Benjamin Pierce

Benjamin Pierce was born in Jaffrey, July 11, 1821, and educated in the common schools of Jaffrey and Melville Academy. After attaining his majority he worked for a time in the general store of William Lacy at Jaffrey Center, after which, at the age of twenty-three years, he left the old homestead in Jaffrey and went to Boston, where with his step-brother, James Bowers, he entered the grocery business. Later he engaged in the flour and grain business and accumulated a large estate. In 1866 he returned to Jaffrey, where he spent the remainder of his life on the Shedd farm near Cheshire Factory.

In 1877 he built the Granite State Hotel, which was an addition of much importance to East Jaffrey. He was prominent in town affairs. He represented Jaffrey in the legislature in 1870 and 1871, and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1876. He was a member and generous supporter of the East Jaffrey Congregational Church, a director of the Monadnock National Bank, and vice-president of the Savings Bank.

AHe married Lucinda, daughter of Isaac and Betsey (Bailey) Stratton, (see Genealogy, Vol. II). She was born on the Isaac Bailey homestead in the south part of the town, afterward owned by her brother, Jonathan Wheelock Stratton, and still known as the "Wheelock Stratton place." Mr. Pierce died November 17, 1904.