USA > Rhode Island > The "Old Stone Bank" history of Rhode Island, Vol. II > Part 9
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The best and closing years of his life were spent in his beloved literary pursuits. His moderate and well-sustained habits, the result of self-discipline, begun late in his life, carried him in full vigor to the end of his life when he died, in 1820, at the age of ninety-three.
Modest, composed, retrospective, a man beloved of the young and old, strong in his beliefs yet open-minded, he was not content with superficiality in either his most per- sonal or impartial opinions and research and typified always the splendid type of quiet-tempered and cultured gentleman who is a joy and an asset to any generation or century.
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FISH AND FISHERIES OF RHODE ISLAND
TN THIS day, when the waters in and around Rhode Island have to be stocked peri- odically to maintain their supply of fish for both professional and amateur fisher- men, it should be of some interest, especi- ally to such native Izaak Waltons as may be left, to look back to the Rhode Island of yesterday, when the idea of stocking ponds and streams with trout, salmon, or bass would have hailed as an absurdity. As a matter of fact, none of the early settlers in the State could have been expected to have foreseen a day when any such pro- cedure would be necessary. The Rhode Is- land of the day of the Norsemen, of Verraz- zano, and of Roger Williams was a sports- man's paradise. The woods were full of all kinds of game; the ground was unusually fertile and supported a luxuriant vegeta- tion; and the waters teemed with fish. But the men and women of that day did not look at all these natural advantages with the eyes of sportsmen. To them, the game, fish, and fertile soil symbolized a good living- food which could be easily secured.
Thus, for more than two centuries, the inhabitants of the Colony applied them- selves to the extravagant consumption of their natural resources, assuming them to be inexhaustible. Only at the end of that time did they take serious notice of the re- sults of their wastefulness. And then the natural stock of fish had been so far de- pleted that even the strictest conservation had little effect. Breeding more fish to re- stock the waters was the only solution.
The first law on fishing was passed in 1640 by the Aquidneck (later the Rhode Island) Colony and stated that inhabitants of Newport might fish to their hearts' con- tent in Newport waters. Kingston and other towns along the Pettaquamscutt River formed similar laws for their inhabitants before the close of the century. Interference with those who made their living by fishing
was forbidden under the most severe pen- alties. However, a section of the King Charles Charter of 1663 best illustrates the general attitude toward the question of fish- ing and fishing rights. It reads as follows:
"We do .... ordain and appoint that these presents shall not, in any measure, hinder any of our loving subjects, whatso- ever, from using and exercising the trade of fishing upon the coast of New England, in America, but they may, and any or every- one of them, shall have full and free power and liberty to continue and use the trade of fishing upon the said coast, in any of the seas thereunto adjoining or any arms of the seas, or salt-water, rivers, and creeks where they have been accustomed to fish, and to build and set upon the waste land belonging to the said Colony and Plantations such wharves, stages and work-houses as shall be necessary for the salting, drying, and keep- ing of their fish to be taken or gotten upon the coast."
This was literally a royal invitation to make the most of the fishing at hand, and it was accepted thoroughly.
In 1719, a temporary special statute was passed by the General Assembly forbidding the further construction of dams and other obstructions across streams which prevented the free passage of fish. Under this law, in- dividual Town Councils were made respon- sible for its infringements within their pre- cincts. In 1735, seining and trapping were restricted to certain months of the year and entirely forbidden during Saturday, Sun- day, and Monday of each week, while line- fishing was only forbidden on Sundays. Yet such legislation, with the many varying amendments through the years, was of no actual benefit to either seiners or line-fisher- men, and a rivalry between the two classes for protective legislation sprang up.
In 1761, we find a new method of dealing with the problem of falls and dams across rivers. The people north of Pawtucket Falls petitioned the legislature for permis- sion to run a lottery to raise money for the
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construction of a tunnel through the Falls, or a channel around them, through which fish could pass from the lower into the up- per waters. The petition was granted, and £1500 was raised to build what was called a "fish-way." The obstruction problem at John Arnold's dam, higher up on the river at Woonsocket, had been solved in a similar manner, through the building of a trench through which fish could pass. Later, in 1768, the Town of Providence appointed men to go to Pawtucket and lay out a piece of land to be used as a common, with a road into it, for the Town's free fishing.
A legislative committee attempted to make a survey of all the fisheries in 1766, but without success. In 1785, a serious quar- rel arose between the Colonies of Rhode Is- land and Connecticut over the weirs which their respective towns on either side of the Pawcatuck River had constructed. In the fight for rights a group of Rhode Islanders drove a Connecticut captain and his men to Stonington and mobbed them. The mat- ter was laid before the respective legisla- tives bodies of the two Colonies for settle- ment and commissions to deal with it were appointed. However, before anything could be decided, the fish all died, causing the death of the issue as well. This was a direct result of the increase of manufacturing and the consequent building of dams. Ever since 1735, the colonists had become reconciled to such encroachments of their fishing priv- ileges, due to the greater revenue from man- ufacturing, and now they suddenly realized that even the building of fish-ways around such obstructions had had little result. (This was because any fish-ways which interfered with private manufacturing interests were quietly legislated out of existence.) And, after 1857, the legislature abandoned the question of fish-ways entirely.
There had been laws restricting thetaking of fish out of the State by non-residents. How- ever, most of the laws up to this time applied only to fresh water fish. Smelts were the first salt-water fish to receive protection, and this was not until 1857. A commission, appointed the previous year to look into the causes of the diminishing fish supply, re- ported that fish were as plentiful as ever, but its investigation was not very complete. Certain kinds of fish were still abundant and that seemed to be enough. That other kinds
were fast disappearing was only to evident, yet there was no official talk of re-stocking. Scup was then plentiful off West Island and Seakonnet Point, as were also bluefish and tautog.
In 1870, the Commission of Inland Fish- eries was established, but its duties were only to look after fresh water stock. Mean- while the constant arguments went on be- tween trappers and seiners and line-fisher- men. It was inevitable that the former should win out, because people were de- manding more and more fish as food and only large scale methods of catching fish were practical. A concession was made to the line-fishermen's demands by instituting a weekly closed period for trapping and seining, but the results were negligible. In 1879, the Commission of Inland Fisheries was also give full jurisdiction over all the bay fisheries.
Official attention toward re-stocking the waters first appeared in 1868, when salmon were raised and put in the rivers. This fish did not breed well, however, and soon disap- peared. Black bass were then introduced from out of the State and thrived in Rhode Island waters. The idea of re-stocking, though not given legislative support until so late, had originated privately in 1825 with the Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industries. This society did the best it could, giving premiums for the breed- ing and fattening of fish, but its small efforts passed without official recognition, until necessity forced the State to adopt the plan itself. Probably the single and constant labor of Newton Dexter, a member of the Inland Fisheries Commission and a lover of fishing as a sport, did more to establish the present methods of regularly re-stocking rivers and streams than anything else. Fish for re-stocking were obtained from the United States Fish Commission and con- sisted mainly of shad, trout, and black bass. And this method of keeping up the supply has continued to the present, being the only way after all.
In all this survey, one thing is dominant, that nothing was done officially for the pro- tection of one of Rhode Island's greatest natural industries until forced by necessity. Lobsters were not protected until 1881, and then they were fast disappearing. It has been the same with other natural sources of
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supply throughout the country. The buffalo, beaver, wood pigeon, and timber all ex- isted in vast quantities for the benefit of the early settlers and western pioneers. And they have been used prodigally and wasted, until within a comparatively short time ago.
If there is any moral, it is the one which should inspire a foresightedness in the con- servation of all sources of natural supply, something which, had it been applied some centuries earlier, might have been bearing rich fruits today.
HANNAH ROBINSON
0 NE of the most romantic figures in all Rhode Island history was Hannah Robinson, whose name has been immortal- ized because of her association with the so- called "Hannah's Rock," a shrine which has been visited by many who have heard the touching story of her undying love for a faithless husband. In 1746, Mr. Roland Robinson, Hannah's father, built a beauti- ful homestead, which is still standing and occupied, just off the Boston Neck Road about five miles north of Narragansett Pier, not far from the "Old South Ferry."
It was in this year, also, that Hannah was born. Soon after her birth a colored child was born to one of the family slaves and she was called "Hannah" after her young mis- tress, for as soon as she was old enough she was made the young lady's special maid. Later another daughter came into the family and she was called Mary. William, the brother, followed about thirteen years after the birth of his sister Hannah.
In her happy, prosperous home, Hannah Robinson grew into young ladyhood, and her father, anxious to give his children the best possible education, sent her to a famous school in Newport, a school for young ladies, kept by a Madam Osborne.
Hannah Robinson was so good and so beautiful and so full of grace of mind and personality that she seems more like a myth than a real person. Mrs. Turrell, a descend- ant, says of her, that she "was rather above medium height, with a clear complextion delicately tinted with rose; dark hazel eyes, Grecian features of the finest mould throughout; a faultless head of auburn hair, swan-like neck and shoulders, a lovely ex- pression, and of an incomparable grace in speech, manner and carriage." Certainly
all traditions are that she was the most beau- tiful girl in the American Colonies, and it does not seem strange that her father should have had great ambitions for her future.
Hannah, then, in all the first bloom of her beauty, entered this select school in New- port, and there it was that she met M. Pierre Simond, who taught dancing and French. He was the son of an old Huguenot family of some note, and Mrs. Turrell writes of him that "He was of pleasing person and seduc- tive manners."
It is probably true that from the first moment of their meeting Hannah Robinson and the young Frenchman fell deeply in love, and that they exchanged pledges of af- fection. The young people managed to meet occasionally outside of classes, and so the time went on until Hannah was to return to her father's house.
Hannah knew well, and Simond realized, that Mr. Robinson, with all his pride and his ambition for his daughter, would never sanction their marriage, and when the time drew near for them to part they were very sad. But Hannah had an uncle, William Gardiner. It is said that, as a son of a sec- ond marriage of Hannah's grandfather, he was scarcely older than his lovely niece, and certain it was that he had a warm, ro- mantic heart and aided the lovers. He employed Simond in his home to teach his young sons, and thus made it possible for the young couple to meet without her father's knowledge.
It is said that Mrs. Robinson divined Han- nah's infatuation for her lover, and did all that she could to dissuade her from it, but finding that all persuasion useless and that her daughter's very health was menaced by any thought of separation, she reluctantly condoned their meeting. The old house is full of cup-boards, the most famous being
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the one in which Hannah once hid her lover. He was calling upon her in the absence of her father, with her mother's knowledge, when they heard her father's steps ap- proaching. He had returned home and true to his invariable custom sought his daugh- ter to bid her an affectionate goodnight. There was but one thing to do and Miss Han- nah did it! She thrust the young Frenchman into her clothes-closet, and there he re- mained safely hid until she had received her father's good-night kiss and the coast was clear for his departure.
But when Hannah remained so unat- tracted by other suitors Mr. Robinson's sus- picions were aroused. One night he stepped to his front door for a breath of fresh air, and as he stood there was surprised to see a bit of white paper fluttering down from Hannah's chamber. Under the windows of her room grew great lilac bushes-there are still great lilac bushes at this old house- and, filled with rage, he rushed to them and beat them vigorously with his stout walking- stick. A young man ran out from his hiding place among them, and Mr. Robinson was furious to note that he was the young Frenchman who taught Colonel Gardiner's youngsters.
There was a terrible scene in the mansion that night, and after a stormy interview with her father, Hannah was, from that hour, virtually a prisoner in her father's house. Whether she walked or rode, from that time, she must be attended either by a member of the family or by some trusted servant. This, of course, was to prevent her meeting ever again Mr. Pierre Simond. But Hannah Robinson was her father's own daughter. She had a will of her own. Also, "all the world loves a lover," and the in- terested neighbors took Hannah's side, and in many a way helped to keep up communication between her and her lover.
At least, two people helped her to elope finally, and these two were the Colonel- uncle and a friend, Miss Belden. Hannah's mother did all in her power to persuade Hannah to give up her lover, but finding all her efforts unavailing and the girl's health impaired by the separation, she finally silently acquiesced in Hannah's plans.
At last all the plans were made for the elopement. Hannah's aunt, Mrs. Ludovick Updike, was to give a great ball at Cocum-
cussoc, about eight miles north of Hannah's home. Guests were coming from Boston, Providence and Newport, and of course it would have been an unheard-of thing if her nieces had not attended. Mr. Robinson had reluctantly given his consent, and when the time came, Hannah and Mary, attended by a faithful servant, "Prince," set forth. Han- nah had bidden her father "goodnight" a little earlier, and perhaps it was well, for when she came to bid her mother farewell, her feelings, suppressed in the presence of her father, overcame her. A descendant writes that she put her arms around her mother's neck and sobbed as if her heart would break. She also bade an affectionate farewell to Phillis, the cook, and to Hannah, her maid. Then she mounted, from the old horse-block still to be seen at the rear of the house, her splendid Spanish horse, and the three young people set forth.
At a spot agreed upon, on Ridge Hill, Mr. Simond was in waiting, Hannah sprang from her horse into his arms, and not heed- ing her sister's tears or the frantic pleadings of the terrified "Prince," the lovers dashed away to Providence, where they were mar- ried. It is said that a sister of Simond assisted Hannah with the necessary ward- robe for her wedding, and the young couple went to the elder Simond's home until Pierre secured some employment in Providence, at which time he took his wife there to live. The year of Hannah's marriage does not appear to have been recorded in any account found of her life, but it is said that she lived for many years in Providence.
It may be that Mr. Robinson's opposition to Hannah's marriage was based upon some- thing more than merely disappointed ambi- tion for his lovely daughter. Certain it is that when M. Simond found that his wife's wealthy father did not come to her aid he gradually neglected the poor child, and finally, it is said, he practically abandoned her.
Mr. Robinson's rage had been, of course, unbounded. He offered a large reward for the names of the person or persons who had helped her to elope, but no one would inform him. But, however implacable he outwardly appeared to be toward his dis- obedient child, his wife noticed that when he came into the house he would many times pass from room to room without apparent reason. Finally she observed that when he
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found the room where Hannah's pet cat was, there he would settle, and once, when he believed himself unobserved, he was seen to press the little beast to his heart, while tears ran down his cheeks. And he would caress Hannah's favorite horse when he thought no one was near.
But he firmly resisted his wife's entreaties that Hannah be sent for to return home. They had come to know that she was in a sad condition in Providence. Her mother and the young brother William knew of her deprivations and assisted her all that they could. Mrs. Robinson sent her daughter small delicacies, her wardrobe, and her little dog, and for a time this was all that she could manage to do for her.
Because of the hardships she had suffered, and the desertion of her husband, for whom she had sacrificed so much, Hannah was now heart-broken, poor and ill. The only yielding Mr. Robinson had shown had been to send Hannah her maid, the one called after her own name.
But now the proud father sent Hannah this message. If she would tell him the names of those who had assisted her to run away with Mr. Simond he would welcome her back into her old home, and that she should be his daughter again. But Hannah Robinson was her father's own daughter. She wrote him that he had early inculcated into her mind the importance of keeping her word, and she could not, in honor, dis- close to him the names of those whom she had promised to keep secret. Mr. Robinson had opened her letter eagerly, but when he had read it he tossed it contemptuously to her mother, saying: "Then let the foolish thing die where she is!"
But one day, at dinner, he sprang up from the table and rushed out of the house, mounted his horse and rode to Providence. At Hannah's door he rapped loudiy. The maid, Hannah, opened the door and beamed with gladness to see her master. Now, she doubtless thought, all would go well. But Mr. Robinson only bade her say to her mis- tress that her father wished to know if she was now ready to disclose to him the names of those who had aided her in her elope- ment. Poor Hannah, torn with conflicting emotions, sent back word that she could not do so, and her father rode back the thirty- five miles to his home.
It is said that, again and again, Mr. Rob- inson did this-ride to his daughter's door, rap on it with his riding-whip and send in the same message. And again and again did Hannah refuse to tell him what he so wished to know. Finally, when the poor girl was almost at her life's end, her friends, Colonel Gardiner and Miss Belden, that she might be rescued from her pitiful plight, sent word to her to tell her father what he wished to know. Accordingly, Hannah sent word to her father that she would give him the information he so much desired. Mr. Rob- inson rode quickly to Providence. Entering the room where Hannah lay, he took one look at the wreck of his child, and knelt by her bedside. There he wept aloud with grief and remorse. He did not ask her for the information he had so long demanded. He had no thought now of anything but the welfare of his child.
Tenderly kissing Hannah, he put some gold pieces into the hands of the maid, bid- ding her procure whatever Hannah needed, and rode back to his home. It was night when he arrived, but he had four trusted men called from their beds immediately. He gave them instructions to proceed to Providence in his pleasure boat, carrying on it a litter. At daybreak, he himself, set out for Providence on horse back, accom- panied by "Prince." "Prince"led a horse for Hannah's maid. Making all speed possible, they were soon at Hannah's door. The sick girl was tenderly lifted onto the litter and the little procession started back to Narra- gansett.
On her journey home, Hannah asked to be taken down to the spot now called "Han- nah's Rock," a little off the travelled high- way of MacSparran Hill. There she had often gone in her happy girlhood days to gaze upon one of the loveliest landscapes that can be found in the whole State of Rhode Island, and there she wished to re- main for a little while before she passed on forever. She asked that a bit of the flower called "Everlasting" be plucked and she laid it on her breast. And, when she was dying, she told her mother: "He told me, when he gave it to me, that we must call it love everlasting, not life everlasting. Lay it with me in my grave, mother, that I may take it to the land where life is ever- lasting and where love never dies."
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At sunrise she called for her trinkets and distributed them with her own hand.
Then, with feebly outstretched arms, she turned to her mother. Before she breathed her last she cast her eyes on her mother with an unutterable expression of affection, and then fixing them on her agonized father, kneeling by her bedside, holding one of her hands in his, she continued to look lovingly and steadfastly into his, as if she would con- vey to him a message of her undying respect and love until they closed in death.
Her old nurse, Mum Amey, raised her eyes from the face of her dying mistress and with a look of devout admiration exclaimed: "The angels is come!"
Afterwards, when asked the cause of her young mistress' death, Mum Amey said: "Nuthin' ail Missus Hannah. Dis world wer ony jes too hard for her, and de poor chile die ob de heart break."
If you ever happen to be in the vicinity of "Hannah's Rock," take a moment to look out upon the glorious view which Hannah Robinson loved so well. When you have gone about two-thirds of the distance from the village of Hamilton to the Pier, you will find a pathway leading in an easterly direc- tion direct to the huge, cube-shaped rock near which Hannah Robinson gazed last upon Rhode Island's rolling countryside and the ocean's boundless expanse.
A TERRIBLE MAN OF WAR
ITTHE era of privateering in Rhode Island developed a class of sea fighters un- usually distinguished in both daring and seamanship. The era began along in the middle of the 17th century and reached its peak about a hundred years later, although, even after the Colonies had been successful in the Revolution and had established a navy, some privateers, like the "Yankee," were commissioned and had exciting careers during the War of 1812. Undoubtedly two basic reasons for the skill and boldness of the privateersmen as a whole were, first, the fact that they generally cruised alone, sel- dom in consort with other ships, and con- sequently had to rely solely upon the quali- ties of their particular ship and upon their own abilities as seamen and fighters, and, second, the fact that every man of the crew shared in the prize money. Of the two rea- sons the latter probably provided the greater incentive. However, this is not to be a discussion of privateersmen as a body.
Among the most daring of all who en- gaged in this kind of sanctioned piracy was Captain John Dennis, of Newport, a fighter who well deserved the title of "a terrible man of war." His chief exploits as a priva- teers man covered a period of thirteen years, 1743 to 1756, and he was leader among the men of his "profession" even when the "field" had become fairly crowded and "specialized." Most of his adventures oc- cured when he was in command of the sloop
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