Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/366

CHAPTER XXI BARRINGTON RESTORED IN 1770 Reasons.for Separation — Spirit of Compromise — Proposals Rejected — Agreement of People on Harrington Necks — Petitions to General Assembly — Act of Incorporation — Bills of Committee — Appeals of No Avail. PEACE and general prosperity attended the people of Warren from the date of the incorporation, in 1747. Wealth'and population had increased, the social and busi- ness relations of the people were very harmonious, but divisions arose mainly on political grounds. Physically, the town was made up of three distinct peninsulars. New Meadow Neck, Peebee's Neck, and Warren Neck, each separated from the other by deep rivers and united in com- munication only by three ferries, which were unreliable in severe storms and in icy weather. It was somewhat to be expected that the people on New Meadow Neck, who had enjoyed the " centre of trade " from the first, should be jealous of the growth of the village on the east side of the river. But claims of unequal taxation and an unfair distri- bution of offices to the three divisions of the town are made the subjects of complaint by the citizens of the two western Necks. The village of Warren had the advantage of com- pactness and united influence in securing town offices and legislation, and the people west of the Great River were quick to note all real or fancied discrimination against them. Differences of religious faith had a real, though not a declared relation to the growing sentiment of separation. In the sixties, matters grew worse and discussion did not unite, but widened the breach between the east and west sides.