USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Bristol > Sketches of old Bristol > Part 28
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"I can recall the interest that was awakened by these meetings, and how much of the interest was due to the wise guidance and co-operation of the new rector.
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"The rectorship of Dr. Locke was unique both in the character of it and in its length of years. Even the rectorship of the first Rev. John Usher, which covered the years 1723 to 1775, did not surpass that of Dr. Locke, for he was rector for a yet longer period. He had also come to be esteemed as a leading and highly influential citizen of the town, deeply concerned with its munici- pal affairs; the growth and improvement of the public schools; and the welfare and happiness of the town's people. He took a constant and vital interest in the growth and character of the Rogers Free Library, and no citizen ever gave to it a more critical and discriminating oversight in the selection and choice of its books for a reading public.
"Such a saintly life and character can not be measured by years!
"It has an infinite value wrought into the lives of untold num- bers, in spiritual power and moral worth, and which can only come to its full flowering in the lives and characters of succeeding generations.
"St. Michael's will always be rich and yet more rich for all coming time, because of the beautiful life and faithful labors of its honored and beloved rector, Dr. George Lyman Locke."
HON. WILLIAM T. C. WARDWELL, 1835-1907
WILLIAM T. C. WARDWELL was born in this town Sep- tember 20, 1835, a son of Hezekiah Church and Sallie (Gifford) Wardwell.
He came of good old New England stock, a descendant of William Wardwell, who landed in Boston in 1633. It was this William Wardwell's son, Uzal, who came to Bristol on the settlement of the town in 1680. His mother, Sallie Gifford, was a lineal descendant of Sir Walter Gifford, who landed in Massa- chusetts Colony in 1630. His grandmother, Elizabeth Church, was a descendant of Captain Benjamin Church of Indian war fame.
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He received his education in the public schools and the old Mount Hope Academy in this town, and was one of the original forty-five pupils selected to constitute the new "Select School" (High School) in 1848.
About the year 1830 his father, Hezekiah C. Wardwell, who was a carpenter and builder, started a lumber business, which he carried on successfully for many years.
In 1858, William and his brother, the late Samuel Drury Wardwell, succeeded to the business which was carried on under the name of Wardwell Bros. In 1872 he bought out his brother and carried on the business until 1894, at which time the Ward- well Lumber Co. was organized. He became president of the new company and under his capable management it has pros- pered, until today it is the leading lumber concern in these parts.
In politics he was a Democrat and has always taken an active interest in public affairs of the State and town.
He represented this town in the General Assembly in 1870-71, and was senator the following year, 1872. He was elected lieu- tenant-governor of this State for one term, 1890. He was a prime mover in the project to erect a memorial to Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside in Bristol; the Burnside Memorial building, erected in 1883. He was instrumental in having the R. I. Soldiers' Home, which was built in 1891, located in this town. Governor Wardwell was at one time a director of the National India Rub- ber Co. and of the Bristol and Warren Water Works.
For many years he was president of the old First National Bank, until it was absorbed by the Industrial Trust Co. of Prov- idence in 1900. He was a director of the Industrial Trust Co., and a member of the board of managers of the Bristol Branch of that company.
He was elected a member of the Town Council in 1882-83-84.
Always interested in music, on April 15, 1890, he was chosen chairman of the then newly formed Bristol Choral Society. He possessed a rich tenor voice and in those days no musical event was complete without him.
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For many years he was a member of the vestry of St. Michael's Church and at the time of his death was senior warden.
He was a member of St. Alban's Lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M., and also of St. John's Commandery, No. I, K. T.
November 24, 1874, he was united in marriage to Leonora Frances Gladding of this town. Mrs. Wardwell died in 1903.
Governor Wardwell died at his residence on Bay View Heights, October 16, 1907, in the 73rd year of his age.
As a citizen, William Thomas Church Wardwell was one of the foremost. Progressive and liberal-minded he ever had the welfare of his native town at heart. His many years of irre- proachable conduct in his private, political and business life, all have made for him a host of friends. He was by nature quiet and unassuming, true to his friends and charitable towards all. He was full of those generous impulses which go to make a true man. He will be sadly missed, not only in his family circle but by his · many friends in Bristol and throughout the State.
AN OLD FRIEND'S TRIBUTE
Once again the angel of death has smitten one of the few surviving members of the original class that entered the High School in the fall of 1848.
Governor Wardwell was a communicant and senior warden of St. Michael's Church, which he loved well and where for many years he sang in the choir. He possessed a voice of unusual beauty and with his lamented wife, who was also a member of the choir, she possessing a rich contralto voice, the beautiful duets and solos sung by them will never be forgotten by the older parishioners.
Governor Wardwell, as a citizen of Bristol, was one of the foremost. He could enter the homes of the rich, or of those of humbler circumstances and accom- modate himself to either and was always welcome.
He will be greatly missed by the many throughout the town who have known youth in school days, followed by manhood's busy years and later, when age has furrowed the brow, the man as boy drops a tear upon the freshly made grave of him for so many years. This tribute from one of the three original male members of the High School, now left, who remembers so well past years, and the scenes of the friend of long ago.
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HON. AUGUSTUS OSBORN BOURN, 1834-1925
FORMER Governor Augustus O. Bourn died at his residence "Seven Oaks", on Hope street, Jan. 29, 1925, in the 91st year of his age.
He was born in Providence, R. I., Oct. 1, 1834, in a two-story wooden house that stood on the south side of Pawtuxet street (now Broad street). He was a son of George Osborn and Huldah Batty (Eddy) Bourn. Governor Bourn was a descendant of Jared Bourn, who was admitted to the church in Boston, April 22, 1634, later removed to Rhode Island, locating at Portsmouth, where he was representative in the Colonial Legislature, 1654- 55. On his mother's side he was a descendant of William Eddy, of Providence, a Revolutionary soldier and pensioner. He at- tended private and public schools until twelve years of age, and, in September, 1847, entered the high school on Benefit street, and four years later entered Brown University. He attended the latter institution four years, 1851-55, and was graduated in 18 55 with the degree of A.M., after which he joined his father in the rubber manufacturing business in Providence. The elder Bourn was senior member of the firm, Bourn, Brown & Chaffee. After the death of his father in 1859, he succeeded to his interest and place in the firm.
In 1864 he organized the National Rubber Company, and built a large plant in this town. He was treasurer and active man- ager of the company from 1865 until 1887; that company becom- ing the most important corporation of the town, nearly half of the then population being employed at the plant.
From 1889 to 1893 he was consul general to Italy and resided at Rome, being appointed by President Harrison. At the close of his term he returned to Bristol and shortly after resumed rubber manufacturing in Providence.
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It was in 1894 that he organized the Bourn Rubber Co., be- coming its treasurer and manager.
Always a Republican in politics he represented this town in the State Senate, 1876-83, and from 1886 to 1888. In 1883 he was nominated by the Republican State Convention for the office of governor and was elected over his Democratic opponent. In 1884 he was re-elected for a second term.
He was a member of the University Club of Providence; Brown Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; What Cheer Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Calvary Commandery, K. T.
Governor Bourn married Feb. 26, 1863, Elisabeth Robarts Morrill, of Epping, N. H., who died in 1915.
His was a long and active life, over ninety years.
As governor of this State for two terms from 1883 to 1885, he ably administered the affairs of State and gave to public duty the same conscientious attention as to his private affairs.
For more than sixty years he has made Bristol his home, and his familiar face will be greatly missed for a long time to come.
In the passing of Augustus Osborn Bourn the State and the town of Bristol loses one of its outstanding citizens.
PARMENAS SKINNER, JR., 1837-1920
PARMENAS SKINNER, JR., was born in the city of Newport, R. I., June 12, 1837, a son of Parmenas and Harriet (Dayton) Skinner. Mr. Skinner was of old New England stock, descending on his father's side from the Thomas Skinner branch of the fam- ily. On his mother's side, he was a descendant of Norbert Feli- cien Vigneron, a French Huguenot physician who settled in Newport in 1690, and was one of the prominent physicians of Rhode Island in the early days.
The elder Mr. Skinner moved his family to Bristol in 1843 and carried on a successful ship building industry for a great many years.
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Mr. Skinner received his early education in the public schools of this town, attending the old Mount Hope Academy for a period and later the High School. His education was completed at the Lyons University Grammar School, Providence, R. I. During a four years residence in Hartford, Conn., he made his start in the insurance business, continuing it in Providence, and later in Bristol.
In 1876 he was instrumental in organizing the Bristol County Savings Bank, holding the office of secretary and treasurer for twenty-five years, until the bank was absorbed by the Industrial Trust Co. of Providence. He was then made a member of the board of managers of the Bristol Branch of that institution. Fol- lowing this change he turned his entire attention to his insurance business, which he carried on successfully until the time of his death, having represented some of his companies for more than fifty years.
Mr. Skinner was always interested in the public affairs in the town, having served on the school board for a quarter of a cen- tury as clerk, chairman and for a period starting in 1878, as super- intendent of schools. For a number of years he was a member of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A. of this town.
He was a member of St. Alban's Lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M., for more than fifty years. Mr. Skinner was prominently identi- fied with the First Congregational Church of this town, of which he was a member from early boyhood. He was deacon for 42 years, from the year 1878 up to the time of his death. For 40 years he was treasurer of the church. He was superintendent of the Sunday School for 15 years, 1872-79, and 1888-96.
Mr. Skinner was married to Sarah C. Spooner, December 10, 1863. Mrs. Skinner, who was a daughter of Deacon William B. and Miriam (Manchester) Spooner, died in 1912.
Mr. Skinner passed away at his residence on Hope street, April 27, 1920, in his 83d year. With the passing of Parmenas Skinner, Jr., the town of Bristol loses a citizen of the highest type-a Christian gentleman and a sympathetic friend to all who knew him throughout his long and active life.
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GEORGE ULRIC ARNOLD, 1843-1924
GEORGE ULRIC ARNOLD, well known and lifelong resi- dent of this town, died September 2, 1924, in his 82nd year, at his home on Hope street.
He was born in this town May 9, 1843, a son of Rufus Day and Sarah (Lincoln) Arnold. He was educated in the public schools of this town and the Rhode Island Normal School. From 1863 to 1903, a period of 40 years, he was in charge of the finish- ing department of the old Richmond Mfg. Co. located on Thames street, now known as the Namquit Mill.
At a meeting of the trustees of the Rogers Free Library held February 21, 1878, Mr. Arnold was elected librarian. He was the first to hold that office, and has held it up to the time of his death.
For many years he was a trustee of the Bristol County Savings Bank. He was secretary of the sinking fund commission of this town since it was established in 1902. He was a member of the school committee from 1881 to 1908 and was president of that body for 13 years, from 1895 to 1908. Since the year 1905 he has been coroner of the town of Bristol; for II years he was town moderator. He was a member of the board of managers of the Y. M. C. A. of this town for 49 years, from 1867 to 1916. For over half a century he has been deacon, moderator and treas- urer of the First Baptist Church of this town.
Mr. Arnold was one of the first to hold office in the United Brothers Lodge, No. 13, I. O. O. F., and on May 6, 1920, was presented a 50-year gold medal. He was also a past grand master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Rhode Island. He was a member of the R. I. Society, Sons of the American Revolu- tion, and was historian of the society for several years. For many years he has been a member of the R. I. Library Association. For more than 20 years he has been connected with the Bristol County Gas and Electric Co.
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Mr. Arnold was united in marriage to Sarah Melissa Anthony, April 26, 1866. Mrs. Arnold died in 1923.
George Ulric Arnold was a man of great integrity, always interested in the welfare of the town. He will be greatly missed, especially in his church and library activities to which he has given the greater part of his long life.
THE OLD BURYING-GROUNDS
IN THE year 1684 the first meeting-house was erected on the spot where the Court House now stands; after one hundred years of service, the old house of worship was torn down in 1784. Pro- fessor Munro writes: "After the first meeting-house was built in 1684, the ground near it was used as a resting place for the dead." "In the year 1718 a number of the early settlers were buried in the rear of the spot upon which the Court House now stands. When that building was erected in 1817, the tombstones were removed to the burying-ground east of the Common; the bodies were not disturbed."
The Rev'd Mr. John Sparhawk, one of the early pastors of the town, who died on the 29th of April, 1718, according to the old records, "was buried upon the Common, in the cemetery close by the church."
CEMETERY ON SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE COMMON
The date of the cemetery on the southeast part of the Common can be traced from the old town meeting records of 1737: "A lot of land lying east of the Town's Land and west of Wood street was ordered to be laid out for a burying place for the use of the Town forever."
The 1851 map shows the north boundary line of this plot exactly in line with the north boundary line of the old cemetery (East Burial Ground) directly across the road.
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"In 1737 the part of the Common east of Gladding's house was designated as a burying-ground." This house stood on the south side of the Common, about half way between High and Wood streets. As late as 1895 a slight depression in the land still remained where the cellar once was. The house at one time was used as a small-pox hospital, probably on account of its nearness to the burying-ground. In later years it was always referred to as the "Old Pest House on the Common."
The old records show that they were using the southeast part of the Common in 1801 for burial purposes; for at the time the Train of Artillery was firing the customary salute of 13 rounds (at the close of their annual election of officers) one of the pieces was prematurely discharged, shattering the arm of one of the gunners and wounding several others of the gun squad. The poor fellow died a few days after and his remains (with military honors) were buried in the Cemetery on the Common.
Simeon Potter, who died in 1806, was buried upon this part of the Common. "From his house on Thames street, the old captain was borne to his last resting-place in the burying-ground upon the Common." At some later date, probably at the time (1853) they were clearing off that part of the Common, his remains were removed to the North Burial Ground.
In 1853 the town meeting "Voted-that Bennett J. Munro be appointed a committee to remove the remaining tombstones from the West to the East burying-ground." In the early seven- ties when they were ploughing up the southeast part of the Com- mon, people now living remember of them turning up bones that were only a foot or two under the surface and throwing them in a pile off to one side; later they were reburied over in the East Burial Ground.
EAST BURIAL GROUND
Professor Munro in his "History of Bristol" mentions "The burying-ground, the one east of Wood street, to which some acres were added in 181 1, and which is still in use (1880).
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THE OLD WALKER FAMILY BURYING-GROUND
The first services of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this town were conducted by a layman in the early part of the eigh- teenth century in the house of William Walker. "This house stood between High and Wood streets and south of Walley street, a little to the north of the road which skirts the head of Walker's Cove." Not very far from where the house once stood, set back in a little grove of trees, is the old Walker family grave- yard. Some of the stones are still there. The oldest grave is that of "John ye son of Thomas and Elizabeth Walker-who dyed may the 3d 1719, aged 34 years." On the stone is this inscription: "Hee was furst born of this race, and furst buried in this place." Thomas Walker, "one of the furst settlers, who dyed in 1724, in the 70th year of his age" is also buried there.
THE NORTH BURIAL GROUND
In 1822 the town purchased a tract of land on the Neck for the purpose of erecting a "House of Industry" (Poor House). At that time according to the town meeting records, April 17, 1822, it was voted that "A part of said town land be set apart for a burying-ground, the same to be well enclosed."
JUNIPER HILL CEMETERY
The middle of the last century, Levi D'Wolf, the youngest son of Mark Anthony, was laid to rest on the beautiful hillside of a part of his estate known as the "Junipers". The inscription on his stone reads: "On this very spot he was accustomed to spend hours in communion with God." In part, the gift of his daughter, Abigail, who rests nearby her father, the place has become the beautiful Juniper Hill Cemetery.
THE OLD D'WOLF CEMETERY
Down on Tanyard Lane is the old D'Wolf family graveyard. It dates back to some time previous to the year 1837, the year Senator James D'Wolf died; for his body and that of his wife are entombed in the old vault.
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ST. MARY'S CEMETERY
This cemetery, located on Malt House Lane (Chestnut street), dates back to the year 1884. June 7th, that year, a parcel of land consisting of three acres was purchased of Peter Riley, for the purpose of a cemetery. Dec. 14, 1895, two additional acres were purchased from Mr. Riley. June 1, 1927, one and one-quarter acres were purchased from Peter C. R. Morris; and Feb. 5, 1929, one and one-half acres were purchased from Hezekiah C. Ward- well. The ground was consecrated Sunday, August 17, 1884, by Bishop Hendricken. At that time Rev. Father Carrigan was in charge of the parish.
THE OLD BRISTOL FERRY
IT WAS on the 13th of March, 1781, that General Washington accompanied by Gen. Howe and two aids passed through Bristol on his way to Providence. The party together with their mounts coming up from Newport were ferried across to the Bristol side where they were met by a company of the inhabitants mounted on horses and escorted through the village. According to the old records the ferriage toll was $240 (the equivalent in English money) ;* this abnormally high charge was because of the depre- ciation of the currency of the colony at that time.
In those days Bristol Ferry was one of the most important ferries in the colony as it afforded the most direct communication between Newport and Providence and Boston. A stage route from the ferry to Boston had been established as early as 1716. The first definite reference we have of the Bristol ferries is by Capt. Benj. Church in August, 1676. The old Indian-fighter was putting up at "Sanford's" down on the Island when word was brought to him that an Indian on "sandpoint over against Trips"
*The United States' monetary system began with the Act of April 2, 1792. Previous to that time English money was used.
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called across to be brought over to the Island. Sandpoint was where Bristol Ferry lighthouse now stands.
The ferry from Bristol to Portsmouth has always been called "Bristol Ferry", probably because it was owned by Bristol pro- prietors. The old records of 168 I mention a ferry which was to be a charge on the proprietors of the town. From that date down to the year 1753 the ownership of the ferry changed hands many times. In the year 1753 William Pearse, a yeoman of Bristol, bought the ferry property for £2000, lawful money. The farm and ferry remained in the Pearse family for over a hundred years.
In the early part of 1776 fortifications were erected on both sides of the ferry in order to keep communication open. When the Americans were driven off the Island the battery which they had erected was trained by the British on the Bristol side of the ferry .*
At that time the Pearse family who occupied the ferry-house sought safety in the village; according to tradition a cannon ball passed between the legs of the horse carrying Mrs. Pearse and her young son up the long hill to the village. Besides being driven from his home Mr. Pearse lost six barrels of cider and thirty bushels of potatoes which were taken by the American sol- diers who came over from the Island.
In 1859 George Pearse sold to Capt. William H. West the farm, wharf, ferry-boat and franchise for $13,000. The place is still occupied by Capt. West's only surviving daughter, Miss Minnehaha West .** Captain West was a deep-sea sailor; when he retired in 1859, he was only 33 years old; he carried on the farm and for several years ran the ferry taking passengers over to the Portsmouth side in a small sloop named the "Mount Hope". At that time Captain Hicks operated a ferry from the Ports- mouth side; the two captains had an arrangement as to the fares taken in whereby Captain West would one week turn over to
*Out in front of the old Ferry-House is a pile of cannon balls that were dug up years ago, while ploughing the fields.
** Miss West has since died-March, 1941.
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Captain Hicks the money taken in during the week, and the next week Captain Hicks would give his receipts to Captain West.
When the steamboat started to run from Fall River to Prov- idence in 1827, stopping at the ferry and the village of Bristol, the ferry business began to fall off and when the railroad to New- port was opened in 1865 Captain West gave up the ferry.
Up to the year 1826 sailing craft was the only means of trans- portation across the ferry way. These boats were large enough to carry horses and cattle on the decks, just forward of the mast. A new type of boat propelled by horse power which was called a "horse-boat" or "team-boat" had been used on the New York ferries across the North River for some time and had proved so efficient that the early steam ferry-boats were unable to compete with them.
In the year 1826 a horse-boat was built for Bristol Ferry and continued in operation until the year 1845. Of the old horse-boat there is no known picture in existence today. There were two types of horse-boats; in one the horses worked on a treadmill, similar to that used to operate the old type of threshing ma- chines; the other, the type used on the Bristol Ferry boat, was operated by horses treading on a revolving disc. An inclined shaft went up through the center of the platform, which was attached to it and cogs on the rim of the circular platform turned a shaft which in turn operated the paddle wheels. It must have been slow old going, but nevertheless steady and sure. In the early part of the nineteenth century travel was very heavy and when the horse-boats came into use all kinds of wheel vehicles, even the heavy stage coaches, were ferried across.
According to an account that appeared in a Newport newspaper about one hundred years ago "A stage coach, four horses attached, every week day morning at 9 o'clock left Newport from Town- send's coffee house, now the U. S. Hotel, for Bristol Ferry, pick- ing up passengers on the way. The route was along the east or main road; when within four miles of the ferry the stage passed through an archway which was known as the toll-house, the building being of brick and plaster (which each year received an
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