USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Smithfield > History of the town of Smithfield [R.I.] from its organization, in 1730-1, to its division, in 1871 > Part 4
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rolls in number. In June of the same year Stephen Whip- ple, Joseph Jencks, Daniel Angell, Arnold Paine, Peleg Arnold, Andrew Waterman, and ' Elisha Mowry, Jr., were chosen to collect one hundred fire-arms, to put them in proper repair for battle at the expense of the town, to be then lodged; one-third part at the dwelling house of Capt. Joseph Jencks ; one-third part at Col. Elisha Mowry's, and the other third part at Peleg Arnold's; to be and remain for the use of the town on any invasion that may happen; and that 5
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
William Potter, Joseph Jencks, and Sylvanus Sayles be a committee to prize said guns. Immediately thereafter, at an adjourned meeting, it was voted that all the fire arms within the train-band of the first company in the town, be collected at the dwelling house of Capt. Joseph Jencks within the week; those of the second and third companies to be also collected, "in order to collect one hundred of the best quality to be equipped for use immediately."
The aforesaid arms not having been collected in accord- ance with the vote of the town, it was at an adjourned meeting, held on the first lawful day after the expiration of the time within which said arms should have been depos- ited as aforesaid, voted: "that the committees, or any of them are requested to take forthwith said number of guns from any of the inhabitants of the town."
In February, 1775, Stephen Arnold, Jr., Andrew Water- man, Thomas Aldrich, Elisha Mowry, Jr., and Uriah Alver- son were chosen a committee of inspection, agreeable to the eleventh article of the Continental Congress. And Daniel Mowry, Jr., and Othniel Mathewson were appointed to re- ceive the quota of fire-arms, and deliver the same to the captains of the three foot companies.
At a special town meeting, held in June, 1775, Stephen Whipple, Joseph Jenckes, Daniel Angell, Arnold Paine, Peleg Arnold, Jacob Comstock, Abraham Winsor, Andrew Waterman and Elisha Mowry, Jr., were chosen a committee to collect one hundred fire-arms, and the same to put in proper repair for battle. One-third of these arms were to be lodged at the house of Capt. Joseph Jenckes, one-third at the house of Col. Elisha Mowry, and one-third at the house of Mr. Peleg Arnold.
In December, the town council was directed to convene, and make a list of all the inhabitants obliged by law to equip themselves, and unable to purchase fire-arms and ap- purtenances. In February, 1776, nineteen new fire-arms
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
were ordered to be purchased. In June, Elisha Mowry, Jr., was appointed to receive the salt appropriated by govern- ment for the use of the town. In September, Capt. Samuel Day, Capt. David Eddy, and Capt. James Smith were sever- ally directed to raise each, their due proportion of thirty- nine men to march to Newport; and forty-eight shillings bounty was offered to recruits with guns, and well accou- tred; and thirty-six shillings to each recruit not equipped.
At the August town meeting it was voted :
1142978
" Whereas there is now a bill received by the General Assembly of this Colony in order to be passed into a law relative to the importation of negro and mulatto slaves, as also several other matters relating to negro and mulatto slaves; a copy thereof being present: therefore it is voted by this town meeting that the Representatives for this town use their uttermost endeavors to pass said bill in to a law of this Colony."
At the May session of the General Assembly, 1776, cer- tain towns were supplied with powder and lead; and to Smithfield was apportioned 200 pounds of powder and 400 pounds of lead.
At the June session a census of the population was or- dered, and Daniel Mowry, Jr., was the committee for this town. All the salt in the Colony was directed to be divided among the several towns at the rate of six shillings per bushel, "for cash only," and Smithfield was allowed 150 bushels. A new distribution of salt was ordered, Smithfield being allowed 400} bushels.
This year a hospital was provided " to introduce the small pox by inoculation."
1776. In May, 1776, John Sayles, Esq., was Assistant, and Daniel Mowry, Jr., Esq., and Capt. Andrew Waterman were Deputies. The General Assembly repealed the " Act of Allegiance," preceding the repeal by this Preamble : " Whereas in all States existing by Compact, Protection
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
and Allegiance are reciprocal, the latter being due only in consequence of the former: And whereas GEORGE the Third, King of Great Britain, forgetting his Dignity, re- gardless of the Compact most solemnly entered into, ratified and confirmed, to the Inhabitants of this Colony, by His illustrious Ancestors, and till of late fully recognized by Him-and entirely departing from the Duties and Character of a good King, instead of protecting, is endeavoring to destroy the good People of this Colony, and of all the Uni- ted Colonies, by sending Fleets and Armies to America, to Confiscate our Property, and spread Fire, Sword and Deso- lation, throughout our Country, in order to compel us to submit to the most debasing and detestable Tyranny ; where- by we are obliged by Necessity, and it becomes our highest Duty, to use every Means, with which God and Nature have furnished us, in support of our invaluable Rights and Privi- leges; to oppose that Power which is exerted only for our Destruction."
Be it therefore enacted by this General Assembly, and by the Authority thereof it is enacted, that an Act intituled ' An Act for the more effectual securing to His Majesty the Allegiance of his Subjects in this his Colony and Dominion of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations," be, and the same is hereby, repealed. The act then went on to provide for the necessary changes in the terms of the Commissions for offices, civil and military; and that in all suits and processes in law, reference to the King should be omitted, and they should run in the name, and by the authority of " The Governor and Company of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.'"
Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery were appointed delegates to the Continental Congress.
With that same caution which distinguished the early Rhode Islanders in delegating, or parting with authority, the delegates were instructed by the General Assembly, as
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
to the extent of their powers, and as to the sentiments of the legislature.
They were to consult with the delegates of, and from the other colonies, upon the most proper measures for promot- ing and confirming the strictest Union and Consideration between the said United Colonies, for exerting their whole strength and force to annoy the common enemy, and to se- cure to the said Colonies their rights and liberties, both civil and religious, taking the greatest care to secure to this Colony, in the strongest and most perfect manner, its present established form, and all the powers of government, so far as relates to its internal police and conduct of our own affairs, civil and religious.
A committee, one of whom was Andrew Waterman, was appointed to procure, and send immediately to Newport, as many iron, or shod shovels, as could be got, and to procure to be made as soon as possible, fifty good spades.
Elisha Mowry, Jr., Esq., was chosen Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Regiment of Militia, in the County of Provi- dence.
The following were the officers of the three Smithfield Militia companies:
FIRST COMPANY.
Captain-Thomas Jenckes. Lieutenant-Samuel Day. Ensign-George Streeter.
SECOND . COMPANY.
Captain-David Eddy. Lieutenant-Ebenezer Trask. Ensign-Simeon Ballou.
THIRD COMPANY.
Captain-Nehemiah Smith. Lieutenant-James Smith. Ensign-Jesse Smith.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
The Smithfield and Cumberland Rangers were incorpo- rated as an Independent Company. The company having chosen, the General Assembly appointed the following offi- cers :
Captain-George Peck. First Lieutenant-Nedibiah Wilkinson. Second Lieutenant-Edward Thompson. Ensign-Levi Brown.
All male persons, inhabitants of the Colony were required to subscribe, if required, the following "Declaration or Test :"
I the subscriber do solemnly and sincerely declare; That I believe the War, Resistance and Opposition in which the United American Colonies are now engaged against the fleets and armies of Great Britain, is on the part of the said Colonies just and necessary: And that I will not, directly, nor indirectly, afford assistance of any sort or kind whatever to the said fleets and armies, during the continuance of the present war; but that I will heartily assist in the defence of the United Colonies.
Provided: That in case any person shall produce a certificate from the Clerk of any Meeting of the Friends, that he is in Unity with that Society, or shall take the affirmation directed in an Act intituled "An Act for the Relief of Persons of tender Consciences, and for preventing their being burdened with military Duty," he shall be ex- cused from subscribing the said Declaration or Test.
A Regiment of six hundred men was ordered to be raised ; composed of six men out of every hundred, of six- teen years of age, and upwards. John Sayles, Jr., was chosen Colonel.
Daniel Mowry, Jr., was appointed, he being then at New- port, attending the General Assembly, to go immediately to the County of Providence, and make diligent enquiry after the persons concerned in counterfeiting the Bills of Credit emitted by this Colony.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
1777. In January, 1777, the Smithfield and Cumberland Rangers, were upon their own application, ordered upon duty for three months. One-half of each company at a time.
Thomas Appleby was permitted to take the place of his father James Appleby, Jr., who had been drafted.
David Wilkinson, Esq., was permitted to remove two bar- rels of rum from Smithfield to Providence.
Gideon Comstock was one of the Council of War to act during the recess of the General Assembly.
Gideon Comstock was appointed one of a committee to meet with any committee to be appointed by Massachusetts, to enquire into the grounds of the miscarriage of the late expedition against the enemy on Rhode Island.
Smithfield was required to furnish sixty-four pairs of stockings.
Daniel Mowry, Jr., was allowed fourteen pounds, five shillings, lawful money, for three days provision of thirty men who marched from the town of Smithfield.
Elisha Mowry appointed Lieut. Colonel of 2d Regiment.
The valuation of Smithfield was one hundred and. eight thousand, seven hundred and eighty-five pounds; being the largest valuation of any country town save South Kingstown.
Jonathan Arnold, Henry Ward and Daniel Mowry were appointed a committee to revise, alter and amend an act for the relief of tender consciences.
April. Capt. Andrew Waterman was a committee to pro- cure blankets.
May. Elisha Mowry was appointed Lieut. Colonel of the second regiment of Militia in Providence County.
Five hundred blankets, two hundred and fifty barrels of flour and eighty hundred weight of iron were ordered to be procured, and the proportion of each assessed to Smithfield, was: Sixteen barrels of flour, thirty-two blankets, and five hundred weight of iron.
Samuel Winsor was appointed to procure the blankets.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
August. John Angell and Peleg Arnold were appointed recruiting officers.
December. Smithfield was required to furnish one hun- dred and twenty-eight pairs of stockings.
1778. John Sayles was empowered to draw three hun- dred dollars out of the General Treasury in order to supply the families of the officers and soldiers in the town of Smith- field with necessaries.
Daniel Mowry, Jr., was appointed to inspect all letters that shall be received or sent by the late Capt. of the Syren, and to stop all such as he shall think improper to be deliv- ered.
A new Council of War was appointed, of which Gideon Comstock was a member. He was also one of a committee appointed to enquire into the matter of the defrauding of the State, by certain persons taking stock from the farm at Point Judith.
Valentine Whitman was permitted to transport " by land " to Boston, fifty or sixty hogsheads of tobacco, for the use of the United States. But he was directed to appear before the General Assembly, to answer such questions as. may be asked him, "respecting a quantity of cheese by him pur- chased in this State."
Peleg Arnold was one of a committee appointed by the General Assembly, to examine the clothing returned into the agent-clothiers store, for the use of the troops.
For the more equal representation of the State in the Council of War, a new Council was appointed by the Gen- eral Assembly, of which Gideon Comstock and John Sayles were members.
John Sayles was allowed by the Council of War the sum of three hundred pounds lawful money in order to supply the families in the town of Smithfield, of soldiers in the Continental service.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
Congress having recommended to the legislatures of the several States, to cause subscriptions to be opened for loans to the Continental service, the General Assembly appointed persons in the several sections of the State for that purpose ; one of said persons being John Sayles.
The officers of the First Company of Militia were :
Captain-Samuel Day. Lieutenant-Richard Sayles. Ensign-William Gully.
SECOND COMPANY.
Captain-Ebenezer Trask.
Lieutenant-Simeon Ballou. Ensign-David Aldrich.
THIRD COMPANY.
Captain-Joseph Sprague.
Fourth Lieutenant-Daniel Mowry.
Ensign-Benjamin Sheldon.
John Sayles was appointed by the General Assembly to pay the bounties of soldiers enlisted in Smithfield, and this town was required to furnish fifty-one men.
Requisition was made upon Smithfield for 192 pair woolen stockings.
May. John Sayles and Gideon Comstock were appointed members of the Council of War.
October. William Aldrich was permitted, under the di- rection of General Sullivan, to go to England with Jemima Wilkinson.
A lottery to raise three hundred pounds, lawful money, was authorized, to repair the bridge over Pawtucket river near Unity Furnace, so called; now Manville.
The enlisting of men continued in 1778; and the town borrowed one thousand, seven hundred and eighty-five 6
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
pounds for the purpose of paying bounties. The bounty had now been raised to thirty-five pounds, lawful money, in addition to the State's bounty, which was twenty pounds, with uniform. The drafted men who were to serve with Gen. Sullivan on the island of Rhode Island, were to be paid eighteen shillings per day. At this time it cost the town two pounds to enlist a man. The General Assembly having assessed the town in the number of one hundred and ninety-two pairs of woolen stockings, at the price of one pound and four shillings per pair; and the town being un- able to procure them at that price, it was voted to collect them at the rate of forty shillings per pair, the town paying the difference.
At a special town meeting held on the second day of April, 1779, the following resolution was passed :
" Whereas upon the inspection of the prox proposed to be exhibited unto the several towns for electing General Officers, and Delegates to Congress for the year ensuing, give a general dissatisfaction to the people in this town; Whereupon it is unanimously voted, that Capt. Andrew Waterman, be and hereby is appointed a committee-man to meet such committee-men as may be appointed by our neighboring towns in this State, at East Greenwich, on the sixteenth day of this instant April, there in conjunction, as a committee, to select the best set of men they can engage for, to supply our righteous representation both in General Assembly, and General Congress, most for the utility of the State in particular, and the United States in general."
In 1779, Capt. Andrew Waterman was chosen to open a subscription to collect money to supply the town officer with the town's quota of money called for by Congress. Caleb Aldrich. was sent to the Convention at East Green- wich, held for the purpose of further stipulating prices. In 1780, thirty-five more men were directed to be enlisted, and Col. John Sayles, Capt. William Waterman, Capt. Stephen Whipple and Capt. Hezekiah Sprague, were appointed a committee to hire 1750 silver dollars upon their personal
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
security, and a tax of six hundred pounds was levied "in silver or gold," to be paid within four months. Caleb Al- drich, Esq., and Capt. Arnold Paine were chosen a commit- tee to purchase the town's proportion of grain and beef, for the supply of the Commissary General. Three shillings in silver money was now paid by the town for each pair of woolen stockings, over and above what the State allowed, and thirty-five pairs were ordered bought. At this time began the enlistments for three years, or during the war, as ' also the collection of blankets for the soldiers.
The General Assembly having assessed the town for forty- two cwt. of beef, the town proposed to hire eighty-four pounds in hard money, to pay in lieu thereof: and the town voted to pay Stephen Whipple seventy-two old Continental Dollars in lieu of one silver dollar, in payment of this ac- count. Eighty-three bushels of corn for the army, was ordered to be bought. In August, 1781, the town pro- vided for twenty seven bushels of corn, and 8026 lbs. beef for the months of October and November succeeding.
1779. February. The Deputy Governor, Gideon Com- stock, Daniel Mowry and Rowse J. Helme were appointed a committee to take evidence concerning the illicit commerce carried on from the main to Block Island.
The committee was continued with power to apprehend and commit such persons as they thought proper. Daniel Mowry was appointed one of a committee to take an esti- mate of the ratable property in the State.
May. John Angell was appointed Lieut. Colonel of the second regiment of militia in the county of Providence.
Of the three militia companies in Smithfield, Eber Angell, Ebenezer Trask and Daniel Mowry, 4th, were Captains. Job Mowry was Captain of the Alarm Company.
October. Gideon Comstock, chosen a member of the Council of War.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
Capt. Andrew Waterman, Jonathan Comstock, Esq., and Capt. William Potter were chosen delegates to meet dele- gates from the other towns in this State, to restore the Con- tinental currency .. Major Edward Thompson was afterwards put in place of Jonathan Comstock.
Samuel Winsor was allowed by the Council of War, sev- enteen pounds, ten shillings, ten pence, for articles supplied the family of Jonathan Hoight, belonging to the town of Smithfield.
The town council of Smithfield was allowed, by the Coun- cil of War, ninety dollars, for Thomas Herendeen, the same amount to Benjamin Smith, and to Stephen Gully. Being eighty-one pounds in lawful money.
Daniel Mowry was one of a committee appointed by the General Assembly, to prepare a bill in amendment to the act for the better supply of the army. Also to take an esti- mate of the ratable property in this State ; and to assess tax.
At a town meeting held in Smithfield on the 20th of Au- gust, 1779, called by Warrant, it was Voted: That we give our instruction to our Deputies to use their influence at the General Assembly, that this State's proportion of the twenty millions of dollars be raised.
That this town approves of the proceedings of the Con- vention met at East Greenwich, on the 10th of August, 1779, on stipulating prices of necessaries of life, &c.
That Caleb Aldrich, Esq., Col. William Winsor and Capt. Stephen Whipple, be a committee to stipulate prices together with other committees in this county at time and place here- after stipulated by the committee of Providence.
1780. March. John Sayles, Chairman, and others made report relative to the ways and means for procuring supplies for the Continental Army. Sylvanus Sayles, Chairman, and others were empowered to procure a sufficient quantity of linen to be manufactured to make ninety pairs of breeches
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
for the officers in the Continental Army, considered to be the quota of this State.
June. William Aldrich was appointed Major of the second regiment of militia, in the County of Providence.
Peleg Arnold, Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, of the second Battalion, in the County of Providence.
Smithfield required to furnish thirty-five men for the Con- tinental Battalions.
Uriah Alverson to receive the money to pay bounties.
Elisha Mowry, Jr., appointed to procure blankets in Smithfield.
July. The General Assembly directed that the Continen- tal Army be supplied, in each month of July, August, Sep- tember and October, with 71,675 pounds of beef, and 2,285 bushels of corn, rye, oats or barley ; and the monthly quota of Smithfield was 5,000 pounds of beef, and 150 bushels of grain.
The ratable polls in town, were 425; the amount of money and trading stock, 2,143 pounds; ounces of plate, 1,157 ; horses, 346; oxen, 413; horned cattle, 2,370; sheep and goats, 3,449; amount of the ratable value, 194,864 pounds. In November, however, a revision was made of this estimate, and Smithfield was rated for 212,509.01 pounds; and again at the same session the rate was finally fixed at 207,809.01 pounds.
There was a deficiency of 163 men in the quotas ordered to be raised in June, but Smithfield had much more nearly raised her proportion than had some of the towns in the south- ern part of the State. Six hundred and thirty more men were ordered to be raised, and Smithfield was required to furnish thirty-five. Peleg Arnold, John Sayles, John Angell, An- drew Waterman, Stephen Whipple, Ebenezer Trask and Edward Thompson were appointed recruiting officers.
Rufus Streeter was appointed Ensign of the first company in the militia in the town of Smithfield. The following offi-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
cers having been chosen by the company, were appointed by the Council of War, for the Smithfield and Cumberland Rangers, to wit :
Captain-Edward Thompson. First Lieutenant-Benjamin Walcot. Second Lieutenant-William Bowen. Ensign-Joshua Jenckes.
George Streeter was appointed Lieutenant in the senior class in Smithfield; and Abraham Winsor, Ensign.
This town was assessed to furnish, as its quota for one month five thousand pounds of beef, and one hundred and fifty bushels of grain, being a larger amount of beef than that assessed upon any town save South Kingstown. Elisha Mowry, Jr., was appointed to assist in collecting the same in this town.
In October, requisition was made upon Smithfield for twelve blankets, and thirty-five pairs of stockings, being more than was required of Newport, and nearly the same quantity as was asked of Providence. The blankets were to cost not over eighty pounds lawful money, each, for the best; and the best quality of stockings not over twelve pounds per pair. If they could not be purchased, the col lectors were empowered to take them by distraint.
Peleg Arnold was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel, command- ant of the second Battalion, in the County of Providence.
Peleg Arnold, John Sayles, John Angell, Andrew Water- man, Stephen Whipple, Ebenezer Trask and Edward Thomp- son were a committee to receive recruits; and Smithfield was required to furnish thirty-five men.
Daniel Mowry was elected Delegate to Congress.
November. John Jenckes was appointed one of a com mittee " to inspect into the public letters and papers laid before this Assembly."
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD.
The number of acres in town was estimated to be 35,236; the value per acre five pounds, ten shillings; value of real estate, 193,798 pounds; total value, 212,509 pounds.
The valuation was slightly reduced upon revisal.
One hundred and twenty pounds found due to Elisha Mowry for blankets bought.
1781. February. Twelve hundred men were ordered into service for one month. Daniel Mowry, 4th., Captain in the Battalion of Providence and Kent Counties.
William Waterman, appointed to purchase corn for the army, for the town of Smithfield.
May. Daniel Mowry, 4th, Major of second regiment of militia in the County of Providence.
Job Mowry, Captain in the Second Battalion.
Benjamin Ballou, Ebenezer Trask and John Carpenter, Captains.
July. William Waterman, for Smithfield, was directed to furnish twenty-seven bushels of grain for the army ..
August. The same number of bushels were directed to be furnished for September, October and November.
A requisition was made upon Smithfield for twenty seven bushels of corn or rye. Providence was required to furnish twenty-nine bushels, and South Kingstown, forty.
In 1781, Daniel Mowry, 4th, Esq., was Major of the sec- ond regiment of militia in the County of Providence.
In 1782, the ratable value of Smithfield was put at two hundred thousand pounds.
The population of the town was 2,217. 1783. At a town meeting held June 2, 1733, it was voted :
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