Chichester Cemetery Committee

Dr. Amasa Kelley

First physician in Chichester, NH

Dr. Amasa Kelley moved to Chichester in 1799 and settled at Kelley's corner. His house still stands. He was the first doctor in town and practiced here for 40 years. He died in 1847 at age 82 and was considered very successful and respected by all. chichesterhistory.pdf (chichesternh.org)

Josiah Carpenter

First minister of the Gospel in Chichester, NH

Josiah Carpenter was born in Stafford, Connecticut in 1762. He was only fourteen years old when the Revolutionary War broke out, but he and three brothers engaged in the conflict. The Rev. Josiah Carpenter, recently graduated from Dartmouth College, had preached in town several times in a very acceptable manner, and his name was at the head of the list of those who were to be considered to be called to fill the position of preaching the Gospel. August 22, 1791 at a duly called town meeting held in the barn of Captain John Langmaid, sixteen men dissented against settling Mr. Carpenter or anyone else. Four men asked to be excused from paying the church tax. September 6, 1791 the town voted to call Mr. Carpenter to be the town minister at a salary of 50£ ($250) for the first year, 55£ ($275) for the second year, 60£ ($300) for the third year, 65£ ($325) for the fourth year, and the last sum to be his stated salary to be raised by taxes. Part of the salary was to be in meat and grain. He was to receive also twenty-five cords of "hard firewood" valued at 82 cents a cord. He was ordained in Chichester on November 2, 1791, and held this position until 1827. chichesterhistory.pdf (chichesternh.org) Merrimack County, New Hampshire Genealogy and History (genealogytrails.com)

Elijah Locke

Revolutionary War soldier

Elijah Locke was the son of Deacon Elijah Locke and his wife, Huldah (Perkins). He enlisted November 25, 1775 and served under Capt. John Parsons in the Revolutionary War. Locke was no. 26 on Capt. Joseph Parson's company list of 14 officers and men. They formed one of the companies of Minute Men enlisted by the order of the Committee of Safety of 12 Oct. 1775. He married Elizabeth Brown [daughter of Col. Jonathan and Mary (Garland) Brown] at Rye, NH November 21, 1776 after returning from the war. He had a second wife, possibly named Mrs. Nancy (Watts) Fisher.

Colonel True Sanborn

Civil War soldier

Colonel True Sanborn was a soldier of Co. I 4th Regiment NHVI. He enlisted Sept. 14, 1861, as Private. He mustered in Sept. 14, '61, as 2 Lt.; app. 1 Lt. Co. K, June 12, '62; Capt. Aug. 15, '62; discharged disability Nov. 2, '64.On learning on the 4th of July 1871 that the quota for Merrimack county was 2,000 men, a few of the numerous patriotic citizens met on August 26th to see if public opinion was strongly in favor of the speedy enlistment of a volunteer company in Chichester. The necessary enlistment papers were to be procured from the Adjutant General's office by the first of September. The papers were procured and Capt. True Sanborn Jr. and ten others enlisted. They met every week thereafter and the enlistment progressed until the company was full. On October 4th, officers were chosen for the company. True Sanborn Jr. was chosen Captain; Hiriam Hook, first lieutenant and George Haines, second lieutenant and Augustus Leavitt, secretary. The name Merrimack Guards was chosen the following week. The following month a committee was chosen to ascertain the names of the soldiers then residents of Chichester who enlisted in the late war for the suppression of the rebellion and the regiment in which each soldier enlisted. They were to post the said report in the armory and a list to the state of those who were wounded or killed. The guards continued to meet each week at the Leavitt Hall for drills until the middle of December. chichesterhistory.pdf (chichesternh.org)

George P. Haines

Carriage building businessman

George P. Haines was born in Chichester. As a young man he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and carried on business for some time in Concord, N.H. He later became proprietor of a general store and Postmaster in his native town, and was a leading merchant here for fifty years. He was also a shoe manufacturer for several years; and he was the first to manufacture friction matches in this locality, being actively interested in that business for many years. He was originally a Whig, but later voted with the Republican party, and served for a number of years as Town Clerk.

Hosea C . Knowlton

Town Clerk, Treasurer, Selectmen, State Representative

May 26, 1825 he married Betsey Seavey, daughter of Moses Seavey, Esq. of Chichester, in the autumn of 1834, he purchased the right and interest of the heirs to the estate of his father-in-law, in Chichester, and moved upon this farm with his family that same fall of 1834. Here he not only actively and successfully worked his farm and improved his home, but for a number of years taught school winters, and in all public and educational matters ever took a promiment, active interest. In 1832, while in the employ of the Hill Brothers, at Concord, he was duly appointed Justice of the Peace, and by regular renewals of his commission has held the office for a period of fifty-three years. His services as a most reliable and accurate surveyor of land were largely sought, not only in Chichester, but also in all the adjacent towns. He served twelve years on the Board of Selectmen and as Town Treasurer, five years as Town Clerk, two years as Representative in the State Legislature and two years as County Commissioner. Besides these positions of public trust and confidence, ever most faithfully and ably filled, he executed a great many deeds, wills and other public and private documents, was Executor and Administrator of numerous estates, and all to the entire satisfaction of all his patrons.

Melvin D. Sanborn

First Boy Scout Master in Chichester

The first Boy Scout charter issued to Chichester was in May 1926 when the scouting program came into being by a group of interested citizens. Melvin D. Sanborn was the first scoutmaster and Fisher Edmunds, assistant scoutmaster. John C. Langmaid, E. M. Bartlett and Harry S. Kelley, troop committee. Nine boys were charter members of the Troop. Macbeth Bartlett, E. Scott Edmunds, Gerald C. Edmunds, Charles W. Langmaid, Fred M. Marston, Gilbert J. Marston, Edgar M. Reed, Richard C. Sanborn, Madison A. Bailey, This troop was known as Troop I and the Silver Fox Patrol of the troop participated in the 200th anniversary program of the town held in the Grange Hall. The troop was honored in 1977 at the Blue and Gold Banquet held by Cub Scout Pack 85 in the Chichester Grange Hall. Melvin Sanborn was presented an "Outstanding Citizen" award, given each year to someone who has contributed services to the town and its youth. https://www.chichesternh.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif2946/f/uploads/chichesterhistory.pdf

Abraham True

Early settler of Chichester NH

Abraham True was born in Deerfield, NH in 1755 and served in the Revolutionary War. After the war he married Anna Batchelder of Deerfield, NH and moved to Chichester in the late 1780’s and built a house that is owned by the Joe Brown family. Abraham was elected the first senior deacon of the Chichester Congregational Church. He built the Bear Hill school in 1790 which is the oldest school still standing in Chichester. He served as Chichester Selectman, Town Meeting Moderator as well as a New Hampshire State Representative for twenty four years. .