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 59
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The coal mines which underlie this town have been worked to considerable extent for many decades past. The fisheries
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
of the adjoining waters constitute a very important source of revenue to many of the inhabitants. These fisheries consist of menhaden, cod, mackerel, lobsters and scallops. Several lights are maintained by the government in the neighboring waters. These are, one on Prudence island, John T. Clarke, keeper; another on Muscle Bed Beacon, at Bristol ferry, An- drew T. Smith, keeper; and another near Hog island, Angustus Hall, keeper.
The assessed valuation of real estate in this town is $1,509.100; of personal property, 8437,800; making a total of $1,946,900. The town finances are well managed, as is abundantly attested by the fact that it has the honor of being one of only seven towns in the state that are entirely free from debt.
At what time the people of this town began to give attention to the education of their children is not known, but there is written testimony that as early as 1716 the people, "having considered how excellent an ornament learning is to mankind," made an appropriation for building a school house. This was no doubt the first school house erected by the town at public expense. In 1722 two others were built, the size of one being 25 by 30, and the other 16 by 16 feet. Of their location we have not been informed.
The town is now divided into eight school districts. Of these No. 1 is in the sontheastern part, at South Portsmouth; No. 2 is in the northern part of that locality; No. 3 is in the middle of the town: No. 4 is on the west side adjoining the Middletown · line; No. 5 is at " Newtown;" No. 6 is at Bristol ferry; No. 7 is on Prudence and No. 8 is at the Coal Mines.
In conclusion of this descriptive introduction it may be men- tioned that the town comprehends several smaller islands in the adjoining bay. The largest of these is Prudence; others are Patience, Hog, Hope, Dyer's, East Gould and Despair islands, besides Tommy's, Sherman's, Spectacle and HIen islands in the cove in the northeastern part of the town.
The circumstances and details of the purchase and settlement of the original company of exiles upon the island have been so fully given that they need not be repeated here. Among the first regulations that were made were those decreeing that no inhabitant should be admitted on the island, or allowed to build or plant on it, except by consent of the body of settlers; and one of the first requirements made of those who sought admis-
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
sion to such privileges was that they should "submitt to the Government that is or shall be established, according to the word of God." It was decided that the town should be built at "the Spring," but Mr. Hutchinson was permitted to have six lots laid out for him and his children at the " Great Cove."
In order to protect themselves from the possible sudden as- saults of the Indians a specific requirement was made that each inhabitant should always be provided with a musket, a pound of powder, twenty bullets, two fathoms of match, also a " Sword and rest and Bandeliers, all completely furnished."
Apropos to the general tone of their laws and sentiments, one of the first things established by the settlers was the house of worship. On the 13th day of the third month (May), 1638, they passed the following enactment: "It is ordered that the Meeting House shall be set on the neck of Land that goes over to the Maine of the Island wher Mr. John Coggeshall and Mr. John Sanford shall lay it out."
During the same month house lots of five or six acres each were set off to William Coddington, John Clarke, William Dyre, William Hutchinson, Samuel Hutchinson, Mr. Easton (who had recently joined the company), Edward Hutchinson, Sr., and Edward Hutchinson, Jr., John Sanford, John Coggeshall, Ran- dall Holden, Richard Burden and William Balston. The latter was also authorized to "erect and sett up a howese of enter- tainment for Strangers, and also to brew Beare and to sell wines of strong waters and such necessary provisions as may be use- full in any kind." Thus early, and in this simple manner, was inaugurated the business of feeding the stranger who might visit the island, a business which, during the two and a half centuries to the present time, bas grown to a magnitude of great importance. In the first allotments of land John Coggeshall and John Sanford acted as surveyors, by appointment of the company.
Military discipline was essential to the peace and security of the little colony. Train bands were formed at the outset, and William Baulston and Edward Hutchinson were appointed ser- geants, Randall Holden and Henry Bull were corporals, and Samuel Wilbore their clerk.
A tax of two shillings per acre was laid upon all who had or should take up land in the plantation, the money so derived to be held by the treasurers appointed by the company to meet
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IIISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
the common expenses of the colony. William Hutchinson and John Coggeshall were chosen treasurers for the company during the first year of its existence.
The public meetings of the company for the transaction of business pertaining to the common welfare were held, as we have before intimated, at frequent intervals. Attendance upon these meetings was an important duty which attached to citizen- ship. They were sometimes called by beat of the drum and sometimes by personal vocal call, always on short notice. In order to secure prompt attendance an order was made that "if they fayle one quarter of an houre after the second sound, they shall forfeitt twelve pence; or, if they depart without leave, they are to forfeitt the same summ of twelve pence."
The little colony was thus fairly established, but disturbances from without were not the only class of dangers that threat- ened. To provide for internal elements of discord a pair of stocks and a whipping post were ordered on the 20th of Angust, 1638, to be made "forthwith," at the expense of the public treasury, and three days later it was ordered that "a Howse for a prison, containing twelve foot in length and tenn foote in breadth and ten foote studd, shall forthwith be built of suf- ficient strength and the charges to be payed out of the Treas- ury." William Brenton was appointed to oversee the work. Nor let it be supposed that the above-mentioned instruments of punishment were to be regarded only as ornamental append- ages. They had not been built a month before seven men, who had been engaged in a drunken riot, were arrested, and in ad- dition to a fine of five shillings, which was imposed on all alike, three of the principal transgressors were placed in the stocks several honrs.
" General meetings" of the inhabitants were held and all matters of public concern or private dispute were acted upon as by a court of proper jurisdiction. But as the company grew in numbers, it became too bulky to be assembled so frequently as necessity seemed to demand, without considerable inconven- ience to the people, especially on account of the amount of their time which was consumed by the frequency of such meetings. To remedy this difficulty on the 2d of January, 1639, a board of elders was organized, who were to act in conjunction with the judge, in deciding all such matters as had previously come be- fore the assembled people in a body. The actions of this board
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
were to be reviewed once every three months by the general meeting, and their rules and decisions then confirmed or re- versed. The first elders chosen under this plan of jurispru- dence were Nicholas Esson (or Easton), John Coggeshall and Mr. Brenton. Associated with, and as the servants of, the court. thus constituted were a sergeant and a constable. These offices were filled by election on the 24th of the same month, their first incumbents, respectively, being Henry Bull and Samuel Wilbore.
The little colony now seemed fairly on the road to prosperity. New settlers were frequently admitted during the early years. Pictures of the social condition of that remote time cannot be produced in a degree of perfection which might be desired, but some interesting hints are afforded by the few extracts which are given below from the records of the court referred to:
" Richard Maxon, Blacksmith, upon complaints made against him, was accordingly detected for his oppression in the way of his trade, who, being convinced thereof, promised amendment and satisfaction."
Blacksmiths in those days were factors in society of much greater importance than they are now considered. They held a monopoly of a branch of work which was a great ne- cessity, and the little colony might suffer from the abuse of the power which they held. It was a very proper function of the court to prevent extortionate charges being made by the black- smith whom the little colony had encouraged to settle and ply his trade in their midst.
" Mr. Aspinwall, being a suspected person for sedition against the state, it was thought meet that a stay of the building of his Bote should be made ; whereupon ye workman was forbidden to proceed any further."
This may look like an interference with private rights, but the principle of sacrificing the rights of the few for the good of the many is one which has not even yet been eliminated from the acts of legislative bodies.
" It is ordered that the Swine that are upon the Island shall be sent away from the plantation six miles up into the Island, or unto some Islands adjacent, by the 10th of the 2d, 1639, or else to be shutt up that so they may be inoffensive to the Towne."
We see this early the outcropping of the spirit of care for
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
public cleanliness and order which are to-day among the most prominent characteristics of the city of Newport and the island upon which it is built. Further regulations were made to pre- vent swine running at large in the town, the sergeant was charged with the duty of enforcing it, and a pound was provi- ded for the detention of stray cattle.
" It is ordered that in regard of the many Incursions that the Island is subject unto, and that an Alarum for the securing the place is necessary therefor; it is thought meet for the present that an Alarum be appointed to give notice to all who inhabit the place, that they may forthwith repair and gather together to the IIowse of the judge for the defending of the Island or quelling any Insolences that shall be tumultuously raysed within the Plantation. Therefore, the Alarum that we appoynt shall be this. Three Musketts to be discharged distinctly, and a Herauld appointed to goe speedily throw the Towne and crye Alarum, Alarum! Upon which, all are to repaire immediately to the place aforesayed."
Up to this time but a single colony or embryo town existed on the island. The suggestions of circumstance and the incli- nation of a number of the settlers favored a division of the col- ony and the improvement of a new plantation toward the lower end of the island. Accordingly, on the 28th of April, 1639, William Coddington and eight others established by their vote another colony, to be known as Newport, as more fully appears in the portion of this work devoted to the history of that town.
After this action a re-organization of the original colony was effected, by a compact similar in its provisions and tone to that at first entered into. The parties who now bound themselves together into a body politic under the laws of King Charles, whose subjects they declared themselves to be, were the follow- ing: William Hutchinson, Samuel Gorton, Samuel Hutchinson, John Wickes, Richard Maggsen, Thomas Spicer, John Roome, John Stoffe, Thomas Beeder, Erasmus Bullocke. Samson Shot- ten, Ralph Earle, Robert Potter, Nathaniel Potter, George Pot- ter, W. T. Havens, George Chare, George Lawton, Anthony Paine, Jobe Hawkins, Richard Awarde, John Mow, Nicholas Brown, William Richardson, John Trippe, Thomas Layton, Robert Stainton, John Briggs and James Davice.
A judge was chosen, who, with the aid of a jury of twelve men,
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
constituted a court which was competent to render final decisions in controversies when the amount in question did not exceed forty shillings. Quarterly and annual meetings of the "Body" were held, to whom appeals in cases of greater value than forty shillings might be made. Apportionments of land were made, a few acres at a time, to individuals as they desired it. Besides the officers chosen to survey these parcels of land, other officers were chosen as surveyors of highways. This was done at a quarterly meeting on the first of July, 1639, and is the first evidence of any attention being given to the definite laying out of highways. The first to hold the office of surveyors of high- ways were Thomas Spicer and Robert Potter. At this time the term "town" began to be used, the word "body" having most generally been applied to the company of settlers in their organized capacity. At this meeting it was also agreed that this town should henceforth be called Portsmouth.
Actual settlers and improvements were especially desired at that time. The idea of speculative holding or traffic was promptly and vigorously opposed. Honse lots were freely granted to those who were admitted to the town, but they were required to build on them within one year, otherwise they were forfeited. The admission of new settlers was acted upon by the town meeting.
In 1643 some apprehension arose in regard to the neighboring Indians. The militia regulations appear to have become some- what lax, and the town passed orders requiring firearms to be put in order, every man to provide himself with four pounds of shot and two pounds of powder, and to be in readiness to turn out at the beat of the drum. A watch was also maintained at night, and every man was required to come armed to meeting on the Sabbath. Vigil and attention was paid to the enforce- ment of these requirements: and it was further ordered that if any skulking Indians should be found about the island acting suspicionsly, the magistrates should send a man to arrest them.
Wolves were numerous, and the settlers suffered much from their depredations. Efforts were made to exterminate them by catching them in traps. The firing of guns at deer in the woods made them shy, and in order to prevent their being thus frightened away from the traps this town concurred with New- port in an order prohibiting shooting deer from the first of May
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
to the first of November, under a penalty of five pounds. At the same time a premium of five pounds was offered for every wolf killed on the island, Newport paying four pounds and Portsmouth paying one pound. This was in 1646.
The Indian name of the locality was Pocasset, and by this name the town was at first called, until the name Portsmonth was adopted, as has already been stated. The name Pocasset was also applied by the Indians to the land on the Tiverton side, as well as to the channel of water which runs between. The first settlement was made near the head of the cove, on the northeastern part of the island. The outlet of this cove was then deep enough for the passage of vessels of moderate size. The filling of the month of this cove by the action of the tide currents upon the shore made navigation difficult and finally impossible for the class of vessels which the people de- sired to use, so the original site of the settlement was soon exchanged for a more eligible one a little farther down the eastern shore of the island. To the new site the name Newtown was given, and by this it is still locally known. In 1728 a sur- vey of the plot of Newtown was made and a map of the same carefully drawn upon parchment. This original map is still preserved in the archives of the town.
We have already spoken of the formation of the town of Portsmouth as a new organization after the withdrawal of the company who founded Newport. The record of this reorgani- zation is still in existence, and its valne as a curious and inter- esting document must warrant us in quoting it entire. On the first legible page of the oldest book in the town clerk's office it is written. The page, like many others which follow it, is tattered and worn by the handling of two and a half cen- turies, but the characters in jet black ink stand ont with as clear ent distinctness as though they had been recently written. Part of the heading is gone, and a few of the missing words are supplied, as the words that remain sufficiently indicate what the others should be.
" Aprill 30. 1639.
" Wee whose names are under signed do admit our selves the loyall subjects of Ilis Majestie King Charles, and in his name we doe bind our selves into a civill body politick agreeable unto his lawes according to all matters of justice.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
" WILLM HUTCHINSON
GEORGE POTTER
SAMUELL GORTON
W. HEAVENS
SAMUELL HUTCHINSON JOHN WICKES
GEORGE CHARE
GEORGE LAWTON
RICHARDE MAGGSON
ANTHONY PAINE
THOMAS SPISER
JOBE HAUKIN
WILLIAM ASPINNALL
RICHARD AWARD
WILLM HIAULE
JOIN MOW
JOIIN ROOME
NICHOLAS BROWNES
JOIN SLOSSE
WILLIAM RICHARDSON
THOMAS BODDAR
JOHN TRIPPE
ERASMUS BULLOCKE
THOMAS LAYTON
SAMPSON SHOTTEN
ROBERT STAINTON
RALPH EARLE
JOIIN BRIGGES JAMES DAVICE."
ROBERT POTTER
In the original the names of William Aspinnall and Willm Haule have a line drawn through them.
Although the people of this town had many grave appre- hensions of trouble from the Indians on account of the nnwise action of others toward the natives, yet they never experienced the serious hostility of the Indians which they often feared. It may be that the precantions which resulted from their fears had something to do with their escape from downright assault or annoying intrusions from the red men. It is true that the Indians were for many years an almost constant source of anxiety and a subject of vigilance on the part of the settlers. In 1656 the following record was made in regard to them:
"At a towne meetinge of the inhabitants of Portsmouth June ye third, 1656, it is ordered that no p'son or persons in this towne of Portsmouth nor any that shall come amongst ns shall sell any liquors strong beer or any wines to any Indian diretly nor indirectly with in the bounds of this towne and any pson or psons that shall offend in this case shall forfeit three poundes for every default one thirde shalbe to him that finde it out and athird to the constable and his aide and a third to the town tresury.
"It is also ordered that it shalbe lawfull for any pson or psons of the inhabitants of this towne if they mete any Indian within the bounds of this towne with any of the aforesayd pro- hibited liquors stronge beer or wines to take it from them and to call ayde if neede bee and they that take from the Indians
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
any such liquors, beer or wines within the bounds of this towne shall have it for ther paynes."
The records of the town show but few entries that, like the above, depict the popular sentiment with regard to the Indian. There are, however, enough to give a clue to the situation. Other abstracts will be made in connection with topics to which they belong. In 1659 the court of commissioners ordered that the articles of agreement made between this colony and the Narragansett Chief Sachem Quissnekquoanch at a general court May 28th, 1650, should be recorded in the general records, and the original committed to the keeping of the president of the colony.
It is interesting to note the comparative importance of this town in the colony during the early years of its existence. Per- haps no more accurate index of this can be found than is seen in the quota of contributions of the different towns toward the expenses of their agent, Mr. John Clarke, at the court of Eng- land. In 1661 the quotas of the different towns for that pur- pose were : Newport, £85; Providence, £40; Portsmouth, £40; and Warwick, $35. In the same year the colony had to raise £300 to send the submission of the Narragansett Indians to the king of England. Of this the proportion of Portsmouth was £60, or one-fifth of the whole amount. An additional sum for the expenses of the agent was raised in 1662, in which the proportion of Portsmouth was the same as that of Providence. And in about the same proportion it stood for many years. In October, 1662, £106 more was raised for the expenses of Mr. Clarke to England. At this time the four towns which composed the colony were taxed for the pur- pose as follows: Newport, £47, 10s .; Providence, £20, 12s .; Portsmouth, £20, 12s .; Warwick, £17, 6s. A year later £100 was to be raised and sent to England for Mr. Clarke, "certainty by the first shipe that goes," as the record says. In this the proportion of Portsmouth was $17, 10s., the same as that of Providence.
We have before intimated that the settlers were very jealous of the introduction of unsuitable persons to their society. They were also watchful to prevent any undesirable persons from re- maining among them temporarily to such a length of time as to become chargeable to them as panpers. By such constant vig- ilance in these matters the purity of society was preserved and
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
a community established which was composed, as the language of commerce would put it, of carefully selected materials. It will be interesting to notice some of the measures adopted for this purpose. In the town meetings, which were frequently held, candidates for the privilege of inhabitants or "sojourners" were received and disposed of.
At a town meeting in 1654 " John Brant and Jerimia Vreland voated not to abide in this towne any longer than 6 weeks, and to forfeit 5 pound for every month that he or either of them shall stay longer than the 6 weeks allowed-without the apro- bation of the towne." On the same date it was also ordered " that no inhabitant shall entertaine any sojorner above one month without the aprobation of the towne, upon the penaltie of the forfeiture of five pounds for every month so offending, and the magistrate of the towne to give licence untill a towne meetinge bee."
August 27th, 1666, the following action was taken in town meeting :-
"Voted that two of ye Neighbors are to goe to William Cad- man and signifie unto him that there is a towne law made in ye yeare 1654 which doth forbid any inhabitant to Receve or En- tertaine any suggenor or strainger above one month without the aprobation or consent of the inhabitants of this towne upon the penalty of ye forfeiture of 5 pound for Every month so offend- inge; and that the said Neighbors are here by Authorized to forewarne William Cadman that he Entertaine no longer in his honse one William Maze then the said month, William Hall and William Wodell are ye men chosen who are to have there order under the towne Clark's hand, and to bring his Answer to ye majestrats of this towne forth with."
Overseers of the poor were, abont 1675 to 1680, charged with the additional dnty of looking out for any strangers that unght be in the town. The entry which frequently follows the record of their election continues-"also to take care that the strangers be not entertain in this towne but according to order."
June 7th, 1680, the town voted as follows :-
" Richard Knight a weaver, is permitted to sojourne in this towne upon his good behavour untill the last day of october next Ensneing the date hereof, and then the towne councell hath power to move him or continue him until the next towns meet- ing as they see canse."
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
The freemen of Portsmouth in the year 1655 were as follows: Jolin Anthonie, John Alsberre, William Almy, John Archer, Richard Burden, Thomas Brooks, Nathaniel Browninge, Wil- liam Brenton, William Banlston, Francis Braiton, Nicholas Browne, John Briggs, James Badcock, Thomas Brownell, Thomas Burden, Francis Burden, William Baker, Thomas Cor- nell, Sr., Ralph Cowland, Thomas Cooke, Sr., Thomas Cooke, Jr., John Cranston, Gregorie Cole, John Cooke, Ralph Earle, Edward Fisher. Thomas Fish, John Ford, William Freeborne, Thomas Gorton, Thomas Gennings, Math: Greenell, Thomas Hazard, Richard Hawkins, William Hall, Samnel Hutchinson. William Havens, Robert Hazard, William James, Thomas Lai- ton, JJohn Mott, Adam Mott, Sr., Adam Mott, Jr., John Mason, Richard Morris, William Morris, Jonathan Mott, Samnel Gen- nings, John Porter, George Parker, Arthur Paine, John Roome, Philip Sherman, Giles Slocum, John Sanford, James Sandes, Richard Sussell. John Sanford, Jr., John Tripp, John Tift, Fred. Sheffield, Samuel Wilbore, Sr., Samnel Willson, Samuel Wilbore, Jr .. Thomas Warde, William Woodhill, James Weed- en, Sr., Robert Henrie Phliip Taber. The last name is on the list, though he appears not to have. been admitted until 1656.
The importance of the town of Portsmouth has already been shown by comparison. The examples quoted were special. We will add here another one, this one being taken from the regu- lar, settled schedule for ordinary purposes. In 1675 the rate levied on the island was was for £400. Of this the proportion of Portsmouth was £120.
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