The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 44

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 44

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Milton, in October, 1666. He was one of the three petitioners for the incorporation of the town, and was one of its foremost inhabitants until his death, October 16, 1683. Robert Vose married Jane - -- , who, with two sons, Thomas and Edward, and three daughters, came to New England with him some time between 1650 and 1654. Jane Vose died in October, 1675.

(II) Captain Thomas Vose, son of Robert and Jane Vose, was born February 18, 1641, and died April 23, 1708. He was a leading citizen of Milton, and town clerk for many years. He was an officer in the Indian War, and took part in the expedition to Canada in 1690. He represented Milton in the Massachusetts Gen- eral Court. Captain Thomas Vose married Waitstill Wyatt, daughter of Edward and Mary Wyatt, of Dor- chester, Mass.

(III) Lieutenant Henry Vose, son of Thomas and Waitstill (Wyatt) Vose, was born at Milton, Mass., April 9, 1663, and died there March 26, 1752. He was a large land owner and prominent citizen. He married Elizabeth Babcock, who was born October 24, 1666, died November 19, 1732, daughter of Robert Babcock, of Milton. Among the children of this marriage, born at Milton, was Joshua, mentioned below, who became the founder of the Rhode Island branch of the family.

(IV) Joshua Vose, son of Lieutenant Henry and Elizabeth (Babcock) Vose, was born at Milton, Mass., March 3, 1703. He removed to Westerly, R. I., where he purchased a large farm, which remained in the fam- ily to the middle of the last century. Joshua Vose be- came a prominent figure in the life of Westerly, and for one term was justice of the peace in the town. The old Vose burying ground is located on the farm in Westerly, and here the late Enoch and Joshua Vose were born. The family since the time of its founding has been prominent in Westerly, and has produced several men who have figured actively in town affairs. The name is highly respected in the community. Joshua Vose married and among his children was Joshua, mentioned below.

(V) Joshua (2) Vose, son of Joshna (1) Vose, was born at Westerly, R. 1., March 15, 1737-38. He made his home throughout his life in Westerly, where he owned and operated a tannery that later became the property of Mr. Rhodes. He was appointed justice of the peace in 1782, and served for many years after- ward. In 1801 he was appointed a justice of the Court of Commissions and General Sessions, and served on the bench until 1809. His son later filled the same office. He married, May 5, 1757, Mary Lamphere. Joshua Vose died January 28, 1812, aged seventy-five years.

(V1) Joshua (3) Vose, son of Joshua (2) and Mary (Lamphere) Vose, was born in Westerly, R. I., Jan- uary 23, 1775, and died there March 14, 1837. He was active in town affairs, and from 1817 to 1825 filled the office of justice of the Court of Commissions and Gen- eral Sessions. He married Prudence Wilcox, daughter of Rev. Isaiah Wilcox. The children of this marriage were Joshua (4), Prudence, Sally, who married Case Chapman and Enoch W.

(VII) Joshua (4) Vose, son of Joshua (3) and Prudence (Wilcox) Vose, was born in Westerly, R. I.,

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and resided there until his death, a well known and eminently respected citizen. He was a ship builder, and for many years was a member of the State militia. Joshua Vose married Sarah Ann Berry, daughter of Captain Saxton Berry, of Westerly, R. I., a well known sea captain and owner of a considerable estate at White Rock, R. I. After the death of Joshua Vose, her first husband, Mrs. Vose married (second) Enoch W. Vose, mentioned below. The children of Joshua and Sarah Ann (Berry) Vose were: Harriet A., and Joshna, of further mention. Harriet A. became the wife of Leman B. Babcock, of Fulton, N. Y., a member of the Babcock family of Westerly, R. I., and their children were: Edward V., now the mayor of the city of Pitts- burgh, Pa .; Fred R., manager of Babcock Lumber Com- pany; Oscar H., of Pittsburgh; Clarence L., of Pitts- burgh; the sons comprise the Babcock Lumber Com- pany, of Pittsburgh; Lena B., who married Benjamin Van Huss, of Florida, and resides in Fulton, N. Y

(VII) Enoch Wilcox Vose, second son of Joshua (3) and Prudence (Wilcox) Vose, was born in West- erly, R. I., and was a prosperous farmer and carpenter in his native town throughout his life. He married Sarah Ann (Berry) Vose, widow of Joshua (4) Vose, and daughter of Captain Saxton and Sallie (Gorton) Berry. They were the parents of two daughters: I. Alice W., born in Westerly, R. I., prepared for the pro- fession of teaching, and for thirty years taught in the schools of the State of New Jersey, during the last twenty years filling the post of head of the woman's department of Peddie Institute, Hightstown, N. J. Miss Vose has since been a resident of Providence. 2. Sarah A., who was born in Westerly, resides with her sister at No. 91 West Clifford street, Providence. The family since the time of its founding in Rhode Island has been active in the Baptist church.

(VIII) Joshua (5) Vose, son of Joshua (4) and Sarah Ann (Berry) Vose, was born in Westerly, R. I., July 6, 1838, and spent the early years of his life on the Vose farm in Westerly. A young man at the out- break of the Civil War, heartily in sympathy with the cause of the Union, and fired with the patriotism which swept the North at the news of the firing on Fort Sumter, he enlisted on October 25, 1861, at Westerly, as second lieutenant of Company F, of the First Rhode Island Cavalry, going almost immediately to the fight- ing line. On June 12, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and transferred to Company H. He served as regimental adjutant for a short time, and on August 1, 1862, was commissioned captain and as- signed to Company A. With his regiment he partici- pated in twenty-six of the most stirring engagements of the war, and on December 1, 1864, was honorably dis- charged from the United States service. On his return to the North he settled in Westerly, where until 1872 he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In the latter year he came to Providence, and secured a responsible posi- tion as manager of the Elisha Angell farm, in Manton. In 1875 he leased the Nichols farm in Manton, and became an independent farmer, raising produce for the city markets. He began business on a small scale, driv- ing to Providence every morning with vegetables for which he had a steady market in the stores of the city.

With the growth of his business and the appearance o: street peddlers, Mr. Vose and other farmers established a stand, first on the old Worcester bridge, on Cana street, and later on the Crawford street bridge. Mr Vose was also a pioneer in selling flowers from hi: produce wagon. In 1907 he began to sell sweet peas asters, and dahlia blooms to his customers, a custom which spread rapidly among the trade. He was highly successful in business. and was widely known in Prov. idence as the "dean of the bridge." In 1882 he removec to the Oliver Johnson farm on Cowesset bay, and ir 1904 purchased the estate in Pontiac on which he residec until his death.

Mr. Vose was a member of Prescott Post, No. I Grand Army of the Republic, and of the First Rhode Island Veteran Cavalry Association. He was also : member of the Lincoln Club, the Rhode Island Horti. cultural Association, Oaklawn Grange, and of the Market Gardeners' Association, of which he was one of the founders. He was for many years engaged ir important work for the government in reporting the condition of crops.

On September 4, 1866, Joshua Vose married Mary Emma Cragin, of Westerly, R. I. They were the par ents of two daughters: Mrs. Elmer E. Carpenter, o. Providence, and Mrs. Mary Thompson, wife of Rev A. W. H. Thompson, of Newark, N. J., formerly recto: of All Saints Church, Pontiac, R. I. Mrs. Vose, who survives her husband, resides at Pontiac, R. I. Joshu: Vose died at his home, April 11, 1918.

DAVID C. MOULTON, for many years a promi nent factor in the business life of Providence, was : member of an old New England family. The earlies ancestor of whom there is any record came with Willian the Conqueror in that monarch's army, took part it the battle of Hastings, 1066 A. D., and shared in the reward given the successful soldiers in that histori fight. His share was a large estate in Lincolnshire and from there the descendants spread until they werd to be found in many parts of Northern England and even Scotland. One of the family has been given im mortality by the pen of Scott, who makes Thomas de Moulton (or Multon) Baron, of Gilsland, the particula; friend and attendant of Coeur de Lion during the Third Crusade. In this country the founder of the family was one John Moulton, who came from Nor, folkshire, England, and settled at Newbury, Mass., il 1637. From him the line descends through John (2) Jacob, General Jonathan, Jacob S., and Samuel Smitl to David C.

David C. Moulton was born December 23, 1830, a Chichester, N. H., but as a small child removed to Man chester, N. H., and there obtained his education. H. learned the trade of cabinet-maker from his father who followed that occupation, but in 1852 came to Providence and was employed by the Atlantic Delain Company in the setting up of machinery. He then be came connected with the Providence Steam & Gas Pipe Company as shipping clerk and time-keeper. He wa rapidly promoted until, in 1865, when the concern wa incorporated, he became a stockholder. He was in charge of the company's work of installing in industria

David C. Mouton

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BIOGRAPHICAL

lants, principally textile mills, sprinklers for the auto- iatic quenching of fire. In 1881 the Grinnell Auto- tatic Sprinkler came into use, and he continued the ork of installing this modern device, this being the ain feature of the company's business. Upon the in- orporation of the General Fire Extinguisher Company, anuary, 1893, a merger of several large concerns, Mr. [oulton was appointed superintendent of engineering nd construction for the eastern and southern depart- ients, with a force of two hundred and fifty men under im. He continued in this responsible capacity until pril 1, 1900, when, on account of his failing health, e retired after forty-six years of continuous service. [e later recovered his health but, although he always etained his interest in the company, never resumed ctive work. Mr. Moulton was not a member of any "aternal organization, and never took any interest in olitics beyond the casting of his vote. He united with le Richmond Street Congregational Church in 1855, nd remained a member for many years, finally trans- erring, in 1885, to the Beneficent Congregational hurch, of which he was a regular attendant. He be- nged to the Rhode Island Historical Society.

David C. Moulton married (first) Mary M. Barney, f Manchester, N. H., whose death occurred in 1868. In October 21, 1874. he married (second) Ruth Weeden otter, a daughter of Benjamin and Cornelia (Weeden) otter. There were three children born of this union, s follows: David Potter, of further mention; Benja- iin Potter, born May 4, 1878, treasurer of the Reming- on Printing Company, at one time councilman and Iderman from the Seventh Ward; Mabel Cornelia, ridow of Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman, D. D., the noted vangelist of New York.

Mr. Moulton was a man of sterling traits of char- cter, very domestic in his habits, fond of his home and amily. His business life was one of rugged native onesty, and intolerance of shams and makeshifts were mong his marked characteristics. His innate love of ustice and fair dealing won the confidence and esteem f his associates and of all with whom he had business elations, while by those under his charge he was re- arded not only as a just and honorable man but as a ersonal friend and counsellor.

DAVID POTTER MOULTON, a son of David C. nd Ruth Weeden (Potter) Moulton, was born July I, 1875, at Providence. He attended private and public chools, and after completing the studies in the grammar rades attended the Technical High School of Provi- ence. He was graduated from the latter in 1894. After leaving school he became associated with the Weeden Land Company of Providence, of which he is reasurer at the present time (1919). Owing to ill health Mr. Moulton was forced to give up active busi- less for a time. He located on and later purchased a arm at Johnston, not far from Providence. Here he levoted his energies to out-door life to such good pur- jose that he soon regained his health and again resumed is business activities in the city. He now occupies his charming place as his country home. In addition o his connection with the Weeden Land Company, Mr. Moulton is a trustee and secretary of the Homeopathic

Hospital of Rhode Island, and is a member of the Economic Club of this city. Mr. Moulton is a Baptist, and he and his family attend the First Church of that denomination in the city. He is a very active partici- pant in the work of the church and is at the present time a deacon.

David Potter Moulton was united in marriage, Nov- ember 21, 1908, with Lillian May Gamwell, daughter of William A. and Emma C. (Scott) Gamwell, old and highly respected residents of this city. William A. Gamwell was vice-president of the Rhode Island Hos- pital Trust Company, and a banker of prominence in Providence for forty-six years. He has recently retired from active business. The name of Gamwell is an exceedingly old English one, and was undoubtedly of Saxon origin, as that of Moulton was of Norman. It is a curious and exceedingly interesting coincidence that the very time that Thomas de Multon was high in the graces of Richard I., one Will Gamwell, or Will Scarlet, as he was known, was, according to popular tradition, one of the chief lieutenants of Robin Hood, the only figure to equal Coeur de Lion in historic times as a popular figure of romance. Mrs. Moulton is a graduate of Brown University, with the degrees of A. B., and A. M., and a graduate of the New York Library School, with the degree of Bachelor of Library Science. To Mr. and Mrs. Moulton two children have been born, as follows: David Scott, April 10, 1910, and William Gamwell, February 5, 1914.

CLARENCE NELSON WOOLLEY, lawyer, was born in Cumberland, September 13, 1887, the son of Thomas Edward and Mary Jane (Ball) Woolley. His early education, for the major part, was received in the public schools of his native town. Upon the completion of his high school course he took up academic and law studies at Boston University, and subsequent to his admission to the bar of Rhode Island in 1908 he pursued further academic courses at Brown University. In the fall of 1910 he opened an office for the general practice of law in the City of Pawtucket, and a short time later was admitted to practice in the Federal courts. He is a member of the local, State and American Bar Asso- ciations, Commercial Law League of America, National Civic Federation, Society of the Sons of Veterans, Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon college fraternity, Pawtucket Chamber of Commerce, Paw- tucket Business Men's Association, and Pawtucket Golf Club. He is a member of the Commission for the Pro- motion of Uniform State Laws, 1909-1915, serving for the last two years as secretary of the National Confer- ence. He is a former member of the First Company, Coast Artillery Corps, Rhode Island National Guard. In politics Mr. Woolley is independent, and never has been an aspirant for public office. He claims no church affiliations, and is unmarried. His chief personal char- acteristic is fearlessness of expression.

WILLIAM A. BROWNING, who occupies a con- spicuous position among most successful merchants and business men of East Greenwich, and who is universally recognized as one of the most public-spirited citizens of the community, comes of a family that for many

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years has been closely identified with the mercantile interests of the place. He was born July 4, 1872, at East Greenwich, and is a son of William G. and Phebe Fitts (Arnold-Annabil) Browning, old and highly-re- spected residents of East Greenwich, where the elder man was engaged in the same business that is now car- ried on by the son. William G. Browning was a native of South Kingston, his birth having occurred there, May 13, 1840. His father, Samuel K. Browning, was the proprietor of a country store at Hope Valley, but moved onto a farm when the lad was very young, and it was in those rural surroundings that William G. Browning's childhood and youth were spent. He as- sisted his father with the work on the place, and while still little more than a boy became inured to hard labor. Upon attaining his majority he left the parental home and went to Point Judith, where he secured em- ployment with another farmer, but after two or three years spent there, he decided to make a change in his occupation, and with this end in view went to Wake- field and became a clerk in the store of one Charles Hazard. He was ambitious to succeed in the new line and determined to secure a thorough mercantile edu- cation. Accordingly, he saved a large part of his meagre wages and attended a course at the well-known East- man's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Upon completing his studies, he once more secured a clerical position, this time in John P. Robert's store. at the corner of Main and Queen streets, East Greenwich, and from that time until his death, July 16, 1894, made his home at this place. He continued to work for Mr. Roberts for a few years and then, at the age of thirty- two years, formed a partnership with Levi N. Fitts and purchased the establishment from his old employer. The business of the two young men prospered from the outset and after a couple of years they moved to larger and more adequate quarters in the handsome brick block at the corner of Main and King streets, which Mr. Browning had himself erected. They carried large lines in general house furnishings, hardware and dry- goods, and a large trade was done by them. The busi- ness grew so greatly that at length the new store would not accommodate it and the two partners separated, Mr. Fitts taking the drygoods department with him, and Mr. Browning continuing in the other line. In 1891, however, Mr. Browning's health gave out and he ac- cordingly admitted his eldest son into the business, the responsibility for the conduct of which was gradually shifted to his shoulders. William G. Browning was active in the public life of East Greenwich, and held many public offices in the gift of the town. He was a member of the famous Temperance Town Council of 1881, chairman of the building committee that erected the Town Hall in 1886, and was very prominent in erecting Engine Hall, on Montrose street, and in organ- izing the first fire department of the town. He also served as trustee of School District No. 1, which in- cludes the village. He was a staunch Republican in politics, and was elected a member of the State Senate in 1893, and would doubtless have served on that body for more than one term, save that ill-health compelled him to refuse the honor of re-election. William G. Browning married Mrs. Phebe Fitts (Arnold) Anna-

bil, August 8, 1871, and they were the parents of t following children : 1. William A., of further mentic 2. Walter G., born Sept. 11, 1874; married, Sept. 1899, Abbie P. Taber, of Centerville, and now resi in New York City. 3. Howard F., born Feby. 1, 18; married Rose Maud Cook and are residents of Caspe Wyo. 4. George M., born Dec. 5, 1886, and died Ju 15, 1900. 5. Frederick M., born Sept. 24, 1888, now first lieutenant in the United States Army, and serv as an instructor at Camp Gordon, Ga. Mrs. Browni: died in May, 1901.

The childhood of William A. Browning was pass in his native place, and as a lad he attended the pub. schools and later the East Greenwich Academy. H early business training was obtained in his father establishment, and when he had attained his majori was made a partner by the elder man. He displayedi marked talent for business life, and as his father health gradually failed, the responsibility for the ma agement of the establishment fell more and more upo his shoulders, until he finally assumed full charg Since that time he has conducted it on his own accou and under his capable management it has greatly flou ished. He is now justly regarded as one of the mo progressive and far-sighted business men of the cor munity, and his business is one of the largest of i kind hereabouts. But Mr. Browning has not confin his activities to the development of his private interest giving, on the contrary, much of his time and energy well as his organizing ability for the benefit of the cor munity in the conduct of its affairs. He is a Republica in politics, like his father before him, and has bee very active in the activities of his party here, and h: served in various local offices. He was trustee of Scho District No. 9, Warwick, and for two years was men ber of the East Greenwich Town Council. He has bee a member of the Kentish Guards since 1888, and i commanding officer for three years. He is a member ( and was one of the organizers of the Varnum Cor tinentals, and was chairman of the building committe which erected the memorial armory, which is used t the Varnum Continentals. He has also served as member of the Republican Town Committee.

William A. Browning was united in marriage, Jur 18, 1901, at East Greenwich, with Isabel Redfer Sprague, of this place, a daughter of Edgar R. and An. (Redfurn) Sprague. Mr. and Mrs. Browning are prom inent figures in the social life of the community an in church affairs. They are members of St. Luke Episcopal Church and liberal in support of the paris work. Mr. Browning is connected with various phil anthropic movements, both in connection with hi church and outside organizations, and is a member o. the Rhode Island Society, Sons of the American Revo lution.

JOHN TROOP CHILD-This name is of an anti quity so remote as to be traced into the purely legend ary period of history. It is derived from Hildr of th Norse mythology, and its descent may be traced fron mythic to historical times in the Nebelungen Lied, wher the title Childe is first used for king. Many of th kings of France, from the fifth to the tenth centuries

The G. Browning

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BIOGRAPHICAL

fixed the word Childe to their names, and during this ame period numerous rulers of Europe derived their ames from the root Hildr. As the title Childe became bsolete, it was adopted as a surname by descendants nd dependents, and in later centuries the s was added. 'he name is a very ancient one in England, and de- cends from Saxon times, when the progenitor of the resent family was probably some Saxon chief. After le Norman Conquest some of the family in England ook the latinized French form of L'Enfant for some enerations, and several of that name were concerned 1 the conquest of Ireland in the reign of Henry II. and 1 the government of the country in the twelfth cen- iry; others had seats at various places in Worcester- hire, and at Shrewsbury, England. Richard Le Childe ras Lord of the Manor of Northwick in 1320, and was ucceeded by his sons, William and Thomas, and grand- on, Thomas Le Childe, who was escheater for the ounty in 1428. The latter was progenitor of Williams 'hilde, of Northwick, William Child, high sheriff of Vorcester county, in 1586, William Child, of Pensax, igh sheriff in 1599, and William Child, Lord of the Janor of Northwick in 1634. Sir Francis Child founded he ancient and famous banking house of Child & Com- any, London, a unique institution, at one time a for- nidable rival of the Bank of England. The coat-of- rms is as follows :

Arms-Gules a chevron ermine between three eagles lose argent.

Crest-An eagle with wings expanded argent, en- eloped around the neck with a snake, which he holds n the beak proper.

Motto-Imitari quam invidere.

The Child or Childs family dates from the beginning of the annals of New England. Several immigrants of he name settled in the American colonies in the early period of Colonial immigration, and their progeny is large and important one in those states which have leveloped from the original colonies. Throughout the East descendants of these early progenitors have left he record of their lives deeply graven on the annals of public life, industry, business, the professions, arts, science, and finance. Of the race as a whole, the fol- owing has been written, and published by Elias Child n a genealogical work in 1881: "They possess enough of the impulsive element to defy dangers and to grapple with difficulties to obtain a manly independ- ence. The determination and perseverance with which many have met and overcome difficulties, and the bold- ness and daring in adventure displayed by others will thrill the reader and awaken his admiration. We often find the love of knowledge and ambition of life in the quiet seclusions of the study, where they find their sweetest companionship with some history, romance, or philosophical treatise. A manly independence has ever been more to the race than fame, wealth or posi- tion, while none of these would be despised if they were the legitimate rewards of industry and virtue. As ben- efactors of their race they are usually sympathetic and active." This article is to deal with the Child family of Warren, R. I., the descendants of John Child.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 44

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