USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 67
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About the year 1835 or 1836 Otis and Elliott Cook built a hotel and store in the lower part of the village, now known as the Potter & Salisbury store. The Eddys bought the land of Elisha Sayles. They soon went into the manufacturing business and failed. They did not run the hotel long. In the upper part of the building was a hall, frequently used by the youth of the village and vicinity on gala occa- sions. Mr. Whipple Walling and others of his age, in former times, frequently attended dancing parties in this hall. Doctor Alfred Albee was the next trader in this store. Willard Spaulding came after him and in 1846 Whipple Walling bought them out and in 1851 sold to William Knight. About 1860 Esek and George Sweet sold out to Potter & Salisbury, since which time the store has been known by that name. Mr. Fred. Salisbury was then but 19 years of age and died afterward. Mr. Henry A. Potter has the store now.
Mr. Walling built a store where the post office is now, after selling his stock to Mr. Knight. David S. Salisbury succeeded him in 1857. George Jefferson, Charles H. Sayles and others followed: Mr. Monroe Inman, the successor to Byron Noyes, the postmaster, is there now. Sayles Walling built a store above the post office, nearly opposite of where Smith's stables are now, in 1840. In a few years he was suc- ceeded by Marcus Eddy and he then went to Providence. In 1857 Whipple Walling went to Providence also, going into the clerkship for his uncle in a store on Charles and Randall streets. At the Sayles Walling stand Everett Battey keeps a meat shop in one part of the building and Mr. Turner keeps a fish market in the other.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
The Pascoag National Bank building was built by L. D. Willard before the beginning of the late war, and occupied first by Edward Hall, afterward by Earl & Freeman for a store. It was used as a store until within the past ten years, when it was turned into a bank. Elisha S. Sayles built the store now kept by Dutee S. Salisbury in 1882 or 1883. Manning Woods kept store in a building erected by David S. Salisbury a little while before the late war. He sold the property to Mr. Wood. Among other prominent merchants now doing business should be mentioned Eddy & Schofield, a little further down the street; Freeman & Fagan, who command an extensive trade; a co-operative store, started in 1888 and has now a patronage of 180 families; the drug store of L. Miller, who traded there 15 years ago and now oper- ated by Mr. B. E. Dewey; the hardware store of James H. Smith; the Waterman Furniture rooms and others.
W. Walling, above mentioned, is a great-grandson of Elisha Sayles, whose children were: Ahab (Mr. Walling's grandfather), Christopher, Esek, Royal, Daniel and Elisha, the last named being grandfather to Mrs. Josephine Walling, wife of Whipple Walling; and John Walling, his father, was cousin to Angell Sayles, Mrs. Walling's father.
About 1880 Burrillville had its first newspaper. It was established at Pascoag by Edgar A. Mathewson, now of Harrisville. The enter- prise, however, did not succeed, and after a very short time its publi- cation ceased. The present paper, The Burrillville News, was estab- lished in 1881 by Joseph A. and David H. Whittemore, sons of Rev- erend D. R. Whittemore, a Baptist minister, formerly of Newport and Providence. For a short time the "patent" sheet was issued, but patronage being good, the greater venture was taken, and the whole paper printed by the proprietors, it being a folio of 32 columns. In 1885 Mr. D. G. Colburn bought an interest in the paper, Mr. J. A. Whittemore retiring, since which time the paper has been published by Whittemore & Colburn. The paper is independent in politics, aiming to give the local news only. It is a bright, racy sheet, has a large circulation, and a good advertising patronage.
There are at present two hotels in the village, of which the Manu- facturers' Hotel is the older. It was formerly a dwelling house, originally owned by Nelson Warren, later by Martin Salisbury, who sold the property to Lorenzo D. Ward, of whom A. L. Sayles pur- chased it and remodeled it, fitting it up for a hotel. It is a large house containing some 40 rooms, and is now under the proprietorship of A. L. Mathewson & Son. The Pascoag Hotel was erected by Horace A. Kimball about 1874 or 1875. In 1879 the property was sold to D. B. Mowry and is now owned by his heirs, and is under the proprietorship of Mrs. Dora B. Mowry.
Laurel Hill has been a center of trade beyond the memory of the oldest inhabitant now living. Thomas Shumway traded there as early as 1825 or 1830, in what was for a long time known as the " Emporium."
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
He did not keep it long, as his brother, Daniel S. Shumway, opened a store above him, where Whitely & Luther now keep. Whitely & Lu- ther have been trading in the village for many years, and are promi- nent citizens and traders. Mr. J. A. Bailey, a more recent merchant of this place, also has a first-class store.
Among the earliest traders in Harrisville was a Mr. Rhodes, who kept store a few years during the beginning of the village. The old stand was long since burned down. Eddy Keach was the only storekeeper there for some time. About 1830 Daniel S. Mowry, a brother of Alvah Mowry, the town clerk, built a small store and kept it a few years. His place of business has been occupied for the last 15 years by D. T. W. Phillips. Benjamin Mowry also traded a number of years before he died in 1864. Mr. Benjamin Mowry built the hotel in 1837.
Of those doing business now in Harrisville should be mentioned John M. Smith and W. J. Tracy, each of whom has a jewelry store. They have been in business about 18 years. D. C. Remington, Jr., began trading in the place with his father in 1858, and was with him till 1865, since which time a number have been in partnership with him, the firm now being Remington & Sykes. His brother, C. S. Remington, was in partnership with him at one time. He was lost on the ill-fated " Narragansett," which burned in 1881. The store of Brooks & O'Donnell is a thriving one. Mr. R. F. Brooks, the senior partner, was clerk and subsequently a partner of D. C. Remington 16 years. Mr. Thomas O'Donnell, the junior member, was also a clerk in the same store. They erected their new house in 1887. The hard- ware store of A. H. Smith was built by Henry White, of Chepachet. A. A. White was the first occupant of the building. He sold to Wil- liam Carpenter, and he sold to Smith. Ira Phillips was in business with T. W. D. Phillips, above mentioned, for some five years. Mr. T. W. D. Phillips is the present postmaster. Mrs. Prendergast, milliner, has had a store in Harrisville since 1878.
There are two hotels in the village of Harrisville. Eddy Keach probably was the first tavern keeper in the place. He kept store and hotel. Benjamin Mowry built the lower hotel in 1837 and kept it a number of years before he died. It has been in the hands of the Mowrys ever since its erection. The second hotel was built about 1840 by Smith Wood. In 1880 it was remodeled by James Sykes, the present owner.
Nicholsville, known also as Oak Valley, contains a mill and a store, both being operated under the firm name of J. D. Nichols & Sons. J. D. Nichols, now deceased, leaves the property in the hands of his heirs, consisting of Henry, David, Joseph and two daughters. It is a five set mill, and gives employment to 150 hands in the manufacture of cassi- meres.
The mills at Plainville are operated by G. H. Whipple for the
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
manufacture of woolen goods. This little hamlet has no store nor church, but the mill gives employment to 75 hands and over.
Mohegan is a hamlet containing a mill, a store and a church. The mill was formerly owned by George H. Brown, but now by his heirs, and is to be operated by Carpenter & Orrill, who will fit it up and manufacture woolen goods in connection with their mill at Glendale. The church at this place was erected by the people, and originally in- tended for the Methodist denomination. The paucity of members, however, has prevented this denomination from holding regular wor- ship, and it is used as a place of worship by the Catholics. W. R. Stott owns the store at this place.
Nasonville is a village near Mohegan, having a mill and two stores. The mill is owned by Perkins & Gilbone, and has four sets of cards for the manufacture of union cloth. The stores are owned by W. Nason and A. E. Feltham.
The Granite Bank was organized September 17th, 1851, at a meet- ing of the stockholders of the old Pascoag Bank, at which the follow- ing members were present: Whipple Sayles, Syra Sherman, James M. Wilson, James Wilson, Angell Sayles, George W. Marsh, Jason Emer- son, Thomas D.Sayles, Stephen Emerson, Leonard Mason, Daniel Salisbury, James S. Cook, Daniel S. Whipple, Albert L. Sayles, Burrill Logee, Whipple Walling, Arnold Ballou, Asa Ross, Augustus Hopkins, Nelson Walling and J. O. Clarke. Daniel M. Salisbury was elected president, and James S. Cook, cashier. July 5th, 1865, the bank was changed to a national one, under the name of the Pascoag National Bank. January 9th, 1883, John T. Fiske succeeded Mr. Salisbury as president, and he was succeeded, January 13th, 1885, by James O. Inman, who held the office till his death, and was succeeded by Ol- ney T. Inman, July 14th, 1890. James O. Cook was succeeded by Philip O. Hawkins, the present cashier.
In 1783 the Society of Friends held meetings in Glocester, now Burrillville, and at that time and for several years afterward the mem- bers belonged to Uxbridge monthly meeting, Massachusetts. Meet- ings were held here in the dwelling house of Jesse Battey. About the year 1790 they were attached to the Smithfield monthly meeting of Rhode Island. In 1791 a lot was obtained near Cooper's Mills, now the village of Mapleville, it being deeded to James Smith and Jesse Battey as trustees of the monthly meeting, and a meeting house was erected at a cost of £109 10s. It was an unpretentious structure in size and architecture. Meetings of worship were held there until 1793, when a preparative meeting was established, which was a branch of, and subordinate to, the Smithfield monthly meeting. Among the early members were Benjamin Battey, his wife and seven children, James and Rufus Smith, Enoch Steere and wife and Job Chase. A little later were Mary and Smith Battey, Shadrach Steere and wife,
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Buffum Chase and wife, and Philip and Mary Walden. The member- ship was never large.
The Free-will Baptist church of Pascoag was the first society of this denomination organized in the state. Elder Colby gathered a church membership here and organized the society December 15th, 1812. On February 11th, 1813, was held the first meeting, and the first Free-will Baptist quarterly meeting held in the state was at the old Burrillville meeting house on the 12th of March, 1814. Elder Colby was the active pastor of this church for a number of years, and until failing health caused his resignation that he might go south for relief from his distressing malady. He reached Norfolk, Va., and there died. His body was laid to rest in the family burying ground of Mr. William M. Fauquier, at Norfolk.
After the building of the church in 1839 the following pastors oc- cupied the pulpit: Augustus Durfee, 1841; David P. Harriman, 1844; David M. Lord, 1847; Meriah P. Davison, 1848; David P. Harriman, 1850; Stephen M. Weeks, 1856; William H. Waldron, 1857; Mowry Phillips, 1864; Azael Lovejoy, 1874, the present pastor. The deacons of the church have been: Ishmael Walling and Duty Salisbury, who together held the offices for many years; John Walling and Augustus Steere were the next incumbents; Horatio L. Hopkins succeeded Mr. Steere, then James H. Gross and Frank L. Bates. Whipple Walling and W. S. Slade are the deacons now, the former succeeding his fa- ther. The church has a membership of about 135 persons, and a good Sabbath school of 200 pupils, under the superintendency of A. S. Hopkins.
The Laurel Hill Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1847-8. Meetings were held at the house of Moab Paine as early as 1810, by Elder Britt, who was one of the first itinerant preachers of Method- ism in the town. In 1840 a Methodist class was formed at Laurel Hill, holding services occasionally in an upper room in what was then known as the Withwood factory. In 1847, through the efforts of George W. Marsh and a few others, a church was built, and from that time they had regular preaching. In 1874 a vestry was built at the the rear of the church, and in 1877 the building was enlarged to ac- commodate the increase of its members, which numbered over 100. Reverend W. Stoddard is pastor at the present time; James Carpen- ter is class leader, and Henry Bailey Sabbath school superintendent.
An Episcopal church was built at Harrisville about 1857. The early records of this society have been lost. The first pastor was Rev- erend J. H. Eames, who gathered the church. He afterward was lo- cated at Concord, N. H. This is at present a missionary station, there having been no permanent rector since 1876. The church is lo- cated on Chapel street, in the village of Harrisville, and services are held only at long intervals.
The Berean Baptist church grew from a Sabbath school that was
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
started about 1867. The church was organized at Harrisville in 1874. At the organization there were but nine members. Reverend William Fitz tendered his services gratuitously for a time, and was later paid a salary, holding meetings in Smith's Hall on Chapel street. In the spring of 1877 a deep interest was awakened in spiritual matters, in- ducing a number to join the organization. Much credit is due Miss Ida Steere for the organization and prosperity of this church. Her conversion dates from a visit made to Putnam, Conn., where she be- came awakened to a sense of her religious duty. Reverend A. Gran- ger is pastor and William Fitz is superintendent of a flourishing Sab- bath school.
In early times there were but few Catholics in this town, and owing to their circumstances they were unable to have a resident pastor. At length Reverend Father Lenihan was sent to organize the parish and to build the church. He commenced the structure at Pascoag, but the work was subsequently abandoned. Reverend Father Tully, his successor, deemed Harrisville a more central point for them, and began St. Patrick's church. The work was completed under the charge of Reverend Father Duffy, who was pastor from 1857 to 1867, by whom also the building was afterward enlarged. Upon his retirement Rev- erend Father James O'Reilly succeeded to the pastoral charge. A few years after he was called to receive the reward of his stewardship and Reverend William H. Bric succeeded. Under his management the church was relieved from debt. He was succeeded by Reverend John Kiegan, he by Father Corrigan, then came Father M. J. Cooke, his curate, and the present pastor. Father Cooke was assistant pastor here from 1878 to 1880, and assistant pastor of St. Michael's church, Providence, from 1880 to 1884, when he took charge of the churches of Burrillville. St. Joseph's church at Pascoag was erected in 1880. The churches were united in 1886.
There are three churches in the village of Harrisville: the Catholic above mentioned, which is the largest: the Episcopal, which is but a mis- sionary chapel, in which services are seldom had, and the Universalist church, which had an edifice erected in 1887 at a cost of $12,000. Reli- gious services by this denomination were instituted here by Reverend Adin Ballou before the late war, the meetings being held in the old town house. Following him came Mr. Boyden from Woonsocket, who occasionally preached to this people. No regular pastorate began, however, till that of Reverend Massena Goodrich of Pawtucket, in 1886 and 1887, since which time stated services have been held.
Temple of Honor, No. 25, was organized April 25th, 1871, at the Baptist church in Pascoag. It was instituted by H. W. Kimball, grand worthy templar of Rhode Island and other officers. The first officers were: W. C. T., Joseph F. Esten; W. V. T., Charles A. Wright; W. R., E. M. Phillips; W. A. R., S. R. Manchester; W. F. R., Alonzo A. Sayles; W. T., F. M. Wood; W. U., Benjamin P. Hunt; W. D. U.,
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
James M. Boutwell; W. G., A. Dorrity; W. S., E. S. Smith; P. W. C. T., A. S. Hopkins; W. C., N. Phillips. The number of charter members was 27. Meetings of the society are held in Sayles Hall.
Prospect Lodge, No. 66, Independent Order of Good Templars, was instituted February 13th, 1877, with 15 charter members. The first officers were: W. C. T., Thomas Jones; W. V. T., Melissa Clarke; W. S., Emma Southwick; W. A. S., Arnold W. Clarke: W. T., James Sykes; W. F. S., Harriet Keech; W. C., L. G. Carey; W. M., Charles Hickey; W. I. G., Susan Mowry; W. S., Mary Wall; L. D., W. C. Southwick. Meetings are held at Harrisville.
Granite Lodge, No. 33, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Pascoag, was instituted January 2d, 1874, with 15 charter members. The first officers were: N. G., William Nugent; V. G., M. Wood; R. S., H. A. Potter; treasurer, A. C. Sayles. The meetings were first held in the " Old Hotel Hall." The building next occupied was erected in 1875, the second story of which is known as Music Hall. The Lodge has erected a new building.
Granite Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M., was established August 22d, 1867, and constituted May 18th, 1868. The first officers were: W. M., Andrew K. Ballou; S. W., William J. Tracy; J. W., Alonzo A. Sayles; treasurer, A. C. Sayles; secretary, Samuel O. Griffin; S. D., Henry M. Chase; J. D., E. T. King; S. S., Russell K. Mathewson; J. S., Charles S. Harris; M., James Phillips; chaplain, Alfred A. Presbry; tyler, J. S. Ambler. Regular meetings are held in Harrisville.
Up to 1844 distilleries were in successful operation in this town, as well in other parts of the county. Teachers, doctors and preachers had their sideboards, and the decanter was passed to the casual visitor on all occasions. Whiskey then was sold as low as 25 cents a gallon and was freely used at all public gatherings. The people finally began to awaken to the curse and the temperance reform was inaugurated. Meetings were held in various parts of the town, and among the most prominent and eloquent speakers who helped to agitate the subject was one Doctor Christopher C. Harrington. The work of temperance carried on by the doctor to rid his fellow-man of this accursed evil alarmed the liquor traffic party and a plan was set on foot "to blow the doctor out of town." At last a case was trumped up and a prose- cution was instituted against him on a charge of petty larceny. The warrant upon which he was arrested alleged the stealing of three cents worth of hay and 20 cents worth of grain from the barn of one Benjamin Mowry, Jr., where the doctor had been boarding his horse. The exciting trial came off in Mowry's Hall, and after a long and turbulent display of the case it passed into the courts, which rendered a verdict of acquittal.
Harvey P. Brown was another ardent advocate of temperance and lectured in various parts of the town with great acceptance and did much good. Like Mr. Harrington he had many bitter enemies, and
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the rum dealers, to rid themselves of this reformer, brought an accu- sation against his wife for theft. By some means or other the charge was substantiated and she was adjudged guilty. Upon the announce- ment of this verdict the husband's feelings became uncontrollable and he rushed from the court room in despair and for many months was a raving maniac. He never fully recovered from the shock but for years wandered about, the creature of circumstances.
There are two total abstinence and literary societies in the town that are exerting a wholesome influence upon the rising generation. One is St. Joseph's, located at Pascoag, and under the supervision of the Catholic church, the other is St. Patrick's, and is located at Harris- ville. Both of these societies have library and reading rooms open daily. The shelves in these society rooms are supplied with daily papers, magazines and monthlies.
The King's Daughters is a society organized in behalf of the educa- tional needs in the South, which though only established here in 1889, has a large representation in the town.
The Women's Christian Temperance Union have regular meetings in Pascoag and Laurel Hill. The society was organized in 1886, and has a membership of 50 persons. Mrs. Cora M. Inman is president of the society and Mrs. Azael A. Lovejoy is vice-president.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Smith Angell, born in 1834 in Burrillville, is a son of Esten and Charlotte (Walling) Angell. He was representative in 1878-9 in the general assembly of the state. He married Susan, daughter of Amasa Seamans, of Burrillville. His grandfather, Randall Angell, came from North Providence to Burrillville in 1789 and located on the farm where his grandson, Smith Angell, lives and was born. His father, Esten Angell, was senator and representative, holding the last office when only 22 years of age, and was in the town council, overseer of the poor and justice of the peace.
John Arnold, born in 1815 on the farm where he now lives, is a son of John and Abigail (Cook) Arnold. He was educated in the Burrill- ville schools, and married Susan, daughter of Dexter Richardson, of Uxbridge, Mass., who died in 1863. His father was a member of the town council and held many other town offices.
Job Ballou, born in 1818 in Burrillville, is a son of Daniel and Marcy (Brown) Ballou. He was married in 1863 to Harriet E., daugh- ter of Peter Gory. They have one child, Job Ascor. His father, Daniel, was born on the same farm. Mrs. Ballou's mother was the sixth generation of the descendants of Roger Williams.
Fayette E. Bartlett, born in 1840 in Smithfield, is a son of Elisha and Sarah (Ballou) Bartlett. He was married in 1865 to Harriet, daughter of Lafayette Reynolds of Glocester. Their children are: Francis F., died 1867; Sophia L., Marion D., Waldo R. and Marsella
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
M. Mr. Bartlett was elected to the senate in 1880, 1881 and 1882. He manufactured woolen goods for three or four years and has been in the lumber business for the past 20 years. His great-great-grandfather, Abner, came to Burrillville and settled on the farm where his great- grandfather, grandfather and father were born, and where his father still lives at the age of 81. His father moved to Smithfield for a time when Fayette E. was born, but returned to Burrillville upon the death of his wife.
George O. Bligh was born in 1848 in Burrillville, on the same place where he has always lived, and is a son of Otis W. and Lydia (Esten) Bligh. He married Martha A., daughter of Charles W. Keniston, of Upton, Mass., in 1876. Their children are: Eldora E., John O. and Sylvia G. His father was a member of the town council, also president of the same.
Joseph H. Carpenter was born in 1837 in England, came to America in 1855 and located at Graniteville, in the town of Burrillville, and worked in the mill there until 1858. He then worked in the mill at Pascoag until 1860, and in the fall as clerk for Steere & Tinkham, in their store at Harrisville, then as clerk in a store at Glendale from 1864 to 1883, when he began operating the mill at that place under the firm name of Carpenter & Orrill. He married Amanda A., daugh- ter of Selah Buxton, of North Smithfield, in 1868. They have three children living: Emma F., Joseph Waldo and Clara A. Mr. Carpenter has held the office of assessor of taxes.
Arnold W. Clark, born in 1858 in Providence, is a son of William H. and Mary M. (Arnold) Clark. He was educated in Burrillville and at Mowry & Goff's, Providence. He was a member of the town coun- cil one year. He was married in 1878 to Fanny A., daughter of John Johnson, of Burrillville. Their children are: Althea Fanny, Mabel Louise, Edith Frances, Florence Gertrude and Alice Belle. Mr. Clark has been in the butcher husiness for fifteen years. His father located in Burrillville when Arnold W. was only six weeks old. They have al- ways lived in the same house. His father carried on the butcher busi- ness in Providence, Woonsocket and Burrillville, and died in 1880. He was a member of the general assembly a number of years. His grandfather, Joseph Clark, carried the mail from Burrillville to Che- pachet during the Dorr war.
JAMES SULLIVAN COOK was born in Mendon, Mass., December 4th, 1810. His parents, Ichabod and Louisa (Cook) Cook, were members of the Society of Friends, highly respected for their sterling qualities of character, and thus young Cook's early training was of the best. He spent most of his boyhood on his father's farm, but nevertheless managed to obtain a good common school education. For some time he attended the Friends' School, Providence, and when 23 years of age was employed as clerk in the mercantile business of E. T. Read & Co., Woonsocket, R. I. Later he became a partner with E. T. Read
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