USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume II > Part 59
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The first cotton mill of the nation was built by Samuel Slater, aided by Almy & Brown in Pawtucket about 1791. The machinery was all made under the superintendence of Mr. Slater after the pattern of that invented and used by Arkwright & Strutt in England. In 1805 Samuel Slater and his brother John carefully surveyed the Blackstone and Woonsocket privileges, which were then occupied only by a saw and grist mill. There was a saw and grist mill where ran an up- and-down saw, and huge stones to reduce the corn and wheat, stand- ing near the present machine shop in Slatersville. The original film, which was Almy & Brown, having purchased this mill privilege and that of the upper dam and many of the surrounding farms, a new dam was built where the only one here of wood now stands.
In 1806 under the firm of Almy, Brown & Slater, was built the first cotton mill of Smithfield. The granite boulders which the ice- bergs of an antediluvian age had here dropped, though counted a curse by those who cleared these farms, were a welcome sight to those
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who now purposed to build. Out of these came the principal material from which all these mills and houses of stone were constructed. Dropped by Him who giveth to man the power to get riches, they proved to be a source of wealth for the building of mills. July 4th, 1807, was celebrated by running the frames of the mill for the first time. In 1821 the Western Mill was built. Three successive enlarge- ments have been made by the present company. In 1826 the original mill was burned. The same year, near the old foundations, the Center Mill was built. The lower mill as it originally stood, was built first for a bleach house. It was then used as a machine shop, and later on a woolen mill. In 1842 it was burned. In 1843 it was rebuilt and enlarged. The present machine shop was originally a weave shop near the upper dam and the superintendent's office and cloth shop a small bobbin mill near the Tracy house.
In 1833 Messrs. S. & J. Slater bought out Almy & Brown and the , company bore their name still after the decease of both these original owners; the former in 1835, the latter in 1843. A few months before the death of the latter the principal part of the property was rented for ten years to Messrs. A. D. Lockwood & Co. In 1848 the sons of J. Slater bought out the heirs of Samuel Slater, and the firm was J. & W. Slater till 1873, then William S. Slater till 1882, when !he died and his son John W. Slater, the present owner of all the mills and the principal part of the property of the village came into possession.
The clerks of the place have been: Henry S. Mansfield, from 1810 to 1818; Joseph Almy. 1813 to 1843; Arthur Young, 1848 to 1883. Thomas C. Powell is the present clerk. The private clerks of John Slater were Charles Brown, and Robert Foss, who was there from 1820 to 1838. Among the superintendents should be mentioned George W. Holt, who was there nearly 40 years; Phineas Boyle, who was there also a long time, and Charles H. Hobbs, the present superintendent, who to the regret of the company and people generally is about to sever his connection with the firm. He has been superintendent of the mills since 1884.
Union Village is the oldest village of the town. In speaking of this village, Mr. Thomas Steere, in his " History of the Town of Smith- field," says:
"At the time the territory of Smithfield was occupied by the Indi- ans it was then called Wionkheige in its southerly section; Louisquis- set in that portion round about Lime Rock, and Woonsocket in the northerly part of the territory. The present Union Village was origi. nally called Woonsocket; the name heing changed when the Union Bank was established there. The first house was built by James Ar- nold in 1690, a part of which is now standing, an addition having been built by Judge Peleg Arnold in 1780. Judge Arnold kept tavern here for many years. The second house was built by Hezekiah Comstock, in 1702, on the site where now stands the house of the late Walter
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Allen, now known as the Osborne house. The Uriah Arnold house was built by Captain Daniel Arnold in 1714. The Friends' meeting house was built in 1719, and was originally 20 feet square. It was en- larged by another, as an addition, in 1755, 20 by 30 feet, this addition being an ell. In 1775 this ell was removed and an addition, 32 by 32 feet, was built. In 1849 the entire building was remodeled, and re- mains in the form then given it. This house stands a little outside, and to the south of the village, on the old Providence and Worcester road. Soon after the last reconstruction the meeting house was fur- nished with green blinds by Edward Harris, Welcome Farnum and Joseph Almy. For many years this was the only public house of wor- ship in this vicinity, and as there were many Friends resident in the surrounding country it was usually filled on 'First Day' with an in- telligent and devout congregation.
" In 1718 Providence monthly meeting was set off from Greenwich monthly meeting, and consisted of Providence and Mendon meetings. The name was changed, in 1731, to Smithfield monthly meeting. In 1783 the present Providence monthly meeting was set off from Smith- field monthly meeting.
" About half a mile north of the village is one of those natural curi- osities occasionally found, of interest to the idlest observer, as well as to the geologist. 'Coblin Rock' is of uniform diameter, standing on a large flat rock, and weighs probably about 200 tons. `Near this were situated the quarries from which the once famous 'Smithfield Scythe Stones' were taken. It is estimated that not less than 500,000 dozen of these stones were made, during a period of about 20 years. The makers were, at different times, Marcus Arnold, George Aldrich, Thomas A. Paine and Hanson Arnold.
" To the southwest, and at a short distance from Union Village, is situated Woonsocket hill, the highest land in the state of Rhode Island. Its summit is 570 feet above high-water mark at Providence: it is com- posed mostly of granular quartz, mica, and talc. On the highest part of this hill is a large pond.
" For the last 40 years there has been no increase in the number of dwelling houses in Union Village; two have been removed, and two erected, and yet there is (1870) no land for sale. The population is 125, and the picturesqueness and quiet of this ancient village are equalled by the intelligence, conservatism and virtues of its inhabit- ants."
'The thriving village of Forestdale is situated on the Branch river, about one mile below Slatersville. The first business engaged in here, of any importance, was that of the manufacture of scythes, by Newton Darling, about the year 1824. Mr. Darling had learned his trade of Colonel Comstock Passmore, at Branch Village. The water power cost Mr. Darling only $100 and the cost of sluice way, to be opened only when water ran over the dam. H. S. Mansfield afterward joined Mr.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Darling in the business. In 1839 Ansel Holman joined the firm. In 1841 Mr. Darling sold out his interest, and the firm became Mansfield & Holman. It was afterward Mansfield & Lamb, Estus Lamb having become a partner, and the firm owning the entire village. Prior to 1860 the annual product was 10,000 dozen of scythes; afterward it was about 8,000 dozen. During the war of the rebellion this firm furnished the government with 30,000 sabres, officially said to be equal to any manufactured in the country. In 1860 the firm erected a stone cotton mill, which is operated by the Forestdale Manufacturing Company. The mill is 166 by 68 feet, three stories high, with an ell 65 by 45 feet, of the same height. The fall is 14 feet. llorse power -- water, 250; steam, 80. In the seythe works 150 tons of iron are annually used; 3 tons of steel and 100 grindstones are employed. The Forestdale Com- pany use annually 1,500 bales of cotton, run 15,246 spindles and 342 looms. employing 175 hands. The tenement houses for both estab- lishments are two stories in height; there is an excellent boarding house, and the whole place is neat, orderly and attractive. The old company's store was built in 1858. John H. Higgins has been super- intendent of the mills since 1870.
Branch Village, now an unimportant place, is situated on the Branch river, about one mile north of Union Village. In the year 1795 Elisha Bartlett came here from Glocester, and commenced the manufacture of scythes, which business he continued till his death, in 1804. After- ward Colonel Comstock Passmore purchased the place. A small cot- ton mill was erected here by William Buffum and sons, Otis Bartlett, Comstock Passmore, and perhaps some others. The mill was operated by Colonel Passmore, who died about the year 1825. Otis Bartlett car- ried on the scythe making business thereafter. The mill has been run for the manufacture of cloth or warps. at different times, and by various parties, until nearly the present time; David Daniels, David MI. Daniels, Alfred Morse, Joseph Morse, Emor Coe and James Pitts. The last named party came here in 1870, took a lease of the Black- stone Company, and is still operating the mill. In 1878 the old mill was burned, and the present one erected that year. In 1883 Frederick J. Pitts became a member of the firm of Pitts & Son, who now oper- ate it as a flock mill. The firm employ 14 hands. The product is · about 2,000 pounds per day.
The village of Waterford is situated in Massachusetts, a small por- tion of it lying south of the state line in this town. The dividing line cuts off a corner of the Catholic church, runs just north of J. Kelly & Son's extensive coal and wood yard and through the large mills of Evans, Seagrave & Co. These mills were erected in 1833 by Welcome Farnum and used first for the manufacture of warps. Mr. Farnum ran the mills till 1848, when Mill No. 2 was leased to the present owners, and in 1851 No. 1 Mill was also leased to these parties. No. 1 Mill has been operated since 1876 as the Blackstone Woolen Mill,
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owned by Evans, Seagrave & Co. Welcome Farnum also built Mill No. 3, which was burned in 1877. In 1854 the whole property passed out of Mr. Farnum's hands under mortgage to the present owners. This company manufacture fancy cassimeres and worsted satins and employ in both mills 800 hands. Richard Waterman is superinten- dent of Mill No. 1 and Henry Sayles of Mill No. 2.
There are two churches in the village of Slatersville and part of the Catholic church building in Waterford is in this town and part in Massachusetts. Among the original settlers here a large proportion were Friends. This accounts in a measure for the general absence of grave-stones bearing the names of the deceased in the older portions of the cemetery. The Friends in 1771 declared in behalf of education for the poor children of the town, and worshipped in Union Village long before that time. In 1718 Providence monthly meeting was set off from Greenwich monthly meeting and consisted of Providence and Mendon meetings. The name was changed in 1731 to Smithfield monthly ineeting. In 1783 the present Providence meeting was set off from Smithfield monthly meeting. Among their speakers in the olden times were Elisha Thornton, Royal Southwick, Richard Mowry, Alice Rathbun, Mary Allen and others.
The Methodists also had their pioneer laborers early upon the ground. Prominent among them stood such men as Eldridge, Britt, Scott, Washburn, Yates, Virgin, Lovejoy. Webb, McClish, Father Taylor, Lorenzo Dow and others.
The Baptists were largely in the ascendency in most parts of the state at that early period. As the business of the place brought an increase of inhabitants they often held meetings in the old school house, as well as in private houses, under the leadership of elders White, Bailey. Thayer, Tift, Allen, Bowles, Burlingame and others.
Reverend E. A. Buck, in a historical discourse, delivered at the Congregational church at Slatersville in 1867, when speaking of the early churches says: "The morality of the community during its early history compared favorably with that of the neighboring towns and villages, although far from what could be desired. Intemperance, which prevailed extensively throughout the land, here also was doing its demoralizing and destructive work. No less than three taverns were sustained for many years chiefly by the sale of intoxicating . drinks. Yet there were few outbreaks of a dark and saddening feature previous to that of the Andrew Davis tragedy in 1826, when, under the influence of brandy and passion, Davis accomplished the violent death of his wife, of their only child, of an estimable neighbor-Mr. Isaac Mason, who endeavored to stay the murderer's hand-and ulti- mately his own.
" In the early religious history of the place a type of piety prevailed among many which was highly fanatical. Meetings were often exceed- ingly boisterous. Shoutings were to be heard within and without,
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while strong men would be falling until some half dozen at a time were lying together on the floor.
"Open infidelity at one time contended for the possession of this ground. The publications of infidel writers were not only thrust un- welcome into houses, but even those going to the place of worship would find their seats preoccupied by some paper or tract of this char- aeter. The voice of the infidel was heard also at the prayer meeting, opposing the truth, even when it fell from the lips of devout females. But God had in store for the people rich spiritual blessings, notwith- standing their obstacles."
The Congregational church, of Slatersville, was formed September 8th, 1816. Its original members were eight in number; Mr. Solomon Johnson, originally from Mendon, Mass., who came here in 1807; Mr. Ebenezer G. Baxter and wife Mary, and the Widow Ruth Stiness, also from Massachusetts; Duncan Wright and his wife Jennet, originally from Scotland, and James Cupples and his wife Elizabeth, from Eng- land. On the same day Widow Lydia Dawson, for many years a teacher in this village, was received by profession. During the same year seven others were added, five by profession, and two by letter. Their names were Mr. and Mrs. William Gilmour, Mrs. Rebecca Far- num, Mrs. Ruth Slater, Mrs. Mary Wall, Mrs. Chloe Johnson and Widow Tiffany. The church was brought into existence in connec- tion with the labors of Reverend Daniel Waldo, who was sent into this state to labor as a missionary by the Massachusetts Home Mission Society. The records of the church begin thus: "Slaters Village, in Smithfield, R. I., September 8th, 1816, a church of Christ planted un- der the care of Reverend Daniel Waldo."
Mr. Waldo attained to the remarkable age of 102 years, lacking 42 days. He was devout, genial, earnest in his labors, and was a favorite among his people. His labors in this place and vicinity continued several years after the formation of the church. His last visits here were in the years 1857 and 1858, in his 96th and 97th years. On both of these occasions he preached with much vigor, and his usual socia- bility and love for Christ and his cause. He was born at Windham, Conn., September 10th, 1762, and had the advantages of a common school education. At the age of 16 he served as a soldier in the war of the revolution, was taken prisoner and confined in the sugar house in New York city. Becoming a Christian he left his father's farm and entered Yale in 1784, graduating in 1788. He was licensed by the Windham Association in 1792, and settled over the Congrega- tional church at West Suffield, Conn. He remained there till 1809, after which time he was never a settled pastor, but labored as a stated supply in several churches in New England and New York. In 1856 he was chosen chaplain to the house of representatives in congress, and served two years.
For upward of 22 years this church and society worshipped in the
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
school house, which during the year of its formation faced as the meeting house does now. It stood off from the main street. a patlı turning off from where the guide board at the head of the common now stands leading to it. It was originally built with galleries, that it might be used both as a school house and as a place of public worship.
For 19 years after the formation of this church, it enjoyed the ministerial labors of transient ministers only or stated supplies. Among those who labored here during that time was the Reverend Doctor Calvin Park, of Providence, father of the Reverend Doctor Ed- wards A. Park, of Andover, Mass. He was accustomed frequently to ride out from the city, after his professional labors of the week in the university, and here upon the Sabbath preach and administer the or- dinances of the church, laboring not in vain to strengthen the things which remained. Reverends Messrs. Holman, from Douglass, Mass., and Judson from Uxbridge, Mass., also did much by their occasional lectures. As early as 1817 and 1819 occur the names of Reverends Jolın Turner and John McLeod. In 1829 Reverend Nathaniel Barker supplied this church and a small Congregational church in Millville, Mass.
Reverend C. B. Elliott came here in 1834, and was installed Sep- tember Sth, 1835, as the first pastor of this church. During his brief ministry of two years 16 were added to the church. He died Novem- ber 29th, 1846. September 20th, 1837, Reverend Amos Lafavour was installed as the successor of Mr. Elliott. He was dismissed by advice of mutual council, May 15th, 1838. The pulpit was next supplied for six months by Reverend Seth Chapin. It was during his labors that Messrs. Samuel and John Slater decided to build the church edifice, which was dedicated November 25th, 1838. After the house was built, Samuel and John Slater surrendered all right and title in said house to the Congregational church, reserving only the fee simple of the premises. A valuable chandelier was given at this same time by Henry S. Mansfield.
In 1837 the financial crisis greatly disturbed the confidence of the people in manufacturing companies, but during these times the com- pany erected this house of worship, and their pay was so prompt to their help that many came here for employment, as many as 17 church- going families coming here from Uxbridge, Mass. December 30th. 1838, Reverend Timothy A. Taylor, from the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass., became the pastor. He was ordained in January. 1839. The church paid him a salary of $600 per annum, payable quar- terly, the pastor having the right to devote to his own use four weeks in each year as long as he remained in charge. He died March 2d, 1858, aged 48. He was born in Hawley, Mass., September 7th, 1809. At the age of 11 years his father died and he was left to the sole care of a faithful mother, who lived to see her four sons rise to positions
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
of usefulness and honor in the Christian church. In 1827 he com- menced fitting for college and in 1830 at Bennington, \'t., he became hopefully pious. He graduated with honor at Amherst College in 1835. In 1838 he completed his studies at Andover Theological Semi- nary, and in the autumn of the same year received a call to Slaters- ville. This was his only settlement and during his pastorate of more than 19 years 257 persons were added to the church. Besides his regular ministerial letters Mr. Taylor wrote extensively for the press. His published works are: " The Solace," "Zion," "Zion's Pathway," " The Memoirs of the Rev. O. A. Taylor," and " Our Holy Hill." He was a true 'servant of Christ and died greatly lamented.
In January, 1859, a call was extended to Reverend E. Alden, of Mansfield, but was not accepted. On the 13th of February, same year, Reverend Edwin A. Buck received unanimous invitation from the church and was installed the 30th of March, 1859, and remained till 1868, and following him came Reverend Webster Hazelton, who was acting pastor from September 6th, 1868, till August 1st, 1870. Rever- end Calvin R. Fitts became acting pastor January 22d, 1871, and con- tinued until April 1st, 1882. Reverend Cyrus M. Perry became acting pastor July 1st, 1882, and resigned October 1st, 1888. The present pastor, Reverend Wilbur Johnson, began his labors here December 5th, 1888. The total number of persons received into membership from its formation September 8th, 1816, to June 1st, 1889, was, by profession, 382, and by letter 153. The present deacons are Samuel O. Tabor and William D. Colwell. The late Ansel Holman held the office of deacon of the church 41 years.
The history of the Sabbath school runs parallel with that of the church. It was especially indebted in its early history to the labors of William Manscawen, William Johnson, Lydia Spear, Doctor Metcalf Marsh and others. Mr. A. D. Lockwood was probably the first super- intendent. He was succeeded by William H. Seagrave, who filled the position for very many years. This school was at one time the largest country Sabbath school in New England. Charles S. Seagrave. is the present superintendent.
The Catholic parish in Slatersville has an imposing church edifice and a membership of 1.050 souls. Reverend P. A. Mclaughlin, the priest of this parish, is a graduate of St. Mary's Seminary, Montreal, Canada. He has fine executive abilities and is much liked. The church was built by Father Bric in 1872. The Catholic church in Waterford is also very large, but it properly belongs to Massachusetts. Father Powers is in charge of this society.
The schools of North Smithfield will compare favorably with those in any other town of its size and population in the state. Much here seems to have been done to improve the schools and teachers, the houses and grounds, and the results are gratifying. The old town of Smithfield, of which this was a component and important part, took
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measures looking to the welfare of the schools as early as the year 1799. In June, 1800, William Buffum, Joel Aldrich, Ezekiel Comstock, Thomas Mann, Robert Harris, Thomas Appleby, Elisha Olney, Jona- than Harris, and Joseph Farnum were chosen a committee to provide ways and means to organize and prescribe the best plan to put in motion the " Free School Act" which had passed the general assembly the year previous, and from that time to the present the subject of education has been duly considered by the people. It was found necessary then to divide the town into 26 districts, extending over a territory comprising 75 square miles. Now 11 school districts are found in the town of North Smithfield, which comprises an area of only 25 square miles.
At the October session, 1808, the Smithfield Academic Society was incorporated; Enos Mowry, Seth Mowry and Nicholas Brown being incorporators. In February, 1810, Peleg Arnold, Richard Steere, Ezekiel Comstock, Joel Aldrich, John W. C. Baxter and David Aldrich were made a body corporate by the name of "The Trustees of the Smithfield Academy." They were empowered to hold real and per- sonal property, not exceeding in all, five thousand dollars. The officers were: President, Peleg Arnold; vice-president, Joel Aldrich; treasurer, Richard Steere; secretary. David Aldrich. Peleg Arnold, Marcus Arnold and George Aldrich were authorized to raise by lottery the sum of $1,500 for the erection of a building for the Smithfield Academy. In October, 1846, James Barber, George C. Ballou, Edward H. Sprague, George S. Wardwell, Amos D. Lockwood, William S. Slater, "their associates and successors, were created a body corporate and politic, for the purpose of erecting and supporting a Seminary of Learning in the town of Smithfield, in the vicinity of Woonsocket, by the name of the Smithfield Union Institute."
The Smithfield Academy, located at Union Village; was for a long time a flourishing and useful institution. It was built by lottery, and was occupied in 1810. David Aldrich was the first teacher, who was succeeded by Josiah Clark. John Thornton, who came next on the list, remained about six years, when he was followed by George D. Prentice, afterward so well known as the editor of the Louisville (Ky.) Journal. Other teachers were employed, among them Christopher Robinson, who thereafter became a prominent lawyer, residing in the present city of Woonsocket, and who has been attorney general of the state, member of the house of representatives of the United States, and United States minister to Peru. The last teacher was James Bushee, who taught almost continuously for 20 years, impressing upon the school a character for solidity and effectiveness. When, about the year 1850, he closed his connection with the academy, not only did it cease to exist, but the last effort to induce or retain business or material life in this attractive village expired.
The Friends, of whom a considerable body were located in this
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