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 77
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
Alfred W. Chase, born in 1835, is a son of John, a grandson
816
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
of John and a great-grandson of John Chase. He was married in 1861 to Louise Bond, of Brimfield. Mass. They have one son and one daughter. The daughter graduated at Vassar College in 1886. Mr. Chase was educated at the public schools here and at Lebanon Academy, Connecticut. He is principal of the Cranston Avenue grammar school in Newport. His wife is president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Middletown and a prominent women's suffrage advocate.
Arthur W. Chase, born in 1855, is a son of David B. Chase and a grandson of John Chase. He married Charlotte, daughter of Joseph Smith. Their children are: Bessie G., Mary A., Dasie M. and Annie E. Mr. Chase's business is milk farming.
James Chase. deceased. was a son of the James Chase men- tioned as Daniel Chase's grandfather. His widow, now living. is Nancy, daughter of John Croncher. They were married in 1835, when she was eighteen years old.
William Chase, born in 1820, is a son of John Chase, and grandson of James Chase. Mrs. William Chase, deceased, was Jane M., daughter of Abraham C. Coggeshall. Her son is Abram C. Chase, of Portsmouth. The present Mrs. William Chase is Mary C. Coggeshall, sister of Jane M. Her only daugh- ter died at eighteen years of age. Mr. Chase is one of twelve children. Ilis father, John, died while a member of the general assembly.
William B. Chase, deceased, married Cynthia. daughter of Peleg Coggeshall, and granddaughter of George Coggeshall. Peleg was the only child of George. This George Coggeshall's father was Joshua. Mr. Chase was once representative in the general assembly. He was a son of Robert Chase, and grand- son of James Chase, who owned this same farm. This is called Coddington's cove farm. The children of William B. Chase are: Peleg, now living in Boston, and William B .. a single man here with the widowed mother.
Noel Coggeshall, born here, is a son of Abraham Coggeshall (born 1797, died 1873), and grandson of Joseph. who was a son of Joshua Coggeshall. He married Sarah A., daughter of John Rogers. Mr. Coggeshall has been several years in town conn- eil, and is now one of the town anditors. His children are William S. and Joseph.
Abraham Coggeshall, a retired farmer, was born in 1820, and is a brother of Noel Coggeshall. He married Sarah G. Oman,
817
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
who bore one child, Kate, now the widow of Joseph P. Bailey. Mr. Bailey was a son of James E. Bailey, who was a brother of William Bailey, mentioned in a preceding biography. Mrs Kate Coggeshall Bailey has four sons: A. Howard, Herbert C., Walter P. and Percy T.
William E. Coggeshall, born in 1833, is a son of Thomas (born 1796, died 1870), grandson of William, and great-grandson of Thomas Coggeshall. He was married in 1866 to Martha, daugh- ter of Abraham Coggeshall. She died, leaving one daughter, Ella M., who is the wife of George Anthony, of Portsmouth. Mr. Coggeshall's present wife is Susan, daughter of Henry Huddy, of Newport. Their children are: Mabel, Minnie and William T. Mr. Coggeshall has been a member of the town council four years. He worked twelve years at carpentering and various kinds of mechanical work. His present business is farming.
Joshua Coggeshall, born in 1850, lives in Middletown, and is a son of George C. Coggeshall, whose biography appears in this chapter. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen P. Weaver, and great-granddaughter of Benoni Weaver. Stephen P. Weaver's wife was Eliza Gibbs, daughter of Enos and Sally Gibbs. Sally Gibbs died in 1887, aged over 101 years. The children of Joshua Coggeshall are: Albert II., Eliza F., Phebie A. and Lucy.
Francis J. Coggeshall, born in 1859, son of George C. Cogge- shall, was married in 1881 to Sarah A. Thurston. of Portsmouth. They have one child, Jeanette. Mr. Coggeshall is engaged in farming.
George Coggeshall, son of George C., was born in 1852, and was married in 1873 to Alzada F. Weaver, who died, leaving three children. His present wife is Sarah G. Weaver, sister of his former wife. They have one child. Mrs. Coggeshall is a daughter of Stephen Weaver. Mr. Coggeshall is engaged in garden farming. He has a good quarry on his farm, the best in the town.
Clark Henry Congdon, born in 1836, is a son of Daniel Cong- don, who came to Newport from North Kingstown, R. I., in 1819, and to Middletown in 1849, where he died in 1880. Mrs. Clark Congdon was a Miss Kinney. Their children are: Ida M., wife of W. Scott Barker, Daniel J., Henry B. and M. Bertha. Mr. Congdon is a dairy farmer in Middletown, where he has filled several minor town offices.
S18
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Joseph Freeborn was born in 1807, and was married in 1847 to Harriet. daughter of Oliver Wightman, and granddaughter of James Wiglitman. Joseph Freeborn died in 1880. He learned tanning with his father, and went on one voyage to sea when he was single. Hle then engaged in farming on the farm his father owned in this town, where James T. Peckham now lives. His widow's mother was Rebecca, daughter of Jonathan Coggeshall.
Joseph S. Freeborn, carpenter and builder, born in 1838, is a son of Perry W. Freeborn (born 1810, died 1885), grandson of William W. (born 1780), and great grandson of Joseph (born 1716). Joseph's father was Gideon, born 1684. His grandfather was Gideon, born about 1635. This last Gideon was the third child and only son of William and his wife Mary, who came from England in 1634, and became one of the eighteen purchas- ers of this island March 24th, 1637-8. Joseph S. Freeborn married Annie E., danghter of Pardon Smith. Their children are Henry C. and Hattie F. S. Joseph S. has one sister, Lucy A., and one brother, John P.
Samuel Gould, born in 1799, is a son of Thomas, grandson of John, and great-grandson of Thomas Gould. The latter was a son of Thomas, grandson of Daniel, and great-grandson of Jere- miah and Priscilla Gould, who came from England in 1637. Jeremiah returned to England and died there. His wife died here. Samuel Gonld married Ann, daughter of John Barker. Their children are: Sarah, Charles, and John. The latter was born in 1831, and was married in 1855 to Ruth M., daughter of James Barker. Robert Gould, a brother of Samnel, was the only man killed in the Dorr war in 1842.
Robert J. Grinnell was born in Johnson, R. I., in 1853, and is a brick, stone and plaster mason. He was married in 1874 to Clara B., daughter of Elisha C. Peckham, and located in this town in 1878. He was the contractor of the mason work on the Edwin Booth villa, and is the leading man in this business on this side of the island. He has four sons.
Henry J. Hass, florist, was born in Prussia in 1854 and came to Newport in 1868. In 1877 he was a member of the firm of Brant & Hass, florists. In 1881 he established his present bnsi- ness. He has 7,500 square feet under glass, and is extensively engaged in the production of flowers, plants and vegetables. He was married in Sweden and has two children, Josephina C. and Henry P.
819
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Alfred H. Hazard, born in 1841, is a son of George Borden Hazard, and grandson of Thomas G. Hazard. He was mar- ried in 1863 to Emma Matilda Hall, sister of Mrs. Gordon D. Oxx. Their children are Alfred H., Jr., and Mattie Eleanor. Mr. Hazard is engaged in dairy farming.
Charles H. Hazard, born in 1824, is a son of Mumford Haz- ard, who was born in 1803 and died in 1876. The latter was the oldest of eleven children of George S. Hazard, who was a native of Sonth Kingstown, R. I., and Content Wilbor. Charles H. Hazard's wife was Sarah R., daughter of Isaac Smith, who was a brother of Jonathan, in the line of John G. Smith's an- cestry. Mr. Hazard's children are Daniel B., Maria B., Isaac S. and Emma R.
Benjamin Howland was born in 1833, in East Greenwich, R. I., and came to Newport county at 17 years of age. His first wife was a daughter of Captain William Smith. His present wife is a daughter of Edward Almy of Portsmouth. He is a farmer, and has a meat business in Newport. The family of Howlands in New England are descendants of three brothers. One, John, settled near and gave name to Howland's ferry. Benjamin is in the line of the one who settled in East Green- wich. The other settled in New Bedford. Benjamin Howland is in the ninth generation from the original settler at East Green- wich. lle has one son, Benjamin Aldrich Howland, and one daughter.
William J. Irish was born in 1837 and is a son of James Irish who was born in 1812 and died in 1876. He was married in 1863 to Rebecca, daughter of Captain William Smith. Their children are George, Edward and Mary. Mr. Irish is engaged in farming.
Frederick A. Lawton, florist, was born here in 1827. His wife is a daughter of Abner Peckham. Mr. Lawton established his business in 1872 as Frederick A. Lawton & Son. The son, A. P. Lawton, now carries on the green house business as A. P. Lawton & Co. Frederick A. Lawton's father came from North Kingstown. Mr. A. P. Lawton's wife is a daughter of Robert Elliott of Portsmouth.
Rowland Lewis was born on Block Island in 1811. His father was Jesse Lewis. His mother was Snsan, daughter of William Payne of Block Island. Rowland Lewis' wife is a daughter of Abram Brown and granddaughter of Gideon Brown. Their
52
.
820
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
children are: Ruth M., widow of Josiah S. Peckham; Susan P., wife of John B. Du Blois: Mary Ella, wife of Arthur L. Peck- ham; and Frank E.
James B. Magee was born in 1821, in Scotland, went to Cin- cinnati when a lad, and was seven or eight years with Nicholas Longworth. He was married in 1856 to Sarah A. Berwick, who was an English girl who came from England to Canada when three years old. They have a pleasant home in Middletown.
John H. Manchester was born in 1826. His father was Cap- tain John, born 1795, and died in 1886. His grandfather was Giles, and his great-grandfather Isaac Manchester. John H. was married in 1847 to Mary E., daughter of Restcom and granddaughter of John Rogers Peckham. Mr. and Mrs. Man- chester have four children living : Restcom, William P., Lewis R. and Lydia. John Manchester was a member of the general assembly, as was also his father, Giles.
John McGuire was born in 1814 in Washington county, R. I., and was married in 1837 to Angeline Barker, who died, leaving four children : John H., Daniel F., Mrs. Samnel H. Brown and Edward P., who died from disease contracted in the army dur- ing the civil war. The present Mrs. John McGuire was the widow of John C. Barker, many years deacon of the Second Baptist church at Newport. Mr. McGuire is a farmer. He was for six- teen years a house carpenter.
Colby C. Mitchell is a son of Thomas L. Mitchell, of Ports- mouth. The latter was born in Connecticut, and married So- phia T., a sister of Bishop Brownell, of Little Compton. The Mitchell family were in the South during the civil war and lost $1,000,000. Colby C. was formerly in the cotton business. During the war he was conscripted into the Confederate army with Morgan the raider when but fifteen years old. He has three brothers, two in the cotton business in the sonth, and one in Berlin, Germany, finishing a course of study in music.
Gordon D. Oxx is a son of Gordon D. Oxx, now of James- town, and a grandson of Gordon Oxx, who in his lifetime was a resident of Newport city. Mr. Oxx was married in 1865 to Ce- linda Peckham, daughter of John Bailey Hall, who died in 1884, aged 68 years. Mr. Oxx has one son, John Hall Oxx, a young man of 20 years. Mrs. Oxx's mother was Janet, daugh- ter of Jethro Jackson Peckham and a sister of Felix A. Peck- ham.
821
IJISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
David Braman Peabody is a descendant of one of the oldest families in Middletown. John Peabody settled here in 1680. The line of descent, to our subject is as follows : Joseph", John3, Joseph' (born 1735), Caleb® (born 1756, died 1829), William® (born 1781, died 1811), William B.", David B.8 David B. Pea- body married a daughter of John Hall Whitman and a grand- daughter of Johnson Whitman, who was born in 1783 and died in 1854. Lionel H. Peabody, brother of David B., was born in 1844 and married in 1873 to Mary A. Gifford. They have three sons and two daughters. Mr. Peabody is engaged in farming.
Alanson Peckham, born in 1831, is a son of Jethro Jackson Peckham, a grandson of Alanson Peckham, and a great-grand- son of Joseph Peckham. He was married in 1856 to Sarah Jane, daughter of Benjamin Dawley and granddaughter of Spragne Dawley. Their children are : Theodore D., Elizabeth Brown- ing (wife of Dr. F. H. Marshall, of Providence), Jethro J. and Howard R. Mr. Peckham is a farmer.
Charles Peckham was born in July, 1807. His father, Felix, and grandfather, William, are both buried on the farm here. Mr. Peckham was married, in 1836, to Lydia Gardner, danghter of Joseph Sanford, late of Newport. She died March 8th, 1885. Their daughters, Annie and Emily, are at home.
Charles Peckham, second, son of Augustus, grandson of Augustus and great-grandson of William, was born here in 1836, and married Malinda P. Cummings. They have three children living at home with them. Mr. Peckham is engaged in farming. His house was built by an uncle, George W. Peck- ham. Since then nine other honses have been built on parts of the same home farm.
Elisha C. Peckham was born in 1823, and is a son of Elisha and a grandson of Peleg Peckham. He is engaged in farming and poultry raising. He was three years in California, from 1851 to 1854, and again in 1865. In 1851 he made the journey overland in five months and seven days. He bnys ponltry and fits it for the Newport market. IIe has sold as high as $2,100 worth at the Ocean House in three weeks. He is married to Ardelia, sister of Philip Mason Peckham.
Felix A. Peckham was born in 1823. His wife was Miss Hendrick of Providence. They have had three sons: Herbert Augustus. Benjamin W. Hendrick and Henry Lincoln. The
822
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
eldest died at the age of twenty three years. Henry L. is a cadet at the AAnnapolis Naval Academy.
Herman F. Peckham, born in 1853, is a son of Honorable Nathaniel Peckham. He was married in 1877 to a daughter of James II. Sweet of South Dartmouth, Mass. He is engaged in dairy farming on the Third Beach in Middletown. He has two children: Herbert James and Grace Jane.
Joel Peckham was born in Middletown, July 21st, 1846, was edneated in the public schools of his town, has served on its school board and is superintendent of public schools. He was elected representative in 1885 and re-elected in 1887. He is a member of the old family of Peckhams of Middletown, a family conspicuons in the business, social and political history of the town for two hundred years.
John Peckham, born in 1822, is a son of Abner, a grandson of Felix and a great-grandson of William Peckham. Abner Peck- ham was a delegate to the state constitutional convention of 1842. His wife was Rachael Barker, daughter of David Barker. Mrs. John Peckham, deceased, left one daughter, Helen E., wife of Doctor C. F. Barker of Newport. The present Mrs. Peckham is Elma M., daughter of Robinson P. Barker of this town. Mr. Peckham operates a green house on Paradise avenue where he resides.
Philip Mason Peckham, born in 1813, is a son of Gideon, who raised twelve children. Gideon and four older brothers together weighed 1,000 pounds, a generation of giants. Gideon was born in 1782 and died in 1854. His father was William Peckham. Philip Mason Peckham was married, in 1854, to Mary D. Tucker of South Kingstown, R. I. They have had nine children, five of whom are living: Charles A,, Mary E. (now Mrs. Orrin Barker), Phebe, Lizzie L. (now Mrs. William V. Hart) and James W. His business is teaming and farming.
Arthur L. Peckham, son of William F., was born in 1850, and married in 1872 to Mary Ella, daughter of Rowland Lewis. They have one daughter living. Mr. Peckham is engaged in milk farming.
William Peckham, one of the broad-minded, independent thinkers, was born here in 1813, and was married in 1833 to Ann Sarah Barker, of Providence. They have had nine chil- dren, six of whom are living. His business is farming. He
823
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
built the first green-honse in town. In politics he is a demo- crat.
Henry C. Sherman, dairyman and milk farmer, was born in 1845. He was married in 1870 to Clara, daughter of William C. Irish, of Newport. They have had eight children, six of whom are still living: William I., Rowland S., Henry C., Liz- zie I., Julia W. and George Irish Sherman. Mr. Sherman had a fruit and confectionery store eight years in Newport, and worked as a carpenter four years before he was in the store. Since 1870 he has operated a milk farm. His father and his grandfather were each named Elijah Sherman.
Thomas W. Sherman, son of William G., grandson of Elijah Sherman, was born in 1839, and married in 1865 to Matilda, daughter of John C. Peckham and granddaughter of Gideon Peckham. They have one daughter, Rosa M., and one son, John Henry.
James M. Smith is an older brother of John G. Smith, whose biography appears in this work. His father was Jonathan Smith, who died in 1834, and his mother was Elizabeth Wyatt. Jonathan's father was James Smith, of Exeter. This James, of Exeter, was engaged in the milling business.
Francis W. Smith, son of John G. Smith, whose biography appears in this work, was born in 1846, and was married in 1878 to a daughter of William Peckham. They have one child, a girl of four year. Mr. Smith began the business of grape-grow- ing under glass about twenty years ago, on his father's farm. He now has four green-houses devoted to the culture of grapes. He is also manager of William G. Wild's hot-honse, at New- port.
William Smith, born in 1818, in Portsmouth, is a son of Isaac J. Smith, who, with two brothers, sons of James Smith, came to this island from Washington county, R. I. Mr. Smith was married in 1848 to Mary Dunbar, daughter of Arnold Barker and granddaughter of Elisha, a son of John Barker. Mr. Smith is tax assessor, street commissioner, and has held other minor offices. His children are: Millard F .. William Henry, Ellen C. and Arnold B.
Millard F. Smith, son of William, was born in 1849, and in 1872 married Mary Frances, daughter of Jacob Ward. Mr. Smith is deeply interested in the public schools. He is at present trustee in his district, which has one of the best school
824
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
buildings in Middletown. His children are: Robert Ward, Lizzie R. and Mary Dunbar.
Henry Smith was born in 1820 and died in 1881. His father was Isaac J. Smith, a son of James Smith. Mrs. Henry Smith, now living, is Sarah, daughter of Michael E. Peckham, born 1771, died 1851. She was one of twelve children. Mrs. Smith has four children: Annie P., Eliza L., Alvin P. and Esther T.
William Spooner, born in 1836, is a son of John H., and a grandson of Samuel Spooner, who lived in Newport. William Spooner was born in Portsmouth, and he married Miss Bacon, of New York state. They have two sons, Frederick Bacon and William Bradley. Mrs. Spooner's mother was Eunice Barker. Mr. Spooner is interested in public schools, and has been trus- tee of Oliphant school four years. He is a carpenter.
John Spooner, brother of William, was born in 1834, and mar- ried Eliza A., sister of Hon. Joel Peckham. They have three children: John H., Samuel C. and Clara A. Mr. Spooner is a farmer.
Benjamin F. Taggart, born in 1827, is a son of William, and a grandson of Josephi Taggart. This Joseph sailed from Phila- delphia in 1804 as captain of a vessel in the China tea trade, and was never heard of again. Joseph's brother John was living near Booth's house in 1776. He crossed to Little Compton to Church's point while the British had possession of this island. In an encounter with the British he was killed in a barley field. Benjamin F. Taggart's mother was Sarah A., sister of James M. Smith. Mrs. Benjamin F. Taggart is Sarah, danghter of Joshua Peckham, and granddaughter of Joshua Peckham.
Ruth H. Taggart is the widow of Samuel Clark Taggart, and sister of Job M. Barker. Mr. Taggart wasa farmer in the east- ern part of this island, near Taggart's ferry. He was a son of James, and a grandson of Clark Taggart.
Francis Talbot was born in 1817 in Massachusetts. He spent several years in the South in the drug business with a brother. In 1852 he bought a place in Middletown, near the city line, and began the nursery business. In 1861 he was married, and moved here and continued the business. His wife is Sophia, danghter of Benjamin H. Ailman, and granddaughter of Fred- erick Ailman, a family name well known in Newport. Mr. Talbot was in the town council four years.
825
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
Charles H. Ward, son of John B. Ward, whose biography appears in this chapter, was born in 1852, and was married in 1875 to Ruth M., daughter of Daniel B. Smith. He is engaged in farming and raising poultry. In politics he is a republican.
George E. Ward, son of John B., was born in 1853, and was married in 1879 to Lydia M., danghter of Stephen and Abbie Congdon. They have one son, John B.
Abner H. Ward, son of John B., was born in 1854, and mar- ried in 1880 to Annie, daughter of William C., granddaughter of Abram, and great-granddaughter of Gideon Brown. They have two daughters. Mr. Ward has been elected to the town council three times.
Charles Peckham Whitman was born in 1824 and died in 1865. He was a brother of John HIall Whitman. His widow, now living, is Ruth Cornell Whitman. Their only child, Ruthie, was married March 16th, 1881, to Robert M. Wetherell of Mid- dletown, who now occupies a part of the Whitman homestead.
Henry M. Wilson was born in 1832 and married Sarah Bab- cock. After her death he married her sister, Mary C. Babcock. Their father was George W. Babcock, a son of William Bab- cock, a baker in Newport at the beginning of this century. Mr. Wilson's children are: Harry, Herbert and James E. Henry M. Wilson's father was James A. Mr. Wilson is a mason and contractor. He learned his trade with William C. Irish, then became partner as Irish & Wilson. His oldest son is now his partner. The firm is H. M. Wilson & Son.
Benjamin Wyatt, born in 1820, was married in 1843 to Mary Ann, daughter of George Slocum. Their children are: Robert G., Georgiana, Edward N., William B. and George S. Ben- jamin's father was Samuel, a prominent man of his time; his grandfather was David, and his great-grandfather was Nathan. iel, whose house was Hessian headquarters in the revolution.
James E. Wyatt, brother of Benjamin, was born in 1820, and in 1840 he married Rhoda Slocum. She died leaving two sons, Charles A. and William Frank. Mr. Wyatt has been three years in the town council, and was several years assessor. His present wife is Orpha, daughter of Rev. E. M. Starratt.
Robert G. Wyatt, son of Benjamin Wyatt, was born in 1844. At sixteen he began to attend the grist-mill on his grandfather's farm, and continually since he has manufactured Rhode Island
826
HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
meal. The grandfather left him the mill. This mill was origi- nally built in Tiverton as early as one hundred and fifty years ago. It was brought by Jethro Mitchell to the Mitchell place on the Slate Hill road. The grandfather Wyatt bought it and moved it to its present site. Mrs. Robert G. Wyatt is Nellie Anthony, a daughter of Giles Manchester. Their children are: Herbert G., Ethel May, Mary Ann and Benjamin.
CHAPTER XVII.
TOWN OF NEW SHOREHAM.
BY J. R. COLE.
Description,-Geological Formation .- Discovery .- Footprints of the White Man. -Settlement .- Civil Connection .- Some Early Freemen .- Trouble with the Indians .- Incursions by French Privateers .- During the Revolution .- The Phantom Ship .- Colonial History .- Maritime Protection .- Block Island as a Summer Resort .- Public Buildings .- Schools .- Churches .- Agriculture and Commerce .- Light Houses,-Wrecking Companies,-Biographical Sketches.
T HE town of New Shoreham, which comprises the island known to the world as Block Island, is located in the Atlantic ocean, twenty-five miles southwest from Newport and eighteen miles northeast from Montauk point, L. I. It lies in latitude 41°, 8', and longitude 71°, 33' west from Greenwich, or 5°, 27' east from Washington. It resembles in shape a pear, and is a beautiful "gem of the sea," in length seven miles and in width about three miles across the southern part. It has bluffs overlooking the waves, in some places nearly two hund- red feet high, and its surface presents a series of undulating terraces which gradually descend until at the farther shore they sink to the water's edge and shelve into the sea. It is an isolated speck of land, almost out of sight in the ocean, having very many beautiful lakes and verdure clad hills, all of which, with the many features not mentioned, conspire to make it a thing of beauty that is rarely beheld. With one sweep of the eye Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts can be seen from its commanding points, and by following the coast line from Fisher's island in the west to the distant shores of Buzzard's bay in the east, Watch Hill, Point Judith, Newport and Narragansett Pier come within the range of vision. The climate is like that of Bermuda, with an atmosphere almost in- toxicating in its strength and purity, and a temperature won- derfully even, the merenry rarely rising above 75 Fahrenheit. Of this romantic island J. G. Whittier writes:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.