Nashua New Hampshire’s Hugh Gregg: Attorney, Businessman, Governor (1917-2003)

Photograph from NH State House, hanging on wall there, taken by Janice W. Brown. Please do not reuse without my permission.

Hugh Gregg was born in 1917 in Nashua, New Hampshire, the son of Harry Alan & Margaret Prentiss (Richardson) Gregg. His father was a successful manufacturer, which allowed him to attend Phillips Exeter Academy, and Yale University, where he graduated in 1939. He graduated from Harvard University Law School in 1942 and was admitted to the NH Bar the same year.

During World War II and during the Korean War he served overseas as a special agent in the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps. He entered law practice in Nashua NH with the firm Sullivan and Gregg.

Among his many business involvements, he became president of the family mill-work business, Gregg and Son, and was on the board of Indian Head National Bank. Active in politics, he served on several levels including as governor of New Hampshire.

*Additional Reading*

–Biography & Likeness of Hugh Gregg–

–Gov. Hugh Gregg’s Whooper Award–

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*GREGG GENEALOGY**
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——First Generation—–

CAPT. JAMES GREGG, son of David Gregg, b. 1672 in Ayreshire Scotland and d. 10 March 1758 in Londonderry NH. He emigrated to Ireland about 1690, and from there to America in 1718. He was one of the sixteen who first settled in Londonderry in 1719. He was a member of the NH Assembly in 1736, a captain of the 1st militia in Londonderry NH. He operated a grist mill in Londonderry NH. He married 1695 in Londonderry NH to Janette Cargill, dau of John & Mary Ann Cargill of Ardamurchan, Argyll Co., Scotland. She b. 1677 in Scotland, and d. 28 Dec 1764 in Londonderry NH. [SEE History of Londonderry NH]
Children of James & Janet (Cargill) Gregg:
1. William Gregg, b. 1695 in Ireland
2. +Capt. John Gregg, b. 1702 in Ireland
3. Samuel Gregg, b. 1705 in Ireland; he emigrated from Ireland to Londonderry NH with his parents. He was a linen draper.
4. Elizabeth Gregg, b. 1706 in Ireland; m. James Moore
5. Thomas Gregg, b. 1708 in Ireland

——Second Generation—–

CAPT. JOHN GREGG, son of James & Janette (Cargill) Gregg, b. 1702 in County Antrim, Ireland; d. 28 Feb 1789 in Derry NH; he m. Agnes Rankin. She b. 1707
Children of Capt. John & Agnes (Rankin) Gregg:
1. James Gregg, b. 1725 Londonderry NH; d. 1819 Oneida Co NY; m. Mary McCurdy and had issue; was at the Battle of Bunker Hill
2. +?Hugh Gregg, b. c1726 in Londonderry NH
3. John Gregg, b. 7 May 1728; reportedly the progenitor of some of the early Gregg families of Peterborough NH.
4. William Gregg, b. 21 Oct 1730, d. 16 Sep 1815 [mentioned in History of Londonderry NH]
5. Janet Gregg, b. 1735
6. Elizabeth Gregg, b. 27 Nov 1735
7. George Gregg, b. 1737
8. Major Samuel Gregg, b. 1738/39, d. 10 Dec 1808, age 70 yrs in Peterborough NH; m. Agnes Smiley of Londonderry. She b. 1743, d. 2 Feb 1803 at Peterborough NH; he is the progenitor of the Peterborough NH branch of the Gregg family.
9. Joseph Gregg, b. 10 Dec 1741 Londonderry NH

——Third Generation—–

HUGH GREGG/GRAGG, ?son of Capt. John & Agnes (Franklin) Gragg, was b. c1726 in Ireland or Scotland. He married by 1743 to Sarah Leslie/Lesley, dau of James & Mary (McMurphy) Leslie, and sister of the wife of Deacon James Ferson. Sarah was b. 14 July 1720 in Londonderry, Rockingham Co, NH.
Children of Hugh & Sarah (Leslie) Gregg:
1. +James Gregg, b. 1743 Londonderry NH
2. Rosanna Gregg, b. abt 1744 Londonderry NH; m. 8 Dec 1768 William Blair
3. Alexander Gregg, b. 22 Nov 1746 Londonderry NH; m. Mary Christie; had issue
4. Lesley/Leslie Gregg, b. abt 1752 Londonderry NH; m. Lydia Beard; had issue
5. John Gregg, b. abt 1754 Londonderry NH; m. Jennet Waugh; had issue
6. Jemima Gregg, b. 1754 in Londonderry NH; m. 24 June 1779 Elijah Cochran
7. Reuben Gregg, b. abt 1756 Londonderry NH; served in revolutionary war; m1) Elizabeth Wilson; m2) Mary Houston; had issue
8. Mary Gregg, b. abt 1756 Londonderry NH; m. William McPherson
9. Anne Gregg, b. abt 1758 Londonderry NH
10. +Samuel Gregg, 9 June 1764 at New Boston NH; m. 1) Jane Wilson; m2) Lydia Bartlett

——Fourth Generation—–

JAMES GREGG, son of Hugh & Sarah (Leslie) Gregg/Gragg,  b. abt 1743 in Londonderry NH; d. 31 Dec 1805 in New Boston NH; He m. abt 1769 to Janet/Jennet Collins, dau of John Collins. She b. 1739, and d. 12 Jan 1820 in New Boston NH.
Children of James & Janet (Collins) Gregg: [they had 7 children]
1. John Gregg, b. abt 1769, d. 1802 Bradford MA
2. Hannah Gregg, m. Nathan Andrews of Sutton NH where she resided; had 8 children, i.e. (1) Sallie Andrews m. — Woodsworth and d. in NY; (2) Nathan ANdrews m. Dorothy Pilsbury and had 5 sons and one dau; (3) John Andrews who m. Susan Adams and had issue, grad. Dartmouth College and was chaplain in the army; (4) Samuel G. Andrews, m. Lavinia H. Pilsbury, inherited the homestead and had issue; (5) Jennett Andrews who m. John Eaton of Sutton and had 2 sons and 3 dau; (6) Hannah Andrews who died young; (7) James Andrews who died a young man; (8) Mary Andrews a school teacher.
3. Hugh Gregg, b. abt 1773
4. Daniel T. Gregg, b. 11 Dec 1775 New Boston NH; m. Esther Millen, daughter of Thomas & Jane McCollom) Millen of New Boston NH and Newbury VT. She b. 14 July 1780. Daniel inherited the homestead and had 8 children, i.e. (1) Jane E. resided New Boston; (2) James died young; (3) John H. lived in New Boston; (4) Maria L. m. Thomas Delano and res. Somerville MA with 7 ch; (5) Ann B. d. 1844; (6) Charlotte Augusta was a teacher in Chicago IL; (7) Esther d. 24 May 1853
5. +Joseph Gregg, b. 11 Dec 1777 in New Boston NH.
6. Sally Gregg, b abt 1780, d. 14 Oct 1849; m. John Brown of Bradford, had 6 children: Joel, Jeremiah, Hannah, Jerusha, Livonia, Nancy
7. William Gregg

Samuel Gregg, Esq., youngest son of Hugh Gregg, b. 9 June 1764 at New Boston NH. He m1) Jane Wilson, dau of Alexander Wilson of New Boston. She b. 20 Nov 1770 and d. 25 Dec 1880. He married 2nd) 24 Feb 1804 to Lydia Bartlett of Newbury MA. She d. Nov 1835 in New Boston NH; Samuel Gregg died 6 May 1839 in Deering NH; he was buried at Meetinghouse Cemetery in New Boston NH. Apprenticed mechanic, his father having died when he was quite young. He pursued the trade of carpenter and cabinetmaker, but gave up the trade for farming; he held responsible town positions and was justice of the peace for many years.
Children of Samuel & Jane (Wilson) Gregg:
1. Jenny Gregg, b. 13 July 1788 New Boston NH, m. Daniel Dodge, res. Johnson VT
2. Elizabeth Gregg, b. 3 March 1791 New Boston NH m. Robert Wilson, res. Deering NH
3. Mary Gregg, b. 10 Jan 1793 New Boston NH m. Samuel B. Waters, res. Johnson VT
4. Sarah Gregg, b 6 March 1795 New Boston NH m. Robert McPherson, res. Michigan
6. Alexander Gregg, b. 15 May 1797 New Boston NH m. Jane M. Clarke, dau of Robert Clarke of New Boston; res. Medford MA
7. +Samuel Gregg, b. 1 July 1799 in New Boston NH
Child of Samuel & Lydia (Bartlett) Gregg:
8. James Bartlett Gregg, b. 28 Apr 1808 in New Boston NH m. Mary Bailey of Newbury MA

——Fifth Generation—–

JOSEPH GREGG, son of James & Janet (Collins) Gregg, b. 11 Dec 1777 New Boston NH, d. 9 Sep 1854 [per his grave stone]; m. 27 December 1804 in Goffstown NH to Jane M. Moor(e). She b. abt 1787 NH, and d. at the age of 76 yrs, 8 mos 23 days. In 1850 Joseph & Jane Gregg living in New Boston NH. Joseph was a farmer who rebuilt a lumber mill in New Boston NH, operating the mill until his death. He did an extensive business in lumbering. They are buried in the New Boston cemetery.
Children of Joseph & Jane (Moore) Gregg:
1. Janette/Jennett Gregg; m. Bartlett Richards, had issue.
2. +David Gregg, b. 18 June 1816 New Boston NH
3. John Gregg; m. Mary Bachelder, resided Goffstown NH; had 3 ch
4. James M. Gregg, m. Sarah Goodwin of Londonderry NH, d. April 1862 New Boston NH, leaving 2 children, i.e. Letitia who m. Alfred E. Hardy, and Margaret; 3 children died young
5. Daniel Gregg, b 15 July 1823 in New Boston NH, and died 2 April 1893 in New Boston NH; He m1) Hannah Augusta Young of Deerfield NH and had 2 children, Harlan and Flora. She was born — and d. 30 Jan 1867 in New Boston NH; He m2) 25 Dec 1867 at Hillsboro NH to Mary McClintock, daughter of Luke & Nancy (Gould) McClintock. She was born abt 1839 in Hillsboro NH.    He m3rd) 5 June 1878 in Hudson NH to Elizabeth Gove, dau of Nathan & Esther F. Gove.
6. Jane Gregg;
7. Letitia Gregg; m. William Smith of Bradford, had 3 children.
8. Margaret Gregg; m. John Richards of Goffstown NH

Dr. Samuel Gregg, son of Samuel & Jane W. (Wilson) Gregg b. 1 July 1799 New Boston NH; studied medicine with John Dalton MD of New Boston. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1825 with an MD and began practice in Medford MA the same year. He followed the Allopathic School of medicine. He m1) Ruth Wadsworth “Ruthy” Richards, dau of Luther & Ruth Wadsworth (Hooper) Richards. She was b. 5 June 1802 New Boston NH and d. 20 Feb 1853 Boston MA. He married 2nd) Mrs. Sophronia (Carter) Hills, dau of James & Betsey (Hale) Carter. She b. 17 Aug 1807 in Leominster MA. In 1840 he moved to Boston MA.
Children of Dr. Samuel & Ruthey W.R. (Richardson) Gregg:
1. Mary Josepine Waterman Gregg, b 31 Aug 1823 New Boston NH; d. 6 May 1838 Medford MA; buried Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Watertown MA
2. Martha Dalton Gregg, b. 24 Aug 1826 Medford MA; d. 2 Oct 1902; m. Edward G. Tileston Esq. and lived Brookline MA; had issue
3. Samuel W. Gregg, b 6 Sep 1827; d. 7 Nov 1850, aged 23 yrs in Sacramento, California
4. Caroline Augusta Gregg, b. 16 Apr 1829 Medford MA; d. Hyde Park MA; m. 19 Sep 1855 to Wales Rogers Stockbridge; res. Cambridge MA; had issue
5. Abbie/Abby Maria Gregg, b 2 Dec 1832 Cambridge MA; d. 9 March 1836 Medford MA, aged 3 yrs
6. Jane Anna Gregg, b 16 Nov 1834 MA; m. Joseph Howard Jr.; resided Brooklyn NY; had issue
7. Abby H.Trask Gregg, b abt 1838 MA; m. John Benjamin Wooster; res. San Francisco CA; had issue
8. Franklin Hahneman Gregg, b 21 March 1841; d. 5 Aug 1841
9. Josephine Maria Gregg, b. abt 1843 MA; m. James Winthrop Dolliver; res. Boston MA; had issue, Samuel Gregg, Edward W. and Caroline W.

——Sixth Generation—–

DAVID GREGG, son of Joseph & Jane (Moore) Gregg, b. 18 June 1816 in New Boston NH; d. 31 Jan 1880; m. 7 June 1835 Harriet Atwood Todd, daughter of Samuel & Betsey (Starrett) Todd. She b. 14 Sep 1818 in New Boston NH. He was a large lumber dealer and sash and blind manufacturer. He acquired a large property in the lumber business, operating in Michigan extensively. Removed to Wilton NH then to Nashua NH where he died suddenly 31 January 1880, aged 63 yrs 7 mos 13 days. He was a much respected and esteemed citizen of that city. His widow resided in Nashua on Arlington St. opposite Auburn street.  He began business in Wilton NH in Sept 1860. He bought out Pattee & Abbott, who occupied the store started by Abram Mitchell of Nashua soon after the railroad was opened to Wilton. He also bought out George W. Daniels at the depot store and moved the goods from the old store to the depot store, where the business was carried on under the firm name of D. Gregg & Co. His son, David A. Gregg was his partner. He sold his interest in the store to his son-in-law, George F. Neville, who after trading a few years in company with David E. Proctor, sold his interest to Mr. Proctor. In 1869 Mr. Gregg built a fine house in the west part of the East Village. He built a large establishment on Crown street near the Concord depot in Nashua for the manufacture of doors, sashes, blinds &c which has been carried on under the firm-name of Gregg & Son. In 1869 he was elected and served as selectman; in 1877 he was chosen representative to the Legislature; in 1879 he was elected supervisor.
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Census > 1860 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Hillsborough > New Boston
David Gregg 44 M Lumberman 10,000/6000 NH
Harriet A. Gregg 42 F NH
Margaret R. Gregg 16 F NH [b abt 1843]
Mary C. Gregg 15 F NH [b abt 1845]
Hattie J. Gregg 13 F NH [b abt 1847]
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Census > U.S. Census > 1870 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Hillsborough > Wilton
Gregg, David 54 M W Lumber Merchant Wholesale 20,000/2000 NH
Gregg, Harriet 51 F W Keeping House NH
Gregg, Hattie 23 F W at home NH
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Children of David & Harriet A. (Todd) Gregg:
1. +David Almus Gregg, b. 22 March 1841 New Boston NH
2. Margaret R. Gregg, b. 3 Feb 1844 New Boston NH, d. Nov 1862; m. May 1861 James B. Whipple, a wood worker, Nashua NH
3. Mary Caroline “Carrie” Gregg b 6 May 1845 New Boston NH; m. George S. Neville of Nashua, a partner in the firm of Gregg & Son; during Nov 1863 he was in San Jose California for his health. They had two children: Lewis Neville b 1871 and Hattie Alice b. 1873
4. Hattie Jane Gregg, b. 10 Aug 1846 New Boston NH, d. 1871; m. 1870 Charles H. Prentice, storekeeper

——Seventh Generation—–

DAVID ALMUS GREGG, son of David & Harriet A. (Todd) Gregg, b. 22  March 1841 in New Boston NH; He married 1st) 1 May 1859 in New Boston NH to Harriet J. “Hattie” Wheeler, daughter of Elisha B. & Lydia W. (Cheney) Wheeler. She b. abt 1840 in New Boston NH, and died 15 Feb 1881 in Nashua NH; He married 2nd) 8 May 1882 (reported at Nashua NH) to Ella Cora Fox, daughter of George & Mary (Wheeler) Fox. She b. 1859 in New Boston NH, died January 3, 1949 age 90 ; He founded Gregg & Son, a manufacturing company (“manufactory”) producing doors, sashes, furniture and window dressings (it was located on Crown Street in Nashua in 1870). He ran several businesses including a grain dealership, a wholesale grocery business, and a lumber business; he was president of the original Indian Head National Bank. He removed to Wilton NH Sept 1860. He was elected town clerk of Wilton in 1863, 1864 and 1865. He was selectman in 1867 and 1868. He was representative to the State Legislature in 1874 and 1875.
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1860 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Hillsborough > Wilton
[living in a hotel, owned by Timothy C. Center]
Almus D. Gregg 20 M Clerk in Store NH
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U.S. Census > 1870 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Hillsborough > Wilton
Gregg, David A. 29 M W Grain Merchant & Wholesale Retired 3000 3000 NH
Gregg, Hattie J. 30 F W Keeping House NH
Gregg, Willie A. 11 M W at home NH
Gregg, Margie L. 6 F W at home NH
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Nashua Telegraph (newspaper) January 5, 1949
The funeral service of Mrs. Ella C. Gregg, widow of David A. Gregg, was held in the Unitarian Church in Wilton Center on Tuesday afternoon at 2. Friends from Wilton and Nashua attended. Rev. Albert D’Orlando, pastor of the church and Rev. Roscoe Trueblood, pastor of the Unitarian Church of Cohasset Mass were officiating clergymen. Mrs. William Webb was organist. Four grandsons acted as bearers and ushers, David A. Gregg 2nd, Hugh Gregg, John Gregg Wilson of Boston and James Everett Wilson of Cambridge. Rev. Mr. D’Orlando and Rev Mr. Trueblood offered the committal service at the Gregg family lot in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Wilton. A.A. Davis assisted with arrangements.
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Children of David A. & Harriet Jane (Wheeler) Gregg:
1. William A. Gregg “George Willie”, b. 1 May 1859 New Boston NH; m. 15 June 1881 Sarah Elizabeth “Bessie” Burns, dau of Charles H. & Sarah Ann (Mills) Burns. Employed with his father in the manufactory. Had three children, David, b. 24 Jan 1882, Donald Burns b 4 Nov 1884 in Wilton NH and Helen, b. 22 Aug 1886 in Wilton NH.
2. Margie “Maggie” Lulla Gregg, b. 19 Aug 1864 in Wilton NH;  She married 8 Oct 1889 in Nashua NH to Oren S. Hussey, son of Oliver P. & Sarah Hussey.
Child of David A. & Ella Cora (Fox) Gregg:
3. +Harry Alan Gregg, b. 24 Apr 1883 Nashua NH

——Eighth Generation—–

HARRY ALAN GREGG, son of David A. & Ella C. (Fox) Gregg, b. 24 Apr 1883 Nashua NH; d. 2 January 1972 in Sarasota FL; He took over his father’s business continuing in the manufacture of doors and blinds.  He m. 12 April 1905 in Nashua NH to Margaret Prentiss Richardson, dau of Rev. Cyrus & Annie (Dearborn) Richardson. She b. 4 Dec 1879 in Keene NH, and died 24 January 1959 in Nashua NH. They divorced divorced Jan 19, 1941.  During World War I he supervised the building of army training camps in the northeast. After the war he became Nashua police commissioner. He married 2nd) 12 January 1944 in Wayne Indiana to Harriett Louise Hasty.  Harry Alan Gregg took an active role in reorganizing the city charter and was a member of the city’s common council. He also helped establish NH’s Daniel Webster Council of Boy Scouts, Nashua Boys Band and Nashua Community Council. With his sons, he founded the Nashua Fresh Air Camp for underprivileged children at Sunset Lake in Greenfield NH in the 1920. He was the last surviving CHARTER MEMBER of the Nashua Rotary Club. He established a camp for children on Crotched Mountain in Greenfield NH and was Founder of the Crotched Mountain Foundation. He established Bankshares Inc. They resided 6 Manchester Street, Nashua NH in 1928.
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U.S. Census > 1920 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Hillsborough > Nashua Ward 1 > District 136
Gregg, Henry A. Head M W 36 married NH NH NH Manufacturer Sack & Blind Factory
Gregg, Margaret R. Wife F W 39 married NH NH NH
Gregg, David A. son M W 12 single NH NH NH
Gregg, Harry A. son M W 8 single Mass NH NH
Gregg, Hugh son M W 2 single Massachusetts NH NH
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U.S. Census > 1930 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Hillsborough > Nashua > District 86 [6 Manchester Street]
Gregg, Harry A. Head 15000 M W 46 married at age 21 NH NH NH manufacture door & blinds
Gregg, Margaret wife F W 48 married at 23 NH NH NH
Gregg, David A. Gregg son M W 22 single NH NH NH
Gregg, H. Allen son M W 18 single NH NH NH
Gregg, Hugh son M W 12 single NH NH NH
—–living next door—-
Gregg, Ella C. Head F W 71 widow NH NH NH
Maloney Isabel servant F W 42 single Can-Eng Can-Eng Can-Eng
MacRitchie Lucy servant F  W32 single Maine Canada-Eng VT
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Children of Harry A. & Margaret P. (Richardson) Gregg:
1. David Almus Gregg, b. 28 Dec 1907 Nashua NH, d. March 1973; resided Nashua NH in 1930
2. Harry Alan Gregg Jr., b. 21 June 1911 Boston MA; He and his family died in a fire in their Cambridge MA home in 1948, including his wife, and children: Susan aged 9, Alan 3d, aged 8, Peter, aged 3 and Thomas 10 months.
3. +Hugh Gregg, born 22 November 1917 in Nashua NH
4. Gail Gregg

——Ninth Generation—–

Hugh Gregg, son of Harry Alan & Margaret Prentiss (Richardson) Gregg, was born 22 November 1917 in Nashua NH. He married Catherine/Cay M. Warner on July 24, 1940 [see additional info above]. WWII and Korean War veteran. She died 31 July 2014 in Exeter New Hampshire, aged 96. Gregg Road in Nashua NH is named after his family. [See photo and article]. He is buried in Edgewood Cemetery, Nashua, NH.
Children of Hugh & Catherine/Cay M. (Warner) Gregg:
1. Cyrus Warner Gregg, b. 1943; res. Peterborough NH; he m. Robert Joyce Bell. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, Yale University, and the Amos Tuck Graduate School of Business Administration.
2. Judd Alan Gregg, b. 14 Feb 1947 in Nashua NH; graduated from Columbia University, and Boston University Law School; attorney and  former Governor of NH (1989-1993); served 3 terms as United States Senator from New Hampshire; He married in 1973 to Katherine Marie MacLellan, daughter of Peter MacLellan. Resides NH. They have 3 children.

Sources:
1. The Mount Desert widow : genealogy of the Gamble family by Greenleaf Cilley; Rockland, Me.: Knox County Historical and Genealogical Magazine, 1895, page 104-105
2. History of the town of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire : with a genealogical register by Abiel Abbot Livermore; Lowell, Mass.: Marden & Rowell, printers, 1888, p 390-392
3. History of New Boston, New Hampshire by Elliott Colby Cogswell; pub 1864; G.C. Rand & Avery
4. United States Census 1850-1930

[Editor’s note: article updated 20 September 2017]