USA > Rhode Island > Kent County > Warwick > The history of Warwick, Rhode Island, from its settlement in 1642 to the present time; including accounts of the early settlement and development of its several villages; sketches of the origin and progress of the different churches of the town, &c., &c > Part 21
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RIVER POINT.
Like all the villages along the Pawtuxet and its two main branches, River Point owes its prosperity and im- portance to the facilities the water power has afforded for manufactuing purposes. The two principal branches, known as the north and the south branches of the river, here unite, after seeking each others company many miles, and proceed henceforward to the sea together. The south branch, west of the village of Washington, is known as Flat river,-a name that has sometimes been applied to the whole branch-and is formed of a multi- tude of small brooks, several of which unite near Coven- try Centre. One of these little streams rises in
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southern Foster, near what is called Mt. Vernon ridge, and another issues from the Quidnick Reservoir. The Flat river performs various little services as it passes along, but settles down to hard work when it arrives at Washington village. The north branch has its rise in a score of little rivulets in the southern part of Glocester, which finally unite in the central part of Scituate. The united stream then proceeds on its way, with gradually augmented power until it unites with the south branch at River Point. The extreme northwestern rivulet of the north branch flows from the Ponegansett reservoir, in Glocester, which in the course of a couple of miles re- ceives a slight accession to its flow from a little stream that rises near the base of Mount Hygiea .*
The union of the two principal rivers at River Point, undoubtedly gave origin to the name of the village, and defied all subsequent attempts to change it. The territory, however, was early described as lying within " the forks of the rivers," but the village as such, became known at an early day as Frozen Point, or as some say, Frozen Pint. It was known by the one or the other of these uncomfortable names until about the year 1852. We give the tradition respecting it without vouching for its authenticity. Among the mechanics who built the first mill, was one thirsty soul, who, one night after quitting his work, having purchased a super- abundant supply of the article that sometimes cheers, and generally inebriates, hid a bottle of it for future use. On returning for it next morning he found the contents frozen solid ; it was a pint bottle, and was exhibited by the owner to his associates, who jestingly designated it as the " frozen pint," a term that by an easy transition finally became attached to the village. Many years afterwards, some of the operatives in the mill attempted
* Hygiea, or Hygeia, in mythology, was the Goddess of Health. The name was given to the hill by Dr. Solomon Drown, whose resi- dence was near it. Dr Drown was a celebrated physician and botanist, and from 1811 to 1834 a professor in Brown University,
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RIVER POINT.
one fourth of July, to re-christen the place by a more euphonious title, but with poor success. Ascending to the top of the mill, one of them, in the presence of the others poured a demijohn-full of water upon the roof and proclaimed in a loud voice "I name thee Greene- ville." But though the company owning the village has sailed many years under the colors of the "Greene Manufacturing Company," the title of Greenville as given to the village, was not ratified by popular use, many, continued to use it, while others still clung to the old name, with which they had become familiar. The two names shared the honor between them for many years, and necessarily produced some confusion in the minds of many, especially of people living at a distance. In 1852, another and more successful attempt was made to change the name, in a public celebration, arranged by the Rev. Mr. Goodenow, then pastor of the village church, the result of which was, that the village was thereafter designated as River Point. The new name was adopted by the railroad company for specifying their depot in the village, and the Post office, when established here, was so designated, so that the name bids fair to re- main in the future undisturbed.
The land embraced within the limits of the present village appears to have been owned, previous to the year 1726, by Job Greene, father of Judge Philip Greene. Job Greene in this latter year (see page 181) gave to his son Philip 278 acres "lying on the northwest of the south branch of the Pawtuxet," and subsequently in his will " all his land in the forks of the Pawtuxet," &c. His will is dated 1744.
Judge Philip Greene sold to Caleb and Nathan Hatha- way, February 20, 1786, "all my land lying and being in the forks of the river in Warwick aforesaid; bounded northerly on the north branch of Pawtuxet river ; westerly on said river ; southerly on undivided land belonging to the Wecochaconet farms, and easterly on the south branch of Pawtuxet river; containing sixty-six acres and 100 rods be the same more or less ; also two-fifths and one-
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fourth of a fifth of the land belonging to the proprietors of the farms called the Wecochaconet, lying on the north side of the south branch of said river and yet un- divided." In the old plat of the Wecochaconet farms before me as I write this, which is a copy of the ancient plat made by Joseph Carder, dated, May 14, 1692, the copy having been made by John Warner, Dec. 21, 1721, this undivided part is marked as containing 17 acres and 12 rods, or perhaps 124 rods, the last character not being distinct, and may represent a figure or a letter. The north line ran nearly across the point made by the two rivers. Had the line continued it would have touched the north branch at the point where two or three small islands are designated on the plat. The land within the forks of the rivers to the north-east, of this tract belonged to the " Natick lands " so called, originally.
Judge Philip Greene's will bears the date of April 7, 1784. After disposing of his homestead farm, together with all his lands " to the eastward of the line called the four mile line, in Warwick " to his son William he gave to his grandson Job, son of Christopher, his land in Coventry, which he held in partnership with his brother Daniel Greene ; also to his grandsons, Job and Jeremiah, brother to the said Job, all his lands in the west part of Warwick, " bounded southerly partly on land of said Job and partly on a highway, westerly on land of the said Christopher, northerly on the Levalley land and easterly partly on the south branch of the Pawtuxet river and partly on land of the said Job." Judge Philip Greene died April 10, 1791, aged 86.
" In 1812, Elisha Warner, one of the heirs of the Hath- aways, sold 40 acres and half of a house to Dr. Stephen Harris and Dr. Sylvester Knight, both of Centreville, for $1625. The other half of the house and the residue of the land were sold by the heirs of Thomas Hathaway at eight or nine different periods, from 1822 to 1830." The old Hathaway house is still standing, and is the fourth from the railroad bridge on the northwest side of
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RIVER POINT.
the street that runs along by the railroad. It is the most ancient house in that vicinity.
The purchase of the doctors was made with the inten- tion of laying aside their professional labors and en- gaging in cotton manufacturing. A company was formed the following year, consisting of James Greene, Dr. Knight, Dr. Harris, Resolved Slack and Resolved Waterman, and a mill two stories high and sixty-five feet long was at once commenced. The company took the title of " The Greene Manufacturing Company," probably out of compliment to one of the firm, who per- haps furnished a good share of the capital. Capt. James Greene was the father-in-law of Dr. Harris and was one of the original owners of the first Centreville cotton mill, and consequently is supposed to have had some knowledge of the business. The cotton manufac- turing business at this time was in its infancy in this country, and every step taken, was slow and deliberate. " The small quantity of machinery started at first by this company, viz .: four throstle frames and two mules indi- cates with what deliberation these gentlemen advanced. The castings were furnished by a distant foundry in Halifax, Mass., to which place Dr. Harris was compelled to go several times, in his own team, (for there were no public conveyances) before the newly risen mill could be prepared for operations." During the depression of 1816, this establishment shut down its gates. In 1817, Dr. Knight sold his share to Dr. Harris. The mill re- sumed operations in 1818, under the exclusive adminis- tration of Dr. Harris. About this time he put in eight looms. During a freshet in 1821-2*the bulk-head was swept away and the dam and the foundation of the mill somewhat injured. In 1827, a fire broke out in a build- ing near the mill, the upper room of which was used as a machine shop, and the lower one as a picker room. The damage was not great though one of the workmen named Hill was badly burned."
Dr. Harris made many changes and improvements as his pecuniary means increased. The first mill was en-
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larged and in 1836, he built a stone mill to which an ad- dition was subsequently made. Another stone mill was built in 1844, and greatly enlarged in 1855. On the death of the Doctor his heirs resumed the name of the Greene Manufacturing Company, which still designates the company. The total fall of water in connection with the several mills is about 30 feet. The number of looms in the three mills is about 600. Many changes and improvements have been made since the Doctor's death, the most important perhaps, being the erection of the substantial dam and the addition of an L of 100 feet to the oldest mill a few years ago. The present company consist of the four surviving children of the Doctor, Messrs. Cyrus, Stephen, Caleb F. Harris and their half sister, Mrs. Henry J. Smith. Individual members of the firm are also interested in the cotton mills at Lippitt, Anthony and the woolen mill at Centre ville.
Dr. Harris was born in Johnston, R. I .. Oct. 29, 1786. His father's name was Cyrus, "son of Caleb, son of Henry, son of Thomas, son of Thomas, son of Thomas." The latter person came from England and settled in Salem, whence he removed to Providence about the year 1636-7, and was a brother of William Harris who figured prominently in early colonial times. On his way to England to attend to his affairs, the ship in which William was a passenger was captured by a Barbary Corsair, and he aud the rest of the passengers and crew were taken to Algiers and sold as slaves (see page 83). Caleb Harris, the grandfather of Dr. Stephen, was for a while a judge of one of the courts of Providence county, and a man of acknowledged ability. The Doctor received his education at Wood- stock, Conn. and Brown University, though the death of his father prevented him from completing his course at the latter institution. He studied medicine at Dart- mouth College and with Dr. Fiske, of Scituate, and com- menced practice in Johnston about the first of March, 1808, and left there for Coventry, June 12th, 1809, and settled at the place now called Qnidnick, boarding in the family of Theodore A. Foster, payiug $2.50 per week for his board and that of his horse.
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RIVER POINT.
The young aspirant for medical knowledge went to Dartmouth College on horseback in company with the late Dr. Andrew Harris, of Canterbury, Conn., this being the chief mode of taking long journies at the time, though the "riding chair" was used to some extent. This ancient vehicle was in shape like a low chair with stuffed arms and back, suspended between two wheels on leather braces. It was the rude beginning of what has since been changed into the sulky, chaise and phae- ton. The Doctor was fond of a good horse, and when, on his father's death, he found himself possessed of $300 in money and a " gray mare," as his portion of the paternal estate, he doubtless felt himself as completely provided for as when, in subsequent years, bis worldly goods had increased manifold. The gray mare subse- quently broke her leg, while under the saddle, bearing Dr. Knight, who was using her at one time while Dr. Harris was away, and it was found necessary to take her life. Dr. Harris married Eliza Greene, a daughter of Capt. James Greene, December 3, 1809.
He afterwards removed to Centreville, where he be- come associated in practice with the late Dr. Sylvester Knight, and erected a building near the bridge, which is still standing, in which not only drugs and medicines were kept for use in their own practice, but were dispensed to neighboring physicians, as they were wanted. They also kept a supply of groceries, &c. "The winters of 1816, and ' 17 and ' 18, he spent in Savannah, Ga., where he and Resolved Waterman established a commission house. On his return home he resumed manufacturing. He was a man of quick apprehension, observing at once everything amiss in his mills while passing hurriedly through them. It is said, he once put a shaving into an imperfect joint, in the presence of a negligent artizan, and by this silent reminder administered an effective rebuke. During his residence in Centreville he was one of the most cheerful and agreeable members of society. Mrs. Harris, his wife, died March 23, 1820 .- In 1822, he married Maria, the daughter of Edward Manton, who
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survived him. The Doctor died October 10, 1858, aged 72. The tract of land which in 1798 was taxed for $800, and for which he subsequently paid about $2,500, he saw taxed with its improvements, before he died, for $190,000." Mr. Rousmaniere gives the following es- timate of his character :-
" He was a remarkable man in some respects. He was as bold in larger affairs as he was cautious in minutiæ. His promise was slowly given, but the fulfillment of it, however difficult, was so faithful as to be proverbial. He was practical but progressive; cautious but self-confident; resolute but never infatuated. He was a lover of money but he loved truth and integrity as aids to character, as well as money. The excite- ment of business stimulated all the energies of his body and mind, withdrawing the latter from a profession in which he must have been distinguished, and taxing the former, which was naturally feeble, with incessant occupation. The objects of his ambition were commercial and he fully realized them. He was beloved in private and respected in public. He con- formed to the ways of the world, and never attempted to set up as an intrusive reformer. He commenced in business at the same time with other young men. While he was slowly tunnelling the high obstacles that seemed to block up the path- way to fortune, they ascended the eminence by successive leaps. While he was not heard of for a few years outside of a circle of cautious business men, they were spoken of, as prodigies of mercantile talent and genius. While he planted the seeds of his skill in a tract of land, taxed in 1798 for $800 and for which he paid about $2,500, and which now, through his mental alchemy is taxed for $190,000, they, in the meantime outlived their enchanted prospects, saw the sun of their youth go down in clouds in their old age, their wealth scattered like an ex- ploded meteor and their influence utterly blighted."
The venerable Resolved Waterman, now of Provi- dence, is the only one of the original firm that com- menced the manufacturing business in this village who is now living. In early life he was a clerk at Centreville, and gradually rose, by his industry and integrity, to a position of importance among the business men of the State. He was of an affable, genial disposition, upright and honest in character, and commanded the respect and affection of those with whom he associated. He married the daughter of Dea. Cady, of Centerville, by whom he
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RIVER POINT.
had several children. He contributed largely to the building of Grace Church, Providence, and was inter- ested in other worthy objects.
To the north of the present railroad depot, across the river, is a steep rocky hill-side, somewhat in the form of a horse-shoe, that was known in early times as the " Horse Pound." The tradition is, that the Indians were accustomed to drive the wild horses into the enclosure, formed partly by these precipitous bluffs, and thus secure them.
In 1849, a church of the Congregational order was formed. The meeting house was erected by Dr. Stephen Harris, at his sole expense. The house was built by George W. Ham, at a cost, above the foundations, of $3,350. A school-house had been standing many years previous on the lot adjoining, and still continues in ser - vice, though an addition has since been made to it. To the south of the school-house stood the armory of the Rhode Island Guards, a building that was subsequently removed, and by enlargements and improvements, has become known as Odd Fellows Hall. The Rhode Island Guards were chartered about the year 1844. On the fourth of July of that year, an entertainment was given to the company, and their invited guests, the Kentish Guards, and a large company, assembled in a grove near the present railroad depot. The tables were set under an arbor at the edge of the grove. The " Dorr Rebellion " and the various political questions growing out of it, were fresh in the minds of the people, and the " liberty men "and the "law and order party " had hardly settled down in acquiescence with the results of the struggle. As an illustration of the generally dis- turbed condition of the town during the "war," it is said that a man by the name of Congdon ran to the woods for personal safety, but finally returned to his home, saying that the woods were full of people and he could'nt get in. The occurrence of our national birth- day, and the gathering of so large a company, afforded an excellent opportunity to give judicious instructions to
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the opposing parties, and to aid in bringing them again into harmonv and peace. The orator of the day was Hon. Simon Henry Greene, from whose excellent written address we make the following extracts :
" Political improvement must go hand in hand with religious regeneration, and must be gradual and slow, inasmuch as doubts will often arise, whether any improvement is taking place. Taking a retrospective view of the political institutions of our own times, we see that the courses and policy pursued, have been extremely devious and vacillating, sometimes ad- vancing, and sometimes receding; the people are often vio- lently excited, and sometimes on the verge of revolution. Men intrusted with political power, and those aspiring to acquire it, who cherish and defend fallacious opinions, and who are moved by such influences and suggestions, will act with a cer- tain tendency toward the production of mischievous conse- quences. It is only in proportion as sound opinions, based on true and immutable principles, are acknowledged as of supreme authority that mischief is prevented. We have recently seen this idea illustrated in a striking degree, in our own State of of Rhode Island. *
* * * * Freedom itself, is subject to law and order, or it becomes licentiousness and disorder.
Military power should be seldom and judiciously used; rigid, prompt, and effective as it must be, to be valuable, it is dan- gerous to provoke its exercise; those entrusted with it should ever remember, that its power should be conservative, and that its legitimate functions are limited to the maintainance of freedom of law and order."
The Pawtuxet Valley Railroad was so far completed that it was opened for general business in September, 1874. The road commences at the depot in this village, thence passes through Clyde, Lippitt, Phenix, Harris- ville to Hope, a distance of about three and one-fifth miles. It was a very expensive road to construct, on ac- count of numerous bridges, with their costly abut- ments. The road at present is leased to the trustees of the Hartford, Providence and .Fishkill Company, who equip it, run it, keep it in repair, and pay over to the stockholders of the Pawtuxet Valley Railroad Company a fixed percentage of the gross profits.
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NATICK.
NATICK.
Natick, or Natchick, as it was sometimes spelt in early times, is an Indian name, and signifies "a place of hills."* The territory to which it applied at the division of lands in 1673, and the names of its early possessors, have been given in the account of Phenix village. The extensive range of elevated land that shuts in the Pawtuxet valley for several miles up-stream from this village, suggests not only the appropriateness of the term as applied to the tract designated as "Natick lands," in the ancient plat, but also the probability that it embraced in the aboriginal mind, a considerable portion of territory on the west bank of the north branch of the Pawtuxet, reaching as far as Hope village, and perhaps the hilly regions beyond. The portion of the "Natick lands " included in the present village was on the north side of the river. On the south side were the Wecochaconet farms, referred to on page 88, the northeastern one, embracing some 400 acres, which in- cluded all or nearly all the territory on the south side of the river now embraced in the present school district of this village, fell to the lot of Randall Holden.
When the Natick lands were assigned by the Warwick proprietors to their five associates in 1673, they were un- divided. On Dec. 9, 1674, the five owners of the tract divided it among themselves, and under this latter date we find the following entry on the proprietors' records :
" We the proprietors of Natick lands that lyeth one ye north side of Pawtuxet river in ye colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, have laid out five lotts; that is to say; they lye in one range, in manner and forme aforesaide, as followeth : the north ends of them bounded by the west lyne of the grand purchase of the Mishawomet plantation; and the south ends of these lotts, bounded by the northern-most branch of Patuxet river: The first lott lyeth near range
* Drake's North American Indians, p. 178.
*21
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HISTORY OF WARWICK.
rock, so called, in ye northeast corner, bounded by a small black oak; from thence southerly to a small black oak."
Such land-marks as these two small black oaks were not infrequent at the time. They served the purpose, probably, and when in the course of time the lands were transferred to other parties, other and more permanent bounds may have been designated. The original proprie- tors of the land on both sides of the river were also posses- sors of territory in the earlier settled portions of the town, and do not appear to have resided upon these tracts themselves, but continued to make their homes in Old Warwick. In the course of the following century the several farms had been cut up and sold to various par- ties. In June, 1736, a number of persons " concerned in a tract of land situate in the Grand Purchase of Warwick, in that part called Natick, near fifty years past ; and likewise others in a tract of land called Wecochaco- net," petitioned for a highway to be laid out through their lands. The assembly referred the matter to the Town Council of Warwick, who were authorized to act in the premises. The Council failing to act, the matter was again laid before the assembly the following year. The Council refused to lay out the highway " unless the proprietors of the lands through which the said way should go, would be at all the cost and charge of laying it out, and allow the land on which the same should be laid out, which conditions were not in the power of the petitioners to perform." The assembly, after due consid- eration, voted "that from the house of Capt. Rice, in Warwick, there be a highway laid out in the most near and convenient manner to the grist mill, commonly called Edmonds' Mill; from thence westerly to the southeast corner of the town of Scituate, at or near the land of James Colvin." The Town Council of Warwick was directed to issue a warrant to the sheriff of the county of Providence or his deputy to summon a jury to lay out the road, the charges to be paid out of the town treasury.
A long controversy ensued, and in 1742, the General
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