Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1847-07-15
lL1IgpGIgllPn1GLD COUNTY,
Col. Seth Warner.
BIDGRAPJHIW.

This gallant and distinguished officer OF
he Revolution was born in tn at part of
Woodbury. which has since been incorpora,
ted into a separate town known by the name
of 2oxbnry, in the Southwestern section OF
the county. His early education was al>
most of course very limited. The region
in which ne lived had not then emerged
from the primitive wilderness; and, it may
he added, that the soil was unusually rough
and rocky even for Connecticut. AS soon
as he was old enough, he was hired out by
his parents to a neighborng farmer, TO do
the work Of farm-boy; and he continued
to labor in that capacity for several years.
He was soon distinguished throughout his
neighborhood not only for his strong athiet-
ic frame but for his many feats of daring.
1t was not, however, until his removal to
other scenes, and surrounded by other cr>
cnmstanccs, that he exhibited those traits of
character, and performed those acts of pat
trioic heroism, ~hich have given his name
TO History, and his fame to Pos,erity.
The occasional visits of Ethan Allen to
his friends and relatives in Roxbury, early
in life, brought him in contact with the sub
ject of this sketch; and friendship was
then forMed between them which was never
subsequently broken off until death dis
solved the bands'*
~ xrpt a
position was made by Allen to Warner to
remove 10 the new lands in the vicinity Of
the Green Mountains, then known as the
New Hampshire Grants" The sugges-
ton was received with enthusiasm by the
latter, and not many months elapsed before
they, together with gooGly number Of ass
sociates from Connecticut, had located them
selves on the Grants. The differences and
and difficulties which then, and for losg
period afterwards, existed between the set
tiers and the Government of New York,
have been noticed al some length in the
biographical sketch of Ethan Allen. They
will be referred 10 now only so far as they
as they were connected with the life of Col.
Warner.
No sooner did the New York Government
attemp, forclbly 10 dispossess the settlers of
their lands and tenemen,s, than the Green
Mountain Boys, as their enemies called
them, organized their forces and prepared
to make a vigorous resistance in defence of
their homes. Allen was at once appointed
Colonel, and an ong the Captains untler him
were Seth Warner and Remember Baker,
the latter also a native of RoXbury. The
doings of these men-such as ejecting the
New York sheriFs and consableS from their
premises, besides calling into requisition
tar, feathers, rails, etc.--Grew from the Cows
ernor diverse proclamations, containing
threats against the 'rioters,' and offering
rewards for the arrest of their leaders -
One of these offered twenty pounds each
to any person who would apprehend and sen
cure Warner, Allen. aud seven other per>
sons named therein. This not having the
desired effect, second soon after appeared,
charging the bounty for Warner to fifty
pounds. These attempts 10 brihe the sets
lers had no other effect than to make them
more rigorous with all official intruders
and if possible to increase their antpathy
agains. their oppressors.
Governor Tryon, finding matters grow
ing worse instead of better, at length wrote
to the people of Bennington, in May, l772,
requesting them to send deputies to him.,
with view of adjusting the existing difi>
culties. To any such deputies he promised
protection, excepting Seth Warner, Ethan
Allen, and three others. Deputies were
.. accordingly appointed, who visited the
Governor-and the restoration of peace was
the result. Great was the rejoicing in Ben>
niagton when The tidinss reached there
Aliens cannon and Warmers small arms
were fred in honor of the occasion, and the
) people throughout the settlement celebrated
the jubilee.
The cessation of hostilities was but for
, brief period. The disturbances were re.
commenced, and ragged more fearfully than
ever before. The Assembly Of New York
passed special law for the apprehension
Of Warner. Allen, Baker. and others, and
authorizing that the punishment of death
) might be indicted upon them. Heavy re>
Z warde were at the same time renewed for
their apprehension.
In the midst of these excitemeats the
War of the Revelation broke oHt, which
suddenly turned the thoughts Of the billig>
erents into another chanRel.