USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Bristol > Sketches of old Bristol > Part 14
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believe that they had burned his beloved edifice, because, as he said, he had the key in his pocket. The old sexton when refer- ring to his church always called it "the Church of England."
One cannot help thinking that the Bristol negroes of other days were upon the whole a very happy lot; for they fared as well as their masters, had all the freedom that they cared for, and were sufficiently numerous to keep each other in countenance.
BRISTOL, A SLEEPY LITTLE VILLAGE
DURING the summer of 1826 a series of articles were published in a Philadelphia paper, headed "Sketches of New England". One of the articles was devoted to Bristol. Witness what our visitor had to say about the little village of those days:
"Bristol is still true to its name. It is a bit of old England stranded on the shore of a new continent. It is completely off from every line of travel, and tenaciously holds its own, unvexed by the whirl of traffic and the furor of controversy. It is probably the only community in America that still celebrates Guy Fawkes' day. His memory is commemorated every year on the 5th of November."
Our visitor then went on to state: "Bristol is not a mercenary town-The storekeepers actually part with the goods on their shelves with the greatest reluctance. For instance a farmer went into a store here a few days since, to get some paint-he was go- ing to paint his barn. 'It don't need it,' said the old storekeeper. 'Now sit down on that barrel there and I'll show you in a very few minutes it won't pay.' So the farmer sat on the barrel while the sagacious old merchant talked him out of painting his barn, by explaining to him that wood when in its natural state lasts much longer.
"While passing along Thames street (in those days all the stores were down on Thames street) it was then midday, I asked, 'Why are all the shops closed?' 'It is dinner time-they always shut up for dinner and supper,' my companion informed me.
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'But the keys are in the doors.' 'That's so that folks, if they are in a hurry can go in and wait on themselves,' he explained.
"By nine o'clock or half past, the people are mostly abed, the lights are out and the only ones astir are the night watch, which are on duty only during the long winter months.
"The town is full of old retired salts and sea captains who have followed the sea for years, and having saved enough to carry them through their declining years, have come ashore to finish out their days. Bristol is famous for longevity among its inhab- itants, which fact is clearly proved by the number of old persons seen on the streets and the inscriptions on the gravestones; an aged gentleman stated to me in conversation on the subject that if a person died under 70 years of age it was looked upon as a premature death.
"Queer looking houses, all very old, line the elm-shaded streets. Some of the most pretentious of these old structures have ornate fronts with fluted columns and Ionic capitals. The half- moon windows over the front doors are in keeping with the rest of the house.
"In the graveyard are headstones of slate bearing inscriptions of Queen Anne's time. For a quiet, quaint place, out of the path of the jostling throng and yet easily accessible, I know of no place equal to Bristol."
J. GLADDING & CO., BOOKBINDERS
Jan. 28, 1896 - "Rev. Geo. L. Locke, D.D., has lately purchased a book which is of considerable historical interest locally. It is the "Life and Adventure of Robinson Crusoe, with Life of the Author," and was published in Bristol, R. I., in the year 1837, by J. Glad- ding & Co.
"A word about Mr. John Gladding, whose imprint appears on its title page, should be of interest at this time. Mr. Gladding was a zealous Methodist of those early days; he carried on the bookbind- ing business over the store now occupied by James A. Miller, on Bradford St. He issued a number of other works besides this one, mostly those of standard British authors."
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A LITTLE over 100 years ago (1835-36), a young lad, at the time 27 years old, was setting type in the printing office of the old Bristol Gazette (the paper which preceded the early Phenix). Sixty years later, in the year 1895, this same young printer, then an old man of 87 years, wrote a very interesting account of those early days when he helped William H. S. Bayley, the editor, get out his regular Saturday sheet which at that time was printed in the old brick Bank Building, on Thames street, where the early Bristol merchants, William D'Wolf, and his younger brother, Capt. James, conducted their vast and profitable shipping business.
At that time Mr. Bayley, along with his newspaper business, carried on book printing for J. Gladding & Co., Mr. Gladding being a relative of the late Peter Gladding, who held the office of town clerk for many years. Among the various books he pub- lished at that time were the works of "Josephus", "Life of An- drew Jackson", "Swiss Family Robinson", "Robinson Crusoe", "The Lady of the Lake", "Life and Trial of Ephraim K. Avery", and several other works. These books were printed for, and pub- lished by, the above mentioned firm, who were at that time book- sellers and stationers and carried on quite an extensive trade in that line, their place of business being situated in the store now occupied by James A. Miller on Bradford street, and their book- bindery in the upper part of the building. Nathaniel Church, grandfather of Everett L. Church, was foreman in the binding part of the business. They employed several hands, among whom was the late John B. Gough, the great temperance re- former and lecturer, but who at that time was not averse to the "cup that cheers".
Many of these books can still be found among the older gen- eration and their descendants, the writer having a few copies now in his possession. Some of the books were illustrated with colored plates, which were painted by Mr. Gladding's sister, who kept a little private school in a small building which stood in the rear of the residence now occupied by Mr. Edward Phillips on Bradford street, on the spot where his stable now stands.
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In time Mr. Gladding removed to Philadelphia, where there was a wider field in his line; there he carried on the business under the firm name of Gladding & Friend, and established a fine business. It was then that Mr. Bayley gave up the book-printing part of his business.
THE DAYS OF LONG AGO IN BRISTOL
THE only way we of today have of learning about the lives and times of the people who lived in the earlier days is by reading the old accounts that have been handed down. It is then the invisible forms of earlier inhabitants become all but visible to one possess- ing some knowledge of what the place was years ago.
The last few months, while writing these articles, I have tried to create anew the atmosphere of years ago and bring back these people that we might meet them and come to know them. The many people we have been reading about lived their lives in this very town just the same as you and I are doing today. They walked the same streets, they drove over the same roads in their old-fashioned chaises, only remember their rigs were not out of date at the time they drove proudly through our streets one hun- dred years ago.
Miss Middleton in her interesting account, tells about the members of her family all down on the steamboat wharf awaiting the arrival of the Bradford Durfee. It was the year 1854 and her mother, at the time a young matron, was expected from her home in Charleston, South Carolina; but on account of a severe storm, she failed to arrive. "Tell Annie that her expected com- ing stirred us to the very depths. On the morning of the 20th, you should have seen the gatherings at the wharf. Aunt Maria with her new carriage, Pa and Ma with their new buggy, Abby with her carriage, all with eager faces watching the approach of the Durfee."
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Folks in those days had to go to the post office for their mail, probably one mail a day, brought in by the mail stage. The post office was located wherever the postmaster carried on his regular business, for the postal business was only a side line in the olden days. Back in the year 1830 when Dr. Briggs was the post- master, the office was upstairs in the small building on the north side of State street, where "Blondie Rawson" used to keep a saloon. Folks had to go up a flight of steps that was on the out- side of the building, on the east side. You can picture the regular evening gathering about this quaint little post office, where everybody knew everybody, idling away the time in discussing current events of the town, while waiting for the mail to be sorted.
Sometimes later we read of his office on Hope street, for in 1838 he advertises in the local paper of a tenement to let over the Post Office, on Hope street.
Years ago a lady, who was a little girl when the only mode of travel was by stage, wrote an interesting account of those olden days and the arrival of the regular evening stage as it came into the village over the north bridge. The bridge then was a real wooden affair, probably not very wide, and made of heavy timbers.
"It was our keen ears that first detected the rumble of the heavy coach as it came over the town bridge and entered the town and we gave the signal that called for the setting of lamps in the front windows and the gathering of the family to welcome the expected guests."
An old account that has recently come to light concerning the Deacon Nathaniel Bosworth house situated at Silver Creek, gives some new information about the town bridge as it was in 1680. This was before there was a church in the town and a small gathering of zealous and devout Christians used to assem- ble in this old house for evening meetings of prayer. "The people living south of the creek, where the town bridge now stands, being conveyed across the creek on rafts built of floating timbers."
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REV. HENRY WIGHT, D.D., 1752-1837
"PARSON" WIGHT was born of pious parents in Medfield, Mass., May 26, 1752. He entered Harvard University in the class of 1778 and graduated in 1782. During his course of studies the college was disbanded for an entire year; during which time with many other sons of Harvard he joined and served in the Army of his country. After his graduation he turned his attention to the ministry and was ordained as pastor of the Catholic Congregational Church of this village, January 5, 1785. He died August 12, 1837, in the 86th year of his age, after a successful ministry of 52 years.
"Dr. Wight was a noticer of passing events. He kept a record of events, even of those of the most minute; and it is believed that no occurrence of moment has transpired about him to his knowledge, for the past 70 years, which may not be found faithfully recorded in his diary. In his ecclesiastical records, many have had occasion to learn the strict fidelity with which they have been kept."
In his sermon in the year 1817, on the 32d anniversary of his settlement here, he stated that the church, at the time of his ordination, consisted of 36 members, 7 males and 29 females. "Since that time I have admitted to our holy communion 239. I have buried 80; and there now remain alive 195. I have delivered more than 2800 discourses from this sacred desk. Under my ministry 420 have received the sacrament of Bap- tism, and 412 have been united in marriage.
"The inhabitants in the village in January, 1785 were in a number about 1400. Since that time there have died about 1300; which makes the average number of deaths each year about 40. Of the 1300 who have departed this life in the above time, 18 5 of the number have died abroad in the seafaring business; most of these were young men in the prime of life."
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EXCERPTS FROM "PARSON" WIGHT'S RECORDS
"AN ACCOUNT of the buildings erected in the town of Bristol, R. I. since May 25, 1778, when the British burned the west part of the village." (The entries start in 1785, the year he was ordained as pastor of the Congregational Church)
1785-Captain Charles D'Wolf repaired his house on Thames street.
1786-House of Widow Betsy D'Wolf on Hope street.
1787-Capt. John D'Wolf-a large house on his Farm.
1789-House of William D'Wolf on Hope street-also a barn to Ditto. (This was the old Cushman house which was on the site of the Hasbrouck Block. It was moved to the east side of upper Wood street, years ago; it is still standing in 1942)
1791-The first Bristol Academy, west side of the public square (Common). (This was the only public building standing on the front of the Common at that time; it stood where the present Court House, which was erected in 1817, now stands)
1792-House of Allen Wardwell on Hope street (Herbert F. Bennett house)
1792-House of Gov. Wm. Bradford at the corner of Hope and Court streets (Col. Sam'l Norris house)
1793-House of Royal Diman on Hope street.
1793-A Grain Wind Mill on the public square. (This spider wind-mill which was later moved to a lot near the head of the harbor, was erected by Nathaniel Smith and Shearjashub Bourn) 1794-A large store of Capt. Charles D'Wolf on his wharf. 1795-The first academy moved to the land of James D'Wolf, May Ist.
1795-The new academy raised west of the public square.
1795-Store of James D'Wolf on his wharf.
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1795-House of John Gladding, jun'r, near the South Wind Mill. (This is the old Gladding house still standing at the junction of Hope and Walley streets)
1795-Coach house of Capt. Charles D'Wolf.
1796-House of Capt. Isaac Liscomb on Hope street. (The 1851 map shows this house on the N.W. corner of Hope and Union streets)
1797-House of Benj. Bourn, Esq. repaired, near the N. tide bridge. (This is the Perry homestead at Silver Creek)
1797-House of James D'Wolf on the west side of Mt. Hope Farm.
1797-Bank house of James and William D'Wolf on Thames street.
1798-House of Parker Borden on Hope street.
1798-Town bridge made wider-Cost $800. (This bridge was known as the North Bridge. In the records of 1721, it was referred to as Bosworth's Bridge, or the bridge over the North Creek, to distinguish it from the South Bridge, almost opposite Walker's Island. In the records of 1721, this bridge was called "Walker's Bridge".
1799-House for Fire Engine No. I, on Thames street.
1800-Gun-House for the Artillery Co., east of the Public Square. (In August, 1843, Wm. R. Taylor was appointed a committee to dispose of the old Gun-House on the Common) 1801-Brick house of Rev. Henry Wight, corner of High and Bradford sts. (This old house is still standing on the N.W. corner)
1804-Brick Masonic Hall and schoolhouse, N.W. corner of the Public Square. (The "Old Brick School House")
1804-A 3-story brick house for the Insurance Co., on Court street. (This is the old Bristol Hotel, still standing on the south side of State street. Court street, in those days, was our present State street. It got its name because of the old Court House which stood in the middle of the street, a few rods east of Hope street.)
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1805-Methodist Church, west of the Public Square. (This old church was located on the site of the Byfield school. It was moved across the Common, in 1872, to the west side of Wood street, and for many years was used as an armory by the Bristol Light Infantry Company)
1807-House of John Howe on Hope street.
1808-3 Story House of Jas. D'Wolf-East of the Town ("The Mount")
1808-House of Parker Borden, enlarged-Hope street.
1810-A Splended House of George D'Wolf-Hope street (Linden Place)
1810-House of Dr. Foster on Hope street.
1810-Wharf of Thos Church, Thames street.
18IO-Wooden Stores of Thos Church on Thames st.
18II-House of James D'Wolf on High street. (This is the Alexander Perry house on the N.W. corner of High and Union streets. Mr. Perry was a grandson of the old Senator)
18II-House of James LeBaron on Church street. (The Church Street House)
1814-Stone Chapel of the Baptist Church, on High street- West of the Public Square.
1815-The stable of James D'Wolf, on Jail Lane. (Why Capt. D'Wolf was building a stable on Jail Lane had me puz- zled for a long time. We shall have to go back to the year 1883, the year that the Burnside Memorial Building was erected. At that time there was a large house on the site; the house was moved to the east side of lower High street, next north of the Codman estate. This house was built by Capt. James D'Wolf in the year 1793, hence the stable in the rear, on Jail Lane. The 185I map shows the house and the owner's name, Alexander Perry. In 1937 the property was acquired by Mrs. Annie R. Dixon, and under the supervision of Mr. George L. Millard restored to its original plan as to details of that period. It is one of the finest examples of colonial restoration in the state, complete to the smallest details, and for generations to come will be a lasting memorial of the architecture of that period.)
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1817-A brick building for the Commercial Bank on Hope street. (This is still standing on the S.W. corner of Hope and Bradford streets. Back in the seventies it was known as the "Fales Bldg.". Our town fathers occupied the second floor as "Council Chambers" and Peter Gladding, the old town clerk, had his office there. At a later date, in the nineties, the room was occupied by the Y.M.C.A. The entrance was on Bradford street, up one flight, and later when the Providence Telephone Co. bought the building, the entrance was bricked up.)
There seems to be quite a lapse here. It is not probable that building construction in the village ceased entirely, for the present Court House on High street was erected in 1817.
1821-House of Richard Smith Esq. on Hope street.
1822-A stone house for the poor, an asylum, built on the town farm, one mile north of the Village-at the same time the east end of sd farm was alloted for Town burying place.
1822-The Foundation of Jas. D'Wolf's Stone Block was laid June 2Ist-But the house was not finished.
1824-Stone barn of James D'Wolf on High street. (This is the Capt. Benj. Brayton house on the west side of High St.) 1825-George D'Wolf failed and sold his large house on Hope street (Linden Place) to his father for $30,000.
1828-Meeting house of William Lawless on Jail Lane. (This William Lawless was the father of the late Capt. James Lawless; he lived in a little house, years ago, that stood on the site of the Codman mansion, on the east side of lower High street. Mr. Lawless was an "elder" of the Christian church in those days, and some of the aged people in town, living at the turn of the century, used to tell of his sitting in his back doorway, summer evenings, singing gospel hymns, his voice carrying all through that section of the neighborhood)
1828-A new stone jail in Jail Lane, east of Hope street.
1828-James D'Wolf bought (from the Commercial Bank) the house of George D'Wolf which cost $60,000, for $5150. (The Linden Place).
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EXCERPTS FROM DIARY OF "PARSON" WIGHT, 1787
REV. Dr. Henry Wight, who for 52 years was pastor of the First Congregational Church from 1785-1837, was born in Medfield, Mass., in 1752.
Jan. 10-The C. C. Committee to see me to consult about my house.
Jan. 29-The Committee meet at my house. There was much snow the past month and very cold.
Feb. 7-Sunday Communion is postponed on account of the severely cold weather, the coldest we have had this winter. The harbor is frozen over as far down as Hog Island.
March 3-A storm of snow.
March 4 and 5-The storm continues; 9 inches have fallen.
March 7-A sleet of snow.
March 9-A sleeting snow.
April 1-To Church, preached from 2 Cor. 5:11-P.M., the same. Administered the sacrament. Am reading Dr. Watt's "Revival of Religion". William White, our sexton died today of consumption, aged 70 years.
April 16-Fair wind west. Scipio Burt is helping John garden the first seeds that I have put into the ground.
April 18-Wm. Easterbrooks sowing my flax.
April 19-Fair, wind northwest, very cold, a frost.
April 20-Very cold.
April 21-Some snow. At 3 P.M. rode to Dighton (horseback). So cold as to freeze my horse's breath onto his beard.
May I, Tuesday-A shower of rain with heavy thunder and lightning. William Easterbrooks hoeing sets in my planting field. To several places. To Mrs. Bourn's. 5 o'clock a shower of rain. Evening more rain.
May 2-Fair, wind west. John is setting rareripe onions. Bot-
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tling my cyder. Evening to Nath'l Waldron, 2nd and William Fales.
May 3-Fair, wind west, cool. at 9 o'clock rode to Mr. Roger- son's (Rhehoboth). Dined with Mr. Townsend (Barrington).
Drank tea with Dea. Smith. Bought a three year old heifer for $II. To Maj. Bradford's. Nine o'clock, home.
May 4th-Fair, south wind, warm. Brothers Job and John go to Rhehoboth for my cow. Studying. Go to the barn with John to take care of my new cow.
May 5th-Fair, south wind. Feel quite unwell. To see James West, sick. Evening, studying.
May 6th-Cloudy and warm. To church. P.M., same. Gen. Miller and Wm. Ellery to hear me. Am reading Atkinson's sermons. Evening, several gentlemen to see me. Had a sing. A severe thunder storm.
May 7th-Cloudy, south wind and rain. To divers places. Wrote billets to Rev. Mr. Hopkins, Rev. Mr. Patten and Mr. Shepard at Little Compton. To see James West, very sick. To William D'Wolf's, child sick. P.M. Wm. Easterbrooks harrowing my land for planting. Evening, to Dea. Munro's and Benj. Wardwell's.
May 8th-Fair, south wind. Planting with Wm. Easterbrook and Royal Sanford. In the evening to Aaron Bourn's, Wm. Russel's and Nath'l Munro's, 2nd.
May 9th-South wind, very warm. Planting with John and Scipio Burt. Dropped the corn myself. To see James West, very sick. Am reading Guthrie's Geography.
May 10th-To several places, rain.
May IIth-A violent storm of wind and rain. To William D'Wolf's, child sick.
May 12th-Cold, storm continues.
May 13th-Storm continues. We have had a great rain. To church and preached. Col. George Leonard of Norton to hear me. After services, reading. Evening (company)
May 14-South wind, moist air, To several places. P.M. to Warren. Bought things of John Croade. To Jona. Peck's and
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drank tea. Polly Ingraham had a fit. Eight o'clock, home. Cool and damp.
May 15th-Cloudy and cool. To divers places. Am preparing for Convention. P.M., Rev. Mr. Rogerson, Dea. James Green, Messrs. Abel Flint and Jonathan Gould arrive. They drank tea with me. The two young gentlemen lodge with us.
May 16-South wind, clouds. Up early to divers places. The Rev. Mr. Townsend comes, then we form into Convention. Mr. Townsend was chosen Moderator and myself scribe. After looking up to God by prayer we proceeded to examine Abel Flint, Jonathan Gould and Job Wight, for the work of the Ministry. After dinner we came to the church and Mr. Flint preached a sermon from Psalms 90:12, to good acceptance. The gentlemen were all approbated and licensed to preach. After services Mr. James Brown and Robbins Tator of Provi- dence drank tea with us. We then rode with them to the Brown's Seat on Poppasquash. Had refreshments and home at sunset. Was called early this morning to see the wife of Esq. Fales who was sick, but found her dead when I got there. May 17-Cloudy, south wind. Several gentlemen called to see us. At 9 o'clock Messrs. Flint and Gould and Dea. Green left for Providence. To several places with Messrs. Townsend and Rogers. Dined on a fine bass. P.M .- Rode with them and brother Job to Warren. Drank tea with Samuel Burr; 9 o'clock home.
May 18-Fair. Helping put some wall at my large pasture. P.M .- To the funeral of Mrs. Fales; to the house; followed in procession to the meeting house; made a speech and prayer; then to the grave; a large funeral; drank tea with the mourners. May 19-Cloudy. Jonathan Gould came and lodged with me. May 20-South wind. Some rain. Mr. Gould preached for me. Am reading. Am preparing to journey. Evening-Several gentlemen to see me.
May 21-Fair and cool. Start for Medfield.
June I-Return to Bristol.
June 4-The Church committee meet at my house.
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June 6-This day I am 35 years old. Blessed be God that I still live. May I live more to His glory in future, and be prepared for a happy Immortality.
June 7-To see my people digging my cellar.
June 10-Sunday, hot. To Church. Preached. Administered the Sacrament. Baptized William Coggeshall's three daughters, Mary, Martha, and Sarah.
June 12-Benjamin Wardwell killed my calf. Dr. Baylies dined with us on calves head, etc.
June 18-Foggy. To divers places. To Col. Church's; to Capt. Jonathan Peck's; to Loring Peck's; to see Polly Ingraham, better.
June 20-Hot. Studying. P.M .- To Mt. Hope with brother Job and Dr. Baylies. Went fishing with the ladies. We caught 20 tautog. Drank tea. Home at 8 o'clock.
July 5-Very hot. Rode in chaise with Mr. Potter (Simeon) to the Rev. Mr. Rogerson's and dined. Took tea with Mr. Town- send. 8 o'clock, home. To Stephen Smith's and married Daniel Diman to Miss Mary Smith.
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