USA > Rhode Island > Kent County > East Greenwich > History of the town of East Greenwich and adjacent territory, from 1677 to 1877 > Part 23
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The road was opened for business, November 10th, 1837. Two trains only were run, the steamboat train and the ac- commodation, and only one train cach per day. Captain Nathanael Greene was the first station agent, but I am un- able to ascertain the amount of the first year's receipts.
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HISTORY OF EAST GREENWICH.
There were 34,300 tickets sold at this station during the year of 1876, and this does not include the commutation tickets. East Greenwich at the present time has more privi- leges than any other station except Kingston, as every pas- senger train stops here.
FIRE ENGINE.
In the year 1795 a number of the citizens of our village procured a charter from the Legislature for a fire corpora- tion. A large fountain was built on Division street, nearly opposite where the old windmill once stood, and bored logs for the transmission of water were laid through the princi- pal streets. A fire engine was purchased and a house built for its use, but it never was brought into use at a fire but once, when a blacksmith's shop belonging to Jonathan Sal- isbury was burned,
This engine would now be considered a great curiosity. It was simply an open square tub, with the machinery in the centre, which consisted of a small double-acting force pump, operated by brakes at the sides. At one end of the engine was a small elevation, where the captain of the fire company stood and directed the stream of water from an apparatus which consisted of a revolving tube called a " goose neck " and a brass pipe about six or eight feet long, without a hose. The water was poured in at each end of the tub, and when in use the engine was stationed at the fire, and two rows of persons extended from it to the water supply, and the water was conveyed to the engine in leather water buckets, the full ones by one row, and the empty ones returned by the other. Every person whose property was insured at the Providence Mutual Insurance Company, then the only one in the State, was required to keep a pair of these buckets always ready for use. Mem- bership was an exemption from military duty and the jury box, and therefore the company was always full. The an- nual supper of the company was a great event, as the members had the privilege of inviting their friends.
THE FREE LIBRARY.
The Free Library Corporation was organized under the privilege of Chapter 132 of the Revised Statutes, on March 3d, 1867.
William Greene, George W. Greene, Daniel H. Greene, James H. Eldridge, William N. Sherman, Joseph W.
255
ROPE-WALK ..
Congdon, Richard G. Howland, Silas A. Crane, Samuel M. Knowles, James T. Edwards, Henry A. Rhodes, Joseph Eastman, William W. Hill and Gilbert Robbins were the original members.
William Greene, president, George W. Greene, vice- president, James T. Edwards, secretary, James H. Eldridge, treasurer, Joseph W. Congdon, librarian.
In June following the first books were purchased and a room hired on Main street, and opened as a library and reading room-Miss Mary H. Brown in charge as librarian. August 13th a very liberal sum was realized from amateur theatricals at the Armory, under the direction of Mr. Alfred A. Read, Jr., which was given to the library. In September, the same year, the Shroeder library was pur- chased for the sum of thirteen hundred dollars, consisting of a very valuable collection-history, biography, travels and science ; some of them very rare and costly English editions, and near two thousand volumes.
Payment for these books was assumed by Governor Greene, and a lot was purchased in November on Pearce street for eight hundred dollars for a site for a library building, plans for which, drawn by Mr. Morse, architect, of Providence, were accepted by the corporation, and a building erected during the summer of 1870, at a cost of about six thousand dollars. Of this sum Governor Greene paid one-half. Other contributions were made, and the balance hired of the Savings Bank, secured by mortgage, now amounting to three thousand dollars. The basement of the library building is arranged for the town clerk's office, with a safe for the records, secure from fire and from in- jury by dampness. The number of volumes is now about three thousand, and the circulation is from four to six thousand per year.
Within the last year the membership of the corporation has been increased, and it is proposed hereafter to support the institution by an annual assessment of two dollars upon each member.
ROPE-WALK.
On the summit of the hill on the cast side of the village once stood a long low structure called a " Rope-Walk." It was owned and operated by Joseph Greene and his two sons, Joseph and Barny, (Barnabus) Greene; many now living in East Greenwich can, in imagination, see the old man walking slowly backward, with a large band of hemp
256
HISTORY OF EAST GREENWICH.
around his waist, spinning with his fingers, while one of his sons turned the crank of the large wheel which operated the spindles.
" That building, long and low, Where the wheels go round and round With a drowsy, dreamy sound, And the spinners backward go."
When East Greenwich in its height of prosperity as a commercial port, and extensively engaged in maritime af- fairs, this rope-walk was quite an important concern, em- ploying a number of workmen constantly at work, making cables and cordage for the numerous vessels then owned here, while the air around was filled with the agreeable odor of tar, with which the ropes were saturated to protect them from salt water. The rope-walk was used as long as there was business enough to support it.
GENERAL BARTON'S EXPEDITION.
As this book is to be a history of East Greenwich and the vicinity, the bold and successful expedition of General Barton is here introduced. Warwick Neck is only about four miles from here in a direct line, and plainly visible from nearly every portion of our village. An ill-advised and ill-timed attack on Professor Greene's History of Rhode Island is reason sufficient for inserting it. The following is from Lossing's Pictorial Field-Book :
" Early in May, 1777, (one hundred years ago), the com- mand of the British troops who held possession of New- port, devolved upon Major-General Prescott, infamous in the annals of war, as one of the meanest of petty tyrants when in power, and of dastards when in danger. Possess- ing a narrow mind, utterly untutored by benevolence or charity ; a judgment perverse in the extreme ; a heart cal- lous to the most touching appeals of sympathy, but tender when avarice half opened its lips to plead, he was a most unfit commander of a military guard over people like those of Rhode Island, who could appreciate courtesy; but he was a tyrant at heart, and having the opportunity he exer- cised a tyrant's doubtful prerogatives.
" General Lee was captured by the British in New Jersey, in December, 1776, while passing from the Hudson to join Washington on the Delaware; the Americans had no pris- oner of equal military rank to exchange for him, therefore Colonel Barton conceived the bold plan of capturing Gen-
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GENERAL BARTON'S EXPEDITION.
eral Prescott, in order to exchange him for General Lee ; it was accomplished on the night of the 10th of July, 1777, six months after the capture of Lee.
" At that time General Prescott was quartered at the house of a Quaker named Overing, about five miles above Newport, on the west road leading to the ferry, at the north part of the Island. Barton's plan was to cross Nar- ragansett Bay from the main, seize Prescott and carry him to the American camp. It was a very hazardous under- taking, for at that time there were three British frigates, with their guard-boats, lying east of Prudence Island, and almost in front of Prescott's quarters. With a few chosen men Colonel Barton embarked in four whale-boats, with muffled oars, at Warwick Neck, at nine o'clock in the evening, and passed unobserved over to Rhode Island, be- tween the islands of Prudence and Patience. They heard the cry, 'All's well,' from the guard-boats of the enemy, as they passed silently and unobserved, and landed in Cod- dington's Cove, at the mouth of a small stream which passed by the quarters of Prescott. Barton divided his men into several squads, assigning to each its duty and station, and then with the strictest order and profound silence, they advanced towards the house. The main por- tion of the expedition passed about midway between a British guard-house and the encampment of a company of light horse, while the remainder was to make a circuitous route to approach Prescott's quarters from the rear and secure the doors. As Barton and his men approached a gate, a sentinel hailed them twice, and then demanded the countersign. 'We have no countersign to give,' Barton said, and quickly added, ' Have you seen any deserters here to-night ?' The sentinel was misled by this question, sup- posing them to be friends, and was not undeceived until his musket was seized and himself bound and menaced with instant death if he made any noise. The doors had been secured by the division from the rear, and Barton entered the front passage boldly. Mr. Overing sat alone, reading, the rest of the family being in bed, and Barton inquired for General Prescott's room. Overing pointed upward, signi- fying that it was directly over the room in which they were standing. With four strong men and Sisson, a power- ful negro who accompanied them, Barton ascended the stairs and gently tried the door. It was locked; no. time was lost in parleying; the negro drew back a couple of paces, and using his head for a battering-ram, burst open
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HISTORY OF EAST GREENWICH.
the door at the first effort. The general, supposing the intruders to be robbers, sprang from his bed and seized his gold watch that was hanging upon the wall. Barton placed his hand gently upon the general's shoulder, told him he was his prisoner, and that perfect silence was his only safety now. Prescott asked time to dress, but it being a hot July night, and time precious, Barton refused acquies- cence, feeling that it would not be cruel to take him across the bay, where he could make his toilet with more care, at his leisure. So, throwing his cloak around him, and plac- ing him between two armed men, the prisoner was hurried to the shore. In the mean time, Major Barrington, Prescott's aid, hearing the noise in the general's room, leaped from a window to escape, but was captured, and he and the sentinel stationed in the centre of the party. At about midnight captors and prisoners landed at Warwick Neck Point, where General Prescott first broke the silence by saying to Colonel Barton, 'Sir, you have made a bold push to-night.' 'We have been fortunate,' coolly replied Barton.
" Captain Elliot was there with a coach to convey the pris- oners to Providence, where they arrived at sunrise. Pres- cott was kindly treated by General Spencer and other offi- cers, and in the course of a few days was sent to the head- quarters of Washington, at Middlebrook, on the Raritan. Prescott was exchanged for General Charles Lee in April following, and soon afterwards resumed his command of the British troops on Rhode Island.
" On account of the bravery displayed and the import- ance of the service in this expedition, Congress, having a ' just sense of the gallant behavior of Lieutenant-Colonel Barton and the brave officers and men of his party, who distinguished their valor and address in making prisoner of Major General Prescott, of the British army, and Major William Barrington his aid-de-camp,' voted Barton an elegant sword; and on the 24th of December following, he was promoted to the rank and pay of colonel in the Conti- nental army.
"The officers on the expedition were Andrew Stanton, Samuel Potter, John Wilcox. Non-commissioned officers, Joshua Babcock and Samuel Philips. Privates, Benjamin Pren, James Potter, Henry Fisher, James Parker, Joseph Guild, Nathan Smith, Isaac Brown, Billington Crumb, James Haines, Samuel Apis, Alderman Crank, Oliver Sim- mons, Jack Sherman, Joel Briggs, Clark Packard, Samuel
259
GENERAL BARTON'S EXPEDITION.
Cory, James Weaver, Clark Crandall, Sampson George, Jedediah Grenale, Joseph Ralph, Richard Hare, Darius Wale, Jeremiah Thomas, Joseph Denis, William Bruff, Charles Hasset, Thomas Wilcox, Pardon Cory, John Hunt, Daniel Page (a Narragansett Indian), Thomas Austin, Jack Sisson, (black), and Howe, or Whiting, boat steerer. " Prescott while in command at Newport, rendered the citizens uncomfortable in every way possible. He impris- oned some of them for months, without any assigned rea- son ; among others was William Tripp, who had a large family, but the tyrant would not allow him to hold any communication with them, either written or verbal. The first intelligence he received from them was by a letter, baked in a loaf of bread, which was sent to him by his wife. In this way a correspondence was kept up during his con- finement of many months.
" When Prescott took possession of his town quarters he had a fine sidewalk made for his acccommodation some dis- tance along Pelham and up Spring street, for which purpose he took the door-steps belonging to other dwellings. The morning after the evacuation the owners of the steps hastened to Prescott's quarters, each to claim his door-stone. It was a very exciting scene, for sometimes two or three persons, not positive in their identification, claimed the same stone. Prescott's fine promenade soon disappeared and
" ' The good citizens, some younger, some older,
Each carrying a door-stone home on his shoulder,"
bore off their long-abused door-steps."
And after all this trouble and danger, the object proved to be useless. General Lee when exchanged joined the army again, but at the battle of Monmouth, the American army nearly lost the victory in consequence of the disobedi- ence of orders by Lee, and soon afterward suspended him from his position in the army, without pay for one year. He never joined the army again, and died a few years after at General Greene's residence on Cumberland Island, and his remains now lie in the Greene cemetery at Dungeness.
General Lee's failings were those belonging to an un- governable temper, and jealousy of General Washington. He aspired to the position of commander-in-chief, and as he did not succeed he became soured and lukewarm in the cause, and there were strong suspicions that he was a traitor. He died a miserable, neglected and disappointed man. It would seem that treason is hereditary, as his son, the late
260
HISTORY OF EAST GREENWICH.
General Lee, commander-in-chief of the southern rebellion, followed in the footsteps of his father.
NEWSPAPERS.
In the year 1852, July 3d, Mr. John B. Lincoln issued the first number of the Kent County Atlas, in East Green- wich. It was a well conducted paper, and the citizens of our village were delighted with the idea of having a news- paper of their own. They encouraged it in every way in their power, wrote communications, furnished historical articles, collected items of news for the editor, but as Mr. Lincoln possessed no faculty for business or finance, the paper soon came to its last issue. It was set up and printed here on an old-fashioned hand-press, and distributed every Saturday morning, at $1.50 per year.
In the year 1854, Mr. William N. Sherman purchased the press, type and other material formerly belonging to Mr. Lincoln, and issued the first number of the Rhode Island Pendulum, on the 27th of May, 1854, by whom it has been edited and published ever since.
LODGES.
There is an "Odd Fellows' Lodge " here, named " Har- mony Lodge." It is in a very flourishing condition, and the members are preparing to build a large hall on a lot owned by them on Main street, opposite the Court House. The lower story is to be used as a hall for lectures, con- certs, shows and such purposes, and the upper story for the use of the Lodge.
There is also a Temple of Honor, named "Advance Temple," and a Lodge of Good Templars by colored persons.
MINERAL SPRING.
" Those persons who are visiting Greenwich for the season, will be pleased to learn that they can here enjoy the benefits of a mineral spring, In a little notch at the head of the cove, where the Potowomut road crosses the Stonington railroad, is the " Red Spring," whose waters contain iron, magnesia, and some other mineral substances, and are highly beneficial when taken at the right time and in the right quantities. A walk of a mile brings one to the spot, where the party about to imbibe, or in other words drink, ought to arrive about sunrise and drink just as the sun is rising, and be very cautious not to drink any more than they want. We have drank it with beneficial results a few moments (say about 120) later. The knowing ones say it tastes nearly as bad as the Saratoga water, which is certainly high praise. We dare say that when it shall have been as much gassified, it will be fully as potent. The benefits of the springs of Sara- toga and the bathing at Newport are here united. . This notice is not irony, although the Spring is. Go and imbibe gratuitously."
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NEW ENGLAND NORMAL INSTITUTE OF MUSIC.
The spring above referred to, is located about half a mile from the depot in East Greenwich and arises from a valley near, which evidently contains "bog iron ore," as the water is so strongly impregnated with iron held in solution, that the stones, leaves and everything with which it comes in con- tact, is covered with a heavy deposit of oxide of iron; hence it has acquired the name of the "red spring." The water has been analyzed and holds in solution as much magnesia and iron as the Stafford Springs in Connecticut, once so celebrated. When the Stonington Railroad was con- structed, the contractor built a strong bank wall to pro- tect the spring, considering it sufficiently valuable for preser- vation. The grounds in its immediate neighborhood are very beautiful, and the Potowomut Railroad station is within a few rods of the spring, and boats can land at a very short distance from it, and the celebrated resort for clam-bakes, the "Old Dish," is very near it. If a hotel is erected there it will be a fashionable place of resort.
THE NEW ENGLAND NORMAL INSTITUTE OF MUSIC.
The New England Normal Institute of Music is located at East Greenwich, and its sessions are held at the Green- wich Academy during a portion of the months of July and August. It is not a local or state institution, but a na- tional one, and is the only one of its kind in the United States. Musical people and music teachers from the most distant states of the Union attend, and the citizens of East Greenwich while it is in session enjoy a great literary, scientific and musical treat. I will close this little article with this notice of the "Grand Oratorio Concert," from the Providence Journal :
" Grand Oratorio Concert at East Greenwich.
" The quaint and pleasant old Town of East Greenwich had a larger concourse of music-loving people within its limits yesterday than ever before in its history. There was a large delegation from this city, and from the summer resorts about, many came in carriages, while the session of the New England Normal Institute of Music furnished a large number. The occasion was the performance of the grand oratorio of 'Elijah,' by Mendelssohn. It is rarely that the opportunity is given to hear an oratorio adequately rendered and music-lovers were glad of the opportunity. The fine hall of the Institute was well filled, and its admi- rable acoustic qualities added much to the effect.
18
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HISTORY OF EAST GREENWICH.
"The concert was under the management of Dr. Tourjée, and the singing under the accomplished baton of Mr. Carl Zerrahan. The chorus was by the members of the Insti- tute, assisted by a delegation from the Handel and Haydn Society from Boston. The choruses were given with great force and spirit, giving token of almost perfect training, and were admirably supported by the Germania orchestra, which intensified and vitalized, without being overwhelmed by the volume of sound. Among the accomplished musi- "cians of the orchestra it was pleasant to see the 'good, gray head' of Mr. Thomas Ryan, of the Mendelssohn Quintette Club. The solos were given by Miss Lilian B. Norton, soprano, who has a magnificent voice, that pro- duced the finest effect. Mrs. Flora E. Barry, who sang with her accustomed grace and skill, Mrs. A. B. Carrington, who appeared in place of Miss Ita Welsh, who was una- voidably absent, Mr. A. Wilkie, tenor, and Mr. J. F. Rudolphsen, basso. All are artists of distinguished reputa- tion, which they fully sustained under the demands of the oratorio. The duo between Miss Norton and Mr. Rudolph- sen was particularly admired.
" The oratorio was not given in full, owing to its great length, but its most striking passages were rendered in full, and the connection and meaning of the composition fully preserved. It was a most admirable performance, and in a hall the size of that of the Institute had more than the dis- tinctness and general effect of its performances in Boston by the Handel and Haydn Society. One could not but wish that it could be given in Providence, where so many more could have enjoyed it. It would be a revelation to many of the grandeur and sweetness of the oratorio, which we believe has not been heard in our city.
" No one who attended yesterday regretted the journey. During the performance of the oratorio a portion of Parker's magnificent ' Redemption Hymn' was given, Mrs. Flora E. Barry rendering the solo 'Sorrow and Morning Shall Flee Away' with the finest effect and receiving hearty applause. This is the second time that the hymn has been performed in this country, the first being at the triennial festival of the Handel and Haydn Society. Its composer, Mr. James C. T. Parker, was present. After the hymn the oratorio was resumed and concluded. Mr. Rudolphsen was unfortu- nately taken with a sudden hoarseness, but finished his part."
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CENTENNIAL HYMN.
I do not imagine that any one will deny that this work contains nearly every thing connected with our village. Some things may seem trifling and of no consequence, but if a copy of this history shall survive a century, doubtless what now appears insignificant will then be considered valuable. Perhaps some will cavil at the remarks and as- sertions of the writer, but then we have Scripture author- ity for our views on this subject. Job says, "Oh that mine enemy would write a book." There is a sharp, cutting malice in that saying, as many at this day experience. Probably Job wished an opportunity to review, and conse- quently criticise, a work written by some one he personally disliked. At any rate nothing is more bitterly malicious.
As this work is published during the Bi-centennial year of the settlement of the Town of East Greenwich, and at the termination of the National Centennial, we will fittingly close with the following original hymn, by William N. Sherman, Esq. :
" Eternal God! To Thee we raise, In humble thanks and solemn praise, Our heart and voice before Thy throne, For blessings of a century gone.
When our young nation was oppressed, Thine arm sustained in our distress, And when upon the battle field Thou wert our strength and Thou our shield.
A hundred years have passed away, And on this hundredth natal day, The banner of our sainted dead Floats in rich folds above our head.
Forever wave that banner high, Through every arch of Freedom's sky, And North and South, and East and West, In Union be forever blest.
Then God's right hand shall shade our fears And bless the coming hundred years; And Freedom from her mountain height Proclaim aloud that-right is might.
A century hence! We shall be gone! But generations yet unborn May float the flag-may voices raise And sing again Centennial praise."
A STANDARD AND ENDURING WORK !
.HOPE
A Short History of Rhode Island,
BY GEORGE WASHINGTON GREENE, LL.D., (Late Non-Resident Professor of American History in Cornell University,) Author of the " Life of Major-General Nathanael Greene," "Historical View of the American Revolution," "The German Element in the War of Independence," etc., etc.
12 mo : 386 pages. The Atlantic Monthly says of it :
Mr. Greene's fitness to write a history of Rhode Island is one of those facts which one recognizes with a sense of personal advantage too rarely felt in a world where at best the right man so often sets about the wrong work. * *
* * There is no attempt to cast the light of romance about the prime facts of a story so precious to humanity in their simple grand- eur, but the vital point is brought out with fresh force, and we revere anew the greatness and clearness of soul in Roger Williams which, in an age when the whole world was bloodily persecuting for opinion's sake, could conceive the idea of a perfect toleration in matters of religious be- lief, and could establish at once the principle that the power of the state must never extend to these. This is the undying honor of Rhode Island, that in her narrow bounds, on the borders of a desert continent, in spite of the hate and jealousy of her sister colonies, she could preserve invio- late a principle of which, as yet, mankind hardly dreamed; and of all the benefits which America has bestowed upon the world, it may be questioned whether this principle is not the greatest. * One * * * of the pleasantest chapters of the book is that on The Mode of Life in our Forefathers' Days. This has a quite idyllic charm, and is only too brief.
From Harpers' Magazine :
A Short History of Rhode Island, by George Washington Greene, LL. D., is an admirable history of its kind. It tells the story of Rhode Island with the clearness and simplicity which always distinguish the style of Professor Greene.
From the Magazine of American History :
The name of Mr. Greene is enough to commend this history, and no man knows better its precise value than himself. He divides history into two classes. "One a sober teacher; the other a pleasant companion." * *
* * We accept his book as a pleasant companion. It is more than this. It is happily divided and compact in form and treatment, and supplies all the information the ordinary reader looks for, with philosophy enough to satisfy the higher requirements of the historical student, who reasons backward to causes and forward to results from events.
From the New York Tribune of June 15th:
A valuable addition to the author's historical studies, but we trust not to their final completion, is presented in this compendious history of his native State. The work bears throughout the impress of the writer's vigorous mind, is enriched by numerous original and suggestive reflections, and presents a variety of lucid and picturesque sketches in his peculiar, felicitous style of composition.
Bound in Fine Cloth, $2. J. A. & R. A. REID, PUBLISHERS, 99.12
t St., Providence, R. I.
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