Old postcard of Moonlight Bridge, Newmarket NH and a horse-drawn carriage, According to 1911 Granite State Monthly article, this area was probably first owned by Hopestill Cheswell. It was the location of Wentworth Cheswell’s first house that was later home of his son Thomas.
I am not the first to write about a remarkable man–Wentworth Cheswell of Newmarket New Hampshire. Many have sung his praises and brought to light his many “firsts” in New Hampshire. His grandfather, and earliest known ancestor, Richard Cheswell, was a freed black man, formerly a slave to New Hampshire resident, David Laurence/Lawrence.
I bought photographs of some of his descendants on Ebay several years ago. At the time I didn’t realize who they were, just that the photographs were old and interesting, Later I discovered their connection to Wentworth Cheswell. As far as I know there is no painting or likeness of Wentworth, so I hope that this story with photographs of some of his descendants can shed more light on him. Continue reading
