The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 37

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 37

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

THI) James (2) Briggs, son of James (1) and Sarah 'ickes) Briggs, was a resident of Kingstown ingston) and of Providence, where he owned farm ds deeded him by his father and mother, to which added considerably by purchase. lle was a prom- nt farmer. He married, and among his children s Jonathan Briggs, mentioned below.

IV) Jonathan Briggs, son of James (2) Briggs,

was born in 1755. He was 2 life long resident of Warwick, R. I., where he died. December 23, 1837. He married Abigail Greene, of the famous Warwick Greenes, a descendant of Surgeon John Greene; she was born June 17, 175, and died July 9. 1840, daugh- ter of Nathanie and Alice |Leel Greene. Jonathan Briggs served ior a period of six years during the American Revolution with the Continental forces, participating in the battles di Germantown, Monmouth and Yorktown. and numerous lesser engagements. On his return to Rhode Island! he followed agricul- tural pirsuits until Vis death in 1832.

(V) Wanton Briggs, son of Jonathan and Abigail (Greene) Briggs, was born in Warwick, R. I., and resided there al his Nie. He was a prosperous farmer and a well-khi wn .n eminently-respected mem er . . the communry. He was a staunch Baptist an an . the warrer in the church. Wanton Briggs married Mary Ti't, daughter i Sdomon Tift: she die, at \ 'unt wn. Conr . Jnl . 18%). aged seventy-four years. Among their children w. s Olney, mentioned clow.

(VI) Deicom Olney Briggs, son of Wanton and Mary (Ti't Briggs, was born in Coventry, R. I., and was a firmer there until his death. He was one of the jerem st members of the community. a leader in relig as le, a man wel -lived : d deeply-respected for Christian integrity and - Iness of his life. He wasa deation in the Baptist e . irch for several decades, nl an indefatigalle werker in religi us causes. Dea- con Olney Briggs married Eleanor Arnold, and they were the parents f the f lowing children: 1. Doug- h& T. 2. Arnold G., who & ile d from Brist. I for Cal- torni in 1540. Hining the tile of westward emigra- Misail. married Joseph Wirt 4. (Ortis, dudl ogel about thirty-five years. 5. Mary Iste , marrie ! \phante Phillips. 6. Giles A., menli n f lr iw. 7. bir ne Amanda, married Na- than Keny G Dearn Olney Briggs was active for severty e is in the baptist church at Rice City and Hookin. Ho1w. R 1., and it his death a beautiful tribute to his long mel tarloul service was paid him

VII Gles Big. son of Descon Olney and Flennoir . Art Ihr Briggs, was born in Coventry, R 1. in 1827. lle pa se ! the early years of his life on Vi father's farm and at Phenix, R. I .. where the family mowed, and where he worked in a cotton mill a short time, later moving bick to the farm. He wein el the local schools during the winter months, atter t. uistom if the period, and helped in the wirk Chiffe farm during the summer. On attaining hi mou rits he engaged in farming independently, n! wwwil t death was one of the leading agricul- turis of the surrounding e untry.

Mr. Briggs married, December 20, 1852. Mary Ann Austin, daughter of Beriah and Thebe (Hopkins ) Austin, born in Coventry, R 1. Je', 21, 18:5, di ! October 10, 1015, and a descendant of several promi- nent old Rhode Island familles. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs were the parents of eleven children: 1. Abbie E., who became the wife of George C. Blanchard, n w deceased. 2. Curtis, died at the age of three months.

144

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

3. Lewis M., deceased. 4. Mary Josephine, now Mrs. Pierce Tuckerman, of Providence, R. I. 5. Frank H., who resides in Anthony, R. I. 6. Nellie G. (Mrs. George Bailey), of Whitinsville, Mass. 7. Florence C., who married the late Searles Capewell, and now resides at Anthony, R. I. 8. Ida A., wife of Ambrose H. Nicholas. 9. Arthur Briggs, of Providence, R. I. IO. Jennie V. (Mrs. Erban Matteson), of Anthony, R. I. II. Bertha P., died at the age of ten years.

Giles Briggs died at his home at Anthony, R. I., July 15, 1902, aged seventy-five years. Mrs. Briggs devoted her life to her children and home.

W. HERBERT CASWELL-This branch of the Caswell family represented by W. Herbert Caswell, of Narragansett Pier, R. I., a leading real estate operator, traces descent from Job Caswell, who was a freeman in Newport, R. I., in 1727, and a member of the Congregational church, as was his wife, Lydia. He died in November, 1774, she in December, 1760. They were the parents of John, mentioned below.

(II) John Caswell, son of Job Caswell, was born in March, 1742, and died in South Kingston, in 1779. At the time of the Revolution he lived in Newport, but removed his family across the bay in a small boat, landing at what is now Narragansett Pier. He mar- ried, December 31, 1761, Hannah West, born in 1740, died August 3, 1775. John and Hannah (West) Cas- well were the parents of John, mentioned below.

(III) John (2) Caswell, son of John (1) Caswell, died in 1812. He married Mary Tefft, born Febru- ary 4, 1772, daughter of Gardiner Tefft, a soldier of the Revolution. She died February 9, 1819, leaving children: John West, of further mention; Gardiner, Reuben, Waity, Mary and Hannah.

(IV) John West Caswell, son of John (2) Caswell, was born in South Kingston, R. I., Jannary 10, 1792, and died July 30, 1867. He was a farmer of South Kingston. He married, in 1815, Hannah Bush Tefft, born in 1797, died in 1852, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Hazard) Tefft, the last named a first cousin of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of Lake Erie. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, all now deceased: Stephen Tefft, married Susan Kenyon; Daniel Tefft, married Abby Hazard Tefft; Mary Ann, born February 29, 1824, unmarried; John H., builder and proprietor of the "Metatoxet House" at Narragansett Pier until his death in 1904, the last of the old time hotel keepers at the pier, married Abby A. Eaton; William Gardiner, of further men- tion; Caroline Amelia, married Jeremiah Slocum Briggs; Thomas Arnold, married Clara Watson.

(V) William Gardiner Caswell, son of John West Caswell, was born February II, 1828, and died at Narragansett Pier, R. I., July 16, 1896. He was a farmer, later a partner with his brother John H. in a grocery and dry goods store in Kingston, subsequently became proprietor of the Mansion House at Narra- gansett Pier, when that place sprang into prominence. He also built the Mt. Hope Hotel at the Pier, was its proprietor until 1889, then sold out and retired after a lifetime of success. He was a Republican in politics, was a member and president of the Town

Council of South Kingston, represented South Kis ton in the State Senate for a number of years, a notary public until his death; captain of a comp of Rhode Island Militia during the Civil War deputy sheriff of Washington county, residing at county jail at Kingston Hill; a member of H Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons; H. Valley Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and of John's Commandery, Knights Templar. William Caswell married Sallie Carpenter Gardiner, borri the Rowland Robinson house in that part of Na gansett known as Boston Neck, October 26, I died April 15, 1908, daughter of Rowland F. Gardi a farmer of South Kingston. Mr. and Mrs. Cas were the parents of a son, W. Herbert, of fur mention, and a daughter, Addie Helena; they unmarried and reside together at Narragansett F R. I., there maintaining a beautiful home.

(VI) W. Herbert Caswell, son of William Ga ner Caswell, was born at the homestead in Sat Kingston, R. I., November 22, 1859. He was cated in the public schools in Sonth Kingston Narragansett Pier, finishing his courses at East Gr wich Academy. His father was owner of the Hope Hotel, at Narrangsett Pier, and until 1889 its proprietor, his son becoming his assistant, firs clerk three years, then for five years was mana 1885-89. The hotel was then sold, Mr. Caswell, clder, retiring from all business activity, Mr. Casy the younger, opening a clothing store at Narra; sett Pier, and conducting it for one year. He retired from mercantile life, and from that time the present he has been heavily engaged in real est operations. He maintains unusually finely equity and handsome offices on Exchange place, and ist central figure in all the important real estate tr ... actions involving Narragansett Pier or Washinghit county property, and from his office at the transacts a very large business. His operat cover the territory between the Hope Valley, Greenwich and Westerly, in addition to his local iness; his office also conducts an insurance der ment, writing all forms of fire, life, accident, inc nity and automobile.

Mr. Caswell was the first elected town clerk Narragansett Pier, after its separation from S Kingston, in 1888, and from March 22 of that until the present, 1919, he has held that office cont ously. He was first elected clerk of the Cour Common Pleas, and of the Supreme Court for W ington county, and has been clerk of the hi! courts in said county since 1892, twenty-seven yes the different courts now having been merged into Superior Court. Mr. Caswell is a member of Narragansett Park Commission. Other business terprises with which he is connected are the Sh Casino Company, of which he is director, secree and treasurer; and The Griffin-Browning Ice C pany, of which he is secretary, treasurer and direde both of these being Narragansett Pier Corporatie For two years he was commodore of the Wake Yacht Club. Since 1888 he has been a notary 1 lic; since 1892 a commissioner of deeds. He

145

BIOGRAPHICAL

mnber of Mt. Hope Lodge, No. 25, Free and Ac- ceed Masons; Hope Valley Chapter, Royal Arch Msons; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Es; Ancient Order of United Workmen; and the Rial Arcanum. He is vestryman of St. Peter's P testant Episcopal Church, and interested in all fovard movements. He is a man of quiet life and rened tastes, loves the artistic and the beautiful, his hoe and his offices reflecting the tastes of their quer for the finer things of life. His chief recrea- is sailing in his motor boat and automobiling, jeig very enthusiastic in both diversions.

VALTER MOWRY OLNEY, one of the most miential citizens of Chepachet, R. I., where he has tel many positions of responsibility and trust and :re he is engaged in the real estate, lumber and ning business on a large scale, is a member of amily which for generations has been identified w the State of Rhode Island, and has been repre- ged here by many men who have stood high in h esteem of the community and rendered notable erices to the State. It was founded in this country itt very early date in Colonial history, the progeni- having been one of the first settlers of Rhode nd.

[) Thomas Olney, founder of the family in this Site, was a native of England, and came to Salem, Mssachusetts, in 1635. He was one of the followers Roger Williams, taking the same stand as did that markable man on the question of religious belief, suffering with him many persecutions on the ut of his fellow-colonists, and eventually virtual wishment. He was one of those who came with Rger Williams and made the settlement at Provi- Ice, in 1636, and became a prominent man in the thful community.

II) Epenetus Olney, son of Thomas Olney, was n in England, in 1634, and was probably less than ear old when his parents brought him to this coun-

H He inherited his father's vigorous and energetic racter, and took a conspicuous part in the life of colony and had considerable hand in the admin- isation of its affairs. He was a member of the Iwn Council at Providence and of the Colonial sembly. Epenetus Olney married Mary Whipple, all they were the parents of the following children: Mry, James, Sarah, Epenetus, Jr., mentioned below; in, Mercy, Thomas and Lydia.

III) Epenetus (2) Olney, son of Epenetus (I) al Mary (Whipple) Olney, was born January 18, 175, at Providence, R. I., and died there September # 1740. He owned a large tract of land, which emprised a part of the sites of the present Glocester ed Burrillville, and was a well-known man in the immunity. He married Mary Williams, grand- ughter of Roger Williams, and they were the par- ts of the following children: James, Charles, Jo- ph, mentioned below; Anthony, Mary, Amey, Anna, artha, and Freeborn.

(IV) Joseph Olney, son of Epenetus (2) and Mary Villiams) Olney, was born at Glocester, in the year IO, and made that place his home during the re-

mainder of his life. He married Esther Smith, and they were the parents of five children, as follows: John, mentioned below; Docas, Stephen, Nathan, and Jeremiah.

(V) John Olney, eldest child of Joseph and Esther (Smith) Olney, was born at Glocester, June 22, 1747. He resided at that place, and was a young man at the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. He joined the force of patriots who first oppossed themselves to British arms, and saw service in the war that followed, being present at the battle of Bunker Hill. His death occurred September 17, 1797. John Olney married Lydia Steere, a member of a very prominent Rhode Island family, which is mentioned elsewhere in this work, and a daughter of Jonah and Lydia (Whipple) Steere. Mrs. Olney died Sep- tember 16, 1828. To them were born eight children, as follows: Anne, James, Esther, Stephen, Joseph, George, Ziba, mentioned below; and Elizabeth.

(VI) Ziba Olney, son of John and Lydia (Steere) Olney, was born January 2, 1783, at Glocester, where he continued to live during his entire life. He was a man of enterprise and intelligence and became a well-known citizen in that place, where he was engaged in succesful agricultural operations. His death occurred at his home in Glocester, December 5, 1871. Ziba Olney married (first) Anna Aldrich and (second) Prudence Baker. He was the father of the following children: Lydia, born April 5, 1810, and became the wife of Charles A. Slocum, and one of her sons was the late Ziba O. Slocum, at one time Attorney-General of Rhode Island; George, men- tioned below; Sarah A., born February 27, 1820, died at the age of twelve years.

(VII) George Olney, son of Ziba Olney, was born December 31, 1811, at Glocester, R. I. Following in the footsteps of his father, he became a successful farmer, his property being located in the eastern part of Glocester township. He was, however, a very enterprising man, and in addition to his farming oper- ated a saw mill. He was a natural inventive genius and was capable of turning his hand to almost any kind of mechanical work, and gained a wide reputa- tion throughout the community for his skill in this line. He was recognized as a man of the greatest integrity and honor, and was much esteemed by his fellow-citizens generally. His death occurred August IO, 1871. Mr. Olney married Waity M. Smith, who survived him, and they were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Joseph S., mentioned below; James B., born January 14, 1845, who became a farmer at Glocester, and married (first) Minerva Keach, who died in 1873, and (second) Ellea Baker, by whom he had the following children: Emma, Lula, Waity, George, Alva, Ellabell, Ralph and Sandy.

(VIII) Joseph S. Olney, son of George and Waity M. (Smith) Olney, was born April 14, 1835, at Gloces- ter. Like his ancestor, for a number of generations, Mr. Olney devoted himself to farming during his entire life in his native region. He was a well-known man in Glocester, and enjoyed the esteem and effec- tion of his fellow-citizens in an unusual degree. Jo- seph L. Olney married, February 13, 1853, Amey S.

P I-10

146

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Randall, born May 30, 1834, in the township of Johns- ton, R. I., a daughter of Augustus and Lydia (Smith) Randall. To Mr. and Mrs. Olney the following chil- dren were born: 1. Louisa, born April 14, 1854; married, Feby. 25, 1872, David Youngs, a farmer of North Kingston, to whom she has borne the follow- ing children : Cora M., deceased; Marion L., David, Edwin O., Ziba O., and Fannie R. 2. Waity, born Oct. 4, 1855, died June 25, 1876, in her twenty-first year. 3. George A., born March 10, 1857, died Nov. 23, 1873. 4. Walter Mowry, mentioned below. 5. Martin B., born July 5, 1862; was engaged in mining in Montana, where he was killed in an accident, Aug. 28, 1896. 6. William F., born Jan. 4, 1866; married (first) Rosa Daniels, and (second) Ernestine Mowry, and is the father of two children: Walter E. and Arthur F. 7. Sarah S., born July 14, 1868; married, February 2, 1891, Henry M. Paine, of Chepachet, R. I., to whom she has borne the following children: Edna, Ruth O., Alcy M., and Henry Mowry, Jr. 8. Fannie, born April 4, 1871; married, in Nov., 1895, Justin Stone, of Los Angeles, Cal., to whom she has borne two children: Robert O., and Donald J., born Dec. 24, 1906. 9. Joseph, born Aug. 25, 1873, died Jany. 10, 1875. 10. Lydia, born May 19, 1876; became the wife of John Steere, of Gloucester, to whom she has borne seven children: Amey, Helen, John P., Mary S., Louise M., George O., and Walter Mowry Olney.

(1X) Walter Mowry Olney, son of Joseph S. and Amey S. (Randall) Olney, was born February I, 1860, at Glocester. His childhood was spent on his father's farm, and most of his time was given to aid- ing the elder man in the work about the place. His educational advantages were exceedingly meager, but Mr. Olney is one of those characters which are keenly observant and he has learned much in the hard school of experience, especially about that all impor- tant subject, his fellow-men. He continued to reside with his parents until the time of his marriage, and as a youth was employed by the neighboring farmers, so that he gained a wide and extensive knowledge of this subject and became well skilled in agricul- tural methods generally. At the time of his marriage he purchased his present farm and has here resided continuously up to the present time. This property was naturally a fertile one and he developed and cul- tivated it until he brought it to a highly productive state, and for a time carried on successful farming operations here. In the year 1890, however, he engaged in the business of getting out fire wood from his property and selling it to the surrounding com- munities, and this business grew so rapidly that he decided to devote his time principally to it. He began to use a portable mill in his work, and pur- chasing standing timber in this region he rapidly reduced it to marketable sizes. He has employed at times more than twenty-five hands in this work, and is now associated with J. Oscar Ballou, of Pascoag, under the firm name of Olney & Ballon. Of recent years he has also become interested in the develop- ment of real estate in this community, and now does a large business in this line. He has not, however,

entirely given up his farming, and his place is garded as one of the well conducted properties in region, and it is also, undoubtedly, one of the n picturesquely situated hereabouts. Mr. Olney erected all of the buildings which now stand on land, including his charming dwelling house. Olney is one of those men who are instinctively in ested in the welfare of the communities where t reside, and he has given no little time and energy the conduct of public affairs. He is a Republicat his politics, and has identified himself closely v the local organization of his party, which has eler him to a number of important offices on its tic In 1902 he was chosen a member of the Town Co cil and continued to serve on that body for ei years, proving himself a capable and efficient pu officer. Later he was the Republican candidate State Senator, but was defeated in the election t followed. He is a member of the Fire Departm Board, and is a trustee of the Chepachet Cemet Association.

Walter M. Olney married (first) October II, I: Mrs. Betsy Jane (Gay) Bowen, widow of He Bowen. Her death occurred August 6, 1899. July 26, 1900, Mr. Olney married (second) R Frances Bowen, of Glocester.

JACOB MANCHESTER-The name Manches is of local derivation, meaning "of Manchester." is unusual to find representatives of the larger cit as the natural tendency was rather to come to th, than to leave them. Hence many little towns, lages, corners and communities are the fruitful p ents of surnames.

The surname Manchester is probably as old, nearly so, as the town from which it was taken, a as is usually the case in a cognomen of that sort has differed very slightly in orthography to the pr ent day.

Arms-Quarterly, first and fourth, argent th lozenges conjoined, in fesse gules within a bord sable for Montagu; second and third or, an eagle d played vert, beaked and membered gules, for Mon ermer.

Crest-A griffin's head couped, wings expanded gorged with a collar argent, charged with th lozenges gules.

Supporters-Dexter. an heraldic antelope or, arm tufted and hoofed argent; sinister a griffin or, gorg with a collar as the crest.

Motto-Disponendo me, no mutando me.

Its earliest known form is Manchestre, represent by John de Manchestre, who lived in the county York in the reign of Edward II. John Manches is found in the Close Rolls of Henry VI.'s reig there is a Richard Manchester, of Ratcliffe, in 1. public records of 1671; and a Sarah Manchester, Manchester, in 1676.

Its representatives, though of a small family, ha a large part in all the great historical events of EI land and America. They were pioneers and builde doctors of medicine, solemn dignitaries of the la gallant soldiers and famous scientists, and busine men that knew no peers.

(I) The immigrant ancestor of the branch of t

Jacob Manchester.

147

BIOGRAPHICAL

lanchester family treated in this article, Thomas Janchester, was born in England, where he spent te earlier years of his life. He took passage for this ‹untry late in 1638, and became a resident of Jew Haven, Conn., in 1639, one year after the plant- ig of that colony. Shortly afterward, however, he moved to Portsmouth, R. I., and there spent the mainder of his life. He is mentioned in the land ¡cords of that town, January 25, 1655, when he and is wife sold to one Thomas Wood twelve acres land, but there is evidence that he had lived in portsmouth or the vicinity for some years previous to e latter date. A grant of eight acres of land was ade to Thomas Manchester at Portsmouth, Decem- r 10, 1657, and during the same year he sold to ichard Sisson one three-hundredth rights in Canoni- et and Dutch islands. On July 9, 1691, a short time fore his death, he granted to his son John his man- on house and lands at Portsmouth, except the place the lower end of the grounds then in possession of s son Thomas, all of his personal effects including ttle, tools, etc., one-half to be his at the death of e grantor and the other half at the death of grantor's fe, mother of grantee, providing he pay to the sons Thomas, William and Stephen, ten shillings each: to ob twenty shillings; and to the daughters Mary and lizabeth, ten shillings each. Thomas Manchester ed in 1691, and his wife followed him two years ter in 1693. Children: Thomas, born about 1650; illiam, mentioned below; John, George, Stephen, b, Mary, Elizabeth.

(II) William Manchester, son of Thomas Man- Mester, was born in 1654, probably in the vicinity of portsmouth, and resided at Tiverton, R. I., in 1718. e was one of the public-spirited and prominent men his day. He was admitted a freeman in 1675. here is a record that he with others purchased, March 1680, of Governor Josiah Winslow, land at Pocas- t, and became the owner of five of the thirty ares. He was one of the organizers of the town Tiverton, March 2, 1692. In his will, dated Sep- mber 27, 1716, and proved November 3, 1718, he ft his lands at Tiverton to his son John, and made her legacies to his wife and children, to be paid by ohn as administrator. He left a large estate for at early date, it being appraised at £1,586. He arried Mary Cook, a daughter of John and Mary Borden) Cook, and she died in 1716. His children ere: John, mentioned below; William, Mary, Sarah, eborah, Elizabeth, Margaret, Amey, Susanna, Re- ecca, Thomas.

(III) John Manchester, son of William and Mary Cook) Manchester, was born in 1695. He lived at iverton all of his life, and married, June 22, 1718- /19, Phebe Gray. Children, all born at Tiverton: Villiam, Feby. 9, 1719-1720; Philip, Feby. 11, 1722; ohn, Feby. 12, 1724; Mary, Jany. 23, 1726; John, pril 17, 1728; Isaac, mentioned below.

(IV) Captain Isaac Manchester, son of John Man- lester, was born at Tiverton, R. I., June 27, 1731. le married (first), November 1, 1750, Abigail Brown; second), April 9, 1769, Deborah, daughter of Thomas ook. He had eight children, all by his first wife,

and all born at Tiverton: Phillip, born Aug. 23, 1751 ; Sarah, Oct. 1, 1753; Isaac, mentioned below; Thomas, April 5, 1759; Abraham, Aug. 8, 1761; John, July 10, 1764; Phebe, Aug. 22, 1766; Abigail, Feby. 9, 1769.

(V) Isaac (2) Manchester, the third son of Captain Isaac (1) Manchester, was born at Tiverton, R. I., August 4, 1756. His wife, Alice (Tabor) Manches- ter, whom he married May II, 178-, was a daughter of Jacob and Susanna Tabor. Jacob Tabor was son of Thomas and Mary (Thompson) Tabor. Mary Thompson was the daughter of John and Mary (Cook) Thompson. Mary Cook was daughter of Francis Cook, who came over in the "Mayflower."

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 37

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