In

abounds in uninhabited parts of our country, particularly at the north of us. It is said to live exclusively on vegetable food, extreme hunger only being able to induce it to eat the flesh of animals. These bears reside in trees, mounting and descending them with great alertness. They are frequently found burrowed in hollow trees, upon the ground and clefts of rocks. Their flesh, when young, is thought delicious food, and they were so frequently taken that it was not uncommon to find the tables of hunters well supplied with it. There are several aged men now living in town who have killed and assisted in killing many bears. It may not be uninteresting to relate a rencounter Thomas Annis, Esq. had with a bear. One day late in March, the snow being deep, he mounted his snow-shoes and in company with Abner Watkins and their dogs set off towards the MinkHills for a hunt, armed with an axe and gun. the neighborhood of the hills, the dogs were perceived to be very much excited with something in a ledge of rocks. Annis left his companion, Watkins, and ascended a crag twenty or thirty feet to where the dogs were, having no other weapon with him but his staff which was pointed with iron. After exploring a little, he concluded there was no game there of more consequence than a hedge-hog or some other small animal, and being fatigued laid down on the snow on his back to rest, reclining his head upon the place he had been examining; he had but just laid down when he heard a snuffing under his ear; he started up and turning round found an old bear pressing her head up through the old leaves and snow which filled the mouth of her den; he thrust his spear pointed staff at the bear's brisket, and thus held the bear which was pressing towards him, at his staff's length distance and called to his companion Watkins to come up with

the axe and kill the bear, which, after some little time was effected. After the action was over, Annis complained of Watkins' dilatoriness, but Watkins excused himself by saying he could not get his gun off, that he had snapt, snapt, snapt, several times. Where did you take sight? said Annis, knowing that he was directly between him and the bear; I took sight between your legs, said Watkins.

Very unlike the resolution of these men was that exhibited by two young men who began a clearing on Pompion Hill. They built a camp, and made a beginning to clear on the spot where Timothy Davis' house now stands.--They passed two nights in their camp. On the morning of the third day as they went to felling trees, an old bear came at them with her mouth wide open, having been alarmed for her cubs which were near by; this so terrified our adventurers that they took to their heels, ran to their camp, picked up their provisions, utensils, &c. and were off'; no persuasives of the people who were then in town could induce them to stay longer; they left the wilderness and the bears, for the land of their nativity, and never returned afterwards.

Wolves were also troublesome to the first settlers, making great ravages among their sheep. They seem not to be satisfied with a competency for their wants, but destroy numbers of sheep and lambs, when in their way, out of mere wantonness. There is no animal, whose carnivorous appetite is stronger than that of the wolf, and he is endowed by nature with all the means of satisfying it, being strong, agile, subtle, and enabled not only to explore, but to seize and subdue his prey.

The Catamount and Wild cat, were sometimes met with by the first settlers. In 1766, Solomon

Annis shot at a Catamount on a tree, brought him to the ground, when he seized his axe and dispatched him on the spot. There were some beaver about the streams, also some otter, mink, and musquash. Wild turkeys, partridges, pigeons, and other small game were found pretty plenty in the woods.

We can but faintly conceive the privations and hardships endured by the first settlers, without knowing something of their circumstances in life, and the hard condition to which they were unavoidably subjected for several years, before mills, bridges, and roads were constructed for their convenience. To commence poor in the woods, without houses, without clearings or roads, often destitute of almost all the necessaries of life, might seem just occasions to call forth and employ the resolution, ingenuity, and energy of all who ventured into the forests, to make themselves habitations and farms. Yet many there were, who, to avail themselves of the privileges held out by the proprietors, came to occupy their forty acre lots for settling; subjecting themselves to all the inconveniences and privations incident to pioneer adventurers into new and uninhabited countries. But, however dark and gloomy a true picture of the times might appear in the main, there were some bright spots and vivid colors in it. Instead of a great variety of gewgaws and luxuries, the people were clad in plain homespun; and their tables were furnished with plain, simple, but nutricious food. One consequence was, that diseases were less frequent and less numerous.

The people enjoyed more social and friendly intercourse; felt more interest in each other's welfare, and more ready to contribute to each other's wants. Before the fire-brands of discord were thrown among the people, they were united like a band of brothers and sisters; to which time the sur

vivors will now refer as the happiest of their days. There seems to be a charm in encountering difficulties and dangers. We may observe this propensity from infancy to manhood, and from manhood to old age. This trait of character is not peculiar to hunters, sailors, or soldiers, but is common to all, and will continue to be so, so long as mankind are entertained with history, travels, and voyages; and more particularly so, when associated with hazardous enterprizes, bold daring, and feats of bravery. The first settlers considered every additional family that moved into town as a valuable acquisition to the place. All were ready to welcome the new comers into the fraternity.

This town has not been settled long enough to furnish instances of remarkable longevity. It is not uncommon, however, to meet with some of the first settlers who have attained to the ages of 70, 80, and some of 90 years. The first white male child born in town was Daniel Kimball, born October, 1762, and is now living in Canaan. The second was a female, Molly Goodwin, who is also living, aged 67 years.

When the war of the revolution commenced, Warner was not behind her neighbors in preparing for the contest. Though the number of inhabitants was small, and the people poor, they promptly furnished their quota of men for the field some of whom were perhaps as effective and brave as any that could be found in the service. Those who took up arms in the cause of their country in 1775, previous to the organization of an army by Congress, were Charles Barnard, James Palmer, John Palmer, Richard Bartlett, Jonathan Roby, Francis Davis, and Wells Davis. They enlisted for eight months; the three last mentioned, Roby, F. Davis, and W.

Davis, were in Bunker's Hill Battle. R. Bartlett, Esq. and C. Barnard, were in a skirmish with the British near New-Brunswick, NewJersey.

In 1770, the following persons enlisted into the continental service, viz. Hubbard Carter enlisted during the war; and Aquila Davis, Amos Floyd, and Philip Rowell, enlisted for three years. In the same year Isaac Walker, Pasky Pressy, Daniel Young, and John Palmer, were in the militia service. During the campaign of Burgoyne, in 1777, several men from this town were in the service at Bennington, Ticonderoga, Saratoga, &c.

After the expiration of the term of the first three years' men, William Lowell, Isaac Lowell, Stephen Colby, and Ichabod Twilight, a mulatto, were enlisted for three years. Considerable bounties were engaged to the Lowells, and Colby, by the town, for their encouragement to enlist, and were afterwards paid, though they were so fortunate as not to be retained in the service, the term for which they enlisted, or exposed to the dangers of a battle with the enemy.

During the last war with Great-Britain, early in 1813, there were upwards of thirty men from this town enrolled in a volunteer regiment, commanded by Gen. Apuila Davis, commissioned as a Colonel. Col. Davis' regiment was marched to Burlington early in the year 1813, and put under the command of Gen. Wade Hampton. They were twice slightly engaged with the enemy, at Chateaugeay, and at the Stone Mills, at La Cole; neither of which were celebrated for any thing gained or lost. Col. Davis commanded a detachment of about 200 men on an island near the mouth of Otter Creek, in Lake Champlain, where he repelled an attack of the British naval squadron on that lake, May 14, 1814. The main de