USA > Rhode Island > Early Rhode Island; a social history of the people > Part 19
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 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
93 Cf. Brigham, pp. 200-203.
--
1768]
Hopkins-Ward Controversy
249
Newport was the center of business, wealth and culture at this period. King's, our familiar "south " county, was cognate in many characteristics, and Higginson con- sidered that it added features of the country life of Vir- ginia.9* The commercial interests of the port of Bristol allied it politically to growing Providence, but the south- ern part of the colony opposed the north.
This sectional diversity culminated in the canvass of 1755-1767, which was the fiercest controversy known in a controversial community. Stephen Hopkins led the north, winning over Samuel Ward, of the south. We must study the character and circumstances of Ward, as this contest reflects social conditions affecting the planta- tions then, and possibly now. Ward's grandfather had been attached to the Commonwealth in England; emigrat- ing to Newport, he was much respected there. The son Richard was a merchant and held many offices in the colony. Samuel was born in 1725. He went to the grammar school at Newport, then one of the best in the country. Doubtless he was tutored by his brother, a Harvard graduate.95 Certainly, he grew up in Berkeley's community, where, for the moment, light and leading was as good as anywhere in the world. At twenty-one years he was both merchant and farmer, for Richard's estates westward in King's took him out and mounted him as a country squire. Marrying Anne Ray, of Block Island, they were dowried with a farm in the southern part of Westerly and settled there. He kept a store in the vil- lage and was engaged in commerce, both at Newport and Stonington. He practiced farming-high for the time-improved the breeds of animals, succeeding espe- cially with Narragansett pacers for export. Consider-
94 Harper's Mag., LXVII., p. 439.
95 Gammell, " Samuel Ward," p. 237.
1
250
The Commercial Growth of Providence
ing the average life of New England, we may say that he represented both patroon and patrician. Ward was a fruit out of the world at large; Hopkins, his opponent, was the product of Rhode Island.
Mention has been made of the four brothers Brown. Their father, James, died in 1739. Their mother, Hope Power, descended from Pardon Tillinghast, was left a widow with six children under fifteen. Living to be more than ninety, she saw her four sons accomplished in vari- ous industries, and ranking among the foremost men of their time. This best of mothers bred them within the home, while without their Uncle Obadiah trained them in severe integrity and the better mercantile methods of the time. Schooling was limited, but these men were edu- cated through strict conduct of affairs. The brothers were now operating with Obadiah or as Nicholas Brown & Co. They distilled rum and manufactured candles of spermaceti, traded to the West Indies and turned their merchandise at home.
John, the third brother, should be noticed especially, for after Hopkins, he was the leading and essential Rhode Islander of the latter eighteenth century. The present writer was lucky enough to find 96 his first memo. or pocket day-book, running from October 23, 1755, to November 19, 1758. He was then nineteen and traveling on his brother's or his uncle's affairs. These shrewd entries picture the life as well as the ways of business in the Plantation of Providence. John could spell a piece of crockery ware into a "point boal," but his self-taught English was sufficient for the largest affairs and always clear. He appreciated academic education for others, laying the cornerstone of Brown University, and serving as its treasurer for twenty years. His first entries show 96 In MSS., N. Brown & Co.
--
251
1.757]
John Brown's Memo-Book
that he was keeping accounts, posting books for Esek Hopkins and others, chiefly at "nite "; 10s. to 15s. being charged for each service. The entertaining punch ap- pears frequently, and occasionally " my club " costs is. to 6s. at a tavern; once we have "Club at 6d. a dame." Again "Punch, playing Catt 19s." Abraham Whipple is often loaned a few shillings. "Watermillions " down the river ameliorated a hot day in August, when George Hopkins " overpaid your part of Expenses at the pru- dence frolick." Probably the clam was too common to be noticed. A curious transaction shows that Benjamin West paid £15. " for which I am to stand his chances of being Drafted out of the Melishe." Doubtless, the mean- ing was-drafted out to serve in the militia. Many sup- plies are furnished the brig Providence, including one pair Swivel Guns £100. by John Brown.
In May, 1757, he took the sloop Mary to Philadelphia, being furnished forth with a most varied list of family wants ; earthen tea pots for Aunt Brown, " Tea Board to seet wine glasses &c " for mother, " 1 seet Chaney " for Mrs. Angell. The sloop carried out candles, oil, whale- bone, rum, fish and two passengers at £1.7. and £2.0.6 .; returned with flour and other merchandise. An " Alle blaster Babe " (again "Babey ") was ordered and he booked for himself "Franklin on Electricity." Proceeds of a cheese from Mrs. Angell was to be laid out in Brushes. Geese feathers were often ordered from Philadelphia. No narrow home-territory could furnish enough ganders and goslings to fill the ever-increasing feather beds. Aunt Corlies replenished her " Chaney " by this convenient op- portunity. He bought a horse and rode home.
There was much intercourse with Nantucket where our manufacturers obtained their oil and " head-matter." In an interesting list of goods carried on one of his many
.
252
The Commercial Growth of Providence
trips, there are coats, jackets, " Briches," stockings, checked and white shirts ; and for fair and feminine cus- tomers silk and linen handkerchiefs, "7 white Nach- lasses, 4 White Caps, 1 Wigg, 1 Hat, 1 white Jackett." Captain John Beard paid four pistoles for $400 insur- ance on his sloop to Mountechrsto "Clere of all sea- susure." There are constant entries of sugar, rum, head-matter and goods of all sorts. Generally the prices are in lawful money, but all sorts of currency are used as in the above agreement for insurance. Providence and Newport, Warren and Bristol prosecuted whaling to some extent ; but Nantucket far surpassed them.
Joseph and Moses Brown might have been of the type of Gabriel Bernon's " learned men " of a generation earlier. But Nicholas and John were educated by the great cur- rent of affairs. Born of the best stock in narrow circum- stances, these youth were thoroughly disciplined in a Puritan home. Without, they took in large ideas from the mariners, who carried their small craft through the stormy subtropical seas, going sometimes to Europe, and traded their cargoes skillfully with Frenchmen and Span- iards. James Brown, the father, and Obadiah, the uncle, began as captains in this traffic and ended as merchants. These mariners afloat or ashore were intelligent, enter- prising men, dealing in the world's commodities, and sen- sible of the expanding opportunities of colonial English- men. Sufficient attention has not been given to the cir- cumstances of our community now looking outward, and comprehending the encircling world of commerce. A cen- tury earlier these protesting Puritans had been shut within themselves, indulging their freedom of conscience in petty struggles of common life, or in speculations on a future life and world beyond. In the atmosphere of the eight- eenth century, the descendants of these idealists went
T
253
1757] Eighteenth Century Brings Larger Citizens
abroad and, expanding in a wider existence, became large men for the time.
John Brown especially could enjoy at nineteen a tavern-punch or a Prudence Island frolic with vikings like the Hopkins' sailors or Abraham Whipple. But his leisure never wasted, was at times and at evening em- ployed in writing up accounts and regulating business for these fellows and companions. At twenty-one he was fitted for mercantile travel by land or sea, taking a vessel to Philadelphia, converting her cargo, riding home on his newly bought horse ; a merchant finished and accomplished in the ready school of experience. Ultimately as large in body as in mind-for he filled the wide seat of a common chaise-he was the most sagacious and enterprising citi- zen of the growing community of Providence.
As we turn into the middle decade of the century, we find great increase of comfort in the households. Besides the merchants, traders and mariners, commerce had created artisans and workmen, who worked the still-houses, coop- ered the casks and ministered to the personal wants of the new population. Many of these owned houses and eked out the living of the family on the homestead.
As an example of the man of moderate affairs, we have the inventory of Peter Thacher,97 owner of 3 Sloop Dol- phin, worth f350. He had a small stock of dry goods and a personal estate of £1121.12.4. His household goods included 15 teacups at £5.10., a box and 2 drinking glasses at 10s., a comb and tobacco pouch at 12s., a silver watch at fS0. We seldom get the detailed prices of a wardrobe. Let us quote, 1 frock coat £1.10., 2 jackets, 1 coat £3., 1 great coat £2., a fustian waistcoat £2., a black suit of clothes fll., two old "wiggs " £2.5. Leather breeches and cape coat £8., ticket No. 2939 in 97 MSS. Probate Rec., Vol. IV., p. 287.
254
The Commercial Growth of Providence
Pemberton's Lottery. He wore shoe and knee buckles. His fancy was not wholly engrossed by voyages of the Dolphin or chances in a lottery, for he played on a flute worth 10s., read "Poems on general occations " at 15s. Ovid's epistles at 15s., and two Spectators at 10s.
William Dyer, of the historic name, had books at £25. and wearing apparel at £110., with sword and spurs at £70. Silver tankards begin to appear, and Dyer's, with the spoons, cups, etc., was worth £355. A warming pan and " Chamber Utincels " stood at £12. A negro woman and girl were valued at £600. The personal estate was £2081.
We may compare Captain William Tillinghast's man- ner of living with these, though his estate, £4290.3.8., was somewhat larger. His wearing apparel at £180. was reinforced by a pair of gold buttons at £12. " Sun- dry silver vessels " were valued at £356. Glass and China ware "in ye Boaufat " stood at £33. The table linen was £36.16., glass and earthen ware was £9. Pewter was £36 .; tin ware £1. Iron ware £6., wooden ware £2., three brass kettles £14., two bell metal skillets £8. Knives and forks £2., old brass Chafing dish and kettle £2.10., one looking glass £25., and three were appraised together at £85. The clock and case were £200. One box iron heaters, two flats and a bread toaster were £5. These useful heaters were becoming common ; likewise cradles, and the Captain's with the bedding was worth £5. The negro man stood at £500., and the girl at £350. His sea chest, " quadrant book " and spy glass amounted to £20.
Wigs were common as well as knee buckles, while buckles for shoes seemed to be indispensable. The buckles were generally of pewter, often of silver and rarely of gold. They were more common than silver spoons. There was
255
1757]
Living in Large and Small Estates
no positive custom assigning the quality of the buckle to one's condition in life. A farmer, modest in other things, had a gold buckle. John Whipple, a shoemaker, with an estate of £1132.9., had " plate buttons and buckles " at £12. An estate of £483.9., with wearing apparel at £50., pewter ware at £14.4., had one pair shoe buckles at £10., one pair knee buckles at £6.
Hezekiah Smith, a farmer, with ten cows at £26. each, forty sheep at £2.10. each, in the good personal estate of £6600.3.6., was extravagant in his way of living. His wearing apparel at £200. was of the most expensive, and his watch and cane were £62. The value of 20 silver spoons was £77., and he had a silver cup. There were wheels, combs and cards with yarn at the weaver's.
In 1754,98 living under different conditions, was George Dunbar, of Bristol. He had much real property and £2261.17.2. in personal. With his wearing apparel at £150.5. he wore two gold rings at £8.4. Silver weighing 111 oz. 1 pwt. stood at £355.7.2. The library included 76 folios, quartos and octavos with 26 pamphlets, worth £85.10. A dressing box was 35s., and a turkey leather trunk was 15s. A shoe brush was recorded for the first time. Two diaper table cloths were £13. and two dozen napkins £2. In furniture there were 9 tables, large and small, at £59., with 28 chairs of all sizes at £42.10. and 18 pictures at £85.5., one looking glass at £30. Dutch tiles were to be much used in the coming half-century, and Mr. Dunbar had 1 dozen and 19 at £3.3. Clock £90. Snuff was plentiful beyond measure; a chalk and snuff mill at 5s., the stock in 7 bottles at £7., and for ready reference 5 boxes at 10s.
The table service was comfortable, but not excessive ; 11 saucers and 6 cups at £4., 8 china plates at £6. and 98 MSS. Probate Rec., Prov., Vol. V., p. 13.
256
The Commercial Growth of Providence
two china flower pots at 30s., the first mentioned. A pew- ter platter and 6 plates were £5.2. In glass were three decanters at £2.5., two cruets at 10s., two large beakers at 30s., a sugar dish and two glasses at 10s. A teapot was 40s., another with cup was 6s., a creampot and mug 10s., a mustard pot and salt cellar 10s., a sugar pot and jug 10s., an earthen platter 20s., an earthen cistern 5s. Tin ware was largely represented at £45., and the bell metal skillet at £5. was a favorite article in many house- holds. A brass skimmer and chafing dish stood at 40s., five candlesticks at £9.10., and the snuffers and dish at 25s. A dark lanthorn was 20s. and 118 lbs. " coco " £42.8. Not readily comprehended now was a "pot con- zino Roses " at 30s.
He bequeathed to his wife, Sarah Dunbar, directly for her life, one-third part of his lands and houses in Bristol, together with all the household goods " she brought me." It is likely these personal articles were not inventoried, and the fact accounts for the above fragmentary list of furnishings.
The wills of this period generally assigned the body to the earth, trusting that it would be returned to the testa- tor at the resurrection, through the " almighty power of God." Mr. Dunbar asserted the same faith in rather less material form. He was " expecting through the merits of my saviour Jesus Christ a Joyful Resurrection."
In contrast with this comfortable estate and circum- stance, we may note the belongings of a poor man ; which show how close to the bone he lived. John Road 99 was a laborer and wood-chopper, with a personal estate of £100.6. He wore clothing of the value of £4. and slept on bed and bedding worth only £5. His vocation appears in " awls, beetle rings, etc.," at £2.15. in a "raiser " (a
99 MISS. Probate Rec., Prov., Vol. V., p. 10.
257
Glass Ware Becomes Common
1757]
forester's implement probably) at £3.16. His avocations are indicated in two pairs woolen cards at £2., in a scythe and tackling at £1. He might have worked about, living with his employers ; as he owned a pig at £5., with a cow and hay at £30., it would appear that he owned or hired a small homestead.
We have three widows signing with the -. Prizilah Westcot left a small farming outfit, and her wardrobe amounted to £70. Elizabeth E. Arnold was better off in 1756, with a personal estate of £808.9.11. Her wearing apparel was £142., and ten small beaker glasses stood at £2. The beaker glass, which came in a decade or two earlier, was then specified as "large." Glass was being used much more frequently, especially for drinking vessels. Hannah H. Smith was the third relict making her mark.
Bethiath Sprague, a widow, had in personal property £615.17.11., and she expended £103.7. in her wardrobe. Now the record gives for the first time a silver chain for " siszors " at £4. A silver girdle and buckle with one pair silver sleeve buttons at £2., one silver spoon at £5., Bible at £1.10. Eight Napkins at £5.10., one table cloth at £1.10. Mrs. Sprague had the unusual ornament of a string of small amber beads at 15s. There was the usual
pewter ware, worth £2., including a chamber pot. The inevitable joynt stool stood at 15s .; in another instance one was valued at £5. Mary Dexter, widow's condition was essentially similar; estate £522., wearing apparel £90., two books £5., two silver spoons £11., two knives and forks 4s. She wore a gold ring at £9.3. Her warm- ing pan was worth £3., as compared with £6. for Mr. Dun- bar's. These two inventories indicate, as has been ob- served, that silver spoons were still a luxury. In another instance one gold necklace and two gold rings were valued at £27.17.6.
258
The Commercial Growth of Providence
Widow Mercy Tillinghast again had an estate of £733.8., with wearing apparel at £105.10., and one small pair gold buttons at £3. Her books were £12. and silver ware £79.12., table linen £21. Almost all the estates were amply equipped with feather beds. Two looking glasses and 16 small pictures stood at £16., the china and glass ware "in Beaufait " £26., pewter and tin ware £35. The prevalence of small pictures may be noted.
This beaufait, bo-fat or buffet came into frequent use in the latter eighteenth century. The cupboard, gener- ally built into the wainscoting of a corner, was hand- somely filled with china and the superior wares. In the better houses, the structure was ornamental in design, standing open or protected by glass or wooden doors.
In 1754 we have John Mawney 101 with a personal estate of £9050.7.8., including a large amount of notes and bonds. There was a small farming or village outfit, 1 pair of oxen, 1 cow, 1 horse, a negro man at £500., a woman at £300 .; but nothing indicating active business or trading operations. His condition appeared to be that of wealth or affluence. Certainly his wearing apparel at £333., with watch, cane and whip at £50., was profuse enough; and he wore a gold stock buckle. Silver plate was amply represented, 1 silver tankard, 1 do. teapot, 2 large "canns," 13 large spoons, 1 silver .
., 12 tea spoons, 7 porringers, 1 sugar dish and cover, 2 pepper boxes, 1 cream pot, 2 salts, 1 pair tea tongs, 1 small bowl, 1 small spoon strainer, altogether weighing 214 oz. 9 dwt. at 85, making a value of £911.8.3. Here we per- ceive a great advance in luxurious living in a half-century.
One coffee mill and a three-legged copper coffee pot stood at £8. The first tea cannister on record was worth £4. In China, 6 plates, 2 small dishes and 4 punch bowls 101 MSS. Probate Rec., Prov., Vol. V., p. 30.
٠٢٠٦
259
1757]
Common White Crockery Introduced
were appraised at £12., 6 " Burnt China " cups and saucers at £5. Again 12 cups and saucers were £5.9. 1 dozen plates £9., 2 large and 1 small bowl £10. In pewter the large quantity of 86 lbs. 12 oz. at £51.12. In tin and earthen ware £6.
All these dishes interest us in the development of the household, but for our present purpose the most impor- tant crockery is the two " white stone " tea pots, strainer and mustard pot at £1.10. This is about the first men- tion of this ware, which was manufactured in Engand before 1750. A, little later the production was to be stimulated and immensely increased by the discovery of " China stone " clay in Cornwall. This common pottery was to supersede pewter ware, and become the universal table and chamber service of the American people.
The furniture was of the best then prevailing; a mahogany desk £40., a small scritore £3., a looking glass, walnut framed and gilt, £45., a large black-framed glass at £40., a glass at £30., another at £12. Art did not interest the comfortable Mr. Mawney visibly, for he had only 4 small pictures at £2. and no books. In chairs there were new departures ; in the first mention of leather bottoms, 12 examples at £40., again with flag bottoms, 11 examples at £5.10. In a chamber set were 7 maple crooked backed chairs at £18. Tables were not remark- able, one black walnut folding at £12., one mahogany oval do. at £6. The negro servants were of the aristo- cratic sort, for their cradles and bedding were valued at £10.
In 1755 102 we are made grateful to Nicholas Tilling- hast, council clerk, for the first legible and elegant hand- writing. A great boon to posterity was the deft hand of Nicholas. While the wealthy inventories above represent 102 MSS. Probate Rec., Prov., Vol. V., p. 71.
260
The Commercial Growth of Providence
the expensive livers of the mid-century, we may study David Vanderlight's for traces of the best culture of that day. There were not many college graduates in the plantation ; Dr. Bowen represented Yale and Dr. Robert Gibbs Harvard. Even these accomplished physicians pre- scribed some unmerciful remedies, including the Bezoar stone. Mr. Vanderlight was graduated from the Uni- versity of Leyden, and thoroughly bred in his profession of apothecary and chemist. He married the sister of the four brothers Brown, and taught in their factory the Dutch process of separating oil and spermaceti. This change instituted a great industry for making candles.
The Vanderlight personal estate was £4375.14.4 .; in- cluding £200. in wearing apparel, £10. in shoes and boots and £30. in silver buckles, clasps, gold ring and silver money, with £1. in three seals and black buttons. Pro- fessional decorum was amply supported by " wiggs " in a box at £12. Plates, basins, dishes, porringers in pew- ter probably stood at £80. There was £57.8. in 7 silver spoons and £15. in 8 silver tea spoons and tea tongs. A hard metal teapot was £2.15. He had a fair amount of China and glass, with white "stone ware" at £2., as above mentioned.103 In 18 pictures with black frames was £4.10., in sundry books £20. in Dutch books £7., in a violin and flute £5. Altogether a sensible outfit whether Dutch or colonial English.
Books were few in number, as a rule. Shadrach Man- ton had 40 bound volumes and some in paper valued at £35. Richard Waterman had the value of £26. Silver watches were becoming common, say at £25., £50. and £80. It was pathetic that the first exporter and explorer in the London market, Edward Kinnicut, afterward died there. His personal estate was valued in Providence in 103 " Delph ware " is first mentioned in 1755.
1
·そ
1757]
Wigs Use " Some Christian Hair "
261
1755 104 at £15,033.1.2., including a stock of dry goods. Of this £45.6., a sterling value, was advanced 1700 per cent. to meet the wretched depreciation of our paper money.
Andrew Frank, a " negro man," showed a comfortable way of living with personal estate at £229.0.6. He was forehanded, possessing a note of hand worth £60. His modest wearing apparel was £20., and we may presume he read his " old bible," which was valued at £2.10. In hay he had 2400 lbs. at £17., to keep 1 cow and 2 calves. The most curious item is "1 gun pressed for the war and went " 105 £16. The bounty for said gun was £5. He had an hour glass at 10s.
1
Joseph Kelton, " cordwainer's," condition shows that the artisan's occupation was no barrier to a good marriage connection. In wearing apparel was £197.12., a silver pepper box, 16 silver jacket buttons, 1 pair shoe, 1 pair knee buckles, 1 neck buckle (the first mentioned) were all valued at £453.17.6. 19 Brass coat, 4 breeches buttons at £12 .; 13 catgut eyes do. at 10s. A shoemaker's bench and tools at £6.10. " Some Christian Hair " at £1. would indicate that the hair used in wigs so frequently did not go into this category. This personal estate, £343.19.6., was his own before marriage. His wife brought him £3163.3.10., including 4 feather beds and furniture at £678.8., one pair table coverlids at £10.10. There was plenty of gilt china and punch bowls; with "flint " wine glasses at 30s., the first mentioned.
The use of titles at this time was persistent and quite confusing. Mr. Kelton, " cordwainer," was living above the average condition of the community. Edward Kinni- cut was denominated Esquire; Samuel Winsor in 1758
104 Prob. Rec., Vol. V., p. 57. 105 Ibid., Vol. V., p. 114.
-
3
.
262
The Commercial Growth of Providence
was the first recorded Elder ; in 1759 we have a Merchant Taylor; the term mariner was often used; in 1760 we have Merchant simply, and Husbandman. But the fullest record embodying the serious ideas of the community in this respect occurs in 1756 106 when the commission for probating wills and making administrators on intestate estates was appointed. This was an important public function and the intention was to record each participant under his proper designation. We have accordingly George Brown, Esquire, Jonathan Olney, Gentleman, Barzillai Richmond, Gentleman, and Isaiah Hawkings, Yeoman, all of Providence. They appointed an adminis- trator for " Mr. Robert Avery, Merchant," who died at sea, intestate.
In 1757 Captain Thomas Manchester's inventory af- fords some interesting information. He had much fur- niture of mahogany and 16 "Banister Back " chairs at £30., the first mentioned. This was an important article in colonial living. Upright banisters often fluted with curved arm-rests made a comfortable and not too easy seat. The slat-back used also, was more simple in form and finish. Here were the first blue and white earthen plates, twelve at £4 .. and five finer do. at £2. A white counterpane at £15. The feminine element appears in a gold necklace, a locket, and gold ring, altogether worth £50. Insurance was written for £1400. on the sloop Providence, and the total personal property was £4089. 13.6.
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.