USA > Connecticut > A gazetteer of the states of Connecticut and Rhode-Island : written with care and impartiality, from original and authentic materials : consisting of two parts : with an accurate and improved map of each state > Part 40
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340
FOSTER.
Chepachet river, which runs through the centre of the town, is the most considerable stream. Up- on this stream, near the centre of the town, is a considerable and in- teresting village, which is the seat of most of the business of the town. Here there are four Cotton Fac- tories, comprising 2000 spindles ; being all there are in the town. The mercantile business is mostly done here, and here also is located a bank, called the Franklin Bank. The famous Exchange Bank, which failed some years since, and occa- sioned nearly an entire loss to the holders of its notes, was establish- ed here. The present bank has a solid capital, and sustains a high credit.
The Providence and Hartford turnpike leads through this town, and passes by this village, which, from the stream upon which it is situated, is called Chepachet. The Rhode-Island and Connecti- cut turnpike leads through the
southern border of this town.
Excepting the cotton business, the manufacturing and mechanical employments of the town are in- considerable .. There are two Clo- thiers' works and six Grain Mills. There are six mercantile Stores. There are 2 religious Societies, 12 Schools and 1 Social Library.
The population of the town, in 1810, was 2310; and there are about 400 Dwelling-houses, 400 Electors, 3 companies of Militia, and 2 chartered companies, one of Infantry and one of Riflemen.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, according to the United States assessment, in 1815, was$568,660.
The settlements in this town commenced about the year 1700. The first settlers were the Inmans, Windsors, Smiths and Burlingames. One of the first settlers was a Frenchman, by the name of Tour- tellot. The town was incorpora- ted in 1730. It sends two repre- sentatives to theGeneral Assembly.
FOSTER.
FOSTER, a considerable post township, is situated on the west section of the State, 15 miles from Providence ; bounded on the south by the township of Coventry, in the county of Kent, on the west by the " towns of Killingly and Sterling, in the State of Connecticut, on the north by Gloucester, and on the cast by Scituate, The meanlength of the township, from north to south, is more than 8 miles, and its mean breadth about 6 miles, com- prising about 50 square miles.
This township is of a granitic geological character; and many sections of it present very rugged
features, being hilly, rocky and broken. The soil is a primitive gravelly loam, generally deep and strong, affording good grazing ; but the lands in general are too stony and rough for arable purposes. There are extensive forests in the town, particularly in its western section, which afford large sup- plies of valuable timber. The ag- ricultural productions consist of the various articles of the dairy business, and a grazing system of husbandry.
The principal stream within the town is the Ponongansett river, which has its source in a pond of
341
FOSTER.
the same name, in Gloucester. This stream is the principal branch of the Pawtuxet river; the latter of which empties into Providence river, about five miles below the town of Providence. Hemlock brook, a branch of the Ponongan- sett, rises in the interior of this township ; and, after many wind- ings, runs easterly into the border of the town of Scituate, where it unites with the Ponongansett. Moosup river, a branch of the Qui- nibaug, runs through the western part of this town, passing into Cov- entry, and thence into Connecticut. Upon these streams, there are nu- merous sites for mills and other water works.
that this may be the commence- ment of an artificial road, leading from Rhode-Island to Canada, which may bear some resemblance to the famous Roman road that bore this appellation, having been made by Appius Claudius. When these roads are completed, there will be few towns in the State bet- ter accommodated with roads.
Of the manufacturing and me- chanical establishments in the town, there are 1 Cotton Factory, 1 Wool- en Factory, 1 Clothier's Works, 1 Carding Machine, 11 Grain Mills, 13 Saw Mills, 3 Tanneries and 2 Trip hammer shops. There are ? Mercantile Stores.
The population of the town, in 1800, was 2458; in 1810, it was 2601; and there are about 400 Dwelling houses, about 450 Free- men or Electors, and 4 Companies of Militia, besides 2 chartered Com- panies ; one called the "Foster safe Guards," and the other, being partly composed of inhabitants of Scituate, the " Scituate and Foster Independent Rifle Company."
The Providence and Norwich turnpike road runs about three miles through the southwesterly part of this town; and the Provi- dence and Hartford turnpike leads through its north section. The mail stage passes daily (excepting Sundays) upon these roads; the principal eastern mail being con- veyed upon these two roads alter- nately. Charters have been grant- There are 10 Schools usually maintained, which are provided with houses, and one Social Libra- ry, comprising a valuable collec- tion of books. There are three religious Societies, two of Baptists and one of Friends, all of which are provided with houses for public religious worship. ed for two other turnpikes, one of which is contemplated to lead through the centre of this town, and to unite with the Providence and Hartford turnpike in Scituate, about eight miles from Providence. The other is to run further southì, and unite with the Providence and Norwich turnpike, about 12 miles The amount of taxable proper- ty, according to the United States assessment in 1815, was $342,070. from Providence. Another turn- pike has also been granted, which is to lead from the Friends' meeting In the year 1662, William Vau- house through the whole length of ; ghan, Zachariah Rhodes and Rob- the town, intersecting the several ert Westcot, purchased of the Indi- Quanaug, bordering easterly on turnpikes already noticed. This!' ans a tract of country called West- is to be called the Foster and Glou- cester Appian way, from an idea || Providence. This was called the
342
JOHNSTON.
West-Quanaug purchase, and com- prised nearly the southern half of the town of Foster. A number of individuals of Newport were after- wards associated with the first pur- chasers, among whom were Gov. John Cranston, Caleb Carr, Tho- mas Clark, William Foster, Cle- ment Weaver, Aaron Davis, John Jones and Latham Clark, most or all of whom have now descendants in the town. In 1707, this pur- chase was divided by lot among 29 proprietors, but the first settlement was not commenced until 1717. The first settler was Ezekiel Hop- kins, whose descendants are now
very numerous in the town ; there are also here a number of the de- scendants of the two Governors, John Cranston and Samuel Crans- ton.
Foster was incorporated with Scituate in 1730, forming the west- ern section of that township, which was divided in 1781, when the western setion was incorporated as a separate town, by the name of Foster, which it received from the Hon. Theodore Foster, who for ma- ny years was a senator in the sen- ate of the United States, and who is now an inhabitant of the town.
JOHNSTON.
JOHNSTON is a township situ- ated 5 miles from Providence ; bounded northerly on Smithfield, northeasterly on Wanasquatucket river, which separates it from North-Providence, east on Provi- dence, south on Cranston, and west on Scituate. It contains about 17 square miles ; being more than 4 miles from east to west, and about 4 from north to south.
This township is of a primitive, granitic structure, and its sur- face is interspersed with hill and dale. There are several valua- ble quarries of freestone in the town, suitable for building and other uses. They not only afford a supply for the demand in the town, and in the immediate vicini- ty, but are sent abroad to a dis- tance ; having, in some instances, been exported to Savannah. Stone also, suitable for furnace hearths, having great capacity to sustain fire, have been found. Limestone
is also found at what is called Bor- der Rock, from which large quan- tities of lime are made.
Although the surface is uneven, the soil is generally good. It is best adapted to grazing, but affords good crops of Indian corn ; barley, oats and buckwheat are also culti- vated to advantage. Potatoes are also raised in abundance, and are an article of exportation. The town is favourable for fruit, and contains many valuable orchards. Large quantities of cider are made, which is an article of exportation.
The most considerable streams in the town are the Wanasquatuck- et, which washes its northeastern border, the Powchassett, which runs through the town from northwest to southeast, and a branch of this stream, called Cedar brook, which empties into the Powchassett near the south boundary of the town, adjoining Cranston. These streams afford numerous advantages for the
343
NORTH-PROVIDENCE.
milling and manufacturing business There are four Cotton Facto- ries in the town; one called the Union Factory, having 1500 spin- dles, and one the Merino Factory, having 612 spindles. The wool- en business is also carried on at this establishment ; for which pur- pose, there are 280 spindles. Here also are 12 water looms, which usually weave 40 yards each in a day. There are five Grain Mills - and six mercantile Stores in the town.
In 1810, there were 1516 inha- bitants in this town ; and there are 238 Dwelling houses, about 230|
Freemen or Electors, and 2 com- panies of Militia.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, according to the assessment of the United States, in 1815, was $427,950.
There are seven regular schools which are provided with houses ; and several other schools are occa- sionally maintained.
There are three religious socie- ties ; two of Baptists and one of Friends.
Johnston originally belonged to the town of Providence, and was incorporated as a distinct town- ship in 1759.
NORTH-PROVIDENCE.
NORTH-PROVIDENCE is a post town, situated four miles north from Providence ; bounded on the north by Smithfield, on the east by the Seekonk river, which separates it from Massachusetss, on the south by Providence, and on the west by the Wanasquatucket river, which separates it from Johnston.
The average length of the town- ship is about 6 miles, and its mean breadth more than 2 and a half miles, comprising an area of about 16 square miles.
The surface of this township is uneven, consisting of moderate el- evations and gentle declivities. The rocks are primitive and tran- sition ; some limestone is found.
The prevailing soil is a gravelly loam, which is interspersed with tracts of sandy loam, and some of calcareous. The forests consist of oak, walnut and some pine ; and the agricultural productions, of grass, hay, corn, some rye, pota-
toes, vegetables and fruits, for Pro- vidence market.
The waters of the town consist of the Seekonk river, which wash- es its eastern border ; the Wanas- quatucket, which forms its western boundary ; and the Mashasuck, which intersects the interior of the township. These streams afford numerous sites for hydraulic works, some of which are almost unrival- led. There are some valuable shad and herring fisheries in the Seekonk.
The town is accommodated with the Pawtucket & Providence turn- pike, leading to Boston, and the Douglass turnpike.
In 1810, there were 1758 inha- bitants in this town ; and there are about 316 Dwelling-houses, 200 Electors, & 2 companies of Militia.
The amount of taxable proper- ty, according to the assessment of the United States, in 1815, was $556,970.
1
344
SCITUATE.
This town is distinguished for its manufactures, particularly those of cotton, which form an important interest. There are 10 Cotton Mills or Factories, some of which are among the largest and most an- cient in the State. The extent of this business, having concentrated a large capital, and an immense ag- gregate of industry, has, within the last thirty years, given rise to a large and flourishing village. The village of Pawtucket is situated in the northeast section of the town, four miles northeast of Providence, on the border of the Seekonk riv- er ; its site being principally the de- clivity of a hill, and it is highly ro- mantic and picturesque. The ri- ver here affords numerous natural sites for manufacturing establish- ments, mills and hydraulic works of almost every description, which arc scarcely rivalled, and which are occupied to a great extent. The rapid march of manufacturing and mechanical industry, which the short annals of this place disclose, Has few examples in our country, and has produced one of the most considerable and flourishing manu- facturing villages in the United States. The river here forms the boundary line between the two States, and the village is built upon both sides of it; being partly in Rhode-Island and partly in Massa- chusetts. That part of the village which is in this State is principally
built on four streets ; and compris- es 83 Dwelling-houses, 12 mercan- tile Stores, 2 Churches, a Post-of- fice, an incorporated Bank, an Academy, and two or three flour- ishing Schools. Of the 10 Cotton Mills in the town, three are at this place, and upon an extensive scale. There are six shops engaged in the manufacture of machinery, having the advantages of water-power, and various other mechanical establish- ments, affording extensive employ- ment, and supporting a dense po- pulation. Upon the Massachusetts side of the river, there is a village of nearly equal size and conse- quence, for its manufacturing and other interests.
Besides the cotton business, there are in the town 2 Furnaces for casting, 1 Slitting Mill, 2 Anchor Shops, 1 Cut-nail Factory, 2 Screw Manufactories, 3 Grain Mills, 1 Clo- thier's works and 1 Carding Ma- chine.
There are in the town, 14 mer- cantile Stores. There are 3 Re- ligious Societies and Churches,two for Baptists and one for Episcopa- lians, two Academies & 8 Schools, including those in Pawtucket village. North-Providence sends . two representatives to the Gene- ral Assembly.
This town was originally a part of Providence, and was incorpora- ted in 1767.
SCITUATE.
SCITUATE is a considerable||cester, on the east by Johnston, post township, situated twelve! [on the south by Coventry, and on the west by Foster. Its average length, from north to south, is about miles west from Providence ; bounded on the north by Glou-
345
SMITHFIELD.
8 miles, and its average breadth more than 6 miles, comprising an area of about 50 square miles.
The surface is diversified with hills and dales, and some sections are rough and broken. In the west part of the town there is a valuable quarry of freestone, suit- able for building, from which large quantities are raised, and trans- ported to Providence and other places at a distance.
The prevailing soil is a primi- tive,gravelly loam,and is best adap- ted to grazing ; and, in general, the land is too rough and rocky for til- lage ; some grain however is raised.
The agricultural productions consist of Indian corn, oats, bar- ley, potatoes, flax, beef, pork, but- ter, cheese, and some others.
The township is watered by two small streams, one of which rises in its north eastern section, near Maswanshecut pond; the other has its source in Punnongansett pond, in Gloucester, runs through Foster, and entering this town up- on its western border, unites with the first mentioned stream ; whose united waters form the north branch of Pawtuxet river.
two turnpike roads ; one leading from Providence to Hartford, and the other from the same place to Norwich.
In 1810, there were in this town 2568 inhabitants ; and there are about 400 Dwelling houses, about 420 Freemen or Electors, and five companies of Infantry and one company of Cavalry, of Militia.
The amount of taxable property, as assessed by the United States, in 1815, was $653,980.
Scituate claims a respectable rank among the manufacturing towns in the State. There are four Cotton Factories and one Woolen Factory here. There are also two Clothiers' works and nine Grain Mills. There are five mer- cantile Stores and one incorpora- ted Bank.
There are two religious Socie- ties, one of Baptists and one of Friends, seven primary Schools, and an Academy is about to be established, the building for which is now erecting, and two Social Libraries.
This town belonged, at an early period, to Providence ; and was incorporated as a separate town
The town is accommodated with [ in the year 1731.
SMITHFIELD.
SMITHFIELD is a large and flourishing post township, situated nine miles northwest of Provi- dence ; bounded northeasterly by Blackstone or Pawtucket river, which divides it principally from Cumberland,northerly by the State of Massachusetts, westerly by Bur- rellvile and Gloucester, south and
southeasterly by Johnston and N. Providence.
The average length of the township is about 10 miles, with a mean breadth of 6 miles, com- prising an area of 60 square miles.
This township has generally an undulating surface, presenting an
4.4
346
SMITHFIELD.
agreeable diversity of moderate eminences and gentle declivities ; but in some sections it is consider- ably rough and broken. Its geolo- gical structure comprises numer- ous calcareous strata. In these strata, four quarries have been opened, and large quantities of limestone raised, which has been manufactured into lime. It has been estimated that from 40 to 50,000 casks have been made an- nually, the principal part of which is exported to the southern States for a market. One of these quar- ries affords limestone of a peculiar character ; the lime made of which is of the very best quality, and commands an extra price. This stone also makes a good cement. The manufacture of lime is an im- portant and extensive business, and affords employment to a greatnum- ber of persons. There is also a quarry of white stone at what is called Woonsoquett hill, that sus- tains heat remarkably well, which renders it very valuable for furnace hearths ; for which purpose it has been transported by land from 50 to 60 miles. About two miles dis- tant from this, there is a quarry, containing excellent whetstones, for edge tools. Large quantities are annually wrought into a suita- ble shape for that use, are trans- ported into various parts of the Union, and are in high estimation.
The soil is a gravelly and sandy loam, with some sections of a cal- careous loam. It is generally rich and fertile, although in some pla- ces it has been reduced by an ex- hausting system of cultivation. The lands are generally warm, and favourable for most kinds of vege- tation. There are, however, some
low and marshy tracts, which are generally appropriated to mowing, and afford good crops of grass. The forests are not extensive, but are sufficient to supply the inhabit- ants with fuel and timber, and for the consumption occasioned by the lime manufactories, which afford a considerable market for this ar- ticle.
The agricultural productions consist of the various articles com- mon to the climate ; Indian corn, rye, some wheat, barley, oats, po- tatoes, some flax, beef, pork, but- ter, cheese, apples, cider and hay.
But few of these productions form articles of exportation. Con- siderable quantities, however, of potatoes, cider, apples and hay are sent to the southern markets. The agricultural interests of the town are not very flourishing, consider- ing the natural resources of the soil ; the industry of the inhabit- ants being in some measure divert- ed from agriculture, by the exten- sive cotton manufactories, and the attention that is paid to the lime business, which constitutes an im- portant interest.
The waters of the town consist of the Pawtucket, which washes its northeastern border, and a branch of this river, nearly of equal size, which intersects the town, discharging its waters into the former, in the northern section of the town. After the union of these streams, the Pawtucket is from one to two hundred feet in width. At some seasons of the year, it usually over- flows its banks, and has been known to rise from 15 to 20 feet above its usual height. There are five bridges upon the Pawtucket,
347
SMITHFIELD.
and several upon the branch stream. Besides these, there are numerous small streams, some of which afford valuable sites for mills and manufacturing establishments, which are mostly occupied. In the south part of the town, within about four miles of Providence, there is a considerable body of wa- ter, called Scots Pond. It is nearly a mile in length, about half a mile in width, and of great depth. What is remarkable in this pond, is the steep descent of its shores, particularly that adjoin- ing the old post road from Provi- dence to Worcester. Cases have occurred, of persons being drown- ed in attempting to water their horses at this pond.
There are three turnpike roads that pass through this town, all leading from Providence ; one is called Loisquissett, which mects the post road from Worcester, about 9 miles from Providence; one is called the Douglass turn- pike, leading directly from Provi- dence to Douglass ; and the other is called the Powder-mill turnpike, leading to Connecticut.
The cotton manufactories of this town arc important and extensive. There are nine Factories, all of which contain about 11,000 spin- dles. About one half of these be- long to one factory, owned by Al- my, Brown and Slater. This es- tablishment is situated upon the aforesaid branch of the Pawtucket river, about one mile and a half from its junction, being an excel- lent site for hydraulic works. At this place, there is a large and flourishing village, called Slaters- ville, comprising from six to eight hundred inhabitants. This village
Is of recent date, having grown up with the manufacturing business, which may be considered as the parent of it. It is impossible to contemplate such a village as this, without the most pleasing sensa- tions and reflections. What a seat of wealth, a focus of activity, and a nursery of industry ! What a dis- play of mechanical ingenuity, and what a developement of the im- portance and influence of the use- ful arts ! What a combination and variety of operations, what diver- sity of employment, and what a number of distinct and curious pro- cesses are comprised in the manu- facture of those fabrics requisite to supply the wants which the re- finements of society occasion! Who . can look upon such manufacturing villages as this, without regarding them as the germs of the future Manchesters of America ?
In addition to the cotton facto- tories, which have been noticed, there is one other extensive esta- blishment, called the Mammoth Factory, containing from 6 to 8000 spindles, which is supposed to be within the bounds of this town; but this admits of doubt ; as the line between this State and Massachu- setts, at this place, has not been definitely settled. This establish- ment is owned by Butler, Whea- ton & Co. of Providence.
In addition to the cotton manu- factures, there are one Paper Mill, two Distilleries, two Scythe Manu- factories, where large quantities of scythes are annually made for ex- portation, one Gun Factory, elev- en Grain Mills, the greater part of which are on streams affording a sufficient supply of water, and one Fulling Mill and Clothiers' works.
348
BIOGRAPHY.
The mercantile business of the town is respectable, there being 11 Stores. There are two Banks in this town, and a charter has been obtained for one more.
The population of Smithfield, in 1810, was '3828 ; and there are about 500 Electors, more than 500 Dwelling houses, 5 companies of Militia, and 2 chartered compa- nies.
The town is well supplied with schools, there being 20 regular schools, which are provided with suitable houses, and are maintain- ed nearlythrough the year. Besides which, there are several schools kept in the winter season in private houses. There are also two Acade- mies; and another has recentlybeen incorporated. There are 4 reli- gions Societies ; one of Friends or Quakers, which is the largest, one of Baptists, one of Methodists and one of Christians ; and there are four churches, two of which belong to the society of Friends. There are four Social Libraries.
There is a remarkable fall of water upon the Pawtucket river, called Woonsoquett falls, which is considered as quite a curiosity. The fall is about 20 feet, is not perpendicular, but over a preci- pice of rocks for some distance. The fall of the water upon these rocks through a succession of ages, has occasioned numerous excava-
tions, all of which are smooth and circular, and some of them very large, being sufficient to contain several hogsheads.
The taxable property of the town, by the United States as- sessment of 1815, was $830,960.
Smithfield belonged originally to the town of Providence, and was settled about the same time, but was not incorporated as a town, until 1730.
BIOGRAPHY. The Rev. Eli- sha Thornton, of this town, was an eminent minister of the gospel, be- longing to the Society of Friends, and was alike distinguished for his exemplary and useful life, and for his scientific acquirements. He was self-taught, having had but lit- tle advantages as to education, in carly life. But such was the na- tive vigour of his mind, and his in- satiable thirst for knowledge, that he became an eminent mathema- tician and practical astronomer, and for several years was Precep tor of a school, which sustained a high reputation.
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