USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > North Kingstown > Facts and fancies concerning North Kingstown, Rhode Island > Part 15
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
Thos. Frye cr. by one hog 184 pds. at 6 cents adm. to Polly Frye estate $11.04. Gov'r Christopher Day to cash left at my house .22 cts. James Havens, old man, one opthalmia 17 cts. cr. 1/2 bu. potatos. D. Mann, advice leg .25 cts. Jas. Gardiner, delivering wife $4.00. Corey Pierce, 24 pills cicutate .58 cts. Widow of Jos. Cox cr. 1/2 ton hay, had to cart it myself.
124
17
in
0
2
1
NT
الوسط ١
.
FERRIES
LILLIAN ROSE GARDINER
T THE first ferries were merely row boats and canoes. Some were round- bottomed with a seat around the sides capable of holding a dozen passengers. The ferryman used crossed oars and stood in the middle of the boat as he rowed. Later came open sail boats of jib and mainsail type. They were usually between thirty and forty feet long and were suitable for carying small vehicles and cattle as well as passengers. Horse ferries were used for a time. These were large open-decked boats and were operated by horses on the idea of a treadmill.
Several provisions relating to ferries were made by the General Assembly. Ferrymen were ordered to "carry all officers on the King's business and the post ferriage free." They must "be ready to transport passengers from 5 A. M. to 8 P. M. from March 10 to September 10, and from 6A. M. to 7 P. M. the balance of the year if weather will permit." How- ever, "physicians, surgeons, and midwives, and persons going to fetch same must be carried at any time of night."
Travelers were entertained often at ferry houses over-night. A waiting room was provided and very often there was a bar. Most of the ferryman's: profit came from the latter and this is probably the reason why there was so much rivalry in seeking ferry franchises.
NORTH FERRY
"In the earliest time of the colony" ferries ran between King's Towne, Jamestown and Newport. There was a "landing place or ferry known in 1707 as Daniel's Landing Place, later as Northup's Ferry," and still later as North Ferry about one-eighth of a mile south of Plum Beach, near the center of a quarry. Tradition says there was an important ferry there previous to this date. The ferry continued to operate until 1815 when the wharf was damaged by the famous September gale and it was abandoned.
SOUTH FERRY
The South Ferry has been known at various times as Smith's, Wes- quage, Narragansett, West, Boston Neck, Franklin's, Cottrell's and Easton's. Its location is still known as South Ferry and as Fort Kearney. The Smith brothers established a ferry there in 1695 and it is not unlikely that there. had been a ferry in the same location before they bought the property. Certainly there was a landing place there at an earlier date. The ferry operated almost continuously, except perhaps for periods during the Revo- lutionary War, until 1894, and after that occasionally until 1906 when it was abandoned.
-
SAUNDERSTOWN FERRY
In the meantime, shortly after July, 1888, Saunderstown Ferry was established and it ran until it was destroyed in the hurricane of 1938. It was rebuilt and continued to operate until 1940 when it was discontinued upon completion of the Saunderstown-Jamestown bridge.
NOTE: For further information see A History of Rhode Island Ferries- 1640-1923, by Anna Augusta and Charles V. Chapin.
125
:
10
.
TOHLE MING
BEAVER TAIL FERRYBOAT
THE BEAVER Tail, a double-end, side-wheeler, made its first trip in 1896 between Saunderstown and Jamestown. During the hurricane of 1938 it went ashore on Jamestown and was destroyed. Its machinery was sold for junk. One of the pilot-houses is now being used as a waiting room for school children on the East Road in Jamestown.
I26
THE HUGUENOTS IN NORTH KINGSTOWN ELIZABETH NICHOLSON WHITE
'THE voyage was over at last. With a rattling of the great chain the anchor splashed into the silver-liquid harbor. The land stretched flat along the north, west and south shores. The air was dove-colored with the rosy rays of the setting sun, making beautiful, indescribably harmonious tints, which were reflected on the smooth face of the water. Many ducks and gulls floated idly half asleep.
-
The group of men and women with their children stood rather de- jectedly and wearily on the deck of the ship, awaiting the time to disembark. The dock at the warehouse of Mr. Smith and Mr Updike was covered by a number of persons from the town of Wickford, curious with interest to see what the new-comers looked like. Beside the English settlers there were Indians and colored slaves, who helped to carry bags, boxes and belongings of all sorts to the shore.
These French refugees had escaped from different cities in France where their lives had been made miserable by the Dragoons who had been quartered in their homes in the attempt to make them renounce their Protestant form of religion. More than forty families came to Narragansett under the care of Mr. Berthon, Dr. Peter Ayrault and their minister and guide, Ezekiel Carre. They were truly foreign and unfamiliar with every- thing about them. They chatted in French, expressed their relief that the long voyage was over. The women with their little ones first, then the men with their most treasured possessions, set foot upon the Narragansett shore, where they were to struggle for a living, free from persecution as they hoped.
Some of these newly arrived French had already paid for their land, some were to take three years, some had been financed by the Royal Bounty and Consistory of the French Church in London, and others by the English people's bounty, as the people of England were greatly in sympathy with the Huguenots.
Mr. Smith, the most important man in Wickford, with Mr. Updike had a lumber business and traded with the Indians and the Dutch-furs, implements and blankets.
"What might ye be bringing in these great chests?" inquired Mr. Smith who was strolling between heaps of baggage on the dock.
"Those are grape vines, apple and mulberry shoots, Monsieur. We have . heard that the earth in Narragansett is perfect for such. We intend to have orchards and vineyards and a silk industry." The opinion of the women who stared not over friendly was audibly expressed.
"How grand that would be to have silk made in our own country," one of the women onlookers remarked. "These French look very pleasant even if they are worn out. I hope they don't find it too hard here, such small hands,-such pretty faces." "Their pride will help them, and their Psalm singing! I hear they sing as they work."
Mr. Smith's house was the largest in the town so several went there and other people put them up in their great barns until their hastily-prepared homes could be built. The final place they chose to live was four miles
127
:
7
from the ocean and ten miles from Newport. They had planned for their minister to live on one side of the "Great River running East to the Bay", with their homes as near around him as possible.
These enterprising people, after four or five years, succeeded in making such fine wine from their vineyards that they made a name for themselves in Boston. Unfortunately France and England were at war by then with the result that these aliens were under suspicion. The result was that one day when Dr. Ayrault returned from a ride through the plantations where he had called on the sick, he was grieved to find his wife in tears and his children crying their hearts out.
"I can't stand it", sobbed Madam Ayrault, "such looks and shrugs !- such names as the neighbors call us! They even chased the children home today, calling them 'spies', 'Catholics', as though we would try to hurt this land where we are beginning to feel at home."
"Those are just the ignorant sort of people, my dear," comforted the Doctor looking out of his little window. Suddenly his manner changed, he turned and strode out of the door angrily. His field of hay, ready to be cut, was being trampled down by men and boys.
"What are you doing to my hay?" shouted the Doctor.
"This is our land, we bargained for it before the French came here," said one of the men. "We've put up with you long enough, we don't trust you. We are loyal English. We have made up our minds you had better leave or we will burn you out." "We mean it," they shouted as they walked off, leaving Dr. Ayrault shaking with indignation for their ingratitude. Many a winter night he had gone to the sick and suffering English as well as to his own French people. He had thought that after they had all sworn allegiance to the English King, these Greenwich settlers would be satisfied. He walked back to his home, head lowered, heavy hearted.
"It is true," he said to his wife, "we must leave this place before more violence is done to us. We shall go to my friend, Mr. Bernon's, in Newport. He will help us I am sure."
These Greenwich men treated the other French settlers even more harshly. They burned their winter supplies of wheat and corn, and broke up the French settlement. Some of them went to Boston, some to Milford, New Rochelle in Connecticut, and some to New York. After the war was over several of the Huguenots came back to North Kingstown.
The good minister Ezekiel Carre, recorded as Ezekiel Carr, bought -land of Peter Brenton.
Matthew Grinnell bought land from Lodowick Updike. Dr. Ayrault's son Daniel, Gabriel Bernon and Esther Bernon also bought land of Lodo- wick Updike. Mr. Bernon also bought land there from Joseph Smith and the Austins.
Mr. Bernon's daughter, Esther Bernon Powell, bought land from James Eldred, Parker Whitford Jr., Mary Fones and Mercy Chadwick. Peter Tourgee bought land from James Beaham. James and George Thomas bought land from Nicholas Gardner, James Kenyon and Gabriel Bernon, while Peter Mawney bought land from John Congdon, David Nicholas and Isaac Anthony. These French through their marriages have many descendents living today in our little state.
128
IT
£
للـ
7
1
L
1
The glimpse of the Huguenots is like a flash of color, like the scent of lilacs and grape vines. We know they lived where wild grapes and lilacs continue to grow, near ruined deserted hearths. The spirit of these people still sheds its influence today. The men were industrious, intelligent, enter- prising and deeply religious. The women conservative, home-loving, fond of pretty things, needle point, lace and dainty silver, cherishing above all else the Word of God and His Holy Scripture. The Narragansett church, which moved about rather as they moved about, is a fitting symbol of their tenacity to their belief and to the purity of their form of worship. Here they united. Here in Wickford they built their ships. Here they found a refuge to fit them for further struggles to establish God's Kingdom on Earth.
* *
Additional notes on the Huguenots from Rhode Island Historical Tract No. 5, by Elisha Potter, 1879.
"The Rhode Island colony who had control of the Narragansett country, as soon as they were sure of their ground, and sure the tenant would be safe from the natives, commenced to look for purchasers. They sent an agent to London to solicit for land purchasers. This agent heard of the French Protestants or Huguenots, so he opened correspondence. He ex- tolled the fertility, dwelling upon the vineyards of wild grapes, styling it the 'Western Vineland.' He offered terms so reasonable as well as ample protection from the natives, that these French emigrants accepted the terms and placed themselves in the hands of the company. They sailed from an English port; the vessel was chartered for a landing somewhere on the west shore of the Narragansett Bay.
"As things then were, the southern or Boston Neck lands were the only lands then held undisputed. Even this was later questioned. They landed at Hamilton as that was by far the best harbor on the coast. Here they were made comfortable until a more satisfactory and permanent place could be found. It is supposed that these immigrants were at Hamilton some three years; the first layout that was offered them was a tract which was named Newberry in honor of Walter Newberry, the Boston Company's treasurer ... The site was finally looked at by the committee and rejected. The Company next laid out a tract that to this day is called Frenchtown, which was accepted and removed to, and the Hamilton home abandoned for good."
:
.
129
LIGHTHOUSES
EDITH M. GRANT
POPLAR POINT LIGHT
THE United States government records show that the old Poplar Point Light Station was established in 1831. Congress by an act of March 3, 1831, appropriated $3,000 for the beacon light at or near the entrance of Wickford Harbor, Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. This property was purchased from Thomas Albro, under a deed dated April 16, 1831.
The consideration for this purchase was three hundred dollars. State jurisdiction was ceded by the General Assembly in June, 1831. Under a contract dated June 1, 1831, between Christopher Ellery, Collector of Customs for the District of Newport, and Superintendent of Lighthouses, and Charles Allen of Kingston, Rhode Island, it was agreed that the second party should construct a lighthouse, dwelling and tower, for a consideration of one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine dollars.
A contract bearing the date June 21, 1831, was let to a Mr. Winslow Lewis of Boston for fitting the lighthouse with lamps, reflectors, oil heaters, etc. This was at a stipulated price of three hundred and seventy-five dollars.
In November, 1831, Samuel Thomas, Jr., received from Secretary of the Treasury the original appointment as Keeper of the lighthouse. His salary was fixed at three hundred and fifty dollars a year.
E
POPLAR POINT AND WICKFORD LIGHTHOUSES
The light was shown from an octagonal wooden tower (same tower still standing) rising above the eastern gable of the dwelling, elevated forty-eight feet above high water. A sixthorder steamer lens and arg and argand lamp were in 1855 substituted for the eight old wick lamps with their fourteen-inch reflectors.
A new lantern was substituted for the old one in 1871 and certain partitions and woodwork (lining and closets) done within the dwelling.
The light was finally discontinued in 1882, having been supplanted by a lighthouse in the bay-present location. Mr. Albert R. Sherman of Pawtuxet, Rhode Island, bought the property at public auction on October 15, 1894. It has been greatly enlarged and has been a private home for some years.
130
WICKFORD HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE
Wickford Harbor Lighthouse was established the same day Poplar Point Light was discontinued, November 1, 1882, on Old Gay Rock a few rods north of the old light. This was a frame house painted white, with red roof and was a well-known, attractive landmark in the harbor for fifty years. It ceased to function on June 23, 1930 when a steel structure . with automatic light was erected beside it. Soon afterward the frame house was demolished.
PLUMB BEACH LIGHT
This light, less than fifty years old, was discontinued in 1941, upon completion of the well-lighted Saunderstown-Jamestown bridge.
THE SHIFT MARRIAGE
MARY TAYLOR WHITNEY
THIS form of marriage was very unconventional, to say the least, but was practised occasionally in Rhode Island Shift Marriages have been recorded in many towns; East Greenwich, Warwick, South Kingstown and several others. The reason for this sort of marriage was this: If a man died owing money, his wife was responsible for the debts and if she took another husband, he was forced to pay them unless the bride was willing to be married in the middle of the street clad only in a shift, although a "hair-lace" was sometimes added to the makeup. The idea was that by dressing in this fashion, the woman pleaded poverty and the debts might remain unpaid. Some of these marriages took place in cold weather and one must draw the conclusion that the second husband was worth "freezing" for. This custom is said to have come from England and all records that I have seen took place before the Revolution.
Here is the record of the Shift Marriage recorded in book of Births and Deaths No. 1, page 3, North Kingstown:
"March 26, 1730
"Then Rebecca Downing being on the highway with no other clothing on but a shift, took Thomas Eldred for her husband and he took her for his wife and led her and were married before me.
WILLIAM SPENCER, Justice of the Peace."
: Here is another record, presumably in North Kingstown, although its location in the records, I am unable to give:
"On March 11, 1717 did Philip Shearman take the Widow Hannah Clarke in her shift, without any other apparel, and led her across the high- way, as the law directs in such cases, and was then married according to law by me.
WILLIAM HALL, Justice."
The exact place for the marriage must be in a street where three towns · meet. Such a place is to be found at the southwest point of North Kings- town, where North Kingstown, Exeter and South Kingstown meet.
131
-
V
.
الـ
N
£
-
FROM A POOR BOY TO GOVERNOR
L. RODMAN NICHOLS
T "HE story of William Gregory reads like a fairy tale. About 1879 he arrived in town, a young man of about thirty years, without family or money. He applied at the Belleville mill for any kind of a job and was given work in the carding room. Gradually he fitted himself for more and still more responsible work and rapidly he made friends, some of them influential citizens.
To these friends, among whom was Cyrus Vaughn, he described his invention to make a material that he called "cotton worsted", an entirely new product that would greatly reduce the cost of worsted goods. His friends were interested and they helped him to get a pattern loom which was installed in the old brick bobbin mill on the corner of Brown street and Hamilton avenue (later known as Gregory's Mill). His experiment proved successful and the business prospered.
In the meantime, he married Mr. Vaughn's daughter, Harriet. The couple had two children, Louise and Albert.
The Gregorys owned one home at the corner of Brown and Franklin streets in Wickford, and later another on Hamilton avenue between the bridge and the Town Hall. The latter, still known as the Oaklands, was for many years one of the show places of the town. The Gregory Block, now housing the post office, was built by Mr. Gregory.
His popularity and fortune grew and in 1899 he was elected Governor of Rhode Island. A second time (1901) he was elected governor but his inauguration never took place for he died suddenly in December, 1901, at the age of fifty-two.
After Governor Gregory's death, Oaklands was used for a short time as the first Soldier's Home in Rhode Island and was managed by Jonathan Nichols.
Gradually, because of mismanagement after his death, the manufactur- ing business established by him dwindled away and the mill was aban- doned about 1903.
The story of William Gregory's success during his short lifetime remains an inspiration to all.
132
GOING TO 'LECTION IN NEWPORT
ABBIE PECKHAM GARDNER
U NTIL the completion of the marble State House in Providence, Rhode Island had two capitals. Providence and Newport. In the latter city a short session, known as the "May Session" of the legislature, was held each year in Newport's ancient state capitol to seat the newly elected legis- lators. These May sessions, under the leadership of Charles Brayton, chair- man of the state central committee, had a national reputation.
With convenient ferry service between Wickford and Newport, the custom of making the trip across the Bay to see the new legislators take their seats, became very prevalent in South County among its pleasure- seeking inhabitants.
In Newport, the annual election period was a festive occasion, com- peting in interest with the annual County Fair and even with Fourth of July celebrations.
Receptions were held for legislators and their friends in historic old mansions, where lavish refreshments were served. There were plenty of wet goods with a twang to be had for the convivially inclined, and for the street urchins there were the stands for sale of toy balloons and pink lemon- ade. It was said that many staid citizens, who never imbibed at any other time, would make a practice of drinking to the health and success of the incoming legislators, often to their own embarrassment and discomfort. One old wag in North Kingstown, a man in his early 60's, was fond of saying: "No need to get drunk going to 'lection; why I've been one hundred times and never got drunk yet."
THE GENERAL and, in the distance, the old Wickford Lighthouse.
When William Gregory, our local mill owner, became Governor and the steamer General was plying between Wickford and Newport, there 'was a good-sized delegation of South County people who made the pilgrim- age to the May session of the legislature in Newport.
I33
7
£
THE WICKFORD LANDING,
frequently called Steamboat Landing, and the Steamship Eolus, 1880.
-
THE LANDING" WIKTORD Smo] S'S - 1980
-
Among the number was a young man who was an employee in Govern- or Gregory's woolen mill in Wickford. As the steamer pulled up to the dock at Newport, the Wickford man, in his eagerness to be the first on shore, and to join the day's festivities with all possible speed, leaped from the deck of the boat to the wharf, and as he did so, he fell directly into the arms of a secret service man, who was present to arrest any suspicious characters or pickpockets who might be following the crowd into the city. In vain the Wickford man protested his innocence, and begged to be taken before Governor Gregory for identification, but to no avail. He was taken to police headquarters where he was detained for the duration of the day's ceremonies. Later in the day, the Governor visited the police station and identified the young man as one of his trusted employees, and the latter was released.
For all his inconvenience and humiliation, the young man had no redress, but he simply gained a dearly bought lesson to avoid undue haste :and enthusiasm in reaching holiday festivities.
This incident occurred on the last occasion that the legislature con- vened in Newport.
THE WICKFORD LINE, THE EOLUS AND THE GENERAL
EDITH MASON DAWSON
T THE WICKFORD Branch Railroad Co., was chartered in May, 1864 for the purpose of making connection between New York and New- port via Wickford and Wickford Junction. The name was changed in January, 1870 to Newport and Wickford Railroad and Steamboat Co. The railway was located, the contract let and in March, 1870 "ground was broken and grade commenced, with about 40 men at work".
Pending its completion, the steamer Eolus, during the summer of 1870, carried passengers from Newport to East Greenwich to connect with trains. The railroad from Wickford to Wickford Junction was opened in June, 1871, and the Eolus, with Capt. Keene, commenced regular trips from Wickford Landing to Newport. On July I, she car- ried 140 passengers bound from New York to Newport. The Eolus continued to run until May, 1892. She was followed by the Tockwogh (burned at wharf in Wickford, April 11, 1893) and by the Whatcheer until June, 1893, when the General was purchased and put on the route.
The General continued to run over thirty years, making her last trip in the summer of 1925 when the route was abandoned because it was un- profitable. Moonlight sails on the General were a popular form of di- version for many years. The approximate site of the old Landing is now owned by Perkins and Vaughn, ship builders, not many rods way from the famous Saunders Shipyard.
I35
鍋
THE SWEET FAMILY EDITH MASON DAWSON
TAMES SWEET came from Wales to this country, and later bought a
farm on Ridge Hill in the southern part of North Kingstown. His son Benoni (or Benony), the progenitor of the famous bonesetting family, sold two acres of the farm in 1707 for a site for the old Narragansett church. Benony was baptized November 8, 1724 "at the Church of St. Paul's in Narragansett by the Reverend Mr. McSparran." He was a regular com- municant of the church and officiated as a vestryman until his death. The church record states that on "July 20, 1751, Dr. McSparran, after preaching his funeral sermon, buried Capt. Benoni Sweet in his family's burying place and in his 90th year."
His will was written by Dr. McSparran on May 30, 1745. Its interesting prologue, typical of his time, is quoted:
"I, Benony Sweet of North Kingstown, Kings County, in His Majestey's Colony of Rhode Island, being in sound health of body and of perfect mind and memory, but calling unto mind the mortality of my body, knowing it is appointed unto all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament.
"That is to say principally, first of all, I give and recommend my soul to the hand of God that gave it. My body I recommend to the earth to be buried with decent Christian Buryal in the cemetery of my family and ancestors at the discretion of my executor hereafter named, nothing doubt- ing but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Almighty Power of God."
His ability as a natural bonesetter had earned for him the title of Doctor. This unusual gift was transmitted from one generation to another for over two hundred years, until, in the 1930's, the last Dr. Benoni Sweet of South County died.
Job Sweet, who moved to South Kingstown early in life, was another member of the family who obtained a wide-spread reputation as a natural bonesetter. During the Revolution he was called to Newport to set dis- located bones of some of the French officers. After the Revolution, at the request of Col. Aaron Burr, he went to New York to restore the dislocated hip bone of Col. Burr's daughter, Theodosia.
Dr. Sweet said that upon his arrival he was ushered into the most splendid mansion that he ever saw. It had been planned that several surgeons would witness the operation. But the doctor, disliking such a plan, went to Theodosia's room with her father before the appointed time, and asked that "the old man" be allowed just to put his hand upon her hip. He quickly set the bone and said, "Now walk about the room." To her own surprise and that of her father she was able to do so.
136
C
I
THE OLD "HORNBEAM" CHAPEL AT LAFAYETTE
MARY KENYON HULING
A T THE intersection of the Victory Highway (Ten Rod Road) and Swamptown road in the village of Lafayette is situated "The Old Hornbeam", so-called because some of the timbers in its frame are of the hornbeam species of wood. They were given by Nathan Rathbun, great grandfather of one of the present members of the church.
When Lafayette was first settled and for many years thereafter if the residents wished to attend church it was necessary for them to go to the Six Principle Baptist Church at Stony Lane about two miles northwest of the village, dating from 1665, the St. Paul Episcopal Church, which had been moved to Wickford in 1800, or the Calvinist Baptist Church at Allenton. The majority of the people went to the Stony Lane Church.
In the year 1847 Elder Preserved Greene came to the village and held meetings for a time in the old Lafayette school house. Much interest was manifested in these meetings and soon a Union Free Will Baptist Church was formed. The school house was used for a meeting place for a while but the congregations increased so rapidly that a larger meeting place was needed. Plans for a new building were soon underway, subscriptions were raised, the chapel was erected in 1848, as a Free Will Baptist Church and dedicated in June by the Rev. Augustus Durfee. The Church contin- ued in that faith until 1857 when the Rev. Eleazer Bellows, an Adventist from Connecticut, came to the town preaching the Adventist doctrines, converting many to the new faith. At a business meeting of the church held October 19, 1857, thirteen members withdrew from the church, or- ganized an Adventist Church and it has remained in that faith to the present time. The church was reorganized on November 16, 1869 and the name changed to Advent Christian Church. Some of the older members accepted the Seventh Day Sabbath faith and for a time held their services in the chapel on Saturdays. The chapel was built on the north side of the road and stood there for about twenty-six years.
Robert Rodman, the founder of the Rodman Manufacturing Com- pany, came to the village of Lafayette about the same time as Elder Greene and purchased the mill property of Albert Sanford on December 25, 1847. The mill at that time was manufacturing cotton goods. The property had passed through several hands and seen many changes since 1800, when the first business had been a snuff mill and later a tannery. The present mill was built in 1877. The boarding house and fourteen tenement houses were built soon after. In the spring of 1874, the late Robert Rodman, desiring to build a home on land where the "Old Horn- beam" stood, offered to give a lot across the road in exchange, and to move the building, on to it. The offer was accepted, the chapel was moved to its present location and enlarged somewhat at this time. Dur- · ing this period the population of the village had greatly increased and the membership of the church had grown to such an extent that it was de-
137
-
n
7
THE WICKFORD COVE
1
0.0000
07
10
cided to erect a new building. This was made possible by the benevolence of Mr. Rodman and the new church was dedicated April 15, 1883, bear- ing the name, Lafayette Advent Christian Church.
Although the worship services were held in the new church, the Sunday School was held in the "Old Hornbeam" for a number of years. The Tuesday evening prayer service has been held there down through the years. Something about the old place seems to give a feeling of near- ness and better fellowship to those meeting there. The building has been improved from time to time and is now used as a meeting place for the several organizations of the church and is one of the older landmarks of the village.
A story is told of how Elder Preserved Greene returned some years after the chapel had been built and had charge of the preaching service one evening. He was very glad to meet his old friends again and told them so with such fervor and zeal that he upset the desk before him, over- turning a lighted lamp to the consternation of the whole gathering. Some of the congregation came to the rescue, others in their fright rushed from the building, some made their escape through the windows. The speak- er's platform at that time was at the front of the room near the entrance and we can well understand the terror of the people as they expected the way out would soon be in flames. Luckily, the oil from the over-turned lamp did not catch fire, order was soon restored, and Elder Greene con- tinued his discourse, telling his hearers, perhaps with a little less ardor, that he was thankful to God with all his heart and soul that nothing serious had happened and that he was still glad to be with them.
WICKFORD COVE
ABBIE PECKHAM GARDINER
I know a tiny placid cove Where shadows race and run, And myriads of diamonds sparkle When kissed by a friendly sun.
If anon fierce breezes gather Its bosom rolls and heaves; It tosses foaming white caps, And angry sounds it breathes.
But be my cove a torpid pool Or when it growls an angry sea,
I love its changing whims and moods; Its voice is always sweet to me.
139- 140
L
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Forword
Historical Sketch of North Kingstown I
Wickford, England
5
The Church of Saint Paul in Narragansett. 6
The Glebe 9
Elmgrove ---- The First Cemetery in North Kingstown
12
Cocumcussoc 13
A Legislative Bill of 1835 22
The Six Principle Baptist Church of North Kingstown
23
A North Kingstown Fued. 30
Taverns
33
Stony Lane
35
The Casey House
38
The Ancient Curse.
39
The Methodist and Quaker Churches in Wickford.
41 42 46
The Eye Spring
The Witch Sheep
47
The Birthplace of Gilbert Stuart.
49
The Old Men-In The Corn
50
Swamptown -- A Queer Locality
66
Anecdotes of Charles Henry Rose
72
Slavery in North Kingstown
72
Elder Northup and the First Baptist Church in Allenton
73 74 75
Ramblewood-A Dream That Came True
78
The Old Forest Graveyard.
85
Mowbra Castle and the Phillips Family
86
Captain Jimmy's Near Romance.
89
The Legend of Devil's Foot Rock. 90
The Newtown Rangers and the Revolutionary Cannon 91
The Story of An Oldster. 98
99
The Potato Bell
100
Schools IOI
South County Museum 104
When the Jail Burned Down 106
The Tourgee Tide Mill
107
A Protracted Meeting
IIO
Ezekiel Gardner, Jr.
III
Dr. Harold Metcalf
John Saffin 113
115
Shipping and Ship Building 117
Practitioners of The Healing Art. I20
· Notes From the Writings of Rev. James MacSparran, D. D. 122
14I
The Lure of Probate Records
Portraits-Lost and Found
Stores and Shops in Old Wickford
The Weavers of Narragansett
لسه الحـ W
W. G. Shaw, Doctor of Wickford
124
Ferries
The Huguenots In North Kingstown 127
125
Lighthouses
The Shift Marriage. 130
131
From a Poor Boy to Governor
132
Going to 'Lection in Newport.
I33
The Wickford Line, The Eolus and The General I35 The Sweet Family 136
The Old "Hornbeam" Chapel at Lafayette
I37
Wickford Cove
139
.
142
7
ILLUSTRATIONS
Main Street, Wickford Frontispiece
An Old House of Wickford
3
High Street in Wickford, Essex, England
4
Old Saint Paul's Church
7
The Old Glebe
8
Cocumcussoc
16
The Wickford House.
32
Gilbert Stuart House
48
Depression Castle
76
Reynold's Dock.
79
Acid Dock
84
Tourgee's Old Tide Mill®
108
The Union
118
The Aid.
119
A Menhaden Fishing Boat
I20
Beavertail Ferry Boat.
126
Poplar Point and Wickford Lighthouses
130
The General
I33
The Wickford Landing
I34
The Wickford Cove
138
----
143
---
6257
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.