USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Warner > The history of Warner, New Hampshire, for one hundred and forty- four years, from 1735 to 1879 > Part 26
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Henry E. Badger, mustered Sept. 9, 1861 ; wounded August 30, 1862 ; must. out Sept. 8, 1864. [See First Regiment. ]
Reuben K. Emerson, mustered Sept. 9, 1861; died at Gaines's Hill, Va., June 3, 1862.
John B. Rand, mustered Sept. 9, 1861; wounded July 2, 1863; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, April 1, 1864. [See First Regiment.]
Harrison Robertson, must. Sept. 9, 1861; wounded July 3, 1863 ; must. out Sept. 8, 1864. [See 2d Regiment.]
Harlan S. Willis, must. Sept. 9, 1861 ; discharged for disability, at Washington, D. C., Nov. 25, 1861.
William D. Chase, must. Sept. 9, 1861 ; must. out Sept. 8, 1864. Charles A. Watkins, must. Sept. 9, 1861.
Jerome B. Porter, served in the 2d Reg't U. S. Sharpshooters ; must. Dec. 12, 1861 ; discharged for disability, May 9, 1862. James A. Wadleigh was a member of Co. F, 11th N. H. Reg't; must. Aug. 29, 1862, as of Sutton ; wounded December 13, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Oct. 1, 1863, as of Warner; must. out at close of the war.
Alfred Kelley, served in the 5th Wisconsin Regiment of infantry ; lost an arm December 13, 1862; discharged for disability, Sept. 15, 1863.
Augustus Melvin, enlisted in Massachusetts into Fletcher Web- ster's regiment; was transferred to the regular army, and served through the war.
Enrolling officers were appointed throughout the country during the war, whose duty it was to make and keep accurate lists of the men who had gone into the service, and also of those who were subject to mil- itary duty, so that when calls were made for men the proper number could be allotted to each town. Capt. Timothy Flanders was the enrolling officer for War- ner.
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STATE MILITIA.
An immense debt and the necessity for heavy tax- ation grew out of the war, and internal revenue laws were enacted to meet in part the exigency. Benja- min F. Harriman was assistant assessor of internal revenue under those laws for several years after the war, his district being Warner and several of the adja- cent towns.
STATE MILITIA.
The rolls of the state militia are meagre and imper- fect. The following list of general and field officers which Warner has furnished, is given mainly from recollection.
Aquila Davis, Brigadier-General.
Richard Straw, Colonel.
Simeon Bartlett,
Isaac Dalton, Jr., 66
James M. Harriman, "
John C. Ela, 66
Hiram Dimond, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Timothy D. Robertson,
William G. Flanders, 66
John A. Hardy, 66
Calvin A. Davis, 66
Bartlett Hardy,
66
Daniel Runels, Major.
Joseph B. Hoyt, 66
William H. Ballard,
Joseph Burke,
Daniel George, 66
Joseph S. Hoyt,
Eliezer Emerson, "
Stephen K. Hoyt, "
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HISTORY OF WARNER.
JOHN C. ELA, a son of John and Amy (Campbell) Ela, was born at Derry, March 3, 1826. The other children of this couple are Betsey C., Abner C., and Emma Jane.
The first Ela found in this country is Daniel. He was a tanner and taverner at Haverhill, Mass., as early as 1675.
The mother of John C. was a Campbell, and Duncan Campbell, a bookseller, and a man of note in his day, is found in Boston as early as 1685. He was from Scotland. His children were,-William, born 1687 ; Archibald, 1689; Matthew, 1691; Susanna, 1696 ; and Agnes, 1699.
Mr. John Ela came with his family from Derry to Warner, in 1844. He was a cloth-dresser and miller. He died September, 1867, aged 71. 'Mrs. Ela died December, 1876, aged 78.
John C. Ela married Clara B. Manning, May 10, 1851, who died June 19, 1852. He married for his second wife, February, 1858, Louisa J., daughter of Caleb Watson, of Salisbury, N. H. They have three children,-two daughters and a son.
Mr. Ela is the proprietor of the saw-mill, the grist- mill, and the carding-mill at Warner village, where a large amount of business is annually done. To the grist-mill, people come with their grain from all the surrounding towns.
In 1849 John C. Ela was the colonel of the fortieth regiment of New Hampshire militia.
John C. Elas
495
STATE MILITIA.
The first military trainings in Warner were at the Parade. Here, as early as 1773, and when the prov inces were subject to the Crown, Capt. Davis called together the "22d company of Foot, in the 9th regi- ment of Militia." Here, for many years after, those liable to military duty were warned to appear “ armed and equipped as the law directs." There were usually two trainings (one in May and one in September) each year.
There have been regimental musters in Warner, on . ground at the rear of George Savory's buildings, on . Denney's hill, at Stephen Davis's, on the Plain, at the rear of Stanley's buildings, on what is now the fair ground, and on the Badger intervale.
No entertainment ever quite equalled an old-fash- ioned muster, in the estimation of a patriotic youth. It furnished him his chief theme of thought and conversation for days and weeks before it occurred. Stalks were cut, reaping was done, and grain was threshed under the inspiration of the coming festival. At length the day arrives. The boys have had a poor night's rest, and even the head of the family has not slept as soundly as usual. An early start is made : many go on foot, while others ride, with three on the seat and one on the peck-measure in the hind end of the wagon. Presently daylight dawns ; all hands hurry up; now the sun lifts his yellow disc above the line of hills; now the muster-field is in
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HISTORY OF WARNER.
full view. The troops, by the activity of the adju- tant, are in line. The Hopkinton Rifle Company, with their tall, black plumes, are stationed against a wood; the Hopkinton Light Infantry, with white pantaloons and showy uniforms, are on the right; the Henniker Rifles, with light gray suits, grape but- tons, and white plumes, make a conspicuous figure. The Warner Artillery, with their old brass field-piece (a four-pounder), and their black broadcloth with red trimmings, together with their black plumes tipped with red, look warlike and substantial; the Warner Light Infantry, handsomely uniformed with white pants, blue coats, and large white plumes having red tops, extort general admiration. Then the many infantry companies, whose officers are decked with showy regalia, and the cavalry with spirited horses and shrill bugle, on the extreme left, complete the " line of battle."
The field officers are at their posts, on horseback, at the right, the centre, and the left, facing the troops, while the general and his staff, with their close-fitting buff pantaloons, long-topped boots, and waving feath- ers, are in camp at the rear. In due time they will be ready for the inspection, the review, and the ad- dress.
Go now to the spectators, a motley throng. All seem to be "present or accounted for." The north has given up, and the south has kept not back. The
497
STATE MILITIA.
substantial yeomanry, the wealthy and the great (as men count greatness) are there, as well as the poor and humble. The cripples are all present; the " black ducks" are vociferous and happy ; the children are on hand ; and the old people are not without a witness. The din of the peddlers is unceasing ; the rattle of the tumblers is a familiar sound ; the singing of the song- sters attracts much attention. Old Prince, with his tight corduroy trowsers, is on the ground, with a sheet or two of gingerbread already under each arm (the contributions of favored bystanders), and his clear melodious voice is ringing out,-
We thank the noble king of France, Both men and money he did advance ; We thank the noble king of Spain, The states of Holland shall shear the same.
But the great event of the day is the sham-fight : that closes the military exercise. The regiment is divided into two wings as nearly equal as possible. These two armies take their positions ; the bands are playing ; the field-officers are hurrying in hot haste, their horses white with foam. These animals have been selected for their spirit and beauty. Carter's splendid gray steed, " The Fierce Eagle," is for many years a conspicuous figure at the parades of the 40th regiment.
The reader is specially invited to go back to the muster of 1828, at Stephen Davis's,-the first ever
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HISTORY OF WARNER.
held on that ground. Col. Simeon Bartlett is in com- mand; the day is delightful, and the "Right Arm of National Defence" never appeared to better advan- tage than now, at an annual review in Warner.
It is two o'clock in the afternoon; the sham-fight has just commenced ; the sharp cracking of the mus- ketry back under the pines has begun, and the deep roar of the four-pounder jars the ground. A young man about twenty years of age, one who is a little ungainly in appearance, who tapers the wrong way, wearing a No. 5 hat and No. 14 boots, comes along, eating a seed-cucumber, and complacently remark- ing, " They jest begins to let'er rip a little now !" You are right, my boy, and " the combat deepens." · The rank, smell of powder impregnates the air ; the horses nervously paw the turf; one throws his rider violently to the ground and plunges through the crowd ; he is caught at the great rock near the gate.
Trees and underbrush have been cut and dried, from which a fort has been built, supplied with a deep straw bedding; a company occupies this redoubt, and pours an incessant fire upon the opposing line. The old artillery moves up in majestic style, Capt. Safford Watson cutting cabalistic figures in the air with his sword to denote the advance, the halt, and the fire. The gunners are discharging the piece with great rapidity, and from the fortification, as well as all along the line, a deafening roll of musketry is heard.
499
STATE MILITIA. ..
Above the roar and tumult, the clear voice of Capt. Watson rings out, "Charge the fort !"-and the bur- nished field-piece is instantly run up to within ten feet of the object of attack ; the hot blaze issues from its mouth, and the fort is instantaneously enveloped in smoke and flame. The company defending it has retreated. The crackling flames and thick darkness make a scene for a painter. The cavalry, in marvelous quick time, with frantic horses, wheel into line at the rear of the artillery to cut off their retreat ; the Hop- kinton Rifles charge upon their flank and capture the gun; but the Henniker Rifles (being allies of the artillery) advance on the double-quick to the defence of the latter ; the cannon is retaken, and the battle,- which has long hung in even scale, and which has been bravely fought, though not bloody in its re- sults,-comes to an end.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF WARNER.
HE history of the Congregational church for the first half century after the settlement of the town is substantially embodied in the preceding pages of this volume. It was so closely interwoven with the history of the town as to make it impossible to present the one without presenting the other also.
The Congregational church was organized the 5th day of February, 1772, and Rev. Mr. Kelley, the first settled minister, was ordained that day. The churches which were represented on this occasion by ministers and delegates were those of Concord, Pembroke, Hen- niker, Salem, Hampstead, and Plaistow. The repre- sentatives of these churches, together with Mr. Kelley and several of his parishioners, met at the house of Isaac Waldron, Jr., on the Gould road, where they formed into a council, with Rev. Timothy Walker, of Concord, as moderator. They then and there pro- ceeded and organized the first church. The cove- nant was signed and assented to by William Kelley,
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
Joseph Sawyer, Richard Goodwin, Nehemiah Heath, Francis Davis, Abner Chase, Moses Clark, and Parme- nas Watson.
When the council had convened and organized, it was rumored that they could not go on, because there was not a sufficient number of persons giving evi- dence of piety to form a church. Isaac Waldron, senior, sent them word that rather than have them fail for want of numbers he would take hold and join the church himself, though he preferred to be ex- · cused !
Having organized the church, the council pro- ceeded to the humble meeting-house at the Parade, where the services of ordination were participated in by Rev. Mr. Walker, Rev. Jacob Emery of Pem- broke, Rev. Henry True of Hampstead, Rev. Abner Bayley of Salem, Rev. Giles Merrill of Plaistow, and Rev. Jacob Rice of Henniker.
Rev. William Kelley was born at Newbury, Mass., in 1744. He graduated at Harvard in 1767, studied for the ministry with Rev. Henry True, of Hampstead, and married Lavinia Bayley, daughter of Rev. Abner Bayley, of Salem, N. H.
Mr. Kelley was, in stature, rather below the medium size of men. In manner he was genial and pleasant. His theology was that of the moderate Calvinists. His sermons and prayers were short for the times in which he lived. When the service was finished, Mr.
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HISTORY OF WARNER.
Kelley would come down from the pulpit, and pass along the middle aisle to the door, bowing right and left to all. The congregation would remain seated till he had passed out. Those were the days of cour- tesy and reverence.
Mr. Kelley was never settled over any church but this, and he closed his regular services here in 1801, though he continued to preach more or less in town and in adjoining towns till his death. He died of apoplexy, May 18, 1813, aged 68, and his dust sleeps in the old cemetery, a few feet to the rear of the point where his pulpit stood, and where his eloquence was so faithfully poured forth.
In Mr. Kelley's day, two of those who, for a time, led the singing, were Enoch Morrill and Jacob Os- good. There were but few singers. Among them were Miriam Stevens (wife of Jacob Osgood), Rachel Flood (wife of Enoch Osgood), and Mrs. John Hardy, of Tory Hill. At first there were no musical instru- ments, but a church meeting in 1797 voted “ to admit the Bass Viol in Publick Worship." The town ap- proved of this step by voting, in March, 1800, " that the singers should be admitted to use Bass Viols and any other sacred instruments on the Sabbath in the meeting-house for the future."
The church was not strong in numbers or in wealth. It was divided and weakened by the location of the meeting-house "under the ledge," and by other causes,
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
and it was destitute of a settled minister for thirteen years after the withdrawal of Mr. Kelley.
Rev. John Woods came next. He was settled June 22, 1814. Mr. Woods was born at Fitzwilliam in 1785. He graduated at Williams college in 1812, and made his first settlement in Warner. He lacked the agreeable manners of his predecessor, but was a man of much intellectual strength. One who knew him says,-" He was a man who threw up the sub- soil, and laid deep foundations." He was strictly Cal- vinistic in his doctrines. He was dismissed, on his own request, from the pastorate in Warner, June 17, 1823; was pastor of the church in Newport from 1824 to 1851; and after this he preached a short time at Fitzwilliam, where he died May 4, 1861, aged 76 years.
Rev. Jubilee Wellman was settled in September, 1827 (the flock having been without a shepherd for four years). Mr. Wellman was born in Greenfield, Mass., in 1793; was settled first at Frenchport, Me., then at Warner, where he remained ten years, then at Westminster, Vt., and finally at Lowell, Vt., where he died in 1855, at the age of 62 years. During the ministry of Mr. Wellman in Warner, the church was united and strong.
Rev. Amos Blanchard was settled in 1837. He was born in Peacham, Vermont. After graduating at the Andover Theological Seminary in 1828 he
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HISTORY OF WARNER.
went West, and edited a religious journal in Cincin- nati three years. He returned to Vermont and set- tled at Lyndon, then at Warner,-where he remained less than three years,-then at Meriden, N. H., where he continued twenty-five years. He died at Barnet, Vt., in 1869, aged 68. He was an able and worthy man.
Rev. James W. Perkins was next in order. He was born at Mont Vernon, N. H .; was educated as a physician, but was inducted into the ministry in 1834. He first settled at New Hampton, then at Warner, where he commenced his labors in 1840, and closed them in 1846. After leaving Warner, Mr. Perkins was at Alstead and at Deering, but since 1857 has been preaching in Wisconsin.
Rev. Robert W. Fuller was installed over the church at Warner in June, 1846. He was born at Milford, N. H., in 1807; was settled first at Westmoreland, then at Acworth, then at Warner, where he remained about four years. After leaving Warner he preached at South Westmoreland and at Lempster. He was a man of talent, but of strong will and great indepen- dence.
Rev. Harrison O. Howland commenced supplying the pulpit in 1852. He was born at West Brookfield, Mass., in 1813. He settled first at Ashland, N. Y., then at Warner, where he remained five years, then at Chester, N. H., and finally at Girard, Pa, where he died in 1872, aged 58.
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
Rev. Daniel Warren, a native of Rochester, Vt., was installed in 1857. His first settlement was at Waterbury, Vt., where he continued thirteen years, and till 1838. After that he preached at various places in the same state. He remained in Warner nearly six years, and substantially finished his labors here. He died at Lowell in his native state.
Rev. Henry S. Huntington commenced supplying the pulpit in 1863, but sickness compelled him to withdraw from it for a period. His ordination took place in 1866, and he closed his labors with the church, October, 1872. Mr. Huntington was born at Norwich, Conn. He graduated at Yale college, and his first settlement was at Warner. He preached in Warner from eight to ten years. His next settle- ment was at Galesburg, Illinois, and his third at Gor- ham, Maine, where he now officiates.
Rev. Matthew A. Gates (who came from Salem, N. H.) immediately followed Mr. Huntington as pastor of the church. He continued in this position till August, 1876, a period of nearly four years, and then removed to St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Rev. George A. Beckwith, the present pastor, com- menced his services with the church July 1, 1878.
The first six deacons of this church were Parmenas Watson, Nehemiah Heath, David Heath, Isaac Dalton, Reuben Kimball, and Ezra Barrett.
The old meeting-house "near Joseph Currier's"
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HISTORY OF WARNER.
was abandoned by the Congregational church as a place of worship in 1819, and a new house was erected near the Kelley stand. That house, in 1845, was removed to its present location at the village ; it was modernized, and its galleries were removed in 1856; it was enlarged and improved in 1868. In 1866, a bell of deep and mellow tone was hung in the steeple.
In 1872 the church had existed one hundred years, and on the 12th day of June of that year its centen- nial celebration took place. A large congregation of town's-people, former residents, and friends from far and near, came together to commemorate the event. The celebration partook largely of the character of a town celebration. Rev. Mr. Huntington gave an able and instructive historical address (or sermon) in the forenoon, after which an ample collation was served in the vestry. In the afternoon Stephen S. Bean was called to the chair, and various sentiments and re- sponses, interspersed with prayer and singing, occu- pied the next two hours. Rev. Dr. Bouton of Con- cord, Rev. Mr. Buxton of Webster, Rev. Mr. Terry of Plaistow, Rev. Mr. Bullard of Hampstead, and others, participated in these exercises. Mr. Huntington, in his published account of this day's doings, closes as follows :
A sentiment referring to our country was responded to by Gov. Harriman. He glanced at the Pilgrims, and then at the present, speaking of the results of ninety years of government, of our
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
national grandeur, prosperity, and progress; and at the close of his address " America" was sung by the congregation.
A poem of much merit, written for the occasion by Alfred W. Sargent, a young member of the church, was read by him; com- munications and letters were read by the chairman ; after which the Sacrament was administered by Rev. Mr. Bullard and Rev. Mr. Terry.
In the evening there was a social reunion, at which many reminiscences were given ; other letters were read ; also, a poem, written by Mrs. L. K. Davis, a member of the church ; and re- marks were made by several persons from abroad, among whom were Hon. Stephen C. Badger and Rev. Daniel Sawyer, formerly of Warner.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The present Baptist church of Warner is not the off- spring or representative of the old Anti-pedobaptist church of 1793. That died "without issue." The present church is of comparatively recent origin, not having yet been in existence fifty years. It was or- ganized in the month of September, 1833, and their house of worship was dedicated at the same time. Rev. Ira Person, of Newport, preached the dedica- tory sermon in the forenoon, and in the afternoon the newly-formed church received the fellowship of the denomination, when a sermon was preached by Rev. E. E. Cummings, of Concord.
Rev. George W. Cutting, a native of Shoreham, Vt., was the first pastor of this church. He was settled January, 1835, and continued in this relation till Sep- tember, 1840, when he resigned to accept a call from 33
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HISTORY OF WARNER.
the Baptist church in Lyme. After remaining at Lyme a few years, Mr. Cutting had charge of a church at Fitzwilliam, but about ten years ago he left New England to make his home in Iowa. He was very popular in Warner, both with his church and with the people of the town.
Rev. John M. Chick, a native of Wells, Me., and a graduate of New Hampton Theological Institution, was the second pastor. He commenced his services with this church in September, 1840, and continued with it nearly six years. While he was looking after the interests of the parish, his wife was engaged in school, where she had flattering success. Mr. Chick now resides at Ayer Junction, Mass.
Rev. J. S. Herrick was the third pastor. He came in 1846, and remained five years. Since leaving Warner he has been settled in Rumney, and in Troy, N. H. He still presides over the Baptist church at the latter place, where he has been settled a great many years.
Rev. L. Sherwin succeeded Mr. Herrick. He com- menced his labors in February, 1852, but in April, 1853, he resigned his charge on account of failing health, and was soon " called to lay his armor off."
Rev. N. J. Pinkham, a native of Dover, and a grad- uate of New Hampton Theological Institution, came in April, 1853, and remained till February, 1857. He now has charge of a church at Thompson, Conn.
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Rev. Henry Stetson, of Maine, was pastor of this church from 1860 to 1864.
Rev. Albert Heald, from 1865 to 1870, when he re- signed to accept a call from the church at Amherst. He is now pastor of the Baptist church at Meriden.
Rev. William H. Walker, a graduate of Brown Uni- versity, and of Newton Theological Institution, became the pastor in May, 1873, which position he still holds.
Among the early pillars of this church were Na- thaniel Eaton, Jonathan Emerson, Richard F. Rogers, and Jesse Hardy. The church has a fund of $2,000, which was left by two of its deceased members. One half of this amount was the gift of Mrs. Abigail K. Simonds, and the other half the gift of Mrs. Betsey Dimond Tucker. The interest of this money goes towards the support of preaching. The church has also a parsonage, which was the gift of Mrs. Simonds.
The Free Will Baptists have had an organization in town, and at one time and another have had consid- erable preaching, but they have never had a church edifice or a settled minister. They have occupied the town hall and the school-houses. In early days their religious services were often held in private houses, and sometimes in the shady grove. The old school- house under the hill, in District No. 8, was for many years, through the summer seasons, a recognized sanc- tuary. A church organization existed there, and the church ordinances were regularly observed. Men and
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HISTORY OF WARNER.
women poured in from every direction, and there was generally a large and devoted congregation.
The Methodists have had an organization in Warner, and in times past have maintained public worship. A meeting-house, partly (perhaps mainly) built by them, now stands in a good state of preservation at the Lower Village. It is not regularly occupied.
The Universalists organized, and (largely through the activity of Daniel Bean, Jr.) built a meeting-house in 1844. For several years there appeared to be ' health and perseverance in the organization. The desk was occupied two or three years by a native- born citizen of the town'; at a later day by Rev. J. F. Witherell ; and still later, by Rev. Lemuel Willis, and others.
Mr. Willis was born at Westmoreland, N. H. He was a strong man, and during his active life was set- tled at Salem, Haverhill, and Cambridgeport, Mass., and at Claremont and Portsmouth, N. H. In 1847 he married, for his second wife, the widow of Major Dan- iel George, and during his last years he resided in Warner, where he died in 1878. His sons are Dr. Willis, of Boston, Algernon S., of Claremont, and Har- lan S., of Warner. His only daughter (the wife of Philip C. Bean) died several years since.
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