USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00084 6383
Gc 974.501 P94b v. 2
1134240
HISTORY
OF
1PROVIDENCE
OUNTY,
RHODE ISLAND.
Edited by RICHARD M. BAYLES, Assisted by a corps of writers.
In two volumes, Illustrated.
VOLUME II.
NEW YORK: W. W. PRESTON & CO. - 1891.
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 1134240
CHAPTER I. PAGE
THE TOWN AND CITY OF PAWTUCKET.
Incorporation .- Pawtucket Ceded to Rhode Island .- Consolidation .- Places of Inter- est .- Joseph Jenks .- Manufacturing, Past and Present .- The Cotton Centennial. -- Newspapers. 1
CHAPTER II. THE TOWN AND CITY OF PAWTUCKET-(continued).
Bridges. - Business Blocks. - Trading. - Woodlawn. - Hotels. - Stages .- Banks .- Churches. - Public Library. - Post Office. - Fire Department. - Education. Societies. .
61
CHAPTER III.
PAWTUCKET-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Jolın F. Adams .- Arnold Family .- Olney Arnold .- James S. Brown .- Charles E. Chickering .- Lucius B. Darling .- Simon W. Dexter .- John D. Earle .- Lewis Fairbrother .- Squire French .- Darius Goff .- William H. Haskell .- Nathan P. Hicks .- Jenks Family .- Edwin Jenekes .- James Mason .- George E. Newell .- Jacob N. Polsey .- Payne Family .- John B. Read .- William F. Sayles .- Frederic C. Sayles .- Albert R. Sherman .- Gideon L. Spencer .- Henry A. Warburton .- Joshua S. White ..- Benjamin Fessenden .- Clark Sayles.
97
CHAPTER IV. THE TOWN OF EAST PROVIDENCE.
Geographical Description .- Its People and Industries .- Purchase and Settlement of the Territory .- First Planting of Roger Williams .- First Permanent Settler .- First Compact of Seekonk. - Town Incorporation as Rehoboth. - Highways. Common Pastures and Early Customs .- Destruction by King Philip's War .- Early Schools .- The Revolution .- Saltpetre Manufacture .- Bridges over the Seekonk .- Organization of the Town of East Providence .- Civil List .- Statistics of Progress .- Public Schools .- Highway Districts .- Watchemoket Fire District. -Police Force .- Street Lighting .- Town Hall .- First Meeting House .- First Congregational Church .- Second Congregational, Riverside .- Broadway Chapel. -First Baptist Church .- Second Baptist .- First Universalist .- St. Mary's Epis- copal .- St. Mark's Episcopal .- Church of the Sacred Heart, R. C .- Haven Metho- dist Episcopal. - Union Chapel. - Reliance Lodge, I. O. O. F. - Fraternity Encampment .- Bucklin Post, G. A. R .- Farragut Post .- Riverside Cotton Mills. -Bn graphical Sketches. .. 143
CHAPTER V.
THE TOWN OF NORTH PROVIDENCE.
General Description .- Settlements and Physical Features .- The Original Town .- Its Growth and Population .- Representatives in the General Assembly .- Organ- ization of the Present Town .- Town Officers since that time .- Highways and Turnpikes .- Woodville .- Its Manufactures .- Graystone .- Centredale .- Its Cot- ton Factory .- Union Library .- Roger Williams Lodge .- Allendale and its Mills. -The Baptist Chu ch .- Zachariah Allen Lodge .- Lymansville and its Mills .- Roman Catholic Church. - Fruit Hill. - Valuation and Taxes. - Biographical Sketches.
180
) ١
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER VI. THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
Incorporation .- Description .- Early Records .- Highways .- Defense of the Town Authorities Against Sundry Persons .- Various Proceedings of the Town Council. - The Revolutionary Period. - The Militia Companies. - The Cumberland Rangers .- Legislation Against Slavery .- Provision for the Poor .- War Expenses. -Division of the Town .- The Present Town of Smithfield .- Town Officers .- Public Schools .- Early Settlers .- Greenville: its Industries, Churches, Banks, Library, etc .- Spragueville .- Stillwater .- Georgiaville, and its Mills, Churches, etc .- Enfield .- Biographical Sketches ... 200
CHAPTER VII. THE TOWN OF CUMBERLAND.
Description .- Connection With Rehoboth. - Early Town Action .- Town Officers .- William Blackstone .- Other Early Settlers .- Transportation .- The Blackstone River .- Bridge .- Mills and Manufactories .- Mines and Quarries .- Valley Falls .- Manville .- Lonsdale .- Ashton .- East Cumberland .- Diamond Hill .- Hawkins. -Berkeley .- Cumberland Hill .- Education .- Churches .- Societies .- Biographi- cal Sketches. 228
CHAPTER VIII. THE TOWN AND CITY OF WOONSOCKET.
Description .- Origin of Name .- Early Settlers and their descendants .- Statistics .- Civil Organization .- Town Officers .- City of Woonsocket .- Officers in 1889 .- Fire Department .- Water Works .- Poor Asylum .- Public Thoroughfares .- Pub- lic Houses and Business Places .- Post Office .- Opera House .- Banking Interests. -Gas Company .- Electric Machine and Power Company .- Street Railway .- Manufacturing Industries. 266
CHAPTER IX. THE TOWN AND CITY OF WOONSOCKET-(concluded).
The Press .- Education .- Public Libraries .- Churches .- Societies and Lodges .- The Woonsocket Hospital. - Cemeteries. - Military Affairs. - Bands. - Soldiers' Monument .- Grand Army of the Republic .- Sons of Veterans .- Biographical Sketches. 325
CHAPTER X. THE TOWN OF LINCOLN.
Division of the Old Town of Smithfield .- Interesting Localities .- First Officers .- Town Poor .- Town House .- Internal Improvements .- Town Debt .- Schools .- Valley of the Moshassuck .- Police Department .- Societies .- Central Falls .- Valley Falls .- Lonsdale .- Manville .- Secret and Social Societies .- Biographical Sketches. . . . . . . 421
CHAPTER XI.
THE TOWN OF NORTH SMITHFIELD.
Description .- Division of the Town .- Places of Interest .- Town Meetings .- "rdin- ances .- Town Officers .- Slatersville .- Stores .- Post Office .- Hotels .- Bank. - Library .- Slatersville Cemetery Association .- List of Physicians .- John Slater. -Industries .- Union Village .- The Friends .- Forestdale .- Branch Village .- Waterford .- Churches .- A Sketch of the Various Denominations Now Extinct. -The Congregational Church .- Sabbath School .- The Catholic Churches .- Schools and Academies. - Biographical Sketches. 485
CHAPTER XII. THE TOWN OF GLOCESTER.
General Description of the Town from 1731 to 1806 .- Noted Places now Comprised Within the Town .- Town Meetings .- The Military History .- The Town of Bur-
V
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
rillville Set Off .- Town Officers .- Early Settlement .- Brief Personal Notices .-- The Dorr War .- Rivers and Ponds .- Secret Societies .- Banks .- Public Houses. -Manufacturers .- Business Men and Farmers .- Chepachet and other Villages. -Manton Library Association .- Roads .-- Lotteries .- Early Religious Privileges. -Baptists .- Baptist Society and Sunday School .- Episcopalians .- Congrega- tionalists .- The Union Library. - Friends. - Schools .- Other Societies .- Bio- graphical Sketches. 512
CHAPTER XIII. THE TOWN OF BURRILLVILLE.
Description. - Incorporation. - Early Town Action .- Officers .- Town Asylum .- Schools .- Early Settlers .- Counterfeiting .- Mills and Manufactories .- Villages. -Churches .- Societies .- The Temperance Movement .- Biographical Sketches .. 547
CHAPTER XIV. THE TOWN OF SCITUATE.
General Description of the Town .- Early Settlers, with Reminiscences .- Town Meet- ings .- Town Officers .- Scituate in the Revolution .- Early Mechanics .- Secret Societies .- Schools .- Richmond .- The Old Angell Tavern .- Stores .- Churches. -Manufacturing. - Village of North Scituate. - Stores. - Bank. - Hotels. - Churches .- Saundersville .- Hope Village .- Potterville .- Elmdale .- Kent Cor- ners .- Ashland .- Rockland .- Clayville .- Ponaganset .- Biographical Sketches .. 586
CHAPTER XV. THE TOWN OF FOSTER.
Description. - Interesting Localities. - Early Town Meetings .- Statistics .- Town Asylum .- Town Clerks .- Town Officers in 1890 .- Mount Hygeia .- First Church in Foster .- Early Business Interests .- Foster Centre .- The Hammond Church.
-Hopkins Mills .- Union Chapel .- Creameries .- Moosup Valley .- Foster ....... 626
PORTRAITS.
Adams, John A.
446
Adams, John F.
98
Aldrich, Joseph B. 378
Arnold, Olney
102
Ballou, Henry L.
381
Ballou, Latimer W
380
Bass, David ..
382
Benedict. Stephen.
448
Brown. James S.
34 385
Buckland, Alphonzo W.
Capron, Adin B 220
386
Conant, Hezekiah. .
450 258
Cook. James S
568
Cook. Willis
388
Cooke, Reuben O
390
Darling, Lucius B
106
Dexter, Simon W. 108
Earle, John D.
111
Ellis. John W.
394
Fairbrother, Lewis
112
Fales, David G.
432
Fessenden, Benjamin.
142b
Fiske, John T. 572
Freeman, Edward L.
456
Cole, Joseph E.
Cook, Davis.
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE 46
Goff, Darius.
Grant. George H
396
Hall, Philip D
503
Harris, Edward
398
Harris. Frank.
400
Haskell, William H
118
Hicks, Nathan P
42
Holman, Ansel
504
Holt, John F.
402 126
Jenckes, Horace A
404
Jenks. Alvin.
433
Littlefield, Alfred H.
461
Littlefield. Daniel G
462
Mathewson, David
575
Miller, Edwin B.
406
Mowry, Albert.
506
Mowry, Alonzo P.
222
Mowry. Arlon
507
Mowry, David B.
Newell, George E
508 128 577 408
Olney, Ira.
194
Pease, Le Roy B.
412 410 578
Rathbun, Oscar J
414
Razee, Stafford W.
262
Read, John B.
131
Read. Walter A.
542
Sayles, Albert L.
580
Sayles. Clark ..
142d
Sayles, Frederic C.
138
Sayles, William F
134
Smith. Henry E.
224
Stafford, Rufus J.
472
Stearns, Henry A.
474
Steere, Alanson.
624
Steere, George W
546
Thomas, Charles E
416
Tinkham, William
584
Vose. Alonzo D.
418
Warburton. Henry A.
142
Whipple, Walter W
197
Wilcox, Andrew J.
198
Wilson, George F
176
Winsor, Nicholas S
225
Winsor. William.
226
Wood, Henry B
482
VIEWS.
Bryn Mawr.
139
Granite Mills.
581
Harrisville Woolen and Worsted Mills
585
Nichols, Henry S.
Nourse. Charles
Perkins, Francis M.
Perkins, Joshua
Jenckes, Edwin.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
VOLUME II.
CHAPTER I.
THE TOWN AND CITY OF PAWTUCKET.
Incorporation .- Pawtucket Ceded to Rhode Island .- Consolidation .- Places of Interest .- Joseph Jenks .- Manufacturing, Past and Present .- The Cotton Centennial .- News- papers.
T HE village of Pawtucket was known formerly as the "Fields of Pawtucket," and embraced all those lands west of the river in this town, which were for more than a century a part of the town of North Providence. The " Fields of Pawtucket " date back as far as 1765. Gradually this territory became settled and was then known as the village of Pawtucket. The name Pawtucket is of Indian origin and signifies " falls of water." The Pawtucket river is called in Indian Pawtuck, which signifies "a fall." Pawtuxet, or Pawtuxent, according to Trumbull, is " a place at a little waterfall."
The town of Pawtucket on the eastern bank of the river was in- corporated by Massachusetts, February 29th, 1828, with territorial possessions that before belonged first to Rehoboth (from 1645 to 1812) and then to Seekonk (from 1812 to 1828). The town was an- nexed to Rhode Island upon the settlement of the boundary question between the two states March 1st, 1862. Rehoboth embraced at the outset the town of Seekonk, the former Pawtucket, and the town which bears the original name. It was within the bounds of Reho- both that Roger Williams first settled. He fled in haste from Massa- chusetts early in 1636, and in the summer of that same year to avoid displeasing the Massachusetts Bay Company, he crossed the Seekonk river and obtained a grant of land from Canonicus and Miantinomi, though somewhat indefinite in extent yet sufficient to acknowledge "lands without limits up the streams of Pawtucket and Pawtuxet." Ousamequin, who is known as Massasoit, also chief of the Pokanoket, contracted to sell the lands whereon the eastern division of Paw- tucket stands but then refused to sign the deed.
1
2
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
About five years after Williams left the eastern side of the river the chief of the Wampanoags disposed of Williams' old claims to John Brown and Edward Winslow of Plymouth, who seem to have been acting as purchasing agents for a company at Weymouth and Hingham. In 1644 that company moved to Reho- both. Their leader was the learned Reverend Samuel Newman. The tract of land purchased was supposed to measure eight miles square. By accurate survey it measured nearer ten miles square and embraced the three townships of Rehoboth, Seekonk and Paw- tucket. The original deed of Massasoit is not extant, but that of his son and successor, the famous King Philip, quit-claiming this territory to the white settlers, bears date March 30th, 1668. In 1694 Attleboro was severed from Rehoboth. In 1746, Cumberland was taken from Attleboro, but the residue of Rehoboth remained un- disturbed until 1812, when the town of Seekonk was taken from it. In 1828 the town of Seekonk was divided, its western portion taking the name of Pawtucket on February 29th.
The act provided that " The Northwest part of the Town of Seekonk, within the following lines, namely, beginning at the bend of the Seekonk river about forty rods south of the mouth of Bever- age brook, so called, thence running a due east course till it strikes the ten mile river, so called, thence by said river till it comes to the Attleborough line, including the Island on which Kent's Factory is situated, also the bridge a few rods north of said Kent's Factory. . Thence Westerly on the Attleborough line till it comes to the Rhode Island line, thence Southerly on said Rhode Island line till it comes to the first corner, with all the inhabitants living thereon, be incorporated into a town by the name of Paw- tucket."
The first town meeting held in pursuance of the foregoing act, to choose officers, and organize the town, was held in Reverend Mr. Greene's meeting house, March 17th, 1828. Oliver Starkweather, Esq., was chosen moderator, James C. Starkweather, clerk for the en- suing year, and William Allen, treasurer. Messrs. David Bucklin, Elijah Ingraham and Remember Kent, were elected selectmen. At an adjourned town meeting held on May 12th, 1828, the following sums were appropriated, in accordance with the recommendation of a committee appointed at a previous meeting, viz .: For the support of the poor, $300; for the repair of highways, $100; for the support of schools, $350; for the other town expenses, $150; total, $900.
For many years this town remained a part of Massachusetts, the business and the population in the meantime increasing on both sides of the river. Common interests bound the two villages to- gether, but the inhabitants on each side of the stream cherished a natural state pride, and the little local jealousies of the two Paw- tuckets occasioned some friction until the long standing boundary
3
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
dispute between Massachusetts and Rhode Island was amicably ad- justed in 1861, and the town of Pawtucket was ceded to Rhode Island.
By proclamation of Governor William Sprague under date of December 21st, 1861, the decree of the United States Court was an- nounced to take effect on the first day of March, 1862. In the course of a dozen years public sentiment became ripe for consolidation. The town of North Providence was subjected to dismemberment. An important part of it was assigned to the city of Providence, and the village of Pawtucket was annexed to the town of that name. A major vote of the property holders in each town was given for the measure. The portion cut off from North Providence and assigned to Pawtucket is thus described:
" Beginning at a point in the centre of the Blackstone river, being the southeasterly corner of the town of Lincoln, and the northeast- erly corner of the town of North Providence; and running thence westerly, on and with the line dividing said towns of Lincoln and North Providence to a point on said line, eighteen hundred feet west of the east line of the Smithfield turnpike; thence southerly on a straight line to a point on the line dividing the city of Providence and the town of North Providence, as hereinbefore provided, eighteen hundred feet, measured on said line, westerly of the east line of said Smithfield turnpike; thence along said boundary line and following the same, to the centre of the Seekonk river: thence along the centre of said river, to the place of beginning."
The act took effect May 1st, 1874. At the election of officers the following were chosen members of the town council: Olney Arnold, Claudius B. Farnsworth, John F. Adams, William T. Adams, William H. Haskell, James L. Pierce and Henry B. Metcalf. General Arnold was elected president of the board. Lewis Pearce, Esq., was chosen town clerk, and Mr. George W. Newell, treasurer. The same officers were reëlected in 1875, though Mr. Metcalf resigned his position during the year. In 1876 a new town council, with two exceptions, was chosen.
Pawtucket was incorporated as a city March 27th, 1885. The act of incorporation was accepted April 1st, 1885, by a vote of 1,450 for, to 721 against. The new city government was organized on the first Monday of January, 1886. The municipal elections are held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November, annually. The first mayor was Hon. Frederic C. Sayles. He was succeeded by Major A. K. Goodwin, and the latter was followed by Hugh J. Carroll, who was mayor in 1890.
The year after the consolidation of the towns in 1874, the state register gave the number of inhabitants at 18,464. The population in 1885 was 22,906.
The following list gives the names of the principal places of in-
.
4
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
terest in the town: Districts .- East Side: West Side; North Bend; South Bend; Pleasant View; East Pleasant View; The Plains; Leb- anon, formerly Kent's Mills; Dolly Sabin; Dunnell's; Ingrahamville; Donnybrook; The Landing; Fairmount; Woodlawn; Squatville; The Common; Park Place; The Tollgate; The Coal Yard. Rivers .- Paw- tucket; Blackstone; Ten Mile. Ponds .- Hammond's; Bailey's; Little Pasture. Springs .- Mineral; Cold. Rocks --- Lamprey; Seal. Lanes .- Baptist; Cape Cod; Hedge; Quaker; Wing. Woods .- Spencer's Grove; Darling's Grove; Goff's Lot. Bridges .- Main Street; Division Street; Exchange Street; Pleasant View; Central; Tin (or Railroad); Log. Old Turnpikes .- Pawtucket and Providence; East; Valley Falls; Lons- dale; Smithfield; Mineral Spring; Lindsey; Boston; Taunton Road. Parks .- Wilkinson; Burnside; Riding. Hills .- Bean; Baptist; Broken Back; Church; Central. Historic .- Wheaton's Dam; Slater's Mill; Snuff Mill; First bridge built across the Pawtucket in 1713, by the colonies of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. .
The old mill in which Samuel Slater began cotton manufacturing near the close of the last century is still standing, and is used for various manufacturing purposes. The old house in which Mr. Slater lived at that time is also standing on North Main, formerly Mill street. In this house Mr. Slater began a Sunday school in September, 1797, which, if not the first, was one of the first Sunday schools es- tablished in this country.
The civil history of Pawtucket begins with Joseph Jenks. His father is supposed to have come from England with Governor Endi- cott. "Joseph Jenks," says Lewis, in his history of Lynn. " deserves to be held in perpetual remembrance in American history as being the first founder who worked in brass and iron on the Western Con- tinent. By his hands the first models were made and the first cast- ings taken of many domestic implements and iron tools."
On the 6th of May, 1646, the general court of Massachusetts re- solved " that in answer to the peticon of Joseph Jenckes for liberty to make experience of his abilityes and Inventions for ye making of Engines for mills to go with water for ye more speedy dispatch of work than formerly, and mills for ye making of Sithes and other Edged tools, with a new invented Sawe-Mill, that things may be afforded cheaper than formerly and that for fourteen yeers without disturbance by any others setting up the like inventions; this peticon is granted."
In May, 1655, he obtained another patent for an improvement in the manufacture of scythes " for the more speedy cutting of grass for seven years." The old English scythe previously in use was a very clumsy instrument, short and thick, like the bush or stub scythe. His invention gave greater length and thinness to the blade, as seen in use to-day.
In the interval between the two dates named the younger Jenks.
5
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
followed his father to the New World. After becoming acquainted with the improvements made by his father, his mind became imbued with like aspirations, and he chose for himself a site near the lowest falls on the river for the purpose of erecting mills on the Pawtucket (then dark with a thick forest), such as the elder Jenks had been de- vising. Reverend Mr. Goodrich says:
" The traditions spoken of represent that he came here in the year 1655. As his eldest son was born in 1657, perhaps he was already married, and his house is said to have stood on the spot on East ave- nue now occupied by Mr. Joseph T. Greene, who lives in the house reared by his grandfather Timothy Greene. It is supposed that his first purchase of land was made from a family by the name of Mowry. A copy of a deed of land subsequently purchased, however, was found by Doctor Benedict in the records of the proprietors of Common Lands. That deed was as follows ":
" Know all men before whom these presents shall come, that I, Abel Potter, inhabitant of Moshanticut, in the Colony of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, have sold unto Mr. Joseph Jenckes, inhabitant of the Town of Providence, in the Colony afore- said, sixty acres of land, more or less, which was formerly laid out to my wife Rachel's grandfather, Mr. Ezekiel Holliman, lying near Paw- tucket Falls, together with a commonage, the said threescore lot and commonage having been bequeathed to my said wife Rachel Potter; formerly called Rachel Warner; I say, I, Abel Potter, aforesaid, have, with the consent of my wife Rachel, freely sold the said threescore of land, situated and lying in Providence township, bounded near the southeast corner by a white oak tree, running westerly and northerly by a threescore acre lot formerly laid out to Mr. Stukely Westcot, and fronting easterly against the land of Mr. Dexter's against the river, and also fronting unto the Falls. I say, I, Abel Potter, aforesaid, have freely sold the threescore acres of land, together with a right of commonage and such privileges as do appertain thereunto, unto Joseph Jenckes for full satisfaction and valuable in hand paid and received; and therefore I do by this act, freely pass it from me, and my wife Rachel Potter, our heirs, Executors and Administrators, unto Joseph Jenckes, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever, peacefully to enjoy without any lot [let?] or molestation from us, or any claiming by, or under Ezekiel Holliman aforesaid, or by or under us. As witness my hand and seal the 10th of October, 1671, in War- wick.
"Signed, sealed and delivered, and in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King Charles.
In presence of us- JOHN GREENE, Assistant, ANNE GREENE.
his
ABEL × POTTER,
mark
6
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
" This is to certify that Rachel Potter aforesaid, as formerly con- sented to the sale, so likewise she doth now declare her assent to the Deed of sale aforesaid in presence of me.
JOHN GREENE, Assistant.
" Warwick, this 15th day of April, 1672."
The following account of the earlier manufacturing interests of Pawtucket is quoted from a " Historical Sketch of Pawtucket," writ- ten in 1876 by Reverend Massena Goodrich per order of the town council. This admirable and valuable work, which is now out of print, we have freely used in the compilation of our sketch of Paw- tucket. In resuming his account of Mr. Jenks, Reverend Mr. Good- rich says:
"It is known that Mr. Jenks soon erected a forge: perhaps he quickly found out that bog iron existed near what has long been styled Mineral Springs; for before the revolution a forge stood near the Moshassuck, where the ore was converted into blooms. Of course he had a market for the products of his skill in Providence and the whole neighborhood. The fields of Pawtucket were mowed by the new kind of scythes which his father had patented, and hatchets and every domestic iron implement, needed for the comfort of the house- holds in Providence Plantations, were made at Mr. Jenks's work- shop. Blacksmiths and other workers in iron were trained and em- ployed by him; wood-cutters settled around to chop down some of the majestic oaks and maples that overhung the Pawtucket; charcoal burners were busy under the lee of many a hill; a few farmers built their log cabins near the river; the Indians still frequented the falls for the purpose of fishing; and a little hamlet was thus formed on what has since become the site of a growing town. For 20 years affairs went on without any serious outbreak. Emigrants were frequently arriving; in every direction the virgin forest was becom- ing invaded; the smoke rose from cabins in more and more clearings; domestic joys were gladdening the humble firesides, and death mak- ing its wonted inroads in the little family circles.
" But about a score of years after Mr. Jenks arrived here a storm broke on the young settlement. Its portents had been visible indeed for months. The red men began to meet with scowling brows the pale faces. Philip of Pokanoket began his machinations. Probably he simply guided the passions which had been burning in the hearts of his race. They had beheld with jealousy the steady growth of the English, and feared for their hunting grounds; and it only needed a leader with genius to organize their forces, and combine their efforts, to hurl a thunderbolt on the intruders. Could Philip's coun- sels have been carried out, the conflict between our fathers and the sons of the forest had been more terrible; but the strife began before the chieftain's plans were fully ripe for execution. In 1675 the war commenced in this neighborhood. 'On the morning of June 24th,'
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