,^ "<^ ^z^^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. ^ t ^de4f ...... .KMh ' i UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. CCf c- <^- -^- - j ^*^5^r-^^- ^^( fee: ;; <^m E.,. . te::-C,«^g^ ^o-"^.'ScS ^^^ c<:":'/^^cs^ ^K7^r^*, and leaving their grow- ing crops of corn to the spoil of the wild beasts of the forest, crossed the river to commence the settlement of the city of Providence. The boundary between the States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island remained in dispute for two hundred and twenty-six years, until in 1862 it was finally settled by an adjustment which proves Roger Williams to have been in the right in first locating upon the East shore of the Seekonk, as Rhode Island soil. From the Plymouth Colonial Records, Vol. 11, p, 61, it appears that one John Hazell was residing at "Seacunck'' in 1642, but the first general permanent settlement of the town was made in the Spring of 1644, by a colony of fifty-eight men with their families, from Weymouth and Hingham, Mass., under the leadership of 1* 6 the Eev. Samuel Newmaii, who gave the town the name of Rehoboth, remarking, ''the Lord hath opened a way for us." The houses of this colony were built in a sems-cir- cle around Seekonk Common, opening towards Seekonk River, with the church and parsonage in the centre. The first church stood within a few rods of the spot now occu- pied by the Congregational Church. This circle was known as "The Ring of the Town." At a town meeting holden June 21st, 1644, it was voted that a meeting should be holden by all the inhabitants on every fortieth day ''for the consideration and acting of such necessary affairs as concern the plantation." July 3d, 1644, the fol' compact was signed : "This combination, entered into by the general consent of all the inhabitants, after general notice given the 23d of the 4th month." We, whose names are underwritten, being, by the prov- idence of God, inhabitants of Seacunck, intending there to settle, do covenant and bind ourselves one to another, to subject our persons (torn offj (according to law and equity) to nine persons, any five of the nine which shall be chosen by the major part of the inhabitants of this plantation, and we (torn off) to be subject to all whole- some (torn off) by them, and to assist them, according to our ability and estate, and to give timely notice unto them of any such thing as in our conscience may prove dangerous unto the plantation, and this combination to continue until we shall subject ourselves jointly to some other government. William Cheesborough, Ephraim Hunt, Walter Palmer, Peter Hunt, Edward Smith, William Smith, Edward Bennett, John Peren, Robert Titus, Zachery Rhoodes, Abraham Martin, Job Lane. John Matthews, Alex. Winchester, Edward Sale, Henry Smith, Ealph Shepherd, Stephen Payne, Samuel Newman, Ralph Alin, Richard Wright, Thomas Bliss, Robert Martin, George Kendricke, Richard Bowen, John Allen, Joseph Torrey, William Sabin, James Clark, Thomas Cooper. " At a general meeting of the town of Seakunk being the 9th of the 10th month, (December) 1644, at law- ful warning given, by reason of many meetings, and oth er strong causes for the easing of the great trouble, anf* for the (illegible) and the deciding of controversies be- tween party and party as well as the proposing of men's levies to be made and paid, and for the well ordering of the town affairs, as may stand with future equity, ac- cording to our former combination, the inhabitant of said place have choose these men here named.'' Alexander Winchester, William Smith, Richard Wright, Stephen Payne, Henry Smith, Richard Bowen, Edward Smith, Robert Martin. Walter Palmer, These men were called " townsmen," and were the pre- decessors of the officials called Town Councils in these days; the ''townsmen," however, had greater powers. At a subsequent meeting of the " townsmen," " it is ordered that the recording of any man's land in the town book, shall be to him and his heirs a sufficient assurance forever." In 1645, the people submitted to the jurisdiction of the Plymouth Court, and were incorporated under the Scrip- ture name of Rehoboth. Q the 9th of June, 1645, lots were drawn for land UpO: Q the great plain, and the list gives, it is reasonable to suppose, the names of all the original settlers. The lots were drawn by the following persons, in the foUow- ing order : 1. Stephen Payne. 30. Thomas Bliss. 2. Widow Walker. 31. John Peram. 3. Eobert Martin. 32. Joseph Torrey. 4, Edward Oilman. 33. John Holbrooke. 5. Ralph Shepherd. 34. James Clarke. 6. Richard Wright. 35. Edward Sale. 1. Abraham Martin. 36. George Kendricke. 8. The Teacher. 3T. Mr. Leonard. 9. Will Carpenter. 38. Richard Bo wen. 10. Robert Titus. 39. Edward Patteson. 11. Walter Palmer. 40. John Read. 12. James Walker. 41. John Matthews. 13. Alexan'r Winchester. 42. Matthew Pratt. 14. Samuel .Butterwoi •th. 43. Robert Sharpe. 15. William Sabin. 44- Ephraim & Peter Hunt. 16 Thomas Hitt. 45. Zachary Roades. 11. Edward Smith. 46. John Meggs. 18. Edward Bennett. 4T. John Miller. 19. Thomas Clifton 48. Thomas Holbrooke. 20. John Cooke. 49. The Schoolmaster. 21. Mr. Browne. 50. Mr. Peck. 22. Wm. Cheeseborough 51. Richard Ingram. 23. Ralph Allin. 52. Isaac Martin. 24 James Browne. 53. John Allin. 25. The Governor. 54. Mr. Henry Smith, 26. William Smith. 55. Mr. Newman. 21. John Sutton. 56. The Pastor. 28. Job Laine. 51. Obadiah Holmes. 29. Thomas Cooper. 58. Robert Morris. 9 At a town meeting in December 1650, it was voted ''to have a convenient way four rods wide, (to be made by- Edward Smith) to be for the town's use, or any that shall have occasion to pass from town to Providence, or to Mr. Blackstone's." Peter Hunt was chosen Town Clerk at this meeting, which contains the first record of anyone being chosen for this office. ''June 11th, 1652. It was voted, that by the assent of the town then present, and being lawfully warned, that those lots which lie beyond the lot of Goodman Mathew should remain to the ox-pastor, and henceforth not be lotted.'' This land was used for the common pasturing of oxen, sheep &c., and was situated north east of See- konk Common between the new road from Seekonk to Pawtucket and the Seekonk river, extending down the river to the mouth of Ten Mile River. At a town meeting holden November 20th, 165t "it was voted that persons neglecting to attend town-meet- ing should be fined 6d." "December 16th, 1662. A fine of 18s. 6d. was or. dered to be imposed on those who neglected to attend town-meeting." An Indian called Sam took charge of the cows and other cattle of the people of the town for many years, driving them to the "ox-pastor" in the morning and returning them to their several owners at night, in which capacity he become so popular as to se- cure an admission to equal rights with tnc other colo- nists, the only instance of such privileges being granted in this colony. The record is as follows. "May 22d, 1665 Sam, the Indian that keeps the cows, was admitted by the town as an inhabitant, to buy or hire nouse or lands if he can, in case the Court allow it." The Indian war known by the name of "Fhilip^s War^' commenced in 1615 and lasted two years. In July of 10 this year Philip was discovered crossing Seekouk plain and the Rev. Noah Newman son of and successor of the Rev. Samuel Newman as pastor of the Congregational Church led an attack against him with such success as to kill, one account says twelve and another thirty of Phil- ip's force, without any loss to the attacking party. On Sunday, March 26th, 1616, Captain Michael Pierce of Scituate, Mass., marched from Seekonk Common with a force of sixty-three English and twenty of the Cape In- dians, in search of the enemy and having fallen into an ambuscade of Indians near Valley Falls formed his men into a ring where they fought thus back to back for about three hours until fifty-five of the English and ten of the Indians had fallen dead upon ''the bed of honor.'' The enemy paid dearly for this success having sustained a loss variously estimated from one hundred and forty to three hundred warriors. The following letter was written by the Rev. Noah Newman the day after "Pierce's Fight" which was the name given to this engagement. "Rehoboth, 21 of the first, '76. Reverend and Dear Sir. I received yours dated the 20th of this instant wherein you gave me a doleful relation of what had happened with you, and what a distressing Sabbath you had passed. I have now, according to the words of your own letter, an opportunity to retaliate your account with a relation of what yesterday happened to the great saddening of our hearts, filling us with an awful expectation of what further evils it may be antece- darsous to, both respecting ourselves and you. Upon the 25th of this instant Capt. Pierce went forth with a small party of his men and Indians with him, and upon discov- ering the enemy, fought him, without damage to himself, and judged that he had considerably damnified them. 11 Yet he being of no great force, chose rather to retreat and go out the next morning with a recruit of men ; and accordingly he did, taking pilots from us, that were ac- quainted with th^ ground. But it pleased the Sovereign God so to order it, that they were enclosed with a great multitude of the enemy, which hath slain fifty-two of our Englishmen, and eleven Indians. The account of their names is as follows. From Scituate 18, of whom 15 were slain, viz : Capt. Pierce, Samuel Russell, Benjamin Crittenden, John Lothrope, Gershom Dodson, Samuel Pratt, Thomas Savary, Joseph Wade, William Wilcome, Jeremiah Bars- tow, John Ensign, Joseph Cowen, Joseph Perry, John Rowse. (Rose). Marshfield, 9 slain — Thomas Little, John Earns, Joseph White, John Burrows, Joseph Philips, Samuel Bump, John Low, More , John Brance. Duxbury, 4 slain — John Sprague, Benjamin Foal, Thomas Hunt, Joshua Fobes. Sandioich, 5 slain — Benjamin Nye, Daniel Bessey, Caleb Blake, Job Gibbs, Stephen Wing. Barnstable, 6 slain — Lieut. Fuller, John Lewis, Eleazer G , (probably Clapp), Samuel Linnet, Samuel Childs, Samuel Beremau. Yarmouth, 5 slain — John Matthews, John Gage, Wil- liam Gage, Henry Gage, Henry Gold. JEastham, 4 slain — Joseph Nessefield, John Walker, John M (town officer), John Fitz, Jr., John Mil- ler, Jr.* Thomas Man is just returned with a sore wound. •Jolin Fits, Jr., and Jolin Miller, Jr., belongea to Reliobotli, and also Thomas Man. What is torn off had ou it, prolmbly, the name of one from Eastham, and the word Rehoboth. It will be seen that besides what Is torn off, there are nve names that follow Eastham. 12 "Thus, sir, yon have a sad account of the continuance of God's displeasure against us ; yet still I desire stead fastly to look unto Him, who is not only able but willing" to save all such as are fit for His salvation. It is a day of the wicked's triumph, but the SQre word of God tells us his triumphing is brief. 0, that we may not lengthen it out by our sins ! The Lord help us to join issue in our prayers, instantly and earnestly for the healing and help- ing of our land ! Our extremity is God's opportunity. *'Thus, with our dearest respects to you and Mrs. Cot^- ton, and such sorrowful friends as are with you, I re- main, Your ever assured friend, Noah Newman. On the day after this letter was written, March 28th, 1616, the ''Ring of the Town'' was burned by the Indians tinder the command of King Philip, destroying forty houses and thirty barns. Two houses only escaped — the garrison house, which stood a short distance from the place now occupied by the house of Phanuel Bishop, and another house on the south side of the Common, which was saved by a immber of black sticks placed in the ground about it so as to present at a distance the appear- ance of being strongly guarded. The fire was set early in the evening, and next morning a few smoking ash heaps alone remained to mark the site of the thriving village. All the inhabitants of the town, save one, sought the garrison house for safety — a strong building which the Indians prudently declined to attack. The one who did not join the others was Robert Beers, an Irishman, and by trade a brick-maker. He was religious, but su- perstitious and eccentric. When the alarm was given that the Indians were coming, he refused to seek safety In the garrison house, but sat in his own house reading the Bible, believing that nothing could harm him while 13 reading that book. The Indians shot him through the window, and he fell dead with the Bible in his hand, the only person slain on this occasion. "December 4th, 1699. The selectmen agreed with Mr. Robert Dickson to keep school in Rehoboth for six months, to begin on Thursday, the seventh of this in- stant; he engaging to do his utmost endeavour to teach both sexes of boys and girls to read English and write and cast accounts. In consideration of said service, the said selectmen, in the town's behalf, do engage to pay him thirteen pounds, one half in silver money, and the other half in good merchantable boards, at the current and merchantable price ; the boards to be delivered at the landing place at Samuel Walker's and Sergeant But- terworth's mill. This landing place was at the cove, at the mouth of the ten mile river, in Seekonk. It is said that early in the history of the town, there were wharves built out into the river near the mouth of this cove ; that stores were erected here, and considerable trade carried on, and that the people of Providence frequently came over here to purchase their goods.''* Mr. John Lynn taught a school in Rehoboth during three months of the year 1T08, agreeing to instruct in reading, writing, grammar and arithmetic, for the sum of seven pounds in current money of New England. Mr John Lynn entered into another engagement with the town to teach school one year, from the 28 day of February, 1709, for the sum of twenty-nine pounds in current money of New England. The different divisions • of the town in which the school was to be kept succes- sively this year, and from each of which one of the school committee was taken, are named as follows in the re- cords, with the length of time allotted to each : ''The ♦Bliss' History of Rehobotli, page 132. 2 14 ring of the town" and ''the neighborhood on the east side of the ring of the town'' — 21 weeks ; "Palmer's river" — 14 weeks; Watchemoquet* — 13 weeks; 'Capt, Enoch Hunt's neighborhood" and "the mile and a half — 9 weeks. "t "December 23, 1*718. It was voted by the community, that the rules to be observed in seating the new meeting house for the Sabbath are as foUoweth : Firstly, to have regard to dignity of person, and secondly by age, and thirdly according to the charge they bare in respect to the public charges, and what charge they have been at in building the meeting-house." A committee was chosen to seat the house in accordance with these rules. In the war of the Revolution, the town was distin- guished for a faithful and untiring support of the princi- ples of the Declaration of Independence, which was man- ifested in a substantial manner by sending three hundred and ten of its men to the continental army (thirty-seven of whom served as commissioned officers), and furnishing large quantities of saltpetre, manufactured in a building erected near the mouth of Ten-mile river for that purpose. The following letter of instruction given by the town to its representative in ltt3 proves the patriotic spirit of the town. "To Capt. Joseph Barney, Representative for the town of Rehoboth : Sir : — "It is evident from the repeated suffrage of the free- *TM3 name was given to tliat part of tlie present town of East Provi- dence, whicli lies below the moutti of the Ten-mile river, along the See- konk river and Narragansett hay, as far down, probably, as the point of land now called "Bullock's neck," and including it. tBliss' History of RelMDboth, page 133. 15 holders, and other inhabitants of this town, that your late conduct in the General Assembly of this Province has met with a favorable reception. With pleasing hopes and ex- pec^tations we trust you will, in this day of general op- pression and invasion of our natural and inherent rights and liberties, join in every salutary and constitutional measure to remove those unconstitutional burdens and grievances that this Province, and America in general have long and justly remoiistrated against. Nevertheless we think it our duty to express our sentiments in regard to the encroachments made on our rights and liberties, as stated by the worthy inhabitants of the metropolis of this Province, whose loyalty, vigilance and patriotic zeal, in this time of common danger, has not been equalled in the present nor exceeded in former times ; of which we have the highest opinion, and shall ever acknowledge with gratitude, the particulars of which we do not think expe- dient to enumerate, but refer you to a pamphlet (for your careful perusal) sent from Boston to this and every other town in the Province, which (upon the most care- ful and critical examination) we humbly conceive very justly states our rights and privileges as men, as subjects, as Christians, and the unparalleled encroachment made on them by a ministry, who, fond of arbitrary sway, in open violation of the most sacred contract and agreement, entered into with our predecessors, the patentees of this Province, and solemnly ratified by King William and Queen Mary, have hitherto, with impunity, profanely vi- olated the faith and promise of a king, on whose royal word we made the most firm and indubitable reliance, and have involved this province and continent in the ut- most distress and calamity, and in its consequences have deeply affected the parent State, whose prosperity and happiness we have ever considered as near and dear to us 16 as our owij. And it now is, and ever has been, our earn- est desire and prayer that there may never be wanting one of the illustrious House of Hanover to sway the sceptre of Great Britain and America, in rig-hteousness, so long as the sun and moon shall endure. We, your constituents, desire and expect that you ex- ert yourself to the utmost of your ability, not only to secure our remaining privileges inviolable, but also to ob- tain a full redress of all those many grievances, so justly complained of — a full restoration and confirmation of all the rights and privileges we are justly entitled to by na- ture and the solemn compact aforesaid ; that generations yet unborn may know that this town has not been dor- mant, while the enemies thereof have been vigilant and active to wrest from them every privilege and blessing that renders life worthy of enjoyment. We trust you will be vigilent even among your breth- ren, lest some of them, through sinister views or ambi- tious designs, be induced to barter away and betray our i:^<9ar-b ought privileges and liberties, together with this, cur paternal inheritance, established with so much toil, and raised to such a height of glory, and transmitted down to us at no less price than the blood and treasure of our ancestors. Though we hope, and presume, there will not be found a man in that august assembly so aban- doned, so profane, so enthusiastic, so mad as to disturb the repose of the pious dead, and bring upon himself not only the just indignation of all the virtuous, but the ire of that dread Sovereign, beneath whose awful frown au- dacious monarchs and minions tremble. "We present these hints to your judicious considera- tion, and wish that not only you, but all true friends to the English constitution, may be guided in the path of wisdom and equity, and never be diverted from the Committee of CoiTespondence.'^ n steady pursuit of the true interests of yourselves, your king, your country and posterity. Ephkaim Starkweather, Nathan Daggett, Th^omas Carpenter, od, John Lyon, Joseph Bridgham, William Cole, In Bliss' History of Rehoboth may be found a long list of former residents of this town who became distin- guished for learning, civic service or in the professions and among them appears them appears the name of Capt. Thomas Willet the first English mayor of the- City of New York. On the surrender of New York to the English, under Col. Nichols, in August, 1664, by the Dutch governor Stuyvesant, Capt. Willett attended the Commissioners of Appeals — Nichols, Curr, Cartwright, and Maverick, — to that city ; and rendered them great service, by his ac- quaintance with the customs, usages and language of the Dutch, in organizing the new government. Judge Davis informs us [Memorial, p 311] that ''Col. Nichols, in a letter to Gov. Prince, written from New York the spring after the reduction of the Dutch settlements, requests that Captain Willett may have such dispensation from his offi- cial engagement in Plymouth colony, as to be at liberty to assist in the modelling and reducing the affairs, in those settlements, into good English. He remarks that Mr. Willett was more acquainted with the manners and cus- toms of the Dutch, than any Englishman in the country, and that his conversation was very acceptable to them." He performed his duties here to the entire satisfaction of all concerned ; and his services were so highly appreciated, and he rendered himself so popular with the people, that, after the organization of the government, he was elected 2* 18 the first English Mayor of the city of New York. He was elected a second time to the office. Capt. Willett returned here at the close of his official life in New York and died in Swansea August 4th 16 H. He was buried in East Providence at the head of Bul- lock's Cove at a place called Little Neck Burying Ground, where a rough stone with a rudely carved in- scription still marks his grave. Churches. A tax was made to build a meeting house in 1646 and in 164t it was so far completed as to be used for public worship. It stood where the tomb now is, south of the present Congregational Church. A tax for finishing the church was levied in 1648 ; in 1659 it was enlarged and then continued in use until 1718 a period of fifty-nine years,* when the second church was erected thirty feet East of the first and remained until 1814 a period of ninety-six years ; it was then torn down and a part of the lumber was used in buildirg the present Town Hall. The house now used by the Congregational Society was erected in 1810. Sylvanus Chace Newman, A. M,, in his historical oration, delivered in this Church July 4th, 1860, says : "In the absence of bells, they beat the drum to give notice of the time for public worship ; and seating the meeting according to seniority and other orders of re- spectability, was the delicate task of a yearly committee, appointed by the town." The first pastor of this Church, Rev. Samuel Newman, was a man of great literary ability, who compiled the first full Concordance of the bible in Eng- lish, Mr. S. C. Newman says of it : " The first edition was *It seems prolttalble that this church must have been burned by King Philip, when the town was destroyed, March 28, 16T6 : but there is no special record of its destruction to be found. 19 printed at London in 1643 — the last year of his ministry at Weymouth. The second edition was prepared in this town and printed at London in 1650, and the third and last edition, still more complete, was prepared here and printed in London in 1658. It has been pronounced by Biblical scholars a monument of learning, genius, indus- try and skill." He left a son named Noah, who succeeded him as pastor of this Church, and who, as we have already learned, in the perilous times of Philip's war, was as ready with the sword as was his father with the pen. The first meeting, for devising means to erect a Baptist Church on Seekonk common, was held Dec. 17, 1793. The Church was organized November 27th, 1794, consist- ing of forty members. The first minister who preached to this church was the Rev. John P. Jones, a member of the Baptist church in Newport, R. I., and the edifice in which he preached has remained to this day, and is now known as the First Baptist Church. Since the addition of East Providence to the State of Rhode Island, a Union Chapel has been erected at Cedar Grove, a second Baptist Church and an Episcopal Church have been built at Watchemoket, while a flourishing so- ciety of Methodists at the latter place are expected soon to construct an edifice for religious worship. On Saturday, March 1st, 1862, a part of the old town of Seekonk passed under the jurisdiction of Rhode Island, and since that time has been known by the name of East Providence. The following account of the proceedings at the time was published in a daily newspaper printed in the City of Providence. EAST PROVIDENCE. ''That part of the town of Seekonk which, on Saturday, became a portion of this State, has been called East Prov- idence, that name having been bestowed upon it by 20 Governor Sprag^ue, who was requested by a vote of a citizens' caucus to name the town. The ball which we spoke of as having- been arranged for at the Vue de PEau Hotel, to inaugurate the new state of things, was largely attended, and was a most jubilant af- fair. Quite a number of citizens of Providence were pres- ent, including Gov. Sprague and Staff, the Adjutant, Quartermaster and Paymaster Generals, and other mili- tary gentlemen. Immediately after twelve o'clock, on Saturday morning, the time when the decree making the town a part of Rhode Island went into effect, the Governor made a brief speech, in which he announced the name of the town "East Providence." Hon. Edward D. Pearce, Senator from Providence, but who we understand is about to become a resident of the new town, also made an appropriate speech. At sunrise on Saturday, a detachment of the Grenadier Battery, under Sergeant Major A. A.Babcock which was stationed at Fort Hill, fired a National salute in honor of the union just consummated. Another salute was fired at noon and a third at sunset. While the first salute was being fired. His Excellency, the Governor and Suite arrived at the Washington (India Point) Bridge, and proclaimed it free, in the presence of a large concourse of citizens, and announced the name of the town. The announcements were received with great enthusiasm on the part of those assembled. A general holiday followed, business being universally suspended, and the time given to joyful demonstrations. Flags and other decorations were displayed, and other manifestations of satisfaction at the new order of affairs were indulged in. At eleven o'clock the town meeting' was held. Mr. 21 Francis Armington, one of the oldest selectmen, called to order, and read the proclamation of the Governor, under which the meeting was called. Albert K. Gerald was then elected Moderator, by a vote of 80 out of 148, and Chief Justice Ames administered to him the oath of office. Henry H. Ide was next elected Town Clerk, receiving 140 out of 149 votes. The Moderator announced the name which had been given to the town by Gov. Sprague, and the name was formally adopted by vote of the electors, amid great enthusiasm, and it was further voted that the town be at- tached to the county of Providence. After an appropriate address, Dr. Thomas W. Aspin- wall introduced the following resolutions, which were adopted, and he and Tristam Burgess, Esq., were ap. pointed a Committee to carry them to the citizens of See- konk, then assembled in town meeting : Whereas, A new line of boundary between the States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island has been agreed upon between the said States, and assented to by the Supreme Court of the United States ; and whereas, this new line of boundary divides the territory known as the town of Seekonk, Mass., thus giving rise to many questions of mutual interest upon which there are natural grounds for disagreement, therefore Resolved, That we, here assembled as citizens of Rhode Island, send friendly greetings to our former fellow towns- men now assembled in the town of Seekonk, Mass Resolved, That the new boundary line shall be, so far as consistent with our common interest, only jiominal. Resolved, That we will seek that the present questions in dispute between ourselves and our former townsmen may be settled in the spirit oi kindness and equity ; that we will seek "to do by them as we would be done by.'' 22 Besolved, That a committee be appointed to at once bear a copy of these resolutions to the citizens now as- sembled in the town of Seekonk, Mass. The electors then proceeded to ballot for a Senator and Representative. Tristam Burges, Esq., was supported for the office of Senator by Conservatives and Democrats, and Dr. Thom- as W. Aspinwall .by Democrats alone. The former was elected by three majority. Albert K. Gerald, Democrat, was elected Representative. The following gentlemen were elected to the other offices without any organized opposition, the whole num- ber of votes cast being 179, and the successful candidates receiving from 132 to 1*19 votes: Town Council — Francis Armington, Allen J. Brown, George 0. Carpenter, Daniel S. Peck, Austin Gurney - Ti^easurer — Francis Armington, Town Sergeant — Timothy A. Leonard, Assessors — Daniel S. Peck, Allen J. Brown, John A. Wood. Collector — Thomas B. Bishop. Constables — George H. Read, Harvey S. Kent, Nathan M. West. School Committee — Thomas B. Bishop, William S. Munroe, David V. Gerald. Justices of the Peace — Thomas G. Potter, Asa Peck, Robert M. Pearce. Overseer of the Poor — Francis Armington. At this meeting Christopher Dexter, Esq., presented the town with an elegant ballot box, for which donation he received a vote of thanks " Since this annexation the growth of East Providence has been rapid and healthy, increasing from a population of 1,250 at that time, to 2,172 in 1865 to 2,668 in 23 1810, and 4,336 in 1875, thus doubling its population in the last ten years This new town has also erected new school houses — ten in number — in every district, so that to-day all the school houses within our limits have been built since 1862. For this purpose the sum of $39,820.01 has been expended. The valuation of the town has in- creased from $1,354,935 in 1862, to $5,383,500, in 1875, an increase of nearly four fold in thirteen years.- Although liberal in appropriating money for public purposes, the town has ever kept in view the excellent rule, "pay as you go," and its debt at the close of the present financial year will not exceed $7,000, The im- provement most necessary now is a new bridge across the Seekonk at Watchemoket, with which will come horse cars and the Pawtuxet water, while the removal of the obstruction to navigation, now presented by Washington bridge, will open the Seekonk to its natural destiny, and line its shores with wharves. Until the year 1793 the Seekonk was crossed by ferries at Watchemoket and the present site of the Central Bridge. In this year bridges were erected at both places ; the first team crossed Cen- tral Bridge April 9th, 1793, and Washington Bridge April 12th, 1793. Both bridges were carried away by a freshet in 1807, and were again destroyed by the Septem- ber gale of 1815. A v/ooden statue of Washington stand- ing on the Providence side of the lower bridge was wash- ed away and lost in this gale. There is now in the pos- session of Benjamin J. Brown, Esq., a marble slab which stood near the statue, bearing the following inscription : "Washingi^on Bridge, Built by John Brown, Esq., 1793 this monument is erec- ted by the founder and proprietor of India Point as a tes- timony of high respect for the great illustrious Washing- ton." 24 In 1 829 the woodwork of Washington bridge was re- built, under the superintendance of James C. Bucklin, architect, who is still working at his profession in the city of Providence, and again in 1875 both piers and super- structure were thoroughly repaired, and now bid fair to last until the new bridge we need is constructed; a hap- py event which we hope may not long be delayed. The old Central or Red Bridge remained a toll bridge until 18^9, when it became impassable by reason of colli- sion with vessels passing through its inconvenient draw bridge. The present free bridge was opened for travel July 16th, 1872, the State of Rhode Island having con- tributed $20,000, East Providence $15,000, and the City of Providence about $40,000 for its construction. James C Bucklin, of Providence, Edward D. Pearce, of East Providence, and C B. Farnsworth, of Pawtucket, were appointed by the Governor as Commissioners to superin- tend the construction of the bridge, but Mr. Pearce sub- sequently resigned, and the Hon. James Y. Smith, of Providence, was appointed to fill the vacancy, and the work was performed in a manner which reflects great cre- dit upon all concerned. The addition of this free bridge, thus rendering certain the means of communication between the town and the city, gave a wonderful impetus to the growth of the town ; the valuation more than doubled in four years, increasing from $2,461,000 in 1871, to $5,383,500 in 1875, and the population nearly doubled in the same period. In the war of the rebellion the people of the town proved themselves true descendants of (he fearless men of the olden time — they were prompt in sendingbrave men to the battle's van, and liberal in providing for the families left behind. God grant that never again may war, either at home or abroad, vex our native land, and that hence- 25 forth all our efforts may be turned to build up, instead of to destroy. Hasten the glad time when all may strive for the excellence of which the poet sings : "Clearer eyed the world Is learning-, tliroug-li each upward struggling year. He is prince whose life is nohlest, he he peasant, he he peer." APPENDIX. STATE AND TOWN OFFICERS ELECTED BY THE TOWN OF EAST PROVIDENCE. SENATORS. March 1st 1862 to May 23d 1863. Tristam Burges. June 22nd 1863 to April 6th 1864. Thomas W. Aspinwall. 1864 to 1866 Francis Armington. 1866 to 1867 Albert K. Gerald. 186'r to 1868 George Carpenter. 26 1868 to 1869 Edward D, Pearce. 1869 to 18n Timothy A, Leonard. 1871 to 1873 Edward D. Pearce. 1873 to 1874 William Wiiitcomb. 1874 to 1875 Frauds Armingtoii. 1875 to 1876 Timothy A. Leonard. 1876 to Oliver Chaffee. REPRESENTATIVES. March 1st, 1862 to April 6th, 1863, Albert K. Gerald. 1863 to 1864 Wm. A. Carpenter. 1864 to 1865 Henry Ide. 2Y 1865 to 1866 Albert K. Gerald. 18G6 to ISOT George 0. Carpenter. 1867 to 1868 Henry H. Ide. 1868 to 1873 George N. Bliss, 18t3 to 18*75 Albert C. Howard. 18t5 to Alvord 0. Miles. TOWN COUNCILS. March 1st to April 2nd 1862. Francis Armington, Allen J. Brown, Daniel S. Peck, George 0. Carpenter, Austin Gurney. . 1862 to 1863 Francis Armington, Allen J. Brown, Daniel S. Peck, George 0. Carpenter, Ephraim Ide. Nathaniel Cole, Nathaniel Cole, 28 1863 to 1864 Daniel S. Peck, Timothy A. Leonard. 1864 to 1865 John A. Wood, Timothy A. Leonard. Nathaniel Cole, 1865 to 1866 Luther B. Peck, William Daggett. Nathaniel Cole, 1866 to 186t Timothy A. Leonard, William Daggett. Nathaniel Cole, 1867 to 1*68 Timothy A. Leonard, William Daggett. Nathaniel Cole, 1868 to 1869 Charles A. Cobb, Rowland G. Bassett. Nathaniel Cole, 1869 to 1870 John A. Wood, Joseph B. Gurney. Nathaniel Cole, 1870 to 1871 Rowland G. Bassett, William Whitc'omb. 29 ISn to 18t2 Nathaniel Cole, William Whitcomb,. George H. Read. 18*72 to IS'IS Nathaniel Cole, William Whitcomb, George H. Read. 1813 to 18U Edward D. Pearce, William Whitcomb, George F. Wilson. 18Uto IS'IS Joseph J. Luther, Andrew J. Anthony, Galen Pierce. 1815 to 1876 Andrew J. Anthony, Oliver Chaffee, Samuel S. Barney, Wm. A. Carpenter, Alfred A. White. 1816 to 1811 Andrew J. Anthony, Samuel S. Barney, Alfred A. White, Wm. G. Bliven, James N, Bishop, TOWN CLERKS. 3* March 1st 1862 to August 1th 18^0 Henry H. Ide. (died while in office) August 8th 1810 to September 29th 1810 Daniel A. Hopkins. 30 September 29tli 1870 to August 5th ISto. Charles L. Hazard. August 5th 1875 to April 5th 1876 Ellery H. Wilson. April 5th 1876 to Charles E. Scott. TOWN TREASURERS. March 1st 1862, to March 27th 1865. Francis Armington. 1865 to 1866 Thomas Cole. 1866 to 1869 Francis Armington. 1869 to 1870 William Armington. 1870 to 1875 Francis Armington. 1875 to Christopher Dexter. 31 SCHOOL COMMITTEES. March 1st 1862 to April 2iid 1862 Thomas B. Bishop, Wm. S. Mimroe, David V. Gerald. 1862 to 1863 Thomas B. Bishop David V. Gerald, George M. P. King. April 14, 1862, Thomas W. Aspinwall was elected to fill vacancy ; Mr. King failing to serve. 1863 to 1864 Thomas B. Bishop, Seth L. Horton, George F. Wilson. 1864 to 1865 Thomas W. Aspinwall, Thomas G. Potter, George M. P. King. 1865 to 1866 David V. Gerald, Seth L. Horton, George F. Wilson. 1866 to 1861 David V. Gerald, Seth L. Horton, George F. Wilson. George F. Wilson resigned May 23, 1866, and George N. Bliss was elected ir his place. 186*7 to 1868 Thomas W. Aspinwall, Isaac Chesebrough, George F. Wilson 32 1868 to 1869 Isaac Chesebrough, Allen J. Brown, Samuel E. Evans, Isaac Chesebrough resigned April 14, 1868, and George N. Bliss was elected to fill the vacancy. 1869 to 1870 Isaac Chesebrough, Thomas G, Potter, William S. Munroe. 1S10 to 1871 George N. Bliss, Rowland G. Bassett, Thomas I. Bentley. 1871 to 1872 George N. Bliss, Thomas I. Bentley, Charles L. Hazard. 1872 to 1873 George N. Bliss, Charles L. Hazard, George E. Carpenter. 1873 to 1874 Albert C. Howard, George E. Carpenter, Ahaz Bassett. Albert C. Howard resigned, and Charles L. Hazard was elected May 1, 1873. 1874 to 1875 Robert H. Paine. Ahaz Bassett, George E. Carpenter. Ahaz Bassett resigned June 1, 1874, and Isaac Chese- brough was elected to fill the vacancy. 33 1875 to 1876 Robert H. Paine, Isaac Chesebrougli; George E. Carpenter. 1876 to 1877 Robert H. Paine, Isaac Chesebrougli, Hiram E. Johnson APPROPRI A.TION"S. The following appropriations are all that have been made at Town Meetings since March 1st, 1862 : APPROPRIATIONS. April 2nd, 1862. ^Schools I 500. Highways 1.200. Incidentals, including State Tax 1 700. May 5th, 1862. For erection and repairs of school houses, and for payment of District property taken by the Town $ 9.500, August 4th, 1862. For Bounty for volunteers .....$ 3.000. " Pay of recruiting officer 100. " Printing, advertising, rent of offices &c 60. " Conimitteo 15. August 29th, 1862, For raising the Town's quota under the President's call for 300.000 men for nine months $ 6.000. 34 August 29th, 1862. To aid the families of those who are in their Country's sei^vice $ 500. April 2nh, 1863. For Schools $ 1.000. " School House Debt 1.000. '' Incidentals 3.000. '' Roads and Bridges 1.200. " School Houses 1.800. May 20th, 1863. For School house in District No. 2, in ad- dition to what may be received from sale of old house $ 1.200. July 20th, 1863. For families of drafted men $ 9.000. April 25th, 1864. For Schools $ 1.200. '' Sinking fund for debt 1 .400. " Highways and Bridges ■. . . 1 200. " Incidentals and State tax 3.500. " building School house in District No 7 1 .000. ♦' " " " '* '' '' 2 1.500. (( II (c (( ((' tc " Q together with proceeds of sale of old house 1.000. March 2tth, 1865. For Schools $ 1.200 '' Sinking fund and Interest 1 400. " State Tax 5.085. " Incidentals 2.100. March 26th, 1866. For Schools .$ 1.400. " Sinking Fund and Interest 1.200, •' State Tax 5.085 " Incidentals -. 2.100. 35 March 25th, 186t. For Schools $ 1 600. " Sinking fund and Interest ......:... 1.300. " Highways. 3.000. " Incidentals and support of Poor 2.000. '' State Tax 5.084 20 April 6th, 1868. For Schools $ 1.600. '' Sinking fund and Interest 1.300. ^' State Tax 4.500. " Highways 3.000. '' Incidentals and Support of Poor 2.000. April 12th, 1869. For Schools $ l.SOO. " Sinking fund and Interest 1.300. ^' State Tax 4 500. *' Highways 1..000 " Incidentals and Support of Poor. . . . 2.800. December 9th, 1869. Towards building a bridge across Seekonk River at the site of Central Bridge. . . $15. 000. April 6th, 18t0. " For Schools $2,000. " Sinking fund and Interest 1.300. '' State Tax 4.500. ^' Highways 4.000. ^' Incidentals and Support of Poor 3.000. ^' Roads leading to Red Bridge, to be J used only in case said bridge is >- built ) 1.000. April 10th, 18 U. For Schools $ 2.000. ^' Sinking fund and Interest 1.500. '' State Tax 4.500. 36 For Highways 4.000, '* Incidentals and Support of Poor 4.00D October 21 St, ISn. For building wing walls at the East End of Central Bridge $ 2.000. February 13th, 1812. For completing walls at Central Bridge. .$ 800. April 8th, 1872. For Schools $ 2.800. "■ Sinking fund and Interest 2.000„ '' State Tax 4.500. '' Highways 4 .000. '' Incidentals and Support of Poor. . . . 3.500, " Wing Walls at Central Bridge 1.000. June 29th, 1872. For building School house for Districts Nos. 2 and 8 . . $ 4.000, '' constructing stations for Police pur- poses 1 . 500. November 16th. For Police % 1.200. April 14th, 1S73. For Schools $ 5.500. " Evening Schools 200. " Sinking fund 2.500. '' Interest 1 500. " State Tax 5.500» '' Highways 4500. '' Incidentals 4.500. " Police 2.500. " Completing Grammar School & grounds 1 .000. April 13th, 1874. For Schools $ 5 500. '' Evening Schools 250. 87 For Sinking Fund 3.000. " Interest 1.500. " State Tax 5.685. 81 '' Highways 7.500. '' Incidentals and Support of Poor 4.500. '' Police 3.000. April 12th, 1875. For Schools % 6.750. " Evening Schools 250. '' Sinking Fund 5.000 '' Interest 1.500. • " State Tax 5.685. 81 " Highways 10.000 " Incidentals 3.000. " Support of Poor 1.000. " School House Account 500. " Police 2.000. " Lighting Streets 400. June 7th, 1875. For lot for Grammar School $ 4.000. February 26th, 1876. For Schools $ 1.100. April 10th, 1876. For Schools, repairs &c % 9.500. '' Sinking Fund 6 000. " Interest 2 000. '' State Tax 5.700. '' Highways 11-000. " Incidentals 4 000. '' Police 3.200. " Support of Poor 1.000. " Lighting Streets 350. In addition to these appropriations by the town, School 4 38 District No. 1 (Watchemoket) has raised by district tax for school purposes the following amounts : June 22d 1864 $ 500. . October 30th 1865 134. November 20th 1865 100. September 4th 1866 YOO. October 15th 186Y 150. August 11th 1868 900. November 30th 1869 1200. August 12th 1S10 1400. November 3d 18n UOO. November 19th 1812 $ 900.— $8,084 Commencing in 1813 the town has since appropriated sufficient money for school purposes and rendered district taxes unnecessary. March 30th 1861 a tax was voted for school purposes in District No. 8, by which the sum of $55 was raised. PERCENTAGE OF TAXATION. 1862 $i 121 per |ioo 1863 61 '' 1864 80 '' 1865 18 '' 1866 13 '' 1861 15 '' 1868 10 " 1869 12 '' 1810 80 " 1811 80 '' 1812 80 " 1813 95 '• 39 18U Y5 per $100 18^75 10 " " 1S1Q 80 " '' The following is an extract frora the report of Christo- pher Dexter, Esq., Town Treasurer for the year ending April 10th 18t6 : "Year. Net Receipts. Net Expenditures. Highways. Schools. 1862—3 $12,243 78 $19,761 31 $1,200 00 $ 500 00 1863-4 8,706 81 6,624 33 1,200 00 1,000 00 1864—5 13,173 78 12,212 51 1,200 00 1,200 00 1865—6 11,660 64 9,638 27 ] [Octs. per$100. 1,200 00 1866—7 13,956 86 12,397 69 1,600 00 1,400 00 1867—8 13,648 18 16,685 42 3,000 00 1,600 00 1868—9 16,540 65 13,476 87 3,000 00 1,600 00 1869-70 16,609 52 18,680 18 4,000 00 1,800 00 1870—1 17,250 83 19,350 93 4,000 00 2,000 00 1871—2 21,006 38 29,879 77 4,000 00 2,000 00 1872—3 23,867 79 22,812 88 4,000 00 2,800 00 1873—4 28,937 30 27,280 30 4,500 00 5,700 00 1874—5 43,168 88 39,118 97 7.500 00 5,750 00 1875—6 41,562 87 52,712 02 10,000 00 8,100 00 $282,334 27 |300,631 45 Net Receipts, as above $282,334 27 Outstanding notes 19,000 00— $301,324 27 Deduct Net Payments, as above 300,631 45 Balance in Treasury $702 82 The cost of the various school houses and lots are in- cluded in the foregoing table as follows :— In 1862—3, built No's 3, 4, 8, and raised No. 1 one story, cost with two lots, $6,066 95. In 1864—5, built No's 2 and t, cost with one lot, $3,411 83. In 1867—8, built addition to No. 1, cost $4,188 51. In 1869—70, 40 built No's 5 and 6, cost $4,661 U. In 18t2— 3, and in 18t3— 4, built Grammar, 2 and 8, cost with lot, $5,145- 10. In 18 1 5 — 6, built Grove street house, No. 1, cost with lot and superintendence, $16,345 88. TOWN VALUATION AND TAXES. For the following Table, except the year 1862, I am in- debted to Nathaniel Cole, Esq. The figures for 1862 may not be absolutely correct, but the errors, if any, will not exceed a few dollars. Eate of Tax, Years. Real Estate. Personal Estate. TotiJ. per $1000. Amount of Tax 1862 $1,122,050 $232,885 U^" 1,354 ,935 $11 25 $15,243 02 1863 1,085,650 245,150 l,3;i0,800 6 10 8,117 88 1864 1,182,075 287,750 1,469,825 8 00 11,758 60 1865 1,268,600 387,375 1,655,975 *6 80 11,260 63 1866 1,336,800 456,625 1,793,425 7 30 13,092 00 1867 1,403,200 433,700 1,836,900 7 50 13,776 75 1868 1,538,700 423,500 1,962,200 7 00 13,735 40 1869 1,629,700 459,150 2,088,850 7 20 15,039 72 1870 1,692,900 442,500 2,135,400 8 00 17,083 20 1871 1,885,100 575.900 2,461,000 8 00 19,688 00 1872 2^151,475 563,325 2,714,800 8 00 21,718 40 lb73 2,644,800 742,100 3,386,900 9 50 32,175 55 1874 4,524,400 823,900 5,348,300 7 50 40,112 25 1875 4i565,700 817,800 5,383,500 7 00 37,684 50 *Also, $1 00 per $1000, highway tax in labor." 41 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO MAKE AN ESTIMATE OF THE RATABLE PROPERTY IN THE TOWNS OF PAAVTUCKET AND EAST PROVIDENCE. The Commissioners who were appointed by the Gover- nor, in accordance with the provisions of an Act of the General Assembl}^, passed at their May Session, A. D 1862, entitled, "An Act to provide for the valuation of the property within the territory, over which the State of Massachusetts, piior to the first day of March last, exer- cised jurisdiction for taxation, and for other purposes,'^ respectfully REPORT. That they were severally engaged to the faithful per- formance of their duties ; they appointed one freeholder in each of said tOAvns to assist them in making said valua- tion, and conformed in their proceedings to the law of this State, passed May, A. D., 1855, under which the valuation of the towns in this State, in Chapter 12, Title III, of the Revised Statutes was made, and now present the following, as the valuation by them made : The whole value of the ratable property in the town of Pawtucket, according to the mode of valuation pre- scribed by said Act is $2, 129,000 The value of the whole ratable property in the town of East Providence, according to the mode of valuation prescribed by said Act, is $1,130,000 The total value of the ratable property within the terri- tory, over which the Commonwealth of Massachusetts hath, before the 1st day of March last, exercised juris- 4* 42 diction, and which since said 1st day of March last, has been deemed a part of the State of Rhode Island, com- prising the territory heretofore called Pawtucket, now the town of Pawtucket, in this state, and that part of the town heretofore called Seekonk, in the State of Massachusetts, now the town of East Providence, in this State, $3,259,000 The entire valuation of the said towns, if the property was estimated at its full value, would be : Town of Pawtucket .$2,1YS,000 Town of East Providence 1,378,000 Total of the two towns $3,556,000 All of which is respectfully submitted by (Signed,) EDWARD D. PEARCE, ROBERT SHERMAN, JOSEPH W. SWEET. The following documents are copies of original papers now in the possession of Joseph Brown, Esq., of Seekonk, and never before published. They were kindly loaned by Mr. Brown for this purpose : Province of the | [l. s.] Massachusetts Bay j William Shirley, Esq., Captain General and Governour in Chief, in and over His Majes- tj^s Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, etc. To William Brown, Gentleman Greeting. By virtue of the Power and Authority, in and by His Majesty's Royal Commission to Me granted, to 43 be Captain General, etc. over this His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, aforesaid ; I do (by these Pres- ents) reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and Good Conduct, constitute and ap- point you the said William Brown to be Quarter- Master of the Fourth Troop of Horse, under the Com- mand of Maj'r Zephaniah Leonord in the Second Regi- ment of Horse in the province aforesaid whereof Samuel Miller Esq. is Collonall — You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Quartermaster in leading, ordering and exercising said Troop in Arms, both inferiour Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline ; hereby commanding them to obey you as their Quarter-Master and yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions, as you shall from time to time receive from me, or the Commander in Chief for the Time being, or other your Superiour Offi- cers for His Majesty's Service, according to Military Rules and Discipline, pursuant to the Trust reposed in you. Given under My Hand & Seal at Arms, at Boston the Seventeenth Day of September. In the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the Second, Annoy Domini. 1142. By his Excellency's command. J. WiLLARD Story. W. Shirley. Rehoboth May ye 28th 17 "^8, To the Seelick men of Rehoboth plese to pay to Capt Nathaniel Carpenter thirty pounds for my Inlisting in to the Continental Sarvis for Nine Mounths after ariving at Camps at fish Kills. his Pomp X Reses. mark 44 Rehoboth May ye 28th 1118. Rec'd at Capt. Nathan Carpenters Ninety Pounds in full of all Bounty, and hired money being a soldier in the Continental Service for the term of Nine months — for the third Company of Militia in Rehoboth his Pomp X Reans. mark Rehoboth May ye 15th HYO. Wee the Subscribers Do Volintarily Inlist our Selves into the Service of the United States untill the first Day of July Next to Do Duty at Tivetown under such officers as shall be appoint- ed for the Third company of Milistia in Rehoboth on consideration of the Sum of Thirty Pounds Paid by Capt John Perry on our Signing this Enlistment. Thomas Wiimarth, Jun. Nathaniel Chaffee. Rehoboth August ye 11th 1779. Sir) I have Rec'd orders this Day from Coll. Thomus Carpenter for the Porpouse of Raising two Hundred and twenty Eight men out of our Reg't to march to provi- dence, (under the command of the Contanental GenP. to sarve foure weeks from the time of thare arriving in Camp) as soon as possible and likewise three Capts. and* six lieuts. to command them, with one field officer from the reg't : you are therefore Requiered to Raise out of your company 33 Men : and you are Desired to mate at Mr. Jeremiah Wheelers to-morrow at two o'clock in the afternoon to consult further about this matter. Hereof fail not as you Regard the weelfare of these Stats and make Return of the men Raised as soon as ma be to the Co'U of the Regiment or to my Selfe Nathan'll Carpenter, Major. (To Capt John Perry) 45 A list of the men under Lieutenent Brown in Oolc)nol Carpenter's Regiment, 1116: LIEUTENANTS. First, Samuel Brown, Second, John De . Amos Goff, Miles Shorey, SERGEANTS. Remember Kent, Stephen Burn. Ezra French, Elkanah French, CORPORALS. Jacob Allen, William Eddy. ALARM MEN. Amos Handy, Oliver Read, Jabiz Carpenter, William Daggett, Jacob Shorey Nathan Ide, Daniel Carpenter, William Titus, Aaron Read, Charles Peck, Ephraim Walker, Nathaniel Phillips, Azaheel Carpenter, William Sabin, John Bo wen, John Shorey, Leverrit Cushing, John Robinson, Jonathan Carpenter, Training Cand, James French, John French, John Brown, Caleb Carpenter, Nathan Read, David Cooper, Ephraim Carpenter, Jedediah Carpenter, Job Carpenter, Eliphalet Carpenter, Comfort Chaffee, John Barker, Amos Whitaker, Moses Walker, Richard Whitaker, Noah Newman, 46 Daniel Perrin, Abraham Ormsbee, Samuel Woodward, Ezekiel Carpenter, Nathan Peckham, Noah Fuller, Aaron Lyon, Benjamin Ormsbee, James Carpenter Samuel Bo wen, David Read, Samuel Allen y^ 2, James Bly, John Woodward, Simeon Read, Jabiz Perry, Benjamin Gage, Jonathan French, Samuel Lyon, Seba French, Ephraim Turner, Nathaniel Cooper, Thomas Munro, Daniel Ide Perrin, David Hutchins, • Jacob Carpenter, Penewell Carpenter, James Read, Samuel Butter worth Chaffee, Ebenezer Short, Samuel Carpenter, William Slade, Nathan Newman, Aza Bowen, Simeon Hunt, Abel Medbery, Josiah Chushing, Junr. Rehoboth September ye 3 : 1776 then Received of Samuel Brown the sum of Six Pounds in cash for to go to Crown Pint I say received B}^ Me Lemuel Perrin. Rehoboth September ye 3, 1776, then received of Samuel Brown the sum of Six Pounds. In cash for ingaiging to go to Crown Pint I say Receiv- ed by me, James Cooper Rehoboth June 4th 1778. I the Subscriber Do acknolidge, that I Have Received of Capt. Natha'l Carpenter the sum of One Hundred pounds in full of my towns Bounty and Hier for sarving in the 41 Continental sarvice at the fish Kills for Nine Month's I say Received By me, John Cole. Rehoboth June 8th I'ZtS. I the Subscriber Do acknoledg that I Have Received of Capt. Natha'l Carpenter the sum of One Hundred pounds it Being for my towns Bounty and Hier in full for my in- gageing in the Contanental army at the fish Kills for the term of Nine months I say Received By me, Bezaleel Bowen. Rehoboth July 1st 1119. Received of Capt John Perry by his Note Baring Even Date with this Receipt the Sum of seventy-two Pounds with the Bounty for Each our Servies Six months in the Army or till the first of January next as witness our hands. Job Carpenter, Lewis Carpenter. Rehoboth July 24th \11S. I the Subscriber Do acknlodg that I have Received of Capt. Natha'l Carpenter the sum of twent}^ Pounds for my Hier as a Soldier to Do Sarvise at Cambridg until the first Day of January Next as witness my Hand, Bradock Chaffee. Rehoboth July ye 23d 1*718. Then I the subscriber Have Received of Capt. Nathaniel Carpenter the Sum of ten Pounds it being a Bounty for him to sarve at Cambridge in the Contenental Sarvice un- til the first Day of January Next. I say Received By nie Ephraim Townes. Rehoboth September 24th HIS. A Inlistment. I the Subcriber for the considerton of forty-five pounds I 48 do Inlist as a Soldier under the command of Gen'l. Sullien or the Gen'l Court of this State to sarve untill the first of Jeneray Next and to do Sarve as a Soldier for the third Military Companys Quoto in Rehoboth as witness my Hand Bradock Chaffee. Rehoboth June ye 26th 1779. We the Subscribers do Volentary Inlist into the Conten ental Service for the term of Nine Months to Serve under such officers as shall be appointed by the Commander in Chief by orders of the Court of the State, as witness our Hands, Noah Newman, Nathan Newman, Seba French, Samuel Carpenter. David Read, 2nd, Daniel Perrin. Rehoboth July ye 12th A D. Hid, Rec'd. of Capt John Perry in the behalfe of said town By his Note of hand for two thousend Dolers Bearing Even Date Hearwith for my Hier into the Sarvice for Nine mounths for said town. Daniel Read. I the Subcriber Do here unto Subcribed Being of clar mind to serve and defend our Country and Leberties have this day voluntarily Inlisted as Soldier in the Contanental Army for Nine Mounths from the Date unless Sooner Dis- charged and do Bind myself to conform in all Instances to such Rules and Regulations as Are or Shall Be Establish- ed for the Government of said Army witness my hand, his Pomp X Keans. mark. Rehoboth May 23 : ms. 49 Rehobotli June ye 1 : 1718. A Subscription for the Purpos of Raising men for the third company in Rehoboth to serve Nine months in the Oontanental servis after they shall Arive at the Fish kills. and for that Porpose we whoze Names are under Ritten Promis to Pay the Sums we shall Annex to our names to Capt. Nathaniel Carpenter for the Above Por- pos and to Have for the same Co. £ s. d. Timothy Titus, 3 Wm. Daggett 9 John Shorey 3 Nathaniel Read 3 Pennal Carpenter , 1 10 Timothy Cob 3 John Carpenter ... .8 Elijah Kent 6 Nathan Ide 3 Daniel Daggett 5 John French 6 Elkanah French 2 2 Nath'l. Cooper, Jun 9 Oliver Read 18 James Cooper 12 Timothy Read, Jun 110 John Lindley 5 Thomas Read 3 Thomas Munro 3 Simeon Goff 12 William Goff 3 David Perrin 6 Amos Goft\ 1 10 Abel Walker 3 Elkanah French 5 £ s. d. Received of John Carpenter 2 8 Received More 3 12 £6 50 State of Massachusetts [L John Avery Dolay Jeramiah Powell, Artemus Ward, Caleb Gushing, T. Gushing, B. White, H. GOVONOUR, F. M. Dana, Sam'l. Danielson, N. Gushing, JosiAH Stone, A. Fuller, Sam'l. Niles, Joseph Simpson, Aaron Wood, Jona'n. Pitts. Bay [ j The Major Part of the Gomicil of j Massachusetts Bay in New England j To Samuel Brown Gen'l — Greet- I ing. You being appointed First Lieutenant of the fifth Company Commanded by John Perr}^ in the first Regiment of Militia in the coun- ty of Bristol whereof Thomas Car- penter is Colonel. By virtue of the Power vested in me, we do by these presents, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and Good Conduct, Com- mission you accordingly. You are therefore carefully and diligently to Discharge the Duty of a 1st Lieuten- ant in leading, ordering and exer- cising said Company in Arms, with Inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order and Disci- pline : And they are hereby com- manded to obey you as their 1st Lieutenant and you are yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Listructions as you shall from time to time receive from the Major Part of the Council or your Superior Offi- cers. Given under our hands and the seal of said State at Boston the tenth Day of June in the year of our Lord it 79. By the Command of the ) Major Part of the Council, j" 51 Bristol ss Rehobotb June ye 29tli 1119. The within Named Samuel Brown Gent' Man personally appeared and took the oath for the faithful! Performance of his office as by Law Required. Thomas Carpenter, Col , Before Nathan'l. Carpenter, Major. Rehobotb June 2d 17*78. A Subscription to raise the sum of money that is not Drafted in order to Hire the Contenental Soldiers for the nine months service ; For the third Company's Quota in Rehobotb We the Subscribers Do Promis to pay to Nathaniel Carpenter Capt. of said company the sum affixed to our Respective Names. As witness our hands. £ s. d. Ephraim Walker 1 Richard Whitaker 9 Samuel Woodward Jun 3 Samuel Lyon .6 Daniel Carpenter 9 Josiah Cushing, Jun'r 6 David Cushing 5 Jacob Cushing 9 Josiah Ide 6 Caleb Carpenter, 3d . 3 Jonathan Carpenter 3 Samuel Woodward 6 Asahel Carpenter, Jtin'r 6 Eleazar Carpenter .3 Camp at Foxbury Oct. 2Tth 1*775, an inventory of Lieu't. Aaron Walker's articles, warlike furniture, left in the Company with others who Deceased Oct. 19th 1YY5. £ s. d. One Fire Arm and Bayonett 2 14 One Sword ^ 1 One Cartridge Box 6 52 • £ 8. d. Amount brought forward, 3 1 One Flask 6 One Blanket • • .0 8 and the one half of one chest 1 6 one pare shooes ...0 3 £4 5 6 As witness our hands, Joseph Allen, Ensign, Sam'l. Bliss, Capt. Foxbury Oct. 30th 1775. This may Certify that I the Subscriber have made Diligent Search, and find this to be a true Inventory of Lieu't. Walkers Estate left in Camp. Abial Mitchell, Major. The following letter is deemed worthy of a place here and is well merited by the citizens of a town which has made such liberal appropriations for the improvement of its highways at a time of universal depression in business interests. (copy). State of Rhode Island, ] Attorney Gen'l.'s Office, j" Providence, July 6, 1876. Andrew J. Anthony, Esq., Pres. Town Council East Providence. At the request of your townsman, Geo. N. Bliss, Esq., I took a ride into East Providence a few days ago to look at certain roads, against which complaints had been made by certain citizens. Without exception, I consider them the finest country roads I have ever seen. They were in every respect first class ; and in my opinion reflect great credit upon all concerned. f Signed.) Very Respectfully WiLLARD SaYLES. AN j HlSTOl^ICAL jSkETCH ! ; OF THE 1 |?IP? ?l |i|?t : DELIVERED BEFORE THE TOWN AUTHORITIES AND CITIZENS OF EAST PROVIDENCE, 1 JULY 4TH BY , 1876, GEORGE N. BLISS. 1 1 1 ■. PROVIDENCE : ' John F. Greene, Printer, 13 Market S«inare. 1876. 1 1 ^^*~ > ■;*■ > ~':>'>>^ ^^K > V ^ -^ ^S^^^p^^ ■^^^»'>i^ ' '~^~^~^ ■ ^^^S'--'^ &? ^^"b''Z:::5K>. ^3R>x:^».' ■-^>r»^