USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Warren > History of the town of Warren, N.H., from its early settlement to the year 1854: including a sketch of the Pomigewasset Indians > Part 3
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After receiving the new charter, the proprie- tors, at their subsequent meetings, evinced a much more liberal spirit toward new settlers; indeed, it was for their interest thus to do, that
44
HISTORY OF WARREN.
they might not incur the penalty of another forfeiture. Therefore, until the breaking out of the Revolutionary War the settlements were more rapid than for several years after.
During the four succeeding years quite a number of young men came and made begin- nings, without forming any permanent settle- ment. These were sent by the proprietors, that they might fulfil their obligations in relation to the charter.
In the year 1772 Col. Obadiah Clement came from Sandown to Warren, and settled on the farm of James M. Williams. Col. Clement was born in Kingston, N. H., Feb. 19, 1743, and mar- ried Sarah Batchelder, who was born at Hamp- ton, June 30, 1747. He built his house some distance to the eastward of Mr. Williams' build- ings; and as there was considerable meadow on his place, which he had bought of Col. Jonathan Greely previous to his coming to Warren, he had no difficulty in procuring hay enough to keep his considerable stock of cattle which he drove
up. A few years after Col. Clement's settlement, as he was ploughing a piece of land a short dis- tance from his house, which he had before no- ticed gave every indication of having many years previous been burnt over, he turned up several relicts of Indians. A greater portion of the farms which lie in this valley it is believed
45
EARLY SETTLERS.
once composed the bed of a natural pond, and here on its shores it is supposed the Indians had an encampment. Through this valley also laid one of the great routes of the Indians from the Connecticut to Baker river valley .*
During the year 1773 Jonathan Clement, a brother to Obadiah Clement, moved upon the place where Enoch R. Weeks now resides. He had the previous year accompanied his brother to Warren, and made commencements upon the place. Reuben Clement, another brother, also came to Warren this year, and for some time re- sided with his brothers.
Simeon Smith settled on the place now owned by Rawson Clifford, of Wentworth. Warren, his son, it is claimed was the first white child born in Warren, and was named for the town; but it is said on good authority that a daughter of Joshua Copp was the first. If this is the case, he was the first male, and perhaps the first child, as it is said there were but a few days between their births.
* There are also many other indications which prove that the Indians once resided in Warren. On the farm first settled by Mr. Samuel Knight were plowed up quite a number of arrow heads, stone gouges, &c. Arrow heads have also been found by Mr. Moses Kimball, and by - Mr. James Dow. Mr. Nathaniel Merrill, 2d, recently found in his field a portion of a curious stone bowl, which gives every indication of having been of Indian manufacture. What there is left of it shows that when entire it must have been at least eight inches in length, five inches in breadth, and four inches in depth. Upon each end are small ridges, evidently designed to assist in holding it more firmly in the hand.
46
HISTORY OF WARREN.
Ephraim Lund came about this time and made a settlement near Tarlton pond.
Shortly afterward, a little south of Mr. Lund, Thomas Clark and Isaiah Batchelder began settle- ments. These last named individuals received their land from Philip White, one of the propri- etors.
Chase Whitcher, from Salisbury, commenced in the north part of the town, on the place now occupied by James Harriman, and for many years was the only family in this part of War- ren. In the year 1779 he was married to Han- nah Merrill. His nearest neighbor was Mr. Oba- diah Eastman, who about this time settled in the south part of Benton. Shortly after Mr. Eastman's settlement he ascended to the top of Owl-head Mountain, being the first white man who ever stood upon its summit. This moun- tain has always been celebrated for the great quantities of blueberries which annually grow upon it, and as it was the season for them to be ripe, Mr. Eastman beheld an abundance of deli- cious fruit around him. Not willing to return home without taking a quantity of it with him, he began to think of what kind of a basket he should have to carry it in. His first thought was to construct a birchen bucket, but, upon putting his hand in his pocket for his knife, he found that he had not taken that useful article
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ยท
EARLY SETTLERS.
with him. Here was a dilemma; but necessity was the mother of an invention in this case as well as in many others. After thinking for a few moments, he deliberately took of his leather breeches which he had on, and tying up the extremities, went to work, and in a short time filled them with berries. Then carefully placing them upon his shoulders, he descended the moun- tain, passing through the thick woods which covers its sides, and at last, after receiving not a few scratches, arrived at home.
William Heath lived in this town about this time, but had no particular place of residence.
Mr. Stevens Merrill and his son Jonathan, with their families, moved into town in 1775. They were from Plaistow, and lived for a short time with Mr. Joseph Patch, who, two years before, had married a daughter of Mr. Merrill. Shortly afterwards they moved upon the place where Mr. Samuel Bixby now lives.
Joshua Merrill was born in Newbury, Mass., and came to Warren in 1775. He settled on the place now occupied by Mr. Stephen Lund, where he lived till about the year 1810, when, with his only son, Joshua Merrill, jun., he moved to the west. But he soon returned, and having lost his wife, lived with one of his daughters in Bos- ton, where he died in 1839 or 1840, aged one hundred years.
48
HISTORY OF WARREN.
Capt. William Butler, from Brentwood, came into town in 1775, and took up his residence with Mr. Mills. Shortly after, Mr. Mills was ac- cidentally killed while felling trees, and Capt. Butler having married one of his daughters, bought out the heirs and continued to live on
the place. A short time afterward he commenc- ed to build a grist-mill upon Baker river, almost directly in front of his house, and a little below the spot where the large railroad bridge now spans its waters. For so doing he afterwards re- ceived quite a bounty from the proprietors. Here the first settlers brought their grains, first products of a virgin soil, and listened, as they waited for their grists, to the music of the water wheels, combined with the buzz of rude mill- stones. Around was the old forest wood, scarce undisturbed, and in its depths the gay birds ca- roled forth their beautiful songs ; or in winter, when heavy snows were upon the ground, the shrill wind piped its music through the now leaf- less branches. But years rolled on and the old mill fell to decay, and now scarce a vestige of it is to be seen. The school boy who goes to swim in what was once the pond, wonders for what purpose those old timbers which he sees in the water were there placed.
About this time commenced the American Revolution. The policy of Great Britain tow-
49
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
ards this country for many years previous was in every way tyrannical and oppressive, and well calculated to call into action the efforts of every friend of liberty ; and a people in whose very natures were born the principles of freedom were not long in rising to repel these oppressive acts of injustice.
" True hearted volunteers rallied to the calls of the brave and wise men of our country, im- bued with a spirit worthy of the little band which defended the pass of Thermopyla. They fought and conquered, and their declining years were cheered with the knowledge that the coun- try, for which they had struggled so long and fearfully, was prosperous and happy, and that their deeds were gratefully remembered."
The citizens of Warren were not behind those of other towns in points of patriotism, consid- ering their numbers and ability. Many individ- uals bravely left their homes and rallied around the American standard, determining to fight for their country's cause rather than bow to despotic oppression. The town, though then unorganiz- ed, raised men and paid them for serving in sev- eral campaigns.
When Burgoyne, with his army invaded Ver- mont and New York, that General purposely sent out several companies of soldiers, with papers upon them, purporting that three detach-
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HISTORY OF WARREN.
ments of soldiers and tories were to be sent to the Connecticut river valley : one to Newbury, one to Royalton, and one to Charlestown, N. H. One of these parties was captured by a company of Americans and brought to Charlestown, and the papers found upon them. The news spread through the country with great rapidity, and filled the people with consternation. They immedi- ately left their homes with such light articles as they could carry, and driving their cattle be- fore them fled into the back towns. Many who lived at Haverhill and Newbury came to Warren, and for the short time they were here, were gen- erously provided for by the inhabitants. At that time Col. Obadiah Clement kept a tavern, and as it was a convenient place of accommodation, many went to his house. In the hurry and ex- citement of those times we cannot reasonably expect that they were burdened with funds, and consequently many were unable to pay Col. Clement. But he sustained them gratuitously, remarking, "I had much rather give my prop- erty to my fellow countrymen, than be forced to pay any part of it to king George or his imps." But the sending of these companies to the Connecticut valley was only a stratagem of Burgoyne, to divert the Americans from his army, but it returned upon his own head with a vengeance ; for the people were aroused by it,
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
and they flocked to the standard of General Stark in scores, wisely concluding that it was best to attack him at his head quarters, rather than he should send his soldiers abroad to devas- tate the surrounding country.
Immediately after the return of their Haver- hill and Newbury friends to their homes, Joshua Copp, Esq., Reuben Clement and Joseph Whitch- er, left Warren and joined the forces of Gen. Stark, and fought under him at the battle of Bennington, where this brave New-Hampshire son, though acting independently of Congress, rendered such efficient service to his country, and, as said by eminent historians, "turned the fortune of war."
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CHAPTER III.
CIVIL HISTORY.
IN the year 1779 the General Court of New- Hampshire passed an act, that whereas the towns of Warren, Wentworth, Bath and Canaan, owing to their unsettled state, had not paid their due proportion of State and Continental taxes, the State Treasurer issue his warrant against them, and collect their due proportion of taxes for the years 1777, 1778 and 1779; and it was further enacted, that as the towns of Warren and Went- worth had not their necessary officers, Samuel Emerson, of Plymouth, N. H., be authorized to call meetings in the towns of Warren and Went- worth.
Pursuant to the conditions of this act, the in- habitants of the town of Warren were notified to meet at the house of Obadiah Clement, on Thursday, the twenty-eighth day of July, 1779. At this, the first meeting of the inhabitants of Warren under the new State organization, Joshua Copp, Esq., was chosen moderator, Obadiah Clem- ent town-clerk, and then adjourned to meet the twelfth day of August at the same place.
At the adjourned meeting, Obadiah Clement, Joshua Copp, Esq., and Israel Stevens were
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FIRST TOWN MEETING.
chosen selectmen for the present year. Simeon Smith, constable, William Butler, Reuben Clem- ent and Thomas Clark, surveyors of highways.
At a meeting, warned by the selectmen and holden on the twenty-eighth day of August, chose Gardner Dustin moderator, and then voted to raise one hundred and fifty pounds, to lay out on highways, and one hundred pounds to defray town charges the present year.
In the month of February, 1780, Obadiah Clement received a commission, appointing him captain of the ninth company of the twelfth regiment of militia, at that time commanded by Col. Israel Morey. By it he was required to hold himself in readiness to answer to all calls of the Committee of Safety, or any superior officer, according to military usage and discipline.
This commission was given by an order of the Council, then in session at Exeter, and signed by the Hon. Meshech Weare, the first President or Governor of New-Hampshire. For an individ- ual to hold a captain's commission in those times was a high honor, and there was no greater day with the first settlers than that when they met to perform military duty. For uniforms, good woolen frocks and strong tow trowsers were more numerous than any others. For arms to use on such occasions they had blunderbusses, which looked as though they had done service in the
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HISTORY OF WARREN.
days of old Noll; ancient and marvelously wrought fowling pieces, and muskets taken from the French. The sound of the drum and the shrill notes of the fife would take away the stooping position caused by hard labor, and a martial, dignified air was the result of that music, as its strains echoed over the forest from hill to hill. The first training took place on the farm of Joshua Copp, Esq. This farm had been cultivated nearly as long as any in town, and consequently, in respect to stumps and logs as obstructions, would be more free than those cleared at a subsequent date.
This year it was voted to raise one hundred and fifty pounds to defray town charges, and seven hundred and fifty pounds to be laid out on highways at nine pounds per day. This was con- tinental currency, and for many causes had de- preciated to its present value. Some of the causes were that the British government used every exertion to get public opinion to run in a channel against it, and it was also extensively counterfeited. Thus were the finances of our government in a measure almost ruined.
On the 10th of July, 1780, a meeting of the inhabitants was called. When assembled they " voted to raise soldiers to serve in the war at the present time."
Joshua Copp, Esq., and Obadiah Clement were
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SOLDIERS FOR THE WAR.
chosen a committee to procure the same for the town, and also " Voted, to exempt those who had done turns in the war until others had done turns equalling them." Thus did the hardy and patri- otic inhabitants of Warren, like the rest of their countrymen, although poor and still in their in- fancy, raise soldiers and pay them for serving in the war which they deemed just and right to be carried on. It was also voted at the same meet- ing to pay the soldiers who served in the militia belonging to the town, the same amount when they were called up, that the soldiers hired by the town receive.
The number of legal voters in town this year was twenty-five .*
Early the ensuing year the selectmen were empowered to hire one more man to serve in the continental army during the war, or for three years. The individual that the selectmen hired at this time was Charles Bowls, a young minister of the Baptist persuasion, who had re-
* Names of the Legal Voters of Warren for the year 1780.
William Butler,
Daniel Clark,
Joshua Merrill,
Isaiah Batchelder,
Ephraim Lund,
Simeon Smith,
Thomas Clark,
Joseph Lund, Ephraim True,
Joshua Copp, Obadiah Clement,
John Morrill,
Moses True,
Stevens Merrill,
Chase Whitcher,
Jonathan Clement,
Jonathan Merrill,
Reuben Whitcher,
Reuben Clement, John Marston,
John Whitcher.
Gardner Dustin,
Nathaniel Niles,
Joseph Kimball,
Joseph Patch,
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HISTORY OF WARREN
cently moved into town and commenced upon the place now owned by Mr. Chase Marston ; and after the war was over he came back and resided there many years. Mr. Bowls, though a minister of the gospel, and an advocate of peace, was a high whig, and ardently espoused the cause of freedom, and used his influence to in- crease the band of patriots; and when there were none at home who could conveniently leave their families, he, being then a young, un- married man, shouldered a musket and joined those who were enduring every privation and toil for their country's cause.
About this time a convention was held at Charlestown, N. H., and Obadiah Clement was chosen to attend it. The town also chose Joshua Copp, Esq., William Butler, John Whitcher, Thomas Clark and Josiah Batchelder a commit- tee to give him instruction in relation to the course which he should pursue at the conven- tion.
* At the regular meeting for the choice of town officers the present year, a committee was chosen, consisting of Joshua Copp, Esq., and Col. Obadi- ah Clement, to provide a stock of provision for the town, to be dealt out in case of alarm ; the
* The new settlers in the year 1781 were
Peter Stevens, Jonathan Foster,
Henry Sunbury,
Joseph French,
William Whiteman,
William Tarlton,
Amos Heath,
Charles Bowls, John Hinkson.
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A STOCK OF PROVISION.
stock of provision to consist of two hundred pounds of flour and two hundred pounds of beef. The reason for this was, not but what every man had provision enough, but they had apprehen- sions that their friends in the towns north might be obliged to pay them a visit.
Vermont, at the time of the Revolution, al- though she acted a conspicuous part, and her sons by their heroic deeds and whole-souled pat- riotism gained their distinctive appellation, The Green Mountain Boys ; a title which their descend- ants are proud to bear to this day, was not ac- knowledged as an independent State by Congress ; and although she asked admittance, Congress did not dare to grant it, for the States of New-Hamp- shire, New York and Massachusetts, each had conflicting claims to the territory ; and it was be- lieved by Congress that it would not be policy to decide in favor of either. The British gov- ernment were well aware of this fact, and of the excited state of feeling in Vermont in regard to it, and they entertained strong hopes that they should detach her from the common cause and bring her to espouse the interests of the mother country. For this purpose they employed indi- viduals to travel in every town, to influence public opinion in their favor. To do this they promised the most liberal rewards to all who would favor them, and threatening with ven- 4
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HISTORY OF WARREN.
geance all who should favor the interests of the country. Many would listen to these proposals, but Vermont had her true men in every settle- ment, and these were particular objects of hatred to those tories whom the British government generally employed for this work. To secure these, burn their dwellings and carry their pris- oners to Canada, that they might be rid of their influence, was the object of many expeditions of the tories into the grants.
The towns of Haverhill and Newbury suf- fered much by these expeditions, but Newbury to a far greater extent than Haverhill. There were many individuals in these towns whom the tories were desirous of taking, and the people were every day in danger of an attack. This being known by the citizens of Warren, that they might not be without the necessary means for rendering assistance provided it was wanted, pro- cured the above stores.
In the year 1783, Obadiah Clement was chosen to represent, in the General Court to be holden at Exeter in 1784, the towns of Warren, Went- worth and Coventry, (now Benton.) This was the first representative who went from Warren, but the town had been represented before, but as it was classed with other towns the representation was previously from them. Mr. Clement, of whom we have several times before spoken, was
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FIRST SCHOOL.
a young man of much ability, but never had the advantages of a liberal education, having attend- ed school but two days in his life ; notwithstand- ing, he was a well informed man for those times, and could write a very legible hand, and was ca- pable of doing any town business. Thus we find him during the first organization of the town taking the lead in its affairs.
* The town previous to this time had done nothing for the support of public schools, but there had been many private ones patronized by individuals, and they in this way had done as much for educating their children as other towns around them. But this year they commenced those public schools of which we have enjoyed so many privileges, and to which New England people principally owe their standing in the world. There was no school house in Warren at this time ; and the first public school was taught in a barn owned by Mr. Stevens Merrill, by Miss Abigail Arling. For her services she received the sum of three pounds. Here, for three months during the summer, the young lads and lasses studied their Psalter and Primer, (the only books used at that time,) in a building without windows. When it was a sunny day the light of a beauti- ful gold color streamed through the many crev-
* The new settlers in the year 1782 were
Jonathan Harbord,
Moses Noyes, Henry Shaw,
Nicholas Whiteman, Gordon Hutchins, Barnabas Holmes.
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HISTORY OF WARREN.
ices, reflecting in its rays the myriads of particles ever floating in the air. If it was cloudy, the big barn doors were thrown wide open, that they might better see to learn the lessons assigned them. For seats they had rough boards, placed upon blocks, and their tables were of the same materials. In the roof the merry swallows, as they built their nests and fed their young, twit- tered with a joyous happiness. The following winter there was a private school kept in Mr. Merrill's house.
Up to this time all records belonging to the town had been kept upon slips of paper, and the town now having purchased the necessary books, paid Mr. Obadiah Clement the sum of eighteen shillings for transferring the records to them.
Among the many persons who had recently moved into town was Mr. Samuel Knight. He commenced this season upon the place where he resided until his death, in 1846. Mr. Knight, al- though not a very large man, possessed great muscular power, and was well calculated to con- vert the wild forest into fruitful fields. He being unmarried, for a greater part of the time during this season boarded with Mr. Stevens Merrill, but sometimes would, when he had provision enough, remain in his camp over night. One unusually hot day in the month of June, when he had been hard at work felling trees, he concluded so to do;
.
61
SAMUEL KNIGHT.
and although if it should happen to storm it might not afford a very good shelter from the rain, still it was such a beautiful day he thought it would be amply sufficient for the night. He ate his supper, and then sat down to enjoy the beautiful scene. The moon was just rising, and showed its bright round upper edge, as it stole slowly up between Cushman and Carr mountains. The twinkling stars came out one by one, and made the blue azure vault overhead glow as if set with innumerable diamonds. The frogs croak- ed with a joyous tone, for they were filled with gladness by the genial warmth the summer sun imparted. The night-hawk screamed sharply as it flew circling round overhead, or uttered its heavy pouze as it dove swiftly down. The whip- powil sang its happy chant in the alders by the purling brook, accompanied by the voices of its happy mates. But as he sat meditating on this beautiful solitary scene, he was suddenly startled by the sharp flash of lightning, followed by the low rumbling of distant thunder. A few mo- ments more and the before beautiful sky was completely enveloped with the dark clouds which the freshening breeze now rolled up. Soon the big drops began to patter down in quick succes- sion, accompanied by the crashing of the bellow- ing thunder, which rolled along the hill tops and echoed through the many defiles which were
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HISTORY OF WARREN.
now lighted up by the almost continued blaze of sharp flashing lightning. The rain poured down in torrents, and Knight's clothes were soon thor- oughly saturated by the falling water. Cold and wet he made up his mind to go home. The clouds had not cleared away, and he had proceed- ed but a short distance before he found that he had undertaken a task not to be easily accom- plished. When he arrived at Berry brook he found it very much swollen by the rain. He waded through and followed on until he came to the foot of the hill near where Albert Bixby now lives. Here he lost his path, and while searching about for it was startled by a low, deep growl, and looking up he saw what appeared to be two balls of fire directly before him ; and the break- ing of the many dry twigs told Knight that some large animal was approaching. He shouted, but that only accelerated the speed of the bear, for such it proved to be, which in a few moments was "upon him : and rearing upon its hind feet grasp- ed Knight with its fore paws. It was a desper- ate time for him, but his right arm was free, and quick as thought he pulled a knife from his pocket, and, opening it with his teeth, thrust it with desperate force into the side of the bear. Luckily it pierced its heart, and instantly relax- ing its hold, reeled around upon the ground in mad frenzy for a few moments, striking with fury
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