USA > Rhode Island > History of Rhode Island > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
" When we are in our graves, our children will honor it. They will celebrate it with thanksgiving, with festivity, with bonfires, and illuminations. On its annual return they will shed tears, copious, gushing tears, not of subjection and slavery, not of agony and distress, but of exultation, of gratitude, and of joy."
Let us prize this bulwark of constitutional liberty, and dis- countenance every attempt to undermine its foundation, in which consists our glory, our happiness and our independence.
284
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Major John Handy was a merchant of Newport. He was the son of Charles Handy, Esq., a distinguished citizen of New- port. He entered the Revolutionary army, to defend the honor of his country, and was promoted to the rank of Major. He died in Newport in 1828, aged 72 years.
The late Thomas Handy, Esq., brother of the Major, was a gentleman of dignified and courteous manners. He married Mary, the daughter of John Henry Overing, an eminent mer- chant of Newport. Mrs. Handy was truly a most estimable lady, endowed with those rare virtues and accomplishments which rendered her an ornament to society. Of a large and highly interesting family of children, but four survive her. Mary, · who married her cousin, James Overing, of Westchester, N. Y .; Matilda, widow of Mr. Levi of Philadelphia ; Robert, of the U. S. Navy ; and Augustus, the wife of Mr. Sinclair of the city of New-York, a Counsellor at Law.
1
These reminiscences, though highly interesting in their char. acter, yet nevertheless recall to mind solemn and affecting thoughts on the ravages produced by time, in the domestic cir- cle, and should teach a salutary lesson of the fading and transi- tory nature of all earthly glory. As the Handy family held an important position in society, and was highly regarded, a mere glance at their history we view as important in a work of this kind.
General Charles T. James, whose recent election to the Sen- ate of the United States has created such an unusual degree of interest in the public mind, stands intimately and prominently connected with Newport, and we have felt called upon to notice his origin.
His grandfather John James, and his maternal grandfather, Charles Tillinghast, settled in Newport at an early period. His grandfather Tillinghast, was a devoted patriot ; he was in Sulli- van's expedition on Rhode Island, and was subsequently seized in his house at night by a band of British soldiers, and carried off. His sad fate was never satisfactorily known ; it was, how- ever, reported that he had died of the small pox.
Silas James, the father of the General, was born in Newport, and although a lad, was also in the expedition with his grand- father ; he afterwards removed to West Greenwich, where he improved a farm, and was repeatedly elected to represent that
1
285
THE ASIATIC CHOLERA.
town in General Assembly, and was also chosen Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which office he held for many years.
There were six of the name of James, engaged in Sullivan's expedition, which proves them to have been men of the right stamp, and eminently fitted for that stormy period.
In 1827, the Newport Association of Mechanics and Manu- facturers, appointed a committee to receive donations in books, or otherwise, for the purpose of establishing a library for the use of the members, and the apprentices of members. For more than thirty years the funds of this Society, although never ex- · tensive, have been invariably and zealously devoted to the most beneficial purposes. This Association, as far as its resources would permit, has clothed the naked, fed the hungry, and in- structed the ignorant. It has ever been rich in disposition to do good, given to hospitality, and distributing to the necessities of the indigent.
THE ASIATIC CHOLERA.
The Asiatic Cholera made its first appearance in August, at Jessore, a considerable city about one hundred miles north of Calcutta. After desolating some of the fairest portions of Asia, it penetrated the northern part of Europe, and sweeping over a great part of that continent, reached the British Isles. It has mastered every variety of climate, has passed mountains and swept over seas, proving equally fatal amid the burning sands of Arabia, and on the frozen shores of the White sea ; and in the space of less than fifteen years bas swept off more than fifty millions of the human race !
This dreadful disorder, two or three years previous to its appearance on this continent, was scarcely known to exist by a great portion of the American people. It first began to attract attention here, when it was known to have reached England, and its destructive ravages in Paris created alarm ; but the hope was entertained that the Atlantic would prove a barrier to its approach. But when that barrier was passed, and it was known that this destroying angel had begun its march of death on this continent, a general consternation prevailed through the land.
١
--
٠٠٠ -٠٩-
a
286
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
It soon reached Albany and New-York, from Canada, and shortly spread dismay and death among the inhabitants of many of our cities.
At the June Session of the General Assembly of Rhode Island of that year, they recommended a public fast. The pre- amble of the act says :
" Whereas, That scourge to the human race, the Asiatic Cholera, has made its appearance on this continent, and as no human exertions can effectually resist the approach of this threat- ening pestilence which 'walketh in darkness and wasteth at noon day,' it becometh us humbly and devoutly to acknowledge our dependence upon, and to implore the aid of Him in whose hand our breath is, and whose mercies endureth forever ; there- fore,
" Resolved, that Thursday, the 5th day of July next, be, and is hereby set apart, as a day of humiliation and prayer to Almighty God, that he would stay this plague, and avert the appalling visitations of his judgments."
Newport was remarkably favored ; but few deaths occurred, and those originated from imprudence. And it was remarked that the health of our cities, other than this disorder, was better than what is usually the case at the same season of the year.
In 1849, when this disease again made its appearance in this country, sweeping off very many in our larger cities, not one instance of death from the disease occurred at Newport. And when it is considered that there were some four thousand stran- gers visiting at Newport, which, added to her own population, made the aggregate of 13,000, it is most certainly an evidence of the remarkable healthiness of the climate.
The present population of the Island, according to the census of 1850, is 12,228, viz. : Newport, 9,963; Middletown, 832, and Portsmouth, 1,833. The fertility of the Island is, perhaps, un- exampled ; this is owing, in a great measure, to the facilities for obtaining manure, which consists of Menhaden fish and sea-weed, which are abundant, and which seem particularly adapted to the soil. The exports have consisted of potatoes, onions, apples, pork, &c. Farms distant from Newport, are usually from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, according to their location and the quality of the soil.
The farms generally are small, having been cut up and
· 287
ASYLUM FOR THE POOR.
divided from time to time. This, however, is preferable, as a few acres, well cultivated, will yield far more than a larger quantity, partially cultivated. It was the saying of Virgil, " great farms to look at, and small farms for profit." As an illustration of this truth, it may be found in the proceeds of the model farm of the late Judge Child, of Portsmouth, which contains about forty acres of land. It was stated to the author, that he had realized $1000 per annum, independent of his living. Farming is a most honorable employment, and the most inde- pendent which can possibly be followed. It is said that when the early Romans praised a good man, they called him an agri- culturist and a good husbandman; and that on a certain occa- sion, when a distinguished citizen of Rome was visited by a for- eign ambassador, he was found cooking his repast of vegetables raised by his own hand from his seven acre farm.
It must appear obvious to the mind which has given the least attention to the subject, that more land is held in possession than is scientifically cultivated, and which is rather an expense than a profit to the owner. If the farms on the Island were still subdivided and parcelled out, it would not only increase the population, but also be far more productive, as there would be less land to manure, and a greater attention bestowed on the subject.
Those seeking a country-place, may take for their creed, that
Man wants but little land below, Nor wants that little dear.
The town of Portsmouth, a few years since, purchased a farm containing about sixty acres of land, as an Asylum for the Poor. It is most delightfully located, and every necessary comfort is furnished the inmates, which their condition requires. It was an act highly creditable to the town, as it went to ameliorate the evils of poverty, to which all are exposed in this world of vicissitude and change. Dyre's Island lays nearly opposite the Asylum.
Since penning these thoughts, we have met with the Report of Thomas R. Hazard, Esq., on " The Condition of the Poor and Insane in Rhode Island," in which he has presented a most melancholy picture of the treatment of the poor in the Ports- mouth Asylum. For the honor of the town, if such be the pain-
288
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
ful fact disclosed, we would indulge the hope that an ameliora- tion of their condition may at once be effected.
Let it not be said, that in the nineteenth century, and more especially on the island of Rhode Island, where toleration has been so highly enjoyed, that a want of principle exists towards a class of unfortunate beings, who have such strong claims on our sympathy and compassion. All are liable to misfortune in this changing world, and the prosperous to-day may be in adver- sity to-morrow. This shows the necessity for those having the supervision of the poor, to treat them with that degree of kind- ness which they themselves would expect, were they in the same unhappy condition. And none can lay claim to the character of a Christian, who do not feel called upon to soothe and miti- gate the evils of poverty, so far as in them lie, which we con- ceive to be the test of Christian character, agreeable to the teachings of the Saviour, recorded in the 25th chapter of Mat- thew.
Mr. Hazard has shown a commendable spirit, in thus devot- ing his time and attention to the investigation of this most im- portant subject ; which has already led to an improvement in the condition of the poor, in many of the towns in our State. God speed the day, when Rhode Island shall be found foremost in every good work to advance the happiness of man. We take pleasure in being able to state that a marked improvement has taken place in the Portsmouth Asylum, since the publication of Mr. Hazard's Report, and to him belongs the credit.
In 1808, a deposit of coal was discovered in Portsmouth, by Doct. Case, of Newport. It was worked for a time, and then abandoned. It was subsequently renewed by a company from Boston, but being impregnated with iron, it was found difficult to ignite. One of the proprietors called on a lawyer of New- York, who was rather of an eccentric character, to recommend the article, which he cordially did. But the certificate proved to be such a one as would not be likely to advance the sale of the article. It was as follows : " At the general conflagration of the universe, the most secure place to be found, would be the coal mine at Portsmouth, R. I."
. More recently a company from Providence have taken it in hand, and have succeeded in finding a better quality of coal. For manufacturing purposes it is said to answer as well as the
1
289
RECORD OF FIRES.
anthracite, and at far less expense. The excavations are very extensive. Many families in the neighborhood now burn it. Since the mining operations were first commenced, a large amount of capital has been sunk in the enterprise.
RECORDS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Heart Fire Club was established about 1790. The number of members was limited to fifty ; one captain, one lieutenant, a treasurer, and clerk. The object of this Association was to aid in the preservation of property in time of fire. An annual dinner was provided for the Association, and the expenses were defrayed by an equal assessment upon the members. No mem. ber was to be excused, unless by a vote of the Club. The return of the anniversary was looked forward to with great interest, when all participated in the good things which a kind Providence had furnished. The evening was spent in the rela- tion of anecdotes and recitations, occasionally interspersed with songs, and was the means of strengthening the bond of union among the fraternity.
Perhaps there is no town of equal size where the inhabitants are so careful of fire as Newport, and where the firemen are more vigilant and active in suppressing it, whenever it occurs. The estimate of losses for the last hundred years, is compara- tively trifling, and when it is considered that Newport has been settled for more than two hundred years, that not a building was ever consumed in Thames-street, may well be looked upon as almost miraculous. We question whether another such instance can be found on record.
Insurance Companies may feel quite safe in taking riskes on property in Newport. We would suggest, that it would be good policy for the town to establish an Insurance Office, and hence retain the premiums, which now go to build up other places.
John W. Davis, Esq., Foreman of Engine Company, No. 1, has kindly furnished the following valuable information, being a statement, from the books of the Company, of all the Fires, of any consequence, which have occurred in Newport, for one hundred years, viz. :-
t.
1
290
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
FIRES FROM 1749 TO 1848. '
1749. December, Ellery house, on the Hill.
1759. December, Goddard's house, on the Point.
1762. February, Fire on Long Wharf. 1
1763. September, Dillingham's shop.
1764. October 26th, Dr. Stiles' Meeting House, (the Central now,) and Trinity Church, both struck by lightning.
1766. June 7, Colonel Malborn's mansion, on the site of J. Prescott Hall's new house.
October 1st, Green's sugar house.
1769. June 28th, Malborn house.
1770. June 21st, Green's sugar house. December 28th, Rodman and Dennis' houses.
1771. January 18th, Lyon's coopers' shop, Green's sugar house, and sundry other buildings consumed.
August 1st, Cole's tanyard.
1763. February, Nicholas Easton's house.
1774. January 9th, Moore and Anthony's shop consumed.
1780. September 7th, Samuel Gardner's stock and fodder.
1781. July 13th, House of John Handy, in New lane, (now Mary-street.)
1784. September 21st, Larken's barn, with five tons of hay and one horse burnt.
1786. March 24th, M. Hookey's house, in Cannon-street.
1787. December 11th, John Hadwin's store, on Long Wharf. June 29th, David Melville's pewterer's shop, slight damage.
1788. October 15th, Ebenezer Richardson's house, slight dam- age to the roof.
1789. December 2d, Noah White's blacksmith's shop burnt down.
1791. April 16th, John Hadwin's and J. Richardson's.
1792. January 21st, Tanyard and bark-house of William Tripp, and store of Governor Collin's consumed.
1795. November 17th, Jonathan Southwick's boat-builder's shop burnt down.
November 24th, John Frazier's school house, slight damage.
291
RECORD OF FIRES
1797. August 7th, Francis Brinley's ropewalk.
December 22d, Job Cahoone's house, in Thames-street, slight damage.
1798. December 6th, Blacksmith's shop on Long Wharf con- sumed, and a man named Lewis was burnt up ; also houses owned by Capt. George and John Shaw ; Mr. Southwick's boat builder's shop torn down.
1800. October 25th, Mr. Delano's house and shed destroyed ; also a negro man, belonging to Mr. Delano.
1803. April 22d, Nicholas Hart's barn burned down, corner of Church and Spring-streets.
1
1810. March 11th, Captain Thomas White's house, in Church- street, damaged.
October 14th, Jas. Westgate's bakchouse, slight damage. December 17th, Mr. Wilson's house on the Point, slight damage.
1811. April 13th, Stable in Broad street, owned by Mrs. Pit- man, occupied by Edward Simmons, burnt down.
1819. February 7th, W. S. N. Allan's bakehouse, on Long Wharf, slight damage.
October 6th, Daniel W. Barker's house, in south part of Spring-street, burnt down.
1822. April 7th, Peleg Battle's house, on the Point, slight damage.
August 16th, John C. Almy's barn and dwelling house, belonging to A. Robbins, on Long Wharf, consumed. 1826. November 21st, Boat builder's shop, and house of Jon. Southwick, on Long Wharf, consumed.
1827. July 7th, Henry Ruggles' distillery, considerable damage. 1829. January 3d, Joseph Joslen's school house, Church street, slight damage.
1834. January 8th, Dr. B. W. Case's house, foot of Parade, slight damage.
March 22d, House belonging to the Seventh-day Baptist Society, in Thames-street, slight damage.
1835. August Sth, Dry goods store, occupied by William P. Hall, and owned by heirs of William Langley, and now occupied by Anderson's barber's shop, slight damage.
October 1st, Newport steam factory, slight damage.
292
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
1836. June 28th, Dry goods store of H. E. Brewster, (now occupied by W. H. Peek,) goods damaged.
1838. February 23d, Carpenter's shop on Beach-street, owned by Josiah Tew, consumed.
February 28th, Dwelling house in South Touro-street, owned by the heirs of Anthony Dixon, consumed.
August 2d, Thomas R. Hazard's factory ; damage about $10,000.
1840. January 1st, House in Elm-street, occupied by William Greenman ; damage $350.
February 17th, Store of D. S. Halloway, Ferry Wharf, damage $100.
1841. April 7th, Benjamin Chase's carpenter's shop, damage $200.
November 11th, Silas H. Cottrell's workshop, Thames- street, damage $300.
1842. February 17th, John H. Gilliat's new house, Touro- street, damage $1000.
May 27th, E. W. Lawton's wood-house, nearly destroyed, September 2d, Elder Henry Burdick's stable destroyed. September 6th, Thomas Townsend's barn destroyed, damage $600.
September 23d, Tower's school house, rear of Clarke. street.
September 24th, Building near Bath road, destroyed.
December 16th, John Bigley's house, Bridge-street, damage $200.
1844. February 26th, Drying house, on Woolen Mill Wharf, damage $250.
March 21st, Same building, damage $300.
1845. March 13th, Woolen factory, damage $600.
August 3d, Ocean House destroyed ; loss $60.000. One life lost.
1846. January 9th, Woolen factory, damage $200.
1847. December 26th, First Baptist Meeting-house, damaged $200.
1848 .. April 17th, Store on Ferry Wharf, owned by Samuel , Carr, damaged $250.
May 19th, Store on Long Wharf, occupied as a boat- builder's shop, damaged $650.
293
NARRAGANSETT INDIANS.
1848, July 25th, Four boat builder's shops, and one dwelling- house, on Long Wharf, destroyed ; loss $5,500. October 4th, William A. Handy's house in Fair-street, damaged $200.
-
THE NARRAGANSETT TRIBES.
We have in this work labored to present the most interesting events connected with the history of this Island. Undoubt- edly the lapse of time has buried much of value in oblivion. This was to be expected ; but sufficient has been recorded to show the reader the distinguished position which Newport occu- pied in the past, and of which there are some traces still re- maining. When it is considered that little more than two centuries have elapsed since this Island was the residence of the red man, when the war-whoop rang through the valleys and re- : verberated over the hills, when he stood erect in his own native dignity, with the bow and arrow, the weapon of his defence, and felt himself to be the rightful owner of the soil; we ask, where now are the original inhabitants, the native " lords of the soil ?" Is the feeble remnant of the Narragansetts, now under the protection of the State, all that remains of this once noble race of men ? But where are they ? Where are the villages, and warriors, and youths ? the sachems, and the tribes ? the hunters and their families ? They have perished. They are consumed.
The wasting pestilence has not alone done the mighty work. No-nor famine, nor war. There has been a mightier power, a moral canker, which has eaten into their hearts' cores-a plague, which the touch of the white man communicated-a poison, which betrayed them into a lingering ruin. They know and feel that there is for them still one remove farther, not dis- tant, nor unseen. It is the general burial ground of their race.
The colonizing of America at the expense of the sufferings and final extermination of the aborigines of this country, is painful and humiliating to consider, and detracts from that pleasure and satisfaction which would otherwise be enjoyed.
From the report of a committee on Indian affairs in Rhode Island, made to the General Assembly in 1833, " it appears that
294
HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
the whole number of all grades and conditions of the once nu- merous and warlike tribes of Narragansetts (the only tribe now existing in the State), was one hundred and fifty-eight. Of this number, only seven were of genuine Narragansett blood, and several of these have since died ; fourteen were half-blood, and one hundred and fifty-eight of different grades, less than half- blood, with twenty foreigners, who have no connection with the tribe, except by marriage and other promiscuous intercourse." Three thousand acres of land in Charlestown, now in their pos- session, is all that is left to them of their ancient domain.
.
" Canonicus, Miantonomu ! friends and benefactors of the colony, thy nation is no more. Simple sons of the forest, the lands of thy fathers have passed into the possession of the de- scendants of those men, whom, when weak, defenceless and distressed, ye clothed, fed, and protected. And thou too, mighty Philip, who fell fighting for thy native soil, the graves of thy fathers, thy wives and children, and thy own loved Mount Haup,-the white man's foot now presses the soil once trodden by thee."
The scene is too painful to dwell upon. We turn away from it in sorrow, deeply regretting their sad fate.
We have already alluded to the principles which influenced the minds of the early settlers of the Island. As Mr. Callender properly observes, " they iled not from religion, order, or good government, but to have liberty to worship God, and enjoy their own religious opinions and belief." Our fathers professed to believe that
" There is in man an individual sovereignty, Which none created might unpunished bind or touch, A sovereignty unbound, save by the eternal laws of God, And unamenable to all below."
And in matters relating to civil liberty, this great principle was recognized and practiced. They admitted in their State sovereignty, that the true and legitimate source of power, from whence those in authority and places of trust derived theirs, to legislate for the common good of all, was derived from the peo- ple ; and by people, they understood not the mere appendages of wealth, which are possessed but by few, as giving an exclu- sivo privilege to act, to the exclusion of the masses, but rather
-
295
CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
that moral and intellectual possessions were the true character- istics which went to make up the people. Incidental differ- ences in men's circumstances and conditions were not regarded as constituting a qualification, or disqualification, to act in the concerns of the government; and this view of the case ren- dered the form of government purely democratic.
We are aware that the idea has become prevalent in the minds of a certain class, that the masses are unfit to govern ; but we apprehend no danger, where the people are intelligent, and educated to believe that they are men-not merely in form, but intellectually and morally so-and bound to love the insti- tutions of their beloved country, and to aid in their preserva- tion. Deny to them this right, and you at once generate a band of villains, the counterparts of the Ishmaelites, " who will be against every man, and every man against them." It be- hooves us, then, to see to it that education is imparted to all, irrespective of rank or condition, and to be careful that honest poverty, where all the other requisite qualifications are pos- sessed, is not overlooked, and that wealth be not allowed a com- plete monopoly in all things.
The notion of the incompetency of the people to govern them- selves, has had its origin on the other side of the water; and its baneful influence and demoralizing effects have been severely felt, sufficient to alarm every true patriot and friend of human rights, and should act as an incentive to vigilance in guarding our liberties-the birth-right of high heaven-and never, never suffer them to be wrested from us by the rapacious cruelty and injustice of designing men, who take delight in lording it over the consciences of men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.