USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 19
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This locality was the scene of action in the terrible period known as King Philip's war. In July, 1675, Philip was discovered crossing Seekonk plain, and the Reverend Noah Newman, son of the leader of the settlement, led an attack against him with such success as to kill a number of the Indians without any loss to the attacking party. The number thus killed is variously estimated at from 12 to 30. On Sun- day, March 26th, 1676, Captain Michael Pierce, of Scituate, Mass., marched from Seekonk common with a force of 63 English and 20 of the Cape Indians in search of the enemy. Falling into an ambuscade of the Indians near Valley Falls, Captain Pierce formed his men into a ring, where they fought thus back to back for about three hours, until 55 of the English and 10 Indians had fallen dead upon the field. Two days later, that is on March 28th, 1676, the "Ring of the Town" was burned by the Indians under the command of King Philip, de- stroying 40 houses and 30 barns. Only two houses escaped-the gar- rison house, which stood near the place later occupied by the house of Phanuel Bishop, and another house on the south side of the com- mon. The latter was saved by an arrangement of black posts stand- ing around it so as to resemble at a distance a strong guard of men. The fire was set early in the evening, and on the morning of next day only a few smoking ash-heaps remained to mark the site of the vil- lage, with the exceptions already noticed. All the inhabitants of the
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
town except one sought the garrison house for safety. This was a strong building, which the Indians were wise enough not to attempt to attack. When the attack upon the village was made Robert Beers, an Irishman, a brickmaker by trade, refused to flee to the garrison house, but sat down in his own house and engaged himself as well as he could in reading his Bible, declaring that nothing could harm him while he was thus engaged. But he fell a victim to his foolhardy faith, for the Indians shot him through the window and he fell dead with the Bible in his hands, being the only person slain on this occasion.
We have already seen that the schoolmaster was a recognized fac- tor in the early town of Rehoboth. Robert Dickson was engaged in 1699, to teach reading, writing and arithmetic for six months for £13, one half to be paid in silver and the other half in lumber at current prices. The lumber was to be delivered at a landing place at the mouth of Ten-Mile river, where Samuel Walker and Sergeant Butter- worth had a saw mill. It is said that in the early history of the town there were wharves built out into the Seekonk, near the cove which is formed by the wide mouth of Ten-Mile river. Stores were erected here and considerable trade was carried on, and the people of Provi- dence frequently came over here to purchase goods. The pay of the schoolmaster gradually rose until in 1709 John Lynn was engaged to teach for one year for the sum of £29, current money. The school was kept in different sections of the town for different parts of the year, so as to give residents of all parts some convenience in attending it. The " Ring of the Town " and the neighborhood on the east of it was to have the school 21 weeks; Palmer's River, 14 weeks; Watche- moket, 13 weeks, and Captain Enoch Hunt's neighborhood and the " mile and a half," 9 weeks. As this amounts to more than the 52 weeks of the year, we assume that Mr. Lynn had an assistant part of the time, or that the school day was shortened so that the teacher could keep two schools in operation during the same week for a part of the time.
During the war of the revolution the town was distinguished for a faithful and untiring support of the cause of independence. The town furnished 310 of its men for the continental army, and of that number 37 were commissioned officers. Saltpetre was manufactured in a build- ing erected for the purpose near the mouth of Ten-Mile river, and fur- nished to the government in large quantities, to be used in the com- position of gunpowder. Some extracts from a letter of instructions from the town to its representative in 1773 will show the spirit of the people at that time. They write: " With pleasing hopes and expecta- tions we trust you will, in this day of general oppression and invasion of our natural and inherent rights and liberties, join in every salutary and constitutional measure to remove those constitutional burdens and grievances that this Province, and America in general, have long
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and justly remonstrated against." They then declare substantially that the British ministry "have hitherto, with impunity, profanely violated the faith and promise of a king, on whose royal word we made the most firm and indubitable reliance, and have involved this province and continent in the utmost distress and calamity." But not having any inclination toward an exhibition of hostility toward the constituted authority, they further declare: " And it is now, and ever has been, our earnest desire and prayer that there may never be wanting one of the illustrious House of Hanover to sway the sceptre of Great Britain and America, in righteousness, as long as the sun and moon shall endure."
" We, your constituents, desire and expect that you exert yourself to the utmost of your ability, not only to secure our remaining privi- leges inviolable, but also to obtain a full redress of all those many grievances so justly complained of-a full restoration and confirma- tion of all the rights and privileges we are justly entitled to by nature and the solemn compact aforesaid; that generations yet unborn may know that this town has not been dormant, while the enemies thereof have been vigilant and active to wrest from them every privilege and blessing that renders life worthy of enjoyment."
The committee of correspondence at that time was composed of Ephraim Starkweather, Nathan Daggett, Thomas Carpenter, 3d, John Lyon, Joseph Bridgham, and William Cole.
The following list of men who served in the company commanded by Lieutenant Samuel Brown, in Colonel Nathaniel Carpenter's regi- ment, during the time of the war, is preserved: Sergeants-Amos Goff, Miles Shorey, Remember Kent, Stephen Burn; corporals-Ezra French, Elkanah French, Jacob Allen, William Eddy; alarm men -- Amos Handy, Oliver Read, Jabez Carpenter, William Daggett, Jacob Shorey, Nathan Ide, Daniel Carpenter, William Titus, Aaron Read, Charles Peck, Ephraim Walker, Nathaniel Phillips, Azaheel Carpen- ter, William Sabin, John Bowen, John Shorey, Leverrit Cushing, John Robinson, Jonathan Carpenter, Training Cand, James French, John French, John Brown, Caleb Carpenter, Nathan Read, David Cooper, Ephraim Carpenter, Jedediah Carpenter, Job Carpenter, Eliphalet Carpenter, Comfort Chaffee, John Barker, Amos Whitaker, Moses Walker, Richard Whitaker, Noah Newman, Daniel Perrin, Samuel Woodward, Nathan Peckham, Aaron Lyon, James Carpenter, David Read, James Bly, Simeon Read, Benjamin Gage, Samuel Lyon, Eph- raim Turner, Thomas Munro, David Hutchins, Penewell Carpenter, Samuel B. Chaffee, Samuel Carpenter, Nathan Newman, Simeon Hunt, Abraham Ormsbee, Ezekiel Carpenter, Noah Fuller, Benjamin Orms- bee, Samuel Bowen, Samuel Allen, 2d, John Woodward, Jabez Perry, Jonathan French, Seba French, Nathaniel Cooper, Daniel I. Perrin, Jacob Carpenter, James Read, Ebenezer Short, William Slade, Aza Bowen, Abel Medbury, Josiah Cushing, jr.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
These soldiers were sent under different demands to do military duty at different points in service of the continental cause, some at Fishkill, N. Y., at Tiverton, at Crown Point, at Cambridge, or wherever else the needs of the hour called them.
Previous to the year 1793 the Seekonk river was crossed by ferries at Watchemoket, and at the site of the present Central Bridge. Bridges were erected about the year mentioned at both places. The first team crossed Central Bridge April 9th, and three days later the first team passed over Washington Bridge. Both these bridges were carried away by a freshet in 1807, and after being rebuilt, were again destroyed by the famous September gale and storm of 1815. A marble slab once stood near Washington Bridge, upon which was the inscription: "Washington Bridge, built by John Brown, Esq., 1793, this monument is erected by the founder and proprietor of India Point as a testimony of high respect for the great illustrious Washington." The monu- ment referred to was probably intended to mean a wooden statue of Washington which once stood near the stone, but which was washed away and lost in the gale referred to. In 1829 the woodwork of Wash- ington Bridge was rebuilt, under the superintendence of Mr James C. Bucklin, architect. In 1875 it was repaired and strengthened to last a few years until the construction of the present substantial bridge near the same site, which has recently been completed. The con- struction of this bridge was authorized by an act of the legislature passed March 28th, 1883, and the work was completed in 1885. The old Central or Red Bridge remained a toll bridge until 1869, when it became impassable by reason of the impact of vessels upon its founda- tions in their attempts to pass through its inconvenient draw. The present free bridge was opened for travel July 16th, 1872, having been built at a cost of $75,000. Of this sum $20,000 was paid by the state, $40,000 by the city of Providence, and $15,000 by the town of East Providence. The commissioners who acted in directing its erection were James C. Bucklin, C. B. Farnsworth and James Y. Smith.
Let us turn now to notice more particularly the rise and progress of the town as a body corporate. We find that a part of the former town of Seekonk, in Massachusetts, passed under the jurisdiction of Rhode Island on Saturday, March 1st, 1862, and was at the same time constituted as the town of East Providence. At the request of the citizens Governor Sprague gave the name, and immediately after 12 o'clock on the day mentioned, the governor made a brief speech and announced the name. Salutes were fired at sunrise, at noon, and at sunset, stores were closed, and the town observed it as a holiday and an occasion for general congratulation and jubilee. A town meeting was held, at which Francis Armington read the proclamation of the governor, under which it was held, and Albert K. Gerald was chosen moderator. Henry H. Ide was elected town clerk. Resolutions of an amicable character were passed addressed to the town of Seekonk,
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
and a committee immediately dispatched to carry them to the town meeting of that town, which was then in session. The following officers were elected at this first town meeting: Tristam Burges, senator; Albert K. Gerald, representative; Francis Armington, Allen J. Brown, George O. Carpenter, Daniel S. Peck, Austin Gurney, town council; Francis Armington, treasurer; Timothy A. Leonard, town sergeant; Daniel S. Peck, Allen J. Brown, John A. Wood, assessors; Thomas B. Bishop, collector; George H. Read, Harvey S. Kent, Nathan M. West, constables; Thomas B. Bishop, William S. Munroe, David V. Gerald, school committee; Thomas G. Potter, Asa Peck, Robert M. Pearce, justices of the peace; and Francis Armington, overseer of the poor.
The legislative officers of the town since its organization have been as follows: Senators-Tristam Burges, 1862-3; Francis Arming- ton, 1864-6; George O. Carpenter, 1867; Edward D. Pearce, 1868; Timothy A. Leonard, 1869-70; Edward D. Pearce, 1871-2; William Whitcomb, 1873 ; Francis Armington, 1874; Timothy O. Leonard, 1875; Oliver Chaffee, 1876-7; Miles B. Lawson, 1878; Alvord O. Miles, 1879-80; William Whitcomb, 1881 ; George N. Bliss, 1882 ; Ed- ward C. Dubois, 1883-4 ; George N. Bliss, 1885-6; Augustus N. Cun- ningham, 1887; David S. Ray, 1888; Andrew J. Anthony, 1889. Representatives-Albert K. Gerald, 1862; William A. Carpenter, 1863; Henry Ide, 1864; Albert K. Gerald, 1865 ; George O. Carpenter, 1866-7; George N. Bliss, 1868-72 ; Albert C. Howard, 1873-4; Alvord O. Miles, 1875-8; Oliver Chaffee, 1879; William Whitcomb, 1880; Oliver Chaffee, 1881-2 ; Ellery H. Wilson, elected May 23d, 1883, to fill vacancy caused by death of Oliver Chaffee, 1883-6; Timothy A. Leonard, 1887-8; Ellery H. Wilson, 1889.
The following have been members of the town council for the years mentioned : 1862, Allen J. Brown, Francis Armington, Daniel S. Peck, George O. Carpenter, Austin Gurney ; 1863, Nathaniel Cole, Daniel S. Peck, Timothy A. Leonard; 1864, Cole, Leonard, John A. Wood; 1865, Cole, Luther B. Peck, William Daggett; 1866, Cole, Dag- gett, Leonard; 1867, the same; 1868, Cole, Rowland G. Bassett, Charles A. Cobb; 1869, Oliver Chaffee, Joseph B. Gurney, John A. Wood; 1870, Nathaniel Cole, Rowland G. Bassett, William Whitcomb; 1871, Cole, Whitcomb, George H. Read; 1872, the same; 1873, Whitcomb, Ed- ward D. Pearce, George F. Wilson; 1874, Joseph J. Luther, Galen Pierce, Andrew J. Anthony : 1875, Anthony, Oliver Chaffee, William A. Carpenter, Samuel S. Barney, Alfred A. White; 1876, Anthony, Barney, White, William G. Bliven, James N. Bishop ; 1877, Anthony, Bishop, Barney, White, William A. Carpenter ; 1878, Benjamin Wil- son, Joseph B. Gurney, William G. Bliven, Thomas I. Bentley, Jesse Medbury ; 1879, Wilson, Gurney, Andrew J. Anthony, John Champ- lin, Levi S. Winchester; 1880, the same ; 1881, Wilson, Gurney, An- thony, Samuel S. Barney, Alfred A. White; 1882, Wilson, Gurney,
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Anthony, White, Alvord O. Miles; 1883, Wilson, Gurney, Anthony, Charles C. Weaver, Levi S. Winchester; 1884, Wilson, Gurney, An- thony, John Champlin, Alfred A. White; 1885, Wilson, Anthony, Gurney, Champlin, Levi S. Winchester; 1886, the same ; 1887, Charles C. Weaver, Alfred Griswold, George J. Norton, Alfred A. White, Joseph B. Fitts; 1888, Griswold, Benjamin Wilson, Andrew J. An- thony, Frederick A. Brigham, George W. Whelden ; 1889, Wilson, Whelden, Henry F. Anthony, Benjamin Martin, Ira D. Goff.
Town clerks have been as follows : Henry H. Ide, 1862-70; Charles L. Hazard, 1871-4; Ellery H. Wilson (pro tem.), 1875; Charles E. Scott, 1876-86; William L. Sunderland, 1887; Thomas A. Sweetland, 1888, to the present time. Town treasurers have been : Francis Arm- ington, 1862-4; Thomas Cole, 1865; Francis Armington, 1866-8; Wil- liam Armington, 1869; Francis Armington, 1870-4; Christopher Dexter, 1875-8; Thomas A. Sweetland, 1879-87; William W. Mun- roe, 1888, to the present time. Since the town was made a probate district in 1867, the following have served as judge of probate: Na- thaniel Cole, 1867-81; Oliver Chaffee, 1882; Benjamin Wilson, 1883- 6; Francis Armington, 1887; Alfred A. White, 1888, to present time.
The progress of the town in material value is shown by the follow- ing figures giving the assessed valuation of real estate in the town for each year, followed in each year by the rate of tax per hundred dollars :- 1862, $1,122,050, rate 1.123; 1863, $1,085,650, rate .61; 1864, $1,182,075, rate .80; 1865, $1,268,600, rate .68; 1866, 1,336,800, rate .73; 1867, $1,403,200, rate .75: 1868, $1,538,700, rate .70; 1869, $1,629,700, rate .72; 1870, $1,692,900, rate .80; 1871, $1,885,100, rate .80; 1872, $2.151,475, rate .80; 1873, $2,644,800, rate .95; 1874, $4,524,400, rate .75; 1875, $4,565,700, rate .70; 1876, $4,358,200, rate .80; 1877, $4,072,875, rate .80; 1878, $3,964,405, rate .78; 1879, $3,991,945, rate .92; 1880, $4,006,520, rate .72; 1881, $4,057,060, rate .80; 1882, $4,131,190, rate .84; 1883, $4,238,975, rate .80; 1884, $4,687,560, rate .80; 1885, $4,984,410, rate .80; 1886, $5,167,515, rate .80; 1888, $5,500,643, rate 1.00; 1889, $6,097,767, rate 1.00.
In the war of 1861-5 the people of this town proved themselves true to the traditions of New England, ready to sacrifice their prop- erty and themselves in the cause of the national welfare. They were prompt in sending men to the front, and liberal in providing for the wants of those families left in embarrassed circumstances by the en- listing of their supporters.
The public schools of the town have been ably and liberally main- tained. In 1862 and 1863 new school houses were built in districts Number 3, 4 and 8, and the house in No. 1 was raised up a story, mak- ing a total expense of about $6,000. In 1864 and 1865 school houses were built in No. 2 and No. 7, the cost of which, with one lot, was $3,411.83. An addition to No. 1 was built in 1867-8 at a cost of about $4,000. New houses were built in Nos. 5 and 6 in 1869-70 at a cost
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
of $4,661.74. Grammar schools No. 2 and No. 8 were built about 1873 at a cost of about $5,000, including cost of a lot. The present Grove street school house, No. 1, was built in 1875-6 at a cost, including the lot, of $16,345.88. A new school house was built in district No. 2, in 1879, at a cost of $1,780.02. A new school house was built at Cedar Grove in 1881 at a cost of about $4,800. The school house on the corner of James street and Russell avenue was built in 1882-3, and cost, includ- ing the lot and grading, about $6,500. An addition to the Union Grammar school house was made in 1888, which with its furnishings cost about $5,000. In the spring of 1888 it was desired to re-arrange the school houses so as to use the Grove avenue house for a high school and grammar school, and to provide additional buildings for the primary departments. In carrying out this design a lot was pur- chased of Stephen S. Rich, on Williams avenue, for $800, and a build- ing was erected upon it during the year at a cost, including furniture, of a little more than $6,000. This was intended to accommodate the schools which previously had occupied a leased building on Vine street.
The growth of the schools of the town may be inferred from the following figures, showing the annual appropriations for their support from year to year: 1862, $500; 1863, $1,000; 1864, $1,200; 1865, $1,200; 1866, $1,400; 1867, $1,600; 1868, $1,600; 1869, $1,800; 1870, $2,000; 1871, $2,000; 1872, $2,800; 1873, $5,700; 1874, $5,750; 1875, $8,100; 1876, $9,500; 1877, $9,500; 1878, $11,106; 1879, $10,304.68; 1880, $10,347; 1881, $10,- 869.89: 1882, $12,335.60; 1883, $11,634.93; 1884, $13,647.41; 1885, $13,- 673.85; 1886, $16,124.58; 1887, $19,705.41; 1888, $19,243.86; 1889, $23,- 624.66.
From the published report of the school committee for the year 1889 we learn that there are in the town 1,734 persons of school age- that is, between the ages of five and fifteen years. The largest num- ber of pupils registered in the public schools during one term was 1,507. The number of children reported as not attending any school was 273. An evening school was opened in the Potter Street school house November 12th, 1888, and ended February 8th, 1889, making a term of 13 weeks. It was taught by a principal and an assistant, and was attended wholly by boys, 85 being enrolled and an average of 25 attending. The schools of the town employ 38 teachers, whose weekly salaries range from $15 for principals of grammar schools, down to $8 and $7 for assistant primary teachers, the principal of the high school receiving $30. The number in attendance in the different schools was as follows: High School, 64; Grove Avenue Grammar School, 165; Mauran Avenue and Williams Avenue, Grammar, 117; Intermediate, 67; Primary, 109; East Providence Centre, Grammar, 93; Intermediate, 91; Riverside, Grammar, 85; Primary, 175; James Street, Intermediate, 94; Primary, 92; Williams Avenue and James Street, Primary, 94; Potter Street, Intermediate, 178; Primary, 177;
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Rumford, No. 2, 91; Broadway, No. 3, 90; Leonard's Corner, No. 4, 86; Armington's Corner, No. 5, 87; East Providence Centre, No. 8, 91; Near Paper Mill, No. 9, 94. The various school buildings of the town are estimated in value as follows: District No. 1, house and furnishings, $4,188.57; No. 2, house and furnishings, $2,280; No. 3, house and lot, $2,200; No. 4, house and lot, $2,217.02; No. 5, house and lot, $2,216.03; No. 6, house and lot, $5,209.31; No. 7, house and lot, $1,266.41; No. 8, house and lot, $2,200; No. 9, house and lot, $1,780.02; Union Grammar School building, $9,932.34; Williams Avenue, house and lot, $6,779.96 ;. Mauran Avenue, house and lot, $15,058.62; James Street, house and lot, $6,491.72; Grove Avenue, house and lot, $16,195.88.
The town of East Providence was divided into road districts in ac -. cordance with a vote at town meeting April 27th, 1863. The division was as follows: Highway District No. 1 .- Commencing at Barrington. line at Bullock's point, thence running northeasterly with Barrington line to and including the Warren road, thence northerly to a point 10 rods south of Captain Martin Rogers' house, thence to the river, leav- ing Halsey place on the north side of the line. No. 2 .- Commencing at Barrington line, thence northerly to a corner north of William S. Munroe, thence to Runnin's bridge. No. 3 .- Commencing at the aforesaid corner, thence westerly, including all the public roads to a point five rods west of Isaac B. Kent's residence. No. 4 .- Commenc- ing at the northerly line of District No. 1, thence northerly to Wil- liam Ide's stone quarry, and from westerly line of No. 3 westerly to a. point half way between A. K. Gerald's and John Martin's. No. 5 .- Commencing at the west line of No. 4, thence westerly and southerly as far as the public roads go, thence northerly to Broadway, thence westerly, including the turnpike, to India Point bridge, thence south- erly past John T. Ingraham's store to a point 20 rods west of Leon- ard's corner. No. 6 .- Commencing at the northerly line of No. 4 .. thence north to a point just north of and including Baster's lane from Broadway to Perry Barney's house and at the east line of No. 5, thence east to the state line at Luther's corner. No. 7 .- Commencing at the north line of No. 6 at Baster's lane, thence northerly to a point just north of Cole's bridge, and westerly towards the cove to the northeast corner of George W. Carpenter's lot, and from Broadway running easterly to the state line. No. 8 .- Commencing at Broadway Corners, thence northerly through Omega village to the corner, including Ben- jamin Allen and George Lawton, and from the west line of No. 7 at Thomas Cole's westerly to the corner at J. B. Fitts', including all public roads between the above named points and Central Bridge and District No. 5. No. 9 .- Commencing at the northerly point of No. 7 at Cole's bridge, thence easterly and northerly to a point at the top of the hill just north of Phanuel Bishop's, thence easterly in a direct line to a point half way between the Bridgham place and Charles Ru- dolph's, thence southerly to state line at Hunt's bridge, including all
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
public roads within those limits. No. 10 .- Commencing at the north- erly line of No. 8 at Benjamin Allen's, thence northerly to the river to Pawtucket line, thence easterly by Pawtucket line to state line, thence southerly by state line to Central Factory, continuing south- erly to District No. 9, thence westerly to first mentioned corner, in- cluding all public roads within those limits.
The thickly populated part of the town is incorporated as the Watchemoket Fire District, which incorporation was effected in 1880. Water is led through the principal streets of the village, there being 52,898 feet of mains laid, and over 50 hydrants. Water is supplied from Pawtucket. The valuation of real estate within the limits of the fire district is $2,155,431. The affairs of the district are in the hands of seven fire wardens, a clerk, moderator, three assessors, a collector of taxes and a treasurer. The district is divided into five districts, the boundaries of which are as follows : First district includes all that part lying west of Potter and north of Warren avenues, ex- tending to the river; Second district, all lying south of Warren and west of Lyon avenues; Third district is bounded by Potter street, Warren avenue, Broadway and Taunton avenue; Fourth district is bounded by Taunton avenue, Walnut street and Waterman avenue; Fifth district is North Broadway. The town also has two fire engine companies-Watchemoket Fire Co. No. 1, and Narragansett Engine Co. No. 2, located at Riverside. Both these are supplied with engines and other apparatus; and the first numbers 57 and the other 50 men.
The town maintains a very efficient police force. The total num- ber of arrests made by them during the last year reported was 172, and for the year before 178. The expense of maintaining the police force for several years past has been as follows: 1880, $2,790; 1881, $3,404; 1882, $3,356; 1883, $3,314; 1884, $3,756; 1885, $5,165; 1886, $5,397; 1887, $4,665; 1888, $5,608; 1889, $5,621.
Street lights are maintained by the town in populous localities. In the Northern district there are in use 25 gasoline and 12 oil lamps with posts complete. In the Southern district there are 37 oil lamps complete. In the Watchemoket district there are 59 gas posts, 69 gasoline lamps and 5 oil lights sustained by the town. Street light- ing costs the town about $3,000 a year. The expense of maintaining and improving the streets and highways of the town is something more than $10,000 a year. In 1887 it exceeded $11,000, while during the first half of the decade it barely exceeded $7,000 in any year, and sometimes fell considerably below it.
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