USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Bristol > Sketches of old Bristol > Part 30
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The wind had died down to a calm and the prospect of the Bristol companies reaching home that night was anything but flattering, when Captain Bunker, of the steamer Washington, with his usual courtesy, offered to take the Bristol packets in tow up to Poppasquash Point, provided they would start at once, which necessitated the loss of the dinner and the military returned with empty stomachs.
On leaving the cemetery a number of the Bristol boys repaired to a boarding house on Bannister's wharf, kept by a lady named Wicks, where they all partook of a fine dinner. Night approach- ing, with no prospect of reaching home by water (the steamer having left), a party of eight started on foot and as we passed the wind mills, just out of town, the sun was descending in the west-
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ern horizon. A sharp but pleasant walk across the island brought us to the Ferry House, where the ferryman, known as "Uncle Jeremy", demurred in taking us across the Ferry, saying he was about tuckered out. The prospect of a double ferriage and the rumbling carriages in the distance, indicating a full freight, prompted him to start across and soon we were landed on the Bristol side. As we neared the town the sound of music told us that the Bristol companies had already arrived and were march- ing to their headquarters.
UNITED STATES POST OFFICE AND CUSTOM HOUSE
BUILT in 1857 and opened for business November I of that year. The site on which the building is located was purchased through the agency of Viets G. Peck, from Walter D. and Sarah M. Briggs, for $4,400, the deed of transfer being dated March 12, 1856.
In September 1856, Hezekiah C. Wardwell, father of ex- Lieut .- Gov. W. T. C. Wardwell and Samuel Drury Wardwell, was appointed by the United States treasury department to su- perintend the erection of the building for a post office and cus- tom house. The cost of the building was $20,000, and the con- tractor was John Coburn of New York. Previous to the erection of this building the post office was located in stores in various places about town.
"In 1820, the post office was located in the building at the head of Long Wharf. Pardon Handy was the postmaster at the time and the office was in his store.
"In 1830, when Dr. Lemuel W. Briggs was postmaster, his office was upstairs in the small shop on lower State street where "Blondie" Rawson had a saloon back in the nineties. Later he had his office on Hope street.
"In 1852, when George H. Pearce was postmaster, the post office was located on the first floor of the building next east of the
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Bristol Hotel. There was a tailor shop in the same building." (Mr. Pearce was a tailor by trade. )
May 10, 1856, Bristol Phenix: "The new Custom House and Post Office is to be erected on Hope street, on the site now occu- pied by the stores of M. W. Pierce, Jr., Benjamin Tilley and the Union Store. We understand that the building occupied by Mr. Tilley and the Union Store, has been purchased by Mr. J. B. Munro and Dr. S. S. Drury, and will shortly be removed to their lot on Hope street, next south of the residence of Wm. Fales Esq."*
POSTMASTERS' BRISTOL, BRISTOL COUNTY, RHODE ISLAND
Postmaster
Date Appointed
Hezekiah Usher
(Established) February 11, 1792
Josiah Finney
March 25, 1800
David A. Leonard
October 29, 1804
Barnabas Bates
. April 17, 1817
Pardon Handy
. April 25, 1820
Lemuel W. Briggs .
March 4, 1823
George H. Reynolds
March 16, 1840
William B. Tilley
. June 12, 1841
Benjamin Wyatt
March 31, 1845
George H. Pearce Hezekiah J. Pitman Thomas J. Thurston John B. Pearce . John J. Christie
June 5, 1861
November 13, 1874
. February 26, 1887
William M. Gorham
February 14, 1891
Charles F. Easterbrooks
February 22, 1895
William M. Gorham
. June 15, 1899 . February 9, 1910
Daniel G. Coggeshall
March 20, 1914
George W. Warren
January 7, 1924
William J. McShane (Acting)
. April 1, 1929
William M. Connery .
. June 19, 1929
William J. McShane (Acting)
September 16, 1933
Daniel W. Coggeshall .
. February 18, 1935
*The Drury Block; built sometime between 1846 and 1856.
** The first post office to be established in Bristol was in 1775 under the postal system of Rhode Island, with Jonathan Russell as postmaster.
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.
June 1, 1849
April 20, 1853
Edward J. Prest
SKETCHES OF OLD BRISTOL
NOTABLE BRISTOLIANS OF THE PAST
MEN who have held high offices in the State and National Governments.
William Bradford
Deputy Governor
1775-78
Byron Diman
· . 1846-47
Francis M. Dimond
(July 20-Dec. 31) 1853
Ambrose E. Burnside . 1866-69
Augustus O. Bourn .
Lieutenant Governor
Byron Diman 1840-42
Nathaniel Bullock
1842-43
Byron Diman
. 1843-46
Francis M. Dimond
(Jan. 1-July 19) 1853
J. Russell Bullock . 1860-61
William T. C. Wardwell .
· 1890-91
Joseph W. Blake
. 1843-51
Samuel P. Colt .
1882-86
Speaker of the House (R. I.)
William Bradford . Held the office for several terms between 1764-1802
James D'Wolf . . 1819-21
Nathaniel Bullock
1825-26
Frank H. Hammill .
1915-19
Member of the Continental Congress from Rhode Island . 1776
William Bradford
Member of the First United States Congress from Rhode Island
Benjamin Bourn (4 terms)
· 1790-96
United States Senator from Rhode Island
William Bradford 1793-97
James D'Wolf . 1821-25
Ambrose E. Burnside
1875-81
Le Baron B. Colt
· 1913-24
Member of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Shearjashub Bourn . . Associate Justice 1776-78
Shearjashub Bourn . . Chief Justice 1778-81
John D'Wolf , Associate Justice 1819-22 Luke Drury Associate Justice 1822-24
J. Russell Bullock Associate Justice 1862-64 Justice of U. S. District Court for District of Rhode Island Benjamin Bourn (appointed) 1801
364
Governor
. 1883-85
Attorney General
SKETCHES OF OLD BRISTOL
THE OLD STONE WALL ON THE NECK ROAD
THE older generation will remember the long stretch of wall that, at the turn of the century, extended along the east side of the Neck Road, from the Perry estate up to the Viets Peck property. They would remember it for two reasons-its ex- traordinary length and the well-built lines.
Forty years ago, this old landmark, a long, unbroken line of wall, except for the two breaches at the Seth Paull property, was as finely constructed piece of wall as you would find any- where in New England. In later years as the land was parceled out in house lots, many breaches were made in the old wall, until today (1942) hardly a vestige of it remains. What a pity it could not have remained intact, that future generations might witness what skilled craftsmen their ancestors were. Mr. Viets Peck, years ago telling about the old landmark, said that he remembered when it was built. "James DeWolf Perry owned the land at the time (about 1850) and most of the stone used in its construction came from Point Farm over on Poppasquash Point. Point Farm was owned by Mr. Perry at that time; there was a small hotel on the point which was built in 1840; it sur- vived until 1876, when it was destroyed by fire. Major Ray- mond H. Perry, a son of the owner, (he was about 1 5 years old at the time) teamed the stone over to the Neck Road. The stone was loaded on a sledge and hauled over the road by a team of oxen-and it took a long time. The foundation is half as deep in the ground as the height of the wall, and was pronounced well-built by everybody who examined it. The wall was built by a stonemason and his son who came over from the Island of Rhode Island. They were two years building it, and during the time they lived in a small house on the Perry place. The two winters they were working on the wall were so cold they would
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start in the morning wearing three pairs of pants and a corre- sponding layer of coats, one over the other. As the sun got higher they would discard them, one layer at a time, and by the time it got to be midday they would be down to a flannel shirt and one pair of trousers. Then, as the afternoon wore on, they would start putting them on again, and by the time the sun was going down below the horizon they would be back again to full equipment."
"THE OLD TRAMP HOUSE"
AUGUST 11, 1903-The old tramp house at the foot of Brad- ford street was bid in at auction sale this last week by Patrick Hammill for $11.50. Mr. Hammill will repair it and move it away to the east part of the town. It was built 65 years ago and during its existence has served the town well. Years ago the old No. I Fire Engine and the "night watch" were quartered in the old building, the latter occupying a part of it. In later years it was used as a "tramp house". Its many years of public service ended ten years ago (1893) at which time it was sold to the Wardwell Lumber Co.
In those days it was a haven for the many "knights of the road" who found themselves stranded in the town. The night watch would pick them up and lock them in over night. That they might not go hungry, they were provided with a bit to eat. Some member of the night watch would go up to Jim Miller's store which was up Bradford street a short piece and buy a quarter's worth of soda crackers, charging same to the town. At nine o'clock the town's guests and the crackers were locked in for the night. The next morning after a hearty breakfast of more crack- ers the guests were speeded on their way.
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BRISTOL POLICE FORCE, 1904
Service dated from
James Hoard, Jr., 1843-1907 .
1866
Chief
John H. Morrisey, 1861-1915
1890
Captain
John D. Dimond, 1836-1905 .
1879
Captain Night Police
Benjamin T. Munro, 1853-1913 .
1885
Night Police
Thomas R. Dwyer, 1858-1940
1891
Night Police
James W. Goff, 1875-1934
1899
Night Police
Henry F. Serbst, 1867-1939
1904
Night Police
This account of the old police force would not be complete unless we mentioned John S. Ingraham (1832-1915), who in the eighties and nineties was Captain of the Night Police.
They were all fine, sturdy, reliable men and they fulfilled their trust, as guardians of the peace and property of the town, well. I knew them all years ago and have always had great re- spect for every one of them.
HON. EZRA DIXON, 1849-1936
EZRA DIXON was born in Spencer, Mass., on the 12th day of December, 1849. His father, Dwight James Dixon, and his mother, Susan Ann Bixby, were of York County, Maine, prior to their coming to Spencer, where their son Ezra was born.
Mr. Dixon came from one of the oldest of New England fam- ilies, his American ancestor, Nathaniel Dixon, coming from Ely, Cambridge, England, prior to the year 1634.
Educated in the district school of his birthplace, at a very early age he began his career in the cotton industry, working as a back- boy in one of the local mills.
On December 1, 1863 (he being 14 years old at the time ), he entered the United States military service in the quartermaster's department in South Carolina, and was honorably discharged
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April 6, 1864. He re-enlisted July 15, 1864, in Company F, 42nd Mass. Vol. Infantry, and served until mustered out with his regiment, November 11, 1864. He enlisted a third time in the quartermaster's department in December, 1864, and was sta- tioned at Nashville, Tenn., until mustered out at close of the war.
It was the year 1874 that he first came to Bristol, for the pur- pase of installing some machinery at the Namquit Mill. He was prevailed upon to remain, and on the 8th of July, that year, he entered the employ of that company as overseer of the spinning department. For the 12 years following his connection with this company continued. It was during this period that he developed and patented the lubricating saddle now used on cotton spinning machines in so many parts of the world.
In 1876 the Dixon Lubricating Saddle Co. was formed by him for the manufacture of his patent. In 1886 he severed his con- nection with the Namquit Mill that he might devote his whole time to furthering its distribution.
Mr. Dixon was a director and a member of the executive com- mittee of the Industrial Trust Co. of Providence. At the time the Bristol branch of that institution was started he became chair- man of the board, which office he held at the time of his death. Previous to their being absorbed by the Industrial Trust Co. in 1900, he was president of the Bristol County Savings Bank, and vice president of the National Eagle Bank of this town.
He was appointed sewer commissioner in 1900, at the time the sewerage system was installed, and served on that board for thirty years.
Politically, Mr. Dixon was a Republican. He was elected in 1907 to the House of Representatives, and in 1908 was elected state senator, an office which he held until 1916. For many years he was a member of the Republican State Central Committee, and also a member of the executive board.
Mr. Dixon's interest in the State Street M. E. Church, of which he was a member and of which he held the office of trustee, dates back to the time when he first came to this town. As a Young Men's Christian Association worker, he gave liberally of
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his time and means, succeeding to the presidency of the organiza- tion, October 1, 1883, and continuing for 19 years.
For more than 35 years he was a member of the board of trus- tees of Rogers Free Library.
Mr. Dixon was one of the charter members of Babbitt Post, No. 15, G. A. R. He was deeply interested in the post and was a regular attendant at its meetings. He was the last surviving char- ter member of that organization. He was past department com- mander of the Department of Rhode Island, G. A. R.
Mr. Dixon was very prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of St. Alban's Lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M., Mount Hope Chapter, R. A. M., Webb Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters, and St. John's Commandery, K. T., of Providence. He was also a past noble grand of United Brothers Lodge, No. 13, I. O. O. F .; and a member of Wampanoag Encampment, No. 9, of Odd Fellows.
From his coming to Bristol sixty years ago Mr. Dixon always held a deep interest in the welfare and advancement of the community.
A man of agreeable manner and genial disposition, upright and just in all his dealings with his fellow men, he could right- fully claim his friends as without number. Of simple religious faith, he felt and recognized his duty to God and his fellowmen. He was generous with his wealth and freely gave his time and services to all good causes.
Mr. Dixon married, August 14th, 1872, Annie Prest, daugh- ter of William and Rebecca (Morton) Prest. Mrs. Dixon died in 1929.
His was a long and active life; the end came on March 22, 1936, at his home on High street. He was in the 87th year of his age. With the passing of Ezra Dixon the town loses another of its influential and leading citizens. Always a prominent figure in the industrial, banking, and political life of the community, he will be sorely missed.
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SKETCHES OF OLD BRISTOL
REV. WILLIAM RAMSAY TROTTER, 1856-1914
REV. WILLIAM RAMSAY TROTTER, rector of Trinity Church of this town for nearly 28 years, died Wednesday, April I, 1914, in his 58th year. He was born in New York City Nov. 30, 1856, a son of Andrew R. and Mary (Williams) Trotter.
When a boy he came to Providence to reside and attended Classical High School from which he was graduated. In 1875 the family came to Bristol to reside and the following year he entered Brown University. Graduating in 1880 he received his B.A. degree and three years later in 1883 he received his A.M. degree. From 1880 to '83 he attended the General Theological Seminary in New York City. He was ordained to the Deaconate by Bishop Clark in 1883 and became assistant rector of Trinity Church. Feb. 24, 1884, he was ordained to the priesthood and Aug. Ist following became rector of Trinity Church. After nearly 28 years of unselfish service failing health compelled him to tender his resignation as rector of the church he so dearly loved. At a meeting of the vestry, Nov. 13, 191 I, his resignation was accepted with deep regret and at that meeting he was then elected rector emeritus of the church.
Mr. Trotter's interest in music in connection with the church dates back to the year 1875 when at its first service held on Whitsunday, he became organist and choirmaster. The boy- choirs of Trinity Church for a great many years have been noted for their excellence, all of which is due to Mr. Trotter's train- ing and guidance. At the Easter Sunday and Christmas eve serv- ices the church would be crowded, such was the fame of the choir and the beautiful music.
Mr. Trotter was a member of the school committee from 1907 to 1913 and president of that body from 1909 to 1912.
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He was married to Helen H. Turner Sept. 30, 1891. Mrs. Trotter died in 1909.
MINUTE OF VESTRY - APRIL 13, 1914
William Ramsay Trotter came to Trinity Church filled with the energy of youth and the enthusiasm of freshly assumed ordi- nation vows. It was his only care and he loved it dearly. For many years his labors in the parish and in the community were broad and monumental, as pastor and teacher and spiritual guide. Under his direction the parish grew from comparative weakness to stable strength and breadth of influence. Large numbers of people came under the influence of his strong and kindly person- ality, and one of his most enduring monuments may be seen in the unusual number of young men and boys he drew to him and whose lives are anchored to the church.
As priest and citizen he was looked up to and respected by the entire community in which he dwelt and labored so many years. His latter years were clouded with bereavement and great physi- cal suffering, yet he bore himself with that fortitude and cheer- fulness which becomes a soldier and servant of Jesus Christ. God grant unto him rest, light, comfort and peace in the Church Expectant.
JOHN POST REYNOLDS, 1850-1915
JOHN POST REYNOLDS, superintendent of schools of this town for thirty-one years, died at his ancestral home, "Willow- mere", on Bristol Neck, December 8, 1915.
He was born in this town, March 17, 1850. His father was Samuel Godfrey Reynolds and his mother was Catharine Ann Hamlin, of Syracuse, N. Y. Mr. Reynolds was a descendant in the eighth generation of Robert Reynolds of Boston, who was the ancestor of the Bristol branch of the family. A son of Robert Reynolds, Capt. Nathaniel Reynolds came to this town when the Mount Hope lands were opened for settlement and at the first
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town meeting held, September 1, 168 1, at which time the name of Bristol was given the town, he was one of the 76 men then admitted to the town as citizens.
In his youth Mr. Reynolds attended the public schools in this town. Leaving the high school in 1863, he attended Walnut Hill School, in Geneva, N. Y., to prepare himself for college. He entered the sophomore class of Brown University in 1868 and was graduated in the class of 1870, with the degree of Ph.B.
Mr. Reynolds was a member of the school committee from 1883 to 1907. In 1884 he was elected superintendent of schools and also secretary of the board, which offices he held up to the time of his death. The fact that he was never absent from a meet- ing of the board during the 3 1 years of his service speaks volumes for his interest and faithfulness in his life's work.
Mr. Reynolds was a devout and most spiritual churchman. His connection with the Trinity Church parish dates back to the year 1875, when he was elected to the vestry at its first meeting of organization. A few years later he was elected senior warden, which office he held up to the time of his death.
He has always taken an active interest in town affairs and served as a member of the town council from 1882 to 1885. In 1898 he was elected judge of probate and served for six years, until 1905.
He was a member of the Churchman's Club; an officer of the Rhode Island Institute of Instruction; a member of the N. E. Association of School Superintendents; and of the Reynolds Family Association.
Mr. Reynolds married, May 7, 1885, Fanny Greenwood of this town.
In the death of John Post Reynolds the town has lost one of its most highly respected citizens; a type of Christian gentleman who placed his duty, religious and civil, above all other calls in life.
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ORRIN LUTHER BOSWORTH, 1849-1922
JUDGE BOSWORTH was born in Warren, R. I., April 19, 1849, a son of Benjamin Miller and Elizabeth (Luther) Bos- worth. He was a lineal descendant of Nathaniel Bosworth, son of Edward, who settled in this town and built the homestead known as "Silver Creek". Judge Bosworth used to say that he was a "forty-niner", and that he had no birthday, as he was born at midnight.
His early education was at the public schools of his birthplace, after which he attended the law school of Union University, then located at Albany, N. Y., graduating in the year 1876. The fol- lowing year he came to this town and opened a law office on Brad- ford street, upstairs over James A. Miller's grocery store. He was admitted to practice in New York State, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, also the United States Circuit Court. He was judge of the Fifth Judicial District Court of Rhode Island from May 26, 1897, to January 31, 19II.
He was past master of St. Alban's Lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M., also a member of St. John's Commandery, No. I, K. T. He was a member of the Sons of the Revolution, and of the Society of the Sons of Colonial Wars.
He married Isabella Judson Essex, January 16, 1878, at which time they took up their residence in Bristol.
Judge Bosworth passed away December 25, 1922, at his home on Hope street, in his 74th year.
By his death Bristol loses another of its old-time prominent citizens. For nearly a half century he had made Bristol his home, and had always taken an active part in the affairs of the town. Bristol will miss his familiar figure in the town meetings, which he always made it a point to attend from the time he first came to the town forty-five years ago. His cheery greeting, his cordial manner, his sincerity, all of these made for him a host of friends, who mourn his passing. The town of Bristol has lost a friend.
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CHARLES BRISTED ROCKWELL,
1848-1929
CHARLES BRISTED ROCKWELL was born in Winsted, Conn., September the 25th, 1848, the son of Henry Ensign and Enerette (Munson) Rockwell.
He came of Colonial and Revolutionary ancestry, a direct des- cendant, the ninth in line, of Deacon William Rockwell, one of the three original selectmen of Dorchester, Mass., in 1630, who later moved to Windsor, Conn., in which section a branch of the family remained until moving to Winsted. He came from a long line, mainly educators and jurists. His father, Henry Ensign Rockwell, left Yale in his sophomore year to become the principal of a high school; later assuming the commissionership of the Fisheries Commission Station at Woods Hole, Mass. While at Yale University he roomed with Charles Bristed Astor for whom he named his fifth son. For many years he was connected with the federal government as commissioner of education.
At the age of 16 the son left home to engage in business in Boston. About the year 1870 he went to Germany to study the manufacture of worsted yarns and cloth, studying and earning his living, later entering the siege of Paris as a reporter in the eventful Franco-Prussian War. Upon his return to America he entered business upon his own account, later forming the partner- ship of Rockwell & Skerry.
In 1886 he organized the Cranston Worsted Mills at that time located in Cranston, R. I. The business was moved to Bristol in the year 1891; the new quarters being in the old factory on Thames street, erected in 1839, which was formerly the Poka- noket Mill. In 1927 the business was merged with the Collins & Aikman Corporation of Philadelphia. Twenty-five years ago he purchased the Namquit Mill, which is now a part of the plant
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of the Collins & Aikman Corp. The buildings which were for- merly of the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. on Burnside street, were added and a branch was established at West Barrington, R. I., in the plant formerly of the O'Bannon Corp.
Mr. Rockwell was a man of great energy and exceptional busi- ness ability, self-made in every sense of the word, and honorable and just in all his dealings. Of a quiet, retiring diposition, prob- ably no man was more looked up to and respected either among his business associates or among his townsmen. His sincerity, simplicity and directness were such that no one could fail to re- spect him.
Among his many acts of beneficence in this community, besides his many gifts to charities, is Rockwell Hall, Y. M. C. A. build- ing. His last act was the grading and fencing of the old De Wolf Inn plat on Thames street. He was at one time a member of the Town Council, and took an active part in all town affairs. At the time of his death he was a member of the vestry of St. Michael's Church. He was a member of the board of managers of the Bris- tol Branch of the Industrial Trust Company for many years.
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