USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 31
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
251
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Walter S. Cook, Cyrus Cook, Stephen W. Ballou, Edwin R. Thomas and Edward W. Metcalf.
In 1839, at the January session of the general assembly a school law was passed under which the town of Cumberland elected in June following a school board consisting of 15 members. The board organized by electing Olney Ballou president and Fenner Brown secretary. They apportioned $1,052.84 among the districts of the town in 1839. In June, 1841, the town was divided into 20 districts. In 1877, $10,020 was apportioned for school purposes and payments for the year ending April 30th, 1889, were $12,210.19. Evening schools are held in the villages of Ashton, Berkeley, Lonsdale and Valley Falls. Reverend B. H. Lane, the superintendent, reports 284 different scholars enrolled in these schools and the work done as very satisfactory.
Early churches were formed in the town, showing that the people entertained very great reverence for the worship of their Creator. William Blackstone was not only the first settler of the state but also the first minister of the Gospel. After him came the Ballou meeting house, previously referred to. The "Catholic Oak," at the junction of three roads, and now standing in the village of Lonsdale, shadow- ing the locality where Blackstone resided, has a memorable history. For 70 years it was the church of the neighborhood, meetings being held under its branches. Here Reverend James Cook Rich- mond ministered the Episcopal service for many years before sufficient encouragement was given to justify the building of the church in Lonsdale. Up to 1860 services were habitually held here by some of the various religious denominations.
The Ballou meeting house was erected in 1700, and is, without doubt the oldest church building in the state. The pews, altar and gallery are unique in design. The former members of this congregation lie buried in a cemetery of three acres, which borders on the north base of the Iron mountain. A neat wall encircles this hallowed spot. This church obtained the deed of this land from James Ballou in 1732. The pastor at this time was Josiah Cooke, who had ministerial charge of this congregation for 35 years. Nathaniel Cooke was pastor for about 40 years. There has been no settled pastor since Elder Place was here, and at present all denominations are privileged to hold meetings here. A Sabbath school is held each Sunday here. Reverend A. Ballou preached his first sermon in this house.
The Friends meeting house was built in 1809, principally through the liberality of Samuel Hill. The house is located on the west side of the Lanesville road, about a half mile south of East Cumberland village. The history of this society begins with the early settlement of the place. It is one of the largest societies of Friends in the state. The building is a two story building about 30 feet square.
The old Baptist church at Abbott's was situated on the east side of the
2.52
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Lanesville road, upon the site since occupied by D. A. Thompson's house, and was built about the year 1700. It was a wooden structure two stories high, with a large gallery. Its size was 30 by 60 feet. It was torn down in 1825. Under an oak tree that stood in front of this church the celebrated Jemima Wilkinson made her first speech.
The Cumberland Catholic Baptist Society was chartered in 1795. Abner Bartlett and Whipple Levitt gave an acre of land on the west side of the Mendon road, a short distance south of the present church. It was built in 1800 from the proceeds of a lottery, and was 36 by 38 feet. About 1840 the town offered to repair the building, which offer was accepted, and in consideration the town meetings were held here until the building was destroyed by fire in the year 1858. This society formerly held its meetings under the famous oak tree at Lonsdale.
Upon this same lot a school house was erected and chartered as the Cumberland school house in 1795. It did not make much progress and in 1800 another charter was obtained as the Cumberland Academy Company. A building was put up about this time. Later another charter was obtained as the Cumberland Union School Company. In 1819 another charter was obtained for a new society, the Cumberland Literary Society. This united with the other societies in maintaining a library in connection with the school. After the establishment of the public school system in 1839 and the building of district school houses the year following, the enterprise went down. The building was moved off the land and is now used as a dwelling house.
The Cumberland Hill Baptist church was formed in July, 1841. Reverend Henry G. Stewart was ordained pastor in August, 1841. The church had 30 members and the Sabbath school 70. They had a library of 225 volumes. Reverend James W. Russell accepted the pastoral charge June 2d, 1850. The succeeding pastors have been: Reverends Frederick Wiley, J. D. Donovan, J. P. Burbank, Matthew Colvin, J. G. Richardson, and C. Pray, who closed his pastorate in 1870, since which supplies have been made. The building cost about $3,000. It was chartered in October, 1844, and is located on the west side of Mendon road, opposite the Episcopal church.
The old Episcopal chapel stands opposite the Episcopal church, on the west side of the Mendon road. It is used as a reading room by the library association of that place.
St. John's Episcopal church is a little south of the village of Ash- ton. It was erected in 1868, at a cost of $6,000. It is beautifully fin- ished on the inside and will seat 300 persons. Reverend D. G. Anderson was missionary pastor at first. Reverend R. C. Booth was the first settled rector in 1869. He was followed by Reverend N. P. Balcom, and he by Reverend Robert Murray in 1874, the present rector.
St. Mary's Episcopal Mission church was opened by the bishop in
253
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
1878. It was erected the year before at a cost of $4,000 and stands on a lot given by Mrs. Fenner Brown. Mrs. William A. Weeden, her daughter, has interested herself in the erection of this building, and the success of the enterprise is due to her efforts.
Cumberland Universalist church was erected in May, 1873, at Chapel Four Corners. It is a neat wooden structure 27 by 35 feet. It was dedicated in August, 1873, and cost $2,800. The Universalist Sabbath School Society was organized in 1866 and was chartered in June, 1872. Alexander S. Arnold was the first superintendent. The building is 50 by 32 feet, with an ell 16 feet square, and cost $3,000.
The following sketch of the Valley Falls Baptist church was con- tributed by Reverend B. H. Lane, the present pastor:
Religious services were held in the village for some years before a church was formed. The Sunday school was organized in 1823, and held its sessions in an old house still standing, used then as a school house. Afterward a room was fitted up in the mill and used for some years as a place of worship. A meeting was held at the house of Benjamin B. Pierce on Monday, August 20th, 1832, to consider the propriety of forming a Baptist church in Valley Falls. Twelve men were at this meeting, among them two whose names deserve special mention for their faithful services of many years-Benjamin B. Pierce and Otis Ingraham. At this meeting it was unanimously resolved to attempt the formation of a church. Reverend Amos Lefavor, who was present, was appointed to prepare " Articles of Faith and a Cove- nant " for the adoption of the proposed church. A second meeting was held one week later, when arrangements were made for the call- ing of an ecclesiastical council to constitute the church. Eight churches were represented in the council, which met September 3d, 1832, and it was voted to organize the church. The service of recog- nition was held the same afternoon. The sermon was preached by Reverend R. E. Pattison, of Providence, and the consecrating prayer was offered by Reverend Amos Lefavor, who became the first pastor. There were 25 constituent members, 11 of them men. Of these none are now living. Seven of them remained members of the church until their death. Of these Deacon Otis Ingraham walked in fellow- ship with the church longer than any other, and died, beloved and lamented by all, in 1870. He served as deacon from the first. His associate in office was Benjamin B. Pierce, a good man and true, and their faithful service greatly aided the church in those early years. The first clerk was A. F. Wilcox, who held the office for one year, and was succeeded by Joseph L. Bennett. Reverend Amos Lefavor was the first pastor, and received a salary of $300, a respectable sum for those times.
There were no baptisms until 1834, when two women, Hannah Merry and Laura Barney, were baptized. It was while two students from Brown University were supplying the pulpit on alternate Sab-
254
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
baths, -- Haynes and D. L. Brayton, the latter still living and known as the aged and honored veteran missionary at Rangoon, Burmah. During this year 37 were added to the church and the membership more than doubled. The first man baptized was Andrew Fairman, April 20th, 1834. The first member excluded was a woman "for neglecting the church, using profane language and other improper conduct." Henry Marchant was the third clerk, and held the office for ten years. He was an earnest and faithful worker and devoted time and money for the good of the church.
Our honor roll contains the names of those whose service stretches over more than 50 years. First, Mrs. Mary Wilkinson Fessenden, who united with the church in 1834. For many years she sang in the choir, and led the service of song in the devotional meetings. This honored name-Fessenden-stands connected with more years of our history than any other, and is now represented by Mr. and Mrs. Rus- sell Fessenden. Our honored and faithful deacon, Daniel W. Jenks, comes next, and he has been an earnest worker more years than any other member. Mrs. Lucy Chase has been a member since 1837. Mrs. Sally Beal was received by baptism the same year, and has been a faithful member ever since. Miss Lucy White, better known as the wife of Deacon Jenks, was a member 53 years, till her death, May 5th, 1890. Another name belonging in this list is Lydia Maria Ingraham, the daughter of the first deacon. She was baptized in 1838, and dur- ing that year 46 united with the church. It was in this same year that Boham P. Byram, a student from Brown University, was called to the pastorate. He became acting pastor at once. The most prosper- ous and happy days of the church were during his ministry of 133 years. There were additions to the membership every year; 65 were added in 1842, 91 in 1843 and 50 in 1846.
The present house of worship was dedicated January 14th, 1840, and the next day Boham P. Byram was ordained, and set apart by the laying on of hands to the work of the Gospel ministry. In April of the same year letters of dismission were granted to 37 persons to form a Baptist church at Lonsdale. In 1841, the first systematic plan for benevolent work and aiding the various societies of the denomination was adopted. In 1844, a resolution was passed expressing the sinful- ness of American slavery, and that it was opposed to the laws of God and the principles of humanity. In 1846, a season of fasting and prayer was held, during which the brethren continued all night in prayer. The result was that many persons were touched, some even who did not attend any meeting. They could not sleep. The power of God seemed to rest upon them, and many became members of the church. The loyalty of the people at the breaking out of the civil war may be seen in the report for 1861. "Out of a population of 1,500 more than 100 men have enlisted in the army." In 1866, George W. Gile, a student of Brown University, was called to be pastor. In the
255
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
freshness and vigor of his young manhood he entered upon his work. During his pastorate the prayer meetings were well sustained and very interesting. This unusual thing is reported, " one half of the membership is constant in attendance upon the prayer and conference meetings." This year three persons were chosen deacons-Daniel W. Jenks, who still holds the office; Clark Lawton and Edmund N. Clark, both of whom honored the office until their deaths. Reverend C. W. Burnham, the tenth regular pastor, was called September, 1871. The house of worship was repaired and the debts paid.
Reverend E. S. Wheeler was the next pastor, and commenced his service October 1st, 1874. The congregation increased, and all the work moved along pleasantly. The rooms for Sunday school and social purposes were greatly improved, and many united with the church during his pastorate of four years. The next pastor was the Reverend D. C. Easton, who served the church five years. During this pastorate a debt of $1,500 was paid, and two men honored and respected by all died; Deacon E. N. Clark in November, 1880, who had served as deacon for 15 years, and Benjamin Fessenden in Jan- uary, 1881. He was a man of broad culture aud earnest piety, a gen- tleman in public and private life. Reverend B. H. Lane became pastor November 1st, 1884. The house of worship has been trans- formed and improved at an expense of more than $3,000, the roll of membership has been revised and additions been made every year. All the work of the church is moving along pleasantly. He has just entered upon his seventh year, the longest pastorate of any except one, that of the Reverend Boham P. Byrom, which was 133 years. There have been additions to the church during the 58 years of its history every year except six. The largest membership was in 1849, when 282 were reported. Five years later it had dropped to 103. The present membership is 120.
There have been ten, or possibly more, deacons during these years. The longest period of service was that of Otis Ingraham, who held the office from the first organization till his death, 37 years. Our present honored deacon, Daniel W. Jenks, comes next in length of service, having held the office faithfully for a quarter of a century.
There have been 13 clerks who have kept the records in a faithful manner. Twentythree years of the records were written by the hand of Clark Lawton, who was almost a model church clerk. The finances of the church have been wisely managed, and were never in better condition than now. Nearly 800 members have been connected with the church.
The Sunday school has had a continuous existence for 67 years, and has always been a moral power in the community. It has been under the efficient superintendency of Edmund Clark for more than 25 years, and numbers about 300 members. The history of 58 years of church life cannot be told in a brief sketch. The roll of member-
-
256
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
ship, the names of pastors and their years of service, some of these outward things can be told; but then there is another history of toils and earnest service, of deep anxieties, of prayers and tears, that can never be told. The meetings and the partings, the joys and sorrows, are known only to Him who is the great head of the church. He only knows the full and complete history of any church.
The Methodists were very early in their ministerial labors at this place. In the days of William Bishop, previously mentioned, the worshippers of this faith gathered themselves together here, but no house of worship was erected till 1828, when the present two story structure was built. It is 36 by 60 feet. The first settled pastor was Peter Sabin, in 1833. The church was chartered in 1867. The pas- tor, in 1889, Lyman G. Horton, who had acceptably filled the pulpit three years. He succeeded W. B. Heath in the pastoral work. The church is in a flourishing condition, and maintains a good Sabbath school, under the superintendence of Charles O. Flagg. The building has recently been repaired, steam heating apparatus being added, and other additions made.
The new Methodist church at Berkeley was erected in 1889. Rev- erend Charles Smith is the pastor. Eli Mills, a prominent merchant in the place, is Sabbath school superintendent.
The Presbyterian church was erected in 1886, at a cost of about $4,000. It is a neat wooden building that does credit to the place. Religious services for this particular denomination were held here at the house of Deacon William S. Broadbent occasionally, for years be- fore the erection of the house of worship. Deacon Broadbent and wife were among the prime movers in securing a religious house at Lonsdale for this people, and the erection of this neat edifice stands as a monument to their zeal and energy in the cause. Reverend Mr. Montgomery is pastor of the church.
St. Patrick's Catholic church, Valley Falls, was originally in the parish of St. Mary's, Pawtucket. The first church was built in 1860, and the building dedicated July 4th of that same year. The first resident pastor was the Reverend Richard O'Gorman. He left in 1864, and was succeeded by Daniel Mullen in August of that year. From 1868 to 1872 it was under the spiritual direction of Hugh J. O'Reilley, when the present pastor, Reverend Thomas Kane, took charge. The building was erected by Father Delaney. In 1874 the church was enlarged. In 1877 the school was opened, and in 1878 the convent was started.
The Catholic church at Ashton, under the spiritual control of the Reverend Father James A. Fitzsimons, was taken from the parish of St. Patrick in 1872. Father Fitzsimons has been the only pastor. Under his guidance a membership of 1,000 souls has been obtained. The handsome new edifice was dedicated in 1889.
A society of Sons of Temperance, No. 30, was organized in 1866,
257
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
with 30 members, Samuel O. Chace, W. P. The society meets in a fine hall erected by the Valley Falls Company.
St. Joseph's Total Abstinence Society is located at Ashton. It was organized in 1873. President, John Murray.
Sovereigns of Industry is an order of a secret nature, and has a considerable membership.
Ashton Lodge, No. 3, I. O. G. T., was instituted or chartered August 3d, 1877, with 35 charter members. The Lodge meets every Wednesday evening in the chapel at Ashton.
ยท BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
John Barnes, son of George Barnes, was born in Accrington, Lan- cashire, England, in 1844. He came to this country in 1865, and to Cumberland in 1869, and until 1874 was in the employ of the Lons- dale Company at Ashton. At that date he engaged in mercantile business, doing a large dry goods and grocery trade. He was elected justice of the peace in 1888. He is a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, F. & A. M., of Lime Rock, also a member of Foresters of Ashton. He was married in 1872 to Lydia Hirst, and has had three sons and five daughters, of whom all but one daughter are living.
William Bishop, a son of James, was born at Plymouth, England, May 9th, 1809, came to Providence in 1856, and a few months later settled in Lincoln. He was a ship builder. He married Sarah Hooper, and had three sons and five daughters. The sons are: John W., born 1847; William, born August 11th, 1850; and Nathaniel S., born November 29th, 1854. The daughters living are: Rachel, Annie, Sarah and Maria. Eliza is dead. John W. Bishop is a resident of Worcester, Mass. He is a contractor and builder, and does an exten- sive business. He built the Ann and Hope Mill for the Lonsdale Company, the largest and best building of the kind in the country. William and Nathaniel engaged in the grocery trade in 1876 at Lons- dale, which they conduct at the present date. Nathaniel married Annie Tucker of Lincoln. They have no children. William married Millie Atkins of Amherst, Mass. They have one daughter, Edith Bishop.
William H. Bolster, born in Scituate in 1847, is a son of Daniel J. and grandson of Rufus Bolster. His mother was Susan E., daughter of Captain Lyman Thayer, of Bellingham, Mass. From 1869 to 1877 Mr. Bolster was employed in stores at Blackstone and Grafton, Mass. At the latter date he came to Valley Falls and engaged in the dry goods and men's furnishing trade, and still continues in that busi- ness. He has one brother, Daniel J., a resident of Millbury, Mass., who has been connected with the Worcester Gasette for 15 years. He was married in 1882 to Esther M., daughter of Joseph F. Esten, of Southbridge, Mass. They have two sons, William A. and Herbert
17
258
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
R., and one daughter, Marion I. Mr. Bolster is a member of Black- stone River Lodge, F. & A. M.
Fenner Brown was born in Cumberland October 21st, 1791, and was descended from one of the oldest families in Rhode Island, being a son of Elijah, he a son of Stephen, he a son of Joseph, he a son of Henry, and he a son of Henry, who came from England at an early date. Fenner Brown was one of Cumberland's prominent citizens in his day. Several years of his early life were spent upon the sea, and later he engaged in farming. He was a democrat and always took an active interest in political affairs. He represented the town of Cum- berland in the general assembly for many years, and was several times elected to the town council and was president of the same. He was also justice of the peace and overseer of the poor for several years. He was married in 1817 to Sally Follett, born 1794. They had two daughters: Caroline A., born 1818, and Betsy J., born 1819. Only Caroline A. is living. She married William A. Weeden, who was born in Jamestown, R. I., in 1819, and died in 1888. Fenner Brown became a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church in 1868, and died in 1869. His wife still survives him, living with her daughter, Mrs. Weeden.
David O. Cargill, born in Cumberland April 21st, 1850, is a son of Olney, grandson of David and great-grandson of James Cargill, who owned the farm now occupied by David O. His mother's maiden name was Rhobe G. Fales. He was married in 1877 to Sarah E. Flagg. By that marriage were born one daughter, Edna M., and two sons, James E. and John Otis. Mrs. Cargill died January 25th, 1884. May 13th, 1885, Mr. Cargill was married to Effie L. Tarbox. They have two daughters: Alice L. and Rhobie L. Mr. Cargill's farming interests are extensive, in addition to which he is engaged in the grain busi- ness, having a mill at Abbott Run.
Edmund Clark, born in Salisbury, Mass., June 11th, 1843, is a son of Edmund N. and Sophronia L. Clark (her maiden name was Locke), and a grandson of Seth Clark, who was a prominent man in Essex county, Mass. Edmund Clark came to Pawtucket in 1856 and in 1858 removed to Valley Falls (Cumberland), where he has since resided. He is one of the stockholders in the Blackstone Coal Mining Com- pany, and is treasurer of the same. He was president of the town council in 1883-4. He is a member of the Baptist church and has been superintendent of the Sabbath school for 25 years. He has written several books designed for the Sabbath school and has con- tributed to various religious publications.
DAVIS COOK .- Ariel Cook, the grandfather of Davis Cook, resided in the town of Cumberland. He married Dorcas Whipple in 1772. Their son Davis Cook was born in 1788, and married to Abigail Ballou, whose birth occurred in 1786. Their children are five daughters: Almira (married Lyman Cook), Lucina, Dorcas (married Elias Ballou),
Davis Cook
259
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Abigail, and Sarah (married Isaac C. Ballou); and two sons, Cyrus (born in Cumberland 1819, unmarried) and Davis. Davis Cook set- tled in Cumberland, where he became a prosperous farmer and an influential and respected citizen. He took an active part in the affairs of the town, in which he held various offices and represented his constituents in the state legislature. He was one of the incorpor- ators of the Cumberland Bank and its president at the time of his death, which occurred on the 5th of February, 1870.
His son, Davis Cook, the subject of this biography, was born January 29th, 1826, in Cumberland, with which town he has during his whole life been identified. His education was obtained in the schools at Cumberland Hill, with an additional winter at the Smith- field Seminary at Scituate. He first engaged in work on the farm, and afterward conducted a grocery store at Cumberland Hill with success for 20 or more years. During this time his farming enter- prises were continued and still occupy his attention, though the necessary labor is performed by others. He was on the 4th of December, 1872, married to Frances, daughter of James Thompson of Cumberland. Mr. Cook is a republican in politics. He was for five years president of the town council, and has held other local offices. In 1870-1 he represented the town in the Rhode Island legislature. He was for 30 years a director and for ten years president of the Cum- berland Bank, now extinct. Mr. Cook's religious faith is that of the Universalist church, with which he worships. His services are much sought in the settlement of estates and in kindred trusts, for which his long experience, no less than his unquestioned integrity, eminently fit him.
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.