USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Warner > The history of Warner, New Hampshire, for one hundred and forty- four years, from 1735 to 1879 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
In 1782, Col. Warner returned to Roxbury, Conn., his native town, in hopes of obtaining relief from the painful disorders under which he was suffering; but his hopes proved fallacious. He gradually wasted away until the 26th of December, 1784, when an end was put to his sufferings. He was 41 years of age at the time of his death. He died poor; but in October, 1787, the legislature of Vermont generously granted to his heirs two thousand acres of land, in the north- west part of the county of Essex.
One sketch of his short life closes with these words:
"Col. Warner was buried with the honors of war, which were justly due his merits. The Rev. Thomas Canfield preached from the text, 'How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished.' An immense concourse of people attended his funeral, and the whole was performed with uncommon decency and affec- tion. He left an amiable consort and three children to mourn their irreparable loss."
210
HISTORY OF WARNER.
A modest white shaft marks the place of his rest, in the old cemetery of his kindred, at Roxbury. And
Oh ! where can dust to dust Be consigned so well, As where Heaven its dews shall shed On the martyred patriot's bed, And the rocks shall raise their head Of his deeds to tell.
CHAPTER XVI.
WARNER'S FIRST MEETING-TOWN RECORDS-WAR-NOTES-THE CENSUS-SAGE TEA-THE CRISIS AT HAND-CONVENTION OF THE PEOPLE-GOVERNOR WENTWORTH.
ARNER is now a body corporate, having a legal name. A new era in its history here com-
mences. The public interests, which have been main- ly controlled by the proprietors, are now conducted by the town. Hereafter taxes are levied not simply upon lands, but upon all estates, both personal and real. Under the town organization every man is a man, whether rich or poor; every one is permitted to have a voice in the management of public affairs.
The warrant for the first meeting of the legal town of Warner is in the words following :
Province of 3 By power and authority Received from His New Hampshire > Excellency, John Wentworth, Esq. these are to notify and warn the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the town of Warner to assemble and meet together on Tuesday ye fourth Day of october next insuing at the meeting house at ten of the clock in the forenoon To act as followeth-
1 ly to chuse a moderator To Regulate said meeting
2 ly to chuse a Town Clerk
3 ly to chuse a constable
4 ly to chuse Selectmen
212
HISTORY OF WARNER.
5 ly to chuse other Town officers as the law Directs
6 ly to see if the town will Except of the Rev. mr. Wm Kelley for their minister and confirm all their former votes and Proceed- ings
7 ly to see what method the town will come into for mending the highways in said town
8 ly to see if the town will Build a Bridge over the River in said Town
9 ly to see if the Town will get the Books that are wanting and consider what some or somes of money the town shall think Proper to be Raised to Defray the charges of the present year
10 ly to act on any other Business the town shall think Proper to be done when met
Dated Warner Sept. ye 17th day } Francis Davis, and in the year 1774. By appointment.
WARNER TOWN-MEETING.
Under the above warrant the town of Warner met for the first time. At the hour of ten, Francis Davis stood up in the majesty of the law and called the assemblage to order. Rev. Mr Kelley invoked the Divine blessing. The warrant was then read, and the town proceeded to business, a record of which is here given verbatim and in full :
At A Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of this Town of Warner Legely Warned and held at their meeting House In said Town on tuesday the 4th Day of October 1774 at ten of the clock in the forenoon of which meeting Mr. Isaac Chase was Chosen moderator-
Voted at Said meeting that Daniel. Flanders Should be Town Clerk for the Present year-
Voted at said meeting that mr. Stephen Edmunds Should be Constable for the present year-
Voted at the same meeting that Capt. Daniel Flood should be the first Select man for the present year-
213
WARNER TOWN-MEETING.
Voted at said meeting that Lt. Jacob Waldron Should be the second Select man for the Present year-
also voted that Mr. Isaac Chase Should be the third Select man the Present year-
Voted at said meeting that Capt. Daniel Flood be a tything- man for said year-
Voted at said meeting Capt. Francis Davis be a tythingman for said year-
Voted at said meeting that mr. Daniel Annis, sen. Should be a Seveare of the highways for the Present year-
Voted at the same meeting that mr. Isaac Waldron, sen. be a sevare of highway the Present year-
also Voted at the same meeting that Deacon Nehemiah Heath Should be the third seveare of highway the Present year-
Voted at said meeting that abner Watkins Should be a seveare of Highway the Present year-
Voted at same meeting that Daniel Currier should be a Fence Vewer for the said Present year-
also Voted at said meeting that Isaac Waldron, Junior, should be Hogg Reaf for the present year-
Voted at said meeting that Moses Clark should be Leather Sealler for the Present year-
also voted that Mr. Daniel Annis should be Sealler of waits and measures for the present year-
also voted that Paskey Pressey should be Field Driver for the present year-
also voted at said meeting to Recieve the Rev. mr. Wm Kelley as the town's minister and Establish all the former votes and Records of said Inhabitants-
also voted at said meeting that the highways should be cleared and mended the present year-
Voted at said meeting to build a Bridge over the River this fall-
also voted that the Select men should procure a Book to keep the Records of the town and to record the Children and the mark of the Beast in
also voted to Raise 24 pounds Lawful Money to repair highways
also voted that men and oxen shall work at 2 shilling lawfull money per Day.
214
HISTORY OF WARNER.
Thus closes the record of the first Warner town- meeting. It has no signature, but it stands in the hand-writing of Daniel Flanders, who that day was chosen the first clerk of the town.
It thus appears that the persons who had the honor of being the first civil officers in the legal town of Warner were,-
Isaac Chase, moderator. Daniel Flanders, town-clerk. Daniel Flood, Jacob Waldron, Selectmen.
Isaac Chase,
These officers were well distributed over town,- Chase at the Stephen George place, Flanders at the Lower Village, about opposite the present blacksmith shop, Flood on Denney hill, and Waldron on the Gould road. These officers were elected for only the fraction of a year (five months), but the election was none the less important on that account. It was the first under the charter. It was the initial step in the new-born town. The election was held under author- ity, directly descended, of George the Third, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. It was held on a bright, autumnal day, in the little humble frame church at the Parade, which cost sixty dollars. The town was out in full force, the number of voters at that time being about 45, and the population of the town about 225.
215
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1775.
There were no national parties then ; all were sub- ject to the Crown. There were no whigs or tories, no democrats or republicans, no slavery-propagandists or free-soilers. There were no local parties,-no prohi- " bition or license party, no cranberry or hoop-pole par- ty. There were no caucuses, no rallying-committees, no vote-distributors. No pledges were made, to be broken,-no promises, to be forgotten. " Everything was lovely, and the goose hung high."
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1775.
Daniel Flood, moderator. Daniel Flanders, town-clerk. Daniel Annis, sen., Abner Watkins, Selectmen. Joseph Sawyer,
At this meeting a full complement of highway sur- veyors, hog-reeves, tythingmen, fence-viewers, field- drivers, sealers of leather and of weights and meas- ures, cullers of staves, and corders of wood, was chosen.
"Voted that Ebenezer Eastman being chosen sevear of the highways should be Reconsidered and he not serve.
" Voted at said meeting that Samuel Trumbull should be a seveare of the highways for the year Insuing."
PALMER ONCE MORE.
At an adjourned meeting, held May 2, 1775, the record says, " Capt. Daniel Flood stood moderator."
" Voted at said meeting that all the rates of Mr. Jonathan Palmer for his own head for years past and for the Present year should be Blotted out of all Rates."
216
HISTORY OF WARNER.
WAR-NOTES.
" At the same meeting, voted that the Selectmen should provide Powder, Lead, and flints for a Town Stock, and as many Fire- arms as should be found Wanting In Town."
At a legally called meeting of the inhabitants of Warner, held at their meeting-house Aug. 3, 1775, Capt. Francis Davis, Capt. Daniel Flood, and Daniel Annis, sen., were chosen a committee of safety.
THE CENSUS.
The Provincial Congress or Convention, held at Exeter, issued, on the 25th of August, 1775, an order to the several towns and places in the province for taking a census, in which the inhabitants should be classified ; and also for taking an account of the num- ber of fire-arms, the quantity of powder, &c., in each town and place. In answer to this requisition, the authorities of Warner made the following return :
Males under 16 years of Age, 78
Males from 16 years of age to 50 not in the Army, 45
All males above 50 years of age, 6
Persons gone in the army,
6
All Females,
126
Negroes and Slaves for Life,
1
262
Guns in town fit for use, 21
Guns wanting in Town, 26
Powder in Town, none
Warner, Sep. ye 9th, 1775
Then the above named Daniel Annis one of the Selectmen for
217
THE CENSUS.
the Town of Warner after being Duly cautioned made Solom oath To the Truth of the above account
Before me Daniel Flanders
Town Clerk.
The reader will not infer from the above that War- ner once had a slave : she had not, though the state, at one time, had more than six hundred. " Negroes and Slaves " were put into one column. When Dan- iel Annis, senior, made the above return (but omitted to sign it), Warner had one colored man (not a slave): His name was Ichabod Twilight.
From our neighboring town on the north came the following report :
The exact account of the number of the Inhabitants of Perryes Town
Males under 16 years of Age
39
from 16 years of Age To 50 years of age
22
from Fifty years of age and upwards
5
gon in the army
4
Females-two without any age
2
Females
58
Negroes and Slaves for life
0
130
.
Guns fit for use, 12
Guns wanting for Town, 17
Powder for Town, none
Benj. Wodley
Warner, Sept. ye 9th 1775 then the above named Benjamin Wodley aceseser for Perryes Town Personally appeared and after Being Duely Cautioned made Solom oath To the Truth of the above account Before me
Daniel Flanders Town Clerk.
218
HISTORY OF WARNER.
This Benjamin Wodley was the father of the late Judge Wadleigh, of Sutton. He lived on the farm that Judge Wadleigh occupied after him through life. Among his grand-children are Erastus and Gilbert Wadleigh.
SAGE TEA.
In the Bill of Indictment which Jefferson drew with so strong a hand against the Crown of England, is the following article: "For imposing Taxes on us with- out our consent." But this hardly expresses the popu- lar feeling of that time. The people of the colonies did not object to taxation; they were ready for that. It was " taxation without representation" that inflamed their passions, and representation was sternly denied them.
The ships of the East India Company, laden with tea, were arriving in the American ports. If the tea was landed, the duties must be paid. As early as December, 1774, three of these ships, which had been sent to Boston by this company, were boarded by a party of armed men disguised as Indians, and their cargoes were thrown into the dock.
" As the Mohawks kinder thought, The Yankees had n't ought To drink that are tea."
It was the exorbitant tax which the British govern- ment imposed upon this luxury that so enraged the colonists. When the report of this transaction reached
219
THE CRISIS.
the infant settlement of Warner, one resigned old lady said,-" Well, for my part, I've never seen no China tea yet, and I'm sure sage is good enough for me !"
THE CRISIS AT HAND.
This is not the history of the country, nor even of the state. It will not therefore be proper to set forth, to much extent here, matters of a general character. The causes of discontent in the colonies, the acts of the British government which hastened forward American independence, the measures adopted by the delegates from the several colonies in Congress assem- bled,-these are subjects that do not legitimately be- long to a local history like this. Nor is this the appro- priate place to speak in detail of the battles of the Rev- olution, of the strength of the armies, of the gallantry of commanders, or of the endurance of men. These things can only be mentioned incidentally here. It is the purpose of the author to make a just record of whatever the people of Warner have done; and in order that such record may be made intelligible, brief allusions to general history become necessary.
As the year 1775 is ushered in, it becomes evident that a rupture between the colonies and the mother country is at hand. On the 19th day of April, the skirmish at Lexington and the fight at Concord take place. The car of the Revolution is rumbling on. The provincial governor of New Hampshire, John
15
220
HISTORY OF WARNER.
Wentworth, labors zealously in his sphere to prevent the threatened rupture ; but the spell of royal influ- ence is broken. In an earnest message to the council and assembly of New Hampshire, May 5, 1775, Gov. Wentworth says,-
" We cannot but view with inexpressible concern the alarming Pitch to which the unfortunate Dispute between Great Britain and her Colonies is daily advancing. Connected as we are with our Parent State by the Strongest Ties of Kindred, Religion, Duty and Interest, it is highly incumbent upon us, in this Time of General Disquietude to manifest our Loyalty and attachment to the best of Sovereigns, and our firm and unshaken Regard for the British Empire."
But Gov. Wentworth entirely mistook the spirit of the times, and his fight was simply a fight against destiny. Separation was inevitable.
CONVENTION OF THE PEOPLE.
The assembly desired a short recess, that the mem- bers might consult with their constituents, and the governor adjourned them to the 12th of June. Be- fore that day a convention of the people had been called, and was in session at Exeter. (Reference has already been made to this convention.) The dele- gates had come freshly from their constituents, and the voice of the convention was regarded as the voice of the people.
The assembly met at Portsmouth, pursuant to ad- journment, on the 12th of June. The governor made a renewed effort for conciliation, but it was entirely
221
PROCLAMATION.
unavailing. Some of his opponents were rash, and some of his adherents were very imprudent. A bit- ter feeling grew up. Violence was threatened. The governor retired to Fort William and Mary, and his house was pillaged. He afterwards went on board the Scarborough, and sailed for Boston, having ad- journed the assembly to the 28th of September ;- but it met no more. In September, he issued from the Isles of Shoals the following
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas the General Assembly is now under adjournment to Thursday the 28th Instant, and it appearing to me no way con- ducive to His Majesty's service or the welfare of the Province, that the Assembly should meet on that day, but that it is expe- dient to prorogue them to a farther time, I have therefore thought fit to issue this Proclamation, proroguing the meeting of the Gen- eral Assembly to be held at Portsmouth on the 28th of Septem- ber, instant, to the 24th of April next, at ten o'clock in the fore- noon; and the General Assembly is hereby prorogued accordingly to that time, then to meet at the Court House in Portsmouth aforesaid.
And hereof all persons concerned are to take notice and Gov- ern themselves accordingly.
Given at Gosport, the 21st day of September, in the fifteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the Third, &c., and in the year of our Lord Christ, 1775.
J' Wentworth.
By His Excellency's Command,
Theodore Atkinson, Sec'y.
This was the closing act of Gov. Wentworth's ad- ministration. It was the last receding step of royalty. Henceforward the people bear rule, and the chief
222
HISTORY OF WARNER.
magistrate of the state, instead of coming with a com- mission from king or potentate, comes armed with the credentials of the popular will.
Gov. Wentworth was born in Portsmouth in 1736. He was a son of Mark Hunking, and a nephew of Gov. Benning Wentworth. He graduated at Harvard ; en- gaged in mercantile business, with his father, in Ports- mouth ; visited England in 1760, and became ac- quainted with the king and others in authority. He was appointed governor of the province of New Hamp- shire on the resignation of his uncle in 1766. He was very popular in this office for some years. He cleared and cultivated a fine farm on Smith's pond, in Wolfe- borough, to encourage the settlement of that region ; obtained a charter for Dartmouth college ; made grants of land, built bridges, cut roads, and fostered every enterprise for the benefit of the province. But the Revolution could not be stayed, and he gave way to it without dishonor.
Though Gov. Wentworth never set foot on New Hampshire soil after issuing his proclamation from the Shoals, he continued in the country two years after hostilities commenced, expecting the subjugation of the colonies. He wrote to friends from Nantasket road, in March, 1776. He wrote from Halifax in April, "76 ; from Long Island, November, '76 ; from New York, January, "77 ; and again, in June of the same year.
223
SIR JOHN WENTWORTH.
He sailed for England in February, 1778, and made his home in London. After peace was declared, he removed to Nova Scotia, and entered upon the duties of the office of "Surveyor of the King's Woods," to which he had long before been appointed. In 1792 he was appointed lieut. governor of Nova Scotia, and in 1795 was created a baronet. Sir John Wentworth continued in office till 1808, when he retired with an annual pension of £500. He died at Halifax, April 8, 1820, aged 83.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE EXETER CONVENTION-NOT A COLONY, BUT A STATE-FIRST REPRESENTATIVE-TOWN AND CLASS RECORDS.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1776.
Isaac Chase, moderator. Daniel Flanders, town-clerk. Joseph Sawyer, Daniel Flanders, Selectmen. Parmenas Watson,
" Voted at said meeting that a man should work out their high- way Rate at 2 shilling lawful money a Day.
" Voted to hire no school for said year.
" Also voted not to move the meeting house, nor Build a Bridge over the River against Where said meeting house now stands."
THE EXETER CONVENTION.
The reader is invited to turn back to the Exeter convention. The royal government and authority having disappeared from New Hampshire, the people proceeded to perfect, as far as possible, their pro- visional government. The convention, which had as- sembled at Exeter in May, was elected but for six months. Previous to its dissolution in November, pro- visions were made, in accordance with the recommend- ation of the congress of the colonies at Philadelphia,
225
THE EXETER CONVENTION.
for calling a new convention. Copies of these pro- visions were sent out to the several towns, and then the convention was dissolved.
Many of the small towns and places in the colony felt unable to send delegates (the towns being obliged to pay such delegates for attendance). This call for delegates came to Warner. The inhabitants of the town were notified to meet the 4th day of December, 1775, " to choose a delegate to a Convention to be held at Exeter, for the formation of a Constitution or form of government for the colony."
. Under this call a meeting was held, but no delegate was chosen. The record says,-
" The Inhabitants of Warner met at their Meeting House, in order to choose a man to Represent the town in Congress in Exe- ter passed a vote in the negative not to send any."
A convention, however, was chosen, consisting of seventy-six members. It assembled at Exeter, Dec. 21, 1775. Matthew Thornton was made president of said convention. He was a physician, and his resi- dence was at Londonderry. He was one of the three New Hampshire men who subsequently became sign- ers of the Declaration of Independence. There were many able men besides Thornton in that body. It continued a convention or congress till January 5, 1776 (sixteen days), and then, by leave of the Conti- nental Congress, resolved itself into a House of Repre- sentatives, or Assembly, for the colony of New Hamp-
226
HISTORY OF WARNER.
shire. It drew up a temporary form of government, adopted a constitution, appointed committees of safe- ty, and exercised all the functions of a government of a free people. This constitution provided for annual elections, and coordinate branches of government, each having a negative upon the other. The council was to consist of twelve members, any seven of whom were to be a quorum. The members of this branch were to elect their presiding officer, as the members of the house were to elect theirs. But this system had a material defect. It provided for no executive. The two houses assumed the executive duty during the session ; and they appointed a committee of safety, to sit in the recess.
NOT A COLONY, BUT A STATE.
This congress or convention of delegates from the people, having held several sessions at Exeter, having assumed the name of the House of Representatives, adopted a constitution, and chosen twelve persons to constitute a distinct and coordinate branch of the legislature by the name of the Council, took up the subject of the
DECLARATION,
on the 10th day of September, 1776. The record says,-
The Declaration of the Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled, July 4, 1776, for Indepen- dency Being read and Published in this House-
227
FIRST REPRESENTATIVE.
Voted and Resolved, That this Colony Assume and take upon themselves the Name and Style of the State of New Hampshire, and that all Commissions, writs, Processes, and all Law Proceed- ings which heretofore were made and issued in the Name and Style of the Colony of New Hampshire, shall henceforth be made and issued in the Name and Style of the State of New Hamp- shire, and not otherwise.
Sent up by Samuel Dudley Esq.
Concurred.
FIRST REPRESENTATIVE.
On the 18th day of September, 1776, this body, now the legislature of the state, took steps for a new election, the first under the state government, and the first after the people, through their representatives at Philadelphia, had declared their independence of the Crown. The legislature instructed the secretary to issue precepts to the several towns of the state for the choice of representatives, and prescribed their form. In the month of October the precepts were issued. Warner received hers, which was in the words following :
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The Government and People of said State
To the Selectmen of Warner in said State
Greeting :
You are hereby required to Notify the Legal Inhabitants pay- ing taxes in the town of Warner, giving them fifteen days notice, to meet in some convenient place, in your town, to elect one per- son, (having a real Estate of the value of Two hundred pounds Lawful money in this State,) to Represent them in the Assembly to be held at Exeter on the third Wednesday in December, and to Empower such representative for the term of one year from
228
HISTORY OF WARNER.
their first meeting, to transact such Business and pursue such measures as they may Judge necessary for the public good. And the person who shall be elected, you are to Notify, that he attend at time and place above mentioned. And at said meeting Every Voter as aforesaid, on one paper is to bring in Votes for two Persons, being reputable Freeholders and Inhabitants within your County, having a Real Estate of Two hundred Pounds, to serve as members of the Council for the year ensuing .-
By order of the Council and Assembly.
The town acted promptly, and its record here fol- lows :
By order from the Council and assembly of the State of New Hampshire to us we Do hereby Notify and Warn all the free- holders and Inhabitants of this town of Warner that they assem- ble themselves and meet together at the meeting house in said Warner on Tuesday ye Nineteenth Day of November next at one of the clock in the afternoon, To Proceed as followeth, Viz-
lly to chuse a moderator to govern said meeting-
2d to chuse one man as Representative for one year from the third Wednesday in December next-
3d to chuse two men within this County to Sett as members of the Council for the aforesaid Term and to act on any other Business that may be thought Proper.
Dated Warner October ye 29th day, 1776.
Joseph Sawyer Daniel Flanders Selectmen. Parmenas Watson
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.