CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM F 89B2 BS™" ""'"""^ "*""' "'^'iMiilfiiiiiiili immiiW°"iI '"'"''^ Island / by olin 3 1924 028 840 028 I'A ^ vj. /// / ^trttt' ■4 ^"Sai Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book 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/cu31924028840028 THOMAS WILLIAMS BICKNELL. A HISTORY OF BARRINGTON Rhode Island Thomas Williams Bicknell Membbr of The Rhode Island Historicaz. Socibty; The Sons of the Ameri- can Revolution, R. 1.; The Order of Patriots and Founders, New York, N. Y. ; The Bostonian Society of Boston, Mass.; The American Historical Association, Washington, D. C. ; Honorary Member of The Weymouth Historical Society and The Penn- sylvania Historical Society Providence Snow & Farnham, Printers 1898 Copyright, I89/ By Thomas Williams Bicknell All rights reserved Published by Subscription Edition Limited A Loyal Son of Barrington De&fcates This History to its Noble Founders PREFACE " Good old Barrington" extended from Narragansett Bay on the south, to Rehoboth on the north, and from Providence River on the west, to Palmer's and Warren Rivers on the east. The north line began at Providence River, near Silver Spring, and extended to a bound on Palmer's River, north of Barneysville. This volume tells the story of the men who have lived, and the events that have been enacted, in this territory. The sources of information have been so various and widespread that I cannot note them, except to say that the Records of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies, of Sowams, of Swansea, and of Barrington, and MSS. loaned me, and those in my possession, have been the chief. Thanks are expressed to the many friends who have supplied valuable papers and important facts. Especially do I gladly recognize the services of Ebenezer Tiffany, Jr., Esq , who has aided me in collecting the material for the chapter on "The War of the Revolution," and for other parts of the work. I acknowledge also the assistance of the accomplished Record Commissioner of Providence, Edward Field, Esq., whose rare historic spirit and judgment I admire. For encouragement in undertaking and carrying the work to completion, "The Barrington Rural Improvement Associa- tion " stands first ; and foremost in the Association stood Irving M. Smith, Esq., who fell in the forefront of the active battle of life, while these pages existed only in the mind of the writer. Largely am I indebted to the good judgment and lively interest of a devoted wife, whose loving hopeful- ness was not permitted the satisfaction of seeing the work completed. PREFACE. V As appears, this Volume covers the history of Barrington from 1621 to 1898, with the biographies of leading citizens, and brief outlines of genealogy. The actors and their acts constitute the warp and woof of the town's life, and few of the old towns, outside of Plymouth, have so worthy a record. Four governors of the Colony, Bradford, Prince, the two Winslows, father and son, and two of her military leaders, Capt. Myles Standish and Capt. Thomas Willett, were the founders of the Plantation which preceded the town. Mas- sasoit, " the great and good sachem " of the Wampanoags, was their friend, and deeded them the territory, "the garden of the Colony." The founders of the first Baptist church at Swansea, in Massachusetts, Myles, Willett, Brown, Butter- worth, Tanner, Carpenter, Kingsly, and Albee, were moral heroes, whose noble stand for conscience changed the char- acter of our colonial life. The same men, with others of like spirit, founded the town government on the basis of civil and religious freedom. Throughout these chapters will be found constant evidences of an honest yeomanry, "a nation's pride," liberty loving, God-fearing, working out in their indi- vidual, social, town, and church life, the problems of builders on new foundations. The Barrington of torday, with its intelligent, prosperous, and happy people, its excellent schools, and its churches of a true and exalting faith, is not the growth of a day, but the product of the generous, sacri- ficing life and labors of three centuries in America. While I have sought diligently for the truth as to our ancestry, and have aimed to present their deeds and principles con- scientiously and accurately, I am more conscious than others can be of the possibility of errors and imperfections of human judgment, to cover which I invoke the indulgent charity of the present and coming time. Thomas Williams Bicknell. Providence, R, I., June 17, 1898. CONTENTS Chapter. Page. I. Barrington, its Geography and Geology . . i II. The Northmen in Narragansett Bay III. Vbrrazzano's Visit to the Wampanoags IV. The Wampanoags V. WiNSLOw's Visits to Massassoit at Sowams VI. The Sowams Plantation .... VII. Sowams Records VIII. Sowams and Barrington IX. The First Baptist Church in Massachusetts X. The Incorporation of Swansea XL Early Education in Swansea .... XII. Swansea Ranks XIII. Philip's War XIV. From Plymouth to Massachusetts Bay Colony XV. Gleanings from Town and Plymouth Court Leg islation XVI. Incorporation of Barrington XVII. The Congregational Church XVIII. Barrington Legislation from 1717 to 1747 XIX. From Massachusetts Bay to Rhode Island XX. Barrington with Parts Adjacent Incorporated AS Warren . ... XXI. Barrington Restored in 1770 XXII. Town Census and Valuation XXIII. Barrington Taverns and Stage Coaches XXIV. Barrington in the Revolution XXV. Domestic Slavery and Slaves . XXVI. Barrington Legislation XXVII. The United Congregational Society XXVIII. Highways, Ferries, and Bridges XXIX. Cemeteries XXX. Barrington Militia and the Dorr War XXXI. Barrington in the Civil War XXXII. New Barrington .... XXXIII. Education, Public and Private Schools XXXIV. St. John's Episcopal Church XXXV. The Methodist Episcopal Church . XXXVI. Public Buildings and Societies XXXVII. Barrington Industries XXXVIII. Barrington Centennials XXXIX. Census Returns XL. Biographies and Genealogies . 17 23 30 47 58 75 90 112 136 147 157 162 168 172 183 199 245 277 284 292 301 307 322 402 411 432 446 464 488 498 51-2 5H 543 549 551 555 562 565 566 ILLUSTRATIONS Thomas Williams Bicknell Ancient Stone House at Barneysville . . . Faci William Allin Residence, 1670 .... " John Jenckes Residence " View of Town Beach and Rumstick ... " G. Howard Smith Residence .... " View from Princes Hill, looking north . . " James Bowen Residence " George Lewis Smith Residence . . . " Capt. Thomas Willett Chimney .... " View at Nayatt, looking south . . . " John Jenckes " Maj.-Gen. Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A. . . . " James Bowen . . " William H. Smith School and Schoolbouse, Dist. No. i, Barrington " Town Hall, exterior ... . . " Town Hall, interior " Joseph Mauran . . .... " John J. Allin Summer Cottage at Annawomscutt " Joshua Mauran . .... " Congregational Meeting-House, exterior and interior " Matthew Watson Residence " Congregational Meeting-House and Parsonage . " Lewis B. Smith " Carlo Mauran " School and Schoolhouse, Dist. No. 3, New Meadow Neck " Kent Brown Residence . .... " Rockedge, South Lawn, Annawomscutt . . " Ancient Map of Wampanoag Lands ... " Map of Original Town of Barrington ... " Centennial Committee ...... " Facing title. ng page 8 16 24 32 40 48 S6 64 72 88 104 120 128 136 152 168 176 192 200 208 216 224 232 240 248 256 264 272 280 280 296 4 THE HISTORY OF BARBINGTON. down in the carriage of a few miles to Providence. The width of the deposit of the Cumberland iron stones is about eight miles, including both sides of the Bay, Kent and Bristol Counties. The most interesting. boulder in Barring- ■ ton is that which landed on the south end of the grey-wacke ledge at Drownville near the water tank. As this great stone of near an hundred tons is a conglomerate or pudding stone, it may have been lifted from the north end of the ledge on which it stands and carried by the ice to the south end and there deposited, when the glacier melted and receded to its northern home. The gravel bank from Long Swamp to RumstickandNayatt Points is a medial moraine, called in common language a "hog-back," and forms an excellent foundation for road-building. Near Boston, this kind of gravel is mixed with a peculiar cement, which makes it an excellent surface dressing for common roads. As the glacier receded, it left the solid land it had formed and channels for the water, which came in plentiful supplies from the melting ice rivers of the north. On the authority of geologists, our coast line extended into the Atlantic, some forty miles beyond its present bounds, and Block Island was a part of the main land. The site of our famous watering place, Newport, was, at the close of the ice age, as far from the ocean as it is from Boston, and the site of Boston was inland forty miles, so that the ocean was not visible from the summit of the Blue Hills, then supposed to be fifteen hun- dred feet in height. Since that period, the ocean has washed away all the diluvial deposit or dump, until the Atlantic has reached the rocky barriers of the old rocks which say, " Thus far shalt thou come and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." Providence, Barrington, Warren, Palmer's and Taunton Rivers are the deeper channels cut out by the glaciers, into which the waters of the ocean ebb and flow. They are sunken rivers, pouring into salt water the small quantities of fresh water, which flow into them from their tributary streams. Prince's Pond, which in my boyhood used to be GLACIAL PBODTJCTS. O called "the bottomless pond," was probably formed by stranded ice, which finally melted away, leaving a deep hole where it lay, which has become partially filled by the wash from the hills around. The bog on the north and east of Prince's Pond which is a fine quality of peat from five to twelve feet thick, and was formerly used for fuel in Barring- ton, is a vegetable deposit, which has accumulated simulta- neously with the deposit of other soils, on the upper surface of the glacial drifts. The clay under the swamps at Nayatt and along the Mouscochuck Creek, used so extensively for brick-making, was a deposit of the finer flour-like grinding of the glacier, and is usually found in the vicinity of mo- rasses. In due time, after the melting away of the glacier and the approach of the warm period, vegetation began to appear such as lichens, mosses and ferns ; then the firs, spruces, hemlocks, and pines ; and most likely a large torrid growth, until the land about us had become fit, by the crea- tion of soil, for man's use and habitation. Imagination can- not picture the beasts, birds, reptiles, and insects of the forests, the fishes that swam in our streams, and amphibians that sported on their banks. Man came at last and found it much as we see it to-day, only changed in this that the land was covered with forests, and the seasons quite unlike ours. Who was the first Barringtonian we leave for some follower of Darwin to tell us, whether he descended from the gods or ascended from the apes. Certain it is that he must have thanked his stars as we do that his lines were cast on so goodly shores and that he had such a lovely heritage. Hundred Acre Cove, at the head of Barrington River, has been a puzzle to many, geologically, from the fact that the bottom of the cove shows indisputable evidence of having once been a pine forest. The stumps, roots, and trunks of pines can be seen now in various parts of the cove, and the stump fences on New Meadow Neck were drawn from the shores and waters of the cove. What is the explanation } At the close of the ice age this cove was probably like Prince's Pond the resting place of a vast ice fragment, which 6 THE HISTOEY OF BAEEINGTON. melted away; then came salt and fresh water vegetation, and a bog was formed on a very soft foundation. This bog, like the thatch beds and salt meadows of that part of the river, rested on a mud and vegetable growth below and finally be- came fit for tree growth, and a forest of pine was the next development, standing on a very shaky and uncertain base. The weight of the forest increased with the growth and gradually caused the mass below to become consolidated and the forest to sink below the .level of the salt water. The action of the salt water destroyed the tree growth, and the whole mass finally compacted below the level of the low water line of the river. Such subsidences of land are com- mon in many parts of the world. An Analysis of Soil. From the Joshua Bicknell Farm, near the Congregational Church. An analysis of soils, made by Dr. Charles T. Jackson, State Geologist, 1839, S^^^ ^^^ following results : Mechanical Separation. No. 1. Pebbles of Sienite... 4S. No. 2. Sand 125. No. 3. Fine Loam 847. Chemical Analysis of 100 Grains of Fine Loam. Water 1.9 Vegetable matter 5.6 Insoluble Silicates 85.3 Alumina and Iron 4.9 Salts of lime 1.9 99.6 The area of Barrington at the date of its separation from the mother town, Swansea, in 1718, was much larger than at present. Rehoboth, on the north of Swansea, was a town about eight miles square and the south line of that town, which was the north line of Swansea, extended from the Pawtucket or Providence River, on a nearly east and west line to the Shawomet Purchase, or Somerset. This bound- ary line began at Providence River, near the present Silver Spring Station, on the P. W. & B. R. R., and extended east- TBREITORY AND GOVERNMENT. ( ward, crossing Barrington River not far from Runen's Bridge, and crossing Palmer's River, north of the present village of Barneysville. When the people living on the westward end of Swansea petitioned for a new town in the year 171 1, they asked the Massachusetts Court "To grant us a township according to the limits of Capt, Samuel Low's Military Company in Swansea." This included all the terri- tory of the old town, west of Palmer's River, and when the boundary line of Barrington was fixed in 1717, the eastern bounds of the town extended from Rumstick Point to Myles Bridge, with all the lands in the Swansea grant included in New Meadow Neck and Peebee's Neck to the west of that line, including territory now embraced in the towns of Swansea, Seekonk, and East Providence. Barrington was once Ancient Sowams, occupied by the Wampanoags, and was the dwelling place of their Chief, Massassoit. In 1653, Massassoit deeded the territory with other lands to the proprietors of Ancient Sowams, under the jurisdiction of Plymouth Colony. In 1667, Swansea, which included Barrington, was incorporated by Plymouth Colony, and con- tinued under the government of Plymouth until 1691. In 1685, Bristol County was incorporated and Swansea became a town of Bristol County, Plymouth Colony. In 1691, Plymouth Colony was united with Massachusetts Bay Colony, and Swansea came under the government of Massachusetts Colony. In October, 1717, Barrington was set off from Swansea and incorporated under its present name, as a town in Bris- tol County, Massachusetts Colony. In 1747, Barrington, a part of Swansea, now Warren, and Bristol, were set from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, Bar- rington was united with the territory taken from Swansea, and called Warren, and the two towns formed Bristol County, R. I., with Bristol the shire town. In 1770, Barrington was set off from Warren, with boundary lines substantially as at the present time. 8 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. Since its occupation by the whites, the people living on this territory have been under the government of three col- onies, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, and Rhode Island, have lived in three counties, Plymouth, Bristol, Massachusetts, and Bristol, R. I., and have borne three township names, Swansea, Barrington, Warren, and Barrington for the second time. James I. and Charles I. were Kings of England and the Colonies when Massassoit was Sachem of Sowams. Crom- well ruled England when Sowams was made a proprietary. Charles the Second was King when Swansea was incorpo- rated. William and Mary were on the throne when Plymouth Colony was merged into Massachusetts Bay Colony. George I. was King when Barrington was first incorporated, in 1717 ; George II., when we were made Warren, and George III., when Barrington was restored in 1770. When the Plymouth settlers first visited this territory, in 1 62 1, they found it owned and occupied by the tribe of In- dians known as the Wampanoags, under their Chief, Osa- mequin or Massassoit. The Indian name of the country, between Plymouth and Narragansett Bay, of which the ter- ritory of Barrington was a part, was called Pokanoket. Bar- rington was known as Sowams, and on its soil was the dwel- ling of the great Sachem, Massassoit. Besides Pokanoket, the name of the Indian country, and Sowams, the residence of the Chief of the Wampanoags, the Indians have left us several names of places which are readily identified and are worthy of preservation, as memorials of this once great tribe. 1 Wampanoag. — The name of the tribe that occupied the i As the Wampanoags had no written language, the spelling of Indian words rests solely on the authority of the clerks or writers, who translated into Knglish the sounds of the Indian language as it was spoken by the natives. Hence arises the variety of spell- ing the same word as understood by different persons. Our ancestors were in the habit of emphasizing words by the use of double letters, as in the words Narragansett, Massas. soit, Peebee. In the spelling of Indian names, I have endeavored to follow the best authority, eliminating the redundant t in words whose general use has not established the form. INDIAN NAMES. » territory east of Narragansett Bay. The word means, The people of the East land, Tooker. PoKANOKET. — The name of the whole territory occupied by the Wampanoags and associate tribes. Its original boundaries cannot be easily defined, although in its later limits it included Bristol County, Rhode Island, and the western part of Bristol County, Massachusetts, embracing the towns of Bristol, Warren, Barrington, East Providence, Seekonk, Rehoboth, Swansea, Pawtucket, Cumberland, Som- erset, Dighton, Taunton, with other towns east of the Taun- ton River. Meaning, Cleared land, or country, Tooker. Other Spellings: — Puckanokick, Pacanaukett, Poccan- ocick, Pokenacutt, Puckenakick. SowAMS. — The whole of Barrington, with a portion of the adjoining towns of Swansea, Seekonk, and East Providence. Meaning, South country, or southward, Tooker. Other Spellings: — Sowames, Sowamsett, Sawaams, Sow- homes, Sawamsett, Sawomes, Sowhomes, Sewamset. SowAMSET Neck. — The same as Sowams. PoPANOMSCUT. — The name by which the western neck of Barrington was known. It was also called Peebee's Neck. Meaning, At the shelter rock, or at the roasting rock, Tooker. Other Spellings : — Papanpmscutt, Pappanomscut. Seekonk. — The territory, eight miles square, deeded to the whites by Massassoit in 1641, and embracing the pres- ent towns of East Providence, Seekonk, Rehoboth, and a part of Pawtucket. Meaning, On, or at the mouth of a stream, Tooker. Other Spellings : — Secunk, Seacunck, Seacunk, Seakunk, Seaconk, Sinkhunck. CoNSUMPSiT Neck. — The name applied to Bristol Neck, and probably the whole of . Bristol except Poppasquash Neck. Meaning, At the sharp rock, or where whetstones were gathered, Tooker. Other Spellings: — Cawsumsett, Causumsett. Poppasquash. — The name of the neck of land west of Bristol harbor, still bearing the Indian name. 10 THE HISTORY OF BAREINGTON. Other spellings : — Papasquash, Pappoosesquaw, Pappa- squa, and Poppy-Squash, Popasquasli. Mount Hope. — The name applied to the hill on the east- ern part of the town of Bristol. The word appears in the English records about 1668. Some regard it as a corrup- tion of the Indian word Montaup, but there is little author- ity for such an opinion. Had the Indians used the word Mount Hope or Montaup, it would have been communicated to the whites and used by them in the earliest records. Kickemuit was the main village on Mount Hope Neck, and the Indians of that locality did not give the name Mount Hope to the whites. Other authorities trace Hope to the Norse word Hop, a land-locked bay, and claim that the word was a gift of the Norse to the Indians, and through the In- dians to the English. It is more than probable that Mount Hope was named by the same persons who gave the Chris- tian names Prudence, Patience, Hope, and Despair to the islands in Narragansett Bay. Kickemuit. — (i) The name of a large Indian village on the west bank of the Kickemuit River at the north end of Mount Hope Neck. (2) The name of the river that rises in Swansea and flows south through the eastern part of War- ren into Mount Hope Bay. The word Kickemuit means. At the great spring. Other Spellings : — Kickamuet, Kickomuet, Kekamuett, Keekamuett, Keekamuit, Keekamuit, Kikemuit, Kekemuit, Kecamuet, Kickamuit. Peebee's Neck. — The same territory as Popanomscutt. The names are used interchangeably in the Sowams records. Peebee was easily and naturally corrupted to Phebe, Pheby, and Thebee in the proprietors and Plymouth records. Pee- bee was one of Philip's counsellors, and his signature to a quit claim deed by Philip to the white settlers, under date of March 30, 1668, is authority for the spelling, Peebee. Chachacust. — The name of New Meadow Neck. MossKiTUASH. — The name of the creek that flows into Bullock's Cove at Riverside, west of the burial place of INDIAN NAMES. 11 Thomas Willett. The word means, A place of reeds and rushes. Wannamoisett. — The name of the section, about four square miles in area, in which Riverside is located. The chimney of the Willett House is in the southern part of old Wannamoisett. Meaning, At the good fishing place, Tooker. Other Spellings : — Wanamoyset, Wanomoycet. Chachapacassett. — The name of the point of land be- tween Warren River and Narragansett Bay, now known as RuMSTiCK. It was also known to the whites by the name of Little Neck. Other Spellings: — Chackapaucasset, At or near the great widening, (Tooker). / Nayatt. — The name of the southwest point of Barring- -iton, and the land, south of Mouscochuck Creek as far east as Chachapacassett, including the beach, which was called Nayatt Beach. Meaning, At the point. Other Spellings : — Nayat, Nayot. Annawomscutt. — The name of the section at and about Drownville. The name was also applied to the brook which flows from the north into the cove west of the Drownville Depot of the P. W. and B. R. R. This brook is now crossed by the railroad and a public highway, northwest of Drown- ville Station. Meaning, At the shell rock, Tooker. Other Spellings: — Annawamscoate, Annawamscutt. Waypoyset. — The name of the Narrows at the mouth of the Kickemuit River. Meaning, at the narrows. Other Spellings : — Wapoyset, Way wapoiset. TouissET. — The name of the neck of land, east of Kick- emuit River. Meaning, At, or about the old fields, Tooker. Pawtucket. — The Indian name of Providence River to and including Pawtucket Falls. The word means, The place of the great falls. Other Spellings : — Pattukett, Patuckquit, Patuckett, Paw- tuckgut. RuMSTiCK. — This name, as applied to Chachapacasset, or 12 THE HISTOKY OF BARKINGTOK. Little Neck, was first given in the Sowams Records under date of January 26, 1698. Prof. Adrian Scott, of Brown University, contributes tiie following suggestions as to the derivation of the name Rum- stick, as applied to the point extending into Narragansett Bay: Rumstokkr in old Norse was a bed-post, but in Provincial English there was a word, Rumstich, adapted from the Ger- man language, or possibly the Dutch, and meaning the same as Mawe, i. e., an old-fashioned game of cards. The point might have had a famous game upon it by the first crew of sailors that bethought themselves to name it. But I should think this far more likely than either of the above, that the long slender point suggested the stick with which ancient sea captains stirred their toddy (differing from the common sailor's grog, inasmuch as it was made of rum sweetened, and so needed stirring): hence English Rum- stick. Mr. Sidney S. Rider, of Providence, one of the most thor- ough historical scholars and critics of Rhode Island, is of the opinion that the word is of Norse origin. Sowams River. — This name was given by the Indians to the rivers now known as Barrington, Palmer's and Warren. Both branches on the east and west of New Meadow Neck bore the same name, Sowams River. The proprietors often called it the Sowams River and the Great River, and spoke of both branches of this river. The westerly branch was also called the New Meadow River ; the easterly Palmer's River. Runen's River. — The upper part of the west branch of Sowams or Barrington River, and was often called Bowen's River or Bowen's Bridge River, for Mr. Richard Bowen, who owned a large tract of land along the stream. Runen's was probably not an Indian name. MouscocHUCK. — The name of the creek which flows into Providence River about one-fourth of a mile north of Nayatt Point. The branch which flows into the creek from the HISTORIC SITES. 13 north, and to the west of the Nayatt Station, was known as Mouscochuck northerly creek, and that flowing from the east was called Mouscochuck easterly creek. Meaning, A meadow, Tooker. NocKUM. — The name of the hill on the east bank of Bar- rington River and west of the Tongue. ScAMSCAMMUCK. — The name of the spring at the upper end of Chachapacasset Neck. It now supplies water to the farm house on the east side of the road leading to Rumstick. Meaning, A red spring, or where there is a red spring, Tooker. Other Spelling: — Skamskammuck. Tom's Spring. — Is located on land recently owned by Lewis B. Smith and formerly owned by the Browns, on the south side of Mouscochuck. Massasoit alias Osamequin. — The Chief Sachem of the Wampanoags, from the arrival of the whites in 1620, till his death, about 1663. Osamequin is his name, as affixed to the deed of Sowams, in 1653. " I find the ancient people, from their fathers in Plymouth Colony, pronounce his name Mas- sas-so-it." (Prince's Chronicles.) Meaning, The great king. Other Spellings : — Massasoiet, (Morton's N. E. Memo- rial); Massasoyt and Massasoyet, Massassowat. Pometacom or Metacom alias Philip. — The son and successor of Massassoit, as Chief Sachem of the Wampa- noags. Peebee. — One of Philip's Counselors, whose home was in Barrington, on the main neck, called by the Indians Peebee's Neck. Peebee was killed near Myles Bridge, in the attack on Swansea, June, 1675. Called by other names of Peebe, Phebe, and Thebe. Historic Sites in Barrington. The First Baptist meeting house, built by Rev. John Myles Church, was located on the farm now owned by George J. West, on Nockum Hill. The place of baptisms was at the point on the south of Nockum Hill. 14 THE HISTOEY OF BARKINGTON. The second meeting house of Rev. John Myles Church, was erected by the town of Swansea, at Tyler's Point, south of the road, connecting the Barrington and Warren Bridges. The Colonial Training Field was near the meeting house at Tyler's Point. This training field was used as late as 1825, while the old militia system was in operation. The Myles Garrison was located about one-fourth of a mile west of Myles Bridge. Myles Bridge crosses Palmer's River at Barneysville, where the first attack was made on the Sowams settlement, June, 1675. The Chaffee Garrison, a stone house with portholes for musket firing, located about two hundred feet east' of the house owned by Leander R. Peck, Esq. This garrison house stood as late as 1850. The Willett Stockade Fort, or as called by Capt. Church,, "Major Brown's Garrison," stood on the east side of the highway, opposite the Willett Mansion. The Thomas Willett Mansion stood on the west side of the highway, in Wannamoisett. The heavy brick chimney marks the site, which is owned by Governor Elisha Dyer. The First Meeting House of the Congregational Church of Barrington stood on the south side of the road near the residence of Lewis T. Fisher, Esq. It was taken down and removed in 1733. The Second Meeting House of the Congregational Church stood on the lot given by Joshua Bicknell, near the location of the present meeting house. The dwelling house of William Allin, built before 1670 was located on the north side of the road, leading to the Drownville Depot. The original house was a leanto, two stories in front, and one on the back side. A huge stone chimney occupied a large part of the east end of the house. The Hon. Paul Mumford House stood on the corner, at the great elms, at Barrington Centre. HISTORIC SITES. 15 The Green Bush Tavern stood on the west side of the highway, north of the residence of R. D. Horton, Esq. The Josiah Kinnicutt Tavern stood near the Barrington River, on the north side of the road, at the first angle, north of the Congregational meeting house. The first post-office in Barrington was opened at this tavern. The George R. Kinnicutt Tavern, stage office, and post-office, stands near the site of the first Kinnicutt tavern. The Henry Bowen Tavern stood on the west side of the road, about twenty-five rods north of the Congregational meeting house. It was destroyed by fire about 1875. The Kinnicutt-Townsend House, which stood in Happy Hollow, a few rods north of the Town Hall, was licensed as an inn during the Revolution. The Col. Nathaniel Martin Ferry House stood on the north side of the Ferry Lane, fronting on the river. Among the old houses now standing may be mentioned : The Matthew Watson House, at Nayatt ; The General Thomas Allin House, at Drownville ; The Allin House, near the Barrington River, north of the Congregational meeting house ; The Old Parsonage House, now owned by Mrs. Charles Miller; The Andrews-Bean House, near the Allin House ; The Brown House, west of the Kinnicutt Tavern ; The Rev. Peleg Heath House, now occupied by Mr. William Carter ; The Joel Peck House ; The Joshua Bicknell House, now used by the St. Andrew's School ; The stone house at Barneysville, probably built in part before Philip's war ; on New Meadow Neck are the old houses of the Martins, the Drowns, the Bowens, the Bishops, and others. At Rum- stick is the Guard House, owned by Nathaniel Smith, and at Nayatt, the Guard House, owned by the Browns. The cemeteries at Burial Hill, Tyler's Point, Prince's Hill, and Little Neck, at Wannamoiset, and the Watson Yard at Nayatt, are of interest as the places where " The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.'' 16 THE HISTOKY OF BAKRINGTON. The earliest burials were at Burial Hill, where field stones are the only markers of some of the graves. Rev. John Myles was probably buried at Tyler's Point. Captain Wil- lett's family and the Browns were the first interments at Little Neck. Matthew Watson and family sleep at Nayatt. Other places of interest are the Town Hall, the old Gov- ernment Lighthouse at Nayatt, the Cady School-house, the first High School in Barrington, the Congregational Meeting House, the Episcopal Church and Rectory, the Methodist Episcopal and Episcopal Chapels at Drownville, the St. An- drew's Home and School, the New England Brick Manu- factory, etc., etc. The villages of the town are Barrington, Barrington Cen- tre, Hampden Meadows, Rumstick or Chachapacassett, Nay- att and Drownville. CHAPTER II THE NORTHMEN IN NARRAGANSETT BAY The Sea-pirates of Norway — Their Settlement of Iceland and Greenland — Lief Ericsson on the North American Coast — Professor Hors- ford's Theory — Discovery of Mount Hope and Narragansett Bays — Experience with the Indians — Opinions of Prof. Diman and Others — Inscriptions at Bristol and Other Evidences. THE history of Barrington includes its discovery by Europeans, its aboriginal occupation by the Indians, and the permanent settlement by the English Pilgrims since 1620. It is authentic history that the sea coast and the country of New England, including Narragansett Bay, had been explored long before the seventeenth century. While obscure tradition invests with interest the stories of discov- eries of America by Europeans prior to the year 1000 A. D., the evidence is convincing that the Norse sea kings pushed their discoveries to Iceland, Greenland, and the coast of North America, certainly as far south as New England, and made temporary settlements on our southern and eastern shores, nearly nine hundred years ago. The dwellers on the Norway peninsula were the sea kings of Western Europe and the pioneers of maritime adventure and discovery, as early as the middle of the ninth century of the Christian era. They were a people of tough sinew and bold hearts, afraid of no perils by land or sea. They preferred the hardy life of the navigator to the peaceful pursuits of husbandry, and, pressed in the rear by the entrance into Europe of Eastern hordes of barbarians, they sought for lands beyond their western horizon. As early as the year 861, A. D., a Norwegian pirate or trader named Naddodd discoved Ice- land, and in 875, Ingolf with a company of Northmen " cast 2 18 THE HISTOEY OF BAKFaNGTON. their door-posts toward the Icelandic shores," and made per- manent settlements on that island. More adventurous spirits sailed further westward and discovered and made per- manent settlement on the eastern and southern shores of Greenland, where their descendants dwell today. The tenth century witnessed maritime adventures and discov- eries extended still further to the west and south, and in the year looo, A. D., or thereabouts, a land was found where grapes and other fruits grew in abundance in a wild state, where the climate was milder than that already occupied by their countrymen, to which the name of "Vineland the Good," was given. This much is well authenticated history and the names of Lief Ericsson, Thorfinn, and Gudrid his wife, are connected with the first attempts to make a settle- ment in Vineland. The part of the eastern shores of Amer- ica visited by these bold seamen is not easily determined, but it is claimed by those who are most familiar with- the Norse sagas that brief settlements were made on the coast, at points between the mouth of the St. Lawrence river on the north and Long Island on the south, Some Maine his- torians locate Norumbega, a traditional Norse settlement, near the Penobscot River. Professor E. N. Horsford, late of Cambridge, Mass., iixed the site of Norumbega on the Charles River, and has erected at considerable expense a tower at Watertown, on or near what he regards old Norse fortifications. In "The Problem of the Northmen," the scholarly professor writes of Lief's land-fall and the site of his houses as follows : " He came, so v*e conceive, upon the northern extremity of Cape Cod, and set up his dwellings somewhere on an indentation of the shore of Massachusetts Bay," which he declares to be on the Charles River, near Longfellow's house in Cambridge. Speaking of Gudrid, the wife of Thorfinn, he says, *' I may not fail to mention that this Gudrid was the lady who, after the death of her hus- band, made a pious pilgrimage to Rome (from Iceland), where she was received with much distinction, and where she told the Pope of the beautiful new country in the far VINELAND, THE GOOD. 19 west, of "Vineland the Good," and about the Christian set- tlements made there by Scandinavians. Nor may I forget to mention that her son, Snorre, born in America at the site of Lief's houses, — and perhaps it may some day be possible to indicate the neighborhood of his birthplace with greater precision, — has been claimed to be the ancestor of Thorwald- sen, the Danish sculptor." The hardy voyagers going on shore found water rather than wine in Vineland and one of their poets sang these verses. " People told me when I came Hither all would be so fine, The good Vineland known to fame; Rich in fruits and choicest wine; Now the water-pail they send ; To the fountain I must bend, Nor from out this land divine Have I quaffed one drop of wine." When about to again sang, depart and with sails hoisted the poet " Let our trusty band Haste to Fatherland,' Let our vessel brave Plough the angry wave, While those few who love Vineland here may rove, Or with idle toil Fetid whales may boil. Here on Furdustrand, Far from Fatherland." Of greater interest to the dwellers on Narragansett Bay is the story of the Northmen in New England by Mr. Joshua T. Smith, who interprets the sagas to mean that Thorhall the hunter and Thorfinn the sailor parted company at Mar- tha's Vineyard or Straumiford in 1008, the latter sailing southward, entering Mount Hope Bay through Sekonet River, and wintering at some point on the bay. The narra- tive reads that " Thorfinn and his companions sailed up as far as the mouth of the river and called the place Hop." 20 THE HISTOEr OF BAERINGTON. The word " Hop " is of Norse origin, meaning a small land- locked bay, and is by some supposed to be the original word from which Mount Hope and Bay at Bristol were named. In support of this story, there was a tradition current among the oldest Indians in these parts, that there came a wooden house and men of another country in it, who fought the In- dians with mighty success. One morning in the following spring, (1009,) they (the Norse sailors) saw a great number of canoes approaching from beyond the promontory at the southwest, which may have been Bristol Neck. The story goes, " They were in such great numbers that the whole water looked as if it were sprinkled with cinders. Poles were suspended in each canoe. Thorfinn and his party held out shields ; after which a barter of goods commenced between them. These people desired, above all things, to obtain some red cloth, in ex- change for which they offered various kinds of skins, some perfectly gray. They were anxious, also, to purchase swords and spears, but this Thorfinn and Snorre forbade. For a narrow strip of red cloth they gave a whole skin, and tied the cloth round their heads. Thus they went on bartering for some time, when the supply of cloth began to run short, Thorfinn's people cut it into pieces so small that they did not exceed a finger's breadth ; and yet the Skraelings, (In- dians), gave for them as much as, or even more, than be- fore." " Thorfinn and his companions now thought it obvious that, although the quality of the land was excellent, yet there would always be danger to be apprehended from the natives. They therefore prepared to depart, and return to their native country. They first sailed round the land to the northward. They took, near the shore, five Skraelings clothed in skins and sleeping ; these had with them boxes, containing marrow mixed with blood. Thorfinn presumed them to have been exiled from the country and his people killed them. They afterward came to a promontory abound- ing in wild animals, as they judged from the marks found in BAEEINGTON VISITED. 21 the sand. This very promontory was most probably either Chipinoxet point or Sowams." From the tenor of this part of the narrative, this expedition was obviously only a short one; and, from what follows, it seems clear also, that it must have been made before the Northmen left Hop to return to Straumiford. It was natural also that they should explore the coast in the immediate neighborhood, before finally quitting it. It is of interest to note that in Mr. Smith's book on the Northmen, the Barrington peninsula has in- scribed across it the name, Sowams, thereby indicating the territory known to the Indians by that name, as well as the country supposed to have been explored by the Northmen. While at the present writing we cannot claim with absolute truth that the Northmen did explore Narragansett Bay and the Barrington promontory, we may not regard it as im- probable that the first Europeans to discover our bay and town were the intrepid Northmen who really made the first recorded voyage to the North American shores. The later historian of this section may be able to find unearthed evi- dence that shall establish the truth of that which is now pleasing fiction and tradition, as to the Northmen being the first white occupants or discoverers of Barrington. We record but a brief hint of the story, which may happily prove to be the beginning of the history of the white men on the red men's territory, on Narragansett Bay. Professor J. Lewis Diman, LL. D., the late eminent pro- fessor of history of Brown University, himself a native of Bristol, while a student of Brown University, wrote histori- cal sketches under the title, " Annals of Bristol," which were published in the Bristol Phenix, in 1845-6. He speaks of the Norse expedition of Thorfinn with three ships and one hundred and sixty men in the year 1007-8, and gives it as his opinion that they wintered at or near Bristol. In closing his account he says, " The only trace which has been left by the Northmen, of their wintering in Bristol, is a rock sit- uated near ' The Narrows,' on Mount Hope Bay. This rock was said to have been covered with characters in an un- 22 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTO^T. known tongue, but was unfortunately destroyed by a heed- less hand." The rock to which he undoubtedly refers, has been redis- covered and happily corrects the error of statement made by Professor Diman that both rock and inscription had been destroyed. Fortunately for the theory that the Northmen wintered at Mount Hope, Mr. William J. Miller of Bristol has located the rock on the shore of Mount Hope Bay in the town of Bristol. The rock is of graywacke, ten and a half by six and a half feet in length, and twenty-one inches thick. The surface is much worn by the water which only leaves it bare at low tide. The inscription is a boat with a series of lines and angles, which, it is claimed by Mr. Miller, v/ere carved by some Norse sailor, left in charge of a boat and awaiting his companions. While these characters and those on the Dighton Rock with the skeleton in armor found at Fall River, do not establish the fact of the Norse discovery of these shores as their " Vineland, the Good," they certainly afford strong circumstantial evidence in maintenance of the theory. We must satisfy ourselves with the pleasing fancy until the truth shall be established. CHAPTER III VERRAZZANO VISITS THE WAMPANOAGS French Explorations — Verrazzano Seeks tne Orient in 1524 — Discovers Block Island — Enters Newport Harbor — Indian Reception — Description of the Men and Women — Their Dress — The Kings and Their Wives — The Country and Its Productions — Indian Dwellings — Customs — Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay — The Maine Indians Hostile — Indian Religion. FOLLOWING the first authentic discovery and exploration of America by Columbus in 1492, all the maritime nations of Europe entered the race for further discovery, conquest and possession. Although Spain and Portugal had undertaken, in 1494, to divide the unexplored parts of the earth between them, under authority of the Pope's edicts, England and France treated the plan with contempt. "The King of France sent word to our great emperor," says Diaz, describ- ing the capture of some Spanish treasure ships by a French pirate, " that as he and the King of Portugal had divided the earth between themselves, without giving him a share of it, he should like them to show him our father Adam's will, in order to know if he had made them his sole heirs." He also declared that he should feel free to take all he could find upon the ocean. With this spirit, France sent out two great explorers, Verrazzano and Cartier, the one exploring North America and writing New France on the Atlantic coast from Florida to Greenland, the other penetrating the interior by the great river, the St. Lawrence. In 1524, the Florentine discoverer, Verrazzano, under French patronage, made his second voyage, westward, in search of the Orient. Touching the Madeiras, on his route, and then the main land of the Carolinas, he coasted north- 24 THE HISTORY OF BAEBINGTOff. ward, explored the mouth of the Hudson River, which he called the Grand River (una grandissima riviera), sailed along the shores of Long Island, and discovered Block Island, using it as a refuge during a storm, calling it Luisa or Claude, in honor of the mother or wife of Francis I of France. Sailing northeasterly from Block Island, the ex- plorer reached the coast of Rhode Island, and anchored the Dauphine in Narragansett Bay, (Refugio). As Verrazzano wrote the first description of our bay and the Indians dwell- ing on its shores, we give our readers his own interesting story : " We proceeded to another place fifteen leagues distant from the island, where we found a very excellent harbor. Before entering it we saw about twenty small boats filled with people, who came to the ship with various cries and wonderment. But they would not approach nearer than fifty paces. Stopping, they looked at the structure of the ship our persons, and dress. Afterward they all cried out loudly together, signifying that they were delighted. By imitating their signs we inspired them with a measure of confidence, so that they came near enough for us to toss them some little bells and glasses and many toys, which they took and looked at laughing, and then came on board with- out fear. Among them were two kings, more attractive in form and stature than can be described. One was about forty years old and the other about twenty-four, and they were dressed in the following fashion : " The elder king had the skin of a deer wrapped around his nude body, artificially made with various embroideries to decorate it. His head was bare. His hair was bound be- hind with various bands, and around his neck he wore a large chain ornamented with many stones of different colors. The younger king was like him in appearance. This was the finest looking people and the handsomest in their cos- tumes that we found in our voyage. Th'ey exceed us in size, and are of a very fair complexion (sono di colore bianchis- simo); some of them incline more to a white, and others to o I z DESCRIPTION OP THE INDIANS. 25 a tawny color. Their faces are sharp ; their hair is long. and black, on the adornment of which they bestow great care. Their eyes are black and keen ; their demeanor is gentle and attractive, very much like that of the ancients. I say noth- ing to your majesty of the other parts of the body that are all in good proportion as belong to well-formed men. " The women resemble them in size, and are very grace- ful and handsome, and quite attractive in dress and manners. They had no other clothing except a deer skin, ornamented as were the skins worn by the men. Some had very rich lynx-skins upon their arms, and wore various ornaments upon their heads, braided in their hair, which hung down upon their breasts. Others wore different ornaments, such as those of the women of Egypt and Syria. The older and the married people, both men and women, wore many orna- ments in their ears, hanging down in oriental fashion. " We saw on them pieces of wrought copper, which is more esteemed by them than gold, the latter being deemed the most ordinary of metals, yellow being a color much dis- liked by them. Blue and red are the colors which they value most highly. Of the things which we gave "them, they preferred the bells, azure crystals, and other toys, which they hung in their ears and about their necks. They do not value or desire to have silk or gold-drapery, or other kinds of cloth, nor implements of steel or iron. When we showed them our weapons, they expressed no admiration; and only asked how they were made. The same indifference was manifested when they were given the looking-glasses, which they with smiles returned to us as soon as they had looked at them. They are very generous, giving away whatever they have. "We formed a great friendship with them, and one day we entered into port with our ship, having before rode at the distance of a league from the shore, as the weather was un- favorable. They came to the ship with a number of their little boats, with their faces painted with different colors, manifesting real signs of joy, bringing us of their provisions. 26 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. and signifying to us where we could best ride in safety with our ship, and keeping with us until we had cast anchor. " We remained among them fifteen days to provide our- selves with many things of which we were in want, during which time they came every day to see our ship, bringing with them their wives, of whom they were very careful, for,' although they came on board themselves, and remained a long while, they made their wives stay in the boats, nor could we ever get them on board by any solicitations or any presents we could make them. One of the two kings, how- ever, often came with his queen and many attendants to see us for his amusement. But he always stopped on land at the distance of about two hundred paces from us, and sent a boat to announce his intended visit, saying they would come and see our ship. This was done for safety, and as soon as they had received our answer they came and remained some time to look around. On hearing the annoying cries of the sailors, the king sent the queen, with her attendants, in a very light boat to wait near an island, a quarter of a league distant, while he remained a long time on board, talking with us by signs, and expressing his fanciful notions about everything in the ship and asking the use of all. After imi- tating our modes of salutation, and tasting our food, he cour- teously took leave of us. Once, when our men remained two or three days on a small island near the ship for their various necessities, as sailors are wont to do, he came with seven or eight of his attendants to inquire about our move- ments, often asking us if we intended to remain there long, and offering us everything at his command. Sometimes he would shoot with his bow, and run up and down with his people, making great sport for us. We often went five or six leagues into the interior, and found the country as pleas- ant as can be conceived, adapted to cultivation of every kind, whether of corn, wine, or oil. There are open plains twenty- five and thirty leagues in length, entirely free from trees or other obstructions, and so fertile that whatever is sown there will yield an excellent crop. On entering the woods we ob- rSDtAK DWELLINGS. 27 served that they might all be traversed by any large army. The trees in them were oaks, cypresses, and others unknown in Europe. We found, also, apples, plums, filberts, and many other fruits, but of a different kind from ours. The animals, which are in great numbers, stags, deer, lynx, and many other kinds, are taken with snares and by bows ; the latter is the principal weapon of the natives. Their arrows are beautifully made. For points they use emery, jasper, hard marble, and other sharp stones instead of iron. They also use the same kind of sharp stones in cutting down trees, and with them construct their boats of single logs, hollowed out with admirable skill, and sufficiently commodious to seat ten or twelve persons. Their oars are short, with broad blades, and are rowed by the force of the arms, with the greatest care and as rapidly as they wish. "We saw their dwellings, which are circular in form, about ten or twelve paces in circumference, made of logs split in half, without any regularity of architecture, and cov- ered with roofs of straw, nicely put on, which protect them from wind and rain. There is no doubt that they would build stately edifices if they had workmen as skillful as ours, for the whole sea-coast abounds with shining stones, crys- tals, and alabaster, and on this account it has dens and re- treats for animals. They change their habitations from place to place, as circumstances of situation and season may require. This is easily done, for they have only to take with them their mats, and they have other houses immedi- ately prepared. " The father and the whole family dwell together in one house. In some of their houses we saw twenty-five or thirty persons. Their food is pulse, as that of the other people, which is here better than elsewhere, and more carefully cul- tivated. In the time of sowing they are governed by the moon, which they think effects the sprouting of the grain. They have many other ancient customs. They live by hunt- ing and fishing, and they are long lived. If they fall sick they cure themselves without medicine, with the heat of 28 THE HISTORY OF BAREINGTON. fire. Death comes to them at last from extreme old age. We judged them to be very affectionate and charitable toward their relatives, for they make loud lamentations in their adversity, and in their misery call to remembrance all their good deeds. When they die their relations mutually join in weeping mingled with singing for a long while. That is all that we could learn of them. "This region is situated on the parallel of Rome, in 41 2-3 degrees, as I shall narrate hereafter to your serene majesty. At present I shall describe the situation of this place. At its south end its channel is narrow and a half league wide. It extends, between east (southi"), and north, twelve leagues. Then it enlarges and forms a very spacious bay twenty leagues in circuit, in which are five small islands, very fertile and attractive, and covered with high trees. The bay is so spacious that between these islands any number of vessels might ride at ease without fear of tempests and other dangers. At the entrance of the bay, farther south, there are very attractive hills on both sides of the channel, and many streams of clear water flow from these eminences into the sea. In the middle of the mouth there is a rock of free- stone (uno scoglio di viva pietra), formed by nature and suitable for the construction of any kind of machine or bul- wark for the defence of the haven." Verrazzano's description of Narragansett Bay, named Port du Refugio on Gastakli's map of 1553, is so accurate that without any other information it would be easy to determine the situation of the place where for fifteen days, ending the sixth of May, he and his crew held familiar intercourse with the friendly Indians, inhabiting the islands and the main- land in the vicinity of the anchorage of the Dauphine. The latitude of the bay given by Verrazzano cannot be gainsaid, but he has left us no record as to where he landed, and it is wholly a matter of conjecture whether he trod our soil or not. That he made a survey of our bay, islands, and the main, is all that can be affirmed. Verrazzano sailed from Port du Refugio, probably New- INDIAN BEtlGION. 29 port, on the sixth of May, in a southeasterly course, past the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, where he found the coast to trend toward the north, which he followed until he cast anchor off the shores of Maine, in the forty- third parallel. The natives here did not please the discov- erers as did those of Narragansett Bay, whom he said, " we had found kind and gentle." " They, the Maine Indians, were so rude and barbarous that we were unable by any signs we could make, to hold any communication with them. No regard was paid to our courtesies. When we had noth- ing left to exchange with them, the men, at our departure, made the most brutal signs of disdain and contempt possible. Against their will, we penetrated two or three leagues into the interior with twenty-five men. When we came to the shore, they shot at us with their arrows, uttering the most horrible cries and afterwards fleeing to the woods." Concluding his account of the new country and its people, Verrazzano remarks. "As to the religious faith of all these tribes, not understanding their language, we could not learn either by signs or gestures, anything certain. It seemed to us that they had no religion, nor laws, nor any knowledge of a first Cause or Mover, — that they worshipped neither the heavens, stars, sun, moon, nor the planets. We could not learn if they were given to any kind of idolatry, or offered any sacrifices or supplications, or if they have temples or houses of prayer in their villages ; our conclusion was that they had no religion, but lived without any. This seems to be the result of ignorance, for they are very easily persuaded, and imitated us with earnestness and fervor, in all that they saw us do as Christians in our acts of devotion." CHAPTER IV THE WAMPANOAGS The Pilgrims find a deserted Indian Country — Visit of Samoset — Visit of Massassoit — Treaty between Pilgrims and Massassoit — The Pokanokets — Pokanoket — The Wampanoags — Villages — Modes of Life — Rumstick — Massassoit — Other Sagamores — Agriculture — Hunting and Fishing — Homes and Customs. ON the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, in 1620, most •fortunately they found their lot cast within the limits of a deserted Indian country. Of the name of the tribe which inhabited that section, its history, or the cause of its depart- ure, they knew absolutely nothing. Three months after landing, on the i6th of March, 1621, an Indian named Sam- oset came among the settlers and addressed them in English with " Welcome, English ! Welcome, English ! " He in- formed them that the Indian name of the place was Patuxet, and that the tribe which had occupied the lands had been swept off by a plague, so severe that it spared neither man, woman nor child, and there were none who could claim the lands or rightfully molest them. Saraoset also informed the whites that the territory to the west was known as Pokano- ket, inhabited by a family of tribes, known as the Pokano- kets ; that these associated tribes were the Wampanoags of the west, the tribe of Massassoit, who was then chief sachem of the Pokanokets; the Pocassetts, the Saconets, the Nemas- kets, the Nausites, the Mattachees, the Monamoys, the Sau- katuckets, and the Nobsquassetts, to which, to complete the family, should be added the Patuxets of Plymouth, which had been destroyed by the plague. " These people," says Gen. Gookin, " were sorely smitten by the hand of God, but what the disease was that so generally and mortally swept VISIT OP JIASSASSOIT. 31 away, not only these but other Indians, their neighbors, I cannot well learn. I have discoursed with some old Indians, that were then youths, who say that the bodies all over were exceeding yellow, (describing it by a yellow garment they showed me), both before they died and afterwards." On the following day, March 17, 1621, they dismissed Samoset, the sagamore of a tribe "lying hence a day's sail by a great wind and five days by land," giving him presents and requesting him " to return with some of Massassoit's men with beaver skins for traffic." On the 22d of March, Samoset returned, accompanied by Squanto, the sole remain- ing native of Patuxet, who informed Gov. Carver that the great sachem, Massassoit, and sixty of his warriors were near " from their place called Sowams, about 4c miles off to the westward." Edward Winslow and Miles Standish re- ceived Massassoit, with all the honors due to royalty, in the common house at Plymouth, and, after a feast, the governor proposed the following treaty which was agreed to by the chief: 1. "That neither he, nor any of his, should injure or do hurt to any'bf their people. 2. That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender that they might punish him. 3. That if anything were taken away from any of theirs he should cause it to be restored ; and that they should do the like to his. 4. That if any did unjustly war against him, they would aid him ; and if any did war against them, he should aid them. 5. That he should send to his neighbor confederates, to inform them of this, that they might not wrong them, but might likewise be comprised in the conditions of peace. 6. That when his men came to them upon any occasion, they should leave their bows and arrows behind them. 7. That so doing, their sovereign lord. King James, would esteem him as his friend and ally." This was the first interview between the Indians, the lords 32 THE HISTOEY OF BAKRIKGTON. of the soil, and the English at New Plymouth, resulting in the interchange of friendly salutations, and the ratification of a treaty which was faithfully observed for over half a cen- tury by both parties. Massassoit acknowledged " himself content to become the subject of our sovereign lord the King aforesaid, his heirs and successors ; and give unto them all the lands adjacent, to them and their heirs for- ever." This treaty of peace and trade was equally beneficial to the Pokanokets and to the settlers of Plymouth. To the former it offered the opportunity of an exchange of furs and the products of the chase for the implements of husbandry and hunting and other articles of civilized life. This friend- ship also served as a protection to the Wampanoags against their powerful neighbors, the Narragansetts, who cherished an unfriendly spirit and showed frequent signs of hostility toward the warriors of Pokanoket. It was a shield of strength also to the weak-handed, though stout-hearted Pil- grims, and when Gov. Bradford received from^Canonchet the savage challenge of the rattle-snake skin filled with poisoned arrows, he returned it more boldly, filled with J)0wder and shot, since Massassoit and his tribe had sworn to be their faithful protectors. Still further, the fertile peninsulas ex- tending into Mt. Hope and Narragansett Bays were more attractive to the sagacious eyes of Standish,, Winslow, Brown, Willett, and Bradford, than the sandy deserts of Cape Cod, and as soon as comfortable homes had been raised at Plymouth Bay, the spirit of western emigration filled the hearts of these earliest pioneers to explore and settle the wilds along the Sowams, the Titicut and Paw- tucket Rivers. The territory of the Pokanokets, of whom Massassoit was the chief sachem, originally extended, as we have stated, from Cape Cod on the east, to the Narragansett Bay on the west, and from the Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean on the south to the southern boundary of the Massa- chusetts, the tribe which occupied the territory to the south r. POKANOKET. 33 and west of Boston. The Pokanokets, who formerly num- bered about three thousand warriors, were divided into sev- eral minor tribes or villages, each under the rule of a petty chief or sachem. Their nearest neighbors were the Massa- chusetts, on the north, under Chickataubut as king, with three thousand warriors ; and the Narragansetts on the west of Narragansett Bay, who, under their grand sachem, Canonicus, mustered more than five thousand warriors. Later, the territory was more limited, and the name Poka- noket was applied to the lands on the west of the Taunton River, over which Massassoit's local jurisdiction extended, namely, the present towns of Raynham, Norton, Attle- borough, Cumberland, Pawtucket, East Providence, Seekonk, Dighton, Rehoboth, a part of Taunton, Somerset, Swansea, Warren, Barrington, and Bristol. In a more limited sense the word Pokanoket embraced the towns of Bristol, Warren, and Barrington, with parts of Swansea, Rehoboth, Seekonk and East Providence. The residence of the chief was also called Pokanoket or Sowams. Governor Winslow in describing his visit to Massassoit, says : "At length we came to Mattapuyst, and went to the cachimo comaco, for so they called the sachem's place, though they call an ordinary house witeo ; but Conbatant, the sachem, was not at home, but at Puckanokick, which was some five miles off. The squa-sachem, for so they called the sachem's wife, gave us friendly entertainment. Here we inquired again concerning Massassoit ; they thought him dead, but knew no certainty ; whereupon I hired one to go with all expedition to Puckanokick, that we might know the certainty thereof, and withal to acquaint Conbatant with our there being." Within the narrow limits of Pokanoket, dwelt the Wam- panoags, under Massassoit. This tribe had been reduced in numbers by the plague that had wiped out the Patuxets, an associate tribe at Plymouth. Winslow, on this first visit to Massassoit in 1621, referring to the Taunton River, says : " Upon it, (the river), are and have been many towns, it 3 M THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. being a good length. Thousands of men have lived there which died in a great plague, not long since." The land of this western section of Pokanoket has a southerly slope towards the bay, somewhat hilly in the east- ern part, toward the Taunton River, but nearly level in the central and western parts. Originally it was heavily wooded with oak, walnut, cedar, and pine forests, with the exception of the borders of the several rivers, on the margins of which were unequal widths, as now, of fresh and salt meadows, with various clearings on the uplands adjoining these water courses, which afforded the Indians an opportunity to culti- vate the soil in their rude and simple style. Game of all .kinds abounded in the woods and fish were plenty in the streams, and waters of the bays. An attractive country, surely, for any people, and especially so to these lords of the soil, who so easily obtained from land and sea all they thought needful for their subsistence and happiness. As we are dealing with a nomadic people, our ideas of town and village life have little in common with those of the Wampanoags. Where the conditions of life were the most comfortable and supplies of food the easiest, there was the Indian's home. During the season of shad and aleswives at Palmer's and Taunton Rivers, the people sought these resorts. The bays could be always depended on for shell and fin fish, in summer or in winter. In winter, the bear, the deer, the fox, the wolf, the panther, the rabbit, the partridge, the quail, and other game, taken for food or cloth- ing, led them to the forests, to the north and east. We may suppose, however, that the main portion of the time of the tribe, especially of the women and children, was spent in some fixed localities on or near Narragansett Bay. Mr. W. J. Miller in his story of the Wampanoags locates two per- manent villages on Bristol territory, one at Mount Hope, and a second at Kickemuit. As Barrington has so long a salt water boundary on the bay and navigable rivers, it is a matter of certainty that the Indians made it a favorite dwelling place, and that villages INDIAN VILLAGES. 36 of Indians dwelt at Nayatt, Chachapacassett, Chachacust, Sowams, Wannamoisett, and Annawomscutt. The evidences which exist, to determine the sites of their principal villages and camping places, are numerous. They are marked, not as ours, by their proximity to centres of trade, and by piles of brick and mortar, but by their nearness to the places where fish and fowl congregated, and by heaps of shells taken from the rivers. The burial grounds of the tribes were near their villages. Their implements of hus- bandry and domestic life, of war and of the chase, of fowling and of fishing, in the form of stone or iron, have been found in large numbers, in various localities, between the Titicut and Patuckquet Rivers, and the farmer's ploughshare often unwittingly disturbs the resting-place of the first proprietors of the soil. At Mattapoyset, Touisit, Montop, Kickemuit, Sowams, and Wannamoiset, vast quantities of oyster, clam, and quahaug shells, either in heaps or scattered throughout the soil, not only mark their homes, but indicate the antiq- uity of these favorite resorts. These are the last material vestiges and memorials of the brave old tribe of the Wampa- noags. While time is consuming these, would it not be fitting to restore and preserve the historic and ofttimes eu- phonious titles of the localities, from which they have been removed, by the extinction of the tribes themselves .-" The Wampanoags have left us several Indian names of localities which we do well to locate carefully and preserve. Which brief reference has already been made to the whole, a fuller description is of importance in this chapter. Sowams or Sowamset was the territory of Barrington with parts of East Providence, Seekonk, and Swansea. For a full discussion of this locality, the reader is referred to Sowams and Barrington. Sowavts River. — Both branches of Warren River, the Barrington and Palmers. ^ The Barrington Historical Society has already made a valuable collection of Indian instruments and wares, and to it the people will add their individual relics, as a safe method of preservation, lor the benefit of the public. 36 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. Sowamset Neck was the same as Sowams, Between the two branches of the Sowams River, now known as the Palmer's and Harrington Rivers, lies the tract of land called Chachacust by the Indians, and New Meadow Neck by the whites. This latter name it received as early as 1653, for in an agreement between the delegates of Reho- both and the proprietors of " Sowams and Parts Adjacent," I find the following record, dated the 29th June, 1653 : "The Towne of Rehoboth shall make suffiscient Fence to keepe horses and cattle from rangeing into the neck of land called the New Meadow Neck and maintaine the same." This neck has an average width of one, and a length of three miles. The western neck of land now occupied by a portion of the town of Barrington, lies between the Barrington and Warren Rivers on the East, Narragansett Bay on the South, and Providence River on the West, of irregular shape and containing about nine square miles. The Indian name was Popanomscut, or Peebee's Neck, with the exception of the northwestern part, which was called Wannamoisett. In the Proprietors' Records as early as the sth of March, 1679, I find reference made to Popanomscut, under the name of " Phebe's Neck," so called from a sachem under Philip, named Peebee. The southeasterly part of Popanomscut was known by the Indian name of Chachapacassett, or Little Neck. At the upper end of this neck is a noted spring called Scamscam- muck Spring. This neck of land was called Rumstick as early as 1697. Why or by whom so named is unknown. Norse scholars regard the word of Norse origin and proof that the Northmen traversed the waters and named the lands on Narragansett Bay. Tradition tries to solve the mystery of so curious and equivocal a title, by saying that a barrel of rum floated high and dry upon the beach, and the treasure was considered of such great value that the event was celebrated by so free a distribution of the contents that the term high and dry could be truthfully applied for several days to all the dwellers thereabouts. EUMSTICK AND NAYATT. 37 Another story goes, that while the Indians were removing the aforesaid treasure of " strong water," for which they had a most wonderful liking, the hoops broke, the barrel burst, and the spirits of rum sank into the sand, while the Indians^ spirits sank within them, and in sad disappointment over their loss, they lifted up the mournful lamentation: "Rum stick htre ! Rum stick here ! " Whatever may have been the views and tastes of the aboriginal inhabitants on the tem- perance question, and their actions in that locality, we are very sure that a more summary fate would befall such arti- cles should they land within the same waters to-day. West of, and about one mile from Chachapacasset Neck, is the point and section of land well known as Nayatt, still bearing its Indian title, though spelled Nayot in the old rec- ords. This point extends southwest into Narragansett Bay and was the nearest approach of the territory of the Wam- panoags to the Narragansetts, who occupied the lands at and adjoining Conimicut Point, in Warwick, opposite Nayatt. North of Nayatt, and separating it from a tract of land called by the Indians Annawomscutt, is a creek known by the name of Mouscochuck, now used as a canal by the New England Brick Company and on which their manufactory is now situated. Annawomscutt brook or creek flows into the bay west of the station at Drownviile, and the section now known as Drownviile bore the title of the brook, Annawom- scutt. In the grand deed to the proprietors, one other creek is referred to under the name of Mosskituash, which, in the language of the Wampanoags, means a place where grass or rushes grow, and of which the natives made their beds or couches. Mosskituash Creek is within the Wannamoisett bounds, and empties into Bullock's Cove near the Viall Burying Ground. The name Wannamoisett applies to the section about and east of Riverside. It was a favorite resort of the Indians as it included the long neck since called Bullock's Neck, the 38 THE HISTORY OF BAKEINGTON. shores of which furnished quantities of shell fish, and the cove and bay were literally alive with fish. Captain Thomas Willet and John Brown, John Viall, and families dwelt at Wannamoisett and their graves are with us at Little Neck even to this day. In every tribe of Indians there was a chief or head-man or head-woman to whom the rest paid deference on account of age, stature, strength, or prowess. Among the Wampa- noags, the chief sachem at the time of the arrival of the Plymouth settlers was Osamequin or Woosamequin, better known as Massassoit. He died in 1661, according to the judgment of the settlers at nearly eighty years of age, as " he was a man in his best years" in 1621. Morton says of him : " In his person he is a very lusty man, in his best years, an able body, grave of countenance and spare of speech ; in his attire little or nothing differing from the rest of his followers, only in a great chain of white bone beads about his neck ; and at it, behind his neck, hangs a little bag of tobacco, which he drank and gave us to drink. His face was painted with a sad red like murrey; and oiled both head and face, that he looked greasily. All his followers likewise were, in their faces in part or in whole, painted, some black, some red, some yellow, and some white ; some with crosses and other antick works ; some had skins on them and some naked ; all strong, tall men in appearance. The king had in his bosom, hanging in a string, a great, long knife." For some time before his death, " good old Massassoit," as he was known to the whites, became quite inactive and his oldest son, Wamsutta or Mooanam, took upon himself the governmental affairs of the tribe. On his father's death he and his brother, Metacom, requested the Governor of Plymouth to give them English names. Governor Prince complied with their request and gave Wamsutta the name Alexander, and Metacom the name Philip, after the great Macedonian conquerors, at which they were much pleased. Alexander, the eldest son, was chief sachem for only two INDLAJSr AGEICULTTJRB. 39 years, when at his death, he was succeeded by his brother, Phih'p, in 1662. He held the chief sachemship of the tribe until his death in 1676, at Mount Hope. The name of Philip's wife was Wootonekanuske. Among the sagamores or sub-sachems of the Wampa- noags may be named Watuspaquin, often called by the English, the Black Sachem ; his son, William ; Uncompoin ; Umnathum or Munashum, known as Nimrod ; Annawan ; Conbatant, Peebee, Tavoser, Capt. Wispoke, Woonkapone- hunt, Awashonks, Weetamoo, and others. These under- chiefs or rulers of divisions of the tribes were the counsel- lors of the great chief and formed the council to declare war or transact general business for the whole tribe. The New England tribes including the Wampanoags were an agricultural people, cultivating corn, beans, tobacco, squashes and other products of the soil. They also sub- sisted on the wild game of the forests and the fish of the fresh and salt waters. The Wampanoags had a rich soil to cultivate along our rivers and Bay and obtained a plentiful supply of fish from the waters and shores of Narragansett Bay. Rogers Williams speaks of the "social and loving way of breaking up the land for plahting corn. All the men, women and children of a neighborhood join to help speedily with their hoes, made of shells with wooden handles. After the land is broken up, then the women plant and hoe the corn, beans and vine apples called squash which are sweet and wholesome ; being a fruit like a young pumpkin, and servingalsofor bread when corn is exhausted." Indian corn was the staple food, parched, pounded to meal and mixed with water. Winslow speaks of a meal of corn bread called mozium, and shad roes boiled with acorns, which he enjoyed at Namasket. Parched meal was their reliance on their journey, and of unparched meal they made a pottage called " nassaump," whence the New England " samp." " For winter stores the Indians gather chestnuts, hazel-nuts, walnuts, and acorns, the latter requiring much soaking and boiling. The walnuts they use both for food 40 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. and for obtaining an oil for their hair. Strawberries and whortleberries were palatable food, freshly gathered, and were dried to make savory corn bread." Strawberries were abundant and the modern strawberry shortcake was antici- pated by the Indians in a delicious bread made by bruising strawberries in a mortar and mixing them with meal. Sum- mer squashes and beans were their main dependence next to corn. The fur-bearing animals of the forests furnished both food and covering for bodies and wigwams. Shell and fin- fish were very abundant. Clams, oysters, quahaugs, scallops could be obtained with little labor and the fish that now fre- quent our bays and rivers were more plentiful than they have been known to the whites. The luxury of a Rhode Island clam bake was first enjoyed by our Indian predecessors. It was the good fortune of the writer, in ex- cavating the ground for a cellar at Drownville to exhume an oven, used for baking clams, about eighteen inches below the surface of the soil. The coals and shells on the saucer- shaped oven of round stones were evidences of aboriginal use and customs. The women cultivated the crops for the most part and were the burden bearers of the fish and game taken by the men. "A husband," says Williams, " will leave a deer to be eaten by the wolves rather than impose the load on his own shoulders. The mothers carry about their infant pap- pooses, wrapped in a beaver skin and tied to a board two feet long and one foot broad, with its feet hauled up to its back. The mother carries about with her, the pappoose when only three or four days old, even when she goes to the clam beds and paddles in the cold water for clams. It is evident that in their wild state, no large number of them could subsist long together, because game on which they principally lived, was soon exhausted, and hunger compelled them to scatter. This state of existence always forced them to live in small clans or families. Venison and fish were dried and smoked for winter's supplies. In providing the z o c INDIAN DWELLINGS. 41 food for the household, the labor was divided quite un- equally. It was manly for an Indian to hunt and fish, but the cultivation of the fields and gardens was wholly woman's work, as was the digging of clams and the procuring of all other shell fish. The cooking was also woman's prerogative, so that with the Indian the old couplet was not wholly inapt : "Man's work is from'sun to sun; Woman's work is never done." The Plymouth settlers described the houses of the Indians as follows : "They are made round, like an arbor, with long, young saplings stuck in the ground and bended over, covered down to the ground with thick and well wrought mats. The door, about a yard high, is made of a suspended mat. An aperture at the top served for a chimney, which is also provided with a covering of a mat to retain the warmth. In the middle of the room are four little crotches set in the ground supporting cross-sticks, on which are hung whatever they have to roast. Around the fire are laid the mats that serve for beds. The frame of poles is double matted ; those within being fairer." These frail houses were easily transported with their simple furnishings from place to place, wherever their busi- ness, hunting, fishing, or comfort might lead them. Their houses were removed to sheltered valkys or to dense swamps in the winter, and in the summer were pitched in the vicin- ity of their cultivated fields or fishing stations. Roger Wil- liams says that on returning at night to lodge at one of them, which he had left in the morning, it was gone, and he was obliged to sleep under the branches of a friendly tree. It can be truthfully said of the Indians that they had no continuing city or abiding place, but like the Indians of the Northwest of our day, outside of reservations, wandered about from place to place as their physical necessities or caprice moved them. As they had no land titles, each fam- ily was at liberty to go and come, within tribal limits, with none to let or hinder. It is certain that there were fixed 42 THE HISTOKY OP BAREINGTON. haunts or rendezvous, inland and on the shores of the Bay, called villages, where they spent considerable time, either in summer or in winter. Thus Philip passed the summer in and about Mt. Hope Neck, and it is popularly stated that he lived at Mt. Hope ; while in winter his home, if we may so call a movable wigwam, was about the inland lakes or ponds of his possessions. One of these favorite winter resorts of King Philip is said to have been in the pine forests on the banks of Winneconnet Pond, in the town of Norton, Mass., within the Pokanoket Territory. Banks of clam and oyster shells, Indian arrowheads and stone implements of husban- dry and housekeeping are the best evidences of the localities where the Wampanoags made their residences. The friendly alliance entered into between the Pilgrims of Plymouth. and Massassoit in 1621, not only established a lifelong friendship between the parties, but also secured to Carver, Winslow, Bradford, Standish, and their associates "all the lands adjacent, to them and their heirs forever." It is true that the letters patent of the New Plymouth Colony included all the lands between the Atlantic Ocean on the east and south, the Cohassett River on the north, and the Narragansett River on the south, (as stated by the patent), "to the utmost bounds and lymetts of a country or place in New England called Pocanacutt allis Puckanakicke allis Sowamsett, westwards. Together with one halfe the said river called the Narragansett." For all that, the first set- tlers would not intrude on forbidden soil or steal territory, then held by peaceable occupants. Hence their policy of purchasing Indian lands was strictly adhered to, paying therefor to the full satisfaction of the owners. The Rehoboth purchase was made by John Brown and Edward Winslow of Massassoit in 1641, including a territory about ten miles square, but described as "eight miles square," "to Red Stone Hill, VIII miles into the land and to Annawamscote, VII miles down to the water." This land included the present towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk, East Providence, and Pawtucket. ■WANNAMOISETT. 43 A second tract was also purchased called Wannamoisett, the bounds of which included the southern part of the pres- ent town of East Providence and the north of Harrington, with a part of Seekonk and Swansea. In 1645, the Indians agreed to remove from Wannamoisett for a consideration of fifteen pounds sterling, and Mr. John Brown of Plymouth and Rehoboth accepted the terms of the sale, receiving for his purchase Wannamoisett Neck " with twelve acres lying at Wachemoquit Cove." It is described as "that neck of land called and known by the name of Wannamoycett Neck, from the salt water where the Indians had formerly made a hedge, ranging unto the north end of the Indian field and so round about the said Indian field unto the salt water." In the agreement as to fences, Mr. Brown promised " not to make any sutch ffence so fare into the salt water upon the westerly side of Wanomoycet Neck as shall bare out hoggs from claming, nor from the south point of the said neck ; a quarter of a mile on the east part of said neck." This pur- chase of Mr. Brown included Bullock's Neck and Riverside and extended northward probably to and including Kettle Point in East Providence, with twelve acres at Watche- moket. Mr. Brown was already a large land holder in Plymouth Colony at Plymouth and Rehoboth, and by this purchase became one of the largest in the Colony. He made his residence at Wannamoisett and with his son in law, Thomas Willet, and his son, James, formed the nucleus of a settlement on the main road near what is now the village of Riverside in East Providence. Mr. Brown's house was built on the east side of Moskituash creek and Mr. Willett's near Mr. Brown's on " Oxbow creek." The chimney of the Willett house is standing as a land mark of the location of the first settlement in the Wannamoisett Purchase. " Sowams and Parts Adjacent " were sold to Thomas Prince, Thomas Willett, Myles Standish, and others by Massassoit in the year 1653, for £^$ sterling. This pur- chase included the present town of Barrington and parts of Bristol, Warren, and Swansea. 44 THE HISTOEY OF BAKEINGTON. In 1 66 1, Wamsutta, or Alexander, son and successor of Massassoit, as chief sachem of the Wampanoags, sold to Thomas Willett and others a tract of land called the Reho- both North Purchase "For divers good causes and other val- uable considerations." This territory includes the present towns of Cumberland, R. I., and Attleboro, North Attle- boro, and parts of Norton and Mansfield, Mass. Wrentham was sold to Dedham by Philip in 1662. The Indian name was WoUomonopoag, a territory six miles square, at a cost of £,2\, los. Mattapoisett was sold to Hon. William Brenton of Newport in 1664. The deed was signed by Pometacom alias Philip " Chief Sachem of Mt. Hope, Cowsumpsitt, and of all Territories thereunto belonging." His wife also signed this deed. Acushena and Coaxet were quitclaimed by Philip in 1665, but sold by Massassoit. Philip received £,\o for marking out the bounds of the old purchase, also a horse from Plymouth Court. In 1665, Philip went to Nantucket to assert his authority over that island, where for the time his sway was called in question. In 1666, all the meadow lands from Dartmouth to Matta- poisett were sold by Philip to Constant Southworth for £,\ 5. In 1667, Philip sold to Thomas Willett a tract between the Wanascattaquet & Cawatoquissett, 2 miles long and i broad for ;£io." In 1668, Philip sold to several English people a tract of seven square miles adjacent to Pokanoket. The same year Philip and Uncompoin made quitclaim to lands on New Meadow Neck for ;^ii pounds to Thomas Willett, Mr. James Brown and John Allen, in behalf of themselves and the rest. In 1669, Philip sold to Hugh Cole and others 500 acres of land in Swansea on the west side of the River now known as Cole's River. Other deeds are on record from the Chiefs to the Ply- PURCHASE OP INDIAN LANDS. 45 mouth settlers, in all of which was the recognition of the rights of the Indians to the soil, and a satisfactory consider- ation rendered therefor, which speaks well for the just treat- ment accorded them by our ancestors. Gov. Winslow writing in 1676, says " I think I can clearly say, that be- fore these present troubles (Philip's War) broke out, the English did not possess one foot of land in thiS' Colony, but what was fairly obtained by honest purchase of the Indian proprietors. We first made a law that none should pur- chase or receive of gift, any land from the Indians, without the knowledge or allowance of our court, at a penalty of five pounds per acre. It was also provided that Mt. Hope, Po- casset and several other necks of the best lands in the Col- ony, should never be bought out of their hands." He also writes still further : " Our neighbors at Reho- both and Swansea, although they bought their lands fairly of this Philip and his father and brother, yet because of their vicinity, that they might not trespass upon the Indians, did, at their own cost, set up a very substantial fence quite across that great neck betvveen the English and the Indians ; and paid due damage if at any time any unruly horse or other beasts broke in and trespassed. The English agreed with Philip and his for a certain sum, yearly, to maintain the said fence and secure themselves. And if at any time they have brought complaint before us they have had justice impartial and speedily, so that oiir own people have frequently com- plained that we erred on the other hand in showing them over much favor." It is true that the prices paid for lands and other com- modities may seem ridiculously small, as when Roger Wil- liams bought the island of Rhode Island for forty fathoms of white beads, the Swedes obtained the site of Christiana for a brass kettle, and New Haven was sold to the whites "for twelve coats of English cloth, twelve alchemy spoons, twelve hoes, twelve hatchets, twelve porringers, twenty-four knives, and twenty-four cases of French knives and spoons". But it must be remembered that a knife, a spoon or a hatchet 46 THE HISTOEY OF BAEBINGTON. was of greater value then than now, and that the Indians a higher value on a knife or a gun, than on hundred acre land, so that as the Indians themselves rested satisfied content with their bargains, we should consider the contr of our ancestors with them as business-like and honorabl Concerning the mental and moral qualities of the War noags, we may infer that they were " men of like pass with ourselves," in the main characteristics of natural dowments. In abilities of mind and body, they were equals, if not superiors, of other savage tribes. Nature taught them the law of retaliatory justice and a wrong benefit was never forgotten, and was always rewardec kind. With narrower intelligence than the whites, t exhibited what all inferior people excel in, cunning, intri, and jealousy, as compensations in the struggle of Superstition was their religion. The Great Spirit wa them omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, a revela of the divine, as true as the Jewish race ever enshri monotheism. Bravery, a stoical indifference to pain, fatigue, and de undying friendship, and persecuting hatred were element their faith. Their heaven had no cowards, no adulterers weak, complaining men, "with women's hearts." Their tues made them heroic. Their vices never degraded tl to brutes, until they made contact with the demorali; influences of civilization. They perished as a race as hei ally as they lived. The tragedy of Philip's War termina fittingly and pathetically, the race, which had it remainec our territory, would only have cumbered the ground which they dwelt. CHAPTER V WINSLOW'S VISITS TO MASSASSOIT AT SOWAMS Winslow and Hopkins Visit Massassoit, March, 1621 — Reception at Sowams — Winslow and Hampden, in 1623 — Massassoit Sick — His English Physicians Cure Him — Winslow's Fees Promptly Paid — The Well Trodden Trail to Sowams — ^A Memorial on New Meadow Neck to John Hampden. THE introduction between the Pilgrims and Massassoit, in March, 1621, as already described, was the first contact and bond of union between the whites and the natives. The visit of the Indians was kindly reciprocated in July of the same year, when Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins were dispatched on a visit to Sowams. This was the first attempt of the English to explore the interior, their object being to gain a knowledge of the Pokanoket country, the land of the Wampanoags, "to apologize for some misbe- havior, to establish and to regi^late an intercourse, to pro- cure corn, and to strengthen their mutual good understand- ing." Up to this time the Pilgrims had not set foot outside their little settlement, but now with Squanto as guide, they proceeded on their western exploration, with an intrepidity akin to that of those who now attempt the like service on the frontiers of the far west. They bore as gifts to the Indian chief a horseman's laced coat of red cotton and a chain. The party set out on foot on the morning of the 3d of July, 1621, and at three p. m. of the same day were re- ceived with joy at the Indian village of Namasket, in Middle- boro', and were refreshed by an Indian repast of bread called mozium, made of Indian corn, and also with the roes of shad, which were boiled with acorns. Eight miles fur- ther on, they reached the Titicut River, where they found 48 THE HISTORY OF EAEEINGTON. the Namasket Indians fishing at a weir, where they c plenty of bass. The natives exchanged provisions shared their lodgings with them in the open fields at i The land was well cleared and productive, and the evid were manifest of many settlements along the banks o stream but the pestilence of the previous years had bd fatal that the living were unable to bury the dead, and Indian skeletons lay bleaching on the ground. Six ( natives joined them in the morning on their journey about three miles below the Taunton Green they reac fording place where two old Indians on the west bank c stream prepared to resist their passage. A show of fi ship and a bracelet of beads conquered their hostile s and the emigrants or ambassadors were received wit kindest welcome, the natives vying with each other ir of hospitality, by giving them food, by carrying th( their arms over the small rivers, and by kindred acts o ility. In passing down the Taunton River they founc dences that the country had been recently thickly sei but rank weeds spread over the fertile soil, and desol now reigned throughout the country. Traveling on through the Indian country, known as tapoyset, in the eastern part of Swansea, they came t Indian village, where they were fed with fish and oy and in the afternoon arrived at Sowams, the residen Massassoit. They discharged their muskets as a salu the grand sachem, and received from him a hearty welc The coat and chain pleased the chief and his people hi and Massassoit pledged them his constant friendship, f ised to prevent any further molestation by his people a: send seed corn to Patuxet or Plymouth as they reque He then addressed his own people, spoke of his exte dominions, and encouraged trade with the English, all his greatness, however, the royal commissariat was ited to two fishes to be distributed between forty gu and between scanty food, filthy cabins, and sleepless ni they were compelled to frame excuses for a hasty depai WDSrSLOW'S SECOND VISIT. 49 and on Friday morning before sunrise they turned their faces towards Plymouth with Tokamahamon as guide. A two days' trip, by the same route as they came, brought the embassy home again, to relate to their friends the wonders of the new country and to receive their congratulations over their successful mission. Winslow and Hopkins were the first white men who ever trod this soil of whom we have any reliable record. Their mission was a peaceful one ; they little dreamed, perhaps, that night as they slept by the side of the powerful sachem, that in fifty years or a little more, the little settlement at Plymouth would have extended its plantations and its government, too, over the whole forty miles which they had traversed. And the kind-hearted Indian king had no conception of the fact that half a century would witness the white man's cabin, where then the smoke of his wigwam ascended, or that a new civilization would so soon, if ever, plant its foundations upon the ruins of this early barbarism. In March, 1623, tidings came to Plymouth that Mas- sassoit was sick and likely to die, and also that a Dutch vessel had been stranded near his residence. The Indians, when sick, always expected aid from their friends. It therefore seemed best to Governor Bradford to send another party to visit the chief and to have a conference with the Dutch. The talents of Edward Winslow, his former visit, his friend- ship to Massassoit, and his knowledge of the Dutch lan- guage marked him as the most fit man for the expedition. With him went as a companion, an English gentleman whose home was in London but who was sojourning at Plymouth, and who greatly desired to see the Indian country. For this young man fate had in store a most glorious future. To him it was reserved to take the lead of the English people in their struggle against the arbitrary power of the Crown, and to shed his life blood in that great contest which gave to England a free constitution. His name was John Hampden, and it is fitting that his name should be perpetuated in Harrington History, in i 50 THE HISTOEY OF BAKKINGTON. memory of the visit made to Massassoit in 1623. An Indian, Hobbamock, went as a guide, for Squanto, Winslow's guide in his first visit had died some time before. The story is given in Winslow's own graphic words, though his account is some- what shortened. " We set forward and lodged the first night at Namasket.* The next day, about one o'clock, we 'Came to a ferryf in Conbitants country. Upon my dis- charging my piece, divers Indians came to us from a house not far off. There they told us that Massassowat was dead and that day buried. This news struck us blank, but especially Hobbamock, who desired we might return with all speed. I told him I would first think of it, considering now that he being dead, Conbitant was most like to succeed him, and that we were not above three miles from Matta- puyst, his dwelling-place. Although he were but a hollow- hearted friend to us, I thought no time so fit as this to enter more friendly terms with him and the rest of the sachems thereabout ; and though it was somewhat dangerous in respect of our personal safety, because myself and Hobba- mock had been employed upon a service against him which he might fitly revenge, yet esteeming it the best means, leaving the event to God in His mercy, I resolved to put it in practice if Master Hampden and Hobbamock durst attempt it with me ; whom I found willing to that or any other course might tend to the general good. So we went toward Mattapuyst. In the way, Hobbamock brake forth in these speeches : ' My loving sachem, O my loving sachem ! Man have I known, but never any like thee.' And turning him to me, said, whilst I lived, I should never see his like amongst the Indians ; saying he was no liar, he was not bloody and cruel like other Indians, from anger and passion he was soon reclaimed easy to be reconciled toward such as had offended him ; and that he governed his men better with few strokes than others with many ; truly loving where he loved ; yea he feared we had not a faithful friend left among Middleborough, Mass. f Across the Taunton River. MASSASSOIT's SICIOfESS. 51 the Indians ; showing how he oftimes restrained their malice, etc., — continuing a long speech with signes of un- feigned sorrow. "At length we came to Mattapuyst and went to the sachem's place, but Conbitant was not there but at Pucka- nokick, which was five or six miles off. The sachem's wife gave us friendly entertainment. Here we enquired again concerning Massasowat ; they thought him dead but knew no certainty. Whereupon I hired one to go with all expedi- tion to Puckanokick that we might know the certainty thereof, and withal to acquaint Conbitant with our there being. About half an hour before the sun setting the mes- senger returned and told us he was not dead, though there was no hope we should find him living. Upon this we were much revived, and set forward with all speed, though it was late within night ere we got thither. When we came thither we found the house so full of men as we could scarce get in, though they used their best diligence to make way for us. They were in the midst of their charms for him, making such a hellish noise as it distempered us who were well, and therefore unlike to ease him that was sick. About him were six or eight women who chafed his arms, legs, and thighs to kfeep heat in him. Having understanding left, but his sight wholly gone, he asked who was come. They told him, Winsnow, for they cannot pronounce the letter 1, but ordi- narily use n in place thereof. He desired to speak with me. When I came to him, and they told him of it, he put forth his hand, which I took. Then he said twice, though very inwardly, ' Keen Winsnow .' ' which is to say, 'Art thou Winslow .' ' I answered, 'Ahhe,' that is yes. Then he doubled these words^: ' Matta neen wonchanet nanem, Wins- now ! ' that is to say, ' O, Winslow, I shall never see thee again.' Then I called Hobbamock and desired him to tell Massasowat that the Governor, hearing of his sickness, was sorry for the same, and though by many businesses he could not come himself, yet he sent me with such things for him as he thought most likely to do good in this extremity, and 52 THE HISTORY OF BAREINGTON. whereof if he pleased to take I would presently give h which he desired, and having a confection of many comf able conserves on the point of my knife, I gave him so which I could scarce get through his teeth. When it dissolved in his mouth he swallowed the juice of it, whe; those about him rejoiced, saying he had not swallowed < thing in two days before. Then I desired to see his mo which was exceedingly furred and his tongue swelled in s a manner as it was not possible for him to eat such raea as they had. Then I washed his mouth and scraped tongue. After which I gave him more of the confect which he swallowed with more readiness. Then he des to drink ; I dissolved some of it in water and gave thereof. Within half an hour this wrought a great alt tion in him in the eyes of all that beheld him. Presei after, his sight began to come to him, which gave him us good encouragement. I inquired how he slept, and t said he slept not in two days before. Then I gave him n and told him of a mishap we had by the way, in breakir bottle of drink, saying if he would send any of his mei Patuxet, I would send for more of the same ; also for ch ens to make him broth, and for other things which I ki were good for him ; and would stay the return of his r senger if he desired. This he took marvelous kindly, appointed some, who were ready to go by two of the c] in the morning ; against which time I made ready a lette " He requested me that the day following I would t my piece and kill him some fowl, and make him some E lish pottage, such as he had eaten at Plymouth, whi( promised. After, his stomach coming to him, I must ne make him some without fowl, before I went abroad, caused a woman to bruise some corn, and take the fl from it, and set over the broken corn, in a pipkin, for t have earthen pots of all sizes. When the day broke we v out, it being now March, to seek herbs, but could not any but strawberry leaves, of which I gathered a han and put into the same ; and because I had nothing to re THE SICK SACHEM. 53 it, I went forth again and pulled up a sassafras root and sliced a piece thereof and boiled it till it had a good relish, and then took it out again. The broth being boiled I strained it through my handkerchief, and gave him at least a pint, which he drank and liked it very well. After this his sight mended more and more ; also he took some rest ; insomuch as we with admiration blessed God for giving His blessing to such raw and ignorant means, himself and all of them acknowledging us the instruments of his preservation. "That morning he caused me to spend in going from- one to another amongst those who were sick in the town, re- questing me to wash their mouths also, and give to each of them some of the same I gave him, saying they were good folk. This pains I took with willingness, though it were much offensive to me. After dinner he desired me to get him a goose or duck, and make him some pottage therewith with as much speed as I could. So I took a man with me, and made a shot at a couple of ducks, some six score paces off, and killed one, at which he wondered. So we returned forthwith and dressed it, making more broth therewith, which he much desired. Never did I see a man so low brought, recover in that measure in so short a time. "About an hour after he began to be very sick, cast up the broth, and began to bleed at the nose, and so continued the space of four hours. Concluding now that he must die, they asked me what I thought of him. I answered, his case was desperate, yet it might be would save his life ; for if it ceased in time, he could forthwith sleep and take rest, which was the principal thing he wanted. Not long after his blood stayed and he slept at least six or eight hours. When he waked I washed his face, and bathed and supplied his beard and nose with a linen cloth. But on a sudden he chopped his nose in the water and drew up some therein, and sent it forth with such violence as he began to bleed afresh. Then they thought there was no hope, but we perceived it was but the tenderness of the nostril, and therefore told them I thought it would stay presently, as indeed it did. 54 THE HISTORY OF BABKINGTON. "The messengers were returned ; but finding his stoma come to him he would not have the chickens killed, but ke them for breed. Many whilst we were there came to s him ; some by their report, from a place not less than a hi dred miles. To all that came, one of his chief men relat the manner of his sickness, how near he was spent, how 1 friends, the English, came to see him, and how suddenly recovered to him this strength they saw. Upon this rec( ery, he brake forth unto these speeches ; ' Now I see t English are my friends, and love me, and whilst I live I w never forget this kindness they have showed me.' Bei fitted out for our return, we took our leave of him ; who turned many thanks to our Governor, and also to ourseh for our labor and love ; the like did all that were about hi So we departed." Says Cotton Mather, " The fees he (Massassoit) paid 1 English doctor, were a confession of the plot among seve: nations of the Indians to destroy the English." This infi mation was most timely to the English, and enabled them ward off the threatened conspiracy which had been form between the Massachusetts tribe and the people to the sou and west of Plymouth, which Massassoit had been oft and urgently solicited to aid in carrying out. The cause the jealousies and combinations against the whites at tl time was owing to the unkind treatment of the natives b] company of men called "Weston's Plantation of Settler: from the name of their leader. The character of these s tiers was profligate and unprincipled, and after they h become reduced to extreme penury by their idleness and d solute habits, excited the ill-will of the Indians by fraudult dealings and by theft. Massassoit advised Winslow, tl the English should make an immediate attack upon the M sachusetts, lest after the tribes had destroyed the Weymoi settlement, they should fall upon the people of Plymoi and easily destroy them. The prompt and- brave action Miles Standish, with his "little army of eight men," so put an end to this destructive plot, by the slaughter o FAITHFULNESS OF MASSASSOIT. 55 few of the leaders among the Massachusetts and the disper- sion of the rest into unhealthy swamps where disease and death made conquest of many of them. When the pious Robinson heard of these deeds, he was much grieved and said, " Oh that you had converted some, before you had killed any." Thus the humane acts of Winslow and Hampden, in saving, by providential aid, the life of Massassoit, were repaid by friendly counsels, which preserved the infant col- ony from complete extermination. While an Indian's revenge is proverbial, his gratitude should also be kindly remembered, and the dwellers in Plymouth and Bristol counties ought ever to cherish in grateful memories the name of Massassoit of Sowams, who saved their ancestors and their colony from a premature and inevitable destruc- tion. The path broken and trodden between Sowams and Ply- mouth by the pioneers, Winslow, Hopkins, and Hampden, became in process of time a well-beaten highway for the in- terchange of the products of the chase for the implements of civilization used in husbandry and hunting. Although as the elder Cushman justly said, " the first care of the Ply- mouth adventurers was to settle religion before either profit or advantage," yet the circumstances of their colonization demanded the utmost use of every opportunity offered to secure money, to repay their outfit and the traders who had aided their establishment in the new world. They were not greedy of amassing money or lands for their own sake, so much as to meet the large demands made upon them in the first years of their settlement by the London and Plymouth merchants. From England they received cloth, coats, hatchets, hoes, knives, kettles, plates, shoes, powder, shot, and guns. These they exchanged with the Indians for the furs of beaver, mink, and otter, and the skins of deer and foxes, which they shipped to England ; and their tours of inspection among the Massachusetts, the Kennebecks, the Wampanoags, and the Manhattoes, were mainly to secure friendly commercial relations. 56 THE HISTORY OP BAREIKGTON. It is said that Gov. Winslow, on his return from a wes tour, visited again his friend Massassoit, whom he solic to accompany him to Plymouth. When they approached settlement, the chief sent an Indian messenger privj to infom the whites that Winslow was dead. Great | came over them at such tidings, until the arrival of party, when to their happy surprise Winslow made his pearance with the rest. When asked why he sent such v Massassoit replied, " That they might be the more gla see him when they came." While Squanto and Hobbar acted as agents for the colonists in their traffic, freq visits were undoubtedly made by the leading men of P outh. Among these we may mention the names of I^ Standish, Thomas Willett, and John Bi-own, and w not wonder that as they looked out upon the charming 1 scape and waterscape at Mattapoysett, Sowams and I nomscutt, they should have selected these lands for occ tion, in preference to the bleak shores of old Plymouth. "As early as 1632, the Plymouth settlers had establi a trading post at Sowams," says Mr. Miller in his stoi the Wampanoags, which he says " was supposed to 1 been located on the Barrington side of the river, on the known as Phebe's Neck." Hither the Dutch ships can trade with the Indians and white settlers, bringing Euro] wares to exchange for furs. So attractive was the nai scenery of this section, the soil was so rich, and the pos: of the lands as related to the Bay and its harbors so adapted for commerce, that the business men of the Co saw at Sowams their great opportunity, telling Mr. Willi and John Clarke that " this was the garden of their pate and refusing to allow Mr. Clarke to settle his colony thei Had they done so, the first planting of Newport would 1 been on Barrington soil, and the city by the sea might have been, in that century at least. The Rhode Island Historical Society has made spi note of this important visit of Winslow and Hampde Massassoit at Sowams by asking the Providence, Wa a C z z n 7- JOHN HAMPDEN. 57 & Bristol Railroad Directors to change the name of their station at Chachacust or New Meadow Neck, from New Meadow Neck to Hampden Meadows and the erection of a tablet on the depot, with the following inscription : This Station is Called HAMPDEN MEADOWS In accordance with a recjuest of the Rhode Island Historical Society. In the early colonial days the name "Meadows" was GIVEN to the tracts OF LAND "RUNNING AS FAR BACK FROM THE river AS THE SOFT GRASS WOULD GROW." The name Hampden commemorates the visit of Edward Wins- low AND John Hampden to this region in 1623. In March of THAT YEAR, NEWS REACHED PLYMOUTH THAT MasSASSOIT WAS SICK AND LIKELY TO DIE. ACCORDINGLY EdWARD WiNSLOW (AFTERWARDS Governor of Plymouth Colony) was sent to visit the Indian SACHEM at his VILLAGE OF SoWAMS, AND TO CARE FOR HIM IN HIS SICKNESS. With him went "one Master John Hampden, a gen- tlemen OF London, who then wintered with us and desired MUCH TO SEE THE COUNTRY." It IS CONFIDENTLY BELIEVED THAT future historical research will prove unquestionably that this young man afterwards became the great parliamentary Leader and statesman whose glory is the common heritage of THE English race. March, 1S90. CHAPTER VI THE SOWAMS PLANTATION Purchase of Sowams — Original Proprietors — Foundation of New land towns — Deed of Massassoit, 1653 — Agreements of Propr — Division of Lands, 1660 — An Account of the Founders — W Bradford — Myles Standish — Edward Winslow — Thomas Pri Josiah Winslow — Thomas Cushman — Thomas Willett. THE first settlers at Plymouth were granted three ' tracts of land for themselves and their associate letters Patent from King James, — one at Patuxet or mouth, another at Kennebec, Maine, and the third at P noket or Sowamset. As the chief men had invested f in the enterprise to a considerable amount proportional their means, and had, up to 1638, been assigned or small quantity of the land at and near Plymouth includi the Patent, it was decided by the Court after hearing debating the matter, that the leaders in the immigri who had disbursed large sums of money, namely Mr. I ford, Mr. Prince, Captain Standish and the rest of the ners should make choice of two or three places for thei and ownership, and it was agreed " that there shall 1 more Plantations erected until the Purchasers (01 comers) have made their choice." This privilege wai promptly used, for we find under date of 1652, tha General Court considered the matter, confirming the ac the year 1638, and requiring " the old comers or Purch to take up their particular proportions of land withii precincts of the three former specified places," within teen months next ensuing. This legislation led the colonial partners to prompt action in the selection and chase of the lands at Sowams. The original agreeme as follows : PROPEIETOES AGREEMENT. 59 " The first originall agreement of the proprietors under their hands upon the Grant of the Court concerning each one's part in the lands at Sawomes and Mattapoysett Dated ye 7th month, 1652. The names of those who by order of Court and agreement of purchasers at Plymouth to make purchase and division of the Lands as are at Sawomes and Mattapoysett the seaventh month 1652 who are to have their severall Pts or moyeties Layed out at the places above expressed and are to make and satisfie the purchase and all other charges arriseing thereupon according to their several proportions. Their names are as folloeth : Mr. William Bradford, Mr. Thomas Prince, Mr. Edward Winslow, Mr. John Adams, Mr. Cushman, Mr. John Winslow, Thomas Clarke, Experience Mitchell, Mr. Thomas Willett, Mr. White, Mr. Myles Standish's half pte. one moyety. one half pt. all his portion, his whole portion, his whole pte. all his pte. his half pte. his half pte. his pte. his pte. Wee whose names are above expressed doe here by engage ourselves to make good whatever charges shall arise in the further prosecution of the premises above mentioned it being brought in upon account, witness our hands ye day and year above written. William Bradford, Thomas Prince, Thomas Willett, Edward Winslow, Thomas Cushman, Thomas Clark, John Winslow, Experience Mitchell, Knelm Winslow, Resolved White, | by our Peregrine White, ) father. Myles Standish." 60 THE HISTORY OP BAKEINGTON. Other Proprietors from 1653 to 1797. James Brown, John Allen, John Viall, John Saffin, Henry Smith, Samuel Newman, Resolved White, Nathaniel Peck, Israel Peck, Joseph Chaffee, Jonathan Bosworth, Abraham Perrin, Joseph Peck, Anthony Low, John Paine, John Butterworth, Daniel Allen, Samuel Low, Samuel Brown, Simon Davis, Thomas Turner, Josiah Turner, Samuel Humphrey, James Smith, Ebenezer Tiffany, James Adams, John Baker, Matthew Allen, Thomas Hill, Daniel Hunt, Nathaniel Viall, Solomon Peck, Joshua Bicknell, Samuel Viall, Josiah Humphrey, John Brown, Stephen Paine, Peter Hunt, Philip Walker, Thomas Chaffee, Nathaniel Chaffe Stephen Paine, ^ Samuel Walker, Noah Floyd, Joshua Smith, Samuel Peck, Nathaniel Paine, John Peck, Thomas Barnes, Samuel Barnes, Thomas AUin, Jonathan Viall, Samuel Allen, Benjamin Viall, Joseph Brown, Ebenezer Allen, Samuel Barnes, Zachariah Bickn Benjamin Browr James Brown, Ji Daniel Brown, Hezekiah Brown Charles Brown, Joseph Wheator Peter Brown, Jacob Chandler, Ezra Kent, Jun., Oliver Brown, John R. Richmc Solomon Tovvns( SOWAMS PXJBCHASE. 61 Jesse Brown, Isaac Brown, William Hunt, Nathaniel Heath, Elkanah Humphrey, John Humphrey, Ebenezer Peck, Solomon Peck, Jun. Allin Viall, In 1653, we find that they purchased Sowams of Mas- sassoit and formed the Plantation into a Proprietary under the name of "Sowams and Parts Adjacent." Sowams or Barrington had been known to the settlers from 1620, through their frequent visits to Massassoit, their constant friend and benefactor. From its beautiful location on Nar- ragansett Bay and Pawtucket River, its intersection by several streams, the fertility of the soil and the large quantity of salt and fresh meadows, with plenty of timber for building and fuel, it was called " The Garden of the Colony." The social, civil and business relations of the Pilgrims made their society a pure Commonwealth. With the ex- ception of the ownership of house and garden by the indi- vidual settlers, all things were for common possession or pro- tection. At first one acre was allowed to each for present use, then two, afterward sixteen, and at the end of ten years from the landing at Plymouth, many of the settlers pos- sessed large tracts of land. As their numbers and pos- sessions increased, other plantations or settlements grew up around Plymouth, each with its church as the centre of population, as at Duxbury, Marshfield, and Scituate. The lands in that section were held by occupancy or by grant from the Plymouth Court, the title being sometimes con- firmed by royal patent. With reference to Indian purchases, the Court ordered that no title to land should be valid unless confirmed by it. In order to secure larger areas of land, of which they soon became greedy, several persons united in the purchase of a large tract of the Indians and, on application to the Court, the purchase was confirmed and a charter issued to the purchasers under the title of a Pro- prietary, the owners of which were styled proprietors. 62 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. After settlements had been made on the proprietors' la sufficient numbers to justify the formation of a townsh act of incorporation was granted, by which the propri was erected into a town, all unsold lands remaining ii hands of and under the control of the proprietors. As we have seen, Massassoit had already made a f( transfer of all his territorial possessions and allegiar King James in 162 1. In order to secure a more valic personal title, the " old comers " sought and secured ' great Sachem, a deed of such land as they had been ■ to take up by the Plymouth Court. Their selectic eluded the territory of Barrington' and parts of the pr towns of East Providence, Seekonk, Swansea, Warret Bristol, known to the proprietors and described in records as "Sowams and Parts adjacent." This de supposed to have been the last which Massassoit si, and in which he earnestly urged the proprietors to inse clause, " never to draw away any of his people to the ( tian religion," for he, with consistent faith, believed the Great Spirit would preserve his race, only as th mained loyal to their heathen worship, while the Pilg with a better knowledge and a purer faith, sought tablish Christianity as the basis of their civilization, wil feeling that the latter was dependent on the former f perpetuity and progress. The following is a copy of the deed from Massassoi Alexander to Thomas Prince and others, dated Marc 1653, and is the basis of all real estate titles in Barrin THE GRAND DEED OF SAILE OF LANDS From Osamequin and Wamsetto, his son, dated March, 1653. To ALL PEOPLE to whome these presents shall 1 Osamequin and Wamsetto his eldest Sone Sendeth grei Know yee, that wee the said Osamequin and Wamsetf & in Consideration of thirty-five pounds sterling to i DEED OF MASSASSOIT. 63 said Osamequin and Wamsetto in hand payd By Thomas Prince Gent ; Thomas Willett Gent ; Miles Standish Gent ; Josiah Winslow Gent ; for And in the behalfe of themselues and divers others of the Inhabitants of Plimouth Jurisdic- tion, whose names are hereafter specified, with which said summe we the said Osamequin and Wamsetto doo Acknowl- edge ourselues fully satisfyed, contented and payd, haue freely and absolutely bargained and Sold Enfeoffed and Con- firmed and by these presents Doo Bargaine Sell Enfeoffe and Confirm from us the said Osamequin and Wam- setto and our and Euery of our haiers unto Thomas Prince, Thomas Willett, Miles Standish, Josia Winslow, Agents for themselues and William Bradford Senr Gent ; Thomas Clark, John Winslow, Thomas Cushman, William White, John Adams and Experience Mitchel, to them and Euery of them, their and Euery of their haiers and assigns forever : All those Severall parcells and Necks of upland, Swamps and Meadows Eyeing and being on the South Syde of Sink- hunch Els Rehoboth Bounds and is bounded from a Little Brooke of water, called by the Indjans, Mosskituash West- erly, and so ranging by a dead Swamp, Eastward, and so by markt trees as Osamequin and Wamsetto directed unto the great River with all the meadow in and about ye sides of bothe the branches of the great River with all the Creeks and Brooks that are in or upon any of the said meadows, as also all the marsh meadow Lying and being with out the Bounds before mentioned in or about the neck called by the Indians Chachacust, Also all the meadow of any kind Lying and being in or about Popasquash neck as also the meadow Eyeing from Kickomuet on both sides or any way Joyning to it on the bay on Each Side. To HAUE AND TO HOLD all the aforcsaid upland Swamps Marshes Creeks and Rivers withe all their appurtinances unto the aforesaid Thomas Prince, Thomas Willett, Miles Standish, Josia Winslow, and the rest of the partners afore- said to theme. And Every of them their and Every of their haiers Executors And assignes for Ever And the said 64 THE HISTORY OF BAKEINGTON. Osamequin and Wamsetto his Sone Covenant promii grant, that whensoeuer the Indians shall Remoue fn Neck that then and from thenceforth the aforesaid T Prince, Thomas Willett, Miles Standish, Josiah W shall enter upon the Same by the same Agreement a Proper Rights And Interest to them and their hal Ever. To and for the true perforemance of all and Every the aforesaid severall Perticulars wee the said Osan and Wamsetto Bind us and every of us our and every haiers Executors and Administrators and Assignes i by these presents. In witness whereof wee haue hereunto sett our ham Scales this twentieth day of March, anno Domini 1653 Signed, Sealed and Delivered, in ye presence of us. The marke of u John Browne, Osamequin & a (S James Browne, Wamsetto M & (5 Richard Garrett. The first business of the Sowams Land Company w division of the grant into lots and the assignment to holders by lot, of a particular portion of the uplanc meadows, the meadows being the salt and fresh grass on the borders of the rivers and smaller streams, these natural grasses grew abundantly, without cultiv In the Sowams Plantation, each of the original lots of 1; contained eighty acres, and a whole share entitled th shaser to one hundred and sixty acres of land. The m land was divided into lots of ten acres each for each 1 holder. Sometimes the share of uplands and meadow was laid out in two localities, in order that an equal q as well as quantity might be assigned to each. The Second agreement of the Proprietors about the devition lands at Sawomes, March 11, 1653. It is agreed and concluded by the company of partners yt arf ested at Sawomes that there shall be twenty lots of Land Layed E i FREE SCHOOL AND CHUKCH. ^5 each lot containing eighty acres in as convenient a form as may be ; and for the deviding of it as we are agreed yt every half share put in a lot and the whole shares shall put in two Lots and whomever shall be the first draw shall have the first choice as his lot comes south and so the second and third and the rest successively, and these lots to be drawn as scone as may be after it is see devided, provided that every whole share shall have twenty acres alowed them either at the heads of their Lotts or in such other places as shall be thought meet. And as touching the meadows it is agreed that all our meadows shall be laid out into ten acre shares as the former, having respect to Quantity and Quality and that the whole shares shall chuse three Lots on the Neck at one end, and shall have other three lots apoynted by the half shares on the other side Sawomes River lyeing also at one end and together in lew of that which was formerly allotted equally to half shares and whole shares and the persons that are made choice of to make these devisions above said are Capt Myles Standish, Mr Brown, Capt Willett and Mr. Thomas Clark or any three of these. And we whose names are under written doe bind ourselves to stand to what they shall doe in the premises abovesaid. William Bradford, Josiah Winslow, Thomas Prince, Resolved White, John Brown, Thomas Clark, Thomas Willett, Myles Standish, John Winslow. Knelm Winslow with the consent of John Adams and for his use. Besides the "home lots" and meadow lots there were other lands styled " pastors' and teachers' lots," from the income of which money was obtained to aid in the support of the minister and teacher of the plantation or township. Thus our forefathers recognized religion and education as foundation principles of the town and provided that both agencies should have a permanent place in the establishment of our free institutions. A godly ministry and a free school were the establishments which will stand as the monuments to the far-sighted wisdom of these early pioneers on Barring- ton soil. Whittier interpreted the thought of our Pilgrim sires in " Our State." 5 66 THE HISTOKY OF BAEKINaTON. " For well she keeps her ancient stock, The stubborn strength of Plymouth Rock; And still maintains with milder laws, And clearer light, the Good Old Cause. Nor heeds the sceptic's puny hands While near her school the church-spire stands ; Nor fears the blinded bigot's rule. While near her church-spire stands the school." As good settlers made good neighbors, the purchase Sowams lands were specially careful to select the bes this civil plantation and to ensure the preservation ol high quality of future inhabitants, the following agreei was entered into by the proprietors. It will be noticed unanimous consent and not majority rule prevailed in early day as to the admission of new inhabitants to thf tlement. An agreement under ye hands of ten of the Proprietors in order settlement of the Lands aforesaid, Dated December 25 : 1660. Wee whose names are here under written the proprietors of Lands called and known by the name of Sawomes Lands doe i mously and Joyntly binde our selves and covenant to perform peticu'f. 1. That none of us shall at anytime Let or sell any of the said 1 to any stranger that is not allready a proprietor with us witho Joynt Consent of us all subscribed under our hands vidt, neither u nor meadow. 2. That Henry Smith of Rehoboth be the man to measure all ] yt is to be measured out and Appertaining unto any of us and that two or thre of our selves are to be preasant with him to see it done. 3. That Thomas Willett by way of exchange is to have thirty Ac upland measured out adjoyning unto the land of his formerly mea out by William Carpenter having the Towne fence on the Nortt and the Land of John Brown on the South Side and Mr. Willet Leave the home Lot formerly Lay'd out for Elder Cushman in o «ration of the same, being of the quantity of thirty acres to Lye coi Amongst us. John Brovstn, Peter Hunt, Thomas Willet, Hebtry Smith, Stephen Paine, Phillip Walker, Joseph Peck, Thomas Chafey, John Allen, Samtjel Newman. THE POUNDEES OF BAEEINGTON. 67 The original purciiasers and active agents in the settle- ment of Swansea and Barrington were the same men who made Plymouth Colony famous and early New England his- tory illustrious. We cannot make this fact too prominent that the real founders of our section were the very people who landed on Plymouth Rock and planted at Plymouth the first free, democratic government of the world. Their names were : Governor William Bradford, Thomas Clark, Captain Myles Standish, John Winslow, Governor Thomas Prince, Knelm Winslow, Governor Edward Winslow, Experience Mitchell, Governor Josiah Winslow, William White, Captain Thomas Willett, Resolved White, John Adams, Peregrine White. Thomas Cushman, William Bradford was the second governor of the Colony of Plymouth, succeeding Governor Carver, who died in 162 1, holding the office with the exception of four years, until his death in 1657, a period of thirty-one years. Some of his descendants, bearing his name, now live in Bristol, R. I. Gov. Bradford was a passenger in the Mayflower as were also Myles Standish, Edward Winslow, William White and Peregrine White, the first child born in New England. John Adams, Thomas Cushman, and Thomas Prince arrived at Plymouth on the Fortune in Nov. 1621. Bradford was the second signer of the Plymouth compact on board the May- flower. Myles Standish was the military Captain of the Colony holding this office until his death in 1655. Baylies says, he was an accurate surveyor and generally on Committees for laying out towns. " He was always the military Com- mander, always one of the Council of war, generally an assistant ; sometimes first assistant or deputy governor and treasurer." His visits to Massassoit and his general ex- ploration of the country enabled him to gain a complete knowledge of the different sections of the Plymouth Patent and the reservation of Sowams and its occupation in 1653 68 THE HISTOKY OF BARRINGTOK. were undoubtedly due to Standish's preference for this s tion, calling it as he did, " the garden of the colony." A cent writer says of him, " He was an iron-nerved Purit who could hew down forests and live on crumbs." Edward Winslow, born 1594, died 1655, was one of most influential men of the Colony and was elected its G ernor in 1633, 1636 and 1644. He was the first to imp neat cattle into the Colony. He was also an assistant many years. His visits to Massassoit are recorded another chapter. Thomas Prince was first an assistant and was elec Governor of the Colony in 1634 and in 1638, and at death of Gov. Bradford in 1657, was re-elected Goveri and continued in that office several years, until his death 1673. He was also for several years a Commissioner Plymouth Colony. Josiah Winslow was the son of Gov. Edward Winsl and was also Governor of the Colony from 1673 to 16 during the trying period of the Indian War. He was Assistant for several years, the military commander 1659, and a commissioner for many years. His biograpl says of him : " Civic honors awaited him in his earli youth; he reached every elevation which could be attair and there was nothing left for ambition to covet." Thomas Cushman was a ruling elder in the Plymoi Church from 1649 to 1691, succeeding Elder Brewster. ] was a man of distinguished piety and great worth. Thomas Willett was not only one of the proprietors of t town but was one of its most eminent citizens. He m most properly be called the leader among the founders this ancient town, and for talent, energy, integrity and telligence, is entitled to honorable remembrance by t present and future inhabitants of this and other commu ties. Although several of the adjoining towns lay claim him as the principal man in their foundation, his history 1 longs most properly to Swansea, where he fixed his re dence, spent the last years of his life, and where the mor THOMAS WILLETT. . 69 part of him now rests. Mr. Willett was of English descent and a merchant by profession, and, like his friend and associate, John Brown, became acquainted with the Ply- mouth adventurers while travelling on business in Holland. The attachment which he formed for the Pilgrims, led him to spend much of his time with them, while he was engaged at Leyden and Amsterdam, and the mutual "good liking" led him to embark, while a young man of nineteen years, to try with them the hardships and strange experiences of the western world. Although we know nothing of his physical appearance, we fancy that he was resolute, ambi- tious and independent, intelligent by reason of his business and travels, and fluent in the use of the English and Dutch languages. Savage thinks that Mr. Willett came in the ship Lion, in 1633, from Leyden to Plymouth. This date is in- correct, for in Winthrop's Journal, vol. i, page 322, he is men- tioned as being at Kennebec in 1629, and in a copy of "Al- den's Collection of Epitaphs," once owned by the Hon. Samuel Davis, of Plymouth, a renowned antiquarian, is the following marginal note in Mr. Davis' handwriting : — " Mr. Willett came to Plymouth about 1629, and lived there until about 1664, then went to Swanzey. S. D." His life in Holland had given him an intimate knowledge of the Dutch manners, customs and language, which made his services invaluable in the adjustment of the difficulties arising be- tween the English settlers and the Dutch at Manhattan. With our present impressions of his character and business talent, it is easy to understand why the people of Plymouth sent this youth of twenty into the forests and among the savages of Maine as their agent to superintend their business at Kennebec. Coolness, energy, and courage were needed for such a duty at such a post, and he was equal to the po- sition. Mr. Winthrop relates the following singular anec- dote of him, while residing there. "At Kennebec, the In- dians wanting food, and there being store in the Plymouth trading house, they conspired to kill the English there for their provision ; and some Indians coming into the house. TO THiB HISTOEy OF BAERIN6T0N. Mr. Willett, the master of the house, being reading thi Bible, his countenance was more solemn than at othe times, so as he did not look cheerfully upon them as he wa wont to do ; whereupon they went out and told their fel lows that their purpose was discovered. They asked then how it could be. The others told them that they knew it b] Mr. Willett's countenance, and that they had discovered i by a book he was reading. Whereupon they gave ove their design." He continued at Kennebec, as agent, for si: years or a little more, when he returned to Plymouth, an( on July 6, 1636, married Mary, daughter of John Brown then one of the Assistants in the government of Plymouth From Plymouth he removed to Dorchester and returne( again to Plymouth between 1641 and 1646. In 1647 ^^- Willett was elected to the command of thi military company at Plymouth, as successor of Myles Stand ish. Since the settlement at Plymouth, this brave warrio and statesman had quelled the rising hostilities of thi natives by prompt and decisive action, and Standish, wh( had never feared to face mortal dangers, now resigned th( sword to the no less brave and patriotic Willett. The cap taincy of the Plymouth militia was no sinecure's office, an( the duties were sterner than a holiday parade. The leader ship in such a time indicates a rank which in the times o the revolution might have secured the victories of Saratogi or Trenton, or in the Great Rebellion have achieved thi glories of Vicksburg or of Gettysburg. In 165 1, we find the name of Capt. Thomas Willett amonj the assistants in the Plymouth Court, an office to which hi was annually elected till 1665, when other business obligei him to decline a position which he had filled for fourteei years with great usefulness to the colony and with signa honor to himself. The first evidence of his removal from Plymouth to Reho both, is found on the town records, under date of Feb. 21 1662, when in town meeting it was voted " that Mr. Willet should have liberty to take up five hundred or six hundrei THOMAS -WILLBTT, MAYOR OF NEW YOEK. 71 acres of land northward or eastward, beyond the bounds of our town, where he shall think it most convenient for hini- self." In the same year Captain Willett obtained consent of Plymouth Court and the town of Rehoboth, to purchase a tract of land of Alexander, son of Massassoit, which was called Rehoboth North Purchase, now Attleborough, Massa- chusetts, and Cumberland, Rhode Island, with a part of Mansfield and Norton. He was also the original purchaser of Taunton North Purchase and several other tracts of land in this part of the colony. He surrendered his title to these lands to the Plymouth Court in 1666, and his name appears first among the proprietors of the Attleborough lands. The four or five hundred acres of the lands in the Rehoboth North Purchase were given him by special grant. This land lies on the Seven Mile River, and has always borne the name of Willett's Farm. Captain Willett's residence at this time was at Wannamoisett, in the western part of Old Swan- sea, and within the territory of Harrington, as originally laid out in 17 17. In 1664 His Majesty sent Nichols, Carr, Cartwright, and Maverick as a commission to visit the several colonies of New England, " to hear and determine complaints and appeals in matters civil, military, and criminal." When they attempted the reduction of the Dutch at Manhattan, Captain Willett accompanied them from Plymouth as a counsellor and inter- preter, and he appeared to have greatly recommended him- self to the commissioners by his activity and intelligence. Colonel Nichols in a letter to Governor Prince, after the sur- render of the Dutch, requested that Captain Willett might have such dispensation from his official engagements in Plymouth Colony, as to be at liberty to assist " in model- ling and reducing the affairs in those settlements into good English." He also remarked that Mr. Willett was better acquainted with the manners and customs of the Dutch than any Englishman in the country, and that his conversation was very acceptable to them. In answer to this request of Nichols, Capt. Willett was 72 THE HISTOKY OF BAREINGTON. relieved from his position of Assistant in the colony, a pos he had honorably held since 1651, and entered upon th more difficult and responsible labor at New York. Th Dutch, whose hostility to the English was very great, wer to be reconciled, and the hatred of the Indians, whose enmit; had been excited by the Dutch, was also to be appeased. H succeeded so well in adjusting these serious difficulties, ani harmonizing discordant elements, that his popularity no only entitled him to the title of " Peacemaker," but securei his election as the first Mayor of New York, after the orgar ization of the government. His integrity and ability woi for him a second election to that office, and he was als^ chosen as an umpire to determine the disputed boundar between New York and New Haven colonies. He was als a Commissioner of the Confederate Colonies of New Eng land. As his name occurs in connection with certain office in Rehoboth in 1664 and 1665, it is probably true that hi retained his residence at Wannamoisett, and his interest ii town affairs also, and that he returned from New York prio to 1667. In this year, as we have previously seen, his nami appears first on the list of those to whom "liberty hath beei formerly granted to become a township there (at Swansea if they should see good." The three proposals for citizen ship were prepared by him and adopted by his associates That portion of Wannamoisett on which his residence hac been built was now included v/ithin the town of New Swan sea, and he with John Myles may be considered the father of the town. It is not known in what year he built hii house, but the site of it is known to be the same as that 01 which the house of the late Mr. Samuel Viall stood, in th( south part of East Providence. The house was burnec in 1892, and the chimney alone is standing. Thi bricks in this chimney are the same as used by Mr Willett in the construction, and were either made by th( Dutch in New York or imported from Holland. There wen two doors in this house which were taken from the ok house, and which preserved the somewhat fantastic an< CAPTAIN THCJMAS WILLKTT CHLMM-A'. MB. willbtt's family. . 73 ornamental painting of two hundred years ago. One of the original doors taken from Captain Willett's dwelling, and his sword, are said to be in the possession of the city of New York. On the opposite side of the road from his house, was a log house or fort, used as a defence from the Indians before and during Philip's war, and was. known as Willett's Garrison. From New York, he returned to and resided on his farm at Wannamoisett during the remainder of his life, and filled the highest offices of trust and use- fulness in the society. "He maintained through life an exalted character for piety and probity, and was not inferior to any of the Pil- grims in any of the high qualities which rendered them so illustrious as the founders of a great people." Baylies, page 8, vol. iv. He died at home, August 4, 1674, in the 64th year of his age, and was buried near his residence, on a point of land at the head of Bullock's Cove. A thick, rough stone marks his grave, on which may be read, carved in rude letters, the following inscription : MDCLXXIV. Here lyeth the body of the Worthy THOMAS Vi^ILLETT, Esq;, Who died August ye 4th, in ye LXIVth yeer of his age Anno. — Who was the first Mayor of New York And twice did sustain the place. His wife, Mary (Brown) Willett, died in 1669, and her remains lie near her husband's. His second wife, Joanna, the widow of the Rev. Peter Prudden, whom Capt. Willett mar- ried on the 19th September, 1671, died, according to the inscription on her gravestone, in 1699, aged sixty-five. Captain Willett had thirteen children by his first wife, several of whom survived him. Their daughter Mary mar- ried Rev. Samuel Hooker, of Farmington ; Martha married 74 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. John Saffin, a merchant of Boston, and afterward a resident of Swansea and Bristol ; Sarah married Rev. John Eliot, son of the Apostle to the Indians ; Esther married Rev. Josiah Flint, of Dorchester ; Samuel, the youngest son, moved to Long Island and was Sheriff of Queens County. His son Edward, who lived to the great age of ninety-three, was the father of thirteen children, one of whom, Marinus Willett, of New York, was a soldier of distinction in the Revolution, and afterwards was elected Mayor of New York. Tradition says that he was also a worthy patriarch of thir- teen children. Hezekiah Willett, son of the Captain, a young man of unusual promise, was shot by the Indians dur- ing Philip's war. Not aware of danger, he was shot dead by three bullets, near his own door ; his head was cut off, and his body left on the ground. The family name has passed out of existence in the town, but the descendants, as well as the name, are numerous in New York and other parts of the country. The names of Adams, Clark, Mitchell, -the Winslows, John and Knelm, the Whites, are familiar to all and suggest families of the highest rank and respectability in the earlier and later history of our colony. It is good to remember that these first proprietors at Plymouth were also the first owners of the lands of Barrington and Swansea, and some of the adjoining towns, and that we can trace our land titles directly to their ownership, nearly two and one-half cen- turies ago. These men and women attempted to repeat on Swansea and Barrington soil the experiment of a free gov- ernment and a liberal religious faith, which had been the motive of their lives in coming to this new land. CHAPTER VII SOWAMS RECORDS Plymouth Proprietors — Division of Lands and Land Titles — The Sowams Records— Rehoboth, Differences and Agreements — Titles to lands — Proprietors' Lands as Divided. THE original proprietors of Sowams dwelt at Plymouth and the neighboring towns. As this was the capital town of the colony, it was the most convenient place for assembling the proprietors for the transaction of all business connected with the division and settlement of the territory under their charge, and here the first meetings of the orig- inal owners of all the Plymouth colony proprietorships were held. These joint stock companies purchased the lands, assumed all charges with reference to the survey and divi- sion of them, and sold, as occasion offered, to those who wished to become actual settlers on them. Often the same men held shares or interests in several proprietaries, just as now a man may hold shares and a control in several banks. The democratic principle of majority rule usually prevailed in their business relations, an.d their records were kept by an officer called the Proprietor's clerk. The settlers' titles to the lands were secured by the Indian deeds and confirmed by grants from the Plymouth Courts. The several divisions of the land were recorded by the clerk, and this record constituted each proprietor's claim to the lands. Legal sales were confirmed by deeds, which are the first land records in our town and county offices. The first business of the proprietors was the division of the whole of the land grant into shares, and the assignment to each share of a particular portion of the upland, both timbered and cleared. Each of these lots consisted originally of eighty acres, and a whole share was entitled to two lots or one hun- 76 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTOIST. dred and sixty acres. The land was surveyed and divided on this plan, the length of the lots extended east and west, and they were numbered one, two, three, etc., .commencing on the south line of the grant. The fresh and salt meadows adjoining the creeks and rivers, were divided into lots of ten acres each, as far as could be. Sometimes the share of meadow lands was in two localities, in order that an equal quality as well as quantity might be assigned to each. While carefully consulting for their business prosperity, the early settlers did not forget that the highest success of their undertakings depended not only on the planting of good settlers as the basis of a thriving town, but also in the encouragement of education, morality, and religion as agen- cies in sustaining its truest interests ; hence, we find their first acts were to establish a godly ministry and an efficient system of public schools. In order that the pastor and teacher might receive a part of their support, independent of the usual contributions of the people, certain lands were set apart, called " the pastor's and teacher's lands," and "school lands," the proceeds of which aided in their main- tenance. These lands were set apart and used as funds for these noble purposes, until, by a multiplication of church interests, the establishment of several churches, and the divisions of the old town, they have been sub-divided and sold for the benefit of each particular interest which claimed them. Besides the "home lots," as they were called, "the meadow lots " and " pastor's and teacher's lots," the remaining patches of undivided lands, lying in parcels of a few acres each in different parts of the town, were called " common lots," subject at any time to the disposal of a majority of the proprietors, and the proceeds to be used for their common benefit. The proprietor's records of Sowams are of great value to Barrington, relating as they do to the acts of the first set- tlers, and the land divisions of the town of Barrington. This book of records is in the office of the town clerk of Barrington. SOWAMS RECORDS. 77 The superscription on the old book is : MEMORIALL OR BOOKE OF RECORDS OF YE SEVERALL DIVISIONS & BOUNDS OF YE LANDS AT SAWOMES ALS. SA- WAMSETT & PARTS ADJACENT PURCHASED OF YE GREAT SACH- EM OSAMEQUIN & WAMSETTO HIS ELDEST SONNE BY CERTAINE GENTLEMEN OF YE ANCIENT INHABI- TANTS OF YE COLONY OF NEW PLYMOUTH IN N. E. BY ORDER OF YE GEN'EL COURT. AS BY DEED BEARING DATE TWENTY NINTH DAY OF MARCH i6s3 May Apeare. Mr. James Brown, Mr. John Allen, Mr. John Viall, and Mr. John Saffin and divers other proprietors petitioned the Court at Plymouth to allow them the " choice of some person as a Cleark to enter and record the severall devitions and alienations of these their lands," " for the right and legal settlement of those our severall estates of land," " to the end that peace and good agreement may be continued amongst them as they are a Community and that every of them may legally and peacably enjoy his own." The original agree- ment or copartnership, is dated the 7th month 1652, and appears on page 59. Then the deed of Osamequin or Mas- sassoit under date of March 20, 1653, follows, and appears on page 62. The next record was an agreement made between Stephen Payne, Richard Bowen, Thomas Cooper, and William Sabine, delegates of Rehoboth, and Capt. Myles Standish, Captain Thomas Willett, and Josiah Winslow of the Sowams pur- chase, concerning such lands and all other matters as were in difference between them. The differences related first to the boundary line and fence dividing Rehoboth and Sowams 78 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. purchases, and second to the rights of Rehoboth to sal meadows at the place now known as Hundred Acre Cov( and along the banks of Runen's River. This agreemen was as follows : 1. That all such marsh or meadow Lyeing on either side of the rive Running under the Bridge commonly called Bowen's Bridge or the com mon ffence and usually called the hundred Acres, which said Meado\ were AUoted in severall Allotments at the first settling of the Towne. Al those Meadows are to Remain unto the Severall Inhabitants of the Town as their true Proprities. 2. That all such Lands as the Towne of Rehoboth formerly passe over unto Mr. John Browne by an agreement of such Articles as no\ stand in the Towne Booke bearing the date the 29th, loth month, 1645 and also recorded in the Court of Plymouth the Summe of the said Land so many Acres as the said Lands shall arise unto when it is measurei shall be Layd forth for the use of the said Capt. Miles Standish, Capt Thomas Willett, Josia Winslow, and the rest, on the north side of th Lyne betwixt the Towne and the markt trees neere to Mr. Browne' ffence from the salt water to the river called Bownes Bridge River. 3. For all such marshes as lye on the west side of the river runnin] down toward the Common ffence and Butting on the East End of som house Lotts now layd forth. If ye said Capt. Standish, Capt. Willetl Josia Winslow, and the rest shall desire the same at any tyme hereaftei they shall have them allowing the true valuation thereof out of sue! Meadows as lyes upon ye west shoare of Sawams River at the upe End of the same as shall be valued by two Indifferent men. 4. That the Towne of Rehoboth at any time within three years afte the date hereof shall Remove the Common ffence and in the meantim Sufficiently repair the Same. And when they doe Remove ye same the; shall Sett it upon their own Land in the Lyne betwixt the Towne and th( Parties aforsa"" from the salt water at High water marke of Patuckitt int( the River running under Bowens Bridge & uphold itt. 5. The Town of Rehoboth shall make a sufficient ffence to keep horses and cattle from Rangeing into the neck of land called the nei Meadow Neck and maintaine the same. 6. That Timber on Ether side shall be Lawf uU to be made use of fror time to time for the Meadows aforesaid for their fencing. 7. That ffor such meadows as Lye to the north Syde of the grea Plaine it shall be LawfuU for the Towne to make vse of untill ye afore said Persons interested doe see cause to vse ye sd meadows, or if att an time they shall sell them, the Towne to have ye first refusall of Buyin them. Stephen Payne, Thomas Cooper, Richard Bowen, William Sabin. SOWAMS AND EEHOBOTH. 79 A supplementary agreement was made between the same parties nine years later, 1662, which set other important matters of dispute between Rehoboth and Sowams at rest. It was as follows. January the 29th, 62, A new Contract or agreement was made betwixt Capt. Thomas Willett and the rest of the purchasers and the Towne of Rehoboth to prevent both preasant and future Trouble as also for the preservation of their mutual peace to them and their successors. At a full Towne meeting Lawfully warned it was voted and concluded by the Towne that Capt. Thomas Willett and the rest of the purchasers their heirs and successors should have seaven score Rod of Land and the fence upon the neck from their Line towards the Towne and soe rangeing from the river Commonly Called Patuxet river across the Neck to the river by Bowens Bridge and forty rod of Land on the New meadow Neck and the fence from there Lyne towards the Towne Cross the neck towards broad Cove. Provided the Towne their heirs and successors should forever be freed from all former ingagements or Covenants of either making or uphold- ing any fence or fences upon the forementioned Neck or Necks. To which proposition Capt. Willett and the rest of the purchasers assented and Capt. Willett promised to deliv"' to the Town the wrightings in conven- ient time. Ensine Smith and Phillip Walker, Joseph Peck and Nicholas Peck were chosen by the Town and purchasers to Measure out the lands and the charges to be equally Divided. This forementioned vote was assented to by the Towne save only Gil- bert Brooks and John Woodcock who declared their dissent. The differences between the Sowams and Rehoboth people need a little explanation. "The river running under the bridge called Bowen's Bridge River," now known as Runen's River, is the fresh water tributary of the Barrington river flowing South from Seekonk. It received its name from Richard Bowen, a large proprietor of lands along this stream. As is well known there were and are extensive fresh and salt meadows on both sides of this river and about Hundred Acre Cove, which were eagerly sought for by the early settlers of Rehoboth, to furnish food for cattle and horses in the winter. The possession and taxation of these meadows furnished occasion for dispute between the two communities for nearly a century. Many portions of these 80 THE HISTORY OP BAEKINGTOK. meadows at "The Tongue," east and south of Nockum Hill, are still owned by descendants of the proprietors of Rehoboth. "The Common Fence" was built to establish the south boundary line of Rehoboth and to prevent in- trusion of cattle upon the lands of the Indians at Wanna- moisett and Sowams. It was built in obedience to the following vote of the town December 26, 1645. "Voted, that a fence shall bee made between the Indian lands, at the marked tree, from sea to sea, by the last day of the second month next, and the fence of five rails to be laid out by Robert Martin and Edward Smith and 2 more, and they shall begin at the East side of the Neck, and so to the West." This fence is de- scribed as a " five Rayle fence," extending from " Patuck- quet," now Providence river, to the river by "Bowen's Bridge," now known as Runen's Bridge, across the upper end of New Meadow Neck to Broad Cove, the name given to that part of Palmer's River, near Barneysville. In 1662, the boundary line between Rehoboth and Sowams was re- moved about half a mile to the North, thus giving to the Wannamoisett settlers a larger amount of territory in their plantation, on condition that the people on the south of the line should build and keep the fence in repair. This line began on the Providence River between the Pomham rocks and Silver Spring and ran in an easterly direction to the upper part of Barrington River, thence easterly across New Meadow Neck to Palmer's River, not very far from the present village of Barneysville. This line, established in 1662, became the northern boundary line of Swansea when it was laid out in 1667. It will be understood that the terri- torial troubles grew out of the indistinctness of metes and bounds in the Indian deeds, and it is greatly to the credit of the good sense and honorable dealing of the proprietors of the two settlements that matters were adjusted so peaceably and satisfactorily. Stephen Payne of Rehoboth and Thomas Willett of Sowams were the peacemakers of these ancient towns, and their example has been helpful to a DIVISION OP LANDS. 81 spirit of concession and comity between their successors in town affairs to the present day. While the contents of the Sowams Proprietors' Records contain matter of great interest to our readers, it is possible in this connection to give only a brief outline of these an- cient records. Under date of April 2, 1653, eight proprietors agreed to exchange certain common lands with John Brown. Dec. 28, 1676, an agreement was entered into relative to the undivided lands, the lands obtained by conquest of the Indians, and the laying out of convenient highways. Dec. 30, 1676, John Allen, Capt. John Brown, John Saffin, and Stephen Paine, Sen., or his son Nathaniel Paine, were chosen a committee to divide the lands, lay out the home lots, establish the bounds and describe the same, "and lay out convenient highways both public and private, as they shall in their judgement think needful." April II, 1679, it was agreed on laying out " the home lots butting upon the river," " the great lots extending from the large beach that buts upon the bay or great river," and run to a highway through the Dead Swamp, also, " that the lower part of the neck at the front of the said great lots that shall but upon the said lyne from the long beach, together with the little neck of land lying upon the river near Mr. Allen's meadow shall at present remain in Common." On the same day it was agreed to draw lots for the division of the great lots at Popanomscutt, and the lots fell in order to the following persons : Lieut. Peter Hunt, Thomas Chaffee, John Allen, Nathaniel Peck, Samuel Newman, Stephen Paine, John Saffin, James and John Brown. August 28th, the home lots at Popanomscutt were drawn in the following order by Lieut. Peter Hunt, Stephen Paine, John Saffin, Thomas Chaffee, Samuel Newman and partners, James Brown and John Brown, Capt. Willett's heirs, and Israel Peck and partners. 6 82 THE HISTOEY OF BAEEINGTON. On the isth of March, 1679, the proprietors of Popanom- scutt or Peebees Neck agreed as to the general fence' of the Neck near Mr. Anthony Low's land, the laying out of long lots and highways, that no lands should be sold until they had been proffered to a proprietor for purchase, and that the Neck should be kept enclosed "from the first of May to the nine and twentieth day of September, Michaelmas Day, and that the proprietors may each one have the benefit of the fence according to their respective shares." Jan. 14, 1680, it was concluded to lay out a highway V throVigh the midst of Chachapacassett Neck, of two rods wide," that a roadway be laid out for carting hay between the meadows and the upland, and that the lots begin on the west side of the highway of two rods wide and so around to Scamscammuck Spring ; that Mr. Allen have his allotment on the south side of his house lot, and to others in the fol- lowing order: Samuel Newman and partners, Nathaniel Paine and partners, John Allen, Nathaniel Peck and Israel Peck, James Brown, Lieut. Peter Hunt, John Saffin, and John Brown. Other lots were drawn by the same parties and by Jonathan Bosworth and Abraham Perren. These lands were at Rumstick or Little Neck. Sept. 29, 1 68 1, Captain John Brown was chosen as re- corder of lands and highways, and was sworn to the duties ■of Clerk by Daniel Smith, Asst. On Jan. 2, 1681, John Brown, John Allen, and John Saf- iin laid out the highways on Popanomscutt or Peebees Neck, ■first establishing the long lyne on the back side of the Dead Swamp and then " starting and marking out the meadows," ^salt) extending around what is now known as Rumstick Point from Scamscammuck Spring, " about the neck, untill you come to the uttermost extent of the meadows as Nay- eot." The Great Highway was laid out four rods wide, from " the longe lyne, or northerly bounds of the Neck," " down the said neck nearest upon a North and South lyne soe far as the home lots extend southerly," " to a highway four rods wide to the west side of Hydes Hole and from LAI>fDS AND HIGHWAYS. 83 thence towards the beach eighteen chains and of the same width." Also from and out of the southerly highway down the Little Neck called Chachapacassett, another highway two rods broad was run extending down to the meadows. — Also a highway out of the grand way at the head of the home lots, two rods wide, by land of Mr. Saffin towards Mr. Low's land, and easterly to the river. — Also another high- way from the grand highway to the river between the home lots of Thomas Chafee and John Safifin, two rods wide. The Committee also did " run out and mark the easterly side of Capt. Myles Standish deceased his lot, which runs upon a South lyne by the compass aforesaid down from the long lyne." The records continue, describing the sixteen divisions of the meadows salt and fresh at Kickemuit, Mount Hope, and Poppasquash Neck to Belcher's Creek and Popanomscutt. The original proprietors of these meadows in their order were Capt. Myles Standish, who sold to John Brown and Captain Thomas Willett; Experience Mitchell, who also sold to Brown and Willett ; John Adams, who sold to John Allen and Joseph Peck ; Resolved White, who sold to Stephen Paine ; Thomas Willett ; Stephen Paine and the Browns ; Stephen Paine, who sold to Henry Smith and Philip Walker ; Capt. Thomas Willett ; John Adams ; Thomas Clarke ; John Winslow, who sold to Stephen Paine, Anthony Low ; John Winslow, who sold to Stephen Paine ; Capt. Thomas Willett and Josiah Winslow, who sold to Stephen Paine and Peter Hunt. The bounds of these meadows are various and "illusory," — "A small black oak," " the head of a creek or cove which lyeth north and by east Easterly to Rocke Run," "below the said passage with canoes that is over against Job Winslow's now dwelling house," "a broakhen red oak tree ranging with three stakes or stones in the meadows," "a stake marked five on one side and six on the other," " the rocks by the ferry going over from Mt. Hope to Rhode Island which now belongs to the Paines," "aheap of stones at the poynt towards the 84 THE HISTOBY OF BAERINGTON. North," " the elm tree and willow bushes," " a white oak blown up by the roots," "a great white oak marked ten on the one side and eleven on the other," "a stake by the beach side by the head of a flaggy pond," " an ould stump upon the upland of Brooks Pasture, running from the stump upon a flatt rock." Under date of December 25, 1660, appears the following record : " We whose names are hereunder written the proprietors of these lands called and known by the name of Sowames lands do unanimously and jointly bind ourselves and cove- nant to perform these petitions. First. That none of us shall at any time let or sell any of the said lands to any stranger that is not already a proprietor with us, without the joint consent of us all subscribed under our hands, vid, neither uplands nor meadow. John Brown, Peter Hunt, Thomas Willett, Henry Smith, Stephen Paine, Philip Walker, Joseph Peck, Thomas Chaffee, John Allen, Samuel Newman. POPANOMSCUTT LANDS. The meadows, fresh or salt, about Popanomscutt or Peebees Neck, alias Barrington, were divided and owned as follows : The first lot, originally Thomas Clarke's and sold to John Allen, extended from Barrington Bridge along the Swansea or Sowams River to a point near Scamscammuck Spring. The next lot south, on the east side of Chachapacassett Neck, was owned by John Adams and Joseph Peck. Lot number three, beginning at " a great rock in the Bay," at the south end of the Neck, and extending about " Hide's Hole," was a common lot, and was bought by John Allen, the Pecks, Browns, Samuel Newman the Rehoboth minister, and others. NEW MEADOW LANDS. 85 Gov. Bradford owned the fourth lot, which extended along the Bay, from "Hide's Hole" towards Nayalt, and sold it to Rev. Mr. Newman, Nathaniel and Israel Peck. John Brown, Senior, was the proprietor of the lands from this tract to Nayatt Point, which were transferred to his sons, James and Capt. John Brown. " The next lot, originally Capt. Miles Standishes, begin- eth at Nayat beach or creek and takes in all the meadow of any sort or kind on both sides of the creek and takes in all the meadow of any sort or kind on both sides of Mousco- chuck northerly creek, and also on both sides the easterly creek and all the meadow on Anawomscutt creek so far up as the moable land lyeth according to the tenor of the grand deed, all which meadow situate lying and being on the east- erly creek and all the meadow on the east side of the north- erly creek and all the meadow on Nayett side pertaineth to Mr. James Brown and Capt. Brown. And all the other meadows on the West side of the northerly creek and all the meadows lying upon Anawomscut creek pertains to Capt. Thomas Willett since Alliannated to William Allen." LANDS UPON NEW MEADOW NECK AND WARREN AND PALMERS RIVERS. The first lot, commencing at Tyler's Point and extending along the shore of Warren River to Kelley's Bridge, was owned by Experience Mitchel and sold to John Brown, Senior. Above this lay a common meadow, which adjoined a lot of Thomas Cushraan's, bought by Thomas Willett. Gov. Prince owned the next lot on the north, and sold it to John Brown, Senior. Josiah and John Winslow owned the meadows about Bar- neysville, and Thomas Willett owned " two lots of meadow land called Broad Cove," supposed to be what is now the part of Palmer's River near Barneysville. John Adams chose the lands on the west side of Palmer's river, " over against Rocky River," and sold to Joseph Peck afo THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. and John Allen, Senior. His nearest neighbor on the north was John Winslow, who owned all the meadow and mowable land to the upper end of the Salt Marsh River, called New Meadow now Palmer's River. On the East side of the river, Josiah Winslow owned a tract " near or by the clay pits," where bricks were man- ufactured, above Barneysville. Lots two and three originally belonged to Thomas Cush- man, which he sold to Capt. Willett. They extended from the clay pits " to a white oake marked and blown up by the roots on an island of upland in the said meadow to a certain white oake tree on the upland likewyse blown up." A special bounty is offered to the person who will identify the last named bounds. The next lot begins " at the root of the white oak tree, where the two last lots end," and extends southerly. It was owned by the Whites, Peregrine and Resolved. The fifth and sixth lots lay to the west of Rock Raymond and Judge Haile's residence, and were owned by Josiah Winslow and Governor Bradford, and bounded by flat rocks and pine trees. * The last lot in this section was owned by Governor Prince, and extended along Belcher's Creek and Cove. Such is the summary of the meadow lands of the original proprietors, as attested by John Allen, Noah Floyd and John Brown, who were appointed in 1681 a committee to search, examine, and state these things to their best skill and ability. I have thus traced out these proprietorships at Sowams, that the o^vners thereof of to-day may know through what a noble line their heritage has descended, and if their pleasure in knowing fully equals my own in the research, we shall both be repaid by what might seem to some a tedious trial of one's patience, if not " Love's labor lost." FENCES AND LINES. 87 TOWN AND LAND FENCES. It was the custom in olden time,, not only to fence the lands of individuals, but also to surround the whole town- ship with a fence. At the first meeting of the original planters of Rehoboth, held at "Weimoth the 24th of the 8th month (October) 1643-" " It was ordered that those who have lottes granted and are inhabitants, shall fence the one end of their lottes and their part in the common fence, in the same time, by the 20th day of April next, or else forfeit their lottes to the disposal of the plantation." It will readily be seen that fencing "one end of their lottes," secured the inclosure of the whole plantation, while the "common fence" spoken of, probably refers to the fence which inclosed the whole town, built in common by the settlers. As the south line of Rehoboth was the north line of Sowams and afterwards of Swansea, a part of the " com- mon fence " or town fence here referred to, was the original boundary between the two settlements. This fence is de- scribed as a " five Rayle fence," extending from " Patuckquet,"' now the Providence River, to the river by Bowen's Bridge, which is now known as Runen's Bridge, across the upper end of New Meadow Neck towards Broad Cove, a name given to a part of Palmer's or Warren River, near the village of Barneysville. That portion of the line of fence between old Swansea and Seekonk, I have been able to trace a por- tion of the way between Providence and Runen's rivers, and suppose that it extended in nearly an east and west direc- tion between these rivers, and a considerable distance north of the present boundary line between Barrington and East Providence. The eastern, western, and southern boundaries of Sowams and of Old Swansea had a water enclosure with the exception of that part which adjoined the Indian settle- ments, and the territory of Montop Neck. A fence was built across the Neck near the present boundary line be- ! THE HISTORY OF BAREINGTON. i^een the towns of Bristol and Warren, and was the basis of . These several fences prevented the cattle, horses and jgs, which were allowed to run at large on the common nds, from making depredations upon the lands of the idians, which were not fenced, and also aided in preserving iendly relations between them and their more civilized iighbors. NAMES OF PROPRIETORS AT SOWAMS, PRIOR TO 168O. William Bradford, Thomas Prince, Edward Winslow, Thomas Cushman, Thomas Clark, John Adams, Josiah Winslow, Thomas Willett, John Brown, Stephen Paine, Joseph Peck, John Allen, Peter Hunt, Henry Smith, Philip Walker, Thomas Chaffee, Samuel Newman, Noah Floyd, Hugh Cole, John Myles, Sampson Mason, y> Obadiah Brown, Sen., Job Winslow, Richard Sharp, John Paddock, John West, John Thurber, Thomas Estabrook, John Winslow, Experience Mitchell, Knelm Winslow, Resolved White, Peregrine White, Myles Standish, Sen., James Brown, John Saffin, Nathaniel Paine, Stephen Paine, Jr., Israel Peck, Jona Bosworth, ^ Joseph Chaffee, Abraham Perrin, James Brown, Jr., John Vial, Nicholas Tanner, Samuel Luther, John Myles, Jr., William Ingraham, Jno. Butterworth, Benjamin Albee, John Martin, Gideon Allen, Nathaniel Toogood, John Cole, Joseph Carpenter, Anthony Low, NAMES OF PKOPEIETOES AT SOWAMS. 89 Timothy Brooks, John Crabtree, Thomas Barnes, John Wheaton, Jacob Ingraham, William Hayward, Samuel Woodbury, George May, Joseph Wheaton, Zachariah Eddy, James Cole, Thomas Manning, Nathaniel Lewis, Richard Heath, Richard Johnson, Hezekiah Luther, John Martin, William Salisbury, William Hammond, Nicholas Lange, William Cahoone. Richard Burgess, Joseph Lewes, Robert Jones, Nehemiah Allen, Gideon Allen, Thomas Mann, Roger Kinnicutt, John Thurber, Jr., William B'artram, Nehemiah Allen, John Dicks, Hugh Cole, Jr., Obadiah Bowen, Nicholas Peck, Samuel Walker, Eldad Kingsley, Caleb Eddy, Joseph Kent, Jeremiah Child, John West. CHAPTER VIII SOWAMS AND BARRINGTON Location of Sowaras — Sowhomes Bay — Evidence of Morton, Winslow, Hubbard, Belknap, Winthrop, Dudley — Seekonk Purchase — Con- sumpsit Neck — Sowams Purchase, 1653 — Chachacust or New Meadow Neck — Privileges to John Brown — Rev. John Callender's Record as to John Clarke and Sowams — Roger Williams Located Sowams — Romeo Elton — Sowams Taxed by Plymouth Colony from 1652 to 1667 — Brook's Pasture — Laid out 1720 — Sowams Records Relate to Harrington Mainly — Early Maps of New England — Review of Evidence — Dutch Trading Post — Story of Northmen — Prof. Munro and Hampden Meadows — Massassoit's Spring and Others. THE two previous chapters have been devoted to the Sowams Purchase and Proprietary. The present will discuss the location of Sowams. In my " Historical Sketches of Barrington " I stated what I then believed to be true that Warren was ancient Sowams, following General Fessenden's authority. A study of the subject from other and original sources, not then at my command (1870), has changed my opinion, so that I am fully, satisfied that all early authorities sustain ray present posi- tion, that Barrington and Sowams are territorially one, or that Sowams was within the present territory of Barrington, and that all writers who make Warren the seat of Massas- soit's Sachemship have followed General Fessenden's state- ment rather than original investigations. We both agree that Massassoit had his principal residence at Sowams, and that Sowams had a narrow territorial limit, not identical with Pokanoket.although the Plymouth Patents recognized and con- sidered them as territorially the same. As the true location of Sowams determines the position of the first white settle- LOCATION OF SOWAMS. 91 ■ment and the Dutch trading post, I regard it of chief im- portance that the matter should be fairly understood and decided correctly. My claim is that the ancient records show that the Sowams territory was practically identical with that of the town of Barrington, and that Massassoit had his residence either on the south end of New Meadow Neck, or on the west bank of the Sowams River opposite Warren on what was known by the Indians as Peebees Neck. In the original patent granted the Plymouth settlers by Charles I., Sowams, Sowamset, or Sawamsett is another term for Pokanoket. The patent included all lands from Cohasset River on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east and south, and "extending up into the mainland tow- ards the west from the mouth of the said River called Narragansett River to the utmost limit and bound of a countrey or place in New England, commonly called Poke- nacutt, als. Puckanokick, als. Sawaamset (Sowams) west- ward." In the deed of Shawomet (Warwick) to Randall Holden, John Green and others the eastern boundary is " Sowhomes (Sowams) Bay or Narragansett Bay." This name of the Bay given it by Miantonomi, chief of the Narragansetts, in- dicates the title by which it was known to the people of that tribe, derived as is probable from the country of the tribe dwelling on its eastern border. In Morton's New England Memorial the writer states that after Massassoit had concluded the terms of the league with the Plymouth settlers in March, 1621, "he returned to his place called Sowams, about forty miles distant from Plymouth." A foot note to this statement adds, "Massassoit resided at Sowams or Sowamsett, at the confluence of two rivers in Rehoboth, or Swansea, though occasionally at Mont Haup or Mount Hope, the principal residence of his son, Philip." In " Winslow's Relations" the word is spelled Sawaams, and it is stated that the place was more commonly known by the name of Pokanoket. " One of these words indicated i THE HISTORY OF BAEEIXGTON. territory and the other the residence of Massassoit, which as at Mount Hope, Bristol, R. I." In Hubbard's History of New England it is stated that Massassoit — they brought down to the English at Plym- ith, though his place was at forty miles distance, called 3wams, his country called Pokanoket." In Winslow's ;count of his second journey to Sowams, 1623, he says News came to Plymouth, that Massasowat was like to die, id that at the same time there was a Dutch ship driven so gh on the shore by stress of weather, fight before his veiling, that till the tides increased, she could not be got i." When he reached Sowams the Dutch ship had gone, id he found Massassoit sick. A note in Belknap's Am. Biog. Vol. 11, p. 221, referring the name " Puckanokick " states that "this was a gen- al name for the Northern shore of Narragansett Bay, :tween Providence and Taunton, comprehending the pres- it territory of Bristol, Warren and Barrington, R. I., and wansea in Massachusetts. Its northern extent is un- nown. The principal seats of Massassoit were at Sowams id Kickemuit. The former, Sowams, is a neck of land rmed by the confluence of the Barrington and Palmer's ivers. The latter, Kickemuit, is Mount Hope." In Winthrop's Journal, page 72, it appears that the Gov- -nor received letters from Plymouth, "signifying that there id been a broil between their men at Sowamset and the arraganset Indians, who set upon the English house there 1 have taken -Ousamequin the sagamore of Packanocott, ho was fled thither to relieve the three English which were the house, had sent home with all haste for more men and ;her provisions, upon intelligence that Canonicus with a "eat army, was coming against them." "Powder was wanted and Winthrop sent twenty-seven 3unds ; the messenger returned with a letter from the overnor (of Plymouth) that the Indians were retired from owams to fight with the Pequins (Pequots), which was robable." DUTCH TRADING POST. 93 Under date of May i, 1632, we find the following in the same journal : Winthrop and assistants in session at Boston : " While they were thus sitting together, an Indian brings a letter from Captain Standish, then at Sowams, to the effect that the Dutchmen (which lay for loading at Any- gansett or Narragansett) had lately informed him that many Pequins who were professed enemies to the Anygansetts, had been there divers days and had advised us to be watchful, etc., giving other reasons, etc." Thomas Dudley, Deputy, made complaint against Governor Winthrop as follows, in 1632; asking, "By what authority he lent twenty-eight pounds of powder to those of Plimouth, the Governor answered, it was of his own powder, and upon their urgent request, their own powder proving naught when they were to send to the rest of their men at Sowamsett." The above references establish these facts : that Sowams was on or near Narragansett Bay; that it was the residence of Massassoit, the great chief of the Wampanoags ; that there was a trading post at Sowams where the Dutch sup- plied the Indians with the commerce of the earlier times ; that Governor Winthrop sent aid to Massassoit and that Standish also had visited Sowams with military aid to the Indians there against the Narragan setts. That the words Sowams and Pokanoket were sometimes used inter- changeably is not strange, as at the period referred to from 1620 to 1640, the Indian names of places had not been defi- nitely localized by the whites at Plymouth or Boston, as in- tercourse between them had been very limited. Belknap and Morton, however, or their editors, state that Massas- soit resided at Sowams or Sowampsett, " at the confluence of two rivers in Rehoboth or Swansea," or on "a neck of land formed by the confluence of the Barrington and Palmer's Rivers." These authors locate Sowams on the Eastern peninsula of Barrington, known as New Meadow Neck, having Palmer's or Warren River on the East. With the above historic references before us, we are now 94 THE HISTOEY OP BAKEINGTON. prepared to examine the records as to what Sowams was and where Massassoit had his residence, as all authorities agree that he lived at Sowams. In 1641, Mr. John Brown and Mr. Edward Winslow, both of whom had made intimate acquaintance with Massassoit, purchased of the chief a tract of land eight miles square, known to the Indians as Sinkhunck, but named by the whites, Rehoboth. Prior to this purchase we find in the Plymouth records (vol. 2, p. 5), under date of December, 1640, the following entry : " The third place from Sowamset River to Patuckquett River, wth Consumpsit Neck wch is the cheefe habitacon of the Indians and reserved for them to dwell upon, extending into the land eight miles through the whole breadth thereof was made choice of by the purchasers or old comers accord- ing to order of the court passed March 3, 1639." The " Sowamset River " referred to is the river separating Barring- ton from Warren and the " Patuckquett " is Providence River from Narragansett Bay to the city of Pawtucket. Mr. Brown and his associates at once began the settlement of their pur- chase of Seekonk which they named Rehoboth, and in 1645 it was voted at a meeting of the townsmen " that a fence shall be made from sea to sea (Sowamsett River to Patuck- quett River) between the Indian lands." This fence was the south line of the Rehoboth purchase. It is evident from the above record that Sowams was not included in the Seekonk purchase of 1641, as a fence was built along the southern boundary of the town to separate its lands from those of the Indians on the south. As Con- sumpsit Neck (Bristol Neck) was an Indian reservation and known by that name, it is clear that it was not a part of Sowams. Kickemuit, the Indian village, and the section of territory along the Kickemuit River are not claimed as within the Sowams limit. It must then be accepted that Sowams was a part of the territory lying between Seekonk on the north and the Narragansett Bay and Consump- sit or Mount Hope Neck on the south. Let us now SOWAMS AKD PAKTS ADJACENT. 95 examine testimony that is clear and positive as to its real location. In the deed of Massassoit and Philip dated March 20, 1653, the Indians united in a transfer of lands, entitled " SowAMS AND PARTS ADJACENT " to Thomas Princc, Thomas Willett, Miles Standish, Josiah Winslow and their associates for the consideration of thirty-five pounds, and described as follows : "All those several parcells and Necks of upland, Swamps and meadows, Lying and being on the South Syde of Sinkhunck els Rehobbth Bounds and is bounded from a little brook of water called by the Indians Mosskituash westerly and so Ranging by a dead swamp eastward and so by markt trees as Osamequin and Wamsitta directed unto the great River with all the Creeks and Brooks that are in or upon any of the said meadows, as also all the marsh meadows lying and Being without the Bounds before mentioned, in or about the neck called by the Indians Chach- acust. Also all the meadows lyeing and being in or about Popasquash Neck, as also all the meadow Lyeing from Kicko- muet on both sides or any way joyning to it on the bay on each side." This was the Sowams Purchase. To understand the limits of this territory called Sowams, it may be stated that " Mosskituash " was the name of the brook near Riverside in East Providence, that flows into Bullock's Cove ; " the dead swamp " was the woodland east and north of the old Willett estate, now owned by Gov. Elisha Dyer ; " the great river " (Sowams) with both branches was Palmers and Barrington Rivers, uniting at the south end of New Meadow Neck ; Chachacust was New Meadow Neck ; Popasquash was the name of the neck of land in Bristol, west of Bristol Harbor. This Indian deed is vital testimony in that it fixes Sowams as the territory on the south side of Seekonk and between the Sowamsett or Great River on the east and Patuckquett River on the west. " The parts adjacent," which are not bounded, are the salt and fresh meadows on Poppasquash Neck and on both sides of the Kickemuit River. It was not until after Philip's War that > THE HISTORy OF BAEEINGTON. le whites attempted to occupy or come into the ownership the Indian possessions at Mount Hope or on the west ink of the Kickemuit. In this deed, reference is made to the neck called by the Indians Chachacust," which was ;eded conditionally to the whites, as it is stated "that hensoever the Indians shall remove from the Neck, that en and thenceforth the aforesaid Thomas Prince and hers shall enter upon the same by the same graunt, as eir proper rights and interest to them and their haiers for- 'er." In other words, New Meadow Neck or Chachacust as then the residence of a portion of the tribe, while an- her portion had a village at Kickemuit on the north end Bristol Neck. In 1653, the year of the purchase of Sowams by Willett, ■ince and others, the town of Rehoboth agreed to build "a ifficient fence to keepe horses and cattle from Rangeing to the Neck of land called the New Meadow Neck and aintaine the same." With the Indian settlement on New Meadow Neck, it was very important for the peace of both hites and Indians that a sufificient fence should be built 5tween their lands. Another piece of evidence fits the case at this point, ehoboth wanted certain salt meadows in the upper part of arrington River and applied to Plymouth Court for the ime. The Court voted Dec. 7, 1647 : " Whereas the inhabitants of Rehoboth desire liberty to ake use of a quantity of marsh lying on the west de of Sowames River wh they call the New Meadows, mtaining about one hundred accars, untell there should :e a plantation at Sowames, leave was granted unto lem so to make use of it, but no further ppriety to belong ito them, but untell a plantation should be settled at Dwams and for the avoyding of all differences or conten- ans amongst them about the same, it is left unto the dis- etion of Mr. Browne for him to dispose of amongst them, 1 hee should see them stand in need." "And for such pieces of marsh lying within the fence upon cali/Endbk's evidence. 97 the necke of land wh the Indians are possessed of and doe inhabite, which doth not belong unto the township of Re- hoboth, Mr. Brown is allowed to make use of the same for himself, without molestation from the inhabitants at Sow- ames, and then to require no further ppriety therein." This record is in the handwriting of Nathaniel Morton, Secretary of Plymouth Colony, who in 1668 tells us that the residence of Massassoit was at Sowams, at the confluence of two rivers in Rehoboth or Swansea. The liberty given to Mr. Browne to use marsh lands lying within the fence upon the necke, can by no interpretation be made to apply to any other section of Sowams than New Meadow Neck, where an Indian village then stood, as it is distinctly stated, " which the Indians are possessed of and do inhabite, which doth not belong unto the township of Rehoboth." The record also declares that Mr. Brown could use these lands only and until a plantation is made at Sowams of which these lands are a part. Rev. John Callender in his Historical Discourse adds his testimony as to Sowams. An ecclesiastical synod at Boston tried John Clarke and his associates for heresy. Mr. Callender says, " Whereupon, many of the other side deter- mined to remove, for peace sake, and to enjoy the freedom of their consciences. And Mr. John Clarke who made the proposal, was requested with some others, to seek out a place, and thereupon by reason of the suffocating heat of the summer before, he went North, to be somewhat cooler, but the winter following proving as cold, they were forced in the spring to make towards the South. So having sought the Lord for directions they agreed, that while their vessel was passing about a large and dangerous Cape, (Cape Cod), they would cross over by land, having Long Island and Dela- ware Bay in their eye for the place of their residence. At Providence, Mr. R. Williams lovingly entertained them, and being consulted about their design, readily presented two places before them in the Narragansett Bay, the one on the main land called So-wames (the Neck since called Phebe's 7 ^8 THE HISTORY OF BAKKLNGTON. ^eck in Barrington) and Aquetneck now Rhode Island. CMr. John Clarke's Narrative). And inasmuch as they were letermined to go out of every other jurisdiction, Mr. Wil- iams and Mr. Clarke attended with two other persons, went Plymouth to inquire how the case stood ; they were lov- ngly received and answered that Sowames was the garden )f their Patent. But they were advised to settle at Aquet- leck, and promised to be looked on as free and to be treated md assisted as loving neighbors." Prof. Romeo Elton, in the edition of Callender's Rhode island, 1838, says, "Perhaps Sowams is properly the name )f the river, where the two Swansea Rivers meet and run ;ogether for near a mile, when they empty themselves into ^arragansett Bay, or a small island where these two rivers neet at the bottom of the meadow so called." No claim lad been made up to this time that Sowams was located on ;he east side of the Warren River. Had there been, Prof. Elton would have mentioned it. Next to the title deed from the Indians, establishing Bar- ington as the Sowams of Massassoit, the most important estimony is this of the nearest white neighbor of the great :hief, his most estimable friend, Roger Williams. In 1636 Mr. Williams had made the friendship of Massassoit and vas his guest at Sowams for several days on his way from Plymouth to Seekonk. Learning that these lands were )robably in Massachusetts Bay Colony, Mr. Williams crossed ;he Seekonk River and settled in Providence. In 1637, his riend, John Clarke, having been requested to leave Boston )y ecclesiastical authority, came to Providence to consult as his future with his old friend, Williams, banished from 5alem. Clarke talked about a good place for settlement, ind Williams recommended two places. "The one on the nain called Sowames (the neck since called Phebe's Neck in Harrington) and Aquetneck, now Rhode Island." Going to i'lymouth for permission to settle at Sowams, they were told hat " Sowams was the garden of their Patent," and Clarke vas advised to settle at Aquidneck, which he did. Callen- JOHN CLAEKB AND ROGER WILLIAMS. 99 der, who wrote the above statement, was no other than the Rev. John Callander, whose Historical Discourse from which the quotation is taken, is a classic authority in Rhode Island history. He in turn quotes from Mr. John Clarke's Narrative as to Mr. Williams's advice in the matter. As Mr. Callender was the assistant minister of the Baptist Church in Swansea, 1728-30, and was practically living on the territory of Sowams, it is impossible that he could be mistaken when he says that Sowams was Phebe's Neck or Barrington, " The garden of the (Plymouth) Patent." It is unreasonable to believe that Roger Williams, who had been the guest of Massassoit at his village the winter before, could have been mistaken as to the location of Sowams, the residence of his host, that memorable winter, nor can it be possible that John Clarke and Rev. John Callender, who had visited the territory and were well acquainted with its limits, would locate the chief, his home, and his town on the west side of the river at Barrington, when his home was really reached by crossing the river to the site of the town of War- ren. It is fortunate that Mr. Callender wrote his Century Sermon in 1739, while Barrington was a separate town so that there could be no misunderstanding as to the locality. Had he written in 1715, he must have said that Sowams was in Swansea and we should never have known on which side of the river the Indian village of Sowams was located. After the purchase of Sowams in 1653, the lands were divided and sold to actual settlers and from that date on, we find the lands of Sowams in the hands of permanent white occupants. Mr. Willett and Mr. John Brown took large possessions at Wannamoisett and made their homes there while others settled on the north end of New Meadow Neck. From 1649, when Rev. Mr. Newman began the opposition to the Rehoboth Baptists, till 1663, the year of the arrival of Rev. John Myles, the people of the Baptist faith were scattered, some going to Newport, some to Boston, and others to Sowams, outside and south of Rehoboth, where the liberal leaders had established their settlement and )0 THE HISTOKY OF BAREINGTON. lurch. Under the government and protection of Plymouth olony as they were, these people must bear their share of le burdens of the colony and the omnipresent tax assessor id collector visit the new proprietary of Sowams and levy id collect taxes from the permanent settlers in Sowams, on ew Meadow and Peebee's Necks and at Wannamoisett. As the tax book of Plymouth Colony was an unerring nide as to the presence of wealth and population, we find owams entered as a taxable community in 1652, the Indian Dntingent excepted. The following records relative to tax- tion of the people dwelling at Sowams and the rates of sev- -al towns, showing the comparative size of the neighbor- oods, are of convincing importance : PLYMOUTH TAX RATES. 652. Sowams rates, Rehoboth, Plymouth, 660. Sowamsett, . £1 10 00 5 I 3 14 2 10 )ct. 2, 1660. " Captn. Willett is to bee sent unto to put hose that have lands att Sowamsett into some way for the jviing and paying of theire rates." 661, June loth. "The naighborhood of Sowamsett is rdered to pay a rate of fifty shillings for the public charges f the countrey." " It is ordered by the Court that the ward of Rehoboth hall extend into Sowamsett and unto all the naighbors there nhabiting." PLYMOUTH TAX RATES. 661. Oct. 662. Oct. Sowams, . • ;^ 4 I 3 Rehoboth, 842 Plymouth, 6 Sowams, . S 10 Rehoboth, IS 3 Plymouth, 11 2 Bridgewater, 30 SOWAMS TAX-EATBS. 101 June, 1663. "It was ordered that these that sett downeatt Sowamsett be accounted to belong to the town of Reho- both." Sowamsett alias Harrington lay adjacent to Reho- both on the south. 1663. Oct. Sowamsett, . ■ . . £ Rehoboth, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Sowamsett, 1664. 1664. 1664. June Sept. Sowams, 6 17 13 17 9 10 3 6 4 2 6 2 5 3 IS Sept. " It was ordered by the Court that the town of Rehoboth and the naighborhood of Sowamsett, in all levies for publick rates, shalbee considered as one entire township until such time that the said naighborhood shalbee in a capassitie and desire to bee a township of themselves." 1664. Oct. Sowams, ;£ 3 7 6 Rehoboth, . . . . 11 7 3 Plymouth, .... 866 In 1665. " It is enacted by the Court that the naighbor- hood of jSowamsett bee accounted to be within the township of Rehoboth and within that constablerick, and the constable to performe his office within the said naighborhood for the gathering of rates &e. as in any other parte of his liberties." 1665-6. March. Sowams . . . £a 2 6 Rehoboth, . . 13 17 9 Plymouth, . • 10 3 6 Whole levy, £234 £286, £179, £i6o, £296, £215, i8s, 8p. 9s, 6p. I2S, 8p. 13s, 4p. 188. 1666. 1667. 1668. 1670. 167 1. 1686. Plymouth, 19, 08, 06 25, 18 16,01 14, 16 24, 10 19. 17 Scituate, 31. IS. 03 42,07 26, IS 24,04 40, 16 31. 19 Taunton, 17, 11,09 23, II, 04 15, 01, 10 13.09 22, 17 19. 6 Rehoboth, 26, 05, 03 25.07 22,09 20, 04 33> 16 16, 6 Eastham, 14, 03, 06 18, 18 II, 18 Swansea. 10, 06 16, 10 13. 4 Sowahis, 7, 17, 06 10, ID 6, 14, 06 6, 00 II, 9 9 Dartmouth, 10, 10, H 8, 15 8 14, 12 8, 10 et als. 02 THE HISTORY OF BAKEINGTON. It is important to note that the name of Swansea takes the lace of Sowams on the tax list in 1668. As Swansea was icorporated in 1667, and its people, mainly occupying the irritory west of Palmer's River, are the residents of owams, Swansea takes the burdens of the community earing the Indian name of Sowams. In 1667, before Swansea was incorporated, and when owams was bearing a tax levy nearly one-half the amount aid by Rehoboth, or of the mother town Plymouth, the srritory, now known as Warren, was known as Brooks Pas- jre and was used for the common pasturage of cattle, arses and sheep, in a common herd. The fence on the forth side of the Indian lands at Bristol guarded their assage southward and the salt water made the inclosure omplete on the other sides of the great field and a secure asture ground it was without a white inhabitant on the arritory, until some time after Philip's War, for Hugh Cole nd Mr. Butterworth had their homes on lands east of le Kickemuit, some of which are still owned by the Cole nd Butterworth descendants. An Indian village could not asily exist in the common pasture of the white settlers, and t the very time that Sowams was paying an annual rate of Jig, into the Plymouth Treasury, the territory of Warren ra.s the quiet grazing ground of the settlers' cattle, and smained in the same state of useful service to the people of iwansea until 1680 and later. In 1658 the Plymouth Court ordered " that a Troop of orse well appointed with furniture, viz. : a saddle and a ase of petternells for every horse shall be raised out of the everal townships to be ready for service when required," rho were freed from foot service. Each troop numbered Drty-eight horsemen. Rehoboth was ordered to raise three roops, Taunton, two, and Sowams one, showing that owams had one-half the financial ability and population of 'aunton, and one-third that of Rehoboth. As to the layout and occupation of Brooks Pasture (now Varren) by white settlers the following items from the BKOOKS PASTURE. 103 " Swansea records are conclusive proof that these lands from the Bristol line to Palmer's River and Belcher's Cove were not laid out for settlers until 1720, although the subject was discussed as early as 1679-80. Under date of February 25, 1679-80, in Swansea town meeting, it was voted "that ye whole tract of land called Brooks Pasture unto ye old fence by John Wheaton's and what land is yet undivided which was obtained of the coun- trey by composition shall be divided in a distinct division and a survey up to Swansea two miles be taken which shall bear its part to satisfie Hugh Cole." It was also voted " that Mr. William Ingraham, Samuel Luther and William Howard shall agree with Hugh Cole as to what part he shall have of Brooks Pasture." At a town meeting held in Swansea, Aug. 6, 1680. "It is ordered that whereas the committee Chosen for ye Sur- veying of Brooks Pasture 25th of February, 1679 (1680) have now brought in their part fit to be 300 acres." I. " It is now ordered that Convenient highwayes may be laid out in sd. land. 2. That ye land for house lots be laid out. 3. Hugh Cole Senrs. land be laid out. 4. That ye remainder be laid out to each man according to his propor- tion as Rankt and that each man draw his lot when put in form, which is to be done with convenient speed by 5 men as a Commitie namely, John Brown, Wm. Ingraham, Hugh Cole, Samuel Luther, Obadiah Brown." At a meeting of the proprietors, April i, 1718, "That a vote was passed yt Brooks Pasture and ye island thereby should be let out." Still later in 1719-20, a vote was passed by the proprietors that Brooks Pasture should be laid out, and as late as April 19, 1725, the following record appears: "By virtue of a warrant from one of his majesty's Justices of Peace for ye County of Bristol, voted, that the land in Brooks pastyre be all laid out in 102 lots according to quantity and quality." It does not appear by the above records when the first house was built on Brooks Pasture, and Mr. Fessenden 54 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. ates that it cannot be easily, ascertained. Certain it is, jwever, that the lay out of this section was not completed ! late as 1720, after a period of twenty years' discussion. My reasons for the position that Barrington is as a whole ■ in part ancient Sowams are these : I. The whole territory occupied by Philip, including hat is now Bristol and Warren, was known by the Indians id whites as Consumpsit or Mount Hope and Mount Hope eck and included the land from Kickemuit River on the Drth to Mount Hope and Narragansett Bays on the south. .11 references to persons or events in this territory are ferred to as at Consumpsit Neck, Mount Hope,. Pokanoket, ■ Kickemuit; Mount Hope was the chief residence of hilip before and while he was sachem of the Wampanoags, hile Sowams was the home of Massassoit. Sowams was lerefore without the Mount Hope Lands and between them id Rehoboth. II. Miantonomi, Chief of the Narragansetts, in his deed ) Randall Holden, calls the bay in front of the Warwick urchase "Sowhomes (Sowams) Bay." A most natural ling for him to do, since the Barrington territory opposite as known to his tribe as Sowams. The territory of War- :n did not touch the bay, nor could it be seen from the /arwick Purchase, while the lands of Barrington Neck, warns, from Rumstick Point to Pomham Rocks were lily seen by his tribe, and the shores and waters of " Sow- ames Bay " were often the scene of deadly contest between le warriors of Canonicus and Massassoit. III. Nathaniel Morton, Secretary of Plymouth Colony, riting in 1669, a memorial of New England from 1620, ates that the chief, Massassoit, after his league with the hites, " returned to his place called Sowams, about forty iles from Plymouth." The foot note to the above state- ent adds, " Massassoit resided at Sowams or Sowampsett, the confluence of two rivers in Rehoboth or Swansea, ough occasionally at Mont Haup or Mount Hope, the incipal residence of his son Philip." Barrington and New JOHN JKNCKES. SOWAMS AND BAERINGTON. 105 Meadow Neck are about forty miles from Plymouth by the old Indian trail, and New Meadow Neck or Sowams, the res- idence of Massassoit, is "at the confluence of the two rivers in Rehoboth or Swansea." IV. The joint deed of Massassoit and Philip to Thomas Prince, Thomas Willett and others in 1653 was of " Sowams and Parts adjacent." This deed included the whole of Barrington or Sowams as the main body of the conveyance, with the fresh and salt meadows on the Kickemuit River, at Mount Hope and at Poppasquash as " The Parts Adjacent." The Proprietors' Records are styled " Memorial or Booke of Records of ye Severall Divisions and Bounds of ye Lands at Sowames als. Swamsett & Parts Adjacent, purchased of ye Great Sachem Osamequin and Wamsetta his eldest Sonne by Certain Gentlemen of ye Ancient Inhabitants of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England." This book of records, which is in the Town Clerk's office of Barrington, describes in particular the Sowams lands in Barrington, the original owners, and their successors, most of whom were residents of what is now Barrington, East Providence, Seekonk and Rehoboth. The last meeting of the Proprietors was held at the house of Elkanah Humphrey in Barrington, March i6th, 1797, at which Solomon Town- send was Moderator and Getteral Thomas Allin was Clerk, both residents of Barrrington. These records clearly and conclusively show that the lands styled "Sowams," deeded by Massassoit and Philip in 1653, were held by the proprietary, their successors and assigns, for nearly one hundred and fifty years, when the ownership of the unsold lands was transferred to the towns of Barrington, Swansea or Rehoboth as their interests ap- peared. The meetings were usually called in the name of "The Proprietors of Sowams," although in several instances they are styled " The Proprietors of Phebe's Neck." It is still further an important fact, worthy of notice, that the proprietors of Sowams divided the upland as well as 106 THE HISTOKY OP BARKINGTON. the meadows on the Barrington side of the river and laid out highways throughout the town, which they did not do in the lands at Kickemuit, Mount Hope or Poppasquash. The terrritory now occupied by the town of Warren was desig- nated in the Sowams records as "Brooks pasture," after its owner. The Sowams of Massassoit, the territory sold to Thomas Prince and his associates, was substantially then the whole town of Barrington, although parts of the section were known by the Indian names of Nayatt, Chachapacas-. sett, Chachacust, Wannamoisett and Peebee's Neck. V. Mr. Fessenden refers to a map of New England in Davis's edition (1826) of Morton's Memorial as indicating that Sowams was Warren. This map is the copy of one of the first maps made in New England (1677) and is a cartographic curiosity. It locates Mount Hope nearly opposite Provi- dence, with a river east of " Seacunck " and Mount Hope with two branches. The crown referred to, as denoting the residence of the chief sachem and the location of the capital, is marked between the two rivers. If this map is of any value at all in locating Sowams, it stands in favor of New Meadow Neck, which lies between the branches of the Sowams River. An exact copy of the map as related to this section of New England may be seen on one of the illus- trated pages. VI. John Clarke, in his Narrative of his journey to Providence and subsequent settlement at Newport, writes that Roger Williams recommended two places for his future home, "the one on the main called Sowames (the neck since called Phebe's Neck in Barrington) and Aquetneck, now Rhode Island." Roger Williams certainly knew where Sowams was for he had been entertained by Massassoit, and the Rev. John Callender, the historian, and at one time min- ister of Swansea confirms, if confirmation is needed, the location of Sowams, the home of Massassoit. VII. Rev. Jeremy Belknap of Boston, the founder of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and one of the most learned and accurate scholars of history of the last century. SOWAMS AND BAERLNGTON. 107 in an article on Pokanoket says, " The principal seats of Massassoit were at Sowams and Kickemuit. The former (Sowams) is a neck of land formed by the confluence of the Barrington (Sowams) and Palmer's Rivers. The latter, Kickemuit, is Mount Hope." Belknap's Am. Biog. vol. ii, p. 221. VIII. By the deed of Massassoit, in 1653, it appears that the Indians were then dwelling on New Meadow Neck, for it states that " whensoever the Indians shall remove from the Neck (called Chachacust or New Meadow Neck) that then and from thenceforth the aforesaid Thomas Prince ete. shall enter upon the same," etc. Prior to this time the people of Rehoboth had built a " Five rayle fence " from Patuckquett (Providence) River across Wannamoisett and New Meadow Neck to Palmer's River, to prevent the cattle on Philip's residence and grounds. This fence was built near the old boundary line between Warren and Bristol. It is well known that the land north of this fence, bounded on the west, north, and partly on the east by water, was a favorable and suitable place for pasturage of horses, cattle and hogs, and was so used by the whites, under the name of Brooks Pasture, until the year 1680, and probably for many years later. IX. The river which bounds and divides the territory was the Sowams River. This is now the Barrington River, but was known to the settlers as the Sowams, and is often mentioned in the deeds and records. With Bar- rington as Sowams, it would be the most natural thing to call its principal river by the Indian name of the section where the chief resided. X. The first white settlement was made near Myles Bridge, on the New Meadow Neck, by people excluded from Rehoboth on account of religious opinions. Settlements were also made at Wannamoisett by John Brown and Thomas Willett. To the Plymouth Government these settlements were known as Sowams and taxed under that name. As 108 THE HISTOBY OF BAEEINGTON. Mr. Brown and Captain Willett who lived at Wannamoisett, were members of the Plymouth Government and had the best possible knowledge of the whole country, they must have ordered the name of Sowams to be applied to the chief settlements on the territory. As we have seen, as early as 1652, Sowams was assessed £1, los. in the Colonial tax, when there was not a white resident on the territory now known as Warren, except Hugh Cole and Mr. Butter- worth, east of the Kickemuit River. It is well known that the principal settlement of Sowams was on New Meadow Neck, where Mr. Myles's Church was afterwards built, and North of the Indian village on the south end of the Neck. Had Warren been the original Sowams, there would not have been a white settler to have laid claim to the name or to have preserved it. Mr. Willett and Mr. Brown, Mr. Allin, and others were the largest proprietors of Sowams, and must have known its true location and bounds, and used the name in local affairs, until Swansea was incor- porated. XI. As early as 1632, a trading post was erected in the Pokanoket country by the Plymouth settlers, at Sowams, in the vicinity of the largest Indian village, as it was estab- lished to carry on barter with the Indians. In Miller's his- tory of " The Wampanoag Indians," it is stated that the trading post was supposed to have been located on the Bar- rington side of the Sowams River, on the land known as " Phebe's Neck." This trading post or house, as it is called at Sowamsett as related in Winthrop's Journal, was the place to which Myles Standish and his men came in 1632. Mas- sassoit had fled to the post for protection from a threatened attack of the Nairagansetts who could easily make a raid on the Indians at Sowams, by a water approach in canoes across the bay from Warwick, or by land from the upper end of the river at Providence. Governor Winthrop sent twenty- seven pounds of gun-powder to Standish, but a messenger soon brought news from Standish that the Indians had returned from Sowams to engage in a contest with the SOWAMS AND BAKEmGTON. 109 Pequots, called " Pequins " in the account. Standish writes from Sowams to Governor Winthrop that Dutch vessels lay for trading with the Narragansetts and the men had com- municated this important news as to the Indians on the other side of the bay. Winslow in his letter relative to his second journey (1623) to Sowams to visit Massassoit, tells of a Dutch trading vessel that had grounded in front of the chief's residence, but had sailed away before he reached the place. As the water of both branches of Barrington River is deep enough for vessels of the largest size for nearly a mile above Warren, it is clear that the Dutch coasters or trading vessels could have navigated the channel of these streams and quite reasonable -that they might be stranded at low tide at almost any point between the mouth of the river at Rumstick and the heads of the two branches at Barneys- ville or Hundred Acre Cove. According to Tustin, the lower end of New Meadow Neck was at that time the most central point in the town (Swansea) and was then called the " Place of Trade." XII. Mr. Fessenden's strongest argument in favor of Warren and Sowams is found in his statement that Mr. Edward Winslow, in going to Sowams twice, does not men- tion crossing a deep, wide, rapid and unfordable river. Why should he, when there was no necessity of crossing one. The old Indian trail from Mount Hope to Kickemuit is traced by King's Rock in a northerly direction towards Rehoboth, thence westerly over the fording place, or Myles Bridge, to Sowams. This was the natural approach from Plymouth and it is clearly seen from the map that a trail from the fording place on the Taunton River above Somer- set to New Neadow Neck was a shorter route than to War- ren. Such a trail would cross the three rivers, Lee's, Cole's, and Kickemuit, at fordable passages, and lead directly to Myles bridge or the fording place that was used in crossing to Sowams. A map showing the old roads of Swansea, established in the main on the lines of the Indian trails, will convince one of the correctness of my position. 110 THE HISTORY OF BAREINGTON. XIII. The Story of the Northmen in New England as told by Mr. Joshua Tolmin Smith is one of the most valuable con- tributions as to the location of Sowams. His opinion that the Northmen discovered Narragansett Bay, named Mount Hope, and visited the lands along Narragansett Bay and Providence River is well sustained by his argument and story. The map accompanying the book and illustrating the voyage locates the peninsula of Barrington, across which from Nayatt to Hundred Acre Cove is printed in large let- ters the word SOWAMS. Had there been doubt as to the location o"f the residence of Massassoit in the mind of the author, so clear testimony would not have been given. XIV. The Rhode Island Historical Society, through the agency of Prof. Wilfred H. Munro, of Brown University, a native of Bristol, and the author of "The Mount Hope Lands," has caused a tablet to be erected on New Meadow Neck, at the railroad station, in honor of John Hampden, who made the visit to Massassoit with Edward Winslow in 1623, and at the request of the Historical Society the name of the railroad station was changed from New Meadow Neck to Hampden Meadows. This is high authority in favor of the position that Massassoit had his residence on New Meadow Neck, where these distinguished visitors made their memorable visit in 1623, as described in a previous chapter. The inscription on the tablets will be found on page 57. The chapter would not be complete without a reference to the spring in Warren called Massassoit's Spring. There is no denial of the existence of such a spring and of many other springs in the towns of Warren, Bristol, and Barring- ton, from all of which probably Massassoit and his tribe drank. The Sowams records refer to two springs in Bar- rington, Scamscammuck, and Tom's Springs, and to the great spring at Kickemuit, but no reference is made to any others. So far as I have been able to learn, the theory as to Massassoit's Spring in Warren is founded only on tradition and as there is only slight probability that the Indians ever SOWAMS AND BAEEIKGTON. Ill had a village on the site of Warren, the story of the spring must be classed with other authors of the times. Mas- sassoit probably drank from the spring, but if we are to attach the name of the illustrious chief to all the springs from which he drank, in his travels over his kingdom, the monuments to his memory in Bristol County will be legion, as the earth-fountains are very numerous. At the close of Philip's War, the Indian lands at Pokano- ket were deserted and the whites took measures to possess them. The Sowams proprietors under date of Dec. 28, 1676, voted, "That for the Lands at Popanomscutt, and parts adjacent, left & deserted by the Indians, now in disspute between the Proprietors and the publique wheather owersor Conquered Lands the Proprietors doe (forthwith all as one man) take Effectual Course for the defence and clearing our Interest in the Lands aforesaid in order where unto it is mutually Agreed and fully Concluded by us the proprietors in manner following viz : That Some meet person or persons be forthwith Chosen to prosecute the business for the defence of our Interest as Aforesaid." This record shows that the Indians were dwelling on the Sowams Purchase until the opening of Philip's War, when their desertion of them forfeited the lands to the white settlers. CHAPTER IX THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN MASSACHUSETTS Religious Toleration as Interpreted by Pilgrims and Puritans — A State Church — Roger Williams Heresy — Rev. Samuel Newman and the Rehoboth Church — Rehoboth Heretics — Obadiah Holmes — Massa- chusetts Bay Letter to Plymouth — Boston and the Baptists — English Politics — John Myles of Wales — Baptists meet at Rehoboth — Mr. Myles the Leader of the New Movement — Mr. Myles and John Brown Fined — Baptist Church Formed — Meeting House Located — Covenant of the Swansea Church — Rehoboth Repents — A Liberal Minister and Church — John Myles, the School-Master — Captain John Myles, the Soldier in Philip's War — John Myles Preaches at Boston — Return to Swansea — New Home and Meeting-House — His Death — Rev. Samuel Luther — A New Policy — A Review of the Situation. OUR Pilgrim and Puritan ancestry, the founders of Boston and Salem and Weymouth and Plymouth, came to America for several good and sufficient reasons ;, the principal one was to find comfortable rest from the deep political and religious unrest of the mother-land. Spirit- ually they had found an enlightenment above most of their fellow countrymen, and finding themselves growing out of sympathy with what was transpiring about them, they looked about for a city of refuge to which to flee. Men they were with a new revelation, heretics if you please, honest, sincere, devout, godly, and tremendously in earnest. John Milton and Oliver Cromwell belonged to their order ;. so did Harry Vane, once Governor of Massachusetts, the defender of Quakers, Baptists, Roman Catholics and Pres- byterians, who suffered death at the Restoration, with Hugh Peters, once the minister at Salem and one of the founders of Harvard College. These early New England people wished, as they thought they had a right, to be let alone as PURITANS AND BAPTISTS. 113 to religious concerns, and if not in Old England then in New England, or some other corner of the earth, they would seek out their coveted rest. Toleration, to them, meant to be independent and undisturbed in the enjoyment of their religious principles and prerogatives. As to letting others alone, whose presence and influence seemed to them intolerant and to threaten their own quiet, was another matter. The Boston Puritan had no use in the seventeenth century for a Baptist, a Quaker, a Churchman or a Catholic. The presence of either on Boston soil was a menace to the solidarity of Puritanism, in which he implicitly believed. What he regarded as errors in religion was also considered treason to the commonweath. Cotton Mather says, " It is also thought that the very Quakers themselves would say that if they had got into a corner of the world, and with an immense toyle and change made a wilderness habitable, on purpose there to be undis- turbed in the exercise of their worship, they would never bear to have New Englanders come among them and in- terrupt their public worship, endeavor to seduce their children from it, yea and repeat such endeavors after mild entreaties, first, and then banishment, to oblige their departure." On the 13th of November, 1644, the General Court of Massachusetts Bay, John Endicott, governor, expressed its ideas of the Anabaptists in such legislation as this : " Forasmuch as experience hath plentifully and often proved that since the first arising of the Anabaptists, about a hundred years since, they have been the incendiaries of commonwealths, and the infectors of persons in main mat- ters of religion, and the troublers of churches in all places where they have been, and that they, who have held the baptizing of infants unlawful, have usually held other errors or heresies together therewith, though they have (as other hereticks use to do) conceded the same, till they spied out a fit advantage and opportunity to vent them by way of ques- tions or scruple ; and whereas divers of this kind have, since 8 114 THE HISTOEY OF BAEEINftTON. our coming into New England, appeared amongst ourselves, some whereof have (as others before them) denied the ordi- nance of magistracy, and the lawfulness of making war, and others the lawfulness of magistrates, and their inspection into any branch of the first table ; which opinions, if they should be connived at by us, are like to be increased amongst us, and so must necessarily bring guilt upon us, infection and trouble to the churches and hazard to the com- monwealth : It is ordered and agreed, that if any person or persons within this jurisdiction shall either openly condemn or oppose the baptizing of infants, or go about secretly to seduce others from the approbation or use thereof, or shall purposely depart the congregation at the administration of the ordinance, or shall deny the ordinances of the magis- tracy, or their lawful right or authority to make war, or to punish the outward breaches of the first table, and shall appear to the Court, wilfully and obstinately to continue therein after due time and means of conviction, every such person or persons shall be sentenced to banishment." Laws of like tenor and equal severity were made by Plym- outh and Massachusetts Bay Colonies against Rantors or Quakers. Such was the reasoning of the combined legal, ecclesiastical, and lay judgment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, two hundred and fifty years ago. Our fathers established a state church that they might express as strongly as a new society could its belief in homo- geneity in all matters relating to the social, civil, and relig- ious order. The Puritan would solve the problem of relig- ious freedom by a process of social and theological differen.- tiation and segregation. Roger Williams might set up his church and its worship in Providence, and so might Lord Baltimore in Maryland, under protest, but not in Salem, or Plymouth, or Boston. The New Englander's ideal govern- ment was church and state. He knew that France was the Catholic Church, that England was the Establishment, and what he desired for Massachusetts Bay was a Puritan state. PUEITANS IDEAL STATE. 115 sincere, pure, without adulteration. The Bible was the best Statute Book for the Puritan ; and Puritan divines, well edu- cated and learned, must be its supreme legal expounders. Hence Harvard College with its motto " Christo et Ecclesiae," where godly men should be taught doctrine and duty so that they in their turn should guide the brethren to intelligent convictions and a vigorous defence of the same. With such conceptions of the state as a divine institution, after the Mosaic fashion of the Hebrew commonwealth, which they so carefully studied and patterned, it is not strange to see what was the most natural thing for them to do — the very thing we are doing every day, namely, resist the incoming of dangerous elements and the proper educa- tion and discipline, if need be, of the intractible and incorri- gible, already within the fold of the Commonwealth. Accord- ing to Puritan standards, the Baptist, the Quaker, and other dissentients had better stay at home on the English side of the Atlantic, for all concerned, but once here they must hold their tongues or have them held by Puritan nippers. The act of banishment which severed Roger Williams from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635 was the means of advancing rather than hindering, the spread of the so- called heresies which he so bravely advocated. As the per- secutions which drove the disciples of Christ from Jerusalem were the means of extending the cause of Christianity, so the principles of toleration and soul-liberty were strength- ened by opposition, in the mind of this apostle of freedom of conscience in the new world. His Puritan birth and educa- tion made him a bold and earnest advocate of whatever truth his conscience approved, and he went everywhere " preaching the word " of individual freedom. The sentence of exile could not silence his tongue, nor destroy his influ- ence. "The divers new and dangerous opinions " which he had " broached and divulged," though hostile to the notions of the clergy and the authorities of Massachusetts Bay, were at the same time quite acceptable to a few brave souls, who 116 THE HISTOBY OF BABEINGTON. like himself dared the censures and even the persecutions of iheir brethren, for the sake of liberty of conscience. The dwellers in old Rehoboth were the nearest white neighbors of Roger Williams and his band at Providence. The Rev. Samuel Newman was the pastor of the church in this ancient town, having removed with the first settlers from Weymouth in 1643. Learned, godly, and hospitable IS he was, he had not reached the " height of that great irgument," concerning human freedom, and while he cher- shed kindly feelings towards the dwellers at Providence, he evidently feared the introduction of their sentiments among his people. The jealous care of Newman to preserve what be conscientiously regarded as the purity of religious faith md polity, was not a sufficient barrier against the teachings af the founder of Rhode Island. Although the settlers of Plymouth Colony cherished more liberal sentiments than their neighbors of the Bay Colony, and sanctioned the expulsion of Mr. Williams from Seekonk only for the purpose of preserving peace with those whom Blackstone called " the Lord Brethren," yet they guarded the prerogatives of the ruling church order as worthy not only of the respect, but also the support of all. Rehoboth was the most liberal, as well as the most loyal of the chil- dren of Plymouth, but the free opinions which the planters brought from Weymouth, where an attempt had already been made to establish a Baptist Church, enabled them to sympathize strongly with their neighbors across the See- konk River. " At this time," says Baylies, "so much indif- ference as to the support of the clergy was manifested in Plymouth Colony as to excite the alarm of the other confed- erated colonies. The complaint of Massachusetts against Plymouth on this subject was laid before the Commissioners and drew from them a severe reprehension. Rehoboth had been afflicted with a serious schism, and by its proximity to Providence and its plantations, where there was a universal toleration, the practice of free inquiry was encouraged and principle, fancy, whims, and conscience, all conspired to les- SERIOUS SCHISM AT SEEKONK. 117 sen the veneration for ecclesiastical authority." As the " serious schism " referred to above led to the foundation of the first Baptist Church within the Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts, on New Meadow Neck in Old Swansea, it is worthy of record here. The leader in this church revolt was Obadiah Holmes, a native of Preston, in Lancashire, England. He was con- nected with the church in Salem from 1639 till 1646, when he was excommunicated, and, removing with his family to Rehoboth, he joined Mr. Newman's church. The doctrines and the discipline of this church proved too severe for Mr. Holmes, and he, with eight others, withdrew in 1649, and established a new church by themselves. Mr. Newman's irascible temper was kindled into a persecuting zeal against the offending brethren, and, after excommunicating them, he aroused the civil authorities against them. So successful was be that four petitions were presented to the Plymouth Court, one from Rehoboth, signed by thirty-five persons ; one from Taunton, one from all the clergymen in the colony but two, and one from the government of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Bay Colony had heard of the ongoings and the undoings at Seekonk, and the General Court sitting in Boston under date of October 18, 1649, John Endicott still governor, sent the following letter to the Plymouth General Court : "Honored and Beloved Brethren, We have heard hereto- fore of divers Anybaptists, arisen up in your jurisdiction, but being but few, we well hoped that it might have pleased God by the endeavors of yourselves, and the faithful elders with you, to have reduced such erring men again into the right way. But now to our great grief, we are credibly informed that your patient bearing with such men hath pro- duced another effect, namely, the multiplying and increas- ing of the same errors, and we fear maybe of other errors also, if timely care be not taken to suppress the same. Par- ticularly, we understand that within these few weeks there have been at Seacuncke (Seekonk) thirteen or fourteen per- 18 THE HISTORY OP BAEKINGTON. Dns rebaptized, (a swift progress in one town), yet we hear ot of any effectual restriction is intended thereabouts. Let not, we pray you, seem presumptions in us to mind you ereof, and that we earnestly entreat you to take care as 'ell of the suppressing of errors as of the maintenance of •uth, God equally requiring the performance of both at the ands of Christian magistrates, but rather that you will con- ider our interest is concerned therein. The infection of uch diseases, being so many, are likely to spread into our irisdiction ; * tunc tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet.' Ve are united by confederacy, by faith, by neighborhood, y fellowship in our sufferings as exiles, and by other Chris- an bonds, and we hope neither Sathan (Satan) nor any of is instruments, shall by this or any other errors, disunite s, and that we shall never have to repent us of our so near injunction with you, but that we shall both so equally and :alously uphold all the truths of God revealed, that we may :nder a comfortable account to Him that hath set us in our laces, and betrusted us with the keeping of both tables, of hich well hoping, we cease your farther troubles, and rest. Your very loving friends and brethren." How will the authorities of Plymouth treat this clarion ill of the Bay Colony and the first division in the ruling hurch of the Colony ? Will they punish by severe fines, Y imprisonment, by scourging, or by banishment ? By either, for a milder spirit of toleration prevailed, and the ;paratists were simply directed to " refrain from practices isagreeable to their brethren, and to appear before the ourt." In 1651, sometime after his trial at Plymouth, Mr. Holmes as arrested, with Mr. John Clarke, of Newport, and Mr. randall, for preaching and worshipping God with some of leir brethren at Lynn. They were condemned by the ourt at Boston to suffer fines or whippings, — Clarke, ;^20 ; [olmes, £^0, and Crandall, £$. Holmes refused to pay the ne, and would not allow his friends to pay it for him. PEESBCUTION OP BAPTISTS. 119 saying that, " to pay it would be acknowledging himself to have done wrong," whereas his conscience testified that he had done right, and he durst not accept deliverance in such a way." He was accordingly punished with thirty lashes from a three-corded whip, on Boston Common, with such severity, says Governor Jencks, " that in many days, if not some weeks, he could take no rest but as he lay upon his knees and elbows, not being able to suffer any part of his body to touch the bed whereon he lay." " You have struck me with roses," he said to his tormentors. Soon after this. Holmes and his followers moved to Newport, and, on the death of Rev. Mr. Clarke, in 1676, he succeeded him as pastor of the First Baptist Church in that town. Mr. Holmes died at Newport in 1682, aged seventy-six years. The persecution offered to the Rehoboth Baptists, scat- tered their church, but did not destroy their principles. Facing the obloquy attached to their cause, and braving the trials imposed by the civil and ecclesiastical powers, they must wait patiently God's time of deliverance. That their lives were free from guile none claim. That their cause was righteous, none will deny, and while the elements of a Baptist Church were thus gathering strength and purifica- tion on this side of the Atlantic, a leader was preparing for them, by God's providence, on the other. In the same year that Obadiah Holmes and his .band separated from the Rehoboth church, in opposition to the Puritan order, Charles the First, the great English traitor, expiated his "high crimes and misdemeanors" on the scaffold at the hands of a Puritan Parliament. Then followed the period of the Commonwealth under Cromwell, and then the Restoration, when " there arose up a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph." The Act of Uniformity, passed in 1662, under the sanction of Charles the Second, though a severe blow at the purity and piety of the English church, was a royal blessing to the cause of religion in America. Two thousand bravely conscientious men, who feared God more than the decrees of the Pope, King or Parliament, were driven from .20 THE HISTORY OF BARKINGTON. heir livings and from the kingdom. What was England's :reat loss was America's great gain, for a grand tidal wave if emigration swept across the Atlantic to our shores, jodly men and women, clergy and laity, made up this exiled )and, too true and earnest to yield a base compliance to the :dict of conformity. For thirteen years have the dissenters rom Mr. Newman's church waited for a spiritual guide, )ut not in vain ; for among the number who sought a refuge rom religious oppression, we find John Myles, of Swansea, A^ales. How our Baptist brethren have conducted themselves dur- ng these years, and the difficulties they may have occasioned )r encountered, we know but little. Plymouth, liberal al- ready, has grown more lenient towards church offenders in natters of conscience. Mr. John Brown, a citizen of Reho- 30th, and one of the magistrates, has presented before the ;oUrt his scruples at the expediency of coercing the people :o support the ministry, and has offered to pay from his own property the taxes of all those of his townsmen who may refuse their support of the ministry. This was in 1655. Massachusetts Bay has tried to correct the errors of her sis- :er colony on the subject of toleration, and has in turn been •ebuked by her example. Leaving the membership awhile, et us cross over to Wales to find their future teacher and pastor, John Myles. Wales had been the asylum for the persecuted and op- pressed for centuries. There, freedom of religious thought was iolerated, and from thence sprung Oliver Cromwell and John Vlyles. About the year 1645, the Baptists in that country, vho had previously been scattered and connected with other :hurches, began to unite in the formation of separate ;hurches, under their own pastors. Prominent among these >vas the Rev. Mr. Myles, who preached in various places with jreat success, until the year 1649, when we find him pastor of a church which he organized in Swansea, South Wales, [t is a singular coincidence that the termination of Mr. Myles's pastorate at Swansea, and the separation of the members .MAJOR-GENKRAL NKLSOX A. .\ ILES, U.S.A. MK. MYLES IN SWANSEA, WALES. 121 from the Rehoboth Church, a part of whom aided in estab- lishing the church in Swansea, Mass., occurred in the same year, 1649. During the Protectorate of Cromwell, all dissenters enjoyed the largest liberty of conscience in the mother land, and, as a result, the Church at Swansea, Wales, grew from forty- eight to three hundred souls. Around this centre of influ- ence sprang up several branch churches, and pastors were raised up to care for them. Mr. Myles soon became the leader of his denomination in Wales, and in 165 1 he was sent as a representative of all the Baptist Churches in Wales to the Baptist Ministers' meeting, at Glazier's Hall, London, with a letter, giving an account of the peace, union, and in- crease of work. As a preacher and worker he had no equal in that country, and his zeal enabled him to establish many new churches in his native land. The act of the English Saint Bartholomew's Day, in 1662, deprived Mr. Myles of the support which the government under Cromwell had granted him, and he, with many others, chose the freedom of exile to the tyranny of an unprincipled monarch. It would be interesting for us to give an account of his leave taking of his church at Swansea, and of his associates in Christian labor, and to trace out his passage to Massachusetts, and to relate the circumstances which led him to search out and to find the little band of Baptists at Rehoboth. Surely some law of spiritual gravitation or affinity, under the good hand of God, thus raised up and brought this under-shepherd to the flock thus scattered in the wilderness. Nicholas Tanner, Obadiah Brown, John Thomas, and others, accompanied Mr. Myles in his exile from Swansea, Wales. The first that is known of them in America was the formation of a Baptist Church at the house of John Butter- worth, in Rehoboth. Mr. Myles and his followers had prob- ably learned at Boston, or at Plymouth, of the treatment offered to Holmes and his party ten years before, and his sympathies led him to seek out and unite the elements which persecution had scattered. Seven members made up this L22 THE HISTORY OF BARKINGTON. nfant church, viz.: John Myles, pastor, James Brown, Nich- )]as Tanner, Joseph Carpenter, John Butterworth, Eldad Kingsley, and Benjamin Alby. The principles to which ;heir assent was given were the same as those held by the Welsh Baptists, as expounded by Mr. Myles. The original •ecord book of the church contains a list of the members of Mr. Myles's Church in Swansea, Wales, from 1640 till 1660, vith letters, decrees, ordinafices, etc., of the several churches )f the denomination in England and Wales. This book, now n the possession of the First Baptist Church, in Swansea, Mass., is probably a copy of the original Welsh records, ■nade by or for Mr. Myles's church in Massachusetts,and the sentiments of which controlled their actions here. Of the seven constituent members, only one was a mem- Der of Myles's Church in Wales, Nicholas Tanner. The 3thers were probably residents of Rehoboth at the time of :heir arrival. James Brown was a son of John Brown, both Df whom held high offices in the Plymouth Colony. Mr.. JJewman and his church were again aroused at the revival of ;his dangerous sect, and they again united with the other orthodox churches of the colony in soliciting the Court to nterpose its influence against them, when the following srder was adopted : "At the Court holden at Plymouth, the 2d of July, 1663, oefore Thomas Prince, Governor, John Alden, Josiah Wins- ow, Thomas Southworth, William Bradford, Thomas Hinck- ley, Nathaniel Bacon, and John Freeman, assistants. Mr. Myles and Mr. Brown for their breach of order in setting up I public meeting without the knowledge and approbation of :he Court of the disturbance of the peace of the place are ined each of them £$, and Mr. Tanner the sum of £1, and ve judge that their continuance at Rehoboth, being very jrejudicial to the peace of that Church and town, may not ae allowed ; and do therefore order all persons concerned herein to desist from the said meetings in that place or :ownship within this month. Yet in case they shall remove :heir meeting to some other place where they may not FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN MASSACHUSETTS. 123 prejudice any other Church, and shall give as any reason- able satisfaction respecting their principles, we knew not but they may be permitted by this government so to do." The worthy magistrates of Plymouth have not told us how these few Baptist brethren " disturbed the peace " of quiet old Rehoboth. Ancient Rehoboth, that roomy place, was not big enough to contain this church of seven members, and we have to-day to thank the spirit of Newman and the order of Plymouth Court for the handful of seed corn, which they cast upon the waters, which took root in Swansea and has brought forth the fruits of a sixty-fold growth. Dr. Mather says of the church, " There being many good men among those, — I do not know that they have been perse- cuted with an harder means than those;, of kind offices to reclaim them." With a firm trust in God and in the truth of their princi- ples, the little band of Baptists set out as exiles from Reho- both to find a place of habitation and comfortable rest. South of Rehoboth lay Sowams, the land of the Indians, and into it they came to establish their homes, to build their meeting-house, and make a home for the new church in the wilderness. To fix the precise location of this first Baptist meeting- house in Massachusetts is of great importance, and I have given much attention to the matter and am fully satisfied as to the correctness of the position. The spot where the house was located is on the road leading to the house for- merly occupied by Joseph Allen on Nockum Hill, and now owned by George H. West, Esq. This road leads from the main road from Warren to Providence across New Meadow Neck and turns to the southwest to Nockum Hill, about half a mile south of the site of Munroe's Tavern. Rev. Mr. Tustin, in his historical discourse, delivered at the dedica- tion of the Baptist Church in Warren, May 8, 1845 (page 83), says, "After the action of the Court in the removal of the church from Rehoboth, these exiled brethren erected their first meeting-house, about three miles Northwest of 124 THE HISTOKY OF BAKEINGTON. Warren, on a spot within the limits of Wannamoisett (now Barrington) a few rods south of the Rehoboth line, and a little south of the road that now leads from Warren through Seekonk to Providence." This locality is still further estab- lished by the Rev. Abiel Fisher, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Swansea (the Myles Church) in 1845, whose dili- gence and fidelity in searching records and collecting memo- rials of the ancient church are commended by Rev, Mr. Tus- tin. He makes the following statement : " It has been supposed, and often stated by Backus and others that the First Meeting House was erected near Keiley's Bridge, on Tyler's Point (Barrington) opposite Warren, but I have ascertained that it was about three miles northwest from that point, a little southwest of the road leading from War- ren to Seekonk and Providence. The very spot has been pointed out to me, being on a road leading irSm the main road to the house of Squire Allen, lately deceased. This road leads out of the main road, between the houses of Tim- othy P. Luther and John Grant, only twenty or thirty rods from the latter. The line of Seekonk is only a few rods north of this spot. It seems nearly certain that while most of the Church resided in Rehoboth (as that town then em- braced Seekonk), they chose a site for their meeting house as near their residences as possible, where they could be permitted for a time to worship God according to the dic- ates of ttheir own consciences." I may state that in the year 1870, while preparing. the his- torical address for the Centennial Celebration, I visited the site of Myles's first Meeting-House, in company with Mr. Timothy P. Luther, who resided in the neighborhood, and he pointed out to me the lot on the east side of the road leading to the residence of Joseph G. West, as the place where the first house stood. The location was south of the Seekonk line, within the present limits of the town of Barrington, and also within the original boundary lines of Swansea, at the time of the incorporation of the town in 1667. The query may arise in some minds why this location was LOCATION OF MEETING HOUSE. 125 chosen for the meeting-house, and three or four reasons suggest themselves. It was outside the Rehoboth limits, and within the Sowams purchase, which was their own prop- erty. It was the centre of the population which was to wor- ship at that church. The Willetts, Browns and Vialls lived across the river to the southwest at Wannamoisett, the Butterworths and others at Seekonk, and John Myles and his friends at Myles's Bridge, with other families at New Meadow Neck and east of the river, towards Kickemuit. The location of the meeting-house after Philip's War, was then the residence of Massassoit, and Popanomscut, west of the Sowams main river, was the home of Peebee. Another reason suggests itself by the fact that there was a sandy beach and plenty of water for baptisms near and south of the meeting-house, in the Sowams River. It is therefore an historic fact of great interest to the citizens of our town that the Baptist meeting-house in Barrington, the first on Massachusetts soil, was erected within our town ; and it is still further a matter of interest that the second meeting- house of the same same great founder, John Myles, stood on Tyler's Point, in Barrington. Rhode Island also, as a state, can now claim as within her borders the first two Baptist Churches of the country, that of Roger Williams at Provi- dence, in 1636, and that of John Myles (in Barrington) at Swansea in 1663. From a careful reading of the covenant of the Baptist Church, we judge that it was a breach of ecclesiastical, rather than of civil law, that led to the expulsion of the Baptists and that the fines and banishment from the limits of Reho- both were imposed as a preventive against any further inroads upon the membership of Mr. Newman's Church. Within the bounds of old Swansea, in Massachusetts, they selected a site for a church edifice, planted their first spiritual home, and enjoyed a peace which pastor and people had long sought for. The original covenant is a remarkable paper, toned with deep piety, and a broad and comprehensive spirit of Christian fellowship : 126 the histoey of baekington. " Holy Covenant." " Swansea in New England. — A true Copy of the Holy Covenant the first founders of Swansea Entered into at the first beginning, and all the members thereof for Divers years. " Whereas, we Poor Creatures are through the exceeding Riches of God's Infinite Grace Mercyfully snatched out of the Kingdom of darkness, and by his infinite power trans- lated into the Kingdom of his dear Son, there to be par- takers with all the Saints of all those Privileges which Christ by the Shedding of his Pretious Blood hath purchased for us, and that we do find our Souls in Some good Measure wrought on by Divine Grace to desire to be Conformable to Christ in all things, being also constrained by the matchless love and wonderfuU Distinguishing Mercies thatwe Abundantly Injoy from his most free grace to Serve him according to our ut- most capacitys, and that we also know that it is our most bounden Duty to walk in Visible Communion with Christ and each other according to the Prescript Rule of his most holy word, and also that it is our undoubted Right through Christ to Injoy all the Privileges of Gods House which our souls for a long time panted after. And finding no other way at Present by the all-working Providence of our only wise God and gracious Father to us opened for the injoy- ment of the same. We do therefore after often and Solemn Seeking to the Lord for Help and direction in the fear of his holy Name, and with hands lifted up to him the most High God, Humbly and freely offer up ourselves this day a Living Sacrifice unto him who is our God in Covenant through Christ our Lord and only Saviour to walk together according to his revealed word in the Visible Gospel Relation both to Christ our only head, and to each other as fellow-members and Brethren and of the Same Household of faith. And we do Humbly praye that through his Strength we will henceforth Endeavor to Perform all our Respective Duties towards God and each other and to practice all the ordinances of Christ according to what is or shall be revealed to us in our Re- THE ANCIENT COVENANT. 127 spective Places to exercise Practice and Submit to the Gov- ernment of Christ in this his Church, viz. further Protesting against all Rending and Dividing Principles or Practices from any of the People of God as being most abominable and loathsome to our souls and utterly inconsistent with that Christian Charity which declares men to be Christ's Disciples. Indeed further declaring in that as Union in Christ is the sole ground of our Communion, each with other, so we are ready to accept of. Receive to and hold Communion with all such as by judgment of Charity we conceive to be fellow- members with us in our head Christ Jesus tho differing from us in Such Controversial points as are not absolutely and es- sentially necessary to salvation. We also hope that though of ourselves we are altogether unworthy and unfit thus to offer up ourselves to God or to do him a, or to expect any, favor with or mercy from him. He will graciously accept of this our free-will offering, in and through the mediation of our Dear Redeemer. And that he will imploy and emprove us his service to his praise, to whom be all Glory, and Honor, now and forever. Amen." The names of the persons that first joyned themselves in the Covenant aforesaid as a Church of Christ : John Myles, Elder, James Brown, Nicholas Tanner, Joseph Carpenter, John Butterworth, Eldad Kingsley. Benjamin Alby, The Catholic spirit of Mr. Myles, as expressed in this covenant and in his godly life, soon drew to the new settle- ment many families who held to Baptist opinions, as well as some of other church relations, friendly to their interests. The opposition which their liberal principles had awakened had brought the little company into public notice through- out the two colonies, and their character had won for them the respect and confidence of all their neighbors and author- ities. The Rehoboth Church also soon came to regard Mr.' Myles and his followers with more kindly feelings, for, in 28 THE HISTOEY OF BARRE^GTON. 566, after the death of Mr. Newman, (in 1663), it was )ted by the town that Mr. Myles be invited " to preach, z.: once in a fortnight in the week day, and once on the abbath Day," in the orthodox church of the town. And in ugust of the same year the town voted " that Mr. Myles- lall continue to lecture on the week day, and further on le Sabbath, if he be thereunto legally called." This interchange of pulpit relations indicates a cordial sen- ment between the two churches, which is in striking con- ast to the hostility manifested to the new church but three iars before, when the members were warned out of the wn, and suggests that animosity had been conquered by )od will, and that sober judgment had taken the place of issionate bigotry. The history of Mr. Myles has already been sketched, from s home in Swansea, Wales, where he occupied a pi'ominent ace among the Baptist clergy of that country, to his new )me in Swansea, New England, where he became a leader the establishment, not only of Baptist principles in Plym- ith and Massachusetts Bay Colonies, but also in the ander and broader notion of religious toleration. In these Ties, when a liberal Christian sentiment pervades our com- unities quite generally, it is difficult for us to appreciate e struggles and contests which the last two centuries have Ltnessed to secure it. The men who could plant churches the wilderness under so severe personal persecutions, with firm reliance on the divine arm for support, possessed the urage and sublime faith which make heroes. Certainly e various trials which Mr. Myles and his associates endured low that they acted upon the instructions given to Joshua old, " Be strong and of good courage." The covenant of the church, already given, indicates that r. Myles was a strong advocate of open communion, though while in Wales he was equally strenuous in advo- ting close or restricted communion. He al^o declared that the ministry might take the liberty to Baptize infants grown persons as the Lord shall persuade their con- TAMES BOWEN. MR. MYLES'S PASTORATE. 129 sciences, and so also the inhabitants to take their liberty to bring their children to baptize or forbear." True to his new convictions and desirous of uniting the elements around him in a harmonious and flourishing civil as well as religious community, he made his church the abode of all who sought a pure worship, untrammeled by sectarian tenets. On such a basis Mr. John Brown and Capt. Thomas Willett could build a hearty fellowship, and engage with earnest zeal with Messrs. Butterworth, Tanner, Alby, and Kingsley in the work of settlement of this church and civil plantation. Mr. Myles's first residence in Swansea was near Barneys- ville. The bridge across the Sowams, or Palmer's River, was called Myles's Bridge. Myles Garrison, used for defence in Philip's War, was in the same neighborhood. In those early. days of Massachusetts's history, even to times within an hundred years, the selection of the minister, the payment of his salary, and the question of his removal, were a part of the business of the towns at their annual meetings. While the larger number of the first families of Swansea were Bap- tists, several, as we have noted, were of the Congregational order. All, however, united most harmoniously in the elec- tion of Mr. Myles as their pastor for several years. His sal- ary was small, and, like Goldsmith's minister, he "Was passing rich with forty pounds a year." His compensation was increased by the use of certain lands, denominated " pastors and teachers lots," set apart in the first division of the town for the support and benefit of the ministry. His congregation was scattered over a wide extent of territory, and although the majority of settlers had established themselves on New Meadow Neck, in the vicin- ity of the meeting-house and their pastor's residence, we find Mr. Willett's and Mr. Brown's families traveling from Wan- namoisett, a distance of five or six miles, and Hugh Cole and his neighbors from Kickemuit, a distance of three miles, and other families still, a distance of four or five miles from 9 130 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. Mattapoisett or Gardner's Neck, to attend Mr. Myles's preaching on the Lord's day. His interest in matters of education was second only to his desire to spread the Gospel. In 1673, the town voted to establish a school " for the teaching of grammar, rhetoric, and arithmetic and the tongues of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, also to read English and to write." Of this school Mr. Myles was invited to be schoolmaster, at a salary of " forty pounds per annum in current country funds." He accepted and performed the duties of minister and schoolmaster until the settlement was broken up by the Indian war. This school was kept in the several neighborhoods of the town in different portions of the year, so that the reverend school- . master not only enjoyed the privilege of boarding among his school parishioners, but also of carrying the means of a literary education from one community to another over the town. Then, as now, the clergy did not grow rich from the people. Some of the inhabitants saw no necessity of a schoolmaster and others argued against paying his salary as a minister, and between both difficulties Mr. Myles secured but a lean support. When Philip's War opened in 1675, Mr. Myles's house was fortified and was known as the Myles's Garrison. Here the troops collected at the first outbreak, and Mr. Myles was- among the foremost in the defence of the infant settlement, holding the position of captain. At the close of the war, the pastor found the membership of his church and society so scattered that he was obliged to seek a support elsewhere. Boston, Providence, and Newport had become the only places of safety and sympathy for Baptist believers, and he preached in Boston for a considerable time after leaving his home in Swansea. Mr. Sprague, who in those times joined the Baptist Church in Providence, in writing to Massachu- setts many years after says, " Why do you strive to per- suade the rising generation that you never persecuted nor hurt the Baptists, which is so apparently false .-' Did you not barbarously scourge Mr. Baker of Cambridge, the chief A NE"W MEETING-HOUSE. 131 mate of a London ship ? Where also you imprisoned Mr. Thomas Gould, John Russell, and Benjamin Sweetser, and many others and fined them £$o a man. And did you not nail up the Baptist meeting-house doors, and fine Mr. John Myles, Mr. James Brown and Mr. Nicholas Tanner ? " At a town meeting of the town of Swansea, May 27, 1678, John Allen and John Brown were chosen to draw up a letter in the behalf of the church and minister of the town, mani- festing their desire of his return to them ; and Thomas Eastabrooks was chosen to carry the town's letter to Mr. Myles, at Boston. On his return he found the settlement nearly broken up near his old residence, and a large increase of inhabitants on the south end of the town, near Tyler's Point. The town voted "for the encouragement of Mr. Myles in the work of the ministry among us " to increase his salary to sixty pounds yearly, thirty in provisions and thirty in money. The town also built a house for their min- ister on the lower end of New Meadow Neck, near the ferry. It was voted by the town in 1679, "that Mr. John Myles shall have the house built him to indemnify him for debts due him in the time of the Indian War, in full of his demands against them and accepted by him," Mr. Myles receipted as follows : " Received of ye town of Swansea the full of all debts due to me from ye sd town from ye begin- ning of ye world till ye eighteenth of June, 1679. I say received this 25th of February, 1679, by me." John Myles. At a town meeting held Sept. 30, 1679, "It is voted and ordered that a meeting-house of 40 foot in length and twenty-two foot in breadth, and sixteen foot between joynts be forthwith built and a committee be chosen for ye letting out of ye sd work and finishing ye same." John Allen, Hugh Cole, and William Ingraham were chosen the com- mittee and the new house was erected near the ferry, near Mr. Myles's new house, at the lower end of New Meadow Neck. 132 THE HISTORY OF BARKINGTON. Mr. Myles continued his labors among this people for three years or a little more after his return, and died Feb^ 3d, 1682-3, between sixty and seventy years of age and in the thirty-eighth year of his ministry. The record of his death is, " Mr. John Myles, pastour of the church of Swan- sea, deceased February the third, 1682, William Ingra- ham. Town Clerk of Swansea." He was a man of good tal- ents and education, with unusual energy of character. He was liberal in his religious opinions, but not loose; he was an apostle and not a proselyte. His sacrifices for con- science's sake testify to his firm adherence to truth, and his interest in civil society is evinced by the labors which he undertook for its prosperous advancement. His burial place is supposed to be with many of his people, near his home and place of preaching, at Tyler's Point, Barririgton. Silence alone marks the resting place of this pioneer and founder of Swansea and of a larger religious freedom, through the first Baptist Church within the bounds of the present common- wealth of Massachusetts. Cotton Mather mentions Rev. John Myles as "among those who deserve to live in our Book for their piety, as having a respectful character in these churches of this wilderness." Hutchinson says, " I have seen a letter dated not many years after this time (1665), from Mr. Myles, a Baptist min- ister of Swansea, to one of the Congregational ministers of Boston, which breathes the true spirit of the Gospel, and urges Christian concord, charity and love, although they did not agree at every point." The name of his wife was Ann Humphrey ; John, Susannah and Samuel, were their children. John, Jr., probably lived and died in Swansea. He was town clerk for many years. Samuel was at college at Cambridge in 1682, graduated in 1684 ; taught school in Charlestown 1684-5 ! went to England, received A. M. at Oxford ; took Episcopal orders, settled as minister of King's Chapel, Boston, in 1689; and died in 1728. Of their descent, Daniel and three brothers served in the patriot army in the Revolution, and Daniel, with his great ELDEE SAMUEL LUTHER. 133 faith in the cause.^converted all his property into Conti- nental money, losing all by its repudiation. Maj.-Gen. Nel- son A. Miles, of the United States Army, is a lineal descendant of Rev. John Myles of Swansea. Elder Samuel Luther, the ancestor of the Luthers of this section, was Mr. Myles's successor in 1685, and of two events only during his ministry have I space now to write. The liberal policy of Plymouth Colony had allowed the Bap- tist Church on New Meadow Neck an existence, and the rights of conscience had been maintained strictly to the terms of the act of incorporation. The majority of the people were Baptists, but the Congregationalists coincided with in the essential doctrines of liberty of the Rhode Island Colony. When Sir William Phipps brought the charter which united Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, in 1692, a new order of things was instituted which interfered with the ideas of our people in religious concernments. A warrant from the Court of Quarter Sessions was read, requiring the town to choose a minister according to law. After some debate the meeting was adjourned for half an hour. " Ye chtirch by Lieutenant Cole returned and replied thus that they had a minister that they apprehended was according to law, viz.: the Elder Samuel Luther, and desired the vote of the town to see their assent and approbation." Debate fol- lowed and then an adjournment for another half hour and then a considerable debate and then another adjournment for two months for time to consider, to debate, and to settle this vexed matter. Puritan Massachusetts expected each town to support by public tax the established order of Con- gregational churches. Baptist Swansea decided not to do so. The people have supported their ministry for forty years by free contributions, and they propose to continue on the same plan. The tithing-man had been an unknown officer among us. At the October meeting the town again voted on the same matter, and elected Elder Samuel Luther minister, and four 54 THE HISTOEY OF BAREINGTON. thing-men were elected. They were careful to select good aptist brethren as tithers, and while the letter of the law was ilfilled, as in the case of the choice of a minister, its spirit as evaded. The number of tithing-men varied from one to ur ; the same men were never re-chosen and the voluntary fstem was maintained by the independent townsmen. About the year 1700, the increase of population in the rection of Myles's Bridge and over Palmer's River required le removal of the house of worship from Tyler's Point to a )0t near Mason's Corners in North Swansea, in order to icommodate the majority of the congregation. During Ider Luther's ministry he had seen fit to add certain sup- ementary notes to the original covenant, with reference to aptism and Communion, which were not relished by the Dngregational element, and whether intended or not, served establish the dividing line of denominationalism between e hitherto united parties. The removal of the church edi- ;e from New Meadow Neck seems to have been another ement of separation, and the question of the establishment a church of the Congregational order was earnestly dis- issed. The dwellers on Peebee's Neck added to those on ew Meadow Neck who favor the new organization, saw.no ay to secure this object but the establishment of a new wn, wherein the tithes of the people, as in other towns, lall support the ministry of the ruling order. This was a stormy period both for church and state. The ns of men, who fought at Naseby and Marston Moor, were )t put to flight by bulls, civil or ecclesiastical, on this side the water. The contest was necessary and its trials isential to the evolution of a purer faith. Had either party lown less of the persecuting or the martyr spirit — we lould not to-day enjoy so great a heritage of liberty under le royal law. " 'Twas sharp medicine," as Raleigh said of le axe that beheaded him, but it was heroic in its purifica- on of the body politic of the ecclesiastical disease of intol- ance. When John Myles landed at Weymouth in 1663, oston was the hot-bed of intolerant persecution. The PKOM PBESECUTION TO TOLEKATION. 135 thirty years following witnessed scenes as tragic and as heroic as have been embalmed in history. Men's bodies and souls were tried and not found wanting in physical and moral courage or in a sublime faith. John Myles at Swansea and his son Samuel at Boston stood for the larger and broader faith of our own day, and though they died without the sight, yet they lived long enough to see the whole spirit of the ancient time breaking in the presence of " sweeter manners, purer laws " of tolera- tion. One step was taken in their day from persecution to toleration. Later, toleration gave way to liberty whose dawn is now the hope of mankind. We have good reason to hold John Myles in memory as the founder of the first free Baptist Church in The Common- wealth of Massachusetts ; as the co-founder with Captain Thomas Willett of a town after the Baptist order, the first and the only one in the Commonwealth of the early found- ing and of the declaration on Massachusetts soil and the practical application of the principles of a true Christian Society, " In essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty, in all things, charity." CHAPTER X THE INCORPORATION OF SWANSEA Population — Plymouth Democracy — Separation of Town and Church — Principles of Town and State Government — Willett, Brown, and Myles, the Founders — Grant of New Swansea, 1667 — Plymouth Court — Orders relative to the New Town — Captain Willett's Pro- posals — Reply of Mr. Myles and his Church — Proposals Ratified by Town — Inhabitants Subscribe to Agreement — An Act to Prevent Unworthy Citizenship, PRIOR to 1667, the attractions of climate, soil, meadows — fresh and salt, and the shell and fin fisheries of the bay and rivers, had led many people from the eastern towns of Ply- mouth Colony to make their homes at Sowams, " The garden of the Patent," as Standish and Winslow called it. The eminent respectability of the proprietors undoubtedly had much to do in influencing the best class of New England emigrants to settle on this territory bordering on Narragan- sett Bay, and the Sowams River. So many settlers had come, to the number of two hundred, probably, th.e formation of a town was talked of, for this was the first step towards the goal of their purpose, a free government. The organization of towns and the establishment of town governments after the democratic order, belong by right of origin to New England. The town was the germ of the the state. From Plymouth and Providence sprang the com- monwealths of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations. The original settlers formed a pure democracy with inherent rights for determining the policy of the settlement, the character of its inhabitants, the offi- cers who should govern them, and the spirit and form of the laws which should control them. As the population of the first settlement increased, the nature of the government WILLIAM H. SMITH. GOVEENMBNT BY THE PEOPLE. 137 remained the same, while it was changed from a pure to a representative democracy, where a few, by the consent and choice of the many, administered all the duties and offices which related to the interests of the whole community. This was the leading characteristic of the New England policy. In this sense, towns were never known or estab- lished before, and the success of the state and the nation is primarily due to this system here introduced. As was noticed in the church history, Captain Willett and Mr. Myles were the founders and leading men in establishing the Baptist Church in New Swansea. The history of the church of which Rev. Mr. Myles was pastor, is therefore inseparably associated with the civil history of the town, and the two elements are united in the legislation of the inhabitants. A single act of legislation of the Court of Associates at Plymouth, in 1635, is most significant in its declaration of the will of the people as the governing principle in civil af- fairs. On the 15th of November the following order or resolution was passed : " We, the associates of New Plymouth, coming hither as free born subjects of the State of England, and endowed with all and singular the privileges belonging to such, being as- sembled, do ordain that no act, imposition, law or ordinance be made or imposed upon us at the present or to come, but such as shall be made and imposed by consent of the body of associates, or their representatives legally assembled, which is according to the liberties of the State of England." No clearer or more emphatic declaration could be made of the right of the people in their primary capacity as citizens of the towns, to make their own laws and regulate their own affairs. The only allegiance required is to the decision of the people whose major sentiment is the authority and con- tent, to be held in honor and obedience. The town meeting of 1898 in Harrington can be governed by no freer spirit than that which dictated the resolve of 1635, at Plymouth, two hundred and sixty years earlier. The qualifications of a freeman in the towns were, twenty-one years of age, sober B8 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. id peaceable conversation, orthodox in the fundamentals of iligion, and a rateable estate of twenty pounds. These ere pre-requisites to the freeman's oath. All of the towns already granted by Plymouth Court, ten • twelve in number, were of the Plymouth type, democratic 1 civil affairs, orthodox Congregational in church polity, ot a town in all the New England Colonies, save in the ;retical little Commonwealth of Rhode Island, had been es- .blished on any other than a sound Puritan theology, and a romwellian democracy. Swansea, however, has a Baptist hurch already formed, and the people do not want a state lurch, of the ruling order. John Brown has already shown ;s dissent by contributing of his own funds to support the ehoboth Church, and has entered his strong but unavailing •otest against taxing the people to pay for meeting-houses id ministers' salaries. Willett and Myles agree with Brown, id all unite in a petition for a township, with no trammels ; to religious concerns. What Roger Williams had done at rovidence, under penalty of excommunication, these patriot unders of Swansea attempted to accomplish, with slight odification, within the loyal domain of Plymouth. They ik for a town grant, solely and simply. And in proper sea- m, and according to due process of Plymouth Court law, ley obtain a township, founded on independency as to lurch relations, and on the absolute freedom of the inhabi- nt to be or not to be a church member, and to contribute ■ not to church support. It is of interest to note in the Acts of the Plymouth Court le following order under date of July 2, 1667, which may ive hastened the action of the people of Sowams and Wan- imoisett, relative to the formation of a new town. It will : remembered that Mr. Myles, Mr. Brown and others had t up their new meeting-house and held worship therein in 163. The Court takes knowledge thereof by the following der : " Mr. Myles and Mr. Brown for theire breach of order in tting up of a public meeting without the knowledge and GEANT OF NEW SWANSEA. 139 approbation of the Court, to the disturbance of the peace of the place, are fined, each of them, the sume of five pounds, and Mr. Tanner the sume of twenty shillings." The acquaintanceship which had sprung up between Rev. John Myles, Capt. Thomas Willett, Mr. John Brown, and others of the settlers at Sowams and Wannamoisett had ripened into close friendship, and the proposition was enter- tained between them of securing from the Plymouth Court the grant of a new township, south of the Rehoboth limits, including ancient Sowams. To this end, an application was made for a separate corporation under the name of New Swansea. The name was suggested by Mr. Myles, in remem- brance of his former home in Wales, and its original orthog- raphy indicates that the waters of the bay near the town were the favorite resort of the swan, and was called the Sea of Swans, or Swansea. This word has been corrupted to Swanzea, Swansey, Swanzey, Swansy, and Swanzy. The application for a new town was successful, as will be seen by the following : GRANT OF NEW SWANSEA. "A true copy of the grant of this township of New Swan- sea, lying on Record at the Court of New Plymouth, 1667. Whereas, libertie hath bine formerly graunted by the Court of the jurisdiction of New Plymouth, unto Captaine Willett and his naighbors att Wannamoisett, to become a township there if they should see good ; and that lately the said Capt. Willett and Mr. Myles and others theire naigh- bors have requested of the Court that they may be a town- ship there or neare thereunto, and likewise to have granted unto them such parsells of land as might be accommodate thereunto not desposed of to other townships ; this Court have graunted unto them all such lands that lieth between the salt water bay and coming up Taunton River, viz. : all the land between the said salt water and river, and the bounds of Taunton and Rehoboth, not prejudicing any to THE HISTORY Or BAREINGTON. an's particular interest, and for as mnch as Rehoboth hath edow lands within the line of Wannamoisett, and Wanna- oisett hath lands within the line of Rehoboth, lying near le south line of Rehoboth ; if the two townships cannot jree about them amongst themselves, the Court reserves it ithin theire power to determine any such controversy. 567, Oct. 30, Prence, Gov'." Four months later, the Court at Plymouth passed the fol- wing orders as to the new town, Swansea : "The Court doe alow and approve that the township -aunted unto Captaine Willett and others, his naighbours, t Wannamoisett and places adjacent, shall hensforth be died and knowne by the name of "Swansey. The Court have appointed Captaine Willett, Mr. Paine, enir., Mr. Browne, John Allin and John Butterworth to ive the trust of admittance of towne inhabitants unto said iwne, and to have the disposall of lands therein, and order- g of other the affaires of the said towne. The Court have graunted unto Captaine Willett to pur- lase what lands he can in the behalfe of the Court within le township of Swansey soe as hee doe not to much straiten le Indians. The Court have declared that soe farr as in them lyeth ley are willing that for such stronge liquors as are or shalbe ■ought into the said towne by forraigners in the way of ad, it shalbe costom free soe as it be not retailed ; and the bertie to continew for the tearme of seven yeares from the ite heerof. It is further ordered by the Court that the towne of Swan- ;y, shall send downe one to serve in the office of a cons- ible for that constablericke, and one for a deputie, and a rand jury man, unto the next June Court to take office to ;rve in theire respective places and offices for that towne. Plymouth, 5, March 1667-8. Prence, Govr." CAPTAIN WILLETT's PROPOSALS. 141 The first officers elected under the last order in the year 1668, were Deputy, John Allin ; Constable, Nathaniel Pecke ; Grand Jury, John Rogers. In this township grant of Swansea, the remarkable feature is that the Plymouth Court simply defines the boundaries of the new town, making no conditions as to its settlement or government, except as to possible differences as to lands lying in Swansea and Rehoboth. Swansea thereby becomes an independent township or colony under the general govern- ment of England. The grant goes so far as to give to Thomas Willett and his associates on the committee the power to fix the qualifications of the inhabitants of the town. How he uses his power we shall see by reading the following proposals, made by Mr. Willett, (who was probably a Pedo- baptist), which have made the history of the old town so unique, and the character of her population so worthy of commendation. CAPTAIN WILLETT's PROPOSALS. " Whereas, Capt. Thomas Willett, shortly after the grant of this township, made three following proposals unto those who were with him, by the Court at Plymouth, empowered for the admission of inhabitants, and of granting lots. 1. That no erroneous person be admitted into the town- ship as an inhabitant or sojourner. 2. That no men of any evil behavior, as contentious per- sons, &c., be admitted. 3. That none may be admitted that may become a charge to the place." These proposals were first submitted to the church and of the church's action we have the following record : " The Church here gathered and assembling did thereupon make the following address unto the said Capt. Willett and his associates, the Trustees aforesaid : 1:2 THE HISTORY OP BAEEINGTON. EPLY OF THE CHURCH TO CAPTAIN WILLETT's PROPOSALS. " We being engaged with you (according to our capacity) I the carrying out of a township, according to the grant Lven us by the honored Court, and desiring to lay such a •undation thereof, as may effectually tend to God's glory, ur future peace and comfort, and the real benefit of such 3 shall hereafter join with us herein, as also to prevent all iture jealousies and causes of dissatisfaction or disturbance I so good a work, do in relation to the three proposals made y our much honored Capt. Willett, humbly present to Dur serious consideration (before we further proceed lerein) that the said proposals may be consented to and jbscribed by all and every town-man under the following cplications : " That the first proposal relating to non-admission of rroneous persons may be only understood under the expli- itions following, viz. : of such as hold damnable heresies iconsistent with the faith of the gospel, as to deny the rinity or any person therein ; the Deity, or sinless human- y of Christ, or the union of both natures in Him, or His ill satisfaction to the divine justice by His active and pas- ve obedience for all His elect, or His resurrection, ascen- on to Heaven, intercession, or His second personable com- ig to judgment ; or the resurrection of the dead, or to aintain any merit of works, consubstantiation, transsub- antiation, giving divine adoration to any creature or any ;her anti-christian doctrine, thereby directly opposing the ■iestly, prophetical, or kingly office of Christ, or any part lereof ; or secondly such as hold such opinions as are consistent with the well-being of the place, as to deny the agistrate's power to punish evil-doers, as well as to encour- je those that do well ; or to deny the first day of the week I be observed by divine institution as the Lord's or Chris- m Sabbath, or to deny the giving of honor to whom honor due, or to offer those civil respects that are usually per- rmed according to the laudable custom of our nation, each SWANSEA CHXJKCH PKOPOSALS. 143 to the other, as bowing the knee, or body, etc., or else to deny the office, use, or authority of the ministry, or the comfortable maintenance to be due them from such as par- take of their teaching, or to speak reproachfully of any of the churches of Christ in the country, or of any such other churches as are of the same common faith with us and them. " We desire also that it may be understood and declared that this is not understood of any holding any opinion dif- ferent from others on many disputable points yet in contro- versy among the godly learned, the belief of these not essen- tially necessary to salvation, such as pedo-baptism, anti- pedo-baptism, church discipline or the like ; but that the minister or ministers of the said town may take their liberty to baptize infants or grown persons as the Lord shall per- suade their consciences, and so also the inhabitants to take the liberty to bring their children to baptism or forbear. " That the second proposal, relating to the non-reception of any of evil behavior, such as contentious persons, &c., may be only understood of those truly so called, and not of those who are different in judgment of the particulars last men- tioned, and may be therefore accounted contentious by some though they are in all fundamentals of faith, orthodox in judgment, and excepting common infirmities blameless in conversation. " That the proposal relating to the non-admission of such as may become a charge to the town, be only understood so that it may not hinder any godly man from coming amongst us whilst there is accommodation that may satisfy him, if some responsible townsman will be bound to save the town harmless. " These humble tenders of our desires we hope you will without offence receive, excusing us therein, considering that God's glory, the future peace and well-being, not only of us and our posterity who shall settle here, but also of those several good and peaceably minded men whom you already know are liked, though with very inconsiderable out- 144 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. ward accommodation to come among us are very much con- cerned herein. Our humble prayer both for ourselves and you, is that our God would be pleased to cause us to aim more and more at his glory, and less to our own earthly concernment, that so we may improve the favors that hath been handed to us by our honored nursing fathers to the advancement of the glory of God, the interest of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the common benefit both of the Town- ship and Colony, wherein he hath providentially disposed of us to serve our generation. Your brethren to serve you in Christ. Signed in behalf and in the name of the church meeting at Swansea, by John Myles, Pastor. John Butterworth." The original records of the town, from the year 1667, are still in good preservation. The first record therein is a copy 3f the grant of the town. The " three proposals " of Captain Willett, with the " explications and reservations " of Mr. Myles and Deacon Butterworth, follow in natural order. The mutual assent of the town and church to these articles s stated as follows : "The foregoing proposals, being according to the desire of :he church aforesaid, fully and absolutely condescended to, ;oncIuded and agreed up»n by and between the said Captain Thomas Willett and his associates aforesaid and the said :hurch, under the reservations and explications above vritten, and every one of them, it was some time afterward propounded at a meeting of the said town, lawfully warned )n the two and twentieth day of the twelfth month, 1669 hat the said agreement be by the whole town ratified and ;onfirmed, and settled as a foundation order to which all hat then were, or afterwards should be admitted inhabitants, md to receive lands from the town, should manifest their issent by subscription thereunto, whereupon the following SWANSEA ADOPTS PROPOSALS. 145 order, {the said Captain Willett and his associates aforesaid being present,) was freely passed by the whole town, nemine contradicente. "At a town meeting lawfully warned on the two and twen- tieth day of the twelfth month, commonly called February in the year of our Lord 1669, it is ordered that all persons that are or shall be admitted inhabitants within this town, shall subscribe to the three proposals above written ; to the several conditions and explanations therein expressed, before any lot of land be confirmed to them or any of them. " We whose names are hereunder written do freely upon our admission to be inhabitants of this town of Swansea, assent to the above written agreement made between the Church of Christ now meeting here at Swansea, and Captain Thomas Willett and his associates, as the said agreement is specified and declared in the three proposals aforewritten, with the several conditions and explanations thereof, con- cerning the present and future settlement of this township. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed: Thomas Willett, Caleb Eddy, John Myles, John Myles, Jr., John Allen, Thomas Lewis, James Brown, Joseph Carpenter, Nicholas Tanner, Robert Jones, Hugh Cole, Eldad Kingsley, Benjamin Alby, John Martin, John Browne, John Cole, Samuel Wheaton, Joseph Wheaton, Thomas Barnes, Nathan'l Paine, Thos. Estabrooke, Stephen Brace. Richard Sharpe, Gideon Allen, Wm. Ingraham, John Dickse, Thos. Manning, Wm. Bartram, Wm. Cahoone, Joseph Kent, Geo. Aldrich, Sam'l Woodbury, Nathan*] Lewis, < Nehemiah Allen, 10 1:6 THE HISTORY OF BARKINGTON. John Thurber, Sampson Mason, Jona. Bosworth, Job Winslow, Joseph Lewis, Obadiah Bowen, Jr., Wm. Hayward, Richard Burgess, Jno. Thurber, 2d., Jno. Butterworth,- Gerard Ingraham, John West, Zach. Eddy, Thos. Elliott, Hezekiah Luther, Timothy Brooks, John Paddock, Nathan'l Toogood, Samuel Luther, Jere. Child, Obadiah Brown, Senr." The leaders in the settlement of old Swansea were thus ireful in the admission of persons to the privilege of citi- :nship, and to this intelligent care is traceable the past and ■esent prosperity and virtue of our communities. Men ho could subscribe to the articles referred to were law-lov- ig and God-fearing, and their descendants cherish a similar 3herence to the principles of their fathers. In order to !cure a more effectual application of the " three proposals," was voted Feb. 12, 1670, "To prevent the bringing in of ich persons to be inhabitants as may be to the prejudice of le town ; it is ordered that whosoever hath taken or shall ike up any lot therein, and shall let out, give, or sell the irae, or any part thereof, to any person or persons whatso- rer, without the consent of the town, or at least the com- ittee that are or shall be chosen for the management of the •udential affairs of the town at any time hereafter; then le person or persons that shall so let out or sell as afore- .id, shall forfeit their whole right in such lot and buildings icreon, from them, their heirs and assigns, to the use of le town forever." CHAPTER XI EARLY EDUCATION IN SWANSEA Plymouth Colony Encouraged Free Schools — ^ Orders of 1658 and 1673 — Aid to Towns — First Free School in Swansea — Rev. John Myles, First Schoolmaster. PLYMOUTH was behind her sister colony of the Bay in providing by law for common schools. The iirst pub- lic act on record concerning schools was passed by the Gen- eral Court at Plymouth, in 1658, when it was "proposed by the Court unto the several Townshipes of this Jurisdiction as a thinge they ought to take into their serious considera- tion that some cowrse may be taken that in every Towne there may be a schoolmaster sett up to traine up Children to reading and writing." Massachusetts Bay Colony had taken similar action in the celebrated ordinance of 1647, although private or tuition schools had existed in Boston, Dorchester and other towns as early as 1635 or thereabouts. The Boston Latin School dates to 1638. Muddy Brook or Brookline had a school appropriation in 1637, and Dorchester claims a free town school in 1639. Lord Macauley called the attention of Par- liament and all England to this noble document of Universal Compulsory Education of Massachusetts of 1647, declaring it to be worthy of the wisest men of any age. In 1673, Plymouth ordered that " the charge of the free scools, which is three and thirty pounds a year, shall be defrayed out of the profifits ariseing by the fishing att the Cape," In 1674, it was voted that " the profiSts of the fish- ing at Cape Code granted by the Court for the erecting and maintaining of a scool be still continewed for that end if a competent number of Scollars shall appear to be devoated 18 THE HISTORY OF BAKRINGTON. lereto, which the Court judges not to be less than eight or n," with the added provision that the Court would grant ) further aid. In 1677, Plymouth passed an act which ade the schools supportable in part by taxes on all the operty of the towns ; in part by voluntary contributions, id in part by the fisheries at Cape Cod. As evidences of the purposes of the fathers and founders 1 to public education, the main portion of the act is here aoted : "fforasmuch as the Maintenance of good littera- ire doth much tend to the advancement of the weale and jurishing estate of societies and Republiques ; Phis Court doth therefore order, That in whatsoever Town- lippe in this Government consisting of fifty families or up- ards ; any meet man shall be obtained to teach a Cramer oole such townshippe shall allow att least twelve pounds in irrant merchantable pay to be raised by rate on all the in- ibitants of such Towne and those that have the more imediate benefitt thereof by theire childrens going to :oole with what others may voulentarily give to promote soe )od a work and generall good, shall make up the resedue ecessarie to maintaine the same, and that the proflStts ising of the Cape ffishing, heretofore ordered to maintaine Gramer scoole in this collonie, be destributed to such owns as have Gramer scooles for the maintainance threof," c, etc. No better evidence is required of the crying need of some nd of schools than the above act establishing the grade died " Gramer scooles." By this act any town not establishing a Grammar School as required to pay an annual tax of five pounds to the [joining town which had such a school. The first legislation of Swansea on schools was made ecember 19, 1673, by which a Grammar School was "set p " under the following order. " It was voted and ordered, nemine contradicente, that a :hool be forthwith set up in this town for the teaching of rammer. Rhetoric, and Arithmetic, and the tongues of KBV. JOHIf MYLES, SCHOOLMASTEE. 149 Latin, Greek and Hebrew, also to read English and to write, and that at a salary of ^£40 per annum in currant country pay, which passeth from man to man, be duly paid from time to time, and at all times hereafter to the schoolmaster thereof, and Mr. John Myles, the present pastor of the Church here assembling, be the schoolmaster, during the said pastor's life and from and after his decease that the school and salary thereto belonging during their respective natural lives; pro- vided, nevertheless, that the said school and forty pounds salary aforesaid shall be continued to the said John Myles, and to the said successive pastors for and during such time as he or they, and every one of them shall be contented to take their ministerial maintenance by weekly contribution and no longer. " It is further ordered that said school shall be only free to such children whose, parents pay any rates towards the said school, and to none other, and that the schoolmaster and successive schoolmasters thereof for the time being shall have liberty to take in any other scholars they think fit, to be educated there, and every scholar at first entrance shall pay twelve pence in silver towards buying of books for the said school." The proprietors of Swansea had made some provision for education in setting apart certain lots, the use or income of which was for the benefit of the school. The same pro- vision was made by the town in 1672, when such lots were laid out with the privilege of the second rank. By the act of Swansea, 1673, the pastor. Rev. John Myles, was made schoolmaster for life at a salary of forty pounds a year. This caused trouble, for some of the people understood that the salary was for his services as pastor and schoolmas- ter, while others considered it as payment for his school work, but not for his pastoral labors. The discussion was ended by the following order of the town, passed May 19, 1673 : "Whereas there hath been a former order concluded con- cerning the maintenance of a free school, and to give encour- agement to the ministry of the church, since which time )0 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. veral have withdrawn their part of payment thereto, some )jecting against the school and some against the ministry, )w it is voted, and ordered to be understood, that the above id maintenance shall be for both, and to be paid in beef, )rk, or provision, as corn, butter, etc." In the town legislation of 1673 are found the rudiments of thorough education in good earnest, for, in addition to the ree Rs of modern times, we have Rhetoric, Latin, Greek, id Hebrew. What say you, schoolmen within the limits of Id Swansea, are these ancient tongues taught in your graded ammar schools of 1897, or has the English tongue, as such, place in your modern course of studies.? And what say you, lachers of Wannamoisett or Kickemuit, do your certificates ' qualifications embrace the ancient classics and the higher nglish studies ? or shall we yield to the ancient dwellers on le Sowams a higher standard of education than now prevails I the same quarters .' Parson Myles, the pastor and teacher, 3w becomes John Myles, the schoolmaster and pedagogue, id with his saddle-bags across his horse's back he starts for aptain Willett's, to commence his two months' school service I that section. Board and lodgings for man and beast are a art of the schoolmaster's salary, and as there are no school- auses, he rides up on Monday morning to the hospitable Dor of his old friend Brown — the scene of his future labors. . group of boys and misses is gathered to pay their deference I their future teacher, and with bows and courtesies they elcome him whom they have been taught to reverence as leir spiritual guide. The student and the rogue are there, id the latter scans, with mischievous eyes and with proph- ;ic spirit, the ferule, and Solomon's rod, which are to form a irt of the school furnishings of our ancient school-room, he saddle-bags contain the little library of text-books, which ■e to be the common stock for instruction and study. The )elling, the grammar, the arithmetic, and the classical books ive all been thumbed in English and Welsh homes, across le Atlantic, and are now made to bear tribute to the educa- onal needs of this early civilization. Our school-room is an THE MASTER AND SCHOOL. 151 upper chamber, with a long, rough table in the centre of the room, and rude benches ranged around its sides, and elevated according to the size of the boys and girls who are to occupy them. The master holds the key of the storehouse of knowl- edge in his hands, and with wise care unlocks and brings out his treasures as his pupils seem to need. The ciphering book is their slate, their black-board, and their writing-book, and the good, round, full hand of that elder day, and the artistic skill of those early performers in penmanship often put in the shade the efforts of more favored ones to-day. For six days in the week the master and pupils ply their school tasks, and we may well wonder when and where our good parson finds time and strength to prepare the manna for feeding his flock on Sunday, unless he has already learned that there are two ends to every sermon barrel. From Captain Willett's, when his service ends, he rides to Kickemuit, to Hugh Cole's, where a similar two months of labor in teaching follow, and from thence back home to New Meadow Neck, where he finishes his annual round, and draws on the raters of the town for his well-earned salary. Some of his parishoners, however, think this forty pounds a full equivalent for his ministerial as well as pedagogical services, and when the con- tribution box comes round on Sunday morning, they some- how fail to feel the force of its persuasive presence. Suffice to say, good Parson Myles, like many other pastors and pedagogues, did not grow rich from his people. But in that itinerant school were taught and learned the graces of good manners, the master forgetting not the sage advice of an ancient sage who spoiled the rod to spare the child. The boys are here preparing themselves as deputies to the Great and General Court at Boston, as constables, grand-jurymen, selectmen, surveyors, town clerks, tithing- men, schoolmasters, fence-viewers, hog reeves, etc., etc., and the various other duties and offices of civil society. Among them is Samuel Myles, the son of the pastor, who entered Harvard College from our grammar school in 1680, grad- uated in 1684, received the title of A. M., was appointed as >2 THE HISTOEY OF BAKEINGTON. ctor of King's Chapel, Boston, in 1689, and died in 1729, iter an able ministry of forty years over one people. And le girls, — well, we know not how our intelligent grand- others and grand aunts would have figured in the world, id how different a figure we should have cut to-day, had it )t been for the schools and teachers of that ancient time. In 1698 the selectmen met and treated with Jonathan asworth to be schoolmaster for the town for the year en- ling and to teach school in the several places of the town r course. The town records the fact as follows : " At ye meeting for choice of Town Officers March 28, 599. Also then voted and confirmed the agreement the select- len made with Jonathan Bosworth for schoolmaster this ■esent year and to begin teaching the first month on ^anamosset neck ye second month on New Meadow neck : 3d month on Kicamuet ye 4 month at Barttroums neigh- jrhood ye sth at Mattapoiset, and so successively and to ive 18;^ per annum one fourth part in money the other 3 irts in provisions at money price." In 169s, it was proposed and concluded "that any part of le town that neglects to provide a convenient place for laching school, that then the other part of the town that )th provide and accommodate shall improve said school- laster." In 1701, pedagogue Bosworth is still teaching with is salary increased to .;^20 and his itinerancy extended from ^annamoisett to Bartram's, and " he to satisfie for his diet It of his wages." In 1702, the Court of Quarter Sessions Bristol has fined our old town for want of a grammar hoolmaster the sum of £,^, and the selectmen are au- orized to procure a grammar schoolmaster with all con- inient speed, and in November, 1702, we find that they Lve agreed with one Mr. John Devotion to give him ;^I2, irrent money of New England, to be paid quarterly, and e town to pay for his diet ; " that he shall in the year move in ye four quarters of ye town," and they also allow^ m ;£20 to be paid by the town for the keeping of his horse. SCHOOL AXIJ SCHOOL-HOUSE, DISTRICT i, BARKIXGTON. JOHN DEVOTIOK, SCHOOLMASTEE. 153 In 1703 it was voted that the schoolmaster's abode should be paid after the rate of 4s per week in provisions at money price, and the salary of Mr. Devotion be raised four pounds in money "and pay for his Dyet." A good commentary on the schoolmaster's labors. In 1709, it was unanimously voted that the selectmen should agree with Mr. John Devo- tion, our former schoolmaster, for his services for six years ensuing. In 171 5 his contract expired. So happy are the relations between master and people that the selectmen are again authorized to treat with Mr. John Devotion. "At a Town Meeting in Swansea Oct. 4th, 1715, Treated with Mr. John Devotion late schoolmaster of this town his time being out by former agreement the Selectmen being present Agreed with said school master John Devotion to serve ye Town of Swanzey the Term of Twenty years Insu- ing if he lives and remains capable to perform s* service to teach our Youth to Read English and Latin and write and Cypher as there may be Occation. Upon the several con- dishens following that is to say s* John Devotion is to Dili- gently and stedily to tend and Keep a school five months yearly and every year During the s" 20 years yt is to be understood as following viz. : October, November, Decem- ber, January, February, the two first months at or near his own dwelling house every year and to remove y" 3 Remain- ing months yearly to the several places here expressed yt is to say as far as Kekemuit to John Hails or there abouts and Elisha May's all in s* Town and to find him self board within s* Limmits and further y" s* John Devotion is obliged to remove his schooling y^ latter 3 months to any part of s* Town provided he hath his board upon free cost and con- veniency for y® school by any neighborhood or any particu- lar man orderly considered proper by y" selectmen of s" Town. "And the s* John Devotion is to have the sum of seven- teen pounds ten shillings yearly paid to him by y" s" Town for his service in his schooling y* term of the s* 20 years if he lives and performs s" agreement at s" meeting let out to 54 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. s s* John Devotion a lot of land Called teachers and school ot lying and being on the east side of New Meadow River stween the land of Richard Hail Junr and John Thurber 1 y* east side of the country Road in Swanzey afores* the ill term of 20 years if s" Devotion Liveth and keep school "ores", Reserving a Priviledg of wood for maintaining a re for ye school out of s* lot during s* term and for y® use : s'' lot y" s'* Devotion is to pay the sum of 3 pounds yearly id except the s* 3 pounds for ye use of s* Lot for 3 pounds lid towards and in part of s* sum of 17 Pound Ten Shil- ngs yearly and at y* end of s* Term s* Devotion is obliged sacably and quietly to surrender s* Lot up to the Town id farther it is agreed that the owners or proprietors of Lot are to pay the worth orvallew of what fence shall or ay be on s" Lot at the end of s* Term to the said John 'evotion or his heirs and further it is agreed yt s** Devotion lall not let out s" Lot to any other person and if s* Devo- on Decease before s* Term be expired s'* Lot shall return I the Propriety and the fences to be paid for as a > his heirs or assigns." Of Mr. Devotion's qualifications for teaching we can have ;tle question. Of his discipline we may form an idea from manual of a school code then in general use. THE SCHOOLMASTER TO HIS SCHOLARS. " My child and scholar take good heed, Unto the words that are here set, And see thou do accordingly. Or else be sure thou shall be beat. First, I command thee God to serve. Then to thy parents duly yield. Unto all men be courteous, And mannerly in town and field. Your clothes unbuttoned do not use, Let not your hose ungartered be ; Have handkerchief in readiness, Wash hands and face, or not see me. SCHOOL-HOUSES. 155 Lose not your books, inkhorns or pens, Nor girdle, garters, hat or band. Let shoes be tyed, pin shirt-band close, Keep well your hands at any hand. If broken hosed or shoed you go, Or slovenly in your array, Without a girdle or intrust. Then you and I must have a fray.'' Several more verses added to the duties and increased the perils of a scholar's life in that early day. Of the early school-houses, built by the proprietors of the town, very little can be said to commend their comforts or even their conveniences. Rudely built, located near the centre of the district, on the triangle where three ways parted, or on the angle formed by two roads ; furnished with long wooden benches and desks ; heated from open fireplaces at the end of the room opposite the door, so far as it could be said to have been heated at all ; the wood for fuel fur- nished by the patrons of the school, in lieu of money for the support of the school ; the fires built by the larger boys, and the house swept and otherwise kept clean by the larger girls ; — these were some of the conditions of that early school life of our ancestors two centuries ago. In fact, matters had but little altered in the early part of this century for Edward Everett in an address at Faneuil Hall, Boston, in 1855, speaks thus of the " old school house " of 1S04. " It contained but one room heated in the winter by an iron stove, which sent up a funnel into a curious brick chimney, built down from the roof, in the middle of the room, to within seven or eight feet of the floor, being like Mahomet's coffin, held in the air to the roof by bars of iron. The boys had to take their turns, in winter, in coming early to the school-house, to open it, to make a fire sometimes of wet logs and a very inadequate supply of other combustibles, to sweep out the room, and, if need be, to shovel a path through the snow to the street. These were not very fascinating duties for an urchin of ten or eleven ; but we lived through )6 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. , and were perhaps not the worse for having to turn our inds to these little offices." In addition to the books already referred to, a word should ; said as to the Hornbook of our ancestors. This book was simpler book for beginners than the New England Primer, hich in its later editions contained the catechisms of John otton and that of the Westminster Assembly. The Horn- 3ok was so called on account of its horn cover, which ren- ;red it indestructible from without. Shakespeare calls it le " teacher of boys " in his time, and it was used in Mas- ichusetts and other parts of New England a little over a indred years ago. " He does not know his hornbook," as equivalent to " he does not know his letters." A single Dok would often serve two or three generations of children ': the same family, so carefully were those early text books sed and handed down from parents to children. But facts lough have been given to show from what small begin- ngs our present efficient public school system has sprung. As the town has settled a schoolmaster over its educa- onal interests for the term of twenty years, we may safely ave the boys and girls of that generation to Mr. Devotion's ire, and turn backward forty years to the stirring and agic events of Philip's War. CHAPTER XII SWANSEA RANKS Division of Lands — Order of Town — Threefold Ranks — Names of Men in the Several Ranks — Town Legislation — Committee on Ranking — Highest Rank Hereditary — The Town Abolished the System. ALL the lands of the town not included in the Sowams' purchase, which had not been distributed among the proprietors of Sowams and Mattapoisett prior to 1667, were under the general control of the inhabitants and subject to town legislation. We come now to consider a most extraordi- nary and novel method of dividing the lands of the town among its citizens, a plan which was adopted in no other colony in New England, and the motive for which does not appear in the town records. The inhabitants were divided into three ranks or classes, according to their ability, character, or influence, corresponding in some sense to the three Roman orders, the Patrician, the Equestrian, and the Plebeian. The power of ranking the inhabitants was exer- cised by the five persons appointed by the Court to regulate the admission of the same, in 1666, and was afterwards assumed by the committee appointed by the town. Captain Thomas Willett, Mr. Paine, Senior Mr. Brown, John Allen, and John Butterworth arranged the ranks at the first. Pro- motions and degradations were made from one rank to another according to the authority and judgment of the com- mittee in charge. The act of the town, establishing the ranking system was as follows : Swansea, February 9th, 1670. " It is ordered, that all lots and divisions of lands that are or hereafter shall be'^ granted to any particular person, shall be proportioned according to the three-fold ranks under- written, so that where those of the first rank shall have three 58 THE HISTOKY OF BAKRINGTON. ;res, those of the second rank shall have two acres, and lose of the third rank shall have one ; and that it shall be . the power of the selectmen for the time being, or com- ittee for admission of inhabitants, to admit of and place ich as shall be received as inhabitants, into either of the lid ranks as they shall judge fit, till the number of three- :ore inhabitants shall be made up, and that when the said jmber of three-score is accomplished, the lands that are ready bought shall be divided and proportioned according I the said three-fold ranks ; that in the meantime, the said lectmen or committee shall have full power to grant lots ito such persons as may not be placed into any of the said nks until further order, provided the grants not to exceed ne acres to a man." " The said first ranks are only such as are in these col- ons : Capt. Thomas Willett, Mr. Nathaniel Paine, Mr. James Browne, Mr. John Allen, Sen., John Butterworth, Mr. Richard Sharpe, William Ingraham, Mr. John Myles, Pastor, A Pastor's lot, A Teacher's lot, Mr. John Dickse. "The above second rank are only such as are in these col- ans ; Samuel Luther, Robert Jones, Zach'r Eddy, Hugh Cole, John Myles, Jun., Nicholas Tanner, Benjamin Alby, Sampson Mason, Thomas Barnes, John Cole, Joseph Carpenter, Gerard Ingraham, William Howard, Gideon Allen, Thomas Lewis, Jonathan Bos worth, Anthony Low, Obadiah Bowen, Thomas Eastabrooks, William Bartram, George Aldrich, William Salisbury, John Brown, A Schoolmaster. TOWN LEGISLATIOK. 159 " The said third rank are only such as are in these col- umns : Hez. Luther, John Martin, Joseph Lewis, Isaac Allen, Caleb Eddy, Eldad Kingsley, John Paddock, Samuel Woodbury, Nathaniel Lewis, Joseph Wheaton, Samuel Wheaton, John Wheaton, Thomas Manning, John Harding, William Cahoone, Jeremiah Child." Further town legislation as to ranks was as follows : November 2, 1671, first rank was ordered to pay j£^., 12s.; second'rank, £2., 8s.; third rank, £1., 4s. 1671, John Crabtree was permitted to occupy six acres of land for the present, and to be at the town's courtesy in re- lation to more lands. 1672, Joseph Wheaton admitted an inhabitant of the third rank. Job Winslow and John Lathrop admitted to the second rank. John Clow was admitted an inhabitant, if there be no just objection for his removal. 1673, Hezekiah Luther was promoted from the third rank to the second, and Gerard Ingraham, by his own consent, degraded from the second to the third rank. 1673, the names of George Aldrich, Wm. Salsbury, and John Harding were ordered to be erased from the town book "for not fulfilling the fundamental order of the town." 1674, John Harding was ordered to leave the town. Richard Burgess was placed in the third rank. Dermit Smith and Wm. Hammon were admitted inhabi- tants. 1677, There was granted to John West ye six acres of Land be it more or less Lying between John Martins Lot & Richard Burgesses Lot and also to be stated in ye third or lower Rank. 160 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTOK. " Whereas there hath been a difference betwixt ye Town of Swanzey & Joseph Kent, about his buying John Harding's Right and his Claiming a Right to him granted by ye Town for ye Final Issue of all other differences of this nature, the Town doth grant and agree that Joseph Kent shall have land in this Town according to ye Proportion of land allowed to ye 2d Rank and In Witness of Joseph Kents free Consent ■& good satisfaction in this agreement and this agreement to be a final Issue on his part, In Witness hereof ye sd Joseph Kent hath hereunto set his hand, November ye 14th, 1677." " 1678. Whereas Thomas Man was accepted an Inhabi- tant in ye Town of Swanzey to ye Right of ye Third Rank & ye sd Thomas Man did sometime since by ye Consent of ye Towns men, Alienate ye sd Right to Robert Jones Inhab- itant of this Town by way of exchange for other Lands in Rehoboth by a verbal bargain although no Record doth appear of ye Towns men's Consent yet ye Townsmen do grant Liberty to ye sd Thomas Man to confirm the sd Right of a Third Rank by deed or deeds to ye heirs of ye sd Rob- ert Jones or to ye Administrator to ye estate of ye sd Rob- ert Jones for ye use of ye sd heirs and ye said heirs by vir- tue of sd deed or deeds may be invested with a good and lawful Right into ye whole Right of ye Third Rank." 1679. Nathaniel Toogood is admitted into ye 3d Rank upon his performing ye Town order. Jeremiah Child was promoted from the third to the sec- ond rank. The grant to Stephen Brace was declared utterly void. In 1680, Mr. John Safifin was admitted into the first rank. 1680. "Mr. Timothy Brooks is admitted into ye second Rank to have only such a proportion as shall belong to ye sd Rank after ye second division of fourty acres is laid out to ye second Rank." "John Thurber, Junr., James Cole, Hugh Cole, Junr. are admitted into ye 3d Rank to have only such proportion as shall belong to ye 3d Rank after ye present division of 20 acres is laid out to ye sd 3d Rank." END OF KANKIKG. 161 In 1 68 1 Mr. James Brown senior, Mr. John Allen senior and John Butterworth, were elected the committee for the admission of inhabitants, and they granted to Capt. John Browne, Ensign Thomas Estabrooke, Serjeant Samuel Luther, Serjeant Hugh Cole, and Mr. Nicholas Tanner, their heirs and assigns forever, " the full right and interest of the highest rank, &c." The ranking system had already created a landed aristoc- racy. This act of the committee proceeded a step further and made the highest rank hereditary. The inhabitants of the town began to understand the tendency of their extra- ordinary rules on this subject. Although great dissatisfac- tion had been caused by the several assignments of ranks and the promotions and degradations from rank to rank, the townsmen had not been able to see the purely undemo- cratic character and tendency of their ordinance, until the further singular, but logical actions of the committee occa- sioned a unanimous protest on the part of the town, and a declaration that the act was utterly void and of no effect. From this time, the ranking system went into disuse, only occasional reference being made to it thereafter. 11 CHAPTER XIII PHILIP'S WAR Swansea — Its Exposed Situation — Philip Shut In at Mount Hope — Reasons for War — Philip's Diplomacy — Preparations for Conflict — The First Blow — Suffering Swansea — New England Losses — Aid from Ireland — Philip's Character and Tragic Death. OUR mother town, Swansea, was the most exposed and the greatest sufferer by Philip's War of any of the New England settlements, and a brief account must be given of that bloody and destructive contest, so far as it relates to this section. Those desiring a full account of this war will read Capt. Benjamin Church's history of the eventful strug- gle between barbarism and civilization. Swansea, as we have seen, extended from Narragansett Bay, on the west, to Shawomet, the present town of Somer- set, on the east. On the south it was bounded by Mount Hope Bay, Mount Hope Neck, and Narragansett Bay. The settlements in Swansea extended from John Brown's and Captain Willett's at Wannamoisett, to Bartram's, at Mattapoisett, and included forty-four houses, besides the Baptist meeting-house on New Meadow Neck, and four gar- rison houses, or forts, one near Captain Willett's, for the protection of that neighborhood, the second near Mr. Myles's house, and not far from Myles's Bridge, and a third at Wra. Bourne's house, at Mattapoisett. The fourth garrison house, built of stone, stood near Thomas Chaffee's house, near the present residence of Leander R. Peck, Esq. The population of the town is estimated to have been two hundred and fifty, the majority of the families living on New Meadow Neck and vicinity. Philip's chief residence was at Mount Hope. His father PHILIP'S WAR. 163 had sold the lands of Swansea to the people of Plymouth, and Philip had seemed to acquiesce in the sale, but after the death of his father, Massasoit, and the tragic death of his brother Alexander, his disposition towards the white settlers changed from friendship to a bitter and poorly-concealed hostility. All the neighboring lands, for twenty miles around him, had been sold and deeded to the whites. He possessed only Mount Hope Bay and Poppasquash Necks as his own, where he could hunt and fish at his pleasure, but the balance of the Pokanoket territory was divided into the house lots, planting and pasture lands, and meadows of the white settlers. He could not leave his own wigwam and lands at Mount Hope, except by canoes, without trespassing on the lands of the whites. This was a great trial to his free spirit. Still further, the cattle of the whites encroached on his Mount Hope lands, and caused him and his tribe great annoyance. Most of all was he influenced by the insult to Alexander, which caused his early death, and he nursed revenge in his heart while he mingled with the whites, visited their homes, received their favors, and made himself familiar with their affairs and modes of life. He was a man of great cunning, shrewd and subtle in his dealings, and at the very time when he made the strongest declarations of friendship for the whites, was planning the destruction of all the English colo- nists in New England. He had united all the New England tribes in his plot of destruction so secretly that, but for an accident, the terrible massacre might have fallen on the peo- ple like a thunderbolt from a cloudless sky. The sachem of a small tribe, he had made himself the real commander-in- chief of all the Indians from the Hudson to the Penobscot. Even his long-time enemies, the Narragansetts, had been won over by his wiles, while his treachery to Plymouth, and his sworn pledges to Massachusetts Bay, misled the whites, and lulled them into fateful security. He foresaw that noth- ing short of a war of extermination of the English could save his tribe from annihilation, in which they might conquer and could but perish. The English saw the impending dan- 164 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. ger, and strove by all conciliatory measures to avert it ; treaty stipulations were entered into with Philip, but these were regarded by him only as procrastinating measures that were to afford him time to prepare his men for the conflict, and mature his plan of operations. The terrible blow v/as to be struck in 1676, a year later than it fell. The murder of Sausaman by one of Philip's men was the immediate occasion and hastening of the war. In June, 1675, Philip was holding a war dance at Mount Hope. James Brown of Wannamoisett went with a friendly letter to Philip from Governor Winslow and found him in the midst of the warlike revelry. Petananuet told Captain Church that Brown would have been killed by the young warriors but for a promise Philip had made to his father, Massassoit, that he would show kindness to him. He then learned that Philip had promised his young men, who were crazy for a fight, " that on the next Lord's day when the English were gone to meeting, they should rifle their houses and from that time forward kill their cattle." On Sunday, the 20th of June, 1675, according to promise to his warriors, Philip provoked the first bloodshed in Swan- sea, through the insolence and provocations of his men. An Indian was wounded by a settler's shot and this was the sig- nal for the onset. Thursday, the 24th of June, was a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer at Swansea, and, during, the services the Indians pillaged several houses, and, on re- turning home from church, the people were fired upon by the savages, one being killed and another wounded. Two men despatched for a surgeon were also slain. The people fled to the garrison houses, whither they carried their corn and other provisions. The garrison house at Bourne's at Mattapoisett sheltered seventy persons, sixteen men, the remainder women and children. Of a party of men sent out for corn at a deserted house, six were slain by the Indians, beheaded and their heads set up on poles at Kickemuit. Half the houses of the settlers were also burned. On the 28th of June, forces under Captain Samuel Moseby arrived PHILIP'S WAE. 165 at Myles's Garrison from Boston and Plymouth, and head- quarters were made at Swansea. A skirmish took place the evening of the 28th near Myles's Bridge, on the east side of Palmer's River, in which Captain Benjamin Church began his military career as a great soldier of the whites. One man was killed and one wounded in this fight. The troops spent the night at Myles's Garrison, and the next morning started out, expecting to find Philip at Mount Hope, but he had fled to Pocassett, east of the Taunton River. A party of Indians, who had gone to Rehoboth, was discovered burn- ing a house, and, being fired upon, four or five of them were slain, one being Peebee, a sachem of a part of the tribe that occupied the main neck of Barrington, Peebee's Neck. The war had now become general and the destruction of lifeand property by the Indians extended from town to town, until the whole of Southern New England was involved in the terrible conflict. Small parties of the savages still hung around the Swansea and Rehoboth settlements, attacking and pillaging without warning, and keeping the settlers in constant fear and watchfulness. At Wannamoisett, in July, 1676, an attack was made on the whites and Mr. Willett's son, Hezekiah, was slain, a young man about twenty-five years of age and recently married to Andia Brown. Unsus- picious of danger, Mr. Willett was shot dead with three balls, near his own door, his head was cut off and his body left on the ground. A volume could easily be written of the massacres and burnings committed by Philip and his confederates, extending to the principal settlements of New England. Swansea, our own town, was practically blotted out for the time, only four houses remaining at the close of the war, and her people had fled to places of safety at Plymouth or Boston. Rev. John Myles, the pastor, who had made a brave fight with and for his people, went to Boston with others of his flock, returning with them at the close of the war in 1676. There is no darker period in New England history than that of Philip's War, and no sadder experiences befell the early settlers than 166 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. during the bloody epoch of 1671 and 1676. We read the account with wonder that men and women and children could withstand so terrible a foe, fighting for life and home, and the names of those who fought those battles of our early civilization should be held in grateful remembrance as heroes of freedom, with all those other brave men and women who have stood for home and country in all the other dark days of struggle from 1675 to 1865. Our garlands should deck the graves of the Pilgrim martyrs of 1675 of Swansea when we remember the splendid achievements of the heroes of 1776* and "The Boys. in Blue" of 1861-65, sleeping side by side in the same cemeteries ; "On Fame's Eternal bead-roll worthy to be filed." It is worthy of special note that the trials of the New England settlers stirred the hearts and sympathies of far- away Ireland and relief was sent to the colonies, as appears by the following record : " The order and distribution of this collonies pte of the contribution made by divers Christians in Ireland for the relieffe of such as are impoverished, distressed, and in neces- sitie by the late Indian warr, was, as it respects this collonie, proportioned as followeth : £ s. p. j Mr. Browne, Swansey, 21. — 00 — GO ( John Butterworth." Of Philip it may truthfully be said that he was the greatest Indian of whom we have any record. His control of his own tribe, the Wampanoags, was supreme and unquestioned. His sagacity, shrewdness and cunning in his dealings with the whites were unequaled in Indian strategy. His skill in uniting the New England tribes, some of which had been his lifelong enemies, shows a power for organization and control equal to if not superior to that of the great statesmen and warriors of other races. His strong friendships shielded many of his benefactors in the hour of greatest peril, while his revenge was a fearful cyclone of terror that swept all PHILIP'S WAR. 167 before it. His campaigns were short, sharp and decisive. Within a twelvemonth from June 20th, 1675, he had well- nigh destroyed the flower and fruit of fifty years of New England planting. His courage and coolness in battle made him the natural leader of the savage forces, while his caution prevented him from personal sacrifice. The tomahawk, scalping knife, and torch were the only weapons he knew how to use, and stood him in the same stead as the rifle, the cannon, and the bayonet in our military service. Let us remember that he was a savage, with the nature, the instincts, the education, the traditions of savage races for untold generations. He found himself in a corner of the old Wampanoag possessions, shut out from his hunting grounds, and shut up to the narrow peninsula of Consumpsit Neck. His young warriors clamored for the freedom of the chase, and the wild life of their fathers, made familiar to them by song and story, in the wigwam and in the forest. Instead of the wild deer roamed the contented kine of the white man. "The five rayle fence" of Swansea, obstructed his feet and his vision. What wonder then that the savage was restless, and what wonder, when restrained, that he chafed under the unused harness. He was a slave on his own soil. His own hands had wrought the fetters which bound him. Shall we blame him that he made one manly effort, though a savage one, to be free once more.' Could we have done less, and preserved our manly savageness .' It was the freedom once more of the savage, or death at the white man's bullet. He chose the latter in struggling for the former. Death was sweeter to him than civilization. CHAPTER XIV FROM PLYMOUTH TO MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY Condition of Colonies at Close of Philip's War — The Andros Govern- ment — William and Mary on the Throne — Plymouth Colony with- out a Charter — Massachusetts Bay Influence at London — Swansea Votes "No," on Raising Money — Plymouth Merged in the Bay Colony — Swansea Comes Under a New Colonial Government. THE years from 1675 to 1691, were full of troubles of various sorts to all the dwellers in Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies. Philip's War had broken up homes, destroyed houses and farming property, and sacri- ficed the lives of the people to an extent never fully measured and by us of this day, scarcely known or appre- ciated. The infant colonies were just emerging into the comfortable life of young manhood, when the earnings of the struggling years were swept away in a night and the best blood of the settlers was spent in a defence of life and home. Add to the personal losses the debt incurred for arms, equipments and military service, amounting to the almost incredible sum of ^100,000, as stated by the Com- missioners, and one can begin to measure the cost of that perilous encounter, the first and inevitable duel between civilization and savagery on this Continent. Following this destructive war with an interval of only ten years, came the tyrannical usurpation of Colonial authority by Sir Edmund Andros in 1686. James the Second had no friendship for the American Colonies, but bore especial hatred to Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. He demanded the charters of the colonies, and all were surrendered save that of Connecticut which was hidden in the Charter oak at Hartford. Andros arrived at Boston on the 29th of December, 1686, with a ACCESSION OF WUiLIAM AND MAEY. 169 royal commission as Governor of the New England Colonies and from this date till his departure, April, 1689, he exer- cised his authority like a despot. The press was put under subjection, the people were threatened with a loss of their meeting houses and the freedom of worship, titles to land were declared invalid, taxes were imposed by Andros and his Council, town meetings except for choice of town officers were prohibited, imprisonment and fines followed remon- strance and opposition to the government orders. The anxiety of the people was great, the peril threatening free institutions was oppressive. Society stood still and awaited its expected overthrow as property, social order, democratic government, religious institutions and chartered rights were ruthlessly assailed. Governor Hinckley of Plymouth had the courage to lay the wrongs and complaints of the people before the throne, but without avail. A war was begun by Andros against the Eastern Indians, and the men able to bear arms were impressed into a fruitless service. Whence was relief to come .' The God of Providence was on the side of the colonists for their protection. On the- last of April, 1689, news reached Boston that William, Prince of Orange, had landed in Eng- land. Inflamed by their wrongs, and overjoyed by the glorious tidings, the people seized their arms, pro- claimed William and Mary sovereigns of England, arrested Andros and confined him a prisoner in the Castle, compelled him to resign, and by acclamation called their old Governor, Simon Bradstreet, then at the age of eighty-seven, to accept control of the government. The Colonies were once more a free people, thanks to the God of Nations. The event of greatest consequence to Plymouth Colony occurred in the year 1691, when the old colony was called upon to surrender its de facto if not its de jure existence and become a part of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Plymouth had never held a charter owing to the hostility of Charles the Second. Rev. Ichabod Wiswall of Duxbury with Cooke and Oakes of Boston were sent to England as agents of the Bay Colony 170 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. to obtain a new charter for that colony. Increase Mather and Sir Henry Ashurst joined the Committee in London. Plymouth also asked for a charter through Wiswall but the king granted one with Plymouth and Massachusetts in- cluded. This was not accepted by the Plymouth agent, nor acceptable to the people. Plymouth was stricken out. There was then danger that Plymouth would be united with New York and Mr. Mather stoutly opposed this. It was then proposed at Plymouth that Governor Hinckley should go to London to use his influence to obtain a separate charter, but the people of the towns when called on refused or neglected to vote money to pay the expenses. The people of Swansea, when appealed to, failed to respond in favor of Colonial existence or independence. In the warrants to the towns to vote on the matter the Plymouth Court desired "that it be known whether it be their minds that we should sit still and fall into the hands of those that can catch us, without using means to procure that which may be for our good, or to prevent that which may be our inconvenience." It was stated in the call that the expense of the charter would not take less than ^^500 sterling or ;?2,500. As the debt of the Colony was ;^27,ooo, the people poor and in debt, party feeling strong, and the colonists divided on many matters of local government, it was not strange that there was too little united interest in the matter to raise the extra tax for an object that seemed to many as of little consequence. The result was that on October 7, 1691, a charter was obtained by Mr. Mather and his associates for Massachusetts Bay, which included Plymouth Colony within its boundaries. The eldest born of the New England Colonies thus lost its paternal birthright and the coveted prize of colonial inde- pendence was transferred to the sister colony. Mr. Wiswall, the Plymouth agent, in a letter to Governor Hinckley, wrote, "All the frame of Heaven moves on one axis, and the whole of new England's interests seems designed to be loaden on one bottom, and her particular motions to concentrate to the Massachusetts tropic. You know who are wont to trot THE EKD OF PLYMOUTH COLONY. 171 after the bay horse : your distance is your advantage, by which you may observe their motions. Yet let me remind you of that great statesman, Ecclesiastes viii. 14. Few wise men rejoice at their chains ; I do believe Plymouth's silence, Hampshire's neglect, and the rashness and impru- dence of one at least, who went from New England in dis- guise by night (Increase Mather), hath not a little con- tributed to our general disappointment." By her inaction Plymouth lost Colonial existence, possi- bly statehood, and for two centuries her brilliant history with the liberal sentiments of her founders has been eclipsed by the more enterprising, wealthy, and prosperous Colony of the Bay. " Of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these, It might have been." CHAPTER XV GLEANINGS FROM TOWN AND PLYMOUTH COURT LEGISLATION SIXTEEN hundred and sixty-eight. Plymouth Court ordered that Wannamoisett and places adjacent shall be called Swansea. Captain Willett, Mr. Paine, Senior, Mr. Browne, John Allin, John Butterworth, were appointed to have the admission of inhabitants, the disposal of lands, and ordering of other affairs of the town. Captain Willett was given liberty to purchase what lands he can in behalf of the Court, " soe as hee doe not to much straiten the Indians." The mark for Swansea horses was an S, "on the farr shoulder." The Court declared that " for such stronge liquors as are or shalbe brought into the said towne (Swansea) by forraign- ers in the way of trad, it shalbe costom free soe as it be not retailed and this libertie to continue for the tearme of seaven yeares from the date hereof." Ordered that the town of Swansea send down one to serve in the office of Constable, one for a deputy, and one grand jury man. 1652. "Mrs. Joane Barnes, for frequently slandering and defameing the children of Captain Willett and the daughter of Geo. Watson, shee was sentenced to sitt in the stockes during the Courts pleasure, and a paper whereon her facte written in capitall letters, to bee made fast unto her hatt, or near vnto her, all the time of her sitting there, all which was performed according to the sentence." In 1669 the town of Swansea petitioned the Court " for a necke of land called Papasquash Neck, that it may be graunted TOWN AND COLONIAL LEGISLATION. 173 unto them for the promoting of a way of trade in this coUonie," which was granted. It was further ordered by the Court " that all such lands as the Indians can well spare shalbe purchased by Captain Willett or Mr. Nathaniel Paine, alwaies provided that the Gou. be acquainted with such lands before any purchase be made of them." November 4, 1670, persons neglecting to attend town meet- ings were to be fined 4s. by the town. 1670. In the controversy between Swansea and Rehoboth the Court ordered "that the Meadows Commonly Known by the name of The Hundred Acre Meadow though they Ly within Swansea Lyne, yet to be and to belong to the Town- ship of Rehoboth, and there to be Rated as they have bin used to bee and not unto Swansea." "That the Meadows belonging to Sowamset, Called the five ten Acre Lots Lying within the Lyne of Rehoboth shall be and belong to the Township of Swansea and there to be Rated and not unto Rehoboth." SWANSEA FREEMEN IN 167O. Captain Thomas Willett, John Allin, Mr. James Brown, Mr. Nicholas Tanner, Nathaniel Peck, Hugh Cole, Sacarayah Eddy, Samuel Luther, Thos. Read, Mr. John Myles, Jr. 1672. A petition was ordered to be presented to the Gen- eral Court "for the obtaining of those lands within our bounds that were lately bought by the inhabitants of Taun- ton " and Mr. Constant Southworth. John Allen, James Brown, and Hugh Cole were the agents. " It is ordered that Nathaniel Lewes & Caleb Eddy, do view the fence between the Indians and ye Town & return the defects thereof to ye Town by the sixth day come seven- night. " Ordered that every man shall fetch his cattle out of ye 174 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. neck within ye fence & yt all Cattel yt are found there- after ye 3d of June & brought to Pound shall Pay for every beast or horse 2. s. 6. p." 1675. " Finding that Joseph Kent had Trespassed upon ye Lands of ye sd Town, fencing it in & calling it his own contrary to the order made against any such actions, It is therefore ordered that Hugh Cole & Samuel Luther doe forthwith demolish the said fence & forbid the said Kent to Improve the Land aforesaid and this our order shall save harmless & warrant the aforesaid Cole & Luther, and defend them in any action or actions arising thereupon." Lieut. John Brown, Nathaniel Peck and Samuel Luther were chosen town auditors to go to Plymouth, to note all the charges of the town. "At a Town Meeting of ye Townsmen ye 13th of March, 1675, There was granted unto Mr. John Miles, Pastor of ye Church one Acre of Land at ye lower end of New Meadow Neck, vizt : The South Lot on ye East side for to build upon." 1676. "According to a former agreement that ye meeting house. If removed should be removed to ye lower end of New Meadow Neck ; It is now ordered & agreed that ye meeting house shall be set upon ye place appointed vizt : upon New Meadow Neck." 1677. "John Allen, John Butterworth, and Hugh Cole are Chosen to agree with a Carpenter to build Mr. Miles a house. John West is accepted as an Inhabitant ; Dormit Smith is Granted ten acres at Kecamuet and is to yield up ten acres of yt lot formerly granted at Mattapoisett in Lieu of it." Voted that the townsmen shall give no more land without the approbation of the town." January, 1677-78. The order of the town for fining ab- sentees from town-meetings was renewed and the following vote was passed : " It is agreed, voted and ordered, that TOWN AND COLONIAL LEGISLATION. 175 whereas upon experience we find, that the moving of many public or private concerns in the beginning or time of our town-meetings before the first be considered and stated, tend to the neglect of many, and imperfect stating the rest : we therefore agree .and order that some meet person be yearly chosen by paper votes, to whom all public and private con- cerns before the town-meeting shall be brought, and in the town-meeting shall orderly declare the same as time will permit, having a solution or ejection of the first, before he proceed to a second, always preferring public before private concerns to consideration ; and that no man shall depart from the town-meeting before it be dissolved by our mod- erator so chosen aforesaid, on the penalty of 6d. for every such fault." 1678. "To Prevent Strife ye Town thought it Con- venient to make This order. It is ordered that all horses that are undermarked within the Town shall be brought up to see who Can lay claim to ym & Mr. Brown & Mr. Allen & Samuel Luther shall have ye dispose of ye sd horses & those men that have those horses shall pay the Charge for ye bringing up of ym." Mr. Myles, during the Indian war, had retired to Boston, and was instrumental in establishing the first Baptist church there in 1679. On the 21st of May, 1678, " Mr. John AUin and John Brown were chosen to draw up a letter in the behalf of the church and town, to be sent to Mr. John Myles, pastor of the church and minister of the town, mani- festing our desires of his return to us." Thomas Easta- brooke was chosen to carry the town letter to Mr. Myles at Boston. On the 26th of November in the same year, " it was voted for the encouragement of Mr. Myles in the work of the ministry amongst us, to pay to the said Mr. John Myles sixty pounds yearly, thirty pounds in provision at, money price, and thirty pounds in current country pay. And whereas Mr. John Myles desires to be accommodated with a servant, horses and cart, and other conveniences for his com- fortable subsistence, the town doth promise to give to the 176 THE HISTOEY OP BAEEINGTON. said Mr. Myles the sum of four pounds in money, which may procure the said conveniences, which four pounds is to be paid at the end of the year after the coming of Mr. Myles amongst us." 1678. " It was voted that the Complement of ye £18 due to Roger Kinnicutt for building of ye frame of Mr. Miles's house shall be paid in Land out of ye Town Common. Deacon John Butterworth, John Martin, Joseph Hunt, and William Howard were Chosen and appointed for ye Town of Swansea to perfect ye division of Land on New Meadow Neck with ye Proprietors of Rehoboth." 1679. Plymouth Court allowed the town of Swansea, " that they shall have and fovever enjoy those lands that lye to the southward of their old line until it comes within twenty rodds of Kekamuett Springe, which is the entrance of Mount Hope Neck, — to direct a line quite over or crosse the neck, — all the lands lying on the northerly syde of the line, and soe home to Swansea's former bounds to be and for ever belonge unto the town of Swansea." This line was run by John Richmond, Nicholas Pecke, and Increase Rob- inson, 25th of November, 1679. The committee was out three days, their expenses were fifteen shillings. Mr. Wil- liam Ingraham, Mr. Hugh Cole, and Mr. Obadiah Bowen of Swansea were witnesses of the deed. "At a meeting Legally warned & ye Town being mett. to- gether this 30th day of September, 1679. It is voted & or- dered that a Meeting house of 40 foot in length & twenty two foot in Breadth & sixteen foot between Joynts|be forth- with built & a Committee be Chosen for ye letting out of ye sd work & finishing ye same. {John Allen, \ Hugh Cole, > Committie." William Ingraham, j "At a Town meeting Legally warned & ye Town being mett together this i6th day of December, 1679. It is voted &or- o 7^ TOWN AND COLONIAL LEGISLATION. 177 dered that the one Acre Lotts Lying on ye East side of New Meadow neck at ye lower End against William Ingraham's shall be laid out into two Acre Lotts." " It is ordered, concluded, & agreed that whereas ye Com- niittie Chosen for ye surveying of Brooks's Pasture, 25th of February, 1679, have now brought in their part of it to be 300 Acres. It is now ordered : 1. That Convenient highwayes may be laid out in sd Land. 2. That ye Land for house Lots be laid out. 3. Hugh Cole, Senior's, Land therein be laid out. 4. That ye Remaindder be laid out to each man accord- ing to his Proportion as Rank't, and that each man draw his lot when put in from which is to be done with Convenient Speed by 5 men as a Committee namely, John Brown, Wm. Ingraham, Hugh Cole, Samuel Luther, Obadiah Bowen. " It is voted three men be Chosen to take an account of ye former Constables. And that the sd three men Shall take an account of Mr. Miles of ye Town debts, viz. John Brown, Mr. Nicholas Tanner, Wm. Ingraham." "At a Town meeting Legally warned & ye Town being mett together this 25th day of February, 1679. It is ordered and voted that Mr. John Miles shall have and enjoy the House he now liveth in to him & his Executors & administs. and as- signs. Which house was built by ye Town on Conditions yt ye sd Mr. Miles acquit & discharge the town of all debts due unto him before and in ye time of ye War, Except nine pounds, fifteen shillings due to ye sd Myles from ye Estate of Capt. Willett which said Sum Mr. Miles gave to this Town." "Received of ye Town of Swanzey ye full of all debts due to me fron ye sd Town from ye beginning of ye world till ye eighteenth of June, 1679. I say Received this 25th of Feb., 1679, by me. John Myles," 12 178 THE HISTORY OP BAEEINGTON. " It is voted that ye whole Tract of Land called Brooks's Pasture unto ye old fence by John Wheatons & what Land is yet undivided whi9h was obtained from ye Countrey, by Com- position shall be divided in a distinct division & a Survey up to Swanzey two miles be taken whicn shall bear its part to satisfie Hugh Cole. It is voted that Mr. William Ingraham, Samuel Luther, William Howard shall agree with Hugh Cole as to what part he shall have of Brooks's Pasture & also to survey the whole tract obtained of ye Countrey by agreement." " At a Town meeting Legally warned & ye Town being mett together this 29th of March, 1680. It is voted & ordered that ye bridge by Mr. Miles be Re- built with all Convenient speed. It is voted yt ye Meeting house be set up at ye Lower end of new meadow neck & yt ye Committie for sd houde appoint the Individual place. It was voted yt a Pound at Kecamuet & a Pound on ye Purchasers neck be set up. Mr. Jeremiah Child, James Brown, John Martin, Heze- kiah Luther, Joseph Kent, Wm. Howard, John Allen, Dan- iel Allen, Jonathan Bosworth, Thomas Wood, Caleb Eddy, Thomas Cole propounded for freemen." 1680. " It was ordered that Sargeant Hugh Cole, Sargeant Samuel Luther, Obadiah Boweti Senr. do on ye 29th of this Instant attend Taunton Gentlemen to lay out our two mile of Land due to Swanzey from Taunton & to Run our Range 'betwixt us & them." 1 68 1. Timothy Brooks "had liberty to set up a saw- mill." A petition was made for a jury "to lay out such highways as are at present needful, namely, through Brooks Pasture to the ferry, at New Meadow Neck." " It was voted that six acres of land be left perpetually for to accommodate a person to keep the ferry, or to be improved for the use and benefit of the town." In 1725, the town reduced the ferry lot to one acre and one quarter. TOWN AND COLONIAL LEGISLATION. 179 1682. Samuel Luther was elected captain of the military company of Swansea. 1684. " Voted that Timothy Brooks may keep entertain- ment for travelers." 1685. "Voted that the place of all public meetings should be between the Mr. Myles house and the great bridge and a house be there built for that end by a free con- tribution." 1686. "Mr. John Brown approved as Captain of the Town of Swansea, Timothy Brookes, Lieutenant, and James Cole, ensign." 1689. "Commissioned officers of Swansea: Timothy Brookes, Captain ; James Cole, lieutenant ; Robert Sanford, ensign, Approved by the General Court, May 20, 1690, and ordered to be commissionated." May J 6, 1690. " The orders agreed on at Plymouth, February 11, 1690-91, were read. Voted nemine contradi- cente that they would give no money towards the procuring a charter." "August 28, 1693, the warrant from the Quarter Sessions of Massachusetts Bay Colony was read, requiring the town to choose a minister according to law. After some debate the meeting was adjourned for half an hour; the church by Lieut. Cole returned and replied thus, that they had a min- ister they apprehended was according to law, namely. Elder Samuel Luther, and desired the vote of the town to see their assent and approbation, and after some debate, the meeting was adjourned. At the adjournment the meeting voted to put to vote whether Elder Samuel Luther should be minister of this town, and proceeded to vote, and chose Elder Samuel Luther minister for the town of Swansey." The original charter of the town of Swansea under date of March i, 1667, established its bounds as follows : " This Court have granted unto them ; all such Lands that Lyeth betwixt the salt water, and river, and the bounds of Taunton and Rehoboth not prejudicing any man's particular Interest," 180 THE HISTORY OF BABRINGTON. The second charter bears date July 23, 1689, in which the bounds are more definitely stated. " Butted and bounded according to Court grant towards ye West, upon ye great salt water Bay and River that goeth up towards ye Town of Providence ; even so farr up ta- wards ye North as ye south line or bounds of ye Town of Rehoboth ; and upon that line towards ye East, upon ye Bounds of Rehoboth aforesaid ; and then Northerly untill it come to ye Bounds of ye Township of Taunton, on which it also bounds ; Along upon ye River called Taunton River ; & likewise towards ye South is bounded upon the North line of ye Towne of Bristoll, that runneth cross Mount hope neck to ye River of Swanset aforesd towards ye West ; according to ye Grant of ye Court of New Plimouth aforesd." 1699. The town " confirmed the agreement made by the selectmen with Mr. Jonathan Bosworth, to be School-Master for the town of Swansea, for the year ensuing, and to teach School in the several places in the town by Course and to have as his salary £iS per year, one quarter in money and the other three quarters in provisions at money price." The Selectmen subsequently, January 12, 1702, agreed with Mr. John Devotion, school-master, to give him .;£i2 cur- rent money of New England, to be paid quarterly, and the town to "pay for his diet ;" and he was ordered to remove, each quarter, to different places in the neighborhoood, while the Selectmen agreed with the school-master to allow him 20s. ster., to be paid by the town, towards the keeping of his horse. Afterwards, at town meeting, Dec. 28, 1713, it was "voted and agreed that the school-master's abode (boarding) shall be paid after the rate of 4s. per week, in provisions at money prices." March 23, 1707-8, it was agreed "that if any of the inhabi- tants of this town shall at any time hereafter kill a grown wolf or wolves within this township, they shall be allowed ten shillings a head out of the town treasury, over and above the allowance of the law." At another time, March 3, 1708, TOWN AND COLONIAL LEGISLATION. 181 the town taking into consideration the great destruction of Indian corn by crows, blackbirds and squirrels, agreed that every householder in the town should kill or cause to be killed six of the great sort of blackbirds or six squirrles and one crow should pass in law for two blackbirds or squirrles ; and they were to be killed and their heads brought in, by the loth of the following June, to men appointed for the purpose of counting them ; and if any householder should neglect or refuse this duty, as aforesaid, he shall for his defect, pay two pence for every head that is wanting of the number, at the loth of June ; and the committee appointed to count the heads were empowered by the town to prosecute the order and dispose the fines as the law directed. Massachusetts Bay Colony, less liberal than Plymouth, made demand on the town in 1712 for the establishment of a gospel ministry, when the people gave answer at a full town meeting, by a unanimous vote, " that all the inhabi- tants of this town shall enjoy their conscience liberty, agree- able to the foundation settlement of said town, and are not obliged to uphold and maintain the worship of God else- where than where they choose respectively to belong or to assemble." True to the same principles of conscience liberty as the founders of the town, the people of Swansea, in 17 17, prior to the separation of Barrington, made declaration of the same great truths by the following vote : "After consider- able fair and loving conference with said petitioners upon the premises," it was voted, "that all the inhabitants of the town should enjoy their conscience liberty, according to said foundation establishment of said town ; and are obliged to uphold and maintain the ministry and worship of God, only in the several churches or congregations where they respectively choose to belong or to assemble, and not obliged to support any church but where they partake of its teaching." These are noble words for the town to utter in the first years of the i8th century, when " conscience liberty " as to 182 THE HISTORY OF BAEKLNGTON. religious worship was not well understood or its spirit prac- tically applied by the people of New England. DEPUTIES FROM SWANSEA TO THE GENERAL COURT OF PLY- MOUTH COLONY. John Allin, 1668, 1670; James Brown, 1669, 1671, 1672; Hugh Cole, 1673, 1674, 1675, 1680, 1683-87; Nathaniel Paine, 1676; Samuel Luther, 1677, 1678, 1679; Obadiah Bowen, 1681, 1682; Timothy Brooks and William Hayward, 1689; James Cole and Thomas Wood, 1690. REPRESENTATIVES FROM SWANSEA TO THE GREAT AND GEN- ERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY. Capt. John Brown and Mr. Samuel Newman, 1692 ; Eben- ezer Brenton, 1693; Ensign Joseph Kent, 1697; Ephraim Pierce, 1700-1705, 1709, 1710, 1713 ; Hezekiah Luther, 1706; Joseph Mason, 1707, 1708; John Thomas, 1711, 1712; John Rogers, 17 16, 1717. CHAPTER XVI INCORPORATION OF BARRINGTON. Swansea Foundation Principles — The Congregational Element — Reasons for a New Church and Town — Attitude of the Bay Colony — Petition of People on " The Westward End of Swansea " — Oppo- sition of Swansea — Remonstrance of Town — Hearing Before the General Court — Decision Adverse — Second Petition — Action of Town — Final Action of Court in 1717 — New Town Called Barring- ton — Why so Named. SWANSEA was incorporated in 1667, on the broad prin- ciples of civil and religious freedom ; the town protected religious institutions but did not maintain them. The sym- pathy for Mr. Myles and his associates, who had suffered persecution in Wales and in the Bay Colony, had allied to his church many of Congregational beliefs and tendencies. Of these were the Browns, the Willetts, and others who were drawn to the support of the church by Mr. Myles's liberal views, inasmuch as he not only tolerated, but practised infant baptism and received pedobaptists to the sacraments of the church. The Massachusetts Bay Colony had protested with- out avail to her sister colony, Plymouth, whose mild treatment of the Baptists was occasion of great anxiety to the orthodox brethren at Boston, including the Mathers and the Wilsons. With the exception of Governor Prince, who was not as lib- eral as the others, the government at Plymouth was in gen- eral accord with the experiment of a Baptist Church in the colony and was willing to tolerate it, provided it did not menace the rights and privileges of " the standing order " in the community. The Browns and Willetts stood as a pro- tecting wall between Mr. Myles and his enemies in both col- onies. They saw the injustice of requiring the whole people to be taxed for the support of any church, as was the cus- 184 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. torn and law in both colonies, and Mr. Brown insisted on paying the deficit of those refusing to pay taxes assessed against them for that purpose. During Mr. Myles's life, the church and the town of Swansea got on well together and there was comparative unity and peace between them. As we have seen, later, even the Rehoboth Church used its good offices on various occasions and learned that even non-conforming Baptists rftight be good neighbors as well as respectable Christians. At the time of Mr. Myles's death, in 1683, the church and the parsonage were at the lower end of New Meadow Neck, south of the road connecting the two ferries then, the two bridges now. This was called " The Place of Trade," and was the centre of business for people of Swansea and South Rehoboth. As the population increased, the western part of Swansea (now Barrington) grew rapidly as did the north- ern and eastern parts, and the church on the Neck was not conveniently located for the attendance of the remote set- tlers, then separated by rivers without convenient bridges or ferries. About the year 1700 the people of North Swan- sea agitated the removal of the meeting-house to their neigh- borhood. The majority of votes decided the matter in favor of the northern part of the town, and the meeting-house was removed to that section, as tradition says, across the ice from New Meadow Neck. This removal of the meeting- house, while for the time a sore trial, proved in the end a great blessing to the people living on the west side of Swan- sea River, for it was the occasion of securing both a church and a town of their own. Another strong reason influenced the action of the Barrington people besides the change of location of their meeting-house, and this was the new policy adopted by the Baptist Church on the accession of its new pastor, Elder Samuel Luther. Captain Samuel Luther was one of the most influential townsmen of Swansea, and a member of the church from its founding. He was ordained to the work of the ministry in 1685, and became pastor of the church as the successor of Rev. Mr. Myles. He was ATTITITDE OF THE BAY COLONY. 185 wanting in the scholarship of the first pastor as well as in his broadly Catholic spirit. The Congregational element found the new minister less ready to grant the same liberal privi- leges as to church fellowship, infant baptism, etc., as had been accorded in the earlier years. The new version of Baptism and Christian Communion, as given by Elder Luther, was not acceptable to the Pedobaptists of the town, and, whether intended or not, helped to establish the divid- ing line of denominationalism between the hitherto united parties. The liberal policy of Plymouth Colony had allowed the Baptist Church an existence on New Meadow Neck, much to the distress of the Bay Colony, and the near- ness of the church and town to Providence, where Roger Williams was establishing the principle of soul liberty in matters relating to state, had been helpful to that policy. When, however. Sir William Phipps brought the charter which united Plymouth and the Massachusetts Bay Colonies in 1692, a new order was instituted which interfered with the policy of our Swansea people in religious concerns. The government was now more strongly on the side of the Con- gregational body, and had little sympathy with the Baptists, though it had learned to tolerate them. The attitude of the colony, the policy of Elder Luther and the removal of the Baptist meeting-house from Tyler's Point to North Swansea, were the chief causes for the foundation of the new church and town of Barrington. That we may clearly understand the reasons for the re- ligious and municipal contests of the time, and of the suc- ceeding fifty years, it is important to note the legislation of that period. In October, 1692, the General Court of the Province enacted "That the inhabitants of each town within this Province shall take care, from time to time, to be con- stantly provided of an able, learned, and orthodox minister or ministers of good conversation, to dispense the word of God to them ; which minister or ministers shall be suitably encouraged, and sufficiently supported and maintained by the inhabitantsof such town." Whenever the inhabitants of 186 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. a town should, for the space of six months, fail for any reason to provide for a minister or a schoolmaster, and to make suitable provision for their support " according to the estate and ability of the town," complaint could be made to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the County, and the Court could command the delinquent town to secure and properly maintain a minister or schoolmaster for the town, and cause a tax to be levied for his support. It was also enacted "that every minister, being a person of good conversation, able, learned, and orthodox, that shall be chosen by the major part of the inhabitants of any town, at a town meeting, duly warned for that purpose (notice being given to the inhabitants fifteen days before the time of such meeting,) shall be the minister of such town ; and the whole town shall be obliged to pay toward his settlement and main- tenance, each man his several proportion thereof." This legislation struck the axe at the life of the Baptist Church in Swansea, for it was not a Church recognized by the ruling faith of the Province ; the minister had not been chosen by the town ; the Church was not supported by the taxable estates of the town, nor did it have " an able, learned, and orthodox" minister in Elder Samuel Luther, who was a layman, one of the common people of the town, who had never been educated or ordained in the orthodox sense for the ministry. Puritan Massachusetts expected each town to support by tax a Church and minister of the Congregational faith. Bap- tist Swansea did not intend to do any such thing. The town had enjoyed the benefits of its Church and minister for forty years, by the free contributions of the people, and it proposed to continue on the same plan, notwithstanding the law of the General Court, and it maintained its position in the matter at issue. Plymouth Court had already recognized Elder Luther as the authorized minister of Swansea, but the Bristol Court could not easily overlook nor overturn such an endorsement and recognition. The Court was empowered to see to it that PETITION FOR A NEW TOWN. 187 the ratable inhabitants of every town should settle a minister in accord with the ruling faith, and it might, on the neglect of any town require a fine of forty shillings for the first of- fence, and four pounds for every subsequent conviction. The power was in its hands to overthrow the Baptist Church and the polity of the old town, but neither act was attempted, and the Baptists continued to hold Swansea as one of their strongholds. It will be seen that the essential difficulty between the two parties in the town grew out of fundamental principles of civil and religious government; which had been at issue in Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies, almost from their first planting. The doctrine was really that of per- sonal freedom in religious concerns, which Mr. Williams had the honor of first declaring on American soil, but which found ardent advocates and defenders in the Browns and Willetts of Plymouth and the Swansea foundation of 1667. One resort was open to the Congregational body of inhabi- tants and that was the division of the old town of Swansea and the formation of a Church " on the westward end of Swansea," where most of that sect resided. The dwellers on Phebe's Neck and New Meadow Neck who favored a new Church agitated the incorporation of a new town, which should support the ministry and church by the taxation of the ratable estates of the people. History is silent as to the various debates and movements which culminated in the following petition presented to the General Court of Massa- chusetts Bay, Province, in Boston, which met on the thirtieth day of May, 171 1 : A PETITION. " To His Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esq., Captain-General and Governor-in-chief in and over His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in N. E., the Honorable Council and Representatives in General Cotcrt assembled at Boston this thirtieth day of May : " The petition of us the subscribers, inhabitants on the westward end of Swansea, most humbly sheweth, that 188 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. among all the outward and external blessings with which the God of all mercy blesseth any people with all in this world, that of the House of God is among them ; the Gospel purely preached and the ordinances of Christ's kingdom duly administered and fathers and children settled under pastoral watch care and government, under pious learned orthodox ministers being in our esteem the greatest. "And we, your petitioners, being under the deplorable pri- vations thereof, do must humbly and earnestly petition this Honored Court that some methods may be taken (as in wis- dom may he thought best) for our relief, we being assured of this Honorable General Court's power and good will to help in such cases, from their repeated acts of the like nature, do the more freely open our malady which bespeaks pity and cure. Not to mention the ill circumstances, which our different opinions (in matters of religion from our neighbors) bring our estates under, in whose power they are in all taxes (though bad enough of itself) is yet little and light compared with the bitterness we feel at present, and fear for the future for the very mention of no settled min- ister, learned and orthodox, no Church of Christ settled in order, no pastor to feed Christ's lambs among us ; this as we believe is an uncomfortable thought unto all the holy and reverend ministers of Christ that know our state. So it is a heart-breaking thought to us to think, that when we are called out of this world to consider in what state we leave our posterity exposed to a ruinating enticement from pure gospel and gospel ordinances. All which sorrow and misery either felt or feared, if the Honorable General Court do in mercy and pity prevent by granting us a township according to the limits of Capt. Samuel Low's military company in Swansea, thereby enabling us to settle and maintain a pious, learned and orthodox minister for the good of us and our posterity, God will be glorified, Christ's kingdom enlarged and will oblige your most humble peti- tioners ever to pray. ACTION OF THE BAY COUNCIL. 189 Signed, Samuel Low, John Chaffee, Daniel Allen, Josiah Ticknor, Benj. Viall, Daniel Allen, Jr., Israel Peck, Obadiah Pettis, Samuel Humphrey, Elisha May, Zachariah Bicknell, William Corbett, Nathaniel Peck, John Toogood, James Smith, Samuel Jay, Benj. Carey, John Rogers, Simon Davis, Joshua Phinney, Thomas Turner, Wm. Salisbury, Joseph Chaffee, Wm. Salisbury, Jr., Thomas Tiffany, Jonathan Phinney, Jonathan Viall, Ebenezer Tiffany." Ebenezer Allen, This petition was the voice of earnest men. It set forth in the clearest language the sad condition of the people and their temporal and spiritual necessities. The reference to " the deplorable privation of " pious, learned, orthodox min- isters," had special point from the fact that the Baptists did not as a rule require an educated ministry and that the Swansea minister, Elder Luther, though a lineal descendant of the great reformer, was only an unlettered layman who had been promoted from the plough to the pulpit. The Bay Council read the petition on the 7th of June, 1711, and ordered that the selectmen of Swansea be served with a copy, and that the parties should be heard thereto at Boston, on the second Wednesday in the next session of the Court. The selectmen of Swansea, Messrs. Carpenter, Anthony, and Mason, issued their warrant for a town meeting to be held on the 7th of July, 1711, to consider the prayer of the would-be seceders, and to give answer thereto if occasion should warrant. The town meeting was a full one as one might suppose, and after a heated debate, and "after due 190 THE HISTOEY OF BAEKINGTON. I consideration it was proposed and put to vote, if they would comply with the said petition, and it passed in the negative almost unanimously." Our petitioners either did not attend the meeting or did not vote. It was then voted "that the town remain as now bounded, one town as it is and hath been enjoyed," and the selectmen were authorized "to defend, vindicate, and maintain the town as it is now en- joyed," Voluntary subscriptions were taken in the town's behalf to raise money for the selectmen to defend the town, and William Anthony received jQiyi for his services. The following remonstrance was sent to Boston against granting the prayer of the petitioners for a new town : To His Excellency, &c. : " Some humble reasons from all the Antient and first pro- prietors and inhabitants of the town of Swansea now living, and the posterity of the first proprietors which are deceased and other inhabitants of said town, who settled here upon the same encouragement as the first, (being all freeholders), shewing our minds referring to a petition from some of our neighbors, preferred to your Excellency and Honored Court. And we having received a copy of said petition in which said petitioners request that they may have a township granted them out of our town, by dividing said town of Swansea, and the Honored Court have been pleased to grant to said petition a hearing, and that our selectmen should be served with a copy of said petition, in order to answer therewith, &c. " Which said petition informs us that our neighbors com- plain that they have no Gospel minister, no Church of Christ, and that a township may be granted them that they may be enabled to settle and maintain a minister among them and reasons of the like nature. " To which we answer it seems very strange to us consid- ering that there was care taken in the foundation of this town, how the minister should be maintained in this town of Swansea by a mutual agreement made and confirmed by those gentlemen that the General Court of Plymouth im- EEPLY OF SWANSEA. 191 powed and the Church of Christ then gathered and assem- bling in said town, and confirmed by all the proprietors of said town to prevent all troubles and discords arising for the future of this nature (a copy of which is hereto annexed). " One foundation article thereof is that a comfortable maintenance was due to the ministry from such as partook of their teaching, so careful was the first inhabitants to lay such a foundation that might effectually prevent all present and future disturbances ; that if any person denied any par- ticular in the said agreement, they should not be admitted an inhabitant in said town : and according to the said agree- ment the worship of God is and hath been maintained in this town, and in that part the petitioners would have be a township, without any assistance from said petitioners by compulsion but by free contribution, and accordingly we have been at considerable charges in building and repairing meeting-houses for our own conveniences (and constantly attending the worship of God in them) and our neighbors, the petitioners, always enjoying the same liberty according to covenant have no reason to complain. But likely said petitioners may not be acquainted with the foundation set- tlement of our town (being none of them the first proprie- tors nor but a very few children of the first, being mostly strangers, several of them lately come to town, and not all town dwellers), which if they had made the town acquainted they might have been informed. But if our neighbors expect assistance from other societies that uphold the worship of God among them as aforesaid in our town or others with them, it cannot but tend to great dissatisfaction, it being contrary to the grant given us which we and our forefathers have enforced more than forty years, and we desire so to continue. We see no advantage in breaking our town, but increasing a charge to no profit ; our township being small and granted by the General Court for our township. We desire that it so remain and every conscies person may enjoy their liberty and just rights according to the said grant, and 192 THE HISTOKY OP HARRINGTON. the covenant and agreement pursuant thereunto which we hitherto have done. " Furthermore, we desire your Excellency and Honorable Court, that we may enjoy our rights, which we greatly prize, without further interruption upon this account. So we sub- scribe your humble and obedient servants, the inhabitants of Swansea." July ye 9, 171 1. The name of Rev. Samuel Luther heads the remonstrants in "the column of ancient first proprietors." James Brown, son of John Brown, Sr., was the first to sign "the column of their posterity though many of them have deceased," and John Wheaton's name heads "the list of new comers." The remonstrants number seventy-eight as against twenty-nine petitioners in favor of the new town. While our sympathies go out to the people, who suffered such trials as have been recited to the General Court, we are of the opinion that Elder Luther, Mr. Brown, and John Wheaton were correct in the principles for which they contended, and that the set- tlement of the town was made on the true foundation stone of the voluntary principle of Church support. John Brown, Sr., had stood four-square on this platform from the first, and his liberal and progressive spirit lived in his son James, and in later descendants. John Brown's record on this subject was clear and unmistakable, for had he not from the first stood for the free will of the people for the support of reli- gion } Even as early as 1645, when Mr. Winslow, of Ply- mouth, had secured a vote of the Assembly in favor of " rating all persons by authority who refused or neglected to give what the rulers judged to be their meet proportion towards minis- ters maintenance." The next week Mr. Brown, in a full meeting, "excepted against the entry of that order, as per- nicious and destructive to the weal of the government, and tendered a proposition, to allow and maintain full and free tolerance of religion, to all men that would preserve the civil peace and submit to government." JOSEPH MAliRAN. ACTION OF GENERAL COTJKT. 193 The General Court hears the parties and though the mem- bers are on the side of the petitioners in their sympathies, the way does not seem clear to oppose so large a majority of the people, and the following order passed : Oct. 24, 171 1. — In Council. On Consideration of the Pleas and Papers offered on the part of the Petitioners, and on the part of the town. This Court see not reason to divide Swansea into two distinct towns, but approve the good & Laudable Inclinations of the Petitioners to Encourage Religion in that part ; and recommend to them the Establishment & Support of a learned orthodox minister of good Conversation and to Endeavor a subscription for his comfortable and honorable maintenance. Sent down for concurrence. J. L. Addington : Secretary. Again in 1712, our petitioners for a new town appear before the General Court, as appears by the following record of the Massachusetts General Court, June 18, 1712 : "Upon reading a petition of the Inhabitants of the lands on the West side of the town of Swansea, praying to be made a township, concurred with the order passed thereon in the House of Representatives, which was that Nathaniel Byfield, Esq., Joseph Brown and Mr. Edward Fobes be a Committee with such as the Honorable Board shall appoint to go upon the place, inquire into the circumstances of the Town and consider the Reasonableness of the desire of the petitioners and report to this Court at their session next fall what they apprehend most expedient to be done in the affair." Thomas Leonard was added to the Committee. They are opposed by their fellow townsmen and the selectmen of Swansea as before, and are for the second time allowed to withdraw their suit, with the advice already given. For the next five years, the establishment of a Con- 13 194 THE HISTOEY OP BABKINGTON. gregational Church under " a learned orthodox minister of good conversation," in accordance with the advice of the Court, engages the attention of the people. Probably a religious organization was soon formed and public services held, when, where and for how long we knew not, as there are no direct records to which we can appeal to sustain an opinion. The first meeting-house of this Church, of which definite knowledge can be obtained, stood on the corner south of the great elms near the present residences of the Fishers and Gladdings, but the date of its erection is un- known. The new Church did not flourish on the voluntary principle as its friends and founders hoped and expected, and on the 14th of May, 171 7, the town of Swansea is called to consider " an answer to a petition presented to ye town at sd meeting by some of ye Inhabitants on ye west side of New Meadow river in sd Town proposed to Rais six score pounds to support the ministrey or devid sd Town or that they might be a precinct." The town records report that after reading the petition and the foundation settlement of the town and " after a considerable fair and loving confer- ence with said petitioners upon the premises, it was agreed, voted, and concluded that all the inhabitants of the town of Swansea should enjoy their conscience liberty, according to sd foundation settlement of sd town, and are obliged to up- hold, maintain the ministry and worship of God in ye several Churches or congregations where they respectively belong or assemble in sd town, and not oblidged in any other Church or Congregation but where they partak of the teaching as it is expressed in said foundation settlement. This vote passed at a full meeting, no man objecting." It is something wonderful in our degenerate day to note how those stern old Puritan consciences of Swansea stood in the way of the organization of a new town or the support of a ministry on any other basis than that of the absolute inde- pendency of Church and town. They were right as we see the matter to-day, but absolutely wrong as the subject was seen at Boston, and by the General Court of that day. PETITIONS OF THE PEOPLE. 195 Neither do the people on " the westward end of Swansea," as a whole, see the matter in the same light as do those on the eastward end, and this troublesome body of would-be se- ceders continues to vex the old town by its suit again pre- sented to the General Court of the Bay in October, 1717, as appears by the following petition : "A petition of Saml Humphrey, Josiah Torrey and Zachariah Bicknell, agents for the society of the West part of Swansea, showing that the said society are in great Difficulties with respect to their publick affairs, especially as to the supporting of the public worship of God amongst them, that they have long ago built a meeting house for that service and for the most part maintained an orthodox minister among them, yet by reason of the Difference of opinion between them, and the most part of the great town of Swansea, and their not being sett off from the said Town as a district Township and Precinct, they are not able to settle a minister among them ; They therefore pray this Honorable Court that their case may be taken into consideration and that they may be sett off as a Township, Containing the lands of Phebe Neck, New Meadow Neck and Brook's Pasture, and for as much as many petitions have been put up by the Petitioners to this Honorable Court, praying the same favor and that in the year 1711 or 1712, a Committee was appointed (whereof the Honorable Nathaniel Byfield was one) who returned their opinion that they ought to have near twice the land that they now pray for, the Petitioners doubt not but that ye Court will think ye Prayer reasonable." "In the House of Representatives read and ordered, that a copy of petition be served on the town of Swansea, that they may be heard before the Court, only the prayer be not granted on Friday next, November i, 1717. Adjourned hearing from Friday 8, to November 15. Hearing had that day, Nov. 18, 1717." Selectmen Mason, Anthony, Carpenter, Chase, and Allen must again answer the arguments for a division of the town, in the same manner that they had done six years before. A 196 THE HISTORY OP BARRINGTOK. petition of James Brown and others living on Phebe's Neck and New Meadow Neck, praying that they may not be com- pelled to maintain a minister not of their own choosing, was also presented to the Council. As " a faint heart never won a fair lady " so faintness of spirit in town, state, or church is an element of weakness, a characteristic not manifest in either party to this town division. The third effort succeeds and the Court announces after so long a struggle, the birth of a new town, Harrington, comprising the lands of New Meadow Neck and Phebe's Neck, in the following order : November i8, 171 7. In Council. "Upon a full hearing had before the Court upon the petition of Josiah Torrey, Z. Bicknell, and Samuel Humphrey, &c., agents for the society in the west part of Swansea, the I Sth currant ; Resolved, That Phebe's Neck and New Meadow Neck within the town of Swansea be, and hereby is, erected into a township by the name of Barrington, and the inhabitants thereof are vested with all powers, rights, and privileges that other towns within this Province have or by law ought to have and enjoy. Sent down for concurrence. In the House of Representatives. Read and concurred. Consented to Samuel Shute." The act of the Massachusetts General Court which divided old Swansea and created the town of Barrington gave the new town only a small part of the territory, but made her rich in the historic memorials of the founders of ancient Swansea, and the sites of the historic church and the home of John Myles. For fifty years the people have braved the hardships of frontier life, the severe criticisms of their enemies, amounting to ostracism and persecution for BARRIIirGTOIT INCOEPOEATED. 197 religion's or conscience's sake, and have borne their burdens manfully and heroically. The romance of their real life was stranger than modern fiction. Their common toils, trials, and triumphs are the heritage of both Swansea and Barring- ton and can never be forgotten, but will become more con- spicuous in the future. We of this day are proud of our relations to the old town of Swansea and Barrington and can never be forgotten, but later generations will rise up to honor our ancestry in truer measure as we do not. We fancy that the name of John Myles and the historic church and town which he planted in this wilderness will become wonderfully luminous in the clear white light of Truth and Righteousness as they shall be revealed to the men and women of the twentieth and later centuries. We are at liberty to conjecture as to the origin of the name of the town. One theory is that the town was named in honor of Lord Barrington, an English nobleman, born in 1676, a distinguished theologian, who stood at the head of English dissenters, when Barrington was incorporated. On the accession of George I. he was a member of Parliament, and in 1720 was raised to the Irish Peerage, by the title of Viscount of Barrington. He was an advocate of religious toleration and died in 1734. His son, the second Viscount of Barrington, was born the same year that Barrington was set off from Swansea. Another and more reasonable theory is that the name Barrington was imported from England, as were the names of Swansea, Boston, Weymouth, Dorchester and other American towns, to commemorate the birthplace or home town of the settlers. If we turn to the map of the British Isles, we find Swansea on the south of Wales on the sea or bay of the same name. Forty miles to the south, across the Bristol Channel, is the County of Somerset, from which many of the settlers of Plymouth County came. Note the familiar names of towns which here meet and welcome us. Here is Bristol and Taunton, there Somerset, Bridgewater, Barnstable, Plymouth, Dorchester, Truro, Falmouth, and 198 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. Other names which have been transplanted to American soil. Sometimes to distinguish the new town from the mother town, the prefix New was given it, as New York, New Bed- ford. In the case of smaller towns, where no confusion would be likely to arise, the name was transferred as a souvenir of the earlier home which they still loved, the more because separated from it by a broad ocean which they never expected to recross. Whatever the New World had in store for them and their children, these pioneers could not forget the dear old hearth-stones and the village scenes, and they clung to the household names which street, parish, and town bore as a part of the wealth which could be brought with them. In Somersetshire, thirteen miles from Taunton, four from Ilminster and ten from Ilchester, all of which places are mentioned in the Myles Church records, is the little parish of Barrington. As Parson Hull's Company of 1635 contained many family names of New Barrington, we may safely assume that some of these, — the Humphreys, the Pecks, the Chaffees, the Tiffanys, the Adams, the Mar- tins, the Vialls, the Bicknells, or the Bosworths came from old Barrington in England, near which this Colony was re- cruited and that they selected this name in honorable remembrance of their old home in the mother country. The word Barrington is of Saxon origin and is made of the two Saxon words Boerings and tun, the town of the Boerings or Boerington, changed to the present spelling, Barrington. CHAPTER XVII THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The Nucleus of the Congregational Church in Rev. Mr. Myles's Church — Influence of Rev. Samuel Luther — Congregational Meeting- House and New Town — Rev. James Wilson, First Pastor — Rev. Samuel Torrey — Rev. Peleg Heath — His Ministry — Church Mem- bership — Marriages — Half-way Covenant — Ministerial Records — Rev. Solomon Townsend — His Remarkable Ministry — Rev. Samuel Watson — Rev. Luther Wright — Great Awakening — Organization of the Sunday School — Rev. Francis Wood — Rev. Thomas Williams — Rev. B. R. Allen — Rev. Charles Peabody — Rev. Forrest Jefferds — Rev. Silas S. Hyde — Rev. Francis Horton — Rev. William House — Rev. John Colwell — Rev. Norman Plass — OiScers of the Church and Sunday School. THE early history of the Congregational Church in Bar- rington is associated with that of the Baptist Church organized by Rev. John Myles, and six others in 1663, which was, as we have seen, liberal in its policy. Its " Holy Cov- enant " declared, "As union in Christ is the sole ground of our Communion each with other, so we are ready to accept of, receive to, and hold communion with all such, as by a judgment of charity we conceive to be fellow members with us, in our head, Jesus Christ, though differing from us in such controversial points as are not absolutely and essen- tially necessary to Salvation." Arrested, fined, and forbid- den by the laws of Plymouth Colony to meet for worship in Rehoboth, the small company of Baptists organized a church and built their first meeting-house a short distance from the southerly line of Rehoboth, on the north side of Hundred Acre Cove, within the present Town of Barrington. The neighborhood to Providence was favorable to the spread of the principles of religious toleration through Rehoboth. That town, though of the Congregational order, showed its 200 THE HISTORY OP BAEEIKGTON. respect and sympathy for Mr. Myles later, by employing him to preach there nearly all the year 1666, "once a fort- night on the week day, and once on the Sabbath Day.' They also gave him permission to purchase land and reside within their bounds. His catholic spirit, and the influence of Thomas Willett, James Brown and other members of his church, formerly prominent Congregationalists of the Ply- mouth Colony, led the Plymouth Court to grant them a large tract of land, embracing the present towns of Barrington, Warren, Swansea, and Somerset, and parts of Seekonk and East Providence, in which the new church was allowed full liberty of conscience in worship. The new town was called Swansea, from the town in Wales whence Mr. Myles was driven by the Act of Uniformity (1662). They established the principle " that the minister or ministers of the said town may take their liberty to baptize infants or grown per- sons as the Lord shall persuade their consciences, and so also the inhabitants to take the liberty to bring their chil- dren to baptism or forbear." Evidently the mode of bap- tism was left to the individual conscience. As usual in other towns of the colony, church and town affairs were largely united. Their opposition to " the union of Church and State " was mainly confined to the Plymouth mode of raising the minister's salary by the town and the legal sup- pression of other churches. The church and town were in unison so far as to call the minister, and raise money for building a meeting-house, and by vote of the town Rev. John Myles was called " Pastor of the Church and Minister of the Town." The members of this infant church were the first to expe- rience the horrors of King Philip's War (1675). Most of their houses were burned. Many were slain and the rest scattered. After three years, the survivors having returned and others with .them, the town invited Mr. Myles, who had found refuge in Boston, to come back and resume his ministry. On his return he found the population centering around Tyler's Point, several miles south of the meeting- X z z z > o S o G SEPAEATION OF CONGKEGATIONAIilSTS. 201 house. Here the town built a new meeting-house in 1680, which continued for nearly a quarter of a century, the only place of worship. Pastor Myles died in February, 1683, universally beloved and lamented. Elder Samuel Luther was his successor, 1685. He caused changes in the Church Covenant, with reference to baptism and communion, which destroyed the basis of Christian fellowship between Anabaptists and Pedo- baptists enjoyed by Mr. Myles and his associates, and made the church distinctly Baptist. This change, so distasteful to the Congregationalists, opened a religious controversy which, twenty-five years later, split Swansea, on sectarian lines, into two townships. The first response to this change in the Covenant came from Boston Quarter Session, August 28th, 1693, requiring Swansea to choose a minister accord- ing to law. Swansea came (1692) under the new government of the united colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, and was no longer under liberal Plymouth. Led by their able Elder, Samuel Luther, Swansea people fought heroically for their rights of conscience. About the year 1700 the Baptist meeting-house was moved from Tyler's Point to North Swansea, to accommo- date the majority of the people. This left the southwest portion of the town, where the Congregational element was centered, without a place of worship. Here, soon after 17 10, a Congregational Church was formed, and a meeting-house was built a little north of the present residence of the late Mr. George Gladding. Very little is known of this early Church, all records having been lost. The name of only one Pastor, Rev. James Wilson, has come down to us. New life and vigor were shown in a petition to the General Court in Boston, made on the thirtieth day of May, 171 1, and signed by Samuel Low and twenty-eight others, asking for the "inhabitants on the westward end of Swansea," "a township according to the limits of Captain Samuel Low's military company, thereby enabling us to settle and main- tain a pious, learned and orthodox minister for the good of 202 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. US and our posterity.'' Rev. Samuel Luther heads a remon- strance, signed by seventy-eight others, " of ancient first proprietors," "of their posterity," and "of new comers," against the division of the town, on the ground that " in the foundation settlement of this town " the minister should be maintained by a mutual agreement," that " according to the said agreement the worship of God is and hath been main- tained in this town, and in that part the petitioners would have you be a township," and that " our neighbors, the petitioners, always enjoying the same liberty according to covenant, have no reason to complain." On the 24th of October, 171 1, the Council passed the fol- lowing order : " That this Court see no reason as yet to divide Swansea into two distinct towns, but approve the good and laudable inclination of the petitioners to encourage religion in that part, and to recommend to them the estab- lishment and support of a learned orthodox minister of good conversation, and to endeavor by subscription for his com- fortable and honorable maintenance." The question of the division of the town continued to occupy the minds of the people of old Swansea, and the third petition to the General Court, in 1717, was beard and answered by the formation of a new town, and Phebe's Neck and New Meadow Neck were " erected into a town- ship by the name of Harrington," on the eighteenth of 'November, 171 7. Under the ancient rule in Massachusetts, the business relating to the settlement, support and dismission of the ministers was transacted by the town in town meeting as- sembled, and the town records now relate that at the second town meeting of the town, held April 21, 1718, the inhab- itants of Barrington chose Rev. Samuel Torrey to be the minister of the town. "For the labor the town voted to give one hundred pounds as a settlement to the Reverend Samuel Torrey. Those that have paid anything already as to a settlement, to be reck- oned towards shares so far as it will go, and what any person CONGEEGATIOHTAL MINISTERS. 203 has payed over and above, to be returned to him, and this hundred pounds as a settlement to be his property if he con- tinues to be our minister for the space of ten years, otherwise to be returned to the town again, and it is farther voted that if it should please God to take him away by death before the said term of ten years is out, that then his heirs shall have out of said sum the value of ten pounds a year so long as he shall labor as our minister." "Voted that whatever money is given in that is not marked shall belong to the Rev. Mr, Samuel Torrey." "Voted that the Rev. Mr. Samuel Torrey have seventy pounds a year as salary for the labor as long as he continues our minister, the said sum to be collected by the constable yearly, and payed into the town clerk, and by him to be payed to the Rev. Mr. Samuel Torrey." Messrs. Zachariah Bicknell, James Adams, and " Sergeant Peck " were appointed a committee " to treat with the Rev. Mr. Samuel Torrey about what the town had voted with re- spect to himself," and to report at an adjourned meeting, "this day fortnight at five o'clock in the afternoon at the house of Mr. Zachariah Bicknell." A protest was entered against the action of the town, signed by twenty-one persons, probably Baptists, who had stoutly opposed the formation of the new town, and also as earnestly opposed taxation for the support of the church and minister of another sect. While we of this day agree that the Baptists were right in their position as to the public tax for the support of the ministry, it was undoubtedly a source of great annoyance to the founders of the new town to be confronted with so strong a sentiment against the current cus- tom of the other towns of the Colony. We honor the Baptists of Old Swansea and of New Barrington for their advanced stand in matters of civil and religious liberty, but had we been of " the standing order" in those days, we should prob- ably have regarded those apparently fanatical people as ex- ceeding sharp thorns in the flesh. The first ministerial business of the town was not settled until the fourth day of August, 1718, "When the Rev. Mr. 204 THE HISTOEY OF BAEKINGTON. Samuel Torrey appeared at the town meeting, and signified to the town that he accepted the call the town gave him to be their minister for the futor, and also the voats that the town passed about him, both as to the settlement and salary which voats were passed by the town, the twenty-first day of April last." The Rev. Mr. Samuel Torrey thus became the first minister of the new town and Church, as one body. There is no written record of this pastorate, but we must in- fer that it was not satisfactory to the public, from its brevity and also from the fact that in December, 1725, the town re- fused to increase Mr. Torrey's salary, and, in June, 1726, on a renewal of the request for an increase of salary, through a Committee consisting of Lieut. Nathaniel Peck, Samuel Kent and Samuel Humphrey, the town refused the request a sec- ond time. On the i6th of August, it was voted that the town would not concur with the Church in raising Mr. Torrey's salary, and at the same meeting it was voted "that the town concur with the Church in dismissing the Rev. Mr. Torrey from be- ing their minister, provided a Council advise it." The town records of that date show copies of Rev. Mr. Torrey's receipts for salary, attested by Josiah Humphrey, town clerk, and a copy of his receipts for ;^ 100 as a settle- ment, as follows : " Whereas the town of Barrington on April the 21st, 1718, voted me one hundred pounds as a settlement, I do acknowl- edge that particular persons in the town and out of the town did liberally bestow upon me an hundred pounds to encourage me to settle in the ministry here and further I do by these acquit the town from ever paying me or my heirs the said hundred pounds that they voted me or any part of it ; they (who) never paid it to me as a town. As witness my hand this 19th day of January, 1725-6." Samuel Torrey. The Rev. Mr. Samuel Torrey was dismissed by an ecclesi- astical council and candidating for a new minister for Church CONGEEGATIONAL MINISTERS. 205 and town began. At a town meeting held November i6, 1726, " It was voted that the town see cause to hear another minister after Mr. Whitmarsh's time is out that is agreed for." The. town then raised forty pounds to be placed in the deacon's hands for defraying the necessary charges of paying a minister or ministers which may be employed by the town to preach the Gospel, and John Torrey and Josiah Humphrey were chosen a Committee " to procure a minister from time to time as need shall require." A month later the acts of this town meeting relative to a minister were declared void, and " it was voted that the town raise forty or rather fifty pounds for the support of the minister and that James Adams, Benjamin Viall and Zachariah Bicknell be a Committee to supply the pulpit from time to time with a minister." In March, 1727, a call was given Rev. Moses Hale to be the minister of the Church and town at a yearly salary of ;£ioo and a settlement of ;£ioo, and Messrs. Timothy Wads- worth, Deacon Humphrey, Lieut. Adams, Samuel Allen and Nathaniel Peck were chosen a Committee to make report to Mr. Hale. The records are silent as to the reply, but Mr. Hale did not become their minister. He receipted for £^ 1 for supplying the pulpit in the town of Harrington. August 3d, Lieut. James Adams, Zachariah Bicknell and Samuel Allen were chosen a Committee " to provide the town with a minister till next March meeting." The town also voted to concur with the Church in choosing Mr. John Wadsworth to be their minister at an annual salary of £100, and a settlement of ;£200 to be paid in two years. Mr. Wadsworth declined the call. Mr. John Sumner was the next candidate for the ministerial of35ce, and the town offered him an annual salary of ;£ioo, and a settlement of ;^200, to be paid in two years. The Committee consisting of Xieut. Peck, John Chaffee, and Joseph Allen reported to Mr. Sumner the town's proposals, and received a negative answer to their invitation. Neither the Church nor the town was discouraged but continued their efforts with un- 206 THE HISTOEVr OF BAEEINGTON. abated zeal, and the fifth time with success. The salary of ;£iio and a settlement of ;£200 were offered to Mr. Peleg Heath, of Roxbury, Mass., to become the minister of the Church and town. Lieut. Adams, Lieut. Peck, Mr. Viall, Mr. Tiffany and Mr. Bicknell, all of whom have had large experi- ence in making ministerial proposals, were the Committee to report to Mr. Heath and to the town. August i Sth, the salary vote of the town was increased £io, making it ;£i20, to be paid quarterly, and the settlement ;£200 to be paid in two years, ;^ioo a year. Mr. Heath's reply was as follows: MR. heath's answer TO THE TOWN. " Whereas, you the people of God in this place have given an invitation to labor in the Gospel among you ; having taken it into deliberate consideration, as it is a call of God, I do therefore in His strength engage therein and desire your prayers that I may be directed, assisted, succeeded and accepted. Barrington, September 9, 1728. Peleg Heath." Mr. Heath belonged to a Massachusetts family of excellent rank and character, one of whom, Maj.-Gen. William Heath of Roxbury, distinguished himself in the Revolutionary War. He was educated in the schools of Roxbury, graduated from Harvard College, with the degree of A. M., in the class of 1721, and came to Barrington, with the enthusiasm of a novi- tiate for his first pastorate, at the age of twenty-six. The young pastor was intellectually well equipped for his work. His Christian character and theology partook of the severe type of his time. He readily won the confidence of his people by his marked ability, sincere Christian earnestness, and zeal for the spiritual welfare of his people. Possessing a will of unusual vigor, and a purpose clear and strong, it was not possible for the pastor not to come into positions of disagree- ment with the Church and the town authorities, both of which held control of the situation. PELEG heath's ministky. 207 The twelve years of Mr. Heath's ministry, from 1728 to 1740, found him now and then in open conflict with a part of the Church and the town, and his abilities were often more than a match for their combined wisdom. It is fair to the pastor as well as the people to say that much of the disturb- ance during Mr. Heath's ministry was due to the low state of piety in the Church, and to the low state of morals in the community. The New England Churches had adopted the "Half Way Covenant," by which, unregenerate persons, who had received baptism in infancy or as adults, could be re- ceived into membership and enjoy all the privileges of the Church, except that of partaking of the Lord's Supper. A professed moral life was all that was required to maintain a standing in the Church, even though the person might be a transgressor of half the commandments. Church discipline was lax, and the standard of the religious life was very low and formal. The two preaching services on Sunday, and the monthly preparatory lecture before Communion were the only public meetings of the Church. With no religious papers and few books, no Sunday Schools nor prayer meetings, it can be seen how easy it was for the people to fall into care- less habits of living, and how hard it was for the clergy to live very far above the level of their congregations, inasmuch as the towns-people, church members and others, determined the standard and the stay of the ministry to a great extent. The discussions of the pulpit were largely on doctrinal rather than ethical topics, and the sermons were little adapted to check the wayward, or elevate the spiritually minded. Puri- tanism had lost much of its vital power, and worldliness had taken possession of the hearts and lives of men. Drinking habits were universal, and the clergy usually went to their pulpits from their side-boards, and returned at the close of the service to the same solace. Custom approved and con- science did not condemn many sinful and vulgar habits which the Christian world now avoids and denounces. Let us re- member and judge with charity, while we review the times so far from and so unlike our own. 208 THE HISTOEY OF BAKEINGTON. Rev. Mr. Heath was both pastor and clerk of the Church, and the only records of the Church until the year 1800 are in Mr. Heath's hand-writing, and are contained within the compass of fifteen pages of a sheep-bound record book, which has been handed down through his son Nathaniel, his grand- son Wilmarth, and is now in the possession of his grand- daughter, Mrs. William Carter, of Barrington. The heading of the first page reads as follows : The Records of the Church of Christ in Barrington, kept by me Peleg Heath, Pastor, beginning November 13, 1728. - Feby 21, 1728-9. "At a church meeting for the choice of a Deacon, Lt. Nathaniel Peck was chosen by a unanimous vote : " "At said meeting voted also with respect to mem- bers — that all persons that cohabit and dwell with us here in the town, being members in full communion in other Churches, shall be obliged to produce their letters of recom- mendation or dismission from those chhs before we admit them to partake with us in our Sacred Communion ; first allowing them time convenient to produce them." March 6, 1728-9. Lieut. Adams "employed and empow- ered to arrest and levy " to obtain a bequest made to the church by Mr. John Allen of Bristol alias Swansea, deceased. On Feby 9, 1723, Mr. Adams was instructed to deliver to Mr. Heath the sum of twenty pounds, obtained by judgment of the Court, the proceeds of the legacy of Mr. John Allen. It is further recorded that Mr. Hugh Cole of Swansea; the executor of Mr. Allen's estate, neglected or refused to pay the bequest to the church, and that Mr. Adams received of the church the sum of twenty-one pounds one shilling and eleven pence for his charges and services as agent of the church in obtaining the Allen legacy of twenty pounds. It was voted, " that the Church is satisfied, having received of Mr. Adams the sum of five pounds, being the full of all debts due from said Adams to the Church." The following named persons gave ten shillings each addi- tional to pay the costs of the Court for obtaining the legacy: Deacon Samuel Humphrey, Deacon Nathaniel Peck, Tim- JOSHUA MALiUAN. MB. heath's ministry. 209 othy Wadsworth, James Adams, Ebenezer Allen, John Read, Nathaniel Peck, Edward Bosworth, Josiah Humphrey, Jonathan Viall, and Rachael, the wife of Samuel Allen. March 28, 1730. Deacon Humphrey, Deacon Peck, Lieut. Adams, Kb. Allen, and Nathaniel Peck were chosen a com- mittee "to treat 'with the church or a Committee of the Church of Swansea belonging to Elder Ephraim Wheaton concerning proper methods for the recovering and dividing the ministerial lands, 'or pastors and teachers lots,' lying in Swansea pursuant to an agreement of the two churches, the Harrington Church to bear two-fifths of the expense." The same matter was brought before the church, March 16, 1736, and the committee was instructed to bring suit for the min- isterial lands in Swansea, "to a full issue in the law," unit- ing with the committee and church of Swansea, then under the pastoral care of Elder Maxwell, successor of Elder Wheaton. We have no evidence at hand as to the final settlement of the case, but as the two churches, the Baptist of Swansea and the Congregational of Barrington, were united in press- ing the suit to an issue, there can be no doubt that satisfac- tory results were obtained, inasmuch as Mr. Heath's vigor- ous management usually accomplished his purpose. In matters of discipline, Mr. Heath aimed to exercise the largest Christian charity, consistent with a just administra- tion of church affairs. The following action of the church, taken on the 17th of March, 1733, indicates the spirit of his administration. "At a Church meeting, all the members except one being present, a question was put, viz. : whether that all persons under the watch and care of the church, any of them falling and being guilty of scandalous sins and offenses to the dishonor of God and his holy religion and the members of Christ's Church : — all such offenders making their peace and manifesting their repentance to and with the brethren and sisters of the Church and not before the con- gregation — be sufiScient ; information of their giving satis- faction afterward being declared in publick to the whole 14 210 THE HISTORY OF BAKEINGTON. congregation. Each particular member singly declarin| his mind, it then being put to vote and voted in the affirm ative by every member." On the following day the offend ing member appeared before the church, made confession and was by unanimous vote " declared to be a restored per son." The greatest disturbance that took place during Mr Heath's ministry, which resulted in dividing the Churcl: and the town into opposing parties, the effects of which an manifest even in our own times, came out of the re moval of the meeting-house from its location in the south east part of the town to its present beautiful site on Bar rington River. Mr. Heath lived in the north part of th( town, in the house now occupied by his great-granddaughter Mrs. William Carter. Since the building of the first meeting house, a large number of families had settled north of Princes Hill, and when the matter of building a new house of worship was discussed, the people in the north part of the town urged its removal to that section in order to accommodate a majority of the people. The Bosworths, Adams's, Wat sons, Smiths, Lows, Martins, Tiffanys, and Reads struggled to keep the house in the old locality, while the Humphreys, the Aliens, the Browns, the Chaffees, the Bicknells, the Richmonds, the Pecks, and the Vialls favored the present site. Mr. Heath's sympathies, and, so far as was politic, his influence favored the new site, but at the outset, he did not take an active part in the discussion. Strong feeling was aroused on both sides of the question and the town was divided into two hostile camps, up-neck and down-neck, with New Meadow Neck divided in the warm debate. Joshua Bicknell offered to the town the lot of land on which the meeting-house stands. This gift helped to decide the matter and in 1737, the meeting-house was pulled down and removed to the new location. Mr. Heath was attending Court at Bristol while the house was being removed, and on his return to Barrington, was taunted by his opponents for allowing the house to be taken down and set up in his ab- EEMOVAIi OF MEETING-HOUSE. 211 sence. He very shrewdly replied, that while Moses was in the Mount with the Lord, the Children of Israel, under Aaron, made and worshipped a Golden Calf, for which the great leader was not responsible, and so, while he was in Bristol on the Lord's business, the Barrington people had done this unwonted act without his knowledge. While the new meeting-house was building, the town voted February 6, 1738, that " the Reverend Mr. Peleg Heath shall preach at the house of Mr. Edward Bosworth, dwelling house, until the town shall build a meeting-house," and the town chose James Adams, Edward Bosworth and James Smith a Com- mittee to report to Mr. Heath " where he shall preach until the town hath built a meeting-house." The house of Mr. Edward Bosworth stood on the Barrington River, South of the Ferry crossing to Tyler's Point, near the residence of the late Hon. Allen Mathewson, and about one-quarter of a mile East of the first Congregational meeting-house. The following protest was entered : February 6, 1738. " We whose names are hereunto subscribed being free- holders and inhabitants in Barrington and qualified by law to vote on all town affairs do dissent from the proceedings of this meeting in every respect relating to the moving the min- ister to any other place to preach at otherwhere than at the meeting-house, and such a meeting and practice being illegal whatsoever cost or charge may arrise herefrom, we protest and declare against paying any part hereof. Samuel Allen, Constant Viall, Benjamin Viall, David Peck, Josiah Humphrey, Joseph Viall, Nathaniel Peck, David Allen, Joseph Allen, Jr., Daniel Peck, Peleg Richmond, Solomon Peck, Nathaniel Peck, Jr." 212 THE HISTOKY 01" BABEINGTOK. On the 2nd of March, 1738, the town voted to pay to Mr. Heath the first half year's salary, "but not to give order for the last half year's salary, except he comply with the vote of the town passed the sixth day of February last past to preach at the place the town hath appointed." On the 9th of March, the town met to learn Mr. Heath's answer, when the com- mittee reported " that he would consider of it." Against this vote we find this protest : " We the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of Har- rington do enter our protest against the vote that hath been past in this meeting in order to keep back or diminish the one half of the Reverend Mr. Peleg Heath's salary and to free ourselves from any charge that may arise by reason of this meeting. Barrington, March 2, 1738. Nathaniel Peck, Constant Viall, Samuel Allen, Joseph Viall, Benjamin Viall, Peleg Richmond, Josiah Humphrey, Daniel Peck, Nathaniel Peck, Jr., Solomon Peck, Daniel Allen." Mr. Heath's further consideration of the matter led to a decision not to preach at the house of Mr. Bosworth, and his appeal to the Inferior Court at Bristol to require the town to pay his salary. In October, 1738, the town voted to allow the selectmen the money they had expended at Court in an- swering the suit brought by Mr. Heath, in an appeal to the Superior Court at Bristol. December 29, 1738, the town voted ten pounds to the selectmen " to pay the charge they were at in the Superior Court to vindicate a law suit Mr. Peleg Heath brought against the town." It was also voted to exempt the Baptists from paying any of the expenses in defending the suit of Rev. Mr. Heath. March 12, 1739, the town voted not to raise the money to answer the execu- tion that the Rev. Mr. Peleg Heath obtained against the town. On the 20th of the same month, the town voted to THE TOWN VS. PELEG HEATH. 213 raise one hundred pounds to defend themselves against the execution obtained by Mr. Heath against the town. The in- habitants also voted "to allow all reasonable charges that shall arise by imprisoning any person or persons for not dis- charging the said execution." Mr. Heath obtained judgment against the town, and on the town's refusal to pay the exe- cution, the sheriff made arrest of James Adams and James Smith, who were confined in the jail at Bristol. The town then chose John Read, John Adams, and Hezekiah Tiffany to go to Boston to the General Court, to secure redress for the town, and the release of Messrs. Adams and Smith, select- men, now prisoners " in his Majesty's prison at Bristol." Mr. Tiffany declining to serve, Matthew Watson was chosen to take his place. In August, 1739, the town voted not to pay Mr. Heath's salary of ;£i20, this year, seeing he still neglects and refuses to preach at the place the town hath appointed him. Again Mr. Heath brings action against the town for refusal to pay his salary, and the town voted to spend ^£14 in answering the suits at Court at Bristol. December 31, 1739, it was voted to allow Mr. James Smith and Mr. James Adams £2$ each, for imprisonment at Bristol, and Joseph Allen and Josiah Humphrey are made a new Committee to appear at Bristol to answer trial, on the second Tuesday of March, 1740. The next two town meetings are instructive lessons of the varying moods of men, and the variable judgments which enter into town legislation. The opposing factions of the town were in terrible conflict. The Heath and Anti-Heath forces worked with all their powers to accomplish their pur- poses, and victory at last crowned the efforts of the pastor and his supporters. At a town meeting of the inhabitants of Barrington, held February 11, 1740, Lieut. Joseph Allen, a Heath man, was elected Moderator. These interesting votes follow : I. Voted, "not to clear the Baptists from paying their proportion of the charges that arise by an execution Mr. Peleg Heath obtained against the town." 214 THE HISTORY OF BAKEINGTON. 2. Voted, "not to dear the Baptists from paying to the minister's rate this year." 3. Voted, " not to raise more money for an addition for the minister's salary this year for the Baptists minister." 4. Voted, "to accept the meeting-house as it is conveyed to the town." 5. "That the selectmen shall give orders to the town treasurer to pay the Reverend Mr. Peleg Heath's tenth and eleventh years salary." 6. Voted, "to allow the Committee all reasonable charges they are at in answering a petition of Mr. Peleg Heath's at the Court of General Session to be holden at Bristol on the second Tuesday of March next." 7. Voted, " that the two years money the Church mini- ster hath drawn out of the town treasurer the last years, (two years) out of Mr. Peleg Heath's salary should be made in a rate by itself." The seven votes recorded above show a complete triumph for the Heath party in a contest of nearly three years' stand- ing, during which the bitterest sectional feeling was aroused, which continued to divide the town for a century. The second town meeting held a month later shows a better state of feeling concerning taxing the Baptists, and the victors of February 1 1 unite with the opposite party in exempting the Baptists from assessment on account of Mr. Heath's salary and law suits, and the town allows bills of John Adams ior £76, 2s., up.; of Matthew Watson for £^8, 5s. 6p. ; with interest and bills of the selectmen for ;£i 5, all growing out of and closing up the struggle with Rev. Peleg Heath. The town had spent over two years in the wrangle over a new meeting-house and the incidents growing out of the quarrel with the pastor, and at its close accepted the house built on the new site, paid all salary arrears, and law suit expenditures amounting to several hundred pounds, and found itself wiser in its experience, at a cost of much labor and self-respect. The lesson is not far to seek in the con- CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 215 duct of civil or religious concerns. The general welfare precedes and precludes selfish ends, and the law of Love is the mightiest power in the universe. Recurring to Mr. Heath's records, we find under date of ]^ay 12, 1735, further reference to church discipline in the following vote : " That inasmuch as the members of this Church have been in the past too negligent and remiss in their attending at Church meeting warned by the pastor, for the preventing of such disorders in the members for the future, and for the maintaining and upholding unity, good order, and decency in the Church, it was unanimously voted that whenever a Church meeting is ordered and appointed by the pastor of his order, time and place being specified for the brethren to meet at : — all and every member that shall be delinquent and absent, — without giving at the next meeting a sufficient and satisfactory reason of their being absent to the Church and pastor, — that then the Church shall deal with them as disorderly walkers for absenting." At the same meeting the church chose brother Josiah Humphrey as deacon by a unanimous vote. A year or more later (1737 and 8) several cases of discipline occur, coming under the rule adopted May 12, 1735, "for withdrawing Communion in sealing ordinances." The persons so accused were cited to appear before the church, but refused to come at first. Later, on further admonition, several appeared to give reasons for their absence and to answer to the search- ing interrogatory whether they were "children of the Church of Christ." One answered that he thought he was, and the church voted by a yea and nay vote that they con- sidered him to be, although " the pastor could not see to his satisfaction that Mr. was a child of the Church by any act of his own." Another answered, " I was in charity with the brethren until a certain paper came from the Church August 3, 1737." Another answered " that he was in char- ity with the brethren until the pulling down of the meeting- house," and when asked how much he was a sufferer in name or estate said. " I gave three shillings toward repair- 216 THE HISTOEY OP BAEEINGTON. ing the house." and further added " that he should not have been uneasy if others had not." And so the story goes of church difficulty, estrangement, sin, and confession until the year 1740, when by mutual vote of the church, town, and Church Council, the pastoral rela- tions were dissolved. Prior to his dismission from the pas- torate, Mr. Heath petitioned the town to grant him and his heirs, " thirteen feet long and ten feet wide of ground in the burying place at Princes Hill, so called in Barrington to build a tomb where or near the place his deceased family now lies to be for him and his heirs forever," which was " granted in the affirmative by every vote present." In November, 1740, the town voted "to concur with the vote of the Church in dismissing the Rev. Mr. Peleg Heath from being the minister of this town " and Capt. Joseph Allen, James Adams, and John Adams were chosen a com- mittee " to present the Rev. Peleg Heath with the town's vote in their concurring with the Church in his dismission." Thus terminated Mr. Heath's ministerial c areer, after twelve laborious and stormy years, during which his Christian char- acter was never questioned, though his conduct and posi- tions were subject to the severest criticism. He sought so far as we can see the best good of the church and people and the church in the main strongly supported him. When the votes of the members are recorded, there are few instances of persons voting contrary to the pastor's views. As we have already stated, the removal of the meeting-house was the chief cause of the trouble of the community. Princes Hill was the dividing line between the contestants. Those on the north of the Hill favored its removal and were Mr. Heath's strong supporters ; those on the south fought against it and were his opponents. That act changed the whole history of the town. As the meeting-house was the centre of the social, the control of all these interests was removed from the south to the north part of the town, and it is a noticeable fact that after the year 1740, the leading Church and town officers were chosen from the inhabitants ^Stl^rl^/cl)- (JLI3 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE, EXTERKJR AXD INTERIOR, 1-39-1S05. RESULTS OF ME. HEATH'S MINISTEY. 217 • north of Princes Hill. The balance of power was held in that section and the people used it to their own advantage and to the neglect of their brethren on the lower neck. The union of the people in a common cause against the tyranny of the mother country was the first strong influence to reunite the people and cause them to forget their differ- ences and divisions of the generation earlier. Mr. Heath continued a resident of Barrington, after re- tiring from the pulpit. He was a useful citizen and held offices of trust in the town, as evidence of the true respect of the people for their pastor who during the trying period of the life of the town and the Church labored to the best of his ability to preserve the dignity and honor of both. Mr. Heath married Miss Sarah Richmond, daughter of Col. Sylvester Richmond. She died in 1739 at the age of twenty-eight. His second vAie was Miss Bethiah Peck, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Peck, who died in 1 740, aged twenty-three. His third wife was Jerusha Peck, who survived her husband, and afterwards married Joshua Bicknell. Mr. Heath died in 1748, in the 49th year of his age, and was buried at Princes Hill. In his will, the following books are named as a part of his library : Small Bible, large Bible, preaching Bible, Manadril's Travels, Calvin's Institu- tions, Horneck's Sermons, Lebtoon's Geography, William Pemble upon Justification, Marden's Geography, Dr. Ames's Marrow of Divinity, Doctor Preston's Works. His son. Major Peleg Heath, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his descendants have been and are still among the most respected citizens of the town and State. His grandson, Mr. Jabez Heath, died in 1870, at the ripe age of ninety years. The results of Mr. Heath's ministry may be seen in part from the following records of baptisms, admissions to the Covenant and to full communion in the Church from 1728 to 1740: 218 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. A Record of Those That are Admitted to Full Communion in The Church of Christ in Harrington From Nov. 13, 1728. Sarah, the wife of Hezekiah Tiffany Nathaniel Peck, Jonathan Vial, "1 Jemimah, wife of Joseph Chaffee, / Rachel, wife of Thomas Swift, ■! Hannah, wife of Joseph Chaffee, Jr., / Abigail, wife of Nath'iel Pain Josiah Humphrey at a Ch. meeting .... Desire, the wife of Sam'l Kent .... Sarah Heath, by a letter of Recommendation from Little Compton ..... Rachel Allen & Hannah, daughters of Eben'r Allen Mary, wife of Hezekiah Chaffee .... Wido, Mary Vial Edward and Mehitabel Bosworth, by a letter of recom- mendation fi-om Bristol Elizabeth, wife of James Adams .... Zachariah Bicknell Offa, Negro woman servant Sarah Holbrook, admitted at a church meeting Susana Kent, admitted Mary Allen, daughter of Eben'r Allen Sarah Peck, daughter of Nath'iel Peck Ebenezer Tiffany, James Bicknell, Matthew Watson, and Ruth, the wife of James Bicknell,were taken in at a meeting Nath'iel Mills, admitted at Mrs. Bicknell's Mercy Vial, (widow) Samuel Allen) Esqr Hannah Bicknell, by a letter of recommendation from Ashfoid . Josiah Humphrey, Jun'r, 18 years old Ebenezer Allen, Jun'r, 15 years old, and Sarah Allen, daughter of Ebenezer Allen . Mary Humphrey, wife of Jonas Humphrey Hannah Andrews Emmitta Auger (Alger) Jane Barnes, wife of Sam'l Barnes .... Mary Allen, wife of John Allen .... Deborah Allen, wife of Joseph Allen, Jun'r Habijah, the wife of Josiah Humphrey, Jun'r, \ Bethiah Peck, daughter of Nath'iel Peck, / (at a Church meeting held previous to the Sacrament). Dec. 8, 1728. July 20, 1729. Sept. 6, 1729. Sept. 28, 1729. Jan. 3, 1729-30. Feb. 14, 1729-30. March 5, 1730-31. March 5, 1730-31, June 6, 1731. Oct. 10, 1731. Jan. 7, 1732. Jan. 7, 1732. March 26, 1732. April, 23, 1732. Sept. 1, 1732. May 20, 1733. July I, 1733. Oct. 21, 1733. May 3, 1734. July 28, 1734. Feb. 2, 1734-5. Feb.23, 1734-S. April 30, 1736. May 23, 1736. June 13, 1736. Dec. 19, 1736. Dec. 19, 1736. Dec. 31, 1736. March 11, 1736-7. Aug. 7, 1737. Apr. 2, 1738. May 5, 1738. COVENANT MEMBERS. 219 Sarah, wife to Felix Negro June 18, 1738. Bathsheba Peck, daughter of Deacon Nath'iel Peck June 30, 1738. Ruth Allen, wife of Daniel Allen, at a Church meeting previous to the Sacrament . . . Aug. 31, 1739. Nathan Fippin, (Phippin) at a ch. meeting . . Feb. 29, 1739-40. Nath'iel Peck & Alice Peck, his wife, of (Rehoboth) July 6, 1740. Number of Communicants at the Lord's Table. False reports having been spread with respect to the number of Com- municants of late at the Lord's Table here, I from this time forward shall record the number of males and females that are present belonging to our Church and none else and for the single record. Peleg Heath, Pastor. July 8, 1739, S males, 19 females, Sept. 2, " 7 males. 21 females, Nov. II, " 6 (( 24 Jan 6, 1739-40, 7 (( 20 March 2," 6 (( IS May 4, 1740, 7 11 IS July 6, " 9 " 17 A Record of those that have owned the Covenant From Nov. 1728, IN The Church of Christ in Barrington. i3i James Smith, Jr., and his wife, Jerusha Joseph Chaffe James Bicknell, & Ruth, his wife Sarah, wife of John Torrey Robert and Mehitabel Watson . Nathl. Peck, 3rd, and Alice, his wife Mary, wife of Hezekiah Chafee Jacob Bosworth Felix, Negro John Maxfield, Rebecca Treadwell .... Andrew Shannon, an Irishman Bethiah Read, daughter to John Read William Tripp, a lad of 14 yrs. old . Joseph Allen, Jun., (over the river) . Constant Vial, and Sarah Vial, his wife Susanna Medbury & Hannah Tripp . Elizabeth Franklin, wife of John Franklin Hannah Medbury .... Gideon Franklin .... March 16, 1728-9. July 20, 1729. Sept. 14, 1729. Sept. 28, 1729. Oct. 18, 1730. June 6, 1731. April 2, 1732. April 23, 1732. June 4, 1732. June 4, 1732. March 11, 1733. March 18, 1733. May 5, 1734. Feb. 23, 1734-S. May 18, 1735. March 7, 1735-6. July 4. 1736- July II, 1736. Aug. I, 1736. 220 THE HISTOEY OF BAEKINGTON. Joseph Vial, and Ruth, his wife Mary, the wife of Jonas Humphrey . Hannah Andrews .... Sarah, wife of Felix, negro Janes Barnes, wife of Sam'l Barnes . Keziah Barnes, daughter of Jane Barnes Mary, wife of John Allen . John Allen Ruth, daughter of Daniel Allen Solomon Peck Rogers Richmond & Susannah his wife on ye day of the death of the child at Gideon Franklins house Brill, Mulatto man of mine, (Peleg Heath) Sep'r 12, 1736. Dec. 19, 1736. Dec. 19, 1736. Dec. 19, 1736. March 6, 1736-7. March 6, 1737. Aug. 7, 1737. Nov'r 27, 1737. Nov'r 26, 1738. July I, 1739. July 23, 1740. Aug. 31, 1740. A Record of Marriages Kept by Peleg Heath, Pastor of Christ's Church in Barrington from Nov. 13, 1728. December 18, 1728. Dec-r 19, 1728. Jan. ist, 1728-9. Feb. 6, 1728-9. Dec-r 4, 1729. May 28, 1730. May II, 1732. May II, 1732. July 13, 1732. July 27, 1732. March 19, 1733. Sep-tr 13, 1733. Apr. II, 1734. Apr. 25, 1734. Aug. 22, 1734. Aug. 14, 1735. Nov-r 27, 1735. Marriage Fee. Ebenezer Tiffany and Miriam Green o Joel Chaffee & Elizabeth Bicknell . o Thomas Peck & Deliverance May . o Recompence Tiffany & Experience Stockbridge o Daniel Paine & Leah Smith . . o Thomas Allin & Althea Baker . o Cornelius Carpenter & Mehitable Peck o Jonathan Vial & Hannah Kinnecut o William Clark of Warwick & Eliza- beth Barnes of Barrington . . o Jonathan Drown of Bristol & Sarah Kent of Barrington Matthew Watson & Bethiah Read Peter Bicknell & Rachel Smith Samuel Peck of Rehoboth & Hannah Allen of Barrington . . .1 John Adams & Elizabeth Brown both of Barrington i Sam. Cheese & Experience Samson Indians o Sharp Blaken & Downs Genners, . Negro man, Indian woman . . o Matthew Pratt of Weymouth & Abi- gail Peck of Barrington . . .0 s. 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 o o o o o o o o 10 10 10 MARRIAGES AND BAPTISMS. 221 Marriage Fee. £. s. d. March 3rd. 1736-7. March 17th. 1736-7. July 14th. 1737. Jan 19th. 1737-8. Dec. 29th. 1737. Jan. 25, 1737-8. July 6, 1738. July 27, 1738. Dec-r 18, 1738. May 29th, 1740. Sep-tr 4, 1740. Ebenezer Adams & Hannah Allen both of Barrington John Allen & Mary Kelley both of Barrington ..... Jonathan Gibbins & Elizabeth Bar- ney both of Barrington , Josiah Humphrey Jun & Habijah Brown both of Barrington Solomon Peck and Keziah Barnes both of Barrington .... Jeremiah Mathews of Providence & Susannah Medbury Nathaniel Bosworth of Rehoboth & _Jane^rown of Barrington William James Jun. of Newport & Satah Allen of Barrington Job, Negro man & Mary Frank, Negro woman of Barrington Aaron Lyon of Woodstock & Eliza- beth Allen of Barrington Nathaniel Toogood of Rehoboth & Eunice Manchester of Barrington . IS A Record of Baptisms kept by Peleg Heath, Pastor of Christ's Church in Barrington, who was ordained Nov. 13, 1728. 1728. Nov. 17, Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel & Abigail Pain of Reho- both. Dec. 8, Sarah, daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah Tiffany. Dec. 15, Samuel Allen, an adult person. 1728-9. Feb. 23, John Wilson, son of Samuel Low. March 16, Sarah, daughter of Joseph Chaffee, Jun. " " Hannah, daughter of James Smith, Jun. 1729. July 20, Joseph Chaffee, an adult person, as also his whole family, Benjamin, Thomas, Abigail, James, Joseph, Samuel & Stephen. July, 20, Ruth, daughter of James Bicknell. Aug. 3, Mary, daughter of Josiah Humphrey. Sept. 14, Josiah, son of John Torrey. Sept. 28, Robert, son of Robert Watson. Nov. 2, Hannah, daughter of James Bicknell. Nov. 16, John, son of Jacob Hartshorn of Bristol. 1730. May 3, Rachel, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Viall. May 31, Edward, son of James Adams, Jun. ^ 222 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. J730. Sept. 20, Peter, son of Edward Bosworth. Oct. 18, Alice, wife of Nathaniel Peck, tertius, (adult) also two of the children, Thomas & Mary. Oct. 20, Jerusha, daughter of James Smith, Jun. Dec. 6, Sarah, daughter oi Samuel Low. 1730-31. Feb. 27, Sarah, daughter of James Viall. 1731. June 6, Mary, wife of Hezekiah Chaffee, (adult) & two of the children, John and Mary. June 13, Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel & Bethia Peck. July 18, Comfort, son of Nathaniel and Alice Peck, of Reho- both. Aug. I, Jabez, son of Jabez Carpenter of Rehobolh. Aug. 8, Elisha, son of Thomas Dexter. Aug. 15, Sarah, daughter of Josiah Humphrey, Oct. 20, James, son of James Bicknell. Oct. 22, Hezekiah Chaflfee, (adult) at home on a sick bed. " 23, Bethia Medbury, (adult) on a sick bed. " 24, Elijah, son of Eben Bowen of Rehoboth. " 31, Lucy, daighter of William Brown of Rehoboth. Nov. 7, Josiah and Elizabeth Chaffee, his wife, also two of their children, Joshua and Elizabeth. Nov. 7, Josiah, son of Joseph Chaffee. 1732. Jan. 2, Hezekiah, son of Mary Chaffee. Feb. 27, Mary, daughter of Peleg and Sarah Heath. April 2, Jacob and Lydia, son and daughter of Jacob Bosworth. " " Ruth, daughter of James Smith Jun. " 9, Timothy, son of Ebenezer Hill of Rehoboth. " 23, Felix, Negro man servant. June 4, Peter Maxfield, an adult person & Peter, son of Peter Maxiield. June 4, Rebecca, wife of Eleazer Tread well. Oct. I, Charles Peck & Abigail Read, grandchild & nephew of John Read. Nov. 26, Eunice, servant child of John Read, baptized on his account. Dec. 10, Mary, daughter of Joseph Bosworth, of Rehoboth, bap- tized at Rehoboth. I733- ^sb. 25, Molly, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Allen. March 18, Mary, daughter of Andrew Shannon, an Irishman. April I, Nathaniel, Enos, Susanna .& Anna, children of Nathaniel Walker of Rehoboth. July 29, James, son of James Smith Jun. & Jerusha, his wife. Aug. 5, Lydia, daughter of Ephraim Bliss of Palmer's River. Sept. 16, Jonathan, James, Phebe, Hannah, children of Eben- ezer & Rebecca Treadwell. Oct. 7, Christian, daughter of Nathaniel & Alice Peck of Reho- both. BAPTISMS. 223 1734. March 3, Peleg, son of Peleg & Mary Richmond. May 5, William Tripp, servant boy to Hezekiah Tiffany, on his own account, age 14. May 5, Abigail, daughter of Matthew & Bethia Watson. June 30, Caleb, son of Caleb Lyon of Rehoboth, baptized there. Sept. I, Peleg, son of Peleg and Sarah Heath, born Aug. 27, 1734- Nov. 17, Hannah, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Viall. *735' Ffil"- 23, Joseph Allen, Jun. (adult) and four of his children, Joseph, Elisha, Benjamin, and Hezekiah Allen. March 9, Molly, daughter of Matthew & Bethia Watson. May 18, Constant, son of Constant & Sarah Viall. Aug. 17, James, son of Peleg &Mary Richmond. Sept. 14, Sarah, daughter of Joseph Allen, Jun, Oct. 12, Abigail, daughter of Nathaniel & Alice Peck of Reho- both. Nov. 2, John, son of Nathaniel & Abigail Pain, of Rehoboth. 1736. Jan. II, Molly, daughter of Joshua & Hannah Bicknell. March 21, Peleg, second son of Peleg & Sarah Heath, born March 3, 1736. March 7, Susanna Medbury. Her father is an Antinomian Bap- tist. March 7, Hannah Tripp, (adult) a servant girl to Hezekiah Tif- fany. March 21, Nathaniel, son of Deacon Josiah Humphrey. July 4, Viall, son of John and Elizabeth Franklin. July II, Hannah Medbury, an adult person. July 18, Rachel, daughter of Matthew & Bethia Watson. Aug. II, Gideon Franklin (an adult person) of Rehoboth. " " Daniel, son of Gideon & Mary Franklin. Aug. 15, Sarah, daughter of Eleazer and Rebecca Treadwell. " 29, Sarah, daughter of Constant & Sarah Viall. " 29, Anna, daughter of Felix, negro man. Sept. 12, Ruth Viall, wife of Joseph Viall. Oct. 3, John, son of James Smith Jun. and Jerusha his wife. Dec. 19, William, son of Jonas and Mary Humphrey. Dec. 19, Hannah Andrews, an adult person. Dec. 19, Sarah, wife of Felix, negro. 1737. March 5, Jane Barnes, " her husband is a ridged Antinomian Baptist." March 6, Keziah Barnes, daughter of Jane Barnes. Mar 6, Ruth, daughter of Joseph and Ruth Viall. May 29, John Rogers, son of Peleg and Mary Richmond. June 19, Nathaniel, son of Jonas and Mary Humphrey. Aug. 7, Mary, wife of John Allen. Aug. 21, Sarah, daughter of William and Mehitabel Mathews. 224 THE HISTORY OF BAREINGTON. 1738. Feb. 26, Nathaniel, son of Peleg & Sarah Heath, born Feb. 20, 1738- March 5, Ruth, daughter of Deacon Josiah Humphrey & Han- nah, his wife. March 5, Ruth, daughter of John & Elizabeth Franklin. March 26, Jerusha, daughter of Felix, negro, & Sarah, his wife. May I, Becca, daughter of James & Rebecca Brown, baptized at home when like to die. May 21, David, son of Gideon Franklin & Mary his wife. June II, Stephen, son of Robert Bates and Margaret his wife. Aug. 6, Eleazer, son of Eleazer Treadwell & Rebecca, his wife. Oct. 15, Jonathan, son of Joseph & Ruth Viall. 1739. March 4, Elkanah, son of Josiah Humphrey, Jun., & Habijah, his wife. March 4, Patience, daughter of Peleg and Mary Richmond. April I, Mary, daughter of Samuel Read, of Rehoboth, baptized atR. May 27, Molly, daughter of Ruth Allen, daughter of Daniel Allen. July I, Solomon, son of Solomon & Keziah Peck. July 15, Alice, daughter of John & Abigail Tinker. Dec. 9, Michael, son of Jonas Humphrey & Mary his wife. 1740. Feb. 24, Malakiah, son of Felix, negro & Sarah his wife. March 16, Asa, son of Gideon & Mary Franklin. June I, Abigail, daughter of William & Mehitabel Mathews. July 23, Susanna, daughter Roger & Susanna Richmond of Bris- tol ; on the day of the child's death, at the house of Gideon Franklin of Rehoboth, private baptism. Aug. ID, Keziah, daughter of Solomon & Keziah Peck. Aug. 31, Brill, mulatto man of mine, on his own account. For the period of over two years after Mr. Heath's dis- mission, the people were without a settled minister, hearing candidates and stated supplies. December 14, the town voted ";^ioo to pay a minister or ministers to preach to this town," and Captain Joseph Allen, John Adams, and Josiah Humphrey were chosen a committee " to provide the town with a minister to preach to the town as there shall be occasion." Josiah Humphrey was to take care of the meeting house. May 22, 1741, the town treasurer was ordered to pay out the ;£ioo to the Committee as needed for a minister or ministers. Mr. Heath's successor was the Rev. Solomon Townsend, z EEV. SOLOMON TOWNSBND. 225 who was born in Boston in 1716, graduated at Harvard College with the degree of A. M., in 1735, commenced his ministry among this people in 1743, and died December 25, 1796, in the eighty-first year of his age, and the fifty-fifth of his ministry. . As "Father Townsend" as he was called, is remembered by one who well knew him, he was over five feet and six inches in height, of a spare frame, plain in dress, and scrupulously economical in habits, as the times and salary demanded. He wore long, grey hair, was baldheaded, and possessed the proud distinction of a large nose. He wore in summer a gay colored chintz morning gown and a.cocked hat and short breeches with knee buckles. In winter he wore green small clothes and a long coat, and at his death was laid out in a black broadcloth suit, purchased by the people. Soon after his settlement, the town of Bar- rington, with the whole of Bristol County, was set off to Rhode Island Colony, and the town system of Church support and tithing was given up, and the minister was supported by free contributions of the people. Silver and gold they had but little to give, and the products of the farm were annually sent to replenish his oft-times empty stores and larder. His wife, Rebecca, died when young, and Mr. Townsend never married again. His house was kept by Miss Betty Renuff. One day, towards noon, as Betty was cooking a kettle of clams for dinner, she saw olS Dr. Stiles of Newport, riding up, on horseback, to the front door. " What shall we do .' What shall we get for dinner .' " said Betty, as she thought of the frugal repast of clams, bread and butter for so distinguished a guest. "Dr. Stiles has come to dine with us." " Never, mind, Betty," said Father Solomon, "clams that are good enough for me are good enough for Dr. Stiles." Without apology, Mr. Townsend invited the Doctor to sit down to a Barrington dish, which was not only a rarity, but a luxury to his Newport friend. They visited the grave of Willett together, and Mr. Town- send was about to rub the moss from the stones. "Don't rub it off," said the good Doctor, "that's sacred moss." 15 226 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. In conversation with some students on moral philosophy, Mr. Townsend told them that he studied such a philosophy. When asked to explain, he said that his philosophy was to pull off his boots, if he did not want them on. It is said that he often went into tears, when telling the value " of this precious book, the Bible." He was a thorough student of the Bible and had a large library of the best Puritan theology. He was thoroughly in sympathy with the early Congregational divines and scholars and when Whitfield came to America found little to approve in his methods and teachings. In fact, he joined with other of the New Eng- land clergy in his protest against them, as follows : " When Mr. Whitfield first came among us, he used his utmost craft and cunning to strike the passions and en- gage the affections of the people, and when he had wrought them into a fond opinion of his excellence and they began to look upon him as endowed with an uncommon measure of the Spirit, he continued to insinuate that unconverted min- isters could do little or no good to souls ; that dead men might as well beget living children. Having thus prepared the way, he leaves the country with the most vile insinua- tion, ' That many, nay most that preach, I fear, do not ex- perimentally know Christ and the universities are become dark — darkness in the abstract' Well, what is the lan- guage of all this ? He that runs may read. Dead men may as well beget living children as an unconverted minister do good to souls. The most of your ministers are unconverted ; you must, then, if you have any regard to your souls, separate from them and seek better help. But what will you do ? You can't have any help from the colleges : there is nothing but darkness that may be felt. You must then content yourselves with some illiterate exhorters, until you can have a supply from the Shepherd's Tent, the Orphan House, or elsewhere. It appeareth to us, that the Devil with all his cunning could not take a more direct step to overthrow these churches, hurt religion and the souls of men." EEV. SOLOMON TOWNSBND. 227 Joseph Avery of Norton, John Greenwood, i David Turner, J R^hoboth, Ebenezer White, Norton, Solomon Townsend of Barrington, John Burt of Bristol. His prayers contained many gifted thoughts and he often quoted and used the same expressions. He prayed for those who traveled by land, for a horse is a vain thing for safety. Also for the sons of Zebulon, who went down upon the sea, and who did business on the mighty waters. The following incident illustrates " Father Townsend's " interest in young people and his kind treatment of his col- ored boy as a culprit : Hooker Low had a white boy bound to service and Mr. Townsend a colored apprentice. Both played truant and went fishing on Sunday. Both were brought before the magistrate and were sentenced to pay a fine or be whipped. Mr. Low allowed his boy to be whipped, but Mr. Townsend paid the fine and saved the boy the disgrace of a public whipping at the town whipping post. The colored boy, at the expiration of his service, went to sea, and, after many years' absence, returned to Barrington and called at Mr. Townsend's for a night's lodging. Mr. Townsend gave him food and lodgings, not recognizing his guest as his former servant. In the morning the man made himself known as the boy who once served him and then handed his old master a bag of money as a present in return for his former kindness. Mr. Townsend afterwards, in tell- ing the story, referred to it as an illustration of the parable of casting bread upon the waters and finding it again after many days. In the summer he preached two sermons on the Sabbath, and in the winter, only one. There was no Sabbath school and no Sabbath or week-day prayer-meetings. In the pre- paratory lecture, he was assisted by neighboring ministers. 228 THE HISTORY OP BAEBINGTOK. Although the records of the Church have been lost for that memorable half century of Mr. Townsend's pastorate, and the town records have no hints as to the Church affairs, probably no period of our history was more interesting since our foundation, and none so full of peace and progress. The records of that ministry were written upon the hearts of the young and old of this community, and though we cannot read the written page, we can behold the more in- effaceable monuments of truth, piety and order which such a life and such teachings established. Siquaeratis monumenta circumspicite. "If you seek for memorials, look around you." At the ordination of his successor. Rev. Samuel Watson, February 28, 1798, the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, of Providence, gave the charge to this people, and paid the following tribute to the memory and character of this venerable man : "May much of the spirit of your good old Elijah de- scend and rest on the young Elijah who succeeds him in ofifice. The name of Townsend will long be dear to you in this place. His memory will long be venerated in the Churches, and never will be obliterated from the minds of his acquaintances. Happy in his ministry for fifty.five years, you still feel the good effects of the same. Your best testi- mony of respect to his memory, will be to preserve that order and harmony in your proceedings which do you so much honor, and to transfer your affection to his successor in office. With a mind most pure, placid and patient, and a character exceptionably good and estimable, he was interred with every mark of respect by an affectionate people." Rev. Thomas Noyes, pastor of the second Church in Need- ham, at the installation of the Rev. Luther Wright, speaks of the "faithful, pious, and evangelical Townsend, who, through a long and successful ministry, was an ornament to his profession and a glory to human nature." His people passed the following eulogium upon him, when they erected the slab to his memory in Pines Hill Cemetery : EEV. SAMtTEL WATSON. ■ 229 SACRED TO THE MEMORY of the REV. SOLOMON TOWNSEND, Who died Dec. 25, 1796, aged 80 years ; ALSO REBECCA HIS WIFE, Who died July 24, 1773, ^g^'^ 55 years. Mr. Townsend was born in Boston, Oct., A. D. 1716; was graduated at Harvard College, A. D. 1735 ; was ordained pastor of the church and congregation in Barrington A. D. 1743, and continued faithful in his charge 53 years, when death put a period to his labors and his re- mains were consigned to this tomb. Beneath this sculptured stone and mouldering heap, The reverend teacher rests in quiet sleep; From youth's first dawn he trod the sacred stage. To the dim twilight of declining age; He taught the soul in virtue's path to stray, Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way. In 1798 Rev. Samuel Watson succeeded to the pulpit made vacant by the death of Townsend. Mr. Watson was a native of Barrington, being the son of Matthew Watson, Jr., and the grandson of Matthew, Sr., of whom we shall, in an- other place, have occasion to speak. ' He graduated at Brov/n University In 1794, studied theology, was installed in 1798, and was ordained over the Congregational Church in Barring- ton the same year. He was a talented and able preacher, and the people were very harmonious and united during his ministry. At his ordination, he lived with his father on the estate and in the house now owned and occupied by his Watson descendants. He received as a settlement ;^2io, and his annual salary was from $200 to ^250. After his in- 230 THE HISTORY OP BAKRINGTON. stallation, he exchanged pulpits with his classmate Miles, of Grafton, and saw in his congregation, on a stormy Sabbath, in a neat, plain dress, a young lady, to whom he was at- tracted. He sought an introduction, courted and married her. Her name was Martha Turpin Bicknell, of Attleboro'. After his marriage his grandfather bought the Richard Greene place, and moved the house from a cellar in front of Mr. Kinnicutt's to the site of Mr. Staples's residence. This house, known as "The parsonage," is now owned and occu- pied (1898) by Mrs. Charles Miller. Mr. Watson preached two sermons in summer, and one in winter, on Sundays. He taught private pupils, and boarded some of them at his house. His habits of thought were such that he wrote rapidly, even in company. He walked across his farm and back to his study on the mornings of the days when he wrote his ser- mons. He kept a sideboard for liquors, which was the minis- terial fashion at that day, and treated himself, as well as his friends, to the best drinks the times afforded. He was held in high esteem among his people, and during his pastorate, ninety-two persons were added to the Church. The Barrington Library Association was formed during his ministry, largely by his encouragement and efforts, and the library was kept at his house. The most important act of the Church and society during Mr. Watson's ministry was the taking down of the old meeting-house of 1737, and build- ing a new one on the same lot, a little farther from the road and nearer the River. In 1805 the town gave to the United Congregational Society, its interest in the lot given in 1733, by Joshua Bicknell, "for the erection of a meeting-house thereon." The new house was built in 1806-7, the frame and form being mainly preserved in the present house of worship. The funds for building the new meeting-house were obtained from subscriptions of individuals, interested in the work of the church, and also from the proceeds of the Bar- rington meeting-house lottery, which was authorized by the General Assembly for that purpose, with Gen. Thomas LIST OF FAMILIES. 231 Allin and Judge Joshua Bicknell as managers. An account of this lottery will be found under another chapter. It is a matter worthy of note that the three pastors of the Congregational Church from 1728 to 1816, a period of 88 years, were ordained for their work and installed over the Harrington Church as their first and only pastorates. Their whole service as Christian teachers was given to this people. They lived and died in Barrington and their graves are with us unto this day, as is also that of Rev. Shearjasbub Bourn Townsend, the grandson of the venerable Solomon Town- send. It is also of interest to state that two meeting-houses were erected during the same period, one in 1737 and the second in 1806-7. For further reference, see the chapter on Meeting Houses and Church services. Mr. Watson has left us in his own handwriting a list of the families in U. C. Society, Barrington, during his pastor- ate. Sam'l Bos worth, S. Bosworth, Jr., Capt. Ingraham, W. Ingraham, J. Ingraham, Noel Mathewson, Peter Taylor, Anderson Martin, C. Martin, . Nath. Smith, Nathl. Smith, Jr., W. Kent, Capt. Smith, Granny Bosworth, John Drown, John Short, M. Watson, Solo Townsend, C. Standley, Joseph Kent, Capt. Short, Capt. Martin, Total, 67 families. Syril Martin, E. Tiffany, Joseph Carlo Mauran, Joshua Bicknell, Joseph Bicknell, John Bicknell, Ira Allin, Mrs. Viall, George Allin, Josiah Kinnicutt, K. Brown, S. Smith, Nathl. Heath, Jr., Nathl. Heath, A. Carpenter, S. Peck, Capt. Ladue, E. Remington, Major Peck, D. Horn, P. Paine, Dr. Allin, S. Lowe. J. Barnes, J. Watson, A. Lilley, E. Smith, Jas. Grant, J. Humphrey, J. Humphrey, Jr., J. Potter, Mrs. Barnes, Joseph Rawson, Widow Allin, Major Drown, S. Viall, J. Harding, T. Humphrey, R. Richmond, Widow Viall, Nathl. Viall, J. Viall, H. Viall, W. Jones, J. Bullock, 232 THE HISTOBY OF BARRINGTON. The Rev. Luther Wright succeeded Mr. Watscm, and was installed Jan. 29, 1817. He was an experienced minister of the Gospel, and a man of fervent piety, zealous in work, and of a progressive, orthodox faith. " The refreshing from the Lord," which blessed so many of the New England churches between 1816-20, came to the Barrington pastor and people, . and as a result over ninety persons were added to the Church, the larger part in the year 1820. The same period witnessed a new interest taken in instructing the youth in the teach- ings and doctrines of the Bible. American Sunday Schools really were born at this time, although in s'ome parts of the country Bible teaching for the young had been entered upon by the Churches prior to this time. Mr. Wright was among the first to recognize the value and importance of this new movement. In 1817 the General Association of Massachu- setts recommended the establishment of schools for the pious education of children and youth. In the same year we find the following important Church records, the result of Mr. Wright's deep interest in all good plans to benefit the Church and society : Barrington, May 22, 18 17. "The brethren and sisters of the Church met at the meet- ing-house, agreeably to the appointment by the pastor. The meeting was opened with prayer. The articles of Christian Faith and Covenant were read, explained and commented upon. The importance of the religious education of the ris- ing generation was then urged. The pastor proposed and requested that the Church co-operate with him in catechising the children and youth." "Voted, unanimously, that Dea. Kent Brown, and brethren Jabez Heath and Geo. Gladding be a Committee to consult with the pastor respecting a plan for the catachetical instruc- tion of the children and youth in this place, and report at their next prayer meeting. The pastor then recommended to observe the monthly concert of prayer, which was agreed to by the Church, and was observed accordingly, commencing the first Monday in June 2, 1817." z > c THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 233 "The Church met according to adjournment. The Com- mittee raised at the last meeting recommended the estab- Hshment of a catachetical society among the youth in this place, and that Wilbour's catechism be used as a text-book. They also recommended the use of Emerson's Catechism among children, to be taught by minister and people." " It was voted, That the Committee chosen at the last meeting propose a constitution for a Catachetical Society among the youth, and report at the next meeting." June 7, 18 18. The Church were detained after public worship, and the pastor proposed the establishment of Sabbath Schools in this place. After free discussion it was : 1. " Voted, without opposition, that Sunday Schools be set up among us for the religious instruction of children and youth." 2. " Voted, That Deacons Joshua Bicknell and Kent Brown, and brethren Anderson Martin, Daniel Short, and Noah Read be a Committee with the pastor to superintend the Sabbath School." The Committee met immediately and appointed Mary Bosworth, Perm ilia Paine, Sally Tiffany, Nancy Viall, and Mary R. Bullock, sisters in the Church, to be teachers in the Sabbath School." While the records state that the Sunday School was estab- lished by the vote of the Church in 18 18, there are good reasons for believing that the children were gathered for instruction in the Bible, on Sundays, in the year 1817, and possibly a year earlier. I have the personal testimony of Mrs. Eliza (Martin) Ide and Mrs. Elizabeth W. (Allin) Bick- nell that both were engaged in such work with the youth of Barrington in 18 17, teaching classes in the meeting-house and also in private houses near, as there was at first much opposition to the work, on the ground that lay-members, especially young women, were not qualified to teach the truths of the Bible, clearly or correctly. The found- 234 THE HISTORY OP BABBINGTON. ers of the Barrington Sunday School were the pastor. Rev. Luther Wright, Deacon Kent Brown, Deacon Joshua Bicknell, Jabez Heath, George Gladding, Mary Bos- worth, Mary R. Bullock, Eliza Martin, Permilla Paine, Sally Tiffany, Elizabeth W. Allin, and Nancy Viall. It was during Mr. Wright's ministry that the Church adopted Articles of Faith, though a Covenant had been used by the Congregational Churches of New England from the first settlement. The following are the Articles of Faith and Covenant of the Church, adopted July 19, 1817. There is no record that a creed had been established prior to this time. They are in substantial agreement with the Churches of this order throughout New England at that day : THE ARTICLES OF FAITH, and The Covenant of THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in Barrington, R. I. Articles of Faith. 1. I believe there is one only living and true God, the Creator, Pre- server, and Governour of all things. 2. I believe the apostacy of our first Parents, the depravity of the human heart, and the ruined condition of mankind by sin. 3. I believe that God, in compassion to the fallen children of men, in pure mercy, provided a Saviour for them. 4. I believe the Lord Jesus Christ to be the ouly Saviour of a guilty world, that he is both the Son of God and the son of man; and, that he is the only mediator between God and man. 5. I believe in the Holy Ghost as the sacred agent, who enlightens the mind, and purifies the heart of men; and, in the necessity of his infiuence, to bring us out of a state of sin into a state of grace. CHXJKCH CREED AND COVENANT. 235 6. I believe justification to be of the free and rich grace of God, through faith. 7. I believe Baptism and the Lord's Supper to be the only sacra- ments of the Nevir Testament; and, that they who come to the holy Insti- tution of the Gospel, should examine themselves as to their knowledge, faith, and repentance. 8. I believe the resurrection of the body, and the final judgment of the quick and dead. 9. I believe the future happiness of the righteous, and the condem- nation and misery of the wicked. 10. I believe, in a word, the sacred Scriptures to be written by inspira- tion of God ; and, that they contain the only rule of faith and practice. Church Covenant. You do now seriously, and deliberately in the presence of God and this Assembly, give up yourself (selves) to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, acknowledging the Lord Jehovah to be your God. You own Christ as your Saviour, and promise to walk agreeably to his Gospel. You acknowledge the Holy Spirit as your comforter and sanctifier, and will cherish His light and influences. You do now professedly covenant with one God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in an everlasting Covenant never to be forgotten, resolving by divine giace to be for Him alone. You do not only give up yourself (selves) to the Lord ; but also devote the children which God has, or may, graciously give you, to his fear and service, promising, by divine assistance, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. You commit yourself (selves) to the care and inspection of this church, promising to attend the administration of the ordinances as you have opportunity, readily submitting to the rules and discipline of this church, in the way of peace and order. This you promise by divine assistance? Re-stipulation. We do then joyfully receive you, as one (those) whom we hope Christ has received ; and we promise to watch over you in the spirit of meek- ness and friendship, asking an interest in your prayers, that we may each adorn the Gospel of our common Saviour. Barrington, July ig, 1817. A true copy from the Church Records. Attest, Luther Wright, Pastor. During Mr. Wright's ministry more than ninety persons were added to the church. He closed his labors in Barring- 236 THE HISTOKY OF BAERINaTON. ton in 1 82 1, after four years of very active, useful service. The church remained without a pastor for nearly two years, a period of loss in church work and growth. The following doggerel verses on the various changes of the period reflect something of the spirit of the times : Harrington Congregational Society. In the town of B., Sir, there does dwell, A corporation known full well. Their funds are large, their pay is small, Whene'er their preacher, he does call. It was made up in '98, As you may see by their own date. They ordained then their own townsman, Which we will call by the name of Sam. He lasted there for eighteen years, But always had his doubts and fears , About how he should get his pay. Until the Lord called him away. Then as for meeting they had none, Unless a traveler chanced to come. Then they all met on the Lord's Day, To see what travelers had to say ; At length there to these Deacons came, A man of learning and of fame. I'll place him up in his true light. And his name we will call Wright. This man he suited everything. And the subscriptions did begin, P"or to raise money, for to call This Wright to be installed. The next step, then, was for to find Sufficient men all of one mind, To come with all their hearts' delight, And re-install what they called Wright. About four years, we understand. This work went on, all hand in hand. A reformation then took place, Which set the people all in haste; And after sixty had been joined, The Priest and Deacons tried their minds, And found that they could not agree, And trouble was their destiny. His salary was much behind, Five hundred dollars at that time ; COKDITION OF CHURCH. 237 The Deacon's power was then so great, He bid him go without debate. The next step, then, was to find Sufficient men all of one mind, To come with all their hearts' delight. And turn away what they called Wright. Then Mr. P. came on so stout, To see the battle well fought out, And found the pay was coming scant. So he concluded to recant. The next brought in was Mr. K., An humble man as they all say ; To preach the Gospel he was bound, And always true to it was found. Six months the term that he must stay, They locked the house on the Lord's Day, And none was suffered there to be, Neither to hear nor for to see. The Sergeant (K) ordered him to start, Which grieved him to the very heart. The Deacon's power was then so great, He bid him go without debate. The time had come that he must go, And on that very moment, too. Then he was forced to leave the ground, His wife no chance to change her gown. Now Mr. W. has come forth, Though not far distant from the North, To take the lead of all the band. And guide them to the Heavenly Land. Now may they all united be. And pay him up so he shan't flee. Nor go from this which he calls home , 'Till he go hence whence none returns. May our people live in such a form. That when they die they may be borne To Abraham's bosom there to be Forever blest eternally. Rev. Francis Wood was ordained and installed February 26th, 1823. After a brief but useful pastorate he was dis- missed November 22, 1826. Dissension having arisen in the Church, which earnest efforts failed to harmonize, a period of religious depression followed. 238 THE HISTOEY OF BAEEIBTGTON. In February, 1832, a series of special meetings, conducted by Rev. Giles Pease, resulted in the addition of a goodly number to the Church. During several months in which Mr. Pease was acting pastor, the attention of the Church was given to long neglected church discipline. In 1835 Rev. Thomas Williams was installed, and after a troubled pastorate of nearly three years, during which the chronic dissensions increased, he was dismissed. Rev. Benjamin R. Allen was installed September 26, 1838, and dismissed in September, 1842. Rev. Charles Peabody was installed June 21st, 1843. -^ Council called April 7th, 1846, to dismiss him, adjourned to May Sth, after " enjoining on the Pastor and Church the duty of ministering the government of Christ's house in disci- plining the delinquent members in the Church." The coun- cil decided that the pastoral relation " should not be dis- solved," and adjourned. Another mutual council was called October 6, 1846, which granted the dissolution, commended Mr. Peabody, and deeply deplored the condition of the Church. They ad- monished the brethren " of the necessity of immediate and thorough discipline in the Church, in order to their con- tinued existenee. As a council we record here our solemn conviction that the very name of this Church must in a few years be blotted out of the map of our Zion, unless affec- tionate, determined, thorough discipline is enforced in this Church." Rev. Forrest JefEerds, as " stated supply," began his labors November 21st, 1847, and closed May 20th, 185 1, after a peaceful pastorate. Rev. Silas S. Hyde was called August 14th, 1851. He accepted, but his installation was deferred until the exten- sive alterations in the meeting-house were completed. The sounding board, the high pulpit and the galleries were taken down, and the whole interior and exterior were remodelled. It was dedicated December 9th, 1851. On the following MINISTERS OF CONGEEGATIONAL CHTJECH. 239 day the council met, and the services of installation were held the day after, December nth, 1851. December 2cl, 1852 was observed as a day of fasting and prayer, on which occasion the revised "Articles of Faith and Covenant " were publicly and harmoniously recognized. In 1854 collectors of benevolent contributions were ap- pointed and a thorough system of collections was estab- lished. The collections from all sources for benevolent objects were $205.94. Early in 1855 an unfortunate difference arose between pastor and people, which interrupted the hitherto successful ministry of Mr. Hyde, and resulted in a mutual council and his dismissal, March 28, 1855. The council voted unani- mously that the " differences have been the result of differ- ences in temperament, and in the position from which the parties observed and judged, rather than any criminal, moral obliquity." Rev. Morris Day held special religious services from Jan. 24, 1856, to February 21st, resulting in the conversion of some fifty or more souls. During this religious interest Rev. Francis Horton, of West Cambridge, Mass., was invited to supply the pulpit. He began his labors in February, 1865. His call to the pas- torate. May 20, 1856, was accepted. He continued acting pastor until he died, March 19, 1872, beloved and mourned by all his people, after a remarkably successful ministry of 16 years. May s, 1872, Revised Articles of Faith were unanimously adopted. The benevolent contributions steadily advanced. In 1870 they reached ;^922.30, and in 1872 $1,150.00. Rev. William House began his labors March 9, 1873. He was installed Oct. 22, 1874, and dismissed by council July 7. 1886. During his ministry the advantage of system in all departments of church activity was demonstrated. The benevolent contributions for 1885 rose to $1,304.25. 240 THE HISTORY OF BABBINGTON. Rev. John W. Colwell began his labors June 19, 1887, and was installed by council July 20, 1887. Though no special meetings were held, 41 united on confession of faith during the first two years of his minis- try. A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was formed July 5, 1887. The meeting-house was enlarged in 1888, and a new pipe organ purchased. The house was dedicated March 17, 1889. The Church Manual was revised, new Standing Rules being adopted, and this Historical Sketch enlarged, cor- rected, and brought down to date. Mr. Colwell's able and successful ministry was terminated by his early and sudden death in February, 1896. Rev. Norman Plass followed in the pastorate and was installed in November, 1896. His brief ministry in Barring- ton has been marked by faithful pastoral work and vigorous preaching. Hon. Lewis B. Smith, who united with the church May 6, 1832, and was chosen deacon Nov. 3, 1859, and treasurer of the "United Congregational Society March 7, 1853, died suddenly in the lower vestibule of the church, Sunday morn- ing. May 29, 1892. This was on " Memorial Sunday." Special service, in accordance with the custom of the church, was held on this Sunday, preceding " Memorial Day." Mr. Smith had been sick with heart difficulty a week or two previous. He felt so much better that he came out to this service and though very feeble, he entered into the spirit of the occasion and seemed to enjoy the service. At its close, brethren, neigh- bors, and friends gathered around him, glad to see him back in the place, which was seldom vacant on Sunday. He went below with the Sunday School, but was not well enough to teach. , ,,He sat with his class during the opening exercises. Singularly, the superintendent gave out Keble's Evening Hymn, " Sun of my Soul " to be sung just before the les- LEWIS BOSWORTH SMITH. LEWIS B. SMITH. 241 sons. The school sang the first three verses, the third verse reading, "Abide with me from morn till eve, For -without thee I cannot live. Abide with me when death is nigh, For without thee I dare not die." As the classes then took up the study of the lesson for the day, Deacon Smith arose, shook hands with and bade the members of his class good-bye, and passed out of the room with those words still sounding in his ears. He went out to the shed for his team, his wife awaiting him in the vestibule. As he drove up in front of the vestry door, Mrs. Smith called him in to speak to a lady friend. Mr. Smith came in and as he put out his hand to his friend, the fatal stroke fell upon him. This friend eased his fall and Mrs, Smith hastened in to call for assistance. Two or three went out immediately. All was done that could be done, as Mr. Smith was past human help. Where he fell, his spirit returned to the God who gave it. While this tragedy was enacting, although the Sunday School was in session, there was no excitement or commotion. An impressive hush rested upon the school rather. The school was quietly dis- missed and retired by the rear door. The doors of the ves- tibule where Mr, Smith's body lay were closed and only his nearest and dearest, with the pastor and a few of his church brethren remained with him. Thus passed away this faith- ful servant of God in the church so dear to him for which he had toiled, and prayed, and given. He had been a member sixty years, a deacon thirty-two years and a half, and treasurer of the society, thirty-nine years and nearly three months. For fuller notices of ministers and others, see brief biogra- phies. 16 242 THE HISTOBY OF BAEEINGTON. List of the Pastors, with Their Terms op Labor. 9 ID. II 12 14. IS 16, Rev. James Wilson " Samuel Torrey " Peleg Heath " Solomon Townsend. " Samuel Watson " Luther Wright " Francis Wood " Thomas Williams... " Benjamin R. Allen.. " Charles Peabody " Forrest Jefferds " Silas S.Hyde " Francis Horton " William House " John W. Colwell " Norman Plass Date of Ordina. or Inst. 1718 1728 1743 1798 1817 1823 183s 1838 1843 1846 1851 1856 1873 1887 1896 Date of Dismissal. 1726 1740 "1798 *l8l6 1821 1826 1838 1842 1846 1850 185s •1872 1886 ♦1896 Lieut. Nathaniel Peck, chosen Samuel Humphrey, Josiah Humphrey, James Humphrey, Ebenfezer Adams, James Adams, Sylvester Viall. Kent Brown, Joshua Bicknell, Ebenezer Tiffany, Allin Bicknell, Benjamin Martin, Lewis B. Smith, Term of Labor, 8 years. 12 55 18 4 3 3 4 4 16 13 9 * Date of death. SE Congregational Church. n 1728. Died 1751- 1717. 1735- Died 1751- Died 1773- Died 1775- 1812. Died 1816. 1812. Died 1822. 1817. Died 1837- 1838. Died 1864. 1839- Died 1870. Nov. 3. 1839 . Died Dec. 12, 1895 Died May 29, 1892. CliBEKS AND TRBASTJEERS. 243 Charles H. Bowen, Mark H. Wood, Ebenezer Tiffany, Frederick P. Church, chosen July 6, 1878. " July 6, 1878. '_' July 6, 1878. " Jan. I, 1896. Church Clerks. Until the death of Rev. Mr. Townsend, the records of the church had been made by the ministers. The record book kept by Rev. Peleg Heath is now in the possession of Mrs. William Carter, a great granddaughter of Mr. Heath. Thp records of the church during Mr. Townsend's ministry can- not be found. At his death, 1797, the church chose Edward Bosworth as clerk, who served one year, until Rev. Samuel Watson was installed. Since that date the clerks have been : Rev. Samuel Watson Kent Brown Rev. Luther Wright Rev. Francis Wood Ebenezer Tiffany Rev. Benjamin R. Allin Deacon Ebenezer Tiffany Anthony Viall Samuel Billings Rev. Francis Horton Thomas W. Bicknell Rev. William House Morris W. House Mark H. Wood Wheaton B. Bowden Jan 3, 1894. 1798-1816 1816-1817 1817-1821 1S23-1826 1830-1838 1838-1842 1843-185 1 1851-1855 1856-1860 1861-1872 1872-1874 1874-1885 1885-1886 1886-1894 Now serving. Treasurers. The first record of the appointment of Treasurer is that of Dea. Ebenezer Tiffany Ebenezer Tiffany, Jr. Dea. Lewis B. Smith Dea. Benjamin Martin Royal D. Horton . Mark H. Wood Frederick P. Chuich Francis Wood . Walter L. Anthony. 1896. 1852-1861 1861-1867 1867-1868 1&68-1875 1875-1879 f 1879-1887 \ 1892-1894 1887-1892 1894-1896 Now serving. 1^ 244 the history of baebington. Sunday School. Superintendents. The Sunday School was established in 1818, but a Cate- chetical Society was formed in 18 17. The Pastor, Rev. Luther Wright, was the first Superintendent, assisted by Deacons Joshua Bicknell and Kent Brown, Anderson Martin, Daniel Short, and Noah Read. They were succeeded by the pastors or the deacons of the church. Sinte i860 the Superintendents have been elected annually by the church and the school, and have been : Lewis B. Smith. Isaac F. Cady. Thomas W. Bicknell 1866-1875 /• 1875-1883 D. A. Waldron J. 1886-1889 1 1890-1894 Rev. Wm. House 1883-1886 Frederick P. Church 1889-1890 Dea. Charles H. Bowden . . .... 1894-1896 Frederick P. Church 1896. Now serving CHAPTER XVIII BARRINGTON LEGISLATION FROM 1717 TO 1747 The Town Records — The Town Meeting — Town Officers — Summai-y of the Town Legislation During the Period. AS we have seen, Barrington was incorporated by the Gen- eral Court of Massachusetts Bay in the year 171 7, the petition of the inhabitants being confirmed on November 1 8th. The new town then entered upon its corporate exist- ence, and continued the same for thirty years. The records for that period, although made by capable town clerks, have not been carefully preserved, and the opening and closing chapters of the record book have been lost in its migrations through the attic collections of the town. In 1870 the book was supposed to be lost, but, fortunately, the writer, in seek- ing for light on this important period of our town history, found it in the possession of a friend, and, with his consent, it was returned to the town clerk's office, from which it had been a wanderer for many years. We have made a careful digest of the town legislation of the period, giving the leading town officers for each year, and introducing the minor offices when held by new officials. The meeting-house and the minister of the town are among the chief subjects of legisla- tion, and the records show the methods of government, when there was a partial union of the Church and the town. It is interesting to note other matters, such as the town stocks, the pound, the ear-marks of cattle, the yoking of swine, the itinerant school and schoolmaster, and other records of the life and customs of the earlier days. The record-book begins with a "town meeting of the free- holders and other inhabitants of the town of Barrington, legally warned on this seventh day of April, 1718," and 246 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. closes with the town meeting of March 29, 1744. We have therefore lost the records of the town for portions of three years. The Barrington town meeting, begun in the year 1717, as a separate institution from Swansea, and continued to the present day, is an exact copy and illustration of the demo- cratic principles and methods established at Plymouth and in the cabin of the Mayflower, and still further traceable through English history to Saxon and Anglo-Saxon origin. It was an annual reference to the people of the choice of their rulers, and an annual declaration of the popular will on all subjects concerning the civil, and, at that time, the religious concerns of the people. The majority principle determined all matters relating to the town. The officers of the town, subject to an annual election, were a Moderator, to preside over the town meetings, a Clerk to keep the records of the town meetings, and of the Town Council, or Board of Select- men ; a Board of Selectmen, of three members, to have the charge of the town affairs during the year, and to carry out the declared or assumed will of the freemen ; the selectmen also usually acted as a board of assessors, to assess the taxes on the ratable estates and polls of the town ; a town treasurer to have charge of the public moneys of the town, and receive and pay out the same on order of the town or the selectmen; surveyors of highways, to view and repair the highways as directed by the town ; a constable to assist in keeping the peace, and to make arrests of disorderly persons ; tything men, to preserve order at the meeting-house, and to collect the moneys due for the support of the minister of the town; fence viewers, to adjust all matters of difference between contiguous owners, as to proper fences, location of boundary lines, and other matters of like nature ; sealer of leather, to inspect leather used in the manufacture and repair of boots, shoes, harness, etc. ; pound keepers, to have charge of the public pounds, and to impound cattle, horses, etc., going at large in the public highways, and to collect fines that the law imposed ; jurors to serve on the grand jury ; hog-reeves, to TOWN DOINGS. 247 impound hogs running at large, and to execute ordinances as to swine. The town also elected representatives, or depu- ties, to the General Court. The following summary gives a good illustration of the legislation of a Massachusetts town, more than a century and a half ago. 1718. The record of the town officers chosen at the first election in 1 71 7 is lost. The first record appears under date of April 7, 1718, Timothy Wadsworth, moderator. The town chose Timothy Wadsworth to serve on the grand jury and Edward Luther on the jury of trials; April 21, the town then and there "chose the Reverend Mr. Samuel Torrey to be the minister for the said town." "For the labor voted to give ;£ioo, as a settlement to the Reverend Mr. Samuel Torrey," "and this ;£ioo to be his property if he continues our minister for ten years, otherwise to be re- turned to the town again, and it is further voted that if it should please God to take him away by death before the said term of ten years is out that his heirs shall have out of said sum the ration of ;£io a year so long as he shall labor our minister." Voted, "That the Rev. Mr. Samuel Torrey have £yo as a salary for the labor, so long as he continues our minister," to be collected by the constable, paid in to the town clerk and by him paid to the minister. Voted, " That Messrs. Zachariah Bicknell, James Adams and Sergeant Peck "be a comity to treat with the Rev- erend Mr. Samuel Torrey about what the town has voted " and to "report at this meeting's adjournment, this day fortnight, at five of the clock in the afternoon at the house of Zachariah Bicknell." Twenty-one inhabitants of the town entered their protest against being made respon- sible for the support of the ministry. These persons were Anabaptists and those in sympathy with them. August 4, " Reverend Samuel Torrey appeared at the town meeting and signified to the town that he accepted the call the town 248 THE HISTORY OP BAEEINGTON. gave him to be their minister for the futor and also the voats that the town passed about him, both as to the settle- ment and salary which voats were passed the 2ist of April last." "The town chose Left. Peck to be a selectman and assessor for the remaining part of the year. The assessors were empowered to raise 25 shillings to pay for mending the meeting house glass." 1 7 19. Timothy Wadsworth, moderator ; Benjamin Viall, Zacha- riah Bicknell and James Adams, assessors ; Samuel Hum- phrey, town clerk ; James Brown, Jun., Constable ; Zacha- riah Bicknell and John Bosworth, surveyors of highways ; Timothy Wadsworth and Joshua Kent, tything men ; Nathaniel Peck and John Chaffee, fence viewers, Phebe's Neck ; and Joshua Kent and Ebenezer Martin, New Meadow Neck ; Samuel Humphrey, town treasurer ; Recompence Tiffany, sealer of leather ; Elisha May, grand juror ; Ebenezer Tiffany, Jury of trials ; James Adams; Representative to the General Court. Barrington petitioned the Court to give the town power to tax the whole people for the support of the ministry inasmuch " as some of the Inhabitants being averse to a minister refused to pay their rate for his maintenance or to show their Estate to the Constable " and consequently were arrested and tried before the Superior Court which found for the defendants. Nathaniel Byfield and John Cushing were made a Committee for the relief of Barrington. Nov. 25. Passed an act to prevent all questions and disputes about the election of Town officers for the town of Barrington in the Court of Bristol and for the further quiet settlement of said towns. Zachariah Bicknell and James Adams were chosen a com- mittee to adjust the County rates with the town of Swansea. The assessors were directed to raise 25 shillings " to pay for mending the meeting-house glass." L CARLO MAURAN TOWN DOINGS. 249 Samuel Kent and Josiah Torrey were allowed 1 5 shillings each for taking an account of the ratable estates of the town and making the rates for the town. James Adams was voted £i, 4s. " for his wages as repre- sentative." The town voted " to stand by " any person who should be distressed in the collection of taxes by any constable or collector of Rehoboth, for neglecting or refusing to pay any taxes assessed for meadow lying in Barrington. " Voted, that Mr. Samuel Humphrey, Mr. James Adams and Mr. Zachariah Bicknell be allowed eighteen shillings for nine days that all of them spent as assessors, in making of rates." 1720. Moderators, Timothy Wadsworth, Josiah Humphrey. Lieut. James Adams, constable ; Josiah Torrey, Samuel Humphrey and Samuel Kent, assessors ; Samuel Humphrey, town clerk ; Joshua Kent, Zachariah Bicknell, and Daniel Allen, surveyors of highways ; Joseph Chaffee and Eben- ezer Martin, tything men ; Samuel Humphrey, town treas- urer; Recompence Tiffany, pound keeper and seller of leather. Zachariah Bicknell was elected representative to the Gen- eral Court at Boston. John Torrey was voted £4 for defending the town against Benoni Price. Zachariah Bicknell was allowed 16 shillings for money laid out at Boston " for a copy of the General Court Acts." Legal warrants for town meetings were ordered to be posted on the meeting-house and on John West's house, six days prior to meetings. 1721. Moderator, Josiah Torrey ; Daniel Allen, constable ; Josiah Torrey, James Adams, and Samuel Humphrey, select- men and assessors ; Samuel Humphrey, town clerk and 250 THE HISTOEr OF BARKINGTON. town treasurer ; Zachariah Bicknell, John Torrey, and Joshua Kent, surveyors of highways ; Zachariah Bicknell, Jr., Joseph Allen, and John Short, hog-reeves; Joseph Allen and Nathaniel Peck, tything men. Voted, " That Nathaniel Peck is to have fifteen shillings to provide the town with a good pair of stocks and all things suitable for them and bring them to the meeting-house forthwith." Voted, "That the selectmen provide standard weights and measures for the town at a cost of £3 more or less." Mr. Timothy Wadsworth was allowed £26, " for attorney's fees, his own work for the pound and meeting-house." Recompence Tiffany was allowed seven shillings for a sealing hammer. Voted, " That hoggs shall goe at large, being kept yoaked and ringed as the law directs," and that " no hog kind or sheep kind shall goe at large on the highways." Zachariah Bicknell was chosen agent to prosecute a memorial to obtain the Court's Resolves at Boston, concern- ing those meadows which belong to the inhabitants of Reho- both lying within the township of Barrington. "Also the said Zachariah Bicknell is to have five pounds which he agrees to accept in full satisfaction for all his time and charge in case he obtained the Court's grant that those meadows shall become taxable or ratable by the assessors of the town of Barrington, but in case he doth not obtain such a grant or resolve of the General Court, then he is to have nothing for his time and charge." Lieut. James Adams, Edward Luther, and James Brown were elected trustees to dispose of the town's part of the ;£SO,ooo bills of credit granted by the General Court. " No man shall have more than ten pounds of the bank money (bills of credit), and no man less than five pounds." The town agreed with Lieut. Nathaniel Peck " to build a sufficient pound and soke the timber five weeks in salt water and git it up by the tenth of March next for five pound." TOWN DOINGS. 251 1722. Moderator, James Adams ; Zachariah Bicknell, constable ; Lieut. James Adams, James Brown, and James Smith, assessors ; James Adams, James Brown, and Benjamin Viall, selectmen ; Samuel Humphrey, town treasurer ; Ed- ward Luther, town clerk ; Ebenezer Martin, James Brown, and Ebenezer Allen, surveyors of highways ; Samuel Humphrey and Samuel Kent, tything men. By vote of the selectmen and approved by the town, April 2d, it was voted " that the town be provided with a schoolmaster to teach to read, write, and arithmetic," " who shall be obliged to keep school four months from the first of November." James Adams, James Smith and, James Brown were a committee " to settle the highways according to the rec- ords." Voted, "that the town change the way so that Lieut. Peck be to the Eastward of his fence as it now stands and is staked out." Zachariah Bicknell was allowed £1, los. for use of a room for five months for a school. "The schoolmaster was allowed ;^i8, los. for keeping of school five months." 1723. Moderator, James Adams ; Lieut. James Adams, Ensign Benjamin Viall, and James Brown, selectmen ; Edward Luther, town clerk ; Ensign Benjamin Viall, town treas- urer ; Matthew Allen, constable ; James Brown, James Adams, and James Smith, assessors ; Samuel Kent, Jabez Brown, and John Read, surveyors of highways ; John Thomas and Ebenezer Smith, tything men ; John Torrey, James Viall, and Samuel Goff, hog-reeves. Voted, " that the town treasurer hereafter receive Mr. Torrey's salary." Mr. Josiah Torrey was chosen " to represent the town of Barrington, concerning Rehoboth's meadows within this town." Mr. Andrews was voted ;^20 " for keeping school twelve months if he see cause to accept thereof." 252 THE HISTORY OF BAE.RINGTON. Voted, " Twelve pence per rail to Mr. Samuel Allen for as many rails as is needful for ye repairing of ye pound." The matter of land taxes was again in dispute with Reho- both and the following record appears in the minutes of the General Court of Massachusetts : ' "A petition of Josiah Torrey, Agent for the Town of Bar- rington showing that the Meadow Land in the Said Town- ship and in Part owned by the Inhabitants of Rehoboth, & being tax'd by the Assessors of Barrington, the Proprietors refuse to pay the said Taxes, pretending an Agreement between Rehoboth & the Town of Swansea (of which Bar- rington was lately a Part) which exempts them from the Said Taxes, & that by their Refusal the Town of Barrington as well as their Constables ly under great Inconveniences, & therefore praying that this Court would enable the Con- stables of ye Town of Barrington to receive of the said Pro- prietors the Arrears of Rates due from them & their Pro- prietors of other Taxes for the Future. " In the House of Representatives, Read & In Answer to this Petition, Resolved that all the Lands & Meadows lying & being within the township of Barrington be henceforward assess'd to all Rates & Taxes whatsoever in Barrington only. And that all the Lands and Meadows lying & being within the Township of Rehoboth be henceforward assess'd in all Rates & Taxes whatsoever in the said Town of Reho- both only, Any Law, Usage or Custom to the Contrary Not- withstanding. "In Council, Read & Concurr'd. Consented to,Wm. Dum- mer. November 15, 1723." The Committee "to settle highways" reported on the lines of said highways, establishing the two, four, and eight rod highways, already laid out and marked by stakes, stones, and trees. In answer to a request of the selectmen of Swansea as to what part the town would do in the rebuilding of Myles bridge, it was voted "to defer their determination until March meet- ing, 1724." TOWN DOINGS. 253 Voted, Mr. Josiah Torrey " £s> i8s., 6p., for his services concerning the meadows belonging to Rehoboth men," also, £i, IS., 6p., "for the hire of a house to keep school in." 1724. Moderator, Lieut. James Adams ; Samuel Humphrey, Josiah Torrey, and Zachariah Bicknell, selectmen and asses- sors ; Matthew Allen and Edward Luther, surveyors ; Jona- than Viall and Samuel Barnes, fence viewers ; Lieut. James Adams, treasurer ; Josiah Torrey, town clerk, Thomas Dexter, constable; Josiah Bowen and Thomas Medbury, tything men; John Bullock and John West, hog-reeves. Zachariah Bicknell, Edward Luther and Samuel Allen were chosen a Committee to meet the Swansea Committee relative to rebuilding Myles Bridge. The town voted ;£24 to pay for the new bridge. Voted to raise ;£2S to hire a schoolmaster for nine months, and Benjamin Viall, James Smith, and Ebenezer Allen were made the Committee "to agree with a schoolmaster for nine months." "In answer to the General Court order that the several towns should give their reasons why the County (Plymouth) should not be divided, it passed by a clear vote that they were.against it for these reasons, because it would increase the charges of the County upon the town of Barrington, and also multiply our Jurors, and because it would be no comfit (benefit .') to the town of Barrington but a damage in other respects." Barrington, Sept. 9th, 1724. " Taken up by Matthew Allen a stray yoak of cattle of a red color and the top of each of , their horns cut off, and marked with a hollow crop on the right ear, and a half penny on the upper side of the near ear." 1725. Moderators, Zachariah Bicknell, Benjamin Viall and James Adams ; James Adams, clerk ; James Adams, Samuel Allen, and Matthew Allen, selectmen and assessors ; Benjamin Viall, treasurer ; Josiah Torrey, constable. 254 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. Voted " to give £25, for the encouragement of a school- master to continue one year." Joseph Chaffee, Jun., con- stable and hog-reeve; James Adams, Jun., tything man. Josiah Torrey was chosen agent to represent the town at the General Court concerning the meadows in town owned by Re- hoboth men, and was allowed £6, 8s. Voted, that the town do not allow the raising of Mr. Torrey's salary. Zachariah Bicknell was allowed 6 shillings for a house to keep school in, Joseph Chaffee 15 shillings, and Samuel Barnes 8 shillings for a like purpose; Josiah Humphrey was allowed £2, los. for keeping school a month. 1726. Moderators, James Adams and Timothy Wadsworth ; Zach- ariah Bicknell, Benjamin Viall, and James Adams, selectmen and assessors ; Josiah Humphrey, town clerk ; Benjamin Viall, town treasurer ; Samuel Low, constable ; Ebenezer Tiffany, Samuel Allen, and Ebenezer Martin, surveyors ; Ebenezer Smith and Isaac Brown, hog-reeves for Phebes Neck; James Humphrey and Philip Short, tything men; voted, " 3p. per head for foxes killed by the inhabitants of this town for three months," the heads to be delivered to the constable and reported to the treasurer. Voted 30 shillings " to a person to sweep the meeting-house and look after the doors and keep the key." Voted, "That Left. Nathaniel Peck, Samuel Kent, and Samuel Humphrey be a Committee to go to Rev. Mr. Samuel Torrey to know what his demands are and report to the town." "The town voted not to raise Mr. Torrey's Salary." Josiah Torrey was made an agent to act with the Swansea agent to procure " the division of the pastors and teachers lots from the school lots." Samuel Allen, Daniel Brown and John Torrey were in- structed to tell Rev. Samuel Torrey why the town would not raise his salary. Ebenezer Martin was authorized to pull down all fences TOWN DOINGS. 255 and obstructions on the highways on New Meadow Neck leading to the burying place, and " lay open the burying place and train field as formerly lay open." Voted, " That the selectmen do take care to provide a schoolmaster for the town by next July Court." Voted, " That the town would not concur with the Church in dismissing the Rev. Mr. Torrey from being their minister provided a council advise it." Then follows Mr. Torrey's receipts for his salary from 1723 and also for the .;^ioo set- tlement, which was paid by individuals and not by the town. November 16. It was voted, " that the town see cause to hear another minister after Mr. Whitmarsh's turn is out that is agreed for." Voted, " That the town raise forty pounds and order it into the deacon's hands for the defraying the necessary charges of paying a minister or ministers which may be requested and employed by the town to preach the gospel amongst us from time to time," and " that John Torrey and Josiah Humphrey be impowered to procure a minister to preach the Gospel amongst us." December 28. The town rescinded the votes of November 16, and voted "to raise forty or rather fifty pounds for the support of the ministry in this town," and " that James Adams, Benjamin Viall, and Zachariah Bicknell be a Com- mittee to supply the pulpit from time to time with a minister." At the same meeting £s> Ss- were allowed " for killing foxes." June 26. "Voted, that James Smith keep and board Christian Phippen one year at the rate of three shillings per week or in like proportion if she should not survive." Samuel Barnes was allowed i6s. for the use of his house three months for keeping school. 1727. Moderator, Lieut. James Adams ; Lieut. James Adams, Samuel Humphrey and Samuel Allen, selectmen and 256 THE HISTORY OF BABBINGTON. assessors ; Josiah Humphrey, clerk ; Ebenezer Smith, con- stable ; Samuel Kent and Joseph Chaffee, surveyors of highways ; Ensign Benjamin Viall, town treasurer. March 23. Voted, that the town concur with the Church " in choosing the Rev. Moses Hale to be the minister of the town," and that the town raise ;£ioo for his salary, and ;£200 for his settlement, and that Timothy Wadsworth^ Deacon Humphrey, Lieut. Adams, Samuel Allen and Nathaniel Smith be a Committee to report to Mr. Hale the action of the town. Voted, That "the selectmen provide for a school for the town, as soon as they can conveniently." Voted, that Lieut. James Adams, Samuel Kent and Samuel Allen be a Com- mittee to maintain the town's rights in the burying ground and " train field on which a meeting house was formerly built " on New Meadow Neck. Edward Luther and Lieut. Adams were elected trustees of the bank money. August 3. Timothy Wadsworth, moderator ; Lieut. James Adams, Zachariah Bicknell, and Samuel Allen were chosen a committee to provide the town with a minister, and that the town raise ;^ioo " for the payment of a minister or ministers." October 27. Voted, " that the town concur with the Church in choosing Mr. John Wadsworth to be the minister of this town," and that his salary be ;^ioo, and his settle- ment ;^2oo to be paid in two years, £100 a year. Mr. Wadsworth's answer was in the negative. The town allowed to pay a schoolmaster ;£2i, "to mend the meeting- house ;£i, IDS.," "to Mr. Samuel Kent for mending the great bridge 7 shillings." 1728. Timothy Wadsworth, moderator ; Samuel Humphrey, Lieut. James Adams, Samuel Allen, selectmen and assess- ors ; Josiah Humphrey, town clerk ; James Bicknell and Jonathan Viall, constables; Benjamin Viall, treasurer; Elisha TOWN DOINGS. 257 May and Isaac Brown, tytbing men ; Samuel Barnes and Samuel Humphrey, surveyors for Phebe's Neck, and James Thomas for New Meadow Neck. The votes of the town in 1727, relative to Rev. Mr. Wads- worth were repeated relative to Rev. John Sumner, who also declined the call to be the minister of the town. Lieut. Peck, Zachariah Bicknell, and James Smith were chosen a committee " to lay out a burying place and to agree with Ebenezer Allen what to give him for the ground." Voted on the 8th of February, " that the town give Eben- ezer Allen j£^ for half an acre of land for a burying place." May 3. The town accepted its quota of bills of credit lately granted by the General Court, and Zachariah Bicknell, Samuel Allen, and Lieut. Allen were chosen trustees " to receive and let out the same." May 27. The town concurred in the vote of the church in choosing Mr. Peleg Heath to be the minister of the town, at a yearly salary of ;£iio, and a settlement of ;£200 to be paid in one year which Mr. Heath accepted. Voted, " that the town will uphold a quarterly contribu- tion for Mr. Peleg Heath during his ministry here." MR. heath's answer TO THE TOWN. " Whereas you the people of God in this place have given me an invitation to labor in the gospel among you, having taken it into deliberate consideration as it is a call of God, I do therefore in his strength engage therein, and desire your prayers that I may be directed, assisted, succeeded and accepted." Barrington, September g, 1728. Peleg Heath. act of 1728 of massachusetts colony. " Relief for Anabaptists and Quakers, Taxing Pedobap- tists. That from and after the publication of this act, none of 17 258 THE HISTORY OF BAKRINaTON. the persons commonly called Anabaptists nor any of those called Quakers, that are or shall be enrolled or entered in their several societies as members thereof, and who alledge a scruple of conscience as the reason of their refusal to pay any part or proportion of such taxes as are from time to time assessed for the support of the minister or ministers of the churches established by the laws of this province, in the town or place where they dwell, shall have their polls taxed toward the support of such minister or ministers, nor shall their bodies be at any time taken in execution, to satisfy any such ministerial rate or tax, assessed upon their estates or faculty, provided that such persons do usually attend the meetings of their respective societies, assembling upon the Lord's day for the worship of God, and that they live within five miles of the place of such meetings." 1729. James Adams, moderator ; Lieut. James Adams, Deacon Peck, and Samuel Allen, selectmen and assessors ; Josiah Humphrey, town clerk and town treasurer ; Elisha May and Joseph Chaffee, Jun., constables ; Oliver Brown and Nicholas Tanner, tything men ; Zachariah Bicknell, James Smith, and Joseph Allen, Committee " to provide the town with a school- master." Ebenezer Allen was allowed £1, "for looking after the meeting-house." Mr. Bicknell, Samuel Kent, Samuel Allen and Nathaniel Peck, Jun., were a Committee "to go to the selectmen of Swansea to get a division of the lands called by the name of pastors and teachers lots from the school land, and to take the regular steps of the law in obtaining said pastors and teacher's lands." Voted, " that thirty shillings be allowed for mending the meeting-house glass." Voted, " that Josiah Humphrey be allowed twenty shil- lings for sweeping and looking after the meeting-house in 1728." TOWN DOINGS. 259 October 27. John Webber was hired to keep school for five months from date for the sum of ;£20, and was " settled near the center of said town." Ebenezer Allen gave a deed of a half acre of land at Princes Hill for a burying place, for the sum of j£$, under date of December i, 1729. 1730. Lieut. Adams, moderator; Lieut. Adams, Deacon Peck, and Samuel Allen, selectmen ; Matthew Allin, Joseph Allen, and Joseph Humphrey, assessors ; Josiah Humphrey, town clerk ; Samuel Allen, treasurer ; Philip Short and James Smith, Jun., constables. Voted, "that the town provide a schoolmaster for seven months;" "that the school be kept three months at New Meadow Neck, and two months at the meeting-house or thereabouts, and two months at Benjamin Vialls or there- abouts." Mr. Zachariah Bicknell was allowed i8s. for serving as a trustee (of bank) for two years, 14s. for the use of school room in his house, 1728, 20 shillings for school room, 1729, and 15s. for keeping Mr. Heath's horse. 1731- Josiah Humphrey, moderator and town clerk ; Matthew Allin, Joseph Allen, and Josiah Humphrey, selectmen and assessors ; Ebenezer Allen, town treasurer; Voted, that the selectmen "provide the stuff to repair the bridge called Myles bridge, and get a workman to put it up," cost of the same £15, 13s. Voted, that the town hire a schoolmaster, four months and raise £46 to pay for the same. Thomas Swift was allowed three shillings for mending the stocks. Nathaniel Peck was allowed 153. "for keeping school in his house." 1732. Josiah Humphrey, moderator and town clerk ; Lieut. Mat- thew Allin, Joseph Allen, and Josiah Humphrey, selectmen 260 THE HISTORY OF BABEINGTON. and assessors ; Ebenezer Allen, town treasurer ; Oliver Brown and Joseph Kent, constables ; Deacon Peck, John Read, and Samuel Kent, surveyors. Voted, "that swine may go at large within the bounds of this town." Voted, that Mr. Peleg Heath's salary be paid ;£6o on the loth of March, and £60 more on the 9th of September, annually. £,t) was voted for standard weights and meas- ures. 1733- Lieut. James Adams and Capt. Allen, moderators; same selectmen as in 1732 ; Josiah Humphrey, town clerk; Zach- ariah Bicknell, town treasurer ; Isaac Brown and Josiah Bowen, constables ; John Read, Joseph Chaffee, and Eben- ezer Guernsey, surveyors ; James Bicknell and Philip Short, fence viewers; Voted, to hire a schoolmaster this year. Voted, that swine may run at large. School was kept at Nathaniel Viall's and Josiah Hum- phrey's, for which allowance was made. The great bridge (Myles) was completed, and bills allowed to be paid. Capt Allen and Matthew Allin were paid for services as trustees of the bank money. The town rate was £ »-»*n-»^ +i-k»*n £x-v 2 c CONTENTS OF THE NEW TOWN. 281 tending its boundary more than half-way to Providence, thence easterly to Palmer's River, including the section now known as Barneysville. After the set-off to Rhode Island the town was made up of three peninsulas, separated from each other by the two branches of the Sowams River. In the formation of the new town, Barrington contributed the major part of the wealth and population. New Meadow Neck was the centre of a busy people, largely occupied in ship-building. Tustin says that the central part of the town was near Kelly's Ferry, " and was then called the ' Place of Trade,' and for sixty years nearly all the shipping in the foreign and coasting trade, held by the people in this vicinity, was built at and connected with the wharves and warehouses on New Meadow Neck, near the two bridges." Tustin is also authority for the statement that forty-seven families were added to Barrington from Swansea to form the new town. The number of freemen admitted as corporators was only seventy-six, the majority of whom resided on the Bar- rington side. General Fessenden states that " at the time when Warren became a separate town the population was still small, and the majority of its wealth if not of its inhabi- tants was on the Barrington side of the river." The enter- prise of the people on both sides of the river was devoted to ship building and navigation, while agriculture occupied the attention of the more conservative at the date of the union. Ship building was carried on to a considerable extent at several places in Barrington. The Martins built large ves- sels at the ship-yard at Martin's Ferry, near the foot of Ferry Lane. The Bowen ship-yard was first located on the west side of New Meadow Neck, just south of the pres- ent bridge, the near ferry crossing to the west bank of the Barrington River. Vessels were also built on the west shore of New Meadow Neck, above and below the bridge, and as far up as the wharf of Samuel Allen, near the pres- ent residence of Mr. Benson Bean. At Kelly's Ferry there was another ship-yard, owned by the Eddys. The craft built were sloops, schooners, and brigs mainly. After the 282 THE HISTORY OP BAREINGTON. incorporation of the new town, the ship building interest sprang up on the east bank of the Barrington River, owing to deeper water and better facilities for trade with Swansea, which was now extending its settlement eastward from Myles's Bridge and about Kickemuit. The General Assembly and people selected Warren as the name of the municipality, for patriotic reasons. The siege of Louisburg had just been terminated in favor of the English, and the names of Sir William Pepperell, commander of the land forces, and of Sir Peter Warren, of the naval forces, were in universal honor and applause. When the news of the downfall of the French reached the colonies, the enthusiasm was intense, and every town was ablaze with fireworks and illuminations. The seaport towns, which had contributed of men and money freely to the expedition, were especially jubilant over the results, and every occasion was made use of to honor the heroes of the long contest. The positions accorded to Washington and Warren in the Revo- lution were held by Pepperell and Warren in the earlier war for independence, which led up to the final struggle in 1775. Warren's fleet still continued to protect our ships from French cruisers, and when, in 1747, our new town was to adopt a new name, no more grateful act could be performed as expressive of the patriotism of the people and their debt of gratitude to the protector of their shipping interests than to name the town Warren, in honor of Sir Peter. It is an interesting fact that Colonel Gridley, who planned the batteries at the siege of Louisburg, laid out the Ameri- can intrenchments at Bunker Hill, and the same old drums that beat at Louisburg, June 17, 1745, on the triumphal entrance of Pepperell and Warren, beat at Bunker Hill June 17, 1775, and when General Gage was erecting breastworks on Boston Neck, " the provincial troops sneeringly remarked that his mud walls were nothing compared with the stone walls of old Louisburg." By this conquest of Louisburg, Warren won fame, — a seat in Parliament and a bride with CHAEACTBE OF TOWNS ADDED. 285 Concerning the six towns added to Rhode Island in 1747, it may be said that while the annexation was of vast conse- quence to her interests, the loss was a correspondingly severe one to Massachusetts. The latter colony held Cape Cod and Boston Bays on the east, and she expected to hold Nar- ragansett Bay and Providence River to Pawtucket as a part of her coast line on the southwest. So important was this maritime border to the Bay Colony, that when the question of locating the capital of Massachusetts was raised, and the issue lay between Boston on Boston Bay and Rehoboth on the Narragansett, the former town had only a small majority in its favor. The old town of Rehoboth lacked but a few votes of being " The Hub," of fame and fortune, and this largely because of her situation on Narragansett Bay and her nearness to Providence, Newport, and New York. Besides the importance of the coast line, harbors, and fisheries of the bay, the land of the Wampanoags was regarded as " The Garden of the Colony," and its surrender to Rhode Island, the colony which Massachusetts had so long held in contempt, was a mortifying loss to the proud people. The towns which had grown up along the east shore of the bay, were now prosperous and full of expectancy. The people held the traditions of Plymouth and Boston which had given them laws, education, and religion. Congregationalism, the established church of New England, was the ruling faith in Rehoboth, now East Providence, Barrington, Bristol, Tiver- ton, and Little Compton. The ministers of these churches as well as the membership were among the most influential in the colony, and to their early training in school and church may be traced the character and habits of this bor- derland people even to the present day. The tier of towns from Cumberland to Little Compton may be considered in its governmental, social, religious, and civil aspects, as rep- resenting the best of early New England life and its acces- sion to and influence upon the life and career of Rhode Island have never been estimated at their full value. The breast bone of Massachusetts was transformed into the back bone of Rhode Island. CHAPTER XX BARRINGTON WITH PARTS ADJACENT INCORPORATED AS WARREN First Town Meeting — Names and Qualifications of Freemen — Town Officers of First Election — Deputies and Town Legislation from 1747 to 1770. PURSUANT to the Act of the General Assembly passed January 27th, 1746-7, and the call of Matthew Allin, special Justice, the freemen of the new town met at the house of John Child, February loth, 1746-7, for organization and election of officers. According to the Act of Incorpora- tion " That part which has heretofore been a part of Swansea and Barrington, with a small part of Rehoboth thereto ad- joining, with the inhabitants thereon, (shall) be incorporated into a township, by the name of Warren." The qualifications of the freeman were declared to be " Every man, who is possessed of lands or real estate, suf- ficient by the laws of this Colony, to qualify him for a free- man, and the Eldest sons of all such freeholders." Freemen of Warren, 1747. Matthew Allin, Esq., Peleg Heath, Capt. Samuel Miller, Ebenezer Allen, Nathaniel Peck, James Smith, Josiah Humphrey, John Adams, Benjamin Miller, Walter Hail, Joseph Allen, 2d., Capt. Joseph Allen, Samuel Low, James Brown, Samuel Miller, Jr., Josiah Humphrey, Jr. John Kelly, John Child, John Martin, Nathaniel Eastabrooke, Nathaniel Bowen, Samuel Bowen, Israel Peck, Thomas Cole, Josiah Bowen, John Cole, Jr., Oliver Salsbury, Joshua Smith, Benjamin Smith, Richard Thomas, Benjamin Drown, John Eastabrooke, Jr., John Luther, Philip Short, James Bowen, Jonas Humphrey, TOWK DOINGS. 285 Ebenezer Garnsey, Joseph Allen, Jr., John Kinnicutt, Capt. James Mason, William Easta Brooke, John Easta Brooke, Samuel Humphrey, Ebenezer Cole, Benjamin Cole, Nathan Miller, Joseph Butterworth, Caleb Carr, Solomon Peck, Samuel Barns, Ebenezer Adams, Joseph Viall, Daniel Peck, Samuel Allen, Ebenezer Allen, Jr., Capt. Bernerd Hail, Bernerd Hail, Jr., Hooker Low, Caleb Eddy, John Mason, Matthew Watson, Benjamin Barton, Isaac Wheaton, John Wheaton, Edward Luther, John Butterworth, William Salsbury, Edward Bosworth, Constant Viall, Josiah Kent, Ebenezer Martin, Joshua Bicknell, Joshua Bicknell, Jr., Amos Thomas, Ebenezer Luther, William Knowles, Ephraim Tiffany, Joseph Grant. Matthew Allin, the veteran moderator of town meetings in Harrington, was called to preside over the meeting, and John Kinnicutt was elected town clerk. The following named persona were elected to the offices of the town : Deputies to the General Assembly — Matthew Allin and Samuel Miller. Town Council — Capt. James Mason, i ; Mr. Ebenezer Allen, 2 ; Capt. Bernard Haile, 3 ; Mr. Samuel Low, 4 ; Samuel Bowen, 5 ; Matthew Watson, 6. Town Clerk and Town Treasurer — John Kinnicutt. Town Serjeant — Joseph Allen. Appraisers — John Adams, Josiah Kent, vice Edward Luther, Walter Haile. Constables — Benjamin Smith, Edward Bosworth. Surveyors of Highways — Joshua Bicknell, Jr., Oliver Salisbury, Benjamin Drown. Assessors — Josiah Humphrey, Edward Luther, John Kin- nicutt. Town's Attorney — Capt. Joseph Mason. Packer and Culler of Staves — William Knowles. Fence Viewers — Josiah Humphrey, William Easterbrooks. Hog Reeves — Ebenezer Cole, Benjamin Butterworth, Joshua Bicknell, Jr., Benjamin Drown. Surveyor of Highways — Benjamin Drown. 286 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. Overseers of Poor — Ebenezer Allen, Capt. Barnard Haile. Surveyors of Timber, Plank, Boards, Etc. — Ebenezer Cole, Oliver Salisbury. Pound Keeper — Israel Peck. Sealers of Weights and Measures — Benjamin Smith, Joshua Bicknell, Oliver Salisbury, Josiah Humphrey, Wil- liam Easterbrooks. Ebenezer Cole. Vendue Master — Peleg Heath. Grand Jurors — John Mason, Ebenezer Allen, Jr., Nathan- iel Peck, Walter Haile, Elijah Rawson, Ebenezer Morton. Petit Jurors — Amos Thomas, William Salisbury, Samuel Allen, John Easterbrooks, Jr., Edward Luther, Nathaniel Brown. The town voted to pay ;^ii5 of the colony rate of .£$,000 as the town's levy. The Town Council voted to let out the ferry from New Meadow Neck to Brooks Pasture to John Kelley ; members •of General Assembly, jurymen, and town's people on train- ing and town meeting days to go over, ferry-free. Two acres and 25 rods of land were laid out for town use on New Meadow Neck for a ferry lot and wharf, said lot being 5 rods wide on the north end and ten rods on the south end. 1748. Deputies, Matthew Allin, Capt. Benjamin Barton. A fine of 10 shillings was levied upon a townsman for dis- orderly behavior. 1748-9. Warren held 82 Proxies, 2 Representatives, 4 Justices, 600 whites, 50 negroes, 30 Indians, I Militia Com- pany. From H. B. M. State Papers, London. 1749. Deputies, James Smith, Capt. Benjamin Barton. 1750. Deputies, Peter Bicknell, Capt. Benjamin Barton. 1 75 1. Deputies, Capt. John Adams, John Cole. War- ren's proportion of ^^25,000 bills of credit of colony, ;£S7S. 1752. Deputies, Capt. John Adams, John Cole. Two men were fined by the town, each £,\ for cursing and swear- ing. TOWN DOINGS. 287 1754. Deputies, James Brown, Capt. Benjamin Barton. Warren's proportion of the tax for public debt of ;£3S,ooo was ;^8o5. 1755. Deputies, James Brown, Capt. Benjamin Barton. Of the colony tax of ;^70,ooo, Warren was levied ;£i.6io. An act was passed to prevent fishing with seines in the Kickemuit River. 1756. Deputies, Capt. Josiah Humphrey, Capt. Benjamin Barton. Eleven men were demanded from Warren as her quota of four hundred men to aid the Earl of Loudoun in the expedition against Crown Point. Of ;£S3,ooo old tenor, levied by the colony, Warren was assessed £i.2i<); Bristol, ;£i.383- To this, citizens of Bristol made a protest, "(i.) We look upon the town of Warren to be equal in value to the town of Bristol, and, (2), As it was a tie vote in the lower house and the speaker turned the vote in favor of the town of Warren." In 1756 the only roads on the east side of the river was one running north and south from Kelley's Ferry to Joll's Gate at the Bristol line, one running east to Kickemuit and three short ways to the river, one of which led to Martin's Ferry. There were then about twenty-five houses in the village proper, whose occupants General Fessenden gives in his brief history of the town of Warren. 1757. Deputies, Thomas Cole, Peter Bicknell. Of ;£i00,- 000, old tenor, levied for colony purposes, Warren was assessed ;^2,40o. Of the colonial tax of ;£ 150,000, old tenor, Warren was levied ;^3,6oo. Nathaniel Peck was elected Captain of the Eighth Com- pany in the Regiment ordered by the Assembly. 1758. Deputies, Capt. Josiah Humphrey, Thomas Cole. Recruiting officer to enlist soldiers for Warren, Josiah Hum- phrey. 1759. Deputies, Capt. Thomas Cole and Major Josiah Humphrey. Admitted freemen of Warren by the General Assembly, William Arnold, John Petty, Benjamin Miller, 288 THE HISTORY OP BAKKINGTON. Jr., James Miller, Caleb Child, Samuel Kent, John Adams, Jr., and Elisha Phinney. 1760. Deputies, Major Josiah Humphrey, Ebenezer Cole. Bristol Co. field officers, James Humphrey, Warren, Major. 1761. Deputies, John Kinnicutt, Major Josiah Humphrey. Field officers Bristol Co. Reg., Nathan Miller, Warren, Colonel. Nathaniel Peck was elected Major of Regiment, to be raised for ensuing campaign. 1762. Deputies, James Brown, Ebenezer Cole. Field officer of Bristol Co. Regt., John Adams, Warren, Major. Peter Bicknell, John Adams and Edward Bosworth were allowed £,^ for service or time spent to find a suitable place for a street through the compact part of this town by order of the Town Council 1763. Deputies, Cromwell Child, Major Nathaniel Peck. Sheriff Bristol Co., John Brown, Warren. 1764. Deputies, Major Nathaniel Peck, Cromwell Child. Bristol Co. field officer, Sylvester Child, Warren, Colonel. Sheriff Bristol Co., John Brown, Warren. Rev. James Manning opened a preparatory Latin School in Warren, in the summer of 1764. Town Rate. 1764. For West Side of River, (now Harrington). £ s. d. NAMES. £ s. d. Peter Bicknell . . . o 17 David Peck ....08 Solomon Peck ...11 Solomon Peck, Jun. ..09 Nath'U Peck ....04 Simeon Peck ....02 Samuel Humphrey ..05 Samuel Barns ...04 Thomas Barns ...08 Levi Barns ....03 Constant Voyall (Viall) o 5 James Voyall ....02 Josiah Kent . . 1 Jonathan Bosworth 6 John Addams 7 Samuel Adams 7 Stephen Addams o Hooker Low . . 7 Daniel Kinnicutt o Nathaniel Whitacor 7 Efhamer Healy . 7 Hezekiah Tiffany 9 John R. Richmond 3 John Tripp . . 4 7 2 7 6 9 2 7 2 7 I 8 II 027 2 2 3 5 2 TOWN TAXES. £ S. d. NAMES. 289 £. s. d. Josiah Humphrey Elkanah Humphrey W'd Ruth Allen . Joseph Voyall, Jun. Thomas AUin Matthew AUin . Enoch Reminton Nath'll Humphrey Samuel Allen Nicholos Lydue . William Andres . Richard Dring Samuel Allen, 2'd Constant Luther Oliver Luther Joshua Bicknell . Ephraim Tiffany James Bicknell . W'd Hannah Smith Matthew Watson Matthew Watson, Jun James Brown . . John Willson Low James Smith . . Ebenezer Addams James Addams . Nathaniel Martin William Brown . Edward Bosworth Daniel Peck . . John Luther, 2d, Jeremiah Pearse . Christian Phippin o 14 I 034 o 15 6 023 8 6 7 II 5 4 5 4 2 2 2 7 2 2 7 o 19 o 5 ° 3 3 8 3 1 7 10 15 2 1 II II o 19 7 o 3 o 17 o 3 o 16 ° 3 o 4 o 5 o I 25 8 s 17 II 9 43 00 2 Nathaniel Toogood . . W'd Elezebeth Toogaod James Brown, Ju'r Jonathan Voyall Richard Harding Mary Bullock . W'd Mary Munro Barsheba Peck Samuel Bosworth John Jones . . Charles Bears John Kelley James Bowen . Ebenezer Garnsey Joseph Allen . Joseph Allen, Jun Joseph Grant . Joseph Grant, Jun Shuball Grant John Martin . John Short Benjamin Drown Solomon Drown Samuel Kent . Elisha Luther Moses Tyler . Ebenezer Martin Moses Horton 3 I 1 I 2 10 4 3 o o o o o o o o o o 020 o IS 8 O ID 3 o 5 o 7 o 4 O II O 2 O 2 o 19 O 10 o 7 O 2 o 7 O S O 12 O 14 O 4 2 10 3 o 17 II 9 Part of the Town Rate for the Town of Warren , To Be Collected by Samuel Allen, Collector : Mad the 27th Day of November, A, D. ; 1765. By Us The ) Thomas Cole, ) Subscribers) Thomas AUin,) Rate Jn'o Brown ) makers. Bristol Co. field officer, Sylvester Child, Warren, Colonel. Sheriff, Bristol Co., John Brown, Warren. Rev. James Manning opened a preparatory Latin School in Warren in the summer of 1764. 19 290 THE HISTOEY OF BAREINGTON. 1765. Deputies, Major Nathaniel Peck, James Mason Bristol Co, field officers, Caleb Carr, Lieut. Col. Samue Allen, Warren, Major. Rev. James Manning's Latin School of 1764 was organizec into a College in September, 1765, when Mr. Manning was elected its President, and was its only teacher till 1766. Joshua Bicknell of Warren and others protest against rais ing a tax of ;^ 12,468, on grounds of oppression and unjus' ;taxation. 1766. Deputies, Joshua Bicknell, James Mason. Bristol Co. field officers, Caleb Carr, Lieut. Col. Samue .Allen, Warren, Major. David Howell was appointed a tutor and assistant to Prest Manning, in Rhode Island College at Warren. Allethea Eastabrooke was allowed £$ for an apron foi Friscilla Devotion. 1767. Deputies Cromwell Child. Thomas Allin. Bristol Co, field officer, Joshua Bicknell, Warren, Lieut Col. Warren Baptist Association organized at Warren. The following request was made and granted : " We th« Inhabitants on the west side of the river in Warren Com monly called Phebe' neck Request that this meeting pass the following vote or act (viz) that every householder shall have liberty to turn out one Creture of neat kind and no more or the Commons or highways, And that every sd householdei shall deliver the mark of their creture to the field driver 01 drivers on said neck and all ye cretures whose marks are not given in to the field drivers shall be impounded and the ownei thereof shall forfeit and pay to the driver one shilling Lawful! money pr. head and all charge arising lawfully from such poundage and that no person shall turn out more than one Creture except he or she purchase two rights for every cre- ture so turned out." town doings. 291 Town Valuation. Warren, acres of woodland, 6i6. Value of Woodland, j^i.580. Rents at 20 and 15 years, £33,196, los. Sum total of Ratables, £798, 12s. 3p. Whole amount, ;£42,27S, 25. 3p. Polls, 226. 1768. Deputies, Major Josiah Humphrey, Major Samuel Allen. Bristol Co. field officer, Samuel Allen, Warren, Lieut. Col. 1769. Deputies, Cromwell Child, Major Samuel Allen. Bristol Co. field officer, Samuel Allen, 2nd, Warren, Lieut. Col. April 19th, 1769. A pair of stocks was ordered on the East side of the River, and a pillory on the West side, in a convenient place. The first commencement of Rhode Island College was held in the Baptist Meeting House in Warren, September 7^ 1769, when seven young men, matriculated in 1765, took their first degree in the Arts. Dr. Manning and the candidates for degrees were all dressed in American manufacturies. 1770. Deputies, Ebenezer Cole, Major Samuel Allen. This was the twenty-fourth and last annual election for town and state officers of the town of Warren as originally organized. In the election of deputies the plan had been followed of electing one of the two deputies from each side of the river, excepting for the year 1768, when both deputies were elected from the west or Barrington side of the river. Bristol Co. field officer, Nathaniel Martin, Warren, Lieut. Col. Before the division of the town the average vote of the freemen for seven years was 96, and for the seven years after it was 46. CHAPTER XXI BARRINGTON RESTORED IN 1770 Reasons.for Separation — Spirit of Compromise — Proposals Rejected — Agreement of People on Barrington Necks — Petitions to General Assembly — Act of Incorporation — Bills of Committee — Appeals of No Avail. PEACE and general prosperity attended the people of Warren from the date of the incorporation, in 1747. Wealth and population had increased, the social and busi- ness relations of the people were very harmonious, but divisions arose mainly on political grounds. Physically, the town was made up of three distinct peninsulars, New Meadow Neck, Peebee's Neck, and Warren Neck, each separated from the other by deep rivers and united in com- munication only by three ferries, which were unreliable in severe storms and in icy weather. It was somewhat to be expected that the people on New Meadow Neck, who had enjoyed the " centre of trade " from the first, should be jealous of the growth of the village on the east side of the river. But claims of unequal taxation and an unfair distri- bution of ofifices to the three divisions of the town are made the subjects of complaint by the citizens of the two western Necks. The village of Warren had the advantage of com- pactness and united influence in securing town offices and legislation, and the people west of the Great River were quick to note all real or fancied discrimination against them. Differences of religious faith had a real, though not a declared relation to the growing sentiment of separation. In the sixties, matters grew worse and discussion did not unite, but widened the breach between the east and west sides. COMPEOMISE SPIRIT. 293 The leading citizens of all parts of the town seem to have acted as wisely and generously as men are accustomed to do under such diverse conditions and circumstances, and in 1768, the spirit of compromise or of resistance was so strong, that both deputies, Messrs. Allen and Humphrey, were resi- dents of the west peninsula. In 1769 leading citizens of both parts of the town took action for and against separa- tion. The village of Warren sent the following olive branch of peace across the troubled waters of the Great River, to their brethren on the western shore : Warren, November 6th, 1769. " We whose names are hereunder written, freemen of the town of Warren, being desirous for the future to live in peace and mutual fellowship with our townsmen on the west side of the Great River, and all others, do agree and promise for ourselves and all others we can persuade to come into the same mutual agreement, that the freemen on the west side of the Great River do nominate their proportion of officers in the town meetings, (provided they are agreed in such nomination,) they allowing us the same privilege, and we will use our endeavors to carry the same into prosecution, each using the other with mutual friendship and freedom. Signed : Sylvester Child, William Easterbrooks, Wm. T. Miller, Martin Luther, Shubael Burr, John Child, Ezra Ormsbee, Ebenezer Cole." All appeals for continued union to the people of old Bar- rington seem to be of no avail, and to them the endurance of great disabilities has ceased to be a virtue. The older citizens remember the independence of the Barrington of 1717 to 1747, while the younger are ambitious to enjoy the more favorable conditions and honors of a separate corporate life. Petitions were circulated for a division of the town of Warren into two towns. 294 THE HISTOBY OP BAKEINGTON. While this petition was in circulation, leading townsmen of New Meadow and Peebee's Neck signed an agreement as follows : Warren, April ye 26, A. D. 1770. " Know all men by these presents that the subscribers Freemen of that part of Warren formerly called Barrington Being Desirous to live in pease with all men as much as in us lies and more Especially with each other Do Covenant Promise and Engage Faithfully by these Presents upon Honnor Strictly to adhere to the foloing agreement that is to say that the freemen in that part of Warren called New Meadow Shall Ejoy all the Privileges that they on the West side of the River Does as hereafter mentioned viz. that the sd freemen shall from time to time and at all times Have one third part of the ofifices in sd town at thar disposal on Nomination & the freemen on Phebe's Neck two thirds of sd offices and the freemen to have one third of the town meetings and town Councils on their side of the River and the latter two thirds : And in case the town of Warren is divided according to petition, the above Agree- ment shall stand firm and binding forever as witness our hands. Thomas AUin, Michal Cary, Joshua Bicknell; Samuel Allin, 2d., Viall Allen, John Short. Josiah Viall, John Wilson Low, Consider Tripp, Nathaniel Humphrey, Thomas Barns, Samuel Kent, Joseph Grant, Ebenezer Garnsey, N. B. This agreement was written without the author PETITIONS POK DIVISION. 295 supposing New Meadow Neck to contain one third as many Freemen as the other Neck Did. But upon Consideration & Computation it Contains but a quarter of the freemen & }i of the Poles and Pays But one fifth part of the tax." The general petition was presented to the General Assem- bly at its May session at Newport by Major Samuel Allen, one of the deputies, was received and referred to the June session in Providence, and the inhabitants of Warren were served with a copy. The prayers and arguments of the petitioners represented by Josiah Humphrey, James Brown and Samuel Allen, satisfy the Assembly that there are good and sufficient reasons for the division, notwithstanding the remonstrance of the Eastern village and some of the people on New Meadow Neck, and on the i6th June, 1770, the following record appears among the acts of the General Assembly at Newport : " Whereas, many of the inhabitants of the Town of War- ren preferred a petition and represented unto this Assembly, that they labor under great and inconceivable Difficulties in transacting and negotiating the prudential affairs of said Town, by Reason of a River which runneth through the middle of it, which they are obliged to pass over all Days of Public Meetings and Town Councils ; for which, with other reasons, they prayed this Assembly to divide the said Town into Two distinct Parts, according to the Training List, that is to say ; that the westerly Part of the Town of Warren, which was formerly called Barrington, may be set off and incorporated into a Township, to be distinguished and known by the name of Barrington ; and that the Inhabitants thereof may, from Time to Time, have and enjoy the like Liberties, Benefits, Privileges and Immunities, with the other towns in this Colony, according to our Royal Charter. On consideration whereof It is Voted and Resolved, That the said Petition be, and the same is hereby granted. June 16, 1770. 296 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. ACT INCORPORATING THE TOWN OF BARRINGTON. An Act for Incorporating the West Part of the Town of Warren Into a Township to be Distinguished and known by the Name of Barrington. " Be it enacted by this General Assembly and by the au- thority thereof : It is enacted that the Town of Warren be and the same is hereby divided into two distinct and sepa- rate towns, that the bounds between them be as the river between Bristol and Rumstick extends itself northerly to Myles Bridge, that all the lands on the westerly side of the said river be and they are hereby erected and made into a Township to be distinguished, called and known by the name of Barrington, and that the inhabitants thereof shall choose two deputies to represent them in the General Assembly, and shall have, hold and enjoy all and singular the liberties, privileges and immunities which the other towns in this Colony have, enjoy and are entitled to. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that all debts due and money belonging to the Town of Warren before the division thereof by this Act made shall be divided according to the last tax, that all debts due from the said Town before the division shall be settled and made in the same manner, and that the poor of the said Town be divided between the said two Towns in proportion to their taxes and debts. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that all and every of the Justices of the Peace and Military Offi- cers who were chosen and appointed for the Town of War- ren and live in that part thereof which is now Barrington be and they are hereby continued in their respective offices with as full power and ample authority in every particular as they had in consequence of their being chosen into and commissionated for the offices by them respectively sus- tained, and that James Brown, Esq., be and he is hereby authorized and fully empowered to issue a warrant and call HARRINGTON CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE, 1870. ACT OP INCOEPOEATION. 297 on or before the 8th day of July next in order to choose and appoint all officers necessary for managing and conducting the prudential affairs of said Town agreeably to the laws of this Colony. And be it further enacted by the authority that the said Town of Barrington shall send three grand and two petit jurors to each of the Superior and Inferior Courts which shall be holden in the County of Bristol, and that the Town of Warren shall send three grand and four petit jurors to each of the said Courts. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that Nathaniel Fales, Thomas Throop and Daniel Bradford, Esqs., all of Bristol, be and they are appointed a committee to settle and proportion the debts and poor of said Town, agree- ably to the last tax of said town. God Save the King. Rhode Island Colonial Records, Vol. VII., pages 1$, i6, 17." The only evidences of junkets, bribes, and other essentials of modern legislation in the acts of the Committee in secur- ing the division of the town, appear in the following bills of the Committee : Barrington, July 11, 1770. The Town of Barrington, To James Brown, Dr. To my expense at Newport when the town was divided : To my time 5 days .... £1, los. 2p. To Cash paid Esq. Kinnicutt for the estimate 5$. To one day when we met the Committee at Martin's 9s. To part of two days as a Committee to settle the town's proportions .... 3s. To one day and a half going to Bristol to settle Pat Monroe Ss. To three times going to Providence . . 2s. £2, 14s. 2p. Less 6s. £2, 8s. 2p. 298 THE HISTOBY OP BABEINGTON. Received the contents of within account of Henry Bowen, Collector. Per me, James Brown. 1771, Apr. 17. To Josiah Humphrey, Dr. To my expenses at Newport in getting the Town divided ..... £0, 13s. op. To my time and expence in selling the poor with the Committy appointed by the General Assembly, and to selling Pat. Munro £1, 15s. 6p- Total . . £2, IDS. 6p. Per me, Josiah Humphrey. March 14, 1771. To my expence at Newport in getting the Town divided .... £0, 19s. op. March 14, 1771. Per me, Samll Allen. In order that the people of the two Necks of Barrington might be satisfied as to the division of the offices of the town, the following plan was drawn up by a committee and adopted. This agreement, as will be seen, grew out of a discontent on the part of some citizens of New Meadow Neck, who preferred to remain in Warren, or to be set off to that town. Barrington, April ye A. D. 1771. " Whereas thare has been some misunderstanding between The two Necks in Barrington viz, Phebeys Neck & New Meddow Neck so called to the Prejudice of the said Town of Barrington and we the Subscribers Being Apointed a Com- mitty by said town To Draw up Articles of agreement Between sd Necks In order to Establish Lasting Peace and union in sd. Town Accordingly we Have Considered the AGBEEMENT AND PETITION. 299 Neck to Contain Almost one Quarter as many as the Other Neck Does, Therefore we Propose the following Proportion viz : That the April Meeting be forever Held at the Meet- ing House on Pheebes Neck being Near the Senter of sd Town for Convenence of boath sides and the other town Meetings to be Held one Quarter on New Meddow Neck and three Quarters on Phebeys Neck ; & the town councils in the like Propotion at the most Convenient Places on said Necks as the town Council Shall think fit, New meddow Neck to have one Quarter of the Town Offices at thair De- posal or Nomination to be divided In the following manner viz, two Councillmen and one assessor of rates and such, other town officers as shall be Needful on sd Neck, And Phebeys Neck to have four councillmen and the town Clarke, Town Treasurer & town Sargent and two Assessors of Rates and Such other town officers as shall be Needful! on that side of the River And So in the Same proportion to Enjoy all the Rites & Privileges of sd town as they at Pres- ant Enjoy And in Case thay on the East Side of the River will be Content to Remain undivided as thay now are this Agreement Remain in full Forse and Binding forever." A month later the following petition was presented to the General Assembly, at its session at Newport, referred to the next session, and notice served on the town of Barrington : "To the Hon"'* General Assembly of the Colony of Rhode Island to Sit in Newport. " In and for the County of Newport on the first Wednes- day in May, A. D. 1771. " The Petition of the Freeholders & Inhabitants of New- meadow Neck which was formerly Part of Warren, but lately taken into Barrington, Humbly Sheweth That Whereas your Petitioners Labour under many & Great Inconvences in Transacting the Prudential Affairs of the Town, By Reason of a River which Divides us from Phebes Neck which River must be Passed to Transact all Publick Business of the Town, and it is with the Greatest Difficulty the Said River is Passed, As there is no Ferry, and at the Best Place to Pass 300 THE HISTOET OP BAEEINGTON. the Banks of the River are so very flat that it is Very Diffi- cult Passing at all Times But just at High water in the Sum- mer Season and In the Winter Season the Current Running Rapid in the Middle and at the Sides Being Still water The Ice freezeth on the Sides of the River While the Middle Be- ing Left open makes it almost at that Season Which with many other Inconveniences Render our Present Circum- stances Truly Deplorable. We therefore Most Earnestly Desire that this Honorable House would take Our Present unhappy Circumstances into their Wise Consideration and Set us off to Warren as We Were Before as there is a narrow and conveanent ferry to Pass that way Where the People are of the same Denomination in Religion as we are and we Therefore the more Cheerfully Expect our Prayer To be Granted When we Recollect that the People of Phebes Neck Promised When this Honorable House Was Passed to Incor- porate us with Barrington that they were free and Willing We might be Set off to Warren Whenever We Petitioned therefor and your Petitioners Ever Pray. Barrington April ye loth 1771. "John Kelley, Ebenezer Garnsey, James Bowen, John Martin, Benj. Drown, Jr., Joseph Grant, Jr., Samuel Kent, Joseph Grant, Shubael Grant, Thomas Grant, Benj. Drown, John Short, Ebenezer Martin, Moses Horton, Spicer Hewes, Jeremiah Bowen, Simeon Horton, Benj. Horton." After hearing both parties, the Assembly gave the peti- tioners leave to withdraw, and henceforth they and their descendants have been among the most loyal and faithful citizens of Barrington. CHAPTER XXII TOWN CENSUS AND VALUATION Population in 1774 — Valuation in 1793. AT the date of the incorporation of Barrington in 1717, there were about fifty families in the town, numbering at least three hundred people. We have no census of that period and are therefore without exact data. The first com- plete colonial census of Rhode Island was made in the year 1774, aiid Thomas AUin was appointed to make the enrol- ment of the town. This census was made by families, giv- ing only the names of heads of families, males and females under sixteen, males and females over sixteen, whites, Indians, blacks, and the total of each family; There were then 91 families, a total population of 610, and an average of 6.6 persons to each family. We give the full record of this enumeration of Harrington, preserving the spelling of family names as recorded by Mr. Allin : Whites. Indians. BtACKS Families. Males. Above Under 16. 16. Allin, Thomas. •» i 3 Allin, Matthew i i Allin, Ruth (widow) Allen, Samuel 3 Allen, Viall i 1 Allen, Samuel 2d i 4 Allen, Joseph i Allen, Joseph Jr 2 4 Adams, Edward 2 3 Adams, James 2 2 Adams, Samuel 3 3 Females. Above Under 16. 16. 2 3 3 2 I 2 I 4 1 I I 2 2 2 ' 3 I I Tola!. H 12 2 S 7 7 2 9 9 302 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. Whites. Indians. Blacks. Families. Males. Females. Above Under Above Under l6. l6. l6. l6. Adams, Nudigate i i Adams, Hannah (widow) j. Andrews, William i i Bicknell, Joshua 5 3 Bicknell, Asa i 2 Bicknell, Rachel (widow) . . Brown, James 3 Brown, William i 3 Brown, James Jr i 2 Bowen, Henery i i Bowen, James i 2 Bowen, Josiah i 2 Barnes, Samuel 1 Barnes, Thomas 3 Barnes, Levi i 2 Boswoth, Edward i Boswoth, Jonathan 2 i Boswoth, Samuel 3 2 Bears, Charles.... i 2 Bears, Spencer 1 Bishop, Ebenezer i Cary, Michel i i Drown, Benjamin 3 2 Drown, Benjamin Jr.... i Grant, Joseph 2 Grant, Joseph Jr.. i 3 Grant, Shubale i 3 Grant, Thomas 2 ■Garnzey, Marther(widow) .. Fuller, Frances i 3 Humphrey, Josiah 3 Humphrey, Samuel 2 Humphrey, Nathanell .. i 3 Humphrey, Elknah 2 2 Humphrey, Samuel Jr... i Heath, Nathanell i i Heath, Peleg i 2 Harding, John i Harding, Richard 3 6 Horton, Moses • 3 Horton, Simeon i i Mp-ursi^. Snirpr i T 2 3 2 2 I I 2 4 I 2 I I I [ I 2 2 I 2 I 2 3 I I 2 I 2 I 3 4 3 I Total. 6 I 6 17 7 5 14 8 S 5 9 5 4 S 8 S 10 8 S 3 2 3 6 3 4 7 7 6 I 7 9 3 6 6 4 14 6 S CENSUS OP 1774. 303 Families. Males. Above Under Whites. Females. Above Under Indians. Blacks. i6. I I 4 3 Kent, Samuel Kent, Joshua Killey, John Killey, William Kin icut, Daniel: i Kinicut, Hezekiah i Low, Hooker 3 Luther, Caleb i Martin, John 3 Martin, Nathanell 5 Martin, Mary (widow). . 4 Medbury, Rebeckah Peck, Solomon 4 Peck, Solomon Jr i Peck, Sarah (widow) . ■ ■ ■ i Quom, Joshua Remington, Enock i Richmond, Sippeo Smith, James i Smith, Nathanell 2 Smith, Sarah (widow). . i Smith, Peter 2 Short, John 3 Salisbury, George i Tiifany, Ester (widow).. 1 TifEany, Hezekiah i Townsend, Solomon Rev i Townsend, Solomon Jr. 2 Tyler, Moses i Traffen, Phillip i Toogood, Eunice Tripp, Consider i Viall, Joseph 4 Viall, Josiah i Watson, Matthew 2 Watson, Matthew Jr i Young, Charles i 16. 4 I I 4 I 2 I 2 2 2 16. 4 2 3 2 I I I I 3 3 I I 3 I 3 2 I 3 • I 2 2 3 2 I 3 2 I I 3 3 I 4 I I 16. 3 I Total. 12 4 9 9 9 2 13 3 10 13 10 6 7 5 8 3 9 5 S 4 9 7 6 9 6 2 S 8 4 II 6 4 For purposes of comparison, the results of the several succeeding censuses are given, with the Colonial Census of 1774, Barrington : 304 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. 1774 1776 1782 1790 1800 1810 604 1880 ''3S9 1820 6.14 i88<; ''394 1S30 1S40 601 1850 S3S i860 534 i86s 683 1870 650 1875 604 1880 634 1885. 612 1890. 549 1895. 795 1,000 1,028 I, III 1,185 .1,668 The Census of 1782 gives the following details as to the population of Barrington. Males under 16, 130; Females under 16, 105; Males between 16 and 22, 16; Females be- tween 16 and 22, 22 ; Males bet. 22 and 50, 73 ; Females bet. 22 and 50, 85 ; Males upwards of 50, 30 ; Females upwards of 50, 27 ; Indians, none ; Mulattoes, 22 ; blacks, 26 : Total, 534. A Colonial valuation was made in the years 1778-89, by a committee of five men, called "The Flying Committee." The following interesting facts relative to the valuation of Barringfon are given in this report, and afterwards confirmed by a Committee of Ten : Number of polls, 92 ; Dwelling houses and other buildings, 143 ; Grist and other mills, o; Wharves, 4 ; Distill houses and other works, i ; Slaves from 10 to 50, 6 ; Money and Trading Stock, ;^8so, IIS.; Ounces of Plate, 148; Chaises, i ; Horses, from six months, 56 ; Oxen, 48 ; Horn Cattle, 305 ; Sheep and Goats, 649 ; Swine, 145 ; Acres of Pasture, 2,318 ; Cows it will keep, 251 ; Acres of Tillage, 397; Bushels of grain, 4,737; Pounds of Tobacco, 1,500; Acres of orchard, 465^ ; Barrels of cider, 154; Acres of Meadow, 575 ; English Hay, 213^ tons; Fresh hay, 33^^ tons; Salt hay, 123 tons; Acres of wood and waste land, 695^ ; Total acres, 4,124 ; Value of Real Estate. ;£2S,440; Total value, ;^29,9i5, 13s.; Value per acre, £6, 3s., 7p.; Established Value, £2g,gi^, 13s. The total value of Warren by the same Committee was £sg, OS I, and of Bristol was ^£64,529. The value of Bristol County was .;£i33.49ii 13s. In order to show what the tax burdens of our ancestors z c z c c X TOWN TAX, 1793. 305 were a century ago, the following copy of the tax assessors' list of 1 793 is introduced : Town Tax Assess'd on the Estates & Poles of the Inhabitants IN Barrington, a. D. 1793. £ s. d. £ s. d. AUin, Thomas . . 2 9 Bosworth, Joseph ....030 Allin, Matthew . . . I 7 3 Bullock, Jabez . .022 Allen, Viall, Heirs . II 9 Bushee, James . .036 Allen, Joseph . . 13 2 Bishop, Eben'r • 3 9 Allen, Sam'U . . . 6 7 Baker, Jeremiah . I 9 Allin, Sam'U Jr . . . 3 Baker, Joseph . • S 3 Andrews, Wm . . . 6 Bean, "Thomas . . .030 Allen, Squire . . 3 Bowen, Jere Jun'r .030 Allin, Will'm . . 4 Cooke, Nicho . . I 10 Allin, Sirus . . . 3 9 Gary, Micah .030 Arraington, Jas . . . 3 Cary, Eben'r . .030 Armington, Asa . 4 6 Cole, Ambrose .042 Armington, Walker . 4 6 Drown, Benj .050 Armington, Behja . 3 Drown, Benj Jr .062 Alger, Jona . . . . 6 4 Drown, Daniel • 3 4 Adams, Nancy . . I 9 3 Drown, J. Jona • 3 4 Adams, Sarah . . 9 Drown, Philip • 3 4 Bicknell, Joseph . 6 •2 Grant, Jos Henry .058 Bicknell, Joshua . 17 3 Grant, Joseph . .056 Bicknell, Asa . 7 3 Grant, Shubal . .030 Bicknell, James . 10 Grant, Eben'r ..030 Bicknell, Freeborn . 5 Grant, Thomas .005 Bowen, James . . I 4 Grant Edw'd . .030 Bowen, Jeremiah . . 4 6 Grant, James . , .030 Bowen, Josiah . . S 3 Humphrey, Josiah .070 Bowen, James Jun . . 3 Humphrey, Elkanah ■ 13 II Bowen, Stephen . II Humphrey, Josiah Jun . .069 Bowen, Step. Jr . . 4 Humphrey, John . . • 5 3 Barnes, Thomas . 8 9 Humphrey, Simon .036 Barnes, Sam'U . . 7 Humphrey, Elkajr .030 Barnes, John . . . 4 6 Harding, Rich'd . .063 Barnes, James . . o 3 9 Harding, John . • 5 2 Brown, Will'm . . 4 Heath, Nath'l . .091 Brown. Kent . . . . 4 3 Heath, Will'm . . 040 Brown, Zebedee . 3 Heath, Peleg . .026 Bosworth, Edw'd . 12 9 Ingraham, Joshua .076 Bosworth, Sam'U . 6 5 Ingraham, James • 3 9 Kent, John . . . lO 9 Kent, Sam'U . .080 Kent, Joseph . . . 3 .9 Kent, Joshua . . 19 9 Kinnicutt, Josiah 20 . 4 3 Read, David .069 SOQ THE HISTOEY OP BAREINGTON. Kelley, Dunkan . Kelly, Daniel . . Kelley, Joseph . Kelly, Patience, . Kelley, James Lilley, Amariah . Xow, J. Willson . Loyell, Edw'd . Ladieu, Curtis. . Luther, Job . . Manton, Joseph . Martin, Nath'l . Martin, Luther . Martin, Anthony Martin, Calvin . Martin, John . . Martin, Benja. . Martin, Mary, wid" Martin, James . Martin, Sam'U . Martin, John, Jnr Munro, Nath'U . Peck, Solomon . Peck, Amos . . Peck, Eben'r . . Peck, Joel . . . Peck, Solo., Jr., . Peck, Darius . Paine, Peleg . . Remington, Enoch Remington, Enoch, Jr. Richmond, J. Rogers . Richmond, Scipio . . £ s. d. Dug 083 o 10 8 006 4 " 5 6 1 8 3 S 4 2 2 o o o o o o o o I o o o I o 3 o 3 o 10 o 13 O II O 2 O II o 3 o 14 o 8 o 3 o 3 o 16 ° 5 ° 3 o S o o 9 10 8 I 4 8 4 3 4 II 9 3 £29 4 I Smith, Nath'U . Smith, Simon . Smith, Joshua . Smith, James, . Salisbury, George Short, John . . Stanly, Comfort Stephens, Eben'r Townsend, Solo, J: Tiffany, Eben'r Tyler, Moses . Tyler, John . .' Tripp, Consider Taylor, Peter . Taylor, Richard Viall, Sylvester Viall, Josiah . Watson, Matthew Watson, Matthew, Jr. Young, Charles . Elliot, Nath'U . . Matthewson, Daniel Horn, Mary . . . Smith, Joseph . . Ormsbee, Isaac Conant, Rebeckah Cranston, Peleg . Carpenter, Thomas Adams, William . Bowen, Hail . . ■ Chase, Simeon Greene, Richard . Total, s. d. 13 3 I 8 3 3 3 14 3 3 II IS 4 3 I 3 3 6 £27 13 9 29 4 I . . £56 17 10 Agreeable to an order of the Town of Barrington this tax was made and finished by the Subscribers this 31st of October, Anno Domini, 1793. Joshua Bicknkll,-» James Martin, > Assessors. Luther Martin, ) A True Copy Attest Samuel Allen, CHAPTER XXIII BARRINGTON TAVERNS AND STAGE COACHES New England Taverns — ^^Near Meeling-Houses — John Viall's Tavern in Boston — The Green Bush Tavern — Its Patrons — The Bowen Tavern — Store and Inn — Boviren, a Busy Man — His Patrons — His Accounts with Leading Citizens — Patriotic Punch and Toddy — Various Customers and Curious Experiences — Sorrow in Barring- ton Households — Mr. Bowen Sells the Tavern and Removes to Providence — Townsend Inn — Stage Coaches — Newport to Boston — Bristol to Providence — Coaches — Drivers — Mails. TO those unfamiliar with the subject, it would appear probable that a chapter on the history of Barrington taverns would be as brief as the story of snakes in Ireland, — " None since St. Patrick's day." But let us see. Bar- rington was an ordinary country town, on the main highway between Providence and Newport. Before and after the advent of the stage coach, travel passed up and down the country road between the capitals, through Warren and Bristol. Man and beast, wearied by travel, sought rest and refreshment at " The Wayside Inn." The blazing wood-fire and bountiful meal were attractions not to be slighted on frosty days and stormy nights, and the warmth and cheer of the Old New England bar-room, with the fragrance of the best English or West India importations of gin, brandy, and rum, made the tavern of the fathers a place of universal resort, in all seasons and weathers. Here it was that the town news and gossip were retailed to every comer, for the daily newspaper had not then made its appearance. The good men of the town met to discuss town politics in March, crop prospects in June, market produce in September, har- vesting in November, hog and beef killing in December, and neighborhood news, small and great every day in the year. The principal tavern in most of the towns, as in Bar- 308 THE HISTORY OF BAKBDfGTON. rington, was near the meeting-house, and from each was ; well trodden path to the door of the other. In the old towr of Boston the record has it that "John Vyall in 1651 wa: granted Libertie to keep a house of Common Entertainment if the County Court Consent, provided he keep it neare th< new meeting house." This John Vyall was the ancestor 0: the Vialls of Harrington and kept "The Ship Tavern." th( principal one of the town of Boston, in 1663, just before hii removal to his newly purchased estate in Swansea. As John Viall was once a resident and large land ownei on what was Barrington soil, it will be of interest to say e word as to his noted Boston tavern. " The Ship Tavern " stooc at the head of Clark's wharf, in Boston, or on the southwesi corner of North and Clark Streets, according to preseni boundaries. It was an ancient brick building, dating as fai back as 1650 at least. John Vyall kept it in 1663. Wher Clark's wharf was built it was the principal one of the town. Large ships came directly up to it, so making the tavern a most convenient resort for masters of vessels 01 their passengers, -^ and associating it with the localit) itself. King Charles's commissioners lodged at Vyall's house, when they undertook the task of bringing down the pride of the rulers of the colony a peg. The first public house in Barrington of record was " The Green Bush Tavern " which stood on the west side of the main road, north of the residence of Mr. R. D. Horton, on land now owned by him. The house was a large, roomy building, two stories in front with a lean-to roof on the back side. A large elm tree stood in front of the tavern near the road — the ancestor possibly of the elm now standing on the lot. A huge wooden sign was suspended from a post near the tavern, on which was painted a picture of a tree or Lush, and the name "Green Bush Tavern," suggests the lines of Longfellow's poem on " Catawba Wine. " : " For Catawba wine Has need of no sign, No tavern-bush to Droclaim it," THE GEEEN BUSH TAVEEN. 309 referring to the Roman and late English Custom of hanging a bush at the door of a house to advertise an inn, from which arose the proverb, "Good wine needs no bush." The keeper of " The Green Bush " was Nathaniel Paine, a descendant of Stephen Paine, one of the founders of the town. Besides the entertainment furnished for man and beast, passing through the town and seeking a meal or lodging, landlord Paine had more home patrons, and these were his best customers, for a tavern of " ye olden days " without a bar and its usual supplies would have been a strange affair, a pretence and not the real article. Probably not a householder in Barrington and the near confines of Rehoboth failed to frequent and patronize Mr. Paine's social bar, from which his chief profits sprang. A jolly crowd came together winter evenings to gossip, tell stories, sing songs, and drink their flip, toddy, punch, etc. The warming influence of the pure liquors of those days quickened tongues, limbs and brains and merry hours flew by at the tavern, while good wives and maidens of the town sat by the evening candle and open fireplace knitting, sewing, or in other ways, attending to the household work, which had no cessation nor daily relief. The local rhymester and singer had his innings at the tavern and earned his drinks by his wit or wits. William Andrews was one of the local wags and poets, who was pledged a glass of grog for an impromptu verse on Josiah Vial], the village blacksmith, who was at that moment coming up the road to visit the tavern. Out flashed these lines : " Here comes old Vulcan, As bold as a lion, Has plenty of work, But no coal nor iron," and shouts of laughter were the greetings which Viall received at the pointed satire on his usual shortness in fuel and stock at his smithy, which stood on the west side of the road near the house of Mrs. Charles L. Miller. 310 THE HISTOKr OF BABRINGTON. The Bowen Tavern, built on the Bicknell farm by Joshua Bicknell, stood on the west side of the main road, north of the Congregational meeting house. This was the most noted and best patronized public house of the town, and has won more than a local notoriety from its leading proprietor, Mr. Henry Bowen, who kept the tavern before and during the Revolutionary War. Mr. Bowen kept a country store as well as an inn, dealing in all the usual family supplies: including dry and wet groceries. He was a careful book- keeper as well as a popular landlord, and his account book, kept between February 4, 1775 to December, 1883, is a faithful and true witness of the family supplies and temper- ance principles of the people. In addition to his business affairs, our tavern keeper was collector of taxes, assessor of taxes, tithing man, Sunday constable, and recruiting officer for the army. Much of the business of the town must have been transacted at the Bowen tavern, and during the exciting years of the Revolution, many plans of the town patriots were discussed and matured at Bowen's. Among his patrons we find the leading citizens of the town and we have but to consult the old account book to find the names of Rev. Solomon Townsend, George Salisbury, Samuel Bosworth, Hez. Kinnicutt, Capt. Viall Allen, William Andrews, Col. Samuel Allen, Simon Smith, Joshua Bicknell, Capt. Elkanah Humphrey, Hannah Adams, Lieut. James Smith, Matthew Allen, William Kelley, Matthew Watson, Richard Harding, Solomon Peck, Jr., Daniel Bears, Dr. Samuel Allen, Rehoboth, Samuel Conant, Nathaniel Smith, Solomon Townsend, Philip Traflfern, Josiah Viall, Nudigate Adams, George Salisbury, Nathaniel Paine, of Rehoboth, Peleg Heath, Daniel Kinnicutt, Consider Tripp, Samuel Adams, Asa Bicknell, 'James Brown, Ebenezer Tiffany, Joseph Mauran, James Humphrey, LANDLORD BOWEN'S DAT BOOK. 311 Negro Prince, John Tripp, Nath'l Curtis, Joseph Viall, Nath'l Heath, William Andrews, Samuel Viall, Rehoboth, Richard Loyall, Peleg Pain, Caleb Drown, Richard Greene, Edward Loyall, Susanna Jones, Stukeley Smith, Rehoboth, Abigail Jones, Joel Peck, Wm. Jones, John Peck, Shubael Kinnicutt, David Peck, David Allen, Comfort Stanley, Josiah Allen, Rehoboth, John Martin, Joel Peck, Jonathan Andrews, John Short, Col. Nathaniel Martin, and many others. In fact a fairly correct census of Har- rington could be constructed from Bowen's day book. Landlord Bowen's account book is now in the possession of Edward Field, Esq., clerk of the City Municipal Court of Providence, and we are allowed to quote therefrom and from his own notes in " The Colonial Tavern," freely. The first entry in this book under date of Feb. 6, 1795, records the patronage of the pastor of the Congregational Church, the leader of his flock, at the tavern bar. " Revd Solomon Townsend, D'. To 2 Qts N. Rum, DW. Elizth Renoff ,12 i-2d." Betty Renuff was Mr, Townsend's housekeeper, who probably looked after the needs of the parson's sideboard. " Col. Samuel Allen, D'. To 1-2 bowl Toddy 4 i-2d." Mr. Bowen advanced the title of his excellent friend and patron one notch, as he was only a major, but this was excusable in military tavern circles, as suggesting future glory. " Joshua Bicknell, Esq', Dr. To 2 Qts N. Rum 12 i-2d." Mr. Bicknell is a near neighbor and a first class patron, whom he honors with the title of Esq. 312 THE HISTORY OP BARRINGTON. " Revd Solomon Townsend, Dr. To 2 q^s N. Rum, Did Tom Greenwood 12 i-2d-' Mr. Townsend's beverage seems tp have been the i New England article. " Dani. Kinnicutt, D'. To 1-2 mug Cyder 2 d.' Neighbor Kinnicutt's thirst is satisfied on half a mug cyder, and for want of the change has it charged. " Joshua Bicknell, Esq'. Dr. To 1-2 bowl Toddy 41-2 To I mug Cyder 4 8 i-2d.' And again, " Joshua Bicknell, Esq'. Dr. To 1-2 Gil N. Rum i 1-2 To I Gil W. Rum 4 To 1-2 Gil W. Rum 2 To 1-2 Gil W. Rum 2 9 i-2d.' " Nudigate Adams To I Qt N. Rum Did ye boy .... .7 i-4d. Do 15. Matthew Watson Jr. D'. To 1-2 mug flip 4 i-2d. 22nd Febr. Matthew Watson Jr., D'. To I Gal" & I Qt N. Rum D'd to Negro Pomp ® 2-3 2s. rod. Do 28. Nathl Smith Dr. To 2 mugs Cyder @ 4d 8d. 1775 April 19. Coin SamI Allen, Dr. £. s. D. To 1-2 gil W. Rum .... 2 To I bowl Punch . . . 121-2 141-2 April 19. Samuel Bosworth, Dr. To 1-2 mug Cyder . . . .2 To I bowl Punch . . . i 2 1-2 141-2 To I third Part of a bowl Punch 4 3-4 1 91-4 April ig. Samuel Viall, Dr. LANDLORD BOWEN'S DAY BOOK. 313 This was the way the memorable 19th of April was cele- orated by three patriots, whose names appear in the military records of the town, not many days later. Two days after the battle of Bunker Hill, we find the town fathers trying to drown the effects of the war news in the large punch bowl at the tavern, which by its name bade Defiance to the British foe. "June 19, 1775. The Town of Harrington, Dr. To 2 bowls Toddy, made in large Defiance bowl, cald for by Colonel Nathaniel Martin, In behalf of the Town as was voted, at 2s. 30. per bowl := 4s. 6p." This records the first patriotic junket of the town and it may have been the last, as no other appears on any records. " Joshua Bicknell, Esqr., D'. To I QtN. Rum, Did. W™ Andrews 7 i-4d. " Thomas AUin, Dr. To I scythe 5s. Capt. Aaron Barney of Rehoboth, Dr. To I scythe 5s. 6d. To I sickle is. 6d. Esther Tiffany, Dr. To I scythe Did yr Negro Danl Ss- 6d." Perhaps if they had not left the old one hanging in the crotch of the apple trees to rust through the winter, they would not have been called upon to make this outlay. But there have been other customers, doubtless returning from or going to the hay field, as these items seem to show : *' Consider Tripp, Dr. To 1-2 Gil Bitters 2d. Joshua Bicknell, Dr. To I Gil W. Rum 4d, To 1-2 bowl Toddy ■ Sd. Thomas AUin, Dr. To 2 bowls Punch, at is. 4d. 2s. 8d. To 2 mess oats for Doct Bradfords hors . . . 3d. John Rogers Richmond, Dr. To I qt. N. Rum did yrindian boy .... 7 i-2d. 314 THE HISTOKY OP BAEBINGTON. Joshua Bicknell, Esq""., Dr. To 1-2 bowl Toddy, ^ 1-2, To 2 Qts N. Eura, D^ y Negro Dinh, is 2 i-2d. . is. 7d. Josiah Viall, Dr. To t pt. Jamaica Spirits 8d." Josiah Viall was the blacksmith and he shod the store keeper's horse : "Josiah Viall, Cr. By setting my horses shoes behind 8d. By setting & steeling my horses hind shoes . . . lod." He also mended the flip iron and generally took his pay in liquor, for the next charge, but one after the above is : "Josiah Viall, Dr. To I pt. Jamaica Spirits 7 i-4d." and the next day : "Josiah Viall, Dr. To 2 qts. Jamaica Spirits 2s. 3d." thus overdrawing his account. Joshua Bicknell was a frequent customer at the tavern and store, and he seems to have been the most unfortunate of all of Bowen's customers, and these charges against him appear upon this open book : "Joshua Bicknell, Esq., Dr. To cash paid Mr. Chaffee for mending my cart ladder irons which you broke 3s. To 1 iron hoop you lost off my cart exal tree . . is. To 1 stake bar you broke is." And a few days later more trouble for goodman Bicknell is indicated in this entry : " To cash paid Natt Heath for making one cart ladder which you broke 6s." And then again : "Joshua Bicknell, Dr. To 1-2 Gil W. Rum 2d. Toiqt. W. Rum is. id. LANDLORD BOWEN's DAT BOOK. 315 While his dealings with Bowen seem to have resulted in a general breaking up, he was not the only unfortunate per- son who damaged the property of the Squire, for there apppears to have been another breakage, and the charge for this reads thus : " Samuel Allen 2d, Esq. s. d. To breaking my arm'd chair ... ..30 To breaking one Square of glass in my window . 7 To splitting of the groove of a panel door . .20" It would be interesting to know if there is any connection between this charge and the following, which are found registered at about the same time : " Samuel Allen. 2d, Esq. s. d. To 1 1-2 mugs flip at gd . . . . .111-2 To 1 bowl toddy .... 9 " Samuel Allen 2d, Esq. To 1-2 Gil Bitters . 2 To 1-2 bowl toddy ..41-2 The broken chair was duly mended at Allen's cost, for some days later there is entered upon the book : "Samuel Allen, Cr. By paying Natt Heath for mending my arm chair, 3s." But all of his customers do not make such pur- chases ; even goodman Bicknell mixes his rum and religion, and stands charged : " To 2 Qts W. Rum 019 To I Bowl Toddy o o 10 To 1 Psalm book ... ...040" Another literary inclined townsman buys " the history of King Philip's War," at three shillings ; another " the Manuel Exercise," another buys a spelling book, while nearly all, at the coming in of the new year, buy either Bickerstaff's or West's Almanacks. Gingerbread seems to have been a staple article at Bowen's store, and he sells it by the barrel, "rol," and cake. When sold by the barrel it is usually for ships' stores, but most of 316 THE HISTORY OP BAEKINGTON. his trade in this article was by the cake, and usually accom- panied some liquor, as " Josiah Viall, Dr. To I pt N. Rum 004 To 5 Rols ginger bread 0011-2" Or "John Harding, Dr. To 1-2 gil Rum 002 To I Gil Rum 004 To 2 Qts N. Eura o i i i-2 To 2 Cakes Ginger bread a 4d . . . . 008" Here is a charge which shows the care with which he noted down the minute details of his dealings: " Benjamin Jackson of Rehoboth, Dr. To cash not paid for things you took on Asa Bick- nells acct more than yr order which you Promised to pay if sd Bicknell would not allow it 009 3-4 " There was to be no dispute when neighbor Bicknell ex- hibited some surprise at the amount which his friend Jackson had drawn on his order, and here is another : " Matthew Allen, D". To one mug flip d'<* Timothy Allen the 21st of Last Jany which you promised to pay if he did not in one week 009" And Timothy Allen did not respond in the allotted time, and this charge is made " Feby. 29, 1772." The housewife frequently drops into the store for sundry purchases, and the charges made on such occasions seem Strang enough in these days when the articles had are con- sidered. " Hannah Adams, D'. To 8 Rows of Pins .... ..00 23-4" And on another occasion, " S 1-2 yds Dowlas a IS 2d 0881-2" And LANDLORD BOWEN'S DAY BOOK. 317 On Henry Bowen's Barrington tavern account book there may be found frequent charges for the use of his carts and horses. Among these is a most curious entry. From this it appears that Hezekiah Kinnicutt had occasion to attend the funeral of his brother's child, and like most of his neigh- bors on such occasions, he resorted to Bowen's conveyance. On August 1 8, 1777, Henry Bowen wrote upon his book this charge : " Hezekiah Kinnicutt, Dr. To my Slay over to the Funeral of yr Brother Shubael's child, and almost wore out the runners, . 6s." If this entry is of the same date as the funeral of Shu- bael's child, a " slay " would seem to be a peculiar convey- ance for midsummer, and there seems to be some reason in assuming it to be so, for he " almost wore out the runners." The wear on the horse does appear to have been considered. When an outfit was procured for the trip to the neigh- boring town the charge was three pence a mile, and the entries for such read as follows : " To my horse to ride to Seaconnet, 24 miles, at 3d. ,6s." " To my horse and cart to go to Josiah Kent of Rehoboth, lod." Careful accounts were kept of the expenses of the stable ; " shooting," horse " steeling two before," and other charges were carefully noted. It is doubtful if Squire Bowen meant exactly what he wrote when he made this entry : " Israel Barney of Swansey, Dr. To my scow one day taken from yr own mouth, o 2 6" for this scow was used for such purposes as " loading Crom- well Childs schooner," " freighting i Bbl of ginger bread & I of Biskit," and " loading marsh hay." The charges for entertainment at his tavern are here recorded. Break- fast was gd, while dinner at the tavern was is, 6j^d. Most of his guests had dinner at this latter named price. John Tripp and his wife put up at the inn on the loth of 318 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. May, 1776, and the "score" which undoubtedly he settled " without higgling," illustrates the customs of the times as well as conveys a perfect idea of the expense of putting up at one of the old Colonial Inns for a day or so : s. d. " To r Dinnner gd To Bread and cheese 6d . . ■ i 3 To 2 mugs cyder i i-2d To i gill W. Rum ^d . . 5 1-2 To Breakfast & dinner is 3d To one bowl Toddy gd . 2 To lodging you and wife 6 To I 1-2 bowl toddy is i 1-2 To 1-2 mug cyder 1 1-2 d 13 To lodge self & wife 6d To 1 gil Brandy 51-2 . 11 1-2 To breakfast 9 i-2d mug cyder I 1-2 .... 11 To 1-2 bowl toddy 4 1-2 Dinner 8d . . . .101-2 To 15 lbs Tobacco at 6d 76 To 1-4 bowl Toddy 4 i-2d To 1-2 mug cyder i 1-2 6 To supper 6" In the family record which good man Bowen caused to be spread upon the town books it is stated that his " fifth child was buried near his mother, who died October 30, 1778." On this old day book there is written, under this date : " William Kelley, Cr. By I coffin 12s" Every other word on the page on which this is written is in the familiar handwriting of Henry Bowen. This was written by another hand. It was a sad day for the taverner, for death had entered the inn, an unwelcome guest, and departing, had taken away its mistress. He remained a widower for seven months, and then, as the record says, "married his second wife, Elizabeth Harding, May 2, 1779," and Elizabeth took the place made vacant, to " welcome the coming and speed the parting guest." For nearly fifteen years Bowen conducted the tavern and store at Barrington, but in the latter part of the year 1783 he sold out a good part of his belongings at " Vandoo," gave up the inn and all the offices to which he had held so tena- ciously, and removed to Providence, where he embarked in business on a more elaborate scale. The Bowen tavern had as later landlords John W. Bick- STAGE COACHES. 319 nell and Enoch Remington, and was continued as a public house, with a store and a public bar. On the death of Mr. Kinnicutt in 1837, the post-office was removed to the tavern, and Mr. Remington, the proprietor, was the second post- master of the town, relinquishing the trust, on his removal to Providence, to George R. Kinnicutt, son of Josiah, the first who held the office. Another public house was kept by Josiah Kinnicutt, in a house that stood at the bend in the main road, north of the Bowen tavern. This tavern also had a bar for the accommo- dation of guests, but Mr. Kinnicutt's account book is not in evidence as to its customers. After the Revolution the sign on the tavern post bore the picture of an American Eagle, with outstretched wings. The southwest front room was the barroom and the post office. See biography of Josiah Kinnicutt. In 177s a license was given Solomon Townsend, Jr., to keep a public house at his residence at Happy Hollow. Of its history we have no record. As the stage lines were the principal feeders of the tav- erns, where passengers were fed, refreshed and lodged, they are naturally connected in our story. The history of the earliest modes of public travel in this part of New England is full of interest. As Newport, Provi- dence and Boston were the three largest towns in New England, a stage route was established early to connect them. Newport and Boston were nearly or quite two days apart by stage travel, with Providence as an intermediate station. A passenger leaving Newport or Boston, on Monday morning, reached his destination at the other city on Tuesday after- noon or evening, at an expense of three dollars for stage fare, plus the cost of meals and lodgings at intervening taverns at Dedham, Wrentham, Attleboro, Providence, Warren or Bris- tol. The stage coach, drawn by four or six horses according to the condition of the highways and the amount of travel, was capable of carrying twelve adult persons on the inside, and from six to twenty on the outside, as the circumstances 320 THE HISTORY OF BARKINGTON. of the case demanded. Besides carrying passengers, the stag coach was also the express and baggage carriage of the ear y day, and the mail-carrier, until the advent of the steam car. A letter delivered by post at Boston or Newport on the sec- ond day cost the writer or receiver twenty-fiye cents. Relays of horses were made at Bristol or Warren, Providence, Attle- boro, Wrentbam, and Dedham. For some years prior to 1792, the stage coach from Providence to Newport passed through Bristol, Warren, Barneysville, Seekonk, stopping at Monroe's tavern in that town, and crossing Seekonk River to Provi- dence at Fuller's Ferry, near the present Washington Bridge, at India Point. In the year 1792 Mr. John Kelly was allowed to use a warp or rope cable to aid the ferriage across the river, between Warren and Barrington, " on the post road from Newport to Boston." When the ferry was made capa- ble of stage ferriage, the stage crossed from Warren to New Meadow Neck, and by one road or the other, as the condi- tions required, proceeded by way of Monroe's tavern " over the ancient road," to Providence. This plan continued until the bridge was built over Barrington River, when the stage route was changed to pass through Barrington by way of Bowen's and Kinnicutt's taverns, and thence to Providence by the east road, until the west road was opened about the year 18 10. At first there was but one daily stage each way between Newport and Providence. As population, business, and travel increased, there were three daily coaches, Sundays excepted, between the capitals of Rhode Island, until the building of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad. These coaches passed through Barrington to Providence, about 6.30 and 8.30 a. m., and 2.30 p. m., and returning from Providence drew up at the Barrington tavern for a change of horses, refreshments, etc., at 10.30 A. M., 4.30 and 6.30 p. m. The mail was brought and carried on the 10:30 A. m. and 2.30 p. M. stages. Among the drivers of these coaches of a later day were George R. Kinnicutt, afterwards part owner of the stage line, and tavern keeper of Barrington; Joe. Hunt, Nat. Maxfield, Edward Trot, Sam. Burnham, and Nate. STAGE COACHES. 321 Warren. Hunt drove the mail coach during the last days of staging. He is now living in Attleboro, at a well pre- served old age. The fare from Newport to Providence in the later days of the stage coach was 75 cents. From Bristol, 50 cents. From Warren 37^^ cents, and from Harrington 25 cents. Regis- tration books were kept at Coles and the Commercial hotels in Warren, at Kinnicutts or Remingtons in Barrington, and at the National and Exchange hotels, Providence. The first post route through Barrington was established by the United States Government in the year 18 10. Josiah Kinnicutt was appointed the first postmaster of the town, the post office being located at his public house. Mr. Kin- nicutt held the office until his death in 1838, when Enoch Remington was appointed postmaster. George R. Kinni- cutt, son of Josiah, was his successor. The stage office was made the post office. On the death of Mr. Kinnicutt, Benson Bean received the appointment of postmaster, which he holds at the present time, May, 1898. The post office at Nayatt was established in 1855, after the building of the Providence, Warren, and Bristol Rail- road. The postmasters have been Noel Mathewson, Geo. K. Viall, William A. Winslow, William B. Viall, Mr. John- son, and Mrs. Annie C. Reynolds, who holds the office May, 1898. The post office at Barrington Centre was established about the year 1865. The postmasters have been Levi Staples, Charles H. Bassett, B. Sabin, N. H. Bradford, James Emer- son, H. L. Horton, Arthur G. Hopkins, B. Willard Viall, Stephen H. Martin, and Charles H. Martin, the present postmaster, May, 1898. The post office at Drownville was established in the ancient William Allin house (1668) about the year 1882. Liberty B. Greene was the first postmaster, and was suc- ceeded by Jonathan Allen, and since his death, his daughter, Mrs. Henrietta Grossman, has acted as postmistress. 21 CHAPTER XXIV BARRINGTON IN THE REVOLUTION Barrington Pati-iotism — A Farming Population — Residences of the People — The No-Tea-Party — Barrington Resolves — Support Pledged with " Our Lives and Fortunes" — Our "Bill of Rights," and " Declaration of Independence" — A Day of Fasting — Reso- lution of Sympathy vifith Boston — Train Bands and Militia Com- panies — A Good Preparation for War — Barrington Militia — Officers — The Army of Observation — Capt. Matthew Allin and the Barrington Quota — Services at Roxbury, Boston and Cambridge — Captain AUin's Reports from the Front — Home Dangers — Import- ance of Barrington as a Place of Observation and Defence — No Hostilities on Barrington Soil — The Women of the Town — Effective Men — Census by Henry Bo wen, 1777 — Minute and Alarm ■ Men — Alarm at Bristol — Military Orders — Letters — Colonial Legislation Relative to Barrington — Town Legislation — Roll of Honor — Record of Barrington Soldiers — Graves of Revolutionary Soldiers Designated with Markers by Sons of the American Revolu- tion. THERE is no chapter of Barrington history that reflects more credit on our town than that which records the principles and acts of our citizens, during the war for our national Independence. The honest, sturdy yeomen of the town were as full of the spirit of liberty and hatred of British oppression as were their brethren of Boston, Concord, and Lexington, and were ready to make sacrifices as great as more renowned patriots. In humble but effective ways they wrought for the cause of freedom, and all was done with no thought of reward save a good conscience and the satisfac- tion of self-respecting manhood. Life under the old condi- tions was oppressive and unmanly. The free air of New England was not congenial to tyrannical edicts and foreign BAEEINGTON FARMERS. 323 oppressors, and Barrington men and women were not slow to express their principles and purposes in opposition to both. The new order could not be worse than the old ; it must be better, they thought. The conflict was to test the experiment of a government " of the people, for the people, and by the people" in a new land, and they walked by faith, not by sight. Barrington had just asserted its territorial rights as a separate town, receiving its second incorporation in 1770. Once before, for ecclesiastical and religious reasons, had our people declared for and secured their independence, when in 1717, they were set off from Swansea and became Barring- ton. Now for social and civil reasons they are taken from Warren and made a township of the original name, but less area. They had been accustomed to recognize, maintain, and secure their rights, and in the greater struggle for Colonial independence they were true to the spirit and traditions of the old town and alive to the significance of the events lead- ing up to the Revolution. Let us keep in mind that the people of Barrington were farmers, having large families, with the duties of cultivating the land, caring for stock, raising and marketing crops of corn, rye, and oats, potatoes, onions, and other agricul- tural produce, raising their own beef and pork, and buying, as their scanty means allowed the necessary groceries for household needs. They were a home-keeping people, acquainted with each other's conditions and wants, and intro- duced to the outer world by the scanty and long delayed reports of the weekly paper. The housewives and chil- dren were literally housekeepers, and they were acquainted with little beyond the round of daily home duties and the circle of their social relations. It was a simple, plain, practical life they led, free from excitement and enlivened only by the tongue of neighborhood gossip. The meeting house was the centre of their religious, social, and political life. Here they met for weekly preaching services and for social hours. Here they were baptized as children, pro- 324 THE HISTORY OF BAKEINGTON. pounded for Church admission, and the men here met to pray, and on town meeting days to debate, to quarrel and to vote. Thus the years came and went in Barrington, in 1770. In 1774 the Colonial Census shows Barrington had 601 inhabitants, Warren, 979, Bristol, 1,209, Providence, 4,320, and Newport the metropolis of Rhode Island 9,209. The total population of the Colony was 59,678. The town had its own meeting-house near the spot where the present Con- gregational meeting-house now stands. The Bowen tavern was just north of it on the west side of the road. There were two ship^yards on the east side of Barrington River near the present bridge, and one at Martin's Ferry. Duncan Kelley kept a toll ferry where the bridge now connects Bar- rington with Warren, and Nathaniel Martin ran a ferry- boat to and from Warren near the end of Ferry Lane. The Browns and Watsons lived at Nayatt ; the Smiths at Rum- stick ; the Martins and Bosworths at the ferry ; the Kelleys, the Bowens, the Tylers, and the Careys at the South End of New Meadow Neck ; the Drowns, the Shorts, the Martins, the Grants to the north, on the same Neck. The Bicknells cultivated the lands on the west side of Barrington River near the church. Solomon Townsend, the Town Clerk, son of Rev. Solomon Townsend, the venerable pastor of the Congregational Church, lived within a stone's throw of the Town Hall, in Happy Hollow, near the River. The Adams's, the Beans, Kinnicutts and Browns and Sylvester Allen had homes near what is now the Barrington Post Office. The Pecks, — Solomon, Nathaniel, Ebenezer, Joel and Amos, and the Heaths dwelt on the River in the north part of the Town. The Humphreys occupied the Centre and west of the town near the Allins with the Vialls and Medburys on the north at Wannamoissett, now East Provi- dence. All were honest, hard working. God-fearing farmers, of small means ; all sober, intelligent people, none making their mark on the pay-rolls of the militia ; all making their mark for patriotic service. With families accustomed to the work of the farm and educated in the school of industry TEA EESOLTTTIONS. 325 and economy, of such stock, in such circumstances and with no motive but patriotism, our ancestors of Harrington came upon times which tried men's bodies and souls, and they were not found wanting in the crucial test of heroic manhood. The citizens of Barrington were familiar with the events leading up to the overt acts of the Revolution. The Boston Massacre of 1770, the capture and burning of the Gaspee in 1772, within sight and full knowledge of our townspeople, the tea party in Boston Harbor in 1773 and the Boston Port Bill of 1774 had aroused our " Country folk to be up and to arms." Our grand-dams as well as our grand-sires loved tea as devotedly as do their " Daughters of the American Revo- lution," but between tea and abject dependence on the Mother Country, and independence without tea, they were quick to decide in favor of the latter. " No tea in ours," was the order of the Barrington Town Meeting, assembled March 21, 1774, James Brown, Esq., Moderator. Seven resolutions with a preamble of declaration of facts constitute the indictment against England for the introduction of a spoonful of tea into the town. At a meeting of the town held on the 14th of March, I774» Janies Brown the 4th was the first on the committee to draw up resolves to be laid before the meeting respect- ing the infringements made upon Americans by certain " ministerial decrees." These resolves were laid before a town meeting held March 21, 1774, and received by the town as follows : RESOLUTIONS. "The inhabitants of this Town being justly Alarmed at the several acts of Parliment made and passed for the East India Company exporting their tea into America, subject to a duty payable here, on purpose to make a revenue in America, with many more unconstitutional acts, which are taken into consideration by a number of our sister towns in the colony, therefore we think it needless to inlarge upon them but being sensible of the dangerous condition the Col- 326 THE HISTORY OF BAKRINGTOiT. onies are in, occasioned by the Influence of wicked and designing men, we enter into the following Resolves : First: That we the inhabitants of the Town ever have been and now are Loyal and dutiful subjects of the king of Great Britain. Second: That we highly approve of the resolutions of our sister Colonies and the noble stand they have made in the defense of the liberties and privil edges of the Colonies and we thank the worthy author of " The rights of the Col- onies examined." Third: That the act for the East India Company to export their Tea to America payable here and the sending of said Tea by the Company is with an Intent to force the Revenues Acts and Designs for a Precedent for Establish- ing Taxes, Duties, and monopolies in America, that they might take our property from us and dispose of it as they please and reduce us to a state of abject slavery. Fourth: That we will not buy or sell or receive as a gift, any dutied Tea, nor have any dealings with any person or persons that shall buy or sell or give or receive or trade in said Tea, directly or indirectly, knowing it or suspecting it to be such, but will consider all persons concerned in introducing dutied Tea into this Town or any Town in America as enemies to this country and unworthy the society of free men. Fifth : That it is the duty of every man in America to oppose by all proper measures to the uttermost of his Power and Abilities every attempt upon the liberties of his Country and especially those mentioned in the foregoing Resolves, and to exert himself to the uttermost of his power to obtain a redress of the grievances the Colonies now groan under. We do therefore solemnly resolve that we will heartily unite with the Town of Newport and all the other Towns of this and other Colonies, and exert bur whole force in the support of the just rights and priviledges of the American Colonies. Sixth: That James Brown, Josiah Humphrey, Edward Bosworth, Samuel Allen, Nathaniel Martin, Moses Tyler, PLEDGE OP LIVES AND FOBTUNBS. 327 and Thomas AUin, Esq., or a major part of them be a com- mittee for this town to correspond with all the other Com- mittees appointed by any Town in this or the neighboring governments, and the Committee is desired to give their attention to every thing that concerns the liberties of America and if any of that obnoxious Tea should be brought into this Town or any attempt made on the liberties of the inhabitants thereof, the Committee is directed and empow- ered to call a town meeting forthwith that such measures may be taken as the public safety may require. Seventh : That we do heartily unite in and resolve to support the foregoing resolves with our lives and fortunes. Voted, That the above resolves be published in the Provi- dence Gazette. Witness : Solomon Townsend, Town Clerk" Thus the people of Barrington felt and acted thirteen months before the first gun was fired at Concord Bridge and on Lexington Common, offering property and life, if needed, for the defence of the rights not only of Barrington but of the American people. Other towns of this Colony may have felt as strongly as did Barrington, but from the records none made so unequivocal and heroic an utterance as, " We will SUPPORT THESE DECLARATIONS HEARTILY WITH OUR LIVES AND FORTUNES." "Burn Boston, and make John Hancock a beggar, if neces- sary to accomplish this object," were the stirring words of that great patriot, but the words and votes of Barrington farmers were more weighty than those of the Boston states- man. He threw property into the flames, they, life and property for the success of their cause. These resolves were " The Bill of Rights " and "The Declaration of Independ- ence " in one brief document, twenty-eight months in advance of the immortal edict at Philadelphia of July 4, 1776, and were given to the world through the columns of the 328 THE HISTORY OF BARBINGTON. only newspaper in this part of the state, The Providence Gazette. Two of the Committee of Safety, Mr. Nathaniel Martin and Mr. Thomas Allin, had been and were members of the General Assembly and were helping to shape such legisla- tion as should enable all the towns of the Colony to act with the same promptness and energy as Barrington, in defence of their rights. Under date of June 4, 1775, it was voted " that, The late Resolutions of the Town of Newport be adopted in the Town Relative to Non-Consumption of British Manufactures and Dutied Teas." On the 30th of June, the people of Barrington, in common with those of the sister towns, met on the day "set apart for public fasting, prayer and supplication, to beseech Almighty God to grant us sincere repentance, to avert every threat- ened judgment from us, and restore us to the full enjoyment of our rights and privileges, and particularly that He would appear for the relief and recovery of the town of Boston from their distressed situation." Rev. Mr. Townsend, with char- acteristic calmness, moderation and firmness, preached upon the manifold sins of the people and the manifest injustice of the King and Court of England. Had Lord North sat in the old Barrington meeting-house on that June day, he would have heard some unwelcome truths, but much salutary advice. The sympathy of the town with the distress of Boston is illustrated in the following instructions to Messrs. Nathaniel Martin and Thomas Allin, the deputies of the town in the General Assembly, adopted at a town meeting, held August 5, 1774. "Whereas, The Deputies Represent to the Town that there is in the General Treasury a Considerable Sum of money which is not at this time especially needed for the Use of the Colony, and as it appears to the Town that the Inhabitants of Boston are much distressed by the late Port Bill which has Stagnated their Trade and Business So that COLONIAL MILITIA. 329 the Interposition of their Neighbours is become Necessary — In Consideration whereof it is Voted that the Representa- tives of this Town at the Next Session of the Assembly in this Colony Do to the utmost of their Power endeavour that Part of said money in said General Treasury be appropriated to and for the use of the said Town in Such manner as said Assembly Shall think fit." In Colonial days all able-bodied male persons between the ages of sixteen and sixty years were eligible and subject to militia service in Train Bands or Companies in the several towns. Military service as the part and duty of the citizens was recognized not only as a legacy of English descent, but as a necessity in the conditions of life in the wilderness, with Indians in their midst, and the hostile French on the north- ern border. The musket was as essential to housekeeping as was the plough in husbandry. From the days of Captain Miles Standish to the Revolution, the military company was an important element in the police protection of every town. An early Colonial law compelled " every listed person" to be provided " with a good and sufficient musket of fuse, and sword or bagganett, cotouch box or bandelears, with twelve bullets fit for his piece, half a pound of powder, six good flints upon the training days," "alarm days," or other calls of the officers of the Bands or Companies. This kind of military service had accustomed the people to the simple manual of arms of those days, and made them quasi-soldiers even in times of peace, for they knew not when their King might call them into service. This preparation stood the Colonists in good stead in the stirring days of 1775. The militiamen of New England had cleaned up their old mus- kets, had provided themselves with ammunition, and had, in every place, done regular military duty, monthly, to be ready at a moment's warning for an alarm. When the British moved on Lexington and Concord on the morning of the 19th of April, 177s, the stone walls and fences along the route from Boston to Concord were alive with farmer sol- diers, who had seized their guns from the slings over the 330 THE HISTORY OF BARRLNGTON. doors, and hastened to the possible fray, while the compan- ies of men from Concord and Acton and other towns, who stopped the British march at the historical bridge, were mus- tered-in the night before from the plough and farm duties, and by a night's march found themselves confronting the trained soldiers of the Crown at Concord Bridge, where, as says Emerson, " Once the embattled farmers stood, And fired the shot heard 'round the world." Every able-bodied man in the Colony, says Arnold, was required to equip for service. The militia of every town was organized and Simeon Potter of Bristol was made Major- General of the whole body. Firearms were manufactured in Rhode Island, and the companies were supplied with home made muskets. April 3, 1775, a general muster was held in every town in the State. In the County of Provi- dence, two thousand men, besides a troop of horse, were under arms. Bristol County was on duty under the com- mand of Colonel Nathaniel Martin of Barrington, and Major Benjamin Bosworth of Bristol. Our Barrington Company was in the field, with full ranks, under Captain Lieutenant Matthew Allin. Enthusiasm for war ran high and was uni- versal. The storm was in the air. " There was the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees." All ears heard the on-coming without fear, all hearts felt the stir of the coming blast in the ominous portents that preceded it, without tremor. Barrington had at this date, 177S1 eighty- three effective men for service. Add to these six slaves and several men over sixty who entered the service and we have about one hundred men capable of doing military duty. We may and should always include in the possible Bar- rington militia, a number of men of Rehoboth (now East Providence), who enlisted in the Barrington Company and performed military service in Rhode Island regiments. In addition to the usual equipments of the town militia, the town had, in February, ordered Mr. Thomas Allin to wait WAE PREPARATIONS. 331 on General Potter of Bristol for an order for the fire-arms belonging to the town that were stored at Newport. In June, 1775, the General Assembly appointed the fol- lowing persons as ofiScers of the Harrington Company of Militia; Thomas AUin, Captain; Samuel Bos worth, Lieu- tenant ; Viall Allen, Ensign. The first opportunity and call of our militia to active service came from Boston. The news of the Lexington and Concord fight on the 19th of April reached Rhode Island the same night. The expected contest had actually begun; "the gale that came from the North brought the clash of resounding arms." The militia law had been revised so as to provide in what man- ner the forces in this Colony should march to the assistance of any of the sister colonies when invaded or attacked. In accordance with the new orders, the next day, April 20th, a thousand men were on their march to Boston and Lexington, to aid the sister-mother colony of Massachusetts. Barrington sent a delegation of her militia to her rescue. On the 22d of April, the Geneijal Assembly in session at Providence ordered an apportionment of powder, lead, and flints to the several towns. Mr. Thomas Allen receipted for 26 lbs. of powder, 42 lbs. of lead and 168 flints for the Barrington Militia. An Army of Observation of 1,500 men was voted to be raised at once. The Bristol County field officers were Mr. Nathaniel Martin of Barrington, Colonel ; Mr. Benjamin Bosworth, Bristol, Major. A Committee of Safety was chosen, of which William Bradford, of Bristol, was a member. " The Army of Observation" had Nathaniel Greene, Jun., Esq., as its Brigadier-General, and the Bar- rington Company of the regiment of Newport and Bristol Counties, was officered by Matthew Allin, as Captain- Lieutenant, James Smith as Lieutenant and James Brown, Jr., as Ensign, all of Barrington. — the regiment being in com- mand of Col. Thomas Church of Bristol. Before the first of June, " The Army of Observation," one thousand strong, enlisted "in his Majesty's service," was in camp at Boston, under the command of General Nathaniel Greene. It is a 332 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. matter of great regret that the rolls of the rank and file of " The Army of Observation " and the regiment that fol- lowed it to Boston and afterwards to New York have not been preserved. Hence we cannot tell how many Harrington men responded to the call. From various sources we are certain that Captain Matthew Allin, Viall Allen, William Andrews, Thomas Bean, Consider Tripp, Nathaniel Humphrey, Samuel Bosworth, Samuel Martin and James Bushee were in the ranks. Peleg Heath was an Ensign in the second Com- pany, and was probably at the front of the Rhode Island Camp in Roxbury and at Prospect Hill in Cambridge. Captain Matthew Allin's letters written to his wife and brother Thomas Allin breathe the spirit of a brave man and a true patriot. Under date of June 13th, he writes from Gov- ernor Barnard's Seat, Roxbury, "We expect a battle very soon, and I long for the time to come." The "longed-for" event came on the 17th of June, four days later, at Bunker Hill. The Barrington boys saw heavy skirmishing, but were not in the thickest of the fight in Charlestown, being ordered to Roxbury and Dorchester to hold the enemy in check in that direction. At Barrington, two days after the battle of Bunker Hill, Henry Bowen, tavern-keeper near the Congre- gational Church, makes the following entry in his account book : The Town of Barrington, Dr. To 2 bowls toddy, made in large Defiance bowl, cald for by Colonel Nathaniel Martin in behalf of the town as was voted at 2s. 3d. per bowl, .4s. 6d. Evidently a reasonable junket after so memorable an event in which no Barrington boys lost their lives. To keep their spirits up it was the fashion to pour the spirits down in an orthodox way. Captain Allin writes June 20th, " we have got a fort built at Roxbury and we are building several breast-works in order to stop them from coming into the country. We must put our trust in God ; it may be that He is ordering it for the best, for He is a wise being. It may profit our souls if CAPTAIN ALLIN AND BAREINGTON MILITIA. 333 it don't our bodies." The postscript adds, " I have heard a great many guns fired while I am writing this letter, which I suppose to be Putnam paying a salute to the Reglars." July 23d, he says, " we are going to move next Tuesday over to Cambridge on Prospect Hill, within two hundred yards of the Reglars. But that is not the worst of it, for its very lively there. But go we must, for General Washington says there is no soldiers here but the Rhode Island forces." On August 2d, at Prospect Hill, Captain AUin says, "we have had several small battles with the Reglars, and they killed two of our men and we about thirty of theirs, and took about thirty more and burnt two schooners belonging to the Reg- lars." August i6th, Prospect Hill, Captain Allin is writing to his brother about army discipline, telling of new skir- mishes in which " some shots came very near, but hurt nobody," advises his brother, then captain of a new com- pany at home, to " come down to Boston for here is some- thing worth coming to see." His last inquiry is, " How is my orchard like to yield, for I shall want some syder to drink when I get home." While our first Rhode Island regiment was receiving its baptism of fire and blood at Bunker Hill, the Barrington militia was reorganized in June, 1775, with Thomas Allin as Captain, Samuel Bosworth as Lieutenant, and Viall Allen as Ensign. Mr. Luther Martin was appointed as an enlist- ing officer for Barrington. The greater part of the militia was enlisted as minute men, to meet together and exercise themselves in military discipline half-a-day, once a fortnight. Barrington soldiers were now in training under Capt. Allin, and Lieut. Viall Allen, the Ensign, in Timothy Pickering's " Easy Plan of Discipline for Militia," bought by Captain Allin on his first visit to his brother Matthew, in camp at Watertown. At the August session of the General As- sembly, Viall Allen is promoted to the Lieutenancy of the Barrington Company of militia, and Daniel Kinnicutt to the rank of Ensign. It was voted in town meeting August 27, 1775, "that 334 THE HISTOET OF BARKINGTON. Lieut. Viall Allen Draw a sufficient Quantity of powder out of the Town Treasrs' Hands to make cartridges for the In- habitants of Barrington." "Voted, "That each inhabitant of the Town may draw twelve cartridges out of the Town stock and keep the same safely untill there is a necessary occasion for using the same against our Common enemy, under the penalty of one shill- ing for each cartridge wasted or missing, when demanded by Military Authority, the same to be paid by the delinquent to the Town Treasr ; to purchase more powder to deposit in the Town Treasrs Hands for the use of the Town, each person giving his receipt for the cartridges drawn as aforesd in due equality Drawing as aforesd find their own ball and cary the same to sd Lieutenant Allen that the cartridges may be well fitted to the firelock and that the Treasr Deliver the same powder when Demanded by Lieutenant Allen." The War for our Independence had actually begun in stern- est fashion, though hostilities had not yet been declared. The autumn of 1775 was an active season for Rhode Island men to prepare for the general defence. While our raw mil- itia was at Boston defending that town, a greater danger threatened nearer home. We had in Rhode Island 130 miles of unprotected coast line, with two navigable rivers. Not only was the navigation of our Bay impeded by British ships of war, but the towns were exposed to attack, pillage, and burning ; cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, grain and fruit were constantly liable to seizure, and the homes of the people were threatened with destruction. Newport, Bristol, Warren, Bar- rington .and Providence were under threats of bombardment frequently, unless the demands of the commanders for food and other supplies were furnished. As an illustration of the dangers to which our towns were exposed. Captain Wallace, with fifteen sail, anchored in line in Bristol Harbor, October, 1775, sending his barge to the shore. Wallace demanded that four of the magistrates should come off to the fleet, which was refused. A cannonade was at once made on the town. The night was dark and stormy, and a severe epi- BKITISH DEPKBDATIONS ON THE BAY. 335 demic was raging in Bristol. More than sixty persons were carried out on sicls beds, and sought refuge in flight in War- ren and Barrington. More than one hundred and twenty cannon shot were discharged upon the defenceless town, and much damage was done to public and private buildings. Wallace demanded one hundred sheep and fifty head of cattle, but finally reduced his demand to forty sheep, which the town furnished, and he sailed away with his fleet the next day. Not only was there a large fleet of British ships in the Bay, menacing our peace, and threatening the destruction of our property, but a large force of British soldiers took pos- session of Newport, and carried on their work of destruction from that convenient centre of operation. Engagements in our bay, and land expeditions foraging on the people, were matters of common occurrence. In December, 1775, a Brit- ish force landed on Conanicut, burned twelve houses besides the barns, plundered the inhabitants, and carried off a quan- tity of live stock. All the houses on the islands of Prudence and Patience, save one, were burned by the British troops. Barrington was equally exposed and our people were on guard by day and by night, to protect their homes and prop- erty. Two guard houses were established in the town, one at Nayatt, at the house of James Brown, and the other at Rumstick, at the house of Nathaniel Smith. The militia of the town was constantly on duty at these points from the commencement of the war until the departure of the British from Newport in 1779, during a period of four years. This guard duty was essential, not only for the protection of our exposed coast line, but also to aid in keeping the enemy out of Providence. Forts had been built at Fox Point, Field's Point, and Sassafras Points, but if the enemy could effect a landing at Barrington, they could march to Providence and attack this important source of supplies from the land side. The only hindrance to such action was an incessant patrol along our south shore, from Nayatt to Rumstick. so that if a landing were once effected, warning could be carried to Providence in short order. 336 THE HISTOEY OF BAKEINGTOK. The efficiency and bravery of our coast guard are well es- tablished by the facts that no landing was made on our shores, although British ships were at anchor in the bay, south of the town, for four years, and that not a dollar's worth of private property of the towns' people was destroyed by any hostile incursions of the enemy. While all the towns and islands south of us were attacked or pillaged by the soldiers it is a matter of most honorable record to the alert- ness of our home-guard that no harm came to Barrington property or people. It can be readily seen that Rhode Island was threatened by two hostile camps — The British troops, sometimes num- bering 7,000 men, and a British fleet of large dimensions with headquarters at Newport ; — a constant menace and always on the alert, to destroy, property and keep our people under arms. When General Washington wanted troops from Rhode Island, Governor Cooke replied that we needed more than we could raise for our own defence. When fully made aware of our perils the great General wrote, " that the peculiar cir- cumstances of Rhode Island, under an invasion, furnish many apologies for the retention at home of the troops so much needed for the Continental service." From these facts it will readily be seen that Barrington militia were no holiday soldiers. From April, 1775, to Octo- ber, 1783, there was not a day that our people, men and women were not in service in one form or another. The women made clothing, of all sorts, and blankets for the sold- iers. In one instance, in a neighboring town, it is related that the wool which was on the sheep's back in the morning was a finished garment on the back of a Revolutionary soldier before bed-time. We may conclude, however, that early ris- ing and late retiring marked that day's housekeeping. The women also, in the absence of the men, worked the farms, took care of the stock, and attended to the marketing of pro- duce. Abigail Salisbury, widow of George Salisbury, who applied for and secured a pension after the war, when one hundred years old, took an active part in the Revolution and ELIZABETH W. BICKNELL. PATRIOTIC WOMEN. 337 knit stockings for the whole guard at Rumstick. Anna Al- drich of Smithfield, widow of Israel, while her husband was in service, carried her baby with her to the field, cradled it in the boughs of a tree while she hoed corn and potatoes, raked hay, pulled flax, etc. She milked the cows, made butter and cheese, mended the fences on the farm, raised three or four hundred weight of pork, fattened a beef creature, and did all the work her husband would have done. The wife of the Hon. Paul Mumford of Barrington, who lived under the great elms, at the corner where the main road turns to Warren, did substantially the same work, and cared for her husband's large dairy, during his absence on matters of state. Such were the noble mothers of the Revolution, and worthier women never drew breath than these great souls, who not only stood the brunt of the home struggle, but they made it possible for their husbands and sons to go to battle, and cheered their return to duty with the Roman mother's com- mand : "Bring back your shield or be brought back upon it." From the first enlistments in Barrington militia in 1775, to the close of the war in 1783, our town enlisted into Colo- nial and Continental service more than one hundred and eighty men, many of whom rendered well authenticated active service from fifteen months to three years and up- wards. It is a great pity that our records are so incomplete as to the full amount of work done by our soldiers, and that we cannot make the Roll of Honor complete. It is on the other hand a great satisfaction to find so large a body of men from our little town, so patriotic that every call for men was met with a full quota, with only the usual bounties paid by the town or state. In addition to the companies of infantry that were at various times recruited, we had an artillery company of two guns which was called into action at Bristol, Warren, and presumably on the Island of Rhode Island in the battle of 1777, of which Samuel Bosworth was captain and Nathaniel Heath was lieutenant. The writer copied the following list of male persons in Barrington in 1777, from records at the State House while 22 338 THE HISTOEr OF BAKEINGTON. Hon. John R. Bartlett was Secretary of State. Mr, Bowen, the tavern keeper, made the census. Henry Names of all Male Persons i6 Years and Upwards in the Town OF Harrington, i777' Names. i6-so able 16-so SO-6o 50-60 60 and Negroes, to bear arms, unable, able, unable, upwards. Nat. Martin . . X.uther Martin . Anthony Martin Joseph Gladding Samuel Bosworth Nath. Smith . Paul Mumford Newdigate Adams Samuel Adams Joshua Kent . Edward Bosworth Hez. Kinnicutt Daniel Kinnicutt Geo. Salisbury Hez. Tiffany . Joshua Bicknell Joshua Bicknell, Jr, Josiah Viall Wm. Andrews Samuel Allen Philip Traffern .... i 15 mos. service. Henry Bowen Wm. Brown . James Brown, Jr Viall Allen . Nath. Heath . Peleg Heath . Solomon Peck Consider Tripp Enoch Remington Amos Peck Samuel Peck . . David Peck . . Edward Adams . Joseph Adams Matthew Watson, Ji Matthew Watson Tohn Watson . MALES, SrSTEBN TO SIXTY. 339 Names. Nath Clark . . Ebenezer Tiffany Elkanah Humphrey Josiah Humphrey Josiah Humphrey, Jr Sam'l Sabin . Thos. Barnes Wm. Buffington Benj. Martin . John Martin . Sam'l Short . John Short, Jr. John Short John Carey J. J. Drown Dan'l Drown . Benj. Drown, Jr, Benj. Drown . Spicer Hews . John Kent . . Sam'l Kent Moses Tyler . Duncan Kelley John Kelley . Josiah Bowen James Bowen Benj. Hathaway Rufus Martin Edward Martin James Martin Benj. Horton Moses Horton, J Moses Horton Abiel Grant . Ebenezer Grant Thomas Grant Shubael Grant Joseph Grant . Benj. Allen . Joseph Allen . Will Harding Richard Harding Comfort Stanly Matt. AUin . 16-50 able 16-50 50.60 50-60 60 and Negroes, to bear arms, unable, able, unable, upwards. Continental service. 340 THE HISTORY OF BAEKIKGTON. Names. Thos. AUin . Sjlvester Viall Sam'l Viall . Joseph Viall > Joseph Viall, Jr. Jas. Humphrey Sam'l Humphrey John Barnes . Sam'l Barnes Peleg Barnes '. Levi Barnes . Gideon Reed . Eleazer Reed . David Reed . Benj. Gardner Dexter Mumford Benj. Mumford, Jr Benj. Mumford . Scipio Freeman, a Neg: David Luther Daniel Bears . James Bushee Benj. Grant . Simeon Drown Caleb Drown . Simon Smith 16.50 able 16-50 So-60 S0-60 60 and Negroes, to bear arms, unable, able, unable, upwards. In ye service. In ye service. Total 88 As British troops or vessels were stationed at Newport and in the Bay for a long period, the militia of Barrington, which remained at home, was subject to sudden calls as minute or alarm men, to aid in case of attacks, as when the British attacked Warren and Bristol. The following orders and reports indicate the nature of the service and the con- dition of alertness of the people : ALAEM OEDEES. 341 Barrington, April ye i, A. D. 1776. The Following is a List of the Persons who Appeared on the Alarm at Bristol this day. Thomas AUin, Capt., Viall Allen, Left., Daniel Kinnicutt, Ens., Nathaniel Smith, Ser., George Salsbury, Ser., Benjamin Drown, Jr. [Cor'l., Nudigate Adams, Cor'l., Josiah Humphrey, Jr., [Cor'l., Thomas Grant, Cor'l., Samuel Short, Drum., Joseph V.Allen, Fifer, Ebenezer Tiffany, Joshua Kent, William Kelley, John Short, Jr., Amos Peck, Nathaniel Clark, Samuel Barnes, Samuel Adams, Josiah Bowen, David Luther, John Watson, Joshua Bicknell, Jr., William Harden, Samuel Conant, Daniel Drown, John Sheldon, Jonathan Bosworth, Jr. James Goff, Abiel Grant, Benjamin Martin, Joseph Bullock, Samuel Martin, Moses Horton, William Andrews, Benjamin Horton, Edward Martin, Ebenezer Grant, Simeon Titus, Artillery Comp. ; Samuel Bosworth, Capt. Privets. William Jones / Joseph Adams, , Nathaniel Peck, Samuel Viall, Sylvester Viall. Solomon Peck, Jr., Clerk. Nathan'l Smith & Jon'n Bosworth Jr. Did Duty in the Militia and are Reconed with them. Per T. AUin. Barrington, June ye 19th, 1776. [Seal.] Bristol, Sc. To Capt. Thomas Allin, Esq., Captain of the 3rd Com- pany of the Regiment under my Command in the County of Bristol. Greeting. Sir : By virtue of a Letter from his Honor the Governor, in which I am Desired, that you warn your Company to hold themselves in readiness to March at the earliest notice of the approach of the Enemy, as by a hand- bill sent by order of Congress to the Hon'l. Convention at New York ; That General Howes orders are to attack that place in ten days from the 14th of June, and as part or all of that force may attack Newport on their way thither. Given under my hand and seal the day and date above written. Nath'l Martin, Colonel. 342 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. Bristol, December ii, A. D. 1776. To Capt. Thomas Allin : These are to impower you to Proceed into the towns of Warren, Swanzey, and Rehoboth, and to purchase as many Blankets as you Can agree for and if you cannot Purchase any you must take to the amount of one Hundred, not taking more than one or two from any one family. Make strict search as they must be had, for the army are now suffering for the same and give your receipt for the number taken to the owner of the same. And for your so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Pr. Me, William Bradford, Deputy Governor of the State of Rhode Island. Providence, March 12, 1777. Sir : You are hereby ordered to march with the Company under your Command to Tiverton and joyne the Regiment as soon as possable as the Nature of the Cause admits of No delay. To Capt. Thomas Allin. I am, sir, yours, Benjamin Tallman, Colo. Bristol, March iSth, 1777. Due to Capt. Bosworths Party of men at Barrington and Capt. AUins Company at the same place, for allowance not drawn, Viz. : 70 lbs. of beef, twenty-six & }( pounds of but- ter, five pounds eight ounces of soap and two hundred and ten pints of beans for thirty five men, two weeks weekly al- lowance. From Stephen Smith Commissary. Stephen Whiting. £ S. D, 26^ lbs. butter . . 17 6 210 pints beans . . . 17 6 51 lbs. 8 oz. soap . . 2 70 lbs. beef . . . 17 6 ;^2 14 6 ALABM OKDBKS. 343 Warren, Thursday, June 5, 1777. Capt, Sam'll Bosworth : you will take eight of your men exclusive of your self, a list of whose names you have here under-written and keep a guard at Rumstick for fifteen days when I will order a relief; you will enter on duty tomorrow at ten o'clock. Nathan Miller, Colonel. Sam'll Bosworth Capt., Nathaniel Smith, Nathaniel Peck, Matthew AUin, James Brown, Samuel Viall, Hezekiah Kinnicutt, Joshua Kent, Comfort Stanley, Warren, Sept. 22, 1777. Capt. Samuel Bosworth : Sir, I have issued my orders for the Militia and Alarm men in my Regiment to hold themself in readiness at the firing the two field pieces in the town of Warren to march and parade in the road near the house of Ebenezer Cole there to receive futher Orders ; equipt in the best manner with theire fire arms and accoutrements, with two days pro- visions ready cooked. I desire you likewise to order the men under your command to hold themselves in like readi- ness. I am &c., Nathan Miller, Col. Militia. Warren, October ye 12, 1777. Sunday Morning. Capt. Sam'll Bosworth, Sir, you must call all the men of your Company and march them to Bristol there to join the Regiment immediately. I am, Nathan Miller, Col. Militia. 344 THE HISTORY OP BAEKINGTON. Providence, July 17, 1780. Rec'd of Capt. Thomas Allin by the hand of Samuel Allen, Esq., four Blankets in part of the proportion of Blankets for the town of Barrington, for the Troop raised in this state for six months' service. In behalf of John Reynolds, Esq., A. C. Benj. West. These are to Require you In the Name of the Govern- ment & Company of the State of Rhode Island &c. to Warn or Notify all the Gentlemen Soldiers Belonging to the Senior Class to appear at the House of Mr. Henry Bowen In Bar- rington on the third day of this Instant Month at two o'clock p. M. and for you So Doing this Shall be your Sufic- cent Warrent, Given Under my hand and Seal at Barrington This Second Day of March A. 1781. Thomas Allin, Left Senior Class. To Sergt. Joseph Viall : N. B. Give my Complyments to them and tell them it is Needless to Bring their Arms as they will have no Need of them at Present. Thomas Allin. Mr. Josiah Viall, Moses Tyler, Esqr, Mr. Samuel Kent, Mr. James Martin, First Fbur for one Month March 1781, Mr. Joseph Moran, Mr. Luther Martin, Mr. Samuel Bosworth, Mr. Hezekiah Child, Paul Mumford, Esqr., Samuel Allen, Second Four one Month June A. D. 178 1, Solomon Townsend, Esqr., Mr. Henry Bowen, Mr. William Brown, Mr. Nathaniel Heth, X c c z ALARM OEDEKS. 345 Mr. Consider Tripp, Elknah Humplirey, Esqr., First Four for one Month March, Matthew Watson, Esqr., First Four for one Month March. Mr. James Brown, Mr. Matthew Allin, Mr. Richard Harding. 8 O'clock Tuesday Evening, Warren, Sept. 17, 1782. To Capt. Thomas Allin, Barrington, Sir: — I have it in Orders from his Honnour the Dep- uty Governor Bowen to have the whole of my Brigade ready to march at the shortest notice as the Enemy are Expected to make a landing within the State. You will therefore as the Commanding officer of the Senior Class now present warn the men of that class accordingly. Nathan Miller, B. Gen. Tuesday, 12 O'clock at night, Sept. 17, 1782. To Capt. Thomas Allin, Sir: — Since writing the above I have received by Ex- press from Governor Bowen a Letter, urging the necessity of being ready ; that the Enemy were at Huntington on Sunday Night with a large fleet, and that two large ships had come round Montauk Point and gone up the Sound to meet them ; that from intelegence from Long Island, Rhode Island was their first Object; therefore hope no exertions will be wanting on your part. I am your Humble Servt., Nathan Miller, B. Gen. Arms and blankets of Barrington soldiers destroyed by the enemy at Bristol, 25th May, 1778, Capt. Allin's Co., Col. Crary's Regt. : 2 guns, 3 bayonets, i drum, 26 blank- ets, 6 coats, S jackets, 6 breeches, 7 hats, 12 shirts, 12 hose, II prs shoes, i knapsack, 6 canteens, one axe, 5 pails, 5 bowls, I pot, one shovel, and one orderly book. 346 THE HISTORY OF BAKRINGTON. An old orderly book of Colonel William Richmond's Regi- ment gives interesting facts as to Harrington in the Revolu- tion. The first sixty-four pages are gone. The first record is dated June lo, 1776, at headquarters ; it does not say where. On August i, 1776, headquarters are at Newport. On October isth, at New London, on October 2Sth, at New Haven. The last record of Colonel Richmond's Regiment is at New Haven, October 28, 1776. The records consist of orders for drills, reviews, guard duty, etc. The records of courts martial are given also. On July 20th, a salute was fired in honor of American Independence, having just received the news. A report was circulated through the Regiment that Adjutant Hill had stolen a " Sute of Green Cloathes" from a Mr. Dudley. The Adjutant, however, was innocent and suffered damage to his reputation by this report. Information is also given about the building of fortifications on the Island of Rhode Island, viz.: — at " Bristol feary, HowJand's feary. Fort Liberty and Brinton's Neck." The book now appears to be the record of Colonel Nathaniel Martin's Regiment, which is by far the most inter- esting to us. The first record is dated at Barrington head- quarters, December 3, 1776. (Whether Colonel Martin succeeded Colonel Richmond, does not appear.) The fol- lowing entries relate to military orders for Barrington : Coll. Martin's Quarters, Bristol, January ye 20, 1777. Coll Martins Orders. " Ensign Martin, your orders are to take ye men Be- longing to ye Alarm and Millitia List of ye first Division Belonging to Barrington this Day & March them to sd Bar- rington and take up Quarters ye one half at Nath'l Smiths ye other Half at James Browns Esq. in order to Keep A Guard at Each Watch House, ye officers and Privets Equel at Each House and Keep A Guard According to ye I^vimber COL. martin's kegimental okdees. 347 Of men Under your Command and that Lieut. Kinnicutt and his men and ye Alaram men are Excused from ye Guard, and these to replace them. Your orders Are to Keep Guard Night and Day, your further orders are to Make A Weackly Return of ye State of your Company To my Quarters In Bristol And to Draw Provisions to Mr. Nathan Miller's Comesary. Pr Order CoUo. Martin N. Humphrey, Clk" Headquarters are removed again to Harrington, April 6th, 1777. " Barrington Head Quarters April ye 6, 1777. Coll Natha'l Martin's Regt ordered to march to Bristol and to Barrington in order to Relieve the Third Division, to Keepe as Good a gard as possible with So fue men." " Barrington Head Quarters April ye 7, 1777. Marcht to Bristl and But a fue men appeared and Returned Home and went to Nayet and Rumstick and Sot the gards." "Barrington Head Quarters April ye 8, 1777. Nothing Remarcable gards as pr order at Bristol and at Barrington as yushel " "Barrington Head Quarters April ye 9, 1777. Gards as pr order and But a fue men appeared to Bristol and my orders was from the Genneral asembly and Coun- cel of War to Call the Regt together and to send Second part of the First Division to Bristol and send them forred and to See that the Regt is equipt with Eavry aCutement aCording to Law in order to march at a moments warning." "Barrington Head Quarters April ye 10, 1777. Incine Martin, your orders are to march your Company from Bristol to Mr. Peter Churches and there to gard the West Shore from mr Pecks Rocks down to the mill gutt 348 THE HISTOKY OF BARBINGTON. and to Keepe as good watch as possible Can be Keept with so fue men and to Releve the Watch Every tow hours." " Harrington Head Quarters April ye ii, 1777. Lieut Smith Bowin your orders are to set the watch Between sunset and dark to your several places on the West shore and to Releve them Every tow Hours. Lieut. Bowin and Lieut. Bicknel, your orders are to take down the names when they come to do duty and to keepe gards by yr orders and see that Every one duse his duty and see that the houses that you are Station in are Left in as Good order as when you Came into them and yous the peple with good Land- widg And to find the Several alarm-poasts for the sevrel Companys for Bristol Company's the Corthouse ; for Worrin Company, Ebenezer Coles house ; for Barrington Company, Natha'l Martins House in Barrington." "Barrington Head Quarters April ye 12, 1777. Coll martins Regementle orders that no Officer or Solder Be absent from Quarters He belongs to Nor go more than Haf a mile from his Quarters without Leaf from thear officers gards as yoshal." "Barrington Headquarters, April 13, 1777. Coll Martins Regementle orders. That it is Expected the Evry officer and Solder that is not on duty it Being the Sabath Will atend Publick Worship. Gards as usial." "Barrington Head Quarters, April 14, 1777. Coll. Martins Regementle orders that the Camps turnout persisely at 8, of the Clok in the fore noon and call over the Rolls." The last record in the book, dated April 15, 1777, reports, " Nothing Remercable gards as usial." Colonial and Town Legislation During the Revolution. The frequent sessions of the General Assembly gave ample opportunity for that body to act promptly and energetically TOWN AND GENEEAIj ASSEMBLY. 349 in behalf of and the needs of the patriots at home and at the front. The towns were in close and constant touch with one another, and the Colony was in close fellowship with the sis- ter colonies. As a rule Barrington was prompt in answering the call for men, blankets, clothing, and such other material aid as she was called upon to render or voluntarily perform. So thorough was her enlistment of men that tradition has it that, at one time, every able bodied man in town was in some form of military service, leaving the direction of affairs and the work of the farms to the men over sixty, the women, and the boys under sixteen. After the first conflicts with the British, at Lexington and Bunker Hill, we are assured that our townspeople were up and in arms, ready for any call to duty. The Town and the General. Assembly. In 1774 Mr. Nathaniel Martin and Mr. Thomas AUin rep- resented the town in the General Assembly, and were re-el- ected in 1775. In June, 1775, Captain Thomas Allin was directed and empowered by the General Assembly "to go to the house of each person in town and take an account of the powder, arms, and ammunition," and to make report to the Assembly at the next session. The same committee man was also instructed to collect all the saltpetre and brimstone in the town and send it with all possible dispatch to the town of Providence, to be sent forward finally to the Continental Congress at New York. Mr. Luther Martin was appointed to enlist one quarter part of the militia at Barrington, as minute men, " to meet to- gether and exercise themselves in military discipline, half-a- day, once in every fortnight." At the same session Viall Allen was made lieutenant, and Daniel Kinnicutt ensign of the Company of militia, under Captain Thomas Allin. 1776. In January Barrington was ordered to raise an Artillery Company of fourteen men, the Company to meet half-a-day a 350 THE HISTOET OF BAKEINGTON. week to practise with cannon, and the men to be allowed one shilling for the half day's work, the company to have two, three or four pound field pieces and an ammunition cart. In February Mr. Nathaniel Martin of Harrington was ap- pointed a member of a Committee to procure gold and silver coins in exchange for " lawful money bills," to carry on mili- tary operations in Canada. Matthew AUin and Samuel Bosworth were cited to appear before the Assembly, for what purpose is not recorded ; Peleg Heath of Barrington was chosen lieutenant in the First Regiment. In March Joseph Carlo Mauran of Barrington was chosen master of the row- galley Spitfire, to operate in Rhode Island waters, and Samuel Viall of Wannamoisett was first lieutenant. Captain Thomas Allin was a member of a Committee to procure arms and accoutrements for the supply of the Barrington militia. Mr. Nathaniel Martin had assisted in the conveyance of cattle and merchandise from Block Island to the main land, and was allowed £2^, 2d. for his services. The General Assembly, on report of a committee, ordered that in stationing the troops for defence, one company be placed at Barrington. In the distribution of five hundred pounds of gunpowder iij the spring of 1776, two hundred pounds were delivered to Bristol, one hundred and fifty pounds to Barrington, and the same amount to Warren. In May Edward Bosworth and Thomas Allin were chosen to represent the town in the General Assembly, and at the May session Nathaniel Martin, Esq., of Barrington, was chosen Colonel of the Bristol County Regiment, and Thomas Allin, captain, Viall Allen, lieutenant, and Daniel Kinnicutt, ensign of the Barrington militia. Edward Bosworth was appointed an inspector of salt, in answer to the offer of a bounty of three shillings a bushel for all salt manufactured in the Colony. It was at this time that salt was manufactured at Barrington, on the farm now owned and occupied by Hon. John Jenckes. In June on recommendation of the Conti- nental Congress " that an account be taken of the number of inhabitants in the Colony," the Assembly appointed Mr. TOWN AND GENKEAL ASSEMBLY. 351 Thomas Allin to take the Census of Barrington ; Of the salt belonging to the Colony, 25 bushels were apportioned to Barrington. In June Philip Traffern of Barrington was appointed a lieutenant in the First Regiment. In September the Assem- bly voted to allow Barrington to erect a hospital for the inoc- ulation of the small pox in accordance with the Act passed in June. This hospital was erected on Rumstick Point, on the farm of Nathaniel Smith. September 7th the apportionment of salt to Barrington from the State supply was seventy-seven and three-eighths bushels. The population of the town was declared to be 538. Thomas Allin was allowed by the Assembly £2$, lis., for iron work on field carriages, and also £7, 4s., " for his services as captain of minute men, and of those under him on Prudence Island." At the October ses- sion of the General Assembly, Mr. Moses Tyler was the Bar- rington deputy, and Nathaniel Martin was elected Colonel of the Bristol County Regiment. Viall Allin was made lieuten- ant in Capt. Moses Turner's Company. Philip Traffern was chosen first lieutenant in Col. Stanton's Regiment. In December, 1776, Viall Allin was promoted to the Captaincy of the Barrington Company of militia, vice Thomas Allin, promoted ; Daniel Kinnicutt was promoted from ensign to lieutenant, and James Martin was chosen as ensign, vice Kinnicutt. 1777. The state valuation of Barrington was ;£22,S7S. Warren, ;^20,ooo ; Bristol, ;£50,000. Simeon Potter of Bristol pro- tested that' "owing to the present distressed situation of Bristol," "the said town is not able at present to pay so large a tax as either Warren or Barrington." In March the As- sembly appointed Mr. Henry Bowen " to number all persons able to bear arms in Barrington." John Kelly was allowed £15, 9s., 4d., "for the ferriages of a number of soldiers and their baggage and a number of horses." Paul Mumford, a distinguished citizen of Newport, and a 352 THE HISTORY OP BABEINGTON. deputy from that town, purchased an estate in Harrington in 1774 and removed here with his family. His residence was the brick mansion house under the great elms at the corner south of the Episcopal Church at Barrington Centre. He became one of the most influential citizens of Barring- ton and was elected as a deputy to the Assembly with Peleg Heath at the spring election. In April Barrington was called upon to enlist eight soldiers for the Continental battalions, to fill her quota in the service. Peleg Heath was chosen major of the Bristol County Regiment in May. A fifteen months' brigade was ordered to be enlisted and the Barrington quota was eleven men. The Assembly ordered Barrington to furnish four barrels of flour, eight blankets, and one ton, nineteen pounds given to Barrington, as its proportion of the state order, to be delivered within ten days of the rising of the Assembly, and Major Peleg Heath was appointed to secure the blankets, paying for the best no more than thirty shillings. In June Joseph Carlo Mauran of Barrington was chosen captain of the row-galley, Washington. In July Paul Mumford was chosen, in Grand Committee of the Assembly, one of a commission of three to meet com- missioners of other New England Colonies and New York at Springfield, 'Mass., to consult on measures of safety and defence for the northern colonies. In August Mr. Mumford, with William Bradford, Stephen Hopkins and Henry Ward, the commissioners to Springfield, were made a committee " to draft a bill for the better supply of the troops raised by this colony." At the same session Major Peleg Heath was appointed a recruiting officer for Barrington " to recruit men to fill up the Continental battalions raising within this colony." Paul Mumford was ordered paid £1%, cos. lod. for his time, his servant, two horses and a carriage, and for his ex- penses to and from Springfield to meet the commissioners of other states. PAUL MUAII'ORD. WAR LEGISLATION. 353 In October Barrington was ordered to procure eighteen pairs of yarn stockings for the use of the soldiers, her quota of " one thousand pairs of good yarn stockings." In December thirty-two pairs of " men's good yarn stock- ings " were called for from Barrington. The same month Thomas Allin was chosen captain in the first battalion, and Philip Traffern captain in the second. 1778. In February Nathaniel Humphrey was chosen first lieu- tenant in Colonel Crary's regiment, Josiah Humphrey, Esq., was chosen to hear petitions and report on " issues within this state," pursuant to a resolution of Congress; Josiah Humphrey was also made one of a committee of five " to draft a bill for taking a general estimate throughout the state." He was also chosen one of a committee of five " to estimate the value of the slaves who may enlist into the Con- tinental battalions." In March Mr. Josiah Humphrey was appointed one of a large committee to take action relative to the establishment of Continental loan officers for the raising of money for the government on loan certificates, no certifi- cate being issued for less than j^20o. In May, 1778, Josiah Humphrey was elected as a deputy. Peleg Heath was chosen major of the Bristol Co. Reg. Viall Allen was chosen captain, Daniel Kinnicutt lieutenant, and James Martin ensign of the Barrington Company. Mr. Samuel Allen was appointed to pay the bounty to Barrington soldiers. Barrington was ordered to raise ten men for the army as her quota of the last call. At the same session Barrington was exempted from the call to send one- sixth of her " militia independent and alarm Companies " for fifteen days. Josiah Humphrey, Esq., was appointed " to inquire into the number of guns, bayonets and cotouch boxes," etc., in Barrington. Josiah Humphrey, Esq., was chosen a member of the State Council of War for Bristol County. 23 354 THE HISTOEY OF BARRINGTON. Capt. Thomas Allin made report to the Assembly of sun- dry articles of clothing of the soldiers in his company, " also ■of one gun and accoutrements and one silver-mounted hanger belonging to himself which were destroyed and taken by the British troops at Bristol," and the return was referred to the Council of War. In September Barrington was required to furnish forty- height pairs of yarn stockings. In October, Josiah Humphrey, Esq., was made a member ■of the Council of War for the state and in December his expenses for services were allowed for £^2^, 19s. 1779. In February Thomas Allin was chosen captain and Nathaniel Humphrey lieutenant in the first battalion, and Philip Traffern captain in the second battalion. In May Messrs. Edward Bosworth and Samuel Allen rep- resented the town in the Assembly. Peleg Heath was re- elected as major of the Bristol County Regiment. Paul Mumford was elected a member of the Council of War, and in October he was allowed £^6% i6s. for horse hire and ex- penses in attendance on meetings. Mr. Mumford was also made a member of a committee "to consider divers resolu- tions of Congress and public letters of great importance, requiring immediate consideration " Viall Allin was chosen captain, Daniel Kinnicutt lieuten- ant, and John Short, Jr., ensign of the Barrington company. In December a new battalion was ordered to be raised and Paul Mumford was appointed one of a committee of three to consider the best ways and means to recruit the same. 1780. Edward Bosworth and Samuel Allen were deputies in the Assembly. Peleg Heath was again elected major of the Bris- tol County Regiment, and Viall Allen captain, Daniel Kin- nicutt lieutenant, and John Short, Jr., ensign of the .Barring- WAR LEGISLATION. 355 ton company. The state clothier was ordered to return eighteen pairs stockings to Daniel Kinnicutt. In March Samuel Allen was made one of a committee of five to procure " two hundred pairs of linen stockings of good quality, not whitened, and ninety pairs linen breeches," for which the state allowed $8,000. In June Barrington was required to raise seven men for the Continental battalions, and Thomas Allin was appointed to pay the bounties to the soldiers. Captain Allin was also appointed to procure the quota of blankets from the town, and he was directed to purchase the said blankets at the most reasonable prices, " and not to give more than ;£8o lawful money apiece for them of the best quality." Blankets were also paid for by certificates which were " receivable in pay- ment of the next state tax." In July Philip Traffern was again appointed captain. At the same session Barrington was called upon to furnish 800 pounds of beef and seventy bushels of grain for the Conti- nental army. The Committee to estimate the polls and ratable property of the state, made the following report for Barrington : "Ratable polls, 92; Slaves from 10 to 50 years, 6; Money and trading stock, £8^0, lis.; Ounces of plate, 148; Horses from six months, 56 ; Oxen, 48 ; Horned Cattle, 305 ; Sheep and goats, 649; Ratable value of all property, ;£29,9i5, 13s. Of the 634 men called for to assist Count de Rochambeau, Barrington was ordered to furnish seven, and Messrs. Samuel Allen, John Short, Viall Allen, Thomas Allin, and Nathaniel Smith were a Committee to receive recruits. The bounty paid each man on enlistment was £y, los., in bills of the state, or in gold or silver within six months. Paul Mumford was allowed .£1,736, los., for services as a Justice of the Supreme Court. In September Paul Mumford was re-elected as second Justice of the Supreme Court. Philip Traffern's resignation as a captain in Col. Christo- pher Greene's Regiment was accepted, and he received his pay of ;£ 1 63, 4s. 356 THE HISTORY 01" BABBINGTON. A Committee of the Assembly to revise and amend tlie late estimate of ratable property, of which Thomas Allin was a member, reported for Harrington as follows : Barrington, number of acres, 4,121 ; price per acre, £6, 3s. ; value of real estate, ;£2S,344, 3s. ; total value of town, ;£29,9iS, 13s. In November Mr. Thomas Allin represented to the Assem- bly that several persons, enlisted into the service, for three months, from Barrington, had not been paid the bounty of £y, los. ; it was voted that they be paid £i,2, los. in new bills, " or in Continental bills of the old issue at seventy-two for one." The Assembly adopted the report of Committee of State valuation, making that of Barrington, ;£29,9iS, 13s. Thomas Allin was allowed ^79, i6s. for blankets procured from Barrington, and also ;£i,033, 153, for his services as one of Committee of state valuation. 1781. Philip Traffern and Viall Allen were chosen captains in the Bristol County battalion under Col. Nathaniel Church. Thomas Allin was made the member of a Committee to provide twelve bushels of corn from Barrington, " the corn to be purchased ground into meal and delivered to the Com- missary." Thomas Allin, with John Child, reported to the Assembly that Nathaniel Fales, Jr., had sustained a damage of ;^58, los., " by reason of an hospital's being erected for the French troops upon the farm he hired of the state." In May Samuel Allen, Esq., was elected a deputy from Barrington. Paul Mumford of Barrington was elected by the General Assembly Chief Justice of the Superior Court. Peleg Heath was re-elected Major of Bristol County Reg- iment. The May session of the Assembly fixed the new valuation of Barrington at ;£30,000, for purposes of state taxation. Philip Traffern and Viall Allen were chosen captains of WAB LEGISLATION. 357 Companies in Thomas Potter's Regiment, and John Viall a lieutenant, " to serve for one month." Thomas Allin was chosen captain, Daniel Kinnicutt, lieu- tenant, and John Short ensign of the Batrington Company. In July Mr. Thomas Allin was chosen a Committee to procure two bushels of corn or rye from Barrington before 8th of November, "or one silver dollar in lieu of each bushel of corn or rye." In December the Assembly appointed a Committee of which Thomas Allin was a member, "to devise the best ways and means to supply the troops doing duty on the island of Rhode Island with their rations for the winter." The Committee reported later in the month, and the report was adopted. 1782. Thomas Allin was appointed in January, as one of a Com- mittee to apportion a tax of ;£i2,ooofor a state tax, £6,000 for a continental tax and £6,000 in articles of produce. Paul Mumford was voted the sum of £4^ 4s. 8d., for a slave enlisted in Col. Greene's Regiment, in 1778. A Committee reported Barrington deficient to the amount of 213 lbs. of beef, Warren 783, and Bristol 1,760, for the use of the army. The new valuation of Barrington was £^0,720. Thomas Allin was chosen as a recruiting officer for sol- diers to enlist for three years, the bounty to be igioo in specie. Mr. Thomas Allin was appointed to take the census for Barrington. He was also allowed £72, 6s., 1 id., on the pay- abstract of his regiment. In February Barrington was called on for its quota of 28 yards of " good yard-wide, whitened tow-cloth and 4 pairs of good yarn stockings." At the May session Viall Allen and Samuel Allen were deputies to the Assembly. Elkanah Humphrey was allowed £8, 2s. for his interest in Cato Bannister, a negro slave, en- listed into the regiment of Col. Christopher Greene. Capt. 358 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. Thomas Allin was allowed £4, 13s,. 4d. in lieu of clothing due him. The census of 1782 gave the following returns for Barring- ton : Whites, males under 16, 130 ; females under 16, 105 ; males between 16 and 22, 16 ; females between 16 and 22, 22; males between 22 and 50, 89; females between 22 and SO, 123 ; males above 50, 46 ; females above 50, 45; Indians, none; mulattoes 20; blacks, 26; total, 534. Warren had 90s, and Bristol 1,032. 1783- Messrs. Viall Allen and Samuel Allen were the deputies this year. Paul Mumford was chosen chief justice of the Superior Court. Thomas Allin was chosen lieutenant- colonel commandant of the Bristol County Regiment of militia. RESOLUTION AS TO TORIES. April 16, 1783, the town "Voted and ordered that our Representatives in General Assembly Oppose the Returning to this State of any of the Tories or Refugees Once the Citizens of this State, Agreeable to the following instruc- tions ; Voted by this Town Meeting which are as followeth viz : — Forasmuch as many persons distinguished and known by the name of Tories and Refugees Once the Citizens of this State Regardless of Honor, Truth, Justice, Religion and Virtue, the Rights of Humanity and every duty they owed to Society : Have joined the Enemy and have Ex- erted all their powers of property. Artifice, cruelty and Rage to defeat this country of the Enjoyment of the blessings of Peace, liberty and Independence ; which blessings Indulgent Heaven, (In Despite of their cruelty and rage, Joined with the Malevolence and rapacity of a Relentless Foe through a severe conflict of War, Ravage, devastation murder and bloodshed) however unmerited, thought proper to bestow, and that we may not Refuse the awards of Heaven, but enjoy them with Security, Tranquility and permanency : We the Citizens of the Town of Barrington in the State of ■WAR LEGISLATION. 359 Rhode Island do solemnly covenant for our Country for its peace and Safety, and pledge our Sacred Honor that we will with our most hearty endeavours bring to punishment all persons above Described who dare to Return into this State, who have acted directly or Indirectly In word or deed in favour of the Enemy to the prejudice of the good Citizens of this State or of the United States and that we will exert ourselves in the Just and Vigorous execution of the Laws against Them, And the Representatives of this Town are hereby Directed to make use of Every Exertion to prevent them or any of them from coming into this State." 1 784-1 792. Samuel Allen represented the town in the Assembly in 1784. Paul Mumford of Barrington was chosen chief jus- tice of the Superior Court, and Elkanah Humphrey a jus- tice in the Court of Common Pleas for Bristol County. Thomas Allin was chosen lieutenant colonel commandant of the Bristol County Regiment. John Short, Jr., was chosen captain, George Salisbury lieutenant, and Abel Grant ensign of the Barrington Co. of militia. In 1785 Josiah Humphrey and Samuel Allen represented the town in the Assembly. The Honorable Paul Mumford was elected in grand committee of the Assembly to repre- sent the state in the Continental Congress at New York. Elkanah Humphrey was continued as a justice of the Court of Common Pleas. Comfort Bishop was paid a pension to the first day of January, 1785, at twenty shillings per month, it being an allowance of half pay for life on account of wounds or disability resulting from military service. This is the first recorded pension allowed a Barrington soldier of the Revolution. Mr. Bishop was a private in Col. Jeremiah Olney's Regiment, twenty-nine years old. He lost the use of his left wrist and hand, occasioned by a sore gathering on the wrist, when under inoculation for small pox at the 360 THE HISTOBT OF BAKEINGTON. hospital at Philadelphia in May, 1782. In 1788 Mr. Bishop was allowed ;^i38 as pension then due. In 1786 Messrs. Josiah Humphrey and Samuel Allen rep- resented the town in the Assembly. Paul Mumford was chosen chief justice of the Supreme Court and Elkanah Humphrey Justice of the Court of Com- mon Pleas. Thomas Allin was chosen lieutenant colonel commandant of the Bristol County Regiment. In 1787 Messrs. Viall Allen and Joshua Bicknell were chosen as representatives to the General Assembly. Paul Mumford was chosen chief justice of Supreme Court and Elkanah Humphrey justice of Common Pleas. In October the Assembly voted that ten copies of the proposed new Constitution of the United States be sent to the town clerk of Barrington, " to be distributed among the inhabitants that the freemen may have an opportunity of forming their sentiments of the proposed Constitution." In March, 1788, the votes of the towns on the acceptance of the new Constitution of the United States were reported to the Assembly. Barrington vote was 9 in favor and 34 against. Providence voted o yeas, i no ; Bristol, 26 yeas, 23 nays; Warren, 2 yeas, 41 nays; Newport, i yea, 10 nays. The state vote was 237 yeas and 2,708 nays. In 1788 Messrs. Samuel Allen and Matthew Allin repre- sented the town in the Assembly and Elkanah Humphrey was chosen a justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Bristol. Comfort Bishop was allowed ;^I34, pension money. In 1789 Comfort Bishop was allowed ;^24 and ;£48, pen- sion money. Messrs. Samuel Allen and Joshua Bicknell were elected to the Assembly. Elkanah Humphrey was continued as Court Justice. In 1790 Messrs. Joshua Bicknell and Josiah Humphrey, Jr., were elected to the Assembly. Samuel Allen was chosen chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas of Bristol County, and Elkanah Humphrey second justice of the Senior Court. MRS. AMY HORN. ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 361 1790. The great event of 1790 was the adoption of the Federal Constitution by the state. The new Constitution was pre- sented to the several states in the autumn of 1787. Dela- ware was the first to adopt it, the vote being unanimous. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachu- setts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, and New York followed in the order named in 1788. North Carolina adopted the Constitution Nov. 21, 1789. Rhode Island was a foreign nation, outside the circle of the Union. The state was slow to adopt the new Constitution for various reasons. " She, who was first in the fight, was last at the feast." Our people were jealous of their inheritance of civil and religious liberty from the founder ; they feared that the central government might usurp the rights of the states ; many questions were raised and amendments sug- gested as further guarantees of the people's rights. The state sovereignty seemed in jeopardy ; many feared " she might be shovelled into the Atlantic," as some said she ought to be, for not ratifying the Constitution. After a long struggle a convention was called which met on the first Monday in March, 1790. Barrington sent her two best men to that body, Gen. Thomas Allin and Samuel AUin, Esq. ; the one had fought and served the cause of freedom in state and nation in the field for eight years ; the other had done no less valiant and heroic service in civil affairs during the stormy struggle. Both were ardent Federalists. Both stood for the Union and the Constitution. The convention was in session till June 3. Samuel Allen served on the Com- mittee on Rules and Orders, Thomas Allin on the Commit- tee to Draft Amendments ; both voted against an adjourn- ment of the convention at a critical point in its session. The grand question of adopting or rejecting the Federal Consti- tution was before it. Hon. Benjamin Bourne moved its adoption, seconded by Governor Bowen. The vote was to be a close one. As the towns were called, an almost 362 THE HISTORY OP BARBINGTON. breathless silence was felt in the Assembly room at New- port. Harrington held the balance of the decision in her hands. " How would she use her power ? " was the ques- tion of interest. The vote stood thirty-two yeas and thirty- two nays. Harrington had not voted. " Mr. Thomas Allin," calls the clerk. "Aye," was the answer. " Mr. Samuel Allen." "Aye," came from the strong voice and will of the Harrington patriot, and the deed was done. " Thirty-four ayes and thirty-two nays " was the announcement of the clerk and the speaker declared the Constitution approved by the conventiqn. The event was celebrated in various parts of the state by the ringing of bells, the firing of salutes, and other demonstrations of joy. News by message was at once sent to Philadelphia and President Washington at once advised Congress that Rhode Island had ratified the Consti- tution and congratulated Congress on the event. Harring- ton may well receive congratulations from state and nation as by her votes, Thomas Allin and Samuel Allen made the Union possible and closed a contest extending over fifteen years, from 1775 to 1790, in favor of constitutional govern- ment within the Federal Union. Henceforth the state bene- diction was and we trust ever will be " God save the United States of America." Revolutionary Records. The following additional items are copied from the Har- rington town records : " An acct. of What town Stock I, Henry Howen Reed, to the Town treasury of Harrington of Col. John Matthewson of Providence, by the hand of Edwd & Jonathan Bosworth, 150 lbs. powder." December 5th, 1776. "Received of Nathl. Heath i Magazine Chest, Cost 2 IS. 6p. WAR LEGISLATION. 363 April II, 1777. "Received of Lieut. Nathl. Heath, who was appointed as a Committee man by the Town of Barrington for that pur- pose, twenty one pound and A quarter of Muskit Balls & one hundred and forty four flints." July 13, 1780. "To Cash paid Abiel Grant sum of Fiftey hard Dollars as a bountey for six months." " To Cash paid John Barnes the sum of Fiftey hard Dol- lars as a bountey." July 14, 1780. "To Cash paid Benjamin Allen the sum of fiftey hard Dollars as a bountey." "To Cash paid Enoch Jones the sum of Fiftey hard Dol- lars as a bountey." July 17, 1780. " To Cash paid Joseph Allen Solger £2, o. o." " To Cash paid Joseph Viall Allen Solger ;£22, o. 0." December 2, 1780. " To Cash paid Hannah Smith as a bountey for her negro man Pomp pr his resait £15." (Town Treasurer's book No. i, pp. i and 19.) August 28, 1775. " It was voted in town meeting that Lieut. Viall Allen Draw a Sufficient Quantity of Powder out of the Town Treasrs Hands to make Cartridges for the Inhabitants of Barrington." "Voted — That each Inhabitant of the Town may Draw Twelve Cartridges out of the Town Stock and keep the same Safiy untill there is a Necessary Occasion for Using the Same against our Common enemy, under the Penalty of One Shilling for each Cartridge Wasted or Mising when De- manded by Military Authority the same to be paid by the 364 THE HISTORY OF BAKEINGTON. Delinquent to the Town Treasr to Purchase more Powder to Deposit in the Town Treasrs Hands for the Use of the Town each person giving his Receipt for the Cartridges drawn as aforesd, and to pay the same Used as aforesd in Due equality Drawing as aforesd find their own Ball and Gary the Same to sd Lieut. Allen that the Cartridges may be well fitted to the firelock and that the Treasr Deliver the Same Powder when Demanded by Lieut. Allen." February 12, 1776. " The General Assembly of this -Colony having Orderd an Artillery Company in the Exposed Towns in this Colony un- der the Command of a Capt. & Lieut, to be Chosen by such Town, Saml Bosworth was Chosen Capt. and Nathl Heath Lieut, of the Company of Artillery to be raised in Baring- ton." April 28, 1777. "Moses Tyler, Samuel Allen, Peleg Heath, John Short are appointed a committee to raise eight men for the Continental Pattalion." May 12, 1777. " Major Peleg Heath is appointed to have the care of the Town's Magazine and to supply the Militia and Alarm with Cartridges." May 19, 1777. "Voted that Simon Smith be allowed 150 dollars to accept of the office of Ensign in the Continental Service." Besides Over and above the above said Bounty, the fol- lowing Sums was given by Individuals to Encourage them to Inlist on whose account they were Inlisted and Returned as well as Certificated and Sworn to agreeable to the Laws of Congress and this State. Paid to Sergt. Enoch Jones by Samll Bosworth & E. Tiffany ;^i8 o Paid to Jonathan Andrews by Nud. Adams and Wm. Kelley 16 o WAR LEGISLATION. 365 Paid to Thomas Reynolds by Nath' and Peleg Heath ....... ^^13 o Paid to Dick Allin by Matthew AUin & G. Salis- bury 15 o Paid to Jack Allin by Levi Barnes & John Short, Jr 18 o Paid to Joseph Sochorose by Nathl Martin & Samll Allen i8 o Paid to Pomp Watson no Sum but was Inlisted on account of Matthew Watson & So certificated." June 20, 1777. "Account of the money Received From the General Treasurer by Saml Allen pr order of Coll. Nathaniel Martin. The money Received by Samuel Allen was £3$^ ior the purpose of Raising the Town Quota of men And laid out in the following manner by said Samuel Allen. Paid Ensign Simon Smith as per vote of the Town May 19, 1777 . . . . £4^ o o Paid Sergt. Enoch Jones his bounty . ' . . 44 o o Paid Matthew Watson, Esqr., his Negro's bounty . . . . . . 44 o o Paid Joseph Reynolds, Esqr., for his Negro . 44 o o Paid Capt. Thomas Allin his Negro's bounty . 44 o o Paid Capt. Matthew Allin his Negro's bounty . 44 o o Paid Joseph Sochorose his bounty . . . 44 o o Paid Jonathan Andrews and to be Indorsed on the note given him by the Town Treasurer for his Bounty." July 7, 1777. " Voted that the Town Gierke draw a Petition to Genl Spenser in the name and behalf of the Town Praying his Excellency that the Town may be furnished with a guard of Soldiers and the Inhabitants Relievd as the Town hath fur- nished with her Quota of men for the 15 months Service agreeable to a resolve of the Genl. Assembly of this State." 366 THE HISTORY OF BAEBINGTON. April 4, 1778. "Voted and appointed Josiah Humphrey, Jr. Sergt, to. Inlist and keep up a Sergt. guard agreeable to the late Resolve of the Committee of War to the Town Clerk Directed." April 29, 1779. " Voted and allowed Capt. Philip Traffern the Sum of .;£5.o.o for Service Done in Recruiting." A few letters of the Revolutionary period will show the spirit of the soldiers in the field, in front of the foe, in the opening scenes of the long struggle. As stated. Captain Matthew Allin of Barrington, commanded a company of Rhode Island Militia, some of whom were Barrington men, at Boston, in the contest that drove General Howe from Massachusetts. The following letters were written to his brother Captain Thomas Allin, and his wife, Mrs. Bathsheba Allin, in Barrington : Rhode Island Camp, Governor Barnard Seat, RoxBURY, June 13th, A. D. 1775- To Captain Thomas Allin, Loving Brother : — I Re- ceived your letter and was very glad to hear that you and all our friends are well and that you under value yourself as to write to me. I hope these Lines will find you and your wife and all your family well as they leave me. Brother (Samuel) Viall is well and all my Company Except William Andrews ; he has been Very poorly for some time but is now getting better so that I am in hopes he will Be able for Duty again very soon. We hear that there are four hun- dred light horse Come over and a number of troops but how many I don't know. We Expect a Battle Very soon and I Long for the Time to Come : when they landed their horses they were seen to take twelve Dead horses out of the hold. Sir, as to what you wrote to me about Major Gray there is no truth in it at all, but I shall not pretend to clear the matter up but if Mr. Childs will Let you know EEVOLTJTIONAEY LETTERS. 367 the truth of the story, it may Be that Another man will give you more satisfaction than if I wrote myself as he was one •that was in my Company all the time. So no more at present, but I Remain, Your Loveing Brother Matthew Allin. The following letter was written to his wife two days after the battle of Bunker Hill : RoxBURY, Rhode Island Camp, June 19th, A. D. 1775. My Dear Wife : These few lines will come to let you know that I am well at present and hoping that thay may find you so and all my friends. Last Friday night we began to intrench on Dorchester Hill (Heights) and the next morn- ing the Reglars began to fire on our people. Then we ware ordred to march to Roxbury Town. When we got there we sent a party to intrench down near the line ; at the same time the Brigade was drawn up below the meeting house and the Reglars began to fire upon our Senterers at the line and at us on the hill ; from the block house they fired on Dor- chester Neck at a party of our men that were there but hurt none of them. At Roxbury the Cannon Balls came pretty thick but did no great hurt, only wounded one man belong- ing to Connecticut and he died the next morning. As soon as the sun was down they began to throw Bums at us and held on all night ; they wounded one man and that was all. We returned back to our camps this morning. The Reglars At the same time Begun to fire on Colonel Putnam and Con- tinuing till this Day and I do not think that it will sese until t'is settled one way or the other. We have Nuse that there was a number of Reglars killed but how many we do not know. There were five hundred Reglars brought in wounded. Seventy of them were officers and the Number of our men we can not tell that was killed. Your loveing husband until death, Matthew Allin. 368 THE HISTOEY OF BABEINGTON, The following letter was written to his brother, Capt. Thomas Allin, a few days after the battle of Bunker Hill : RoxBUKY, Rhode Island Camp, June 29th, A. D. I77S- Dear Brother : I Received your letter last night and I am very glad to hear that you and all friends are well and I hope that these few lines will find you and your wife and all my friends well as they leave me. I have no news to write to you except several of the Men-of-War are gone off but where they are gone I dont know, but we think they, are going to Newport. We have got a Fort built at Roxbury and we are building several breastworks in order to stop them from coming into the country. There are more or Less guns fired between our people and them (the British) every day. * * * We must put our trust in God. It may be that he is ordering it for the best, for he is a wise Being. It may profit our souls if it dont our bodies. We must put our whole trust in God although things seem very dark on our side yet I know if we put our trust in God he will help us. Remember my Coind Love to all your family both white and black. I Long to see them all but I shall not till fall if I ever see them. So no more at present, But I remain, your Loveing Brother until Death, Matthew Allin. I have heard a great many guns fired while I was writing this Letter, which I suppose to be Putnam paying a salute to the Reglars. Roxbury, Rhode Island Camp, July 23d, A. D. 1775. Loving Brother : These few lines come with my coind love to you to let you know that I am well hoping that these will find you and your wife and all my friends as well as they Leave me. I SUCHET MAURAN. REVOLUTIONARY LETTERS. 369 am going to move next Tuesday over to Cambridge on Pros- pect Hill. It is within two hundred yards of the Regulars. But that is not the worst of it, for its Very sickly there. But go we must : for Gen'l Washington says that there are no soldiers here but the Rhode Island forces. Remember my Love to all my friends both white and black. Matthew Allin. Prospect Hill, August 2, A. D., 1775. My Dear Brother : I take this opportunity to let you know that I am well. I hope that these lines will find you and your wife and all your family well. We have had several small battles with the Regulars and they killed two of our men and we killed About thirty of them and took about thirty more and burnt two schooners belonging to the Reglars. Pray send me a Letter as often as you can. Remember my love to all friends at home. I am in great haste so no more at present. I Remain your Loveing Brother until D«ath. Matthew Allin. Prospect Hill, Cambridge, August 16, A. D. 1775. Dear and Loveing Brother : By your Letter I find that you begin to think of disci- plining your Company But I Never saw such A Warrent as that you had sent to you it seems to me that the Cornel had better first Serve as A Corpril But in fact I think that he is hardly fit for that. If a Corpril was to make such a dreadfull piece of work about anything that he was sot about in the Army he would be broke and set in the ranks. I was Last Night on gard down at the lines and the Reglars fired A Number of shots at us, some Come Very Near but hurt No- boddy. My Dear Brother, I understand that you talk of com- ing down. I would be glad if you would come for I want to see 24 B70 THE HISTORY OV BAEKINGTON. you very much, here is something worth coming to see. I would Be glad if you would Rite to me as often as you Can. I want to know how my orchard is like to yield for I shall want some syder to drink when I get home. Remember me to all enquiring friends, so no more at present, I remain your friend until Death. Matthew Allin. The following permit to Harrington men "to fish upon the shores of this State," is valuable as evidence of the careful ipatrol of Narragansett Bay by our troops, but is more valu- able as containing the autograph of Major-General William Heath, of the United States Army, and the Count de Rochambeau, commander of the French forces, who aided the Colonists in their long struggle for independence: Newport, Aug. i6, 1780. " This may certify that James Drown, James Brown, and Josiah Vial are Friends to the United States, and Permission may be Granted to fish upon the shores of this State, Con- sistent with the Publick Safety, and it is recommended that the same be granted accordingly. R. Elliott, Intendant of Trade. Approved, W. Heath, M. G. Vue et ipprouvd pour tous les postes de I'arm^e de Terre, par nous. Lieutenant General des Armeds, de S. M. T. C. Le Cte. de Rochambeau." List of Soldiers Under the Command of Capt. THOMAS ALLIN. Lieut., Viall Allen. Ensign., Dan. Kinnicutt. Sergeants. Richard Harding, Nath. Smith, George Salisbury, Micah Gary. Drummer, Sam. Short. Fifer, Joseph Viall Allen. BABEINGTON SOLDIERS. 371 Benjamin Drown, Jr. Josiah Humphrey, Corporals. Nudigate Adams, Thomas Grant. Privates. Joshua Kent, Nathl. Martin, Jr., James Bushee, William Kelly, Hezekiah Kinnicutt, Joseph Bullock, Sam Barnes, Consider Tripp, David Peck, "^anl. Peck, Josiah Viall, Dan). Drown, Benj. Grant, James Goff, Benj. Hathaway, James Martin, Saml. Martin, Ebenezer Bishop, Nathanl. Clarke, John Williams, William Harding, Comfort Standley, David Brown, Joseph Gladding, Wilson Low, William Jones, John Watson, Levi Barnes, Spencer Bears, William Brown, Solomon Peck, Jr., Edward Adams, Samuel Conant, Joseph Grant, Jr., Abiel Grant, Benj. Morton, Oliver Kelly, Edwd. Martin, James Short, Simeon Titus, John Thurber, Joseph C. Mauran, Josiah Bowen, Nathaniel Peck. Luther Martin, Enoch Jones, Joshua Bicknell, Jr., John Humphrey, Ebenezer Tiffany, Henry Bowen, Sylvester Viall, Peleg Heath, Amos Peck, Joseph Adams, Spicer Hews, Shubael Grant, Ebenezer Grant, Moses Horton, Dunkan Kelly, Rufus Martin, John Short, Jr., Benj. Martin, David Luther, John Sheldon, John Short, Barbington, Aug. 5, 1775. Enlistments for Fifteen Months, United States Service, from December, 1776 to June, 1777. By Captain Thomas Alun. Captain Thomas Allin's Company, Colonel Smith's Regiment. Nathaniel Humphrey, Sergeant Dec. 6th, 1776. Enoch Jones, Sergeant " " " William Jones, Corporal " " " John Humphrey, Corporal " " " Joseph Viall Allen, Fifer " " Moses Horton " " " Nathaniel Humphrey, Jr " " " Joshua Bicknell, Jr June 4th, 1777. Anthony Martin " " " Sylvester Viall " " " Joel Peck " " " 372 THE HISTOEY OP BABErNGTON. Joseph Adams June 4th, 1777. Peleg Arnold " " " Samuel Reade " " " James Humphrey " " " Samuel Humphrey " " " Samuel Short " " " Ebenezer Bishop " " " Spicer Hewes " " " Amos Humphrey " " John Barnes " " " Jonathan J. Drown " " " Caleb Drown " " " Samuel Low " " " Daniel Matthews Jan. 8, 1777 ; deserted July 20, 1777. David Luther April 8, 1777. William Read " " " Samuel Sabin Dec. 20, 1776. John Kent James Goff.- , James Arnold These Soldiers received £6 as bounty; advanced pay, £2, 2s., and some clothing. From Muster Rolls of Caftain. Thomas Allin's Company. Militia Guard, Barrington. Forty-Five Days, from April 5TH to May 20th, 1778. Sergt. Josiah Humphrey, Corp. William Kelley, Corp. Nathaniel Smith, Consider Tripp, Nathaniel Heath, James Bushee, John Kent, Joshua Bicknell, Jr., Sylvester Viall, Joseph Kent, George Salisbury, Samuel Humphrey, Nathaniel Peck, Elkanah Humphrey, Ichabod Brown, Luther Martin, Anthony Martin, James Adams, Nathaniel Paine, Matthew Watson, Ebenezer Tiffany. Lewis Peck, Josiah Humphrey, Martin Luther, Haile Child, Wm. Child, Wm. Green, Ambrose S. Cole, Samuel Brown. The following was the form of an enlistment paper to which each soldier subscribed : I The Subscriber do hereby folemnly engage and inlift myfelf as a Sol- dier in the Pay of the State of Rhode If land and Providence Plantations, for the Prefervation of the Liberties of America, and the Defence of the BAREINGTON SOLDIERS. 3T3 United States in general, and of this State in Particular, from the Day of my Inliftment until the Sixteenth Day of March, in the Year of our ,Lord|One Thoufand Seven Hundred and Seventy-nine, unlefs fooner dif- charged by the General Affembly of faid State. And I hereby promife to submit myfelf to all the Orders and Regulations of the Army, and faith- fully to obferve and obey all fuch Orders as I fhall receive from Time to Time from my Officers. Witnefs my Hand, this Ninth Day of July in the Year of our Lord One Thoufand Seven Hundred and Seventy-eight. His William X Tyler. Mark. July 21, 1778, The sd. William Tyler was duly fworn before me Shearjashub Bourn, Justi S. C. [L.S.] Harrington, toiuit; To Either of the Sergeants of the Militia of Barrington, Greeting: You are hereby Required to Go to every House and family within your Destrict on the first Monday of this instant February, There to Examine the Arms and Amunition of All the Males from sixteen to sixty years of Age According to law; And make return of the Same to myself or in my Absence to the Next Superior Officer, on or before the sixth day of this instant February, and for your so doing This shall be your surficient Warrant. Given under my hand and seal this first day of February, A. D. 1776. Fail not but true Return make with your Doings thereon. Thomas Allin, Capt. An Abstract of Militia Guard, Stationed at Barrington, under the Com- mand of Sergt. Josiah Humphrey, Forty Five Days, viz. : From the 'Fifth of April to the 20th of May, 1778. Sergeant Josiah Humphrey, George Baxter, Corporal William Kelley, Samuel Humphrey, Corporal Nathaniel Smith, Nathl. Peck, Consider Tripp, Elkanah Humphrey, Nathl. Heath, Ichabod Brown, James Bushee, Saml. Brown, John Kent, Luther Martin, Martin Luther, Ambrose S. Cole, Hale Child, Anthony Martin, Wm. Child, James Adams, 374 THE HISTORY OP BAEBINGTON. Wm. Green, Joshua Bicknell, Jr., Sylvester Vial, Joseph Kent, Nathl. Pain, Matthew Watson, Ebenezer Tiffany, Lewis Peck, George Salisbury. JosiAH Humphrey, Sergeant. Providence, April 17, 1779. These received of Capt. Thomas Allin, one blanket to each of us the subscribers as witness our hands. John Humphrey, Comfort Bishop. Wheaton Luther, Nathaniel Humphrey, Amos Humphrey, Cuff. Blackman, Caleb Drown, Benjamin Shearman, Comfort Stanley, Allin Viall, Lieut. Nathaniel Humphrey. Silvenus Bishop, Thomas Simmons, George Shearman, Ebenezer Bishop, John Barnes, Barrington Soldiers. Captain Viall Allen's Company, 1780. George Salisbury, Micah Carey, Benj. Drown, Jr., Josiah Humphrey, Jr.; John Kelley, Samuel Short, Samuel Barnes, Joseph V. Allen, David Peck, Amos Peck, Ebenezer Tiffany, Nudigate Adams, Joshua Bicknell, Jr., Winchester Bicknell, Edward Martin, Samuel Martin, Spicer Hewes, Josiah Bowen, Benjamin Martin, James Bushee, Martin Luther, Daniel Drown, James Grant, Shubael Grant, Ebenezer Grant, Abiel Grant, Jonathan J. Drown, John Watson, Benjamin Grant, Hezekiah Kinnicutt, Nathaniel Smith, Ambrose 8. Cole, Joseph Gladding, David Reed, John Kent, Asa Bicknell, Josiah Luther, James Adams, Jonathan Bushee, Haile Child, Josiah Bowen. Curtis La Dieu, Edward Kinnicutt, Wm. Child, John Barnes, Jonathan Andrews, Asa Allen, Comfort Allen, Enoch Jones, Anthony Martin, Nathl. Luther, Squire Munro, Saml. Handy, James Bicknell, Benjamin Allen, John Humphrey, Ebenezer Bishop, Isaac Ormsbee, James Kent, James Brown, Samuel Short, SEEVICES OP- SOLDIERS. 375 PARTIAL Services of Barrington Soldiers in the War of THE American Revolution from 1775 to 1783. The following records of the services of Barrington men in the War of the Revolution are necessarily incomplete, inasmuch as the muster rolls of that period have been scat- tered over the State and country, and many have been destroyed. The Secretary of State has indexed the rolls that have been collected at the State House, and the Rhode Island Historical Society has a collection of these papers which are also indexed and made serviceable for historic study. In addition to the use of these valuable papers, the writer has in his possession a number of the muster rolls and military papers of Captain Thomas AUin, Captain Viall Allen, and Captain Matthew Allin, of Bar- rington. All these papers have been carefully studied and used in the preparation of the individual records which follow. Partial as the records may be, they will serve as a guide to those who are seeking information as to the patriotic services of their ancestry. It is quite certain that there are many omissions of services rendered, and probably names are omitted that should be found in the catalogue, but such omissions are due to the want of full ofiScial reports. The writer is indebted to Mr. Ebenezer Tiffany, Jr., of Bar- rington, who has made a careful research of the records at the State House and at the rooms of the Historical Society, the results of which are incorporated in this record. « Adams, Ebenezer. Son of James and Lydia Adams, b. Oct. 13, 1762; was in the Continental service and died at West Point, Aug. i, 1782. Adams, James. Son of Ebenezer and Hannah Adams, b. Sept. 6, 1740; was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Adams, Edward. Was a soldier in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., enrolled August, 1775. 376 THE HISTORY OP BAKEINGTON. Adams, Joseph, Corp. Son of Ebenezer and Hannah Adams, b. May 25, 1739; was a soldier of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's Artillery Co., and appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. Enlisted in the gen- eral service as corporal, Dec. i6, 1776, in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Colonel Crary's Reg. Enlisted in Colonel Smith's Reg. 15 months. June 4, 1777. Bounty, £12. Served also in 1778. Adams, Nudigate. Son of John and Elizabeth Adams, b. June 13, 1753; was a corporal in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; was a private in Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Died Jan. 5, 1798. Adams, Samuel. Was a member of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. Allen, Asa. Son of Samuel and Ruth Allen, b. Oct. 15, 1760; was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. J'apers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Allen, Benjamin. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. July 14, was paid bounty of " fiftey hard dollars." "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Allen, Joseph, Capt. Son of Joseph and Hannah Allen, b. June 30, 1719. Town paid "Joseph Allen solger £2, July 17, 1780." Full record not known. Allen, Josiah, Corp. Was a corporal in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg. There was due him £8, i6s. 2d. Allen, James. Was a private in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg. ; due him £17, 15s. 7d. Allen, Joseph Viall. Son of Samuel and Ruth Allen, b. Sept. 23, 1762. Entered the service at the age of fourteen, served as a fifer in Capt. Thomas Allin's and Capt. Viall Allen's Co. from 1776 to 1780. Town paid him £22, July 17, 1780. Received bounty of £6, advanced pay £12, I2S., and some clothing. Went to sea in 1780, and. was drowned in a hurricane in the West Indies on October ist, of that year. Allen, Samuel, Maj. Son of Joseph and Hannah Allen, b. Dec. 22, 1721. He was probably the Samuel Allen who was appointed by the town March 21, 1774, one of a Committee of Correspondence, "to attend to all that relates to the liberties of America.'' He repre- sented the town in the General Assembly in 1771. Major Samuel Allen died March 25, 1777, aged 56 y. 9 m., wanting 3 days. Allen, Samuel, 2d. Born March 25, 1739. Was a member of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg., and a " Gentleman soldier of the Senior Class " in 1781. He represented the town in the General Assembly from 1778 to 1789. He died October 22, 1808. Allen, Viall, Capt. Son of Samuel and Mercy Allen, b. Dec. 9, 1744. Was ensign of the Barrington Company, June, 1775. Was lieutenant in Capt. Thomas Allen's Co., in August, 1775. On Aug. LEONARi:) S. BOSWORTH. SERVICES OP SOLDIERS. 377 27i 177S> it was voted in town meeting, " that Lieut. Viall Allen Draw a suiBcient Quantity of powder out of the Town Treas" Hands to make Cartridges for the inhabitants of Harrington.'' In December, 1776, he was captain of a company of militia which was then engaged in the service of the Government, and was stationed at Nayatt and Rumstick Points, and also called into service occasion- ally at Warren and Bristol. Was 2nd. lieutenant of Capt. Moses Turner's Co., of the three months regiment of 1776; was promoted to captain of Barrington Co., 1778, 1780, 1781. He represented the town in the General Assembly in 1783, 17S4, and 1787. He died June 15, 17S7. Capt. Viall Allen's Co., Col. Tillinghast's Reg., reported 30 present for duty; whole number 50. Allin, Matthew, Capt. Commanded a company of Rhode Island troops in the Army of Observation under General Greene. On the 13th of June, four days before the battle of Bunker Hill, Captain Allin commanded a Rhode Island Co., composed in part of Barring- ton soldiers at Roxbury and Dorchester Heights, on the right of the American lines under Gen. Putnam. In 1777 he was a member of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's Artillery Co., and on June 5th, of that year, was appointed by Col. Nathan Miller, with eight others, to keep a guard on Rumstick for fifteen days. In 1781 he was one of the " Gentlemen soldiers of the Senior Class" of Barrington. He represented the town in the General Assembly in 1788. He died May 10, 1794) aged 50 years. [See brief biographies and Captain AUin's letters.] Allin, Prince, (colored). Was a slave of the Allin family; served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg. Allin, Jack, (colored). Enlisted May 17, 1777, and received a bounty of £18 from Levi Barnes and John Short, Jr. Allin, Richard, (colored). Enlisted May 17, 1777. and received a bounty of £15 from Matthew Allin and George Salisbury. Allin, Thomas, Brig. Gen. Member of Committee of Correspondence, 1774; member of General Assembly, 1772-3-4-5-6, 1781, 1791-4-5- 6-7-8; captain of Barrington Co., Aug. 5, 1775; served as captain in the regiments of Col. Archibald Crary, Col. Christopher Smith, and of Col. John Cooke; Avas recruiting oiiicer for the United States army at different periods; served his country in the field or in coun- cil from the beginning until the end of the war. The records of most of the Barrington soldiers show the effective service of Cap- tain, afterwards Brig. Gen. Allin. Andkrson, Thomas. Soldier in Capt. David Dexter's Co., Col. Israel Angell's Reg., i year, Feb. 11, 1777. Andrews, James. Served in the militia guard stationed at Barrington, from April 5, to May 20, 1778. 378 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. Andrews, Jonathan. Enlisted in Continental service in 1777. Bounty, £16. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. Was buried at East Greenwich. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Andrews, William, Sergt. Served in Capt. Matthew Allin's Co. at Roxbury and Dorchester, in June, 1775. Was afterwards in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., and appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. Enlisted in Capt. Allin's Co., Col. John Topham's Reg., 1778. Was in Capt. Philip Traffern's Co., Col. Topham's Reg., 1779. Arnold, James; a private in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. Col. Chris. Smith's Reg., 1777. Bounty, £6, and advanced pay. Arnold, Peleg. Soldier in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Christopher Smith's Reg., fifteen months; enlisted June 5, 1777; bounty, £12. Bannister, Cato. Cato was a negro slave of John Bannister of Newport, and an indentured apprentice of Elkanah Humphrey. He enlisted in Col. Greene's Reg,, 1783. He was valued at the sura of £105, and the Gen. Treasurer gave his note to Mr. Humphrey for £8 2s., inte- rest on the slave's value. Barnes, John, Sergt. Son of Levi and Ruth Barnes, b. Oct. 20, 1760. Enlisted in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. for one year, from March 16, 1778. Was corporal in 1779, and sergeant in 1781. Received bounty of £6, advanced pay £2, 12s., and some clothing, 1777. July 13, 1780, was paid a bounty of fifty hard dollars, for six months' service. Was a sergeant in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Smith's Reg., 1781. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Barnes, Levi. Was a member of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. August, I77S- Barnes, Samuel, Corp. Son of Thomas and Ruth Barnes, b. Sept. 9, 1756. Was a member of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Aug. 1775, and appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. He was a corporal in Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. He d. Aug. 24, 1803. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Bean, Thomas Stacy. Born in Boston, Sept. 10, 1758. Served in the army in 1775, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and also at Ticon- deroga, N. Y., and in several skirmishes on the sea. He received for a portion of his services a $100 bill of the Continental currency, which was just sufficient to buy a pair of shoes, worth about two dol- lars. Hed. July 2, 1839. Beers, Spicer. Was a member of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., August 1775- Bicknell, Asa. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. He represented the town in the General As- sembly in 1784; d. June 14, 1799, aged 52 years. SERVICES OF SOLDIERS. 379 BiCKNELL, James. Son of Joshua and Ruth Bicknell, b. Feb. 2, 1749. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Bicknell, Joshua, Jr. Son of Joshua and Jerusha, was born Jan. 14, 1759; m. Amy Brown 1782; d. Dec. 16, 1837. He enlisted in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Barrington Militia, 1775, and joined the Co. in Alarm at Bristol April i, 1776. He enlisted for fifteen months in the U. S. service, Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg., which was in service in Bristol and Newport Counties. Enlisted in Col. C. Smith's Reg. for fifteen months, June 4, 1777. Bounty, £12. Was a private in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg., from March 1 to June 16, 1778. Enlisted as an express rider, Dept. of Quarter Master General, and stationed at Tiverton, R. I., Oct. 15, 1779. A pension was allowed his widow, Amy Bicknell, for twenty-four months actual service of Joshua Bicknell as a private in the Rhode Island troops. [See brief biographies.] Bicknell, Pero, (colored). Was a slave of the Bicknell family. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Smith's Reg., 1781. Bicknell, Winchester, the son of Joshua and Jerusha Bicknell, was born March 31, 1761. He served in Capt. Viall Allen's Militia Co. Was private in Capt, Philip Traffern's Co., Col. Topham's Reg., 1778-1779. In May, 1782, he sailed as a seaman from Provi- dence on board the privateer Chance. This vessel was a new one, owned by Messrs. Clark and Nightingale of Providence, and manned chiefly from that place and vicinity. She was commanded by Capt. Daniel Aborn of Pawtucket, mounted twelve cannon, and sailed with a complement of sixty-five men. A few days after sailing, the Chance was captured by the British ship of war Relisarius, Capt. Graves, of twenty-six guns. These prisoners of war, with others, were soon con- fined on the prison ship Jersey, in Wallabout Bay, near Brooklyn, New York. The Jersey was originally a British ship of the line, mounting seventy-four guns, now dismantled and used as a prison ship, from 1780, until the close of the war. A description of the ship, and an account of the terrible sufferings of the incarcerated prisoners, are related in " Recollections of the Jersey Prison Ship," from the original MSS. of Captain Thomas Dring, edited by Albert G. Greene. Prov., H. H. Brown, 1829. The following extract from the narrative of Captain Dring, Commander of the Privateer Chance, captured by a British cruiser off Long Island, May 11, 1782, relates to young Bicknell: " The prisoners were put on board ihs Jersey May 19, and were released after a close imprisonment of two months, during which time seven- teen had died, and nearly all the others were dangerously sick of diseases contracted upon that loathsome prison-ship. One of our number who was seized by the fever was a young man whose name was Bicknell of the town of Barrington, Rhode Island. He was unwell 380 THE HISTORY OF BABEINGTOK. when we left the Jersey, and his symptoms indicated the approach- ing fever ; and when we had entered Narragansett Bay, he was appa- rently dying. Being informed that we were in the Bay, he begged to be taken on deck, or at least to the hatchway, that he might look once more upon his native land. He said that he was sensible of his condition ; that the hand of death was upon him ; but that he was consoled by the thought that his remains would be decently interred, and be suffered to rest among those of his friends and kindred. I was astonished at the degree of resignation and composure with which he spoke. He pointed to his father's house as we approached it, and said that it contained all that was dear to him on earth. He requested to be brought on shore. Our Captain was intimately acquainted with the family of the sufferer, and as the wind was light, we dropped our anchor and complied with his request. He was placed in the boat, where I took a seat by his side, in order to support him, and with two boys at the oars, we left the sloop. In a few minutes his strength began rapidly to fail. He laid his fainting head upon my shoulder, and said he was going to the shore to be buried with his ancestors ; that this had long been his ardent desire ; and that God had heard his prayers. No sooner had we touched the shore than one of the boys was sent to inform his family ot the event. They hastened to the boat to receive their long-lost son and brother; but we could only give them — his yet warm, but lifeless corpse." Bishop, Sylvanus. Private in Capt. Thomas AUln's Co., Capt. Crary's Reg., April 17, 1779. ,, Bishop, Comfort. Was in Capt. Allin's Co., Crary's Reg., April 17, 1779; R. I. Cont. Reg.; nine months, campaign of 1782 ; date of cer- tificate Sept. 20, 1782, for £11, 6s. 8d. Bishop, Ebenezer. Enlisted in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. Was a pri- vate in Capt. Allin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg., 1778 and 1779. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R.I. Hist. Soc. BoswoRTH, Edward. Was one of a Committee of Correspondence ap- pointed by the town March 21, 1774, " to attend to all that relates to the liberties of America." He represented the town in the General Assembly in 1776-7, 1779, 1780-1. He died Dec. iSoo, aged 84 years. BoswoRTH, Jonathan, Jr. Son of Jonathan and Molly Bosworth, b. May 20, 1757. Served in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. ; appeared on the alarm at Bristol April i, 1776. Bosworth, Samuel, Capt. Was Lieut, of Barrington Co. in 1775. Was appointed by the town, Feb. 12, 1776, Captain of an Artillery Co. of two guns. He appeared, with several of his men, on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. On Thursday, June 5, 1777, he was ordered by Col. Nathan Miller, to keep a guard of eight men on SERVICES OF SOLDIEKS. 381 Rumstick for fifteen days. His company was called into action at Warren and Bristol, and presumably on the Island of Rhode Island, in the battle of 1778. Capt. Bosworth was a " Gentleman soldier of the Senior Class," in 1781. He died March 4, 1824, aged 80 years. BowEN, Henry. Was a member of Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., 1775. He kept a tavern on the Bicknell place, from 1775 to 1783, near the Congregational Church, where the men of the town resorted to discuss politics, etc., over their glasses of toddy. He was a recruiting officer during the war. He removed to Providence in 1783- BowEN, James, Sergt. Sergeant in Capt. Howe's Co., Col. Robert Elliott's Reg., R. I. Cont. Reg., campaign of 1782; date of certificate Dec. 28, 1782, for £7, 6s. 8d. Bowen, Josiah. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., and appeared on the alarm at Bristol April i, 1776. He was a boatman in Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Sec. Brown, Ichabod. Served on the Military Guard stationed at Barring- ton, from April 5, to May 20, 1778. Brown, James. Was appointed by the town March 21, 1774, one of a Committee of Correspondence, " to attend to all that relates to the liberties of America." He was a member of Capt. Samuel Bos- worth's ArtiUery Co., and was one of the guard appointed by Col. Nathan Miller to serve on Rumstick for fifteen days. He lived at Nayatt, and a watch was kept at his house, in order to give the alarm if any British vessels were seen approaching. He was a " Gen- tleman soldier of the Senior Class," in 1781. Brown, James, Jr., Ensign. Born July 3, 1744. Was Ensign in Col. Miller's Reg., Army of Observation, 1775. Was a private in Capt. Phillip Traffern's Co., Col.Topham's Reg., in 1778-9. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," Vol. 3, No. 460. R. I. Hist. Soc. Brown, Prince, (colored). Soldier in Thomas Arnold's Co., Col. Greene's Battalion, April, 1779. Brown, Samuel. Served in the Militia Guard, stationed at Barrington, from April 5, to May 20, 1778. Brown, William. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Smith's Reg., 1781, and was a " Gentleman soldier of the Senior Class," in 1781. He died June 10, 1817, aged 83 years. Bullock, Joseph. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., 1775, and ap- peared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. BusHEE, James. Served on the Militia Guard, stationed at Barrington, from April 5, to May 20, 1778. He was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. " MU. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. 382 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. BusHEE, Jonathan. Enlisted in Col. John Topham's Reg., in 1778-1779. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Carey, Micah, Sergt. Was a sergeant in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., August, 1775. He served in the siege of Ticonderoga, and was one of the Revolutionary pensioners of Harrington. It is said that he lived to be nearly one hundred years old. He was probably buried at Tyler's Point, althougl* no stone marks his grave. He was a ser- geant in Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Child, Haile. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Child, Hezekiah. Was a " Gentleman soldier of the Senior Class " in 1781. Child, William. Was a boatman in Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Clark, Nathaniel. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., 1775; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. Cole, Ambrose S. Enlisted in Col. Christopher Smith's Reg. for fif- teen months' service from Jan. 5, 1777; was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. CoNANT, Samuel. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., 1775; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; receipted for wages in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Dec. 17, 1776. Drown, Benjamin, Jr., Sergt. Son of Benjamin and Hannah Drown, b. Nov. 25, 1747; was a corporal in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., August, 1775 ; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776 ; was a sergeant in Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780; d. June 12, 1826. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Drown, Caleb. Son of Benjamin and Hannah Drown, b. March 4, 1753; served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., 1775; received bounty of £6, advanced pay £2, 12s, and some clothing; enlisted in the U. S. service June 4, 1777; was in Capt. AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg., AprU 17, 1779. Drown, Daniel. Son of Benjamin and Hannah Drown, b. July 5, 1750; served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., 1775; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April I, 1776; was a soldier in Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780'; was a Revolutionary pensioner; d. May 14, 1837. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Drown, Jonathan Jenckes. Son of Benjamin and Hannah Drown, b. Aug. 30, 1760; receipted for arms for services Dec. 25, 1776; enlisted In the U. S. service June 4, 1777, in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg.; was a soldier in Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780; was a Revolutionary pensioner; d. June 6, 1842. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. SBEVICES OF SOLDIBES. 383 Drown, Simeon. Son of Benjamin and Hannaji Drown, b. March 15, 1754; served in Capt. John Carr's Co., Col. Topham's Reg. U.S. service from Nov. 1, 1778, to March 19, 1780. Freeman, SciPio (colored). While it is virell known that this faithful slave was in the service of the town and state during the war, I have not been able to locate the Co. or Reg. ;d. April 30, 1816, aged seventy years ; buried at the AUin cemetery. Gladding, Ebenezer. Soldier in Capt. Wm. Lawless's Co., Col. Crary's Reg., July, 1778; also Capt. Caleb Carr's Co., 2d Battalion of Foot, February, 1778. Gladding, Joseph. Served in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg. ; was a soldier in Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. GoFP, James. Served in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., 1775; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; receipted for arms Dec. 25, 1776; received bounty of £6, advanced pay £2, 12s., and some clothing; was a soldier in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg., 1778. It appears by another record that Goff was eighteen years old the year he enlisted, (probably 1776), 5 feet, 5 3-4 inches high; that he had hazel eyes and brownhair; that he was a wheelwright; that Capt. Allin supplied his gun. Grant, Abibl, Ensign. Served in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co.; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; was chosen Ensign of Capt. Short's Co., in 1784; was a soldier in Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. July 13, 1780, he received a bounty of " fifty hard dollars for six months service.'" " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Grant, Benjamin. Was a soldier in Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780; was a Revolutionary pensioner. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Grant, Ebenezer. Served in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co.; appeared on on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; was a boatman in Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Grant, Joseph. Was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Grant, Shubael. Was a boatman in Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Grant, Thomas, Corp. Was a corporal in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., '775! appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. Handy, Samuel. Enlisted in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Jan. 21, 1777: enlisted in the Continental sevrice March i, 1777; was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Harding, John, Serg. Sergeant John Harding was in charge of the guard on Rumstick the night Warren was burned ; served at various times and places. 384 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. Harding, Richard, Sergt. Was a sergeant in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., August, i77s; and a " Gentlemen soldier of the Senior Class" in 1781; d. Aug. 15, 1786, aged 55 j-ears. Harding, William. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., 177S; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776' Heath, Nathaniel, Lieut. Son of Rev. Peleg and Jerusha Heath, b. Jan. 29, 174s; was appointed by the town lieutenant of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's Artillery Co. on Feb. 12, 1776; served on the militia guard stationed at Barrington from April 5, to May 20, 1778; was a " Gentleman soldier of the Senior Class " in 1781 ; d. May 19, 1829; was commitee of the town to receive and distribute arms and ammu- nition, April II, 1777. Hbath, Peleg, Maj. Son of Rev. Peleg and Jerusha Heath, b. April 8, 1747. Peleg Heath was ensign in Capt. Peter Church's Co, 1775 ; lieutenant of Capt. Carr's Co., 1776; major of Bristol Co. Reg., 1777 ; was recruiting officer for Barrington, 1777 ; major of Bristol Co. Reg., 1778, 80, and 81. He represented the town in the General Assembly in 1777. He died July 4, 1786. Hews, Spicer. Was a mason by trade; served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg.; enlisted under Capt. Thomas AUin, in 1777; was a boatman in Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Horton, Benjamin. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co. ; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. Horton, Moses, Corp. Corporal in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg., 1778; enlisted April 8, 1777, for 15 months. Horton, Moses, Jr., Corp. Was a corporal in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co. ;. appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; enlisted in the service Sept. 17, 1776, in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Cook's Reg.; received bounty of £6, advanced pay, £2, 12s., and some cloth- ing; enlisted in Col. Smith's Reg., for fifteen months, April 8, 1777. Humphrey, Amos. Son of Nathaniel and Eunice Humphrey; enlisted April 9, 1777, in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co.; enlisted for one year^ March 16, 1778, in Capt. AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg. ; received bounty of £6, advanced pay, £2, 12s., and some clothing. Humphrey, Elkanah. Son of Josiah and Abijiah Humphrey; b. Feb. 18, 1739; served on the militia guard stationed at Barrington, from April 5, to May 20, 1778; was a " Gentleman soldier" in 1781. Humphrey, James, Serg. Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Humphrey, b. April II, 1750; was a sergeant in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co. ; enlisted for one year, Feb. 28, 1777; he wasj however,, in the service previous to this date, also for one year, from March i6, 1778. Humphrey, John, Capt. Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Humphrey; b. April 8, 1757; enlisted Dec. 16, 1776, in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., ALIRHI) DR()\\N. SERVICES OP SOLDIEBS. 385 U. S. service; received bounty of £6, advanced pay £2, 12s., and some clothing; was corporal in 1776; was promoted to sergeant, and afterwards to captain; d. May i, 1816. His widow received a pen- sion. Humphrey, Josiah, Major. Son of Josiah and Hannah Humphrey, b. Oct. 13, 1717; he bore the title of Major before the beginning of the war. He represented the town in the General Assembly in 1771-8, '85-6, '90. On March 21, 1774, he was chosen by the town one of a Committee of Correspondence, " to attend to all that relates to the liberties of America." Humphrey, Josiah, Jr., was a Corporal in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., August, 1775; also was a Sergeant in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. John Cooke's Reg., 1777; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April I, 1776. Enlisted in the U. S. service Sept. 17, 1776. On April 4, 1778, Sergeant Josiah Humphrey, Jr. was appointed by the town to raise a "Militia Guard," under his command. He repre- sented the town in the General Assembly in 1791, 2, 3, 4,9, 1800, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 22-3, Died March 20, 1829, aged 77 years. Humphrey, Nathaniel. Son of Josiah and Hannah Humphrey, b. Nov. 26, 173s; was a Corporal and Sergeant in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Jan. 5, 1777) fifteen months; was comissioned 2d Lieut., June 2Si 1777; was Clerk of Col. Nathaniel Martin's Reg., Jan. 20, 1777, received bounty of £6, advanced pay £2, 12s, and some clothing; was 1st Lieut, in Capt. AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg., for one year from March 16, 1778. Humphrey, Nathaniel, Jr. Enlisied in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Jan. 5, 1777; received bounty of £2, advanced pay £3, 12s, and some clothing. Humphrey, Samuel. Son of Samuel and Elizabeth Humphrey; b. March 15, 1748. Enlisted in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co. Served on the "Militia Guard," of Harrington, from April 5, to May 20, 1778? Was Corporal in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg. Ingraham, Prince, (colored). Soldier in Capt. Flagg's Co., Col. Greene's Reg., 1779; transferred to sappers and miners, June, 1781. Jones, Enoch, Sergt. Son of John and Constant Jones, b. Feb. 28, 1754. Enlisted Dec. 20, 1776, as Sergeant in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co. Enlisted in the Continental service May 17, 1777; received bounty of £6, advanced pay £2, 12s, and some clothing; July 14, 1780, was paid a bounty of fifty " hard dollars"; was a soldier of Capt. Viall AUin's Co. ! in 1780, Sergeant. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Jones, William. Brother of Enoch, b. Nov. 28, 1755; was a sol- dier of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's Artillery Co.; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; he received a bounty of £2, ad- vanced pay £2, I2S, and some clothing; d. June 22, 1829. Enlisted 26 386 THE HISTORY OF BAREINGTON. in Col. C. Smith's Reg. for fifteen months, Dec. 20, 1776, and was corporal and sergeant in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., in 1778. Kelly, Duncan. Enrolled a soldier in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Aug- ust, 1775. Kblley, Esek. Was a private in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg. from March i to June i6, 1778. Kelley, William, Corp. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co.; ap- peared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; served on the militia guard of Harrington from April 5, to May 20, 1778; he was a corporal in Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Kent, John. Enlisted in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., June 5, 1777; served on the militia guard of Harrington from April 5, to May 20, 1778; received bounty of £6, advanced pay £2, 12s., and some cloth- ing; represented the town in the General Assembly in 1798-9, 1801; was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Kent, Joseph. Served on the militia guard of Harrington from April 5, to May 20, 1778; was a soldier in Capt. VlaU Allen's Co. in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I Hist. Soc. Kent, Joshua. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co. ; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; was also a soldier of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's artillery Co. ; served on the guard on Rumstick, appointed by Col. Nathan Miller, June 5, 1777; d. Aug. 24, 1806. Kent, Samuel. Served in English navy prior to Revolution ; was a "Gentleman Soldier" in 1781. Kinnicutt, Daniel, Lieut. Was ensign in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co.; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776, ; was afterwards lieu- tenant, 1776, '78, '80, and 'Si, and had command of a detachment of infantry which joined General Sullivan's expedition two days before the battle of Rhode Island, Aug. 29, 1778 Kinnicutt, Edward. Was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. "MU. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Kinnicutt, Hezekiah. Was a soldier of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's artillery Co.; served on the guard at Rumstick, appointed by Col. Nathan Miller, June 5, 1777; was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. 1. Hist. Soc. La Dieu, Curtis. Was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Low, Samuel, Fifer. Was a fifer in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg. ; enlisted for one year from March 16, 1778. Luther, David. Was a soldier of Capt. Thomas AUin's Co. ; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; received bounty of £6, ad- vanced pay £2, I2S., and some clothing. SEEVICBS OF SOLDIBKS. 387 Luther, Josiah. Enlisted in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Feb. 38, 1778, for one yedr. Col. Crary's Reg, ; was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. " Mil Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Luther, Martin. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Luther, Nathaniel. Was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Martin, Anthony. Fourth son of Nathaniel and Susanna, born 1760. In 1775, entered the militia service, probably as waiter to his father, Col. Nathaniel Martin. After the battle of Lexington, (April 19, 1775), and before the battle of Bunker Hill, (June 17, 1775), the mil- itia were ordered out by Colonel Nathaniel Martin, under General Potter, and were stationed at Bristol, for its defence, the town having been fired upon by two armed British vessels, the Glasgow and Swan; and to save the town from destruction the inhabitants were obliged to supply the vessels with provisions. On or before July i, 1776, he enlisted for nine months, in the company of Captain Thomas Allin, Col. Crary's Reg. The Adjutant of this Regiment was Simeon Martin, of Newport, and they performed duty at Bristol and Little Compton. The militia was classed, and relieved each other every other three days. Enlisted in Col. Smith's Reg. for 15 months from June 4, 1777. Bounty, £12. In 1779 he entered the guard service, where he remained until the British evacuated Rhode Island. He went from Providence to Newport with a flag of truce ; the trip occupied two weeks. He was for a year attached to the artil- lery company of Capt. Samuel Bosworth. The guard at Barrington had two pieces of cannon, and thirty-six men in the company when on duty. He recollected when Warren was burned. Sergt. John Harding was in charge of the guard that night at Rumstick Point. He married Susanna Allen May i, 1779; moved to Greenfield, N. Y., '797; d., 1840, and his wife i842.* Martin, Benjamin, Capt. Son of John and Mary Martin, b. March 23, 1755. " In December, 1776, was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. of Barrington militia, which at that date was ordered into the gen- eral service of the Government. They were stationed at Nayatt and Rumstick Points on the shores of Narragansett Bay, the British at this time being in possession of Newport and the Island of Rhode Island, their patrols extending within a few miles of the Points, where the Barrington militia were quartered. They remained sta- tioned here until the enemy withdrew from Newport. This company was detailed under the command of Lieut. Kinnicutt to act with Gen. Sullivan's expedition, and they joined the same two days before the battle of Aug. 29, 1778. They were in pursuit of the British who burned Bristol and the boats at Kickamuit, driving them back to their shipping at Bristol Ferry. He applied for a pension July, 1832, 388 THE HISTOBY OP BARKINGTON. which was granted. He was born in that part of Warren, now Bai> rington, March 23, 1755. His parents were John and Mary Martin. Capt. Benjamin Martin died Nov. 26, 1836." Martin Genealogy. Martin, Edward. Son of Ebenezer and Mary Martin ; b. April 17, 1754 ; was a member of Capt. Viall AUin's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Martin, James, Ensign. Son of Ebenezer and Mary Martin ; b. Aug. 3, 1751. Was in the Co. of Capt. Loring Peck, Col. Christopher Lippitt's Reg., in Sept., 1776. At the close of the Revolutionary War " there was due him £15, I2s. ^d., by the Government, which he never received." In May, 1778, he was an ensign in the Barrington Co., of Militia, and a "Gentleman Soldier of the Senior Class," in 1781. He represented the town in the General Assembly 1794-5-6. He d. Feb. 3, 1807. Martin, John, Capt. Enlisted in Capt. Thomas Carlisle's Co.. Col. Robert Elliott's Reg., for fifteen months, December 31st; d. Dec. 28, 1801, aged eighty-three; bounty, £6, 12s. Martin, Luther, Ensign. Son of Col. Nathaniel and Susanna Martin, b. Jan. 20, 1752. " He was appointed by the General Court of the State, an enlisting officer, in 1775." " In 1776 he was ensign of Capt. Allin's Co. of militia, which was raised by order of the Rhode Island legislature, his commission being signed by Governor Nicholas Cook. This company was called out from time to time, in consequence of British vessels, commanded by Capt. Wallace, infesting the waters of Narragansett Bay, and burning the houses on Prudence and Conani- cut Islands. He served a large portion of the time until the war closed, and his widow was granted a pension." Martin, Nathaniel, Col. Son of Ebenezer and Abigail (Wheeler) Martin; b. January, 1723; ship builder and farmer; established ferry across Warren River; was appointed lieutenant colonel of istReg. R. I. militia, in May, 1771-2, and colonel in October, 1772; was a deputy from Barrington, 1772-3-4 ; was a member of Colonial Com- mittee of Safety in 1776. Col. Martin was allowed £23 2d. for freight of hay, sheep, and grain from Prudence' Island ; was elected colonel of Bristol Co. ist Reg. of militia in May, 1776; April, 1777; was appointed by the General Assembly to advance £352, bounty money to Barrington soldiers. For further services see regimental orders in this chapter. He died Jan. 15, 1806. Martin, Nathaniel, Jr. Son of Col. Nathaniel and Susanna Martin, b. Oct. I, 1754; served in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., 1776. Martin, Rufus. Son of Ebenezer and Mary Martin, b. July i, 1755; served in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., 1775; was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. He died Sept. 24, 1795. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. SERVICES OF SOLDIBES. 389 Martin, Samuel. Son of John and Mary Martin; b. Feb. 28, 1750; enlisted in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Cook's Reg.; was in a company of Col. Robert Elliott's Reg. during the Revolutionary- War, and at the close of the war there was due him £i8, 7s., 8d., which he never received from the Government. Martin, Samuel, Capt. Son of Ebenezer and Mary Martin; b. March 241 1759- He was in the Co. of Capt. Caleb Carr, and Reg. of Col. William Richmond, Oct. lo, 1776, and receipted for arms, Dec. 25, 1776; at the close of the war there was due him from the Government, £14, 9s., id., which he never received. R. I. Colonial Records, Vol. 8, p. 394. He d. Sept. 18, 1826. Matthew, Daniel. Enlisted in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co, Col. Smith's Reg., Jan. 8, 1777; received bounty of £6, advanced pay £2, 12s., i shirt, 3 pairs stockings, and 2 pairs shoes; deserted, July 20, 1777. Mauran, Joseph Carlo, Commander. In August, 1775, " two row-gal- leys, or gunboats, each to carry sixty men, afterwards reduced to fifty, and an eighteen pounder, besides swivel guns, were ordered by the General Assembly, They were named the Washing-ton and the Sp'tfire." Joseph Carlo Mauran was appointed master of the Spitfire in March, 1776; held his position until the partial destruction of the vessel in March, 1777, soon after which date he was promoted to the command of her consort, the Washing-ton. In April, 1776, the two galleys had a series of engagements, in connection with artillery on the land, with the British vessels Scarborough, twenty guns, and Cimetar, eighteen guns, in Newport harbor. In a night attack, the Spitfire captured from the Scarborough a prize she had recently brought in. In July, 1776, the galleys were sent to New York, to be placed under the orders of General Washington, bur soon returned. At the session of the General Assembly, October, 1776, Mr. John Brown was appointed to inquire into the affair of the prizes taken by the two row-galleys in the harbor of Newport, and see that the government's part of the prizes be paid into the General Treasury, and, at the same time the State gave up its rights to certain anchors and cables taken by the Spitfire in the harbor of Newport. February 21, 1777, the Spitfire " had an action in covering the landing of a party to bring off hay from Rhode Island, which lasted several hours, with a battery on shore, in which the Americans lost one man killed and several wounded." February 27, 1777, the Council-of-war * "Resolved that the eighteen-pound cannon on board ihe Spitfire which had the nut shot away, be exchanged for one of the eighteen- pound cannon now at Warren." March 13, 1777, the Spitfire ran aground on Common-Fence Point, (north end of Rhode Island), and the enemy partially destroyed her. She was repaired, however, and, on May i, 1777, officers were ap- 390 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. pointed to her. In the meanwhile, the Washington had blown up, April 2, 1777. She was repaired as a schooner, and, in June, 1777, placed in command of Joseph Carlo Mauran, then only twenty-nine years old. On the 25th of May, 1778, General Pigot, the English commander at Newport, sent up the bay about five hundred men, under Lieut.-Col. Campbell, to destroy a number of boats collected at Kickemuit River, east of Warren. Landing at daybreak, a little below the town, they entered Warren and marched across to Kickemuit, and burned seventy flat boats, and the galley Washington^ then repairing The marauders, reaching Bristol, began to ravage the village, burning some twenty-two houses, and would have destroyed the whole place, had not an armed force made an attack on them, and forced them back to their landing-place. It is said that Captain Mauran rendered effective service on this occasion, having brought to the scene of con- flict a cannon which did good work in repelling the enemy. " The Washington had been kept in service until her destruction by the enemy. Her loss was quite serious; she had been fitted up at a great expense, had been recently schooner rigged and otherwise well equipped." On June 6, 1778, the Council-of-War took action as fol- lows : " Resolved, that Captain Joseph Mauran late commander of the galley Washington., be, and is hereby directed to cause the wreck of the Washington to be cut up in order to get ye iron, that he secure all of the iron belonging to her in some secure place, that he cause ye guns which belonged to said galley to be bro't to Providence in order that they may be rendered fit for use, and that he get the same done on the best terms he can." Subsequently, the following resolution was passed: "In Council-of-War, July 15, 1778. The galley Washington being destroyed by ye enemy in their late excursion to Warren, whereby Captain Joseph C. Mauran, who had commanded her, is put out of Business, and the State having no armed vessel to put in pay for ye present, 'Tis therefore resolved that ye said Joseph C. Mauran be dismissed from ye service of this State, and he is hereby Recommended as a good and faithful sea officer to all ye friends of ye United American States." Signed by order of ye Council-of-War, Wm. Coddington, Clerk. The unfortunate history of the galley Washington does not seem to have dampened the patriotic ardor of Captain Mauran, for before the end of the year we find him again at sea. The Records of the State of Rhode Island give us, under date of Oct. i, 1778, the following : " I acknowl- edge the foregoing to be a true copy of the instructions delivered to me this day by his Excellency, the Governor, with my commission or Letters of Marque and Reprisals as commander of the Private schooner of war, Weazle. Witness Wm. Mumpord, Deft. Secretary. Signed, Joseph C. Mauran. SEKVICBS OF SOLDIEES. 391 There is also a bond, signed by Joseph C. Mauran, commander of the pri- vate schooner Weazle, of about twenty tons, belonging to Samuel Allen and others, of Harrington and Warren, mounting two carriage guns, two-pounders, and four swivel guns, with twenty men, — fitted with a suitable quantity of muskets, blunderbusses, pistols, cutlass^, opwder, ball, etc. John Wheaton, first lieutenant.* *' In 1779 we find that Captain Mauran entered upon his duties as the master of another vessel, the brigantine General Warren, bound on a voyage to South Carolina with a cargo. Afterwards he commanded a brig of 120 tons belonging to persons in Warren, and made a successful voyage to the West Indies for gunpowder, and brought his vessel safely to port. See Brief Biographies. Maxfield, Daniel. Receipted for wages in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co. at Tiverton, April 21, 1777. Medbury, Benjamin. Born July 2, 1759 ; killed in the Battle of Rhode Island, Aug. 29, 1778, on his first day of service. Was buried in the Allin good. His tombstone reads : " In Memory of Benjamin, son of Mr. John Medbury and Ann his wife, who fell in ye battle on Rhode Island Aug. 29, 1778, Bravely fighting for the liberty of his Country, aged 19 years, i month and 27 days. Medbury, John, Lieut. Born in Rehoboth, Aug 11, 1754; held a lieu- tenant's commission, and served in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Died Nov. 2, 1825. Monroe, Squire. Was a member of Capt. Viall AUin's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," Vol. 3, No. 460. R. I. Hist. Soc. Mumford, Paul. Was a prominent man in town and colony affairs. He lived at Maxfield's corners (so called) on the road to Warren. Was a "Gentleman soldier of the Senior Class," in 1781, and represented the town in the General Assembly in 1787. See Brief Biogi-aphies. Ormsbee, Isaac. Was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. En- listed in 1781 " for the War." " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Oxx, George. In camp at Newport, Oct. 10, 1776; receipted for wages to Capt. Caleb Carr. Oxx, Samuel. Was a private in Capt. Thos. AUin's Co., Col. Crar/s Reg., 1778; also in Col. James Williams's Reg., 1779. Paine, Nathaniel. Served on the Military Guard, of Harrington, from April 5, to May 20, 1778. Peck, Amos. Son of Solomon and Kezia Peck, b. May 1, 1749. Served in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co. Appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April I, 1776. Was a member of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. "Mil. Papers," April 24, 1816. R. I. Hist. Soc. Peck, Benjamin. Son of Solomon and Kezia Peck, b. June 9, 1747. (I have not been able to find Mr. Peck's record, though he bore the title of Colonel.) 392 THE HISTOEr OF BAEBINGTON. Peck, David. Son of David and Sarah Peck, b. Aug. i8, 1746 ; served ii Capt. Thomas AUin's Co; was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. ii 1780. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Peck, Ebenezer, Maj. Son of Solomon and Kezia Peck, b. Dec. 11 i7#2. He was an ardent patriot, and performed military service, recon of \^ich the writer has not been able to find. When a political enem; died, he would say contemptuously, " Another Tory gone." He rep resented the town in the General Assembly, 1810-1815. He died Apri 20, i8i6. His widow received a pension. Peck, Joel. Son of David and Sarah Peck, b. Aug. 28, 1759. Enlista in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., June 4, 1777 ; received bounty of £6 advanced pay £2, 12s., and some clothing; d. Nov. 11, 1833. Hi widow received a pension. Peck, Lewis. Son of David and Sarah Peck, b. May 30, 1761. Servec on the militia guard of Harrington from Aprils, ^° ^^Y ^°> I77S' Peck, Nathaniel, Maj. Son of Solomon and Kezia Peck, b. Dec. 17 1759. Was a soldier of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's Artillery Co. appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. He was also one o: the guard appointed by Col. Nathan Miller, June 5, 1777, to serve or Rumstick 15 days ; served on the militia guard of Harrington fron April 5, to May 20, 1778. He afterward held a major's commission. Peck, Nicholas. Private in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Chris Smith's Reg., 1781. Peck, Solomon, Capt. Brother of Nathaniel, b. Oct. 29, 1738. Was clerk of the militia company of Barrington under Capt. Thomai AUin as early as March 18, 1776, as appears by an order addressed tc him by the captain. His signature appears in a bold, round hand as clerk, giving a list of persons who appeared from Barrington on th( alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. Henry Bowen, town treasurer; acknowledges the receipt of 15s., gd. from Mr. Solomon Peck as clerl of the militia for fines for the year 1776. He was also clerk undei Capt. Viall Allen in 1778. Solomon Peck as sergeant was sent tc warn the militia draught for the 2d Division to relieve those on dut) to appear at Col. Nathaniel Martin's house Saturday, 21st of June, 1777, completely equipped by Daniel Kinnicutt, lieutenant. On th« I2th of May, 1788, Gov. John Collins commissioned Solomon Peck, gentleman, as captain of the Senior Class Co. of Militia in the Count) of Bristol; d. Aug. 22, 1814. Read, David, Capt. Was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780 He probably followed the sea later in life, as he was known as Capt David Read; d. at Hispaniola, Aug. 5, 1795. "Mil. Papers," R. I Hist. Soc. Read, Samuel. Soldier in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Smith's Reg. ; fifteen months U. S. Service; enlisted June 4, 1777. WILLIAM R. ,\LART1N. SERVICES OF 80LDIEKS. 393 Read, William, Corp. Enlisted in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co., Col. Crar/s Reg. Aprils, 1777; was corporal of the Co. ; re-enlisted for one year from March 16, 1778. Reynolds, Thomas. Enlisted from Harrington, May 1777, and received a bounty of £ 16, from Peleg and Nathaniel Heath. Sabin, Samuel. Enlisted in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg., Dec. 20, 1776; enlisted in the Continental service March 4, 1777; received bounty of £6, advanced pay £2, 12s., and some clothing. Salisbury, George, Lieut. Was sergeant in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., August 1775 ; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776 ; served on the militia guard of Barrington from April 5, to Maj' 20, 1778 ; he was sergeant in Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780; in 1784 he was chosen lieutenant in Capt. Short's Co. of Barrington militia; he d. Jan. 22, 1818. "Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Abigail Salisbury, widow of George, who was sergeant of a guard stationed at Rumstick Point, was another choice specimen of female patriotism. She was one hundred years old when she applied for a pension, was married fifteen years before the war, and she took an active part in the struggle for Independence, and knit stockings for the whole coast guard of Barrington. Indeed, she was so fond of knitting that she continued it until her death. She showed the writer a pair of stockings she knit, after the war, when she was one hundred years old. — Spirit of '76 in Rhode Island. Benjamin Cowell. Sheldon, John. Served in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. ; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. Short, James. Son of John and Phebe Short; b. April 6, 1753; enlisted in Capt, Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Cook's Reg., Sept. 17, 1776. Short, John, Jr., Capt. Son of John and Phebe Short; b. Feb. 14, 1757. served in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., August, 1776; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; served also in Capt. Viall Allen's Co.; was corporal in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., Col. Crary's Reg. ; was en- sign in 1781, and captain in 1784; d. Aug. 25, 1822. Short, Samuel, Corp. Son of John and Phebe Short, b. March 9, 1755; was drummer in Capt. Thomas AUin's Co. August, 1775; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; was a private in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. Col. Crary's Reg., 1778; was a corporal and also a boat- man in Capt. Viall Allen's Co., 1780; was a Revolutionary pensioner; d. Jan. 30, 1836. " Mil. Papers." R. I. Hist. Soc. Smith, Nathaniel, Sergt. Was a minute man, and afterwards a recruit- ing officer, in the early days of the war; was sergeant in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., August, 1775; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. On Jan. 20, 1777, Col. Nathaniel Martin ordered a guard to be kept night and day at his father's house on Rumstick. He was also a member of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's artillery Co. ; was one of the guard appointed by Col. Nathan Miller, June 5 1777, to serve on Rum- 394 THE HISTOKY OF BARRINGTON. stick for fifteen days ; served on the militia guard of Barrington, from April 5, to May 20, 1778; was appointed sergeant in Col. Topham's Reg., in 1778-79. He d. March, 1823, aged seventy-six years. Smith, Simon, Ensign. Was a soldier of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., and was afterwards in the Continental Battalion, enlisted May 19, I777i ^s ensign, receiving a hounty of $150 voted by the town. He lost his life at sea, in the year 1780, aged 32 years. Smith, Pomp. A Negro slave of Hannah Smith, who received from the town a bounty of £15, for his enlistment, Dec. 2, 1780. See Barring- ton Treas. records. SocHORosE, Joseph. Was in the Barrington quota which enlisted May 17, 1777. He received a bounty of £44. Barrington records. Stanley, Comfort. He was a blacksmith by trade, and was a soldier of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., and also of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's Artillery Co., and was one of the guard appointed by Col. Nathan Miller, June 5, 1777, to serve on Rumstick for fifteen days. He was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. His old musket is now in the Antiquarian rooms at Warren, R. I. He died Aug. 26, 1818, aged 67 years. Thurber, John. Soldier in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., August, 1775. Tiffany, Ebenezer. Son of Ephraim and Esther Tiffany, b. June 10, 1753- ^H-s a soldier of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. ; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April 1, 1776. He was also a soldier of the militia guard stationed at Barrington from April 5, to May 20, 1778, and was called into service on the Island of Rhode Island. He was a soldier of Capt. Viall Allen's Co. in 1780. "Mil. Papers," Vol. 3, No. 460, R. I. Hist. Soc. He represented the town in the General Assembly in 1788 and 1806. He died April 4, 1826. Titus, Simeon. Served in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. ; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776; enlisted April 8, 1777, in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. TowNSEND, Solomon, Jr. Son of Rev. Solomon and Rebecca Townsend, b. June 24, 1748; was a soldier of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., 1775; was chosen quartermaster of Col. John Stanton's Reg., December, 1776; a. "Gentleman soldier of Senior Class" in 1781. He was a rep- resentative in the General Assembly, 1805 ; d. March 22, 1818. Traffern, Cromwell. In ist Reg. Cont. Infantry, 1781. Traffern, Philip, Capt. Soldier in Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., 1775 ; first lieutenant in Col. Richmond's Reg., 1776 ; also first lieutenant in Col. Stanton's Reg., 1776. On April 24, 1779, it was voted in town meeting to pay Capt. Philip Traffern the sum of £5, for service done in recruiting. His company was in Col. Thomas Tillinghast's Reg. — 20 of 28 reporting to Capt. Traffern for duty ; was captain of a com- SERVICES OP SOLDIERS. 395 pany in Col. Topham's Reg., Gen. Cornell's battalion, in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Tripp, Consider. Was a soldier of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co., a soldier of the militia guard in 1778, and a " Gentleman soldier of the Senior Class," in 1781. Tyler, Moses, Lieut. Son of Moses and Hannah Tyler; b. in Boston, Nov. 26, 1734; removed to Barrington when a young man, and settled on the estate now owned by F. O. Wallis ; served in the militia, and rose to the rank of lieutenant ; was afterwards a " Soldier of the Senior Class ;" was appointed by the town, March 21, 1774, one of a Committee of Correspondence " to attend to all that relates to the liberties of America." He represented the town in the General Assembly in 1776-7 ; d. Sept. 16, 181 1. [See pages 396-7 for capture of Hessian.] Tyler, William. In 1st Reg. Cont. Infantry, 1781. ViALL, Allen. Son of Samuel and Ruth ; b. in Rehoboth, Dec. 23, 1756. Was a soldier of Capt. Thomas Allin's Co. in 1779. He was drowned in the memorable gale of Sept. 23, 1815. His widow received a pen- sion. ViALL, John, Captain. Born in Rehoboth, Nov. 26, 1758; was an ensign in 1780, and lieutenant of artillery in 1781 ; d. April 7, 1833. ViALL, Joseph, S'ergt. Sergeant Joseph Viall was ordered by Capt Thomas Allen to warn all the " Gentlemen Soldiers Belonging to the Senor Class to appear at the House of Mr Henry Bowen in Barrington" on March 3, 1781. Viall, Josiah. Was a " Gentleman soldier of the Senior Class," in 1781. Viall, Nathaniel. Born in Rehoboth, April 11, 1762; served as a pri- vate on the Island of Rhode Island ; d. Jan. 25, 1852. Viall, Samuel, Lieut. Was a soldier of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's artil- lery Co.; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1716. He was first lieutenant of the row-galley Sfitfite, in 1777, and was killed by an accidental explosion of gunpowder, on board that vessel, in the Kicke- muit River, April 2, 1777, in the forty-eighth year of his age. Viall, Sylvester. Was a soldier of Capt. Samuel Bosworth's Artillery Co. ; appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April, 1776. Enlisted in Col. Smith's Reg. fifteen months, June 4, 1777; bounty, £12. Died May 2, 1816, aged 65 years. Watson, John. Son of Matthew and Bethiah Watson, b. Oct. 5, 1746. Was a soldier of Capt. Thomas Allen's Co., and appeared on the alarm at Bristol, April i, 1776. Was a boatman in Capt. Viall Allen's Co., in 1780. " Mil. Papers," R. I. Hist. Soc. Watson, Matthew. Son of Matthew and Bethiah Watson, b. April 4, 1741. Was a soldier of Capt. Thomas Allen's Co., and a " Gentleman Soldier" in 1781. Died March 15, 1801. 396 THE HISTORY OF BAREINGTON. The Hessian Musket. At the time of the landing of a force of 500 British and Hessian troops, on Sunday, May 25, 1778, on the northern boundary of the town of Bristol, to invade and pil- lage Warren, Moses Tyler was conspicuous in his efforts to prevent them from crossing the river to invade Barrington. The British had already blown up the powder maga- zine, burned the Baptist meet- ing-house, and the adjoining parsonage, and several other buildings in Warren. During this work of destruction and pillage, a few of the Hessian soldiers made their way to the north part of the town, but soon returned to join the main body. Two Hessian soldiers, more adventurous than the rest, secured a small boat and prepared to cross the river to the Barrington side to continue their work of destruction. Mr. Tyler, with musket ready, and with am- munition prepared by the hands of his wife and daugh- ter, hastened to the bank of the river just below his house, ready to dispute the passage of the two red-coats across. As they pushed off into the stream he hailed them, and warned them of their peril, and of the fate that awaited them. They replied to his warning with derisive oaths, and, nothing daunted, con- tinued their course. Waiting until they got within range, Mr. Tyler took aim and fired. instantly killing one of the soldiers. The other, realizing that the same fate awaited him, hastily turned the boat about, and pulled for the Warren shore. Mr. Tyler, jumping into his own boat, pursued but could not overtake the fleeing Hessian, who, in his haste to escape, was only too glad to abandon his dead com- rade to his pursuer. When he reached the abandoned boat, Mr. Tyler took possession of the dead Hessian's musket and accoutrements, and with the assistance of a neighbor, gave him a decent burial and re- turned to his home. During his lifetime, Mr. Tyler kept in his possession this musket as an interesting relic of his experience during the American Revolution. In his old age and shortly before his death, he gave it, together with the story of its capture, to the keeping of his then young grandson, Haile Bowen of Warren, who cherished it with affectionate regard dur- ing his long life. In his old: age he likewise gave it into the care of his young grand- son, Sylvanus Haile Bowen, in whose affectionate care it will remain, to be, in time, again transmitted to the same jealous care of his descend- ants, an eloquent reminder of the long and unequal struggle of the American Colonies for their independence, and of the noble character of. their hon- ored and honorable ancestor. SEEVICBS OF SOLDIEES. 397 This musket is a fine specimen of the old flint locks, in universal use in those days. On the lock-plate is stamped the English crown, and beneath it the initials G. R., of Georgius Rex, (George the King), while below the hammer is the word "edge," from Edgeworth, England, where the gun was made, and the date, 1760, the year.it was made. On a brass plate on the butt appears his name engraved in quaint characters by his own hand, Mx TYLER, and on another plate the following, showing the trans- fer to his grandson, M. T, above the letters H. B. Moses Tyler died in Harrington, Sept. 16, 181 1, aged 77 years, and on his grave in the Tyler burying ground has been placed a marker of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, in reverent recognition of his services to his country in " the times that tried mens' souls." Watson, Pomp, (colored.) Enlisted May, 1777, on account of Matthew and John Watson. He was a slave of the Watson family. Enlisted in Capt. Cole's Co., Col. Chris. Greene's Reg., First Bat., R. I. Troops, U. 8. service, 1778. Served three years. Watson, Prince, (colored.) Capt. Cole's Co., Col. Chris. Greene's Reg., First Bat., R. I. Troops, U. S. service, 1778. Served during the war. 398 THE HISTORY OF BAKKINGTON. The Roll of Honor. Barrington Men, who Served in the War of the American Revolution. Adams, Ebenezer, Adams, Edward. Adams, James, Adams, Joseph, Corporal, Adams, Nudigate, Adams, Samuel, Adams, William, Allen, Asa, Allen, Benjamin,' Allen, Joseph, Captain, Allen, James, Allen, Joseph Viall, Fifer, Allen, Josiah, Corporal, Allen, Prince, Negro slave, Allen, Samuel, Major, Allen, Samuel, 2d., Allen, Viall, Captain, Allen, Richard, free Negro, Allin, Matthew, Captain, AUin, Thomas, Brig.-General, Allin, Jack, Negro slave, Andrews, James, Andrews, Jonathan, Andrews, William, Sergeant, Anderson, Thomas, Arnold, James, Arnold, Peleg, Bannister, Cato, Negro slave, Barnes, John, Sergeant, Barnes, Levi, Barnes, Samuel, Corporal, Bean, Thomas S., Beers, Spicer, Bicknell, Asa, Bicknell, James, Bicknell, Joshua, Jr., Bicknell, Pero, Negro slave, Bicknell, Winchester. Bishop, Ebenezer, Bishop, Comfort, Bishop, Sylvanus, Bosworth, Edward, Bosworth, Jonathan, Jr., Bosworth, Samuel, Captain, Bowen, Henry, Bowen, Josiah, Bowen, James, Sergeant, Brown, Ichabod, Brown, James, Brown, James, Jr., Ensign, Brown, Samuel, Brown, William, Brown, Prince, Negro slave, Bullock, Joseph, Bushee, James, Bushee, Jonathan, Carey, Micah, Sergeant, Chase, Grindall, Child, Haile, Child, Hezekiah, Child, William, Clark, Nathaniel, Cole, Ambrose S., Conant, Samuel, Drown, Benjamin, Jr., Sergeant, Drown, Caleb, Drown, Daniel, Drown, JonathanrJ., Drown, Simeon. Freeman, Scipio, Negro slave. Gladding, Joseph, Gladding, Ebenezer, Goff, James, Grant, Abiel, Ensign, Grant, Benjamin, Grant, Ebenezer, Grant, Joseph, Grant, Shubael, ROLL OP HOKOE. 399 Grant, Thomas, Corporal, Handy, Samuel, Harding, John, Captain, Harding, Richard, Sergeant, Harding, William, Heath, Nathaniel, Lieutenant, Heath, Peleg, Major, Hewes, Spicer, Hillman, George, Horton, Benjamin, Horton, Moses, Corporal, Horton, Moses, Jr., Corporal, Humphrey, Amos, Humphrey, Elkanah, Humphrey, James, Sergeant, Humphrey, John, Captain, Humphrey, Josiah, Major, Humphrey, Josiah, Jr., Sergt., Humphrey, Nathaniel, Lieut., Humphrey, Nathaniel, Jr., Humphrey, Samuel, Corporal, Ingraham, Prince, Negro slave, Jones, Enoch, Sergeant, Jones, William, Sergeant, Kelley, Duncan, Kelley, Esek, Kelley, William, Corporal, Kent, James, Kent, John, Kent, Joseph, Kent, Joshua, Kent, Samuel, Kinnicutt, Daniel, Lieutenant. Kinnicutt, Edward, Kinnicutt, Hezekiah, LaDieu, (or Ladue) Curtis, Low, Samuel, Fifer. Luther, Daniel, Luther, David, Luther, Caleb, Luther, Josiah, Luther, Martin, Luther, Nathaniel, Martin, Anthony, Martin, Benjamin, Captain, Martin, Edward, Martin, James, Ensign, Martin, John, Captain, Martin, Luther, Ensign, Martin, Nathaniel, Colonel, Martin, Nathaniel, Jr., Martin, Rufus, Martin, Samuel, Martin, Samuel, Captain, Matthews, Daniel, Mauran, Joseph C., Commander, Maxfield, Daniel, Medbury, Benjamin, Medbury, Daniel, Medbury, John, Lieutenant, Monroe, Squire, Mumford, Paul, Hon., Judge and [Lieut.-Governor, Ormsbee, Isaac, Oxx, George, Oxx, Samuel, Paine, Nathaniel, Peck, Amos, Peck, Benjamin, Colonel, Peck, David, Peck, Ebenezer, Major, Peck, James, Peck, Joel, Peck, Lewis, Peck, Nathaniel, Major, Peck, Nicholas, Peck, Solomon, Captain, Read, David, Captain, Read, Samuel, Read, William, Corporal, Reynolds, Thomas, Sabin, Samuel, Salisbury, George, Lieutenant, Sheldon, John, Short, James, Short, John, Ji-., Captain, Short, Samuel, Corporal, Smith, Nathaniel, Sergeant, Smith, Pomp, Negro slave, Smith, Simon, Ensign, Sochorose, Joseph, Stanley, Comfort, 400 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. Thurber, John, Toogood, Samuel, Tiffany, Ebenezer, Tiffany, Prince, Negro slave, Titus, Simeon, Townsend, Solomon, Jr., Qmr., Treffern, (or Traf ton,) Cromwell, Treffern, Philip, Captain, Tripp, Consider, Tyler, Moses, Lieutenant, Tyler, William, Viall, Allen, Viall, John, Captain, Viall, Joseph, Sergeant, Viall, Josiah, Viall, Nathaniel, Viall, Samuel, Lieutenant, Viall, Sylvester, Watson, John, Watson, Matthew, Watson, Pomp, Negro slave, Watson, Prince, Negro slave. Further studies of the Revolutionary period may add the names and services of other Barrington soldiers to the Roll of Honor. THE Revolutionary Patriots of Barrington, whose Graves HAVE been Decorated with Markers of the Sons OF THE American Revolution. Abbreviations. B.H.— Burial Hill, north of Hundred Acre Cove. P. H Prince's Hill. T. P.— Tyler's Point, on New Meadow Neck. L. N.— Little Neck, at Wanna- moisett, near Riverside. A. Y. — Allin Yard, west of Annawomscutt Creek at Drown- ville. W, Y.— Watson Yard. B. R. I. A. — Barrington Rural Improvement Associa- tion. R. I. S. of A. R.— R. I. Society of Sons of the American Revolution. BURIED NAME. BORN. 1. Adams, Ebenezer 1762 2. Adams, Nudigate 1753 3. Allen, Joseph V 1762 4. Allin, Matthew.. 1744 5. Allen, Samuel 1739 6. Allin, Thomas 1742 7. Allen, Viall 1744 8. Barnes, Samuel 1756 9. Bean, Thomas S 1758 10. Bicknell, Asa 1747 11. Bicknell, Joshua 1759 12. Bicknell, Winchester.. 1761 13. Bosworth, Edward. .. . 1716 14. Bosworth, Samuel.... 1744 15. Brown, William 1734 DIED. AT. MARKED BY. 1782 P. H. B. R. I. A. 1798 P. H. Joseph Adams. 17S0 P. H. R. I. S. of A. R. 1794 A.Y. Samuel M. Drown. 1808 P. H. B. R. I. A. 1800 A.Y. Capt. Samuel Allin. 1787 P. H. The Misses Allin. 1803 P. H. B. R. L A. 1839 P. H. Benson Bean. 1799 P. H. Frank J. Bicknall, 1837 P. H. Edward J. BicknaU. 1782 P. H. Thomas W. Bicknell. 1800 P. H. B. R. I. A. 1824 P. H. Leonard P. Bosworth, 1817 P. H. Harriet A. Rea. SOLDIBBS GRAVES. 401 BORN. DIED. AT. 16. Drown, Benjamin.... 1747 17. Drown, Daniel 1750 18. Drown, Jonathan J. .. 1760 19. Freeman, Scipio 1746 20. Grant, Joseph 1742 21. Harding, John 22. Harding Richard 1731 23. Heath, Nathaniel 1745 24. Heath, Peleg 1747 25. Humphrey, John 1757 26. Humphrey, Josiah.... 1752 27. Jones, William 1755 28. Kent, Joshua 1746 29. Martin, Benjamin .... 1755 30. Martin, James 1751 31. Martin, John 1718 32. Martin, Luther 1752 33. Martin, Nathaniel.... 1723 34. Martin, Rufus 1755 35. Martin, Samuel 1757 36. Medbury, John 1754 37. Medbury, Benjamin.. 1759 38. Peck, Amos 1749 39. Peck, Ebenezer 1762 40. Peck, Joel 1759 41. Peck, Solomon 1738 42. Read, David...... .... 1754 43. Salisbury, George. ... 1736 44. Short, John 1757 '45. Short, Samuel 1755 46. Smith, Nathaniel 1747 47. Smith, Simon 1748 48. Stanley, Comfort 1751 49. Tiffany, Ebenezer 1753 50. Townsend,Solomon,Jr 1748 51 Tripp, Consider 52. Tyler, Moses 1734 53. Viall, Allen 1756 54. Viall, John 1759 55. Viall, Nathaniel 1762 56. Viall, Samuel 1730 57. Viall, Sylvester 1751 58. Watson, Matthew.... 1741 26 826 T. P. 837 T. P. 842 T. P. 816 A. Y. 815 B. H. ... L.N. L.N. P. H. 786 P. H. 816 L. N. 829 P. H. 829 L. N. 806 T. P. 836 T. P. 807 T. P. 801 T. P. 799 N.Y. 806 T. P. T. P. T. P. A.Y. 786 829 795 826 825 778 A.Y. 816 P. H. P. H. P. H. 814 P. H. 795 T. P. P. H. T. P. T. P. P. H. P. H. T. P. 826 P. H. 818 P. H. .... P. H. 1811 T. P. 181S A.Y. 816 833 S18 S22 836 823 780 818 1833 1852 1777 1816 1801 L.N. L.N. A.Y. L.N. W.Y. MARKED BY. Henry F. Drown. James B. Drown. Frank S. Drown. R. I. S. of A. R. B. R. I. A. John B. Humphrey. John B. Humphrey. Mrs. Wm. Carter. Wra. C. Heath. John B. Humphrey. B. R. I. A. Wm. J. & Miss S.E. Peck. B. R. I. A. Wm. R. Martin. The Misses Martin. B. R. I. A. Walter A. Martin. Mrs. T. C. Heath. B. R. I. A. Miss Annie Driscol. Jesse Medbury, Daniel Medbury & others. B. R. I. A. B. R. I. A. Mrs. L. Staples and others. Mrs. J. L. Seymour. Mrs. John C. Hall. Mrs. Jared C. Dodge. Mrs. George L. Smith. B. R. I. A. Irving M. & H. M. Smith. Samuel W. Smith. Mrs. Elizabeth S. Bowen. Ebenezer Tiffany, Jr. Mrs. R. D. HortonUnd Mrs. H. B. Smith. B. R. I. A. Chauncey Tyler Driscol. B. R. I. A. Miss Anna Viall. B, R. I. A. R. I. S. of A. R. B. R. I. A. Elmer K. Watson. CHAPTER XXV DOMESTIC SLAVERY AND SLAVES Domestic Slaves — Their Character and Treatment — Number of Slaves — Individual Slaves — Value of Slaves — Emancipation by Military Service — Made Universal in 1784 — Names of Some Family Slaves — Apprenticeship. THE institution of slavery has never flourished in Rhode Island. The soil was not congenial to its growth. The spirit of independence, of freedom of thought, and of religious toleration was, in its nature, hostile to human bondage. The people brought with them to America the hereditary taint of feudalism, but our free air and unre- stricted liberty of movement were an offset to all such inherited tendencies. Still further, the settlers of New England belonged to the middle classes, which had never been benefited at home from vassalage. Rhode Island slaves were of the social and servant class and were not chattels in the true intent. These slaves were part and par- cel of the home life and bore the family names of their owners. Sales were unusual except on the division of esta;tes, and then the slave was usually retained in the neigh- borhood. Scipio Richmond, Cuff Adams, Jack Bosworth, Pomp Bicknell, Pomp and Jenny Smith, Cambridge Watson, Scipio Tiffany, Pero Allen, Prince Allen, Cassar Smith and others bore the names of the families where they were born and in whose homes they lived and were faithful servants. The affection between masters and mistresses and the col- ored house or farm servants was strong, and made a perma- nent relationship of reciprocal regard and personal interest not only possible but common. Their untutored minds, their free, social dispositions, their willing and obedient spirits, made them the objects of familiar approach and df easy control. The children of the white family learned to DOMESTIC SLAVEKY. 403 love the black faces that shone upon their cradles and cared for them in early youth. Some of the pleasantest memories of childhood are connected with the first generation of free blacks from the family slaves of Barrington, and some of the most worthy of the colored people of Rhode Island and else- where bear the names of Barrington families, as descendants of Barrington slaves. From the introduction of the first slaves into Rhode Island in 1696, from the African coast, until 1774, slaves occupied the place of the house servant and farm hand and never numbered over 4,000 in the state. The census of 1774 returned 1,479 Indians and 3,668 blacks. While some of the Indians were slaves, many of the blacks were free, so that the number of slaves, Indians and blacks, was not prob- ably greater than the total black population. As the popu- lation of the colony by the same census was 59,707 the ratio of whites to blacks was as i black to 16.6 whites. As some white families owned from two to six slaves, it is not prob- able that more than one fourth of the families of the state owned slaves. Of the 91 families in Barrington by the cen- sus of 1774, 22 of them returned Indian or black servants. Of the 168 families in Warren, only 26 returned slaves. Of the 197 families in Bristol, 49 families returned 140 servants or slaves. The number of Indians and blacks in Barrington in 1774 was 59, as will be seen by reference to the Barring- ton census of 1774. The universal testimony of Barrington people of the last generation was that these slaves were industrious and faith- ful servants, honest and trustworthy. They were treated with much kindness and consideration by their owners, and were appreciative of their advantages. Of the following slaves a brief record may be made. Cuff Adams was owned by Nudigate Adams, grandson of Judge Nudigate Adams of Wickford. He lived with his master near what is now the Cleland place at Barrington Centre and was buried there. Jack Bosworth, owned by Edward Bosworth, married 404 THE HISTORY OF BABBINGTON. Jemima Tiffany, who was sold by Hezekiah Tiffany to Sam- uel Allen. They lived with their respective masters and were buried, Jack at Prince's Hill and his wife at Prince's Pond. Their children were Richard, Lucy, and Phebe. Mr. Bosworth lived on what is now the Allen Matthewson place. Mr. Bosworth had another slave, who married Jenny, the wife of Pomp Smith, whose mother, Moll Smith, was found dead in bed. They were buried near their master's house. Pomp Bicknell, owned by James Bicknell, who lived near the brick yard, married Jenny Bosworth, perhaps sold from one master to the other. It is stated that they lived with their respective masters. They had two children, Ceasar and Lucy. Cambridge Watson was a slave of the Watson family. His wife's name was Jenny. They had one child whose name was Jack. Pomp Watson married Phillis — Doctoress Phillis — who must have come from Warren or Swansea, as she religiously attended church in the latter place, walking all the way from Barrington to be present at "feet washing," observed periodically by that church. Daniel Tiffany, Scipio Tiffany, and Sabrina Tiffany, his wife, belonged to the Tiffany family. Scipio and Brina had one son, Scipio. Scipio Richmond, their son, lived in the old Richmond house in Long Swamp, removed a few years since to make room for the mansion house of Albert Peck. Scipio's house, kept with great care and neatness, was a favorite resort for the white children of the neighborhood. They were wel- come guests till in their frolicsome glee some of his choice things came to grief and then they were most summarily sent away. Bristol AUin, owned by Thomas Allin, father of General Allin, came from Africa, some say, with his wife. They had two children, Pero and Tower. Pero Allin lived on the Allin estate near the Providence River. He bought his wife, Orpha, of Gol. Sylvester Child, FAMILY SLAVES. 405 of Warren, giving his note for value received. That prov- ing worthless, his master was asked for the amount, but having no knowledge of the transaction, he refused pay- ment. Their children were. Tower, Jack, Adam, Henrietta, and Phillis. Prince AUin's wife was Henrietta Brown. Their son was Pero, the fiddler. Pero's wife, Jenny, came from the coast of Guinea. They lived in Jenny's lane. She was a Chris- tian woman, connected with the Congregational Church in this town. They had seven children, Hannah, Clark, Rhen- kin, Stephen, Olinda, Mary and Lurane. Pero's mother, Writty (Henrietta), lived with them. His mother was " bred and born " in the old brick house, once standing under the big elm trees at the entrance to bridge lane. Ceaser Smith was owned by Nathaniel Smith. Lill was bought by him when eight years old of Mr. Bullock, of Reho- both, for one yoke of oxen. Lill lived in the family of the late Asa Smith, not having taken her freedom papers when entitled to them by the laws of the state. She was beloved and respected by the family, kindly cared for in illness, and tenderly'taken to her last resting place. Tower, Allin married Phillis — little Phillis. They lived near the brook at Drownville and had one child, Nancy. Nancy married Thomas Henderson. Their children were Priscilla, Frederic, and Jack, or John, Henderson, who lived at Nayatt, near the old light-house, and was with his wife and daughter deservedly respected by the people of this and the past generation. Richard Allen and Margaretta, his wife, with their eight children, Lydia, Richard, Caesar, Theodore, Olive, Jemima, Sarah, and Charles, were among the last families of colored people to pass away from our midst, within the memory of those now living. They long outlived the period of sla- very. Tower Allin, slave of Matthew Allin, appeared sick, and when asked the matter, told his master that he was love-sick and wanted Massa to buy Philissa to be his wife, which Allin 406 THE HISTORY OF BAKKINGTON. did. The two lived at Long Swamp corner, at the head of Drownville road, where Scipio Allin (alias Freeman?), after- wards lived. Philissa made the wedding cake and Tower played the fiddle at the wedding of Sarah Medbury and Dr. Rodliffe, at the old Halsey house, in East Providence, formerly John Medbury's. The value of an able bodied man-slave in Rhode Island was from twenty-five to one hundred and twenty pounds. Matthew Allin bought " a certain Negro Boy called Prince, about fourteen or fifteen years old," of John Usher, Jr., of Bristol, for three hundred and seventy pounds, current money, In the year 1752. As old tenor and real values were as six- teen to one, the market value of Prince was^about £2$, or $12$. David Brown of Ashford, Conn., sold the services of "one negro man named Pero, about seventeen years of age for the space of eleven years from the second day of April, 1783," for the sum of £4$. In the inventory of the goods and chattels of Peter Bicknell, of Barrington, taken by Solomon Peck and Samuel Allen, Appraisers in 1769, the following items appear among the live stock : "Five cows ;^ii, 2s., Four calves ;^2, Fifty sheep £12, los.. One horse, saddle and bridle, £y. Two steers £ 3, 12s., Four swine ^£2, One negro boy named Cuff . ;£20, One negro boy named Pomp . £ 3. One negro woman named Merea ;^3S. In 1742 Thomas Hill of North Kingstown sold to Matthew Allin of Barrington "one negro girl slave named Felles (Phillis) about ten years of age ; the said to have and to hold to the proper use and behoof of him the said Matthew Allin forever," for "the sum of ninety-five pounds of good and law- ful money of New England." In the estate of Matthew Allin, probated 1761, appears the EMANCIPATION, 407 item of "4 negro slaves between fourteen and forty-five years of age." In the town records under date of December 22, 1744, the following intention of marriage appears : "Quash declared unto me the subscriber his and Moll her intentions to be married to each other." "Quash and Moll, negro servants to the widow Smith of Barrington were married January 9, 1743-4." JosiAH Humphrey, Town Clerk. By the will of Joshua Bicknell, probated in 1752, he declared : " And my will is that my negro man Dick and female negro child Rose in case their lives shall be spared, they shall serve my said wife (Abigail) during the term of her natural life, and at her decease the said two negroes shall be made free." . . . " My will is in case the two negroes above mentioned should survive their mistress my said wife, that my daughter Olive shall pay the sum of one hundred pounds to the one and my daughter Molly shall pay one hun- dred pounds to the other; and in case one of these negroes shall die before their mistress, then the hundred pounds to be paid by the two daughters." The first act of Rhode Island looking to emancipation of the slaves was taken on recommendation of General Wash- ington. He recommended that the state enlist two battalions of such slaves as should be willing to enter into the service. The General Assembly in February, 1778, voted to enlist as many slaves as possible, " paying all the bounties, wages and encouragements allowed to any soldier," and that every slave so enlisting, upon his passing muster before Col. Christopher Greene, be immediately discharged from the service of his master or mistress, and be absolutely free, as though he had never been encumbered with any kind of servitude or sla- very." This was the first emancipation act of Rhode Island, and hundreds of slaves took advantage of the call to military service, became freemen, and aided in obtaining the freedom 408 THE HISTORY OF BAKRDfGTON. of the State and Nation. Thus the cause of justice and hu- man freedom often advances by reason of the dangers and necessities of society, rather than by the principles which should actuate men and society. Barrington enlisted a num- ber of slaves, but their names cannot be easily identified. Among them were Jack Allin, Prince Allin, Dick Allen, Cato Bannister, Pero Bicknell, Scipio Freeman, Prince Ingraham, Joseph Sochorose, Prince Tiffany, Pomp Watson, and Prince Watson. Scipio Freeman is buried at the Allin burial ground, and his grave was honored with a Revolutionary patriot marker in November, 1895. In 1783 the Quakers petitioned for the complete abolition of slavery in Rhode Island, and in 1784 the act was passed which forever abolished human bondage, and bade the slave go forth to freedom, guaranteed and secured in part by their own labors and sacrifices. In this connection it is proper to mention the system of apprenticeship common in earlier days, by which young men and women were bound to masters for fixed terms, for the learning of trades, or for various forms of manual service. It will be of interest to preserve an " Indenture," made in 1783, which was the usual form of "binding out " of that day. Signed Seal' d and Delivered Mary Pratt John Pratt iu Presence of us Sarah Pratt Elizabeth Waldron Matthew Allin Ruth Viall Ruth Allin The following receipt records the sale of a slave to Thomas Allin : Swansy, Aprill ye 11 day 171 8 then received of Mr. Thomas Allin the sum of fifteen pounds and six pence being in part of payment for A neagro boy Cal'd Shaxper I say received by me John Medbury £iS, OS., 6p. NAMES OF FAMILY SLAVES. 409 In the inventory of the estate of Ephraim Tiffany, who died in 1771, one negro man is valued at £^0. Names of some Family Slaves Owned in Harrington. Cuff Adams, Dick Allen, Jack Allen, Prince Allen, Orpha AUin, Bristol AUin, Tower AUin, Henrietta AUin, Jenny AUin, Nancy AUin, Phillis AUin, Shaxper AUin, Pero AUin, Cato Bannister, Pomp Bicknell, Pomp BickneU, Jr., Pero Bicknell, Dick Bicknell, Dinah BickneU, Rose Bicknell, Curry Bicknell, Jenny Bicknell, Cuff Bicknell, Merea Bicknell, Pero Brown, Prince Brown, Wattle Brown, Jennie Brown, Reuben Brown, Scipio Brown, Jenny Bosworth, Jack Bosworth, Walley Cheese, Mary Cheese, Cato Euston, Duchess -, Scipio Freeman, Sylvia Heath, Rose Heath, Prince Ingrahara, Jennie King, Mary Pomham, Prince Pero, Joshua Quam, Mary Quam, Scipio Richmond, Joseph Sochorose, Pomp Smith, Jenny Smith, Quash Smith, Molly Smith, Gardiner Smith, Csesar Smith, Jack Tiffany, Duchess Tiffany, Scipio Tiffany, Daniel Tiffany, Sabrina Tiffany, Jemima Tiffany, Prince Tiffany, Lucy Tiffany, Dinah Tiffany, Cambridge Watson, Jenny Watson, Jack Watson, ■Pomp Watson, Phillis Watson, Prince Watson. This Indenture Witnesseth That I, Mary Pratt, Daughter of John Pratt and Sarah, his wife; of Bristol in the County of Bristol & Colony of Rhodeisland Cheair makor Hath quit her Self and by these presents both Voluntary and of her own free will and accord and by and with the Consent of her father John Prat and Sarah Prat her mother Doth quit and Bind her Self apprentice to Matthew Allin and Ruth Allin His wife of Warin in the County of Bristol and Colony aforsd and to live with the Said Matthew Allin and Ruth Allin after the manner of an apprentice to Serve from the Day of the Date here of for and during the term of Eight years next ensuing to be Corapleat and ended during all which Said term the Said apprentice her said master and her Said mistress faith- 410 THE HISTOET OF BAEBINGTON. fully shall serve, their Secrets keep and lawfull Commands gladly obey. She shall Do no Damage to her Said master nor mistress nor See it to be Done of others with out letting or giving notice there of to her Said master or mistress. Shee shall not wast her Said masters & mistress goods nor lend them unlawfully to any. Shee shall not Commite Fornication nor Contract matrimony with in the s'd term ; at Cards Disc and all other unlawfull games she shall not Play : wher by her s'd master and mistress may Have Damage; with their one goods or the goods of others ; She shall not absent her Self by Day or by night from her Said master & mistress Servis with out theair leave nor haunt Ale Houses Taverns nor play houses, But in all things be Have her Self as a faith- ful apprentis ought to Due to wards her said master and mistress During the s'd Term and the Said Matthew AUin for him Self his Executors administrators Doth here by Covenant and promise to teach and in Struct or cause the Said apprentice to be taught & In Structed in the art of spining and Housold work all so to lam the Said apprentice to Read and to in Struct her in Writing, and finding unto the said apprentis good and sufificient meats Drinks washing and lodging and apparell for all parts of the body During s'd term and at the Expiration there of to give unto the said ap- prentis two suites of apparell for all parts of the Body Sutable for such an apprentice in Testimony where of the parties to these presents have in terchangeably set their Hand and Seale Dated this Twenty-Second Day of August anno q Domini — 755 The names of slaves appear in the old burial grounds, and their graves should receive the respect and care due to faith- ful servants. The following inscription is cut on one of the x)ld gravestones : Here lies the best of slaves, To realms of Heavenly light, Now turning into dust, And by the blood of Jesus shed Caesar the Ethiopian craves Is changed from black to white. A place among the just. Jan. 15, he quit the stage, His faithful soul is fled In the 77th year of his age. 1780. CHAPTER XXVI HARRINGTON LEGISLATION FROM 1770-1898 THE following extracts from the town and Council records relate to the most important matters of business trans- acted by the town during a period of one hundred and twenty- eight years. This record does not include the names of deputies to the General Assembly or the more important town officers, which will be found in a condensed form at the end of the chapter. Some legislation which has entered into and directed important movements, will be found incorpo- rated in other chapters. Instances will be found in the chap- ter relating to public schools, the public library, highways and bridges, etc., etc. We have selected those items which will be of general interest, without touching upon the routine business of the town. The names of all the officers elected at the first town meeting, June 25, 1770, and the last town meeting, April 5, 1898, will be found recorded. First Town Meeting, June 25, 1770, at the "Presbi- TERiAN Meeting House." Officers Chosen : Moderator — James Brown. Town Clerk — Solomon Townsend. Town Council — James Brown, James Bowen, Dea. Eben- ezer Adams, Col. Samuel Allen, Joseph Grant, Matthew Watson. Assessors of Taxes — Josiah Humphrey, James Bowen, Thomas AUin. Town Sergeant — Daniel Kinnicutt. 412 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. Town Treasurer — Thomas Allin. Sealer of Weights and Measures — Josiah Humphrey. Vendue Master — Samuel Allen, 2d. Collector of Taxes — Henry Bowen. Packer of Beef and Pork — Samuel Bosworth. Pound Keeper — Samuel Humphrey. Sealer of Leather — Joseph Viall. Surveyors of Highways — Solomon Peck, John Short, Na- thaniel Martin, James Brown, Jr. Gauger of Casks — Samuel Bosworth. Field Drivers — Daniel Kinnicutt, Nathaniel Heath. Overseers of Poor — The Town Council. Fence Viewers — The Surveyors. July 9, 1770. The principal business done was to pass an act "restraining hogs from running at large on the high- ways." First Council Meeting. July gtb. Highway districts apportioned to surveyors. July 23rd. "Mr. Henry Bowen licenc'd to keep a publick House of Entertainment." August 28th. Mr. John Harding, Philip Traffern, Ithamar Healey, and Michal Carey were ordered to depart the town. October 8th. A petition having been presented to the General Assembly by the inhabitants of the East (New Meadow) Neck praying to be set off to the town of Warren, The Representatives were instructed to use their utmost in- fluence against the petition. April 17, 1771. " Voted by the town. That no Seine be drawn nor Nets Cast for the Catching of Fish at any time in the Year within One Hundred Rods of Mr. Joshua Bick- nell's Fishing Ditch under the Penalty of Fifteen Pounds Lawful mony except by sd Bicknell, and that the Inhabitants of this Town shall have Fish of sd Bicknell at I2d. per Hun- dred and i>^d. per Doz." May 24th. Petition presented by a number of townsmen on the East Neck, praying to be set off to Warren. TOWN LEGISLATION. 413 March 2, 1772. Inhabitants notified that if any person is taken into any family in this town, who is not an inhabitant, without notice to the town, the law will be enforced. June 8th. "Voted, That the Waste Highways and Com- mon lands lying in the Town be Sold, and the money arising from the Sale of s'd Lands be deposited in the Town Treas- ury for the Use of a Free School." Council meeting, Oct. 21, 1773. The Surveyor of High- ways for the south district was ordered to lay out a highway three rods wide from the northward of the meeting-house through the land of Joshua Bicknell and Hezekiah Tiffany to the foot of Prince's Hill. " Voted. Highway from meeting-house to top of Prince's Hill through lands of Bicknell and Tiffany. Bicknell agreed, Tiffany refused. Land valued at $2$ an acre." .October 21st. Highway three rods wide to the fish ditch, ordered laid out November 4th. 1773- Voted to sell useless highways and divide common lands. Thomas Barnes bought two acres of the new highway at |! 1 8' per acre. Solomon Peck bought whole of the way running west from the great highway to the pound, ;^20 per acre. 1774. Voted a highway west from the Country highway through the land of J. Bicknell to begin at Bicknell's gate and run to the highway next westerly from said Bicknell's house. 1774, March 14. James Brown, Josiah Humphrey, Edward Bosworth, Samuel Allen, Nathaniel Martin, Moses Tyler, Esq., and Thomas Allen be a committee to draw up some resolves to be laid before the meeting respecting the infringements made upon the Americans by certain minis- terial decrees, and that the said committee correspond with the committees of other towns in this and in the neighboring Governments. June 4. That the late resolutions of the Town of New- port be adopted in this Town Relative to Non-Consumption of British Manufactured and Imported Tea. 414 THE HISTOKY OF BAERINGTON. August, 1775. Each inhabitant to draw 12 cartridges, etc. January, 1776. No corn or rye to be sold out of the town. January, 1776. Artillery Co. Samuel Bosworth, Capt.; Nathaniel Heath, Lieut. June 26. Col. Nathl. Martin to receive the salt for the town, Lieut. AUin to receive the cartridges. That the thanks of the town be presented the moderator for his good conduct this day. July I . Received 1 50 lbs. of powder to be put in a safe place. 1777, April 28. Town quota of soldiers, 8. Committee Moses Tyler, Peleg Heath, John Short, Samuel Allen and Samuel Bosworth. Council met at the house of James Brown. Town meet- ing ordered Monday, July 7, 1777, in order to give our deputies such necessary instructions, as the town may think proper in this alarming situation of publick affairs. No instructions but verbal, to conduct in the best manner they thought proper for the good of the whole. April 15, 1778. The surveyor of Phebe's neck ordered to " new Sett the Pound, and build a wall on the East side of the Meeting House to Prevent the further Washing of the bank." 1778. Council licensed Samuel Allen to keep a public house of entertainment, six shillings for two months. March 11, 1779. License to Col. Nathaniel Martin six months, 30 shillings. Aug. 9, 1779. "Voted to see that Mr. Joshua Bicknell cuts down no more Trees on the Green near the Meeting House." December 5, 1788. Representatives ordered to use their influence " in Obtaining a State Convention for the purpose of Taking into Consideration the said proposed Constitution for the United States, and for pointing out the necessary Amendments for the publick good, etc." TOVng OFFICERS. 415 An Act respecting the Fishery in Harrington River. May, 1795. " No seine shall be drawn in Harrington River for the taking of fish from the first day of March to the fif- teenth of May, under a penalty of forty pounds ; one-half of the fine to go to the town and the other to the informer." Moderators of Town Meetings. James Brown, 1770. Josiah Humphrey, 1774.-76-77, 1793. Nathaniel Martin, 1775, 1787, 1791. Moses Tyler, 1778. Nathaniel Heath, 1779. Paul Mumford, 1780-82-3-4-5. Capt. Thomas AUin, 1781, 1792. Josiah Humphrey, 1786. Solomon Townsend, Jr., 1788, 1789, 1790, 1793. AsaBicknell, 1792, and Nathaniel Martin, and Solomon Townsend, Esq. Collectors of Taxes. Henry Bowen, 1770. Samuel Bosworth, 1771. James Smith, Jr., 1772. Matthew Allen, 1773. Samuel Bosworth, 1782. Viall Allen, 1786. Josiah Humphrey, Jr., 1787. Elkanah Humphrey, 1789. Daniel Kinnicutt, 1774-5-6-7-8-9, 1780-1. Nathaniel Smith, 1783-4-5. Thomas Allin, 1788, 1790-91-2-3. Town Sergeants. Daniel Kinnicutt, from 1770 to 1789. William Brown, 1790-1-2-3. 416 THE HISTORY OF BABEINGTON. June 7, 1798. At this meeting ^75 was appropriated for building two new pounds, one on the East and the other on the West Neck. June 2, 1800. "Voted, to adopt the Act of the General Assembly respecting keeping a free school in this town, and appointed a committee for the purpose of agreeing on a plan for carrying the same into effect ; Messrs. William AUin, Ebenr. Peck, Nathl. Smith, Amariah Lilley, Jeremiah Bowen, and Benjamin Drown, to draw up a plan and report to the town on the 3d Monday in June." April 17, 1805. "Voted, that the Lot on or near which the Meeting House now Stands which was formerly conveyed to the Town by Joshua Bicknell Esqr. Deed for the purpose of Setting a Meeting House thereon But the use for which the same was granted Neglected to be Inserted in the Deed, Be transfered by Deed to the United Congregational Society in the Town of Barrington for the purpose of erecting a Meet- ing house thereon and the Town Treasurer is hereby directed to give a Deed thereof Accordingly." At a Town Meeting Specially Called at the Requests of Several Freemen in Writeing to the Town Clerke Directed & Individually Warned by the Town Sergeants : Barrington May 16, 1805, Nathaniel Smith Esqr Moderator. Passed the following Vote : " Whereas the lot whereon the old Meeting House' now stands on the Easterly Side where the old Road formerly Run is the property of the Town ; And Also the old Road & the Lot on the Westerly Side thereof Conveyed to the Town by Joshua Bicknell Esq., Deceased, as by Deed on Record bearing date November 4th A. D. 1773 doth appear Bounded as follows, Beginning at a heap of Stones on the East Side of the Highway & Runing Southerly by sd way about thirteen Rods & an half to a stake & heap of Stones for a Corner, then turning & Runing Easterly a Straight line to the Salt Water thence Northerly by the Salt Water to the first mentioned Corner the above mentioned bounds Comprehend both of said Lots and the Strip of old Road Runing through the Same. TOWN LEGISLATION. 417 "And Whereas the United Congregational Society in this Town are about to build a new Meeting House thereon We as a Town do hereby give up to them all Our Right title In- terest & property therein to be by them the Said Society holden for the sole Use for a Meeting House Lot Forever. And the Town Treasurer is hereby Directed to give a Deed thereof accordingly. "Furthermore we hereby give up to them the said Society all our Right Title Interest & property in and to the Old Meeting House to be by them Taken down to work into the New Meeting House as they may think proper and most ad- vantagious to the Society." The votes were as follows : 26 afifirmative, 5 negative ; 21 majority. Dec' 2* A. D. 1806. "Voted that the proceedings of the Town Council in purchasing a piece of ground of Solomon Townsend for a Burial ground & giveing an order on the Town Treasurer for the payment of the Same be approved of by this meeting." "Voted that the Sum of three hundred Dollars be raised by Tax on the Inhabitants and Estates in the Town for the purpose of purchasing and laying out Publick Roads under the direction of the Town Council & That Such portion of the Same as may be assessed on the Inhabitants of New meadow neck be expended in purchaseing & laying out Roads thereon That Said Tax be assessed by the i day of June next and Collected by the i day of September next." "At a Special meeting of the Freemen of the Town of Bar- rington legally convened Thursday, the i6th of February, 1809, for the purpose of taking into consideration the pres- ent embarassed State of our Public affairs & to give instruc- tions to our Representatives relative to their conduct in the next General Assembly & for transacting such other busi- ness that may come legally before sd Meeting. William Allen, Esqr., Moderator. 27 418 THE HISTORY OF BAKKINGTON. Voted & passed the following resolutions : "Resolved, that we the Inhabitants of the Town of Barring- ton have in common with our fellow Citizens of the United States a right & at this alarming crisis feel it an indispensi- ble duty peaceably to assemble & declare our opinions of Pub- lic measures. Resolved, that we consider ourselves solemnly pledged to support the Constitution of the United States & all just & equitable laws made in uniformity to the same. Resolved, that in our opinion the several laws & especially the last as destructive to Commerce & discouraging to Agri- culture requiring excessive and unreasonable searches and seizures suberting the common law or rules of evidence sub- stituting Executive directions for possitive public law super- ceeding the civil authority by military power, are oppressive, tyrannical, and unconstitutional ; without a parallel even in the most despotic Governments ; and that we are under no constitutional oblication to aid or assist in carrying the same into effect. Resolved, that a timid compliance with the decrees and dictates of one foreign power, blustering threats & illusive correspondence with respect to another are highly deroga- tory to the dignity of an independent Nation & destructive of that peace and security obtained for us by the impartial & dignified measures of our Immortal Washington. Resolved, that we consider with alarming apprehension a bill in Congress for raising an enormous standing army, which (unless we are intended to be suddenly plunged into a destructive war with Great Britain) can have no other object but the arbitrary enforcement of arbitrary laws. Resolved, that we consider any attempt in Congress to overawe or control the Judiciary or to encroach on the rights & powers of the State Government as dangerous to public liberty. Resolved, that our Representatives be instructed to co-op- erate in all measures of the General Assembly devising any constitutional means to induce Congress to repeal the several TOWN LEGISLATION. 419 Embargo laws so oppressive to the Citizens of this State, & use all honorable methods to prevent our being involved in a distructive war. Voted, that these Resolutions be published in the Warren Paper & in one of the Providence Papers. Voted, that Haile Bowen stand propounded. This Meeting then adjourned without Day." At a Town Meeting holden in Barrington by adjournment on the i6th day of May, A. D. 1825. James Bowen, Eq^, Moderator. " Voted, that the Representatives be requested to obtain the Passing of a Law in the Gen'' Assembly to regulate the taking off Seaweed from Hides hole Beach." Adjourned without day. At a Town Meeting in Barrington Aug. 30th, 1825. Josiah Humphrey was chosen Moderator. Voted, " That the Herse owned by individuals in this Town be repaired at the expense of the town, and that Josiah Kin- nicutt be a Committee to make the necessary repairs purchase a Lock & have the care of the House & Herse & all the appendages." Feb. 20, 1816. It was unanimously voted that in the opinion of the meeting a new State House was needed for Bristol Co., and representatives were instructed to use their influence to have it built in Warren. August, 1820. "Voted, that the Town Council be author- ized to secure the two rod Lane laid out by the heirs of Thomas AUin from the west Highway to the Middle High- way, as a publick road or Highway ; and as a compensation therefore give up to said heirs, the note now held by the Town Treasurer against them for the parts of Highway for- merly sold to said Thomas Allin in his life." April I, 1825. Wm. Allin and Nath. Heath were ap- pointed a committee to lay out a road 3 rods wide from Joseph Seymour's Land to Simon Smith's house. This road was accepted by the town April 15, 1840, and is now Nayatt Avenue. Joshua Bicknell, William Allin, and Nathaniel Smith were the committee to lay out the road. 420 THE HISTOBy OF BAEEINGTON. June 20, 1836. "At a Special Meeting Legally Called and holden at the Meeting House in Barrington June 20, 1836, for the purpose of takeing measures to detect the person and persons and bring the same to justice who broke the windows of the Parsonage & cut the Chaise of the Rev. Mr. Pease on the night of the i6th Instant. Joshua Bick- nell, Esqr., Chosen Moderator. "Voted & resolved, that a reward of $500 be and the Same is hereby offered for the detection or such information as shall lead to the detection of the person or persons who broke said windows. Voted, that the T. Treasurer of said town be authorized to offer said reward by publishing in one or more Publick Papers in Warren and Providence and the reward paid out of any money that is in Treasury. " Voted & Resolved that the T. Treasurer repair the win- dows of the Parsonage House broken out on the 16 Inst." May 29, 1826. Voted, that Ebenezer Tiffany, Josiah Kin- nicutt, and William Allin be a Committee to lay out the new burying Ground on Prince's hill (so called) in suitable and convenient lots and report a plat of the same, and some plan for the accommodation of Families in Particular lots. April 16, 1828. It was voted that the following Persons be a committee to superintend the Free Schools in the Town, viz. : Sylvester Allen, Enoch Remington, Ebenezer Smith, Benjamin Medbury, Simon Smith, Sam' R. Martin, Jeremiah A. Drown, John Kelley. Rec" the School Committees Report, Barrington, April 21, 1830. Viz. : The committee of the Town of Barrington on the Free School Act Report as follows as reguards the Public Money Appropriated by the State for said Town : For the Summer School in the N. District, . . ;^9 50 For Winter School, " " . . .19 00 ;g28 50 TOWN LEGISLATION. 421 For Summer School in South District, . . • ^8 33 For Winter School, 17 13 $2S 46 For Summer School in East District and winter school, 21 50 Amt. $75 46 Benj. Medbury, for the Committee. Tuesday, Aug. 27, 1839. " Voted, that the Town Clerk be & he is hereby authorized & directed to prohibit any person or persons not residents in or Inhabitants of the Town of Barrington from taking Sea Weed Sand orStone from Hides Hole Beach (so called) or from any other Shore or Land belonging to the Town of Barrington under the penalty of the Law in such case made and provided Such prohibition to be published in the Northern Star three weeks in Succes- sion." Barrington, Wednesday, April 15, A. D. 1840. Voted, to Receive the road laid out from the South School House to Nayatt Point and that the same be established as a public Highway. April 21, 1841. Voted, that a Tax of Fifty Dollars be assessed Collected and paid into the Town Treasury for the Support of Public Schools. 1840. Voted, the Sum of three hundred Dollars be worked out on the public highways. April I, 1846. Voted, that Enoch Remington and George R. Kinnicutt be a Committee to make sale of lot on which the hearse house now stands in their discretion. April I, 1846. Voted, that the Town appropriate three dollars for the use of the Meeting-house for this Meeting. Voted, that there shall be no Loam dirt or gravel taken out of the highway by individuals upon the penalty of one dollar for each and every Load. 1847. Voted, that the Town will sustain the Town Coun- 422 THE HISTORY OP BABKBJTGTON. cil in their doings in declaring the Road East of Ellis Pecks house to the River a Public Highway as Surveyed by order of said Town Council on the 12th day of March, 1847, and in clearing the same. Wilmarth Heath and Henry Smith are appointed a Committee to defend the case of Asa Peck vs. the Town of Harrington with power to employ Council. 1848. Voted; Benjamin Martin and Charles Bent were made a Committee to ascertain whether the Town has a good title to the Burying Ground on New Meadow Neck. Voted ; Nathaniel Brown and Joseph P. Bicknell were a Committee to procure a lot to place the Hearse House on & to remove the same, and George R. Kinnicutt was chosen to take care of the hearse, house, harness, etc. 1849. Lewis B. Smith, Stillman Welch, and Ebenezer Tiffany were appointed a Committee to fence the burying ground on Princes Hill, and said Com. were authorized to draw on the Town for one hundred dollars for that purpose. Benjamin Martin, John Kelley and John Short, Jr., were made a Committee to fence the burying [ground on New Meadow Neck, and said Committee were allowed one hundred Dollars for that purpose. June 12, 1863. A resolution was introduced in relation to the Town building a Town Hall, which, after a long discus- sion, was indefinitely postponed by a vote of thirty-three to thirty. June II, 1864. Resolutions were adopted concerning the life and public services of the late town^clerk, Ebenezer Tif- fany, who died June 4th. April 6, 1870. Five hundred dollars were appropriated for the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Barringtonjjas a jRhode Island town. The following committee was appointed : Rev. Francis Wood, Rev.JFrancis Horton, Rev. Samuel B. Shaw, p. D., John A. Humphreys, Asa Peck, Benjamin Martin, Lewis T. Fisher, Nathaniel C. Smith, Benjamin F. Drown, George R. Kinnicutt, Earl C. Potter, Allen Bowen, David A. Waldron, Charles E. Smith, Nathaniel Peck, Jo- TOWN LEGISLATION. 423 seph Bowen, Allen C. Matthewson, Harrison H. Richardson, Leonard S. Bosworth, Lewis B. Smith. April 3, 1872. Resolutions passed on the death of Rev. Francis Horton : " Whereas, since our last Annual Town Meeting death has entered our midst and taken from us the Rev. Francis Hor- ton, a man who was loved and respected by all, one who ever evinced great interest in the general welfare of our town, and a particular interest in the prosperity of our schools, one whose great aim seemed to be to labor for the good of others, therefore Resolved, that while we bow in humble submission to Him who controlleth all things and whose ways are not our ways, we shall miss our departed friend and mourn his absence from among us as we year by year gather together for the transaction of business of the Town. And although the places that once knew him shall know him no more forever, and his counsels can never more be given us, we feel truly thankful that his life was so long spared as to bequeath to us by his example such evidence of honor, patriotism, and strict integrity." The bridges over the Warren and Barrington rivers having been declared free by the General Assembly, the town approved of the act, and the appropriation of $6,000 made by the State for repairs, the towns of Barrington, Warren, and Bristol to have charge of them afterward. Thomas W. Bicknell, Charles H. Bowden, and John A. Wheaton were appointed a committee to draw up resolutions to this effect. A resolution favoring the union of Providence and Bristol Counties, presented by William H. Allin was passed unani- mously. April 2, 1873. The town council was ordered to widen and straighten the following highways and Five^ hundred dollars was appropriated for the purpose. I. The highway running westerly from the Congrega- tional Church to middle highway. 424 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINaTON. 2. . The highway from S. John's Church to south side of land of Nancy A. Gladding. 3. The highway from the south side of Asa Pecls's land to Ellis Peck's land, provided the abutting owners will give sufficient land for that purpose. 4. The highway northerly from Nathaniel Brown's homestead to the schoolhouse, provided the abutting owners will give sufficient land. July 5, 1873. Harrington bridge was accepted by the town, and Benj. B. Wood, Earl C. Potter, and Lewis T. Fisher were appointed a committee on repairs. April I, 1874. The town council was authorized to buy a Safe at a cost not to exceed five hundred dollars. Nov. 7, 1876. John L. Draper, Asa Peck, and John C. Burrington were appointed a committee to recommend to the electors an appropriation for shade trees to be set on the line of highways. The town council was authorized to expend $1,000 for oyster shells, for improving the highways of the town. April 4, 1877. Benjamin B. Wood, Alfred B. Bowden and Oliver H. P. Cleland were appointed a committee to secure plans and estimates for a bridge across Barrington river from Arnold's Point. April 3, 1878. The committee on shade trees, appointed Nov. 7, 1876, reported, and recommended an appropriation of one hundred dollars, to be used in setting trees on the line of highways during 1878. The school committee in their annual report having men- tioned the desirability of having a Public Library, a motion was made by E. L. Walcott that the same be referred to a committee, which motion was carried, and Isaac F. Cady, Earl C. Potter, and Walter A. Peck were appointed com- mittee. April 2, 1879. -^ resolution was presented by Henry Staples, respecting the purchase of a lot and the erection of a town hall thereon. This motion was lost. Vote, aye, 37; nay, 37. ^KM ■pw ^^^^■^ '^^^Kr-, y" ''-^P |!?':'5ffl|^' rl P 1 S^i ^, , ' "JRm jHa^ ^^^^.^^) i^^Kl^inB mm ^^^^.^^.; J^H W^^ ^^^^^ j^P H I^Pj... B fe- 1^^^ ^^H ffl^^^^^Uc. '^ TOWN LEGISLATION. 425 April 7, 1880. A motion to appropriate $6,000 for a town hall was lost. Vote, aye 24 ; nay, 100. It was voted to accept the Barrington Public Library, as recommended by the trustees, and two hundred and fifty dol- lars were appropriated for it. April 6, 1 88 1. " Resolved, that in order to add to the beauty and attractiveness of this town, and to enhance the value of property, it is desirable and necessary that shade and orna- mental trees be planted on the lines of the highways, and in order to secure this object, it is resolved that the sum of one hundred dollars be and hereby is appropriated for this pur- pose upon the following conditions : Whenever any person or persons shall provide trees, it shall be the duty of the sur- veyors of the highways to provide an equal number of trees, and plant all of the same of such varieties as shall be satis- factory to each person or persons furnishing the other part, all of which are to be planted on the line adjoining the estates designated by the person or persons furnishing the one part of the trees, all to be done under the direction of the town council, provided that an amount not exceeding twenty dol- lars shall be for the benefit of any one person." April 5, 1882. The town council was authorized to buy one of Pennock's patent road machines. Two hundred dollars were appropriated for trees under practically the same plan as last year. Henry Staples, John C. Burrington, E. L. VValcott, Lewis B. Smith and Charles F. Anthony were appointed a commit- tee to take into consideration all matters connected with the public schools, and to report as soon as prepared. Nov. 7, 1882. The committee appointed April 5, 1882, reported and recommended that a piece of land bounded westerly by the main highway, northerly by Prince's Hill Cemetery, easterly on Barrington river, and southerly on a highway opposite the residence of the town clerk, contain- ing fifteen acres, be purchased by the town for the erec- tion of a town hall, town offices, high school and public library. 426 THE HISTORY OP BAEKINGTON. With this report in view, a resolution was presented that said land be purchased by the town, and a town building erected thereon, and that Lewis B. Smith, John C. Burring- ton, Jesse Burdette, Ebenezer Tiffany, and Charles F. Anthony be appointed a committee. This resolution was lost. Vote, yes, 23 ; no, 44. Resolution passed in regard to Mr. Isaac F. Cady, " For- asmuch as Isaac F. Cady has served this town as a member of the school committee for the past ten years, and on ac- count of ill health has resigned such office, therefore, "Resolved, that we, the electors of the town of Barrington, fully appreciating his services as aforesaid, desire to express our regret at his inability to continue, and sympathy with him in his affliction." April 4, 1883. "Voted, that the town council receive and retain all property of the several school districts, whenever said districts shall vote to transfer said property to the town free of debt. Voted, that all citizens of the town who plant shade trees on the line of highways under the approval of the town council, which shall remain planted for two years, shall re- ceive two dollars for each tree." " Whereas the best interests of this town in common with all others demand a most careful regard for and watchful attention to its sanitary condition ; and Whereas the preser- vation of groves of trees is deemed of the utmost import- ance to the health and beauty of all cities and towns, and Whereas there are now existing in this town wooded lands which should be preserved from destruction and forever kept and held for the use and enjoyment of this and further generations, therefore, Resolved, That a committee consisting of Charles F. Anthony, Leonard S. Bosworth and E. L. Walcott be and are hereby appointed and empowered to select and describe by boundary or otherwise such lands, if any, in this town as may be deemed essential to the health and prosperity of the town, and report at a future town meeting." TOWN LEGISLATIOK. 427 The town council was instructed to open a road from Bridge Road to Ferry Lane. This project was not carried out on account of inability to agree with the owners of the land through which it would go. A second attempt was made in 1890 without success. April I, 1S85. Charles H. Merriman, Charles E. Smith and Lewis B. Smith were appointed a committee to remove the old wooden bridge across Barrington river with its pier and abutments and to have an iron bridge built on the same site at a cost not to exceed ^7,000. Aug. 17, 1885. Resolutions were adopted in regard to the life and public services of the late John C. Burrington and Nathaniel Peck. April 7, 1886. A Resolution to purchase wooded land from the Nayatt Brick Co. was defeated. Vote : yes, 55 ; no, 124. The Barrington Water Co. exempted from taxation for 20 years. "Resolved, That a committee of three are hereby author- ized and empowered in behalf of the town to purchase a lot of land near the geographical center of the town on the main highway, and near one of the railway stations, said land to be retained for a building for town purposes, and the cost of said land not to exceed the sum of $2,000." Asa Peck, John L. Draper and Joseph U. Starkweather were appointed committee. Nov. 2, 1886. David A. Waldron, Lewis B. Smith, Asa Peck, Erastus L. Walcott and William H. Bullock are appointed a committee to secure plans for a town hall. April 6, 1887. It was voted to deed a parcel of ground near the Nayatt Railroad station to the Railroad Company to be kept by them as a public park. Albert H. Peck, Joseph U. Starkweather and William H. Bullock were appointed a committee to take into considera- tion and prepare plans and estimates for a bridge across Barrington river near the residence of the late George R. Kinnicutt. 428 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTOK. The Drownville Water Co. was exempted from taxation for twenty years. It was Voted to purchase additional land adjoining the town lot. The town council was instructed to have the shade trees on line of highways properly trimmed, mulched and cared for, to replace those which are dead, and to fill out incom- plete lines. Lewis B. Smith, George B. Allen and Charles H. Merri- man were appointed a committee to build a town hall. Vote, yes, 94; no, 36. The town hall was completed and dedi- cated during the year 1888. March 30, 1889. George T. Baker, John W. Colwe)l and John Jenckes were appointed a committee to inquire into the feasibility of placing in the town hall a memorial tablet with the names of those citizens who gave their lives for their country during the Rebellion. April 13, 1889. The above committee was authorized to procure a tablet at a cost not to exceed two hundred dollars. April 2, 1890. William R. Martin, Charles E. Smith and John F. Richmond were appointed a committee to secure plans and estimates for a bridge across Barrington river north of the Congregational Church. April I, 1891. Voted to appropriate $4,000 for a new schoolhouse near Barrington Center. April 6, 1892. Fifteen hundred dollars was appropriated for a macadam road on Bridge Lane. April 5, 1893. The town Council was authorized to make a contract with the Warren Gas and Electric Co. to furnish electric light for streets and town hall, and ^S^S was appro- priated. April 4, 1894. It was voted to allow the Barrington Water Co. to introduce water into the town hall. Voted to build a bridge across Barrington river near the Congrega- tional Church, and George T. Baker, Royal D. Horton and Charles H. Bowden were appointed the committee. One TOWN 0FPICEE8. 429 thousand dollars was appropriated for a piece of macadam road which was afterward located in Long Swamp. June 3, 1895. Voted to petition the State Commissioner of highways for sample half mile highway. This sample road was built in 1896 and extends from near the southerly line of Prince's Hill Cemetery to Maxfield's Corner. April 7, 1897. Voted to authorize the town council to open a new highway from the Bridge road to Ferry lane, fol- lowing the line of shore. This new highway was declared established Nov. 8, 1897, by the town council. Town Officers of Barrington. Town Clerks. Samuel Humphrey, 1718, 19, 20, William Allin, 1816, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. Edward Luther, 1723. Josiah Humphrey, 1827. Josiah Torrey, 1724. John Tyler, 1828, 9, 30, i, 2, 3, 4, James Adams, 1725. 5, 6, 7. Josiah Humphrey, 1726, 7, 8, 9, 30, Ebenezer Tiffany, 1838, 9, 40, i, 2, i> 2, 3, 4, 1740, I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 50, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Ebenezer Allen, 1735, 6, 7, 8, 9. 6, 7, 8, 9, 60, 1, >:, 3, 4. Solomon Townsend, 1770-1776. Francis Wood, 1865, 6, 7, 8, 9, 70, Samuel Allen, 1777-1794, 5, 6, 7, 1, 2, 3, 4. 8, 9, 1800-1808. Mark H. Wood, 1875,6, 7, 8, 9, 80, Samuel Watson, 1808, 9, 10, 11, 12, i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 90, i, 2, 3, 13. H. IS- 4. S. 6, 7- Frederick P. Church, 1898. Toivn Treasurers. Samuel Humphrey, 1718, 19, 20, Kent Brown, 1814, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22. 19, 20, 21. Benjamin Viall, 1723, 5, 6, 7, 8. Enoch Remington, 1822. James Adams, 1724. Ebenezer Tiffany, 1823, 24, 25, 26, Josiah Humphrey, 1729; 27, 28, 29, 30, 1838. Samuel Allen, 1730. John Kelley, 1831, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Ebenezer Allen, 1731, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7. Hezekiah Tiffany, 1839, 40, i, 2, 3, Zachariah Bicknell, 1733. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 50, i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Matthew Allin, 1738, 9, 40, i, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 60, i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 4, s, 6. 70, I, 2. 430 THE HISTORY OF BAKKINGTON. Thomas AUin, 1770-1775. Mark H. Wood, 1873. Henry Bowen, 1776. Ebenezer, TiflFany, 1874, 5, 6, 7, 8, Nathaniel Heath, 1777-1794. S< 6, 9> 8o> i; ^1 3> 4> S> 6, 7, 8, 9, 90, 7, 8, 9, 1800, I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 8, 9, 10, II, 12, 13. Deputies and Representatives to tke General Assembly. Josiah Humphrey, 1771, 1778, 1785, Sylvester Allen, 1813, 1816, 1821, 6, 1790. 22, 23. Samuel Allen, 1770, 1778, 9, 80, i, John W. Bicknell, 1814, 15. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1778, 9. Asa Smith, 1816, 17, 18, 19, 20, Nathaniel Martin, 1772, 3, 4, 5, 1822. 1787. Jeremiah S. Drown, 1821, 2, 3, 4, Thomas AUin, 1772, 3, 4, 5,6, 1781, 5, 6, 8, 9, 1840, 1. 179I1 4) Si 6, 7> 8- John Kelley, 1828, 9, 1835. Edward Bosworth, 1776, 7, 1779, Benjamin Medbury, 1829, 30, i, 2,. 80, I. 3. Moses Tyler, 1770, 1776, 7. Samuel R. Martin, 1830, i, 1833. Paul Mumford, 1777. John Tyler, 1832, 33. Peleg Heath, 1777. Josiah Kinnicutt, 1834, 5, 6. Viall Allen, 1783, 4, 1787. Lewis B. Smith, 1841, 2, 3, 4, 5, Asa Bicknell, 1784. 1884, S' 6. Joshua Bicknell, 1787, 1789, 90, i, Allin Bicknell, 1842', 1846, 1849. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 1802, 3, 4, 1807, 8, Stillman Welch, 1847, 8. 1823, 4, 5. Pardon Clark, 1850, i, 2, 3. Matthew Allin, 1788. Benjamin Martin, 1854, i860, i. Ebenezer Tiffany, 1788. Nathaniel C. Smith, 1855, 1869, Josiah Humphrey, Jr., 1791, 2, 3, 70, 71. 4, 1799, 1800, I, 2, 3, 4, 1806, William H. Smith, 1856. 1822, 3. Henry Staples, 1857, 8. John Short, 1791. Thomas W. Bicknell, 1859. James Martin, 1794, 5, 6, 1806. Benjamin F. Drown, 1862, 3, 4. Jeremiah Bowen, 1737, 8. Lewis T. Fisher, 1865,6,7,8, 1872. John Kent, 1798, 9, 1801. Henry Smith, 1873, 1875. Solomon Townsend, Jr., 1805. Benjamin F. Drown, 1874. Ebenezer Tiffany, 1806. Earl C. Potter, 1876, 77. Joseph Rawson, 1808. John C. Burrington, 1878,9,80,1, Nathaniel Smith, 1809, 10, 11, 12, 2, 3. 1826, 7, 8. John F. Richmond, 1887. William Allin, 1805, 6, 7, 8, 9, lo, John Q^ A. Gardiner, 1888. 1816, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Isaac T. Barnum, 1889. James Bowen, 1807, 1827, 1832, 33, James M. Fales, 1890, i, 2. 1836, 7, 8, 9, 40. John Jenckes, 1893. Ebenezer Peck, i8to, 11, 12, 13, 14, George L. Smith, 1894, 5, 6. 15. William T. Lewis,Jr., 1897, 8. TOWN OFPICBES. 431 Delegates to the Convention to form a State Constitution. Emerson Humphrey, 1841. Lewis B. Smith, 1842. Nathaniel Brown, 1842. Senators to the General Assembly. James Bowen, 1843, 4. John B. Humphreys, 1872. Emerson Humphrey, 1845, 6. Harrison H. Richardson, 1873, 4, Henry Smith, 1847, 8, 9. 5, 6, 7, 8. Allen Bicknell, 1850, i, 2, 3. John C. Burrington, 1884, 5. John Cooke, 1854. Erastus L. Walcott,* 1885, 6. Benjamin Martin, 1855. John F. Richmond, 1888, 9. William H. AUin, 1856, 7, 8. George T. Baker, 1890, i, 2. Allen Brown, 1859, 60, i. James M. Fales, 1893. Allen C. Matthewson, 1S62, 3, 4. John Jenckes, 1894, 5, 6. Lewis B. Smith, 1865, 6, 7; 8, 9, 70, George L. Smith, 1897, 8. I, 1879, 80, 1, 2, 3, 1887. Annual Town Meeting. April 6, 1898. Moderator — Alonzo C. Gardner. Town Clerk — FrederickP. Church. Town Treasurer — Ebenezer Tiffany. Town Council — Charles F. Anthony, Ebenezer Tiifany,Jr., William R. Martin, George T. Baker, Frederick W. Perry. Senator — George L. Smith. Representative — William T. Lewis, Jr. Justices of the Peace — Mark H. Wood, William A. Leonard, Francis Wood, John W. Eccleston, Michael T. Holden, Samuel F. Bowden, Fred- erick P. Church. Assessors of Taxes — George L.Smith, Henry A. Anthony, Henry M. Stanley. Collector of Taxes — Frederick P. Church. Auctioneers — Levi Staples, William A. Leonard, Alonzo C. Gardiner. Town Sergeant — Samuel F. Bowden. Overseer of Poor — Levi Staples. Sealer of Weights and Measures — Frederick P. Church. School Committee — George T. Baker, William T. Lewis, re-elected for three years ending April, 1901. The term of George L. Smith will end April, 1900, and that of Royal D. Horton and Wheaton B. Bowden, will end April, 1899. Carders of Wood — Leonard P. Bosworth, William J. Peck, George L. Smith, Charles H. Martin, John Jones. Packers of Fish — Erastus M. Buckingham, Seth F. Howard, Elisha O. Potter. Pound Keepers — Samuel F. Bowden, William E. Smith, William H. Bullock, John W. Eccleston. Sealer of Leafhet — Alonzo F. Bates. Viewers of Fences — William A. Leonard, William E. Smith, Charles H. Bowden, Oliver H. P. Cleland. * Elected in place of John C. Burrington, deceased. CHAPTER XXVII THE UNITED CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY Incorporation of the United Congregational Society — Its Purposes — Dual Plan of Church Support — The old Meeting House of 1739 — Church Services — Meeting House Repairs — Lottery of 1772 — Its Purposes — Lottery of 1798 — Its Managers and Methods — New Meeting House now standing — House remodelled — The Parsonage — OfBcers of the United Congregational Society. UNTIL the year 1797, the support of the Congregational Church and meeting-house had been sustained by the town and church united, or by the church itself, relying as it did upon the good ofifices of the people, without as well as within the fold, for the maintenance of the services and ordi- nances of religion. Prior to 1747, the town, at its annual meetings provided for the support of the minister. Since that time the salaries of the minister had either been raised by tax upon the ratable property of the town and paid by town treasurers, or by voluntary subscriptions of the people, collected by annually appointed solicitors. Funds for the church building and repairs had also been raised by a town tax, licensed by the General Assembly, or by private contri- butions. In answer to a petition of church members and others, the General Assembly passed an Act, May, 1797, to incorporate certain persons, by the name of the United Con- gregational Society, in the Town of Barrington. "Whereas divers Persons belonging to the Congrega- tional Society in the Town of Barrington, in this State, whereof the Reverend Solomon Townsend was late pastor, preferred a Petition to this Assembly praying for an Act of Incorporation, whereby they may be enabled to promote cer- tain purposes hereinafter mentioned : Be it further enacted by this General Assembly that Messieurs Josiah Humphrey, Edward Bosworth, Elkanah THE UNITED CONGEBGATIONAL SOCIETY. 433 Humphrey, Samuel Allen, Samuel Allen, Physician, William Brown, Consider Tripp, Solomon Townsend, Joshua Bick- nell, Solomon Townsend, Jun., Nathaniel Smith, Samuel Bosworth, Ebenezer Tiffany, Joseph Bicknell, Kent Brown, Samuel Allen, Jun., Sylvester Viall, Thomas Allen, Benjamin Martin, Samuel Barnes, Asa Bicknell, Ebenezer Peck, Mat- thew Watson, Matthew Watson, Jun., John Barnes, Josiah Kinnicutt, and John Harding, being the aforesaid Peti- tioners, together with such other as they shall from time to time elect, shall forever hereafter be a Body politick and Cor- porate, by the name of The United Congregational Society in the Town of Barrington, for the purpose of raising a Fund, by free and voluntary subscriptions and otherwise for the support of public worship in the said Society." The Society was granted the right to receive, hold, and use subscriptions, contributions, donations, and legacies, lands, tenements, etc., for the use and benefit of the Congre- gational Church, the annual meetings to be held in May and quarterly meetings August, November, and February ; the officers to be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, with such others as the Society may choose. Nathaniel Smith was the first President, Asa Bicknell was the first Vice President, Joshua Bicknell, the first Treasurer, and Solomon Townsend the first Secretary. Seven mem- bers constituted a quorum. In the event that there are less than seven members, the books, and property of the Society shall be vested in the Congregational Society, (Church) late under the pastoral care of the said Mr. Town- send. After the grant of the charter and the formation of the Society, it assumed the ownership of the property and the management of the business affairs of the church. A fund was raised by the contribution of various benevolent indi- viduals, the proceeds of which were to be used for the sup- port of the ministry. This fund amounted to about ;^5,ooo, secured by gifts and legacies. The original contributors appear as follows : 28 434 THE HISTOBT OF BABKINGTON. The following is a memorandum of notes given by Indi- viduals, in discharge of the subscription which they severally signed for raising a permanent fund the interest whereof was to be appropriated for the support of a Congregational Min- ister, to preach in the Congregational Church in Barrington. The principal was to remain as a fund forever, (viz.) : Subscribers. Amounts. Subscribers. Amounts. Nathaniel Smith, $300 , Benjamin Martin, . • $50 Ebenezer Tiffany, 250 Rachel Smith, .50 Matthew Watson, 300 Asa Bicknell, 75 Elkanah Humphrey, 100 Dr. Samuel Allen, 100 Josiah Humphrey, Jr., 50 Solomon Townsend, Jr. 25 John Humphrey, . SO John Harding, 25 Sylvester Viall, 5° Ebenezer Peck, 75 Amariah Lilley, 100 Hezekiah Viall, . 25 Joshua Bicknell, . 100 Shearjashub Bourne, 100 Samuel Bosworth, 5° Joseph Adams, SO Joseph Bicknell, . 50 Thomas Allin, 125 Matthew Allin, 5° Matthew Watson, Jr., SO John Barnes, SO Josiah Humphrey, 50 Mary Horn, SO John R. Richmond, 50'^ Consider Tripp, 25 Enoch Remington, 25 Samuel Allen, SO Luther Martin, 25 Solomon Townsend, 50 Calvin Martin, 25 Josiah Viall, 25 Jabez Bullock, Jr., SO Kent Brown, . 25 James Bicknell, 50 Josiah Kinnicutt, . 25 Jabez Brown, 5383 John Short, ' , 50 Ambrose Martin, . 100 Edward Bosworth, Samuel Barnes, 75 SO Total, $3,103 83 Following the organization of the United Congregational Society, the dual plan of church management, as related to the pastorate and its support, was adopted, which continues to the present time. One of the first acts of the church and society was a united call to the Rev. Samuel Watson to become the pastor of the church, in 1798. A happy pastorate ensued, terminating in Mr. Watson's death in 18 16. The "ruinous condition " of the meeting-house demanded immediate attention, and the United Congregational Society voted to erect a new meeting-house, to take the place of the one built in 1734-9, which was now too small for the congre- THE OLD MEETING-HOUSE. 485 gation. The old house, which had served the people for nearly seventy years, was a plain, wooden building, about forty by sixty feet on the ground, two stories high, with a barn roof without steeple or chimney. It stood on the same lot as the present house, but farther to the west. It faced the west, as does the present house, and was entered through a small porch, one story high. The house had four windows on each of the north and south sides. The picture on an- other page represents the old meeting-house, as described by Deacon Allin Bicknell, who attended the church services of the old meeting-house while Rev. Solomon Townsend was the minister, and who was twenty years old when the house was torn down. Blost of the frame and boarding of the old house were used in the construction of the present house, and as the second house was built out of material from the first, it is certain that some portion of the present meeting- house were used before 1717. The artist has introduced the drummer with his drum, calling the people to church, and in the foreground stands a pair of stocks, for the punishment of Sabbath day as well as week day offenders. There was a central aisle in the house with a row of six pews on each side, and two side aisles with a row of square pews along the north and south walls and on the- east end, excepting the space occupied by the pulpit. The pulpit desk was reached by passing through a door and ascending six stairs to the minister's seat and platform, over which hung the sounding board, suspended from the ceiling by a chain. There were two rows of seats in the gallery, and a long pew in front of the pulpit, called the " Goat's Pew," where the tything man could place naughty boys under the eye of the minister. The only supply of heat in cold weather was the foot stove, one or more in each pew, brought from home in the carriage or sleigh, and supplied with fuel and coal for the hour's service. The meeting began at eleven a. m., and closed at twelve 436 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. noon, or thereabouts, with a second service in summer from two to three. The singing was congregational, the minister reading the whole hymn, and then reading two lines for the congregation to sing, and so on through the hymn. The minister or some one of the congregation acted as chorister, to pitch the tune and lead in the singing. The order of ser- vices was mainly that of the Congregational Church of our time, the invocation, the singing of a hymn, the reading of the scriptures, the long prayer, another hymn, the sermon, not a long one from Father Townsend, a third hymn, and the benediction. Among the Sabbath notices that were read at the week-day and other meetings, and of deepest in- terest to young and old, were the intentions of marriage between the members of the parish, and sometimes persons of neighboring towns. In 1773 the meeting-house sadly needed repairs and there were no funds at command. Resort was had to the public lottery, which had been legalized by the General Assembly since 1744. The lottery system was introduced into Rhode Island in 1733, but was suppressed by law, for the reason as stated, "that by these unlawful games, called lotteries, many people have been led into a foolish expense of money." A penalty of five hundred pounds was placed on the scheme, and a fine of ten pounds on any one holding a ticket. Eleven years later the lottery system was again legalized, and a scheme of fifteen thousand dollars was allowed for building Weybosset Bridge in Providence. The plan of a lottery was as follows : A certain money value was divided into a number of unequal prizes, and then a number of tick- ets was sold, each ticket giving a chance of winning one of the prizes. If all the tickets were sold, the profits of the lot- tery were large, and might be enormous ; if not, the managers diminished the risks by playing the unsold tickets, and re- serving the prizes which might fall on them. From a machine called "The Wheel of Fortune," as many numbers were drawn from another similar machine, the order in which they came out determining to what tickets they should belong. MEETING-HOUSE LOTTERIES.- 437 By the system, churches and parsonages were built and re- paired, bridges, streets, and highways were constructed, market houses and school-houses built, school and church funds secured, manufactures encouraged, and rivers and har- bors cleared for commerce. In England the British Museum and Westminster Bridge were built by funds obtained by lotteries, and the Congregational, Baptist, and Episcopal Churches in Rhode Island were frequently the agents in lottery schemes, although they had been denounced as early as 1699, by an assembly of ministers at Boston, as "cheats and their agents pillagers of the people." Barrington waited forty years before a lottery was applied for, and the first record of a petition for a lottery appears in the Acts and Resolves of the General Assembly, under date of August, 1772. "Whereas, divers of the Inhabitants of the Town of Bar- rington preferred a Petition, and represented unto this As- sembly, that the Congregational Meeting House in said town is very much out of Repair ; that the laying out Three Roads, one to the Southward, and Two to the Westward of the Said Meeting House, will greatly accommodate the Inhabitants and Travellers towards Fuller's Ferry and the said Meeting 'House: And that their Circumstances are such they cannot effect the same without the interposition of this Assembly : And therefore prayed this Assembly to grant them a Lottery, "upon such scheme as the Managers shall think proper, to raise the sum of One Hundred and Sixty-Five pounds lawful money : One Hundred and Ten pounds thereof to be appro- priated towards repairing said Meeting House and the Re- mainder towards opening or laying out the said Highways : And that James Browne, Josiah Humphrey, Nathaniel Mar- tin, Samuel Allen and Edward Bosworth, Esquires, may be appointed Managers of said Lottery." It was therefore enacted that the prayer be granted and the Lottery be al- lowed. Fuller's Ferry referred to was the ferry over the Seekonk 438 THE HISTOKY OP BAEBINGTON. River to Providence, where the Washington Bridge was afterwards built. That the lottery was a success in a business light is proven by the facts that the meeting-house was repaired and the main road through the town from southeast to northwest was laid out and constructed. Reference is elsewhere made to the great expense of the town in building this road. In proof that our ancestors were no more nor less virtuous nor clear in their notions of ethics than their fellows of that period, we again find them applying to the General Assem- bly, the supreme power to remedy the ills of society, in 1798, for another lottery, for the sole benefit of the Congre- gational Church. This was the year when the charter of the United Congregational Society was granted and two years after the death of the venerable pastor. Rev. Solomon Townsend. A Lottery was granted to the United States Congrega- tional Society in Harrington, January, 1798, as follows : "Whereas Joshua Bicknell and others. Members of the United Congregational Society, in Barrington, preferred a Petition unto this Assembly and represented, that their House, by them occupied for publick religious Worship, is much decayed, and that the settling the Gospel in that Place, has exhausted their Finances, so that the aforesaid House of Worship, must remain in its present Ruinous Condition, unless relieved by the kind interposition of the Legislature of this State, and thereupon prayed this Assembly to grant them a Lottery, to raise the sum of three thousand Dollars, to be appropriated to the Repairs of said Meeting House, and for the further Establishment of a Gospel Ministry in Said Society, and that the said Joshua Bicknell, and Thomas Allin, Esquires might be appointed Directors of said Lottery, on giving Bonds agreeably to Law : And the premises being duly considered. It is voted and Resolved, that the Prayer of said Petition be granted, that the said Joshua Bick- nell and Thomas Allen, Esquires, be and they are hereby appointed Directors of said Lottery, on giving Bonds ac- BAEEINGTON MBETrNG-HOTJSE LOTTERY. 439 cording to Law, for the faithful discharge of their trust ; Provided, that they do not set forth a scheme of said Lottery, within six months from the rising of this Assembly." The tickets were written as follows : D n Q Barrinston Meeting House Lottery. The bearer of this ticket will be entitled to the prize that may be drawn against No. 1649 agreeably to the scheme of this lottery. THOMAS ALLIN, ) y Managers. B JOSHUA BICKNELL, j Q D D D n EiaEiSSISEn^i EiSISISiEiEiEiEiEi EiSEiEiEiEi EiEiEiEi^ The Directors, Messrs. Bicknell & Allin, issued 4,000 tickets, par value $4. If all had been sold, the lottery would have realized ;^i6,ooo, less the prizes. There were 1,226 prizes of $4 each ; 52 prizes of ;gio each ; 24 prizes of ^20 each ; 21 prizes of $2$ each ; 9 prizes of $$0 each ; 10 prizes of ;^ 100 each; 4 prizes of ^200 each; one prize of $500, and one prize of ;j!i,ooo. The total was something over $10,000. Gen. Allin, one of the Managers of the Lottery, died in the year 1800, and in June, 1800, the General Assembly ap- pointed his son, William Allin, Esq., a lawyer of Barring- ton, as Manager, " to proceed upon the business of said lottery jointly with Joshua Bicknell, Esq." The tickets were sold at home by the managers, and in Providence and Boston by Lottery Brokers. Jonathan Hastings was their Boston broker, and the following letter from Mr. Hastings will make clear his method of doing business. Boston, 21 Feb 1800. " Messrs' Bicknell & Allin. Gentlemen — I think it probable that I could sell as many as five Tick- etts in Barrington Meeting House Lottery, If you see proper. 440 THE HISTORY OP BAEKINGTON. to consign me any. I beg you will send on a number of the Printed Schemes as distributing them will help the sales very much. My Coram, will be 2j^ p Cent for selling and paying of the Prizes. The Scheme must be published in the Boston paper. This Expense must be paid by the Lottery or Man- agers — It will be about five dollars. I am Gentlemen, your humble Servant, Jon. Hastings." There were companies established to insure lotteries as the following memoranda will show : Leading gentlemen in Bristol insured 50 tickets in the first Class tickets of Bar- rington Meeting House Lottery of the year 1800, and 210 tickets in the second class of 1801, receiving the tickets at a discount and paying all deficiencies less the prizes ; the first 50 tickets cost ;^I50 ; sixteen prizes of ^4 each were drawn, making a loss of $6, or ;^i.72 each ticket. The 210 tickets sold for $714, and drew prizes amounting to ^504, a .loss of ^210, or ^i a ticket. The following note was addressed to a Lottery Insurance Company : "June 27, 1800. What will the Washington Insurance Company insure 500 tickets for in the Barrington Meeting House Lottery.' to indemnify for the cost of the tickets at three dollars each, the company to have all the prizes drawn against the No's of the tickets insured. Joshua Bicknell, ) ,^ ,TT » { Manairers. William Allin, ) Endorsement : 18 pr ct. discount, or suppose the Lottery is to have the benefit of the Prizes if amount to more than $1500 — What will be the premium .' " The results of the drawing of the first-class were announced in the Herald of the United States, No. 2, Vol. IX, published at the office, Warren, on Friday, July 25, NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 441 1800, by Nathaniel Phillips. The second class drawing was announced August 24, 1801. We have no records to show the amount realized from this lottery. In 1805 the Society proceeded to erect a new meeting- house, the funds for which were raised in part by this lottery and in part by subscriptions of the people. The location chosen was the site of the present house. After the stakes were driven for the corner of the house, the story goes that Captain Mauran who lived in the house, south of the site, removed the stakes several feet to the east that he might have a better view of the road and river to the north. He certainly did a favor to the Society in securing the present ample grounds in front of the house. The size of the house is known, as the present meeting-house is only a modified form of the old one. The old house had a square porch, which was surmounted by a small tower. There were two front doors to the porch, one on the west and the other on the south side. The interior arrangement of the pews and pulpit on the first floor was the same as in the first house, the number of the pews being increased. The galleries were supported by small fluted wooden posts as was the pulpit. A row of seats extended around the gallery, and back of these seats was a row of square pews, each of which would seat nine or ten persons. Two rows of seats on the west end of the gallery were occupied by the singers and players on instruments. This house was heated by two stoves that stood, one on the right and the other on the left of the entrance door. Stove pipes conducted the smoke and surplus heat across the house to a chimney on the east end. Foot stoves were however needed in the coldest weather and were used by many of the women of the con- gregation during the winter months. The great sounding board over the preacher's head was an object of interest to all youngsters, and curious speculations occupied young minds as to what would become of the minister should the apparently slight support chance to break. Fears were en- tertained especially, when some tall form gesticulated too 442 THE HISTORr OF BAERINGTON. earnestly, lest a rift should be made in this sacred vessel of the Lord's House. Our first impression was that it con- tained some aids to piety, devotion, and eloquence which- ministers only had the privilege of enjoying. Later we learned that its chief function was to aid the vocal organs of the old school theologians as they thundered the anathemas of the damned and proclaimed the happiness of the saved, as they rejoiced over the electing grace of God in sending a few to Heaven, the most to perdition. The old sounding board was an unconscious and innocent agent in the loud declaration of a most pernicious doctrine, which has long since followed the sounding board into an historic oblivion. In 1851 the society remodelled the meeting-house of 1805-6. The pews, galleries, and sounding board were removed, the floor was elevated so as to admit of a lecture room on the first floor and an audience room on the second floor. The spire was added to the old tower and a bell was introduced. In 1888 the society made still further additions to the east end of the church and an organ was added to the church music. Prior to that time from 1851, the small alcove room in the rear of the audience room was used for the choir and organ. The United Congregational Society still continues to conduct the business affairs of the church in the raising money for the salary and in other mat- ters of a similar character. In 1 8 16 the property afterwards known as the Parsonage estate was purchased of Silas Shepard, executor of the will of the Rev. Samuel Watson, late pastor of the Congrega- tional Church of Barrington. The grantees were Jabez Bul- lock, Humphrey Kent, Nathaniel Viall, Simeon Grant, Heze- kiah Viall, Noah Reed, Seth Whitmarsh, Peleg Paine, Theophilus Hutchins, John Viall, Benjamin Viall, 2d, of Seekonk, County of Bristol, State of Massachusetts ; Eben- ezer Tiffany, Joshua Bicknell, Allin Bicknell, William Brown, John Short, Wilmarth Heath, Jabez Heath, Solomon Town- send, Jr., Nathaniel Peck, Ebenezer Peck, Benjamin Peck, THE PAKSONAGB. 443 Learned Peck, Ebenezer Smith, Simeon Drown, Joseph Rawson, George Gladding, Watson Ingraham, Samuel Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Jr., John Humphrey, Emerson Humphrey, Thomas Allen, George Allen, Ellis Peck, Benja- min Martin, Sylvester Allen, Anderson Martin, Ambrose Martin, Sterry Martin, Mary Tiffany, Benjamin Heath, Kent Brown, Simon Smith, Asa Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Josiah Kinnicutt, and Samuel Heath of Barrington. The property was deeded to them, their heirs, and assigns, to be held as a parsonage, for the use of a minister in the Congregational Society of said Barrington, so long as he shall be settled in, and continue to preach to said society, but to be for the use of said society, when there is no minister preaching to them. The estate was bounded easterly, by the East Highway ; southerly, by the land of John W. Bicknell, Joshua Bicknell, and others ; westerly by the West Highway ; northerly, by land of Josiah Kinnicutt, Sylvester Allen, Kent Brown, and others, and contained about twenty-one acres. In the year 1843 the trustees of the parsonage petitioned the General Assembly to pass an Act empowering them to sell, or donate the property by which the parsonage property was transferred to the United Congregational Society of Barrington, in 1844. In May, 1851, a meeting was called to consider the pro- priety of disposing of the property, when stormy opposition arose, and bitter feeling was awakened between the parties. At that meeting it was voted to postpone the subject indefi- nitely. On the 3rd of January, 1853, a committee of the Society was appointed, to take into consideration the propri- ety of selling the parsonage. The committee reported Feb. Sth of the same year, in favor of selling the property, and by a vote of twenty-six yeas to thirteen noes, it was then ordered to be sold. It was accordingly sold at public auction, March 2Sth, 1853, for the sum of $2,800, thereby settling a. vexa- tious question which had agitated the community for a long period, and had caused scandals and serious divisions in the society and town. The house was afterwards sold and re- 444 THE HISTORY OP BABEINGTON. moved from the estate, and is now standing on the main highway, south of its old location, and is now owned and occupied by Mrs. Charles S. Miller. The cut of the parsonage shows it somewhat altered in its exterior since its removal. The house was the home of the Congregational ministers of Barrington, from the ministry of Rev. Samuel Watson, its owner in 1815, to the ministry of Rev. Silas S. Hyde. The following persons have been officers of the United Congregational Society : Presidents. Nathaniel Smith, from 1797 to 1807; Ebenezer Tiffany, from 1807 to 1822; Josiah Humphrey, from 1822 to 1829; Sylvester Allen, from 1829 to 1830; Ebenezer Smith, from, 1830 to 1840; Jabez Heath, from 1840 to 1851 ; Benjamin Martin, from 1851 to 1854; Ellis Peck, from 1854 to 1872; John Humphrey, from 187210 1875 '> Royal D. Horton, 1875 ^0 1886 ; David A. Waldron, from 1886 to 1895 ; Ebenezer Tif- fany, 1895. Vice-Presidents. Asa Bicknell, from 1797 to 1800; Ebenezer Tiffany, from 1800 to 1801 ; Elkanah Humphrey, from 1801 to 1807; Eb- enezer Peck, from 1807 to 1816 ; Benjamin Martin, from 1816 to 1819 ; Joseph Bicknell, from 1819 to 1829 ; Allen Bicknell, from 1829 to 1851 ; Ebenezer Tiffany, from 185 r to i860; Samuel Billings, from i860 to 1861 ; George Kinnicutt from 1861 to 1865 ; Benjamin Martin, from 1865 to 1866; George R. Kinnicutt, from 1866 to 1872; Royal D. Horton, from 1872 to 1875 ; Earl C. Potter, from 1875 to 1886; Charles H. Bowden, from 1886 to 1S92; Ebenezer Tiffany, from 1892 to 1895 ; R. D. Horton, 1895. Treasurers. Joshua Bicknell, from 1797 to 1838 ; Ebenezer Tiffany, from 1838 to 1851 ; Henry Smith, from 1851 to 1853 ; Lewis B. Smith, from 1853 to May 29, 1892; George T. Baker, July 5, 1892. the paksonagb. 445 Secretaries. Solomon Townsend, from 1797 to 1798 ; Thomas Allen, from 1798 to 1799; Kent Brown, from 1799 to 1823 ; Nath- aniel Brown, from 1823 to 1824; Ebenezer, Tiffany, from 1824 to 1837 ; Nathaniel Brown, from 1837 to 1838 ; Emer- son Humphrey, from 1838 to 1846 ; Anthony L. Viall, from 1846 to 1850 ; Rev. Francis Wood, from 1850 to 1856; Eben- ezer Tiffany, from 1856 to 1864 ; Rev. Francis Wood, from 1864 to 1872 ; Thomas W. Bicknell, from 1872 to 1875 ; David A. Waldron, from 1875 to 1886; Charles F. Anthony from 1886 to 1888; Mark H. Wood, from 1888 to 1892; George T. Baker, from January to July, 1892 ; Charles F. Anthony, July, 1892. In 1873 a parsonage was built by private subscriptions, is owned by stockholders, and is managed by trustees. The Corporation is known as the Barrington Parsonage Associa- tion, with a capital stock of ;^S,ooo. It leases the property to the U. C. Society, for the use of the ministers. The par- sonage is situated near the meeting-house, fronting on the Barrington River. Mr. R. D. Horton is President of the As- sociation, and the trustees are R. D. Horton, J. L. Draper, John B. Humphreys, George T. Baker, Thomas W. Bicknell. An end view of the present parsonage with its grounds may be seen in the picture of the Congregational meeting- house and parsonage. CHAPTER XXVIII HIGHWAYS, FERRIES, AND BRIDGES Indian Trails — First Highways — Sowams Roads — Liberal Width — Reduction and Sales — Improvement of Highways — Ferries — First to Brooks Pasture — Martin's Ferry — Kelly's Bridge — Barrington River Bridge — Central Bridge. THE Study of the highways of our New England towns is one of the most interesting of local history. The in- quiry as to when they were laid out, why they were located as they were, and the changes in their layout reveal many important and curious phases and facts of the early life of the people. When the settlers came to Swansea and Barrington they found the Indian trails traversing field and forest, and these trails were their guide in the exploration of the territory. Having no wagons at first, the white people followed these trails as far as they could, in making the foot-paths and horse- paths. On the introduction of carts and wagons, these well trodden ways became the foundation for the byways and highways so far as they were convenient for the use of the people. When the town lands were laid out by the propri- etors, highways were provided for of varying widths, from two to eight rods. Some of these were afterwards laid out and made, some were abandoned when not needed for settle- ment, and many were narrowed for economy's sake, from eight and four rods in the original layout, to two or three rods, as we now find many of our town roads. There were three important Indian trails running north and south in the present town of Barrington. Two led from the lower end of New Meadow Neck, one leading to the fording place over Palmer's River at Barneysville, the other HIGHWAYS. 447 leading northwest towards the Seekonk settlement. The third trail led from Rumstick, or Chachapacassett, north- ward along the west bank of the Barrington River, entering Seekonk, near of Runen's Bridge, where there was a fording place before the bridge was built. These trails were the first foot-paths, horse-paths, and roadways of the first settlers of Barrington, and then became the main highways of the town, changed somewhat in location to suit the conditions of road- making. One of the changes was made in the main road, between the Congregational meeting-house and Prince's Hill. This trail and road originally followed the river bank, but was changed to its present position to allow the location of the Congregational meeting-house on the bank of the river, where it now stands. To find the layout of highways of the proprietors we for- tunately have the original book of records of the Sowams Plantation. Unfortunately we are not able in many instances to recognize the location of highways, home lots, meadows, etc., from the indefiniteness of the lines, and the temporary character of the bounds, such as trees, stumps, stones, walls, and other movable markers. Under date of of Dec. 28, 1676, at a proprietors' meeting, it was voted : "That highways belayed out convenient in such places as the major part shall agree and determine for best conven- ience both for the general and particular." Two days later, Dec. 30, 1676, a committee was chosen, consisting of Mr. John Allen, Capt. John Brown, John SafBn, and Stephen Paine, Senior, or his son, Nathaniel Paine, " to lay out convenient highways both publique and privet, as they shall in their judgement think needful." Under date of April 11, 1679, it was voted that the com- mittee lay out "the home lots butting upon the river," "and a highway down the neck at the head thereof." The lots and highways referred to were probably at or near Chacha- pacassett, or Little Neck, now known as Rumstick. At a legal meeting of the proprietors, Jan. 14, 1680, "It 448 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. was mutually concluded that a highway be layed out through the midst of Chachapacassett Neck of two rods wide or as near ye midst as the surveyor may think fit as a common highway for the general use of the proprieters, and that there be left one rod between the bounds of the meadow and the upland or lots for a conveniency of carting hay only or the like, not prejudasing any lot of upland further." This is the present highway on Rumstick or Little Neck. Another highway called the great highway, at the end of the home lots " being four rods broad westerly," " and from the said southerly side of the said home lots there is another highway runs to the west side of Hydes Hole, on a west poynt four rods wide and from thence south down towards the Beach, eighteen chains the same breadth aforesaid." These highways were also at Rumstick, as were also " a four rod highway to Peck's meadows running towards the East," " another way one rod broad until you come to the bottom of the Neck." There were also two highways two rods wide leading out of the grand highway which cannot be located except by the original deeds. Other highways were voted to be laid out as follows : An eight rod highway from the Rehoboth line to Poke Bottom. This is now known as the middle highway of the town, its width having been reduced by votes of the proprietors and of the town. It is an interesting item of the history of this highway that the north end of it beginning at Samuel Barnes southwest cor- ner (now land of Leander R. Peck) of his home lot thence running northward to Rehoboth line, " was given to Doctor Hezekiah Chaffee forever as a bounty and covenant for him to settle amongst us." This gift of an eight rod highway was made by the Sowams proprietors under date of April i, 1730. Had this road been laid out it would have formed a straight highway from Nayatt to the road running west from Runen's Bridge. Another eight rod strip of land was left for a highway from Daniel Allen's and Peleg Richmond's to the main cove. A portion of this highway is still an eight rod way, from the HIGHWAYS. 449 long swamp to land formerly belonging to Humphrey Kent, and north of the Richmonds. Another eight rod way was laid out from the east to the middle highway, on which the school-house of the North District now stands. The west highway was originally laid out at least six rods and probably eight rods wide from the Long Swamp corner to the present village of Drownville, but was reduced to its present width by the purchases of the land owners, adjoin- ing this way. On the 30th of August, 1774, the Sowams proprietors met at Henry Bowen's tavern in Harrington, and by vote it was declared that the highways already voted as common highways belong to the towns where they are laid out. The town of Barrington then voted to sell such highways as could be spared or such parts thereof as were not needed for travel and to lodge the money in the bank to maintain a free school, and James Brown, Joshua Bicknell, and Josiah Humphrey were made a committee to sell and dispose of said lands on behalf of the town. Other highways have been laid out by the town which are referred to under town legislation. In the early legislation of the town, the road department was treated separately by a special tax, levied by the asses- sors, and worked out by the taxpayers of their representa- tives, under officers, styled surveyors of highways. In order to lighten the labor of the surveyors, the town was at first divided into two districts, New Meadow Neck and Peebee's Neck, and later into four or five. The repairing of high- ways was usually done in May or June of each year, after the spring planting and before haying. The tax of the sev- eral districts was made by the assessors and sent to the surveyors. Each surveyor consulted his own convenience as well as that of the inhabitants of his district in fixing the time for the highway service, when men and teams were called into service by a notice from the district surveyor. Each hand and team had a per diem allowance which was 29 450 THE HISTOKY OF BARRn^-GTON. fixed by the assessors at the usual price of day labor. The following is a record of the surveyor of highways of the north district of the town, including the taxpayers living north of Prince's Hill, made just a century ago : " Work on Highways, District No. i, Harrington. John Barnes, one hand. 5 one team of five Matthew & Sullivan Allin, one hand. 5 Cattle. John Humphrey & J. Hardin, 2 hands & a 3 Cattle team. George Salsbury, one hand. Silvester Viall, one hand & two Cattle. Samuel Barnes, one hand & three Cattle & Cart. Consider Tripp, one hand. Edward Loyal, one hand. Josiah Humphrey, one hand. Josiah Humphrey, Junr., one hand & 2 Cattle. Elkanah Humphrey, Jr., one hand. Elkanah Humphrey, one hand & three Cattle. Joshua Bicknell, one hand & five Cattle. Josiah Viall, one hand. Samuel Allen, Jr., one hand. Josiah Kinnicutt, one hand. William Brown, one hand. Kent Brown, one hand. Nathl. Heath, one hand & team 3 Cattle. Nathl. Heath, one hand. Solomon Peck, one hand & team 3 Cattle. Daniel Peck, one hand. Comfort Stanley, one hand. Charles Young, one hand. Enoch Remington, one hand. Ebenr. Peck, two hands & team. Joel Peck, one hand. Thomas Carpenter and Daniel Horn, two hands & team. Thomas Allin, two hands & team. To work on the highways on Monday, the 25 of June, 1798." FIRST BEIDGES. 451 This method, not system, of highway building and repair was modified by the town in voting a specific portion of the total town tax for highways and dividing the money among the district surveyors, thereby enabling them to hire such labor and at such prices as they saw fit. Later a wiser plan was adopted, which is now in operation, the appointment of a town surveyor, who has a fixed salary and who has the charge of all the town roads, adopting modern methods of road building and thereby securing for the town an excellent reputation for its public highways. For the last twenty years the town has been fortunate in having a large supply of oyster shells for covering the roads, and has been more fortunate in having good men to superintend the expendi- ture of the money. Recently the state has made a sample half mile of road near the Town Hall, and the interest now awakened in scientific road building will lead to much greater improvements in this department in the future. Ancient Swansea was intersected by five navigable rivers. Lees, Coles, Kickemuit, Palmers or Warren, and Barring- ton. All of these rivers were fordable in the north part of the town and were so crossed until the people were able to construct roads and use carriages, when bridges were needed for crossing. Probably the first bridge built was over Bowen's River, the name formerly given to the upper part of Barrington River. This river is sometimes called in the early records Bowen's Bridge River or Runen's River, and the rude bridge over it made the communication easier between Mr. Brown and Captain Willett at Wannamoisett and Mr. Myles and his settlement on New Meadow Neck at the head of Hundred Acre Cove. The second bridge was built near the fording place over Palmer's River, at the pres- ent Village of Barneysville and was called Myles' Bridge, from the pastor of the Swansea Church, Rev. John Myles, who was probably the leader in its construction. As Barrington consists of two peninsulas, separated from each other and from Warren by navigable streams, the earli- est mode of communication between the settlers was by the 452 THE HISTORY OY BAKEINGTON. canoes and boats of individual owners. As this method of travel could not be relied upon, except at the convenience or spirit of accommodation of the owners of these boats, it early became a necessity to establish ferries across the Swansea and Barrington Rivers. The exact date of the establishment of a regular ferriage is not known, but it was probably soon after Philip's War, when the meeting-house was erected on Tyler's Point, that the first ferry was estab- lished, where the Barrington and Warren Bridge now stands, connecting New Meadow Neck with Brooks Pasture and Kickemuit. This ferry was first established and maintained by the town of Swansea, and William Ingraham was the first ferryman employed by the town. The Swansea town rec- ords as to this ferry are as follows : "At a Town Meeting Legally warned and being met Octob. ye 19, 1681. That a Complaint be made to a Magistrate to Panell a Jewry to lay out such High ways as are at Present needfull, namely through Brookses Pasture to the ferry to New Meadow Neck. That as to the ferridge over both Rivers it be left accord- ing to former order to the Townsmen." "At a Town Meeting Legally warned and ye Town met together March 13, 168 1-2. It was voted that six acres of land be left perpetually for the accommodating a Person to keep the ferry. It to be improved for the use and Benefit of ye town as they shall see fit and that this land be laid out by the Committy formerly chosen by ye town to lay out Brookses pasture and that it be laid out as conveniently as may be." "At a Town Meeting Legally warned Jan. 29, 1682-3. Also then was granted William Ingraham by the ferry yard Rome and Liberty to Wharf." "At a Town Meeting Legally warned ist July, 1697, also then agitated Concerning the ferry and the ferry lot not yet laid out in Brookses pasture." "At a Town Meeting Legally warned and met April ye 9th, 1703. Also then voted and agreed to yet ye Selectmen i'BEEIBS. 453 should take care of the setting of ye ferry according to their discretion. "According to ye warning given as above sd the Proprie- tors of Swansey met on ye 26th Day of Jan., 1713, at sd meeting It was considered Voted and Concluded to Choose a Committy to Enquire into the circumstances of the Ferry in Swansey from Brookses pasture to New Meadow neck and to let out sd Ferry to some able Person to keep, to give good attendance to Travailers & ye rent to be for the use of ye said Proprietors that is the three fold Ranks for the term of Seven years ; proceeded to choice and chose, viz. : Joseph Butterworth, Edward Luther, Joseph Carpenter, Committy. Joseph Mason, Wm. Anthony. And further concluded that ye town land on Brookses Pasture Point and ferry lot should be rented out with the ferry or as the Committy in their discretion should think best for sd Propriety. It being requested at sd meeting by ye Widdow Two-good that they would consider her condition and give her the last years rent for the Ferry, Ordered that William Wood Town Treasurer should abate one half of the rent for one year. A lot of land was laid out for the use of the ferry, and a contract was made with the ferryman to share in the profits of ferriage. The town let the ferry to John Toogood as the successor to Mr. Ingraham, as a town right. Toogood's suc- cessor was Duncan Kelley, who insisted on spelling his given name "Dunkin" because "it was so on the sign." His son, John Kelley, claimed the right to use the ferry as personal property, without recognition of the town rights therein, but was restrained by the town, and on the 12th day of July, 1736, a contract was made between Matthew Allin and James Adams, Selectmen, on behalf of the town of Barrington, and John Kelley, " marraner," that the said Kelley " shall have 454 THE HISTOEY OF BAEBINGTON. free liberty or allowance from the town to keep a ferry in Barrington aforesaid at ye place called and known by the name of Toogood's or Kelley's Ferry and to carry horse and men or any kind of wares from off Barrington Shore with- out any let, denyals, molestation or Disturbance of from or by ye said town of Barrington for ye space of seven years from and after ye twenty-first day of May last past according to ye tenure, true intent and meaning of ye vote of ye Town of Barrington at their Town Meeting held on ye twenty-first of May last past." For and in consideration of this permit, Mr. Kelley was to have the use and profits of said ferry by paying to the town of Barrington forty shillings yearly, and every year for seven years, "in lawful money or bills of credit." At the expiration of this contract, the question again arose as to the respective rights of the Town of Barrington and Mr. Kelley in the Ferry, and the vexed question was not settled at the time of the union with Warren in 1747, as the following deposition of Mr. Joseph Mason indicates : Warren, April ye 22: 1748: " The Dupusition of Joseph Mason Aged about eighty-four years to Testify and say that he hath Lived in the Town of Swanzey near the ferry ouer from New Meadow Neck ouer to Lands Called Brookis pasture upwards of sixty years and the Deponant was improved in publick Concerns in Town business Twenty years and upward and said ferry was all- ways kept in the Towns hands and they that kept sd ferrey improved sd ferry rods by agreement with the Town of Swan- zey, William Ingraham the first ferryman near Seventy years agoe, by Contract with said Town of Swanzey. Earning at a f uter profit as people and traveling increased ; and therefore the Town of Swanzey Laid out a lott of Land for the use of said ferry and this Deponent saith that he was Concerned in behalf of the Town of Swanzey in Letting out said ferry formerly to John Twoogood Deceased as a town Right ; and Cair was taken by the first inhabitant to preserve it for a kellby's peeey and bridge. 455 publick benifet and priviledge : so that William Ingraham, John Twoogood, Dunkin Killey held sd ferry under sd town, and allowed sd town of Swanzey a rent for the same and fur- ther saith not : Joseph Mason." In 1777 the ferry was still run by John Kelley, son of Dun- can, as the General Assembly allowed him, "for the ferriages of a number of soldiers and their baggage, £1$, 9s., 4p." On the death of Mr. Kelley, in 1777, his son Duncan suc- ceeded him in charge of the ferry. In June, 1792, it was Voted and Resolved, by the General Assembly of Rhode Island, " that Duncan Kelley, the propri- etor of the Ferry on the East side of the Town of Harrington, upon the Post Road from Newport to Boston, be permitted to extend and continue a warp from Posts erected upon oppo- site Sides of the said River, for the greater Convenience of transporting Passengers, without Molestation from any Per- son or Persons whosoever," and it was further Voted and Resolved, "that whenever Boat or Vessel shall pass or re- pass through the said Passage, the said Warp shall be doused, so that such Boat or Vessel may pass without any obstruction." In February, 1794, the General Assembly passed an Act granting to Duncan Kelley, license to erect a bridge across Palmer's River, at a Place called Kelley's Ferry, as a toll bridge, with a convenient draw for the passage of vessels without expense, with an able bodied man to aid and assist in raising the draw for the passage of vessels and in lowering the same : that the toll shall at no time exceed the present rate of ferriage as established by law : that when the toll shall amount in value to the costs, charges and expenses of erecting and keeping in repair said bridge, with interest thereon, a reasonable allowance shall go to Duncan Kelley for advance made and " for the risque of his property." To facilitate the travel between the two peninsulas, New Meadow Neck and the main body of the town on the west, 456 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. another ferry was established from the west end of Ferry Lane, near where the present Barrington bridge is located, to the west bank of Barrington River, at the foot of what was known as Jennys Lane, now the road leading from the main highway by Lewis T. Fisher's residence to the river. Reference is made to a bridle-way and to this ferry in the town records under date of May i8, 1739. Voted "that the town accept a way through John Adams land leading to the ferry, by two good gates, allowing him to take in the highway on the North side of his land until he is molested by court or proprietary ; and it was voted that the town accept of an open highway through Edward Bosworth's land and Jacob Bosworth's to a convenient place for keeping the ferry over to Mr. Samuel Miller's." That part of the vote relative to "an open highway," refers to the road leading to Martin's Ferry, between Barrington and Warren, Mr. Samuel Miller living in Warren. With the growth of the town on the west side of the river, opposite Warren, a public ferry was needed for the people to communicate with Warren, Bristol, and Swansea, and one was established at the foot of the highway known as Ferry Lane, in the neighborhood of the Martins, Bosworths, and Ingrahams. It was known as Martin's Ferry and was owned and managed by Col. Nathaniel Martin before and during the Revolution. We have not been able to find the date of its establishment or suspension but it was probably given up for carriage travel on the building of Kelley's Bridge. Foot passengers continued to be ferried over at a small fee until recent years, within the memory of people now living. During the Revolutionary War and afterwards most of the transportation of soldiers, baggage, equipments, etc. was made at Martin's Ferry for the reason that thereby two ferriages were avoided, over the Barrington and Warren Rivers. z z c BABKINGTON BEIDGB. 457 The following bill is a sample of the business done : " State of Rhode Island, &c. To Luther Martin, Dr. To ferrying over and back Fifty one men belonging to Capt. Eben'r Peck's Company of Militia at 4 cts. per ferriage 1^4.08 cts., It being on Muster Day the 2nd Day of October, 1798. Errors excepted ; pr. Luther Martin. I hereby certify that Mr. Luther Martin ferried over the above men. Eben'r Peck, Capt. Also to ferrying over and back Gen'l T. Allin and seven troopers with their Horses at 6 cts. per Piece. 96 cts. Luther Martin, FerHman." Harrington, Oct. 29, 1798. At the opening of the new century, prosperity was return- ing to an impoverished people and ready communication of the towns with each other and with the capitals. Providence and Newport, seemed indispensable for the advancement of business. Kelley's toll bridge connected New Meadow Neck with Warren and Bristol, and the land travel to and from Newport, Providence, and Boston, on the east side of the bay, traversed Warren, New Meadow Neck and Reho- both by way of Monroe's Tavern, through what is now See- konk and East Providence. The leading citizens of Barring- ton, Warren, and Bristol saw that this was a circuitous route and sought a more direct way. Their first act was to procure the removal of the gates and bars which obstructed the highway from Wannamoisett through the Brown neigh- borhood from Captain Willett's to Armington's Corners and to make of it a public thoroughfare. The Town Council of Harrington, consisting of Samuel Allen, Nathaniel Heath, Thomas Allin and, Elkanah Humphrey, united in an address to the town of Rehoboth, asking that a " Highway be laid out through the town of Rehoboth from Harrington to the 458 THE HISTOEY OP BAKRINGTON. ancient road to Providence Ferry, inasmuch as Barring- ton had at great expense, obtained by a lottery, built a good and sufficient Highway to the Rehoboth line." A meeting of citizens of Barrington, Warren, Bristol, and Providence, interested in the new road and bridge, was held at Major Cole's Hall, Warren, February 20, 1802, "in order to facilitate a communication between the towns of Warren & Barrington, and between the different parts of the town of Barrington, as well as for a great public road from Warren to Providence in the most direct route." The subscribers also agreed to associate into a Company for the purpose of building a Toll Bridge across Warren & Barrington Rivers, at a place called Little Island, beginning at the foot of the street from the house of John Jolls and thence over Little Island to Tyler's Point, thence to an highway between the houses of Widow Bosworth and John Low — or in such other place thereabouts as may be judged best. SUBSCRIPTIONS. SHARES. ° SHARES. Charles Collins, Jr Ten Solomon Townsend, Jr.,.. . Two Nicholas Campbell Six Nathan Child Three Jabez Bullock Five John Short One Nath'l Smith Five Preserved Alger Two Joshua Bicknell Five Watson Ingraham One Joseph C. Mauran Five Wm. Carr Two Sam'l Martin Eight John Champlin Two Wm. D'Wolf Ten Eben'r Cole Ten Thomas Kinnicutt Five James W. Brayton Two Joseph Adams Two Caleb Carr Three Matthew Watson Two Wm. Collins Two Nath'l Sanders One Ja's D'Wolf Five John Carr One Anderson Martin One William Easterbrooks One Total Shares 102 Warren, February 20th, 1802. Immediately after the Subscription was filled, a petition was drawn up & signed by the proprietors ; likewise, another by the inhabitants of Barrington in general, and a third by , TOLL BRIDGE COMPAifY. 459" the inhabitants of Warren and Bristol generally, which were presented* to the general Assembly ; in consequence of which a Charter of Incorporation was granted to the Warren & Barrington Toll Bridge Company. According to the Charter, it was ordered that the bridge was to be built from Warren to Little Island, thence to Tyler's Point and thence to the old Ferry Lane in Barring- ton ; that convenient draws, each of a width of thirty feet, to be raised in fifteen minutes, were to be maintained for the passage of vessels in Palmer's and Barrington Rivers, that a. good able bodied man was to tend the bridge who could raise and lower the draw ; an annual meeting was to be held for the election of a president, vice do., treasurer and secre- tary to be chosen by a majority of the shares ; that the tolls at the said bridges were to be the same as at Kelley's bridge, provided that officers and soldiers on training days going to. and returning from parade, and children going to and from school be exempt ; that whenever the stock-holders were reimbursed for all expenditures, the General Assembly might reduce the rate of toll of the bridge, and that the bridge be completed within two years. Mr. Duncan Kelley, the owner of Kelley's Bridge evi- dently saw that " his craft was in danger," by the erection of a bridge so near his own across both rivers, and the people saw as clearly that it would be to their advantage to use Kelley's bridge instead of building another in the same neighborhood, accordingly we find as the result of an agree- ment between the parties in interest, that the charter was amended at the June session of the Assembly, 1802, so that the bridge " will prove more commodious to the public as well as the said Company." It was enacted, that " the bridge should be built a little further Northerly, making the Eastern abutment thereof at or near the wharf of Captain Jeremiah Bowen in New Meadow Neck and continuing the same across the said river in such course or direction as shall be found most convenient to the opposite shore in Bar- rington," that the draw be limited to twenty-six feet in 460 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. width and that thirty minutes be allowed for raising and lowering the same. This legislation was the resirtt of two agreements being made and executed on the gth and 14th of May, 1802, between Duncan Kelley and the Harrington Toll Bridge Company by which Mr. Kelley was to repair his bridge and collect tolls, and the company to erect a bridge, keep it in repair, and collect tolls at the Harrington River. The tolls of the two bridges were to be divided equally between the parties on condition that each kept his own bridge in repair. The agreement was signed by Duncan Kelley, Ebenezer Cole, Jabez Bullock, Joshua Bicknell, Nathan Child, and William D'Wolf. At the first election of the Barrington Toll Bridge Co., held at Warren, March 25, 1803, General Joseph Adams was elected president, Capt. Ebenezer Cole, treasurer, and Sergt. Charles Collins, Jun., secretary. Superintending committee, Samuel Martin, Joseph Adams, and Chas. Collins, Jun. The successive presidents of the B. T. B. Co. were Joseph Adams, 1803; Joshua Bicknell, 1804, 1805; Joseph C. Mauran, 1806; William Turner Miller, from 1807 to 1817; Jeremiah Bowen, from 1817 to 1823, James Bowen, 1823 to 1834; Allen Bowen, 1834 to 1841 ; Joseph Bowen, 1841 to 1862. In September, 181 5, this section was visited by a terrible gale from the south which destroyed a large amount of ship- ping on our coast and in Narragansett Bay, and swept away the two bridges connecting Barrington Necks and Warren. On October 14th the corporation met at Cole's Hotel, War- ren, and voted to choose a committee " to take care of the ruins of the late bridge and repair the said bridge as soon as practicable." Messrs. William T. Miller, Caleb Eddy, and Samuel Martin were chosen this committee, to take care of the repairs and confer with Mr. John Pearse, the agent of Kelley's Bridge." Money was needed for rebuilding and Solomon Townsend, Jr., raised $225 in Barrington. By vote of the corporation, the work of rebuilding began October 30, and on the 23d an assessment of $20 a share was made to CBNTKAIi BRIDGE. 461 meet the expenses of the repairs and later ;^I2 a share was assessed for the same purpose. In 1825 the treasurer, Samuel Martin, died and his widow was elected treasurer, who held the office till 1830, when James Bowen was elected. In 183 1 Capt. James Bowen bought 52 shares of the stock of the Bridge Corporation, and the corporation came into control of Captain Bowen and his family. At the time of building the two bridges, separate tolls were collected at each, but ,when the properties came into the ownership of the two families, the Bowens and the Kelleys, an arrangement was made to collect the tolls at only one of the bridges and to divide the proceeds equally. This arrangement continued until 1872, when the state appropriated $6,000 to purchase the two bridges, and make them free to all travel, the care of the bridges thereafter to be assumed by the three towns, Bristol, Warren, and Bar- rington. In 1894, two hundred and thirty years after the founding of the town, an important work was accomplished, which, had it been done in the earlier days, would have changed the history of the town in the development of the central section. For many years, possibly a century, the great need of a bridge across the Barrington River, above the Congregational Meeting House, had been felt and discussed by the people in town meeting and in private circles. As a result of peti- tions circulated through the town in favor of such a bridge, and presented to the General Assembly, an act was passed at the January session, 1877, authorizing the town to build a bridge at some point, to be selected, above the meeting-house, subject to the approval of the Harbor Commissioners of the State. This permissive act prepared the way for the action of the town at the annual town meeting, in April, 1894, when it was voted to instruct the Town Council to appoint a commit- tee to procure plans and estimates for a bridge over Barring- ton River, at or near the Congregational Meeting House. At a special town meeting, held in the Town Hall on Satur- 462 THE HISTORY OF BAKEINGTON. day, June 30, 1894, the committee referred to above, con- sisting of Messrs. Royal D. Horton, George T. Baker, and ■Charles H. Bowden, made a written report to the town, on plans and estimates as instructed by the town. Subsequently the town voted : " I. To build a bridge at a cost not to exceed nine thou- sand dollars. 2. To authorize the Town Council to appoint a committee to build said bridge. 3. That the committee thus appointed shall serve without compensation. 4. To authorize the Town Treasurer to hire the sum of nine thousand dollars, or as much as may be necessary to pay for the building of said bridge." At the same meeting Royal D. Horton, George T. Baker, and Charles H. Bowden were elected the Committee on bridge building, and they were confirmed by vote of the Town Council, July 2, 1894. The committee organized by the choice of Royal D. Hor- ton as Chairman, and George T. Baker as Secretary. After an extended correspondence with bridge builders in all parts of the country, the committee advertised for bids for building a bridge and the approaches to the same, as a result of which a contract was made with the Berlin Iron Bridge Co., of Berlin, Conn., for the bridge proper, and an- other contract for the approaches was made with Messrs. Corcoran & Hunter, of Providence, R. I. The plans as finally agreed upon having been submitted to the board of Harbor Commissioners and approved by them, work upon the bridge was commenced on August 6, 1894, and prosecuted continuously until finished, about Dec. I, 1894. On Tuesday, November 13, 1894, the bridge was tested by the engineer, with a load weighing twelve tons, consisting of a low gear loaded with steel rails and stone. The greatest defection noticed was three-eighths of an inch, and was not CENTKAL BRIDGE. 463 observable after the team had passed on. The test was very satisfactory in every particular, and on the report of the en- gineer, the committee accepted the bridge as having fulfilled all that the contract called for. The bridge was publicly accepted by the town and dedicated to public uses in Decem- ber, 1894, by appropriate services in the town hall. Addresses appropriate to the occasion were made by R. D. Horton, chairman of Building Committee ; William T. Lewis, presi- dent of the Town Council ; Rev. John W. Colwell, and an historic address by Thomas W. Bicknell. CHAPTER XXIX CEMETERIES The Cemetery, "God's Acre" — Burial Hill — Tyler's Point — Little Neck — Prince's Hill — Forrest Chapel Cemetery — Inscriptions — Epitaphs. A DECENT regard for the body as the tenement of man has led all nations to make some provision for it after physical death has taken place. The old doctrine of some mystical reunion of the body and spirit at the resurrection has led to embalming and various other customs which have tended to preserve as long as possible the earthly part of our being. So sacred are burial places regarded among Christian people that the churchyard has been called "God's Acre." The Saxon phrase grew out of the notion that the mortal seed planted on earthly soil would sometime and in some way germinate for an immortal harvest. The really significant reason for care of our dead grows out of the memorial character of the grave, and the monu- ment which should mark it, and it is evidence of a high standard of Christian intelligence and love when we witness the proper monument and memorial offerings in memory of the departed. Here in the churchyard or cemetery seem to centre and localize the affection and regard held for our friends, and our minds group about the grave the memories for which it stands. Here they have a certain " local habi- tation and a name." Westminster Abbey, in London, is one of the oldest of the great church cemeteries of England, and those who would pay respect to the memory of her great men, her heroes, her poets, her statesmen, her crowned heads, go there to meditate, and cast their wreaths of affection or honor. The most interesting spot at Mt. Vernon is the tomb Ts- 4 te*^ BUBIAL PLACES. 465 of George Washington. The tomb of Grant on the Hudson, far away from the scenes of his birth, the great events and acts of his life, and the place of his death, will be visited for ages as the spot to learn heroism and awaken a truer patriot- ism. The whole of the great hero's life seems to stand over his grave, as an unchiselled monument of heroic stature, to remind us of his life-work for his country. The country's loving gratitude and the world's reverence will increase with the years, as that mausoleum shall be visited. Mt. Auburn, at Cambridge, will stand as the memorial of the great poet Longfellow, the statesmanship of Sumner, and the scientific research of Agassiz, while Sleepy Hollow, at Concord, will forever be the Mecca of the worshippers of Hawthorne Tho- reau, Alcott, and Emerson. A worthy remembrance and love will lead to a loving and reverential care, and the soul must be dead to human sentiment and loyalty to family, ancestry, or race, which is not interested in perpetuating the memories of those, of whose lives we are the warp and woof. It was a custom quite common in early New England, and not yet entirely gone, for families to set apart a small lot on their own farms, as family burial places. Several of these existed in Barrington, among them being those of the Pecks, the Chaffees, the AUins, the Bicknells, the Browns, the Smiths, the Watsons, and others. The intermarriage of families, led others of different names, but with common in- terests, to unite in a common burial ground, and this courtesy of burial was extended to neighbors and others in family lots. Mr. Matthew Allin of Barrington, in a letter to Mr. Thomas Medbury of Rehoboth, writes : "As for your request to be buried in my land, I grant you with all freedom, so no more at present, but I remain your friend until death." As the first permanent settlers of Barrington made their homes on New Meadow Neck, in the neighborhood of the Baptist Church, it would be most natural to select a public burial place in the neighborhood. This was done, and the burial ground on the sunny knoll at the head of Hundred 30 466 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. Acre cove, is the place of the first interments of the whites on Barrington soil. The oldest graves are marked, if at all, by rude field stones, without inscriptions, so that it is impos- sible to tell when or by whom the ground was first used for burial purposes. We may believe that some of the slain of Philip's war were among the first to be laid at rest at Burial Hill. The tombstone of earliest date in this yard is that of Renew Carpenter, wife of Benjamin Carpenter, who died July 29th, 1703, aged forty-three years. Her husband died in 1727, aged sixty-nine years. As the land of this burial place is private ground, the graves are neglected, and unless some action be taken to care for the grounds and protect the monuments, all- evidence of a burial place will soon be ef- faced. After the Indian war of 1675, the meeting-house of the New Meadow Neck colony was established at the lower end of the neck and a lot of land was chosen south of the meet- ing-house on what is now known as Tyler's Point. After this time interments began to be made at Tyler's Point, on land which may have been a part of the training field or a part of the pastor's and teacher's lots, and near to the new house to which Mr. Myles returned as pastor after the trouble with Philip was over. Mr. Myles died in 1683, and it is probable that his remains were the first deposited in the new burial ground at "Tyler's Point. If so, his grave is among the unmarked mounds in this old cemetery, but his name and memory should be reverenced by the generations present and future. Gray's inspired Elegy applies to the mounds at Burial Hill and Tyler's Point. " Perhaps, in this neglected spot is laid Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire ; Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed, Or waked to ecstasy the living lyre. Some village Hampden, that with dauntless breast, The little tyrant of his field withstood, Some mute, inglorious Milton here may rest; Some Cromwell, guiltless of his country's blood." tyljek's point cembtbey. 467 The first memorial stone with record at Tyler's Point is erected to the memory of Frances Low, who died June, 1702, aged about 70 years. One of the most interesting persons of Pilgrim history, buried in this cemetery, was Mrs. Desire Kent, who died at the great age of 94 years. The inscription is as follows : MRS. DESIRE KENT, Wdo. of Mr. Samuel Kent of Barrington. Was the first English Woman's Grand Daughter on New England. Died Febry ye 8th, A. D. 1762, Aged about 94 years. It is not clear for what reason, but it is certain that obstructions had been placed to the approach to the Tyler's Point ground, for on June 8, 1726, it was ordered that "Whereas there is fences or incumbrances on the highway on New Meadow Neck leading to the burying place and train field. It is voted that Ebenezer Martin be impow- ered to pull down and remove all such fences or incum- brances on said highways and to lay open the burying place and train field, as formerly lay open and that the town will bare him harmless in all lawful charges." There is no rec- ord as to the success of Mr. Martin's efforts in behalf of the town as no report was recorded, but from the action of the town the next year, we infer that the ownership of the land was the question in dispute and that the claimant had fenced up the burial ground and the training field to protect his claim. On the i8th of May, 1727, the people were again assembled in town meeting at the meeting-house, the able and popular Timothy Wadsworth was chosen moderator as 468 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. usual, when Lieut. James Adams, Samuel Kent, and Samuel Allen were chosen a committee " to act on behalf of the town concerning the land lying on New Meadow Neck which has been a training field and a burying place, on which a meeting-house has been formerly built, about obtaining and maintaining the town's rights with respect to said land and to make report to the town as soon as they have a conven- ient opportunity." It does not appear by the records that the convenient season to report ever came and the claim of the town against that of individual owners was held in the balance for one hundred and twenty-seven years. Mean- while four generations had been born and buried and seem to have had an unobstructed passage to the tomb. The New Meadow Neck burial ground continued to be used for many families of the eastern part of the town. Still the town possessed no deed of the land, until March i8, 1854, when, as the result of considerable agitation and town meet- ing discussion, Mr. Jesse Davis and wife deeded to the town "A certain lot of land in Barrington, and now used for a burial place, situate near the river and southerly from my mansion house containing 106 square rods with the right of way over land of grantee from the road to the burial place, the said premises and way to be used for burial purposes." The burial ground at the head of Bullock's Cove, in an- cient Wannamoisett, was located on the farm of John Brown, Senior. The first burial in this ground was probably that of Mr. Brown's son, John Brown, Jun., who died in 1662. His death was followed by that of his father, the same year. Mary (Brown) Willett, daughter of John Brown, Sen., and wife of Capt. Willett, died in 1669, and was followed by the death of her husband, five years later, in 1674. " Dorothy Brown, widow of John Brown, Sen., died Jan. 27, 1673, being the 90th. year of her life or thereabouts, and was buried on the 29th of January," say the records of John Myles, Jun., Town Clerk. Chiselled deep in the heavy stones, over the grave of Captain Willett, is the following inscription : pkincb's hill cemeteey. 469 1674^ e Here lyeth y Body e Headstone. of y wor Thomas r WiLLETT esq who died e th e th August y 4 in y 64 year of his age anno WHO WAS THE FIRST MAYOR Fooistone. OF NEW YORK & TWICE DID T SVSTAINE Y PLACE After the division of Swansea and the incorporation of Barrington as a separate town, a Congregational meeting- house was built on the main road leading south from Barring- ton Centre Railroad Station, at the corner of what was known as "Jenny's Lane," The population on the main neck de- manded a burial ground on the east side of Barrington River, and at a town meeting held Jan. 18, 1727-8, Timothy Wads- worth, Moderator, "Lieut. Peck, Zachariah Bicknell, and James Smith were chosen a committee to lay out a burial place, and to agree with Ebenezer Allen what to give him for the ground, and to make report to the town at the next meeting." At the adjourned meeting held at the meeting- house on the 8th of February, the town voted to give Eben- ezer Allen five pounds for half an acre of land, for a burial place, at Prince's Hill. Mr. Allen's deed, under date of De- cember 31, 1729, conveys to the town of Barrington, "A certain piece of land lying on or near Prin ce's Hill so called in Barrington, containing half an acre to be for the use and benefit of the town forever for to bury their dead ; butted and bounded as follows, viz.: Northerly as the fence now stands. Easterly on the river, Southerly to a black oak tree marked thence to the highway to a stake and heap of stones. West upon the highway." The half acre described above contains the oldest of the graves and monuments at Prince's Hill, and its area may be 470 THE HISTORY OP BARKINGTON. easily seen by noticing the position of gravestones in that part of the yard southeast of the tomb and the ravine which extends to the river. The fence referred to probably stood on the east bank of the ravine, but the river and highway are the only bounds that can be determined. The earliest burial in this yard was that of William Tiffany, son of Eben- ezer and Elizabeth Tiffany, who died Jan. 2, 1728, aged 18 years. In the year 1806 a parcel of land lying southeast of the Allen lot, and adjoining it, was bought by Solomon Town- send, as the first purchase was almost wholly occupied. This lot was purchased by the Town Council and confirmed by vote of the town, Dec. 2, 1806. A second addition was made to the Prince's Hill burial ground by a purchase of a lot on the northwest of the Allen lot and adjoining it, of Josiah Kinnicutt. At a town meeting held May 29, 1826, it was voted "That Ebenezer Tiffany, Josiah Kinnicutt, and William AUin be a committee to lay out the new burying ground at Prince's Hill (so called) in suitable and convenient lots, and report a plat of the same, and some plan for the accommodation of families in particu- lar lots." The Kinnicutt purchase is that part of the ceme- tery between the ravine on the east, the highway, the present line on the northwest, and the river bank. The third addi- tion to the Prince's Hill ground was made by purchase of the Rev. Francis Wood, of a lot south of and adjoining the To wnsend. purchase, containing one and one-quarter acres, and cost $1^7. This lot was obtained and platted, and the tomb near the ravine was built by the efforts and under the direction of the writer. The four purchases, including over four acres, are held by the town by clear titles, as shown in the Town Clerk's records. This burial ground has been lately increased in size, by the addition of land acquired by the town for town purposes, and is now (1898) being graded and laid out in lots. The Allin burial ground at Drownville is on land devoted to that purpose by the Allins who owned a large tract of FOEBST CHAPEL CEMETERY. 471 gravestones, was that of Thomas Allin, who died Aug. 1 1, 1719. His son Thomas, aged 13, was buried in October of the same year. It is probable that in all the old burial places there were interments prior to the dates named, as the nar- row means of the people and the difficulty of obtaining suit- able marble or other stones was very great. The Allin yard contains the remains of Gen. Thomas Allin, Capt. Matthew Allin, Capt. Viall Allen, Lieut. Allin Vial), and Benjamin Medbury, all of whom served in the War of the Revolution with distinction. Scipio Freeman, a slave of the family, and a Revolutionary soldier, is also buried there and has a suit- able headstone at his grave. The Forest Chapel Cemetery at Nayatt is owned by the Association of the same name, incorporated in 1863. It was bought July, 1871, with funds obtained from the sale of The Forest Chapel at Barrington Centre, which was built by the Barrington Mutual Improvement Society. This society reserved one lot for each of its members. These lots are platted in a circle in the centre of the ground, other lots are sold as desired. Lewis B. Smith was president of the asso- ciation until his death, and was succeeded in the presidency by his son, George Lewis Smith. Lewis T. Fisher is secre- tary, and George L. Smith, treasurer, succeeding to that office after the death of George A. Gladding. Of the family burial places, those of the Smiths and Pecks have been removed to Prince's Hill, The Chaffees have two gravestones on land of Leander R. Peck, near Barring- ton River. The Bicknell ground on land formerly of the Bicknells, west of the meeting-house, is now levelled and the stones have been destroyed. The same is true of the Brown family ground at Nayatt. No memorial marks the resting places of John and James Brown and their families. The Watson yard at Nayatt was formerly properly cared for, but now shows signs of neglect. It contains the dust of Matthew Watson, who was born in the seventeenth, lived through the eighteenth, and died in the nineteenth century, at the remarkable age of one hundred and seven years. His grand- 472 THE HISTOKY OF BAEEINaTON. son, Rev. Samuel Watson, son of Matthew, Jr., a native of Barrington, sleeps in the same family enclosure. There are graves in other parts of the town, with or without markers, most of the names or memories of the occupants having passed from the knowledge of our generation. " Yet e'en these bones from insult to protect, Some frail memorial still erected nigh, With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked, Implores the passing tribute of a sigh." The following epitaphs on the tombstones selected from many were of interest to the friends of the departed and will be to our readers. The tombstone of Mrs. Frances Adams says : "Afflictions sore, long time I bore; Physician's aid was vain, But God did please to give me ease And free me from my pain." On Newdigate Adams's tombstone we read : " Death is a debt To nature due ; I've paid my debt And so must you. Mr. James Adams admonishes : " Stand still, kind reader and spend a tear, Upon the dust that slumbers here ; And as you read the fate of me. Think of the glass that runs for thee." His wife, Lydia, is made to say : " My faith and hope which I had here, The King of terrors is no fear; Death is disarmed, ray spirit flies, My flesh and sense and body dies." Mr. Ebenezer Adams, who died at West Point, a youth of twenty years, speaks to the young : "Ye blooming youths who on this stone, Learn early death may be your own." EPITAPHS. 473 Doctor Samuel Allen, a physician of the town, has his life's record summed up as follows : " His life was devoted to virtue and in the line of his profession, for the benefit of mankind, served his generation with skillful attention." " Sleep then, blest man, till this thy body be Raised from the dust to immortality, That soul and body, may rejoined again, With Christ in perfect bliss forever reign," SAMUEL ALLEN " Who having passed a life of useful labors both in public and private vocations yielded his breath to the inexorable enemy of mankind on the 22nd day of October, A. D. 1808, In the 70th year of his age." It is recorded of Joseph Viall Allen, fifer in the Revolu- tion that he was "lost in ye Hurricane that prevailed in ye West Indies, 1780, aged 18 years." "Think not to find me by this stone, Hard fate decreed I should have none." Peleg Barnes's stone preserves these truthful lines : " His sleep is sweet who sinks to rest With Heaven's approving sentence blest." Samuel Barnes's tombstone preserves a noble thought : " What need the pen rehearse a life well spent, A' man's good deeds are his best monument." Samuel Barnes, who died 18 16, age 29, consoles his family as follows : " Dear wife and children do not weep, I am not dead but here do sleep." Mrs. Rachel Bicknell, d. 1786, age 75 : " Thrice happy change It is for me From earth to heaven Removed to be." 474 THE HISTORY OP BAREINGTON. Elizabeth W. Bicknell, d. 1868, age 81 : "Rest." Mr. Winchester Bicknejl, who died on a boat in Barring- ton River, on his release from the deadly prison ship, The Jersey, at the age of 2 1 years, is addressed thus : "Alas, dear friend, no sooner came Thy earthly usefulness to bloom. But death has cropt thy tender bud, And laid thee in this mournful tomb." On Asa Bicknell's stone we read, (dying at 17) : " Betimes his virtuous race begun, But to our grief." Capt. William Bowen died on his passage from Palermo City to New York, 1859 : " His body lies in the Mediterranean Sea on the Coast of Spain." Deacon Kent Brown, d. 1822, aged 57 : " The Father, Counsellor and Guide : — To his children he has left a bright example of parental devotion, integrity, zeal and usefulness." " In Memory of the Rev'd Mr. Peleg Heath, Esq., who dep'd this life on ye 5th day of October, Anno Domini 1748, in ye 49th year of his Age." " William Heath, drowned in the North River on the night of Nov. 23, 1722, aged 26 years." Of Rebecca Hill, dying at 17, it is written : " Short was her stay, the longer is her rest, God calls home them he loves best." Sarah Kinnicutt, a child of twenty days : "Weep not for Baby, In Abraham's bosom they do rest." EPITAPHS. 475 Ann Caroline, of John and Lois Kelley, was drowned 1839, age 4 years: " Fair was Ih^ flower and soft the vernal sky Elate with hope we deemed no danger nigh ; • When, lo, a whirlwind's instantaneous gust, Laid all its beauties withering in the dust. also five of their sons." OUR MOTHER. LYDIA GRANT, d. Oct. 5, 1871, aged 71 years. " She made home happy." Daniel V. Kinnicutt, Jr. d. 1791, age 21 : " Hope smiles upon his brow, but Hast ye fate thurst her dread shears between, Cuts the Young Life off and Shuts up the scene ; We seea his flesh sink down with weeping eyes, While we with grief cry out. He dies. He dies." Capt. Samuel R. Martin, d. 1840, age 58, thus addresses " My children dear, this place draw near A father's grave to see ; Not long ago I was with you And soon you'll be with me." John Kelley, 1797 : "But oh what worlds shall I survey. The moment that I leave this clay: How sudden the surprise, how new. Let it my God be happy too.'" Nathaniel Martin, 1806, aged 83 : " In him was lost the affectionate husband and the valued citizen, but faith promised by a temporal loss to introduce an eternal gain." BRAVE AND TRUE. "Dulce et decorum est fro f atria mori," is the inscription on the tombstone of John Bourne Mathew- son, who died in the War of the Rebellion, 1862, at Fort Lyon, Va. 476 THE HISTORY OP BAEKINGTON. Elizabeth Martin, d. 1846, age 91 : " She was a worthy member of the Congregational Church in this town upwards of sixty years." "In memory of Mr. Elisha May, one of ye first Deacons of ye 2nd Church in Rehoboth, Deceased ye 2 1 St day of August, 1744, in ye 76 year of his Age." Walter P. Smith, d. 1868, age 19 : " Precious memories springing from the dust." Martha Brown Smith, d. 1858, aged "jj. Of her it is truly- inscribed : " Kindly affectioned toward all, She Rejoiced with those who did rejoice And wept with those who wept." James Smith, d. 1 774, age T7 : "Reader live well and learn to die." " Tis but few whose days Amount, To three score years and ten, And above all that short account Is sorrow Toil and Pain." "In memory of Mrs. Mary Mumford Amiable Consort of the Honorable Paul Mumford Esq. and Daughr. of the Revd. John and Ann Macylen, Born Aug. I2th 1737, died June 22rd. 1779." Kezia Peck, d. 1792, age 75. Her epitaph reads : "A Faithful Wife and Mother dear Such she was who now lies here." EPITAPHS. 477 Solomon Peck, d. 1756, age 65 : " My faith shall rest in hope to rise Waked by his powerful VOICE." Mrs. Mary Kelley, d. 1794, age 37. Heaven was near and very real to her friends as the monument to her declares: " Farewell, dear friends, a short farewell. Till we do meet again above In the sweet groves where pleasures dwell, And trees of life bear fruits of love." Lorenzo Dow Kelley, d, 1845, ^S^ 34- An early end to a sailor's life is recorded : " No more by tempests tossed and driven, But anchored in the Port of Heaven." Joseph Martin, d. 1815, age 22. An early and sudden death is thus described : " Swift were the summons, short the road, He closed his eyes and saw his God." Ebenezer Martin, d. 1806, age 56. The comfort of the resurrection hope is here noted. "Depart my friends, dry up your tears. For I must wait till Christ appears." Mrs. Ruth Bicknell, d. 1756, age 29. The following in- scription, with variations, is to be found on many tombstones of the last century : " Christian reader, cast an eye. As you are now so once was I, As I am now so you must be. Prepare your heart to follow me." John M. Bradford, d. 1872. On his tombstone at Nayatt is the record : " He sleeps in the soil once owned by his ancestor. Gov. William Bradford, of Plymouth. Lydia P. Cook, d. 1868, speaks in marble : " A true Christian life needs no epitaph." 478 THE HISTORY OF BABBINGTON. Rachel Toogood, d. 1759, age 14 : "Job, Chap. 17, V. II, 12, 13, 14. Rev. Francis Wood, d. Oct. 28, 1875. Aged ^6 years, 6 months and 20 days : " And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea saith the Spirit, they do rest from their labors and their works do follow them." " Benjamin Medbury, who fell in ye battle on Rhode Island August 29, 1779, Bravely fighting for ye Liberty of his Country aged 19 years, i month, and 27 days." John Medbury of Seekonk died 1825, aged 72 : " He was an oiBcer of the American Revolution, And one of the con- stituent members of the first Baptist Church in that Place." " Thomas S. Bean, a patriot of the Revolution, was born in Boston, Mass., 1758, died in Harrington 1839, aged 80 years." '' Noah Albert Peck died at Washington of a wound received at the battle of Salem Heights, 1863, aged 34 years." " Here lies all that was mortal of Elizabeth Renuf, Having faithfully served the Rev. Solomon Town- send as housekeeper upwards of forty years, died 1809, aged 70." " George W. Richmond, a member of Co. E, 12th Reg. R. I. V. died at Carver Hospital, Washington, D. C. Feb'y. 16, 1863, from wounds received at the battle of Fredericksburg, in his 19th year. Actuated by a sense of duty, he promptly volunteered in defence of our Union and offered up his life for his country." " Thy memory is a shrine of pleasant thoughts." is truthfully written of Sally, wife of Nathaniel C. Smith, and of her husband : " To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." " Capt. Josiah Townsend Smith, aged 34 years, was lost with his vessel in a fearful storm on the Pacific Coast, Feb'y. 20, 1878." EPITAPHS. 479 " Brave wrestler with the wave, Your work so early done, And found an ocean grave; Our honest, honored one." " Here lieth Intered ye Body of John Rogers, Esq. died June ye 28 1732 in the 92 Year of his age." Note, . John Rogers is said to have been a direct descendant oi John Rogers, the mar- tyr, and is believed to have been a grandson. Of William H. Smith, who died in 1864, aged 48, it is written : "All ye that are about him, been over him, and all ye that know his name say, ' How is the strong staff broken and the beautiful rod.' " Miss Elizabeth Smith, daughter of James, died 1788, aged 43 : " Christ's Church on earth I leave in love To join the Heavenly Church above." Hezekiah Tiffany, who died 1779, at the ripe age of 82, leaves us this epitaph : " The world is vanity and all things show it, I thought so once and now I know it." Of Sarah Tiffany, the daughter of Hezekiah, d. 1774, age 47, the poet writes : " Beneath this stone doth lay As much virtue as could die; Who, when alive, nature did give As much beauty as could live." Hezekiah Tiffany, born 1800, died 1872. " He was a faithful husband and friend, pure in character, sincere in purpose, and devoted in Christian life. His fidelity to the Town and the Church were unwavering. He was Town Treasurer of Barrington 32 years. Peaceful is thy rest.'' George Robert Townsend, d. 1809, aged 19 : "A Pious Youth." 480 THE HISTOKY OF BAERINGTON. At Dominico, Benjamin Bourne Townsend, d. 1794» aged 1 8 : " He was endowed with brilliant natural talent." John Tyler, d. 1813, aged 44 : " He was possessed of a social disposition. He was a kind husband, a tender parent, and a warm friend. He always paid a sacred regard to the institutions of the Chris- tian religion and left the world with a pleasing hope of future happiness through the merits of the Redeemer." Mr. Samuel Viall : " lost his life by explosion of powder on board of a galley in the Revolutionary War: April 22nd, 1777, in the 48th year of his age." " In Memory of Mr. Allen Viall of Seekonk who was drowned in the memorable gale Sept. 33, 1815, aged 58 years and 9 months." " Sacred to the Memory of the Revd SOLOMON TOWNSEND who died Dec. 25th 1796 Aged 80 Years. Also Rebecca his Wife who died July 24. 1773 Aged 55 Years. Mr Townsend was born in Boston Oct AD 1716. Was Graduated a Harvard College AD 1735. Was ordained a Pastor of the Church and Congregation in Harrington AD 1743, And continued Faithful in his charge 53 Years When death put a period to his labors & his Remains were consigned to this tomb. " Beneath this Sculptured Stone & mouldering heap The reverend Teacher rests in quiet sleep From Youth's first dawn he trod the sacred Stage To the dim twilight of declining age. He taught the soul in virtue's Paths to stray Allured the mind to Heaven and led the way." EPITAPHS. 481 " DIED March 22d A D 1818. SOLOMON TOWNSEND Esq. In the 70 year of hie age. he was a man of great Talents sustained many offices of Trust and discharged them with ability. He was the only Son of the Rev. Solomon Townsend Pastor of the church in Harrington. " Prepare to meet thy God, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." " SACRED to the Memory of Mrs MARTHA TOWNSEND Relict of SOLOMON TOWNSEND ESQ, who died June 10 — 1827 In the 79th Year of her age. " The memory of the Just is blessed." 31 482 th:e history op babeington. ERECTED in Memory of ' SHEARJASHUBB. TOWNSEND a minister of the Gospel in Siierburn Mass. Son of Solomon Townsend EsQ; & Charlotte his wife He died at Milledgeville Georgia July 20, A. D. 1832 aged 37 years. O' grave where is thy Victory. " Sacred to the Memory of MATTHEW WATSON Who died Jan 17.4803 Aged 107 years. Also SARAH his 2nd. Wife died Sep 3d 1798 aged 88 years Mr Watson who is here entombed was upward of 56 years a member of the Christian Church in this Town He was a shining ornament in his profession ; He died in full prospect of a blessed immortality. " Death in itself is nothing; but we fear To be we know not what, we know not where." MRS. NANCY TOWNSEND Wife of Rev Shearjashub B. Townsend and daughter of Josiah & Huldah Hunt She died at St Augustine East Florida Feb 4 1832 aged 36 years. Oh death where is thy Sting.' " In Memory of Mrs BETHIA Daughter of Mr John & Mrs Bethia Read & Wife of Matthew Watson Esq. who lived together 46 years, left to children, and died Feb. 9th 1778 66 Years of her age." " Reader, death is a debt That's nature's due Which I have paid And so must you," EPITAPHS. 483 "There is rest in Heaven. Rev. SAMUEL WATSON A. M. Pastor of the Church of Christ In this town. Died Jan 14. 1816. In the 43d year of his age, And the i8th of his ministry He was the son of Matthew Watson Jun. And grandson of Matthew Watson Sen. Who died Jan 17th 1803 At the age of 107 or no years. Possessed of good natural talents Well cultivated by a Liberal education, And hopefully sanctified by divine grace He was a faithful and exemplary Minister of the gospel. Meekness, modesty, humility, patience, and submission Under the various trials of life. Were striking traits in his character. He was a kind and tender husband, A provident and affectionate parent, A sincere and constant friend ; He lived greatly beloved and died Deeply lamented. In the animated hope of a glorious Immortality. Mark the Perfect man and behold the upright, For the end of that man is peace. Firm faith, warm charity, humble hope, These are the Christian graces; These are the guides that lead to Life eternal." 484 THE HISTORY OP BARRINGTON. The following epitaph was inscribed to Mr. Thomas Wil- lett by his son-in-law, John Saffin, Esq., of Bristol : " An Epitaph on the Worshipful Thomas Willett, Esq^, WHO Deceased on the 4TH of August, 1674. Here lies Grave Willett, whose good name, Did mount upon the wings of fame, Who into place did not intrude; A star of the first magnitude. But Prudence, Piety, and Zeal, For God in Church and Commonweal. His real worth and Generous spirit, Which constantlyhe did inherit. Made room for him that all did see He had attained to the first three. But now he's gone to his long home, And taken from the ill to come. Lived here Desired, lamented Dyed, Is with his Savior glorified." Mr. Saffin also exercised his talent for elegiac verse, on the death of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Mary Willett. It is worthy of presentation as illustrating the stilted and pomp- ous style of that day, and the somewhat anti-traditional tes- timony to the character of a mother-in-law. An Epitaph. " On that Eminent and truly pious Matron, Mrs. Mary Willett, wife to the Worshipful Thomas Willett, Esq., who Departed this Life on the Eighth day of Jartuary, 1669. Here lyes the Peerless Paragon of fame, Mary (the vertuous) Willett is her Name. whose true Deserts to Shew Requires a Straine proceeding from a Helliconian Braine, both grace and Beauty in her face did shine Enthroned in Majesty allmost Divine. Which mixt with mildness did the more Advance The lovely splendor of her Countenance. had she lived in the days of yore when such, who ne'er Excelled in vertue half so much. She would have been above them set on hie. And been Adored as A Deitie. Yea, Venus, Pallas, Diana, and the Graces, Compared with her should all have lost their places And all those Temples for them richly stated Should to her Honour have been dedicated. But now she's Paradised Triumphantly, Where she shall live unto Eternity." EPITAPHS. 485 The following epitaph was dedicated to the memory of his wife by Mr. SafSn. These epitaphs may be found in a Mss. book of Mr. SafiSn's, now in the possession of the R. I. Historical Society, Providence. "Epitaph to Martha Safifin, daughter of Thos. and Mary Willett, and wife of John Saffin. An Epitaph on his truly loving and dearly beloved wife, Martha (Willett) Saffin, who departed this life on the Eleventh day of December, 1673 : Here Lyes the Dear Companion of his life, Whom twenty years God gave her as a wife. Nigh fourty years She lived, did not fulfill it; Was second Daughter to Renowned Willett. Her name is Martha Saffin, which she hath, Derived from him who wrote this Epitaph. Her rare endowments cant be here Expressed. But written are allmost in every Breast. So let her Rest until her Saviour Dear To call her hence shall in the clouds Appear. On the Tombe-side. Here lyes the Mother and her sons even five, Most lovely to behold when all alive. Since her interment there were two sons layed with her, in the same tombe, to wit, Josiah & Joseph the Second." Headstone. 1669. FOOTSTONE. Here lyeth y Body of DAUGHTER TO THE vertuous Mary u Willett wife to thoMAS THE WOR lOHN Willett esq who died BROWN ESQ e e th January y 8 About y 55 Year OF Her AGe ANNO DECEASED 486 THE HISTORY OP BAKBINGTON. A Guide to the Family Names in the Burial Grounds in Harrington. Prince's Hill. Adams, Coolc, Peck, Alger, Densey, Remington, Allen, Drown, Rogers, Andrews, Harris, Salisbury, Armington, Heath, Smith, Arnold, Humphrey, Swan, Barnes, Howland, Tiffany, Barton, Kendall, Tillinghast, Bean, Kinnicutt, Toogood, Bicknell, Low, Townsend, Bosworth, Martin, Tripp, Bowen, Mathews , Wheaton, Brown, Mathewson, Wood, Bullock, Miller, Wright. Carter, Mumford, Clark, Noble, Tyler's Point. Alger, Grant, Martin, Barton, Gardner, Mathewson, Beers, Gray, May, Bishop, Hall, Miller, ■ Bowen, Harris, Peck, Bryden, Hill, Read, Burr, Hodges, Reed, Bullock, Kelley, Short, Chaffee, Kent, Stanley. Cole, Low, Tiffany, Curtis, Ladieu, Tyler, Drown, Luther, Walker, French. Lawton, Burial Hill. Winslow. Bosworth, Grant, O'Brian, Carpenter, . Hicks, Ormsbee, Chace, Humphrey, Short, Follett, Lee, Yerrington. Goff, Luther, FAMILY NAMES. Allen Burial Ground Allin, Freeman, Medbury, Bicknell, Ham, Rawson, Burt, Hill, Tillinghast: Drown, Marks, Viall. 487 Watson Burial, Ground. Cook, Lawless, Maxfield, Ingraham, Lilley,' Watson. Rounds, Forest Chafel, Nayatt. Bradford, Ingraham, Rhodes, Bosworth, Martin, Roffee, Davis, Mathewson, Smith, Drown, Peck, Studley, Gladding, Perry, Watson, Henderson, Richmond, Wightman Little Neck Burial Ground. Barker, Grant, Peck, Brown, Harding, Richmond, Bullock, Humphrey, Ryder, Carr, Hudson, Simmons, Case, Jacobs, Smith, Clemens, Jones, Thurber, Cole, Kent, Viall, Davis, Lewis, Whitehouse, Dunham, MacLeod, WiUett, English, Medbery, Willmoth, FoUensbee, Monroe, Wood. Gracy, Newton, CHAPTER XXX BARRINGTON MILITIA AND THE DORR WAR Colonial Militia — Equipments — Services — Train Bands — Officers — United States Laws — Barrington Infantry — Officers — Field Officers froth Barrington — Tlie Dorr War — Freemen Under the Charter — Thomas Wilson Dorr — His Principles — Acts Relating to a State Constitution — The Dorr Legislature — Rebellion — Barrington In- fantry — Acote's Hill — A Short and Decisive Contest. . THE militia of New England has been its chief protection in domestic and foreign sources of trouble. The citizen has been found to become a worthy soldier, after a period of training and practise under experienced officers. In the early colonial life, the dangers which threatened the people from hostile savages and those whom they might excite to hostility, made it necessary to enlist the whole male popula- tion, capable of bearing arms, in the militia service. The gun was always in hand or ready at a moment's warning for protection. The farmer took it to the field with his plough. His. Bible and musket were his companions to the meet- ing-house on the Sabbath day. When unused, the old flint- lock hung over the fireplace or the door, loaded and primed for instant calls. Plymouth required " that the inhabitants of every Towne within the Government, fitt and able to beare arms be trayned (at least) six times in the year." under officers appointed by the court. The guns and pieces allowed for the militia were " muskett, fire-locks, and match- cock (so that they have foure fathome of match at all times for every match-cock) and calivers, carbines and fouleing peeces, so that that they bee not above foure feet and a half long and not under bastard-muskett or Caliver bore." Every person, for himself and his man servant, must be pro- ALLIN B1CK.NKLL. COLONIAL MILITIA SEETICE. 489 vided with muskets, bandaleers, swords, and with one pound of powder and four pounds of bullets, with four fathom of match for every match-cock musket, under penalty for neglect. Discipline was enforced by the ofiScers of the Train Bands ; fines were collected for absence from train- ings ; firing at marks was practised, and the people were constantly advised by the Court to be ready for assaults on their persons, homes, and towns. The early militia of Ply- mouth Colony was under the command of Capt. Myles Stan- dish of Plymouth, who was succeeded by Capt. Thomas Wil- lett, our own townsman. The Swansea Train Band for a period after Philip's war was under the captaincy of John Brown, probably son of the Hon. John Brown of Wanna- moisett. In Rhode Island the militia service was equally constant and exacting. In 1638 the colony fixed the militia age between 16 and 50 years to all male persons of able body. Muster or training days were reduced in 1718 to two days a year in times of peace and. four days in war times. After an alarm was beaten for war in any town, no man could leave the town under a penalty of ;^ioo. When a watch was warned, the penalty of non-appearance was 16 shillings. In 1747 the colony ordered one Train Band of foot soldiers to be ready for service in the town of Warren (then Barrington and present Warren) to be attached to the Providence Regiment. It was afterwards transferred to the Bristol County Regiment. In 1756 Warren furnished eleven men for the expedition against Crown Point. Nathaniel Peck was a second lieutenant in this regiment against Crown Point, was promoted to first lieutenant in 1757, and to major in 1762. We find among the field officers of Bristol County Regiment, Maj. Peleg Heath, Maj. Josiah Humph- rey, Maj. James Humphrey, Maj. John Adams, Maj. Samuel Allen, Lieut. Col. Joshua Bicknell, Lieut. Col. Samuel Allen, Lieut. Col. and Col. Nathaniel Martin. In 1775 the General Assembly elected as officers of the Barrington militia, Thomas AUin, captain ; Samuel Bosworth, lieutenant ; Viall 490 THE HISTOEY OF BABEINGTON. Allen, ensign. The monthly wages of officers and soldiers of the militia were fixed as follows : Captain-lieutenants and captains, /^6; lieutenants, £4; ensigns, ;£3, los; each pri- vate, 40s. a month, a blanket and knapsack and the first months pay in advance. In 1776 Nathaniel Martin was chosen Colonel of the Bris- tol Co. Reg. of militia. The Harrington Co. had as officers, Thomas Allin, Captain ; Viall Allen, Lieutenant ; Daniel Kinnicutt, Ensign. The Chapter on " The Revolution " gives the several changes in the officership of the Company and the distinguished services performed by the Barrington militia as "minute men," "alarm men," and regular soldiers in the ranks of the Colonial and Continental troops. During the Revolution, the militia age was sixteen to sixty, but in the revision of the militia laws after the adoption of the Federal Constitution, changes were made to conform to the United States requirements as follows : " Each and every free able bodied white citizen of the State, resident therein, who is or shall be of the age of eighteen years and under the age of forty-five, shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the Militia," etc. In 1793 Thomas Allin was elected Lieut. Colonel of the Bristol Co. Reg., and Josiah Humphrey, Captain, Samuel Barnes, Lieutenant, and Benjamin Martin, Ensign of the Barrington Co. The following year Colonel Allin was elected Brigadier General of the Bristol Co. Reg. of Militia. In 1807 the Bristol, Warren, and Barrington Companies were organized as the 4th Reg. of R. I. Militia. The regimental trainings were held on the last Monday in April and on the first Monday in September of each year. The training field in Barrington was the open field at Tyler's Point, on New Meadow Neck between the road and the Cemetery, and is shown in the picture on another page. The equipments of each soldier were a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints and a knapsack, a pouch with a box therein to contain not less than twenty- four cartridges suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and OFJFICEKS OF BAERINGTON DTPANTRT. 491 ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder. Commissioned officers were "armed with a sword or hanger, and espontoon." The officers of each company were one Captain, two Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Drummer, and one Fifer. Officers of Barrington Infantry Company. Captain. 1791, Josiah Humphrey. 1792, " " 1793, " 1794. 1795, Benjamin Martin. 1796, 1798, Ebenezer Peck. 1800, John Harding, 1802, Hezekiah Salisbury. 1803, 1805, Jeremiah S. Drown. 1806, John Short, Jr. 1807, " 1808, " " 1809, " " 1810, Samuel R. Martin. 1811, " 1812, " 1813, AUin Bicknell. 1815, Benjamin Heath. 1816, Benjamin Peck. 1819, Benjamin Medbury. 1820, Emerson Humphrey. 182 1, Benjamin Medbury. 1823, 1824, " " 1825, John Martin, Jr. 1826, Suchet Mauran. 1827, John R. Richmond. 1828, " 1829, Seba Peck. 1830, Albert Bowen. 1831, " 1833, William Richmond, 1834, N. C. Smith, Jr. Lieutenant. Samuel Barnes. Amariah Lilly, (( n John Harding. Hezekiah Salisbury. Joseph Grant, Jr. (( It John Short, Jr. Samuel R. Martin. Watson Ingraliam. Benjamin Heath. Amariah Lilly, Jr. Emerson Humphrey. John Martin. Benjamin Medbury. Horatio Peck. John Martin, Jr. ti tt John R. Richmond. John R. Richmond. Seba Peck. Geo. W. Allin. William Richmond. N. C. Smith, Jr. Ira Kent. Knsign. Benjamin Martin. Ebenezer Peck. It et James Bowen. Joseph Grant, Jr. Nathl. Heath, Jr. Samuel R. Martin. Watson Ingrahara. Ira Allin. Benjamin Heath. Allin Bicknell. Amasa Humphrey. It ii Allin Brown. Horatio Peck. John Martin, Jr. James Maxfield. John R. Richmond Seba Peck. Seba Peck. Benson Bean. Geo. W. Allin. William Richmond. Ellis Peck, Jr. 492 THE HISTORY OF BAKKINGTON. Captain. Lieutenant. Ensign. 1836, ElbrigeG. Medbury. Jas .A. Smith. Benjamin Martin. 1837, Jas. A. Martin. Benjamin Martin. Jeremiali Drown. 1838, " " " ■ " " " 1839, " " " " " " The following letter describes the dress of the militia officers of Barrington, more than a century ago. In such a uniform the officers must have cut a fine figure on dress parade. Warren, June 28th, 1792. Colonel Thos. Allin : Sir: Agreeable to your advise I now present you with a Coppy of a Vote passed by a Number of the Militia Officers at Major Ichabod Cole's on the i8th Inst., Viz. : that there be worn by the several Militia Officers of the County on all training days hereafter, a large brimd hat Cocked up, with a Cockade of blk & White Ribbon & three blk plooms, a Coat of blue Broad Cloth buff faceing & white lineing; buff Jacout & Briches or Nanquin Appi- lets & Buttons white. Boots are Likewise Recommended to be worn. I am, Sir with every Sentiment of Esteem, your obt. Servent. Joseph Adams. N. B. Sword or hangers to hang by a belt round the hips." BARRINGTON FIELD OFFICERS IN BRISTOL COUNTY REGIMENT. Thomas Allen, Lieut.-Colonel, 1791, 2, 3; Brig.-General, 1794, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-1800. Matthew Allin, Captain Bristol Company, Senior Class Co., 1792. John Short, Lieutenant, 1797, and Captain, 1798. Ebenezer Peck, Ensign for troops ordered by General Assembly, for 1794, for U. S. service. THE DOEK WAB. 493 Joseph Adams, Major, 1795 ; Lieut.-Colonel, 1799. Allin Bicknell, Major, 1814-15 ; Lieut.-Colonel, 1816. Ebenezer Peck, Major, 1799, 1800, i, 2,3. John Short, Jr., Major, 1806. Jeremiah S. Drown, Major, 1807. Benjamin Medbury, Major, 1824. Suchet Mauran, Major, 1827 ; Colonel, 1829-30. N. C. Smith, Jr., Major, 1836. E. G. Medbury, Major, 1837-8. John R. Richmond, Brigade Inspector, 1828. The Dorr War. "The Dorr War," as it is called, was an incident in Rhode Island history in the progress of the people towards univer- sal, manhood suffrage. Under the Old Charter, which was the Bill of Rights of the people until 1842, suffrage was en- joyed only by freemen. A freeman, by the act of 1723-4, was a man who had real estate to the value of one hundred pounds, or had an annual income of forty shillings arising from real estate. The eldest son of a freeman might vote in right of his, father's freehold. This law remained unchanged except in the value of the required freehold, for one hundred and twenty years, or until 1843, when the present State Constitution was adopted. Several unsuccessful attempts had been made between 1793 and 1842 to secure a State Constitution which should give larger scope to the franchise. In 1798 the freehold qualification was changed from the col- onial to the decimal currency, and was fixed at ^134 in value, or $7 in income from real estate. Thomas Wilson Dorr, an educated and influential citizen of Providence, advocated, (i) The extension of the suffrage beyond landed qualifications ; (2) The removal of unequal representation in the legislative body ; and (3) The regula- tion of the power and functions of the General Assembly by constitutional limitations. Mr. Dorr and his followers urged the republican doctrine that sovereign power was vested in 494 THE HISTORY OF BABEnJTGTON. the whole body of the people, and claimed that under the existing Charter the rights of the people had been made sub- ject to the minority of the land holders of the State. The largest vote ever polled by the freeholders was in the presi- dential election of 1 840, when only 8,642 votes were cast, in a total male adult population of over 230,000. The cause of the disfranchised class was advocated with great energy and earnestness by able leaders, and associations were formed throughout the State in favor of constitutional liberty. A mass Convention was held in Providence, on April 18, 1841, to discuss the great question at issue, and adjourned to meet at Newport on the sth of May following. This Convention made an appeal to the General Assembly and the people in behalf of the rights of non-free-holders. In August, 1841, a Convention to form a Constitution was held at Providence, and after several sessions, submitted the final draft of the proposed Constitution to the people in Novem- ber, to be voted on by the people for their adoption or rejec- tion, on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of December, 1841. On the count of the ballots cast, it appeared that 13,944 had been cast in favor of the new Constitution and fifty-two against it. Of the whole number who voted, 4,960 were freeholders, qualified by state law to vote. The result of the election was announced to the people Jan. 13, 1842, by a Committee of the Convention, and among the names is that of Christopher Smith of Barrington, who then owned in part, and lived at, the General Allin place. An election was held under the new Constitution, and Thomas W. Dorr received 6,359 votes, and was declared elected Governor of the State. Nathaniel C. Smith was the Barrington representative in the Dorr Legislature. A conflict now arose between the government de facto of the Freeholders, or Algerine party, as it was called, and the Dorr party, who claimed the de jure govern- ment of the people. Events rapidly led up to the settlement of the question by an appeal to force, as each government claimed the exclusive right to the exercise of the legislative functions. THE DOEB "WAB. 495 The Dorr Legislature met in May, 1842. Near the close of its sessions, Nathaniel C. Smith, the representative from Barrington, sent in his resignation, and a new election was ordered. Others resigned or were arrested. The Charter authorities organized military companies to put down the popular uprising "by force and arms." Dorr was pro- claimed a traitor, and his followers were threatened with arrest for overt acts of treason against the government of the state. In Barrington, as well as throughout the state, the excitement was intense, and personal hatred was bitter between the members of the two parties. Family ties were broken by the strain of partisanship. Personal danger, more real than fancied, led many Dorrites of Barrington to secrete themselves or flee from the town. The Barrington militia, which had fallen into inaction, was revived in the manual of arms and company movements on the Green at the Congregational Meeting House. Pierre Bowen Mauran, grandson of Capt. Joseph Carlo Mauran of the Revolution, was the drill master of the company. In June, Governor Dorr's forces gathered in considerable numbers for such action as might seem advisable, while the position of the United States government in the matter rendered it proba- ble that United States troops would be called to aid the defence of the existing state government. Martial law was declared by Governor King. " Governor Dorr " called for volunteers to meet in Gloucester. This was the signal for the gathering of the " Law and Order " troops, and on Thursday, June 23, the Fourth Regiment, consisting of two Bristol companies, one Warren company, and one Barring- ton company, took a steamer from Warren for Providence, to join the forces in that city. The Barrington company was made up as follows : 496 THE HISTOKS- OF BAKKINGTON. Barrington Volunteers, 4th Regiment, R. I. V. Emerson Humphrey, Captain. James A. Smith, Lieutenant. George W. Wightman, Ensign. P. Bowen Mauran, Drill Master. Thomas R.AUin, William H.Allin, Joseph P. Bicknell, George A. Bicknell, Joseph Brown, Nathaniel Bowen, John Carpenter, Benjamin F. Drown, Hiram Drown, Jeremiah S. Drown, George A. Gladding, Israel Grant, Thomas C. Heath, Albert N. Humphrey, Peter Ingraham, George R. Kinnicutt, Benjamin Martin, Joseph R. Martin, John Peck, Nicholas Peck, John R. Richmond, William Richmond, James Seymour, Lewis B. Smith, William H. Smith, Robert, T. Smith, George R. Martin, Hezekiah Tiffany. The first order was issued Saturday afternoon, on Smith's Hill, at 4 o'clock, June 25, 1842, by the adjutant-general. The Bristol Artillery, Barrington Volunteers, Bristol Neck Infantry, Middletown Volunteers, and Newport Volunteers, commanded by Col. William Swan, Jr., were ordered to march to Greenville, Sunday afternoon, June 26, 1842, but in consequence of misapprehension of orders, they encamped at Fruit Hill that night. Col. William W. Brown, with the Marine Corps of Artillery and First Light Infantry, after- wards joined this detachment, and, under command of Colonel Brown, arrived at Greenville Monday afternoon. During Monday night (a very stormy and uncomfortable night) Colonel Brown was ordered to march to Chepachet where the opponents had posted themselves at "Acote's Hill " with embankments and artillery. By daylight, on Tuesday morning, as in the words of the orders (No. 38), "The movements of this command will be made with pre- caution, and an attack will not be made upon the insurgents should they be in too great force to be subdued without reinforcements, which will be immediately sent for, if re- quired." z r END OP THE "WAE. 497 Col. William W. Brown of the First Light Infantry Co., was in command of the force at Greenville consisting of the Bristol Artillery, Lieut. Col. William R. Taylor Providence Marine Artillery, Lieut. Col. G. C. Nightingale First Light Infantry Co., 2d Reg., Lieut. F. Barber Newport Volunteers, Colonel Swan, ist Regt. Middletown Volunteers, Capt. N. Greene Barrington Volunteers, Capt. Emerson Humphrey Jamestown Volunteers, Capt. G. Knowles Total 79 63 76 48 32 '5 497 The movement on Acote's Hill, on Tuesday, the utter rout of Dorr and his forces, the return of the victorious militia to Providence, and the return of the Barrington Vol- unteers to their homes on Wednesday, June 29, after a week's campaign, to tell of the " Battle of Acote's Hill," were the final scenes in the first serious attempt to create a constitutional government of the people of Rhode Island. 32 CHAPTER XXXI BARRINGTON IN THE CIVIL WAR Magnitude of "The Great Rebellion" — Rhode Island Patriotism — First Men from Barrington — Prominent Men Who Stood by the Boys at the Front — Barrington Women ^ Henry Staples's Services — Town Legislation — Bounties, Aid, etc. — Services of Barrington Soldiers in the War — The Roll of Honor of 1861-5. THE " Great Rebellion" of the Southern States against the United States Government opened by the bom- bardment of Fort Sumpter, Charleston, S. C, April 12, 1861, and closed with the surrender of Maj. Gen. Robert E, Lee and the Confederate army to Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox C. H., Virginia, on the 9th of April, 1865. During this most remarkable war of ancient or mod- ern times, the loyal states furnished 2,778,204 men for the army and navy. Of this great army, 360,000 officers and men died of disease, of wounds, or in battle. The Confederate states furnished, by estimate, 1,000,000 men, and their actual losses, it is assumed, were equal to those in the Union armies. President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 volunteers made April 15, 1861, was responded to promptly by Gov. William Sprague and the people of Rhode Island, and on the 20th of April, Col. Ambrose E. Burnside left Providence for Washington in command of the first detachment of the First Regiment of R. I. D. M., to be followed on the 24th of April by the second detachment, in command of Lieut. Col. Joseph S. Pitman. On the 17th of April, Albert W. Bul- lock, a Barrington boy, in business in Providence, was enrolled in Co. D, of the First Regiment, R. I. D. M., and so far as the Adjutant-General's report shows, was the only Barrington soldier in the battle of Bull Run, fought on the BAKEIKGTON PATKIOTIC. 499 2ist of June, 1861. Four other Barrington boys, equally patriotic and prompt to respond to the call of duty, on the 1 8th of April enlisted in the First Regirnent, but greatly to their disappointment, the ranks had been filled by those living near the enlisting office in the city, and they were not mustered in. The names of the four young men were George Lewis Smith, Josiah Townsend Smith, John Watson, and Henry H. Watson, all neighbors at Nayatt. Two of these men saw war service later on, while one, Josiah T. Smith, a brave fellow, on other fields where valor was equally needed, went to California and died at his post in command of his vessel, in a storm on the Pacific coast. The splendid patriotism of our Rhode Island people was nowhere more profound and self-sacrificing than in Barrington. The lead- ing men were in sympathetic touch with the state authori- ties and the calls for men and money were met with alacrity and cheerfulness. Prominent among those who encouraged the cause at home and at the front may be named Lewis B. Smith, Allen C. Mathewson, John A. Wheaton, Benjamin Martin, Edwin Harris, Henry Staples, William H. Allin, Leonard S. Bosworth, George R. Kinnicutt, Nathaniel C. Smith, Allen Brown, Nathaniel Peck, W. H. Smith, Earl C. Potter, Hezekiah and Ebenezer Tiffany, Edward F. Rich- mond, Joseph A. Chedel, C. J. M. Smith, George W. Lewis, Joseph B. Martin, Benjamin B. Wood, George F. Bicknell, Robert T. Smith, and others. The Barrington women of 1861-5 were no less patriotic and serviceable in behalf of the Barrington boys and other soldiers in camp, field, and hospital, than were their mothers and grandmothers of 1775. Home comforts were prepared, lint-scraped, garments for underwear made, letters written, and all sorts of womanly kindnesses done to aid, comfort, and cheer the boys who were bearing the burdens at the front. Then, too, when death came to Barrington homes from the far- away battlefield, or hospital, the women of the town as well as the men were quick to carry their sympathies and assist- 500 THE HISTOET OP BAREINGTON. ance as needed to bleeding hearts and stricken lives at the home circles, whose light had gone out forever. Mr. Henry Staples was a most valuable aid to the town during the civil War, by his experience in the Providence Militia, holding as he did a commission as Colonel of the First Light Infantry of Providence. He offered, his services as volunteer in the army, but was declined, when he applied to Governor Sprague and obtained muskets and accoutre- ments for the use of the Barrington militia in individual and company drill in the town, in preparation for active service in the field. This company, at one time a hundred strong, met for drill in the hall at Nayatt, under Mr. Staples's instruction, twice a week duirng a large portion of the recruiting period of the war. This practise in the manual of arms and in company exercise was of great value to the men who went into service, as it gave them the skill and confidence of veterans when they enlisted, as many of them afterwards did for real war experience. The spirit of our townspeople and their constant loyalty to the government may be evidenced not only by the ser- vices of the boys who went to the front, but by the town legislation, some of which is quoted in this connection. Towx Meeting, May 25, 1861. At this meeting it was voted to appropriate two hundred dollars for the assistance of a military company then being formed, and also to grant a bounty of thirty dollars to each man who enlisted in the service of the United States. The part of their act granting a bounty was repealed April 2, 1862, after 1^450 had been paid for bounties. July 12, 1862. The following resolutions were passed : " Resolved, that any resident of this town who may volunteer in the service of the army of the United States for three years, or during the War, in any Regiment from this State now called for or hereafter to be called for by the Governor of this State shall receive a bounty of Thirty Dollars from TOWN LEGISLATION. 501 this town, provided said person has been a resident of this town at least three months previous to his enlistment." "Resolved, that the payment provided for in the above resolution be paid by the Town Treasurer out of any money in the Treasury, upon receipt of an order from a Committee con- sisting of Messrs. Allen Brown, Benjamin B. Wood, and Nathaniel C. Smith. Voted that the Town Treasurer be authorized to pay Henry C. Brown the sum of thirty dollars upon presentation by him of a certificate that he had been sworn into the service of the army of the United States." July 31, 1862. At a special Town Meeting the following preamble and resolutions were adopted: "Whereas the Gov- ernor of this State has made a call upon this Town to forth, with furnish Ten Volunteers, being this Town's quota under the call made by the President of the United States, it is therefore Resolved that the bounty offered by this town at the special town meeting held on the 12th day of July, inst., is hereby repealed." " Resolved, that this town hereby offers a bounty of three hundred dollars to each one of such ten volunteers as will be' received by the State authorities as the quota from this town under the call of the Commander-in-Chief, as per General Orders No. 35, said bounty to be payable at the time said volunteer is sworn into the service of the Army of the United States. " " Resolved, that in addition to the unexpended appropria- tion made at the special town meeting on the 2Sth day of May, 1861, for the benefit of such military company forming or about to be formed, the sum of one hundred and fifty dol- lars is hereby appropriated and is to be expended under the direction of the Committee appointed at the last town meet- ing under whose direction is also to be paid the above bounty to volunteers. " Resolved, that Mr. Joseph A. Chedel and Mr. George F. Bicknell be authorized to get the ten volunteers called for in the above resolutions, and if they procure such as are ac- 502 THE HISTOBY OP BAERINGTON. cepted by the State authorities within fifteen days from this date, they shall be paid by the Town Treasurer ten dollars for each man. " Resolved that the time for receiving the volunteers from this town who are to receive the bounty of three hundred dollars shall expire on the fifteenth day of August next." " Resolved, that the Assessors of this town be directed to make within thirty days a new enrollment of all the citizens of this town : Such an enrollment as is called for by the Ad- jutant-General each year." September i, 1862. The following preamble and resolu- tions were adopted : — "Whereas the President of the United States under date of August 9, 1862, has called for three hundred thousand men by draft, it is therefore, Resolved, that we the undersigned agree to pay the sums affixed to our respective names into the hands of a Committee here- after to be chosen, said sums to form a fund to be used and appropriated by said committee in their discretion for the procuring of substitutes to take the place of those who may be drafted in town under the above call, and who may desire a substitute. Any part of the above fund not used by said committee to be returned to the subscribers." Names. 1 George B. Allen 2 Thomas R. Allin 3 William H. Allin 4 Welcome Arnold 5 James Adams . 6 Henry A. Adams 7 John W. Barnes ' 8 Joseph Bean 9 Leonard S. Bosworth 10 Jonathan Bowen 11 William J. Bowen 12 Allen Brown . 13 Nathaniel Brown 14 James D. Bullock $5 00 25 00 25 00 5 00 10 00 4 00 7 00 7 00 35 00 . 10 00 IS 00 30 00 10 00 10 DO 15 James E. Budlong $20 00 16 Peleg H. Barnes . . . 10 00 17 Capt. Crosby . . . ID 00 18 William Carter . . • 3 00 19 Joseph A. Chedel . 12 00 20 Solomon Cooke . . 5 00 21 John Clark .... 5 00 22 Edward Clark . . 25 00 23 Hiram Drown . . 30 00 24 Samuel U. Drown IS 00 25 Charles E. Drown . 5 00 26 William A. Drown . 5 00 27 George A. Gladding 15 00 28 Martin L. Grant . . 5 00 CONTKIBtTTIONS FOK SOLDIERS. 503 Names. 29 David W. Gardner . . $5 00 53 William J. Peck . . $10 00 30 Otis G. Harris . . . 15 00 S4 George F. Rice . 50 00 31 Timotliy Chaflfee . . . 2 00 55 Edward F. Richmond . 25 00 32 Thomas C. Heath . . 15 00 56 William Richmond . . 25 00 33 Charles D. Kelley . . 10 00 57 Christopher E. Roffe ; . 25 00 34 George R. Kinnicutt 15 00 58 Stafford Short . . . 10 00 35 George R. Kinnicutt, Jr. 5 00 59 Argo Seymour . . ■ 5 00 36 George W. Lewis . . 35 00 60 Charles J. M. Smith . . 30 00 37 Benjamin T. Medbury . 2 00 61 James A. Smith . . . 20 00 38 Benjamin Martin . . . 25 00 62 Lewis B. Smith . . 100 00 39 Horace A. Martin . . 25 00 63 Nathaniel C. Smith . • 35 00 40 Joseph B. Martin . . . 25 00 64 William H. Smith . IS °o 41 Josiah N. Martin . . . 10 00 65 Henry M. Stanley . 15 00 42 Luther Martin . . . 15 00 66 Henry Staples . 50 00 43 Nathaniel F. Martin 15 00 67 Jeremiah B. Stanley • 15 00 44 Stephen B. Martin . . 8 00 68 Henry Smith . . . 30 00 45 Sullivan Martin . . . 12 00 69 Ebenezer Tiffany, Jr. . 10 00 46 Noel Mathewson . . . 10 CO 70 Hezekiah Tiffany . 25 00 47 Benjamin B. Medbury . 10 00 71 George K. Viall . . . 20 00 48 Allen C. Mathewson 500 00 72 Robert S. Watson . . 15 00 49 Edwin F. Peck . . . 25 00 73 Joseph G. West . . . 30 00 50 Ellis Peck 20 00 74 John A. Wheaton • 55 00 51 Nathaniel Peck . . . 10 00 75 George W. Barnum . . 10 00 52 Seba Peck 10 00 76 Robert T. Smith . 15 00 "Resolved, that Mr. A. C. Mathewson be appointed a Committee with authority to add the names of four more to solicit further subscriptions, and to carry out the object for which the fund is raised. Mr. Mathewson named the fol- lowing gentlemen to act with him : Benjamin Martin, Lewis B. Smith, John A. Wheaton, William H. Allin. " Resolved, that a Committee consisting of Lewis B. Smith be and is authorized to aid and help families or such persons or individuals who have volunteered in the army from this town as may need help." 504 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. April 15, 1863. — Report of Committee Appointed September i, 1862. Collected by subscription, . Returns from Capt. Silvey. . Rec'd for carrots and turnips, Rec'd from State, By paid returns to recruits. By bounty paid to i6 men. By sundry expenses recruiting, Balance, Cr. $1, 1S23 00 300 00 46 57 2 ,400 00 $ 47 00 4> no 00 86 00 26 57 $4-269 57 $4,269 57 Allen C. Mathewson, Benjamin C. Martin, William H. Allin, John A. Wheaton, Lewis B. Smith. State of Rhode Island, Etc. Adjutant General's Office, Providence, Oct. 26, 1862. I hereby certify that the Town of Barrington has furnished its full quota of Twenty-six men (26) called for under or- ders No. 45, issued from this ofifice September 28, 1862. Edward C. Maura'n. Adjutant General. " Voted, that the balance of twenty-six -^^ Dollars in the hands of said Committee be placed in the town treasury sub- ject to the order of Mr. Alfred Barnes, for the purpose of bringing to Barrington the body of Samuel A Barnes, late of Barrington, and late a private in the 5th Reg, R. I. V." GEORGE LEWIS SMITH. BOUNTY FXTND. 505 Disbursements of the Barrington Volunteer Bounty Fund, 1862. Paid one dollar per day to Recruits from day of enlistment to reception in camp. William A. Drown $ 10 00 Horatio N. Peck 10 00 James L. Sweetland Jr 6 00 Moses A. Smith 4 00 Eugene J. Roffee 4 00 Earle E. Rofiee 4 00 George F. Bicknell 4 00 George W. Richmond 4 00 Edward P. Warner i 00 Total $ 47 00 Paid Bounty to the Following Recruits: George F. Bicknell $ 250 00 Isaac T. Barnum 280 00 William A. Drown : 250 00 John J. Jones 250 00 George R. Kinnicutt, Jr 250 00 John J. Kennedy 250 00 Matthew C. Medbury 330 00 Horatio N. Peck 250 00 Earle E. Roffee 250 00 Eugene J. Roffee 250 00 George H. Richmond 250 00 Samuel M. Sweetland 250 00 James L. Sweetland. Jr 250 00 Moses A. Smith 250 00 Ferdinand Winslow 25000 Henry H. Watson 250 00 Total , $4,110 00 The names of Edward P. Warner and John J. Jones appear among the above named recruits, but their names do not ap- pear in the Adjutant General's Register of Rhode Island Volunteers. George H. Viall was also a Barrington soldier, but served in a Massachusetts regiment. Town Meeting, Aug. 10, 1863. " Voted, that a committee consisting of Nathaniel Peck, Allen C. Mathewson, and Nathaniel C. Smith be appointed to call on all the taxpayers of the town and ascertain what amount of money can be 606 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. raised towards making a fund for the benefit of such drafted men or their substitutes or such as may hereafter be drafted in this town. Said Committee to report at an adjourned meeting to be held on Friday evening next at 6}i o'clock." Services of Barkington Soldiers. The following record of the services of Barrington men in the Civil War is taken from the full reports of Rhode Island soldiers made by Adjutant-General Dyer : Adams, Albert J. Priv. Co. I, 9th Reg. R. I. V. ; May 36, 1862, en- rolled; May 26, 1862, mustered in; Sept. 2, 1862, mustered out. AsHwoRTH, William. Priv. Co. K, 7th Reg. R. I. V.; Aug. 5, 1862, enrolled; Sept. 6, 1862, mustered in; Aug. 1, 1863, sent from Mildale, Miss., to Covington, Ky., sick; Jan. 30, 1864, died in Hos- pital at Lexington, Ky. Barnes, Samuel A. Priv. Co. E, 5th Reg. R. I. H.A. ; Oct. 18, 1861, enrolled; Dec. 16, 1861, mustered in; June, 1862, died of typhoid fever at camp near Fort Macon, N. C. Barnum, Isaac T. Priv. Co. I, 9th Reg. R. I. V. ; May 26, 1862, enrolled ; May 26, 1862, mustered in; Sept. 2, 1862, mustered out; sergt. Co. E, Sept. 25, 1862, enrolled; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in; July29, 1863, mustered out BowDEN, Charles H. Priv. Bat. B, ist Reg. R. I. L. A. ; Aug. 24, 1864, enrolled at Providence ; Aug. 24, 1864, mustered in; June 12, 1865, mustered out. BoWEN, James A. Priv. Co. B, 7th Reg. R. I. V. ; July 4, 1862, en- rolled at Barrington, R. I. ; Sept. 4, 1862, mustered in ; Dec. 9, 1862, discharged on surgeon's certificate at Fredericksburg, Va. BowKN, William. Corp. Co. E, 5th Reg. R. I. H. A.; Oct. 22, i85i, enrolled; Dec. 16, 1861, mustered in; May, 1863, discharged for disability at New Berne, N. C. BicKNELL, George F. Capt. Co. C, 3d Reg. R. I. C. ; Sept. 29, 1S63, commissioned; Sept. 30, 1863, mustered in; originally served as ist Lt. Co. B; Dec. 21, 1863, commissioned Capt.; Dec. 28, 1863, discharged to accept promotion and mustered in as Capt. Co. C ; Oct., 1864, on special duty on G. C. M., at Tliibodaux, La., and so borne until Jan. 24,1865; March, 1865, Acting Provost Marshal; June 29, 1865, discharged by order. Brown, Henry C. Priv. Bat. H, ist Reg. R. I. L. A.; May 17, 1862, enrolled ; Oct. 14, 1862, mustered in ; borne as absent sick at Camp Barry Hospital, Washington, D. C., from June 29, 1863, until Aug., 1863; June 28, 1865, mustered out. soldiers' sekvices. 507 Bullock, Albert W. Priv. Co. D, ist Reg. R. I. D. M. ; April 17, 1861, enrolled at Providence, R. I.; May 2, 1861, mustered in; Aug- 2, 1861, mustered out. Chedell, Joseph A., Jr. 2d Lt. Co. C, ist Reg. R. I. C; Jan. i, 1863, commissioned; mustered in to date Jan. 14, 1863; June 18, 1863, killed in action near Middleburg, Va. Drown, William A. Priv. Co. H, 3d Reg. R. I. C. ; March 24, 1864, enrolled ; April 15, 1864, mustered in ; Dec. 3, 1864, died of disease at Donaldsonville. FoLLETT, John F. Corp.; Nov. 11, 1862, enrolled; Dec. 6, 1862, mus- tered in; originally served priv.; Oct. 31 to Dec. 31, 1864, absent, sick ; Aug. 26, 1865, mustered out. Gardner, Charles G. Priv. Bat. G, ist Reg. R. I. L. A.; Nov. 30, 1861, enrolled; Dec. 2, 1861, mustered in; July, 1863, teamster in Art. Brig., 6th Army Corps; April, 1864, stretcher bearer. Hospital Dept., Art. Brig., 6th Army Corps, and soborne until Oct., 1864; Oct. 19, 1864, killed in action at Cedar Creek, Va. Gardner, Frederick A. Priv. Co. H, 12th Reg. R. I. V. ; Sept, 8, 1862, enrolled ; Oct. 13, 1S62, mustered in; Feb. 17, 1863, detailed as provost guard, and so borne until May, 1863 ; July 29, 1863, mus- tered out. HoRTON, Royal D. Corp. Co. C, nth Reg. R. I. V.; Sept. 19, 1862, enrolled; Oct., r862, mustered in; March 20, 1863, promoted Corp; July 13, 1863, mustered out. Kennedy, John T. Priv. Co. E, 12th Reg. R. I. V.; Sept. 29, 1862, enrolled; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in; July 29, 1863, mustered out. KlNNECOM, Orrin F. Musician, Co. E, sth Reg. R. I. H. A. ; June 10, 1862, enrolled; June 10, 1862, mustered in; borne as absent in Fos- ter General Hospital, from Aug. 23, 1863, until Oct., 1863; on fur- lough for twenty-five days from June 21, 1864; June 26, 1865, mus- tered out. KiNNicuTT, George R., Jr. Wagoner, Co. E, 12th Reg. R. I. V. ; Sept. 27, 1862, enrolled; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in; July 29, 1863, mus- tered out. Lewis, Willis. Priv. Co. A; Aug. 20, 1861, enrolled; Aug. 20, 1861, mustered in ; July 23, 1863, discharged on surgeon's certificate at Hil- ton Head, S. C. Mathewson, John B. Corp. Bat. E, ist. Reg. R. I. L. A.; Sept. 30, 1861, enrolled; Sept. 30, 1861, mustered in; Jan. 22, 1862, died of disease at Camp Hospital, near Fort Lyon, Va. Medbury, James M. Priv. Co. L, 3rd Reg. R. I. H. A. ; Feb. 13, 1862, enrolled; Feb. 14, 1862, mustered in; July 18, 1862, discharged on surgeon's certificate. 508 THE HISTOEY OF BAEEINGTON. Medbury, Matthew C. Priv. Co. E, 12th Reg. R. I. V. ; Sept. 25, 1862, enrolled; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in; Jan. 17, 1863, discharged on surgeon's certificate at camp near Falmouth, Va. MoRAN, Charles W. Priv. Co. F, 5th Reg. R. I. H. A. ; Aug. 12, 1862, enrolled; Aug. 12,1862, mustered in ; borne as absent sick in general hospital, New Berne, N. C, from Nov. 7, 1863, until March, 1864 ; June 29, 1864, transferred to the Navy. Peck, Edwin B. Priv. Co. E, sth Reg. R. I. H. A.; Oct. 21, 1861, enrolled at Barrington, R. I; Dec. 16, 1861, mustered in; Feb. 9, 1862, died at Hatteras Inlet, N. C, of disease. Peck, Horatio N. Priv. Co. E, 12th Reg. R. I. V. ; Sept. 12, 1862, enrolled ; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in ; borne as sick in hospital from Dec. I, 1862, until March to, 1863, when he returned to the regi- ment; July 29, 1863, mustered out. Priv. Co. D, 3d Reg. R. I. H. A. ; Aug. 2, 1864, enrolled at Providence, R. I. ; Aug. 2, 1864, mus- tered in ; originally served in Co. F ; Sept. 15, 1864, transferred to Co. M; March 10, 1865, to Co. D, (new) by order dated Feb. 24, 1865 ;. July 12, 1865, mustered out. Peck, John H. Corp. Co. E, Fifth Reg. R.I. H. A; Oct. 22, i86i, enrolled; Dec. 16, i86i, mustered in. Originally served as pi-ivate ; June, 1862, on furlough; Jan. 30, 1863, discharged for disability. Peck, Noah A. Sergt. Co. D, 2d Reg. R. I. V; June 5, 1861, enrolled; June 5, i85i, mustered in; April i, 1862, promoted Corp.; May 3, 1863, wounded in action and borne as absent sick in U. S. Hospital until June 2, 1863, when he died at Campbell Military Hospital of amputation of left leg. Remington, Daniel S. ist Lt. Co. A, 5th Reg. R. I. H. A. ; Dec. 18, 1861, commissioned; Dec. 27, i86i, mustered in; Aug. 6,,' 1862, resigned; April 30, 1863, commissioned ist Lt. Co. C, 7th R. I. V.; transferred to Co. G, by order dated Oct. 21, 1864; transferred to Battalion 7th R. I. Vols., by order dated June 6, 1865 ; June 15, 1865, mustered in as captain; July 13, 1865, mustered out. Richmond, George W. Priv. Co. E, 12th Reg. R. I. V. ; Sept. 24, 1862, enrolled; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in; Feb. 15, 1863, died In Carver Hospital, Washington, D. C. from wounds received at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862. RoFFEE, Earl E. Priv. Co. E, 12th Reg., R. I. V. ; Sept. i2, 1862, en- rolled; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in; July 29, 1863, mustered out. RoFFEE, Eugene I. Priv. Co. I, 9th Reg. R. I. V. ; May 26, 1862, en- rolled ; May 26, 1862, mustered in ; Sept 2, 1862, mustered out. Priv. Co. E, I2th Reg. R.I. v.; Sept. 12, 1862, enrolled; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in ; March, 1863, detached on supply train and so borne until May, 1863; July 29, 1863, mustered out. soldiers' sbkvices. 509 Seymour, James DeWolf. Was enrolled on the 24th Dec. 1864, in 26th Mass. Reg. M. V. ; was honorably discharged at ReadvlUe, Mass., May 12th, 1865. Seymour, George S. Enlisted as Priv. in Co. B, 22nd Penna. Veteran Heavy Artillery, H2th Reg. Served in Provisional Reg., Ninth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, under Gen. Burnside. Was in battles of the Wilderness at Spottsylvania C. H., Cold Harbor, and Front of Petersburg; transferred in August i, 1864, to Co. E, in the original Reg. in which he enlisted, Eighteenth Corps ; was in battle at Cha- pin's Farms, in front of Richmond, Sept. 30, 1864, and served between Richmond and Petersburg till the end of the war, and was mustered out as Sergeant, Jan. 29, 1866. Seymour, Ioseph. Priv. Co. C, Battalion Infantry, Washington, D. C.; April 22, i86i, enlisted; July 22, 1861, mustered out. Afterwards served in United States signal Corps about one year and a half. Smith, George L. Priv. Co. D, 2d Reg. R. I. V.; June 5, 1861, enrolled; June 5, 1861, mustered in; March 14, 1862, discharged at Washington, D. C, in compliance with orders, by reason of promotion to 2d Lt. Co. A, 3d R. I. H. A. ; Capt. Co. D, 3d Reg. R. I. H. A.; March 11, 1862, commissioned; April ii, 1862, mustered in. Originally served as 2d Lt. Co. A ; June, 1862, on de- tached service with Co. E, at James Island, and so borne until July 6, 1862; Oct, 21, 1862, detached to serve on gun-boat George Washing- ton; Nov. 28, 1862, commissioned ist Lt. ; Dec. 21, 1862, severely wounded by explosion of cannon on gun-boat George Washington ; mustered in as istLt., to date Jan. i, 1863, and assigned to Co. G; Feb. II, 1863, ordered on special duty commanding gun-boat George Washington, and so borne until April 27, 1863, when ordered to report for duty with Co. A, at Beaufort, S. C. ; this detail to datefrom April 9, 1863. Relieved from duty with Co. A, by S. O. dated May 10, 1863; Oct. 5, 1863. ordered to command Co. G; Dec. 27, 1863, ap- pointed Post Ord. oificer for Fort Pulaski and Tybee Island ; Jan. 15, 1864, commissioned Capt., and mustered in as Capt. Co. D, to date Jan. 29, 1864; Feb. 9, 1864, relieved by order, of command of Co. G, and of duty as Post Ord. officer; Oct. 5, 1864, mustered out. Smith, Moses A. Priv. Co. E, 12th Reg. R. I. V. ; Sept. 12, 1862, en- rolled; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in; July 29, 1863, mustered out. SwEETLAND, Edward E. Priv. Co. H, 3rd R. I. Cav. ; March 12, 1864, enrolled; April 15, 1864, mustered in; July, 1864, on detached service at Carrollton, and so borne until Sept. 1864; Nov. 29, 1865, mustered out. Sweetland, James L., Jr. Priv. Co. E, 12th Reg. R. I. V.; Sept. 12, 1862, enrolled; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in; July 29, 1863, mustered out. 510 THE HISTOEY OF BAKKIKGTON. SwEETLAND, Samuel M. PHv. Co. E, i2th Reg. R. I. V. ; Sept. 19, 1862, enrolled ; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in; July 29, 1S63, mustered out. Tiffany, John C. Priv. Co. D, 2d Reg. R. I. V. ; Aug. i, 1861, enrolled; Aug. I, 1861, mustered in; Sept. 1862, provost guard; Oct. 22, 1862, detailed in Hospital Dept. ; Sept. 1863, provost guard, and so borne until Dec. 1863; June, 1864, absent, sick in U. S. General Hospital. Transferred to Batl'n 2d, R. I.V. ; Aug. i, 1864, discharged by reason of expiration of term of service. Viall, George H. Private, Co. H, 3rd Massachusetts Infantry; served nine months. Walker, George W. Priv. Co. I, 9th Reg. R. I. V. ; May 26, 1862, en- rolled; May 26, 1862, mustered in; Sept. 2, 1862, mustered out. Watson, Henry H. Priv. Co. E, i2th Reg, R. I. V.; Sept. 20, 1862, enrolled; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in; borne as sick in hospital from Feb. 9, 1863, until May, 1863; May 20, 1863, detached for service in Invalid Corps, and so borne until July 29, 1863 ; July 29, 1863, mus- tered out. Webb, William C. Sgt. Co. D, 2d Reg R. I. V. ; June 5, 1861, en- rolled; June s, 1861, mustered in; Nov. i, 1862, promoted Sgt. from priv. ; Aug., 1863, on duty as regt'l provost Sgt., and so borne until Nov., 1863; Dec. 26, 1863, re-mustered as a vet. vol.; Feb., 1864, absent as a vet. vol. for thirty-one days; May 7, 1864, killed in action. Whitcomb, Lyman. Corp. Co. B, 7th Reg. R. I. V.; Aug. 2, 1862, en- rolled at Barrington, R. I.; Sept. 4, 1862, mustered in; originally served as priv. ; May 18, 1864, killed in action. WiGHTMAN, Augustus A. ist Lt. Co. L, 3d Reg. R. I. H. A. ; Feb. II, 1862, commissioned; Feb. 14, 1862, mustered in; borne on leave of absence in Providence, R. I., for twenty days, from Nov. 26, 1862; Jan. 12, 1863, resigned. WiGHTMAN, Charles C. Priv. Co. C. ist Reg. R. I. D. M. ; April 17, 1861, enrolled; May 2, 1861, mustered in; Aug. 2, i86i, mustered out. WiNSLOW, Ferdinand. Priv. Co. E, 12th Reg. R. I. V.; Sept. 27, 1862, enrolled ; Oct. 13, 1862, mustered in ; March 25, 1863, detached on am- munition train, and so borne until June 15, 1863, when he returned to regiment; July 29, 1863, mustered out. Wood, Hiram B. Priv. Co. H, 3d R. I. Cav. ; March 31, 1864, enrolled ; April 15, 1864, mustered in ; Nov. 29, 1865, mustered out. ROLL OP HONOK, 1861-5. 511 Roll of Honor. Barrington Soldiers in the Civil War. Adams, Albert J., Ashworth, William, Barnes, Samuel A., Barnum, Isaac T., Bicknell, George F., Bowden, Charles H., Bowen, James A., Bowen, William, Brown, Henry C, Bullock, Albert W., Chedell, Joseph A., Drown, William A., Easterbrooks, Gardner, Follett, John F., Gardner, Charles G., Gardner, Frederick A., Horton, Royal D., *Jones, John J., (Colored.) Kennedy, John T., Kinnecom, Orrin F., Kinnicutt, George R., Lewis, Willis, Mathewson, John B., Medbury, James M., Medbury Matthew C, Moran, Charles W., Peck, Edwin B., Peck, Horatio N., Peck, Noah A., Remington, Daniel S., Richmond, George H., Roffee, Earl E., Roffee, Eugene I., Seymour, George, Seymour, Joseph, Seymour, J. D. W., Smith George L., Smith, Moses A., Sweetland, Edward R., Sweetland, James L., Sweetland, Samuel M., Tiffany, John C, Viall, George H., Walker, George W., Watson, Henry H., Webb, William C, Whitcomb, Lyman, Wightman, Augustus A., Wight man, Charles C, Winslow, Ferdinand, Wood, Hiram B. * The name of John J. Jones appears on the town records as a Barrington recruit, but does not appear in the Adjutant General's Report. CHAPTER XXXII NEW BARRINGTON "The Great Awakening"— Religious Declension — Unhappy State of Society — Conservative Elements — The Harrington Mutual Improve- ment Association— Forest Chapel — Forest Chapel Cemetery Cor- poration — Nathaniel F. Potter — The Narragansett Brick Company — Benjamin B. Viall— Mrs. B. B. Viall — Miss Lydia B. Smith — Miss Elizabeth J. Smith — Miss Eliza C. Smith — Mrs. Judith R. (Bowen) Smith — Lewis B. Smith — The Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad— Allen C. Mathewson — John C. Burrington — George R. Kinnicutt — Allen Brown — Henry Staples— Rev. Fran- cis Horton — Other Associate Workers — Increase in Population — Increase in Wealth. THE story of the Congregational Church of Barrington revealed the fact that the town was visited by what was styled "The Great Awakening," just prior to 1820. It is of interest to note that this "Awakening " prevailed in many parts of New England and aroused the religious senti- ments of the people to a high pitch. Large additions were made to the church in Barrington, and for a time the influ- ence of the revival was promotive of religious and social progress, in the church and town. A reaction took place in a few years, however, and the tide of religious feeling ebbed to a low point. Some of those who had joined the church became disaffected and others were disciplined for gross misconduct. Troubles also arose as to the control and management of the parsonage, as to the ministers, and also as to the ownership and occupation of the meeting-house. Affairs reached such an extreme pass, that the meeting- house doors were locked against the entrance of the minister and congregation on the Sabbath, an officer standing at the door, to prevent entrance "by force and arms." Still further, the windows of the parsonage were broken at night NATHANIEL C. SMITH. MUTUAL IMPEOVEMBNT ASSOCIATION. 513 by some malicious persons, and afterwards removed, and the leather top of a chaise of the acting minister of the church. Rev. Mr. Pease, was cut into shoe strings, in the barn of one of the deacons of the Church. The bad passions of the people were aroused and enmities were established, the effects of which were manifest for years after. These unhappy divisions in the church and society extended to and affected the citizens generally and the town was divided into hostile cliques. The Dorr War, with the events which led up to it, also created sharp divisions and intense political hatred between neighbors and even the members of the same faftiily. Those of the minority party were ostracised and some even were obliged to secrete themselves in their own houses, or leave the town, in their fear of personal danger. A more unhappy state of affairs can scarcely be imagined, than existed in Barrington from 1830 to 1850, and yet there were conserva- tive elements which sought only the peace and unity of church and people. While bitter feelings prevailed among the older people and while the sympathies of the younger generation sided more or less with their elders, there were evidences of a bitter spirit arising, which might in time assert itself. An evidence of this hopeful state of affairs may be found in the formation of a society of the young people of the town, in 1836, which had for its purpose, the personal improvement of its members along educational and social lines, and the harmonizing of difiSculties between the several sections of the town. This society was styled " The Barrington Mutual Improve- ment Association," composed of young people, many of whom have since been prominent in town, church, and state affairs. Among the members we find the names of Lewis B. Smith, Edwin Martin, Eliza C. Smith, Judith R. (Bowen) Smith, Louisa M. Bowen, Nathaniel C. Smith, George W. Wightman, Nathan Williams, Leonard S. Bosworth, George A. Gladding, Thomas C. Heath, Anna D. Martin, Lydia B. Smith, Martha Smith, Elizabeth J. Smith, John 33 514 THE HISTORY OP BAEEINGTON. Short, Noel Mathewson, Mary and Nancy Bosworth, Henry Smith, Albert Bowen, William H. Smith, John Kelley, and others of like spirit, who can trace their higher success in life to the association. It held monthly meetings for literary and social purposes, which were productive of great good, not only to the membership, but in their influence on the community. The records of the society, which should be preserved in the town archives, show a noble determination on the part of these young people to improve "the present unhappy state of society in this town " ; " to cause a greater degree of unity to prevail," and to cultivate " desires for lit- erary pursuits among the youth in this community." This was the beginning of the better and best days of our town history, and testimony is here borne to the nobility of char- acter of the young men and women of Barrington, who at this darkest period in its history saw and welcomed the dawning light "of the good day coming." By the efforts of the society, land was purchased, and a building called ■" Forest Chapel " was erected for social, educational, and religious uses. The motto of the society, which was placed over the door of the hall, is preserved in the collection of the Barrington Antiquarian Society. The golden words were "Live to Learn, and Learn to Live." After twenty years of valuable work the society decided) as other agencies had arisen to take its place and work, to sell its property and invest the money in land for a ceme- tery, and the chapel was sold to the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad Corporation, to be used as a railroad station at Barrington Centre. In 1863 the society, which was in- corporated as " The Barrington Mutual Improvement Asso- ciation" in 1836, was reincorporated as "The Proprietors of the Forest Chapel Cemetery." The cemetery at Nayatt is the property of this corporation, and within its sacred en- closure rest the mortal parts of many of the early members. NATHANIEL F. POTTEE. 515 One of the valuable results of the Improvement Society was the quickening of educational zeal for better schools, better teachers, and better schoolhouses, and the new Nayatt schoolhouse may be traced to the active efforts of this soci- ety. An account of that most interesting result may be found in the chapter on " Education." While social and educational reforms were slowly working towards a new state of society in town, material interests also needed an impulse in the right direction. The chief business was farming, and the raising of crops, the care of stock, and the marketing of farm products were the sole •occupations of the people. In 1848 a new industry suddenly sprang up as if by magic. In the early history of the town, brick-making had been carried on by Matthew Watson, Senior, at the head of the east branch of Mouscochuck Creek. At his death the work was suspended, and this sec- tion of the swamp was thereafter known as " the clay-pits." In the summer and autumn of 1847, several Providence •gentlemen with guns on their shoulders, but with earth augurs under their coats, might have been seen hunting in the woods at Nayatt, in search of game. The "game " they were seeking was the quality and depth of 1;he clay deposit «nder the soil. Satisiied with their exploration, purchase was made of a large tract of apparently valueless land, beneath the surface of which lay beds of clay of great value. The chief explorer of the party was Nathaniel F. Potter of Providence, a man of great business ability, of tremendous ■energy and executive skill. Mr. Potter had interested capi- tal in this enterprise for the manufacture and sale of brick, and in a brief space of time, buildings were erected, machin- ery constructed, and transportation provided so that in the spring of 1848 brick were again manufactured, not as before, by hand, but now by steam processes on the banks of the Mouscochuck. From this time from one hundred to two hundred men were em- ployed for six months in the year and a large number throughout the year in the various departments of this great 616 THE HISTORY OP BAEBIN6T0N. industry. Mr. Potter's spirit and energy were manifest in many directions. Roads were opened leading to and at Nayatt ; a public house was opened in 1849 ^^ Nayatt Point ; steamboats were built and made daily trips to and from Nayatt and Providence ; Providence business men were introduced to the beautiful summer resort at Nayatt Point ; these and many other results were the outcome of Mr. Pot- ter's hunting trip to Nayatt in 1847. The town felt the bene- fits of the new era at once. Employment was furnished to many men in the brick manufactory ; the farmers found g, ready home market for their wood, garden vegetables, poulr try, and other -farm products. The quicker sale of eggs and butter gave the Barrington women more spending money for new dresses and bonnets. The school children could enjoy two pairs of shoes a year when they were content with one pair before. This process of betterment of conditions continued and the scope and area of individual ambitions were enlarged by the suggestive and directive force of Mr. Potter, whom we must regard as one of the founders of new Barrington, not only on its material side but also as one of the forces on its moral and spiritual sides. For Mr. Potter became a resident of the town ; was interested in its pros- perity ; brought into it his own family and many others to aid in building up society ; was an observer of the Sabbath in his family and business household ; gave liberally to the church, to missions, and charities, and was in all respects a model man and citizen. During the forty-one years of the Nayatt and Narragansett Brick Company's existence, I am informed by Mr. Earl C. Potter that fifteen hundred millions of brick were made at Nayatt. This is a remarkable record of the transformation of dead material into the means of comfort, protection, wealth and progress for manhood, but the more remarkable result of that agency was the begiur ning of the organization of the old town into a new one, the stimulating and energizing of latent forces into active ser- vice, and the building of the foundations of agencies that will go on with their good work forever. BENJAMUf B. VIALL. 517 One of Mr. Potter's valuable services for Barrington was the opening of a summer hotel at Nayatt, and inducing Mr. Benjamin B. Viall to become its manager and proprietor. Mr. Viall was the son of Benjamin and Hannah (Kinnicutt) Viall, had received a good business education in Providence, was well married, and splendidly equipped for the position. The hotel attractions, joined with those of Nayatt Point, brought large numbers of the best people in Providence to see, know, and enjoy Barrington. Mr. Viall made these people at home in his house and the town, and his genial qualities and large hospitality introduced permanent and valuable residents to the town, who remain with us to this day. In co-operation with Mr. Potter, and his son. Earl C. Potter, roads and drives were laid out and made, shade trees planted, wharves built, and all the section was made as at- tractive as possible. Mr. Viall's excellent taste and sound judgment were in constant use in developing the possibilities which Nayatt and Barrington possessed, and in all parts of the town, improvements were apparent, suggested by the Nayatt experiment. Mrs. Viall was as well qualified for her department of work as was Mr. Viall for his, and the labors of both gave a new direction to town affairs, and inspired the people with ideals of taste, culture, and business ability, which will never pass away. While matters were progressing so rapidly at Nayatt in material ways, the people were aroused to the need of better schools and school privileges, and this sketch would be in- complete without mentioning four Barrington teachers, whose influence at this period was felt in a remarkable manner for good. Two of these were Miss Lydia B. Smith and Miss Elizabeth J. Smith, sisters of Lewis B. Smith. Both had been connected with the B. M. I. Association, had received a good academic training at the Seminary in Warren, and both carried to their schools the spirit and labors of true teachers, and to the homes the cheer of true friends and fel- low- helpers. Miss Lydia B. Smith married Mr. George W. Wightman. Miss Elizabeth devoted the best years of her 618 THE HISTORY OP BAEEINGTON. life to teaching, and was at one period the Preceptress, or Assistant Principal of the Warren Seminary for Young Ladies. Another influential teacher was Miss Eliza C. Smith, the daughter of Asa Smith. Miss Smith was one of the ablest and most valuable women Barrington ever produced. She was endowed with dignity of person and bearing, with fine in- tellectual qualities, well trained and disciplined for teaching, with a moral and spiritual nature, actively ruling her life, and inspired by the highest ideals. She taught in all the school districts of the town, and her influence over the boys and girls who came under her instruction can never be meas- ured. I regard it as the greatest privilege of my early life to have felt the awakening and guiding influence of this noble woman, and her pupils have always borne testimony to her power, not only as a teacher, but as a true, earnest. Christian woman. Miss Eliza C. Smith was a positive force in helping to create a new Barrington. Of this fraternity of workers, I must name another Bar- rington woman whose labors and influence in the upbuilding of society have been most abundant, — Mrs. Judith R. Smith, daughter of Capt. James Bowen of New Meadow Neck. Her work as a teacher and as an influential member in society and in the church has been constant and self- sacrificing for more than two generations, and she still lives to enjoy the fruits of the labors of the band, whose motto- was so well illustrated in their lives. Among the personal agencies which labored for town and society the most influential and thorough-going worker was Lewis B. Smith, who devoted the strength of a long life to- the upbuilding of public interests in town, church, and state. He was a thorough-going Barrington man, loyal to its his- tory and devoted to its welfare. He was a well-balanced man, strong in his physical, mental, and moral natures. He was a man of broad views and sympathies, natural and acquired. The school of life was his educator, for he owed but little to the schools of his youth, which were of an infe- LEWIS B. SMITH. 519 rior sort. A liberal education would have made hitn one of the most commanding men of his time. He united in his person the strength of the Smith-Bosworth characters. His moral nature ruled and subordinated, or rather co-ordinated his mental and physical natures. He was born in 1817, and united with the Congregational Church in 1832, and was an interested witness of the trying events of that period. At the age of manhood he entered public life. He was a dele- gate to the Convention to form a state Constitution, in 1842, and from that time until his death was occupied with public concerns. He was a peacemaker as well as an organizer. The parsonage difficulties were settled mainly by his active diplomacy. The meeting-house was remodeled in 1851, and Mr. Smith was the leading spirit in the improvements. As treasurer of the Congregational Society and Church he was the trusty and faithful agent of both, and when funds were wanting and collections in arrears, he advanced ministers' salaries and paid bills out of his own moneys. One such man in Barrington was equal to a host of common men in leading and reconstructing society. Enemies he had, and opposition he encountered, but he won his triumphs with the weapons of peace and good-will. When the Civil War came, Mr. Smith accompanied his son, George, to the re- cruiting station, and during the four years of trial he was the helpful friend of every Barrington soldier in camp, in hospi- tal, or in the field. He wrought always with and for men, for the good of all, and the town and state honored him as few men of our town have been recognized. The office of lieutenant-governor was offered him by the leaders of the Republican party, but he declined the honor as it seemed to him to involve at the time the loss of independent manhood. His name appears on almost every page of our town history since 1840, and to those records as well as these pages the student of Mr. Smith's life must go for the details of his splendid services for Barrington. The construction of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad was one of the important movements that changed 520 THE HISTORY OP BAKBINGTON. Harrington from old to new. Prior to 1855, all public travel from Barrington was by stage coach or steamboat. In 1853 plans were matured for a railroad through Barrington, and two surveys were made, one along New Meadow Neck, across the Barrington river at Martins and Kinnicutts, and thence by the " Long Swamp," to Providence ; the other route by Nayatt, where it was established. One of the arguments for the choice of the Nayatt route was the probable business that would come from the Brick Company, but this source of revenue never matured as the brick were carried to Providence on scows, towed by small steamboats or tugs. On the 8th of September, 1853, the first shovelful of dirt was thrown out on " the short railroad route " through Barrington, and, on the 4th of July, 1855, the first steam locomotive ran over the track, with passengers from Providence to Barrington, Warren, and Bristol. Three stations were established in town, Drownville, Nayatt and Barrington. All the interests of the town felt a new im- pulse from quicker and more vital communication with the capital city and the greater outside world. Better facilities were now afforded the people for doing business in Provi- dence and living in Barrington, and the people of the city could now more easily enjoy the privileges of country life in a beautiful town on Narragansett Bay. Among those who came to Barrington was Allen C. Mathewson, who had acquired wealth in Providence, and returned to his native town to invest it in improvements, which he did with a liberal hand. He located his residence on the west bank of Bar- rington river, opposite Tyler's Point, and to this section he drew a number of enterprising people, who became inspired with his loyalty to the town and his generous support of all good enterprises. Mr. Mathewson spent large sums of money in improving farm lands and establishing a model farm, which was an object lesson to the town. He also reclaimed waste lands, and whatever he touched was benefited by his labors. He was a tower of strength in town and State during the Civil War, and the town hon- PEOMINBNT ACTOBS. 521 ored him with the senatorship during the years 1862, 3, 4. Mr. Mathewson was a liberal supporter of the St. John's Episcopal Church, and became a loyal friend in Council and in contribution when such friends were few. Among those Mr. Mathewson influenced to come to Barrington was Mr. John C. Burrington, who became one of our most valuable citizens, an earnest friend of all town interests, and a devout supporter of St. John's Church, with which his name will ever be associated. Prior to the advent of the railroad, the town received a substantial gain in the coming of Mr. George R. Kinnicutt to establish a central station of the stage route between Providence and Bristol, on the Kinni- cutt homestead. Mr. Kinnicutt and his family were valu- able accessions to the town, and his enterprise afforded the accommodations of a public house, a post-office, a public stable and a stage office. Another loyal son of Barrington, who brought back to his native town the results of a suc- cessful business career in Providence, was Mr. Allen Brown, son of Deacon Kent Brown. His mature judgment, wide experience in public matters, and his generous and hospitable spirit, made him a strong support in the new career of the town. He promptly joined his progressive townsmen in their plans to advance the social and civil concerns of Bar- rington and in return the town honored him as it did another son, Mr. Mathewson, with the senatorship, in 1859-60-1. Mr. Henry Staples, son of Judge William Staples of Providence, moved to Barrington in the fifties, and immedi- ately took a hand in public matters. His brain was fertile in plans ; his activities were constant and versatile in their execution. Though often defeated in his proposals, he was never disheartened. He felt that he was born to lead, and the town appreciated his abilities in accepting his leadership on many matters, while in others his enthusiasm was in €xcess or in advance of the popular judgment. His services during the Civil War were especially valuable and appreci- ated. Mr. Staples advocated the building of good roads, and, as surveyor of highways, built the first piece of Macadam highway in the town, between the meeting-house 522 THE HISTOBY OP BAREINGTON. and Prince's Hill. He advocated a town hall long before the town saw the need of it, and made plans for a public cemetery at Prince's Hill, on lands south of and adjoining^ Prince's Pond. Mr. Staples was the leader in the organiza- tion of St. John's Church, and to his earnest efforts more than to those of any and all others was its existence due. His acquaintance with parliamentary tactics and with com- mon law made him a valuable presiding officer and moderate:^ of the annual town meetings. The town chose him as its Representative in 1857-8. The Congregational Church, whose history had been so marked with unhappy divisions and hindrances to its growth for the years between 1830 and 1850, was most fortunate, for itself and the town, in securing for the pastorate, Rev. Francis Horton, who was the minister of the people and a citizen of Barrington for over sixteen years from 1856. Mr. Horton was a scholarly man, a good preacher, and withal a man whose life mingled and blended with the life of the community. He was a peacemaker, and, with positive con- victions, he easily won public assent and consent in social and moral reforms. He labored to make all men helpful in the social order. He used all men for noble ends, while he was the servant of all. He was a wise man in his plans, and usually successful in their execution. So genial was his nature, so broad and manly his character, that the towns- people came to feel that he was their leader by a divine right. Hence, in education, in public improvements, in the home life of the people, Mr. Horton was always a wise coun- sellor and a welcome friend. Since the days of Townsend and Watson, Barrington had never known such a wise master-builder in church and society, and at his death the town passed resolutions of appreciation of his noble, unselfish life, devoted to the interests of the whole people as well as those of the church of which he was the beloved pastor and teacher for so many years. His life belongs to New Bar- rington, and will long live a part of its integral history. Associated and working in harmony with these men and agencies, were other strong men and women by the score. rsrCEBASB IN POPULATION AND ■WEALTH. 52S who felt the joy of the new life for the town, and had a share in its expression. Among them may be named George W. Wightman, Leonard S. Bosworth, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel C. Smith, Pardon Clarke, the Tiffanys, Ebenezer and Heze- kiah, Henry Smith, AUin Bicknell, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Smith, Benjamin and Joseph Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Earl C. Potter, Emerson and John B. Humphreys, Stillman Welch, John Cooke, James Bosworth, George R. Martin, the Bowens on New Meadow Neck, John Kelley, and many others. The following facts are the best testimony as to the exis- tence and effects of the new town life. In 1840 Barrington had a population of 549. In i860 it had an even 1,000. Twenty years had nearly doubled its population. In iSSO' the population was 1,350, a gain of 801, or over 160 percent, since 1840, and in 1895 the population had increased to 1668, more than trebling its population in forty-five years. The population to the square mile in 1840 was S9.9 ; in i870>. 14s; and in 1895, 179. The increase of wealth in Barrington has been no less marvelous than its increase in number : YEAR. VALUATION. RATE PER $1,000. YEAR VALUATION. RATE PER $I,000v 1820. $ igo,ooo 1875 . $ 1,494,000 $5 SO 1842.. 2II.39S 1880 . 1,493.700 S 10 1844.. 316.723 188s • 1.917.750 S 00 1850.. 302.27s 1890 1,958,010 7 70 i860.. 738.850 1895 2,161,900 9 50 1870.. 1,053,020 $7 5° 1897 ■ 2,304,17s 9 70 My purpose is fulfilled in this chapter if I have brought to view some of the principal agents and agencies that have changed the old conditions of the town in 1840, and have helped most powerfully to bring in the new conditions of society of 1898. I have purposely omitted many associate names whose services will be mentioned elsewhere, in order that the leading actors might appear in their best propor- tions. The evidences of the progress made in the last quar- ter of a century will appear in later chapters, industrial educational, social, and statistical. CHAPTER XXXIII EDUCATION, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS Education from 1717-1747 — The Itinerant School and Schoolmaster — First Schoolhouse — Stoves in Schoolhouses — Rhode Island Slow in Educational Work — Condition of Education from 1800 to 1830 — First Report of School Committee — Henry Barnard and the New Schoolhouse at Nayatt — Growth of the Work — Mr. Isaac F. Cady's School — Harrington High School — Teachers and Graduates — Pupils in State Normal School — Present Condition of Education — St. Andrew's Industrial School — College Students and Graduates from Harrington . PRIOR to the division of the town of Swansea, a perma- nent school system had been established, and, at the date of separation and the incorporation of Barrington, in 1 717, Mr. John Devotion was the town schoolmaster, on a twenty years contract. Under the laws of Massachusetts, each town must provide free schools, and Barrington at once set the educational machine in motion by providing a school- master, made provision for a salary, and the arrangement of rooms for the schools to be held in the different parts of the new town. In 1722 the selectmen were authorized to see " that the town be provided with a schoolmaster to teach to read, to write, and arithmetic, for four months from the first of November." Twenty pounds were voted in 1713, to pay Mr. Andrews for twelve months teaching, " if he see cause to accept." In 1724 twenty-five pounds were voted for the payment of the teacher's wages for nine months. The school committee was Benjamin Viall, James Smith, and Ebenezer Allen. John Webber was schoolmaster during the year 1729, and "was settled near the centre of the town." With occasional interruptions, one or more schools have been maintained in town, at public or private expense, from EAELY EFFOBTS IN EDUCATION. 525 last named date until the present time. The earlier ools were itinerant in character, being maintained for a es of months in one quarter of the town, and then lOved to another for the purpose of furnishing equal nces for improvement to the youth in all parts of the n. In 1730 it was voted " that the town provide a jolmaster for seven months ; that the school be kept ;e months at New Meadow Neck, and two months at the ;ting-house or thereabouts, and two months at Benjamin ll's or thereabouts." During these years before school- ses were built, the records state that school was kept at :rvals at Josiah Humphrey's, Zachariah Bicknell's, Sam- Barnes's, Nathaniel Peck's, Nathaniel Viall's, Joseph iffee's, and other houses in the town. The division of town into three districts was probably made about the 2 of the separation of the town from Warren. The orig- number of districts remain unchanged until 1873, when, ng to the increase of the population in Drown ville and nity, a fourth district was formed to accommodate the sens in that quarter of the town. The buildings in ch the schools were kept belonged to individuals, and e held by proprietors in joint ownership, as the following :ipt shows : Warren, March 27, 1770. Rec'd of the Several! Proprietors to the Uper School House on Phebes £ a full Satisfaction for the erecting and Building the Same. Sol. Townsend, Jr., Rec'd pr me, Sam'l Allen, Jr. Sam'l Allen, 2d." "his was probably the first school-house in the North Dis- t. 'he following estimate for a schoolhouse in the North trict shows the dimensions and method of construction ut the year 1800 : Dimensions of Schoolhouse given by Mr. Kinnicutt : ingth, 26 1-2 feet; width, 21 feet; heighth of Post, 11 1-2 feetj to be ;n windows of 24 Squares 6 inches by 8 inches with Plain Shutters ; 526 THE HISTOEY OP BAEEINGTON. to be Shingled all over with good shingles ; to be underpined one foot |}elow the Sills laid In Mortar ; to be ceiled up in Side as high as the win- dows ; with a Stove Similar to Paschel Allen's." " I will build A School hous Agreable to the Above Sketch in a plain and workman-like manner for Six hundred and fifty Dollars. I have Cal- -culated for H. L. hinges and Iron Buttons for the Shutters. John Gregory. I will (if Desired) make the Roof hip'd which will make the building have a much handsomer Appearance and as you make no use of the Gar- ret it will in my opinion be much prefferable." The subscription which follows indicates the time when ■Stoves began to take the place of fire-places in the heating of our schoolhouses : Barrington December ye ist 1793 We the Subscribers Whose names are under Written do VoUuntary Give Into the Hand of Col. Thomas AUin For the Purpose of Purchis an Iron Stove to Set up in the North School-Hous in Barrington the Sums Which Shall be Enixid to our names....... £ s. d. £ s. d. Thomas AUin . . . o. 6 - o Ebenezer Peck . o. 6 - o Joshua Bicknell . . o. 6 - o Sylvester Viall . 0-3-0 William Brown . . o. 3 - o Samuel Barnes . 0-4-0 Nathaniel Heath . . 0-3-0 Comfort Stanley . 0-3-0 Elkanah Humphrey . o - i - o Asa Bicknell . . 0-3-0 George Sallisbury . o - i - o The poverty of the people after the Revolutionary War, ■compelled them to reduce all expenditures, both public and private, to the lowest terms. As a consequence, the cause of education suffered with all other interests, and, so far as the records show, private or proprietor's, schools were all that were sustained. Tuition was paid by the parents or guardians of the pupils to meet the expenses of the schools. In fact, the tuition plan continued long after town and state made annual appropriations for free schools, and it is only within thirty years that common school education has been absolutely free in all the towns of the state. It is a well known fact that Rhode Island was tardy, com- FIBST FEEE SCHOOLS. 527 ed with her sister states, in establishing a system of public ools, and even a Massachusetts-born town naturally and ntably fell into the habits of towns of its own common- ilth, and from the date of its admission to Rhode Island educational interests declined. In 1800 the legislature Rhode Island passed a free school act, requiring each n to provide schools for the children of school age. By t act Barrington was required to maintain schools for four nths in each year. The town voted, June 2, 1800, to pt the act of the General Assembly in respect to free ools, and appointed a committee, consisting of William in, Ebenezer Peck, Nathaniel Smith, Amariah Lilley, emiah Drown, and Benjamin Drown, to draw up a plan 1 report to the town. No report appears on the town ords, and, as the free school act was repealed in 1803, may assume that none was made, and there is no refer- ;e therein to free schools, until April 16, 1828, when it i voted that the following persons be a committee to lerintend the free schools . in the town, viz. : Sylvester in, Enoch Remington, Ebenezer Smith, Benjamin Med- ■y, Simon Smith, Samuel R. Martin, Jeremiah A. Drown, I John Kelley. Though there is silence in the town rec- s as to schools for the period of twenty years from 1800 [828, the date of the adoption of the free school act, there lufificient testimony from persons whose school days were braced in that period, to prove that schools were kept at 3t three months in winter and two months in summer. e winter schools were kept by male teachers, usually col- e students, and the summer schools by the most compe- t young women that could be found. The wages paid to n was from $12 to ^20 a month, with the privilege of warding around " the district, and to women ;^8 to ^12 lonth, with the same privilege as to board. The following memoranda illustrate the business side of tuition schools of that period : 'Jov. 29, 18 1 7. An agreement was made between Alva "penter of Seekonk, a member of the senior class of 528 THE HISTOKT OP BABBINGTON. Brown University, and the subscribers of the North District, Barrington, by which said Carpenter was to open and teach a school for the term of three months, at ;^i8 a month; to commence December i ; to teach the branches usually taught in Common English schools, viz. : reading, writing, arithmetic, English, grammar, geography, etc."; the sub- scribers to furnish, " at some convenient place, good and sufficient board, lodging, etc.," and to pay each his propor- tion of the expenses of said school, according to the number of pupils sent to said school. It appears that there were fifty-one scholars who attended, and the tuition was about $i.7S a scholar for the full term of three months. The first report of the school committee to the town, as to funds received from the state, was made April 21, 1830, and was as follows : Barrington, April 21st, 1830. The Committee of the Town of Barrington under the Free School Act, report as follows as regards the public money appropriated by the State for said Town : For the summer school in North District For winter school " " For summer school in South District For winter school " " For summer school in East District For winter school .... 19 00 28 SO 8 33 17 13 25 46 21 SO Amt, $75 46 Benj. Medbury /or the Committee. , From this date the school committee has made an annual report to the town covering financial and educational condi- tions. It appears from a report made to the General Assembly in 1828, that Barrington had three schools, kept winter and summer, and in 1832, three schools 113 pupils, a male teacher three months in winter, a female teacher three months in summer. HENBY BAKNAKD. 529 In 1840 the State Census showed the population of Bar- rington to be 549; under fifteen years, 193 ; between five and fifteen of school age, 128 ; the town appropriated $$0 for schools, the first made by the town ; received from State ^160.30; total, $210.30. North District; children, 78; money for summer and winter schools $80 II South District; children, 80; money for summer and winter schools East District; children, 42; money for summer and winter schools $47 55 It was not, until what was called the awakening of 1843, that public education received the general attention at all proportioned to its importance. The movement then inau- gurated in the State Legislature by Hon. Wilkins Updike, and the appointment of Hon. Henry Barnard as School Com- missioner of the State, by Governor Fenner, lie at the foun- dation of nearly all, in the history of public schools in our State or town that can be reviewed with any high degeee of satisfaction. Since that period no friend of education in our State need be ashamed of the progress made and the success that has been achieved. Of this movement, Barrington was one of the first to reap the advantage. Two new school buildings were soon erected, and a third was repaired and re- fitted. The new building in the South or Nayatt district, was one of the best of its grade in New England. Its furni- ture and fixtures were after the best models of the time. Through the efforts, chiefly, of two members of the dis'rict, the school was furnished with an excellent library of six hundred volumes, which, in connection with other influences, did much to elevate the standard of education in the town. - Mr. Barnard, in his report on school architecture, inserted a cut of the new Nayatt school house, and said of it, "The new schoolhouse in Dist. No. 2, Barrington, is the most at- tractive, convenient, and complete structure of the kind in any agricultural district in the state — and, it is believed, in New England." 530 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. The building was 40 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 12 feet high, and built after working plans by Tefft of Providence, and cost $1,200. The desks, seats, ventilation and heating, maps, blackboards, globes, and other apparatus were the best then furnished, and the school furnishings reflected great credit on the district. A comparison of a few items in the statistics of the town in 1844 with those of 1875 and 1895, will throw some light upon the progress of the cause of education during the inter- vening periods. In 1844 the population of the town was 549; the number of children under fifteen years of age, 188; the aggregate value of property in the town, ^316,733; the amount ex- pended for public schools, $241.56, of which $75 was raised by taxation, or $1.29 per child. In 187s the population was 1,185 '> number of children un- der fifteen years, 332; the aggregate value of property in the town, $1,494,805 ; number of pupils enrolled, 166; aver- age number belonging, 124; average attendance, 109; num- ber of graded schools, four ; average length of schools, nine months and thirteen days; State appropriation, $485.65; town and district appropriations, $3,683.17; total appropria- tions, $4,168.82; value of school property, $11,000. In 1885 the population was 1,394; children between five and fifteen, 225; value of town property, $1,917, 750; number of pupils enrolled, 222 ; average number belonging, 164; average at- tendance, 136 ; length of schools, nine months, nineteen days; money from State, $837.16; from town, $2,300; from all sources, $3,704.22; value of school property, $9,500; cost per month for each pupil's instruction. $1.95. In 1895 the population was 1,668; number of children between 8 and 15, 240 ; value of town property, $2,161,900; number of pupils enrolled, 262 ; average number belonging, 186 ; average attendance, 166 ; average length of schools, 10 months; money from .State, $1,019.98; money from town. $4,700 ; from all sources, $5,987 ; value of school property, $11,000; cost per month for each pupil's instruction, $2.43. HIGH SCHOOL. 531 Barrington has elected a person as school superintendent for more than forty years. Rev. Francis Wood held the office in 1855, and his successors have been Rev. Francis Horton, Thomas W. Bicknell, Rev. S. Brenton Shaw, Isaac F. Cady, Mrs. George Lewis Smith, Fred P. Church, Rev. W. M. Chapin, and George Lewis Smith. Mrs. Smith was the first woman to occupy the office of superintendent in our town schools, and had prior to her marriage been one of the most successful teachers of the town. One of the most important acts of the town in educational progress was the establishment of a public high school in 1884. This subject was first brought to the attention of the people as a much needed and practical measure, by the writer, while Superintendent of Schools, in his report made to the town, April, 1868. It was suggested that the estab- lishment of a high school in Barrington would add another to the various advantages the town then possessed for attracting the best class of people to the town, as well as afford better opportunities to the boys and girls then seeking a better education than the common schools could give. It was also urged that a high school would elevate all the grades below it, and would aid in the preparation of teachers for our own and other towns. Two years later, in 1870, Mr. Isaac F. Cady, principal of the high school in Warren, for twenty-five years, at the earnest solicitation of the people, erected buildings for a school and a dwelling house, on land he bad owned for several years at Prince's Hill, and opened the Prince's Hill Family and Day School, in Barrington. His idea was to have a few family or boarding pupils, living under his influence in his own family, — the balance of the school to be made up of day pupils from the town. This excellent school continued until 1880, when, on acfcount of ill health Mr. Cady was obliged to give it up. Part of the time he had an assistant for the younger scholars. The largest number of pupils at one time was forty-seven. Sev- eral were fitted for college. The school year began with the first Monday in September, and consisted of four terms of 532 THE HISTORY OP BARKINGTON. ten weeks each, with one week recess between terms. The tuition was ten dollars per terra. The family or boarding scholars paid four hundred dollars per year for tuition, books, stationery, board, and washing. The building erected for the school cost, including fixtures, about ;^3,ooo. After Mr. Cady closed his school, he with others, notably Mr. D. A. Waldron, started the Barrington Public Library, and Mr. Cady's schoolhouse was used as a library building until the erection of the town building. The town high school was also held in this building when first started. The Trustees of the library concluded it was not conducive to the best in- terest of the library to have the school in the same room, and requested the school committee to find other accommoda- tions for the school, which they accordingly did. The value of a school of a higher grade than the district schools had been so clearly illustrated by Mr. Cady's school, that the people felt the need of a town high school, and the following resolution was presented to the town at the annual town meeting, April 2, 1884, by Mr. George Lewis Smith, one of the earliest and warmest advocates of the measure : " Whereas, It appears to many of the taxpayers that the children in this town who are advanced in their studies can be educated to much better advantage if placed in a graded school by themselves ; and whereas, some of the schools are now filled to or beyond the capacity of the school-rooms, and many parents feel obliged to send their children to other towns for their common school education ; Resolved, That the School Committee be and they hereby are instructed to secure a suitable room at an annual rental of not exceeding ;jS200, to properly fit and furni'sh the same, and to establish a school for such scholars, residing in this town, as shall pass such an examination as said committee may prescribe, and said committee shall employ a suitable male or female teacher in their discretion, at a proper com- pensation, and incur such other expenses as are right and proper to conduct said school, and that the same shall be paid for out of the appropriation for public schools. HIGH SCHOOL. 533 The resolution was adopted by a vote of 74 yeas to one nay vote. The School Committee followed instructions, and the Bar- rington High School was opened in Mr. Cady's school build- ing at Prince's Hill, with about thirty pupils, under the principalship of Mr. J. N. Eno, on the 30th of August, 1884. Mr. Eno taught a single term, until Nov. 21, 1884, and was followed by Mr. B. F. Thurston, whose services extended from Dec. 4, 1884, to March 6, 1886. Mr. S. M. Abbott took charge of the school March 29, 1886, and left Aug. 3, 1889. Mr. Walter H. Russell was principal from Aug. 29, 1889, to June 30, 1894. The present principal, Mr. R, F. Colwell, has had charge of the school since Sept. 3, 1894. The female assistants have been Miss Laura F. Parker, Miss Harriet L. Weeks, Miss Gertrude Walker, Miss Elizabeth Penny, and the present assistant, Miss Elizabeth Waite. When the town hall was erected, provision was made for the accommodation of the High School, and in 1888 the school was transferred to the new quarters, where it is supplied with valuable- apparatus, a good reference library, and all the furnishings required for the comfort and advancement of the pupils. The High School has a graded course of studies, in- structs in mathematics, the sciences, language, history, liter- ature, etc., and prepares pupils for college, has accom- plished all that its early advocates and friends claimed for it, and is now a permanent factor in the educational agencies of the town. One of the best evidences of its usefulness is the record of the graduating classes of the school. Several of these graduates have entered the State Normal School ; others have entered college, and one. Miss Jessie G. Tiffany, is a graduate of Pembroke College, the women's department of Brown University. Under " College Students " and " Normal School Pupils " will be found the names of several graduates of the school. 534 THE HISTOEY OF BAERINGTON. Graduates of the Barrington High School. Class of 1888. Ella M. Kirby, Walter T. Anthony, Willard A. Bourne, Margaret Ellen Kirby, Mary Elizabeth Smith, Benjamin E. Martin. Edward D. Anthony, Jennie B. Horton, j88g. No graduates. i8qo. Jessie G. Tiffany, i8gi. William Watson, Elliot Lewis, George A. Anthony, Edward Holmes, i8gz. Abby E. Holmes. Hannah Holmes. Laura Smith. i8g3^ Sarah Smith. i8g4. Russell W. Baker, Elizabeth C. Holmes, Melvin F. Church, Marion L. Read. iSgs. Wilmarth H. Colwell, Lucinda M. Burke, Arthur Covell, Florence Martin, John McEleny, Clara E. Gardiner, Marcia E. Burt. t8gb. John S. Colwell, George Smith, Alice Bates, i8g7. Floy Montrose Granger Lewis, Helen Gertrude Medbury, Ruth Lathrop Anthony, Ina Everette Watson Maxfield, Marion K. Smith, Sybil E. Covell, Mattie E. Bowden. Charlotte Dunbar Field, Alice Brown Gardiner, Ida Lizzie Gardiner, Phanuel Bishop Covell. STUDENTS IN THE NOBMAL SCHOOL. 535 Graduates of Rhode Island Normal School from Barrington. Entered. Sept., 1871 Graduated. June 28, 1872 Harriet A. Rea, Taught ever since she graduated at Doyle Avenue Grammar School. Cornelia M. Goff, Feb. 7, 1872 Jan. 22, 1874 240 Lockwood Street, Providence. Sarah Leonard Horton, .... Sept., 1873 J"°6 ^S> '^75 Married H. M. Williams in 1892. Mt. Vernon, Westchester County, New York. Mary Kellogg Cady, Barrington Center, . Sept. i, 1874 J""^ ^5< '^75 Mrs. G. H. Whitcher, 128 Broadway, Providence. Florence Nightingale Heath, Bar. Center, Feb. 7, 1877 Jan., 1881 Mrs. Fred P. Church. Mary A. Cornell, Grad. Warren High School, Sept., 1880 Jan. 27, 1882 Deceased. Mrs. Austin A. Darrah, Warren, R. I. Abbie M. Martin, Barrington Center, . . Sept., 1880 Jan., 1883 120 Hanover Street, Providence, R. I. Lillia M. Boyden, Sept., 1884 June 28, 1889 Married Henry F. Keach, 1892. Greenville, R. I. Katherine F. Doran, Nayatt Point, . . Sept., 1884 July i, 1887 14 Creighton Street, Providence. Teaching at Smith Street, Providence. Ella Margaret Kirby, Grad. Bar. H. S., . Sept., 1888 June 28, 1889 Jesse Goodwin Tififany, Grad. Bar. H. S. . Sept. 2, 1890 Jan. 15, 1892 Graduated at Brown University, Class of '97. Teaching at a school (boarding and day) of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Lucinda May Burke, Drownville, • Sept. 3, 1895 June 18, 1897 Teaching in Auburn. Students at the Rhode Island Normal School, from Barrington, not Graduates, Rachel A. Tiffany, . Waltie Allen Matteson, Hattie A. Bo wen, Ellen T. Tobin, Joanna E. Godfrey, Martha W. Miller, . Emma E. Staples, . Maggie Ellen Kirby Entered. Sept., 1871 Sept., 1874 Feb., 1881 Feb., 1882 Sept., 1S82 Sept., 1882 Sept., 1882 Sept., 1888 536 THE HISTOKT OF BAERIKGTON. The town is well provided with schoolhouses, with the best of modern equipments. The pictures of these houses and grounds, with the teachers and pupils in attendance, taken May ii, 1898, are the best description that can be given of the physical status of education in Barrington at the close of the nineteenth century. Barrington has a school committee of five members, elected by the town for a term of three years ; a salaried superintendent ; a male prin- cipal and a female assistant teacher of the High School, and six female teachers of the primary and grammar grades ; the town owns school property to the value of about ^11,000; it expends between ^5,000 and $6,000 annually to furnish a common school education to about 200 pupils. These with the statistics given above, furnish the facts by which to de- termine the progress of the town during a century of free schools, and the basis for calculating the advance that may be made during the century to come. The advantages for education for Barrington children have been supplemented by private tutors and private schools in and out of town. During the ministries of Rev. Solomon Townsend and Rev. Samuel Watson, students' prepared for college and the min- istry under their instruction. In 1842, Miss Eliza C. Smith and Miss Judith R. Bowen opened a private school at the Forest Chapel, located on land on the east side of the main road and north of the rail- road, at Barrington Centre. The school was an excellent one, but was discontinued at the end of two years. Rev. Francis Wood conducted a private school in his own hpuse, about 1848. The writer bought and studied his first Latin grammar while at this school. Between 1853 and 1865, a private school, English iand Classical, was conducted in the hall of the Remington tavern, by the brothers Clapp, and later by Rev. Mr. Walker. Between 1830 and 1840, a number of Barrington pupils attended a private acadeniy at Washington Village, Coventry, R. I., and, in later years, the classical school at Seekonk ; and the schools of Providence have been patronized by Barrington students. Several ''4f ST. ANDEBW'S UTDTJSTKIAL SCHOOL. 537 Others, among whom was the writer, attended school at Thetford Academy, Thetford, Vt. The most successful private school of Barrington was conducted by Mr. Isaac F. Cady, from 1870 to 1880, to which reference has been made under High Schools. THE ST. Andrew's industrial school. This school had its origin in the benevolent spirit and labors of Rev. W. M. Chapin, rector of the Episcopal Church in Barrington. At first a few pupils at his own residence satisfied him of the need of such a school. Mr. Chapin afterwards associated with him in the work, Mr. W. F. Keach, Mr. E. J. F. Coleman, Mr. Charles C. Gardiner, Mr. Zechariah Chafee, Mr. Charles A. Warland, Mr. W. O. Blanding, Mr. W. W. White, Mr. George Gordon King of Newport, and others, in sympathy with his plans to furnish a home and school for boys who needed the opportunity of a fair chance to develop into good and noble men. St. An- drew's Industrial School was begun in 1893 at Barrington, R. I., to give a home and training to homeless and helpless boys. When, the first boy came in June, the school had nothing but the rent of some land and a good barn on Rumstick Point assured for one year. The boys' food was promised for the summer, in return for work. The second summer the boys lived in a little house they had themselves built on the farm. As time went on the number of boys in- creased, and, though no one to this day knows how, the money for their support came in. A permanent home was leased for them in 189S, after two years of temporary expe- dients. Then the full purpose of the school began to take shape. The gift of ^1,000 came without warning. In 1895 the Joshua BicknelP house and ten acres of land were pur- chased, and a corporation was formed to hold the property. Membership in the corporation is open to men of any or no denomination. The President is the Bishop of Rhode Island, and he appoints and removes the Chaplain of the school. School training, farming, gardening, carpentering, and other 538 THE HISTORY OP BAERINGTON. industries occupy the pupils. "The Hardy Memorial Build- ing," erected by Mrs. Hardy in memory of her husband and " The Andrews Cottage," and a barn, have been erected on the property, and seventeen acres of land have been added to the first purchase. Warden Chapin states the purposes of the school briefly as follows : " First of all, we want to give these boys a real home. This requires a woman's in- fluence, and it necessitates that there shall not be a large number of boys in the house. So we plan for a series of cottages, each accommodating fifteen boys with a house mother. We now own one house and hire another. Sec- ondly, this is a school. The boys are taught all the em- ployments on a small farm, the planting and cultivation of the gardens and the fields, the care of the barn and of the live stock. They are also taught something of carpentry ; and now, in the Sloyd room, will get a more scientific edu- cation. The study in books is to go on at the same time, while we hope to introduce the different trades, one by one, into the course. We are ready now for the gift of a good- sized carpenter's shop, and a greenhouse. Thirdly, the boys are trained with the idea of industry as a means of self- support. Every boy has a distinct work assigned him, for which he is held responsible." Officers. President : Rt. Rev. Thomas March Clark; Warden : Rev. William M. Chapin ; Secretary ; E. J. F. Coleman ; Treasurer: W. F. Keach, No. i, Custom House Street. Board of Managers : Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark Providence, Rev. W. M. Chapin Harrington, E.J. F. Coleman Providence, W.F.Keach Zechariah Chafiee " Charles C. Gardiner " W.W.White " W. O. Blanding " Charles A. Warland Pawtucket. Chaplain : Rev. W. M. Chapin ; Vice Warden : Arthur F. Shepard ; House Mother : Mrs. Mary Parker. COLLEGE STUDENTS. College Students and Graduates prom Barrington. Allin, William, A. M. Son of Gen. Thomas AUin, entered B. U grad. 1790; taught school; studied law, was admitted to the hi practised in R. I. Courts; was a Justice of the Peace for Barrii member of the General Assembly; Town Clerk from 1816-1! 1S29; buried in Allen Land. Babcock, Charles Gifford. Freshman, B. U.. 1896-97. BicKNKLL, Thomas Williams, A.M., LL.D. Son ot Allin and I Byron (Kinnicutt) Bicknell ; common schools of Barrington ; g Thetford Academy, Vt., March. 1850-July, 1853; Amherst Freshman year, 1853-4; teacher at Elgin, 111., and Rehoboth, from 1854 to Feb., 1857; grad. B. U., i860; teacher at Bristol School and Providence, R. I., from May, i860, to May, 1869; ' missioner of Public Schools, R. I., from June, 1869, to Jan. i, editor and publisher, Boston, Mass., from Jan., 1875, to March, editorial and literary work from 1886 to the present time. Pul works : Life of William Lord Noyes, 1863; Brief History of Be ton, 1870; Reports of School Commissioner, 1869-1875; Educs Addresses ; Historical Addresses ; The History of Barrington, Bourne, Alexander Phenix, A. B. Son of Rev. Shearjashub J. B< grad. B. U., 1890; Andover Theo. Sem., 1894; School of Theol vard Coll. ; ordained Congregational minister, 1895 ; assistant Cong. Church, Exeter, N. H., 1898. Cadv, Henry Newell, A.B. Son of Isaac Foote Cady ; grad. B. U. Artist; address, Germantown, Penn. Colwell, Wilmarth Holt. Son of Rev. W. H. Colwell ; Freshma 1895-6, B. U. ; entered business life, 1897. Chapin, Charles Value, A. M., M. D. Son of Joshua Bicknell 1^1 grad. B. U. 1876; College of Physicians and Surgeons and Be Hospital Medical College, N. Y. ; house physician, Bellevue Hoi 1879-80; physician, Providence, R. I., Superintendent of H 1884-; Prof. Physiology, Brown University, 1886-; registrar I marriages, and deaths, Providence, 1889- ; author "Sympa Nerve : Its Relation to Disease," 1880 ; " Origin and Progress 1 Malarial Fever now Prevalent in New England," 1884; "P State of the Germ Theory of Disease," 1885; " Methods and I cal Results of the Treatment of the Malarial Diseases now Pre in New England"; "What Changes has the Germ Theory Mi the Means for the Prevention and Treatment of Consumption?" " Role of Ptomaines in Infectious Diseases," 1889 ; " Methods fi Prevention of Scarlet Fever," 1888 ;" Some Points in the Eti of Typhoid Fever," 1889; " Disposal of Garbage in the City of idence, R. I.," 1893; "Purification of Public Water Supplies," "Census of the City of Providence," 1893 ; "Reports of the S 540 THE HISTOEY OF BAREINGTON. intendent of Health," 1884- ; "Reports on Births, Marriages, and Deaths Recorded in Providence," 1888; " Index of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Recorded in the City of Providence," vol. 5, 1894. Ad- dress, 84 Keene Street, Providence, R. I. Chapin, Joshua Bicknell. Son of Seth and Mary (Bicknell) Chapin ; received his preparatory education at Wrentham Academy; grad. B. U. 1835; studied medicine at the Berkshire Medical School, with degree of M. D. in 1838 ; practised in Providence, and in 1843 entered the drug business with Geo. Thurber, as Chapin & Thurber; in 1855, entered the daguerreotype business with Henry Manchester ; was always greatly interested in educational matters, and was Commis- sioner of Public Schools, R. I., 1859 to 1862, and 1863 to 1869. He resided in Providence, except from 1858 to 1866, when he lived in Bar- rington. His home in that town was immediately west of the Drownville station. Born, 1814; died, 1881. Chapin, Moses Thompson. Son of Seth and Mary CBicknell) Chapin; entered Brown University with his brother, Joshua; afterwards went to Williams College, but did not graduate from either institution; studied law and entered into practice at Irvington, now Eufola, Ala., where, after a residence of a few months, he died of yellow fever, Sept. 4, 1838. He was a young man of brilliant talents, and had in this brief time so endeared himself to friends there that after his death they erected a stone to his memory. Dexter, George Owen. B. U. F. 1883-84— Sr. 1886-S7. Dexter, Smith Owen. B. U. F. 1889-90 — S. 1890-91. DoRAN, John. Son of James Doran ; fitted for college under Isaac F. Cady; grad. of St. Mary's College, Emmettsburg, Md., 1879; ad- mitted to R. I. Bar, July, 1882 ; member of law firm of McGuinness & Doran, Providence, R. I. DoRAN, Thomas F., A. M. Son of James Doran, and brother. of John; grad. St. Mary's Coll., Emmettsburg, Md. ; admitted to holy orders in Roman Catholic Church; priest at Lonsdale; Vicar General Diocese of Rhode Island ; Episcopal residence, Providence, R. I. FisKE, Walter Edward. Resident of Barrington from 1868 ; fitted for college under Isaac F. Cady, and entered B. U. 1875; left for business at end of Freshman year ; secretary and bookkeeper of Howard & Son Corporation. House, Morris William, A. B. Son of Rev. William House; grad. B. U. 1888; director, Tilden, Thurber Co., dealers in silverware and jewelry. Providence, R. I. Kendall, Henry Lucien. Son of Lucien B. Kendall; grad. B. U. 1871; AndoverTheo. Semi., 1874; ordained Cong, minister, 1875; pastor, Walpole, Mass., 1874-75; First parish church, Charlestown, COLLEGE STUDENTS. 541 Mass., 1S75-79; Jacksonville, Fla., 1879-80; Northfield, Minn., 1881- 82; Walpole, Mass., 1882-83. Born, March 5, 1849; died, Walpole, Mass., Jan. 23, 1883. Mauran, Joseph, A. M., M. D. Son of Joseph Carlo and Olive (Bick- nell)Mauran; was born in Barrington, R. I., Dec. 22, 1796; was fitted for college by Rev. William Williams, an alumnus of Bj-own University of the class of 1769; grad. B. U., 1816, degree of A.M., 1819; college of physicians and surgeons, 1819; physician. Provi- dence, R. I., 1819-59; travelled abroad, 1856-58; medical attendant, Dexter Asylum, 1827-56; consulting physician, Butler Hospital for the insane; Fellow R. I. Med. Soc, Censor; president two terms ; trustee college of physicians and surgeons ; vice-president Nat. Assoc, of Phys. for revising the pharmacopoea, 1840; Mass. Med, Soc, Providence Franklin Soc, R. I. Soc. forEncour. of Dom. Ind., 1837-. Author, Remarks on the cholera, 2d. edition, 1832 ; Address Alumni Assoc, college of physicians and surgeons, 1864; anniver- sary address, 1869, before same, 1869, also numerous articles in med- ical journals. Died New York, N. Y., June 8, 1873. 1819. The same year, as its Commencement, Brown University conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts. Mauran, Antoine Joseph, M.D. Son of Joseph Mauran of Barrington ; grad. B. U., 1851; college of physicians and surgeons. New York, N. Y., 1854; physician and surgeon. Address, Creston, Union Co., Iowa. Martin, Luther Ambrose. Son of Sterry Martin; grad. B. U., 1844. MuNROE, Henry Augustus, Jr. Nayatt, R. I. F., 1890-91. Medbury, Samuel Viall. Son of John and Abijail Viall Medbury ; b.1782 ; B. U., 1801. Was born at Wannamoisett within the limits of old Barrington. Peck, Walter Asa. Son of Asa; grad. B. U., 1877; wool merchant, Providence, R. I. Potter, Ralph G. Son of Earl C. and Esther Potter; entered B. U., 1882; left at end of Junior year ; taught school two years; entered fire insurance business in New York City ; is now adjuster for New York Fire Underwriters Assoc. Address, New York City. Potter, Walter Armington. B. U. Spec, 1883-85. Smith, George Warner. Nayatt Point, R. I. F., 1896-97. Tiffany, Jessie Goodwin, A. B., A. M. Daughter of Ebenezer Tiffany; grad. B. H. S., 1890; grad. B. U., 1897; teacher N. Y. City, 1898. Thurston, Wilmarth Heath, Son of George S. Thurston and grand- son of Wilmarth Heath; grad. B. U., 1877; lawyer, Providence, R. I. 542 THE HISTOEY OF BABELNGTON. ToBiN, John F. Son of John Tobin ; grad. of U. S. Naval School, Annapolis ; entered U. S. service ; Relieved from active duty on account of ill health ; inventor of sheathing for vessels and of other useful naval appliances. TowNSEND, Shearjashub Bourste, a. M. Son of Solomon Town- send, Jr., entered B. U., rSio; grad. 1814; tutor B. U., 1815-16; ordained Congregational minister, 1S17 ; pastor First Congregational Church, Sherburne, Mass., 1817-32; author oration before United Brothers Society, B. U., 1821; b. Harrington, April 14, 1795; d. ijuly 20, 1832 ; buried at Princes Hill. ViALL, William Angell. Son of Richmond Viall ; student in Chemi- cal laboratory, B. U., 1880-1 ; diploma of R. I. Board of Pharmacy, 1882 ; studied in Leipsic and Tubingen, Germany, 1886-8 ; Prof, of Pharmacy, Cornell Univ., N. Y., i888-go; Assist. Supt. at Brown and Sharpe's Mfg. Co., 1890; address, Providence, R. I. Watson, Samuel, A. M. Son of Matthew Watson, Jr. ; entered B. U. 1790; grad. 1794; ordained Congregational minister, 1798; pastor Cong. Church, Barrington, 1798-182 1 ; Town Clerk of Harrington, 1S08 to i8i6; b. Barrington, 1773; d. Jan. 16, 1821 ; buried in Watson Land. Weeks, Edward Henry, A. B. Grad. B. U., 1893; governor Friends School, Prov., 1893-95 ; General Manager of Old Colony Co-op. Bank, Providence, R. I. CHAPTER XXXIV S. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH TH E town of Barrington, from the time of its incorpora- tion, in 1770, until 1858, contained but one religious Society, namely, the Congregational. It is reasonable to suppose that a Society which, during so many years, held the exclusive privilege of moulding the creed and worship of the townspeople, must have exerted a controlling influence over those religiously disposed, and that all efforts to introduce forms and theories of a different complexion would meet with difficulties almost insurmount- able. A few Episcopalians, however, residing chiefly in the south ern portions of the town, seemed resolved to encounter those difficulties, and to establish a church, Apostolic in its min istry, Scriptual in its mode of worship, and sound in the faith. Among those thus inclined were, Henry Staples, Allen Brown, Sterry Martin, Josiah N. Martin, Watson Ingraham James A. Smith, George W. Mowry, Rufus Higgins, anc others. Accordingly they met together, May 6, 1858, in the Barring ton Railroad Station, to consider the expediency of forming ar Episcopal Parish. Many were favorable to this movement, and the services of the Church were first performed at the Forest Chapel east of the present railroad station. May 16, 1858, by the Rev. Eaton W. Maxcy, Jr., rector of S. Mark's, Warren. On the 25th of August the Church was organized, the con stitution adopted, and Messrs. Nathaniel C. Smith, James A 544 THE HISTORY OP BAEErNGTON. Smith, Luther Martin, Otis G. Harris, and William H. Cook were elected vestrymen. Sept. i8, 1858, the ground was broken for the erection of a brick church, upon a lot bought of Mr. James Maxfield, and on the 25th of the same month, the Rev. George W. Hatha- way was chosen rector. Mr. Hathaway, however, declined the call. On Dec. 16, 1858, the Rev. Francis J.Warner, a graduate of Union College, N. Y., was invited to fill that office, which offer he accepted. On the same date Mr. Henry Staples was chosen Senior Warden, and Mr. William J. Kowen, Junior Warden. The church edifice having been completed Jan. 5, 1859, the first service was held in it January 9, and on January 12, the consecration rites were performed by the Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark, D. D., LL. D., assisted by the Rev. Eaton W. Maxcy, Jr., of S. Mark's, Warren ; the Rev. Wil- liam Stow, of S. Michael's, Bristol ; the Rev. William H. Mills, of the Church of the Messiah, Providence ; the Rev. Henry Waterman, of S. Stephen's, Providence ; the Rev. Edward Cowley, of Christ Church, Lonsdale ; the Rev. B. P. Talbot, of S. James's, Woonsocket ; the Rev. Benjamin B. Babbitt, formerly of the Church of the Messiah, Provi- dence ; the Rev. Daniel LeBaron Goodwin, city missionary of Providence, and the Rev. Frances J. Warner, rector of the parish. It is recorded that although the weather was intensely cold, many strangers were present, and forty-five partook of the Holy Communion. The cost of the church, exclusive of the grounds, sheds, fences, and fixtures, was about ^4,000, of which one-third was given in Providence, about one-fifth by friends in Bar- rington, and the remainder was collected in Warren, New- port, Bristol, North Providence, and Dorchester. The first baptisms were those of Mrs. Ellen Augusta Martin, Mrs. Ann Eliza Higgins, Miss Sarah Bowen Smith, and Miss Laura Maria Gifford on Easter Day, 1859. o I c o I ST. John's episcopal chtjech. 545 The first confirmation was held May 22, 1859, when thir- teen persons received the Laying on of Hands. The first marriage was that of George G. Snow and Caro- line J. Cooke, on Dec. 21, 1858. The first funeral was that of Joseph M. Smith, Feb. 16, i860. There has been a Sunday School and a Ladies Sewing Society from the beginning. Mr. Warner continued the faithful and energetic rector of the parish until September, 1862, three years and nine months, when he took charge of the Church of the Messiah, Olneyville, where, during the summer of 1864, he entered into rest. In January, 1863, the Rev. Robert Murray, Jr., a graduate of Williams College, Mass., became rector, and continued his services until July i, 1865, two and one-half years, when he left to assist the Rev. Mr. Talbot at Woonsocket, upon whose death he became rector of the parish. In October, 1865, the Rev. Gilbert B. Hayden began his ministrations, and closed them August, 1866, after a pastor- ate of nine months. Mr. Hayden was succeeded by the Rev. S. Brenton Shaw, D. D., a graduate of Brown University, who after at various times supplying the desk twenty Sundays, became rector Feb. I, 1867. A lot of land having been given for that purpose, by Mr. Henry Staples, a neat and substantial rectory of ten rooms was built thereon, between September, 1866, arid May, 1867, at the unexpected cost of ;^S,oco. During the Autumn of 1873, extensive repairs were neces- sarily made upon the Church, at a cost of ;^ 1,200, of which Mr. Allen C. Mathewson kindly gave ^500. On Jan. 5, 1879, the Rev. Dr. Shaw resigned the charge of this Church, to take effect at Easter, having discharged the duties of that office between twelve and thirteen years. On Whitsunday, 1879, the Rectorship was assumed by the Rev. William Merrick Chapin, Deacon. On St. James'sjDay 35 546 THE HISTORS" OF BAEEINGTON. of the same year, Rev. Mr. Chapin was advanced to the priesthood by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Dr. ■Clark, this being the first ordination in the Parish. On Oct. 20, 1880, the Rector began a Mission at River- side, R. I. In 1 88 1 new pews were placed in the church, and the interior entirely remodelled. In 1883, the walls of the church were frescoed, and other improvements made both on the exterior and interior. On January 12, 1884, occurred the 25th anniversary of the Consecration of the Church. The Holy Communion was celebrated by the. Bishop, who also preached the sermon. The Rev. Dr. Shaw and the rector were present. The next day being Sunday, Dr. Shaw preached. A few weeks later Dr. Shaw was stricken with paralysis and died March 17, 1885, highly respected and esteemed. On Sunday, July 19, 1885, Mr. John C. Burrington died. Mr. Burrington was senior warden of the parish and senator from the town at the time of his death, and was beloved and respected by all. In the same year, on the Feast of S. Simon and S. Jude, ground was broken for the erection of the Burrington Memo- rial Chapel, and on All Saints Day • the corner stone was laid. The building was completed early in 1886, and daily services were held in it during Lent. On Easter Day, 1887, a bell of 1,000 pounds weight was first rung by Mrs. Benjamin Lynde and Mrs. Walter F. Thompson, who placed it as a memorial of their father, Allen C. Mathewson. In 1887, the sum of ;J 1,200 was subscribed to erect a church tower in memory of Allen C. Mathewson. On S. Matthew's Day, 1888, ground was broken for the Mathewson Memorial tower, which was completed the same year at a cost of $1,700. On Easter Day, 1893, a Reredos, in memory of Mr. Henry J. Steere, was unveiled. Mr. Steere was a benefactor of the Church, and had promised to give a handsome altar ST. MATTHEW'S MISSION. 547 and Reredos, but he died before his plans were accom- plished. Within the last ten years three Memorial windows have been placed in the Church, — the first in memory of Hon. John C. Burrington ; ' the second in memory of Lena Edward and Annie Wood Norton, children of Benjamin and Paulina S. Norton ; and the third in memory of Mrs. Abby (Martin) Grant. Other Memorials placed in the Church at different times, are a font of Tennessee marble, in memory of Rev. Francis J. Warner, the first rector of the parish ; a brass lectern in memory of Miss Mary Willard Congdon ; an altar cross in memory of Brintnall Sabin ; and a brass alms basin in memory of Mrs. Eliza B. Lewis. During the year 1895, extensive repairs and improvements were made on the rectory. Out of this parish has grown S. Mark's Parish, Riverside, S. Matthew's Mission, Drownville, S. Helena's Rest, a summer home for working women, and S. Andrew's Indus- trial School for needy and deserving boys. S. Matthew's Mission, Drownville. At nine o'clock on the evening of June i, 1891, a number of persons were gathered in the open fields near the Drownville public schoolhouse, to break ground for the new Chapel of S. Matthew. Prayers were said, the Lord's Prayer in unison, and the first sod was turned by the Rector, Rev. William M. Chapin, "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." On Sunday, July 26, the morrow of the Feast of S. James, the corner stone was laid, the Rector acting in behalf of the Bishop of Rhode Island. On Sunday, September 20th, being the Eve of S. Matthew's Day, the chapel was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark, Bishop of Rhode Island. The building was designed to serve the double purpose of a chapel for worship, and a Guild House for general uses. A rolling partition of wood separates the chancel from the main part of the building, except at the times of Divine worship. The chancel is built in memory of Mrs. Sarah (Warland) Daven- port. 648 THE HISTOEY OF BABKHTOTON. The architects of the Chapel were W. R. Walker & Son. The property stands in the name of the R. I. Episcopal State Conven- tion.' Notwithstanding the Chapel, or Guild House, as it was then called, was not consecrated but only dedicated, and the rolling partition separ- ated work and worship, a reverential feeling grew up, which led in a short time to the purchase of the adjoining lot for a Guild Hall, leaving the Chapel solely for worship. This building was erected by degrees. First, only the floor was laid, having for a roof a large canvas owned by the Mission. Next the per- manent sides and roof were added. Then the building was plastered. Finally, it was finished off, and, in a measure, furnished. The organization is S. Matthew's Guild, consisting of all who are regu- lar contributors to the Mission. Meetings are held monthly, and the an- nual meeting is held on S. Matthew's Day. The spiritual charge devolves on the Rector of S. John's Parish, Bar- rington. CHAPTER XXXV THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH THE Methodist Church in the town is located at Drow villa. The Methodist Society was formed in 1869, residents of Barrington, who held membership in Method churches in Warren and at Power Street, Providenc These persons, in the statement of the historical recorc "desiring to enjoy the ordinances and privileges of t House of God in connection with the church of their choi and in the vicinity of their homes, opened a hall for a m sion, Sunday School and preaching." These services we continued until June 18, 1871, at Nayatt Hall, when Presi ing Elder Rev. M. J. Talbot, D. D., organized the chur with the following membership : Jonathan Allen, Eli Allen, George Noble, Mary Noble, and probationers Hem etta Allen, Ida E. Salisbury, Henry J. Vieth, Harriet 1 Vieth, Edward L. Clark, William Jones, and Elizabe Jones. Rev. Richard Low was appointed the first preach in charge and served one year. Rev. C. Banning followi in 1872, when the meetings were held in the old Drow house at Drownville. Rev. E. S. Stanley was appoint( minister in 1873, and Rev. M. Taylor in 1874. During tl October following Rev. John E. Risley became pastor, and is due to his labors that the church was built and dedicat( in November, 1875, three lots of land for the church and pz sonage having been donated by Mr.. Thomas W. Bickne The building committee were the pastor, James Franklan George Noble, Jonathan Allen, Henry J. Vieth, Jonas '. Buckingham, and Charles E. Drown. The following pai graph written by Rev. Mr. Risley in the church records stat the results of his pastorate : "At the watch-night meetin held Dec. 31, 1875, a revival commenced, resulting the conversion of some fifteen souls. During the ; months of my labors here I have baptised three infants at nine adults ; received eighteen on probation, eight full ai five by certificate. Brother A. F. Smith, an Exhorter, h 550 THE HISTOET OP BABEINGTON. been my colleague in this work during the last 15 months, and his labors have been greatly blessed." From 1876 to 1885 the pulpit was supplied. In 1885 Rev. James Mather became pastor and remained four years, doing faithful, earnest work and left the church in good condition. In 1889 Rev. H. D. Adams was pastor of Drownville and Riverside churches and remained one year. In i80o Rev. Frank L, Brooks assumed charge of the two pastorates. During his two years stay he built a church at Riverside, a parsonage in the rear of the Drownville Church, and finally remodelled the church outwardly and divided it into two rooms in place of one large one. Rev. John S. Ball became the pastor in 1892 and remained one year, by his devoted services prepar- ing the way for the good work which was accomplished by his successor. Rev. Edwin E. Phillips, who was the type of a joyful Christian, and made a host of friends during his two years stay. Rev. E. G. Babcock was pastor during the two years 1895-6, and in 1897 was succeeded by Rev. M. R. Fos- ter, the present incumbent. From the founding of the church to the present time the Sunday School has generally been in a flourishing condition, and has often if not usually contained many children whose parents were of other denom- inations. It now numbers upwards of seventy. The follow- ing persons have been superintendents of the Sunday School : George Noble, James Frankland, Albert F. Smith Frank E. Arnold, Frederick T. Jenckes, Mrs. Henrietta Grossman, and Mrs. Weltha A. Buckingham ; treasurers, Edward L. Clark, George A. Noble, James Frankland, Henry J. Vieth, and Albert P'. Smith. Stewards since 1889, Henry J. Vieth, Sanford C. Hardy, Harriet E. Hardy, and Frederick T. Jenckes ; librarian, George A. Noble. The Drownville Musical Society was formed in 1888 and during the fifteen months it actively lived, gave several " old folks concerts " in this and neighboring towns, the proceeds aiding the church very substantially. The Ladies' Aid Society has ever been a source of help financially. CHAPTER XXXV 1 PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND SOCIETIES Early Conditions — A Town Building — Its Erection in 1887-8 — T Rural Improvement Association — Arbor Day — The Library Socie of 1806 — Public Library, 1880 — Antiquarian Society — The Gran — The Order of U. A. W. BARRINGTON is well provided with public buildings, and the tov hall is the ornament and pride of the town, and the best of its ki in Rhode Island, outside of her cities. In the early and later da^ town meetings were held in private houses, at the public tavern, and the Congregational meeting-house. When the Nayatt hall was bui about 1856, this was used for all municipal and political gatherings. T business of the town clerk, the town treasurer, and other town office was transacted at the houses of the persons who held the offices, or places provided by them. The first agitation for a town hall began 1854, and at the April town meeting a committee was appointed to ta the matter under consicjeration and report. The committee, consisting Benjamin Martin, William H. Allin, and William H. Smith, reported favor of erecting a town building, but the report was rejected by a vo 23 yeas and 45 nays. In 1863 the subject was again brought before t town, to be voted down by a decisive majority. Efforts were made in iS and in 1882, all resulting, as before, in the defeat of the measure. In 1887 a committee of the town reported in favor of the purchase of tract of land at Prince's Hill, between the main road and Barrington Rivi for town purposes. The town voted to buy the land, and also voted appropriate $15,000 for the erection of a suitable building for town pi poses. Lewis B. Smith, Charles H. Merriman, and George B. Allen w( elected the building committee. The corner stone was laid Sept. 24, 1887, by the Grand Lodge of Maso of Rhode Island, and the work proceeded so promptly and successful that the building was ready for public uses in the autumn of 1888, a was immediately occupied by the Town Council, the Town Clerk, t High School, the Public Library, and the Antiquarian Society. In I report of the Building Committee, made by Hon. Lewis B. Smith, Chairman, it was shown that the Committee had expended $2,000 for ( land, $14,997.05 in the construction of the building, and $5,000 in its f nishings, leaving a balance of $2.95 in the hands of the Committee, the close of their labors, to be returned to the town. The town building was dedicated with appropriate exercises, on Dece ber 12, 1888, in the presence of a large audience, with many distinguisl guests, including the Governor of the State. Addresses were made 552 THE HISTORY OP BAEKINGTON. Hon. Lewis B. Smith, Col. Charles H. Merriman, Mr. Alfred Stone, ot the firm of Stone, Carpenter & Wilson, architects of the building, and an historical address by Thomas W, Bicknell. The building is mediaeval in its structure, and in the collection of the boulders in the first story of the building, are memorials of the glacial period referred to in the first chapter, as well as memorial stones contrib- uted by many donors, from all the fai-ms and smaller estates of the town. The cemented stone work in the foundation of the structure where the diverse figures and colors blend in a symmetrical whole, is an emblem of a true civil society, into which the town may grow more readily and per- fectly, by means of such a building. The Barrington Rural Improvement Association. This useful society, the pioneer of all similar associations in the state, was organized in 1881, having for its objects the discussion and encour- agement of all matters which may advance the public interests of Bar- rington. Its membership includes the leading citizens of the town, and its influence on the progress of the town during the last twenty years has been efficient and salutary. Its special labors have been exerted in behalf of good roads, the planting of shade trees along the highways, the culture of fruits and flowers, public drainage, public health, public schools, a town hall, care of cemeteries, small parks, etc., etc. This society proposed and secured legislation making Arbor Day a state holi- day, and the first public celebration of Arbor Day was held at Drown- ville, in 1886, when an elm tree was planted to the memory of Abraham Lincoln. The celebration of Arbor Day is an annual event of the associa- tion, at which trees are planted to the memory of useful citizens of the town and distinguished citizens of the state and nation. At its monthly meetings, committees report on, and the members dis- cuss, various subjects and proposals relating to local and general needs.of the town, whereby an intelligent understanding of facts and arguments is obtained, which enables the members and towns-people to act more pru- dently on matters coming before the town. It is safe to state that most of the important town legislation the last two decades has passed the ordeal of debate and received the endorsement of this association before being adopted by the town. The presidents have been : John C. Burrington, John L. Draper, Charles F. Anthony, Erastus L. Walcott, J. U. Starkweather, David A. Waldron, Irving M. Smith, Royal D. Horton, John F. Richmond, Harry M. Smith, IrvingM. Smith, George Lewis Smith, Orrin S. Anthony, Wm. E.Colley, and Frank O. Field ; the secretaries : Charles F. Anthony, Harry M. Smith, William T. Lewis, Erastus L. Walcott, Orrin S. Anthony, James H. Griffith, W. T. Lewis, Jr., IrvingM. Smith, and Edward H. Weeks. Harrington Public Library. The history of the new Public Library may be prefaced with a brief account of the Library Society organized in Barrington at the beginning IRVING MAURAN SMITH. r\ BAEEINGTOK PUBLIC LIBRARY. 553 of the century, by that loyal and devout son of Harrington, Rev. Samuel Watson. He was quick to see that an educated ministry must aid in making an intelligent people, and one of the outcomes of his useful labors was the organization of a Library Society to which the General Assembly gave a charter of incorporation under the name of " The Barrington Library Society," in February, 1806, as follows : "Whereas, Josiah Humphreys, Junior, of Barrington, in the Countj of Bristol, hath represented unto this Assembly, that he and thirtj others have associated themselves into a Society, in the town of Bar- rington, which they have denominated The Barrington Library Society, and that they have subscribed a considerable sum of money for the pur- pose of procuring a library of useful books ; and whereas the said Societji have made application to this Assembly for a Charter of Incorporation, and this Assembly approving so laudable a design, and willing to give it all the assistance and encouragement which it so justly merits, Do enact that Samuel Watson, Joshua Bicknell, Josiah Humphreys, Solomon Townsend, Amariah Lilley, Nathaniel Smith, John Short, John Humphreys, Elkanah Humphreys, Nathaniel A. Martin, Ebenezei Peck, Nathaniel Heath, Kent Brown, Samuel Barnes, Benjamin Martin, Jabez Bullock, Nathaniel Smith, Jun., Ebenezer Tiffany, Joseph C. Mauran, Frances Adams, Matthew Watson, Josiah Kinnicutt, Rebecca Bosworth, Elizabeth Bicknell, Comfort Stanley, William AUin, Calvin Martin, Sylvester Viall, and Samuel Allen, and all others who shall be admitted by them members of their Society, be and are constituted a body politic and corporate subsisting at all times forever hereafter in deed and in name by the name of The Barrington Library Society." This Society could hold property not exceeding six thousand dollars. Power was granted to assess each share in said library not to exceed one dollar a year. The officers recognized by the Charter were a librarian and treasurer, and such others as the Society might determine, to be elected annually. The first election was held on the first Monday oi May, 1806, in Barrington. This library contained a valuable collection of the standard works ol the day, and its catalogue, in the solidity, if not in the readability of its volumes, would put to blush many catalouges of a later date. Historj and theology were the body of the library, and into it were allowed no books of fiction, which the fathers believed " worketh abomina- tion and maketh a lie." The library was at one time kept at the par- sonage, and the minister was the librarian, but later it fell into com- plete disuse and its volumes, if they have not been sold for junk, cumber the garrets of the older houses of the town. If I am rightly informed, Rev. Francis Wood was the last librarian, and it is quitt possible that his former roof shelters some volumes of the first Bar- rington library. The present public library owes its existence primarily and mainly tc the efforts of Mr. David A. Waldron, who labored in season and out ol season, among his friends in town, out of town, and everywhere, tc 654 THE HISTORY OP BAEEINfiTON. secure the nucleus for the library. The first public meeting for a library organization was held at the schoolroom of Isaac F. Cady, on the even- ing of Jan. I, 1880. As liberal donations of books had been secured, the meeting decided to prosecute the work, and a board of trustees was elected, consisting of David A. Waldron, Lewis B. Smith, Isaac F. Cady, Erastus L. Walcott, and Royal D. Horton. Later, on the 27th of Janu- ary, the board organized by electing D. A. Waldron, President, and Isaac F. Cady, Secretary and Treasurer. On the 2d of March, the trustees voted to transfer the books and other property of the library to the town, whenever the town by vote should accept it. This the town did at the annual meeting, April 7, 1880. Mr. Cady's school building was hired for the uses of the trustees, and the library was dedicated March 30, 1880. Mr. Cady was the first librarian, and the library of 2,000 volumes was opened to the public on May S, 1880. In the construction of the town hall, rooms were set apart for the library, and it was removed to the new quarters on the completion of the new building. The library now con- tains 8,606 volumes. Its annual circulation is 5,253 volumes. About 250 volumes are added annually from town and state funds. The trustees are: George T. Baker, Howard J. Weeks, F. O. Field, R. D. Horton, Ebenezer Tiffany, Jr., and Miss E. S. Bradford is the present librarian. F. O. Field is president of the trustees. The Barrington ANTicyjARiAN Society was organized in May, 1885, for the purposes of cultivating the historic spirit in the town, and for the collection of various ancient articles which represent the character and conditions of our earlier and colonial life. Dedicatory addresses were made by Prof. William Gammell, LL. D., President of the R. I. Historical Society, and by Thomas W. Bicknell, and a poem was read by Hezekiah Butterwoi'th, on " The Flag of Taun- ton Green." Rooms were set apart in the town building for the uses of the society, and an interesting and valuable collection of material has already been made. Generous donations have been and will continue to be made by persons who desire to place in safe keeping and for the public benefit such articles of various kinds as tell of the honorable past, and in- spire respect for ancestry. The society owes much of its success to Mr. David A. Waldron, its first president, who devoted much time and zeal in securing contributions to its shelves and show-cases. The object les- sons of the collection will increase in value with the years, as the silent teachers multiply in number and value. The Barrington Grange, No. 16, Patrons of Industry, was organized May 31, 1888, and erected a Grange Hall at Drownville. The Barrington Council, No. 30, Order of United American Workmen, has its headquarters at the Grange Hall at Drownville. Secretary, Theodore G. Darby. CHAPTER XXXV II HARRINGTON INDUSTRIES A Farming Town — Seafaring — Shipbuilding — Briclcmaking — Si making — Fisheries — Gardening — City Business — Horticulti and Floriculture — Stores — Harrington Water Company — Dro\ ville Water Company — The Annawomscutt Mills — Electric T« graph — Electric Lighting — Telephones — The Barrington, Warn and Bristol Street Railway Company, etc., etc. Farming. BARRINGTON was well adapted to farming, the chosen occupati of most of its people prior to the middle of the present centu The fertility of the soil, the climate made genial by the nearn of the waters of the bay and the ocean, tempered as they are by the G Stream, which courses the Northern Atlantic near our shores, made i. town an Eden for farmers. The sandy loam soil, usually free from bo ders, fitted it to be the natural home and garden of the aborigines, and these attractive fields came the yeomen of England, who had been acci tomed to similar conditions of soil and climate in their native land. Be to conditions of constant toil on the other side of the Atlantic, we fi our ancestors and their descendants, industrious, skillful, frugal. T plough was their representative instrument of husbandry and they illi trated Franklin's maxim, " He that by the plough would thrive, Himself, must either hold or drive." The farm was the mine of wealth in- which they delved and found I materials which brought them many home comforts, with but few of t luxuries of life. At the beginning of the present century the labors oi century and a half had created less than $200,000 in house and la values, by a population of ov er 500 people. Seafaring. The attractions of a sea faring life have led many of our boys a young men in the past " to go down to the sea in ships and to do bu ness on the mighty waters." Many of these sailors have become acco pliehed seamen, and attained positions as officers and masters of t largest ships. The title of captain was once as common among Barrir ton men as was the title of colonel in the South, before the war. T 556 THE HISTORY OP BAREINGTON. inscriptions on the monuments in our cemeteries show the marine rank of a number of our citizens within the last century. Shipbuilding. Ship building was engaged in at an early date in the town, although the first vessels built were probably only small coasters. Nathaniel Brown had a shipyard on the west bank of what is now known as Bul- lock's Cove and here were probably built the first vessels in the old town. Mr. Brown removed his old shipyard to Providence near India Point and became a prominent shipbuilder of his day. This was in the early part of the last century, but dates cannot be obtained. Later in the century, vessels small and large from sloops to brigs and ships were built on both banks of the Barrington River. The Martin shipyard was located near the east end of Ferry Lane, opposite Warren. The wharves are still in a good state of preservation. Moses Tyler built ships on the east bank of Bar- rington River, above the railroad bridge. The Eddys, Bowens, and Mar- tins also had shipyards in that neighborhood and the ruins of the old ways and wharves still remain. The brig Agenora, commanded by Capt. James Bowen, was built at the Bowen shipyard. Small craft were also built by the Aliens on the same river, near the residence of Mr. Benson Bean. Tradition also has it that vessels were also built on the east side of the river near Nochun Hill. There are also evidences that large ves- sels were built on the east bank of the river south of the Barrington Bridge on land and shore now owned by Mr. Barton. Brickmaking. Brickmaking, so the oldest people say, was carried on on land now in- cluded in the George H. West farm, west of Nockum Hill. The most extensive brick manufacturer of this part of Rhode Island, however, was Matthew Watson, who came to Barrington about the year 1712, then six- teen years of age, and began brickmaking probably about 1720, instructed either at Leicester or by his employer and future father-in-law, Mr. John Read. His works were located on the clay beds, north of the present Watson house on Mouscochuck Creek. Mr. Watson supplied Bristol County and Newport with the product of his brick kilns at Nayatt. From Newport the Watson brick found their way to a market' in New York, and the brick mansions of some of the old families of Manhattan were probably made of Barrington clay. It is stated that wood for burning the Watson brick cost two shillings sixpence a load, and that the lime used in the construction of his brick mansion house, built in 1745 and now standing, was made by the burning of clam and other shells by the Indians. Mr. Watson amassed a fortune for his day, some say $80,000, in brickmaking and farming, and left a large estate to his children. The Barrington clay-pits lay idle, the land became overgrown with a young forest, when in 1848, The Nayatt Brick Company, under the BEICK MAKIKG. 557 management of Nathaniel F. Potter, its President, purchased a large tract of land on both branches of the Mouscochuck and began the manufacture of brick by machinery and steam power. This Company made a canal of the creek, with locks at its mouth, and freighted the brick to Providence and other markets on large scows, propelled by steamboats and tugs. French Canadians were employed as laborers, who came to Barrington in the spring and left for their homes in the autumn. In the course of the business the Nayatt Brick Company was reincorporated as the Narragansett Brick Company, with a capital stock of $225,000. Mr. Earl C. Potter, son of N. F. Potter, was super- intendent of the works, and Hon. L. B. Smith was purchasing agent of the Company. Mr. Potter estimates that the two companies made and sold fifteen hundred millions of brick between 1848 and 1890. The New England Steam Brick Company was organized in 1890, and purchased a large tract of land at Barrington Centre, at first, for their works, and later the property of the Narragansett Brick Company. This company now owns the whole body of clay beds between Nayatt and Barrington Centre, and makes brick at both the old and new locations. The manufactories of the Company are presented in a picture on another page, giving as it does a more complete idea than words can, of the extent of this great industry. This Company reached a maximum of sixty- seven millions of brick a year in 1897, a product three times larger than any other factory of its kind in England. The quality of brick ranges from common to the best pressed brick, selling in the market from 87 to $15 a thousand. The kilns are burned by the use of coal and oil. Boston capital is employed and Boston men conduct the business with a main office in Providence, R, I., and branch offices in the large cities. Mr. William G. Titcomb is President, and J. H. Collier, Treasurer. Among the directors are John Shepard, Albert A. Pope, and A. C. Titcomb of Boston. The Company pays taxes in Barrington on an assessed valua- tion of $180,000. A wonderful surprise would greet the veteran brick- maker, Matthew Watson, could he return to see the growth of an in- dustry, started by him in the early years of the i8th century, and now carried on after methods so unlike the hand processes of I72S> ^^'^ •"" creased to a magnitude almost incredible to the people of the modern era and ideas. Salt Works. During the Revolution salt works were established on land now owned by Mr. John Jenckes, north of Mouscochuck Creek. A pond was exca- vated on Little Island, on the shore of the Bay, which filled at spring tides, and from it the water was pumped to evaporating vats on the land south of Mr. Jenckes' house. ' The business was probably carried on by Capt. Matthew AUin, as the works were on his farm. How long the manufacture of salt was continued after the war is not known, but proba- bly not long, as salt could be obtained from Turk's Island much cheaper than it could be produced here. 558 THE HISTOBY OF BAEEINGTON. Fisheries. The fin and shell fisheries have always been a source of income to our town. Clams, quahaugs, scallops, and oysters, have been obtained from time immemorial on all our long shore line, from Bullock's Cove to Bar- neysville, and while no estimate has ever been made of the value of these fisheries to the people, it may be estimated at thousands of dollars annu- ally. In 1865 the census reported 7,510 pounds of fish caught, and 962 bushels of clams, 457 of quahaugs, and 1,000 of oysters. The total value of the shell fisheries was $2,313, but this was a low estimate of the value of the fisheries to the townspeople. Herring were caught in BaiTington River at the fish ditch connecting the river with Prince's Pond, by Joshua Bicknell in the last century, and the regulation of prices is referred to under town legislation prior to 1800. Shad were and are obtained in large quantities in Barrington and Palmer's Rivers, and scup, tautog, and blue-fish, are plentiful in the waters of the Bay, and have been a source of food supply for generation s. About i860, the oyster industry was started in Barrington by Mr. Bowden in Barrington River, and is continued by his sons, Charles H., Wheaton, and Samuel Bowden, at the present time. About 1870, William H. AUin planted oysters in Narragansett Bay, and, later, Higgins & Co., and others of Boston, and Blount & Hunt established oyster plants at Bullock's Cove. Later, the Buckinghams, J. E. and J. B., established oyster plants at Annawomscutt, and the flats between Bullock's and Kayatt Points have been made to yield large returns for the labor and capital invested. The fresh water food supplies to these oyster beds pro- duce the best oysters, and in Boston and other markets, the Narragansett Bay oysters are at a premium over all others. A capital of at least $50,000 is now invested in the business. Industrial Changes. Fifty years ago the chief occupation of the people was farming. At the present time very few cultivate the land except in the raising of vege- tables and fruits for family consumption. A few notable exceptions exist in the cases of Mr. George H. West, who carries on extensive market gar- dening and milk producing, at Nochun Hill; Mr. Charles J. Smith; the Gardners, father and sons, who have profitable farms at Rumstick; Mr. John F. Richmond, on the old Richmond farm; the Pecks, — Edwin F., William H., and Leander R. ; Joseph R, Martin, and a few others. With the city influences and residents in Barrington, it has become a suburban town, and most of the business people of the town transact their various enterprises in Providence. The industrial change has been a very striking one, and marks the new era on which the town has entered. Easy communication with the city, to be greatly increased during the present year by the construction of the Electric Railroad from Providence to Bris- tol and Fall River, has made our younger popu lation practically business STOKES, MILL, ETC. 559 people of Providence, with homes in Harrington. Our lighter taxes en- courage and invite wealth and its possessors to the town, and the annual increase of valuation is due not to the profits of agriculture as aforetime, but to the gains from business and professional occupations, carried on, in, and from Providence as the centre of activities. Horticulture and Floriculture. Horticulture and floriculture engages the attention of the people to a commemorable degree. The culture of pinks and other hot-house flowers is now an established business in the town, and the Maxfield Brothers, at Barrington Centre, and Walter S. Nichols, at Hampden Meadows, have shown their taste and enterprise in this business, and have met with good financial results. Kelley's Mill. A tide mill for grinding grain was owned and run by John Kelley, at Kelley's Bridge, as late as 1870. This was the only water power ever util- ized in_the town. Stores. Stores. One of the first grocery stores in town stood near the Samuel Low house, near Maxfield's Corners at Barrington Centre. Bowen's Tavern, as we have already noticed, had a variety store as a part of its outfit, and the proprietor sold everything the people used, from a knitting needle to a glass of grog. Captain James Bowen carried on the grocery business in a building that stood near the east end of the Barrington Bridge. At one time he had a license from the town to sell liquors and gunpowder. A variety store was opened by Mr. Colby, in a small building near the residence of Benson Bean, about 1848, and was continued for some years after by Mr. Joseph Bean and his son Benson. The Barrington P. O. was kept in the same building for many years. About the year 1856, a store was opened in the brick building known as Nayatt Hall, near the Nayatt Station, and has been continued to the pres- ent time. Noel Mathewson, George K. Viall, William Winslow, William B. Viall, and Mr. Reynolds have been among the proprietors of this store. The Nayatt P. O. has always been kept in this store. A grocery and variety store was opened at Barrington Centre, by Mr. Higgins, in the sixties, and is now kept by the Martin Brothers, of Barrington stock. Mr. Leonard S. Bosworth established a branch of his coal and lumber business, originally and still carried on at the Ferry, at Barrington Centre. He also built a building for residence and store, which is now occupied by his son, Mr. Leonard P. Bosworth. The son is now at the head of the several departments of trade, established and suc- cessfully conducted by his father. Grocery stores were established by Jonathan Allen and William AUin, at Drownville, about twenty years ago, and are still supported. 560 THE HISTORY OF BAREINGTON. Prince's Pond Ice. Prince's Pond has been turned to most valuable uses during the last twenty-five years, in its supplies of ice for Barrington and Warren people. Mr. Ebenezer Tifiany has conducted the business with excellent success, and the purity of the water is a guarantee of health as well as coolness to the patrons. Water Companies. The Barrington Water Comfany was formed in 1886, for the purpose of supplying the town with pure running water, deriving its supply from the Kickemuit River and reservoir in Warren. It was originally intended to supply the residents atNayatt Point, but its franchise and supplies allowed it to be carried to any part of the town. Drinking fountains have been established, one at Barrington Centre, supplied by this com- pany, and one at Drownville, supplied by the Drownville Company. Others will eventually be erected in other parts of the town. As a plen- tiful supply of pure water is one of the most important elements in the healthy growth of a town, it is a matter of great consequence that the town is so well provided for. The president of the Barrington Water Company is Mr. J. U. Starkweather, to whose enterprise the introduction of this supply is largely due. Associated with him are Mr. Lucian Sharpe, Charles H. Merriman, and other prominent citizens of Nayatt. The Drownville Water Comfany vtas incorporated in 1887, for the pur- pose of supplying the village at Drownville with pure water, taken from springs near Annawomscutt Brook, near which the pumping station is located. A tank of 53,000 gallons capacity is located on a ledge at the east, 105 feet above the brook, and supplies the pressure and distributes the water. The authorized capital of the. company is $20,000; the annual operating expenses about j8oo; sales of water have increased from $349.34 in i888, to about $1,000 at the present time. The minimum cost pf water from a single Stop is $10. David A. Waldron was the first pres- ident, until his death; present officers : John Jenckes, president; Charles F. Anthony, secretary; George T. Baker, Treasurer. Annawomscutt Mills. The Annatoomscutt Mills, located near Annawomscutt Brook, at Drownville, was incorporated in 1897, with an authorized capital of $100,000. Its principal business is the coloring and finishing of cotton goods. The cloth used in the covers of " The History of Barrington " was finished at " The Annawomscutt Mills." Telegraph Line. In 1844 the Morse telegraph line carried the first message to the people, announcing that James K. Polk had been elected the President of the United States. The telegraph line was constructed between Providence JOSEPH V. STARKWEATHER. B. W. AITD B. STREET RAILWAY. 561 and Newport within the next four years, along the main road and the stage route through Barrington. On the building of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad the line was changed to follow the railroad. Telegraph offices have been established at Drownville, Nayatt, and Bar- rington Centre by the Western Union Telegraph Company. The Barrington, Warren, and Bristol Street Railway Company. Tie Barrington, Warren, and Bristol Street Railway Company was chartered in May, 1898, for the purpose of constructing an electric rail- way from Bristol, through Warren and Barrington, to connect with the Union Electric Railroad, in East Providence, thereby making a continu- ous electric route from Bristol to Providence. The capital stock of the company is $500,000. Among the incorporators are Orrin S. Anthony of Barrington, Charles H. Handy of Warren, and Charles B. Rockwell of Bristol. The road will be built through the central section of Barrington during the coming summer, and it is probable that in the early autumn of 1898 a person can ride from Providence to Bristol and Fall River, through " Good Old Barrington," on the " Broomstick Train." Telephone Service. A telephone exchange was established with the town in 1881, and has been a valuable aid to the social and business interests of the people. The central office is at Warren. 36 CHATPER XXXV III HARRINGTON CENTENNIALS. Five Important Memorial Days — Celebration of 1870 — Centennial Com- mittee — Arrangements — Successful Event — Centennial Fund. BARRINGTON has good reason to celebrate five memorial days, commemorative of special epochs in her history. The first and most important event without which the others could not have occuired, was the discovery of Sowams and Massassoit by Edvfard Winslow, in March, 1621. The next significant date was March 20, 1653, when Thomas Prince, Thomas Willett, Myles Standish,andJosiah Winslow purchased " Sowams and Parts Adjacent" of the great and good Chief Massassoit and his son Wamsetto, who confirmed the sale by a solemn deed. The next great event was the establishment of a town government over Barrington in 1667, under the corporate name of Swan- sea. Then our charter rights from Plymouth Colony began, and from thence we develop our municipal character as a New England township. November 18, 1717 was the date when Massachusetts Bay Colony passed the bill which incorporated " Good old Barrington " as a separate town- ship in the Bay Commonwealth, " and the inhabitants thereof are vested with all powers, rights, and privileges that other towns within this Colony have or by law ought to have and enjoy." Thirty years later, in February, 1747, the old town lost its name, and a valuable part of its original territory, in an alliance for twenty-three years with the people on the east banks of the Sowams River, under the name of the patriotic Warren of Louisburg fame. This date also marks our transfer as a town from Massachusetts Bay to Rhode Island Colony, by which our loss to and of our mother colony became Rhode Island's gain. From this civil eclipse, only in name, our town emerged in 1770, in its re-incorporation under the name its people loved in Old England and will continue to the latest day to love in New England, — Barrington. These are our historic days, one of which was celebrated in New Barrington on the Centennial of our new birth, June, 1870. During the autumn and winter of 1869-70, the minds of the people were refreshed with historic facts, and an interest was awakened in the plan of celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the last incorporation of the town, by suitable public ceremonies and festivities. As the annual Town Meeting ap- proached it was proposed by various prominent citizens of the town that the matter should be presented for the consideration of the people THE CENTENNIAL. 563 and for the decision of the taxpayers as to the expediency of making an appropriation for defraying a portion of the expenses connected with such a celebration, The expressions of the people had previously been so strong and hearty that the School Committee in their annual report to the town, said : "As this year is the hundredth of the town's his- tory, and may therefore secure some public observance, it has seemed to us suitable that our schools should participate in whatever advantages «uch a civic celebration should afford. In the absence of other imposing organizations, we have material of just the sort to form a pleasing part of the procession. The pupils can march, and they can sing, and other- wise mingle in the festivities of the occasion, with as lively an interest as others, at least; and will remember the year and the day long after, to speak of it as a proud one for the good old town. As Barrington is just entering upon its second century, let it be with a harmonious face to the front, forgetting all local feuds and rivalries, and aiming mutually to im- prove the future. Inasmuch as the youth and children of to-day are to be the men and women of a period not far future, let us incite them as far as possib^Ie to exalted aims, and welcome them to the privileges right at hand. As they shall listen to the chronicles of former times, and hear good report of their fathers who subdued the wilderness, and laid the foundations for popular intelligence and prosperity, will they not be inspired with dispositions and purposes to leave as fair a record for themselves ! " Whatever, indeed, of healthful influence, either moral or mental, the faithful historian may have to impart, the young in years will be likely to remember as incentives to a noble life.'' The town, at its April meeting, unanimously voted to celebrate the One Hundredth Anniversary of its second incorporation, and appropriated $500 for the expense. The following Committee was elected to carry out the wishes of the people : Centennial Committee, 1870. Lewis B. Smith, Rev. Francis Horton, Rev. S. Brenton Shaw, D. D., Nathaniel C. Smith, John B. Humphreys, Benjamin Martin, Asa Peck, Nathaniel Peck, Lewis T. Fisher, David A. Waldron, Allen Brown, *Allen C. Mathewson, Earl C. Potter, Charles C. Smith, Joseph Bowen, H. H. Richardson, Leonard S. Bosworth, George R. Kinnicutt, Benjamin F. Drown, Rev. Francis Wood. The Centennial Committee organized by the election of Rev. Francis Horton as Chairman, John B. Humphreys, Esq., as Secretary, and Hon. * Thomas W. Bicknell was elected to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Mathewson's ina. bility to serve. 564 THE HISTORY OP BAEEINGTON. Lewis B. Smith, as Treasurer. The Committee decided to celebrate the town's Anniversary on the 17th of June, Bunker Hill day, and invited Thomas W. Bicknell to prepare an historical Oration, and Hezekiah But- terworth a Poem for the occasion. Both gentlemen consented to perform the parts assigned them. The Committee on Invitations sent, " Greeting to the Sons and Daugh- ters of Barrington, their children and children's children, to meet with us to commemorate the One Hundredth Birthday of our town, and extend a cordial invitation to all those connected by ties of consanguinity, friend- ship, or local attachment, to unite with us in this reunion of hearts and hands." The features of the celebration were a Procession, an Historical Address, a Poem, Music, a Dinner, and after dinner speaking by distinguished guests and citizens. The dinner consisted of a Rhode Island clambake, fish and clam chowder, and a meat dinner to those preferring it. Invitations were sent to officials of State, County, and Town, to which flattering answers were received. Hon. Lewis B. Smith was chosen as President of the day, with several Vice-Presidents ; David A. Waldron was chosen Chief Marshal ; Isaac F. Cady, Esq., Toastmaster, and Hiram D. Maxfield, Caterer. A military company was organized of young towns- men, to do escort duty, under the command of Capt. George Lewis Smith. The great tent, provided for the shelter of the company, was raised on the top of Prince's Hill, between the main road and Prince's Pond, and its capacity was fully tested by the great procession headed by a cavalry es- cort and a band of music, which marched from Drownville, on the road by the historic meeting-house. The bountiful program was carried out with more than anticipated interest and success, participated in and en- joyed by a great concourse of people, bating the discomforts of a heavy thunder shower, with brilliant electric effects, which came up and passed away during the exercises in the tent. A full account of the celebration may be found in "Historical Sketches of Barrington, 1870," and in the Providence and Boston papers of June 18, 1870. Centennial Fund. The members of the Centennial Committee, wishing to establish a memento of their harmonious relations and successful celebration, created a fund to be bequeathed with its earnings to the town of Barrington for a celebration of its two hundredth anniversary, in 1970. Each member 01 the committee contributed one dollar, and the whole amount was depos- ited at compound interest with the Hospital Trust Company, to be in- vested for the committee, their successors and assigns, by a board of trus- tees of five persons. The first trustees elected were H.H.Richardson, B.F. Drown, C. E. Smith, N. C. Smith and Asa Peck. On the death of any one of the trustees, the surviving members are required to fill the vacancy. The present trustees are H. H. Richardson, Charles E. Smith, George Lewis Smith, John Jenckes, and Ebenezer Tiffany. The amount of the fund June i, 1898, is about seventy dollars. CHAPTER XXXIX CENSUS RETURNS Population. 1774, 601. 1820, 634. 1870, I, in. 1776. 538- 1830, 612. 187s, 1,185 1782. S34- 1840, 549. 1880, 1,359 1790, 683. 1850, 795. 1885, 1,394, 1800, 650. i860, 1,000. 1890, 1,461 i8io, 604. 1865, 1,028. 1895, 1,668 Area in square miles, 9.3, Population to Square mile: 1885, 149-9; 1895, 179.4. Sex. Males, 903; females, 765; total, 1,668. Families, 375 ; heads of families, males, 332 ; females, 43 ; average number of persons to a family, 4.45. Dwellings, 397; wood, 3S6; brick, 11; single dwellings,.3ii. Birth. Native born, males, 662; females, 615; total, 1,277; foreign born, males, 241 ; females, 150; total, 391. Colored population: Males, 18; females, 14; total, 32. Age Periods. Under I year, 27. 20-29 years, 331. I- 4 years, 106. 30-39 " 270. 5- 9 " 117. 40-49 " 230. 10-14 " 131. 50-59 " 134. 15-19 " 150. 60-79 " 153. 80 and over, 19. Conjugal Condition by Sex. Percentage of each class to total popula- tion : Single, total, 864; males, 485; females, 379. Married, total, 700 males, 380; females, 320. Widowed, total, 103; males, 38; females, 65 Divorced, total, i; males, o; females, i. Percentages, single, 51.80 marriefl, 41.97; widowed, 6.17; total males, 903; total females, 765 total population, 1,668, Male Population, Military Ages. Males 18-44 years inclusive, 1885, total, 357 ; 1895, total, 427 ; 1885, native born, 208 ; 1895, native born, 247; 1885, foreign born, 149; 1895, foreign born, 180. Increase from 1885-1895 No. -1- 70; per cent. -[-19.61. The author is indebted to Hon. Henry E. Tiepke, Superintendent of Industrial Statistics, for statistics in advance of his report. CHAPTER XL BIOGRAPHIES OF LEADING CITIZENS Samuel Bosworth. Son of Joseph, Jr., and Anne (Low) Bosworth; b. May 19, 1744; d. May 4, 1824; cooper by trade; residence at The Ferry; m. Elizabeth Joy; children, Anna, Joseph, Samuel, Pearce, Mary, Eliza- beth, Lydia, Pearce ; Mr. Bosworth was an active patriot, and was captain of the battery manned by townsmen, in the defence of the town and col- ony. His descendants have been among the most useful citizens of the town, and are the best evidence of a worthy ancestor. Kent Brown. Son of William and Alathea Brown, in the fifth gene- ration from John of Plymouth ; b. Dec. 27, 1765 ; d. Aug. 10, 1822 ;' shoe- maker by trade ; was a man of large influence in the town ; town treasurer from 1814 to 1822 ; Deacon of the Cong. Church for many years ; lived at the Brown house, (see picture on another page) ; ra. (i) Betsy Cole ; chil- dren, Polly and Nathaniel; m. (2) Eunice Allen; children, Asa, Allen, William, Lyma'n and Samuel. Jonathan Allen, b. North Swansea, Nov. 16, 1811;; made home in B. in 1858 ; in 1872 helped to organize the Methodist Church at Drownville, and, with his family, was an earnest supporter of its interests; was Over- seer of the Poor for twenty years, and postmaster at Drownville sixteen years ; was a blacksmith by trade, but kept a store the last years of his life. Mr. Allen was a warm hearted, public spirited citizen. (GrEORGE T. Baker, SOU of George and Mary Ann Baker, was born in Providence, June 25, 1842; received his education in Providence public schools; married Harriet Carpenter Wightman, Oct. 8, 1873; <^'^'^" dren, Osgood Carney, Emma Lester, Russell Wightman, and Louis For- estall ; Mr. Baker moved from Providence to Drownville, Dec. 1878, his present residence; former business, grain and flour merchant; present business, real estate ; Mr. Baker and his wife are members of the Cong. Church, Barrington ; he has been treasurer of the Cong. Society since 1892; was a member of the School Committee; has been a trustee of the Public Library; was a senator to the General Assembly from 1890 to 1894; is a member of the State Board of Education for Bristol County; his rec- ord as a soldier is as follows : Sgt. Co. B, loth Reg. R. I. V. ; res.. Provi- dence, R. I. ; May 26, 1862, enrolled ; May 26, 1862, mustered in ; Aug. 11, 1862, promoted to Sgt. from Corp.; Sept., 1862, mustered out. Mr. Baker is one of the most useful, respected, and honored citizens of the town. Mrs. Baker is of good Barrington stock. BKEEF BIOGRAPHIES. 567 Nathaniel Brown, son of Kent and Betsey (Cole) Brown ; b. Aug. 20, 1796; d. March 3, 1868; shoemaker and farmer; m. Martha T. Kinnicutt, April 12, 1821; children: Mary E., William R., Albert C, William R., Henry C, Helen M., Julia F., Harriet A. Mr. Brown was a member of the school committee, and a delegate to the Convention to form a State Constitution. He was an intelligent and an active man, and helped to promote all good enterprises in the town and church. John L. Draper, b. in Attleboro, Mass., in 1833; common school education ; clerk in the firm of Earl P. Mason & Company, drugs, chem- icals and dye-stuffs, of which he became a member. The firm was suc- ceeded by that of Snow, Claflin & Co., and finally the business was done under the name of Rice, Draper & Company.'' Mr. Draper was con- nected with the business up to his death. Mr. Draper m. daughter of Nathaniel F. Potter, of Nayatt, by whom he had one child, Harriett. He was possessed of a sterling character, and his upright manner and hon- orable way of doing business won him many admirers. His disposition was sunny and cheerful and his benevolence was marked. Alfred Drown, son of Jeremiah Scott Drown and Betsey (Kent) Drown, b. August 7, 1797; m. Frances Humphrey, November 8, 1818; children: Almira Scott, Benjamin Franklin, Frances Elizabeth, Julia Ann, Mary Jane, Sarah Maria, Helen Almira, and William Henry. Mr. Drown was a farmer and bought a farm at Drownville, a part of the land of the AUin estate. By his industry and prudence he earned and saved a handsome property, and by his honesty of life, and excellences of character won the highest respect of all who know him. Mrs. Drown was a noble woman, and a devoted wife and mother and their long and useful liveS' illustrated the methods of temperate and Godly living. Both were mem' bers of the Congregational Church ; of both it may be said they had " That which should accompany old age. As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends." Hiram Drown, son of Jeremiah S. Drown; b. Dec. 13, 1799; d. Nov. 27, 1866; farmer; m. Emeline Drown; children: Samuel M., Ann Frances, Charles E., Adeline E., William A. Mr. Drown was an honest and upright man and a faithful citizen. WiLMARTH Heath. Son of Nathaniel and Rebecca (Brown) Heath ; b. Aug. 31, 1787; d. Oct. 3, 1862; common school education; farmer; m. Mary Humphrey, Sept. 18, 1814; children, Diana Brown, m. William Carter; Jerusha Wilmarth, m. George S. Thurston ; Eliza Ashley. Mr. Heath was a highly respected and useful citizen. Third generation from Rev. Peleg Heath. Rev. Seth Chapin. Grad. of B. U., 1808 ; m. Mary Bicknell, dau. ot Joshua and Amy; studied theology at Andover, grad in i8ir. Jan l8i2, ordained a Congregational minister; was settled as pastor at Hills' boro, N. H., where his two sons were born , removed to Rowley, Mass. where he occupied the pulpit from 1816 to 1819; pastorate Hanover ILJ.\ ^--^.JjUjLl. 568 THE HISTOET OP BABBINGTON. Mass., from 1819 to 1824; acting pastor at Hunter, N. Y., 1825 to 1827 and afterwards at Attleboro, Mass., and preached at West Greenville, Mass., 1833 to i835' He resided in Providence during the latter part of his life. Joseph Peck Bicknell. Son of Joshua and Amy ; b. April 19, 1801 ; d. Nov. 18, 1885; farmer; m. Louisa Allen. Children : Henry, George F., and Louisa A. His life was that of a true friend, an upright citizen, and an honest man. Rev. Norman Plass. Came to the pastorate of the Harrington Con- gregational Church September the i8th, 1896 ; prepared for college at Hudson Academy, and entered Williams College 1878; grad. of B. A. 1882 ; studied theology at Yale University and in 1886 received the degree of B. D. from Yale, and M. A. from Williams. Mr. Plass has held pas- torates at Lincoln, Neb., at Detroit, Mich., and atMedinaand Cincinnati, O. He has also been general missionary of the Congregational Churches of Ohio, with residence at Cleveland. Mr. Plass is a frequent contributor in prose and poetry in the leading religious journals, east and west. He has recently published a book of his poems, entitled " Buds that Bloom on Bonnie Banks." Charles Joseph Mauran Smith. Son of Joseph Smith; was a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Barrington, who greatly endeared himself to a large circle of friends by the kindness of his nature and the cheerfulness which was so marked a feature of his character; he was a consistent member of the Warren Methodist Episcopal Church for over 40 years. KuFUS Babcock, D. D. Born in Colebrook, Ct., Sept. 18, 1878; grad. at B. U., 1821; was a tutor in Columbian University, Washington, D. C. ; in 1823 was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church in Poughkeep- sie, N. Y. ; m. Olive Bicknell Smith, 1824. Children : Eveline, Emily, and Harriet. Emily m. Horatio Gates Jones, of Philadelphia ; Harriet m. James H. Weeks of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. ; was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Salem, Mass., from 1826 to 1833, resigning the latter year to accept the presidency of Waterville College, (now Colby University), Maine, which he retained nearly four years. Subsequently he had pas- torates in Philadelphia, New Bedford, and a second time in Poughkeep- sie, N. Y. After he retired from active duties in the ministry, he devoted much of his time to benevolent and literary work. Bowdoin College, Maine, in 1834, conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Adam Allin (colored), was a descendant of one of the slave families of the AUins, probably the son of Pero Allin. His early life was spent at sea, where his feet were frozen and his legs amputated below the knees. He married " Becky," and lived in a small house on the west side of An- nawomscutt Brook. He earned a living by the sale of tautog and scup caught in the Bay, and by the cultivation of his garden. Adam kept his boats in Bullock's Cove, and walked to and from the Cove, every day, GKO. T. BAKER. BRIEF BIOGEAPHIES. 669 trundling a small wagon with his fishing tackle, bait, lunch, etc. He knew where to find the big tautog on the ledge at Nayatt, and it was a lonesome day to the old fisherman when he did not haul a six to ten pound fish. Adam and " Becky" were the last of the AUin family in Harrington. The/ lived honest, industrious lives, were useful and respected in the neighborhood, and sleep in the AUin Burial Ground. This simple story is told to perpetuate the memories of these true friends of my boyhood. " Ritty," or Henrietta Allin, was Adam's sister and lived in a little cottage on the east bank of Bullock's Cove. She was a useful washer- woman and died suddenly, alone in her humble home. She also sleeps near, the families of her ancestors and their owners, and in the resur- rection whose souls will be the whitest? John B. Allen, son of John, of Swansea, and a descendant of the first John, of Swansea; b. Nov. 24, 1830; occupation, merchantman. Provi- dence; m. Ann Eliza S.Humphrey, Oct. 18, 1855; children : Annie Martin, Albert Humphrey, John Emerson ; was a member of City Council from First Ward prior to 1898; was Councilman-elect at date of death, Dec, 1897. Mr. Allen was an active and successful business man, and bore an honorable part of the duties of public life. George F. Bicknell. Son of Joseph P. and Louisa (Allen) Bick- nell ; b. May 4, 1830; m. Angenette Wilmarth, Dec. 31,1854; child: Emily; business, gold-plater, and insurance; was in Civil War. See record, with the following facts to be added ; Served in defences of Bal- timore in 1863, during battle of Gettysburg; recruiting officer for 3d R. I. Cavalry; served in camp at Canonicut Island, and at New Orleans ; was in Red River campaign in command of a detachment which advanced Gen. Franklin's lines to the extreme point on the Texas road; guerilla hunting at Bayou La Fourche to end of war; was on court-martial duty at New Orleans, and Provost Marshal in Louisiana until his resignation from the army, June 29, 1865. Zechariah Bicknell. Son of John and Mary (Porter) Bicknell ; born at Weymouth, Mass., Feb. 7, 1668; m. Hannah Smith, of Swan- sea, Nov, 24, 1692 ; moved to Swansea about 1705, and bought the lands on the west bank of Barrington River, north of Prince's Hill. Mr. Bicknell's house stood on land north of the present parsonage, fronting on the river; was influential in the establishment of the Congrega- tional Church and in the separation of Barrington from Swansea; town meetings were often held at his house, and the records show him to have been a valuable citizen. His children were Joshua, Hannah, James, Mary, Peter. Charles F. Anthony. A descendant of the distinguished Anthony family of western R. I.; cousin of Hon. Henry B. Anthony, and son of Charles Anthony; was born at Richmond, R. I., 1841 ; moved to Provi- dence in 1851 ; attended Grammar School, and two years at the High 6T0 THE HISTORY OP BAKKINGTON. School ; has been in the employ of the Pomroy and Hopkins Coal Co. since leaving school; has resided in Barrington, at Drownville, since 1877; married Harriet A. Davis of Providence, 1S64; children, Walter F., Ed- ward and George ; viras elected to the Town Council of the town, 1896, '97, and '98, of which body he was elected to the presidency, April, 1898. Orrin S. Anthony. B. in Providence, Nov. i, 1852; son of Charles and Hannah A. (Tillinghast) Anthony; educated in Public Schools, and at Mowry and GofF's Private School, Providence ; entered business at the Providence Custom House, 1868; 1870-1875 was with the Providence and New York Steamship Co., as Receiving Clerk, and as Freight Clerk on one of the passenger propellers, and was one of the fortunate survivors of the Steamer Metis, lost off Watch Hill, August 30, 1872 ; was Passen- ger Agent of the New England Railroad Co., at Providence, 1878-1879; 1880 engaged with the American Screw Co, Providence, where he is its Purchasing Agent; removed to Drownville, 1886; was member of Bar- rington Town Council during years 1890-1891 ; took an active interest in the Rural Improvement Association, and was its Secretary, Treasurer, and President, 1895-6. Leonard S. Bosworth. Mr. Bosworth was one of the best representa- tives of the New England type of character that Barrington has produced. He was a thorough going American, both parents being of the old Plym- outh stock. His father was Pearce Bosworth, and his mother was Ce- linda Martin. He was born June 20, 1821, and died March 15, 1888, at the age of 67 years. His public education was limited to the common schools of the early day, but his active mind gained strength and discipline throughout his busy and useful life. He established himself in business as a lumber and coal merchant, and his success was secured by strictly honest dealing, genial manners, and a Christian character. He was a member of the Cong. Church, and interested in all its home and mission- ary work. In town affairs he was always true to principles and convic- tions, and was honored by election to the School Committee and the Town Council. He also collected the town taxes several years. Mr. Bosworth married Laura Dunn, Aug. 10, 1848; children, Caroline S., and Leonard P. Bosworth. Mr. Bosworth left a well established and growing business at the Ferry, at Barrington Centre Depot, to be pro- moted by his son who has worthily succeeded him. Otis G. Harris. Son of Edwin H. Harris; b. Aug, 21, 1828; high school education in Providence; m. Louisa Allen Bicknell, Nov. 21, 1855; children, Charles F., Annie Louise, Mary Dexter, Caroline Allen; he was a vestryman of St. John's Church a member of the School Committee, and a good citizen. He died Jan. 6, 1895. Jabez Heath. Son of Maj. Peleg Heath and grandson of Rev. Peleg Heath ; was born in Barrington March 14, 1781. Was a farmer by occu- pation. Married Mrs. Elizabeth Champlin, to whom two children were born, Elizabeth and Thomas. Mr. Heath was a man of strong Individ- BRIEF BIOGKAPHTES. 571 uality, clear convictions, and unflinching courage. He had the Puritan qualities of character and might easily have been taken for one, in his simplicity of dress and manners and his uncompromising devotion to- conscience. He studied the Bible as a daily textbook and his austere habits of thought and life seem to have been copied from the old prophets. He read the Bible through forty times in course, as well as the general reading of it. He joined the Congregational Church in Barrington with six others in 1813, and was never absent, from choice, from church ser- vices and prayer meetings, until deafness and other infirmities prevented in his old age. When sleepy in the church services, he would stand erect as an arrow in his pew until the drowsiness had passed off, when he would resume his seat. He died in June, 1870, at the good age of 90 years. He was a man whose public and private character were above fear and reproach. Mrs. Amy Horn. Dau. of Gen. Thomas and Amy (Bicknell) AUin; b. in Barrington Nov. 7, 1773; m. Capt. John Horn Feb. 20, :796. He died Dec. 18, 1796. One child, John, born 1796, died Dec. 26, 1800. Mrs. Horn died Jan 25, 1816. Mrs. Horn had an accomplished education for a woman of that day and was preceptress of Bristol Academy after her hus- band's death. Her pastor. Rev. Samuel Watson, wrote the following- obituary : " On the 27th ult., died at Barrington, Mrs. Amy Horn aged 42 years, widow of the late Capt. John Horn, and one of the daughters of the late General Thomas AUin. Without panegyric, Mrs. Horn claims a tribute grateful to her memory. She was sincere in her attachments, faithful in her principles and undisguised in her affections. She early professed the Christian Faith and verity, pursued the paths of righteousness and peace, and by a life devoted to God and to the honour of her sacred engagements, evidenced the reality of the religion she professed. She met her last enemy, death, with a becoming fortitude, under the strongest assurance that her ' Redeemer liveth.' " " At the moment of her departure, with a pious resignation, she called on her surrounding friends to join with her in singing a parting hymn which was religiously performed." " Her soul has bid adieu, life's scene is o'er; But hark ! what music on the happy shore." The picture of Mrs. Horn is from a portrait from life, painted soon after her marriage, at the probable age of 24 years, and represents her in the usual bride's cap and dress of that early day. David Howell. A distinguished scholar, lawyer, and judge ; was a resident of Barrington for several years from 1799. He purchased the estate of the heirs of Matthew Allin, since known as the Drown estate at Drownville, and lived in the old house, built by William Allin before 1670. Judge Howell set out many elm and cherry trees, built a very heavy wall along the road, east of his house, and otherwise improved the property. 572 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. John B. Humphreys. Son of Emerson and Huldah; born Feb. 9, 1824; received, as he says, "the commonest of common school educa- tion"; spent seven years in California from 1849 to 1856; m. (i) Mary A. Reed of Pawtucket, 1848; one child, Mary E., born May, 1853; she m. Prof. Skidmore of Philadelphia, 1878, and d. 1879. Mr. H. m. (2) Ellen F. Richmond, 1873; no children. Since 1871 Mr. H. has been engaged as harness manufacturer at Providence, his present residence ; viras a member of Barrington Town Council from 1864 to 1872, and its president five years; was senator for B. in 1871 ; was an efficient moder- ator of town meetings several years, a member of the Centennial Com- mittee in 1870, and in all points an honorable and useful citizen. William Allin. Son of Gen. Thomas and Amy Allen, was born 1768; graduated from B. U. in 1790, in a class of twenty-two members, of which Moses Brown and Asa Messer were members. After graduation, Mr. Allin went to Alexandria, Virginia, and, on recommendation of President Manning, " for his sobriety and good abilities in the line of business," obtained a private school at Falls Church, Fairfax Co., Va., which he taught till November, 1791, when he engaged in surveying for the winter. In a letter to his father he writes for " Webster's Spelling Books, and English Grammars," three of each, and, if the season has been fruitful, " i or 2 barrels of your best late made cyder and a barrel of apples." Mr. Allin returned to Barrington, studied law, and was admit- ted to the Rhode Island Bar as counsellor at law. He practised law and attended to business afiairs of the farm, taking an influential and honor- able position in town affairs. On the death of his father, in the year 1800, he succeeded him as associate manager with Joshua Bicknell of the Barrington Meeting House Lottery, to which he gave much time and energy. He was chairman of the committee for carrying the free school act into operation in the year 1800. He was elected as a Representa- tive to the General Assembly for the years 1805,-6,-7,-8,-9,-10, 16,-17,-19,- 20,-21. He was also town clerk of the town during the years 1816,-17,- 18,-19,-20,-21,-22,-23,-24,-25,-26, 29. Mr. Allin was also a justice of the peace and held other minor town offices. He was a capable and faithful public officer, and sought in all his relations to serve his townsmen and state honestly and efficiently. He was a good surveyor, and many of the lines of farms and highways in the town were located by him. He died Jan. 4, 1827, in the 59th year of his age, and was buried at Drownville, in the Allin yard. Matthew Allin. Son of Matthew and Ruth Allin, and brother of Gen. Thomas Allin, was born in Barrington, in 1745, and, like his brother, Thomas, was an active and energetic man, interested in public affairs ; was a member of the Barrington Militia Company, with so good a military training that, at the opening of the Revolution, he was chosen Captain Lieutenant (the rank of Captain) in Gen. Nathaniel Greene's brigade. Col. Church's regiment of the Ai-my of Observation. He marched to Boston, and was in camp and service at Roxbury and Cam- BBIEP BIOGEAPHIESi 573 bridge until the evacuation of Boston. His letters breathe the spirit and devotion of the most heroic men of 1776. Captain Allin continued in the militia service for a considerable part of the war, but was occupied principally with personal and public business. He represented the town in the General Assembly in the year 1788. Captain Allin died May 10, 1794, in the 50th year of his age. His widow, Bathsheba, died Sept. 19, 1789. Both are buried in the Allin yard. William Edgar Colley. Son of Thomas and Mary E. CoUey; b. Providence, Aug. i6, 1859; on father's side from Thomas, of the War of 1812; and Thomas, of the Revolution; on mother's side from Gov. John Cranston ; educated in public schools and at Mr. Cady's ; engaged in Y. M. C. A. work at age of nineteen; attended training school at Har- risburg, Penn.; Gen. Sec. of Y. M. C. A. at Worcester; and at Salem, Mass., 1880; while there, m. Ruth W. Smith, dau. of W. H. and Martha Smith of Barrington; in 1883, was made Secy, of Y. M. C. A. of Bridge- port, Conn.; while there, i-aised $200,000 for a building for the society; was made State Y. M. C. A. Secy, for Conn., and over $500,000 was added to the Y. M. C. A. property of the State Associations while he held oiGce, showing his ability and fitness for that work. He has spoken in the interests of young men in all the large cities of the country. Mr. Colley resigned T. M. C. A. work to engage in banking business at Bridgeport, and later came to Providence, where he is doing a success- ful business. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, of the I. O. O. F., and the A. O. U. W.; is connected with several business associations, and is an able agent of financial corporations. Children, Richard Sayford, Robert House, and Dwight Townsend. Address, Providence, R. I. JosiAH KiNNicuTT. Son of Daniel and Hannah (Kent)Kinnicutt, was born in Barrington, April 2, 1765; occupation, farmer and tavern keeper; married Rebecca Townsend, dau. of Solomon and Martha (Bourne) Town- send, by Rev. Solomon Townsend, Nov. 8, 1787; Daniel Kinnicutt, Jo- siah's father, built and lived in a house at Happy Hollow, north and east of the present Town Hall. Josiah Kinnicutt bought the house and land near the Barrington River, about one-fourth of a mile north of the Cong, meeting-house, and made it a house for public entertainment. After the Revolution, the sign on the tavern post bore the picture of an American eagle with outstretched wings. The first post-office in Barrington was opened in this house, with Mr. Kinnicutt as postmaster, who held that office until his death, March 25, 1838. Mr. Kinnicutt brought the first anthracite coal into the town from Providence. It was called " stone coal," and was placed on top of a wood fire to burn. The chunk was so large, however, that it would not ignite, and the neighbors decided that hickory wood was good enough for them, and that they would not adopt " stone coal " for their fuel. This was in 1827. In 1825 Mr. Kinnicutt was chosen by the town to have charge of the hearse and house, a duty that was per- formed by him and his son George, as long as the town owned such a car- 574 THE HISTOEY OP BAEEINGTON. riage. He was chosen to represent the town in the General Assembly for the years 1834, '35, and '36. Nelson A. Miles. Soldier; b. Westminster, Mass., Augusts, 1839; academic education ; mercantile pursuits in Boston ; enlisted for the war, Sept. 9, 1861, as lieutenant in the 22d Mass. infantry; was commissioned X.ieutenant-Colonel of the6ist New York Vols., May 31, 1862; made Colo- nel Sept. 30 ; was made Brevet Brigadier-General for gallantry at Chancel- lorsville; was advanced to full rank May 12, 1864; was made Major-Gen. Oct. II, 1865; General Miles fought in all the battles of the army of the Potomac, save one, until the surrender of Lee. From 1869 to 1887 he was engaged in the West against hostile Indian tribes, with remarkable suc- cess. He now holds the highest rank as Major-General of the U. S. Army, and is in command of the land forces in the war with Spain. Gen. Miles is a direct descendant of Rev. John Myles, the founder of the Baptist Church of Swansea, in Barrington. Hugh Cole. Born about 1627; son of James and Mary Cole, Ply- mouth; was registered at Plymouth in 1643 among " the males that are able to beare Armes from XVI Yeares old to 60 Yeares ; " was admitted a freeman of the town of Plymouth in 1657, and of Swansea in 1670; mar- ried (1) Mary Foxwell of Scituate, Jan. 8, 1654. Children : James Cole, b. Nov. 3, 1655, Hugh, Jr., b. March 8, 1658, John, b. May 15, 1660, Martha, b. April 16, 1662, Anna, b. Oct. 14, 1664, Ruth, b. Jan. 8, 1666, Joseph, b. May 15, 1668, Ebenezer, b. 1671, Mary, Benjamin, b. 1678, Married (2) widow, Elizabeth Cooke, Jan. 1, 1693; m. (3) widow Mor- ton, 169S; held offices as selectman, deputy, juryman for several years ; was an accomplished land surveyor and a ship builder, and a large land owner. In 1669 Philip sold to Hugh Cole and others, 500 acres of land in Swan- sea. This tract was on the west side of Cole's River, which took its name from Mr. Hugh Cole, who resided thereon previous to 1675. At the breaking out of the Indian war, two sons of Hugh Cole were made prisoners by the Indians and taken to Philip at Mount Hope. Philip, from his friendship for their father, sent them back with a message to Mr. Cole that he did not wish to injure him, but, as his younger warriors might disobey his orders, advised him to repair to Rhode Island for safety. Mr. Cole immediately made ready and started with all his family in a boat, when he beheld his house in flames. After the war, 1677, Mr. Cole returned and located on the east side of Touisset Neck, on Kicke- muit River in Warren. The farm he owned and the well he dug in 1677 are yet in possession of his lineal descendants. Mr. Cole was a member of John Myles's Church and was an influential man in town and church. He died Jan. 26, 1699, leaving a large descent to perpetuate the name and BEIEP BIOGKAPHDES. 575 good qualities of their distinguished ancestor. Miss Asenath W. Cole, a descendant, lives on the ancestral land, and is loyal to the Cole history. I am indebted to her for other valuable historic material, which may be used later. Horatio Gates Jones. Son of Rev. Horatio Gates Jones and Deb- orah (Levering) Jones, was born Jan. 9, 1822 ; graduated from Univ. of Pennsylvania in 1841 ; was a lawyer by profession; married Caroline V. Babcock, May 27, 1852; no children; was deacon of a Baptist Church in Philadelphia; trustee of Crozer Theolog. Seminary ; manager of Baptist Publication Society; was chosen senator to State Senate (Penn.) in 1874, and re-elected in 1876 and 1878; he died March 14, 1893, in the room in which he was born, in the house in which he had lived all his life at Roxborough, Philadelphia, Penn. Mr. Jones was a man of rare natural gifts, which received excellent training and were consecrated to the noblest uses. In his profession, in social and church life, in politics, in business, and in official relations he was an active, benevolent, manly. Christian citizen. As Mr. Jones spent a considerable time of each year in Harrington, was deeply interested in all the Interests of the people, and as he married a lady of Barrington descent, this brief biographical note is appropriately inserted. Sylvester Allen. Son of Samuel and Ruth Allen; b. Sept. 16, 1778; m. Nancy Luther Feb. 15, 1807. Lived at the Allen homestead until 1830, when he moved to Providence, where he died Nov. 15, 1832, at the age of 54. Children: Martha Watson, b. 1809; Samuel, b. 1811; Joseph L., b. 1813; Cyrus; Ezra Stiles, b. 1819; Nancy. Samxjel Allen. While Gen. Thomas AUin was the most distin- guished military character that Barrington produced in the Revolutionary period, Samuel Allen was the most prominent and useful to town and state in civil life. He was born in Barrington in 1739 and lived in the house near Barrington River, now occupied by Mr. Benson Bean. He belonged to one of the most influential families of the town, and early took an active interest in public affairs. In March, 1774, Mr. Allen was appointed on the Committee of Correspondence, and was in constant responsible service for his town and country during the war. In 1778 he was elected as a deputy from Barrington to the General Assembly, continuing in office until 1790. He was also elected as one of the five jus- tices of the Court of Common Pleas for Bristol County, serving in that office 1778-1782, and as chief justice of the County Court of Common Pleas in 1790-1792. In 1790 Mr. Allen and Gen. Thomas AUin were mem- bers of the Convention which adopted the Federal Constitution. The two votes of Samuel and Thomas Allin made the majority of two by which this state became one of the United States. The vote stood 34 in favor to 32 against. Had either voted " no" the Constitution would not have been adopted. Mr. Allen continued to serve the town as one of its most useful citizens and was the town clerk from T794 to 1808. His tomb- stone at Prince's Hill bears the record that Mr. Allen " passed a life of 576 THE HISTOHr OF BAEEINGTON, useful labors both in public and private vocations." He died Oct. 22, 1808, in the 70th year of his age. His widow, Ruth (Viall) Allen, died Nov. 7, 1811, aged 74 years. Children: Asa Allen, b. 1760, d. 1805; Joseph Viall Allen, b. 1762, lost at sea in a hurricane Oct. 8, 1780; Rachel Allen, b. 1765, d. 1847; Samuel Allen, b. 1768, d. 1827; Sylvester Allen, b. 1770, d. 1776; James Allen, b. 1772, d. 1774; Eunice Allen, b. 1775; Sylvester Allen, b. 1778, d. 1832; James Allen, Jr., b. 1780, d. 1789. Brown, John. The ancestors of the Brown families lived in the south and west of England, and emigrated to Boston and Plymouth between the years 1620 and 1692. Peter Brown, the first comer, was of Puritan stock, and came in the Mayflower, in 1620. He was young and unmarried at the time of his arrival, but before 1633, the date of his death, had married two wives, and two children had been born of each. Peter settled in Duxbury. John Brown became acquainted with the Pilgrims at Leyden, prior to 1620. The year of his arrival in America is unknown, probably about 1630, as we find him elected a freeman in 1634, and in 1636 an assistant, an office which he held by annual election for seventeen years. He was at this time between forty and fifty years of age, as we find his son, James Brown, admitted as a freeman in 1636. Mr. Brown was a man of large intelligence, great energy of character, and deep and earnest piety. He was a grand pioneer in the settlement of the towns on the west of old Plymouth. In 1636 he was a resident of Duxbury. We find his name among the purchasers of the tract of land called Cohannett, or Taunton, in 1637, and he with Miles Standish erected bounds around the purchase in 1640. Thither he had probably removed with his family before 1643, for among the fifty-four males subject to military duty in that year, his name stands first, followed by those of his two sons, John, Jr., and James.. During the same year he was one of the company to purchase Reho- both, and his interest in that township was the largest of any, amounting to £660. Prior to June 9, 1645, he had removed to Rehoboth, for we find his name first, with six others, who were chosen to order the prudential af- fairs of that town for six months. His son James removed from Taunton with him, and his son John followed in 1647. In December, 1645, Mr. Brown, Si., became sole proprietor of the section known by the Indians as Wannamoisett, and Wannamoisett Neck, (now Bullock's Point and Riverside), which originally included a portion of the present towns of Rehoboth and Swansea, with a large portion of Barrington, and the south part of Seekonk and East Providence. His name appears on all of the important committees of the town. Now he was chosen to carry on a suit at the Court, — afterwards " to make diligent search to find out the most convenient way between Rehoboth and Dedham," — then he, with Mr. Peter Hunt, were ordei-ed to go to Plymouth, " to make agreement about the Indian complaints," and various other records of public duties, which WILLIAM EDGAR COLLEY. BEIEP BIOGKAPHIES. 577 indicate his prominence and ability as a citizen of the town and of the colony. His liberal sentiments on religious affairs were positive, and as a colo- nial magistrate, he expressed his scruples as to the propriety of coercing the people to support the minister, and offered to pay all delinquencies from his own estates. In 1643 '^6 colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Haven united in a confederacy, styled the United Colonies of New Eng- land, for their common defence and welfare. Each colony sent two com- missioners to the meetings of this body. Mr. John Brown represented Plymouth colony for twelve years, and was associated in these delibera- tions with such men as John Winthrop, Gov. Haynes, Mr. Eaton, Mr Bradstreet, and Gov. Winslow. In this body he exercised a large influ- ence, and served the colony wisely and faithfully. Mr. Brown died at Wannamoisett, April 10th, 1662. An obituary notice is given of him by Morton, in his New England Memorial, pp. 295, 296, 297 : His burial place is probably in what is now known as the " Viall Burial Ground," on the Little Neck, in Wannamoisett, at the head of Bullock's Cove. My reasons for this belief are these: The locality is within the limits of Wannamoisett, which he purchased of the Indians, and also within the bounds of Ancient Swansea, which included a large poi^ tion of that purchase. It was upon his own estate, whei-e family burial grounds were often located. His widow, Dorothy Brown, was buried there ; she died at Swansea, January 27, 1674, aged ninety years. His daughter Mary and her husband, Capt. Thomas Willett, with other descendants, were buried in this ground, and the locality was formerly known as the " Brown Burial Ground." Mr. Brown left three children — Mary, who married Capt. Thomas Wil- lett, John, Jr., who settled with his father in Rehoboth, and James Brown, who was one of the most influential men in the founding of Swansea, as well as one of the leading members of Mr. Myles's church. Thomas Williams Bicknell. Son of AUiri and Harriet Byron (Kin- nicutt) BickneJl ; b. Sept. 6, 1834; named for Rev. Thomas Williams; Barrington schools till 1850; grad. Thetford Academy, Thetford, Vt., July, 1853; Amherst College, Freshman year 1853-4; grad. B. U. i860, degree A. M. Teacher. Seekonk, 1852-3; Rehoboth, 1853, 1855, and 1856-7; principal public schools Elgin, 111., 1855-6; principal Bristol High School, 1860-Feb., 1864, and May, 1867 to May, 1869; principal Arnold St. Gram- mar School, Prov. R. I., from February, 1864, to May, 1867; Commis- sioner of Public Schools for Rhode Island June, 1869, to Jan., 1875; editor and publisher, Boston, from Jan. 1875, to 1893. Editor. R. I. Schoolmaster, 1S65 to 1875; founder and editor of The Journal of Education, New England and National; of the Primary 37 578 THE HISTORY OF BAEELNGTON. Teacher, of Good Times, and the magazine. Education ; editor and owner of The Dorchester Beacon, 1875-1893. Presidencies. R. I. Institute of Instruction, 1866-68; New England Pub. Co., 187s to 1886; American Institute of Instruction, 1878-79; organizer of National Council of Education in 1880, and its president 1880, 81, 82, 83; National Educational Association, 1884; Interstate Com- mission on Federal Aid to Education ; R. I. Cong. S. S. Ass'n, 1872-75 ; Boston Sunday School Supts. Ass'n., 1880-82; Mass. Cong. S. S. Ass'n, 1882-86; International S. S. Convention, 1884; Bicknell Family Associa- tion, and various other bodies. Representative. Elected from Barrington to the General Assembly of R. I., 1859-60; elected from the 24th SuflFolk District, Boston, to the General Court of Massachusetts, Nov., 1888, and Nov., 1889, serving two years. Published Worlts. Life of William Lord Noyes, 1863; six annual reports as Commissioner of Public Schools, 1869-1875; editorial and other matter in R. I. Schoolmaster, Bristol Phenix, The Journal of Edu- cation, Primary Teacher, The Magazine Education, The Dorchester Bea- con; educational addresses on School Supervision, Federal Aid to Edu- cation, Civil Service Reform in Education, School Journalism, National System of Education, etc., etc. ; historical addresses on John Myles and Religious Toleration, dedication of Town Hall at Rehoboth, also of Bar- rington, Historical Notes of Barrington, 1870; addresses at Bicknell Association, at Rehoboth, 250th anniversary celebration, 1894, etc., etc.; -The History of Barrington, 1898. Travels. The United States, Alaska, Asia Minor, Austria, Bulgaria, Canadas, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ire- land, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey. Titles. A. M., from Brown University, i860; A. M. honorary, Am- herst, Mass., 1878; LL. D., Drury College, Mo. Allin Bicknell. Oldest son of Joshua and Amy Bicknell ; born in Barrington April 3, 1787 ; farmer ; joined the Congregational Church in Barrington, with about 70 others, 1820, and maintained a consistent Christian character for more than fifty years; succeeded his honored father. Judge Bicknell, as a deacon of the Congregational Church; was Captain of the Barrington Infantry and Lieutenant-Colonel of the Bristol County Reg. ; was a member of the town council for several years ; was a representative of the town in the General Assembly for the years 1842, 46, 49, and a senator from 1850 to 1854; ™- (') Harriet Byron Kinnicutt, daughter of Josiah and Rebecca Kinnicutt; m. (2) Elizabeth W. Allen, daughter of Gen. Thomas and Amy Allen; was industrious, generous, died Aug. 22, 1870, aged 83 years, 4 months, and 7 days. Children : Joshua, George Augustus, Daniel Kinnicutt, and Thomas Williams. His biographer, Dr. Babcock, thus speaks of him : " For several years he was chosen to represent the people in both branches of Legislature, and performed these duties in a manner highly BBIBF BIOGEAPHIES. 579 acceptable and useful. But public life was by no means his choice. His honest integrity, and his quiet, unobtrusive, healthy tone of life rendered him the admiration and delight of the private circle where, without osten- tatious parade or pretentiousness of any kind, he won the full confidence and esteem of those most intimate with him. His prudent and temper- ate care in the exercise of godly virtues, bore him on the even tenor of his way, and carried him beyond the bounds of fourscore years.'' Paul Mumford. Was the most distinguished citizen of Barrington, not of native stock. He came from Newport with his family and pur- chased the Hooker Low estate, in 1774, at B. Centre. His services in town and state are given in the chapter on the Revolution. He held the offices of town deputy. Colonial Commissioner, Justice and Chief Justice ■of the Sup. Court, Governor's Assistant, a delegate to the Colonial Con- gress, and lieutenant governor from 1803 to 1805. Two members of the Mumford family were buried at Prince's Hill, a son, William, b. Feb. 3, 1770, and d. Nov. 24, 1776, and Mrs. Mary Mum- ford, his wife, b. Aug. 12, 1737; d. June 22, 1779. She was the daughter of Rev. John and Ann Mayclean, and was a woman of fine social quali- ties and great executive ability, conducting the affairs of the farm and dairy as well as her large household during her husband's absence. Judge Mumford sold his property in Barrington and returned to Newport about 1800. Irving M. Smith. Son of Nathaniel C. and Sally (Bowen) Smith; b. July 15, 1852; drug business; m. Caroline W. Ketchum; children, Kenneth Valentine, Nathalie Church; d. Dec. i, 1895. Mr. Smith was one of the most active, useful, and unselfish men Bar- rington has produced, and his early death may be traced to excessive labors in local affairs, added to the cares of family and business. He was a natural leader and reformer and engaged in new projects with un- bounded zeal and faith in their success. He counted difficulties and oppo- sition as naught compared with the gains of successful plans. The town of Barrington was his idol, and he worshipped its history and traditions, and worked without stint for its advancement. He led in the organiza- tion of the Barrington Rural Improvement Association, and was its lead- ing spirit until his death. Through this association he led the way in securing the recognition of Arbor Day as a state holiday. The Rhode Island Business Men's Association owes its life to him and he was chosen its first president in recognition of his labors. The same is true of the R. I. Rural Improvement Association. His example was contagious and inspired all to larger efforts, and there is scarcely a feature of the physical features of the town that has not in these busy years of his life felt some benefit therefrom. The present History of Barrington was undertaken at his urgent suggestion, endorsed by the town Improvement Association. His life work may be said to have been suggestive, administrative, and inspirational. His ambitions lay along the line of public service, and his name and reputation are secure. 580 THE HISTOEr OF BAKBINGTON. Joshua Bicknell, (Zachary,i John,^ Zechariah,' Joshua,* Joshua,^) son of Joshua and Jerusha (Heath) Bicknell, was born at the house known as The Kinnicutt Tavern, in Harrington, Jan. 14, 1759. Amy Brown, his wife, was born at "The Ferry House," Aug. 1, 1762. Married April 18, 1782. He entered public life when but a youth ; was a soldier in the Revolu- tion. During a long life served the town, county, and State in various official positions. He was a senator or a representative in the General Assembly of Rhode Island from 1787 to 1799; 1802 to 1805; 1807, '08; 1823 to 1826. He served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island from 1794 to 1837. The purity of his life, the integrity of his motives, and the justice of his opinions and decisions gave him the merited soubriquet of " Old Aristides." He was plain in his domestic habits, and, when unoccupied with public affairs, devoted himself to his farm, and especially to fruit culture, in which he took great pleasure. He united with the Congregational Church in Harrington, Nov. 5, 1805, and held the office of deacon for many years. He was also Treasurer of the United Congregational Society from its formation in 1797, until his death in 1837, a period of forty years. His biographer says of him : " But very few men have been better known throughout the State, and perhaps none survived him who possess more historical and statistical knowledge of the State, from the com- mencement of the Revolution to the present time. Of no man may it be more justly said, he has lived devoted to the best interests of Rhode Island. No man more ardently loved his country." James Brown. Son of John, Sen., and Dorothy; admitted freeman at Plymouth, 1636, at Taunton, 1643, and at Rehoboth, 1658; m.Lydia How- land, daughter of John Howland, of the Mayflower; was liberal in civil and religious matters, and an ardent friend of Rev. John Myles ; was fined £S, with Mr. Myles, for setting up a Baptist meeting in Rehoboth, in 1667 ; was one of the seven constituent members of the Myles Church ; op- posed the union of church and state, as did his father, John, and believed in individual freedom as to church support and religious belief; was As- sistant to the Governor, 1665, 1666, and from 1673 to 1683, when he refused to serve longer ; was a deputy from Swansea, 1666, 1669, 1671, 1672; was allowed £20 for cattle killed in the Narragansett country in Philip's War; went twice, on June 14 and 15, 1675, to Philip to persuade him to be quiet, but at both times found his men in arms, and " Philip very high, and not perswadable to peace;" his son, James, was admitted a freeman in 1681 ; he probably lived at Wannamoisett, on his father's large estate, and is buried at Little Neck. Chaffee, Thomas. Son of Nathaniel and Experience Chaffee; his father was freeman in Plymouth in 1658, and in Rehoboth in 1681 ; Thomas was born in Swansea ; from Nathaniel has sprung a large descent of fami- lies, bearing the name and the honorable character of the ancestor, who was an influential citizen, and a large land holder in this section ; Thomas BKIEF BIOGRAPHIES. 581 was one of the Sowams proprietors, and owned lands in Barrington. The family lived in the Peck neighborhood, near Harrington River, and burials were made near the river. Desire Kent. One of the oldest monuments in the Tyler's Point Cemetery stands in memory of Desire Kent, wife of Samuel Kent, of Bar- rington. The inscription says she " was the first English woman's grand- daughter on New England." This statement has been interpreted to mean that Mrs. Kent was the grand daughter of Mary Chilton, to whom tra- dition gives the honor of being the first woman of the Mayflower band to land on Plymouth Rock. The genealogical history of Mary Chilton and her descendants disproves this theory, however pleasing it may be to Mrs. Kent's descendants, of whom the writer is one. A more probable theory is that Desire Kent's maiden name was Desire Cushman, daughter of Thomas Cushman and Ruth Howland, and grand- daughter of John Howland and Elizabeth (Tilley) Howland, both of whom came in the Mayflower. If this theory is true, the lithographic statement may mean that Desire was the grand-daughter of one of the Mayflower Company, in the first immigration " on New England." There is a probable error on the tombstone as to her age. The stone says, "Aged about 94 years." A MSS. book of Genealogical notes, made by Dr. Turner, an able and accurate historian and genealogist, has the follow- ing record : " Kent, Desire, died Feby. 8, 1763, aged 89, on Tuesday. Would have been 90 next day." This date makes Desire's birth to oc- cur in 1673. Samuel Bosworth. M. Elizabeth Joy of Joseph and Mary Joy', (Pearce^) (Low^), about 1767 or 8; children, Anna, 1769; Joseph, 1771; ^ypunffit' Samuel, 1773; Mary, 1779; Elizabeth, 1782. For his military record see chapter on the Revolution. John Rogers, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church" is the pith of an old truth and familiar to all, but the people of Barring- ton may not be acquainted with the fact that possibly the blood of the martyrs lies buried in the sacred soil of Prince's Hill. In the old part of " God's Acre," south of the ravine, is an old tombstone, bearing the name of John Rogers. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Rogers, came in the Mayflower, in 1620, and died at Plymouth the first winter of the arrival. This Thomas is said to be a lineal descendant of the celebrated martyr, John Rogers, of Smithfield, England, of Mary's time. John 3rd, son of John 2nd, the grandson of Thomas,^ married Elizabeth Pabodie, daughter 582 THE HISTOEY OP BAEKINGTON. of William and Elizabeth Alden Pabodie, and Elizabeth Alden Pabodie was the daughter of John and Priscilla (Mullens) Alden, both passengers on the Mayflower. John 3rd was a merchant, lived in Duxbury, Boston, and Barrington, successively, and died in our town in 1732, at the ripe old age of 92 years. The blood of John Rogers runs in the veins of the Richmond and other families of Barrington. Thomas Rogers,^ was a passenger in the Mayflower; children, Joseph,^ John,2 Thomas,2 William,^ George,^ Sylvanus.^ — John,^ Thomas.i m. Frances Watson; children, John,' Joseph,' Timothy,' Ann,' Mary,' Abi- gail.'— John,' John,2 Thomas,! m. (i) Elizabeth Pabodie, b. 1647; chil- dren, Hannah,* 1668; John,* 1670; Ruth,* 1675; Sarah,* 1677; Elizabeth,* m. Sylvester Richmond. John,' m. (2) Marah, a widow, who d. 1739. John,' d. in Barrington, 1732, as above. Abigail Salisbury. Barrington had heroines as well as heroes dur- ing the Revolutionary period. The women of the town must have encour- aged and nursed the patriotic spirit with true devotion, or the husbands, fathers, and sons could not and would not have made so heroic a record. In addition to the ordinary work of the women of the household, which was very arduous and exacting in the early day, the care of the farm, the stock, and the business of the exchange of farm produce for household needs, were added. We must also add the making of blankets and cloth- ing for the soldiers, and the care of men, sick and wounded in the ser- vice. Among the most distinguished of the number, among Barrington house- wives, was Abigail Salisbury, wife of George Salisbury, who was a ser- geant of a guard stationed at Rumstick, and who saw other service during the war. Benjamin Cowell, author of " The Spirit of '76 in Rhode Island," says of Mrs, Salisbury, "She was another choice specimen of female patriotism. She was one hundred years old when she applied for a pen- sion, was married fifteen years before the war, and she too took an active part in the struggle for Independence, and knit stockings for the whole guard. Indeed she was so fond of knitting, that she continued it until her death. She showed the writer a pair of stockings she knit after she was one hundred years old." Mr. and Mrs. Salisbury lived on the west highway in Barrington, on land now owned by E. F. Richmond. It is related of Mrs. Salisbury that she read the Bible through each year, during the last thirty years of her life. One who knew her says, " She had a fair complexion, a full, bright eye, and was short and thickset in body. Her mind was active to the close of life.'' ' She was born May 26, 1738, died Aug 30, 1839, at the age of loi years and three months, and with her husband was buried at Prince's Hill Cemetery. BKIEP BIOGEAPHrES. 583 Nathaniel F. Potter. Son of Earl C. and Hannah Potter; contract- ing builder, and brick maker ; at the age of twenty-one he built the Groton monument in Conn., the Unitarian Church on Mathewson St., and many brick residences on High St. After the great fire in Charleston, S. C, he, together with his brothers, engaged in the reconstruction of much of the burnt district, including the Charleston hotel. In the year 1847 he started the Brick Works in Barrington, which grew into a large business through his energies. Nayatt Point at that time attracted his attention, and he became the owner of the original ifarmhouse with many acres of land, to which he added, establishing the Hotel known for many years as the Bay House. He beautified the place by planting hundreds of trees, which have now grown, and stand as a monument to his efforts, and also did much in making roads in the town of Barrington. [See p. 515.] N.J.Smith. B. Prov. R. I., March 31, 1838; grad. of H. S.; bank- ing and jewelry from 1855 to 1875; Junior partner in H. M. Coombs & Co. ; had valuable military experience in connection with the F. L. I. and other bodies ; resides at Barrington Centre ; is Treas. of the B. R. Improv. Association, and is deeply interested in all town matters. Rev. Luther Wright. Born at Acton, Mass, April 19, 1770; was or- dained a Congregational minister at Medway, Mass, 1798; m. Anna, dau. of Rev. Josiah Bridges; preached at Medway seventeen years, and was in- stalled at Barrington, Jan. 29, 1817, where he labored in the gospel minis- try four and one-half years. "The Great Revival" occurred during his pastorate, and more than eighty persons united with the church. The Congregational Sunday School was established during Mr. Wright's min- istry, and the Church Creed was adopted. The last generation of Barring- ton people remembered Mr. Wright's work with great satisfaction. He died at the ripe age of eighty-eight years, at Woburn, Mass., June 1858. George W. Wightman. Son of Daniel and Charlotte Wightman ; b. May 10, 1821; m. Lydia Bosworth Smith, May 10, 1843; children, Har- riet Chace, Annie Wilson, WalterRussell, George Henry ;d. Feb. 24, 1893; Mr. Wightman spent his early years on a farm in Barrington, but the most of his active life was devoted to the development of system and proper organization in benevolent, charitable, and correctional institu- tions, for which he had remarkable fitness and adaptability. His first experience as an executive officer over charitable work, was in the office of Overseer of the Poor of Providence, where he made a wise administra- tion from 1857 to 1889. In June, 1869, at the organization of " The Board of State Charities and Corrections," Mr. Wightman was chosen the Agent and Acting Superintendent of the Board, continuing in ofiice until his death. As Overseer of the Poor of the City, and Agent of the Board for many years, Mr. Wightman had the fullest opportunity to exercise his remarkable talent for the work, and in the study of the needs and care of the dependent classes, he learned and applied wiser and more humane methods of treatment. His large acquaintance with men and institutions 584 THE HISTORY OF BAEKINGTON. outside the State, made him an authority in charity and correction man- agement. His tender sympathies, good judgment, and wise counsels brought him into close contact with the people he was called on to aid, and the officials, responsible for their care. The unfortunate of all classes and conditions found in Mr. Wightman a true friend as well as a faithful officer, who was in touch with their infirmities and sorrows. He had the strength of will and magnetic energy that gave strength and courage to the weak and erring, and cheered the hopeless to hopefulness. At his death, the Board, whose Agent he had been for twenty-four years, said : "During this long period, Mr. Wightman had the fullest confidence and esteem of the Board; and they desire to record here their apprecia- tion of him, as a true and an able man, and an honest and efficient officer. "Mr. Wightman was a man of marked and masterful individuality, and it was not at first interchange of relations with him that he was always estimated at his true value ; but when the relations became closer few failed to find him a man of strong intellect, excellent judgment, and kindly and sympathetic feeling." MosBS Tyler. Was a prominent citizen of the town of Barrington, and was descended from an honorable English ancestry. His great grandfather was Thomas Tyler, who came from England soon after the Pilgrims and settled in Boston. His great grandmother was Miriam Simpkins, daughter of Pilgrim Simpkins of the Mayflower party. He was the son of Moses Tyler and Hannah (Luther) Tyler of Boston. He was born Nov, 26, 1734, and in early manhood came to Rhode Island He married Elizabeth Adams and settled in Barrington near Duncan Kel- ley's ferry, the place of crossing the main or post road between the towns of Bristol and Providence. Inheriting the thrifty habits of his Tyler ancestry, he became in early manhood a freeholder and at middle life was one of the largest owners of real property in the town. The tract of land on which he resided extended bewteen Palmer's River on the east to Barrington River on the west and has ever since been known as " Tyler's Point." On the upland of this land is one of the old burying grounds of the town and is known as the " Tyler Burial Ground." The sturdj- virtues and independence of character of his Pilgrim ances- tors were prominent in Moses Tyler's life, and while yet a young man he took an active interest in the affairs of the town, and was always to be found in favor of all measures that had for their object the general wel-r fare of the people. He noted with concern and anxiety the disposition of the British Parliament to enact measures of oppression towards the American Colonies, and was among the first to raise his voice and exert his influence in resisting them. He never hesitated to affirm that "the instincts of freedom are inherited from the Creator, and the oppressive BRIEF BIOGEAPHEES. 585 edicts of a tyrant King and his Parliament must be resisted even to the sacrifice of life and fortune." At a town meeting called by the people of Harrington on March 14, 1774, to consider the action of Parliament in placing a duty upon all tea exported to the American Colonies, he took an active part, and at a subsequent meeting held March 21st, he was appointed a member of a committee of seven citizens to correspond with similar committees appointed by the other towns in the different colonies to arrange for concerted action in opposition to receiving or using from any source or under any circumstances any of the "dutied tea.'' He was elected a deputy to represent the town of Barrington in the General Assembly in 1776-77, and served his constituents faithfully and accepta- bly. He was also a member of the town militia and appointed a lieuten- ant, and elected by the General Assembly a justice of the peace. Moses Tyler died Sept. 16, 1811, aged 77. [See p. 396]. Emerson Humphrey. Son of John and Elizabeth (Bullock) Humph- rey; b. Oct. 24, 1792; farmer; member of Town Council 1826, 1834, 1838-45; president for 8 years ; moderator of town meetings from 1839 to 1856, lacking one year; was a captain in the town militia and com- manded the Barrington Company of 32 men in the Dorr War; was a member of the state convention to frame a Constitution in 1841; was elected Senator to the General Assembly for the years 1845 ^""^ 1846; while through his long life he took a deep interest in local and state affairs, and was ever ready by his example and with his means to promote all enterprises for the improvement of the interests of this town. He was married in 1819 to Huldah Peck, daughter of Ebenezer and Huldah (Brown) Peck, who survived him four years, dying in 1869. By her he had six children, five of whom survive him. He died in 1865, after a most painful and distressing illness of more than a year's duration, aged 72 years. David A. Waldron. B. Bristol, R. I., May 10, 1828; learned tailor's trade and conducted business in Bristol, then engaged in clothing busi- ness in Ohio; purchased the Chapin estate at Drownville about 1870J m. (i) Mary A. Simmons of Bristol; children, a. son, Walter, and Mary Marcia, m. Walter A. Potter; Mr. W. m. (2) Mrs. Mary J. D. Bowen of Warren ; he conducted a real estate business for twenty-five years in Prov- idence and was well known throughout the state. He held many offices, civil and military, among which were the presidencies of the trustees of the town library, of the Antiq. Society, of the United Cong, Soc ; was the efficient superintendent of the Cong. Sunday School for many years, was actively interested in Y. M. C. A. work, in church work, and was de- voted to the various matters, which promoted the growth of Barrington. His ministries to the sick and needy were constant and generous, and in all his social and benevolent work he had a sympathetic and wise coun- sellor in Mrs. Waldron, both of whom were very useful members of the religious society and community. 586 THE HISTORY OP BAEBINGTON. Rev. Charles Peabody. B. July i, 1810; grad. Williams College 1838; pastorates, Biddeford, Me., Barrington, 1843-46, Ashford, Conn., Windsor, Mass., and Pownal, Vt. Mr. Peabody's pastorate was a useful one, but was disturbed by a division in the church over matters relating to the parsonage, which was a bone of contention for many years. He was a genial, peacemaking man, earnest and devoted in his ministerial work, and had it not been for troubles in the church and community, his labors would have been richly blessed. John Kelley. Son of Dunkin and Abigail Kelley; b. Dec. 3, 1799; miller and toll-keeper; m. ( i) Lois Martin; children, John Edward, George Henry, Esek Bowen, Anna C, Charles D. ; m. (2) Sarah M^p Jones; children, Sarah, William Winslow. He was of a family of ferry keepers and managed the affairs of the ferry and mill well, and left the reputation of a kind husband, a good neighbor, and an honest man. He died Nov. 22, i860. Autograph of his ancestor. Rev. William House. B. Dec. 24, 1826, in New York; grad. Prince- ton College, 1854, and Seminary 1858; m. Frances Savage, 1859; pastor- ates at Londonderry, N. H., 1858-1873, and Barrington, 1873, 1886. Among the results of a successful ministry, over 90 were added to the church, benevolences were increased, and the life of the church elevated and quickened ; later labors in Providence in the Union and Beneficent Churches. Mr. House was a true, pure, sincere, unselfish, conscientious, courageous man and minister. He died in 1898, leaving a widow and four children in life. Rev. Francis Horton. B. in Boston; grad. B. U. 1828; pastor of churches at West Brookfield, Mass., 1832-1841; West Cambridge, 1842 to 1856; Barrington, 18567x872. During his ministry in B. 136 were added to the church. His work and influence are referred to in the chap- ter on New Barrington. Joel Peck. Son of David and Sarah (Humphrey) Peck; b. Aug. 28, 1759; m. Lucy Fish; children, Horatio, Elnathan, Bela, Wealthy, Seba, Fanny, Bethiah, Clarissa; occupation, farmer; was a soldier of the Revo- lution. Mr. Peck was a respected citizen of the town. The house in which he lived is still a landmark of the early architecture of the town. Nathaniel Peck. Son of Nathaniel and Cynthia (Heath) Peck; b. April 24, 1809 ; unmarried ; farmer ; was a member of the Town Council of Barrington, and the tax collector for many years. Mr. Peck had a BKIEF BIOGRAPHIES. 58T thorough knowledge of town aflfairs, was possessed of sound sense and an excellent judgment, which made him one of the most useful and respected citizens of the town. His counsel and action were always those of a safe and conservative man. Genial and hearty in disposition, he was the friend of all, and so just, upright and conscientious was his char- acter that he had the full confidence of a great body of acquaintances and friends beyond his town limits. He was one of the few men of whom it can be said, " He had not an enemy." Seba Peck. Son of Joel and Lucy (Fish) Peck; b. Jan 25, 1803; m. Rebecca Cooper of Boston Sept. 14, 1834; children, Ann Eliza, Emily, Seraphine, Nelson, Laura; was a member of the Town Council and of the school committee, a lieutenant in the Barrington Infantry in 1827; occupation, farmer; d. April 9, 1884. Mr. Peck was an honest and an upright man and a member of the Congregational Church. Nathaniel Church Smith. Son of Nathaniel and Wait (Mauran) Smith; b. Oct. iz, 1811; m. Sally Bowen April 8, 1835; children, An- toinette Sharp, James Antoine, Albert, Nathaniel H., Nathaniel W., Louise Bowen, Emily-Eddy, Walter Parker, Ii-ving Mauran, Ralph An- toine, Harry Martin. Mr. Smith was a member of the school committee and also of the Town Council nearly every year from 1855 to 1869; was captain of the Barrington militia. Mr. Smith was a man devoted to the interests and growth of the town; was public spirited, firm in his adher- ence to conscientious beliefs, possessed a genial, social nature, looked at men and events from the hopeful standpoint, spoke evil of none, and was respected by all and beloved by those who knew him best. His family, parents, and children have been ornaments to society and the town. Learned Peck. Son of Ebenezer and Huldah (Brown) Peck; b. Oct. 15, 179s; m. Harriet C. Short, Nov. 27, 1817; children, Harriet N., Wil- liam H., Betsy S., Sarah D., Julia M., Charles C, Rebecca D. K., Amanda C., Anna C, Tristam B., James D., Sarah U., Milton L., and George L. ; occupation, farmer; was a member of the Congregational Church and a useful citizen. Noel Mathewson. Son of Noel and Susannah (Martin) Mathewson ; b. 1810; ed. at Warren H. S. and Phillips Academy; m. (i) Hannah Bourne Smith July, 1841 ; children, Martha Smith, John Bourne, George Kingsley; Mrs. Mathewson d. Nov. 21, 1843; m. (2) Mary Ann Webb; no children ; occupation, storekeeper and postmaster at Nayatt; d. May 7, 1869. Mr. Mathewson was a public spirited and generous man and well respected by all. John Jay Allin. B. Dec. 26, 1814; d. Feb. 20, 1890; a lineal descend- ant of William Allin, who settled in Barrington prior to 1670; m. Mary Tyler Bowen ; children, John Jay Allin, m. Josephine Starkey; Florence Haile Allin; Charles Irving Allin, b. June 12, 1855, m. Ella Nichols; m. (2) Mary Leete Varley; children, Florence Shores Allin, b. Dec. 25, 1862; Howard Everett Allin, b. July 2, 1864, m. Jessie M. Horton ; Mary Milton 588 THE HISTOEY OP BARRINGTON. Allin, b. Nov. 8, 1866, m. David C. Black; Annie Gertrude AUin, b. Dec. 9, 1869, d. Feb. 4, 1874; Ida Louise Allin, b. Jan. 23, 1872. Nathaniel Smith. Son of James and Saraii (Kent) Smith m. LilHs Humphrey, Dec. 6, 1770; children, Josiah, Nathaniel, Bicknell, Ebenezer, Simon, James, Sarah and Asa; farmer; owned large farm at Rumstick; for services in the Revolution see p. 393. Rev. Francis Wood. B. Uxbridge, Mass., April 8, 1798; grad. B. U. 1819; m. Lydia Tiffany, Sept. 9, 1823; pastorate, Barrington, 1823-1826; Willington, Conn., Prescott and Holland, Mass., and returned to Barring- ton, where he closed a useful life in teaching a select school several years, and in the duties of Town Clerk, from 1865-1875. He died Oct. 28, 1845, leaving a widow, and one son, Mark H., who succeeded his father as town clerk, from 1875 to 1898. The Richmonds, a noted New England family, are descended from John and Edward, his son, of Newport and Little Compton, 1633. Peleg Richmond, b. 1732, moved to Barrington from Little Compton about 1732 ; bought large tracts of land of the Aliens and Vialls. In March, '759> Peleg deeded to his son, John Rogers Richmond, " for love, good- will and affection,'' sixty acres of land, "together with ye mantion house thereon standing and being." The land is now owned by Edward F. Richmond, son of Ichabod, and grandson of John, and the old house is now standing, south of the eight-rod way. John F. Richmond,^ (Edward F.,' Ichabod,^ John Rogers,s Peleg,* Syl- vester,3 Edward,^ John,i) lives on the Richmond estate with his father; farmer; has been in both branches of the General Assembly from Bar- rington, and was an appraiser in the Custom House in Harrison's admin- istration ; . Mr. Richmond preserves the history and traditions of his family with a proper pride, and is one of the most useful and respected citizens of the town. Sullivan Martin. Son of Luther and Elizabeth (Humphreys) Mar- tin ; b. Jan. 31, 1789; m. (i) Belinda Peck, in 1814; children, Anna D., Edwin L., George Sullivan, Stephen B., Nathaniel F. ; m. (2) Lydia Rog- erson ; m. (3) Esther V. Tiffany; d. May 27, 1863. George S. Martin. Son of Sullivan ; b. Jan. 3, 1822; m. Betsey S. Peck, Oct. 21, 1845; farmer; resides in Norfolk, Nebraska, and retains a lively interest in and a retentive memory of the older Barrington of which he was a resident for many years; children, George L., Charles F., Hattie N., Emma D., William, Ida, Ida B. O. H. P. Cleland has been a resident of Barrington for nearly forty years, and his name frequently appears on the town records as an officer of the town. His good judgment and conservative spirit render him a valuable tax assessor, and appraiser of property values. Lewis T. Fisher is one of the reliable and valuable adopted citizens of Barrington; m. Jane Drown, dau. of Alfred; has been a Representative and Senator for several terms, high sheriff of Bristol County, a member of the Centennial Committee, and other town offices. BEIEP BIOGEAPHIES. 589 t^HARLES H. BoWDEN. B. in Providence, Feb. 5, 1846; was educated in the public schools of that city; moved to Bariington vfith his father's family in the spring of 1864; enlisted in Bat. B. R. I. ist L. A., Aug 24, 1864, and received an honorable discharge June 13, 1865; m. Sarah E. Tiifany, dau. of Ebenezer Tiffany, Jan. i, 1867 ; no children ; lived in the State of Washington, from 1889 to 1892; has served as town surveyor of highways ; is a Deacon of the Cong. Church ; his father was born in Mar- blehead, Mass., in 1815, and his mother in Rehoboth, the same year; both died in Barrington in 1893. They left nine children, all of whom are living. Mr. Bowden stands for the highest interests of society, and is a useful and valuable citizen. Wheaton B. Bowden, bro. of Charles and Samuel, is one of our most intelligent citizens, and has been elected as a member of the Town Coun- cil, of the Scliool Committee, and other town offices. Samuel Bowden has filled various town offices, and is now the efficient town Sergeant and Chief of Police. The Kinnicutts are from Roger Kinnicutt, who settled in Maiden, Mass., and who was made a freeman in 1670; m. Joanna Shepardson of CharJestown, Mass, Nov., 1661, and moved to Swansea in 1679; the an- cestry of Daniel Kinnicutt are : John,i John,^ b. 1669, m. Elizabeth Luther; John,' b. 1700, m. (i) Anne Eddy; Daniel,* b. 1735, m. Hannah Kent; Josiah,5 b. 1765, m. Rebecca Bourne Townsend ; children, Hannah B., m. Benjamin Viall ; Harriet Byron, m. AUin Bicknell, Benjamin Townsend, Martha Townsend, m. Nathaniel Brown, Nancy, m. George Smith, George R., m. Hannah Drown. F. O. Field, Esq., of the firm of Brownell & Field, is a valuable acces- sion to the citizenship of the town; has been a member of the Town Council, and its President in 1897-8; is an active member of the B. R. I. Association, and has served as its President; his residence is at New Meadow Neck. John Wheaton. Son of Job Wheaton ; farmer and teacher; was an in- telligent and active partner in the affairs of the town, and his voice and vote were for good men and measures for the community. Erastus L. Walcott was one of the most useful and respected of the adopted sons of Barrington. He represented the town in both branches of the General Assembly, was an influential member of St. John's Church, and always labored for the building up of the social and civil inter- ests. William T. Lewis, and William T. Jr., father and son, have resided at Drownville for nearly thirty years, and have been identified with the growth and improvement of the town. Both have held public office, the father as an Assessor of Taxes, and the son as a Representative in the General Assembly, 1897-8, and also as a member of the Town Council, and its President in 1896. Mr. Lewis, Sen., is a prominent member of St. John's Church, and a supporter of the Mission at Drownville. 590 THE HISTOEY OF BABEINGTON. Robert Fessenden has been a resident of the town for several years, and has contributed to its recent development in many ways. He is pro- gressive in spirit, liberal in policy, and resolute in action. His record in the Civil War is as follows : Private Co. E, First Reg. Infantryj res., North Providence; April 17, i86i, enrolled; May 2, 1861, mustered in ; Aug. 2, 1862, mustered out. Mr. Fessenden is an active member of the B. R. I. Association, and is devoted to the best interests of the town He is connected with the Hope Electric Appliance Co., of Providence. Rev. Thomas Williams was a native of Pomfret, Conn, and a grad- uate of Yale College, in 1800 ; taught school four years ; was an evangelist from 1804 to 1807; was pastor at Foxboro from i8i6-2i; at Attleboro, 1823-7; at Hebronville, 1827-30; and at Harrington, 1835-38. He was a man of strong intellect and marked individuality. He was a Hopkinsian in theology, and a warm personal friend of Dr. Emmons, whose funeral sermon he preached. His preaching was marked by great honesty, earnestness, and scriptural authority, as the Bible was his constant study. Wit, satire, and invective, accompanied his arguments, and made his weapons of warfare sharp and effective. His last years were spent as an evangelist in Rhode Island, and in the publication of tracts and sermons, of which he printed several volumes. He was born in 1779, and died at Providence in 1876, aged ninety-seven years. Lewis B. Smith. Son of Simon and Lydia Bosworth Smith; b. Sept. 14, 1817; occupation, farmer; m. (i) Anna D.Martin; children, George X,., Frederic P., Albert H.; m. (2) Judith R. Parker, Nov. 2, 1862; offices held : Overseer of the Poor, member and President of the Town Council, member of State Board of Charities and Corrections, Representative and Senator in the General Assembly, Deacon of Cong. Chuixh, Treasurer of Cong. Society, Trustee of Public Library, etc., etc., Died May 19, 1892; for more extended notices see pp. 240, 241, 518, 519, etc., etc. Thomas Allin. Son of Matthew and Ruth AUin, b. April 15, 1742. He entered public life early, and was elected first to the General Assembly in the year 1767, at the age of twenty-five. He was honored by re-election to the same office in 1772-6 1781-1791-8. He was a member of the town militia prior to the Revolution. His services during that war will be found in the chapter on War of the Revolution. Gen. Allin was a leader in civil affairs as well as military, and his pen was as active as his sword in defense of human rights. As a member of the Convention to adopt the Federal Constitution, his action is related on p. 361. His further rec- ord will be found in the pages of the Revolutionary and succeeding periods. The residence he built and occupied before i8oo, still stands at Drownville, and the picture appears on another page. His wife. Amy (Bicknell) Allin, was as true a patriot as her husband, and conducted the afiairs of the household and farm, with a large family of boys and girls to care for, during her husband's absence, with a prudence, judgment, and success that entitled her to honorable mention among the mothers of BEUSF BIOGKAPHIES. 591 R.evolution. In a letter to her husband, Aug. 19, 1778, Mrs. AUin ;s : "I hope you will put your trust in God and not in man, for it is lone that is able to keep and preserve you from all harm, and to cover head in the day of battle." General Allin died May 30, 1800, and buried at Drownville, in the AUin Burial Lot, on the ancestral farm, anks first among the Revolutionary heroes of Barrington. iTTHEW Watson was born in County Colraine, Province of Ulster, nd, March, 1696. His parents immigrated to Boston from London- C, Ireland, with six children, 1712. Presbyterians in belief, they weie rely persecuted by the Catholics and were forced to escape from fan- 1 mobs by flight to America. From Boston, the family removed to m in Leicester, Mass., where the father, Robert Watson, was killed le falling of a tree. Matthew, the second of seven children, left home lived with a family near Boston. His employer proved an excellent d, and taught Matthew arithmetic, and other branches, and probably ucted him in the art of brick-making. He came to Barrington at the Df twenty-two, and at the age of twenty-five we find him engaged in ing brick upon the farm of Mr. John Read of Barrington. He had lined the clay, and had found it to be of excellent quality, and wood i be procured at two and sixpence per load. At that time Newport the market for all the brick not needed in Barrington, Warren, and tol. In 1733 Mr. Watson married Bethia Read, only daughter of Mr. ; Read. The father was opposed to the union, because Bethia was it to throw herself away upon a " little poor Irishman." The parents friends lived long enough to change their minds on this subject. He soon able to purchase the farm of his father-in-law, and continued nanufacture of brick by the hand process, until he had amassed a me of over $80,000. He built a brick mansion, the first in the town , set out many shade and fruit trees, the fruits of which his children children's children have enjoyed. [See picture of old mansion.] le story is told that Mrs. Watson, from the wool of the flock of the son farm, cleaned, carded, spun, colored, warped, wove, made up, and down in the parlor of the old house, now standing at Nayatt, the first len carpet in the town. It was deemed so great a curiosity and luxury, people came long distances to see it, and ventured to walk upon it upon tiptoe. On the walls of the same room it is said that the fii-st paper was hung in Barrington. Tradition adds that Mr. Watson in- uced the first potatoes into the State from Ireland. When the first was ripe and ready for digging, a neighbor, ignorant and incredulous le good qualities of the vegetable, was present, and picking up a po- rubbed off the dirt, cut off a slice, and tasting it, threw it down with ust, remarking, "I'd rather have a turnip." is life was one of great energy, activity and usefulness, and worthy of ation. He sustained the office of Justice of the Peace for many years, was one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Bristol nty. He was always a friend to the friendless, and assisted the young 592 THE HISTOEY OF BAEEINGTOK. who were virtuous and frugal. His wealth and hospitality were alike pro- verbial. His integrity he held fast throughout his life, and in a great and good old age descended to his grave in peace, " like a shock of corn fully ripe." Mr. Watson was born in 1696, and died in 1803, and of but few men can it be related as of him, that he was born in the seventeenth, lived through the eighteenth, and died in the nineteenth century, at the re- markable age of one hundred and seven years. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Barrington upwards of fifty-six years, and his record on his tombstone says, " He was a shining ornament in his pro- fession, and died in full prospect of a blessed immortality.'' Nathaniel Martin. Son of Ebenezer and Abigail Wheeler Martin ; b. Jan. 1723 ; farmer and ship-builder ; established a ferry across the river to Warren; was in War of the Revolution, and held the office of Colonel; see p. 388; his sons, Anthony and Luther, were also in the Revolution, see pp. 387 and 388. In truth, Mr. Martin's family was one of the most loyal and self-sacrificing of patriotic Barrington. Benjamin Drown. Son of Alfred and Frances Drown ; b. March 20, 1822; farmer; lived at Drownville; m. Amy Ann Allin, dau. of Thomas and Sarah Allin ; was a member of the Town Council, and a Representa- tive to the General Assembly from Barrington, 1862-63, and '64. He d. Feb. 1894. ^'^- Drown led a quiet but industrious life, and was a re- spected and an exemplary citizen. Hezekiah Willett. Son of Thomas and Mary (Brown) Willett ; b. at Plymouth, 1^53; m. Andia Brown, of Swansea, Jan. 7, 1675; was mur- dered by the Indians in Philips War at Wannamoisett, July i, 1675. Hiram Drown. Son of Jeremiah S. Drown; b. Dec. 13, 1799; d. Nov. 27, 1866; farmer; m. Emeline Drown; children, Samuel M., Ann Frances, Charles E., Adeline E., William A. Mr. Drown was an honest and upright man and a faithful citizen. Enoch Remington. Son of Enoch and Ruth (Armington) Reming- ton; was born in Barrington, May 2, 1792; attended school for a short time and then followed the sea; m. Phebe Short, dau. of John and Betsy Short, Nov. 13, 1814; farmer and trader; kept store and tavern at the old Bicknell-Bowen tavern; was postmaster for many years, succeeding Josiah Kinnicutt; was a very active business man and saved a large property; children, Samuel, Lucretia S., William H., George A,, Jere- miah S., Daniel S., Phebe A., George A. Royal D. Horton. Son of Royal and Eunice Horton ; b. Bristol, R. I., June 28, 183s; m. Helen M. Brown, Dec. i, 1857; children, Walter, Martha Dexter and Jennie Bucklin ; member Cong. Church ; member of school committee 25 years; a trustee of Public Library; chairman of Cora, on Central bridge ; member of Rep. Town Com., and State Central Com.; business, manufacturing jeweler. Charles H. Merriman. Manufacturer, iirm Henry Lippitt & Co. ; has been a resident of Barrington since 1866, and is a valuable citizen ; his BEIBF BIOGRAPHIES. 593 experience in financial affairs has been of good service to the town and his judgment is seldom questioned on matters of public expenditure; was a member of the building committee of the town hall, which finished the building with the appropriation, with a balance in the town's favor. Joseph U. Starkweather. B. Pawtucket, Sept. 19, 1848; member of firm of Earl P. Mason & Co., 1865 ; af tei-wards associated with Rice, Draper, and Willams, dealers in drugs, chemicals, etc., now J. U. Stark- weather & Co., in the same line of trade; took up his residence in Bar- rington in 1881, and has taken an active interest in all town matters; aided in securing telephone connections with Barrington, also the intro- duction of water from the Kickemuit reservoir, also electric lighting, as a result of which Barrington is now lighted in its streets and the town hall by electricity, furnished by the Bristol County Gas and Electric Co. It uses about 25 incandescent lights at an annual cost of $25 for each light. The churches, public buildings and most of the private houses are now lighted by electricity. Mr. Starkweather has been among the fore- most advocates of good roads, public buildings, schools, etc.; was presi- dent of the B. K. I. Association; a member and president of the Town Council; is treasurer of the Barrington Water Company. Rev. Benjamin R. Allen was born in Newport, of good Rhode Island stock, June 27, 1805. His mother was left a widow, with five children, when Benjamin was eight years old, and the boy was compelled to make a manly struggle for an education for the ministry. With Arnold of Rugby, he said, "It is not enough for a boy to go through college, but the college must go through him, if he would be a scholar," and he made the discipline of study the purpose of his life. Mr. Allen was installed pastor of the Congregational Church, Barrington, Sept., 1838, and was dismissed at his own request in 1842, on account of inadequate salary. He writes : " I became very much attached to the beautiful town and the noble people, whose generous kindness I so richly enjoyed." President Lord of Dartmouth College gives the following just tribute to his abilities : " I entertain for Mr. Allen very great respect as a true-hearted Christian, a sound theologian, and a judicious and an effective minister. He has remarkable habits of study, and leaves nothing undone that is fitted to advance his ministry. He is a consistent, faithful, and thorough man, and the good impression taken of him will not be easily diminished. Mr. Allen is thought to stand at the head of his profession in his own vicinity, if not in the state, and deservedly ranks among the first ministers in New England, and is a very excellent representative of its remaining old school divines." Joseph Carlo Mauran. B. Villa Franca, Province of Nice, Italy, June 3, 1748; kidnapped, 1760; cabin boy on board transport ship hospi- tal; came to United States and in 1768 made his home with Joshua Bick- nell of Barrington ; m. Olive Bicknell (b. 1754)1 daughter of Joshua and Ruth Bicknell, in April, 1772. Olive received at her marriage a lot of 38 594 THE HISTORY OF BAERINGTON. land on Barrington River, and later more of her father's farm, on which the Mauran residence was built. During the Revolution Mr. Mauran was an ardent patriot, and his naval services are related on pp. 389, 90, 91. After the war Captain Mauran continued his seafaring life. From J"'y) 17891 to December, 1790, his name is mentioned in the newspapers as captain of the brig Polly, eighty-four tons, trading in the West Indies. He spent his last years at his pleasant home in Barrington, which was always the seat of a generous and abounding hospitality. Here he died May I, 1813, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. His widow outlived him less than one year, her death taking place Feb. 12, 1814. Joseph Carlo Mauran is described as having been a person of tall, commanding appear- ance. His eldest son, Carlo, whose likeness has been preserved, and is given in this volume, bore a striking resemblance to his father. Their figures were alike and they had the same noble, frank and open counte- nance, florid complexion, and black, curling hair. It is said that when Joseph Carlo came from his rural home to Providence and walked the streets of the town, every one would turn round to look at him, so attrac- tive was his personal appearance. His biographer says of him : " In his public and private life he was * A man resolved and steady to his trust, Inflexible to ill and obstinately just.* In remembrance of such a character what breast does not glow with ■veneration and respect.' And who amongst his numerous friends and acquaintances does not experience the liveliest pangs of sorrow and afflic- tion, when the idea of his loss enters their minds. Yesterday his funeral obsequies were solemnized in this town (Barrington) by the General Lodge (Masonic) of the state of Rhode Island, of which he was an honor- ary and highly belaved member, attended by subordinate lodges, an afilicted consort, and by a long train of relatives and friends.'' The Martins hold a high rank among the families of Barrington, and descended from John Martin, son of Richard, who settled at Swansea in )668, and was a member of the John Myles Church ; in 1673 ^^ bought land on New Meadow Neck, near " Hundred Acre Cove,'' and built a house, which stood on the high land north of the Cetitral Bridge; he died March, 1713, aged 80; he had nine children, among whom were Melatiah, John, Ephraim, Manassah and Ebenezer. The youngest son, Ebenezer, lived on the homestead in Barrington; m. Abigail Wheeler, 1716; chil- dren, Jemima, John, Ebenezer, Nathaniel and Abigail. John, son of Ebenezer, m. Mary Reed; children, Abigail, Samuel, Benjamin; John, born 1718, was a captain of the militia in the Revolution, see p. 388; bought the interests of his brothers in the homestead and built a new house which is now standing near the east end of the Central Bridge; his sons, Samuel and Benjamin, were in the Revolution, see pp. 337 and 389. Samuel R. Martin, only son of Capt. Benjamin and Sarah Martin ; was born in Barrington Nov. 15, 1782, m. Sally Bowen, dau. of Jeremiah BEIEF BIOGRAPHIES. 595 Bowen. Like his father he was captain of a militia company in Barring- ton. He was a man very much respected and held many offices in town, being a representative and a member of the Town Council. He died Aug. 28, 1840, aged 58 years ; children, Benjamin, Sarah A., Joseph B. Benjamin Martin. Oldest son of Capt. Samuel R. Martin ; was born in Barrington, Aug. 28, 1815; m. Julia R. Drown, dau. of Jeremiah S. Drown. Mr. Martin was captain of a militia company, and like his ancestors for three generations was known as Captain Martin. He was a member of the Congregational Church for over 39 years, having joined with his wife in May, 1856, and was for many years deacon of the church. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1854 and senator in 1855 and 1862 ; at the age of twenty-five he was elected a mem- ber of the Town Council, and when he retired from office had been a councillor over 30 years. He was for a number of years Assessor of taxes and member of the school committee. He died Dec. 12, 1895, aged 80 years and four months ; his wife died Dec. 26, 1885, aged 73 years ; chil- dren, Charles E., Samuel R., Sarah E., Jeremiah D., Julia M. Joseph B. Martin. Son of Samuel R. and Sally (Bowen) Martin ; b. at the Martin homestead, April 28, 1823; m. Mary A. Drown, dau. of Solomon, April 15, 1847. Mr. Martin was a member of the Town Coun- cil in i860 and '61 and assessor of taxes for some years ; he has also held the office of highway surveyor; children, Mary E., William R., John E., Harry A., Clara A. Mrs. Martin died April 22, 1894, aged 70 years and 3 months. In 1842 Mr. Martin went to the Dorr War in the Barrington Company. William R. Martin. Oldest son of Joseph B. and Mary A. Martin, b. April 25, 1852; occupation, mason and contractor; m. Ella A. Baggs of Hopkinton, R. I. In May, 1867, he joined the Congregational Church. His only military experience was in 1870, when for a few weeks he was a member of the Barrington Centennial Escort under command of Capt. George L. Smith. He was elected a member of the Town Council in 1888 to 1892, and 1898, and has served the town on various committees, and minor offices. He is a member of Sowamset Lodge, No. 2, A. O. U. W. of Warren, and Barrington Council, No. 3, O. U. A. M, The Barnes Family, from Thomas and Prudence Barnes, who were in Swansea as early as 1669; was ordained as a minister in 1693, and died in 1706. Children, Lydia, Thomas, Sarah, Elizabeth ; Anne, m. Thomas Allin ; John, m. Mercy Allin; Peter, Samuel, Hannah. For full record see Austin's Gen. Dictionary and Arnold's Vital Records of Bristol County. The Vialls are from John Viall, born in England about 1619; was in Boston, 1639, and joined the first church of that town, 1641 ; was a vintner and kept the "Ship Tavern" from 1662 to 1679; m. (i) Mary ; m. (2) Elizabeth Smith; moved to Wannamoisett (Swansea) 1619, and bought 600 acres of land of Thomas Willett. In his will he names 696 THE HISTOEY OP BARBINGTON. wife Elizabeth, and children, John Nathaniel, Mary, Hopestill, Sarah, Abigail, but the Boston records give the Baptism of eleven children, one of whom was Benjamin, the ancestor of the Barringion Vialls. The Tifpanks are from Humphrey and Elizabeth Tifiany, who were at Rehoboth in 1663-4. The account of the tragic death of Humphrey Tiffany is given in the diary of the celebrated jurist, Samuel Sewall. " Wednesday, p. M., July 15. Very dark and great Thunder and Lighten- ing. One Humphrej' Tiffiny and Frances Low, Daughter of Antony Low, are slain with the Lightening and Thunder about a mile or half a mile beyond Billingses Farm, the Horse also slain, that they rode on, and another Horse in Company slain, and his rider who held the garment on to steady it at the time of the Stroke, a coat or cloak, stounded but not killed. Were coming to Boston. Antony Low being in Town the sad Bill was put up with (regard) of that Solemn judgment of God; Fast day Forenoon. July 15, 1685. 2 Persons 2 Horses." On Oct. 27, 1685, Elizabeth, widow of Humphrey Tiffany was appointed administratrix on his estate by the General Court of Plymouth. His son, Ebenezer, b. 1663, owned a large tract of land eastward from Mouscochuck Creek, and his house stood near the site of the R. R. station at Nayatt. The name Ebenezer has been retained in the family to the present time when there are two of the name, father and son. The Low Family is from John and Elizabeth Low of Boston ; wheel- wright; d. 1653; son Anthony, of Boston, Warwick and Swansea; m. Frances . John Winthrop wrote to Roger Williams that he hJtd a report that the Indians " had burnt about twelve houses, one new great yli/M^o^vrA^ <„ayi a>iy one, Anthonie Loes," in Swansea;, was captain of the sloop Dolp/iin, which he owned and gave to his son Samuel ; also gave to Samuel his house after his widow's death ; will bears date Aug. 6, 1692 ; his widow, Frances, d. 1702, aged about 70, and was buried at Tyler's Point Burial Ground. Children, John, Samuel, Elizabeth Ann, Anthony Low, 1678. Samuel Low, of Anthony; m. (i) Ann; m. (2) Rachel. Children, Samuel, b. 1701, Anne, Rachel. Samuel and second wife, Rachel, died 1718; Samuel owned 400 acres of land, 300 sheep, 50 head of cattle, 4. negroes, val. £130, etc., etc. Samuel Low, of Samuel, of Anthony, b. Mar. 29, 1701 ; m. Isabel Greene; children, Ann, m. Joseph Bosworth, Jr., Dec. 10, 1743, Hooker, and John Wilson, m. (i) Lydia; children, Lydia, b. 1754; Rachel, 1756,; John Wilson, Oct. 25, 1757 ; m. (2) Judith Gladding of Rehoboth, Sept. 28, 1762; m. (3) Mary Pearce; child Elizabeth; mother, Mary d. Oct., 1816, in her 96th year. John W., Sen., d. 1813. BRIEF BIOGEAPHIBS. 597 Hooker Low.s of Samuel,* of Samuel.^ of Anthony,^ of Johni; m. Elizabeth Kinnicutt; children, Wilson, b. 1751; Wilson, 2d, 1753; Sarah, 1754; Hooker, 1756; Wilson, 3d, 1758; Anstress, 1759; Amy, 1761, John Wilson, 1764. Hooker sold the farm and brick mansion house under the great elms at the corners at B. Centre to Hon. Paul Mumford. Joseph Rawson. Second son of Edward ; was born in Mendon, Aug. i8, 1768; grad. at Rhode Island CoUegelA- D. 1794; was rector of the Academy at Bristol, R. I., a number of years. He married Mrs. Rebecca Bullock of Providence, widow of Capt. William Bullock, and eldest dau. of Gen. Thomas Allen, Dec. 21, 1797; settled in Bristol and was for sev- eral years the first cashier of the Bank of Bristol, and his reason for leav- ing the bank was "in consequence of the Rev. Abraham L. Clark, the Episcopal minister, offering to be its cashier for one hundred dollars less than he had been paid. It was quite a ministerial move for the bread and fishes." He afterwards removed to Barrington, and was a represen- tative in the General Assembly in 1808. He also held other responsible offices such as justice of the peace, chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Bristol County, etc., etc. George Lewis Smith. Oldest son of Lewis B. Smith ; farmer, sol- dier. Captain in the Civil War, officer of Customs, Representative, Sena- tor, member of Board of State Charities and Correction, member of school committee and superintendent of schools. Assessor of taxes. President of B. R. I. Society, etc., etc. Mr. Smith enlisted as a private in the Second R. I. V. Reg. in 1861, served throughout the war and received an honor- able discharge in 1865. For army record see page 509. Mr. Smith is a man of practical business ability, liberal in views, generous, public spirited, conservative in action. His army record is one of which he is justly proud and in it he rendered the longest service, and attained the highest rank of the Barrington soldiers, the captaincy. In the autumn of 1891 Mr. Smith, wife, and daughter, started with others on a trip around the world, returning in 1892. They crossed the continent to California, thence across the Pacific, visiting Japan, India, Palestine, and the Euro- pean countries, with great delight and profit to all. Mr. Smith is influ- ential in the Republican party, and has enjoyed a full share of its honors. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been actively engaged in all the efforts made for building up New Barrington along the lines established by the earlier families ; m. Adelaide E. Peck, of Asa and Lucretia S. Peck, Dec. 27, 1865; children, George Howard, m. Olive B. Holmes; children, Mil- dred R., Lewis B., Harold H. ; Anna D., m. George R. Gray, D. D. S., of Worcester, Mass. The Paines are descended from Stephen Paine,i who came from Great EUingham, County Norfolk, England, and settled at Hingham, and was at Rehoboth in 1638. His son, Stephen,^ m. Anne Chickering, and his son Nathaniel ,5 b. Nov. 20, 1667, m. Dorothy Chaffee May i, 1694; children, Dorothy, Nathaniel,* Abigail, Jonathan, Rachel, Elizabeth. 598 THE HISTORY OF BAEEINGTON. Nathaniel,* b. May 24, 1697; m. Abigail Smith; ciiildren, Abigail, Dorothy, Nathaniel,* John. Nathaniel,* b. May 9, 1728; m. Mary Heath; children, Sarah, Na- thaniel,* Peleg,* Comfort, Mary, Abigail. Nathaniel,* m. Mrs. Olive (Bliss) Goff; children, Dorothy, Rosana, Olive, John, Lucinda, Comfort, Cyrene, Nathaniel, Paschal, 1796. Peleg,* m. Joanna Viall; children, Mary and Sarah R. m. Thomas Allin; Kezlah,* b. 1782, m. John W. Bicknell ; Joanna m. Dr. Theoph. Hutchins; Pamelia, Fanny, Almira, Abigail m. Dr. Jacob Fuller, of Providence. It is said Peleg was at Lexington as sergeant in 1775- He enlisted April 21, 1777, as corporal, and stationed at Tiverton, R. I., Capt. Nathaniel Carpenter's Company, John Hathaway's Reg., 23 days; May 13, 1777, again enlisted Captain Carpenter's Company, Josiah Whit- ing's Reg., marched to Rehoboth and fromRehoboth to South Kingston, R. I. ; discharged July 5, 1777; was corporal at this time July 27, and again Aug. i to 9, 1780; was sergeant in Capt. Jabez Bullock's Company, Col. Thomas Carpenter's Reg., under General Heath ; marched to Tiver- ton, R. I., July 22, 1780. Keziah Paine; m. John W. Bicknell, lived in Barrington at the Bowen Tavern stand near the Congregational meeting-house. Children : 1. George Willson, b. Nov. 7, 1807; m. Abigail Rawson. 2. Amanda, b. Nov. 18, iSog; m, Samuel B. Cooper. 3. Otis Paine, b. June 10, 1813 ; m. Miss Wells. 4. Edwin, b. July 18, 1814; m. Miss Fisher. 5. Almira Paine, b. June i, 1816; m. R. P. Crane. 6. Charles H., b. March 7, 1818; m. Eliza Goodhue. 7. Andrew H., b. Feb. 6, 1820; d. unmarried. 8. Martha Wilson, b. April 19, 1822 ; d. unmarried. 9. Anna Maria, b. April 19, 1825; d. unmarried. ID. Rebeccah Warren, adopted; m. Mr. Dickey. Thomas Willett was associated with the Leyden congregation in Holland in 1629, and came to Plymouth in the ship Lion, 1632 or 33; m. Mary Brown, dau. of Hon. John Brown, July 6, 1636; children Mary, b. Nov. 10, 1637, m. Rev. Samuel Hooker; Martha, b. Aug. 6, 1639, m. John SaflSn, lawyer and judge of Scituate, Boston, and Bristol; John, b. Aug.. 21, 1641, m. Abigail Collins, 1663, and died soon after; Sarah, b. May 4, 1643, m. John Eliot, son of the Apostle, John Eliot; Rebecca, b. Dec. 2, 1644, d. at age of 7; Thomas, b. Oct. i, 1646; Esther, b. July 6, 1647, ra. Rev. Josiah Flint of Dorchester, and d. July 26, 1737 ; James, b. Nov. 23, 1649, m. Elizabeth Hunt; Hezekiah, b. July 26, 1651, d. infant; Hezekiah, b. Nov. 7, 1650, m. Anna (or Andia) Brown, dau. of John Brown, Jr., Jan. 7, 1675, and was murdered by the Indians at Wanna- moisett July i, 1676; David, b. Nov. 1, 1654, d. young; Andrew, b. Oct. 5, 1655, m. Ann Coddington; Samuel, b. Oct. 27, i<')58, m. ; had 13 children; Mary Willett, d. Jan 8, 1669. Thomas, Sen., m. (2) Mrs. BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES. 599 Joanna Prudden, Sept. 19, 1671. He died Aug. 4, 1674, and is buried with his wife, Mary, at Little Neck, Wannamoisett. See pp. 68-74, 485. Business, merchant, trader, and farmer; offices held, Captain of Plymouth militia. Assistant to Governor, 1651-1664; member of Council of war; Assistant Commander in chief at Manhattan, Mayor of New York for two terms from June, 1665; co-founder of Swansea with John Myles and John Brown, and several other offices in Town and Colony. Rev. Shearjashub Bourne is a descendant from the noted family of that name of Bristol. His ancestor, Shearjashub Bourne, m. Ruth Church in 1747, and the old Bible name has been an heir-loom in the fam- ily and its offshoots. Mr. Bourne is a Congregational minister and has filled useful pastorates in New York city and vicinity. Mr. Bourne, with his family, has been a resident of Barrington for several years, and is thoroughly a Barrington man in spirit and action. One son, Alexander, is a graduate of B. U., and a pastor of the Congregational Church at Exeter, N. H. The Gardners, John Q. A. and sons, have identified themselves with the best interests of the town since their residence at Rumstick. Their farm contains the celebrated Scamscammuck Spring, which is worthy of bearing the name of the distinguished Indian chief, who dwelt on Barrington soil. The evidences of Indian occupation of these lands are varied and interesting, and the owners of Scamscammuck prize it, not only for the abundance, purity, and coolness of its waters, but also for its aboriginal associations. Mr. J. Q^ A. Gardner has held several town offices, and has been a Representative, and Mr. Herbert M. Gardner has been elected as moderator of town meetings, and a member and pres- ident of the Town Council. Among those of our adopted citizens of foreign birth, who have con- tributed to the growth of the town and by their industry, prudence, and other distinguishing individual qualities, have made a good record for themselves and families, may be named, John Burke, James Doran, Pat- rick Martin, James Kirby, Robert Tobin. Barrington has always been a hospitable home for honest men of whatever race, color, or religion, and the fact that the children of some of the families named have attained professional eminence and a fair share of this world's goods, is evidence of the truth of the lines : *' Honor and shame from no conditions rise; Act well thy part, there all the honor lies." The Heaths are from Rev. Peleg Heath, the minister of the Congre- gational Church. The Pecks are from Joseph Peck, who came to America with his brother. Rev. Robert Peck, in the ship Diligent, in 1638, and landed at Hingham. The town records say, " Mr. Joseph Peck, with his wife and three sons and daughter, and two men servants and three maid servants, came from Old Hingham, and settled at New Hingham." 600 THE HISTORY OF BAEErNGTON. Charles Erastus Smith, conti-acting mason ; has rendered valuable service to the town as Superintendent of Highways, by introducing better methods of road construction, and the use of better material. Under his administration of the highway department, Barrington roads took the lead for solidity and durability among the County towns. Mr. Smith also superintended the setting of the shade trees, and had the care of them for several years. The Allins are from William and Elizabeth AUin of Prudence Island and Annawomscutt, Swansea, who bought a large tract of land which in- cluded the present village of Drownville, and built a house and became residents before 1670. In his will, proved 1685, he gave " to second son, Thomas, my now dwelling house in Swansea, only half thereof to be for his wife Elizabeth for life, and the stock thereon, equally to wife and son Thomas." Thomas,^ son of William,^ m. Anne Barnes, dau. of Thomas Barnes; children, Elizabeth, Matthew, Thomas, Anne, Rebecca, Alathea, and Abi- gail; by his will he gave his estate to his sons, Matthew and Thomas, equally, after widow's dower; his sister Mercy m. John Barnes, son ot Thomas and Prudence Barnes; Thomas,^ d. Aug. 11, 1719. Matthew Allin,' b. June, 1679, m. Ruth Stockbridge; children, seven daughters and two sons, Thomas,* b. 1742, and Matthew,* h. 1744: five of their seven daughters died between the 21st of Aug. and the 15th of Sept., 1740; Matthew,^ d. 1761. Matthew Allin,* m. (i) Elizabeth Tiffany, 1767; m. (2) Bathsheba Peck; ra. (3) Molly Hall; no children of record. Matthew,* was a Captain in the Revolution, and reference is made to that chapter. Thomas Allin,* m. Amy Bicknell, dau. of Peter Bicknell, May 29, 1768; children, William, 1768-1829; Rebecca, m. (2) Joseph Rawson; Amy, m.John Horn, (see portrait) ; Thomas, m. (i) Mary R. Paine; m. (2) Sarah R. Paine; children, Ethan, Ira, m. ; Nancy, M. Samuel Drown ; Elizabeth W., m. Allin Bicknell, (see porti-ait) ; Shearjashub, George, John Jay.* For Gen. Thomas AUin's history see chapter on the Revolution. John Jay Allin of New York, seventh generation from William,^ and three generations from Gen. Thomas Allin, now owns and occupies a summer residence at Annawomscutt, on land once owned by his ancestor, William, of whom he is a worthy descendant. His line is Capt. John Jay AUin,' John Jay Allin, Sen. ,6 Ira AUin,' Gen. Thomas AUin,* Matthew AUin, Esq.,8Thomas Allin, Esq„2 William Allin, Esq.,1 of Annawomscutt, 1667-16S5. Nathaniel Wait Smith. Son of Nathaniel C. and Sally B. Smith; b. Dec. 18, 1842; m. Emily F. Cole, April, 1870; children, Walter C, 1871, and Nathaniel, Jr., 1873. Became a partner Jan. 1, 1873, in the well- known firm of Geo. L. Claflin & Co., wholesale druggists, in Providence, and devoted himself most faithfully to the duties of his chosen calling. AUTOGRAPHS OF HARRINGTON MEN OF COLONIAL DAYS. BEIEF BIOGEAPHIES. 601 He possessed a more than ordinary aptitude for commercial affairs, and altliougti but thirty-three years of age when he died, had already won for himself an enviable reputation for sterling integrity, untiring industry, and executive capacity of no small degree. He was deservedly popular •with all classes. Died July 7, 1878. Carlo Mauran. Son of Joseph C. and Olive B. Mauran ; b. March 12, 1779; m. Sallie Smith, March 27, 1801;; he died Nov. 27, 1844; she died Nov. 5, 1866; was a member of the firm of C. & J. Mauran, Providence; was an able and successful business man ; had-a fine physique, a manly and dignified carriage, and bore a striking resemblance to his father, whom he was like also in character; his biographer says of him: "A good man has gone ; an affectionate husband, an indulgent father, a de- voted and faithful friend, and an honest and upright citizen has been taken from us." Joshua Mauran. Son of Joseph C. and Olive B. Mauran; b. March 12,, 1782; m. Abigail Winsor, Jan. 7, 1808; he died Jan. i, 1847; she died Oct. 15, 1873; Joshua was a member of the firm of C. & J. Mauran, who, as leading merchants of Providence, were distinguished for their commer- cial enterprise and honor. At his death, in respect to his character and memory, the flags of the shipping in the harbor were displayed at half mast, and the members of the Marine Society attended his funeral in a body. Joseph Mauran. Son of Joseph C. and Olive B. Mauran; b.Dec. 22, 1796; m. Sophia R. Sterry, Oct. 11, 1820; he d. June 8, 1873; she d. Aug. 28, 1854. Dr. Joseph Mauran was a successful physician, an active and influential citizen of Providence, and an accomplished. Christian gentle- man. For further particulars see page 541. SucHET Mauran. Son of Joseph C. and Olive B. Mauran ; b. April 3, 1794; m. (i) Sophia W. Bowen; m. (2) Fannie W. Perkins; he died Sept. 28, 1871 ; Sophia d. April 14, 1847; Fannie d. June 25, 1884. Suchet was a sea captain until 1851, after which he was chosen President of the At- lantic Insurance Co., of Providence. He was a man of excellent judg- ment, social, hospitable, and an " old school gentleman." Isaac T. Barnum, is one of the most useful citizens of Barrington, and has supplied the town with meat and provisions for many years. His army record is an honorable one, and he has held many town offices, the most important of which were member of Town Council and Representa- tive. He married Edna, dau. of George K. Viall, to whom several chil- dren have been given. Annawomscutt. This village of summer residents is located near Annawomscutt Creek, from which it takes its name, and was founded in the seventies by leading citizens of Pawtucket seeking cottage homes on Narragansett Bay. Among the pioneers in the purchase of land, and the building of elegant summer cottages, were Gen. Olney Arnold, Hon. Gideon L. Spencer, James Brown, Esq., Gen. William R. Walker, Gov. 602 THE HISTORY OP BAKEIN6T0N, Alfred H. Littlefield, Lieut. Gov. Daniel G. Littlefield, and others. The location of this beautiful village is between Bullock's and Nayatt Points, and commands both passages of the Bay, the Islands, and the east and west shores. The land on which the cottages stand was a part of the Sowams Purchase of Massasoit in 1653; '^^^^ purchased by William Allin, Senior, about 1669, and under its soil sleep the bones of Wampanoag In- dians, and the implements of agriculture and hunting are found near the surface. Lovers of romance, poetry, and lovely summer scenes can revel at will at beautiful "Annawomscutt on the Bay." James Bowen. Son of Jeremiah and Lillas Bowen; born January, 1773, died Oct. 27, 1S56, at the ripe age of 83 years. His father was a sea captain, and James commenced a sailor's life at the early age of ten and continued to follow the seas for thirty years. Before his twenty-fifth birthday he commanded the brig Agenora, a merchant vessel, with offi- cers and crew younger than himself. His school education was very lim- ited, owing to the reverses shared by his family in time of the Revolu- tion, yet his close observation and careful study of men gave him a clear insight into business and a sound judgment in practical life. By fortu- nate risks, careful attention to business, and a wise economy, he gathered a goodly share of wealth. His townsmen honored him with many public offices, among which was that of being the first senator from Barrington in the General Assembly. Mr. Bowen was judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas for Bristol County for several years. Captain and Judge Bowen lived a useful and honored life and was laniented at his death. Richmond Viall. Son of Anson and Elizabeth Viall; b. 1834; in early life a jeweler at Attleboro, Mass., and Providence; later entered the employ of The Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Company, Providence, where, by unquestioned ability and faithful service, has attained and holds the responsible position of superintendent of that great establishment. Mr. Viall is a firm believer in the doctrine that the discipline of education, devotion to business, and correct habits of living are the fundamentals to success in all departments of life, and what he believes he has practised through a successful career. Among the builders of New Barrington, reference has been made to Mr. William H. Smith and Mrs. Martha B. Smith, whose activities were devoted to the best interests of the town. Mr. Smith was honored with several town offices and was a representative in the Legislature. Mrs. Smith was a woman of unusual mental and moral power, and with larger opportunities would have ranked with the best intellects of her sex. Her mind was clear, original, vigorous, always seeking for the truth, and in her family, in the church and in society was a leader in thought and action. Her life has inspired all to noble motives and conceptions of life, and a daughter, Mrs. Hannah B. Buffington, holds the responsible posi- tion of matron of the Home for Aged Men in Providenpe. The epitaph to her husband, found on another page, well applies to Mrs. Smith, who passed on to the higher life in a serene old age. AUTOGRAPHS. 603 Old Maps. The maps facing page 580 are of great interest and of historic value. The one, which represents the Wampanoag territory, is a part of the first map made in New England, and aids us in locating ancient Sowams. The Crown which indicates the royal residence is on the peninsula between the two branches of the Sowams or Great River. For further reference see page 106, and the whole of chapter viii. Sowams and Bar- rington, pp. 90-111. The one, which represents the Bay and adjoining territory, is a part of the map of the Commissioners of the Eastern boundary line and is found in the British State Paper office, London. The line, I, 2, 4, separated Swansea from Rehoboth, and the territory, i, 2, 3, is old Barrington of 1717-1747. See Chap, xvi., pp. 182-198. Autographs. The autographs which follow, and those facing page 602, are exact fac similes of the originals, found on deeds, wills, and other manuscript documents in the possession of the author. The dates of the autographs appear against the names, and identify, in most cases, the period of ma- ture life of the signer. The order of arrangement is accidental. Anthony Low, p. 596 1678 John Adams • 1758 William Carpenter 1678 James Brown 1770 John Brown 1690 Sol. Townsend, Jr. 1772 John Kelly, p. 586 . 1736 Samll Bosworth, p. 581 1772 Nathaniel Peck '753 Luther Martin, Ferrima 1 1798 Peleg Heath 174s Sam Watson 1799 Joseph C. Mauran 1799 Zechariah Bicknell 1713 Nathl Martin 1776 Joshua Bicknell ■ 1742-3 Josiah Kinnicutt 1816 Samuel Allen 179s Nathaniel Heath 1793 Joshua Bicknall 1799 Matthew AUin . 1761 John Wilson Low 1772 Thomas Allin . 1729 Stephen Paine, Senior 1678 Wm. Allin 1817 John Devotion . . 1718-19 Edward Bosworth 1742 Josiah Kent 1736 Samuel Viall . • 1774 Elkanah Humphrey . 1805 Nathaniel Viall 1774 Nelson A. Miles 1896 Israeli Peck 1708 Ebenezer Tiffany 1772 Josiah Humphrey 1768 Peleg Richmond • 1742-3 Solomon Townsend . 1761 Sam. Allen 1770 Olive Mauran 1799 Richard Harding . 1718-19 Thomas Allin 1778 Ebenezer Tiffany ■ 1738 604 THE HISTORY OF BAKEmOTON. \^Uf» (^. iJj4rMx£B>rriMr^ MYI^ ^^ ^^lwn]4fK JvUfVi fj%e S92- Martin, Nathaniel, Jr., 388. Martin, Patrick, 599. Martin, Rufus, 388. Martin, Samuel, 389. Martin, Samuel R., 430, 475, 594. Martin, S. H., 321. Martin, Sullivan, 588. Martin, William R., 431,595. Massachusetts Bay Colony, 7, 8, 1 13, 114, 1 15, 117, 168, 169, 170, 182, 185, 187, 193, 196, 277, 279, 283. Massassoit Spring, no. Massassoit, 7, 8, 13, 30, 31, 32, 33, 38, 42, 44, 49,50,51,52,53, 54' S5> S6> 62, 64, 90 to III. Mason, Joseph, 182, 454, 455. Mason, Sampson, 88, 146, 158. Mattapoisett, 48-51. Mattapoisett, 44, 48 to 51. Matthew, Daniel, 389. Mathewson, Allen C., 431, 499, et seq., 520, 546. Mathewson, John B., 507. Matthewson, Noel, 587. Mauran, Antoine Joseph, 541. Mauran, Carlo, 601. Mauran, Joseph. 541, 601. Mauran, Joseph Carlo, 350, 389, 390, 391, 441, 593. Mauran, Joshua, 601. Mauran, Suchet, 601. Maxiield, Daniel, 391. INDEX. 611 Maxwell, Elder, 209. May, Elisha, 189, 248, et seq. May, George, 89. Meadows, 65, 78, 79, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86. Medbury, Benjamin, 391, 430. Medbury, James M., 507. Medbury, John, 391, 478. Medbury, Matthew C., 508. Medbury, Samuel Viall, 541. Medbury, Thomas, 253, et seq., 465. Meeting - House, Congregational, 14, 194, 210, 211, 230, 239, 254, 258, 261, 263, 264, 265, 268, 270, 271. 275. 434' 435. 441. 442- Meeting-House Lot, 416, 417. Memorials at St. John's Church, 546-7- Merriman, Charles H., 427, 552, 592- Metacom, 38. Methodist Church, 549-50. Miles, Nelson A., 133, 574. Mills, Annawomscutt, 560. Militia, 338, 339, 340, 488 to 493. Militia guard, 372, 373. Miller, Wm. Jr., 32, 34, 108. Mission, S. Matthews, S4-78. Mitchell, Experience, 88. Mitchell, Experience, 59, 63, 67. Moderators, 415. Monroe, Squire, 391. Moran, Charles W., 508. Mosskituash, lo, 37, 63, 95. Mount Hope, 10, 19,20,21,22,34, 42, 83,91, 104, 106, 109, 162, 163, 164, 165, 176. Mouscochuck Creek, i, 5, 12, 515, SS6, SS7- Mumford, Paul, 14, 349, 350, 354, 35S. 356, 357. 359. 360. 39'. 43o, 579- Munroe, Henry Augustus, Jr., 541. Murray, Rev. Robt. Jr., 545. Mutual Improv. Association, 513- 14. Myles's Bridge, 14, 162, 163, 165. Myles, Daniel, 133. Myles, Rev. John, 120 to 122, 125, 127 to 135, 137, 139, 144, 145, 149, 150, 165, 174, 175, 177, 466. Myles, John Jr., 132, 158, 173. Myles, Rev. Samuel, 132, 151. Namasket, 47, 48, 50. Narragansett Bay, i, 17, 19, 21, 28, 29. 32. 33. 36, 37. 42, 91. 92. 97. 98, no, 276, 277, 278, 279. Narragansett Brick Co, 516, 556. Nayatt, 11,37, 85- Nayatt Brick Co., 516, 556. Nayatt Store, 559. Newman, Rev. Samuel, 81, 84, 85, 88, 116-117, 182. New England Steam Brick Co., 557- New Meadow Neck, 36, 57, 80, 85, 86, 87, 96, 97, 100, 107, 108, 109, 125, 173, 286. New Meadows, Neck, River, 79, 80, 96, 107, 109, 174, 176, 184, 19s, 19s, 196, 248, 252, 259, 261, 281, 294, 295, 298, 299, 466, 467, 468. Nockum Hill, i, 12, 80, 122. Normal School students, 535-6. Northmen in NaiTagansett Bay, 17- 22. Norumbega, 18. Officers, Militia, 489, 491, 2, 3. Ormsbee, Isaac, 391 . Oxx, George, 391. Oxx, Samuel, 391. Oyster fisheries, 558. Paddock, John, 88, 146. Paine Family, 597-8. Paine, Keziah, 598. Paine, Nathaniel, 81, 88, 391, 392, 598. Paine, Peleg, 598. Paine, Stephen, 78, 81, 82, 83, 84, 88, 597- Paine, Stephen, Jr., 88, 597. Parsonage, 420, 442, 443, 444. Patriotism of Barrington, 322-325, 336. 337- Pawtucket River, 11, 61, 79, 94, 95, 107. Peabody, Rev. Charles, 238, 586. Pease, Rev. Giles, 238, 420. Peck, Amos, 391. Peck, Asa, 422, 424. Peck, Benjamin, 391. Peck, Daniel, 211. Peck, David, 211,392. Peck, Ebeiiezer, 392, 430. Peck, Edwin B., 508. Peck Family, 599. Peck, Horatio N., 508. Peck, Israel, 81, 82, 85, 88, 189. Peck, Joel, 392, 586. Peck, John H., 508. Peck, Joseph, 84, 88, 599. Peck, Kezia, 476. Peck, Leander R., 14, 471. 612 THE HISTORY OP BAEEINGTON. Peck, Learned, 587. Peck, Lewis, 392. Peck, Nathaniel, 81, 82, 88, 141, 145, 158, 182, 189, 211, 248, el seq., 284, et seq., 586. Peck, Nicholas, 89, 392. Peck, Noah A., 478, 508. Peck, Seba, 587. Peck, Solomon, 211, 392, 477. Peck, Walter Asa, 424, 541. Pedobaptists, 257. Peebee, or Phebe, 10, 13, 125. Peebee's or Phebe's Neck, 7, 9, 10, 36, 82, 97, 98, 100, 106, 294, 298, 299. Perren, Abraham, 82, 88. Perry, F. W., 4.31. Petition for division of Swansea, 187, 188, 189. Pettis, Obadiah, 189. Philip's War, 130, 162 to 167. Phinney, Jonathan, 189. Phinney, Joshua, 189. Phippen, Christian, 255. Pierce, Ephraim, 182. Place of Trade, 184. Plass, Rev. Norman, 240, 568. Plymouth, Colony, Court, 30, 58, 50, 62, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 77, 91, 93, 100, loi, 102, 168 to 17 [. Points, I. Pokanoket, 8, g, 30, 32 to 43, 90, 91. 92. 93- Pometacom, 13. Ponds, I. Popanomscutt, 9, 81,82, 84, iii, 125. Poppasquash, 9, 10, 95. Potter, Earl C., 424, 430, 517. Potter, Nathaniel F., 515-16-17, 583. Potter, Ralph G., 541. Potter, Walter Armington, 541 . Population, Growth of, 530. Post-offices, 321. Pounds for cattle, 250, 265, 266. Prince, Thomas, 56, 63-4-5-6-7-8, 85-6,88. Prince's Pond, Hill, i, 4, 5, 560. Private Schools, 524-42. Public Buildings and Societies, 551, 554- Public Library, 424, 532, 552, 554. Public Schools, 524-42. Quakers, 112, 113, 257, 408. Railroad, P. W. & B., 519, 520. Ranking system, 157-161. Rawson, Joseph, 430, 597. Read, David, 392. Read, Samuel, 392. Read, William, 393. Rebellion, The great, 498-511. Rehoboth, 42, 44, 77, 79, 80, 96, 100, loi, 116, 123, 127, 184, 251, 252, 254, 269, 272. Remington, Enoch, 319, 429, 592. Remington, Daniel S., 508. Renuff, Betty, 225, 311,478. Representatives to General Assem- bly, 430. Resolutions as to tea, 325, 327. Revolution, War of 222 to 401. Reynolds, Annie C, 321. Reynolds, Thomas, 393. Rhode Island College, 290, 291. Richardson, Harrison H., 431, 563, 564- Richmond, George W., 478, 508. Richmond, John F., 430, 431, 588. Richmond, Peleg, 211, 212. Richmond, Sarah, 217. Richmond, Scipio, 404. Richmond, Sylvester, 217. Richmonds, The, 588. Rider, Sidney S., 12. Rivers, i. River Formation, 4. Road Building, 449, 450, 451. Roffee, Earl E., 508. Roffee, Eugene I., 508. Rocks, I. Rogers, John, 182, 189,275, 479, 581. Rogers, Thomas, 582. Rumstick, 11, 12, 36. Runen's River and Bridge, 12, 78, 79, 80. Rural Improvement Association, S52- Sabin, Samuel, 393. Saffin, John, 77, 82, 83, 88, 160, 484, 485. Saffin, Martha, 485. Salaries, Ministers,' 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 212, 213, 214, 224, 247, 2S4' ^5S< 256, 257, 260, 262, 264, 266, 268. Salisbury, Abigail, 393, 582. Salisbury, George, 393. Salisbury, William, 89, 158, 159, 189. Salisbury, Wm., Jr., 189. Salt Manufacture, 557. Samoset, 30, 31. Scamscammuck, 1, 13, 36, 82, 84, no. INDEX. 613 Schools and Schoolmasters, 148, 149, 152, to 156, 251, 253, 254, 256, 259. 260, 261, 263, 26I, 26s, 266,271, 416,420,421, 428, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529,530, 531. Scott, Prof. Adrian, 12. Sea-weed, 419, 421. Sea-faring, 555. Seekonk, 9, 34. Senators to General Assembly, 431. Sergeants, Town, 415. Seymour, George S., 509. Seymour, Joseph, 509. Seymour, James DeWolf , 509. Sharp, Richard, 88, 145, 158. Shaw, Rev. S. Brenton, 545-6. Sheldon, John, 393. Shipbuilding, 281, 556. Short, Daniel, 233. Short, James, 393. Short, John, Jr., 354, 359, 393, 430- Short, Philip, 254. Short, Samuel, 393. Slaves, 404 to 410. Slaves, Emancipation of, 407, 408. Slavery, Domestic, 402, 403, 409. Smith, Asa, 430. Smith, Caesar, 405. Smith, Charles E., 600. Smith, Charles J. M., 568. Smith, Dermit, 159. Smith, Ebenezer, 251, et seq. Smith, Eliza C, 518, 536. Smith, Elizabeth J., 517. Smith, Elizabeth, 479. Smith, George Lewis, 430,' 431, 509, 531.532.597- Smith, George Warner, 541. Smith, Henry, 83, 84, 85, 88,431. Smith, Irving M., ■552, 579. Smith, James, 189, 211, 476. Smith, Judith R., 518, 536. ^ Smith, Lewis B., 240, et seq., 422, 425, 426, 427-28, 430, 431, 444, 471,496,499,503, 504, 518, 551, 563, 590. Smith, Lydia B., 517. ' Smith, Martha B., 476, 602. Smith, Moses A., 509. Smith, Nathaniel, 393, 394, 430, 588. Smith, Nathaniel C, 422, 430, 493, 495. 587- Smith, N. J., 583. Smith, Nathaniel W., 600. Smith, Pomp, 394. Smith, Sallie, 478. Smith, Simon, 394. Smith, Walter P., 476. Smith, William H., 430, 479, 496, 602. Sochorose, Joseph, 394. Soil Analysis, 6. Soldiers, Revolutionary, 375 to 401. Soldiers, Markers at graves of, 400, 401. Soldiers in Civil War, 506-11. Sounding Board, 441, 442. Sowams or Sowamset, 7, 8, 9, 12, 21.31.35.36.43.47.48. .56, 58 to 66, 74 to 81, 84, 87, 88, 89, 90 to III, 123, 136, 139, 449. Sowams River, i, 12, 35, 36, 94, 95, 96. Springs, i. Stage coaches, 319 to 321. Stanley, Comfort, 394. Stanley, H. M., 431. Staples, Henry, 424, 430, 500, 521, 543. 544. 545- Staples, Levi, 431. St. Andrew's Industrial School, 537-8. St. John's Episcopal Church, 543- 47- Starkweather, Joseph U., 427, 552, 560, 593- Standish, Myles, 31, 58, 59, 63 ,65, 67, 85, 88. State House, 419. Steere, Henry J., Memorial to, 546-7- Stiles, Rev. Dr., 225. Stocks, 250, 259, 263, 271, 291. Stores, 559. Street Railway, Electric, 561. Students at Normal School, 535-6. Suffrage, Manhood, 493, 494. Sumner, Rev. John, 257. Sunday School, Congregational, 232, 233, 244. Swansea, 1,6,7,8, 97, 101-2, 124, 125, 129, 131-2, 164-5-6, 170, 182- 3-4, 187-8-9, 192-3, 195-6, 201. Swansea, Early Education in, 147 to 156. Swansea, incorporation of, 136 to 146. Swansea Ranks, 157 to 161. Swansea, Wales, 120-21-22. Sweetland, Edward R., 509. Sweetland, James L., Jr., 509. Sweetland, Samuel M., 510. Swift, Thomas, 259. Sympathy for Boston, 328. 614 THE HISTOEY OF BAEEQirGTON. Tablet, Memorial, 428. Tanner, Nicholas, 8S, 121, 122, 127, 145. 1581 161, 258. Taunton, 48. Taverns, 15, 307 to 319. Taxes, Collectors of, 415. Taxes, Town, 260, 288, 289, 305, 306. Telegraph line, 560. Telephones, 561. Thomas, John, 121. Thomas, John, 182. Thorfinn, 18, 19, 20. Thurber, John, 88, 89, 146, 394. Thurston, Wilmarth Heath, 541. Ticknor, Josiah, 189. Tiffany, Ebenezer, 189, 218, 242, 243, 248, et seq., 306, 341, 394, 400, 422, 429, 430, 431, 434, 444, 560, 596. Tiffany, Ebenezer, Jr., iv, 431, 554. Tiffany Family, 596. Tiffany, Hezekiah, 429, 479. Tiffany, Humphrey, 596. Tiffany, Jessie Goodwin, 541. Tiffany, John C., 510. Tiffany, Recompence, 248, et seq. Tiffany, Sarah, 479. Tiffany, Scipio, 404. Tiffany, Thomas, 189. Titcomb, William G., SS7- Titus, Simeon, 394. Tobin, John F., 542. Tobin, Robert, 599. Toll Bridge Company, 458, 459, 460, 461. Tom's Spring, i, 13. Toogood, John, 189. Toogood, Nathaniel, 88, 146, 160. Toogood, Rachel, 478. Tooker, W. W., 9, 11, 13. Tories, Resolutions as to, 358. Torrey, John, 249. Torrey, Josiah, 195, 196, 249, et seq., 429. Torrey, Rev. Samuel, 247, 254, 255. Touissett, 12. Tovirns added to R. I., character of, 283. Town Clerks, 429. Town Hall, 422, 425, 426, 427, 428, 551.552- Town Officers, 172 to 182, 247 to 273, 412 to 415, 429, 430, 431. Towns, organization of, 136, 137, 138- Towns, liberal policy, 137, 138. Town Meeting, April, 1898, 431. Townsend, Benjamin Bourne, 480. Townsend, George Robert, 479. Townsend, Martha, 481. Townsend, Nancy, 482. Townsend, Solomon, Jr., 319, 394, 420, 429, 430, 481. Townsend, Rev. Solomon, 224 to 229' 435. 436. 480. Townsend, Rev. Shearjashub B,, 482, 542. Traffern, Cromwell, 394. Traffern, Capt. Philip, 351, 355, 356, 394. 395- Train Field, 256. Training Field, 14. Treasurers, Town, 429. Trees, Setting, 424-5-6. Trees, care of, 428. Tripp, Consider, 395. Trails, Indian, 446. Travel from Barrington to Provi- dence, 457. Turner, Thomas, 189. Tyler, John, 429, 430. Tyler, Moses, 395, 430, 584. Tyler, William, 395. Tyler's Point, Cemetery, 125, 185. United Am. Workmen, 554. United Cong. Society, 432, 433, 434> 44I) 445- Valuation, Barrington, 291, 304, 523. Verrazzano's Explanation, 23-29. Verrazzano and the Wampanoags, 23-29. Viall, Allen, 395. Viall, Benjamin, 189, 211, 248, et seq., 429. Viall, Benjamin B., 517. Viall, B. W.,321. Viall, Constant, 211, 212. Viall Family, 595. Viall, George H., 510. Viall, John, 88, 308, 395, 595. Viall, Jonathan, 189, 209, 253, et seq. Viall, Joseph, 211, 212, 395. Viall, Josiah, 314, et seq., 395. Viall, Nathaniel, 395. Viall, Richmond, 602. Viall, Samuel, 395, 480. Viall, Sylvester, 242, 395. Viall, William Angell, 542. Viall, W. B., 321. Villages, Indians, 16. Vineland, 18, 19, 22. Volunteers, Barrington, in Dorr War, 496. INDEX. 615 Wadsworth, Rev. John, 256. Wadsworth, Timothy, 209, 247, et Eeq. Walcott, Erastus L., 431, 589. Waldron, David A., 244, 427, 444, „ 552. 553. 554. S85- Walker, George W., 510. Walker, Philip, 83, 84, 88. Walker, Samuel, 89. Warapanoag, 8, 9, 24 to 28, 30 to 46. Wamsutta, 38, 44, 64. Wannamoisett, 11, 37, 43, io8, 125. Wannamoisett, ii, 37, 43, 71-2-3, 100, 106-7-8, 164-5, 172. Warren, 7, 90, 92, 104, 106, 110, 277 to 300. Water Companies, 560. Watson, Bethia, 4S2. Watson, Cambridge, 404. Watson, Henry H., 510. Watson, John, 395. Watson, Matthew, 395, 482, 515, 556. 591- Watson, Pomp, 404. Watson, Rev. Samuel, 229, 231, 429, 483, 542. Warner, Rev. Francis J., 544. Waypoyset, n. Wealth, Growth of, 523, 530. Webb, WilliamC, 510. Webber, John, 259. Weeks, Edward Henry, 542. Welch, Stillman, 430. West, John, 89, 146, 159. Wheaton, Ephraim, 209. Wheaton, John, 89, 159, 504, 589. Wheaton, Joseph, 145, 159. Wheaton, Samuel, 159. Whitcomb, Lyman, 510. White, Peregrine, 59, 67. White, Resolved, 59, 60, 67. White, William, 59, 63. Whitmarsh, Rev. Mr., 255. Wightman, Augustus A., 510. Wightman, Charles C, 510. Wightman, George W., 513, 583. Willett, Hezekiah, 592. Willett, Mary, 484, 485. Willett, Thomas, 43, 44, 59, 63, 65, 66, 67, 68 to 74, 79, 83, 84, 85, 88, 95, 96, 100, 129, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 144, 145, 157, 1.58, 162, 172, 173, 469, 484, 598. Williams, Rev. Thomas, 238, 590. William and Mary, 169. Williams, Roger, 97, 98, 99, 106. Winslow, Edward, 31, 33, 45, 47, 57. 68, 92. Winslow, Ferdinand, 510. Winslow, Job, 83, 88, 146, 159. Winslow, John, 59, 63, 67, 83, 84, 85. 88. Winslow, Josiah, 68, 85, 86, 88. Winslow, Knelm, 59, 67. Winslow, W. A., 321. Wood, Benjamin B., 499, 501. Wood, Hiram B., 510. Wood, Mark, H., 243, 429,431. 1 Wood, Rev. Francis, 237, 429, 478, 536, 588. Wood, Thomas, 182. Woodbury, Samuel, 89, 145, 159- Woods, I. Wrentham, 44. Wright, Rev. Luther, 232, 237, 583. To THE Reader After a careful reading of the printed pages' of the History, I find but few errors of typography to which I care to call attention, as no reason- able person expects perfection in the first edition of so large a volume. It will be noticed that the same word or name is frequently spelled in more than one way. For example, in the records the AUin family name is often written Allen, and the opposite; Myles is written Miles, Brooks, Brookes, Swansea, Swanzey, etc. ; but these cases will not mislead the reader. As the Indians had no written language, the spelling of their names is as varied as the minds of the writers. The use of the double letter in Indian words, as in Massassoit, Chachapacassett, Nayatt, etc., seems to be established by good authority, and I have followed what I regard the best usage, although, in some instances, this rule has escaped notice. The table of contents on p. vi, the synopsis of chapters, and the gen- eral index will enable readers to find most of the material of the work. The unexpected size of the volume and the multitude of names, however, have prevented an exhaustive index, but names omitted may be readily found by reference to the catalogues of names in several chapters. Four pages have been added for personal memoranda. On page 243, for " Bowen " read Bowden. On pages 496 and 558, read Joseph B. Martin. On page 496, for "Bowen" read Brown, and for George R. Martin read George S. Martin. OcU pages 556 and 558, for " Nochun " read Nockum. MEMOKANDA. 617 618 MEMOEAiitDA. MEMOBAlilDA. 619 620 MEMOEANDA.