The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 35

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 978

USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV > Part 35

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Henry A. Hidden was well known and prominent in public life in the city of Providence, and although in no sense of the word an office seeker served for two years as a representative in the Rhode Island General Assembly; he also was a member of the Providence Board of Aldermen from 1860 to 1861. He was active in financial circles, and was a corporate member and president of the What Cheer Bank, as well as a director in many corporations of note in the city. For several years he was a member of the Providence Commercial Club, which was formed of the most influential busi- ness men in Rhode Island. lle was also a charter member of the Providence Board of Trade, and of the Rhode Island Historical Society, which he joinel in 1873.

Henry A. Hidden married, in 1830. Abby A Updike, daughter of Hon. Wilkins and Abby 1. (Watson) Updike (see Updike VI). Mr. and Mrs. flidden were the parents of the following children . 1. Charles Henry, mentioned below. 2. Wilkins Updike, mentioned below. 3. Walter, mentioned below. Henry .A. Hidden died at his home in Providence, R. I., August 7, 1809.

(V1) Charles Henry Hidden, son of Henry .1. and Abby A. ( Updike ) Hidden, was born September 12. 1840, and died May 22, 1007. He was a graduate of Brown University in the class of 1861, and in 1862 went to the front as a private in Company D), Tenth Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. In 1868 he became a mem- ber of the firm of Henry A. Hidden & Sons, and con- tinued in connection with the business until his death. He was well known and prominent in business circles. He was a member of several clubs, among them the University Club, of New York, and the Hope Club, Agawam Hunt Club, and Squantum Association, of Providence.

(VI) Wilkins Updike Hidden, son of Henry \ and Abby A. ( Updike) Hidden, was born December 25. 1842. He was graduated from Brown University in the class of 1865, and in 1868 was admitted to partner- ship with his father in the firm of H. A. Hidden &

Sons. In recent years he has been retired from active business life. Mr. Hidden is a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity.

(VI) Walter Hidden, son of Henry A. and Abby A. (Updike) Hidden, was born April 19, 1851. He received his elementary education at the Mount Pleas- ant Institute, later becoming a student at the famous St. Paul's School, of Concord. N. H. Completing his studies. he identified himself immediately with his father's business, and in 1875 became a member of the firm of H. A. Hidden & Sons. Mr. Hidden has always been an ardent sportsman, and a lover of out-door life. His hunting and fishing tours have covered the notable game preserves of the United States, Canada and Europe. He is a member of the Audubon Society, and a strong advocate of the preservation and conservation of bird life in America. Mr. Hidden is also widely known in club circles in the city of Providence. He was for several years president of the Squantum Asso- ciation, and of the Hope Club, and for five years was president of the Agawam Hunt Club. He retains active membership in all the foregoing and is also a member of the Rhode Island Country Club. By virtue of descent he is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars. A man of scholarly tastes, a lover of the fine arts, widely traveled, and a true cosmopolitan, Mr. Hidden represents a type which commercialism is rapidly eliminating-the well rounded, courteous, af- fable gentleman of the old school.

On October 12. 180;, Mr. Hidden married Mrs. Kate Holmes Anthony Hoppin, daughter of Henry A. and Kate L. Heiser. They are the parents of one daughter, Mary Updike, born September 25. 1 /03.

THE UPDIKE FAMILY is one of the most con- spicuous and important in Rhode Island history. The American ancestor. Gysbort Opdyck, who came to New Amsterdam prior to 1638, was a son of Lod wigh ( Lodowick ) Op den Dyck, of Wesel, Germany, son of Gysbert op den Dyck, son of Lodowigh, son of Gysbert, son of Johan, sor bi Johan, son of Deric, son of Henric op den Dyk. The name is i und in a great variety vi spellings. all different forms of the nam , op-de- Dyck, which me .ns at or on the dike.

(1) Gysbert Opdyck, the American ancestor, signed his name, Op d Dyck. in the two aut graphic signatures which have been handed down, and this form was also used by his father on the baptismal certificate of his son in Wes .1. The name became anglicised quickly. and is found in the records under varied form. Updike, Updyke and Opdyke, being the more prevalent forms.

Gijsbert Opdyck was baptized in Willibrod's Church, Wesel, Germany, September 25, 1005. The years be- tween his birth and his coming to New Amsterdam were spent in his native city, where he was well edu- cated. He bore the title. Doctor, which in German is a degree of learning, not of medicine. This has led to si me confusion as there seems no proof that he was a physician. Wesel Academy was then famous in Europe, and the best influence is that he was graduated from that institution of warning with the doctor's degree. He came to now New York City, prior to 1038, and until the English occupation in ibn4 was one of the leading men of New Amsterdam, an officer of the

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Dutch West India Company, commander of Fort Hope, under repeated appointments, commissary, one of the eight men who signed the great Treaty of Peace, August 30, 1645, between the Dutch and all the River Indians, his father-in-law, Richard Smith, also one of the "Eight Men." He was also tithe commissioner, and frequently sat in the Council. He was a friend of Governor Kieft, Secretary Van Tienhoven, Fiscal de la Montagne, and Burgomaster Creiger, all of whom stood as sponsers at the baptism of his children. Through all the many difficulties and trying situations through which the early Dutch settlement passed, he bore himself creditably. Gysbert Opdyck maintained a home on Stone street, New York, and also owned a farm at Hempstead, another at Cow Neck, L. I., and the whole of Coney Island was his property, part of it bearing his name. The present Coney Island was then composed of three islands all owned by him, duly pat- ented by Governor Kieft, and recorded by the secretary as can still be seen on the old Dutch records in Albany State Library. The eastermost of the three was known as "Gysbert's Island" for many years, but all were patented to him. He had a legal and valid patent to all of Coney Island, but had never been able to occupy it without danger from the Indians. Finally he trans- ferred his claim to Duck de Wolff, a wealthy Holland merchant. After the English occupation, nothing is found on the records concerning him. The tradition is doubtless correct that he went with his children to Narragansett, after the death of his father-in-law, Richard Smith, in 1666, to take possession of the lands about Wickford, bequeathed to the children of Gys- bert's deceased wife, Catherine. "Gysbert Op ten Dyck, a bachelor from Wesel, and Catherine Smith, a maiden from England," were married September 24, 1643. She was a daughter of Richard Smith, a man of wealth, character, activity and energy, prominent in Massachu- setts, New Amsterdam, and Rhode Island. He was born in Gloucestershire, England, came to New England to attain religious freedom, and was a most acceptable inhabitant and prime leading man in Taunton in the "Plymouth Colony." About 1639, he bought from Nar- ragansett Sachems thirty thousand acres on the west side of Narragansett bay, and there erected a trading post located on the "Pequot Path." He died at his house at Wickford, R. I., his large land holdings being divided by will between his children and grandchildren. Gysbert Opdyck's eldest son, Lodowyck, appears upon Kingstown records at Wickford, R. I., as early as 1668, and others of his children later.

(II) Lodowick Updike, the second son of the Dutch- American ancestor, was baptized in the Dutch Church at New Amsterdam, June 10, 1646. Three years of his infancy were passed at Fort Hope ( Hartford. Conn.), as his father was commander there, but his youth, until the age of twenty, was spent in New Amsterdam in his father's house on Stone street, or in the house "next the City Hall" and on Long Island. Two years after the English occupation he is of record at Wick- ford, R. I., where his Grandfather Smith's trading house stood, and henceforth Rhode Island was his home, the name becoming as now, Updike, the English clerks so writing in the public records "to take off the Dutch of it." His name is of continual mention in

Rhode Island and Wickford records which leads to the inference that he was a man of prominence and energy. He held the rank of lieutenant, was assessor grand juryman repeatedly, served on important towi committees, and as deputy to the General Assembly' He inherited largely from his Grandfather Smith, and doubled his inheritance by his marriage to his cousin Abigail Newton, daughter of Thomas and Joan (Smith) Newton, who was seventeen years his junior. Lodowich Updike had his children educated at home by a foreigr tutor, one of his sons marrying the daughter of a governor of Rhode Island, and becoming one of the most eminent men of the colony. His wife, Abigail was a convert to the Protestant Episcopal faith, the following item being from St. Paul's Church Register

1726, September 11, at night, clinick baptism was administered by Mr. McSparran to Abigail, wife of Captain Lodowick Updike, it being the sixty-third year of her age.

Lodowick Updike lived to be ninety years old seventy years of that period being spent in Rhode Island in the Narragansett section, which he saw change from a wilderness to a well ordered community. He came when a young man of twenty to "Cocumscussuc," or Smith Castle, built by his Grandfather Smith, at Wick- ford, in 1639, and rebuilt in 1680 by Richard Smith, Jr. Later Lodowick Updike became its owner, who in turn passed it to his son. Daniel, he to his son, Lodowick (2), he to his children, the "Castle" passing out of the family in 1816. The old historic town yet stands, no other building rivaling it in historic interest. It sheltered many Updikes during the one hundred and eighty years it remained in the family name, and there many distinguished guests were entertained . Roger Williams, Governor John Winthrop, Sir Edward An- dros, Edward Randolph, Bishop Beverly, Smibert, the artist, Benjamin Franklin, the Marquis de Lafayette, the Duc de Lauzun, Bishop Seabury, Dr. James Mc- Sparran, and many other men of note having partaken. of Updike hospitality within the walls of "Smith Castle."

(III) Daniel Updike, second son of Lodowick and Catherine (Smith) Updike, was born at Wickford, R. I., in 1694. and died May 15, 1757. He was educated under a private French tutor, who taught him Greek, Latin and French, other tutors teaching the usual studies forming the classical courses. He studied law, opened an office in Newport, and there practiced very successfully. In 1722 he was elected attorney-general of Rhode Island, and annually re-elected until 1732, when he declined further election. Boundary disputes con- tinually arose during his official term, Connecticut and Massachusetts being averse to granting Rhode Island even the little she claimed. Mr. Updike represented Rhode Island on the committees appointed, and was of great service to the Colony in presenting Rhode Island cases before the deciding bodies. He was attorney- general until 1740. when a law was passed abolishing the office and creating a similar one for each county. Daniel Updike was appointed attorney-general for Kings county, in 1741, was re-elected to the same office in 1742, the county law was repealed in 1743, and the old law revised under which Mr. Updike was again re-elected attorney-general for the Colony, annually

Withmis Sopocie

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BIOGRAPHICAL

elected until his death in 1757, his service to the State ving been vital to the very life of the same.

:n 1730 the first literary institution in the Colony was med, in Rhode Island, out of which grew Redwood orary. Mr. Updike was one of the founders, the st signer of its constitution, and a zealous member. : was an intimate friend of the learned Dean Berk- y, and when the Dean returned to England he pre- ited his friend with an elegantly wrought silver coffee t, and after his arrival sent him his "Minute Phil- ›pher," which remained in the family as remembrance the distinguished Divine. His intimacy with Grid- , Colonial attorney for Massachusetts; Shirley, Gov- ior under the Crown, Judge Auchmuty, the elder, 1 Mr. Bollan, often caused him to visit these gentle- n in Boston, and outside of Rhode Island his ac- intance was large. He possessed a fine library of ssical and general literature, was highly respected ong his professional brethren, and in all literary and , associations of his day his name stands at the head. was a strong advocate for the cause he championed, od about five feet, ten inches high, with prominent tures, and a clear, full musical voice. From the rec- s of St. Paul's Church, this extract is taken :

Colonel Updike of North Kingston, Attorney-Gen- 1 of the Colony, died on Saturday, the 15th of May, 7, about noon, and after a funeral discourse was ached by Dr. McSparran, was interred in the burial und of the family beside the remains of his father I second wife, Anstis Jenkins, mother of Lodowick [ Mary Updike, his surviving children.

`his burial ground of the Smith and Updike families ; a part of the "Cocumscussuc," the estate owned them at Wickford. He had three wives: Sarah hold, Anstis Jenkins, and Mary Wanton.

IV) Lodowick Updike, the first born of Daniel Up- e, attorney-general of Rhode Island, and his second e, Anstis (Jenkins) Updike, was born at Newport, I., in 1725, died in 1804. Under the custom of his he was educated under private tutors, studied law, never practiced, devoting all his life to the care of private estate. He became an eminent citizen of ode Island, and while his qualifications were such fitted him for high position at the bar, in political military life, he preferred the dignity and scholarly eure of the private life of a landed gentleman. He ned five farms, 1500 acres, resided in Smith Castle, Updike Mansion, near Wickford, which descended en to him through his father and grandfather from hard Smith. To strong intellectual powers he added Re and attainment, entertained with an almost royal vitality, and the doors of the Smith Castle were fer closed to traveler of either low or high degree. rfact, his great delight was the entertaining of his hierons friends. He was a zealous adherent of the Mrch of England, and to his interest was largely due erection of an Episcopal church at Wickford. In Conal appearance he was tall and fine looking. al- is wore a wig, and small clothes, and was said to emble George III. of England. He is interred in family burial plot at Wickford, as are his wife and dren. He married, January 25, 1759, Abigail Gard- e a niece of Dr. McSparran and of Dr. Sylvester dner, of Boston. They were the parents of eleven biren : I. Daniel, a lawyer and attorney-general of

Rhode Island. 2. James, died unmarried. 3. Anstis, married William Lee, and died on her one hundredth birthday; her memory is perpetuated in St. Paul's Church by a beautiful communion table imported from Europe, a century and a half ago. 4. Mary, married Nathaniel Mundy, a merchant of Wickford. 5. Abigail, married Joseph Reynolds, a farmer. 6. Sarah, married David Hagan, a mariner. 7. Lydia, married Frederick Cary, a merchant. 8. Lodowick, a merchant of Rhode Island and New York City. 9. Alfred, a mariner and merchant of Wickford. Io. Gilbert, a mariner of Rhode Island, who later went West. II. Wilkins, of further mention.

(V) Wilkins Updike, youngest of the eleven child- ren of Lodowick and Abigail (Gardner) Updike, was also almost the last of a generation of true Rhode Island men known as "old fashioned," "of the old school," but worthy of respect and imitation in the walks of private and public life. This was the eulogy passed upon "an old fashioned gentleman, this vigorous and honest legislator, the hospitable and warm hearted cit- izen" by his colleagues of the Rhode Island General Assembly at his decease. He was born at North Kingstown, R. I., January 8, 1784. died at his home in Kingstown, January 14, 1867. He was educated under private tutors and at Plainfield Academy (Connecticut), pursuing law study under William Hunter and Asher Robbins, of Newport, and Elisha Potter, of Kings- town. He was admitted to the bar in 1808, and soon rose to eminence in his profession. He resided at Tower Hill, also for a few years at the homestead at North Kingstown, then made permanent settlement at Kingstown, now Kingston. He was a law maker as well as a lawyer, and was identified with many legis- lative reforms, the Married Woman's Act, the system of public schools, and many of the great public enter- prises of his time. He was a hard working member of the General Assembly, in debate was most effective, in logic convincing, in ridicule most powerful and in sym- pathetic appeal could draw the hardest to tears. At his decease the General Assembly passed the following resolutions :

Resolved, That we desire to inscribe upon the record some memorial of our respect for this old fashioned gentleman, this vigorous and honest legislator, this hospitable and warm-hearted citizen.

Resolved, That in the decease of Hon. Wilkins Up- dike, has passed away from earth almost the last of a generation of true Rhode Island men, worthy of our respect and imitation in the walks of private and pub- lic life.

His pen was equally effective and he contributed to the public press. He wrote "Memoirs of the Rhode Island Bar," published in 1842, a valuable work pre- serving much concerning distinguished men of the Rhode Island bar which otherwise would have been forgotten and lost. He also wrote a "History of the Episcopal Church in Narragansett, Rhode Island," pub- lished in 1847, a book now very valuable and rare. He was a valued member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, one of the hardworking members to whom the Society owes its life. Said one of his biographers:

There is a portrait of Mr. Updike, by Lincoln, excel- lent both as a picture and as a likeness when he was in the full maturity of his physical and mental powers. It is a radiant face, suggestive of strength and en-

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joyment. If it were hung in a gallery of portraits of men who have made a mark in the world, it would at once arrest attention and provoke inquiry about the original. As the picture, so the man. In whatever company Mr. Updike was, he was a centre of attrac- tion, not because he asserted himself, but because he was alive in every part of his nature. He enjoyed himself, and so was a source of joy to all around him. He loved to eat and drink and laugh and work. What was worth seeing, he saw. What was worth knowing he knew.

He had strong convictions, loved to study individual character, was a zealous friend of temperance, a church- man, a nobleman in personal appearance, and in the generous humanity of his nature. Wherever he sat was the head of the table, and he would have enter- tained royally at his home without any thought of difference in rank. He was beloved of the large family which grew up around him, the idol of his children, and when at a good old age he passed over he was laid at rest by a loving group of relatives and friends.

He married, September 31, 1809, Abby A. Watson, daughter of Walter and Abigail (Hazard) Watson, a lady of remarkable mentality, who preceded her hus- band in death, her remains being interred in the family burial ground at Wickford. Her portrait was painted in 1817, by Artist Gimbrede, in water colors, but later wax copied in oil. She was greatly beloved and es- teemed. Their children were twelve: I. Thomas Bon- doin, a druggist of Pittsburgh, Pa. 2. Mary A., mar- ried Samuel Rodman, a manufacturer of Rocky Brook. 3. Isabelle W., married R. R. Randolph, an accountant of Kingstown. 4. Abby A., of further mention. 5. Walter W., a lawyer of Seekonk, Mass. 6. Artis T., of Kingston. 7. Angeline, married John F. Greene, of Brooklyn, N. Y. 8. Elizabeth T., of Kingston. 9. Caesar A., a lawyer of Providence. 10. Caroline, mar- ried John Eddy, a lawyer of Providence. 11. Daniel, of Kingston. 12. Alice, of Kingston.

(VI) Abby A., fourth child and third daughter of Wilkins and Abby A. Updike, married, in 1839, Henry A. Hidden, of Providence, who died August 7, 1899. (See Hidden V). They were the parents of three sons : Charles Henry, Wilkins and Walter.

REV. HUGH B. CARPENTER-Regularly or- dained a minister of the Baptist church, Mr. Carpenter followed his calling until 1915, serving churches in New Jersey. Connecticut and Rhode Island. He was then called to another sphere of usefulness, and since 1915 has been head of the business founded by A. Her- bert Arnold, and conducted by him for fifty-one years in the city of Providence. As a minsiter he labored earnestly in behalf of the cause he loved and was an effective advocate of the religion of the lowly Nazarene, whose teachings were his inspiration. High minded, courteous and sympathetic by nature, these qualities were the secret of his success as a pastor, and the same qualities are in constant evidence in the work in which he is now engaged, and the sterling quality of his character is no less worthily employed than when he was the spiritual instead of the o, cial funeral director. He is a descendant of William Carpenter, who came from England, settled in Rhode Island, was one of the founders of the First Baptist Church of Providence, the first in America, and was prominent in the settle- ment of Pawtucket. A branch of the family settled

in Waverly, N. Y., and there Rev. Hugh B. Carpen parents were residing at the time of their son's b Honor and fame have attached to the family his in Rhode Island, as elsewhere during the nearly t centuries it has been an American family, the prc. sions especially being enriched by the attainment! sons by the name of Carpenter.

Hugh B. Carpenter, son of Isaac N. and Adelin, Carpenter, was born in Waverly, N. Y., November 1870, and there completed a public school course study, finishing with high school graduation. He pursued the academic course at the famous Ter University, Pa., going thence to Crozer's Theolog Seminary at Upland, near Chester, Pa., an institu for the educational and theological training for yo men aspiring to the ministry of the Baptist church. pursued theological study at Crozer until gradu: class of 1899, and formally ordained a clergyman of Baptist faith. His first call was from the First Ba Church of Toms River, N. J., remaining there three years, his work being greatly blessed in that known resort of the New Jersey coast. He closed work in Toms River after three years of succe: pastoral labor, and took up similar work with Baptist congregation of South Norwalk, Conn., t remaining until called to the Cranston Street Ba Church of Providence, R. I. He located in Provide May I, 19II, and faithfully served Cranston S Church until October, 1915. He then succeeded tc business of A. Herbert Arnold, who retired after so thing more than half a century of business activit a funeral director and undertaker. While it requ courage and a high sense of duty to make this cha Mr. Carpenter did not shrink, nor should he, for to his calling there is no profession or occupation w higher moral standards are called for than that of undertaker. To his work Mr. Carpenter brings n ity of character, scientific knowledge and skill, during the three years he has been head of the bus has gained confidence and approval.

Mr. Carpenter married, August 24, 1899, Carolir Faulkner, daughter of John E. Faulkner, of Pen vania. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner are the parents of daughters and a son: Miriam Jessie, Linn Mitchell, Martha Perry Carpenter.

EBENEZER TIFFANY-There is no name vi has been more anciently or honorably associated a that part of New England through which the dist boundry line of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and which was the location of the ancient settleme Rehoboth, Mass., and near at hand the county of B in Rhode Island than Tiffany. Here for about hundred and fifty years the family bearing this has been located, its members always having 1 tained a position of importance in the community proved themselves men alike of the highest inte and great practical ability. The town of Barril was the home of one branch of this large family here dwelt generation after generation the ancesto Ebenezer Tiffany, with whose career we are espe concerned. The family was founded in this part of country by one Humphrey Tiffany, of whom, how comparatively little is known.

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I) Humphrey Tiffany and his wife Elizabeth are ind in Rehoboth, Mass., as early as 1663 and 1664. e records of that ancient town contain very meagre erence to him, however, but it is known that he was ed by lightning on July 15, 1685, and that his widow s appointed to administer his estate.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 35

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn Publication date: 1920 Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society Number of Pages: 978

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 978