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 70
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The first post office in this town was established in 1844, Wil- liam A. Weeden, Jr., being made the first postmaster. Prior to that time mail matter was obtained as circumstances would permit, from Newport or any other convenient point. At one time Thomas R. Congdon acted as an unofficial mail-carrier for the accommodation of the people, making regular trips for this purpose twice a week. Since the establishment of the steam ferry in 1872 Jamestown has been supplied with daily mails. The post office is now kept by Thomas Carr Watson.
Ferry Meadow is a name given to a tract of land upon which considerable of the village of Jamestown has been built, espe- cially the more recent portion. It is a part of the old Howland farm, the land having been taken up by Job Howland in 1670. It is a beautiful locality, overlooking the bay eastward, with the city of Newport, Fort Adams and the naval station in full view. The Howlands were Quakers, but notwithstanding the inoffensive customs of those people, their house was burned by the British in the time of the revolution and John Howland, its occupant, carried captive on board the British frigate. Jolm Howland, at present residing here, is a grandson of the one just mentioned, and was one of the first to build a house in this new part of the village.
The first store in Jamestown was kept by Isaac Carr. The little building in which he carried on trade and barter for half a century was built for that purpose in 1829, and for a year or two past has been used as a meat shop. William H. Knowles began merchandizing in a general way in 1871, and is still en- gaged in the business. Thomas Carr Watson and John W. Douglas also have stores at the present time.
The first hotel was built in 1870. Previous to that time tem-
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
porary provision had been made by private houses for the ac- commodation of strangers. William Champlin, now known by the wealth of fashion who visit the island in summer, began keeping boarders during the war. The "Bay View," the first hotel spoken of, was built by William Il. Knowles, as has been said, in 1870, and occupied by Captain Stephen C. Gardner. In 1873 the Hotel Association built the Gardner house. It has been occupied since 1882 by Captain Stephen C. Gardner and C. N. Littlefield. The present manager of the Bay View, Mr. Charles T. Knowles, took charge of that hotel in 1883, and has since occupied it. Both these hotels have annexed accommo- dations and are well patronized every summer.
The public library of Jamestown was organized under the name of the Philomenian Library Association in the year 1849. It was started by subscription as an institution for the public good. The first officers of the association were: George C. Carr, president; William A. Weeden, vice-president ; John E. Watson, secretary ; Jolm S. Cottrell, treasurer; Robert H. Watson, librarian. The association was incorporated under the general state law of 1847, and received, as it continues to re- ceive, a share of state patronage. The original subscribers to the library fund were : Thomas Carr, Peleg C. Carr, John J. Watson. Ebenezer Tefft, Philip Caswell, William A. Weeden, Jr., Benjamin Cottrell, John Hammond, D. W. Clark, John Wilbour, John E. Watson, William H. Knowles, William A. Weeden, George W. Weeden, George Anthony, George C. Carr, Robert Dennis, Abby Howland, Job W. Hazard, William W. Briggs, Isaac Carr, George H. Weeden, David Buffum, James Tew, Jonathan H. Lake, Jolm S. Cottrell, John M. Douglas, Arnold Hazard, Charles C. Weeden, John H. Gardner, William M. Watson, Job W. Weeden, Amy C. Weeden, Hannah Wat- son, Robert H. Watson, John Howland, George Hull, Sarah W. Carr and Mary E. Carr. In 1876 the society was reorganized under its present name. The present officers are : T. Carr Wat- son, president ; Charles Weeden, secretary : Lucy Ann Tefft, librarian. There are now 1,780 volumes in the library, and it receives an annual appropriation from the state amounting to one hundred dollars.
Grist mills, driven by wind, were among the first institutions established here. The isolated condition of the island made it extremely desirable that some means should at once be devised
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
for converting the grain which they raised into flour and meal. As there were no streams of any importance on which to build mills, the winds of heaven seemed the only resource from which to draw for power to drive the simple machinery. The first of these mills of which any definite knowledge can now be gleaned was the Post mill. It was built on the principle of a turn-stile, and when the wind changed a yoke of oxen was hitched to the end of a long lever, and the whole building, which stood upon a single post or pivot, was turned until the arms of the shaft came fair into the wind. In the year 1787 the present mill, which stands near the old church on the main road, was erected. A grant for land on which to erect it was obtained from the general assembly. The frame is of heavy oak timbers, and the wind wheel is fifty-four feet in diameter.
CHURCHES .- The Society of Friends was the first religions organization to hold services on the island. The Quakers were a devoted people, and religiously observed the Lord's day in private houses, long before places for public worship were erected. They were quite numerons on the island. The first house of worship built by them was erected in 1706. It stood a mile north of the present one at the cross roads. The second house of worship was built in 1765.
Among the first converts to the new faith here was William Coddington, at whose house the first quarterly meeting in this neighborhood, and perhaps in this country, was held. Despite the persecutions which were raised against this sect, and the opposition which was generally urged against them by the early colonists, it for a time increased in numbers, and here found an asylum where, in the enjoyment of immunity from its op- pressors, it passed a period of encouraging prosperity. The Quakers here from that time to the present have enjoyed their religions convictions without interference, but their numbers have greatly decreased, until at the present time they have but few followers.
In 1841 Joseph Greene, Jr., gave his farm by bequest to the care of three trustees as a fund, the profits of which were to be used in aiding the Friends or in publishing books on the doc- trines of the primitive faith. The property is now valned at $10,000, and ont of its income numerous works have been pub- lished.
The Baptist Society has had an organization in this town since
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
about the year 1835. The little frame building, still standing, was erected by the Free Will Baptists on a lot given for the purpose by Daniel Weeden and Thomas Carr. It was built by voluntary labor. In this work Elder William Augustus Weeden was one of the most prominent and energetic movers, and his efforts were ably supported by his son, George W. Weeden, who with his own hands helped to frame the building. For a long time the church had no regular pastor. Students from the Theological seminary often filled the pulpit, and the Reverend Oliver Hopkins, Mr. Case and Elder William A. Weeden offici- ated on various occasions. The Reverend Daniel W. Carr was the only regular pastor who for any length of time administered spiritual comfort to this little flock. He continued as their res- ident guardian for a number of years.
At one time this society became quite prosperous, and their Sunday school was well attended; but eventually the interest of its adherents began to decline, and little by little the mem- bers fell off, until a new spirit was aroused at the Center, and a new society at that point, under the name of the Central Bap- tist church, was organized in 1867. Two years later the present building was erected. The Reverend James Hammond was the first pastor of this, the village church. He was duly installed in the month of February, 1869, and remained in charge of the organization four years. The first deacons were William Henry Gardner and his brother, Benjamin C. Gardner. Other pastors in the order of their succession have been: Reverend John Pratt, Reverend Samuel Carr, and Reverend G. B. Smith, who took charge February 7th, 1886, and still remains (1887). The pres- ent deacons are S. C. Gardner and Philip Caswell, and the clerk is Mrs. Susan Clark. The church is now in a flourishing con- dition.
The Protestant Episcopal church of Jamestown has had a fol- lowing since the year 1837. Its organization was consummated at that time, but its early records have been lost. The Rev. Edward Wayland was their first rector, and he was succeeded in turn by Revs. John Suddord, Elisha Watson and George Anthony. The society worshiped in the Baptist meeting house, but had no resident priest until the year 1882. The Rev. George L. Magill, rector of Trinity church, Newport, by request of the bishop of the diocese, held services every Sunday from the year 1881 till the installation of the first resident priest in 1882. In
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
1879 the corner-stone of the new building was laid by the Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark, D. D., bishop of the diocese, assisted by Rev. G. L. Magill and Rev. W. Ingram Magill. The new building was duly consecrated on the Feast of St. Matthew, in 1880. In the summer of 1882 the bishop proposed to the con- gregation that they should raise a certain sum, to which he would add a like amount, for the support of a resident priest to work under the rector of Trinity church. This proposition being approved, the Rev. H. Cruikshank, of the diocese of Easton, took charge of the work and entered upon his duties November 5th, 1882. He resigned July 1st, 1884. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. G. G. Nicolls, from the diocese of Quebec, who took charge November 10th, 1884, and is the present offi- ciating clergyman. At the consecration of the church the altar and reredos were presented by Mrs. A. T. Lawton, of New- port, as a memorial of her departed son. The altar vessels were given by Mrs. Lisle, of Philadelphia.
SCHOOLS .-- From the will of John Clarke, which bears date April 20th, 1676, it is learned that provision was made, even at that early day, for the cause of education. Mr. Clarke willed that after the decease of his wife his farm and marsh land, with his honse and appurtenances, called the "Neck," should be placed in the hands of trustees, William Weeden, Philip Smith and Richard Smith, and their assigns, for the "reliefe of the poor and bringing up of children unto learning from time to time forever." The dates given by tradition of the erection and destruction of primitive school houses in this town are too uncertain as to accuracy to be inserted here. From the general intelligence of the early settlers, and from the public spirit manifested for the general good, it is safe to conclude that the education of their children was not neglected.
About the year 1800 an old stone school house was torn down to make room for a new one, and since that time the memory of some persons now living extends back far enough to be able to testify that the children of the town have been provided with good schools. There are now three school buildings in the town, which is divided into two districts. Of these schools one is ungraded, another is a primary and the third a grammar school. They are under the personal superintendence of Thomas HI. Clarke, who, with Alvin Peckham and Thomas C. Carr, con- stitute the town school board. A fund of fifty dollars is an-
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
nually appropriated by the state to supply these schools with maps and books of reference, and this has been wisely taken advantage of by those having the schools in charge, and the good results of their work are manifested in the increased inter- est and progress of the children, especially those pursning the higher branches of study.
Mr. Clarke, the superintendent, was a teacher in the New York House of Refuge from 1857 to 1865, and from the latter date to 1873 he was in charge of the First Grammar School in Newport, and for nine successive years thereafter the superin- tendent of all the schools of that city. He reports the schools of Jamestown as being in a high state of advancement.
FERRIES .-- The first ferry operated between Jamestown and Newport was in 1695, at which time Caleb Carr, then governor of the colony, chartered the Newport ferry. The Newport landing of this ferry was owned by members of the Carr family from that time down to the year 1872. By the year 1700 travel over this ferry had become quite brisk. The route hence to New York lay across the island of Conanicut, as well as the common means of reaching the mainland on the west side of Narragansett bay.
March 25th, 1700, Josiah Arnold secured by petition the en- actment of the general assembly authorizing him to establish and operate a horse ferry between Jamestown and the Narra- gansett shore. This charter, given for the term of seven years, exacted an annual rental fee of two pounds, ten shillings. A ferry charter was granted April 22d of the same year, for a like term, to John Carr and Thomas Winterton for the ferry be- tween Jamestown and Newport. This franchise required an annual fee of five pounds. They were also required " to carry all officers being upon the King's service and the Post Ferriage free." In 1709 John Carr and Robert Barker began operating the ferry between Jamestown and Newport ; and John and Jeremiah Smith and Josiah Arnold that from here to Kings- town.
The general assembly in 1726 instructed the committee hay- ing the ferries in charge to let them to such parties as would offer the best accommodations for the public. In 1750 the as- sembly appointed Daniel Coggeshall, Thomas Cranston and Immanuel Northrup a committee to sell the west ferry. They accordingly sold it to Abel Franklin and Stephen Wilcox.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
During the revolutionary war all regular intercourse of the people here was suspended and the ferries were for the time destroyed. They appear to have remained in a dilapidated con- (lition for several years after, as the assembly in October, 1799. found it necessary to order that the proprietors should rebuild the ferries, and if they failed to do so Enoch Hazard was directed to put them in good repair and hold the tolls to pay the expense of doing the work required.
JECY
REID PROVE
OLD FORT DUMPLINGS, JAMESTOWN.
In 1838 a plan was projected for working the ferries by horse power and work began upon it, but it did not prove effective and was abandoned. In 1854 a charter was obtained for a steam ferry under the name of the Narragansett and Newport Company but this scheme was never carried
into effectual operation.
On the 2d of May, 1872, a special town meeting was called. the result of which was the organization of the company which still continues to operate a steam ferry between this island and Newport. This company was incorporated with a capital stock limited to $100,000, and empowered to own or lease all the necessary adjuncts of a ferry whether operated by steam or otherwise. The officers of this company were: George C. Carr, president; Frederick A. Cottrell, secretary, and John W. Potter treasurer. The steam ferry boat, the " Jamestown," made her first trip on the 12th of May, 1873, under command of Captain Stephen C. Gardner. The present officers of the company are: George C. Carr, president; Thomas Carr Watson, treasurer, and Elijah Anthony, secretary.
LIGHT HOUSES. - There are two light houses on the island of Conanicut, one at the north end, the other at the south end. The Beaver Tail Light, the one at the south end, was first es-
.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
tablished in 1749, being, as is claimed, the first light house established on the American coast. It was built on land form- erly owned by Josiah Arnold. It was destroyed in 1754 and rebuilt the same year. This in turn suffered destruction, being burned by the British in 1779. It was rebuilt soon after and has since been maintained, the building being replaced by the present one in 1856. The name comes from the circumstance of the peninsula owned by Josiah Arnold and his brother Benedict having some resemblance in ontline to the form of a beaver. The light house site is on the end which represents the tail of the animal.
DUTCH ISLAND lies in Narragansett bay, west of Conanient, is a part of this town, and embraces an area of some three hun- dred acres. It was for many years devoted to pasturage, large flocks of sheep being placed upon it. In early times the Dutch were accustomed to visit this island and meet the Indians here for purposes of trade. Hence arose the name. The authorities of the Rhode Island colony attempted to prohibit this trade, but their efforts met with little snecess.
In 1726 the proprietors of the island agreed that not more than four sheep to the acre should be allowed to run upon it, and the taking of building stones from its shores without per- mission was strictly forbidden. The ownership of the island was at first held in common, nndivided shares, but after a time lands were divided among the owners. Allotments were bought and sold by individuals as inclination and circumstance directed, until eventually the whole island came into the hands of Mr. Powel H. Carpenter, who attempted to establish works there for expressing fish oil, but being unsuccessful in this enterprise, he sold the island to the United States government, this tran- saction bearing date January 5th, 1864. The government had already purchased a small piece of ground, upon which, about the year 1840, it had erected a light house. Since the purchase of the whole island the government has erected extensive bat- teries on it, constructing these works with all modern improve- ments. This fortress bears the name of Fort Casey.
Dutch Island harbor is one of the finest anchorages in the bay, and a convenient harbor for vessels sailing along the coast. In time of storms or heavy winds vessels in large numbers enter this harbor for safety.
GOULD ISLAND belongs to the town of Jamestown, and was purchased of Koskotep, one of the Narragansett sachems, by
.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Thomas Gould in the year 1657. Its Indian name was Agus- Demokick. It is now owned by the government. It covers an area of abont one hundred acres in extent.
GEORGE C. CARR .- Caleb Carr, the progenitor of the family in Rhode Island, has been elsewhere mentioned in this volume. His son Nicholas, who inherited an extensive tract of land on Conanicut island, had among his children a son Thomas, whose son Nicholas married Mary Eldred. Their children were: Thomas, John, Mary and Hannah. John Carr was born and resid- ed in Jamestown, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. He married Mary, daughter of Colonel Peleg Cross, of Charles- town, Rhode Island, and had ten children, as follows: Peleg C., Mary E., Thomas J., Catherine C., Nicholas, John E., Celia A., William C., George C., and Hannah C., who died in youth.
George C. Carr was born December 22d, 1818, in Jamestown, and was educated at private schools on the island and at the Washington Academy at Wickford. He then engaged in farm- ing with his uncle Thomas, on the land which was first acquired by Caleb Carr in 1638, and has been transmitted by will to suc- cessive generations since that date. On the death of his uncle in 1837, this property was bequeathed to George C. Carr, and has since been his residence. He married, in 1851, Sarah C., daughter of Reverend George Anthony. of Jamestown, and has one son, John Anthony, who is interested with his father in the cultivation of the farm. Mr. Carr aided in organizing, and is now president of, the Ocean Highland Land Company, located on Conanicut island, and also fills the office of president of the Jamestown & Newport Ferry Company. His political aflilia- tions have always been either whig or republican. He was the first state senator elected from his district under the new consti- tution in 1844, and was again chosen to that office in the years 1853-54. He has been active in local affairs, and for many years president of the town council. In all measures pertaining to the growth and development of the town, Mr. Carr has been a leading spirit and ever ready with his means and influence to advance all worthy enterprises. He is a supporter of St. Mat- thew's Protestant Episcopal Church, of Jamestown.
THOMAS CARR WATSON was born October 6th, 1838, in James- town, where he has, since his early manhood, been one of the foremost citizens, enterprising, public spirited, and thoroughly
George Clair
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
imbued with the progressive tendency of the times. He was educated at the public schools and at Greenwich Academy, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, after which he succeeded to the call- ing of his ancestors, tilling the land that had been for genera- tions the property of various members of the family. He has since that period devoted the time not absorbed by public duties to the pursuits of an agricnlturist. Mr. Watson first participated ac- tively in politics in 1860, casting his earliest vote for Abraham Lincoln. In 1863 and 1864 he represented his district in the legislature, and in 1877 was elected state senator, in which ca- pacity he has, with an interval of three years, served continu- onsly since that date. Among the committees to which he was appointed were those on accounts, fisheries and education. He has also aided in the administration of town affairs, and has been for many years a member of the town council, of which he is now president. He is often chosen a delegate to state con- ventions, and represented his constituents at the convention which appointed electors to the republican national convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln. He is a director of the Jamestown and Newport Ferry Company and interested in other business enterprises.
Mr. Watson is a great-grandson of Job Watson, the first member of the family to settle on Conanicnt island, where he was a large landholder and farmer. His son, Robert Watson, married Catherine Weeden, whose children were : Joseph, John J., Daniel, Robert H., Isabella, Mary B. and Hannah. Robert H. Watson was born in March, 1805, on Conanicut island, and varied his farming employments by occasional participation in the political issues of the day. He was a delegate to the con- stitutional convention that framed the constitution in 1842. He was also a member of the legislature on many occasions. He married Catherine, daughter of John Carr, of Conanicut, born in April, 1811. Their children are: Thomas Carr, the subject of this biography ; John J. and Mary Catherine, wife of Ben- jamin S. Anthony, of Portsmouth. Robert H. Watson died in August, 1875.
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS.
Elijah Anthony was born in Middletown in May, 1835, and is a son of George and a grandson of Elijah Anthony, both of whom were residents of Newport county. He was edu-
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
cated in the district schools and the Friends' school at Providence, and has followed the business of farming and teaching. Ile was married in 1855 to Harriet W. Almy of Portsmonth, R. I., and has five children. In political prefer- ence he is a republican. He has held the office of town treas- urer twenty years, member of the town council three years and senator three terms.
Peleg C. Carr was born in 1807 and died in 1884. He followed the vocation of a farmer and took an active interest in public affairs, serving as member of assembly and also member of the town council. He married Catharine Weeden by whom he had nine children, all of whom are living.
James Hamilton Clarke was born in Connecticut in 1819, was educated at Newport, R. I., and was engaged in the lumber and coal business. He served two terms in the general assembly from the town of South Kingstown. He was a member of the Baptist church. He married Susan Cottrell, of Jamestown, and she is the mother of two children living. Mr. Clarke died Angust 7th, 1874.
Andrew J. Cory was born in Tiverton in 1817. His father, Andrew, grandfather, Philip, and great-grandfather, Thomas, were all residents of Newport county. Andrew J. was educated in the public schools and became a sea captain. He served as member of assembly from Middletown for two terms. He was married in 1845 to Lucy Maria Almy of Portsmouth, and she is the mother of five children living. Her father, David Almy, was a son of Peleg, a grandson of John and a great-grandson of Job Almy.
Frederick Northrup Cottrell was born in South Kingstown, was educated at Greenwich Academy, Rhode Island, and car- ried on the business of farming. In 1867 he was married to Ellen Tucker of Jamestown. She bore him four children. Mr. Cottrell took an active interest in public affairs, was state senator a number of terms and held other offices. He died in 1885.
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