History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I, Part 95

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

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The Olneyville Times was established in 1887, and with the exception of the Rhode Island Citisen, is the only paper ever published in the place. The Citizen was established a few years ago by Benjamin Evans, and was continued but a short time. The Times is a local paper, and is published by Sibley & Johnson, both men of experience and ability, the former having been previously connected with the Star and the Press of Providence, and the latter being a practical printer by trade. They also publish the East Providence Record, which was established by Mr. Sibley in 1885, Mr. Johnson coming into the firm upon the starting of the Times in 1887. The firm have a well equipped job office, and print and publish other papers, giving em- ployment to five hands constantly.

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The Olneyville Free Library and Reading Room was started as a reading room, principally through the efforts of Reverend William Davis about the year 1877. Mr. Davis, it will be remembered, was the subject of Boston's municipal vengeance a year or two ago for preaching on the street one Sunday. For this act he was confined in jail for some time. The library has been mainly supported and kept by ladies. A few years ago the Library Association was formed and incorporated, with the following officers: George C. Calef, president; . Thomas B. Stockwell, vice-president; Mrs. L. Leavens, secretary; Walter Brownell, treasurer, and H. H. Richardson, librarian. There are now in the alcoves of the library 2,200 volumes. Applicants for books have the privilege of visiting the alcoves for themselves, an un- usual but by far the best method in vogue. The amount required each year for its support is about $500. An appropriation of $200 was made by the town May 28th, 1888, for this purpose.

There are three secret societies in the village of Olneyville, one of which, the Knight of Pythias, has recently been instituted.

Manufacturers' Lodge, No. 15, I. O. O. F., was first instituted in Hopkinton, February 19th, 1851. In February, 1859, the charter was returned to the Grand Lodge, and on April 26th, 1870, the charter was revived and returned to Olneyville with 23 members, who were drawn from Eagle, Canonicus and Hope Lodges. The first officers were: N. G., Sheldon P. Sprague; V. G., WV. A. Phillips; R. S., Thomas Ball; P. S., Edgar D. Stearns; treasurer, James Davis.

Woonasquatucket Encampment, No. 10, was instituted and char- tered June 28th, 1873, with seven charter members. The first officers were: C. P., Thomas Ball; H. P., Edgar E. Stearns; S. W., Matthew Tennent; J. W., Dennison Harden; R. S., Edward J. Collins; F. S., Seth Mitchell; treasurer, Cyril S. Carpenter.

The following account of the Olneyville Baptist church is taken principally from a history of the society prepared and published in 1878. The conversion of the first pastor of this church occurred in 1820, and in 1827, on the erection of the meeting house, Mr. Cheney accepted an invitation to occupy its pulpit regularly. The attendance and interest increased, and November 7th, 1828, a covenant was pre- pared and accepted by five brothers and six sisters: Martin Cheney, Peter Place, Cyrus Williams, William Chaffee, John Peyton, Ruhama Angell, Prudence Baxter, Anna Buffington, Sarah Ann Williams, Can- dace Irons and Wealthy Latham. Martin Cheney was at this meeting chosen pastor, clerk and treasurer. April 3d, 1830, Stephen Barton succeeded as clerk, and Peter Place as treasurer. At the same time Peter Place and Cyrus Williams were chosen to act as deacons, serv- ing until March, 1832, when they were succeeded by Horace Read and Samuel Thompson. In February, 1832, Mr. Cheney was again chosen clerk, and Mr. Bucklin was chosen treasurer. In November of the

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same year Jordan Taylor was chosen clerk, and in May following he succeeded Mr. Thompson as deacon.

In 1836 the society purchased a dwelling house for the pastor on Atlantic street, where he resided until his death. In 1837 and 1838 seasons of extensive revivals were enjoyed, which added much strength to the church. At a special church meeting, October 14th, 1837, Daniel P. Dyer and Ralph P. Devereux were elected deacons, and were in- stalled in January following. In the spring of 1843 a protracted meet- ing was held for a number of weeks, during which a large number of persons made a profession of religion. At a church meeting held in March, 1847, a resolution was passed giving its approval to Brother George T. Day as a minister of the gospel, he having, a short time previously, commenced his labors in that capacity. In January. 1851, Cornelius S. Sweetland was chosen clerk, and in March, 1854, he was succeeded by Andrew H. Waterman, and one year later William H. Bowen became clerk.

January 4th, 1852. Reverend Martin Cheney, the beloved pastor of the church, died, and in the same month the church and society called to the pulpit Reverend George T. Day, who was installed as pastor in July following. Under his care the church continued to prosper until his resignation in March, 1857. In 1857, the original covenant, pre- pared by Mr. Cheney, under which the church was organized, was carefully revised.

A call was extended in May, 1857, to Reverend D. J. B. Sargent to become pastor, which was accepted. He came to his labors with im- paired health, which after a few months gave way completely. In September leave of absence for six months was granted him in the hope that rest and a warmer climate might restore him to health, but the time fixed for his return proved to be the time appointed for his departure to the skies. His brief ministry was long enough to endear him to his people, and to teach them the value of his life.

In March, 1858, Reverend M. J. Steere was called to the pastorate, but soon afterward resigned, and subsequently joined the Second Uni- versalist church of Providence. About this time the house of worship was extensively repaired and rededicated. In August of this year A. A. Harrington became clerk of the society. The church remained without a settled pastor for six months, during which time the pulpit was supplied by Reverend A. J. Davis, of Lowell, Mass. In the spring of 1859 Mr. B. F. Hayes of New Hampton, N. H., was invited to preach and was subsequently requested to become the permanent minister. He was ordained July 27th, 1859, and was installed in April of the next year. Mr. Hayes resigned his office after a profitable pastorate of four years. In March, 1864, Reverend J. A. Howe commenced his services as pastor and continued to serve until August, 1872, when he resigned to accept the chair of Systematic Theology in Bates College.

The death of Deacon R. P. Devereux occurred June 13th, 1866.

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For 29 years he had filled the office of deacon, endearing himself to the people. In July, 1866, A. A. Harrington was elected deacon and J. D. Hubbard treasurer and trustee. Brother Harrington declined to serve permanently, but consented to fill the position until another should be chosen. The church created about this time the office of assistant deacon, and chose J. D. Hubbard and Stephen Stone to serve in that capacity. This office was discontinued when these brethren, together with Thomas Sawyer, who had been chosen to the place, were set apart to the office of deacon April 2d, 1873.

In September, 1872, Brother William F. Davis was invited to be- come pastor. He began his labors October 1st and was ordained November 20th. He remained pastor until May, 1875. During this period a mission was established in Johnston about one mile west of the church, which resulted in the building of what is now known as Pettis Avenue chapel, at an expense of about $3,000. The chapel was dedicated January 12th, 1876, Mr. Davis conducting the dedica- tory services. Deacon D. P. Dyer died June 10th, 1875, aged 82 years.

Reverend A. L. Gerish, of Pittsfield, Maine, was called to the pastorate in December, 1875, and assumed the pastoral relation Feb- ruary 1st, 1876. The present pastor is Reverend J. W. Parsons. A new house of worship was erected in 1884. The present membership of the society is about 300.

The Merino Mills are located at Merino village. The manufactur- ing interest was started there by John Waterman, who built the orig- inal mill in 1812. This property was burned in 1841, and the present structures were erected in 1851. Mr. Waterman manufactured woolen goods at first, but after a year or so changed to cotton. In 1847 the property was bought by the Franklin Manufacturing Company, con- sisting of Henry P. Franklin, Charles A. Franklin and Amos D. Smith. The present company, of which Peleg J. Congdon is presi- dent and treasurer, came into possession in 1884. They manufacture cotton goods, operating 30,000 spindles, and giving employment to 325 hands. The capital stock of the company is $200,000. They manu- facture annually goods to the amount of about $270,000.

The village of Hughesdale takes its name from Thomas Hughes, who came there in 1849, and during the next year established what is now somewhat extensively known as the Hughesdale Chemical Works. Mr. Hughes came from Manchester, England, to this country in 1839. He was a specialist in the printing and dyeing of cotton and silk goods, and located in Pawtucket, R. I. In 1846 he married Mary A., daughter of Nathan Smith, one of the first block printers who came to this country. He began the manufacture of dye stuffs soon after he located in Hughesdale and continued the business till his death in 1883. His children were: Theodore S., William H., Thomas F., Oscar L., Harold E., and Alfred E. In 1871 Thomas Hughes or- ganized a stock company, the style being the Hughesdale Manufactur-

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ing Company, to manufacture chemicals. In 1886 Theodore S. Hughes and his brother, William H. Hughes, succeeded to the business. In May, 1868, a great flood swept the village out of existence, and the mills were then rebuilt by Thomas Hughes on agrander scale than before.

The post office was established here in 1876 by Theodore S. Hughes and kept in his store.

The Hughesdale Congregational church was established in 1877 under the charge of the Reverend Doctor Taylor.

The village of Manton lies principally in North Providence. Of those who settled early on the Johnston side of the stream may be mentioned John Tripp, who came from Cranston as early as 1700 and took up a tract of land bordering on the village, and the Watermans. who occupied lands, part of which covers the site of W. H. Carpenter's store and vicinity. The Watermans owned a little carding mill, after- ward converted into a button factory, and probably 50 years ago moved back and used as a tenement house. Mrs. Jeremiah King occupied it first as a dwelling. It now stands on the hill and is owned and occu- pied by Mrs. Catherine Dolan. It formerly stood near the river below the store, and was in all probability erected during the revolutionary war or soon afterward.

Robert Devereux came to the place as early as 1824, and was for many years overseer of the Manton & Kelley Mill on the other side. He purchased property of Cyrus Stone in 1828, and in that house John Tripp, Jr., married his wife, as early as 1800. Mr. Tripp died in 1861, over 80 years of age. Colonel Peter Briggs was a large landholder in this part of the town, and was a blacksmith by trade. His son, Peter J. Briggs, ran the hotel at one time. Henry M. Sessions, father of Henry M. Sessions, Jr., came here in 1830; both of them have been prosperous farmers. Mr. Sessions settled on the farm of Andrew Angell, known originally as the Whipple place. The Mantons were old settlers also. Edward and Jeremiah Manton owned considerable property in this vicinity, and the place after the establishment of a post office was changed from Tripp-town to Manton, in honor of that family. The name was changed just before the late war.

There is but one store in the village on the Johnston side. It was erected by E. A. Whipple during the late war. It was occupied by various parties till 1880, when W. H. Carpenter, the present occupant, took possession, since which time he has controlled a good trade.

St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Society erected a church building in the place in 1845. It was a wooden building, and gave way to the present stone structure erected in 1857, Reverend W. H. Mills being the rector at that time, to whose efforts the parishioners are indebted for the house of worship. The building is of the Gothic order, after designs by Mr. Frank Mills. It stands on land originally owned by the Harris family. This land was given the church by Susan,

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daughter of Nathan Brown. The first wedding in this church was that of Pardon F. Brown, a grandson of Nathan Brown, to Miss Helen Angell, November 14th, 1850.

The rectors of this society have been as follows: Reverends Daniel Henshaw, Andrew Croswell, Doctor W. F. Childs, David Lumsden, WV. H. Mills, Thomas L. Randolph, Benjamin F. Chase, Samuel H. Webb, W. I. Magill and Thomas H. Cocroft, the present rector. E. O. Angell has been senior warden and treasurer of this society for many years. A. T. Mansfield is the junior warden. W. S. Steere is Sunday school superintendent. The society is very prosperous and has lately made improvements on the building at the expense of $700.

There was formerly a Free-will Baptist society in the village of Manton. This society worshipped in the old depot building, but the church was always weak, and it eventually became extinct. The Cal- vinist Baptists have just erected a building, and under the leadership of John Perrington are making some progress. They formerly wor- shipped in Lee's Hall, and later in the depot building, which they sold to the railroad company in 1874 for $800. Their new chapel cost $4,000. They have no regular pastor yet. John Perrington is the Sabbath school superintendent.

There has been a hotel in Manton since about the year 1830. The tavern was probably erected at that time by Harry Hoyle, who stayed long enough in the business to make for himself a name as an old- fashioned tavern keeper. He was followed by Peter Briggs, son of Colonel Peter Briggs, who also entertained the traveling public with good dinners and lodging for the night. Mr. Briggs also kept store, the principal article for sale and barter being West India goods, the other name for rum. Following Mr. Briggs came Charles Dewey, about the year 1854-5. He formerly worked for Pardon F. Brown in the sash and blind factory. After him came Henry C. Peckham, Charles Hall, James Phillips and Henry Mowry, the present occu- pant.

The Greek Hotel, or the old Elm House, a noted old tavern stand, is on the Hartford Pike, about one mile from the village of Manton. It is on the stage route from Providence to Danielsonville. Eminent horsemen made this house their headquarters in days gone by, and it has been a favorite resort of politicians. It is said that a number of Rhode Island governors have been nominated in this hotel. One of the first landlords was a Mr. Williams, succeeded by Harry Smith, Colonel Knight, George Crump, Thomas Kilton, Ben Brownell, James Eddy, George Cook, a Mr. Shattuck, Levi Phillips, J. Farnum and Daniel Greene. May Ist, 1889, O. F. Knowlton became the landlord. Mr. Knowlton was born in Vermont in 1835.

In this vicinity of the town Benjamin Hawkins, who was a connec- tion of Harry Hoyle, Albert C. Greene and Mary Tourtellot, children

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of Ray Greene, and the house of Phebe Brown, once the headquarters of General Nathaniel Greene, are all names of note.

Thornton was originally called Simmonsville, in honor of James F. Simmons, who built a mill here as early as 1835, and established a store at the same time. The mill stood on grounds now occupied by the British Hosiery Company. The property was sold first to John Whipple, and passed next into the hands of his brother Charles H., who sold it to Charles Fletcher. About the year 1839 Daniel Brown erected a wooden mill used for grinding grain. About 1847 it was destroyed by fire. In 1849 it was rebuilt with stone. Daniel Brown died in 1827, and his estate was sold by Pardon F. Brown, in 1882, to M. P. Simmons. In 1884 Charles Fletcher erected the present mills, now owned and operated by the British Hosiery Company. A wooden mill was built here in 1827 by Daniel Brown for a machine shop. Brown & Fisk operated the shop for some time after, when it passed into various hands, and was used for different purposes. It is now owned by Charles Fletcher, and is used for a shoddy mill.

ROBERT WRIGHT COOPER, well known as the president of the British Hosiery Company, is a native of Manchester, England, having been born in that city September 2d, 1844. His parents were Francis A. and Maria (Wright) Cooper, both of whom were of old English families. Owing to the illness of his father, Mr. Cooper was com- pelled to leave school at an early age, and seek his fortune unaided. At the age of 14 years he obtained a position as apprentice in a large wholesale warehouse, and being industrious as well as quick to learn, was, at the age of 17, commissioned to travel as salesman. In 1863 he made his first voyage to America, and shortly afterward connected himself with a large hosiery manufacturing house of Nottingham, England, and for 20 years following, made many trips to this country, traveling on an average over 25,000 miles a year.

As a salesman few, if any, have been more successful than Mr. Cooper. He was the first to represent, in this country, English hos- iery direct from the manufacturer, this class of goods having pre- viously been sold through commission houses. The large houses in the principal American cities, with which he has had dealings, will re- member Mr. Cooper as one of the most genial, agreeable and accom- modating of salesmen, yet at the same time one of the strictest busi- ness men. Early in his connection with the Nottingham house, Mr. Cooper was made a member of the firm, and for several years shared the prosperity he had so largely helped to produce. In the year 1879. an opening presenting itself, he withdrew from this concern, and es- tablished a business of his own under the name of R. W. Cooper & Co. Owing, however, to the severe competition of Germany, with its cheap labor, the business was not a financial success, and American friends invited Mr. Cooper to leave England and locate his business

P.Ub. Cooper

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in the United States. This invitation Mr. Cooper considered favor- ably, and on his succeeding in securing the necessary financial back- ing from New York capitalists, he made arrangements to remove to this country. Mr. Cooper arrived at Simmonsville, R. I. (now named Thornton), December 24th, 1884, with a valuable plant of English hosiery machinery, and a force of 120 skilled English work people. many of whom had been in his employment in England. Business was at once commenced under the name of British Hosiery Company, and in 1885 an act of the state legislature was obtained, incorporating the company. The mill buildings and cottages for the workers had been erected by Mr. Charles Fletcher from plans suggested by Mr. Cooper, and were leased to the corporation for a term of years with the option of purchase. On January 1st, 1891, taking advantage of this option, the company purchased from Mr. Fletcher the mill prop- erty, cottages and about seven acres of land, and very soon intend making extensive alterations and additions to meet the growing re- quirements of their trade.

The industry of making full-fashioned cashmere and cotton hosiery was entirely new to this country, and very great difficulty was experi- enced in getting the proper materials and help to carry on the busi- ness successfully. For upward of four years, Mr. Cooper contended against almost insurmountable difficulties, devoting on an average 15 hours a day to the business, and with indomitable perseverance and tenacity of purpose overcoming obstacles that would have discouraged a man of less sanguine temperament. Finding at last it was useless to hope for an adequate return for the outlay and labor necessary to carry on a successful business, unless the company could make their own yarns, in 1888 an additional mill was erected, in which the spin- ning of cashmere and worsted yarns is carried on, so that now the manufacture of cashmere hosiery, from the wool in the grease to the finished product, is all done on the premises under the personal superintendence of Mr. Cooper. Until the passing of the present tariff laws, it was found impossible to manufacture cotton hosiery with any degree of success, but now under the fostering care of the pro- tection granted to manufacturers of this class of goods, the British Hosiery Company have begun making cotton hose, and are now put- ting in new machinery, and expect very soon to double their present production. At the present time the company has in its employment nearly 400 hands, with a pay roll of about $12,000 per month, an aver- age per capita that will compare favorably with the wages paid by any other corporation in Rhode Island.

Mr. Cooper is one of the most generous of employers, and has done everything in his power to make comfortable the surroundings of the work people, most of whom are English, as the industry being new to this country, the necessary skilled labor could not be procured here. They have a resident pastor for their church, an institute and library

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which are well patronized, and cottages are ready furnished for the help. Athletic sports are encouraged and developed. The British Hosiery Company's cricket and football teams, each of which has Mr. Cooper for its honorary president, are too well known to require any description here. Through Mr. Cooper's help and encouragement, a full brass band has also been formed among the employees, which is a source of great help and pleasure to the villagers in their social en- tertainments. Mr. Cooper was the first to introduce the Saturday half-holiday in this state, the mill, from the commencement, having closed down for the week every Saturday at 1 P.M. This, combined with the weekly payment of wages, affords time and opportunity to the help to do their shopping in reasonable hours, and also to en- gage in the various sports and pastimes suited to their individual tastes. It may safely be assumed that the British Hosiery Company. under the skillful management and guidance of Mr. Cooper, is going to make itself felt for good in this community, and at present it stands unrivaled in America in its own particular line of business.

In 1863, Mr. Cooper was married to Miss Louisa Card, of Dorset- shire, England. Their union has been blessed with 12 children, of whom six daughters and three sons are living. The eldest son, Oliver, is now learning his father's business. Mr. Cooper is a man of temperate habits, a total abstainer from all kinds of intoxicants and tobacco, and to this he probably owes much of his robust health, and the ability to transact personally the many business affairs that call for his attention.

The Thornton Worsted Mills are now owned by a stock company of which William A. Shaw is president and Walter C. Eames treasurer. They purchased the mill in 1887. The capital stock of the company is $200,000. They manufacture worsted yarns and do an annual business of $300,000, employing 200 hands. They own 24 tenement houses and three eighths interest in the Thornton Reservoir. Mr. William A. Shaw married Frances Fawcett, and they have five children.

Dexter F. Phetteplace came from Connecticut about the year 1842 and began the manufacture of sash and blinds. He sold out to Tripp & Lewis, who employed a dozen hands or more. Mr. Abel Tripp built the original wooden church of St. Peter at Manton. Pardon F. Brown succeeded to the business in 1848. His first job was the mak- ing of the sash, doors, and window frames for the Merino Mills and the next job was for the Delaine Mill, employing from 12 to 15 hands. He removed to Manton in 1851, where he continued till 1869. The shop was not occupied afterward as a sash and blind factory.

Upper Simmonsville was formerly a thriving manufacturing vil- lage principally laid out and built up by James F. Simmons, a son-in- law of Samuel Randall. Mr. Simmons was a man of political promi- nence, having been United States senator two terms. The manufac-

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ture of cotton goods was carried on till the great freshet of April 13th, 1840, swept everything away, since which time there has been nothing there. The following is quoted from a newspaper account of the flood:

" Perhaps the worst catastrophe of the flood kind that ever afflicted this state was the great Simmonsville flood, which happened on the morning of April 13th, 1840. Simmonsville was then one of the most flourishing factory communities in the state and several hundred people found occupation in its mills. The owner of the mill property was James F. Simmons. He it was who started the first factory in this part of the state, and by improvements and enlargements had succeeded in making it a very valuable property. The water power was derived from two dams, the upper and the lower, as they were called, and situated in the upper village. The combined areas of the two dams was about two hundred acres, but they were badly built, and probably still worse looked after considering the amount of water they contained. They were not fed by any regular running stream, but by springs and small rills, the water from which was stored in these reservoirs. The upper dam was the reservoir proper while the lower, the one near the mills, was the storage place for water in immediate use.

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History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I, Part 95

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