Adams, Peabody Hodgdon

The following data is extracted from Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies.

Peabody Hodgdon Adams, a successful general merchant of Pittsfield, was born in Barnstead, N.H., April 22, 1820, son of John and Sally (Seward) Adams. Four of his ancestors came from England; and one of them, who was a Congregational minister, settled at Newington, N.H. William Adams, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a carpenter by trade. He was also a farmer; and he resided in Barnstead all his life, attaining the age of seventy years. He supported the Whig party in politics, while his religious belief was that of the Congregational denomination. He married Hannah Jacobs, who had four children, and lived about eighty years.

John Adams, eldest child of his parents, was born in Barnstead. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, which, with farming, was the main occupation of the active period of his life. He resided in Barnstead until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-eight years old. In politics he was a Whig. His wife, Sally, was a daughter of George Seward, of Barnstead, whose death occurred at about the same age as that of her husband. She was a member of the Congregational church. She became the mother of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, eight of whom are living. These are: Peabody H., Frank, George W., Nathaniel W., Alvah, Hannah, Mary, and Nancy. Frank married for his first wife a Miss. Taylor, of Lowell, who had one daughter, Susie. For his second wife he wedded a lady named Holt, who had three children-Abbie, Blanche, and Frank, Jr. George W. married a Miss Ware, of Lowell, Mass.; and his children are: Elvira, Lyman, Sadie, Clara, Ralph W., and Arthur W. Nathaniel married Amanda Blake, and has one son, William. Alvah married Amanda Green, and has one son, Lewis. Mary is the widow of Eliphalet Miller, and has no children. Nancy is the widow of a Mr. Novin, late of Minneapolis, Minn., and has three children-Fred, Clara, and Ida.

Peabody Hodgdon Adams was educated in the schools of Barnstead and Loudon, N.H. After completing his studies, he learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and subsequently followed it and farming for many years in Loudon. In 1865 he moved to Pittsfield, where he bought a farm located on Concord Hill; and he resided there until 1876. In 1874, with his son, Frank W., he formed the firm, P. H. Adams & Co., who have since conducted a profitable general mercantile business.

On March 15, 1847, Mr. Adams wedded Martha S. Wells, daughter of Stephen Wells, of Loudon, N.H. Of their three children two are living-Elizabeth and Frank W. Elizabeth is the wife of Clarence Johnson, of Pittsfield; and her children are: Scott A. and Edward L. Frank W. married Hattie Marston, daughter of John Marston, of this town, and has one daughter, Abbie A. Mrs. P. H. Adams died October 17, 1893. In politics Mr. Adams is a Republican, and he has served with ability as a Selectman for three years. He attends the Free Will Baptist church, of which the late Mrs. Adams was a member.

Source: Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies

  Go Back