History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I, Part 18

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather), ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1036

USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 18

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).

John Baptiste Antony Tanguay, M.D., was born at St. Rosalie, Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1845. He was educated at St. Hya- cinthe College, Montreal. His professional education was pursued at McGill University, and later at Victoria College, Montreal, where he was graduated in 1869. He practiced at St. Hyacinthe until 1881, and since that time has practiced in Providence. He was married in 1875, to Miss Vitaline Glautier, from which marriage five children have been born: Joseph Antony Edgar, now 13 years old; Maria Alma Eva, died at the age of seven weeks; John Baptiste Prosper Raphael, now nine years old; Mary Antoinette Blanche, now seven years old; and Mary Carinne, now three years old.

Herbert Terry, M.D., was born at Fair Haven, Mass., December 8th, 1854. His parents were Isaac Terry and his wife, whose maiden name was Jane S. Ingraham. He was educated at the Friends' Acade- my. at New Bedford, Mass .; at Cornell University, 1876; and at Har- vard, graduating as M.D. in 1880. Since that time he has practiced in Providence. He has held numerous positions of professional re- sponsibility, and is connected with several social and other societies.

Hugh Ernest Trapnell. M.D., was born in Havre de Grace, New- foundland, and is of English descent. He received the degree of B.A. from McGill University, of Montreal, and also his medical di- ploma in 1887. He commenced the practice of medicine in Provi- dence in that year, but in 1888 located for practice in Valley Falls, having also engaged in the drug business at that place. In 1889 he he removed to Putnam, Conn., where he is engaged in the drug business and the practice of medicine.

128

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Doctor James E. Tobey, of Central Falls, was born in Greenville, R. I., October 18th, 1848. After graduating from Lapham Academy, in Scituate, he commenced the study of medicine with Doctor Syl- vanus Clapp, of Pawtucket, and in 1872 graduated from Harvard Medical College. From May, 1871, he was house surgeon for one year at the Massachusetts General Hospital. In July, 1872, he began practicing medicine in Central Falls, where he still remains. He is a member of the state medical society.

Herbert Osgood True, M.D., was born in New London, N. H., May 30th, 1859, being the youngest son of Mark and Mary Crocker True. He took an academic course at Phillips, Exeter, N. H., and entered Brown University in 1880. In 1882 he entered Harvard Medical Col- lege, where he received his degree of M.D., in 1885. He was home physician of the City Hospital of Worcester, Mass., for a time, and in the spring of 1887 commenced the practice of medicine at Pawtucket. He is a visiting physician of the Pawtucket dispensary, and a mem- ber of both state and Providence medical societies.

Emily Metcalf Thurber, M.D., was born of American parents, in Providence, May 19th, 1837. Her father was Jesse Metcalf, and the maiden name of her mother was Eunice Dench Houghton. She was educated in the public schools of Providence, graduating from the high school in 1853. She was married, in Providence, to Isaac Brown Thurber, June 14th, 1858. Her four children, all of whom are now living, are: John Houghton, Edward Metcalf, Walter and Amey. Mrs. Thurber entered the Boston University School of Medicine in the fall of 1876, and graduated in 1878. Since that time she has been practicing in Providence. She is a member of the Rhode Island Homeopathic Medical Society, and has been attending physician to the Children's Friends' Society for eight years.

Stephen A. Welch, M.D., of 243 High street, Providence, is a native of this city, having been born here December 16th, 1857. His parents were George and Lydia A. J. (Gladding) Welch. He attended the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1875, and from Brown University in the class of 1879, and from Harvard Medical School in 1884, and at the Boston City Hospital in the same year. He practiced medicine in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1884 and 1885, and in Prov- idence from 1885 to the present time. He is a member of several medical and other societies.

Doctor Henry A. Whitmarsh, of Providence, was born September 29th, 1854, in Providence. His parents were Edwin B. and Harriet Barden Whitmarsh. He was educated at Mowry & Goff's school in Providence, at Brown University, at Columbia Medical College, at the New York Homeopathic Medical College, at Chambers street (N. Y.) Hospital, at the New York Polyclinic, and at the General Hospital of Vienna, Austria. He was the first homeopath to locate in East Providence, where he practiced from 1879 to 1888. He was married

129

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

to Martha M. Gent, of Brooklyn, June 16th, 1881. She died May 8th, 1888, leaving no children. In June, 1880, Brown University conferred upon him the degree of A.M. He removed to Providence, his present field, in the spring of 1888, and is now surgeon to the Rhode Island Homeopathic Hospital.

Dwight S. Whittemore, M.D)., was born in Union, Conn., May 14th, 1864. His father was Dwight T. Whittemore. His mother's maiden name was Sarah A. Crawford. The father died when our subject was but one month old. He was brought up under the instruction of his mother until over seven years old, after which he attended the dis- trict school for a few years, and later the academy at East Greenwich, where he graduated in the college preparatory course in 1882. He taught school one year, then attended the Boston University of Lib- eral Arts for a year, and after some preliminary study under private tutors entered Boston University School of Medicine, completing the three years' course and receiving the degree of M.D., in June, 1887. He settled in Providence soon after graduation, and has been prac- ticing there ever since. He was married July 26th, 1887, to Mary M. Williams of Providence. He has been one of the attending physi- cians at the Providence Homeopathic Dispensary since coming to the city, and in October, 1888, was appointed out-patient physician to that institution. He is a member of the Rhode Island Homeopathic Med- ical Society, and of several social orders.

Frank L. Wyman, M.D., son of Ambrose H. and Nancy Wyman, is a native of Whitfield, Lincoln county, Maine. He worked on his father's farm until he reached the age of 14, attending meanwhile the common schools and a few terms in. an academy. He then at- tended a commercial college at Augusta, Me., about three years, com- pleting the course, also studying special branches. Previous to 1880 he was engaged in various pursuits at which he was able to earn money with which to pay his way in further studies. He took his first course in Columbus Medical College, next attended the Univer- sity at Burlington, Vermont, and graduated from Toledo (Ohio) Med- ical College in 1884. He immediately commenced practice in Olney- ville, and was successfully engaged until 1888, when he was disabled by an accident which has retired him from active work to the present time.

P. Francis Walker, M.D., son of Nehemiah and Emily A. (Bliss) Walker, was born in Dighton, Mass., July 30th, 1858. He was edu- cated at the public schools of Dighton and Taunton, Mass., at Bristol Academy, and at Boston University, where he graduated from the school of medicine in the class of 1881. He located at Providence in the fall of that year, and has remained in practice there ever since.

Doctor George Galen Wheeler was born in East Orrington, Maine, in 1856. He was the son of William H. Wheeler, of that place, a car- penter by trade. He received his preliminary education at the East

130

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Maine Conference Seminary at Bucksport, Maine, then read medicine with Doctor Galen M. Woodcock, of Bangor, Maine, for about two years. He attended lectures at the Medical College of the University of New York, where he graduated in March, 1882. He settled at once in practice at Providence, where he is still employed. He was married in May, 1883, to Miss Mary Mary J. Osler of the city. In 1884, thinking it would be beneficial to his failing health, he built and moved his residence to the suburban village of Auburn, still re- taining his office in the city.

James Orne Whitney, M.D .. was born in North Attleboro, Mass., March 2d, 1823. He was the second son of Martin and Nancy (Orne) Whitney. After attending the district schools of his town he became a student of Perkins Academy, at North Attleboro. He attended a course of lectures at Woodstock (\t.) Medical College, and afterward at Berkshire Medical College at Pittsfield, Mass., where he graduated November 20th, 1845. He commenced practice at Central Falls, Au- gust 8th, 1846. He removed to Pawtucket in June, 1863, and is still in active practice there. He became a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society in 1848, and of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1849. He was married April 24th, 1850, to Elizabeth S., daughter of Josiah Miller, and has three daughters: Anna R., Mary, wife of Doc- tor Charles C. Carter, of Rock Island, Ill .; and Sylvie, wife of Win- throp C. Durfee, of Boston.

James L. Wheaton, M.D., of Pawtucket, was born in Seekonk, Massachusetts, in 1823 and is a descendant of Robert Wheaton, an associate of Roger Williams. Robert Wheaton's son Ephraim was a clergyman, and inherited a farm in Rehoboth, which has always been owned by some member of the family. James Wheaton, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1794, on the old home- stcad. In the early part of the present century he removed to what is now a part of Pawtucket, being then a portion of Seekonk, but prior to 1812 embraced in Rehoboth. In that part of Seekonk cut off in 1828 and made an independent town in Massachusetts, under the name of Pawtucket, was where Doctor Wheaton spent his boyhood. Having a predilection for the medical profession, he availed himself of favorable opportunities to prepare for college, but failing health compelled him to forego a collegiate education. His health finally improved, however, and when he was about 20 years of age, he began his medical studies under the guidance of Doctors Barrows and Man- chester, and subsequently attended the several courses of lectures at Berkshire, Harvard, Boston, and Woodstock, Vermont, receiving the degree of doctor of medicine from Berkshire Medical College, Pitts- field, Massachusetts, in the spring of 1847. In June of that year he entered upon his professional career in Pawtucket, where he has since continued in active practice, his residence, however, being changed to North Providence, directly opposite Pawtucket, in 1842.

J. R. Whenta-

131

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

In early life he took an active part in politics, and for two years (1857 and 1858) represented the town of North Providence, in the Rhode Island general assembly. While a member of that body he served as chairman of the committee on education, in which position he com- menced an agitation for reform in the policy then adhered to, of excluding colored children from the public schools in Providence, Newport, and Bristol; separate schools being provided for them and the privilege of attending the high school being denied them. The reports Doctor Wheaton made to the general assembly, although of the minority of the committee, have since borne fruit.

Doctor Wheaton was president of the Homeopathic Society for the years 1876, 1877 and 1878. In 1881, he was appointed on the medical and surgical visiting staff of the Rhode Island Homeopathic Hospital, and was chairman of that staff, which position he has held to the present time. For the first seven years of his professional life he was associated with Doctor Manchester, who at the end of that time retired, on account of the infirmities of age. In 1871, he asso- ciated with him his son-in-law, Doctor J. A. Chase, who continued with him to 1883. Doctor Wheaton has been a successful physician and a useful citizen. He possesses vigorous health, and a constit11- tion sufficiently robust to stand the demands of his large practice.

In 1850 he married Anna M. Jencks, of Grafton, Massachusetts, daugher of Charles B. Jencks, manufacturer. They have had four children, three of whom are living. Martha Jencks, his eldest daugh- ter, has been twice married; first to Doctor William P. White, who died in 1870, three months after marriage, and second to Doctor J. A. Chase. a prominent physician of Pawtucket. His second daughter, Fannie, was married in 1872 to S. Frank Dexter, manager and assistant treasurer of the Dexter Yarn Company. James Lucas is the name of his youngest child, a student at Brown University, at present at Ham- burg, Germany, preparatory to his medical studies.

Doctor Robert Wilcox, of Pascoag, physician and coroner, was born in Burrillville, in 1854, being the son of William and Ann (Tabb) Wilcox. He studied medicine with Doctor Joslin, of Mohegan, and took two courses at the State University of Michican, at Ann Arbor, and then went to New York, where he graduated at the Long Island College Hospital, in 1878. He soon after settled in practice at Burrillville, and has continued there ever since. He held the office of superintendent of public schools for two years, and was elected coroner in 1885. He married Fanny C., daughter of Edwin B. Brewer, of Wilbraham, Mass., in 1879.

Doctor Stephen A. Wilcox, born in Foster, R. I., in 1808, was a son of Doctor Jeremiah Wilcox. He was educated in the common schools, studied medicine with Doctor Harris of Canterbury, Conn., came to Johnston in 1827 and commenced the practice of medicine there. He was an old school physician, and practiced in Johnston

132

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

until his death, which occurred February 15th, 1838. He married in 1832, Phebe Knight, daughter of Jacob and Freelove Knight, and they had two sons, Israel K., and Henry M. Wilcox. Doctor Wilcox was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and enjoyed a large practice.

Doctor Thomas Wilbur was born in Glocester, March 10th, 1802. His parents were poor but respectable people. He spent most of his life in Rhode Island, but passed one year in Connecticut, and one year in Ohio. His father died when he was but 12 years of age, and he at that age was required to earn his living at work in a cotton fac- tory. His mind, however, was in youth inclined toward the study of medicine, and at the age of 18 he began the study, and having pur- chased books, placed himself under the private instruction of Doctor .Spencer Pratt for one year. Another year was passed under Doctor Charles Gardner, of Newport, and this was followed by a course of lectures with Doctor Kidder of Philadelphia. He was in 1846 asso- ciated with others in starting a medical college in Worcester, Mass., and was one of the founders of the first Odd Fellows Lodge in Woon- socket, in 1846. He was at one time president of the Medical Reform Society. In politics he has been a democrat. He has practiced medi- cine in the vicinity of North Scituate about 40 years. His father, Thomas Wilbur, was born in Newport, R. I., and his grandfather, Joseph Wilbur, was born in Little Compton, R. I. Phebe, the wife of the last named, was a native of Somerset, Mass. Doctor Wilbur married Sarah C., daughter of John Whitford, February 5th, 1827, and they had four children, two sons and two daughters: Daniel, the eldest, married Mercy Matthewson; Mary married George M. Adams; Abby married William Bellows; Edward married Elizabeth Austin, and has since died.

Doctor Charles Wilson, manager of a private sanitarium at 105 Atwell's avenue, Providence, makes a specialty of rheumatism in all its forms, nervous diseases and disorganized joints, his method con- sisting of medicated hydraulic bath and massage treatment, aided by remedies of his own discovery after careful research. He belongs to the class of independent thinkers to whom the world owes about all it can boast of progress-men who are not bound by the prejudices or formulas of any conventional school, but strike boldly out into new fields and carve their own reputation and success, standing alone on the merits of their own genius or achievements, and not upon the prestige of any diploma or testimonial of an institution whose methods they have learned to imitate. Doctor Wilson was born at Ashford, now Eastford, Conn., in 1840. His parents were Jesse C. and Lucy (Pearce) Wilson. Ile was in early life 20 years employed in the rub- ber business with Studley Brothers of Providence. After having spent several years in the same line previously, he took up his present practice about six years ago. He has occupied several positions of honor among his fellow citizens, as member of school board, chair-

133

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

man of city conventions, and democratic candidate for city council. He married Sally Tobey Stowe, daughter of Doctor Samuel Stowe, of Providence, in 1874, and they have two children: Florence Cutler, aged 24, and Samuel Fuller, aged 22. Doctor Wilson's patients come from many different states, and many board in his institution while under his treatment.

William R. White, M. D., was born in Cavendish, Windsor county, Vermont, October 31st, 1849. His parents were Joseph A. and Ellen L. (Proctor) White. From the district schools at home he went to Black River Academy, at Ludlow, Vt., and then to Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, N. H., graduating there in 1870. Entering Dartmouth College, he graduated there with the degree of A.B., in 1874. During his college course he taught six months in Cavendish, Vt., and then three months in West Acton, Mass. In December, 1875, he entered the Dartmouth Medical School, where he remained a year and a half. He then attended Harvard Medical School, and gradu- ated in 1877. He followed up this preparation by a service for 18 months as interne at the Rhode Island Hospital of Providence. He began private practice in the same city in December, 1879, locating then at 52 Jackson street, from which he moved to his present loca- tion at 7 Green street, in April, 1881. He was married December 10th, 1879, to Miss Helen G. Farmer, of Providence. They have four children: Howard Joseph, William Edward, Donald Proctor and Mar- garet Helen. Doctor White has been eight years a visiting physi- cian to the Rhode Island Hospital, and is a member of state and city medical societies.

CHAPTER V.

TOWN OF PROVIDENCE-SETTLEMENT AND EARLY HISTORY.

The site of Providence selected by Williams and his Companions .- The title secured .- The Settlement begun .- Building and Planting .- The Settlement named .- Williams and the Indians .- Signing the Civil Compact .- The Town Government .- Plot of the Settlement .- Brief notice of the Settlers individually .- Divisions of the Land .- Establishing the Bounds .- Delegating Town Powers .- The Town Constitution .- Organization of Government under the Charter .- Appointing Delegates .- The "Towne Streete."-Condition of the Early Settlers .- Internal Improvements .- Military Officers chosen .- Fort on "Stamper's Hill."-Discord in the Settlement .- Proprietors distinct from Inhabitants .- New Charter in 1663 .- Changes under it .- A double Town Meeting .- Discord in the Town .- King Philip's War .- Burning of the Town .- Indians taken Prisoners and sold as Slaves .- Under Edmond Andros .- A Prison built .- Training Ground .- Weybosset Bridge .- The Small-pox .- Growth of the Town .- Bridges, Lotteries, Fire Apparatus .- Alarm by the French and In- dians .- Market House built .- Lotteries, Printing Office, Theatrical Exhibitions.

T HE history of the life and adventures of Roger Williams, the founder of Providence, and the detailed events connected with the first settlement here, are subjects which concern the whole county, hence are treated with more detail in another section of this work. In that section we have already seen that Roger Williams in the latter part of the year 1635 fled from Salem to evade the edict of banishment which had been pronounced upon him, and after a so- journ of privation and exposure in the wilderness during the wild months of winter, having spent much of the time on the east side of the Seekonk, in the spring of the following year crossed the river and began the settlement which has grown to be one of the great cities of the Atlantic seaboard. The time and the scene is thus graphically described by a native historian, Mr. Henry C. Dorr:

"During Williams' sojourn on the east side of the Seekonk he had not been inattentive to the resources of the unclaimed region on the opposite shore. He must have known the spring toward which he directed his canoe and where he made his first landing. When he had built his wigwam and refreshed himself by the waters, he climbed with Harris and Olney, the first surveyors of our primitive wilderness, to the summit of the eastern hillside, directly above his dwelling place, for a wider view of their new home. From an emi- nence of nearly 200 feet they looked westward, through the openings of the oak woods, over an estate which, to an unbiased observer, must have seemed more picturesque than promising. 'The Great Salt

135

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

River' flowed far below, broad and unconfined. On the east it was bordered by ancient forest trees, and on the west by deep marshes, studded with islands overgrown with coarse grass and nearly covered by every spring tide. At the head of the bay the channel widened into a cove, with a broad, gravelly beach on the east and north, and a border of salt marshes on the west. It received on its northern side two small and sluggish rivers, each with its own environment of swamp and woodland. One of these, the Meshassuck, gave its name to the adjoining region. Still further westward, low sandhills scant- ily covered with pines rose above the marsh. Beyond these, unprom- ising ridges of rock and gravel stretched along the western horizon and shut in the view. On its western side, the hill upon which our explorers stood ascended abruptly from the very margin of the 'Salt River,' but sloped with an easy descent to the Seekonk nearly a mile away in the east. Both its eastern and western hillsides were thickly wooded with ' eminent trees ' of oak and cedar. Both declivities were well watered, but the rains of centuries had well nigh washed away whatever fertilizing principles the soil of the western hillside once possessed, and it promised only a scanty return to the labors of the settlers. But when our eager observers turned their steps northward toward the streams which poured their turbid waters into the Cove, and enjoyed their first view of the natural meadows, ' upstreams with- out limits for the use of cattle,' and thence looked southward over the Pawtuxet valley, ready to be converted into corn lands and pastures, a sense of relief came over them as to the prospects of the new plan- tation. Descending among the rocks and through the pine wocds, for a closer inspection of the shore, the hearts of the exiles were made glad by the discovery of great beds of clams, bordering the east side of the 'Salt River' and of the Cove, and of oysters whose flavor took away any lingering regret for the shell-fish of Massachusetts. Still further observation showed ample supplies of pigeons and other wild birds, and of fish, some varieties of which were unknown to the waters of Massachusetts bay. Yet more cheering prospects were afforded by the salmon ascending the river, and by glimpses of deer in the uplands. The settlers took heart. Banishment from the society of Puritan elders and magistrates was not without its alleviation. With cheerful courage they laid the foundation of a town-without capital, without aid, with little good will or assistance from England, and with none whatever from their neighbors."

The documentary evidences of the processes by which title was secured from the Indians and transferred to the individuals who joined in the settlement, are incomplete, as are also the plans and record of progress of the settlement. It is uncertain whether any complete record of the proceedings of the first settlers was kept or not. It is evident, however, from existing records that others were kept which are not now to be found. They are supposed to have

136

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

been destroyed when the town was sacked and burned by the Indians in 1676. It appears that on some occasion previous to his memorable landing on the west side of the Seekonk, Williams had engaged in negotiations with the Indians who held jurisdiction, in regard to the purchase of a tract of their land. To what extent these negotiations were previously carried we do not know, but the understanding be- tween the parties appears to have been harmonious and satisfactory. The settlement proceeded, and in March, 1637, the following deed was given:

" At Nanhiggansick, the 24th of the first month, commonly called March, in ye second yeare of our Plantation or planting at Moos- hausick or Providence.

" Memorandum, that we Cannaunicus and Miantunomi, the two chief sachems of Nanhiggansick, having two yeares since sold vnto Roger Williams, ye lands and meadowes vpon the two fresh rivers, called Mooshausick and Wanasqutucket, doe now by these presents, establish and confirme ye bounds of those lands, from ye river and fields at Pautuckqut, ye great hill of Notquonckanet, on ye north- west, and the town of Maushapogue on ye west.

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.

History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I, Part 18

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather), ed Publication date: 1891 Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 1036

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather), ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1036