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 5
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As already stated, the law was strongly opposed by many of the country towns that were most to be benefited, in consequence of which little effort was made by these towns to enforce it. Because of this non-enforcement the law soon became unpopular, and was repealed in 1803.
Efforts were made several times, after the repeal of the law, to revive the movement, and each time the interest of John Howland could be seen endeavoring to firmly establish the cherished object of his life, the system of free public schools throughout the entire State.
The winter session of the General Assembly, 1828. proved a triumph for the friends of education. After a long and severe struggle. "An act to establish public schools throughout the State" was passed. Up to this time this part of the town enjoyed only such school facilities as could be obtained through the generosity of those who interested themselves in the cause.
It was a common custom for the people of a community interested in education, and having sufficient means, to build a schoolhouse at their own expense for the accommo- dation of the neighborhood, and charge a nominal rent
69
SCHOOLS.
to some teacher for the use of it. In some cases a teacher would be employed at a salary which was deemed sufficient at the time.
A small tuition fee was collected from each pupil attend- ing, to pay the salary of the teacher, which was in most cases from one dollar and a half to two dollars and a half per week. Not many of the old-time teachers, however, were paid as high as two dollars and a half per week. This high figure seldom or never was reached without a struggle.
Of course his board would be included, the teacher boarding around the neighborhood a week or two with each family; and without doubt the experiences of some teachers boarding around the country would furnish amusing and interesting reading.
THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE-1802-5.
70
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
Some time between 1802 and 1805 Nathaniel Angell, Olney Angell, Benjamin Whipple, and Roger Olney, by mutual agreement, formed themselves into a kind of a company with the object of promoting the general welfare of the community, and to provide better facilities for attending school. They caused to be built at their own expense the first schoolhouse ever built in Centerdale. This was about the year 1802, possibly a year or two later.
This schoolhouse was built upon land belonging to Nathaniel Angell, near the southerly corner of Smith and Steere streets, but stood facing the old road, as Smith street at that time had not been constructed. (See map of old road.)
Like most country schoolhouses of those days it was a small one-story building, 20 x 25 feet, with an ell, upon the end facing the road, 8 x 10 feet, for the entry; the boys and girls using the same door and entry. The end of the building was surmounted with a belfry and bell, which in those days was no common luxury for a country school- house.
The interior was arranged with a broad aisle through the center of the room, the floor being built on an incline, slanting from the sides of the room towards the center aisle, the desks being arranged lengthwise of the room upon the incline floor facing the center aisle, and the teacher's desk was upon a high platform at the rear end of the room.
It would be interesting to know the name of the first or any of the carly teachers, but unfortunately no record of them has been preserved, nor is there any one now liv- ing who can supply any of their names earlier than 1824.
71
SCHOOLS.
The only names I have been able to learn of those who taught in the old schoolhouse are Miss Ruth Richardson, who taught in 1824; Stephen Angell, in 1833, 1834, and 1835.
A Miss Briggs taught from August 1, 1836, to November I, when she was succeeded by John Colwell, November 21 of the same year, Mr. Colwell receiving twenty-three dollars per month salary. Mr. Colwell was succeeded, June 26, 1837, by Rebecca Steere, at a salary of three dollars per week; these figures being found in a memo- randum made in an old account book of James Angell, who was trustee of the school at that time. After Miss Steere came Jenks Mowry, Frank Anthony, and William W. Wright, in the order named; Mr. Wright being the last to teach in the old schoolhouse before the building was abandoned for school purposes, in 1848.
In 1823 the land where the schoolhouse stood was sold to James Angell who, in 1828, sold it to Asa Steere, who desired to build a dwelling-house thereon, and the school- house was moved across Smith street, nearly opposite its first location.
Here it remained until it became inadequate to meet the requirements of the increasing population, and in 1848 it was abandoned for school purposes, a new schoolhouse having been built.
In the summer of 1846 a meeting of the taxpayers of the school district was called, and it was voted to assess a tax upon the ratable property of the district sufficient to purchase a suitable lot and erect thereon a new school- house.
A piece of land was purchased at the corner of Smith street and Angell avenue (the site of the present school-
72
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
house), and a committee was appointed to proceed and build a house after designs furnished by Thomas Tefft, an architect, whose skill as an architect of school buildings stood very high at the time.
THE SECOND SCHOOL HOUSE, ERECTED 1848.
In due time a beautiful two-room house was erected, which at the time was considered one of the model school- houses of the State.
In November, 1848, schools were opened in the new house, Mr. Henry A. Cook having charge of the grammar department and Almeda Hartwell of the primary school.
Under their careful direction, and that of their suc- cessors, the standard of the Centerdale schools stood very high throughout the northern part of the State.
Soon after the State adopted the free school system, in 1828, the town was divided into school districts, cach district having full control of its school affairs, with the right to assess a tax upon all ratable property of the district to provide funds to erect school homes, and repair
73
SCHOOLS.
the same, and to defray the expenses incidental to the conduct of the schools.
The district around Centerdale was known as school district number five, and included the villages of Gray- stone, Centerdale, and Allendale as far as Emanuel street, and extended in the direction of Fruit Hill to Sunset avenue, and extended in an easterly direction to the Smithfield road.
The business pertaining to school affairs was placed in charge of one or more trustees, who were elected annually by the legal voters of the district.
It was sometimes the case in some districts that in- competent men were elected as trustees, whose only object seemed to be to install some friend or relative as teacher in the school, regardless of the person's qualification or the wishes of the people.
Occasionally some little neighborhood broil outside of the school, either in politics, or trade would enter into the election, and the result would be that the office would be filled by a person wholly unfit for the position, and the schools would suffer in consequence.
But this was not always the case, for some communities were fortunate to secure trustees who had the interest of the schools at heart, and in such cases trustees, teachers, and scholars would work in harmony together, and good results would be obtained; and it might be truthfully said that district number five was generally fortunate in secur- ing competent men for trustees to manage the school affairs.
But whatever the deficiencies of the district system may have been, it served its purpose in the early days of free
74
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
schools; but as the system of free schools developed with the increasing population, and the greater demands made by the ever-changing condition of affairs, it became evi- dent that the district system, which had answered well its purpose in the early days, had now become inadequate, and some change in the management of the schools was necessary to attain the best results.
At the January session of the General Assembly, 1884, an act was passed authorizing the towns in town meeting to abolish the school district system and transfer all of the school property into the hands of the town and place the entire management and care of all public school in- terests in a town school committee. The law was not made compulsory, but left it optional with the towns to adopt the town system or not; but in 1903 the law was amended, to go into effect January 1, 1904, abolishing the district system and requiring every town throughout the State to proceed and organize under the new law; as nearly every town had already adopted it. it was thought best to make the system uniform throughout the State.
North Providence was the first town in the State to adopt the new law, at a town meeting held June ist. 1885, and an immediate improvement in the school buildings and the general management of the school affairs was noticeable.
The first superintendent of schools under the town management was William W. Wright, who labored dili- gently and faithfully to effect the change from the obsolete district system to the town management.
Mr. Wright served as superintendent until 1887, when he was succeeded by George W. Gould, who served one year, when he was succeeded by James C. Collins, who
75
SCHOOLS.
served from 1888 until 1897, when he was succeeded by the following: Henry R. Hill, from 1897 to 1901; George M. Hall, from 1901 to 1905; Arthur Cushing, from 1905 to 1907, when Thomas P. Bassett was chosen superin- tendent.
Soon after the town assumed the management of the schools, it became evident that the school attendance had again outgrown the capacity of the house which was once the pride of the village, and that a new and more commodious house must soon be provided.
At a town meeting held June 27, 1885, an appropriation of $4,000.00 was made to provide better school facilities for the Centerdale district.
Messrs. James C. Collins, Preston L. Belden, Henry R. Hill, Herbert L. Eddy, Martin W. Thurber, and Benjamin Sweet were appointed a building committee.
THIRD, OR PRESENT SCHOOL HOUSE.
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
The result of the committee's labors was that a new three-room schoolhouse of modern design was erected from plans furnished by William R. Walker, architect.
The work of construction was under the direction of Benjamin Sweet, contractor, who commenced work dur- ing the summer of 1885, and the building was completed during the following winter, and was formally dedicated, February 22d, 1886, with appropriate exercises.
A large gathering of the people of the town, with the friends of education from adjoining towns, was present.
The dedicatory exercises were conducted by the chair- man of the building committee, Hon. James C. Collins. and addresses were made by Hon. Thomas B. Stockwell. Commissioner of Public Schools of Rhode Island, Rev. V. E. Tomlinson of Valley Falls, and Thomas J. Morgan, principal of the State Normal School.
Many congratulations were extended to the residents of the village for the beautiful building which they that day had dedicated to the cause of education. The build- ing contained three rooms, for grammar, intermediate, and primary departments.
Other rooms have been added from time to time as needed, until now the house contains six rooms with modern furnishings, including a steam heating plant.
The schoolhouse occupies an elevated and commanding site, and is surrounded by trees of many years' growth, making the surroundings attractive to a person entering the village.
CHAPTER X.
CHURCHES.
And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
ST. MARK XVi, 15.
TN 1830 the village of Centerdale had grown to be a busy little community. The mill had been enlarged to more than double its former size, several houses had been built, an old-time variety store established, a wheel- wright and blacksmith shop started, and also a tavern had been established; for in those days a country village would hardly be complete without its village tavern.
Previous to 1832 the village contained no building consecrated to God for holding divine services; but religious services were occasionally held in the school- house, and an occasional prayer-meeting at the home of some of the residents.
There was as early as 1816 a Baptist church at Fruit Hill, about one mile away, where those who were inclined could attend.
About 1830 the people desired a more convenient place for holding divine service than the schoolhouse afforded, and with the influence and help of the Anthonys, who had purchased the cotton mill, and the co-operation of the resident people, a substantial sum was secured as a fund to build a Free Will Baptist meeting-house.
The results of their efforts were that a stone edifice 37 x 56 feet was erected upon land secured from James Angell, upon the west side of Smith street, opposite the junction of Mineral Spring avenue.
78
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
The meeting-house, as it was called, was a substantial stone building, surmounted by a square belfry on the end fronting the street.
THE BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE. (ARMORY HALL.)
In 1835 a subscription paper was circulated to obtain a sufficient amount to purchase a bell. The original paper is still preserved, and a copy is here given with the names and amounts subscribed :
"We the subscribers being desirous to procure a bell for the Center Village Meeting House agree to pay the sum affixed to our respective names to be applied to that purpose.
" North Providence July 17 1835
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CHURCHES.
Halsey Sweetland
2 50
Adam Lawrence
I OO
Samuel Sweet
1
00
Martin Wheeler
I 00
Waterman Sweet
I 00 Brown W. Sweet
3 00
Timothy Colwell
I OO
Jenks Smith I OO
James Corey I
Elias Hutchins . 2
50
John W. Colwell
I OO
John Hutchinson
I 50
William Mathewson.
I
CO
A. Sawyer
I OO
William A. Colwell
I OO
Ephraim Whipple
I OO
Royal Waterman I
00
John F. Smith
I OO
Fenner Brown
2
00
James Anthony
15 00
E. M. Sears
I OO
James Angell
10 00
L. Ross
50
Asa Steere 5 00
Ebben Scott
I 00
Luther Carpenter
5 00
George Cummings
I 00
Ephraim Hawkins . 5 00
Dexter Edwards
50
William Woodworth 7 00
George Waterman I OO
Richard Briggs . 6 00
John G. Needham
2 00
Edwin Capron .
6 00
Stephen Angell
I OO
Obadiah Olney
1 00
Nathaniel Angell
2 00
Welcome Farnum
I OO
Ambross Eddy
I OO
Daniel Farnum
50
98 00
Ninety-eight dollars was obtained to buy the bell, and a fine, deep-toned, Spanish bell was secured.
A short time previous there was some religious trouble in Spain, and many of the bells upon the churches and convents were removed and transported out of the country to prevent their being confiscated or from falling into the hands of the opposing party.
Some of the bells were shipped to New York and Boston, and eventually one of them poised in the belfry of the Centerdale meeting-house.
This bell was made of Spanish bell metal and weighed about 600 pounds, and was inscribed as was the custom
SO
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
in those days; unfortunately no record was made of the words of the inscription before it was destroyed by fire in 1892, which also destroyed the building and its contents, including all of the church records, an account of which will be given later.
At the time of the fire spoken of, all the records of the early history of the church were destroyed; so it is im- possible to tell the date when this, the first church, was dedicated, except that it was in the autumn of 1832.
Rev. Elias Hutchins, Rev. Gilbert Whittemore, and Rev. Maxcy Burlingame were among the early preachers in the new meeting-house; but which of the three was the first to officiate is unknown; but certain indications point to Rev. Elias Hutchins as being the first.
How interesting it would be if a full and complete report of the first service held here, the name of the first officiating clergyman, the address that was made, the psalms and hymns that were sung and the attending incidents of that most interesting occasion; what a satisfaction it would be if a picture of that first gathering, such as the modern triumph of the art of photography could give of a like scene to-day, could be produced.
The interior of the house was not unlike other meeting- houses built in those days, and consisted of one large audience room, 17 feet in height, lighted by six large windows. 5 x 9 feet in size: across the end was the gallery. always to be found in those old-time meeting-houses, to accommodate the village choir.
The pulpit, which stood at one end, was of enormous size; the top of the reading-desk being fully nine feet above the floor. The pews were like stalls, or boxes. with doors to close and button the sides being so high
81
CHURCHES.
that only the heads of the congregation could be seen; while a boy a dozen years old could scarcely see over the tops of them.
The Baptist society continued to hold services in their "new meeting-house" until about 1845, when religious services under the direction of the Free Will Baptist denomination were discontinued.
At the annual convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Rhode Island, held in 1839, a canon was adopted, establishing a board of missions for the purpose of propagating and establishing missions in such parts of the State that had never been blessed with the privi- leges of worshiping God in the true church, as understood by the adherents of the Episcopal Church.
Committees were appointed to explore the northern and western portions of the State with special reference to this subject. They found some towns entirely destitute of a regular place for divine worship of any kind within their limits. Here was good missionary ground to work in, and the church was not slow to grasp the opportunity.
Missions were established in Burrillville, Johnston, Smithfield, Cumberland, North Providence, and other towns throughout the State.
Where meeting-houses of other denominations could not be had for holding services, halls were secured; and in the absence of both, services were held in the open air.
During the years 1844 and 1845 occasional services were held in Centerdale in the Baptist meeting-house, which was loaned for the occasion to Rev. James C. Rich- mond, missionary; the services were but occasional, their object being to sow the seed and patiently wait and watch for it to take root in the virgin soil and bring forth fruit;
6
82
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
and if the harvest was sufficient, to establish a mission station, in the hope that, with God's blessing, it might develop into a church to the glory of God.
As before stated, these meetings were but occasional. Until 1847 Rev. James H. Eames, who was at that time rector of St. Stephen's Church, Providence, interested himself in the missionary work in this direction, and. foreseeing the abundant harvest that might be secured. entered the field and held regular services in Centerdale once each Sunday.
He immediately entered into negotiation for the purchase of the Baptist meeting-house, and in 1848 he obtained a loan of $50.00 from the Convocation Missionary Fund to secure the stone church at Center Mill (as it was called). he receiving assurance that a sufficient amount could be raised, from those interested, to pay the balance due on the church.
Interest now increased rapidly in the work, under the guiding hand of that very devout and gifted servant of God, Rev. James H. Eames, who labored earnestly to establish the church to which he had given his life labors.
The interior of the building was altered to accommodate the services of the Episcopal Church. The high pulpit used by the Baptists was removed, a chancel and sacristy erected, and other improvements made, and ere long the mission was in a flourishing condition.
On account of the arduous duties at St. Stephen's Church, Mr. Eames was compelled to relinquish tem- porarily his work in this place, Rev. Josiah Phelps offici- ating as missionary for several months, when he returned to his home in Indiana.
83
CHURCHES.
In March, 1849, Rev. James H. Carpenter was ap- pointed missionary to this station. The following extract taken from his annual report to the convention held in Providence, June 12 and 13, 1849, will give an idea of the condition of affairs at that time.
"At Center Mill are the regular morning and evening services on Sunday, and a congregation not large, but increasing, and evincing some encouraging signs of interest. The Sunday-school, which a few weeks ago consisted of scarcely 20 members, now numbers 50, in- cluding 9 teachers. The choir have reorganized and resumed their appropriate services in public worship. A substantial and commodious stone edifice for the worship of God, capable of seating 300 or 400 persons, is already erected. A majority of the shares in this building were purchased by the church a year or two since, of its former owners and occupants, who were of the Baptist society. It is furnished with a good bell, and the proper church fixtures have been added. It now needs for the more complete worship of God in decency and in order a small organ, a communion service, a carpet, and a surplice. These things I hope the more able friends of missions and the church in our neighboring cities will not suffer it long to want."
Mr. Carpenter continued to officiate until March, 1850; from that time until November, of the same year, the place was filled by Mr. Gray, a lay reader.
About this time great interest was awakened in the home missionary work, and Rev. James Eames resigned his position as rector of St. Stephen's Church, Providence, to enter again the missionary field.
He was assigned to three missions, one at Greenville, one at Valley Falls, and at Centerdale. He entered upon his work at Centerdale the second time in November, 1850.
S4
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
On account of the distance between the three stations. Mr. Eames was required to walk or drive 100 miles every week in the discharge of his duties at the three stations.
The work proved too much for him, and he was com- pelled to give up the Centerdale mission in November. 1851. Regular services on Sunday were discontinued for a short time, but the Sunday-school was continued and was well attended and did excellent work. Occasional services, however, were held the following year by Revs. Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Fairbairn, and Mr. Mills, together with the general missionary, Mr. Eames.
In 1853 Mr. Eames was granted a leave of absence by the convention and was away fourteen months, traveling through the countries of the cast, principally Egypt and the Holy Land.
During his absence Rev. Benjamin B. Babbitt, of Massa- chusetts, was appointed missionary to fill his place at Centerdale, and regular services were again held. It was during the time of Mr. Babbitt's labors here that he conceived the idea of a mission at Olneyville, and with the consent of the board of missions entered upon his labors, the outcome of which was the establishing of the Church of the Messiah at Olneyville.
Upon the return of Mr. Eames from his travels, in 1855, he resumed the care of the mission.
The church found many obstacles to overcome. The population was small, and largely inclined towards the Baptist faith: there being Baptist churches already es- tablished at Allendale, Graniteville, and Fruit Hill, all within a radius of one mile. And in consequence of the limited population and the existing circumstances, the board of missions decided to discontinue further efforts
85
CHURCHES.
to establish a church in this place at that time. The last services held here by Mr. Eames was Christmas night, 1855.
The discontinuance of the mission was much regretted by the faithful few who had labored to establish the church, but they bowed in humble submission to the inevitable, hoping and trusting that the seed sown by His faithful servants had fallen upon good ground, and when watered with the dew of His blessing would spring up and bring forth an abundant harvest in the near future.
The meeting-house, as it never ceased to be called, remained closed for holding divine services until April 29, 1863, when it was sold to James Halsey Angell, who removed the pews and other church fixtures and trans- formed it into an armory, or drill-hall, for the use of Com- pany A, First Regiment Rhode Island Militia, which was organized during the Civil war in accordance with a law passed by the General Assembly ordering the organizing of the State militia. The hall was named Armory Hall, and was ever afterwards known by that name until it was destroyed by fire, February 6, 1892. An account of the fire, published in one of the Providence newspapers, is here given, which also gives a brief account of the last few years of its existence:
"About 2 o'clock Saturday morning, February 6, 1892, fire was discovered issuing from the windows and roof of Armory Hall. The alarm was soon given, but before many minutes the whole building was enveloped in flames. Evidently the fire had been raging for some time before it was discovered, in order to have gained such headway. In the absence of all fire apparatus nothing could be done to save the building and the attention of the people was turned
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