USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Westerly > Some papers delivered before the Westerly Historical Society 1916-1927; and a list of the members Jan. 1927 > Part 1
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Gc 974.502 W524we 1774670
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01067 6788
SOME PAPERS
DELIVERED BEFORE
The Westerly Historical Society
OF WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND
During the years 1916-1927 AND A List of the Members and Committees as of January, 1927
WESTERLY, R. I .: THE STEDMAN PRESS, INC., PRINTERS
1927
-----
1774670
Records and Papers 1916-
The 13 Menirrly Giatoriral Sprirty
WESTER
ORGANIZED
1913
RI
WE WESTERLY
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Mesterly, Rhode Island 1927
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60
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The Contents
A Military Commission-1764 . Page 5
"Old Homes, Old Men and Old Letters," by Elisha C. Stillman, May 13, 1916 .
7
"Days and Recollections of North Stonington, Conn.,"
- by Cyrus Henry Brown, November 9, 1916 . 17
"The Pawcatuck River," by Albert P. Pendleton, May, 1920 . 27
"Sketches of Old Westerly," by Grace D. Wheeler, December 8, 1921 · "When the Railroad Came to Westerly," by Herbert A. Babcock, October 5, 1922 . .
43
53
"Elder John Taylor," by Besse Taylor, February 1, 1923 61
"Restoring a Pre-Revolutionary House," by Mrs. Harvey C. Perry, February 3, 1927 . 71
"People I Have Known," by Albert P. Pendleton . 89
Officers and Committees, 1926-7 . 121
Membership List. 1926-7 122
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019
https://archive.org/details/somepapersdelive00unse
NOTE: During the period covered by the group of papers herein selected for permanent preservation many others possessing general historic value have been read before the Society. The Publication Committee in its choice of papers has been limited to those only having a local historic interest. Many of the most valuable addresses given before the Society during this period have been given orally and therefore cannot be here reproduced.
THE COMMITTEE.
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A Millitary Commission
(L. S.)
By the Hon. Stephen Hopkins Esquire Governor Cap- tain General and Commander in Chief of and over the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Planta- tions in New England in America.
To Daniel Lewis Gent. Greeting.
You Daniel Lewis being chosen and appointed First Lieutenant of the Artillery Company in the Towns of Westerly, Charlestown and Hopkinton in the County of Kings County in the Colony afore- said and approved of by myself and the Council are hereby in the Name of His Most Sacred Majesty George the Third by the Grace of God King of Great Britain &c. authorized empowered and commis- sionated to have take and exercise the Office of First Lieutenant of the Artillery Company aforesaid and to command guide and con- duct the same or any Part thereof. And in Case of an Invasion or Assault made by a common Enemy to molest and disturb this his Majesty's Plantation You are to alarm and gather together the Com- pany under your Command or any Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient and with them to the utmost of your Skill and Ability you are to resist expell kill and destroy the same in order to preserve the Interest of His Majesty and His good Subjects in these Parts. You are also to follow such further Instructions Directions and Orders as shall from Time to Time be given forth either by the General .Assem- bly or the Governor and Council of this Colony and other your supe- rior Officers: Yet no ways subjected to the Commands or Orders of any of the Field Officers in the Regiment of the County abovesaid. And for your so doing this Commission shall be your sufficient War- rant and Discharge.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of the said Colony this Eighteenth Day of June, 1764, and in the Fourth Year of His said Majesty's Reign.
Step Hopkins
By his Honor's Command Henry Ward, Secry.
The original manuscript of the above military commission to Daniel Lewis under the reign of George III in 1764, was given to the Westerly Historical
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Society in 1925 by Mrs. Jessie Clarke Ferguson and is now in the custody of Everett E. Whipple, President of the Historical Society.
Stephen Hopkins was one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. Mrs. Ferguson is a great, great, great granddaughter of Daniel Lewis.
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Old Homes, Old Men and Old Letters
By ELISHA C. STILLMAN
About three-quarters of a mile west of Ashaway Bridge is a house built something over one hundred years ago, by whom is not known, though probably by one of the numerous Wells, or Crandall families.
This property was bought in 1822, by Zebulan Stillman, with a tract of land extending northeasterly to and including the property now known as the Bethel Mill Property.
Mr. Stillman married a daughter of Thompson Wells of the fourth generation of this family, who were of the very earliest set- tlers in this vicinity. The place where they settled, on land bought of the Indians, is still known as "Wellstown."
The old house above mentioned has been owned by the Cran- dalls, Welles. Langworthys, Partloes, and is now owned by Milton J. Lamb. When Uncle Zebulon bought it he evidently enlarged it. Strange as it may seem to this generation, it is nevertheless a fact, that near this house, across the present road, there was a small vessel built about the year 1824. The frame was hewn out there, properly marked, and then taken down and hauled to Westerly somewhere on the banks of the Pawcatuck River, rebuilt and launched.
This does not seem so strange though to those who remember that most of the men in the old families of that day were ship car- penters, and quite a few of them were actually engaged in the fishing business, or smacking trade as it was called at that time.
The Crandalls, Barbers. Maxsons, Welles and Merritts were all. I think, both ship carpenters and smack men.
While the above mentioned vessel was being built it is said that a rainy spell "set in" and held up the work on it for a week or two, much to the disappointment of the workmen. At last, towards the latter part of the second week, it cleared off and Uncle Zebulon sum- moned the carpenter to put in an appearance on Sunday morning. But. when Sunday morning came it was raining hard again. Uncle Zebulon, it is reported, raised his chamber window, and leaning his arms on the sill, snorted "1 yum! I should think the Heavens had let out all the water in 'em this spell."
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When I first knew this place it was owned by Lewis and Clarke Langworthy, who, with a blind sister, lived there. Though totally blind they were hard working industrious men and could do almost any kind of work, even to the weeding of garden beds and the like, by the touch of their fingers.
This Mr. Lewis Langworthy had a daughter, whom he almost idolized, though, of course, he could not see. But by a strange phenomenon, he was once permitted to get a view of her. I met him on the street one day, and he took me by the hand and said. "O. Elisha, I have seen my daughter, Lizzie." I thought the man had gone crazy and asked him what he meant by it. He went on to say that he was passing through the sitting room door that morning and the sun was shining through an East window by which the girl was sitting, and somehow the rays struck across her face. giving him a full view of her. "I stood and gazed" he said. "with fear and trem- bling," but Lizzie alarmed at her father's silence and appearance, sprang up and the vision was gone. With tears running down his face he exclaimed, "O, Elisha. she was so beautiful.'
At the corner of West. Broad and High Streets in the village of Ashaway, stands a one story house, built about 1822, by Mr. Isaac Cundall who came to this village a few years previous. He was from Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where he had, in company with his father. been engaged in woolen manufacture at the "Glen Mills."
Soon after coming to this village, he in company with Mr. Jacob D. Babcock, bought the water privilege now known as the Ashaway Mill. He was a quiet man, gentlemanly in manners but very decided in his.convictions as to what was right and wrong. He was a "tee- totler" from boyhood. and together with Uncle Jacob Babcock. Cap- tain Lester Crandall. Benjamin Potter and two or three others, formed the first "Teetotle" or "Temperance" society ever known in Washing- ton County. He was for several terms a member of the General Assembly and for ten years postmaster at Ashaway. Three of his children are still living. the best known of whom probably is Ex- sheriff Edward G. Cundall, now a resident of Pawcatuck, and a mem- ber of this Society.
Soon after, or some three or four years after this house wa: built, Lester Crandall, who married a sister of Mrs. Cundall went to keeping house there. Being an old time "smackman" he, with others. was bothered about getting good fish lines so he decided to make his own lines. His "walk" was built in the rear of this Cundall house and the power used was a one man power to drive the big twisting wheel. Afterwards he operated a larger "walk" along the bank of the Ashaway River in the rear of what is now the Ashaway Mill. Later on he bought the land now known as Laureldale. He put a dam across the river there, and went to making lines by machinery driven by waterpower. He also built two houses there. The industry thus started, although having passed through several hands, and the power having been used for manufacturing both cotton and woolen goods, is
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now one of the largest and best-equipped and flourishing establish- ments for making and manufacturing lines in the country. And it may be well to state that a peculiar feature of this concern is that it is under the management of a grandson of the original promoter. though operated under the firm name of the "Ashaway Line & Twine Manufacturing .Company."
About one mile northerly of Ashaway is a well preserved farm- house now owned by the estate of James H. Crandall and occupied by Everett Brown. It is on the so-called "Wellstown" tract of land, which was purchased by one Nathaniel Wells, I think, in the year 1639. His sons inherited the property and lived, and died there, and were buried there. Of the graves remaining only two or three have markers. One of these is to Elizabeth, consort of Thompson Wells, died May 28, 1791. aged 43 years. Another is to Thompson Wells. died February 26, 1811. 66 years of age. This was, according to Miss Mariah Potter. the fourth generation of the Wells family in America.
There is also a headstone to the memory of Elizabeth Pendleton. who died July 13. 1751, "in ye 17 year of her age."
The wife of Zebulon Stillman was the daughter of this Thomy)- son and Elizabeth Wells. . This Thompson was the son of Thomas of the third generation that built the house.
There is a very pretty romance connected with this family of- Thompson Wells. His daughter. Sally, was courted and engaged to a Mr. Beriah Wells of Lenox, Massachusetts. Beriah went back to Massachusetts and for a year or more did not write to his beloved Sally. In the meantime a Mr. Linden Fuller, who was teaching school in Westerly fell in love with Sally, proposed to her and was ac- cepted. The wedding day was fixed and preparations were all made for the wedding and a merry time, when Mr. Wells again appeared on the scene. Here was a dilemma. It is said that Fuller broke all up and fainted. Sally's father called in some of the neighbors for con- sultation. Sheffield Wells, in the presence of witnesses, asked Sally three times what her choice was, and each time she answered "Berian Wells." Mr. Fuller. though deeply affected, like a true gentleman, submitted. Then Wells came forward and said under the circum- stances he could not marry Sally. He admitted his blame, but thought for them to marry would make them both unhappy for life. Here was a worse dilemma than the first. for Fuller declared that he did not want to marry her. They all parted. Fuller, almost distracted. dismissed his school at Westerly and returned to his home in Wood- stock, Connecticut. Two weeks later Sally's father sent a messenger to Woodstock to bring Fuller back. He came, and being convin ed by Mr. Wells that Sally's, and the whole family's happiness was at stake, he consented to marry her. Beriah Wells was informed of it and invited to the wedding. He came, and consented to be the best man with Lois, the next younger sister of Sally's, to be his partner. That evening Sally and Linden were made one. A few months later the neighbors were called to the same place to attend another wedding.
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that of Mr. Beriah Wells to Lois, with Mr. Linden Fuller and his charming wife, Sally, as groomsman and bridesmaid. Somebody was ugly enough to report afterwards that Beriah Wells said that he always had preferred Lois anyway.
It may not be amiss to state here that there were nine girls and seven boys in this family. It is said. also, that the Wells girls were very beautiful. From what I have seen of the young ladies of the name in my generation I am inclined to believe the assertion to be true.
Right here I want to say that the statement made by at least two writers, that Linden Fuller above mentioned, was a teacher in the Pawcatuck Academy, and I presume thereby our esteemed President. in his history of that Academy, names him as one of its teachers. He could not have been teaching in that building because he was married, as above related in 1806, and went back to Woodstock to live. The Pawsatuck Academy was not bui't until 1836 or 1837. It seems evi- dent, therefore, that Fuller must have been a teacher in the historic old "Red School House."
Again I wish to correct the statement recently made that Daniel Lewis, who lived near here, on the very spot now owned by Prof. Albert Crandall, was the first settler in the town of Hopkinton in 1704. Some of the Welles lived. died, and were buried at Wellstown in Hopkinton previous to 1700.
The old Sabbatarian Meeting House was built in 1680, on land given by Peter Crandall, who lived at the time in a house just above the old Hopkinton Bridge on the bank of the river, or between the river and the road, very likely the old "Egypt House" and the old corner Red House where Daniel Babcock lived and di.d antidated the Lewis house and settlement.
At the East of Ashaway. on a hill two hundred feet above sea level. on what has been known for more than a century as Diamond Hill, stands an old house which for many years was the residence of Dorcas Wilber and Mary Ann Bentley. That is they were the owners and residents at the earliest remembrance of anyone living now.
In the early years of the last century it was a favorite spot for the young people to visit on Saturday afternoon and sometimes in moonlight evenings. It is supposed that the Hill takes its name because of the peculiar shaped quartz crystals that are very plentiful about the premises. They were often kept as a souvenir. Some of the stones are of such share and sharpness that they were used for cutting glass.
It has been very difficult to get at the history of this house. Some of the old people whom I have consulted regarding it say that it was a very old house when they first knew it. Our Town Records do not throw any light on it previous to 1851. But, from a letter received from Miss Mary E. Foster, of this city on May 3rd, I have some- thing very reliable. She states that Dr. Thomas Wilbur removed from Little Crompton to Diamond Hill at some time between 1746 and
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1750. He married, first, Edith Woodman. She died there. He mar- ried second, Mary Hoxsie, daughter of Solomon and Mary ( Davis) Hoxsie in July, 1761. In that house most of his children were born. The youngest son, John Wilbur, the famous Quaker preacher, was born there in 1774.
I well remember this Mr. John Wilbur, both as a preacher and a land surveyor. Indeed, in my early life his name was a household word. During the Wilbur and Gurney strife he remained true to his great leader George Fox, and loyal to his own Church and to his State. I am quite sure that had I been in that controversy I should have been a Wilburite.
Our Town Records show that Dorcas Wilbur deeded her inter- est in the farm to J. N. Kenyon, March 25th, 1851. Albert Witter, Guardian to J. N. Kenyon, deeded it to J. R. Wells in February, 1855.
There is a very fine spring of water on this farm, and Mr. Wells told me his reason for buying it was to have the water from that spring brought to Ashaway. He gave up the plan, however, and sold it October 5, 1855, to Mr. William Johnson. He deeded it to his son. John Johnson. April 26th, 1879. This Mr. Johnson is still the owner of the farm.
There have been many buried on this farm, but who they were must forever remain a mystery.
The headstone on one grave reads: "In memory of A Collins wife of Rowse Collins, died April 11, 1811, in the 34th year of her age."
Another stone is inscribed: "Gideon Wilbur, died March 23rd, 1802, aged 49 years."
Another is to Dorcas Wilbur, died November 21, 1865, aged 77 years. None of the other markers can be deciphered.
The following letter came into my possession some thirty years ago from a very unexpected quarter. It is dated "Charleston, South Carolina, April 5th. 1804" and addressed to Henry G. Champlin of Newport. R. I. It reads as follows :
"Dear Brother :- It is a very long time since I had the satis- faction of receiving a letter from you. Whatever the reason is I cannot conjecture. Perhaps I am indebted to you a letter. Times are so much altered with me that I cannot attend to an- swering long letters immediately as I receive it. Business is dull here at present, and I believe that is the general complaint throughout the United States. The disturbance abroad causes all this stagnitation of commerce. If Bonapart should attempt to land in England and get defeated. Business, it is expected will take a change. I wish you would inform me of the different occurances for the winter past in your little town. I am informed
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that the ship Semmoramis is a total loss, which is very unpleasant to all parties in business. I am and the little boys are in good health. I sincerely wish this may find yourself and Nancy enjoy- ing the same Blessing. I wish you would send me a paper by the next Vessel. Is Oliver married. I have nothing further in particular to acquaint you with.
Farewell dear brother, Joseph Champlin.
P. S. It is my particular request that you burn or destroy all of my letters immediately after reading them."
and again he adds.
"Dear Sir :- Destroy this letter immediately and you will very much oblige your friend."
Perhaps it is not hardly fair to the above mentioned Joseph Champlin to read this letter here tonight. but there does not seem to be anything in it to be ashamed of, and I am quite sure that you will all be glad to know that Jane and the little boys were well.
The following communication may be of some interest as it was written within about eight weeks of just one hundred years ago.
"Surveyors Office. Port of Pawcatuck.
July 18, 1819.
To William Stillman, Jr. Inspector of said Port.
Sir :-- You are hereby requested to goe on board of every vessel licensed to saile between the different districts in the United States that shall arrive in the Port aforesaid. and if such vessel shall be of 20 tons or upwards and without a license from the Custom House at the port of her departure then you are to require of the Master of said vessel a manifest by him subscribed of the lading that was board of her at the time of ber departure from the District from which she last sail "I"-Several more details are given with orders -- "and if demands are not com- plied with to detain the vessel and report made to me.
Sylvester Gavitt, Surveyor.
NOTE. The communication above required to be made to me may be made to Jessie Maxson, Deputy Surveyor."
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Through the kindness of Mrs. Emma A. Austin of this village I am able to give you an interesting letter of an unusual character
"Consulado General de
Espana en Londes
20th April, 1862.
Sir: It is with much pleasure I have to inform you that by virtue of a Royal order bearing date the 5th inst .. honary medals have been granted you, Sir, as Master of the American Barque Valentia, as also to Mr. William Davis, Mate, and to all four seamen under your order, named, Mathiew Gavitt, Horace Bar- ber, Samuel Bliven and William Austin as a public testimonial of her Catholic Majesty's Royal appreciation of the important service rendered to the crew of the Spanish Brig Nuevo Seve Fin in the month of December last when this vessel was on the point of floundering. I beg also to inform you that the said Honary Medal together with the respective diplomas authorizing their use are for the present deposited in this Consulate General waiting your instruction one of which is gold is mentioned for yourself, and the others in silver for the above mentioned parties.
I remain, Sir, ye obd't serv't
Jisan Gavaren
Her Catholic Majesty's Council General."
"To Mr. Charles W. Austin,
Master of the American Barque. Valentia.
This Medal of solid gold. is 1 6/8 inches across it and weighs 2 ounces. Avudopois weight. On the face is an engraved portrait of the Queen of Spain, and lettered 'Isabel 2nd. Reina De Las Espanas.' On the reverse side is the Spanish Coat of Arms. Around the rim on the edge is the name Charles W. Austin."
To make it interesting for our members who are politically in- clined. I copy the following from one of the well known business men of a former generation.
"Westerly, April 16th. 1826.
Col. William Potter or Gurden Pendleton.
Norwich Falls, Conn.
Gentlemen : We shall have a pretty warm town meeting by what I can hear. George Cross is warming up I understand. Is beginning to make his braggs. I don't know what assignment we will make yet I want to get out of the way if I can get any one that will raise their hand. I want both of you to come down to
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our town meeting on the 19th inst. You will want to come down about that time to see your friends. We shall want all our friends out to help us. I had rather pay the expense of a horse and wagon than you should fail us.
Yours with esteem,
Isaac Champlin."
I think Mr. Champlin must have been running for office. The records show that he was a member of the Assembly that year and the next.
I will describe one more old house and an event connected with it, if your patience is not already exhausted.
On the east side of the road on what is now called Broad Street, in Ashaway, is an old house known as the Maxson House, but some- times called the Greenman House. Its history dates back to about 1745, and was built by Nathan Maxson, as I am told by the present family. In some way, either by marriage, inheritance or purchase. the Greenman family became one-half owners of the place. It was in this house that Silas. George, Clarke and Thomas Greenman were born. They were all well known by the last, and many of the present generation. It was in this old house that Mr. William Clarke opened his first term of school in this. Ashaway. Village, in the winter of 1856 or 1857, with twenty-five or thirty pupils.
Undoubtedly the result of this school was the inception and building of the Hopkinton AAcademy, which was completed and first opened in the latter part of 1858. When the citizens of Ashaway and Potter Hill were making their first plans concerning it the question was sprung. "What are you going to call it?" Some said Ashaway Academy others said, Potter Hill School, in honor of the Potter family. Finally, however, it was decided upon calling it the Hopkin- ton Academy. Mr. Oliver B. Irish objected, saying, that he thought a compromise should be made by calling it the "Pot-Ash Institution."
My first recollection of this old home was, when I was six or seven years old. 1 was making a week's visit at an Uncle's home in the Elder Coon Houre a few rods nearer the road. Neither my Uncle nor Elder Coon had children, consequently I was pretty lonesome .. My Aunt suggested one day that I go out and play with a little girl in the next yard. I said I was not acquainted with her. "Well," she said, "I will go and introdu & you to her," so she did by calling her up to the fence and saving. "Katie, this is Elisha, can he come over and play with you ?" Katie eved me a moment or two, and replied. "Why. 'er I guess so if he is your little boy." Auntie said that I was for a while. so I got over the fence and from that time until I went home I was not lonesome any more. Some years afterwards I came (or went ) to Ashawas to live. I found that my former playmate had grown to beautiful womanhood, and was a leader in social circle and Sabbath School. A young man from Connecticut soon came to Potter
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Hill to teach the rising generation. Reading, Writing and Arithmetic and Spelling, et cetera. True to the early history of the people of that State he coverted Rhode Island's fairest and best. However, he was a successful teacher and proved to be a successful lover. for he cap- tured the young lady and took her away with him, much to the chagrin of the young Braves of the Neshaunganset and Ashaway tribes. The old adage is, "That all is fair in love and war." It is also just as true a saving, "That all is well that ends well." It proved so in this case for the descendants of this couple are among those that are respected and honored by both Rhode Island and Connecticut. One of the prin- cipal actors in this episode is now an Honorary Member of the Westerly Historical Society.
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