Monadnock Moments

Short historical articles about people, places, or events in the Monadnock region.

Over the past 30+ years, the Historical Society of Cheshire County has created almost 1,000 “Monadnock Moments” to share with the public.  These true tales are created using newspaper accounts, historic documents, historic photographs and publications.

Use the search box above to search a person, street, town, event etc…

Featured Monadnock Moments

Monadnock Moments No. 90: The Silsby Fire

Monadnock Moments No. 90: The Silsby Fire In April of 1887, Troy, New Hampshire suffered one of the worst fires in the town’s history.  At 3:00 o’clock on the morning of April 13, Edgar Dwight, the night watchman at the Troy Blanket Mills, noticed flames in the bark...

Monadnock Moments No. 80: Slavery in Cheshire County

Monadnock Moments No. 80: Slavery in Cheshire County When we think of slavery in the United States, we often think of the plantations of the deep south and of the Civil War which divided the Union.  Most people are surprised to learn that Cheshire County was the home...

Monadnock Moments No. 77: Thaddeus Parmenter and the Wolves

Monadnock Moments No. 77: Thaddeus Parmenter and the Wolves Thaddeus Parmenter was an early settler of Marlborough, New Hampshire, arriving there from Sudbury, Massachusetts in 1789.  He soon married and began to build a homestead and raise a family. One day a short...

Monadnock Moments No. 67: Nathaniel Belknap of Dublin

Monadnock Moments No. 67: Nathaniel Belknap of Dublin Nathaniel Belknap was one or the early settlers of Dublin, New Hampshire.  His trials and tribulations in 18th century Cheshire County give us a good idea of the hardships endured by the early residents of the...

Monadnock Moments No. 61: Keene Granite, Tera Cotta and Tile Company

Monadnock Moments No. 61: Keene Granite, Terra Cotta and Tile Company In 1890 an unusual business was founded in Keene that produced pottery from pieces of New Hampshire granite.  The firm, known as the Keene Granite, Terra Cotta and Tile Company, was organized by...