History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Part 18

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

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JOSHUA S. WHITE is a native of Norton, Mass, born November 13th, 1818. His father was Zebulon, son of Zebulon, who married Peggy, daughter of Joel White. Mr. White was educated in the com- mon schools and followed farming as an occupation until 1842, when he was employed by his father in the iron foundry in Pawtucket. By his faithfulness to this business and with the money he had saved he was able to commence anew. In 1860, with his brother, Mr. White - started the business which they continued together for 20 years, when he became sole proprietor. His first marriage was to Sarah P. Inman, May 17th, 1848, who died April 7th, 1850, leaving him no children. By his next wife, Harriet Newell, whom he married May 4th, 1851, he had four children: Harriet, born November 9th, 1855; J. Ellis, born March 24th, 1858; William Shaw, born February 28th, 1863; and Henry T., born August 30th, 1868. Mrs. White died May 13th, 1888.

Hemy & Warburton

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

BENJAMIN FESSENDEN .-- Benjamin Fessenden was born in Sand- wich, Barnstable county, Mass., on the 13th of June, 1797. His father, William Fessenden, a man of sterling character, learned the art of printing in New York and Philadelphia: subsequently he removed to Sandwich, where he married Martha Freeman and engaged in mercan- tile business. His grandfather and great-grandfather, of the same name with himself, were graduates of Harvard University, and his great- grandfather was a Congregational clergyman. His mother was a daughter of General Nathaniel Freeman, a colonel in the revolution, and afterward a brigadier-general in the militia. His mother's brother, Nathaniel, was a graduate of Harvard University, and became a judge of the court of common pleas, and finally a member of congress, hav- ing as colleague John Quincy Adams.

William Fessenden had nine children, six sons and three daugh- ters. Benjamin was favored with superior home advantages. He was fitted for college at the Barnstable Academy, entered Harvard in 1813, and was graduated with high honor four years later. Among his classmates were Honorable George Bancroft, Honorable Caleb Cush- ing, and Reverend Stephen H. Tyng, D. D. In scholarship and char- acter he was not unworthy of the distinguished class to which he be- longed. As a candidate for the ministry in the Unitarian denomina- tion he studied three years in the Cambridge Theological School, from which he was graduated in 1820. He preached his first sermon in Lexington, Mass. For a time he preached in Yarmouth, in the same state, for the venerable Timothy Alden. In 1821 he settled with the Unitarian church in East Bridgewater, Mass., as successor to Reverend James Flint, D. D., and was ordained September 19th, 1821, the sermon on the occasion being preached by the gifted Henry Ware. He la- bored here with marked success for four years, when impaired health compelled him to relinquish his pulpit.

In 1825 he removed to Pawtucket, R. I., where he engaged in mer- cantile affairs. While living in Pawtucket his views in regard to cer- tain religious doctrines underwent a radical change, and renouncing some of his old beliefs, he became an evangelical Christian; he also took decided ground in favor of temperance and in opposition to Ma- sonry and slavery. From this time he worshipped with the Baptists, but did not become a member of that denomination until a number of years afterward.

In 1833 he settled in Valley Falls, R. I., and connected himself with the Abbott Run Company, in the manufacture of cotton goods, and, so far as his own immediate exertions controlled the business, he had good success. Here he continued for 32 years, retiring from the con- cern in 1865. In 1855 and in 1856 he was chosen a member of the general assembly of the state of Rhode Island and speaker of the house of representatives. In 1869 and 1870 he was elected a member of the state senate. Originally a whig, he became a republican on the

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formation of the latter party, and always maintained a deep interest in public affairs. During the war of the rebellion he was one of the committee of the town of Cumberland to provide for the families of the Union soldiers. In 1870, at the age of 73 years, he was appointed postmaster of Valley Falls, and filled the office for eight years. For 25 years he was superintendent of the Valley Falls Baptist Sunday school. In his 80th year he was baptized and united with the Valley Falls Baptist church, to which other members of his family belonged.

On the 13th of December, 1821, he married Mary Wilkinson, daugh- ter of Isaac Wilkinson, of Pawtucket, of the distinguished Wilkinson family that gave to Rhode Island so many men of mechanical skill, enterprise and staunch virtues. Mrs. Fessenden (born October 11th, 1804) inherited the strong family traits of intelligence, kindness and de- cision of character. She died February 27th, 1888. Mr. Fessenden died January 6th, 1881. They had nine children; eight sons and one daughter, Mary Wilkinson, who married Honorable William F. Sayles, of Pawtucket. Two sons, Russell F. and Robert, are the only children now living. Charles H. and Robert were soldiers in the war of the rebellion; the latter being an officer.

Benjamin Fessenden led a pure, blameless life, and was alike be- loved and honored in the home circle and by his fellow citizens. His attainments, virtues and activities were of a high order. Everywhere he was true, gentlemanly, kindly, benevolent and scholarly, always delighting in the society of the wise and the good. Comprehending the common weal, he counted all public interests as dear as his own. While his strength continued, he stood forth manfully and faithfully for all good service. As a fitting termination to his worthy life, his death was a Christian triumph, full of serene hope, confidence and joy.

CLARK SAYLES was born in Glocester (now Burrillville), R. I., on the 18th of May, 1797. He was the son of Ahab and Lillis (Steere) Sayles. His father was the son of Israel Sayles, who was not only a well-to-do farmer, but a man of more than ordinary mechanical genius; for a number of years he was president of the town council of Gloces- ter, and, during the war of the revolution, served in the patriot army under General Sullivan. Clark's mother was the daughter of Samuel Steere, a good representative of a worthy Rhode Island family. Mr. Ahab Sayles had five brothers: Rufus, Nicholas, Samuel, Joseph, Rob- ert, and a sister, Martha, who married, first, Alfred Eddy, and second, Augustus Winsor. The Sayles homestead lands were situated between Pascoag and Chepachet, on the line that finally, in 1806, divided Bur- rillville from Glocester, leaving the family mansion in Burrillville. The children of Ahab Sayles were: Azubah, Lusina, Mercy, Nicholas, Clark, Welcome, Lillis and Miranda; only Miranda is now living (1891). The ancestors of this very respectable family, on both sides, were in- dustrious and honored farmers of the old type, some of them being Friends, and others Baptists in their religious convictions.

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

The subject of this sketch was educated at home, on the farm, and in the common schools. For many years his teacher was William Col- well, afterward cashier of the Glocester Exchange Bank. Both at home and in the Chepachet Library he found and eagerly read instructive books, not missing a "library day" for many years, as asserted by the librarian, Mr. Blackman. When about 18 years of age he engaged to work for Mr. Elias Carter, a master builder in Thompson, Conn., with whom he labored in Thompson, and subsequently went to the state of Georgia and assisted in constructing the court house in Burke county. Upon his return he was employed in building the Congrega- tional church in Milford, Mass. Finally he entered into business for himself as a master builder, erected a residence for his brother Nich- olas, and again went to Georgia, where he constructed dwellings for planters and completed a large hotel at Waynesboro. Returning from the South, he built the meeting house in Greenville, Smithfield, R. I.

In the spring of 1822 he removed to Pawtucket, R. I., where he engaged in the business of a master builder. He erected numerous dwellings for David Wilkinson; inserted a middle section in the meet- ing house of the First Baptist Society; planned and built the first Congregational church in Pawtucket in 1828; erected a church edifice in North Scituate, and also one in North Attleborough, Mass. During all this time he was also engaged in the lumber and coal trade, being the first man to introduce coal into Pawtucket by vessels. He associ- ated with himself in business Mr. Daniel Greene, and in the great financial panic of 1829 the firm of Clark Sayles & Co. assumed to a great disadvantage, as the result proved, the business interests previ- ously carried on by Mr. Greene, who had failed. Mr. Sayles was chosen a director of the New England Pacific Bank, of whose board of 13 directors 11 failed, while Mr. Sayles weathered the storm. Chosen president of this bank, as successor of Reverend Asa Messer, D. D., president of Brown University, Mr. Sayles stood at the head of the institution for 17 years, and, "by most remarkably skillful financier- ing," brought the bank safely through all its difficulties.

In 1837, closing most of his large business relations in Pawtucket, Mr. Sayles again went South and engaged in the wholesale lumber trade for the firm of which he was the head, and also as agent of another company, operating steam saw mills, one on an island at the mouth of the Altamaha river, and one on the Savannah river, opposite the city of Savannah. After remaining in the South in the lumber business for about 20 years (having his family with him during some of the winters), he returned to Pawtucket. Not entering again largely into business for himself, he assisted his sons, William Francis and Frederic Clark (whose sketches appear elsewhere in this volume), in purchasing material and in constructing additional buildings to their extensive Moshassuck Bleachery, in the town of Lincoln, R. I. He

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

was also the general superintendent in the erection of the beautiful Memorial chapel at Saylesville, near the bleachery.

He was a strong, energetic, independent, faithful, incorruptible man. In politics he was an "old line whig," and was subsequently identified with the republican party, but would only accept town offices, his purpose being service to his fellow citizens rather than securing political honors. He united with the Congregational church in 1832. In every good cause, as that of temperance and anti-slavery, education and moral reform, he took an active and efficient part, and everywhere proved his great conscientiousness, his discernment, and his superior judgment. Few men have been more esteemed, trusted and honored than he. Reasonably prospered for all his good work and large enterprise, he was still more successful in building a quiet but grand moral character. His pleasant, dignified countenance, and his erect, noble form indicated the inherent and cultivated nobility of his nature and the happy proportions of his cultivated Christian graces. He was affable, kind, sympathetic, transparent, decided, firm and persevering. Though modest, he was self-poised, self-reliant, and serene, the model of a true gentleman. By Christian faith and con- sistent service in a long life of private and public rectitude, he was prepared for his calm, quiet but triumphant death, which occurred February 8th, 1885, in his 88th year.

He married, December 25th, 1822, Mary Ann Olney, daughter of Paris Olney, of Scituate, R. I. She was also a member of the Congre- gational church, and esteemed for her strength of mind, gentleness of spirit, soundness of judgment, decision of character, and the purity of her Christian life. She died September 11th, 1878. Of five children, William Francis and Frederic Clark are the only ones living.

Clarke Jagly

CHAPTER IV.

THE TOWN OF EAST PROVIDENCE.

Geographical Description .- Its People and Industries .- Purchase and Settlement of the Territory .- First Planting of Roger Williams .- First Permanent Settler .- First Com- pact of Seekonk .- Town Incorporation as Rehoboth .- Highways, Common Pastures and Early Customs .- Destruction by King Philip's War .- Early Schools .- The Revo- lution .- Saltpetre Manufacture .- Bridges over the Seekonk .- Organization of the Town of East Providence .- Civil List .- Statistics of Progress .- Public Schools .- Highway Districts .- Watchemoket Fire District .- Police Force .- Street Lighting .- Town Hall .- First Meeting House .- First Congregational Church .- Second Congre- gational, Riverside .- Broadway Chapel .- First Baptist Church .- Second Baptist .- First Universalist .- St. Mary's Episcopal .- St. Mark's Episcopal .- Church of the Sacred Heart, R. C .- Haven Methodist Episcopal .- Union Chapel .- Reliance Lodge, I. O. O. F .- Fraternity Encampment .- Bucklin Post, G. A. R .- Farragut Post .- Riverside Cotton Mills .- Biographical Sketches.

T' HE township of East Providence lies on the east side of the See- konk, or Providence river. It is embraced in the territory which formed the western part of Rehoboth and was consti- tuted as the town of Seekonk February 26th, 1812. In the settlement of the boundary question the westerly part of Seekonk was annexed to Rhode Island from Massachusetts, and incorporated as a town March 1st, 1862. This territory is about seven miles long and a little more than two miles wide, and contains about 16 square miles. The land is rich and the surface rolling. Ten-Mile river, which forms the eastern boundary on the north end, when it reaches a point about three miles down from the northeast corner, makes an abrupt turn to the west and crosses the town to join the Seekonk. The central and principal village of the town, locally known as Watchemoket, lies on the western border, about midway between the north and south ends. The Providence & Worcester railroad runs from this locality north, along the west side, and the Providence & Warren railroad from the same locality runs south, along the river side. The Boston & Provi- dence railroad runs from the same central locality northeasterly, out at the northeast corner of the town. Thus it will be seen the town- ship is well supplied with railroad facilities. A line of street cars also runs through the compact village, making frequent communica- tion with the central depot of the Union Railroad Company on Market Square, Providence.

Besides the central village already referred to, the town contains other localities, known as Rumford, a manufacturing village of six or

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

seven hundred inhabitants, on Ten-Mile river, in the northern part; Riverside, a summer watering place on the Seekonk, in the southern part, having about 200 inhabitants; Omega, a village of about the same size; Leonard's Corner; Cedar Grove, a post office in the south- ern part on the river, and Silver Spring, a watering place on the river below Watchemoket. The central village, which has been rapidly increasing in population and improvement during the last decade, is handsomely laid out, and has graded streets, flagged walks, water, gas, electric lights, many handsome buildings, an elegant brick town hall, and a population of five or six thousand. The town has three public libraries, viz .: the East Providence Free Library, containing 1,800 volumes; the Riverside Library, of 1,520 volumes, and the Watchemoket Library, of 1,710 volumes.

The population of East Providence at different periods since its incorporation as a town has been: in 1865, 2,172; in 1870, 2,668; in 1875, 4,336; in 1880, 5,056, and in 1885, 6,816. Of its population nearly one-half are natives of Rhode Island. The population of the town are largely engaged in business in the city of Providence. Of the re- mainder a considerable number are engaged in manufacturing indus- tries, in the shore fishing and oystering, and in agriculture. The town contains more than 100 farms, besides numerous garden patches. Over 500 acres are plowed and about 1,500 acres are kept in meadow, while more than 1,000 acres are devoted to pasturage. The cash value of · farms and buildings amounts to more than a million dollars. Con- siderable milk is produced, which finds a convenient market in the city, and garden vegetables are cultivated to a considerable extent. The potato crop is one of the most important, reaching about 20,000 bushels a year. About 80,000 heads of cabbage are annually raised, and an aggregate of six or seven thousand bushels of carrots, beets and turnips. About 40,000 quarts of strawberries are among the garden products. The aggregate value of farm products amounts annually to about $110,000. About 150,000 bushels of oysters are raised annually along the shore of this town. The value of shell fisheries of the town amount to about $150,000 a year. There are in the town 18 manufacturing establishments, employing a capital of $300,000 or more, and employing some four to five hundred hands. The aggregate annual product amounts to about one and a quarter million dollars. During recent years the custom of catering to the popular demand for breathing places on the water front for the people of the city has engrossed considerable attention, the shore in the southern part of this town presenting many valuable facilities for that purpose, among which may be mentioned convenience of access from the city, beautiful views and good bathing places. Silver Spring, Golden Spring, Riverside, Cedar Grove, Bullock's Point, Camp White and Crescent Park are seaside resorts.

The territory of this town, since its settlement by white men, has

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

been at different times a part of two different states and of three dif- ferent towns. It was originally included in Rehoboth, Mass., whose liberal boundaries then comprised the present towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk, Attleborough and part of Swansea, in Massachusetts, and East Providence, Cumberland and parts of Pawtucket and Barrington, in Rhode Island. The first purchase of land in this extensive domain was a tract of eight miles square, purchased of Massasoit in 1641, for the purpose of beginning a town settlement. This embraced sub- stantially the present towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk and Pawtucket. A second tract purchased of the Indians was called Wannamoiset, and is now occupied by Swansea and Barrington. A third purchase lay northward, and included territory now occupied by Attleborough and Cumberland. The Wannamoiset purchase was incorporated as the town of Swansea in 1667, and the northern purchase as the town of Attleborough in 1694. Seekonk became a separate township in 1812, taking the name given to the locality by the Indians. This name, which means " black goose," was given, as is supposed, in recognition of the circumstance that great numbers of wild geese used frequently to alight in the Seekonk river and cove, a custom even now not obsolete.

In this territory Roger Williams first pitched his tent and made some movement toward establishing a settlement during his wander- ings from the edict of banishment. About the middle of April, 1636, he landed at a place now called Manton's Neck, and planted corn and began to prepare for a permanent residence. Being apprised that he was within the jurisdiction of Plymouth, he again moved forward. and with his associates located the permanent settlement on the other side of the Seekonk river. The dividing line between the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island remained in dispute for 226 years, when it was finally settled by an adjustment which gave to Rhode Island the territory of this town together with that of other towns.

The first settler of which we have any record as being located in Seekonk, after Williams abandoned his first attempt, was one John Hazell. He was residing here in 1642, but no general attempt at set- tlement was made until the spring of 1644. At that time a colony of 58 men, with their families, formed a settlement and gave the town the name of Rehoboth. This colony was mostly from Weymouth and Hingham, Mass., and came here under the leadership of Reverend Samuel Newman. The meaning of the name Rehoboth is said to have been suggested by the fact asserted by Mr. Newman, "the Lord hath opened a way for us." The homes of this colony were built in a semi-circle around Seekonk common, opening toward Seekonk river. In the center of the semi-circle stood the church and parsonage. This circle was called "the Ring of the Town." The first church stood very near the spot now occupied by the Congregational church of East Providence.

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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Among the first acts of the town of which we have any knowledge, it was voted, June 21st, 1644, that a meeting of all the inhabitants should be held every fortieth day, to consider affairs that concerned the colony. On the 3d of July following, a compact was signed as follows :

" We whose names are underwritten, being by the Providence of God inhabitants of Seacunck, intending there to settle, do covenant and bind ourselves one to another, to subject our persons [and our property ] to nine persons, any five of the nine which shall be chosen by the major part of the inhabitants of this plantation, and we do [pledge ourselves] to be subject to all wholesome [laws and orders made] by them, and to assist them, according to our ability and estate, and to give timely notice unto them of any such thing as in our con- science may prove dangerous unto the plantation, and this combina- tion to continue until we shall subject ourselves jointly to some other government."

The following names are appended to the above compact: William Cheesborough, Walter Palmer, Edward Smith, Edward Bennett, Robert Titus, Abraham Martin, John Matthewes, Edward Sale, Ralph Shepherd, Samuel Newman, Richard Wright, Robert Martin, Richard Bowen, Joseph Torrey, James Clark, Ephraim Hunt, Peter Hunt, William Smith, John Peren, Zachery Rhoodes, Job Lane, Alex. Win- chester, Henry Smith, Stephen Payne, Ralph Alin, Thomas Bliss, George Kendricke, John Allin, William Sabin, and Thomas Cooper.

The board of townsmen instituted and empowered by the fore- going compact, was elected on the 9th day of December 1644, and was composed of the following men: Alexander Winchester, Richard Wright, Henry Smith, Edward Smith, Walter Palmer, William Smith, Stephen Payne, Richard Bowen, and Robert Martin. The "towns- men " were a body official which stood in a relation to the town some- what like the town council of later times, but having larger jurisdic- tion. It was a body common in the very early organization of New England towns, but soon gave place to other means of administering town affairs. In 1645 the people of this town submitted to the juris- diction of the Plymouth court, and were incorporated as a part of that colony, under the name of Rehoboth. The original 58 settlers, as shown by the drawing of land upon the great plain, June 9th, 1645, were as follows: Stephen Payne, Widow Walker, Robert Martin, Ed- ward Gilman, Ralph Shepherd, Richard Wright, Abraham Martin, "The Teacher," Will. Carpenter, Robert Titus, Walter Palmer, James Walker, Alexander Winchester, Samuel Butterworth, William Sabin, Thomas Hitt, Edward Smith, Edward Bennett, Thomas Clifton, John Cooke, Mr. Browne, William Cheeseborough, Ralph Allin, James Browne, "The Governor," William Smith, John Sutton, Job Laine, Thomas Cooper, Thomas Bliss, John Peram, Joseph Torrey, John Holbrooke, James Clarke, Edward Sale, George Kendricke, Mr.

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Leonard, Richard Bowen, Edward Patteson, John Read, John Mat- thews, Matthew Pratt, Robert Sharpe, Ephraim and Peter Hunt, Zachary Rhodes, John Meggs, John Miller, Thomas Holbrooke, " The Schoolmaster," Mr. Peck, Richard Ingram, Isaac Martin, John Allin, Henry Smith, Mr. Newman, " The Pastor," Obadiah Holmes, and Robert Morris. The names here given are in the order as they drew the lots numbered consecutively, from 1 to 58.

Edward Smith was the first surveyor of highways, and the first order for the establishment of a highway in this town was made in December, 1650, and Peter Hunt was the first town clerk, being chosen at the same time. The land lying northeast of Seekonk common, be- tween the new road from Seekonk to Pawtucket and the river, extend- ing down to the mouth of Ten-Mile river, was by order of the town, June 11th, 1652, allowed to lie open and undivided for common pas- turage for many years. This tract was called the ox-pasture, and an Indian, called Sam, was employed to take charge of the cows and other cattle belonging to the townspeople, in a common herd, driving them to the pasture every morning and bringing them back at night. It is said that he was so faithful in the execution of this trust, and be- came so popular after many years service in this capacity, that he was admitted to rights in the plantation as an inhabitant, " to buy or hire house or lands if he can, in case the Court allow it." The admission of an Indian to such rights of citizenship was a thing almost un- heard of.

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History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Part 18

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