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 6
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toward saving adjoining buildings, especially the Centerdale Hotel, which was literally covered with sparks and cinders, but was saved from destruction partially by the presence of about two inches of snow which covered the roof. The fire from the hall communicated with a small wooden structure used as a barber shop and occupied by H. E. Turner. By 4 o'clock both buildings were totally con- sumed. The origin of the fire is unknown. The hall was insured in the Pawtucket Mutual Insurance Co. for $2,000; the barber shop was uninsured and is a total loss. Both buildings belonged to the estate of the late J. H. Angell. The burning of Armory Hall removes an old and familiar landmark from the town, and will be regretted by many of the townsmen who were accustomed to assemble there upon different occasions. The hall was a stone structure 37 x 56 feet and was erected in the year 1832 by the Free Will Baptist Society, who held services there about 13 years when services were discon- tinued, and in 1847 the house was sold to the Episcopal Society, who held services there until 1855, when services were again discontinued, which ended the building's career as a regular place of worship. In the year 1863 the property was sold to Mr. J. Halsey Angell, who transformed it into Armory Hall for the use of a military company which was organized here during the Civil war. At the close of the war the hall was remodeled into a public hall for general purposes. The order of Good Templars and the Temple of Honor occupied it from 1871 to 1874. In 1886 it was again remodeled and a stage erected and a set of scenery added. In 1890 the Centerdale Athletic Club occupied it for a gymnasium, and continued to do so until it was destroyed by fire Saturday morning. The club lost all of their paraphernalia, upon which there was no insurance. The basement of the hall was occupied by the Young American Band as a band room ; they losing about $150, in instruments and uniforms, etc. The loss of the old bell, which was allowed to occupy its accustomed place in the belfry, is much regretted by the public generally, as is mani- fested by the frequent calls for a small piece as a token in remem- brance of the many times it chimed forth its sweet and melodious notes, sometimes calling the people together to worship, and at other times calling forth in more stirring peals for men to assemble in defence of their country, or to battle with the fiery fiend which at
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this time had encircled its home and forced it to give up its life (as we might say), for its voice will be heard no more. But the faithful old servant gave a farewell stroke as it descended into the fiery cauldron below, which was distinctly heard by those present. The bell was cast in Spain upwards of one hundred years ago, and was considered of unusual fine and mellow tone."
The destruction of Armory Hall removed the only place where public gatherings or religious services could be held in the village; for the doors of Armory Hall were always opened free of any charge by Mr. Angell to any denomination who desired to hold divine service there. But as a rule the services were but occasional.
Spring came, followed by summer, autumn, and winter, for more than two-score years before the beautiful services of the Episcopal Church were again exemplified in Cen- terdale. The seed sown by those early missionaries had long slumbered, but had now taken root, and in February, 1897, the harvest time was at hand; and God in His infinite wisdom directed the footsteps of His faithful ser- vant, Rev. James W. Colwell, thither to gather the golden harvest. It would have been difficult to have found a man more especially qualified to undertake the arduous work than Mr. Colwell. He was a man of large ex- perience in the work in Christ's vineyard, of pleasing address and tireless energy, and he entered upon his work here with renewed ambition, feeling that he was to complete the work begun by his esteemed friend, Dr. Eames, so many years before.
The people of the community during the long time the church had remained dormant had affiliated themselves with other denominations in adjoining villages, there being less than half a dozen Episcopalians within the
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limits of the village; thus it will be seen that he had no easy task before him. He must first interest and educate the people in the faith and forms of the church. In this work he was especially gifted, and was ably assisted by his daughter, Miss Mary E. Colwell (now Mrs. B. M. Latham), who labored tirelessly for four years with her father, traveling through summer's sun and winter's snow upward of ten miles every Sunday to labor in the church she so much loved and to help establish St. Alban's mission.
REV. JAMES W. COLWELL.
There being no hall in the village in which to hold ser- vices, a small room in a building on Waterman avenue was donated to the use of the mission by the Centerdale Wor- sted Co., and a generous friend of the church contributed suitable furnishings; and February 21, 1897, services were
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held there for the first time, Rev. James W. Colwell officiating, assisted by Arch-deacon Tucker.
The attendance was very encouraging. The object of the meeting was explained by both the officiating clergy- men, who earnestly implored the blessings of God to descend upon the community and to encourage in the hearts of the people a desire to labor for the establishment of the church to the glory of God. They also told of the earnest efforts of Dr. Eames, who labored so faithfully in the endeavor to establish the church in Centerdale so many years ago.
After the service Frank C. Angell announced that he had in his possession the communion service, bible, and prayer book used by Dr. Eames in his labors here forty years ago, and desired to present the same to the new mission.
The bible, prayer book, and communion service had been carefully cared for by Mr. Angell and his ancestors, as treasures too sacred to be put to common use; and now, after nearly half a century had passed, he rejoiced that he had the pleasure of returning the treasures to the use to which they had been dedicated.
The attendance increased at each service, and soon the room was far too small to hold all who came; but many were content to stand outside of the building and listen to the inspiring words of the earnest and faithful mis- sionary.
The name of St. Alban's Mission was suggested by Mr. Colwell as a suitable name for the mission to be known by, and the congregation readily adopted the same; and the society has ever since been known by that name, in memory of the first Christian martyr in England.
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To afford an opportunity for the ladies to labor for the advancement of the work of the mission, The St. Elizabeth Guild was organized; and to the persevering efforts of this little band of willing workers is largely due the credit of erecting the beautiful St. Alban's church, which now adorns the village.
Interest in the work continued to increase, and April 22. 1897, a meeting was called that a general interchange of opinions might be had as to the advisability of erecting a church. At a subsequent meeting committees were ap- pointed to solicit funds for that purpose. The generous donation of the Centerdale Worsted Company of one thousand dollars, and the gift of a beautiful building site. centrally located (where the St. Alban's church now stands), by Frank C. Angell, encouraged the giving of many liberal amounts, and the widow's mite received the same blessing of God as the larger amounts received.
At a meeting held April 12th, 1899, the following resolution was passed :
"Voted, That a committee of three be elected. to be known and called the building committee, with power and authority to proceed and erect or cause to be erected a suitable building or church edifice suitable for holding religious services according to the established custom and forms of the Episcopal Church."
Frank C. Angell, William Dracup, and James W. Col- well were elected as the committee.
Designs furnished by D. H. Thornton, architect, were accepted, and April 17, 1899, ground was broken for the foundation, which was placed by William A. Sweet. The contract for the building of the church above the
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foundation was awarded to John A. Chase, contractor and builder. The work progressed rapidly, and June 22, 1899, the corner-stone was laid in accordance with the usual forms of the Episcopal Church by Bishop Coadjutor William N. McVickar, assisted by a delegation of the clergy.
ST. ALBAN'S CHURCH.
After the corner-stone was laid the building began to assume its beautiful proportions; the spire gradually ascending heavenward, surmounted and holding aloft the golden cross, the emblem of Christ, proclaiming to all the world that "all who believe and are baptized shall inherit eternal life."
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In due time the church was completed, and December 19th, 1899, was delivered into the hands of the committee by the contractor.
The work of placing the pews and furnishing the in- terior was rapidly pushed forward, and February 21st, 1900, the third anniversary of the founding of the mission, the church was formally opened and dedicated to the worship of God by Right Rev. Bishop William N. Mc- Vickar, assisted by a delegation of the clergy.
The mission was now firmly established in its new home, with an encouraging future before it. A small debt which was upon the church at the time it was dedicated was paid January 1, 1906, and June 16, of the same year, it was formally consecrated by Bishop McVickar. The sermon was by Rev. George McC. Fiske, D. D., rector of St. Stephen's Church, Providence.
The day was one long looked forward to with much interest by the members of the little parish, and would have been a day of unalloyed pleasure to all had not the vacant seat within the chancel rail told the sad story that the beloved rector (James W. Colwell), who had labored so long and faithfully to establish St. Alban's Mission, had been called away to receive the reward of the faithful and hear the joyful tidings. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
In November, 1905, Mr. Colwell was stricken with paralysis at his home in Greenville. The news came as a heavy blow to his many friends, especially so to the mem- bers of the mission, who fully realized that this was but the beginning of the end. He never recovered sufficiently to resume his labor's at St. Alban's. While visiting his
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daughter, at Mansfield, Mass., he was again stricken, immediately after asking divine blessing at the evening meal, and soon expired. His death occurred April 26th, 1906.
During the time that Mr. Colwell was unable to officiate at St. Alban's Mission the place was filled temporarily by Richard James and Henry Harman, lay readers, until March 25, 1906, when Rev. Alva E. Carpenter, rector of St. Peter's Church, Manton, assumed charge until October 7, when he was succeeded by Rev. Edmond C. Bennett.
METHODIST CHURCH.
THE CENTERDALE METHODIST CHURCH.
During the summer of 1896 William H. Tilley, a local preacher of Mount Pleasant M. E. Church, assisted by
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Mr. C. A. Lockwood, and others, held religious services in the open air in the village; the first one occurring July 12, 1896. These open-air meetings were held regu- larly each pleasant Sunday until October 23, when the weather became too cold for out-of-door services; and as no hall was to be had, William H. Tilley, to further the work he had inaugurated, purchased a lot of land on George street near Smith street, and at once proceeded to erect a small church, doing much of the work himself. January 3, 1897, saw the church completed, and the first services were held within its walls at that time.
The formal dedication of the little church occurred June 17, 1897; the presiding elder of the Providence district, Rev. Mr. E. C. Boss, officiating; and great interest was manifested by the members, who worked earnestly and devotedly for its advancement.
At a session of the Methodist Episcopal Conference, held a few months later, it was deemed unwise to organize a M. E. Church at Centerdale at this time. Whereupon the members of the new church voted unanimously to organize as an Independent Methodist Church. Mr. W. H. Tilley, who had acted as assistant pastor, was elected pastor, and June 27, 1901, was formally ordained to the gospel ministry: and under his direction and his untiring energy and generosity the church still continues on with its good work.
ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH.
(Roman Catholic.)
Until the summer of 1907 Centerdale was included in the parish of St. Thomas church, at Manton, about two
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miles distant, necessitating quite a long walk for those who desired to attend service, and many were unable to do so from some disability or the infirmities of old age.
ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH.
As the population increased the adherents of the Catholic Church increased accordingly, and eventually numbered about 400 communicants in and around Cen- terdale. On account of the distance of St. Thomas church from Centerdale, and the size of the parish, a plea for a division of the parish was made to Rt. Rev. Bishop Har- kins, who, after carefully considering the question in all its bearings, decided that the best interest of the church could be served by a division of the parish and establishing a new church near Centerdale; believing that the people would be more conveniently accommodated and have a more home interest in the work than they would have in a place of worship more distantly removed.
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In compliance to his wishes and orders the parish was divided, the new one receiving the name of St. Lawrence parish, and Rev. Joseph Hardy was assigned to take charge of the same. Father Hardy was a young priest, and especially qualified to undertake the arduous task, and entered into the work with much energy and en- thusiasm, and soon awoke among his parishoners a lively interest in the church work. A room was secured in Allendale, where services were held temporarily, or until other arrangements could be made.
The members of the new parish soon saw the urgent need of a larger and better place for holding divine services than the present room afforded and in a building suitably arranged and consecrated to His holy name.
A suitable site for a new church was secured near Centerdale, on Woonasquatucket avenue, corner of George street, and June 17th, 1907, ground was broken for the foundation of the new edifice. The work of construction was now pushed rapidly forward by J. C. Walch & Co .. contractors, from plans drawn by Messrs. Fountaine & Kennicutt, architects. The size of the church is 45 X 100 feet, with a spire 107 feet above the street.
October 20, 1907, the corner-stone was laid with the impressive ceremony of the Catholic Church by Rt. Rev. Bishop Matthew Harkins, D. D., assisted by a large delegation of the clergy. The sermon was by Rev. Thomas C. O'Brien. The first service was held in the unfinished structure October 13, 1907, Rev. Joseph Hardy, rector.
CHAPTER XI.
THE VILLAGE TAVERN.
[N ye olden times a country village without a tavern would be as devoid of life as a schoolhouse in vaca- tion time, and would offer little inducement for people to remain long within its limits.
The taverns in those days were the center of the com- munity and a very important feature in the life of the town, socially and otherwise; they were the farmer's club-room, the village bureau of information, the main center for obtaining the news from abroad, as well as the village gossip. Newspapers were only occasionally seen, and a farmer who could afford a weekly or monthly paper was always a welcome guest at the gatherings around the open fire-place of the tavern room. There would be discussed the price of hay, corn, potatoes, wood, and other products of the farm; there was planned in the long winter evenings the work for the coming season, advice was sought and given in reference to everything of interest to the community; occasionally politics were reviewed and party campaigns planned.
Aside from the home, there probably is no place to which the minds of our grandfathers would revert with more pleasing recollections than the evenings passed in the public room of the old-time tavern.
Pleasant indeed must be the recollections of those early days; the swinging signs, the rattling stage-coaches, the stories and adventures related around the cheerful blaze
7
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of the open fire-place, and the merry dances held at these taverns attended by the people from all the country around.
The hotel of to-day has little in common with the tavern of one hundred, or even fifty years, ago. That close neigh- borly companionship formed around the hearth-stone of the tavern room has long since disappeared.
It is not difficult to understand some of the causes that has brought about this change. The introduction of new industries, employing many transient people who do not remain long enough in any place to have anything in common with the old residents, or to take any interest in the welfare of the community; the rapid and con- venient ways of traveling to and from the neighboring cities for business and other purposes; the diffusion of the news from all parts of the world through the daily newspapers delivered at the doors of almost every home, together with the changes incident to the mode of living in modern times, are some of the chief causes of the de- cline of the old-time village tavern.
To give a history of the old tavern, now called the Centerdale Hotel, without calling attention to its founder. James Angell, would be like trying to tell the history of Rhode Island without alluding in any way to Roger Williams. So it is but fitting that a review of the life of one so intimately connected with the early history of the village of Centerdale, and whose life-long interest was so identified with its progress, should be given at this time.
James Angell was born December 5th, 1781, and came from sturdy old Puritan stock. He was the son of James Angell and Amey Day, nee daughter of Nathaniel Day (mentioned in chapter II of this work), and was a direct
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lineal descendant of the fifth generation from Thomas Angell, who came with Roger Williams from England in 1631, he being one of the five persons who constituted Roger Williams's little party when he came and founded the city of Providence in 1636 .*
JAMES ANGELL.
The early life of James Angell was not unlike that of other boys brought up on a farm. He inherited a strong and robust constitution, and his boyhood days upon the farm were well calculated to firmly knit his young frame together. He was possessed of wonderful vitality, and seemed never to tire from work or appear fatigued; nor was he ever sick a day in his life until the illness that caused his death at the age of 89 years. His habits were
*See Chapter II.
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correct in every way. He was a very temperate man in the use of ardent spirits, although not an total abstainer.
As evidence of his wonderful vitality, it may be men- tioned that at the age of eighty-five years he would go into the field and do what would be considered a good day's work for a man of forty years; and in the haying season would take his scythe and mow with the rest of the men; and in the parlance of the hay-field, "no man could mow his heels."
He was of a genial and pleasant disposition, cordial and courteous to all, and seemed to possess a certain amount of unassumed dignity which commanded a re- spectful recognition from all. He took an active interest in all that pertained to the moral and intellectual welfare of the community, and was foremost in all philanthropic enterprises. He was honored many times by his towns- men, who elected him to various public offices of the town, including that of representative to the General Assembly for the years 1843-44-45.
He was twice married: the first time to Lydia Olney. the second time to Selinda Ray. Six children were born by the first wife: Elisha O., Amanda, Amey, Nathaniel. Hannah P., and Henry J., and two were born by the second wife: James Halsey and Adeline F.
It is interesting to note the extreme longevity of the family. The combined ages of James Angell and four of his brothers at the time of their death was 424 years. an average of nearly 85 years each; while the combined ages of four of his children was 329 years, an average of over 82 years cach; and one of the sons died at the age of 94 years.
While yet a young man James Angell decided to emi-
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grate to the State of New York, or, as it was then called, to the far west. He accordingly gathered his household goods together, and, placing them, with his little family, consisting of his young wife and two small children, upon an ox-cart, started on the long and tedious journey. This was in 1808, many years before the advent of the steam railroad.
After arriving at his destination he purchased a farm near Saratoga, N. Y., where he remained three years, or until 1811, when he returned to Rhode Island, making the return trip in the same manner as he had gone; the time occupied in the journey being about three weeks each way, which is quite in contrast with the modern method of traveling in a vestibuled train of drawing-room cars and making the journey in a few hours.
Shortly after he returned he leased the farm and tavern known then as the "Thayer Stand," on Fruit Hill, and renamed the stand "Fruit Hill Tavern," and ever after the locality has been known as Fruit Hill. It received its name on account of the delicious fruit which grew there in abundance, especially cherries.
In 1822 Mr. Angell's lease expired, and he removed from Fruit Hill and decided to establish a tavern at Cen- terdale (or Center, as it was then called). Early in the spring of 1824 ground was broken for the erection of the structure, which was soon to be noted as the most popular and hospitable tavern in the northern part of the State; the house was completed during the summer, and late in the fall of the same year was opened to the public.
James Angell was well calculated to be a successful landlord. His old-time courteous and dignified manner, combined with his genial and generous disposition, es- pecially fitted him for the host of the village tavern.
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CENTREDALE HOTEL.
CENTERDALE HOTEL IN 1873.
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The house is 30 x 55 feet, two stories in height, and at the time it was built was not adorned with the piazza which now runs the entire length of the front of the build- ing; but there was a porch, or stoop, as it was then called, that ran across the south end. This, however, long since disappeared by being enclosed in the body of the house.
Ten fire-places constituted the heating apparatus, while two brick ovens served to bake the bread and pastry and roast the turkeys for the dances held in the winter-time in the hall that occupied a portion of the second story.
This cozy hall, 18 x 30 feet, was built with an arched ceiling 16 feet in height, and at each end was a fire-place, with brass andirons cleaned and polished to such bright- ness as to reflect around the room the soft light of the glowing fire, which added much to the cheerfulness of the room and helped the feeble light of the twenty-five or thirty candles, supported by circular chandeliers of tin, suspended from the arched ceiling. These, with per- haps a half-dozen candles upon the mantel-shelves at the ends of the hall, were expected to furnish ample light to properly display the costumes of the fair damsels as they tripped the light fantastic toe to the music of the orchestra stationed in the little boxlike balcony, or alcove, in the side of the room, fully nine feet above the floor.
These festive occasions were always supplemented by a turkey supper, prepared under the direct supervision of the landlady; and it was at these times that she was afforded an opportunity to display her skill in the culinary art.
Turkey suppers in those times were not served in courses, but in the good old-fashioned way; all of the
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good things being tastefully arranged upon the table before the guests were seated.
The uncarved turkeys were placed upon the table, flanked by all of the fixings incidental to such suppers, together with many kinds of pies and cake (all home-made, of course). Fruit, consisting of apples and raisins (and sometimes oranges), were arranged in tall glass dishes; and if the occasion was of especial note, nuts were in- cluded; but almonds and pecans were only provided for very special events.
As already stated, the suppers were served in one course, everything being placed upon the table and everybody helping themselves to as much as they desired. It was always served at 12 o'clock, after which dancing would be resumed and continued until daylight.
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