The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 14

Author: National biographical publishing co., pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Providence, National biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 868

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PERNON, GABRIEL, a distinguished French refugee, was born at Rochelle, France, April 6, 1644. He belonged to an ancient and highly respectable family, and was a man of large property. The tradition is that he was at one time hereditary regis- trar of Rochelle. He was imprisoned two years on ac- count of his religious opinions. Not long after his release, the Edict of Nantes was revoked, and knowing himself to be obnoxious to the government, he fled to Holland, and subsequently found his way to London. While there he was induced, through the persuasions of interested parties, to ship himself, his family and servants, with some other families, and paid passage for above forty persons for America, and landed in Boston in 1688. His residence for ten years was in Boston. In fulfilment of promises made to him before leaving London, there was a grant first made to him of 750 acres of land at New Oxford, in Massachusetts, and subsequently 1750 more acres were added, making in all 2500 acres. In the settlement at New Oxford, whither quite a number of the Huguenots who had come over with him established themselves, Mr. Bernon took a great interest. He removed to Newport, Rhode Island, in 1697. About this time he left the French Reformed Church and became an Episcopalian. His name appears first on a petition which was sent by sixteen mem- bers of the Church of England to the Earl of Bellamont, Governor of the American Colonies, asking for aid in their

attempt to support Episcopal worship in Newport. The petition was granted. A minister was sent to them, and a house of worship ereeted in 1702, which, proving to be too small, the present venerable Trinity Church, within the churchyard of which repose the remains of so many emi- nent citizens of that early period, was built in 1726. Pre- cisely how long Mr. Bernon remained in Newport is not known. He resided in Narragansett some years, and then removed to Providence, where he interested himself very much in the founding of the third Episcopal Church in Rhode Island, now St. John's, which place of worship was built in 1722. He died in Providence, February 1, 1736. Mr. Bernon was twice married. His first wife was Esther Le Roy, daughter of François Le Roy, of Rochelle, by whom he had ten children, eight of whom came to this country with him. She died in Newport, June 14, 1710. Of the eight children referred to, Jane married, October II, 1722, Colonel William Coddington, of Newport. Esther married Adam Howell, or Powell, May 30, 1713. Samuel Seabury, the first Bishop of the Episcopal Church in America, was the grandson of Esther Bernon, her daughter Elizabeth being the wife of Rev. Samuel Sea- bury, the father of the bishop. Marie, another daugh- ter of Mr. Bernon, married Gabriel Tourtellot, a well- known Rhode Island name. Another daughter, Sarah, was the wife of Benjamin Whipple, another noted Rhode Island name. The eldest son, Gabriel, was drowned by a shipwreck in early manhood. Mr. Bernon's second wife, whom he married in 1712, was Mary Harris, daughter of Thomas Harris, second, and grandniece of Roger Wil- liams's companion, William Harris. By this wife he had four children. The eldest, Gabriel, died young. The eldest daughter, Susanne, married Joseph, son of William Craw- ford, August 23, 1734. The next daughter, Mary, was the wife of Gideon Crawford, and their daughter Sarah was the first wife of Captain Zachariah Allen. The last daughter, Eve, died unmarried. The house in which Mr. Bernon lived when he resided in Providence was directly opposite what was known as King's, now St. John's Church, and next north of the house occupied afterwards by his great-grandson, Governor Philip Allen. A bronze , tablet was erected to the memory of Mr. Bernon in St. John's Church. Judge Elisha Potter says of him that " he was a gentleman by birth and estate, and in leaving his native land the greater part of his estate was necessarily left behind him. He was a courteous, honest, kindly gen- tleman, behaving himself as a zealous professor of the Protestant religion, and dying in the faith and hope of a Redeemer, and with the inward assurance of salvation ; leaving a good name among all his acquaintances, and, by his upright life, giving evidence of the power of Christianity in sustaining him through his great sufferings in leaving his country and a great estate, that he might worship God according to his conscience." He adds that " the family of Bernon is registered in the Historical and Genealogical

BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA

Dictionary of the Families of Ancient Poitou, and it is stated there that the name has been known and celebrated since the earliest ages of the French monarchy."

ULL, GOVERNOR HENRY, was born in South Wales in 1610, and came to this country in the James, Captain Graves, arriving in Boston June 4, 1635. He first took up his residence in Rox- bury, and was made a freeman in May, 1637. Subsequently he removed to Boston, where he became involved in the Mrs. Hutchinson affair, and was among the large number of citizens, adherents of this lady, who were disarmed by the government, which did not consider itself safe so long as her followers were in possession of weapons of warfare. Drake, in his History of Boston, says that " this disarming operation was a very serious affair, and much blood has flowed from far less causes. The peaceable manner in which it was submitted to ought to have convinced the rulers of the sincerity of the motives of those to whom the indignity was offered." Governor Arnold refers to it as " a most remarkable act, unparal- leled in the subsequent history of the American States. Seventy-five names are enumerated as the objects of this astonishing order, which, naturally enough, as the finale of so much tyranny, aroused a strong feeling of indigna- tion." The persecuted party, among whom was Henry Bull, then in the freshness of his early manhood, had for some time been considering the question of escaping from the tyrannical grasp of the " Lord's Brethren." Under the leadership of John Clarke and William Coddington, their first plan was to find a home for themselves on Long Island, or near Delaware Bay, and they had actually set sail from Boston to carry this plan into execution. While, however, their vessel was doubling Cape Cod, they went by land to Providence. Narragansett Bay, which seemed the destined refuge for outcasts of every faith, attracted the wanderers by its fertile shores and genial climate. They were recommended by Roger Williams, in whom, as may readily be supposed, they found a sympathizing friend, to settle at Sowams, afterwards called Phebe's Neck, in Barrington, on the mainland, or on the island of Aquidneck, now Rhode Island. So much interest did he take in the matter that he accompanied the exploring party, of which, probably, Henry Bull was one, to Plym- outh to inquire about Sowams. As it was found to be claimed within the Plymouth patent, it was decided that the exiles should proceed to Aquidneck. A deed of the island was obtained from Canonicus and Miantonomi, and a settlement commenced, which was called Pocasset, at the cove on the northeast part of the island, in the town of

Portsmouth. In the " Civil Compact " formed at Provi- dence by the Aquidneck settlers, and signed by nineteen persons, the name of Henry Bull appears as the eighteenth. Five days after the signing of this compact the General Court of Massachusetts passed an act formally banishing William Coddington, with nine others, among whom was the subject of this sketch, with their families, from the Bay State. The little colony, now safe from persecution, rapidly thrived and grew. We find that in June, 1638, the matter of a military organization was discussed in meetings held by the citizens, and at the third of these meetings officers for the trainbands were chosen, Randal Holden and Henry Bull being elected corporals. A few months after he was chosen sergeant, "to execute orders of the Court, to serve warrants, and to keep the prison, with similar power to demand aid from any persons in the dis- charge of his office." We find his name among the seven " elders " who, under date of April 28, 1639, agreed " to propagate a Plantation in the midst of the island, or else- where, etc." The " Plantation " referred to was Newport, whither the colony proceeded, taking with them the records of the Aquidneck settlement down to this date. Hence- forth Henry Bull is identified with the fortunes of the colony at Newport. Without dwelling particularly upon the events of his life for a number of years, it may suffice to say that Governor Coddington having declined his re-election in 1685 as chief magistrate, Henry Bull was chosen to fill the office. It was about this time that Edward Randolph was plotting in England against the liberties of the colonies, and urged the revoking of the charters of Connecticut and Rhode Island. He was sent to New England in the summer of 1685 to carry into exe- cution his plans. Fortunately for Governor Bull, his term of office expired at the expiration of the year 1685-86, and he escaped the annoyances which fell to the lot of his successor. The appointment of Sir Edmund Andros as Governor General of the New England Colonies, and the arbitrary measures to which he resorted, are familiar to readers of American history. Rhode Island did not es- cape the tyranny of Andros. Party politics ran high in 1689, Royalists and Republicans dividing the colony. There had for some time been a confused state of things. For nearly four years the Assembly had held no session. At length, February 26, 1689-90, it convened. Governor Walter Clarke, who was absent, was sent for, came, but declined to act, and resigned his office. Christopher Almy was chosen to take his place. He also declined. It was then, as Bancroft tells us, that " all eyes turned to one of the old Antinomian exiles, the more than octogenarian, Henry Bull," and he was elected. He served one year, and then, on account of his great age, refused a re-election. His death took place in 1694. Governor Bull was twice married, his first wife, Elizabeth, was the mother of sev- eral children. His second wife was the widow of Gov- ernor N. Easton.

BIOGRAPHIICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

IELD FAMILY. Among the early settlers of Providence, we find the name of William Field, spelled variously Ffeld, Ffeild, and Ffield. IIe is said to have migrated to this country in 1632, and to have removed to Providence from Dorchester,

3 Mass., in 1636, the year that Roger Williams commenced his settlement in Rhode Island. His name appears in the list of the fifty-four owners of " home lots," i. e., the territory bounded on the west by what is now North and South Main Streets, and Hope Street on the east. We find also that he was " Assistant " from Providence to " the General Assembly for election " at Newport in 1650, and for several subsequent years. In the oldest " rate-bill" extant, we observe that he was assessed £3 6s. 8d., this amount being exceeded only by that which was paid by Benedict Arnold, viz., £5. That he occupied a prominent and honorable position among the citizens of the colony is evident from the circumstance that he filled positions in civil life of the most responsible character. He was one of the Commissioners appointed at a town meeting, held November 16, 1663, to be sent to Newport on the 24th of the same month, " to solemnize the receipt of the charter, according to advice of the colony's agent to the Council." The convocation was held at the time designated, " a very great assembly of the people." The box in which had been placed the Charter was exhibited in sight of the Assembly, and "it was then resolved," as the record tells us, "that the box in which the King's gracious letters were inclosed be opened, and the letters, with the broad seal thereto affixed, be taken forth and read by Captain George Baxter, in the audience and view of all the people, which was accord- ingly done, and the said letters, with his Majesty's royal stamp, and the broad seal, with much beseeming gravity, held up on high, and presented to the perfect view of the people, and so returned into the box, and locked up by the Governor in order to the safe keeping." So far as we can learn, this was the last post of honor which was filled by William Field, who died not far from the date of the meeting referred to. Leaving no children, his nephew, Thomas, was heir to his estate. He died in Providence, August 10, 1717, having had three children, Thomas, Wil- liam, and Elizabeth. He was among the few citizens " that stayed and went not away," and who suffered from the attack which the Indians made on the town, March 30, 1676. It was before his house, " under a tree by the water- side," that the annual town meeting was held in June of this year. Judge Staples says that " the tree referred to was probably the old sycamore which formerly stood on the east side of South Main Street nearly opposite Crawford Street. It was eut down by the sidewalk commissioners about 1822." The house of Thomas Field stood where the Providence Institution for Savings now stands, not far from the site on which has lately been erected the elegant Armory Building of the First Light Infantry. The eldest son of Thomas bore his father's name, and died some time

in the ycar 1752. The second son, William, died Novem- ber 5, 1789, and the daughter, Elizabeth, married John Yeats, Jr. The family now begins to ramify in so many directions that we have not sufficient space to trace minute- ly its different branches. We mention some of the more prominent representatives of the name. The landed pos- sessions of the first William Field were very large, extend- ing into Cranston, Warwick, Johnston, Scituate, Glouces- ter, and Smithfield. Eight hundred acres of land adjacent to Field's Point, a well-known locality near Providence, was included in his possessions, and it was the homestead of later generations. Deacon John Field, a descendant of John, brother of William, is spoken of as having been " one of the most noted men of his time for his enterprise, piety, and benevolence." Captain William Field, of Field's Point, had several sons who were noted men in their day. " No young men in the State were more ' looked up to ' than Abner and Nehemiah Field." Before they were twenty-one they held commissions in the Continen- tal Army, and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. Hon. George Field, of Cranston, the youngest son of Cap- tain Williams, held a high social position, and was noted for his moral and social qualities. He was well known as one who honored positions of trust and distinction which he was called to fill. He bore the title of " George Field, the Cato of the Senate." Charles Field, from whom the street on the east side of Providence bearing that name was called, was born in Providence about 1713, and died April 28, 1749. Abigail Field, great-granddaughter of Thomas, already referred to, married, October 7, 1743, Ben- jamin Gorham, a descendant of Captain John Gorham, of Gorhamburg, England, and Desire Howland, who came to America in the Mayflower. Jeremiah, grandson of Thom- as, married Lydia Colwell, great-granddaughter of Roger Williams. The genealogy of the Field Family gives the names of 362 persons, descendants of Thomas, nephew and heir of the first William Field. They are scattered through different sections of the country. The branch of the family which represents the Fields of Field's Point sprang from Jeremiah and Abigail (Waterman) Field, Jeremiah being the grandson of the original Thomas. The -

" Field Genealogy " gives the names of 109 descendants in this branch of the family. Very numerous, also, have been the descendants of John Field, without doubt the brother of the original William. It is known that he was living in Providence in 1637. The names of 205 descend- ants in this line may be found in the Genealogy of the Field Family. A few only of these names can be men- tioned. Deacon John Field, the fifth of the name in direct descent, lived in Providence. He was born in 1727, and married Lydia Warren, sister of General Joseph Warren, of Bunker Hill memory. They had four sons and three daughters. That part of Providence now eovering Pine, Friendship, Clifford, and Bassett streets, with included territory, was once a part of the farm of John Field. This

BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

farm extended far beyond the old burial-ground on the " West Side" of Providence. He sold a portion out of this southwesterly part of the farm to different societies for one hundred Spanish milled dollars each, about ninety years ago. Of the many descendants of the seven chil- dren of John and Lydia (Warren) Field, a large number are prominently engaged in business at home and abroad. To his three daughters, Lydia, Abigail, and Zerviah, he gave eight acres of land in what is now a thickly settled portion of Providence. The daughter of Lydia, who mar. ried Joseph Bowler, became the wife of Joseph Fry, of Albany, N. Y. The second daughter, Abigail, married Daniel Proud. The youngest daughter, Zerviah, married Bennett Wheeler, the publisher of The United States Chronicle from 1784 to 1804. The fourth son of Bennett and Zerviah (Field) Wheeler, Bennett H., was a person of considerable distinction in his native town. He was ac- complished both as an editor and a printer. The third son of Deacon John Field, Daniel, adopted his nephew and namesake, Daniel, son of his brother Lemuel, and at his decease left him a valuable property. This nephew became a prominent and influential citizen, and died possessed of a large estate. The Field Genealogy contains the names of 94 of the descendants of James Field, son of John, 4th, of Providence, and great-great-grandson of the first John Field. Another line, representing 171 persons, has been traced, that of Zachariah, the second son of the original John. In this branch are found many well-known Providence names. Still another branch of the family has been traced, of which 81 names are recorded, that of Joseph, son of Zachariah. Mrs. Harriet A. Brownell, author of the Genealogy of the Field Family, states that there are several families in Providence that are not descendants from the first settlers of that name; that the family of Rev. Samuel W. Field are descendants of Darby Field, the first white man that ascended the White Mountains, and who settled in New Hampshire ; and that Mr. Silas M. Field, son of Robert Field, who resided in Carmel, Maine, told her that he was informed by the late Daniel Field, of Provi- dence,-of two generations back,-that a brother of the first John Field settled in Maine, and doubtless was his pro- genitor.

ANDS, JAMES, born in 1622, at Reading, in the County of Berks, England, was one of the early settlers of Portsmouth, R. I., where he was a free- man in 1655. He left Rhode Island with the famous Ann Hutchinson, and assisted in erecting for her a dwelling in the wild at East Chester, New York. Abandoning from necessity the Indian country that proved so calamitous to Mrs. Hutchinson, he re- turned to Rhode Island, and then removed for a short time to Taunton, Mass., but in 1663, with his wife Sarah, removed to Block Island. Being one of the first to per-

manently settle on this island, and at a time when the aborigines were numerous and much excited, he erected a large stone edifice, which was widely known as the garri- son-house, an important structure in its day. It stood near the mill-pond, not far from the harbor. When the French captured the island the third time, Mr. Sands and his family fled from the garrison-house and secreted themselves in the woods. His wife, in addition to her home duties, was the doctress of the island, being skilled both in surgery and medicine. Mr. Sands, being in har- mony with the principles of Rhode Island, was active in connecting the island with the colony, and in the incorpo- ration of the township of New Shoreham, in 1672. During King Philip's War, Mr. Sands's garrison-house was a refuge for the endangered families of the island, and Mr. Sands was really the guardian of the territory. He represented Block Island in the General Assembly of the colony in the years 1678, 1680, and 1690. Manifestly he was a man of unusual endowments of mind, energy of purpose, and purity of character, fitted to be the leader of a community in the days of trial. He had five sons and three daugh- ters. John, James, Samuel, and Job removed to Cowneck, on Long Island ; Edward remained on Block Island and married Mary Williams, daughter of John Williams, Feb- ruary 12, 1685; the eldest daughter was drowned in a pond near her father's house; the younger, Mercy, was married to Joshua Raymond, of New London. Mr. Sands died on the island March 13, 1695, and left his homestead to his son Edward. His widow, Sarah, in her will, proved July 6, 1702, made special provision that no child born under her protection and care should be made a slave, and so provided for the bringing up and emancipation of several negro children, a fact which, observes Hon. Wil- liam P. Sheffield, a son and historian of the island, " enti- tles her to be ranked among the earliest abolitionists." The members of the Sands family have occupied promi- nent and honorable positions in the society and life of New Shoreham. Colonel Ray Sands and Captain Ed- ward Sands were officers in the Revolutionary army.

GASTON, GOVERNOR JOHN, son of Nicholas Easton, was born in 1617, in Wales, and came to this country with his father in 1634, and shared with him in his fortunes from the time of his arrival to that of his settlement in Newport. That he was well educated for the times in which he lived appears from the fact that he was chosen Attorney-General of the united governments of Portsmouth and Newport from May 17, 1653, to September 12, 1654, also from May 20, 1656, to May 19, 1657, and from May 22, 1660, to May 22, 1663. Under the royal charter he held the same office from May 4, 1664, to May 4, 1670, and for the years 1672, '73, '74. He was Deputy Governor from May, 1674, to April, 1676.

BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

In 1690, Governor Henry Bull declining a re-election on account of the infirmitics of age, Mr. Easton was chosen his successor. It was an important period in the history of Rhode Island. At the time when he entered upon the duties of his office " the first grand period of Rhode Island history," says Governor Arnold, " the formation period, was ended. The era of domestic strife and outward conflict for existence, of change and interruption, of doubt and gloom, anxiety and distress had almost passed. The prob- lem of self-government was solved, and a new era of inde- pendent action commenced." Governor Easton was in office five years,-1690-95,-and well and faithfully did he discharge the duties assigned to him, all his services, as those of the deputy governor and assistants, being performed gratuitously, only they were excepted from paying any colony tax. One memorable event took place during his administration,-the attack of Captain Thomas Paine on five French sail near Block Island in July, 1690, in which the French were beaten. "The brilliant exploit'of Paine at once inspired the people of this colony with a naval spirit. It was the first victory of Rhode Island in the open ocean, and the worthy harbinger of many daring deeds." Governor Easton lived some ten years after his term of service had expired, and died December 12, 1705. One important production of his pen has within a few years been republished, his." Narrative of King Philip's War," Albany, 1858.

STI ARR, GOVERNOR CALEB, was born in 1623, and was among the early settlers of Rhode Island. He was a Friend by religious profession. As an evidence of the confidence which his fellow-citizens re- posed in his integrity, we find that he was chosen Treasurer of the colony, and held the office from May 21, 1661, to May 22, 1662. We find also his name associated with the names of three other persons who were sent by the Couneil at Newport to Wickford to sit in judgment on certain matters in dispute between Connecticut and Rhode Island. In a list of persons who secured the services of certain Indians who were taken captive in King Philip's War we notice the name of Caleb Carr. The terms on which these captive Indians were disposed of were, " all under five years to serve till thirty; above five and under ten, till twenty-eight; above ten to fifteen, till twenty- seven ; above fifteen to twenty, till twenty-six; from twenty to thirty shall serve eight years ; all above thirty, seven years." Mr. Carr took one of these Indians,-what was his age is not stated,-for which he paid to the town of Providence twelve bushels of Indian corn. In 1678 he was chosen Third Assistant under Governor John Cranston, and in May, 1695, he was elected Governor to succeed Governor John Easton, who had been in office for the five preceding years. Up to this period for most of the time

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The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 14

Author: National biographical publishing co., pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Providence, National biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 868

Author: National biographical publishing co., pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Providence, National biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 868