History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Part 9

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 938

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The drug store now occupied by F. J. Phillips, a registered pharma- cist, 99 Main street, was built by Collyer & Wilkinson prior to 1829, and for some years was used for store and office. William Bailey es- tablished here the first drug store in Pawtucket. He was succeeded by Samuel Greene, who put in the first soda fountain in the village, and probably it was one of the first in the state. The old fountain slab is still to be seen in this store, and from its construction it evi- dently was among the first patterns made. Mr. Greene subsequently kept a drug store in Providence for a number of years. He died about the time of the late war. Of those who afterward traded here may be mentioned: Lyman and Bela P. Clapp, Henry Reed, Byron Johnson, John Coe, Dexter Brothers and F. J. Phillips, the present owner, who took possession November 10th, 1877.

The old Pawtucket Hotel was used as a dry goods store last by Bates & Leckie. In 1858 it was changed to a drug store, and run by John B. Cushman and George E. Newell till 1860, when Newell went into the banking business, and the drug business was continued by Cushman till 1865, then sold to William A. Turner. The next owner was Asa Bosworth, who sold to George T. Dana, the present proprie- tor, in July, 1870.

Of the druggists now living Doctor Charles E. Davis is the oldest pharmacist in the place. He has his store in the old building form- erly mentioned next to the post office, and is trading in this line under the style of C. E. Davis & Son. He began in 1838. Fisk & Co. also represent an old established trade in drugs in Pawtucket. They began in 1871.

There are a number of furniture dealers and repairers in Paw-

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

tucket, of whom E. P. Carpenter was first. This business was estab- lished in 1858, across the river, where they occupied grounds now owned by the Dexter Yarn Company. In 1863 they moved into the present commodious building, three stories in height, occupying one acre of floor. This building has a frontage of 175 feet, and the largest plate glass of any store of this kind in New England. Carpenter & Co. are manufacturers of tin, sheet iron and copper goods, also of furniture, and employ, when in full operation, 50 hands. Next to Carpenter & Co. came the Pawtucket Furniture Company, and still later Bernard McCaughey & Co. and a dozen others who have recently entered upon this line of business.

A. M. Read, John B. Read and George Mumford were among the earliest hardware merchants in the place. John B. Read had a tin shop in an old wooden building as early as 1821, where he afterward (in 1850) erected his block. Amos Read, his older brother, was here several years before that, and erected his block in 1849. George Mumford had a store in the Manchester Block, erected in 1848. He was succeeded by his son, George A. Mumford, who was there in business before the late war. In 1878 Mr. A. F. Bray took possession of the business, and in 1883 the firm became A. F. & F. Bray. Mr. A. M. Read was succeeded by his grandson, Charles M. Read, who con- tinued the business till 1886, when his stock was sold to A. F. & F. Bray. In 1869 Lewis T. Haskell became a dealer in stoves and hard- ware and traded until recently. F. Eugene Barker & Co. began where they are now in 1884.

There are a number of enterprising merchants in Pawtucket who carry special lines of goods deserving of mention, but owing to want of space but little more than the names can be given. George A. Jencks carries a stock of kitchen furniture, consisting of stoves and tinware. Lyons Delany & Co. opened a tea store in 1877, and after- ward added machinery to the floors of the brick building adjoining and began the manufacture of spices, cream tartar, etc. They are doing an extensive business. In 1878 George C. Peck opened a five- cent store on North Main street, and is now carrying a very exten- sive variety of goods on North Union street, in Sheldon's building. His store is 54 by 54 feet. Shartenberg & Robinson have a store on Main street, 60 by 60 feet, three stories in height.

J. H. Boyle, custom clothier, began business here in 1879; Charles W. Clough, watchmaker, in 1876; James Meiklejohn & Son, pianos and organs, in 1883; Alice B. Neale, millinery and fancy goods, in 1877; W. W. Dexter, watches, jewelry and diamonds, about 1858. San- ford Almy established trade in crockery, china, glass, etc., on Main street, in 1848. This store is one of the oldest in the place. Lynd & Murphy, dealers in hats, caps, etc., began business in 1882, and during this same year B. H. Lattime opened up a store for hair goods, corner of Read and North Main street. The book trade was established by

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Joseph McIntyre as early as 1830, at the stand now kept by Henry M. Wilkinson. After many years Joseph McIntyre, Jr., came into pos- session, and the present owner took charge in 1855. He was clerk for Joseph McIntyre, Jr., from 1848 to 1855.

There are four mammoth wholesale and retail coal and wood deal- ers in Pawtucket. In 1831 Joseph Smith established trade in this line. The firm was changed in 1862 to Joseph Smith & Co., and in 1874 to the Joseph Smith Company. In 1883 this property came into the possession of John T. Cottrell, the present owner. The wharf is on Water street and covers an area of six acres. George E. Newell runs the yard originally owned by S. Grant & Co., established about 1857, and Olney & Payne Brothers own the yard originally conducted by Cushman & Wilcox. They came in 1884. The Pawtucket Coal Company, of which E. M. Hunt is treasurer, has also done a large business for the past ten or twelve years. The above firms also deal largely in lumber, lime, brick, etc.

Woodlawn is a station on the Providence & Worcester railroad three miles from the city of Providence and one from Pawtucket, and is included within the city limits of the latter. Business at this point necessitated the building of a depot here in 1880. The Old Colony line also pass this point, but none of their trains stop here. Forty- six passenger trains of the Providence & Worcester road stop daily at Woodlawn. In 1882 J. M. Carpenter erected his works near the de- pot. He manufactures taps and dies, and during the busy season em- ploys from 30 to 40 hands. From this point a special track is laid connecting the works of the Lorraine Manufacturing Company on Mineral Spring avenue, Saylesville, also the glue works and other works of L. B. Darling & Co., with Lawndale.

At Woodlawn there are two chapels. One is Baptist and is under the superintendence of the First Baptist church of Pawtucket. The other is a French mission under the spiritual directorship of the French Roman Catholic church of St. George, Central Falls. The Lorraine Manufacturing Company and L. B. Darling & Co.'s works are in the town of Lincoln, but the growth of these industries has largely increased the prosperity of Woodlawn. The Lorraine Manu- facturing Company own very extensive buildings and employ 1,000 hands.

Tradition states that 150 years ago an old tavern stood on the western side of the Blackstone, but all trace of it has long since passed away. There was a public house of a later date built by Captain Comstock for his own residence, but which subsequently be- came a tavern. It stood on the site now occupied by Brown's ma- chine shop. It bore the name of the Martin House. The sign was suspended between two posts and bore the likeness of Oliver Crom- well. It was kept by Constant Martin. Reverend Mr. Goodrich says, "Wags styled this a gallows sign, and were wont to add: 'Ma'r-

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

tin has hung the protector.'" Continuing the subject he says: "Still another tavern stood on the corner of Main and the present Broad street, opposite the Benedict House. The building still stands [1876], and though it has been much razeed or curtailed within a few years, it is, as the style of architecture shows, an ancient edifice. It was built about the middle of the last century. The builder of it was Reverend Maturin Ballou, the father of the well-known Reverend Hosea Ballou, long a leader of the Universalist denomination. The father was a preacher in the Baptist denomina- tion, and was also a house carpenter. The elder Ballou was the father of eleven children, most of whom, save Hosea, were born in this neighborhood. He removed to Richmond, N. H., about 1770. During the revolutionary war the house was used as a tavern, and was kept by the Mr. Martin already mentioned. At that time it was a rival public house to Colonel Slack's, on the opposite side of the river. The house, indeed, subsequently went into the possession of Colonel Slack-to extinguish the rivalry, perhaps.

" At a later period a public house stood at the southwest corner of the present High street. Built by David Ballou almost a cen- tury ago, it was occupied as a tavern for over 30 years. It was raised April 8th, 1871, and removed about 1813, when the LeFavour Block was reared. In 1812 and 1813 a hotel was reared at the corner of Main and Mill streets. The edifice was built at the expense of David Wilkinson; and for nearly 40 years was used exclusively as a public house. For years afterward, however, it was occupied as a bank building and for offices in front, but has remained a boarding house in the rear.

"On the eastern side of the river, as has been more than once stated, stood the tavern of Colonel Slack. Its site has been designated. Colonel Slack came to Pawtucket in 1776, and speedily occupied the building in question. Standing as it did on the sole thoroughfare to Boston, it was much frequented. Here Washington and his suite stopped on their way to Boston, as he went to take command of the army; and here he also called as he went on his way to New York. Lafayette more than once found shelter beneath the hospitable roof; and the Hon. Oliver Starkweather was wont to tell that he saw him, with his national urbanity, in free conversation with the inhabitants of the then little hamlet. After the Bristol and Norfolk turnpike was built, however, early in the present century, Colonel Slack caused the hotel now standing on Broadway to be reared, and occupied it for a public house.

" Beside these taverns there was the Dolly Sabin house on North Bend. It is reported that the house had been used as a tavern before Miss Sabin purchased it, and a John Bradford kept it. Between 80 and 90 years ago, however, two sisters, by the name of Dolly and Molly Sabin, removed from Providence and bought the stand. The

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

house was small when they purchased it, but they enlarged it, and with feminine taste, laid out a spacious garden, and adorned it with fruits and flowers. Much company was thereby attracted to the house beside travelers. Dolly remained unmarried, and has trans- mitted her name, by the house, to later generations.

"The most prominent hotel of the present day however, is the Benedict House. Named though it was from Stephen Benedict, long the president of the People's Bank, it would commemorate were it needful the fame of Doctor Benedict. For 49 years Doctor Bene- dict lived in the house which was removed to make room for the hotel named. This edifice was built in 1871." F. Donath is now proprietor.

The present hotels are: The Centennial House, on Mineral Spring avenue, kept by Joseph Goyette; Farmers' Hotel, on Broadway, by P. T. Tyrrell & Co .; Greene & Daniels' House, on Middle street, by S. R. Keenan; Lindsey Place Hotel, Lindsey Pike, corner of Weeden, Mrs. Rebecca B. Comstock; Mechanics' House, River street, by John Buckley; Park Hotel, on Mineral Spring avenue, by Charles Greene; Pawtucket Hotel, Broadway, by D. W. Bucklin; Pleasant View House, Broadway, by J. Frank Fuller; Ratcliffe House, Railroad avenue, by Mrs. Martin Byrne, and the Warren House, on Dexter street.

"In July, 1767," says Judge Staples, " we meet with the first adver- tisement of a regular stage running between Boston and Providence. At that date Thomas Sabin, the first to set up a stage, advertised that ' one starts every Tuesday morning from the house of Richard Olney, inn-holder, to carry travelers to Boston, on the most expeditious and cheap rate.' The coach returned on Thursday mornings. Richard Olney's house was nearly opposite the court house parade on North Main street. The notice does not state whether the coach went through in a day, or stopped the first night at Wrentham, as it did, according to tradition, in earlier times. In those times it is said that the owner of a stage coach occasionally gave notice a week or ten days beforehand that, on a given day, he would start for Boston, if sufficient encouragement offered, taking care to give notice so that his passengers could settle all their worldly affairs and make their wills before commencing such an arduous and dangerous journey. In 1783 the stage to Boston ran twice a week."

"In a little more than 40 years after the last-named date public sentiment had so ripened as to demand a local carriage between Paw- tucket and Providence. Horace Field is supposed to be the first man who run a diligence. After a short time he was succeeded by Simon H. Arnold. For half a dozen years or more Mr. Arnold seems to have run his diligence. At a later period Mr. Abraham H. Adams estab- lished a coach between Pawtucket and Providence. This also made two trips a day each way. In August, 1836, Messrs. Wetherell & Bennett put on a line of omnibuses, which they continued to run

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

nearly 18 years. In June, 1854, however, Mr. Sterry Fry bought the line, and continued to run his omnibuses till superseded by the horse cars. In May, 1864, Mr. Hiram H. Thomas completed his arrange- ments, and set the horse cars in motion. In his calculations he had reckoned on 120,000 passengers a year. In a few years the number rose to 650,000; but such had been the increase in cost by the rise in the prices of horses and iron, that even this number failed to compen- sate. The passengers finally increased to a million a year. Of course, this included way passengers.

".As is well known, however, before the omnibuses were driven from the ground, a new and formidable rival had appeared. The Providence & Worcester railroad was built to accommodate travelers between those cities. The first locomotive which passed through Pawtucket over the track of that road came through on Saturday, August 21st, 1847. It bore the name of Lonsdale, and was attached to a gravel train. This was simply prophetic, however; the passenger train over that road began its regular trips on Monday, October 25th, of the same year.

"The Boston & Providence railroad was constructed as early as 1835, and the original station in Providence was near India Point. A branch road, which afterward became the main trunk, however, was built from Pawtucket to East Junction, and trains began to run over it on Wednesday, March 15th, 1848. The Stonington steamboat train commenced running through Pawtucket on Monday, May 1st, 1848. The regular passenger trains between Boston and Providence began to run through this town on June 12th, of the same year."

The banking business in Pawtucket had its beginning in 1814. The steady increase of business by that time led to the incorporation of the Pawtucket Bank (June 13th, 1814), with a capital of $100,000. This bank remained in existence till about 1850. The Manufacturers' Bank was chartered by the general assembly of Rhode Island in the year 1814, and remained here till the general prostration of business in 1829. It suffered heavy loss at that time and was removed to Providence. The Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank was chartered in 1822, or the following year. The same cause that impoverished the Manufacturers' Bank nearly ruined this institution. But a new com- pany was organized under its forfeited charter, and afterward existed in Providence under the name of the Phenix Bank.

The New England Pacific Bank, now the Pacific National Bank, was chartered in 1818. It was organized in Smithfield. It suffered various losses there, and was transferred in 1832 to the village of Paw- tucket, North Providence, where greater prosperity attended it. It was styled the New England Pacific Bank from 1832 to 1865, then the New England Pacific Bank of North Providence to 1889, and now the Pacific National Bank. It was incorporated June 27th, 1865. The capital stock is $200,000; surplus, $83,000. Robert Sherman is presi- dent; L. B. Darling, vice-president; Charles L. Knight, cashier.

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

The First National Bank of Pawtucket was organized in 1865, with a capital of $100,000. The People's Bank was incorporated in 1846, and at the time of the organization of the First National Bank the directors decided to wind up its affairs, and transferred its capital to that bank. The capital stock is now $300,000, with a surplus of $176,000. Olney Arnold is president and William H. Park cashier.

The Slater Bank was incorporated in 1855 and became a national bank in 1865. It has a capital stock of $300,000. William F. Sayles is president, N. Bates vice-president, and George W. Newell cashier.

There are three savings banks in Pawtucket. The eldest is the Pawtucket Institution for Savings. It was chartered in 1828, but did not begin business till 1836. Its deposits are about $2,000,000. Heze- kiah Conant is president, Jude Taylor vice-president, Charles P. Moies treasurer and George A Mumford secretary.

Providence County Savings Bank was chartered in 1853, and holds deposits to the amount of $1,000,000. Daniel G. Littlefield is presi- dent, Robert Cushman vice-president and Olney Arnold treasurer.

The Franklin Savings Bank was incorporated by the legislature of Massachusetts in 1857. It holds deposits to the amount of $1,500,000. Hiram H. Thomas is president, Nahum Bates vice-president and George W. Newell treasurer.

It was more than a century before any church parish was organ- ized in Pawtucket. During the century for which the western village remained a part of the town of North Providence many of her inhabi- tants were connected with the church in that town. On the western side of the river some of the citizens in that hamlet were members of the church in Rehoboth. Some of the Friends, too, were accustomed to go to Smithfield or to Providence to worship with their brethren. Near the close of the last century steps were taken for building a meeting house. The house was begun in 1793, but it was some years before it was completed. In this house Mr. Slater established the first Sunday school in the place in 1799. The following is an account of the Catholic Baptist Society:

" At a meeting of the principal Inhabitants of Pawtucket for the purpose of meditating on Ways and means for building a Meeting House, holden on the 26th Day of November, 1792, at the dwelling house of Samuel Healey, Capt. Stephen Jenks is chosen Moderator, and Esek Esten chosen Clerk.

"It is voted that Nathaniel Croade, Esek Esten, and Jerahmeel Jenks, be and are hereby appointed to inquire and find out where the most suitable Lot of land can be obtained, with ways and avenues thereunto, to build a Meeting House on, with the price thereof, and also to procure a Subscription paper in the most proper form for the purpose; and make Report to our next meeting."

The meeting adjourned to the 10th of December, and on that day convened at the same place. According to vote, the committee ap-

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

pointed at the previous meeting made their report. After mentioning that they had taken a general view of the village, they recommend, on the score of convenience and capability of ornament, a lot on Mr. Samuel Healey's land, adjoining Mr. Sweetland's house lot, " as the most eligible." It appears, too, that both Mr. Healey and Mr. Sweet- land will give a highway to said lot. Each offers to give ten feet of his land, thus making a highway of twenty feet. " We have bounded out said lot nine rods square," say the committee, " and the price is 50 dollars."

At the time named the only way of reaching the site of the First Baptist meeting house was by Hedge lane. That lane started from Main street, where Broad street now enters it, and ran in a winding course to where the Methodist church now stands. Indeed, it was what afterward became North Union street. From, near the Metho- dist meeting house a lane ran in the direction of the present High street to the cemetery on Read street and the contemplated house of worship. It was a great convenience, therefore, if the temple was to be reared there, to have a direct highway from Main street. That highway was accordingly laid out in due time, and long known as Baptist lane. Its later designation is Meeting street.

According to the notice the assembly had gathered to meditate, and at that time Mr. Nicholas Brown, who was present, offered to pay for the lot himself, which effectually stopped all further medita- tion on that subject. Mr. Samuel Healey and Mr. Jerahmeel Jenks were chosen a committee to procure subscriptions, receive the money subscribed and build the meeting house. The following is also taken from the records:

" Whereas Pawtucket is now become a large, compact village, con- taining upwards of fifty families within a quarter of a mile from the centre, not having any Meeting House therein, nor any within about three miles therefrom; but has within that distance convenient highways from more than twelve directions centreing thereto; hence it is not only very convenient for said village and the adjacent Neighborhoods, but of vast importance that a commodious Meeting . house should be erected therein: For whosoever (saith Paul) shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a Preacher ?' and how shall they accommodate a Preacher without a Meeting House ?

" Wherefore we the subscribers do hereby agree with and mutually promise each other, to contribute the several sums of money or other articles affixed to our respective names, within a reasonable time, for the laudable purpose of purchasing a Lot and building a meeting house thereon next summer:

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

" Provided that the Amount shall equal or exceed eight hundred dollars on or before the first day of February next.

" And whereas the good people of Pawtucket were not educated by one Priest, and hence have imbibed, and adhere to a variety of Religious tenets; and whereas said House will be sufficient to receive and accommodate them all; and whereas also a fair Discussion upon both sides of every question is as necessary in Religion as in Politics in the Search after Truth;

" It is therefore agreed and hereby Declared that said Meeting House shall be founded upon the most Liberal Establishment, to the end that every Sect and Denomination of Christians, living in or near said Pawtucket, may have, hold, use, occupy and possess, said House by Rotation or otherwise to suit the time and occasion, for the pur- pose of worshipping God agreeable to the Dictates of their own con- sciences. Nevertheless, it is hereby agreed that the Baptist Society, who are the most numerous and benevolent in their contributions, shall have the exclusive right and pre-eminence in and to said House, upon every Sunday forever, if they have occasion for the same."

The size of the house was to be 45 by 36 feet and 22 feet posts. A portion of the charter granted reads as follows:

" Now therefore know ye that we the Governor and Company, Do for ourselves and Successors Enact, grant, ordain, constitute and de- clare that Samuel Healey, Jerahmeel Jenks, Oliver Bucklin, Nathaniel Croade, Benjamin Jencks, James Mason, James Durfee, James Weeden, Nathaniel Walker, Jun'r, David Jenks, Thomas Spears, Stephen Jenks, Jun'r, Levi Jenks, Moses Jenks, John Pitcher, Moses Baker, Daniel Toler, Stephen Jenks, George Jenks, Benjamin Kings- ley, John Bucklin, S. Bowers, Jun'r, Comfort Jenks, Samuel Benchley, William Bagley, Jun'r, Ezra Barrows, Josiah Armington, D. Walker, Ezekiel Carpenter, Samuel Jenks, George Nicholas, Samuel Slack, O. Carpenter, Samuel Slater, Jesse Salisbury, Jesse Bushee, Ephraim Jenks, Luther Hawkins, Peter Bicknel, Esek Jenks, Ebenezer Tyler, Eleazer Jenks, George Benson, John Brown, Nicholas Brown, Thomas P. Ives, and Aretas Sweetland, or such and so many of them as shall convene on the second Wednesday of May, A.D., 1793, at the house of Samuel Healey, in North Providence, on the business of their Charter, and their successors, shall be forever hereafter one Body corporate and politic in Fact, and remain with perpetual succession, to be known in the Law by the name of the Catholic Baptist Society at Pawtucket in North Providence; and the said Catholic Society is hereby impowered to take, receive and hold all and any voluntary subscriptions, contributions, legacies and donations of any sum or sums of money, or of any Real and Personal Estate, etc."

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History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Part 9

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed Publication date: 1891 Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 938

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 938