USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 56
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EDWARD MANTON lived and died in the town of Johnston, R. I. He was married to Catharine Alverson and had a family of six chil- dren: William, Edward, Henry, Lydia, married Doctor Moses Mowry of Johnston; Abbie, died single, and Eliza, married Doctor Stephen Harris of Coventry, R. I. William, son of Edward, also resided in Johnston, where he died, leaving a widow Freelove, daugh- ter of John Jenckes of Smithfield; also a son, Crawford Jenckes, born in Johnston, March 19th, 1824. On the death of her husband the widow returned to her father's homestead in what is now Lincoln. Crawford J. married Esther B. Wilbur and has a family of seven chil- dren: Freelove, wife of Frank Draper of Lincoln; William James, lives in Clay county, Texas; Daniel Jenckes, married Patience Weekes and has two children, Harry and Daniel Jenckes, Jr .; Lydia, wife of Luther T. Angell, of East Providence: Crawford, married Emma, daughter of A. A. Draper of Lincoln and has one child, Alpha; Anna Evelyn and Thomas H.
DANIEL MEADER was born in Sandwich, N. H., March 2d, 1826, and was the eldest son of Ephraim and Hannah (Cooke) Meader. He was
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brought up on a farm and came to Smithfield, now Lincoln, in 1847. His wife was Louisa Neal, of North Berwick, Me. His family consists of two sons, both residents of Lincoln. Walter Dennis was born December 27th, 1858, married Sophia Parmenter, and has two children, Abby Louisa and Daniel Ernest. Frank Herbert was born May 23d, 1862, married Josephine Elliott and has one child, Herbert Freemont.
SAMUEL MERRY married Abbie Wheaton and had the following children: John; Samuel, who left no issue and was lost at sea; Abby, married Otis Rhodes, who located at Homer, N. Y .; Barney; Freelove, married a Millard; Joseph; Stewart, died young; Polly, died young; Hannah, died aged 16 years, and Benjamin, has no descendants living. Barney, son of Samuel, was born in 1783 and died in 1847. He mar- ried Phila Benson Tyler. In his early life he went to sea and at the age of 15 was mate of a vessel. He crossed the ocean five times. At the age of 21 he came to Pawtucket, where his brother Benjamin had already started in the bleaching and dyeing business. He became a partner and followed that business until his death. He was promi- nent in town affairs and was much interested in the Masonic order, a Lodge in Pawtucket being named in his honor. Mr. Merry had a family of eleven children, four of whom died in infancy. Of the others Mrs. Willard is the only survivor. The names of the children were: Almira Wheaton, married Simmons Hale of Pawtucket; Mehit- able T., married first Robert D. Mason, second John H. Willard (she is a widow and resides in Pawtucket); Samuel; Elizabeth, married Jesse Thornton; Benjamin, died in the West; George Augustus, died aged 19 years; and Joseph, did aged 26 years. Samuel, son of Barney, married Maria, daughter of John Dexter. He succeeded his father in the business, which he followed till 1870. His children by his first wife were: Barney, who died young; Samuel Eugene, who left one son, Henry B., a resident of New York city; Frank, George G. and Walter. Samuel married for his second wife Keziah D. Carpenter, by whom he had one child, Adelia G., who is married and resides in New York city. He died February 11th, 1875. Walter, son of Samuel, was born in Pawtucket December 20th, 1844, married Ida E. Bryant and has no children. He is in the employ of the Blodgett & Orswell Company of Pawtucket. Joseph, son of Samuel, married Amey Spaulding and had four children: Hannah, died single; Stewart; Lydia, married Samuel Mowry, and Joseph Harris. Stewart, son of Joseph, was born in Smithfield in 1809, and married for his first wife Abby Aldrich, by whom he had one child, Crawford, who died aged eight years. His second wife was Elsie Ann, daughter of Sterry Jenckes, and their children were: Estelle, died in infancy; George S. and Elsie Adelaide, single, lives in Pawtucket. Stewart died Decem- ber 6th, 1875. George Stewart, son of Stewart, was born June 10th, 1847, married Susan Adelaide Blake and has four children: Cora, Ethel, Lolita and Elsie. He is a carpenter by trade and resides in
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Pawtucket. Joseph Harris, son of Joseph, was born April 7th, 1817, married Mary Smith and had two children: Amy, died aged 24 years, married to George L. Congdon, and Miles Greenwood. Joseph Harris died May 13th, 1863. Miles Greenwood, son of Joseph Harris, was born May 19th, 1841, married Maria Phillips, has one child, Mary G. He is a farmer and resides in Lincoln. The bleaching and dyeing business established by Benjamin Merry in 1805, in Pawtucket, is located on the same premises. In 1866 Robert D. Mason, a grandson of Barney Merry, became a partner under the style of Samuel Merry & Co. This firm continued till March 19th, 1870. A kier exploded in the works causing a damage to the property from $20,000 to $25,000. The firm was then dissolved and the property was leased by Robert D. Mason in connection with Simon W. and Daniel W. Dexter, and the firm of R. D. Mason & Co. was formed. Owing to the failure of Dexter Brothers in 1876, Mr. Mason assumed the entire liabilities of R. D. Mason & Co., which he liquidated in full and became sole propri- etor. They employ about 55 hands. They suffered a loss of $5,000 by an explosion in 1884. Frederic D. Mason, a son of Robert D., is at present a member of the firm.
LUCIUS MINER was born in West Burke, Vt., February 24th, 1820, and was the eldest son of Simeon and Mary (Orcutt) Miner. He was brought up on a farm and came to Lincoln in 1841. He married Julia A. Randall, and had five children: Annie W., single; Mary R., died aged 22 years; Lewis A., Amy E., single, and Ida, wife of Oliver H. J. Perry, Jr., of Lincoln. Mr. Miner died May 11th, 1877. Lewis A., son of Lucius, was born in North Providence September 18th. 1852, and married Emma D. Smith. Their children are: Mary Alice, Amy Edna, Julia Lovinia, and Lewis Smith. He is a farmer and resides in Lincoln.
JOHN MITCHELL was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1827, and in 1839 came to America, locating in Providence, where he remained till 1857, when he commenced farming in what is now Lincoln. He mar- ried Jane Mitchell and has five children: William J., Robert H., Belle, wife of Benjamin Hawkins, of Lincoln; George, and Charles.
WILLIAM MOFFETT came from Killingly, Conn., to Smithfield, R. I., married Elsie, daughter of Job Mowry, and had the following chil- dren: George, who died in the South; Arnold; Thomas, died in Provi- dence; Augustus, died in Johnston; William, who was a soldier in the Mexican war and of whom nothing was ever heard; Amanda (de- ceased), married James Randall, of Johnston; Waite (deceased), mar- ried Michael Cowan, of Woonsocket; Ann (deceased), married Benja- min Atwood, of Johnston, and Lydia (deceased), married a Howell. Arnold, son of William, was born in Smithfield in 1799 and died in 1875. He married Sarah Borden and had one child, Arnold, born in Smithfield May 14th, 1822. married Eunice Walker, and has three children: Edmund, who married Ella Manchester and has two children,
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Chester and Everett; George, resides in Uxbridge, Mass., and Sarah, wife of Seba Perrin, of Pawtucket.
CHARLES PARMENTER MOIES, son of Thomas and Susan W. (Sey- mour) Moies, was born in Pawtucket, March 24th, 1845. His father was well known and prominently connected with the best interests of that town. Mr. Moies received his education in the public schools of Central Falls. When 17 years of age he enlisted in Company B, 11th Rhode Island Infantry, his father being first lieutenant of the com- pany. After serving nine months he attended a business college, then obtained a position with Browne, Sharpe & Co., Providence, re- maining with them six months. In March, 1865, he went to Chicago- and was employed by the C., B. & Q. R. R., until September, 1866. He then returned home, obtaining a situation as clerk in the Pawtucket Institution for Savings, of which his father was president. November 3d, 1886, he was elected treasurer, and has since held that office, with many others, viz .: treasurer of the Pawtucket Mutual Fire Insurance Company, treasurer of the town of Lincoln, treasurer of the Central Falls Fire District, treasurer of Union School Districts 1 and 2, and in 1885-6 he represented the town of Lincoln in the general assembly. He is a member of G. A. R. Post, No. 3, of Central Falls, having been its commander two years and is much interested in Masonic affairs, a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, and others. He married, December, 1876, Florence D. Weth- erell, daughter of Zelotes Wetherell. They have had one child, Charles P., Jr.
THE MOWRY FAMILY .- Nathaniel Mowry, the progenitor of the families by that name in the towns of Smithfield and Lincoln, was among the early settlers of northern Rhode Island, and is supposed to have been born in 1644. The earliest document in which his name appears is an agreement signed by him in 1668. He died March 24th, 1717-18. He married Joanna, daughter of Edward Inman, and had a large family of children, viz .: Nathaniel, who died single; John, Henry, Joseph, Martha, Sarah, married a Phillips; Mary, married John Ar- nold; Joanna, married Walter Phetteplace; Patience, married Joseph Smith; Mercy, married Edward Smith, and Experience, married John Malavery. Henry, son of Nathaniel, married, November 27th, 1701, Mary, daughter of Isaac and Mary Bull, of Providence. His children were: Mary, married Jonathan Sprague; Uriah, Jonathan, Jeremiah, Sarah, married John Wilkinson; Elisha, and Phebe, married Elisha Arnold. Henry married for his second wife Hannah, widow of John Mowry. He died September 23d, 1759. Uriah, son of Henry, was born August 15th, 1705; married Urania Paine. Their children were: Martha, married Preserved Harris; Nathan, Stephen, Philip, Gideon, Wanton, Jonathan, Mary, Elizabeth, and perhaps oth- ers. Uriah's second wife was Hannah, widow of William Arnold and daughter of Job Whipple. Stephen, son of Uriah, was born December
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13th, 1731, and married Amy Cook. Their children were: Huldah, married Dutee Smith; Charlotte, married Charles Sayles; Aaron, Wanton, Mary, married Simon Thornton; Urania, married Samuel Smith; Benedict, Amasa, Stephen, and Charles. Benedict, son of Stephen, was born September 23d, 1777, and died August 2d, 1855. He married Phebe, daughter of David Mowry. Their children were: Si- mon, died aged 22 years, single; Fenner, and Phebe Amy, married Albert Cook. Fenner, son of Benedict, was born in August, 1797, and married Fidelia, daughter of Lindon Smith, of Glocester, R. I. Their children were: Phebe S., died aged 18 years; Simon B., resides in Michigan; Rensselaer L., and Orville, died aged three years. Fenner died July 27th, 1865. Rensselaer L., son of Fenner, was born June 13th, 1833, and married Laura A., daughter of Albert Vose. Their children were: Orville Mann (born March 13th, 1858, married Augusta, daughter of Orin Sayles, and has two children, Maria and Alice), Ed- gar A. (born October 3d, 1862, married Lottie Paton), Albert Fenner (born September 17th, 1866), Minnie Arabella, George Waldo (died in infancy), and Laura Fidelia. Mr. Mowry is a farmer and resides at Manville. He was a member of the assembly in 1877, '78, '87, and '88.
Joseph Mowry, son of Nathaniel, was called " captain," and was born about 1675. He married, June 3d, 1695, Alice Whipple, by whom he had the following children: Daniel, Joseph, Oliver, Alice, and Waite, married Israel Arnold. Daniel, son of Joseph, was born September 6th, 1697, and was also called " captain." He married Mary Steere, and died May 27th, 1787. His children were: Joseph, Thomas, Dan- iel, Elisha, Mary, and Alice. Elisha, son of Daniel, was born March 28th, 1735, and married Phebe Gulley. Their children were: William, Marcy, married John Randall; Ahab, Sylvester, Phebe, died single; Jesse, Nathaniel, Martha, married General Charles Jencks; Mary, died single, and Alice, married Baulston Brayton. Elisha was called " colonel," and died June 28th, 1792. Jesse, son of Colonel Elisha, was born January 5th, 1773, and married Susanna Easterbrooks. He died September 6th, 1844, and had the following family: James M., died single: Abby Ann, died aged 22 years; Lyman J., died single; Leon- ard S., single, lives in Lincoln; Otis T., died single; Mary Jane, widow of Palmer Valiet, resides in Burrillville, R. I., and Elisha J., born Oc- tober 15th, 1838, married Clara Arnold, and has two children, Lydia Arnold and Susan Ethel, and lives at Lime Rock, Lincoln, R. I.
THE NEWMAN FAMILY was first settled in that part of Smithfield that is now Lincoln about 1755 by Thomas Newman. He married Sarah Paine, and had a family of three sons, viz .: Nathaniel, who re- moved to Coventry, R. I., and his descendants emigrated to Ohio; Jeremiah, died single, and William, born in 1777, married Mary Bal- lou, and also had a family of three sons, viz .: Lyman. who died single; Benjamin Ballou, and William, died single. The first William died May 31st, 1828. Benjamin Ballou, son of William, was born October
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12th, 1811, married Harriet Sayles, and has one child, Benjamin Bal- lou, Jr. He resides on the farm settled by his grandfather.
BENJAMIN F. NEWTON was born in Providence March 19th, 1821, and died at Pawtucket April 20th, 1886. He married Sarah M. New- ton, and they had seven children: Sabra A., died young; Sabra A., married William Mason, and resides at Attleboro, Mass .: Sarah Amanda, married Edwin A. Brown, and they reside on the old home- stead in Lincoln; Benjamin Franklin, died young; Lafayette D., lives at North Providence; Frank A., resides in Pawtucket, and Emma, died young. Mr. Newton was a blacksmith, and was in business in Providence, but came to Lincoln in 1854.
THE OLNEY FAMILY .- The English ancestor of this family was Thomas Olney, born in St. Albans, Hertford county, England, in 1600. He left his native country April 2d, 1635, was a shoemaker by trade, and came first to Salem, Mass., afterward in about 1637 or 1638 to Providence, and was one of the twelve who had land deeded to them by Roger Williams. He married Mary Small, and died in 1682. His children were: Thomas, Epenetus, Nedabiah, died young; Mary, mar- ried John Whipple; Lydia, married Joseph Williams; Stephen and John, both died unmarried. Thomas, son of Thomas, was born in 1632, and died in 1722. He married Elizabeth Marsh, and their chil- dren were: Thomas, William, Anne, married John Waterman; Eliza- beth and Phebe, both died single. Thomas, son of Thomas, was born in May, 1661, and died March 1st, 1718. His wife was Lydia Barnes; and of their family of eight children, Obadiah was born February 14th, 1710. His son, Elisha, who married a Whipple, had eight chil- dren, among whom was one Obadiah, who had six children, as fol- lows: Joseph, Daniel, who died single; Mary, died single; Lydia, wife of William G. R. Mowry, of Providence, and two who died in infancy. Joseph, son of Obadiah, was born August 8th, 1814, and married Mary A. Bailey. Their children were: Clara, wife of A. E. Holbrook, Jr., of Providence; Helen G., died in infancy; Anna (deceased), married Uriah H. Holbrook; George B., Charles P., and Joseph, died July 1st, 1887. He was many years engaged in farming, but for the last 18 years of his life was in the coal business in Providence. George B., son of Joseph, was born March 20th, 1854, married Ella Maria Payne, and has two children: Florence P. and Joseph. He is the senior member of the firm of Olney & Payne Brothers.
OLIVER HAZARD JACKSON PERRY was born in South Kingstown, April 24th, 1828, and was the third son and fourth child in a family of eight children of Robert and Mary (Davis) Perry. In his boyhood he worked in the cotton mills, but afterward learned the trade of carpen- ter. Arriving at manhood he came to Providence, and had charge of Rice & Dawley's carpenter shop in that city. In 1852 he removed to Central Falls and carried on the carpenter business for a few years, when he opened a daily market in that village, which business he car-
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
ried on successfully till 1875, when he purchased the farm on which he now resides. He married Emeline E. Thurber, and has had three children: Theodore, died aged three years; Clara E., wife of E. F. Bowen, of Providence, and Oliver Hazard Jackson, Jr., who married Ida Miner, and has one child, Harold Thurber.
THE RANDALL FAMILY .- The progenitor of this family was Joseph Randall, who came from Brest, France. He was a caulker by trade, and settled in Providence. He married Amy Eustace, and their chil- dren were: Amy, Joseph, Henry and Peter. He died March 30th, 1760. Peter, son of Joseph, was born June 12th, 1723. He was a res- ident of North Providence, also of Johnston. He married Freelove, daughter of Captain Stephen Dexter, for his first wife. The children of this marriage were: Joseph, Freelove, Amy, Waite, William, John and Stephen. His second wife was Anna Collins, and the children of this marriage were: Hezekiah, Nancy, Daniel, Mary and Susan. Peter died March 9th, 1808. Joseph, son of Peter, was born October 30th, 1747, and died March 5th, 1840. He lived in North Providence, and married Anna, daughter of John Comstock. He was a member of the Society of Friends. His children were: Elihu, Job, Peter, Freelove, Sarah and Shadrach. Shadrach, son of Joseph, was born May 9th, 1787, and died June 8th, 1860. He was a farmer, and married Mercy, a daughter of Deacon James Olney. Their children were: Sabra J., died young; Shadrach, Anna, Mercy, Elizabeth, Patience, Mary and Almon. Shadrach, son of Shadrach, was born March 4th, 1816, and died in 1870 in Lincoln. He married Martha A. Smith, and their children were: William, died young; Emma F., wife of J. Thomas Peckham, of Providence; Charles F. and Harriet A., widow of Andrew Smart. Charles F., son of Shadrach, was born April 14th, 1848, mar- ried Maria Louisa Greene, and has one child, Charles Arnold. He is a farmer and lives in Lincoln.
PELEG B. SHERMAN came to Valley Falls, R. I., in 1832 and re- moved to Lonsdale in 1837. At the latter place he engaged in the grocery business, and at his death the business was conducted by his sons, Peleg and Hazard. The store was located in Lonsdale where Calef & Co., of Providence, now carry on business, and the property continued to be owned by the Sherman family till 1887. Peleg B. was the son of Hazard and Ruth Sherman and was born in Exeter, R. I., October 11th, 1798. He married Alcy Dawley and had a family of 14 children: Harriet, wife of Peleg B. Sanford of Provi- dence; Mary (deceased), married Nelson Burlingame; Hazard, died in Lincoln; Susan, single, lives in Lonsdale; Peleg, single, lives in Lons- dale; Martha and Ruth, twins, the former is single and resides in Lonsdale, the latter is dead and was the wife of William Esten; George, Robert, died single; Alfred, Alcy, single, resides in Lonsdale; Sarah, Hannah, and Emily, all died young. Peleg B. died February 9th, 1848. George, son of Peleg B., was born in Cranston, R. I., February
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6th, 1829. He married Laura A. Eaton and has two children: George Albert, a resident of Lincoln, and Laura Evelyn, wife of Alfred Ald- rich of Lonsdale. Mr. Sherman had charge of the Lonsdale post office from 1841 to 1887, excepting from 1850 to. 1852. During this time he held the position of postmaster for 18 years. Alfred, son of Peleg B., was born in Valley Falls, R. I., July 15th, 1832. He married Hannah T. Clarke and had two children: Alfred Everett, and Samuel, died young. Alfred died March 15th, 1888.
THE SPAULDING FAMILY was first settled in Providence county by Joseph Spaulding, who came to what is now Lincoln about 1750. He married Mehitable Allen and had the following family: Mary, who married Captain John Earle of Providence; Sarah, who married Jason Newell of Cumberland; Chloe, married Gideon Sprague; Aba- liah, who returned to Conn .; and Nathaniel, born July 15th, 1751. Nathaniel married for his first wife Lydia Harris and of their children but one lived togrow up, viz., Amy who married Joseph Merry of Lin- coln. His second wife was Thankful Whipple and they had eight children: Lydia, died single; Mary, married Martin Arnold; Nathaniel, Thankful, married Nicholas Tuell; Hannah, William, Sarah, married Jeremiah Olney; John, married Sarah Vose and left one child, Mary, wife of Albert Smith of Providence. These children are all dead ex- cepting Hannah, who is single and resides on the original homestead settled by her grandfather. Nathaniel died June 8th, 1838. Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel, born March 8th, 1803, married Sarah Mason of Paw- tucket. They had one child, Sarah Helen. Nathaniel died March 31st, 1889. William, son of Nathaniel, born May 1st, 1810, married Miranda, daughter of Joshua Arnold. He died February 2d, 1852. Their family are: Charles F., Joseph E., George H., John A., Joshua E. and William W.
ORIN SMITH was born in Smithfield, November 8th, 1822, and is the son of Jesse and Laura (Wilbur) Smith. He married Sally H. Wil- liams and has five children: Henry A., Amanda A., wife of William J. Kent of New Bedford, Mass .; Alice, wife of Daniel Willmarth of Paw- tucket; Amsden H. and Orin.
RUFUS JUDSON STAFFORD, manufacturer, son of Stukeley and De- zoy Stafford, was born in Uxbridge, Mass., December 6th, 1818. When a child his father died, and upon himself devolved the necessity of making his way through life and of securing his own education. His beginnings seem to have been fraught with hardships, yet he suc- ceeded. He became an apprentice in a cotton factory, and here his natural talents, his habits of industry and faithfulness procured him advancement. After completing the work of the day he devoted his evenings to scientific and general reading and study, and was soon qualified for holding new positions. He subsequently went to Utica, N. Y. At that place he directed the putting into working order the Utica Steam Cotton Mills, the first establishment of the kind in that region.
Sempres. J. Frotter
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
In 1852 he settled in Central Falls, which was ever after his home; purchasing a controlling interest in the old brick mill built in 1825, the largest in the place, in connection with H. B. Wood. After put- ting these mills in order he commenced the manufacture of cotton goods. Additions were made to the mill in 1860, and in 1862 the ma- chinery was changed and he engaged in the manufacture of spool cot- ton. The discerning, industrious and energetic man was apparent in all his work. As his business became eventually very prosperous it was transformed into a joint association and incorporated under the name of the Stafford Manufacturing Company, and became one of the most flourishing companies in Rhode Island. This event took place a short time prior to his death. At this time he was contemplating the manufacture of a six cord thread, but death intervened before the ar- rangements were consummated. In 1854 he built the Pawtucket Gas Works. He also wove the first hair cloth made in America by power looms, and being an ingenious machinist devised important changes in the manufacture of hair cloth machinery, so that now the best cloth in the world of this kind is manufactured in this country.
Mr. Stafford was a man of fine personal appearance and noted for his uprightness, intelligence, kindness and benevolence. All looked upon him as a safe adviser and a warm friend. He was a warm sup- porter of the Union during the late civil war, and very materially aided the cause in a pecuniary sense. Just before his death he became an earnest Christian. He was an attendant of the First Baptist church, where his wife was a member.
He was twice married. His first wife was Catherine Wheelock, daughter of Simon Wheelock of Mendon, Mass. He had four child- ren: Kate J., Sarah L., Andrew A., and Louisa W. His second wife was M. C. Taft, whose maiden name was M. C. Brown. Mr. Stafford died February 7th, 1864, aged 46 years. He was a prince among manufac- turers and deservedly ranks as a representative man.
HENRY A. STEARNS .- The father of the subject of this sketch, Cap- tain Abner Stearns, was a soldier of the war of 1812. His mother was Anna Russell, whose grandfather, although a non-combatant, was ruth- lessly shot by the British in their retreat from Lexington, Mass., April 19th, 1775. His grandfather was at the Concord fight. The captain of his company having been killed, and he being lieutenant, the com- mand devolved upon him, and he followed the British to Boston. For many years his father was engaged in the carding of wool in West Cambridge, Mass., and also carried on a grist mill and paint mill. He was the inventor of the first machines in the country for splitting leather, and devised the first machine for dyeing silk. An uncle of Mr. Stearns's mother, a Mr. Whittemore, invented a card-setting ma- chine, which was patented as early as 1797. For those days it was regarded as a wonderful contrivance. After many years of hard labor,
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