The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-02-18
Historic Newbury and Ancestors,
By Whom the Members of the Ok Bow
Chapter of the Daughters of the
American Revolution are eligible.

town of Newbury.
/ truly wish that l were better able to
do Justice to the theme. could wish the
heart of each resident here might be
made to swell with honest pride, in the
honorable past, as well as the present
prosperity, which pertains to this garden
of the Connecticut; and be thereby in
cited to purer and higher patriotism,
and more earnest endeavor for the towns
welfare. God has done his part, for as
have often heard there is not, in all New
England, fairer spot than this. This
spot, where God-given peace dwells in
quiet loneliness among the hills, to de-
light the souls of those who live here, and
to charm each visitor with tender mem
DRY, which shall often bring him back in
spirit.
done their part; for our town records and
traditions show, that those who wander
ing far into the wilderness, first claimed
this town from savagery, were a race OF
courageous, stalWart men, ana ueVoteu'
true-hearted women.
The early days of Newbury are closely
connected with the history of Haverhill,
both towns being settled by officers in
the cold French war''-Capt. John Hazen
and Col Jacob Bailey-to whom, on &C
count of gallant behavior had been prom
ised grant of a township of land. Al
though Newbury had been seen by white
men passing through the Connecticut
valley. as early as 1854, no attempts at
settlement were made until 1861, when
these two men came to the little Ok
Bow" in Haverhill and the great Ok
Bow" in Newbury, which to all appear
ances had been cultivated by the Indians
and then were covered with luxuriant
grass.
Then the Connecticut river abounded
in salmon and trout and the forest was
supplied with many kinds of game-as
zs,>1r WnIUnc
panthers and bears-sOme of which, &C
cOrding to history were not welcome to
the settlers. Though the fact of New
bury having been permanent home Tor
the Indians, has been disputed, many In
dian relics have been found, and 1t surely
was a resort and haunt of the Indians.
When the early settlers came there were
the remains of an old fort on the Ok Bow
north of the cemetery.
The charter of Newbury is dated March
10, 1863, and is signed by Benning Went;
worth, and that of Haverhill was granted
two wears after the town was chartered,
under New Hampshire, the King of Eng
land issued his proclamation declaring
the west bank of the Connecticut river to
be the boundary line between New Hamp-
shire and New York. Gen. Jacob Bailey
Immediately visited New York and OBJ
tanned new charter from that state,
though it was dated March 10, 1872 near
ly seven years after the Kings prOclama-
ton.
The first town meeting was held in
June 1853, at Plaistow, n. H., more than
one hundred miles distant, and it was
voted that it must be held forever after
ward in March. At this first meeting it
was also voted that Haverhill and New
bury unite in paying the salary of min
lister Twice during the next year they
enjoyed the privilege OF hearing the COS
build a meeting house 25x2S feet, which
was erected at the OK Bow. Rev. Peter
Powers was the first pastor and was or
dained in Feb. 1865. As the progress of
Newbury was so greatly Influenced by
this energetic man, it is but just to tell
something of his character, ~ r.
His parents living in Hollis, n. H.,
were of the strictest Puritans, and had
their plans for their Oldest son, but It
was his great desire to go TO college, MS
parents discouraged the ldea ana as reCer
found it disagreeable to them, ne SPOKE
no more OF It, one evening several for e geiarS
after, when it came time LOT evening
prayer and the closing OF Gne mouse, Lhe
Oldest son was absent. His family be-
came very anxious as the night advanced,
lest he had fallen among the treacnerous
Indians, but that night passed ana IN Cne
dawn of the next morning Wneh orpu.
Powers left the pouse, ne saw MS sou
Peter just leaving the forest ana approach
ing the house with most down cast looK,
No questions were asked concerning MS
absence until the time Tor evening prayer,
when Capt. Powers asked, where dld
you spend the night Peter Inc son
meekly replied-"l spent 1t IN the woods,
sir "In the woods" SAID his rather,
chow did you spend lt?' I'm prayer,
sir" Then Capt. Powers in a subdued
tone said, my son, what were you pray
ing for?'' ''That L might go to college,
answered his son. Consent was gained,
the noble son received his college educa.
ton and began his public life so full OF
usefulness.-Io return 10 Ne"oury
TJaIv ono who received a grant of land
was obliged to keep IN CULTIVATION hve
acres for every nifty, under the penalCy OF
forfeiture. All pine trees were 10 De pre-
served for the Royal navy tnough u is
thought few ever reached that deStha-
ton. A tribute OF one ear OF corn only
was to be paid once IN ten years lto Eng
land on Christmas day. Inc 1ertlle TX
Bow and Haverhlll meadows were the
mainstay OF adjoining towns, IN thelI
early days of scarcity. AT one time the
crops in Piermont and vicinity almost en-
tirely failed and had not succor been al
fOrded here, the settlements IN that town
must have been abandoned. A bountl-
full crop of the humble pumpkin gave the