USA > Rhode Island > A history of Block Island : from its discovery, in 1514, to the present time, 1876 > Part 24
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Mary ; born March 21, 1770, died in infancy:
Catharine ; born Apr. 21, 1771:
Robert; born March 25, 1773, and married Hannah Littlefield, of Block Island:
Tiddeman, married, 1st, Lucy Hazard, and 2d, Sarah, daughter of John Andrews:
John ; died unmarried :
Joanna ; married Dr. Aaron C. Willey, of Block Island, the father of Mrs. Cordelia Dodge, the wife of the late Gideon Dodge, whose descendants here are numerous:
Sarah ; born May 5, 1780, married Wager Weeden: Jane; married Dr. George Hazard, of South Kingston: Mary ; died unmarried.
The children of the above Robert and Hannah (Little- field) Hull were:
Edward ; died unmarried:
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Alice ; married Sylvester Hazard of South Kingston, R. I .:
Wager ; married at " Babcock," of South Kingston :
William; died unmarried:
John; married -, and had one child,-whole family drowned in a freshet:
Sarah; married Nathaniel Chappel, of Wakefield, R. I .: Joseph ; died unmarried.
Mr. Charles E. Perry, of Block Island, has carefully prepared genealogical branches of the Hulls, as connected with other names by marriage, as in case of those daugh ters who married Judge Wager Weeden, of South Kings- ton; Nathaniel Champlin, Esq., of Block Island; John Gorton, Esq., and Nathaniel Sheffield, Esq., both the latter of Block Island.
LITTLEFIELD.
The families of this name have been very numerous on Block Island for many years, and have maintained a very respectable position in society.
Caleb Littlefield was admitted freeman in 1721, and Nathaniel Littlefield in 1721, and from the two the vari- ous branches now here may have originated. The latter was representative in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1738, 1740, 1746, 1748, 1754.
Caleb Littlefield, Jr., was admitted freeman in 1756, Nathaniel Littlefield, Jr., also in 1756, both on the same day, as were their fathers. The latter was representative from Block Island in 1758, 1762. Caleb Littlefield, Jr., was one of the committee of the Island to oppose the English tea-tax, in 1774.
John Littlefield was admitted freeman in 1738, was rep- resentative in the Assembly from 1747 up to the Revolu- tion, nearly thirty years, and in 1780 received from Gov. Greene a present of six barrels of cider.
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HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
Samuel Littlefield was admitted freeman in 1736, Henry, Nathaniel, and Simon Ray Littlefield were on the Island in the early, and the last in the latter part of the Revolution.
William Littlefield obtained distinction by marrying the daughter of Simon Ray, Jr., Miss Phebe Ray, by his own daughter, Miss Catharine Littlefield, who married Maj .- Gen. Nathaniel Greene, by which marriage she be- came an intimate associate with the wife of General Washington.
Said William Littlefield took an active part in the Rev- olution, and in 1775 was appointed Ensign, and from that was promoted to the office of Lieut .- Captain. After about five years of faithful service in the American army, while on a visit to Block Island he was reported, maliciously, to the General Assembly as having assisted the Islanders in carrying on trade with the English, for which crime his name was greatly dishonored until he could get a hearing before the Assembly. He was cen- sured, and denied his pay in 1781, but in 1784 obtained a hearing whereby the falsity of the accusation against him was admitted by the Assembly, and his pay with interest granted. In 1785, he took his seat again as a representa- tive of Block Island in the General Assembly, and also in 1792.
Henry Littlefield, familiarly called "Harry," or "old Harry," during and after the Revolution owned a large tract on the Island. He kept the only store, at the Har- bor, and according to tradition, kept himself on friendly terms with the "refugees," by selling them liquor. He does not seem to have been a relative of the other Island Littlefields. It is said that in addition to his large real estate, " he had a barrel of dollars." In the height of his wealth, the tide of fortune set against him. He had un- justly taken the property of a woman whose daughter is an aged lady now living. He had taken eight of her
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feather beds, and she said to him, "My prayer is, that you may die so poor that you will not have a bed to die on ! " Her prayer was answered.
Elias Littlefield, though a man in humble life, a resident for many years on the north end of the Island, was one of Nature's great men, and what was better, he was a most exemplary Christian, sound and clear in doctrine, familiar with the Bible, and always ready to converse upon religious topics. As we stood, one sunny day in spring, on the south side of his barn, when the winds were chilly, under the old man's farming garments, from within the old tenement of clay, shone out the bright rays of the beautiful garments of the "new man," that spoke heavenly words of his eternal youth, and of his happy home in prospect. He went there in 1875, at the age of eighty-six.
Anthony Littlefield, the brother of Elias, and Mercy, his wife, are now living, the former in his eighty-fourth year, and the latter in her eighty-fifth, both free from disease, although he has recently become blind. Their married life together, over sixty years, in comfortable circum- stances, has passed away happily. They, for many years, have risen early, breakfasted by lamp-light, dined about eleven, supped about four P. M., attended to their own domestic matters without a servant or a third person in their house, with clear memories and reasoning faculties; as ready to die alone as in a crowd, and cheerful in the hope of a happy hereafter. They witnessed the fearful wreck of the Warrior, on Sandy Point, and received the corpses of the crew at their house for respectable prepar- ation for the Island cemetery.
Elam Littlefield, late of Block Island, for many years was an active business man, doing a large part of the mer- cantile trade here, and nearly all connected with the West Side, left many friends to commemorate his excellences,
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HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
and sons to emulate his business example. His large store, near his house (upon which he had no insurance), was burned. His son,
Lorenzo Littlefield, a representative in the Assembly in 1861 and 1862, commissioner of wrecks, and town treas- urer, carries on an extensive mercantile business at the Center.
Hon. Ray S. Littlefield, brother of Lorenzo, and inter- ested with him in the store, and proprietor of the popular Central House, has been representative in the Assembly since 1873 to the present, 1877.
Thomas D. Littlefield was born in 1754, and died Au- gust 30, 1829, aged seventy-five years. He was father of
Nicholas Littlefield, who was born April 8, 1783, died June 2, 1846, aged sixty-five years. His sons Elam, above-mentioned, Nicholas, and Almanzo Littlefield, the latter two now living, have been well-known and highly- esteemed citizens of the Island.
LEWIS.
This name is of comparatively recent origin on the Island. Mr. Jesse Lewis, son of Enoch Lewis, a revolutionary soldier of South Kingston, R. I., settled upon Block Island in 1806, renting a farm here of Rowland Hazard- a farm of 300 acres, for seven years. In 1810, he married Susan A. Paine, daughter of Mr. Wm. Paine, and until his death remained a worthy citizen and first-class farmer over fifty years. His son,
Hon. Wm. P. Lewis, born upon the Island April 22, 1822, in 1849 married Miss Wealthy Dodge, daughter of Capt. Gideon Dodge, and granddaughter of Dr. Aaron C. Willey, who was then the physician of the Island, and well known abroad. In 1850, Mr. Lewis was elected third warden; in 1851, deputy sheriff; in 1853, second
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warden; in 1856, first warden, which office he now holds; is licensed auctioneer, notary public, and commissioner of wrecks. During his official services as warden (the same as those of a justice of the peace), he has rendered judg- ment in one hundred cases, eighty of which were civil, and twenty criminal. His first-class farm, and respect- able family, are an ornament and an honor to the Island.
MITCHELL.
This has long been one of the familiar names on Block Island. The more prominent among them have been the following:
James Mitchell, admitted freeman in 1683. Lieut. Thomas Mitchell, a cotemporary of the Rev. Samuel Niles, and with him a sufferer from the French privateers in 1689. He was admitted freeman in 1696, was representa- tive of the Island, with Simon Ray, in 1721, and held , that office in 1723, 1724, 1735, in which year he was known as Captain Mitchell.
Thomas Mitchell, Jr., was representative of the Island in the General Assembly in the year 1738. George Mitchell was admitted freeman in 1720; Jonathan Mitchell, in 1728; John Mitchell, in 1734; Joseph Mitchell, in 1721; John Mitchell, Thomas Mitchell, Jeremiah, Jonathan, and Joseph, in 1775, were on the Island and gave up their cattle to be taken beyond the reach of the British. In 1781 Thomas was a "fifer" in the Revolution. Of the generation between the last of the above and the oldest now living we have but little knowledge.
Barzelia B. Mitchell, father of the proprietor of the Spring House, is one of the oldest of the name on the Island. His father, Jonathan Mitchell, moved to the West long ago.
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HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
MOTT.
Nathaniel Mott was one of the early residents of Block Island. As such he was admitted freeman in 1683. In 1695, he was town clerk, held his office many years there- after, and was representative in 1710.
Edward Mott was admitted freeman in 1696; and John Mott, in 1721; Edward, in 1738; Nathaniel, in 1744; John, in 1760, and in 1775, with Daniel Mott, was on the Island, and parted with cattle taken by the colony. Daniel Mott, father of Abraham R., now living, is still remembered as a worthy citizen. A. Rathbone Mott, an aged citizen, and a relative of the ancient Rathbone family, will long be remembered as a golden link between the past and pres- ent. He is highly esteemed for his social and Christian virtues.
Of the Motts now living on the Island who already have, or soon will pass the meridian of life, Edward, Hamilton, Francis, Smith, and Otis, may all be mentioned as having made a good record in public estimation.
JOHN OLDHAM.
Although Mr. Oldham was neither a native nor resident of Block Island, yet his death here, and his being the first civilized trader here, entitle him to more than a pass- ing notice. He came from England and arrived at Ply- mouth in the ship Ann, July, 1623, and at once took a high position as a citizen. To him was allotted more land than to any other, and that was granted to him "in continuance," a thing done then to none other. He was soon invited to a seat in Gov. Bradford's council. His promotion was less rapid, however, than his fall. In 1624, he was banished from Plymouth and forbidden to return, and by setting aside this banishment, in 1825, was expelled again "with great indignity," his offense being a strong attachment to Episcopacy. He settled at Nan-
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tasket in 1624; in 1626 was wrecked on Cape Cod and narrowly escaped, at about which time his character was greatly changed from its imperious tone to one of gentle- ness, and he was soon restored at Plymouth. Gov. Brad- ford entrusted to him a prisoner to be taken to England for trial, in 1628. In 1629 he had a claim on a large tract of land on the central part of which Charlestown, Mass., is now standing, and about that time became a res- ident of Watertown, Mass. That claim was contested. He was described as a " frank, high-minded man," and was admitted freeman of Watertown in 1631, where the highest trusts were conferred upon him. Mr. Oldham was one of the representatives in the first court that as- sembled in Massachusetts, and was chairman of the first legislative committee appointed in that State. In 1633 he went by land to Connecticut, lodging among the In- dians, and probably founded the plantation at Wethers- field in 1634. His estate was the first ever settled there, Sept. 1, 1636. His death at Block Island had occurred in July, 1636, and but for that casualty the Island might have attracted little or no attention during the succeeding century. He was a man of so great enterprise and . promise to the colony of Massachusetts that she could not quietly suffer the death of so distinguished a citizen to go unavenged, and hence her conquest of Block Island.
In Winthrop's History of New England we find the following circumstances of the death of Mr. Oldham, who had been out on a long trading voyage with the Indians, accompanied by two English boys, and two native men. All the sachems of the Narragansetts were in the plot to kill him, except Canonicus, and Miantonomoh. They sought his life because of his trade and peaceful acts with their enemies, the Pequots. Meantime Roger Williams was with Miantonomoh, who, through Mr. Wil- liams, expressed great sorrow over said death, and a pur-
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pose to punish the offenders. Master John Gallop, with a twenty-ton bark, passing Block Island, discovered Mr. Oldham's vessel, with its deck full of Indians, and a canoe passing from it to the Island full of Indians and goods. "Whereupon they suspected they [the Indians] had killed John Oldham, and the rather because the In- dians let slip and set up sail, being two miles from shore, and the wind and tide being off the shore of the Island, whereby they drove towards the main at Narragansett. Gallop and his men headed them, and bore up to them who stood " armed with guns, pikes, and swords." Gallop had only one man, two little boys, "two pieces, and two pistols." But he " let fly among them and so galled them that they all got under hatches." He then retired, got headway, and attempted to run them down, "and almost overset her, which so frightened the Indians that six of them leaped overboard and were drowned." He repeated the attempt, fastened to her, raked her fore and aft; stood off again, while "four or five more Indians leaped into the sea and were likewise drowned; " boarded her again, bound two Indians, threw one of them into the sea, dis- covered two more Indians, inaccessible, "in a little room underneath, with their swords," and then " looking about, they found John Oldham under an old seine, stark naked, his head cleft to the brains, and his hands and legs cut as if they had been cutting them off, and yet warm. So they put him into the sea." Gallop towed Oldham's ves- sel away, "but night coming on, and the wind rising, they were forced to turn her off, and the wind carried her to the Narragansett shore." The two Indians that were with Mr. Oldham reported similar things to Mr. Williams then with the chief sachem Canonicus. The two boys that were with Mr. Oldham were returned by the sachem Miantonomoh, with a letter from Roger Wil- liams informing Governor Vane that said sachem had sent
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the sachem of Niantic to Block Island to procure said boys. Three of the Indians drowned while Gallop was capturing the Oldham vessel were sachems, and probably belonged to Block Island, as Roger Williams then wrote that there were "pettie sachems about the Great Pond." Another account of this affair is given in the article on Indians.
PAINE.
In the oldest records of Block Island we find this name, although not directly connected with its settlement.
Captain Thomas Paine has the honor of having com- manded the expedition against the French privateers in 1690, and of having fought the first naval battle within the waters of Block Island after its settlement .. Captain Gallop, in 1636, had fought with the Indians, off Sandy Point, and captured from them the vessel which they had taken from the trader, Oldham. Capt. Paine's vic- tory is related in the article on Hostilities. When the French commander learned that he was fighting with his old acquaintance, he retreated, "stood off to sea," and remarked that "he would as soon choose to fight with the devil as with him."
Thomas Paine, perhaps a son of the former, 1736, was admitted freeman of Block Island.
John Paine, in 1745, was here as a citizen, and rose to distinction in matters of trust, representing the Island in the General Assembly in 1753, 1757, 1761, 1765, and in 1775 parted with a large stock of cattle to the govern- ment, and remained as one of the solid citizens of the Island during the Revolution.
Revoe Paine, son, or grandson of John, was born upon the Island, and here lived to a great age. He was prob- ably the son of John, as it is said he was born about one hundred years ago.
John Revoe Paine, son of Revoe, is one of the present
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HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
residents, and is a highly esteemed citizen, both for his integrity and for his respectable family. He is one of the most extensive land owners on the Island.
Nathaniel Paine, commonly called " Uncle Nat," now a resident of Fairhaven, Mass., seems to belong to a dif- ferent branch from the above. He will long be remem- bered among the Islanders by his zeal for religion, and by his consistent deportment, and as the father of Mrs. John G. Sheffield.
ROSE.
This has been a common name on Block Island from its first settlement, in 1662.
Tormut Rose was one of the first who came to occupy the soil, and was admitted as a freeman in 1664. His direct descendants are still upon the Island. In 1775, one of them bore the name of Tormut, which has contin- ued to be transmitted from generation to generation, and latterly has been written Thomas.
Capt. William Rose came to the Island with the settling party, according to the town records, and his name has been several times repeated since then, as applied to later generations. He had command of the bark that brought the settlers, their cattle, and goods, in part, from Braintree and Taunton.
Ezekiel, and Oliver Ring Rose, John, and John Rose, Jr., are waymarks of the Rose family here during the eigh- teenth century.
Rev. Enoch Rose founded the Free- Will Baptist church of the Island about the year 1820. He was a man of more than ordinary natural abilities, and exerted much good influence upon others. Persons of this name are numerous on the West Side, and on all parts of the Island they contribute largely to the population of good citizens.
Lieut. Gov. Anderson C. Rose, late of Block Island,
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ROSE.
obtained distinction in the political arena. Born about the year 1826, the son of Capt. Thomas Rose, in early years exhibited a love of learning, diligently improving his opportunities in the common school, and during vaca- tions. While a boy he adopted for his daily motto " Strive to do Right." He became a teacher on his native Island, and as such is respectfully remembered by many. In 1853, he was elected as representative to the General Assembly without opposition and there distinguished him- self by his force of character and logical powers. In spite of strong opposition from old and influential legisla- tors he secured a vote for the charter of a bank on Block Island, but for some reason the bank was never estab- lished. In 1854, he was elected to the State Senate, and also as first warden of his town, and about this time began the study of law which he pursued successfully in the office of Hon. B. F. Thurston of Providence. As a senator his talents brought him prominently before the people, and secured his nomination for lieutenant-governor in 1855, and his election by a majority of 5,708 votes over two other candidates. He officiated acceptably as a presiding officer, and at the close of the term for which he was elected turned his attention vigorously to the legal profession, and soon after his admission to the bar in 1857, removed to Illinois and began practice. His slender constitution broke down, and in July, 1858, his remains were brought back to Block Island, and in 1869 were disinterred and placed beside his mother and sister in Cypress Hill cemetery of Brooklyn, N. Y.
Ambrose N. Rose, town clerk, Alanson Rose, proprie- tor of the Woonsocket House, Capt. John E. Rose, Capt. Addison Rose, and others are well-known as de- scendants from ancient ancestors on the Island.
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HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
SHEFFIELD.
The first that we find of this name on Block Island was in 1758. Sheffields were here previous to this date un - doubtedly. They were numerous in other places of Rhode Island, in its earliest history, and some of them occupied honorable positions, especially Joseph and Nathaniel from 1696 to 1719.
Edmund Sheffield, in 1758, was a farmer on the Island In June, 1757, a French privateer was hovering about the coast of Rhode Island, and the State " sent out two armed vessels in quest of her, one of which touched at Block Island, where she was supplied with four sheep and a cheese by Mr. Edmund Sheffield of that place." In 1762, he was one of the representatives of the Island in a peti- tion for a lottery in order to improve the Great Pond for a harbor and fisheries.
Josiah Sheffield, in 1760, was admitted freeman of New Shoreham. At the breaking out of the Revolution there were several Sheffield families on the Island. Benjamin and Ezekiel were here then. The former left the Island during the war and lived at Charlestown, returning to his farm in New Shoreham to collect rents in February, 1779, and in October of the same year.
Nathaniel Sheffield, son of Edmund, married Mary Ann Gorton, the daughter of John Gorton and Alice Hull, daughter of Capt. Edward Hull of Block Island. His son,
Hon. John G. Sheffield, born upon Block Island, April 26, 1819, still living, has been one of the most public- spirited and respectable citizens. Most of the time from the age of twenty-three, in 1842, when he entered the General Assembly, he has occupied positions of public trust and responsibility, and at the same time has been a first-class farmer. During the rebellion, and up to the year 1873, Mr. Sheffield represented the Island in the
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State Legislature, and cooperated with great vigor and personal influence with Hon. Nicholas Ball, his fellow- townsman, in securing a government harbor for the Island. Having held nearly all of the town offices, and with health somewhat impaired by a life of constant activity, for the past few years he has enjoyed the sweets of retirement at his beautiful home on one of the most sightly points of the Island-the ancient home of his grandfather John Gorton, who, on account of his personal bearing, was called "Governor Gorton," both by his townsmen and by the British soldiers of 1812, who as a mark of respect, when they visited his house, stacked their arms at a considerable distance from his residence.
In the construction of the breakwater of Block Island, Mr. Sheffield did a good work for the public and for his townsmen. In July, 1872, seconded by several prominent townsmen, he became the contractor for placing in said breakwater 10,000 tons of riprap granite for the sum of $21,900.00. His closest competitor for the contract bid $29,500.00, from which it is seen that Mr. Sheffield saved an expense of $7,600 to the government and secured employment for many of his fellow citizens. His activity for the intellectual and moral improvement of the Island- ers has kept pace with his political and pecuniary enter- prises. The records of the First Baptist Church of New Shoreham indicate his activity in building the present house of worship and in other matters.
The children of Mr. John G. and Mrs. Cordelia (Payne) Sheffield are Mary (wife of Capt. Archibald Milikin), Lucinda, John, Ella, Lila, Homer, and Arthur.
Hon. William P. Sheffield, son of Mr. George G. Shef- field, and now a resident of Newport, is a native of Block Island and a cousin of John G. Sheffield. He has ob- tained distinction in the legal profession, in financial trans- actions, in political life, and in historical research. In the
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State Legislature he is at present an efficient representa- tive, and in 1861 was elected a member of Congress from the eastern district of Rhode Island. The historical sketches of Newport and of his native Island published by him in 1876 have given great pleasure to the public. From the latter we quote the following as an index of the feelings and scenes common to the Islanders, and only wanting education or ambition to give them expression in poetry or in prose beautiful and sublime. He says : " The most attractive place to me are the high banks on the south side of the Island. Those rude, gray cliffs, which, since their creation, or possibly since the morning stars first sang together for joy, have presented their bared breasts in battle array to the sea and storm, always had a mysterious attraction to me. In my youth no neighbor- ing dwelling or other intrusion came to interrupt the con- verse of the surrounding scenes with the soul of the solitary visitor. There I saw in the swelling and reces- sion of the mighty bosom of the sea the respiration of God in nature; there in the calm and lull of the elements, I heard 'the still small voice' fall upon my ears, wooing from above all that was good within me, and in the thun- der and earthquake shock of the storm, I have often stood almost paralyzed under the spell-binding influence of the warning voice thus coming from that Power which had aroused the wrath of the forces of nature, and was break- ing forth in the war of the elements. There I have seen the strong ship, which had traversed every zone, crushed by the power of the ocean waves as if her sides were but wisps of straw, and been impressed with the utter powerlessness of man to contend with Him who holds the sea in the hollow of His hand, and with His will directs the storm."
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