USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Narragansett > A history of the Episcopal church in Narragansett, Rhode Island, including a history of other Episcopal churches in the state > Part 13
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The published writings of Mr. Goddard which bear his name are an address to the Phi, Beta Kappa Society, connected with the University, on " The Value of Liberal Studies ;" A Sketch of the Life of James Manning, first President of Brown University ; an address "In Commemoration of the death of William Henry Har- rison, President of the United States," delivered at the request of the City Council of Providence ; A Discourse, on the Change of the Civil Government of Rhode Island, delivered at Newport, before both Houses of the Assembly, in May, 1843. These productions alone, though few in number, are sufficient to evince his rare skill as a writer, and to show what he might have accomplished in ele- gant literature, had his health but permitted him to attempt loftier undertakings and more protracted labors.
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In addition to these, and to a large number of political essays, published anonymously, he is known to have been the author of the obituary sketches which have appeared, of many of the eminent citizens of Rhode Island who have died within twenty years past. These sketches are believed to be very numerous, and if collected, would form a volume of rare and curious interest, as well as of great historical value. Such a volume would also well illustrate the delicacy and skill with which he was accustomed, to dis- criminate the outlines of a wide variety of public and private char- acters.
The natural tastes and feelings of Mr. Goddard, as well as the avocations to which his manhood was mainly devoted, all tended to render him unwilling to engage in the excitements of public life. Though often actually enlisted in the political contests of the state, he never aspired to personal promotion, and was wholly destitute both of the spirit and the aims of the vulgar politician. He was never a candidate for political office, save in the single instance when he was elected to represent the city of Providence in the Gen- eral Assembly of the state. Of this body he was a useful and honored member at the time of his death.
Professor Goddard was educated in the forms of the Episcopal Church, and through life was an Episcopalian as were his father and grandfather before him. He was a member of the parish of St. John's, in Providence, in which for many years he held the office of Warden. During the later part of his life especially, in which he was comparatively free from professional toils, he render- ed an amount of valuable service to the public institutions of reli- gion, education, and philanthropy in thecity of Providence, which has entitled him to the lasting gratitude of his fellow citizens, and has associated his name and memory with most of the higher inter- ests of that community. He was also an earnest student of Chris- tianity and a firm and humble believer in its sacred truths, and was unusually well read in the writings of the best English divines.
His death was fearfully sudden ; it took place while seated at the dinner table with his family, and was occasioned while in the act of swallowing, by some spasmodic action of the organs of deglutition, which produced immediate strangulation.
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The sudden departure of an eminent citizen, thus snatched in a moment from a sphere of honor and usefulness, and from all the en- dearments of domestic life, could not fail to produce a deep impression upon the mind of the community. Every interest of society seemed to have sustained a loss. The several public bodies with which he was connected evinced their respect for his memory, in resolutions which were published at the time, and the Faculty of the University requested their President, Rev. Dr. Wayland, to deliver a discourse in commemoration of his life and services. This discourse, which has since been published, is an eloquent and well merited tri- bute to his memory. We commend it to the perusal of every reader, who would contemplate and fully comprehend the character of one, who deserves to be ranked among the most accomplished scholars, and the worthiest citizens our state has ever produced.
" April 17th, 1738. The Rev. Dr. McSparran bap- tised at Groton, in Connecticut, four adults and three children, viz : the wife of John Haily, called Mary Haily, and six of her children, namely : John, Joshua, and Martha Haily, adults, and Elizabeth, Caleb, and Jeremiah Haily, children."
Respecting the family of Haily or Haley, Mr. James H. Trum- bull, of Stonington, Connecticut, a young gentleman of great an- tiquarian research, has furnished the following information :
" I fear I can afford you but little aid in regard to the Haily or Haley family, as the name does occur among the first settlers of Stonington, or on our early records. I have not had occasion hither- to investigate their descent, and know little of their early history. Of the children of John and Mary Haley, mentioned in the church record ; their Ist son, John, left four sons, John and Edmund, twins ; Joshua and Belcher, and nine daughters. 2nd, Joshua, died with- out issue. 3rd, Caleb, left three sons, Caleb, Elisha and Stephen ; (Elisha is now a resident in Groton, served four years as a member of Congress, from this district, from 1831 to 1835.) 4th, Jeremiah,
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married a daughter of Ambrose Helliard, (who moved to Preston, Connecticut, from Narragansett,) left four sons. 1st, Jeremiah ; 2nd, Nathan ; 3rd, George ; 4th, Simeon, and five daughters, viz : Mary, married to Captain Allen Potter, of New Haven, and subse- quently of Rochester, New York, where he died. 2nd, Catharine, married Paul Burrows. 3rd, Charlotte, married - Burnett. 4th, Rhoda, married Samuel Holdredge. 5th, Hannah, married Perces Woodward."
" Captain Nathan Haley, the second son of Jeremiah, was for many years a resident of Nantes, in France ; where, during the lat- ter part of his life, he held the post of United States Consul. In consequence of his active participation in the revolution of 1830, he received from the French government the Cross of the Legion of Honor. He died at Nantes, January 3d, 1841, aged seventy-four. Of his early life I can say but little with which you have not been made acquainted by the letter from the late Hon. N. F. Dixon, published in the appendix of the "Memoirs of the Rhode Island Bar."
" The following obituary notice I have translated, thinking that it may be of interest." (From a New York paper of 1841.)
" The following, from a paper published at Nantes, in France, has been handed us for publication :"
" Mr. Nathan Haley, United States Consul, at Nantes, died on the third day of January, at his residence, in Rue Lafayette.
" Subsequent to the revolution of July, Mr. Haley was presented with the Cross of the Legion of Honor, for important services rendered France. Born on a soil of freedom, and resident among us for many years, Mr. Haley cherished the most sincere and ardent wishes for the liberty and welfare of France, and was ever ready to make any personal sacrifices for the good of his adopted country.
" Mr. Haley was universally esteemed and beloved. Never was there a friend more constant ; never was there a heart in which was felt stronger compassion for suffering humanity. Not merely con- tent to be found taking part in all public subscriptions, for the relief of distress, he was constantly scattering his secret bounties, and the needy never sought his assistance in vain. 20A
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" The republic of the United States has lost a most worthy repre- sentative ; Nantes has lost a most estimable citizen.
" The obsequies of Mr. Haley were very numerously attended. Public functionaries, magistrates, and citizens of all classes were present. The Pall was borne by the different European Consuls, in their several 'costumes, and escorted by a company of the 72nd regiment of the line. The Protestant minister pronounced a dis- course at the interment, replete with philosophy and elevated reli- gious sentiment.
" Dr. Martial, who has served with honor in our army, and is nephew of Mr. Haley, pronounced the following words, which were heard with difficulty, from the emotions which the speaker could not suppress :
"Nathan Haley, Consul of the United States of America, cheva- lier of the Legion of Honor, native of Stonington, deceased in his seventy-fifth year, after long and severe suffering, from Chronic asthma ; he was truly a man of exalted character. His life was dis- tinguished for justice, and benevolence of action, and was crowded with deeds of charity. Friend, sincere and generous-husband, tender and affectionate-receive from us the tribute of our sincere regrets. Rest in peace with God."
" Mr. Haley was above all, the friend of the people-of the poor and laboring classes-of whom he delighted in being the supporter. This numerous and honorable portion of our population, who never forget a benefactor, nor lose the remembrance of sympathy extended to them, did not fail to render a last homage; and Mr. Alexander Milliat, one of their number, was deputed to express their sentiments, which he did in an address appropriate to the oc- casion."
The late Mr. Dixon, in the letter referred to, in speaking of Haley, says : " Haley had his birth on the east bank of the Mystic river ; his parents were too confiding to think of involving the agency of art or authority, to restrain the bold and eccentric sallies of a spirited youth. His early days were marked with deeds of daring, and in riper years, as a mariner, he rose to the rank of a ship's comman- der. He was but little indebted to early education, while native
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talents gave him currency among the better informed, and evinced his capacity for business. His mental and physical energies were of no ordinary character. The French revolution naturally at- tracted him to its scenes, for he loved the confusion of war. He served with distinction, as an officer in the navy of France, and was one of Bonaparte's Legion of Honor. It must be admitted, how- ever, that some of his deeds, consistent as they may have been with his code of honor, were of doubful morality-yet his whole life was interspersed with occasional acts of benevolence and kindness. His native country confided to him the American Consulate at Nantes, in France, where he lived and died the present year," (1841.) 1
"September 17th, 1738. The Rev. Jonathan Ar- nold, Presbyter of the Church of England, and incum- bent of New Haven, in Connecticut, did at the house of Dr. McSparran, baptise a negro child, by the name of Margaret, surnamed African-sureties, the Dr. and his wife."
The Rev. Jonathan Arnold graduated at Yale College, in 1723- was a Congregational minister of the Church at West Haven, Con- necticut. In 1734, he became an Episcopalian, and in 1736 went to England for orders. On his return from England, in 1737, he was appointed a missionary, and stationed at West Haven, Derby, and Waterbury, at which places he officiated until 1739, when he sailed for England, and was lost on the voyage.
" September 2nd, 1739. Mr. John Gardiner, of Bos- ton Neck, was admitted (for the first time,) to the sa- crament of the Lord's Supper. So was Mrs. Anstis Updike, the wife of Colonel Daniel Updike, having been heretofore, before her removal to the Mainland,
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a communicant at the Church of Newport : and a month before, were admitted, upon their removal from Newport, Colonel William Coddington, and Jane, his wife."
Colonel William Coddington was a son of Thomas and Mary Coddington, and grandson of the elder Governor William Codding- ton, who emigrated from England to Boston, with Governor Win- throp, in 1630. The Antinomian controversy, respecting Mrs. Hutchinson and Mrs. Wheelwright, arising soon after his arrival, he, with Dr. John Clarke and others, removed to Newport, pur- chased of the Indians Rhode Island, and formed the first settle- ment there.
The Colonel Coddington, mentioned in the record, was born, Jan- . uary 1st, 1690. His first wife was Comfort Arnold, the eldest daughter of Benedict, son or grandson of Governor Benedict Arnold. He married his second wife, Jane Bernon, the daughter of Gabriel Bernon, at Newport, October 11th, 1722. How long Colonel Cod- dington remained a resident of Narragansett, is uncertain. He was selected Church Warden of St. Paul's in April, 1741, and his name and that of his wife appear often on the church record. Col. Updike the Colony Attorney, Capt. Chase, and Col. Coddington were brothers-in-law, having married the three daughters of Bene- dict Arnold ; and the last wife of Col. Coddington being the sister of Esther Helme, the wife of Judge Helme, the daughter of Mr. Bernon, are circumstances which might have been the inducement for his residence in Narragansett.
Col. Coddington was a well educated and accomplished gentleman. The Rev. John Callender, in his century sermon, delivered in New- port, in 1738, which was dedicated to him, says : "It is not barely to give you a public testimony of my gratitude for many personal favors, nor yet of that esteem and respect which all men bear you, for your singular equity and benevolence, not only in private life, but in all the various offices in which you have adorned your coun- try, that I prefix your name to these papers ; but because an at- tempt to recover some account of this happy island, and to make a
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religious improvement of the merciful providences of God towards it, is justly due to the lineal representative of that worthy gen- tleman, who was the great instrument of its original settle- ment."
" If the following discourse has done any justice to the memory and character of the pious people who first settled this colony ; or if it has any tendency to promote the true original ends of this plantation, I am sure of your patronage. And as to what relates to some articles, different from your judgment and practice in religious matters, the generosity and candor you inherit from your great ancestors will easily bear with me, endeavoring to vindicate my own opinions on such an occasion."
The 17th of September, 1744, was memorable for a most distres- sing accident, which took place at Newport ; a number of persons had collected on the wharf of Col. Malbone, to witness the depar- ture of two privateers, when a quantity of powder which had been placed in one of the stores, by some unaccountable means, exploded, killing and wounding a number of persons. By this visitation, the town lost three of its principal citizens. Col. William Coddington, Mr. Seaton Grant, (maternal grand father of the late Christopher Grant Champlin,) and John Fidley Esquire, who were either kil- led or mortally wounded.
" October 19th, 1738. James Helme, of South Kingstown, and Esther Powell, of North Kingstown, were lawfully married by me - Joseph Torrey."- Extracted from Dr. Torrey's record.
"September 21st, 1740. Dr. McSparran baptised, at the Church of St. Paul's, the child of James and Esther Helme, by the name of Esther. The sureties were Colonel Coddington, his wife, and daughter."
"October 4th, 1746. Dr. McSparran, (after reading the visitation service over Hester Powell, the grand- mother,) then baptised two children of James Helme,
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Esquire, and Esther Powell, his wife, named Rouse* and Sarah Helme. Their sureties were the Doctor, and Madam Coddington, of Newport."
" The 20th of said October, died said Hester Powell and was buried on Tower Hill, the 22nd, by Dr. Mc- Sparran, who preached her funeral sermon in Dr. Tor- rey's meeting house."
December 3rd, 1746, Dr. McSparran preached at the Court House, Tower Hill, and baptised Powell Helme, a child about four years old, son of James and Esther, his wife."
The family of Helme were among the first settlers in Narragan- sett. Mr. James Helme was a gentleman of mild and urbane man- ners, of estimable character, and of considerable wealth. He resided at Tower Hill, in South Kingstown, and for many years kept a large retail ,store. His dwelling, although dilapidated, is still
* Rouse J. Helme (the J. being inserted to distinguish him from others of the same name,) was born at Tower Hill, in 1744. He received a competent edu- cation, under a private instructor, in the elementary branches of learn- ing, and was besides, a respectable proficient in the learned languages. He early displayed a predilection for the study of the law, and to promote his views, his father placed him in the office of Matthew Robinson, Esquire, who was re- puted one of the best special pleaders and most learned lawyers of the day .- Mr. Helme opened an office at the village of Kingston, in his native town, where he soon obtained a large share of practise. He early embarked in politics, and was elected to many offices of honor and responsibility. He was a member of the council of war, during the revolution ; deputy secretary, and member of the General Assembly for many years. In the Legislature, Mr. Helme boldly opposed the paper money system of 1786 ; and, on the ascendancy of that party, in the succeeding year, he was superceded as a representative. But being an able lawyer and a skilful draftsman, his services were so highly requisite in con- ducting the business of the legislature, that the dominant party, though poli- tically opposed to him, elected him their clerk, and testified their approbation of his abilities, by subsequent re-elections.
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standing. In 1767, he was elected by the Legislature, Chief Jus- tice of the Supreme Court of the State, and was re-elected as Chief or Associate Justice of the same court, until 1775. He died in 1777, and was interred in the burial ground, on Tower Hill. His wife was the grandaughter of Gabriel Bernon, the Protestant Huguenot, and daughter of Adam Powell and Hester Powell, who before marriage, was Hester Bernon.
Being unable to break through the strength of the paper money influence in South Kingstown, Mr. Helme, in 1788, was returned a member of the Legislature from New Shoreham, under a law pas- sed during the revolution, authorizing that town, being an Island, to choose its representatives from citizens of other towns, and he con- tinued a representative of that town until his death. He was an able debater, a man of ready wit, a sound lawyer, and a skillful draftsman ; fond of society, and of convivial habits. His opinion on the trial of the Judges for their decision, against the paper money laws, in the case of Trevett, vs. Weeden, did him great credit .- Among other things, he said-" If they," the General Assembly, " proceed to try the Judges, either by themselves, or a court to be appointed specially for that purpose, they must cause them first to be impeached, and state the facts upon which the impeachment is founded ; the common law will direct the manner of process, and should they be found guilty, they cannot be removed from their offices, but by' bill in the nature of a bill of Attainder, which must pass both houses, and be enacted into a law."
He died in the meridian of life, on the 13th of October, 1789, in the forty-sixth year of his age, and his remains lie interred in the burial ground, on Tower Hill, where his ancestors repose. Suita- ble grave stones are erected to his memory, with the following in- scription :
IN MEMORY OF ROUSE J. HELME. WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE, OCTOBER 13TH, 1789, IN THE FORTY-SIXTH YEAR OF HIS AGE. "AND THE SERVANT SAID, LORD, IT IS DONE AS THOU HAST COMMANDED, AND YET THERE IS ROOM."
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" August 2nd, 1741. Dr. McSparran catechised the negroes, and there were present on that occasion, at church, near about or more than one hundred."
We shall endeavor here to present some account of the state of slavery, and the slave trade in Rhode Island, and shall give some statistics in relation to it, which have been furnished us by E. R. Potter.
Many of the merchants of Rhode Island were formerly engaged in the slave trade, and made considerable fortunes from it ; although it would appear from the account we shall presently give, that it was never countenanced by the legislature, or by public opinion in that state.
In a speech, made by Judge Smith, of South Carolina, in the United States Senate, December 8th, 1820, upon the admission of Missouri, he states that, in the year 1804, the ports of South Carolina were opened for the importation of African slaves, by act of the legislature, and remained open four years. During these four years there were two hundred and two vessels engaged in this trade to the port of Charleston, and they belonged to the following places :
Charleston, 61 ; Rhode Island, 59 ; Great Britain, 70 ; Baltimore, 4; Boston, 1; Norfolk, 2; Connecticut, 1; Sweden, 1; France, 3-202.
He also gives, from the Custom House books of Charleston, the number of slaves imported there, during those four years, and by what nation or state-viz :
Imported by British vessels, 19,649; Imported by French ves- sels, 1,078 ; in Charleston vessels, 7,723 ; in Bristol, R. I., vessels, 2,914 ; in Newport, R. I., vessels, 3,488 ; in Providence, R. I., ves- sels, 556; in Warren, R. I., 280; in Baltimore vessels, 750; in Savannah vessels, 300 ; in Norfolk vessels, 287 ; in Hartford ves- sels, 250 ; in Boston vessels, 200; in Philadelphia vessels, 200; in New Orleans, 100 .- 18,048 .- Total, 38,775.
We also give here some extracts from a report upon abolition pe- titions, made by Elisha R. Potter, of Kingstown, to the House of Representatives of the Rhode Island Legislature, in January, 1840.
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It contains some valuable statistics, and also a full history of the legislation of the state upon this subject.
"One of the measures proposed is, to abolish slavery in the State of Rhode Island.
" It appears by the United States census of 1830, that there were then seventeen slaves in Rhode Island. As all children of slaves, - who were born after March 1, 1784, were by law declared to be free, these slaves must of course be forty-six years old or more. It is presumed they are nearly all superannuated, and instead of being a source of profit are a burden to their nominal owners, who are now obliged to maintain them. The only consequence of liberating them would be no possible benefit to the slaves themselves, but the trans- ferring the obligation to maintain them from the families of the own- ers to the towns, who would be obliged to support them as common paupers. Besides, it is probable that the census of 1840 will show the number then living in the state to be very small, perhaps none. The committee, therefore, cannot agree with the petitioners here, and do not recommend any action on this part of the subject.
" The committee will now give a statement of the number of slaves which have been in Rhode Island in times past.
"Before 1790, when the United States census was first taken, our accounts do not exhibit the number of slaves separately, but only the number of negroes, whether slaves or free.
WHOLE POPULATION.
NEGROES.
1730
17,935
1,648
1748
32,773
3,077
1774
59,678
3,761
1783
51,869
2,086
" The census of 1730 did not include the towns east of the Bay, which were not added to this state until 1746. This will account for a part of the increase of negroes appearing in 1748. Besides, about 1730-48, the Rhode Island merchants had traded largely to the West Indies, bringing back negroes as a part of their return cargoes.
" The census taken in 1783 does not include New Shoreham 21A
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which was then in possession of the British. This exhibits a re- duction in the number of negroes, many of whom had enlisted in the army, and others been manumitted and gone off.
" In 1780, the number of slaves in the State, between ten and fifty, was estimated, by a committee of the Legislature, to be five - hundred and eighteen.
"But from 1790, the census taken by the United States gives us an accurate account of the number of slaves.
WHOLE POPULATION.
SLAVES.
1790
69,110
952
1800
69,122
381
1810
77,031
108
1820
83,059
48
1830
97,199
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" Notwithstanding our laws, up to and even after February, 1784, did not prohibit, but permitted the holding of slaves ; there never was a very large number of them here ; and although slavery ex- isted here, and some of our merchants, from the love of gain, en- gaged in the slave trade and imported slaves ; the general course of Rhode Island legislation upon the subject, of which we now will give a brief account, is highly honorable to the State.
"The first act we find passed upon the subject is May 18, 1652, by the commissioners of Providence Plantations and War- wick :-
" Whereas, there is a common course practised among English- men, to buy negroes, to the end that they may have them for ser- vice or slaves forever, for the preventing of such practices among us, let it be ordered that no black mankind, or white, being forced to covenant, bond, or otherwise, serve any man or his assigns longer than ten years, or until they come to be twenty-four years of age, if they be taken under fourteen, from the time of their coming with- in the liberties of this Colony, and at the end or term of ten years to set them free, as the manner is with English servants ; and that man that will not let them go free, or shall sell them away elsewhere, to that end that they may be enslaved to others for a longer time, he or they shall forfeit to the Colony forty pounds.
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