USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Little Compton > The Two-hundredth anniversary of the organization of the United Congregational Church, Little Compton, Rhode Island, September 7, 1904 > Part 9
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" Earth, Ocean, Air, Beloved brotherhood."
Shakespeare's Orlando, in the woods of Arden, burning with a less idyllic flame than his, is said to have fastened his romantic rhymings to the trees. Our neighbor, his heart pulsing with the love of nature, roved like a Druid through the woodland communing with its mysteries. Sometimes in your forest ramblings you may find yourself confronted by a hidden shrine his hand had set up-a tab- let, perhaps, secured to the branches of some stately oak in- scribed with a suggestive quotation from Emerson or Tho- reau.
These kinsmen in their diverse ways exemplify the truth :
" To him who in the love of Nature holds Communion with her visible forms she speaks A various language."
THE CIVIL WAR.
We must also pass over the period of the Civil War in which Little Compton played her part, save to recall to those who were witnesses of the scene, the brilliant maneu- vers on the village Common of the Little Compton Home Guard,-forty rifles, George W. Staples, first lieutenant; James Brownell, second lieutenant; and Solomon Whitney, third lieutenant; Oliver Page Peckham, first orderly ser- geant; Frederick R. Brownell, second, and Frank Staples, third, with Boriah Brigham, Isaac Brownell and Albert Gray, the corporals,-and all under command of General Nathaniel T. Church, then prominent in state military af- fairs, mounted on his prancing coal-black saddle-horse and resplendent with sash, shoulder straps, chapeau, and flash- ing, gold-mounted sabre.
Proudly the little company is marched past the reviewing stand at Mr. Brown's store, Squire Philip F. Little beating the drum, and his boy, Henry Little, now a prosperous New York publisher, playing the fife,-and all treading jauntily to the marshal air of "Lumps of Puddin' and Pieces of Pie."
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The Fall River Journal of September 28, 1861, which, through the courtesy of Mr. Nathaniel Church, may be read in our Exhibit, gives a two and a half column account of one of these inspiring events. It describes the distin- guished personages present and says: "The Company looked most finely, and showed that they had been pretty well disciplined by their worthy Commander, Honorable Nathaniel Church. The 'brave sojer boys' were attired in neat uniform, black glazed military caps, blue jackets and black pants with white stripes. No military officer looked better or made a nobler appearance than Capt. Church. So we may say of the brave 'sojer' boys under command of Captain Church. Among the privates of the com- pany we were pleased to notice the tall, manly form of Col. Oliver C. Brownell, the Representative to the General As- sembly. While waiting to enjoy the eating of the smoking clams and sup the tasty plates of chowder, the company, under command of Major Henry T. Sisson (who was at the Battle of Bull's Run), went through the Zouave system of drill service, lying on the ground while firing blank cartridges, etc.,-showing that the gallant young major had made some proficiency in the science of military tactics while fighting in defence of his country under the valiant Colonel Slocum."
I regret the necessity which occasions the omission of a narrative of the heroic achievement of our late neighbor, to whom reference has just been made. Colonel Sisson was the hero of many brave deeds, but the action to which I es- pecially refer was that at "Little" Washington, N. C., where with a part of his command, the Fifth Rhode Island Ar- tillery, he rescued a whole Massachusetts regiment from annihilation, and thus placed his name upon the immortal roll of national heroes. 1
(1) History of 5th Regiment Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, J. K. Burlingame, p. 144. NOTE: A member of the rescued 44th' Massachusetts Regt., in a description of this exploit in the Providence Journal, June 24, 1906, writes : " It has always been a mystery why the exceeding gallantary of Col. Sisson in coming to our relief was not more widely known, for few braver deeds were done during the war.
Funston won deserved honor and fame by an action no braver or more perilous than Sisson's. Rhode Island should be proud of such a son."
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I suppose there would be a responsive rustle throughout this congregation if I should ask those to rise who remem- ber Squire Little.
"P. F. Little, Esq., Job Printer, Deputy Sheriff and Com- missioner of Deeds, author of "Little's Legal Advisor," "Live and Let Live," "Mind Your Stops," etc., etc., manu- facturer of Laura Keene Hair Dye and Little's Diaphanic Soap. Come one, come all. Examine specimens and leave your orders !! N. B. Suits in Justice Court promptly at- tended to." 1
His name was not mentioned this morning in Mr. Bux- ton's discourse, and probably that he should be eulogized from this pulpit years after his death would have been far from his own idea of the appropriateness of things ; and yet so characteristic was his personality that a portrayal of Little Compton life during and after war times would be hardly complete if it failed to recall the little, white cot- tage that your memories will replace on the site of the Grange Hall, and, appropriately enough, right in the midst of our historical exhibit. You will remember the gaunt fig- ure, the black head and piercing eyes that bent over the printing-press from which issued the only newspapers of which Little Compton ever boasted: The Little Compton Platonic and The Village Bell. Thence, too, emanated, among other choice things, the following remarkable pro- ductions, of which he was the author, printer and pub- lisher: "A Sailor's Narrative of Twenty-four Voyages or the Adventures of Joseph J. Grinnell of Little Compton, R. I., giving an account of his imprisonment, his being con- demned to be hung and his miraculous escape." (Two pamphlets, 1858).
"The Deserters-A thrilling and exciting story of the Re- bellion, by P. F. Little, Esq. If you begin to read this story you will want to finish it before laying it down. Little Compton, R. I., 1869."
"The Belle of Pocasset. A Romantic Wedding or Marry- ing with Vengeance, in connection with a Business Card Directory" (1873).
(1) Copy of one of Mr. Little's business cards.
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"The Yankee Privateer Antelope of the Narragansett. A thrilling story of the Last War on Land and Sea, by P. F. Little, author of a Sailor's Narrative; Live and Let Live; The Legal Adviser; The Adopted Daughter ; Deserters, etc., etc., Little Compton, R. I., 1876."
"Fragmentary Sketches and Incidents in Little Compton and Tiverton during the Revolution and the War of 1812. By P. F. Little, Esq. Never before published, 1886."
During the War with Spain the spirit of '76 in this vil- lage was revived. The government established a signal- station at Sakonnet Point and Colonel Sisson's son, Henry, drilled a company of volunteers at the town hall. Old guns were taken down from their resting places over family hearthstones, or hunted up in corners and in garrets. A motley collection they made,-flint-locks, hammer-locks and breech-loaders,-smooth bores, rifles, muskets and shot guns, "better or worse, richer or poorer," ready for service at the country's call.
Very recently the Quaker service has become one of the in- stitutions of the town known only to memory through the ancient meeting-house on Brimstone Hill, which remains a relic of past days. I hope something may be done for its preservation. This house was built in 1815 though I imagine some of the interior fittings survived from the earlier building. How quaint they are,-the wooden partition, with swinging door and window, which may be lowered by ropes, like a theatrical scene, to separate the men from the women worshippers ; the elders' pew at the end, the little gallery that one may reach from below, and the plain board benches, smoothed and polished by generations of prayerful sitters. And, then, how pathetic,-those lonely services, Sabbath after Sabbath, year after year, of the last survivor of his sect,-the silvery head bowed in solitary prayer and silent communion with the past.
I have mentioned only a few of the people whose lives have enriched the memories of this place and shown that "peace hath her victories" as well as war. I wish there could be recorded memorials of them all. Fortunately sketches of many of our neighbors and their families have
GEORGE S. BURLEIGH
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been published in the History of Newport County, to which I have made frequent reference.
One of the endearing memories we shall all of us carry through life is that of the village poet. He looked, he lived, the part-he did not affect it-for his life was spontaneous and beautiful as the blossoms that embowered his home. His patriarchal presence, his illumined face with silvery wealth of flowing hair, when encountered on some wooded byway brought Camelot to mind and bards who sang of chivalry. An acquaintance with Mr. Burleigh was a bene- diction to be remembered all one's days. Though he was absent during the winter, this was his home. His wife was a Little Compton girl, and the inspiration of his life and his poetry germinated and bloomed under the influence of the woods, the air, the ocean, the life and the love that environed his seaside home.
Mr. Burleigh's literary labors were largely devoted to magazine productions and editorial work. The publica- tions of his own which have been left to us are: Anti- Slavery Hymns, 1842; The Maniac and other poems, 1849; Signal Fires, 1856; and a translation into English verse of Victor Hugo's La Légende des Siècles, 1867.
It was he who composed the verse graven upon the Eliza- beth Alden monument.
We should be familiar with his description of "A Storm on Saugonnet."1
" Then came the storm with its signal drum, All night we heard on the eastern shore The steady booming and muffled roar Of the great waves' tramp ere the winds had come!
*
" With the measured march of a mighty host The ground-swell came, with wave upon wave, On the red Saugonnet rocks they drave, And scattered their foam over leagues of coast. * *
"Spectral and dim over sunk Cuttywow The White spray hung, but we heard no shock, For the liquid thunder on red Wall Rock Crushed out all sound with its deafening blow. * * * *
(1) In " Poems of Places." H. W. Longfellow, Ed. Boston.
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" In the swirl of the Hopper the waves were ground To impalpable dust; the Ridge Rock roared To the crash of a new Niagara poured Right up the crags with a slippery bound !
"Over Brenton's Reef where the west hung black, O'er the cloudy bar of the Cormorant Rocks, The white seas hurried in huddling flocks With the wolf-winds howling along their track."
And now closing let us recall his words, freighted with the love of Nature and the supremacy of faith :
" Not yet, not yet, O darling mine! O Mother Nature, call me not today, With wood and wave and beautiful sunshine, And all thy fresh Divine,- For heavy shadows on my spirit weigh. * * *
" I turn me from thee, Mother Mild, Into the heavens of Thought, and spirit's Faith; There, great and calm, with Godhood over-smiled Loving and undefiled - I see the dead victorious over death."
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LITTLE COMPTON.
THE HISTORICAL EXHIBIT.
THE Historical Exhibit in the Grange Hall was an afterthought. But it was a happy one. The possibility of gathering together at this anniversary all the family heir- looms and other treasures of the neighborhood was alluring. Mrs. Forbes W. Manchester, Mrs. Roswell B. Burchard and Mrs. Lysander W. Manchester constituted themselves a volunteer committee. Wagons were hurried from house to house and everybody lent a willing hand in bringing out living-room fixtures that had remained undisturbed for generations and in ransacking garrets for household uten- sils whose ancient use offered occasion for modern discus- sion. Nothing was imported from beyond Windmill Hill or Westport except some souvenirs of the old-time ministers. China and other breakables were of necessity left behind. So hurried were the preparations that many desirable things were overlooked, but take it all together the results were of surprising interest.
And what tender recollections these homely objects aroused in the older people! What anecdotes they in- spired, and what a revelation of old days they presented to the young !
A day spent among these "exhibits" with such a descrip- tive book as Alice Morse Earle's "Home Life in Colonial Days" offered an opportunity for rare entertainment.
Here was an old-fashioned loom with all its accessories in operation, Mrs. Andrew W. Lawton throwing the shuttle with practiced hand. There was a great wool-wheel with Mrs. Ralph Wilcox or Mrs. Elva A. Humphrey spinning merrily, while Mrs. John A. Seabury supplied the necessary "wool-rolls" which had lain forgotten for years under her attic eaves. Here again was a flax-wheel with all its ac-
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companying outfit of brake, swingling-knife, hetchels, clock- reel, etc.
This antique machinery bore witness to the labor and the skill that was employed in the making of each of the hundreds of specimens of homespun fabric that were un- folded that day.
The walls of the hall were draped with a unique collection of those famous old-time blue and white, or brown and white bed coverlets, showing all the well-known de- signs and some of the curious ones which one may find pictured in Mrs. Earle's book.
There was a fine exhibit of samplers bearing familiar names ; and embroidered pictures :- Paul in a top hat and Virginia in silk negligee and hair ribbons; young women pondering over funeral tablets beneath weeping willows; family trees and memorial records done in silk and water- color.
There was a collection of costumes and needlework and everything in homespun from doylies to frock coats. There were the christening and wedding gowns of the grand- mothers and the swallow-tails and waistcoats and uniforms of the forefathers. There were calashes and pumpkin hoods and slat bonnets, with chapeaus and stove-pipe hats near at hand as of old. And, then, there were cradles of every description, a trundle-bed, baby-tenders and toy furniture. There were the saddle and pillion upon which some village bell rode to church, the foot stove which kept her warm while there; the poke-bonnet, gown and slippers, and, in a secluded corner, the beautifully wrought stays that she wore. There, too, were the hymnbook from which she sang and the violoncello which accompanied her voice; the com- munion cups of 1711 and 1741 from which she received the Sacrament, the manuscript of the lengthy sermon and the spectacles through which its illuminating passages were read.
Pewter and brass glittered in one corner while another was somber with the rust of ancient fire-arms.
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The sterner life of the fathers was recalled by a collection of Indian relics, a Colonial helmet, guns, pistols and side arms, a "blunderbuss" and a true sword of Bunker Hill.
The following catalogue, necessarily incomplete, is given with the hope that the location of these relics may be re- membered, and that at some future day they may be again gathered together. Each exhibitor was given a card to identify the exhibit and it is desirable that these should be preserved.
The bare list of these articles may seem commonplace enough, when described separately, however, many would prove of surpassing interest. Thus, "an invitation to a dance written on the eight of hearts" seems worthy of con- sideration when one reads in Weir Mitchell's "Hugh Wynne" (Vol. II, page 127) that the hero received many invitations and said: "It may amuse those for whom I write to know that nearly all were writ on the white backs of playing cards." One surmises that the old clock-reel could tell tales when he hums the Colonial refrain :
" And he kissed Mistress Polly when the clock-reel ticked."
The spoon moulds are worth looking at when one is told that most New England communities possessed but one pair of them, and that they were passed round to make pewter spoons for the whole neighborhood; and so he sees something in the pipe-tongs, when he finds, in Mrs. Earle's book, the picture of a pair just like those herein catalogued and reads that it is a rare specimen. In fact many of these articles are pictured in that interesting volume and among them the following: Flint-wheel, Betty lamps, Colonial bottles, bed coverlets, calashes and other bonnets, band- boxes, spoon-moulds, candle-moulds, waffle-irons, skillets, pot-hooks, griddles and other hearth-stone utensils, spinning- wheels, clock-reels, swifts, quill-wheels, loom-temples, tape looms, wool cards, hetchels, etc.
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CATALOGUE OF THE HISTORICAL EXHIBIT.
Committee :
MRS. FORBES W. MANCHESTER, MRS. ROSWELL B. BURCHARD, and MRS. LYSANDER W. MANCHESTER.
Loaned by :
THE UNITED CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY OF LITTLE COMPTON : A silver communion cup inscribed, given by J. Church, Esq., to ye church of Christ in little Compton on 1 d. 1 m. 1711.
Another cup, companion to the above, with the in- scription : Given by Thos Baley to ye church of Christ in Little Compton, June ye first 1741.
MRS. S. R. ALLEN : Candle moulds.
MISS VESTA ALMY: 2 bedspreads; bonnet, 3 embroidered collars ; pair spectacles ; beaded bag; Newport Mercury, 1760.
ERASTUS S. BAILEY : Runlet of Ebenezer Church, 200 years old ; weighing measure; 2 communion cups.
MRS. SARAH F. BORDEN : 2 mahogany chairs; 2 documents, 1764 ; gravy boat, cover and platter; 2 cut glass bottles and stoppers; tea caddy ; basket; platter.
MRS. GEORGE H. BRAYTON : 16 arrow heads ; 2 antique knives and forks; butcher knife; bottle; 6 dresses of various periods ; petticoat. Homespun fabrics: Apron; baby blankets; 7 towels, plain and striped; 2 silk scarfs; 3 caps; 9 handkerchiefs; table-cloth; 2 skirts; 4 shawls; hat.
MRS. THOMAS BRAYTON : Loaner's wedding-dress, 1862; Mr. Brayton's wedding waistcoat; straw bonnet worn when loaner was a child; very large bandbox; burningfluid lamp.
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Loaned by :
MRS. MARY N. BRIGGS: Pewter lamp; embroidered needle book belonged to Margaret Hussey of Nantucket; minia- ture buffet made by Samuel Nye of Wareham, 1810, for Delia Nye; three legged table; wooden spoon.
MRS. WILLIAM H. BRIGGS : Piggin ; 2 spools of linen ; dress ; silver spoon ; spoon, 1750.
MRS. THOMAS BRIGGS: Blue and brown woven bedspread of Diana Briggs made into portieres; 2 pewter ladles; war club, from Sandwich Islands, given Jeremiah Briggs ; pitcher; cup; Holy Bible; marriage certificate, Gray and Church; tablespoon, 100 years old ; teaspoon ; Indian beaded cushion; pottery jug; glass jug; glass cruet ; stone jug; vase of Mrs. Capt. Seabury, 100 years old.
E. C. BROWNELL : Cup and saucer.
MRS. RICHMOND BROWNELL: 2 chairs; snuffbox.
F. R. BROWNELL: 2 commissions of Sylvester Brownell, the loaner's great-grandfather, signed by Sam. Adams and John Hancock.
PARDON C. BROWNELL : Pair brass candlesticks.
MRS. EMMA BUCKLEY : Pair English wooden clogs, worn by a child; teapot; cup and saucer.
MRS. JOHN C. G. BROWN: Pewter plate; copper lustre pitcher, belonged to loaner's grandmother; linen home- spun handkerchief; China mustard pot; tureen; old Dresden cup.
MRS. ROSWELL B. BURCHARD : Embroidered picture, Paul and Virginia, by Mary Simmons; embroidered picture, Tombstone, by Prudence Simmons; 5 blue and white coverlets; white spread, homespun linen; black and white striped blanket of homespun woolen; 3 glass bottles ; silver snuffers on tray, Prudence Church ; pipe- tongs, wrought-iron, belonged to loaner's great-great- grandfather ; pipe box ; glass jar' with lion on top; blue and white china platter; foot-stove; embroidered map of England, done in 1809; picture painted on velvet; 3
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Loaned by :
pairs brass andirons; tall brass pendant lamp; bronze lamp; 17 silver spoons; 2 hair-cloth cylinder trunks; cradle; wooden candlestick; brass candlestick; candle moulds; lantern ; pewter tray; pewter lamp; 5 pewter porringers; pewter basin; teapot, sugar bowl and cream; pitcher, Liverpool-ware; mahogany table; bureau; washstand; workstand; work table; shaving glass; vases; lantern; clock; bowl; pitcher; jug; John Church's sled ; "thousand legged" mahogany table; piece of Mary Helen's wedding dress; homespun bed- quilt and sheets; green spectacles; lava inkstand ; scriber for marking lumber; wig block; wool wheel; swifts; knot reel ; hetchels.
MRS. SYDNEY R. BURLEIGH : Home made shears; Colonial blunderbuss; sword worn at Bunker Hill; calash; P. F. Little's books: "The Deserter," "Belle of Pocasset," "Yankee Privateer," "Antelope of the Narragansett," "Comptonian Platonic;" 3 books written by George S. Burleigh : "Signal Fires," "The Maniac," "Legend of the Centuries."
MISS MARY S. BURLINGAME: 2 glass candlesticks; 2 brass candlesticks; blue and white bedspread; spyglass, be- longed to Oliver Brownell.
MRS. EMILY J. BUTLER: Brass spoon-mould, for making pewter spoons ; plate; cider mug.
THOMAS F. CARR: Horse pistol ; Queen's-arm gun ; flintlock musket, 1798; tallow lamp.
MRS. WILLIAM L. CASSARD : Applique and patchwork calico quilt.
MRS. NATHANIEL CHURCH: Almanac; Watts' hymns; needlework; coat, belt, sword, sash, spurs, hat, which belonged to Gen. Nathaniel Church; baby tender; ivory knife with Indian design; Fall River Journal.
GEORGE W. CHURCH: Marriage certificate written by Rev. Mase Shepard; poetry on house that stood where Old- acre Cottage stands; flint and steel.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LITTLE COMPTON.
Loaned by :
MRS. EDGAR F. CLARK: Stone mould for making buckles; 3 fossil stones; book, "Confession of Faith."
MRS. RICHARD B. COMSTOCK : Embroidered mull collar. MRS. JAMES W. COOMBS : Blue and white woven bedspread. MISS ETHEL DROWNE : 2 cradles that belonged to Valentine Simmons.
MRS. ADDIE L. M. DAVIS: Wooden plate, 125 years old ; coat; mallet and mahogany chisel, used in olden times to cut loaf sugar which came in shape of a haystack and was broken off as needed ; blue, white and black coverlet, 18th century.
MRS. GEORGE M. GRAY : Mirror, with painted glass picture in upper section of frame 110 years old, belonged to Miranda White; mahogany chair.
JAMES L. GRAY : Violoncello.
MRS. GEORGE A. GRAY : Corner chair; silhouette of Betsey Briggs, teacher in L. C. in early part of 18th century ; hand-made pins; silver scissors; embroidered pocket- book ; spoon, supposed to have been "Betty" Alden's; 2 forks; 2 knives; 5 pieces of Continental money; letter of Marque to Samuel Briggs, by William Greene, 1779; letter of Sam'l Briggs to his wife, 1779; instructions to privateers, signed by William Greene, 1779 .; David Durfee, Jr.'s, letter; history of the Quakers; skein of flax.
SAMUEL B. GRAY : Coat and military sash worn by Amasa Gray in the militia in 1825; 3 gold ornaments; revenue tax bill.
MRS. ABBIE GRINNELL: Old clock; white neckerchief of Nancy Grinnell; feather flowers.
MRS. EMMA M. GRINNELL: Ancient Bible; pair wooden candlesticks ; 2 runlets.
THOMAS D. GRINNELL: Family record; sword; cutlass; candlesticks; sermons, 1812; 2 arrowheads; 2 flintlock pistols and 3 flints.
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Loaned by :
MRS. HENRY A. GROTH : Pair brass candlesticks ; homespun linen sheet ; mortar and pestle; 2 pewter plates ; book of early R. I. laws; 15 coins ; Pamelia Burgess' spoon, over 200 years old; wooden pitchfork.
JOHN SEABURY HATHAWAY: Homespun linen tablecloth of great-great-great-grandmother, Mary Coggeshall Man- chester.
JOHN HOXIE: Flint-lock pistol; 2 Indian war-clubs; gun. ASA R. HOWLAND: Pewter plate; oak spindle-back arm- chair; rush bottom armchair; cotton stockings and cap. MRS. EDWARD L. HUNT: Pewter teapot; yellow silk waist; drab and purple silk gown; gown.
MRS. ELVA A. HUMPHREY : 2.coins, 1787, 1788; wooden plate; pewter plate; 5 children's primers; Rev. Ray Palmer's candlesticks.
MRS. JOHN H. JEWELL : Silver spoon, 250 years old; silver spoon; account of ordination of Rev. Mase Shepard in 1787; list of drafted men in Little Compton, 1863; Ancestor, Thomas Brownell's commissions as Ensign, 1816, and as Lieutenant, 1817; family registry, 1789; memorial picture, 1809; baby chair; 2 cradles.
MRS. T. WARREN KEMPTON: Wooden candlestick; tallow dip; powderhorn.
MRS. GEORGE W. KIRBY : Pewter tumbler; pewter plate; china pepper-box.
MRS. ANDREW HENRY LAWTON: Weaving loom with shut- tles, loom temples, wool cards, rake or comb for separat- ing strands of the warp, and other accessories; quill wheel.
A. A. LOTHROP : Framed piece of material.
JOHN T. T. MCKENZIE: 4 military hats; haversack, round- about ; canteen ; military coat ; cartridge box ; knapsack. ABRAHAM MANCHESTER : Saddle and pillion.
MRS. FORBES W. MANCHESTER : Wool cards; hetchels; flax- wheel; wool wheel; clock-wheel; swifts; swingling
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LITTLE COMPTON.
Loaned by :
knife; hanging griddle; piggin; skillet; wood bowl; iron candlesticks; candle box; foot-stove; brass handled tongs; antique kitchen-chair; sampler of Lydia Shaw. MRS. LYSANDER W. MANCHESTER: Three-cornered chair; 200 years old; pot-hooks and trammels; brass candle- stick.
MISS FLORA L. MASON: Vinegar cruet of Richard Billings, loaned by his descendant.
MISS CARRIE E. MAYO: Little basket; little skillet; three- legged iron kettle.
MRS. ELKANAH PALMER: Chair; water bucket, runlet; 4 pictures of Prodigal Son ; picture, Noah's Ark ; picture, Byron and Marianna; 7 wicker baskets; veil and bon- net; 3 bonnet boxes; shoemaker's bench with 81 tools; cooper's adz; 11 shoemakers' lasts and 3 tops with them ; trundle bed; wooden shoemakers' clamp; tin tea- caddy; 2 pairs andirons, (iron) ; antique patchwork quilt; bundle of tallow dip sticks; warming pan; small skillet.
LORING A. PALMER: Sewing stand; bundle of quills.
MRS. WILLIAM TWEED PECKHAM: 2 antique bottles from Indian graves in cemetery north of the Swamp Road; 3 Indian stone hammerheads ; 7 flint arrowheads; pipe; flint wheel and tinder box.
SARAH C. PECKHAM : Antique table.
CHARLES H. PECKHAM : 2 family records; 2 old cups and saucers, great-grandmother's wedding present.
MISS MIRANDA PIERCE : Blue and white crib olanket, 1787; flannel sheet woven by Hannah Head; white spread woven of first Slaterville cotton, sold in Little Comp- ton about 100 years ago; stays made and worn by Hannah Davenport about 1755; pewter candlestick; 4 old tallow dips; shot bowl; powderhorn; hank of yarn; shuttles made by H. Head; ancient stone bottle; tea- pot; Dorr War bayonet; Civil War saddlebags; book, "Imitation of Christ," 1802.
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Loaned by :
MRS. P. A. PIERCE : Antique silver spoons; 2 brass candle- sticks; iron candlestick; wooden candlestick; patch- work quilt; silk shoulder shawl, 75 years old, Mary Woodman's; candle snuffers and tray; chair belonging to Nathan Slade of Swansey; mahogany table; rocking chair; wooden spoon; blue and white homespun linen square, 75 years old, Emblem Wilbour's; doll's bonnet ; sampler ; picture.
MRS. ABRAHAM J. POTTER : Ancient bitstock, the bit turned by twisted cords; candle-moulds.
MRS. JOSHUA B. RICHMOND: Photographs of 3 Colonial commissions of ancestors, Sylvester and Perez; ancient picture of a Providence church; sleigh-bells; waffle irons with very long handles.
MRS. ANDREW SAWYER: Blue and white coverlet; coat; bonnet; pair spectacles; Betty lamp; bellows; pewter platter; silver spoons; wooden knife and fork; pair of pistols; powderhorn.
MRS. JOHN A. SEABURY : Sampler; sampler of Lydia Coe, 1795; sampler, Marion Grasson, 1822; picture, Gothic beauties ; pair yellow slippers, piece of Deborah Church's wedding dress in which she was married to Adam Simmons in 1755; large wool (spinning) wheel ; pair of cards for carding wool; antique wheel head ; hetchels; spool rack; tow bag; spooling wheel; tape- loom; flax-wheel; bundle of antique wool-rools for spinning; iron lantern; embroidered bag; 2 antique glass bottles; 2 small skillets; ancient stone bottle; pewter tumbler; brass candlestick.
MISS MARY K. SEABURY : Brass lamp; leather trunk of Otis Coggeshall ; sampler of Maria Shaw, 1827.
ARTHUR SEABURY : Old Indian dish.
MISS HELEN L. SHEPARD: An autograph sermon by Rev. Mase Shepard.
ABEL B. SIMMONS : Violoncello and bow, formerly used in church.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LITTLE COMPTON.
Loaned by :
MRS. ROBERT SNOW: Family record; holder and sinker; warming pan; 4 spoons "B. H."; Spanish bell; minia- ture; antique cotton print bed hanging; calash; slip- pers; 2 powderhorns; shaving case; mirror; picture, "Fisherman's Dog;" toaster from oven; brass kettle; Machero cigar lighter; Nancy Swift's spoons; Abigail Pope's spoons; blue woven bedspread; harness frame for making harness for loom. Pewter: 4 candlesticks; pitcher; 2 mugs; 3 candle-snuffers; tray; platter; 3 plates; 2 dishes ; 2 porringers.
MISS ELIZABETH F. SOWLE: Pewter lamp; pewter platter. MRS. MARY A. SOWLE: Large wooden spoon ; pair of velvet slippers ; nurse lamp; Britannia teapot.
MRS. ZOETH H. SOULE: Book, "The Doctrine of Regenera- tion,", 1738.
MRS. JAMES B. SPRINGER : Small pewter porringer ; sampler worked by Rhoda M. (Mrs. Forbes W.) Manchester, 1841; embroidered collar which belonged to loaner's grandmother, Lydia Shaw.
MRS. WALTER SYLVIA: Squire Little's lantern; brass and crystal lamp; brooch owned by great-grandmother; brown pitcher.
MRS. SARAH J. TAYLOR : Sampler worked by the loaner at age of five years.
MRS. FRANCIS O. TRIPP : Tin tallow lamp.
MRS. LYDIA J. WARNER : Wooden candlestick; pewter tea- pot, plate and mug; sampler, Phebe Ann Harris, 1832; 2 placques.
MRS. ISAAC C. WILBOUR : Bedspread made of three wedding gowns; knife and fork 100 years old.
MISS ARDELIA M. WILBOR : 4 tables, one of which belonged to Simon Peckham.
MRS. CHARLES R. WILBUR: Chairs; pewter basin; 2 pewter plates; glass lamp 300 years old, belonged to John Sawyer; blue and white pitcher and bowl; blue and white bedspread.
120
BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Loaned by :
MRS. DANIEL WILBOUR: Pair brass andirons :
MISS FLORENCE WILBOUR: 2 snuffboxes; velvet bag of Elizabeth Briggs, 100 years old; dimity knee-breeches and figured linen vest of Capt. Samuel Briggs; pink slippers, 100 years old; pack of playing cards; dance invitation to Miss Briggs printed on back of 8 of hearts playing card; Mrs. Alexander Wilbour's pink silk gown; Judith Wilbour's sampler, 1810.
MRS. OLIVER H. WILBOR: 2 shell combs 100 years old; em- broidered letter case 150 years old; will of Jonathan Wilbur, 1799; deed of Anthony Wilbour, 1797; blue velvet beaded purse; sampler; Clark's Magazine, 1795; Gospel Labours of Churchman, 1779; nose glasses in wooden case; silver spoon, "L. W .; " Staffordshire pickle leaves; cup; basket; cider mug; pink table-scarf; 2 china sauce dishes.
MRS. B. F. WILBUR : Baby chair; calash ; foot stove; saddle and bag; law book; 3 candelabra; 46 prisms; 2 chairs; 2 inlaid snuffboxes; mission chair; candle mould; spindle chair; portrait of W. Bates; skillet; kettle, 3 legs ; sampler made by Priscilla Alden ; bonnet made by Hannah Milk of Boston, 1830; portrait, Dr. Lloyd Brayton, about 1820.
MRS. PHILIP H. WILBOUR : 2 Indian relics of stone; 9 documents; Josiah Shaw's orations, 1798; almanack, 1796; Military Companion, 1810; Gov. Dorr's "Broad- side;" letter to Hon. Isaac Wilbur, 1807; bill of arrest for Charles Wood, 1825; General Assembly document, 1807. Do. 1806; value received, Nathan Searle, 1797; skillet; map of original allotments of Little Compton land, made by Otis Wilbor.
MRS. WILLIAM B. WILBER: Patchwork quilt of which the red portions were made from coat worn in War of 1812 by Walter Wilbour.
MRS. CLARENCE C. WORDELL: 3 tables; book, 1707.
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