History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I, Part 64

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

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

The cabinet of the Historical Society above referred to is situated on Waterman street, opposite the college buildings of Brown Univer- sity and on the lot adjoining the library of that institution. It is upon one of the most eligible sites in the city, commanding a delight- ful view of the university grounds, and while easy of access, is more than usually exempt from the dangers of fire. The dimensions of the building are 303 feet front by 503 feet deep, and 29 feet high. The basement is of granite, but the walls above are of rubble stone, stuccoed and colored, to represent granite. The interior is very neatly finished, the whole being stuccoed, and ornamented with an entablature. The principal room contains galleries on three sides. Under the front gallery, on either side of the entrance are two rooms. An addition made to the rear of the original building, extending 30 feet back, and forming wings of 30 feet in width, on either side of the building, greatly increases the size of the cabinet and improves its architectural appearance. The lot on which it stands is hand- somely graded, enclosed by a substantial fence and ornamented with trees, which give it an air of classic repose in keeping with the sur- roundings. Reverend Edwin M. Stone, beginning about 1850, and succeeding Thomas C. Hartshorn, filled the office of cabinet keeper for a long term extending to 1880, when he was succeeded by Hon. Amos Perry, whose term covers the present time. The cabinet in the southern part of the state was for many years kept at the Redwood Library in Newport. Mr. B. B. Howland was cabinet keeper for that section during a long period, and Mr. George Champlin Mason acted later as procurator, but as interest in the local society in that city increased the interest in the state society decreased, so that for many years that office has been but little more than nominal. The present officers of the society are: Charles W. Parsons and Horatio Rogers, vice-presidents; Amos Perry, secretary, librarian and cabi- net keeper; Richmond P. Everett, treasurer. The cabinet contains nearly 10,000 bound volumes and more than 20,000 pamphlets, besides a great mass of documents, works of art, historic relics and curiosi- ties, some of which are exceedingly rare and valuable.

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Historical Society of Rhode Island was incorporated in 1875. Its object is to collect and preserve relics of the late war and facts relating to the individual experiences of Rhode Island men in the war. All honorably discharged soldiers and sailors of the war, and their sons are eligible to membership. At the regu- lar meetings of the society original papers, relating to personal expe- riences during the war, are read by members, and a copy of each, after publication by the society, is placed in the archives. A cabinet of trophies and other articles connected with the history of the war is owned by the society, and the collection of a library has been com- menced. The officers for 1889 were: Captain Joshua M .· Addeman, president; Captain George N. Bliss, vice-president: Lieutenant Philip

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S. Chase, recording secretary and treasurer; Captain George H. Pet- tis, corresponding secretary; Lieutenant T. A. Barton, librarian and cabinet keeper. The regular meetings are hield on the third Tues- day evening of each month, at No. 70 Weybosset street.

The question of establishing a free public library, which should be an institution in size and character appropriate to the liberal culture and enterprise of the city of Providence, was for many years dis- cussed, and from time to time efforts were made to reduce the ideal to visible form. Various influences, however, impeded its accom- plishment until within a comparatively recent period of time. It began to assume form in 1871, when a form of organization was adopted, but the library was not actually opened to the public until 1878. During this interim and before, some liberal subscriptions had been made to the prospective enterprise. Among these liberal donors and their gifts may be mentioned the following: Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Duncan, $10,000; William S. Slater, $10,000; Mrs. Anna Richmond, $10.000: Gorham Manufacturing Company, $5,000; Robert H. Ives, $5,000; Earl P. Mason, $1,000; Joseph J. Cooke, $1.000; Mr. and Mrs. Zechariah Allen, $1,000; George Hunt, $1.000; William D. Ely, $500. In addition to these the Portsmouth Grove Hospital Fund, amounting to $1,800, was to be devoted to the purchase of books illus- trating the late civil war, large contingent interests in the estate of Moses B. Lockwood had been bequeathed, several smaller libraries had offered their stock of books, and Joseph A. Barker had subscribed $25.000, on condition that $75,000 should be raised by other subscrip- tions. The library was finally opened for the use of the public, Feb- ruary 4th, 1878, in a room in Butler Exchange, and Mr. William E. Foster was placed in charge as librarian. Under his efficient man- agement it has been most thoroughly and systematically organized and conducted. In the summer of 1880 the library was removed to its present quarters on Snow street, between Westminster and Wash- ington streets, where it occupies commodious apartments on the ground floor and of easy access from the street, being the lower story of the building occupied above by Messrs. Goff. Rice & Smith's Eng- lish and Classical School. The library contains about 35,000 volumes. Residents of Providence are allowed to draw books from it without charge, and its reading room and library tables are open to the free use of the public. The books annually taken from the library now number about 100,000. It is open daily, except Sundays, from 10 o'clock A.M. to 9 o'clock p.M. The present officers are: Frank E. Rich- inond, president of the board of trustees: William T. Nicholson. treasurer: Edward I. Nickerson, secretary; William E. Foster, libra- rian.

The Union for Christian Work is a combined literary, educational and benevolent enterprise, having reading rooms and a library at 151 Broad street. The rooms and library are open to all persons over 16

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years of age from 3 o'clock P.M. to 9:30, and on Sundays from 2 to 9 P.M. The library has over 3,800 volumes. Annual members support the enterprise by the payment of dues, one class one dollar and an- other class five dollars. A room open Saturday nights during the winter months furnishes books, games and kind influences to street boys. The Union also maintains three branch rooms for this pur- pose in other sections of the city. A flower mission collects and dis- tributes on Saturdays flowers to the sick and infirm in the various institutions of the city. The work of the Union began about 20 years ago. Since 1872 the presidents of it have been: William B. Weeden, from that date to 1879; Elisha S. Aldrich, from 1880 to 1883; William T. Crandell, from 1884 to the present time. The librarians in the same time have been: Miss J. E. Graves, 1872 to 1878; Mrs. Martha W. Greene, 1879; William M. Bailey, Jr., 1880 to 1882: Miss M. C. Lee, 1883 to 1889.

The Young Men's Christian Association of Providence is one of the oldest organizations of that name in New England, its origin dating back to 1854. in which year it was incorporated by an act of the general assembly. Prominent names among its incorporators were: Amos C. Barstow, John B. Hartwell, Allen Brown, Charles A. Webster. Zuinglius Grover, Henry F. Clemons, Daniel Goodwin, Nathan B. Hall, William Coggeshall, James Boyce, John F. Jolls, John D. Henley, Jr., Jeremiah Heath, Henry C. Merchant, Josiah L. Webster, Levi J. Lewis, Samuel G. Curry, Abner Gray, Jr .. A. B. Bradley and others. Harmony Hall, on Weybosset street, was at first occupied as the headquarters of the association. In 1861 it removed to more commodious quarters at 98 Weybosset street. Early presi- dents of the association were: Hon. Amos C. Barstow, Mr. John Kingsbury, Deacon Joseph C. Hartshorn, Professor Emory Lyon, Mr. John W. Vernon and J. Halsey De Wolf. Esq. The latter was elected, May 8th, 1865, and continued in office till May 11th, 1868, being then succeeded by Francis W. Carpenter. His term of office extended two years. John Kendrick was president from May 9th, 1870, to May 13th, 1872; Thomas W. Chace from that date to May 17th, 1875; Ste- phen Brownell to May 14th, 1877: Charles A. Hopkins to May 12th, 1879: Prof. G. B. F. Hinckley, to May 16th, 1881: A. B. McCrillis to May 7th, 1883; Amos M. Bowen to May 4th, 1885; Charles F. Taylor to May 9th, 1887; B. F. Arnold to May, 1889; Horace S. Tarbell, May, 1889, to the present time. The office of treasurer was held by Mr. B. W. Ham from 1854 to the time of his death, in 1885. He was suc- ceeded by the present treasurer, Mr. H. J. Wells, who was elected to that office July 23d, 1885. The office of librarian and secretary, hav- ing charge of the rooms of the association, has successively been held by the following: H. M. Clemons, placed in charge of the rooms at the opening, January 31st, 1854, to July of the same year; Reverend C. H. Pierson, from July 14th to November 10th, 1854; H. M. Clemoms,

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again, until June 1st, 1855; W. C. Mills, as librarian, to May 4th, 1859; L. W. Makepeace, June Sth, 1859, as librarian, till December 20th, 1871. His successor was W. H. Anderson, who continued in the office till September 30th, 1875. Thomas C. Crocker followed next, entering upon the office January 17th, 1876, and continuing till June 21st, 1880. The close of Mr. Crocker's service occurred during the term of Mr. Hinckley as president, and by request the latter acted as general secretary until November 1st, 1880, when George M. Hersey was elected general secretary. He filled that office until December 15th, 1883, and was succeeded by Everett D. Burr. The latter resigned May 1st, 1884, and was then succeeded by Hamilton S. Conant, who still occupies the position.

During the three years from 1872 to 1875 a fresh impetus seems to have been given the association, increasing its membership from 1,100 to upwards of 2,000. This was largely the result of outside mission work, undertaken by organized bands, who visited the differ- ent churches and held meetings in various buildings in the outskirts of the city, as well as in other sections of it. In 1877 the association joined in supporting the evangelistic meetings conducted in the city by Mr. D. L. Moody. In the early part of 1883 the association, having previously secured subscriptions amounting to upwards of $5,000 for the purpose, fitted up very pleasant rooms at 276 Westminster street, and removed their library and headquarters to that building, where they have remained to the present time, though doubtless by the time this work is before its readers the association will be settled in its own new and elegant building at the corner of Westminster and Jackson streets. Through sorrows and through joy, through times of dearth and times of prosperity, the association has held on, wield- ing its influence, exerting its power and laboring, in weakness or in might, for the elevation of the young men of the city. Later years brought it fresh tokens of appreciation of its work and its sphere of usefulness, and at last the smiles of prosperity beamed upon its path with such tangible effulgence that the way seemed clear to erect for it a permanent home in the heart of the city, where the association may feel secure in a long lease of useful existence, dignity and suc- cessful influence for good. During the winter of 1885 steps were taken toward raising funds for the erection of the new building. Mr. Henry J. Steere led off with a subscription of $10,000, and others of various amounts followed in rapid succession, until in the course of two years the sum of $150,000 was secured for the purpose. The pre- liminaries having been arranged, ground was broken March 12th, .1889, and on the 17th of the following August the corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies, and amid the congratulations of many friends of the cause, among whom were many of the promi- nent men in affairs in this city and elsewhere. President Harrison from the national capital sent his regrets at not being able to be

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present. and requested the chairman to say to the young men of Providence that he highly appreciated the work of the association. and considered it an important factor in the solution of many of the social problems that perplex modern governments. The building fund subscription list at that date amounted to over $170.000, and the association had a membership roll of 1,675 names.

The library and reading room of the association contains about 4,000 books, and 70 daily and weekly newspapers, American and for- eign magazines. The association has a parlor furnished with art works, games and other means of amusement. Classes for instruc- tion in various practical branches are provided for in the building, and a hall, capable of seating 400 persons, is used for various meet- ings, concerts and the like. These and all the other branches of work or convenience afforded by the association will be even more fully accommodated in the new building when completed. The building is a handsome brick and stone structure. modelled in the modern antique style of architecture.

The newspaper history of Providence is voluminous in detail, and we can only attempt a brief outline of it here. The first newspaper printed in this town was issued October 20th, 1762. It was the Provi- dence Gazette and Country Journal, and was published by William God- dard, who had set up the first printing office in the town during the summer of the same year. In July. 1763. the printing office was re- moved to " the store of Judge Jenckes near the great bridge," and in March, 1765, to " the house opposite Mr. Nathan Angell's." This was just a little north of the First Baptist meeting house. Its publication was suspended for more than a year after May 11th, 1765. It was then published, beginning August 9th, 1766, by Sarah Goddard & Company. Sarah was the mother of William Goddard. In Septem- ber, 1767. the firm was composed of William Goddard and John Car- ter, and in November the former removed from the town, and Mr. Carter became sole proprietor of the Gazette. In October, 1771, it was printed in " the new building on Main street, fionting the court house," and later "in Meeting street. opposite the Friends' meeting house." In November, 1793, John Carter and William Wilkinson became partners and joint publishers of the paper and the office was in the post office, "opposite the market." An effort was made in 1795 to publish it semi-weekly, but it failed for want of encourage- ment. In May, 1799, Mr. Carter again became sole owner. and so con- tinued until February, 1814, when he conveyed it to Hugh H. Brown and William H. Wilson. Mr. Carter published a paper noted for its typographical correctness. He had been an apprentice under Benja- min Franklin at Philadelphia. Mr. Brown became sole proprietor of the Gasette in June, 1816, and so continued till January. 1820, when he received into partnership Walter R. Danforth, who then had charge of the editorial department, and the Gasette became a semi-

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weekly publication. It was issued during the first year on Mondays and Thursdays, but afterward on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Janu- ary 1st, 1825, Mr. Brown again became sole owner of the establish- ment, employing Albert C. Greene as editor. October 5th, of the same year, the paper was united to the Rhode Island American, and the association of Mr. Brown with Francis Y. Carlile was known as Car- lile & Brown. The consolidated paper was now published from an office on the north side of Market Square. William S. Patten was employed as editor for one year from October, 1825. He was suc- ceeded by Christopher E. Robbins. In March, 1827, Mr. Carlile became sole proprietor, and Benjamin F. Hallett was employed as editor. In 1827 the Microcosm was united to the establishment, and in July, 1829, the Cadet and Statesman joined the consolidation. Jonathan C. Parmenter then became a member of the firm, and the name of the paper was made the Rhode Island American, Statesman and Gasette. The proprietors also now commenced the publication of a daily paper, the Daily Advertiser. In November, 1829, Daniel Mowry, 3d, became the sole proprietor. The daily was discontin- med after February, 1833. Mr. Mowry continued the publication of a weekly paper under the title of The Microcosm, American and Gasette, until April, 1833, when he sold the establishment to James S. Ham and Joseph Knowles. They published the paper one year, under the firm name of J. S. Ham & Co., after which it was discon- tinued.

The second newspaper established here was The American Jour- nal and General Advertiser, which was started in March, 1779, by Solomon Southwick and Bennett Wheeler. The office of publica- tion was at the corner of North Main and Meeting streets. In November, 1779, Mr. Southwick withdrew from the business and it was continued by Mr. Wheeler alone, and he subsequently removed the office to the west side of the river. This was continued until about the time Mr. Wheeler started the United States Chronicle, which was in January, 1784. He printed this paper until 1802, when after an existence of 18 years, it was discontinued. The State Gasette and Town and County Advertiser, a semi-weekly paper, was started January 4th, 1796, by Joseph Fry. It was a small paper, even for those times, and was published on Mondays and Thursdays, from an office on the north side of Market square. It hardly lived through the year. Then came the Providence Journal and Town and County Advertiser, a weekly paper, published by John Carter, Jr., which was begun January 1st, 1799, and continued three years. The Impartial Observer, a weekly paper, was commenced in July, 1800, by Samuel J. Williams. After March, 1801, Benoni Williams be- came the publisher. It was discontinued in 1802. Mr. Williams afterward published a few numbers of a paper called Liberty's Con- tinel, but it was not sustained.

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The Providence Phenix was commenced in May, 1803, by Theo- dore A. Foster and William W. Dunham. Its office was in West- minster street, and its publication day was Saturday. Mr. Foster left the concern after the first year, and Mr. Dunham continued its publication until July, 1805. William Olney then assumed its publication, which he continued until the time of his death, January 10th, 1807. It was then published by Josiah Jones and Bennett H. Wheeler. In 1816 they changed the name to the Providence Patriot and Columbian Phenix. From January 1st, 1819, it was published semi-weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, Barzillai Cranston having been added to the firm, with which he, however, remained but about one year. In May, 1823, Eaton W. Maxcy succeeded Mr. Wheeler in the firm, and after one year was succeeded by William Simons. In December, 1829, Mr. Simons left the concern, after which the paper was published by Mr. Jones, as agent, for about three years, during a part of which period James O. Rockwell was editor. It was discontinued about 1832. The Rhode Island Farmer was the title of a paper printed for about one year, beginning in the summer of 1804, and published by David Heaton and Benoni Wil- liams. The American was commenced October 21st, 1808, by William W. Dunham and David Hawkins, Jr. It was published semi-weekly. After the first year its name was changed to The Rhode Island Ameri- can. It was published on Tuesdays and Fridays, from an office on the north side of Market Square. Dunham & Hawkins continued its publication until May, 1812. when the latter became sole proprietor, and conducted the paper until October, 1813. He then sold it to John Miller and William W. Man, who continued its publication until April, 1814. William G. Goddard then became a member of the firm and assumed the role of its editorial work. Mr. Miller re- tired in 1815, and Mr. Man died in March, 1817, whereupon Mr. God- dard became sole proprietor. James D. Knowles joined him in July, 1819, and retired in 1820, leaving Mr. Goddard again sole publisher. Thus he continued until October, 1825, when he transferred the es- tablishment to Francis Carlile, who immediately connected it with the Providence Gasette, as we have before stated.

During the war of 1812 an effort was made to start a paper called the Providence Centinel and War Chronicle, by Herman B. and Daniel Man, as publishers, and George R. Burrill as editor. After the issue of a few numbers, however. the effort was abandoned.

The Manufacturers' and Farmers' Journal and Providence and Pare- tucket . Advertiser was started on Monday, January 3d, 1820. It was at first started as a semi-weekly, and was published by John Miller, a printer. and John Hutchens, a bookseller. They employed as editor William E. Richmond. January 1st, 1823, Mr. Miller became sole proprietor, and continued to publish the paper for several years. May Ist, 1833, he formed a partnership with George Paine, and the

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paper was continued by Miller & Paine until February, 1836, when it was purchased by George W. Jackson. The latter published it until July 1st, 1838, when he sold it to Joseph Knowles and William L. Burroughs. February 1st, 1839, the latter was succeeded in the part- nership by John W. Vose, and the paper was continued under the proprietorship of Knowles & Vose. July 1st, 1840, Henry B. Anthony was admitted a partner, and the firm title became Knowles, Vose & Anthony. Thus it continued till the death of Mr. Vose in 1848, when the name was changed to Knowles & Anthony. So it continued till January 1st, 1863, when George W. Danielson was admitted to the firm, and the name became Knowles, Anthony & Danielson. This name continued until June 3d. 1885, when it was changed to the Providence Journal Company. The editors of this paper have been: William E. Richmond, Thomas Rivers, Benjamin F. Hallett, Lewis Gaylord Clarke, George Paine, John B. Snow, Thomas H. Webb, Henry B. Anthony, James B. Angell, George W. Danielson and Alfred M. Williams. In 1824 the Independent Inquirer, a weekly paper which had been started the year before, was transferred to the Journal, and its name changed to the Rhode Island Country Journal, un- der which name it is still published by the Journal Company. On the first day of July, 1829, the Daily Journal was commenced. That is still published, and is the leading newspaper of the city. The Evening Bulletin, also published by the same company, was started January 26th, 1863. The Journal was first printed in the building known as the old Coffee House, No. 1 Market square, the site of which is now occupied by the Bank of Commerce. In August, 1823, it was removed to the Union Building, on the west side of the bridge. In November, 1824, it was removed to the Granite Building, adjoin- ing the old Coffee House. In May, 1833, it was removed to Whipple's Building on College street. In 1844 it was moved to the Washington Buildings, again on the west side of the river, where it was for many years printed.

The Beacon was issued weekly for more than two years, commenc- ing January 10th, 1824, by William S. Spear. The Microcosm, a weekly paper, was commenced June 10th, 1825, by Walter R. Danforth. After 13 numbers had been issued it was consolidated with the Rhode Island American. The Literary Cadet and Saturday Evening Bulletin, a weekly paper, was commenced April 22d. 1826, by Samuel J. Smith and Jonathan C. Parmenter. After the first year it became a semi- weekly. It was a popular newspaper in its day, and is said to have reached a subscription circulation of 4.000 copies, a high figure for those days. During most of its existence it was edited by Sylvester S. Southworth. In July, 1829, it was united to the American and Ga- sette. The American and General Intelligencer was published weekly by James B. Yerrinton, beginning in October, 1827. Its office was in the Canal Market building, and William Goodell was employed as

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its editor. It seems to have been a sort of independent political paper. In December, 1828, it was removed to Boston, where it was united to the National Philanthropist, and was afterward removed to New York under some other name. In 1818 Hugh H. Brown printed the Juvenile Gasette for a few months, during which time it was edited successively by Origen Bacheler and William H. Smith.

The Republican Herald was started in August, 1828, John S. Greene being its publisher until July, 1829, when he transferred it to Wil- liam Simons, Jr., and by the latter it was published until January, 1842. The firm was then changed to W. Simons & Co., and the pub- lication thus continued until March. 1850, when it became a weekly edition of the Daily Post, at that time started by Sayles & Miller. The paper was published later by Alfred Anthony until August 1st, 1866, and then by Albert S. Gallup. It was suspended May 11th, 1867. A few days later the same equipment was used to start the Providence Morning Herald, which began publishing May 20th, 1867. by Noah D. Payne and Albert A. Scott. It was later published by Mr. Payne alone, and was suspended May 21st, 1873. Successive editors of the Post were William Simons, Welcome B. Sayles, " Clem " Webster and Thomas Steere; and of the Herald. Thomas Steere and George Webster.

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History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I, Part 64

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