USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Bristol > Sketches of old Bristol > Part 22
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Certain phases of life in the old town found quaint expression through some of the peculiar individuals who made part of the daily procession which in those days roamed the streets and by- ways of this old seaport. There was a little couple living in Goree, noticeable first because they were so tiny, then for little
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personalities which set them apart from the ordinary individual- ities, and then because the gentleman was dubbed "Professor". They were employed in the Up-Town Mill, and undoubtedly were an honest, sober-minded pair of Christians doing the best they knew how. They were just odd-Professor Partridge and his little wife. At one time the Professor made some pretensions to a certain amount of astronomical knowledge, he gave a lecture on lunar things, explaining one of his subjects as "The moon shine peeked on the airth," this brought down the house in humorous appreciation. They were little midgets, old and wrinkled in their faces, grotesque and queer in their ways, and objects of interest about the streets for many years.
Another character who entered into the daily life of the town and was always an especial object of attraction to us boys was "Bill" Card. "Pig-sticking" was Bill's profession. He was, in the first place, a big fellow and he always wore a cap, he had a full beard, dark, wiry and tough. If he ever had two eyes, he must, at some time, have lost one of them, for I don't ever re- member of seeing number two. He wore a leather belt around his waist, into which were stuck the fearful-looking knives which he used on the unfortunate squealers that came his way. Also he walked with the jolly roll of an old sea-dog, and with a slight stretch of the imagination would fill the bill as a "bloody pirate". If there had been no "Bill" Card in those days there would have been no footballs, for Bill's victims furnished the only kind of football with which we were acquainted.
There is a little spot way up there in the northeast section of the town-as it used to be-which was called Munroe Town. That spot was, up to the year 1873, a part of Bristol and just "jined" on to Crane's land. How the town's forefathers fought to keep Warren from getting that two miles of territory, and especially any part of the Back Road, Crane's lane, or "Petticoat Bunn", the picturesque character from Munroe Town who occa- sionally came to Bristol to do his shopping and furnish the small boys another object of wonder and amazement.
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Another favorite of the boys was Henry Waldron. At one time he lived on Hope street near Bradford. His strong point was the successful manipulation of big words of the English lan- guage. Let him get about so much fluid aboard and the enlight- enment he could bestow upon his listeners was beyond the ordi- nary imagination. It was as good as a show to meet Henry when he was on one of his "tares". "The Duke", they called him in derision, and his attempts to carry the dignity of that title gave the listeners all the fun they wanted.
An interesting figure frequently seen on the streets of the town was Ben Mott, a blind man who lived up in what was then called Mottville. He was often seen stumping down State street, cross- ing High, picking the way along with his cane. Ben was a regular caller at the Post Office for mail, an earnest Democrat, very much interested in politics-and they say he could put up a pretty good argument for the party. He was a regular attendant at St. Michael's and quite a churchman. Ben had been around these parts for a good many years, born in the year 1813, he lived to be 75 years old, passing on to the next world in 1888.
In that beautiful old mansion on Hope street, next south of the Rogers Free Library, lived for many years a most interest- ing family. There were some of the handsomest girls of whom Bristol could boast-they all grew up to be very charming and beautiful women. The head and soul of this family was William Fales-a man of note, even in the eyes of the small boys of the town. He was seen every day upon the street, a man of average size, a little bent over-with a hat pulled partially down over his · eyes-wearing his eyeglasses pretty well down on his nose, and peering over them in a quizzical sort of a manner. Never on the street without a segar in his mouth, he was one of the interesting and picturesque men of the town in that day. An inveterate smoker as General Grant, he was one of the observed men of the town. I used to look at him with awe and wonder, and ask my- self if that old gentleman could really be the father of such charming and beautiful girls, and now, years after, I think Bristol ought to be proud of him, as it certainly was of his daughters.
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Hope street, in those days, was headquarters for a number of men who in various ways conferred honor on the old town. There was Robert Rogers-I remember him as well, almost, as if I had seen him but yesterday. He had his bank, the Eagle Bank, in one of the front rooms of the Cushman house, which was located on the west side of Hope street, nearly opposite Wardwell street, and was to be found there every day of the week. He never made any stir or ado, but came and went in the quiet, unostentatious manner of a real gentleman, depending only upon his own solid personality for the influence his presence carried, sure of his footing and satisfied to be just Robert Rogers, the successful banker. How peacefully he lived his life. A prominent and influential member of Doctor Shepard's church during his life time-his most gracious wife and sister-in-law, with himself, have proven their love and affection for the old town in a thousand ways by bequests since they passed away.
As a business man he was of the old school; his ideas of com- mercial morality were very strict; the most scrupulous and un- bending integrity marked all his dealings.
Another noticeable personality was Elkanah French, for many years cashier of the Rogers' bank. A tall, distinguished-looking gentleman, he made a striking appearance on the street in those days.
One of the breezy, wholesome men of the street was Jacob Babbitt, Jr. He was interested in the Down-Town Mill, and his home was the mansion house on the easterly side of Hope street, between Franklin and Bradford. Mr. Babbitt was a host in him- self, a pretty big fellow, rather brusque in manner and style- one of the men who could make anybody feel at home with him -democratic in theory and practice.
The night the news came over the wires announcing the fall of Fort Sumter there was a mass meeting in the old Town Hall- Republicans and Democrats alike took part-Sam Upham was there, Col. Sherry was, too; the most conspicuous and denun- ciatory of all was Mr. Babbitt. I remember with what vigor and strenuosity he denounced the outrage, and the patriotic fervor of
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the gathering there that night. Then, to be as good as his word, Mr. Babbitt afterwards volunteered his services, went to the front, and eventually gave his life for the principles he put forth that memorable night so many years ago. To honor a brave soldier and to perpetuate his memory Babbitt Post of the G. A. R. was at its inception named after him.
Another distinguished and positive gentleman who attracted notice in those days by his individuality was Henry Wardwell- his store was on the north side of Pump Lane (State street)-an unpretentious establishment, but one in which he did a quiet, lucrative business, the extent of which was known only to himself. He often stood in one of the doorways of his store in the modest, unassuming manner which he possessed in a like degree with Robert Rogers, scanning the passers-by with his critical, appar- ently uninterested eye, but losing nothing of interest. He was of very dark complexion, had a good face, and was a fine-looking man, though cool and impassive of manner. I can see him now, reclining against the side of the doorway, with a tall hat slightly cocked over one eye, waiting for the next customer, an interesting man and a proud-spirited one.
With the close of James Buchanan's administration two very interesting men who had been much in the public eye in Bristol for four years retired to private life. They were George H. Reynolds, the Collector of Customs, and Hezekiah J. Pitman, the Postmaster of the town. Mr. Reynolds was a big American, hearty and genial, and a general favorite. His home was on the Neck, his was a well-known figure on the streets in those days. Mr. Pitman was of a different makeup. While he was a good- hearted man, he lacked the affability of the Collector of Customs. Mr. Reynolds did not live long after the close of the historic Buchanan regime. Mr. Pitman lived to a ripe old age, passing on to the next world only a few years ago. It was during his term of office that the present Post Office building came into being, in the year 1857. Previous to that, the post office was located in the building on the south side of State street, next east of the old Bristol Hotel.
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MAJOR JACOB BABBITT
DEATH OF MAJOR JACOB BABBITT FROM the Phenix, December 27, 1862-
"We are grieved to record the death of our gallant townsman, Major Jacob Babbitt. Major Babbitt was born in Bristol in the year 1809; he was a son of the late Jacob Babbitt, who was a wealthy and prominent citizen of this place. He was educated in a Military Academy, at Middletown, Ct. At an early age he was married to Abby E. P., the only daughter of the late lamented Dr. L. W. Briggs of this town. After the death of his father in 1 8 50 he became extensively engaged in the manufacturing busi- ness. At the breaking out of the present rebellion, he received a commission as Major in the Tenth Regiment of R. I. Volunteers. As an officer he was brave, cool and self-possessed. At the battle of Fredericksburg he was severely wounded in the breast and arm. He died from the effects of these wounds at the Mansion House Hospital, in Alexandria, Va., December 23, 1862. At the time of his death he was President of the Commercial Bank of this town, and Chief Engineer of the Fire Department." From the Phenix, December 27, 1862-
"Wm. J. Miller, Esq. of this town, who has been absent on a visit to the battlefields, has returned. Mr. Miller was deputed by Gov. Sprague to bring home the remains of the R. I. officers who were killed at the recent battle of Fredericksburg. He re- covered the remains of Maj. Babbitt which were forwarded by express and will arrive today."
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FUNERAL OF MAJOR JACOB BABBITT From the Phenix, January 3, 1863-
"The services were commenced at his late residence, on Hope street, at 10 1-2 o'clock by a solemn and impressive prayer by the Rev. Dr. Thomas Shepard of the Congregational church. The remains were then conveyed to St. Michaels church. At the close of the services at that church the procession was formed in front of the church under the direction of Capt. Joseph L. Gard- ner as follows: Military Escort, Bristol Artillery, Col. E. M. Wardwell. Officiating Clergymen in carriages. Next came the hearse containing the remains of the deceased, attended by the pall bearers, flanked by a detachment of 12 men of the Old Guard, all former officers of the Train of Artillery, as a Guard of Honor.
"Horse of the deceased led by a groom; King Philip Fire Co. No. 4, in full uniform, Capt. Benj. M. Lincoln; Hydraulion Fire Co., Capt. Alfred Luther; Carriages containing relatives and friends of the deceased; His Excellency Governor Sprague and Staff; Town Officers; Officers of the Commercial Bank. The Episcopal Church services were performed by Rev. Wm. Stowe, Rector of St. Michael's Church."
THE NEWS OF LEE'S SURRENDER ARRIVES IN BRISTOL
APRIL 15, 1865 :- The news of the surrender of Lee's army was received in this town about 12 o'clock Sunday night. The booming of cannon in Providence was distinctly heard here and the telegraph operator tried to get in touch with that city, but, failing in that, he obtained the following from New Bedford: "Lee and his whole army has surrendered. Official." It was an hour or more before the town was fairly awake-drums, bells and an occasional discharge of small arms being used for that
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purpose-but when the people were aroused they eclipsed all former attempts to celebrate within our memory. The bells of the churches and factories rang from two o'clock until broad day- light Monday morning; the Artillery planted their guns on State street and "banged away", until ammunition gave out, shattering any amount of glass in that locality; rockets and Roman candles were freely used, and bonfires were kindled in nearly every part of the town; the public buildings and many stores and private dwellings were brilliantly illuminated; a procession headed by a drum corps formed and with rapidly increasing numbers marched through the principal streets cheering for Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Victory and the Union. About half past three oclock-at which time nearly the whole town, men, women and children were out-hundreds had assembled at the junction of State and Hope streets, where hogsheads, kerosene barrels, and barrels of tar and other combustibles in full blaze, were sending up a broad sheet of flame, lighting up the town as, we venture to say, no bonfire ever has before. When the drums being still for a moment, a call was made for a speech from the Rev. M. J. Talbot. The Reverend gentleman came forward and made a short, patriotic, telling speech, and then called upon all assembled there to join in singing the doxology, to the tune of "Old Hundred". "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." Our readers who were present know how it was sung, we cannot describe how, nor the glorious effect produced on that mem- orable occasion.
A more liberal display of bunting is seldom seen than that thrown to the breeze on the morning following; flags were flying everywhere. The Bristol Cornet Band was stationed on the piazza of the Mount Hope House a portion of the afternoon, and discoursed soul stirring music. Business was generally sus- pended and all through the day our streets wore a holiday ap- pearance. The public schools were closed and in the afternoon the Bristol Artillery, Col. Usher-notwithstanding rain was falling at the time-appeared in full ranks and made a fine appearance.
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HON. SAMUEL W. CHURCH, 1803-1881
SAMUEL W. CHURCH, one of the most respected and best known citizens of this town, died March 27, 1881. He was born in Bristol, February 15, 1803, the son of Thomas and Mary (Tripp) Church.
He started early in life as a farmer, in which occupation his father was engaged. Dwelling on Pappoosesquaw, owning an elegant farm, his father, Thomas Church, cultivated it to its utmost extent; all the surroundings, out-buildings, fences, and stone walls were kept in such order the place was known as the "Model Farm of Rhode Island". Thomas Church combined with his farming an extensive commercial business, in which he owned and employed several vessels in the West Indies trade, carrying out his farm products and bringing back cargoes of sugar and molasses. In this employment his sons took an active interest, three of them being ship captains, and sailing their father's ships. Samuel thus made his earlier venture in trade in this business with his father and brothers, and soon became well known throughout the State.
Subsequently he removed to Taunton, Mass., where with Thomas J. Coggeshall he entered into trade in flour, grain, and provisions. They became extensive merchants and eventually realized handsome fortunes. In time Mr. Church withdrew from the partnership to return to this town to reside. He purchased the farm known as the "Bradford Farm", on the Back Road, which he has since owned and where he lived for sev- eral years, leaving it after his father's death in 1843 to remove to the old homestead on Pappoosesquaw.
Having retired from the more active business life, he resumed the old trade of dealing in sugar and molasses, which was carried on by himself and his brothers at the old place known as Church's wharf, which has since been sold, and is now the site of the depot and yards of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad.
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Mr. Church was a man of great judgment, excellent business qualifications, and of unquestioned integrity of character. He always took an active part in whatever concerned the interests of Bristol, and was one of the originators of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad. He was director and vice president of the company, which offices he held up to the time of his death.
In 1839 he was elected a member of the Town Council and served for nine consecutive years. In 1860 he was again elected to that body, serving as president of the Council for three years. He was elected as representative to the General Assembly for the years 1859, '60, and '61 ; when he was chosen senator, serv- ing continuously through the year 1869. He was one of the original charter members of the Bristol Institution for Savings and at its first meeting in December, 1842, was elected trustee and in 1850 was chosen vice president, serving in that capacity until 1877, subsequently serving as president for one year, 1878.
He was a director of the Freemen's Bank from 1849 to 1865, and president from 1852 to 1865. When that bank was merged into the First National Bank of Bristol, he still retained the offices of president and director and held the same until 1875, at which time he resigned. Mr. Church was a member of the State Board of Charities and Correction for several years.
We could not possibly enumerate all the private trusts which he was prevailed on to assume by widows and orphans who needed a careful and honest advisor and guardian; and those who have lost a faithful and trusted friend well know that his place cannot easily be filled. In all these labors no compensation was asked or received. He was a man of unswerving integrity and this principle guided him in all his transactions, public and private. He was a man of independent thought and judgment; a man of very few words, his views were clearly expressed and understood. The world can ill afford to lose such men, for their number is limited. Mr. Church was twice married; his first wife was a daughter of the late Mr. Benjamin Tilley, by whom he had eleven children; his second wife, a daughter of the late Mr. Eleazer Luther, by whom he had two children.
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OLD-TIME BRISTOL BLACKSMITHS By J. A. REID, 1848-1924
IN MY boyhood days there were four blacksmiths in the town; they were all men of the finest personal character; each one was worthy of admiration for his skill as a blacksmith, and, in a larger degree, for the sterling qualities of manhood he possessed. The senior. was William P. Munro,* who lived in the old homestead on Thames street, at the head of D'Wolf's Wharf, where his father had lived before him, and here he resided for over seventy years. He was one of the finest examples of what the public schools and a natural nobility could do for a man in the kindly atmosphere of a town like Bristol.
His days in the blacksmith shop had mostly passed before my time, but he loved to talk about them in his reminiscent moments when I best knew him. He had always been very studious, a great reader of the Bible, and was a member of St. Michael's church all his days; but his sympathies with and liking for all of the people of his dearly-loved town were strikingly evidenced by the interest he took in visiting the Sunday Schools of all the churches and mingling with the little ones whom he fascinated by the charming talks he made to them in his recitals founded on the Bible narratives.
He had a pair of sparkling brown eyes, a keen wit and a ready eloquence which made him a most interesting story-teller, and his round, shapely head with its curling locks of grey, and a cheerful, ruddy countenance made him agreeable to look upon. His stories covering "Old Put", who was not only one of his heroes, but who, I should judge from the steel plates in the old books of history, was built much like himself, and other distin- guished Americans who had fired his youthful fancies; his de- scriptions of his experiences as a member of the Bristol Train of
*Born 1801, died 1885.
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Artillery under Col. William R. Taylor at Acote's Hill during the tragic days of the Dorr War, and his kindly analyses of many of the characters of the nation, state and town made his hearth- stone a desirable and cosy corner on a winter's evening. His fund of intelligence was seemingly inexhaustible.
"Aunt Phoebe", his gentle, loving wife, made him a fitting counterpart. She had an adoration for him which actually shone forth from her soulful eyes and radiant countenance while he delighted the listeners who hung wistfully upon his humorous delineations and witticisms as he wove together his charming narratives.
Then, on Thames street farther south, next to the "Down- Town Mill", there stood at the anvil for many years another thoroughbred American. His personality was as distinctive as that of Mr. Monro, but where one was round, rugged and short, the other was tall, rugged and more like a sycamore. How he ·
made those sparks fly! How diligent and faithful in his calling was very evident-for years full of busy days. To the boys of Bristol Jonathan D. Waldron* was one of the representatives of the best there was in brain and brawn in the town. His presence was distinguished, and he and John Adams, the shoemaker, ex- pressed in their individualisms what such men as Andrew Jack- son, Patrick Henry and Nathanael Greene were in their day. Mr. Waldron's face was clean cut and fine, his head a noble one, and he had the high intellectual brow which generally denotes the man of thought and intelligence. Around his well-developed neck he wore that open-front standing collar which was the acme of perfection for the gentleman of the old school, and while he was only a modest blacksmith, he was a mighty fine looking man and a master of his trade. His boys and girls had one of the best of fathers and the town of Bristol one of the best of citizens. There never was a sign of affectation or pretense about him, only the strong, sterling characteristics of the self-reliant independent man. During my time he was a member of the School Commit-
*Born 1812, died 1893.
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tee, a leader of the St. Michael's church, and always interested in the betterment of the town and nation-to whose defense he sent one of his sons in its time of need.
On lower Franklin street, opposite Deacon "Jim" White's house, which is now the Home for Aged Women, there were a series of low, rambling buildings running from the Verguson cottage to Thames street. In the middle of this row of buildings was another blacksmith shop, and in that old smithy another Bristolian spent most of his days in handling the bellows, welding the red-hot iron, driving on horseshoes, forging bolts and chains, and filling a place which required proficient skill as a workman and sincerity as a good square business man. Quite a different make-up from the other two blacksmiths, but just about as dis- tinct and noticeable in his characteristics and personality, he was retiring in his expression and demeanor, yet always pleasant, cheerful, and gracious in his manner and his treatment of boys and men in everyday life gave Alfred Luther,* the blacksmith, a strong hold on their affections and respect.
I never knew of any one of these men using a disagreeable word and am sure the world about them was made better for their having lived in it. It would seem that the vocation of the blacksmith in the early days allowed of thought as well as action.
The color line was never very closely drawn in Bristol. Racial prejudice had not culminated into disagreeable antipathies. William Snively,* another blacksmith, found a place for his skill and application in the town in "the smithy" and he could shoe a horse or turn a spike with the best of them. He also had the re- spect of his townspeople, and is entitled to a meed of credit, with kindly recall and remembrance in this little sketch. A very black descendant of the African clime, he was yet a very good looking man, and his vocation gave his physique a sturdiness and strength which made him a marked individual at his forge or on the street. He sustained the reputation of a good mechanic and craftsman in his day and is not to be forgotten in ours.
*Born 1814, died 1894.
*Born in Orchard, Va., in 1820. Died in this town in 1893.
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For a great many years he worked for Alfred Luther at his smithy on lower Franklin street, and when Mr. Luther retired from the business in the eighties he acquired the business, carry- ing it on up to the time of his death in 1893. He resided in a small cottage house on the south side of Washington street, just about opposite the old Gas House. He was a devout member and regular attendant of the Methodist church of this town. Well, Bristol has developed in its time some intellectual and distinguished blacksmiths and can well afford to take a little pride in this particular branch of her civilian sons.
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