History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I, Part 3

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 3

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).

Limestone beds also occur at Cumberland hill. These run north 25° west, and dip to the northeast 35 degrees, their width being from six to ten feet. They slope in such a manner that it is supposed to be overlaid in part by the granite rocks which have been protruded through its strata. They run over the hill in a direction north 20 west. In this limestone occur numerous particles of copper pyrites. scattered through its mass. Tremolite, asbestos, actinolite, and a number of curious minerals common to such limestones, also occur. Near "Sneech pond " an ancient mine was apparently sunk for the purpose of extracting ores of copper, which are found there mixed with veins of granular magnetic iron ore. The shaft, when measured some years ago, was twenty to thirty feet wide, but it had been for a long time filled with water, so that its depth could not be ascertained. Near the pond occurs a very thick bed of a remarkable ore of manga- nese, which is peculiar in its composition, but most nearly resembles the Knebelite of Beudant. The bed is about 40 feet thick. Its com- position is about 27 per cent. silicic acid, 36 per cent. protoxide of iron, and 30 per cent. protoxide of manganese. Associated with this mineral occur crystals of green quartz, and veins of quartz penetrated by delicate green crystals of actinolite, forming a kind of ornamental stone. Sulphuret of molybdena also occurs in the manganese ore. and the yenite formerly discovered near this place is said to have been found in the accompanying quartz veins. Ligneous actinolite abounds in veins with the quartz above mentioned.

Several excavations of considerable extent have been made in this vicinity, and were probably prompted by the discovery of masses of yellow copper pyrites, which was doubtless mistaken for gold, as it generally is by persons unacquainted with mineralogy. No less than ~ 50 different mine holes have been counted in this hill, and it was esti-

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

mated years ago that more than half a million dollars had been ex- pended in these fruitless searches for the precious metals. It was evidently intended in these searches to send the cre to England, and one of the casks in which it was packed was years afterward found on the spot. partly filled with the illusive ore, which contained nearly equal parts of copper, iron and sulphur.

Beacon Pole hill. in Cumberland, is composed of a variety of gran- ite. having hornblende substituted in the place of mica, constituting a rock called sienitic granite. This stone is a beautiful material for building, splits well, and is free from pyrites or other injurious sub- stances. The elevation of this hill is estimated on the basis of the barometer at 200 feet above Cumberland hill, and 556 feet above the sea level. During the war of the revolution a light was placed upon its summit whenever it became necessary to call out the minute men from the surrounding country, the light here being visible for a great distance around. The elevation of Woonsocket hill has, however, been proved, both by barometrical and trigonometrical measurements, to be still greater.

Taking another route northward from Providence the strata of grauwacke, belonging to the anthracite coal formation, are found pre- vailing for a distance of four miles. They uniformly dip to the northeastward. A large granite vein is also found in close associa- tion with the latter. Just beyond the North Providence line is found a hill composed of metamorphic or altered grauwacke rocks, of fine texture and compact in structure. Porphyritic granite is then found, which is intersected by a narrow dyke of greenstone trap rock. In Smithfield and vicinity quite extensive beds of limestone have been found. Some of this is found included immediately in greenstone or hornblende rock of a dark brownish green color, compact in structure and exceedingly hard. The hornblende rock itself is imbedded in granite, and has probably exerted a powerful chemical influence upon the limestone, whether we consider it as a rock of igneous injection or like the limestone, a metamorphic stratified rock, altered by the igneous power of the subjacent granite. The hornblende is supposed to have been protruded from below the granite. Its occasional slaty structure is accounted for by the supposition that it retained those particles from its union with rocks of sedimentary origin, such as the clay slates. The limestone has strata marks more or less contorted, showing that it was originally an aqueous deposition but has since undergone partial fusion. The Harris lime rock was considered the best for working. About ten feet from the hornblende rock the lime- stone graduates into pure granular carbonate of lime, occasionally colored with plumbaginous matter, oxides of manganese, and iron. The bed runs west-northwest, and dips to the north-northeast about 70 degrees. Lime kilns were established for burning these rocks into commercial lime, more than half a century ago.

IHISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

The rocks in Woonsocket and its vicinity are chiefly micaceous and talcose slates, and an important deposit of granular quartz, passing into talcose slate, occurs, forming a mass of considerable elevation. Northwest of the city, as we approach the state line, the talcose slate is seen running north 35° east, and dipping east-northeast 12 degrees. A boulder of granite was at some time brought from the north by the diluvial current of ice and water, and placed here upon a ledge of mica slate. The micaceous slate has for a long time been extensively wrought for the manufacture of scythe stones, in numerous places in this vicinity. Those beds that have been most wrought are gener- ally of a brownish, or of a silvery grey color, having a basis of very fine granular quartz, which is bound together by fine scales of mica and talc. Half a century ago the manufacture of whetstones was car- ried on here to the extent of 17,000 dozen annually at times.

At Woonsocket Falls the rocks are stratified, consisting of blue mica slate, and the strata run northeast, dipping to the southeast 60 degrees. Woonsocket hill, one of the highest points in the state, is composed of granular quartz, mica and talc, the quartz greatly pre- dominating. It is stratified, and the strata run northwest, the dip being to the northeast 20 degrees. This rock is one of the most re- fractory substances, and is extensively wrought for hearthstones to furnaces. The rock extends to the northwest until it reaches the town of Uxbridge, where it crops out near the old Douglas turnpike. It appears to belong to the group of stratified rocks which are classed as belonging to the primary series, and is geologically a part of the mica slate formation. The summit of Woonsocket hill is 340 feet above its own base, and 570 feet above high water mark at Provi- dence.

On Pascoag river, a little north of the village, gneiss and mica slate occur, dipping to the northeast. In Chepachet, near the turn- pike, a variety of compact, thick bedded gneiss is quarried and is known by the name of the Pine Orchard grit. It occurs two miles west of the village. Eastward from this place a large bed of black mica was found, associated with a little granular quartz. It presents itself on the roadside, included in gneiss, and is cut through by a granite vein.

In Greenville the rocks are entirely of the primary class, consist- ing of gneiss, mica slate and granite. The soil is generally good. especially in the meadow lands. The same rocks continue through Glocester, and the soil originated entirely from granite diluvium, and frequently contains large quantities of granite boulders. The soil-of the intervales is of good quality, containing a considerable quantity of vegetable matter.

Again starting from Providence, and striking westward, tertiary and diluvial banks of gravel and sand are found in the immediate vicinity of Providence. Next are seen argillaceous slates, belonging

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

to the coal formation, of the grauwacke series; and then gneiss ap- pears. The slate rocks run north and south, and dip to the east, while the gneiss dips to the northeast, and runs northwest and south- east. The soil generally is good, consisting principally of dark black- ish gray loam, especially in Johnston and Scituate. Peat is found in most of the low lands. Thick beds of granite gneiss are found in Scituate, dipping to the northeast 30 degrees, and numerous boulders of the same rocks are also found in the soil.

In Foster, gneiss is the predominant rock, and is here and there cut through by granitic veins. A considerable bed of bog iron ore was found in the southwest part of the town, which was estimated to contain 26,000 cubic feet of bog iron, containing 34 per cent. of metal. In a swamp in the same locality another bed, of a pulverulent kind' of iron ore, was found upon the estate of Mr. Hopkins. Another bed of bog iron in the vicinity was estimated to contain 47,600 cubic feet. The native forest growth over this part of the county consists of maple, elm, birch, chestnut and hornbeam. In the southern part of Scituate, near Rockland, there occurs a beautiful variety of porphy- ritic granite gneiss. It has a flesh-red colored felspar for its basis, and contains black mica and a little quartz. A hill a hundred feet high is composed of this rock, much of which is suitable for building purposes. The gneiss runs north 10° east, and dips west 55 degrees. In Crans- ton appears hornblende rock, obscurely stratified, and dipping to the northwest. On Neutaconkanut hill may be found mica slate, alter- nating with hornblende rock. The conglomerate of the grauwacke series prevail. Durfee's ledge, in Johnston, is composed of grau- wacke slate and clay slate, which dip to the southeast, and run nearly north and south. In Cranston the grauwacke terminates, and is seen resting upon the mica slate and gneiss.

In South Scituate the rocks are entirely primary, and there gneiss has been largely quarried, this being known as Nipmuck granite. The rock splits in natural seams, and is quite easily wrought. Slabs are obtained from five to eight feet square and eight inches in thick- ness. The strata here dip to the northwest 15 degrees, running northeasterly. A little oxide of iron in the seams appears to have resulted from the decomposition of mica containing pyrites. Farther west the strata of this rock have a thickness of one to three feet, and dip to the northwest 10 degrees. A few veins of smoky quartz and of coarse granite cut through the strata, and quartz crystals are found in the veins.

On the east side of Seekonk river the ledges are composed of very fine and compact grauwacke, indistinctly stratified and dipping to the southeast 60 or 70 degrees. Diluvial scratches abound on the re- cently uncovered surface of the ledges, and run north 5° east. The rock is very hard and compact, and splits into blocks of a cubic form, and is thus quite readily utilized for building purposes and stone walls.

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Neutaconkanut hill is a remarkable eminence, in Johnston, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. The rocks on this eminence are alternate strata of micaceous and hornblerde slate, the former being very much contorted. On the south side of the hill Doctor Jackson reports a huge boulder of hornblende rock, poised upon the mica slate. He says: "This rock must have originated else- where; and it now rests in an accidental position, as will be evident to any one who examines the situation in which it is placed. Since hornblende rocks do occur at the northward, and not to the south- ward of the place where this block is now found, we feel confident that this immense rock has been removed southwardly from its parent ledge and deposited on the rocky strata where we now find it. So frequent do examples of similar displacements occur, that every ob- serving man must have noted them in all parts of New England."

Another example of the movement of geological matter in the past ages and by agencies now unknown, is given in the following paragraph quoted from Doctor Jackson's description of rocks in War- wick Neck:

" We noticed a number of boulders of magnetic iron ore in the soil, and they are evidently a portion of the diluvial detritus and de- tached fragments brought by ancient currents from the iron hill in Cumberland. Some of the boulders are two feet in diameter, and are rolled and polished on their surfaces as if from long continued action of water. Thus we see that the diluvial blocks which were derived from Cumberland Hill are scattered along the shores on both sides of the bay, and in a mean direction south of their parent ledge."

The following paragraphs relating to the geological conditions in Cranston are quoted from the same author:

"I examined the estate of Mr. Joseph Harris, on Sockanosset Hill, in Cranston, where some imperfect explorations have been made for coal, to the depth of seven or eight feet. Around these openings I found numerous fragments of slate, graphite and impure anthracite; but the pits were generally filled with loose stones and soil, so that I could not discover the rocks in place below, but I have no doubt that they belong to the coal formation.

"At the homestead of Mr. Harris I examined a remarkable spring of water, which was in one of his fields, and gives rise to a little rill running through the meadows. Along the banks of this rivulet, and around the spring, clover grows spontaneously, and is very luxuriant, while it is wanting in other parts of the field.

"The water I have since analyzed, and find it to contain a great abundance of crenic acid, both in a free state and in combination with peroxide of iron, alumina and lime. The water also contains a small proportion of the sulphate of lime. A deposit of the percrenate and apocrenate of iron is found in the bottom of the spring and along its course."

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Soils composed of disintegrated hornblende rock are found in the towns of Cumberland, Smithfield and Johnston. These are the only tracts of the kind found in the state. Hornblende rock soils are formed by the decomposition of a dark green or black rock, composed chiefly of the minerals hornblende and compact felspar, with variable proportions of protoxide of iron and oxide of manganese. Soils of this class are generally of a dark red brown color, and are of fine texture, possessing a slightly adhesive feel when pressed together in the hand, but are not clayey. They are very warm and retentive in their nature, and are among the best soils of the state, though quite scanty, as we have already intimated. This kind of soil is particu- larly adapted to the growth of orchards. It is remarkable for the large proportions of oxide of iron, manganese and magnesia, which it contains.

In Smithfield there are soils of granular magnesian limestones mixed somewhat with argillaceous matter, making a good kind of soil. There is also in that town a mixture of the detritus of horn- blende rock and limestone, making a very luxuriant soil, on which spring up spontaneously, white and red clover, with other sweet grass- es such as are common on limed soils.

In the vicinity of Providence there are numerous instances where sectional cuts have been made through cliffs of sand and gravel, arranged in nearly parallel zones. Rarely is the clay found to be of sufficient purity for pottery or for the manufacture of good bricks. On Seekonk river, upon the shore, may be observed a bed of plastic blnie clay, that crops out from beneath Seekonk Plain, where it is about 20 feet below the bed of pebbles that exists immediately be- neath the top soil. Generally the clayey bands in the tertiary cliffs near Providence, are too much mixed with fine sand to become plas- tic. There are beds of a very fine variety of this clay and sand, that are frequently mistaken for calcareous marl, but they are not charged with a sufficiency of lime to deserve such a name. The tertiary soils of this region are generally poor and light, and are wanting in veget- able matter and lime. They are, however, of easy tillage, and may be much improved by the application of the proper fertilizing ele- ments.

Some explanation of certain geological phenomena, applicable to this section, is contained in the following quotations from the opin- ions expressed by Doctor Jackson, after careful and extended study of the subject. He says :-

"By the last great geological deluge, which took place after the elevation and consolidation of all the rocks, and subsequent to the deposition of the tertiary clays, much of the loose detritus on the sur- face of the earth was removed southwardly from its original localities. Not only were soils removed to great distances by this current, but even large blocks of stone and masses of iron ore were swept far to

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

the south of their parent beds, and in their transit over the ledges they cut grooves and scratches which still remain to indicate the course of the waters, such marks being found very frequently where exposure to the weather has not effaced them. Thus when a ledge is uncovered of its top soil, the scratches may generally be found in great abundance.

"Such appearances prove that the boulders were not freely floated on icebergs, but were driven over the surface of the rocks by the force of the current. Nor can we allow that any glaciers could have produced them by their loads of sliding rocks, for in that case they should radiate from the mountains instead of following a uniform course along hillsides and through valleys. It will also be observed that such marks are common on table land where there are no moun- tains from which glaciers could extend. There are abundant proofs that a diluvial current swept the whole surface of the New England states and all the northern portions of Europe, and it is probable that the phenomena proving such a cataclysm will be found in every por- tion of the northern hemisphere.

"By diluvial causes soils were also removed, commingled, and de- posited far to the southward of their native locations, so that we rarely find any large deposits of soil excepting such as have under- gone diluvial transportation. A few instances of soils truly indige- nous to the rock on which they rest have already been noted, and it is probable, since they are very thin, that they are of post-diluvian origin.

"Recent alluvions consist of the fine particles washed down from more elevated land by the action of running water; rain, rivulets, and larger streams being continually engaged in such operations. When a river overflows its banks, the channel being thus widened, its velocity is diminished, and alluvial matters are deposited on the low land overflowed. * * Alluvial soils are not always remarkably fertile, much depending upon the nature of the materials, and on the bottom upon which it is deposited. If this is porous, then alluvium, unless clayey, will want retentive properties, and will soon run out."

Near the village of Chepachet, in Glocester, the soil is of a light yellow color, and originated from the decomposition of granite, gneiss, and mica slate rocks, boulders of which are abundantly scat- tered over its surface. The top soil is generally light and loose in texture, but it is underlaid by beds of clay which are from five to twenty feet below the surface. There are also hills of diluvial sand and clay in regular layers, sloping in curved lines to the northeast. The soils generally, in this town, when not too rocky, are of easy tillage, and if properly fertilized produce good crops.

In the southwest part of Smithfield, about the village of Green- ville, the soil is decidedly good. That of the uplands is of a yellow

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

color, and owes its origin to the decay of granite rocks. The inter- vales are charged with considerable quantities of black, peaty matter, making rich bottom for the growth of luxuriant grass, or good re- turns of cultivated crops. In the central part of the town the soil is somewhat charged with lime. The native forest trees here are oak, chestnut, black and white birch, and pines, the chestnut prevailing. Peat abounds in the vicinity. In some places the top soil is of a blackish color, and is about eight inches deep, and rests upon a sub- soil of a yellow color, derived from granitic rocks.

In Johnston there are some excellent farms, situated on horn- blende rock, and they have a dark colored soil, mixed with peaty matter. The meadows contain layers of peat, and the soil generally is well charged with vegetable matter.

The soils of Scituate are formed of the detritus of the primary rocks, and where well cultivated they yield ample returns. Foster has also a soil derived from the decay of primary rocks. There are considerable forests in the town, and some deposits of bog iron have been found. The prevailing trees are chestnut, birch, maple, elm and hornbeam.

In East Providence the soil originated chiefly from the detritus of grauwacke rocks, and is light and of easy tillage. It is similar to many soils in Rhode Island.

CHAPTER II.

DEVELOPMENT OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Roger Williams, the Founder of the Settlement .- His experiences in New England .- Purchases from the Indians and Transfers to his Associates .- His Character .- His Burial Place .- Rev. William Blackstone .- Other Purchases of the Natives .- Enlarge- ment of the Borders of the Town .- Fixing the Boundary Lines .- Division of the Town .- Formation and Annexation of other Towns .- Changes in Town Boundaries. -County Organization .- Subsequent changes.

T HE most conspicuous figure in the early history of this whole section of Rhode Island, known as the Providence Plantations, was Roger Williams. And two and a half centuries have served to intensify the prominence of his standing. A history of Providence county may fittingly begin with a review of the life of him whose name is from its very beginning so inseparably connected with it.

Roger Williams was born in Wales, in 1598, where his early years were spent. After being educated at the University of Oxford he was admitted to orders in the Church of England, and for some time officiated as a clergyman of that church. He afterward rendered him- self obnoxious to the laws against non-conformists, having embraced the doctrines of the Puritans, and embarked for America. Here he arrived on the 5th of February, 1631, his wife, Mary, accompanying him. About two months later he was employed as teaching elder in the church of Salem, under Reverend Mr. Skelton, who was then its pastor. The governor and assistants of Massachusetts Bay did not approve this arrangement, and he soon removed to Plymouth, where he was engaged as assistant to Mr. Ralph Smith, the pastor of the church at that place. His views of religious toleration here gave of- fense to some of his hearers, and he returned again to Salem, where, after Mr. Skelton's death, in 1634, he was settled as preacher. Both in England and in these churches he acquired the reputation of "a godly man and a zealous preacher." But his preaching was not in ac- cord with the government of that colony. He publicly opposed the right of the king to grant a patent for lands which belonged to the natives, consequently denying the right of the patent under which the colony held its lands. He reprobated "the calling of natural men to the exercise of those holy ordinances of prayers, oaths, &c.," and other customs of the people. He insisted that the magistrate had

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

no right to deal in matters of conscience and religion. His outspoken conduct in expressing these and other views not in harmony with the popular sentiment, at last incurred the displeasure of the author- ities to such an extent that in the autumn of 1635, an edict of banish- ment was pronounced, and he was ordered to depart the jurisdiction in six weeks. This order was afterward modified, however, so far as to permit him to remain until spring, on condition that he should not attempt to promulgate his opinions or induce others to embrace them. But this action of the authorities probably served to arouse sympathy for Williams and itself influenced others to adopt his opinions. It is said the people were "much taken with the apprehension of his god- liness." The governor and assistants, seeing that Williams' offensive opinions were gaining ground among the people, sent an officer to apprehend him and carry him on board a vessel then lying at Nan- tasket, bound to England. Williams being apprised of this fled in time to escape the officer.

The determination referred to was reached by the general court of Massachusetts on the 11th of January, and the officers sent to execute it, when they arrived at Salem found that Williams had left three days before. In mid-winter he thus fled into the wilderness and wandered for fourteen weeks from place to place, doubtless existing much of the time by the hospitality of friendly Indians with whom he came in contact. In his own graphic words he was "sorely tossed, for fourteen weeks, in a bitter winter season." As the mild weather of spring began to approach he found himself at Seekonk, later known as Rehoboth, and there he began to build and plant. But he had not pursued this work far when he received word from Governor Wins- low of Plymouth, that this land was in his jurisdiction, and although he was a friend of Williams, yet he was also a friend of the governor of Massachusetts, and feared his displeasure if he allowed Williams to settle within his own jurisdiction after having been banished from that of Massachusetts. In compliance with his request, Williams accordingly moved forward.

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 3

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