USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Woonsocket > History of Woonsocket > Part 6
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Richard Sayles, jr., Stephen Sly,
Elisha Sayles, Ebenezer Thornton,
District No. 3, began at Locusquesset Brook, (near Lime Rock) and so up the Highway, till it comes to where two roads meet on the Hiil, a little southeast from the Little River Bridge:
Peter Bellowe, jr., Jabez Brown,
John Bellowe, jr.,
John Whitman, Noah Whitman,
Jonathan Bellowe,
Preserved Harris, Nicholas Brown, Benjamin Brown,
Jonathan Harris, John Bellowe, Manassa Kimpton,
Valentine Whitman, Samuel Bellows,
Christopher Bullock.
District No. 4, began at Locusquesset Brook to Providence line, also the Cross Road by Jonathan Arnold's, beginning at the old highway by the Lime Kiln, to end where said highway intersects with the highway that goes by Dr. Jenckes-also the Cross Road from Abra- ham Scott to Pawtucket River:
Wm. Whipple, jr., Jeremiah Mowry,
Benjamin Smith, Jonathan Arnold,
Jeremiah Arnold, jr., William Brown,
Nathaniel Bucklin,
Job Arnold,
John Arnold,
Benjamin Medbury, Wm. Jenckes, Esq., Benjamin Arnold, Samuel Bagley,
William Bensley, John Whipple, Manassa Kelley, Benjamin Medbury,
John Weatherhead,
Andrew Young,
Christopher Jenckes.
Jerrh. Weatherhead, William Whipple,
Caleb Arnold, Jeremiah Arnold,
Distriet No. 5, began at the old Quaker Meeting House, so north- easterly and northerly to Thomas Lapham's (near Albion): Jolın Dexter, John Wilkinson, jr., Ephraim Whipple, Thos. Lapham, Esq., Samuel Smith. Capt. Job Whipple, Stephen Whipple,
Jonathan Sprague, William Sprague, John Wilkinson, 9
Amos Arnold,
Nathan Tucker, Abraham Scott,
Anthony Whipple,
Elisha Mowry,
Daniel Walling.
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
District No. 6, began at Thomas Lapham's, and so north, to Woon- socket Falls. (The River Road from Albion up):
Joseph Lapham, Caleb Shrefe, Israel Wilkinson,
Azarial Phillips, James Jillson, John Rogers,
William Gretley,
David Patt,
Capt. Wm. Sprague.
Elisha Dillingham, Aaron Day,
District No. 7, began at Daniel Wilbur's to Providence line-also, from same place to Christopher Brown's:
Benjamin Cook, Obadiah Olney,
Thomas Woodward, Job Chase,
Robert Young,
Baulstine Brayton,
Jeremiah Harris,
Samuel Tucker,
William Olney,
Christopher Brown,
Maturin Ballowe,
John Jenckes,
Abiah Angell,
John Olney.
Maturin Ballowe, jr., Daniel Bradbury,
James Mussey, William Pullen,
District No. 8, began at saw mill by James Appleby, to Thomas Sayles, and from Elisha Cook's towards Providence line, till it comes to Ebenezer Herrendeen's:
Elisha Cook, William Baets, Joseph Mowry, Sd,
Joseph Page, Henry Blackmar, Silvanus Sayles,
Ebenezer Herrendeen, John Blackmar,
Capt. Daniel Mowry.
Thomas Sayles, Theophilus Blackmar,
Stephen Sayles, Aaron Herrendeen,
District No. 9, began at Glocester line, west of John Sayles, jr., so easterly by Othonial Matthewson, thence northeast to Woonsocket Falls-also a piece from Thomas Sayles to aforesaid road:
Othonial Matthewson, Mikel Phillips. Samuel Aldrich,
Daniel Smith, James Walling, Samuel Tucker,
John Comstock, Ananias Mowry, Thomas Smith,
Jeremiah Brown, John Sayles, jr., Cornelius Walling,
Daniel Phillips, John Smith,
Reuben Aldrich.
District No. 10, began at Ebenezer Herrendeen, down to Daniel Wilbur:
Thomas Herrendeen, Thomas Shippee, Henry Morton, Jacob Smith, Obadiah Herrendeen, Jos. Herrendeen, jr., Nathan Shippee, Benjamin Ballard,
Thomas Shippee, jr., Christopher Shippee, John Young, William Havens, Silas Tucker,
Joseph Herrendeen,
Francis Herrendeen, Gideon Pain, Jeremiah Ballard.
Peter Ballowe,
William Bradbury,
Daniel Wilbur,
Capt. Richard Harris,
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
District No. 11, began at Providence line, near Isaac White's, to the "Logway," also the Cross Road from Daniel Angell, to the Island Road:
Thomas Steere, Philip Smith,
Ezekiel Angell,
Joseph Chillson, Daniel Angell,
Noah Smith's widow, John Angell,
Amos Keach,
Daniel Smith, Thomas Bradbury, Thomas Owen,
Jonathan Smith, Hezekiahı Sprague,
John Phillips, John Smith, jr.,
Daniel Smith.
Distriet No. 12, began at Abraham Smith's barn, so southeast by Smith's house, to Providenee line:
Leland Smitlı, Enoch Barnes, Jos. Smith, son of Jos.,
Peter Barnes, John Barnes, Jolın Treadeven,
Nathan Barnes, Joseph Smith,
Joseph Page.
District No. 13, began at the corner of Abraham Smith's fence, near the Baptist Meeting House, thence, northerly by Smith, so up the "Logway " to Glocester line, also the cross road, beginning at the saw mill by his house, thence southerly to aforesaid road:
Joseph Appleby, Thomas Beadle, John Aldrich,
Capt. Joseph Mowry, Daniel Arnold,
George Place, Silvanus Aldrich,
Joseph Mowry, jr., Peter Aldrich,
Oliver Mowry, Abraham Smith.
Distriet No. 14, began at Gloeester line, by Widow Steere's, to Prov- idence line, all below Joseph Carpenter's:
Samuel Aldrich, jr., David Evans, jr.,
Joseph Smith, jr.,
Robert Latham, Joseph Aldrich, Thomas Enches,
Joseph Carpenter, Job Potter, Joshua Winsor,
Zachariah Rhodes, Samuel Winsor,
John Winsor.
District No. 15, began at Glocester line, a little west of Benjamin Wilkinson, thence down to Providence line-also from Resolved Waterman's, thence southwesterly to Glocester line, by Snake IIill: Abraham Winsor, Samuel Irons, Abel Potter,
Benjamin Wilkinson, Robert Staples,
Resolved Waterman,
Benjamin Wright, Andrew Waterman,
Joshua Winsor, jr., Daniel Eddy,
David Evans, Hezekiah Steere,
Stephen Goodspeed,
Major William Smith,
Elisha Smith, Job Angell,
James Young,
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
District No. 16, began at Glocester line, near Daniel Matthewson, thence northeasterly by his house to Wainsocket Falls, till it meets Cumberland in the middle of the Bridge. Also, beginning at Patience Arnold's, thence down to District No. 2. (This was a portion of the Great Road to Sayles Hill, and South Main Street, west to Burrill- ville):
Nathan Staples, Joseph Comstock, Setlı Arnold,
Seth Cook, IIezadialı Comstock,
Moses Arnold,
Nathaniel Eddy, David Comstock, Esq., Abraham Loja,
Elisha Arnold, Thomas Man, Philip Loja,
Richard Arnold,
Capt. Daniel Arnold, Jeremiah Comstock,
Stephen Arnold,
Widow Patience "
Oliver Man,
Samuel Cook,
Lieut. Thos. Arnold, Caleb Aldrich.
John Man, jr.,
William Arnold, Esq.,
Samuel Aldrich, 3d, Jolın Arnold,
CHAPTER V.
ENTERTAINMENT FOR MAN AND BEAST.
FROM the most ancient times, Woonsocket and "the region thereabouts" has been celebrated for its hotels. These taverns owed their existence to the roads, which have been described. A tayern, indeed, is simply a stage- coach deprived of its wheels. It is, therefore, necessary that I should speak of them.
I shall confine myself chiefly to those which were on the Smithfield side of the river, for two reasons-first, the Cum- berland taverns in ancient times seldom were visited by travelers from Woonsocket ; and, second, because my space is limited.
Coming up the "Great Road" in the days of John Arnold, the traveler might have refreshed himself at the tavern of Jeremiah Arnold. This was in the valley of the Mosshas- suck, in the vicinity of the lower Quaker meeting-house. It was licensed November 26, 1733, but was closed in 1735, in consequence of "little custom." He might next have stopped at the house of Jeremiah Mowry. His house was near Lime Rock. It is probably the oldest house in these parts, having been built by Eleazer Whipple* when John Arnold was a boy. It is now owned and occupied by Ben- jamin and Elisha Mowry. Jeremiah was licensed January 1, 1747. The old " bar-room " will be shown to the curious by its present occupants. But for nearly a century it has
*A prohibitory liquor law seems to have been in operation in those early days. Among the post-humous papers of Henry Mowry, I find that January 10, 1728-9, he was summoned to appear and testify concerning Eleizer Whipple's SELLING STRONG LIQUOR AT RETAIL.
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
not been used as such. If the tourist continued over Sayles Hill, he might have tarried at the house of Benjamin Pain. This man was a son-in-law of John Arnold. The first " Pound " of the town of Smithfield was built near his residence in 1738. The same year a pair of stocks and a whipping-post were placed near the residence of John Sayles, in that vicinity. Whether the latter institutions were con- sequences of the taverns, the records do not reveal. Ben- jamin was licensed January 3, 1732-3, and kept a tavern for many years. Among his guests I read of Hezadiah Com- stock, a citizen of these parts, whose love of fun, frolic and rum has preserved his name not only in the traditions but the history of Northern Rhode Island. Among the papers of Henry Mowry (who was constable in these parts during the infancy of Smithfield), is the copy of a writ against poor Hezadiah, for demolishing the household goods of the Sayles Hill landlord. If the traveler went around the hill, he might have stopped at the tavern of Lieutenant Stephen Sly. This stood on the farm now owned by David S. Wilkinson, Esq. The next public-house was that of John Balkcom. This stood on the estate now owned by Dwight Hammond. John was licensed August 25, 1735. He died about five years afterwards, and the business was not continued at his house.
Finally, we arrive at the Woonsocket eross-roads. The first innkeeper at this place was Joseph Arnold, the nephew of John. He was licensed November 26, 1733. The house in which the tavern was kept stood where now stands the residence of Mrs. Eliza Osborne. It was a long building, standing end to the road. At first it was the dwelling-house of Hezadiah Comstock, and was built about the year 1705. In 1730 he gave or sold it to his son William, and erected his new dwelling-house on the farm now owned by C. B. Aldrich, Esq. William sold the property to Joseph Arnold, in 1744; but I am of the impression that Joseph had occu-
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
pied the estate for many years. Joseph Arnold died De- cember 16, 1745, and his widow Patience, nee Wilkinson, continued to keep the tavern until September, 1773. This was a noted resort in the last century. Here courts were held and fed; Town Councils assembled and entertained ; and soldiers for the old French War were recruited and quartered. I embrace this opportunity to speak of its land- lord, Joseph Arnold.
Joseph Arnold was a man of sterling qualities, and held in high esteem by his fellow-townsmen. He was chosen, in company with John Sayles, to settle up accounts with Providence when Smithfield was incorporated ; and the next year (1732) was elected Town Clerk. On the resignation of Daniel Jenckes, who was Town Clerk from 1733 to De- cember 27, 1742, Joseph was re-elected, and held the position until his death, in 1745. It is pleasant to learn that in those ancient times, when the value of a " mear" in Rhode Island was £35 and that of a "nigger " but £70, Joseph Arnold was an ardent and conscientious anti-slavery man ; so much so, indeed, that on his visits to the Newport yearly meetings, he would not stop at the hotels or the houses of those who held slaves. Among his children whom I enumerate in the appendix was Dr. William Arnold, whose virtues and abilities are spoken of to this day with the deepest respect.
The next tavern at Woonsocket was kept by Thomas Arnold, a brother of Joseph. In his younger days he was known as Lieut. Thomas, and afterwards as Judge Thomas. He was licensed September 15, 1739. His death occurred December 11, 1765. In 1780 this house was enlarged by Peleg Arnold, a son of Thomas, and again became a tavern. Peleg Arnold was a very influential man in these parts. During his life no political measure was entered upon in Northern Rhode Island, withont first attempting to conciliate his opposition or to secure his favor. He was born June 10,
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
1751. He lived at the Arnold homestead, now occupied by Albert Mowry, Esq. Towards the close of his life, Judge Peleg was widely known, not only as an extensive dealer, but an ardent lover of New England rum. His portrait now adorns the walls of Rhode Island Hall.
At the Globe Village, on the hill, in the rear of the old Bank building, stands a two-story yellow house. One hun- dred and fifty years ago this was the residence of one who, judging from the frequency of his name on the early records (and almost invariably with a handle to it), was one of the most influential men in Northern Rhode Island in the last century-I refer to "William Arnold, of Smithfield, Esq." This man was the eldest son of John Arnold. He was licensed to retail strong liquors March 3, 1734-5. Sep- tember 15, 1758, he was licensed to keep a tavern where he "now dwells." But I am of the impression that "Squire Will " did not keep a tavern, but retailed rum in his grocery store. I was pained to find that one year he broke his license by keeping a disorderly house.
As the travelers upon the highways and the citizens of Woonsocket increased in numbers, more taverns became a necessity. The dwelling houses of Mr. Wellington Aldrich and of Miss Hannah Speare, at the Union Village, were at one time rival institutions. The first was built by Marcus, the son of Daniel Arnold, who was the son of Uriah Arnold. Its first landlord was Amasa Bagly. Its last was George Aldrich, the father of Wellington. The second was built by Walter Allen, and afterwards kept by his son Seth. Its first occupant was Paul Draper. The good times which have taken place beneath the roofs of these taverns are remem- bered to this day with lively satisfaction. The homestead of the late Seth Bradford was at one time a tavern, and kept by Joseph Mann, a grandson of Joseph Arnold. This was a famous resort in the last generation, and anecdotes are
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
related of occurrences therein which I am prevented from repeating. These taverns, which were so much of a neces- sity in old times, were also the occasion of no little trouble, for rum was just as good, and did as much harm then, as now.
In a region where taverns were so numerous-where train- ings were held, where town meetings assembled from time to time, and where, in the language of an aged resident of these parts, "fighting and huckleberrying" were the chief sources of amusement-there must necessarily have been characters. That some of these were rather hard may be inferred from the fact that the last culprit at the whipping- post, which stood in the yard of Joseph Arnold's tavern, after receiving his flogging, ran off with the Sheriff's gloves. On the other hand, men and women have lived in Woon- socket whose memories are held to this day in the deepest veneration and respect. Of these I shall speak in due season. In the meantime, allow me to make you acquainted with Dr. Ezekiel Comstock !
That Woonsocket was situated at a " cross-roads," is true not only in fact, but in metaphor. In the latter sense, its religious and educational advantages clearly indicated the direction of one of its paths, while its institutions of a dif- ferent nature as elearly pointed the course of the other. A statue of Dr. Comstock would move the homage of the tra- veler upon either of these highways. For his virtues were the emulation of the one, and his vices the delight of the other. The ease with which he accommodated himself to all sorts and conditions of men was marvelous. As the oc- casion required he was polite, sedate and dignified, or the opposite. The grandest parlor and the dingiest bar-room were gladdened by his presence. The sick chamber and the banquet-hall were brightened by his smiles. He would have been an acceptable companion to Chesterfield or Dr. John- 10
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
son. George Fox would have applauded his sobriety or Charles II. his drunkenness. He was, in short, a strange combination of good and evil. But with all his eccentri- cities, he never forfeited the respect of his fellow-citizens. Even the victim of his hardest joke forgot his folly when the laugh was spent, and never failed to seek his aid in hours of suffering and pain. Such was Dr. Ezekiel Comstock, the Prince Hal of these regions in the last generation, whose numberless pranks are remembered by some with a forgiving smile, by others with shouts of laughter, and by none with bitterness. It is only necessary to say, in conclusion, and that the reader may know that he came honestly by his virtues, that he was the grandson of Hezakiah Comstock, who in a previous generation had enlivened things in this vicinity to a remarkable degree.
The first tavern at the "Falls" was at one time the dwelling-house of James Arnold. It stood where now stands the Woonsocket Hotel. Its first landlord was Caleb Adams. He was succeeded by Cephas Holbrook. Mr. Hol- brook afterwards (about the year 1829) built another build- ing on the site, but the enterprise was too great for him, and in a short time the property was owned by the Woonsocket Hotel Company.
The landlords under this regime were Willard and Luke Whitcomb, Charles E. Richards, and, finally, Reuel Smith. During the administration of the last-named gentleman, the property was sold to Messrs. Cook and Ballou. They began April 1, 1846. Otis D. Ballou afterwards became sole owner of the estate, and built up for himself during his long ad- ministration a reputation not only as a model landlord, but an honorable and exemplary man. A few years since he retired from active business with a snug competency, and the property was purchased by Messrs. Cook, Mason & Co. Since they have had the estate in charge, they have ex-
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
hibited to the world their ability to " keep a hotel." Under them the old hotel has been removed up River street, and a beautiful brick edifice now adorns the site.
There were other hotels at the Falls during the last generation which deserve mention. One was at the Globe. This has since been altered and enlarged, and is now the boarding-house of the Ballon Manufacturing Company. An- other was where now stands the commodious and beautiful house of L. W. Elliott, known in these days as the "Monu- ment House." The old hotel at this place, which has been removed across Social street, was at first a tin-shop. This was altered and enlarged, and finally developed or degener- ated into a tavern-giving the name in the last generation to the locality of " Tinker's Corner."
CHAPTER VI.
RELIGIOUS.
The spirit of civil and religious liberty for which Rhode Island has been so distinguished, is due in no small degree to the influence which the Quakers exerted in shaping the poli- tics as well as the religion of the Colony in which they had sought refuge, and where, for many years, they were its law- givers.
In the year 1656, while under the new dogma of its founder, the population and the anarchy of our little Colony were rapidly increasing, this despised and persecuted sect appeared in New England. After a few trifling incidents, in which the persons of many bore striking evidenees to the pious zeal
.
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
of the Massachusetts saints, they arrived within the limits of Rhode Island. They were not received with open arms. They were simply tolerated. But in the short space of six- teen years, in spite of the zeal and the logic of the founder of religious freedom, a majority of the freemen of the Colony had become believers in the simple and convincing truths which they enunciated.
When or where their first meetings were held in the town of Providence, is unknown. The first meeting-house, of which there is any record, was erected in 1703-4, and is now standing in the valley of the Moshassuck, near the village of Lonsdale. This was simply a meeting-house for worship. Their " Monthly meetings " continued to be held and their records to be kept at Greenwich.
But the peculiar position of the Woonsocket settlement, being situated at a " Cross Roads," in close proximity to the neighboring Colonies, and easily accessible from many points, attracted their notice at an early day, and in 1718 the Provi- dence Monthly meeting was set off from the Greenwich Monthly meeting, and the records began at this place.
Thus Woonsocket became, not so much from the piety of its inhabitants as from the natural advantages of its location ; first a religious and afterwards an educational cen- tre of the large territory now comprised within the counties of Worcester, Mass., and Providence, R. I.
A patient perusal of these records, will reward one with much valuable material. The historian will find therein, when and where their meeting houses were erected at Provi- dence, Woonsocket, Uxbridge, Mendon, Leicester and other places within the " diocese " and obtain a deeper insight into the manners and customs of a rapidly declining sect ; the · geneologist will discover many wanting links and perhaps a few " black sheep " in ancient families ; the patriot will learn that although the Quakers objected to take an active part in
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
the war of the Revolution, they turned out of meeting one of the Rhode Island signers to the Declaration of Independence, for refusing to manumit his slaves*, and all will be vexed that the clerks of the meetings were such abominable pen- men. With these records before me, I return to the meeting- houses :
The Meeting-house at Woonsocket.
The following is the Recordt :
10th Mo. (December, O. S.) 9th, 1719. Whereas, this meeting has had a matter in consideration about building a meeting-house at Woonsocket, on the burying ground lately purchased, have conchided to build a meeting-house twenty feet square, and John Arnold is appointed to build the same, the heighth thereof left to him.
5th Mo., 1720. John Arnold is desired to furnish boards to seal the same.
11th Mo. 9th, 1721. John Arnold is desired to go on and finish the same.
10th Mo. 10th, 1727. It is concluded by this meeting that a small meeting-house be built adjoining to the meeting-house at Woon- socket.
4th Mo. 11th, 1728. John Arnold and Thomas Smith appointed to procure suitable stuff for same.
1st Mo. 28th, 1736. It was concluded to finish the little meeting-house. 7th Mo. 30th, 1738. Thomas Smith and Ichabod Comstock were appointed to complete the work.
The Meeting-house at Providence.
The meeting-house now standing at this place, between South Court and Meeting streets, originally stood on Stamp- ers Hill, a fact which escaped the vigilence of Judge Staples in his " Annals " of the town. The following is from the Records :
4th Mo. 19th, 1724. It is concluded by this meeting, that a meeting- house shall be built at Providence town.
9th Mo. 4th, 1424. It is concluded if Edward Smith and Thomas Arnold approve of said frame, that the money be paid to Daniel Abbot as quick as can be.
3d Mo. 5th, 1725. It is concluded that the meeting-house at Provi- dence shall be set on the Stampers Hill.
3d Mo. 29th, 1745. A Committee appointed to lease out the land and remove the meeting-house at Providence.
9th Mo. 25th, 1755. A Committee appointed to take a deed from Governor Hopkins, of meeting-house lot at Providence.
2d Mo. 28th, 1760, A Committee appointed to settle with the Com- inittee that mored and repaired the meeting-house at Providence.
*See Quaker Records. Book II., page 59.
tThe lot for the Quaker Burial Grounds was purchased Dee. 19, 1719, It consisted of one acre, north of the highway, near the place called the " Dugway."
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HISTORY OF WOONSOCKET.
The Friends of Uxbridge, Mendon, Leicester, Freetown, and other places, may find upon these Woonsocket Records when and where their places for worship were erected.
The meeting-houses of the Quakers increased and multi- plied on every hand. But there came a time when in some localities their meeting houses were too capacious for their accommodation, and in others were deserted altogether. Just previous to the Revolution the Mendon meeting which had grown and flourished under the eloquence of Moses Aldrich, had dwindled to but few members. The house is now an out-building at the Plummer Quarry, at Northbridge. At Woonsocket but ten or twelve members assembled for wor- ship on First day, and many of these during the intervals of silence fell asleep. The reason for this indifference I will briefly give :
The distinguishing traits of the Friend were more the result of his peculiar discipline, than of a superior quality of his nature. While the teachers of other sects directed the attention of their disciples to the mysterious realms of another world, the Friend was persistently taught to watch and guard his footsteps amid the devious windings of his present life. Although professedly at war with all religious forms, he was the most formal of all religionists. His daily life, his speech, and even his dress was marked out for him with as much precision as the mode of worship at the Vatican. With him every day was the Lord's day, and every hour an hour for worship. If, however, the founders of the sect had simply inculcated morality in their teachings, its history would have been brief. But under their immediate influence and beneath their fervent utterances, emotions were stirred to such a degree, that men trembled and quaked with alternate ecsta- cies of fear and joy-thus acquiring through the ridicule of their enemies, their name of Quakers. Silence was their marked feature of worship. "Mark and consider in silence
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