History of the town of Warren, N.H., from its early settlement to the year 1854: including a sketch of the Pomigewasset Indians

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GENEALOGY COLL-ECTION

HISTORY

TOWN 0 F W A R REN, N.^

FROM ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT TO THE YEAR

1854

INCLUDING A

SKETCH OF THE PEMIGEWASSET INDIANS.

BY WILLIAM LITTLE.

CONCORD, N. H. :
STEAM PRINTING WORKS OF McFARLAND & JENKS,

REAR OF low's BLOCK, MAIN STREET.

1854.

CONTENTS

PAGE.

Sketch of the Indians, 9

Exploration of the country,25

Townships laid out, 27

Charter, 28

Names of Grantees, 33

First Meeting of Proprie-
tors, 34

Early Settlers, 38

Saw-Mill, 42

New Charter, 43

Grist-Mill, 48

Revolutionary War, 48

Incorporation, 52

First Representative, 56

School-House, 65

Settling of the lines by the

Legislature, 67

Methodists, 77

Free Will Baptists, 85

Spotted Fever, 88

House of Worship,.... 91

FAGB.

Copper Mine, 98

Surplus Revenue, 103

IJniversalists, 104

B., C. & M. Railroad, 106

Description of Scenery,... 116

Town Officers, &c.,.. 139

Census, 143

Taxes, 143

Name and situation of the

Town, 144

Memory of First Settlers,. 145

Graveyards, 158

Animals, &c., 156

Productions, 158

Postmasters, 162

Casualties, 163

Traders, 165

Physicians, 166

College Graduates, 168

Schools, 169

Circulating Library, 170

PRBFAOE.

S75

Ever interesting must be the history of our country. There is a
charm resting upon the deeds of those hardy sons who first subdued the
forest ; and their adventures, which involved such fearful daring and
enduring fortitude amid every hardship, should be remembered. The
red man, also, who here had his hunting grounds, where now are beauti-
ful fields and pastures, and w^ built his wigwam by the side of every
stream and pond which contained the speckled trout and golden salmon,
should not be forgotten.

That hardy generation of white men, who first settled this section of
New-Hampshire, has passed away. Their children are fast following ;
and to prevent the forgetfulness into which their deeds are rapidly pass-
ing, and to give a plain and correct account of the prominent events
which have occurred in the history of Warren, is the object of this
work. Of course, we have not related all the incidents that have tran-
spired, for many of them are irrecoverably lost ; but in procuring the
many facts no pains has been spared, and circumstances relative to the
Indians and first settlers, which at first it was considered impossible to
obtain, have by diligent search and comparing notes been brought to light.

The writer is deeply indebted to many persons for books and infor-
mation, among whom stand conspicuous James Clement, Samuel Mer-
rill, Nathaniel Merrill, 2d, Kussell Iv. Clement, Dr. Jesse Little, Joseph
Clement, David Smith, Joseph Bixby, A. W. Eastman, James Dow,
Jonathan M. Eaton, Thomas Pillsbury, Amos F. Clough, Col. Isaac
Merrill, Mrs. Betsy Patch, Mrs. Tamar Clement, Mrs. Eliza Pillsbury,

Vlll PREFACE.

Mrs. Susan C. Little, Mrs. Samuel Knight, Miss Ilannali B. Knight,
and many others. To all his most sincere thanks are paid.

The following authorities have aided materially, and he has taken
much fi-om many of them : Belknap's History of New-Hampshire,
Whiton's History of New-Hampshire, Power's History of Coos, Jack-
son's Keports, Town Records, Proprietors' Eccords, authentic Tradi-
tion, &c.

In writing this History, the writer lays claim to no literary merit, hut
was influenced to commence tlie work to preserve to future generations
that which bid fair to become buried in oblivion ; and he is sure that
events, however common -place they may seem, will possess a certain
degree of interest to all, and especially to every native-born citizen of
Warren.

In writing a work of this character, tliere will be data Avhich will as-
sist the future labors of the writer of the State or National History —
for no National History can be coi-rect without the History of the seve-
ral States, and no State History accurate without a knowledge of the
Histories of the many towns of which it is composed.

It is believed that the work, as far as it is possible in a first edition, is
correct, and it is hoped that individuals will continue to collect incidents
in relation to the first settlers, and other useful information, and at some
future day a second edition be published.

HISTORY OF WARREN.

CHAPTER I.

A SKETCH OF THE PEMIGEWASSETS.

Had an individual, previous to 1760, stood
u23on that ridge of land upon one side of which
flows that wild and rapid stream known as Baker
river," and upon the other the more sluggish wa-
ters of Black brook, all around him, from moun-
tain to mountain, from hill to hill, across that
whole valley, would have been one unbroken
forest, in which roamed free the stately moose
and nimble deer, and was heard the cry of the
gaunt wolf — the sullen growl of the bear — the
low and heavy sound of the partridge, drum-
ing, or the whirr of its heavy flight, as it flew to
some distant tree-top, scared by the cunning fox,
and the squirrel chattering in the branches over-
head, as it stored away nuts for winter. The bea-
vers dammed the running stream, and in their
ponds were reflected the huge pines, towering
maples, and wide spread elms ; while in the shade
with the owners swam undistubed the duck on

10 HISTORY OF WARREN.

those lone, silent waters. The bald peaks of Moose-
hillock mountain looked down upon the hills and
valleys around, and saw only one vast solitude,
for centuries unbroken save by the stately tread
of the Indian, as he moved about his encampment.
Yes, here in these solitary wilds " lived and lov-
ed another race of beings." Here, in these val-
leys and upon these hills, were the hunting
grounds of a once powerful tribe. Here they
dwelt, and the uncultivated red man stood forth
the lord of inanimate and irrational life. In
the brooks and ponds they caught the speckled
trout, and in our own river captured the golden
salmon. Upon its shores the moose, the deer, the
partridge, the rabbit were hunted ; and the bear,
the wolf, the fox, the martin, the beaver, and the
wild loupcerviere, with the rest were captured.
The smoke of the fires by the wigwams curled
up in beautiful wreaths among the foliage of the
trees. The graceful wave of the rich growing
maize, in their wild and uncleared fields, lent
beauty to solitude. The wild, joyous feast, with
its songs of festivity and mirth — the low, beau-
tiful Indian songs of sorrow and affection, breathed
in sweet unison with the voices of nature, the
wild war-whoop — all tliese were here ; all that
was sacred ; all that was dear ; all that the un-
sophisticated Indian loved was here scattered in
rich profusion. But they are gone — they have

DIFFERENT INDIAN TRIBES. 11

faded, like the mist of a sunlight morning, and
now scarcely a vestige is to be fomid.

" Alas for them — their day is o'er,
Their fires are out from hill and shore ;
'No more for them the wild deer hounds,
The plow is on their hunting grounds ;
The pale man's ax rings through the woods —
The pale man's sail skims o'er their floods.

*****
Cold with the beast he slew he sleeps ;
O'er him no filial spirit weeps ;
No crowds throng round, no anthem notes ascend,
To bless his coming and embalm his end ;
Even that he lived is for his conqueror's tongue.
By foes alone his death-song must be sung."*

When the Europeans landed upon the shores
of America, they found the country filled with
numerous tribes of Indians. These roamed free,
the lords of the soil which they owned in com-
mon, and enjoyed their many pastimes, disturbed
only by the few feuds that rose between them.
Their wars were short and sanguine, and when
one party was conquered, they were governed
by the will of the conquerors.

The Indians who inhabited New-Hampshire
consisted principally of the Squamscot, Newich-
anock, Penacook, Ossipee, Pequawket, Pemige-
wasset, Coos, and several other tribes on the
Connecticut river.

The Squamscots and Newichanocks dwelt on
the river Pascataqua and its tributaries; the

* Charles Sprague.

12

HISTORY OF WARREN.

Penacooks on the Merrimack, having their head
quarters at Amoskeag and Concord ; the Ossipees,
around Ossipee pond ; the Pequawkets, on the
Saco river ; the Pemigewassets, on the Pemige-
wasset river, and around Winnipisseogee and
Squam lakes ; the Coos, on the Connecticut and
its tributaries, in the north part of the State. —
These Indians did not differ in language, man-
ners, or government, from many of the other
Indians of the United States. They occupied
no particular spot for a residence any great length
of time, removing often to different portions of
their hunting grounds, as the game became thin-
ned around them. Their wigwams were made
by planting a strong pole in the ground, and
also many others in a circle around it. These
were bent to the 6entre pole, fastened, and then
covered with bark and mats, so as to render them
dry and comfortable. Their beds were skins of
animals and mats made of reeds. In appearance
they were tall, strait, powerfully made, capable
of enduring much fatigue and privation. They
had black eyes, coarse black hair, high cheek
bones, and teeth whiter than ivory. In dress
there was but little difference between them.
In summer they wore a short frock about their
waist, and in winter enveloped themselves in the
skins of beasts. Their moccasins were made of
deer skins, and in winter they wore snow shoes,

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 13

and with them could overtake the swiftest ani-
mals. They were exceedingly fond of ornaments,
and the sachems, on days of show and festivity,
wore mantles of deer skins, embroidered with
white beads or copper. For a sign of royalty
the skin of a wild cat or a chain of fish bones
was worn. The men at times were indolent, and
their principal employments were hunting, fish-
ing, fashioning their rude implements, building
their canoes, and war. The women dressed the
food, took charge of the domestic concerns, tilled
the wild fields, and performed almost all the
drudgery connected with their household affairs.

In the use of the bow they manifested great
skill, and even their children^ for whom they had
a great fondness, were adepts in the arts. Their
respect for the aged was also great. In fighting
they divided themselves into small parties of four
or five, and by attacking all quarters at once
rendered themselves very formidable, by creating
universal alarm.

For utensils, they had hatchets of stone, a
few shells and sharp stones, which they used for
knives ; stone mortars and basins, made of free
stone. Their food was of the coarsest and sim-
plest kind; feasting at times when they had
plenty, and fasting when provision was scarce.
Flesh and fish they roasted on a stick, or broiled
on the fire. In some instances they boiled their

14

HISTORY OF WARREN.

corn and meat by putting hot stones into water.
Corn they parched, especially in the winter, and
upon this they lived in the absence of other food.

They were a religious people, and believed in
the existence of two Gods ; the one good, who
was the superior, and whom they styled the
Great Spirit, and the other the evil. Both these
they worshipped, and besides them many other
deities, such as fire, water, thunder, — anything
which they conceived superior to themselves, and
capable of doing them injury. Of the creation
and deluge they had distinct traditions. The In-
dians of New-Hampsliire ascribed the summits of
high mountains to be the residence of the Great
Spirit, and consequently never ascended to the
tops, thinking he would be angry, although they
roved with impunity over their sides.

At the time of the first discovery of New-
Hampshire these several tribes, although governed
each of them by a distinct sachem, yet they all
owned subjection to a sovereign prince called
Bashaba, whose residence was at Penobscot, Me.
But shortly afterwards it was found that the Tar-
ateens, who lived farther eastward, had invaded
his country, surprised and slain him, and all his
people in his neighborhood, and carried off his
women, leaving no traces of his authority. Upon
which the subordinate sachems, having no head
to unite them, and each one striving for pre-

PASSACONAWAY. 15

eminence, made war among themselves, by which
means many of their people and much of their
provision were destroyed.

In this struggle the Squamscots, Newichsan-
ocks, and Pemigewassets, were conquered by the
Penacooks, and acknowledged subjection to Pas-
saconaway, their chief He excelled the other
sachems in sagacity, duplicity and moderation,
but his principal quahfication was his skill in
some of the operations of nature, which gave
him the reputation of a sorcerer, and extended
his name and influence among all the neighbor-
ing tribes. They believed that it was in his
power to make water burn, trees dance, and
metamorphose himself into q^ame ; that in win-
ter he could raise a green leaf from the ashes of
a dry one, and a living serpent from the skin of
one that was dead.

This sachem lived till the year 1760. Before
his death, on one of the great festivals of the
tribe, he in his farewell address told them to take
heed how they quarreled with their English
neighbors, for they might do them some damage,
yet it would prove the means of their own de-
struction. He told them that he had been a bit-
ter enemy to the English, and by his acts of
sorcery had tried his utmost to hinder their set-
tlement and increase, but could by no means
succeed. This caution, perhaps often repeated,

16 HISTORY OP WARREN.

had such an effect that in the breakmg out of
the war, fifteen years after, Wonolanset, his son
and successor, withdrew himself and his people
into some remote place, that he might not be
drawn into the quarrel.

After the death of Passaconaway, the Pemige-
wassets, whose sachem was Pehaungun, ceased
to acknowledge subjection to the Penacooks ;
and, having increased much in numbers, were
now quite a powerful tribe. Their principal resi-
dence was at the confluence of the Pemigewasset
and Baker rivers, but different families of the
tribe were scattered throughout their hunting
grounds. For about fifty years they flourished,
and were at peac^Avith the English and neigh-
boring Indians. At the expiration of this time,
or in the year 1703, Queen Anne's war broke out,
when they joined with the other tribes in the
contest. This war was continued till 1712, and
■during the time the frontier of Maine, New-
Hampshire and Massachusetts, was continually
assailed by parties of Indians that came from all
the tribes in these States, and the Arosagunta-
cook* tribe, in Canada. Two years after the
commencement of the war the Penacooks, Newich-
sanocks, Squamscots, with several small tribes
upon the coast of Maine, having lost a number
of their warriors in their many skirmishes with

* Commonlv called the St. Francis tribe.

QUEEN ANNE's WAR. 17

the English, were persuaded by the Governor of
Canada to unite with the Arosaguntacooks. By
this pohcy they became more firmly allied to the
interests of the French, and were themselves
better enabled to carry on the war.

The Pemigewassets were now the frontier In-
dians in New-Hampshire, and entered with much
more spirit into the contest. One of the causes
of their greater zeal was that they had seen
their neighbors dispossessed of their hunting
grounds, and they feared that some day they
should share the same fate ; and so, while JMassa-
chusetts and New-Hampshire were fighting with
the eastern Indians, they continually hovered
like a dark cloud with their small parties upon
the almost defenceless frontiers, and by their bold
depredations kept the inhabitants in an almost
continual state of alarm. So greatly were the
settlers annoyed that they raised a large com-
pany and marched up the Merrimack to attack
them. The fourth day from home, they discov-
ered an Indian settlement a short distance from
the river ; and after carefully reconoitering, and
finding that the number of the Indians was less
than their own, they advanced to the attack.
The Indians did not discover the English until
they were close upon them, when they were ac-
cidently observed by a young warrior, who cried
out, " Owanux, Owanux, Englishmen ! English-

18 HISTORY OF WARREN.

men !" This frightened the other Indians, who,
rising up quickly, the English fired upon them
and killed eight on the spot. The others imme-
diately fled ; and the company, with considerable
booty and the scalps of the Indians, returned
home without the loss of a man.

But the Pemigewassets immediately retaliated
for this loss, and killed several persons at Dover
and Kingston, besides taking a number of pris-
oners, who were carried to Canada and sold to
the French. Shortly after this a treaty was con-
cluded between the French and English, and
these border wars, which had been principally
excited by the French, ceased.

In 1722, New-Hampshire and Massachusetts
became involved in a war with the eastern In-
dians, and the Pemigewassets, contrary to their
wishes, by some means were obliged to take a
part. Shortly after its commencement two
hundred and fifty men were sent to the shores
of lake Winnipiseogee, to build a fort and cut
out a road from that place to Dover ; but the
expense so fiir exceeded the benefit which could
be expected from a fort at such a distance in the
wilderness, the design w^as laid aside, and the old
method of defence by scouts and garrisons was
adopted.

Two years afterwards, the Pemigewassets,
commanded bv Walternumus, their sachem, with

baker's fight. 19

the eastern and the Arosaguntacook Indians, who
had kept up the war, made descents upon Dover,
Durham, Kingston and Chester, and killed and
captured a large number of settlers. In the fall
of the year, Capt. John Lovewell, of Barnstable,
with a company of thirty men, penetrated the
country north of Lake Winnipissiogee. They
discovered an Indian wigwam, in which was a
man and boy. They killed and scalped the man,
and brought the boy alive to Boston, where they
received the reward promised by law, and a
handsome gratuity besides.

By this success his company was augmented
to seventy. They marched again, and visiting
the place where they had killed the Indian found
the body as they had left it two months before.
From this place they pursued an easterly course,
and before returning home surprised and killed
a party of ten Indians, who had encamped be-
side a small frozen pond in the town of Wake-
field. The ensuing season the Indians renewed
the war with vigor, and the frontier settlers be-
gan to act on the aggressive as well as defensive.
Capt. Lovewell marched into the country of the
Pequawkets, and with them fought one of the
most fierce battles ever recorded in the annals
of Indian warfare.

Massachusetts also equipped a company of
men, under the command of Capt. Baker, of

20 HISTORY OF WARREN.

Northampton, Mass., to march against the Pemi-
gewassets. He left that place with thirty-four
men, and proceeded up the Connecticut river as
far as Haverhill, N. H. Here he crossed the
height of land that divides the Connecticut from
the waters of Baker river, and followed down
this latter stream to its confluence with the Pe-
migewasset. At this place he for the first time
discovered traces of Indians, and sent forth
scouts to reconnoitre. These cautiously advanc-
ed to the river side, and opposite saw the pleas-
ant village of the Pemigewassets. The wigwams
were grouped in circles, and near by was grow-
ing finely the fresh young Indian corn. The
leaves of the trees, which were just beautifully
expanding, gave out a pleasant fragrance on the
air. The squaws were attending to their house-
hold duties, while the children were sporting
gleefully along the bank of the river. A greater
portion of the warriors had gone out in pursuit
of game, and those who were there little dreamed
that the pale face was near, to hurl the leaden
missile on its deadly errand. The scouts gazed
upon this scene for a few moments, and then re-
turned and reported their discovery.

Baker, after a short consultation, now moved
forward with his men with all possible circum-
spection. No sound, not even the breaking of a
twig or the crack of a gun-lock, warned the

baker's fight. 21

Pemigewassets of their impending fate. He
chose his position, and at a given signal the com-
pany opened a tremendous fire upon the Indians,
which carried destruction through their camp,
and was as sudden to them as a clap of thunder.
Some shouted that the English were upon them,
and that dreaded name echoed from mouth to
mouth, filling all with dismay. Many of the
children of the forest bit the dust in death, but
those who survived ran to call in their hunters.

Baker and his men immediately crossed the
river in pursuit, but all who were able had gone.
He fired their wigwams, and as the flames stream-
ed upward, and the smoke rolled aloft on the air,
a shout from the Indians echoed from hill to hill,
and reverberated down that valley, informing
Capt. Baker that the Indian warriors were col-
lecting to give him battle.

While the wigwams were being fired, part of
the company were searching about for booty.
They found a rich store of furs, deposited in
holes dug in the bank, in the manner bank swal-
lows dig to make their nests. Having obtained
these, Capt. Baker ordered a retreat, knowing
that the Indians would soon return, and he feared
in too great numbers to be resisted by his single
company. As they moved swiftly down the
river, the sound of the wild war-whoop greeted
their ears, which served to accellerate their speed.

22 IIISTOIU' OF WARREN.

Often it was repeated, and each time grew nearer.
When they had reached a poplar plain, in what
is -now the town of Bridgewater, a shrill, mad-
dened yell, and a volley of musketry in their
rear, told Baker tliat the Indians were upon him,
and he must immediately prepare for action.
This they did by retreating to a more dense wood.
The Indians, commanded by Walternumus, im-
mediately pursued, and swarming on all sides
poured vollies of musketry into the woods which
concealed their enemies. On the other hand,
the little party, concealing themselves behind
rocks and trees, plied their muskets with heroic
valor and much effect. Balls rattled in showers
around, scattering twigs and branches of the
trees in every direction. While the battle was
going on, Walternumus accidently encountered
Capt. Baker. They saw each other at the same
time, and fired almost simultaneously. The ball
of the sachem grazed the eyebroAv of Baker,
while his ball passed through the Indian's breast,
who, uttering a loud whoop, leaped high in air
and fell a corpse.

The Indians now, having lost their commander
and a considerable number of men, retreated.
Oapt. Baker immediately collected his men and
again ordered a retreat, for he believed that the
Indians, though repulsed, would soon, rally to
tlie attack, and their nimibers constantly swell bv

baker's fight. 28

those who would jom them. On he went, allow-
ing his men no refreshment after the battle.
For many miles they travelled without food,
until hunger oppressing them they declared that
they might as well die by the red man's bullets,
as by famine. Capt. Baker, now finding it use-
less to try to proceed fa'rther, acquiesced for
them to stop and satisfy their craving appetites.
While building their fires to cook their food, a
friendly Indian, who had acted as guide, proposed
a stratagem by which the Indians would be de-
ceived when they came up, in i»egard to their
numbers. He told them each to build as many
fires as they possibly could in a given time, and
in roasting their meat to use several forks about
the same piece ; then, after they were done, to
leave an equal number around each fire. This
they did, and after enjoying their hasty meal,
again moved swiftly on.

The Indian warriors, coming up shortly after,
found the fires still burning ; they counted the
number of forks, and b^ng alarmed at the sup-
posed number of the English, they whooped a
retreat, and Baker and his men were no more
annoyed by them on their return. On the re-
treat of the Indians, they visited their battle
field and gazed with sorrow on the once prouci
forms of their brothers. After burying them,
they wended their way to their once to them

/

/

24 HISTORY OF WARREN.

beautiful village. The survivors through fear
had not collected, and, as the warriors approach-
ed, their hearts were filled with emotions far dif-
ferent from those which but a few hours before
possessed them. All was ruin —

" No wigwam smoke is curling there,
The very earth is scorched and bare ;
And they pause and listen to catch a sound,
Of breathing life, but there comes not one,
Save the fox's bark and the rabbit's bound,
And here and there on the black'ning ground,
White bones are glistening in the sun."

Here, too, tlie last sad offices were performed
to departed nature. When done, they erected
a few temporary wigwams, and gradually the
fugitives who fled from the village when attacked,
were collected. A few days later, the remainder
of the tribe joined them, and after a long coun-
cil it was decided to unite with the Arosagunta-
cooks, as many other eastern tribes were doing.
It was hard to leave their pleasant hunting
grounds, but stern necessity compelled them, and
in a few days those dear and sacred places were
solitary and deserted. A few of the tribe re-
mained about the shores and islands of Lake
Winnipissiogee, and there dwelt a passive people
until the settling of the towns around it. Thus
^he country which was once possessed by a brave
people, became a solitude, and for many years
after was seldom visited, except by a few white

DEPARTURE OF THE INDIANS. 25

hunters and straggling parties of Indians, on
their way to the English settlements upon the
frontier.

CHAPTER II.

CIVIL HISTORY.

But little thought was given to the settling of
the northern section of New-Hampshire until
1752. At this time the most northern settle-
ment on the Merrimack river was Bakerstown,
(now Salisbury and Franklin,) and upon the
Connecticut there was none above Charlestown.
During the season it was proposed to establish a
fort and garrison at Haverhill and Newbury, and
a party was sent up to view the country. But
the Arosaguntacooks, hearing of the design, re-
monstrated, and threatened war if the settlement
was commenced. This threatening being com-
municated to the governor of New-Hampshire,
threw such discouragement on the project that
it was laid aside.

Early in the spring of this year, David Stin-
son, John Stark, (afterwards Gen. John Stark,)
Wilham Stark, and Amos Eastman, were hunting
near a small pond, in the northeast corner of Rum-

26 HISTOEY OF WARREN.

ney. Here tliey were surprised by a party of
ten Indians, under the command of Francis Tit-_
agaw. John Stark and Amos Eastman were
immediately taken prisoners and bound. Wil-
liam Stark was upon the opposite side of the
pond, and John Stark shouted to him to make
his escape, which he did. Stinson, at the time
of the seizure of young Stark and Eastman,
leaped into a canoe, and pulled for the opposite
shore. The Indians called for him to come back,
but he heeded them not. This exasperated
them, and they fired ujDon him. The balls rat-
tled around him ; but, not taking effect, he still
pulled resolutely on, when one, taking more sure
aim than the rest, sent the fatal bullet on its
mission. A shriek, a maddened leap upwards,
and he that was David Stinson fell into the
pond a corpse, and those clear crystal waters
were stained with his blood. From this circum-
stance it received the name of Stinson pond.
John Stark received a severe beating for calling
to his brother, after which he and Eastman were
carried to the head quarters of the Arosagunta-
cooks. Here they endured many cruelties, but
were redeemed before autumn by Capt. Stevens,
and on their return gave an account of the great
goodness of the lands lying upon the upper
waters of the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers.
In the summer of 1754, by order of govern-

CIVIL HISTORY. 27

ment, several companies were sent up to explore
this section, and prepare for its speedy settle-
ment. But the Indians again remonstrated, and
the French War breaking out shortly afterwards,
all efforts to discover new territory ceased ; for
in those times each indi^ddual had as much as
he could conveniently do to retain what he then
had. In a few years this war was brought to a
successful termination — the Indians were sub-
dued and conquered, and the frontier settlers no
longer feared the dreaded tomahawk and scalp-
ing knife.

During the war numerous bodies of troops
had passed and repassed these vallies, and ad-
mired the beauty and fertility of them, and now
that peace was restored, eagerly sought them for
the purpose of settlement and speculation. Gov.
Wentworth and his council immediately caused
a survey of the country on the Connecticut
river to be made, and six ranges of townships to
be laid out ; three on each side of the river.
Applications for grants were made in rapid suc-
cession, and the governor reaped a rich harvest
by the fees which were paid him. Besides the
fees and presents for these grants, which Avere
imdefined, a reservation Avas made for the gov-
ernor of five hundred acres in each township, and
of lots for pubUc purposes. These reservations
were clear of all fees and charges. *

28 HISTORY OF AVARREN.

On the petition of John Page and' sixty-five
others, the following charter of a tract of land
lying in the second range of townships on the
east side of Connecticut river, and upon the
head waters of Baker river, was given them,
viz :

PROVINCE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

George the Third, ly the Grace of God, of Great
Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of
the Faith, &c.

To all persons to whom these Presents shall
come, greeting. — Know ye, that we, of our special
grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, for
the due encouragement of settling a new plant-
ation within our said province, by and with the
advice of our trusty and well beloved Benning
Wentworth, Esq., our governor and commander-
in-chief of our said province of New-Hampshire in
New-England, and of our council of the said prov-
ince, have, upon the conditions and reservations
hereinafter made, given and granted, and by these
presents for us, our heirs and successors, do give
and grant in equal shares unto our loving subjects,
inhabitants of our said province of New-Hamp-
shire, and our other governments, and to their heirs
and assigns forever, whose names are entered
on this grant, to be divided to and amongst them

CHARTER. 29

into seventy-two equal shares : all that tract or
parcel of land, situate, lying and being within
our said province of New-Hampshire, containing
by admeasurement twenty-two thousand acres,
which tract is to contain almost six miles square
and no more ; out of which an allowance is to
be made for highways and unimproved lands, by
rocks, ponds, mountains and rivers, one thousand
and forty acres free ; according to a plan and
survey thereof, made by our said governor's
order, and returned into the secretary's office,
and hereunto annexed, butted and bounded as
follows, viz. : Beginning at the north-westerly
corner of Rumney, thence running north twenty-
four degrees east, five miles and three quarters
of a mile ; thence turning off and running north
fifty-eight degrees west, six miles and one half
mile, to the south-easterly corner of Haverhill ;
thence south twenty degrees west five miles
and three quarters of a mile, then turning off
again, and runs south fifty-nine degrees east six
miles, to the corner of Rumney begun at ; and
that the same be and hereby is incorporated into
a township by the name of Warren ; and the in-
habitants that do or shall hereafter inhabit the
said township, are hereby declared to be enfran-
chised with, and entitled to, all and every privi-
lege and immunities that other towns within
our province by law exercise and enjoy ; and,

30 HISTORY OF WARREN.

further, that the said town, as soon as there shall
be fifty families resident and settled thereon,
shall have the liberty of holding two fairs, one
of which shall be holden on the
and the other on the annually ;

which fairs are not to be continued longer than
the respective following the said

; and that as soon as the said town
shall consist of fifty families, a market may be
opened and kept one or more days in each week,
as may be thought most advantageous to the
inhabitants ; also, that the first meeting for the
choice of town officers, agreeable to the laws of
our said province, shall be held on the second
Wednesday of February next, which said meet-
ing shall be notified by John Page, Esq., who is
hereby also appointed the moderator of the said
first meeting, which he is to notify and govern,
agreeable to the laws and customs of our said
province ; and that the annual meeting forever
hereafter, for the choice of such officers for the
said town, shall be on the first Wednesday of
March, annually : to have and to hold the said
tract of land, as above expressed, together with
all privileges and appurtenances, to them and
their respective heirs and assigns forever, upon
the following conditions, viz. :

1st. That every grantee, his heirs or assigns,
shall plant and cultivate five acres of land within

CHARTER. 31

the term of five years, for every fifty acres con-
tained in his or their share or proportion of land in
said township, and continue to improve and settle
the same by additional cultivation, on penalty
of the forfeiture of his grant or share in the said
township, and of its reverting to us, our heirs
and successors, to be by us or them re-granted
to such of our subjects as shall effectually settle
and cultivate the same.

2d. That all white or other pine trees within
the said township, fit for masting our royal navy,
be carefully preserved for that use ; and none
be cut or felled without our special licence for
so doing, first had and obtained ; upon the pen-
alty of the forfeiture of the right of such
grantee, his heirs and assigns, to us, our heirs
and successors, as well as being subject to the
penalty of any act or acts of Parliament that
now are or hereafter shall be enacted.

3d. That before any division of the land be
made to and among the grantees, a tract of land
as near the centre of the said township as the
land will admit of, shall be reserved and marked
out for town lots, one of which shall be alloted
to each grantee, of the contents of one acre.

4th. Yielding and paying therefor, to us, our
heirs and successors, for the space of ten years,
to be computed from the date hereof, the rent
of one ear of Indian corn only, on the twenty-

32 HISTORY OF WARREN.

fifth day of December annually, if lawfully de-
manded ; the first payment to be made on the
twenty-fifth day of December, 1763.

5th. Every proprietor, settler or inhabitant,
shall yield and pay unto us, our heirs and suc-
cessors, yearly, and for every jeai forever, from
and after the expiration of ten years after the
abovesaid twenty-fifth day of December, namely,
on the twenty-fifth day of December, which will
be in. the year of our Lord 1773, one shilling,
proclamation money, for every hundred acres he
so owns, settles or possesses, and so in proportion
for a greater or less tract of the said land, which
money shall be paid by the respective persons
abovesaid, their heirs or assigns, in our council
chamber, in Portsmouth, or to such officer or
officers as shall be appointed to receive the same,
and this to be in lieu of all other rents and ser-
vices whatever.

In testimony whereof we have caused the
seal of our said province to be hereunto affixed.
Witness, Benning Wentworth, Esq., our governor
and commander-in-chief of our said province, the
14th day of July, in the year of our Lord Christ,
one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three,
and in the third year of our reign.

_ ^^ B. WENTWORTH.

By His Excellency's command, witli advice of Council.
T. ATKINSON, jun., Secretary.

GRANTEES OF WARREN.

33

Kecord-

Province of New-Hampshire, January 28tli, 1764.
ed in the book of charters, No. 3, page 78, 79.

T. ATKINSON, Jun., Secretary.

THE NAMES OF THE GRANTEES OF WARREN.

John Page, Esq.,
Jona. Greely, Esq.,
James Graves,
Joseph Blanchard, Esq.;
Capt. John Hazen,
Ephraim Brown,
Joseph Whitcher,
Reuben French,
Samuel Osgood,
Thomas True,
David Clough,
Daniel Page,
Joseph Page,
Belcher Dole,
Reuben True,
Stephen Webster,
John Darling,
Capt. John Parker,
Jona. Greely,
Enoch Chase,
Lemuel Stevens,
Abel Davis,
Capt. George Marsh,

Ebenezer Morrill,
Trueworthy Ladd,
William Whitcher,
,Ebenezer Collins,
Ebenezer Page,
Samuel Page,
Moses Page,
John Page, jun.,
Ephraim Page,
Enoch Page,
Benj. French, jun.,
Aaron Clough, jun.,
Silas Newel,
David Morrill,
Nathaniel Currier,
Benj. Clough,
Henry Morrill,
Jacob Hook, Esq.,
Josiah Bartlett,
Peter Coffin, jun.,
William Parker, jr. Esq,
Ebenezer Stevens, Esq.,
Dier Hook,

Philip Tilton,

Nathaniel Fifield,

Andrew Greely,

Jacob Currier,

Samuel Dudley,

Joseph Tilton,

Francis Batchelder,

Joseph Greely,

John Batchelder,

Jacob Gale,

Abraham Morrill,

Jeremy Webster,

The Hon. Theodore At-
kinson, jun.,

Nathaniel Barrel,

Samuel Graves,

John Marsh,

Moses Greely, of Salis-
bury,

Andrew Wiggin, Esq.,

James Nevins, Esq.,

Capt. Thomas Pierce.

His Excellency Benning "Wentworth, a tract of
land, to contain five hundred acres, as marked
B. W. on the plan, which is to be accounted two
of the within shares. One whole share for the
incorporated society for the propagation of the
gospel in foreign parts. One share for a glebe
for the church of England, as by law established.
One share for the first settled minister, and one

34 HISTORY OF WARREN.

share for the benefit of a school in said town
forever.

Province of New-Hampshire, Jan. 28th, 1764.

Recorded in the book of charters, No. 3, page
80. T. ATKINSON, Jun., Secretary.

At the first meeting of the proprietors, holden
at the inn of Col. Jonathan Greely, in Kingston,
N. H., agreeable to a provision of the charter for
the same, Jeremy Webster was chosen clerk;
Jeremy Webster, Col. Jonathan Greely and
Lieut. James Graves were chosen Selectmen.
After transacting some other business of minor
importance, the meeting was adjourned without
taking any measures for the settlement of the
town. But another meeting was immediately
called, and was holden at the same place, on the
seventh of March, 1764, and a committee cho-
sen, consisting of John Page, Esq., Lieut. James
Graves, Col. Jonathan Greely, Capt. John Hazen,
and Capt. Stephen Webster, to run the line
round about the township.

A part of this committee came to Warren in
the year 1764 or 1765, and fulfilled the duty for
which they were chosen. At that time they
came into a dense wilderness. There was no
road, and above Plymouth not even as much as
a spotted line of trees for them to follow. They
carried their provision upon their backs, in knap-
sacks, and when night came on kindled a fire

JOSEPH PATCH. 35

and laid down beside it to sleep, with nothing for
a covering but the blue firmament, out of which
shone the rays of the twinkling stars and the
pale light of the moon. If it happened to rain,
each peeled the bark from some large spruce or
hemlock, and enveloping themselves with it, laid
down upon some dry knoll, where, the water
would more easily run off. -| -^ "^^JiQO/'/C

They found the north-west corner 6^ Rumney,
and commenced and marked the trees in course
about the whole town. While doing this, and
when they were on the south line, they took oc-
casion to ]3ass up the river and view the land,
after which they finished the line, and returned
to their homes in Kingston. For their services,
Jeremy Webster, Col. Jonathan Greely and John
Page, received, by a vote of the proprietors, at a
meeting held in October, 1765, at the inn of Col.
Jonathan Greely, the sum of sixty-four dollars.
At the same meeting, Col. Ebenezer Stevens, Col.
Jonathan Greely, Jacob Hook, Esq., Samuel Page,
Joshua Page, jun., John Page, Esq., and Capt.
Ephraim Brown, were chosen a committee to see
to clearing a public road through the town. This
committee proceeded to the business for which
they were chosen, but did not finish it ; conse-
quently the proprietors, at an after meeting,
chose another committee to finish the clearing of
the road. Before this committee had commenced

36 HISTORY OF WARREN.

their operations, which was in the spring of 1767,
the first settler of Warren took up his residence
in town.

Mr. Joseph Patch, from HoUis, N. H., a young
man of strong constitution, and almost passion-
ately fond of the solitary wilds of the wilderness,
had several times traversed this section of the
country in hunting excursions. In this vicinity
to a greater extent than in many others, moose,
deer, and other game abounded in the recesses
of the heavy forest growth, while the rapid,
gliding mountain streams were filled with the
speckled trout and golden salmon. This, and
the fineness of the land, induced him to lo-
cate his residence in the valley of Baker river,
near the foot of Carr and Moosehillock moun-
tains. He chose the land now owned by Mr.
William Clough, and built his cabin near Mr.
Clough's house, upon the opposite side of. the
road, near the bank of Hurricane brook. The
place where he dug his cellar, the old pine stump
on which he built his stone oven, and the first
apple tree which he planted, are still to be seen.

If we will go back eighty-seven years, if we
wish we shall see him an inhabitant of one of
those rude cabins that were then thinly scat-
tered through the wilderness. We observe him
felling the forest, or tilling the soil which had
never been touched by white hands before.

MR. MILLS. 37

There will be found around his cabin unbroken
silence, save when the stroke of the axe awakens
the echo, or the howl of the wolf disturbs the
dull ear of midnight. Weeks come and go, and
no one is here for a companion, save when a few
solitary individuals, passing by on their journey
to other settlements, or the committee for clear-
ing the road, are in town. Winter comes, but
still we find him alone, with nothing to break
the dull, monotonous solitude, but the excitement
of the chase, when he hunts the heavy moose
and nimble deer. But spring comes at last,
bringing i^ beautiful flowers and fresh green
leaves, and also cheering neighbors.

The proprietors this spring voted to give to
each individual who should settle in town prior
to October 1st, 1768, fifty acres of land and six
pounds in money, or one hundred acres of land
without the money. The proprietors also chose
another committee to finish clearing the road.
This committee was also to lay out twenty-five
lots of land, in such places as they thought proper,
and that each family who should settle agreeable
to the said proposition should have one of the
lots ; that the first settler take the first choice,
and so each in their order.

These ofiers had the desired effect to induce
individuals to settle the town. Before this, the
proprietors had offered little or no inducement

38 HISTORY OF WARREN.

for settlement ; and, consequently, as other pro-
prietors had been much more liberal to first set-
tlers, this town was not in so forward a state of
settlement as others around, and the reason of
the proprietors offering the above bounties was
that they were in danger of forfeiting their char-
ter by not fulfilling the requirements of the same.

The first settlers in the spring of 1768 were
Mr. Mills and his family, from Portsmouth, N. H.
They traveled on horseback, as did all the first
settlers, and in this way transported their house-
hold effects, of which it may be imagined there
was no inconsiderable variety and quantity. In-
deed, the state of the roads would admit of no
other mode of conveyance, for they were noth-
ing more than marked ways, with the fallen
trunks of trees chopped off and rolled from the
path.

Mr. Mills, having the first choice of the lots of
land laid out by the committee, chose the second
one north of the lot where Mr. Patch located
himself, and which is now owned by Mr. Augustus
K. Eaton. He built his cabin a few rods north
of the dwelling where Mr. Eaton now resides.
It was a frail habitation, but it served for a shel-
ter during the summer. Upon one side he built
a stone fire-place, and a chimney of small sticks
and mud. As he could bring no very heavy
articles of household furniture, he was under the

EARLY SETTLERS. 39

necessity of constructing a few. He made a
table by splitting a large ash tree into several
thin pieces, smoothing them with an axe, and
then pinned them, side by side, to two other
pieces, which ran in an opposite direction in the
form of cleats. This he fastened to one side of
the cabin, supporting it with small posts driven
into the gromid. But he had a more novel mode
of making chairs, and it was generally practiced
by the first settlers. The top of a spruce or fir
tree was procured, upon which several limbs
were growing ; this was split through the middle,
the" limbs cut ofi" the proper length, and after
smoothing to suit the fancy, the chair was com-
pleted. These were durable chairs, and the in-
stances were rare in which it became necessary
to send them to the cabinet-maker for repairs,
especially to have their legs glued in. Bedsteads
were made by boring two holes into the walls of
the cabin, about four feet apart. In these were
driven two sapling poles, the other ends of which
were supported by posts. For cords, elm bark
was used. All the other household utensils which
they needed were made in the same rough man-
ner.

After finishing his rough cabin, he immediately
commenced to clear the land around. Upon the
brook now known as Patch brook, which runs
through the place, was a meadow of considerable

40 HISTORY OF WARREN.

size, formed by the beavers flowing it for a pond.
Here a large quantity of grass grew wild, and
he improved his opportmiity of harvesting it for
use the ensuing winter. Several other individ-
uals came into town and settled during the season.

Mr. John Aiken settled upon the place now
occupied by George Bixby ; he built his cabin
east from the railroad depots. Mr. Aiken lived
upon the place until 1776, when it was proved
that he had not a good title to his land, and be-
ing dispossessed of it, he moved to Wentworth.

Joshua Copp, Esq., from Hampstead, commenc-
ed on the M. P. Merrill place, and built his cabin
on the old Coos road. This was the road laid out
by the committee chosen by the proprietors in
1767. From the south line of the town it kept
upon the west bank of Baker river till it arrived
at the mouth of Black brook. Crossing this
stream it followed along upon its east bank, keep-
ing upon the ridge of land to the spot where
the depot is now located. At this place it passed
down the steep bank, traversed the land now
occupied as the bed of a pond, and when it
arrived where the bridge now spans the water,
south of Mr. Stephen Lund's, it again crossed
the stream and kept upon the west bank until it
arrived nearly opposite where Esq. Weeks now
resides. Here it crossed Bowl's brook, a branch
of Black brook, and proceeded some distance to

FIRST SAW-MILL. 41

the eastward of the old Coos turnpike, before
wmding up the hill long known as the Height of
Land.

At the time of Mr. Copp's settlement the in-
terval, upon which are now located those three
beautiful farms, owned respectively by James M.
Williams, E. R. Weeks, Esq., and Col. Charles
Lane, was one large meadow, formed by the
beavers. Here, in some places, where it had not
grown up to alders, the grass grew spontaneously
and in great abundance, and Mr. Copp cut and
stacked a large quantity, and with his neighbors
drew it away upon hand-sleds the ensuing win-
ter.

Mr. Ephraim True settled upon the place
where Mr. Ira Libbey now lives, and erected his
cabin a short distance from Mr. Aiken's.

The first settlers suffered much for the want
of roads, bridges and mills. They had to go to
Haverhill and Plymouth for their provision, and
not unfrequently would travel to Haverhill and
bring home upon their backs a bushel to a bushel
and a half of meal, for the road at that time was
almost impassable for a horse. The ensuing
spring two settlers moved into town.

John Whitcher settled on the place where
John Whitcher now lives. He was born in Salis-
bury, June 19, 1749, and married Sarah Marston.

John Morrill commenced on the place now

42 HISTORY OF WARREN.

owned by Mr. Otinatus Simpson, of Wentworth.
In a few years he sold his place to Mr. Joseph
Kimball, and commenced upon another in a dif-
ferent portion of the town.

For the erection of a saw-mill to supply the
inhabitants with boards, the proprietors the pres-
ent year paid Mr. Joshua Copp a bounty of thirty
pounds. The mill was built upon the stream
known as Black brook, and was situated about
one third of a mile below Esq. Copp's house, on
the road that leads from Mr. Ezra W. Keyes' to
Mr. Stephen Lund's, and was the only saw-mill
in town for many years.

Here the first settlers hauled their timber,
which was very plenty, and considered by them
of very little value, and soon, instead of their
rude log cabins, which were almost akin to the
wild Indians' wigwams, they had comfortable
dwelling houses for those times. Of these we
have a few remaining amongst us, silent moni-
tors of the past. One of these stands just at
the foot of that steep hill known as the Blue
Ridge, and is probably the oldest framed dwell-
ing house in town. This was the dwelling built
and occupied by Mr. Joshua Copp, and formerly
stood a quarter of a mile west of its present
location, near the spot where he first erected his
humble cabin. The first and the oldest framed
building in town stands near the house occupied

SECOND CHARTER. 43

by Mr. Joseph Homan, and is used by him as a
barn. It was erected by Mr. Joseph Patch, upon
the place now occupied by Jonathan M. Eaton,
and near the place where he first settled.

This year the proprietors petitioned Gov.
Wentworth for a new charter, as, according to
the conditions of the one they now had, they had
incurred the penalty of a forfeiture.

In 1770 Gov. Wentworth, after being well paid
by the proprietors, granted them another ; they,
the proprietors, having set forth that in the sur-
veying and plotting the said township a mistake
was made which deprived them of a considerable
part of the land granted, by its interfering with
other grants ; and they also representing the dif-
ficulties they had encountered in cutting the
roads for the transportation of provisions and
other necessaries for its settlement and cultiva-
tion. The new charter contained the same con-
ditions, reservations and duties as expressed in
the original charter, and the penalty of forfeiture
which the grantees had incurred, was suspended,
and they had four more years from the date of
the second charter to fulfil their contracts in rela-
tion to the -settlement of the town.

After receiving the new charter, the proprie-
tors, at their subsequent meetings, evinced a
much more liberal spirit toward new settlers;
indeed, it was for their interest thus to do, that

44 HISTORY OF WARREN.

they might not incur the penalty of another
forfeiture. Therefore, until the breaking out of
the Revolutionary War the settlements were
more rapid than for several years after.

During the four succeeding years quite a
number of young men came and made begin-
nings, without forming any permanent settle-
ment. These were sent by the proprietors, that
they might fulfil their obligations in relation to
the charter.

In the year 1772 Col. Obadiah Clement came
from Sandown to Warren, and settled on the
farm of James M. WilUams. Col. Clement was
born in Kingston, N. H., Feb. 19, 1743, and mar-
ried Sarah Batchelder, who was born at Hamp-
ton, June 30, 1747. He built his house some
distance to the eastward of Mr. Williams' build-
ings ; and as there was considerable meadow on
his place, which he had bought of Col. Jonathan
Greely previous to his coming to Warren, he had
no difficulty in procuring hay enough to keep
his considerable stock of cattle which he drove
up. A few years after Col. Clement's settlement,
as he was ploughing a piece of land a short dis-
tance from his house, which he had before no-
ticed gave every indication of having many
years previous been burnt over, he turned up
several relicts of Indians. A greater portion of
the farms which lie in this valley it is believed

EARLY SETTLERS. 45

once composed the bed of a natural pond, and
here on its shores it is supposed the Indians had
an encampment. Through this valley also laid
one of the great routes of the Indians from the
Connecticut to Baker river valley.*

During the year 1773 Jonathan Clement, a
brother to Obadiah Clement, moved upon the
place where Enoch R. Weeks now resides. He
had the previous year accompanied his brother
to Warren, and made commencements upon the
place. Reuben Clement, another brother, also
came to Warren this year, and for some time re-
sided with his brothers.

Simeon Smith settled on the place now owned
by Rawson Clifford, of Wentworth. Warren, his
son, it is claimed was the first white child born
in Warren, and was named for the town ; but it
is said on good authority that a daughter of
Joshua Copp was the first. If this is the case,
he was the first male, and perhaps the first child,
as it is said there were but a few days between
their births.

* There are also many other indications which prove that the Indians
once resided in Warren. On the farm first settled by Mr. Samuel
Knight were plowed up quite a number of arrow heads, stone gouges,
&c. Arrow heads have also been found by Mr. Moses Kimball, and by
Mr. James Dow. Mr. Nathaniel Merrill, 2d, recently found in his
field a portion of a curious stone bowl, which gives every indication of
having been of Indian manufacture. What there is left of it shows that
when entii'e it must have been at least eight inches in length, five inches
in breadth, and four inches in depth. Upon each end are small ridges,
evidently designed to assist in holding it more firmly in the hand.

46 HISTORY OF WARREN.

Ephraim Lund came about this time and made
a settlement near Tarlton pond.

Shortly afterward, a little south of Mr. Lund,
Thomas Clark and Isaiah Batchelder began settle-
ments. These last named individuals received
their land from Philip White, one of the propri-
etors.

Chase Whitcher, from Salisbury, commenced
in the north part of the town, on the place now
occupied by James Harriman, and for many
years was the only family in this part of War-
ren. In the year 1779 he was married to Han-
nah Merrill. His nearest neighbor was Mr. Obar
diah Eastman, who about this time settled in
the south part of Benton. Shortly after Mr.
Eastman's settlement he ascended to the top of
Owl-head Mountain, being the first white man
who ever stood upon its summit. This moun-
tain has always been celebrated for the great
quantities of blueberries which annually grow
upon it, and as it was the season for them to be
ripe, Mr. Eastman beheld an abundance of deli-
cious fruit around him. Not willing to return
home without taking a quantity of it with him,
he began to think of what kind of a basket he
should have to carry it in. His first thought
was to construct a birchen bucket, but, upon
putting his hand in his pocket for his knife, he
found that he had not taken that useful article

EARLY SETTLERS. 47

with him. Here was a dilemma ; but necessity
was the mother of an invention in this case as
well as in many others. After thinking for a
few moments, he deliberately took of his leather
breeches which he had on, and tying up the
extremities, went to work, and in a short time
filled them with berries. Then carefully placing
them upon his shoulders, he descended the moun-
tain, passing through^the thick woods which
covers its sides, and at last, after receiving not a
few scratches, arrived at home.

William Heath lived in this town about this
time, but had no particular place of residence.

Mr. Stevens Merrill and his son Jonathan, with
their families, moved into town in 1775. They
were from Plaistow, and lived for a short time
with Mr. Joseph Patch, who, two years before,
had married a daughter of Mr. Merrill. Shortly
afterwards they moved upon the place where
Mr. Samuel Bixby now lives.

Joshua Merrill was born in Newbury, Mass.,
and came to Warren in 1775. He settled on the
place now occupied by Mr. Stephen Lund, where
he lived till about the year 1810, when, with his
only son, Joshua Merrill, jun., he moved to the
west. But he soon returned, and having lost
his wife, lived with one of his daughters in Bos-
ton, where he died in 1839 or 1840, aged one
hundred years.

48 HISTORY OF WARREN.

Capt. William Butler, from Brentwood, came
into town in 1775, and took up his residence
with Mr. Mills. Shortly after, Mr. Mills was ac-
cidentally killed while felling trees, and Capt.
Butler having married one of his daughters,
bought out the heirs and continued to live on
the place. A short time afterward he commenc-
ed to build a grist-mill upon Baker river, almost
directly in front of his house, and a little below
the spot where the large railroad bridge now
spans its waters. For so doing he afterwards re-
ceived quite a bounty from the proprietors.
Here the first settlers brought their grains, first
products of a virgin soil, and listened, as they
waited for their grists, to the music of the water
wheels, combined with the buzz of rude mill-
stones. Around was the old forest wood, scarce
undisturbed, and in its depths the gay birds ca-
roled forth their beautiful songs ; or in winter,
when heavy snows were upon the ground, the
shrill wind piped its music through the now leaf-
less branches. But years rolled on and the old
mill fell to decay, and now scarce a vestige of it
is to be seen. The school boy who goes to swim
in what was once the pond, wonders for what
purpose those old timbers which he sees in the
water were there placed.

About this time commenced the American
Revolution. The policy of Great Britain tow-

REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 49

ards this country for many years previous was
in every way tyrannical and oppressive, and well
calculated to call into action the efforts of every
friend of liberty ; and a people in whose very
natures were born the principles of freedom
were not long in rising to repel these oppressive
acts of injustice.

" True hearted volunteers rallied to the calls
of the brave and wise men of our country, im-
bued with a spirit worthy of the little band
which defended the pass of Thermopylae. They
fought and conquered, and their declining years
were cheered with the knowledge that the coun-
try, for which they had struggled so long and
fearfully, was prosperous and happy, and that
their deeds were gratefully remembered."

The citizens of Warren were not behind those
of other towns in points of patriotism, consid-
ering their numbers and ability. Many individ-
uals bravely left their homes and rallied around
the American standard, determining to fight for
their country's cause rather than bow to despotic
oppression. The town, though then unorganiz-
ed, raised men and paid them for serving in sev-
eral campaigns.

When Burgoyne, with his army invaded Ver-
mont and New York, that General purposely
sent out several companies of soldiers, with
papers upon them, purporting that three detach-

50 HISTORY OF WARREN.

ments of soldiers and tories were to be sent to
the Connecticut river valley : one to Newbury,
one to Royalton, and one to Cliarlestown, N. H.
One of these parties was captured by a company
of Americans and brought to Cliarlestown, and
the papers found upon them. The news spread
through the country with great rapidity, and filled
the people with consternation. They immedi-
ately left their homes with such light articles
as they could carry, and driving their cattle be-
fore them fled into the back towns. Many who
lived at Haverhill and Newbury came to Warren,
and for the short time they were here, were gen-
erously provided for by the inhabitants. At that
time Col. Obadiah Clement kept a tavern, and
as it was a convenient place of accommodation,
many went to his house. In the hurry and ex-
citement of those times we cannot reasonably
expect that they were burdened with funds, and
consequently many were unable to pay Col.
Clement. But he sustained them gratuitously,
remarking, " I had much rather give my prop-
erty to my fellow countrymen, than be forced
to pay any part of it to king George or his
imps." But the sending of these companies to
the Connecticut valley was only a stratagem
of Burgoyne, to divert the Americans from his
army, but it returned upon his own head with a
vengeance; for the people were aroused by it.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 51

and they flocked to the standard of General
Stark in scores, wisely concluding that it was
best to attack him at his head quarters, rather
than he should send his soldiers abroad to devas-
tate the surrounding country.

Immediately after the return of their Haver-
hill and Newbury friends to their homes, Joshua
Copp, Esq., Reuben Clement and Joseph Whitch-
er, left Warren and joined the forces of Gen.
Stark, and fought under him at the battle of
Bennington, where this brave* New-Hampshire
son, though acting independently of Congress,
rendered such efficient service to his country,
and, as said by eminent historians, " turned the
fortune of war."

52

CHAPTER III.

CIVIL HISTORY.

In the year 1779 the General Court of New-
Hampshire passed an act, that whereas the towns
of Warren, Wentworth, Bath and Canaan, owing
to their unsettled state, had not paid their due
proportion of State and Continental taxes, the
State Treasurer issue his warrant against them,
and collect their due proportion of taxes for the
years 1777, 1778 and 1779 5 and it was further
enacted, that as the towns of Warren and Wentr
worth had not their necessary officers, Samuel
Emerson, of Plymouth, N. H., be authorized to
call meetings in the towns of Warren and Went-
worth.

Pursuant to the conditions of this act, the in-
habitants of the town of Warren were notified
to meet at the house of Obadiah Clement, on
Thursday, the twenty-eighth day of July, 1779.
At this, the first meeting of the inhabitants of
Warren under the new State organization, Joshua
Copp, Esq., was chosen moderator, Obadiah Clem-
ent town-clerk, and then adjourned to meet
the twelfth day of August at the same place.

At the adjourned meeting, Obadiah Clement,
Joshua Copp, Esq., and Israel Stevens were

FIRST TOWN MEETING. 53

chosen selectmen for the present year. Simeon
Smith, constable, William Butler, Reuben Clem-
ent and Thomas Clark, surveyors of highways.

At a meeting, warned by the selectmen and
holden on the twenty-eighth day of August, chose
Gardner Dustin moderator, and then voted to
raise one hundred and fifty pounds, to lay out
on highways, and one hundred pounds to defray
town charges the present year.

In the month of February, 1780, Obadiah
Clement received a commission, appointing him
captain of the ninth company of the twelfth
regiment of militia, at that time commanded by
Col. Israel Morey. By it he was required to
hold himself in readiness to answer to all calls
of the Committee of Safety, or any superior
officer, according to military usage and discipline.

This commission was given by an order of the
Council, then in session at Exeter, and signed by
the Hon. Meshech Weare, the first President or
Governor of New-Hampshire. For an individ-
ual to hold a captain's commission in those times
was a high honor, and there was no greater day
with the first settlers than that when they met
to perform military duty. For uniforms, good
woolen frocks and strong tow trowsers were more
numerous than any others. For arms to use on
such occasions they had blunderbusses, which
looked as though they had done service in the

54 HISTORY OF WARREN.

days of old Noll ; ancient and marvelously
wrought fowling pieces, and muskets taken from
the French. The sound of the drum and the
shrill notes of the fife would take away the
stooping position caused by hard labor, and a
martial, dignified air was the result of that
music, as its strains echoed over the forest from
hill to hill. The first training took place on the
farm of Joshua Copp, Esq. This farm had been
cultivated nearly as long as any in town, and
consequently, in respect to stumps and logs as
obstructions, would be more free than those
cleared at a subsequent date.

This year it was voted to raise one hundred
and fifty pounds to defray town charges, and
seven hundred and fifty pounds to be laid out on
highways at nine pounds per day. This was con-
tinental currency, and for many causes had de-
preciated to its present value. Some of the
causes were that the British government used
every exertion to get public opinion to run in a
channel against it, and it was also extensively
counterfeited. Thus were the finances of our
government in a measure almost ruined.

On the 10th of July, 1780, a meeting of the
inhabitants was called. When assembled they
"voted to raise soldiers to serve in the war at
the present time."

Joshua Copp, Esq., and Obadiah Clement were

SOLDIERS FOR THE WAR. 55

chosen a comniittee to procure the same for the
town, and also " Voted, to exempt those who had
done turns in the war until others had done turns
equalhng them." Thus did the hardy and patri-
otic inhabitants of Warren, like the rest of their
countrymen, although poor and still in their in-
fancy, raise soldiers and pay them for serving in
the war which they deemed just and right to be
carried on. It* was also voted at the same meet-
ing to pay the soldiers who served in the militia
belonging to the town, the same amount when
they were called up, that the soldiers hired by
the town receive.

The number of legal voters in town this year
was twenty-five.*

Early the ensuing year the selectmen were
empowered to hire one more man to serve in
the continental army during the war, or for
three years. The individual that the selectmen
hired at this time was Charles Bowls, a young
minister of the Baptist persuasion, who had re-

* Na)nes of the Legal Voters of WaiTenfor the year 1780.

William Butler, Daniel Clark, Joshua Merrill,

Isaiah Batchelder, Ephraim Lund, Simeon Smith,

Thomas Clark, Joseph Lund, Ephraim True,

Joshua Copp, John Mon-ill, Moses True,

Obadiah Clement, Stevens Merrill, Chase Whitcher,

Jonathan Clement, Jonathan Merrill, Reuben Whitcher,

Reuben Clement, John Marston, John Whitcher.

Gardner Dustin, Nathaniel Niles,

Joseph Kimball, Joseph Patch,

56 HISTORY OF WARREN

cently moved into town and commenced upon
the place now owned by Mr. Chase Marston;
and after the war was over he came back and
resided there many years. Mr. Bowls, though a
minister of the gospel, and an advocate of peace,
was a high whig, and ardently espoused the
cause of freedom, and used his influence to in-
crease the band of patriots; and when there
were none at home who could conveniently
leave their families, he, being then a young, un-
married man, shouldered a musket and joined
those who were enduring every privation and
toil for their country's cause.

About this time a convention was held at
Charlestown, N. H., and Obadiah Clement was
chosen to attend it. The town also chose ;Joshua
Copp, Esq., William Butler, John Whitcher,
Thomas Clark and Josiah Batchelder a commit-
tee to give him instruction in relation to the
course which he should pursue at the conven-
tion.

* At the regular meeting for the choice of town
officers the present year, a committee was chosen,
consisting of Joshua Copp, Esq., and Col. Obadi-
ah Clement, to provide a stock of provision for
the town, to be dealt out in case of alarm ; the

* The new settlers in the year 1781 were
Peter Stevens, Joseph French, William Whiteman,

Jonathan Foster, William Tarlton, Charles Bowls,

Henry Sunbury, Amos Heath, John Hinkson.

A STOCK OF PROVISION. 67

stock of provision to consist of two hundred
pounds of flour and two hundred pounds of beef.
The reason for this was, not but what every man
had provision enough, but they had apprehen-
sions that their friends in the towns north might
be obhged to pay them a visit.

Vermont, at the time of the Revolution, al-
though she acted a conspicuous part, and her
sons by their heroic deeds and whole-souled pat-
riotism gained their distinctive appellation. The
Green Mountain Boys ; a title which their descend-
ants are proud to bear to this day, was not ac-
knowle.dged as an independent State by Congress ;
and although she asked admittance. Congress did
not dare to grant it, for the States of New-Hamp-
shire, New York and Massachusetts, each had
conflicting claims to the territory ; and it was be-
lieved by Congress that it would not be policy
to decide in favor of either. The British gov-
ernment were well aware of this fact, and of the
excited state of feeling in Vermont in regard
to it, and they entertained strong hopes that they
should detach her from the common cause and
bring her to espouse the interests of the mother
country. For this purpose they employed indi-
viduals to travel in every town, to influence
public opinion in their favor. To do this they
promised the most liberal rewards to all who

would favor them, and threatening with ven-
4

58 HISTORY OF WARREN.

geance all who should favor the interests of the
country. Many would listen to these proposals,
but Vermont had her true men in every settle-
ment, and these were particular objects of hatred
to those tories whom the British government
generally employed for this work. To secure
these, burn their dwellings and carry their pris-
oners to Canada, that they might be rid of their
influence, was the object of many expeditions
of the tories into the grants.

The towns of Haverhill and Newbury suf-
fered much by these expeditions, but Newbury
to a far greater extent than Haverhill. There
were many individuals in these towns whom the
tories were desirous of taking, and the people
were every day in danger of an attack. This
being known by the citizens of Warren, that they
might not be without the necessary means for
rendering assistance provided it was wanted, pro-
cured the above stores.

In the year 1783, Obadiah Clement was chosen
to represent, in the General Court to be holden
at Exeter in 1784, the towns of "Warren, Went-
worth and Coventry, (now Benton.) This was
the first representative who went from Warren,
but the town had been represented before, but as
it was classed with other towns the representation
was previously from them. Mr. Clement, of
whom we have several times before spoken, was

FIRST SCHOOL. 59

a young man of much ability, but never had the
advantages of a Hberal education, having attend-
ed school but two days in his life -, notwithstand-
ing, he was a well informed man for those times,
and could write a very legible hand, and was ca-
pable of doing any town business. Thus we find
him during; the first org-anization of the town
taking the le^d in its affairs.

* The town previous to this time had done
nothing for the support of public schools, but
there had been many private ones patronized by
individuals, and they in this way had done as
milch for educating their children as other towns
around them. But this year they commenced
those public schools of which we have enjoyed
so many privileges, and to which New England
people principally owe their standing in the
world. There was no school house in Warren at
this time ; and the first public school was taught
in a barn owned by Mr. Stevens Merrill, by Miss
Abigail Arling. For her services she received
the sum of three pounds. Here, for three months
during the summer, the young lads and lasses
studied their Psalter and Primer, (the only books
used at that time,) in a building without windows.
When it was a sunny day the light of a beauti-
ful gold color streamed through the many crev-

* The new settlers in the year 1782 loere
Jonathan Harbord, Moses Noyes, Henry Shaw,

Nicholas Whiteman, Gordon Hutchins, Barnabas Holmes.

60 HISTORY OF WARREN.

ices, reflecting in its rays the myriads of particles
ever floating in the air. If it was cloudy, the
big barn doors were thrown wide open, that they
might better see to learn the lessons assigned
them. For seats they had rough boards, placed
upon blocks, and their tables were of the same
materials. In the roof the merry swallows, as
they built their nests and fed their young, twit-
tered with a joyous happiness. The followmg
winter there was a private school kept in Mr.
Merrill's house.

Up to this time all records belonging to the
town had been^kept upon slips of paper, and the
town now having purchased the necessary books,
paid Mr. Obadiah Clement the sum of eighteen
shillings for transferring the records to them.

Among the many persons who had recently
moved into town was Mr. Samuel Knight. He
commenced this season upon the place where he
resided until his death, in 1846. Mr. Knight, al-
though not a very large man, possessed great
muscular jDOwer, and was well calculated to con-
vert the wild forest into fruitful fields. He being
unmarried, for a greater part of the time during
this season boarded with Mr. Stevens MerriU, but
sometimes would, when he had provision enough,
remain in his camp over night. One unusually
hot day in the month of June, when he had been
hard at work felling trees, he concluded so to do;

SAMUEL KNIGHT.

61

and altliough if it should happen to storm it
might not afford a very good shelter from the
rain, still it was such a beautiful day he thought
it would be amply sufficient for the night. He
ate his supper, and then sat down to enjoy the
beautiful scene. The moon was just rising, and
showed its bright round upper edge, as it stole
slowly up between Cushman and Carr mountains.
The twinkling stars came out one by one, and
made the blue azure vault overhead glow as if
set with innumerable diamonds. The frogs croak-
ed with a joyous tone, for they were filled with
gladness by the genial warmth the summer sun
imparted. The night-hawk screamed sharply as
it flew circling round overhead, or uttered its
heavy pouze as it dove swiftly doAvn. The whip-
powil sang its happy chant in the alders by the
purling brook, accompanied by the voices of its
happy mates. But as he sat meditating on this
beautiful solitary scene, he was suddenly startled
by the sharp flash of lightning, followed by the
low rumbling of distant thunder. A few mo-
ments more and the before beautiful sky was
completely enveloped Avith the dark clouds which
the freshening breeze now rolled up. Soon the
big drops began to patter down in quick succes-
sion, accompanied by the crashing of the bellow-
ing thunder, which rolled along the hill tops and
echoed through the many defiles which were

62 HISTORY OF WARREN.

now lighted up by the ahnost continued blaze of
sharp flashing lightning. The rain poured down
in torrents, and Knight's clothes were soon thor-
oughly saturated by the falling water. Cold and
wet he made up his mind to go home. The
clouds had not cleared away, and he had proceed-
ed but a short distance before he found that he
had undertaken a task not to be easily accom-
plished. When he arrived at Berry brook he
found it very much swollen by the rain. He
waded through and followed on until he came to
the foot of the hill near where Albert Bixby now
lives. Here he lost his path, and while searching
about for it was startled by a low, deep growl,
and looking up he saw what appeared to be two
balls of fire directly before him ; and the break-
ing of the many dry twigs told Knight that some
large animal was approaching. He shouted, but
that only accelerated the speed of the bear, for
such it proved to be, which in a few moments was
upon him : and rearing upon its hind feet grasp-
ed Knight with its fore paws. It was a desper-
ate time for him, but his right arm was free, and
quick as thought he pulled a knife from his
pocket, and, opening it with his teeth, thrust it
with desperate force into the side of the bear.
Luckily it pierced its heart, and instantly relax-
ing its hold, reeled around upon the groufid in
mad frenzy for a few moments, striking with fury

FIGHT WITH A BEAR. 63

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 WAREEN.

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.

FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE. 65

" Fire, you fool I " shouted Knight. Homan cock-
ed his gun, and as Knight's words rang in his
ears, turned his head in an opposite dhection,
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*

66 HISTORY OF WARREN.

brook; while behind, the never silent Baker
river rushed furionsly 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 J)art of
the towns adjoining.

To settle these difficulties, the proprietors of

SETTLING THE BOUNDARIES. 67

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-
em 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 afibrding an excellent water privilege. The
proprietors paid him for erecting this mill the
sum of twelve pounds.

NEW EMISSION OF MONEY. 59

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 inliabitants' 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 landj 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 setr
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

TAXES PAID IN PRODUCE. 71

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 Clough.

Aaron Welch, John Stone,

72 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
thetaLselves 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, Joncathan Hidden,

Jonathan Fellows, John Badger, Amos Little,

Ebenezer Hidden, Samuel Fellows, Richard Pillsbury,

Silas Lund,

BRIDGE OVEE PATCH BROOK. 73

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 V

(90.

Amos Clark,

John Gardner,

C. William Whiteman,

Daniel Pike,

James Little,

In 1791.

Thomas Pillshury.

Dr. Joseph Peters,

David Badger,

Enoch Page,

Joseph Knight.

74 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, John Chase,

David S. Craig, Daniel Welch.

In 1794.

Stephen Badger.

In 1795.

Stephen Flanders, Barnabas Niles.

ERECTION OF MEETING-HOUSE. 75

* 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, James Harran, Joseph Jones,

Nathan Barker, Dr. Levi Root, OIney Hawkins.

William Kelley, John Weeks,

In 1797.
Benjamin Kelley, Joseph Orn, Jesse Niles.

In 1798.
Dr. Ezi-a Bartlett, James Dow,

Asa Low, Abial Smith.

76 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, Metlioclism was first introduced
into Warren, by the Rev. Elijah R. Sabin. Rev.
My. 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 h'e 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 Taiiton pond. For many
years Warren was a part of Landaff circuit.

In the spring of this year Mr. James Williams

78 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 ujd 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 jDioneers 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 AVilliams, Benjamin Gale.

In 1800.
Daniel Davis, Luke Libbej, Jacob Low,

Samuel Jackson, Job Eaton, Abel Willard.

LAST MOOSE. 79

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
clarkj 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 de^ad, while the

PLAN OF THE TOWN. 81

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.

The sum of one hundred and thirty dollars
was paid Mr. Enoch Davis, who lived where Mr.
Addison Gerald now resides, for the future main-
tenance of a pauper, — the second one that had
become chargeable to the town.

At a town meeting held during the year it
was voted that the device for the weights and
measures belonging to the town should be

Wn.

This device was presented by Dr. Ezra Bartlett.
In 1806 the town empowered the selectmen

coos TURNPIKE COMPANY. 83

to sell the ministerial lands to Mr. Caleb Homan
or Stephen Flanders, jun., or to any other per-
son, if they considered the sale of the lands an
advantage to the town. Chose Col. Obadiah
Clement, Capt. William Butler, Mr. Jonathan
Fellows, Capt. Joseph Patch, Lieut. Stephen
Flanders, jun., and Mr. Aaron Welch, a commit-
tee to choose another committee of three un-
prejudiced persons, living out of town, for the
purpose of establishing a suitable place in War-
ren for erecting a house of public worship. At
a meeting held Dec. 17, voted not to build a
meeting-house, but the town declared by a unan-
imous vote that they were willing one should be
built by subscription.

March 10, 1807, brought in sixty-three votes
against revising the Constitution.

The old Coos Turnpike Company having re-
ceived a charter from the Legislature on Dec.
29, 1803, this year commenced to build their
road. It was twelve miles in length, and com-
menced near the spot where the Society school-
house was built, and running over the height
of land, terminated at Haverhill Corner. The
road was not fully completed until several years
after, and cost fifteen thousand and seventy-
four dollars. It was contracted for by different
individuals, who took short sections. The first
section extended from the location of the Soci-

84 HISTORY OF WARREN.

ety school-house, above the Blue Ridge, and was
built by Mr. Joseph Merrill. The cutting through
this large ridge of land required a great amount
of labor and much time, and before it was fin-
ished the people thought it was a Hue job for
Mr. Merrill, hence the name Blue Ridge. When
the turnpike was finished, the inhabitants who
lived upon it were permitted to pass over it free
from cost, and consequently several roads which
had been previously built, not being now re-
quired, were discontinued.

1808. Voted to build a pound, thirty feet
square within the walls, and eight feet high. It
was to be constructed of good pine logs, and to
have a stout, substantial door, hung with iron
hinges, and to be fastened with a staple, hasp,
and padlock. For some reason, never explained,
this contemplated pound was not built.

Liberty was given to Mr. Moses H. Clement
to construct a canal under the road near Joseph
Merrill's saw mill, to carry the water from Baker
river to Black brook, provided he indemnify the
town for all damages done the road. This canal,
although not completed until three years after,
was a great work for an individual in those times,
and shows Mr. Clement to be a person of much
enterprise. The underground passage was built
of pine logs, and although placed there forty-
four years ago, are still in almost as good condi-

FREE WILL BAPTIST SOCIETY. 85

tion as when cut. When the raUroad was built
the engineer caused the earth to be removed
from the lower ends of them, thinking that they
should be obliged to supply their place with a
stone culvert ; but upon an examination he
thought they would answer for many years to
come, and noAV daily pass over them the heavy
laden cars, with the heavier engine, with as much
safety as though they had the solid earth be-
neath them.

In March, 1809, chose the selectmen a com-
mittee to provide powder and ball for the use of
the militia of the town, as provided for by an
act of the Legislature in June last.

From the year 1802 up to 1810 there had
been several ministers of the Free Will Baptist
denomination, successors of Joseph Boody, who
had preached occasionally in town, viz. : Joseph
Boody, jun., Louis Harriman, Thomas Perkins, J.
Marks, and Wallace. These were succeed-
ed by Elder James Spencer, under whose influ-
ence the first Free Will Baptist Society was com-
menced. The members consisted of Samuel
Merrill and wife, James Dow and wife, Caleb
Homan and wife, Aaron Welch and wife. True
Stevens and wife, Mrs. Betsey Ramsey and Mrs.
James Williams. Elder Spencer labored with
the society for many years after.

In the year 1811 chose Jonathan Merrill as

86 HISTORY OF WARREN.

an agent to carry on the suits pending against
the town in relation to bad roads. Voted to
divide the town into districts for the working
out of the highway tax.

About the year 1812 commenced the sec-
cond war between the United States and Eng-
land, and for three years there was much
fighting done without any signal advantage to
either country, when, by the consent of both
parties, the war was closed and an amicable
treaty formed between the two governments.
New-Hampshire raised a large militia force to
guard her frontier, by drafting men from her
towns. Abel Merrill was appointed by the State
to draft men from Warren, and the following
individuals served at times during the war, viz. :
George Libbey, Nathaniel Libbey, Nathaniel
Richardson, Jesse Eastman, Tristram Pillsbury,
John Abbot, John Copp, Daniel Pillsbury, David
Patch and Maj. Daniel Patch. These men all
returned to Warren at the close of the war, or
the end of the time for which they enlisted,
except John Abbot, who died while in the army.

1813. This year about the greatest freshet
ever known in this section of the country oc-
curred. Many of the bridges across the streams
were carried away, and the roads much damaged.

In 1814 the people of Warren gave fifty-five

FIRST STAGE LINE. 87

votes against revising the Constitution and none
in favor.

During this year the first stage line from Con-
cord via Plymouth, up the valley of Baker river
to Haverhill, was established. There had been
another line from Concord to Haverhill via Leb-
anon, commenced a short time previous, but this
latter was a much longer route, and as the citi-
zens of the former section wished for the facili-
ties that would be afforded by a line of stages,
several individuals, headed by Robert Morse, of
Rumney, succeeded in establishing one. The
stock of the company was raised principally
among the farmers along the line. The time it
commenced running was a great day to the peo-
ple who lived in the section through which it
passed. The coaches, although far different from
those used at the present time, were a grgtat
novelty to those who saw them, and had large
wooden axles, — iron ones being unknown at that
time, — and the driver held a high station in the
estimation of the public. Col. Silas May was
the first driver upon this route, and instead of
the long tin horn which drivers at that time
usually had, to warn the people of their ap-
proach, he played in an excellent manner upon
a fine bugle. He was an exceeding good
reinsman, and not unfrequently drove six horses
with one hand, while with the other he held his

88 HISTORY OF WARREN.

bugle and played those beatiful tunes, the glad-
dening echoes of which floated over forest and
dell, and lost themselves upon the far off tops of
the distant hills and mountains. The first time
he drove through, he arrived at Haverhill three
hours before the other stage. When within half
a mile of that place, by some accident a linch-
pin was lost from the end of one of the axles,
but as the wheel did not come off, owing to his
skill in driving, he succeeded in reaching Haver-
hill Corner without replacing it.

In the year 1814 gave fifty votes against re-
vising the Constitution, and none in favor.

In 1815, and for two years previous, a furious
epidemic raged throughout New - Hampshire,
known by the name of the spotted fever. It
was a disease new to the physicians, and break-
ing out suddenly in many places, baffled for a
time their skill. Individuals, strong and healthy,
and in the prime of life, even though guarding
by every possible means against infection, would
be suddenly stricken down, and in a few hours
the once proud form was a loathsome corpse.
Old and young were alike a prey to it. The
people were alarmed; town-meetings were called
in many towns, and the selectmen instructed to
procure aid of the best physicians possible.

The malady first broke out in Warren upon
Beach hill. One of the younger members of

FATAL MALADY. 89

Mr. George Bixby's family was suddenly taken
alarmingly ill. A physician was sent for; he
came, and not discovering the nature of the dis-
ease, gave, as he thought, a simple remedy, and
took his departure. In a few hours the young
man was dead. The corpse was laid out, and
two young men, sons of Amos Little, came to
watch by it through the succeeding night. The
next day one of them, James Little, was taken
sick, and in a few hours was dead. The disease
spread rapidly, and soon all was consternation.
There was no physician in town, and the inhab-
itants were obhged to send to Piermont for one.
Dr. Wellman, of that place, came, and a short
time after, while visiting a man sick with the
disorder, was himself taken sick, and in a short
time died.

One third of the inhabitants living on Beach
Hill were cut off by it, and the whole town for
a time bid fair to be depopulated ; but as the
fall advanced, and cold weather came on, the
disease gradually disappeared, and since but very
few cases have been known.

The town of Warren paid out for physcians'
fees nearly tAvo hundred dollars ; besides this,
numerous individuals paid large sums. Many
years elapsed before the town recovered from
the loss it received from the death of its inhab-
itants from this dread malady, and the numerous
5*

90 HISTORY OF WARREN.

tomb-stones in the grave-yards, bearing the date
of 1815, testify to its fearful ravages.

" The year 1816, though the last of ten years
of uncommon seasons and dearths, yet it is to
be distinguished from any preceding year. The
whole face of nature appeared shrouded in
gloom. The lamps of Heaven kept their orbits,
but their light was cheerless. The bosom of the
earth in a midsummer's day was covered with a
wintry mantle, and man, and beast, and bird,
sickened at the prospect. For several days the
people had good sleighing, and it seemed as if
the order of the seasons was being reversed.
Autumn returns, alas ! not to fill the arm with
the generous sheaf, but the eye with the tear of
disappointment. On the sixth of June, the day
of General Election, the snow fell several inches
deep, followed by a cold and frosty night, and
on the two following days snow fell and frost
continued. Also, July ninth, a deep and deadly
frost, which killed or palsied most vegetables.
The little corn which had the appearance of
maturity, was destitute of its natural taste or
substance ; and yet the providence of God was
bountiful in supplying the article of bread from
the crops of rye, which were uncommonly good.

1817. After the first of June a very great
change was observable in the atmosphere and the
vegetable world. The winds were generally

FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 91

from the southwest for more than half a year.
The air became warm and natural ; vegetation
unusually rapid, and autumn poured forth her
blessings in rich abundance."

In November of this year Mr. Frederick
Clark, a native of Piermont, was ordained an
itinerant preacher of the Free Will Baptist
denomination. Previous to his ordination Mr.
Clark gave the selectmen a written agreement,
signed by himself, by which he gave up all the
right which would accrue to him, by his ordina-
tion, to the ministerial lands in town.

At the regular meeting of the town in the
year' 1818 the inhabitants voted to build a meet-
ing-house, the size to be forty feet by fifty feet,
within joint. Chose Jonathan Merrill, Nathaniel
Clough, Abel Merrill and James Williams a com-
mittee to superintend its building, and for that
purpose was appropriated all the money due the
town on the leases, including the present year,
and also the avails of the wild land belonging to
the town.

To the building of the house the committee
proceeded with a right good earnest. The frame,
that good old oaken one, which is yet as good as
new, was hauled from many a dark recess of the
old woods by the laboring oxen — the inhabitants
ready to assist, giving many a long day's work ;
and by the first of July it was ready for erec-

92 HISTORY OF WARREN.

tion, and the fourth — the glorious old Fourth —
was decided to be the time when the raising
should take place. The morning of that expect-
ed day at last dawned, but ere the golden beams
of the sun had lighted up the bald top of
Moosehillock or the green wooded summit of
Mount Carr, the workmen were on their way.
Few indeed were the sleepy persons found that
morning, for a raising was a raising in those days ;
but the raising of a meeting-house was a sight
seldom witnessed but once in a lifetime.

From every quarter they came; the good
man and his buxom dame, and their rosy daugh-
ters, who had spent a long hour more at the
toilet that morning than usual. All were there,
and by the presence of those fair faces many a
young man was stimulated to perform herculean
feats of lifting, and mounting giddy heights,
every way worthy his ancestors. All around
near the destined spot lay strewn the heavy tim-
bers. The old men, with shining broad axe, were
shaping pins, or smoothing the end of many a
tenon, while the master builder, with rule under
his arm, and feeling the great responsibility rest-
ing upon him, was moving hither and thither ;
now giving directions to one party and then to
another, who were tugging, lifting, and straining
themselves into very red faces, as they carry the
heavy timbers over the numerous blocks and

raisiiIg of the church. 93

chips. The building committee were there also,
giving instructions to each other, the master
builder, and every one else. And now one huge
broadside is ready. Those stalwart forms range
themselves side by side ; the master builder gives
the word, and, creaking and groaning, that old
oaken broadside goes slowly up : a pause — the
stout following poles hold, and now long pike
poles are applied^ guided firmly by strong arms,
and again that broadside goes up, as a hush
comes over the anxious crowd, eagerly watching,
but who soon breathe more freely as the huge
timbers erect settle firmly into their resting
places ; and now, with no laggard hands, the re-
maining broadside and the cross timbers are put
in their places ; and long ere the rays of the
setting'sun had departed, the roof, with its crown-
ing steeple, towering above, were in their proper
positions. Here succeeding generations must la-
ment the loss of that speech, every way worthy
of the occasion, which was delivered from the
ridge pole to all who were refreshing themselves
upon the ample bounties provided by the com-
mittee. The gentle breezes of that summer day
wafted it afar over the green foliage of the
wood to the distant hill sides, where it was re-
corded in their beautiful shaded dells, but no
man can read their phonography.

After the raising, the finishing of the house

94 HISTORY OF WARREN.

progressed steadily, and early in the fall, though
it was not in its present finished state, it was
dedicated. E,ev. Edward Evans, a minister of
the Congregationalist order, preached the dedi-
catory sermon. The house on the occasion was
filled to overflowing ; many having come from
other towns, and all were pleased with the dis-
course. Mr. Evans was hired the ensuing year
to preach in it one half of the Sundays, and the
town voted in 1819 to appropriate the interest
of the minister lands toward paying him.

1819. Sept. 21, at a town meeting held for the
purpose, the following report of the building
committee was read and accepted, viz. :

1st. The meeting-house finished except the
painting.

2nd. All the pews disposed of and are the
property of the purchasers when paid for, other-
wise the property of the committee. The pur-
chasers and owners of pews to have the liberty
to pass and repass the doors an^d aisles to and
from said pews, whenever the doors are opened
for public worship or town meetings.

3rd. The other part of the house to be for
the use of the town, upon the following condi-
tions, viz. : that the town pay over to the com-
mittee all the money and land that they agreed
to give to encourage a committee to undertake
to build said meeting-house, which was three
hundred dollars, or thereabouts.

SURVEY FOR A CANAL. * ^6

4th. The committee respectfully request the
town to unite with them and adopt the best
measures or means to finish the painting of the
house and erect door steps.

Jonathan Merrill,"]
Nathaniel Clough, ! ^ ., ,
Abel Merrill, '[Committee.

James Williams, J
N. B. There are demands in the hands of the
committee arising from the sale of two pews,
viz. : number forty-one and forty-two, to the
amount of fifty dollars or more, besides what we
have laid out in painting said meeting-house.

1820. Amos Burton this year erected the large
bfuilding now occupied by Damon Y. Eastman as
a wheelwright shop, and commenced to tra,de on
a much larger scale than any individual ever be-
fore had done in town. About this time "War-
ren was created a post town, and Mr. Burton was
appointed postmaster, being the first ever in
Warren.

1821. Gave eighty-six votes against revising
the Constitution, and none in favor.

During the year 1825 a survey was made
through this section of the country for a canal.
It was to commence at Dover ; thence by the
way of lake Winnepiseogee to the Pemigewas-
set river ; then up Baker river to Warren, and
from there down the Oliverian to the Counecti-

96 HISTORY OF WARREN.

cut at Haverhill. The town of Warren present-
ed numerous obstructions to building the canal,
but the persevering engineer, Mr. McDuffee, at
last overcame all these, and reported the route
a very practicable one. The chief difficulty met
ivith was the insufficient quantity of water to be
had upon the Summit. To obviate this, Mr. Mc-
Duffee intended to take the water from Tarlton
pond and convey it round the hill in a winding
manner to the place where it was required. This
would involve a considerable outlay, but would
afford an adequate supply of water in the dry-
est season, and consequently was the only one
practicable. This proposed canal was never built,
for the reason that a sufficient amount of stock
could not be disposed of; consequently the com-
pany, though chartered and well organized, for
the want of funds failed in carrying out their
plans. There was also another company charter-
ed, to construct a canal to extend up the Merri-
mack and Pemigewasset rivers, to intersect with
the first mentioned one at Holderness.

In 1826 the town raised fifty-seven dollars sixty-
three cents, in lieu of the avails of the wild land
voted to the committee appointed to build a
meeting-house in 1818.

.In the year 1833 the people residing in the
south portion of the town of Coventry (now
Benton) made application to the town of War-

REFUSAL TO ANNEX COVENTRY TO WARREN. 97

ren to be annexed to the same, but a majority
of the inhabitants of Warren voted not to ac-
quiesce in having a part of Benton annexed to
Warren. At the same meeting the inhabitants
ga^vie seventy-nine votes against and none in
favor of making a revision of the Constitution.

98
CHAPTER V.

CIVIL HISTORY.

During the year 1834 Mr. True Merrill dis-
covered upon his farm, not far from his residence,
a large vein of ore, which upon a subsequent
examination proved to be copper, intermixed
with several other kinds of ores. Such was the
extent of this mine, and the abundance of ore
it promised to yield, that shortly after a com-
pany was formed, consisting of Mr. H. Bradford
and others, and the mine opened ; but as the
company who commenced had but a small cap-
ital, and a large outlay being required before
any considerable remuneration could be realized,
the company discontinued its labors upon the
work. The mine has at different times since
been wrought, but only to a small extent.

At the present time " the known and meas-
ured width of the tremolite bed, containing the
copper ore, is forty-eight feet, but the nearest
wall rock on the west is ninety-four feet from
the east wall of the bed on the western side.
A covering of soil prevents our ascertaining
whether the bed extends to the mica slate.

" Across the top of the opening of the mine
the width is thirty-eight feet, and the depth of

IRON AND COPPER MINE. 99

the excavation is six feet five inches through the
soil, and a little less than thirty in the tremolite
rock. In the eastern wall rock there are veins
of the pure yellow copper pyrites, with veins of
quartz. A bed of copper pyrites also occurs
along the line of junction of the tremolite rock
with the mica slate. Several veins of copper
ore, with large bunches of iron pyrites, and re-
splendent black blende, are found in the midst
of the tremolite, and occasionally some large
crystals of rutil, or red oxide of titanium, accom-
pany the iron pyrites.

" Most of the tremolite is mixed with copper
pyrites, and may be completely separated from
it by stamping and washing. The rock contains
from six to twelve per cent, of metal ; while the
pure ore yields thirty-two per cent, by assay in
the crucible, and contains thirty-four per cent.,
as proved by analysis.

"It is easy to drain the mine to the depth of
one hundred and fourteen feet, without any ma-
chinery for pumping, since there is a rapid
descent from the hill-side to the brook along a
ravine, which affords drainage in that direction.
The brook will furnish a valuable water power
for stamping and washing the ore. The mine
is now not properly opened, and in future ope-
rations it must be covered and protected from

100 HISTORY OF WARREN.

snow and rain, so that the work may proceed in
the winter.

"There is a small vein of copper pyrites, distant
forty rods S., 20° W. from this mine, on the land
of Mr. Joseph Copps. The vein is in quartz,
which is twenty inches wide, while the copper
ore is but one or two inches thick. It is not of
sufficient magnitude to be considered valuable.
Two miles and a half N. E. from this mine, cop-
per pyrites, in small veins, have been found on
the land of Mr. Stevens, but are not rich. One
hundred yards north of the tremolite bed, an
extensive vein of black blende, mixed with cop-
per pyrites and galena, has been opened, and the
mine promises to be valuable. The principal
vein is six feet wide. I have analyzed and
assayed average lots of this ore, and have dis-
tilled from it from twenty to thirty per cent, of
metallic zinc by the usual process.

" I regard this mine as valuable, and have no
doubt that it will ultimately be wrought for zinc.
Either copper or zinc may be manufactured, or
they may be combined in the form of brass.
These ores also contain a considerable amount of
silver. Near the copper mines a vein of largely
crystalized epidote occurs, and had been mista-
ken for a zinc ore. On blasting this vein, im-
mense crystals, of a beautiful green color, were
observed, some of which are eight inches in

BERRY BROOK ROAD. 101

diameter. They are contained in quartz, and
are very abundant. The smaller crystals are
very perfect, and present several modifications
in their crystalline form, that will prove interest-
ing to mineralogists. Hemitropic crystals, with
salient angles at one end and re-entering angles
at the other, are most abundant.

" The large crystals are apt to be shattered to
pieces by blasting with gunpowder ; hence only
a small charge should be used to crack the rock,
which may then be forced apart by the crow-
bar and broken up by a heavy sledge hammer,
so as not to communicate the vibrations too pow-
erfully to the crystals."

This year the road running through the val-
ley of Berry brook, and commonly called the
Berry Brook Road, was commenced, but it was
several years before it was finished. The road
running over the Height of Land, owing to the
steep hills, was a difficult one, for the numerous
teams to draw their heavy loads upon ; and as
this was the direct route from northern New-
Hampshire and Vermont to Boston, it became
a matter of interest to all persons engaged in
the mercantile business in those sections, to find
some easier road. Accordingly, individuals were
employed to look out a different route, and as
the valley of Berry brook afforded the most con-
venient locality, the subject was agitated consid-
erably to have a road constructed through it.

102 HISTORY OF WARREN.

Many of the inhabitants of Warren were
strongly opposed to building this road, for the
reason that it would subject them to much cost,
and that as it ran through an uninhabited sec-
tion, it would cost a large sum each year to keep
it in repair ; but the town, at a legal meeting
held on the 22d of July, 1834, chose Nathan-
iel Clough, Solomon Cotton and Samuel Bixby
a committee to examine and explore all routes
thought proper for a highway through the town.
But the town was tardy in its movements, and
some individuals, wishing to have the work pro-
ceed faster, carried the subject into the court of
common pleas. The court, after a hearing
upon the matter, decided that it was just that a
road should be built through the Berry Valley,
and appointed a committee to lay out the road.
This was done, and the town, having been ob-
liged to pay a large fine on account of the bad-
ness of their roads, and seeing that they could
not avoid building it, called a meeting on the
8th of December, and voted that the road
should be built. They also chose Solomon Cot-
ton, Samuel L. Merrill and Joseph Bixby a com-
mittee to carry the work through, and author-
ized them to raise the sum of five hundred dol-
lars to commence with. But this sum only made
a beginning to the work ; for before it was fin-
ished some three thousand dollars was expend-

SURPLUS REVENUE. 103

ed, and it was not until the 22d of December,
1836, that persons were permitted to pass over
it. At that time the selectmen were authorized
to post up a notice at each end of the road that
people could travel over it at their own risk.

The town voted that the selectmen should ob-
ject to Mr. Horace Webber being ordained in
town, unless he would sign an acquittal to the
ministerial rights which he might obtain by
being ordained. This Mr. Webber did, and was
ordained a minister of the Free Will Baptist
denomination.

Gave at the regular town meeting nineteen
votes in favor of revising the Constitution and
fifty-five against it.

In the year 1837 the town received nearly
eighteen hundred dollars as her share of the sur-
plus revenue. This money had been accruing
for many years in the United States Bank, and
after that institution was dissolved, government,
after paying her debts, passed a resolve that the
surplus should be divided among the different
States, and then distributed to the towns of which
they were composed. By a vote passed at the
regular meeting the selectmen were empowered
to go to Concord and receive the money. It
was also voted the selectmen put the money out
at usury, not letting any one individual have
more than two hundred dollars.

104 HISTORY OF WARREN.

In 1838 the town voted that the selectmen
call in enough of the surplus revenue to pay up
for the building of the Berry Brook Boad ; also
chose Solomon Cotton an agent to take charge
of the money, and then voted that the select-
men hire it of Mr. Cotton, and pay their debts
with the same.

About the year 1830, and perhaps at an earlier
date, different clergymen of the Universalist de-
nomination preached occasionally to the be-
lievers in a world's salvation from sin and suffer-
ing ; but the first society was organized in the
year 1838 under the ministry of the Be v. John
E. Palmer. The society have had preaching
since but a part of the time during each year.
In 1851 Mr. Nathaniel Clough at his death be-
queathed to them a small fund, the interest of
which is to be annually appropriated for the
support of Universalist preaching. The names
of the ministers who have labored with the so-
ciety will be found in the statistical part of the
work.

March 10, 1840, the town gave four votes in
favor of, and ninety against dividing the county
of Grafton.

1841. This year the town became involved in
a perplexing lawsuit with the town of Went-
worth. A certain Mrs. Sarah Weeks, wife of
Benjamin Weeks, had become chargeable to

VOTE ON THE CONSTITUTION. 105

Wentworth for support, and the town thinking
that it was the duty of Warren to support her,
asked the town so to do ; but Warren consider-
ing the request unjust, refused, and Wentworth
sued for the money they had paid for the sup-
port of Mrs. Weeks. The town of Warren
defended the case and was beaten ; but not will-
ing thus to give it up, at a town meeting called
expressly for the purpose, Nov. 22, 1843, they
passed the following vote : That the agents cho-
sen to carry on the case between Warren and
Wentworth have it tried where they think prop-
er : That the agents ascertain whether the re-
view destroys the decision of the former trial :
if it does destroy it, then the agents are to settle
with Wentworth, by that town paying the legal
cost the town of Warren would recover by law,
and they also support Sarah Weeks; if they
will not settle upon these conditions, then the
agents are to proceed with the case. But the
town of Wentworth did not wish to risk another
trial, and so, before the sitting of the next term
of the court, the agents of that town came and
wished to settle the case with those of Warren,
which was effected by agreeing to the above
proposition.

March 8, 1842. Three voters were for, and
seventy-four against a revision of the Constitu-
tion.

6

106 HISTORY OF WARREN.

In 1844 gave fifty-five votes in favor of and
eighty-six against the abolition of capital pun-
ishment.

At the June session of the Legislature, in
1845, that body passed an act incorporating the
Boston, Concord and Montreal raihoad company ;
the road to run from Concord, N. H., via Lake
Winnipisseogee and the Pemigewasset and Baker
rivers to the Connecticut, and from thence to
Littleton, N. H. The company immediately or-
ganized, and the people along the route freely
paid their money for a survey, which was made
this season by Mr. Crocker, throughout the whole
length of the line, and a considerable amount of
stock being subscribed for, the grading of the
road was commenced upon its lower sections,
and the road gradually completed eighteen miles,
from Concord to Sanbornton Bridge.

During this season a destructive fire occurred
upon the old homestead of Amos Little. All
the male members of the family had gone away,
while Mrs. Little, who was unwell, had retired
to her chamber. There was a barrel standing
in the shed adjoining the house, in which some
meat had been placed to smoke, and as the
family had smoked their meat here the preced-
ing spring, and no accident having occurred, it
was considered safe.

From this the fire took. It was a beautiful

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. 107

summer clay ; there was no wind stirring, and all
around was still. All at once an individual
standing near the meeting-house happening to
direct his attention in the direction of the house,
saw curling slowly up in the clear air, a thin
hazy column of blue smoke. One moment more
and the cry of fire rung out in clear, start-
ling tones from his stentorian lungs, that roused
every neighbor around. The inmates of the
school-house near by were dismissed, and the
young urchins dispatched in all directions to
give the alarm. When the first individual ar-
rived at the house, had he had but another per-
son to assist him, the flames might have been
stayed, but it was otherwise, and before another
had arrived the flames had gained much head-
way, and were breaking out upon the roof of
the shed. Mrs. Little, hearing the noise, now
came out to see what was the matter, and seeing
the flames, almost swooned with fright, but
quickly recovering, with the rest of the individ-
uals commenced carrying the furniture from the
house. In an almost incredible short space of
time almost every individual in the village had
arrived. Some tried to tear down the shed con-
necting the house with the three large barns,
but before it was half demolished, the flames
and blinding smoke drove them from the under-
taking. The whole attention of every individ-

108 HISTORY OF WARREN.

ual was now directed towards saving what they
could from the burning buildings. Such was
the haste and excitement of many persons that
windows were taken from their casings in the
second story, and thro^vn to the ground, where
they were picked up and borne away by others;
looking-glasses and other furniture easily demol-
ished, shared the same fate. The flames were
now advancing rapidly, and it was evident that
the building must soon be abandoned ; but one
man, Mr. Miranda Whitcher, wishing to save
some article of furniture which was in a room
on the east side of the house, went thither. He
had scarcely entered it before the flames sprung
up behind, and firing an unplastered wall, made
a retreat almost impossible. 4- dense volume of
smoke now filled the room-t, choking and blinding
liim ; but Mr. Whitcher, being a resolute man,
resolved to inake an eflbrt to save his life. With
one bound he shot through the flame, and tread-
ing quickly along the tottering floor, which now
creaked beneath his step, made for a distant
window. Here the people below saw him and
loudly shouted to him to jump out upon the
ground; but he seemed possessed of a strange
fatality, and not noticing them, gazed wildly
around. The flames were creeping rapidly along
the floor behind, and, scorching the poor man,

DEATH OF ME. WIIITCHER. 109

he grasped the window sill and slowly let him-
self down, but did not relinquish his hold. The
fire at that instant bursting from the window
below, circled up and around him. Individuals
loudly entreated him to let go, but he heeded
them not, until at last, exhausted, his hands
slowly relaxed and he fell. It was now almost
impossible to approach near enough to remove
the poor man ; but two individuals resolutely
advanced almost into the scorching flames, and
succeeded in reaching him, whither he was re-
moved to a little field situated on the north side
of the road. The large buildings were now com-
pletely enveloped in flames, crowned by an im-
mense column of black smoke, which rolled
itself aloft in the still air. Nearly all of the
many individuals who were there had gathered
around the almost dying man, whose groans,
mingling with the crackling of the flames and
the roar of the burning building, made a scene
truly awful. In a few moments more, after one
convulsive quiver, it fell, and the fine old house
was a mass of burning ruins. Mr. Whitcher was
then conveyed to his home, and in a few hours
died.

1847. This year the Methodist Episcopal So-
ciety, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Sulli-
van HoLMAN, built them a convenient little
chapel in which to hold their meetings^ and short-

110 HISTORY OF WARREN.

ly after, during the time Rev. L. L. Eastman was
their pastor, they purchased the beautiful toned
bell that now hangs in its steeple. How many
beautiful reflections are woke up in the mind, as
listening, on some clear summer's day, its solemn
peals float out on the air, echoing in many a
shady dell and around the hill tops, at last die
away in the distance. There is a charm in mu-
sic that will soothe the wildest passion, and wake
up to action man's better nature.

At the Conference held at Claremont in June,
1843, the Methodist Episcopal Society became
a station, having been for a number of years pre-
vious joined with Wentworth and Orford in a
circuit.

In 1848 several new routes were surveyed
through Warren for the raih-oad, by Mr. Thomas
Piersons.

At the regular town meeting this year it was
" Voted, that it is not expedient to act on the
subject of spirituous liquors in the town of War-
ren."

At a meeting held November 7, the represent-
ative of Warren to the legislature was instruct-
ed to procure a copy of the charter of Peeling,
now Woodstock. For a few years past this lat-
ter town had been laying claim to a considera-
ble part of East Warren. By its charter, Wood-
stock was granted as nearly a square township.

STATE CONVENTION. Ill

which at the present time it is not ; and Wood-
stock, believing that Warren encroached on her
territory, made the claim. But in the trial that
was had on the case it was proved that the leg-
islatm^e in 1784 had established, by an act for
the purpose, the boundary lines of Warren and
the towns around it, and the case was decided
in favor of Warren.

In the year 1849, early in the summer, the
house of Mr. Vowel Leathers was burned, to-
gether with his wife. It was on the Sabbath,
and Mr. Leathers was absent, as was also his son.
This fire created a great excitement in the pub-
lic mind, and as Mrs. Leathers was blind, and
could not help herself in any manner, there was
a great deal of conjecture as to the cause of the
fire. As yet, that cause has not been satisfacto-
rily explained, and probably will forever remain
a mystery.

1850. March 9, upon the question of the ex-
pediency of altering the Constitution, there
were eighty-seven votes in favor and forty-six
against.

October 8. Chose Enoch R. Weeks a delegate
to attend the State Convention, to be holden at
Concord the sixth day of November, for the
purpose of revising the Constitution.

During the summer the present year, the Bos-
ton, Concord and Montreal Railroad caused a

112 HISTORY OF WARREN.

new survey of the route from Warren to Woods-
ville to be made -, and as the road was nearly
finished from Plymouth to the south line of War-
ren, a contract was made with Mr. Warren H.
Smith, an enterprising gentleman residing at
Sanbornton Bridge, to complete it to Warren
village. The work was commenced the ensuing
fall, in October, and before the first of April fol-
lowing, the grading and bridges were nearly
completed. As soon as the ground was suffi-
ciently settled, Mr. Smith commenced to lay the
track, and on the twenty-fifth of May it was
completed to Warren Village, the first steam
engine running into Warren the day before.

On the evening of the 25th there was quite a
celebration of the event by the people of War-
ren, and Mr. Smith gave a bountiful and excel-
lent supper at L. C. Whitcher's hall. The follow-
ing Tuesday the Company held its annual meet-
ing at Wentworth, and on the first Monday in
June the cars began to run regularly from War-
ren.

At the meeting of the Company at Wentworth
it was voted to prefer six hundred thousand dol-
lars of stock, with which to construct the road
from Warren to Woodsville; and early in the
fall the grading was contracted for by Mr. War-
ren TI. Smith and rapidly commenced. The cut-
ting through the ledge upon Warren Summit in-

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. 113

volved a large amount of labor, and occupied a
hundred and fifty men, seventeen horses, with a
number of yokes of cattle, a year and a half.
The expense amounted to above one hundred thou-
sand dollars. The cut is nearly three fourths of a
mile in length, and in some places from fifty to
sixty feet in depth. Near the north end a little
rill of pure, clear water comes dashing down over
the huge rocks, and at the bottom divides itself
into two streams ; the waters of the one run-
ning north emptying themselves into the Con-
necticut, eventually find their way into the
ocean through Long Island Sound, while those
running south unite with Merrimack river, which
discharges itself into the ocean nearly two hun-
dred miles from the mouth of the Connecticut.

The cars commenced running over this last
section in the fall of 1852 as far as East Haver-
hill, and early the ensuing spring the road was
finished to Woodsville, where it connects with
the Passumpsic Railroad and the White Moun-
tains Railroad.

1851. The town voted, by quite a large ma-
jority, in fiivor of the Homestead Exemption
bill.

In 1852, voted, by a large majority, that it is
expedient to alter the Constitution.

Previous to 1853 those large tracts of timber

upon our hills and mountains have almost re-
*G

114 HISTORY OF WARREN.

mained untouched, for the reason of the incon-
venience of getting the timber to market, and
the consequent unprofitableness of the business ;
but now, through the medium which the rail-
road affords, a rapid and convenient communi-
cation is opened with the large towns upon the
sea-shore, and thereby the business of lumbering
is much more profitable; consequently several
individuals are now extensively engaged in the
work, and large quantities are sent to market.

Wood has also become an object of imjDor-
tance, and the once heavy forests are fast dis-
appearing. Upon the side of Carr mountain a
large company are now chopping, under the su-
perintendence of Col. Charles Lane. This indi-
vidual, more easily to facilitate the transporta-
tion of the wood from the mountain side, has con-
structed a sluice nearly two and one fourth miles
in length, extending to the valley near the rail-
road. The sluice is twenty inches in width
and sixteen inches in height. In it he has
turned the waters of Patch brook, a wild moun-
tain stream, and placing the wood in this, it rap-
idly descends, in its serpentine course, now cross-
ing some deep gully, then spanning the torrent,
and then creeping rapidly along on the side of
some steep bank, it at last reaches the valley,
having descended in its course over a thousand
feet.

LICENSE LAW. 115

Mr. Lane also constructed a large canal, of
about one half a mile in length, through which
he has turned the water of Baker river into a
large mill pond situated on Black brook. The
cost of the work was about two thousand dol-
lars. It was finished late in the fall, and the
water first let in on the 28th of November.

During the winter of 1854 the buildings of
Mr. Amos Clement, together with nearly all their
contents, including thirty-three valuable sheep,
which they could not drive from the fire, a hog
and a yearling steer, were destroyed.

March 14, at the annual meeting of the legal
voters of the town of Warren it was voted to ap-
propriate fifty dollars to repair the meeting-house
built in 1818, and also passed a resolve that the
selectmen of Warren shall prosecute, at the ex-
pense of the town, all violations of the License
Law, which shall come to their knowledge. This
vote shows the admirable ground upon which a
majority of the people of Warren at the present
time stand, in relation to temperance. May they
lone: maintain it.

116
CHAPTER VI.

DESCKIPTION OF SCENEEY.

There is beauty in all of nature's productions
— yet in some far more than in others. New-
Hampshire scenery will equal that of any other
country. Her tall mountains are grand and sub-
lime ; her beautiful lakes, constrasting with a
milder beauty; while the gliding on of her
noble rivers, or furious rushing of her moun-
tain torrents, show a stern majesty combined
with impetuous fury. The town of Warren has
her liberal share of New-Hampshire wildness and
beauty. The roaring torrent, the more smoothly
gliding stream, the beautiful pond, the lofty
mountain, towering far above the lower ranges
of hills, and the craggy steeps, all lend their aid
to deck her in nature's charms.

Among the most imposing and grand of the
scenes around us is Moosehillock mountain. This
high elevation, as viewed from the south part of
the town, presents two distinct peaks, each hav-
ing a bold, sharp outline. An ascent to its sum-
mit, although toilsome, when once gained, well
repays, in the magnificent prospect it affords, for
all the labor incurred. Standing upon its high-
est peak, and looking down thousands of feet be-

MOOSEHILLOCK MOUNTAIN. 117

low in the deep and dark ravine where the rays
of the sun scarce ever come, one sees the water
trickling over the moss-covered rocks and form-
ing the furions mountain torrent; further off
the other neighboring mountains seem low down
beneath, while in their valleys are the pleasant
farms of the sturdy yeomanry of New-Hamp-
shire. Looking south over the " Smile of the
Great Spirit," above all, in the farthest off
blue hazy distance, is seen the sky, settling down
with azure tints into the almost boundless ocean.
In the north a series of hills, divided by the wa-
ters of the €onnecticut, stretch far away to the
high table lands of Canada, To the east are the
lofty granite White Mountains, terminating in
Maine, with Mt. Pleasant on the south and Mt.
Abrams and Bigelow on the north ; and to the
west lay the rolling ranges of the Green Moun-
tains ; while over them tower Camel's Rump in
Vermont, and Mt. Marcy, of the Catskill Range,
in New- York. The vegetation around upon the
top of the mountain is similar to that of other
high mountains of New-Hampshire. Blueberries,
mountain cranberries, and harebells abound
amid the crannies of the rocks, but no forest
trees grow near the summit.

Moosehillock receives its name from the circum-
stance of there once being many moose found
around it, and tradition says the Indians called

J 18 HISTORY OF WARREN.

it by a similar name though of a different meaning,
it being Moosilauk ; Moosi in their language
meaning bald, lauk place ; hald place, a name
very appropriate, considering its bald summit.
Of the many stories related concerning this
mountain the following is the richest one :

Long before the country was settled, and on
the retreat of Major Rogers, after destroying the
village of the Arosaguntacooks, the company,
being short of provision, separated into small
bands, that they might better supply themselves
with food by hunting. One of these parties fol-
lowed up the wild Amonoosuc, and in wandering
about upon its upper waters were lost, and in
time two of them climbed to the top of the
mountain. Here they saw spread out before
them the country, which was covered by a dense
forest, and they traced the course of the rivers
that ran south. They then descended upon the
southern slope, and when they arrived at the
forest stopped to quench their thirst at a little
mountain rill. One of them drank and proceed-
ed slowly on, but the other, as he kneeled to sip
the sparkling water, saw shining in the sand at
the bottom what appeared to be bright grains of
gold. Picking up a handful of these, he tied
them in a corner of his handkerchief, and after
heaping a small monument of stones on the
bank, departed. The particles which he collect-

SCEI>fERY OF WARREN. 119

ed he carried to Boston, and on showing them to
a jeweler was informed that they were gold, and
received for them fifty dollars. The man now
made preparation to return to his golden foun-
tain, but being taken sick, shortly after died, and
the golden stream has not since been discovered.
Following round upon the east line of the
town, and noticing the principal objects which
serve to form Warren's varied scenery. First,
to the south of Moosehillock, upon the left rises
the Walternumus, so called from an Indian
chief. It is a green, wooded mountain, with three
summits, which are in Woodstock. At its foot
runs Baker river, which rises on the north side
of Moosehillock, from a large spring situated in
an immense circular basin, formed by two spurs
pf that mountain. Thence, for several miles in
the dark ravines about these mountains, when
the snows are melting or heavy rains have fallen,
it rushes onward a furious torrent, until it reach-
es a more level country, where it looses its wild,
turbulent spirit ; and, flowing on in fertile mead-
ows, receiving in its course the water of many
other streams, it at last unites with the Pemige-
wasset in Plymouth. This stream receives its
name from Capt. Baker, who defeated the In-
dians at their encampment near its mouth, in
1725. There is a tradition in vogue that the

120 HISTORY OF WARREN.

Indians called the river Pehaungun, and the
Pemigewassets once had a chief of that name.

We do not wish to be finding fault with the
names by which many of our mountains, ponds
and rivers are known ; but who would not rather
they would all be called by those harmonious,
beautiful, rich, swelling names* bestowed by the
red men of the forest, who once battled and
hunted around them ; for every lake, river and
forest in our country was designated by them
with a name appropriate to its situation and
character. The Indian language was a beautiful
nomenclature ; but it seems that our forefathers,
with driving them from the soil, were anxious to
obliterate almost every trace of their existence,
and now only few of their names remain with us.

Next to the Walternumus is Kineo mountain,
standing in the north-east corner of the town —
deriving its name from another Indian chief.
This mountain is also densely wooded. East
Branch takes its rise upon its western slope, and
falls into Baker river near the place where it also
receives Merrill brook, from the side of Moose-
hillock ; while, in the valley separating from
Cushman mountain, is Kineo brook — a small
stream, w^hose fountain is but a few rods distant
from that of another stream, which runs east
through Woodstock, and unites with the Pemi-
gewasset. This mountain is 2700 feet high,

CUSHMAN MOUNTAIN. 121

while its neighbor, Ciishman mountain, is 3000
feet. The highest point of Cushman mountain
is in Warren, although a greater portion of it is
in Woodstock and Ellsworth — the latter towns
forming their corner on its northern side.

The mountain receives its name from a hunter
of olden time, who, late one autumn, was trap-
ping sable upon it. One day, after being busily
engaged in his labor, he entered his camp, and
night had scarcely begun to come over him,
when the melancholy howl of the wolves struck
on his ear, the mournful echoes of which were
repeated through every part of the forest. Eve-
ry moment they seemed to approach nearer, and
soon his camp is surrounded by a pack of the
hungry creatures. Snatching his gun, he scram-
bled up a small sapling near by, just in time to
save himself from their jaws. Being disappoint-
ed of their prey, they howled and leaped about
in mad fury. Cushman now thought he would
treat them vv^ith a little cold lead, and aiming at
the leader of the pack, fired. The wolf gave a
mad howl, and, leaping several feet in the air,
fell to the ground, and was torn in pieces by his
hungry companions. Loading his gun, he fired
at another, who shared the same fate. Again
he fired and killed the third, when the wolves,
seeing their numbers decreasing, and having
satisfied their appetites upon one of their own

122 HISTORY OF WARREN.

species, fled, and Cushman was no more annoyed
by them that night.

The last of this range is Mount Carr, which is
located partly in each of the towns of Vv^arren,
Ellsworth, Rumney and Wentworth, and is 3381
feet in height.

" It is composed," says Dr. Jackson, " of gran-
ite, overlaying mica slate ; and from the vertical
dip of this rock at its base, it would seem highly
probable that the granite had been erupted
through it, forming a cap on its summit." The
mountain is wooded to the top ; but owing to
the great elevation, the trees are stunted and
gnarled in appearance, and consist principally of
low firs and mountain birch. From this circum-
stance it is seldom ascended, as it would be al-
most impossible to obtain a good prospect of the
surrounding scenery.

When the country was first settled, and its
geography but little known, a certain Mr. Carr,
wishing to proceed from Ellsworth to Warren,
attempted to cross the mountain. At the time
he left Ellsworth the sky was free from clouds,
and every appearamce gave sign of pleasant
weather. But he had proceeded but a short dis-
tance in the woods before there arose a terrific
shower, common to mountainous regions, and
after raining a short time, instead of clearing
away, a thick fog set in, and a long rain ensuing.

CARR MOUNTAIN.

123

it did not lift itself from the mountain for three
days. At the commencement of the shower Mr.
Carr crept mider the trunk of a large tree which
had fallen across a knoll ; and as it did not cease
raining, but continued to fall more violently, he
concluded that he should be obliged to remain
in his present situation during the night. The
log over his head was an immense hemlock, and
peeling some of the loose bark from the trunk,
he sat it with sticks of rotton wood against the
sides of the tree, more effectually to shield him
from the falling water. He had no means of
lighting a fire ; and as he had gained a consider-
able elevation, as night came on he began to feel
the effects of the cool air. He had taken provi-
sion enough for his dinner, but nothing more ;
and as he sat, hungry and shivering, the scene
to him was a solitary one. The rain, as it fell
upon the large green leaves, or sifted through
the evergreen boughs of the hemlock and spruce,
kept up a confused, pattering, sifting noise ; and
as it grew dark, he laid down and tried to sleep,
listening to its doleful music. But this was al-
most impossible, for as a drowse would steal upon
him, some great owl overhead would scream out
suddenly; and then, as its rough music died
away, the other inhabitants of the forest took up
the strain ; and he heard the hoarse howl of the
wolf, and the long-drawn halloo of the bear,

124 HISTORY OF WARREN.

echoing from every part of the forest. Thus the
night passed away — its long hours seeming like
weeks, until at last the dark, misty light of morn-
ing began to dawn around, and reveal the huge,
gnarled trunks of the trees through the thick
fog. Numb with cold, he arose and resolved to
make an effort to find his way out of the woods.
He started on as he thought up the mountain,
and traveled until he imagined he had reached
the top. He then descended until he arrived at
the foot, and began to have hoj)e that he should
find the settlement ; but he was doomed to dis-
appointment, for he had traveled but a short
distance before he began to ascend again. He
then tried to retrace his steps, but it was of no
avail, and after wandering about for a long time
he found himself standing upon the shore of a
small pond. It still rained, and the descending
drops, as they struck upon the smooth surface of
the little mountain lake, made strange music
for the ear of Carr. He now made up his mind,
as it was near night, to rempJn here until the
following day. He built himself a slight camp
by the side of a rock, and sitting down passed a
much more dreary night than the first. Cold
and shivering, as he lay by the side of that sheet
of water he heard the hoarse croaking of the
frogs, mingling with the voices of his serenaders
of the previous night ; but exhausted nature

MR. carr's adventure. 125

would at times overcome these difficulties, and
sleep for a few moments steal upon him ; but
even then his anxieties would not leave him, and
he would awake unrefreshed to a true sense of
his situation. The night, though a long one to
him, at last passed away. It had ceased raining,
and although foggy, he was able to distinguish
the position of the sun when it rose, and by it to
learn his points of compass. Two nights had
passed and he had not tasted food, and hunger
was now oj^pressing him severely. To satisfy it
he proceeded to a small stream near by, that ran
from. the pond, in hope that he might catch some
fish ; but after a few ineffectual attempts he gave
up the design, and proceeded back to the pond.
As he stood looking at the water, he saw swim-
ming about and hopping along the shore numer-
ous frogs — his last night's serenaders."i^'^A hungry
man will do almost any thing to satisfy his crav-
ing appetite, and Carr, after catching and killing
a number of frogs, cut them up with his knife,
and made quite a meal upon the raw flesh. —
Feeling now much refreshed, he resolved once
more to make an attempt to find the settle-
ment. Taking a westerly course, he at last again
found himself upon the top of the mountain.
The clouds hung thick around, making it impos-
sible to distinguish any object a few feet distant;
and once more Carr found himself in a critical

126 HISTORY OF WARREN.

position. But proceeding cautiously he at last
began to descend, as he believed upon the oppo-
site side. For a number of hours he slowly de-
scended the mountain, crossing in his course sev-
eral furious torrents, until at last, reaching the
level country, after traveling for some time, final-
ly began to think that he should be obliged to
spend another night in the woods ; but as he
commenced to look around for a convenient
camping place, the sharp ringing of some settler's
axe greeted his ear. Instantly relinquishing his
design of camping, he proceeded towards what
was to him the joyful sound, and soon emerged
into a recent clearing. In the centre stood a
snug cabin, and he quickly found himself within
its hospitable walls. Here he was generously
provided for, and after somewhat recovering from
his fatigue, related his adventure in the woods.
Gradually the story circulated through the neigh-
boring settlements, and the people gave his name
to the mountain upon which his adventure hap-
pened.

Upon the east side of this mountain, situated
in what might be called an immense horse-shoe
basin, are three small, beautiful sheets of water,
called Glen ponds, two of which are in Warren,
and the remaining one in Ellsworth. There is
no settler within several miles of these little
lakes, and the persons who visit them — as many

GLEN PONDS. 127

do to obtain from their waters the beautiful trout
with which they abound — see the same appear-
ances that have characterized this vicinity for
ages anterior to the settlement of the country
by the white man. No house or field is visible,
nor no clearings upon the distant hill-side are
seen. The steep mountain sides show nothing
but the dark foliage of the spruce and fir, with
here and there a scraggy stump peering above
it. The little rill that unites the waters of the
two ponds murmurs on in solitude at noonday.
The low blueberry bush and the brakes grow
thick upon its banks, and here the owl finds his
day retreat, and at night, attracted by the bright
camp-fires of fishermen by the shore, sallies forth
to startle them with his loud To ivlioo ! To ivhoo I
and make their repose any thing but agreeable.
Well may they be called by the name they bear,
for here is always the shaded glen. On its
northern slope rises Carr brook, and not far from
the head waters of this stream, from several
springs situated near the summit, and more than
three thousand feet above the ocean. Patch
brook, receiving its name from the circumstance
that Mr. Joseph Patch first erected his cabin
upon its south bank, near its confluence with
Hurricane brook. From its fountain it flows
along for a mile or two through dark ravines,
shaded still darker by the heavy growth of spruce

128 HISTORY OF WARREN.

and hemlock, among which until very recently
the axe of civilized man never made an opening,
— -just before leaving the forest it rushes madly
down several steep precipices, forming a number
of beautiful cascades. This cataract in the spring
of the year, when the snow is melting, or a large
freshet has occurred, to fill the stream with
water, is a most magnificent water-fall, and tum-
bles, by a series of successive leaps, over the
rocks the distance of one hundred feet. At the
foot, the water, all white with foam, rushes madly
around the circling eddies, as if frightened by
the wild leaps it had taken. The old forest,
composed of gigantic hemlocks and spruces, in-
termingled with birch and maple, shuts out all
but a few straggling rays of the sun, giving a
twilight mildness to the scene.

From this place it flows on, a sluggish stream,
receiving in its course the waters of many a
sandy-rimmed spring, and at last unites with Ba-
ker river near the south line of the town.

A little east of Patch brook, and situated be-
tween this stream and Hurricane brook, which
receives its name from the circumstance of a ter-
rific whirlwind once occurring along the ravines
through which it flows, and in which it forms
several beautiful water-falls, is Peaked Hill. —
This is a beautiful conical eminence, and its sides
are covered with a fine growing wood, while its

PEAKED HILL. 129

summit is in summer a green pasture, and in
winter presents a white snow cap to the forest
below. A view from the top is picturesque and
beautiful. Around are all the various features
of nature's beauty and grandeur: the forest-
crowned height, the abrupt declivity, the shel-
tered valley, the deep glen, the grassy glade, the
silent grove. Here are the lofty maples, the
beach that wreaths its old fantastic roots so high,
the rustling pine, the waving birch, and the ever-
green, with its perennial shoots. Here, too, is the
thick shrubbery, and the wild flower creeping up
the nioss-covered rocks. All around there rests
a beautiful calm, disturbed only by the breeze
that murmurs through the waving top of the
forest, or the notes of the warbler pouring forth
its joyful song. To the east we behold, towering
heavenward thousands of feet above, the blue,
forest-clad Mt. Carr, while on either hand are
distant hills and lofty mountains. Turning and
looking down a thousand feet below is seen wind-
ing slowly at times, anli then coursing madly
along over its seemingly white, rocky bed, the
sparkling waters of the Baker. Winding slowly
along to unite with it are seen Patch brook and
Hurricane brook, while farther off Black brook,
its ponds adding lustre to the scene, and Cold
brook, a tiny stream, running with a purling,

joyous noise from its sandy rimmed spring, which

7

130 HISTORY OF WARREN.

gushes up so gaily from its pebbly white bottom.
Along upon the sides of the old road, north and
south, are seen the prosperous farm houses of the
thrifty husbandmen ; the fine blue smoke, curl-
ing up gracefully from the weather-beaten chim-
neys ; while upon a slightly elevated spur of land
stands the pleasant little village, with its white
cottages and sombre-hued station houses, and
heavy iron track, leading to and from ; over which
the huge iron horse so proudly courses. The
beautiful and white painted churches upon
the green, while upon its borders, casting a beau-
tiful shade, are the vigorous growing maples.
The busy workshops, the mills, with their musical
water wheels ; the opening vistas, are all before
us, and we breathe amid the fresh and varied
labors of men.

Leaving Peaked hill, which receives its name
(although it deserves a better one) from its con-
ical form, we pass through the valley of Baker
river across the railroad, and that wild stream,
and find ourselves upon the western hill-side
from the village. Here the ground is rocky, and
broad strips of stone peer out on the surface.
Upon the top of a high, jutting rock, we find cut
four concave holes, representing the four points
of compass. How long these have been formed
no one at the present time happens to know, and
some date their formation back to the time of

TARLTON POND. 131

the red sons of the forest, and say they were
made by the Indians. Be this as it may, they
perhaps will always remain a mystery. From
this point the land rises gradually to the top of
Sentinel mountain, so called from its isolated
position. This mountain, which is twenty-five
hundred feet in height, is covered with a fertile
soil, and is wooded upon its summit, while upon
its sides are located many fine farms. Near the
top rise two small streams. One of them, which
runs south into Wentworth, is called Leathers'
brook, from a man by that name who lived near
it, and it is said he descended from a Gipsy tribe.
The other is a branch of. Bowls' brook, which
runs into Black brook, and is so called from
Charles Bowls, who lived by it.

This range of mountains was termed by Dr.
Dwight the Lyme range, and, as said by him, af-
forded some of the most beautiful scenery to be
found in this section of New Hampshire. Upon
its northern slope is Tarlton pond, which lies
partly in Piermont and partly in Warren, al-
though much the larger portion of it is in the
former town. This sheet of water is two miles
in length and nearly one in bredth, and receives
its name from a family by the name of Tarlton,
who, in the early settling of the town, cleared a
farm upon its shore. It discharges its waters
through the town of Piermont into the Connect-

132 HISTORY OF WARREN.

icut river. A boat ride upon it in a summer
day presents a very picturesque view. To the
east is seen the towering summit of Moosehil-
lock and the other dark and sombre hued moun-
tains that cluster around it, while in the west
Cross' hill, and further off in the distance the
green, variegated sides of the far off mountains
of Vermont are visible.

To the south of this pond are two others in
Piermont, and between these and the first named
runs the old Turnj^ike. Upon this road, near
the height of land, a Mr. Samuel Flanders was
once traveling; and as he was passing a piece of
woods had his attention attracted by the cack-
ling of a goose, and looking up saw an enormous
wild cat, who had caught it and was now strip-
ping off the feathers, preparatory to making his
supper. The cat was too fond of poultry to have
a prudent regard for his own safety, and Mr.
Flanders not having a thought of the danger
he would be in, with a large goad stick in
his hand attacked the cat, and with a well directed
blow stretched it upon the ground and succeeded
in dispatching it.

North-east from Tarlton pond, and situated in
the north part of the town, near Benton line, is
Webster Slide. In viewing it from day to day
one beholds its same sharp outlines and precipi-
tous faqe, which its hard rocks have sustained

WEBSTER SLIDE. 133

since its upheaval. A view from its summit is
very picturesque. On the south lies at its base
a little lake, surrounded with green woods, receiv-
ing the many purling rills which gush from its
side and trickle over its moss-covered rocks. —
Beyond, the towering summits of the eastern
mountains are seen, with the valley of Baker
river intervening, and in the west several sheets
of water, while farther off in the distance several
conical peaks of granite mountains are in full
view.

In the early settlement of the town an inci-
dent occurred upon this mountain, from which
originated the name it now bears. A certain
Mr. Webster in the fall of the year was out hunt-
ing for moose. He started one in Piermont, and
followed him by Tarlton pond into Warren. —
Here he took an easterly course, evidently de-
signing to cross over the lower ranges of moun-
tains, and make for Moosehillock. When he
reached the summit of what is now called Web-
ster Slide, the dogs came up with him and pressed
upon him so hard, that he took a southerly course
upon the top of the mountain, and arrived upon
the edge of the precipice without noticing the
critical position in which he was placed. The
dogs were close upon him, and as he turned they
attacked him, and in the encounter a quantity
of loose stones and earth, upon which they stood,

134 HISTORY OP WARREN.

chanced to give way, and the moose and one of
the dogs were precipitated down the steep side.
As Mr. Webster was following on, he met the re-
maining dog returning, and with it proceeded to
the place where they encountered the moose.
Webster cautiously approached the edge of the
precipice, and looking down saw the track of the
slide. He then descended upon one of the sides
which was not so steep, and following round
near the base, he at last found near the foot of
the mountain the dead bodies of the moose and
dog.

To one travelling from place to place, every
change in position presents a new scene, and
there is consequently ever passing before the
eye a beautiful picture, beholding which gives
delight to every lover of nature's scenes. So in
passing from Webster Slide to the shore of Mead-
er pond, one finds himself by the side of a sheet
of water, surrounded by thick woods, scarce yet
disturbed by civilization. Looking across the
surface of this little lake, he sees before him
the sharp, precipitous face of the mountain rising
up almost perpendicular out of the water. Upon
the high top among the huge rocks are growing
a few solitary clumps of stunted firs and spruces ;
while in the numerous crannies thrive the hare-
bell and blueberry bush. On either side, except
a little pasture near the foot of the mountain,

BLACK BROOK. 135

is the dark, old evergreeen forest, with its huge
hemlocks and spruces mingling their branches
with other kinds of wood. Paddling out upon its
surface one sees rising into view the tops of the
distant hills and mountains, but in no direction
is human habitation visible.

This is the largest sheet of water wholly with-
in the town, and receives its name from Paul
Header, who settled near it. It contains about
fifty acres, and it is said when first discovered its
waters were destitute of fish ; they not being able
to pass up Oak Falls. But this is believed by
maUy to be a mistake, for in the short space of
two years after a Mr. Heath and Mr. Johnson
had put some very small ones into it, several
were captured, each of which weighed from five
to eight pounds.

From Meader pond runs Black brook. This
stream for a short distance meanders through the
heavy growth of wood ; then, flowing on in the
open field until it arrives at the top of a high,
precipitous bank, about three-fourths of a mile
from the pond. Here, in falling down, it forms
a beautiful cascade, known by the name of Oak
Falls. Standing at its top, and looking down,
one sees the white foaming waters beneath, shad-
ed upon either side by the thick growth of wood.
At the foot, two hundred feet below, stands an
old mill fast falling to decay, and a little farther

136

HISTORY OF WARREN.

off is the deep railroad cut, upon the Summit.
Looking up, the towering peak of Moosehillock
mountain is seen, while on the right Mount Carr,
with its sides covered to the top with green
woods, looms up against the sky. On the left,
Black mountain in Benton, and Owl Head, with
its steep granite face, fills up the picture.

Here once occurred a tragical scene. A Mr.
Meader with several others were rolling logs
down the steep bank near the falls. They had
rolled down several during the day, and had
nearly finished their work, when one of the men
with the team hauled a very large one to the
edge of the precipice ; some of them immediate-
ly took hold to roll it off, and among them Mr.
Meader. Something obstructing it, he let go,
and, taking up a lever, with a hook attached,
fastened it to the log. They then all lifting suc-
ceeded in starting it, and then stepped back out
of the way, except Mr. Meader, who, in attempt-
ing to disengage his lever, stumbled, and having
a firm hold of it, was thrown over in front of the
log. His companions heard one unearthly
scream, and, looking over, saw the huge stick
thundering far down the precipice after its pred-
ecessors, while Mr. Meader laid but a short dis-
tance below, a mangled corpse.

From the cascade the water, after flowing a
mile and a half, supplying in its course a motive

BLACK BROOK. 137

power for machinery upon its banks, assumes a
sluggish, black appearance in the meadows, which
formerly must have been the bed of a large pond
containing a number of hundred acres, but which
now comprises several beautiful farms. At the
place where must have been the mouth of this
now runaway pond, was built the first saw-mill
ever erected in Warren. Half a mile below this
it receives, in a large mill pond which it forms,
a part of the water of Baker river, through a
canal and an underground passage. Half
a mile from this place, after turning numerous
water wheels, it unites with Baker river a short
distance below the village. From the blackness
which has always characterized the waters of this
stream, it has borne the name of Black brook
since the settlement of the town.

Upon the right hand of Black brook, as one fol-
lows along by its running waters, or rides after the
swift steam horse from the Summit, is a large swell
of land, upon which are located many excellent
farms, which the owners are every year improv-
ing and making more beautiful. Upon the east-
ern side of this ridge runs Berry brook, which
rises upon the north-west side of Moosehillock,
and flows on the same level with the Oliverian,
within one half a mile of that stream. They
then take opposite directions — the Oliverian flow-
ing west, and emptying into the Connecticut, and

138 HISTORY' OF WARREN.

the Berry brook south, through a large hollow,
shaded by a high jutting spur of Moosehillock ;
at one time meandering along in its solitude and
then swiftly rushing over some rapid fall, for
two or three miles, when it reaches the open
country and unites with Baker river near the
centre of the town.

Before the settlement of the country this
stream abounded with ponds formed by the
beavers' dams, and the remains of many of them
are still to be seen. Here, generation after gen-
eration sported in its waters or fashioned their
neatly finished mud domicils. It was a secluded
place, and their habitations were in but little
danger of being disturbed. But as the lower
section of the country grew more populous, this
vicinity was considered a rich hunting ground,
and numerous were the hardy individuals who
traversed it. A short time before its settlement
a young man by the name of Berry came to this
section on such an excursion, and captured many
beavers upon this stream. From this circum-
stance it received its name.

There is also much other fine scenery, and
beautiful rides in every direction. Hundreds of
smaller eminences overlook the landscapes and
views that would adorn the canvas of the paint-
er, and here the seeker of pleasure and rural life
finds all that can attract and charm the mind.

139

CHAPTER VII.

TOWN OFFICERS, &c.

Since the organization of the town by the
State, it has had its board of officers regularly
chosen with but very few exceptions. In the
commencement, when the town contained but
a few inhabitants, it classed with several
other towns for representation; consequently
there would sometimes many years intervene
between the representation of the people of
Warren by one of its own citizens. From 1800
to 1828, as the representatives were not chosen
at the annual town meetings, the town clerks
were negligent about recording the names of
those who represented the town ; consequently
some of them may possibly be omitted.

Selectmen from 1779 to 1854.

1779.

Ephraim True,

Joseph Patch.

Obadiah Clement,

Simeon Smith,

1786.

Joshua Copp,

Joshua Merrill.

Joshua Copp,

Israel Stevens.

1783.

Stephen Richardson,

1780.

William Butler.

Joshua Copp,

Joshua Merrill,

1787.

Thomas Clark,

William Butler.

William Butler,

John Whitcher.

1784.

Joshua Copp,

1781.

Obadiah Clement,

Stephen Richardson.

Obadiah Clement,

Stevens Merrill,

1788.

William Butler,

Samuel Knight.

Joshua Copp,

Isaiah Batchelder.

1785.

Ephraim True,

1782.

Obadiah Clement,

Nathaniel Knight.

Joshua Copp,

Stevens Merrill,

140

HISTORY OF WARREN.

Nathaniel Knight,
Samuel Knight,
Moses Copp.

1790.
Nathaniel Knight,
Jonathan Merrill,
Stephen Richardson,
Abel Merrill.

1791.
Joshua Copp,
William Butler,
Stephen Richardson.

1792.
Ephraim True,
Joseph French,
Samuel Knight.

1793.
Jonathan Merrill,
Joseph French,
Jonathan Clement.

1794.
Jonathan Merrill,
Thomas Boynton,
Aaron Welch.

1795.
Jonathan Merrill,
Thomas Boynton,
Joseph French.

1796.
Jonathan Merrill,
Abel Merrill,
Elisha Swett.

1797.
William Butler,
Jonathan Merrill,
Joseph French.

179S-99.
Jonathan Merrill,
Abel Merrill,
Elisha Swett,

1800.
Jonathan Merrill,
Ezra Bartlett,
William Butler.

1801.
Jonathan Merrill,
Ezra Bartlett,
Abel Merrill.

1802—3.
Jonathan Merrill,
Abel Merrill,
Elisha Swett.

1804.
Ezra Bartlett,
Abel Merrill,
Elisha Swett.

1805.
Abel Merrill,
William Butler,
Daniel Patch.

1806.
Jonathan Merrill,
Daniel Patch,
Jonathan Fellows.

1807.
Abel Merrill,
Joseph Patch,
Elisha Swett.

1808.
Joseph Patch, jr.,
Aaron Welch,
Ebenezer Barker.

1809.
Jonathan Merrill,
Joseph Patch, jr.,
Jonathan Fellows.

1810.
Jonathan Merrill,
Abel Merrill,
Amos Tarlton.

1811.
Abel Merrill,
Joseph Patch, jr.,
Amos Tarlton.

1812.
Jonathan Merrill,
Benjamin Merrill,
Joseph Merrill.

1813.
Joseph Patch,
Thomas Whipple,
Stephen Flanders.

1814.
Jonathan Merrill,
Abel Merrill,
Joseph Patch, jr.

1815—16.
Jonathan Merrill,

Abel Merrill,
Moses H. Clement.

1817.
Jonathan Merrill,
Abel Merrill,
James Williams.

1818—19.
Joseph Patch, jr.,
Moses H. Clement,
Stephen Flanders.

1820.
Joseph Patch, jr.,
Nathaniel Clough,
Jacob Patch.

1821.
Nathaniel Clough,
Jacob Patch,
Amos Tarlton.

1822.
Jacob Patch,
Amos Tarlton,
George Libbey.

1823.
Abel Merrill,
Joseph Patch,
Bixby.

Jacob Patch,
Moses H. Clement,
William Clough.

1825.
Moses H. Clement,
Jacob Patch,
William Clough.

1826.
Jacob Patch,
William Clougli,
Enoch R. Weeks.

1897.
Moses H. Clement,
Enoch R. Weeks,
Stevens Merrill.

1828.
Moses H. Clement,
Enoch R. Weeks,
Samuel Merrill.

1829.
William Clough,
Samuel Merrill,
George Libbey.

TOWN CLERKS.

141

1830.
Jacob Patch,
Benjamin Little,1
Samuel Merrill.

1831—32.
Jacob Patch,
Benjamin Little,
Anson Morrill.

1833.
Enoch R. Weeks,
Moses H. Clement,
Samuel L. Merrill.

1834.
Moses H. Clement,
Samuel L. Merrill,
Samuel Merrill.

1835.
Jacob Patch,
Isaac Merrill, 2d,
Solomon Cotton.

1836.
Samuel L. Merrill,
Solomon Cotton,
George Libbey.

1837.
Samuel L. Merrill,
George Libbey,
Enoch R. Weeks.

1838.
William Clough,
William Pomeroy,

Jonathan Little.

1839.
William Pomeroy,
Jonathan Little,
Joseph Bixby.

1840.
Jonathan Little,
Joseph Bixby,
Stevens M. Dow.

1841—42.
Enoch R. Weeks,
Solomon Cotton,
Nathaniel Merrill, 2d.

1843.
Enoch R. Weeks,
William Pomeroy,
Russell F. ClitTord.

1844.
Isaac Merrill,
Russell P. Clifford,
Stevens M. Dow.

1845,
Isaac Merrill,
Russell F. Clifford,
James S. Merrill.

1846.
Samuel L. Merrill,
James S. Merrill,
James Clement.

1847.
Jesse Little,

Solomon Cotton,
Ira M. Weeks.

1848.
Jesse Little,
Ira M. Weeks,
David Smith.

1849.
Samuel L. Merrill,
David Smith,
Thomas P. Huckins.

1850.
Samuel L. Merrill,
Thomas P. Huckins,
Alba C. Weeks.

1851.
Samuel L. Merrill,
Alba C. Weeks,
Michael P. Merrill.

1852.
Samuel L. Merrill,
Michael P. Merrill,
Joseph Clement.

1853.
David Smith,
Joseph Clement,
Jonathan Little.

1854.
William Pomeroy,
Ezra W. Cleasby,
James Clement.

Town Clerks.

1779.
1786.
1787.
1788.
1790.
1793.
1803.
1805.
1806.
1807.

Obadiah Clement,
Joshua Copp,
Joshua Merrill,
Nathaniel Knight,
Joshua Copp,
Jonathan Merrill,
Ezra Bartlett,
Abel Merrill,
Jonathan Morrill,
Abel Merrill,
Jonathan Merrill,
Benjamin Morrill,

6 years.
1 year

1 year.

2 years.
2 years.

10 years.^
2 years
1 year.

1 year.

2 years.
2 years.
2 years.

1813.
1815.

1816.
1817.
1818.
1820.
1827.
1828.
1831.
1838.
1844.
1846.

Thomas Whipple,
Jonathan Merrill,
Joseph Patch, jr.,
Robert Burns,
Joseph Patch, jr.,
Moses H. Clement,
Enoch R. Weeks,
Anson Merrill,
Jesse Little,
Russell K. Clement,
Isaac Merrill,
Russell K. Clement,

2 years.
1 year.
1 year.

1 year.

2 years.
7 years.

1 year.
4 years.

7 years.
6 years.

2 years.

8 years.

142

HISTORY OF WARREN.

Representatives.

1784.

Obadiah Clement,

2 years.

1830.

Moses H. Clement,

1 year.

1789.

William Tarlton,

1 year.

1831.

Enoch R. Weeks,

2 years.

1793.

Jonathan Merrill,

3 years.

1833.

Jacob Patch,

1 year.

1797.

William Butler,

2 years.

1834.

Moses H. Clement,

1 year.

1800.

William Tarlton,

1 year.

1835.

Jacob Patch,

1 year.

1801.

Abel Merrill,

1 year.

183G.

Moses H. Clement,

1 year.

1805.

Ezra Bartlett,

2 years.

1838.

Moses H. Clement,

1 year.

1808.

Abel Merrill,

2 years.

1839.

Enoch R. Weeks,

1 year.

1810.

Daniel Davis,

1 year.

1840.

Jesse Little,

2 years.

1811.

Abel Merrill,

2 years.

1842.

William Clough,

2 years

181:J.

Daniel Davis,

1 year.

1844.

Russell K. Clement,

2 years.

1814.

Joseph Patch, jr.,

2 years.

1846.

Jonathan Little,

2 years.

1816.

Daniel Davis,

1 year.

1848.

Russell K. Clement,

1 year.

1817.

Joseph Patch, jr..

4 years.

1849.

L. C. Whitcher,

2 years.

1822.

Amos Tarlton,

2 years.

1851.

William Pomeroy,

2 years.

1825.

Abel Merrill,

2 years.

1853.

Isaac Merrill,

1 year.

1828.

Jacob Patch,

1 year.

1854.

Russell K. Clement.

3foderators.

Joshua Copp, 1779, 82, 98, 99; Thomas Clark, 1780, 1 ; William Butler, 1783, 4,
7, 8, 91, 4, 1801 ; Stevens Merrill, 1785, 9, 90 ; Absalom Peters, 1786 ; EphraimTrue,
1792; Thomas Boynton, 1793, 5; Abel Merrill, 1796, 1802, 3,5, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15,
17, 18, 19, 20, 25 ; Aaron Welch, 1797 ; Ezra Bartlett, 1800, 8, 11 ; Obadiah Clement,
1804 ; Jonathan Merrill, 1806, 9 ; Daniel Patch, 1816,21,2,3,4; George Libbey,
1826,36,7,8,9,40,2; Jacob Patch, 1827, 8 9, 30, 1, 2, 3, 4 ; Anson Merrill, 1835 ;
Isaac Merrill, 1841, 3, 8, 52, 3 ; William Pomeroy, 1844, 5, 7 ; Francis A. Cushman,
1846 ; Michael P. Merrill, 1849, 50, 1, 4.

School Committees.

1829.
David C.French,
Horatio W. Heath,
Robert E. Merrill

1830
Jacob Patch,
Anson Merrill,
Jonathan Little.

1831.
saac Merrill, 2d,
Job E. Merrill,
Russell F. Clifford.

1832.
Jonathan Little,
John L. Merrill,

Nathaniel Merrill, 2d.

1833.
Job E. Merrill,
Stevens M. Dow,
Russell K. Clement.

1835.
Job E. Merrill,
Stevens M. Dow,
Anson Merrill.

1837.
Jesse Little,
Moses Merrill,
Russell K. Clement.

1844.
Michael P. Merrill,

David Smith,
James M. Williams.

1845.
David Smith,
Michael P. Merrill,
James M. Williams.

1846.
Michael P. Merrill,
Dudley B. Cotton,
Ira M. Weeks.

1847.
David Smith,
Dudley B. Cotton,
Ira M. Weeks.

STATISTICS.

143

I84&-9.
Dudley B. Cotton,
Ira Merrill,
James M. Williams.

1850.
William Merrill,
Alba C. Weeks,

Joseph B. Cotton.

1851.
William Merrill,
Joseph B. Cotton,
James M. Williams.

1859.
Michael P. Merrill.

1853.
James M. Williams,
Ira Merrill.

1854.
Ira Merrill.

Population at different periods.

1780 about 125
1790 206
1800 336

506
544

702

1840 938
1850 900
1854 1256

Amount of money raised each year to pay toimi charges.

1779 £100

1798

10

1817

60

1836

250

1780 150

1799

0

1818

30

1837

250

1781 500

1800

13

1819

75

1838

300

1782 4>i*

1801

0

1820

50

1839

400

1783 6

1802

15

1821

30

1840

600

1784 5

1803

30

1822

40

1841

400

1785 0

1804

70

1823

50

1842

800

1786 5

1805

100

1824

75

1843

1000

1787 0

1806

40

1825

60

1844

1200

1788 3

1807

40

1826

75

1845

650

1789 6

1808

75

1827

150

1846

525

1790 9

1809

80

1828

200

1847

425

1791 6

1810

0

1629

300

1848

1000

1792 0

1811

0

1830

200

1849

900

1793 \%

1812

300

1831

200

1850

700

1791 C

1813

100

1832

200

1851

800

1795 3

1814

245

1833

150

1852

600

1796 0

1815

0

1834

150

1853

500

1797 $l;^.^3

1816

30

1835

400

1854

550

* Silver money.

144

CHAPTER yill.

MISCELLANEOUS.

"Warren derives its beautiful name from Admi-
ral Warren, of Louisburg notoriety. This com-
mander rendered efficient service in wresting that
almost impregnable fortress from the French.
The troops sent against it were principally New
Hampshire and Massachusetts men, and the pro-
prietors, wishing to honor him, mentioned his
name as the one by which they wished the town-
ship called. The town bears also the same name
as Gen. Warren, one of those revolutionary he-
roes who fell as a martyr to the cause of freedom
at the battle of Bunker Hill, and whose deeds
are remembered by every true-hearted American
with pride.

Warren is situated in Longitude 5 ° East from
Washington ; Latitude 43 ° 50 : It is' bounded
on the north by Benton and Woodstock, east by
Woodstock and Ellsworth, south by Wentworth,
and west by Piermont. It is seventy miles from
Concord, on the route of the Boston, Concord &
Montreal Railroad, twelve from Haverhill, and
ninety-eight from Portsmouth.

The town is rough and uneven, except on the
river, but the soil is generally of a fertile char-

MISCELLANEOUS. 145

acter, and by fair cultivation yields respectable
crops ; although the first settlers realized better
ones than are obtained at the present time. The
soil was then new and had not been exhausted
by a jperhaps sometimes injudicious method of
farming. But the individual who now walks over
the pleasant fields, and little dreams of the hard
toil that has been spent to make them what they
are, if he will but consider a moment, he will
perceive that he is more blessed by what he
receives from the earth than was the early pioneer.
The early settler was a stranger to many of
the conveniences and comforts of life. He had not
the implements for cultivating his land which
are now possessed, and it was a long distance
to populous settlements. Instead of houses of
worship and other instruction, mills, stores and
shops, around them was the wild wilderness ; and
it was not unfrequent to see the harmless moose
approach the humble cottage, and the inoffensive
deer was seen feeding on their little improve-
ments. The beaver, the otter and the muskrat
sported up and down the rivers and the brooks
almost unmolested, while the midnight howling
of the bear and wolf announced to them their
intended depredations on their flocks, herds and
fields. Although wood and timber was plenty,
so much of it was more of an evil than a blessing.
Their household and farming utensils were rude,

146 HISTORY OF WARREN.

and for the fine plows, harrows, hoes, shovels,
carpets, sofas and pianos, they had the wooden
plow, the wooden-toothed harrow, the crotchet
stick for a fork, and home-made spinning wheels
and looms. For the want of carriages they trav-
elled in summer on horse back, and in winter rode
upon sleds to meeting or in visiting their neigh-
bors. They were a hardy race, and many of
them excellent horsemen. When they went to
meeting in summer, the good man mounted his
horse, and rode with his wife behind him, with
perhaps a child in her arms, while he carried one
before him on a pillow. But the good woman
did not always ride behind, for when she wished
to visit her friends she generally mounted and
rode off alone upon a spirited horse, without
guide or protector.

When East Warren was first settled, and the
road nothing more than a path with the trees
and underbrush cleared from it, Mrs. Samuel
Knight and Mrs. Caleb Iloman, accompanied by
several other women and a young man by the
name of Webster, who was from Landaff, went
to Mr. Stephen Flanders' to pay the family a
visit. On their return home, when they arrived
near the Williams bridge, Mrs. Knight and Mrs.
Homan challenged young Webster, who was
mounted on a very fleet horse, to a race. He at
first did not like to consent, but they urged him

MISCELLANEOUS. 147

SO strongly that at last he acquiesced ; -and whip-
ping up, they went over that rough road for the
distance of a mile and a half at almost lightning
speed, when Webster, who had the smartest horse,
proved the winner, much to the chagrin of Mrs.
Knight and Mrs. Homan. Mr. Webster, now an
old man, remarked in telling the story that he
had rode over that piece of road many times
since, but never a quarter so fast as then.

These were a specimen of the women of that
day ; hardy and strong ; firm and daring. They
could attend to their household affairs, or, when
necessity called, could chop wood, drive oxen,
plow, sow and harvest crops, as well as the men.
Their clothing was simply tow and linen in sum-
mer, and woolen frocking for the men and woolen
dresses for the women, in winter.

The men had for amusements, raisings, train-
ings, wrestling, lifting and chopping bees, while
the women had quilting parties and carding bees.
Tea and coffee were then almost unknown; still
their visitors were treated in the most hospitable
manner, and for supper were served with various
kinds of broth ; corn, bean and barley broth being
the most common. As a substitute for these,
hasty-pudding was not uncommon, and this dish
constituted the almost standing supper in most
families ; food not so delicious as perhaps is eaten
at the present time, but far more healthy. The

148 HISTORY OP WARREN.

men in winter wore shoes with woolen leggings
tied at the top, to exclude, the snow. They were
more conveniently made, and much cheaper than
boots. In summer both men and women went
barefoot a greater portion of the time. Great
coats and surtouts were seldom seen.

Every town has had its witch or wizard, and
Warren among them. It is told that in olden
time, when there were but a few clearings in
town, a young man went to see his lady love. —
While there, the happy moments flew swift, and
time had crept far into the small hours before he
thought of taking his leave. On his way home
he had to cross a stream on the trunk of a fallen
tree, and when he arrived at this point, as he was
stepping upon the log which was shaded by the
foliage of the huge trees around, and through
which a few straggling rays of the moon-beams
struggled, he saw standing on the other end a
white, airy figure, which looked to him anything
but earthly. He gazed upon it for a few mo-
ments, and then stepped from the log. As he
did so the figure followed his example, and he
saw it standing on the water. He now thought
he would venture across, but the moment he was
on the log, that light form was there also. Now
filled with terror, he gazed upon it a few mo-
ments longer, and beholding as he thought its
ghastly visage, he turned about and swiftly made

MISCELLANEOUS. 149

his way back to the house where he had so agree-
ably spent the evening, and waited till daylight
before returning home.

A certain individual had at one time dealings
with another person, who was reputed to be a
wizard. In the transaction the first named gen-
tleman is said to have incurred the latter's dis-
pleasure, and he swore revenge. A few days
after, a son of the first named man, who was deaf
and dumb, commenced to act strangely. He
would be found running upon the ridge poles of
barns and upon the tops of fences, which he was
never known to do before ; at times he would
seem to experience the most excrutiating torture
and would writhe for hours in agony. When
asked who tormented him, he would go with an
individual and point out the house in which he
said his tormenter lived, but never in any in-
stance could he be persuaded to enter it.

Thus it continued until at last some of the
gentleman's neighbors induced him — although
he was incredulous as to believing in witches — to
try some experiments upon the boy, thinking to
make his tormentors cease from troubling him.
Accordingly some of the boy's blood was pro-
cured, corked up in a bottle and placed under the
hearth of the fire-place. Immediately after the
reputed wizard was taken suddenly with a violent
bleeding at the nose, and for a long time it could

150 HISTORY OF WARREN.

not be stopped. It finally was, and upon looking
at the bottle the cork was found to be out, and
the blood had run therefrom. The boy began
to cut the same antics as before, and his tortures
were nearly doubled. Again some of his blood
was procured and carefully corked in the bottle.
Soon the wizard began to bleed at the nose, and
continued so to do, until at last, by a powerful
eifort and a great deal of cursing, it stopped. —
Soon after, the boy began to behave a great deal
worse than before, and would at times act in a
manner truly terrible. This could not be borne
long, as they had found a short remedy ; and
again procuring a larger quantity of blood, placed
it in the bottle, and as a caution against its be-
coming uncorked, a small sharp sword was placed
in the cork.

It was evening when this was done, and shortly
after the boy went to bed. In the morning when
he awoke he seemed to be in great glee, and
immediately informed the family by signs that
his tormentor was dead, which proved to be the
case. Upon examining the bottle it was found
that the sword had penetrated through the cork
to the blood. From that time tradition says the
boy was no more troubled.

An old gentleman once wishing to go upon a
journey several miles from home, mounted his
horse and started. He had hardly got a dozen

MISCELLANEOUS. 151

rods from his door, when the animal suddenly
stopped and refused to go farther. The rider sat
in the saddle in a strange fit of abstraction, as if
gazing upon the revels of fiends incarnate, in
some far off world. The horse seemed to behold
the same scene also ; and great drops of sweat
trickled from every part of its body. All at
once the rider roused himself, and strove by every
means in his power to make the horse proceed,
but in vain ; and at last, weary in the attempt,
he turned the animal into the pasture and relin-
quished the journey, much to the surprise of
several persons who had witnessed the scene.

Of course the reader must judge how much of
these stories of supernatural events are true, and
make every allowance for the prejudices of those
times. For ages the behef in ghosts and goblins
had prevailed ; indeed, the individuals who did
not believe in them were considered almost her-
etics. For many hundred years England had an
established code of laws against witchcraft, and
it was considered a capital offence. The learned
Baxter, who lived in the seventeenth century,
considered all persons as obdurate Sadducees who
did not believe in it, and Sir Matthew Hale, one
of the brightest ornaments to the English Bar,
tried and convicted several persons for the crime
of witchcraft.

But the hallucinations of other generations are

152 HISTORY OF WARREN.

passing away, and few are the persons at the
present time who indulge in the belief of goblins
and ghosts. " True it is, the mediums, and other
modern notions, bring to mind the diablerie of
old Salem, when our fathers were sorely tried ;
but they don't go for much except as a means of
speculation in money matters."

The dwellers in a new settlement, far away
from the older towns, Avere just the ones to in-
dulge in the belief of the supernatural. Around
them were thousands of old solitudes ; and as
the deepening shades of night cast her sombre
mantle over the forest, it required no active
imagination to picture the forms of huge giants,
stalking away among the trees -, to see numerous
Jack-o'lanterns gliding noiselessly along to guide
the lone traveller onward, until he was lost in the
dark, intricate windings of some dismal old
swamp ; to hear the infernal music of the old
crones, as they charged in huge battalions through
the tops of the lofty trees, mounted upon their
never-tiring steads, a broom-stick. But they are
all gone. No more do we see the individuals
who indulge in such fancies ; and although there
were, and they still live in history, we have little
right to laugh at them. If our ancestors did in-
dulge in them, still they had exalted notions of
piety, and thousands of good deeds, which latter
it would be well if we would imitate.

FIRST GRAVE-YARD. 153

In those primitive times, when fences were
rare and sheep were nimble, it was found neces-
sary to record the marks by which one's sheep
might be known and recognized. Accordingly
we are certified that Obadiah Clement's sheep
are marked by one half crop on the upper side
of the right ear, and one half crop on the under
side of the left ear ; Joshua Merrill's, a crop from
off each ear; Stevens Merrill's, a fork, like a
swallow's tail, on the end of the left ear ; Joseph
Merrill's, a crop off the left ear ; Jonathan Mer-
rill's, a crop off the left ear and a slit on the
under side of the same ; Caleb Homan's, a fork
like "a swallow's tail, on the end of the left ear
and a crop from off the right one ; Amos Little's,
a slit on the end of the right ear ; Joshua Copp's,
a fork like a swallow's tail, on the right ear, and
a crop on the left.

The first grave-yard was located a short dis-
tance below the village, on land now owned by
the railroad company, and formerly owned by
J. M. Eaton. It was situated on the right hand
of the road, as one travels south, at the top of a
little hill formed by what might have been the
bank of the river. In this yard about twenty
were buried, among the first of whom was Mr.
Mills, one of the first settlers. When excavations
were made for the railroad the remains of several

bodies were exhumed, but the overseer of the

8

154 HISTORY OF WARREN.

work dug the graves deeper, and in them again
deposited the remains. Here rest many of the
settlers, with no monuments to mark their graves.
A life interspersed with joys and sorrows was
theirs.

" Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield ;

Their furrows oft the stubborn glebe has broke ; i

How jocund did they drive their teams afield,

How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke.

But now each in his nan'ow cell forever laid,
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.

The breezy call of incense-breathing morn,
The swallow, twittering from her straw-built shed ;
The cock's shrill clarion or the echoing horn.
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed.

For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn,
• Or busy house-wife ply her weary care ;
No children run to lisp their sire's return.
Or climb his knee, the envied kiss to share."

There were also two other burying grounds,
which have become almost unknown. One of
these was located near the present site of the
railroad depots ; and the other on the farm of
Col. Charles Lane, or on the piece of land which
the town voted to accept of Joshua Copp, Esq.,
for the purpose of erecting a meeting-house, and
occupying as a burying-yard and training-field.

There are now five burying-yards in to^vn;
one on the bank of Patch brook; one at East
Warren; one at Warren Summit; one on the
height of land, and one on the little hill-side

INSCRIPTION ON TOMB-STONES. 155

near Robert E. Merrill's, one half mile from the
meeting-house. The latter is a beautiful place.
There the departed rest. Side by side sleep kin-
dred and friends, who were beautiful in life and
in death were not divided. Just above them the
winds murmur through the lofty pines, while a
little distance off from the back of the yard, is
heard the plaintive music of a tiny purling brook.
The earliest tomb-stone reads thus :

" Hie jacet Josiah Bartlett, son of Ezra and
Hannah Bartlett, who died Sept. 26, 1802, aged
11 months.

" Sleep on, sweet babe, nor fear to rise
When Gabriel's trump shall rend the skies."

Among the most beautiful of the tomb-stones
is that of Mrs. Hannah Dow, wife of James Dow :

" Here lies a friend we loved so dear,
The loss to us it seems severe :
But God has ordered all things well :
She now has gone with Christ to dwell."

The following beautiful epitaph, so well ex-
pressed, is on the tomb-stone over the remains
of a young child of Josiah and Sarah Swain :

" This pretty rose, descendant from above-
Awhile on earth did bloom in sweetest love :
Till some fair angel saw the heavenly prize,
And gently bore it to its native skies."

For the past few years, places of the dead
have greatly improved their appearance, and

156 HISTORY OF WARREN.

are becoining as they should be. They are the
vestibule of a beautiful land, and art and affec-
tion should do their utmost to adorn them.

The animals, birds, jfishes, insects, reptiles,
trees, shrubs and plants, found in Warren, are
the same as those in other parts of northern
New-Hampshire and Maine, with but few varia-
tions. Those animals marked thusf in the follow-
ing catalogue were found by the first settlers ;
and although still living in the dense foressts
which cover the greater portion of Northern
New-England, have disappearedfrom this section.

The different kinds of animals are the bear, wol-
verine,f beaverf , muskrat, catamountf, wild cat,
black cat, or the Indian woolaneag, moose,-}- deer,
caribou,f fox, wolf, hare, squirrel, rabbit, mole,
mouse, rat, porcupine, skunk, ermine, usually
called sable, mink, otter,f weasel and woodchuck.

Of the different kinds of birds are the eagle,
two varieties ; hawk, four ; crow, owl, duck, teal,
gull, crane, loon, sheldrake, Avater-hen, partridge,
wood-pecker, king-bird, crow, black-bird, cuckoo,
plover, turtle-dove, whippowil, humming-bird,
curlew, robin, sky-lark, thrush, thrasher or
mocking-bird, bobolink, yellow-bird, blue-bird,
wren, red-winged black-bird, king-fisher, wood-
cock, quail, hedge-bird, cross-bill, cat-bird, gol-
den-robin or gold-finch, spring-bird, hang-bird,
snow-bird, wild pidgeon, house swallow, barn

ORDERS OF BIRDS. 167

swallow, ground swallow, black martin, blue-jay,
herrywicket.

Birds are divided into six orders, namely : ra-
veners, perchers, climbers, scratchers, waders and
swimmers. The Raveners are those which are
remarkable for their plundering habits, and are
also the most perfect in their forms. They have
a strong beak, short and strong legs, and toes
armed with crooked claws, as the eagle, owl,
hawk, &c.

The Perchers form the second order, and they
have three toes before and one behind, as the
king-fisher, robin, and bobolink. Among the
birds of this order are those which most delight
us with their varied music. Many of them were
almost unknown before the setthng of the white
man, and seem to have increased and multiplied
with him ; journeying wherever he subdued the
forest, and enlivening the groves about his cot-
tage with their matin and evening songs of
matchless melody.

The Climbers form the third order. They
have two toes before and two behind on each
foot. The cuckoo, wood-pecker, &c., belong to
this order.

The Scratchers form the fourth order, and are
so called from an action common to many of
them. This order includes the partridge, pigeon,
&c. ; game sought after by the sportsman, and

158 HISTORY OF WARREN.

birds which dehght us by the beauty and ele-
gance of their forms and the rich variety and
splendor of their colors.

The Waders form the fifth order, and are so
called because of their long legs, which enable
them to traverse marshes and ditches in search
of fish, snakes and worms. The crane, snipe
and water-hen belong to this order.

The Swimmers form the sixth order. These
are web-footed, which enables them to swim rap-
idly through the water. The duck, loon, &c.,
belong to this class.

All the fishes that formerly inhabitated our
waters are still found, except the salmon. They
are the trout, pickerel, sucker, eel, red perch,
shiner and minnow.

The amphibious animals are the turtle, toad,
frog, lizard and swift.

There are but few serpents. These are the
striped snake, green snake, water adder, and one
other species of a smaller size. Black and rattle-
snakes are not found.

Among the insects most common are the bee-
tle, grasshopper, cricket, butterfly, fire-fly, black
fly, moth, flea, ant,musquito, spider, hornet, Avasp,
humble-bee,honey-bee, various kinds of bugs, and
several species of worms.

The indigenous trees and shrubs are the
white, black, ground, mountain and red ash;

HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS. 159

balm of Gilead, bass wood, beach, birch, butter-
nut or bihiut, blackberry, blueberry, bayberry,
cedar, black and red choke cherry, wild cherry,
wild currant, dogwood, elm, elder, fir, gooseberry,
grape vine, hazel, hemlock, ground do., hornbeam,
larch ; sugar, white and red maple ; moosewood,
juniper, red oak, pojDlar, plum, white and Norway
pine, sumac, thorn-apple, wild-pear, spruce, wil-
low, wickapee or leather wood, sheep laurel, rasp-
berry, thimbleberry, wild rose, &c.

The principal medicinal plants and herbs are
the fir, balsam, yarrow, sweet-flag, may-weed, sar-
saparilla, spikenard, everlasting, burdock, worm-
wood, wild turnip, coltsfoot, milk-weed, white
root, celandine, snake head, winter-green, horse-
radish, sweet fern, gold-thread, apple of Peru,
thoroughwort, queen of the meadow, wild hoar-
hound, avensroot, penny-royal, liverwort, hop,
round wood, elecampane, blueflag, dandelion, cat-
nip, wood sorrel, garget, broad leaved dock, el-
der, golden rod, tansy, snake root, ginsing, mai-
den hair, hard-hack, adder-tongue, sweet cicely,
and many others.

The horticultural products are the apple, cher-
ries of several kinds, Canada plum, wheat plum,
pear and grape.

The most important culinary plants, roots and
herbs, are the anise, artichoke, bean, beet, cara-
way, currant, carrot, hop, mustard, onion, pea,

160 HISTORY OF WARREN.

pepper pumpkin, sage, squash, cabbage, turnip,
cranberry, parsnip, &c. The common plants
found in this latitude abound. Besides these
are a number of floral plants.

In the early settling of the town many indi-
viduals planted large orchards, and from the pro-
ducts of these a considerable amount of cider
was manufactured and drank. But the drinking
of cider as a beverage is going into disuse, and
the value of fruit as a luxury is better appreci-
ated. Many of the old orchards have been ren-
ovated by grafting, and nurseries are annually
planted. The first apple tree was planted by
Joseph Patch, and is still standing, though near-
ly dead, on land owned by Jonathan Clough, and
not far from the Clough school-house. The
plum and cherry are abundant. There are but
few pears, and peaches do not thrive.

For many years, but a common breed of stock
was raised, yet of these there were many fine
animals reared. In later times, through the per-
severance of Dr. David C. French, there are
now some very fine specimens of short horned
Durhams. There are also fine specimens of
horses, various breeds of sheep, and a considera-
ble amount of wool is sold annually. Several
thousand dollars worth of fat cattle are now
yearly sent to market. Pork was formerly rais-
ed in considerable quantities for market, but

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. 161

since the decline of prices, and prevalence of the
potato disease, the quantity does not greatly ex-
ceed the home consumption. Poultry raising
is on the increase, and large quantities of the
common kinds and eggs find a ready sale.

The business of cheese-making is not now so
much attended to as formerly ; but still rather a
larger quantity than is needed for home con-
sumption is made. But the manufacture of but-
ter is on the increase ; most of it is of an excel-
lent quality, and many hundreds of firkins find
a quick demand abroad.

The making of maple sugar is also an impor-
tant item to the farmers of Warren. In the
year 1850 there were twenty tons made, and a
large amount of cakes and maple honey is sold
iiT the larger towns of this State and Massachu-
setts ; but for all this, many hundred weight of
southern manufacture is sold in town each year.

Formerly a sui'frL'ient supply of corn, rye and
oats was raised to meet the consumption of the
inhabitants, but since the commencement of the
railroad, owing to the large number (Jf hands
employed upon it during its building, and the
large number engaged in the lumbering business,
which, since the running of the cars has become
profitable, a considerable amount of oats and corn
is brought into town each year, to meet the in-
creased demand.
8*

162 HISTORY OF WARREN.

Very little barley is now grown ; beans are
raised in considerable quantities, but peas are
not an object of much attention, beyond the pro-
duction of early ones, to be used when green.
There is a considerable crop of wheat grown
each year, but it does not thrive so well as for-
merly, and there is not enough raised to meet
the home demand ; consequently many hundred
barrels of flour are annually brought into town
and sold. Potatoes are very extensively culti-
vated, and although there is not so large a, yield
as in former years, still many thousand bushels are
annually sent to market, or manufactured into
starch. For several years the ravages of the rot
bid fair to exterminate the culture of them, but
for one or two years they have been much less
affected by it. Many carrots are also raised, and
the farmers are beginning to appreciate' their
value as food for cattle, horses and swine.

There are eleven mills driv GjI by water for the
manufacture of various articles from wood. Of
these, four have been built during the past six
years. One by Sylvester Merrill, one by Isaac
Sawtell, and two by Levi F. Jewell ; two grain
mills, one tanning and currying establishment,
two carriage manufactories, one starch factory,
eight blacksmith shops, and three stores.

The first post-ofiice was established about the
year 1818, and was kept for several years by

DEATHS BY CASUALTY. 163

Amos Burton. He was succeeded by Anson
Merrill ; Dr. Jesse Little, who held the office of
post-master nine years ; Dr. David C. French five
years ; L. C. Whitcher three years ; Asa Thurs-
ton three years ; G. W. Prescott, one year, and
C. C. Durant.

The first death by casualty in town was that
of Mr. Mills, who was killed by the fall of a
tree ; the second that of his son, who was killed
in the same manner. Amos Eaton, killed by
the fall of a tree about the year 1780. Richard
Pillsbury, killed at the raising of a barn in 1800 ;
Reuben Batchelder, jr., killed at a raising in
1802 ; a child of Joshua Copp drowned in a wash
tub ; Caleb Merrill, deaf and dumb, killed by
the fall of a tree, June 8, 1808 ; Joseph Patch,
the first settler of Warren, killed by a fall about
the"y$ar 1832. For several years previous he had
been a'crFi|)ple, brought about by the excessive
fatigues he had cv^^^dergone in his hunting excur-
sions. A child of William Kelley, jr., drowned
in Kelley pond ; Mr. Paul Meader, killed in
1834 by a log rolling over hini;- Ward C. Batch-
elder, killed in 1836 by the fall of a limb from a
tree which he was chopping. A Mr. Merrill,
from Groton, was killed about 1840 by a pitch-
fork falling upon him ; Miranda Whitcher was
burned to death in 1845 ; Abigail Weed, wife of
Wilson Weed, was killed in 1846 by falling upon

164 HISTORY OF WARREN.

a pitchfork ; Calvin Cummings, killed in 1848 by
falling from a frame ; Mrs. Leathers, wife of
Vowell Leathers, burned to death in 1849 ; Da-
vid Antrine was drowned in Header pond the
same year ; an adopted son of Calvin May was
accidentally killed by the tine of a manure fork
in 1850 ; an Irishman killed in 1852 while at
work upon the railroad, by a tree falling upon
him ; a Mr. Anderson was burned to death while
tending a coal-pit in 1852.

The first individual who traded in Foreign and
West India goods was Samuel Fellows. He oc-
cupied a store near Joshua Merrill's, where Ste-
phen Lund now lives ; and after trading a short
time was taken crazy. He would sometimes
leave home and wander to the neighboring
towns ; and when his friends went for him it'
would be extremely difficult to influence him to
return. At one time he went to Haverhill, and
a young man was sent after hJin. He found him
at the tavern, and to make good friends, asked
him whether he would have flip or brandy to
drink before going home. Fellows looked up
sharply and said he guessed he would have the
brandy while the flip was making. To him suc-
ceeded, first, Charles Bowls ; then George W.
Copp ; next, Abel MerriU, who traded in 1804.
Others who have successively done business are
Benjamin Merrill, from 1805 to 1811 or 12. He

FIRST TRADERS IN WEST INDIA GOODS. 165

built the house now occupied by Stephen Mars-
ton, and occupied it both as store and dweUing-
house. Lemuel Keezer succeeded him, and
traded until 1815 ; then Michael Preston,
about three years, followed by Amos Burton,
who erected the building now occupied by Da-
mon Y. Eastman as a wheel-wright shop. Others
who have traded in that building are respective-
ly Samuel L. Merrill. William Merrill, Anson
Merrill, Wm. Wells, John T. Sanborn, Asa Thurs-
ton, Quincy Cole and Francis A. Cushman,
George W. Prescott and Wm. A. Merrill. Stevens
Merrill and Tristram Cross traded for a consid-
erable length of time in a store now standing
near the dwelling recently owned by Gen. M. P.
Merrill. About the year 1846 F. A. & M. E.
Cushman erected the building now occupied by
A. W. Eastman as a wheel-wright shop, and trad-
ed for a few years. James Clement built the store
now occupied by the Durants, and in company
with Joseph Clement traded for a considerable
length of time. Those who have traded there
since are E. C. Durant, C. C. & H. H. Durant, J.
& C. C. Durant. George W. Prescott erected
the store he now occupies, in company with J.
M. Williams, about the year 1847, and has since
traded in it. Ezra Libby commenced to trade
at Warren Summit in company with Jonathan
Stickney in the year 1853, and has since done
considerable business.

166 HISTORY OF WARREN.

The first physician who practiced in town was
Dr. Joseph Peters. He came in 1791, and lived
in town about two years.

Dr. Levi Root commenced practice in 1795,
and practiced three years.

Dr. Ezra Bartlett, when a young man, came
to Warren in 1798, and commenced practice.
He built the large two-story house on the place
now owned by Russell K. Clement, on Beach hill.
Dr. Bartlett was a man of fine abilities, and held
many responsible offices. In the year 1804 he
was elected to represent the towns of Warren
and Benton in the Legislature. In 1809 he was
appointed a Justice in the Court of Common Pleas
for the county of Grafton. In 1812 he moved
to Haverhill, and a few years after was elected a
Senator to the State Senate for a number of
years, after which for one or two years he was
Councillor.

Dr. Thomas Whipple practiced in town from
1812 to 1814, when he moved to Wentworth.
Several years after, he was a number of times
elected a Representative to Congress ; a position
which he filled to the satisfaction of his con-
stituents.

Dr. Robert Burns practiced from 1816 to
1818, when he moved to Hebron, and from
thence to Plymouth, where he now resides.

Dr. John Broadhead practiced in town from
1818 one vear.

LIST OF PHYSICIANS.

16Y

Dr. Laban Ladd, a native of Haverhill, came
to Warren about 1820, and practiced two years.
He then moved to Haverhill, where he shortly
after died.

Dr. David C. French, a son of Joseph French,
one of the early settlers of Warren, commenced
practice about the year 1821, which he con-
tinued to the satisfaction of his numerous friends
until the year 1853, when, wishing to retire
from business, he sold out his practice.

Dr. Jesse Little, also a native of Warren, and
son of Amos Little, who came to Warren in
1789, graduated at the medical college at Han-
over, in the year 1828, and has practiced in
town since 1830.

Dr. James Emery practiced in Warren a short
time in 1845.

Dr. A. Busell has practiced from 1852 to the
present time.

Dr. Alphonso G. French, son of Dr. David C.
French, graduated at the medical school at Han-
over in 1853, and is now practicing in town.

Dr. William Merrill, son of Abel Merrill, grad-
uated at the medical school at Hanover, and
after practicing at Lisbon for a short time, died.

Dr. Hobert C. Merrill, son of Samuel Merrill,
graduated at the medical school at Hanover, and
for a number of years practiced at Meredith.
From this place he removed to Pembroke, where
he holds a worthy rank in his profession.

168 HISTORY OF WARREN.

The following persons, natives of the town,
have attended college. Joseph Merrill, jun., son
of Joseph Merrill, graduated at Dartmouth Col-
lege, and is now a minister of the Congregation-
al denomination, and preaches at Dracut, Mass.
Lemuel Merrill, another son of Joseph Merrill,
graduated at Dartmouth College, and is now an
attorney, practicing in one of the Southern
States.

John Merrill, son of Abel Merrill, entered
Dartmouth College in 1806. He died while a
member of the sophomore class, aged 23 years.
The following lines are to be found upon his
tomb-stone :

" Behold the blooming youth is gone,
The much loved object's fled ;
Entered his long eternal home,
And numbered with the dead.

But he shall live, and rise again,
Enrobed in bright array ;
Shall take his part in heavenly strains
In everlasting day."

Many of the first settlers of Warren were of
the Calvin Baptist order, and they early turned
their attention toward the formation of a
church and the employment of a minister. But
as their number was few, they united with their
brethren at Wentworth, and for many years Dea-
con Aaron Currier labored with them.

The next society formed was the Methodist.

RIETHODIST SOCIETY. 169

Their first minister was the Rev. Elijah R Sabin.

Those who have succeeded him are, Skeels,

Winch, Jacob Sanborn, John Lord, Wil-
liam Plumbly, Davis, Sleeper, Newell

Culver, Charles Baker, Nathan Howe, Damon
Young, Caleb Dustin, J. H. Hardy, N. W, Aspin-

wall, C. R. Harding, J. W. Morey, Peck, S.

A. Gushing, Enos Wells, Reuben Dearborn, Mo-
ses Merrill, J. W. Johnson, Salmon Gleason, Ben-
jamin R. Hoyt, Kimball Hadley, Lorenzo D.

Blodget, Barker, James Martin, J. A. Sweai>

land, Kellog, Sullivan Holman, J. A. Scar-

ritt, L. L. Eastman, Rufus Tilton, James Adams.

The names of the Free Will Baptist ministers
are as follows : Joseph Boody, sen., Joseph Boo-
dy, jun., Lewis Harriman, Thomas Perkins, J.

Marks, Wallace, James Spencer, Joseph

Quimby, Messer, Aaron Buzwell, S. Doane,

Leavitt, G. W. Cogsv/ell, J. Moulton,

Sargeant, Horace Webber, J. D. Cross.

The names of the Universalist Ministers and
the dates of their preaching are as follows : Rev.
John E. Palmer, from 1838 to 1841 ; Samuel A.
Johnson, from 1841 to 1845 ; Alson Scott, 1845
to 1849; Macey B. Newall, 1849 to 1851;
Charles C. Clark, 1852 to 1853 ; S. W. Squire,
1853 to 185 .

The town is divided into eleven school dis-
tricts, in the most of which a school is supported

170 HISTORY OF WAREEN.

nearly half of the year, and in some, inore than
that length of time. About 325 children and
youth annually attend for a longer or shorter
period. The school-houses, although most of
them passable, are not what they should be.
Education is the grand secret of the prosperity
of this nation, and if we would go on thinking
we must cherish and enhance the value of our
institutions.

There was a circulating library, which con-
tained a number of hundred volumes, commenc-
ed about the year 1808, and was incorporated
by an act of the . Legislature. The books were
most of them printed in the ancient style, and
being but little read, were distributed among the
owners a few years ago. Another library was
commenced by the Warren L. B. Association in
1851, and contains many volumes of an inter-
esting and useful character.

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