USA > Rhode Island > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Rhode Island > Part 19
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To the legal fraternity he left a rich legacy in the "Eaton Will," a model of legitimate, absolutely unbreakable form of "last will and testament" that has made the name of its author a familiar one all over the United States, and one that is often used as a copy by lawyers in drawing important wills. But he lives in the hearts of all who knew him, whether professional or civilian, not as the great lawyer, but as the kindly and courteous gentleman, often referred to as the "old school," whom they loved and admired, "A man resolved and steady to his trust, inflexible to all and obstinately just."
James Golden Markland was born in Manchester, England, where both his parents died. He was educated in private school, university and law school, receiving his professional degree before coming to the United States. He was a young man when he first came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and there began practice. He did not long remain there, but accepted an open- ing to locate under favorable conditions in Providence, Rhode Island. He began practice as a law partner of Rollin Mathison, but later formed a part- nership with the eminent General Horatio Rogers, an association which continued many years. After the dissolution of his partnership with Gen- eral Rogers, Mr. Markland practiced alone, conducting a large legal busi- ness in all state and federal courts of the district. He was deeply learned in the law, prepared his cases with the greatest caution and care, and in his presentations was clear, logical and forcible. He possessed a keen and
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analytical mind, and while he never strove for oratorical effect was a strong advocate before court and jury. He was punctillious in his observance of the ethics of the profession, avoided all tricks or subterfuge that might be- cloud the issue and fought all his legal battles with law and evidence.
As a man he was warmly admired and as a friend and neighbor greatly beloved. His fame as a lawyer was more than State-wide and through his drawing of the "Eaton will" he has perhaps a wider national fame than any other lawyer has ever attained without the aid of official position or law book authorship. He was the friend of many prominent men of the State and was connected with many cases of great importance. Mr. Markland was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church and a liberal contributor to its maintenance and to its benevolences. He was also a prominent mem- ber of the Masonic order and interested in all that interested his fellowmen, that was uplifting and ennobling. But he was quiet and very domestic in his tastes, his home, his books, and study forming his recreation and great- est joy.
Mr. Markland married, September 15, 1864, Elizabeth C. (Bradley) Read, born in Providence, daughter of Captain William and Abbie (Brown) Bradley, who survives him, residing at No. 21 Parade street, Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Markland had no children, Mrs. Markland, by a former mar- riage to Willian M. Read, had a daughter, Ella Walton Read, who at the age of twenty-two years, just on the threshold of life, was called away. She was a beautiful girl possessed of every gentle, womanly grace and greatly beloved by her friends who deeply mourned her death.
George Whitney Prentice
T THE LIFE story of George Whitney Prentice is one of deep interest from boyhood until its close; its beginning in Providence, corner of Washington and Aborn streets, a sta- tion on the "Underground Railroad" to assist escaping slaves to reach Canada ; its close at the age of eighty-three years at his home in Providence, Rhode Island. An untiring worker, he sought fortune in varied fields of activity, in different localities, but finally settled again in the city of his birth, where he ended his life in honor.
He was a descendant of an ancient New England family, the first of the name, Valentine Prentice, coming from England in 1631. Prentice is an ancient surname, the spelling varying greatly even to the present day. Men- tion is made of a Thomas Prentiz in England as early as 1318, and a William de Prentice de Leak lived in England in 1341. Peter Prentiz was a member of the House of Commons from Derby about 1361, and John Prentiz was also a member from Derby. The first of the name recorded in America was Valentine Prentice, who came over from Nazing, County of Essex, England, with the Indian apostle, John Eliot, in 1631, and with his wife, Alice, and son, John, settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts. It is supposed that the early Prentice settlers, Valentine of Roxbury, Robert of Roxbury, Henry of Cam- bridge, Captain Thomas of Roxbury, and Newton, were in some way related.
John Prentice, father of George Whitney Prentice, was a merchant tailor, living in Providence. He was an ardent Abolitionist and permitted his home to be used as a regular station on the "Underground," caring for and speeding on their way to freedom many of the black men fleeing from bondage. Among the early recollection of his son, George W., was the sight of huge trays of food being carried upstairs, for what purpose he did not then know, but later he found it was for slaves in hiding. John Prentice married Sallie Snow Barrett, of Boston, also of prominent New England family. They were the parents of seven children, all now deceased.
George Whitney Prentice, son of John and Sallie Snow (Barrett) Prentice, was born at Providence, Rhode Island, June 5, 1831, died in his native city, May 8, 1914. He attended the city public schools, completing his high school course and graduating at the age of fifteen years. He had not expected to be sent to college but his father, influenced by the lad's splendid high school record, offered him the opportunity. Not being pre- pared in his mind to decide his father's unexpected question, "Do you want to go to college?" on such short notice, and not knowing a decisive answer must be given at once, George W. did not express his wish to go and the opportunity was lost.
Soon afterward he began learning photography as then practiced, with Mr. Manchester, a friend of his father, who paid him three dollars weekly for his services. This amount was charged him for board at home, but after a few months he was able to work and receive overtime pay and that he
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saved, not letting his father know of his extra income. In time he had accumulated $300.00, his ability to earn having been increased by his inven- tion, a foot power machine, which enabled him to turn out more work. About that time his father, in some distress concerning a note in bank about due, which he was not prepared to pay, told his troubles to his son, who responded by placing his $300.00 in the hands of his father, much to the latter's surprise and to his pleasure after its source had been explained.
He began again to save, later investing his savings in a traveling photo- graphic outfit, forming a partnership, Prentice & Perry, their van moving around to different parts of the country taking pictures. They traveled in this way for some time and met with a fair share of success in their venture. Later his father became enfeebled in health and needed his son in his mer- chant tailoring establishment. He then sold his interest in the van to his partner and joined his father in Providence. He did not like merchant tailoring, however, and after the death of John Prentice he sold the entire business and good will.
He next spent two years in New York State, engaged as a railroad contractor, a branch of business he followed several years in New York and Rhode Island. He built the Buttonwoods road which was first a steam- propelled road but now operated by electricity; the road to Pontiac; the Providence & Danielson Street Railway, and was the contractor of other important works. He acquired large business interests and at the time of his death was president of the Providence & Danielson Street Railroad Com- pany, president of the Heaton Manufacturing Company, and connected officially with other little less important interests. His connection with the button business grew out of his genius in invention, a trait he developed in boyhood. He was the inventor of the combination shoe button and fastener and several fasteners for shoes and gloves. He was one of the leading busi- ness men of Providence and held the unvarying esteem of those with whom he was associated. His rise to affluence was gradual and consistent, each forward step being the result of his energy, his progressive spirit, and his strong determination to win a name among the best. He was not a grasping man, however, sought no undue advantage over his competitors but pursued a straightforward and honorable course through life and won success on his own merits.
Quiet by nature, he found in his home the greatest joy of life and his hours not engaged in business were spent with his family. He traveled con- siderably but rarely alone, always wanting his wife to accompany him. An- other pleasure of his life was owning and driving good horses. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, and in politics a Republican, but stead- fastly refusing to accept public office. He was very charitable, aided all good causes, was a good friend and greatly beloved.
He married (first) Maria Fisher, of Pawtuxet, Rhode Island. He married (second) Emma Frances Rounds, born at Brockton, Massachusetts, who survives him, daughter of Seth B. and Anna Lydia (Willard) Rounds.
Jardin Chester WHaters
L IVING in an age like the present. when the gracious and beautiful in life is rather at a discount and nothing which does not contribute to a material success is very highly prized by the people generally, it is often delightful to turn for a moment to the generation that is well nigh past and recall certain of its figures in whom the courtly manners of the past were personified. There was a period in the devel- opment of New England when its people seemed to combine in a most happy union the strong sturdy qualities of democracy with the graces of aris- tocracy, when in spite of the demands upon the time and energies of men made by the necessity of getting on in life, certainly not less then than now, they found occasion and opportunity for all that structure of ceremony which might be described as art applied to manners. Most of this we seem to have outgrown to-day but, whether our present mode of life is regarded as superior or inferior, it is certainly the case that we still have a strong though remote adiniration for the old regime and that what we call "a gentleman of the old school" is still a most delightful ideal, a pleasant thing to contem- plate. It was this in its full significance that Hardin Chester Waters was, whose death in Providence, Rhode Island, on March 19, 1902, was so deeply regretted, typifying in his own person all that was most worthy and gracious in the ideal. In him it was well exemplified how the most practical achieve- ment is compatible with the last attributes of the gentleman, a proposition none too readily admitted at present.
Born February 28, 1854, in Providence, Mr. Waters made his lifelong home in the place of his birth. He was a son of Edward B. and Mary (Chester) Waters, of fine old Connecticut stock, who had come from that State and settled in Providence in their youth and who continued to reside there until their death. Hardin Chester was one of the two children born to his parents, his brother, Charles E. Waters, being to-day a resident of Washington, D. C. The Mr. Waters with whose career this sketch is con- cerned was educated in the Providence public schools and graduated from the Classical High School. From the first he proved himself an apt scholar and showed a marked taste for the life of the student. He was extremely ambitious and desired most strongly to take a college course. With this end in view he prepared himself in the high school with Brown University espe- cially in mind. Unfortunately for his plans, his father was a man of very limited means and it became necessary for the young man to turn to and contribute to the support of the family, just at the time he would have entered the university. Though the matter was a very bitter disappoint- ment to him, one that lasted him through life, he submitted to his destiny with the cheefulness of a brave man and found employment in the office of the Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Providence. His first position was the very humble one of office boy, but he soon displayed qual- ities which attracted the attention of his superior officers and put him in
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line for promotion. By strict application to his duties he worked his way gradually up the ladder of success. His progress upwards . was greatly facilitated by his remarkable power of making and retaining friendships. many of his friends being persons of prominence and influence. Among these was included the late Henry A. Barker, at that time president of the Providence Mutual, who became a very warm admirer of Mr. Waters. The latter was appointed secretary of the company and held that office with great efficiency for many years. Finally, on the death of Mr. Barker, only a few years before Mr. Waters' own death, he was elected to the presidency, an honor which his long and faithful service amply merited.
On September 11, 1878, Mr. Waters was united in marriage with Har- riet R. Campbell, of Boston, Massachusetts, daughter of Jeremiah and Har- riet (Ellis) Campbell, late of Boston, Massachusetts. To Mr. and Mrs. Waters were born two children, Alice F., who died at the age of ten years, and Chester, who was married to Eunice Clark, of Portland, Maine, by whom he had one child, a son, Hardin Clark Waters; Mrs. Eunice Clark is now deceased.
Besides his long service in the insurance company, Mr. Waters was con- nected with many other aspects of the community's life. Even in the realm of business he was otherwise active and held a directorship in the Mechanics' National Bank of Providence and had extensive private interests as well. He was a conspicuous figure in the social circles of the place, and a member of several important organizations among which should be mentioned the Providence Central Club. He was keenly interested in the cause of religion and was an active member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Provi- dence, serving the congregation for several years as treasurer and giving liberally to the many benevolences connected with its work.
It has already been remarked that Mr. Waters all his life regretted his inability to take a course of study in college while young, but with him this regret was not merely a repining but a matter to be remedied, and it was with this purpose in view, as well as to gratify his great fondness for knowl- edge, that he undertook the wide course of reading which he continued all his life. Possessed of an excellent mind to begin with, he made himself acquainted with the best thought of the world, and the achievements of art and letters. He was a man of great culture and enlightenment and pos- sesed a far larger education than the majority of those who had enjoyed the opportunity of a college course so much desired by him. It may be honestly said that he was a self-made man in the broadest sense of that term, a man who, besides winning success in business affairs, made the most out of every talent that had been entrusted to him in the stewardship of this life. He was possessed of an unusually judicial type of mind, the type that weighs opposing evidence impartially and so great was his reputation in this matter that he was often constituted a sort of informal court by the choice of his friends who would resort to him for advice in all manner of emergencies and to compose their differences in case of dispute. He was devoted to his home and to his family and found his greatest happiness in the intimate inter- course about his own fireside. He was of a retiring disposition and never sought for any post of public power or any political preferment although
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his talents admirably fitted him to hold such, and in spite of his association with the Republican party through which he might easily have won them. In all the relations of life his conduct was of the most exemplary kind and the high esteem in which his fellows held him is amply borne witness to in the many testimonials in the shape of resolutions passed by the various organi- zations of which he was a member, and in the comments of friends at the time of his death. It is indeed a privilege, a deserved privilege in the case of Mr. Waters, to leave so profound an impression upon the community as he did.
Amos William Snow
W ILLIAM SNOW, the immigrant, was born in England, in 1624, and came to this country in the ship "Susan and Ellen" in 1635, with Richard Derby, who settled at Plymouth. Wil- liam Snow was an apprentice, and although other records show that he was but eleven years old at that time, his age then was given as eighteen. He was assigned to Edward Dotem in 1638 to serve seven years at Plymouth. In 1643 his name appears on the list of those able to bear arms at Plymouth. He settled at Duxbury and was afterward one of the proprietors and first settlers of the town of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where he took the oath of fidelity in 1657. His will was dated in 1699, and proved in 1708, the year he died. He lived to the great age of eighty-four and in his last years was supported by his son William. He married Rebecca Barker, daughter of Robert Barker, of Plymouth. Children: William, married Naomi Whit- man; James, died in the Phipps expedition, 1690; Joseph, mentioned below ; Benjamin, married (first) Elizabeth Alden, daughter of Joseph Alden, grandfather of John and Priscilla Alden, (second) Sarah Cary, of Bridge- ' water; Mary; Lydia; Hannah; Rebecca. The Snow coat-of-arms is as fol- lows: Or, on a fesse sable between a fesse embattled doubly embattled, a lion passant of the first, langued gules. Crest. A demi-lion rampant, or, langued gules holding in the dexter paw a tassel sable. Motto: Per Crucem ad Coronam.
(II) Joseph Snow, son of William Snow, was born in West Bridge- water, about 1655, and died there in 1753. He and his wife, Hopestill Snow, were the parents of the following children, born at West Bridgewater: Deacon Joseph, mentioned below; Mary, born 1691, married Joseph Lathrop; James, 1693, of Bridgewater; Rebecca, married, 1722, Thomas Wade; Benjamin, born 1696; Isaac, of East Bridgewater, married Hannah Shaw; Jonathan, born 1707; David, twin, 1707, married Joanna Hayward.
(III) Deacon Joseph (2) Snow, son of Joseph (1) Snow, was born at West Bridgewater, in 1690. He was a deacon of the church there, and afterward colleague in the ministry with Rev. Mr. Wilson. He sold land at Bridgewater in 1738 to Caleb Phillips and removed to Easton, Massa- chusetts, about 1730, finally to Providence, Rhode Island. The records of the First Congregational Church at Providence show that he was in Provi- dence in 1733. He died in Providence, July 24, 1773. His wife, Elizabeth Snow, who died at Providence, April 15, 1768, aged sixty-nine years, eight months, nineteen days, was the mother of the following children: Joseph, born March 26, 1715 (Providence records), married Sarah Field; John, died at Providence, December 18, 1750, aged thirty-one years, seven months, fourteen days; Susanna, born 1722; Sarah, 1723, died January 8, 1745, aged twenty-two years, eleven months, four days; Daniel, born 1727 ; James, men- tioned below ; Mary, baptized in 1733, at Providence, died February 12, 1747, aged thirteen years, nine months, twelve days; Lydia, died at Providence,
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December 10, 1738, aged two years, ten months, two days; John, died July 10, 1739, aged two months, nineteen days.
(IV) James Snow, son of Deacon Joseph (2) Snow, was born .December 30, 1730, and died October 8, 1812. He married, at Providence (by Rev. Joseph Snow), March 26, 1755, Hannah Searle. Children: James, men- tioned below; John, born June 26, 1769, and probably others.
(V) James (2) Snow, eldest son of James ( 1) Snow, was born at Provi- dence, April 10, 1756, and died September 30, 1836. In 1790 his father had in his family, according to the census of that year, two males over sixteen, two under that age, and three females; James, Jr., had one male over sixteen, three under that age and three females. He marrid Rachel Spalding. Chil- dren, born at Providence (not on town records) : Benjamin, mentioned below; Priscilla, George, James, Thomas, Mary, Sally.
(VI) Benjamin Snow, son of James (2) Snow, was born at Providence, Sept iber II, 1779, and died there February 19, 1833. He married, March 24, 1803, Anstis Gladding, born February 24, 1783, died September 15, 1862, daughter of Benjamin Gladding. Children: Amos William, mentioned below; Benjamin G., married Adele Chevalier; George W., Henrietta Pabodie, Anstis Gladding, Emily, Mary Gladding, Emma Wheeler, John Spalding, Martha, infant daughter, died unnamed.
(VII) Ámos William Snow, son of Benjamin Snow, was born Feb- ruary 5, 1805, and died March 30, 1877, in his seventy-third year. He attended the public schools in the old red school house in Providence, and when a young man entered the employ of Samuel Wheeler to learn the manufacture of fur hats. Afterwards he was admitted to partnership by his employer. Their store was in Market Square, which stood on land now occupied by the Industrial Trust Company and the Weeden buildings. Sub- sequently he disposed of his share in this business to his brother Benjamin G. and accepted the office of cashier of the Old City Bank in Weybossett street, and continued to fill that position with ability and efficiency until he retired from active life. In politics he was originally a Whig, afterward a staunch Republican. He served the city of Providence for several years in the Board of Aldermen, and was acting mayor of the city during the absence of Mayor Doyle in 1872, during the visit of the members of the Japanese Embassy to the city of Providence. He also took an active part in the establishing of Roger Williams Park, which land was given to the city by Miss Betsey Williams. He was a strong advocate of temperance, and always took an active interest in the cause. He was fond of flowers, and was a member of the Horticultural Society for a number of years. In religion he was a Congregationalist, and a charter member of the West- minster Congregational (Unitarian) Church, which was founded in 1826, and of which he was a clerk of the society, and an earnest and faithful sup- porter. In private life as well as in business he was an agreeable, attractive personality, upright, trustworthy to the utmost, and attracting to him a host of friends. He enjoyed a happy domestic life and devoted himself to his family. He married, January 1, 1829, Almira Frances Dorr, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Chessman) Dorr, Rev. Dr. Wayland, president of Brown
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University, officiating at the wedding. She was born March 19, 1808, and died November 17, 1886, in her seventy-ninth year. They were the parents of two children: 1. Helen Almira, born May 14, 1833, died March. 11, 1897; married, June 5, 1865, Charles Payton Hartshorn (see Hartshorn VII). 2. Sarah Josephine, born December 2, 1836; resides at No. 187 Wayland avenue, Providence, Rhode Island.
(The Hartshorn Line).
The Hartshorn family is of ancient English lineage. The surname was taken from a parish of this name in Litchfield diocese, Derbyshire, and the parish, it is believed, was so named from its geographical resemblance to a hart's horn. The family was well established, as the records show, as early as the thirteenth century. Henry de Hertishorn and others of the family are mentioned in Derbyshire. The coat-of-arms and the crest is a buck's head. The design obviously refers to the significance of the name.
(I) Thomas Hartshorn, founder of the family in this country and immigrant ancestor of all of the name, was born in England, in 1614. He deposed April 3, 1654, that he was aged about forty years. He settled at Reading, Massachusetts, and took the freeman's oath, May 10, 1648. He was a prominent and influential citizen, serving as selectman and in other offices of trust. He died about May, 1683, and his inventory was dated May 18, that year. His will was dated October 26, 1681, and proved June 16, 1683, bequeathing to sons, Benjamin and Thomas, daughter Susannah and wife Sarah. His other children must have received their shares previously. His first wife died March 18, 1659-60. He married (second) Hannah -, who was received from the church in Ipswich, April 6, 1663. She died July 20, 1673. He married (third) Sarah Lanson, widow of William Lamson, of Ipswich. Children: Thomas, born October 30, 1646, died young; Thomas, September 30, 1648; John, May 6, 1650; Joseph, mentioned below ; Benjamin, 1654; Jonathan, August 20, 1656; David, 1657; Susannah, March 2, 1659; Timothy, February 3, 1661 ; Mary, born August 19, 1672.
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