USA > Rhode Island > History of Rhode Island > Part 13
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Amidst the changes which have occurred in Newport, many of which are of a most painful character, there are, nevertheless, some estates, which have remained in the families from the early
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
settlement of the Island, and some prior to the American Revo- lution. It may prove interesting to the reader to be informed on this subject. The Overing property has continued to the present period, in the hands of the heirs, Cahoone, Freebody, Hockey, Job Cornell, Webber, John Stephens, Martin Howard, corner of Malborough and Thames-street, Jonathan T. Almy, and the Marsh Estate, which deed was given by Governors Walter Clark, Bull, and Carr, from the early settlement.
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In Portsmouth, the farm of Burrington Anthony, Esq., has been in the family from the period of the settlement, as well as the Mott, Coggeshall, Sisson, &c. 1
Caleb Carr was a native of Scotland, and came to Rhode Island, but the precise time is not known ; he was a large owner of land in the towns of Newport and Jamestown, some of which is held by his descendants, together with the ferry, as originally granted to him, and have since remained in the family.
He held various offices in the Colony, and was Governor here in 1695, and died before the expiration of that political year. His tomb-stone is still legible, and lies in the Carr burial ground, in Newport, which ground was sequestered, and given by him for that use. It contains the following inscription :
Here lies the body of CALEB CARR, Governor of this Colony, who departed this life, the 17th day of December, in the 731 year of his age, in the year 1695.
He left three sons, John, Nicholas, and Samuel. John settled in Newport; Nicholas, in Jamestown; and Samuel, on Long Island. John, the eldest, died in Newport, 1717, leaving four sons, Samuel, Caleb, Robert, and Frances. Samuel, the oldest, settled and died in Newport, 1740, leaving four sons, Caleb, Samuel, Ebenezer, and John. Samuel, the second son, settled in Newport, afterwards removed to Jamestown, and died 1796, leaving two sons, Samuel and Ebenezer. Samuel, the oldest, settled in Newport, and died 1814, leaving four sons and one daughter, who owned the Ferry Estate, which descended to him, in a regular line, from Caleb Carr, to whom the first grant was given for a ferry between Newport and Jamestown, by an Act of the Assembly of Rhode Island. It is still in the possession of the grandchildren of Samuel Carr.
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THE ARTISTS OF NEWPORT.
This account of the family was furnished the author by Robert R. Carr, Esq., of Newport, son of Samuel. The Carr burial ground is situated on the north side of what was once called the Ferry Wharf Lane, but now Mill-street. We would suggest the importance of having this ground renovated and improved:
THE ARTISTS OF NEWPORT.
The interest which accumulates as we proceed in the history of Newport, admonishes us of the necessity of being brief. No spot presents more attractive materials than Newport. Before' the Revolution, she had attained to a high degree of celebrity, and stood unrivalled by any city or town in the Colonies. Doc- tor Benjamin Waterhouse, himself a native of Newport, says :
" The island of Rhode Island, from its salubrity, and surpris- ing beauty, before the Revolutionary war so sadly defaced it, . was the chosen resort of the rich and philosophical, from nearly all parts of the civilized world. In no spot of the thirteen, or rather twelve Colonies, was there concentrated more individual opulence, learning, and liberal leisure."
It was no doubt owing to the highly cultivated taste of her in- habitants, why so many of her youth indulged in poetry and paint- ing. Newport has been fertile in producing artists, some of whom have been highly distinguished in their profession. Edward G. Malborn, son of Col. John Malborn, has left an imperishable fame as a miniature painter. It is said that when Mr. Malborn, who went to Europe for the purpose of improvement in his profession. was introduced to Mr. West, and produced specimens of his work, after examining them, that distinguished and celebrated artist, inquired for what purpose he had come to England ? Mr. Malborn answered, to perfect himself in the art of painting. Mr. West replied, " Sir, you can go home again, for a man who can paint such a picture as this, need not come to England for instruction." His picture of the " Past, Present, and Future," now belonging to his brother-in-law, John G. Whitchorne, Esq., is one of the most chaste and splendid things of the kind in ex- istence. It represents three female figures. The Past has an air
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of dejection, the Present seems all life and animation, the Future buoyant with hope, and anticipating unalloyed pleasure.
" Earth's perfection, angel graces In each feature fair."
We fondly hope that this valuable relic will never be taken from Newport.
Washington Allston received his first instructions as a painter, from Mr. Samuel King, late of Newport, who displayed a fine taste in the art, and his propensity for painting was probably cultivated by his residence during his boyish days, amid the scenery of Newport, whence he had come from South Carolina to attend the classical school in this place, kept by the late Robert Rogers, Esq.
Charles B. King, now resident in Washington city, where as a painter, he is much patronized, is also a native of Newport. It has been said that Mr. King wishes to bestow his valuable collection of paintings on his native town, on condition that a suitable place be provided for their reception. It is highly de- sirable that a chaste building should at once be erected, for the Southern Department, in which to place whatever is valuable in a historical point of view. And many others, who have not en- gaged in this employment as a profession, in their early days have sketched, and drawn, and painted, until immersed in the business of life, they have dropped the pencil, but still retain the taste.
Gilbert Stewart is claimed as being a native of Newport, though Mr. Updike says he was born in Narragansett. We have no wish to claim for Newport more than she deserves, but will merely state the discrepancies of the two accounts of his birth-place, and leave the reader to judge.
The following is extracted from a letter of Miss Anne Stew- art, the daughter of Gilbert Stewart, addressed to Mr. Updike. She states in reply to the questions asked, in relation to what family of Anthony's her great-grandmother was, that she " was the daughter of Captain John Anthony, who was from Wales, and had a farm on the Island, near Newport, which he sold to Bishop Berkley. It was on this farm that my mother was born, and was married in Narragansett to my grandfather, Gil- bert Stewart, who was from Perth in Scotland. They had but three children, James, Anne, and Gilbert. As to their birthplace,
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you are much better informed than myself. My father was edu- cated in the grammar-school in Newport, and then sent to Scot- land, to Sir George Chambers, for the purpose of finishing his education at Glasgow, after which he returned to Newport, where he remained for a time, and was then sent to England to study with Benjamin West, the great historical painter of that day."- Updike's History.
It seems from this letter that Mr. Stewart was educated in Newport, and after going abroad, on his return comes to New. port, and here tarries, but not one word of his being at Narra- gansett. Miss Anne Stewart seems to be quite ignorant of her father's birth-place ; she refers the matter entirely to Mr. Up. dike, which is most certainly strange and unaccountable. We have conversed with Miss Jane Stewart, and she appeared to be ignorant of his birth-place being in Narragansett. She remarked that her father's associations and attachments were all in New- port, and she expresses a strong wish that the remains of her father which lie buried in Boston, might be removed here and placed by the side of his wife, which repose in the common burial ground in Newport.
Without attempting to invalidate the statement made by Wilbour Hammond, of the conversation said to have passed be tween him and Mr. Stewart, on his last visit to Narragansett, as every one is liable to mistakes and misapprehensions ; it be- comes us to offer such evidence as is furnished of the birth- place of this distinguished man.
An aged and highly respectable citizen of Newport, in a con- versation with him on his last visit to Newport, and before crossing the ferries to visit the old snuff mill, which his father had formerly carried on, he asked him the question, where he was born; standing near the spot, he pointed to the story and half house, at the head of Bannister wharf, on the south side, and said : " there I have been told that I was born." This statement is confirmed by other aged citizens, which has given the impression that Stewart was a native of Newport. It is certain that the name of Gilbert Stewart appears in the census taken by John Bannister in 1770, and he is there found in the very spot where he stated that he was born. The building has since been taken down and another erected in its place. It is also said that he derived his first impression of painting from
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witnessing Neptune Thurston, a slave, who was employed in his master's cooper shop, sketch likenesses on the head of casks, and remarked that if he had an instructor, he would make quite a celebrated artist.
Stewart has been pronounced to have been the greatest painter of the human head, that the age in which he lived produced, and perhaps of any other age. The form and features of the father of his country, the immortal Washington, from his pencil, will be transmitted to posterity, not only with truth and teeu- racy, but in a style of execution, worthy of the subject, and that, too, by a son of our own favored isle. The likeness of Wash- ington, in the State House at Newport, was pronounced by Stewart as his greatest effort. And it is said he wished his native town to have it.
THE NEWPORT BAR.
1771. Henry Bull was the grandson of Henry Bull, one of the eighteen associates who first came to Rhode Island. He was born 23d of November, 1687. Being a man of strong powers of mind, he studied, and soon acquired a knowledge of the law, and became distinguished as a practitioner in the courts. He was occasionally a member of the House of Representatives from Newport, elected Attorney-General, in 1721, re-elected in 1722, but declined serving. He was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1728-9 ; was one of the Committee to conduct and manage the controversy between the Colonies of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, respecting the eastern boundary. He was Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Newport county, at its first establishment in 1749.
" I have heard," says Major Bull, " the aged who had been acquainted with him, relate what he had told about his law edu- cation. When he had made up his mind to practice law, he went into the garden to exercise his talents in addressing the Court and Jury. He then selected five aabbages, in one row, for Judges, and twelve in another row for Jurors. After trying his hand there awhile, he went boldly into court and took upon himself the duties of an advocate, and a little observation and
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THE NEWPORT BAR.
experience there, convinced him that the same cabbages were in the court house which he thought he had left in the garden ; five in one row and twelve in another."
The conclusion to which he arrived proves him to have been a man of common sense, and a strict observer of human nature. But by whatever means he acquired a knowledge of the law, he certainly rose to the height of his profession, as a practitioner in the courts of law and admiralty ; as the profession stood in his day.
He partook liberally of the enjoyments of life, was of an amiable and engaging disposition, and lived to a great age; having been born November 23d, 1687, and dying December 24th, 1771, aged 84.
James Honyman was the son of Rev. James Honyman, Rector of Trinity church, Newport. As a speaker, Mr. Honyman was elaborate, but his industry, talents, and faithfulness, commanded an extensive and profitable practice at Newport, and on the cir- cuit. In deportment he was dignified-always dressed in the best fashions of the times-scrupulously formal in manners- domestic, yet social in his habits. In person, he was tall, broad- shouldered, and muscular, but not fleshy.
Mr. Honyman married Elizabeth, the daughter of George Golding, a merchant of Newport, and left two sons and six daughters. Most of his daughters and granddaughters having married British officers, or Americans adhering to the cause of the Crown, departed with the enemy, when the British evacu- ated Newport; and the estates devised to them by Mr. Hony- man were confiscated. They were afterwards restored by an Act of Assembly.
Daniel Updike having applied himself to the study of the law, and being duly admitted to the bar, opened an office in New. port, and married Sarah, the daughter of Gov. Benedict Arnold Mr. Updike in person was about five feet ten inches in height, with prominent features. As an advocate, he sustained a high reputation ; and among other personal advantages, possessed a clear, full, and musical voice. Dr. Bradford used to speak of him as being a "fine speaker, with great pathos and piercing irony." Mr. Updike possessed a large library of classical and general literature, a considerable portion of which is now extant.
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Mr. Updike and Dean Berkley were intimate friends. In . testimony of the friendship and esteem which the Dean enter- tained for Mr. Updike, he presented him on his departure for Europe, an elegantly wrought silver coffee pot, and after his arrival, sent him his " Minute Philosopher," which now remains in the family as remembrancers of this distinguished divine.
Augustus Johnson. He came to Rhode Island, when quite young, studied law with Matthew Robinson, Esq., who was his step father, and settled at Newport. After a few years' practice he was considered one of the best lawyers in the State. With an acute and penetrating mind, he could unravel the most intri- cate cases with apparent case, but his great forte was in sifting and reconciling discordant testimony.
Mr. Johnson was a loyalist, and the stand which he took in favor of the Crown, brought down the ire of the whole populace against him. This was on account of his acceptance of the office of Stamp-Master. He was constantly hissed at and insulted in the streets, but it had little or no effect on his determinations. In 1765, his house was surrounded by an infuriated collection of men, who by their unusual tumult and rage, first led him to feel that his person was in danger. He was afterwards seized, and after suffering many indignities, a promise was extorted from him, to resign the office, with which he reluctantly com- plied.
On the repeal of the Stamp Act, in 1766, as soon as the news was received, the people of Newport erected a gallows, near the State House, and had the effigies of Mr. Johnson, Martin How- ard, jun., and Dr. Moffat, the stamp-masters, conveyed through the streets, in a cart, with halters about their necks. They were carried to the gallows and hanged, and shortly after cut down and burnt, amid the shouts and acclamations of the assembly. The contents of their houses and cellars were destroyed by a mob at night. Howard died Chief Justice of South Carolina ; a fine portrait of him is in the Boston Court House. The popu- lar indignation made it necessary for Mr. Johnson to seek pro- tection on board of a British armed vessel then lying in the har- bor. In the year 1779, he accompanied the enemy's forces to New- York. His property in Newport was confiscated, and as remuneration for his persecutions, he received a pension from the British Government as long as he lived, and after him the
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same was continued to his widow, who survived him many years.
Major Matthew Robinson Johnson, was the son of Augustus Johnson, who was a native of New Jersey; he was born in Newport, in 1761, and entered the British army at an early age, and served under the Duke of York and General Abercromby, at the siege of Dunkirk, and was in the various battles during the campaign in Holland; he afterwards served in the West Indies, and in all sustained the reputation of an accomplished and brave officer.
After the peace of 1800, feeling a longing desire to revisit his native place, he sold his commission, and came to Newport, where he married, and resided, except for a few years, on a farm in Portsmouth, until his death, which took place on the 5th of May, 1818, in the 56th year of his age. He was a high-minded and honorable man, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. His former residence, in Portsmouth, is now the Asylum for the Poor of that town.
Henry Marchant, was another highly distinguished counse !- lor. His father was Hexford Marchant, of Martha's Vineyard, a captain in the merchant service. His wife was a Butler, who died when the subject of this memoir was four years old, a short time after the removal of the family to Newport. Capt. Marchant married, for his second wife, the daughter of the first, and sister of the second General Ward.
The connection which the father had formed with the Ward family, had a happy effect upon the future destiny of the son. Having completed his studies under every favorable advantage, he came to Newport, and commenced practise. He was the only dissenting, or " liberty lawyer," in the Colony. His acquirements, industry, and forensic talent, soon raised him to the head of his profession. In 1766, Mr. Marchant wrote and prepared the deed from William Read, to William Ellery, John Collins, Robert Cooke, and Samuel Fowler, of " Liberty Tree lot," (a large buttonwood tree standing on it, at the north end of Thames-street, Newport.) Said lot and tree thereon, were conveyed to the grantees " in trust, and forever thereafter to be known by the name of the ' Tree of Liberty,' to be set apart to, and for the use of, the sons of liberty ; and that the same stand as a monument of the spirited and noble opposition to the
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Stamp Act, in the year 1765, by the sons of liberty in Newport, and throughout the continent of North America, and to be considered as emblematical of 'public liberty taking deep root in English America, of her strength and spreading protection, of her benign influences, refreshing her sons in all their just struggles against the attempts of tyranny and oppression.' And furthermore, the said tree of liberty is destined and set apart for exposing to public ignominy and reproach, all offenders against the liberties of the country, and the abettors and approvers of such as would enslave her. And, in general, said tree is hereby set apart, for such other purposes as they, the true born sons of liberty, shall, from time to time, from age to age, and in all times and ages hereafter, apprehend, judge, and resolve, may subserve the glorious cause of Public Liberty." The deed is witnessed by thirty-one of the most respectable and influential Whigs in Newport.
When the island was afterwards possessed by the enemy, the tree, thus dedicated, was destroyed ; but after the evacuation, in 1783, it was replaced by another, which is still standing. The names, engraved on copper, and placed on the tree, are nearly covered over by the tree's enlargement. Let the inhabi- tants of Newport be reminded of their liberties, when they look on this tree, and guard against every attempt to under- mine their glorious privileges.
THE HON. HENRY MARCHANT, Member of the Revolutionary Congress, and United States' Judge for the District of Rhode Island, Died August 30th, 1796, ÆTATIS 56.
William Channing was another distinguished counsellor, of Newport. In early life he sustained many honorable offices by legislative appointment, and at the annual State election in 1777, he was, by his fellow-citizens, elected Attorney General, without opposition ; his predecessor, Mr. Marchant, having been, at the same period, chosen delegate to the Confederated Congress.
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MEDICAL FACULTY.
Mr. Channing was grandson of John Channing, of Dorset- shire, England ; the first of the name who came to America, and who arrived in Boston about 1715. He was born in New- port, May 31st, 1751, and was educated at Aashua Hall, (Princeton College,) where he graduated in 1769. He was the father of the late W. E. Channing, D. D., who ranks as one of the most eminent divines the world has ever produced, as also Walter Channing, M. D., of Boston, who is distinguished as a philanthropist.
Matthew Robinson, the only son of Robert Robinson, was ap- pointed Searcher of the Customs in Newport, by Queen Anne, and assumed the duties of the office about the year 1706. Matthew was born in Newport, in the year 1709. He was well educated, and was an apt and ready Latin and Greek scholar, but whether he graduated from any public institution, cannot now be ascer- tained. He established an office in Newport, about forty years before the Revolution, and practised law with reputation, and his business was considerable on the circuits. He was a great collector of amazing incidents, trite sayings, and conundrums, which he preserved in a book kept for that purpose. One was, " that it was difficult to drive a black hog in the dark."
Robert Lightfoot was born in London, in 1716. His family were wealthy, and of high respectability. He graduated from the University of Oxford, studied law in the Inner Temple, and was appointed Judge of the Vice Admiralty, in the Southern District of the United States, in the reign of George II, with a salary of £6,000 a year. He entered upon the duties of his office, but the climate enfeebling his health, he came to New- port, which was then, as now, celebrated for its restorative influence to renovate his impaired constitution. Finding the island and its scenery as delightful as his fancy could sketch, and its society refined and attractive, he was disinclined to return, and resigned his office.
The venerable Dr. Waterhouse, in his letter, observes, " I knew Judge Lightfoot very well ; he was a well-educated man, and first taught me to value and study Lord Bacon, and from him I learnt to value Locke, and Newton, and Boerhaave. He was the oracle of literary men in Newport ; was a very able and learned man, and appeared, at Rhode Island, I thought-
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" Condemn'd to trudge, Without an equal, and without a judge.'
" He was a great epicure, a perfect encyclopædia, and wel- come to the tables of the first characters, and constantly dined from home." (In those days Grahamism was unknown, and to enjoy life seemed to be the wish and desire of all.) " He was not a buffoon or mimic, but a fine relator of apt anecdotes. He informed every body, and contradicted no one, but had a happy Socratic method of teaching. He honored me with his notice, and I gained more knowledge from him than any other man in the choice of books." These were the palmy days of Newport, when the island was the intellectual constellation of this Western hemisphere.
MEDICAL FACULTY.
The names of Hunter, Halliburton, Brett, Moffat, Hooper, &c., rank high among the most eminent physicians of that or any other age. Dr. Waterhouse says :
" About the year 1756, Dr. William Hunter gave at Newport, R. I., the first anatomical and surgical lectures ever delivered in the twelve Colonies. They were delivered in. the Court House, two seasons in succession, by cards of invitation, and to great satisfaction. His collection of instruments was much larger than any professor exhibits at this day. Dr. Hunter was a man of talents, well-educated at Edinburgh, and a gentleman of taste in the fine arts."
He further says, alluding to Dr. Hunter and Halliburton : " We doubt whether Boston, New-York, or Philadelphia, ever had, at one and the same time, two practitioners of physic and surgery, better educated and more skillful than these two gentle- men."
Dr. Hunter's daughters were said to have been beautiful and accomplished women. Soon after the peace of 1783, they went with their mother to Europe, for the purpose of procuring medi cal aid for one of the daughters. The youngest was married on the Continent, to Mr. Falconer, a celebrated banker in Naples, and the other to Count de Callender.
Dr Hunter was the father of the late Hon. William Hunter, who was Minister to Brazil, South America. Of his distin- guished talents we are fully acquainted. He was one of nature's
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noblemen, and his native town of Newport felt justly proud of him, and highly appreciated his commanding talents, in their electing him to the various offices of importance in the State, and in the national councils. In the Senate of the United States none held a higher rank. His eloquence was listened to with the profoundest attention. He showed himself a man ; one who was every way qualified to discharge the high and important trust committed to him by his constituents. His form and car- riage indicated the finished gentleman. Those who remember him in his palmy days, will be ready to respond to the view here given of him.
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