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 4
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63
FIGHT WITH A BEAR.
every thing that came in its way, and then ex- pired. Knight was terribly lacerated by the claws of the bear, and sitting down by his now dead enemy, concluded to remain during the night. But the clouds clearing away shortly af- terward, and the moon shining out brightly, he changed his determination, and resolved to go home; and soon finding the path had no further difficulty in so doing.
The next morning, on returning with some of his neighbors to the place of encounter, they found a bear of the largest class, who gave evi- dent tokens that she was engaged in rearing her young. This circumstance probably induced her to make an attack upon him whom she consid- ered her natural enemy, which is a thing this species of animals in any other circumstances seldom do.
In March, 1784, he married Miss Mary Mer- rill, and moved into his cabin the day following the one he built it. It was so illy finished that he could lie in his bed and count the stars through the crevices in the roof. But in a few years Mr. Knight had a more comfortable dwell- ing.
This season he had a piece of corn a short dis- tance from his house, and the bears came into it so often that he was in danger of losing the whole. One day, a Mr. Homan, who had recently
64
HISTORY OF WARREN.
come into town, and afterward settled near by, came to see him; and when it was near evening Mr. Knight mentioned the circumstance, and Homan agreed to accompany him to take re- venge upon the bruin gentry. They then loaded their guns, and immediately proceeded to the corn field. Here they ensconced themselves be- hind an old root, turned up by the wind, and patiently waited until near ten o'clock without discovering any appearances of bears. Homan now begged Knight to return to the house; but almost instantly after they heard the bushes crack upon the opposite side of the field, and soon Homan and Knight, as they looked cau- tiously from their hiding-place, discovered the dark forms of two or three large bears approach- ing. Presently they stopped near by, and in the way they took the ears from the parent stock, reminding Knight and Homan of a good husk- ing frolic. Knight now fired and succeeded in wounding one of them, and the others imme- diately fled. The wounded bear was fast follow- ing his companions, when Knight ran in front to stop him. The animal, now mad with pain, made directly at his opposer, who was obliged to use the breech of his gun to defend himself. Homan during this time had stood looking on, and Knight now called lustily to him to shoot the bear. He advanced a few steps, but did not fire.
A
65
FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.
" Fire, you fool !" shouted Knight. Homan cock- ed his gun, and as Knight's words rang in his ears, turned his head in an opposite direction, and "let off." The contents took effect in the ground but a few feet from where he stood. Knight now used his gun barrel, which was bro- ken from the stock, with redoubled zeal about the bear, who, becoming weak from the loss of blood, fell under a few well directed blows, and Knight succeeded in dispatching him. When he had recovered his breath, he asked Homan why he fired so awkwardly. " Why, why," said Homan, "I ain't used to these running fires."
During the present season the inhabitants formed themselves into a union, for the purpose of better enabling them to build a school house. This they did without raising a direct tax, but by choosing a committee, who called upon them as fast as labor or lumber was wanted; and thus each worked in turn until it was finished. This school house stood a short distance above the present site of the railroad depots, nearly oppo- site the saw mill now owned by Mr. Alba C. Weeks, and for many years bore the name of " The Union School House." At the time of its erection there was no clearing save for the road, and no building nearer than Mr. Stephen Mer- rill's. All around was the silent old forest. In front murmured on the dark waters of Black 4*
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HISTORY OF WARREN.
brook; while behind, the never silent Baker river rushed furiously onward over its rocky bed, at times a furious torrent, and then again but little water in its channel. The sun, morning and evening, cast long shadows of huge pines and other forest trees before the school house door, while through the thick branches the blue tops of the distant mountains were seen. The building was built in the style common to those times; a huge fire-place occupying one end, and long rough benches and desks for the scholars. Instead of plastered walls, the room was ceiled with beautiful white pine boards, which would be considered almost treasures at the present time. As soon as finished, Mr. Nathaniel Knight was engaged to keep a school in it. Here, during the winter, three families in the immediate neigh- borhood sent twenty-five scholars.
In the granting of the townships upon the east side of Connecticut river by Gov. Went- worth, little regard was had to make the lines of townships to coincide; consequently, when the towns came to be settled, and the lines run again, quite a controversy arose as to where the lines were. Each town's charter bounded them to run so far, and in the running of the lines it proved that each town was claiming a part of the towns adjoining.
To settle these difficulties, the proprietors of
67
SETTLING THE BOUNDARIES.
many of the towns met at Plymouth ; but after a long and stormy meeting they were unable to effect it, but shortly after they nearly all united in petitioning the Legislature to effect it for them. This body immediately chose a committee to run the lines and report thereon. The committee chosen shortly proceeded to the work, and after- wards their report was accepted, and conse- quently the bounds of the towns established in their present position. By the running of the new lines the town of Warren lost a considerable por- tion of its territory, upon its southern and west- ern borders. Isaiah Batchelder and Thomas Clark were taken into Piermont. Simeon Smith, Peter Stevens, Joseph Kimball, and Lemuel Keazer into Wentworth. But the town of Warren, al- though it thus lost considerable of its territory, still contained more than was granted by its charter.
The road running upon the west side of the river in Wentworth to Warren did not cross the river as it now does, but kept upon the west side until it arrived near the present location of the mills owned by Mr. P. Baldwin, where it crossed Black brook and then kept on in its present course. The people who lived on the east side had always been obliged when they wished to go to the centre of the town to ford the river. To do this at times was a great inconvenience, and
68
HISTORY OF WARREN.
the proprietors, being petitioned by the inhabit- ants, granted them quite a sum to aid in the construction of a bridge to be located where the present one, spanning Baker river just below the village, now stands. But the sum which the pro- prietors had thus liberally bestowed was not suf- ficient to complete it, and the citizens the present year voted to finish it at the town's expense. Accordingly it was set up at auction shortly after their meeting, by the selectmen, and the one agreeing to do it for the smallest sum to have the job. Col. Obadiah Clement bidding six pounds, it was struck off to him. This was the first bridge ever built in Warren over Baker river, and as soon as done there were two roads lead- ing from the town on its southern border. The one on the east side of the river, passing over Red Oak hill, is not much travelled at the present time, except by the inhabitants near whose dwell- ings it runs.
1785. During this year the second saw-mill ever constructed in Warren was built by Mr. Stevens Merrill. It was located on the present site of the Baldwin mills. At this place the water fell nearly perpendicular over a ledge the distance of eight feet, and by constructing a short dam, six feet more of fall was secured ; thus affording an excellent water privilege. The proprietors paid him for erecting this mill the sum of twelve pounds.
69
NEW EMISSION OF MONEY.
Among the votes passed this year was one that constable Butler pay in the new Emission Money belonging to the town to the selectmen. This money was an emission of paper bills funded on real estate, and loaned on interest. The people felt themselves distressed by the burdensome taxes, and this appeared the most easy remedy. But this money shortly decreased much in value, and finally the act authorizing the issue of it was repealed.
In the year 1786 the selectmen failed to post up the necessary legal warning to call a town meeting for the choice of officers and transaction of other business for the year ; consequently, there was none holden, and the town was with- out its customary officers.
On the petition of several individuals, the Legislature which convened in June following appointed and authorized Capt. Absalom Peters to call a meeting of the inhabitants, for the pur- pose of choosing a town clerk, selectmen, and other necessary officers, according to law; and that Capt. Peters attend and open the meeting, and preside as moderator through the whole elec- tion.
By a resolve passed by the Legislature, Sep- tember 24, the selectmen of Warren were em- powered to take an inventory of all the polls and estates in town, and collect the inhabitants' taxes the same as if done in April, as the law directs.
70
HISTORY OF WARREN.
In the year 1787 there were two school dis- tricts in town. The first embraced all the south part of the town as far north as Mr. Joshua Copp's land, now Col. Charles Lane's. The second commenced at Esq. Copp's, and occupied the re- mainder of the town. The Upper School House, so called for many years, was built about this time. It was located near the residence of Enoch R. Weeks, Esq., and was quite a large and com- modious building, in which the inhabitants for many years after held their town meetings.
Col. Obadiah Clement at this time had an ac- count against the town of nine pounds, eleven shillings and three pence. This account was for recording upon the town books a journey to Ex- eter to get the town incorporated, drafting jury- men, &c. The town thought the account was unjust, and had voted at their previous meetings not to accept it. Col. Clement, believing that it was just, had held in his possession all the town books and papers, thinking to hold them until he received his pay. July 27, the town chose Jona- than Merrill, Joshua Merrill and Lieut. Ephraim True a committee to demand them, make a set- tlement with Col. Clement, and report at the next meeting. On the sixth of August another meeting was held and the committee's report was accepted. The town at this meeting voted to pay a part of Col. Clement's account, but he
71
TAXES PAID IN PRODUCE.
would not receive any part without the whole, and strongly demanded it ; but the town, still not willing to pay, chose Stevens Merrill and Lieut. Ephraim True a committee to farther treat with him, or to follow suit or suits at law, if he com- mence one or more against the town, to final end and execution. But Col. Clement did not choose to go to law, but still continued to pre- sent the matter to the citizens of the town, until
they were brought to see the justness of his claim, and at a subsequent meeting they voted to pay him his whole demand. The town would never have refused to pay the demand, had not a few individuals, who were enemies to him, by their plausible stories made the citizens believe that his account was illegal ; but finally justice, as it always should, and harmony, again prevailed among the early settlers.
At the regular meeting in 1788# the town voted to raise nine pounds to defray town charges, to be paid in wheat at five, rye at four and corn at three shillings per bushel. This was a very common pay for taxes, or for any
* Names of the individuals who had come into town from 1782 up to this time.
Samuel Knight,
Enoch Homans,
Caleb Homan,
Stephen Lund,
Nathaniel Knight,
Elisha Swett,
Stephen Richardson,
Levi Lufkin,
Nathaniel Clongh.
Aaron Welch,
John Stone,
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HISTORY OF WARREN.
other commodity they wished to buy. Money at this time was very scarce.
This year the town was obliged for the first time to make provision for a town pauper, al- though in a short time they found means to rid themselves of the person. On account of this, several poor persons, who were likely to gain a residence in town, were warned out, according to a law for that purpose.
In 1789* the road leading from the Society School-House, on the old Coos road, to Benton, was laid out. For several years after, Mr. Aaron Welch, who lived where Robert E. Merrill now does, was permitted by a vote of the town to have two gates upon it between his house and the Society School-House. There was also built, below where Mr. Jonathan M. Eaton now lives, a long bridge, running from the first bridge that now spans the little rill below his house, to the south end of the one over Patch brook. About this period several freshets occurred, causing Baker river to overflow its banks, and a large part of the water, uniting with the water of Patch brook, would naturally flow under this bridge. From this circumstance the people
* Names of those who moved into town in 1789.
John Abbot,
Abel Merrill, Jonathan Hidden,
Jonathan Fellows,
John Badger, Amos Little,
Ebenezer Hidden,
Samuel Fellows, Richard Pillsbury.
Silas Lund,
73
BRIDGE OVER PATCH BROOK.
thought it would require a bridge to span the whole distance from bank to bank. For this purpose the town raised twenty pounds to defray the expense, and chose Joseph Patch, Stephen Richardson, Stevens Merrill and Joshua Copp, to superintend the work; but the sum raised did not near finish the bridge, and a great deal more money was expended before it was completed. This bridge did not remain many years, for the people discovered that they might as well travel for three fourths of the distance upon the ground as upon its planks.
1791. This year chose Joseph Patch and Jon- athan Clement deer-keepers.
During the year Dr. Joseph Peters settled in town, and resided with Mr. Stevens Merrill. He was the first physician who ever lived in War- ren, and was a well educated man, and having good success in his practice, gave general satis- faction.
A committee was chosen at the town meeting to lay out several roads, viz .: one leading from C. William Whiteman's, who lived on the top of the height of land, round Tarlton pond upon the
New settlers in 1790.
Amos Clark, Daniel Pike,
John Gardner, James Little,
C. William Whiteman, Thomas Pillsbury.
Dr. Joseph Peters, Joseph Knight.
In 1791. David Badger, Enoch Page,
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HISTORY OF WARREN.
east side, and one leading from Mr. Joshua Mer- rill's, who lived where Mr. Stephen Lund now does, by Mr. Abel Merrill's, who lived on the place now owned by Nathaniel Merrill, jun., to Wentworth line. The roads up to this time were very poor, and the town was obliged to carry on a suit at law, which was commenced by some persons who had received injuries while travel- ling upon them, owing to the bad condition they were in.
* May 7, 1792. The people of Warren voted unanimously against all the amendments of the constitution, except the two last articles; for these there was an unanimous vote also.
In the year 1794, chose Joshua Copp, Reuben Batchelder, Joseph Patch, Thomas Boynton and John Whitcher, a committee to report where it would be convenient to set a meeting-house, and what measures were best to be taken to erect the same. At the next regular meeting this committee reported, but, through some unex- plained reason, took no action upon the matter, and the subject was dropped.
.
*New settlers in 1792.
Josiah Magoon,
Uriah Cross.
In 1793.
Abram Alexander, David S. Craig,
John Chase, Daniel Welch.
In 1794. Stephen Badger. In 1795.
Stephen Flanders,
Barnabas Niles.
75
ERECTION OF MEETING-HOUSE.
* In the spring of 1796, Reuben Batchelder and Stephen Flanders, jun., followed up Baker river to East Warren, and commenced settle- ments. Mr. Batchelder began on the place now occupied by Seth J. Brown, and Mr. Flanders just above him, on the place occupied by La- fayette W. Parker. The town at its regular meeting voted to lay them out a road, which was done that season; but for many years it was nothing more than a brushed out path. Mr. Batchelder lived on the place he this year com- menced upon for a number of years, when he sold out and began on the place now occupied by Mr. John Libbey. Here, in raising his house, he was accidentally killed.
In March, 1798, the town voted to accept a piece of land from Joshua Copp, Esq., situated on the easterly side of Mr. Copp's land, and on the north side of the highway leading to Haver- hill, for the purpose of erecting a meeting-house thereon, which was to be of the same size as the one at Rumney, and for a burying ground and
* New settlers in 1796.
Thomas Boynton, Nathan Barker, William Kelley,
James Harran, Dr. Levi Root, John Weeks, In 1797.
Joseph Jones, Olney Hawkins.
Benjamin Kelley,
Joseph Orn, In 1798.
Jesse Niles.
Dr. Ezra Bartlett, Asa Low,
James Dow, Abial Smith.
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HISTORY OF WARREN.
training field. Chose Joshua Copp, Esq., Joseph Patch, Stephen Richardson, Obadiah Clement, and Levi Lufkin, a committee to provide timber for the meeting-house, to be drawn the ensuing winter. Each individual was to pay for the house according to his proportion of taxes, and all should hold themselves in readiness to work on the building, after three days' notice given them by the committee. At a meeting of the town, held the ensuing summer, after considera- ble discussion, in which the subject of their ability to build was thoroughly canvassed, they voted to dispense with the idea of building a meeting-house for the present.
77
CHAPTER IV.
CIVIL HISTORY.
In July, 1799, Methodism was first introduced into Warren, by the Rev. Elijah R. Sabin. Rev. Mr. Sabin was a missionary in the cause, and travelled from town to town on horseback, preaching in the houses and barns of the people, wherever he could get a congregation to hear him. At the time of his first preaching in War- ren he had but little success ; but before leaving succeeded in forming a class, consisting of three members, viz .: Chase Whitcher, Dolly Whitcher, (afterwards the widow Atwell,) and Sarah Bar- ker; but many in hearing him preach were con- victed of the truth of his doctrine, and before the next conference they numbered about thirty members. During the summer season, for many years afterward, they held their meetings in a barn belonging to Mr. Aaron Welch, and during the winter in his house or the houses of the neighbors in the immediate vicinity. There was also quite a class formed upon the height of land, among the inhabitants living in the imme- diate vicinity of Tarlton pond. For many years Warren was a part of Landaff circuit.
In the spring of this year Mr. James Williams
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HISTORY OF WARREN.
settled on the north side of Baker river, in East Warren, nearly opposite Mr. Reuben Batchelder and Mr. Stephen Flanders, jun., and upon the place now owned by Jesse Eastman, and shortly after erected for himself a fine, large, framed house. The town, during the summer, laid out a road from the foot of the hill up to his house, and soon after his brother, Mr. Moses Williams, came and settled on the place now owned by Mr. Calvin Cummings. Mr. Caleb Homan set- tled on the place now occupied by Mr. Samuel Osborn, and not long after, Mr. Samuel Merrill settled upon the place where he now resides. These individuals were far from any settlement, and were almost pioneers in a wilderness; but in a few years they had fine farms, and even- tually were all men of considerable property.
March 20, 1800. Brought in forty votes against a revision of the constitution, and one in favor of it.
1801. The town voted this year not to build a meeting-house.
In the year 1802 the doctrine of the Free- will Baptists was first preached in Warren by the Rev. Joseph Boody, but no society was formed. His meetings were held at the house of
The new settlers in 1799 were
Benjamin Brown,
James Williams, In 1800.
Benjamin Gale.
Daniel Davis,
Samuel Jackson,
Luke Libbey, Job Eaton,
Jacob Low, Abel Willard.
1
79
LAST MOOSE.
Mr. Stevens Merrill. Mr. Merrill was highly pleased with Mr. Boody and his doctrine, and as he was an aged man, and thinking he might die when Mr. Boody was far away, he resolved to have his funeral sermon preached before Mr. Boody's departure. Accordingly, he signified his intention to the reverend gentleman, who com- plying, a day was appointed, and the sermon preached from II. Timothy, 4th chapter, 6th, 7th, and 8th verses: "For I am now ready to be of- fered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not me only, but unto all them that love his appearing." From this text it is said the Rev. Mr. Boody preached a very excel- lent discourse, and Mr. Merrill and his friends were well pleased. Mr. Merrill died two years after, in 1804, aged 72 years.
In the spring of 1803 were killed the last moose ever known in this section. Joseph Patch and Stephen Flanders, jun., had followed up Ba- ker river nearly to its source on a hunting excur- sion. The day was nearly spent, and they were thinking of building a camp in which to pass the night, when Patch, who was yet a keen hunter, discovered signs of moose, and that they were
80
HISTORY OF WARREN.
in their immediate vicinity. It was now nearly dark, and they knew it would be impossible to capture them that night. As they were so near the moose they did not dare build a large camp or light a fire, for they knew that it would frighten them away: so, breaking a few fir boughs, they formed themselves a bed upon the snow, and wrapping their blankets around them, laid down to spend the night. There were no clouds in the heavens, and the stars twinkled brightly above them, as seen through the clear, frosty air ; but the men were used to such scenes, and had often encountered them before; and so the night to them was far from being cheerless, and the morning dawned nearly as quick as if they were in their own snug homes. As soon as it was light they arose, and making a hasty meal from some almost frozen provisions, took the trail of the moose and proceeded cautiously forward. After travelling a short distance, and then turn- ing abruptly round a little spur of the hill, they discovered lying in a large yard, beside a little mountain stream, three fine large animals. Patch and Flanders now carefully examined their guns, and making sure that all was right, they each aimed at a different moose and fired. This brought all three of the fine large creatures to their feet; but two of them, after staggering about for a few moments, fell dead, while the
*
81
PLAN OF THE TOWN.
third started off at a smart trot down the stream ; without waiting a moment, they sent their dogs after him, and, loading their guns, immediately pursued, and in less than half an hour came up and killed the third. They then went to work, dressed and quartered the moose, and then hung them up in trees, and started for the settlement, where, procuring help and sleds, they returned and brought home their fine morning's work. Thus perished the last of that race of animals in this section, so many of which at one time roamed in the valleys around Moosehillock mountain.
At the regular meeting, in 1804, the town voted to choose a committee of three persons, to provide an accurate plan of the town of Warren. Chose Joseph Patch, Nathaniel Clough and Sam- uel Knight, for the committee. These individ- uals had a difficult task before them; but by procuring copies of all the surveys previously made, they at last produced the fine plan which now stands as a front-piece in the old book con- taining the records of the first proprietors of Warren, and which plan has been so much used by the citizens of the town. The plan is now nearly worn out, and the town will in a short time be greatly in need of a new one; and it is to be hoped that they will follow the excellent example set them by many other towns in the 5
82
HISTORY OF WARREN.
State, which is that of having a plan accurately printed.
The town appointed the selectmen a commit- tee to unite with the selectmen of Ellsworth to look out a convenient location for a road from Ellsworth (once called Trecothick,) to Warren, and report thereon. This committee proceeded to the work for which they were chosen, and examined the section of the country between the two towns ; but as no record was made of any report, or any action of the town taken upon it afterwards, it is probable the committee thought the route highly impracticable.
A small burying cloth was bought by the town, of Col. Obadiah Clement and Jonathan Clement, and Aaron Welch's house chosen as a place of deposit.
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