USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 52
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The lower story of this mill was occupied by Simmons L. Hale and William Havens for the manufacture of cotton threads, and afterward by Uriah Benedict and George F. Jenks for the manufacture of threads. The balance of the mill was occupied by the owners for the manufact- ure of cotton cloth. Afterward the mill estate was divided by the court-one-half to Andrew Jenks, son of George, and the other half to the representatives of David Jenks. H. N. Rogers and James Dennis bought the David Jenks part, which they afterward sold to the Stafford Manufacturing Company, and is now a part of their estate.
Privilege No. 3 was bought by the Pawtucket Thread Manufactur- ing Company, consisting of Jabal Ingraham, Bosworth Walker, William Allen, and Uriah Benedict. The present stone mill was built by them in 1825. The lower story was occupied by Fields & Jacobs for the manufacture of machinery, the two upper stories by
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Dwight Ingraham for the manufacture of cotton cloth, and the bal- ance of the mill by the company for the manufacture of threads. The estate is now owned three-fourths by the heirs of Stephen Benedict and one-fourth by the heirs of Bosworth Walker.
The north half of privilege No. 4 was bought by Stephen Benedict and Joseph Wood, on which they built a wooden mill, in 1840, for the manufacture of cotton cloth, and is now owned by the estate of Stephen Benedict.
The south half of No. 4 and the north half of No. 5 privileges were bought by Alvin Jenks and David G. Fales, on which they built a wooden mill in 1835. The lower story is of brick, 50 by 30 feet. This mill started up in 1871 with 24 broad looms and six sets of cards for the manufacture of cassimeres and doeskins, the full capacity of the mill being 14 sets.
The Stafford Manufacturing Company make white and colored soft enameled spool thread for hand and machine sewing. This company was incorporated in 1864, with a capital of $300,000. It was named in honor of the late Rufus J. Stafford, who originated the business in 1859, raised it to about one-half its present dimensions, and died in 1863. The premises occupied by this company are situated on the west side of the Blackstone river and consist of a very eligible lot of land and two mills, with the requisite buildings. Very great improvements have been made. One mill is stone, 102 by 40, three stories high, and was formerly used for the manufacture of cotton cloth, the company owning one-half. The other mill was built in 1824, of brick, and was originally about half its present size. It is now 204 by 40 feet and five stories high. The dye-house is also of brick, 30 by 60 feet; an addition to the mill has been made by the present company, of brick, 140 by 30 feet, three stories high, and one, of the same material, 70 by 36 feet, four stories high. The store-house is of stone, 60 by 30 feet, two stories in height.
This mill was erected by John Kennedy and Almy & Brown, was afterward owned by John Gardner, then by Stafford & Wood, and finally passed into the hands of the present owners. John A. Adams is president of the company.
E. L. Freeman's Printing House is not only creditable to the vil- lage, but to the state. He published the first and only newspaper pub- lished in the old town of Smithfield, and both in size and quality his paper compares favorably with older establishments. Mr. Freeman is a practical man, who has as well the interests of the community at heart as the building up of his individual fortune. Mr. Freeman has the largest establishment of the kind in the state. He has nine litho- graphic presses in operation, The firm is now E. L. Freeman & Son. They also publish the Weekly Visitor and Freemason's Repository.
Thomas D. Rice & Co. were formerly manufacturers of wooden jewelry and curtain fixtures, but latterly have enlarged their product
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to every variety of goods turned in wood. Their concern was the only one in the country where wooden jewelry was made, the work of course all being done by machinery. Five thousand sleeve buttons, and a like proportion of breast pins were then turned out daily. These were then enameled, some in gay single colors, others in varie- gated hues. Many handsome rosaries for the Catholics were also made. The company now make a variety of small turnings, thread spools being the principal product of manufacture, and employ about 40 hands. Calvin W. Rathbone, the bookkeeper, has been with this firm 18 years.
In 1830 David G. Fales and Alvin Jenks formed a copartnership for the manufacture of cotton machinery, and commenced business in this place in a hired shop. Their first piece of work was a spooler, made for a firm in Richmond, Va., for which they received $60. In 1833 they purchased the right to manufacture in Rhode Island Hub- bard's Patent Rotary Pump. The first ring spinning frames were made by this firm in 1845; the first ring twisters, being among the first of these machines built in this country, for thread, worsted and silk, were made by them, in 1846, for Benjamin Greene. Many years since, Fales, Jenks & Sons made for and sent to J. & P. Coats, the celebrated manufacturers of thread, at Paisley, Scotland, nine twisters, dressers and winders. In 1859-60 they built a furnace for castings, and in 1861 enlarged their operations very considerably. In 1862-3 they erected a brick shop, three stories high, 300 by 63, with an ell 70 by 60, which was afterward sold to the American Linen Company. In 1866 they removed their works to Pawtucket.
Weatherhead, Thompson & Co. manufacture oak tanned leather belting, and patent lace and picker leather. They commenced busi- ness in 1858, in a couple of buildings aggregating 70 by 20 feet. Their first year's sales amounted to $20,000. In 1870 they received the diploma of the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Do- mestic Industry, and their annual sales amount to $200,000. They occupy a building 110 by 40, built of wood, five stories high; one 100 by 28 feet; one of brick, 70 by 30 feet, two stories in height, and em- ploy 35 hands. They also manufacture all kinds of spools for silk and cotton thread, employing in this department 15 hands. In 1870 Ed- win Evans was admitted to the firm. In 1875 he died, and his son, William G. Evans, succeeded and remained till October, 1885. The firm now consists of George Weatherhead and John E. Thompson. L. W. Brinton, the bookkeeper, has been with this company since 1873. In 1880 an addition was built to the main building, 40 by 80 feet, and in 1887 a building, 30 by 125 feet.
After the reaction from the prostration of business in 1829, a new enterprise was started here by Mr. Freeman Baxter, who thought he could weave hair seating, and David Ryder and James M. Ryder united with him to furnish the needed capital. The business associ-
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ates of David Ryder were George L. and Alfred H. Littlefield, manu- facturers of cotton thread. The business was started in 1856 in the Old Slater Mill. In 1858 General Olney Arnold bought Mr. Baxter's interest, and the latter withdrew. In the same year Mr. Richard Ryder purchased an interest. Owing to the novelty of the undertak- ing, and the inexperienced men in charge of the business, nothing was successfully accomplished until in May, 1861, when the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $100,- 000, and the patent of Isaac C. Lindsey purchased, and afterward the competing patent of Rufus J. Stafford. Then the business became more prosperous. In January, 1863, the capital stock was increased to $500,000, and in this same year Mr. Ryder retired from the man- agement, and Daniel G. Littlefield became agent. The officers of the company now are: President, Daniel G. Littlefield; treasurer, Olney Arnold; agent, Daniel G. Littlefield. The company employ 125 hands.
Robert Plews & Co. are manufacturers of patent tin cylinders for mules, spoolers, twisters and spinning frames, and other mill supplies. The business was established by Robert Plews in 1858. The building now in use was erected in 1861 on Central street, opposite the railroad station. About 1872 the business was sold to John and George Gos- ling. The former sold his interest in 1874 to E. Eastwood, who, with George Gosling, constitute the present firm of Robert Plews & Co. From 20 to 30 hands are employed.
The carriage repository now owned by Henry M. Brown was' started by J. H. Fairbanks in 1871. Mr. Brown took possession of the business and estate in 1879 and carries a full line of vehicles and sup- plies of all kinds.
The Central Falls Woolen Mill Company was incorporated January, 1870. Phetteplace & Seagrave, of Providence, and James L. Pierce are the owners. The building is of brick, very substantially built, 150 by 50 feet, four stories high, with an ell, constructed of wood, 81 by 88 feet, with basement 88 by 38 feet. They manufacture fancy cassi- meres and doeskins and employ 180 hands. The present officers are: James L. Phetteplace, president; Frank E. Seagrave, treasurer; George Mabbett, agent and superintendent.
The blacksmith shop and carriage making business now owned and operated by John W. Perry was established by his father, Stephen Perry, as early as 1833. The present owner has been there since 1856. Mr. Perry employs four wood workers and runs four fires.
R. A. Butler manufactures lace and picker leather, worsted apron leather, also the Dongola goat and kid skins for ladies' shoes, he being the only person in the state engaged in that latter business. Mr. Butler employs 40 hands. He occupies the building occupied by Fairbrother & Wood in 1872. In 1876 Mr. Butler bought the prop- erty, and has recently made large additions to the building.
Thompson & Clarke are manufacturers of steam boilers in the old
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Blackstone iron foundry. This building was erected about 1873. The present firm do all kinds of repairing, and in busy times employ 30 to 40 hands.
The American Curled. Hair Company was organized in August, 1872. The Lewisohn Brothers, of 25 Park place, New York, are pro- prietors. H. B. Metcalf and D. G. Littlefield are agents and J. C. McCartney, superintendent. The building, ground, sheds, etc., occupy about an acre of ground.
The United States Cotton Company's Mill, corner of Foundry and Railroad streets, was erected by Messrs. Fales, Jenks & Sons in 1863. It was first used by them as a machine shop. Subsequently the A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Company purchased it and used it as a flax factory. In 1869 it was used for print cloth works, the cloth being sent to the Cranston Works for printing. In 1885 the United States Cotton Company was incorporated. The officers in the year 1890 were: Alvin F. Jenks, president; Stephen A. Jenks, treasurer; John R. Fales, secretary. This is a large concern, employing over 600 hands in the manufacture of print cloths.
The paper box manufactory near Central Falls is occupied by Albert Frost, who began business on the opposite side of the street in 1868, and at the present location in 1870. He makes a specialty of jewelry and thread boxes.
M. F. Marchant, contractor and builder, does an extensive business in Central Falls and surrounding places. He employs 20 hands or more constantly in his shops and outside. This business was estab- lished by Marchant & Southwick.
The Hathaway Building is on the corner of Clay and Mill streets and has a number of industries carried on in it. On the first floor O. H. Hathaway manufactures hosiery and top roll covers, employing 17 hands. The business was established in Central Falls in 1876 and moved here in 1887. On the second floor is a machine shop con- trolled by E. H. Hathaway for the manufacture of jack screws and all kinds of special machinery. The business was established in 1881 and moved here in 1887. A. G. Hazard is a manufacturer of braided fish lines on the third floor. He started this industry in the LeFavour Mill in 1883. Oscar A. Newell was a member of the firm till 1885, since which time Mr. Hazard has operated the works alone. He em- ploys nine hands.
H. D. Spencer came to the village in 1849. At that time there were but few housesin Central Falls. Since then improvements have stead- ily gone forward, necessitating the handling of immense quantities of lumber annually. H. B. Wood & Co. were the first to open a lumber yard. They began in 1844. The firm originally consisted of H. B. Wood and Gideon Smith. A. P. Wood, the successor and the present owner is at 216 Broad street and makes northern lumber a specialty. Alfred Spencer followed the coal and wood business a short time only,
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when H. D. Spencer established his place of business in 1864, at 21 Railroad street. The firm is now H. D. Spencer & Co. Benjamin & Chatel, contractors and builders, and wholesale lumber dealers, also do business in the place.
Henry Gooding came to Central Falls in 1828 and began working in the mills. At that time Zabin Allen and Samuel Hawes were oper- ating a mill on Mill street, where Mr. Gooding first began work .. Jerry Jenks, David and Alvin Jenks and David Fales were among the principal business men of the place. Moses Moss began the grocery business in 1837 and for five or six years did all the trading in the place. Richard Smith kept a small store on Mill street, and very soon George Jenks and Charles Moss built a small store back of the mill .. Mr. Moss was a son-in-law of George Jenks. In 1842 Henry Gooding went into a store and carried on business till 1857, and both before and after Mr. Gooding began business Horace Strobridge traded in groceries. He was on the corner of Broad and Central streets. The building was moved from that site in 1869 to make room for the pres- ent structure. In 1869 William H. Gooding, the well known town clerk of Lincoln, and Nehemiah Harding succeeded Mr. Henry Good- ing in the grocery business and traded there till 1866.
The building recently occupied by the Pawtucket Hosiery Com- pany, also by the Valley Falls Company for a store, was built by A. & W. Sprague in their palmy days of prosperity. Nehemiah Harding has been trading in the place since 1842. He was with Mr. Gooding till 1854, then established his large dry goods establishment, the most extensive one now in the place. Before Mr. Harding started up the trade in dry goods went mostly to Providence and Pawtucket. James S. Fales and his sons, Joseph and Henry, the present owners, have also been prominent as merchants in Central Falls.
A meeting was held in the Central Falls school house October 12th, 1844, to take into consideration the subject of organizing a Baptist church in that village. The following resolutions were pre- sented and adopted:
" Resolved, That in view of the present and constantly increasing population of the village, and in the fact that there are about 160 Bap- tists, church members, residing in the place, it is the opinion of this meeting that the organization of a Baptist church in this village would promote the glory of God, the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom and the salvation of souls.
" Resolved, That under a consciousness of our obligations to Christ and His cause, we consider it as our duty to proceed without further delay to form ourselves with others who may unite with us in this enterprise into a church."
A committee was then appointed, and at a subsequent meeting they reported that 29 persons had been found willing to join the church, and measures were taken to organize a society. October 31st
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the articles of faith and covenant which had been prepared were properly considered and the new organization was admitted into fellowship as a gospel church. Services were continued at the school house for some time. February 22d, 1845, Reverend S. O. Lovell, of Troy, N. Y., accepted the pastoral charge of the church at a salary of $500 per annum. The church edifice was dedicated August 6th, 1845.
From this time forward the church continued to grow and prosper. At length the subject of a new edifice began to be agitated, the needs of the society having outgrown the old one. Messrs. Greene & Daniels donated to the society a lot on the northeast corner of Central, and Broad streets, and in 1875 work was commenced on the new edifice. It is an elegant structure, complete in all its appointments, and with the grounds, etc., cost $25,000. Reverend George Perry is pastor; George P. Grant, church treasurer: George C. Stillman, church clerk; William O. Brown, Sabbath school superintendent. The deacons are G. P. Thurber, W. B. Carr, John E. Lent and Samuel Arnold.
The Central Falls Congregational church was organized by a coun- cil convened for that purpose June 18th, 1845, with 46 members. On that day the house of worship was dedicated. Since then many mem- bers have been added. The Sabbath school was organized on Sunday, June 22d, 1845. Joseph Wood was its first superintendent and R. B. Gage librarian and treasurer. During Mr. Wood's superintendency there were frequent additions to the church from the Sabbath school. He resigned in December, 1862, after a service of 173 years, there be- ing at that time a membership of 228 pupils. The membership since then at times has exceeded that number. The services of Deacon Cushman extended over a period of ten years. James H. Olney was chosen superintendent the first Sabbath in January, 1873.
The Rhode Island Conference of Congregational churches met with this church June 14th and 15th, 1870, and assisted in the celebra- tion of its 25th anniversary, Wednesday afternoon, June 15th. In 1868 the church edifice was enlarged at an expense of $5,000. Rev- erend James H. Lyon is pastor of the church at the present time, and E. L. Freeman is the efficient superintendent of a very prosperous Sabbath school.
Embury Methodist Episcopal church, on Cross street, Central Falls, was named in honor of Philip Embury, the Methodist local preacher pioneer. In the early part of 1868 some Methodists belonging to the First Methodist Episcopal church of Pawtucket held religious services and Sabbath school meetings in what was then called "The Old En- gine House," on Broad street. On Friday, April 10th, 1868, Reverend M. J. Talbot, pastor of the First church, presided over a meeting in the house of Miss Mary C. Bragg, when the new society was formed, 21 full members and two probationers being set off from the First church, most of whom are still living, some in other states, others re- turned to the First church, and a few, such as George H. Dalton and
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wife, Henry C. Perry, and Rowland Fry, still remain with the Embury church. Some have died. On Monday, July 13th, the action of the above-named meeting received the sanction of the Quarterly Confer- ence, Reverend S. C. Brown, D. D., presiding elder.
During the summer of 1868 a lot was purchased on Cross street and a chapel, 24 by 60 feet, erected thereon, the cost being $2,500. The building was dedicated December 2d, Doctor S. C. Brown, P. E., preach- ing the dedicatory sermon. The first pastor was Reverend Carlos Banning, who served from March, 1869, to March, 1870; upon leaving he reported to Conference 49 full members and eight probationers; he also records that his salary was promptly paid. This has always been true of the society, and for many years they have paid their pastors weekly. In March, 1871, Reverend E. D. Hall became pastor; he served two years, and reported 72 members in full and " several pro- bationers." In March, 1873, Reverend W. H. Starr was appointed, who reported two prosperous years, leaving, full members, 79, proba- tioners, nine, and a Sabbath school with 214 members. In April, 1875, came Reverend S. T. Patterson. During his pastorate the present audience room was built, the chapel being joined to it at the rear. The new building was dedicated January 9th, 1876, the whole expense being covered by promises on paper, quite a number of which were never re- deemed; so for several years the society struggled with embarrassing debt. Mr. Patterson served the society three years, and reported at the close of his term 122 full members and 20 probationers. In April, 1878, Reverend G. W. Ballou became pastor, and stayed two years. During his pastorate quite a number joined the church on probation. The present parsonage was also built, at a cost of $1,746.07. Upon leav- ing he reported 166 full members and 20 probationers.
In April, 1880, came Reverend A. W. Seavy, who served two years, and reported 155 full members and five probationers. In April, 1882, Reverend C.S. Nutter became pastor, and served one year; upon leaving he reported full members 146, probationers four. In April, 1883, Rever- end George M. Hamlen was appointed, and served three years. During his third year he wiped out the debt upon the church building, and reported at its close, full members, 172; probationers, 24. In April, 1886, Reverend Richard Povey, the present pastor, was appointed; he is now in the fourth year of his pastorate. The society has been weakened much by removals to other parts and by deaths. Its condi- tion as reported at last annual conference was, full members, 144; probationer, one, and a Sabbath school of 31 officers and teachers and 353 scholars.
St. George's (Protestant Episcopal) Society, under the direction of James M. Davis and a few others, was organized soon after the late war. In 1871 they secured the services of Reverend E. M. Porter, rec- tor of St. Paul's, who held meetings regularly in the village. He was succeeded by Reverend George A. Coggswell, who after laboring some
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
four years for this society, turned Roman Catholic. The Episcopal society itself changed from high to low forms or modes of worship. Mr. Coggswell's successors were as follows: Reverends Charles M. Pyne, -- Parsons, James Bayard and Winslow W. Sever, the present rector. The church building was erected during Mr. Coggswell's minis- try. The corner stone was laid October 23d, 1874. The rectory was built in 1875. Mr. James M. Davis has been superintendent of the Sunday school since its inception. He was senior warden also for over ten years.
The Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart was built by Father Charles Dauray, now of Woonsocket, about the year 1873. He was here two years, and was succeeded by Father Gouland, who remained five years, and was followed by the present pastor, George T. Ma- honey, in 1880. The Woodlawn chapel was built in 1886. Father Mahoney is assisted in his work of ministering to the souls of his church, numbering nearly 6,000, by Fathers Napoleon Leclerc and Joseph Bourgeois.
Saylesville has one church, one store, a post office, a free library and a public hall. T. L. & J. H. Jollie have carried on a general mer- chandise business for years, and have a well established trade. Mr. Samuel Fessenden is postmaster. The post office was established in 1881, at the time the Lorraine Woolen Mill was erected. Mr. Fessen- den has been the only postmaster in the place. He came to Sayles- ville 20 years ago, and is one of the principal men in the church.
At Saylesville is the Moshassuck Bleachery, established in 1848, and now owned by W. F. & F. C. Sayles, who are also proprietors of the Lorraine Manufacturing Company, 257 Mineral Springs avenue. This bleachery has increased in extent and facilities without interrup- tion, and is without doubt the most extensive and completely equip- ped bleachery in the country. The buildings requisite for the busi- ness are of a substantial character, and the dwellings erected for the operatives are neat and commodious, not a few of the employees own- ing their own residences and lands for the opportunity of the display of agricultural taste. The proprietors of the bleachery not only en- courage but pecuniarily aid every effort in behalf of temperance, edu- cation and religious welfare; and the thrifty little village has been built up where a century ago there was nothing but a wilderness and a sandy waste.
The Memorial Congregational church of Saylesville is the out- growth of a Sunday school, organized on the first Sabbath in June, 1860, under the direction of William F. Sayles. Mr. Lysander Flagg was the first superintendent. He served one year, and was then suc- ceeded by the present superintendent, Mr. W. F. Sayles. In 1873 the memorial chapel was erected at the expense of W. F. & F. C. Sayles. In 1877 Reverend'E. S. Wheeler, of the Baptist church, Valley Falls, was engaged to preach for one year. June 20th, 1878, a meeting was
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held to organize a church, which was consummated May 12th, 1880. Reverend J. H. Lyon succeeded Mr. Wheeler in April, 1879, and he was followed by Reverend J. J. Wooley, of Pawtucket. Reverend H. W. Wetjen, of Providence, is the present supply.
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