USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Pawtucket > The lower Blackstone river valley; the story of Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, and Cumberland, Rhode Island; an historical narrative > Part 3
USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Central Falls > The lower Blackstone river valley; the story of Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, and Cumberland, Rhode Island; an historical narrative > Part 3
USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Lincoln > The lower Blackstone river valley; the story of Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, and Cumberland, Rhode Island; an historical narrative > Part 3
USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Cumberland > The lower Blackstone river valley; the story of Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, and Cumberland, Rhode Island; an historical narrative > Part 3
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JOSEPH JENKS DISCOVERS THE " FALLS OF WATER"
It may have been accident or he may have been led to a decision following a period of careful surveys of suitable locations; at any rate Joseph Jenks, Jr., visualized the "falls of water," which the Indians called Pawtucket, as ideal in every respect for a venture which was destined to
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have profound influence upon the development of industry in America. There he saw the ceaseless flow of a pleasant stream that would turn the power wheels of a sawmill; all about were giant trees for supplying limitless quantities of timber to be cut, turned and fashioned in a carpenter shop, or burned in the smelting furnaces. Less than a mile away, near what is now Mineral Springs, he found deposits of bog iron ore, apparently a ready source of supply for his projected forge and foundry.
Realizing the advantages offered him in this area of un- disturbed wilderness, Joseph Jenks, Jr., promptly removed from his establishment on the banks of the Pawtuxet River and turned his entire attention to the place which he believed met his requirements in every respect. On October 10, 1671, he purchased from Abel Potter, son-in-law of John Warner, one of the original proprietors of Warwick, sixty acres of land lying near Pawtucket Falls, and that historic transaction marked the actual founding of a settle- ment which was destined to become preeminent among the industrial centers of the nation.
Little time was probably lost in erecting a shelter and in laying the foundations of his manufacturing establishment, since the founder of Pawtucket took possession of his property well-equipped to turn trees into beams, joists and planking, and long-experienced in the art of construction. History records that he soon replaced his first temporary log dwelling with a frame house, and that the latter stood on the west side of present East Avenue near the site of the Pawtucket Boys Club building. His pioneer forge was erected below the falls on the west bank of the river, at what is now the south side of Main Street, therefore, his homestead must have overlooked the forge and the tumb- ling falls or rapids that provided the power for his mill wheel. This power, the generous bounty of Mother
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Nature, revolved the wheels which, in turn, whirled the saws that soon produced ample supplies of lumber for construction, stock for tool handles, and logs to be burned into charcoal for burning in the furnaces of the forge.
Former employees of Joseph Jenks, Sr., soon joined fortunes with the talented and capable son and they made the quiet of the wilderness resound with the ring of the anvil as scythes and other tools were hammered into shape to supply a ready market in Providence and elsewhere. These early associates were followed by their families who found the place called Pawtucket a pleasant spot in which to live, as well as a desirable locality to reap the rewards of industry and ingenuity.
Like his contemporary and friend Roger Williams in the parent settlement, Joseph Jenks, Jr., was regarded as the patriarch of his community. He attracted clever artisans of the times who were proud to perfect their craftsmanship under his tutelage and inspiration; he was a man of great public spirit and enterprise, at all times willing to devote hours and energy to the development and betterment of the community which he had the honor to found. He was the father of four sons and six daughters, and all became prominent in the early days of Pawtucket's interesting narrative.
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KING PHILIP'S WAR
There is no record of just how many homes surrounded the busy forge at Pawtucket Falls, after five or six years of the settlement's existence, but all evidence points to the fact that the main business venture of the place experienced early and substantial success, and that growth and expan- sion met with only one serious interruption during the first decade of Pawtucket's career. That interruption came in 1675 when, under the leadership of the militant Wampanoag
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chieftain, King Philip of Mount Hope, an attempt was made to unite the Indians of New England and to make a final, desperate effort to regain the lands which the white men were rapidly acquiring. This resulted in a tragic, prolonged war between the two races, finally ending in the virtual annihilation of the Narragansetts and the death of King Philip. During this bloody conflict the forge of Joseph Jenks, Jr., was burned by the Indians, and doubtless many of the original dwelling places and manufacturing structures suffered a similar fate. The residents were scattered here and there because of the isolated, unprotected position of the settlement; the mill wheels turned no more, but the waters of the river continued to flow over the falls until the return of Joseph Jenks, Jr., and his industrious flock who waited until peace again prevailed in the land.
Peace did come, following one of the most dramatic inci- dents in all history, and the scene of this incident happened to be located in the immediate vicinity of the abandoned forge by the side of the falls. The United Colonies declared war against the Narragansett Indians on November 2, 1675, charging them, among other things, with "relieving and succouring Wampanoag women and children and wounded men," and with not delivering them up to the English. The "Great Swamp Massacre" took place in Kingstown the following month and only a few warriors survived, among them Canonchet, the recognized chief sachem of the Narragansetts. In March of the following year, 1676, the Colonists learned that Canonchet, with a force of about three hundred warriors, was planning to attack Plymouth and other settlements. Whereupon, Captain Michael Pierce of Scituate, Massachusetts, "the man who never knew fear," was sent out with seventy soldiers to surprise Canon- chet and scatter his force. Pierce's disastrous defeat during the ensuing engagement on the banks of the Black-
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stone River was a tragic event and will be described in detail in the section of this narrative that treats especially of what is now Central Falls.
This decisive Indian victory caused the United Colonies to redouble their efforts to vanquish the enemy. Imme- diately four companies of volunteers from Connecticut started in pursuit of the Indians, the most conspicuous officer being Captain George Denison, provost marshal for New London County and Rhode Island. He had built a stockade fort just west of his homestead in Stonington, Connecticut, where his well-seasoned soldiers encamped previous to their forays into Indian territory. Denison also had three companies of friendly natives as allies, one composed of Mohegans and led by Oneko, the son of Uncas; another of Pequots under Cassasinnamon; and the other made up of Niantics, directed by Catapazet, the son of Ninigret. The entire force marched through the Narra- gansett country and Providence and arrived near Pawtucket on or about April 3, 1676.
CANONCHET, LAST OF THE NARRAGANSETT SACHEMS
In the meantime, Canonchet had descended upon Rehoboth and burned most of the houses in that settlement. Then he crossed the Seekonk and turned his attention to Providence. Roger Williams went out alone to meet the chief and sought to persuade him to spare the town. Canonchet declined to heed this entreaty, adding in his remarks to the white spokesman, "But, as for you, brother Williams, you are a good man, you have been kind to us for many years, not a hair of your head shall be touched." The Indians then put the torch to the settlement and burned more than a hundred of the dwellings and buildings that constituted Providence at that time. Following this inci-
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dent Canonchet went north into Massachusetts, and later returned to the Lower Blackstone River Valley to procure seed corn.
Whether it was Denison's main force or a small recon- noitering party that chanced upon Canonchet and a few braves encamped near Pawtucket is not a matter of actual record, but the story goes that a sentinel warned the un- suspecting chieftain of the approach of the enemy, and the warning came too late. The English closed in upon Canonchet as he leaped in the direction of the river throwing aside his blanket, the silver-laced coat previously presented to him by the white men, and his wampum belt. He made a desperate effort to escape by way of the river, but his foot slipped on a stone, and his gun dropped into the water. Later he made the remark that, "his heart and bowels turned within him so that he became void of strength as a rotton stick," when he realized that his gun was no longer of use to him. One of the Pequots caught the fugitive and the last of the Narragansett sachems became a prisoner of war.
According to accounts, one Robert Stanton, a young soldier, was the first Englishman to reach the side of the captive, and he attempted to ask questions. Observing the youthful face of his questioner the proud chief observed in broken English: "You much child, no understand matters of war, let your brother or chief come, him I will answer." In reply to threats of death, Canonchet argued that the taking of his life would not end the war, and when the soldiers attempted to humiliate the prisoner with jibes about his boastful, warlike speeches, he retorted: "Others were as forward about the war as myself, and I desire to hear no more about it." Continued questioning disclosed that this proud chieftain considered himself above the rank of his captors, since he, a prince among his own people, could
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talk only with one of high rank among those who held him as a prisoner of war. No prince being present in Denison's expedition, Canonchet felt obliged to hold his tongue. When informed that he was to be put to death, the prisoner then made the statement that should go down in history as a masterpiece of human expression. Perhaps on the banks of the river that became the lifeblood of a proud community, a proud, patriotic prince of a crushed race of men said, "I like it well, I shall die before my heart is soft or I have said anything unworthy of myself." Canonchet requested that one of equal rank to himself should be his executioner, but this request was not granted. He was taken to Stonington, Connecticut, where he was shot by the Pequots; his head was cut off by the Mohegans, and his body burned by the Niantics. Thus ended the power of the Narragansetts, and the bloody war with the Colonists came to a close.
THE CRADLE OF INDUSTRY AND INVENTION
Following King Philip's death, not long after, and the definite end of all hostilities, Joseph Jenks, Jr., returned to the "falls of water," probably during the early months of 1677. The forge was again established; once more the solitude of the forest was broken with the peaceful echoes of industry. Many of the craftsmen who had sought safety for their families when danger threatened, returned to the abandoned settlement and took up their tasks with renewed hope and energy. From that day to this, invention and the mastery of machine production have brought continuous and everlasting fame to the place which the Indians called "Pawtucket."
The good business judgment and genius of Joseph Jenks, Jr., soon placed him in a position of leadership throughout the surrounding countryside. His busy forge and shop
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supplied the farmers, hunters, ship owners and fishermen, carpenters and many others, far and near, with unlimited supplies and wide varieties of tools and implements. Like- wise, honors were pressed upon him as he reached middle age, elevating him to great prominence in the Rhode Island Colony. He really became the leader of a patriarchy which had its center at the famous pioneer forge. He was a member of the Providence Town Council in 1680, and Moderator of the Town Meeting in 1678-80. In April, 1679, he was elected a delegate from Providence to the General Assembly in Newport, serving a number of years in this capacity, and he was the Speaker for several sessions. In various periods of his life he was a deputy and justice of the peace, and performed many marriages.
In 1680, Joseph Jenks, Jr., and two others were empowered by the Assembly to purchase a bell "for the public use of the Colony, and for giving notice or signifying the several times or sittings of the Assemblys, and General Councils." The bell was purchased from Freelove Arnold (daughter of Governor Benedict Arnold) for three pounds and ten shillings. Previously the Assembly had been called to- gether by the roll of a drum. In 1690 he was one of a committee of several to write a letter of congratulation and loyalty to William and Mary who had then acceded to the British throne, and in 1695 he was chosen to run the eastern line of the Colony.
GOVERNOR JOSEPH JENKS
Each of the four sons who inherited the Jenks business at Pawtucket became distinguished Rhode Island citizens. Ebenezer was one of the first ordained pastors of the First Baptist Church in Providence; Nathaniel attained the rank of Major in his chosen field, the military profession; William who turned to law became a judge, but the most famous
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T
4
GOVERNOR JOSEPH JENKS Son of the Founder of Pawtucket (see page 152)
Gazette and Chronicle.
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1894.
THE FIRST BURYING GROUND.
Interesting Recollections of the Spot Where " The Rude Forefathers of the Hamlet" were Buried.
->>> TO CENTRAL FALLS
HIGH STREET
1
2
3
4
X
6
B
B
READ STREET
9
12
11
B
10
NORTH MAIN STREET.
1. Frost or Lowden house. The large house second north of City Hall. Occupied in 1829 and later by the late Thomas LeFavour.
2. Phinney house. Occupied in 1829 and for forty years thereafter, by Zenas Phinney, father of the writer of this sketch. It was a small cottage and was torn down six or seven years ago. 3. "Old Mill House," Owned In 1829 by Amy Ann Brown, and occupled at that time and later by four families : William Adams (father of Charles P. Adams), Ichabod Jenks (father of Phe- nuel Van Leason, Otis, et al.), William Clegg and James Graham (father of Samuel and George).
4. Judge Field house, now 55 High street, and at present owned and occupied by Mr. H. A. Briggs. Judge Field was father of William Field, the founder of. the Providence Tool Co., and grandfather of the junior William Field, an accomplished musician who died but a short time ago.
5. Shop for many years owned and occupled by the late Job Bennett. gunsmith and locksmith. In later years occupied by A. E. Pendergrass, boot and shoe maker. Now unoccupied and in rulnous condition. Original owner was Nathaniel Jenks, father of Job Bennett's wife.
6. . House, original owner Nathaniel Jenks. Like No. 5. In rulnous condition.
7. Serll Bullock house. Occupied as tenemeut and saloon.
8. Bennett house, owned and occupied then by Isaac Bennett, the late Job Bennett's father. Now occupied as a dwelling house.
9. Trott house, Afterward owned by father of the late Joseph Wheaton Allen.
10. Squire Read house. Read street, named after him, was then a lane with a gate at the low- er end Lower story now occupled as a barber shop, etc.
11. Capt. Ellis house. Ellis was a teamster and B on the right was his barn. He was a son- in-law of Trott. Ira Allen, father of William P. Allen, purchased the place in 1832. He re- moved the barn, erected a larger one on Its site and It is now occupied by storekeepers, manu- facturers, etc. Upper portion of the house is now occupied by E. F. Trafton.
12 Deacon Tabor house. Later occupied by his son-in-law Samuel C. Colyer, who Is well re- membered by many of our readers. The lower floor Is now used for business purposes.
B. Barns.
X. Grave of Gov. Joseph Jenks.
XX. Graves of the senior Joseph Jenks and wife. F. Fence. .
The dots represent the gravestones.
was Joseph, the third to bear that family name He was born in 1656, and at the age of thirty-five he was deputy to the General Assembly, holding the position for twelve years and serving as speaker of the lower House for four years. He became a major in the militia of the Mainland towns during the period between 1707 and 1712. In 1705, he was appointed one of the commissioners to settle the ever present boundary question, and was reappointed several times to aid in running the line. In 1720 he was sent to England to bring the boundary question before the King. Meanwhile his unquestioned ability in political matters and his great popularity had procured for him the office of Deputy-Governor, a position which he held for thirteen years under Governor Cranston. Finally, when the latter died in 1727, he became Governor, holding the office for six years. He was the first Governor to be elected outside of Newport, but, deferring to a wish of the General Assembly, he moved his family to the seaport during the term of his governorship. He was twice married, his first wife being Martha Brown of Providence who died; his second, Alice Smith Dexter of the same town.
In every respect Joseph Jenks, 3rd, displayed the greatest sagacity and integrity while occupying such an honored place in the public eye. Under his influence his native village grew vigorously, responding well to his efforts to promote its best interests and invest capital there. When he was asked to run again for the governorship in 1733, he declined, saying wisely, "I now perceive my natural faculties abating. If I should continue longer in office, it is possible I may be insensible of their decay, and be unwilling to resign my post when I am no longer able to fill it." He died seven years later, in 1740, and was buried in the Old Jenks Burying Ground, then located just south of Read street, midway between Roosevelt avenue (then Mill street, but
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later North Main street) and High street. He was the greatest of three great men of the same name and family, and well continued the traditions laid by his forebears. On his tombstone the latter part of the epitaph provides the most fitting summary of the man and of this story:
"He was a Wise and Prudent Governor; a kind Husband and a Tender Father; Grave, Sober, Pleasant in Behaviour, Beautiful in Person, with a Soul truly Great, Heroic, and Sweetly-Tempered."
One of Gov. Joseph Jenks' greatest contributions to the progress of the place founded by his father was his successful effort in securing appropriations from both Rhode Island and Massachusetts to construct the first bridge across Pawtucket Falls. This was in 1713, and the cost of the first crude span was in the neighborhood of two hundred pounds sterling. It was one of the very first bridges con- structed in this country and it served to unite the villages that had grown up on opposite sides of the river. The east side of the Blackstone-Pawtucket-Seekonk stream was still a part of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, while the western bank was considered as being in Providence Plantations. The building of this bridge brought much of the Boston-Provi- dence travel through the center of the growing community and proved to be an important connecting link in respect to trade, and likewise a bone of contention when it came to the matter of keeping the bridge in repair.
THE FIRST BRIDGE
From the founding of Pawtucket until 1713, pioneer residents and those who traveled that way waded across the stream below the falls, jumped rocks wherever they could, or made the crossing in small boats. But, when the two communities on opposite sides of the river developed
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common interests and social ties, resulting from trade growth and intermarriage, the need for a span of some form became more and more of a necessity. Of course, the idea of erecting a bridge at Pawtucket Falls was simply talked about for a long, long time before anything was actually done. Finally, Joseph Jenks, son of the founder and the future Governor, took the initiative by writing to Gov. Cranston requesting that action be taken in regard to the long-needed project. Likewise he aroused the interest of Massachusetts authorities in the idea and ascertained the willingness of that Colony to defray part of the cost. In May, 17II, the Rhode Island General Assembly appro- priated a sum of money to build bridges at Pawtucket, Providence and Pawtuxet; and the Massachusetts General Court also took action in respect to the Pawtucket project. The two colonies together spent 223 pounds, 14 shillings, and II pence on Pawtucket's first iron and wood bridge, built under the direction of Joseph Jenks, and both Colonies shared maintenance costs until about 1728 when Massa- chusetts, according to tradition, failed to keep up with whatever payments had been agreed upon. This default may have been intentional on the part of Massachusetts, since the latter persisted in claiming certain land areas west of the Blackstone and Providence Rivers, but whatever the reason, the bridge suffered, it soon became unsafe, and, according to one record, it was considered "a trap to endanger men's lives."
First, Rhode Island asked Massachusetts to help foot the bill for making necessary repairs, and when this appeal remained unheeded, the request was made that Massa- chusetts help in tearing down the condemned structure. This suggestion was met with ready response and so the much-needed and long-neglected span was torn down, under the supervision of William Jenks representing Rhode
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Island, and Charles Church acting for the neighboring Colony. The iron from the bridge was sold, and the money received from the sale was divided equally between the two Colonies.
Soon after, steps were taken to build another bridge, but it took a court decision to compel Massachusetts to assume her share of the construction costs. William Jenks, who helped to tear down the first span, rebuilt it in 1735 and received £roo for his work. The two communities at the Falls were again united, but disputes over bridge tolls and boundary lines continued to cause bad feelings between Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and the controversies remained unsettled for nearly another century.
PAWTUCKET ON THE WEST SIDE
In June, 1765, the northern and northwestern portions of the Town of Providence were set off into a separate township by the name of North Providence, and included within its limits was that part of Pawtucket lying on the west bank of the stream that marked the boundary line between the Colonies. The reason for this creation of North Providence was the age-old objection of rural inhabitants in respect to the spending of more public money in the populated areas than was appropriated for expenditures among the home- lands of the minority. In this particular case the disagree- ment arose between the merchants and tradesmen who resided in Providence and vicinity and those who lived in the outlying districts to the north, most of whom were farmers. The latter, constituting the minority, were obliged to attend town meetings at an expense of time and money, and these duties were the cause of great annoyance and dissatisfaction. However, a rearrangement of town boundary lines was made two years later leaving North
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Providence, including the west side of Pawtucket, a sparsely settled town, with less than one thousand inhabitants.
At the time when North Providence came into being, the highways, with the exception of the main road to Providence, were nothing more than cart paths or well-beaten Indian trails. Most of the households were self-sustaining with the men and boys working in the fields, and the wives and daughters spinning the wool or flax into yarn and weaving it into cloth. Gradually the common trades of carpentry, masonry and tailoring developed here and there among the inhabitants as the demand for such labor and service became permanent and steady. It was a century or more before steam engines were built to any extent on this Continent, and Providence looked to the iron workers of Pawtucket for their supply of the heavier tools and iron implements. Up to the time of the Revolutionary War, the only industries in Pawtucket that used the services of labor were those concerned with the working of metals, and these were out- growths of the Jenks forge and iron works. It is interesting to note that practically all of the industries on the west side of Pawtucket remained in control of the founder's descend- ants until after the war.
In 1774 Captain Stephen Jenks patented and began the manufacture of the Jenks' musket; he also made bayonets and ramrods. Several independent military companies were furnished with firearms of his manufacture. Sixty heavy cannon were cast by Mr. Jenks, and were among the first made in this country. Field pieces and ship anchors were also made at the iron works. Under the Jenks patent other muskets were made during the Revolutionary War.
During the Revolutionary War the people of North Providence were enthusiastic and active patriots, and a number of those who resided within the town served in the Continental armies. The population was comparatively
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small but the town, besides a regular militia company, maintained an independent company, the North Providence Rangers, chartered in 1774. Commodore Esek Hopkins, first commander-in-chief of the American Navy and brother of the illustrious Stephen Hopkins, was a resident of the town before and after the Revolution. Captain Stephen Olney, one of the most distinguished military figures in the struggle for liberty, was also a native. With the return of peace he served in the General Assembly and as president of the Town Council.
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