USA > Rhode Island > Kent County > Greene > A history of Greene and vicinity, 1845-1929 > Part 2
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History of Greene and Vicinity
We have now reached the eastern limit of the village and must again return to the railroad crossing and go west along the rail- road to the house farthest west, which was one of the first homes built in Greene. This house was built by Mathias Labold, a Ger- man, who was employed for several years as watchman for the Lewis crossing and bridge across the Lewis River. This work was finally abandoned, and Mr. Labold and his family went to New Jersey. It then became the property of Charles H. Jordan, son of Esek Jordan. Charles H. Jordan lived here several years until the death of Esek Jordan, when he removed to Oneco, Connec- ticut. The house became the home of Frank Peavey, who lived there for some years and then moved to Maine. Later it was sold to Almoran Potter, who lived there a few years,-and then sold to Cyrus Andrew who lived there until his death. Afterward his widow occupied the house until her death a few years ago in Sterling, Connecticut. It is now the property of Mrs. Nelson Cap- well, and is occupied by her brother, S. G. Wood.
Farther east a short distance is the home of Nelson G. Capwell. This house was erected by the late Hiram Peavey, who came to Greene from Providence. He lived in the house for a few years, and then removed about a mile farther northwest on the Lewis River, where he erected a machine shop and lived until his death. Soon after the house was sold to Nelson G. Capwell and it is now his home.
Only one home now remains to be described, that of William H. Brown, which is written up under "Stores."
There has been space for only a brief sketch of each of these homes, but enough has been written to give some idea of them, their location in the village, and those who have lived in them through the years.
GREENE AND ITS STORES
One of the necessities in a country village or community is what is known as the country store. In the olden days before these villages and towns came into being the store was not so necessary, as the country folks raised most of their living on their farms and made their own clothing, and most of their furniture and house
18
History of Greene and Vicinity
furnishings were home-made. They raised all the grain they needed for their cattle and horses, and they raised sheep which furnished most of their clothing both for every day and for Sunday best, so that in the early days the country stores were not plentiful. As it meant a day's work lost on the farm they were visited only when necessity called for something which could not be raised or made on the farm.
The first country store in this community was opened by John Harris, of Sterling Hill, who came to Hopkins Hollow in 1858 and located his store which for more than seventy years was conducted by him and his son, James H., who was made a partner early in the seventies. After the death of John Harris the store was carried on by James H. Harris until a few years ago when age forced him to retire.
The first country store in the village of Greene was started in 1860 by W. V. Phillips in the basement of the home of Squire G. Wood which faced the street. For three years he conducted this store. He had as assistants Leonard Tillinghast, Amasa P. Taber and Henry Page, with Miss Lizzie Wood as bookkeeper. In those days most of the store accounts were run on long credit, the cus- tomers turning in their eggs and produce, and wood which was used by the railroad, so that cash accounts were rare. Later when other business was started this was somewhat changed and cash accounts became more frequent. In 1863 the store was sold to Leonard Tillinghast & Company which ran a heavy grain trade in connection with the grocery and dry goods trade. For a number of years this store was the largest in this section and was very prosperous for ten years or more until the great failure in business in the late seventies. After this failure the store was carried on by Amasa P. Taber for three years, when through some disagree- ment with the owner the store was moved to a building opposite and the firm became Borden and Taber, by reason of a partnership with Charles T. Borden. This lasted only one year, and the store was carried on by A. P. Taber, until his removal to Almyville, Connecticut.
In the year 1863 Caleb T. Jordan came to Greene from Clay- ville and erected a building on the north side of the railroad track, just west of the highway, with rooms for store in the lower story and a second story for living rooms. He carried on business at
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History of Greene and Vicinity
this store for several years and then removed to Cranston, R. I. A few years later this building was bought by Henry Whitman of North Sterling, Connecticut, who opened a store, which he carried on until his death several years ago.
In 1882 Curnel S. Brown came here from West Greenwich and opened a grocery and market in what was formerly a storehouse for grain. This store was carried on by him for several years and then sold.
In 1885 Charles Stone, son of William A. Stone, came here from Washington, R. I., and opened a store in the large building then owned by Daniel Tillinghast. This store was sold to Arthur Craven, who came to Greene from Providence. In 1892 the store was again sold to Stephen H. Potter, who came from Moosup Valley where for ten years previous he had conducted a country store very successfully. For nearly twenty years Mr. Potter carried on his business at Greene with profit to himself, and as he was very honest and square in all his dealings he made many friends and ran a very successful store, having a very large grain trade, and always keeping the store well stocked. He finally retired. His stock and fixtures were sold to A. P. Browning, who ran the store for a few years and then it became the property of John H. Tanner of Exeter, R. I., who had been a very prosperous lumberman for many years. After his death the store was run for several years by his widow, and then was sold to Charles H. Arnold, the present proprietor.
For short periods of time others have carried on business here, some for a few months, and some not so long, but during the entire history of the village the country store has been here to furnish necessities and some of the luxuries of life.
For a short time another small store was run by the late Charles E. Capwell in a small building nearly opposite the camp grounds, but this store was discontinued after a short time, and there is now only one store to supply the needs of this community.
GREENE AND ITS HIGHWAYS
In the early days before Greene was settled the little highway travel was by foot or by wagons drawn by horses or oxen. As the roads from place to place were very crooked and rough, very muddy
20
History of Greene and Vicinity
in the spring of the year, and sometimes impassable in winter by reason of the heavy snows, locomotion over the country roads was bound to be very slow, probably averaging four or five miles an hour. Six miles an hour was not common, and a horse which could go at that speed was thought a wonder and commanded a high price. Most of the roads in the vicinity of Greene were common dirt roads and so travel over them was very slow. The main road south from Greene to Hopkins Hollow, beyond into West Greenwich and eastward toward Summit over the south road by the Nathaniel Arnold Farm, now known as the "Arnold Farms," was much used by the heavy team wagons drawing wood and lumber or logs for the mill here. Anywhere from twenty to thirty teams, using from two to four horses, were sent over this road, usually making two trips a day, one in the forenoon and another in the afternoon, bringing their loads to Greene, and returning sometimes empty and sometimes loaded with grain to be used at home. Some of these teams were owned at Greene, but most of them were owned by residents of West Greenwich and even further.
The country roads were kept in repair by someone appointed by the council elected by the town. Joseph T. Hopkins for many years had the supervision of the road from Greene to Hopkins Hollow, and then to the town line of West Greenwich,-also south to Narrowlane. Others had sections of the road between Greene and Summit, both by the south road and over Bowen's Hill. The repairs made the roads fairly passable for teams during the pleasant months, but during the winter they were full of humps and hollows which made for slow and careful travel.
In the early days of the new century began to be seen a new machine which was to revolutionize the roads and the ways of travel on both city and country highways. This was the auto- mobile. At first most of the automobiles were light machines, but able to make from fifteen to twenty miles an hour over the roads as they then were. But the coming of the automobile meant we must have better roads, roads that were smooth and enduring, and built to withstand heavy traffic which was sure to come. The building of such roads was to come, but was to meet much opposi- tion on the part of the general public because of the high cost of
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History of Greene and Vicinity
installation and fear of a heavy increase in taxes by the farmers who thought that what was good enough for their fathers was good enough for them,-and it was some time before much im- provement was made in this section.
In the early part of this century a piece of new macadam road was built by our late senator, Edward E. Arnold, at his expense, as an object lesson to those riding between Greene and Hopkins Hollow. This piece of road between the Methodist Church at the south end of the village and the farther end of the camp ground was built by laying a solid foundation of stone and covering with a top of gravel and tar rolled by a heavy roller until level and solid. This was the first piece of road of this kind to be put in, and it made of a mucky soft road a road which still stands after more than twenty-five years' use. Soon after, Mr. Arnold used his influence toward having a new macadamized road from Greene to Summit, parallel with the steam right of way between the two villages. Shortly after, this road was surveyed and built, proceeding through Summit to Coventry and Washington, there connecting with the main highway to Providence. Later Mr. Arnold was instrumental in having the rough country road from Greene west replaced by a wide macadam road connecting at Fairbanks Corners with the Plainfield Pike. A new road has been built from Greene south to the bridge crossing the Narrowlane River,-and also a new road from the schoolhouse to the corner south of the Arnold home, leading east to Summit and south to Narrowlane. From here these two roads are the old style roads, but in good condition for all travel. The old settlers who were content with riding four or five miles an hour would be surprised to see machines covering from thirty to fifty miles an hour over these same roads. Such has been the gain in the last thirty years. Where there was one team there are now surely twenty-five automobiles, and probably more. A horse and wagon is now a rare sight. All, both rich and poor, are using gas wagons.
GREENE AND ITS SCHOOLS
Some time between 1845 and 1850 was built the first schoolhouse for this community. It was located at Hopkins Hollow, and was used for school purposes, and as a place to hold religious meetings
22
History of Greene and Vicinity
before the church was built about ten years later. Later the town was divided into districts, and this school district became Number Five. In those days each district was run by the legal voters in that district. An annual meeting of each district was held in April of each year, at which meeting were elected a modera- tor, a clerk, a treasurer, and, most important, a trustee, who hired the teachers, had charge of the schoolhouse, saw that it was properly cared for by the teacher in charge, saw that a supply of fuel was furnished for winter and such other supplies as were needed. Sometimes the trustee would be elected several years in succession and sometimes for only one year, depending on how suc- cessful were the teachers he hired. It was considered quite an honor to be elected to the office of trustee, and so the annual district meetings were always well attended, and many warm meetings were held in the early days, especially after Greene became settled, making a large increase in the number of scholars to attend.
Among the early teachers were Joseph Tillinghast and Ezra K. Parker, both of whom served on the town school committee in later years.
The school was usually kept a short term in summer, and a long term of four or five months in the winter, with a woman teacher in the summer, and a man teacher in the winter when the larger boys and girls were able to attend.
This schoolhouse was used for school purposes until about 1870, when the voters at Greene came together and decided they needed a schoolhouse located either in the village of Greene or near by. As they furnished the majority of those who attended, and as the attendance was too large for the old schoolhouse, a special district meeting was called, and the matter of a new school was hotly discussed, much opposition being shown from the south part of the district which wished to retain the schoolhouse at Hopkins Hollow.
Finally after a long fight and several meetings of the district voters a compromise was reached and the new schoolhouse was located on the ground bought of Douglas Briggs. In 1872 it was used for the first summer term, the late Nellie Bates Brown being the first teacher in the new schoolhouse. She was followed by Elisha Baggs, G. Browning, Caleb Bates, and many others of the
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History of Greene and Vicinity
old time teachers. The new schoolhouse was built as a two-room schoolhouse,-a small room for the very small scholars and a large room for all others.
Several years ago the district system of control and the district officers were abolished,-the whole town electing a school com- mittee, which elects a school superintendent, who has full charge of all schools and buildings in the town.
This committee, through its superintendent, hires all teachers and pays all bills for teaching, repairs, and so forth as they become due.
Greene has always had a good school, and the teachers from the early days to the present have tried to fit those who came to them for the years ahead when they would need the education received in the school at Greene.
Following is a list of scholars who entered at Hopkins Hollow November 25, 1860, and attended during the winter term of 1860 and 1861. The name of the teacher is not given on the register sixty-eight years old, but it is probable that it was Joseph Tilling- hast who was teaching winters and farming summers.
ADELAIDE M. LEWIS .. . Age 14
ELLIN HIGGINS Age II
LAFAYETTE LEWIS II MARY HIGGINS
8
OLIVER LEWIS
14
THOMAS HIGGINS . 66
5
JOHN P. LEWIS I2
ANNA J. HOPKINS 66
7
BYRON M. LEWIS 6
LUCY ELLEN HOPKINS . 66
5
WILLIAM A. LEWIS 17
ABBY ELLA BRIGGS. . .
66
7
HENRY N. ARNOLD. 19
SELVIS M. BRIGGS . 66
5
HARRIET M. ARNOLD .. I3
ALFRED W. KNIGHT .. . 66
8
EDWARD E. ARNOLD 7
MARGARET MCGUIRE .. 8
AMEY E. WOOD 15
JOHN McGUIRE. 66
5
LUCIUS E. CAPWELL .. . 17
MARTHA KEITH.
12
SARAH J. CAPWELL .. . 15 66
LYMAN KEITH
9
CHARLES E. CAPWELL. 12
HERBERT WILBUR 6
ARABELLA J. CAPWELL 66
9
ALBERT H. PARKHURST 66
I3
LYDIA B. RIDER . 66
I3
ABBY E. FISKE 66
8
EUGENE E. RIDER 66
II AMASA P. TABER .
I3
WALTER W. RIDER. 7 GEORGE TABER 66
8
66
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History of Greene and Vicinity
Of this list of thirty-four names only the following are known to be still living:
BYRON M. LEWIS, now living at East Killingly, Conn.
AMEY E. WOOD, now Mrs. Amey E. Potter of Providence. EUGENE E. RIDER of Providence.
WALTER W. RIDER of Danielson, Conn.
ANNA J. HOPKINS, now Mrs. Anna J. Franklin of Provi- dence.
AMASA P. TABER of Centreville, R. I.
It would be interesting to follow these thirty-four scholars in their lives and see what they did in the years after. Most of them went away from Greene, and the village never heard from some of them after they left. However, we know most of them are gone, never to come back to us, but we hope to meet them in the Great Beyond. Through the education received at the old schoolhouse now in ruins and at the new schoolhouse nearer the village hun- dreds have gone out into the world better fitted for the life work before them, through the efforts of the school teachers at Greene and Hopkins Hollow.
GREENE AND ITS CHURCHES
After the founding of the village in 1857 for many years the people of the village of Greene and for several miles around had a large interest in, and all of the older members of the community were members of, the church at Rice City known as the Rice City Christian Baptist Church, which was founded in 1815 by Elder James Varnum, who came from the South, a total stranger,-but through efforts a strong and good working church was started which has continued to the present time.
During the early history of Greene this church had as pastors James Burlingame, who for forty years was its leader and who never received very high pay for his work, Rev. Mason Hopkins, Rev. George W. Kennedy, and Rev. John A. Perry.
During Rev. Mr. Perry's pastorate of about five years this church probably reached its highest mark both in membership and attendance, and the church prospered greatly. During this pas- torate a number of members withdrew to form a church at Summit under the Rev. William A. Sweet as pastor.
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History of Greene and Vicinity
In 1870 Rev. Albert Blanchard became pastor and trouble came into the church so that quite a large number withdrew under Rev. George W. Kennedy and a new church was built at Moosup Valley, which is still in existence, having been for many years a part of a circuit served by the pastor at the Line, so called.
Rev. Fred A. Buker so served these two churches; also Rev. Harvey Filmer was pastor of both churches for eleven years.
As a result of the trouble in 1870, W. V. Phillips and his wife, George W. Rider and his wife, Esek Griffiths and his wife, withdrew from the church at Rice City and began the formation of a church at Greene known as the Greene Methodist Church. Rev. Mr. Goodrich came here for a few Sundays, and also Rev. George M. Hamlin of Washington, R. I. Greene had at that time a small hall over Taber's Store, which was not large enough to accommo- date those attending Sunday school and church, but in 1873 a new building was erected north of the railroad, forty by eighty, a large building for those days, and as soon as the hall was completed it was used on Sundays for religious services by the new church and congregation as a meeting place.
In the year 1873 a formal meeting was held and the following names made up the charter list of the Greene M. E. Church:
GEORGE W. RIDER and wife, LOIS A. RIDER
S. T. DAMON and wife, SUSANAH DAMON
EUGENE E. RIDER
LYMAN DAVIS and wife, SERENA DAVIS
EDWARD PEARCE
EMELINE E. HOPKINS
BESSIE A. RIDER
EMMELINE GRIFFITH
HORACE N. WOOD and wife, MARY F. WOOD
WHIPPLE V. PHILLIPS and wife, ROBIE A. PHILLIPS
In 1874 Rev. George W. Hunt, a young man, was appointed to preach here, and under his leadership the present church building was erected and dedicated to the worship of God according to the Methodist faith. For a few years the church prospered, but after the business of the village stopped the members moved away, and today Eugene E. Rider is the only charter member living.
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History of Greene and Vicinity
After the business crash this church was for several years sup- plied by the Presiding Elders of the Conference. In 1875 Nelson Goodrich was the pastor here. In 1881 and 1882 Rev. George M. Hamlin was pastor. Following this, services were held only . occasionally, but in 1887 a church was built at Oneco, Connecticut, and since that time the church at Greene has been supplied in connection with that church.
Rev. Joseph Jackson was the first pastor to be sent under the new arrangement. He supplied here for three years, until 1890. For several years following 1890 Greene had no regular pastor, but services were held when possible. In 1892 Rev. Charles B. Bromley became pastor here and stayed three years. He was followed in 1895 by Rev. E. J. Sampson and he was followed in 1898 by Rev. Thomas W. Douglas who was pastor for two years. These three pastors served Greene alone, living here during their several pastorates, and the church was quite well attended and regular services were held through these years.
In 1900 Greene was supplied by Rev. George W. Crabbe, who was also pastor at Oneco for four years. In 1905 Rev. Owen E. Tourtellot came here as pastor in connection with Oneco and stayed two years. He was followed in 1907 by J. J. Yost, a young student who supplied only one year. He was followed by Rev. Samuel Thatcher, who was pastor here for four years, and during his pastorate the church was built up and several members added to the roll of membership.
In 1912 Rev. Wilbur E. Newton became the pastor here, and during his stay several improvements were made on the inside of the church. He was pastor for three years, and much liked by all who knew him.
In 1915 Rev. Fred Sterling was appointed to Greene and Oneco and supplied for two years. In 1918 Rev. George A. Smith was pastor. Rev. J. M. Vomdeck was pastor from 1922 to 1927. He was followed by Rev. George C. Richardson for one year. The present pastor is Rev. D. E. Lafollette, who supplies the circuit of Greene, Oneco and Sterling. The services are held at two o'clock standard time each Sunday. The membership of this church is now very small, and the church services are supported by the com- munity, regardless of their faith or church connection. During
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History of Greene and Vicinity
these years there have always been a faithful few who by their presence and help have kept the church going.
Early in the last half of the nineteenth century a small church was built at Hopkins Hollow by the members of Rice City Church, for use by the members in the south part of the parish. The principal reason for building this church was to furnish a meeting place for evening services. Preaching services were also held here on Sunday afternoons in connection with the services at Rice City. For many years a Sunday school was held here, W. H. Jordan and others having charge. As the years rolled along these services were discontinued and the church was used only for funeral services for those in the community.
About 1910 Rev. Charles A. Meader, who had been appointed traveling missionary for Rhode Island, began to hold services for the several members of the Episcopal faith who had come to reside in the community. These services were held Sunday after Sunday, and were very well attended by Christians of all faiths. They were financed in part by the State Convention of the Episcopal Church, and in part by the late Edward E. Arnold, who was very much interested. Under Mr. Arnold's direction the church build- ing was completely renovated inside and out, and a large shed was built for the accommodation of those who came by horse and carriage. Rev. Mr. Meader finally moved to Hopkins Hollow and for five years was a resident of this community. Since his departure to East Greenwich to become resident rector there, this church has been in charge of the State missionary, who holds afternoon services nearly every Sunday. The attendance is not large, but during the summer is somewhat larger than at other seasons.
GREENE AND ITS PHYSICIANS
In the early days before Greene became settled doctors were few and widely separated. In case of sickness, families depended upon the skill of the older persons who had had much experience in sickness. Home remedies were used, which usually were success- ful, and great dependence was also placed on patent medicines.
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History of Greene and Vicinity
Early in the history of Greene, Doctor Proctor K. Hutchinson, who settled in Rice City, was the only physician for miles around. For many years he rode night and day through this territory to give medical help to those who needed it. He was a very success- ful doctor, and his practice became very large, including Greene, Summit, and extending far into West Greenwich. He died in 1869, and soon after Greene had its first resident doctor, Dr. Frank B. Smith of Moosup, Connecticut, who located his office in the home of Whipple V. Phillips, now owned by A. N. Cleveland. From the first Dr. Smith was very successful in his treatment of the cases under his care. As he had his predecessor's large territory to cover, it meant long rides and long days, and many sleepless nights, to attend the many calls which came to him. Most of this large community came to depend on Dr. Smith for help in time of sickness. He stayed here until the early eighties, when he re- moved to Washington, R. I., where he still resides, beloved by all who know him.
Greene had no resident doctor for several years until 1885, when Dr. Charles M. Ormsbee came from Greenville, Connecticut, and located in what was formerly the George T. Brown home, where he had his office for many years. He moved to Quidnick, R. I., where he built up a large practice. He died in 1927.
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