Primary Sources

Jacob Prescot was the third of four children born to Weare and Mary Prescott of Deerfield. He was born in 1822.

• Click here to see his family pedigree from Deerfield's official history.

He was married in 1847 to Abbigail J. Hobbs of Deerfield. At that time, he was a Cavalry Lieutenant in the 18th New Hampshire Militia. He was promoted to Captain four years later, in 1851. Presumably, he served in the Mexican-American War during this period. He eventually married a second time, to Sarah A. Ring.

Sarah and Jacob Prescott owned a hotel - the Glenwood House - in Deerfield Parade from the mid-1800s until their deaths in 1899 and 1908, respectively.

Below are some of the primary sources the students consulted when researching the life of Jacob Prescott:

Prescott's Gravestone	Deerfield Town Vital Records concerning Prescott and his wives
Deerfield's entry in the 1900 New Hampshire State Directory, including a listing for Glenwood House, Prescott's hotel.	A transcript of Prescott's will
Basic information about NH's 18th Volunteer Militia and Prescott's service in it	The Inventory of personal property from Prescott's probate documents (everything he owned at the time of his death)
Map of Deerfield Center in 1892, indicating the location of Prescott's house	Prescott's obituary

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Jacob Prescott's Grave

CAPT. JACOB W. PRESCOTT BORN MAY 7, 1822 DIED OCT 7, 1906 SARAH A. PRESCOTT WIFE OF CAPT. JACOB W. PRESCOTT BORN OCT. 17, 1827 DIED JAN 8, 1899.

Jacob Prescott and his wife Sarah are buried in the Cemetery at Deerfield Parade. They are buried near other members of Prescott's family. Their gravestone is the first monument a visitor sees coming through the cemetery's gate. Click here to see an interactive map of the cemetery.

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Deerfield Town Records

Marriages - 1847 : Nov. 25th - Mr. Jacob W. Prescott to Miss Abigail J. Hobbs, both of Deerfield

Deaths - 1899: Name - Sarah A. Prescott Place of Death - Deerfield Date - Jan. 8 Sex - F Color - W Condition - M Years - 71 Mo's - 2 Days - 20 Place of Birth - Deerfield Occupation - Housewife Disease or Cause of Death - Paresis Name of Father - Alajah Ring Maiden Name of Mother - Maria Scriggins Birthplace of Father - Birthplace of Mother - Portsmouth

Deaths - 1908: Name - Jacob W. Prescott Place of Death - Deerfield Date - Oct. 27 Sex - M Color - W Condition - Widower Years - 86 Mo's - 5 Days - 20 Place of Birth - Deerfield Occupation - Innkeeper Disease or Cause of Death - Senile Bronchitis Name of Father - Weare Prescott Maiden Name of Mother - Locke Birthplace of Father - Deerfield Birthplace of Mother - Epsom

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From Regimental Records of the 18th NH Volunteer Militia during the Mexican-American War. (Courtesy NH State Archives)

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The Last Will and Testament of Jacob W. Prescott

In the name of God, Amen. I Jacob W. Prescott of Deerfield in the county of Rockingham and the State of New Hampshire, being weak in body but of sound mind [and] perfect memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say:

First: I give and bequeath to my son Woodbury W. Prescott, if living at the time of my decease the sum of one dollar.

Second: I give and bequeath out of my personal estate to Mrs. Josephine Prescott of Spencer, Mass, widow of my son Holbrook C(?). Prescott, the sum of twenty-five dollars.

Third: I give and bequeath to each of my grandchildren, Harry R. Prescott, Mrs. Abbie J. Pye, Perley R. Prescott, Grey(?) A. Prescott, George W. Prescott, Flora E. Prescott and Ruth M. Prescott, Children of my son Holbrook C(?) Prescott the sum of twenty-five dollars apiece.

Fourth: I give and bequeath to my nephew George N(?). Prescott of Durham, N.H., Son of my brother Samuel Prscott all the rest, residue, and remainder of my personal estate, and I hereby appoint my said nephew, George N(?). Prescott sole executor of this my last will and testamet.

In witness hereof I have herunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of May 1902.

J. W. Prescott


Signed, sealed and declared to be his last will and testament in presence of us, who in his presence and at his request and in presence of each other have subscribed our names and witnesses thereto,

George H. Stevens
Frank Adams
George W. Danforth

Click here to see Jacob Prescott's actual will

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Jacob Prescott's Obituary

From the Manchester Union 23 October 1908: DEERFIELD CENTER. Special to The Union. DEERFIELD CENTER, Dec. 23 - Capt. Jacob W. Prescott, aged 84 years, died early this morning at Deerfield Parade, where he had for many years been proprietor of the Glenwood house. Mr. Prescott was at one time a captain of a company of cavalry in the Eighteenth regiment, New Hampshire militia. He was twice married, his first wife being Abby J. Hobbs and his second wife, Sarah A. Ring.

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Map of Deerfield Center in 1892

A house belonging to "J.W. Prescott" is indicated at the Eastern corner of the triangle of roads forming Deerfield Parade. This is where his hotel, the Glenwood House was located. Click on the map for a larger view.

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Return to the Jacob Prescott project

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