USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Barrington > A history of Barrington, Rhode Island > Part 24
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WHITES.
INDIANS. BLACKS
FAMILIES.
Males. Above 16.
Under 16.
16.
16.
Allin, Thomas
I .
3
2
3
. .
5 14
Allin, Matthew
I
I
3
. .
5
12
Allin, Ruth (widow)
..
. .
I
..
I
2
Allen, Samuel
3
2
. .
..
·
5
Allen, Viall.
I
I
I
4
..
..
7
Allen, Joseph
I
. .
I
. .
Allen, Joseph Jr
2
4
2
..
I
..
9
Adams, Edward
2
3
2
2
..
..
9
Adams, James
2
2
I
3
..
8
Adams, Samuel
3
3
I
I
. .
8
------
Females.
Above Under
Total.
Allen, Samuel 2d
4
I
I
..
7
2
.
W
302
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
WHITES.
INDIANS. BLACKS.
FAMILIES.
Females.
Under Above Under
Total.
Adams, Nudigate
I
I
3
..
..
I
6
Adams, Hannah (widow) ..
. .
I
..
. .
I
Andrews, William
I
I
I
3
..
Bicknell, Joshua
5
3
5
I
3
17
Bicknell, Asa
I
2
I
. .
. .
3
Bicknell, Rachel (widow)
..
L
. .
..
4
5
Brown, James
3
. .
2
I
5
3
14
Brown, William
I
3
I
3
. .
S
Brown, James Jr.
I
I
I
. .
5
Bowen, Henery .
I
I
2
I
..
..
9
Bowen, Josiah
I
2
2
. .
·
. .
+
Barnes, Levi.
I
2
I
4
..
S
Boswoth, Edward
I
2
..
2
5
Boswoth, Jonathan
2
I
4
3
. .
IO
Boswoth, Samuel.
3
2
I
2
. .
S
Bears, Charles
I
2
2
. .
5
Bears, Spencer
I
. .
I
I
..
3
Bishop, Ebenezer
I
. .
I
2
Cary, Michel
I
I
I
..
..
3
Drown, Benjamin
3
I
. .
..
6
Drown, Benjamin Jr
I
. .
I
I
..
3
Grant, Joseph
2
2
. .
. .
. .
+
Grant, Joseph Jr
I
3
2
I
. .
7
Grant, Shubale
I
3
I
2
..
..
7
Grant, Thomas.
2
. .
2
2
. .
6
Garnzey, Marther(widow)
..
. .
I
. .
·
. .
I
Fuller, Frances.
I
3
2
I
. .
6
Humphrey, Samuel.
2
I
3
. .
. .
6
Humphrey, Nathanell
I
3
I
3
Humphrey, Elknah. ..
2
2
2
2
..
I
9
Humphrey, Samuel Jr ...
I
. .
I
I
..
3
Heath, Nathanell
I
I
2
2
Heath, Peleg.
I
2
I
2
Harding, John
I
..
3
. .
..
4
Harding, Richard .
3
6
4
I
..
..
14
Horton, Moses.
3
. .
3
..
..
..
6
Horton, Simeon
I
I
I
2
..
5
Hewse, Spicer
I
I
I
3
. .
6
Hathaway, Benjamin. . .
2
2
I
5
I
3
3
..
5
Barnes, Samuel
I
..
2
I
Barnes, Thomas
3
. .
I
I
. .
3
. .
Humphrey, Josiah
3
16.
16.
16.
Males. Above 16.
S
6
6
. .
5
5
Bowen, James
L
£
303
CENSUS OF 1774.
INDIANS. BLACKS.
FAMILIES.
Males. Above 16.
16.
16.
16.
Kent, Samuel.
I
4
+
3
..
..
12.
Kent, Joshua·
1
..
2
I
. .
..
4
Killey, John
4
I
3
..
..
I
9
Killey, William
3
1
2
3
. .
..
9
Kinicut, Daniel
I
4
I
3
..
..
9
Kinicut, Hezekiah
I
. .
I
. .
Low, Hooker.
3
3
I
5
. .
I
13
Luther, Caleb
I
. .
I
I
. .
..
3
Martin, John
3
I
3
2
. .
I
IO
Martin, Nathanell.
5
2
3
3
· ·
. .
13
Martin, Mary (widow). .
4
I
I
2
. .
. .
S
Medbury, Rebeckah.
.
I
. .
. .
. .
I
Peck, Solomon.
4
2
3
I
. .
. .
IO
Peck, Solomon Jr.
I
2
I
2
.
. .
6
Peck, Sarah (widow) .
I
2
3
I
. .
. .
5 7 A inos
Remington, Enock
I
2
2
3
. .
. .
. .
3
Smith, James
I
5
2
I
. .
· ·
9
Smith, Nathanell.
2
I
I
I
. .
5
Smith, Sarah (widow). .
I
. .
·
I
. .
5
Smith, Peter
2
. .
I
I
. .
4
Short, John
3
2
2
2
. .
. .
9
Salisbury, George.
I
2
2
2
· ·
. .
7
Tiffany, Ester (widow) ..
I
. .
3
I
· ·
I
6
Townsend, Solomon Rev
I
I
I
I
. .
·
4
Townsend, Solomon Jr.
2
3
3
. .
·
. .
8
Tyler, Moses
I
I
2
4
I
· ·
9
Traffen, Phillip.
I
2
I
2
.
. .
6
Toogood, Eunice.
I
. .
·
2
Tripp, Consider
I
. .
3
I
. .
. .
5
Viall, Joseph
4
3
I
. .
. .
8
Viall, Josiah
I
I
I
I
. .
. .
4
Watson, Matthe
2
. .
4
I
.
4
II
Watson, Matthew Jr
I
2
I
I
1
6
Young, Charles
I
. .
I
2
·
4
·
. .
·
For purposes of comparison, the results of the several succeeding censuses are given, with the Colonial Census of 1774, Barrington :
4
-----
-------
-
------
-----
·
2
· ·
. .
5
8
Tiffany, Hezekiah . ..
I
·
. .
5
. .
Quom, Joshua.
Richmond, Sippeo
3
2
Females.
Under Above Under
Total.
WHITES.
. .
I
3
- الشاور
304
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
1774
601
IS50
795
1776
538
IS60
1,000
1782
534
1865
1.028
1790
6S3
1870
I, III
1 800
650
I875
I, IS5
1810
604
ISSO 1.359
1820
634
ISS5
.394
1830
612
1 890
1840
549
1895
1,66S
The Census of 1782 gives the following details as to the population of Barrington. Males under 16, 130; Females under 16, 105; Males between 16 and 22, 16; Females be- tween 16 and 22, 22 ; Males bet. 22 and 50, 73 ; Females bet. 22 and 50, 85 ; Males upwards of 50, 30; Females upwards of 50, 27 ; Indians, none ; Mulattoes, 22 ; blacks, 26 : Total, 534.
A Colonial valuation was made in the years 1778-80, by a committee of five men, called "The Flying Committee." The following interesting facts relative to the valuation of Barrington are given in this report, and afterwards confirmed by a Committee of Ten :
Number of polls, 92 ; Dwelling houses and other buildings, 143 ; Grist and other mills, o; Wharves, 4 ; Distill houses and other works, I ; Slaves from 10 to 50, 6; Money and Trading Stock, £850, IIS .; Ounces of Plate, 148; Chaises, I ; Horses, from six months, 56; Oxen, 48; Horn Cattle, 305 ; Sheep and Goats, 649 ; Swine, 145 ; Acres of Pasture, 2,318 ; Cows 'it will keep, 251 ; Acres of Tillage, 397 ; Bushels of grain, 4,737 ; Pounds of Tobacco, 1,500; Acres of orchard, 461/2 ; Barrels of cider, 154; Acres of Meadow, 575 ; English Hay, 21334 tons ; Fresh hay, 3372 tons ; Salt hay, 123 tons; Acres of wood and waste land, 69534 ; Total acres, 4, 124 ; Value of Real Estate. £25,440; Total value, £29,915, 13s .; Value per acre, £6, 3s., 7p .; Established Value, £29,915, 13S.
The total value of Warren by the same Committee was £39, 051, and of Bristol was £64,529. The value of Bristol County was £133,491, 13S.
In order to show what the tax burdens of our ancestors
YUT
.
BARRINGTON CENTRE, LOOKING SOUTH.
---
305
TOWN TAX, 1793.
were a century ago, the following copy of the tax assessors' list of 1793 is introduced :
TOWN TAX ASSESS'D ON THE ESTATES & POLES OF THE INHABITANTS IN BARRINGTON, A. D. 1793.
£ s. d.
£ s. d.
Allin, Thomas
2
9 0
Bosworth, Joseph .
0
3 º
Allin, Matthew
I
7
3 Bullock, Jabez
0
2
2
Allen, Viall, Heirs
O II
9 Bushee, James .
0
3
6
Allen, Joseph
0 13 2 Bishop, Eben'r
O
3
9
Allen, Sam'll
0
6
7 Baker, Jeremiah
I
9
O
Allin, Sam'll Jr
0
3
0
Baker, Joseph
O
5
3
Andrews, Wm 0
O
3
O
Bowen, Jere Jun'r
O
3
0
· Allin, Sirus
O
3
9
Cary, Micah
O
3
O
Armington, Jas
O
3
0
Cary, Eben'r
0
3
O
Armington, Asa
O
4
6 Cole, Ambrose
O
4
2
Armington, Walker 0
4
6
Drown, Benj
0
5
O
Armington, Benja 0
3
0 Drown, Benj Jr
0
6
2
Alger, Jona
O
6
4
Drown, Daniel
3
4
1 Adams, Nancy 1
9
3
Drown, J. Jona
O
3
4
Adams, Sarah 0
O
9 Drown, Philip
0
3
4
Bicknell, Joseph
0 6
2
Grant, Jos Henry
0
5
8
Bicknell, Joshua
0 17
3 Grant, Joseph .
O
5
6
Bicknell, Asa
7
3 Grant, Shubal
0
3
O
Bicknell, James
O 10 0 Grant, Eben'r
O
3
0
Bicknell, Freeborn
O
0
5 Grant, Thomas
O
O
5
Bowen, James I
4
O
Grant Edw'd
0
3
3
0
Bowen, Josiah 0
5
3 Humphrey, Josiah
0
7
0
Bowen, James Jun O
3
0
Humphrey, Elkanah
0 13 II
Bowen, Stephen 0 O II
Humphrey, Josiah Jun
0
6
9
Bowen, Step. Jr . 0 4
0
Humphrey, John . 0
5
3
Barnes, Sam'll
0
7
0 Humphrey, Elka Jr
0
3
O
Barnes, John . O
4
6 Harding, Rich'd
0
3
Barnes, James 0
3
9 Harding, John .
0
5
2
Brown, Will'm O
4
0
Heath, Nath'l
O
9
I
Brown. Kent . 0 4
Heath, Will'm .
O
4
O
Brown, Zebedee 0
3
O Heath, Peleg
O
2
6
Bosworth, Edw'd
0 12 9
.
Bosworth, Sam'll 0 6 5
Ingraham, James .
0
3
Kent, John
0 10 9
Kent, Sam'll
0
8
0
Kent, Joseph .
3
9
. Kent, Joshua
0 19 9
Kinnicutt, Josiah 20
O 4
3 Read, David
0
6
9
0
4
O
Cooke, Nicho
I IO
0
Allen, Squire Allin, Will'm
O
6
Bean, Thomas .
0
3
0
Bowen, Jeremiah 0
4
6
Grant, James
O
Barnes, Thomas
8
9 Humphrey, Simon
3
6
Ingraham, Joshua. 0
7
6
6
3
-- ---
..
5
T
Laor
306
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
£ s. d.
£ s. d.
Kelley, Dunkan O II
9
Smith, Nath'll .
13 3 N
Kelly, Daniel .
0 8 3
Smith, Simon . O
I 8
Kelley, Joseph
0 10 S Smith, Joshua .
O 3 0
Kelly, Patience, 0 0
6
0 Smith, James, . 3 0
Kelley, James 0 4 II
Salisbury, George
0
3 9
Lilley, Amariah . 0
6
Short, John .
0 14 6
Low, J. Willson . O
8 Stanly, Comfort
0 3 9
Loyell, Edw'd O
3
5
Stephens, Eben'r .
0 3 0
Ladieu, Curtis. 0
4
2
Townsend, Solo, Jn'r
O II 6
Luther, Job
O 2
O
Tiffany, Eben'r
Tyler, Moses
I Tyler, John .
S Tripp, Consider
0
I
3
Martin, Anthony O
4 3 Taylor, Peter
O
3
0
Martin, Calvin
0 4 II
Taylor, Richard
O
3 0
Martin, John .
I
9
Viall, Sylvester 3
O
6 6
Martin, Benja. O
3 9
Viall, Josiah
Martin, Mary, wido 0
3
6 Watson, Matthew
2
9
3
Martin, James
0 10
T Watson, Matthew, Jr.
O
7 0
Martin, Sam'll
13 0
Young, Charles
O
3 6
Martin, John, Jnr O II I
Elliot, Nath'll
O
3 0
Munro, Nath'll 0
6
Matthewson, Daniel .
O
3
9
Peck, Amos
0
3
0 Smith, Joseph .
O II 8
Peck, Eben'r .
0 14
3 Ormsbee, Isaac
O
5 0
Peck, Joel . O
S
2 Conant, Rebeckah
O
I 9
Peck, Solo., Jr., . O
3
0
Cranston, Peleg
O
3
0
Paine, Peleg
0 16
9
Adams, William
O
3
6
Remington, Enoch . 0
5
6 Bowen, Hail
O
9
3
Richmond, J. Rogers 0
5
3
Greene, Richard
7
9
Richmond, Scipio 0 0
5
£29 4 I
£27 13 9
29 4 I
Total, . £56 17 10
Agreeable to an order of the Town of Barrington this tax was made and finished by the Subscribers this 31st of October, Anno Domini, 1793. JOSHUA BICKNELL, ) JAMES MARTIN, Assessors.
LUTHER MARTIN, -
A True Copy Attest
SAMUEL ALLEN, Town Clerk.
.
-----------------------------------------
I
15
I
4
0
Manton, Joseph
0
9 IO
Martin, Nath'l
I
8
O
3 9
Martin, Luther 0
4
Peck, Darius . o
3
0 Carpenter, Thomas
8
3
Remington, Enoch, Jr. 0
3
O Chase, Simeon
O
3
5
Peck, Solomon O II 6 Horn, Mary .
5 0
O
4 O
O
9
5 I
.
W
CHAPTER XXIII
BARRINGTON TAVERNS AND STAGE COACHES
New England Taverns - Near Meeting-Houses - John Viall's Tavern in Boston - The Green Bush Tavern - Its Patrons - The Bowen Tavern - Store and Inn - Bowen, a Busy Man - His Patrons - His Accounts with Leading Citizens - Patriotic Punch and Toddy - Various Customers and Curious Experiences - Sorrow in Barring- ton Households - Mr. Bowen Sells the Tavern and Removes to Providence - Townsend Inn - Stage Coaches - Newport to Boston -- Bristol to Providence - Coaches - Drivers - Mails.
TO those unfamiliar with the subject, it would appear probable that a chapter on the history of Barrington taverns would be as brief as the story of snakes in Ireland, - "None since St. Patrick's day." But let us see. Bar- rington was an ordinary country town, on the main highway between Providence and Newport. Before and after the advent of the stage coach, travel passed up and down the country road between the capitals, through Warren and Bristol. Man and beast, wearied by travel, sought rest and refreshment at "The Wayside Inn." The blazing wood-fire and bountiful meal were attractions not to be slighted on frosty days and stormy nights, and the warmth and cheer of the Old New England bar-room, with the fragrance of the best English or West India importations of gin, brandy, and rum, made the tavern of the fathers a place of universal resort, in all seasons and weathers. Here it was that the town news and gossip were retailed to every comer, for the daily newspaper had not then made its appearance. The good men of the town met to discuss town politics in March, crop prospects in June, market produce in September, har- vesting in November, hog and beef killing in December, and neighborhood news, small and great every day in the year.
The principal tavern in most of the towns, as in Bar-
-
------
-
-
------- - -----
T
ont isploing off
308
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
· rington, was near the meeting-house, and from each was a well trodden path to the door of the other. In the old town of Boston the record has it that "John Vyall in 1651 was granted Libertie to keep a house of Common Entertainment, if the County Court Consent, provided he keep it neare the new meeting house." This John Vyall was the ancestor of the Vialls of Barrington and kept " The Ship Tavern." the principal one of the town of Boston, in 1663, just before his removal to his newly purchased estate in Swansea.
As John Viall was once a resident and large land owner on what was Barrington soil, it will be of interest to say a word as to his noted Boston tavern. " The Ship Tavern " stood at the head of Clark's wharf, in Boston, or on the southwest corner of North and Clark Streets, according to present boundaries. It was an ancient brick building, dating as far back as 1650 at least. John Vyall kept it in 1663. When Clark's wharf was built it was the principal one of the town. Large ships came directly up to it, so making the tavern a most convenient resort for masters of vessels or their passengers, - and associating it with the locality itself. King Charles's commissioners lodged at Vyall's house, when they undertook the task of bringing down the pride of the rulers of the colony a peg.
The first public house in Barrington of record was " The Green Bush Tavern" which stood on the west side of the main road, north of the residence of Mr. R. D. Horton, on land now owned by him. The house was a large, roomy building, two stories in front with a lean-to roof on the back side. A large elm tree stood in front of the tavern near the road - the ancestor possibly of the elm now standing on the lot. A huge wooden sign was suspended from a post near the tavern, on which was painted a picture of a tree or bush, and the name "Green Bush Tavern," suggests the lines of Longfellow's poem on " Catawba Wine. ":
"For Catawba wine Has need of no sign, No tavern-bush to proclaim it,"
-----------
-
T
£
309
THE GREEN BUSH TAVERN.
referring to the Roman and late English Custom of hanging a bush at the door of a house to advertise an inn, from which arose the proverb, "Good wine needs no bush." The keeper of "The Green Bush " was Nathaniel Paine, a descendant of Stephen Paine, one of the founders of the town. Besides the entertainment furnished for man and beast, passing through the town and seeking a meal or lodging, landlord Paine had more home patrons, and these were his best customers, for a tavern of "ye olden days " without a bar and its usual supplies would have been a strange affair, a pretence and not the real article. Probably not a householder in Barrington and the near confines of Rehoboth failed to frequent and patronize Mr. Paine's social bar, from which his chief profits sprang. A jolly crowd came together winter evenings to gossip, tell stories, sing songs, and drink their flip, toddy, punch, etc. The warming influence of the pure liquors of those days quickened tongues, limbs and brains and merry hours flew by at the tavern, while good wives and maidens of the town sat by the evening candle and open fireplace knitting, sewing, or in other ways, attending to the household work, which had no cessation nor daily relief.
The local rhymester and singer had his innings at the tavern and earned his drinks by his wit or wits. William Andrews was one of the local wags and poets, who was pledged a glass of grog for an impromptu verse on Josiah Viall, the village blacksmith, who was at that moment coming up the road to visit the tavern. Out flashed these lines :
" Here comes old Vulcan, As bold as a lion, Has plenty of work, But no coal nor iron,"
and shouts of laughter were the greetings which Viall received at the pointed satire on his usual shortness in fuel and stock at his smithy, which stood on the west side of the road near the house of Mrs. Charles L. Miller.
-----
310
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
The Bowen Tavern, built on the Bicknell farm by Joshua Bicknell, stood on the west side of the main road, north of the Congregational meeting house. This was the most noted and best patronized public house of the town, and has won more than a local notoriety from its leading proprietor, Mr. Henry Bowen, who kept the tavern before and during the Revolutionary War. Mr. Bowen kept a country store as well as an inn, dealing in all the usual family supplies, including dry and wet groceries. He was a careful book- keeper as well as a popular landlord, and his account book, kept between February 4, 1775 to December, 1883, is a faithful and true witness of the family supplies and temper- ance principles of the people. In addition to his business affairs, our tavern keeper was collector of taxes, assessor of taxes, tithing man, Sunday constable, and recruiting officer for the army. Much of the business of the town must have been transacted at the Bowen tavern, and during the exciting years of the Revolution, many plans of the town patriots were discussed and matured at Bowen's. Among his patrons we find the leading citizens of the town and we have but to consult the old account book to find the names of
Rev. Solomon Townsend,
Samuel Bosworth, Capt. Viall Allen, Col. Samuel Allen,
George Salisbury, Hez. Kinnicutt, William Andrews,
Simon Smith,
Joshua Bicknell, Hannah Adams,
Capt. Elkanah Humphrey,
Matthew Allen,
William Kelley,
Matthew Watson,
Richard Harding,
Solomon Peck, Jr.,
Daniel Bears,
- Dr. Samuel Allen, Rehoboth,
Samuel Conant,
Nathaniel Smith, Philip Traffern, Nudigate Adams,
Solomon Townsend, Josiah Viall,
Nathaniel Paine, of Rehoboth,
Daniel Kinnicutt, Samuel Adams, James Brown, Joseph Mauran, Edward Adams,
George Salisbury, Peleg Heath,
Consider Tripp,
Asa Bicknell, Ebenezer Tiffany, James Humphrey, Daniel Drown,
Lieut. James Smith,
810
W
311
LANDLORD BOWEN'S DAY BOOK.
Negro Prince,
John Tripp,
Nath'l Curtis,
Joseph Viall,
Nath'l Heath,
William Andrews,
Samuel Viall, Rehoboth,
Richard Loyall,
Peleg Pain,
Caleb Drown,
Richard Greene,
Edward Loyall,
Susanna Jones,
Stukeley Smith, Rehoboth,
Abigail Jones,
Joel Peck,
Wm. Jones,
John Peck,
Shubael Kinnicutt,
David Peck,
David Allen,
Comfort Stanley,
Josiah Allen, Rehoboth,
John Martin,
Joel Peck,
Jonathan Andrews,
John Short,
Col. Nathaniel Martin,
and many others. In fact a fairly correct census of Bar- rington could be constructed from Bowen's day book.
Landlord Bowen's account book is now in the possession of Edward Field, Esq., clerk of the City Municipal Court of Providence, and we are allowed to quote therefrom and from his own notes in "The Colonial Tavern," freely. The first entry in this book under date of Feb. 6, 1795, records the patronage of the pastor of the Congregational Church, the leader of his flock, at the tavern bar.
" Revd Solomon Townsend, Dr. To 2 Qts N. Rum, DId. Elizth Renoff . 12 1-2d."
Betty Renuff was Mr. Townsend's housekeeper, who probably looked after the needs of the parson's sideboard.
" Col. Samuel Allen, Dr. To 1-2 bowl Toddy 4 1-2d."
Mr. Bowen advanced the title of his excellent friend and patron one notch, as he was only a major, but this was excusable in military tavern circles, as suggesting future glory.
" Joshua Bicknell, Esqr, Dr. To 2 Qts N. Rum
· 12 1-2d."
Mr. Bicknell is a near neighbor and a first class patron, whom he honors with the title of Esq.
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.
312
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
" Revd Solomon Townsend, Dr. To 2 Qts N. Rum, DId Tom Greenwood 12 1-2d."
Mr. Townsend's beverage seems to have been the real New England article.
" Danl. Kinnicutt, Dr. To 1-2 mug Cyder 2 d."
Neighbor Kinnicutt's thirst is satisfied on half a mug of cyder, and for want of the change has it charged.
" Joshua Bicknell, Esqr. Dr. To 1-2 bowl Toddy ·
4 1-2
To I mug Cyder
. 4
8 1-2d."
And again,
" Joshua Bicknell, Esqr. Dr.
To 1-2 Gil N. Rum
. I I-2
To I Gil W. Rum
· 4 To 1-2 Gil W. Rum
.
2
To 1-2 Gil W. Rum
2
9 1-2d."
" Nudigate Adams
To I Qt N. Rum Did ye boy .
· 7 1-4d.
Do 15. Matthew Watson Jr. Dr. To 1-2 mug flip
4 1-2d.
22nd Febr. Matthew Watson Jr., Dr. To I Galn & I Qt N. Rum Did to Negro Pomp @ 2-3 2s. rod. Do 28. Nathl Smith Dr ..
To 2 mugs Cyder @ 4d 8d.
1775
April 19. Coln Saml Allen, Dr. £. S. D.
To 1-2 gil W. Rum 2 To I bowl Punch I 2 1-2 I 4 1-2
April 19. Samuel Bosworth, Dr. To 1-2 mug Cyder . 2
To I bowl Punch I 2 1-2 I 4 1-2
To I third Part of a bowl Punch .
·
.
4 3-4
I 9 1-4
April 19. Samuel Viall, Dr.
To I mug Egg Cyder
· 9"
.
.
4
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BARRINGTON VILLAGE, NORTH OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE.
313
LANDLORD BOWEN'S DAY BOOK.
This was the way the memorable 19th of April was cele- brated by three patriots, whose names appear in the military records of the town, not many days later.
Two days after the battle of Bunker Hill, we find the town fathers trying to drown the effects of the war news in the large punch bowl at the tavern, which by its name bade Defiance to the British foe.
" June 19, 1775.
The Town of Barrington, Dr.
To 2 bowls Toddy, made in large Defiance bowl, cald for by Colonel Nathaniel Martin, In behalf of the Town as was voted, at 2s. 3p. per bowl = 4s. 6p."
This records the first patriotic junket of the town and it may have been the last, as no other appears on any records.
" Joshua Bicknell, Esqr., Dr. To I Qt N. Rum, Did. Wm Andrews 7 1-4d.
" Thomas Allin, Dr.
To I scythe · 5S.
Capt. Aaron Barney of Rehoboth, Dr.
To I scythe
. 5s. 6d.
To I sickle-
Is. 6d. .
Esther Tiffany, Dr.
To I scythe Dld yr Negro Danl . 5s. 6d."
Perhaps if they had not left the old one hanging in the crotch of the apple trees to rust through the winter, they would not have been called upon to make this outlay.
But there have been other customers, doubtless returning from or going to the hay field, as these items seem to show : " Consider Tripp, Dr. To 1-2 Gil Bitters . 2d.
Joshua Bicknell, Dr.
To I Gil W. Rum 4d.
To 1-2 bowl Toddy 5d. ·
Thomas Allin, Dr.
To 2 bowls Punch, at Is. 4d. ·
28. 8d.
To 2 mess oats for Doct Bradfords hors 3d.
John Rogers Richmond, Dr.
To I qt. N. Rum dld yr indian boy · 7 1-2d.
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.
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مساء
314
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
Joshua Bicknell, Esqr., Dr. To 1-2 bowl Toddy, 4 1-2, To 2 Qts N. Rum, Dld yr Negro Dinh, IS 2 1-2d. · Is. 7d.
Josiah Viall, Dr. To I pt. Jamaica Spirits .
. Sd."
Josiah Viall was the blacksmith and he shod the store keeper's horse :
"Josiah Viall, Cr. By setting my horses shoes behind . Sd. By setting & steeling my horses hind shoes . Iod."
He also mended the flip iron and generally took his pay in liquor, for the next charge, but one after the above is :
"Josiah Viall, Dr. To I pt. Jamaica Spirits .
· 7 1-4d."
and the next day :
"Josiah Viall, Dr. To 2 qts. Jamaica Spirits . · 2s. 3d."
thus overdrawing his account.
Joshua Bicknell was a frequent customer at the tavern and store, and he seems to have been the most unfortunate of all of Bowen's customers, and these charges against him appear upon this open book :
"Joshua Bicknell, Esq., Dr.
To cash paid Mr. Chaffee for mending my cart ladder irons which you broke · 3s. To I iron hoop you lost off my cart exal tree . IS.
To I stake bar you broke
. IS."
And a few days later more trouble for goodman Bicknell is indicated in this entry :
"To cash paid Natt Heath for making one cart ladder which you broke ·
· . 6s." And then again :
"Joshua Bicknell, Dr.
To 1-2 Gil W. Rum
2d. To I qt. W. Rum .
------
To I wine glass you broke
Is. Id. 9d."
-....
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315
LANDLORD BOWEN'S DAY BOOK.
.
While his dealings with Bowen seem to have resulted in a general breaking up, he was not the only unfortunate per- son who damaged the property of the Squire, for there apppears to have been another breakage, and the charge for this reads thus :
" Samuel Allen 2d, Esq. s. d.
To breaking my arm'd chair . 3 0
To breaking one Square of glass in my window ·
7
To splitting of the groove of a panel door ·
2
0
It would be interesting to know if there is any connection . between this charge and the following, which are found registered at about the same time :
" Samuel Allen 2d, Esq. s. d.
To 1 1-2 mugs flip at 9d . I II-2 9
To : bowl toddy
" Samuel Allen 2d, Esq. To 1-2 Gil Bitters
2
To I-2 bowl toddy
4 1-2
The broken chair was duly mended at Allen's cost, for some days later there is entered upon the book : " Samuel Allen, Cr. By paying Natt Heath for mending my arm chair, 3s." But all of his customers do not make such pur- chases ; even goodman Bicknell mixes his rum and religion, and stands charged :
" To 2 Qts W. Rum 0 I 9
To I Bowl Toddy
To I Psalm book
0
O 0 10 4 o
"
Another literary inclined townsman buys " the history of King Philip's War," at three shillings ; another " the Manuel Exercise," another buys a spelling book, while nearly all, at the coming in of the new year, buy either Bickerstaff's or West's Almanacks.
Gingerbread seems to have been a staple article at Bowen's store, and he sells it by the barrel, "rol," and cake. When sold by the barrel it is usually for ships' stores, but most of
-
ISIt OT
القـ
الوحدة
8
316
THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.
his trade in this article was by the cake, and usually accom- panied some liquor, as
. " Josiah Viall, Dr. To I pt N. Rum To 5 Rols ginger bread . · . .
.
0 0 4
.
O
O I I-2"
Or
"John Harding, Dr. To 1-2 gil Rum
O 0 2
To I Gil Rum
4 To 2 Qts N. Rum
O
O
I I I-2 To 2 Cakes Ginger bread @ 4d
O
O 8"
Here is a charge which shows the care with which he noted down the minute details of his dealings :
" Benjamin Jackson of Rehoboth, Dr.
To cash not paid for things you took on Asa Bick- nells acct more than yrorder which you Promised to pay if sd Bicknell would not allow it . 0 0 93-4"
There was to be no dispute when neighbor Bicknell ex- hibited some surprise at the amount which his friend Jackson had drawn on his order, and here is another :
" Matthew Allen, Dr.
To one mug flip did Timothy Allen the 21st of Last Jany which you promised to pay if he did not in one week . ·
0 0 9"
And Timothy Allen did not respond in the allotted time, and this charge is made "Feby. 29, 1772."
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