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 69
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The numerous families by the name of Carr in Jamestown and Newport are descended from two brothers, Robert and Caleb, who sailed from London for New England on the ship " Eliza- beth and Ann," Roger Cooper being master, in the year 1635. Robert, the elder brother, was a tailor by trade, and at the time he reached the western world was twenty-one years of age. Caleb, the younger brother, was at that time eleven years of age. They were natives of Scotland. The history of their pa-
729
IHISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
rentage is but partly known. It is supposed by some of the present generation that they were the children of the Earl and Countess of Somerset. From Hume's history is gleaned the following, upon which this opinion is based : In 1603, James Stuart, son of Mary, queen of Scotts, became king of England and Scotland. The king brought with him into England Rob- ert Carr, a Scottish youth of some distinction, whom he created Earl of Somerset. Subsequently the youthful earl sought the hand of the Countess of Somerset, but was strongly advised against taking that step by Sir Thomas Overbury. This was unsavory advice to the youthful favorite of the king, and Carr secured the imprisonment of Sir Thomas, and after his marriage with the countess the twain joined hands and took his life. For this crime the earl and conntess were tried and banished from England. Whether or not any connection existed between these associates of royalty and the two brothers who came to this country in their youth and alone is matter for conjecture.
The precise date when Robert and Caleb came to Newport is uncertain, but it must have been about the year 1638. Robert died in 1681, aged sixty-seven years. He left a widow, three sons, Caleb, Robert and Eseck, and two daughters, Elizabeth, who married James Brown, and Margaret, who married Robert. Lawton. His son Robert died in Newport in 1703 or 1704. leaving a son, Robert, and a daughter, Abigail, who afterward married the Rev. James Honeyman, then rector of the church of England.
Caleb was a large owner of land in Newport, Jamestown and in other parts of the Narragansett country. Some of the same real estate is still held by his descendants. The ferry originally granted to him remained in the family until the year 1873. lle held varions offices of trust, and died while he held the hon- orable position of governor of the colony. His tombstone is in the old Carr burying ground in Newport. This ground, located on Mill street, was given by him for the purpose to which it is devoted. The inscription ou his tombstone is as follows: "Here lies ye body of Caleb Carr Governor of this Colony, who departed this life ye 17th day of December in ve 73d year of his age, in the year 1695." He had three wives, the first of whom, named Mercy, died in 1675, leaving four sons, Nicholas, Caleb, John and Edward, and a grandson by the name of Job, son of a deceased son Samuel. She was
730
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
buried by the side of her husband. His second wife was Mary Vaughan, by whom he had one daughter, Mary, who married Thomas Paine. The third wife was Sarah Clarke, danghter of Jeremiah Clarke and sister of Governor Walter Clarke. By this wife he had children: James, Sarah, Francis and Eliza- beth, One of the sons of Caleb Carr settled on Long Island, Nicholas in Jamestown and John in Newport.
Samuel Carr, son of John and grandson of Caleb, was born in 1694, married Mary Greene and died June 9th, 1739. His sons were Caleb, Samuel, John and Ebenezer. He was buried on Goat island, where, on his tombstone, may still be read the following legends of solemn fact and poetic fancy: " In memory of Mr. Samuel Carr, died June 9, 1739, in ye 46th year of his age. And Waite, his daughter, died ye same day, age 13 years.
" Not human skill nor prayers nor tears could save From the dark chambers of the silent grave. Thus are we of our fondest hopes beguiled,- The tenderest husband and the sweetest child: In this distinguished day of both bereft, The happiest wife a mournful widow left, Dost to their much loved memory bestow This stone-sad monument of real woe."
Samuel Carr, Jr., great-grandson of Caleb, was born in New- port in 1721, bnt afterward moved to Jamestown. He married Damaris Carr, and died in Jamestown in 1796. His son Samuel was born here in 1756, and married Damaris Underwood, born also in Jamestown in 1763. They were married August 24th, 1780. She died May 18th, 1798, and he died March 21st, 1814.
John Carr, spoken of above, son of Samuel, and grandson of Caleb, took part in the revolutionary war, at the battle on Rhode Island and at Trenton, N. J.
Caleb Carr, the governor, held that office under the royal charter from May to December, 1695, when his career was cut suddenly short by his death by drowning. To his son, Nich- olas, he deeded the farm of 140 acres in Conanicut, another tract of 40 acres on the island, a right in Dutch island, a quarter share in Gould island and property in Newport. To his son, John, he gave property in Newport and on Rose island. To his son, Edward. he gave 115 acres on Conanicut, a right on Dutch island and a share on Gould island. Ilis son, Caleb, was, like himself, a public-spirited
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F
111
HOUSE OF WILLIAM T. RICHARDS, JAMESTOWN, R. I.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
man and spent his life on the island. He was born August 23d, 1657, and died October 10th, 1700. His wife, Deborah. also died the same year. He owned honses and lands on Co- nanieut, Dutch and Gonld islands.
Nicholas Carr held a number of public offices. He was free- man in 1679 ; ensign in 1680; deputy from 1680 to 1699; over- seer of the poor in 1687 ; a member of the grand jury in 1687 ; deputy warden in 1690 ; lieutenant in 1692, and warden in 1704 The names of his children were : Joseph, Nicholas, Jane, Caleb, Robert, Margaret, Ann, Mercy, Thomas, Rebecca and Benjamin. The original homestead property in Jamestown is now owned and occupied by Tiddeman H. Carr.
Among the descendants of Nicholas Carr was a grandson, Caleb, who had a very singular adventure, which is related as follows : He was a wild and reckless youth, and pursued his way through early life apparently fearing neither the powers above nor the powers below. On one occasion he was caught in a severe thunder shower, during which he was laid prostrate by a stroke of lightning. Coming to his senses he found, to his great surprise, that he was personally nninjured, although his silver knee-buckles were completely melted. This remarkable escape from death made a deep impression on his mind. He seemed to be aronsed to a sense of his position, and thought more deeply than he had ever thought before. The result was that he soon afterward joined the Quakers, and relinquishing his former wild career, became a celebrated preacher of that faith.
Daniel Weeden was one of the original settlers of the island. Ile purchased a large tract of land, extending from the ferry northward. taking in the shore around the lane by the residence of his descendant, George W. Weeden, who now occupies the old family homestead. The tract embraced between seven and eight hundred acres of land. It is not known just when this purchase was made, but it was among the early years of the settlement. Daniel Weeden built the house now standing on the farm, in which his son John lived after his marriage with Martha Chase. The children of the latter were: Arnold, born in 1769; George, born in 1776, and John, Wager, Peleg and William Augustus, born subsequently.
John, the father of these children, was a sturdy son of Amer- ican proclivities, and somewhat too loyal to his adopted coun-
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
try to be tolerated by the English in their great desire to sup- press the colonies. When, during the revolution, the British made a raid on the island, they secured the services of a tory to act as guide and paid the young man a visit. They first de- spoiled the farm, driving off the stock and taking such other things as they thought would be of use to them. They then made an assault on the house, taking Mr. Weeden captive and tying him to a chair, and proceeded to pillage the house, secur- ing among other things a quantity of cheese which they found stored in the upper chamber. After obtaining what plunder they desired they returned to the ship, taking their captive with them and leaving his dependent family to take care of them- selves as best they could during the several months that fol- lowed before he was allowed his liberty to return.
He afterward pursued his vocation as a farmer, and was a re- spected citizen of the town, representing it in the state assembly. During the year 1787, when a member of that body, he pre- sented a petition of his constituents, asking them to be allowed to condemn a piece of ground belonging to Colonel Joseph Wanton, which had been confiscated by the general assembly. The old mill stood on this ground, and the town desired to erect a new mill on it. The petition was granted, on condition that the new mill should be erected within one year from that time.
William Angustas Weeden, son of John, inherited the home- stead. He was a public spirited citizen of the town, an elder of the Baptist church, and an earnest worker and exhorter for that society. It was mainly through his efforts that the old Baptist church, now standing on the the main road beside the north school house, was erected. That church was built on land given to the society by George C. Carr by deed dated Aug- ust 31st, 1841. On this lot a church was built the autumn fol- lowing by voluntary labor. A great portion of this labor was done by Mr. Weeden and his son, George W. For many years the church was without a settled pastor, and Elder Weeden officiated instead. The old Weeden house, now occupied by George Weeden, is said to be the oldest house on the island, but is still in a good state of preservation. It was built of hard wood, in a substantial manner, and was no doubt considered in its time a somewhat elegant specimen of architecture. It also
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
contains many interesting pieces of antique furniture and other relics of the colonial period.
John Weeden, known as "Farmer John," to distinguish him from his cousin of the same name, was a man of more than or- dinary intelligence and great probity of character. He was the father of the late John H. Weeden, a lawyer, of Pawtucket. He married Anna Chace, of Portsmouth, a sister of the late Clark Chace, who so long and worthily represented that town in the general assembly. His children were John H., Holden, and Ann Eliza. The first named was graduated from Brown University in 1827, with the highest honors of his class, and was made tutor in 1828. In the following spring, while he still held that position, he was returned a member of the general as- sembly from Jamestown. His seat was contested on the ground that he was not a resident of the town he claimed to represent, and after a spirited controversy he was unseated.
John Hull emigrated to Newport from London in 1687. He and his wife were both Quakers. Soon after his arrival he built a house on the north end of Conanicut, and there settled. His son John is said to have been the first white child born on the island. Captain Hull was thirty three years old when he arrived in this country, and had been for several years a ship master. His name afterward became intimately associated in history with that of Charles Wager, who afterward became Sir Charles, an admiral in the British navy.
Among other old settlers of Jamestown may be mentioned John Fornes, who bought lands of John Weeden August 5th, 1694: Thomas Francis Brinley, who bought of Joseph Clarke eighty-nine acres in Jamestown in 1685; Peleg and Mary San- ford, who had lands deeded to them from her father, William Brenton, in 1666; and many others of later date. Job Watson came here before the revolutionary war, and at abont the same period came Job Howland and the Anthonys, all of whom were active in the early settlement.
The early proprietors and incorporators made the orthography of the name " James Towne," and this form was followed for many years. In several features the charter differs from that of any other town except New Shoreham. The island was erected into a township in 1678, but its early records are so badly mutil- ated that we are unable to give the names of the first officers. It was incorporated by action of the general assembly November
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
4th, 1678, the record of their action being in the following language:
"Voted, That the petition of Mr. Caleb Carr and Mr. Francis Brinley on behalf of themselves and the proprietors for Quo- nonoqutt Island to be made a township shall first be adjetated and debated."
"Voted : that the petition is granted and that the said Quo- nonoqntt Island shall be a township with the like privileges and liberties granted to New Shoreham."
Apparently every meeting held before the year 1680 had a clerk or secretary pro tempore, but none was elected to hold the oflice regularly before that date. The first general list of offi- cers noted were elected April 21st, 1685. At that election El)- enezer Slocum was chosen moderator : Caleb Carr, deputy war- den and clerk : Nicholas Carr, Joseph Mowry, Oliver Arnold and Caleb Carr, councilmen ; Ephraim Morse, first constable ; Eben Weeks. second constable ; John Heading, sergeant, and Nicholas Carr, treasurer. Among the names found on the rec- ords in those early days are the Carrs, Remingtons, Watsons, Weedens, Hazards, Knowleses, Martins, Congdons, Cottrells, Greenes, Armstrongs and Howlands, and many of the same names may still be found on the record books of late years. The town election is now held on the first Wednesday in April. 'The officers in 1887 were : Town council, Thomas Carr Watson, Benjamin E. Hull and Elijah Anthony ; clerk, John E. Watson ; treasurer, Thomas H. Clarke ; overseer of the poor, Isaac B. Briggs ; town sergeant, Thomas D. Wright.
About the year 1703 the subject of highways received con- siderable attention, but it was not until the year 1709 that the people succeeded in settling with satisfactory definiteness the highway boundaries. In the January session of the general assembly in 1783, action was taken relative to the laying out of the highways, " which wants to be laid forth according to the plot of the island." The necessity for taking such action grew out of a dispute between Samnel Cranston, Captain Nicholas Carr and Captain Josiah Arnold, " that was of a long continu- ance." It was regarded as a necessity that an act should be passed in some way regulating the matter, "that each man might fence his land and walk withont damnifying his neigh- bor on the highways." An order was issued directing Captain James Carder and Mr. John Mumford to lay out the highways
735
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
throughout the town. The island was then surveyed and the plan of survey sent to the assembly, who confirmed it by their approval. During the May session of 1705 the subject was again agitated, and matters continued in an unsettled state un- til the year 1709, when all disputes were amicably adjusted.
During the memorable struggle of the American colonies for independence, no town suffered more from the hands of the en- emy than the town of Jamestown. At that time many of the houses were burned and the town was almost depopulated, many of the inhabitants fleeing in a body to North and South Kingstown. During this eventful period town meetings were held at the dwelling house of Mr. Martin Allen, in North Kings- town, and there during the years 1777 and 1778 at least, the cit- izens of Jamestown exercised their rights as citizens and pre- served the organization of their town, electing their town offi- cers and transacting their town business, which they could not do on their own soil because of the presence of an invading army.
In response to the act of the general assembly of November 21st, 1776, calling for the raising and equipment of six per cent. of the male inhabitants capable of bearing arms, for the defense of Newport against the ministerial armies and fleets, this town on the 31st of December passed the following:
" This town and the few inhabitants thereof in town meeting as freemen being met and considering their depopulated and distressed and defenceless condition towards raising, equiping and sending forward said men agreeably to said act, do at this time most sensibly regret and find that it is out of the power of the town to raise the men required by such act. But at the same time we are willing and desirous to be aiding and assisting in the defense of Rhode Island, and for that purpose will en- deavour to enlist the six men required of this town by said act, equip and send them forward for the common defence as speed- ily as may be, agreeable to said act. But if the town in their now most calamitous and distressed situation find it out of their power to raise said men they humbly hope the fine for not rais- ing, equiping and sending them forward agreeable to said act may not be executed upon the inhabitants of the town."
As early as October 6th, 1775, the town authorities set a guard of four men to nightly patrol the shores, and this was continued until the island was abandoned to the British. The burning of
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Jamestown, as nearly as we have been able to ascertain, resulted from the indiscreet use these patrolmen made of their opportu- nities. For it is said of them that they would occasionally fire into the vessels of the British lying at anchor in the bay. On one occasion Captain Abiel Brown fired a shot from a small field piece into a frigate, which so exasperated the enemy that they decided to take vengeance at once on the inhabitants of the island. They immediately landed and overran the town, burned the houses near the ferry, carried off much provisions, and destroyed a great deal that they could not carry away. At this action the inhabitants fled. Those houses which were known to belong to persons favorable to the royal canse were of course left undisturbed. It may have been that some others escaped destruction through the favorable misunderstanding of the assailants, or were overlooked by them.
The islanders enjoyed peace after the great struggle referred to, and being an industrious people they soon settled down to their favorite occupation, the cultivation of the soil. In the year 1781 they were annoyed by the sailors belonging to his majesty's fleet and soldiers from the hospital running over their fields, pulling down fences and walls, and otherwise wantonly trespassing on property. Some action seemed necessary to pre- vent such inexcusable annoyance. It was decided to petition the authorities to lay some restraint on their soldiery. Benja- min Underwood and John Weeden were instructed by the town to draw a remonstrance, which was sent by the hands of Aaron Sheffield to the admiral of the fleet. The petition was respected, and from that time the citizens had no further cause of com- plaint from that source.
During the late war the Third Rhode Island cavalry was stationed on the island and remained here for some time. Dutch island also served as a camping ground for colored heavy artil- Jery. The soldiers were sometimes annoying to the citizens, but no fatal events occurred, as far as known.
During the administration of the elder Adams Fort Brown was built, but was soon abandoned when it was discovered that the guns of Fort Adams opposite would immediately bear upon it. The general government purchased six and a half acres for this fortress. It is now deserted.
As early as the year 1690 steps were taken toward the erection of a town house. On the 7th of May in that year Caleb Carr and
737
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
John Holmes were appointed by the assembly to agree with carpenters to finish a town house at once, but the writer has been unable to learn what progress was made toward the com- pletion of that building.
During the late rebellion a camp was established here called Camp Mead. Several buildings were erected for its accommo- dation. One of these was used as a hospital, and after the war was over that building was re-modelled and used for a town house. The building which had been previously used for that purpose had been destroyed by fire. Singularly enough this house met a like fate in the year 1884. After this another, the present building, was erected. This is situated at the "Four Corners," and has, in addition to accommodations for other purposes, an assembly room and library rooms.
Some idea of the importance of the town as early as the year 1822, also the names of its freeholding inhabitants, may be had from the tax list of that year, a copy of which is given, with the valuations of real and personal property owned by the people as then estimated.
ON CONANICUT.
Freeholders.
Real. $9,600
Personal.
Walter Watson
Oliver Hopkins
2,075
$200
John J. Watson
1,932
150
Job Weeden
2,640
Daniel J. Weeden.
5,760
350
James Tew.
1,025
500
John Farr
3,024
Thomas Fowler
1,000
John Hammond
3,400
200
John T. Potter
1,160
150
John Eldred .
2,500
500
Job Watson
6,443
400
Martha Munro
575
George Weeden
2,650
500
J. & Benjamin Congden .
2,580
Philip Potter
1,650
George Gardner
1,760
130
Caleb T. Weaver.
3,655
1,600
John Remington
130
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Watty Palmer
80
Benjamin Carr
150
100
Jolın H. Dockaly
75
Widow Greenold
3,500
Daniel Howland.
7,316
1,000
Mary Howland.
1,500
Mary Gardner.
200
James R. Dockroy
2,520
Sweet Brick ..
3,200
250
Joseph N. Austin.
12,863
George Knowles
7,300
Hazard Knowles.
4,710
560
Joseph R. Shearman
8,050
500
George Armstrong
150
B. Chappell
S. Cranston
350
T. Gardner
Abijah Watson
6,304
Robert H. Watson.
6,900
Thomas Carr.
2,650
2,050
Arnold Hazard.
4,312
600
John Tew.
242
Walter Watson
2,200
Henry Fowler.
786
200
John Hammond
12.
James A. Arnold
340
William Batty
680
Daniel Weeden
3,315
Robert Carr
160
Ebenezer Carr
920
Comfort Carr
450
250
George Hull.
2,500
150
Jonathan Hopkins.
3,360
100
ON DUTOHI ISLAND.
Willet Carpenter
460
Henry Gardner
400
Vincent Gardner.
115
Pardon Brown
850
Joseph Green
530
Heirs of J. C. Carr.
150
350
HOUSE OF JOSEPH WHARTON JAMESTOWN. R. I.
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY. 739
Benjamin Weaver. 1,000
Ed. Hammond
100
Mary Fowler. 150
George Shearman 400
Damaris Carr
150
John B. Shearman.
75
Abigail Knowles.
600
Total assessment, $164,503.
The growth of the town financially from that time to the present may be inferred from the fact that the total assessed valuation in 1886 amounted to $1,028,280.
In 1872 a company of gentlemen belonging to Newport and Providence organized and were incorporated for the purpose of owning and managing a park, to be known as Conanient Park. They purchased five hundred acres in the northern part of the island, formerly owned by L. D. Davis, of Newport. Here they proceeded to lay ont a park for summer residences and a water- ing place. The company included L. D. Davis, Governor Henry Lippitt, John Kendrick, Leonard Whitney and others, and its capital stock was $50,000. Work was at once begun, and more than twelve miles of streets were laid out the first year. Im- provements have since continued to be made. Last year over 30,000 ornamental trees were planted. On many of these lots most beautiful villas have been erected. Among those who have summer residences here are Judge Shortliff, of Springfield, Mass .; Samuel A. Irons, of Olneyville; Charles Fletcher and James A. Cranston, of Providence; James A. Young and Rich- ard J. Arnold, of Newport; Doctor Jarnegan, of Boston; and many others.
A commodions hotel was erected during the first year, and this, with the additions which have since been made to it, will accommodate more than a hundred guests. It has first class furnishings and appointments, electric bells and telephone con- nections with Newport. A new drive is being opened along the eastern shore of the island, between the park and the Newport ferry, about five miles in length. During the summer season the steamboats of different lines which pass up and down the bay touch at the park, so that communication with New York and all eastern and northern cities is conveniently made. The spot is surrounded with romantic scenery. On the north, look- ing up the bay, may be seen the islands of Hope, Prudence and
47
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Patience, and on the mainland just beyond, Rocky point, Oak- land beach, Warwick and the Buttonwoods, and in the distance, on the northeast, the spires of Fall River and Bristol. It is indeed a delectable spot for summer residence.
The Ocean Highland Company was organized in 1875, having for its object the improvement of lands in the southern part of Conanient island for summer residences. The company was organized with eight members, George C. Carr being its presi- dent. Lands were purchased of the heirs of John S. and Ben- jamin Cottrell in the year 1875. Mr. Richard T. Smith, the artist, was the first to build upon the purchase.
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