fiiiiiitii CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE Cornell University Library F 89W2 F96 History of Warwick, Rhode Island, from i olin 3 1924 028 840 318 Cornell University Library The original of tliis bool< is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028840318 ,/ w COTjOKEL CHRISTOPHER GBEEME OF THE RHODE ISLAND BRiCADL bom 1784 : iJied Iv-lay I.:', H/Bi THE HISTORY OF WARWICK, RHODE ISL.A.ISm, SETTLEMENT IN 1642 TO THE PRESENT TIME ; INCLUDING ACCOUNTS OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOP- MENT OF ITS SEVERAL VILLAGES ; SKETCHES OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES OF THE TOWN, &c., &c BY OLIVER PAYSON FULLER, B. A. " Colltgite /ragwefita nt non quid pereat PROVIDENCE: ANGELL, BURLINGAME & CO., PRINTERS. 1875- A. 37^5So EiiLered according to Act of Congress in the year 1875, by O. P. FULLER, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. SoCy ^.w.^C_ PREFACE. The present work was commenced as a means of relaxation from professional labors, with simply the intention of furnish- ing a series of historifcal sketches for a countrj' newspaper. I had only pursued my inquiries for a brief season when I found the field so rich in interesting and important historical matter, that I was led to believe that even a poor reaper might gather a considerable harvest. It was a matter of surprise that one of the constituent towns of the colony of Ehode Island, and one that throughout its history has exerted so important an influ- ence upon its prosperity, and produced so many men of talent and influence, should not have found among them some one to perform this work many years ago. It was not, however, until a large portion of the material of this volume had accumulated upon my hands that I concluded to publish it in its present form. The amount of biogi'aphical and genealogical matter that I have allowed to come in, may be regarded by some as excessive for such a work, and the separate accounts of the villages, instead of incorporating them into the general history of the town, may be open to criticism. I preferred this arrangement, as I conceived it would give me a better opportunity to intro- duce many items of a semi-historical and traditional character with which the several villages abound. It would have been an easy task to have filled a much larger volume than the present with the published documents relating to the town, with which the Colonial Kecords and other works abound, but I preferred to leave that which is already well preserved, and secure a portion of that which, from the nature of the case, was liable to be lost. IV PEBPACE. Special assistance in the preparation of this volume has been derived from the very able and comprehensive " History of Ehode Island," by Lieut. Gov. Samuel G. Arnold, from whose careful statements I have never seen cause to differ; and also from the works of Judge Staples, the valuable biographical notes connected with his Gorton's " Simplicitie's Defence" being found of special use. In the preparation of the local accounts, my acknowledgments are due to Mrs. Joseph Bos- worth, of Providence, for placing in my hands " Letters from the Pawtuxet," prepared by her brother, the late Hon. Henry Kousmaniere, also to Ex-Lieut. Gov. Wm. Greene, Hon. Wm. B. Spencer, of Phenix, Deacon Pardon Spencer, of Cromj)ton, Hon. Simon Henry Greene, of Clyde, Mr. and Mrs, John W. Greene, of Old Warwick, and others. Should the present work awaken an interest in the history of the town, and lead some abler pen to do well what is here done so imperfectly, I should have no reason to be dissatisfied. O. P. P. Centreville, October, 1875. CONTENTS. CHAPTEE I. Page. Condition of the country .previous to 1642. Its aboriginal inhabitants ' 1 CHAPTER II. From^ttie first settlement in 1642 to the granting of the Town charter, March 14, 1648 8 CHAPTER III. Trom the granting of the Town charter in 1048 to the adoption of the Eoyal charter by the E. I. Colony in November, 16C3 ' ". 34 CHAPTEE IV. From the year 1663 to the close of Philip's war 60 CHAPTEE V. Prom the close of Philip's war to the Declaration of Ameri- can Independence, July 4, 1776 81 CHAPTER VI. From the breaking out of the Revolutionary war to the year 1800 106 VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. Page. Prom the year 1800 to the present time — 125 SKETCHES OF THE ORIGIK AND DEVELOPMENT OE THE SEVERAL VILLAGES OP THE TOWN. Old "Warwick, or eastern part of the town 137 Apponaug and Cowesett Shore 150 Crompton 162 Centreville 179 Arctic 202 Phenix 206 Lippitt Village : 225 Clyde "Works - 233 River Point 235 Natick 245 Pontiac 259 Hill's Grove •• 268 A COMPLETE LIST OF WAEWICK SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. APPENDIX. HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS OF THE SEVERAL CHURCHES OF • WARWICK. ERRATA. On 12Cth pngo, 11th line from tnp, for "father" read— brother. On llBth page, Rth line from bottom, for ''cove" reatl— cave. On i53d page. 8th line froni bottom, for "north" rcjtd— east. On IC.'.th pagL'. 4ih line from bottom, for "lii iT" read— 1607, On l&M page, 2Ut line from top, for "Pawcaluck" read— Pawtuxct. On 18.jth page, 9th line from top, for "si.'i" read— four. On 185th page, 14th line from top. for "fonr" read— six. On l!)2dpago, 6lh line from bottom, for "1812" read— 1822. On intitli page, 5th line from top, for .VUen Watcrhonse, read— .Vllen & fl'aterhonse. VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. Page. From the year 1800 to the present time. . . 125 SKETCHES OF THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEVERAL VILLAGES OF THE TOWN. Old "Warwick, or eastern part of the town 137 Apponaug and Cowesett Shore 150 Crompton 162 Centreville 179 Arctic 202 HISTORY OF WARWICK. THE HISTORY OF AYARWICK, R. I. CHAPTER I. Condition of the Country previous to 1642. Its Aboriginal Inhabitants. Before referring to the settlement of Samuel Gorton, Randall Holden, John Greene and theu' associates, which resulted in the present flourishing town, let us glance at the previous condition of the countrj^, and its aboriginal inhabitants. The iirst permanent settler in the State of Rhode Island was William Blackstone, who, in 1634, left Bos- ton, where he possessed a large landed estate, and took up his solitary abode at Study Hill, in the present town of Cumberland. About two years later, Roger Williams with five companions, crossed the Seekonk river, and began the settlement of Providence. In 1638 William Coddington and a few others, found a home on the Island of Aquidneck, and at about the same time a few fami- lies might have been found at Pawtuxet. The causes that led to these several settlements will appear in the course of this narrative. With the above exceptions, the territory included within the present boundaries of the State of Rhode Island, was the abode only of the red man. Here he roamed unfettered and undisturbed. His wigwams dotted the hill tops and valleys in every direction. The forests, which abounded with game, resounded with the excite- ments of the chase. Over the waters of the Narragan- HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1642. sett in his canoe, or bounding along its beach, he moved as free as the fox or the deer in the forests. He had never doubted his right to the soil, which had been trans- mitted to him by unnumbered generations, as each in turn had gone to the " new hunting grounds." And when in the course of time a few distressed white men came and begged a little of his ample domain, and he had .given them, or sold at a nominal price, its fairest por- tions, it was beyond the limit of his fear, that he or his descendants, would ever live to see them become his masters and succeed him in the possession of his terri- tory. Such, however, was destined to be the case, even before the pappooses then swinging in their hammocks should arrive at the age of their venerable chief Canoni- cus. The three principal tribes inhabiting southern New England at the time of the settlement of this town, were the Pokanokets of southeastern Massachusetts, which in- cluded among its subordinate tribes the Wampanoags, who inhabited the eastern shore of Providence river, and around Mount Hope Bay ; the Narragansetts who with its tributary tribes, possessed nearly the whole of the present State of Rhode Island, and the Pequots, who with the Mohegans, with whom they became^ blended, occupied Connecticut. Among the tributaries of the Narragan- setts were the Shawomet or Warwick tribe and the Paw- tuxet. In the early records Pomham or Pumham and Sacononoco are named as two sachems, near Providence, " having under them two or three hundred men." The former was sachem of Shawomet, and the latter of Paw- tuxet. The Cowesets " occupied the easterly part of Kent County." These three _ tributary tribes seem to have been the occupants of the' t^rritftrf inclosed within the present limits ot the town, with the exception of that portion known as Potowomut, which was held by Tac- comanan, a sachem residing in that region. They also formed a part of the great Narragansett nation, whose chief sachems were the noble and peace loving Canoni- cus and his generous but ill-fated nephew Miantouomi. 1642.] ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS. 3 It is difficult from the varying accounts to determine with much accuracy the number of the Narragansetts. Brinley, in the Massachusetts collection, states it at 30,000, while Callender, perhaps at a later date, says on the au- thority of Roger Williams, that they could raise 5,000 fighting men. Williams said " one would meet a dozen of their towns in the course of twenty miles travel." The ravages of disease and the defection of their tribu- taries even before their sanguinary war in 1676, greatly reduced their strength, which ma}^ account for the differ- ence in the statements. Williams bears generous testimony to the hospitality and general integrity of the natives, and after a residence of some years among them, during which time he had ample opportunities to study their habits, expressed the following opinion of them, in his key to their language: " I could never discern that excess of scandalous sins among them which Europe aboundeth with. Drunken- ness ! nd gluttony, generally, they know not what sins they be, and although they have not so much to restrain them (both in respect of knowledge of God and laws of men) as the Enijlish have, yet a man shall never hear of such crimes amongst them as robbeties, murders, adul- teries, &c." Williams, however, modified his statements concerning them subsequently, and gives a less favorable view of their character and habits. Perhaps in coming in contact with their new neighbors their character and habits were themselves modified, and made necessary a corresponding change in the estimation of Williams. Intemperance, especially, was a vice of which they had been happily ignorant, and which, in common with their new associates, they found it difficult to resist. Gookin, as late as 1774, after referring to the difficulty of con- verting them to the gospel, ^ys : " But let me add this, by way of commendation of the Narragansett and War- wick Indians who inhabit in this jurisdiction, that they are an active, laborious and ingenious people." In regard to their religious belief, several writers, and especially Roger Williams, give us considei-able informa- HISTORY OF WAKWIOK. [1642. tion. They evidently held to a plurality of gods, chief of whom were Cowtantowit, who was their good deity, and dwelt in the balmy regions of the Southwe^^, and Hobbamocko, whom they regarded as an evil spirit, but rendered him a certain kind of homage, to keep his fa- vor.* Beside these there appear to have been other deities, of minor consideration, of whom Williams ob- tained the names of thirty-seven. They held the tradi- tion that Cowtantowit in the beginning made one man and one woman, of stone, but afterwards becoming dis- satisfied with them he broke them in pieces, and made another couple of wood, from whom have sprung all the races of men. There is liere a faint suggestion of the Mosaic account, with its original creation of one p ur and the subsequent partial destructiou of the race at the deluge. Their system of religion included the great doctrine of the soul's immortality, which they affirmed they received by tradition from their fathers. Their supreme deity, Cowtantowit, presided over their destinies, gave them fiuitful fields, success in war, t.nd at death received them to his happy abode, if they were good. Williams says, " they believe that the souls of men and women go to the southwest : their great and good men and women to Covvtantowit's house, where they have hopes, as the Turks have, of carnal joys. iMurderers, thieves, and liars, their souls, say they, ' Avander restless abroad.' " They held annually a feast of thanksgiving for the fruits of harvest, and also after a successful hunt, or at the conclusion of peace with their enemies. At such times they were accustomed to kindle large fires in the fields, about which they sang and danced in the most violent manner, the pawwaws or priests directing the services. Frequently on such occi^^ions valuable articles were thrown into the fire, as if in sacrifice. While the voice of the sachem was the law of the tribe and the lives and interests of his subjects were at * No Indian shall at any time be suffered to powaw or perform out- war(,l worship to the devil in Muy town in this governineut. — \_Ancient lawW-of New York, called the " Duke's laios." 1642.] RELIGION OF THE INDIANS. 5 his disposal, he was accustomed in all matters of impor- tance to confer with his counsellors, who were termed the Paniese. These were selected from among the wisest and bravest of the tribe, and were usually men of com- manding presence. They were not only his council of state but also the immediate guard of his person. Their chiefs were termed sachems or sagamores. The govern- ment at the time of the first settlement was made in this town, was divided between Canonicus, who was an aged man, and his nephew, Miantonomi, between whom there was perfect baimony. Williams says, " their agreement in the government is remarkable." The revenuCvS of the sachems consisted of the contri- butions of his subjects, which appear to have been chiefly voluntary. As their generosity would tend to secure his favor, he was usually well supplied. Beside " whatever was stranded on the coast, all wrecks and whales found floating on the sea and taken, were his." * The Narragansetts were the principal manufacturers of the established currency of the country, which was called wampumpeage. or abbreviated to wampum or peage. There were two kinds, the white and the dark, the lat- ter being of double the value of the former. It was made from the shells abounding along the shore, the white from the periwinkle, and the dark from the poqua- hock, or quahaug. The dark part or eye of the shell was cut out, ground smoothly and polished, and olten strung and worn about the person. In 1649 the value of the black was equal to one-fourth of an English pen- ny; the white one-eighth. Gov. Arnold says, "this currency was used by the Indians for six hundred miles in the interior, in trading among themselves, and also with the English, French and Dutch, who made it legal tender. Its manufacture was not restricted. A string of three hundred and sixty pieces made a fathom, and in the large payments it was reckoned by the fathom. From the large deposits of shell dust along the Nau- sauket shore, reaching from Apponaug to Warwick Cove, * Magnalia, Book IV., p. 51. HISTOKY OP WARWICK. [1642. as well as from the rich deposits of these shell fish i"^*^.® vicinity, it is probable that a large and lucrative busi- ness was carried on in this vicinity in this manufacture The Indian languages are said to have been rich and varied in their vocabularies, enabling the natives to ex- press themselves with accuracy and force. The Narra- gansett, which was spoken with some idiomatic variations in the different tribes over a large extent of country, was a variation of the Delaware. About the only remnants of it remaining are to be found in Roger Williams' Key, the missionary Elhott's Bible,* and Cotton's Vocabulary.f The Indians decreased rapidly from the war of 1676, at which time, according to Hubbard, they had about 2,000 fighting men. In 1766 they were reduced to 315 persons, residing on their reserved lands in Charlestown. In 1832 they remained the same in number, but only seven of them were of pure Indian blood. In 1861 their number was found to be reduced to two of three-fourths blood, ten of half blood, and sixty-eight of less than quarter blood. $ Thus in less than two centuries from the time that Roger Williams was greeted by the red man, with " What Cheer, Netop ! " as he crossed Seekonk river, to find a home in this wilderness, the brave and hardy natives had nearly all passed away. With the exception of a few names of places or bodies of water, (which will appear in subsequent pages), and an arrow head or other implement, occasionally found, about all the mementos of this once numerous race * While Elliott, the Indian missionary, was engaged in translating the Bible into the Indian language he came to the following passage in Judges, V. 28: " The mother of Sisera looked out at the window and cried through the lattice," etc. Kot knowing an Indian word to sig- nify lattice, he applied to several of the natives, and endeavored to de- scribe to them what a lattice resembled. He described it as a frame woik, netting, wicker, or whatever occurred to him as illustrative, when they gave him a long, barbarous and unpronouncable word, as are most of their words Some years after when he had learned their dialect more correctly, he is said to have laughed outright upon find- ing that the Indians had given him the true term for eel-pot He had translated the passage, " the mother of Sisera looked out of the win- dow and' cried through the eel-pot."— [Bi^eZoto's History of Hatick Ms t Arnold, vol. 1. i' ./ > • j Dr. Usher Parson's Account. 1642.] RAPID DECREASE OP THE NATIVES. 7 have disappeared from the town. Their places of burial are unmarked, and the sites of their villages unknown. Occasionally their bones are exhumed but not frequently. Last fall, while a Mr Briggs, who lives on the Coweset road, a couple of miles east of the village of Crompton, was digging a cellar on a dry sandy knoll, he found the bones of two persons that were evidently of this race. Those of one of the persons when laid in their natural position, measured six feet and four or five inches. The others belonged to a smaller individual. The high cheek bones, the absence of all signs of a coffin, and the position of the bodies, indicated their race. Mr. Brigg's grand- father built the house which stands a few rods from the spot where the bones were found, some seventy or eighty years ago and the spot had often been plowed over with- out knowing of their presence.' Among the few natural curiosities relative to the In- dians, may be mentioned several " Drum Rocks," one of which is situated about half a mile south of the residence of Gen. Alphonso Greene, and not f^r from Walla Willa pond, in the southeast corner of what is familiarly known as drum rock pasture. The rock is about eight feet long by three wide, weighing several tons, and so poised on another that a person of ordinary weight standing on one end of it will cause it to come down upon the under one with a considerable sound ; passing along the rock to the other end will produce a similar effect. Appleton's Gaz- etteer says, " the sound produced may be heard at the distance of twelve miles." A rare state of the atmos- phere and rare qualities of hearing we should deem neces- sary to meet this statement. A couple of miles west of this rock and near the residence of Mr. John Foster is another of much larger size, that is so poised upon one beneath it that a person of ordinary strength may move it. It is evidently out of position for '• drumming " pur- poses, having probably slipped a few inches from its foun- dation. These rocks were probably used by the Indians to give alarm in time of danger and to call the people together at their pawwaw gatherings. HISTOKY OP -WAEWICK. P^*^ " CHAPTER II. From the first Settlement, in 1642, to the granting of the Town Charter, March 14, 1648. The same general reasons that led Roger Williams to form a settlement at Providence, induced Samuel Gorton and his companions to take up their abode in the wilder- ness at Shawomet. The former found his religious views at variance with those of the standing order in Massa- chusetts, and he was banished out of their jurisdiction. Gorton was also a preacher and founder of a religious sect, and his views, both ecclesiastical and political were not only obnoxious to the colonists of Massachusetts but also in a Jess degree to those of Providence and Aquid- neck. Both had sought the more hospitable regions among the Indians where they hoped quietly to enjoy that freedom in " religious concernments " which they were denied among their own countrymen, Samuel Gorton came to this country from London in 1636, and landed in Boston, whence he soon removed to Plymouth. There his religious opinions soon brought him into collision with the authorities, and he was ban- ished from among them.* Morton, in his " New England's * It IS ordered by the Court, that ia case any shall bring in any Qua- ker, Rantor, or other notorious heritiques, either by land or water into any p'te of this government, shall forthwith upon order of any one magistrate, returne them to the place from whence they came or clear the gov'ment of them, on penaltie of paying a fine of twentie shillings for every week they shall stay in the government after warn- vage..— {Plymouth Col Rec, 1657. 1642-48.] SAMUEL GC>ETON — PERSECUTIONS. 9 Memorial," giving the side of Gorton's opponents, says he fell " into some dispute with Mr. Ralph Smith, who was an elder of the church there, and was summoned before the court to answer Smith's complaint. lie there carried himself so mutinously and seditiously as that he was for the same and for his turbulent carriages toward both magistrates and ministers in the presence of the court, sentenced to find sureties for his good behavior during the time he should stay in that jurisdiction, which was hmited to fourteen days and also amerced to pay a considerable fine." Gorton himself, in his " Simplicities' Defence against, a Seven Headed church government united in New England," says of his experience in Mas- sachusetts, " plainly perceiving that the scope ot their doctrines was bent only to maintain that outward form of worship which they had erected to themselves, tend- ing only to the outward carriage of one man toward another, leaving those principles of divinity wherein we had been instructed in our native country, tending to faith toward God in Christ; and we finding no ground or warrant for such an order in the church to bind men's consciences unto, as they had established among them- selves, our consciences could not close with them in such practices. Which they perceiving denied us the common benefits of the country, even so much as a place to reside in and plant upon for the maintenance and preservation of ourselves, our wives and little ones, as also proceeded against us as they had done to others, yea with more severity, unto confinements, imprisonments, chains, fines, whippings and banishiuent, to wander in the wilderness' in extremity of winter — whereupon we were constrained with the hazard of our lives to betake ourselves unto that part of the country called the Narragansett Bay." He appears to have been warmly received at Aquid- neck, though he soon found himself again in difficulty. He ignored the civil authority established there as not being properly derived. " After the charter was received from the English crown his mind was relieved upon this point." He afterwards removed to Providence, where he 10 HISTOBY OF -WAEWICK. [1642-48. experienced similar difficulties. Though the utmost relig- ious freedom was a distinguishing characteristic of the colony at Providence from its origin, its civil government lacked due authority in the opinion ot Gorton and his associates, which led him to say in reference to that at Aquidneck, that they had " no authoritie legally derived to deal with me, and I thought myselfe as fitt and able to govern myselfe and family as any that were then upon Rhode Island." The result of holding these sentiments was to bring him again into collision with the constituted authorities. Arnold, in his " History of Rhode Island," says that " so great was the contention caused by his presence that Mr. \'V'illiams (Roger) seri- ously thought of abandoning his plantation and removing to Patience Island." The contention assumed eventually such serious dimensions that thirteen of the seltlers finally petitioned, (Nov. 7, 1641,) Massachusetts for assistance. The petition set forth " the insolent and riotous carriages of Samuel Gorton and his company," among whom are mentioned John Greene, Francis Weston and Randall Holden, who were afterwards among the original purchasers of Warwick. The answer returned was " that they could not levy any war, &c., without a General Court. For counsel we told them," says Winthrop, " that except they did submit themselves to some jurisdiction, either Plymouth or ours, we had no calling or warrant to interpose in their contentions." Gorton and his com) lanions soon after removed to Paw- tuxet, where their conduct led four of the settlers there to put themselves and their estates under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and seeing the complications that were likely to ensue, they purchased Shawomet, " beyond the limits of Providence, where English charter or civilized claim could legally pursue them no longer." DEED OF SHAWOMET. The following is a copy of the deed given by Miantonomi to the Warwick settlers: — Know all men that I, Myantinomy Cheef e Sachem of the. Nanheygansett, have sould unto the persons here named on« 1642-48.] DEED OP SHAWOMET. 11 parsell of lands with, all the rights and privileges thereoif what- soever lyinge uppon the west syde of that part of the sea called Sownomes Bay from Copassenetuxett over against a little Hand in the sayd Bay, being the north bounds and the outermnst point of that neck of land called Shawhnmett; being the south bound ffrom the sea shoaie of each boundary uppon a straight lyne westword twentie miles. I say I have truly sould the parsell of lands above sayde the proportion whereof is according to the mapp underwritten or drawne, being the form of it, unto Randall Houlden, John Greene, John W'ickes, ffrancis Weston, Samuel Gorton, Richard Waterman, John Warner, Richard Carder, Sampson Shotten, William Wuddall ffor one hundred and forty foure flfathoms of wampumpeage. I say I have sould it, and possession of it given unto the men above sayd with the ffree and joint consent of the present inhabitants, being natives, as it appears by their hands here- unto annexed. Dated ye twelfth of January, 1642. Being enacted uppon the above sayd parsell of lande. In the presence off Totanomans MTANTONOMY His -\- marke PTJMHAM Sachem of Shawomet His ^t^^^M marke JANO His r marke John Greene The original deed of the above mentioned tract of land is now in possession of Hon. George A. Bray ton, the late chief justice of Rhode Island, a native and late resident of this town. It embraced all the territory at present included in the present town of Warwick and Coventry, with the exception of the Potowomut purchase made subse- quently, and the northeast corner of Warwick, included north of a straight line running from Oopasnetuxet cove to the Pawtuxet river. The tract embraced about ninety square miles of territory, or about 60,000 acres.* * Thia is only a rough estimate. The present towns of Warwick and Coventry contain 103.7 square miles. Coventry was subsequently set ofE from Warwick. 12 ' HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1642-48. The price paid was equivalent to £M. Backus says the value was computed at £40, 16s. Peage seems to have been the general term for money, and wampum, which .'dignifies white, and suckauhock (sacki: black), distinguished the two kinds, the former made from the metauhock or periwinkle and the black from the poqua- hock, or quahaug. The deed of John Greene from Miantonomi and Sac- ononoco of Occupasnetuxet, including the farm now in possession ot the heirs of the late Governor John Brown Francis, is dated October 1st, 1642, and confirmed by Surquans, alias Moosup, to Major, or Deputy Governor John Greene, June 15, 1662. Richard Waterman, though one of the original purchasers, does not appear to have resided long in this town. We find him a resident of Salem, in 16.36, and subsequently of Provi- dence. He afterwards removed to this town, and was present when the Massachu'^etts soldiers came and arrested the settlers. It is not quite clear that he was arrested with the others, hut he received about the same time the compliments of the General Court of Massachusetts held on the 29th of the 3d month, 1644, in the following order: — " Richard Waterman being found erroneous, heretical and obstinate, it was agreed that he should be detained prisoner till the Quarter Court in the 7th month, (September,) unless five of the magistrates do find cause to send him away, which if they do, it is ordered, he shall not return within this jurisdiction upon pain of death.'' He lived chiefly in Providence and X^iwport, dying in the latter place, October 27, 1673. He was buried in Providence, corner of Waterman and Benefit streets. He left four children; viz : Nathaniel, Kesolved, JMehitable and 'Waiting; Mehitable married a Penuer, the ancestor of Governor Fenner; Resolved married Mercy, daughter of Roger \Villiams; he had five chil- dren: Richard, John, Resolved, Mary and Waite. John, the second son of Resolved, married Anne Olney, daughter of Thomas Olnev ; this John was the first ot the name who made Warwick a place of permanent residence. A sketch of the house built by John Waterman " was made by Mary A. Greene, as described by her grandmother Welthian 'Walerman, in 184-2, in the original room built by John." This John died August 26, 1728. aged 63. leaving eight children: Elizabeth, Mary, Ann, John, Beuoui, Resolved, Patience, Phebe. Richard Carder was admitted a freeman in Massachusetts 1642-48.] PECULIAR FORM OF GOVERNMENT. 13 May 25, 1636; he afterwards settled on Rhode Island, where, being disfranchised, a fate not uncommon in those times, he united his fortunes with the original purchasers of this town. During the Indian war, the inhabitants left their town, and took up their abode at Newport, where Carder died before the war closed. His son John married Mary, daughter of Randall Holden. His descendants are now found in various parts of the town. The little colony did not presume to exercise any of the powers of a legal government until 1647, when the four towns — Providence, Portsmouth, Newport and Warwick, were dul}'^ organized, under a charter, obtained from the English Parliament, March 14, 1644. The settlers con- sidered themselves subjects of the English government, and until they received authority from it, continued to dwell together as a voluntary association, making from time to time such rules and regulations as seemed both conducive to their interests and compatible with their ideas of such an association. They had denied the au- thority of the self constituted governments of the other towns, and now acted in accordance with these principles. Some of the acts, however agreed upon during this time, closely border upon the authority they denied to the other towns, and how they would have determined cases of resistance to their rules and regulations it- is difficult to say. It does not appear from any records remaining that they ever experienced any serious difficulty in this respect, however, during the five years in Avhich they con- tinued in this condition. Within this period, and proba- bly soon after they received the deed of the lands, (the date is not given) we find • upon the records in the clerk's office the following regulations, which are entitled : TOWN ORDERS. " The purchasers of the plantation doe order and conclude fflrst: "That wee keepe the disposall of the lands in our own name. "That none shall enjoy annylandin the Neck called Mishao- met but by grant of ye owners and purchasers. " That every aker of medow shall have its proportion of up- land as the Neck may afford. 14 HISTORY or WAKWICK. [16^2 48. " That we lay our hiewaies into the Neck in the most conve- nient places as we think fiting. " That no man shall either directly or indirectly take in anny cattell to common, but only milch cattell and laboring cattell. " That whomsoever is granted a lott, if hee doe not fence it and build a dwelling house upon it, in 6 months, or in forward- ness thereto, for ye neglect his lot is to return to ye Towne, to dispose of. . " That for the towne proper to all the inhabitants, is to bee from ye ffrout fence of the Neck into the countrie lour miles, and that no part of this common shall [be] appropriated to anny but by themaior part of all ye inhabitants; and that every inhabitant is to have six akers to his house lott, for which hee is to pay to ye Treasurer 12s. and this four miles common is an- nexed to every man's lot." Several other "orders" follow : one in regard to the manner in which a person could be received into the companj'^ is specified : he was to be "propounded" and afterwards- voted in "by papers or beans" and pay the sum of ten pounds sterling. The fourteenth order pro- vided that "no man in the towne is to sell strong lickers or sack to the Indians, for to drink in their houses, and if it bee proved, hee that so breaks this order ^hall pay to the treaserie five shillings for each offence." Subse- quently (1648), after the organization of the government under the charter, this last order was strengthened by the addition of wine to the prohibited "lickers," with an increased flue of twenty shillings for its violation. This was the .beginning of the prohibitory liquor legislation in this town, but by no means its ending. The trials to -which the hardy pioneers were about to be subjected, and to which we now turn our attention, is pro- bably without a parallel in the history of any of the New England settlements. They had nearly all of them at different times been inhabitants of the Massachusetts, or the Plymouih colony, and had either been formally ban- ished by the authorities, for their peculiar rehgious, or pol- itical views, or found it necessary for their comfort to seek a home elsewhere. It does not appear that any were charged with immoriil conduct. Gorton was regarded as an ecclesiastical Ishmaelite, and not without some rea son. His associates were men of independent views, who 1642-48.] CLAIMS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 15 preferred a dwelling in the wilderness with savages, to a home among the civilized without liberty of conscience. This hberty had been denied them in Massachusetts, and to a less extent, perhaps at Aquidneck and Provi- dence. In those days it was a favorite pastime for the Massachusetts magistrates and divines to engage in theo- logical controversy, and for a man to differ in the slight- est degree from their standard of orthodoxy, was to sub- ject himself to untold hardships, among the least of which, was that of banishment from the state. Their re- membrance of the trouble which the Rhode Island colo- nists had already occasioned them, with other reasons that will appear in the course of these pages, led to the disturbances that were about to follow. Massachusetts had assumed authority at Pawtuxet at the suggestion of some of the people there, and on May 10th, 1643,* appointed a committee to treat with Sacon- onoco and Pomham, Sachems of Pawtuxet and Shawo- met, in regard to the submission of themselves and their landsto the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. Those sachems appear to have been previously influenced by the dwellers at Pawtuxet, and so far became disaffected toward the new settlers that they were induced to make submission, and even denied having assented to the sale of Shawo- met. This extraordinary act was a sufficient pretext for Massachusetts to claim jurisdiction over the settlement of Warwick, which she accordingly did. Matters now were becoming decidedly "mixed." Gorton and his com- panions, who supposed they were out of the jarisdiction even of Providence and Aquidneck, and where no claim of either civilized or Indian parties would interfere with them, unless the mother country across the sea should be that party, suddenly found themselves and their lands claimed by Massachusetts, from which colony some of them had been banished at the peril of their lives. Some of the reasons that led to this state of things may here be mentioned. Massachusetts had long desired * Mass Col. Kec, ii, .35. 16 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1642-48. possession of the waters of Narragausett Bay for obvious reasons. William, and afterwards his sou, Benedict Arnold, had possession of lands whose titles depended upon the right of Sacononoco to convey them, or in other words depended upon the establishment of the indepen- dence of this sachem. The settlers of Warwick had bought their lands of Miantonomi, "chiefe sachem" of the Narragansetts, whose right to sell them seems un- doubted. Pomham had assented to the sale and affixed his "mark" to the deed as a witness. His subsequent treatment as an independent sachem by the Massachu- setts committee, rather than as a tributary or subordinate one, may have flattered his vanity and induced him to take the position he now assumed. But with these must be mentioned another reason which cannot be overlooked, which was the envy and opposition felt by both the Massachusetts government and the dwellers at Pawtuxet, on account of the peculiar religious views of the Gor- tonists and the trouble they had formerly given them. WilUam Arnold was born in England, in 1589. In 1635 we find him in Plymouth colony. He afterwards went to Provi- dence with Eoger Williams, where his name appears in Wil- Uams' first deed. He had four children: Benedict, Thomas, Stephen, and a daughter who married Zachary Khodes. Bene- dict was born in England, December 21, 1615. He married Damaris, daughter of Stukely Westcott, by whom he had the following children: Godsgift, Josias, Benedict, Freelove, Oliver, Caleb, Damaris, and Priscilla. Benedict, son of William, re- moved to Newport, in 1653. He was president of Aquidneck from 1657 to 1660, and governor under the royal charter several years. He died in June, 1678. His house in Newport stood near the spot now occupied by the Union Bank. Stephen, son of Wil- liam, lived and died in Pawtuxet. Thomas settled in Smith- field. Their descendants are among the most numerous in the town, An enthusiastic genealogist of the family traces it back in a connected line for twenty-five generations, Kobert Coles, one of the "received " purchasers of Warwick, purchased the tract of land from "Williams, in the vicinity of Pawtuxet, which vhe latter bought of Miantonomi. In 1632 he was one of the committee to advise with the Governor and as- sistants of Massachusetts about the raising of public stock. He resided at that time in Roxbury. The following year we find him settled at Ipswich. He was one of the first settlers of 1642-48.] FURTHER COMPLICATIONS. 17 Providence, and his name appears in the first deed of Roger Williams to his fellow-settlers. In 1640 he was one of three persons who were appointed by the colony to report a form of government, which was adopted, and which remained in force until the arrival of the first charter. He subsequently removed to "Warwick. A deed to his widow, Mury Coles, dated Novem- ber, 1655, made by John Coles, indicates that he died previous to that date. He had at least three children, one son, John, and two daughters, who married Richard and Henry Townsend, the latter living at the time of Coles' death at Oyster Bay, Long Island. In Septemter, 1643,* Massachusetts sent a letter to the purchasers of Shawomet containing the complaints and submission of the sachems, and requesting them to ap - pear at once before the court there, where the plaintiffs were then present. They returned a verbal reply by the messenger, refusing to appear, denying their jurisdiction, and declaring that they were subject onljr to the Crown of England, from which they expected "in due season to receive direction for their well-ordering in all civil re- spects." A few days after they sent a lengthy letter, whichis a marvel of curiousness, dated, " From our Neck, Curo, Sept. 15, 1643," and signed by Randall Holden, but which bears unmistakable evidence of having been written by Gorton. It is directed "To the great, honored and Idol General, now set up in the Massachusetts, whose pretended equity in the distribution of justice un- to the souls and bodies of men, is nothing else but a mere device of man, according to the ancient custom and sleights of Satan, transforming himself into an angel of light, to subject and make slaves of that species or kind that God hath honored with his own image." The letter, with a postscript of more than two printed i ages long, may be found in Vol. 2, R. I. Historical C'ollections. The letter could have produced no other effect upon the Massachusetts government than to exasperate it, and ac- cordingly a few days alter that it dispatched another let- ter saying, that commissioners, attended with an armed guard would soon be sent to obtain satisfaction. The fol- » Arnold's Hist, of R. I., i, 178. 2* 18 HISTOEY OF WARWICK. t^^^^ ^• lowing week three commissioners, with forty soldiers, started for Warwick. They were met on their way by a messenger, who bore another letter from the "owners and inhabitants of Warwick," warning them upon their peril not to invade their town. A reply was returned that the commissioners wished to speak with them and show them their misdeeds, and lead them to repent, fail- ing in which they should "look upon them as men pre- pared for slaughter," and they should act accordingly.* This announcement spread, of course consternation, throughout the little settlement. They neither liked the idea of being "slaughtered" or of submitting to the arrogant claiais of their enemies. Their foes were near at hand and confident in their strengt h. The women and children were hastily sent away, "some to the woods and others in boatc to gain the neighboring plantations," while the men fortified a house and awaited their assail- ants. Before making an assault a conference was held between the opposing parties, in which four Proyidence men participated, who had accompanied the troops to see if they could render assistance in settling the difficul- ty. [Simp. Defence, 108.] The commissioners stated the charges against the settlers, viz., that they had wronged some of the subjects of Massachusetts, and held blasphemous errors. That unless thej'' repented of these things they must be carried to Boston for trial, or be slain where they were. This they declined to do, but proposed an appeal to England, which in turn being re- fused, they suofgested that the dispute be referred to arbitration. This occasioned a truce, and a messenger was sent to Massachusetts to learn the views of the rulers. The four Providence men sent a letter to Governor Winthrop in the interests of peace. The reply that was returned was unfavorable. They said "it was neither seasonable or reasonable, neither safe or honorable for us to accept such a proposition." They gave several rea- sons, one of which was that the little company "were no * Arnold, I, 100. 1642-48.] THE SETTLERS UNDER ARREST. "li> State, but a few fugitives living without law or govern- ment, and so not honorable for us to join with them in such a course." Also that "their blasphemous and revil- ing writings,, etc., were not matters fit to be compounded by arbitrament, but to be purged away only by re- pentance and public satisfaction, or else by public pun- ishment." The commissioners were directed to proceed at once. All hope of effecting a settlement was now at an end, and the little party prepared to defend itself against four times its number. The little war commenced. The small company of eleven men, one of them not bearing arras, hung out the English flag in acknowledgment of their allegiance to England, from their extemporized fort, which was "riddled by the shot of their assailants." The siege lasted several days, and during the time an at- tempt was made to burn the building, which failed. The besieged fired no shot during the whole time, and it does not appear that any one was killed on either side. Seeing there was no hope for them against such numbers, they JtinaUy agreed upon articles of surrender by which they were to go "with their assailants "as freemen and neighbors" to Boston. They went, however, as prison- ers, and on their arrival at Boston were committed to jail to await their trial. Their captors also took with them "eighty head of cattle besides swine and goates, which they divided among themselves." * Thus, before two years had elapsed, the purchasers of Warwick, with the exception of Sampson Shotten, who had died, found them- selves in a Boston prison and their families dispersed, they knew not where. On the Sabbath following their reception in Boston, the prisoners were required to attend church, to listen, as they supposed, to a sermon from Mr. Cotton for their special edification. They declined to attend unless they could be permitted to speak after the sermon if they * The first cattle, a bull and three heifers, were brought to Plymouth in iWarch, 1024, by Edward Winslow. Prince's Annals, p. 225. 20 HISTORY OF WABWICK. [1642-48 should desire. This liberty was promised them, for what reason it is difficult to determine, unless it was to increase the amount of evidence against them and give the people an opportunity to witness their behavior, as the magistrates would not have hesitated to compel their attendance. The minister "preached at them about Demetrius and the shrines of Ephesus, after which Gor- ton, leave being granted, replied, somewhat varying the application of the text, to the great scandal of his hearers." On the Tuesday following, ^Oct. 17, 1643, the pris- oners were brought before the court on the charge of heresy and sedition, as follows : " Upon much examina- tion and serious consideration of your writings, with your answers about them, wee do charge you to bee a blasphemous enemy of the true religion of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy ordinances, and also of all civil authority among the people of God, and particularly in this jurisdiction." * In " Simplicitie's Defence," Gorton mentions the fol- lowing questions which the magistrates proposed to him, and required his answer " speedily upon life or death," in writing : ''1. Whether the Fathers, who died before Christ was born of the Yirghi Mary, were justified and saved only by tlie blood which he shed and the death which he suffered after his incar- nation. 2 Whether the only price of our redemption were not the death of Christ upon the ci oss, with the rtst of his sufferin£;s and obedience in the time of his Jifehere, after he was born of the Virgin Mary. 3. Who is tliat God whom he thinks we serve? 4. What he means when he saith -We worship the star of our god Itemphan, Chion, Moloch.' " Gorton was fully self-possefsed, and gave his answers in a lengthy and mystical communication, which must have required the combined sagacity of his judges to comprehend.' Indeed, at this age, the whole trial, in- * This was the charge against Gorton; those against the others were essentially the same. """cio wcic 1642-18.] IN TRISON. 21 eluding the course of the judges, their questions, the answers returned and the sentences pronounced, is a curious commentary upon the spirit of that age. The court was divided. All but three of the magistrates condemned Gorton to death, hut a majority of the depu- ties refused to sanction the sentence. Finally, he and six others were sentenced to be confined ia irons during the pleasure of the court, and should they break jail, or preach their heresies, or speak against "the church or State, on conviction, they should die. They were sepa- rated and sent in chains to different towns near by — Gorton to Charlestown, AVeston to Dorchester, Holden to Saleoi, Potter to Rowley, Wicks to Ipswich, ('arder to Roxbury, and Warner remained in Boston. Waddell was allowed to remain at large at Watertown ; Water- man was fined and released, after giving bonds to appear at the next court, but was afterwards arrested and im- prisoned. Power was dismissed with an admonition, and Greene had managed to escape during the siege. * But little is known of Nicholas Power. His name does not occur among the early lists of inhabitants. When the rest of the settlers were sentenced by the Massachusetts court, he " was dismissed with an admonition." He died in Providence, August 25, 1657, leaving a widow Jane, a son Nicholas, and a daughter Hojie. The son married Rebecca, daughter of Zach- ary Rhodes. Ten years after his death, the Town Council of Providence made a will for him (he dying intestate), in order, as they say, " that we may prevent differences before they be- gin." The tradition is that Nicholas, Jr., was killed in the In- dian war in 1675-6. Francis Weston was admitted a freeman in Massachusetts in November, 1633. He was one of the deputies from Salem to the General Court in 1634. He died previous to June 4, 1645,. of consumption contracted " through cold and liardships " at this time'. William Waddel was a resident in Boston in 1637, when he was disarmed, with fifty-seven others, among whom was Rich- ard Carder. His name does not occur in the records subse- quently. They were confined during the whole winter and until the following March, when by an act of the Gene- * For Gov, Winthrop's acoouut of the trial, see Sav. Winthrop, Vol.. ir, p. 142. 22 HISTOBY OP WARWICK. [1642-48 ral Court they were eat at liberty and banished out of the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and from the Rhode Island Plantations. Fourteen days were given them to remove, and if found after that time within the specified limits they were to suffer death. They were subse- quently ordered to leave Boston in two hours. They started at once for their deserted homes at Shawomet, staying there, however, but one night, and then went to the island of Aquidneck, probably in search of their families. Not feeling certain whether their own lands in Warwick were included within the prescribed limits, they wrote to Gov. Winthrop, and were informed that they were, and they were ordered to leave them at once on peril of their lives. They were kindly received at Aquidneck, and resided there till after the charter to the colony was received in 1644, when it appears they returned and resumed their residence at Shawomet. The full account of the arrest and trial may be found in Arnold's History of Rhode Island. Gorton's own ac- count of the matter is given in his " Simplicitie's De- fence," the manuscript of which, owned by John Holden, Esq., of Old Warwick, is at present in the archives of the R. I. Historical Society. During this time an event occurred, tha account of which will awaken only feelings of sadness in the minds of Rhode Islanders. The brave and noble young king of the Narragansetts, Miantonomi, was put to death by Uncas, sachem of the Mohegans, at the instigation of the Com- missioners of the colonies. The circumstances are briefly these : A quarrel had arisen between Uncas and Se- quasson, a sachem on Connecticut river, who was a relative of Miantonomi. The latter took the part of his relative and was taken prisoner. "A heavy suit of armor, which Gorton had lent him it is said embarrassed his motions" and led to his capture. Uncas conferred with the white commissioners as to what should be done with him. They decided that he should be put to death and ordered Uncas to execute the sentence. It is sup- posed on good authority that a principal reason that led to this decision on the part of the United Commission- 1642-48.] EFFECT UPON THE INDIANS. 23 ers, was because Miantonomi had sold the lands of Shawomet to Gorton and his heterodox companions. Other reasons, however, were assigned. They buried him at the place of his execution in the east part of Norwich, Ct, known as Sachem's Plain. He was a true friend to Roger Williams, Gorton, and the other settlers, and both he and his uncle Canonicus " were the best friends and greatest benefactors the colony ever had." * The return of the settlers to their deserted planta- tions, after their forcible abduction and imprisonment, favorably impressed the Indians of their importance. Their own failure to effect the release of their honored and beloved sachem, even by the great ransom which they offered, and the violent and cruel death to which the United Commissioners of the colonies had condemned him, had led them to expect a like fate for the Warwick colonists. They had heard also numerous rumors that they were either to be put to death or be kept as slaves. They, therefore, con- cluded that there must be some power behind the little band that kept their enemies from executing their threats. Gorton says, "The Indians called the English in their tongue Wattaconoges [those ' who wear clothes or coat men.] They now called us Gortonoges, and being that they had heard of a great war to be in Old England, they presently framed unto them a cause of our deliverance, imagining that there were two kinds of people in Old England, the one called by the name of Englishmen and the other Gortonoges ; and concluded that the Gortonoges were a mightier people than the English, whom they called Wattaconoges, and therefore the Massachusetts thought it not safe to take away our lives, because, however few there were of us in New England in comparison with those who came out against us, yet that great people in old England would come over and put them to death if they should take away our lives.'' f * R. I. Hist. Soc. Col. Vol. III. t Siuiplicitie's Detence. 24 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1642-48. The sachems of the Narragansetts, after a consulta- tion among themselves, soon sent for the " Gortonoges to visit them, which they did in April, 1644. They were received with demonstrations of gladness by the venera- ble old sachem, Canonicus and Pessicus, the brother and successor of Miantonomi. A council consisting of *' divers sachems and chief counselors" was called to confer with their visitors. The Indians were disheart- ened. They said " they had not only lost their sachem, so beloved among them and such an instrument of their public good, but had utterly impoverished themselves by paying such a ransom for his life, as they then made us an account of, notwithstanding his life was taken away, and that detained also." The result of the council was, that they concluded to submit themselves and their lands lo the government of England, and they ap- pointed Samuel Gorton, John Wickes, Randall Holden and John Warner as their " commissioners in trust for the safety, custody and conveyance of their act and deed unto the State of England." * .John Wickes, in 1637, was a resident of Plymouth Colony, where he and his wife embraced the religious views of Mr. Gorton. On June 20th, 1639, he was received as an inhabitant of Aquidneck, where, with Randall Holden, Richard Carder, Samson Shotten, and llobert Potter, he came in collision with the authorities. He subsequently filled the offices of Town Deputy, Assistant, &c. He was slain by the Indians during Philip's war. Callender says he was " a very ancient man." The circumstances of his death will be referred to on a subse- quent page. Eandall Holden was one of the most conspicuous men in the early colonial history, the larger portion of his life being spent in offices of various grades. He was born in Salisbury, Eng- land. Roger Williams and he were the witnesses to the deed of Rhode Island, given by Canonicus and Miantonomi, March 24, 1638. On March 16, 1642, he was disfranchised with several others at Aquidneck, but for what cause it is not stated. He was elected Marshal of the Colony. His children were Ran- dall, who married Betty Waterman; Charles, who married Catherine Greene; Mary, who married John, the son of Rich- * A copy of the deed signed by Pcssicus, Canonicus and his son Mixain, and duly witnessed, may be found in Vol. II., E. 1. Hist. CoJ. 1642-4S.] DEED OF SHAWOMET. 25 ard Carder; Elizabeth, who married John Eice; Sarah, who, married Josepli Stafford; Margaret, who married Johu Eldridge; Susanna, who married Benjamin Greene; Barbara, who married Samuel Wickham, and Frances, wlio married John Holmes. His descendants are very numerous in the State. Samuel Gorton and Randall Holden, accompanied by John Greene, sailed for England from New York in the same year (1644), but the exact date is unknown. Staples and Mackie think it was in the summer, while Gov. Arnold, on what appears good authoiity, thinks it was during the following winter. Beside the commissions from the native chiefs, they had other reasons for wishing a voyage to the mother country. Massachusetts claim- ing the lands of Shawomet, had warned all persons from occupying them without permission from the General Court. The two subordinate chiefs thinking themselves in danger had applied to Massachusetts for protection, and an officer and ten soldiers had been sent to assist Pumhani to build a fort and remain with them until the danger was over.* The Warwick land had been given to thir- ty-two petitioners, on condition that " ten families should take possession within one year." Even the houses of the settlers were granted to the petitioners on certain conditions. It does not appeal? that they ever took possession of them, however, which is attributed to the bold and generous position taken by John Brown, a magistrate of Plymouth, who prohibited it. There Avas therefore need that a better understanding should be had with the home government in regard to their rights and the vexations to which they were subjected. On their arrival in England, the commissioners pre- sented the act of submission of the Indians, and also their own memorial against the colony of Massachiisetts to the government. In this latter paper they complain * Tradition locates this fort on tlie east bank of Warwiofe Cove, near- ly opposite ttie Oakland Beach grounds on the estate of John Holden, Esq. What are supposed to be the remains of it may still be seen there. It would ODminand the entrance to the cove; while in the rear there is said to have been an almost impenetrable marshy thicket to protect it from that direction. 26 HISTOEY OF WABWICK. [1642-48. of their " violent and injurious expulsion from Shawo- ■ met,-' and other evil treatment to which they had been subject. The whole matter was duly considered and the object of their mission was successfully accom- plished. The acquaintance formed by the commission- ers with the leading men in the English government at this time, was destined to be of service in the negotia- tions of subsequent years. The memorial was subsequently sent by the Eng- hsh Commissioners of Foreign Plantations to Massachu- setts, enclosed with their order relative to Gorton and his company. This order informed the magistrates that they held the whole matter in abeyance until such time as they should be able to make their defense, and in the meantime they were required " to suffer the petitioners and all the late inhabitants of Narragansett Bay, with their families and all such as may hereafter join them, freely and quietly to live and plant upon Shawomet and such other parts of the said tract of lands within the bounds mentioned in our said charter on which they have formerly planted and lived, without extending your jurisdiction to any part thereof, or otherwise disquieting them in their consciences or civil peace, or interrupting them in their possession until such time as we shall have received your answer to your claim in point of title, and you shall thereupon have received our farther order therein." They were also required to remove any per- sons who had taken possession of the Shawomet lands by their authority, if there were such, and to permit the petitioners to pass through their territory without moles- tation to their own lands, a provision which they af- terwards found of importance. A copy of this order, dated May 15, 1646, with the correspondence and final conclusions in the matter, may be found in Gov. Winthrop's Journal, and also in Staples', and forms an important portion of the history of the town. Thus far the commissioners had reason to cono-ratulate themselves upon the success of their mission. They had found a- friend in the Earl of Warwick, Governor-in- 1642-48.] TOWN CALLED WARWICK. 27 chief of Foreign Plantations, whom they subsequently- honored by bestowing his name upon their settlement. Randall Holden returned home, landing in Boston, Sept. 13th, 1646. He brought with him the order of the English commissioners and delivered it to the Massa- chusetts authorities. After some hesitation lie was allowed to land and to pass through the State to his home at Shawomet. Gorton still remained in England to watch the course of events until 1648, when he also returned and landed at Boston, May 10th of that year. The General Court of Massachusetts was then in session, and promptly passed an order for his apprehension. But Gorton, perhaps anticipating such an event, was pre- pared for it, having secured a letter of protection from the Earl of Warwick previous to his departure from England. The provision in the communication from the English commissioners to Alassachusetts, which Holden brought over and which secured him Irom arrest on his landing, was not considered sufficient to shield Gorton, although the language was very explicit in regard to that matter ; but upon his producing the letter from the Earl of Warwick, the order of the Court was revoked by the casting vote of the Governor, and a week was given him to leave the State. It will be remembered that they both had been banished from the State and were not to be found within its limits after a certain specified time, under pain of death. Upon the reception of the order of the English com- missioners by Massachusetts, brought by Holden, Edward Winslow, was sent to England as her com- missioner to attend to affairs, bearing a lengthy answer to the Warwick memorial* They say in their answer, "It appeals to us by the said order that we are conceived, 1st, to have transgressed our limits by sending soldiers to fetch Gorton, &c., out of Shawomet in the Narragansett Bay ; 2d, that we have either exceeded or abused our authority in banishing them out of our jurisdiction when *Both the comniissirin of Mr. Winslow and the answer to the War- wick meiuorial may be found in "Wirithrop's Journal." 28 HISTORY OP WARWICK. [1642-48. they were in our power." The discussion of those points formed the principal portion of the commu- nication. The result of Mr. Winslow's mission is given by Gov. Winthrop, Avhich is substantially as folloAvs : " Upon his arrival in England a day was appointed for him to meet the Committee on Foreign Plantations, and Gorton also appeared by request to defend the settlers of this town. The discussion was chiefly upon the matter of jurisdiction. The defence of Massachusetts, as set forth in their reply, was 1st, that they were under the jurisdiction of Plymouth or Connecticut, and so the orders of the Commissioners of the United Colonies had left them to us ; 2d, the Indians upon whose lands they dwelt had subjected themselves and their lands to our government." The English commissioners were still undecided, and re- affirmed generally their former order, but said, " If it shall appear that the said tract is within the limits of any of the New England patents, we shall leave the same and the inhabitants thereof to the proper jurisdiction of that government rmder which they shall fall." But they further said that inasmuch as " the petitioners have transplanted their families thither and there settled their residences at great charge, we commend it to the govern- ment within whose jurisdiction they shall appear to be (as our desire at present in this matter,) not only not to remove them from their plantations, but also to encour- age them Avith protection and assistance in all fit ways." This communication was dated July 22d, 1647, and a copy sent to both Massachusetts and Connecticut. The point of jurisdiction thus remained unsettled, and the controversy was prolonged for more than thirty years. It afterward became involved, as we shall see, in the greater dispute arising from the subjection of the Narra- gansett Indians and their lands to England, which virtu- ally annexed them to Rhode Island. But the settlers at Shawomet had gained one important point which was of great benefit. Their opponents were virtually instructed to let them alone, which, however, 1642-lS.] MASSACHUSETTS versus WABWICK. 29 contained the proviso — an important one where such spirits as Gorton were concerned — that the settlers "de- mean themselves peacefully and not endanger any of the English colonies by a prejudicial correspondency with the Indians or otherwise ; wherein if they shall be found faulty, we leave them to be proceeded with according to justice." In passing judgment upon the course of Massachusetts in her treatment of the early settlers of this town, we must take into consideration not only the ground of her claims to civil jurisdiction over this territory, but also the wide difference in the religious sentiments of the two col- onies as well as the previous relations subsisting between their inhabitants. At the time, Massachusetts had a government regularly established by virtue of a charter from the English crown, while Rhode Island had none. The principle upon which she claimed jurisaiction out of the bounds of her patent, was that of the submission of the inhabitants with their lands to her government. A respectable minority at Providence, on Nov. 17, 1641, had been constrained, as we have already seen, to ask her assistance against Gorton and his companions, and in 1642 four persons of that town had submitted themselves and their lands to her jurisdiction. Several persons at Pawtuxet had done the same for similar reasons. Pom- ham and Sacononoco had also done the same, and the for- mer had repudiated the sale of Shawomet. Gorton and his companions had already, while residing in Massachu- setts, given the authorities trouble, and after coming here had manifested the same restless and independent spirit — to use no stronger terms — and had openly defied her. All these matters are to be duly weighed in making up our judgment in the case. She failed to estabhsh her claim of jurisdiction, but exercised the right of might, which, under the provocations, was natural though un- justifiable. In her estimation the little band was "no State," but a company of heretics, whose heresies and "insolencies" were not to be condoned, but to be purged by punishments. That she was severe in her judgments 30 HISTCmY OF WARWICK. [^^^^ ^^■ is admitted, that she ^vas sincere in her convictions will not be denied. r -ni. The first meeting of the General Assembly of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was held in Ports- mouth, on the 19th of March, 1647, to formally adopt the charter, and organize a government under it. The towns of Providence, Newport and Portsmouth are alone mentioned in the charter, but after its temporary organi- zation "it was agreed that Warwick should have the same privileges as Providence." Ra.ndall Holden was the Assistant from Warwick, an office corresponding to that of State Senator at the present day. The mode of passing general laws, was then prescribed, and various laws enacted. Six men from each town were to be an- nually chosen bj^ each town to represent it in the Assem- bly.* The first writing bearing a date on the records pre- served in the archives of the town, is in the following words : — "Having now received ye orders (this 8th day of August.) from ye general recorder wee have cliosen yc Town Counsill, being a generall Assemblie order." John Greene, Ezekiel Holliman, John Warner, Kufus Barton, John Wickes and Randall Holden, Town Council; Rufus Barton and John Wickes, magistrates; .John Warner, clerk; Henry Townsend, Constable, and Chris- topher Helme, sergeant. Christopher Helmc was one of the " received" inhabitants of Warwick. On the 2.3d of Januarj^ 164U he was disfranchised " for going about to undermine the liberties of the town." The censure was subsequently removed and he resided in town till his death. He left a son William. John Greene, the founder of the family in this country, came from Salisbury, in JSngland, but at what precise date is un- known. He was the son of Peter Greene, and was born Feb- ruary 9, 1596-7. By profession he was a surgeon. He first set- tled in Massachusetts, but subsequently removed to Providence, where his name appears as fifth in Roger Williams' first deed. His wife, five sons and one daughter accompanied him He afterwards returned to Boston, where he soon became involved in some difficulty with the magistrates, as was the case with nearly all the original settlers of Rhode Island. Havino- been * Colonial Records, Vol. I, pp. 143, 149. 1642-48.] JOHN GREENE. 31 examined before the court he was fined £20, and banished from the state. Upon his '• submission," his fine was remitted, but he returned to Providence, where " he retracted his submission by letter and charged the magistrates with usurping ihe power of Christ in his church, and with persecution toward Williams." From this circumstance we infer that the trouble was of a religious nature. John Greene seems to have preferred a residence in a state where there were no witches to be hung, and where the utmost liberty was allowed in religious matters, and here he took up his permanent abode and became one of the leading men in the colony. In 1644, on the submission of the IN arragansett In- dians, he went to England with Gorton and Holden, as agents to look after the interests of both the Indians and his own towns- men. In 1647 he was appointed one of the committee of ten to organize the Colonial Government under the Parliamentary charter. He was appointed several times a General Assistant. He lived and died at Occupasnetuxet, now known as Spring Green, or the Gov. Francis estate. John Greene had three wives ; the first, Joane Tatersalle, whom he married Ifov. 4, 1619; the second, Alse Daniels, of Providence; and the third, Phillip of London. He died between Dec. 28, 1658, and Jan. 7, 1659. He had six children, who were baptized as per register of ht. Thomas Church, Salis- bury, Eng., as follows: John, Aug. 15, 162IJ; Peter, March 10, 3621-2; James, June 21, 1626; Thomas, June 4, 1628; Joane, Oct. 3, 1630 ; Mary. May 19, 1633. His will, which was witnessed by John Wickes and Anthony Low, bears the date of Dec. 28, 1058. In it he gave to his '• beloved wife Philip Greene yt part of buildinge, being all new erected and containing A large hall and Chimni with A Little chamber joining to the hall as also a large chamber with a little chamber within yt, with a large gar- ret with a Little dary room which buttes agaiust ye oule houses to enioy deuring her life; allso I give unto her half ye orchard; allso I give unto her my Lott adjoining to ye orchard together with ye swamp which the Towne granted me." After some other bequSsts to his wife, he gave to his son John the neck of land called Occupasnetuxet, with an adjoining meadow and a. small island, all of which he says he bought of Miantonomi. To his other children he bequeathed other tracts of land includ- ing his portion of the Warwick purchase, and appointed his wile sole executrix of the will. The town was now duly organized, with a government which the settlers, rigid constructionists as they were, be- lieved was legally derived and qualified to act in all mat- ters necessary to the mutual protection and prosperity of its inhabitants. The General Assembly with coramenda- 32 HISTOBY OP WAKWICK. [1^42 48- ble wisdom and promptness, enacted a code ot laws adapted to the condition of the colony, and which "for simpHcity of diction, unencumbered as it is by the super- fluous verbiage that clothes our modern statutes in learned obscurity ; lor breadth of comprehension, embracing as it does the foandation of the whole body of law, on every subject which has since been adopted; and for vigor and originahty of thought and boldness of expression, as well as for the vast significance and the brilliant triumph of the principles it embodies, presents a model of legislation which has never been surpassed."* COPT OF THE TOWX CHAETEK. Whereas by virtue of a free and absolute Charter of civill in- coi-poraiion, granted to the free inhabitants of this CoUony or Province by the right honourable Kobert Earle of Warwicke Governour in Chiefe with the rest of the honourable Commis- sioners, bearmg date the lourteenth day of March inthe year one thousand six hundred and forty three, givinge and grantinge full power and authority unto the sayd inhabitants to govern themselves and such others as shall come among them; as also to make, constitute, and ordeyne such lawes, orders, and con- stitutions, and to inflict such punishments and penalties, as is conformable to the Laws of !Kngland, so neare as the nature and constitution of the place will admit; and which may best suit the estate and condition there: and whereas the sayd towns of Providence, Portsmouth, Newport and Warwick are far re- mote each ti-om other whereby so olteu and free intercourse of helpe in desidinge of differences and trying of causes and the like, cannot easily and at all times be had and procured as in this kind is requisitt; Therefore, and upon the petition and humble request; of the treemeu of the Towne of Warwicke ex- hibited unto tuis present session of General Assembly, wherein they desire freedom and liberty, to incorporate themselves into a body politicke etc. Wee the sayd Assembly havinge duly weighed and seriously considered the premises and being wil- linge and ready to provide for the ease and liberty of the people have thought fit and by the authorite aforesaid and by these presents doe give, grant, consigne and confirm this present charter to the sayd inhabitants of the Town of Warwick, allow- inge, orderinge and hereby authorizing them or themaior part of them from time to time to transact all such Town afayers as shall fall within the verge, liberties and precincts of the *Arnold, Vol. I. 1642-4S.] TOWN CHARTER. 33 sayd town; and also to make and constitute such particular orders, penalties and officers as may best suite with the Consti- tution ot said Towne and Townshippe for the well ordering and governinge thereofe; provided the sayd lawes constitutions and punishments for the civil government thereofe be conform- able to ihe l^awes of England, so far as the nature and consti- tution of that town will admit; and to that end we doe authorize them to erect a Court of Justice and do give them power to ex- ecute such particular orders and penalties, and so many of the common lawes agreed in the Generall, and their penalties as are not annexed already to the General Court of Try alls; and further we do hereby order the sayd town to elect and engage all such officers as shall be necessary for the propagation of Justice and judgment therein, upon the first Monday in the month of June annually forever hereafter: shall engadge them in fidelity to maintaine the honor, crown and dignity of the State of England as loyal subjects thereofe to the utmost of their power, the liberties and freedom of this CoUony and the privileges of the town wherein they bear office, and further wee do hereby invest and authorize the sayd officers so elected and engaged with full power to transact in the prem- ises and in so doinge shall be hereby secured and indemnified. Given at Portsmouth at the General Assembly, there held this 14th of JSiarch anno. 1648. JOHN WAKNER, Clerk of the Assembly. Copia Vera sicut attestat Joh.vxxes Greene, Secritarius- ex civitate Warwick. 34 HISTOEY OF WARWICK. [1648-63. CHAPTER III. From the granting of the Town Charter in 1648, to the adoption of the Boyal Charter hy the B. I. Colony in Novemher, 1663. Tlie earliest records of the town preserved in the Clerk's office reach back to the appointment ot its first officers in 1647, or about five years subsequent to the original purchase of the laiids from the Indians. Some items without date appear to have been written at an ear- lier period. The ancient volume containing them (now before me) is about ten inches square by two inches thick. It contains the history of the town from the adoption of the charter in 1647 down to 1668. The vol- ume was used for several purposes. The first fifty pages (less than one-fourth of the whole number) contain the records of the town council in stenography ; the upper half of each page being used, leaving the lower half blank ; it may have been the intention to use the lower parts for a translation of the upper at a then future time. This was not done, however, and eventually the blanks were appropriated for different purposes, as for instance, the record of tlie "ear marks" of cattle, some of the records being made as late, as the year 1814. Following the records of the council are those of the town meetings, lawsuits, transfer of real estate, and all the Indian deeds subsequent to 1G42. The thirteenth leaf of this portion of the book was torn out by order of the town when Charles 2d of England ascended the throne. It con- tained the act of submission to the Commonwealth under Cromwell. A part of the fourteenth leat is also crone, 1648-63.] TOWN RECORDS. but the remaining half, containing what appear to be the autographs of the original and "received" purchasers of the town, some thirty in number, still remains. The leaf is torn obliquely, leaving a portion of eight or ten lines of the "submission." The records are almost illegi- ble from the peculiar penmanship, fading of the ink,mode" of spelling, and the natural wear of over two hundred and thirty-five years, and many of the leaves are detached from the binding. The volume should be carefully repaired and sacredly preserved in the town archives. In 1860, the town appointed Messrs. William Carder and Henry L. Greene a committee to transcribe this old volume, at an expense not exceeding $300. They em- ployed Henry Rousraaniere, Esq., to perform the work, and subsequently reported to the town that it had been performed in a satisfactory manner. Some portions of the record that were not deemed important were omitted in the transcript. It would have been better to have copied the whole, and to have had the pages of the tran- script correspond with those of the original. John Warner was the first town clerk under the char- ter, and the penmanship of the earlier portion of the old volume corresponds with that of his autographic signa- ture attached to the "act of submission." Some of the town laws enacted during the first year of the chartered government are of a somewhat novel char- acter, and throw light upon the condition of things at the time. They are not always expressed with that pre- cision that marks the statutes of the present day, but they harmonize with the mode of thought and expres- sion of that time. Here are a couple passed by the town : "Wee conclud that Towne meeting [council meeting?] to bee held ye first Monday in every moonth, and that ye Clarke is to have 2s. 6d. for each day of meeting." And " That by maior consent or ye whole Towne, it is ordered that if 12 Townsmen meet in one day appointed for Towne meeting, they shall have power to act in Towne affairs as though all were present." At the first General Assembly it was " ordered that 36 HISTOEY OF WARWICK. [1G4S-63. the Courte of Election shall always be held upon the first Tuesday after the 15th of May annually if wind or weather hinder not." Also "that none shall goe out of the courte without leave ; or if any do depart he shall leave his vote behind him, that his power remain though his person be absent." That " all ye inhabitants in each Towns shall choose their military officers from among themselves on the first Tuesday after the 12th of March ; and that eight severall times in the yeare, the Bands of each plantation or Towne shall, openlie in the field be exercised and disciplined by their Commanders and Officers." Here is one to provide for sudden attacks from the In- dians or other enemies : " It is ordered that in regard to ye many incursions that we are subject unto, and that an Alarum for ye giving of notice thereof is necessary when occasion is offered, it is agreed that this form be observed, vidg't: Three muskets distinctly discharged, and a Her- ald appointed to go speedily threw the Towne, and crie Alarum ! Alarum ! and the drum to beat incessantly ; upon which all are to repaire (upon forfeiture as the Towne Councill shall order) unto the Towne House ther to receive information of the Town Councill what is far- ther to be done." The colonists were not in favor of curtain lectures, and made the following law for their protection, whether ap- plicable to both sexes or not, does not appear : " It is or- dered. Common Scoulds shall be punished with the Duckinge Stoole." Witchcraft was punishable with death. To provide for the common defence, it was enacted that " that statute touching Archerie shall be revived and propagated throwout the whole Colonie ; and that every person from the age of seventeen yeares to the age of seventy, that is not lame, debilitated in body or other- wise exempted by the Colonie, shall have a Bow and four arrowes and shall use and exercise shooting ; and every Father having Children, shall provide for every man-child from the age of seven years, till he come to 1648-63.] MARRIAGE LAWS. 37 seventeen yeares, a Bow and two Arrowes or shafts to induce them, and to bring them up to shooting." Marriage was regarded as a civil contract between the parties, and could only be legally contracted by " such as are in the first plr.ce with the parents, then orderly published in two severall meetings of the Townsmen and lastly confirmed before the head officer of the Towne, and entered into the Towne clerk's Booke." The following is a copy of a marriage recorded in the town clerk's office in the earliest book of records : " Gabriell Hike having obtained the good will and approba- tyon of Mr. William Arnold together with the neighbors of Patuxit for the taking of Mary Perry for his wedded wife ; they being instead of parents unto her, as also bestowing a portion unto him with her; did desire me, Henry Eeddocke, town clerke of Warwick, they being both in town, to publish them, which 1 accordingly did twise in the town meeting, the first of March 1657 and the 2d of March '57; divers neighbors being at the wedding house, I the clerke was sent for and there in the audience of twentie or thirlie persons, I published them the 3d time; and in view of the aforesayd neighbors, the said Ga- briell Hike did take unto him the aforesaid Mary Perry for his wedded wife." To provide for any failure of the town to choose their representatives to the General Assembly, it was "ordered that six men of each Towne shall be chosen, in whom ye Greneral Court shall continue; and each Towne here shall have the choice of their men if they please ; or if any Towne refuse, the Court shall choose them for them ; if any else beside will tarry, they may whose help is de- sired." The desire for office manifested in our day does not seem to have been quite as strong in the early history of the colony, when it was regarded rather as a burden than an honor. At a meeting of the General Assembly, held in this town May 22d, 1649, at which John Smith, of Warwick, was chosen President of the colony for that year, it was " ordered, that if a President elected, shall refuse to serve in that Generall Office, that then he shall pay a fine of ten pounds. And the Generall Assistant 38 HISTORY or WARWICK. [1648-63. that refuseth to serve after having been chosen shall pay a fine of five pounds." Smith refused to serve, and also S£.muel Gorton, who was chosen the same year General Assistant for Warwick, and they were both fined, but their fines were subsequently remitted. At a subsequent year (1669) a prospective election was graciously pro- vided for in behalf of Eandall Holden in the following : " It is ordered that Mr. Randall Houlden if he be chosen the next yeare to Generall Office shall not then be com- pelled to serve against his will, butt freed without pay- inge fine, which is graunted upon his request, having fowned a burden in servinge for severall yeares together." At the present day there are usually several who would prefer to accept the gubernatorial office rather than pay a heavy fine, an evidence, peihaps, of the superior, self- ignoring patriotism of the present age. The venerable Canonicus, chief sachem of the Narra- gansetts, died June 4, 1649. In the deed or act of sub- mission of his tribe to the goveAment of England in 1644, he is styled " that ancient Canonicus, Protector of that late deceased Miantonomy during the time of his non-agp." In relation to his ancestors, the Indians held a tradition that there existed formerly a chieftain more powerful than any of their day, whose name was Tash- tassuck. He had two children, a son and a daughter, whom he could not match in dignity outside of his own family, and so he married them to each other. Their is- sue was four sons, of whom Canonicus was the eldest.* He had been the chief of his tribe many years, and at the time of the first settlement of the colony was held in high esteem by his people and the new settlers. Roger Williams, who understood the Indian character, and was intimate with many of the principal chiefs of New Eng- land, and was probably the most influential white man in the country with them, speaks of him in his Key as " the old high Sachem of Nariganset Bay (a wise and peaceable prince)." He says that "once in a solemn » Hutchlngson's, Mass., i, 4S8. 1648-63.] DEATH OF CANONICUS. 39 bration to myself in a solemn assembly using the word wunnaumwayean (if lie speak true,) said, I have never suffered any wrong to be offered to the English since they landed, nor never will; he often repeated the word if the Englishman speak true, if he meane truly, then shall I go to my grave in peace and hope that the English and my posterity shall live in peace together." "Their late famous loug-lived Canonicus so lived and died, and in the same most honorable manner and so- lemnity (in their way) as you laid to sleep your pru- dent peacemaker Mr. "Winthiop, did they honor this their prudent and peaceable prince." * With the Warwick colonists he was on teims of peace and friendship, which resulted at times in serious dis- advantage to himself and his people. I find no in- stance mentioned in the several accounts of contempo- rary vn-iters where his fidelity was questioned. And for the honor of the Warwick settlers it may be said, that though he had reason to suspect the motives of the white men generally, he seemed to regard those of this town as worthy of confidence. Thus passed away the venerable Indian Prince, upon a portion of whose hunt- ing grounds the present thriving manufacturing villages and pleasant homes of this town are situated. The three most powerful sachems of the Narragan setts now, were Pessicus, brother and successor of Mi- antonomi, Ninigret, chief of the Mantics, and Mexam, son and heir of Canonicus. But the glory of the tribe was fast fading away, and the desponding hope of the brave old chief for his posterity was not to be realized. The following is the list of persons received as " in- habitants " of the town previous to June 5th, 1648, in their order as given in the town records : (The origi- nal twelve purchasers have already been given.) Bufus Barton, Uend. Townaend, Chris. Unthanke, Ezek. Eolliman, Jo. Lipet, Richard Townsend, Peter Greene, Tho. Thomcraft, James Greene, Thomas Greene, Steuk. Westcot, * Letter of Eoger Williams. 40 HISTORY OF WAEWICK. p648-63. Mr. * Jo. Smith, Mr. Nic. Hart, Mr. Walter Tod, Jo. Cooke, John Greene, Jr., Robert Westcott, John Sweete, John Town- send, Peter Burzecott, John Downiuge, Edward Inman, James Sweete, John Durbin, Thomas Erington, George Palmer, Amos Westcote, John Garreard, John Hoyden, Mr. Eobert Coles, John Potter. Stukely Westcott was a resident of Salem previous to July 1639, where the church passed " the great censure" upon him and his wife. J3oth either before or after leaving Salem had embraced the religious sentiments and been baptized by Roger Williams, which was probably the reason for the action of the church, in Salem. It is said that he denied that the churches of Massachusetts were true churches. His daughter Uamaris married the son of Benedict Arnold, Mercy, another daughter, married Samuel Stafford. He had six sons, viz., Jeremiah, William, Samuel, Josiah, Benjamin, and Stukely. Rufus Barton came from England, but at what date is not known. He first settled where the city of New York now stands, and is said to have been the first settler there. He soon removed to Long Island and thence to Aquidneck, and finally to Warwick, where he continued to reside until his death. He built a " Thatch house" on the east side of the road that leads down the Neck, at the head of Warwick Cove, south of the Gorton place. An old well in a vacant lot is supposed to bear some relation to the ancient dwelling. A portion or all of the homestead estate is now owned by Benjamin Rufus Barton, a descendant of the seventh generation. His religious views were of the Quaker order. His wife's name was Margaret. His children are mentioned in his will which was made for him by the town council in 1648. Benjamin married Susannah, daughter of Samuel Gorton . There were two daughters, Eliza- beth and Phebe. Rufus Barton, son of Benjamin and Susan- nah (Gorton) married Sarah, daughter of Rowland and Mary (Allen) Robinson, of Narragausett, one of whose children, (Rowland) born April 7, 1709, married Ereelove Stafford, daughter of Amos. Lots of land, generally of six acres, were set off to these persons. Their location and bounds are given in the record, but no formal deeds of land were made until 1660, when Mr. Holliman, Mr. Warner and Henry Townsend were appointed a committee "to *The title " Mr." at tbis time seems to have been an honorary one, equivalent, perhaps, to that of "Esq." or "Hon." in later times. It flnally was prefixed to nearly everybody's name and became of no _apecial significance, as these latter ones are in a fair way to become if, indeed, they have not already. ' 1648-63.] EZEKIEL HOLUMAN. 41 draw up a forme for recording of lands and makinge each man a deed, and appoint that ye Clarke shall bee paid for his pains and so men are to repaire to the Clarke and he to do it." Ezekiel Holliman* was bom at Tring, near Hertford, Eng- land, where he married Susanna, daughter of John Exton, or Fox, of Stanmore, Middlesex county. He married for his sec- ond wife Mary (widow of Isaac Sweet) probably in Salem, where both appear to have been residents at the time — ^previous to 1638. He was one of the twelve constituent members of the Eirst Baptist Church of Providence, and was appointed to baptize Roger "Williams, which he did, and was in turn with the other ten, baptized by Williams. He was a deputy for Warwick, and is referred to as a pious, godly man. He died Sept. 17th, 1659, intestate. The Town Council made a will for him ap- pointing his widow executrix. His daughter Priscilla, by his first wife, married John Warner. About a year previous to the death of Mr. Holliman, he sent to England for one of his grand- children, John Warner, to come and inherit his estates. The Town (;!ouncil after making provision for the widow assigned the remainder of the estate to his two grandchildren John and Kachel Warner. Provision is also made for '' Susan Warner or other of ye children in England." There was a daughter Mary * An Inventory of ye goods and cliattells belonging to Ezekiel Holy man. A bed and boulster and pillow and a pair of sheets I A bed tieke, a pair of curtains and a carpett. ) Severall wooden things within doors A great chest A Spitt A bigger iron pott A lesser iron pott Iron tools and tackling of cart and plow One bible His wearing apparrell Too Ackers of Corue together with forty * * bushels Peag'i paid by Mr. Smith 2 mares and 2 coults Ahorse 2 Oxen 6 cowes milk, one at Nanhegansett 5 twoyearlings, whereof 2 hefers, 2 steers 2 yearling hefers and a yearling bull A so w & three little pigs & 1 hoge A mortar & pestle & 1 little skillet The man sarvant lo £ s. d 04 5 1 8 r> 7 7 2 11 fi 5 10 07 4 32 n 11 15 30 19 (1 7 y 7 fi 9 183 *i 42 HISTOKY or WAKWICK. [164S-63. and perhaps others. The will of Mary H(511iman, widow of Ezekiel, dated July 31, 1681, provides that " In Consideration of the (Jreat Love and Affection I do bear unto my Son in Law, John Garrardy and my Daughter Benewed Garrardy his wife both formerly of Warwick but now of Providence" they are to have her right, title and interest which she then possessed in the " House lot, meadows and uplands &c. in Warwick." The wife of Garrardy was probably the daughter of Mrs. Holliman by her first husband. In an old record before me relating to the contentions that occurred in settling HoUiman's estate she is spoken of as " John Garrardy's wife whose name in her infancy was by information Meriba Sweet, afterwards called Eenewed Holliman, then Eenewed Garrardy." The situation of the settlers was extremely perilous, owing to the unsatisfactory relations subsisting between them and the Indians. They were kept in a state of constant apprehension of an outbreak that would result in their entire destruction. They were comparatively few in number, while the natives were numerous. The natives of Pawtuxet and Shawomet still acknowledged allegiance to Massachusetts and had a two-fold reason for regarding the white inhabitants about them with jealousy and distrust. They knew that Massachusetts regarded them with disfavor and would be inclined to overlook any acts of violence they might commit, while the in creasing ascendency of the settlers over them and the loss ot their lands were additional reasons for their unfriendly attitude. In view of this state of affairs a letter written by John Smith, Assistant, in behalf of the town, Sept. 7, 1648, was sent to the New England Commissioners, then con- vened at Plymouth, complaining that the Indians had killed their cattle, entered their houses by force and com- mitted other acts of violence, and requesting their advice on the subject. The commissioners wrote to the sach- ems "advising them to abstain from such conduct." The advice was couched in such terms that the natives seemed to have regarded it as a mere suggestion to which but little importance was to be attached. They continued their hostilities, and next year a similar letter was sent to the commissioners with but little better results. 1648-63.] TROUBLE WITH MASSACHUSETTS. 43 In May, 1649, Randall Holden having some business in Boston which required his presence there, petitioned the court that the sentence of banishment against him might be revoked, in order that he might personally attend to it. He was informed that an attorney could attend to the business as well as himself. * On May 22, 1649, the General Court of Commissioners was held in this town and lasted four days. John Smith was chosen President and Samuel Gorton Assist- ant for Warwick. I etters were addressed to the Paw- tuxet men respecting their allegiance to the colony, and the sachems of Pawtuxet and Shawomet were summoned to attend upon the court. This led the parties addressed to complain to Massachusetts, who in turn addressed let- ters to Rhode Island warning all whom it concerned against prosecuting any of her Ksubjects. The subse- quent course of Massachusetts was the occasion of the following action of the town : July 26, 1650. " Ordered by the Towne that whereas 3 sum- monses were left at John Greene's house by the hand of Rich- ard Chafemore, to summons him to the court of Massachusetts to be held at Boston the last of July, it is ordered by vote of the Towne that John Greene Junor above saide shall not goe downe to the Courte with respect to the summons." " Ordered that Mr. Gorton, Mr. Weekes, Mr. Rand. Houlden, Mr. "Warner, are chosen to draw up a letter to be sent to the Bay." A committee was appointed to meet similar committees of the other towns at Portsmouth in reference to the summons, and in case they failed to send an answer to Massachusetts, the Warwick letter, signed by Mr. Wickes in behalf of the town, was to be forwarded. Matters were assuming such importance that the Gen- eral Assembly deemed it necessary to appeal again to the Foreign Committee of Plantations, and Roger Williams was urged to go once more to England in behalf of the colony. Massachusetts was duly notified of this in- tention by John Greene in behalf of this town, in a letter setting forth the reasons that had led the colonists to this * Mass. Col. Keo. li. 275. 44 HISTOBY OF WARWICK. [1648-63. conclusion. The letter stated that they "were bought and sold from one patent and jurisdiction to another;" that they had been threatened with expulsion from their lands and exposed to violence since the order of Parliament was made for their protection, and they should seek redress from the home government, and the United Colonies might instruct their agents to act accordingly. " Feb. 3, 1651. Agreement between the Towneof Warwicke with Mr. John Wickes, Mr. Randall Houlden, Mr. Walter Todd, John Greene, Jr., as undertakers to build a mill in the aforesaide Towne, at their own cost and charges, and to grind the Towne corag for two quarts in a bushelle, in consideration of which the town doth give and grant to the said undertakers for their encouragement that lott, that was formerly Mr. Gor- ton's" &c. " Ordered that the undertakers of the mill have liberty to damme up the fresh river for their use anywhere above the lott, Mr. Holliman purchased of Peter Burzicot." " The town ordereth that in case Richard Harcutt's meadow bee spoiled by the damminge the watpr at the mill, he shall have 2 akers for one in the most convenient place not granted, for all said damnifyinge." The year 1651 is memorable in the history of the Rhode Island colony by the withdrawal of the towns of Newport and Portsmouth and their establishment of an independent government under a commission obtained by William Coddington, leaving Providence and War- wick to act alone. A considerable number * however, from the "defective towns" were dissatisfied, and sent Dr. Clarke as commissioner to England to obtain a re- peal of Coddington's commission. Williams, as agent of Providence and Warwick, sailed with him from Boston in November, their object now being to obtain a new charter that would reunite the dismembered colony. In the meantime the two towns remaining held their Gene- ral Assembly as usual. Samuel Gorton was chosen Pres- ident of the colony this year, and John Greene for clerk of the Assembly. To increase the anxiety of the settlers, Plymouth and Massachusetts renewed their dis- pute about Warwick, and in September " Plymouth was * Staples annals of Providence, p. 82. 1648-63.] CASE OF JOHN WAEKER. 45 advised to take possession of that plantation by force, unless the inhabitants would willingly submit themselves to their jurisdiction." Over such turbulent waves did the little ship of State sail during the year 1651, tossed by billows on every side, but still bearing a crew of valiant men whose courage and wisdom were equal to the emergency. In AprU, 1652, a somewhat curious affair occurred in the town that eventually led to the disfranchise- ment of one of the original purchasers. It appears that a Dutch vessel had arrived at Shawomet, on a trading excursion, the crew of which boarded for seve- ral months with John Warner, who was this year one of the magistrates of the town. A dispute arose in settling their accounts, and the Dutchmen finally ap- pealed to the court for assistance. A special session of the court was held, and Warner refusing to appear in his defence, judgment was entered against him by de- fault. Warner's wife was also implicated, and the case was carried before the General Court of trials for the colony. The result of the matter, with the specific charges, is given in the following extracts from the town records. The orthography is modernized. • " The 24th of April, 1652, at a town meeting of law-making assembly, ordered, that John Warner for his misdemeanors under-annexed, is degraded by the unanimous consent of the town from bearing any office in the town, and that he is wholly disenabled forever hereafter bearing any office in the town, until he give the town satisfaction. " It is further ordered that the above said John Warner is put out from having any vote in the town concerning its affairs. " The charges against John Warner are these : First. For calling the oflScers of the town rogues and thieves with respect to their office. Item. For calling the whole town rogues and thieves. Item. For threatening the lives of men. Item. For threatening to kill all the mares of the town. Item. For his contempt in not appearing before the town now met, being lawfully summoned by a summons from the officer, with two magistrates' hands to it. Item. For threatening an officer of the colony in open court, that if he had him elsewhere he would beat out his brains, as also calling him rogue. 46 HISTOBY OF WARWICK. [1648-63. Item. For his employing an agent in his behalf to wnteto the Massachusetts; thereby going about to enthral the liberties of the town, to the great indignity of the honored btate of England, who granted the said privileges unto us." On the 22d of June it was ordered, "That the house and land of John Warner situate and being in the sayd towne be attached forthwith upon suspicion of unsufEerable treacherie against the town, to the forfeiture of the sayd house and land, and that notice may be given him of the attachment thereof that so hee by himself or aturney may answer at the next Court of Trials to be held in Warwicke the third Tuesday in August next ensuing the date hereof. It is also ordered that all persons are hereby prohibited from laying any claim or title unto it, or any part thereof by bargain and sale or otherwise until hee hath answered the law and be cleared by order of the court held as aforesayd, but remains in the hand and custody of the town in the mean time. " Ordered. That the sergeant shall have a copie of this order and set it up upon the door of the house. ■' Ordered, that if hereafter John Warner or any for him shall sell that house and land above sayd, any part or parcel of it, to any but such as shall subscribe to our order, it shall as before be wholly forteii to the town.'' The property was released on the 5th of July by the following order : " Ordered by the town of Warwick that the house ana land of John Warner situated in the said towne of Warwick, being of late atached upon suspicion of the breach of the grand law* of thetowQ,be resigned to the said John Warner again." The proceeding!^ excited considerable interest through- out the colony. Randall Holden, Samuel Gorton and three others protested against the release of the prop- erty, but without effect. It was one of those affairs that would have been considered of little consequence, and passed over and been forgotten soon in a larger community, but in the weakness of the infant settle- ment was of considerable importance. It resulted in Warner's conveying his property to trustees for the use and support of his infant daughter on the 17th of the same month, with the intention of going to England. The deed of conveyance is recorded in the Clerk's office. John Warner came from England, but at what date is un- • The "grand law" was a compact made by the town in 16i7, and confirmed the following year, by which the inhabitants bound them- selves not to convey their lands to any other jurisdiction, on pain of disfranchisement and of forfeiture of the whole estate to the town 1648-63.] THE WAEKEE FAMILY. *7 known. He was an inhabitant of Providence in 1637, and had one of the "Home Jots," near where the " What Cheer" build- ing now stands. He was the first Town Clerk after the organ- ization of the town , and also a member of the first Town Coun- cil; also a Deputy and Assistant; and in 1648 Clerk of the Gen- eral Court. He married Priscilla, daughter of Ezekiel HoUi- man. He left a son John, who married Anna, daughter of Samuel Gorton, also three daughters, Susan, Mary and Rachel. He died during a vovage from Kngland, in 1653 or '54. The three older children went to England with him. The son John was finally sent for by his grandfather Ezekiel Holliman to in- herit his property. The prenomen John was continued for not less than tour generations. John Warner 2d had four children, viz. John, Eztkiel, Anna and Priscilla. Tohn Warner 3d had ten children, viz. : John, Elizabeth, Anne, Susannah, Ra- chel, William, Samuel, Mary, Priscilla and William, the last three by a secf nrl wife. John Warner 4th, had the generous number of fourteen children, and lived on the north side of the road at the turn near Warners' brook. The old Warner burial ground is on the east side of the road leading to Conimicut. The General Assembly met iu this town December 20th, 1652 at the house of Robert Potter, having been called by the President of the colony, John Smith, of Warwick. The President being absent, the Assembly sent him the following communication signed by John Greene, Recorder : "HoNOEED Sir : — The commissioners of Providence and Warwick being assembled together at Robert Potter's house, according to your order, doe earnestly entreat that you will be pleased to afford us your presence ;o informe us of those weighty considerations invested in your warrant, wee being as- sembled together as aforesayed to advise and order for the peace of this Colony." From the action subsequently taken by the Assembly it appears that the President and Mr. Gorton, who was General Assistant for Warwick, had examined Hugh Bewitt, one of the commissioners from Providence, and found him guilty of treason, and presented him for trial After providing for the safe custo'dy of the prisoner, the Assembly adjourned, to meet the next morning at the house of Mr. Warner. The trial continued several days and the prisoner was acquitted. Robert Potter was admitted a f reemanin Massachusetts, Sep- tember 3, 1631. He removed to Rhode Island in 1639. ' He ^ HISTOBY OF WABWICK. [1648-63. afterwards removed to Warwick, and was one of the original twelve purchasers.* When the Massachusetts soldiers came to arrest the settlers soon after their occupancy of the land, Mrs. Potter, with some of the other women, sought refuge in the woods, and soon afterwards died from exposure and fright. Potter was licensed in February, 1649, to keep an ordinary, or tavern, in Warwick. He died in the latter part of 1661, leaving a son John, and a daughter Deliverance, who married James, son of John Greene. John died in 1694, intestate, and his estate falling to John, Jr., he shared it with his brother WU- liam, as per deed of April 10, 1694. The mission of Williams and Clarke was successful In the following February, a messenger arrived from England with the repeal of Coddington's commission and an order for the reunion of the towns under the charter. The division continued, however, another year. In May two distinct assemblies convened for a general election at the same time, one at Providence and the other at Newport. Finally, after a separation of three years, a reunion was effected, and a full court of com- missioners from the four towns was assembled in this town "ye last of August, A. D. 1654." It was then ordered "that a Court of Election be held uppon Tues- day, ye 12th of ye next month, and to be kept at War- Wicke ; which officers then chosen shall be engaged and stand till j e Court of Election in May next. The important positions held by persons from this town in the government of the colony during these years of unhappy discussions indicate the estimation in which they were held by the people. That the col- ony was not entirely broken up by its enemies within and without, maybe ascribed to the wisdom and prudence of a few men of the two loyal towns, who firmlyheld the reins of government during this period of its weakness. INDIAN DEED OP POTOWOMUT. The following is a copy of the Indian deed of that por- tion of the town called Potowomut, recorded in the "booke of land evidences" in the Town Clerk's office: ^l^^°i ?.^?f "• ^f^S-°l ^^^i^Stoi-omi. by some oversight, thTnames of Kbbert Potter and Kioholas Power were omitted. They should have been inserted after the name of Sampson Shotten. 1648-^3.] DEED OF POTOWOMUT. 49 " Know all men by these presents that I Taccomanan, right owner of all ye meadows and mowable land upon a neck of ground commonly called by ye English, by ye name of Po- tawomett, situated and being upon ye great river called by ye naime of Narrheygansett Bay, lying over against ye South end of that necke of land called Shawomet, which bay is ye east bounder, and that river commonly called by ye English Potawo- mut river; being in ye southward bounder and Coessett bay, being ye norward bounder for ye space or length of fower miles, according to ye English accompt, by ye said Narrhy- gansett bay, which parsell of land as above saide with all ye right and privilidges thereto appertaining by land, water, wood or otherwise, I doe hereby, and by these presents ffreely ac- knowledge to have leagally and trewly sould, made over, and by these presents doe forever quit claime unto llandall Houl- den and Ezekiel Hollyman, both ot Warwick, for themselves and ye resc of ye inhabitants of ye abovesaide townc of War- wicke, to them and to their heires, and to have and to hould forever, for ye just some of fifteen pounds dewly paid and re- ceived already, in wampumpeage ; only I am to receive ye value of one coate of such cloth as ye Indians doe now commonly use to weare, annually as a gratuity hereafter ; and I doe hereby binde and engagdge myself e, that neither I nor any in my naime, nor in my behalf e shall forever hereafter disturbe or molest them or any of them in ye quiett and peaceable possession and enjoy- ment of this, their proper right and inheritance; Moreover I doe by these presents further binde and engage myselfe and allso my heires and suckcessors, and that in consideration of ye abovesaide some of money in payment received, never hereafter to sell, mortgage, let, or make over any moor, meadow or mowable land within my right, tytle or claims unto any, what or whomsoever, but only to ye parties abovenamed, their heires and assignes. In virtue whereof I have heare unto sett my hand and scale according to ye custom of ye English. Dated ye thirteenth day of July Anno 1654. Taccomanau' his marke AwASHOTUST eldest soun to him aboue, his marke Wawanockashaw, another soun, ^ his marke. Sealed and delivered in ye presence of Jeremy Westcott, William Baker, Samuel Ensall." In the town records, under date of I^eb. 8, 1657, Tac- 5 50 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1648-63. comanan is mentioned as the Sachem of Potowomut. The land was bought for the town.* In 1655, the number of persons enrolled as freemen in this town was thirty-eight. Providence had forty- two, Portsmouth, seventy-one, and Newport, ninety- six. Their names are given in the first volume of the R I. Col. Records. These do not include, however, the full number of residents, but simply those who had been formally "received" as inhabitants. The Indians becoming exceedingly troublesome, the General Assembly issued a warrant to bring Pomham before the court to answer the complaints of the town, and a committee was subsequently appointed to treat with him. An order was also issued " that Warwick shall build a sufficient prison at ye charge of fortie pounds, whereof Providence is to pay six pounds ; in lieu whereof Providence shall have use of ye saide prison to putt their prisoners in ; and also it is ordered and con- cluded by engagement as aforesaide, that Providence shall build a sufficient cage or stocks at ye charge of fourteen pounds, which prison, cage, or stocks, Warwick alsoe shall have ye use of if occasion be." In November additional efforts were made to come to an understanding with the natives, and Roger Williams, as President of the colony, wrote to the Massachusetts General Court in regard to the matter, calling the atten- tion of the court also to the suit against them by the town for £2,000 damages. Having received no reply, Williams in the spring wrote to Gov, Endicott, who in- vited him to come to Boston. The following entry in the Warwick records of May 15, of this year (1656), refers to the provision made by the town to meet the expenses of the President for this journey in its behalf * Some difficulty arose subsequently in reference to this tract of land. It appears that another deed was given to Capt. Randall Holden, June 2ti, 1660, by Namowish, which "was surrendered up by said Capt Houlden unto Mr. Benedict Arnold, Assistant for the use of the Colony " There was also some contention in regard to the land be- tween the town and the "inhabitants of Kings Towne." See R I On! Rec. III., 95, 104, 109. 1648-63.] BOGBE WILLIAMS' NEGOTIATIONS. 51 "Ordered that forty shillings be sent out of the treasury unto Mr. Koger Williams, and a pair of Indian Breeches for his Indian at seven shillings sixpence at 6 pr penny, as also a horse for his journey unto Boston and back as;ain." Before departing upon his errand to Boston Williams addressed a second letter to the General Court of Mas- sachusetts, in which he refers at length to the lawless- ness of the natives, as also to the trouble occasioned by the few English settlers at Pawtuxet, who still main- tained their former attitude against the settlers at Shaw- omet. In his letter he says, " I am humbly confident that all the English plantations in all New England put together suffer not such molestation from the natives as this one town and people. The settlers are so danger- ously and so vexatiously intermingled with the barbari- ans that I have long admired the wonderful power of God in restraining and preventing very great fires of mutual slaughters breaking forth between them. The remedy is (under God) only your pleasure that Pum- ham shall come to an agreement with the town or col- ony, and that some convenient way and time be set for their removal." Gratifjdng progress was made by the visit of Williams to Boston in reference to the Indian affairs, and it was agreed that the Pawtuxet controversy should be closed by arbitration. This, however, was not effected fully till two years after, when the Pawtuxet men withdrew their allegiance from Massachusetts and submitted to Rhode Island. Koger Williams was born in Wales in 1599, and died in Provi- dence, April, 1683. " He was buried with all the solemnity the Colony were able to show." Callender in his Century Ser- mon says "he appears to have been one of the most disinter- ested men that ever lived, and a most pious and heavenly minded soul." "All his study bent To worship God aright, and know His works, Not hid, nor those things last which might preserve Freedom and peace to man." — Milton* As we write this page the subject of repealing the act » See Knowles' Life of Williams, published in 1834. 52 HISTOEY OP WAEWICK:. [1648-63. of banishment of Roger Williams is before the Massa- chusett Legislature. The meetings of the General Assembly when it met in this town, as well as the town meetings, were held at private houses. On Feb. 22, 1652, it was "ordered to adjourne the meetinge and forthwith to repair to the house of John Warner, where Thomas Avington dwells, and there being mett orderly it was ordered by the Towne, that henceforth their place of meeting be at the house of John Warner aforesaid, Thomas Avington con- senting thereto and the said Thomas Avington is to have twelve shillings for the use of the house ; and this to bee until the Towne see cause to alter it." The constant danger to which the inhabitants were exposed from the Indians, and the generally unsettled state of affairs in the colony made it necessary to appoint a guard to be on the constant lookout for .trouble. In April 5, 1653, the two following orders were placed upon record : "Ordered, that two men shall watch every day until they shall see cause to alter it." "Or- dered that the watch shall consist of eight men any order formerly notwithstanding." In a bundle of miscellaneous papers stowed away in the Town Clerk's office, I find a somewhat important paper, dated March 22d, 1652, and signed by Samuel Gorton, Randall Holden and ten others, in which a proposition is made to sell out their lands and remove from the region. The paper is much defaced, and a portion, including parts of nearly all the lines are de- stroyed, including a part of the signatures. The paper speaks of the dangers to which they were exposed from the Indians, and the divisions among their own number, occasioned chiefly from the failure of those parties who had it in their power to render them the necessary as- sistance. The tone of the paper is one of discouragement, resulting from their peculiarly trying position. What legal rights the Indians still retained in the lands or any portion of them, deeded in the original pur- chase, does not appear from the records, so far as I have 1648-63.] RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE. 53 been able to ascertain. But it seems that they were permitted to remain upon the unoccupied portions, and were allowed certain other not very clearly defined priv- ileges. Under date of May 2, 1653, it was "ordered that these men namely Randall Houlden, Richard Townsend, Stuckely Wascote, James Sweete, Christopher Haux- hurst and John Cole are apjiointed to agree with the Indians about Nawsaucot and their way about fencinge in their fields." An appropriation of £12 10s was subsequently made on report of the committee to pay the Indians for fencing their lands. The rights of conscience were sacredly regarded throughout the colony, and may sometimes have been the pretext for refusing to perform disagreeable duties. The plea, however, was unusually effective, as in the case mentioned in the town records under date of July 5, 1655, where "Goodman Erington refusing to serve as constable by reason of a scruple of his mind," he was excused from the service and another appointed in his stead. A somewhat amusing case of conscience is related in Staples' Annals of Providence, p. 24. It appears that Joshua Verin refused to allow his wife to go to Mr. Williams' meeting as often as she wished. The woman thought it her duty to go, and her husband seemed to think it was his duty to restrain her. In this cross-fire the church censured Verin, and "some were of opinion that if Verin would not suffer his wife to have her liberty the church should dispose of her to some other man who would use her better." Arnold told them that Verin acted conscientiously, and their order was " that no man should be censured for his conscience." Verin soon after left Providence and went to Salem. Gov. Winthrop seems to have regarded this action on the part of Williams as a violation of the principle which he so strenuously advocated, but the tacts will hardly justify the opinion. On July 8d of this year, it was ordered that " by reason of the great inconvenience that hath been by means of allowance no Towne meetings without twelve *5 54 HISTORY OP ■WABWICK. [1648-63. men lawfully met, that henceforth eight Townsmen he- inge lawfully met, by lawful warninge have full authority to act as if the whole towne were present." A convenient provision was made the following year with regard to the number of men that should constitute a legal jury. Instead of the usual number of twelve, six jurors were to compose the body, and they were to be paid, each one shilling sixpence for each case tried before them. By far the larger number of acts passed by the town up to this time related to the disposition of the lands. The grants were generally of six acres as house lots, to which were added other portions at different times. The consideration, if any, was not usually mentioned at the time the grant was made. Besides these the unoccupied lands were apportioned among the settlers for a limited time. The following, under date of May 17, 1656, illus- trates the point : "At a meetinge of the Townsmen of Warwicke it is ordered that the medows at Potowomet and Pawtuxet that are now lotted out to the inhabitants shall remain to each man, appropriated but for this yeare and be allotted the next year if the Towne see cause." In the following, passed tlie same year, a consideration is mentioned : " It is ordered that John Sweete shall have two ackers of medow for himself and Henry Townsend, in any place where he can find it, that is yet undivided, for some pains he has taken in surveying the medow at Pawtuxet river within the bounds of this towne." Also the following without a consideration in the same year: " Ordered that Mr. John Greene shall have the medow at the notheast side of the pond called by the Indians Cacouncke, lying by a brooke that runs out of the aforesaid pcnd." The proprietors of the grist mill, to whom a land grant had been made in consideration of their agreement to grind the town corn at the rate of two quarts per bushel, were suspected of having too large a measure, and to meet this suspicion the following was passed : " It being_complained of that the Toll Dish is too bigg : ordered that Mr. Holliman doe gett a pair of skaills for the mill by the sixst of May following." 1648-63.] BOUNTIES ON WILD AITIMALS. 55 The following bears the date of Feb. 8, 1557 : " It is ordered that a parcell of land, adjoining to Massapoge pond westward, be for a horse pasture for the Towne's use accordiiige as may he the most conveniently made use of, for to save fencinge, that the horses may be there kept during the time they are apt to damnify the come." To meet one of the less serious troubles to which the settlers were subject, it was ordered, Oct. 10, 1658, " that if any one kill the great gray woolfe that hath done so much mischiele in the Towne hee shall have five pounds for his pains and for any other woolfe fower pounds." As John Sweete subsequently received five pounds for killing a wolf, it is probable that the old " S^'^J " came to grief by his hands. An Indian re- ceived a reward of forty shilUngs the same day for a similar service. * Feb. 4, 1659. "Ordered that Mr. John Greene shall have as much land at his medow Cacowanch, known by the name of Coesetpond for to fence his medow in, he leaving out so much of his land at Occupasnetuxet." The foregoing indicate the nature ot the town laws passed during the years 1652-60, and incidentally throw light upon the condition of society during this period. If they are not expressed with that precision and ele- * Wolves were so troublesome that Koger Williams was commis- sioned to arrange with Miantonomi for a grand huDt to exterminate them. — Arnold 1, 134. Portsmoutli petitioned Newport, January 1658, to assist her in driv- ing the wolves from the island; and the records of that town of Nov. 10, IfifiS, mention that " the island -was to be driven the next fair day on account of the destruction of sheep by wolves and other ver- min." Every householder was required to kill twelve black birds and to bring in their heads or pay a fine of two shillings; and for all above twelve that were killed, he should receive one shilling each.— Ports- mouth Eec, April 16, 1697. In 1716, the bounty (in Providence) on wolves was twenty shillings, and on grey squirrels, two pence. In 1724, there was a bounty of three pence on rats, and in 1729, one of ten shillings on wild cats.— Staple's Annals, 190. ^ ^ ^ i. In February, 1733-4, a bounty of one pound was offered tor bears and the same for wild cats; in 1736, the bounty on bears was raised to three pouuds; in 1764, a bounty of four pounds was offered for wolves. 56 HISTOBY OF WAKWICK. [1648-63. gance of language that characterizes our modern stat- utes, they have at least the merit of conciseness and were sufficiently accurate in form to meet the emergencies of the times. Previous to the organization of the town under its charter, an order had been passed regulating the dis- position of the lands among the inhabitants of the towa An individual before becoming an "inhabitant," was re- quired to be propounded and received by a formal vote. He was also required to pay the sum of XI or its equi- valent. This entitled him to all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the original purchasers of the territory pur- chased of the natives. Certain portions of territory in the more compact part of the settlement were assigned him as a house lot, which it appears he was allowed to select from that which was yet unappropriated, with cer- tain not very clearly defined rights in the more distant wild la; ds. As the inhabitants increased in number other regulations were found to be necessary. The meagre, indefinite records both of the town and colony in reference to the disposition of the lands, the boundaries of the several grants and the consideration in view of which they were made, render it difficult to determine always their exact character. The purchases from the Indians seem to have been especially indefinite and caused the colonists much trouble, making it necessary for the latter at times to purchase their lands over again from some subsequent claimant. Land at the time was plenty and cheap. The Indian title was not always clear, and hence arose innumerable misunderstandings in reference to them. It is not certain but that the settlers sometimes took advantage of the simplicity of the natives in these matters. The several laws enacted during this period in refer- ence to the disposition of the Warwick lands by the town, as well as some passed by the General Assembly in favor of its settlers, as well as others of a different character, may here be stated with but few comments, reserving for a more favorable opportunity such explanations as may seem necessary. 1648-63.] VAEIO0S TOWN LAWS. 57 " April 4, 1660. Ordered that henceforth any inhabitants that shall hereafter bee received shall not have any land, ac- cordinge to any former order, but so much onely as the Towne shall by particular order grant them, and where the Towne shall see fltt, any order formerly notwithstandinge." " April 30, 1660. Ordered that the Clarke doe write any freeman's voate of the Town that cannot write himselfe, and that he shall call upon persons for their voates." " Ordered, in answer to Mr. Holden's bill that forthwith those that are free to pay thare monies for Aqueadnesicke doe enter thare names and that tenn days be appointed for those that are absent to ye Clarke to enter thare names also, and bring in thare monies." "At a Towne meeting held in Warwick the 2d of November Mr. Smith chosen moderator, the Towne tacking it into serious consideration the regeneration of the mill dame, and beinge it cannot be done untill the inhabitants doe generally assist in the worck, have therefore thought fitt to order that all the in- habitants doe generally assist in the worck ; and those that re- quier satisfaction for their t'me Mr. Harvi doth engage to pay them ; and for the better effectinge of the mater the Towne doth apoynt Mr. Weeks, Mr. John Greene, to give order when and who shall come in as ocation shall requier, as allso when all the inhabitants shall come in ; and if any refues upon such warning from the deputed men above sayd, they shall bee lya- ble to pay a fine at the discretion of the Towne, accordinge as the damage shall appear, for their neglect." " Ordered that Mr. John Greene is apoynted to write to the President and Assistants about the Indians pressing in upon our lands and spoiling our timber — desiring their assistants to supres their violence.'' " Jan. 6, 1661—2. Ordered, whereas at a Towne meeting the 3d of February in the year 1657 there was granted a peace for a horse pasture for the Towne's use it is now ordered, that all those free inhabitants that are now willing to fence in a pasture for horses, heave liberty, granted by the Towne to tacke in either three quarters of a mile, or a mile square, more or less, on the west side of Massapoge pond; and that the said pasture bee only proper for them that fence." " May 10, 1662. Ordered that Goodman Hedger is apoynted to give notis to ye inhabitants of ye Towne to repayer ye fence at Toskeunk and he to oversee the work." " Ordered that any man's share of meddow at Potowomet and Papepieset alias Tosceunck * be recorded by ye Clarke in ye towne Booke." •Thi.s land was situated not far from the present village of Pontiac. It was also written THuskounk and also Toskiounke. See Providence Records, \ . 9. Parsons says "there was an Indian tribe there." Prob- ably an Indian village merely and not a separate tribe. 58 HISTOBY OF WAKWICK. [1648-63. At a meeting of the General Assembly * held in this town June 17, 1662, on petition of Mr. Edmund Calverly, Thomas Ealph, WilHam Burton, James Sweet and John Sweet of this town and ten or twelve more of the free- men of this colony "permission was granted them to pur- chase of the natives a tract of land lying together and not exceeding fower thousand akers." At the same session John Greene, James Greene, Thomas Greene, with two others, obtained leave "to purchase fifteen hun- dred ackers according to the former rule." ■" December 31. Ordered that ye Clarke shall heave for re- coidinge marridges Is. Od and for reccrdinge the birth of a child 6d and for recordinge the death of a person 6d." Gorton and his associates previous to their purchase of lands in this town were charged with denying the le- gality of all human governments. Their resistance to the several governments estabUshed in different portions of New England, where for a time they had taken up their temporary abode, arose from the peculiar views they held respecting legally organized governments. Since the adoption of the charter they had proved the charge against them to have been groundless, by freely acquiescing in the government of the colony, and lending their assistance in its establishment. They were, how- ever "strict constructionists", as the following ord'er passed by the town on Oct. 12, 1663, indicates : " Ordered in regard that there is a ■writing directed to ye Warden or Deputy Warden of ye Towne of Warwick and sub- scribed James J. R. Rogers, and not ye titell of any ofice annex- ed there to; the Towne doe therefore protest against it as being contrary to law, and order that report bee made hereof to ye next Court of Commissioners." " It is further ordered that the Towne being sensible of mat- ters that doe depend which concerns our Agent, Mr. John Clarke, doe therefore conclude to choose commishioners to at- • The " General Assembly " at first applied only to a meeting of all the people. The legislative body until 1650 was usually called the "Court of Commissioners," or "General Court of Commissioners." Subsequent to this date it styled itself the "General Assembly." The distinction was not clearly defined, and I have used the terms inter- changeably. 1648-63.] CHANGE IN CURRENCY. 59 tend ye Court, notwithstandinge ye illegality of ye said writing, and that justice may proceed notwithstandinge ye said ne- glect, doe [illegible] order to chuse Jurymen to attend uppon ye Court of Tryalls." The currency of the colony, wampum peage. which had been in use from the earliest settlement, had fallen so low in value that it was declared to be no longer legal tender. The other colonies had abandoned it some time previously. — Massachusetts had commenced the coining of silver ten years before. "All fines, rates, fees, dam- adges and costs of court in all actions now, were to bee accounted and payed in current pay according to mer- chants pay," that is, in sterling or New England currency. As there was no restriction in relation to the manu- facture of peage, a large amount came early into circu- lation, and as early as 1649, a law was passed lowering the standard of black peage one third, and four instead of three per penny was made the legal rate. A con- siderable amount of broken, and much that showed less care or skill in its preparation, found its way into the circulation, and tended to depreciate its value. The coinage of silver in Massachusetts began in 1652, and shillings and sixpences bearing that date are still extant. Thirty shilliijgs of New England silver was equal to twenty shillings sixpence sterling. Specimens of the Indian currency may be found in various collections of curiosities, both public and private. 60 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1663-67. CHAPTER IV. From 1663 to the close of Philip's War. Down to even a comparatively late date the meetings of the General Assembly when convened in this town, as well as the town meetincs, were held either in private houses, or in taverns. Whether a town house was built previous to the breaking out of Philip's war, is uncertain though probably not. The attention of the people how- ever was called to the necessity of some public building, and some preliminary measures were taken in regard to the matter. The earliest efforts in this direction were on Feb. 20, 1663, under which date Edmund Calverly and Goodman Westcott were added to a committee ap- pointed for this purpose. The record continues : " It is ordered and agreed by those that were appointed by ye town to lay out Peter Burzecott's acker of land which is for a tenement, is laid out 8 poles wide on ye front; and ye side adjoininge to ye nortberern end of Goodman Westcotts house lot being twentie one pole in length ; and ye other side but nineteene poles in length joyninge to ye lott )ayd out for ye Towne house, which saide lott is six poles wide on ye front, that is to say, to ye way that leadeth through ye Towne, it being easterly from ye front of ye said Towne lott and ye length of ye sayde lott to be nineteene poles on that side next to Peter Burzecott's, and ye other end fower poles and half wide next to ye common, and ye other side bounded by ye high- way that leadeth into ye common by James Sweet's hous lott, which sayde highway is six poles wide at ye least, and ye bury- inge place layd out for ye Towne is eight poles squaer, joining to ye western end of Peter Burzecott's aker of land adjoininge to Goodman Waskott's hous lott, which is ye southern bounds of ye buryinge place and on ye west by ye common and northerly by common." 1663-67.] PREPARATIONS FOR A TOWN HOUSE. 61 Nothing further appears to have been done about the town house until March, 1675, when the town ordered "that every roan in this Towne that hath not a teeme shall give a days work at digging and loading stones ; and every man that hath a teeme shall allow a day's work with his teeme to draw ye said stones into place, at such time when they shall be warned thereto by a beate of the drum or other waj'^s which worke will be a good prepar- ative toward building thesayd house." " May 18, 1663. Ordered that all ye inhabitants from Job AUmy's to Lippit's bridge doe goe forth to set up ye fence that goeth to ye great pond to ye head of ye Coeve by Aponahock [Apponaug] ye 21 of this instant, and Mr. John Greene is ye surveyor of ihem ; and ye 2.'jd of ye same Mr. Edmund Calverly is to led forth all ye inhabitants to finish the fence." Feb. -22, 1664^5. •' Ordered that Mr. Walter Todd treasurer of ye Towne of Warwicke bee desired to agre with some worke- man to make a pair of stocks for ye use of ye Towne, and ye same to be delivered into ye constable's custody, who is hereby ordered to set them up in some convenient place in ye town of Warwick." By act of the General Assembly all the towns were required to have a cage or pair of stocks.* Previously the town was entitled to the use of those in Providence, while the latter town was entitled to the use of the Warwick prison. The lawless Pombam was notified that he was "in this Collonye jurisdiction ; and that hee take some speedye course to issue the difference betwixt the men of War- wick and himselfe concerning lands &c.; or else that hee may expect that upon a legal triall the courts of this col- ony are resolved to doe justice in the premises."! The earliest book of records in the Town Clerk's ofi&ce contains several entries of inquests that are models of simplicity and honesty. The following is under date of February 18, 1665. After such an explicit statement of the facts in the case one is hardly willing to doubt but that little Mary was lawfully and accidentally drowned, * Arnold, i, 312. t K. I. Col. Rec. ii, 32. 6 62 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1663-67. though the verdict of the jury on the following day hard- ly exonerates her parents from blame. Eliza Collins, one of the jury, was not a woman. His name is written also Elyza in subsequent records ; also in his military ca- pacity he is styled Lieut. Eliza Collins.* "Mary Samon, daughter of John and Ann Samon. aged nine years or thereabouts, was found drowned in ye brooke, by Mr. Anthony Low's; and yo nineteenth of February Capt. John Greene being Crowner or Coroner, with a jury of 12 men, did inquire into ye ocation of her death by drowning; ye jurymen's names here folleth: Bichard Carder, foreman; Eliza Collins, John Lippitt, senior, John Potter, John Sweet, Sam. Stafford, James Sweet, Amos Westcott, Samuel Gorton, Jun., John Wickes, Jun., Jeremy Westcott, William Eaton. — Thomas Scranton adged 25 yeares or thereabouts being engaged, did testify before ye Crowner and jury that on ye 18th of February 1655, three howers within night John Read, father in ]aw_ to Mary Samon, came to Mr. Anthony Low's house to desire him, ye said Thomas Scranton with a lanthorne and candle to seeke for his daughter in law Mary Samon, who was sent to fetch wa- ter at ye brooke and came not againe. When they came to ye brooke they found ye said Mary Samon drowned in ye middle of ye brooke; and Mr. Anthony Low testifyeth that it was three howers wit];iin night when John Read aforesaid came to borrow a lanthorne and candle which was readily lent. The verdict of ye jury February ye 18th 1665: Wee ye grand inquest doe find that Mary Samon being about eyght or nyne years of age was sent by her mother in a very dark night alone to a brooke by Mr. Low's to fetch water and was found in ye brooke drowned.'' Anthony Low resided in Warwick from the year 1656, when he was admitted a freeman, until the breaking out of the Indian War. His house with others having been burnt by the Indians in March, 1676, he went to Swanzey, where he continued to re- side. He is the person referred to by Capt. Church, " who volunteered from friendship, and the interest he felt in the * The name Eliza as a masculine prenomen and that of Philip as a feminine aeems to have been in use at this time. The former occurs several times in the town records to designate the same individual, though written by different persons. He is referred to as "Lieut. Eliza Collins" in a few instances. Mr. Bartlott in R. I. Col. Rec. iii. 3, has it spelt Blza. Philip Greene was the wife of John Greene senior, as written in his last will. Eliza Collins was the son of Thomas Col- lins, who married Abigail House. Thomas Collins' children were, Eliza, born Nov. 17, 1693; William, February 8, 1695; Thomas, Jan. 31, 1696; Sarah, Oct. 31, 1698 ; Thankful, Aug. 27, 1700; Anna, July 16, 1707; Samuel, May 30, 1709; Abigail, Nov. 20, 1711; the last three by a sec- ond wife. 1663-67.] COEEESPONDENCE "WITH WILLIAMS. ' 63 success of Ms cause, to carry him from Newport to Sognacate, and thence to Sandwich, in July, 1676, at the risk of vessel and cargo." Updike^s Narraganseit, p. 391. Thomas Stafford came from Warwickshire, England. About 1626 he was an inhabitant of Plymouth colony, whence he re- moved to Providence, where he erected the first grist mill in Rhode Island, which was situated at the north end of the town, near the mill bridge. Without remaining there long, he re- moved to Old Warwick and spent the remainder of his days. He secured for himself a considerable tract of land at the head of mill cove, includingthe present mill site, where he erected another grist mill. He lived on the north side of the mill stream where stands the house owned by Amos Greene, and was formerly the property of the Lippitt family. He had three sons, viz.: Thomas, Samuel and Joseph; and three daughters, Deborah, Hannah and Sarah. Thomas married Jane Dodge, Samuel married Mercy "Westcott, daughter of Stukely West- cott, and Joseph married Sarah Holden, daughter of Randall Holden. Samuel Stafford succeeded to his father's estate, where he died at the advanced age of 83, leaving two sons, Thomas and Amos. Thomas inherited the homestead, including the mill, and Amos fixed his residence about half a m^e northwest, where he built a house (which was burnt in the occupancy of his grandson Thomas, in the year 1767, being on the same spot where the mansion house now stands.) He (Amos) had thir- teen children, only five of whom survived him, viz.: two sons, Samuel and Amos, and three daughters, Mary, Marcy and Preelove." ■ During the early history of the colony the several towns comprising it were exceedingly jealous of flieir individual rights, and were on the constant lookout lest those rights should be infringed. They were free and outspoken in their condemnation of any measure that did not meet with their approval. In 1662 the town received a letter respecting the rate that had been levied upon the several towns in behalf of Mr. John Clarke, their agent in England. The town had delayed the matter of collecting the amount assigned to it, which had occasioned the use of somewhat strong language on the part of Mr. Williams. A letter was returned in answer to clear it from the " aspertion that seems to be layd upon the town for not levying the said rates." Further correspondence followed in regard to the matter, 64 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1663-67. and, at a general training the 26th of March, 1666, " Mr. Williams, his letter being read at ye head of ye company, it was voated that ye saide letter was a per- nissious letter, and that what was contained therein, tended to stir up strifes, devisions and contentions in ye towne of Warwick, and that ye towne clarke doe record this vote and send Mr. Williams a coppie of ye same as ye towne's answer to ye same letter, no man dissenting from this voate." The Warwick letter was considered by the General Assembly,- which appears to have coincided with Mr. Williams' view in regard to the matter, as it was ordered " that a letter be sent to them from the court to provocke and stir them up to pay the rate speedylie." " July 2, 1666. Ordered that John Garyardy who hath con- fessed himselfe to be a thiefe and stands convict in a court of record for steahng, bee not for ye future admitted to have any- thing to doe in ye towne meetings, but is by this order ex- punged ye socycty of honest men, which order did pass uppon a bill presented by Edmund Calverly Town Clarke." On page 148 of town records (transcribed edition) the bound- aries of Edward Calverly's land are given. He had forty-two acres on " Horse Neck," the east line running from Oakland Beach point up Warwick cove to the lands of Samuel Gorton. He afterwards received forty-two acres adjoining from Anna Smith, widow of John Smith, and Eliza Collins. John, Sweet's land was to the westward and adjoining Calverly's.' Samuel Gorton's land waaat the head of the cove. A portion of it still remains in possession of his descendants. The debris of an old dwelling destroyed many years ago may still be seen upon the estate, which was built at a period antedating the memory of any person now living. In November, 1663, the colony of Rhode Island for- mally adopted the Royal Charter granted by Charles 2d, which was obtained through the agency of the Rev. John Clarke.* In January, 1664-65, f Sir Robert Carr, George Cart- wright and Samuel Maverick arrived at Newport, autho- * Mr. Clarke was the founder and first pastor of the First Baptist Church at Newport. Knowles' Roger Williams, p. 238. "•^P'-'si' t In Old Style the year commenced on the 25th of March The cor- rection of the calender hy Pope Gregory, in 158,', was not 'adopted by 1663-67.] TOWN EECOKDS MUTILATED. 65 rized to act as the king's commissioners to regulate the offices of the several colonies of New England. The commission had been appointed in view of the com- plaints that had been received by the home government. The commissioners were favorably received, and in due time presented saveral propositions to the General As- sembly of Rhode Island, among which were the follow- ing : " It is his majesty's will and pleasure, 1. That all householders inhabiting this colony take the oath of allegiance, and that the administration of justice be in the king's name. 4. That all the laws and expressions in laws derogatory to his majesty, if any such have been made in these late troublous times, may be repealed, altered and taken off the files." In view of this last proposition, the town, by a special order, caused a portion of its records, containing its sub- mission to the Commonwealth under Cromwell, to be destroyed. The portion destroyed was the 13th and part of the 14th leaf, the latter containing the signatures of the settlers. A portion of the " submisi^ion " remains, with a majoritj^ of the signatures. On a vacant portion of the preceding page is the following entry : " This leafe was torn out by order of ye Towne the 29th of June, 1667, it being ye submition to ye stat of England with- out ye king's majesty, it being ye 13th page." The Indians under Pomham still continued to reside at Shawomet, and were a source of much trouble. Pomham lacked many of those nobler qualities which the British Parliament until 1751, when it was ordered that eleven days should be struck out of Septemher, 1752, and the third of that month was recorded the fourte-jnth. The latt«r mode of reckoning is called New Style, and the year then commenced on the first of Janu- ary. Before the year 1752, a confusion of dates was liable, it being difficult to determine whether January, February and a part of March closed one vear or began the next. Hence the mode of double dates as above, which is January, 1665, New Style. In order to find the day of the monthin New Style ciirresponding to a given day of any month in Old Style, consider the latter as eleven days in advance of the former. For instance, Jan. 1st, 1664, Old Style, corresponds to Jan. 12, 1665, New Style. *6 66 HISTOKY 01" WARWICK. [1663-67. distinguished several of the other sachems, and the time had now come when efforts were to be made for his removal. The settlers were not sufficiently powerful to reduce them to subjection, and the Assembly had been appealed to in vain to aiford them protection. The policy of both the town and State had been one of peace toward them as far as the nature of the case would per- mit. But matters had arrived at such a state that it was clearly seen that the habits of the two races were such that little hope could be entertained of their dwelling together without the constant and increasing danger of an outbreak that would lead to the total destruction of the one or the other race. The arrival of the king's commissioners afforded the settlers an opportunity to lay their grievances before them, which they accordingly did, and negotiations were soon entered into between them that promised speedy relief. These efforts, as we shall see, though not immediately resulting in their re- moval, prepared the way for it. Clouds Avere gathering over the colony, and a storm, fearful and destructive, was soon to break forth which would forever settle the con- troversy, sending destruction to the homes of the settlers and death or banishment to Pomham and his followers. The following order was issued : " Wee, by the power given us by the King's Commissioners, haveing heard the complaint of the towne of Warwicke, doe order and appoint that Pumham and the Indians with him shall plant their come this yeare upon the neck of land which they have so long detained from the said towne and that before the next planting time, he, and all the Indians with him shall re- move to some other place out of the King's Province provided for them by such as they have subjected themselves unto, or to some place appointed for them by Pessicus. We alsoe order and appoint, that as soone as they are ready to remove, and give notice to Mr. Gorton before they remove, the towne of Warwicke shall give unto the said Pumham twenty pound at eight penny; and if Pumham and those with him shall subject themselves to Pessicus, and that the said Pessicus provide a place for him, and them within the King's Province, then the town of Warwicke shall also give tenn pounds at eight a penny to Pessicus as a present. Given under our hands and seales at Warwicke April the 7th, 1665." The above is signed by the three commissioners. 1663-67.] EFrOETS TO REMOVE THE INDIANS. 67 The following deed of acquittance was signed by Cheesechamut, Nawshwahcowet and Assowawet, and duly witnessed by Sir Robert Carr and five of the War- wicke men : " Know all men by these presents, that I Cheesechamut eldest Sonne of Pumham having received of the gentlemen of Warwick the svimme of thirty pounds in peag at eight a penny and upon promise to receive tlie summe of ten pounds more in lilse pay of the said gentlemen, do hereby in the name, and on behalfe of my father and myselfe with the rest of our company, promise to depart from and quit that tract of land commonly called and known by the name of Warwicke neck, as also all the province now called the King's Province, formerly the Narragansett country, immediately on the receipt of the said summe of ten pounds ; and not at any time thereafter to re- turne to inliabit in the aforesaid place or places. • In witness whereof I the said Cheesechamut, have hereunto put my hand the 28th day of December, 1665, at Mr. Smith's trading house." The iforegoing, with a letter of Sir Robert Carr to Mr. Gorton and Capt. Holden ; a testimonial of five War- wick men that the ten pounds promised to Pumham had been delivered to him ; an order from Commissioner Carr for Pumham to remove ; one from the missionary John Elliot interceding in behalf of Pumham ; Sir Rob- ert's reply to Elliot ; Roger Williams' letter to Carr relating to the matter, and one of Carr to Lord Arling- ton relative to Pumham and Warwick affairs, were col- lected by Hon. John R. Bartlett, late Secretary of State, and may be found in R. I. CoL Rec. II. 132-8. Reference has already been made to the famous tax of six hundred pounds, levied in 1664, and apportioned among the several towns. William Harris, the assistant from Providence, was chief of the committee for its col- lection, and between him and some of the leaders in this town a sharp controversy existed because of the vigorous measures he had adopted in regard to the matter. Harris had previously occasioned so much trouble in the Assembly that he had been deposed from office, but in March, 1668-9, had been returned, and an Assembly order had been passed " that a pending indict- 68 HISTORY OF WAEWICK. [1663-67. ment should not prevent any general officer, fairly elected, from holding his office.'" The Newport mem- bers sustained Harris, and on the January preceding had sent a letter to Warwick, which called forth the follow- ing answer, which, as Mr. Arnold justly observes, " de- serves a place among the curiosities of legislation. The writing bears the date of March 25th, 1669. " Voted upon the reading of a letter directed to ' Mr. Ed- mund Calverly and Mr. John Greene and the rest of that fac- tion,' &c. desiring to be communicated to the honest inhabit- ants of Warwicke town, subscribed John Cranston to the end of the chapter, dated the 20th January, 1668, and finding the same doth not answer the town's letter to that part of the committee, &c., who reside at Newport, touching the rate; but is full of uncivil language. ****** Therefore the town unani- mously do condemn the same and think it not fit to be put amongst the records of the town, but do order that the clerk put in on a file where impertinent papers shall be for the future ; to the end that those persons who have not learned in the school of good manners how to speak to men in the language of sobriety (if they be sought for) may be there found." I have made dilgent inquiries respecting this " file," but have not been able to find it. It doubtless contained other curiosities, and among them the " pernissious" letter of Roger Williams. It was afterwards referred to, and received a still more vigor- ous title, which we forbear mentioning. The curious reader may find the title in the town records under date of Oct. 18, 1669, when a letter of William Harris was consigned to its keeping. Harris himself was warned the following month " not to enter the town without leave," and such was the feel- ing against him that had he done so the inhabitants would have put him upon the same file — metaphorically. At a meeting of the General Assembly, June 29, 1670, held in this town, a rate of three hundred pounds was ordered for an agent to England. Dr. John Clarke and Mr. John Greene were appointed " to bee agents jointly to be commissionated in the CoUonyes behalfe to goe to England to vindicate the said charter before his gratious majestye." * An error in the records assigns this session to New- port. But from the minutes of the Governor and mag- * E. I. Col. Eeo. II. 338-9. 1663-67.] DEPUTY GOVEEKOE GKEENB. 69 istrates of Newport, held the Friday previous, and those held the October following, it is evident the place was Warwick. Major John Greene, son of John, senior, married Ann Almy, daughter of William Almy, of Portsmouth. He held at differ- ent times the offices of General Recorder, General Attorney, and General Solicitor. In company with Ihe Rev. John Clarke, (a man whom the colony delighted to honor) he was appointed an agent to England to attend to important matters pertaining to the interests of the Colony. He was in office a considerable portion of his life, and from 1690 to 1700 was annually elected to the office of Deputy Governor. He had eleven children, Deborah, the eldest, was bom August 10, 1649, and Samuel, the youngest, January 30, 1670-1. The latter married the daughter of Benjamin Gorton, one of the sons of Samuel Gorton, senior. He lived at Apponaug, in a house torn down within the memory of persons now living. It stood in back of the house now owned and occupied by Samuel Greene, on the southwest cor- ner of the Centreville and Greenwich roads. A portion of the old timbers were used in the erection of the present house. In the old burial place at Occupasnetuxet, on tombstones still well preserved, may be seen the following inscriptions : Here lyeth the Here lyeth the body body of lohn Greene, Esq. of Ann ye wife of & late debt-=« Gover "^ Major lohn Greene he departed this life She deceased in the in ye 89th year of his age 82d year of her age DSTovem •>' ye 27th, 1708. May ye 6th, 1709. In June 1671, the town petitioned the General Assem- bly "to have the inhabitants and the lands of Mashanta- tat added to the town.* The petition was referred to the next meeting of the Assembly, but I find no subse- quent action taken in the matter. On the following October the sum of forty shillings was assessed upon the inhabitants of this place as its portion of the two hun- dred pounds levied upon the colony. Warwick at the same time had the sum of £22 15s. assessed as its portion. The following is a price list of certain articles at this period : " Pork 3d. or 2 1-2 cents per pound -. peas, 3s. 6d. or 29 1-2 cts. per bushel; wool 12d. or 8 cts. per pound; butter 6d. or 4 1-2 * Mashantatat was also written Moshanticut and Mashantatuok, and sometimes abbreviated to Shanticut and Shantic. It was situat- ed along the rivor of that name to the north of Natick and west of Oaklawn in the present town of Cranston. 70 HISTOKY OP -WAK-WTCK. [1663-67. cts. per pound; com 3s. or 25 cts. per bushel; oats 28. 3 J. or 28 1-2 cts. per bushel.* Forty shillings of the New England cur- rency was equivalent to thirty shillings English currency. In 1675 the severe conflict betvi^een the Indians and the several colonies of New England, generally known as Philip's war, broke out, sending desolation on every hand. Though the Rhode Island colony can hardly be said to have taken an active part in it, her geographical position caused her to suffer as much, if not more, than either of the other colonies. This town was destined to be one of the chief sufferers. With danger threatening them on every hand and without adequate means of pro- tection, the inhabitants sought safety in voluntary exile on the island of Aquidneck, where they remained for more than a year. Every house in the town, with the single exception of one built of stone, was destroyed, and all their improvements laid waste. It will not be neces- sary to trace the causes that led to the war or relate its details. Its general outlines may be given in order to obtain a fair understanding of the terror and danger to which the settlers were subjected. The storm had been gathering for several years. The relations between the Indians and whites had been grow- ing more and more unsatisfactory since the tragical death of Miantonomi. It was one of the traits of the Indian character never to forget an injury, and the death of the Narragansett chief at the instigation of the United Com- missioners seems never to have been forgiven. But this of itself would have been allowed to pass unrevenged, had there not been other causes that conspired to bring about the same result. The Narragansetts as a tribe were friendly to the settlers of the Rhode Island colony, and were only eventually brought into the conflict by the peculiar position in which they were placed, and by strong mfluences brought to bear upon them by the more warhke tribes to th e eastward. Philip,t the second * E. I. Col. Records. t Philip's Indian name was Pometacom or Metacomet HisEns- li.shname, Plii ip, by which he is now more generalTy known wis given bim at Plymouth Court about 1656 or accorrtlnJt^iwI^h ^ 1662. Morton's Memorial 286-7 and Drake, Book iii p. 6^ ^^^^^'^ "^ 1663-67.] KING PHILIP'S WAR. 71 son of Massasoit, sometimes called "the good old Massa- soit," was the chief of the Wampanoags, and had- his princip-al residence at Mt. Hope. His elder, brother Wamsutta, had succeeded his father as sachem, and had fallen under suspicion of the settlers in the neighboring colony, and pending some efforts on their part to learn his disposition toward them, had suddenly sickened and died. Philip succeeded his brother as sachem, and in 1671 the English at Plymouth suspecting him of plotting against them, summoned him before them. Philip at first denied the charge, but in view of the strong proofs brought against him he Jinally made a confession. How extensive were the preparations made at this time does not appear, or whether he contemplated a general up- rising of all the tribes that subsequently were brought into the alliance, it is impossible, perhaps, to determine. Sufficient was revealed to awaken the alarm of the col- onists, and lead them to take immediate and activeme as- ures for their protection. His hostile intention having been discovered, Philip was obliged to submit for the time being to the demands of Plymouth colony. With four of his chief counsellors he signed an act of submission, agreeing to give up all the arms in possession of his people into the hands of the Governor of Plymouth, to be kept as long as the government should see reason to hold them. Subse- quently a new exaction was made of him, requiring him to pay ^iOO in three years to the colony of Plymouth, and five wolves' heads annually thereafter, and neither to sell his lands or to make war without their consent. The agreement was submitted to only as a matter of ne- cessity, the alternative being immediate war. The wily chief, knowing that he was unpi'epared for such an al- ternative, submitted as patiently as possible, but his rest^ less, independent spirit was by no means subdued. He saw that the demands of the white men were becoming more and more severe upon his people. They would soon become the sole possessors of the soil and drive them from their territory, unless united and active 72 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1663-67. measures were taken to prevent it. They were becom- ing stronger day by day, while his people were becoming weaker. They who had been received in kindness ia the period of their weakness, had requited that kindness by severity when they had become strong. If they would recover their lost power, or retain what they still possessed, they must unite their forces for the destruction of the invaders of their soil. Such seem to have been the views of Philip in his attempts to consolidate the Indian forces previous to the actual breaking out of the war. The iollowing eloquent reply of Philip to Mr. John Borden, a friend of Philip, who tried to dissuade him from the contemplated war, copied from the Foster pa- pers, and given by Gov. Arnold, shows with what clear- ness his mind apprehended the state of affairs. " The English who came first to this country were but a handful of people, forlorn, poor, and distressed. My father was then sachem. He relieved their distresses in the most kind and hospitable manner. He gave them land to build and plant upon. He did all in his power to serve them. Others of their countrymen came and joined them. Their numbers rapidly increased. My father's counsellors became uneasy and alarmed lest, as they were possessed of fire arms, which was not the case of the Indians, they should finally undertake to give law to the Indians and take from them their country. They therefore ad- vised him to destroy them before they should become too strong and it should be too late. My father was also the father of the EngHsh. He represented to his counsellors and warriors that the English knew many sciences which the Indians did not that they improved and cultivated the earth, and raised cattle and fruits, and that there was sufficient room for both the Erjo-lish and the Indians. His advice prevailed. They concluded to^'^^ive victuals to the English. They flourished and increased. Ex- perience taught that the advice of my father's counsellors was right. By various means they got possession of a great part of his territory. But he still remained their friend till he died. My elder brother became sachem. They pretended to suspect "? ?^ """u '^^t'^S^^ ag^ii^st them. He was seized and confined, and thereby thrown into sickness and died. Soon after I be- came sachem they disarmed all my people. Thev tried mv people by their own laws, and assessed damages which they could not pay. Their land was taken. At len|th a line of di- vision was agreed upon between the English and mv neonle and I mjselt was to be responsible. Sometimes the cattle of 1663-67.] KING Philip's wae. 73 the English would come into the com fields of my people, for they did not make fences like the English. I must then be seized and eonfiaed till I sold another tract of my country for satisfaction of all damages and costs. Thus tract after tract is gone. But a small part of the dominion of my ancestors remains. I am determined not to live till I have no country." Negotiations between Philip and the other sachems were commenced, looting to a union of the different tribes, with the intention of commencing the war as soon as the necessary arrangements could be effected. The war was finally commenced, sooner than was intended. The first blood was shed on the 24th of June, 1675, "when eight, or nine of the English were slain in and about Swansy."* The next day other troops arrived and the whole were placed under commaad of Major Savage, who proceeded to the Indian country intending to break up the headquarters of Philip at Mt. Hope. But the In- dians had deserted the place, leaving the heads and hands of the slaughtered English stuck upon poles by the wayside. Philip had gone over to Pocasset, whither Church, who afterwards so distinguished himself, fol- lowed them. To prevent, if possible, the Narragansetts from joining the forces of Philip, commissioners were sent to them, and the Massachusetts troops followed to en- force the terms that might be dictated. They found the villages of Pomham deserted. He had joined the com- mon foe. A general war was now commenced, for a de- tailed account of which the reader is referred to Hub- bard's Indian Wars, (Church's History of Philip's War, etc. Only a few of the more important events can be noted in the present account. Hubbard, at the end of his narrative, says that eighteen houses were burned at Providence, June 23th, 167-5 and on the 29th of March following, fifty-four more. Arnold credits the latter but doubts the former statement. In July, 1676, Philip, accompanied by Weetamo, join- ed the Nipmucks who had also taken up arms against the English. Brookfield, Mass., was burnt. Hatfield, Had- * Hubbard's Narrative, p. 59. 7 74 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1663-67. ley, Deerfield, Northfield and Springfield were attacked, and many of the inhabitants killed and their houses de- stroyed. The Narragansetts received and gave shelter to ttie hostile Indians in violation of their compulsory treat} , but had not yet taken any active part iu the con- flict. It Mas feared that they would join the hostile In- dians in the spring, and the United Colonies resolved to send an army of a thousand men into their country. The Narragansetts were ordered to give up Philip's fol- lowers who had taken refuge among them. These ap- pear to have been chiefly women and children. The haughty reply of Canonchet, son and successor of Mian- tonomi, who remembered the sad fate of his father is worthy of record, displaying as it does the honorable spirit of the brave sachem : "Not a Wampanoag, nor the par- ing of a Wampanoag's nail shall be delivered up." Can- onchet, alias Nanuntehoo, "was heir to all his father's pride and insolency, as well as of his mahce against the Enghsh." The remark needs qualifying. The Narra- gansetts as a body, and especially its successive sachems, had ample reasons for a dislike to the Massachusetts col- ony. Their friendship for the colonists of Ehode Island was manifested in many ways, and doubtless would have been continued indefinitely but for the many unjust and oppressive acts of the other colonies, which had led them to doubt the integrity of the English generally. The reply of Canonchet caused all future attempts at reconciliation to be abandoned. A force of eleven hun- dred and thirty-five men was raised,f besides volunteers that joined it as it marched through Providence and this town. The whole army was under command of Gov. ^ Winslow, of Plymouth. Bull's garrison house at South Kingston was attacked in December, and fifteen persons were slain, only two escaping. On the next day, (Dec. 19,) the army were on the march to the place where the Indians had taken refuge in the middle of a swamp, where they were found * Arnold, i, 401. 1663-67.] pomham's wigwams bttrnbd. 76 strongly fortified. Here occurred the celebrated "Swamp" battle, which has been so minutely described by Church, who was one of the principal actors in it, and others, that it need not be related in detail. Eighty of the En- glish were slain and one hundred and fifty wounded. Captains Davenport, Gardner, Johnson, Gallop and Mar- shall were killed. The principal part of those wounded in the battle were afterwards carried to Rhode Island where they were taken care of until the greater part of them recovered. Eight of them died there.* Hutchin- son further states that when they left the fort they had about 210 dead and wounded. They left eight dead in the fort and brought twelve away with them. Within the enclosure or fort were some five hundred Indian wig- wams which were set on fire, in the flames of which per- ished not less than three hundred of the sick and wound- ed, the infant and aged. The entire loss of the Indians in killed, wounded and prisoners, was not less than one thousand, including those who perished in the burning wigwams. This was the principal battle of the war, al- though afterward there were several skirmishes, and many towns and villages were burned. On the 27th of December, Capt. Prentice was sent into this town, where he burnt nearly a hundred of Pomham's wigwams, but the Indians had departed. Pomham joined his fortunes with the other tribes, and was afterward killed near Dedham, Massachusetts, in an engagement.! At about the same time one of his sons was also taken prisoner, who, according to Hubbard, would have received some consideration from his captors on account of his prepossessing countenance, "had he not belonged to so bloody and barbarous an Indian as his father was." The injury inflicted upon the Indians by the destruc- tion of their wigwams was fully avenged on^the I7th of the following March, when a party of the natives fell upon the town and utterly destroyed it. Governor * Hutchinson, i, 301. t Judge Potter. 76 HISTORY or WAEWICK. [1663-67. Arnold says " the town was utterly destroyed, except one house built of stone, which could not be destroyed." The Old Stone Castle, a cut of which is given on this page, is from a pencil sketch, made under the direction of 1663-67.] DEATH OF JOHN WICKES. 77 persons who had intimate personal recollections of it, and pro- nounced by them to be a correct representation of the ancient structure. John Smith was a stone mason by trade, which ac- counts, in part, for the material ,of his domicil. He was President of the Colony at the time his house was being built. In 1652, he was chosen President of Providence and Warwick, the other two towns, Newport and Portsmouth, having with- drawn from the compact and set up for themselves. He died in the early part of the year 1664, being at the time Assistant for Warwick. Randall Holden was chosen to fill the vacancy occasioned by his death. He married, I think, a widow Sweet, and the estate went into the Sweet family, thence into the pos- session of Thomas Greene, youngest son of John Greene, Senior. The decendants of Thomas Greene, from this circum- stance, have been styled the " Stone Castle Greenes." Thomas Greene purchased a dwelling house on the opposite side of the road, and in 1795, had the old house demolished, which.he afterwards regretted. The materials were converted into the cellar wal.s of the dwelling that stands near the site of the old castle, and the walls upoQ the farm. It stood on the north side of the road leading from Old Warwick to Appo- naug. The old castle was doubtless regarded as a place of safety to which the inhabitants might fly in times of danger. In the old cemetery, a few rods from the house, were buried in separate graves the head and body of John Wickes, the only person in this town, who is known to have been slain in the Indian war, thus allowing the onlj' dwelling in town that sur- vived the Indian war, and the only man that was killed to re- main in close proximity for upwaids of a century. The estate is now owned by Mr. George Anthony. The following account of the death of John Wickes, is taken from Updike's Narraganset Church : "In relation to his death there is this tradition : That on the approach of danger, when garrisons had been provided and the inhabitants generally had repaired to them, he could not be persuaded that he required any protection against the natives. Prom his past experience of their uniform kindness and good- will towards him personally, he was slow to believe himself in danger, and to the oft-repeated admonitions of his friends to be more careful of his safety, his answer was that he had no fears of injury from the Indians — that they would not hurt him. With this mistaken confidence in their fidelity, he ven- tured beyond the protection of the garrisons; and going at evening into the woods in search of his cows, he did not return. His fate was first known to his friends on seeing his head set upon a pole near his own dwelling on the following morning. This they immediately— and before venturing in *7 78 HISTOEY OF WAEWICK. [1663-67. search of the body— buried near the stone garrisouand within a few rods of it. The body, which was found on the succeed- ing day, was interred beside the head, but in a distinct grave; and two little hillocks, which mark the spot are still shown as the grave of John Wickes." His dwelling house was on the corner leading to Eocky Point, nearly opposite the old Quaker Meeting House. It stood a short distance in the rear of the present residence of Mr. Thomas Wickes Gardiner. It was torn down about the year 1838. Thomas Wickes, a son of John, Senior, was a repre- sentative in the General Assembly for several years, and for more than twenty consecutive years (1715-1738), Assistant, a position corresponding to that of State Senator of the present day. He was Town Clerk from 171:^ to his death in 1742, with the exception of the year 1720. His descendants are numerous in the State. One of the Coweset farms, set oil in 1684, lying about a mile east of Rocky Hill School House, still remains in possession of his descendants, the present occupant being Mr. Oliver A. Wickes. April 4, 1676. Canonchet, the Narragansett sachem, was surprised and taken near Pawtucket or Blackstone river, where he and about thiity of his men had gone to get seed corn to j)lant their grounds. When first dis- covered he sought safety in flight, and was so hard pressed that he was obliged to throw off his blanket, which had been presented to him in Boston in October, and finally his belt of peage. He then took to the water, and accidentally " wet his gun, when, as he afterwards said, his heart and bowels turned within him so that he became void of strength as a rotten stick." Robert Stan- ton, the first Englishman that came up to him, beinp' about twenty- one years old, the sachem looked disdain^ fully upon his youthful face and saic in broken EngHsh, " You much child, no understand matters of war; let your brother or your chief come. Mm will I answer " He was offered his life if he would persuade the Narragansetts to submit, which he rejected, and said he wished " to hear no more about it." He was told that he must die then to which he bravely replied, " I Me it well. I shall die before my heart ^s soft, or I have said anything unworthy of myself" * Arnold says, « To insure the fidelity of * Hubtard. 1663-67.] DEATH OF KING PHILIP. 79 the friendly tribes by committing them to a deed that would forever deter the Narragansetts from seeking their alliance, it was arranged that each of them should take a part in his execution. Accordingly the Pequots shot him, the Mohegans cut off his head and quartered him, and the Niantics, who had joined the English, burned his body and sent his head as " a token of love and loy- alty to the Commissioners at Hartford."' Canonchet was the last great sachem of the Narra- gansetts and the chief supporter of Phillip, who was now left comparatively alone. If there was any more barbaro\is treatment of a prisoner of war in the annals of savage or civilized warfare upon this continent than that meted out to this brave enemy, by a professedly civilized and Christian people, we have failed to notice it. July 3. "The English army marched to the south, and sur- prised them in a cedar swamp near "Warwick. A great slaughter ensued. Magnus, the old queen of tlie Narragan- setts, a sister of Ninigret, was taken, and with ninety other captives was put to the sword. One hundred and seventy-one Indians fell in this massacre, without the loss of a single man of the English. Thence they scoured the country between Providence and Warwick, killing many more." "Capt. Church was commissioned by Gov. Winslow to pro- ceed with a volunteer force of two hundred men, chietly In- dians, to attack Philip in his retreats near Mount Hope. For several days they pursued the Indians from place to place, kill- ing many and taking a large number of prisoners, among whom were Philip's wife and only son." Philip was subsequently pursued into a swamp near Mt. Hope, where he was shot through the heart by Alderman, an Indian, whose brother Philip had indig- nantly slain because he had counselled him to sue for peace. Thus perished Metacomet, who had declared that he would not live until he had no. country. The same barbarous treatment that had been practiced upon the dead body of Canonchet, was followed upon that of Philip. The head was sent to Plymouth, where it re- mained set up on a pole for twenty years ; one hand was sent to Boston as a trophy, and the other was given to Alderman, who exhibited it for money. The body was 80 HISTOIIY OF WABWICK. [1663-67. quartered and hung upon four trees as a vivid illustra- tion of the barbarity of the age. Philip's chief coun- sellor, Anawon, escaped from the swamp with most of Philip's followers, but was a few days after captured by Capt. Church, who sent him alive to Plymouth, where he was shot. Most of the other captives who were at all conspicuous for their bravery or position met a simi- lar fate. Quinapin, a cousin of Canonchet, and next in command to him in the great swamp fight, with his brother was tried at Newport by a council of war, and shot. The young Metacomet, son of Philip, with many other captives, was sent to Spain and the West Indies, where they were sold as slaves. The war was now at an end. It had been the most fearful conflict that had ever visited the colonies, and such an one as was not to be repeated until a century had rolled away. No further resistance of any extent on the part of the Indians was made. But the besom of destruction had swept over the fair plantation of Warwick. Not only had the homes of its inhabitants been laid waste, but their bridges and other improve- ments had been all destroyed, and they themselves forced into exile for security. During the war they had found a temporary home at Newport, where they were kindly received and permitted to hold their town meetings for the choice of deputies and jurors, as formerly. 1667-1776.] RETURN OF THE SETTLERS. 81 CHAPTER V. From the close of the Indian War to the Declaration of Ameri- can Independence, July 4, 1776. The war being now over the people of Warwick in the spring of 1677 returned to their desolated homes, and with hearts undaunted commenced at once to repair their wasted heritage, and provide for ihemelves and those dependent upon them. In a temporal point of view, the conflict, notwithstanding the destructioa of their homes and improvements, was of real benefit to them. The great hindrance to their comfort, their security and progress had been essentially removed. The balance of power between them and the Indians was now in their favor. The Indians were now timid and suppliant, rather than bold and threatening. Pumham had been taken out of their way, and his followers, what few of them remained, were no longer to be feared. The broad domains of the settlers were comparatively without encumbrance. Sadly, as we must regard the causes that led to this superior position attained by the war, on the part of our towns- men, we cannot regard them otherwise than as resulting in their great benefit. That they had so little to do in bringing about the result is certainly no matter of regret. Two of their number, who were of the original twelve, John Wickes and Richard Carder, the latter having died during their sojourn at Newport, were no longer with them, and before the year closed, another and in some sense their chief, was called away. Samuel Gorton died between the 27th of November and the 82 HISTOEY OF WABWICK. [1667-1776. 10th of December, 1677. The following tribute to his memory by Gov. Arnold, is taken from the first volume of his able history of Rhode Island : "The death of Samuel Gorton, the founder of Warwick, which occurred at this time, should not be passed over in silence. He was one of the most remarkable men that ever lived. His career furnishes an apt illustration of the radical- ism in action, which may spring from ultra-consrrvatisra in theory. The turbulence of his earlier history was the result of a disregard for existing law, because it was not based upon what he held to be the only legitimate source of power — the assent of the supreme authority of England. He denied the right of the people to self-government, and contended for his views with the vigor of an unrivalled intellect, and the strength of an ungoverned passion. But when this point was conceded, by the securing of a patent, no man'was more sub- missive to delegated law. His astuteness of mind, and his Biblical learning, made him a formidable opponent of the Puritan hierarchy, while his ardent love of liberty, when it was once guaranteed, caused him to embrace with fervor the principles that gave origin to Rhode Island. He lived to a 'great age.' The time of his birth is not certainly known, and the precise day of his death is equally obscure. The exact spot, 'says his biographer,' where his ashes repose, is marked by no pious stone or monumental marble. Yet if without these honors, may it at least ever be their privilege to sleep beneath the green sward of a free State." The original purchase of Warwick from Miantinomi by the twelve settlers, was bounded on the north by a line running due west from Copessnetuxet cove twenty miles and on the south by a similar line beginning at the extreme point of Warwick neck. In breadth the terri- tory \vas about four and three-fourths miles, the whole containing about ninety-five square miles or more than 60,000 acres. Subsequently the town purchased through its appointed agents the strip of land, known as Poto- womet neck. The portion of territory lying in the northeast part of the present limits of the town, and north of the original purchase, was claimed by various parties, including the town of Warwick. We do not propose to enter into the details of this controversy, which was long and tedious, continuing about fifty years, and was settled finally by the Legislature in 1696, 1667-1776.] DIVISION OP LANDS. 83 making the Pawtuxet river the northern boundary as it exists at present. The difficulty grew oat of the differ- ent constructions put upon the deeds of purchasers from the original tenants of the soil, and from the vague and indefinite limits assigned in those deeds. The contro- versy occasioned much bitter feeling among the parties interested, and probably the life of one of its most active participators. William Harris was one of the Pawtuxet proprietors, and a persistent and formidable opponent to the Warwick claimants. He went to England four times during the progress of the matter, the last time the ship in which he sailed was taken by a Barbary Cor- sair, and both he and the rest of the passengers and crew were sold as slaves in the public market at Algiers. He remained in bondage for more than a year, when a ransom of twelve hundred dollars was paid and he was set at liberty. He finally arrived in London, sick and exhausted, and died three days afterwards." William Harris and Thomas Harris were brothers and settled in Providence about the time of Koger Williams, or perhaps a year later, William is the seventh named in lloger Williams' first deed. They had previously lived in Salem. His will which he executed previous to his last disastrous voyage is dated December 4, 1678. He had four children, viz.: Andrew, who married Mary Tew of Newport; Toleration, who was killed during the Indian war in 1675; Mary who married Thomas Borden, and Howlong who married Arthur Fenner. Thomas Harris had the following children: Thomas, who married Phebe Brown; Richard, Nicholas, William, Henry, Eleathan who married Nathaniel Brown, Joab, Amity, who married a Morse, Mary who married a Bernon, and Job. DIVISION OJF WARWICK LANDS. At the commencement of the settlement of the town in 1642, Warwick Neck was selected as the most appro- priate part of the town for the immediate abode of the settlers, and small portions of territory were annexed to each as a house lot, upon condition that dwelling houses should be built upon them within six months subsequent 84 HISTORY OF WAKWICK. [1667-1(76. to the date of such grants. To these home lots were added six acres of what became known as "the Four miles Commons" or the "Four miles Town," which ex- tended from "the head of the Neck" to Apponaug. Various grants were subsequently made of portions of this territory to individuals, and in some cases large tracts were set off and apportioned to the several inhabit- ants. Previous to the breaking out of Philip's war, from motives of prudence they had dwelt together at Old Warwick, where they could better protect themselves from the jealousy of thfe natives, and but little progress had been made in settling the regions beyond Apponaug. After the war had terminated a spirit of enterprise seemed to take possession of them, and they regarded themselves as now able to go up and possess the whole land. Before the close of the century nearly all the territory west of the Four mile Town was distributed among them. The limits assigned to this volume will not allow me to enter into all the details of these several divisions, if indeed the absence of records and plats in the Clerk's office, pertaining to these matters did not prevent it. From a somewhat careful and prolonged study of the material that T have been able to obtain I have concluded that only an im- perfect account of them can be obtained at the present time. Those divisions made within the present town of Coventrj'- which was set off in 1741 are here wholly omitted, others are merely referred to by extracts from the proprietors' records. The diagram on the opposite page is a reduced copy of an ancient plat of the Coweset farms now in possession of Mr. William Warner, of Old Warwick. On the mar- gin are the following statements : " A plat of the farms in the township of Cowesett as they were laid out by order of the proprietors thereof, the beginning of the year 1685 by John Smith, The lower small devisions are lotts laid out formerly, which lyeth In forme as they are delemated [designated ?] on the plat, but as to their de- vision in width is here omitted, but Length, 'Eight. A 1667-1776.] DIVISION OF LANDS. 86 14- ?TUKELYWE5TCDTT 13 FRANCIS WESTIIII.DRAnNIiY JAMES GREEN SEN'S. 10 RICHBRDCRRDER ■jnilNRREEN JUN'R RICHBRDWflTERMfln 12 RUFUSSftHTON n JOHN WICKES RnNDALLHOULDDH THEMftRK OF ■ P. s. , PHILIIP SWEET JHEMflRK OF JOHN I.S. SMITH JOHN GREEN SEN'R EZEKIELLHQLUMAN ROBERT POTTER JOHNSMITH TO ELIZA CDLLinS CHILDREN NRMLVELIZASmiLLlSM JOHN WARNER STEPHEN ARNOLD'S LAND 86 HISTORY or WAEWICK. [1667-1776. true copy taken from the originall plat this 26th of March, 1716, by me John Warner." * This tract is also known as the " Seventeen Farms " and included the territory bounded on the north by the present road leading from Apponaug to Centreville, on the east by Apponaug and Coweset Bay, on the south by Greenwich and on the wes't by the present town of Coventry, with the exception of 1500 acres in the north- east corner, which had previously been mortgaged to Stephen Arnold and was held by him at the time the plat was made. The lots of the middle division were assigned as fol- lows: The 1st to Rufus Barton ; 2d Ezekiel HoUiman; 3d Francis Weston ; 4th John Smith ; 5th Randall Hol- den ; 6th John Greene, senior; 7th John Smith — Sweet's; 8th John Smith ; 9th Henry Townsend ; 10th John Wickes ; 11th Stukely Westcott ; 12th John Greene, Jr; 13th Richard Carder ; 14th John Warner , 15th Richard Waterman ; 16th Robert Potter ; 17th Samuel Gorton. Those of the other divisions are given in the diagram. The lots of the larger division contained about 240 acres each. The following extracts from the proprietors' records, previous to the year 1685, refer to these tracts : Feb. 15, 1672. " We ye Purchasers of Mishaomet beeing met doe order and agree to go to a division of 30 acre lots more or less according to ye map, yt is to say ye four first Lots is to have an acre apis Layed out to them on ye front to ye see against the lotts; ye first Lot is granted to Mr. Gorton; ye sec- ond is granted to Capt. Holden ; ye third is granted to Capt. John Greene ; and ye rest according to lot as they shall be drawn; and all ye rest of ye lotts to have all ye land fronting on them to ye see according to ye map ; and all ye highways which are » John Warner was the clerk of the proprietors, and a practical sur- veyor. A portion of the proprietors' records of this period with original plats made by him of different sections of the town, by order of the proprietors, as also certified copies of former plats, besides other valu- able documents pertaining to the early history of the town, are now in possession of his great grandson William Warner, Esq., of Old War- wick, to whom the writer is under special obligation for their use in the preparation of these pages. Scarcely any of the old plats are in the possession of the town. 1667-1776.]' DIVISION OF LANDS. 87 in ye map to bee according to ye map which are [two words abbreviated and unintelligible] yelotes; and 2 high-wayes, one next ye see on ye front of all ye lots and on through ye midell of ye sayd lotts; ye lots to bee 160 polles in length or there- abouts and for ye breadth according to what proportion they will bear; all ye said lots to be equally laid out; all ye highways to bee six pole wied. Also it is agreed upon by us yt ye land on ye east side of ye highway of ye four first lotts is reserved to ye seventeen purchasers' to bee divided equally amongst them by lot; only Mr. Gorton is to have his 17 part layed out to his land already granted to him, and to which wee doe all set our hands." The above signed Ly fifteen of the purchasers. The following is under date of November 27, 1672, and signed by -fourteen purchasers : " We the purchasers doe agree and determine to lay out for a plantation, beginning at Apponake brooke, where the foot path goes over the brooke, bounding on the sea on the front, and extends itself e unto ye south lyne of ye grand Purchase; and from each bounder aforesaid, dew west upp in the coun- try unto ye west end of ye Grand purchase; and we doe apoint that fronting on the sea aforesaid bee laid out seventeen shares or lotts and to each purchase share. And that each purchaser hath liberty too make three inhabitants besides himself out of his proportion, but not to exceed, which will be sixty-eight in all, and that high^rays and other conveniences," etc. The purchasers'being met this 10th day of December, 1677, and two of their trustees being taken away by death viz., Mr. Samuel Gorton, sener and Mr John Wickes, sener, they have unanimously chosen Mr. Samuel Gorton and Mr. Benjamin Barton trustees to supply their places; and for as much as Capt. Randall Houlden and Capt. John Greene are chosen our Agents or Aturney to manage our appeall maid to his majesty, wee doe give power to them to morgage fifteen hundred acres of Land on the north sid of the plantation of Coweeset, begin- ning at the see side at Aponake, unto Mr. Stephen Arnold of Pawtuxet for one hundred pounds in silver money, after the Rate of eight per sent for the end premised. By the Purchasers, JOHK POTTEK, Glork." THE WECOCHACONET FARMS. The first act of the purchasers in reference to these farms appears to have been under the date of March 25, 88 HISTOEY OF WARWICK. [1667-1776. 1673, when 4200 acres were set apart for ten of their number, one half of which tract subsequently became known as the "Wecochaconet farms '" and the other half as the " Natick lands;" under the above date is the fol- lowing record : " For ye farms fronting on ye towne commons as they are this day determined ; from Warwick township at ye west end thereof to be laid out westward and a square as near as may be. It is further agreed thRt Mr. Samuel Gorton, Senior, Mr. Ran- dall Holden, Stukely Westcott, John Potter and Elyza Collins for one of his shares, shall have the other 2100 acres laid out to them [words illegible] Coesset Township and Pawtuxet river aforesaid, fronting on Warwick Township: thence due west, and this to be their full proportion for their shares in ye towne lands, videlesett: five shares and they are to enter and possess at their own charge and thereby are excused of any other charge with the rest in the tract of farm lands." The Wecochaconet farms or Wecochankuyack as the name is spelt on a copy of the original plat made by John Warner bearing date the 21st of December, 1721, were five in number and were surveyed and platted by Joseph Carder. The plat bears the date of May 14, 1692. These farms were sometimes referred to as the four hundred acre farms. The easterly line began at Apponaug and ran in a straight course until it came to a point on the Pawtuxet river near where the Shanticut brook empties into said river. The line had it been pro- duced would have touched the mouth of the Shanticut. In the bend of the Pawtuxet river at the mouth of the Shanticut there appears to be a narrow strip of land along the west bank of the river that was not included, or if included not divided. This easterly line was also the western bounds of Old Warwick. The southerly line was the road leading from Apponaug to Centreville and formed the division line between them and the Cow- eset farms. The Pawtuxet river formed the north boundary with the possible exception above referred to until it reached the forks of the river, at River Point, when the south branch continued the boundary for a short distance. Included in the plat between the forks 1667-1776.] DIVISION OF LANDS. 89 of the river or west side and bordering upon it was a tract of seventeen acres, and twelve rods, which was left undivided. The westerly line, according to the Proprie- tors' order of March "25, 1673, was the south branch of the Pawtuxet river. But when the tract was surveyed and platted in 1692, the west line in order to include only 2100 acres left the ^outh branch of the river near the present upper village of River Point. There M-as consequently about one hundred acres not included in this grant lying between its west line and the river. These five farms were assigned as follows : the 1st bor- dering on the road leading from Apponaug to Centre- ville its whole distance, to Samuel Gorton ; the 2d to John Potter ; the 3d to John Smith ; the 4th to Stukely Westcott and the 5th, which had the river boundary for several miles, to Randall Holden. THE NATICK LANDS. The grant of these lands was made also on March 25, 1673. The grantees were John Greene, Senior, Richard Carder, Johu Warner, Benjamin Barton and John Wickes, Jr., in behalf of Henry Townsend, and the tract received was 2,100 acres. The diflrict assigned them was bounded easterly on Moshanticut brook, southerly on Pawtuxet river, northerly on the north line of Warwick purchase, and as far westerly as was neces- sary to complete the purchase. The tract was subse- quently divided into separate shares. Further reference is made to this grant in connection with the account of Natick on a subsequent page. On the same day the grants of the Wecochaconet and Natick tracts were made, a further division of a portion of the undivided lands lying in the present town of Coventry, was made in favor of seven of the proprietors, which became known as the "Seven Men's Farms." Some difSculty in reference to the boundaries of those several grants having occurred, the following agree- ment and decision were made : *8 90 HISTORX OF WARWICK. [1667-1776. "Whereas, there hath of late a difference arisen between us whose names are hereunto subscribed, about the departure of the dividing line betwixt Coweset township, so called, and the farms of Wecochaconet, Natick, and the Seven Men's Farms, so called. And we all of us considering the inconvenience of the abovesaid premises, therefore in regard to a loving agree- ment and good neighborhood for the future, and hindering chargeable and vexatious suits which may arise, have unani- mously agreed as folio weth: That all the divisions and lines run by John Smith. Joseph Carder and Eobert Hazard, sur- veyors in said plantation, shall stand and remain unalterable so far as the upper part of the great meadow above the saw mill, so called, and already laid out. And further we do agree to make choice of either three or five judicious men to consider and determine the departure of the abovesaid lines in contro- versy, and in case there be alteration of the line from the place where it was already begun, then restitution to be made to the grieved persons, acre for acre, to the westward of the great meadow abovesaid, and the line of the said restitution, if any, be to run parallel with the north and south lines of the purchase to the head thereof. And the above arbitration to be finished between this and the twenty-third day of October, next ensuing. And further we do agree to enter into sufficient bonds to stand to the award of the above arbitration, and in testimony hereof we have hereunto set our hands this 31st day of August, 1706. John Waterman, Eandall Eice, Thomas Collins, Benjamin Barton, The mark of • James Greene", Jonathan + Hill, Eandall Holden, Thomas Wickes, Eichard Greene, Eobert Potter, in behalf of his father, Peter Greene, son of Maior John Greene, James Greene, deceased, John Warner, John Eice, Thomas Greene, Jabez Greene, James Carder, The mark of Peter Greene Mark -I- Eoberts, Philip Sweet,' Samuel Stafford, in behalf of Job Greene, for Gideon Freeborne, John Carr, John Greene, son of James Briggs. James Greene, deceased, The foregoing persons gave bonds severally in the sum of i;500 to abide by the decision of the arbitrators. Capt. Joseph Jenks, Capt. Samuel Wilkinson, and Mr. Gideon Crawford, who, after examining the premises snd 1667-1776.] HIGHWAY ESTABLISHED. 91 hearing the parties interested, confirmed the lines run by- John Smith. The highway running from Apponaug to Centreville was the subject of some contention as early as 1734. On the first of September of that year the town ap- pointed a committee, consisting of Moses Lippitt, Capt. Thomas Rice and Jonathan Whitman, to " inspect " the same, and " to agree with Philip Arnold, Samuel Greene and all others that border on said way, to exchange land with them to accommodate said way." The committee, on the 24th of November, 1735, reported that they had attended to the work assigned them, and presented a plat of the road, which " was accepted and put to record." The decision was not satisfactory, to all the parties interested, and on the 8th of August, 1738, it was " voted that ye Town Council forthwith summon a jury of 12 or more men to revise the highway that leads from Apponage between ye farms of Wecochaconet and Coweset, so far west as the head of Coweset farms ex- tends, and in case they can find no old way to run out a new one." This jury made their report Oct 18, 1738, which is as follows : "We the subscribers being appointed by the Town Council, being appointed as jurors to Inspect into ye Premises, and to Eevise ye bounds of a highway between ye lands of Wecocha- conet and Coweset, according to ye former bounds and plat, and by what Information we could find, we find that a line from ye red oak tree that stands oposit from Philip Arnolds norlhwest corner on the north side of ye highway that already laid out by Moses Lippit, Thomas Rice and John Whitman, is six degrees and scant half, north, which we conclude to be ye north side of said way that leads to ye head of said farms." Among the old lists of proprietors or early inhabitants of the town, is one entitled, "A List of ye Draft of ye Last Devision Drawn May ye 21st, 1748." This list was subsequently copied, (but at what date does not appear,) and the owners of the lots at the time it was copied is also given. The copy was probably made by John Warner, then clerk of the proprietors. It is given here in order to preserve the names of the inhabitants 92 HISTOBT OF WABWICK, [1667-1776. of the town at that time, of ye o Riginol Rights — the fore mils Commons : " " A list of the originell propri- etors' names of the township of Warwicke: The copy is entitled, "A list and ye now oners of Samuel Gorton, 39 John Wickes, 41 Eandall Ilolden, 43 Kichard Carder, ■2S Eobert Polter, 09 John Greene, Sen'r, 35 John Warner, 21 francis "Weston, 11 Eichard Waterman, 31 John More, 26 Eufus Barton," 47 Henry townsend. 8 Christopher Unthank, 50 Ezekiel Holliman, 46 John Lippitt, Sen'r, 18 Eichard Townsend, 19 Peter Greece, 32 Tho. Thornicraft, 16 James Greene, 23 tho. Greene, 49 Stukely Westcott, 22 John ^mith, 6 Joha Smith, 14 Nicholas hart. 7 Walter Todd, 10 John Cooke, 25 John Greene, Jr., 1 JEi,obert Westcott, 42 John Sweet, 27 John Townsend, 30 Peier Buzigut, 24 John Downing, 36 Edward Inman, 13 James Sweet, 2 Thomas Errington, 44 Amos Westcott, 4 John Hay don. 33 " The names of the now pro- prietors, as near as I can find out: Sam'l & Hezekiah Gorton, John Wickes, Eandall Holden, John Carder, John Warner, Peter Greene, John Warner, Amos Stafford, J 'hn Warner & Eandall Hold'n, Job Greene, Eufus & Benjamin Barton, John Holden & Benj. Greene, John Holden, John Warner, Moses Lippitt, John Low, Junior, William, Elisha, & Barlo Greene, Amos Lockwood & Samuell peirce, Fones Greene, Benjamin Greene, Zorubabel Westcott, Thankful Collins, Eobert V\ estgate, & tippitts, Nathaniel Greene's children, John Wilkes & Geo. Westgate, John Knowles, Stephen Low, Sam'll Greene, Abraham* Amos Lockwood, Moses Lippitt, John Low & John Stafford, John Warner, John Low & William Utter, John Greene, son of Eichard Greene, Eichard Greene, Benjamin Greene, Benony Waterman, Amos Staflbrd, 1667-1776.] NEW eJiTEEPEISES. 93 Mrs. Holmes, William burton, Thomas Hedger, Sen'r, Joseph Howai'd, William Eaton, Peter Buzigut tenement, Tho: Scranton, Sen'r, John Coles, John Gorton, Ben : Gorton, Francis Gizbon, the Mill owners, the tenement on Conimicut, 3'2 Walter Todd, second grant, 15 12 40 29 45 20 48 5 34 3 17 38 51 George Hazzard, Jr., Benj. Gorton & Wm. Greene, John Carder, John Budlong, Anthony Low, John Kiee, Amos Stafford. John Lippitt. &'Ben: Greene, Edward Gorton, Tho: Stafford, Geo. Hazard, Jr., Tho: Stafford, Philip, Stephen, & Ephraim Arnold, Moses Lippitt & Joseph Staf- ford." The spirit of enterprise on the part of the inhabitants of this town after the close of the Indian war, mani- fested itself not only in dividing the lands of the Grand Purchase among themselves, but in developing their re- sources. The water power of the rivers was brought into requisition to furnish them lumber; grist mills were established in various places, and there were rude be- ginnings of manufacturing various articles needful for the comfort of the people. The old saw mill on Tuska- tucket brook failed to furnish the amount, of lumber demanded by the increasing necessities of the people, and the timber lands in its vicinity were insuiEcient for their purposes. Farther up in " the woods," as the in- habitants were wont to term the present location of the thriving manufacturing villages, there was ample water power and a larger and better supply of lumber material. Hence their interest naturally drew them away from the quietude of Shawomet, and led them to establish saw mills on the banks of the Pawtuxet. A grant was made at a meeting of the Proprietors of the town on the 18th of January, 1677, to Henry Wood, John Smith, John Greene and John Warner, as an encouragement to them to " build a house at our plantation of Coweset, and a saw mill on ye fresh river in ye township, being ye south branch yt runs towards Pawtuxet." The grant con- sisted of one acre for the mill site, two acres for the in- 94 HISTORY OF«WAEWICK. [1667-1776. dividual use of each of those persons, adjoining ; and one hundred acres on the west side of the river for the use of the company. Certain conditions were annexed to the grant of easy fulfilment, and liberty was granted to cut the standing timber over a large space of territory in the vicinity. Provisions were mfide that when the lands on the west side should be divided among the in- habitants, " so much shall be abated out of their pro- portion as ye said one hundred acres is out of their share or shares." The sense of security resulting from the enfeebled condition of the natives gradually increased by acces- sions to their own number with the prospect of stiU greater security as time advanced.* And during this time the natives had been steadily decreasing in number. It is a law in political economy that " industry will be applied to capital as every man enjoys the advantages of his labor and his capital."! If he is in doubt whether his labor will be rewarded, bis efforts will be feeble. If he feels secure in his possessions and is reasonably certain that the expenditure of toil will result to his advantage there is inducement to labor freely. Heretofore the settlers were in doubt in these matters. They were harrassed upon every side, and there was little encour- agement to extend their efforts beyond the immediate precincts of their homes at Shawomet. The relation of supply and demand in any community is such that the demand for any article usually pro- duces it. An enlightened community soon find that all its members are not best employed in any given production, * Population of Warwick from 1708 to the present time: Year 170S. 1730. 1755. 1774. 1800. 1820. 1840. 1860. 1870. 1875. Pop.... 480 1,178 1,911 2,438 2,532 3,643 6,72(5 8,916 10,453 11,614 Coventry was set off in 1741, and has now a population of 4,580, which gives a total of 16,194, as the population of the territory formerly in- cluded in the town of Warwick. The number of families in this town in 1774 was 353. The names of the men at the head of these several families, may be found in the census of that date, arranged and published in 1858, bv Hon John R Bartlctt. t Wayland's Political Economy. 1667-177C.] FULLING MILL AT APPONAUG. 95 and hence arises the principle of a division of labor. Some will till the soil, others will grind the corn ; some engage in one department of toil and others in another, according as the one or the other form or kind of labor promises them the greatest reward, or is best suited to their inclinations. If a community is destitute of the kind of labor it needs, and there is sufficient demand for it, there is usually some one to supply it. Hence we find, at an early period in the history of the town, when the supply of wearing apparel of the quality de- manded was insufficient from the ordinary methods of production to meet the wants of the inhabitants, a skilled laborer from abroad found it for his advantage to come among them, and the inhabitants deemed it for their aglvantage to receive him. This led to the estab- lishment of a Fulling Mill at the village of Apponaug. The following are the acts of the Proprietors in refer- ence to this matter : April 28, 1696. "Moses Lippit, James Greene, James Carder and Eandall Holden are appointed to go with Mr. Micarter to Aponake, and to view a place desired by him to set up a fulling mill; and to see what accommodation they judge may be al- lowed to it, and so make report to the town at the next meet- ing." June 6th, 1696. "These presents declare and testify that John Micarter, of the town of Providence in the colony of Khode Island and Providence Plantations, having made appli- cation by way of petition to this town of Warwick, desiring leave and liberty for the building and setting up a fulling mill upon a small river at the place called and known by the name of Aponake, also, some convenient accommodations for the abode and residence of himself and family. The town having considered the premises have granted his request allways with this proviso, that the said fulling mill shall be finished and completed, fit to do the town service at or before the first day of May, which will be in the year 1697. And that the said John Micarter shall always be ready to do the towne's work upon as reasonable terms as they can have it done ersewhere in States about us, upon those considerations the town hath granted him' one acre and a half of land, situate and being be- tween two wading places, the uppermost being the foot-way, the lowermost the horse-way; as also, allowed liberty for digging a trench at the entrance of Kekamewit brooke to 96 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1667-1776. raise it sufficiently, which done will make a small island, which he may also make use of; an'l hath also liberty without and besides the bounds appointed him to "dry cloth upon the common; also privileges tipon the common for fuel or Are wood necessary, and privileges for ten head of cattle to feed on the common ; moreover seventeen acres of land or there- abouts, eastward from Eobert Potter's farm, ranging easterly towards Coweset pond," &c. "N'ot withstanding the town do reserve the liberty to themselves if they see Cause to set up a town mill upon the same river," &c. ''Said John Micarter hath liberty to raise Coweset pond two feet if occasion be for it," &c. Aug. 3, 1741. The west end of the town was set off and incorporated into a township to be known as Cov- entry. The following is the report of Daniel Abbott, John Potter and Thomas Spencer, the committee ap- pointed to make the division; which report was accepted: "We having met in said Warwick on the 24th 'day of August, last past, and proceeded to run said line, beginning at the westermost part of the Coweset Farms, in said "Warwick, and from thence ran one line south seven degrees west, until we came to the north bounds of East f h-eenwich aud the south bounds of said Warwick, where we made a Ijrge heap of stones, making several heaps of stones in the said lines, and marking several trees in said line, with the letter W, on the east, and the letter C, on the west; then beginning at the first mentioned bounds and run north seven degrees east, until we came to the north bounds of said Warwick and the south bounds of Providence, making a large heap of stones on the east end of a rock, in said bounds, and made several heaps of stones and marked several trees in said line, as aforesaid; the which we now make as our return for the fixed and certain bounds between the aforesaid town of Warwick and the afore- said town of Coventry; and that the said town of Coventry be bounded east on the town of Warwick, south on East and West Greenwich, west on the line that divides the Colony of Rhode Island, &c., and the Colony of Connecticut, and north on the south bounds of the towns of Providence and Scituate." By this act sixty and three-fifths square mile's of terri- tory were cut off from the town of Warwick to form the new town, leaving forty-three and one-tenth square miles. These are the present areas of the two towns. William Greene of this town having served as Deputy Governor for the three preceding years was elected in 1667-1776.] KENT COUNTY OEGANIZBD. 97 1743 to the office of Governor, holding the office nearly eleven years, between 1743 and 1758, dying in office on January 23d of the latter year, aged 61 years. He was the grandson of Deputy Governor John Greene. Ot the governors under the royal charter he was the eighth who had died in office, two of them having deceased the same year. Their names were Benedict Arnold, June 20th, 1678 ; William Coddington, Nov. 1st, 1678 ; John Cran- ston, March 12th, 1680 ; Caleb Carr, Dec. 17th, 1695 ; Samuel Cranston, April 26th, 1727 ; William Wanton, Dec. 1733 ; John Wanton, July 5th, 1740 ; Wm. Greene, January 23d, 1758. During the period of Gov. Greene's administration the continent of Europe was in a state of the greatest commotion, occasioned by the Spanish war and its com- plications. " The whole continent was in arms, and bat- tles by sea and by land as fruitless as they were cet andmi'St respeciable merchants, of the situation of the Gaspee. He immediately cuncluded that she would remain * Dea. Pardi.n Spencer relates an anecdote of one of the fishermen living on the Pawcatnck river about this time. It appears that the fislierrnan with his "smack" ventured down the river and was over- hauled by one of the guard boats of a war vessel stationed near its mouth. After being detained awhile, the fisherman was released, but not until his jiatiioiisiu and indignation had reached a considorable height. On departing he exclaimed;— " Only^ let uie catch thatman- o'- war up the Pavvcatuck river ami we'll see what will become of her." It did ni.t occur to him, that a "man of war" might possibly find other diiiiculties in navigating the Pawcatuck than those he had in mind. •9 102 HISTORY OP WARWICK. [1667-1776. immovable till after midnight, and that now an opportunity offered of putting an end to the trouble and vexation she daily caused. Mr. Brown immediately resolved on her destruction, and he forthwith directed one of his trusty shipmasters to col- lect eight of the largest long boats in the harbor, with five oars each, to have the oars and oar locks muffled to prevent noise, and to place them at Fenner's wharf, directly opposite the dwelling of Mr. James Sabin, who kept a house of board and entertainment for gentlemen, being the same house purchased a few years later by Welcome Arnold, one of our enterprising merchants, and is now owned by, and is the residence of Col. Eichard J. Arnold, his son. About ihe time of the shutting of the shops, soon after sun- set, a man passed along the Main street, beating a drum and informing the inhabitants of the fact, that the Gaspee was aground on Namcut Point, and wpuld not float oif until three o'clock the next morning, and inviting those persons who felt a disposition to go and destroy that troublesome vessel, to repair in the evening to Mr. James Sabin's house. About 9 o'clock I took my father's gun and my powder horn and bullets and went to Mr. Sabin's house, and found the south-east room full of people, when I loaded my gun, and all remained there till about 10 o'clock, some casting bullets in the kitchen and others making arrangements for departure ; when orders were given to cross the street to Tenner's wharf and embark, which soon took place, and a sea captain acted as steersman of each boat, of whom I recollect Capt. Abraham Whipple, Capt. John B. Hopkins (with whom I embarked), and Capt. Benjamin Dunn. A line from right to left was soon formed, with Capt. Whipple on the right, and Captain Hopkins on the right of the left wing. The party thus proceuded till within about sixty yards of the Gaspee, when a sentinel hailed, "Who comes there?" No answer. He hailed again and no answer. In about a minute Duddingston mounted the starboard gunwale in his shirt and hailed, "Who comes there? " No answer. He hailed again, when Capt. Whipple answered as follows: " I am the sheriff of the county of Kent * * * ; I have got a warrant to apprehend you * * * ; so surrender * * * ." I took my seat on the main thwart near the larboard row-lock, with my gun by my right side and facing forwards. As soon as Duddingston began to hail, Joseph Bucklin, who was standing on the main thwart said to me, " Eph, reach me your gun, I can kill that fellow?" 1 reached it to him accordingly, when, during Capt. Whipple's replying, Bucklin fired and Duddingston fell, and Bucklin exclaimed : " I.have killed the rascal ! " In less than a minute after Capt. Whipple's answer, the boats were along- side of the Gaspee, and she was boarded without opposition. The men on deck retreated below, as Duddingston entered the 1667-1776.] THE GASPEE PARTY. 103 cabin. As it was discovered that he was wounded, John Maw- ney, .who had for two or three years been studying physic and surgery, was ordered to go into the cabin and dress Dudding- ston's wound and I was directed to assist him. On examination it was found that the ball took effect about five inches directly be- low the navel. Duddingston called for Mr. Dickinson to produce bandages and other necessaries, for dressing the wound, and when finished, orders were given to the schooner's company to collect their clothing and every thing that belonged to them, and put them into the boats, as all of them were to be sent ashore. All were soon collected and put on board the boats, including one of our boats. They departed and landed Dud- dingston at the old still-house wharf at Pawtuxet, and put the chief into the house of Joseph Rhodes.* Soon after all the party were ordered to depart, leaving one boat for the leaders of the expedition, who soon set the vessel on fire, which con- sumed her to the water's edge. The names of the most conspicuous of the party are, Mr. John Brown, Capt. Abraham Whipple,! John B.Hopkins, Ben- jamin Dunn, and five others whose names I have forgotten, and John Mawney, Benjamin Page, Joseph Bucklin and Turpin Smith, my youtliful companions, all of whom are dead, I believe every man of the party excepting myself ; and my age is eighty- six, this twenty-ninth day of August, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine. " The bold enterprise excited much interest and the news' spread like a prairie fire in all directions. A court of inquiry was instituted, and it was proposed to send the offenders to England for trial, if they could be caught. But like the tea party of Boston harbor, the secret was kept as closely as those of a Freemason's Lodge until it was too late to punish the offenders. It undoubtedly tended to hasten the separation of the colonies from the mother country and bring on the storm that was soon to break forth in fury over the land. * Judge William Carder, of Pawtuxet, writes me that the Old Still House wharf was situated on what is now known as "Still House Cove" on th-j Cranston side. That Joseph Rhodes hved on Still House Lane, now Ocean .street, about twenty rods westerly of the old Still House and wharf, and was found drowned in one of the tanks In said Still bouse, several years after the destruction of the Gaspee. t Subsequently Capt. Wallace of his majesty's frigate, Rose, wrote to Whipple as follows: "You, Abraham Whipple, on the 10th of June, 1772, burned his majesty's vessel, thu Gaspee, and I will hang you at the yard arm: James Wallace." To which Whipple replied, more curt than courteous, " To Sir James Wallace, Sir.— Always catch a man before ye hang him, Abraham Whipple," Arnold, vol. ii. p. 351, note. 104 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1667-1776. In September, 1774, quite a serious affair, that as- sumed the form of a riot occurred at East Greenwich, occasioned by a number of the inhabitants of the town having hung one of the Warwick inhabitants in e&gj. Judge Stephen Arnold, of Warwick, »vas the_ person that had awakened the opposition of a considerable number of persons and led to this manifestation of con- tempt on the part of our neighbors of East Greenwich, He was a Judge of Common Pleas, and had been charged with Tory principles, though it hardly appears from the records that he was guilty. He made a violent opposi- tion to some politicians, and denounced some of the leaders with so much asperity that his opponents took this method of revenge. Arnold appears to have been much incensed at this method of retaliation, and influ- enced a large number of his sympathizers, who finally went to East Greenwich, and threatened to destroy the village.* Deputy Governor Sessions ordered the Cadets and Light Infantry to Greenwich to support the Sheriff. Governor Greene, f who was cousin to Judge Arnold, and who resided on the old Greene homestead in Warwick, near Greenwich, recommended moderate measures, and interceded in Arnold's behalf The parley that was held resulted in Judge Arnold's making a written con- fession of his wrong in encouraging the riot, while he maintained his right to express himself freely upon all matters. In this confession, which he publicly read at the time, "he declared himself opposed to the scheme for taxing the colonies by Great Britain." Judge Arnold was several times elected subsequently, to im- portant offices, and the cloud that had unfortunately gathered over him soon passed away. He is represented as "a tall, slim man," active in his habits, social and somewhat eccentric. He was a descendant of the Pawtuxet Arnolds, and born Sept. 3, 1732. His father was Philip, son of Stephen, and grandson of * See Arnold's Hist. Vol. II, 341. R. I. Col. Eec. Vol. IX, pp. 623-4. t The mother of the Governor, was Catherine, second daughter of Capt. Benjamin Greene, and the mother of Judge Arnold, was Susanna, Mrs. Greene's eldest sister. Capt. Greene was son of Thomas and grandson of John Greene, Senior.— J/c. Rousmaniere' s Pawtuxet Letters. 1667-1776.] JUDGE STEPHEN ARNOLD. 105 Stephen, and great grandson of William, the first of the family in this State. At a town meeting held Jan. 11, 1768, of which Judge Philip Greene was moderator, a committee, con- sisting of Col. Benjamin Waterman, James Rhodes, Capt. Benjamin Greene, Stephen Arnold, Thomas Wickes, Thomas Rice, Jr , and John Warner, Jr., was appointed to draft resolu- tions adverse to the importation of goods from England, and favorable to the development of home manufactures. He was then a young man, and gave promise of much influence and usefulness, which was afterwards fulfilled. Stephen Arnold, of Pawtuxet, his grandfather, was one of the largest land- holders in the town. Judge Arnold married Ann, daughter of Capt. Josiah Haynes, June 16, 1751. He was married several times. One of his daughters, Elizabeth, married Christopher A. Whitman, of Coventry, who was for some years President of the Coventry Bank. While in conversation about the New London turnpike passing through the lands of his son, he fell dead in the road near the Methodist parsonage in Centreville, May 19, 1816, in the 84th year of his age. Two of his sons came to their end in the same suddeu manner not long after- wards — Benedict, while riding to Apponaug, dropped dead from his horse, and his oldest son dropped from his chair and expired just after he had eaten a hearty dinner. 106 HISTOKY OF WAKWICK. [1776-1800. CHAPTER VI. From the Breaking out of the Revolutionary War to the year 1800. Though the town of Warwick was no more interested in or aifected by the war of the Revolution than some of the other towns of the State, it happily fell to its lot to furnish several men who became conspicuous during the time, both in the councils of State and in the field. The notes of preparation for the coming confhct were heard from many quarters. Military organizations were being formed all over the country previous to the actual outbreak of hostilities. At the October session of 1774, the General Assembly granted a charter to the Pawtuxet Rangers ; also one to the Kentish Guards, an independent company for the three towns of Warwick, East Greenwich and Coventry, from which at a later day were to be taken Gen. James Mitchel Varnum, Gen. Nathaniel Greene and Col. Christopher Greene, with others of less note. The news of the battle of Lexington, on the i9th of April, 1775, aroused the patriotic spirit of Rhode Island to a still higher point, and three days after the battle of Lexington, the Assem- bly met at Providence, and " Voted and resolved that fifteen hundred men be enlisted, raised and embodied as aforesaid, with all the expedition and despatch that the thing will admit of." This army was designed especially as an army of observation, with its quarters in this State, " and also if it be necessary, for the safety and preservation of any of the Colonies, to march out of this Colony, and join and cooperate with the forces of 1776-1800.] GEN. NATHANIEL GREENE. 107 the neighboring Colonies." It was subsequently formed into one brigade under the command of a Brigadier General, and the brigade was divided into three regi- ments, each of which was to be commanded by one Colonel, one Lieutenant Colonel and one Major, \yhile each regiment was to consist of eight companies. Na- thaniel Greene was chosen the Brigadier General.* The following is the commission signed by Henry Ward, Secretary of the Colonj% who was " authorized and fully empowered to sign the commissions of all offi- cers, civil and military :" "By the Honorable the General Assembly, of the English Colony of Khode Island and Providence Plantations in New England in America. "To Nathaniel Greene, Esquire : Greeting : "Whereas for the Preservation of the Eig;hts and Liberties of His Majesty's loyal and faithful subjects in this Colony and America, the aforesaid General Assembly have ordered Fif- teen Hundred men to be enlisted and embodied into an Army of Observation, and to be formed into one Brigade under the command of a Brigadier-General, and have appointed you the said Nathaniel Greene, Brigadier-General of the said- Army of Observation: you are, therefore, hereby in His Majesty's Name, George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, &c., authorized, empowered and commissioned to have, take and exercise the ofllce of Brigadier-General of the said Army of Observation, and to command, guide and conduct the same or any part thereof. And in Case of Invasion or Assault of a Common Enemy, to disturb this or any other of His Majesty's Colonies in America, you are to alarm and gather together the Army under your command, or any part thereof, as you shall deem sufiicient, and therewith to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to visit, expel, kill and destroy them in Order to preserve the Interests of His Majesty and His good Sub- jects in these Parts. You are also to follow such instructions, ■Directions and Orders as shall from Time to Time be ' given forth, either by the General Assembly or your superior Officers. And for your so doing this Commission shall be your suflflcient Warrant. * The life of Gen. Greene, by his grandson, George Washington Greene LL D., from which these and many suhseqiient items of his life are taken, is one of the ablest biographies in the English language, and reflects hardly less credit upon its author than upon his distin- guished ancestor. 108 HISTORY OP WARWICK. [1776-1800. "By virtue of an Act of the said General Assembly, I, Henry Ward, Esq. , Secretary of the said Colony have hereunto set my Hand and the seal of the said Colony this eighth Day of May, A. D. 1775, and in the Fifteenth year of His said Majesty's Reign. Henry Ward." Gen. Greene was born June 6th, 1742, in that part of the town still known by its aboriginal name of Potowo- mut or " place of all the fires," and which was purchased by Randall Holden anil Ezekiel Holliman, in behalf of themselves and their fellow townsmen, of the Indian sachem Tacomanan and his sons Awashotust and Wawa- uockashaw in 1654. He was the fifth in descent from, his ancestor, John Greene, senior, who with a few com- panions took up their solitary abode in the then wil- derness of Shawomet a century before. His father, also named Nathaniel, was of the Quaker persuasion, and an eloquent preacher, and divided his time between the pulpit and the forge, grist mill and saw mill, which he had set up on the little river that wended its way through his lands. Under his care his eight sons grew to manhood. He is said to have been a rigid disciplin- arian, a believer in the old Bible maxim that " Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." The maxim held true in the case of Nathaniel, excepting so far as related to his con- tinuance in the peculiar religious sentiments of his father, and might have proved true even in this respect, but for the stirring times that dawned upon the colony, about the time he arrived at manhood. Gen. Greene in early life manifested an ardent desire 'for knowledge, which he gratified as far as his opportunities allowed. As he ap- proached his majority the natural inclination for society strongly developed itself, and the freqtient merry-makings in the surrounding famihes during the long winter evenings were specially coveted, but could be enjoyed only by stealth. The inclination to participate in them becoming so strong various methods were resorted to, such as youthful ingenuity is apt to invent to accomplish Its purposes. An anecdote of this character is well au- 1776-1800.] ANECDOTE OF GEN. GBEENE. 109 thentieated and related by one of his biographers. "He had stolen from the house, when it appeared to be wrapt in slumber. The occasion was one of particular at- tractions. There was a great party in the neighborhood to which he had been secretly invited. He danced till midnight, the gayest of the gay, little dreaming of any misadventure. But when he drew near to the home- stead, his keen eyes discovered the person of his father, paternally waiting, whip in hand, beneath the very win- dow through which he i.lone could find entrance. The stern old Quaker was one of that class of people who are apt to unite the word and the blow, the latter being quite likely to make itself known before the other. In this emergency, conscious that there was no remedy against, or rescue from the rod, young Greene promptly con- ceived an idea which suggests a ready capacity for military resource. A pile of shingles lay at hand, and before he supposed his father to behold his approach, he insinuated beneath his jacket a sufficient number of thin layers of shingles to shield his back and shouliiers from the thong. With this seci'et corslet he approached and received his punishment with the most exemplary fortitude. The old man laid on with the utmost unction, little dreaming of the secret cause of that hardy resignation with which the lad submitted to a punishment which was meant to be most exemplary." The danger that threatened the colonies awakened his patriotic sentiments and turned the current of his boyhood teachings ot non-resistance into warlike channels, and led him by diligent study of such books as he could procure, to prepare himself for the active and important position to which he was subse- quently called. Previous to the breaking out of the revolutionary war, in connection with several of his bro- thers, he removed to Coventry, where he carried on an extensive business in forgino- anchors. Their forge stood near where the Quidnick Railroad bridge now stands. He married Catherine, daughter of John Littlefield, of New Shoreham, July 20th, 1774. Gen. Greene's subsequent brilliant military career, which may be said to have com- 10 110 HISTORY OF AVAKAVICK. [1776-1800. rnenced the same year of his marriage, he having joined the Kentish Guards in that year, is too well known to need a recapitulation. In the latter part of 1786, he re- moved with his family to Georgia, where he died on the 19th of June, 1786. As a successful military commander in the revolutionary struggle, it is generally allowed that he stood second only to Washington. A resolution was passed in Congress, July 2, 1864, inviting each State to furnish, for the old Hall of the House of Representatives, "two full length marble statues of deceased persons, who have been citizens thereof, and illustrious for their renown, or from civic or military ser- vices, such as each state shall determine to be worthy of national commemoration." In accordance with this resolution, the General Assembly of Rhode Island, ordered to be made two marble statues, one of Gen. Nathaniel Greene and the other of Roger Williams. On the 2.5th of January, 1870, Hon. Henry B. Anthony, in behalf of Rhode Island, presented to Congress, with an appropriate address, the statue of Gen. Greene. On the i2th of May, 1874, the same gentleman intro- duced in the Senate, a concurrent resolution to erect a monument at the seat of the Federal government to Gen. Greene, and instructii'g the committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, "to designate a site upon the Capitol grounds, for an equestrian statue of Nathaniel Greene." The resolution was adopted by both houses, and the sum of forty thousand dollars was subsequently appropriated for the erection of the statue. Of the three regiments comprising the Rhode Island Brigade, the one for Kent and King's counties was placed under the command of Col. James il. Varnum with Christopher Greene as major. In the following June, the battle of Bunker Hill having been fought, increasing preparations were made throughout the Rhode Island colony for the struggle. Every man capable of bearing arms was required to equip himself for service and to drill half a day semi-monthly. Six additional companies of sixty men each were ordered to be raised and to join 1770-1800.] ACCOUN-T OF COL. LIPPITT. HI the brigade, which had now been placed under the gene- ral direction of Washington, who was now in the vicinity of Boston. A brig from the West Indies had been cap- tured off Warwick Neck, and the adjacent shore pillaged of much live stock. Additional forces were raised throughout the colony. In January, 1776, Warwick Neck was fortified, and a company of Artillery and minute men were sent to defend it. Two new regiments of seven hundred and fifty ixien each were raised, and united in one brigade. Of one of these regiments, Henry Babcock was colonel, and Christopher Lippitt, of this town, was Lieutenant Colonel. The following account of Col. Lippitt is from the pen of John Howland Esq. At the time it was written, Mr. Howland was President of the R. I. Historical Society. " Christopher Lippitt was a member of the General Assem- bly In .January, 1776, be was appointed Lieut. Col. of the regiment raised by the State — Col. Harry Babcock was com- mander. He shortly quitted the service and Lieut. Col. Lippitt was promoted to the office of Colonel. I enlisted in Capt. Dexter's company. We were stationed on the island of Rhode Island. The regiment was taken into the continental service, and the officers comiiiissioned by Congress. After the dis- astrous battle of Long Island, we were ordered to join "VVash- ingt.in's army, at New York. On the alst of Dec, 1776, while the army under Washington wa.« in -Jersey, the term of all the continental troops expired, except Lippitfs regiment, which had eighteen days more to serve. The brigade to which they were attached consisted of five regiments, three of which (Vainum's, Hitchcock's and Lippitt's) were from Rhode Island. Col. Hitchcock commanded the brigade, and Lippitt's regiment counted more than one third of the whole. This was the time that tried both soul and body. We had by order of the General left our tents at Bris- tol, on the other side of the Delaware. We were standing on frozen ground, covered with snow. The hope of the com- mander in chief was sustained by the character of these half- frozen, half starved men, that he could persuade them to serve another month, until the new recruits should arrive. He made the attempt and it succeeded. Gen. MifHin addressed our men, at his request: he did it well. The request of the General was acceded to by our unanimously poising the firelock as a signal. Within two hours after this: vote we were on our 112 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1776-1800. march to Trenton. Col. Lippitfs regiment was in the battle at Trenton, when retreating over the bridge, it being narrow, our platoons were in passing it, crowded into a dense and solid mass, in the rear of which the enemy were making their best eJiorts. The noble horse of Gen. Washington, stood with his breast pressed close against the end of the west rail of the bridge; and the firm, composed, aod majestic countenance of the General inspired confidence and assurance, in a moment so important and critical. "They did not succeed in their attempt to cross the bridge. Although the creek was fordable between the bridge and the Delaware, they declined attempting a passage in the face of those who presented a more serious obstruction than the water. On one hour — yes, on forty minutes, commencing at the moment when the British first saw the bridge and the cieek before them— depended the all-important, the all-absorbing question, whether we should be independent States or con- quered rebels! Had the army of Cornwallis within thai space crossed the bridge or forded the creek, unless a miracle had intervened, there would have been an end of the American Army." "Col. Lippitt was in the battle of Princeton. The Com- mander-in-chief after the action, took the commander of our brigade (Col. Hitchcock) by the hand, expres-sing his high ap- probation of his conduct and that of the troops he commanded, and wished him to communicate his thanks to his officers and men " "Col. Lippitt continued in service during the war. He after- wards removed to Cranston. He was appointed Major General of State's Militia. He died on his farm in Cranston. Charles Lippitt, the brother of Col. Lippitt, was an officer in the revolu- tionary war, and for many years a member of the General Assembly. He died in Providence, in August, 1845, aged 91." The following is an account of the earlier generations of the Lippitt family of this town : John Lippitt, the first of this name in this town, settled here previous to the year 16.56, on which date his name appears on the roll of freemen. In 1638 he was a resident of Providence, and in 1647 was one of the committee who were appointed to organize the government under the Parliamentary charter. He had five children, viz.: Nathaniel, John, Moses, Joseph and Rebecca, who married Joseph Howard, Feb. 2, 1665; she mar- ried the second time, Francis Budlong, March 19, 1669. John, son of John,"^ married Ann Greene or Grove, Feb. 9, 1666. He died about 1670. He had two children, John; born Nov. 16, 1665, married Eebecca Lippitt, his cousin; Moses born Feb. 17, 1668. 1776-1800.] THE LIPPITT FAMILY. 113 Moses,^ sou of John,i married Mary, daughter of Henry Knowles. Moses die«i Jan. 6, 1703. Their children were Mary, who married John, son of John and Mary Burlingame, of Kingstown, E.I. Martha, who married Thomas Burlingame, the brother of John. Eebecca, who married John Lippitt, (.John,^ John! ) and Moses. Moses" was born about the year 1683, and died Dec. 12, 1745. lie was a deputy to the General Assembly six years, between 1715 and 1730. He married Ann Phillis, daughter ot Joseph and Alice Whipple, of Providence. They had five children, viz.: Moses (a favorite prenomen in this family) , born Jan. 17, 170i>, married Waite Khodes, and died August 8, 1766; Jere- miah, born Jan. 27, 1711, married Welthian Greene, and died in 1776; Christopher,' born Nov. 29, 1711, married Catherine Holden, and died Dec. 7, 1764; Joseph, born Sept. 4, 1715, mar- • ried Lucy Bowen, and died May 17, 1783; Ann Phillis, born August 29, 1717, married Abraham Francis, June 18, 1736, and died June 24, 1774. Abraham Francis was born in 1711, and died Oct. 11, 1764. He was a resident of Boston, and "was reported to be the heir to most of the land upon which Boston stood, but never obtained it." Ann Phillis Lippitt was edu- cated at Boston, where she met Mr. Francis, and received there her oiler of marriage. They subsequently resided in Warwick. Mr. Francis w as Captain of the 4th Company in the Bhode Island Regiment in the French War of 1755. He had no children. Freelove, born March 31, 1720, married Samuel Chace, August 10, 1713; Mary, born Dec. 2, 1723, and John, Dec. 24, 1731, who married Bethiah Eice, and died Sept. 15, 1811. Moses,* (Moses,' Moses, ^ John,i ) married Waite Rhodes, daughter of John and Catherine (Holden) Rhodes lived on Couuimicut Point. They had eight children, viz.: Catherine, born Dec. 19. 1734; Moses, bom 1736, died 1740; Waite, born 1738, died 1740; Joseph, born June 28, 1740, died July 29, 1758, on the coast of Guinea; Waite, born April 10, 1743, married David, son of Josiah Arnold, August 29, 1765; Moses, born May 26, 1745, and died June 14, 1833. He was called "Moses of the Mill," because he owned the grist mill, built by Thomas Stafford at an early period. He married Tabitha Greene, daughter of Elisha Greene, of East Greenwich, Dec. 25, 1768; Abraham, born Oct. 26, 1747. He was ordained an Elder of the Old Baptist Church in Old Warwick, Sept. 7, 1782. He mar- ried August 8, 1770, Sarah, daughter of Capt. Josiah and Maplet (Remington) Arnold. In 1793 he removed to Hart- wick, Otsego Co., N. Y.; Mary, born June 26, 1749, married Caleb Greene, son of Richard and Rebecca, born August 11, 1751, joined the Shakers at New Lebanon, N. Y., and died there. *J0 114 EISTOEY OF "WAEWICK. [1776-lSOO. Moses^ liippitt (Moses,*' Moses,^ Moses,^ John,i ) who married Tabitha Greene, had seven children, viz.: Waite, born August 31, 1769; Elisha, August 29, 1771; Isabel and Tabitha (twins), April 1, 1779; Mary, June 14, 1781; Elizabeth G., April 20, 1785; Moses G., August 27, 1789. Isabel Lippitt married Steplien Budlong, July 28, 1805. Their childreu were, Moses L., born Oct. ^6, 1806; Tabitha G., (who married Thomas Jones Spencer, Esq.,) March 1, ISOS; William D., Dec. 14, 1809; Lorenzo Dow, June 27, 1812; Isabella L., March 13, 1814, and Ann C, March 9, 1816. The homestead of Stephen Budlong was near the "High House," where he owned a large farm. He died Oct. 13, 1850; his wife died May 8, 1860. Jeremiah, son of Moses,^ married Welthian Greene, daughter of Eichard Greene, Sept. 12, 17.S4. He was Town Clerk of Warwick, from June 1742 to his death in 1776, with the excep- tiori of the year 1775; a deputy four years, and Assistant five years. They had nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom the first, Anne, born Nov. 15, 1735, married first, Col. Christopher Greene (see frontisisiece), son of Philip and Elizabeth (Wickes) Greene. She married the second time Col. John Low. Christopher Lippitt, son of Moses,^ was born Nov. 29, 1712. , He married Catherine Holden, daughter of Anthony and Phebe ^0 WESTMINSTER ST itr/Ciiaimki. ffif --f^!f\ PROV.R.I, J«IIRf^CANSET PIER '. "^^^^A/r/c oc£/^^ !EACON£r 1776-1800.] CAPTURE OF GEN. PKESCOTT. US small company, went down to Warwick Neck, and em- barked in row boats, passing between tKe islands of Patience and Prudence to the island where Prescott was encamped. Three British frigates, the Lark, the Dia- mond and the Juno, were lying at anchor with their guard boats out on the east side of Prudence. Passing the south end of Prudence wiih mujBEied oars, they heard the sentinels cry: "All's well." These they passed safely and in due time landed at the place of their des- tination. Barton divided his men into several squads and advanced toward the house, passing the British guard house a hundred rods ou the left, and a company of light horse about the same distance on the right. The squads approached the house from different di- rections to cut off all chance of Prescott's escape. As one company approached the gate a sentinel challenged them, but met with no reply. The sentinel then de- manded the countersign. Barton replied boldly, " We have no countersign to give ; have you seen any deserters to-nicht ? " and marched on, and before the sentinel was aware of the position of things he was made a prisoner. The house was at once entered and Col. Barton ascended to the General's sleeping room. As he entered Prescott jumped from his bed and seized his gold watch, hang- ing upon the wall, when he was told that he was a pri- soner. Gen. Prescott requested permission to dress, but was told that time was too precious to allow it, and he was permitted only to wrap his cloak about him. Major Barrington, who had leaped from a window as Barton and his men entered by the door, was taken prisoner. Both were marched off to the boats, where Prescott was permitted to dress. The injunction of perfect silence was imposed upon the prisoners until they had passed the British vessels. As they landed at Warwick Neck, Prescott turned to Col. Barton and remarked, "Sir, you have made a bold push to-night," to which Barton re- plied, " Sir, we have been very fortunate." They re- mained a short time at Old Warwick, until Col. Elliott arrived with a coach and conveyed the party to Provi- 116 HISTORY OF "WABWICK. [1776-lSOO. dence. Gen. Prescott took breakfast before starting for Providence, at a house which is still standing and which was then i;sed as a tavern. It is a gambrel roofed house, on the east side of Main street, and not far from the residence of Mr. George Anthony. It is known as the David Arnold house. Mrs. Arnold noticing that the General was without a cravat, offered him one of her white handkerchiefs, and at breakfast expressed her fear that her breakfast was not relished, as the General did not eat heartily. Prescott replied that he had not much appetite. Prescott was afterward exchanged for Gene- ral Lee, who had fallen into the hands of the enemy, and at the close of the same year or the beginning of the next, he resumed command of the Briti^^h forces in Rhode Island, where he remained until its final evacuation.* For this gallant act, congress voted a sword to Col. Ear- ton, and gave him a few months afterwards, a Colonel's commission and he was appointed aide-de-camp to Gen. Greene. In 1777, William Greene, Jr., was chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and in May of the following year, he was elected to the office of Governor, a position which he held for eight consecutive years. "It illustrates the simple manners, as well as the physical vigor of the man of revolutionary times, that Gov. (Treene," although pos- sessed of an ample fortune, was accustomed two or three times a week, during the sessions, of Assembly at providence, to walk up from Warwick, or we might say from Greenwich, as he resided on the dividing line of the two towns, and home again in the afternoon, "f At this time the war had been in progress two years. The battles of Lexington, Bunker Hill, Trenton, Brandy- wine, Germantown and others had been fought, and the condition of the country, though still depressed, was as- suming a more hopeful prospect. Congress had sent * See account of the affair m Rev. Arthur A. Ross' Centeimial Dis- course published m 1838. Mr. Ross was then pastor of the 1st Baptist Church Newport, :i,iid previously settled in this town Also in "Spirit of 7h." pp. 47-50, and Arnold, vol. ii. 403 t Arnold II., 417. 177(5-1800.] PKOGEESS OF THE \yAE. 117 Dr. Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee as commis- sioners to Fi-ance to solicit assistance, and during this year, treaties of amit}- and commerce Avere signed, and the Inde])endence of the United States was thus acknowledged. All this was hopeful, but the British troops still lay in force upon the Island of Acjuidneck, near Newport — like the ancient Mordecai at the king's gate — commanding the entrances of Narragansett Bay, and threatening to pounce upon the defenceless towns at any moment. Attacks were soon made upon Warren, Bristol and Fall River, the Baptist Church in tiie former place was destroyed, and other wanton acts were com- mitted, which occasioned a sharp correspondence between the commanding generals, Sullivan and Pigot. In the following month (June) Congress, by recommendation of Gov. Greene and Gen. Sullivan, directed Washington to send home the Rhode Island troops, if they could be spared, and made other provisions for the protection of the State. The British had seven thousand men upon the island, while the forces under Sullivan amounted to only sixteen hundred. The Council of War called out half the effective force of the State, the rest to be ready to take the fisld at a moment's warning. On the SOth of July, Count D'Estaing, with twelve ships-of-the line and four frigates, arrived off Newport, and blockaded the enemy. The British at once withdrew to Newport, and their ships sought refuge in the harbor. Three British vessels were blown up in the east passage, and four frigates and a coiwette were run ashore and burnt to prevent them falling into the power of their opponents. The conflict between the opposing forces was, however, delayed until August 29th, when a short and sharp battle took place a few miles from Newport, in which the American loss in killed, wounded and missing, amounted to two hundred and eleven, while that of the British, including prisoners, was one thousand twenty- three. In the battle Maj. Gen. Greene commanded the right. Lafaj^ette returned from Boston too late to take an im- 118 HISTOKY OF "WAR-WICS. [1776-1800. portant part in the engagement, but at a later period of the war is said to have remarked that "it was the best fought action of the war." In M'j.y, 1781, a sad event occurred to one of the gal- lant soldiers from this town, which deprived the country of the valuable services of Col. Christopher Greene, His regiment was liuartered at "Rhode Island village," a part of it occupying an advanced post, some ten miles distant, at Points Bridge on the Croton river, where the Colonel and Mnjor Flagg were quartered. While here a party of tlie enemy, consisting of two hundred and sixt3' cavalry, foi'ded the river and surprised the camp, killing in a most barbarous manner. Col. Crreene and Major Flagg. Abo\it foity of the Rhode Island regi- ment wtiie either killed or taken prisoners. Tiie follow- ing account of the affair, from the appendix to the war, in the Southern department, by Col. Henry Lee, gives some of the particulars of the affair.* '' Exhibiting in early life his capacity and amiability, he was elected bv his native town to a seat in the colonial Legislature, in Oct.. 1770, and he continued to fill the same by successive ehiction-i until Oct., 177'2. In ]774, the Legislature wisely established a military corps, styled the '■ Kentish Guards," f for the ])urpose of fitting the most select of her youth for military officers. In this corps young Greene vv.is chosen a Lieutenant, and in May, 1775, he was appointed by the Legislature a Major, in what was called " An army of Observatiou," a brigade of 1600 effectives, under the orders of his near relative, Biigadier Greene, afterwards so celebrated. " From this siiuation he was promoted to the command of a company of infantry, in one of the regiments raised by the State, for continental service. The regiment to which he be- longed was attached to the army of Canada, conducted by Gen. Montgomery, in the vicissitudes and difficulties of which cam- paign, Capt Greene shared, evincicg upon all occasions that unyielding intrepidity which marked his military conduct in every subsequent scene. In the attack upon Quebec, which terminated the campaign, as well as the life of the renowned Montgomery, Capt. Greene belonged to the column which en- tered the town, and was taken prisoner. * Updike's Narragansett Church. See also account ia "Snirit of 7(), by B. Cowell. ' t Alt the lUBUibers of the tCeutish Guai-ds wlio entered the continen- tal army became offioer.s of the line. Writings of Wiu Goddard vol 1. 34it. note. ' 1776-1500.] COL. CHRISTOPHER GREENE. 119 His elevated mind ill-brooked the irksomeness of captivity, though in llie hands of the enlightened and humane Carleton; and it has been uniformlj' asserted that, while a prisoner, Greene often declared that he ''would never again be taken alive," a resolution uidiappily fulfilled. As soon as Capt. Greene was exchanged he repaired to his regiment , with which he continued without intermission, per- forming with exemplary propriety the various duties of his progressive stations, when he was promoted to the Majority of Varuum's regiment. In 1777 he succeeded to the command of the regiment, and was selected by Washington to take com- mand of Fort Mercer (commonly called Red Bank), the safe keeping of which post with that of Fort Mifflin (Mud Island), was very properly deemt-d of primary im|iortance. The noble manner in which Col. Greeue sustained himself against a superior fnrce of veteran troops, led by an officer of ability, has been partially related, as well as the well-earned rewards which followed his memorable defence. ( onsummating his military fame by his achievements ou that proud day, he could not be overlooked by the Commander in-chief when great occasions called for great exertion. Greene was accord- ingly attached with his regiment to the troops placed ur.der MajVir Sullivan for the purpose of breaking up the enemy's post on Rhode Island, soon after the arrival of the French fleet under the command of D Estaing in the .-ummer of 177S; which well-concerted enterprise was marred in its exe- cution by some of tin se incidents which abound in war, and especially when the enterprise is comphcated, and entrusted to allied forces and requiring naval cc-opcfition. •■In the sirring of 1781, when Gen. AVashington began to exnect the promised aid from our best friend, the ill-fated Louis XVI, he occasionally approached the enemy's ines on the side of York Island. In one of these movements Col. Greene with a suitable force was posted on the Croton river in advance of the aimy. On the other side of this river lay a corps of refugees ( Araericau citizens who had joined the IJritish army) under the Cdmmand of Col. Delancy. These half citizens, half soldiers, were notorious for rapineandmurder; and to their vindictive conduct may be ascribed mi st of tlie cruelties which stained the progress of our war, and which compelled Wash- ington to order Capt. Asgill, of the British army, to be brought to headquarters for the purpose of retaliating, by his execution, for ihe murder of Capt. Huddy, of New Jersey, perpetrated by a Capt. Lippincourt of the refugees. The c(.mmandant of these refugees (Uelancy was not present) having asceitained the position of Greene's corps, which the Colonel had cantoned in adjacent farm houses, — probably with a view to the procure- ment of subsistence, — took the resolution to sirike it. This 120 HISTORY OF ■WARWICK. [1776-lSOO. was accordingly done by a nocturnal movement on the 13th of May. The enemy crossed the Crotou before daylight, and hastening his advance reached our station with the dawn of day unperceived. As he approached the farm house in which the Lieutenant Colonel was quartered, the noise of troops marching was heard, whioh was the first intimation of the fatal design. Greene and Major Flagg immediately prepared them- selves for defence, but they were too late, so expeditious was the progress of the enemy. Flagg discharged his pistols and instantly afterwards fell mortally wounded, when the ruffians (unworthy of the appellation of soldiers) burst open the door of Greene's apartmeni. Here the gallant veteran singly re- ceived them with his drawn sword. Several fell beneath the arm accustomed to conquer, till at length overpowered by numbers and faint from the loss of blood streaming from his wounds, barbarity triumphed over valor. His right arm was . almost cut off in two places, the left in one, a severe cut on the left shoulder, a sword thrust through the abdomen, a bayonet in the right side, several sword cuts on the head and many in different parts of the body." "Thus cruelly mangled, fell the generous conqueror of Count Dunop, whose wounds as well as those of his unfortunate associates, had been tenderly dressed as soon as the battle terminated, and whose pains and sorrows had been as tenderly assuaged. The Cominander-in-chief heard with anguish and indignation the u-agical fate of his loved— his faithful friend and soldier — in whose feelings the army sincerely participated. On the subsequent day the corpse was brought to headquarters and his luneral was solemnized with military honors and universal grief. "Lieut. Col. Greene was murdered in the meridian of life, being only forty-four years old. He married in 1758, Miss Anne i.ippiit, a daughter of J. Lippitt, Esq., of Warwick, whom he left a widow with three sons and four dau,^hlers. He was stout and strong in peison, about five feet ten inches high, with a broad round chest; his aspect manly, and demeanor pleasant; enjoying always a high state of health, its bloom irradiated his countenance, which signiflcanily ex- pressed the fortitude and mildness invariably displayed throughout his life.'' For the gallant defence of Fort Mercer at Red Bunk, Congress made a suitable acknowledgment by passing a resolution, Nov. 4, 1777, " That an elegant sw^ord be provided by the Board of War and presented to Col. Gieene." Col. Greene did not live to receive the sword, but several years after his death it was forwarded to his son, Job Greene, of Centreville, accompanied by 'the following complimeutary letter : 1776-1800.] COL. CHRISTOPHER GREEKE. 121 "War Office of the United States 7 New York, June 7, 1786. ' ; Sm: — I have the honor to transmit to you, the son and le^al repre- sentative of the late memorable and gallant Col. Greene the sword directed to be presented to him, by the resolve of Con- gress of the 4th of November, 1777. "The repulse and defeat of the Germans at the fort of Bed Bank on the Delaware, is justly considered one of the most brilliant actions of the late war. The glory of that event is inseparably attached to the memory of your father and his brave garrison. The manner in which the Supreme authority of the United States is pleased to express its high sense of his military merit, and the honorable instrument which they annex in testimony thereof, must be peculiarly precious to a son emulative of his father's virtues. The circumstances of the war prevented obtaining and delivery of the sword previous to your father's heing killed at Croton River in 1780. On that catastrophe his country mourned the sacrifice of a patriot and a soldier, and mingled its tears with those of his family. That the patriotic and military virtues of your hon- orable father may influence your conduct in every case in which your country may require your services is the sincere wish, sir, of Your most obedient and very humble servant, H. Knox. Job Greene, Esq." The sword is of elegant workmanship, the blade a polished rapier, with its principal decorations of silver, inlaid with gold. The sheath is of rattlesnake-skin. It is now in possession of Hon. S. H. Greene, of River Point, a grandson of the Colonel. Col. Greene's home was in Centreville. He lived in a house that formerly stood just north of the bridge, on the same site where now stands the dwelling known as the "Levalley House." He was the son of Philip Greene, an Associate Judge of the Supreme Court in 1768, and great grandson of Deputy Governor Greene. He had four sons and five daughters, though at the death of the Colonel, two of them may have deceased. Welthian, born JSTov. 19, 1767, married Capt. Thos. Hughes; Job, Nov. 19, 17.59, married Abigail Rhodes, of Stonington; Phebe, Jan. 6, 1762; Ann Frances, June 2, 1762; Elizabeth, Dec. 15, 1766, married Jeremiah Eenner, Jr.; Jeremiah, Oct. 17, 1769, married Lydia Arnold, of East Greenwich; Daniel 11 122 HISTORY OF WARWICK. [1776-1800. Westrand, March 22, 1772; Christopher, August 27, 1774; Mary, Sept. 20, 1777. Col. Greene's widow married Col. John Low. She died June 9, 1816, aged 80, and was buried with her parents near the Baptist Church, Old Warwick. Job Greene, son of Christopher, had four children. Chris- topher Rhodes, born Sept. 19, 1786; Susanna, May 5, 1788; Mary Ann, May 25, 1794; Simon Henry, March 31, 1799. Christopher B. C^reene died in South Carolina. In the Provi- dence Journal of April 3d, 1876, appeared an interesting arti- cle by "H. L. G.," with several of the poems of Mr. Greene, which illustrate the facility of his versification, and the patri- otic as well as poetic sentiments of his nature. H. L. G. says: ^'To the list of Ehode Island poets should be added the name of Christopher Rhodes Greene. He was the oldest child of the late Job Greene, Esq., of Centreville, in Warwick, and brother of Hon. Simon H. Greene, and grandson of Col. Christopher Greene, the revolutionary patriot. Born . soon after the close of the war of independence, of such parentage, it was natural that the mind of Mr. Greene should be indued with the highest-toned sentiments of patri- otism, and with all the noblest attributes of manhood. His first employment in business was in connection with the Providence Bank. He afterwards formed a cojaartnership with William Carter, under the name of Greene & Carter, and en- gaged in mercantile jjursuits in Providence. On the dissolution of this firm, he went to Savannah, where he remained through the winter of 1811-12, and from thence to Charleston, S. C, being honored and esteemed as a merchant, citizen and friend in both of those cities. He married in Charleston, Miss Mary Ann Lehre, and after a few years of wedded life, died Novem- ber 6, 1825, at his wife's plantation, Fountain Grove, St. Steph'en's Parish, S. C, at the age of 39 years. Several of his poems were published under the nom de plume of Hebron, in the Providence Gazette, the Charleston Courier, and the American Patriot, a Savannah newspaper." The impossibility of determining with certainty the names of any considerable number of persons belonging to this town, v^ho were soldiers of the Eevolution, is a matter of regret. The muster rolls that are still pre- served do not generally indicate the town to which the soldiers belonged, and at this time it is probably impos- sible to ascertain even a majority of the " rank and file," as well as many of the subordinate officers of the army who enlisted from this town.* That the town furnished » The muster rofl of the Field, Staff and commissioned oflBcers of the First Battalion of Rhode Island forces in the services of the United 1776-1800.] SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION. 123 its quota of men, and was not lacking in patriotic senti- ments, might be inferred, if there were no other grounds, from the infiaence that such men as we have already seem raised high in official military position, would be likely to exert upon their fellow-townsmen. Among the manuscripts preserved in the Secretary of State's office, relating to this period, I find the following : "A general return of the Brigade stationed at Warwick Neck, consisting of three regiments, com- manded by Col. John Waterman, Dec. 12, 1776." Of these regiments, Col. Waterman, Col. Bowen and Major Medciff were commanders. The total number of men in them was 750. Col. John Waterman, of Warwick, in January, 1777, commanded the regiment which drove the British from the Island of Prudence, at the time Wallace landed and burnt the houses upon the Island. Muster and size roll of Recruits enlisted for the town of Warwick for the campaign of 1782: Henry Straight, Rhodes Tucker, Daniel Hudson, George Westcott, George Parker, Caleb Mathews, Nathaniel Peirce, Benjamin Howard, Benjamin Utter, Stephen Davis, Anthony Church, Abel Bennet, James Brown. Officers of the Pawtuxet Rans:ers for 1776, were Benjamin Arnold, Captain; Oliver Arnold, Pirst Lieutenant; Sylvester Rhodes, Second Lieutenant, and .James Sheldon, Ensign. Officers rf the Kentish Guards for 1776, were, Richard Prye, Captain; Hopkins Cooke, Pirst Lieutenant; Thomas Holden, Second Lieutenant, and Sylvester Greene, Ensign.' Field officers of the State for Kent County for the year 1780 : Thomas Holden, Colonel of the Pirst Regiment of Militia; Thomas Tillinghast, Lieutenant Colonel; Job Peirce, Major. Archibald Kasson, Colonel Second Regiment of Militia; Thos. Gorton, Lieutenant Colonel; Isaac Johnson, Major. Officers to command the several trained bands or companies of Militia within the State : For Warwick. — ^Pirst Company. — Job Randall, Captain ; Jas. Arnold, Lieutenant; James Carder, Ensign. Second Company. — Squire Miller, Captain; James Jerauld, Lieutenant; John Stafford, Ensign. Third Company. — Thomas Rice, son of Thomas Rice, Captain ; Anthony Holden, Lieutenant; Stukely Stafford, Ensign. States commauded by Col. Greene, for April, 1779, may be found in "Spirit of '76," page 185. In the same work are also tiie lists of the several companies. 124 HISTOBY OP WARWICK. [1776-1800. The cessation of hostiiities was announced by Wash- ington in general orders, April 11, 1783, just eight years from the battle of Lexington, and the joyful news was forwarded to each town in the State. The people of Warwick hailed the announcement with gladness. Her soldier citizens could now return to their homes and en- gage in their ordinary peaceful pursuits. Great Britain had tested the strength and valor of the Yankees,* and found them greater than she supposed ; and Yankee Doodle, the song of contempt composed by a tory officer, had found a tune that had inspired the American soldiery with a patriotic enthusiasm that led them on to final victory. In June, 1795, the town voted to hold their town meetings in the meeting house at Apponaug, in case the society would allow them, otherwise at the house of Caleb Atwood. * Yankee and Yankee Doodle. — Thatcher in his Military .Journal (p. 19,) gives the following account of the origin of the word Yankee and of y an/cee Doodle. "A farmer of Cambridge, Mass., named Jonathan Hastings, who lived aliout the year 1713, used it as a favorite cant word to express excellence; as a yan/cee good horse, or Yankee good cider. The students of the college hearing him use it a good deal, adopted it and called him Yankee Jonathan. Like other cant words, it soon came into general use. The song "Yankee Doodle" was written by a British Sergeant at Boston in 1775, to ridicule the people there when the American army under Washington was encamped at Cambridge and Eoxbury." — Lossinq's Field Book of the Revolution, p. 81. Note, • In Drake's 'American Indians," another derivation of the word Yankee is given ; this takes it from a Cherokee word eankee, which signifies coward or slave, and was bestowed upon the inhabitants of New England by the Virginians, because they would not assist them in the war with the Cherokees. 1800-75.] VARIOUS TOWN LAWS. 125 CHAPTER VII. From the year 1800 to the present time. In June, 1805, it was voted, to instruct the represent- atives in the General Assembly to vote against the erec- tion of any turnpike gate within the county of Kent "to the injury of the inhabitants of said county." In 1808, there was considerable exciteme.nt in the town occasioned by a bill before congress, for raising an army of fifty thousand men, in view of an anticipated war. A town meeting was called, and a series of resolutions passed denouncing the measure. On April 18, 1810, it was voted in town meeting, that " the price of labor, for an able-bodied man, be seventy- five cents per day, that is, accounting nine hours labor for each day's work, he finding the necessary tools " &c. In June, 1823, the Town Council were requested, in future to meet the second Monday of each month, and that " each and every one of the members of the council be allowed for their services four dollars a year, and that the law heretofore passed, allowing them eight shillings per year, be, and the same is hereby repealed." At a town meeting, held Nov. 4, 1856, Thomas P. Lanphear was elected to the General Assembly, to fill the vacancy in the town's representation, occasioned by the death of Ex-Gov. William Sprague. William Sprague * was one of the stirring business men * Three brothers: Ralph, Richard and William, came to this coun- try, in 1628, and settled in Salem, Mass. Their father, Edward Sprague, was a fuller, of TJpway, Dorsetshire, England. Ralph Sprague, was a prominent man, in Charlestown, Mass. and one of the *11 126 HISTOKY OF WAEWICK. [1800-75. of his day and belonged to a race of mauufacturers. His father, also named William, was a cotton manufac- turer and calico printer, and his descendants have pur- sued the same business with an energy and success that have made the name of Sprague, known in connection with cotton manufacture throughout the civilized world. Previous to his election to the Gubernatorial office, Mr. Sprague had been a representative in Congress, and sub- sequent to that event, he was chosen United States Sen- ator, a position which he retained until the death of his father in 1843, when the demands of his business at home led him to resign his seat in the Senate. Further reference to him will be made, in connection with the accounts of the villages of Natick and Arctic. The fol- lowing letter from his nephew, ex-Governor Sprague, in answer to a note of enquiry, gives some of the prominent traits of his character : Peovidence, 8th June, 1875. Eev. O. P. Fuller:— ■ Dear Sir:— Your note of the 7th, is before me. The late ex- Governor Sprague died in 1856, almost in my arms. My age at that period was 25. My occupation and observation had been very much restricted up to that time. The burden that fell upon me consequent on the decease of the subject referred to, occupied all my time, until the war, and from that; time to the present, very many and at times exciting incidents have oc- curred, that have in a measure shut me off from events and in- cidents connected with individuals with whom I have associated. My memory is not of that kind that at will enables me at once to call up without effort, incidents connected either with men or things. The late ex-Gov. Sprague was an exceedingly reticent man. He seldom exhibited feelings through which one gains an insight into character. I have hardly made up my mind to-day founders of the church there, in 1632; in 1630, the first constable; a representative, m 1637 and eight times afterward. In 1639, the Gene- ral Court granted him 100 acres of land, "he having borne difficulties H''n*.t,?5'T°g- ^ ^^ ^''"^ '" l*^^"' l^'*™^ "^ ^'dow, four sons and a daughter. Eichard Sprague was a merchant, and died Nov 25 1668 leaving no children. WiUiam, the youngest, removed to Hiuiham, Mass., in 163b, where he died October 26, 1675,- leaving eleven children See Prothingham's Oharlestown, Lincoln's History of Hinoham and Hosea Sprague's Genealogy of the Sprague family. "oHdm ana 1800-75.] BX-GOV. -WILLIAM SPEAGUE. 127 as to his weak or strong traits of character, and as to their variety. Knowing myself and my own weaknesses, I find in them much that was similar in the late ex-Governor. He was never mirthful. In that particular I force myself to he other- wise. He was of a thoughtful cast of mind. He lived within himself. This gave him a gloomy appearance, when prohably his feelings were cheerful and contented. The absence of cheerfulness, and it maybe of mirthfulness, in the character of men, is, in my opinion, a great hindrance to intellectual and spiritual growth. As an offset to this effect, if such it was, ex- Gov. Sprague possessed a physical structure unsurpassed. It was of the grandest character and proportions. I have never come in contact with a man that equalled him in that respect. His skin was as pure and untainted as that of the most delicate woman. His muscles were like steel. If his bones were now to be examined, they would be found to be nearer the con- sistency of ivory than those of ordinary men. Had the subject before us permitted his real nature its whole power to act, free from the influences of his occupation, in fact, had he permitted himself less excess in the occupation to which he devoted him- self, the character and power he would have unfolded would not have been surpassed by any man of his time. As it was, his general success is an evidence of his superiority. Had he abandoned his reticence, and imparted his experience to the young brain to which he left his business, he too would have had no great catastrophe to surmount. It was the reticence of the late ex-Governor Sprague in reference to those connected with him by family ties, that in a large measure may be attributed the check which has come on his business successor. I wish I could give you an insight into the man. I cannot do so now, without devoting more time for reflection than I have at present command. I will forward your note to his more immediate family, who will give you dates of events that may make your task easier, if in no other way, by allowing you to compare them with those you may already have. I would, if I could, contribute more, than I now have, to the praise of one whom I esteem as a second father. Very truly &c., W. Spragtje. The resignation of Senator Sprague left a vacancy in the United States Senate, which was filled by the ap- pointment of John Brown Francis, January, 1844. Mr. Francis was born in Philadelphia, May 31, 1791. His father was John Francis, who married a daughter of John Brown, a merchant of Providence. Gov. Francis' first wife was Anne Carter Brown, daughter of Nicholas 128 HISTOBY OF WAKWICK. [1800-75. Brown, whom he married in 1822. She died in 1828, leaving two daughters, one of whom is the wife of Mar- shall Woods, Esq., of Providence. In 1832, he married his cousin, whose maiden name was also Francis. Gov. Francis died August 9, 1864, and Mrs. Francis, June 14, 1866. 01 this marriage there were four children of whom two are now living. John Brown Francis, jr., the only son, died in Rome, of typhoid fever, Feb. 24, 1870. Gov. Francis graduated at Brown University, in 1808. Though of a somewhat retiring disposition, he was early called into public life, and held many offices of trust. He belonged at first to the old Federal party, and subse- quently to the Democratic party. He was moderator of the town meetings for many years in succession, inter- ested in the public schools of the town, and from 1824 to 1829 represented the town in the General Assembly. In 1833, he was nominated for Governor by the Antimasons and Jackson men, and elected, and was annually re- elected until 1839. He was elected Chancellor of Browu University in 1841, and held the office until 1854, when he resigned. Gov. Francis had an unusually fine, and commanding appearance. He was affable, courtly and dignified in his manners, and was one of the most popu- lar men of his day. Inheriting an ample fortune, and possessed naturally of a sj'mpathetic, generous nature, he was always found to be a friend to those who needed his counsels or his purse. He lived, and died at Spring Green, in the eastern part of the town. In June, 1865, a proposition was made to divide the town into voting districts. The subject was referred to the November meeting, at which time the proposition was laid upon the table. At this meeting, a pro[)osition being before the General Assembly, for the setting off of Potowomut from this town, and joining it to East Green- wich, it was voted : "That the Senator and Eepresentatives of this town, be, and they are hereby instructed to oppose, by all honorable means, the Granting of the'Prayer of the Petition of John F. Greene, et. al." "Voted, that John Brown Francis, John R. Waterman, 1800-7S.] RICHARD WARD GREENE. 129 Simon Henry Greene, William Sprague, Cyrus Harris and Benedict Lapham, be a committee, with full power to employ counsel, and do all things necessary to the proper conducting of the opposition of this town to said petition." The efforts of this committee were successful, and this fair portion of the town's domain, the birth-place of General Nathaniel Greene, and the residence of the late Chief Justice Richard Ward Greene, remains still a part of the town, though separated from it by the waters of Coweset Bay. Judge Greene, who died a few months ago, will be regarded as one of the foremost, among the honored names of this state. His stately, dignified form impressed even the stranger. Straight as an arrow, even at four-score years, and standing over six feet, deliberate in his motions, his physical presence inspired respect, in addition to his wisdom and his years. He was born early in the year 1792, and died in the 84th j'ear of his age. He was the son of Christopher and Deborah Ward Greene. His mother was a daughter of Governor Samuel Ward. He was educated at Brown University, and at the time of his death was one of its trustees. He studied law at the Litchfield Law School, an institution which graduated many of the wisest and best lawyers of the American bar. The occa- sion of his death afforded his associates an opportunity to bear willing testimony to his worth. What efforts were made for the education of the chil- dren of this town during the first seventy-five years of its settlement it is impossible at this time to determine. Though it is probable that educational privileges were limited, it is not likely that the rising generation were allowed to grow up in utter ignorance of the elementary branches of knowledge. The character of the pioneers of this town preclude such a conclusion. The inhabi- tants were few in number, -but a fair proportion of them were possessed of more than ordinary intelligence. Their school privileges and the methods of instruction were of such a character, however, as to find no place in the records of the town. Nor should Ave expect it to be otherwise, when we consider that the instruction of chil- dren was not considered to be the duty of the public until recently. The schools at this time were wholly of 130 HISTOBT OF WABWICK. [1800-75. a private character until the inauguration of the public school system, within the past half century ; though for many years previous to that event there was a gradual progress toward that system. Early in the last century there are intimations in the town records (see account of Old Warwick on a subsequent page) of such schools in operation, which, though of a private character, afforded privileges to all who chose to avail themselves of them. As the last century closed, and the present dawned, in- creased interest was manifested in the subject of educa- tion, and several societies were incorporated by the General Assembly for this object. The "Warwick North School Society was incorporated, March, 1794; the "Warwick West School Society," May, 1803 ; the "Warwick Central School Society," Feb., 1804, and the " Warwick Library Society," May, 1814. The Khode Island Register for the year 1820, states that "Warwick contains ten schools and two social libraries."* At the inauguration of the public school system in the State, a new impetus was given to the subject of education ; town school committees were appointed to have the general oversight of the schools, the town was divided into districts, and appropriations of money for their support was made thereafter annually. The fol- lowing persons were chosen the school committee for the year 1829 : John Brown Francis, Thomas Eemington, Joseph W. Greene, George A. Brayton, Augustus G. Millard, Elisha Brown, Franklin Greene, Henry Tatem, Daniel Rhodes. Thomas Holden, Jeremiah Greene, Sion A. Rhodes, Rice A. Brown and Waterman Clapp. The committee of which, George A. Brayton, late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of this State, was the Secretary, made a report in behalf of the com- mittee, embracing the preceding year also, (no report of the year 1828 having been previously made), in * It also states, that there are in the town 520 dwelling houses, IS cotton factories, 2 woolen factories, one anchor forge, one gin distil- lery, 12 grain mills, 20 dry goods and grocery stores, and three druggist stores. 1800-75.] . PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 131 which a detailed account of their labors is given. This report states that the committee was organized on the 21st of June, 1828, and proceeded to divide the town into suitable districts and make arrangements for suitable places in which to hold the schools. They divided the town into eleven districts. The Crompton district was set off in 1830. The number of scholars attending the schools in 1829 was reported as 763, and the amount of money expended, $908 50. In 1830, the number of scholars had increased to 840. In November, 1845, an unsuccessful attempt was made to induce the town to provide convenient school-houses for the several districts. The matter came up the following year again, when it was again decided to leave the several districts to provide for their wants in this respect. It was soon found necessary to appoint some individual, whose duty it should be to superintend the schools, to examine candidates for teaching, visit the schools at stated intervals, and report their condition, with such suggestions for their improvement as in his judgment seemed desirable ; and at a town meeting held Feb. 18, 1848, the committee were authorized to employ a suita- able person for this purpose, at an expense to the town of not exceeding fifty dollars. This amount has been gradually increased to $200. The following persons have served the town as superintendents : Rev. Zalmon Tobej^ Rev. Geo. A. Willard, Rev. Benjamin Phelan, Oliver P. Fuller, Ira 0. Seamans Esq., Wm. V. Slocum, Esq., and John F. Brown, Esq. There has been a gradual increase of the number of scholars and expenditures of money, a better class of text-books, and a more thoroughly qualified class of teachers as time has advanced, but whether the children of the town as they leave the schools are generally better informed than those of a score of years ago, may be a question. A larger number leave the public schools at an earlier age than formerly, which would lower the general standard of intelligence in a commu- nity. A few do this to enter schools of a higher grade. 132 HISTORY OP WARWICK. [1800-75 but a larger class, especially those whose parents are of foreign birth, to enter the mills and earn their living. The annual expenditures for the schools of this town have advanced from tSfi'^B 61 for the year 1854, $5,162 15 ia 1860, 110,274 50 in 1870, to 111,261 07 in 1874. The report of the school committee for the year 1874-5, gives the number of districts as sixteen, — Arctic not included— three of which, Natick, Phenix and Kiver- point, have three departments ; four of the remainder have two departments, viz. : Centreville, Apponaug, Crompton and Pontiac; the remainder one only. Num- ber of boys registered, 857; number of girls, 787. Average cost per scholar the preceding year, |6 75. The rebellion against the United States government assumed a positive form by the bombardment of Fort Sumpter on the I2th day of April, 1861. On the 15th of the same month the President issued his proclamation for seventy-five thousand men, and the next day Gov. Sprague issued his order for the immediate organiza- tion of the First Regiment. On the 20th, a detach- ment of that regiment was on its way to Washington. The work of recruiting was pursued vigorously, the several towns of the State vying with each other in making up their quotas. The amount paid by this town for bounties to soldiers during the progress of the war, was $94,214 52: amount paid in aid of families of vol- unteers, $28,183 26 ; aggregate disbursements for war purposes, $122,397 78 ; amount assumed and repaid by the State, $.S1,800 00, leaving the actual expense of the town for war purposes, $90,597 78. * * Adjutant General's Eeport for 18)5. ACCOUNTS OF THE ORIGIN {AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEVERAL VILLAGES IN THE TOWN OF WAEWICK. 134 HISTOBT OF "WABWICK. Sketches of the Origin and Development of the Several Villages in the Town of Warwick. Before giving a specific account of the several villages that form so important portions of the town of Warwick, let us in fancy ascend one or two of the surrounding hill tops and take a bird's eye view of them. The scenery from them is one of rare grandeur and beauty. Not so extensive, it is true, as may be obtained from the summit of Mt. Washington and other noted elevations, but one that will amply repay the necessary effort to observe it. Nearly a score of thriving manufacturing villages, strung together like beads upon a string, full of busj'' industry, nestling along the two branches of the river, that gives the village its name, may be seen at a single glance — each possessing its peculiar features of interest, and altogether forming a community of thrift and enterprise that has borne an important part la making our little State noted beyond her limited bounda- ries. One of the best views may be had from Prospect Hill, a point on the New London turnpike, midway between the villages of Centreville and Natick, and the best time, the morning, when the sun from the east sends his full beams over the surrounding landscape. To the east- ward and ten miles distant lies the earliest settled portion of the town, called originally Shawomet, but of late years. Old Warwick, with the pleasant sea-side summer resorts of Rocky Point, Oakland Beach and Buttonwood Beach, and nearer in the same direction the village of Apponaug. Almost at our feet is the cosy little hamlet of Arctic, upon the south branch of the WARWICK VILLAGES. 135 Pawtuxet * river, with its spacious mill and cleanly sur- roundings, its regular rows of tenement houses, skirted with trees, the whole reminding one of a miniature kingdom of children's toy-houses, with the mill as the palace of the king. To the southward lie the villages of Centreville and Crompton, with their manufactories, -churches an^ dwellings embowered with trees, whose heavy foilage adds increasing beauty to the scene. Still farther off, bearing to the right, in homage to the river, we behold the village of Quidneck, with the old " Tin Top," as a prominent object, and still beyond, the village of Anthony, with its mammoth new mill; these last two villages being in the town of Coventry. Washington lies just beyond. These commencing with River Point at our right and ou.t of view from this posi- tion, form the seven principal villages of the south branch of the Pawtuxet. Starting again at our immediate right at River Point, where the two branches of the river unite, and following the north branch we have before us the village of Clyde, with the extensive works of Hon. Simon H. Greene & Sons, Lippitt, Phenix, Harrisville, Arkwright and the less distinctly visible ones of Fiskville, Jackson and Hope. Each lying apparently quiet between the wooded hills that loom up on either side, but teeming with an active, busy population. The last five mentioned lie without the boundaries of Warwick, but belong essen- tially to the Pawtuxet family. Moving a few rods to the eastward to the brow of the hiU, we have another view, still more extensive. At our feet nearly, lies the village of Natick with its large cotton mills, which take the full flow of the united branches of the Pawtuxet with Pontiac a mile or two * Pawtuxet is an indian Dame, as also Pawtucket and Pawcatuclr, all names of rivers in Ehode Island. Pawtucket is said to signify great falls ; Pawtuxet, little falls, and Pawcatnck, no falls, but I do not vouch for them. Williams in his key to the Indian language does not give their meaning. Judge Potter says Pawtucket means a ' 'union of two rivers and a fall into tide water, because there the fresh water falls into salt". —[Pequot Testimonies, p. 2K6. 136 HISTOKY OF WAEWICK. beyond. Thence onward the State Farm in Cranston, and in the distance, Providence, Warren, Bristol, Fall River and Newport. The best time for this view is in the afternoon, when the sun is shining upon them from the west. An equally extensive and no less beautiful view may be obtained from the eminence on Woodside avenue, near the residence of the late J. W. A. Grreene, on the afternoon of a clear day. If the view is taken from these positions on a moonless and cloudless night of winter, when the stars overhead seem reflected by the numerous lights below, the brilliantly lighted mills appear like so many new constellations; and after gazing awhile in dreamy wonder, one is inclined to forget which is the true firmament. The little streams that squirm their way through these villages, are very industrious, providing the princi- pal and during a greater part of the year almost the sole power for driving the machinery of some thirty large cotton mills, with the necessary machine shops for repairs, with gristmills, sawmills, &c. Each village flows the water back to the one above it, and thus form a succession of watery steps from the reservoirs to the sea. Beside thi.3, and when about exhausted from these accumulated labors, it very benevolently devotes itself to the domestic and mechanical uses of the good people of Providence. So that we may regard the Pawtuxet river, not only as a very benevolent and hard working river, but in some restricted sense as a Rhode Island Institution. To it we owe especially the present pros- perity of the villages along its banks, and in a large measure their very existence.* » In the year 1858, Hon. Henry Eonsmaniere. then a resident of this town, published a series of articles in the Providence Daily Journal, entitled "Letters from the Pawtuxet," giving a detailed account of the rise and development of most of the villages situated along he line of the river, abounding in historical, genealogical and traditional matter. Mr. Kousmaniere was State Commissioner of Public Schools in the State, and died in Providence several years ago. The "Letters" are honorably mentioned by Lieut. Governor Arnold in his history of Ehode Island, and in a recent conversa- EASTERN PART OF THE TOWN. 137 Old Wakwick Under this head we propose to speak of the eastern portion of the town, or that part lying east of the village of Apponaug. The term, Old Warwick, applies strictly to only the " Neck," and its immediate vicinity. As the eastern part of the town was the earliest portion settled, and the only part until after King Philip's War, the chief items of interest pertaining to it have already been mentioned in connection with the general history of the town. There are some others of minor importance that will be mentioned in this connection. Pawtuxet village in the northeasterly part was the abode of William Arnold, Robert (Joles, William Carpenter and Benedict Arnold, who in 1642, placed themselves and their lands under the protection of Massachusetts, and became a source of considerable vexation to their neighbors at Shawomet. The diflSculties were finally settled and the people and their lands on the south side of the river were united to those of Warwick. Pawtuxet was the earliest settled portion of the territory within the present limits of the town. Of its local history the writer is not familiar. The early name of Warwick, and the one now applied by some to Old Warwick, was Shawomet or Mishawo- met, which is an Indian term for a spring. It was the name also early applied to territory on which Boston is situated — called sometimes Shawmut, and is also applied to a neck of land running from Slade's ferry, southwest, near Tiverton. There are several Indian names con- nected with portions of territory or bodies of water in tion with Judge Brayton, the latter spoke of them in a commend- atory manner. In tlie course of their publication, Mr. li. corrected some of the statements mode in tlie earlier numliers, and probably would have iriade others had he revised tlieni fur a more penuaneut form of publication. I have made a very free use of these let- ters in the following pages, verifying tlie statements so far as was practicable. There is always considt-rabln risk iu detailing events of a semi-historical or traditional nature, especially when they come withm the period of persons now living, and only from the considera- tion that much care and toil has been expended in their preparation, are they presented in these pages. »J2 138 HISTOKY OF WAEWICK. this part of the town. Occupasnetuxet, or as it is prioted in Walling's map, Occu-Pas-Pawtuxet, Coye, the Senior John Greene estate, now owned in part by the heirs of the ]ate Governor Francis; Ouchamanunkanet, meadow, southwest and near Pawtuxet ; Pasipucham- muck or Paschuchammuck, Cove, which is the old mill cove at Conimicut; Tuskatucket brook, between Appo- naug and Old Warwick ; Chopequonset point, a mile south of Pawtuxet; Weeweonk or Wawweonke creek, on the Nawsauket shore ; Wechenama or Nonganeck meadow, between Old Warwick and Pawtuxet river; Posneganset, or Punhanganset or Pushaneganset pond, now called the George Arnold pond, southwest of Paw- tuxet village. These names have for the most part been superseded by those of English origin, and of easier pro- nunciation. Occupasnetuxet designated in early times, not only the cove, but the land of the pioneer, John Greene, in its vicinity. The south portion in later times became knowii as Passtuxet, and on this portion was his residence.* His house was probably very near the site of the present residence of Mr. Edward A. Cole. An old cellar near the spot many years ago, probably indi- cated the exact site. John Greene's land extended nearly to Conimicut Point. In 1783, the northern portion, inherited by Major John Greene (.see page 69), was pur- chased by John Brown, and subsequently by inheritance came into possession of its present owners!, children of the late Gov. John Brown Francis. John Brown in view of the fact that its ownership changed in the spring- time when everything was beginning to look fresh and beautiful, and also in recognition of its former occu- pants, named it Spring Green, by which term it is still known. It is one of the most beautiful spots in the town, with delightful water views to the eastward, and well-kept lawns and groves, and comprises a tract of * A statement on page 31 conveys the impression that John Greene, Senior, resided on what is now the Spring Greene estate, which is erroneous. The statement shonid have been ihat he "lived and died at Oocupassnetuxet," the norihi^rn portion of which is "now known as Spring Green, or the Gov. Francis Estate." RANDALL HOLDEN HOUSE. 139 about seven hundred acres. Near by is Namquid Point, where the Gaspee was destroyed. The old and spacious mansion house, with its various additions made from time to time, dates back to somewhere in the seven- teenth century. Near by is an old cone-shaped ice house, which if not the first one built in the State, is probably the oldest one now in existence, in a carriage house is an ancient chariot, which had the honor of bearing Gen. Washington over Rhode Island territory, when he made his visit to the State in August, 1790. The body of the old vehicle is suspended on heavy thorough braces attached to heavy iron holders as large as a man's wrist, the forward ones so curved as to allow the forward wheels to pass under them, in order that the chariot may be turned within a short compass. The chariot has but one seat for passengers, which will ac- commodate two persons, and an elevated seat for the driver, which is separate from the main body. The wheels are heavy, the hind ones twice the height of the forward ones, the tires of which are attached to the felloes in several distinct pieces. It is an interesting and odd looking vehicle. THE OLD RANDALL HOLDEN HOUSE. (rrora a pencil sketch by Mrs. John W. Greene.) 140 HISTOBT OF ■WAKWICK. The Randall Holden house was situated on the north side of main street, about ten feet east of the present new house of Mr. Wm. Spencer. The ancient well is still used. It was one of ihe most ancient houses of the town, and was always known as the Randall Holden house, though it is not certain that it belonged to the pioneer of that name. His grandchildren are known to have lived in it. It was taken down fifteen or twenty years ago, and a portion of the material was used in the erection of the house now situated about a mile to the westward. Randall Holden, Senior, married Frances Clark, daughter of Jeremiah and Frances (Latham) Clark.* There is a portrait of Lewis Latham, father of Frances Latham, extant, now in possession of Mr. Lewis Greene, of Old Warwick. Randall Holden (see page 24), died July 23, 1692, aged 80 years. His son, Randall, died at the same age, in 1726, and like his father was called to important public positions in the colony. In 1696 he was a Deputy for Warwick ; in 1703, a conamittee, of which he was a member, reported a " settlement of the boundary between Connecticut and Rhode Island," and in Oct. 28, 1719, he was one of a committee to run the lines and make a chart of the colony to bfe sent home to the English government.! The old Lippitt house, still standing at the head of the Warwick Neck road, claims a passing notice, not less from its antiquity, than from the associations con- nected with it. It was the residence of Jeremiah Lippitt, who was Town Clerk for thirty- three years pre- Tious to 1776, and the last place in this section of the town, in which the town records were kept for any con- siderable length of time. When the house was repaired in 1848, on removing the clapboards from the front por- tion, the marks of the stoop over the door, and also the show window of the southeast room, in which the * For many of th« statements pertaining to this section of the town, I am indebted to Mrs. John Wiolies Oreene, a lady of considerable antiquarian research. t Material for a genealogical account of the Holden family is being gathered by Frederick A. Holden, Esq., Washington, D. O. BABLY BTJKIAL PLACES. 141 records were kept, were distinctly visible. It was a place of common resort for those who wished to learn the news and discuss the various topics of the day, sharing the honors in this respect with the taverns and other places of public resort. Frequent mention is made in the records of town meetings being held at the house of Mary Carder. She was the widow of John, son of Richard Carder, and a daughter of Randall Holden, Senior. She survived her husband many j^ears. Her house stood about five hun- dred feet west of the road leading to the " Neck," near the present town pound. It was demolished about twenty-five years ago, having been used as a barn for many years previous to that event. The burial places in the vicinity are quite numerous. Each family in early times having one of its own upon their land. The first interments in the town were made upon land originally belonging to the Senior John Greene, and now in possession of Mr. Edward A. Cole. In a pasture on Mr. Cole's land is a tomb-stone bearing the following inscription : Here lietli the bodie of Sarah Tefft; interred March 16, 1642, in the 67th year of her age. The above is a copy from the original stone taken from this spot, and deposited with the R. I. His. Society, in Providence. Erected in 1868, by Rufus Greene, of Providence, a de- scendant of 7th Gen. from John Greece, from Salisbury, Eng., in 1636, who was one of the original purchasers of these lands from Miantonomi, in the year 1642. The original stone at the grave of Sarah Tefft, was probably the earliest evidence of human mortality, of the kind, that the Warwick settlers left to their posterity. There are other graves near by, and at the head of one of them a stone bearing the name of Elizabeth Stone, with the date, 1707. The wives of John Greene and Robert Potter, who died from fright and exposure when the settlers were arrested and carried to Boston in the fall of 1643, were probably buried near this spot and probably John Greene, himself, though there is nothing certain in regard to it. Other spots have been pointed 142 HISTORY OF WABWICK. out as having some claims to this honor. At this time the pioneers were hardly settled in their new homes, and the fact that an interment had been made in this spot in 1642, suggests that others dying so soon after- wards would be likely to be buried in the same place. Up to 1663 (see page 60), it seems to have been the intention of the settlers to provide some place where they could all be associated in death as they had been in life. This idea was, however, subsequently abandoned, and each family provided a suitable spot for itself. The Randall Holden ground is near that of the Wickes', at the head of the cove. One of the old places now nearly obliterated is about one hundred feet from the present school house. " One of the graves was that of Mr. Emmett, -who was a school teacher at the time of his death, which took place in the year 1727. Good sub- stantial slate stones with suitable inscriptions marked the place of his interment until the vandalism that came in with our free schools broke them up."* The land around this spot was a common down to within a recent period, and an orchard occupied a portion of it. Some of the trees ot which were standing to a comparative late date. A public burial place was laid out previous to Feb. 20, 1663, and referred to under that date, with a lot for a town house adjoining — "ye buryinge place layd out for ye towne is eight poles squaer, joinging to ye western end of Peter Burzecott's aker of land," — ^but its exact location I have not been able to determine. Perhaps this may be the spot referred to. The town house probably failed of completion, though some pre- parations were made toward the building. The Indian war that broke out a few years after, pOssibly interfered with the good intentions of the people in that particular, or if it was built it perished in the general destruction of the war. The lot was early appropriated for school purposes, and the school house was used for the town meetings, as the following act of the town indicates: * Several of these items are contributed by John Holden, Esq. EAELT SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS. 143 "At a town meeting held in Warwick at the house of Capt. James Carder, this 18th of January, 1715-16, Mr. Eichard Greene, Moderator, Voated. that whereas a house hath lately bin built upon the town orchard for a schoole hous and great part of the charge hath bin paid by some partickular persons, therefore upon further consideration, It is surrendered up to be for the use of the towne for towne meetings upon occasions only. Keserving the liberty that it may be still for the use of a schoole hous Jor themselves and the rest of the town that shall see cause and remaining part of the cost and charge to be paid by a rate levied upon the whole towne the sum of thir- teene pounds in money or pay equivalent, to be paid to those that built the hous as above s'd to be paid out of the next towne rate, therefore we the proprietors for further encourage- ment of the said schoole wee doe by these presents Ennex the above said lot and orchard thereunto for the use of said schoole." This school house probably went to decay before the century closed, as Hon. John R. Waterman, who was born Feb. 19, 1783, says he went to school in what was then known as the new school house. It stood very near the church. A good pencil sketch of it is preserved in the family of Mr. Waterman. Among the earlier teachers remembered by Mr. Waterman, were Joseph Carder, son of James ; Charles Morris, who taught four years, and afterwards became a purser in the Navy ; Thomas Lippitt, a Warwick man, who married Waity Arnold, daughter of David, who recently died in Providence ; Ephraim Arnold, of Warwick. The ven- erable Mr. Waterman had his customary family reunion at his residence on his last birth day, having then arrived at the age of 92. All his children, including the one from Virginia, were present. The following extract from the account of the gathering, we clip from the Providence Journal : "It was gratifying to find that "Time's wasting fingers" had touched their venerable father but slightly, and that in his case, "The stern footsteps of decay Come stealing on" almost imperceptibly. This result, the old gentleman himself attiibutes to his systematic mode of life, and his simple and abstemious habits. His diet is of the very plainest, reduced in quantity to what most men would call "starvation rates." 144 HISTOBY OF WARWICK. But it is to this regimen lie ascribes liis remarkable exemption from many of the sufEerings incident to old age. His intellect unclouded, his memory fresh and accurate, his spirits cheerful, his relish for life scarcely abated— these he thinks, are blessings full worth the price he pays. In evidence of executive ability, rare at his age, may be quoted the management of his large farm. Like a skillful general, marking out a campaign, Mr. W. plans and supervises everything, even to the smallest details; and seldom it is that children or grandchildren get ahead of him. Acre for acre, tiew farms in this section show better result." The above spacious old domicil, known as the Benedict Arnold tavern, attained to considerable celebrity in its palmy days, beinsf a place of resort for those who delight in " tripping the light fantastic toe." Lieut. Governor Greene informs me that in his youthful days he had often visited it for this purpose. The young people for many miles around in the long winter evenings were wont to assemble here and hold their merry-makings, and the traveller stopped here on his journey, for a night, assured of finding good accommodations for " man and beast." It was situated on the north side of Main street, between the Quaker Meeting House and the road leading to Providence. It was also a place of resort for the older portion of the people, where they discussed EOCKY POINT. 145 the news of the day. Mrs. Maplet Wickes, widow of William Wickes, who married Josiah, the father of Bendict Arnold, had in her widowhood been licensed to keep a tavern, but whether this was the building in which she entertained travellers or not, is unknown. Benedict Arnold was the grandfather of John Wickes Greene, Esq. The old building was demolished about the year 1840. Three acres of the extreme point of Warwick Neck, was conveyed to John Quincy Adams, President of the United States, and his successors, on May 17, 1828, by William Greene. The consideration was $750. The point was purchased as a site for a light house. Capt. Benjamin Greene, father of the above-named William, had earned his title upon the sea. It is said the Captain had an orchard, and the sailors along shore so molested the Captain's wife by stealing the fruit, that she de- nounced the whole class as rogues and thieves, excepting only her husband. An anecdote is told of the Captain, that when he was president of the town council, some one proposed to the council that tlftre should be an inocula- tion for the small pox, which was prevalent in some of the other towns. Whereupon it is said the council voted that they would not have the small pox in the town by inoculation, or any other way. Probably the vote upon the matter, if taken, was not recorded. KOCKY POINT. Rocky Point, one of the famous shore resorts of Narragansett Bay, and by those competent to judge, said to be the most picture^jque and beautiful spot on the coast from Maine to Florida, has rapidly grown in popu- larity for the last thirty years. It early belonged to the Stafford family. Two daughters finally inherited it, Mary, who married Thomas Holden, brother of John, who lives on the hill, and Phebe (Stafford) Lyon, wife of Jasper Lyon. The former sold her portion to Capt. Winslow, about the year 18i7, for $1,200, and the latter £old hers to the same person a short time after for about 13 146 HISTORY OF WARWICK. the same price. Capt. Winslow commenced to make improvements, laying out the income in this manner until he sold it to Byron Sprague for 160,000. Mr. Sprague further improved it, building the observatory and the spacious private dwelling house in 1865. It now belongs to the American Steamboat Company. Various changes and improvements have been made annually, until it has become a paradise for excursionists and pleasure seekers. Twenty years ago the rocks were all there, and the cove of less ample dimensions than now, but the spacious hotel, the mammoth dining hall, the concrete walks, and flying horses, and bowling alleys, and shooting galleries, and stables, and monkey cage, and inclined railroad, and mounds, filled with cart-loads of clam shells, enclosed with picket fences, to awaken the idea in susceptible minds of some dead Pumham lying within them, and passages under rocks of a thousand tons weight— all these are comparatively modern im- provements. The locality is adapted equally for the crowds of excursionists, who land by thousands on its wharf, and for those who seek rest and relaxation in the bracing atmosphere, and find here a temporary home. Within the past few years real estate has taken a sudden rise in the vicinity, and many comfortable summer residences have been erected by persons living in Provi- dence and elsewhere. The Warwick Railroad has been built during the past year, and the ceremonj^ of driving the last spike was performed Dec. 3, 1874, and the road opened for travel in July of the present year. The road is eight and fifty-two one hundredths miles in length, and connects Providence with Oakland Beach. Its cost completed was estimated at $200,000. Leaving Warwick Neck in a southerly direction, we come to Horse Neck, across Warwick Cove, on the ex- treme point of which is Oakland Beach, another summer sea-side resort. OAEXAND BEACH. Oakland Beach is a new candidate for the favor of the people, and the hotel, erected in 1873, and other build- THE BUTTON WOODS. 147 ings, with the various objects of attraction, have already- succeeded in rivalling Rocky Point in the numbers that flock from ever)'- direction during the season to enjoy brief seasons of relaxation. The grounds have been tastefully laid out. An artificial pond, spanned by two rustic bridges has been excavated, and winds gracefully about the grounds, supplied by water from the sea at high tide, over which a fleet of boats are constantly passing. Here too are the flying horses, and the shoot- ing galleries, and the dizzy swings, etc., and that which seems to be the special attraction to many, the clam din- ners, when scores of bushels of the bi-valve, roasted upon the hot stones, find their way to the hungry mouths of the excursionists. We venture the opinion that more clams are eaten in Warwick during the months of July and August, than in any other town or city in New England, if not in the country. THE BUTTON WOODS. The old James Greene homestead, at the Button woods, at present owned by Henry Whitman Greene, Esq., a descendant of the eighth generation from John Greene, senior, is a place of some historic interest. The cellar walls of the first dwelling-house, erected upon the place, probably by James Greene, son of John, and brother of the Deputy Governor John jr., may still be seen. It was built of stone, about thirty feet long by fifteen wide, one story with a basement opening toward the east. The house was demoUshed more than sixty years ago. The present dwelling, built a few feet from the old one, was erected in 1687, and is said to have been seven years in building. It was built by James, the son of the former. The east end, with the chimneys, are of brick, the clay of which was taken from Warwick cove, and burnt upon the farm. The mortar was made of shell lime, which Was also burnt near by. Within the build- ing are various evidences of its strength and antiquity. The mammoth fireplace and heavy oaken, protruding 148 HISTORY OF "WARWICK. beams (the latter as seen from the cellar, formerly the foundation for the flooring, being about a foot square, and not more than a foot apart,) with heavy stair ways leading to the upper story, all have an ancient look. The present proprietor has a cane which has been handed down from his ancestors. The tradition respect- ing it is, that James Greene, the second of that name, bought it in England, while on a visit there. It was made of Malacca wood, surmounted with a heavy ivory knob, made from a whale's tooth ; beneath this is a silver ferule with the initials "I. G." and the date "1687," with an iron point, about two inches long at the bottom of the stick. It would be a formidable weapon in the hands of a strong man if used as a bayonet. A few rods from the building stands one of the ancient Buttonwood trees, from which the farm receives its familiar appellation of the Button woods. This old tree measures, near the ground, seven feet in diameter. James Greene, senior, took up his residence at Potowo- mut, upon lands that have continued in possession of his descendants. He married Deliverance Potter, daughter of Robert Potter, for his first wife and Ehzabeth Anthony of Rhode Island, for his second, Aug, 3, 1665. He died April 27, 1698, at the age of 71. His will devising his estate and duly witnessed by Anne Greene, Pasco Whitford and William Nickols, bears the date March 22, 1698. His son James, residing at Nausauket, died March 12, 1712, at the age of 52. His will is dated the day before his death : after committing his "soul unto ye hands of ye only True God, and Blessed Redeemer, Jesus Christ, in and through whom, I hope to obtain mercy and for- giveness of my manifold sins and Transgressions, and to be received by him into his everlasting kingdom," he provides that "his loving wife Mary Greene," shall have half of his house and farm during her life, which upon her decease was to go to his son James ; the other half, was given to his son Fones Greene, with legacies to his remaining seven children. Fones Greene, died July 29, 1758, at the age of 67. His will was duly executed on CAPT. JAMES GREENE. 149 the 10th of July previous, witnessed by Thomas Rice, jr., Anne Rice and Jeremiah Lippitt. He gave his "mansion house and westermost part of my homestead farm, together with all the buildings," to his son James ; also his "thatch bed and upland," on the easterly part of his farm nearly opposite 'to where the channel of the Horse-neck cove, so called, branches out into two chan- nels." Provisions were made for his wife, giving her the use of a portion of the mansion house and a privilege in " the old house, and cheese house," and requiring his sons to provide out of the estate suitable provisions during her life. Capt. James Greene, the oldest of the six children of Fones, just mentioned, and chief heir of his father's landed estate at Nausauket, was born Dec. 2, 1713, mar- ried Patience, daughter of Capt. John Waterman, April 10, 1740, and died Sept. 3, 1802, aged 88. " He was a member of the Baptist Society in Warwick for upwards of sixty years." His last will is dated Sept. 14, 1799, and witnessed by James Whipple, Bowen Arnold and James Jerauld. He gives to James Greene, two-thirds of his homestead farm, with the buildings thereon, (ex- cepting a portion of the house, which he gave to his grandson, James Warner Greene,) also two-thirds of his "thatch bed at the south end of the Neck," and an equal portion of all his other lands. To his grandson, Warner James Greene, the remaining third of the homestead farm, thatch bed, and other lands. To his daughter, Patience, who married Abraham Lockwood, his state securities, certain sums of money, household articles &c., with various bequests to his grand-children. His wife had died about five years previous. On the death of his father James, his only son Warner James Greene, who had already inherited one-third of the estate from his grandfather, received the remaining two-thirds of the homestead, or so much of it as remained in possession of his father at the time of his death, and on the decease of Warner James Greene, it came into the possession of its present occupants. »13 loO HISTOET OF WABWICK Of this estate were sold, three years ago, one hundred and thirty acres of land, bordering upon the beach, to an association of gentlemen, known as the Buttonwood Beach Association, for $22,000. This association has since laid out the grounds in a tasteful manner, and placed them in the market. They erected a large Hotel in 1872, at a cost of ^ome $20,000. Some fifty or more cottages, some of them quite expensive, have been already erected, and each year increases the number. The grounds are pleasantly located, having a beach a mile long, surmounted by a bluff nearly the whole length, some eight or ten feet high. The elevated ridge of Warwick Neck shelters it from the cold east winds, which render Martha's Vineyard so frequently cheerless, while the warm southerly and westerly outlook, affords ample scope for the genial breezes from those directions. To the southward lie the waters of the Narragansett, with the waters of the Coweset reaching to the village of East Greenwich, with Chippewanoxet in the fore-ground, and across the bay the fertile farms and stately dwellings of Potowomut. Still further south are the islands of Prudence and Patience, Jamestown and the island city of Newport. The constitution of the Button- wood Beach Association requires that six out of its nine managers, with the president, shall be of the Baptist denomination, giving it somewhat of a denominational character. APPONATJG AND COWESET SHORE. We find a reference to Apponaug as early as the year 1663, in the proprietors' records, but of no permanent settlement until the year 1696, when John Micarter of Providence, erected his. fulling mill on Kekame wit brook* * See page!l5. "At a proprietors' meeting, held January 8th, 1722-3, Major Anthony Low, moderator, Major Job Greene, Capt. John Waterman and Capt. Benjamin Greene, were appointed a committee, to agree -witli Samuel Greene, concerning the Fulling mill grant and to present a plat of the same for the approval of the proprietors." — Proprietors' Jiecords. "At a proprietors' meeting, called by a -warrant, and held at the APPONAUG. 151 In the earlier reference it is called Aponahock, and in the later Aponake. The word is an Indian term, according to Roger Williams, and signifies an oyster. Williams, writes it Opponenauhack. The place became known as the Fulling mill, but finally resumed its an- cient appellation, by which it is now more generally known. An arm of the cove that makes up in the rear of where formerly stood the old Baptist meeting-house, is known by the name of Pawwaw cove. The tradition is that an Indian priest or pawwaw, was drowned there while attempting to cross it Apponaug cove in early times, was several feet deeper than at present, and even since the year 1800, sloops of fifteen tons burden found no difficulty in entering it, and approaching the store of Jacob Greene & Co. In June, 1796, the General Assembly, granted permis- sion to John Stafford to erect a tide mill, tor the grind- ing of corn and other grains, at or near the bridge, "pro- vided that the mill dam be made and erected with suit- able waste-gates for venting the superfluous water, and in such a manner as not to back the water or otherwise injure the mills of Mr. Caleb Greene ; and also provided, that the said John Stafford, shall make, and leave open at all proper times, a suitable passage, not less than six- teen feet wide, in the said dam, for the passage of rafts and boats up and down said river." house of Josiah Hynes, in "Warwick, the thirty-first day of January, A. D. 1735-6. Vot-id: John Wiokes, chosen chairman. Present 26 pro- prietors. The conamittee have presented their Returue by a plat, made by Capt. Thomas Eice, surveyor, dated January 17 day, 1735-6, which was voted and accepted by the proprietors, and accordingly the Propiietors have drawn their generall allotments, which may fully appear by the plat and list thereof— iftj'd. The above paragraph refers to a tract of land, "Lighing between Sweet's meadow and Aponaugh brig." The tract was divided into fifty-one lots, John Wickes drew the first, and Kichard Waterman the fifty-first. "A true plat, errors excepted, of part of the Proprietors' commons, called ve fower miles commons lying near Apponog, part near ye Bridge and part near wood pint, so called, which was surveyed with the assistance of Colonell Joseph Stafford, Capt. Charles Holden and Capt. Thomas Kice, committee which was by the proprietors appinted for ye same, and platted this 35 [25?] of Oct. , A. D. 1751. Voted, that this plat be accepted by the proprietors.— /6jd:. 152 HISTOBY OP WAKWICK:. Whether the original fulling mill was kept in contin- uous operation from its early beginning, to the time when the building known as such, ceased operations, some sixty years ac;o, or what changes it underwent during the first century, it is perhaps, impossible to say. It was followed by a cotton mill, run by a company, of which Capt. Caleb Greene, father of Mr. Albert _D. Greene, was the agent. The mill was of three stories, shingled on all sides, and remained, until about the time the l^rint works went into operation. There was also a saw and grist mill in operation near by, for some years. Just in the rear of Mr. Benjamin Vaughan's house, was a small building used for the carding of wool, which was brought in by the neighboring farmers, and when carded was carried home and spun for use. It was run a part of the time by a Mr. Manchester, and also by the Wilburs.- Mr. Wilbur, father of the late Col. Peleg Wilbur, of Washington village, had a stoi'e in the village, in the year 1800 and afterwards, in which he sold dry and West India goods, and in one part was kept the usual sup- ply of New England rum. It is said there were not less than seven of these variety stores at one time, and seve- ral taverns, all of which, kept liquor for sale at retail. The old Wilbur house still stands on the east side of the street, leading toward Greenwich. Jacob Greene, bro- ther of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, had a store out in the water, off against Mrs. Remington's lot, for convenience, perhaps in unlading merchandise from the sloops that entered the harbor. The water surrounded it. One of the oldest houses, and perhaps the first framed house in the village, stands next north of Mr. Atvvood's hotel. Early in the present century, sloops and schooners were built here, and one ship is remembered by a person now living as also having been built. Trade was car- ried on with neighboring ports to a considerable extent. Jacob Greene & Co. here shipped their anchors from their forge in Coventry, and received their coal and black sand. It was thought at one time, hj some, that APP0NAU6 VILLAGE. 153 the village would come to much larger proportions and assume greater importance than it has ever arrived at ; and one of the inhabitants — as he beheld several houses then recently erected, in the exuberance of his imagi- nation, and with a preliminary remark uttered in not very choice language, — declaied that "Apponaug will yet be bigger than London." On two of the four corners, in the heart of the vil- lage, were taverns ; on the southeast, a blacksmith shop occupied by Gideon Congdon who died very suddenly ; and on the south was the old house in which Samuel Greene, son of the Deputy-Governor, John Greene, lived. Samuel Greene married a daughter of Benjamin Gorton, one of the sons of Samuel Gorton, Senior. He afterwards purchased of Samuel Gorton, Jr., the house which the latter had erected on one of the Coweset farms near Greenwich, now occupied by Ex-Lieut.-Gov. Wmiam Greene. He, however, continued to reside, at Apponaug until his death. He died of small pox at the age of fifty. His son. Gov. William Greene, re- sided on the estate purchased of Gorton. The old Greene house, which stood back a little from the street, was torn down forty-eight years ago and its timbers were put into the new one erected the same year upon the corner. It still remains in the Greene family. One of the ancient houses of the place, a one-story building, stood upon the site of the present residence of the ven- erable Daniel Brown (now in his ninety-fourth year), near the railway depot. The present residence of Mr. Brown was built about eighty-tive years ago, by Nathaniel and James Stone, and was subsequently pur- chased by Joseph Brown, father of the present owner. A choice bit of water, called the Sweet-Meadow Brook, passes through the farm and has been the source of considerable interest to Mr. Brown. Capt. Brown and his father also were born in the old house, according to the Captain's statements. In the chambers of Capt. Brown's house lived Mr. Caleb Arnold for a while, and there, his son, Mr. John B. Arnold, of Centreville, was born. Joseph Arnold, brother of Caleb, was a revolu- 154 HISTORY OP "WARWICK. tionary soldier, and drew a pension as major, to the close of his life. Col. Thomas Westcott, a descendant of one of the founders of the town, and a man of some note in the early part of the century, was the Sheriff of Kent county, and at one time a General in the militia. He married Marcy Arnold, of Cranston, February 4, 1781, and had eight children. Susanna was born March 29, 1782; Lucy, December 30, 1783; Catherine, May 6, 1785 ; Jaleel, February 3, 1788 ; Thomas, February 13, 1790; John, August 25, 1792; Samuel A., Decem- ber 11, 1794 ; Aribut, November 15, 1796 ; Augustus A., May 11, 1798. The two last died in infancy. Catherine married William Marble for her first husband, and James Haven for her second. She died in Centre- ville, a few years ago. Her son, Thomas Marble, Esq., is superintendent of the mills at Allendale. Allen, another son, was drowned in ^ew Bedford in 1860. One of the noted residents of the village, and whose influence extended beyond its limits, was Charles Brayton, for many years clerk of the town, and from May, 1814, to May, 1818, an Associate Judge of the Supreme Court. He was subsequently chosen to the same position in 1827 and remained several years. His father, Daniel Brayton, was a blacksmith and removed from Old Warwick. He removed his shop from Old Warwick to Apponaug, to near the spot where his son, the Hon. Wm. D. Brayton, formerly a Member of Con- gress, now resides. Hon. George A. Brayton, late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is also one of his sons. The latter was elected Associate Justice in ] 843, remaining in that position until 1868, when he was elected Chief, and remained in that position until within about a year. He is a graduate of Brown Universitv, class of 1824. • Previous to the building of the Town House, in 1834-5, the town meetings were held at various ])laces, chiefly at the taverns ; and the privilege of having them was, in later years, sold at auction to the highest bidder. The benefits accruing to the successful bidder TOWN HOUSE LOT IMPROVED. 155 were probably derived from the increased amount of liquor that would be sold upon his premises during the meetings. The following is an extract from the town records referring to this matter: At a Town Meeting held at Daniel Whitman's Inn on the 25th of July, 1812, it was " Voted that the holding of the Town Meetings be sold to the highest Bidder, to any person within the Town of Warwick, for one year, and that the money aris- ing therefrom be paid into the Town Treasury; and the same was according Struck off to Benjamin Greene, (S. C.) for the sum of One Hundred and Sixty-tive Dollars, who was the Highest Bidder; that the same be paid into the Treasury at the Expiration of the Year, and that Security be given to the satisfaction of the Town Treasurer within Ten Days." At a subsequent meeting the town accepted the note of Benjamin Greene, endorsed by Caleb Greene, Jr., "for the sum the town meetings were bid off for." Previous to 1849 the grounds about the Town House presented a barren, desolate appearance ; the old ash tree in the rear of the clerk's office being about the only tree of importance upon the grounds. At the April town meeting of this year the town requested its clerk to " procure and set out five elm trees, in front of the Town House lot and guard the same against cattle by placing around each tree a strong fence or barricade. " As the other trees upon the grounds at the present time are of the same kind, and about the same size, it is prob- able they were also set out about the same period. At the same meeting a sum not exceeding two hundred dollars was voted to build a shed upon the rear portion of the lot. At the April town meeting, in 1854. the Kentish Artillery were granted the privilege of building an Armory on the eastern portion of the town house lot. In the year 1854 there was more than usual interest in the temperance movement. Efforts on the part of the temperance people looking toward the suppression of the traffic, were met with violent opposition on the part of tteir opponents, and occasional acts of violence for the purpose of intimidating the more active pro- moters of the reform, were resorted to. One of these law- 156 HISTORY OP WARWICK. less and disgraceful arid cowardly acts was perpetrated in the village of Apponaug, which was followed a few years after by one of murderous malignity in the village of Ceutreville. In the former village a keg of powder was placed in the barn of Mr. WiUiam Harrison and near the then residence of the present town derk, and exploded, blowing the barn to pieces and seriously endangering the lives of the people in the vicinity. The Town Council immediately offered a reward of two hun- dred dollars for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who committed the act, and the town, a few days after (Nov. 7), offered an additional reward of five hundred dollars, but no one was convicted. Passing southward we come to the site of the old Episcopal meeting house which stood about midway be- tween Apponaug and Greenwich. It was erected here in 1728, having formerly stood in Newport where it bore the name of Trinity church. According to tradition, it was floated from Newport to this place, where it re- mained for over thirty years, when the migratory spirit came over it again and it was taken down once more and placed upon the water with the intention of remov- ing it to Old Warwick. A storm came on and the materials were scattered and never reached their desti- nation. Chippewanoxet, a name euphonious in Indian but rude and diabolical in English, it being interpreted Devil's Island, is a small Island at high tide, near the summer resort known as Read's Palace. An old burial spot a short distance from it and near the railroad cul- vert is traditionally of Indian origin. In reaching this point we have passed the palatial residence of Amasa Sprague, Esq., at the old Ladd wat- ering-place, the most costly dwelling-house, probably, in the town ; with its extensive and beautiful lawns and shrubbery. To the southward and not far from the site of the old Indian burial ground, is the pleasant resi- dence of the late Dea. Moses Wightman, formerly owned and occupied by the late Rev. Dr. Crane and lonf known as the Oliver Gardiner house. On the hill o w < M w Pi o p;; o Z Pi > O o M W THE GOV. GREENE MANSION. 157 the massive stone dwelling-house of Alfred A. Read, Esq., vying, in architectural beauty, with the Sprague house, to the northward, and overlooking Narragansett Bay and the surrounding country. On the corner of Division street and the road leading to Apponaug is an old house occupied during the first decade of the pres- ent century and for many years, by John Mawney who was postmaster for many years in the adjoining vUiage. The old cozy mansion presented in the engraving, is the residence of Ex-Lieut.-Gov. Wm. Greene, and is one of the historic houses of the town. The original or southeastern portion was built about the year 1685, by Samuel Gorton, Jr., whose father was one of the twelve original purchasers of the town lands. It lays no claim to architectural beauty. The old colonial style of ar- chitecture, as indicated by the few dwelling-houses still preserved, was one in which the owner studied carefully his means and his necessimes rather than the develop- ment ot his architectural taste. Built, usually, of the best timber of the surrounding forests, it became not only the quiet home of his family in times of peace, but also his castle in seasons of danger. As his family increased and more room was demanded, an addition was built on some convenient side, or another story was added. Sometimes, as in the present case, where no lack of means prevented the removal of the old build- ing and the erection of one of modern structure and elegance, a no less serious obstacle intervened. The old house, limited in capacity and homely in appearance, had become sacred to its possessor, by the many time- haUowed associations connected with it. It was the home of his ancestors long since gone to their rest. Within its venerable walls he first lisped his mother's name, and no other dwelling, however convenient or elegant, would ever seem so much like home to him. From such considerations the old dwelling was allowed to remain ; subject, however, to such modifications as the necessities of the occupants demanded. The build- ing fronts to the south, u 168 HISTOB.Y OF WAKWICK. The large stone chimney in the centre of the building belonged to the original part and was built according to the custom of the times, half out of doors, having been enclosed when the addition was made on the west side at a subsequent date. The one on the eastern end has been taken down since the photograph from which the engraving was taken was procured, and extensive addi- tions have been made in the rear. The front however, still retains its ancient form. Some interior modifications • have also been made. The old grandfatherly fire-places in whose cosy corners, children half grown could stand erect, and look upward at night and count the stars, with the well polished brass fire dogs reflecting their faces in grotesque shapes, have been superseded by modern inventions. There is still preserved, however, an air of the olden time, in the low studded rooms, the heavy oaken beams, here and there protruding from the walls and ceiling, the figured porcelain tiles about the fire-places, and various arrangements for comfort or or- nament, that would not fail to attract the curiosity of the visitor. The small building in front, enclosed partly in lattice work, was built for a well-curb in 1794. On its apex is a gilded weather-cock, which from its low and protracted position must have been in a chronic state of uncertainty as to which way the wind blew. The well is still pre- served, though not at present in use. It was originally provided with the old-fashioned sweep. The extensive out-buildings are of modern structure, having been built chiefly by the present resident, and are provided with all the conveniences that wealth can furnish for the various kinds of live stock in which the Governor takes a con- siderable interest. The house has been the home of one of the historic families of Rhode Island for several generations, and in this circumstance lies its chief claim to special interest. Samuel Greene, who was the youngest son of the Deputy Governor John Greene, married the daughter of Benjamin Gorton, brother of Samuel Gorton jr. , and pur- THE GOV. GREENE MANSION. 159 chased the estate of the latter in 1718, the farm was the 17th of the " Coweset purchase." 8amuel Greene died two years after the purchase of the estate from Gorton, when it came into the possession of his son WilHam, who held the office of Deputy Governor of Rhode Island from July 15, 1740, to May, 1743, and afterwards that of Governor, for nearly eleven years, between 1743 and 1758, dying in office Jan. 23, 1758. During the year 1758, the west portion of the house was built by Wm. Greene, jr., a new aspirant for political honors. It was enlarged in view of his approaching marriage, and was destined to gather about it associations rich in his- toric and family interest. In the year 1777, its owner was elected to the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and in the following year to that of Governor, a position which he ably filled for eight successive years. The war of the revolution was then in progress and the west room became the Governor's council room, In it the Governor and his council with Gen. Sullivan, Gen. Nathaniel Greene, Lafayette, Rochambeau and other notable personages, both civil and military, held frequent consultations upon important national affairs. Here their several views were exchanged, questions of ex- pediency discussed and grave matters of doubt unravelled. At intervals, when the demands of duty were less pressing, they were wont to gather here for temporary relaxation and enjoy the generous hospitalities of the Governor's family. The acquaintances thus foroaed ripened into personal friendships that were destined to be gratefully acknowledged in after years. The room still contains some mementos of those times. On its walls may be seen a large mezzotint engraving of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, presented by Lafayette to the daugh- ter of (Jen. Greene many years afterwards, which bears on its lower margin the following inscription in the hand-writing of the patriotic Frenchman : — " To dear Mrs. Shaw, from her father's companion in arms and most intimate friend — Lafayette." A portrait of Gen. Greene, painted by Charles Peale, 160 HISTORY OF WAEWICK. and said to be the best one extant, hangs on the oppo- site wall. It originally belonged to the collection of the Hon. William Bingham, of Philadelphia, who was a member of the United States Senate at the same time that the Hon. Ray Greene, the father of the present resident, held a similar position from Rhode Island. On the death of Mr. Bingham, his collection was scattered, and this painting was accidentally discovered subse- quently in Philadelphia, where its present owner was fortunate enough to secure it. Among the notable visitors of that, and subsequent years, was Dr. Franklin, who was on terms of intimacy with the family, and usualh' made a friendly visit here whenever he came to New England. While in France, he kept up a frequent correspondence with one of the members of the family, his letters still being preserved in the family archives. The west window'overlooking a beautiful valley, bears the name of " Franklin's window," from the interest he is said to have taken in sitting beside it and gazing at the prospect it afforded. In the east room, hanging upon the wall, is a small bronze me- dallion of the old philosopher and statesman, which the Governor assured me was hung there by Franklin him- self. In this latter room, in one corner, let down into the floor several inches, and then reaching to the ceiling overhead'5 stands an old coffin-shaped clock, ticking away, as it has done for the past one hundred and fifty years. Among the interesting manuscript relics, besides the letters of Franklin, is an original one of Washington and several of his autographs attached to public docu- ments, letters of Webster, Henry Cla}' and John Quincy Adams. It was in this house that Gen. Nathaniel Greene, then living in Coventry, and engaged in business with his brothers, in their anchor forge, became acquainted with Miss Catherine Littlefield, daughter of John Littlefield, Esq., of New Shoreham. They were married in the west room, by Elder John Gorton, July '20, 1774. In 1797, Hon. Ray Greene, son of Gov. William THE GOV. GREEKE MAKSION. 161 Greene, jr., then the possessor of the old family resi- dence, was appointed a United States Senator, for two years, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of the Hon. William Bradford. He was one of the talented and popular men of the times, and in 1799, was returned to the same position for the term of six years In 1801 he resigned his position to accept the office of District Judge of Ehode Island, to succeed Judge Bourne. The appointment was made by John Adams as he was about retiring from the presidential office. There was some informality connected with the appointment, which was discovered too late to be rectified by Mr. Adams, and when the matter was referred to his successor, Mr. Jefferson, he refused to rectify it, and appointed instead, one of his own political adherents to that office. Mr. Greene thu& by a simple misunderstanding on the part of another, lost both his senatorial and judioial offices. The present resident was graduated at Brown Univer- sity in the class of 1817. Among his class-mates were Ex-Governor Charles Jackson, Judge William R. Staples, Rev. Dr. Henry Jackson and Professor Edward R. Lippitt. For forty-two years he was a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was specially interested in the development of its public schools, and officially connected with them during most of that period. In 1862, he returned to his ancestral home, and in 1866, was elected to the office of Lieut. Governor of the State, Gen. Burnside receiving the office of Governor. On the following year he was re- elected and at its close retired from official station, to pass the evening hours of an already long and busy life, in the quiet repose of the old homestead. Passing through the grounds to the rear of the house, we come to the old family burial place, in a quiet se- cluded spot, where repose the deceased members of the family of several generations. The lot is of a circular form and closely surrounded by a tall evergreen hedge composed of the pine, arbor vitse and Norway spruce varieties, tastefully intermingled and completely shut- ting out the view from the outside. Most of the stones 162 HISTORY OP -WARWICK. bear the simple name, time of the death and age of the deceased, without any attempt to eulogize their virtues. The oldest dates noticed were those of 1741, 1752, 1758 and 1760. Here lie two of the Governors of Rhode Island, with their wives beside them. The following are verbatim copies of the inscriptions on two of the stones: In memory of the Hon'"' William Greene Esq' Governor of the Colony: who departed this life J any ^d A. D. 1758 In ye 62d year of his age. In memory of the Honorable William Greene Esqr Governor of this State for a number of years, Principally during the period of the successfiil Exertion for the Independence of America, who departed this life Ifov. 29th 1809. In the 78th year of his age. CROMPTON. Previous to the year 1800, the territory, for miles around, was in possession of a comparatively few fami- lies ; Westerly, and reaching into Coventry, were the estates of the Tiujileys and Mattesons ; on the south was the farm of Thomas Arnold, a part of one of the original Coweset farms, and assigned to Richard Carder in 1685 ; a portion of which is now owned by the heirs of Jonathan and James Tiffany. Thomas Arnold, of Coventry, on the 1 1th day of March, 1783, as per deed of that date, sold to Thomas Matteson, son of John, for one hundred and twenty-one pounds, seventeen shillings, lawful money, seventeen acres of land, bounded, " north, part on a pond and part on land of James Greene ; south, on land of the grantee ; west, on a highway, and east on land of said James Greene." Thomas Matteson was the grand-father of Mrs. Albert H. 7irnold. He was a blacksmith by trade, and became THE MATTESON FAMILY. 163 possessed of a large landed estate ; the old homestead is the house now occupied by Mr. John Phillips, of Quid- nick, who married a daughter of Elisha Matteson, a son of Thomas. Mrs. Phillips inherited it from her aunt The blacksmith shop occupied the site of the dwelling-house next west of the old house now owned by Mrs. Eben Henrys. John, the brother of Elisha, re- sided in the house which formerly occupied the site of the present fine residence of Mr. Albert H. Arnold. The will of Thomas Matteson is dated March 14, 1810. After making suitable provision for his wife, in addition to her right of dower, he gave to his son, George Matteson, all the land he had bought of Job Greene and Benjamin Fenner, which was a part of the farm "formerly owned by Col. Christopher Greene," to- gether with all his blacksmith's tools and one hundred dollars in money. To his two daughters, Sarah and Marcy, the lot of land opposite the dwelUng-house, con- taining, by estimation, forty-seven acres ;" also, a cow and one hundred dollars in money to each of them, with two-thirds of all his " indoor movable property ;" and after mentioning legacies in money to each of his eight grand-children, be bequeathed his homestead, farm, and the remainder of his estate, both real and personal, to his two sons, Elisha and John, to be equally divided be- tween them. John Matteson purchases of his brother Elisha, at five different times, from April 10 to August 25, 1827, 133 acres, at a total cost of 14,365, which, with the amount inherited from his father, and other purchases, gives him an ample domain. On the east end of the present farm of Mr. Albert H. Arnold, and near the river, was the dwelling-house of Moses Matteson, brother of Thomas, which was torn down not less than sixty years ago. The site of it may be still seen. The old apple trees in the vicinity of it probably bear some relation to the old house. Near by is a spring that fur- nished water for its inhabitants. The spring is now overflowed by the river. 164 HISTOKY OP WABWICK. To the north was the land of James Greene, a por- tion of which still remains in possession of his descend- ants. Easterly was farm No. 4, of the "Coweset pur- chase," which was owned in 1685, by the heirs of Ezekiel Holliman, who is spoken of as "a pious, godly man," and who, in 1636, baptized Roger Williams, though he was a layman in the church. This farm was purchased some years before the Revolutionary war, by Stephen Arnold, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and to whom reference has already been made. It extended from the Coweset road to the Highway run- ning from the village of Apponaug to Centreville, and contained about 240 acres. The house in which Judge Arnold reared a large family still stands on the north side of the road, on the brow of the hill opposite the Waterman Clapp farm. The farm on the opposite side of the road originally belonged to John Greene, Jr., in 1685, and the house in which Mr. Clapp now lives is one of the oldest in the vicinity. It was the ninth in the Coweset purchase. The changes that led to its present ownership can be only briefly mentioned. Among the children of John Greene was a son Peter, who was born February 4, 1654; Peter married Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen Arnold, of Pawtuxet. They had seven children, the third of whom was named John, born March 5," 1686-7. This John — who is often alluded to as Capt. John Greene, of Coweset, to distinguish him from several other Johns in Warwick — married Mary, the daughter of his uncle. Job Greene, October 25, 1719. Capt. John Greene, of Coweset, had four children, one daugh- ter of whom married Silas Clapp. Capt. Greene died May 30, 1758, aged 72. In his will, dated August 5, 1757, after several bequests, he gave his daughter, Mary Clapp, wife of Silas, the homestead farm on which he dwelt, and appointed her sole executrix. He left a widow who was insane, and made special provision for her comfort during her life. Silas Clapp died March 1^, 1777, aged 68, and lies buried in the walled enclosure CEOMPTON. 165 upon the farm. The homestead was given to John Clapp, whose heirs still retain possession of it. Two years ago (1873), there were four brothers and sisters of this family, upwards of eighty } ears of age, three of whom were living in the old homestead. Wm. Clapp, of East Greenwich, aged eighty-seven, and Miss Marcy Clapp in her eighty-second year, died in 1873. The funeral of the latter was attended by Mrs. Meder, an approved preacher of the Societj' of Friends, who, herself, was also in her eighty-second year. Mr. Waterman Clapp is still vigorous, at the ripe age of eighty-eight, while his sister, Miss Ann Clapp, still continues her pilgrimage at the advanced age of ninety-two. On the east, and adjoining, is the Coweset farm. No. 8, and belonging in 1685, to Richard Waterman, who was one of the twelve original purchasers of Warwick, of the Indians. Half of the farm fell to John Waterman, great-grandson of Richard, in 1720, from whom it fell to his son William. Capt. William died at an ad- vanced age, December 28,1839. His daughter Marcy, was the second wife of the late James Greene, of Centre- ville. John Waterman, his son, inherited the farm, and was an industric>us man, and worked in his fields until near the time of his death, which occurred May 26, 1857. One of his daughters married the first Governor William Sprague. Somewhat back from the road and near the dividing hne between the Clapp and the Waterman farms, is a spot known as the "Old Wigwam," a place that was among the latest in this vicinity to be occupied by the natives. Mr. Waterman Clapp informed me last year (1874) that it used to be a favorite place for him when a boy, to hunt for Indian relics which were numerous at that time. Farm No. 3, opposite, was purchased of Robert Potter's heirs in 1607, by Israel Arnold ot Pawtuxet. A portion of it is now owned by the heirs of Jonathan Remington. The next plantation east belonged also to the Remingtons. The family came originally from 166 HISTORY OP WARWICK. Wales. John, the first we have any knowledge of, and who probably was the progenitor of all of that name in Rhode Island, settled in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He became a citizen of Portsmouth, in Rhode Island,' in 1669. Stephen, one of his sons, was one of .the grand jury in 1688. John, Jr., who we think, was another of his sons, was admitted a freeman in 1678. John, in 1695, gave to his third son Thomas, his property in Haverhill, comprising a house and four acres of land on the river. Thomas settled on Prudence Island and sub- sequently located in Warwick. He bought farm No. 1, containing 240 acres, of John Warner and Philip Sweete in 1692-3 for £57. His children consisted of eight sons and two daughters. The daughters' names were Prudence and Mary, the latter bearing the name of her mother. The sons were John, Thomas, Wilham, Daniel, Joseph, Stephen, Matthew and Jonathan. His will, according to a singular custom, was proved before his death, which, however, occurred soon after. His son William, when he sold his share of the farm in 1712, to George Whitman, Jr., of Kingston, reserved " the burying ground where his father and grandfather are " interred. It seems from this that John Remington was buried in this place: "an old tombstone may be seen there bearing the initials of his name with the date of his death." The present owners of a portion of the estate are Mr. Thomas Jones Spencer, son of Gideon, who was the originator of the famous Spencer's pills. Mr. Spencer has greatly improved his estate, having now one of the best farms in the town. Mr. Thomas Levalley also possesses a part of the estate. Thomas Remington, Sr., devised to Thomas, Jr., Wilham and John, all his lands, they to pay legacies to the other children. As some of the sons married they removed from Warwick and scattered the name of Remington over a large territory. Thomas married Maplet, daughter of (Japt. Benjamin Gorton, December 28, 1710; their children were Maplet, bom July 11 1712; Mary, May 17, 1715; Stephen, June 26, 1720; THE EKMINGTON FAMILY. 137^ Thomas, August 19, 1723. The father died, September 25, 1723, aged 41. In the inventory, of 140 acres, the farm was valued at .£600, and an Indian apprentice at £24. This farm was No. 2, on the plat of the Coweset farms, and was originall}'- assigned to John Smith, but inherited by his heirs, the two children of Lieut. Eliza Collins, and from them to Samuel Barnes of Swanzey, and was afterwards sold by the latter, in 1712, to Thomas Remington, for £243. Thomas Remington sold 100 acres on the north end to his brother Daniel for £100, in October, 1715. Benjamin F. Remington now owns and lives on the farm where his ancestors ploughed the first furrow in the virgin soil. Thomas, the fourth child of Thomas and Maplet, was married to Abigail Eldred, December 14, 1744. Their children are as follows : Thomas, one of triplets, two of whom died in a few days, was born October 24, 1747. He was a judge several years, and resided in Coventry ; Maplet, born June 16, 1749, married William Rice of Crompton ; Sarah married Charles Holden of Providence ; Benjamin, born September 2, 1752 ; the next day, by the new calendar, the 3d of September was reckoned the 14th, consequently young Benjamin, though but two days old, was made to appear, by the hocus pocus of figur.es, fourteen days old. Benjamin was one of the owners of the Crompton mill. Mary, another daughter, was born, in 1754 ; John, November 2, 1756. He was a captain in the Revolutionary Array, and died in North Adams, Massachusetts. Jonathan was born September 9, 1758 ; he settled in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and was a man of some political importance, and frequently represented the town of Cheshire in the Legislature, previous to 1793 ; James W. was born May 28, 1760 ; Henry, July 28, 1764 ; he was judge of the Supreme Court from 1801 to 1808, and a fluent, energetic, debater. Four of these brothers were in the American army during the war of the Revolution. The father died April 12, 1808, in his 85th year. Mrs. R. died April 14, 1766, in her 4Hd year. 168 HISTORY 01' WAJBWIGK. At the establishment of the Crompton mills, Benja- min, already alluded to as one of the new company, lived upon the family estate, about a mile distant, on the Coweset road. He was a member of the town council and of the legislature ; he married Phebe, daughter of Capt. Matthew Manchester. His second wife was Lydia and the third Nancy ; they were all sisters, and died be- tween their 31st and 33d years. He married the fourth time into another family, and died himself in the sum- mer of 1837. He left 140 acres of land to his sons, Jon- athan and Thomas, the latter the father of Benjamin F. The present dwelling hou^e of Mr. James E. Whitford stands on the site of the former residence of Judge Othniel Gorton, who was chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island from 1788 to 1790. Just after the close of the Revolutionary war, Judge Gorton acted as chairman of a committee appointed by the General As- sembly, to enquire into the conduct of certain > persons suspected of disloyalty. During the process of the ex- amination, some person afBxed to the door of his house an insulting and threatening paper, designed to intimi- date him from prosecuting his enquiries. The General Assembly offered a reward of five hundred dollars for in- formation leading to the discovery of the offender. THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE. About half a mile east of the village, on the land of Mr. Waterman Clapp, may still be seen the debris of the old school house, built in the year 1798. The house ongmally stood on the opposite side of the road, on land owned Dy Judge Stephen Arnold. The land was given by the Judge for school purposes, to revert to the original owner when no longer used for these purposes The house was built by subscription, and was a small one story budding, but was regarded as a very creditable attair at the time. It was estimated to cost f 150 but like most of such estimates, it exceeded this amount SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL TEACHERS. 169 by $50. There were twenty shares, of which Mr.Clapp's father held four ; sixteen other persons held one share each. The teachers were supported by a tuition tax upon the pupils, and though a private school, it was de- signed to furnish educational facilities for all the families then residing within the limits of the present village of Crompton, as well as those in the farming regions round about The first teacher was James Pollard, an English- man, who is still remembered by Mr. Clapp, from whom most of the items connected with the building have been obtained. Mr. Clapp was one of his pupils. Mr. Pol- lard's daughter, Mrs. Cady, mother of Mr. Ezra J. Cady, of Centreville, is still living, though at the present time old and blind. Mr. Clapp showed the writer a family record written, or rather printed with the pen, by Mr. Pollard, and if he was as well qualified to teach the other branches of knowledge as he evidently was that of penmanship, the interests of his pupils must have been very well pro- vided for. Quite a number of persons are now living in this region, who attended school there, among them Mrs. Oliver Arnold, who then lived a couple of miles south, and Mr. Albert H. Arnold, who then lived at his home, on the Apponaug road, and who had the misfortune to pitch off the banii near the school house and break his arm. Mr.-Pollard was followed as teacher by Mr. Bennett B[olden,Miss Lucy Glover, Miss Pond and Oliver Johnson, Esq., DOW of Providence, and others. Tn 1826, Mr. Clapp bought up the shares, at a dollar and a quarter a share, and removed the building upon his land directly across the road, where it was still used for several years, until about the year 1830. When it was no longer needed for a school house it was altered into a tenement, and an additional story was added to its height. Mrs. Lucy Sweet, a respectable colored woman, was a tenant at one time. Like most of its teachers and pupils who im- parted or received instruction within its walls, it could not resist the increasing infirmities of time, and finally went to decay and blew down seven or eight ir, 170 HISTORY OP WARWICK. years ago, leaving only the foundation walls and the shattered remains of the building to mark the spot where stood the first school-house for miles around, and where the aged fathers and mothers in this vicinity received their early instruction. During the time in which the old school-house was in use, the village of Crompton had come into existence. The present site of the village with many contiguous acres fell at a very early period into the possession of the Mattesons. Henry Matteson devised by will,. Dec. 12, 1766, this tract to his two sons, Nicholas and Isaac, the former of whom married Abigail, daughter of Jonathan Cook. They sold to William Rice, for £1200, June 4, 1779, 127 acres of land and a dwelling house, the boundaries of which were : a highway on the south, east and west ; northerly, by land of James Greene and Thomas Matteson. The highway alluded to is the ancient one leading from Centreville in a southerly di- rection until it meets the Coweset road, then running south-westerly along the Pawtuxet to the village of Washington. Mr. Rice purchased on both sides of the Pawtuxet, meeting James Greene's land at Centreville, and both his and Thomas Matteson's at Matteson 's pond. Some of the bounds, as kid down upon the Matteson deed, are not now in existence; for instance, a large spiing in the south-west corner which has been, over- flowed since the erection of the dams. Paper currency depreciated so rapidly after the sale that the Mattesons were scarcely able to exchange their X1200 lor a yoke of oxen. Wm. Rice, April], 1784, bought of Ephraim Tingley, of Coventry, sou of Ephraim, 37 acres with a grist mill and house, for the sum of £240. The Tingley mill was very old and was probably contemporaneous with the settlement of the Coweset farms ; a part of this farm is now owned and occupied by Mr. Gideon B. Whitford. The old house in which Wm. Rice lived, that stood on the site of the one now occupied by Mr. Whitford, was torn down some years ago. The grist mill was situated MANUPACTtTRING. 171 just across the Warwick line in Coventry, a little south of the canal that conveys water to the mills, near the upper dam, and opposite the house of George TiJBfany. The site of the present village in 1800, was a dense forest, in which, Mr. Waterman Clapp informed me, he often hunted rabbits and partridges in his boyhood. Another old resident corroborates the fact that the ground was covered with a heavy growth of wood, in- termingled A;\ith laurel, so dense, that the sun of mid-day sought the ground in vain. A spot just in front of where the Catholic Church now stands, was noted as a haunted spot. It is said that William Clapp, when a young man, was passing from his home to the grist mill at Centreville, and when near that s]>ot, he saw what he thought was a man, but as he looked at it, it gradually faded out of sight, and notliing would convince him that he had not seen an apparition. Dr. Sylvester Knight, it was said, observed the same phenomenon. Another spot in Centreville, on the opposite corner from the old tavern house, enjoyed the unenviable notoiiety of being the Haunted Corner. Mr. Clapp said that when his father used to send him to the grist mill, he always made it a point to get by these places before dark. The old gen- tleman related with great merriment these incidents of his youthful days. Tne first attempts at manufacturing in this village be- gan in 1807, on which date, a company of eight men, five of whom lived in Providence, and the others in this vicinity, purchased 20 acres of land of Wm. Rice, for $1050 ; Seth Wheaton, held nine shares ; Thomas Ses- sions, six ; John K. Pitman, six ; Henry Smith, four : Nathaniel Searle, two ; Jonathan Tiffany, two ; Benjamin Remington, one ; the last two were Citizens of Warwick. The company styled themselves "The Providence Manu- factuiing Company." As the capital stock was divided into 32 shares, there is one not accounted for. It is said to have belonged to Wm. Rice, who, being apprehensive of future embarrassment, would not permit his name to go upon the town's recoids as one of the original band. I'S HISTORY OP WABWICK. The head of this firm was Col. Seth Wheaton, a native of Providence, and a good specimen of her former mer- chants. He died October 26, "1827, aged 68. His only son, Henry Wheaton, was a noted man, and his name will be remembered long after the mills that his father raised in Crompton have crumbled into dust. Mr. Ses- sions was well known as a man of business, though he excited much opposition. Nathaniel Searle was a tal- ented lawyer. Benjamin Remington was a farmer, and lived on the Goweset road. Major Jonathan Tiffany resided at Ceutreville, though he subsequently removed to Crompton, where his descendants now live. He as- sisted in making the machinery for the mills at Anthony and Crompton. The Stone mill, called formerly by some, in derision, " the stone Jug," now designated as No. 1, was built in 1807,* and the village was known for some years as the Stone factory. It is said to be the tirst stone cotton mill built in the State. Additional land was purchased of Wm. Rice and Thomas Matteson in 1808. In January, of this year, Mr. Wheaton sold seven shares of his stock to Sullivan Dorr, for |6,720. Roger Alexander, of Cum- berland, purchased two shares and gave the company the benefit of his intimate knowledge of cotton spinning. Alexander sold his shares to the company in 1812, for the sum of $2,900, In 1814, Mr. Dorr sold all his in- terest in the concern, consistiug of ten shares, to Thomas Sessions. Wm. Marchant, of Newport, bought one- twellth, for |8,000, in 1814, and Mr. Pitman, the same year, sold to Sessions, Smith, Searle and Tiffany, all his right in the real and personal estate of the Company, being six-thirty-second parts, for |31,8(.0, and took a mortgage un the property. The company remodeled the shares among themselves, and made Sessions their agent. In May 16, 181U, the company failed, and made an as- signment to Philip Allen and Samuel Aborn. Pitman recovered judgment against the surviving assignee (Mr. » The capstone over the door bearing the date of isofi, was placed there in the year 1862 3. The true date is 1807 as above given. TIFFANY S MILL AND FLAT TOP. 173 Aborn being dead), in an action of tresspass and eject- ment, and appointed John Whipple to act as his at- torney on the premises, August 30, 1818. Within this time Jonathan Tiffany had charire of the mills for about two years. After sundry conveyances from one member to another, from some of the associates to outsiders, from the latter back to the former, conveyances great in numbers, comprehensive in quality, perfectly legible to lawyers, but entirely hieroglyphical to the uninitiated — after all the ink was spilt and paper used up, Mr. Pitman tof^k possession in January, 1819. The inventory spreads over eleven folio pages of the records of Warwick. One or two other mills, in the southern part of the vil- lage, claim a passing notice. Shortly after the failure of the Providence Manufacturing Company, in 1816, Major Jonathan Tiffany and John K. Pitman his brotherin-law, built a stone mill about 50 feet by 70, on the east side of the turnpike, near the Flat Top. Two dwelling-houses stand near the site of the mill at present. The mill was two stories high, with a basement, in which a store was kept at first, but which was subsequently used for manu- facturing purposes. It was used for spftining yarn which was put out to be woven by hand-looms. They continued to run it until about 1827, when it passed into the hands of the Major's sons, Jonathan and John K. Tiffany. Gen. James G. Anthony was associated with them for several years. Tiie new firm made wadding. John K. Tiff.my died in October, 1836. The mill continued in operation until the. year 1841. The supply of water was small, but the fall was over tliirty feet. The mill was taken down in 1848, and a portion of the stone was used in the addition made to No. 1 mill of the Crompton Company. The old " Flat Top," occupying the site of the present building, was erected about the same time as the preced- ing, by Capt. William IJice and his son-in-law, James E. Remington, and was used for the same purpose — the spinning ot cotton yarn. It has had various occupants, but none of them seem to have found it a very desirable *15 174 HISTORY OF WABWICK. spot. John J. Wood and John Higgins, used it awhile. It came into the hands of John Allen, of Centreville, who held a heavy mortgage upon it. Mr. Allen let it for a while to his nephew, Alexander Allen, during which time it burned down, a fate that attended it twice after- wards. Job Card, Thomas Marble, Daniel Maguire, Ezra J. Cady, and others have at different times been connected with its management. The Crompton mills were rented three years from Nov. 29, 1820, of Mrs. Mary Dorrance and Asa Larned, the ex- ecutors of John K. Pitman, deceased, to Messrs. Rhodes, of Pawtuxet, Elisha P. Smith and Tully Dorrance, of Providence. In Feb. 26, 1823, before the expiration of the lease, the executors sold the mortgage for less than principal and interest, to Seth Wheaton and Edward Carrington, who, in March, 1823, entered into a co-part- nership with Benjamin Cozzens. The new owners changed the title of the company and called it the Crompton Company, in honor of the celebrated English machinist of that name. The village, at a public meet- ing of its citizens, subsequently, also assumed that name. A lawsuit sprang out of the violation of the lease. The trial took place at Apponaug, before two referees, the late Judge Bray ton and Judge Dutee Arnold, of Arnold's Bridge, now called Pontiac. In 1823, the new company started a Bleachery, the manager of which was Edward Pike, of Sterling, Conn. Cotton mill No. 2 was built in 1828, and No. 3 in 1832. The wood work of the latter mill was done under the direction of Dea. Pardon Spen- cer, who had general charge of the wood work about the mills for several years. Not long afterwards, the company branched out into calico printing. Sanford Durfee, Esq., late treasurer of the company, was con- nected with the works from about the year 1830 to 1848, a part of the time as superintendent or agent of the con- cern. An unusual prosperity attended the company during the last six months of 1844 and the first six months of 1845, in which it is said the print works made for their owners a profit of #100,000. The year 1837 THE OLD CLAPP SCH00"L-H0USE. 176 was one of disaster to this concern, and in 1846, was another crash and break down. After many revolutions of fortune, of good and bad luck, the three cotton mills and print works were sold by the mortgagees to several gentlemen, and a new order of things commenced. The number of the proprietors was diminished by another change and the whole estate fell into the hands of Gov. Charles Jackson, Earl P. Mason, Daniel Bush, tad Wm. T. Dorrance, of Providence. The print works were leased to Abbott & Sanders, in 1852, and afterwards to Sanders alone, who continued to run them until within a few years. The following were the measurements of the several mills: No. 1, 117 feet long and 33 feet wide, and three stories high ; No. 2, 96 feet long and 85 feet wide with an addition, 60 feet long and 21 feet wide, and four stories high ; No. 3, 109 feet long, 42 feet wide, and two stories high.* THE PUBLIC SCHOOL-HOUSE. An interval of about fifteen years elapsed betwe^ the giving up of the old Clapp school-house and the erection of the first public school-house in this village in 1845. Of the fifteen or twenty families who sent their children to the former, during the first ten years, a majority lived to the eastward of the old Baptist church on the hill. When the cotton mills were erected, the site of the village began suddenly to change. The thick woods began to disappear and houses sprung up in every direction, and there was a demand for school privileges nearer at hand. Con- sequently, following the law of demand and supply, schools being demanded, schools were supplied. Between the years 1810 and 1820, a school was kept in several places. One in what was known as the old Weave Shop — a building that stands not far from the store of Dea. Pardon Spencer, on the opposite side of the road * Within a few years .some alterations have been made, increasinfj the capacity of some of the buildings. 176 HISTORY OF WABWICK. —was taught for a while by Rev. David Curtis, the first pastor of the Baptist church. The old Weave Shop and the dwelling house east of it, on the same side of the road, were owned by John Arnold, and had no connection with the other manufacturing property. Besides being used for a day srhool, Elder Curtis held religious meetings there, and in the same building, probablyf the first Sabbath school in this region was held. On the opposite side of the road, at a later date, in the basement of the Henry J. Holden house Mr. Silas Clapp, and Thornas R. Holden, Esq., were teachers at different times, both of whom are rememl)ered as such by their pupils now rc-iding in the villasfe. Mr. Holden died in Providence, September 10, 1865, and was a man beloved and respected by all who knew him. The last place used for a school-room, previous to the erection of a school-house, was the " Store Chamber," which was also used fur public religious worship for about a dozen years previous to the erection of the Baptist church in 1848. Here Miss Pond, who hiid taught in the old Clapp school-house, was one of the earliest teachers ; Mr. Pierce, Peter Healy, Arnold Weaver, Deacon Stillnian, Dr. McGreggor, who after- wards settled in Providence, and was accidentally killed there a lew j'ears ago. Rev. Thcmas Dowling, at the time also pastor of the Baptist church, Alice and Eliza Briggs, Susan Lincoln, the present wife of Deacon Oren Spencer, of Washington, also taught here. On April 28, 1845, a 'meeting was held " to consider the propriety of building a school-liouse for the use of the district." Deacon Pardon Spencer was chosen moderator, and Wm. M Brown, secretary. After con- sultation and several adjournments, the district voted to purchase the lot on which the house now stands. The size of the lot is 104 feet by 212, and cost |276. Deacon Spencer was instructed by the meeting to present a draft of a suitable house, and on S.ptember 4th, offered a modified plan of the Central Falls school- CKOMPTON SCHOOL-HOirSB. 177 house," 33 feet by 37, two stories, hip roof, belfry in the centre, height of lower room, 11 feet, upper room 10 feet, '(fee., which was accepted. The house was probably completed in the summer, as on the 17th of November, the district " voted to paint the school- house a color similar to Mrs. Remington's house outside, and inside dark pea-green. " 1 he cost of the house was 12,717 54. Among the teachers who taught at different times were the following : Wm. Baker, Samuel Sanford, Solomon P. Wells, T. V. Haines, Rev. Henry A. Cooke, Misses Anna B. Holden, Emily Bennett, Myrtilla M. Peirce, Rev. L. W. Wheeler, Lysander Flagg, W. A. Anthony, James B. Spencer, Miss Sarah J. Spencer, Miss Carrie M. Hubbard, Mrs. Rowena Tobey, Dwight R. Adams, and others. During the summer term of 1867, the house was entirely destroyed by fire, which was supposed to have been the work of an iucendiary. All the books used by the teachers and ptipils were burned, and the school was driven for temporary accom- modations to the old " Block Shop." The building was insured for $1,800. The district, with commendable energy, soon appointed a committee to present plans and specifications for a new building, which resulted in the present edifice. The building is of brick, 34 feet by 36, arranged for three departments, warmed by a Jillson's portable furnace, and cost about $f),000. It was dedi- cated with appropriate services February 1, 1868, the Superintendent of Schools giving the address. The present teachers are Mr. John M. Nye, and Miss Ella J. Hathaway. Among the men that were prominent in the village forty years ago, were Frederick Ilamilton, father of the late Henry Hamilton. At one time he kept the boarding house, the house next west of Mr. Booth's Hotel. He delighted in religious discussions and was accustomed to sit in religious meetings with a handkerchief over his head as a compen^ ation for the want of the comfortable warmth of our modern sanctuaries. If the sentiments of the preacher were not in accordance with his views 178 HISTORY OF WARWICK. of orthodoxy, he would turn a shoulder toward him, and in case the doctrine appeared to him decidedly heterodox, he would manage to get his face in nearly the opposite direction from the preacher ; or, perhaps, march down the long stairs of the old Weave Shop, where the services were held, and go home. He brought up a large family, all of whom are now dead. His son Henry, who died a few months ago, was the last of his children, and a man of warm sympathies, active in the community, and a member of the Baptist church for more than forty years. John J. Wood was another prominent man — an agent or superintendent of the mills, for some years, and an active promoter of everything good in the village. He was a member of the Baptist church, and for some years its treasurer, of a somewhat cautious disposition but always ready to do more than he would promise. During the latter years of his life he kept a store in a small building that stood just opposite Mr. Booth's hotel. He died November 25, 1860, at the age of 64. One of his daughters married the late Dr. William A. Hubbard, who, for many years, was a practicing physician of the village. Dr. Hubbard was born in Killingly, Conn., educated at Pittsfield, Mass., and was a popular physician, having a large practice. He had several students of medicine at different timrs, among whom were his brother, the late Dr. Henry Hubbard, Dr. McGreggor, Dr. Card, of South Kingston, and Dr. Pike, who settled m Connecticut. Dr. Hubbard died March 1, 1857, and lies m Point Pleasant cemetery at Centreville. Another daughter married Hon. Charles T. Northup, Chief State Constable of Riiode Island. Captain John Holden, or as he was more famiharly called. Squire Holden, was a well-known citizen of the village and a man of some excellent traits of character. He was a Justice of the Peace, an office, at that time, of considerable consequence. In early life he had followed the sea. He was the first book-keeper of the Providence Manufacturing Company, and subsequently opened a CBNTREVILLE. 179 variety store, the only one in the village for some years, with the exception of the Company's store. Beside the usual variety of dry and West India goods, he kept — as was the custom with such stores of that time — a constant supply of liquor, but for some years previous to his death he voluntarily gave up the sale of the latter com- modity. Liquor-selling and liquor drinking were not then regarded in the moral light in which they now are. Capt. Holden was a constant attendant upon the religious meetings in the village, and participated in the singing, which he especially enjoyed. Previous to his death, his son, Thomas Rice Holden, was made a Justice of the Peace, in the place of his father.* Many changes and improvements have taken place in the village since the present efficient superintendent, Harvey S. Bartlett, Esq., has had charge of the mills, a period of about ten years. The old print works buildings have been demolished, the old block shop succumbed to the September gale a few j'ears ago. Four of the large two-story tenement buildings, among the first erected in the village, were sold to Dea. Pardon Spencer and his brother a few years ago, and removed to other locations, and new and commodious ones erected in their places ; additions and improvements have been made to the mills ; the tenement houses that stood upon the " island " were removed to the hill opposite ; houses that stood in unsightly positions have been placed in line, and the streets improved, and sidewplks made, and the village made to assume a cleanly and comfortable appearance. CENTEEVILLE. The name of this village is said to have originated with Sabin Lewis, a school-teacher here in the first decade of the present century. We hazard the conjec- ture that Mr. Lewis as a school-teacher possessed some knowledge of geography, and did not intend to suggest * For many of the items of persons and events connected with this village, I am indebted to my friend, Dea. Pardon Spencer. 180 HISTOEY OF WARWICK. that the village was situated in the geographical centre of the town, but rather that it was centrally located as related to the surrounding villages. The exact time when the first settlement was made is unknown, but it was probably previous to the year 1700. In 1677, the proprietors of the town granted to Henry Wood, John Smith, John Greene, and John Warner, a tract of land, of one hundred acres in extent, with two other small pieces, one containing one acre and the other two acres, with certain privileges, " on ye fresh river in ye township of Coweset, beinge ye south branch yt runs towards Pawtuxet." The consideration was, that these persons should erect a saw-mill on the river. There are certain items that point to this place as the spot designated, while other items mentioned in the record leave the matter somewhat doubtful. In 1692, the Wecochacon- net grant of 2100 acres in this vicinity was made, and which has been referred to on page 87. A saw-mill is known to have stood here early in the eighteenth century, owned at the time by Job Greene, who was then possessor of a considerable portion of the territory within the present limits of the village, as well as of many contiguous acres. Major Job Greene, in 1726, saw lit to transfer a portion of his extensive do- main, consisting of 412 acres, to his son, Daniel. This land was on the east side of the river, and bounded "north by the third Wecochaconnet farm ; east, by the land of Potter and Whitman ; south, by the highway be- tween the Wecochaconnet and Coweset farms, and west, by the undivided lands." This estate Daniel subse- quently gave to his nephew, Chiistophcr, who afterwards sold it to a man by the name of William Alray, of Prov- idence. Almy's heirs, twenty years ago, sold a part of it to Rev. J. Bray ton, who afterwards disposed of it to various persons, reserving a portion of it which still remains in his possession and upon which he at present resides. The farms of Rufus Barton, Jeremiah Foster, the water- power and mill site of Benedict Lapham, the water-power, mill-site and village of Arctic were included originally in this estate. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 181 Major Job Greene at the same time (1726) gave his son Philip a tract of land, lying on the north-west o^ the south branch of the Pawtuxet, containing 278 acres, together with his house and saw-mill. In his will, dated 17-i-l, he bequeathed to him his " mansion house at Occu- pasnetuxet," where the Deputy-Governor, John Greene^ lies buried, " also his land in the forks of the Pawtuxet, all his lands on the north side of the river, in Warwick and Coventry ; also his cattle, swamp lands, agiicultural tools, silver tankard, two silver cups, negro man, Primus, and negro woman and her children." To his other chil- dren "he distributed his Natick lands, farms in Tunkhill, Scituate, and bills of credit and money." Major Job Greene died at his home in Old Warwick. Philip Greene, son of Job, resided chiefly at Old War- wick, and was a judge in the court of common pleas, of Kent county, from 1759 to 1784. In 1751, he gave his son, Christopher, a tract of land, bounded north, on Peter Levally's land ; east, by the Pawtuxet ; south on the main road, and west, on land of the Mattesons." The Judge's land extended from the junction of the two branches of the Pawtuxet river to some distance into the town of Coventry. He died April 10, 1791, at the age of 86. The village of Centreville at the breaking out of the revolutionary war consisted of three houses. One of these was situated on the site of the present residence of Rev. J. Brayton. and was the dwelling place of Daniel Greene, son of Job It was a long, low, one story build- ing, having submitted to various additions, as the wants of the occupants increased, at one time divided into two sections anil a piece put into the middle, and stood until about ten years ago, when it was entirely consumed by fire. Daniel Greene was born Feb. 20, 1698-9, and died Nov. 24, 1798. His nephew, Col. Christopher Greene, who afterwards became noted in the revolutionary war, lived in the house that formerly stood north of the bridge and east of the house now owned and occupied by Mr. John Greene. The third ancient house stood 16* 182 HISTOBY OF WARWICK. on the south-east corner of the lot on which the resi- dence of Dr. Moses Fifield is situated. The precise spot was pointed out to me recently by the venerable Josiah Merrill, who distinctly remembers it. It was situated upon the path leading from the gate-way near the Doctor's barn, and about a couple of rods from the fence. The old well belonging to the house is situate:! just back of the Methodist meeting-house. This well, which had been covered over for many years, was re-opened a few years ago and used until last summer, when an examin- ation of it being made with reference to cleaning it out, it was found to be caved in at the bottom. The house had undergone many additions and changes in the course of time. It was built upon the large farm of WUliam Greene, son of Peter, the great-grandson of John Greene, senior. It afterwards came into the possession of James Greene, son of James and grandson of William, whose son, Joseph Warren Greene, gave to the Methodist church the lot upon which the meeting-house stands. Among other valuable gifts received by James Greene fiom his father, William, was a large tract of land, a portion of which was No. 5. of the Coweset farms and which was assigned to Gov. John Greene, in 1685. This farm embraced both sides of the river and extended from the site of Crompton mills on the south to Matte- son's pond on the west, and Judge Philip Greene's land on the north. James also inherited hid father's property in Old Warwick and resided there at the breaking out of the revolution. Duiing that struggle the Greene mansion was seized by the British, and Greene was forced to leave, and come to his house in Centreville, though at the time it was not known by that name. Subsequently James Greene built the house across the river now occupied by Mr. Charles Duke, and the old house was deserted. It was last occupied by a respect- able colored woman, a devoted member of the Methodist church, and who went by the name of black Lucy. Her full name was Lucy Gardiner. Her father and mother were the slaves of Francis Brayton, of Wasjiington vil- THE OLD GEEENE CEMETERY. 183 lage, then called Braylon town, and were usually called "Cuff" and " Molly " Bray ton. Molly at one time called at the house of Mr. Olapp, father of Mr. Water- man Clapp, and in the course of her conversation asked Mr. Clapp how many hasty puddint^s he supposed she had made for her master, Mr. Brayton, the past year. Mr. Clapp gufssed twenty. " No."' Fifty? "No." "Well a hundred," said Mr. Clapp. " No " said Molly. "Well" said Mr. C. " I cant guess, how many have you ?" " Three hundred and sixty-five!" said Molly. I^ucy had two daughters, Olive and Phebe, who now reside in Provi- dence. She had one imbecile daughter, but whether it is one of the two above-mentioned I am not able to say. Lucy was an industrious vsroman, and was accustomed to take her dauo^hter with bar while she went out to wash and iron for the neighbors. While the mother was at work, the daughter would lie quietly curled up upon the floor under the table, until the mother had fin- ished her work, when she would follow her home. The old Greene Cemetery, on the east bank of the Pawcatuck river, and opposite the Methodist church in this village, is now in process of renovation, and when the improvements are completed will bear but little resemblance to its former ancient appearance. The ground has been used for. these purposes for at least three-fourths of a century, and is one of the oldest in this vicinity. For some years previous to the year 1837, or thereabouts, the ground was surrounded by a slat fence. This was removed and a stone wall, faced and plastered, was erected— the cemetery being enlarged by the addition of several rods of land ou the east and south portions of the ground. Willow trees were set in the corners, two of which were blown down in the last great September gale, and several honey locusts and catalpas found their way into the enclosure. The walls have been removed, with the ex(;eptiou of that on the east side, which will doubtless follow, and the two remaining willows, and the locusts and catalpas, are to 184 HISTOEY OP WABWICK. give way to others of a more ornamental character. It is proposed to place a Norway spruce in each corner, with some rock maples along the lines. The removal of the middle or east wall will unite the gi'our.d with that laid out by the late John Allen for similar purposes, which is now surrounded on three sides b}' a slat fence. It is expected, though arrangements are not fully consummated, that this fence will be removed also, and a substantial one of heavy granite posts, with iron rods, will extend around the united grounds. Probably the first interments in the en-i'losure were those of James Greene and his wile, in the western portion of the ground. A large black oak tree now stands between their graves, having, doubtless, been self-planted since the graves were made. The roots of the tree have probably found their way to these .as well as to other graves in the vicinity, and it would seem as though the old tree should be allowed to stand for their sakes. It is a healthy tree, aiid even ornamental, which also pleads in its favor. James Greene died May 30, 1792, in his 79th year, but no i?tones maik his resting- place, or that of his wife. He was the son of WilHam,* whose great grandfather was John Greene, one of the original purchasers of Warwick from Miantonomi, a Narragansett Sachem. He 'married Desire Slocum, a daughter of Giles Slocum. of East Greenwich, June 15, 17-i8, by whom he had nine children, viz.: William, who died in infancy, Mary, Sarah, Giles, Elizabeth; Desire, who married Spencer Menill, (Mr. Merrill, his wife and sister, lie in unmarked graves); Almy, who married Jabez Comstock, of Chatham, Conn., — whose daughter, Lucina, married Dr. Sylvester Knight, a practicing physician for many years in this village. Dr. Knight was born in Cranston, in 1787. He came to Centreville about the year 1806, and Wiis married in 1808. He lived here about thirty years, practicing medicine, and a * William Gi-eene and Sarah (Medhury) Greene livfd on the east aide of the road to Couiniicut Point, the corner lot oijposile the old Stafiord house. THE OLD GREENE CEMETEEY. 185 portion of the time was a partner with the lute Dr. Stephen Harris, in cotton manufacturing at River Point. He finally gave up his proiession and removed to Providence, and lived iu the house next north of the Custom House He iftid an extensive practice, and was generally regarded as a judicious and sltillful physician. He died in Providence, March 15, 1841, aged 54. His first wife, Lucina (Comstock) Greene, died December 22, 1819, aged 32. There were four children by this marriage, two of whom, Ex-Mayor Jabez Comstock Knight, of Providence, and Nehemiah Knight, of Brooklyn, N. Y., are now living. His second wife, Louisa v., died January 3, 1873, aged 71, by whom he had six children, of whom two, Sylvester R. and V\m. A. Knight, of Providence, are living. The doctor and the deceased members ot his family lie in the enclosure. The eighth child of James Greene was James, after- wards known as Captain James Greene, he having held that military title in a company that was engaged in September, 1778, in the expedition on Rhode Island against the English forces then and there encamped. The ninth was Kachel, who married Thomas Whitaker, of Haverhill, N. H. Gen. Josiah Whitaker and Thomas Whitaker, both formerly of Providence, were their children. On the death of James Greene, his only surviving son, Capt James, inherited the family residence in Centreville that stood near the Methodist church, and which was one of the three earliest iiouses built in the villaf^e. Ample provision was made for the surviving wido°w and the three lame and decrepid daughters, and also for the three negro servants. One of these slaves was a woman named Clara, and was given to Mrs. Greene by her father, Giles Slocum at the time of her marriage. In her old age Clara became peevish and partially insane, and was boarded out in the family of an old and witty negro named Boston, until she died. She was buried ju.it outside of the family cemetery, but when the wall that has just been demolished was built. 186 HISTOBY OF WABWICK. the grouDd was so much enlarged that the wall passed directly over this grave, lengthwise. The removal of the wall revealed the spot where she was buried. It is on the south line about thiity ieet from the southwest corner. • Capt. James Greene, who probably owned the land at the time it was selected as a burial place, was married to Rebecca, a daughter of Sanders Pitman, Nov. 17, 1782, by Rev. Joseph Snow, then pastor of the Congregational church. Providence. She died July 7, 1806, aged 44. His second wife was Marcy, daughter of Capt. Wm. Waterman, of Warwick. She died February 28, 1851, in the 71st year of her age. The captain died October 14, 1825, also in the 71st year of his age. He was a tall muscular man, and in the latter years walked in a stooping posture. Owing to the rapid decomposition of his body after his death, he was buried at night and the funeral services were held the following day. He lies in the western portion of the grounds with a wife on each side. Their children were ten in number, of whom two died in infancy. William, the oldest, was born October 17, 1783, and died in Philadelphia in 1838. James, the youngest son, died in Providence, July 27, 1840. He married Marcy A. Westcott, who died February 27, 1870. Both lie in the southwest corner of the ground. The only surviving son of Capt. Greene is Joseph War- ren Greene, who resides in Brooklyn, N. Y., but who still remains in possession of the paternal homestead, across the river. Capt. Greene had also several daughters who arrived at womanhood, viz.: Mary K., who was born October 31, 1785, and married Wm. Anthony, who was born in North Providence, October 25, 1775, and died in Coventry, May 17- 1845. (Mrs. Anthony died March 25, 1851, leaving three children, viz.: the late Gen. James G. Anthony, of Anthony village. Senator Henry B. Anthony, of Providence, and Eliza H., wife of Francis E. Hoppin, ot Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and four children are buried here.) Almy, who married Resolved Slack, and who THE OLD GKEENE CEMETEBY. 187 died in Brooklyn, New York ; Eliza, who married the late Dr. Stephen Harris, a resident in this village for some j^ears, and subsequently a successful cotton manufacturer at River Point. The doctor died October 10, 1858, aged 72 years. His wife died March 23, 1820. Cyrus, Stephen, and Caleb F. Harris are the surviving children, several having died. A few years ago, the remains of Dr. Harris and his wife, with the deceased children, were removed to Swan Point cemetery. Abigail Susan, the fourth daughter of Capt. Greene, marr.ed the late John Greene, of this village. She died May 6, 1814, in the nineteenth year of her age, leaving one child, who married the late Daniel Howland, of East Greenwich. Sarah Ann married Stephen Arnold, of Providence. They buried iour young children in these grounds, the earliest in 1825. The family of Stephen Greene, a remote branch of the other Greenes, also found here a resting place. One daughter, Freelove, fell into the wheel pit of the mill and was di owned, March 26, 1839, aged 47. The accident was preceded by two others in the village, and separated by only a few days. The widow of Major Bunn, a Hessian soldier, who remained and settled here after the Revolutionary war, fell into the fire and was burned to death, and Christopher Bowman, an operative in the woolen mill, got caught by the shafting and was instantly killed. A portion of the Stephen Greene family are settled about Black Rock, in Coventry. A few scores of persons have here been gathered to their rest to await the sound of that voice which shall eventually call them forth to renewed life. Many of them were active in their time, as are their descendants in whom they now live. " Their names, their years, spelt by the unlettered muse. The place of fame and elegy supply : ' And many a holy text around she btrews That teach the rustic moralist to die." In 1786 the number of houses had increased to eight. The others were John Henry Bunn's house, a small red 188 HISTORY OP WARWICK. building, one storj, that stood between the Centreville bank and the bridge. It was built by Samuel Pitman for the goldsmith business. Jonathan Tiffiny, father of Mr. Henry Tiffany, of Crompton, married Mr. Pitman's half-sister. Bunn was a shoemaker and died many years ago. His widow, an old feeble woman, while her daughter was absent, fell into the fire and was half consumed before her daughter returned. This event occurred in 1839. There was a house called the " Board- ing house" and another occupied by Spencer Merrill. Col. Christopher Greeue's residence became the home of his son, Job, and was finally rented to Thomas Whaley. It occupied the same site upon which William Levally subsequently built. Westward, across the road. Job Greene built a house in 1785, in which he dwelt many years. Job Greene was the father of the lion. Simon Henry Greene. Col. (jreene had a negro servant during the Revolu- tionary war, named Boston Carpenter, who was one of the wonders of those times. By diligence and economy he accumulated some property in Coventry, at the foot of a ridge called, after him, " Boston Hill." He purchased his wife of Job Greene, " for 4s. 6d., as a matter of form, to prevent her becoming chargeable to the estate of Job Greene, in case she should be reduced to poverty."* Joseph W. Greene, Esq., of Brooklyn, * Negro slavery existed in all the towns of Rhode Island at the time of the Kevolutionary war, and more or less of iliem were to bo found inthemun il within the last fifty years. All chihlren of slaves horn in Rhode Island after March 1, 17«4, were, by law, ileelared free. Diirinz the Kevolutionary war all who chose to enlist in the army «eie grantbd their fr-eedom. In the year 1780 there were f.irty one slaves IP this town. From the census reports, we liave the fullowing as the numlier of slaves in the State : in 1790, 95-' ; in IWIO, 3X\ ; in IHIO IDS- in 1820, 4« ; In 1830. 17. The last one died as late as January 3, 1839, when James Howland ended this lite at the resi practical sense, and active piety. He was not educated, but belonged to that class of self-made minds that no want of learning can cramp into error, or seduce into mental indolence." PHENIX. 219 clared a dividend of fourteen cents on each share. In 1829, thirty-one cents, and the following J' ar, twenty- two cents. The following were the names of the several presi- dents of the society : Edmund C. Gould, in 1829 ; Wm. C. Ames, 1830 to '1832; Leonard Loveland, from 1832 to 1836 ; Daniel Wheelock, irom 1836 to 1838 ; Wilham Spencer, from 1838 to 1847 ; when, by vote of the cor- poration, the house and lot were sold to the school dis- trict for fSOO. The first teacher who taught in the building was Samuel Briggs. Peter D. Healy, who be- came one of the veteran teachers of the town, taught here in 1829-30, followed by a succession to the present time. The central portion of the present building is the old part, to which additions have sinoe been made, in both its rear and front, as the increasing wants of the district have demanded. From 1827, as long as the ne- cessities of the parties required, the house was also used for religious meetings by the several religious sects in rotation. Elder Tatem, a General Baptist, preached once a month, until his meeting house was erected, in 1829. Elder Charles Weaver, a Calvanist Baptist, took his turn ; also, the Methodist circuit preachers, and El- der Thomas Tillinghast divided a monthly Sabbath be- tween this house and the Arkwright school-house. The year 1841 is remembered by many as a season of unusual religious interest in the churches of this village. Rev. Jonathan Brayton, having concluded his studies at Madison University, afti3r conferring with Wm. B. Spencer, Esq., who heartily iavored the project, com- menced preaching early in the year in the school-house, where an audience of thirteen persons listened to his in- structions at the first meeting. In the course of a few weeks, the interest increasing, it was decided to hold a protracted meeting. Elder John H. Baker, who died a few years ago, ripe in years and in goodness, came and assisted in the meetings. They held their meetings for two weeks in the old Tatem meeting-house, by courtesy of the Methodist church, which had then the control of it, 220 HISTOBY OP WABWICK. but afterwards they returned to the schooT-house. The in- terest continued through the year, and resulted in gener- ous accessions to the membership of the Methodist church, and also in the organization of the present Baptist church, in the following winter. The recognition services of the new church were held in the old Tatem meeting- house, which was subsequently purchased by the Meth- odists. About the time that Elder Brayton commenced preaching here. Rev. Abraham Norwood, a minister of the Universalist denomination, removed from Fall- River and commenced preaching in the place, and dwelt, as he said, in " his own hired house in the wilderness, far re- mote, being distant three Sabbath days journey, i, e., about three miles — as thou goest by the way of the wilderness, into the land of Scituate." A religious war soon broke out between the elders and their adherents, the particulars of which it is not necessary to give here in detail. Mr. Norwood in the course of a year removed to Canton, Mass , the boyhood home of the writer, where he published a small volume giving an account of his Phenix experience from his point of view. The- book is entitled: "The Acts of the Elders, or the Book of Abraham." It is vrritten in the Scrip- tural style with chapters and short verses, with a lengthy but witty preface. As an evidence of his ready wit, the following note, which the author appends to one of his verses, is given respecting his means of subsistence: " A-t a public meeting, Abraham was requested to give notice, that there would be a society meeting at a certain time, which he did. Immediately, a worthy brother arose and said, 'it is proper for me to say a word about the meeting just appointed. It is thought by some that brother Abraham has too large a salary, and this meeting is called, to see if the society will vote to reduce it. He has labored since he has been among us, for bread and ■water ; and it is proposed that one or the other of these should be struck off, and it is for the society to say which.' When he sat down, Abraham arose and hu- morously entreated them to spare the water., whatever PHENIX. 221 else they might see fit to take away. He would yay nothing against their stopping his allowance of bread ; but as he was a cold water man, that article was indis- pensable." The book acknowledges in an amiable way that he wai accustomed to go into the revival meetings, and take out a note book, which he called the " Book of Remembrance,,' and take down whatever fell from the lips of the speakers, for the purpose of opposing them, and bringing them into ridicule, and of attempting to speak in the meetings where he knew his words would not prove acceptable. The book is a caricature of the revival meetings and those interested in them, and was destined, as it deserved, to have but little influence in the community. On the 21st of November, 1855, a destructive fire broke out in the village, which consumed Spencer's Block together with an adjoining building used as a hardware store and tin shop, and also a dwelling house belonging to Mrs. Remington. Mr. Spencer rebuilt his block- immediately, and with such expedition that it was occupied in the January following. On May 24, 1871, the fiery demon again visited the place with still more destructive force, and at this time destroyed the new Block and eleven other buildings, including the Bank building and two hotels. The following account of this fire is irom the Providence Journal, published a day or or two afterwards : — " About a quarter past five o'clock, Wednesday mornino;, fire was discovered in the upper pant of a building owned by Mr. William B. Spencer, known as Spencer's New Block, in this village. The fire very quickly burst through the roof, and the burnfng pieces falling to the ground, the whole building was soon enveloped in flames, and the fire spread with great rapidity, although there was scarcely any wind at the time. Spencer's Block was soon burned to the ground. It was occu-. pied by Mr. James J. Smith, for a hardware store. Mr. Smith estimates his loss at about $10,000; insured for $4,500— P,000 in the Hope Insurance Company, of Providence, and $2,600 in the Mechanics and Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, of Worcester. Mr. James P. Arnold had a store on the first floor, and nearly the whole of the second story for his undertaking »a9 222 HISTORY OF WARWICK. and furniture business. He estimates Ms loss at about $8,000; insured for $5,000— $3,500 in the Narragansett, of Providence, and $1,300 in the Lamar, of New York, on his stock and tools. Mr. Nathaii A. Capron's bakery was in this building, and was almost a total loss. Mr. Edwin T. Lanphear had a job printing Testablishment on the third floor, and his office on the second. His loss is about $6,400; insured for $4,200—1,500 in the Narragansett, and $1,500 in American offices in this city. Mr. Ira O. Seamans had a law office and also Card's Orchestra a room in the block. Hardly fifty dollars worth of goods was saved from this build- ing. A two story building in the rear, owned by Mr. Spencer, and occupied by Mr. Arnold as a coffin shop and Mr. Smith as a tin shop, was also destroyed. The three story bank building, owned by Mr. William B. Spencer, was entirely destroyed. It was occupied by Messrs. Joseph Merrick & Son, groceries and dry goods, whose loss is about $3,500; insured for $3,000 at JiTarragansett office. Mr. Otis Lincoln, boot and shoe store, no insurance; the post office, Mr. William Johnson, Postmaster, Who also kept a restaurant; Messrs. Capwell & Arnold, apothecary store, partial loss; insured for $2,500 at the City Insurance Company of this city; Mr. Sterry Y. Chase, clothing store, goods mostly saved; Mr. William H. Snow, tailor; Mr. Angell, watches; Mr. Henry Potter, millinery store, goods par- tially saved ; Dr. Alexander S. Knox, dentist; Miss Sophia Snow, school; and the Phenix National Bank, whose valuables were saved. The Phenix Hotel, owned and kept by Mr. Rhodes Andrews, was entirely destroyed with the outbuildings; insured at Sarle's agency in the Norwich Insurance Company, Nor- wich, Ct., $2,500 on hotel buildings and contents, and $1,000 in Tradesman's, New York, office, in horses, carriages and contents of livery stable. A two story building, situated across the road to the west, owned by Messrs. J^awton & Colvin, was entirely destroyed. Insured by D. R. Whittemore in the Mechanics and Farmers Insurance Company, Worcester, for $1,500. It was occupied by Mr. John Miller, confectioner, who also lived up stairs, and by Dr. Colvin, dentist, who were not insured. A liquor shop next to the last mentioned house, kept by J. C. Conley, was entirely destroyed. Insured in the Narragansett office for $1,500. A three story block, owned by Mr. Benjamin C. Harris, was burned to the ground. It was occupied by Mr. Joseph Lawton, clothier, whose stock was mostly saved ; insured for $2,500 at Mechanics and Farmers office, Worcester; loss about $500; Mr. Palmer T. Johnston, meat market; J. C. Rose, liquor store and billiard saloon ; insured at Geo. T. Paine 's office in National Company, Bangor. Me., for $1,000; John St. John, barber; insured in City Insurance Company, of this city for PHBNIX. 223 $400; and the Mechanics Hall. A building owned by Mr. Ira O. Seamans and situated across the road from the Phenix Hotel, called the " Roger "Williams House," was also destroyed; insured for 12,500 in the Narragansett, of. Providence. Mr. Henry C. Shepard kept the hotel, and was insured at the Hope office, in this city, for $1,500 on furniture and fixtures; and Mr. Ralph, a meat market in the building. A two story dwelling house next to this, owned by the Lonsdale Company, was partly destroyed. It was occupied by Mrs. John Nicholas and Sophia Remington. Mr. Ira O. Seamans' dwelling house, occupied by himself, was partly destroyed; no insurance. A waste house, in which lumber was stored, and a barn occupied by Mr. N. A. Capron, both owned by Mr. Spencer, were destroyed. As near as could be ascertained, the insurance on the several buildings owned by Mr. Wm. B. Spencer, which were a total loss, being entirely consumed, is as follows: Merchants, .^3,333; Roger Williams, «3,3.33; Atlantic, $2,500; Equitable, $5,000; Hope, $1,200— all of this city: and at Turner & Armstrong's office for $2,500, in Metropolitan Company, New York; and for $2,S00 in Westchester Company, New Rochelle, N. Y., which will not cover the loss. Ralph & Irwin's saloon was in- sured at Westchester, N. Y., Company for $800. A dwelling and grocery store, owned and occupied by Mr. Philip DuflEy, caught flre several times, but each time the fire was extinguished. There was considerable delay in getting water on the flre, and the buildings burned very rapidly, the flre being about over by 8 o'clock. A stream of water from the force pump of a mill near at hand, served to prevent the fur- ther spread of the fire. A man named James Parkinson was very severely inj ured by the fall of a chimney upon him ; at noon there was some hope of his recovery. There is no fire engine or company in the village. If there had been, a large amount of property might doubtless have been saved. The total loss is estimated at from $75,000 to $100,000. The origin of the flre is unknown. The buildings were very rapidly consumed, and soon after 8 o'clock, three hours from the time it was discovered, the whole square showed only their smoking ruins. It must be a heavy loss to the thriving village of Phenix, but one which its public spirit and enterprise will doubtless soon repair." By this time we might suppose the village had fairly earned its name, and the bird of Egypt would be satis- fied without exacting any further evidence of its loyalty, but it proved exorbitant in its demands and on March 5, 1873, required a further sacrifice of several buildings in 224 HISTORY OF WAEWICK. the business part of the village. The fire broke out in a large three story building owned by John Conly, which was entirely consumed, also a building on the east of this, owned by Joseph Lawton and A; W. Colvin, and on the west a house and store of Philip Duff3', and a barn belonging to S. E. Card. Thence, crossing to the north side of the street it burnt the dwelling house of S. E. Card, and a large building used for stores, Masons' hall, Phenix National Bank, dentist's offices, and other business purposes, also owned by S. E. Card, together with a large brick block, belonging to Wm. B. Spencer, and occupied by Nathan A. Capion for a bakery, E. T. Lanphear, printing office, N. E. and S. J. Hoxie, dry goods store, and J. P. Arnold, furniture ware rooms. Mr. Spencer, haviug had his buildings burned three times, declined to rebuild again, and sold the land on which they stood with the ovens, which were not de- stroyed, to Mr. N. A. Capron, who erected the brick building that now occupies it. Most of the buildings have since been replaced, and this portion of the village never looked more thrifty than at present. The building erected by Mr. James J. Smith, called Music Hall, containing the finest hall in the county, the new brick building occupied by Mr. Joseph Lawton as a clothing house, the extensive dry goods and grocer}'' store of the Messrs. Hoxie, the block containing the post office, and the large building across the river, occupied by Mr. James P. Arnold, in the furniture business, bear testi- mony to this statement. Of the enterprise of its inhabitants we need not speak further, though we are strongly tempted to mention one individual to whom the place is perhaps more indebted, than to any other single person for its attractive appear- ance, both as regards the beauty of its private dwellings and those used for difi'erent purposes. The Phenix Village Bank was incorporated in 1856. Capital $50,000. Wm. B. Spencer was elected Presi- dent, and H. D. Brown, Cashier. On August 1st, 1865, it was changed to Phenix National Bank. The Phenix ■•'y,f/ft/.i;a/i5/7*///,/&l//iiS|l\',l 1 ^ »- "^ I '«l tIppttt. 225 Savings Bank, chartered in 1858, had, on December S, 1872, $285,636 36 credited to 670 depositors. In 1847 Wm. B. Spencer, Esq., completed the dwell- ing house on the north part of the land he purchased of Mr. Levalley, and resided in it until June, 1868. This dwelling house, which is one of the finest in the vicinity, he sold to Nathan A. Capron, Esq., who now occupies it. Mr. Capron has carried on the bakery business here many years, succeeding James Hackett in the business. About the year 1847, one oven of moderate dimensions was all that his business demanded. In 1850 Mr. Spencer erected a new house, with two larger ovens, which he rented to Mr. Capron for eighteen years, and in 1868 he erected three large ovens near the centre of the vUlage, and leased them to the same individual. On the 23d of April, 1858, he purchased of Cyrus Harris thirty-five acres of land just over the line in the town of Coventry, which was formerly a part of the Levalley estate, and devoted about twelve acres of it as a burial place, known as the Greenwood Cemetery, upon which he expended two years of labor and about flO,000. In 1869-70 he erected the spacious and beautiful dwelling in which he now resides, a view of which is given in the engraving. LIPPITT VILLAGE. The early possessors of the land, previous to the erec- tion of the mills, with the educational and religious items pertaining to this village have already been given in connection with the account of Phenix. Besides this the history of the village is nearly identical with that of the manufacturing company organized here in 1809. On November 9th, of that year a co-partnership was en- tered into between Christopher Lippitt, of Cranston, Charles Lippitt, of Providence, a brother of Christopher, Benjamin Aborn, George Jackson, Amasa and William H. Mason, of Providence, to continue for the term of ten years from the first day of January, 1810. The 226 HISTOKY OF VaKWICK. company assumed the name of the " Lippitt Manufactur- ing Com])any." The capital stock was to consist of $4.0,000, divided into thirty-two shares, of which the Lippitt brothers held eight shares each and the others four shares each. They agreed that until the " whole amount advanced or accumulated by profits amounted to the sum of 140,000 no divideud should be made with- out the unanimous consent of the company." Two days after the organization of the company, Nov. 11, 1809, as per deed of that date, they made their first purchase of land on which to commence preliminary operations. The land was purchased of Nehemiah At- wood, and was bounded in part as follows : " Beginning at the eastermost corner of my saw-mill and grist-mill house, and from thence running north forty-one degrees east, eight rods and nineteen links to the high-way, westerly on an open log-way for the use of said saw-mill, thence south sixty-four degrees east, three rods and eleven links on said high- way, thence north fifty-five de- grees east, two rods on said highway, thence south, thirty-nine degrees east, two rods on said highway, thence north sixty-five degrees east " etc. together with the privilege of drawing water from the said Atwood's pond above the saw-mUl and grist-mill in sach quanti- ties as will be sufficient to carry two thousand spindles by water frames, and also sufficient for the use of a forge or trip hammer works." The consideration was the sum of $1600. On the 24th of November, two weeks after their pur- chase of the real estate, the company entered into an agreement with Hines & White for the necessary ma- chinery which was to be delivered by Sept. 30, 1810, and for which they agreed to pay the sum of 110,601. Before the accomplisliment of the work the firm of Hines & White dissolved, and a new contract was made with White alone with some new specifications. While the machinery was being built the company set them- selves vigorously at work to get the mill ready for its re- ception. The busy work of preparation is not a matter LIPPITT. 227 of record, and only here and there do we find a hint of the various propositions, and suggestions that must have been made before the matter was finally settled and the workmen set about the erection of the mill. ' On the 2d of April, 1810, Col. Christopher Lippitt, one of the firm, was chosen agent of the company for one year, at a salary of forty-two dollars per month, with instructions to engage " in building a mill or mills, V)uilding dwelling- houses, erecting machinery "' etc. From this item on the records of the company, still preserved, and from the fact that the machinery was to be delivered on the Sep- tember following, we infer that the work of building was prosecuted vigorously, though it does not appear that the mill was completed until the following year. Subse- quent negotiations with those who were building the ma- chinery, provided that the company should not be obliged to receive the machinery at the time that was originally agreed upon. The tradition is, that the mill was ready for raising in the following summer, at about the time the Roger Williams mill was ready, and by extra exer- tions on the part of those having it in charge, they suc- ceeded in getting it up before the other. George Bnrlin- game erected the mill. One account designates the Fourth of July as the exact day, when the people in large numbers gathered and assisted in the work, and succeeded not only in raising it, but also in boarding it before the sun went down, but this we deem somewhat conjectural. It was at first designed as a two-st^ry building, but a third story was added as an after-thought, and when .power- looms came into use the upper story was used for a weave-r6om until a better place was provided. Various changes took place among the stockholders as the years rolled on : new members were admitted and old ones dropped out. The first addition was made when Nehemiah Atwood took a share of stock which he held but a short time and then re-conveyed it to the company. On Feb. 11, 1811, Roger Alexander, who was a practical mechanic, and whose knowledge of the business 228 HISTORY OF -WARWICK:. was regarded as a desirable acquisition, was induced to take a share of the stock. On March 30, 1812, Stephen Atwood, son of Nehemiah, sold to the company " one undivided half-part of a certain lot of land, water privilege, with a grist-mill and saw-mill thereon stand- ing, situate in said Warwick and is connected with said grantees water privilege," together with " all the build- ings thereon standing, as also the present and ancient rights and privileges that Anthony A. Rice has to pass across said premises ; and that Caleb Atwood has to take water out of the trench for his tan vats ; and any privilege Nehemiah Atwood may have granted the said grantees heretofore. " The consideration was f 850. Caleb Atwood's tan-yard was situated on the site of the present Lippitt office. This office building was used as a store for many years. There was a foot bridge across the river, the right to pass over which, belonged to Anthony A. Rice. Oh March 30, 1812, Joanna Atwood, widow of Nehe- miah, in consideration of the sum of $800, gave to the company a Quit Claim deed of all her right "in and to a certain tract of land, water privilege, grist-mill and saw-mill thereon standing," etc. On December 8, 1812, Christopher Lippitt sold three shares of his stock to Thomas Brown, of Providence, for $5,100. Mr. Brown was a merchant, unacquainted with manufacturing, but a sound substantial man. He was the father of the present Col. Wm. H. Brown, of the Providence Light Infantry. Roger Alexander went out of the company, Dec. 12, 1812, selling his share of stock for |1535, and Benjamin Aborn sold out to George Jackson, Jan. 5, 1817, his share for $1700. Th&mas Eddy was agent of the concern for the year 1813, and so well satisfied were the company with his labors that they presented him with a gratuity of 1100 at the close of the year. The war of 1812 had so depressed the cotton business that in 1813, every cotton mill in Rhode Island was obliged to suspend operations, with the exception of the Lippitt mills and the one run by Dexter Thurber, of Providence. Dexter Thurber's mill was not large, but LIPPITT. 229 his goods had acquired such a reputation that he was able to continue operations, while his less fortunate fel- low manufacturers were obliged to shut down their gates. The Lippitt company at the time had a contract with the Vermont State Prison, where a large amount of the yarn was woven by hand-looms. As an evidence of the excellent quality of the yarns furnished the weavers, it is said that one of the weavers in the prison, in a single day wove on his hand-loom fifty-six yards. But when he had finished he was so exhausted that he had to be taken out of his loom. The company, how- ever felt the depression of the times and were obliged to stop a portion of its machinery, and reduce the wages of the operatives fifty per ct. They however voted to keep " the water-frames and throstle frames in operation." The water-frames made the warps, and the throstle frames the filling. On January 21, 1821, the company re-organized and a co-partnership consisting of the same owners as the old company was formed, to continue for twenty years. The company declared its fourth dividend of $6000, or $200 per share, on June 25, 1821. The number of shares had been reduced from thirty-two to thirty. On Jan. 4, 1822, the company engaged Aborn & Jackson and Simon Henry Greene as their agents. In 1825, in consequence of the death of Col. Christo- pher Lippitt, who died the year previous, his two shares in the stock of the company descended by will to his sons Christopher and William.* Further additions to the real estate of the company were made in 1824, by purchase from Caleb Atwood and another from Samuel Budlong and Kufus Wakefield, of the tract called the new privilege. The profits of the company had been gradual, and up to Sept. 26, 1826, they had declared dividends to the amount of $60,000. On August 18, 1827, the water privileges were sur- * For an account of Col. Christopher Lippitt and the Lippitt famUy, see pages 111 — 114. 20 230 HISTORY OF WARWICK. veyed an.d leveled by Benoni Lockwood " to ascertain the power of water or amount of head and fall each privilege contained." The old privilege was found to have a fall of 19 feet 9 in. and the new one 12 feet 1 in. "The water in the river at the wading place, would aver- age when the above survey was made, from 12 to 15 inches deep." The wading place was about one hun- dred feet north of where the railroad crosses the river. On December 5, 1826, an agreement was entered into between the company and Messrs. Christopher Rhodes, Wm. Rhodes and William Sprague with regard to the height that the latter gentlemen had a right to raise their dam at Natick. The point was settled by a mu- tual agreement " that a hole should be drilled, and an iron plug or pin be inserted in a rock on the south bank of said Pawtuxet river, being in one of the first highest clusters of rocks above the bridge, next to the river on the up stream part of the rocks, within a few feet of two small walnut trees, and about 30 rods above said Natick dam, at a place where a grist mill formerly stood." The Natick companies had attempted to increase their water- power by raising their dam some eighteen inches, before the Lippitt company was supposed to have secured their right to prevent it. A law-suit was commenced, but by an ingenious manouvre on the part of the Natick proprietors, the matter was taken out of the courts and settled by this mutual agreement. James Essex, a popular, energetic man, was the superintendent of the mills several years before his death in 1826. The official designation of those in im- mediate charge of the works had previously been that of agent. Several of the sons of Mr. Essex are engaged in imporiant positions in connection with cotton manu- facturing, one of them being in the employ of Hoa Simon Henry Greene, at the Clyde Works. The next superintendent after Mr. Essex, was Edmund C. Gould, who had previously been employed in the mill as a mule spinner. Mr. Gould left and went to Scituate, and his place was taken by Leonard Loveland. In 1830 Mr. Loveland was engaged in the mills at Crompton. LIPPITT. 231 In 1833, John P. Phillips was made the agent of the company for three years. Feb. 5, of the same year, George Jackson, one of the company, having deceased, four of his shares were conveyed to Charles Lippitt, for the sum of $12,000. His one remaining share was sold Feh 25, 1833, to Wm. Lippitt for |3,000. In 1838, Daniel Wheelock was appointed superintendent. On May 18, 1841, business having been depressed for some time previously, the company made their dividend of $6,000, in bleach goods, at seven cents per yard for 32 inch, and seven and a half cents for 34 inch, instead of cash, as previously. In 1842, James Caswell was the superintendent and Samuel R. Hopkins had special charge of the accounts and the store. On Dec. 10, 1843, Wm. H. Mason conveyed to Charles Lippitt, four and one half shares for the sum of 18,775, and Thomas Brown, on Nov. 24, 1843, conveyed to the same, two shares for $4,000. On the decease of Charles Lippitt, his 19^ shares were divided among his six children as follows : To Warren Lippitt, Charles Lippitt, Julia A., wife of Joseph Sweet, Sarah W. and Penelope Lippitt, and Cornelia A. Andrews, widow. The division was made Dec. 15, 184.5. On January 30, 1850, a meeting of the company was appointed, to elect an agent in the place of Warren Lippitt, deceased, who had been the agent for the thir- teen years previous. Warren Lippitt was the father of the present Gov. Henry Lippitt. There were present at the meeting Charles F. Tillinghast, Esq., who represented 6i shares ; Wm. Lippitt, who represented 6 shares ; Levi 0. Eaton, 4 1-2 shares ; George Larned, 6 1-2 shares ; Joseph Sweet, 3 1-4 shares; Henry Lippitt, 3 1-4 shares. No election was made at this meeting, but subsequently Christopher Lippitt was chosen the agent. On Jan. 1st, 1851, the whole number of shares was reduced to twen- ty-four and divided among the stock holders in propor- tion to the stock each then held. On Dec. 15, 1852, the company was re-organized under the same name which it had held from the beginning, with the capital stock of $40,000 divided into 400 shares of $100 each. 232 HISTORY OF "WAKWICK. Since then various changes have taken place in the company. The property passed into the hands of Harris & Lippitt and John Lippitt ; then a company was or- ganized under a charter granted by the General Assem- bly, with a capital stock of $40,000 and 400 shares, with J. Lippitt as President and C. Lippitt as Treasurer, and called as previously, the Lippitt Mf g Co. It was after- wards sold out to a new firm called the " Lippitt (Jom- pany," and composed of Stephen Harris, Henry Howard, Christopher and John Lippitt, and thus exists at present. Mr. Jeffrey Davis is treasurer and Mr. Albert Knight superintendent. There are two mills with a capacity of 10,000 spindles.* On the 15th of April, 1828, the company leased a certain lot of land, and water privilege connected there- with, lying in Warwick, "• to Greene & Pike for the period of five years, from the 1st of June, 1829, they paying an annual rent therefor, of $300. — There were no buildings on the premises lea'sed, but the Lippitt Company agreed to erect a building 80 feet by 40 feet, two stories high, with a basement, and such dwelling houses and other buildings as would be necessary to ac- comodate the help, and enable Greene & Pike to carry on the bleaching business. The latter company were to pay an annual rent of 10 per cent, on the amount so ex- pended. On the 22nd of the following January, it was ascertained that the amount expended for the erection of the buildings, amounted to the sum of 16,110 85-100. The property of which the foregoing was a lease, is a part of the Lippitt estate, called " the new privilege," which, together with the remainder of " the new privilege," was sold to Greene & Pike, as per deeds of Sept. 27, 1831. Simon H. Greene, afterwards added to the estate, by purchases of William Wakefield and Joseph Wakefield, in 1851, and of Stephen Harris, in the same year ; so that his whole estate contained about 48 acres of land. * Note. My acknowledgements are due to John Lippitt, Eaq., for permisaioa to examine the early record books of the company contain- ing the principal items in this account. CLYDE WOEKS. 233 CLYDE "WOEKS, '• The estate purchased by Greene & Pike of the Lip- pitt Mt'g Co., in 1831, has on it the lower-most water- power of the north branch of the Pawtuxet river, and was only accessible at the time of purchase by a drift way through the Lippitt village, from the public high- way. And the Greene Manufacturing Co.'s estate on the south branch of the river, was the lower-most on that stream, and similarly situated, as to being isolated from a public highway. Doct. Stephen Harris having the control of the latter estate, joined with Greene & Pike and others in having a public highway lawfully laid out, and in building it to the acceptance of the town, from the Lippitt village to Greeneville village (now Riverpoint). The road was laid out Nov. 14, 1831. In 1832 or 33, Greene & Pike added to their works business buildings and tenements to enable them to do an increased business, and to add variety to the finish of white cotton cloth, they erected a large building and put in four sections of beetles. They also put in a single color printing machine, and built a small dye- house, to make blue and white prints. In 1839, their bleaphery and dry-sheds were burnt attended with a heavy loss. In 18i2, the dye-house was enlarged, and the production of blue prints increased to a small extent. This year Mr. Pike died. The surviving partner settled up the business of the late firm, continuing the business at the same time under a lease. In 1845, he purchased the interest in the estate vested in the heirs of his de- ceased partner. In 1846, he built a large stone dye house, to increase the production of blue prints, and added another printing machine. In 1848, he built another stone dye house. In 1853, the beetle house building and the small dye house before named was burnt, and his son John was seriously injured by a fall- ing chimney, from which he suffered much through life. New buildings were erected, of stone, in the place of those destroyed. Other buildings were erected from *20 234 HISTOEY OF "WABWICK. time to time, and the necessary machinery put in, so that in 1870, the works were fitted to do madder and other styles of prints, to the extent of seven printing machines. On the 1st of May, 1870, the bleachery and white finishing department of the business was burnt. The bleachery, so far as bleaching for printing was necessary, was forthwith rebuilt, but the white finishing was de- layed until 1873. Other additions have since been made at different times, as called for, quite extensively in 1875, to improve the quality of the work and to cheapen its cost." The Pawtuxet valley railroad, recently completed, crossing the grounds and yard of the works, adds greatly to the facilities of doing business, so that few similar establishments in our whole country possess equal advan- tages, having also a good water power, to assist, and an abundant supply of the purest of water for the various processes of bleaching and printing. Hon. Simon Henry Greene, from whom the author has received the items respecting this village, as well as many pertaining to the other villages adjacent, is the senior member of the firm, and is now in the 77th year of his age, but still possesses remarkable vigor both of body and mind for one of his years. Associated with him in business are four of his five sons, viz., Edward A, Henry L., Christopher R. and William E. Greene, all hav- ing long experience in the business. Their business is the making of prints, popularly known as " Washington Prints," and in bleaching and finishing white cotton cloths. Francis Clinton Greene, youngest son of Hon. Simon Henry Greene, and great-grandson of Col. Christopher Greene, of .revolutionary fame, was born in Warwick, June 23, 1842. He enlisted as a private in the 2d R. I. Regiment, being then in the 19th year of his age. On the promotion of 1st Lieut. Beriah Brown to the cap- taincy of his company, young Greene was elected a cor- poral. Captain Brown afterwards appointed him to be his clerk. In the famous battle of Bull Run, July 21st, BIVEK POINT. 235 1861, he was wounded by a musket ball in the left leg, a little above the ankle, both bones of the leg being fractured. After lying for several hours under a hay- stack, where he had been placed by friendly hands, his wound was dressed by Dr. Rivers, surgeon of the 1st R. I. Reg., and he was removed to a log house near by. With others, he fell into the hands of the enemy and was carried to Richmond and held a prisoner for six months. He was released January 17th, 1862, and being permanently disabled, was honorably discharged. "He returned to his home, hoping by care and repose to regain his health, but exposure and suffering had shat- tered his constitution and planted the seed of fatal dis- ease in his system. With an eager desire to be engaged in active employment, he went to St. Louis, where ona of his brothers still resides, and entered upon business pursuits. But it was soon manifest that his strength was inadequate for the work. Pulmonary disease mani- fested itself and compelled him again to seek the rest and the tender care of his father's house." There he re- mained until he died, on the 27th of December, 1865. He was a young man of much promise, upright in prin ciple, affectionately attached to his friends, and univer- sally beloved by all who shared his acquaintance. BIVEK POINT. Like all the villages along the Pawtuxet and its two main branches. River Point owes its prosperity and im- portance to the facilities the water power has afforded for manufactuing purposes. The two principal branches, known as the north and the south branches of the river, here unite, after seeking each others company many miles, and proceed henceforward to the sea together. The south branch, west of the village of Washington, is known as Flat river, — a name that has sometimes been applied to the whole branch — and is formed of a multi- tude of small brooks, several of which unite near Coven- try Centre. One of • these little streams rises in 236 HISTORY OF -WARWICK. southern Foster, near what is called Mt. Vernon ridge, and another issues from the Quidnick Reservoir. The Flat river performs various little services as it passes along, but settles down to hard work when it arrives at "Washington village. The north branch has its rise in a score of little rivulets in the southern part of Glocester, which finally unite in the central part of Scituate. The united stream then proceeds on its way, with gradually augmented power until it unites with the south branch at River Point. The extreme northwestern rivulet oi the north branch flows from the Ponegansett reservoir, in Glocester, which in the course of a couple of miles re- ceives a slight accession to its flow from a little stream that rises near the base of Mount Hygiea.* The union of the two principal rivers at River Point, undoubtedly gave origin to the name of the village, and defied all subsequent attempts to change it. The territory, however, was early described as lying within " the forks of the rivers," but the village as such, became known at an early day as Frozen Point, or as some say, Frozen Pint. It was known by the one or the other of these uncomfortable names until about the year 1852. We give the tradition respecting it without vouching for its authenticity. Among the mechanics who built the first mill, was one thirsty soul, who, one night after quitting his work, having purchased a super- abundant supply of the article that sometimes cheers, and generally inebriates, hid a bottle of it for future use. On returning for it next morning he found the contents frozen solid ; it was a pint bottle, and was exhibited by the owner to his associates, who jestingly designated it as the " frozen pint," a term that by an easy transition finally became attached to the village. Many years afterwards, some of the operatives in the mill attempted * Hygiea, or Hygeia, in mythology, was the Goddess of Health. The name was eiveii to the hill by Dr. Solomon Drown, whose resi- dence was near U. Dr Drown was a celebrated physician and botanist, and from 1811 to 1834 a professor in Brown University, EIVBE POINT. 237 one fourth of July, to re-christen the place by a more euphonious title, bat with poor success. Ascending to the top of the mill, one of them, in the presence of the others poured a demijohn-full of water upon the roof and proclaimed in a loud voice " I name thee Greene- ville." But though the company owning the village has sailed many years under the colors of the " Greene Manufacturing Company," the title of Greenville as given to the village, was not ratified by popular use, many, continued to use it, while others still clung to the old name, with which they had become familiar. The two names shared the honor between them for many years, and necessarily produced some confusion in the minds of many, especially of people living at a distance. In 1852, another and more successful attempt was made to change the name, in a public celebration, arranged by the Eev. Mr. Goodenow, then pastor of the village church, the result of which was, that the village was thereafter designated as River Point. The new name was adopted by the railroad company for specifying their depot in the village, and the Post office, when established here, was so designated, so that the name bids fair to re- main in the future undisturbed. The land embraced within the limits of the present village appears to have been owned, previous to the year 1726, by Job Greene, father of Judge Philip Greene. Job Greene in this latter year (see page 181) gave to his son Philip 278 acres " lying on the northwest of the south branch of the Pawtuxet," and subsequently in his will " all his land in the forks of the Pawtuxet," &c. His will is dated 1744. Judge Philip Greene sold to Caleb and Nathan Hatha- way ,February 20, 1786, "all my landlying and being in the forks of the river in Warwick aforesaid ; bounded northerly on the north branch of Pawtuxet river ; westerly on said river; southerly on undivided land belonging to the Wecochaconet farms, and easterly on the south branch of Pawtuxet river; containing sixty-six acres and 100 rods be the same more or less ; also two-fifths and one- 538 HISTORY OP "WAEWIOK. fourth of a fifth of the land belonging to the proprietors of the farms called the Wecochaconet, lying on the north side of the south branch of said river and yet un- divided." In the old plat of the Wecochaconet farms before me as I write this, which is a copy of the ancient plat made by Joseph Carder, dated. May 14, 1692, the copy having been made by John Warner, Deo. 21, 1721, this undivided part is marked as containing 17 acres and 12 rods, or perhaps 124 rods, the last character not being distinct, and may represent a figure or a letter. The north line ran nearly across the point made by the two rivers. Had the line continued it would have touched the north branch at the point where two or three small islands are designated on the plat. The land within the forks of the rivers to the north-east of this tract belonged to the " Natick lands " so called, originally. Judge Philip Greene's will bears the date of April 7, 1784. After disposing of his homestead farm, together with all his lands " to the eastward of the line called the four mile line, in Warwick" to his son William he gave to his grandson Job, son of Christopher, his land in Coventry, which he held in partnership with his brother Daniel Greene ; also to his grandsons. Job and Jeremiah, brother to the said Job, all his lands in the west part of Warwick, " bounded southerly partly on land of said Job and partly on a highway, westerly on land of the said Christo])her, northerly on the Levalley land and easterly partly on the south branch of the Pawtuxet river and partlv on land of the said Job." Judge Philip Greene died April 10, 1791, aged 86. " In 1812, Elisha Warner, one of the heirs of the Hath- aways, sold 40 acres and half of a house to Dr. Stephen Harris and Dr. Sylvester Knight, both of Centreville, for $1625. The other half of the house and the residue of the land were sold by the heirs of Thomas Hathaway at eight or nine different periods, from 1822 to 1830." The old Hathaway house is stUl standing, and is the fourth from the railroad bridge on the northwest side of RIVER POIKT. • 239 the street that ruas along by the raih-oad. It is the most ancient house in that vicinity. _ The purchase of the doctors was made with the inten- tion of laying aside their professional labors and en- gaging in cotton manufacturing. A company was formed the following year, consisting of James Greene, Dr. Knight, Dr. Harris, Resolved Slack and Resolved Waterman, and a mill two stories high and sixty-five feet long was at once commenced. The company took the title of '• The Greene Manufacturing Company," probably out of compliment to one of the firm, who per- haps furnished a good share of the capital. Capt. James Greene was the father-in-law of Dr. Harris and was one of the original owners of the first Centreville cotton mill, and consequently is supposed to have had some knowledge of the business. The cotton manufac- turing business at this time was in its infancj'- in this country, and every step taken, was slow and deUberate. " The small quantity of machinery started at first by this company, viz. : four throstle frames and two mules indi- cates with what deliberation these gentlemen advanced. The castings were furnished by a distant foundry in Halifax, Mass., to which place Dr. Harris was compelled to go several times, in his own team, (for there were no public conveyances) before the newly risen mill could be prepared for operations." During the depression of 1816, this establishment shut down its gates. In 1817, Dr. Knight sold his share to Dr. Harris. The mill re- sumed operations in 1818, under the exclusive adminis- tration of Dr. Harris. About this time he put in eight looms. During a freshet in 1821-2 the bulk-head was swept away and the dam and the foundation of the mill somewhat injured. In 1827, a fire broke out in a build- ing near the mUl, the upper room of which was used as- a machine shop, and the lower one as a picker room. The damage was not great though one of the workmen named Hill was badly burned." Dr. Harris made many changes and improvements aa his pecuniary means increased. The first mill was en- 240 HISTORY OB" WAKWICK. larged and in 1836, he built a stone mill to which an ad- dition was subsequently made. Another stone mill was built in 184^, and greatly enlarged in 1855. On the death of the Doctor his heirs resumed the name of the Greene Manufacturing Company, which still designates the company. The total fall of water in connection with the several mills is about 30 feet. The number of looms in the three mills is about 600. Many changes and improvements have been made since the Doctor's death, the most important perhaps, being the erection of the substantial dam and the addition of an L of 100 feet to the oldest mill a few years ago. The present company consist of the four surviving children of the Doctor, Messrs. Cyrus, Stephen, Caleb F. Harris and their half sister, Mrs. Henry J. Smith. Individual members of the firm are also interested in the cotton mills at Lippitt, Anthony and the woolen mill at Centreville. Dr. Harris was born in Johnston, R. I.. Oct. 29, 1786. His father's name was Cyrus, "son of Caleb, son of Henry, son of Thomas, son of Thomas, son of Thomas." The latter person came from England and settled in Salem, whence he removed to Providence about the year 1636-7, and was a brother of William Harris who figured prominently in early colonial times. On his way to England to attend to his affairs, the ship in which William was a passenger was captured by a Barbary Corsair, and he and the rest of the passengers and crew were taken to Algiers and sold as slaves (see page 83). Caleb Harris, the grandfather of Dr. Stephen, was for a while a judge of one of the courts of Providence county, and a man of acknowledged ability. The Doctor received his education at Wood- stock, Conn, and Brown University, though the death of his father prevented him from completing his course at the latter institution. He studied medicine at Dart- mouth College and with Dr. Fiske, of Scituate, and com- menced practice in Johnston about the first of March, 1808, and left there for Coventry, June 12th, 1809, and settled at the place now called Qnidnick, boarding in the family of Theodore A. Foster, payiug |2.50 per w.eek for his board and that of his horse. EIVER POINT. 241 The young aspirant for medical knowledge went to Dartmouth College on horseback in company with the late Dr. Andrew Harris, of Canterbury, Conn., this being the chief mode of taking long journies at the time, though the "riding chair" was used to some extent. This ancient vehicle was in shape like a low chair with stuffed arms and back, suspended between two wheels on leather braces. It was the rude beginning of what has since been changed into the sulky, chaise and phae- ton. The Doctor was fond of a good horse, and when, on his father's death, he found himself possessed of f 300 in money and a " gray mare," as his portion of the paternal estate, he doubtless felt himself as completely provided for as when, in subsequent years, his worldly goods had increased manifold. The gray mare subse- quently brote her leg, while under the saddle, bearing Dr. Knight, who was using her at one time while Dr. Harris was away, and it was found necessary to take her Hfe. Dr. Harris married Eliza Greene, a daughtef of Capt. James Greene, December 3, 1809. He afterwards removed to Centreville, where he be- come associated in practice with the late Dr. Sylvester Knight, and erected a building near the bridge, which is still standing, in which not only drugs and medicines were kept for use in their own practice, but were dispensed to neighboring physicians, as they were wanted. They also kept a supply of groceries, &c. " The winters of 1816, and ' 17 and ' 18, he spent in Savannah, Ga., where he and Resolved Waterman established a commission house. On his return home he resumed manufacturing. He was a man of quick apprehension, observing at once everything amiss in his mills while passing hurriedly through them. It is said, he once put a shaving into an imperfect joint, in the presence of a negligent artizan, and by this silent reminder administered an effective rebuke. During his residence in Centreville he was one of the most cheerful and agreeable members of society. Mrs. Harris, his wife, died March 23, 1820. In 1822, he married Maria, the daughter of Edward Manton, who 21 242 HISTOBY OP "WAKWICK. survived him. The Doctor died October 10, 1858, aged 72. The tract of land which in 1798 was taxed for $800, and for which he subsequently paid about $2,500, he saw taxed with its improvements, before he died, for $190,000." Mr. Rousmaniere gives the following es- timate of his character : — " He was a remarkable man in some respects. He was as bold in larger affairs as he was cautious in minutiae. His promise was slowly given, but the fulfillment of it, however difficult, was so faithful as to be proverbial. He was practical tut progressive; cautious but self-confldent; resolute but never infatuated. He was a lover of money but he loved truth and integrity as aicl« to character, as well as money. The excite- ment of business stimulated all the energies of his body and mind, withdrawing the latter from a profession in which he must have been distinguished, and taxing the former, which was naturally feeble, with incessant occupation. The objects of his ambitioQ were commercial and he fully realized them. He was beloved in private and respected in public. He con- formed to the ways of the world, and never attempted to set up as an intrusive reformer. He commenced in business at the same time with other young men. While he was -slowly tunnelling the high obstacles that seemed to block up the path- way to fortune, ihey ascended the eminence by successive leaps. While he was not heard of for a few years outside of a circle of cautious business men, they were spoken of, as prodigies of mercantile talent and genius. While he planted the seeds of his skill in a tract of land, taxed in 1798 for $800 and for which he paid about $2,500, and which now, through his mental alchemy is taxed for S:90,000, they, in the meantime outlived their enchanted prospects, saw the sun of their youth go down in clouds in their old age, their wealth scattered like an ex- ploded meteor and their influence utterly blighted." The venerable Resolved Waterman, now of Provi- dence, is the only one of the original firm that com- menced the manufacturing business in this village who is now living. In early life he was a clerk at Centreville, and gradually rose, by his industry and integrity, to a position of importance among the business men of the State. He was of an affable, genial disposition, upright and honest in character, and commanded the respect and affection of those with whom he associated. He married the daughter of Dea. Cady, of Centerville, by whom he BIVER POINT. 243 had several children. He contributed largely to the building of Grace Church, Providence, and was inter- ested in other worthy objects. To the north of the present railroad depot, across the liver, is a steep rocky hill-side, somewhat in the form of a horse-shoe, that was known in early times as the " Horse Pound." The tradition is, that the Indians were accustomed to drive the wild horses into the enclosure, formed partly by these precipitous bluffs, and thus secure them. In 1849, a church of the Congregational order was formed. The meeting house was erected by Dr. Stephen Harris, at his sole expense. The house was built by George W. Ham, at a cost, above the foundations, of $3,350. A school-house had been standing many years previous on the lot adjoining, and still continues in ser- vice, though an addition has since been made to it. To the south of the school-house stood the armory of the Ehode Island Guards, a building that was subsequently removed, and by enlargements and improvements, has •become known as Odd Fellows Hall. The Rhode Island Guards were chartered about the year 1844. On the fourth of July of that year, an entertainment vras given to the company, and their invited guests, the Kentish Guards, and a large company, assembled in a grove near the present railroad depot. The tables were set under an arbor at the edge of the grove. The " Dorr Rebellion " and the various political questions growing out of it, were fresh in the minds of the people, and the "hbeity men ''and the "law and order party" had hardly settled down in acquiescence with the results of the struggle. As an illustration of the generally dis- turbed condition of the town during the "war," it is said that a man by the name of Congdon ran to the woods for personal safety, but finally returned to his home, saying that the woods were full of people and he could'nt get in. The occurrence of our national birth- day, and the gathering of so large a company, afforded an excellent opportunity to give judicious instructions to 2M mSTOBY OF WABWICK. the opposing parties, and to aid in bringing them again into harmony and peace. The orator of the day was Hon. Simon Henry Greene, from whose excellent Written address we make the following extracts : " Political improvement must go hand in hand with religious regeneration, and must be gradual and slow, inasmuch as doubts will oJEten arise, whether any improvement is taking place. Taking a retrospective view of the political institutions of our own times, we see that the courses and policy pursued, have been extremely devious and vacillating, sometimes ad- vancing, and sometimes receding; the people are often vio- lently excited, and sometimes on the verge of revolution. Men intrusted with political power, and those aspiring to acquire it, who cherish and defend fallacious opinions, and who are moved by such influences and suggestions, will act with a cer- tain tendency toward the production of mischievous conse- quences. It is only in proportion as sound opinions, based on true and immutable principles, are acknowledged as of supreme authority that mischief is prevented. "We have recently seen this idea illustrated in a striking degree, in our own State of of Rhode Island. ***** Freedom itself, is subject to law and order, or it becomes licentiousness and disorder. * * * Military power should be seldom and judiciously used; rigid, prompt, and effective as it must be, to be valuable, it is dan-, gerous to provoke its exercise; those entrusted with it should ever remember, that its power should be conservative, and that its legitimate functions are limited to the maintainance of freedom ot law and order." The Pawtuxet Valley Railroad was so far completed that it was opened for general business in September, 1874, The road commences at the depot in this village, thence passes through Clyde, Lippitt, Phenix, Harris- ville to Hope, a distance of about three and one-fifth miles. It was a very expensive road to construct, on ac- count of numerous bridges, with their costly abut- ments. The road at present is leased to the trustees of the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Company, who equip it, run it, keep it in repair, and pay over to the stockholders of the Pawtuxet Valley Railroad Company a fixed percentage of the gross profits. NATICK. 245 NATICK. _ Natick, or JSTatchick, as it was sometimes spelt in early- times, is an Indian name, and signifies "a place of hills."* The territory to which it applied at the division of lands in 1673, and the names of its early possessors, have been given in the account of Phenix village. The extensive range of elevated land that shuts in the Pawtuxet valley for several miles up-stream from this village, suggests not only the appropriateness of the term as applied to the tract designated as "Natick lands," in the ancient plat, but also the probability that it embraced in the aboriginal mind, a considerable portion of territory on the west bank of the north branch of the Pawtuxet, reaching as far as Hope village, and perhaps the hilly regions beyond. The portion of the " JSTatick lands " included in the present village was on the north side of the river. On the south side were the Wecochaconet farms, referred to on page 88, the northeastern one, embracing some 400 acres, which in- cluded all or nearly all the territory on the south side of the river now embraced in the present school district of this village, fell to the lot of Randall Holden. When the Natick lands were assigned by the Warwick proprietors to their five associates in 1673, they were un- divided. On Dec. 9, 1674, the five owners of the tract divided it among themselves, and under this latter date we find the following entry on the proprietors' records : " We the proprietors of Katick lands that lyeth one ye north side of Pawtuxet river in ye colony of Khode Island and Providence Plantations, have laid out five lotts; that is to say; they lye in one range, in manner and forme aforesaide, as followeth : the north ends of them bounded by the west lyne of the grand purchase of the Mishawomet plantation; and the south ends of these lotts, bounded by the northernmost branch of Patuxet river: The first lott lyeth near range * Drake's North American Indians, p. 178. *21 246 HISTOBY OF -WAKWICK. rock, so called, in ye northeast corner, bounded by a small black oak; from thence southerly to a small black oak." Such land- marks as these two small black oaks were not infrequent at the time. They served the purpose, probably, and when in the course of time the lands were transferred to other parties, other and more permanent bounds may have been designated. The original proprie- tors of the land on both sides of the river were also posses- sors of territory in the earlier settled portions of the town, and do not appear to have resided upon these tracts themselves, but continued to make their homes in Old Warwick. In the course of the following century the several farms had been cut up and sold to various par- ties. In June, 173 B, a number of persons " concerned in a tract of land situate in the Grand Purchase of Warwick, in that part called Na tick, near fifty years past; and likewise others in a tract of land called Wecochaco- net," petitioned for a highway to be laid out through their lands. The assembly referred the matter to the Town Council of Warwick, who were authorized to act in the premises. The Council failing to act, the matter was again laid before the assembly the following year. The Council refused to lay out the highway " unless the proprietors of the lands through which the said way should go, would be at all the cost and charge of laying it out, and allow the land on which the same should be laid out, which conditions were not in the power of the petitioners to perform." The assembly, after due consid- eration, voted " that from the house of Capt. Rice, in Warwick, there be a highway laid out in the most near and convenient manner to the grist mill, commonly called Edmonds' Mill; from thence westerly to the southeast corner of the town of Scituate, at or near the land of James Colvin." The Town Council of Warwick was directed to issue a warrant to the sheriff of the county of Providence or his deputy to summon a jury to lay out the road, the charges to be paid out of the town treasury. A long controversy ensued, and in 1742, the General NATIOK. 247 Assembly appointed a committee to examine and report upon the matter. This committee reported, recommend- ing some clianges in the course that had been previously suggested, whereupon the Assembly appointed Stephen Hopkins, John Rhodes and Wiu. Rice, a committee to lay out the road according to the foregoing report. This last committee reported in March, 1742, presenting a plat of the road, when it was voted " tliat said plat and report thereon made, be accepted, and that said highway continue as therein laid out forever." Without stopping to specify many of the various changes that had taken place in the ownership of the lands now included within the limits of the village and vicinity, Ijt us hasten on to the opening of tlie present century, when Jonathan Ellis, son of Benjamin, Wm. Anthony Holden, son of Wm. Holden, and Phihp Arnold were among the principal owners of the terri- tory. Benjamin Ellis lived on the hill on the old road leading to Lippitt village. His son Jonathan and seve- ral sisters inherited their father's estate. Jonathan lived on the hill, sometimes called " Green Hill," in the house occupied now by Mrs. Sheldon, and died at an advanced age, July 7, 1842. William Holden, previous to the year 1771, owned a grist mill on the south side of the river, just above the present iron bridge. The old trench way may still be seen when the pond is drawn down. In 1771, the General Assembly granted him a lottery " to rai.se about £60, to enable him to repair and secure a dam across the Pawtuxet river, which had been carried away by a flood the previous winter." Wm. Anthony Holden, son of the former, lived in the house, which is still standing, situated on the east side of the turnpike, near by Indigo brook. The brook was so called from the circumstance that Harvey Arnold had upon it a small building, and made use of the slight water power to grind indigo for coloring purposes. Wm. Anthony Holden died April 24, 1854. Previous to the year 1800, there appears to have been no bridge across the river at this place, though one was soon after erected, 248 HISTOET OF "WARWICK. and in 1823, a new one, called from its shape tlie " rainbow bridge," was built upon the same site. The earliest bridge across the river in this vicinity was the one at the lower part of the village in connection with the ancient highway already alluded to. The first decade of the present century, including the two or three years that followed it, was a noted period in the history of this town. It was the period of be- ginnings in the cotton manufacturing interests. The mill at Ccntreville had been built, and was in successful operation previously ; but during the first dozen years of the present century, the manufacture of cotton yarn by machinery driven by water power, commenced in Phenix, Lippitt, and this village. In 1807, four me- chanics had estimated the value of the water power at Natick, and became so convinced of the feasibility of its use in the manufacture of cotton to their advantage, that they at once concluded to venture in the specu- lation. They were without the necessary capital upon which to commence operations, but by judicious man- agement, succeeded in enlisting others in their enterprise. Their names were Perez Peck, Peter Cushman, John AVhite and Joseph Hines. Peter Cushman was sent as a messenger to Providence, in search of some adven- turous merchant who had money at command, and induce him to engage with them in the proposed enter- prise. On his way to Providence the messenger met Capt. William Potter, and stated his errand. Of the persuasive powers of Peter Cushman we have only this evidence, that he succeeded on the spot in convincing the Captain of the feasibility of his plan, who bade him return and inform his associates that he would assist them. A company was very soon formed, composed of the following persons : Adams & Lothrop, Capt. Wm. Potter and Charles Potter, of Providence, Christopher and Wm. Rhodes, of Pawtuxet, Jonathan Ellis, of Natick, and the four mechanics already mentioned. Capt. Potter, in 1795, was one of the owners of the Centreville mill The venerable Perez Peck, of Coventry, NATICK. 249 still vigorous in his old age, and as straight as an Indian arrow, is the only one of the number now living, and is able to relate with evident accuracy the various impor- tant events connected with this early period of his active business life. The cgf)ital of the company amounted to 132,000, divided into thirty-two shares ; of which Wm. Potter held eight shares ; Adams & Lothrop, eight shares ; Christopher and Wm. Ehodes, each four shares ; Chas. Potter and Jonathan Ellis, each two shares ; and Perez Peck, Joseph Hines, John White and Peter Cushman, each one share. The first work of the company was to secure possession of the necessary real estate, including the water privilege. Jonathan Ellis sold to them in the summer of 1807, a tract of five acres on the north side of the stream for f 178, and George Baker, another tract of thirteen acres for $535 80i. " Both of these lots were portions of a farm owned several years previous by a family of Potters." Wm. Anthony Holden, who owned the bluif on the east side of the river, it is said, generously gave the portion needed by the company to secure the water power, and Philip Arnold made the company a present of a "lot near the bridge, as an en- couragement and assistance." Philip Arnold's land was lower down the river, by the ancient bridge, already al- luded to. The first mill wa!s built in the autumn of 1807, and was about 80 feet long, and became known as the Natick Red Mill from its color. It stood between the present No. 1 and the trench way. In 1836 this mill was removed to the northward on the flat, and converted into tenements. It is now known as the " factory house." The four mechanics and partners alluded to, were put, through the influence of Capt. Potter, into the machine shop at Centreville, where they made ma- chinery enough to start the Natick Mill ; then they removed their tools to the latter establishment, and finished the other machines. The Red Mill was started with two throstle machines of eighty-four spindles each, 250 HISTORY OP WAHWICK. and two mules of 200 spindles each. Jonathan Elhs ■was the first agent. " The company not merely spun yarn and warp, but erecting a dye house, they began to dye the same before sending it to market." " The machinery in the Natlck cotton mill was pro- pelled by a tub wheel, (so called at that day,) stf)mewhat similar to the iron wheels of the present time. The one used here was ten feet in diameter and eighteen inches in depth, with floats of corresponding depth, with a curb above it of greater depth, through which the water was conveyed by a trunk into the wheel. It was made wholly of wood. This wheel, while it required a larger amount of water than the bucket wheel to do the same work, yet it possessed the advantage of acquiring the desired speed with a less amount of gearing."* Various changes took place previous to the year 1815. Two of the original stockholders, Perez Peck and Peter Cushman, had sold out their stock as early as the summer of 1808. In July, 1815, the old organization was super- ceded by three companies, one of which was known as the Pihodes Natick Company ; another the Natick Turnpike Factory Company, and the third as Ellis, Lothrop & • For an interesting article by Perez Peck, of Coventry, (of which the 'hove is an extract,) relating to the early manufacturing interests of Natick and other places, see Annual Report of the " Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry" for the year 1865 In the report of the above mentioned society for the year 18B4, a list of the cotton mills in this State, and in parts of the adjoining St^vtes of Massachusetts and Connecticut, -vi-ith the number of spindles of each, in November, 1R15, was given. The list was presented by Samuel Greene. The following is the list for Warwick : Warwick Manufacturing Company, 2,700 spindles. Warwick Spinning Mill 780 Provirlence Manufacturing Company 3,200 Rhi des, Harris & Smith 1 500 Riceville Manufacturing Company ..'. '300 Utter Manufacturing Company 350 Manchester Manufacturing Company ,. 1,600 Lippitt Manufacturing Company 2500 Roger Williams Manufacturing Company il'soo Tiifany Manufacturing Company '4OO Greene ,.'..'." 780 Total, 15,610 NATICK. 251 Go. In 1821, William Sprague, of Cranston, father of the "Old Governor," purchased one mill with forty-two looms and 1692 spindles, and another furnished with carding and spinning machinery. Both these mills were painted red ; the latter stood near the present grist mill, and was removed about the year 1830, to its present position on the turnpike, and converted into tenements. It is the first house on the east side of the turnpike, next to the bridge. It has undergone various changes since, and lost all outward resemblance of its original form. The Messrs. Rhodes retained one mill, which stood about, where the south end of the present nvimber one (New Brick,) now stands, and was about 80 feet by 30 feet, with thirty looms and other necessary machinery for making cotton cloth ; also a grist mill and several tenement houses. George A. Rhodes, a son of Gen. Christopher, was agent until his death, when his father, took charge until the company sold out to the Spragues. " The Messrs. Rhodes continued to own about halt the village for about forty-five years, building in the mean- time, in 1826, a stone mill 100x4-1 feet. On Dec. 17, 1852, they sold out to the Spragues for $55,000." Christopher Rhodes was the third son of Robert Rhodes, (born April 5, 1743,) and Phebe Smith, (born Feb. 14, 1744.) He was born at Pawtuxet, (Warwick,) Aug. 16, 1776. For about five or six years previous to his coming of age, he followed the coasting business, and afterwards commenced business with his father at Paw- tuxet. His store was the old homestead, adjoining the house where he lived most of his life, and where he d.ied. He subsequently, in connection with his brother William, engaged in manufacturing, about a mile from Pawtuxet, at a place known as Bellefonte Mill, and succeeded so well that the brothers extended their business to Natick. At a late period the Messrs. Rhodes became the owners of manufacturing establishments in Wickford and Albion villages. In May, 1809, Mr. Rhodes was elected Briga- dier General of the fourth brigade of Rhode Island militia. From May, 1828, to October, 1831, he repre- 252 HISTORY OP WAKWICK. sented the town of Warwick in the General Assembly. " He interested himself, at an early period, in the substi- tution of penitentiary punishments in place of the whip- ping post and pillory." In October, 1835, he was ap- pointed by the General Assembly one of the building committee for the erection of the State Prison, and on its completion was appointed one of. its inspectors, which office he held until May, 1847. Zachary Rhodes, the earliest ancestor of the family in this country, is men- tioned in a letter of Roger Williams to the General Court of Magistrates and Deputies of Massachusetts Bay, dated 15th ninth month, 1655, in which he says : • " There are but two families which are so obstructive and destructive to an equal proceeding of civil order amongst us ; for one of these four families, Stephen Arnold desires to be uniform with us ; a second, Zachary Rhodes, being in ■the way of dipping, is (potentially) banished by you. The others, William Arnold and William Carpenter plead that all the obstacle i^ their offending of your- selves." Zachary Rhodes, as appears by his will, dated April 28, 1662, left a wife (Jane) and seven children, viz : Zachariah, Malachi, John and Peleg ; and three daugh- ters, Ehzabeth, Marcy and Rebecca. Malachi had a son Malachi, whose son James, born in 1710, was the father of Robert, the father of Gen. Christopher Rhodes. Gen. Rhodes married Betsey Allen, of South Kingstown. Their children were George A., Christopher S., who married Olive B., a daughter of Joshua Mauran ; Ehza A., who married Hon. John R. Bartlett, for many years Secretary of Slate, and Sarah A., who married Hon. Henry B. Anthony, one of the Senators from this State in Congress. Gen. Rhodes died in Pawtuxet, May 24, 1861, and was buried in the old family burial ground at Pawtuxet, where the first Zachary Rhodes and his wife were buried. The graves of the latter are marked by " square piles of flat stones," without inscriptions. Gen. Rhodes outlived all his children, his son Christopher S. having died January 17, 1861, about four months pre- vious to his father. NATICK. 253 The following is a concise statement respecting the mills of this -village, as they now stand : No. 1, of brick, the north end as far as the tower, 166x48 feet, built in 1835; south end built in 1859, 153x52 feet, comprising the L and tower. It stands on the site of the old Rhodes' mill, and contains 21,244 spindles and 471 looms. No. 2, of stone, built in 1826, 120x44, with an addition on the north end, built in 1858, of 40 feet, making the present size 160x44. It contains 7,174 spindles, and 132 looms. No. 3, built of stone, by Wm. Sprague, in 1822, with an addition in 1835, making it 136x36 feet. It contains 6,784 spindles and 216 looms. No. 4, built of brick in 1829-30, with additions in 1856, making it 190x44. It contains 9,280 spindles and 213 looms. Total of the four mills, 44,604 spindles and 1,032 looms. Number of employes, 321 males and 395 females — total 716. During the year ending June 1st, 1875, these mills made 10,544,920 yards of cloth, which were sent to the Cranston Print Works. The agents and superintendents of the Spragues in this Tillage have been as follows : "Wm. Sprague was in charge for several years, and was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Emanuel Rice; Henry Dyer, superin- tendent from 1849 to 1860 ; Edwin Potter, 1860 to 1862 ; John Allen, Jan. 1, 1862, to the following May ; Wm. M. Spink was appointed to that position May 23, 1864, and has continued until the present time. Mr. Albert G. Smith commenced working for the Spragues in 1835, making the wood work of the machinery, and continued in this capacity and that of draughtsman until 1859, and at intervals to the present time — facts that bear testimony to his skill and fiaithfulness. Though the miU property in this village might be con- sidered as somewhat extensive, it is but a fraction of the extensive works earned on and owned wholly or in part by the Messrs. Amasa & William Sprague, and others who are associated with them. The following statement made by a Providence correspondent of a New York paper, Nov. 7, 1873, and which is supposed to be in the 22 254 HISTOKY OF WAEWICK. main correct, shows the immense business which they have carried on : "The firm of A. & W. Sprague Mf'g Co. run near 280,000 spindles, and 28 printing machines in mills and print works, and employ over 10,000 operatives. Their great print works at Cranston employ about 1,200 person?, and can turn out 40,000 pieces a week. At Natick. they run 42,000 spindles and have about 800 hands. At Arctic, they run 29,000 spindles and employ 500 hands. At Quidnick, they have 32,000 spindles and 600 hands; at Bailie, Conn, 83,000 spindles and 1,000 hands; at Central Falls, R. I., 82,000 spindles and near 600 hands; at Augusta, Me., 34,000 spindles and 700 hands. These cotlon mills supply their print works with most of the print cloths used by them, making about 35,000 pieces a week when running on lull time. All were running on half time in the early part of Nov. 1873. At present all are running on full time. Besides their mills and print works, they run other great enterprises, both within and without the state of Rhode Island. In Maine ihey have vast timber mills, saw mills, and like property, in which are employed great numbers of men during the ]umi)ering season. In South Carolina, at Columbia, they own valrjable water power and have a great stock forward. They also own much land in Kansas and in Texas. In this city (Providence) and Cranston, their real estate improved and unimproved, is great in extent and value. They control in this city (Providence) the Union Railroad, owning most of the street railways, and 100 cars, and employing 300 men and 500 horses. The capital stock is $600,000, and valuation of prop- erty about $800,000. Wm. Sprague is President of the Provi- dence and New York Steamship Co., which has eight steamers, employs 600 hands, and owns property valued at $1,000,000. 1 his company it is claimed will not be embarrassed by the Spragues; because, although they are the largest stockholders, they own a minority of the stock. A. & W. Sprague control in Providence, the Perkins Sheet Iron Co.; the R. I. Horse Shoe Co., having 300 hands when full; Sprague Mowing Machine Co.; Comstock Stove Foundry, and the American Horse Nail Co. Their mill' property at a low valua- tion, is estimated at $4,200,000, and their print works at $1,000,000. Their pay-roll at times has approached .$25,000 a day. Besides all this property, A. & W. Sprague as partners of the firm of Hoyt, Spragues & Co., own the stock of the Atlantic Delaine Co., whose mills in Olneyville, R. I., employ over 2,000 hands. On this property (said Delaiue Co..) there is an indebtedness of near $4,000,000. Owing to the financial embarrassments which culmi- NATICK. 255 nated in the latter part of 1873, the Spraa^ues executed a " Deed of Trust " to Zachariah Chaffee, in which mention is made that the Spragues are indebted to the amount of about $14,000,000. Their property at a fair valuation is estimated to be considerably in excess of this amount, and it is hoped and expected that they will eventually emerge from the heavy financial cloud that at present overshadows them. William Sprague, father of the first Governor Wm. Sprague, started a small mill in Cranston in 1811, and also ran a saw mill. He Avas the first of the family in- terested in the Natick mills. He died suddenly in the year 1836, leaving three sons and two daughters. The sons were Amasa, William, who is sometimes called the "Old Governor," to distinguish him from another of the same name, and Benoni, who still survives and resides in Cranston. One of the daughters, Almira, married Emanuel Rice, the other married a Mathewson. The two sons, Amasa and William, after the death of their father, continued the manufacturing interests in which their father had been eminently successful. "Amasa possessed much shrewdness, adapting himself easily to the prejudices of others, displaying great occasional energy, blended with a good-natured indolence, and in business or politics always gave signs of athletic common sense. William's resources were more varied and lofty. His mingled boldness and prudence, his practical tact and speculative skill, his constant attention to details, and his foresight of the most distant results ; his rapid penetration into the weak points of men, and his firm reliance upon his own impulses ; all these qualities con- stituted William Sprague a chieftain in the marts of business, certainly with no superior, and with scarcely a rival." Gov. Sprague was a politician as well as a manu- facturer, and in the course of his life filled several important political offices. He was Governor of this State from 1838 to 1840, and United States Senator from 1842 to 1844, when he resigned to attend to his manufacturing interests. He died in 1856, leaving a 256 HISTOBY OP WABWICK. son Byron, and a daugliter Susan, who married the late Edwin Hoyt, of New York city. Amasa, brother of the Governor, was murdered in 1843. His children are, the present Colonel Amasa Sprague, of Cranston, Ex Governor William Sprague, Almira, who married Hon. Thomas A. Doyle, mayor of Providence, and Mrs. Latham. On the death of the Senior Governor Sprague, the business fell into the hands of his son Byron, and his two nephews Amasa and William. The former retired from the business in 1862, several years previous to his death. In 1860, William Sprague, then about thirty years of age, was elected Governor of the State, and was re-elected the following year. He rendered con- spicuous service during the war, and in 1863, was elected to the United States Senate, in which position he remained until the present year. The Natick of to-day, very favorably compares with that of fifty years ago, in many respects. The increase in population, the number and appearances of the baild- ings, both the mills and the dwelling houses, the streets, etc., all indicate the prosperity that has attended it. The meeting house was built in 1838, by Governor Sprague, and was used for awhile by the several de- nominations of worshippers living in the village, in rota- tion. Here Elder Warner, an old Baptist preacher, was wont to hold forth, one sabbath in the month ; Elder James Phillips, a Freewill Baptist, whose meeting-house was situated several miles distant, near the "High House," and which was subsequently removed to Pontiac, and recently removed by another church back to the Plains, near to where it originally stood, occupied one sab- bath a month ; the Methodists and the Baptists also had their turns, until it finally fell into the hands of the Bap- tists, who have continued its sole occupants for many years. The house was dedicated one Thanksgiving day. For a while the latter denomination paid $50 a year for its use, which was generally expended by the Spragues in keeping it in repair. Previous to the building of the NATICK. 257 meetinof-house, religious services were held in the old school-house, the building just west ot the present school- house now occupied by Mr. Sheldon H. Tilliughast, and at various other places. Mrs. Sally Warner, or " aunt Sally," as she was familiarly called, is supposed to have started the first sabbath school that was held in the vil- lage, in what was known as Cod-fish Hall, over the store of the Messrs. Rhodes. Mrs. Warner subsequently re- moved her school to the school-house. She was a woman of many excellent traits of character, full of vivacity, of masculine courage, which was sometimes, severely tested by those who had but little sympathy for her in the good work in which she was engaged. With a mind stored with religious anecdotes, she awakened the interest of her pupils in the Bible and doubtless kept many little feet from wandering into the pathways of sin and folly. The first building erected for school purposes in the vil- lage, was probably the one now standing south of the present school-house. It was enlarged to about double its original proportions, by Wm. Sprague, in 1838, and was used until the building now used was erected in 1850. The cost of the present school-house was $2,355 independent of the lot, which, was given by Mr. Sprague. Among the earlier teachers were Wm. B. Spencer, in 1830-1, Rev. Arthur A. Ross, Rev. J. Brayton, Alanson Holly, E. M. Tappan, E. M. Hopkins, M. J. Knight, M. W. Grow, and others. The present principal of the school, Mr. J. Q. Adams, who has kindly furnished a portion of the items connected with the present account of this village, has held his position with much credit since 1867. Among the early physicians that located in this village were Dr. Greene, afterwards of East Greenwich, Dr. Andros, who was settled here many years and until his death, and Dr. Asa Fuller, who purchased the estate and hved in the house now owned and occupied by Mrs. John D. Spink. Previous to the year 1840, the population of the vil- *22 258 HISTORY OP WAEWICK. lage was almost exclusively American. The only Irish- man living here at that date was Patrick Dunn, who married an American woman, and finally removed to East Greenwich, where he died. On the passage of the railroad through here, the foreign element rapidly in- creased, and at present forms a large proportion of the population. A Roman Catholic church was built in 1871-2 for the benefit of the Irish catholics, and about a year ago, a chapel was erected of the same order for the . French people, but which has never been consecrated, and will doubtless be used for other purposes, inasmach as the two nationalities have concluded to unite in wor- ship at the other church. To the north of the village, about a mile distant, on land formerly owned by the Baker family, but now in possession of the Spragues, is a stream of water, that forms, at certain seasons of the year, one of the finest cascades in New England. The stream is a branch of the Moshanticut, one of the feeders of the Pawtuxet, and in the summer time a person may easily step across it But in the spring time, when the heavy rains and melted snow swell its volume, and there is no call for its diversion to irrigate the lands that lie to the southward, as is the case during the summer months, the waters re- joice in their liberty and devote' themselves to a grand exhibition of watery gymnastics. The fall in the course of quarter of a mile, is probably not less than a hundred feet perpendicular height, for the most part over a pre- cipitous, scraggy ledge of rocks, a portion of the distance being at au angle of some sixty degrees. The stream after crossing the highway, moves quietly along for some distance, until it comes near the precipice, then gradually increases in speed, now turning at right angles at some impassible barrier, or over-leaping it, until it takes its principal leap and tumbles down the precipice, churned to a foam and casting its spray on every side. Then with a variety of ceremonious bows to the right and to the left, with pigmy waterfalls here and there in its course, it arrives at the valley below, and quietly PONTIAC. 259 pursues the remainder of its way to the Shanticut. The view from the cliff is beautiful and picturesque aside from the cascade, but with this in addition affords a bit of natural scenery hardly less pleasing than the falls of the Ammonusuc. PONTIAC. No one of the -villages on the Pawtuxet river and its tributaries has been designated by so many different names in the course of its history, as the one we have now come to. The changes began during the aborigi- nal period. The territory in the vicinity, and probably including the site of the present village, was known as early as the year 1662, as " Papepieset, ahas Toceunck," (see page 67.) The latter name is variously spelt in the town records, and seems to have been applied to the Indian village then existing in this vicinity, as well as to the meadow lands along the river. Papepieset, or Toskiounke, as it was sometimes called, makes a very good mouthfull of language, and either term is prefera- ble to those that were subsequently taken to designate the place, except the present one, which we regard with favor. The signification of those Indian names I have not been able to learn. The earhest English designation of the place, or at least a very early one, was the " Great Weir." Previous to the erection of the mill dams, different kinds of fish, as the salmon, shad, and alewives or herring, migrated from the ocean to the inland ponds in the early part of the season, and deposited their spawn, and in the fall returned with their progeny to the sea. The natural falls in the river were favorite places where the anglers were incUned to station themselves at the proper sea- sons, and with lines and nets make prey of the finny tribes as thej- proceeded on their annual journeys. The de- mand for these fish inclined some of the more ingenious and avaricious to erect " weirs," or water-traps, in the 260 HISTORY OP "WARWICK. river, by which large quantities of fish could be taken. These weirs " consisted of a wooden trellis- work, armed with sharp pointed sticks, and sunk upon rocks one or two feet below the surface of the stream, and as the middle of the river by being filled with large stones, was rendered too shallow for the upward passage of the salmon and shad, they plunged by necessity into the deeper water near the shore, where these concealed traps received them with a fatal welcome."* When the dams of the cotton mills were erected, the fish took offence, and regarded the innovation as aimed against their long established rights, and finally abandoned their old nurseries. For awhile the rights of the fish were partially protected by laws, which provided that sluice ways should be kept open in the spring time, in order that the fish might freely pass to the inland waters. But this proved unsatisfactory to them, and the fish concluded if they could not have their full rights they would seek more favorable haunts, which they accordingly did. The "weir" was then of no longer use and soon ceased to properly designate the place, and became like the play of Hamlet, with Hamlet left out. In the course of time a bridge was erected across the river, and like a drowning man, who is said to " catch at a straw," the people rechristened the place as " the great bridge near the weir." Then a prominent man in the vicinity became associated with the structure, and the place was known as " Capt. Benjamin Greene's bridge."! Capt. Greene subsequently lost this honor, and another man took the laurels, and it was called "Arnold's bridge.''^ This continued until John H. Clark * The weir was below the present dam, and the centre of the river had been so filled up with stones as to form an island. t Oapt. Benjamin Greene was familiarly known as "Tobacco Ben. Greene, to distinguish him from another person in town of the same name, and also by reason of his raising large quantities of tobacco, t Benjamin Arnold was the grandson of Capt. Benjamin Greene, and inherited the homestead on both sides of the river. He was the first Arnold who lived in this vicinity. From him the homestead descended to his son. Judge Dutee Arnold The estate is now owned by Dutae Arnold, Esq., grandson of the Judge. PONTIAC. 261 purchased the water power, and the village assumed the name of Clarksville, which continued in use until the present manufacturing company purchased the property, and gave it its present title of Pontiac. Pontiac was the name of a celebrated Indian chief, and was styled "The King and Lord of all the Northwest."* Mr. Clark, while out in Michigan, saw the picture of the old chief, Pontiac, and on liis return had it engraved, to be used as a label on his goods. The name gradually be- came attached to the village after he left, though many continued to call it " Arnold's Bridge." Though these several later changes in the name of the village indicates a series of changes in the real estate comprising the village proper, the land in the vicinity was chiefly owned by a few families, prominent among them being the Staffords and Greenes and their descendants. The following paragraphs, are from Mr. Rousmaniere's inter- esting letters: " The progenitor of the Staffords, was named Thomas, a native of England, an early settler in Plymouth Colony, a citi- zen of Newport in 1638, subsequently a sojourner in Provi- dence, finally, in 1652, an efficient inhabitant of Old Warwick. In 1655, he bought the house and land of John Townsend, front- ing on the common, the lot reaching southerly to the brook, whose waters flowed past the grist mill that had been erected five years before. Thomas Stafford bequeathed an independent estate to his three sons, Samuel, Thomas and Joseph. Samuel married Mercy, the daughter of Stukely Westcott, one of the earliest settlers of the town ; .Joseph married Sarah Holden, daughter of Eandall Holden, another veteran worthy of that period. Joseph btafford, youngest son of Thomas, was ad- mitted a freeman in Warwick in 1677, and four years after settled near the " great weir," on the dividing line between Cranston and Warwick, building his mansion house in both towns, according to the survey that was made many years afterwards, when Cranston was set off from Providence. His descendants have altered the old domicile into a commodious two-story mansion. He bought land from the old proprietors, from the Pawtuxet river, westward to Moshanticut brook. * See Parkman's book, entitled "The Conspiracy of Pontiac and the Indian War after the conquest of Canada." 262 HISTORY OF WAEWICK. As he came into this region at the close of Philip's war, it is presumed that the tract was a wilderness, and for the first time suhjected to the touch of culture. He was an accumulator of property. His children were Stukely, Joseph, John, Margaret, Elizabeth, Mary and Trances; the latter married Benjamin Congdon. " The large tract, south of the upper farm of the Stafford's, was owned by Thomas Greene, youngest son of John Greeny, senior. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Rufus Barton, by whom he had seven children. His oldest son, Thomas, who was born August 14, 1662, was drowned during a thunder storm in the winter of 1698 or 1699, while returning in a small boat from Kewport to his residence in Potowomut. The youngest son of Nathaniel, who was born April 10, 1679, re- moved to Boston. The oldest son of Nathaniel was named Rufus; one of the daughters of the latter, Sarah, married Thomas Hickling; Catherine, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Hickling, became the wife of Judge Presoott, of Massachu- setts, and mother of that brilliant author and historian, Wil- liam H. Prescott. " The descendants of Thomas Greene, have been styled the " Stone Castle Greones," from the fact that he dwelt in the massive stone garrison house in Old Warwick, built by John Smith, in 1649. " Allusion has been made to Thomas Greene, who was drowned in 1698. His only son John, inherited a large estate at Potowomut. John became a convert to the views of George Pox, and married Deborah Carr, of Jamestown. Judge Caleb Greene, of Coventry, was one of his sons. Another, Richard, was an Episcopalian, and lived in princely style upon the pat- rimonial estate at Potowomut, and from the prodigality of his habits, and partly perhaps from the fact that he was a royalist during the revolution, was styled King Richard. Being af- flicted with a cancer, it is said, he went to Newport with a flag of truce for advice from the British army surgeons, where his death was occasioned by an overdose of cicuta. The farm of 650 acres in extent was subsequently purchased by her father for Mrs. Thomas P. Ives, by whose descendants it has been much improved and beautified. Let us return to the village of Pontiac, or as it was then termed, the "great weir." Thomas Greene, the elder, ,among whose descendants were Rowland Greene, a preacher of the Society of Fiiends, and John Wickes Greene, Esq., of Old Warwick, gave his land in this vicinity to his second son Benja- min, who was born January 10, 1665. He was captain in the colonial forces, and held at different times various civic oflaceS. He had a tannery upon his estate, and one of the large stones used in breaking bark is now at the front door of his family PONTIAC. 263 homestead. He married Susanna, daughter of Bandall Holden. During a high freehet in the Pawluxet river it is said he saved his wife by talking her from the house in a boat. He soon after took that house to pieces and removed it to a more elevated location. The latter house still remains on Ihe Arnold farm. It is more than 140 years old, according to tradition, having been erected before the death of his daughter Margaret, in January, 1730. Margaret was the wife of Pardon Tillinghast, of Providence. Catherine, his second daughter, married Governor VVilliam Greene, senior. "Captain Benjamin Greene, son of Thomas, died,rebruay 22, 1757, aged 91, his landed domain, which was quite extensive, was distributed among his daughters and their sons. One of the Natick farms near Phenix village, subsequently owned by the late Mr. George Burlingame, was bequeathed to his grand- son, the second Governor "William Greene. His homestead and the land adjoining, he gave to his grandson Benjamin Arnold, son of Philip, who lived near Apponaug. Benjamin Arnold.married one of the daughters of John Kice, who lived between Apponaug and Greenwich. He died, February 25, 1799, aged 77. He possessed a large landed estate, which was distributed in several towns, and which he bequeathed as fol- lows:* To Benjamin, a farm in Coventry; to John Ricef and Philip, farms in Cranston; to Stephen, land in Warwick; to Henry, the farm on the south side of the Pawtuxet;toDutee,the homestead farm on the opposite side of the river; and to Thomas,land in Warwick. Henry kept a tavern on the south side of the riverfor marly years. The late Major Hughes, father of John L. Hughes, of Providence, it is said, entered this public house one night on his return from the Indian wars in the western States, soon after the close of the revolution. Mrs. Arnold asked him how he passed over the river: the Major re- plied: " I rode over the bridge; the horse picked his way, as it was so very dark I could not see the path." Mrs. A. replied in a very excited tone of voice, "You must be mistaken, Major, for all the planking was taken ofE the bridge to-day in in order to repair it." Major H. who was not a man to surren- der his opinions to any one, reiterated in the most positive manner that he had so crossed it, and asking for a lantern, he groped his way back to the bridge, and ascertained that as the * Benjamm Arnold's farm was about a mile al)Ove Washington vil- lage. His son Thomas started the acid works, which have continued. toT)e operated by his heirs. F. -^ ^ j t John Rice Arnold's farm is the present State Farm. It afterwards passed into the hands of Wm, A. Howard, who was brought up in the family of John Kice Arnold ; then Dea. Wm. Snow bought it of How- ard's heirs, and a few years ago sold it to the State. IT. 264 HISTOBT OF "WARWICK. planks had all been removed, his horse must have walked over on one of the string pieces 1 Mr. Hughes then resided near Centreville." Tlie house in which Mr. Hughes lived, and which he probably built, is the one now standing next to the Quidnick railroad bridge, and now owned and occupied by Mr. Casey B. Tyler. The old tavern on the south side of the river, was one of the most noted public houses outside of the city of Providence, until the Providence and New London turnpike was built, and was kept by Henry Arnold, son of Benjamin, who was a grandson of Capt. Benjamin Greene. The old road on which it was situated, was laid out in 1729, and was the only thoroughfare from Providence into the country in this direction. When the turnpike was put through it was left out of the main line of travel, and a new tavern was built to the west- ward on the turnpike, which became known as the Gor- ton Arnold Tavern, or " Gorton Arnold Stand." Gorton Arnold was a son of Phihp, who was brother of Judge Dutee Arnold. A few years ago the tavern was con- sumed by fire and a new one erected, which is now standing. Judge Dutee Arnold was one of the most conspicuous men of the place, and was well-known throughout the State for more than half a century. In June, 1817, he was elected an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. He took his seat on the bench in May, 1818, and con- tinued in office until 1822. He had three children, Horatio, Walter, who died young, and Marcy, who re- cently died unmarried. The site of the village in the year 1800, was in pos- session of Gideon Mumford, who was drowned in the river near his house. The land and water power was subsequently purchased by Henry Arnold, who in con- nection with Dutee Arnold, erected a saw and grist mill in 1810. Horatio Arnold subsequently carried on wool carding and cotton spinning in another mill. This building was also used at different periods for the man- PONTIAC. 265 ufacture of coarse woolen cloth.* In February, 1827, Rice A. Brown, Jonathan Knowles and Samuel Fenner bought the land and two-thirds of the water-power of the Arnolds for |J,250. They run it for about two years, having twenty looms, on which they wove coarse sheetings. In 1829, during the general depression in manufacturing operation, they failed, and the property was sold at public auction, in 1830, to John H. Clark. Two years afterwards, Clark bought of Dutee Arnold the other one-third of the water-power, with the saw mill and grist mill, and in 1832, built a stone factory, in which he run seventy-five looms. In 1834, the bleachery was built fitted to bleach 2,250 pounds per day. George T. Spicer, now of Providence, of the firm of Spicers & Peckham, was superintendent. Mr. Spicer married the grand-daughter of Judge Dutee Arnold. From 1822 to 1829, Mr. Spicer, who has kindly furnished many of the items of this account, lived at Phenix, having charge a portion of the time of the machine shop. He after- wards removed to Providence, and in 1830, went to Pontiac, where he was connected with the mills, having fuU charge of the concern for ten years previous to 1845. He afterwards removed to Providence, where he took the general charge of the High Street Furnace Company, for five years, and then bought in with Dutee Arnold, and built the furnace now known as Spicers & Peckham's Furnace. John H. Clark was born in Elizabethtown, N. J., April 1, 1789. His father Dr. John Clark was a de- scendant of Dr. John Clark, the friend and companion of Roger Williams, the faithful servant of the colony, who mortgaged his property to raise the means of main- taining himself in London, where he was defending its interest and pleading its cause. He was the founder * Gideon Mumford lived in a house that stood just opposite the pre- sent store. After his death the house was used as a place for calen- dering, by Horatio Arnold and James Simmons. The calender was afterwards removed to Apponaug, where it was used but for a short time. 23 266 HISTOBT OF "WARWICK. and first pastor of the First Baptist Church of Newport. On his mother's side, John H. Clark was descended from Esek Hopkins, the first Commodore of the American Navy. He was a graduate of Brown University, of the class of 1809. He afterwards studied law, which he soon relinquished to engage in business as agent of the Steam Cotton Mill in Providence, belonging to Benjamin and Charles Dyer. Before selling out at Pontiac, he built the Clinton mill at Woonsocket. Mr. Clark was a repre- sentative in the General Assembly from Providence, and in October, 1846, was elected a Senator in Congress for the term commencing March 4, 1847, in place of James F. Simmons. He is said to have been a man who " loved his friends and hated his enemies. He never deceived either. His honesty was never questioned, and no man doubted his sincerity. No man doabted that what he said was true, that what he promised he would perform. He was a man of remarkably genial temper, abounded in anecdote and pleasant jeminiscences, political and personal, and possessed a fund of humor that made him a delightful companion." His latest residence in Warwick was near East Greenwich, on the fine estate now owned and occupied by Dutee Arnold, Esq., who formerly lived at Pontiac. Mr. Clark died in Providence, in 1872. On Oct. 4, 1850, Mr. Clark sold out the estate to Zachariah Parker and Robert Knight for f 40, 000. In 1852, the premises passed into the hands of the present owners, the Messrs. B. B. & R. Knight, who changed the name of the place to Pontiac. Various changes and improvements have been made in the mills, as well as in the general appearance of the village since it has been in ppssession of the Knights. In 1858, they had so en- larged the bleacheiy that they were able to finish five tons daily. The cotton mill then contained 124 looms and 5,000 spindles for the manufacture of cotton clotk The old bleach works were burned April 15, 1870, and a new building was immediately erected and in operation Sept. 1st, 1870. The new building is of stone, 160x40, PONTIAO. 267 arranged with all the modern improvements for carrying on the bleachery business, and capable of turning off fifteen tons of goods per day. The old stone mill (of which a view is given in the engraving with the old bleachery,) was torn down and the handsome new brick building erected upon its site in 1863. The di- mensions of the new mill are 200x66, with an L , 90x40. Its capacity is 20,300 spindles. The fall of water is about seven feet. The goods manufactured are fine sheetings, known by the popular name of the Fruit of the Loom. In 1866, the company built a large brick store, with an upper room nicely fitted up for religious ser- vices, and in 1874, a store-house of stone, 157x58 feet, and five stories high. The present capable superintend- ent, Mr. S. IST. Bourne, has been in immediate charge of the works since June, 1866. In addition to the exten- sive works in this village, the Messrs. Knight own the mills at White Rock and Dorlgeville, and are also the principal owners at Hebron and Manchaug. In 1868, the new public highway leading from this village to Natick, was laid out, and in 1873, the company obtained a charter from the General Assembly to lay rails along side this road from the Hartford Railroad to their village, for carrying freight and passengers. The rails have been laid, and railway communication estab- lished between the village and the rest of the world. A private telegraph Is in operation between their office in this village and their headquarters in Providence. From this village the Pawtuxet passes onward to the sea, several miles distant, before entering which, andjust as It is about to mingle its waters with those of the Narra- gansett, It allows a portion of them to be drawn away at the Pettaconsett pumping station to meet the wants of a hundred thousand people in Providence, and the remainder to perform a final service for the manufac- turer at Pawtuxet village. By this time we think. It de- serves Its liberty, and has established its claim to be a hardworking and benevolent river. Along Its course, from its many sources, it has been attended by the hum 268 HISTOEY OF WARWICK. of machinery, and its merits, as an auxiliary to human industry, though unsung by the poet, is attested by the score of thriving villages that have developed along its banks. But even the poet has been awakened to its merits and tuned his lyre as he contemplates it in its final efforts to assuage the thirst and guard from destruc- tion the homes of a neighboring city. The following appreciative lines were recently published in the Provi- dence Journal : PAWTUXET. River of beauty that peacefully flows. Winding its bright way through forest and mead, Turns from its shudows of dreamy repose, Answers the call of humanity's need. Leaving the valley of sunlight and calm, Home of the wild flower and haunt of the bird, Bearing to thirsty lips coolness and balm, Swift to the dusty town comes at our word. Health for the drooping and comfort for all. Let our glad thanks for thee echo again; River of bounty that flows at our call, Bear on thy bosom our grateful refrain. Soft flowing river, yet mighty in power. Guarding our homes from destruction and death, Rising in calmness through terrors dark hour. Quenching in silence the fire-demon's breath. Joyful our welcome, oh, glorious river, Hushed be all discord, forgotten all strife. Strong in thy purity flow on for ever, Emblem so bright of the river of Life. Providence, August, 1875. HILL S GROVE. To the east of Pontiao, a couple of miles on the Ston- ington railroad, a thriving Httle village has sprung up within the past ten years, in connection with the es- tablishment of a new branch of industry. The place was evidently named for the president of the company doing business here, and who is said to be the owner of a tract of land in this vicinity, of about 800 acres in ex- hill's grove. tent. The Rhode Island Malleable Iron Works started in 1867, by a company, of which Thomas J. Hill is Pres- ident and Treasurer, Smith Quimby, Superintendent and Samuel W. Kilvert, Agent. They erected a fine brick edifice with a front of about 247 feet by 60 feet with an L, used as a moulding room 165 by 60. When in full operation it employs 100 hands. Its business is the manufacture of all kinds of malleable iron castings. The stockholders and its several officers have continued the same from the beginning. The process by which these castings are produced may be briefly stated. In the melting process, the iron does not come in direct contact with the coal as in ordi- nary furnaces, used for the production of common cast- ings, but is in a receptacle by itself, where the refining process is carried on, by carefully skimming off the dross as it collects upon the surface, leaving only the pure metal for the moulders ladle. This separation of the iron from the coal in the process of melting, incurs an increased expenditure of coal, about a ton of the lat- ter being required to bring a ton of iion to the desired point After cooling, the castings are closely packed in iron boxes, iron scales being used in packing ; the boxes are then placed in a furnace, where they are subjected to a certain degree of heat, for the space of nine days, for the purpose of annealing them. The carbon is by this time thrown off and they are found to be as tough and pliable as wrought iron. A multitude of different articles are thus manufactured, of all sizes and shapes, from garden rakes and coffee mills to the larger pieces used in connection with cotton and woolen machinery. They use principally for these purposes, the kind of iron known to the craft as the cold blast charcoal iron. A short time after the works were started, a tasteful depot was erected, costing about |3000, of which the railway company paid half, and a school house two stories high, the upper part of which was fitted up as a hall, to be used for religious meetings. A brick building, 320 feet by 72 feet, three stories high with a basement, is now *23 270 HISTOEY OF WABWICK. being erected near the iron works, and is designed as a cotton mill. The mill is to be run by steam, and is under the sole management of Mr; Hill. The village is not large, but is on the increase, several tasteful dwell- ings having been erected within the past year or two, and is entitled to a place in the sisterhood of enterprising villages in the town of Warwick "WARWICK IN THE "WAR OF THE REBELLION. The following is a list of persons who entered the army, from the town of "Warwick, during the war of the Southern Eebellion, as given in the Adjutant General's Annual Eeport, for the year 1865. The report of the Adjutant General con- tains the names of 23,000 soldiers credited to the State of Rhode Island, and is a folio of more than 800 pages and is sup- posed to contain an accurate and complete list of all who were connected with the army as soldiers, during the war. The following list contains only the names of those who gave their residence as "Warwick at the time of enlisting. By reason of promotions, transfers to other regiments, or re-enlistments, several of the names appear more than once in the following record: — FIRST REGIMENT, RHODE ISLAND DETACHED MILITIA. NAME AND RANK. DATE OF MUSTER. PRIVATES. Galliger, William May 2, 1861. Morris, John P. " Aldrich, Alanson " Arnold, Henry A. " "Warren, William " Barrows, Byron C. " Murray, James T. " Rhodes, Robert " Fisher, Charles H. " Rhodes, Benj. C. " Knight, Wm. A. May 30, 1861. Rhodes, Joseph A. May 2, 1861. Webb, Thomas.C. " Clark, James " Johnson, Jas. B. " Leach, Owen L. " Rhodes, C. 0. " Arnold, John R. " Greene, Tho's L. " Mustered out of service Aug. 2, 1861; Honorably discharged on surgeon's certificate, July 23, 1861. Mustered out of service, Aug. 2, 1861. *< (( ° d' Corporal; July 8, 1861, mustered out Aug. 2, 18K1. Mustered out Aug. 2, 1861. "WARWICK SOLDIBES. 271 BEMABES. NAME AND BAIfE. BATE 01* SnTSTSB, PRIVATES. Slocum, James ^. May 2, 1861. Muatered out Aug. 2, 1851. Andrews, Koh't H. '' " Aug. 1, 1861. Trask, John P. " " " Weaver, John H. " " " SECOND REGIMENT, RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. CHAPLAIN. Beugless, Jno. D. Sep. 24. 1863. 1st I.IBUT. English, Sam'l J. June 6, 1861. CoUius, Moses W. " 2d, LIETTT. Gleason, Chas. W. " Bates, Clark E. Mar. 23, 1863. SERGEANT. Dawley, Wm. June 5, 1861. Weaver, Jas. P. June 6, 1861. CORPORAI/. Wells, John June 5, 1861. Warner, A. L. " Carter, Albert L. " Lewis, Joseph " Greene, Francis 0. " BTOSIOIANS. Tpurgee, Wm. H. " Tenuant, Jno. H. " Arnold, Virgiuius H. June 6, '61. Jenks, Wm. L " Greene, Elisha June 19, 1861. WAGONER; Bates, Geo. W. June 6, 1861. Gallagher, Dennis " PRIVATES. Bellows, Josiah W. Oct. 25, '61. Boyling, Peter June 5, 1861. Black, Samuel " Briggs, Chas. E. Sept. 3, 1862. Corey, John A. June 6, 1861. Cady, Joel E. " Carrol, James " Church, Benj. J. " Coville, David H. " Cambell, Patrick Oct. 15, 1861. Crosby , Samuel June 6, 1861. Crosby, John J. " Donnelly, Peter " Penner, John " Wounded in arm, in battle Wilder- ness, May 5, '64;must'dout,June 17, 'G4; now chaplain U. S. Navy. Capt. Co. B, Eeh. 22, 1863. Resigned, Deo. 27, 1862. Trans, to new organization • Ist Lieut. Died July 18, '63, of wounds receiv'd at battle of Salem Heights. Disoh'd on surg. certif. Mar. 20, 1863. " July 3, 1861. " " Aug. 26, 1861. " " Aug 19, 1861. Mus'ered out, June 17, 18ti4. Disch'd on surg. certif. Mar. 8, 1863. Wounded in leg, at battle Bull Run, July 21,'61 ; prisoner at Riohm ond, 6 mos. disch'd on surg. certificate. Disoh'd Aug. 26, '62, on surg. certif. Wounded, July 21, '61, at b. Bull Run. Mustered out, Junt- 17, 1864. Transferred to 5th IT. S. A. Feb. 4, '63. Disch'd on surg. certif. Jan. 1, 1862. Re-enlisted. Dec. 26, 1863. Mustered out, June 17, 1864. Trans, to Co. A, new organization. Deserted, Dec. 4, 1862. Mustered out of service, June 17,1P64. Wounded, battle Salem Heights,May 3, '63; must'd out, July 1, 1865. Discharged, June 19, 1861. Disch'd Oct 17, '62, on surg. certif. Deserted, Oct. 18, 1862. Mustered out of service, Feb. 16, 1865, Disch'd Aug. 18, '62, on surg. certif. Trans, to Co. A, new organization. Disch'd Aug 26, '61, on surg. certif. Re-enlisted, Deo. 26, '63, trans, to Co. A, new organization. Mustered out of service, June 17, '64. 272 HISTOBY OP WAEWIOK. NAME AND BANK. BATE OT MUSTER. PRIVATES. Finnegan, O wen June 5, 18B1. Flian, Thomas " Funt, Thomas " Gorton, Benj. Gleason, Chas. W. " Grimea, Thomas " Henry, Asa B. " HUl, John D. Jordan, J as. B. June 5, 1861. Lawton, Warren C. " Lawton, Ambrose W. " Lewis, Job " Le valley, John " Makee, Alfred O. Moon, Sanford E. " Mahoney, John " McKay, James " Miner, Chris. June 6, 1861. Nicholas, Eicb'd " Northup, Wm. H. Kice, Joel Roberts, Henry H. " Spencer, John " Searle, Edw'dH. June 5, 1861. Sheldon, Henry E. " Sisson, Nathan A, " Sprague, George " Svreet, John E. " Tanner, Edwin " Tourgee, Alonzo June 6, 1861. Warren, "Wm. H. " "Whelan, Peter " White, Wm. Whipple, N. B. June 28, 1861. Wilson, Elliot E. June 26, 1861. Deserted, April 18, 186t. Mustered out, Juno 17, 1864. Wounded, battle ot Bull Bun, July 21, 1861, discharged Oct. 11, 1861, on surgeon's certif. Disch'd Dec, 31, '62, on surg'n's certif. Re enlisted Dec. 26, '63, 2d Lieut. Go. B, July 16, 1804. Disch'd April 26, '62, on surg. certif. Mustered out, June 17, 1864. Wound'd, battle Bull Kun, July 2l,'61, tranaf. to Co. A, neworganizatiop. Killed,battle Seven Pines, June, 25,'6i Re-enlisted Dec. 26, '63, -n'ouaded at battlH of Wilderness, May 12, '64, transfer'd to Co A, new org'nza'n. Killed, battle Wilderness, May 12, '64. Mustered out, June 17, 1864. Disch'd March 27, '62, on surg. certif. Disch'd Nov. 29, '62, on surg. certif. Sergeant, supposed mortally wound- ed. May 3, '63, iu b. Salnui Heights. Transfer'd to western Gunboat, flo- tilla. Feb. 14, 1862. Re enlisted, Dec. 26, '63; transferred to Co. A, new organization. Died, Nov, 18, '62; at Wash., 1). C. Wounded iu side, at battle Wilder- ness, May 18, '61:— slightly ; cor- poral; niust'd out, June 17, 1864. Disch'd, Mar 24, '62, on surg. certif. Corp'l, Jan. IT, '62, supposed mortal- ly wounded battle Salem Heights, May 3, 1863. Disc'd !3ep. 26, ' 61, on surg. certif. Died June 'iS, 1862 at New York. Corp'l, disu'd Mar. 24, "02, on s. certi. Re enlisted, Dec. 26, '63; transferred to Co. A, new organization. Serg't, mustered out. June 17, 1864. Deserted, Dec. 12, 1861. Mustered out, June 17, 1864. Corporal; mustered out.June 17,18(54. Died May 8, '6±, near Spottsylvania, Virginia. Woundcd.battle Bull Run, July 21,'61; disch'd S«i). 23, '02, on surg. certi. Wounded in the head, battle Salem Heights, May 3, '03; serg't; re-en- lisied Jan. 26, '04; transferred to Co. A, new organization. Confined by sentence of G. C. M. November 15, 1862. Disch,d Sep. 20, '01, on surg. certif. Re enlisted, Dec. 20, '63; transferred to Co. A, new organization. "WARWICK SOLDIERS. 273 MAMB AND BANK. DATE OP MUSTER. PMVATES. "Wilson, Lewis B. June 29, 1861. Wilbur. Frank Q-. GofE, Jphn Mowry, Chris. Harris, Aim on D. Lowther, George Vicory, Sam'lT. MoMalion, Peter Baker, Lewi.s W. Blaokmin, W. O. Greene, Giles E. Tennant, C. R. Bradford, Alonzo Jan. 21, 1862. Jan. 4, 1862. Deo. 20, 3861. Oct. 14, 1861. Aug. 1, 1861. July 9, 1863. Aug. 1, 1863. June 6, 1861. Feb. 26, 1862. June 6, 18B1. Andrews, John T. " Brien, Dennis June 5, 1861, Binns, Kobert '• Blanchard, Wm. " Blanchard, Chas. H. " ByroQ, Patrick " Brown, Oliver P. " Brown, Tho's W. " Curry, John " Card, Wm. M. H. " Dunn, Geo. B. " Dyer, James Aug. 21, 1861. Gardiner, Jeffrey June 6. 1861. Gorton. Martin V. B. Gerrard, John Greene, Ezra Greene, Daniel i? Junes, 1861. June 6, 1861. Greene, Nathan'l C. June 19, '61. Holmes, Albert C. June 6, 1861. Holden, John " Jerard, John " Kenyon, Lowell H. " King, James A. " Knight, Wm. H. June 6, 1861. Mathewson, Geo. H. " MoNiff, James " Nicholas, Lyman June 5, 1861. Nicholas, Dan'l W. June 6, '61. Piokford. Jno. N. " Potter, Wm. H. " Bay, Thomas " BBUABKB. Corp'l, June 25,'62; killed battle Wil- derness, May 5, 1864. Mustered out, June 17, 1861. Trans, to Battery 0, 1st Light Artil- lery, Dec. 10, 1863. Discharged. Discharged. Trans, to Co. B, new organization. Discharged, Mar. 21, 1862. Trans, to Co. B, new organization. Trans, to Co. C, new organization. Disch,, Feb. 9, ,62, on surg. certif. Mustered out, Feb. 27, 1865. Prisoner at Richmond, after battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861; released from Salisbury, N. C.,May 22,'62; discharged on surgeon, s certif. Disch. Sep. 30, 1861, on surg. certif. Deserted, June 19, 1861, Corporal, April 1, 1862; re-enlisted, Jan. 26, 1864: wounded in left leg, at h. Wilderness,May6,'64: trans- ferred to Co C, new organization. Disch'd, Sep. 1, '61, on surg. certif. Mustered out, June 17, 1864, Musician; re-eulisted, Dec. 26, 1863; trans, to Co. C, new organization. Dich'd, Sep. .30,' 61, on surg. certif. Mustered out, June 17, 1864. Transf. to Co. C, new organization. Mustered out, June 17, 1864. Disch'd, April 4, 'd.i, on surg. certif. Mustered out, June 17, 1864. Disch'd, Jan. 29, '63, on surg. certif. Mustered out of service, June 17. '64. (died at Camp Sumter,Aug.l864.) Disch'd, Feb. 23, '(i3, on surg. certif. Deserted, Oct. 12, 1862. Febj.3, 1862. Trans, to V. R. C, Feb. 16, 1864. Corpr'l; wounded, b. Salem Heights, May 3, '63,; reenlis'd, Dec. 20, '63, transf. to Uo. C, new organization. Mustered out, June 17, 1864. Deserted, Jan. 5, 1863. '• Dec. 5, 1862. Disch'd, June 19, '61, on surg. certif. Corp'l; mustered out, June 17, 1864. Disch'd, Deo. 3, '62. on surg. certif. Deserted, Dec.9, 1862. " Deo. 5, 1862. 274 HISTORY OP WARWrCK. DATE OF MUSTEE, NAME AND BANK. PRIVATES. Simmons, Jno. B. Sweet, Benoni Graves, Sam'l W. June 5, 1861. Greene, Albert Hunt, Wm. H. "West, Loriu S. H. June 5, IStil. Mustered out, June 17, 1864. June 6, 1861. Serg't; re-enlisted. Dec. 26, '63; trans, to Co. C, new organization. Wounded, Bull Run, July 21, '61 ; pris- oner, Richmond, Jui.v 24, '61; re- leased from Salisbury, N. C, May 22, '62; killed. May 12, '64, battle Wilderness. June 6, 1861. Discharged, July 20, 1862. June 5, 1861. Mustered out, June 17, 1864. July 8, 1863. Transf. to Co. A, new organization. SECOND REGIMENT, R. T. VOL., (RE-ORGANIZED). 2d LIEUT. McKay, Jas. SERGEANT. Wheelan, Peter Sweet, Benoni March 29, 1865. Jan. 26, 1864. Dec. 26, 1863. COKPORAI,. Campbell, Pat'k Oct. 15. 1861. Lawton, Warren C. Dec. 26, '63. King, Jas. A. " Hagan, Dan'l H. Rowley, Wm. H. Miller, Henrv R. Dec. 17, 1864 MUSICIAN. Curry, John Arnold, V. A WAGONER. Bates, Geo. W. Wounded at Petersburg, Apr. 6, 18B5; mustered out. July 13, 1865. In Slaterlee hospital, Phila., Pa. Wounded, severely, at Petersburg, Va. ; ser'tmaj., March 29, 1865. Mustered out, Oct. 19, 1864. Serg't, Nov. 8, '64; mustered out, July 13, 1865. Serg't, Dec. 16, '64; died. May 15, '65, in hospital at Philadelphia. Sep. 15, 1864. Mustered out, June 20, 1865. Wounded, Apr. 2, 1865, Petersburg, Va. ; mustered out, July 6, 1865. Mustered out, July 13, 1865. King , Benoni A. Feb. 27, 1865. PRIVATES. Bellows, Josiah W. Oct. 24, '61. Crosely, John J. Dec. 26, 1863. Sheldon, Henry E. Dec. 25, '63. Lowther, Geo. Dec. 23, 1861. Wilson, Elliot E. Dec. 26, 1863. West, Lorin A. ~ " ' Baker, Lewis W. McMahou, Peter Binns, Robert Blackman, W. O Dyer, Jauies Crawford, Francis D.Oot. 31 Holmes, Geo. O. " Hathaway, Edwin C. " Sherman, Elisha S. " Sheldon, Geo. G. Dec. 26, 1863. J an. 18, 1865. Deo. 26, 1863. Mustered out, July 13, 1865. July 8, 1863. July 9, 1863. Aug. 1, 1861. June 2 i, 1864. Aug. 1, 1863. '64. Mustered out, Nov. 4, 1864. " July 13, 1865. •' Dec. 21, 1864. Mustered out, July 13, 1865. " (( Absent in hospital. Mustered out, Nov. 21, 1864. Disch'd on surg. certif. Feb. 17, 1866. Disch'd, Jan. 11, 1865, on surg. certif. Mustered out, Aug. 1, J865. " July 13, 1865. " June 20, 1865. Wounded, Apr. fi, '65, near Petersb'g, Va. ;corp'l; mustered out, June 20, 1865. Mustered out, June 20, 1865. "WAKWICK SOLDIBKS. 275 NAME AlO) RANK. DATE OP MUSTER. RRUARKS. PEIVATKS. Crandall, Geo. E. Dec. 10, 1864. Mustered out July 13, 1865. Cahoone, Alonzo " " " MoElroy, Patrick " Wounded at Petersburg, Ta., April 2, '65; mustered out, Jul.y 6, 1865. Johnson, Almon W. Jan. 11, '65. Mustered out, July 13, 1865. Slocum, Henry Jan. 2] , 1865. Died,Feb. 4,'65, at New Haven,Conn. Wells, James D. Jan. 16, 1865. Mustered out, July 13, 1865. FOURTH REGIMENT, E. I. VOLUNTEERS. A8ST. SURGEON. Dedrick, Albert C. Oct. 2, 1862. Resigned and honorably discharged for disability, Nov. 8, 1864. COBPOBAL. Coggshall, Thos. J.Oct., 30, 1861. • Collins, Rhodes T. W.Oct. 30. '61. Pisch. July 1, 1863, on surg. certif. Martin, Edward " Sergeant; mustered out, Oct. 15, 1864. psrvATES. Finnegan, Hugh July 7, 1862. Hodson, Robert Oct. 30, 1861. Lockerin, James " Shakeshaft, Geo. Aug. 15, '62, Burlingame, Benj.W. Capwell, Jno. W. Oct. 30, 1861. Chappell, Geo. W. " Cooke, Henry N . " Gardiner, Andrew J. " Corey, John W. " Gardiner, Warren D. " Johnson, Rich'd M. " Johnson, Stephen " Leary, John " MoKee, Andrew July 17, 1862. Madison, Jas. N. Oct. 20, 1861. Caswell, Wm. A. " JJuffy, Michael " Johnson, John T. " McShane, Johu Aug. 29, 1862. Pike, Ephraim Oct. 30, 1861. Tillinghast, Chas. B. " Tanner, Edw. B. " Whitman, Reuben A.. " Abbott, Abial J. N. " Andrews, Geo. E. " Triinball, John A. " Wouuded,battle Antietam,Sep.l7,'62; wounded in head, before Peters- burg, July 30, 1864. Ee enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864. Mustered out, Oct. 15, 1864. Wounded in side, Petersburg, Va., July 30, '64: died in New York,in hospital, Aug. 18, '64, of wounds. Aug. 7, '62, Corporal; wounded, Sep. 17, 1862, at battle Antietam; wounded, Dec. 13, 1862, at battle Fredricksburg. Disch'd, Feb. 27, 1863, on surg. certif. Discharged. Not. 3, 1862. Discharged, Dec. 14, 1861. Transferred to V. E. C, Feb. 15, 1864. Disch'd, Sep. 25, 1863, on surg. certif. Transferred to Co. K, Corporal; mustered out, Oct. 15, 1864. Re-enlisted, Feb. 1, 1864. Killed, Oct. 21, 1862, at Sandy Hook. Mustered out, Oct. 13, 1864. " Aug. 11, 1862. Re enlisted, June 5, 1864. Disch., June 2, 1863, on sure, certif. Wounded, Dec. 13, 1862, at Fredricks- burg; deserted, Dec. 20, 1862. Killed, Sep. 17,'62, at b. Antietam. Re enlisted, Feb. 1, 18B4. Trans, to V. R. C, March 31, 1864. Ee-enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864. Died,Sep. 17, 1863,of wounds received at Antietam. Mustered out, Oct. 15, 1864. Wounded in hand, July 30,1864, at Pe- tersburg, Va. ; mustered out, Oct. 16, 1864. 276 HISTOET OF WAEWICK. NAME AND BANK. DATE OP MUSTER. PRIVATES. Brownell, Dan'l W.Oct.30,1861. Crosby, Samuel " Campbell, Bern'd " Hewes, John Duffy, John Hopkins, Henry V. Lawton, Benj. F. Lewis, Benoiii Marone, Mathew ■Negle, David Sunderland, Wm. N. Whaylen, James Arnold, Oliver H. Coggshall, Thos. J. Cook, Constant C. Aug. 7, 1862. Chase, Joseph Oct. 30, 1861. Gorton, Charles A. " Slooum, Charles F. Thurston, Rioh'dH. Disch. Sep. 20, 1832, on surg. oertif. Disoh., Sep. 26, 1862, on surg. oertif. Woi.nded, Antietam; disch., Deo. 3, 1862, on surgeon's certificate. Mustered out, Oct. 15, 1864. Wounded at Antietam, mustered out, ♦ Oct. 15, 1864. Corporal; wounded, Sep. 17, 1862, at Antietam ; died, Oct. 26,1862, of ty- phoid fever. Mustered out. Oct. 15, 1864. Corporal ; " Wounded, Sep. 17, 1862, at Antietam; disch. May 22, 1863,on surg.oertif. Disch., Sep. 22, 1862, on surg.oertif. Re-enlisted, Feb. 1,1864. Disch., Sep. 7, 1862, on sarg. oertif. Mustered out, Oct. 16, 1864. Be-enlisted, Feb. 1, 1864, corporal; missing in action July 30, 1864; re- turned July 30, 1864, Deserted, Sep. 17, 1862; apprehended in U. S. service. May 1, 1864, at New Orleans. Mustered out, Oct. 15, 1864. Corp'l ; sergeant ; taken prisoner July 30, 1864, at Petersburg, Va. ; died, Nov. 22, 1864, at Salisbury, N. C. Ee-enlisted, Feb. 1864. Sergt. wounded, July 30, 1864, in leg, at Petersburg. NINTH REGIMENT, R. I. VOLUNTEERS. ASST. SUBGBON. King, Henry May 26, 1862. Mustered out, September 2, 1862. CAPTAIN. Bowen, John A. " " " 1st LIEUT. Spink, Geo. A. " " " Holden, Randall " " " 2d LIEUT. Potter, Wm. H. " " " Howard, Rich'd W. " " " SERGEANT. Potter, John C. " " Nichols, Wm. C. " " Remington, Horace " ■' " Williams, Crawford R. " ■' •• Hill, Benjamin " " .i Davis, Jeffrey G. " " •• Babson, Henry P. " ". c< At wood, Ambrose L. " " «< CORPORAI.. Whipple, Nathan B. " " .< Arnold, Lewis G., Jr. " " •■ WABWICK SOLDEEKS. 277 KAUE ANB RANK. BATE OF MUSTEK, BEMARKe. CORPOKAL. Devlin, John May 26, 1862. Mustered out September 2, 1862. Gilmore, George " " " Bemington, John " " " O'Donnell, Hugh " " " Weaver, J R. " '• Tabor, Hollis, Jr. Died August 13, 1862, in hospital, of inflammation of the brain. Hill, Wm. F. Mustered out September 2, 1862. Read, James E. " " " Bushee, James " " " Lanphear, Geo. T. " " " MUSICIANS. Tourgee, Geo. R. " " " Woodmansie, H. H. " " " Spencer, David " " " Baxter, Daniel WAGONER . Roberts, Henry H. " " " PRIVATES. Gardiner, Ferdinand A. ' ■ " •' Arnold, Albert " " " Bennett, Allen H. " " " Baker, Wm. H. " " " Brown, Peter Bowen, Samuel E. " " " Bige^ow. Joseph " Browning, Wm. B., " " " Provost, Harrison May 26, 1862. In hospital at Washington and not since heard from. Peagot, Henry " Mustered out Seotember 2, 1862. Prew, Charles H. Qiiigley, John Roberts, Lewis " " " Reagan, Patrick " " " Randall, Samuel J. " " " Rice, Ambrose " Smith, Francis " " " Sherman, Elisha O. " Sherman, Elisha " " Spencer, William C. " " " Spencer, Lewis T. '• " " Spellacy, Michael " Spencer, George A. " " " Tacker, Wm. H. " " " Tathroe, Edward " " " Tibbitts, Joshua W. " " Wilson, John " " " Wilbur, Oliver T. ■Wood, Alonzo G. " " " Youngs, Warren " " " Bioknell, Jesse " " " Ball, Nathaniel G. " " " Baker, Edward P. " Carew, John " " " Cady, Daniel W. " " " CarroU, Peter " " " 278 HISTORY OF WARWICK. NAME AND BANK, DATE OF MtTSTIB. PBIVATES. Diman, Wm. H. May 26, 1862. Dawley, Geo. W. " Fanning, James P. " Farmer, Thomas " Franklin, Cornelius " Gardiner, Charles C. ' ' Goodness, Peter " Hunt, Wm. " Hews, Thomas " Jenkins, Zeph. " Londue, Zeb. " Lindsey, Thomas " McAlancey, James " Morris, Charles " Miller, Joseph " McMann, Patrick " McDonnell, James " McArthur, John " Kiohols, Henry " Noon, Michael " Northup, Wm. H. O'Donnell, Felix " Owen, Frederick " O'Niell, Wm. " O'Neill, John " Piatt, Robert " Barney, Daniel " Ballon, Charles " Barber, Wilcox " Brown, William T. " Barber, Lillibridge " Ballou, Henry W. " Crandall, Alfred " Congdon, George E. " Clarke, Oliver H. " Cottrell, Benj. H. " Cooke, Henry N. " Graves, Samuel " Harvey Edward, " Jenckes, Samuel C. " Jackson, Alfred A. " Locke, Mosier '• Johnson, George C. " Morris, Bernhard " Northup. Rufus H. " Nichols, Geo. A. " Owen, Thomas " Phelon, Ray B. " Price, William " Price, Henry W. " Place, Elish'a " Pollard, Geo. H. W. " Rice, Wm. H. " Sherman, Simon G. " Stone, AJonzo P. " Spencer, George W. " Mustered out September 2, 1862. Discharged. Mustered out September 2, 1862, "WARWICK SOLDIERS. 279 NAUE AKD BANK. DATE 07 IIUSTBR. PRIVATES. Spftncer, Otis Searle, Nelson Tew, B. Greene Taylor, William Townsend, B. W. Taughan, B. Edgbert Wilbur. Edward J. Weaver, Jerome Browne, George B. Hewes, James May 26, 1862. Mustered out September 2, 1862. TENTH REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. PBIVATBS. Arnold, Sam'l A. W. May 26, '62. Mustered out September 1, 1862. Browning, John G. " '• " Harris, Wm. A. " " " Hubbard, Wm. H. " " " Wiokes, Reuben " " " Sheldon, Geo. P. " " " Robinson, Henry W. " " " SEVENTH REGIMENT, RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. CHAPIiAIlf. Howard, Harris Sept. 6, 1862. CAPTAIN. Remington, James H. " riBST LIEUT. Perkins, Benj. G. Nov. 16, 1863. SEBGEANT. Potter, H. W. Sept. 6, 1862. Trask, John F. " Spencer, James B. " Makee, Prank J. " OOBPOBAL. Smith, Chas. H. " Wood, Wm. T. " Bowman, George " PBIVATES. „ Tourgee, Samuel W. " Budlong, Benjamin Resigned, June 3, 1863. Wounded severely at the battle of Predricksburg, Va., Deo. 16, 1862; discharged May 2, 1863, on surg, certificate. Resigned and honorably discharged on account of disability, July 20, 1861. Deserted, April 11, 1863. Transferred to V. R. C, Jan. 1.5, 1864. Died, March 6, 1863, at Newport News, Va. Discharged Feb. 5, 1863. Mustered out, July 7, 1865. Sergeant. Died, Sept. 10, 1862, at Nicholasville, Ky. Transferred to new organization, Oct. 21, 1864. Wagoner. Wounded, battle Pred- ricksburg, Va., Deo. 13, 1862; transferred to Co. A, new organ- ization, Oct. 21, 1864. Slightly wounded, Dec. 13, 1862, at battle Predricksburg, Va. ; died Jan. 10, 1863, at Washington of wounds. 280 HISTORY OP WARWICK. ITAME A2n> BAJTK. SAIB OF UDSTEB. PBIVATKS. Eldridgej James E. Sept. 6,1862. Harrington, Albert " Blanohard, John B. " Carr, Clark " Taylor, John H. " SnifE, Daniel " Smith, Joseph " Austin, Joseph " Briggs, Geo. W. " Covin, Geo. W. Jan. 26, 1864, Cornell, Martin Sept. 6, 1862. Gradwell, James " Greene, George D. " Hodson, James " Hopkins, Arnold Mowry, Benjamin Bice, John S. Sweet, James W. Sweet, John C. Sweet, Charles E. Taylor, James J . Taylor, Stephen P. Thurston, Caleb Wilson, Wm. E. Transferred to Co. C, new organiza- tion, Oct 21, 1864. Wounded slightly in leg, August 9, 1864; transferred to Co. C, Oct. 21, 1864. Transferred to Co. E, new organiza- tion, Oct 21, 1864. Discharged March 12, 1863, on Sur- Reon's certificate. Transferred to Co. F, new organiza- tion, Oct. 21, 1864. Killed Dec. 13, 1862, at battle of Fredricksburg, Va. Killed Dec. 13, 1862, at battle of Fredricksburg, Va. Corporal. Wounded slightly in head, June 16, 1864, at Petersburg; transferred to Co. H, new organi- zation, Oct. 21, 1864. ' Transferred new organization, Oct. 21, 1864. Transferred new organization, Oct. 21, 1864. Wounded in head, May 14, 1864, at Spottsylvania, O. H. ; died June 14, 1864, at Annapolis, Md. Wounded in head. May 14, 1864, at Spottsylvania, C. H. ; transferred to Co. H, new organization, Oct. 21, 1864. Transferred to Co. H, new organiza- tion, Oct. 21, 1864. Mortally wounded, June 6, 1864, in skirmish at Cold Harbor; died same day. Transferred to V. R. C, Jan. IS, 1864. Transferred to Co. H, new organiza- tion, Oct. 28, 1864, Wounded slightly in hand, July 13, 1863, at Jackson, Miss.; killed May J 8, 1864, at Spottsylvania, C. H. Discharged, Dec. 9, 1862, on Surgeon's certificate. Discharged, Oct. 25, 1862, on Sur- geon's certificate. Transferred to Co. H, new organiza- tion, Oct. 21, 1864. Wounded, June 8, 1864, at Peters- burg;' transferred to Co. H, new organization, Oct. 21, 1864. Died, April 12, 1864, at Annapoli3,Md. Discharged, March 1, 1864 on Sur- geon's certificate. Discharged, March 19, 1863, on Sur- geon s certificate. WABWICK SOLDIERS. 281 NAKB AND BANK. DATE OF MUSTER. PRIVATES. Arnold, Israel B. Sept. 6, 1862. Gidney, Ghailes P. Mott, Caleb, Jr. Boberts, Henry A. Corporal. Wounded slightly at Fred- rioksburg; transferred to Co. I, new organization, Oct. 21, 1864. Transferred to Co. I, new organiza- tion, Oct. 21, 1864. Wounded severely, Dec. 13, 1862 Fredricksburg ; transferred to V. E. C, Nov. 3, 18(53. Wounded slightly in arm, June 29, 1864, at Petersburg, Va. SEVENTH REGIMENT, K. I. VOLUNTEERS, (REORGANIZED.) 1st LIEUT. McKay, John, Jr. Deo. 21, 1864. Mustered out, June 9, 1865. CORPORAL. Burlingame, Benj. W. Aug. 7, '62. " " Austin, Joseph Sept. 6, 1862. " " Arnold, Israel B. " " June 16, 1865. WAGONER. Tonrgee, Samuel W. " " June 9, 1865. PRIVATES. Bowman. George " " " Slooum, Chas. F. Feb. 1, 1864. '• July 13, 1865. Eldridge, James E. Sept. 6. 1862. " June 9, 1865. Harrington, Albert " " " Owen, Thomas T. Jan. 24, 1865. " " Duffee, Michael Jan. 5, 1864. Deserted, March 11, 1865. Sullivan, Michael Nov. 8, 1862. Mustered out, July 13, 1865. Sunderland, \Vm.N. Feb. 1,'64. " " Tillingbast, Chas. B. " " " Whitman, Eeu. A. Jan. 5, 1864. Died, March 21, 1865, in hospital. Blanchard, John B. Sept. 6, 1862. Mustered out, June 9, 1865. Taylor, John H. " " Finnegan, Hugh July 7, 1862. " " Hudson, Robert Jan. 5, 1864. " July 13, 1865. Leary, John Feb. 9, 1864. Deserted, January 23, 1865. Mustered out, July 13, 1865. Mustered out, June 9, 1865. Briggs, Geo. W. " Coville, Geo. W. Jan. 26, 1864. Gradwell, James Sept. 6, 1862. Greene, Geo. D. " Mo wry, Benjamin " " '' Sweet, Charles E. " " " Tavlor, James J. " " " Gibney, Charles P. Roberts, Henry A. " " " ELEVEN'TH REGIMENT, RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. CORPORAL. Simmonds, Edwin R. Oct. 1, 1862.Mustered out, July 13, 1863. PRIVATES Austin, Stephen A, " " " Jennison, Thomas " Stone, Daniel J. " " " Cornell, Joseph H. " Not on October roll. *24 282 HISTORY OP WAEWICK. NAME AND RANK. DATE OF MUSTER. REMARKS. PRIVATES. Cooper, Henry Oct. 1, 1862. Mustered out, July 13, 1863. Cox, John w. " " ;; Wing, John " ;, Greene, Albert B. Greenman, Walter P. " TWELFTH EBGIMENT, E. I. VOL., BBORGANIZED. A8ST. SUKGEON. King, Henry Oct. 20, 1862. Eesigned, May 13, 1863. CAPTAIN. Spink, George A. Oct. 13, 1862. Mustered out, July 29, 1863. 2d WBtrT. Weaver, John H. April 26, 1863. " " SEBOEANT. Slocum, Albert A. Oct. 13,1862. " " Weaver, Jonathan E. " " " CORPOKAL. DeVolv, Warren N. " Transferred to Co. G, Jan. 2, 1863; dis- charged, June l,1862,oii surg.certif. Webb, Thomas C. " Mustered out, July 29, 1863. Cornell, Joseph P. " Sergeant; mustered out, July 29, '63. MUSICIANS. Kiernan, Thomas " Mustered out, July 29, 1863. Andrews, John F. Oct. 24, 1862. " " Baxter, Daniel " " Tonrgee, George B.Oot. 13, 1862. Died, May 1, 1863, near Eichmond.Ky. PRIVATES . Blanchard, Eufus E. " Mustered out, July 29, 1863. Brown, Francis " Wounded at Fredricksburg, Va., mustered out, July 29, 1863. Hudson, Wm. M. " Mustered out, July 29, 1863. Wood, Geo. W. Oct. 18, 1862. Died, Jan. 16, 1863, at Camp, near Falmouth Va. Whitman, Hiram " Died, Jan. 15, 1863, of Wounds, at Portsmouth Grove Hospital. Remington, Henry A. " Mustered out, July 29, 1863. Whitman, Jasper P. " Wounded slightly, Deo. 13, 1863, at Fredricksburg, Va.; mustered out, July 29, 1863. Clark, James " Mustered out, July 29, 1863. Mattison, Lewis J. " " " Wilbur, Edward J. ■' Killed accidentally , Oct . 23, 1862. Franklin, Geo. W. " Mustered out, July 29, 1863. Mitchell, Rlch'd P. " " " Higgins, Chris. " Discharged, March 16, 1863, on surg. certificate. Dickinson, Geo. " Mustered out, July 29, 1863. Essex, James " " " Tew, ElishaG. " " " Tibbitts, Horace W. " " " Tyler, Henry O. " " " Cameron, Donald " " " Whipple, Lowrey " " " Bowman, Chas. E. " Discharged, July 11, 1863, on surg. certif. ■WAEWICK SOLDIERS. 283 NAMB AND RANK. DATE OF MUSTEK. BEUARKS. PBIVATE3. Brown, Wm. D. Oct. 13, 1862. Mustered out, July 29. 1863. Cady, Johu G. " Discharged, March 31, 1863, on surg. Cady, Calvin L. " Deserted, Oct. 21, 1862. Cady, Daniel W. " Mustered out, July 29, 1863. Cook, Thomas " '■ " Hutter, Thomas " Died, April 6, 1863. Matteson, Geo. E. " Mustered out, July 29, 1863. Northup, Wm. H. " Place, Wm. H. H. " " " Eemington, H. A. " Transferred, Nov. 28, 1862, to Co. A. Smith, Francis " Wounded slightly, Dec. 13, 1862, at Fredriokshurg, Va. ; mustered out, July 29, 1863. Howard, John D. " Wounded severely in ankle, Dec. 13, 1862. atFredricksburg; mustered out, July 29, 1863. Phillips, Wm. E. " * Mustered out, July 29, 1863. HOSPITAL GUAEDS, EHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. PRIVATES. Johnson, Alfred A. Dec. 6, 1862. Corporal; mustered out, Aug. 26, 65. Locke, Mark " Mustered out, Aug. 26, 1865. FIEST EEGIMENT, E. 1. CAVALRY. SERGKAUT. . . Rhodes, Jos. A. Deo. 14, 1861. Discharged to accept commission, September 1, 1863. Smith, Wm. L. March 3, 1862. Discharged, January 5, 1864. COEPORAI.. Bates, Willard H. Dec. 14, 1861. Sergeant; re-enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864. Gorton, Ray G. March 3, 1861. Ee-enlisted, Feb. 6, 1864. Chappell, Wm. A. Dec. 14, 1861. Discharged, May 19, 1862, on surg. certificate. MUSICIAlf. Fish, Kinder " Discharged, June 18, 1862. PRIVATES. „ _ „„„ West Geo W. " Taken prisoner, Dec. 1, 1863. West Hiram " Taken prisoner, Oct. 12, 1863; prisoner, March 31, 1864; died, in Ander- sonville, Ga.,- June 15, 1864. Barbour, Ezra S. " Discharged. Dowd, Oliver " " , „ Fairbanks, Manfred Mar. 10,'62. Discharged, Oct. 7, 1862, on surg. cer. Kettelle, James Dec. 14, 1861. Taken prisoner, Oct. 12, 1863; died, June 6,1864, at Andersonville,Ga. McKee, Wm. H. Deo. 14, 1861. Re-enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864. ,„ ,„„ Northup, Geo. S. " Corporal; taken pri8oner,June 18, 63. paroled, mastered out,Oct.lO, 64. , Peirce, Preserved R. " Discharged, Aug. 5, 1863, on surg. Spencer, Eben " Discharged, Aug. 10, 1863, on surg. certificate. Tourcee Wm H " Taken prisoner, June 18, 1863; exch'd; ^ ' ■ ■ re-enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864. 284 HISTORY OF WARWICK. NAME AND BANK. DATS OF MUSTER. PRIVATES. Atwood, Nathan Deo. 14, 1861. BEUABKS. Greene, Samuel K. Bennett, Wm. H. Collins, Gilbert L. Johnson, Jas. B. Johnson, Alfred A. Neild, Samuel Sept. 4, 1862. Sergeant; taken prisoner, June 18, 1863; exchanged; re-enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864. Taken prisoner, June 18, 1863; ex- changed; re-enlisted, Jan. 6, 1864. Taken prisoner, March 17, 1863; ex- changed ; mu stored out,Oot.lO,'64. Ee-enlisted, Jan. 5. 1864; transferred to the Navy, April 29, 1864. Ke -enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864; transferred to troop D, new organization, De- cember 21, 1864. Discharged, May 6. 1862. " Nov. 30, 1862. Sunderland, Wm. H.Dec.l4,1861.Ee-enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864. Durden, Bobert " Taken prisoner, Aug. 9, 1862; exchd; taken prisoner, Oct. 12, 1863 ; died, Aug. 5,1864, at Andersonville,G-a, Harrington, Amos " Discharged, Deo. 22, 1862, on surg.cer- tificate. Iiowther, Henry Dec. 31, 1861. Deserted, July 20, 1862. McMillan, Wm. Dec. 14, 1861. Discharged, June 13, 1862, on surg. certificate. Nason, Chas. H. " Discharged, Jan 17, 1863, on surgeon's certificate. Parkinson, Benoni " Corporal; taken prisoner,Sept. 15,'62. Greene, Samuel N. " Not accounted for on the rolls. Jordan, Henry P. Aug. 15, 1862. Wounded, March 17, 1863 ; discharged, Aug. 28, 1863, on surg. certif. Disc-h. Feb. 13, 1863, on surg. certif. Corporal; taken prisoner, June 18, 1863; exchanged; re-enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864. Mustered out, Nov. 11, 1864. Wounded, Sept. 14, 1863; taken pris- oner, Oct. 12, 1863. Desered, July 18, 1862. Discharged.May 2, 1862,on surg.certit. Bice, Caleb Dea 14, 1861 Spink, Wm. B. " Coggshall, Edwin L. " Clarke, Geo. L. " Card, Benj. S. " Ingraham, Bufus L. " FIRST REGIMENT, R. I. COM. SERGE ANT. Atwood, Nathan Jan. 5, 1864. CORPORAL. Greene, Samuel R. " PRIVATES. Spink, Wm. R. Jan. 5, 1864. ClarK, Geo. L. Dec. 14, 1861. Gorton, Ray G. Feb. 6, 1864. Bates, Willard H. Jan. 5, 1864. McKee, Wm. H. " Tourgee, Wm. H. " Bennett, Wm. H. Dec. 14. ISBl. Johnson, Jas. B. Jan. 5, 1864. Sunderland, Wm. A. " CA.TALRY, (REORGANIZED). Mustered out, Aug. 3, 1865. Sergeant, May 1, 1865; mustered out, Aug. 3, 1865. Mustered out of service, June 6, 1865, Prisoner of war, since Oct. 12, 1863. Mustered out, Aug. 3, 1865. Prisoner, exchanged; mustered out, • Oct. 10, 1864. Mustered out, Aug. 3, 1865. WAEWICK SOLDIEES. 285 JIAME AKD BAKK. DATE OI* HUSTSB. BEUABKS. SEVENTH SQUADRON, R. I. CAVALRY. WAGONEB. Havens, Harris June 24, 1862. Mustered out, Sept. 26, 1862. PRIVATES. Greene, Ezbon A. " " " Gardiner, Nicholas B. " " Sept. 26, 1862. Hall, Edwin W. " " Sept.26,1862. James, Lewis " " " Martin, Joseph " •' '• Rice, Wm. T. "Wood, Jason F. June 24, 1862. Mustered out, September 26, 1862. SECOND REGIMENT, RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY. PEIVATES. Harvey, Edward Nov. 21, 1862. Transferred to troop I, 3d R. I. Cav- alry, Jan. 14, 1864. Costley, Joseph May 4, 1863. Transferred to troop I, 3d R. I. Cav- alry, Jan. 14, 1864. THIRD REGIMENT, RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY. CAPTAIN. Barney, Wm. C. Sept. 15, 1863. Resigned, Feb. 29, 1864, on account of disability. SEBGEANI. Sweet, Alonzo B. Sept. 12, 1863. Wounded, Aug. 16, 1864, near Mobile, Ala. ; mustered out, Oct. 25, 1865. OOKPOBAIi. Gorton, Benjamin " Discharged, July 12, 1865, on sur- geon's certificate. PBIVATES. Gorton, Benjamin " Deserted, Dec. 13, 1863. Caloran, John " Mustered out, Nov. 29, 1865. Cook, Thomas " Corporal. Taken prisoner; exchanged July 27, 1864; Deserted, July 26, 1865. Cook, Rowland C. " Mustered out. Sept 29, 1865. Briggs, James P. Deo. 17, 1863. " Nov. 29, 1865. Cady, Joel E., Jr. " Farrier. Mustered out, Nov. 29, 1865. Smith, Francis " Died, Sept. 9, 1864, at New Orleans, of chronic diarrhoea. Little, Robert Jan. 9, 1865. Deserted, Aug. 14, 1865. Mitchell, James M. " Taken prisoner. May 18, 1864, near Sim's Port, La. ; returned, Dec. 10, 1864; mustered out, Aug, 1,'65. Sweet, Wm. June 18, 1864. Sergeant. Mustered out, Nov. 29, 1865. Budlong, Wm. H. Apr. 15, 1864. Deserted, June 27, 1864. Carrington, David W. " " July 11, 1865. Salisbury, Daniel L. " Mustered out, Nov. 29, 1865. Slater, Albert H. " Died, August 9, 1864, at New Orleans, La. Costley, Joseph Nov. 13, 1862, Mustered out, Nov. 13, 1865. Hanev. Edward Oct. 16, 1862. Drowned, Dec. 22, 1864, on passage from New Orleans to New York. Martin, Patrick June 18, 1864. Mustered out, Nov. 29, 1865. Martin, Patrick " 286 HISTORY OF "WAEWICK. NAME AND BANK. DATE OP MUSTER. REMARKS. PKIVATE8. Harry, Charles E. June 26, 18G4. Absent, sick, Nov. 29, 1865. Smith, Edison B. Feb. 27,1864. Corporal; Sergeant; Mustered out, Nov. 29, 1865. Briggs, James E. June 18, 1864. Mustered out, Nov. 29, 1865. THIRD REGIMENT, E. I. HEAVY ARTILLERY. OOLONBL. Brayton, C. R. Oct. 9, 1861. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. 2d LIEdT. Birney, Wm. C. " 1st Lieutenant, Match 11, 1862; re- signed, June 25, 1863. SERGEAN'T. McEIroy, James Aug. 14, 1861. Discharged, Dec. 21, 1862. Slocum, James W. Feb. 14, 1862. Mustered out, March 17, 1835. OOKPORAL. Davis, Geo. W. S. Feb. 7, 1864. Sergeant. Mustered out, August 27, 1865. MasiOIAN. Gardiner, Geo. "W. Oct. 5. 1861. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Glearv, James " " " Card, Wm. H. " . " " ABTIPXCER. Gorton, "Wm. "W. Feb. 14, 1862. Dischargod, April 29, 1862, on sur- geon's certificate. PRIVATES. Benchley, Wm. A. Feb 1, 1862. Mustered out, Jan. 31, 1865. Fallow, John Aug. 20, 1861. Killed in action, April 9, 1863, near Port Royal Ferry. Harrington, David T. Feb. 13,'62. Died April 20, 1862, at Hilton's Head , S. C. Wallin, DaA'id Aug. 20, 1861. Discharged, Feb. 17, 1862, on sur- geon s certificate. Byron, Thomas " Discharged, April 4, 1865, on sur- geou's certificate. Bennett, AlmonG.,Jr.Deo.28,'64. Mustered out, August 27, 1865. Cavanagh, Thomas Jan. 24, 1864. " " Dalton, Michael " Corporal, July 1, 1865; mustered out, .,^ , August 27, 1865. Decker, Geo. W. March 22, 1862. Mustered out, April 12, 1865. Hall, John C. Oct. 5, 1861. Kelley, Thomas " Mustered out, August 27, 1865. Kinnecome, C. G. " " " Wade, John " " " Mason, Michael H. Jan. 29, 1862. " Jan. 29, 1865. Brophy, Wm. F. Oct. 5, 1861. Reenlisted, Jan. 20, 1864; mustered ._ . ._ out, June 9, 1865. Downie, Wm. '' Eeeulisted, Jan. 20, 1864; mustered _, . , „ ^ out, June 9, 1865. Blaisdell, Jer. A. " Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Clark, Elijah " " August 27, 1865. Barbour, James D. Jan. 22, 1862. Died Dec. 10, 1863, at Morris Island, S. C. WARWICK SOLDIERS. 287 NAHB AND RANK. DATE OF HUSTBR. PBIVATES. Crowley, James Aug. 21, 1861. Arnold, Philetus H. " Arnold, Thatcher " Burroughs, Wm. " Burns, Patrick " Cavanaugh, Thos. A, Oct. 5, 1861, Connoly, James " Hall, John C. Oct. 5, 1861. Kelley, James " Kelley, Patrick " McGuinis, Michael " Mason, Michael H. Jan. 29, 1862. Smith, James Oct. 5, 1861. Byron, Thomas " Bennett, Philetus H. " Baker, Wm. H. " Dalton, Thomas E. July 10, 1863 Dougherty, John Oct. 5, 1861. Dougherty, Peter " Dalton, Michael Dyer, Edward T. Evans, Eaymond E. " Finn, John " EMn, William " Hazard, Wm. " Hunt, Samuel " Hacket, Edward " Jordan, Winchester " Jordan, Daniel " Kelley, Thomas " Kinnecome, Charles " Kenyon, Isaac C. " McArthur, John ' Stewart, Silas H. " Wade, John " Calvin, John " KEMABK8. Killed, August 19, 1864, on way north to De mustered out. Wounded, June 16, 1862, in action on Jones Island, S. O. ; reenlisted,. Jan. 24, 1864, mustered out, Aug. 27, 1865. Transferred to Co. A., Jan. 1, 1862. Died Aug. 12, 1852, at Hilton Head, S. C, of wounds. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Reenlisted, Jan. 24, 1864. Corporal. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Died, August 4, 1883, at Hilton Head, S. C Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Discharged, May 26, 1863,on surgeon's Transferred to Co. B, Sept. 15, 1864. Corporal. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Reenlisted, Jan. 24, 1864. Sergeant. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Reenlisted, Jan. 24, 1864; mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. . Transferred to Co. M, Sept. 12, 1864. Discharged, Nov. 9, 1861, on sur- geon's certificate. Corporal. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Reenlisted, .Ian. 24, 1864. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Woolly, John Barhonr, Miles Butterworth, James Sullivan, Patrick Brayton, Luther E. Discharged, Dec. 18, 1862, on sur- geon's certificate. Died, April 21, 1862, at Dawfuskie's Island, S. C. Mustered out, Oct. 6, 1864. Reenlisted, Jan. 25, 1864. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Discharged, Nov. 9, 1861, at Port Hamilton, N. Y. Died, July 30, 1863, at Fort Pulaski, Ga. Reenlisted, Jan. 24, 1864. Wounded, June 16, 1862, in action on Jones Island, S. C; mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Mustered out, August 31, 1864. " Oct. 5, 1864. (( (' Corporal. Mustered out, Oct. 5, 1864. Mustered out, March 17,_1865. 288 HISTORY OP "WAEWICK. NAUE AND BAKE. BATE OF MUSTER. BBHABES. PRIVATES. Clark, Elijah Sept. 2, 1861. Transferred to Co. D, Feb. 24, 1866. Gardner, "Wm. A. Mar. 17, 1862. Discharged, Oct. i, 1862, on surgeon's certificate. FIFTH REGIMENT, R. I. HEAVY ARTILLERY. COKPOBAL. Eddy, Samuel R. Sept. 10, 1862. !Eaken prisoner, May 5, 1864; died in prison at Mellen, Ga., Nov. 19,'64. Gleason, Nathan H. Deo. 16, 1861. Sergeant ; Mustered out, Nov. 20, 1864. Anthony, Edward G.May 14, '62. Discharged on surgeon's certificate, Dec. 1, 1862. PRIVATES. Collins, Thomas Deo. 27, 1861. Taken prisoner. May 6, 1864, at Croaton, N. C. ; died July, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga. Johnson, Daniel B. Deo, 21, 1861. Discharged, Jan. 30, 1863, on sur- geon's certificate. Donnelly, Robert Deo. 16, 1861. Mustered out, Nov. 21, 1864. Levalley, Cromwell " Discharged, Sept. 12, 1862, on sur- geon's certificate. Boylan, James " Mustered out Nov. 20, 1864, Bray, William " Discharged, August 28, 1B62, on sur- geon's certificate. Bicknell, Mumford " Reenlisted, Jan. 2, 1864; mustered out, Jan. 26, 1865. Crawford, Isaiah, " Corporal. Mustered out, Nov. 21, 1864. Comisky, John J. " Reenlisted, Jan. 5, 1864; mustered out, June 26, 1865. Martin, Bernard '■ Reenlisted, Jan. 5, 1864; mustered out, June 26, 1866. Nutting, John W. " Discharged, Feb. 5, 1863, on surgeon's Reaves, Henry S. " Reenlisted, Jan. 2, 1864; mustered out, June 26, 1865. Septon, George T. " Discharged, April 6, 1862, on sur- geon's certificate. Cady, Calvin L. Aug. 15, 1864. Mustered out, June 26, 1865. Jenkiu, Wm. C. " " " Levalley, Fred. H. " " " Arnold, Stephen G. Dec. 27, 1862. Transferred to Co. I, Jan. 12, 1863. Arnold, Stephen " Discharged Aug. 5, 1863, on surgeon's certificate. FOURTEENTH REGIMENT, RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTIL- LERY, (COLORED.) CORPOBAL. Lowe, Ishmael R. Sept. 14, 1863. Died, June 21, at New Orleans of syphilis. Sweet, Pardon S. " Mustered out, Oct. 2, 1865. PRIVATES. Mason, Isaac " Died, May 25, 1864, at Pass Cavallo, _, _ , „ , Texas, of typhoid fever. Fry, John Feb. 18, 1865. Mustered out, Oct. 2, 1865. WABWICK SOLDIEES. £89 NAUE AND BAIIK. DATE OF HtUSTER. BEMABKS. FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS. PRIVATES. Eo3S, David G. May 2, 1861. Mustered out, Aug, 6, 1861. Snow, Byron D. " " " TENTH LIGHT BATTERY, PRIVATES. Bailey, Samuel May 26, 1862. Bates, Wm. A. " Bicknell, Alfred A. Browning, Gardner K. " Campbell, Fred " Cameron, Donald " Carroll, Joseph " Murphy, Patrick " Eiley, Isaac, " Somerville, Wm. " Tennaut, Daniel R. " Wright, David H. " RHODE ISLA.ND VOLUNTEERS. Mustered out; Aug. 30, 1862. FIRST REGIMENT, R. I. LIGHT ARTILLERY. 2d lieift. Spencer, Gideon Sept. 4, 1861. Prisoner, at battle of Ream's station, Aug. 25, 1864; Paroled; 1st Lieut. May 16, 1865; mustered out, June 27, 1865. Sheldon, Israel R. " Resigned, May 22, 1863. SERGEANT. Matteson, Edwin H. " Re-enllsted, Jan. 31, 1864; mustered out, July 17, 1865. Buckley, Thomas Feb. 11, 1864. Mustered out, June 24, 1865. Kent, Jacob F, 1st sergeant, June 9, 1862; discharged, Sept. 15, 1862; died at Prov., R. J. CORPOBAI,. Andrews, Robt. H. Sept. 4, 1861. 1st sergeant, Nov. 1861; re enlisted, Jan. 31, 1864; mustered out, July 17, 1865. Allen, Albert F. Oct. 14, 1862. Q. M. sergeant; mustered out, June 28, 1865. Williams, Ohas. P.Sept.'30, 1861. Sergeant, Aug. 6, 1862; mustered out, Oct. 3, 1864. Hareraves, Arthur A. ' Sergeant; wounded slightly, July 3, " 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa. Mus- tered out, Oct. 3, 1864. Arnold, Nelson H. June 6, 1861. Discharged, July 13, 1861, on surg. certificate. Young, Wm. H. Oct. 29, 1861. Sick, at Newburn, N. C, Oct. 29,1862; mustered out, Oct. 28, 1864. Locke, Thomas " artificer. "Wilson, Asa Sept. 30, 1861 25 Discharged, Mar. 23,1863,on surgeon's certificate. 290 HISTORY OF WABWICK. NAME AND BANK, DATE OP MUSTEK. BEMABES. PRIVATES. Blanchard, Win. B. Aug. 6, 1862, In Stone Hospital, Kov. 30, 1863. Hathaway, Geo. " Wounded slightly in shoulder, July 3, 1863, at Gettysburg, ; mustered out, June 13, 186.5. Discharged, Sept. 5, 1861. 61. Eeenlisted, Feb. 4, 1864; Corporal; mustered out, June 12, 1865. Corporal; mustered out, Aug.l2, 1864. Wounded severely, Dec. 13. 1862, at battle ot Fredricksburg, Va. ; dis- charged, March 13, 1863, on sur- geon's certificate. Killed, Oct. 14, 1863, at battle of Bris- toe station, Va. Mustered out, Aug. 12, 1864. Ke-enlisted, Feb. 11, 1864. Sergeant. Mustered out, Aug. 27, 1864. Lawtoh, Nicholas B.Aug.15,1862. Transferred to battery G, Deo. 23, '64. Lawton, Nicholas W. Corporal; " " Nicholas, Henry H.Aug. 6, 1862. Transferred " " Clarkin, Henry " " " " O'Brien, Patrick July 21, 1862. Died, in Providence, Aug. 13, 1863. Sullivan, John Nov. 1, 1864. Benne.tt, Wm. R. '• Arnold, Geo. E- Andrews, Albert " Burlingame, Benj. A.Aug.l3, Budlong, StillmanH. " Budlong, Lorenzo D. " Hunt, Chester F. " Niles, Robert A. " Buckley, Thomas Aug. 2fi, 1861 Flanagan, John Austin, Allen " Brown, Wm. W. Aug. 14, 1862. Card, Saml. A. Sept. 4, ISfil. Carroll, James Feb. 21, 1862. Carrigan, Thomas April 15, 1864, Carroll, Edward Sept. 4, 1861. Deserted, Aug. 10, 1863. Prisoner of war, Aug. 28, 1862; ex- changed; mustered out,Sept,3,'64. Mustered out, Sept. 3, 1864. Discharged, Jute 23, 1865, by war de- partment. Mustered out, Nov. 15, 1864. Discharged, Nov.20, 1862. Corey, Augustus Doran, Hugh Donnelly, James Dickson, John Ellis, Leonard 6. Edwards, Edwin Sept. 4, 1861. Fairbrother, Jas. Galligher, Chas. Grinell, Kobt. A. Havens, Wm. Hood, Wm. H. Holahan, Thomas Jenkins, Samuel Kiernaii, Ed. M. Killed, Sept. 16, 1862, at battle ot Antietam. " Sick with injured hip. " Killed, Aug. 28, 1862, at Bull Run. '■ Corporal, mustered out, July 17, 186S. " Deserted, Dec. 27, 1862. Aug. 14, 1862. Wounded in head, Nov. 16, 1863, at battle of Oambell station, Tenn. Discharged, June 23, 1865. Discharged, Uec. 13, 1862, on surgeon's certificate. Mustered out, Sept. 3, 1864. " July 17, 1865. Wounded slightly, Dec. 13, 1863, at battle of Fredricksburg, Ta., mustered out, Sept. 3, 1864. Deserted, Sept. 26, 1861. Mustered out, Sept. 3, 1864. H, Johnson, Willet A. Knowles, John B. Re-enlisted, Jan. 31, 1864, mustered out, July 17, 1865. Absent Without leave, Feb. 1864. Discharged, Oct.l4,1861,on surg. oertif. WARWICK SOLDIERS. 291 NAME AND RANK. DATE OF MUSTER. PRIVATEg. Kenyon, John B. Sept. 4, 1861. Knight, Edwin R. " McOanna, John " Mills, Wm. " McQuade, Patrick Oct. 22, 1864. MoCausland, Alex. Aug. 13, 1862. Matteson, Anson. Sept. 4, 1861. McKenna, John Aug. 13, 1863. PlacBj John B. Sept. 4, 1861. Bobbin, Duty Aug. 14, 1862. Kice, John B. Sept. 4, 1861. Bice, Wm. T. " Bhodes, Francis W. " Boss, David G. StUlman, Gideon S, Sullivan, Jeremiah Sunderland, Henry A. Sheldon,