USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 93
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Charles W. Patt, born in Providence, November 9th, 1822, is a son of David and grandson of Jonathan Patt. His mother was Freelove Williams, daughter of John, and granddaughter of John. She was
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
the seventh generation from Roger Williams. Charles W. Patt settled in Cranston in 1842, commenced the market gardening business in 1845 and has made a success of it. He has under cultivation 20 acres, and does an annual business of $15,000, employs 12 men in the summer and seven in the winter. His hot-house is 30 by 325 feet, and is devoted to raising lettuce in the winter and cucumbers in the spring and summer. Mr. Patt was married April 22d, 1845, to Cyntha, daughter of Robert Grinnell, of Cranston. They have five children: Maria L., William H., Mary A., E. Josephine and Edward B. Mr. Patt commenced business for himself when 11 years old. He has held the office of town councilman in Cranston 12 years, and has been assessor, road commissioner and school trustee.
John B. Perry, born in South Kingstown in 1824, is a son of Robert and Mary Perry. His father was a cousin to Commodore Perry, and his grandfather was Niles Perry, of Perryville. John Perry came to Providence about 1845, and engaged in the foundry business until 1863, when he engaged in the fish trade, in which business he is still engaged. He married, in 1854. Georgiana, daughter of George McDon- ald. They have three children, all grown up: George V., Robert L. and Gracie L.
Henry M. Phetteplace, born in Burrillville, R. I., June 23d, 1812, is a son of Asahel, and grandson of Eliakim. His mother was the daugh- ter of Captain James Smith, of Smithfield. Henry M. came to Provi- dence in 1837, engaged in the machine business, and was connected with the American Screw Company a number of years. He came to Cranston in 1880. He was three times married; first to Harriet Smith, daughter of Appleby Smith, of Smithfield, R. I. They had one son. Henry S. Phetteplace. His second wife was Joanna Sayles, daughter of Orin Sayles, Esq., of Franklin, Mass. They had one daughter, Clara V. His third wife was Ellen J. Sayles, daughter of Welcome Sayles, Esq., of Burrillville, R. I. They have one son, Thurston M., born in 1877.
Caleb Y. Potter, born in Richmond, R. I., in 1806, is a son of Joshua and Deborah Potter, and grandson of Smiton Potter. He came to Cranston about 1840, and is engaged in farming. He is a large real estate owner in Auburn. He came there when it was a wilderness, and by his untiring industry has earned a worthy place in the history of Auburn. He married Frances J. Dye in 1836. They have three children: Daniel N., Caleb A. and William F., all married. Mr. and Mrs. Potter are members of the Free-will Baptist church, of Auburn.
Ferdinand Potter, born in Providence, December 11th, 1812, was a son of Captain Anson Potter and Hannah F. Howard, and grandson of Captain Mowry Potter. He was a real estate dealer, and owned a large amount of real estate in both Providence and Cranston. He died October 20th, 1886. He was a man of noble and upright charac- ter, and just in his dealings with all men. His widow and her three
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children continue to live in their home in Cranston. Ferdinand Pot- ter was twice married; first in 1843 to Mary Reid, who died in 1859. They had three children. He married in 1860 Helen Macmillan, of Providence, daughter of Hugh and Marion Macmillan. They had four children, three of whom are now living. The children by the first marriage were: Ferdinand, Jr. (deceased). Marion and Anson H. Those by the second marriage were: M. Helen, Byron T., Charles A. and Flora E., who died in 1882. Charles A. Potter is a teacher in Brown University, of analytical chemistry.
William F. Potter, born in Cranston, R. I., December 25th, 1849, is the youngest son of Caleb Y. and Frances J. Potter. He married An- toinette E., daughter of William F. and Antoinette Chace, of Provi- dence, in 1882. They have three children: Clarence L., Earl H. and Frances J. William F. Potter was appointed the first postmaster of Auburn in 1877, and resigned in 1883, when his brother, C. A. Potter, was appointed. Mr. Potter was educated in the common schools of Cranston, at the business college of Bryant & Stratton, and at Ladd's High School in Providence. He engaged in the grocery business when he was 19 years old, and after one year at this he went in com- pany with his brother, Caleb A. Potter, farming at Auburn. After seven years of farm life he went into the boot and shoe trade in Prov- idence, and ran a grocery store at the same time in Auburn. He con- tinued this business until 1882. After spending a year in Chicago, he commenced the business of painting. He deals in paints, oils, var- nishes, window glass, wall paper, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Potter are mem- bers of the Baptist church of Auburn.
Richard U. Rhodes, son of James Rhodes, was born in Providence October 12th, 1812, and came to Pawtuxet in 1879. He married Louisa Batty, who died December 10th, 1888. They had six children, only three of whom are living: William B., George H. and Elizabeth A. Richard U. was inspector of vessels in the government employ a num- ber of years. Three of his sons were in the war of the rebellion. One son, Robert, was killed in the navy. He was a first lieutenant; Wil- liam B. was a major, and George H. was captain.
Thomas H. Rhodes, born in Pawtuxet in 1835, is a son of Captain Peleg, and grandson of Benjamin Rhodes. His mother was a Chap- man. He married, January 1st, 1862, Carrie A., daughter of Stacy W. Remington, of Cranston. They have three children: Edward S., born 1864; Thomas H., Jr., born 1870, and Arthur A., born 1872. Thomas H. Rhodes was the founder, in 1872, of Rhodes, on the Pawtuxet, as a pleasure resort. It is well known throughout the state. He has been in the town council one term.
Joseph L. Sanders, born in Providence December 18th, 1849, is a son of Olney L. His grandfather bore the same name. His mother's maiden name was Jane A. Scott. He was educated in the Providence public schools. He is a machinist by trade, and served his time with
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
the Providence Machine Company, later had charge of repairs at the Rhode Island Locomotive Works for several years, and for 14 years prior to 1888 was superintendent of the Corliss Safe Company. At that time he gave up business on account of failing health. From January, 1889, until the fall of that year, he was traveling agent for this company, but owing to poor health was again compelled to retire. He is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Auburn. He has held various public offices in the town of Cranston, was elected assessor of taxes in 1888 for three years, and was elected to the town council in 1889 by the unanimous vote of both parties. He was ap- pointed postmaster at Auburn August 5th, 1889. He was married in 1883 to Isabella Baker, of North Providence. They have two children: Leon S. and Eleanor M.
Huldah F. (Chace) Smith is a daughter of Henry and Mary D. Chace, and granddaughter of Allen. Her mother was a Briggs. The Chace family were formerly from Massachusetts. Her father came to Rhode Island when he was a young man, from Swansea, Mass. He had two sons and one daughter: Henry A., Guilford W. and Huldah F. He was a carpenter and builder, and built the house that is now the home of his daughter, Huldah F. Smith. She married James A. Smith. Her brother, Henry A. Chace, died in 1884. He had been in the employ of the Boston & Providence railroad for 30 years, and for 20 years had been assistant superintendent. He was well known in Providence. He had been grand master of the Grand Lodge of I. O. O. F. of Rhode Island. He was a member of Adelphoi Lodge, F. & A. M., of Providence.
William H. Sweet, born in Foster, R. I., in 1853, is a son of Matthew and Amey L. Sweet, and grandson of Augustus, all natives of Foster. William H. came to Providence and Cranston in 1872, learned the trade of carpenter, became a contractor and builder, and settled in Auburn. He built the school house at Pocasset, near the state insti- tutions, and many of the fine residences of Auburn, and remodeled the Baptist church at Pawtuxet. He married in 1880 Ida M. Tilling- hast of Connecticut. They have one child, Harold A., born in 1882. The Sweet family is one of the old families of Foster. William H. is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Auburn.
Eleazer Tandy, born in Newport, N. H., July 20th, 1838, is a son of James and Betsey (Lewis) Tandy and a grandson of James Tandy. His father was the youngest of a family of ten children. The family are remarkable for their longevity. In 1867 they met together and their combined ages amounted to 785 years. James Tandy, Jr., was born December 31st, 1799, and is still living and enjoying good health. His elder brother lived to the age of 94 years and 10 months. An aunt of these brothers lived to the remarkable age of 105 years and 3 months. The Tandys are of Welsh descent. Eleazer Tandy has been engaged in the wholesale milk business in Boston and Provi-
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
dence for 33 years. He served through the war of the rebellion, en- listing in 1861 in First Massachusetts Infantry of Boston. He was in the first and second battles of Bull Run, the siege of Yorktown, the battles of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks and the seven days fight before Richmond. He was also in the battles of Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness and Spotsylvania. He was wounded in the second battle of Bull Run. He settled in Cranston in 1871. He was a member of the town council two years, and of the general assembly one year. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the F. & A. M., the Order of Red Men and the G. A. R. He was twice married; first to Rosella H. Bas- sett of Cambridge, Mass. She died February 16th, 1862. He married for his second wife Susan M., daughter of Samuel and Abby West- cott, of River Point, R. I. They have three children: James E., born 1872: Erwin W., born 1874, and Howard B., born 1877.
HENRY GREENE TUCKER, deceased, state senator from the town of Cranston at the time of his death, April 25th, 1887, was one of the purest, noblest, and most upright of men. He was the son of Captain James Tucker, for many years a seaman, and his wife, who was a Miss Greene, both of whom were descended from early settlers of the town. Mr. Tucker was born in 1821 in Pawtuxet village in the town of Cranston, in which village and town he passed his youth, went through the struggles of a long, busy and active life, and died at 66 years of age, a much lamented and greatly respected citizen. He was one of the prominent business men of the city, and for some time was at the head of the firm of Tucker & Swan, prominent coal merchants of Providence city. At the time of his retirement in 1882, he was re- garded as having been a most successful business man, and one whose life had been of great benefit to his contemporaries.
Mr. Tucker enjoyed the utmost confidence of his fellow citizens. He was a staunch democrat, and his party often called him into posi- tions of trust and responsibility, and in his election to these various offices, he was materially aided by all parties. He was a liberal man, having broad views, and consequently became a leading factor in all movements looking to the public good. He was a member of the town council, to which position the citizens of Cranston elected him for several terms. At the time of his death he was a member of the senate, and had been a member of that body in 1867, '68, '71 and '72. He was a representative of the town in 1864, '67, and in 1871-2. Mr. Tucker was not a partisan in any sense of the word, farther than the convictions of his political opinions. He was very unobtrusive in life-was quiet, calm and self possessed, easily approached, very benev- olent, doing many a generous deed in a way that left the aided party ignorant of his benefactor. He was a model husband and father. Probably no married life was ever more felicitous than his, and in his home he has been missed the most.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Mr. Tucker left an interesting family, consisting of a widow and five children, who greatly revere his memory. Of the children, Rhodes G. Tucker lives in Brooklyn, N. Y .; Mrs. W. G. Northup, Minneapolis, Minn., and Zachariah R. Tucker, Providence. R. I. Joseph and Sarah live at home.
Joseph Watson, born in Uxbridge, Mass., in 1815, is a son of James Watson who came from England. Joseph came to Cranston about 1854. Mr. Watson in his younger days worked in the Print Works, but for the past 40 years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Eleanor K. Peirce, and has five children living:George F., Albert A., John P., Abby J. and Mary E. Mrs. Watson died in 1857.
George F. Watson, born in Cranston, R. I., in 1844, is a son of Joseph and grandson of James, mentioned in the preceding paragraph. He was married in 1866 to Ellen W. Barber. They have had three children, all of whom are deceased. Mr. Watson is a farmer. He en- listed in the Second R. I. Infantry in 1864 and served one year.
JONATHAN M. WHEELER, born in Warren, R. I., September 8th, 1817, is a son of Jonathan, and grandson of Russell Wheeler. His mother was a daughter of Alexander Mason, who was a judge of the common pleas court in Bristol county. Mr. Wheeler came to Crans- ton in 1864 from Warwick, where he served as member of the legisla- ture two years. In 1861 he enlisted as captain of Company A, in the Fifth Rhode Island regiment and served one year. He was in the battles of Roanoke, Newbern, Kingston, Whitehall, and at the cap- ture of Fort Macon, where was captured a fine rebel flag, and he brought it home to Rhode Island, and presented it to Governor Sprague. This was the only rebel flag ever brought to Rhode Island. In 1866 he was elected town clerk of Cranston, and held that office until 1888. He has held the office of judge of probate 20 years, being the first and only incumbent of that office in Cranston. He was mar- ried April 3d, 1843, to Adaline M., daughter of Walter Lawrence. They had three children, all of whom are deceased. Emma L. was born June 13th, 1844. Mr. Wheeler was a candidate for lieutenant governor in 1885 and led his ticket by a handsome majority in his town of Cranston, where he was best known. He was also a candidate for the Forty-eighth Congress on the democratic ticket.
Elisha Whitaker, born in Johnston, R. I., in 1833, is a son of Elisha A. and grandson of Amos Whitaker, all of Johnston. He came with his parents when he was two years old to Cranston. When he was only 21 years old he went to California, where he engaged in the gold mines, and after remaining there 13 years returned to Cranston and settled on the farm of his father, which he now occupies. He belongs to Ashland Lodge, I. O. O. F. He was married in 1870 to Adaline A., daughter of William Fenner of Johnston. They have had ten children, six of whom are now living: Cora R., Elisha A., Nora D.,
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
William A., Emma L. and Fred. His grandfather, Amos Whitaker, was a colonel in the war of 1812 and lived to be 83 years old.
James S. Williams, born in Cranston August 24th, 1810, has lived all his life within a half mile of where he now resides. He received a common school education and in his younger days taught school. He was in the jewelry trade 15 years in Providence, and has been a farmer nearly all his life. He was many times offered different offices, but refused only such as would not interfere with his business interests. He held the offices of town councilman and assessor a number of terms. In the spring of 1890, when in his 80th year, he was nomi- nated for representative, and also urged to accept a nomination as assessor, both of which he declined. He married Julia A. Williams. of another branch of the Williams family. He is a direct descendant of Roger Williams in the seventh generation.
6 Www. Theler
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE TOWN OF JOHNSTON.
Description .- Early Manufacturing .- First Town Officers .- Highway Districts .-- Schools. -Johnston in the Rebellion .- Town Farm .- Horse Detective Society .- Prominent Families. - Olneyville. - Merino Village. - Hughesdale. - Manton. - Thornton .- Upper Simmonsville .- Graniteville .- Centerdale.
T HIS town was taken from Providence and named in honor of Augustus Johnston, March 6th, 1759. Mr. Johnston was attorney general from 1758 to 1766. He donated to the town a set of record books. The population of the town in 1782 was 996. Its popu- lation now is upwards of 7,000. It is bounded north by Smithfield, northeast and east by North Providence and Providence, south by Cranston and west by Scituate. Olneyville, the largest village, is situated in the southeastern portion of the town.
Following is a list of the names of the most important points of interest in Johnston: Villages .- Olneyville (Johnston side), Thornton, formerly Simmons Lower; Simmons Upper; Morganville, formerly Almyville; Centerdale (Johnston side): Greystone (Johnston side); Hughesdale, formerly Dry Brook; Walsh's; Pocasset Bleachery, for- merly Waterman's Grist and Saw Mill; Manton, named after Edward E. Manton (Johnston side), formerly Tripptown; Merino; Graniteville. Hills .- Neutakonkanut, from which may be enjoyed a very delightful view: College, Snake Den. Streams-Woonasquatucket; Pocasset; Simmons; Dry Brook. Rocks .-- Pocasset Falls; Iron; Snake Den Ledge; Bear Ledge; Thurber Ledge. Reservoirs .- Simmons; Almy's; Slack (Johnston side); Dry Brook; Moswansicut (Johnston side). Historic .- Johnston Elm was noted for its size. The tree was ruined by the September gale of 1869, and was removed in 1873. In 1858 its measure- ment was taken, when its girth one foot from the ground was 40 feet, six feet from the ground 28 feet, and the girth of its two branches, respectively, 143 and 14 feet. On the Angell farm, near the site of this elm, are several springs, one of which is noted for its mineral waters. There are also an Indian burying ground, a soapstone quarry and a place where Indian pottery was manufactured. Shells imbedded in the earth indicate the site of an Indian village. Bear ledge, before named, furnished the columns and facades of the Providence Arcade. Snake Den ledge furnished the materials for the First Congregational church of Providence.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
The following interesting sketch, bearing on the early manufac- turing of the town of Johnston, is taken from Book of Records No. 2, page 243, Providence, November 20th, 1788:
"It must give pleasure to every friend of the arts and manufactures of our country to be informed that the Slitting Mill, erecting in the neighborhood of this town, upon an improved plan, will be completed within a few weeks, that the carding and spinning machines used in Great Britain, &c., in manufacturing cotton stuffs, are introducing into this town by some public spirited gentlemen-and the domestic manufacturing increase daily, as there are few families in town but that are making cloth of different kinds. All the weaving looms in town (of which there are great numbers) are of consequence fully employed. While we with great satisfaction take notice of these mat- ters, we cannot help mentioning the spirit of enterprise which appears to actuate our merchants, who (under the very great disadvantage of not being able to command their property which they have credited out; are now (in addition to the ship "General Washington," sailed from here in December last for Canton) fitting out two large ships for the Indian Ocean, and a number of other vessels to different parts of the world."
An act for dividing the town passed the general assembly March 15th, 1759. By the authority of this act Colonel Christopher Harris called a meeting of the freemen of the town for the election of officers, on April 18th, 1759, the meeting being held at the house of Benjamin Belknap. Thomas Owens, Esq., was chosen moderator; Mr. Owens and Captain John Waterman were chosen to represent the town in the general assembly, to be held at Newport: Thomas Owens, town clerk; Abraham Belknap, town sergeant; Richard Fenner, Charles Water- man, Daniel Eddy, John Waterman, Jr., and Dean Kimball, council- men: Josiah Thornton, town treasurer; Charles Waterman, Benjamin Belknap and Samuel Smith, overseers of the poor; Charles Waterman, Daniel Eddy and Joseph Waterman were elected town auditors, and to settle accounts and divide the poor with the town of Providence; Charles Waterman and Gideon Brown, assessors of rates and taxes, at 2d. per pound; William Alverson and William Harris were appointed to value the estates for qualification for freemen; Consider Luther, Benjamin Belknap and Joshua Remington, fence viewers; William Alverson, first constable, and Captain Josiah Thornton, second con- stable; William Henry, William Harris, William Alverson, Peleg Wil- liams, John Brown and Abraham Belknap, way wardens: Captain Daniel Sprague, Lieutenant John Waterman and Amos Westcott were appointed a committee to view and find a place to set a pound on.
Book No. 1, of the town records, begins with the year 1772, the first part of the records being lost. At this time the subject of high- ways was taken up and discussed in a town meeting held at the house of Richard Eddy, July 25th, 1772; present, Edward Fenner, Thomas
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Angell, Noah Atherton, Andrew Harris, Richard Eddy and Seth Tripp. It is found by the records of this meeting, that there were then in the town 13 road districts, which we give in full, because of the list of names with localities mentioned therein.
" John Watermans Destrect To Begin at the fork of the Rhode by David Browns house and extend westerly on Plainfield Rhode &c. The names of those who were to work on this highway were as fol- lows: David Brown, Christopher Thornton, Richard Fenner, Arthur Fenner, Charles Fenner, Amos Williams, Samuel Dyer, James Dyer, James Randall, Josiah Stone, Joseph Waterman, Isaac Waterman, Isaac Arnold, Henry Arnold, Noah Thornton, Job Salisbury, Richard Fenner, Jr., Joseph Fish, Ephraim Fish, Thomas Fenner, and all other persons within this district (No. 1) not named in any other.
"George Beverlys Destrect to begin at the river by Peleg Rhoads house, and to extend westward as far as James Hoyles house, and like-wise the rhode that leads to Randalls Saw mill, the rhode that goes by John Beverlys and Esquire Williams untill it comes to the head of the lane above T. Williams, and the rhode from Henry Stra- vens, by Capt. Spragues as far as said Spragues northermost corner. And his men to work on sd ways are Peleg Rhoads, Edward Sheldon, Esq., John Beverly, Stephen Hammon, Joshua Remington, John Remington, Caleb Remington, Iseral Carpenter, Nicholas Car- penter, Benjamin Waterman, Peleg Williams, Esq., Zebedee Clemence, James Mathewson, John Ruttenburgh, Joseph Randall, Henry Stra- vins, Jr., Dan'l Sprague, Esq., Ebenezer Sprague. Esq., Rufus Sprague, Jacob Lockwood, John Tripp; Jesse Beverly and all other persons within this Destrect not named in any other.
" Andrew Harris', Esq., Destrect to begin at the fork of the Rhode by David Brown's house, and to extend westward to the West End of the Bridge by Peleg Rhoads house, and likewise the Rhode that goes by Reuben Spragues, as far as the northermost corner of Capt. An- gell's land. And his men to work sd ways are Thomas Angell, Thomas Harris, Jr., John Thornton, Elihu Thornton, Charles Thorn- ton, Reuben Sprague, Christopher Harris, Amos Westcott, Thomas Harris, Thomas Clemence, Samuel Kilton, and all other persons, &c.
" William Latham's Destrect, To begin at the fork of the Rhode by David Brown's house, and to extend eastwardly to Providence line, and also the rhode over Rocky Hill to Cranston line, and his men to work on sd ways are Reuben Lake, Solomon Thornton, Edward Fen- ner, Stephen Thornton, William Borden, Gideon Brown, Nehemiah Sheldon, Joseph Borden, Jr., Abner Borden, and all others, &c.
" Obadiah Browns Destreet, to begin at Smithfield line and to extend down Killingly Rhode to a grate Rock by Belknap's dam-bars, and his men to work on sd way are Rufus Hawkins, Reuben Brown, Job Waterman, Benjamin Waterman (son of Job), William Hawkins, John- athan Arnold, Jr., Barah McDonald, Thomas Arnold, John Brown,
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
William Paine, Jeremiah Waterman, Charles Waterman, Reuben King, Emor Olney, Nathaniel Day, and all others, &c.
" Richard Thornton, the 3d Destrect, to begin at Plainfield road by Nehemiah Sheldon, and to extend northward as far as Hope Hawkins gate and his men to work on sd way are Richard Borden, Benjamin Waterman, Joshua Greene, Joseph Thornton, and all other persons, &c.
"Daniel Thorntons Destrect, To begin at Killingly Rhode by Esquire Eddys pot ash, and to extend westward on the new highway to Esquire Sprague's way so call'd, and his men to work on sd way are John Waterman, Esq., Job Waterman, William Waterman, and all others, &c.
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