The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 41

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 41

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George Gosling received his early education in the hools of England. At the age of eleven years he me to America, locating with his mother and step- ther at Central Falls, R. I. He learned the tinsmith's ade under Mr. Plews, and followed it until the year 69 when, with his brother John, he was admitted to rtnership in the manufacturing business of Mr.

Plews. In 1871 Robert Plews, as has been already stated, retired to private life, and Mr. Gosling became active head of the large business, rapidly growing into one of the foremost enterprises of its kind in New Eng- land. In 1873 John Gosling withdrew, leaving George Gosling in sole control of the business. In 1874, Mr. Gosling admitted to partnership former Mayor East- wood Eastwood, and under the management of these two men the business was developed into a colossal en- terprise. Both were men of executive talent and in- ventive genius, and sagacious business men, who knew well every phase of the industry in which they engaged. As a result of the growing size of the business, it was deemed wise to incorporate, and on October 3, 1900, the R. Plews Manufacturing Company was formed, with Mr. Eastwood as president, Holmes Lomas and William H. Boardman, vice-president, and George Gos- ling as secretary and treasurer. On the death of Mr. Eastwood, Mr. Gosling became president of the cor- poration, which office he held until his death, in 1901. The firm is the largest which manufactures patent tin cylinders for spinning frames and mules in America, and its products penetrate to every part of the civilized world.

Mr. Gosling was a well-known figure in club and fraternal circles in Rhode Island for many years. He was a member of Jenks Lodge, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Pawtucket Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Holy Sepulchre Commandery, Knights Templar, Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and had attained to the thirty-second degree of the Masonic order. He was also a member of the Boston Consistory, of Pawtucket Lodge, No. I, Ancient Order United Workmen; Lincoln Lodge, Knights of United Workers; Hope Lodge, Knights of Honor; the American Legion of Honor; Providence Lodge of Elks; Washington Lodge, Knights of Py- thias; Superior Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and Warwick Club, Providence.

On July 22, 1868, Mr. Gosling married Elizabeth A. Whittle, who was born in Pawtucket, R. I., daughter of James and Ann (Thornley) Whittle, both of whom were natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Gosling were the parents of the following children: I. Enima, who became the wife of Holmes Lomas, secretary and treasurer of the R. Plews Manufacturing Company ; their children are: i. Le Roy Gosling, born Jan. 9, 1897; enlisted for service in the World War, July 17, 1918, and was made chief of section, Naval Reserve. He died, Sept. 17, 1918. ii. Elizabeth H. iii. George Gosling. 2. Bertha Louise. 3. Charles Albert, who died young. The family were members of St. George's Episcopal Church of Central Falls. Mrs. Gosling, who survives her husband, resides in the beautiful Gosling home, built by her husband, on Central street. Central Falls. She is well known in social life in the city, and has been prominently identified for many years with charitable and civic welfare work in Central Falls. George Gosling died at his home in Central Falls, R. I., June 2, 190I.

JAMES GEE, who for the past fifty years has been prominently identified with the textile industry of the New England states, was born in Stockport, about six

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

miles from Manchester, England, October 1, 1843, and is now (1918) living a retired life in his home in Prov- idence. He is a son of Henry and Ann (Clegg) Gee, who came from England and located in New York State, later moving to Norwich, Conn., where the former died in 1903. As a boy James Gee began work in a cotton mill in Stockport, England, but at the age of fifteen he came to the United States with the fam- ily, his father having preceded them and established a home to which he brought them in 1858. He was em- ployed in Brooklyn, N. Y., and on Staten Island by the New York Dye & Print Establishment. It was here that he became interested in dyeing, and by night work, overtime, Sunday work and study he learned a great deal about the business in which later he figured as an expert. From Staten Island he went to Joseph Ban- croft & Sons at Rockland, but later returned to the Staten Island plant of the New York Dye & Print Establishment, becoming an expert in the dye and print business, and head of the book-cloth department of the works.

Mr. Gee came to Providence at the instance of Frank Sayles, who was about to start a mill for the manufac- ture of a fine grade of book-cloth, a business in which the better grades had been left to the English manu- facturers. Mr. Gee was engaged by Mr. Sayles to plan and operate the Interlaken Mill, which was located at Arkwright, R. I., and was further entrusted with a commission to go to England to purchase the required machinery. Ten mills were started with good equip- ment, and began producing in February, 1884, the suc- cess of the enterprise being instant and has continued until the Interlaken plant dominates the American market. Mr. Gee continued as general superintendent of the Interlaken Mills until his retirement, January I, 1918. He can review his life with satisfaction and trace his way from a working boy to his present sta- tion as a man of large means with the proud thought that he was the architect of his own fortunes, and has won his way through sheer pluck and that indomitable energy which in its last analysis is the fundamental characteristic of the successful man. His career is one of those whose study affords fruitful conclusions for one seeking instances of the combination of the Anglo- Saxon qualities of pluck and perseverance with the op- portunities open to such young men in this country. The marvellous results furnish goals for the ambitious lad, who like Mr. Gee had nothing with which to start in life but bare hands, an active and willing mind, and sturdy health.

Mr. Gee is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to lodge, chapter, commandery, and shrine, and is also a member of the Country Club.

Mr. Gee married (first) Nancy Booth, of Staten Island, N. Y., who died some years later. He then mar- ried (second) Angeline Parker Cain, of East Wey- mouth, Mass., daughter of Stephen Cain, Jr., a Civil War veteran, who died in' 1900, at the age of sixty. James and Nancy (Booth) Gee were the parents of two sons and three daughters: William S. Gee, D. D. S., of Phenix, R. I., and a past master of Phenix Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Robert Nathan Gee, a graduate of Brown University, and now his father's successor in the Interlaken Mills; Alice, wife of William H. Snow,

of Phenix, R. I .; Minnie, wife of Andrew J. Morto of New York, and resides on Staten Island, N. Y Annie, who resides with her sister, Mrs. A. J. Morto

ROBERT NATHAN GEE-The Interlaken Mi (Finishing Works), at Arkwright, R. I., the first m in the country to specialize in the manufacture of boo cloth, and now the controlling factor in that line , textile manufacturing in the United States, owes in large measure the eminence attained in that field James Gee, who planned the mills, went to England purchase the necessary machinery, and continued ge eral superintendent of the plant until his retirement 1918. Then, after long training, came his son, Robel N. Gee, who succeeded his father, and is the superi tending head of the plant. Three mills are now include in the corporation, the mills of the Harris Manufactu ing Company, of Harris, R. I., having been purchas in May, 1900, the grey cloth being woven there, an finished into book-cloths of every color and design the Interlaken Mill. The other mill that was purchas by the company is also at Arkwright, and is one of t older mills of that section, having been built in 181 The present output of the company includes a line cotton goods in addition to book-cloths.

The Gees are a textile mill family, the grandfathe Henry Gee, born in Stockport, England, a mill-work there until 1858, and in this country employed Brooklyn, Staten Island, Arkwright, R. I., and Norwid Conn. He died in Norwich, in 1893, aged ninety-o years. He married Ann Clegg, who died on Stat Island, N. Y., aged seventy years.

James Gee, son of Henry and Ann ( Clegg) Gee, w born in Stockport, near Manchester, England, Octot 1, 1843, and is now living a retired life in Providen R. I. From boyhood until retirement he was a mi worker, and in his fifteenth year came to the Unit' States, finally settling in Rhode Island, when he form the connection with the Interlaken Mills, which cc tinued until his retirement, January 1, 1918. He h two sons: William S. Gee, D. D. S., of Phenix, R. and Robert Nathan Gee, who has followed in his fathe business footsteps.

Robert Nathan Gee, son of James and Nancy ( Boot Gee, was born at Staten Island, N. Y., July 5, 18 While young he was brought to Arkwright, R. I., his parents, and there he attended the private sch presided over by Miss Mary Potter. After a few ye attendance there, he entered the University Gramn School in Providence, R. I., finishing in 1898, and go thence to Brown University, whence he was a mem of the class of 1902. He then entered the employ the Interlaken Mills at Arkwright, R. I., in the color department, beginning at the very bottom of the lade He received no favors from the fact that his fatl James Gee, was superintendnt of the plant, but vanced on merit, step by step, until his skill and kno edge of finishing and mill management qualified hin occupy the position left vacant by his father's ret ment, January I, 1918. As superintendent he is c tinuing to evidence his ability as a textile manufactu and, not yet in the prime of life, the future hc abundant promise for him. Mr. Gee is a member of college fraternity, Theta Beta Phi; is a Republicar

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BIOGRAPHICAL

politics, and for four years has been a member of Cov- itry Town Council, serving in 1917-18 as president of tat body. He is a member of Warwick Lodge, No. 16, ree and Accepted Masons.

Mr. Gee married, September 14, 1904, Grace Hath- way Hicks, daughter of William and Endora Hatha- ay Hicks, of Providence. They are the parents of vo sons: Robert Nathan (2), and Richard H. Gee. he family home is Arkwright.

FREEBORN POTTER-The first form of sur- ame to be adopted in the eleventh and twelfth cen- iries, when the custom came into use in England, ras that form derived from the estate of the bearer, r if he were a man of humble circumstances, from le locality in which he lived. When the custom btained a greater vogue, names were taken from idely diversified sources. The surname Potter be- ongs to that class of English surnames which were riginally derived from the occupations or callings f their bearers, of which class Smith and Cooper re also examples. The name is very ancient and is bund in the earliest of English registers. It boasts very honorable and distinguished lineage in Eng- ind. The coat-of-arms is as follows:

Arms-Sable a fesse ermine between three cinque- ils argent.

Crest-A seahorse or.

The American family has been no less distin- uished. Several immigrants of the name came to the Tew England Colonies in the early decades of the eventeenth century, driven hither by religious intol- rance and persecution in the mother country. Many ame to seek their fortunes, and many purely through he spirit of adventure. The descendants of these arly Potters are of a stock than which there is no ner in America, men of patriotism, high moral tamina, stern and rugged codes of honor and busi- ess. The name of Potter has figured in the annals f the Nation from the very earliest settlements down the present day, and has been borne by men who ave achieved prominence in the professions, in the ministry, and in every department of financial, com- mercial and industrial life in the country.

The line herein under consideration is that of the ite Freeborn Potter, of Cranston, R. I., descendant f Nathaniel Potter, the founder of the family in rhode Island.

(I) Nathaniel Potter, immigrant ancestor and pro- enitor of the Rhode Island family of which the late reeborn Potter was a member, was a native of Eng- nd, and first appears on the records of Aquidneck, . I., in 1638, when he was admitted an inhabitant of he Island. On April 30, 1639, he was one of the venty-nine signers of the following compact: "We hose names are underwritten do acknowledge our- elves the legal subjects of his Majesty King Charles, ad in his name do hereby bind ourselves into a civil ody politicke, unto his laws according to matters of istice." He married Dorothy -, who married Second) John Albro; she was born in 1617, and died february 19, 1696. Nathaniel Potter died about 1644.

(II) Nathaniel (2) Potter, son of Nathaniel (1) and Dorothy Potter, was born in 1637. He was a resident first of Portsmouth, R. I., and later of Dartmouth, Mass., where he died October 20, 1704. In 1677 he became a freeman. His will, dated October 18, 1704, was proved November 20, of the same year. He mar- ried Elizabeth -, and among their children was Nathaniel, mentioned below.

(III) Nathaniel (3) Potter, son of Nathaniel (2) and Elizabeth Potter, was born about 1669. He was a life-long resident of Dartmouth, Mass., and mar- ried there Joan Wilbur, who died in 1759, daughter of William Wilbur. Nathaniel Potter died November 16, 1736, and his will, dated November 15, 1732, was proved on the day of his death.

(IV) William Potter, son of Nathaniel (3) and Joan (Wilbur) Potter, was born in Dartmouth, Mass., November 12, 1689. Toward the close of the seven- teenth century he settled in Rhode Island. He mar- ried Mary Browning, and they were the parents of several children, among them Benjamin, mentioned below.

(V) Benjamin Potter, son of William and Mary (Browning) Potter, was born in Dartmouth, Mass., April 15, 1712, and was a farmer on an extensive scale in Richmond, R. I. He married Mary Man- chester, and among their children was Nathaniel, mentioned below.

(VI) Nathaniel (4) Potter, son of Benjamin and Mary (Manchester) Potter, was born in 1736. He re- sided all his life in Richmond, R. I., a prosperous farm- er, and well-known member of the early community. He married Lucy Moore, and died in February, 1825.

(VII) Joshua Potter, son of Nathaniel (4) and Lucy (Moore) Potter, was born in Richmond, R. I., August 18, 1768, and died there January 18, 1853. He married Mary Sherman.

(VIII) Freeborn Potter, son of Joshua and Mary (Sherman) Potter, was born in Richmond, R. I., Oc- tober 18, 1793, and died February 16, 1877. He mar- ried Deborah Clark, who was born in 1795, and died in 1882, daughter of Moses Clark.

(IX) Freeborn (2) Potter, son of Freeborn (1) and Deborah (Clark) Potter, was born in Richmond, R. I., February 14, 1817. In 1858 he removed to Cranston, R. I., where he followed agricultural pur- suits throughout his life. He was prominent in the affairs of Cranston, and a leader in civic life until the time of his death. The Potter residence, which he built on his coming to Cranston, was his residence for thirty-nine years, and there he died, February 20, 1897. Freeborn Potter married, November 26, 1843, Louisa Williams, daughter of Pardon and Mary (Stafford) Williams; she was born September 28, 1820, and died August 9, 1898. (See Williams VII). Freeborn and Louisa (Williams) Potter were the par- ents of the following children: I. Daniel Clarke, a graduate of Amherst College, and a landscape archi- test; resides at Fairhaven; he married Ellen H. Parker, and they are the parents of a daughter, Mabel L. Potter, graduate of Brown University, now a teacher. 2. Julia Anne, born in Cranston, was a

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teacher in the schools of Warwick for twenty-three years, and in various nearby localities; she is now registrar of the Roger Williams Society: Miss Pot- ter resides in Auburn, R. I. 3. Jobe S., inherited the Potter farm in Cranston, on which he resided until 1915; he married Ida Budlong, and now makes his home at Hills Grove; they are the parents of the following children: Earl A., Mary E., Lydia M., Gladys.

Freeborn Potter was a member of the Town Coun- cil of Cranston for twenty-two years, and through- out that period worked earnestly for the advancement of the welfare of the city, and the introduction of many needed reforms, and also served on various other committees. He was a Democrat in political affiliation. A Baptist in religious belief, he was one of the founders of the Congregational church of Cranston, and one of its most liberal supporters throughout his life.

(The Williams Line).

(I) Roger Williams, immigrant ancestor and founder of this most illustrious of Rhode Island families, was born about 1599, and died in 1683. He was elected a scholar at Sutton's Hospital, London, England, June 25, 1621, and three years later took an exhibition there. He entered Pembroke College, Cambridge, July 7, 1625, and in January, 1627, was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He sailed for New Eng- land from Bristol, December 1, 1630, on the ship "Lion," and arrived in Boston, Mass., February 5, 1631. He was settled as minister at Salem, Mass., April 12, 1631. In the summer of the same year he was at Plymouth, as assistant to the pastor, Ralph Smith. In the autumn of 1633 he returned to Salem, where he became assistant to the Rev. Mr. Sketlton. In April, 1635, he was summoned before the court at Boston for preaching in public that a magistrate should not tender an oath to an unregenerate man, etc. He "was heard before all the ministers and very clearly refuted" at this time. On October 9, 1635, he was banished by the General Court, because he had "broached and divulged new and dangerous opin- ions against the authority of magistrates, as also writ- ten letters of defamation, both of the magistrates and churches here." He was given permission to remain until spring, but as the court heard that he continued to preach his doctrines, they resolved to send him to England, and sent a messenger to take him in Janu- ary, 1636. He had left, however, and they were unable to find him; thirty-five years afterwards he wrote of this experience: "I was sorely tossed for one four- teen weeks in a bitter winter season, not knowing what bed or bread did mean." From Massasoit he obtained a grant of land on the east side of the Seekonk river, and here he began a plantation, but was told by Governor Winthrop that he was within the bounds of Plymouth Colony. With five compan- ions he then went by boat to Slate Rock, where he conferred with the Indians, and finally commenced the Providence Plantation. In this year, 1636, he was the means of averting war, for he prevented the joining of the Pequots with the Narragansetts and Mohegans.

On March 24, 1638, he took a deed from Canonicus and Miantonomi for the land on which he had set- tled, and he wrote of this: "I spared no cost toward them in tokens and presents to Canonicus and all his, many years before I came in person to the Narra- gansett; and when I came I was welcome to the old prince Canonicus, who was most shy of all English to his last breath." On October 8, 1638, he deeded to his friends and neighbors an equal privilege with himself in the purchase. He was baptized in 1639, by Ezekiel Holliman, and he baptized him and others. He acted as pastor of the First Baptist Church for a few years.

(II) Joseph Williams, son of Roger and Mary Wil- liams, was born in Providence, R. I., December 12. 1643, and died August 17, 1724. On February 19, 1665 he had lot 43 in a division of lands. He settled in Cranston and built his house opposite Roger Wil- liams' park. In 1676 he served in King Philip's War and subsequently rose to a position of prominence ir, early Providence. In 1683-84-93-96-97-1713 he served as deputy to the General Court. In 1684-85-86-87. 88-91-93-94-1713-14-15, he was a member of the Towr Council. Joseph Williams served on numerous im portant committees during his public career. He married, December 17, 1669, Lydia Olney, daughte; of Rev. Thomas and Mary (Small) Olney, who wa: born in 1645, and died September 9, 1724.

(III) Joseph (2) Williams, sons of Joseph (1) and Lydia (Olney) Williams, was born in Providence R. I., November 10, 1673, and died August 15, 1753 after a lifelong residence in the town. He was no in public life to any extent, and little beyond the vita statistics is known of his life. He married Lydi: Hearnden, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia Hearnder

(IV) Jeremiah Williams, son of Joseph (2) ann Lydia (Hearnden) Williams, was born in Providence R. I., July 7, 1736. He resided in Cranston, where h was a prosperous farmer, and built there a building which later served as a hotel in Revolutionary time !! He married Abigail Mathewson, daughter of Zacha riah and Sarah Mathewson, of Providence, an granddaughter of James Mathewson, founder of th family in Rhode Island. They were the parents c twelve children, among them Caleb, mentioned belov

(V) Caleb Williams, son of Jeremiah and Abiga (Mathewson) Williams, was born June 5, 1754, i Cranston, R. I., and resided there all his life. H married Tabitha Fenner, and they were the parents ( ten children. He died December 15, 1830.

(VI) Pardon Williams, son of Caleb and Tabith (Fenner) Williams, born December 20, 1790. He wa a lifelong resident of Cranston. His home farm wa situated near Howard station in Cranston. He ma ried Mary Stafford, who was born April 21, 1793, ar. died December 28, 1867. He died July 10, 1874, age eighty-four years.

(VII) Louisa Williams, daughter of Pardon ar Mary (Stafford) Williams, was born in Cranston, ] I., September 28, 1820, and died August 9, 1898. SI married, November 26, 1843, Freeborn Potter, Cranston. (See Potter IX).

John S. Carrell

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BIOGRAPHICAL

JOHN AUGUSTUS COWELL-The Cowell fam- ly is one of great age in this country, but unfortu- ately we are unable to trace through the old records ts descent from any one of the several immigrants cho bore that name and who came to the New Eng- and colonies during the early colonial period. The arliest progenitor of whom we may be sure was one Captain Edward Cowell, of whom we find the record s early as 1645, though whether he himself came from England or was born in this country cannot be ascer- ained.

(I) Edward Cowell, or Captain Edward Cowell, as re is better known, was a resident of Great Island and Boston, in 1645, where he was occupied as a cord- vainer. He seems to have been a prominent man in he community, and a soldier of some note, as he held he office of captain in the colonists' troops which ought against the great Indian chief, King Phillip, n the war which took its name from him. He is believed to have been twice married, though of his irst wife, by whom his children were born, we only now that her name was Margaret, while some uncer- ainty attaches to his supposed marriage to Sarah Hobart. His children were: John, Joseph, and Eliz- beth.

(II) Joseph Cowell, son of Captain Edward and Mar- garet Cowell, apparently led a very quite life, as very ew records have any mention of him. We do not now the date of his birth nor of his death, nor yet o whom he was married, but we have a record of his on, Joseph, through whom the line was continued.

(III) Joseph (2) Cowell, son of Joseph (1) Cowell, was born in the year 1673, at Boston, and later in life iettled in the town of Wrentham, Mass., where his leath occurred, March II, 1761. He was married, May , 1701, at Wrentham, to Martha Fales, a daughter of James and Ann Fales.

(IV) Joseph (3) Cowell, son of Joseph (2) and Martha (Fales) Cowell, was born March 27, 1713, at jis father's home in Wrentham. He made his native own his home during is entire life, and died there October 3, 1740. He was married, January 21, 1735, it Wrentham, to Margaret Dearing, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Mann) Dearing.

(V) Samuel Cowell, son of Joseph (3) and Mar- garet (Dearing) Cowell, was born January 16, 1737, at Wrentham. He was one of the patriots who first answered the call of his country at the breaking out of the War for American Independence, and con- inued throughout the entire Revolution in the Con- inental army, in which he rose to the rank of major. We find it stated of him, in an interesting diary kept by his son, that he was already a soldier, and had served in one campaign in the old French War in Can- da when not more than eighteen or nineteen years of ige. Like his father, he made Wrentham his home luring his entire life, and died there February 23, 824. He was married, in the year 1760, to Jemima Metcalf, a daughter of John and Tamar (Daniels) Metcalf, and a native of Wrentham, where she was born in 1744, and died August 28, 1793. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph, Benjamin,

Olivia, Samuel, of whom further; William, Jemima, Mytilla, Martha, Mary, John.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 41

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