USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > North Kingstown > Facts and fancies concerning North Kingstown, Rhode Island > Part 12
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The two questions which interest us most are what part the Wickford cannon played in the capture, and how much liklihood is there that the cannon now at Kingston station is the one that belongs on this point.
As to the former, there are certain bits of testimony. One included in the state archives is a bill of William Hammond, a North Kingstown man, for the services of a pair of oxen "two days carrying the 18-pound cannon and tending upon her for the capture of said ships."-that is the Syren, Sisters and Two Mates. The General Assembly allowed more than he asked.
In a long bill turned in by Henry Greene, whose total a thrifty legis- lature cut to almost one-fourth its original size. is this item: "To four oxen to help get the 18-pounder gun down to the Point-12 shillings." You will note that it's "the 18-pounder," which cannot mean anything other than the Wickford cannon.
There is another bill -- that of Edward Carr to suppers for thirteen men when on their march to the capture of the Syren ship. This is dated No- vember 6. And on July. 14, 1778, the smoke having cleared away, the Council of War voted that "30 pounds be paid to captors of the Ship Syren," and the record contains the indorsement, "John Northup of the Newtown Rangers received this sum on behalf of the captors."
It seems to me conclusive. Nowhere is there reference to any other gun than the 18-pounder being on the scene. In a published paper on the affair Mr. William Davis Miller gives the affidavits of two men, papers which came to him from Elisha Potter. Edward Lock of South Kingstown testi- fied that he marched with arms to Point Judith on the morning of November 6, and "after a smart engagement I with others took said schooner," the Two Mates. He saw John Pain Peckham and Martin Murphy there, but mentions no others. Murphy's affidavit said he got there just after the schooner was taken and names three Steadmans, Lock and Peckham, all South Kingstown men, as being present. Mr. Miller's conclusion is that the Wickford cannon did not arrive in time to capture the Syren, but was present to fire on Capt. Blake and his force when they came over to try to burn the wreckage. But his only reason for this opinion appears to be
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that the Wickford cannon was too far away to have participated in the actual capture.
It is a striking circustance that "the 18-pounder" is the only cannon the records actually place at the Point. Where were the two guns allocated to South Kingstown? Were they not at Point Judith at all, or were they fixed and immovable, or was the job all over before their crews got around? There is a question we'd like answered, but hardly can hope it will be.
There is, however, a possible explanation of a difficult state of affairs. We may venture to theorize briefly. It is known to all of us that when a vessel is in distress her plight is discoverable from the shore a long time before the actual wrecking occurs. The British did not know Point Judith as the natives did. Watching the three vessels, they would know the exact instant when it no longer was possible for them to extricate themselves from their peril and it became inevitable they should be cast ashore.
But a ship's fight against fate may last hours. Suppose the messenger started for Wickford (the South Kingston cannon being elsewhere at the time, or perhaps spiked with no Samuel Bissell handy); suppose he started for Wickford some time on November 5, the moment he saw the ships were trapped. The distance is perhaps fifteen miles; the cannon could make that in five hours, traveling all night. As the day broke it was in position on the Point, loaded and amied, and Furneaux and his command proved ready prey. Anything which saved them from the sea would have been welcome then. Something like that I believe is what happened-and that the Wickford cannon, unaided by any other 18-pounder, turned the trick.
There is just one more matter I want to call to your notice. This is that there is no record that the gun returned to Wickford-no bill for ox hire or other evidence that it left the Point. It took a good many men to guard 166 prisoners on their march to Providence, and the cannon may well have been left until finally, the need no longer existing, it was forgotten.
In the course of my injuiry three years ago I met Mr. James P. Hennessy of Wakefield, who told me an interesting story. It was in effect that his father, James Hennessy, was engaged in buying and selling scrap iron, collecting it everywhere and shipping to a Providence foundry. One of his customers was Henry Knowles, who owned the farm at the end of Point Judith. One day Mr. Hennessy found a cannon stuck on the pile of iron Knowles had gathered from wrecks. He paid for it with the rest, but as it was too heavy for him to lift unaided he left it for a later trip.
The next he heard of the cannon some lads from Peace Dale had carted it away. In an election celebration at Peace Dale it discharged pre- maturely, seriously wounding a man.
Kingston village borrowed the gun. At Kingston in an Independence Day celebration in 1876 it repeated its Peace Dale performance, killing one man and wounding another. Thereafter it was taken to the blacksmith shop of Solomon Fayerwether.
James P. Hennessy was a lad of nine and with his father when the latter for the second time bought the old cannon and took it away. As the boy rode beside his father to Kingston station the latter said to him that this cannon was the one which captured a British man of war. He had the story from Henry Knowles, who in turn had it from his father.
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That is the cannon which now is at Kingston station. Mr. Hennessy hesitated about sending it to the foundry to be recast, and finally threw it to one side. It lay neglected for some time, and one day Mr. Taber, station master, had a pile of rocks erected and the cannon placed thereon.
Is that the Wickford cannon? I don't know. If not, it's a replica. And as I have said it's not very heavy.
*EDITOR'S NOTE: The Pettaquamscutt Chapter, D. A. R., placed a tablet on a boulder at Poplar Point commemorating the episode of the activities of the Newtown Rangers and their cannon during the Revolution, and dedi- cated it with the above address. The following is the inscription on the tablet: "On This Point During The Revolution, Stood a Cannon Protect- ing Updike's Newtown, Now Wickford, Against 'Enemies Excursions On The Main'. It was Manned By The Newtown Rangers, Which Were Char- tered April 17, 1775. Erected by Pettaquamscutt Chapter D. A. R. Septem- ber 22, 1936." Unfortunately, during the hurricane and tidal wave of September 21, 1938, this tablet, and the boulder upon which it was placed, was washed into the seething ocean. However, after a time it was found not far from shore and it has been again placed on Poplar Point but father from the edge of the bluff, where it now stands.
THE STORY OF AN OLDSTER C. ALFRED POTTER
I HAVE been in Wickford for many years, in fact all my life for I was born here, and throughout the intervening years have seen changes take place that would tax the imagination of the aquaintances of my younger days. My memory goes back over the years to the time when sailing vessels in num- bers tied up at Wickford wharf, and their crews, on landing, went up and down the thoroughfare now known as Main street; of days when coal oil and candles were seen in every house; and the elms which once lined and shaded Main street in the warmest summer months, before age had filled them out and sent their branches above the roof tops in their effort to reach the sky.
I saw the coming of the railroad, and many times heard the steamboats with their decks full of passengers as their whistles sounded "All Ashore." Yes, I saw them come and saw them each depart never to return.
The horses which were everywhere not so many years ago, walking or galloping through the street are now vanished from our view; but I remember them. I remember, too, the motor cars' first advent, whose com- ing, forced them off the road; which, like their cousins of today, rushed by at speeds which would frighten the inhabitants of earlier years.
And what of the hurricane of 1938, you ask? I recall that too, most vividly and shall until my death, for I, like others, received no warning of its approach and was promptly engulfed in the high water that accom- panied it, on its rush from South Cove. I remained under water for hours and thought every minute that the force of the tide would carry me away 'with it. It was the most terrifying experience I have ever had throughout my long and eventful life. I guess that I am lucky, otherwise I most cer- tainly would have been carried out to sea in the receding tide and then I could not have told this story.
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I could go on and tell you about changes without number which have taken place in this village during my lifetime, but I have no mind to do it. I think that those I have already spoken of will be enough to furnish some idea to those now living in Wickford what the village was like before the coming of the motor car which caused the greatest change.
Who is it, you may ask that witnessed the narrative of this story and still remains today? I will tell you. I am a wooden peg that used to hold the coats and hats of men who frequented the shop that existed many years ago in the cellar of what is now 59 Main street, and listened attentively to their yarns throughout my life from my station on the wall, until today, for- gotten by the passing crowd who gave up coming to my room many years ago; I look down upon a symbol of this mechanized age in which we find .ourselves; the tank that holds the fuel oil that heats the rooms upstairs.
THE WEAVERS OF NARRAGANSETT IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
NELLIE CAMPBELL HAMILTON
T THERE were many hand looms and many weavers who wove cloth for
themselves and their neighbors, when it was then taken to the fulling mills, washed, shrunk and pressed ready to be made into clothing and bedding. These hand looms were in use until about 1840. Weaving was considered a very respectable occupation.
The most popular of these weavers was Martin Read whose mother ·died when he was seven years old, but before she died he was apprenticed to a diaper weaver where he served until he was of age. He had only one term of schooling but he read many books, mostly on the art of weaving.
He lived near the first sit of the Narragansett church and the cellar hole can still be seen. Here he employed many apprentices whom he taught to ·sing at their work. He wove a variety of things-coverlets, linen, towcloth, ·calimanco and crocus which was a coarse cloth used for servants wear.
He was baptised in St. Paul's church in 1761 and was an active member, acting as sexton and parish clerk for many years, leading the singing, :and during the Revolution, reading the prayers and the service for the .dead. He had a large family and one son was rector of Christ church in Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
There were several other noted weavers. It is said that the Regicide Judge Whaley earned his living in this way, and there were Robert, John and Thurston Northup who wove coverlets and carpets. Thurston Northup was also a school teacher.
"Quaker Billie Rose" who died November 8, 1913, was also a weaver, :and the late President and Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt once called on him to inspect his looms and antiques, and to buy coverlets.
Stephen Northup and Freeborn Church and other local carpenters made the looms and spinning wheels, but with the coming of power looms, occupation for all these people ceased.
One set of weavers went from house to house, weaving the articles needed for a small amount of money and their keep.
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THE POTATO BELL EMILY G. N. GREENE
"Did ye hear the potato bell? Has it rung?" the old woman said. "I'd bile the kettle but my head Is bad and I can't rightly tell-" "Tell what, in heaven's name?" I cried. "Why, if the 'tato bell be rung. Perhaps it's only that the tide
Is beating into Bissell's Bay. Down where the foam is on the rocks,
That's where it's sure the song is sung,
Of spools and bobbins, loom and quill,
The shuttle works the weaver's will,
But tide and time, they're all the same I'm never one to hold to clocks,
To idle is a sinful shame.
And faith, when I was brisk and young,
I'd weave until the bell was rung
Then home I'd go and make the stew.
Them were the days my children grew On spuds and tea and my own bread. I wove bright colors in the mill And earned my pay and I could still But for the clatter in me head.
'Tis. age that's broken off my thread.
I think they can not fill my place. They say that no one runs my loom, That it stands idle in the room
Up near the tower, where the bell
Is hung." I looked and saw no trace
Of tower or bell upon the roof And so I said, in mild reproof. The woman looked and bowed her head.
"Aye, yes", said she, "the bell is gone. I recollect, it rang all day
Before the great wind blew it down.
It could be heard for miles around,
Clanging and tolling on and on,
Before at last the tower fell And water drowned the ringing bell. But I must get me on my way. I'd thank ye kindly, if ye'd tell, Has it yet rung, the 'tato bell?"
Note :- When steam whistles were invented, the mill bell at The Hamilton Web Co. continued to be rung at eleven thirty on working days to remind the village housewives to prepare the noon meal. Hence, it was called the "potato bell". The bell, which hears the date 1862, together with its cupola. were blown down in the hurricane of September, 1938.
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SCHOOLS
EDITH MASON DAWSON
SCHOOL houses were unknown in North Kingstown for about 165 years after the first white settler arrived. Until the 19th century educational training was available only for children of wealthy families who studied with private tutors. Often young men lived with families of learned clergy -. men, notable among whom was Dr. MacSparran, for the purpose of carrying on their education.
Early in the 19th century, however, the construction of public school houses was seriously considered, for at that time only a small proportion of people could either read or write.
The people of North Kingstown, Newport and Providence united in establishing the Washington Academy in Wickford, the charter for which was granted by the state Legislature in June, 1800. The funds for construc- tion were obtained by subscriptions of 100 shares at twenty dollars each and by the sale of lottery tickets (the latter method was a common prac- tice when public funds, even for churches, were needed). For a time the Academy ranked second only to Rhode Island College, now Brown Uni- versity. However, in a few years through the negligence of its trustees, its charter was annulled. In 1848 school districts three and four leased the building and grounds for 99 years at one cent a year. Thus it continued till September 8, 1874 when, by incendiarism, it was burned to the ground. The following year another wooden building was constructed at a cost of $9,500 plus $2,000 insurance on the original building. Until its comple- tion in 1875 school was held in the brick building at the corner of Brown street and Hamilton avenue. The second building burned in February, 1907, and was replaced in 1908 by the present brick structure.
The first school house in the town was built about 1806 in Quidnessett, not by public funds but by three public-spirited men, Thomas Allen, John Wightman and Thomas G. Allen. The building was used for both meeting (church) and school purposes, as was common in those times, until 1837 when it was moved and became a part of the dwelling of the owner. An- other Quidnessett school was built later with public funds.
An interesting account of this first school house describes it as being "about 24 feet by 26, with an entry across the east end, nine feet posts and arched overhead. There was an elevated pulpit and desks with balusters on three sides, and old-fashioned writing desks and benches without backs, fastened to the walls of the house on two sides."
Another writer says of schools of that period that "the long writing desks on either side of the house, and the seats without backs and made of slabs, gave way in about 1855 to chairs and settees and other appliances of ease and comfort for the school room."
Still another writer says, "The scholars in those earliest days, working at their reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic, were dressed in moss-covered flannel or sheep's gray kersey. The school master was clad in old English costume-large, broad skirts, velvet knee breeches, long gray stockings and broad-buckled shoes, with powdered hair and braided queue."
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In 1807 Daniel Havens taught school in a room in the house of Royal Vaughn near Devil's Foot.
The second school house was built by William Reynolds in 1808 in Potowomut and it, too, was later converted into a dwelling. About this time a school in Davisville was built by Ezra and Jeffrey Davis.
In 1828 the Legislature passed a bill providing a free school system and appropriated money for public schools. The same year the town was divided into districts. Interest in education increased and more school houses were built.
It was customary for many decades for the school teacher to "board around" in the homes of trustees or parents of school children.
At the town meeting of June, 1828, the first school committee, con- sisting of fifteen men, was elected. On June 21, 1828, the first school com- mittee held its first meeting. Following are interesting enactments of the school board:
"Voted, that schools be opened in each district on the first Monday in December, and be continued twelve weeks. Voted, that each school teacher keep an exact account of the actual attendance of each scholar, and lay the same before this Committee at the end of the quarter. Voted, that the money received from the state be divided among the districts in proportion to the number of children that shall have actually attended school. Voted. that Lemuel Burge be a committee to examine such teachers as shall be directed to him. Voted, that the Committee of each district shall hire the teachers, pay their portion of the money and the balance they must receive from the parents of the scholars, and each Committee is to locate the schools."
By 1832 there were twelve public and eight private schools. In October, 1838, there were fourteen districts and 1044 children under sixteen years of age. In 1844 there is an interesting record of school being kept in a room of the Gilbert Stuart house. In 1846 the districts were organized as incor- porated bodies and trustees, clerks, collectors and treasurers were elected. In 1860 the money divided between the districts was $2,033.29. In 1870 the state appropriated $2,083.16 and the town $1,500. In 1887 the town appor- tionment was $3,500 and the superintendent received $200 of this amount.
For many years it was customary for one of the town ministers to take over the duties of superintendent of schools and it was not until 1914 that a full time superintendent was appointed.
That disciplinary problems arose "in the good old days" is attested to by an incident that occurred in Stony Lane school. One of the scholars related to the writer that on a certain winter day the older boys decided they were in need of a holiday. Early before the teacher arrived to start a fire in the stove which stood in the school room, quantities of old burlap bags were stuffed into the chimney. Dense smoke and an unruly stove resulted in dismissal of school for the day. Needless to say, the bags were quietly removed the following night. Red pepper was sometimes sprinkled on the stove with equally satisfying results to the scholars. A resident states that an unpopular teacher in the Davisville school once had an unpleasant experience where he was placed. for a short time, under the floor of the school room, a floor board having been ripped up for the purpose by the scholars. The same resident relates that a boy in Barbour's Heights school,
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after having been whipped by the teacher, fell to the floor in a seemingly unconscious state. The teacher, thoroughly frightened, ran to fetch the mother and upon their return found the boy standing and grinning at them.
About 1860, two Chadsey sisters had a school for small children in their home on Fowler street (second house from Main street), Wickford. Another private school was kept about the same time in the house on Main street near the post office, now owned by Dr. Pelser. Miss Tourtelot conducted a school in a building in the now vacant lot at the corner of Main street and Church lane. When the building burned the school was removed to the Avis block.
About this same period, too, Miss Porter kept a private school in a small building (since adjoined to a building across the street) located on Main street either just west of Ye Olde Narragansett bank or west of the adjoining property on the west. Somewhat later the Parish school of St. Paul's was conducted by John Shaw in a building (now demolished) south of the bridge on Bridge street.
At various times a singing school and an evening school for children were held at the so-called Gladden house, the second house west of Pleasant street on the northerly side of Main street. A short time ago when the house was being remodeled an attic floor board was ripped up revealing some interesting papers that had belonged to John Cooper, Jr. (married in 1808). Among them was a bill rendered by Henry R. Reynolds, teacher, for the following items: "For tuition of your son, Harry, the turn (term) of seventeen evenings-$o.17; for tuition of your daughter, Mary Ann, five evenings. . $o.o5; for wood-$0.05; total $0.27."
In 1893 the first free school books were issued.
By 1900 there were sixteen district schools. But in 1901 the district system was abolished and was replaced by the present system of consolida- tion. A high school was established in 1901 in the Wickford library and the following year classes were also held in the nearby Gregory building and Mathewson Hall (now demolished).
High school students living out of Wickford were given passes on the Sea View electric railroad. In 1908 the high school was transferred to the second floor of the Wickford school on Phillips street. Another transfer was made in 1932 upon completion of the present junior-senior high school. Children from out-lying districts are transported in school busses.
In use at present are school buildings housing primary and grammar grades in Wickford, Davisville, Lafayette and Allenton.
The 1939-1940 school report shows a total enrollment of 986 children of whom 259 are four-year high school students. A total of $88,038.55 was spent for educational purposes, of which $70,750.00 was appropriated by the town and the remaining $17,287.55 was paid by the state, by tuitions from out-of-town students, and by dog and poll taxes.
The educational system of the town has, indeed, progressed.
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OLD SOUTH COUNTY and the SOUTH COUNTY MUSEUM
J. EARLE BACON
TATE in the fall of 1933, a small group of men sat before the fireplace in a Club in Providence, lamenting that the knowledge of the early New England industries, trades and hand crafts was already nearly lost, obscured by time and smothered by the clatter and clash of this mechanized era.
The result of that talk was the incorporation, as an educational institu- tion, of the South County Museum of Rhode Island.
We frequently hear the question, "What is this 'Old South County of Rhode Island' all about?"
Well, it may be said to be a condition of mind, as it does not appear on maps as village, town or county. It is a sentimental area much loved by Rhode Islanders for it beauty, its legends, and because in that southwestern section of the State much history was made. There was the home of the "Narragansetts", the federation of a number of tribes. There did Roger Williams build a Trading Post only a very few years after his arrival in Rhode Island in 1636. This Post was on the shore of Narragansett Bay only about three miles from the largest Indian Villiage, the home town of Miantinomi, the Great Sachem who was the steadfast friend and ally of Roger Williams for as long as he did live.
There was fought the "Great Swamp Fight" which shattered the Nar- ragansett Nation and there about 1700 did the State set aside some thou- sands of acres as a refuge and home for the remnants of that really great nation; for remember that it was the treachery and greed of the whites that caused them to turn from friends to enemies.
There very early in the seventeenth century (quite probably as early as 1618) did the Dutch traders build two forts and establish trading posts. An officer in the Dutch West Indian Trading Company said to the Plymouth folk in 1636, "Why should we give up our Posts and fortified forts in Sloup Bay (later Narragansett) when we have traded here years before you Eng- lish ever saw it?"
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