USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > North Providence > Annals of Centerdale : in the town of North Providence, Rhode Island : its past and present, 1636-1909 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
Arnold immediately set to work to build the mill, an account of which will be given in another chapter; but in 1823 he sold the premises to Richard Anthony, who in 1838 sold the same to Joseph Cunliff, who, with others to whom he had mortgaged it, sold it in 1859 to Amos N. Beckwith, the property remaining with the Beckwith family until January 1891, when it was sold to Messrs. Green and Baldwin, who afterwards sold it to the present owners, James Lister, William Mackie, and William Dracup, who still own it under the corporate name of the Centerdale Worsted Company.
The original proprietor of the land south of the Smith claim was Epenetus Olney, who was the second son of Thomas Olney, one of the original twelve settlers who received a home share and meadow land from Roger Williams's first purchase from Canonicus and Mianto- nomo. He was not, however, one of the little party who came with Roger Williams, but he joined them soon
16
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
after, and in time to receive his share when the first division of land was made. Thomas Olney was promi- nent in the public affairs of the colony, and was elected its first treasurer. He came from London in the ship "Planter," with his wife (who was Mary Small), in 1635. They had, at the time of their arrival in Boston, two sons: Thomas, 3 years old, and Epenetus, one year old. Other children were born to them; but as Epenetus is the only one who settled in the immediate vicinity of Center- dale, no effort will be made to follow the descendants of the other children of Thomas Olney.
Few family names occur more frequently in land con- veyances of this section than that of Olney, and their frequent purchases and exchanges, with the very indefinite boundaries, render it difficult, and in many cases im- possible, to determine the exact location of all the holdings of Thomas Olney and his descendants. But it is certain that the land south of the Smith claim (see map) was taken up from the original rights by Epenetus Olney. about one-half of the farm in May, 1675, the rest in June, 1686. He died in 1698, and his son Epenetus, Jr., re- ceived as his share of his father's estate a tract of land containing about 120 acres, joining on the south the land of John Smith, and extending westerly to the Woonas- quatucket river (see map). Here he erected a house and made it his homestead place, residing there until his death, September 17, 1740. This house was the first house erected in Centerdale, and is situated on Angell avenue, and is now the residence of Thomas H. Angell. (An account of this house will be given in another chapter.)
After the death of Epenetus Olney, Jr., the farm passed to his eldest son, James, who lived there until his death,
17
LAND OWNERS OF CENTERDALE.
February Ioth, 1770, when he gave it to his son Samuel. In 1813, Samuel dying intestate, James Burr was ap- pointed administrator upon his estate, and sold the place to Isaac Bullard, who, shortly afterwards, in 1816, con- veyed the place to James Burr, and in 1835, after the death of James Burr, about 50 acres of the farm, or that part lying between Smith street and the Woonasquatucket river, was sold by the heirs of James Burr to James Angell, who had previously, in 1824, bought the adjoining land upon the north from his brother Nathaniel.
It is upon these two sections owned by James Angell that the greater part of the village of Centerdale is now situated.
After the death of James Angell, November 22, 1870, that part of his estate passed to his son, James Halsey Angell, who held it until his death, July Ist, 1890, when it passed to his two sons George F. and Frank C. Angell.
George F. Angell received as his share that part of what is now know as River View plat, lying south of Steere street and between Woonasquatucket avenue and the river.
The rest of the land is still in the possession of Frank C. Angell, who platted that part lying between Smith street and Woonasquatucket river avenue into home sites, the plat being known as Highland Park plat.
The rest of the Epenetus Olney farm, after the death of James Burr, remained in the Burr family until 1855, with the exception of a few acres which were sold to Randall H. and Sarah Tallman, in 1854.
The remainder, including the house, was sold by the heirs of Burr to Martha A. Farnum, in 1855; and December 22d, 1856, she sold the same to Mary A. Yeomans, who 2
18
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
in 1865 sold the property to Thomas Holden Angell, who still, in 1909, owns and occupies the homestead house and land surrounding it. In 1898 he sold a portion of it to Frank C. Angell, who platted it into home sites, the plat being known as Highland Park annex.
No attempt has been made to note the various sub- divisions of the three original claims, as the object of this chapter was to follow the direct line of ownership of the land received from the Indians to the present time. By referring to the maps in this work, the principal sub- division can be readily followed out.
CHAPTER III.
THE COLONIAL SAW-MILL.
His echoing axe the settler swung Amid the sea-like solitude, And rushing, thundering, down were flung The Titans of the wood.
-A. B. STREET.
A FTER the axe of the pioneer had made a clearing in the forest, and by persistent industry and perse- verance had changed the clearing into fertile fields, their attention was next directed towards providing more com- fortable homes for their families, who had already braved many cold New England winters in their rude log-cabins.
Among the first obstacles that confronted the early settlers was the entire absence of proper material with which to construct comfortable homes. Saw-mills, brick and lime kilns, were unknown to the new country; the slow and laborious process of the saw-pit afforded no relief, except for such limited supply of boards that were needed for farm-wagons, doors, etc.
As late as 1680 there were but four saw-mills in the colony, and they were widely distributed over a large tract of territory extending from Woonsocket to Paw- tuxet; so the settler was compelled to erect such shelter as he could from the means at hand.
To copy the wigwam of the Indian would furnish but a poor substitute for the comfortable homes many of them
20
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
had left behind them in the old country, and but little protection against the attacks of the Indians, who were soon jealous of the encroachment of the white man upon their hunting-grounds.
So the log-cabin was their only resort, and for a time they must be content with their rude quarters, with the scanty light from the open door or perhaps a lone window, which must be securely closed with a strong plank shutter at night as a protection against an attack from the Indians or from wild beasts which roamed the forest; and to keep out the cold in the winter, in the daytime oiled paper was used as a substitute for glass, as but little glass was brought to this country in the carly colonial days.
About the year 1680 Captain Richard Arnold turned his attention to the building of saw-mills, in different parts of the colony wherever sufficient water-power and supply of logs could be secured to make it profitable. He had already one in operation at Woonsocket in 1680, and had in 1700 secured the right to dam the Woonasquatucket river at Centerdale and Georgiaville and Stillwater in 1702: also the right to dam the West river and to erect a mill near Wanskuck in 1706.
According to the carly records of the town of Providence, about the year 1700 he built a saw-mill upon the Woon- asquatucket river, a little over five miles from the salt water harbor, and it is designated therein as Captain Richard Arnold's new saw-mill. The mill was located near the southerly end of the dam of the Centerdale Worsted Co., about 125 feet from the highway. The location of the dam was practically the same as the present one. Arnold did not buy the land, but obtained per- mission to connect the dam to the banks of the stream
21
THE COLONIAL SAW-MILL.
from the abutting owners, and erected the mill upon the east side of the river on land belonging to Richard Pray.
Just how long he operated the mill is not known; but as there is no mention made of the mill in his will, he must have disposed of it before his death, April 22d, 1710, to Richard Coman, who, a short time before, bought the land from Richard Pray.
About 1750, the mill being much out of repair, the farmers banded together, forming a sort of company, and repaired the old mill and set it in operation again.
The following are the names of the shareholders in 1765, as far as can be obtained: Richard Coman, Stephen Angell, Nathaniel Day, Charles Olney, Nemiah Smith, and William Goddard; each owning one-eighth or one-sixteenth part, according to the number of shares taken.
The mill changed hands many times, as the proprietors died, and in 1800 the owners were reduced to three: James Angell, Richard Corman, and William Goddard.
As logs were becoming scarce, and the mill, from old age, had fallen into decay, it was finally abandoned about the year 1840; thus bringing to a close the first business enterprise established in the village of Centerdale, after an existence of about 140 years.
In 1787 Isaac Olney built a grist-mill upon the west side of the river, opposite the saw-mill, upon the site of the powder-mill, which was destroyed in 1779 (an account of which is given in another chapter), using the same water- wheel that was used for grinding the powder. The mill continued at this place until 1797, when he sold it to William Goddard, who removed the mill across the river and continued to run the grist-mill in connection with the
22
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
saw-mill of which he was part owner. The grist-mill continued in operation long after the saw-mill was given up, but was finally abandoned about 1852.
CHAPTER IV.
THE FIRST HOUSE.
T T HE first house in Centerdale was built by Epenetus Olney, son of Epenetus, who was the second son of Thomas Olney, one of the twelve pioneers who was with Roger Williams when the first division of land was made in the Providence Plantations in 1636.
After the death of Epenetus Olney, Senior, his son Epenetus received, as a part of his share of his father's estate, about 120 acres of land bordering upon the east bank of the Woonasquatucket river and extending in an easterly direction along the southerly line of the land of John Smith. (See map.)
The colonial road traversed the farm, and for a short distance formed the boundary line between this and the land of John Smith; this road is now known as Angell avenue, and it was upon the east side of this road that Epenetus Olney, Jr., over 200 years ago, built his home, the first house erected in the village of Centerdale.
After a lapse of more than 200 years, and obscured by the very indefinite records of the early days of the colony, it is impossible at this time to place the exact date when the house was built; but from the following account an approximate time can be fixed with reasonable accuracy.
March 9th, 1666, Epenetus Olney, Sr., married Mary, a daughter of John Whipple, and eight children were born to them, viz .: Mary, JAMES, Sarah, EPENETUS, John, Mercy, Thomas, and Lydia. He died June 3d,
24
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
1698, leaving no will, in which case under the old English law the property would pass to the oldest son (James).
THE FIRST HOUSE. EPENETUS OLNEY HOMESTEAD, 1700-2.
But James, knowing that his father had often expressed a wish that his estate might be divided among his children, proceeded to divide the property in accordance with his father's desires, and. according to the records of the town of Providence, in deed book No. 2, page 34, James Olney conveyed to his brother Epenetus a tract of land containing about 120 acres, stating in the deed. "And it being so that my brother Epenetus Olney is now desirous to settle. and be accommodated with some of his father's lands to himself, and hath already begun a settlement upon some part thereof by building, fencing, and planting thereon."
This deed is dated August 29. 1702, and establishes a time wher. the house was already built, by declaring that
25
THE FIRST HOUSE.
he had already begun a settlement upon some part thereof by building, fencing, and planting thereon.
There still might be a question of location (as the boundaries of those old farms were very obscure and indefinite, they often being bounded by a tree, a clump of bushes, some one's garden, fence, or a cornfield), but from a deed recorded in the same book, No. 2, page 34, from other parties, stating that said land was at "his farm where he now dwelleth " and it further states that it was bounded by a highway lying between it and John Smith land, to those familiar with old landmarks this tract can be easily located. This deed is dated May 30, 1702. This furnishes further evidence that the house was built previous to May 30, 1702, and was upon land joining the land of John Smith; which establishes the fact that it was upon what is now known as Angell avenue, Centerdale, and now is the residence of Thomas H. Angell. Without doubt he built the house sometime after the death of his father, in 1698, and before 1702 ; so it might be safe to say it was built about the year I700.
Although there are no important historic associations connected with the homestead of Epenetus Olney aside from the fact that it was built by one of the very early settlers of this section, and was the first house built in the village of Centerdale, but from the fact that there has been a mistake made in locating the homestead of Epenetus Olney, it seems but right and proper at this time to cor- rect the error.
In a work entitled "State of Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations at the end of the Century," edited by Edward Field, A. B., in Vol. III, page 627, the Epenetus
26
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
Olney house is illustrated and located on the west side of Woonasquatucket avenue, nearly opposite Emanuel street.
The house and farm described was known by local people as the Obadiah Olney farm. Obadiah was the son of Charles Olney and grandson of Epenetus, Jr., was born August 15, 1773, married Ruth Barton in 1793. and died in 1858. Without doubt this house was built by him soon after his marriage; consequently was only about 100 years old when torn down in 1898; while the real Epenetus Olney house antedates this house nearly or quite 100 years, and is still in a good state of preservation for a house more than 200 years old.
The following account taken from the early records of the town of Providence, Vol. IX, page 66, will furnish conclusive evidence and proof of the place in question :
"At a meeting of the Town Council held September 3. 1733, a committee was appointed to lay out a high way through the stated commons and to pass near the dwelling house of Epenetus Olney."
September 26 and 27th, 1733, the committee proceeded and laid out the same, and October 22d, 1733. presented their report, as follows:
"Persuant to an order of the Towne Councill of Provi- dence held the 3d day of September anno Domini 1733 for the Laying out of a highway, from the highway that was Already Layed out through that which was Com- monly Called the stated Common, and from thence to Extend northwestwardly neare the Dwelling house of Epenetus Olney: and so to the north bounds of the Towne of Providence.
"Where upon wee the subscribers being a Committee appoynted by the afore said Town Councill for the Com- pleating sd work went according to said order: and took
27
THE FIRST HOUSE.
our departure from a Pine tree standing in or Neare the north line Line of the Town of Providence, and from thence: S: 35: degrees East: 32: pole: to the East End of Stephen Angels Barne: thence S: 25d- & } E: 25 pole to a walnut bush: thence S: 10ª W: 18: pole to a stake: thence: S: 20ª W 34: P: to a stake thence: S: 46ª E: 17: P-to a Rock : thence S: 35d & ¿ E 24: P: to a Pine bush : thence: S: 24ª-E: 20 P to a Pine bush thence S: 45d - E: 20 P to a pine bush: thence S: 40d & } E: 14 P to a pine bush : thence S: 8ª E: 8. P to a pine bush thence S: 54ª: E-14: P to a pine bush: thence: N: 54ª-E: 20 P to a stake standing on the west side of the Wonasquo- tuckett River thence E: 6: P: a Cross said River to a heape of stones it being a Bounder of M' John Smiths Land; the three Last Courses are Laid: 3: Poles wide: thence S: 48ª-E: 20: P: to a white oake tree thence: S: 31d-E: 30 p to a black oake tree; thence S: 65ª E: 14 P to a black oake tree: thence N: 80d-E: 10: P to a Rock thence N: 72ª-E: 32: P: to a black oake thence N : 82d: E: 7: P to a black oake tree: thence: S: 20d-E: 4: to a white oake tree: thence: S: 46d -: E: 19: P-to a black oake tree thence: S: 29d- E: 9: P to a Popple tree thence: S: 12ª W: 9 P to a Rock thence: S: 28ª - E: 14 P: to a stone in Epenetus Olneys Orchard: thence S: 72ª- E: IO P to an Apple tree." (See map of old road.)
As will be observed, the courses and distances are given with great minuteness, and bounds designated with great care (like a pine bush, a stake, a white oak, black oak, or an apple tree) to the Woonasquatucket river. After cross- ing the river (the landmark being well known at the present day) the courses and distances in poles are carefully given to a stone in Epenetus Olney's orchard, making the dis- tance from the river to said bound stone 168 poles, which is less than a dozen poles from the house of Epenetus Olney, now the residence of Thomas H. Angell, and about
28
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
the distance the orchard would naturally be from the house. (See early records of the town of Providence, Vol. IX, pages 65, 66, 67, 68, or in the original Book of Records, No. 3. page 200.) While the Obadiah Olney place, which has been mistaken for the Epenetus Olney farm, is fully one mile further down the river, and no public highway was laid out by this place until 1844 (over one hundred years afterwards), when Woonasqua- tucket avenue was built (see chapter VI), the only way to reach it before that time was by a private driveway connecting with Fruit Hill avenue.
As a further evidence may be cited the deed of Nathaniel Day to James Angell, in 1770, in which the farm con- veyed was bounded on the south by the land of Samuel Olney, who was the son of James and grandson of Epe- netus Olney, and up to the year 1770 there had been but three Samuels in the Olney family. (See Olney Memorial. a genealogy of the descendants of Thomas Olney, by James H. Olney.)
One was the son of Joseph Olney the noted inn-keeper, who kept the old tavern, in 1776, on the corner of Olney and North Main streets, Providence, in whose yard stood the old Liberty Tree. His son Samuel was drowned in the Mississippi river in 1774.
Another was Samuel, son of Ezra Olney, who was born 1765, and consequently would be but five years old in 1770, and too young to have a farm in his own name. While Samuel, son of James Olney, and grandson of Epenetus, was born in 1745, and lived upon the place referred to until his death in 1813.
Upon the death of Samuel Olney, who died intestate, James Burr (a grand-nephew) was appointed admin-
29
THE FIRST HOUSE.
istrator upon his esate, and sold the farm to Isaac Bullard, who afterwards, in 1816, conveyed it back to James Burr. After the death of Burr the estate passed out of the descendants of Epenetus Olney's family, as described in chapter II.
At the time the house was built it was about one-half its present size: the east end, or about one-half its length, was the part built by Epenetus Olney, or as far back as the big old-fashioned chimney, which in those days was often built at the end of the house, and many times extending outside of the main body of the house. The west end was built sometime later; the exact time is not known, but probably after the death of Epenetus, in 1740.
The house is still in a good state of preservation for a house more than 200 years old, and is the property and homestead place of Thomas H. Angell, who was town clerk of North Providence twenty-five years, or until poor health compelled him to decline a re-election in November 1906.
CHAPTER V.
THE REVOLUTIONARY POWDER-MILL.
T HE people of every locality are justly proud of the part they or their ancestors have taken in any im- portant event whether of local or of national importance; and visiting friends and strangers are sure to have pointed out to them the noted house, or the exact spot, where the honored and memorable event occurred.
It is true that during the stirring times incident to the American Revolution, no battles were fought in the im- mediate neighborhood of Centerdale; and there is no evidence that a British officer or even a red-coated private was sheltered under the roof of the lone house which then marked the site of the now flourishing little village.
But Centerdale is not without memories of the Revolu- tion. Should you ask a resident of the village what im- portant part was taken by the people of this locality in the struggle for independence, you would have pointed out to you the place where was situated the Revolutionary powder-mill, the first and only one erected by the colony of Rhode Island, and provided one of the most important and powerful agents that gained for us our liberty and independence.
The years 1775 and '76 were times of stirring interest to the people of the thirteen colonies.
Rhode Island and her sister colonies were actively preparing for the great struggle that was clearly inevitable. The people of Boston had already held their tea party, the
31
THE REVOLUTIONARY POWDER-MILL.
lantern had been lighted in the belfry of Old South Church, the " Gaspee " destroyed, and the sands of Bunker Hill had been stained with the blood of brave patriots.
Everywhere in village and town men congregated in little groups, earnestly discussing the events that had already transpired, and pledging support to each other, and allegiance to the cause they had espoused.
The Rhode Island legislature was convened, and action taken to secure the safety of the State from an invading foe.
Military companies were organized in all of the little hamlets as well as in the larger towns. Committees of safety were formed and were gathering together all of the muskets and swords that had long lain idle in the homes of the colonists.
Without doubt but few realized the magnitude of the great struggle that was before them, nor were they con- scious that they were preparing the way for the birth of a great nation, and that ere long would behold the sun rise in all its morning splendor, and reflect its golden rays upon the grandest nation upon the earth; dedicated and consecrated to the cause of liberty and freedom.
But how few of them were conscious of the fact that the exigencies of war would draw so heavily upon their resources or call upon many homes to sacrifice upon the altar of freedom a loved one; a son, perhaps, or a husband and father, forever saddening the happy fireside.
Well and truly does Judge Staples say in the "Annals of Providence:" "The price they paid for liberty and independence perhaps cannot be estimated by any of the present inhabitants. We can count up the millions of dollars expended and number the lives that were lost in
32
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
that contest. But who can form an estimate of the sufferings of the inhabitants at large, and of the priva- tions they bore in raising that sum; or of the affliction and sorrow and pain that preceded and followed the deaths of the martyrs of freedom ?
"Want and misery were not confined to the ranks of the soldiery; they pervaded all parts of the country, and all classes of society. Pain and sickness and sorrow did not revel merely in the camp. They spread their de- vastating influence to the home of the soldier. If he returned himself, he bore with him the seeds of sickness, and spread them in his family, to blast his hopes of future comfort and joy. If he fell in battle, the mother, the wife, the child, drank of the cup of sorrow and suffering.
"The idea that can now be formed of the scenes of the revolution must be very faint and imperfect. It may well be doubted whether the most vivid imagination can paint the picture with all its horrors. How grateful must have been the news of peace, under such circumstances, to the war-worn veteran and his care-worn family- peace with liberty -liberty with independence, all that he wished, nay, more than he dreamed of at the outset, wrung from the grasp of the mother country."
It was evident to all that most of the munitions of war must be manufactured at home. Bounties were offered to those who would undertake the manufacture of supplies for the needs of the army that was about to enter the field. Cannon must be cast, muskets and swords manu- . factured, powder and balls provided.
Until the summer of 1776 all gunpowder used in the colony of Rhode Island was secured from outside the colony, most of it coming from Groton and New London,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.