USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Warner > The history of Warner, New Hampshire, for one hundred and forty- four years, from 1735 to 1879 > Part 15
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268
HISTORY OF WARNER.
erably in public business, serving as selectman, town- clerk, and representative. While he was a very cir- cumspect and excellent man, he did enjoy fun. At one time he was the only justice of the peace in town, and sometimes, particularly when the minister was away, he solemnized marriages as a magistrate. There was a man in town having the nickname of " Highamblecod ;" and there was a Widow Ash, whom the boys, for some reason, had nicknamed "The Wid- ow Ash-beetle." This couple, becoming enamored of each other, presented themselves to Squire Bartlett and were married ; but the match was evidently not " made in heaven." A few months' time proved that neither the man nor the woman had found an "affin- ity." In short, they were both sick of the bargain, and both desirous of throwing it up. The man, sup- posing that he who could build up could also tear down, and that the magistrate or minister who could marry a couple could also annul the marriage, rushed up to Bartlett one morning, in a great flurry, and said, "Squire, we're going to be sot back! and I want you to make out the papers!" Bartlett told him to come in again in an hour, and the papers would be ready. He came according to appointment, and the Squire handed him the following :
Highamblecod got into a nettle, And swore he'd not live With the widow Ash-beetle ;
269
PRESIDENT OF THE STATE.
And the widow Ash-beetle Swore by her god, She never would sleep with Highamblecod.
Joseph Bartlett, Justice of the Peace.
The man could neither read, write, nor cipher ; but he proudly seized this paper and departed. He met Calvin Flanders, and told him that Bartlett had given him a divorce, which he asked Flanders to read. Flanders read, and copied.
Joseph Bartlett died in the year 1829, at the age of 70, and was buried near the site of the old first church.
FOR PRESIDENT OF THE STATE.
At a meeting legally called, and holden at the old meeting-house in Warner, March 30, 1790, Nathaniel Bean, moderator, voted as follows :
For Josiah Bartlett, None.
John Pickering, 28
Nathaniel Peabody, 12
Joshua Wentworth, 10
At the same meeting, chose James Flanders repre- sentative.
It will be seen that Josiah Bartlett received no vote in Warner at this election. But he was elected by a large majority. He was reelected in 1791, in 1792, and again in 1793, when the title of the chief magistrate was changed from president to governor.
At a meeting held in the old meeting-house, August 30, 1790,-
270
HISTORY OF WARNER.
Voted too Reconsider two former votes, viz, one was that the town voted not to meet in the new meeting house for publick worship, and the other was that Mr. Kelley should not preach in the new meeting house for the futer.
Voted that Mr. Kelley should preach in the new meeting house for the futer and the Inhabitance meet there for public worship.
So the friends of the site "under the ledge," near Ensign Joseph Currier's, are at last triumphant, and the old Parade, as a place of prayer and a place of strife, is forever abandoned. Peace only, and the silence of the grave, rest on that sacred spot.
CHAPTER XX.
TOWN RECORDS-HALF-SHIRE AGAIN-ANTI-PEDOBAPTISTS-GEN. AQUILA DAVIS-THE FIRST POUND.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1791. This was held at the new meeting-house.
Nathaniel Bean, moderator. David Bagley, town-clerk.
Richard Straw, - Richard Bartlett, Selectmen.
Joseph Sawyer,
For President.
Josiah Bartlett, 79
Voted not to choose a representative.
Voted to Rais 25 pounds for the use of a school for the current year, to be paid Good Wheat at 5 shillings per bushell, Good Rie att 4 shillings per bushell, good Endion corn att 3 shillings per bushell.
This meeting adjourned to March 22, when James Flanders was chosen representative. ยท
Voted to take down the old Meeting House and appropriate the stuff towards fencing the Buring Ground.
Thus fell, at last, this ancient landmark of the fathers.
272
HISTORY OF WARNER.
At a meeting held August 8, 1791,-
Voted for James Flanders for a delegate to set in Convention to be held at Concord on the first Wed. of September next, for the purpose of revising the State Constitution.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1792.
Daniel Flood, moderator. David Bagley, town-clerk.
Richard Straw,
Richard Bartlett,
Selectmen.
Francis Ferrin,
James Flanders, representative.
For President.
Josiah Bartlett, 54
Francis Ferrin lived at the Jere Gove place, in Jop- pa. His son Benjamin occupied the old homestead through his lifetime, and the latter's son Jonathan lived there some years, then sold out and moved to Manchester.
HALF-SHIRE AGAIN.
At a meeting held Sept. 3, 1792, to take action con- cerning the amended state constitution, and for other purposes, there were present 21 voters. On the ques- tion of revising the constitution of the state, there were 2 affirmative and 14 negative votes, but not- withstanding this majority of 12 in Warner against revision, the constitution was revised, though but few changes were made. One of the changes made was in the title of the chief magistrate of the state.
273
HALF-SHIRE AGAIN.
At the same meeting,-
Voted that our Representative should reject the Report of the Committee on fixing a place for a half shear in this County.
The committee referred to was one which had been appointed by the legislature, and which had reported in favor of Hopkinton. Warner was dissatisfied with this report, but opposition to it availed nothing. In December, 1792, an act was passed by the legislature, and approved by Josiah Bartlett, president, removing one half of the terms of court for Hillsborough coun- ty, from Amherst to Hopkinton. One section of said act was in the words following :
Sec. 4, And be it further enacted, that this Act, at the expira- tion of two years from the passing thereof, shall be null and void, unless a suitable House for holding said Courts be erected at said Hopkinton within that time, without being a County charge.
Half of the courts of Hillsborough county were at once held in Hopkinton, in accordance with the pro- visions of this act. The inhabitants of that town, with commendable promptitude, erected a good and suffi- cient court-house, at their own expense, and from this time till the formation of Merrimack county, Hopkin- ton was a half-shire town.
Not only have the walls of that court-house rung with the eloquence of Webster and other eminent " knights of the green bag," but they have also echoed the voice of the law-makers,-the represent- atives of the people.
274
HISTORY OF WARNER.
A session of the legislature was held there in June, 1798, another in 1801, another in 1806, and anoth- er in 1807.
John Taylor Gilman was twice inaugurated gov- ernor in that court-house, and John Langdon twice.
After Merrimack county was formed, in 1823, and the courts were removed to Concord, the upper story of this building was converted into an academy, and the lower story was used as a town hall.
Many a son and daughter of Warner, who had been educated at that old academy, felt a pang of sorrow on learning that the honored edifice had been swept away in 1875 by the devouring flames.
ANTI-PEDOBAPTISTS.
The religious affairs of the town became greatly disturbed shortly after the year 1790. Indeed, they had always been sufficiently unsettled to remind even good men of the passage, "In the world, ye shall have tribulation.".
The records of the town set forth the formation of a second religious society, in the following terms :
Warner february ye 28th, 1793.
This may Certify that the pearsons hereafter named have man- ifested that theay are of the antipedo Baptis principle and are desirors to be received as members of said society in Warner, whose names are as follows :
Timothy Clough, Jonathan Stevens, Peter Bagley, Hophni Flanders,
Ezekiel Flanders, William Morrill, John Gould, Phineas Danforth,
275
ANTI-PEDOBAPTISTS.
Reuben Kimball,
Philip Walker,
Caleb Jones,
John Davis,
Abraham Currier,
James Pressey,
William Currier,
Asa Harriman,
Stephen Badger,
Moses Pressey,
Enos Collins,
Parker Clement,
William Trumbull,
Francis Davis,
Christopher Flanders,
Ezekiel Morrill,
Jonathan Wiggin,
Jonathan Smith,
Joseph Burnap,
Simeon Straw,
Charles Barnard,
Asa Putney,
Enoch Currier,
John Colby;
Ezra Waldron,
Thomas Annis,
Simeon Bartlett,
Jonathan Colby,
Benjamin Edmunds,
William Sanborn,
Joseph Maxfield,
Jedediah Peabody,
Jeremiah Kimball,
Nathaniel Bean, Jr.,
Philip Goodwin.
The above-named persons are received as members, and signed the Society articles by order of said Society to all whom it may Concern.
Nathaniel Bean - Committee for and in behalf
Richard Bartlett
William Wiggin
of said Society.
This movement was one of considerable force. For- ty-six men, most of whom were heads of families, stood out and made this public declaration.
But what are Anti-pedobaptists ? Webster says,- " Pedobaptists are those who believe in the baptism of infants, and Anti-pedobaptists those who are op- posed to the baptism of infants."
On this theological ground those people swarmed from the old hive and established another church. It would be uncharitable to doubt their sincerity ; but,
276
HISTORY OF WARNER.
in 1793 it was freely charged that the movement on the part of most of those engaged in it was entered into, not so much to maintain a principle, as to get divorced from the " standing order," and released from the burdensome "minister rates."
They built a meeting-house in 1793, or the next year, at the Lower Village. It stood on the very ground now occupied, in part, by the engine-house. It was a square, two-story building, with but little architectural beauty, and was never only partially finished. No settled minister ever presided over this branch of the church. It enjoyed only occasional preaching, and that in the summer season. When a man who felt that he had a call to visit " the waste places of Zion" came this way, he occupied the pul- pit a Sunday or two. One of these itinerants, whose acquaintance with grammar was not very intimate, seeing no book in or about the desk, arose at the commencement of the service and inquired, "Does the people of Warner keep a Bible ?" But no doubt the congregation generally enjoyed the services of such as were worthy and well qualified.
After a few years the society dwindled away, and their house of worship went to ruin. It was sold at auction in 1825, and pulled down.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1793.
Nathaniel Bean, moderator. David Bagley, town-clerk.
277
TOWN RECORDS.
For Governor.
Josiah Bartlett, 43
Timothy Walker, 33
James Flanders, representative.
Nathaniel Bean,
Richard Straw, Selectmen. Benjamin Sargent, )
The amended constitution now came into force, and the people for the first time cast their votes for gov- ernor. But voting was not regarded as a duty then so much as now. The whole vote of the state in 1793 was but 9,854. Now, with a population not more than double what it then was, we cast nearly eighty thousand (80,000) votes in contested elections.
At an adjourned meeting, held March 28th, ---
Voted to alow Cornet Richard Straw for providing for mis Weed in her late sickness and the Doctor's Bill s. d.
1 16 8 which was
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Warner, held August 7, 1793, at the West meeting-house (that is, the house under the ledge),-
Voted that the meeting house for the futer should be used and Injoyed by every Religias Society in this town as much of the time as Each Society's proportion of town taxes are.
Voted to chuse a Committee to porpotion the time.
Voted to Bild the seats and put up the pillars under the Gal- lery Beams in the meeting house.
Voted to perches of the Baptis Society theire porpotion of the Ground that the meeting house stands on according to the sum that it was first purchased by the town.
278
HISTORY OF WARNER.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1794.
Tappan Evans, moderator. David Bagley, town-clerk.
For Governor.
John Taylor Gilman, 8
Timothy Walker, 54
James Flanders, representative.
Joseph Bartlett,
John George, Selectmen.
Edmund Sawyer,
John George moved into Warner from Hopkinton, and built the large house at the Lower Village in which Jonathan Badger now resides. It is the first house east of the Henry B. Chase buildings. The sons of Mr. George were Stephen, John, Daniel, and Joshua ; and his daughters were Mrs. Joshua Sawyer, Mrs. Dr. Ames, Mrs. Daniel Runels, and Mrs. Thomas H. Bartlett.
After remaining at this place a number of years, he sold to John Eaton, and moved to Vermont. Mr. Eaton was from Haverhill, Mass. He first settled in Sutton, at what is now called the "Grange." He went from there to Davisville, from Davisville to the Lower Village, and from the Lower Village to Hatley, Canada East, where he died. His children were Fred- erick, Ruth K. (Mrs. Sherburne), Rebecca D., John, Sally (Mrs. Dresser), Hiram, Lucretia, Dr. Jacob, Charles, Lucien B., and Horace.
279
GEN. AQUILA DAVIS.
Edmund Sawyer was a son of Joseph, one of the early settlers, who lived near the Parade. Edmund lived on what is now known as the." old poor-farm." So far as the writer knows, his sons were Jacob, Rev. Daniel, and Edmund; and his daughters were Mrs. Elliot C. Badger and Mrs. Stephen K. Hoyt.
At an adjourned meeting, held June 9th, 1794, Gen. Aquila Davis was chosen representative. It had been ascertained that James Flanders was elected to the state senate. He therefore resigned the office of representative, and the town elected another man.
Mr. Flanders had been a candidate,-that is, had been voted for,-for senator, by those who thought him the best man, for two or three years. They had no nominees, at that time, for whom the voters were compelled, by party discipline, to cast their ballots. Character, and not the caucus; brains, and not bar- gains ; merit, and not money, it is presumed, were chiefly relied on in those days to secure public favor.
Mr. Flanders was elected to the senate every year, beginning with 1794 and ending with 1803, except the year 1799, when Col. Henry Gerrish, of Bos- cawen, received the election.
Aquila Davis, who now comes forward as repre- sentative, is entitled to special notice. The sons of Captain Francis Davis were Zebulon, Wells, Francis, Aquila, and Nathan. Aquila was born in Amesbury, Mass., June 27, 1760. He came to Warner with the
280
HISTORY OF WARNER.
family a few years after the settlement of the town, which took place in 1762. At the age of 17, he is found in the Revolutionary army, having enlisted for three years. He saw much hard service during those years, on the Hudson river, in New Jersey, and else- where. Among other events which came under his own eye, was the surrender of Burgoyne. At the ex- piration of his term of enlistment he received the fol- lowing discharge :
Aquila Davis of the 3 N. H. Regiment, formerly an inhabitant of Almsbury in the County of Hillsboro' and State of New Hampshire, having faithfully and honorably served as a soldier in the service of the United States of America, the term of three years-it being the term of his enlistment, is discharged the ser- vice, and has liberty to return to his own home.
D. Livermore, Captain,
West Point Com'ding 3d N. H. Reg.
May 10, 1780.
After the Revolution, Aquila Davis took an active part in the state militia. He commanded the 30th regiment from 1799 to 1807. He was brigadier-gen- eral of the fourth brigade from 1807 to 1809. In 1812, Gen. Davis raised the first regiment of N. H. volunteers, enlisted for one year, and was chosen and commissioned its colonel. A copy of his commission here follows :
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To All Who Shall See These Presents, Greeting :
Know Ye, That, reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of
Aquila Davis-
281
GEN. AQUILA DAVIS.
I have appointed him Colonel of Infantry of Volunteers in the service of the United States conformably to the provisions of the acts of Congress-
He is therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Col. of Infantry of Volunteers, by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging, and he is to observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and of the officers set over him, according to the rules and discipline of war.
And I do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under his command to be obedient to his orders.
Given under my hand at Washington, this, 13th day of Janu- ary, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, and in the 37th year of the Independence of the United States.
James Madison.
By Command of the
President.
W. Eustis.
The law for raising volunteers having been repeal- ed by congress a few days after the foregoing com- mission was issued, the first regiment of New Hamp- shire volunteers was mostly transferred to the forty- fifth regiment United States infantry, and Col. Davis was commissioned its lieut. colonel. His services in the army were arduous, but faithfully performed. It is related of him, that, while stationed on an island in Lake Champlain, he mounted a battery of large guns, and kept the British at respectful distance from the island by this formidable contrivance, which, in real- ity, was nothing but an array of huge guns made from pine logs, and so painted as to deceive the eye
282
HISTORY OF WARNER.
at a little distance. That example was copied, over and over again, during the late war.
Upon the return of peace, Gen. Davis retired to his mills at Davisville, and devoted most of his time to his usual vocation. He was a man of sound judgment and superior general abilities. He often represented the town in the legislature, but did not aspire to political distinction .. He had a large family of sons and daughters, the names of the former being Paine, Theodore S., Nathaniel A., Nathan, Charles, Aquila, and James. He died Feb. 27, 1835, aged 74, while on a journey to Sharon, Maine, and was buried at Davisville, with Masonic honors, on the 3d of March.
Gen. Davis enjoyed life, and was always noted for good humor and ready wit. One illustration of this, only, will be given. Some time between the years 1815 and 1820, there was a brigade muster at Smith's Corner, in Salisbury. Rev. John Woods, of Warner, was chaplain of the day. Woods had a young, frisky horse, and after arriving at the muster-field the horse became quite unmanageable, in consequence of the bustle, the brass bands, and the glistening guns. Gen. Davis was there, as a looker-on, having his old war- horse, a beautiful animal, but as calm amidst the din and whirl of the muster-field as a summer's morning. The chaplain was to make his prayer on horseback, within a "hollow square " formed by the soldiers. Not daring to ride his own horse, Mr. Woods found
283
TOWN RECORDS.
Gen. Davis, and said to him,-" My horse is afraid of guns, and I wish you would let me take yours." "Oh ! yes, take him, take him," said the General; "but if your horse is more afraid of guns than mine is of prayers, I'm mightily mistaken!"
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1795. Thomas Annis, moderator. David Bagley, town-clerk.
For Governor.
John T. Gilman, 64
Aquila Davis, representative.
Richard Straw,
Benjamin Sargent, 1 Selectmen. Joseph Bartlett,
Voted that the Selectmen should put up post-guides in proper places, at the town's cost.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1796.
Thomas Annis, moderator. Joseph Bartlett, town-clerk.
For Governor.
John T. Gilman, 62
Timothy Walker, 25
Aquila Davis, representative.
Richard Straw,
Joseph Bartlett, Selectmen. Nathaniel Bean,
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1797.
Nathaniel Bean, moderator.
David Bagley, town-clerk.
19
284
HISTORY OF WARNER.
For Governor.
John T. Gilman, 10
Timothy Walker, 65
Aquila Davis, representative.
Benjamin Sargent, Philip Flanders, Jr., Selectmen.
Richard Straw,
Philip Flanders, Jr., was a son of James, and the father of Philip, Isaac C., and of Mrs. Caleb Sargent, Mrs. David Sargent, Mrs. Reuben Clough, Mrs. Ezekiel G. Currier, Mrs. John Bean, Jr., Mrs. Mariner East- man, Mrs. William D. Trumbull, and Miss Hannah Flanders.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1798.
Nathaniel Bean, moderator. David Bagley, town-clerk.
For Governor.
John T. Gilman, 9
Timothy Walker, 58
Aquila Davis, representative.
Richard Straw,
Benjamin Sargent, {Selectmen.
Richard Bartlett,
THE FIRST POUND.
Voted to Bild a pound 30 feet square and 7 feet high.
Voted to Bild said pound on Dea. Heath's Land, between Jo- seph Currier's and his house.
Voted that the pound should Be Bilt with Green White pine Logs with the Bark taken off.
285
TOWN RECORDS.
Voted that there shall be a Good and sufficient Door made in said pound with white oak well framed to Geather one post of the Door to be framed into the sile or Bottom Log with a Round Gudgen and also into the Log over the Door.
The building of this pound was sold at auction, to Tappan Evans, at ten dollars and a half. It stood a little east of John Tewkesbury's barn, nearly its width east of the ground which the Congregational church afterwards covered.
A pound, in those days, was thought to be as indis- pensable as a tythingman.
At a meeting, April 17, 1798, the report of a com- mittee which had been appointed to divide the town into school districts was accepted. Ten districts were created by this committee. That is about as many as there ever should have been; but at one time the town could boast of twenty-four districts, such as they were.
Voted to Chuse a Committee of three men to Draw a plan of each school-house to Be Bilt in each of the districts, and Joseph Bartlett, Nathaniel Bean and Aquila Davis was chosen.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1799.
James Flanders, moderator. David Bagley, town-clerk.
For Governor.
John T. Gilman, 30
Timothy Walker, 30
Joseph Bartlett, representative.
Benjamin Sargent,
John E. Kelley,
Selectmen.
Stephen Colby,
286
HISTORY OF WARNER.
John E. Kelley was a nephew of Rev. William Kel- ley, who brought him up. He was engaged consid- erably in trade. He lived at one time on the very spot where Levi Bartlett's present house stands, and had a store and house there, both under one roof. At another time he was in trade at the "Kelley stand," opposite the first pound. There, also, he kept a hotel, which on the 16th of January, 1828, was consumed by fire.
Stephen Colby was a son of Elliot Colby, and a brother to John and Ezekiel. He was the father of Moses F. and Chase. During a part of his life he occupied the Moses F. Colby place. [See Military History.]
CHAPTER XXI.
TOWN RECORDS-PAUPER SALE-HON. HENRY B. CHASE-FIRST
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-A NEW POUND-HON. BENJAMIN EVANS.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1788.
James Flanders, moderator. David Bagley, town-clerk.
For Governor,
John T. Gilman, 10
Timothy Walker, 73
Joseph Bartlett, representative.
Richard Straw,
Timothy Felton, Selectmen.
Amos Gould,
Timothy Felton was from Danvers, Mass. He re- sided, the latter part of his life, certainly, a little above Ira P. Whittier's house, on the same side of the main road. Dr. John Hall had occupied the same house before him, but it was removed from that site many years ago. Mr. Felton was remarkable for ex- tensive reading and general information.
Amos Gould was from Amesbury,-a brother to Robert and Jonathan. He lived between the old cemetery and Kimball's Corner, near the Elliot Colby place.
288
HISTORY OF WARNER.
PAUPER SALE.
At a meeting held Sept. 15, 1800,-
Voted to sell the keeping of Ruth Davis, wife of Joseph Davis, per week at the Lowest Bidder and the person that first takes her shall Remove her to the next person that shall take her on his own Cost and so on tel march meeting.
Struck off to philip osgood the Keeping of mis Davis eight weeks at 5 shilling and eight pence, to Thomas Barned eight weeks at 5 shilling and 9 pence per week.
Voted that the Selectmen Should make Serch and Inquire for the property of Joseph Davis and his wives and Secure the Same that it may be Kept for there support also to see if theay can get any help from her Children towards her support.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1801.
James Flanders, moderator. David Bagley, town-clerk.
For Governor.
John T. Gilman, 18
Timothy Walker, 111
Joseph Bartlett, representative.
Daniel Whitman,
Timothy Felton, Selectmen.
John E. Kelley,
Daniel Whitman was not a resident of Warner a great many years. He kept a hotel at the Dr. Eaton house, a short time after Captain Pattee went out. He removed to Virginia, there made his home, and there died.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH, 1802.
James Flanders, moderator
.
David Bagley, town-clerk.
289
TOWN RECORDS.
For Governor.
John Taylor Gilman, 42
John Langdon, 113
Aquila Davis, representative. -
Richard Straw,
Nathaniel Bean, { Selectmen.
Jacob Collins,
Jacob Collins was from South Hampton. He and his brother came into town at the same time. Enos settled first on Burnt Hill, and then on Bible Hill. He was the father of Moses, Enos, and John H. Jacob settled first at Waterloo. His house was between the mouth of Sutton Lane and Dolphus Bean's buildings. The main road lies over his old cellar. He had a blacksmith shop, which stood on ground afterwards occupied by Willaby and John P. Colby's shoe-shop. Mr. Collins moved from here up into what is now dis- trict No. 10. His sons were John, Levi, and Jacob.
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