An ever present menace to the inhabitants of a new township is the liability to the loss of their homes and property by fire. The flues that conducted the smoke from the fierce fires of the large stone fire-places of their humble cabins were often built of sticks and clay. Such chimneys would sometimes burn and the debris falling into the capacious fire-place below, the cabin would escape destruction by the fiery agent. But the more immediate danger from fire arose from the necessity of clearing land for crops by burning the forest growth. In times of drought the fire which had been set to clear the lands for the season's crops would be driven by adverse winds towards the buildings of the settlers and their homes would suddenly disappear.

Josiah Bartlett, who had made the first beginning in the township, was the subject of a misfortune of this kind in 1805. He had built a small but comfortable house and barn, and with characteristic prudence, had laid in supplies for use through the summer and autumn, and seed for his crops. He had also provided himself with an abundance of clothing. In his barn were a yoke of oxen, a horse and his farming tools. One day while at work at a considerable distance from the buildings they took fire from some burning piles near them. His sister, afterwards a Mrs. Chase of Epping, N. H., who was keeping house for him, was absent on a visit at William Sargent's, who lived where James Rideout now resides.

When he saw that his buildings were on fire he hastened to them, reaching them just in time to save one feather-bed. The horse and one ox were burned to death in the barn. The other ox died the next day. In relating these occurrences years later to children and friends Mr. Bartlett used to say that as he could not save the buildings by his unaided efforts, and knowing that there was no human being near enough to respond to cries for assistance, he carried the feather-bed he had snatched from the flames to a safe distance from the burning ruins and lying upon it, he calmly watched the progress of the destructive elements and congratulated himself that the calamity was no worse.

Mr. Bartlett lost a second barn a few years later and with it some valuable stock.