USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Bristol > Sketches of old Bristol > Part 27
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MARMADUKE MASON, one of Bristol's oldest residents, died January 22, 1910, in the 92d year of his age. He was born in Warren, R. I., April 11, 1818, the son of Anthony and Betsey Mason.
He was a shoemaker by trade and was considered years ago as very expert in his line of business. When he first located in Bristol his shop was located in the building on State street formerly occu- pied by Henry F. S. Rawson. In the early fifties his ads appear in the Phenix from time to time advertising his wares. Later he had his shop in the block owned by Frederick A. Easterbrooks which stood on the corner of State and Hope streets, which was de- stroyed by fire in 1899. About the year 1875 his shop was located in the old Mount Hope Block on Hope street. He retired from business a number of years ago and has since devoted his time to gardening.
Mr. Mason was a staunch Methodist all his life. A strong Prohibitionist, he was always at war against the sale of strong drink.
EDWARD ISAAC THOMPSON, 1821-1905
EDWARD ISAAC THOMPSON, a highly respected citizen of this town, died at his home on Hope street, September 15, 1905. He was born in Lebanon, Conn., July 11, 1821, a son of Peleg Stanton and Anna Treadwell (Sands) Thompson. He was the youngest of seven children. His father was a native of Charlestown, R. I., and was at one time master of a packet ply- ing between Newport and New York. The family moved from Lebanon to Norwich, Conn., when Edward was two years old. In Norwich his father was proprietor of a hotel for several years
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and about the year 1826 the family moved to Block Island, where they lived for a few years, later removing to Newport, where they settled. Edward attended the schools that the city afforded in those days and at the age of 12 years obtained employment as a butcher's boy in a market owned by James Holt, near the foot of Mill street.
In the year 1838 it was the desire of his parents that he should learn a trade and a contract was entered into between his parents and Amos Crandall of Bristol, whereby Edward was to give four years service as an apprentice to learn the ship builder's trade, the consideration to be a small sum of money each month, his board and clothes and allow him to go to school winters. On June 8th, 1838, Edward took passage at Newport for Bristol on the packet sloop Emmeline, of which the late Capt. James Miller was mas- ter. When he entered the employ of Mr. Crandall the latter was at work on the schooner Pearl, built for the late Capt. Richard S. Pearse, a noted shipmaster of this town.
In 1844 Edward had completed the four years of his appren- ticeship but he continued to work for Mr. Crandall for several years. During the time he was employed at the Crandall ship- yard the steamboat Washington, the first propeller driven steam- boat of any considerable size that was ever built, was constructed there. The Washington plied between Providence and New York and was afterwards used for service during the Mexican war.
Mr. Crandall's yards were located in the rear of Thames street, between State and Bradford streets, next north of the Seth Paull company wharves, the property being now owned by Wm. T. C. Wardwell. After leaving Mr. Crandall's employ he was engaged by Thompson, Stanton & Skinner, the former being a brother (Joseph S. Thompson). In 1853 he went to Fall River to work on a marine railway conducted by his brother Joseph.
At one time he was employed by Capt. James Hood at Somer- set, Mass., who was engaged in ship building. He had charge of "laying down" the first ship built there by Captain Hood. He also "laid down" the four lightships built for the United States
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government, Captain Hood having been awarded the contract to do the work.
From 1854 to 1857 he was employed at the shipyard of his brother Joseph, which was located at the head of Bristol harbor. Three barks, one schooner, a yacht and a sloop were built there. In 1863 he went to the shipyard of Capt. Jesse Davis, which was located in the rear of Water street in Warren, R. I.
In the latter part of that year, John B. Herreshoff, who had started the business of building yachts and sailboats in a small building on the site of the present plant, secured the services of Mr. Thompson who for eleven years continued in his employ.
When John H. Soule, now of Westport, Mass., was engaged in yacht building at Bristol, next south of the Cranston Worsted Mill, Mr. Thompson was employed by him for a time.
When the Herreshoff works resumed operations on a large scale he returned to those shops and continued to work there up to the time he retired about eleven years ago. During the time he was employed at the Herreshoff plant he witnessed its growth from a very small beginning to the large well-equipped plant it is today.
"Uncle Ed" was an enthusiastic fireman and had served as a volunteer for more than 67 years. He was a charter member of the Hydraulion Engine and Hose Company No. I since its or- ganization in 1848, and was runner on the old Hydraulion engine ten years previous to that date.
In 1845 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hull Swan, daughter of the late Samuel and Hannah Swan of this town. Mrs. Thompson died February 15, 1887.
Mr. Thompson was a regular attendant of the State street M. E. Church. He was endeared to the hearts of all who knew him. He was a kind neighbor, quiet, unassuming and his genial nature won for him a host of friends.
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COL. CHARLES A. GREENE, 1822-1899
COL. CHARLES A. GREENE died at his home on Hope street, Sunday morning, May 14, 1899, in the 77th year of his age.
Colonel Greene was well and favorably known throughout the State. His long term of service as editor of the Bristol Phoenix and the many important positions which he has held in the State, county and town has brought him into prominence with men from all sections of the State and also neighboring states, who have recognized in him a man of sterling worth and character.
Colonel Greene came from Puritan, Colonial and Revolution- ary stock, his ancestors being prominent in the events of those days. He was the only son of the late Thomas Rogers and Phebe (Fenner) Greene and first saw the light of day in Natick, R. I., December 8, 1822.
In 1829 his parents removed from Natick to the town of East Greenwich, where they resided some seven or eight years before coming to Bristol. His early education was such as the private schools of those days afforded. At the age of seventeen he en- tered the office of the Bristol Phenix as an apprentice to the print- ing business, under the late William H. S. Bayley, who had established the Phenix two years previously. He subsequently worked as a compositor on the Providence papers of that time and also on the Tribune of New York City.
About the year 18 50 Colonel Greene purchased the business of Lemuel A. Bishop, and for a number of years conducted the busi- ness of tin and sheet iron worker and dealer in stoves and house furnishing goods in a store on Thames street. He continued in this business until 1862, when, after the death of Mr. Bayley, he purchased the Phenix establishment. For a period of thirty-one years he was the editor and publisher of the paper.
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Colonel Greene served as clerk of the Supreme and Common Pleas Courts of Bristol county from 1865 to 1868; was a member of the General Assembly from Bristol for the term 1873-74; sheriff of Bristol county from April 16, 1875, to June, 1877. He was elected a member of the Town Council of Bristol in 1879 and served until 1881, being president during the last year of service.
During the Dorr war he was a member of the Bristol Train of Artillery and went with that organization to Chepachet at the time it was called out. In April, 1855, he was elected to the com- mand of the Bristol Train of Artillery and served a number of years. In 1872 he was again elected commander of the company and served until 1877.
When the Rhode Island Press Association was organized he was elected its first president, serving for more than two years.
He was a past master of St. Alban's Lodge No. 6, A. F. and A. M., having served as master of that lodge for five consecutive years, from 1858 to 1863. He was also grand lecturer of the Grand Lodge for a number of years. He was also a member of the King Philip Steam Fire Engine Co., No. I, and at one time was foreman of that company. He was trial justice of the peace for the ten years prior to 1866, and he has also held many minor offices in the town.
At the time of his death he was colonel of the Bristol Train of Artillery Veteran Association. For several years he was engaged in the real estate and life insurance business until illness com- pelled him to retire.
CHARLES H. SPOONER, 1827-1905
IN THE death of Charles H. Spooner, which occurred February 14, 1905, at his home on Union street, Bristol loses one of her most highly respected native sons, and a faithful public official. Mr. Spooner has been a life-long resident of Bristol, being born in this town May 26, 1827. He was the son of Charles and
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Eleanor Spooner. He attended the public schools of this town and later learned the trade of baker, serving his apprenticeship in Providence. For 50 years he conducted a bakery on the south side of State street, near Hope street.
Mr. Spooner has been honored by many positions of trust in the public life of the town. He was clerk of the Common Pleas Division of the Supreme Court for Bristol County at one time and has served the town as assessor of taxes since 1881, and was chairman of the board at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of Rogers Free Library, having served from the time the library was established in 1878. He was one of the oldest members of United Brothers Lodge No. 13, I. O.O.F.
He was also one of the oldest members of the First Baptist Church, having joined the church in 1842. He has held nearly every office in the church and for 35 years was choirmaster. He was prominently connected with the Y. M. C. A., being one of the original members when the association was organized in 1863.
At the first annual meeting of the King Philip Fire Engine Company No. 4, held in the Artillery Armory on State street, January 2, 1849, he was elected to membership. On the fiftieth anniversary of the company in October, 1898, he was the His- torian of the Day.
Mr. Spooner served as Overseer of the Poor for 12 years, retiring in 1900. November 21, 1850, he married Miss Mary E. Fish, of Newport. Mr. Spooner was a genial, companionable man, respected by all, and loved by those who knew him best. He leaves an honorable record of honesty and integrity in busi- ness and official life.
"As a friend Charlie Spooner had no superior. While on a visit to my native town during the past summer Charlie called on me and, after a lapse of nearly fifty years, I saw the same kind and genial Charlie Spooner of old. At that time he spoke of his expectancy that ere long he would be called home, and on parting said, 'Grafton, should you come to Bristol next summer I shall not be here to welcome you.' I feel that in my feeble way I should add to what others may say: that a truer friend and a more faithful husband cannot be found."
G. W. G.
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HON. ISAAC F. WILLIAMS, 1833-1892
ISAAC F. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of the National India Rubber Co. of this town, died Saturday morning, November 12, 1892, at his residence on Byfield street, after a brief illness, in the 60th year of his age.
Mr. Williams was born in New York City May 21, 1833, the son of Isaac F. and Martha (Garrison) Williams. In 1848 his parents moved to the state of Ohio, and two years later young Williams went to Harlem, N. Y., where he worked in a rubber manufactory for several years. From there he went to Nauga- tuck, Conn., and took charge of a rubber manufactory, remaining for about six years. In 1865 when the rubber works was started in Bristol he was engaged as Superintendent and he occupied that position up to the time of his death. He was reputed to be one of the best skilled rubber manufacturers in the country, and one of the oldest in that industry.'
Mr. Williams was a member of the Town Council from 1869 to 1872, and from 1882 to 1884. He was senator from this town, in the General Assembly for two years, 1870 and 1871. He was a member of the School Committee for about 20 years. He served as chairman of the Republican State Central Committee for several years and was a member of that body at the time of his death.
Mr. Williams was a past master of St. Alban's Lodge No. 6, A. F. & A. M., a member of Mount Hope Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of St. John's Commandery, K. T., of Providence; of United Brothers Lodge, No. 13, I. O. O. F .; and of Wampanoag Encampment, No. 9, of Odd Fellows.
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GEORGE W. EASTERBROOKS, 1827-1899
THE subject of this sketch was very well known in Bristol back in the eighties and nineties. His store on Hope street where he sold newspapers, periodicals, candy, cigars, tobacco, fancy gro- ceries, fruit, etc., was a very busy place in those days. "Easter- brooks' was known as one of the best trading centers in town." The old merchant, his three sons, John, Charles, and Edward, and his young grandson, George Salisbury, were kept very busy waiting on the large trade which he had built up over a course of 50 years. He first started in business about the year 1850 in the small brick building on lower State street where Charles H. Spooner had a bake shop for so many years. It was about the year 1 860 that he moved his stand to Hope street where he carried on the business over a period of 40 years.
Mr. Easterbrooks was born in this town in the year 1827; his father, John E. Easterbrooks, back in the forties, kept a little store at the lower end of State street, near Thames, where he sold cakes, candy, fruit, etc.
"SCOTTY" DIXON, 1844-1896
THE death of Walter Scott Dixon, which occurred January 24, 1 896, removes from Bristol a familiar figure, and one of her most highly respected citizens. Modest, polite, unassuming, conscien- tious, he lived his religion much more thoroughly than he talked it, a trait sufficiently rare to make its possessor a marked person- ality. He was a member of the Y. M. C. A. and of the First Bap- tist church. In the church he had been for years a prompt attend- ant and a faithful usher. He was born a slave in Richmond, Va., in the year 1844 and there learned the cobbler's trade, endeavor- ing to earn money enough to purchase his freedom. He was also
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a machinist and during the war worked in the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond, helping much against his will to build artillery for the Confederacy. In Richmond he was a member of Ebenezer Colored Baptist church. At the close of the war in 1865, he came to Bristol with William P. Tilley, a sutler with ~the Union army. Mr. Dixon's first business venture was a small confectionery, fruit and cookie stand under a tent on the lot now occupied by St. Michael's chapel. He soon removed his business to a building on Thames street near the present pumping station. One day he added Barrington oysters to his stock and his first customer for the bivalves was the late Dr. Drury. The doctor interested himself in Mr. Dixon and induced him to open a res- taurant in the Drury block in the rooms now occupied by Dr. Day, giving him a month's rent as a trial. This business venture was a success from the first and he remained there for many years. He later removed to the depot, where he remained until the early eighties, when the Old Colony Co. purchased the railroad. His restaurant was then moved across the street to the corner of Franklin and Thames street, where he has since conducted it. He was well and favorably known by many travelers whom he had served at his restaurant. Notwithstanding the comparatively humble position which he held there is no man in Bristol who will be more missed in the circle which he helped to fill than Walter Scott Dixon.
The following was written by Mr. William P. Tilley of Berkley, Va., shortly after Scotty's death: "Yours informing me of the death of W. S. Dixon was received and I felt very sorry to hear of it, for he was a very faithful and helpful friend. My acquaintance with him commenced in Richmond on the day of Lee's evacuation. Our brigade was one of the first in, when Main street was in flames. We took possession of a large shoe store, corner of Fourth and Broad streets, to issue supplies. It belonged to the Taylor family in which Scotty was a slave, but a trusted one, being a strong Baptist. Taylor requested me to allow him to remain on the premises to look after them, which I did; finding him honest and useful, I installed him as purveyor to our mess. We were subsequently ordered to Petersburg, to Fortress Monroe, and then to Texas. Scotty went along, as I paid him well. When I returned north Scotty came along with me; he remained with us for three years, spending the summers in Bristol and the winters in Baltimore-an attached and devoted attendant.
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"My wife taught him to read and cipher, for although while a slave he was taught a good trade, shoemaking, they would not let him learn to read. He was about 20 years old when I first met him in Richmond. He became attached to Bristol and the Baptist church there and when my mother left the town she fitted him out for housekeeping and cobbling in a little shop on Thames street, near Pierce's stables. After following that for a while he gave it up and gradually worked into the restaurant business. He sent me a nice picture of himself only last summer."
HERBERT FRANKLIN BENNETT,
1845-1908
HERBERT FRANKLIN BENNETT was born in Hopkin- ton, R. I., March 18, 1845, the son of Bela W. P. and Clarissa C. (Brown) Bennett.
He spent his boyhood days in Hopkinton, until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Battery E, Ist Regt. R. I. Vol. Light Artillery, Sept. 30, 1861. He re-enlisted Feb. 3, 1863, and on Feb. 8, 1864, was commissioned as second lieuten- ant, and assigned to Co. L, 14th Regt. R. I. Heavy Artillery, stationed at Fort Banks, La. He was mustered out of the service at the close of the war, Oct. 2, 1865. Mr. Bennett was only 16 years of age when he enlisted in 1861. He held the enviable record of having been a commissioned officer before he was 19 years of age. From the date of his entering the service, he was desirous of eventually becoming a commissioned officer. With this in mind he made a serious study of artillery tactics, so as to be ready to qualify for a commission. In time he learned of a va- cancy and taking the required examination, passed it success- fully, and was given a lieutenant's commission. During his four years in the army he saw very active service, taking part in 27 engagements all through the South; the Second Battle of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and the Wilderness being some of the important battles.
He was commander of Babbitt Post No. 15, G. A. R. from 1887 to 1890, and was past junior vice-commander of the Department of R. I., G. A. R.
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Two years after the close of the war, in 1867, Mr. Bennett came to Bristol to reside. At the time he was in the employ of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad and had been a con- ductor for several years when he was elected town clerk of Bris- tol, April 8, 1882, an office to which he has since been re-elected annually.
Beside holding the position of town clerk, he was council clerk and clerk of the Court of Probate of Bristol. In 1881 and 1882 he was elected as representative to the General Assembly from Bristol. He was a member of the Commandery of the State of Massachusetts Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He was a member of St. Alban's Lodge, No. 6, A. F. and A. M., and Hope Chapter, R. A. M., of Bristol. For the past ten years he has been a member of Hydraulion Engine and Hose Company No. I, and was the second vice president of the Bristol Veteran Firemen's Association. He was past regent of Mount Hope Council, Royal Arcanum, a member of the board of man- agers of the Bristol Branch of the Industrial Trust Co., a vestry- man and treasurer of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, a member of the board of trustees of the Rogers Free Library, and for sev- eral years was vice president of the Bristol Y. M. C. A.
Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Emma Sophia Gilmore of Providence, Oct. 19, 1870.
He died at his home on Bradford street, Jan. 6, 1908, in the 63rd year of his age.
Mr. Bennett was town clerk for over twenty-five years. Al- ways painstaking and thorough in his work, his records were looked upon as accurate and reliable for all times to come. His long experience and never failing good judgment have been of inestimable value to the various councils over a period of years.
Of him it can be truly said that all who knew him looked upon him as a friend. An innate desire to be of service to his fellow- men, a manner always courteous and agreeable, these all made for him a place deep in the hearts of the people of Bristol.
Herbert Franklin Bennett will always have a place in the an- nals of Bristol as its ideal town clerk.
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REV. GEORGE LYMAN LOCKE, D.D., 1835-1919
THE close of the longest rectorship in the history of St. Mi- chael's Church came early Sunday morning, March 23, 1919. A pall of sadness settled over the town Sunday morning when, with the tolling of the bell of St. Michael's, it became known that the venerable and beloved rector had passed away.
Dr. Locke was born in Boston, Mass., August 28, 1835, the son of Lyman and Almeria Rosalind (Boynton) Locke. He was graduated from Harvard University in the class of 1859 and after serving as assistant rector at St. John's and Trinity Church, Boston, came to St. Michael's May 5th, 1867, to become its rector. In 1873 he married Emily Judson of Philadelphia, daughter of the Rev. Albert Judson, a distinguished Presbyterian minister of those days. Mrs. Locke died in 1882.
At the beginning of his 50th year of service as rector, in 1916, Dr. Locke said: "Mine has been a happy pastorate. There are now 500 connected with the parish. All of the vestrymen I first knew have gone on, and there is none left, so far as I know, of the men and women who constituted my earliest congregation. At that time the population of Bristol was about 6000. There are none left of those who were then prominent in the affairs of the town. During my pastorate of nearly a half century, I have mar- ried 325 couples, baptized a few less than 1000, and attended the funeral of about 1200 persons."
Dr. Locke's connection with the Rogers Free Library dates back to the year 1876 as a member of the Book Committee of three members, named by Mrs. Rogers, to select and purchase the books which should form a nucleus of the library. In No- vember, 1879, he was appointed a trustee, and in July, 1880, was elected secretary of the board, which office he held up to the time of his death, being succeeded by his daughter, Mrs. Wallis E. Howe.
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In the years 1871, '73 and '76, Dr. Locke was chairman of the School Committee.
One whose friendship with Dr. Locke dates back to the year 1867, the year when he first came to Bristol, has left a very fine account of the venerable clergyman. In 1931 Rev. H. Usher Monro wrote:
"Mr. Locke soon after settling in his parish won his strong place in the hearts of his parishioners, a place which he never lost in all the years of his remarkable pastorate. He had an unusually attractive personality. He was a scholar and a lover of books. He was an ideal minister both in the pulpit and among his parish- ioners. His pastoral instincts and sympathies were strong yet there was always a wisdom and discretion which seemed to guide him. He was especially faithful and diligent in the care of the sick and those in need of help and advice. If there was one other profession which Mr. Locke might have eminently adorned had he made that his choice, it was the medical. He was always studiously interested in all the cases of disease and infirmity which came under his observation. He had a natural fond- ness for the medical profession which to a remarkable degree added to the general effectiveness and power of his pastoral work and its benign influence among the sick. This was true not only among his own people, but during his long pastorate his kind ministry went out to many in the town who were not of his parish. It might be truthfully said of him, 'that the town was his parish'.
"One of the things which my memory recalls as a feature of the first year of his ministry were the prayer meetings held in the old Chapel. This building stood by the church where the chantry now stands, and what a flood of memories that old building brings up! The prayer meetings were a recognized part of the parish activities, and were held on Wednesday evenings. They were well attended; the older people of the parish enjoyed these meetings and the young people also attended.
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