The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 64

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 64

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Mr. King was widely-known in church circles in Providence, and was one of the foremost laymen of the Congregational church in Rhode Island. In 1861- 62 he closed his offices in Providence, and becoming a member of the "Christian Commission," went to Washington, and there lived among the soldiers, preaching and giving counsel and material assistance. The welfare and upbuilding of his church were always close to his heart, and from early manhood he was an enthusiastic church worker. For over eigh- teen years he was superintendent of the Sunday school of the Beneficent Congregational Church, from which church his great-grandmother, Mary (Hathaway) King, was buried. For twenty-five years he was superintendent of the Sunday school of the Central Congregational Church. For a like period he was a trustee of the Reform School for Boys. In his work he had his heart and hand, and he became the adviser and confidant of hundreds of boys in whose subse- quent careers the influence of his Christianity and his kindly human sympathy played a vital part. For

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

forty years Mr. King was a trustee of the Seminary at Norton, Mass.

On October 20, 1832, Mr. King married in Leb- anon, Conn., Lydia Coit Gilbert, who was born in Coventry, Conn., April 4, 1807, and died in Providence, R. I., February 9, 1884, daughter of Solomon and Lydia (Morgan) Gilbert, of Lebanon, Conn., and Providence, R. 1. She was a lineal descendant of Jonathan Gilbert, of Hartford, James Morgan, of Roxbury, and Edward Fuller, of Plymouth, all of whom were founders of notable New England fami- lies. Mr. and Mrs. King were the parents of seven children, among whom was Charles Goodrich, men- tioned below. William Jones King died at his home in Providence, in August, 1885.

(VIII) Charles Goodrich King, son of William Jones and Lydia Coit (Gilbert) King, was born in Providence, R. 1., January 3, 1840. He was prepared for college in the schools of Providence, and in 1856 matriculated at Brown University. He discontinued his studies at Brown at the end of his junior year, and entered Amherst College, where he was gradu- ated in 1861 with the degree of A. B. In the follow- ing year he received the degree of A. M. from Am- herst. From 1861 to 1862 he was a student at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa. Toward the close of 1862 he enlisted in the Tenth Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, and subsequently became a member of the Hospital Corps, in which he was first sergeant. At the close of the war, in 1865, Charles Goodrich King, in partnership with his father, and brother, Edward G. King, formed the firm of William J. King & Sons, in which he was active until his death. He was one of the foremost figures in the cotton brokerage business in New England for many years, and was well-known on the Cotton Ex- change in New York. He was for a long period prior to his father's death the acting head of William G. King & Sons. Mr. King was active in financial cir- cles in the city, and was connected in executive and advisory capacities with numerous mercantile and financial enterprises.

On April 26, 1866, Mr. King married in Philadel- phia, Pa., Frances Ellen Jones, who was born there, December 18, 1845, daughter of George Farquhar and Lorania Carrington (Hoppin) Jones, of Providence and Philadelphia. Mrs. King is a descendant of sev- eral of the foremost of the old Colonial families of Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. King were the parents of three children: I. Charles Goodrich, Jr., born May 15, 1867, died Nov. 21, 1804. 2. George Farquhar Jones, born May 15, 1867. 3. Mary Farquhar Jones, born Jan. 15, 1870.

Charles Goodrich King died in Providence, R. I., August 27, 1881. The following tribute to his memory appeared editorially in the Providence "Journal:"

Mr. King was one of our leading business men, and one who, had his life been spared, would unquestion- ably have been most prominently identified, in the future, with our leading and central mercantile inter- ests. At the time of his death he was a director of the First National Bank (of which his father was pres- ident), a prominent member of the Board of Trade, being one of the Executive Council, and also upon the Finance and Floor Committees. He had always taken a deep interest in the affairs of the Board, and in fur-

thering its prosperity. This is affectingly manifested in a letter which we have seen, written to a personal friend in this city, only Friday, which does not at all indicate that his strength was declining. For a long time, during the rapid fluctuations in the cotton mar- ket, he sustained a leading part in the conduct of the extensive enterprises in which his house was engaged, and his was a well known face on the Cotton Exchange, in New York, in its stormiest days. The Rt. Rev. M. A. DeWolfe Howe, who united Mr. King and his wife in marriage, officiated at his funeral, which was largely attended, the cotton dealers closing their places of business as a token of respect. His sad and sudden demise has cast a marked gloom over our community.

DAVID WALLIS REEVES-The surname Reeves is of the occupative class and came into use in the same way as the surnames Constable, Sheriff, Cham- berlain and others which had their origin in the offices of those who first adopted them. Reeves is the geni- tive form of "reeve," the bailiff in ancient Anglo-Saxon times of a franchise or manor. Chaucer makes one of his Canterbury Pilgrims a reeve; the following; excerpt is taken from the Prologue of his Canter- bury Tales:

His Jordes shepe, his nete and his deirie, His swine, his hors, his store, and his pultrie, Were holly in his reves governing.

In early England almost every manor had its reeve whose authority was "to levy his Lord's rents, set to work his servants and husband his demesnes to best profit and commodity, to govern tenants in peace, to lead them in war when necessity required; especially in the 'copyholde' manors where old custom pre- vailed longest." The word reeve is still in use and well understood in its origin meaning, though after the Conquest the word bailiff came into more gen- eral use as the title of an officer with the same 01 similar duties. The office of reeve was one of pri- mary importance in medieval households, one in which the holder took a proper pride. The name was there .. fore handed down to posterity, and at a very early date was well established as a surname in England Several branches of the family attained considerable prominence in English affairs, and many of them were entitled to bear arms.

Reeves Arms-Argent a fesse azure between three palets; on a chief gules a lion passant guardant argent Crest-A demi-griffin.

The Reeves family in America dates from the early decades of the Colonial period, and has had many prominent representatives since the time of its founding. The line herein under consideration i: that of the late David Wallis Reeves, 1838-1900, ont of the foremost composers of band music of his day in the world, and the greatest band leader of his time Davis Wallis Reeves descended from a distinguished Colonial stock, and was a member of the Vermon branch of the Reeves family. He was a descendant of Judge Tappan Reeves, celebrated jurist of the period of the American Revolution, who subsequently established a law school at Litchfield, Conn. He was a figure of prominence in legal circles in the early years of our country's history. Judge Tappan Reeve! married a sister of Aaron Burr.

Lorenzo Reeves, a direct descendant of Judge Reeves, was a native of Litchfield, Conn., and a resi-

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BIOGRAPHICAL

- ent there in the early years of his life. He removed ater to Owego, New York State, where he became a rominent merchant, and a leader in the public and eligions life of the town. He was one of the found- rs of the Presbyterian church of Owego, and one f its deacons until the time of his death. A public- pirited and conscientious citizen, he was deeply inter- sted in the welfare of the town of Owego. He was ighly respected for the integrity and fairness of all is business transactions. Lorenzo Reeves married, 1 New York State, Maria Clark; he died in Owego, anuary 31, 1839.

David Wallis Reeves, son of Lorenzo and Maria Clark) Reeves, was born in Owego. N. Y., Febru- ry 14, 1838. He received his elementary education 1 the school of Owego, and later attended the Owego Academy. On completing his studies there he spent year in the Wells Academy, at Aurora, N. Y., There his sister was an instructress of music. From arliest childhood he was a great lover of music. He zas not given any professional training, however, ntil he reached the age of fourteen years, when he ecame a member of the Owego band. A natural musician, he made such rapid strides that he was rought to the attention of an able instructor, who ecognizing his genius offered to teach him if he ould promise to continue his studies for three years. During this period, while pursuing his studies in which he had all his heart and ambition, he made stile attempts to learn two trades, one the prosaic ccupation of carriage-painting, the other marble- utting. He later clerked for a period in his brother's tore in Owego, but finding this work utterly distaste- 1l, and having become an expert performer on the oronet and violin, he decided thenceforward to evote all his attention to his music. Mr. Reeves hortly afterward accompanied his instructor on an xtended tour through the country as a member of a ircus band, of which he was second leader. He ubsequently entered into a similar engagement for free years, during which time he traveled during the ummer months, and in winter played for concerts and alls. He made his headquarters during this period t Elmira, N. Y.

In 1860 Mr. Reeves was offered and accepted the osition of concert soloist with the celebrated Rumsey nd Newcomb ministrels, in which capacity he accom- anied the troupe to Europe in 1861, traveling through 11 the large cities of England, Ireland, Prussia and axony. On his return to America he made a short our of the country, and then associated himself with le celebrated Dodworth Band, of New York City, s concert soloist until 1866. On the resignation of oseph C. Greene as leader of the American Brass land of Providence, R. I., he succeeded him in the adership, February 7, 1866. This band was employed n important occasions by all the military organiza- ons in the State of Rhode Island. Mr. Reeves also ecame the leader of Gilmore's Band of New York, nd accompanied this organization to the Chicago World's Fair. On his return to the East he again esumed the leadership of the American Brass Band, nd remained at its head until his death. Mr. Reeves

was universally recognized as the foremost band- master in the world in the closing decades of the last century. He was also a talented composer, and ranked high in this field. He was known in musical and fraternal circles throughout the country. He was a member of the Masonic order, and of numerous musi- cal societies and clubs.

On September 30, 1871, Mr. Reeves married Mrs. Sarah E. Blanding, widow of Lieutenant Jabez Bul- lock Blanding, and daughter of Benjamin G. and Sarah (Hammond) West. Benjamin G. West was a charter member of the American Brass Band, and a veteran officer of the Second Rhode Island Regiment, serving with distinction in the Civil War. He was a painter and extensive real estate owner of Providence, R. I., and the son of William G. West, a prominent citizen of Providence in the early decades of the nine- teenth century. William G. West owned extensive tracts of land in Providence, and his home was situ- ated where the Cathedral now stands. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves were the parents of a son, David W., Jr., who was a graduate of Brown University, 1898; mem- ber of Theta Delta fraternity; he was associated with the Marshall Hat Factory, of Fall River, Mass., until his death in 1914. Pamela Lindsey, daughter of Mrs. Reeves by her first marriage, became the wife of William Pitman Stowe, head of the firm of W. H. Wilmarth Company, Inc., at Attleboro, and a promi- nent and highly successful jewelry manufacturer; he died February 8, 1916. David Wallis Reeves died at his home in Providence, R. I., March 8, 1900, at the age of sixty-two years.

GEORGE TILLINGHAST GORTON-Serving his home city of Pawtucket in the State Senate, Mr. Gorton applies to public business the same energy and careful attention that he has given since boyhood to the business of which he has been sole owner for a quarter of a century. Senator Gorton is eminently qualified for the high office he holds, as he has been continuously in the public service for many years, his first office being councilman. His service as a State Legislator began in the House in 1905, and has con- tinued in the Senate since 1907. To length of service he has added intense public spirit and patriotic fervor, all based upon full appreciation of his responsibility as an American citizen to whom has been delivered a sacred trust. He is a man of energy, believing in the Gospel of work, and following in the footsteps of his father he has never sought easy paths to follow, but with courage and perseverance he has pursued the path of duty. A review of his life from the time when as a boy of ten he began to assist in the lighter shop duties until the present time can bring him naught but satisfaction, for he has proved his man- hood in that fiercest of all tests, the public service, in full view of the public eye.

Senator Gorton descends in direct line from Samuel Gorton, born in the parish of Manchester, Lancaster- shire, England, the English home having been for many generations at a village of the parish called "Gorton." He was born in 1592, resided at Gorton until 1637, then with his wife and children came to

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New England, arriving at Boston in March of that year. In 1641 he settled in what is now Rhode Island, and in 1643, with others, bought the tract Shawomet, later Warwick. He was assistant commissioner, pres- ident of Providence and Warwick, and several times deputy, but he will live longest for his prominence in religious work, many of his writings yet being pre- served, and the sect he founded, popularly known as Nothingarians, survived him about one hundred years. He was a religious enthusiast and advocated a relig- ion so at variance with the established faith that he was continually engaged in conflict with the authori- ties, civil and ecclesiastical. His settlement at War- wick came after he had been driven from Boston and from Rhode Island towns. He went at once to Eng- land to plead his own cause before the King, and was so befriended by the Earl of Warwick that upon his return he renamed Shawomet, Warwick, in honor of his friend. He died at Warwick in the latter part of 1677.

Samuel (2) Gorton, son of the founder, was born in England, in 1630, resided in Warwick, R. I., was a deputy and a man of influence, called captain. He died September 6, 1724, at the great age of ninety- four years. He was succeeded by his son, Dr. Samuel (3) Gorton, of Warwick, and he by his son, Dr. Sam- uel (4) Gorton, a physician of Warwick. Dr. Gorton's son, Deacon Benjamin Gorton, was a substantial farmer and a large land owner of Warwick, and at the home farm his son, Samuel (5) Gorton, was born January 22, 1798. He was a man of rugged physique and strong character, and successful in his farming operations. He died in Providence, March 15, 1887. He married Elizabeth H. Whitmarsh, born June 8, 1801, died at Valley Falls, R. I., August 2, 1881, daughter of Walker Whitmarsh.

George William Gorton, eldest son of Samuel (5) Gorton, was born February 4, 1826, and died January 14, 1914. A son of a farmer, he early learned to bear a hand, and at the age of six years could aid in the milking. At the age of nine he helped in peddling the milk, and soon after began work in a textile mill. At the age of eighteen he began learning the machin- ist's trade, and until 1857 he followed that trade at Manville and Valley Falls. In the latter year he bought Mason's livery at Valley Falls, but not long afterward was employed in Pawtucket on fire engine construction, but the Civil War caused the shop to close and for a time he was employed in making handcuffs. In 1863 he opened a meat market in Paw- tucket, which he successfully conducted for thirty years. He retired October 13, 1893, and lived a quiet, comfortable life upon the proceeds of the business he founded and conducted so long. He was a Republican in politics, served on the Board of License Commis- sion five years, was a member of Rough & Ready and the Hay Cart companies of the Old Pawtucket Fire Department and rendered efficient service. He married, May 20, 1840, Almeda Tillinghast, born Sep- tember 27, 1823, died January 23, 1909, daughter of Pardon and Sarah (Waite) Tillinghast, of South Killingly, Conn., Tillinghast being an old and honored Rhode Island family. Children: George Tillinghast, of further mention; and Almeda E., married Richard

H. Ryder, of Pawtucket. Mrs. Ryder died Octo 12, 1918.

George Tillinghast Gorton, of the eighth Ameri generation, only son of George William and Alma (Tillinghast) Gorton, was born at Valley Falls, R. July 15, 1853. His parents moved to Pawtucket 1859, and that city has since been his home and bi ness location. He was educated in the grade al high schools of the city, completing his education w a course at Schofield's Business College. From age of ten years he had been a helper around the mit market during out of school hours, and after leav. business college he was regularly employed as his fa- er's assistant. He gradually assumed greater resp. sibilities in the management of the business and shall in its emoluments. Finally, after thirty success1 years, the father retired, leaving the son in full ov ership and control. Mr. Gorton successfully co ducted this market for many years, finally selling ( in 1909. Since that time he has been superintend. of the gas lamp system for the Welsbach Company Pawtucket, and also operates an insurance and r estate business.

Mr. Gorton in his interest in public affairs hat back into the past where Gortons were high in offic station. He is a Republican in politics, and fro youth has taken a deep interest in public affairs. 1892 he was elected a member of Common Coun and served for 1892-93; in 1894-95 was president the Board of Aldermen; from 1896 until 1900 he w superintendent of street lighting; and in 1906 he w elected representative from Pawtucket to the Sta Legislature, serving on the committee of engross acts, and on the floor of the House, being active a useful in aiding legislation. In 1908 he was elect State Senator, and through reelection has since he that office continuously. He has been one of the infl ential men of the Senate, and is known as a work both in committee and on the floor. In 1908 he w made a member of the committee on finance. In 19 was made a member of the committee on judiciary a committee on militia. He was made chairman of t former committee in 1916, and has been chairman the latter since 1910. In 1906 he was made flo leader of the Senate and serves in that capacity date. He possesses the entire confidence of his co stituents, and is one of the men they "delight honor." He is a member of the Baptist church al interested in all good works. He is a member Sons of the Colonial Wars and the Rhode Islan Historical Society.

Mr. Gorton married, December 27, 1876, Mahala Colwell, born October 23, 1855, in Pawtucket, die June 9, 1917, daughter of William H. Colwell. M and Mrs. Gorton were the parents of: William, bo Oct. 21, 1886, died April 29, 1887; Mahala Colwe born March II, 1892. The family home since Decen ber, 1907, has been at the corner of Hawes ar Nickerson streets.

ALBERT KEENE SHERMAN-In the importa occupation of the "shearman," or cloth-shearer, found the origin of the surname Sherman. The Shea men, those who sheared the nap and dressed th

Albert Shemale

MORTEM

VIRTUTE

VINCE

Sherman

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BIOGRAPHICAL

cloth, formed a company in the York Guild. These guilds were all powerful in the mercantile fields in the centuries in which they flourished, and member- ship in them was highly prized. It was therefore nat- ural that John, the Shearman, should, when the cus- tom of using surnames obtained a practically universal vogue. adopt the name of his calling as his surname -wherefore we have the name in its present form, Sherman. The Sherman family, in the period when the name had become hereditary, rose to a position of great importance and influence in England, and supplied many noted men to the nation. The Sher- mans of Yaxley, of whom the American Shermans whose ancestry is traced through Philip Sherman, are descendants, were an honored and respected family there in the early years of the fifteenth century. The Sherman coat-of-arms is as follows:

Arms-Or, a lion rampant sable between three oak leaves vert.

Crest-A sea-lion sejant sable, charged on the shoulder with three bezants, two and one.

Motto-Mortem Vince Virtute.

The progeny of Philip Sherman in America has numbered many noted men. The Rhode Island branch, of which the late Albert Keene Sherman, of Newport, R. I., was a member, has had such distin- guished representatives as the Hon. Sylvester G. Sherman, lawyer, Representative, Speaker of the House, and a justice of the Supreme Court; Major- General Thomas W. Sherman, United States Army, and Hon. Robert Sherman, for many years a journal- ist of note in New England, and a former United States Marshal for the district of Rhode Island.

(I) Thomas Sherman, the first of the direct line of whom we have definite information, was born about 1420, resided at Diss and Yaxley, England, and died in 1493. He married Agnes

(II) John Sherman, Gentleman, was of Yaxley, where he was born about 1450, and died in Novem- ber, 1504. He married Agnes, daughter of Thomas Fullen.

(III) Thomas (2) Sherman, son of John and Agnes (Fullen) Sherman, was born about 1480, died in No- vember, 1551. He resided at Diss, on the river Waveney, between the counties of Norfolk and Suf- folk. His will mentions, property, including the man- ors of Royden and Royden Tuft, with appurtenances, at Royden and Bessingham, and other properties in Norfolk and Suffolk. His wife Jane, who was prob- ably not his first wife, was a daughter of John Waller, of Wortham, Suffolk.

(IV) Henry Sherman, son of Thomas (2) Sher- man, was born about 1530, in Yaxley, and is mentioned in his father's will. His will, made January 20, 1589, proved July 25, 1590, was drawn at Colchester, where he lived. His first wife, Agnes (Butler) Sherman, was buried October 14, 1580; he married (second) Margery Wilson, a widow.

(V) Henry (2) Sherman, son of Henry (1) Sher- man, was born about 1555, in Colchester, and resided in Dedham, County Essex, England, where his will was made August 21, 1610, and proved September 8 of the same year. He married Susan Hills, whose

will was made ten days after his, and proved in the following month.

(VI) Samuel Sherman, son of Henry (2) and Susan (Hills) Sherman, was born in 1573, and died in Ded- ham, England, in 1615. He married Philippa Ward.

(The Family in New England).

(I) Hon. Philip Sherman, immigrant ancestor and progenitor, was the seventh child of Samuel and Philippa (Ward) Sherman, and was born February 5, 1610, in Dedham, England. He came to America when twenty-three years old and settled in Roxbury, Mass., where he was made freeman, May 14, 1634, standing next on the list after Governor Haynes. In 1635 he returned to England for a short time, but was again in Roxbury, November 20, 1637, when he and others were warned to give up all arms, because "the opinions and revelations of Mr. Wheelwright and Mrs. Hutchinson have seduced and led into dan- gerous errors many of the people here in New Eng- land." The church record says that he was brought over to "Familism" by Porter, his wife's stepfather. In 1636 he was one of the purchasers on the island of Aquidneck, new Rhode Island, and on the forma- tion of a government there in 1639 became secretary under Governor William Coddington. The Massa- chusetts authorities evidently believed that he was still under their jurisdiction, for on March 12, 1638, though he had summons to appear at the next court, "if they had not yet gone to answer such things as shall be objected." He did not answer this summons, but remained in Rhode Island, where he continued to be a prominent figure in the affairs of the colony. He was made freeman, March 16, 1641, was general recorder, 1648 to 1652, and deputy from 1665 to 1667. He was among the sixteen persons who were re- quested, on April 4. 1676, to be present at the next meeting of the deputies to give advice and help in regard to the Narragansett campaign. He was public- spirited and enterprising. After his removal to Rhode Island he left the Congregational church and united with the Society of Friends. Tradition affirms that he was "a devout but determined man." The early records prepared by him still remain in Portsmouth, and show him to have been a very neat and expert penman, as well as an educated man. His will showed that he was wealthy for the times. In 1634 he married Sarah Odding, stepdaughter of John Porter, of Rox- bury, and his wife Margaret, who was the Widow Odding at the time of her marriage to Porter. From Philip Sherman the line runs through six generations to Albert Keene Sherman, of Newport.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 64

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