USA > Rhode Island > History of Rhode Island > Part 14
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Mr. Hunter was an independent man ; he acknowledged no superior in the sense as to lead him to abandon his own pri- vate opinion, to gratify some would-be lordling. He planted his feet on the broad principle of right, and maintained the honor and dignity of the country which gave him birth. He enjoyed the friendship and esteem of James Madison and Andrew Jackson, which we conceived to be no small honor. Mr. Hunter was of the old school. He never followed in the track of the modern pigmies and dwarfs, whose pedantry lead them to think that all knowledge will die with them. His was a higher stan- dard of moral excellence, derived from an age when firmness and stability of character were the characteristics of the times.
Dr. Isaac Center, who succeeded the distinguished names already, was a native of Londonderry, N. H., and was born about the year 1753. He received his medical education in Newport, R. I., that place being famed at the time for the num- ber of its distinguished physicians. While pursuing his studies, the news of the battle of Lexington, April 1775, arrived, and filled with patriotic ardor, he immediately joined the Rhode Island troops, whom he accompanied to the camp at Cambridge, as a surgeon. On the organization of the army, he received a con- firmation of his appointment, and was sent with the expedition of Gen. Arnold to Quebec. The road was up the Kennebec river, through the untried wilderness, which occupied thirty-two days, in the inclement months of November and December, before they reached the settlement on the Chaudiere ; the whole march was made on foot, during which he, with the rest of the army, suffered almost incredible hardships. In the assault on Quebec, all of Arnold's division were either killed or made prisoners of war ;.
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
among the latter was young Center, who after being detained some time to attend to the sick and wounded, wasreleased and suffered to return home. In 1779, he quitted the army, and served as a physician, in the town of Cranston, R. I., and was soon after elected one of the Representatives to the General Assembly, from that town. In 1784 he was chosen Surgeon and Physician- General of the State and Army, and removed to Newport, where he commenced the practice of physic, under the most favorable auspices, nearly all the old physicans having either died or emi- grated during the war.
The Rev. William E. Channing, D. D., in speaking of Dr. Isaac Center, says : " He was a physician of extensive practice, who was thought to unite with great experience, a rare genius in his profession, and whose commanding figure rises before me, at the distance of forty-five years, as a specimen of manly beauty, worthy of the chisel of a Grecian sculptor."
He contributed to several papers, and also to the medical publications of the day, which acquired him a reputation not only in his own country, but in Europe. He died in 1799. He left two sons and three daughters. Dr. Horace Center, was educated in England, and was a practising physician of Newport, a gentleman highly distinguished in his profession. He was killed near Savannah, Geo., in a duel with the Hon. John Rutledge, of South Carolina. Nathaniel Greene Center . died at sea, having been in the East India service. Edward Gilbon, the youngest son, was a young man of fine genius and elegant appearance. His eldest daughter, Eliza, married Rev. N. B. Crocker, D. D., Rector of St. John's church, Providence. For forty-eight years he has continued to minister to this church and congregation, with acceptance. Having devoted the energies of his nature in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, avoiding ques- tions which gender strife, rather " than godly edifying, which is in faith"-a long life has not alienated, but increased and strengthened the affections of his people towards him, and evi- dences the preponderance of good sense over ignorance, which , distinguishes the society. It is no flattery to say of him, that he is a man of " blameless life and godly conversation," and entitled to the respect and confidence of the community among whom he has lived for nearly half a century.
Sarah married Clement S. Hunt, Purser in the U. S. Navy.
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FISH IMPORTED.
A Charter was granted to the Artillery Company in 1741. The first officers elected were :
Jahleel Brenton, Capt.
John Brown, 1st Lieut.
William Mamford, 2d
Jolin Tillinghast, Ensign.
Josias Lyndon, Clerk.
John Channing, Samuel Freebody,
Sergeants.
Job Bennett, Peter Freby, S Drummers.
This company has always held a high rank, and embraced the most distinguished citizens of Newport. And for the honor of the town, and out of respect to the memory of the first offi- cers, may it never lose its hold on the hearts of the people.
A List of Fish brought to Newport in 1779, as reported by Edward Thurston, Esq.
A
5
F
R
Alewives Anchovies
B
Grunters
S
Bass, Sea and Striped
H
Ship Jack
Blue Fish
Haddock
Scuppague
Brill
Hake
Sheep's Head
Bonnetta
Holibut
Sneateague
Bull Fish
Herrings, English
Sturgeon
Bull's Eyes
L
Shad
Cod Cusk
Lancets Lobsters
Smelts
Cochogset
Salmon
Cravalleys
M
Slice Fish
Clams, Mud
Mackerel, Round
Sole Scollops
Cockles
Large Horse
Squirt
Crabs, Green 6 Sand
Spanish
Sea Mails
= Spider
Menhaden
Sagars
Mussels
Sword Fish
Sea
Millets
Shiners
= Running
Mummy Chogs
Sun Fish
Fiddler
Maids
Sharks
Cat Fish
Minnums
T
D
0
Thrasher
Dace Drum
Tantogue
E
Perch, Sea
Fresh-water
Egg Fish Erls, Sea
Polluck, Whiting
Lamper
Plaice
Conger
Pouts
Common
Pike
W
Pumpkin Fish
Whale, Right
Porpoise
Humpback
Striped
.6 Bone
Quahog
Q
Flounders Frost Fish
F
Oysters
Tarpum
P
Tom-Cod
Trout
Toad Fish
Tortoise
Sea
Beach
66 Small ditto
Small ditto
Shrimps
King
Sucking Fisk
Limpets
Skate
C
Flying Fish G
Razor Fish Rudder Fish
Walter Cranston,
Josiah Brown,
Sand
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND
Newport has long been justly celebrated, for having the best fish market in the world, both for variety and quality. The choicest kinds, and the most sought after, are the Tautogue Sea Bass, Striped Bass, Horse Mackerel, and Blue Fish. The Tautogue, as served up in Newport style, is esteemed a very great luxury by the epicure : cooked as they are, immediately after taken from the sea, render them greatly superior to those obtained elsewhere. It is one great inducement for strangers to visit Newport, in connection with other attractions which are to be met within this highly interesting town.
It is delightful to ascend the cliff where the fishermen resort, and enjoy the healthy breezes of the ocean, and contemplate the restless wave, dashing its starry foam along the rock-bound shore ; while at a distance the inflated white sails of passing ves- sels, burnished by the meridian sun, glide on the bosom of the ocean, and dazzle with its brightness the attentive eye that watches the beautiful sight.
Fishing, to the gentleman of leisure, is a pleasant pastime ; nothing is more exciting and animating, than to hook a fine white chin tautogue, and draw him up on the rocks, in connec- tion with anticipating the moment when he is placed on the gridiron, well-smothered with onions, &c. Why the mere thought makes the moath water for such a repast.
It has been a question whether the facilities for fishing, which are enjoyed to so high a degree in Newport, is of advantage or not to the place. We have no hesitation in saying, that situated as Newport is, it proves a great blessing to the inhabitants, afford- ing employment to many who would otherwise have nothing to do; and it is also a laudable occupation and conducive to health and longevity. It is one of God's blessings to his crea- tures, and as such, should be highly appreciated and valued by the inhabitants.
The Point -- the northern part of Newport-is a highly inter- esting and beautiful portion, already beginning to be appreciated by strangers. In this section of the town, many of the inhabi- tants procure a livelihood by following the business of fishing. They own their boats, and go outside as far as Beaver tail ; occasionally they obtain a job to pilot some vessel to Providence, Fall River, &c. The Youngs, Gladdings, Huddys, &c., have been an easy and clever set of fellows, and they have well per- formed their part in securing varieties from the briny deep.
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THE FISH TRADE IN NEWPORT.
An old fisherman, Samuel Maxson, has kindly furnished the author with the most noted spots which have long been the re- sort of the inhabitants of Newport, to take fish. They are to be found at the south part of the island, about two miles from the town, viz : Taylor's Point, Ellison's Rocks, Shelf Rock, Stanton Rock, Coggeshall's Ledge, Bass Rock, Rough Point, Cluster Island Rocks, Gulley, near the boat-house, Spouting Rock, a little to the west of south, Jeffries' Point, or Rock Farm Point, Gooseberry Island, a short distance from Rhode Island. This was a favorite place of resort of Col. John Malborn, and his associates, who were often in the habit of spending a week on the island, taking fish and adhering strictly to the old maxim of having their swim three times. They used to have a jolly time of it, and often indulged to excess. Cherry Neck, Price's Neck, Seal Rock, Brenton's Reef, Castle Hill, so named from an old fort remaining on the farm, Isle Rock, Church's Beach, Kettle-bottom Rock, Almy's Pond, and Lily Pond, where perch were occasionally taken; the salt water fish being pre- ferred, on account of their superior flavor, not many are taken. These are the most important places in Coggeshall and Bren- ton's Neck ; and no sight is more pleasing than to witness the fishermen returning with a fine supply of fish, to furnish New- port market.
Every day in the year some kinds of fish may be found at the head of Banister's Wharf, Ferry Wharf, and the Granary or Brick Market, the three principal depots. Here stand the wheel-barrows, with their choice contents, an object of interest to the inhabitants. This is one of the old land-marks, like the blue eggs and egg nog, which continue to be sold on the day of general election, and may these relies of antiquity forever dis- tinguish the town.
Wild fowl are at certain seasons quite abundant, and are es- tecmed a great luxury by many. Captain Jeremiah Bliss, the son of the late Elder Bliss, who has attained to the advanced age of fourscore years, was considered the best shot on the Island ; he has been known in former days to load a horse with sea-fowl.
To the man of leisure, it is fine sport to shoot the fowl which hover around the shores, and still more gratifying, to partake of a fine stew, made of them
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Having alluded to the Boat-house, we would subjoin a few remarks. It has existed from a very early period, and was in- tended as an accommodation to the inhabitants of Newport. Captain Jeremiah Bliss says : " I have known it for more than sixty years, and helped to build the one which was destroyed in the September gale." The Malborn's, &c., were in the habit of resorting there before this period, and had partitioned off a room to keep their guns and ammunition. In the transfer of the farm, which has been frequent, this privilege to the land has always been granted, as being a public benefit in which each citizen of the town had a right to participate. There was one attempt made to question the propriety of having this site oc- cupied for the above purpose, but public opinion put the matter to rest.
Sir Granville Temple's daughter died of small pox, and was buried on the Harrison Farm, S. S. W. of the Lime Rocks.
Dark Day, 1780. The Dark Day was distinguished by the phenomenon of a remarkable darkness in the North part of America, and is still called the Dark Day.
The following is an account of its appearance at Newport, as given at the time :
" There fell here a singular and remarkable darkness, which overspread the hemisphere for about five hours. In the morn- ing were showers attended with distant thunder; about 10 o'clock A. M., a darkness came on, which by 11 o'clock, was perceived to be very unusual and extraordinary, and in half an hour after was considered as what was never before seen in these northern climates in America. The darkness was so intense, from a little before noon to two o'clock, as that persons could not read, and it became necessary to light up candles. Even the fowls, it is said, went to roost. Many of the inhabitants were thereupon thrown into the greatest consternation, as if the ap- pearance was supernatural, and believed that the Day of Judg- ment was about to come. A little after 2, P. M., it became somewhat lighter, but the darkness soon returned. About 3 o'clock it began to go off, and at 4, P. M., the heavens resumed their usual light, as in a cloudy day, although the cloudiness continued all the rest of the afternoon."
Various were the speculations on the event, but no fixed con- clusions were ever arrived at.
167
LOOK-OUT HOUSE BUILT.
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GREAT SNOW STORMS AND INTENSE COLD.
In 1717, two great snow storms took place, on the 20th and 24th of February, which covered the ground so deep with snow, that people for some days could not pass from one house to another. Old Indians said, their fathers had never told them of such a snow. It was from ten to twenty feet deep, and generally covered the lower stories, so that people dug paths from one house to another, under the snow. Soon after, a slight rain fell, and the frost crusted it over, so that the people went out of their chamber windows, and walked over it. Many of the farmers lost their sheep, and most of the sheep and swine which were saved, lived from one to two weeks without food.
Great damage was done to the orchards, by the snow freez- ing to the branches, and splitting them from the trees by its great weight.
This fall of snow formed a remarkable era in New England, and old people in relating an event would say, that it happened so many years before, or after, the great snow.
About the first of January, 1780, a period of steady cold commenced ; during forty days, even on the south and sunny side of the buildings in warm situations, there was no indication of a thaw. The light and dry snow drifted and eddied with the incessant motion of the wind ; paths opened, were imme- diately filled up, and communication was entirely interrupted. Narragansett Bay remained frozen over for six weeks, and the ice extended from the shore as far as the eye could see.
The inhabitants of Newport experienced the greatest distress for fuel ; wood could not be had, and they were obliged to resort to wharf logs, old buildings, fences, and every other ex- pedient to keep themselves from freezing. Wood was sold at the enormous price of $20 per cord. Provisions were equally scarce. Corn was sold at four silver dollars per bushel, and potatoes at two dollars per bushel ; and other articles in like proportion.
In 1756, a look-out house was built on the top of the stone mill, which then belonged to John Banister, Esq. Benedict Arnold's daughter married Edward Pelham, who inherited his
168
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
estate. Mr: Pelham left two daughters, one of whom married John Banister, and the other John Cowley, to whom his estate descended, consisting of Banister's Wharf, and the one known as Stephens' Wharf, which extended from Pelham-street to what is now called Bellevue-street.
The Banister family once filled a large place in Newport. The farm of the late George Irish, Esq., was the country seat of the Banisters. They lived in a style of affluence, and the choice viands which graced their table, would satisfy an epicurean palate. But one of the name is now left in Newport, of this once distinguished family. We have in our view at this very moment, Mrs. Banister, one of the older branches of the family, who resembled a lady dowager in the dignity of her appearance, and the courteousness of her manners.
THE STONE MILL.
" Fancy spreads her wing Around thy time-scathed brow, and deeply tints Her fairy scroll, while hoar antiquity In silence frowns upon the aimless flight.
And whatsoever bears The stamp of hoary time, and hath not been The minister of evil, claims from us Somo tribute of respect."
In dimensions this mill is nearly twenty-five feet in height, its diameter on the outside is twenty-three feet, and inside is eighteen feet nine inches. It is circular, and supported upon eight arches, resting on thick columns, about ten feet high; the height of the centre of the arches from the ground is twelve feet six inches, and the foundation extends to the depth of four or five feet.
There has been much speculation, in relation to this struc- ture, within the last twenty years ; strangers, visiting Newport, have attempted to make it out as being erected by the labor of Northmen, whom they supposed to have discovered this continent, anterior to Columbus in the twelfth century.
169
THE STONE MILL.
These Northmen were the descendants of the Scandinavians, who, it is thought, sprang from the Thracians, mentioned by Homer, a nation now extinct. The Danes, Swedes, Nor- wegians, and Icelanders, all come under the name of Northmen, or Norsemen. Their literature has been compared, in extent, to the literary remains of Greece and Latium. This opens a new fountain of research, where the scholar may often
" Return and linger, linger and return."
In a work recently published in Denmark, the author has attempted to show that the old Stone Mill was built by North- men. The Rev. Mr. Kipp, of Albany, tells me he saw at the residence of the Duke of Tuscany, a Swedish Count, who spoke of this building as the work of Northmen. He was perfectly familiar with the discoveries of those whom he proudly called " his people."
" The active mind of man instinctively surveys the dark regions of the past, and would gladly break the unfathomable silence of the nations of the dead, and raise the veil where their beauty and glory have slept for ages. The strong desire to learn something of those who lived when time was young, leads the antiquarian to often adopt groundless theories." -- Antiquities of America, by A. Davis.
We have made this extract, for the purpose of preparing the mind of the reader, to draw his own inferences from the views entertained by antiquarians, with those which are held by the people of Newport, especially those of David Melville, Esq., who has devoted much time and attention to the investi- gation of the subject.
The most ridiculous views have been entertained of the nature and object of this structure, and also of the period when it was erected. These visionary ideas are of recent origin, and are not founded in fact, but the mere workings of a fanciful imagination which aims to surround the structure with a kind of romance, in order to gratify a morbid appetite which delights in the marvellous. We shall offer extracts from the will of 'Governor Benedict Arnold, and of Edward Pelham, who mar- ried his daughter, and then present the arguments which have been ably employed by one of our most respectable citizens, David Melville, Esq :
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170
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
" My body I desire and appoint to be buried at ye northeast corner of a parcel of ground containing three rods square, being of, and lying in, my land, in or near the line or path from my dwelling house, leading to my stone-built wind-mill, in ye town of Newport abovementioned."-A True Copy from the Records of the Town Clerk's Office in the Town of Newport, Page 348. No. 5 Probate Records.
What language could possibly have been employed, more significant, to convey to the mind the object for which this struc- ture was reared, " my stone-built wind-mill, in the town of New- port." He does not say, " my so-called mill," as though he was ignorant of the origin or the design of the structure, but speaks in the most explicit manner, no doubt being entertained in his mind, of the nature and design of the building. We have asked the opinion of legal men, in what light they understood the language of Governor Arnold, and they have at once ad- mitted that it was to be understood in its most literal significa- tion, as a mill built by Governor Arnold, for a useful purpose, viz. : to grind corn for the early settlers.
Extract from Edward Pelham's will, dated May 21, 1741. Bequest to his daughter Hermæoine, the wife of John Banister, after others previously made :
" Also one other piece or parcel of land situated, lying and being in Newport aforesaid, containing eight acres or there- abouts, with an old stone wind-mill thercon standing, and being and commonly called and known by the name of the mill field, or upper field."
The butts and bounds shew this to be part of the lot men- tioned in Benedict Arnold's will, on which he says " standeth my dwelling, or mansion house," &c., " as also my stone-built wind-mill."
This property remained in the Banister family until the Ameri- can Revolution. Here we have additional testimony of the nature and object of this structure, which has called forth such frequent discussions in the public prints. It is here clearly im- plied, if language can be understood, that it was built for a wind mill, and this has been the opinion of the inhabitants of . Newport, who have given the least attention to the subject.
Mr. Pelham does not attempt to make out in his will, that it was anything else than what had been before so lucidly and
171
THE STONE MILL.
clearly described by Governor Benedict Arnold, but says, " an old stone wind-mill thereon standing." No instrument ever writ- ten could have been plainer or more to the point ; and it shows a very great weakness in the human mind, to attempt to prove that it was built anterior to the discovery of this Continent by Columbus.
Those who settled the Island of Aquedneck, were not ignorant men, they had a knowledge of architecture, acquired in Europe, and the abundance of stone at their hand, induced them to erect the wind-mill, of this material, as being more permanent and lasting. There is nothing very remarkable in its construction. It is built of rough stone, placed without order, though in a communication made to the Antiquarian Society of Copenhagen, by Dr. Webb, he has made a statement so entirely incorrect as to deceive the Society into the idea that it could not have been erected by the early settlers of the island. He represents it as " built of stone, and laid in regular courses," which is not the fact, and had a tendency to mislead the mind of those to whom the statement was sent.
To our mind, the construction of this mill for an important and useful purpose, viz., to prepare food for the inhabitants, is a rational conclusion to arrive at, and one infinitely preferable to the vague notion embraced by many minds living at a die- tance, that it was erected as a fortress to defend a race who occupied the Island in the twelfth century. The former is the only sensible view which can be taken of the subject, while the latter is replete with the most egregious folly.
Nicholas Easton, who built the first house in Newport, makes no mention of the mill, which, if it had then been standing, would no doubt have been made matter of record by him or others of the early settlers.
A gentleman procured a quantity of the cement or mortar, from the wall of the old stone house in Spring-street, which was built by Henry Bull, one of the first purchasers of the Island, and immediately after the first settlement of the town, in 1638, and specimens from several other ancient buildings and stone chimneys, and some from the tombs of Governor Arnold and his wife, and from the stone mill, and analyzed and com- pared them, and found them of the same quality, and composed of shell lime, sand, and gravel ; and considered it very strong
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
evidence that they were built not far from the same time-all probably within a period of thirty or forty years from each other. It will be borne in mind by the reader, that we noticed the making of shell-lime at a very early period of the settlement of the town.
It may appear strange to the reader that this discovery has so recently been made. But when it is considered that public attention has never been called to the investigation of the sub- ject until of late, their surprise and astonishment should cease. Many things are taken for granted, which may not in fact be true. It was currently reported and believed in olden times, that the celebrated spot known as Purgatory, at the second beach, had no bottom, and that frequent attempts had been made to sound it, but without effect. Now, so far from this being the truth, the tide ebbs and flows into it, and at low water it is quite shallow. Superstition has ever had its votaries, down to the period of spiritual knockings.
We will now subjoin a portion of the correspondence, held through the Newport Herald and The Rhode Islander, on this recently mooted subject, feeling satisfied in our own mind that our venerable townsman, David Melville, Esq., has done ample justice to the subject, and confounded the idle theories of his opponents, and shown to the world that it is nothing more or less than an old stone mill.
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