USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > History of Newport County, Rhode Island. From the year 1638 to the year 1887, including the settlement of its towns, and their subsequent progress > Part 52
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The New England Commercial Bank, 263 Thames street, was incorporated in February, 1818. The presidents of the bank have been : William Ennis, Doctor David King, J. Munroe, George Bowen, James Swan. Capital, 875,000. Present offi- cers : President, James Swan ; cashier, Nicholas Underwood; directors, James Swan, Nicholas Underwood, Augustus Goffe, Howard Smith, Harwood E. Read.
The National Exchange Bank, 38 Washington square, was incorporated in Jannary, 1834. It became a national bank September 22d, 1865. Capital, $100,000. Officers : President, Samuel Carr; cashier, Stephen H. Norman; teller, Thomas A. Spencer ; clerk, George H. Proud ; directors, Samuel Carr, Perry G. Case, Augustus C. Titus, Stephen S. Albro, Stephen H. Norman, David Braman.
The First National Bank, 231 Thames street, was incorpor- ated as " The Traders' Bank " in June, 1836, and reorganized as the First National Bank May 1st, 1865. Capital, $120,000. Officers : President, T. Mumford Seabury ; cashier, Nathaniel R. Swinburne ; teller, E. I. Spencer ; clerk, David E. Easter- brook ; directors, Benjamin Marsh, T. Mumford Seabury, J. E. Seabury, Philip Rider, Henry H. Fay, Robert S. Chase, Wil- liam S. Cranston, John S. Langley, Lewis Brown.
The Aquidnech National Bank, 284 Thames street, was incor- porated as a state bank in May, 1854, and in 1865 became a national bank. Rufns B. Kinsley, Esq., the founder of the Kinsley Express Company, was the first president, and Timothy Coggeshall first cashier. Capital, $200,000. Officers : President, Thomas Coggeshall; cashier, Charles T. Hopkins; teller,. Thomas B. Congdon; clerk, E. P. Landers; directors, Thomas Coggeshall, W. H. Fludder, William P. Clarke, Samuel McAdam. Robert S. Franklin, Lewis L. Simmons, William O. Greene.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
The Savings Bank of Newport, 282 Thames street, was incor- porated in June, 1819. President, Richard Cornell; vice-pres- ident, James C. Swan; directors, Benjamin Finch, Joseph Sher- man, Henry C. Stevens, William S. Cranston, Charles E. Han- mett, Benjamin Marsh, Edward W. Lawton, John S. Coggeshall; treasurer, William H. Sherman; assistant treasurer, Thomas A. Lawton; secretary, William G. Stevens.
The Coddington Savings Bank, 231 Thames street, was incor- porated in May, 1856. President, T. Mumford Seabury; secre- tary, Benjamin Marsh, 2d; treasurer, N. R. Swinburne; trustees, William J. Swinburne, T. M. Seabury, Benjamin Marsh, G. W. Swinburne, John E. Seabury, John H. Cozzens, W. M. Frank- lin, Clark H. Burdick.
The Island Savings Bank, 38 Washington square, was incor. porated in May, 1873. Officers : President, Samuel Carr; vice- presidents, Robert S. Franklin, John C. Stoddard, John P. Sanborn; trustees, P. S. Case, William A. Stedman, W. H. Wil- bour, S S. Albro, A. C. Titus, N. G. Stanton, 1. R. Spooner, William A. Armstrong; secretary and treasurer, Stephen H. Norman.
CEMETERIES .- Respect for the dead is one of the noblest at- tributes of our nature, and the beautiful cemeteries that are be- ing established and consecrated as the final resting place of the departed give evidence of the affectionate interest the living cherish in these beautiful repositories of their honored dead. Not upon unknown ground, but in consecrated lots, we lay the bodies of our loved ones, and the hand of affection still scatters fresh flowers over their graves, and, as in life they were the ob- jects of our kindest regard, so are their remains the subject of our dearest thought and tenderest care, in these ever-growing cities of the dead.
" A place where the forms of our loved ones rest; Where contemplation is nature's guest."
The older " God's Acres." as the Germans so beautifully des- ignate the burial places of their dead, in Newport are well cared for by the city.
Located in different parts of the city are several small family cemeteries. On Pelham street, now the property of ex-Gover- nor Vanzandt, is the family burial place of Governor Benedict Arnold, who died in 1678. Here are also buried members of the Pelham and Bannister families. On Frank street, on the estate
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
of the late William A. Clarke, the tomb-stones erected to the memory of Governor Caleb Carr and his family are in good or- der and the inscriptions still legible. The governor died in 1695. On West Broadway is a little cemetery containing the graves of Doctor John Clarke, one of the founders of Newport and the first pastor of the First Baptist church. He died in 1676. Here also rest the remains of Reverend John Callen- der and other pastors of this church. Callender died in 1748. On Coggeshall avenne is a little burial ground of about one acre, inclosed by a handsome stone wall, with an iron gate in the central front, over which is chiseled "COGGESHALL, 1854." The interior is kept in perfect order, the stones free from stain. In the center is a granite obelisk bearing the following inscription : "To the memory of John Coggeshall, First President of the Colony, died Nov. 27, 1647, .Et. 57." The original stone bearing the same inscription is still pre- served at the head of the grave. On Farewell street, near the First Baptist church, is the Coddington ground. Here are the graves of Governors Henry Bull, who died in 1693; Nicholas Easton, 1675; John Easton, 1705; and William Cod- dington, 1678-four of the original settlers of Newport. In this ground are buried many of the first inhabitants. The Easton cemetery on Anandale road, the Bliss ground on Ev- erett street, and the Wilbor burial place on Bliss road, are in good order.
The "Common Ground," so-called, is the oldest public ceme- tery in Newport. It was laid out about 1665. It remains to-day in all its primitive surroundings, and the quaint headstones of common slate, with their rude inscriptions, awaken a feeling of veneration which surrounds this spot with no little degree of interest. Here may be seen the graves of many of the early gov- ernors of the colony, that of a signer of the declaration of inde- pendence. the graves of our early merchants and clerical worthies. Many stones are dedicated to the memory of old sea captains. This cemetery contains twenty stones on which armorial ensigus are cnt; all of these lie llat on the surface of the ground, and of course have, like most of the early stones in this ground, suffered every sort of injury, even, in a few cases, wanton mutilation. Among the stones on which family arms are eut may be men- tioned the Cranstons, Sanford, Bayley, Wanton, Thurston, Chaloner, Buckmaster, Freebody, Vernon, Ellery, Sears,
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Gardner and Ward. One might almost write a history of Newport in this common ground, so full are the inscriptions on the stones erected here.
Trinity Churchyard .- The ancient burial place connected with Trinity church, on Church street, is an object of much interest. Several of the early pastors of the church lie buried here. Here may be found the grave of the French Admiral de Ternay, who died in 1780, and of many others who fought in the war of the revolution. On eight stones are found the arms of five families: Gidley, Wanton, Bell, Goulding, Gibbs, repre- senting a few of the wealthy merchants of Newport in the last century.
Clifton Ground .- This cemetery, on Gollen Hill street, was first appropriated as a burial place in 1671 by Thomas Clifton, a worthy member of the Society of Friends. The Governors Wanton are buried here. A daughter of Roger Williams also finds a resting place here.
The Island Cemetery .- The town of Newport, on the 18th of May. 1836, purchased the tract of land which was the begin- ning of the cemetery now known as the " Island Cemetery," on Warner street. Early the next year Mr. Henry Bull and William W. Freeborn, were appointed to lay out the new burial ground. In 1839 a certain portion was surveyed and laid out into one hundred and thirty-six lots, each one rod square. These were offered for sale at moderate rates. In 1844 the balance of the purchase was laid out, avennes made, trees and ornamental shrubery set out, and a substantial fence built, the wall and gateway costing $831.33. In 1848 a company was formed to whom the town conveyed the grounds. The trustees of the "Island Cemetery Company " were authorized to take care of the property, to grant deeds of lots unsold and to adopt the necessary means for raising funds as might be required for the purposes of the new company. Several additions have been made to the original purchase, thus affording better conveni- ences, and rendering this spot a fitting repository for the dead. Recently a fine freestone chapel has been built by Honorable August Belmont, near the lot owned by him, wherein rest the remains of Commodore M. C. Perry. The grounds are tastefully laid out and contain many beautiful lots, where the hand of affection has been lavish in its adornments, and loving hearts have reared elaborate and expensive monuments.
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The Jewish Cemetery .- This beautiful spot is well known to the many thousands who visit Newport. It is situated on Kay and Touro streets, surrounded by a granite wall and iron fence, with a plain square gateway, over which is cut in bold relief a winged globe. This cemetery of the ancient Hebrew congrega- tion was acquired in the year 1677. Here are buried many of the early members of this congregation. The inscriptions on the stones are in Hebrew. Latin, Portuguese, Spanish and English. When the Hebrew congregation was broken up, in consequence of the removal of its members to other cities, the burial ground was suffer- ed to fall into neglect and decay. In 1820 Mr. Abraham Tonro, then a resident of Boston, visited Newport and gave directions for the erec- tion of a brick wall, which for many years afforded am- ple protection to the cem- etery. In 1842 his brother Judah Touro, a resident of New Orleans, caused the grounds to be put in perfect ENTRANCE TO THE JEWISH CEMETERY. order, and replaced the brick wall with the present substantial fence. At his death he be- queathed a considerable sum in trust to the city of Newport for the perpetual care of this cemetery. This trust is faithfully and well discharged.
CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS .- The Newport Charity Organiza- tion Society was organized in 1879, and is designed to assist the worthy poor of the city. It acts in conjunction with the over- seers of the poor and the several charity organizations. It em- ploys a regular secretary, whose office is open daily, room 3, National Bank of Rhode Island building. The officers are : President, Edmund Tweedy ; vice-president, F. W. Tilton ; treasurer, J. T. Burdick ; secretary, M. S. Burdick; and a board of reference consisting of twenty-three persons, including the overseers of the poor.
The Dorcas Society was organized in the early part of this century, and its object was then, as now, to provide garments for the needy. It is not incorporated, and has no permanent
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
fund, but depends upon subscriptions, donations and collec- tious in the churches for the means to carry on its good work. A few of the members meet one afternoon of each week during the winter to cut and make the clothing, which they distribute. Its organization is simple, the officers consisting of a president, secretary, treasurer and a visitor for each ward. The visitors investigateall cases that come to their knowledge, and if found worthy they are relieved to the extent of the ability of the so- ciety. The aged, the sick and children are particularly cared for, and in all cases the relief is given without publicity. The officers are : President, Mrs. James Townsend ; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. M. T. Berry.
The Townsend Aid for the Aged .- This society was organized in 1860 by a number of ladies representing the different churches of the city. Its object is to assist the aged poor by the distribution of a certain sum of money quarterly. Mr. Christopher Townsend, at his death, made the society one of his principal legatees, in recognition of which it assumed its present name. The officers are : President, Mrs. Benjamin Melville ; vice-president, Mrs. Samnel Engs ; treasurer, Mrs. Thomas Cog- geshall : secretary, Miss A. S. Bailey.
The Children's Home was incorporated in 1866. At first this institution was simply an experiment, instituted by the ladies of Newport. It was, however, attended with so great success that a charter was obtained in January, 1867, and twenty years of successful operation has established it among the permanent charitable institutions for which Newport is justly celebrated. Mr. Christopher Townsend, with his usual liberality, provided a suitable home, and a fund of $10,000. The Fry Orphan Fund, which was left to the city, with provisions to furnish aid for such an institution whenever it should be established, is accord- ingly devoted to the home. Other gifts have been made from time to time by the citizens of Newport, thus placing this noble institution upon a prosperous and permanent foundation. The house occupied by the home is the birthplace of William Ellery Channing. The children are under no great restraint, but attend the public schools, and have the advantages of a Christian home. The whole number admitted since its forma- tion is one hundred and eighty. Officers: First Directress, Mrs. William C. Cozzens ; second directress, Mrs. Joseph Bradford ;
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
treasurer, Mrs. W. K. Covell, Jr .: secretary, Mrs. Charles E. Hammett.
The Newport Hospital .- In the spring of 1872 efforts were made to establish and maintain a hospital for the care of the sick and unfortunate. who are unable to care for themselves. An impulse was given to this good work by the energy and lib- erality of one who, although residing here but a portion of the year, took a lively interest in the welfare of our poor and sick, and cheerfully gave her time, influence and sympathy to the promotion of this nsefnl charity. A committee was appointed to present the subject to the public, solicit contributions an } hold as trustees all money collected until an act of incorpora- tion could be obtained. Many of the citizens of Newport and summer residents promptly and liberally responded, and the sum of 824,123.40 was obtained. In 1873 the hospital was in- corporated and duly organized and placed under the manage. ment of ten trustees, consisting of the mayor of Newport, ex- officio, and uine others elected from the corporators. The cor- poration is composed of those named in the act of incorpora- tion, and of all persons who at any one time may give $100 or more to the institution. A lot on Friendship street, near Broad- way. was purchased, and a building erected after the plan of the army hospital, now adopted by the government. This was opened for the reception of patients on the 22d of November, 1873. The hospital is now endowed by the following funds : The Littlefield hospital Innd, $23,600; the devise of General John Alfred Hazard, $25,243; Dehon gift, $6,708; Samuel Clinton annuity, $5,000; Robert Roger's memorial, $1,000; dis- triet nursing fund, $800, besides sums received from various sources for the endowment of free beds. The several churches in the city annnally take up a collection, which is devoted to this charity. The medical staff is composed of the several phy- sicians of the city. who, with the usual liberality of their pro- fession, give their services without charge. The officers are : President, Frederic W. Tilton ; treasurer, J. Truman Burdick; secretary, Edward W. Lawton ; trustees, George C. Mason, George P. Wetmore, William P. Sheffield. Edward W. Lawton, David King, Darius Baker, George A. Richmond, Charles E. Hammett, John Hare Powel ; superintendent, Cornelia E. See- lye ; admitting physician, Henry E. Turner, M. D .. and a visit- ing committee of twenty ladies.
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FMG
HODGSON'S NEWPORT BOTANICAL GARDENS
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
SOCIETIES (1887).
AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR.
Touro Council, No. 9 .- Meets first and third Wednesdays of each month in Odd Fellows Hall. Officers: Commander, W. B. Bates; vice-commander, G. H. Champlin; past-commander, Sam- uel Peck; orator, W. S. Bailey: secretary, Thomas P. Peck- ham; collector, James C. Topham; treasurer, Simeon Hazard; chaplain, W. L. Northrup; gnide, C. Anderson; warden, A. Bar- ker; sentry, A. J. Ward.
ANCIENT ORDER OF FORRESTERS.
Court Wanton, No. 6979 .- Meets first and third Tuesdays of each month, Hall over Caswell & Massey's, Thames street. Officers: P. C. R., James Graham; C. R., Daniel Galvin; S. C. R., Joseph Haire; F. S., Alvah Weaver; R. S., G. Milton; S. W., Edward Sharples; J. W., G. Cooper; S. B., James Buchanan; J. B., James Openshaw; T., Joseph Taylor; D. D., William Sharples.
Court Pride of the City, No. 7363 .- Meets first and third Tuesdays of each month. Officers: P. C. R., A. W. Potter; C. R., W. T. Walch; S. C. R., W. S. H. Bliven; F. S., W. H. Young: R. S., Maurice Roche; S. W., J. J. Cassidy; J. W., A. W. Fitt; S. B., B. H. Johnson; J. B., D. Galvin.
Knights of Sherwood Forest .- Meets second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Officers: Past-commander. James Graham; commander, Peter Knowe: vice-commander, Arthur W. Potter; adjutant, W. H. Young; paymaster, Daniel G. Roche; first lieutenant, Thomas Knowe; second lieutenant, C. H. Hal- lock; master-at-arms, Levi Norbury; quarter-master sergeant, John W. Horrocks; first sergeant, B. Robson; second sergeant, A. W. Fitt.
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS.
Division No. 1 .- Organized 1885, meets Friday evenings, Thames street. Officers: County delegate, Michael Howley: president, John S. Duggan: vice- president, Michael Conroy; financial secretary, Cornelius Moriarty; recording secretary, James Hogan; treasurer, John Woods: sergeant-at-arms, Pat- rick Elbitt.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Charles E. Lawton Post, No. 5 .- Meets Wednesday eve- nings, G. A. R. Hall, 97 Thames street. Officers: P. C., Wil liam S. Bailey; S. V. C., John H. Peckham; J. V. C., C. B. Mason; Adj., John Y. Hudson; Q. M., C. E. Harvey; surgeon, James II. Taylor; chaplain, Overton G. Langley; O. of D., Ed- ward H. Tilley; O. of G., A. R. Tnell: S. Major, Thomas Carter; Q. M. Sergt., William T. Lawton; guard, Charles E. Ash; O. G., John B. Cozzens; organist, Augustus French.
Charles E. Lawton Relief Corps, No. 3, Ladies' Auxiliary Association .-- Meets in G. A. R. Hall, second and fourth Thursdays. Officers: President, Hannah Edgar; first vice-pres- ident, Mary J. Lawton; secretary, Nettie P. Harvey; treasurer, Margaret Hamilton; chaplain, Lydia McMahon.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Redwood Lodge, No. 11 .- During the winter of 1870 an at- tempt was made to introduce into Newport the order of Knights of Pythias. An application for a charter made by over thirty persons failed, however, of success. In August, 1871, another attempt was made, which resulted in the or- ganization of a lodge on the 7th of the following September, composed of thirteen charter members. The organization was effected on that evening, and the charter members were sev- erally initiated and the ranks conferred in full on the whole number. The following is a list of the first officers : C. C., Stephen Gould; Vice-C., Harwood E. Read; V. P., James P. Brayton; K. R. and S. Scribe, Daniel P. Bull; M. F. Scribe, William O. Gladding; M. E., Lyman R. Blackman. The lodge is in a very prosperous and flourishing condition, having its Castle Hall on Pelham street. The present officers are : P. C., Noah Butts; C. C., Everett I. Gorton; K. of R. and S., Daniel P. Bull; M. F., Simeon Davis; M. E., George W. Barlow; M. A., Henry D. Root; I. G., Isaac N. C. Northrup; O. G., John Y. Hudson; D. K. of P. S. B., James B. Brayton.
KNIGIITS OF HONOR.
Perseverance Lodge, No. 336. - Instituted August 15th, 1876. Meets second and fourth Tuesdays, in Odd Fellows Hall. Officers : Dictator, Thomas J. Stoddard; vice-dictator, Jere. I.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Greene; assistant dictator, William T. Rutherford; past die- tator, Duncan McLean; reporter, Charles H. Chase; financial reporter, D. L. Cummings; Treasurer, Benjamin F. Davis; chap- lain, Henry Weston; guide, Otis D. Sleeper; guardian, J. D. Hidler; sentinel, H. P. Wixen; medical examiner, Dr. C. F. Barker; trustees, W. W. Marvel, H. E. Turner, Jr., E. P. Marsh.
Union Lodge, No. 668 .- Instituted June 25thi, 1877. Meets second and fourth Tuesdays, in Odd Fellows Ilall. Officers : Dictator, W. S. Bailey; vice-dictator, James Hardy; assistant dictator, Henry J. Iless; reporter, James H. Goddard; financial reporter, Francis Stanhope; treasurer, Allen C. Griffith; chap- lain, William S. Batcheller; guide, Joseph Singer; guardian, George W. Leonard; sentinel, Jacob F. Hanson; trustees, Wil- liam S. Bacheller, Allen H. Bishop, Walter Sherman.
KNIGIITS AND LADIES OF HONOR.
Berkeley Lodge, No. 410 .- Protector, Mary H. Goddard ; vice-protector, Henrietta W. Bishop; secretary, Francis Stan- hope; financial secretary, Francis Stanhope; treasurer, James H. Goddard; guide, James Harney; chaplain, A. M. Bailey; sentinel, Walter Sherman; guardian, John E. Perry; past pro- tector, John II. Gillingham; medical examiner, Dr. Stephen H. Sears.
MASONIC.
St. John's Lodge, No. 1 .- In 1749 Masonry entered upon its organic life in Newport. St. Johns Lodge, No. 1, was chartered by St. John's Grand Lodge of Boston on the 27th of December, 1749, R. W. Thomas Oxnard being Provincial Grand Master of Masons in North America. The following abstracts from the records of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts relate to the es- tablishment of Masonry in Newport:
1749. Dec. 27. "At the petition of Sundry Brethren re- siding at Newport, on Rhode Island, onr R. W. Bro. Thomas Oxnard, Esq., G. M., granted a constitution for a Lodge to be held there, and appointed our R. W. Bro., Caleb Phillips to be their first Master."
1750. April 13. "For the Lodge at Newport, R. I., nobody appeared."
1750. July 13. " For the Lodge at Newport Bro. Abram Bor- den appeared, but paid nothing."
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
1750. Oct. 12, " For the Lodge at Newport Bro. H. Price ap- peared and paid charity two dollars,"
1751. April 12. For Rhode Island Lodge Bro. Jenkins, Jr., appeared and paid nothing."
1753. " For the Newport Lodge Bro. Robert Jenkins, Master, paid charity one dollar."
1754. -. "For the Lodge at Newport, R. I., nobody ap- peared."
1756. April 9. "For the Newport Lodge Bro. Robert Jenkins, Master, Bro. Benjamin S. W., Bro. Robert Jenkins, Jr., J. W."
1758. Jan. 13. " For the Newport Lodge Bro. Robert Jenkins, Master, Henry Leddell, S. W. Paid ex- penses."
1759. Oct. 12. "The Grand Lodge purchased ten tickets in the Lottery at Rhode Island for building a Free Mason's Hall at Newport."
Of this early period but scanty records have been preserved. There is sufficient testimony, however, to show that the brethren were animated by a very commendable zeal in their support of Masonry.
At the session of the general assembly of Rhode Island held in June, 1759, an act was passed entitled " An Act raising two thousand and four hundred dollars for and towards the erect- ing a public edifice in the town of Newport, to be called and known by the name of Mason's Hall." The act provided for the raising by lottery of the sum above named, the scheme to "consist of four thousand tickets at four dollars each, whereof one thousand one hundred and thirteen shall be fortunate without any deduction." The prizes to range from one of $1,000 to one thousand of $8 each, making the total value of the for- tunate prizes $13,600. The lot on which the present hall stands, and which is the first and only one held by the fraternity in Newport, was purchased July 18th, 1759, and the foundation at once pnt in. On the 20th of August of the same year, the craft were convened, and at 12 o'clock noon R. W. Master Robert Jenkins laid the first angular stone in "ye N. E.," at the same time the W. S. warden, John Mandsley, laid the second stone in the S. E. The W. J. warden, Samuel Brenton, laid the third in the S. W. The R. W. treasurer, Benjamin Mason, laid the fourth in the N. W., and the secretary, Na-
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
thaniel Mumford, laid the fifth stone "at the surface of the earth in the N. W." It appears that no immediate progress was made in the work of building. The foundation was cov- ered and remained undisturbed for more than forty years. The records of St. John's Lodge for the greater part of this period are missing, hence we fail to get a full explanation of the reasons for the delay in the building of the hall. On Mon- day, April 12th, 1802, we find a record of the laying of the corner stone of the present building. On this occasion Chris- topher Champlin, Past Grand Master, Moses Seixas, W. M., of St. John's Lodge, and John L. Boss, J. G. W., conducted the services. The hall was dedicated February 22d, 1803. Moses Seixas was then master of the lodge, also grand master of Masons in Rhode Island.
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