn of
mind, and good memory, he is well versed in the history of his
native place. [Note: In 1850 US Census living in Keene NH with wife, "Mrs. Wm S., age 28, son William A., age 2, and Daniel Adams and wife
are living with them. In 1860 living in Keene NH, occupation cabinet
maker with wife NANCY A. (age 38 b NH), son William O. (age 11), and 
Dr. Daniel Adams is boarding with them. In 1870 US Census living in 
Keene NH with wife Harriett M. (age 41), son William A (age 21 b NH, a 
music teacher) and Herbert Pond (age 21); In 1880 US census living in 
Keene with his wife, Harriett M. (age 51 b MA), and "son in law" 
Herbert Pond (age 31 born NH). Although Herbert Pond is called son in
law, there is no evidence that there was an actual daughter who married
him].

DR. EBEN (EBER) CARPENTER was born in Coventry, Conn, in 1780, married
Judith Green, and reared a family of nine children. He located in
Alstead NH where he had a large practice. His only surviving son,
George H. Carpenter is a physician and resides in Cleveland, Ohio.

  Dr. ALGERNON SIDNEY CARPENTER, son of Dr. Eber and Judith (Greene)
Carpenter, was born in Alstead NH October 16, 1814 and was descended
from a family pre-eminently distinguished by the large number of
skillful physicians it produced.  He was educated in the common schools
of his native town, and at Middlebury Medical college, from which he
received the degree of M.D. in June 1837. While acquiring his education
he taught school in various places, and was, for a short time, in a
store at Chesterfield.  With the exception of a few years spent in
Gardner and Northfield, Mass, his entire professional life of 48 years
was passed in Keene....[exerpts only]. He was a .. member of the order
of Free and Accepted Mason, and held official rank in many Masonic
societies; but at the time of his death, which occurred March 4, 1885,
he was not in affiliation with them.  He was a studious and thoughtful
man, well known for the strength and positiveness of his views....He
was unusually familiar with Bible literature.... In politics he was an
ardent Democrat of the old school... He was fluent speaker and a clear
and terse writer.
  November 30, 1859 Dr. Carpenter was married in the Unitarian church
at Keene, to Miss Jennie F. Coolidge, daughter of Hon. Henry and
Calista (Pond) Coolidge of Keene.  They had two daughters, Miss Mary
and Miss Carrie, who, with their mother, survive him.

IRA C. CLARK, son of Josiah, who was a soldier in the Revolution,
married Bethia Rider, and reared four children, only one of whom,
Lucinda C. is living. She married George F. Shedd of Vergennes, Vt.
who died February 4, 1854. The daughter, Hattie N., lives in Keene,
and the son, George F. resides in Knowlton NH.

JOHN COLONY, son of a nobleman, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in
1730, and came to Boston when he was sixteen years of age.  He had
with him a bag of gold which was subsequently stolen from him,
leaving him but four cents.  After paying the toll to Charleston
he had two cents left and had had no breakfast.  He, however, obtained
a half cord of wood to saw, thus enabling him to buy himself something
to eat.  He prospered, being willing to do any kind of work he could
get to do.  He came to Keene in 1761, and rented the farm now owned
by his great-granddaughter, Martha M. Woodward, on road 19.  He
rented the farm for five years, but soon bought it and resided there
until he death.  He served in the Revolutionary war, married Militiah
Fisher of Wrentham, Mass, and had born to him four children, as
follows: Timothy, Josiah, Militiah, and Hannah.  He died June 24, 1797,
and his widow died June 16, 1810.  
  Timothy Colony was born on this farm April 5, 1764, married Sarah
Dwinell of Keene, who bore him seven children--six sons and one
daughter.  He died here August 29, 1836 and his widow died April 27,
1853.  John Colony, son of Timothy, then became posssesor of the farm.
He was born June 24, 1795, married ALmira Keyes and reared four
children, three of whom are living.  Of these, Charles lives in
Keene; Sarah married William Spring and lives in Muscatine, Ia; and
Martha M. who lives upon and owned the old farm, married W.H.
Woodward.  This farm has never been out of the Colony family, six
generations having lived here and five having been born here.  The
house that is now standing was built about 1785, by John Colony. The
old gun that he used in the Revolution is in the possession of the
family here, and Mrs. Martha M. Woodward has also the old wills and
deeds, many of them being over a hundred years old.  In the wood-house
is stored wood cut by John Colony 2d over seventy years ago, and
there is also hay in the barn that he cut sixty-five years ago.

HENRY COOLIDGE was born in Massachusetts, July 14, 1787, and married
Calista Pond, who was born September 18, 1791. He came to keene when
quite a young, and clerked in Foster's store at Ash Swamp for a time.
He was clerk of the court of common pleas for many years. He was very
highly respected, and was often consulted on legal points, although
not a lawyer.  He was a surveyor, and did a great deal of that
business.  He died March 20, 1843. Only one of his six children is
living, Jane F. Coolidge, who married Dr. A.S. Carpenter and resides
in Keene.

REV. DAVID DARLING came to this town from Wrentham, Mass about 1785,
was a Congregational minister, and settled upon the place where his
son Daniel now resides on road 6.  He built the house now occupied
by the latter, about a hundred years ago.  He reared a family of
sixteen children, and died in March 1836.  DANIEL DARLING, the only
child now living, was born on the home farm May 15, 1807 and has
always resided here.

Dr. S.M. DINSMORE was born in Antrim NH June 22, 1836, graduated as
an MD March 1860 from Columbia university of Washington DC, practiced
medicine in Sullivan and Hillsboro counties for 20 years, and located
in Keene in 1881, where he now resides.

HON. SAMUEL DINSMORE was a native of Windham, born July 1, 1766.
He was of the Londonderry Scotch-Irish descent, great-grandson of
John Dinsmoore, one of the first settlers, grandson of Robert
Dinsmoor, and son of William Dinsmoor.  He graduated at Dartmouth
college in 1789, read law, and settled in Keene in 1792. As a young
man, he was especially interested in military affairs, and organized
the Keene Light Infantry, one of the finest drilled and best equipped
corps known under the old militia laws.  In 1808 he was appointed
postmaster.  In 1811 he was elected to congress, and distingushied
himself by favoring the war with Great Britain.  On his return he
was appointed collector of the direct tax, and afterwards was judge of
probate.  In 1821 he was elected a councilor.  In 1823 he was the
regular nominee for governor, but was defeated by Levi Woodbury, on
an independent ticket.  In 1831, 1832 and 1833 he was elected governor.
He died March 15, 1835. 
  SAMUEL DINSMOOR JR. was admitted to the bar in 1819, but was not
enrolled as an attorney at Keene until 1823.  He was the son of
Gov. Samuel Dinsmoor, and was born May 8, 1799.  He graduated from
Dartmouth college in 1815, and was associated with Gen. James Miller
in the practice of law in Arkansas.  In 1826 and 1827 and in 1829
and 1830, he was clerk of the senate, and postmaster several years,
at one time cashier of Ashuelot bank and later its president. In 
1849, 1850 and 1851 he was governor of New Hampshire.  He died
February 24, 1869.

HON. THOMAS MACKIE EDWARDS, son of Dr. Thomas Edwards, was born in
Providence in 1795, but was brought to Keene by his parents at an
early age.  He fitted for college with Rev. John Sabine of Fitzwilliam,
graduated at Dartmouth college in 1813, read law with Henry Hubbard
of Charlestown and commenced to practice at Keene.  He was postmaster
at Keene from 1817 to 1829, and was eight years a member of the state
legislature, between the years 1834 and 1856.  In the latter year he
was a presidential elector.  In 1859 and 1861 he was elected a
representative in congress, where he served on important committees,
and was distinguished for great industry, strict integrity and
fidelity to the interest of his constituents.  He was a thorough
scholar, an able lawyer, and a successful financier.  He possessed
good judgement, great executive ability, much energy and perseverance.
In 1845 he became interested in railroads, and was the first president
of the Cheshire railroad.  In the same year he married Mary H. Fisk.
He died May 1, 1875. [Note: the 1870 US Census of Keene shows this
household, with wife Mary, and also possible children, Julia age 28,
Isabel age 25, Mary F age 22, Louisa age 18 and Hellen T age 16.]

FRANCIS AUGUSTUS FAULKNER, second son of Francis Faulkner and Eliza
Stevens, was born in the homestead, on West street in Keene, February
12, 1825. He early showed a decided inclination for books and study,
and after attending the public schools and old Keene academy, he in 
1841, went to Philip Exeter Academy to finish his preparation for
college. He graduated from Harvard university in the class of 1846,
standing high in that class, which numbered such able men as Hon.
George F. Hoar, Prof. F.J. Child, Prof. George M. Lane and Dr. Calvin
Ellis.  The common-place books which he kept while at Exeter and
Cambridge, in which he preserved such quotations and extracts as he
judged would be useful in the future, and his letters and essays during
these years show that, at that early age, he had made choice of the
legal profession and was systematically fitting himself to enter it.
During the year 1847 he studied law with Hon. Phinehas Handerson at
Keene, and the following year was spent by him at the Harvard Law
school. He was admitted to the Cheshire bar in September 1849, and
immediately formed a paretnership with Hon. William P. Wheeler, under
the firm name of Wheeler & Faulkner.  For nearly 30 years this firm
enjoyed a remarkably extensive and successful practice being engaged in
nearly every case of importance in the county.  From that time until
his death, his life presented an almost unexampled record of labor and
success.  Blessed with a finely organized brain and robust health,
to which was united an ardent love for his profession, he accomplished
an amount of labor which was the wonder and admiration of his
associates at the bar and in the courts. While associated with Mr.
Wheeler, he was acknowledged to be the leading advocate at the
Cheshire bar, and among the first in the state.  Mr. Faulkner
preferred to take the part for which he was peculiarly fitted, that of
office work and preparing cases for argument and trail on questions
of fact and law. He was already ready, no matter how difficult or
intricate the case. His papers were models of neatness, brevity, skill
and learning, and his vigorous and able briefs and written arguments
were always of weight with the court.  [more in original document not
included here].  He was a county solicitor for five years;
representative to the general court in 1851, 1852, 1859 and 1860; a
commissioner of enrollment during the Rebellion; a member of the
constitutional convention in 1876; served as moderator 24 times
successively, from 1857 to 1874; and in the latter year, upon the
formation of the city government, was alderman from ward 4.  In
politics..he was a Republican, and a leader in his party.... At the
time of his death he was president of the Cheshire Provident 
Institution,  and a director in the Cheshire and Ashuelot national
banks... In 1849 he married Caroline, daughter of Hon. Phineas
Handerson. THey had seven children, of whom three sons and their
mother survived him at his death, which occurred at his residence
in Keene, May 29, 1879.

DANIEL FISHER, whose father was one of the first settlers of Hinsdale
NH, was born in that town in 1770. He married Betsey Wheeler, and
reared a family of twelve children.  He was a farmer and lived upon
the homestead, located about two miles north of Hinsdale village.
Charles Fisher, son of Daniel, was born at Hinsdale in 1800, married
Sarah Thomas, and settled near his father.  He died April 6, 1847,
and his widow died in 1867, aged 64 years.  His daughter,
Sarah J. Fisher married Benjamin Whitcomb, of Swanzey.  Rodney C.,
son of Charles, is a farmer and slater, and lives in Northfield, Mass.
John B., son of Charles, was born in Hinsdale, July 11, 1832, married
Lucretia O. Higgins of Hinsdale and has three children. He moved to
Keene in 1867, and was engaged in the furniture business for ten
years. He was deputy sheriff three years and has been justice of the
peace for twenty years.  He is now engaged in the boot and shoe
business in this town. Previous to coming here he was a farmer seven
years, and engaged in the mercantile business four years in the town
of Hinsdale.

ARAD FLETCHER, son of Arad H. was born in Chesterfield May 20, 1823,
and in 1848 married Martha S. Hall of Chesterfield, and settled in
Factory village, where he worked at finishing bits and augurs, until
about 1853 or 1854, when his health becoming improved he moved to the
center of the town, where he lived until 1868, when he moved to the
county alms-house, located at Westmoreland, as superintendent. He
served in this capacity until 1883, when he moved to Keene, where he
now lives.  Mr. Fletcher represented the town of Chesterfield in
1859 and 1860, and also as selectman five years.  He has two sons,
Frank A. who lives at Hartland, Vt. and Eddie H. who lives at home.

FRANCIS FRENCH was born in 1817, and married Julia A., daughter of
Samuel Walker of Rockingham, Vt. who bore him three children,
Annette J., Helen S., and Emily C.  Mr. French is quite extensively
engaged in the manufacture of carriages, and also somewhat interested
in railroading, having helped to build the Boston, Winthrop & Shore
railroad, of which he is one of the directors.  He was one of Keene's
first city councilmen, representing the first ward.

JOHN HOUGHTON FULLER was of a family which, during his childhood,
emigrated from Lunenburg, Mass. to Walpole [NH] in this county,
sometime during the last decade of the last century. He passed his
youth in Walpole, and began active life in a country store, first in
Chesterfield, then in Winchester, and then in Keene, where he soon
engaged in wool-dealing, which became the main business of his after
life.  While living at Winchester, he was called to act as
adjutant-general of the government forces stationed at Portsmouth
during the closing season of the war of 1812, and it was then, too,
that he married a daughter of Rev. Ezra Conant, by whom he had
three sons and three daughters.  He was the principal promoter and
first president of the Winchester bank, of the Ashuelot railway, and
of the Keene Five Cent Savings bank.  He reclaimed, at great expense,
the large are of waste-land in Keene, lying north of Cross street,
and between Court and Washington streets, laid out and built streets,
located a school reservation, and aided many homeless families to
secure homes upon wise and practical terms.  He died suddenly in the
winter of 1869, at the age of 77 years, leaving a reputation denoting
the highest type of the old New England character, and a well to do
estate, that was in no way tainted or fused by any false rights or
measures.

SAMUEL O. GATES, son of Joel, was born at Hancock [NH] Aug 5, 182?
and came to Keene in 1851, where he was engaged in mercantile business
and in the manufacture of boots and shoes for fifteen years. He has
been selectman, city marshall four years, deputy sheriff fifteen years,
and still holds the latter position.  He was chief of police in 1881,
and represented Keene in the legislature in 1864-65. He married
Sarah A. Randall of Keene June 29, 1854. She died September 14, 1877.

DEXTER W. GILBERT was born in Walpole July 19, 1832, attended the
common schools and the Saxton's River seminary, Walpole academy and
Mount Caesar seminary, was a teacher for several years in the public
schools in New England and New York, and a house carpenter by trade.
He has reisded in Massachusetts, New York, Wisconsin, Indiana and
Ohio, and came to Keene in 1864, where he has since lived.  He was
superintendent of the suburban schools of Keene 1874-78, served two
years in each branch of the city government from 1879 to 1882. In
politics he is a Republican, in religion a Freethinker, much interested
in the case of education, and fully believing in the maxin that
"ignorance is the evil, knowledge the remedy." He was married in
Newburyport, Mass October 17, 1856 to Eliza J. Cooley, and has two
children, Ethan Allen, born February 26, 1862, and Charles Frederick,
March 7, 1866.

HON. SAMUEL W. HALE, son of Samuel and Saloma (Whitney) Hale, was born
in Fitchburg, Mass, April 2, 1823.  In 1859 he came to Keene and began
in a small way the manufacture of chairs, a business which, under his
skillful management, grew to large proportions. He has also been
extensively engaged in other manufactures, and in railroad enterprises,
and interested in farming and banking enterprises.  In 1850, at the age
of 27, he married Amelia M. Hayes of Dublin, who has borne him two
children, William S. and Mary Louise, the former being now connected in
business with his father.  Mr. Hale has been a member of the Republican
party since its organization, and in 1866 was elected to the state
legislature.  He was a member of the governor's council in 1869 and
was re-elected in 1870; was selected, in 1880, as one of the delegates
to the National Republican convention at Chicago, and on the 12th of
September 1882 was made governor of New Hampshire, an office he has
just vacated in favor of Governor Currier, his successor.  While Mr.
Hale is very reticent concerning such matters, it is well known he
has been instrumental in educating a Congregational clergyman, a
missionary, a physician, and a young lady, the latter at Holyoke
seminary, in addition to which he gave $12,000 towards building a
Congregational church in Keene.

SILAS HARDY was born in Nelson, April 3, 1827, and made his home
there till 29 years of age.  He graduated at Darmouth in 1855,
taught the following year, in Foxcroft academy, Me., studied law in
the office of Levi Chamberlain, at Keene, and was admitted to practice,
at Newport NH September 1858.  He immediately located in Keene,
where he has pursued his practice ever since, with success, which,
with remarkable industry and economy, has placed him in the rank of
large tax payers of the city.  In March 1859, he was appointed by
Governor William Haile, register of probate, which office he held
5 years, when he was appointed judge of probate, which office he held
ten and a third years, till a political guillotine severed his
connection with the same.  He was the eighth of a family of ten
children, eight boys and two girls, all of whom were noted for good
health, muscular strength, and practical common sense, and all lived
till the youngest one was of mature age and of prodigious strength.
The family being large, and the means of the father limited, Silas 
was obliged to go out to work at the age of 11, till of full age,
being subjected to all the hardships and disadvantages of such a
life--his only opportunity for schooling being from 6 to 12 weeks
in the winter, the rest of the year was spent in hard work, yet at
20, he managed to teach his first shcool.  During his minority he
earned in this way over $700.  Every cent he spent for his education
was earned with his hands and brain.  He came of Revolutionary stock,
both of his grandfathers, Deacon Noah Hardy and David Kimball having
been soldiers at the battle of Bunker Hill.  His grandfather Hardy
was born in 1758 at Hollis NH and his grandfather Kimball at or near
Boxford, MA in 1760.  The former died at Antrim NH December 22, 1835
and the latter in Nelson October 18, 1842 aged respectively 77 and 82.
His grandmother Sarah Hardy (Spofford) died at Antrim May 9, 1850, 
aged 85; and his grandmother Lydia Kimball (Runnells) died at Nelson,
January 22, 1867, aged 87.  Soon after the Revolution, these
grandfathers with their young wives settled in Nelson, both raising
up children--five Hardys and seven Kimballs.  In these families were
Captain Noah Hardy and Jerusha Kimball, who were the parents of the
subject of this sketch.  They were born in, lived in, and died in
said Nelson (formerly Packersfield).  Capt. Noah was born September 16,
1789 and died November 28, 1862, aged 73 and Jerusha was born
August 13, 1790 and died January 11, 1854.  Subsequently Capt. Noah
remarried Dorothy W. Hubbard who died August 22, 1882 at Peterboro,
aged 79.
  CAptain Noah, the father, was a man of great physican strength and
endurance, and of sound common sense, a man strictly honest and
upright in all his dealings and taught his children to be truthful,
honest and industrious, both by precept and example.  His business
in early life was farming until he was about 30, when by an accident
he lost one limb below the knee.  After that, his business was mostly
of shoe making, and harness making, until his death.  Seven of this
family were living in January 1885.  Silas, whose name stands at
the head of this biography, was married to Josephine M. Kingsly,
daughter of Alonzo and Sophia H. Kingsly--December 31, 1863--she was
a graduate of Mt. Holyoke seminary, class of 1857--a lady of rare
abilities and education. She died June 19, 1872, aged 37, leaving
one child, an infant, Ashley A. Hardy.  The following members of
the family are living in this county.  Noah W., Silas, Frank B.,
Caroline M. Pratt, wife of R.K. Pratt, and E.P. Hardy; the latter being
the baby, and the noted manager and proprietor of Whitmore & Clark's
minstrel troupe, whose fame is well known in New England; Abby M.
Stone, wife of Addison Stone, and Augustus F., living out of the state.

JACOB HART, son of Daniel, was born at Reading, Mass January 19, 1776.
During his early childhood, his father bought a farm at Groton, Mass,
where he moved with his family. Jacob was one of ten brothers who
subsequently became enterprising men, and settled in nearly as many
different states.  He married Rachel, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth
(Ferrett) Haynes, who was born at Natick, Mass February 2, 1786. They
were married August 7, 1808.  He soon after went to Lunenburg, Mass,
where he remained until 1821, when he bought a large farm in the
western part of Keene, to which he removed.  He had born to him
eleven children, five of whom died in infancy. The rest are as follows:
Nehemiah, Mary A., Betsey H., Rachel M., Jacob and Frances J.
  COL. NEHEMIAH HART was born at Natick Mass, February 3, 1810 and
married Miranda, daughter of Caleb and Sarah C. (Pierce) Miller of
Charlestown NH, August 25, 1881. He has had born to him eight
children, all in Keene, as follows: Henry H., born August 14, 1842;
George J., born August 8, 1844, died December 2, 1868; Rosetta M.,
born August 23, 1846, married Henry M. Staples, June 2, 1868;
Francella C., born November 17, 1848, married T.W. Armstrong October
5, 1881; Julia A., born March 14, 1851; Charles S., born February 7,
1854; Nan L., born October 16, 1856; and Hattie S., born August 8,
1859.
  MARY A. HART, dau of Jacob, was born in Lunenburg, Mass. January 2,
1815 and married Sherman Derby of West Harrisville, December 31, 1852.
The latter, son of Samuel and Hannah (Minot) Derby, was born in
Littleton, Mass July 4, 1808.  OF their children, Harriet M., born
January 30, 1854, died AUgust 21, 1854; and Lizzie M., is a teacher,
born March 9, 1857.  
  BETSEY H. HART was born in Lunenburg Mass March 12, 1819, was a 
teacher for some time, and married Dauphin W. Comstock, November 10,
1841.  The latter, son of William Comstock, was born in Sullivan,
January 3, 1815, and is a carpenter by trade. Of their children,
Elizabeth, born in Keene Nov 1842, died August 1853; Mary, born
July 1844, died in August 1844; Everett D, born September 22, 1850;
and Charles born June 18, 1847, died June 1847.  Mrs. Comstock died
July 15, 1864.  
  RACHEL M. HART was born in Keene, January 24, 1824, has been a
teacher and married Moses Mason, April 13, 1847.  A son of Henry and
Lucinda (Hall) Mason, born at Westmoreland in October 1823. He enlisted
as a private in Co. I, 9th NH Vols, August 1862, and died of sickness
August 9, 1863.  Their only children, Asa H. and Ahar H., twins, died
in infancy.
  JACOB HART, born in Keene, February 14, 1828, married Sarah R. Cook,
in April 1852, a daughter of John and Roxana Lane Cook, born October 6,
1833.  Mr. Hart is a farmer and now resides in Bellows Falls, Vt. He
has had 3 children born to him, Oscar, Orrin and Emma C.  Oscar, born
October 24, 1853, is a machinist and married Lizzette Howard, of
Bellows Falls Vt. in 1882.  Orrin, born October 31, 1855, is a 
machinist and married Clara Guillow of Gilsum March 6, 1884.  Emma C.
was born in Keene April 7, 1857 and married Wayne T. Gibson of
Chester Vt. January 5, 1876. 
  FRANCES J. HART born in Keene, April 10, 1830, was twice married,
first to Ahar E. Howard in September 1850, who died July 5, 1858.
She married second, Dauphin W. Comstock, her deceased sister's husband,
October 4, 1865.  They have had three children, only one of whom,
Gertrude H. is living.  Mr. Comstock moved to Grand Rapids, Mich. in
1876.  His son, Everett D. was admitted to the Michigan bar in the
autumn of 1881.  While pursuing his law studies, he was clerk of the
superior court for two years, while sessions are held in Grand Rapids.
At the present time he is circuit court commissioner, for the term of
two years.

DR. GARDNER C. HILL was born in Winchester NH March 20, 1829, and
was educated in the public schools of his native town, and the
academies of Chesterfield, Swanzey, and Saxton's River Vt, graduating
from the latter institution.  He taught school six years, the last
year as principal of the "old high school" at Winchester. He commenced
the study of medicine with the late L.L. M. Comings, M.D. of Swanzey.
He entered the Castleton Medical College, Vt. in 1853, and graduated
with the class of 1856. He commenced the practice of medicine in
Warwick, Mass, where he remained ten years, serving nine years on the
board of education. He was then in the Medical Department of Harvard
college, Boston, Mass.  In June 1867, he removed to Keene, where he
has since remained in practice.  He has served six years as a member
of the board of education, and three years as superintendent of
schools. He represented the fourth ward in the common council two
years, the last year serving as president of that body. He was also
city physician, health commissioner for three years, county 
commissioner two years, and county treasurer. He is a member of the
Massachusetts Medical Society and Connecticut River Valley Medical
Society.  He is married to Rebecca F. Howard of Walpole NH and has
two children, William H. and Rebie E.

ADIN HOLBROOK, who served in the Revolutionary war and was at the
battle of Bennington, was born in Wrentham, Mass March 22, 1752.
He came to Keene about 1777, built a saw-mill in the western part of
the town, and about 1780 settled upon the farm now owned by his
grandson, W.H. Holbrook, on road 6.  He married Hannah Day, reared
five children--two sons and three daughters, and died in 1843. He and
his son ADIN HOLBROOK JR. built an oil mill on this farm. ENOS 
HOLBROOK, the second son of Adin, was also a noted millwright and was
born on the homestead.  He married Mary Kendall of Athol, Mass., who
bore him four children, two of whom are living, Mary A. and W.H.
His wife died in 1867 and his death occurred in 1876.  The house now
standing upon the farm was built by Adin Jr. in 1806.

JOHN HOLBROOK, son of John, was born in Uxbridge, Mass, August 17,
1788.  He married Mercy Hill, came to Swanzey in 1802, and located in
the southern part of the town on the farm now owned by Israel Gun.
He was a carpenter and wheelwright and died in 1838.  Five of his
ten children are living, two of them, Sophia, widow of Carlistine
Blake, and Daniel H., residing in Keene.  The latter was born at
Swanzey January 8, 1806. He received a common school education, and
was engaged as a farmer and manufacturer of and dealer in lumber until
his removal to Keene in 1865. Here he followed the lumber business
two or three years, when he retired from active business. Mr. Holbrook
has, up to a late date, taken an active interest in Keene Water
Works, and from the time of his serving on the first committee in
1868, has held office of commissioner, superitendent or kindred
position, and even for the past two years, since he retired therefrom,
his advice and counsel has been almost constantly brought into
requisition.  Mr. Holbrook married September 5, 1837, Caroline 
Lawrence, daughter of Josiah and Sophia (Lawrence) Prime of Swanzey,
who died December 5, 1880.  The fruit of this marriage were four
children--Ellen Sophia, Chloe Prime, John Josiah and Frances Victoria--
only two of whom Chloe Prime and Frances Victoria (Mrs. David Nichols)
are living.  Both the maternal and paternal grandfather of Mr.
Holbrook served all through the Revolutionary War.
  JOHN JOSIAH HOLBROOK, son of Daniel Hill and Caroline Lawrence
(Prime) Holbrook, was born at Swanzey December 10, 1844, and died at
Keene on the afternoon of Monday, March 24, 1844.  he was educated at
Mt. Caesar seminary of Swanzey, at the Leland and Gray seminar of
Townshend Vt, the Keene High school, and then began his prepartory
course at New London Literary and Scientific Institution, whence he
was graduated in 1865.  In 1872 he was graduated from a full course
at Brown university, and entered upon a three years' course at
Newton (Mass.) theological institute, graduating in 1875. The
succeeding two years he held the position of professor of natural
science and mathematics at New London academy. Mr. Holbrook preached
occasionally between the years 1868 and 1879, was correspondent for
several newspapers, wrote many articles on different subjects; but
in 1879 he gave his attention to civil engineering and surveying,
continuing this with great success until his decease....He was an
actaive member of the Baptist church.

RALPH J. HOLT, son of David Holt, was born in Alstead, September 29,
1812. He taught school winters and was engaged in farming during the
summers. He married Sallie A. Towne in 1844, and has three children.
He moved to Keene in 1846, and was engaged in farming until 1848.
He was then elected constable and policeman, holding the latter
position for thirty years. In 1854 he was appointed deputy sheriff,
which office he held until 1866, when he was elected sheriff, holding
that position for several years, and was again appointed to the office
of deputy sheriff which he still retains.

JOHN HUMPHREY, the founder and present general manager of the
Humphrey Machine Company, was born October 12, 1834 at Lyndon Vt,
from whence, at the age of 9 years, his childhood home was changed to
Rindge NH and with the exception of two years, he has since been a
resident of Cheshire county.  Not being exempt from enrollment in the
great army of toilers for daily bread, he was early mustered into
service in the conflict of life, and after some experience in the
grist-mill and upon the farm of his step-father, he started out at the
age of 12 to find employment and gain his own livelihood.  His first
engagement--in the wood-ware business--continued about 3 years, when
he accepted a clerkship in a country store for one year, after which
he returned to his more congenial mechanical pursuit, engaging with
a wood-ware firm at Nelson, where, during the autumn of his second
year, a failure of the water supply caused a stoppage of the mills for
several weeks, which time the amateur mechanic industriously improved
for the construction a set of moulder's patterns for a new machine
which he had previously invented--sufficient instruction relative to
rules for calculating the shrinkage of metal, draft, (coring), etc.
being obtained from the "boss" machinist at Harrisville and by a visit
to a foundry to see the process of moulding, which were kindly
explained so far as requisite for the purpose by the obliging
proprietor and workmen who afterwards made casting from the then
projected patterns.  During the progress of the pattern work the
proprietor of the machine shop at Harrisville (the late Mainard
Wilson) having learned of the project, volunteered a very generous
proposition to have the machine built at his shop, kindly offering the
inventor facilities for doing the work, so far as he might be able,
by his own hands, while upon any parts where he might require aid,
the skilled workmen of the shop were to assist, either by exchange of
service or for other proper compensation.  This favorable offer was
gratefully accepted, and in February 1863, the work began, which after
nearly three months persistant but very pleasant labor, performed
almost exclusively by the proprietor, the machine was successfully
completed and put in operation in May following, when an invitation
to remain at the machine shop instead of returning again to the
wood-ware work, completed a series of seemingly providential incidents
which directed and perchance determined the later calling of the
subject of our sketch.  This engagement continued until the decease
of Mr. Wilson in December 1864, and very satisfactorily, as evidence
by the fact that Mr. Wilson, without solicitation or expectation on
the part of the recipient, twice advanced his pay which had at first
been fixed by Mr. Wilson considerably above the usual rates to
beginners, so that at the end of the first year it equalled that of
more experienced journeymen.  Also upon the retirement of the former
forman of the shop, which occurred soon after the engagement in the
summer of 1863, Mr. Wilson (who was not a practical machinist)
delegated the charge of that department of his work to this youngest
and latest engaged of his employees, who during the term engineered
the building of a wood-ware manufactory and its machinery, which was
considered a model mil of the times, at that time.  After the decease
of Mr. Wilson the shop was kept in operation by Mr. Humphrey until
October 1855, when he arrived at the age of 21, and came into
possession of a small patrimonial inheritance with which he pursued
an interest in a machine shop at Marlboro, making an unfortunate
partnership alliance, from which he became extricated about a year
later with less capital and more "experience," when he removed to 
Keene and entered the shop of H. J. L. Haynes as an employee, but the
work here being somewhat intermittent and uncertain, the invention and
construction of special machines again became employment for spare
time, and soon supplied himself and others with work until the spring
of 1859, while setting up one of his machines at Hartford, Vt., he
was introduced to the agent of the extensive machine works then 
standing idle at WHite River Junction, a portion of which was about to
be started up as a shoe peg manufactory.  A favorable position from the
agent resulted in an engagement and removal to that plcae, where the
manufacture of machinery was carried on until May 24 1861, when a
conflagration of the entire works brought the business abruptly to
a close, but the heat of the flames had scarcely subsided when the
arrival of the afternoon mail brought a letter from the assignee of
Mr. Haynes (who had failed in business) inviting Mr. Humphrey to
return to Keene, if possible, and take the shop, etc. of Mr. Haynes.
At the acceptance of this opportune invitation appeared to be, not
only possible, but practicable, satisfactory negotiations were made
and June 1st--just a week after the fire--business was again commenced
at Keene which has been continued by J. Humphrey, J. Humphrey & Co.,
and the Humphrey Machine Co., until the present time with a good
degree of success....
  In public or political matters he has never sought official position,
but he has held the offices of county commissioner, representative
to the state legislature, engineer of fire department, etc., also has
been a commissioner of the Keene water works much of the time since
they have been in use, and has declined a candidate for various city
offices.....

HORACE M. IRISH enlisted in Co. L, 1st Vt Cavalary, was at the battles
of Cedar Creek, Winchester and Fisher's Hill, was twice taken
prisoner, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He
married Eliza A. Dort, has two children and resides in Keene.

DR. JOHN F. JENNISON, was born at Walpole [NH] in August 1813, was
educated in the public schools and at Cavendish academy, and studied
medicine with Dr. Davis in Norwich Vt. He graduated at Norwich
academy in 1838, and from Dartmouth college in 1842. He commenced
practice in Swanzey, N.H. the same year, but moved to Keene in 1852.
He married Elizabeth Ross, and died December 15, 1884. The widow
still resides in Keene.

DEACON LUKE JOSLIN, born in Stoddard December 22, 1797, married
Lydia, daughter of Samuel Foster of Stoddard, November 24, 1824.
They lived in "Leominster Corner" until 1840 when they moved to a farm
near the village. He held many offices of trust while in town, and
was a deacon of the Congregational church for some years.  They
sold their farm and moved to Keene in April 1855, where he died
June 3, 1875.  His widow is still living, at the age of 84 years.
They had three children born in Stoddard, Gilman Joslin, born
December 4, 1825, married Susan WIlson of Keene, February 20, 1851,
and died November 16, 1867.  His widow, one son and a daughter survive
him.  Albert Joslin, born October 27, 1828, was drowned at South
Keene, July 13, 1850.  Elsie Joslin, born July 21, 1832, married
Dr. Ira F. Prouty, January 22, 1855 and as his widow is now living
in Keene.

NATHANIEL KINGSBURY settled in the northern part of this town at an
early day. He married four times. His son ABIJAH KINGSBURY married
Abigail, daughter of deacon Abijah Wilder. Josiah Kingsbury, one of
his eleven children married Eloise, daughter of Zadock and Sarah 
(Black) Taft, and resides in Keene.  William Black, grandfather of
Mrs. Josiah Kingsburg, was a pensioner of the Revolution, and the 
latter has some of the continental money which was paid to him.

FARNUM F. LANE, son of Ezekiel, was born in Swanzey, March 15, 1816.
He studied law in Keene with Thomas M. Edwards, and was admitted to
the bar in 1843. He married Harriet E. Butler of Winchester, and has
had born to him three children, two of whom are living, Helen L. and
Emily B.  The latter resides at home, and Helen L. married
Gustavus Luke, and resides in Sherbrook, P.Q.  Mr. Lane represented 
the town of Walpole in the legislature in 1847-1848, and has since
resided here.  He is the oldest law practitioner in Cheshire County
and was county solicitor ten years.

THOMAS H. LEAVERETT, son of Thomas, was born in Windsor Vt.,
February 12, 1806, attended Captain Partidge's Military school, and
came to Keene in 1836. He married twice, first Harriet B. Nelson,
who bore him one daughter, Sarah D., who is the wife of Reuben A.
Tuthid, and resides in Boston.  He married for his second wife,
Abbey Barnes of Marlboro, and had born to him one daughter, Kate F.,
who resides in New York City.  Mr. Leaverette was cashier of the
Ashuelot National bank of Keene from 1836 to 1869. He was quite a 
noted farmer, and died November 22, 1882. His widow resides in Keene.

HUGH MASON, a native of Watertown, Mass., moved to Marlboro in 1794,
was a pensioner of the Revolution, married for his first wife,
Elizabeth Clark who bore him eleven children. He married for his
second wife, Lydia Moore who bore him one child.  CLARK MASON, son of
HUGH MASON, married twice, first Eunice Adams who bore him four
children, and second, Almira Town, and had born to him eleven children.
His son, WILLIAM CLARK MASON married Susan W., daughter of Charles and
Elizabeth Warren Page of Marlboro, has one son living and resides in
Keene.  CHARLES PAGE served in the war of 1812 and was at the battle
of Portsmouth.

FREDERICK METCALF was born in Keene, June 11, 1769. He married Esther
Dwinell and reared a family of eleven children--five sons and six
daughters. Four of these, Alvah E., Edwin G., William and Mary E. are
living and reside in Keene.  Mr. Metcalf died September 16, 1849.
His widow died February 27, 1847.  Mary E. married Arba Kidder and is
now a widow.  Alvah E. was born October 30, 1813, married Harriet
Willis of Alstead, and has had six children, only two of whom are 
living.  Of these, Alice married C. H. Clark, and Hattie M. resides at
home.  Alvah E. Metcalf was engaged in the manufacture of pails at
South Keene for 20 years and has carried on the lumber business and
painting for many years.

HEZEKIAH MUNSELL, who was at the battle of Bunker Hill, married
Irene Byssell, and reared eleven children.  ELISHA MUNSELL, his
seventh son, served in the war of 1812, married twice, first, Polly
Hurd, second Lucy C. Sibley and had born to him twelve children. Six
are now living, and his widow resides in Keene.

HON. DANIEL NEWCOMB is first mentioned in the annals of Keene as a
delegate to a county convention, held at Wapole in 1780, of which he
was clerk.  He was born in Norton, Mass in 1746, graduated at Harvard
college in 1768, settled in Keene in 1778 and commenced to practice
law in 1783.  In 1790 he was appointed chief judge of Cheshire county
court.  He was justice of the superior court of judicature from
April 6, 1796 to 1798.  In 1800 he was elected the first state
senator from Keene and resigned November 21 of the same year.  In
1805 he was again elected.  He died July 14, 1818.  His house was at
the south end of Main street, is still known as the "Judge Newcomb
house." It was mainly through his efforts, and those of Noah Cooke,
that the first court-house was built in 1796.

GODFREY NIMS was the first one of the Nims family known in this
country, the earliest record extant giving his marriage, in
Northampton, Mass, November 28, 1677.  His son Ebenezer removed to
Deerfield, Mass, a short time previous to 1702, and at the destruction
of that town, February 29, 1703-1704, he and Sarah Hoit were among the
captives taken and carried to Canada, where they were kept prisoners
for about ten years.  The Indian chief desired Sarah Hoit to marry
him, but she declined, promising to marry any one of the captives,
and subsequently became wife of Ebenezer Nims.  Ebenezer and Sarah
(Hoit) Nims had five sons; the first one was born in Canada. The
second son, DAVID NIMS--the subject of this paper--was born in
Deerfield, Mass, March 30, 1716.  He was married June 21, 1742 to
Abigail Hawks, of Deerfield, and they accompanied the first settlers
in the town of Keene NH.  They had ten children: DAVID NIMS JR, born
October 29, 1742, married Jemima Carter of Lancaster, Mass, January 1,
1768, by whom he had ten children; died August 30, 1826.  ASAHEL NIMS,
born April 30, 1744, died May 15, 1745.  SARAH NIMS, born May 16, 
1746, married Ebenezer Cooke of Fairlee Vt. Oct. 25, 1764, by whom
she had ten children; she died August 12, 1833. ASAHEL NIMS born Oct.
11, 1749, died -- killed in battle of Bunker Hill--June 17, 1775.
ELIAKIM NIMS, born September 1 1751, married Abigail Briggs of
Keene, February 14, 1778, no children, died March 12, 1846.
ZADOK NIMS born March 27, 1754, married Betsey Brown of Leominster,
Mass, by whom he had eight children, died January 29, 1842.  ALPHEUS
NIMS born November 26, 1755, married Abigail Briggs of Keene, there 
were six children born of this marriage, all of whom died young without
issue, he died June 8 1804.  ABIGAIL NIMS, born June 8, 1758, died
August 21, 1761.  RUTH NIMS, born March 8, 1760, married Joshua
Lawrence of Roxbury Sept 25, 1780, she had 12 children, died March 6,
1816.  ABIGAIL NIMS, born July 18, 1763, married Benjamin Kemp of
Sullivan, there were 9 children by this marriage, she died March 27,
1842.
  It has been ascertained that DAVID NIMS--the subject of this 
sketch--was chosen their scribe as early as July 25, 1737.  The town
of Keene having received a charter, he was elected first town clerk
and town treasurer, at the first legal town meeting, held Wednesday,
May 2, 1753, and continued to hold office as clerk, treasurer,
selectman or moderator, almost every year till 1776.  He was
honest courageous firm and discreet, and consequently a man of
great influence in the town, his simple word possessing almost the
authority of law.  In 1740 he was granted, with others, ten acres of
upland, for hazarding his life and estate by living in Keene to bring
forward the settling of the place.  Later, the proprietors' records
show--page 166, 1763--a plan and description of a grant to him of
104 acres, which lot is the farm formerly occupied by Matthew, now by
Brigham Nims, in Roxbury, that town having been set off from Keene in
1812.  He was a framer and carried on the place now known as the
Lucian B. Page farm.  The old house in which he lived has been
removed this year from Washington street, to make room for a residence,
to be erected and occupied by John A. Wright, of the Impervious Package
Co.  Mrs. Abigail, wife of David Nims, died July 13, 1799, aged 80
years.  Her descendants were 81 in number--children, ten, 
grandchildren, fifty, great-grandchildren, twenty-one.  David Nims
died July 21, 1803.  He had lived highly respected, his death was
deeply regretted.  His descendants together with those whom they have
married, number more than 2,000 and there are more tax-payers in 
Keene, today, of the Nims than of any other family name.  The present
city clerk, Samuel Nims, is a descendant of the first town clerk.
David Nims stands for a class of men, few in number, to which we are
indebted for our town organization, or wide and beautiful main streets,
and their attractive surroundings.
  GEORGE H. NIMS, son of Frederick Nims, of Sullivan, was born in that
town, April 19, 1840 and became largely engaged in the wood and
lumber business there.  In 1868 he and his brothers, Marshall W. and
Francis O. became engaged in the market business in Keene, under the
firm name of Nims Brothers.  He continued in this until 1874, when he
retired and has since been enaged in the wood and lumber business,
now owning 900 acres of timber-land within a few miles of Keene. He
has been a Democrat in politics, and although his ward is strongly
Republican, he has been chosen to many offices of trust.  He married
Ruthie M. Hale of Rindge, May 17, 1866 and has one daughter, Carrie M.

LANMON NIMS was born in Sullivan, February 31, 1811.  he is the son
of the late Asahel and Mary (Heaton) Nims, and great-great-grandson of
David Nims, one of the first inhabitants of the town of Keene, the
first clerk of the proprietors, and the first town clerk.  Mr. Nims
had comparatively few early educational advantages, but such was his
diligence as a reader of history and current items of event that he
became in his maturity a man of very extensive information.  Having
served his apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade with
Dexter Spaulding of Sullivan in 1831, he continued to work in that town
one year.  Afterwards he went to Peterborough, where he worked as a 
journeyman carpenter for about 8 months, and removing to Swanzey,
became foreman of Virgil Woodcock's shop, and subsequently, the first
engineer in the region round about.  At the end of a year, or a little
less, he removed to Sullivan, and purchased the saw and grist-mills
at East Sullivan. In 1836 he erected and lived in the second house
built in that village, and continued as carpenter and builder, and
wheelwright, in connection with his new mill business, until the
year 1838. During this year he left Sullivan and took up his abode
in Keene, on the Sullivan old road, where he had a sawmill, and
continued in the lumber business, living in the house now occupied
by Nahum Wright.  In the year 1844 he moved to School street, and
lived in the Comstock house, which has been lately removed to
Colorado street.  A year later (1845) he built the house now occupied
by Mr. Esther T. Smith, on Beaver street, and continued to live there
until 1851. He was chosen selectman in 1849, and again in 1871, and
assessor for the years 1873 and 1874.  He had declined other political
honors.  In early life he was corporal in the militia, and later one
of the engineers of the Keene fire department.  He purchased, in 1849,
a shop on Mechanic street, and in 1850, established the sash, door and
blind business, associating himself with Nelson N. Sawyer and Sawyer
Porter, under the firm name of L. Nims & Co. In 1853 he rented the
house in Pleasant street, now occupied by the register of deeds,
Mr. Charles C. Buffum.  During the year 1854, the former partnership
was dissolved, and Mr. Nims continued in business alone until 1856,
when the firm became Nims & Buss (Daniel Buss).  At the end of a year
the firm received Cyrus W. Woodward, and the business was increased
under the firm of Nims, Buss &  Co. In 1859 he sold his interest to
Buss & Woodward, and the year following went to White River Junction,
Vermont, where for a short time he carried on the shoe-peg business;
but fire destroyed the property and left him entirely without
resources.  Returning to Keene, at once, he continued, for about one
year and a half, to manufacture shoe-pegs in the mills known as the
Fiarbanks, and later as the Ashuelot mills.  During the year 1861 he
purchased the Phelps house, on Court Street, where he now resides.
Again leasing and fitting up the mechanic street shop, in 1863,
he formed a co-partnership with Samuel B. Crossfield, under the firm
name of Nims & Crossfield.  In the month of March 1864, the steam
boiler exploded, wrecking the buildings.  In this sad disaster two
workmen were killed outright, and five seriously wounded.  The firm
bought the steam-mill property in 1867, and ill fortune again visited
them, fire destroying the entire property.  During the same year the
Keene Steam Power Company erected the present steam mills, and leased
them to Nims, Crossfield & Co. (Kendall C. Scott) in 1868.  In 1870
Mr. Nims again sold out his interest in the business to the other
partners, and bought an interest in the same property again in 1873,
the firm becoming Nims, Whitney & Co. (George E. Whitney, Nathan
WHitney, C. Willis Morse).  This industry furnished employment for
about 50 men, and for a number of years the business of the concern
has amounted to from 80 to 100 thousand dollars annually.
 Mr. Nims has, by his thrift and indomitable energy, displayed even
against the most trying of adverse circumstances, added to the material
wealth of Keene.  Of the fifty buildings he has constructed, no less
than thirty houses, the first town hall and a church, erected by him
in this town alone, speak well for his skill as a workman, and
indicate the habitual diligence he has always manifested in his chosen
occupation.
  He has been twice married, first, February 14, 1837 to Lydia,
daughter of Esquire Samuel Locke of Sullivan, by whom he had four
children: Samuel, born in Sullivan, Decemer 3, 1837, married Maria A.
Chase, March 7, 1866, their one child, Adelaide H. was born April 3,
1867; Sarah Maria, born in Keene October 31, 1842, married George E.
Hastings March 13, 1861, children, Eugene Lanmon, born in Keene
June 24, 1864, John Augustine born in Nashua July 29, 1877, George
Everett Jr born in Manchester, March 10, 1879; Lydia Ann, born August
30, 1844, married Wesley H. Wheeler June 13, 1866, children, Lottie
Maria, b. February 15, 1868, Nellie Nims born January 27, 1871, died
March 11, 1871, twins, Clarence Lanmon and Clara Elizabeth born April
14, 1875, Clara ELizabeth died August 14, 1875; Jennie Lorette, born
December 29, 1850.  Mrs. Lydia Nims was born Febuary 4, 1814, died
February 2, 1851.  Mr. Nims was married again, October 28, 1851, to
Elizabeth Hosking, of Saint Austell, England, by the Rev. the Rector
Dr. Clapp of Bellows Falls Vt.  By their marriage the following
children were born: Alice Elizabeth, born Jan 29, 1853, married 
Harding R. Barber, Athol MA April 18, 1883, has one child, Grace,
born in Athol January 17, 1884; Grace, born October 13, 1854, married
Frank H. Whitcomb September 1, 1880, children, Edson Gerry born
December 31, 1881, Ralph Nims born October 25, 1883, Margaret born
January 1, 1885; William Arthur, born May 10, 1857, died May 27, 1865;
Fred Lanmon born March 13, 1860, died May 10, 1860; Abbie Frances,
born April 29, 1866.  Kate Lanmon born February 3, 1868.  At the 
advanced age of 74 years Mr. Nims works every day in the shop, and is
actively interested in the news of the day and the business success as
in the educational and social welfare of his city.
  
BENJAMIN NOURSE came to this town from Rutland, Mass in 1790, and
located upon the farm now owned by his grandson, Luther Nourse, on road
17. He reared a family of ten children--six sons and four daughters.
He died here in 1840, aged 96 years, and hiw wife, whose age was 93
years was buried on the same day.  His son, Phineas Nourse, who was
born in Rutland, Mass December 25, 1775, came here with his father in
1790. He married Anna Thompson of Keene, and had born to him twelve
children, eight sons and four daughters.  Eleven grew to maturity and
four of them are now living, as follows: Alden P. Hourse who lives in
Kansas, Joseph F. Nourse, Luther Nourse and Mary Nourse who reside on
the old farm.

DANIEL O'BRIEN came to America from Ireland in 1839. Six of his ten
children are living as follows: Nancy, Ellen, Caroline, Michael, 
Daniel, and Thomas.  Mr. O'Brien died March 16, 1884, and his wife
Mary, died March 11, 1880.

JOSEPH PERRY was born in Westminster, Vt. May 30, 1788. His father,
Silas Perry, married Catharine Hale (both natives of Massachusetts)
in 1783. Silas served in the Revolutionary war, and in 1800, moved 
with his family to Keene, locating on a farm upon road 4.  JOSEPH
prepared for college in the preparatory schools, and graduated from
Dartmouth [college] in 1811.  He was then appointed preceptor of the
academy connected with this college, where he remained until 
November 1816. He then went to New York city, and engaged in the
business of a private classical and mathematical teacher, for which
he had special qualifications. He remained here until 1832, when he
received an appointment at Washington, as a clerk in the fourth
auditor's office. He soon became promoted to a principal clerkship in
the Postoffice Department, which he retained until his resignation in
1841. He then retired to his farm in Keene, spending his time in
literary occupations and with his farm.  He was the first school
commissioner appointed by the State executive, Samuel Dinsmore,
in Cheshire county in 1850-1851. Having been much enlisted in the
course of common school education, he was qualified for the task of a
pioneer in the first rank of educational institutions.  Mr. Perry
married Lydia, daughter of General Absalom Peters, of Wentworth NH,
and had born to him two sons, Joseph G. and John R.  He died on his
farm, January 17, 1865, from an attack of lung fever, and his widow
died July 25, 1871.  The younger of the two sons, John R. Perry,
received a common school education, is now a mechanic, and resides in
San Francisco, California.  Joseph G. Perry was educated chiefly at
the academy. He spent some time in Illinois in business life, and
was appointed to a clerkship in Washington, during the presidential
term of Franklin Pierce.  He is the author of a standard work on
government, which has a wide circulation, both in this country and in
Europe. He now resides on the home farm.

FRANCIS ALLEN PERRY was born in Wolfboro NH and while yet a child his
parents removed him to Biddeford, Maine, where his youth was passed
in the acquirements of a good common school education. This 
supplemented with three terms at a private school fitted him for the
duties of practical life.  Early he exhibited a taste and talent for
mechanical pursuits and turned his attention to the machinist trade
in which he attained great proficiency.  Serveral years of his life
were passed in the employ of the Hinkley Locomotive works in Boston,
where his faithfulness and skill so commended him to his employers
that he was chosen to take out from the shop and deliver to the 
purchasers in various portions of the country, the locomotives built
by them.  In 1852 he first located in Keene, as a locomotive
engineer on the Cheshire railroad, and has successively risen to 
foreman of machine shop, general foreman, and in 1863 to master
mechanic of the road.  In this capacity he has planned and 
superintended the construction of the present machine shops of the
Cheshire railroad at Keene, which are quoted as a model of convenience
for the purpose of their design.  As an inventor he is not unknown,
having taken out six patents upon various improvements in railroad
appliances.  His services as a member of Keene city council, and
chief of the fire department, having been wisely planned and ably
rendered.  Happily united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Lucas,
daughter of a soldier who still ives in Fryeburg, Maine, to recount
deeds of the war of 1812, he has reared two sons and two daughters.
The oldest, Lilla J. married Henry C. Maxham of St. ALbans, Vt.
but both she and her husband have passed away before their prime,
leaving two orphan children to fill the place in heart and home
left vacant by her untimely death.  Frederick R. Perry the eldest
son, is an engineer on the C.R.R.; Eva A., a graduate and Walter A.,
a student of Keene High School. [Note. 1880 US Census of St. Albans,
Franklin Co VT shows Henry C. Maxham (age 33, RR Conductor), with wife
Lillie age 24, and daughter Lauren? May age 3 b VT)]

CAPTAIN HORACE TRUMAN HANKS PIERCE, son of Ezekiel Porter Pierce and
Susanna Porter was born at Chesterfield NH, February 22, 1822. He was
brought up on the homestead farm, and enjoyed such scholastic
advantages as the common school and academy in Chesterfield afforded.
He also pursued a partial course at Norwich Academy, Vt., which in
addition to the usual collegiate and scientific course of study,
imparted instruction in military tactics.  Being naturally of a 
military turn of mind, he gave considerable attention to this branch
of study while in the university, and in after years turned his
martial acquirements to good advantage.  After leaving the university
he was for a time a mechanic and manufacturer. Later he became a
brick-layer, and followed that vocation, residing with his family in
Keene, til the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he was among the first
to offer his services in defense of the Union, under the first call
for three months volunteers.  He raised a company and served with
credit as its lieutenant in the 2d NH Vols Infantry.  At the
expiration of his three month's service he at once raised a company
of three years' men in Keene, and was commissioned its captain,
the organization becoming Co. F, of the 5th NH Vols.  He served
thorough the Peninsular campaign in the spring and summer of 1862;
was in command of his company in the memorable battle of Antietam
and in the pursuit of the enemy on their retreat to Fredericksburg,
soon after which he was honorably discharged for physical disability.
[exerpts only]. On his return from the war he resumed his occupation
of brick-layer in Keene, and followed it with characteristic energy
until his health and strength failed.  On the 12 of June, 1850,
Captain Pierce was married in the tavern of his father to
Miss Sophia E. Dickinson, daughter of Erastus Dickinson, of Hinsdale
NH. She bore him three children, viz. Julia L. born March 17, 1851;
William E., born in 1853, and Frank D., born November 15, 1855. He
died at Keene January 7, 1877.

EDWARD PITTSINGER was born in West Hampton, Mass, November 29, 1821.
In 1846 he went as a brakeman on the Connecticut River railroad,
where he continued one year, then became conductor from Springfield
to Holyoke. In 1851 when the Ashuelot railroad was opened, he became
conductor on that road, in which position he has since continued.

JEREMIAH PRATT, a native of Massachusetts, was an early settler in
Winchester NH, married Sarh, daughter of Robert Newton, and reared
seven children.  Jeremiah Pratt Jr., married Lucy, daughter of
William and Lucy Richford, and had born to him nine children, five of
whom are living.  Robert W. Pratt, the youngest son of Jeremiah Jr.
married Ruby W., daughter of Jacob and Ruby (Prindall) Moody of
Northfield, Mass and resides in Keene on Washington Street.  Their
children are Mrs. Hattie E. Parks, Mrs. Abbie A. Conan and Charles R.

HON. JOHN PRENTISS, the founder of the "New Hampshire Sentinel,"
[newspaper] and for 48 years its editor, died at his residence in
Court street, Friday noon, June 6, 1873 at the age of 95 years and
3 months.  He came to Keene in March 1799 at the age of 21 years,
and established the "Sentinel" under many embarrassments, and with a
list of subscribers numbering only seventy.  His first printing office
was in a low building, standing where S.W. Hale's house now stands,
and for some time afterwards in the new building south of Dr. Edward's
tavern.  Subsequently (in 1825) he erected a fine block on the west
side of the square, where, in connection with his son, John W.,
he carried on the printing, publishing, and book business up to
1847, when he retired.  In 1808 he built the homestead and planted the
five elms in front.  During his half century of active business life
he held various offices of trust, serving as town clerk, town 
treasurer, representative in the legislature, and a member of the
senate.  He was also for many years president of the New Hampshire
Historical Society, and during his whole life was prominently 
identified with religious and educational matters.  After retiring from
business in 1847, at which time he was one of the oldest editors in 
the United States, he presented to each of the 14 school districts of
this town a set of the Massachusetts School Library, or 38 volumes,
and his love for and interests in the school never abated.  In 185?
he traveled over Great Britain and the European continent, attending
the peace conventions at Frankfort-on-the-Main, as delegate from
New Hampshire.  His interesting letters from abroad were published
in the "Sentinel" attracting much attention and interest.  For 67
years he was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, being made
a Master Mason in 1806, Royal Arch Mason in 1813, and a Knight Templar
in 1867. The influence for good which Mr. Prentiss exercised upon the
community in which he so long and prominently figured cannot be
overestimated.  [more in original not included here]. Mr. Prentiss
survived all the members of his family, except his daughter Corinna,
wife of Judge Hopkinson of Lowell, deceased, and Pamela, wife of
Judge Henry F. French, of Concord, Mass.
  JOHN W. PRENTISS, whose son, W.H. PRENTISS is now one of the 
"Sentinel" died August 17, 1863, aged fifty five years. 

IRA FRENCH PROUTY, M.D., son of Willard and Sally Prouty of Langdon NH,
was born November 9, 1812 and came to Keene in 1863.  After leaving
the district school, he attended the academies of Bellows Falls and
Chester, Vt. He studied medicine with Dr. Lowell of Chester, and
later with Dr. Lawrence of Saxton's River.  He attended lectures at
Woodstock and Dartmouth medical schools, graduating from the latter
in May 1837. He immediately went to Illinois, where he practiced
his profession about a year.  Leaving the West, he came to
Chesterfield Factory, and was afterward located in Alstead and Stoddard
NH.  In 1855 he removed to Ogdensburg NY and engaged in the wholesale
drug business. For a short time previous to his advent in Keene he
was practicing medicine in Chateaugay, NY.  He was a member of the
board of education from its organization in 1867 until 1875, and for
several years was superintending committee of the suburban schools.
He was a member of the legislature in 1872-73, and during the latter
term was instrumental in procuring from the state an appropriation in
aid of Dartmouth college.  In 1877-78 he was a member of the board of
aldermen from the third ward.  In February 1839, Dr. Prouty was married
in Alstead to Emily F. Babcock, who died in October, 1849.  In
January 1855, he married Elsie, only daughter of Dea. Luke and Lydia
Joslin of Stoddard.  He died January 17, 1882 leaving a wife, son and
daughter, who still survive him. 
  IRA J. PROUTY, M.D., only son of Dr. Ira F. Prouty, was born in
Ogdensburg, NY, August 15, 1857. He was educated in the public schools
of Keene, graduating from High school in 1875. He continued his
studies in Keene until 1878, when he entered the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, where he pursued a special course in
analytical chemistry.  In 1879 he entered the medical department of
the University of the City of New York, where he remained three
years, graduating in March 1882, in which year he commenced the
practice of medicine in Keene.  In 1883 he was elected a member
of the board of education.  In July 1882 he was married to Etta M.,
eldest daughter of John Humphrey of Keene.

AUGUSTUS M. RICE was a soldier in the Rebellion, serving first in the
1st Mass. Cav., second in Co. I, 92d NY Vols, third in Co. F, Mass. 
H.A. and fourth in Co. C, 53d Mass Vols.  He was honorably discharged
after having been in the army four years and three months.  He
married Mrs. Julia Foss, daughter of Timothy and Hannah Ellis of
Keene, and now resides in this town.

ARCHIBALD ROBERTSON, born in Scotland in 1708, emigrated to America in
1754 with his wife, Elizabeth and children.  He came to Chesterfield,
and December 14, 1775 he was chosen to represent Chesterfield and
Hinsdale in the provincial congress, that was to assemble at Exeter,
the 21st of that same month, being the first person ever chosen by
the town for such a purpose.  JAMES ROBERTSON, son of Archibald,
came to Chesterfield in 1762, married twice, first Sarah Bancroft,
and seconde Mrs. Mary Snow.  EBENEZER ROBerTSON, one of his large
family of children, was born July 7, 1787, married Phila, daughter of
Samuel Walker.  NOYES ROBERTSON, the third child of Ebenezer, was
born November 4, 1818, married for his first wife Evaline M.,
daughter of David Day and had born to him, one son, EDGAR, who died at
Springfield, IL November 13, 1879. He married for his second wife,
Helen M. Cobb, who bore him two children, Gertrude E. and Cadmen D.,
both now living in Keene.  Mr. Robertson wno resides in this town.
His wife died July 14, 1883.

C.F. ROWELL, born in Goshen NH, came to Keene in 1851, and worked as
a carriage painter, in the employ of French Bros, 21 years. He 
traversed the entire state of New Hampshire as correspondent for the
"New Hampshire Patriot" [newspaper] at which occupation he spent
3 years. He was station agent for Connecticut River & Ashuelot
Railroad from June 1877 until June 1884, and sine then has been
agent for the recovery of lost freight on the Cheshire Railroad.
He was sergeant-at-arms of the NH House, under J.A. Weston, and has
been twice Democratic candidate for state treasurer. He was a member
of the keene board of education for six years. He married Evaline 
Dodge, in 1855, and has two daughters, Jennie M. and Nellie T.

BARTON SKINNER was born in Westmoreland NH December 19, 1801, and was
the seventh of a family of nine children, only one of whom was a girl,
and only two of whom survive, aged respectively 82 and 78 years.
They were a family of remarkable longevity. BARTON SKINNER, who was
the first to die, reached the age of 63 years, and this age was
exceeded by all who have since deceased.  Their parents, TIMOTHY and
Ruth Warner SKINNER, removed from Brookfield, Mass in 1793 or 1794.
The nine children were: WARREN SKINNER born June 2, 1791; CYNTHIA
SKINNER born September 10, 1792; ALANSON SKINNER born May 21, 1794;
AVERY SKINNER born June 9, 1796; HIRAM SKINNER born June 9, 1798;
DOPHUS SKINNER born May 18, 1800; BARTON SKINNER, born Dec 19, 1801;
JOHN L. SKINNER born February 11, 1803; and ALBERT G. SKINNER born
June 28, 1807.  The first two were born in Brookfield, mass, the rest
in Westmoreland NH.  Warren and Dolphus were clergymen, the former
residing at Proctorsville Vt., and the latter for 50 years in and
adjacent to Utica NY where he died October 2, 1869 having earned a
wide reputation as editor of the "Evangelical Magazine."  Cynthia
married Hiram Walker, of Mexico NY where she died February 27, 1872.
She was a woman of remarkable powers and purity of character, and was
a successful teacher for many years. Mexico was also the home of
Avery and Hiram, the former of whom settled there in 1822. He was
appointed postmaster there by John Q. Adams, and held the office until
his death in 1876.  He was a life-long Democrat, and was always
influential in the councils of his party. He was county treasurer for
16 years; was elected to the assembly in 1831, and re-elected in 1832;
was a senator from his district from 1838 to 1842; and held other
responsible positions. Hiram, although attacked at the early age of
14 with a nervous disease which destroyed the sign of one eye and
rendered him a cripple for the rest of his life, filled the offices of
postmaster and justice of the peace, and reared a family of six
children.  He died October 10, 1865.  Alanson settled in Brownville NY
in 1815, and ever after made that his home.  He engaged in 
manufacturing and amassed quite a fortune. He was noted for his
industry and integrity, and was faithful to every trust. He was
supervisor of his town for 12 years, and represented his district in
the State senate in 1850. He died June 7, 1876.
  Barton Skinner was universally respected and beloved.....The winters
of his early manhood were spent in teaching, and the summers in
laboring upon the home farm, which he soon purchased.  He was appointed
justice of the peace in early life and was frequently chosen referee
in cases of dispute among his neighbors in his own and adjoining towns.
In 1846 he was elected registrar of deeds for Cheshire county and
removed to Keene.  He held the office until 1852, when, declining
a re-election, he moved to Chesterfield, where he gave his attention
to the manufacture of augur bits.  Later he purchased the cotton-mill
and devoted himself to that business until the commencement of the
civil war in 1861... He was a Republican... He was always an advocate
of freedom, and the first negroes his children saw were fugitives
from slavery who found a welcome retreat at his home, until, under
cover of darkness, they could make their way to other friends on the
route to Canada. He was also an earnest advocate of temperance and
delivered lectures on its support when but few voices were raised
against the evil of strong drink.  Always interested in the cause of
education, he served many years as superintending committee both in
Keene and Chesterfield, and in the latter town he was usually chosen
moderator at the annual town meetings.  He served serveral terms in
the state legislature, representing in that capacity at different
times his native town of westmoreland and Chesterfield.  In 1863 he
removed to keene, where he died February 11, 1865.
  Barton Skinner was married June 24, 1835 to Betsey, daughter of
Captain Aaron Weeks of Westmoreland, by whom he had three children:
Mary Elizabeth, born August 13, 1836; Azro, born February 14, 1839;
and Samuel Weeks, born September 3, 1840, all of whom are living.
Mary E. was for a number of years a successful teacher, but impaired
health compelled her to relinquish this vocation, much to her regret.
She was married in 1875 to Maurice B. Beckwith, who was called from
Brown university to the position of teacher in the royal schools of
Honolulu, Hawaii, where she still resides.  Azro B. was for a number
of years previous to the war, a teacher in the schools of Chesterfield,
Keene and Winchester. During the war he worked two years in the
armory at Springfield, after which he was engaged in life insurance
business in New York City; but on the death of his father in 1865, he
returned to Keene, where for the past 17 years he has been engaged
in mercantile pursuits as manager and one of the proprietors of the
Museum, a store well known through all this region.  Samuel W.,
has been engaged in mechanical pursuits during all his active life,
beginning in the old cotton-mill at Chesterfield, from which he went to
the armory at Springfield, Mass, where he remained until called to
take charge of a department in a gun manufactory in New York city.
He susequently engaged in the same business with E. Remington Sons,
of Ilion NY, where he has resided most of the time for the past 20
years and where he still makes his home.

THOMAS SPAULDING, a native of New Ipswich, Mass, married Hannah Brown
of Concord about 1800. He was a carpenter by trade, and built the first
church erected in Hancock, Hillsborough county.  He moved to Dublin,
from Hancock, and from there to Sullivan. He reared a family of ten
children, seven sons and three daughters.  Only one of his children,
ASHLEY SPAULDING is living.  He was born January 21, 1805 and lived
upon the home farm sixty-six years.  He married, for his first wife,
Clarissa Keith, who bore him two children, and for his second wife,
Sallie Davis, who bore him three children. He moved to Keene in 1869,
and located upon the farm where he now lives, on road 28.

JOHN SYMONDS was born in Hancock NH May 18, 1816 and spent his boyhood
in that town. In 1836 he commenced work as an apprentice with Elijah
Reed, at his tannery in Hancock, and was employed there and at
other places til 1841, when he began the tanning business himself at
South Antrim. But before his tannery was well under way it was
destroyed by fire. He lost everything and was left $500 in debt. He
then went to Salem, where he worked at his trade for a time. In 1848
he removed to Marlow, NH, when he again established himself in
business, and soon built up a thriving industry, which added much to
the wealth and prosperity of the town. He was frequently chosen to
positions of trust, having been selectman and tax collector of the
town, a deputy sheriff of the county and county commissioner while
residing in Marlow.  In 1859 he purchased the Wilson tannery in
East Sullivan, which he kept in active operation for 13 years. He
held public positions here, and during the war accumulated a
handsome property. In 1872 he came to Keene, purchased the Nims
farm in West Keene, and with A.M. Bigelow & Co, extensive tanners of
Boston, built the Cheshire tannery, the most expensive one in the
state, in such manner as Mr. Symonds's experience taught him was
most convenient.  It has a capacity of 1,800 sides a week, consumes
2,500 cords of bark a year, and gives employment to from 30 to 40
men. The business has done much to build up the west part of the town.
Mr. Symonds also built a handsome residence near the tannery, and
resided there until his death, which occurred March 28, 1885. He was
an active, enterprising and successful business man, and a generous 
and public spirited citizen.  He was active and successful in his
efforts to secure the erection of a handsome new school-house in
district No. 10, one of the best district school buildings in the 
state, and when completed he donated a bell for its use.  Mr. Symonds
was a staunch Republican, but refused public honors in Keene, except
in one instance, when he represented the ward in the legislature.
He was buried with Masonic honors by the Knights of Hugh de Payens
Commandery, of which he was a member, and was the recipient of many
touching testimonials of affection and esteem from his townsmen and
employees.  About the time Mr. Symonds first engaged in business for
himself, he was married to Caroline E. Robbins of Nelson, whom he
leaves a widow without children.

HON. PELEG SPRAGUE became prominent in Keene in 1792. He was born in
Rochester, Mass, December 10, 1756, graduated at Dartmouth college
1787, and settled in Keene.  He was elected to Congress in 1797, to
fill a vacancy and was re-elected in 1799.  He was taken sick, 
resigned, returned, and died April 20, 1800.


REUBEN STEWART was born in Montgomery County, NY, January 22, 1819.
In 1838 he was engaged in mercantile business in Saratoga county,
which occupation he continued until 1840, when he became a contractor
in making the enlargement of the Erie Canal, New York, also in
building the Croton Water Works at Harlem, NY and the Hartford &
New Haven Railroad at New Hartford and Meriden.  During the building
of the Cheshire railroad he was engaged as clerk, paymaster and
foreman of contractors.  Since 1848 he has been in the employ of the
Cheshire Railroad co, being successively as freight-clerk, chief-clerk,
general ticket-agent, general freight-agent, cashier, auditor,
assistant superintendent, and, in 1864, he was appointed superintendent
which position he held until 1878. Since then he has been general
manager, and clerk of the corporation. He has served the city of Keene
two years as mayor, and two years as alderman. He married Caroline E.
Cowles, of Saratoga Co. NY in 1842, and he has had born to him six
children, five of whom are living as follows: Mary E., who married
H.D. Rolfe, of Pittsburg, PA; Ida L., who married George A. Brown of
Keene; C. Janette, who married T.W. Towle of North Attleboro, Mass;
Kate I., who married Rev. G.W. Rigler, of Salem, OH; and M. Louisa,
who married G.F. Weston of Providence, R.I.

AMOS B. TENNEY was born in New Salem, Mass, May 25, 1815, and at the
age of 14 years came to Marlboro and lived with his uncle, William
Tenney until 21 years of age.  He married Relief L. McCollister,
who was born in Marlboro, October 23, 1823.  Mr. Tenney was
superintendent of a pail shop in Marlboro several years, and in 1863
moved to Lawrence, NY and carried on the pail and butter-tub business
for 9 years.  He came to keene in 1872.  He has only one child.
Oliver S. Tenney, who resides here, as a milk dealer.

JOHN A. THAYER came to Keene from Winchester NH in 1866, opened a
jewelry store, and continued as one of the leading jewelers here until
his death, November 12, 1881 at the age of 73 years.  His widow,
Fannie A. Thayer still resides in Keene.

JAMES AND SAMUEL THOMPSON came from Londonderry, Mass, and settled 
within the limits of the present town of Holden, Mass, in 1718. They
were Scotch Irish, and both died in 1755.  THOMAS THOMPSON, son of
Samuel, married and settled in Royalston, Mass in 1769.  His wife died
and he married again about 1782, and soon after came to Keene, residing
just south of the chair factory.  He reared a family of eight children,
six sons,--Thomas, Isaac, Aaron, Daniel, John, and Luther,--and two
daughters.  His son, DANIEL THOMPSON bought the "Statia farm" about
1823, where he spent the remainder of his life.  His children are
Mrs. Daniel Ellis, Mrs. Albert E. Nims, and Daniel P. Thompson of
Keene, Mrs. George W. Ellis of Swanzey, Benjamin F. Thompson of
Springfield, Mass., William H. Thompson of Geneva IA, and Mrs.
Roland Brewer of Hartford CT.

DR. GEORGE B. TWITCHELL, son of Timothy, was born at Petersburg, Va.,
in 1820, studied medicine with his uncle, Amos Twitchell and graduated
from the University of Pennsylvania in 1843. He entered the army in
1862, a surgeon of the 13th NH Vols, and was promoted the same year to
brigadier-surgeon of N.S.V. by President Lincoln. He resigned in the
autumn of 1863, on account of sickness, and has since practiced 
medicine in Keene.  He married Susan E., daughter of Gideon F. Thayer,
of Boston, has five children, and is one of the leading physicians of
this county.

LEONARD WELLINGTON was born September 12, 1842. He received an
academic education and attended Albany law school from which he
graduated in 1865. He was admitted that same year, to the Cheshire
county bar, and formed a partnership with Dan H. Woodward, which
continued until 1877, since which time he has practiced alone.
He married Harriet L. Chandler, of CT, in 1870 and has two children.

WILLIAM P. WHEELER, son of Col. Nathaniel Wheeler, was born in
Croyden, July 31, 1812.  He was educated at Kimball Union academy,
studied law at Keene, graduated at Harvard Law school, and was 
admitted to practice in 1842, settling in Keene.  He received the
degree of A.M. from Dartmouth college in 1850.  For then years he was
county solicitor.  In 1855 and 1857 he was candidate for congress.
As a lawyer Mr. Wheeler stood high, ranking with the ablest in the
state.  In preparing a case, in examining witnesses, in arguing
before a jury, in preparing a brief, and in aruging before the
supreme court he was equally able and distinguished.  He was a man
of the strictest integrity and won the confidence of all.  He was
warm-hearted, generous, hospitable, fluent in speech--often eloquent,
sometimes sarcastic and cutting, well read and successful.  He died
in 1876. [Note the 1870 US Census of Keene NH shows William P. Wheeler
attorney with wife Sarah D age 45 b VT, and probably children,
Alice age 17 b NH, and Willie or Willis G. 13 born NH]

ABIJAH WILDER, son of Andrew, was born November 28, 1750 and came to
Keene from Lancaster, Mass. He was a noted mechanic and a deacon in
the Congregational church for 34 years. He died January 8, 1835.
AZEL WILDER, the youngest of six children, was a manufacturer of
spinning-wheels, married Elvira, daughter of John and Sarah (Eastman)
Warner, and reared a family of ten children, only two of whom are now
living.  Elvira Wilder, eldest daughter of Azel, married Edward Poole,
who died in 1847, and has one son, George Edward Poole, a noted fancy
wood-turner, residing in Keene.  Elvira P. Poole, widow of Edward
Poole is also a resident of Keene.

LOCKHART WILLARD, ESQ., a native of Keene, served in the Revolution,
and was a prominent lawyer here. He married a Miss Reed, and reared
four children.  LOCKHART WILLARD JR. married Sally, daughter of
Phineas and Annie (Thompson) Nourse.  Three of his seven children are
living.  One of these, William L. Willard married Lucretia, daughter of
Israel and Tabitha (Wheelock) Marsh of Keene, and has one son living,
Lucius T.  The latter who served in the late war as quartermaster's
clerk, in Co. G, 14th NH Vols, married Netta J. French and resides
at Jersey City, NJ.

HON. JAMES WILSON SR. the oldest son of Robert, was born in 
Peterborough, August 16, 1766. His opportunities for an education were
very limited in his native town. He remembered the alarm given at his
father's house, April 19, 1775, and the great stir among the farmers
as they were getting their weapons ready to march to the scene of the
action. He remained at home, working with his parents, until the close
of the Revolution. His mother was a lady who appreciated the importance
of a good education, and she finally prevailed upon her somewhat
reluctant husband to allow their promising son to attend the Phillips
academy, Andover, Mass, where he fitted for college.  He entered
Harvard university in 1785, and graduated in 1789.  Among his
classmates were Charles Cutts, afterwards a representative in 
congress, Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Thayer and Rev. Dr. John Thornton Kirland,
afterwards president of the same university.  President John Quincy
Adams was two classes ahead of him and knew him well.  Mr. Wilson 
maintained an intimate friendship with all of these gentlemen.
Sixty years after his graduation, when his son James was introduced
on the floor of congress, to Ex-President J.W. Adams, the latter said,
"Your father was the best wrestler in college."  He was, as Mr. 
Adams said, the best wrestler, and was a strong, well-developed,
muscular young man.  He received from Harvard, the degree of A.M.,
in course, and Dartmouth conferred the same degree upon him in 1850.
Immediately after graduation, he entered the law office of Judge
Lincoln, of Worcester, as a student.  The death of his father,
December 25, 1790, called him home.  He was united with his mother
in the settlement of his father's estate.  He decided not to return
to Worcester, and entered the law office of Judge Smith at 
Peterborough.  Judge Smith was shortly after elected to congress in
1791, and on leaving congress, settled in Exeter.  This left a field
for young Wilson in Peterborough; and he resolved to practice in
Peterborough until 1815, when he removed to Keene, and purchased the
stately manion on Main Street, which has ever since been known as the
"Squire Wilson house."  Mr. Wilson was an able lawyer and understood
the science of law.  He was a man of good judgement, and of quick,
clear perception.  He prepared his cases with great care and managed
them ably in the courts.  As an advocate, he had few if any superiors
in the state.  He had an extensive practice in both Hillsborough and
Cheshire counties, and was usually retained upon one side or the other
of almost every case.  He also did a large business in the justice
courts in both counties.  Many young men who afterwards became good
lawyers were his students.  In Peterborough, he was moderator of the
town-meeting for five years, and a representative to the general court
most of the time from 1803 to 1815. He was a member of congress from
the Hillsborough district from 1809 to 1811. He was firm believer in
the policy of Alexander Hamilton, and was a firm Federalist of the old
School.  The whole of the NH Delegation in the 11th congress was of
the Federal party; but all this was changed in the next congress, and
Mr. Wilson was not returned.  He did not practice his profession 
after 1823, after his son was admitted to the bar and had succeeded
to his business.  He was one of the founders of the Unitarian church
and society in Keene, when the secession of the old society took
place.  He died January 4, 1839.
  GEN. JAMES WILSON JR. who inherited not only the practice, but the
great talents of his honored father, was born in Peterborough,
March 18, 1797. His early years were passed in his native town.
His education advantages were such as were obtained in a country town
at that time.  He had the misfortune to lose his mother at the early
age of 8 years.  In 1807, young Wilson was sent to New Ipswich academy,
and in 1808 to the Atkinson academy.  In 1813, he attended the Phillips
academy in Exeter, for a part of the year. Our country was at that
time involved in the second war with Great Britain. Young Wilson
desired very greatly to enlist in the army. He was full of military
spirit and heroism of his Scotch-Irish ancestry, and longed for active
service; but his father would not consent to it. Chagrined and
mortified, he left his academy and went to the North Factory, in
Peterborough, and hired himself out as a common hand.  He continued to
work in the mill until the peace of 1815 was declared.  That put an 
end to the war and, for a time, to the manufacture of cotton at the
North Factory. James then went to work on his father's farm; but, when
his father removed to Keene, he decided to resume his studies and 
picked up his books and went back to school. He entered the Middlebury
college in 1816, and graduated in 1820. He delivered the class oration
at the special class exercises near his graduation. James immediately
began the study of law with his father, and was admitted to the bar,
in Cheshire county, at the fall term, 1823.  He succeeded immediately
to his father's business in the office and in the courts. At first he
practiced in Cheshire, Sullivan, Grafton and Coos counties, but after
his father was stricken with paralysis, in 1836, and required much of
his son's attention, he abandoned the northern counties and practiced
only in Cheshire. In the military service of his state, Gen. Wilson 
was deservedly popular.  He was appointed captain of the Keene Light
Infantry January 1, 1821, and rose through all the various ranks
until he was made Major-General of the Third Division of the NH 
militia. In 1825 he was chosen as one of the two representatives to 
the general court from the town of Keene.  In 1828 he was elected of
the house of representatives of the state of New Hampshire.  From the
year 1825 to the year 1840 inclusive, Gen. Wilson represented Keene
in the state legislature, excepting the years 1833, 1838 and 1839.
In the last two of the years just named, he was Whig candidate for
governor, but was defeated by his Democratic opponent.  The year 1840
was a notable year in the history of this country. No political
campaign ever exceeded this in interest and excitement. Gen. Wilson
remarkably distinguished himself in this exciting struggle, delivering
stump speeches in all parts of the country, and contributing largely
to the success won by the Whig party.  Had he been famous as an
orator and advocate before, but his rhetorical triumphs, at this time,
extended his reputation to all parts of the land.  His presence was
unusually impressive.  He was six feet four inches in height, straight,
well-built, with black curling hair and bright blue eyes, as fine a
set of white, sound teeth as was ever seen, of a stern and determined,
yet fascinating and impressive countenance. He delighted to joke upon
his personal appearance, and would describe himself as a "rough hewn
block from the Granite State." His friends spoke of him familiarly
as "Long Jim," "Gen. Jim" &c. He had all the qualifications of a 
first-class orator.  He was a logical thinker, and arranged the
subject of his thought methodically.  He was well read in history, and
the Bible, and was ready with a good illustration to enforce his 
points. He was a capital story teller ... He could laugh or cry at
will, and could produce either effect upon his auditors at pleasure...
He had a powerful voice... General Harrison enjoyed his victory only
a single month.  Mr. Tyler, who succeeded to the presidency, offered
to Gen. Wilson the office of surveyor-general of public lands in the
then territories of Wisconsin and Iowa, which office he accepted and
took possession of the office, at Dubuque, IA. He was removed by
President Polk in 1845.  In 1845 the voters of Keene again returned
Gen. Wilson to the general court.  About that time the "Independent
Democrats" uniting with the old line Whigs, defeated the regular
Democrats and Gen. Wilson was elected to the 30th congress from the
third NH district. He was re-elected to the 31st congress, but
resigned his seat September 9, 1850.....While in congress... he made
several speeches, one of which, on the condition of the country, in
which he openly and freely expressed his views against the institution
of slavery, made a profound sensation in the house of representatives
at the time of delivery, and is still an eloquent composition, as one
reads it in the "Congreggional Globe."
  In Washington [DC] Gen. Wilson was a great favorite in society, and
a popular guest at dinners.... He was often seen at the tables of
Mr. Webster, Mr. Clay, Mr. Winthrop, the president, and those of the
diplomats.  The Washington climate did not agree with his health,
and he sought the more inviting atmosphere of California.  He remained
in California eleven years, engaged in law and mining business.
He returned east in 1861, in April, just at the breaking out of the
Rebellion.  His old friend, Abraham Lincoln, offered him a
brigadier-general's commission, but he felt compelled to decline the
honor, on account of his great age... The visit of Gen. Wilson to
Keene in 1861, after an absence of more than a decade, was a memorable
one.  Soon after his arrival, the shot was fired at Sumpter, and the
regiments began to be formed ready to march to the conflict. [more in
original document not included here].  He returned, once more, to
California in the autumn of 1862 and remained until 1867 when he again
returned to Keene to spend the remainder of his days, and to die in
the town and in the house which he had loved so much.
  In 1870 and 1871 the voters of Keene again returned Gen. Wilson to
the general court.... In the autumn before his death, his many friends,
desiring of testifying their love and esteem, procured a fine oil
painting of the General, and formally presented it to the city of
Keene, November 13, 1879..... He was the last survivor of the twelve
who first signed the covenant of the Unitarian church in Keene....
Sunday morning, May 29, 1881 he had risen comparatively well.  During
the day he complained of feeling ill, and, before the doctor, who
had been summoned, arrived, he expired in the arms of his son, and
in the presence of his youngest daughter.  He was buried Wednesday,
June 1.  The body was early carried to the church, and a large number
of persons from Keene and adjoining towns availed themselves of the
opportunity of looking for the last time on the face of their old
friend.


NATHAN WOOD, son of Joshua, who was one of the early settlers of
Keene, was born here May 31, 1800.  He was a blacksmith and farmer,
married Lorinda Ruggles of Rutland Vt., and had born to him four
children, as follows: Susan E., widow of Hon. J.J. Allen Jr., lives in
town; Nathan, died December 4, 1861; Julia R.W., widow of Levi Porter;
and Sarah L., both in Keene.

REV. HORACE WOOD was born in Orange NH March 1, 1810, and at the age
of 8 years moved with his father to East Alstead NH. He attended
school at Meriden academy, and studied theology at Gilmington [sic
Gilmanton] NH. In 1840 he was ordained a Congregational minister and
has thus been in the ministry 36 years.  He married twice, first,
Mehitable Gale of Gilmington [sic Gilmanton] who died in Keene in
1847, and second, Sara A. Green of Biddeford, Me.  They have lived in
Keene since 1881. Mr. Wood preached at Gilsum nine years.

SOLOMON WOODWARD came to this town, from Milbury, Mass, in 1797 and
settled upon the farm now owned by his son Daniel.  The latter resides
here and is 85 years of age.

PHILEMON WRIGHT, a soldier in the war of 1812, married Abigail Bigelow,
and reared six children.  He came to Keene from Worcester, Mass in 
1833, and remained here until his death in 1862. His daughter Mary
married William Rand, who served two years in the late war [Civil
War]. Their three children are, Abbie S who married John W. Patch and
resides in Boston; Fannie M. and Mary L. who live at home.

CHARLES WYMAN, a native of Keene, married Mary Ann Ellis, and had
born to him four children.  Henry Wyman, the second son of Charles,
married Ellen M., daughter of Jesse and Lucinda Grimes, of Keene,
and has two children, Frank and Charles.  He now resides in this
town at No. 3 Grant Street.  Emily Grimes, sister of Mrs. Henry J.
Wyman, married James Wright, who died September 18, 1863, aged 45
years.  She now resides in Keene at No. 3 Grant Street.  Captain
Isaac Wyman was in the Revolutionary War, at the battle of Bunker
Hill, and was captain of a company from Keene at the age of 19 years.

------------------------
The surface of Keene is so charmingly diversified as to be at once a
joy to the artist and pride of the husbandman.  It lies principally
upon a level and substantially rectangular plateau, six miles in
length and four in width, walled in on four sides by ranges of lofty
mountains.  The mountain breezes which sweep upon it from the north
in winter have an edge "keener" than a razor; but he who endures the
rigors of this season find ample compensation in the genial season
when the fertile plain and the rough hillsides are adorned with
the verdure of spring, the blossoms and cloud-effects of summer, or
the autumnal red and gold of the harvest fields and woodland foliage.
Indeed, at this season it would be difficult to find a more charming
retreat than this beautiful spot among the granite hills.
  This broad valley is supposed to have been, in past ages, the bed of
a primeval lake, and its deposits extend down to an unknown depth,
covering about one-third of the territory, and varying in character
from a clean sand to pure clay, with vast deposits of peat and swamp
muck composed of the vegetable accumulations of centuries.  These
tracts, however, when property drained, make meadow land that will vie
in fertility with the prairies of the West.  The valley is watered
by the Ashuelot and its tributaries, affording many fine mill-sites.
The soil, generally, in the valley, is fertile, while the hill-sides
are well adapted to grazing.  Granite of a good quality for quarrying
abounds in many parts, while a peculiar variety of this rock, called
"rotten stone," is found in abundance in other localities, affording
a fine material for road-making.  It contains a portion of sulphuret
of iron, which decomposes, and leaves the rock in a very fragile
condition, easily reduced, and convenient for use.

In 1880 KEENE has a population of 6,784 souls.  In 1884 it had eleven
school districts, and 31 different public schools, 21 of which were
graded, and one a high school.... There were 1,216 pupils attending
these schools, 147 of whom are pursuing the higher branches, taught
during the year by two male and forty female teachers, the former
at an average monthly salary of $91.67 and the latter $44.00 per
month.  

KEENE as a city was brought into existence by an act of the legislature
approved July 3, 1873, incorporating the same, subject to acceptance,
by a majority of votes, of the city charter so enacted.  In March 1874,
the act was accepted by a vote of 783 to 580. The new government was
duly organized May 5, 1874, Hon. Horatio Colony being elected mayor.
As previously stated, the entire township was included within the
city limits, and is divided into five wards.  The city proper,
however, is the old village of Keene, which President Dwight
pronounced "one of the prettiest in New England."
  This then, the city of keene, lies in the charming valley of
Ashuelot, hid among its shade trees, with cliff-crowned hills round
about.  From the monument on Beech hill, looking west and north,
one gets a fine view of the whole valley.  The broad meadows and
natural parks of scattered elms stretch three miles away, across the
river to West hill, which has an altitude of 850 feet.  Below are the
older and later channels of the riotous Branch, and its four-arched
bridge.  The Catholic cemetery, the race-course, and the Island pond,
are on the left.  In front are the distant meadows, the amphitheatre
of hills, and in the background, the peaks of the Green mountains.
On the right are the seven church spires of the shady city, and the
turrets of the high school building, court-house, city hall, and more
distant jail.  Obtruded upon one's notice, also, are the tall
chimneys of shops and mills--Faulkner's Colony's Woodbury's Mechanics
railroad, Beaver, and new shoe-shop, while a solitary chimney marks
the site of Governor Hale's furniture shop.  Still more to the right,
under the hill, are the dark pines which shade Woodland cemetery.
Since 1856 this grove has been whitened with sculptured marble,
with storied monument and "animated bust." Across the brooks which
runs between, lies Woodlawn, a newer cemetery.
  But the valley itself is the most interesting feature of the scene.
Once the bed of an ancient lake, the tributary streams poured in their
annual layers of sand, which now form the delta terraces, often a
theme for the high school graduate.  On one of these are slate 
gravestones of the first settlers.  The three clay-beds and brick-yards
indicate the still-water era of the lake period.
  A tree society once flourished here, and Main Street, with its fine
old elms is a theme for the poet.  It is eight rods wide and nearly
a mile long.  Of this street, Thoreau said: "You can see a chicken run
across, half a mile off."  It ends in the square, widening to thirty
rods.  Here front the stores, the Cheshire House, banks and the public
buildings; here stood the church and horse-sheds of the fathers, now
replaced by a little park of Elm trees; here also, is the "soldier in
bronze," and John Humphrey's iron water-bowl; here pulses the heart
of the city; here was held the great war meeting; here the review of
the 6th New Hampshire, afterwards so famous, and here wre held the
meetings of the scarred veterans; here roared the guns for General
Jackson; here marched the Keene Light Infantry; and here now parades
the "guard."
  The hills which environ the city, furnish beautiful drives. The
artist would choose Gray's bill, from which to paint his picture of
the valley.  There are specimens of graphite and soapstone on West
hill, and amethysts on Hurricane hill.  Visitors find a delightful
drive to vessel rock, to the bowlder of the signal station at Mine
Hill, to Pinnacle Hill and Batchelder's stairs, to great iron bridge,
to the granite quarries, the Summit cut, to ponds and lakes, the
beautiful Surry mountain, to Mt. Caesar and Marlboro glenn.  The
young and ardent stroll to Beaver brook falls, Glen Ellen, to the
Pot-hole and Glacier water-fall; to the reservoir, and Ascutney
bowlder near by; the monument, the high bridge, the mineral spring,
Huggins and Crisson hills, not forgetting Goose pond--the city's
water supply, three miles away--while all delight to picnic in
Tilden's grove, and on the famous old fair grounds.  The energetic
time themselves round the six-mile square.

KEENE is a well planned city.  Its grand avenue, Main Street, extends
nearly due north through the middle of the valley, perfectly straight,
and at a width of eight rods for almost a mile to Central Square. Here
it branches making two avenues, someone less in width, but still 
ample.  One of these diverges slightly to the east of north, and leads
to the towns of Sullivan and Stoddard.  The other deflects at a 
similiar slight angle to the west, and is the road to Surry and
Walpole.  Other streets are generally laid out at right angles, or
paralell with main Street so that the street system is symmetrical
without being precisely of the checker-board pattern.

The first meeting of the legal voters of Keene for the choice of
city and ward officers was held on the second Tuesday of April, 1874,
when the following officers were elected, and on the 5th day of
May, following, were duly clothed with administration powers:
Mayor, Horatio Colony.  Aldermen--ward one, Horatio Kimball; ward
two, Edward Farrar; ward three, Don H. Woodward; ward four,
Francis C. Faulkner; ward five, Reuben Stewart.  Councilmen--
ward one, Alanson S. Whitcomb, Francis French, Franklin J. Ware;
ward two, Henry H. Darling, Miles Buckminster, George W. Holdbrook;
ward three, Joseph R. Beal, James W. Dodge, Nathan G. Woodbury;
ward four, Frederick H. Kingsbury, Leander W. Cummings, Charles N.
Wilder; ward five, William Dinsmore, Oscar J. Howard, Horace Hamblett.
Clerk, Henry S. Martin. President of council, Henry H. Darling.

MANUFACTURES
 Cheshire county, with perhaps a few towns in the northerly portion of
Worcester County, Mass, adjacent hereto, may be regarded as the birth
place of wooden-ware manufacturing, and until 1860 it was noted as the
principal center of that class of manufacture, and it is yet quite a
prominent industry of the vicinity, though the business, as it has
extended, has gone largely to other places where timber is more
plentiful.  It is said that the first wooden-pails made by machinery
were manufactured at Keene, by Jehiel Wilson, who now resides in
South Keene.

The manufacture of clothes-pins by machinery is said to have originated
in Rindge, or Winchendon, Mass, and 40 years ago was confined almost
exclusively to a few towns in that immediate vicinty.  The machinery
then used was of the most primitive nature, consisting only of the
hand lathe, in which the pins were turned by the "gouge and chisel,"
applied by the dextrous hand of the workman, and a few circular saws
used in preparation of the timber and in cutting the slots. At that
time the product of a shop employing half a dozen operatives would be
about sixty gross per day; but soon after the introduction of special
machinery began to increase the facilities of production, and today
the output of a like number of operatirves would be at least five
times greater as in 1845.  With improved facilities and increasing
demand, a larger number of manufactories sprung up in different parts
of the county, until at one time, from 1855 to 1865, perhaps forty or
fifty might have been enumerated, with capacities for turning out from
100 to 300 or 400 gross of pins per day.  Limited timber supply, 
however, has caused them to scatter in various directions, until at
present we think only two of any note remain--those of Z. Willard and
Farwell Bros. of Harrisville.

The manufacture of shoe-pegs was formerly carried on at Chesterfield,
swanzey, Troy and Dublin, and, from 1861 to 1865, quite extensively
at Keene, where they have been made on a quite limited scale until
within two or three years past.  But this business is now numbered
among the things of the past in this section of the country, having
been transferred principally to a few establishments located in
Pennsylvania, with two or three perhaps in New York and northern
New Hampshire.  Most of the modern machinery for this branch of
manufacturing is of New Hampshire origin, and from 1860 to 18670, and
later, it was manufactured largely at Keene, whence it has been sent
to various parts of the United States, British provinces, and Germany.

In the line of machinery, Keene was the starting point of the J.A. Fay
& Co.  and other extensive wood-working machinery establishments, 
which now have branches at Cincinnatti, Chicago, New York, and 
Norwich, Conn., and formerly at WOrcester, Mass.  The business having
developed from a small beginning in the manufacture of patent
mortising machines, by one George Page, at a shop on Washington street,
operated by horse-power.  This afterwards engaged the attention of the
late Hon. Thomas M. Edwards and Aaron Davis, who had a small iron
foundry at South Keene, to which place the works were removed, and a
manufactory driven by water-power was established.  They were afterward
joined by J.A. Fay, an energetic and shrewd business man, who succeeded
in developing the business so largely and rapidly as to give occasion
to the establishment of branch manufactories at Norwich, Conn.,
Worcester, Mass, and Cincinnati, Ohio, while that at Keene grew to
mammoth proportions, and was continued until after the dath of Mr.
Fay, being wound up by the resident partner and manager, Edwin Joslin,
Esq., who retired from active business in that line, and transferred
its good-will to the branch at Norwich, which is still continued
under the style of C.B Rogers & Co., who have sales-rooms at
New York city, while the branch at Cincinatti continues under the old
and widely-known firm name of J.A. Fay & Co., with branch salesrooms
at Chicago, New York &c. The Worcester branch having been sold many
years since to Messrs. R. Ball & Co., and later to Messrs.
Witherby, Rugg & Richardson, who are at present extensively engaged
in the manufacture of a line of wood-working machinery which has been
developed from the parent establishement many years ago at Keene.

The manufacture of glass was also carried on quite extensively at
one time.  For this purpose the New Hampshire Glass Co. was
incorporated, about the close of the war of 1812.  They carried on the
manufacture of window-glass about one year, upon the present site of
the county jail, when they failed.  Aaron Appleton and his nephew,
John Elliott, then purchased the property, and the business was
conducted by them or under their auspices until about 1845, when
circumstances arose which rendered the manufacture of glass 
unprofitable here, and it was abandoned.  The land was sold as a site
for the county jail in 1884.  A company was also formed, about 1815,
for manufacturing glass bottles, of which Henry Schoolcraft was
manager.  This company also failed, and the plant was sold to Justus
Perry, who accumulated a handsome property in the manufacture of
demijons and black bottles.  His half-brother, Samuel, and Quincey
Wheeler succeeded him in business, which they carried on until 1840
or 1845 when it was removed to Stoddard, where, after a few years,
the buildings burned and the business ceased.

CHESHIRE STEAM MILLS--In the latter part of 1854 a large lot of
old growth pine timber was blown down on land situated in the
northerly part of the town, and to work the same into merchantable
lumber, a steam mill of about fifty horse power was erected on
Court street, by Messrs Stephen and Charles Chase, which was operated
by them some 5 or 6 years, when it was sold to Charles Chase and
Madison Fairbanks, who removed it to a site on Davis and Ralston
streets, near the Ashuelot railroad, about 1860, putting up quite
extensive shops, and increasing the steam plant to about 120
horse-power, which was used by various manufacturing enterprises,
such as saw and grist-mills, machine shop, and manufacture of pails,
shoe-pegs, sash, blinds and doors, etc. etc. being run by Messrs.
Chase and Fairbanks, and afterwards by Mr. Fairbanks alone, until
January 15, 1869, when the main building was burned.  It was partially
rebuilt, however, by Mr. Fairbanks, but soon after he sold to 
Hon. S.W. Hale, who disposed of portions of the estate to A.B.
Heywood and D.W. Beekly, who erected a brick building, about 80x45
feet, three stories in height and afterward (about 1872) disposed of
the same by sale and lease to W.B. Wadner, or Boston, who being unable
to operate it profitably, discontinued business and transferred his
interests to a Mr. H. Emerson, also of Boston.  After standing idle
several years, the property was again purchased by Mr. Hale, who made
extensive additions to the buildings, which were furnished with
machinery for the manufacture of furniture, which business was run 
until the buildings were destroyed by fire, July 23, 1884.  As the
engine and boiler, etc. were but slightly injured, it is probable that
the mills will again be rebuilt.

THE BEAVER MILLS--The history of the Beaver Mills runs back to 1871,
when a company known as the Beaver Mills Company was organized for
the manufacture of pails, operating a grist-mill, and furnishing
power and apartments to various manufacturing enterprises.  The
original company conducted business until January 1, 1874, when a
new company known as tahe Hope Steam Mills, succeeded it, continuing
until January 1881, when the corporation again assumed its original
name.  The company owns two large and substantial brick structures,
each 200x60 feet and one 100x60 feet, all three stories high, and lease
ground upon which supplemental buildings of the Cheshire Chair Co. and
Keene Furniture Co. stand.  Within these buildings scenes of activity
are presented on all sides.  A 250 horse power engine furnishes motive
power for the entire plant, while six forty-horse boilers generate
steam for power, heat and numerous dry houses.  Among the numerous
industries which here find a home and the necessary power are the
Humphrey Machine Co., J.M. Reed's box factory, Cheshire Chair Co.,
Keene Furniture Co., Spaulding's chair stock factory, grist-mill,
saw-mill and pail shop of the Beaver Mills.  The industries conducted
by the Beaver Mills are very important.  Their saw-mill cuts thousands
of feet of lumber annually, doing custom work, getting out stock for
chair and furniture companies, dimension timber, and in the cutting of
staves and heading for the pail and tub shop.  For the latter industry,
about 2,500 cords of sapling pine is cut annually.  The pail shop
is one of the largest in New England and produces 30,000 pails, the
staves being tongued and grooved and pails being of a quality which
commands the very highest prices.  This department is fitted with
modern machinery, all perfectly adapted to the work of the company.
The refuse from the pail stock, the furniture and chair companies
and the box shop is utilized as fuel in generating the steam for
heating and power in all the structures.
  The grist-mill is run on both custom and merchant work.  Three run
of stone are operated, and the business of this department is large.
The mill has been arranged by a master hand and is complete in every
detail both in elevating grain and the storage of ground products.
The officers of the company area, J.H. Elliott, president; W.H. 
Elliott, treasurer; F.A. Faulkner, clerk; H.N. Stone is superintendent;
A.A. Woodward, cashier.
  The management of Beaver Mills is in charge of an executive
committee appointed by the stock holders, consisting of J.H. Elliott,
the president, Edward Joslyn and F.A. Faulkner.  Since these gentlemen
entered upon their duties, the affairs of the company have been
excellent managed and a larger amount of work done than ever before.

THE HUMPHREY MACHINE CO, builders of turbine water-wheels and 
general and special machinery of various kinds, was organized as a
corporation  company, under the laws of New Hampshire, in 1874.
J. Humphrey, president and general manager, A.B. Heywood, secretary
and treasurer, succeeding to the business of J. Humphrey & Co, which
was established by Mr. Humphrey, at Keene in 1861.  Their shops at
Beaver Mills occupy 150x60 feet of floor space, with storage and
pattern lofts 60x30 feet each.  They usually employ from 25 to 30
men, and have facilities for doing various kinds of work in their
line.  They have an extensive assortment of patterns for woodworking
and other machinery of special and improved designs, including
circular and band saw-mills, box board machines, board jointers,
planers, matchers, &c, &c, also tub, pail, clothes-pin and shoe-peg
machinery, being almost exclusive builders of the last named
varieties.  They likewise manufacture an improved caliper scale for
lumbermen to measure and compute the contents of round timber or
logs, in board or card measure, by a decimal system, recently devised
and copy-righted by Mr. Humphrey, which saves much time, many figures,
and ensures accuracy of computation.  Their principal specialties,
however, are the improved patent I-X-L and X-L-C-R water wheels and
rotary force pumps, with traction gearing hydrant, &c., which are
among the best and most effective appliances for motive power and
protection against fire.  Of the I-X-L turbines they make about
twenty sizes, ranging from 100 inches down to ten inches, or less,
in diameter.  They are used with vertical shafts, in the usual manner
of applying turbines, while the X-L-C-R is a modification adapted to
use with horizontal shafting, saving the cost, annoynance, and loss of
power incident to the use of gears for transmitting motion from the
vertical to the horizontal movers, making a very much more desirable
motor than a vertical shaft-wheel, and as they are reputed as very
economical in the use of water, they are fast gaining the attention
and favor of the most discerning and progressive manufacturers and
mill-owners.  In connection with their water-wheels, the company give
attention also to the construction of flumes, penstocks and 
mill-gearing generally, and make surveys, plans, and estimates, for the
development and improvement of water-powers, and for the construction
of machinery of various kinds.

FAULKNER & COLONY--In 1815 Francis Faulkner and Josiah Colony commenced
business on what is now West street, carding wool, cloth-dressing
and running a saw and grist-mill.  They commenced in a small way,
but did for that time quite a business.  In 1824 they had the misfor-
tune of being burned out, but immediately rebuilt, with brick. In
1835 they started the manufactaure of woolen flannels, running one set
of machinery.  In 1838 fire again visited them, burning them out
entirely; but nothing daunted, they commenced preparations for a new
mill, and before 1839 they had completed a brick mill, which was
enlarged in 1859, so that it is now 120x42 feet, four stories and an
attic, with dye-house attached, 42x50 feet, one story, and
drying house; picking house 20x40 feet, two stories, second story
used for pickers, first for drying wool, these buildings being of
brick.  They have a building in the rear 92x36 feet, two stories used
for storing wood and dye stuff, and wool in the second story, or attic;
storehouse south of mill, on the Cheshire railroad, 72x36 feet, one
story, with capacity for storing 2,000 sacks of woold, this building
being fire-proof; cloth drying and storage building, 24x75 feet,
two stories.  The office building is of brick, situated on the
opposite side of the street, 44x55 feet, two stories, sorting room
being in the second story.  In 1842 Francis Faulkner died, and the
business was carried on by Mr. Colony, the family of the deceased
retaining an interest in the firm, and in 1846 Charles S. Faulkner
became the junior member of the firm.  Since his death, in July 1879,
the estated has been represented by Frederick A. Faulkner, son of
Charles S.  In 1866 Mr. Colony retired in favor of his two sons,
George D. and Horatio, under the same name as when first started in
1815.  They run six sets of woolen cards, and 32 looms, employing
55 hands, using 350,000 pounds of wool and produce 700,000 yards of
twilled flannel per annum.

NIMS, WHITNEY & Co -- nearly forty years ago a small steam engine was
put in operation to drive a carpenter shop on Mechanic street. This
establishment, with increased building and power appliances, grew
into quite an extensive manufactory of sash, blinds and doors, which
business is at present continued by Messrs. Nims, Whitney & Co.
Mr. Lanmon Nims, the senior partner of the firm, was one of the
earliest proprietors of the concern, and was the senior member of the
firms of Nims & Buss, and Nims, Buss & Woodward, who were in business
until about 1858, when, through some disagreement, Mr. Nims retired
and Buss & Woodward carried on the business until about 1861 or 1862
when they failed, and the property was sold to Messrs. Osborne & Hale,
who had formerly leased room and power for the manufacture of chairs.
The sash, blind, and door business was then taken by Mr. Nims, with
Samuel B. Crossfield, who leased room and power of Messrs. Osborne &
Hale, who run the steam power until a boiler explosion occurred,
March 25, 1864, when Messrs. Osborne & Hale removed their works to
South Keene, and the Mechanic street mills were leased and repaired
by Messrs. Nims & Crossfield, and run by them until destroyed by
fire about August 1867, when the real estate was transferred to the
Keene Steam Power Co.  A stock company organized for the purpose of
re-building the mills, which was done in the fall and winter of
1867-68, and has since been leased and run by Nims & Crossfield,
and Nims, Crossfield & Scott, and Nims, Whitney & Co., the present
lessees.  The firm now employs 50 men, and manufactures 25,000 doors,
40,000 window sash, and 25,000 pairs of blinds per annum, making a
specialty of custom work.

JOHN SHAW 2d's SHOE FACTORY--October 1, 1884, John Shaw 2d, a large
manufacturer of Lynn, Mass, came on and commenced the erection of
the large factory he now occupies [description of factory in original
document, not included here]. The factory was opened for business
the first of December. He now employes 125 hands and when in full
operation will employ 400 hands.  Capacity about 4,500 pairs of
ladies boots and shoes per day. Mr. Shaw has been engaged  in the
business since 1867 [more in original document not included here.]

CHESHIRE FOUNDRY--About 1850 or 1853, Mr. Aaron Davis retired form
the Fay & Co. establishment at South Keene, and, with his sons
removed the foundry business to Keene village, establishing the same
on Davis Street, near the Ashuelot railroad, where it has since been
run by A. Davis & Co., then by Alfred S. Davis (son of Aaron D.)
and afterwards sold by him, some twenty years since, to Moses Ellis,
the present proprietor, who has since that time rebuilt the foundry
building and generally enlarged and improved his facilities for making
all kinds of heavy and light iron castings.  He gives employment to
about 12 men and manufactures barrel heaters, box-stoves, and other
castings to order.

GEORGE L. BURDETT'S CHAIR FACTORY--In 1872 George L. Burdett commenced
the manufacture of Basket-seat chairs at Munsonville, in Nelson,
giving employment to six men.  He continued the business there until
February 1876, when he moved to Keene, locating first on Mechanic
street, a year later on Washington street, and finally in 1880 at
its present place, opposite the country jail.  He employes from 24
to 35 hands, manufactures 20,000 chairs per year.  This is said to be
the first manufactory of hand-pounded basket-seat chairs in New
England.

N.G. WOODBURY'S PAIL-FACTORY--Mr. Woodbury is proprietor of a steam-
mill on Armory and Spruce streets, and of three water-power mills on
Washington street.  He began the manufacture of pails at Richmond
in 1850, and removed to Keen in 1870. He now employes an average
force of 75 hands, and manufactures about 2,500 pails per day, on an
average, though he has produced 4,000 some days.

CHESHIRE CHAIR COMPANY--the business of this company was established
January 1, 1869, starting in a brick building on Mechanic Street,
being subsequently removed to its present location at the Beaver Mills.
The company consists of G.W. McDuffee, Charles E. Joslyn and Edward
Joslyn, Mr. McDuffee being manager.  The works are provided with
every known appliance for the rapid execution of the work, each
machine performing the work of several men.  The productions are oak,
black walnut, maple and chestnut dining-room, kitchen, sitting-room,
and bed-room chair, of which some 65 different varieties are made,
and veranda ash splint or basket chairs, which are made in 15 styles.
At the factory employment is given to about 50 hands, but quadruple
that number are given work at home in bottoming the productions.
From 600 to 800 dozen chairs are made each month.

THE KEENE FURNITURE CO-This business established by F.L. Sprague in 
1868, is located on Mechanic street.  In June of that year the present
company was formed, and in 1872 they removed to their present location
in the Beaver Mills.  They do an extensive business in the manufacture
of all kinds of chamber furniture, employing 75 hands.

H.W. HUBBARD'S MACHINE MANUFACTORY--located on Mechanic Street, was
established by G.F. Sanborn and H.W. Hubbard in 1869.  In 1878
Mr. Sanborn retired, since which time Mr. Hubbard has conducted the
business alone.  He manufactures all kinds of wood-working machines,
and makes a specialty of manufacturing and designing machinery to
order.

CHESHIRE TANNERY--This manufactory, located on West street, the
largest of the kind in New Hampshire, was established by John Symonds
in 1872, and was conducted by him until his death, March 28, 1885.
In 1842 Mr. Symonds went to Marlow, residing there ten years, working
for his brother, C.B. Symonds.  In 1854 he went to East Sullivan,
opened a tannery, and carried on business there until 1872, when he
came to Keene, and established business here.  There are 260 vats,
and the works tan 150 hides a day, or 1,800 sides per week.  The
lather is only tanned here, being sent to Grafton for currying.
This latter work is done at the establishment of A.M. Bigelow & Co.,
who also have a leather store in Boston at 36 Lincoln street. The
firm was composed of A.M. Bigelow & Mr. Symonds. 35 men are employed
at the works here, and an equal number at Grafton.  The production
is what is termed upper leather, exclusively, and ranks among the
best produced, obtaining the very highest prcies.  The works are
supplied by water form the city mains, a special pipe being laid
for the accomodation of the tannery at an expense of $8,000.  A 
branch track of the Cheshire railroad, forty rods long, connects the
works with the main line.  This track was laid at an expense of
$1,600.  $1,000 of which was paid by the company and the balance by
Mr. Symonds.  The establishment consumes over 3,000 cords of bark per
year, and sixty barrels of lime permonth.

THE IMPERVIOUS PACKAGE CO--This company has been in existence since
June 1881, its first productions being shipped two months later.
The excellence of its wares, however, at once created a strong demand
and the company soon found their facilities altogether too limited to
keep up with the supply, and accordingly in 1882, removed to more
commodious quarters.  The business was first commenced in an apartment
of the Beaver Mills, 100x60 feet in dimension where 20 hands were
employed in the production of 200 packages daily.  During nine months
succeeding the first shipment of goods, the company filled orders
from over 2,000 customers, and such a health demand had been created
that it was found impossible to fill orders.  Selling agents were
called form the road and enlarged quarters sought.  May 10th the
works were removed to Mechanic street, in buildings formerly used
by Keene Furniture Co. and Cheshire Chair Co. The space here obtained
consists of a three story substantial brick building [sizes in
original document, omitted here].  The productions of the company
are oil cans, paint packages, pickle packages, sugar buckets,
grocer's show tubs, syrup kegs, and kegs for paint and oils
generally with capacity from 5 to 25 gallons.  They employ 50 hands,
and manufacture about 250,000 packages per year.

JOHN. A. WRIGHT & CO. manufacturers of Red Star Cleaning Powder--
The powder for cleaning and polishing gold, silver, glass, etc. is
made from a substance sometimes called "Float Stone" and "White
Infusorial Earth."  The deposit is located at Troy NH, and lies
three feet from the surface, reaching down from 5 to 25 feet and
spreading over some two acres lying in a basin at the foot of granite
ridges or hills.  This substance is mined, and after being submitted
to atmospheric changes, is pulverized and sifted, the power being as
fine as flour and of a white color.  It is transported to Keene,
where it is prepared for shipment, labeled with the trade mark of a
red star, and sent out as the "Red Star Cleaning Powder." This mine
was discovered in 1872, and the product has been practically and
thoroughly tested in thousands of cases since, each instance showing
it to be a most superior article for polishing.

VICTOR WRINGER CO.--D.B. Piper manufactures the Victor, Leader, and
American clothes-wringers, of which he is the inventor and patentee.
These wringers have been manufactured by him in Keene for the past
six years, and thousands are in use in Cheshire county, giving entire
satisfaction.  He also goes general light machinist work, and is a
practical fun and locksmith. He has been connected with the manufacture
of sewing machines for over 20 years, and does all work in that line.

FRENCH'S CARRIAGE FACTORY--Jason and William French, brothers, and
natives of Brattleboro, Vt., came from Walpole to Keene about 1846,
and commenced the manufacture of carriages and sleighs on Church
street, on the site of the present factory.  William subsequently
sold his interest in the business to his brother Jason, who in 1855,
admitted to partnership, his brother Francis, also a native of
Brattleboro, and from Walpole, under the firm name of J.& F. French.
About 1872, William again became a partner, but retired in 1875, when
the name, which on his admission, had been changed to J. & F. French
& Co., again became J. & F. French, under which the business has 
since been conducted, though, since the death of Jason, in November,
1884, Francis has been the sole proprietor.  The business was
commenced in a small way, but has increased to the largest 
establishment of its kind in the county, giving employment at
present, to from 15 to 20 men, and producing annually, manufactured
goods valued from $30,000 to $50,000.  The Keene sleigh, which
originated here, is known throughout the surrounding country for its
durability.

C.N. TOTTINGHAM'S CARRIAGE FACTORY, on Mechanic street, was 
established by him in 1868. There have been several changes in the
firm name, though Mr. Tottingham has been sole owner for the past
four years. He employes from 8 to 10 men.

G.W. RUSSELL'S CARRIAGE AND WAGON SHOP, in the rear of the Eagle
Hotel, was established by him in 1873. He employs from 3 to 5 men,
and does a general blacksmithing business.

R.C. JONES'S WAGON AND CARRIAGE SHOP, on Railroad street, was
established by him in 1875. He employs from 5 to 10 men.

JEHIEL HARLOW'S WAGON AND SLEIGH FACTORY, on Elm Street, was 
established him in 1883.

REUBEN RAY's CARRIAGE AND BLACKSMITH SHOP, located on Mechanic street,
was established in 1880. He makes all kinds of wagons and sleighs,
and does a general blacksmithing business.

J. MASON REED'S BOX FACTORY, located in the Beaver Mills, was
established by him in Swanzey, in 1868, and moved to Keene in 1880.
He employes from 15 to 20 men, and manufactures lock-corner and other
boxes, using about 600,000 feet of lumber per annum.

G.H. TILDEN & CO's PAPER AND WOOD-PACKING BOX MANUFACTORY, located on
Main, near corner of Railroad street, was established in December 1884.
They manufacture all kinds of packaging-boxes from straw-board,
also various sized of packing-boxes from wood.

ALBERT W. GREEN commenced the manufacture of lawn settees in a small
way in 1874, and in 1880 added the manufacture of ratan and carpet-
seated chairs. He is located on Washington street, where he employs
from 10 to 18 men, turning out about 1,000 setees and 3,000 chairs
per annum.

ALBERT E. FISH, located on Vernon street, commenced the manufacture
of window-screens in 1872. In 1881 he made an improvement in his
goods, since which time he has been doing quite an extensive business.

FRANK E. FOSTER'S TANNERY, on Beaver Street, was built by Harvey
Rawson, of Gilsum, about 25 years ago.  Mr. Rawson subsequently took
in Francis Foster, as a partner, who eventually became sole owner.
He died July 23, 1877, since which time his son, the present
proprietor, has carried on the business.  He employs 25 hands and
turns out 12,000 hides per year.

THE MONADNOCK AGRIcULTURAL WORKS, located on road 42, are operated
by Jonathan Hall, who established them in 1882. He gives employment
to about 8 hands in the manufacture of plows, harrows, and other
agricultural implements.

MORSE BROS.' SOAP MANUFACTORY on Washington street, was established
by W. H. Morse in 1875, who associated his brother, J.F. with him
in 1877.  Until January 1884, they manufactured only soft soap,
since which time, however, they have manufactured both hard and
soft soap.  They employ four hands.

HARRINGTON'S MARBLE WORKS, on the corner of St. James and Church
streets were established by N.B. Harrington in 1853, who conducted the
business until 1879, since which time it has been carried on by his
son, C.E. Harrington.  He does all kinds of marble, granite, and
cemetery work.

CLIPPER MOWING MACHINE WORKS--J.B. Elliot, proprietor, are located
at South Keene station, and Mr. Elliot employs about 20 men and
turns out about 300 machines per year.

WILKINSON & McGREGOR'S HARNESS, SADDLE and BLANKET STRAP MANUFACTORY--
on Main Street, is the oldest establishment in this line in Keene,
and has been conducted by the present firm about 8 years.  They
employ 25 hands.

D.M. NICHOL's SEIVE, RIDDLE and DRUGGIST'S HOOP FACTORY--on Mechanic
street, was established by him in 1876. He employs 6 men.

EAMES & TOWNE built in 1884 a grist-mill at west Swanzey, with two
runs of stones.  Their business place is at Keene, where they have a
large store-house and elevator, and also an iron mill used for cracking
corn.  They handle about a car-load of grain per day.

ELLIS BROTHERS, SEEDSMEN AND FLORISTS, are located on Winchester
street, where they began the business in 1872.  They occupy 22 and
a half acres of land, and grow all kinds of flowers, small fruits
and vegetables, their green-house having 10,000 feet of glass. THey
employ 12 men and manufacture lock-corner boxes for putting up flowers,
turning out over 100,000 in 1884.

D.A. BROWN'S CIDER MILL, on road 24, was built by Mr. Brown in 1874.
He maked 350 barrels of cider per year.

CHARLES ELLIS'S SAW AND CIDER MILL, on road 13, was built in 1846.
He makes about 300 barrels of cider per year, and does a small 
business with the saw-mill.

GEORGE W. BALL'S BRIcK-YARDS, located in Keene and Troy, were
established by H. Pond & Co., about 1856, Mr. Ball being the junior
partner. Their first yard was located on Roxbury street, and the
present one is on Appleton street. He employs 15 men.

W.A. BARRETT'S BRICK-YARD, on Main Street was established by him in
1882. He employs 7 men and turns out about 700,000 bricks per annum.

C.L. RUSSELL'S BRICK YARD, on Water street, was purchased by him of
William Dort in 1878. John R. Russell, agent, employs 10 men and
manufactures about 1,000,000 bricks per annum.

*****
BANKS
*****
CHESHIRE NATIONAL BANK--The Cheshire Bank was chartered with a capital
of one hundred thousand dollars, by the State of New Hampshire in
1803, for a period of twenty years, or till 1824, then till 1844,
and again till 1864, inclusive.  The original corporators were
Judge Daniel Newcomb, Noah Cook, Esq. and ELijah Dunbar, Esq. 
John G. Bond, Judge Newcomb's son-in-law, procured most of the stock
subscriptions, among which are the names of Samuel and Nathan Appleton,
Eben Francis, Stephen Salisbury, John Bellows, Josiah Knapp and several
others of Boston, Daniel Newcomb, John G. Bond, William Lamson, Moses
Johnson, Alexander Ralston, Stephen Harrington, Eben Stearns,
Joseph Hayward, and Foster and Luther Alexander of Cheshire County,
with 55 others on the list.  The first building of the bank was of
brick, two stories high and was taken down in 1847, to make way
for the Cheshire railroad's passenger station.  Daniel Newcomb was
president from 1804 to 1811, when he resigned, and in the "war
priod," soon after, the bank struggled against insolvency until
November 1813, when Samuel Grant was chosen president, and Nathaniel
Dana, cashier, in place of Arba Cady (who was elected February 1806,
and whose predecessor was E. Dunbar), and a revival of credit and
business secured.  Mr. Grant was president til July 1829, and Salma
Hale, his successor, til March 1842, at which time Levi Chamberlain
was made president, and steps were taken to reorganize the bank
under its amended charter available form 1844 to 1864 inclusive.
In this reorganization, John Elliot was chosen president--was
succeeeded in 1856 by Levi Chamberlain and in 1861 by John Henry Elliot
under whom, at the expiration of its charter, the bank was made
National with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars.  James Henry
Williams was cashier from 1841 to 1847, then Zebina Newell until
1855, then Royal H. Porter, when the bank's state charter expired.
He continues to be cashier at this writing, with John Henry Elliott
as president.  In the first two or three decades of the bank and
before the outset of the "Suffolk Bank System," its affairs in 
Boston were confided to personal curacy, and among those employed
in this trust were Joseph Bellows Jr., John Bellows, Nathan
Appleton, and William Appleton, successively.  For thirty years
Aaron Appleton was moderator at meetings of stockholders, with two
exceptions, when the chair was occupied by Ithamer Chase (the father
of Chief Justice Chase).  The Bank's present granite building,
at the corner of Main and Diphthong alley, was erected in 1847
and has all the modern defenses against invasion.  In 1864 the
bank began business as a National institution, with a capital of
$200,000.00 and the privilege of increasing the same to $250,000.
[The statement of its standing May 6, 1885 is in the original
document but not included here].

THE CHESHIRE PROVIDENT INSTITUTION was established in 1833.  Dr. Amos
Twichell was the first president, followed by Salma Hale, Levi
Chamberlain, Samuel Dinsmore Jr., William P. Wheeler, Francis A.
Faulkner, George Tilden, Edward C. Thayer, and George A. Wheelock,
the present incumbent, with Oscar G. Nims, secretary and treasurer.
This is the oldest savings bank in the state, next to the New Hampshire
Savings bank at Concord.  The institution first did buisness in
Tilden's book-store, which was in an old building where the Cheshire
National bank now is.  About 1845 they moved with Tilden's book-store
to the Gerould block, and in 1870 to their present fine quarters in
the Bank block.  The first deposit in this bank, $100 was made
by Ashley Spaulding, on the 10th day of September 1833.  WHen
Jotham A. French was an infant, his father, Abijah made a deposit of
$100 in his son's name, January 1, 1835.  This has been allowed to
remain up to the present time.  On the 1st of October 1884, the
accruing interest and dividends had increased the deposit to $1,543.37.
[The 1885 statement of the bank's condition, included in the original
document, is not listed here].

THE ASHUELOT NATIONAL BANK--The Ashuelot bank incorporated January 2,
1833, charter for twenty years, and commenced business early in the
same year.  The corporators named in the charter were John H. Fuller,
Samuel Dinsmoor Jr., Phineas Fisk, John Elliot, and Justus Perry,
and the first meeting was held at Stephen Harrington's hotel on
February 19, 1833, when 45 additional members were admitted to the
corporation, making 50 in all.  The first board of directors
consisted of Samuel Dinsmoor, John H. Fuller, Thomas M. Edwards,
William Buffum, George S. Root, Phineas Hardman, and Benjamin I. Adams.
The present banking-house was built in 1833, at a cost of $2,998.24.
The first president was Samuel Dinsmoor, who served until his death
in 1835.  Samuel Dinsmore Jr. succeeded his father as president in 
1835, and continued in office until 1853, when he resigned.
Thomas M. Edwards was chosen president in 1853, and held the office
until elected to Congress in 1859, when he resigned.  William
Dinsmoore succeeded him in office and was annually re-elected until
he resigned in 1869, when Thomas M. Edwards was again chosen, and
held the office until his death in 1875.  [additional presidents in
original document, not included here].  The bank was re-chartered
December 17, 1852 and was converted into a national organization
February 17, 1865, and the corporate existence has been extended
to February 17, 1905.  The original capital was $100,000.  The
present board of directors consists of George A. Wheelock, president;
Caleb T. Buffum, Charles J. Amidon, John M. Parker, Alfred T.
Batchelder, Henry O. Coolidge, and Christopher Robb.  [more in
original document not included here].

THE KEENE NATIONAL BANK--The Cheshire county bank was chartered
July 13, 1855 to George Huntington, William Haile, Samuel Woodward,
Elisha Stebbins, Lawson Robertson, Frederick Vose, Caleb Carpenter,
Amos A. Parker and Asa Brewer, with a capital of $100,000. The
first meeting of the corporation was held August 11, 1855 when 72
stockholders were admitted.  At this meeting, also 7 directors were
chosen, and Zebina Newell elected president.  Business was begun
October 10, in the banking house still occupied, on Main Street.
February 7, 1865, the bank was re-chartered a national institution,
under its present name, the charter to remain in force 20 years, and
February 7, 1885 it was renewed for another 20 years.  It has an
authorized captial of $300,000.  Zebina Newll, the first president,
died in 1858 and was succeeded by Frederick Vose, on March 29th of
that year.  Mr. Vose was succeeded at his death, by the present
officer, Edward Joslin, November 24, 1871.  The first cashier, George
Tilden, held the office til his death, February 8, 1879, and was
succeeded by J.R. Beal, February 10th, who still retains the office.
[1885 statement of the bank's condition in the original document, is
not included here].

THE CHESHIRE MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY was established in 1825,
and has made no assessment since 1867. This company, a cooperative
fraternity, has for more than half a century afforded its members,
the insured, the best financial protection against fire, and has
saved, and still saves, the wise and prudent from a drain of their
means to far-off companies. The officers of the company are John Henry
Elliot, president; William H. Elliot, secretary and treasurer;
L. Wellington agent.

MASONIC
Keene, as is known to many through the sketches of Mr. Frank Whitcomb,
has a very interesting masonic history.  A year had not elapsed after
Free Masonry has been welcomed to New England before New Hampshire
was blessed with its light.  During the early days of Free Masonry
in this country, there were two Grand Lodges in Massachusetts,
organized in Boston: St. John's Grand Lodge, deriving its authority
from the Grand Master of England which held its first meeting
July 30, 1733, and Massachusetts Grand Lodge, deriving its authority
from the Grand Master of Scotland, which was organized December 27,
1769.  Each of these Grand Lodges chartered lodges in New Hampshire,
and existed side by side with varying fortunes, until 1792, when a
grand union took place and all distinction between Ancient and Modern
Masonry were abolished.  Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Grand Lodge,
among others, had chartered Rising Sun Lodge, No. 4 at Keene,
March 5, 1784, with Asa Dunbar, Esq. as its first Master.  The charter
of dispensation was signed by John Warren, most Worshipful Grand
Master, Paul Revere, Deputy Grand Master, and other Masons of note,
and was issued to "Daniel Jones, Asa Dunbar, Alexander Ralston,
Samuel Smith, Prentice Willard, Luther Eames, Jonas Prescott, Benjamin
Ellis and Josiah Goldsmith, all Ancient, Free and Accepted Mason,
resident in New Hampshire."  Among the places where meetings were held
may be mentioned the Phoenix Hotel, the Ralston Tavern, the hall over
the brick store now the southern addition of the Eagle Hotel, and the
house now owned by George Tilden, Esq. on Court street, which was
moved from Main street, near the Eagle Hotel, to its present location
many years ago.  The Grand Lodge of New Hampshire was organized
July 8, 1789, when there were but three lodges in the state, viz:
St. John's (1736), and St. Patrick's at Portsmouth, and Rising Sun
No. 4 at Keene.  This fact may account for the change in the number
of Rising Sun Lodge to No. 3 on the Grand Lodge register of New
Hampshire.
  Rising Sun Lodge having obtained a charter from the Grand Lodge of
New Hampshire, dated August 3, 1792, returned the former charter to
the Massachusetts Grand Lodge at once.  A copy of this charter and
the "Seal of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 4, Keene" are in the possession of
Mr. Whitcomb, together with the records, which are complete from the
organization of the lodge, September 8, 1784 to September 19, 1805,
at which time the charter was "arrested" by the Grand Lodge in
special session "at the lodge-room in Keene' on account of
"unpardonable conduct" of some of its members.  By vote of the
Grand Lodge, the "seal [on the charter] was probably broken and
the charter destroyed" in the presence of the Grand Lodge.
  June 8, 1825, James Wilson Jr. and others obtained a charter from
the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, under the name Social Friends Lodge,
No. 42, James Wilson Jr. becoming its first Master.  The lodge held
regular meetings in Prentiss, now Whitcomb's block, til 1829, when,
on account of the Morgan excitement, which arose in western New York 
in 1827, and rapidly spread throughout the country, it became
dormant. James Wilson Jr. (now well remembered by all as the late
General James Wilson) receivd the degree of E.A., August 1818 of
F.C., October 1818, of M.M. November 1818, in Union Lodge, No. 5
(now No. 2) Middlebury, Vermont.  Having organized Special Friends
Lodge in Keene, he continued to attend the Grand Lodge, where he had
previously been Junior Grand Warden and Grand Lecturer, making 
himself conspicuous by the valued services he rendered, and became
Grand Master of Mason in New Hampshire for the year 1829, and was again
chosen in 1830 and 1831, serving the craft with fidelity and zeal.
About this time the records of the Social Friends Lodge were destroyed
by fire, in the blacksmith shop of Oliver Heaton, who was secretary
of the lodge from 1826 to 1830.
  In 1856 Dr. A.S. Carpenter and others applied to the Grand Master for
a charter but were refused on the ground that one was already
outstanding. At length John Prentiss found the lost charter of 1825
among his old papers, and the lodge was again allowed to go to work.
Accordingly, the first meeting was held April 9, 1856. The meetings
were held in the Odd Fellows Hall, Ball's block, until 1860, when
the lodge leased the rooms in the east end of St. John's Hall.
The lodge is in a very prosperious condition today, and represents
property to the amount of $2,000 and the interests of more than 190
members.  The meetings have been continuous and the records are
complete since 1856.
  April 6, 1869, Dr. A.S. Carpenter and others were granted a 
dispensation, and on June 10, a charter for a new lodge in Keene,
to be called Lodge of the Temple, No 88, and Dr. Carpenter was
appointed its first Master.  This lodge, too, is prospering, with an
increasing fund in the treasury and 100 members.  Its meetings have
been continuous and its records are complete.  The rooms in St. John's
building had to be enlarged in 1868, and again in 1874, to accomodate
the increasing memberships.
  The other associations of Mason established in Keene are as 
follows:-- Cheshire Royal Arch Chapter No. 4, dispensation granted by
Thomas Smith Webb, General Grand King of the General Grand Royal Arch
Chapter, May 4, 1816 to John Prentiss and others.  Also charter granted
to John Prentiss and others May 1, 1819 by Thomas Smith Webb, Deputy
General Grand High Priest.  The charter was declared forfeited and
ordered to be stricken from the Grant Chapter books June 14, 1843,
the chapter having failed to make return since 1835.  It was
restored October 12, 1859.  Records complete since 1859.
  The first grand council of Royal and Select Master of New Hampshire
was formed at Keene, July 9, 1823.  See New Hampshire "Sentinel"
[newspaper] of July 11, 1823 and New Hampshire "Patriot" [newspaper]
of July 21, 1823 for a list of grand officers.  James Wilson Jr.
is mentioned as Grand Recorder.  A council was then organized and 
left at Keene, probably in charge of James Wilson Jr., which has twice
since become dormant.
  A dispensation (lost) was granted to Edward Gustine and others,
February 5, 1872, John H. Elliott become T.I. Master of "St. John's
Council No. 7." The charter bears date, May 30, 1872. It became
dormant again in 1875, was re-organized January 11, 1884, and is now
in a prosperous condition, with Rev. Josiah L. Seward, or Lowell,
Mass. at its head.
  Hugh de Payens Commandery, Knights Templar, No. 7 was organized
by Dr. THomas E. Hatch, September 7, 1866, and was chartered
September 25, 1866 with Thomas E. Hatch, first Eminent Commander.
It is today an influential and prosperous order.
  The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, under the authority of the
Northern jurisdiction, was organized by Dr. Thomas E. Hatch, 33d
degree, under the title "Windslow Lewis Lodge of Perfection," with
meetings for February 5, May 5, August 5, and November 5, 1870 on
the Directory; but the body made no additions to its membership and
soon returned its charter to the deputy at Nashua.  The Accepted
Scottish Rite was established in Keene, August 7, 1884, by the
Supreme Grand Council Soverign Grand Inspector General 33d and last
degree for the United States of America.
  Dr. George W. Flagg, 33d degree, deputy for New Hampshire, and
Frank H. Whitcomb, 33d degree, Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, with
their associates, were granted a warrant of dispensation to confer the
Accepted Scottish Rite in the several bodies to be called: Ashuelot
Lodge of Perfection, Monadnock Council Princes of Jerusalem;
Cheshire Chapter of Rose Croix, and New Hampshire Consistory. The
bodies of the Rite are popular associations of Masons, both
influential and prosperous.
  One hundred years have passed away since the first lodge was
organized in Keene.  The growth and progress of the institution has
given birth to nine flourishing associations which are to-day
harmoniously working together, in St. John's hall, for the promotion
of the moral and social welfare of the craft.

**
UTILITIES
**
WATER WORKS
The matter of supplying Keene with an adequate water supply was
agitated at an early date.  In 1861 a charter was granted for the
purpose, the estimated cost of the proposed works being $40,000.
Much opposition was met with, however, on the part of some tax
payers, which, combined with the troubles of the war, put the matter
off.  In 1866 the subject again came up, though it was not until
August 1868 that the vote was finally carried.  A committee was
appointed to act immediately, consisting of Samuel A. Gerould,
Edward Joslyn, Thomas H. Leverett, Daniel H. Holbrook and George W.
Ball, all of whom, except Mr. Leverett, are living.  This committee
was instructed to obtain land, right of way, make contracts, etc. It
was decided to build the reservoir on Charles Wright's farm, utilizing
Goose pond, about fifty acres, lying on the right side of the old
road leading to Surry, about 3 miles north of, and 152 feet above
the city. Contracts for pipe, etc. were let within a month, and
everything put in active operation.  A solid granite gate-house was
built at the outlet of the pond, and an earthen dam with a center
wall of stone and cement constructed, and the whole was completed
in 1869, about a year from the date of beginning.  It was found,
however, that the supply was scarcely adequate for all occasions,
so in 1873 another reservoir of about five acres, was built on Beach
hill, three-quarters of a mile east of the city.  Goose pond
reservoir, or Spring Lake, as it is more politely called, has an area
of fifty-one acres, and a capacity of 150,000,000 gallons.  It is a
natural basin between the hills, 152 feet above Central square.
The reservoir on Beech hill has a capacity of about 12,000,000 gallons.
The streams are all small which feed these reservoirs, however, and
even now the city is agitating the subject of an increased supply.
The works have 25 miles of mains, 118 fire hydrants, capable of
throwing a stream of 110 feet, and up to the present time have cost
$170,000.  The net earnings for 1884 were $10,034.84.

THE KEENE GAS LIGHT COMPANY'S WORKS were built in the year 1859,
by J.H. Carter of Boston, under the superintendence of Edward Gustine.
Mr. Carter was the first president and owner of most of the shares
of the company until 1871, when he sold his stock to John Henry Elliot,
who soon after associated with Charles S. and Francis A. Faulkner
with him in the purchase.  The next year the works were enlarged to
double their former capacity.  In 1881 "water gas" machinery was added
to the plant, and is now employed for the production of gas, instead
of the old coal gas apparatus.  The cost of the works is about
$60,000.  The liabilities for shares $36,000 and for indentures
$20,000. The company has never paid any dividends.

FAIRGROUNDS AND TROTTING PARK
The Chesthire County Agricultural Society has grounds here, 26 acres
in extent, with all the buildings and accessories necessary to a first-
class exhibition, which annually is made.  In laying out the grounds
the forest trees were permitted to stand along the avenues where the
cattle pens are located, so that visitors may view the specimens and
be well protected from sun or rain.  The grounds are about a mile and
a half distant from the city-hall.  The Agricultural Society was
organized January 16, 1850, when Salma Hale, of Keene, was chosen
president; A.B. Hodskins of Walpole, Edmund Jones of Marlboro, and
Thomas D. Gibbs of Jaffrey, vice presidents; T.H. Leverett of Keene,
secretary and treasurer; and Upton Burnap of Nelson, Thomas H. Adams,
of Fitzwilliam, and Charles Watkins of Walpole, executive committee.
The present officers are George K. Wright, president; Elbridge
Kingsbury, secretary; and Joseph A. Abbott, treasurer.
  In 1875 the Keene Driving Park Association was formed, by a stock
company, fifty shares at $100 each being sold.  A fine half-mile track
was made on Main Street, near Swanzey plain, with accessory buildings,
etc. at a cost of $8,500.  The first meeting was held thereon on the
3d of July 1875, when there were 85 entries.  In 1879 the company
sold the park to a company of gentlemen of which M.J. Sherman was
president, and F.A. Barker, secretary.  In 1883 the Agricultural
Society gave up its annual fair, and the members of the park prepared
the grounds for exhibitions, made it a success, and in 1884 gave
another successful fair, and they propose to continue the same
annually.  The present officers are M.J. Sherman, president; O.G. Nims,
vice-president; Henry H. Couillard, secretary; H.P. Muchmore,
treasurer, and N.G. Guernsey, superintendent.

EDUCATIONAL
  Although Keene is divided into eleven school districts, No. 1 is
the metropolitan, called Union district, and includes the schools of
the city proper. The school houses include those of: Pearl Street,
School street (old building and new building), Fuller school,
Washington street, Lincoln STreet, Main Street, High school, church
street and center street [chart showing each school, area of land,
cost of land and buildings, and seating capacity, found in original 
document, not included here.]
  The High-school building on Winter street, one of the finest
buildings in the city, was completed in 1876.  It is 91 feet long and
61 feet wide, and is flanked in front by a projecting tower 21 feet
and 11 inches wide.  From a foundation of solid granite it rises to a
height of 80 feet, and reaches, with the tower, an altitude of 128
feet.  The tower is ornamented with Gothic windows, and a massive
stone portico, the arch of wich is supported by four columns of
beautiful Scotch granite, surmounded by foliated capitols in freestone.
It is built of brick, with granite trimmings about the windows, and
has belt courses of freestone extending entirely around between the
stories.  The roofs are covered with variegated slate.  Prof. M.A.
Bailey has been principal of the High-school since September 1880.

PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS--Somewhat more than seventeen years ago, the
Rev. J.A. Leach and his wife began to take poor young men and
gratuitously prepare them for college.  This work they continued until
very recently. Some twelve years ago, without any kind of solicitation
or advertising, Mr. Leach began to received applications from many of
the wealthiest and most conspicuous men in the county, who were
desirous of placing their sons under his instruction, and to the
present time his attention has been given to this class of pupils,
sometimes to the number of fourteen, in addition to charity work, 
which has not been neglected.  His pupils at present number
eight--all he desired or could accomodate.  His is ably assisted in
this good work by Mrs. S.E. Leach.

THE KEENE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY--This society began to collect in 
1870, and organized in 1872.  The leading object was to help in
illustrating the studies of the High-school, and in the beginning,
all cases were kept in the school-room.  The first promoters were
G.A. Wheelock, C.F. Rowell, G. H. Gilbert, S.H. Brackett, and F.S.
Stratton.  Mrs. Gilbert collected the botanical specimens.  The
unusual number of skeletons and bones of animals have enabled the
teachers to interest classes in comparative physiology or osteology.
This has proved a very successful study.  The collection has the
usual minerals, shells, birds, fossils, corals &c. It is now kept in
the hall of the High-school building.

KEENE PUBLIC LIBRARY--The public library of Keene dates its commence-
ment in 1859.  In that year a joint stock company was incorporated,
under the name of the Keene Public Library, having the names of the
following gentlemen as incorporators: William P. Wheeler, Farnum F.
Lane, Leonard Bisco, George B. Twitchell, John Henry Elliot, William
S. Briggs, George Cook, D.H. Sawyer, Edwin A. Webb, Gilman Joslin,
and William Henry Thayer.  Many other prominent men of the town
became shareholders, and subscribers availed themselves of the
privileges of the library in sufficient numbers to make it a
pronounced success.  Foreseeing that its usefulness might be
greatly increased by making it free to the public, steps were taken,
in 1875, to make over the property of the association to the city of
Keene.  This was done under these conditions: The city shall keep
the library in suitable apartments, and in good condition for use by
the inhabitants of the city, under suitable regulations, and for the
first five years expend a sum not less than $300 per annum, and
thereafterwards a sum not less than $500 per annum, for the purchase
and repair of books for the library; such sums to be raised and
expended as above, until such time as the library shall have an income
of not less than $1,000 per annum derived from other sources.
By this transaction, 2,500 books were transferred to the city.  A room
was hired in the second story of Colony's block, from whence it was
removed to Warren's block, Washington street.  A librarian was
elected by the city council, and six trustees--three gentlemen and
three ladies--were elected to take charge of the library.  In 1881 the
library, having outgrown its quarters, it was removed to the new room
in the City Hall building, ground floor.  The books were classified,
a card catalogue made, new cases furnished, and a reference and
reading-room added to the facilities already enjoyed by the public.
Here the encyclopedias, dictionaries, patent office reports, atlases,
gazeteers, and many others can be taken down and consulted.  In 1883
the library subscribed for a few of the popular magazines for the
reading-room.  The number of volumes in the library in 1884 was 5,500.
There were issued during the year, 21,358 volumes.  ALready the need
of larger accomodations for the reading-room are beginning to be
felt, and the management hope to have, sometime, through the
munificence of Keene's public spirited citizens, a suitable,
commodious library building, in which the library will have room to
grown and become an institution of which all may be proud.

*****
CHURCHES
******

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF KEENE was organized October 18,
1738 with a membership of nineteen males.  Rev. John Bacon, the
proprietors clerk, was ordained October 18th and settled over the
church.  Mr. Bacon graduated at Harvard in 1731.  The church,
originally built near the south end of Main Street was moved in
1741, to a site near the present General WIlson's house, and was
destroyed with the other buildings in 1747.  Mr. Bacon was dismissed
upon the evacuation of the town.  In 1753, on the return of the
settlers, the church was built upon the common, and was occupied
until 1786, when it was moved to the west and used as a court-house;
it finally degenerated to a tenement-house.  In the same year
Rev. Ezra Carpenter was settled. He was born in Rehoboth, Mass,
April 1, 1699, graduated at Harvard College in 1720, and settled in
Hull for 21 years.  He was a minister of the united church in Keene
and Swanzey, about seven years, when the two churches separated
and the church in Keene was re-organized with 14 male members.
Rev. Clement Sumner was ordained June 11, 1761, was a graduate of
Yale, class of 1758, remained with the church for eleven years, when
he was dismissed.  He died in Keene, March 29, 1795.  During the
next five years, nineteen candidates made unsuccessful attempts to
satisfy the church ritual.  Rev. Aaron Hall was unanimously invited,
and was ordained February 18, 1778.  The church then embraced 77
members.  He was a graduate of Yale, class of 1772.  For 37 years
he ministered to the church, and died August 12, 1814, in his 63d year.
Rev. David Oliphant, a graduate of Union college in 1809, of
Andover Theological school in 1814 was ordained May 24, 1815, and
was dismissed in 1817.  Rev. Z.S. Barstow, D.D. was ordained July 1,
1818.  He was born in September 1790 and graduated at Yale college
in 1813, receiving his degree of A.M. in 1816.  FOr fifty years
Dr. Barstow guided the church on its onward way, a man of great
influence in the community, resigning July 1, 1868 and dying
March 1, 1873.  Rev. Cyrus Richardson, who succeeded him, was born
in Dracut, Mass, March 30, 1840, graduated at Dartmouth college,
class of 1865, graduated at Andover in 1870, and was ordained and
settled in Plymouth.  He was installed in Keene, July 10, 1873.
He left the church recently, and Rev. C.E. Harrington, from
Dubuque Iowa, formerly pastor of the Congregational church at Concord
NH, has been appointed to succeeed him.  The church has a membership
of about 330, and is free from debt.  The church edifice is on the
north side of the square, and is of pleasing and graceful architecture.
It once stood on the common, but was removed in 1828, and since
then has been twice repaired.  The property is valued at $45,000.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH--Baptists from Middleborough, Mass, located in
the east part of Westmoreland, where they constituted a church in
1771.  This family spread into the west part of Keene.  Here a church
of the same faith was recognized by an ecclesiastical council on the
9th day of September 1816, consisting of 13 members.  It was gathered
under the ministry of Rev. Charles Cummings.  The church was received
into the Dublin Baptist Association, in October of that year.  A small
meeting-house, with square pews and a gallery, was built that autumn,
situated in that part of the town known as "Ash Swamp," and was
dedicated December 25, 1816.  Worship was continued here at irregular
periods, under many discouragements, till 1838, when Baptist preaching
was commenced in the village.  The efforts was so successful that a
brick meeting-house, 45x68-1/2 feet, on Winter street, was
dedicated September 17, 1839.  The interest in the village was started,
and the house built, under the efficient labors of Rev. John Peacock.
He baptized 46 during the year and a half of his ministry.  Rev. Mark
Carpenter, late of Milford, was publicly recognized as pastor of the
church on the 22d of April 1840, and dismissed on the 3d of October,
1844, having baptized sixty into the fellowship of the church. He was
succeeded by Mr. Horace Richardson, of Cornish, a recent graduate of
Newton Theological Institution, who was ordained May 7, 1845. He was
dismissed April 1 1846. After him Rev. Gilbert Robbins, late of
Rumney took charge of the church, commencing his labors in August
of that year.  He remained here eleven years, tendering his resignation
in June 1857.  It was a time of sowing and not of reaping, though
he had the privilege, in one associational year, of baptizing 22.
  In 1853 a convenient two-story parsonage, with a small barn, was
built on the west side of Court street, about one half mile from the
meeting-house.  The lot measures 66 feet front, with an average
depth of about 155 feet, the land and buildings costing $1,650.
In October of 1857, Rev. Leonard Tracy became the pastor, and in
June 1863 he gave up his charge, respected and beloved by all.  In
the meantime he baptized 26.  In the autumn of 1863 the attention of
the people was directed to mr. William N. Clarke, of Cazenovia NY,
a recent graduate of Hamilton Theological seminary, and he was
ordained pastor January 14, 1864.  He remained here five years and a
half, in which time he baptized twenty-two; and gave a moral impulse
to the church.  While he was here, a new organ was purchased,
costing $1,250.  He closed his labors here May 9, 1869.  He was
succeeded by Mr. Austin V. Tilton, a graduate of Newton Theological
Institution, and a son of Rev. J.D. Tilton of Milford.  He was
ordained September 30, 1869, and continued his labors until May 5,
1872.  He "labored for direct spiritual fruit," and had the 
satisfaction of adding to the church by baptism twenty-five in less
than three years of his ministry.  On the 26th of May 1872, Rev.
William H. Eaton D.D. late of Nashua, was invited to become pastor.
After spending about two months with the people he accepted the call
and was installed September 1st.  The question of a new house of
worship had been under discusison for some time, and after the
settlement of Dr. Eaton, the question was soon revived.  All felt that
extensive repairs must be made on the old house, or a new house must
be built.  The latter plan was finally agreed upon, with great
unanimity.  A lot was purchased on the east side of Court street,
known as the Abijah Wilder estate.  It included a two-story dwelling
house on the corner of Court and Vernon streets, which was set
aside as a parsonage, while the other was sold for $5,200.
After disposing of some of the land on the east side of the
Wilder lot, the remainder, with the dwelling house, cost $10,500.
  Ground was broken for the new church on the 3d day of June, 1873,
with appropriate religious services.  The house was dedicated May 12,
1875.  It is made of brick, and measures in the main body 59x104 feet.
The recess is 28-1/2x14 feet.  The spires rise to the height of 167
feet from the ground, surmounted by a gilded weather vane five feet
high.  The style of architecture is Romanesque.  The auditorium is in
the second story, and easily accomodates 750 people.  It is finished
in ash and black walnut.  The orchestra is in the rear of the pulpit.
There is a small gallery over the front vestibule. There are six
beautiful memorial windows, three on each side.  The acoustic 
properties of the house are excellent.  The rooms on the first floor
consist of chapel, vestry, parlor, kitchen, pantry, toilet-room, etc.
The whole house is well proportioned, substantially built, conveniently
arranged and tastefully decorated.  Its cost, with furniture, exclusive
of the land, $52,000.  The building of this house of worship was
followed by great financial depression in the community, which imposed
a very heavy debt upon the church and society, which was borne with
a commendable degree of patience and fortitude. They paid for all
home expenses on an average of about $7,000 a year for 12 years,
and they now have the reward of having their valuable church property
nearly free from debt.  Since 1872 the numerical increase of the
church has been small, yet fully equal to any other periods of the
same length, with one exception.  During Mr. Eaton's ministry, thus
far, 51 have been added by baptism, and 58 by letter.  Still the
diminution, by deaths and removals, has been almost equal to the
additions.  However, the church through its entire history, has
gradually increased from the original thirteen, in September 1816
to 196 in March 1885.  The Sabbath-school is comparatively large and
promising, consisting of eighteen teachers, 280 scholars, with an
average attendance of about 135.  A.C. Sprague is superintendent.
The library numbers 850 volumes.

KEENE CONGREGATIONAL (UNITARIAN) SOCIETY--The Unitarian Society was
organized March 18, 1824.  They had occasion preaching during the
year.  On the 30th of August of the same year, a call was extended
to the Rev. Samuel Barrett, to become the pastor, but he declined
the invitation.  Mr. Barrett was a graduate of Harvard, in the class
of 1818, of the Harvard Divinity school in 1822 and received the
degree of D.D. from Harvard in 1847.  He was a scholarly and
cultivated gentleman.  In 1825 he became the first pastor of the
Twelfth Congregational (Unitarian) Society of Boston, and held the
position until 1861.  He died in 1866.  Thomas Russell Sullivan, the
first pastor of this society, was ordained December 28, 1825, and
a church of twelve members, besides the pastor, was organized on
the previous day.  The society worshipped in the town hall until the
new meeting-house was completed, and dedicted April 28, 1830. The
funds for building this church consisted of fifteen hundred dollars
bequeathed by William Lamson, of 750 dollars received from the
first Congregational church for a quit-claim to all rights in their
property, of $4500 realized from the sale of the pews, and a small
sum raised by subscription.  Mr. Sullivan remained with the society
until July 1, 1835, when he withdraw at his own request.  He was the
son of John Langdon and Elizabeth (Russell) Sullivan.  He was born
in Brookline, Mass February 13, 1799 and fitted for college at
Dummer academy in Newbury.  He graduated from Harvard in 1821,
and from Harvard Divinity school in 1821.  He was a superior scholar
and a perfect gentleman.  He edited a periodical known as the
"Liberal Preacher," in which were published valuable sermons of the
Unitarian preachers of the day.  After leaving Keene he was at the
head of a private school in Boston, which he taught up to the time of
his death, which occured December 23, 1862, almost 47 years from his
ordination.... The second pastor was Rev. Abiel Abbot Livermore,
who was ordained over the church and society, November 2, 1836, and
was dismissed at his own request, on account of failing health,
May 1, 1850.  He is a graduate of Harvard, in the class of 1833, and
from Harvard Divnity school in 1836.  While in Keene he commenced work
upon his commentary upon the New Testament.....After leaving Keene,
Mr. Livermore was pastor of the Unitarian church in Cincinnati,
and later, while editing the "Christian Inquirer," in New York, he
was pastor of Mount Hope church in Yonkers, NY.  He is now the
president of the Meadville Theological school in Pennsylvania...
The third pastor was Rev. William Orne White, who is a graduate of
Harvard, in the class of 1840 and of the Harvard Divinity school, in
1845.  He was installed October 6, 1851, and was dismissed, at his
own request, after a long and honorable service of 27 years,
November 4, 1878.  He has since resided in Brookline, Mass, having
ministered, for a portion of the time, in the Unitarian Church at
Sharon, Mass.... His successor Rev. Albert Walkley, was not installed.
He was the acting pastor from May 7, 1879 to January 25, 1885.....

CATHOLIc CHURCH--The Catholics of Keene were first united under the 
Rev. John Brady in 1857.  He built the present church and purchased
the cemetery.  His successors were Rev. Father's O'Hara, Parache,
Herbert, Murphy, Holohan and Galvin.  The present pastor is Rev. J.R.
Power, who has purchased a site and is engaged in erecting a school
and convent.  The parish embraces the neighboring towns of Marlboro,
Fitzwilliam, Troy, Swanzey and Gilsum, and numbers about 2,500 souls.

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH--The history of St. James church, of Keene,
dates from the year 1858.  Previous to this time, however, services
had been held as opportunity offered by various clergymen.  About the
year 1816 the Rev. Mr. Leonard, rector of St. Paul's church, Windsor
Vt., visited Keene, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Dunham, and other
parishoners, and held several services in the village.  Soon after
their visit the regular services of the church were conducted for
several weeks probably by the Rev. James Morse, of Newburyport, Mass,
in the old court-house, then standing on the site of what is now
called Gerould's block.  Among the citizens favoring this undertaking
were ELijah Dunbar and Dr. Thomas Edward.  These services, however,
soon ceased.  An occasion of marked interest was the funeral of the
Hon. Ithamar Chase.  The funeral service was held in the Congregational
house of worship and was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Strong, of
Greenfield, Mass, who also preached a sermon on the occasion.  This
funeral service supposed to have been the first in Keene conducted,
according to the rites of the Protestant Episcopal church, was very
large attended and is said to have created a very marked impression
in favor of the church.  Bishop Griswold, of the Eastern diocese,
once visited Keene, confirming Dr. and Mrs. Edwards.  The Rev. Mr.
Barber, rector of Union church, West Claremont, occasionally officiated
in Keene and administered the sacrament of holy baptism.  From time
to time services were also held in town by the Rev. Nathaniel Sprague,
D.D.  Dr. Sprague was a native of Keene, and improved every opportunity
of extending the knowledge and influence of the church in these parts.
Happily a memorial window was placed in St. James' church when it
was finished in 1864, which serves to keep alive the memory of his
many good words and works for the church.  The Rev. Henry N. Hudson,
of the diocese of Massachusetts, also held a series of services in
the summer and early fall of 1850.  These services were at first held
in the town hall, afterwards in an unoccupied building belonging to
Hon. James Wilson.  Early in October, however, the Rev. Mr. Hudson
was called away by the bishop of the diocese, the Rt. Rev. Carlton
Chase D.D. to supply his place as rector of Trinity Church, Claremont,
while he himself was absent doing Episcopal duty in the diocese of
New York; and on the Bishop's return it seemed to Mr. Hudson to be
impacticable to resume his work in Keene.  Although occasional services
had been held from time to time in private houses by different
clergymen visiting the place, nothing further was sone looking to the
establishment of the Episcopal church till the summer of 1858.
On June 24th of that year Bishop Chase visited Keene, held evening
services and preached.  He was encouraged by the expressed wishes of
those he met to attempt to establish the services of the church
permanently.  Accordinly he invited the Rev. Edward A. Renouf, then
assistant minister at St. Stephen's Church,, Boston, Mass. to visit
Keene and act as his missionary for a few weeks.  Mr. Renouf at once
accepted the invitation, and with the assistance of the Rev. Dr.
Fuller, also of the diocese of Massachusetts, services were soon
begun, and being well attended were continued regularly through
September and October.  At length Mr. Renouf resigned his position at
St. Stephen's and directly after East 1850, undertook the entire
charge of his work.  Meanwhile he purchased the estate where he now
resides (1885) and in July of that year removed thither with his
family.  On May 13, 1859 the parish of St. James Church, Keene, was
organized and the usual officers were elected.  May 15, certain friends
of the church bought of the Cheshire Railroad Company, the lot now
occupied by the church edifice for the sum of $1,300 and deeded it to
the parish.  May 18th the Rev. E.A. Renouf was called to be rector
of St. James church, and at once accepted the invitation.  May 25th
the parish was admitted into union with the convention of the diocese
of New Hampshire, and was represented in that convention by Mr.
H. Brownson, as lay delegate.  On Sunday August 7th the holy
communion was celebrated in their parish for the first time. On the
Sunday following August 14th, the Sunday-school was organized with
four teachers and sixteen pupils.  In October 1860 plans for a stone
church with a seating capacity of about 500, were submitted by
C.E. Parker, architect, of Boston, Mass, at an estimated cost of
$12,000, which, after some delays and modifications, were agreed
uopon, and the ground was broken Ascension day, May 14, 1863.
The corner stone was laid by the bishop of the diocese, assisted by
the rector and several clergymen of this and the diocese of Vermont,
June 30, 1863 at which time an able address was delivered by the
Rev. Dr. I.G. Hubbard, rector of Grace Church, Manchester.  The
building was completed and ready for use during the following summer.
The first service was held in it August 21, 1864; but the chancel
furniture and other appointments were still incomplete, and there
remained an unliquidated debt of $7,000 which delayed for several years
the services of consecration.  April 17, 1863, the Rev. Mr. Renouf
tendered his resignation of the rectorship to take place May 31, 1868.
The Rev. George W. Brown was called to be rector October 19, 1868.
During his rectorship the church was decorated within, and after
prolonged effort the money needed to liquidate the debt was raised.
William P. Wheeler having pledged $1,000 toward the amount needed,
provided the parish would raise the rest.  Accordingly the church
was consecrated by Bishop Niles, November 22, 1877.  Mr. Brown
resigned the rectorship April 13, 1879.  The Rev. A.B. Crawford was
called to be rector May 9, 1879 and resigned April 9, 1882.  The Rev.
Floyd W. Tomkins Jr., rector of St. Pauls Church, Minneapolis,
Minnesota was called to the rectorship of St. James Church, June 19,
1882. Mr. Tomkins resigned March 1, 1884, and accepted a call to
Calvary chapel, New York City.  September 14, 1884, the Rev. W.B.T.
Smith, rector of Union church, West Claremont, was called. He accepted
and entered upon his duties as rector, Sunday, November 23, 1884.

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was organized October 16, 1867,
with one hundred and twenty-three members, who had seceded from the
First church for that purpose.  The building and organ cost $35,000
and was completed, paid for, and dedicated Sept 16, 1869, when Rev.
Joseph Allen Leach was installed as pastor.  Mr. Leach is a native
of ROckingham, Vt. born April 15, 1836, graduated at Amherst college
in 1861, at Andover Theological school in 1864, was commissioned
chaplain of the 19th Regt USA and first settled in Keene as a colleague
of Dr. Barstow, at the close of the war.  After some 18 years trial
of the free seat system, Mr. leach resigned, leaving the church free
from debt.  They have recently rented the pews.  After Mr. Leach
resigned, Rev. William Love served the church one year.  After this
Rev. Mr. Price served one year, and the church has not yet decided
on its successor.  The society now has 285 members, their property
being valued at $40,000, and they have also a Sabbath-school with
320 members.

(end)