History of the town of Warwick, Massachusetts : from its first settlement to 1854

Preface

HE following brief outline of the early history

^ of the town of Warwick, Mass., by the Hon. Jonathan Blake, was written about forty years ago, in 1 83 1 and 1832. A small part of it has been written since that time. It was compiled from the most authentic records of the town, made at the time when the various transactions took place ; and it contains matters of deep and thrilling interest to all the inhabitants, whether they be the regular descendants of the first inhabitants or not. All naturally wish to know something of the origin, character, and condition of the first settlers, — of those who first opened their eyes on this beautiful landscape, this wild mountain scenery, this Switzerland of America ; and here pitched their tents, on these sloping hill-sides and in these winding valleys, beside the running streams, and babbling brooks, and quiet ponds, surrounded by the tall pines of the forest. All wish to know some-

PREFACE.

thing of the hardy pioneers, who felled the giant trees, cleared up these cultivated fields, made these roads, built these walls, erected these houses, and did so much for the comfort and accommodation of the present inhabitants. To all, then, who have come into possession of this goodly inheritance, it contains matters of great and absorbing interest, which ought to be preserved for future generations. Without any view to publication, it was written expressly for the Warwick Lyceum, before whom select portions of it were read, at different times, as lyceum lectures, to the great edification of the hearers. It was not designed to give a full or complete account even, of the early history of Warwick, but only so much of it as would be interesting to the members of the lyceum ; and even now it is not thought advisable by the publishing committee to enlarge upon this branch of the subject by attempting to supply what may have been omitted.

From this brief outline, however, we have something more than a glimpse, or a mere bird's-eye view, of our forefathers. We have a tolerably correct account of their characters and habits, their spirit and enterprise, their sayings and doings, their joys and rejoicings, their trials and hardships, their privations and sufferings, and their noble devotion to the cause of education, religion, and good government. The work is now printed just as it was left by its ven-

PREFACE.

erated author, and transcribed by his brother, Samuel Blake, both of whom are now numbered with the sainted dead.

The committee of pubhcation were requested to write out and complete the history, so well begun by Mr. Blake, and to bring it down to the present time. This, at first, the committee thought could not be well done without making it appear like patchwork, — like new cloth on an old garment. But, after a little reflection upon the subject, they concluded to make the attempt, and to do the best they could to complete the work, and to make it match with the early history of the town. From the town-records and other authentic sources, they have collected all the facts and materials they have used in completing the work. With what success they have executed it, each one must judge for himself Though the whole committee have given their general approbation to all that has bean added, without being able to certify to the truth of every particular fact or statement, yet each member is particularly responsible for the articles which stand over the initials of his name.

It is hoped the book will be acceptable to all. By all the natives of the town, whether living here or elsewhere, it will be regarded with high favor, as a kind of godsend, or heirloom, to remind them of their father and mothers, their brothers and sisters, their kindred and friends. And to all others it will show rREFACE.

how strong, in the breasts of all the natives of Warwick, arc the veneration and love of their birthplace, and the home of their childhood. What shrine is more sacred, what spot is more holy, than the place of one's nativity ? J. G.

W^ARWICK, March 4, 1872.

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE.

Warwick, Dec. 26, 1871.

At a meeting of the citizens of the town, held at the Centre Schoolhouse, for the purpose of considering the propriety of securing the publication of the Hon. Jonathan Blake's " History of Warwick/' and of taking measures for the furtherance of said object, —

Voted^ and chose Hervey Barber, Chairman ; Edward F. Mayo, Secretary ; Hervey Barber, John Goldsbury, Nahum Jones, S. P. French, and E. F. Mayo, a Committee to take the matter into consideration, and adopt such measures as they may deem expedient to accomplish the purpose.

Voted^ To adjourn to the call of the committee.

Jan. 3, 1872. — The committee met according to appointment, and passed the following measures as necessary for the purpose of accomplishing the trust committed to their charge : —

Resolved^ That it is the sense of this committee that Blake's " History of Warwick " be brought down to the present time.

Voted^ That the Rev. John Goldsbury and Deacon Hervey Barber be requested to take the matter in charge, bring the work down to the present time, and prepare the same for publication.

Voted^ To adjourn without day.

Edward F. Mayo,

Secretary.

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE COMMITTEE.

Article 19th of the Annual March Meeting was as follows : To see if the town will take any action in regard to the publication of BLake's ^' History of Warwick," and appropriate money for the same.

March 4, 1872, on Article 19th, Voted, That the committee be authorized to borrow money for the purpose.

A. S. Atherton,

Ibwn Clerk.

HISTORY OF WARWICK, MASS.

''TnHERE is a trait inherent in the character of X man which is common to us all, — every one more or less feels its influence ; and that is a wish and a desire to look into futurity, — to see and to know what is laid up for us in the vast storehouse (if I may be allowed the expression) of coming events. And equally curious, and equally careful, are we all to explore the past, to investigate, to search out, from whence we came, a,nd where we originated. The creation of the world, the creation of man and every living thing that exists, whether material or immaterial, are the constant subjects of our inquiry. And it is just the same with regard to inanimate nature : the busy and inquisitive mind of man, with eagerness and assiduity, searches out the past, the present, and the future ; and, where the faithful page of history is wanting, conjecture and imagination

Note. — This was written for the amusement and information of the Warwick Lyceum, at several different times, in 1831 and 1832, by Jonathan Blake, jun. Copied from the original manuscript by Samuel Blake.

HISTORY OF WARWICK.

supply the deficiency. With what an intense interest do we seek and inquire after the ruins of Pompeii, buried for such a lapse of ages from human inspection by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, that the memorial of the transaction was almost lost to the world ! The meanest articles of domestic use that were in vogue in those ancient times are more valued by us, and excite greater admiration, than the most costly furniture in modern use. The brilliant and successful achievements of Champollion in deciphering the hieroglyphics on the monuments and temples, and in the tombs, of Egypt, excite our wonder, and fill us with surprise ; and we catch at every word and sentence that will throw light on the history of centuries that have long since rolled away.

The first settlement of this country by Europeans has now become interesting by the lapse of only about two hundred years ; and we lament the inattention and neglect of our forefathers in not recording the facts and circumstances of the times in which they lived : many events are already lost to the present age and to posterity forever. But let us rescue from oblivion what now remains : let us faithfully record everything that our fathers have done within our knowledge, and hand it down to our children. They will be grateful, they will feel thankful, for the historical legacy bequeathed to them by those that have gone" before them. The uncivilized natives of this country have set us an example : they hand down from father to son what we can more accurately and more faithfully preserve by our superior knowledge, and acquaintance with letters.

HISTORY OF WARWICK.