History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Part 12

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 938

USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 12

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The organization of a fire department on the east side of the river occurred at a later date. A meeting of persons styled "the proprie- tors of the engine in the village of Pawtucket, in the town of See-

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

konk," was held at Eliphalet Slack's inn, on Friday evening, December 11th, 1812. Oliver Starkweather, Esq., was chosen moderator, and William Allen, clerk. The names of 21 persons were designated for Engine Company No. 2, and the following individuals were chosen officers of the company, to serve until the annual meeting in the fol- lowing May : Director, Joseph Bucklin ; vice-director, Job Wheaton ; collector, Benjamin Bowen ; messenger, Addington Davenport ; clerk, John French, Jr. By a record on the books of the town, it seems that on May 31st, 1838, it was voted to appropriate the interest of the sur- plus revenue deposited with the town, to the amount of $750, for the purchase of a fire engine.

These were the beginnings of the fire department for the two sections of the present town. For over 70 years the first-named dis- trict held its annual meetings, and strove to maintain an efficient organization to fight the fiery foe. For 60 years and upward the other district vied with them. New and improved fire engines were from time to time supplied, and the two villages were preserved from any very disastrous conflagrations. An important help in subduing flames has been supplied for years by the force pumps connected with the various mills.

Each village, up to the time of consolidation, maintained its own organization. For some years a part of the department east of the river were paid for their services ; but on the western side a volunteer organization was maintained. After the consolidation, the town council speedily took steps for reorganizing the department. On the 15th of June, 1874, an ordinance providing for a fire department was adopted, but the actual service did not begin till July 13th. At pres- ent the fire department consists of one chief engineer, two assistant engineers and five companies, containing in all 64 men. There are three steamers, and three hook and ladder trucks.' Ten men are per- manently employed, and there are 13 horses owned by the town ready for immediate service.

To help the efficiency of the department a fire alarm telegraph has been provided. Connected with it are 60 boxes, five bell strikers, and the necessary battery to operate the mechanism. This telegraph was built in 1874, at an expense to the town of $12,100. Collyer Station No. 3, located at the corner of Prospect and Division streets, was com- pleted in 1889 at a cost of $30,000. There have been but two chief engineers of the fire service. Samuel S. Collyer, a machinist by trade, was elected chief engineer at the consolidation of the villages, and held the position till his death, on the night of July 7th, 1884, when he was thrown from his hose carriage and received injuries that re- sulted in his death. Chief Engineer John Brierly succeeded him, in which position he is serving to-day. He was hoseman of the old Deluge Hand Company No. 3 in 1848, foreman of Hose No. 3 in 1874, first assistant in 1880, and now chief.

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Nearly two centuries rolled away after the settlement of the colony before the common school system was adopted in this state. Instruc- tion was furnished, however, by private schools. As early as 1793, a building, whose fame has come down to the present day, was reared, which was known as the " Red School House." It stood not far from the present town record building, on what is now High street. It was built as a joint stock edifice, and most of the active business men of that time contributed to its erection. Here every kind of public meeting was held, but its special design, as its name indicated, was to furnish a place for schools. The day school was taught, and even- ing schools were held here. Such Sunday schools as were maintained, after the inception of them, were accommodated in this edifice. A convenient arrangement was made soon after its construction, for the benefit of the children on both sides of the river. As the youth east of the Pawtucket were few in number, it was arranged by their parents that they should cross the bridge, and receive instruction at the Red School House. The teacher was compensated for his extra services by a part of the sum raised by the laws of Massachusetts. Subsequently other schools were established west of the river. Doctor Taft, during his earlier residence in Pawtucket, taught a school for advanced scholars; Joseph and Samuel Healey, Friends, taught a school in the Baptist vestry ; and Mr. Edmund Bayley kept a school in the basement of his own house, not far from the present school house opposite Armory Hall.

But the time came at last when Rhode Island resolved to rival her sister states in providing free instruction for her children. In 1828 common schools were established by law. That was the year in which the legislature of Massachusetts incorporated the town of Pawtucket. As has already been stated, that town appropriated in the outset $350 for the support of schools. From the records of the town, however, it seems that that sum was deemed too liberal, for at five subsequent annual town meetings the appropriation was $300 for schooling. But in 1835 the appropriation was increased to $400, and in 1836 to $500. From that time there was a steady advance, till it became customary to make an annual appropriation of thousands of dollars. On the western side of the river legal appropriations were made for schools, for the first time, in 1828, but as the village of Pawtucket was simply a district of North Providence, it is less easy to ascertain what portion of the money fell to the western district of the present town of Paw- tucket.

The following preamble and vote, however, extracted from the records of town meetings in North Providence, may be thought to have a historic interest. It was at a town meeting held April 16th, 1828, that this action was taken:

"Whereas the General Assembly of this State, at their session in January, 1828, enacted that each town might, on complying with the

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

provisions of that act, receive a proportion of $10,000 for the purpose of establishing and paying the expenses of Public Schools-and whereas a warrant was issued and returned which notified the free- men that the consideration would be acted on this day .- It is there- fore unanimously

" Voted, That a tax of double the sum which shall be apportioned and receivable by this town from the State Treasurer, for the purpose aforesaid, be assessed and collected at the same time that this town and road taxes are assessed and collected for the year ensuing-pro- vided, however, that the said tax to be so assessed, shall not exceed the sum of six hundred dollars."

At some time previous to 1836 a stock company was formed for the purpose of building and maintaining an academy. The edifice reared stood on a ledge of rocks near the residence of Hon James C. Stark- weather, on what is now called Walcott street. In this institution both the higher English branches and the languages were taught. Mr. J. Hale, from Cambridge, was the first teacher of the academy, and was succeeded in later years by Messrs. Vinton, Spaulding and Robbins, from among the graduates of Amherst College, by Mr. Batchelder, from Brown University, and by Messrs. Leland and Draper. The school rendered useful service, but, on the building of the school houses on Grove and Summit streets, as accommodation was provided for the different grades of schools, the academy was dis- continued, the building sold and the company dissolved.

But this simply hastened the establishment of a free high school. Population had been steadily increasing, and had reached a number which, according to the laws of Massachusetts, demanded such a school. A high school was accordingly established in May, 1855, and placed under the charge of Mr. William E. Tolman, of Brown Uni- versity.

The western village was less successful in establishing such a school. Futile attempts were made from time to time by the two dis- tricts of North Providence lying along the Pawtucket river, to estab- lish a high school in conjunction with the village of Central Falls, but local jealousies thwarted the enterprise. The friends of better education, therefore, deemed it wise to wait. Meanwhile a great many of the elder children were sent to private schools in Providence, or across the river to the high school in the eastern town. On both sides of the river, however, even before consolidation, the increasing population made clamorous demands for new school houses, and, when the two villages melted into one municipality, a good many edifices were ready to be entrusted to the new school committee. A larger high school building seemed a necessity, and, as the edifice of the High Street Baptist church was for sale, it was purchased by the town, and is now appropriated to the use of that school.

At present there are in the town of Pawtucket 23 school houses

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

already reared. The estimated value of the buildings already erected, and the land affixed to them, is $340,000. The total expenses for the year 1888 were $70,254.45. There are also seven private schools in the city. The present superintendent, Fred. Sherman, took charge of the schools January 1st, 1888.

Pawtucket is noted for its societies. Prominent among these is the Pawtucket Business Men's Association, of which 220 prominent business men of the city are members. The association was estab- lished in 1882 by Franklin A. Steere and others. The organization took place January 9th, 1882, by the election of F. Clark Sayles, presi- dent; Henry A. Stearns, first vice-president; Franklin A. Steere, second vice-president, and W. Wanton Dunnell, third vice-president. The association has rooms in Music Hall Building. The rooms are open every day to the members for social intercourse, and for every purpose looking to the weal of the city. Politics excluded.

Of the Masonic fraternities there are several Lodges in Pawtucket. The meetings are held in Masonic Temple, North Main street. The original society, Union Lodge, No. 10, was established April 15th, 1808.

The Pawtucket Royal Arch Chapter, No. 4, was established March 21st, 1820.

Pawtucket Council, R. & S. M., was constituted March 1st, 1847.

Holy Sepulchre Commandery, No. 8, Pawtucket, was established September 25th, 1849.

Barney Merry Lodge, No. 29, Pawtucket, was established June 26th, 1873.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows have several branches. Canton Pawtucket, No. 7, June 22d, 1886, is now officered by H. M. Curtis, for captain; Frank O. Maybury, lieutenant; Tisdale C. Day, ensign, and Henry A. Abbott, clerk. There are also: The Blackstone Encampment, No. 15, C.P., Charles H. Fuller; the Manchester En- campment, No. 4, C.P., Charles H. Bloodgood; Enterprise Lodge, No. 22, N.G., Louis F. Butler; Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 8, N.G., C. L. Barrus, and Superior Lodge, No. 35, N.G., Robert Gilchrist; Florence Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, No. 2, N.G., Mrs. Lucy Haskell, and Leah Lodge, No. 16, N.G., Mrs. Louis F. Butler.

Of the Knights of Pythias there are two vigorous lodges in Paw- tucket. Eureka Lodge, No. 5, was instituted January 30th, 1871. Its first chancellor commander was John D. Earle; its second was Charles A. Lee; its present one is Edwin A. Eddy. It numbers about 130 members and has a goodly sum of money in its treasury. In death and sick benefits it has paid out large sums of money. It meets in its own leased hall on East avenue, which it dedicated in December, 1871. Its present keeper of records and seal is John Beachen, who has held the office continuously for many years.

February 12th, 1874, Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 16, was instituted. Many

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

of the members were " card members " from Eureka Lodge. Its first chancellor commander was Charles A. Lee; its second George A. Sweet. Its membership having diminished by death and withdrawals, it was consolidated with Eureka Lodge July 29th, 1879.

Charles E. Chickering Lodge, No. 20, named after a prominent knight and citizen, was instituted December 26th, 1888, with a list of over 200 charter members, mostly young men. Its chancellor com- mander is James E. Childs. Its keeper of records and seal is George M. Rex.

The Pawtucket Women's Christian Temperance Union meets regularly under the presidency of Mrs. Sarah Phillips, and as an organization is doing effective work. It was organized July 21st, 1882. In addition to the above there are fourteen temperance socie- ties in Pawtucket and its auxilliary village, Central Falls.

· The Order of Foresters are also numerous in the place. Court City of Pawtucket, No. 7384, A. O. F., was organized September 29th, 1886. Pawtucket Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organized in Pawtucket in 1882; Samuel Slater Lodge, Sons of St. George, in 1885; Ossamequin Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, instituted June 21st, 1887; Order of the Iron Hall, May 3d, 1888; Pawtucket Commandery, United Order of the Golden Cross, January, 1887.

The Catholic Knights of America began organizing here in 1882 and have two societies. They also have total abstinence and benevo- lent societies doing efficient work in the place.

The citizens of Pawtucket, Valley Falls and Central Falls organ- ized a society December 8th, 1884, having for its object simple charity, and as a benevolent institution it is doing good work. Its present offi- cers are: Darius L. Goff, president; Mrs. Dr. James L. Wheaton, treas- urer; G. Cowperthwaite, agent and secretary.

The Rhode Island Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 93, was organized in 1874. The St. Jean Baptist Society was formed February 1st, 1888. T. K. Club (social), was established in 1867. Pawtucket Cricket Club, was organized May 20th, 1886.

CHAPTER III.

PAWTUCKET-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

John F. Adams .- Arnold Family .- Olney Arnold .- James S. Brown .- Charles E. Chick- ering .- Lucius B. Darling .- Simon W. Dexter .- John D. Earle .- Lewis Fairbrother. -Squire French .- Darius Goff .- William H. Haskell .- Nathan P. Hicks .- Jenks Family .- Edwin Jenckes .- James Mason .- George E. Newell .- Jacob N. Polsey .- Payne Family .- John B. Read .- William F. Sayles .- Frederic C. Sayles .- Albert R. Sherman .- Gideon L. Spencer .- Henry A. Warburton .- Joshua S. White.

JOHN FRANCIS ADAMS, manufacturer, was born in the village of Central Falls, December 17th, 1838. He began business for himself after graduating from the high school in 1856, by entering the Slater National Bank of Pawtucket as clerk. In 1859 he became bookkeeper for the Allendale Manufacturing Company of Providence. On De- cember Sth, 1862, he married Kate J., daughter of Rufus J. Stafford, the well known manufacturer. In 1862 he became a member of the firm of Adams & Randall, manufacturers of cotton yarns. This com- pany was afterward merged into the Hope Thread Company, of which Mr. Adams was treasurer for a period of ten years. In 1864 Mr. Adams purchased the Lanesville Manufacturing property, at Lanes- ville, Mass. Since 1882 he has confined his business attentions wholly to that place. He is a public spirited gentleman, and did much to- ward improving the village, and, by a vote of the people, the name of the place was changed in honor of him to Adamsdale. He manufac- tures a fine grade of cotton yarns, and does a business of about $75,000 a year.

In 1874, under the act of consolidation of the town of North Provi- dence and Pawtucket, Mr. Adams became a member of the town council, and was reelected in 1875. Previous to 1874 he served the old town of Pawtucket as town councilman, and also as auditor. He was subsequently a member of the school board for six years. In the Masonic fraternity he is a member in high standing, and has held a number of prominent positions. He was one of the charter members of the Barney Merry Lodge, No. 29, and was its second master. He has held various offices in the Royal Arch Chapter, in the Council of Royal and Select Masters, and also in the Commandery of Knights Templar. He was for three years successively grand master of the Grand Council of the State of Rhode Island. When about 18 years of age he became a member of the Congregational church, and has

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

been one of the trustees of the Pawtucket Congregational church since 1871. Mr. Adams is passionately fond of music, and is proficient on the organ and piano. In early life he began the study of music under excellent teachers, but has learned more since by his own study and observation. En-rapport with the subject, he has written some music and has arranged some, but considers it more profitable to confine his attentions to the study of the old masters. For the past twenty years he has been organist and musical director for the Pawtucket Congre- gational church, and before that time held similar positions in various churches in Central Falls, Pawtucket and Providence. Mr. Adams resides on Broadway, in an elegant mansion erected by him in 1868. He is a highly cultured gentleman, very social in his habits, and en- joys the luxuries and home comforts of a Christian life.

ARNOLD FAMILY .- The greater number of the families residing in the towns of Pawtucket and Lincoln of the above name are descended from Thomas Arnold. Two brothers, William and Thomas by name, natives of Cheselbourne, Dorset county, England, sailed from Dart- mouth, England, in 1635, in the ship "Plain Joan," bringing their families with them. The younger, Thomas, was born in 1599, and first settled in Watertown, Mass., but came to Providence October 17th, 1661. His first wife's name is unknown, and of his three children by this marriage two died in infancy. The other married John Farnum. His second wife was Phebe Parkhurst, and their children were: Icha- bod, who died young; Richard ; Thomas, who died single; John, Eleazer and Elizabeth, married Samuel Comstock. The English ancestors of Thomas were as follows: he was the son of Thomas, who was the son of Richard, who was the son of Richard, who was the son of Thomas, a son of Roger. Thomas died in September, 1674. Rich- ard, son of Thomas, was born March 22d, 1642, and died April 22d, 1710. His first wife was Mary Angell and their children were : Rich- ard, John, Thomas and Mary, who married Thomas Steere. Richard's second wife was Sarah - John, son of Richard, was born No- vember 1st, 1670, and for his first wife married Mary Mowry, and had the following family : William, John, Daniel, Mercy (married a Lap- ham), Anthony (emigrated to New York state), Seth, Israel, Anna (married Benjamin Paine) Susanna (married John Melavory), and Abigail (married Abner Bartlett). John married for his second wife Hannah Hayward, and died October 27th, 1756. Seth, son of John, was born September 6th, 1706. He was identified with Woonsocket, and was a miller. He was noted for his height, being 6 feet 4 inches tall. His first wife was Hannah Aldrich and their children were: Levi, Seth, Hannah, Abigail, all of whom died young ; Nathan, Levi and Seth. His second wife was Mary Cargill and her children were : George, removed to Vermont; Phebe, married Luke Arnold; James, left no male issue; and Anthony, who died leaving no issue. Seth died in 1801. Nathan, son of Seth, was born October 18th, 1733. He

B .5 .Hernan,NY

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

resided in Cumberland, and was captain of a company at the battle of Rhode Island. He married Lucy Cargill and his children were Samuel, Elisha and Nathan.

Nathan, son of Nathan, married Esther Darling. He lived in Cumberland on what is now the Warren J. Ballou farm. His children were: Nathan ; Lucy, married Nathan Ballou; Esther, Nancy, mar- ried Smith Daniels ; Seth and Amos. Seth, son of Nathan, was born 1799 and died in November, 1883. His first wife was Belinda Streeter and their children were : Fannie E., wife of William H. Hathaway ; Olney ; George, died young ; Lucy, a maiden lady, resides in Paw- tucket ; William G., Alexander S. and Henry M. Seth's second wife was Abbie Tillinghast, by whom he had one child, Seth. William G., son of Seth, was born June 11th, 1827, and married Lucy M. Aldrich. Their children are: William Henry, Olney, Charles Freemont, died young, and Flora Ellis, wife of George H. Whitman. William G. is conveyancer for the First National Bank of Pawtucket.

Thomas Arnold, son of Richard, son of Thomas, was born March 24th, 1675, and died February 3d, 1727. He married Elizabeth Burlin- game, and their children were: Job, Jonathan, Mary, Thomas, Eliza- beth, died single, and Sarah. Job, son of Thomas, was born in the year 1707, and had the following sons: Stephen, Oliver, Abraham, Job and Isaac. Oliver, son of Job, was born April 12th, 1752, and married a Harris. The children of this marriage were: Isaac, who emigrated to Marion, N. Y. ; Oliver, died 4 years of age ; Martin, died without issue ; Sabra, a maiden lady, and Preserved. Preserved, son of Oliver, was born June 10th, 1788, and died July 10th, 1828. His wife was Betsey, daughter of Jeremiah Whipple, and their children were : Louisa, widow of Emery M. Potter, resides in Lincoln ; Cor- nelia, died single ; Betsey, deceased, married Emery M. Potter; Ellen Maria, died single ; Lucy Dexter, died in infancy ; Hannah Bowen, died 10 years of age, and Preserved Whipple, born June 26th, 1828, married Anna Harris, has no children and resides in Lincoln.

Eleazer Arnold, son of Thomas, was born June 17th, 1651, and married Eleanor Smith. Their children were: Phebe, married Thomas Smith ; Elizabeth, married a Smith; Eleazer, Joseph, John died single ; Jeremiah, Eleanor, died single; Mary, married George Thomas ; Abigail, married John Mann, and Deborah. Eleazer died August 29th, 1722. Joseph, son of Eleazer, was born in 1678 and died November 4th. 1746. His first wife was Mercy Stafford, and the children by this marriage were : Eleazer, Joseph, Benjamin, Amos, Elizabeth, Caleb, Eleazer, Deborah, Joshua, Nathan, Stukely and Mercy twins, and Samuel; in all thirteen children. Joshua, son of Joseph, was born July 14th, 1729, was married to Amy Bensley, and their children were : Amy, who married Thomas Bucklin ; Ruth, married Stephen Jenks ; Sarah, married Stephen Jenks ; Israel, and George, died aged 14 years. Israel, son of Joshua, was born November 1st, 1754, and

100

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

married for his first wife Deborah Olney. The children by this marriage were : Ada, who married Benjamin Jenckes; Amy, married first a Sheldon, second a Brown; Olney; Mercy, married Thomas Bucklin ; Joshua; Mary, married Joseph Wilkinson ; George ; Anna, married Welcome Comstock; Israel and Jeremiah. Israel's second wife was Catharine Jenckes, by whom he had two sons, Jenckes and Joseph. He died June 27th, 1840.

Olney Arnold, son of Israel, was born October 27th, 1780, and de- parted this life May 29th, 1849. His first wife was Eunice, by whom he had the following children: Thomas J .; John, died single; Daniel, left no male issue; Emeline, married Daniel Hill; Angeline, married twice (those two were twins); Eunice, married Varanus Walker ; Sylvan, Mahala D., Mary J. and Amy. The last three were triplets, the first two died in infancy, the other died a maiden lady. Olney's second wife was the widow Norton. Her maiden name was Susan Lyons. Their children were: Jacob; Sarah, married Andrew Miller ; Mary, married George W. Beal; Rebecca and Susan, both married John B. Le Craw ; Elizabeth, died single ; Olney, and Deborah and Pardon, both died young. This family consisted of 19 children, the largest, it is believed, ever raised in Smithfield. Jacob, son of Olney, was born in 1816, and died July 22d, 1872. He married Adaline Pidge. Their children are: Albert P., a resident of Vineland, N. J., and Ben- jamin O., born February 8th, 1842, married Rhoda Adams, and has one child, Harriet Adaline. He is a farmer and resides in Lincoln. Olney, son of Olney, born July 31st, 1828, married Eunice M. Skiff, and has two sons; Edward M. and Francis S. He resides in Pawtucket. Edward M., son of Olney, born July 11th, 1856, married Alma J. Heaton and has two children: Chester Edward and Edith Mabel. He is proprietor of the Pawtucket Renovating Works.

Joshua Arnold, son of Israel, was born August 20th, 1784, and mar- ried Silence, daughter of Eleazer Whipple, and had the following family: Eliza, married first Arthur Whipple, second a Thornton, and lives in Lincoln; Horace, deceased; Sylvan, deceased, married George O. Smith; Miranda, widow of William Spaulding, of Lincoln; Adam; Hannah, widow of Henry Short, of Lincoln; Mary, widow of Ray- mond Briggs, of Providence. Joshua died October 14th, 1852. Adam, son of Joshua, was born February 14th, 1819, and married for his first wife Eliza Vose, by whom he had one child, Mary Adalaide, who mar- ried Samuel Crandall. Adam's second wife was Melissa L. Wads- worth. He is a blacksmith by trade and resides in Lincoln.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Part 12

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed Publication date: 1891 Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 938

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 938