USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Story of the old City Hall [and Historic Newport] > Part 2
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THE FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE
The first apostles of Quakerism ar- rived at Newport in 1657. Their preach- ing was received with gladness and many of the leaders of the community adopted
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First Meeting House of the Quakers in America-1699
this faith. Henceforth, for half a century, Rhode Island was usually ruled by Friends, and was a Qua- ker State. For much of this period, the governors were Quakers. During the next century, while the Wanton dynasty was in power, four members of the Quaker faith filled the gubernatorial chair. Soon, the yearly meetings of the Friends of New England was established at Newport with records continuous since 1671.
The first meeting house of the Quakers to be built in America is on Marlborough Street. The
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The Old Colony House-"Finest Building in the Colonies"
oldest part of this fine structure, known as the "Old Ship Room", dates from 1699. It is so called because of its construction. It is a most interesting relic which is carefully preserved as a memorial to the Quakers who occupied it for 225 years and because of its historic value and its architectural purity.
THE OLD COLONY HOUSE
At the head of Washington Square, the "Grand Parade", as it was called by the British at the time of the Revolution, stands the an- cient Colony House. A fine, impressive build-
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ing this, of brick with stone foundation and trim- mings, with ample doorways approached by wide flights of steps, a balcony on the second story and that air of distinction which age and history have imparted to it.
Built in 1739, from the plans of Richard Mun- day, it had the repute of being the finest building in the colonies and today will certainly hold its own with any American public building of early days now extant.
Its interior shows throughout, a wealth of beau- tiful and artistic detail. The history of the Colony and afterwards of the State of Rhode Island is most intimately associated with this old building. It was used in its early days for various purposes. Here ses- sions of the courts were held. Public meetings, re- ligious and social functions of importance took place within its walls. The first lectures on medical science delivered in this country were those of Dr. William Hunter given in the Council Room in 1756.
From the balcony, in 1761, the death of King George II of England was officially proclaimed. The ascendancy of King George III was celebrated in the building by an elaborate banquet, the last times that such ceremonies were ever to take place in Rhode Island.
Here in 1766, the people assembled to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act. Three years later, the non-intercourse movement was endorsed by a meeting called for the purpose. In this building
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sat the commission to examine into the burning of the Gaspee. Here was the first meeting in Rhode Is- land to resist the importation of tea from England. Here the Assembly accepted the Declaration of In- dependence, and it was read from the steps to the assembled people.
During the Revolution, the building was used by both British and French as a hospital, and a tablet records the fact that the South Chamber was used by Chaplains of French regiments for the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament and the celebration of Mass.
When Washington came to visit the French al- lies, he was entertained at dinner in this building and, since that time, Adams, Jefferson, Jackson, Fill- more and other presidents have been received within its walls.
In 1790, the convention which adopted the Con- stitution assembled here and made Rhode Island one of the United States. Newport was designated as one of the two capitals of the state, and in this building, known until 1900 as the State House, the legislature had a yearly session at which the election of govern- ors and other state officials was proclaimed from its balcony.
Within the past few years, a new court house has been built, and this fine old building completely renovated and its colonial architecture and orig- inal lines preserved.
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TOURO SYNAGOGUE, dedicated 1763. Named after Rabbi Isaac Touro, found- er of first recognized congregation. Is oldest synagogue in America.
THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUE
EWS were found in Newport as early as 1656, having come from Europe and the West Indies. They were kindly received and given protection in the Colony of Rhode Island.
Rabbi Isaac Touro came to Newport from Ja- maica in the West Indies having gone there from Lisbon, Portugal. He was a distinguished scholar, theologian, and of strong Hebrew devotion. He soon became a leader among his people and an associate of men of culture and refinement. Prior to his ad .. vent in the colony, there appears to have been no regular organized congregation or place of worship, and services were conducted where convenient and opportunity afforded. In 1758, Rabbi Touro estab- lished the first regularly recognized congregation under the name of Yoshmot Israel, signifying the "Strength of Israel".
After organizing the congregation the next step was to provide a place of worship and with the co- operation of his co-religionists and their friends, the lot of land on Touro Street was purchased. The foundation of this edifice was laid in 1759 and dedi- cated December 3, 1763.
The architect was Peter Harrison who designed Blenheim House in England and many historic buildings in New- port.
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During the Revolution, the synagogue escaped some of the vandalism of the English soldiery, though confiscation, plunder, campfires and army exactions left little of the large Hebrew property. Within its walls in 1789 was held the first session of the Gen- eral Assembly after the British had evacuated New- port. The Superior Court of Rhode Island shortly after the British evacuation also met in this ancient edifice, and within its walls before the Ark of God and the laws of Moses, dispensed justice to mankind.
Many priceless relics are within its walls among which is a scroll of laws more than 400 years old which tradition says was brought to the shores of America by one of the refugees from the Spanish Inquisition.
THE OLD BRICK MARKET HOUSE
This building, standing at the corner of Long Wharf and Thames Street, dates back to 1760 at which time the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations passed an act establishing a lottery by means of which money was to be raised to build a "Brick Market".
The interesting story of this old structure, Peter Harrison designed, and the important part which it has played in the history of Newport is told in a folder entitled "The Story of the Old City Hall". This pamphlet may be obtained at the office of the Newport Chamber of Commerce.
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OLD TRINITY CHURCH
NE of the most historic and interesting structures in Newport is Old Trinity Church. It stands a supreme and match- less reminder of Colonial America. It is considered an exceptional example of craftmanship in wood-working. It has beheld the changing for- tunes of Newport for over two centuries, the pres- ent edifice being finished in 1726, thus antedating the Revolutionary period by many years. Trinity Church was the only important building not used as a hospital or barracks, because of the crown on its spire.
The beautiful and stately spire of Trinity, from a design of the famous Christopher Wren of London is the most striking feature of the exterior. The steeple is a conspicuous land mark, dominating the whole harbor front and served as a beacon for the mariners of old to steer their vessels into port. The clock inside was made by William Claggett, noted clockmaker and friend of Benjamin Franklin.
One of the most memorable and dramatic days in the history of Trinity Church was the 23rd of January, 1729. On that day the rector was conduct- ing services when two messengers ap- peared at the door to tell him that an eminent clergyman was on a ship in the inner harbor, just arrived from Eng-
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Old Trinity-A Matchless Reminder of Colonial America
land, and might be expected to land at any moment. This was Dean Berkeley, the great English scholar, author and divine. The congregation was dismissed, and the minister and all the people hastened to Fer- ry Wharf to meet and welcome the visitor.
The peaceful and inspiring Colonial atmos- phere of Trinity has been reverently preserved. The inside, therefore, has lost none of its original charm and beauty with the passage of years. Here may be seen the square, high-backed pews, still in active use. Most impressive is the venerable, high pulpit stand- ing out near the middle of the church, with its
TRINITY CHURCH. One of the most historic and interesting structures in America. Considered an exceptional example of craftmanship in woodwork- ing. Present structure finished in 1726
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sounding board. From this many noted men have de- livered sermons, including Dean Berkeley and Rev- erend Samuel Seabury, the first American bishop of the Episcopal Church.
The two side walls are adorned with a series of rich memorial tablets of men and women who wor- shipped at Trinity. In the little churchyard are the graves and tombstones of many leaders of the church, naval heroes and others. There is a monument to Ad- miral deTernay, who commanded the French fleet in these waters during the Revolution.
WANTON-LYMAN-HAZARD HOUSE
There are many old houses, mostly of the period of greatest expansion, from 1750 on. An occasional relic of an older day still remains, however, and of these easily the most interesting, and probably very nearly the oldest, is the old house built in 1675, now standing on Broadway, but a short distance from the old Colonial Court House. This house, often called the old Hazard or Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, is very quaint in appearance. Its huge pilastered chimney shows that at the time of its erection it was a dwelling of some pretensions, the curious bro- ken roof line is also noteworthy. Within are curious twisting stairways, the ancient kitchen chimney- place, with its fire back and crane still in position, paneling of the best period and old blue tiles to testify to the
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WANTON-LYMAN-HAZARD HOUSE-(1675) Probably the oldest house now standing in Newport. This his- toric shrine recently restored, embodies much of Newport's long and honorable history.
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value that successive owners set upon their cherished possessions.
Nor is this all. Much history has been enacted here. We can remember the struggles of our fore- fathers for liberty as we look on these walls, for here took place one of those stamp tax riots which marked the indignation of all true patriots, at King George's tyrannical measures, as they thought them. Martin Howard, a Tory, found that his position as Stamp Master cost him dearly, when his house was looted, door and window frames torn out and an attempt made to destroy the chimney. Ten years before Con- cord and Lexington, Newport ranged itself thus strongly on the patriot side.
During the period of the French sojourn here, the old house was a favorite haunt of the gay young officers. They scrawled on the window pane with their diamond rings-"Charming Polly Wanton", for the Governor's son, John Wanton, now resided here with his family. Many are the stories told of their pleasure in frequenting the simple Quaker home.
This old house, so interesting in every way, has now been preserved and restored. All Newport has interested itself in the matter, making possible the opening of this historic shrine to the public during the summer season, a shrine embody- ing in itself something of Newport's long and honorable history, and illustrating the way of life of our forefathers, when King
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Prescott House-Headquarters of British During Revolution
George ruled the land, in the days of the infant Re- public.
PRESCOTT HOUSE
Situated at the corner of Spring and Pelham streets, is the Prescott or Bannister House, built be- tween 1737 and 1767. Belonging to John Bannister who with his family left town at the outbreak of the war, General Prescott of the British Army, then took possession of it for his headquarters.
PRESCOTT HOUSE-Sometimes known as Sayer or Bannister House-occupied in 1777 by General Pres- cott, commander of the British Army.
JONATHAN NICHOLS HOUSE
HIS house was built about 1730 and is lo- cated on the corner of Marlborough and Farewell Streets, and was then known as the "White Horse Tavern". The General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations is said to have met in its parlors because of its prominence in the minds of the legisla- tors. It is also said there was considerable controversy as to the facing of the State House when it was built, as some thought it should face the Tavern and be in a direct walking line from it, but others urged that it face the water, the main highway of the town, which opinion fortunately prevailed.
SAMUEL VERNON HOUSE
Built in 1758 by Metcalf Bowler, a wealthy merchant and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, this sturdy Georgian dwelling (now no longer a pri- vate residence, and hence open in part to the pub- lic) has been carefully preserved, and its beautiful interior woodwork, its mahogany balustrades and graceful shadow rail, its paneled chimney pieces and Delft-tiled hearths, give one quite a different con- ception of the "simplicity" of our ancestors from that fostered by our school histories. The house, too, is haunted by French ghosts. It was in this house that Rochambeau made his headquarters dur- ing the Revolution, and here in a ball-
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Vernon House-Revolutionary Headquarters of French
room he built behind-since torn down-his officers entertained. Here, too, Washington and Lafayette were guests, and here the young Comte Axel de Fer- sen lived as aid to Rochambeau, and dreamed, no doubt, of Marie Antoinette, whose name he had fled to protect, because they could scarce look at each other without showing the love in their eyes. There is a bust of the Empress in the old hall now, and the ghost of her lover on the stairs. Newport with- out distinction before Manhattan
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fashion came! What dandy of Ward McAllister's Four Hundred was the lover of an Empress?
This old house is at the corner of Clarke and Mary Streets, and here came Washington to confer with Rochambeau about the war in March 1781.
Also on Clarke Street is a house which was once the home of Washington Allston, the artist, and on the corner is the house formerly the home of William Ellery, Jr., son of the signer of the Declaration of Independence.
On Division Street is the home of Dr. Samuel Hopkins, the first clergyman in America to preach against human slavery.
On School Street is the birthplace of William Ellery Channing.
In the neighborhood near Washington Square on Touro Street are the Turner and Asher Robbins houses, also the house where Oliver Hazard Perry lived before his last voyage. This same house was oc- cupied by Moses Levy when DeBivelle, the French quartermaster general, had his headquarters here during the Revolution.
TILLINGHAST HOUSE
This historic house, a typ- ical example of the well-to- do merchant's mansion of the 18th Century, was built in 1760 by John Tillinghast. Sub- sequently it has been the home
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Tillinghast House-Typical 18th Century Mansion
of Colonel Archibald Cary, commander of the 2nd Rhode Island regiment in the Continental Army; of Pardon Tillinghast; of George Gibbs, a leading mer- chant and of William Gibbs, Governor. of Rhode Is- land, 1821-1824. During the winter of 1780-1781, it was occupied by the French regiment of engineers and was the headquarters of General Greene. Here also was entertained Baron Steuben, La- fayette and Kosciusko. It is located on up- per Mill Street and has a commanding view of Touro Park and the Old Stone Mill.
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Governor Malbone's Magnificent Country Estate
MALBONE HOUSES
This house is perhaps the most romantic of all places in or around Newport. The present house was built by J. Prescott Hall in 1850, but the stone used for a part of it was the same old stone of the first house built by Godfrey Malbone in 1744.
Tradition tells us that it was elegantly fur- nished, that it has a spiral staircase up which the proud lady of the house refused to let the country boys ascend to pour water on the roof when the house caught fire on the day of a great dinner party
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Town House and Office of Governor Malbone
which her husband was giving to his ship captains on their return from successful slave trips in Africa. We are told that Malbone had the dinner removed to the lawn where it was eaten while the mansion burned. The terrace and fish pond still remain where a magnificent garden once smiled.
Mr. Hall restored it to much of its pristine glory and it is still a lovely spot.
The house cost $100,000, a large sum in those days, and so prodigal was Godfrey Mal- bone with his wealth that at the close of cach of the dinners given to his captains and
crews, the hilarious guests were given free license to smash every dish and plate on the table. Needless to say that Mrs. Malbone saw to it that none of her precious china was in evidence at that dinner.
This house was the country estate of Malbone and is located on Malbone Road.
The Malbone town house was used as a depot of treasure held by the British during their occupa- tion. Situated on lower Thames Street, it is opposite a wharf called Hinds Wharf. At its foot in the early part of the last century lay the remains of Captain Cook's famous ship "Endeavor", in which he cir- cumnavigated the globe in 1768-69.
Opposite the Malbone House was once the home of Captain Taylor who was with Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie.
Farther north on Thames Street on Cotton's Court is the home of Dr. Cotton, who was surgeon with Perry at Lake Erie.
ROBINSON HOUSE
This house is still owned and in the summer is occupied by members of the family descended from Quaker Tom Robinson. Located on Washington Street at the corner of Poplar Street, on the waterfront, during the Revolution first British and then French officers were quartered in it, all of whom were said to have been greatly
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HUNTER HOUSE CHINA CLOSET. An exceptionally fine example of the craftmanship of middle - eighteenth century. Typical of hand - carved woodwork to be found in Newport homes of well-to-do merchants of the period.
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Robinson House-Rich with Revolutionary History
captivated by the beauty of the Robinson girls, much to the discomfort of their prudent mother.
ROME PROPERTY
At the present time owned by Miss Storer, this house is modern when compared with the other houses of the Revolutionary Era, and stands on the site of the old Rome shipyards. Rome was a wealthy Englishman who carried on an extensive shipping business. He owned large warehouses near
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Hunter House-Washington Street-Erected about 1746
the shipyard, but all ended with the Revolution. Be- ing an avowed Tory, in the battles of 1773, his warehouses were demolished and his stores destroyed. He was obliged to take refuge on the British frigate "Rose" and that was the last heard of him.
The house in which Rome lived was built about 1752 and stands on the opposite corner to the Rob- inson house on Washington Street. It is generally known as the Henry Collins Town House; Rome having taken the house in settlement of debts owed by Collins who, as a man of wealth and culture, gave the land where Redwood Library stands, but whose fortune was depleted by the British Admiralty
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Johnstone House-Lord Percy's Revolutionary Quarters
Laws of 1756. This house was later occupied by Jane, daughter of Gilbert Stuart, who lived here with her mother.
There are many more old houses on Water or Washington Street as it is now called. The Shipley House, once the home of Captain Brownell who was with Perry at Lake Erie, is on the water side. Opposite is the Southwick House, built about 1760 and occupied by the British during the Revolution. Farther south is the Hunter House, now St. Joseph's Convent. Its well known pineapple doorway, re- puted to have been designed by Peter Harrison, was
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removed a few years ago and now forms the door- way of the parsonage of St. John's Church, at the corner of Poplar Street.
One house of historic interest away from the centre of the town is the Johnstone House on Cliff Avenue near Newport Beach. This was the head- quarters of Lord Percy (British) who tried to pre- vent wanton destruction, notably among the books of the Redwood Library, during the years when the British held Newport.
THE RHODE ISLAND GAZETTE OF 1732
On Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1732, the "Rhode Island Gazette", the colony's first newspaper, ap- peared on the streets of Newport. It was a modest four page sheet which was "Printed and Sold by James Franklin, at his Printing House under the Town-School-House where advertisements and let- ters to the Author are taken in".
James Franklin, (1696-1735) was the first man to bring a printing press to Rhode Island. The Ga- zette was not his first journalistic venture, for he had had a brief, but acrimonious experience as a printer and editor in Massachusetts. Returning in 1717 from his apprenticeship in London, James Franklin had been commissioned by the postmaster, William Brooker, to print the Boston Gazette. After forty numbers had been printed, Philip Musgrave was made postmaster, and to Franklin's dismay he
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BROWNELL HOUSE-House of Captain Brownell, a companion of Commodore Oliver Haz- ard Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie.
awarded the printing contract to Samuel Kneeland. Taking advantage of the excited condition of Mass- achusetts over the "innoculation war" Franklin then started the New England Courant, August 6, 1721, and under his editorship, the Courant became the chief "liberal" organ, and devoted much of its space to attacking those who preached on the virtues of innoculation.
The Courant continued its pugnacious course, ever critical of those in authority until June 1722, when Franklin was jailed for charging the colonial officials with negligence in suppressing piracy. Dur- ing his imprisonment, the paper was carried on by his brother Benjamin. The Courant did not flourish, and in fear of further arrest, he was induced by his other brother, John, who was living in Newport to move here and establish a newspaper. To these cir- cumstances Rhode Island owes her first newspaper. In 1727, he began publishing such pamphlets and sermons as offered themselves, and in 1731, as the official printer, put forth part of an edition of the laws of the colony.
When the Rhode Island Gazette made its ap- pearance, the readers were warned not to complain if: "the Paper is not always full of important events, which Times of Peace and Tranquility do not af- ford". Lack of seasonable news appeared to be one of the editor's difficulties. Foreign news at times occupied more than half the paper; at other times none at all was included. Of
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strictly local news the Gazette printed all it could, but there never were more than a half dozen items per issue, and often none at all. The most spectacular event in Newport during the short life of the Ga- zette was the escape, in his wife's clothing, of a convicted murderer:
"Yesterday Night, (October 10, 1732) his wife and child going to visit him, after staying about half an Hour, she came to the outward Door of the Prison, and desir'd the Prison-Keeper to lend her a Mugg to fetch some Milk for her Husband; adding, "'Tis no Matter, now I think on't, there's one in the Room with him". Presently after (the Prisoner) having put on his Wife's Cloak and Bonnet, knock'd at the Door; and the Prison- Keeper letting him into the Priviledg'd Room, he walk'd through it in the View of him and several others, who mistook him for his Wife. The Prison-Keeper going im- mediately to lock the Inner Doors, found his Prisoner was gone, and his Wife and Child left in the Room where he was confin'd."
Although the militia was called out and all citizens were ordered by Governor William Wanton to "make Hue and Cry" the condemned man was not recaptured, at least in so far as the Gazette took notice of the affair.
It was on December 14, 1732 that James Frank- lin published the Rhode Island Almanack for the year 1733, fitted to the meridian of Newport. As his more illustrious brother Benjamin published Poor Richard's Almanac, so authorship of the Rhode Is- land one was ascribed to Poor Robin. Custom house notices of the arrival and departure of ships
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FRANKLIN'S PRESS. The press on which printer James Franklin and his illustrious brother Benjamin, printed the "Courant" and later the "Rhode Island Gazette". Now on exhibition in Mechanics Building, Boston, Mass.
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