USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Westerly > Westerly (Rhode Island) and its witnesses : for two hundred and fifty years, 1626-1876 : including Charlestown, Hopkinton, and Richmond until their separate organization, with the principal points of their subsequent history > Part 16
USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Charlestown > Westerly (Rhode Island) and its witnesses : for two hundred and fifty years, 1626-1876 : including Charlestown, Hopkinton, and Richmond until their separate organization, with the principal points of their subsequent history > Part 16
USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Hopkinton > Westerly (Rhode Island) and its witnesses : for two hundred and fifty years, 1626-1876 : including Charlestown, Hopkinton, and Richmond until their separate organization, with the principal points of their subsequent history > Part 16
USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Richmond > Westerly (Rhode Island) and its witnesses : for two hundred and fifty years, 1626-1876 : including Charlestown, Hopkinton, and Richmond until their separate organization, with the principal points of their subsequent history > Part 16
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CHAPTER XX.
EMIGRATIONS.
PERHAPS it was noticed, while pursuing the thread of our narrative, that there was an apparent decline in the life of the town after the Revolution, and until the full opening of the business of the present century. We saw this in the history of the churches. The losses of the Revolution do not fully explain it. Prior to the struggle for independence, agricultural interests predominated and were flourish- ing; the town could boast of comparative wealth. American life was then most vigorous along the coast ; the rich interior was unsub- dued, and almost wholly unexplored ; the State of New York was a " new country " and " the far West." With the termination of the patriot struggle commenced the era of manufactures, mechanical pursuits, and extended commerce. In the mean time the opening of our vast western domain invited multitudes of the young and enter- prising to leave the bleak, rugged New England coast for the shel- tered and fertile valleys of the West. In one instance, a church was formed in the State of New York by a colony that went out from the "Wilcox Church." The seeming decline here was the result of. Westerly's contribution to the swelling life of our vast interior.
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The first emigrations were to Western Massachusetts, Vermont, and Wyoming, Penn. The emigrations of 1788 and 1790 were to the Muskingum region of Ohio; these followed Gen. Rufus Putnam, who is accounted the founder of the settlement at Marietta. There went out companies to Unadilla or the Heidelburg (Hill Barracks), to Chenango, to Rensselaer, to De Ruyter, to the Black River country, to Alleghany, and in almost every direction. Members of the Pendleton and Parke families emigrated to Maine, from whose descendants I have received important facts relative to the town's early history. The descendants of Rev. Joseph Parke have worn public honors in Pennsylvania. In short, Westerly is represented, not unworthily, in nearly every State and territory of our wide and prosperous land.
.
148
WESTERLY AND ITS WITNESSES.
Among the emigrants to Muskingum were Capt. Thomas Wells and family, with certain neighbors. Having heard of the charms of the climate and the wonderful fertility of the soil of the new coun- try, they departed with large and enthusiastic hopes. The locality in Hopkinton, from which Captain Wells moved, was familiarly designated as " Egypt," now a part of the village of Ashaway. Hence the emigrants, as they started, used the following expressive parody.
" We from Egypt's slavish ground, Unto 'HIo we are bound; And as we journey let us sing, Halo-dantum to MUSKING."
From the wilderness of the new country and the maraudings of Indians, hardships and trials were for a time the portion of the set- tlers. But comparative quiet followed the victories of Wayne in 1794.
Among the emigrants was Joseph Wells, of whose wife, Sylva Wells, daughter of Randall Wells, Esq., it is recorded that she came home twice to visit her parents, making the journey on horseback. To-day such a journey of a female from Ohio to Rhode Island would be blazed abroad as a notable exploit. But consider that she passed unbridged rivers and through the rough paths of a wilderness. And what would our modern ladies say of her baggage, her little bundle tied to her saddle ? Of this same good-wife, we think, tradition re- ports that she carried in her arms to her far western home a mirror given her by her parents. The toils, economies, and sacrifices of such mothers deserve enduring record.
A descendant of a Westerly emigrant, Hon. Benjamin Parke, LL. D., residing in the valley of the Susquehanna, Penn., thus speaks of such as emigrated to that region.
. "Early in the present century, in the summer of 1802, there might have been seen on their journey from Rhode Island to this Northern border of Pennsylvania, a young couple, with their eldest child, an infant boy, accom- panied by a young and accomplished sister of the man, who had, with a younger brother, previously spent some six years at the place to which they were journeying, - engaged in surveying, clearing a few fields in the forest, rearing a log house, and preparing a home for the family he now had with him. They came by way of New York, thence up the Hudson, and across to the Susquehanna River, near Unadilla. There they formed a kind of raft, by lashing together two canoes and laying boards thereon. Upon this they embarked and floated down to Great Bend; from whence, by a rough and narrow road, most of the way through a forest, upon an ox-sled, they came some twenty-five miles to their place of future residence -their home. What a change and contrast! A small clearing in the midst of a dense forest, few neighbors within five miles, and none nearer than one and a half miles of their dwelling. But they were all children of revolutionary parents, had been cradled in revolutionary times, and imbued with the faith and trust of their Puritan ancestors, taught to follow the path of duty, and to look upon
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149
EMIGRATIONS.
the brighter side. They had counted the cost, and resolved to be satisfied. Their dwelling, though of unhewn logs, was of ample size and comfortable. It stood in a beautiful valley. nearly surrounded by hills, beside a brook of pure water, - the babbling, noisy tributary of the larger streams, - which ran through and gave name to the valley. Their house being of larger size than most others near, and upon the only traveled road leading eastward in that section, was the general stopping-place of most of those coming from the Eastern States to look for or settle upon farms in that part of the coun- try. Here they were most cheerfully received and entertained without charge; though beds and floors were frequently filled and covered with lodgers. No one then thought of receiving any pay of such transient guests. Their company and the news they brought from the outer world was more than an equivalent for their entertainment. All the settlers then dwelt in rough log houses; some covered with bark, chinked and mudded between the logs; easily erected, and with the abundance of fuel, made comfortable in the coldest weather. Around these humble dwellings -seldom in sight of each other -the wild deer browsed often so near as to be shot from the door or window. Farther off, sometimes, however, within sight of the fam- ily, the bear or wolf lurked, watching for pigs or sheep. At night the owl hooted and the wolf howled; and they were only kept from the poultry and sheep by the watch-dog or the high-fenced fold, near the house. Here the early settlers of this county -a noble, self-denying. intelligent band of men and women - toiled on, cleared up their farms, opened the roads, erected new buildings, reared their families, and laid the foundation for the com- fort and prosperity now enjoyed by their descendants or successors."
Westerly and Hopkinton, and the neighboring towns in Connecti- cut, Stonington, North Stonington, Groton, and other towns adjacent, gave most enterprising men to " the West," or " up country," then termed. It is almost wonderful how, after such large and valuable contributions, these towns could sustain themselves as they did at home. If the original stock had not been of a most vitalizing power, its virtue would have been exhausted.
A census taken by order of the Crown in 1730, while Charles- town, Richmond, and Hopkinton were included, gave to the town 1,926 inhabitants; i. e. 1,620 whites, 250 Indians, 56 negroes. By the census of 1777, when the aforementioned towns had been set off, the number of inhabitants was 1,812. In 1782 the number had fallen to 1,720; and in 1810, the number had risen only to 1,911, giving an increase of but 99 in thirty-three years, - the causes were war and emigration. Since 1810 the town's growth has been rapid, and yet, every year, persons and families have been seeking their homes and fortunes in the new States and territories. Westerly has her honorable representatives throughout the American Re- public.
When the new and wonderful accounts of gold in the valleys and hills of California reached the Atlantic coast in 1849, not a few of the bold and enterprising young men of Westerly, inspired by golden visions, plowed the rough seas around Cape Horn, or climbed the mountains at the Isthmus of Darien, on their way to the El
150
WESTERLY AND ITS WITNESSES.
Dorado. Some realized the treasures they sought; others obtained only an experience of the adage that " All is not gold that glitters."
As the business affairs of the town have greatly changed within the last thirty years, the population has undergone a corresponding change. The manufacturing and mechanical interests have drawn into the villages a new and strange population from distant parts. The old New England families could not supply the demand. Large numbers have come to us from the Old World, - English, Scotch, Irish, French, Germans, Italians. These are a power in the industry. of the town. The district, commonly called Downerville, owned and inhabited almost exclusively by the Irish, is the growth of the last twenty years. The Catholic church and congregation is now the largest assembly in this region of country, and they possess the largest house of worship. We have really become a polyglot peo- ple. Here we have Indians, Yankees, Negroes, English, Irish, Scotch, Germans, French, and some from other countries.
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CHAPTER XXI.
ROLL OF EARLY FREEMEN.
THE following roll is copied from the town records, under the date mentioned.
" A LIST OF ALL YE FREEMEN OF WESTERLY TOWN FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT THEREOF TO 1727.
John Crandall.
Joseph Dwell.
Tobias Saunders.
Joseph Crandall.
Edward Larkin.
James Lewis.
Robert Burdick.
Capt. James Pendleton. Joshua Holens.
John Randal.
Hoop Chapman.
John Lewis.
John Maxon, Jr.
John Mackoon.
Benjamin Burdick.
James Cass.
Joseph Maxon.
John Thorp.
James Babcock, Jr.
Jonathan Armstrong.
Henry Halls, Jr.
Daniel Stanton.
John Maxon.
. James Babcock.
. Edward Larkin, Jr. Thomas Rennalls. John Davis. John Babcock.
Jafrey Champlin. Thomas Painter. John Fairfield.
Thomas Stephens.
James Babcock, Jr.
Joseph Clarke, Jr.
Daniel Crumb. Jolın Babcock.
Caleb Pendleton.
· Nicholas Cottrell. Job Babcock.
David Lewis.
Shuball Painter.
Israel Lewis.
Joseph Clarke. George Lanfear.
Nicholas Satterly.
Richard Swait.
Thomas Wells, Sen.
Thomas Wells, Jr.
Jafrey Champlin, Jr. Henry Halls, Sen.
Samuel Lewis.
Jolin Lewis, Jr.
Thomas Burdick.
Garshum Cottrell.
Edward Willcocks. .
William Champlin.
John Eanoss.
Peter Crandall.
Shadrack Lanfeare. John Maccoon. John Larkin.
Christopher Champlin. James Crandall.
Joseph Pemberton.
James Halls.
George Brown.
Richard Lanphear.
Stephen Willcocks.
£
152
WESTERLY AND ITS WITNESSES.
David Lewis.
James Bliven.
John Cottrill. John Loveliss.
George Babcock.
Peter Crandall, Jr.
Samuel Clarke. Nicholas Utter.
Daniel Babcock.
Jonathan Brown.
Edward Blavin.
William Davis.
John Wells.
Joseph Crandall.
Theodaty Rhodes.
Thomas Morhouse.
Roger Larkin.
Jolin Lewis, Jr.
John Johnson.
Samuel Allen.
John Clarke.
Joseph Stanton.
Joseph Pendleton.
Joseph Johnson.
James Noyes.
Tobias Brand.
William Ross.
William Champlin.
John Holloway.
Edward Blaven.
Samuel Holloway.
William James.
Benjamin Holloway.
Benjamin Saunders.
Solomon Hakes.
Daniel Babcock.
Ebor Crandall.
John Lewis, Jr. (John Lewis's son).
William Clarke. John Witter.
Thomas Lillebridge.
Phillip Palmiter.
James Rogers.
Jonathan Maxon.
Thomas Rogers.
Hubbard Burdick.
Jolin Moor.
Francis Colgrove.
Peter Button, Jr.
Edward Halls.
Richard Dake.
Isaac Thompson.
William Knowls.
George Stillman. John Hill.
Joseph Cross.
John Webster.
Jeremiah Boss.
Jonathan Kinyon.
Caleb Pendleton.
Old Mr. John Kinyon.
William Bentley.
John Bentley. Isaac Sheffield.
Johını Baker.
Samuel Babcock.
Samuel Wilboure.
Benjamin Rennalls.
Stephen Willcox. Edward Willcox. John Marcoon, Jr.
Robert Astin.
Joseph Maxon, Jr.
John Larkin. James Halls.
Thomas Burdick, Jr. Edward Saunders. Stephen Saunders.
Francis Colgrove.
Joseph James.
Stephen Richmond.
Thomas Brand.
Gideon Hoxsie.
Thomas Wells.
Robert Babcock.
Josiah Hill.
Israel Lewis.
Joseph Renals.
Nathaniel Lewis.
William Davell, Jr.
Daniel Greenell.
Thomas Stanton. Daniel Stanton.
Mathias Button. John Hoxsie, Jr.
Samuel Burdick.
Robert Burdick. John Maxon, Jr., 2d.
Joseph Hadrall.
Nathaniel Wells.
. Peter Worden.
Job Babcock. JJr.
James Covey.
Thomas Utter.
Thomas Clarke.
Thomas Hiscox.
Nicholas Satterly. James Bemiss.
Stephen Babcock. George Havens. Benjamin Brown.
153
ROLL OF EARLY FREEMEN.
Christopher Champlin, ye 3d.
Samuel Cottrill. John Pooley.
Stephen Willcox, son to Ste- phen.
Joseph Kinyon. Samuel Barber."
David Kinyon.
Variety in the orthography of names among our ancestors was not uncommon.
CHAPTER XXII.
ROLL OF REPRESENTATIVES.
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FROM the town records, and from the published portions of the colonial records, we have gathered the following roll of such as rep- resented the town in the General Assembly. As abbreviations, " As." stands for Assistant ; and " De." for Deputy.
1669.
As. Tobias Saunders. 1670.
De. John Crandall.
" Steven Wilcocks.
John Maxson.
" Suball Paynter.
Nicolas Cottrell.
1671.
De. John Crandall. " Tobias Saunders.
1672.
De. Tobias Saunders.
Shuball Painter.
" Stephen Wilcocks.
1673-4-5-6-7.
Town business broken up by Phil- ip's War.
1678-9. As. Joseph Clarke. 1680.
As. Joseph Clarke. De. Tobias Saunders. " Robert Burdick. 1681.
De. Tobias Saunders.
" Jeffrey Champlin.
1682. De. Jeffrey Champlin. " John Badcocke. .
1683. De. Tobias Saunders. " Robert Burdick.
1684. De. Jeffrey Champlin. " Jolin Badcocke. .
1685. De. Jeffrey Champlin. " Robert Burdick.
1686. De. Jeffrey Champlin. John Maxson. 1686-7-8-9.
Administration of Sir Edmond An- dros; and Westerly styled "Haver- sham," or " Feversham."
1690.
De. John Maxon.
Joseph Clarke.
.. Tobias Saunders.
" William Champlin.
1691.
De. Henry Hall. " Capt. William Champlin.
T
155
ROLL OF REPRESENTATIVES.
1692. De. Capt. William Champlin. " Joshua Holmes.
1693.
De. Jolin Maxson. " Edward Wilcocks.
1694.
De. Joshua Holmes.
Joseph Danell.
1695. De. Capt. Joseph Danell. John Babcock.
1696.
De. Capt. William Champlin.
Nicolas Cottrell.
1697.
De. Capt. William Champlin. " John Lewis.
1698.
De. Joseph Clarke.
Capt. William Champlin. 1699.
De. Capt. William Champlin. " Peter Crandall.
1700.
De. Capt. William Champlin.
" Joseph Clarke.
" Lieut. Peter Crandall.
1701.
De. Capt. James Babcock. " Peter Crandall.
1702.
As. Capt. Edward Greenman. De. Joseph Clarke.
" William Gibson.
" William Champlin.
1703.
De. Capt. William Champlin.
" Lieut. Peter Crandall.
" Capt. Andrew Willett.
" Benjamin Greene.
1704.
De. Joseph Clarke.
Lieut. Peter Crandall.
1705.
De. Capt. William Champlin. " John Maxson.
1706.
De. Joseplı Clarke.
William Champlin.
1706-7. De. Capt. James Babcock.
Edward Larking.
1707. De. Capt. William Champlin. " John Saunders.
1708.
De. Joseph Clarke.
" Capt. James Babcock.
" Joseph Stanton, Jun.
1709.
De. Capt. James Babcock. Joseph Crandall.
1710. De. Capt. William Champlin. " John Lewis.
1711.
De. Capt. William Clarke. " Daniel Lewis.
1712.
De. William Champlin.
Joseph Maxson.
1713.
De. Capt. John Babcock. " John Saunders.
1714.
De. Daniel Lewis. " Thomas Hiscox.
1715.
De. Daniel Brown.
" Capt. Joseph Stanton.
Capt. John Babcock.
Edwin Larkin.
1716.
As. Samuel Clarke. De. Jolm Hill. " George Babcock.
.
James Babcock. .
156
WESTERLY AND ITS WITNESSES.
1717.
De. Capt. John Babcock.
William Wilkinson.
1718.
De. Capt. John Babcock.
Thomas Hiscox. -
" Capt. Joseph Stanton. 1719.
De. Capt. Joseph Stanton.
" Isaac Thompson.
" Samuel Rogers.
1720.
De. Capt. John Babcock.
Thomas Hiscox.
1721.
De. Isaac Thompson.
66 John Hill.
Capt. Joseph Stanton.
Lieut. Theodaty Rhodes.
1722.
De. John Hill.
Isaac Thompson.
1723.
De. Capt. John Babcock.
" Christ. Champlin, Jun.
1724-5.
De. Capt. John Babcock.
" Theodaty Rhodes.
" Capt. Joseph Stanton.
" Capt. John Hill.
1726.
De. Christ. Champlin, Jun.
" Thomas Hiscox.
" Major Joseph Stanton.
" Capt. John Hill.
1727.
De. Maj. Joseph Stanton.
" Thomas Hiscox.
" Capt. John Hill.
1728.
De. John Richmond.
William Champlin.
1729. De. John Richmond.
1730.
De. Capt. Oliver Babcock. " Capt. William Clarke. 1731. De. Major Joseph Stanton.
William Champlin.
1732.
De. Lieut .- Col. Joseph Stanton. " William Champlin.
1733.
De. Col. Joseph Stanton. " John Richmond.
1734.
De. Capt. Oliver Babcock. " Thomas Hiscox.
1735.
De. Capt. Oliver Babcock. " Col. Joseph Stanton.
1736.
De. Col. Joseph Stanton.
Thomas Hiscox.
1737.
De. Capt. Oliver Babcock. " Capt. James Rogers.
1788.
De. Col. Oliver Babcock. Capt. Christ. Champlin. 1739.
De. Thomas Hiscox.
Joshua Babcock.
1740.
De. Thomas Hiscox.
Joshua Babcock.
1741.
De. Thomas Hiscox. " William Champlin, Jun. 1742. De. William Champlin, Jun. " Capt. John Maxon.
1743. De. Capt. John Maxson. William Hern.
157
ROLL OF REPRESENTATIVES.
1744.
De. Capt. John Maxson.
William Babcock.
1745.
De. William Hern. .
" Capt. Nathaniel Lewis.
1746.
De. William Hern. " Silas Greenman.
1747.
De. Joshua Babcock.
Capt. William Pendleton.
174S.
De. Joshua Babcock.
Maj. William Pendleton.
1749.
De. Capt. Silas Greenman.
" Joshua Babcock.
1750-1.
De. Col. Josephi Pendleton. " Capt. Caleb Church.
1752.
De. Col. Oliver Babcock. " Joshua Babcock.
1753.
De. Joshua Babcock.
Joshua Clarke.
1754.
De. Maj. Joshua Clarke. « Capt. Benjamin Randall. 1755. De. Capt. Benjamin Randall. " Hezekiahı Collins.
1756-7.
De. Major Joseph Clarke.
" Samuel Ward.
" Capt. Joseplı Stanton. 1758.
De. Capt. Josepli Stanton. " Joshua Babcock.
1759.
De. Joshua Babcock. " Col. Joseph Pendleton.
1760.
De. Joshua Babcock.
Capt. Nathan Babcock.
1761.
De. Capt. George Stillman.
Capt. Nathan Babcock ..
1762.
Gov. SAMUEL WARD. De. Capt. George Stillman. " James Babcock, Jun.
1763. De. Col. William Pendleton.
George Sheffield.
1764. De. James Babcock, Jun. David Maxson, 2d.
1765.
Gov. SAMUEL WARD. De. Capt. George Stillman. " David Maxson.
1766.
Gov. SAMUEL WARD. De. Major Edward Bliven. " Stephen Saunders.
1767.
De. Joseph Crandall.
Capt. Edward Saunders. 1768.
De. Joseph Crandall. " Capt. Matthew Maxson. 1769. De. Capt. Edward Saunders. " Joseph Clarke, Jun. 1770.
De. James Rhodes.
Oliver Babcock.
1771-2.
De. James Rhodes.
Phineas Clark.
1773.
De. Joshua Babcock.
. James Rhodes.
----
*
.
158
WESTERLY AND ITS WITNESSES.
1774.
De. Joshua Babcock. " Stephen Saunders.
1775. Dc. Joshua Babcock.
1776. De. Maj .- Gen. Joshua Babcock.
" Col. Josephi Noyes.
1777. De. Thomas Ross.
" James Babcock, Esq.
1778. De. Joshua Babcock, Esq. 1779. De. Nathan Barber.
Paul Clarke.
1780.
As. Joshua Babcock.
De. Joseph Noyes, Esq.
Samuel Bliven.
1781.
De. David Maxson, Esq.
66 Edward Bliven, Esq.
1782. De. Joseph Noyes, Esq. " Edward Bliven, Esq.
1783. De. Joseph Noyes, Esq.
David Maxson.
1781-5-6-7-8-9. De. Joseph Noyes, Esq. " Walter White.
1790-1.
De. Walter White. " George Stillman, Esq.
1792. De. Walter White, Esq. " Thomas Noyes, Esq. 1793-4-5-6-7-8-9. De. Thomas Noyes, Esq. " Rowse Babcock, Esq. 1800.
. De. Thomas Noyes, Esq. " Christopher Babcock, 2d.
In the following, " Re." may signify Representative, and " Se." Senator.
1801-2. Re. Sylvester Gavit. " William Rhodes.
1803-1-5-6-7.
Re. Sylvester Gavit. " Capt. Resolved Carr. 1808-9-10. Re. Thomas Noyes. " William Rhodes, 2d.
1811-12-13.
Re. Thomas Noyes. " Walter White.
1814.
Re. Walter White. " Nathan F. Dixon.
1815. Re. Nathan F. Dixon. " Joseph M. Knowles.
1816. Re. Nathan F. Dixon. " Thomas W. Potter. 1817-18. Re. Nathan F. Dixon. " Thomas Noyes. 1819-20. Nathan F. Dixon. Isaac Champlin.
1821-2-3. Nathan F. Dixon. Daniel Babcock, Jr.
1824-5. Nathan F. Dixon. Isaac Champlin. 1826-7. Nathan F. Dixon. George D. Cross.
·
159
ROLL OF REPRESENTATIVES.
1828-9.
Se. George D. Cross. Re. Nathan F. Dixon. " Joseph Potter.
1830.
Re. Isaac Champlin.
" Joshua Vose.
" Joseph Chapman.
1831-2.
Re. George D. Cross. " Joseph Chapman.
1833. Re. John H. Cross. " Lyndon Taylor.
1834-5.
Re. George D. Cross. " Lyndon Taylor.
" John H. Cross.
1836.
Re. Clark Saunders. " George W. Gavitt, 2d.
1837.
Re. Lyndon Taylor. " Benadam Frink.
" William Potter.
183S. Re. William C. Pendleton. " Benadam Frink.
1830.
Re. Daniel Babcock, Jun.
" Welcome A. Iloxie.
" John Hiscox.
1840.
Re. Welcome A. Hoxie.
" Stephen Wilcox.
Daniel Babcock, Jun.
1841.
Re. Jesse L. Moss. Edward W. Babcock.
Nathan F. Dixon, Jun.
1842.
Re. Nathan F. Dixon, Jun.
" Rowse Babcock.
Joseph Potter.
1843-4-5-6. Se. Joseph Potter. Re. Nathan F. Dixon.
1847-8. Se. Welcome A. Hoxie. Re. Nathan F. Dixon.
1849. Se. George D. Cross. Re. Nathan F. Dixon.
1850. Se. George D. Cross. Re. Joseph Potter.
1851. Sc. Stephen Wilcox. Re. Nathan F. Dixon.
1852-3-4.
Se. Charles Maxson. Re. Nathan F. Dixon.
1855. Se. Charles H. Denison. Re. Jolm E. Weeden.
1856. Se. Enoch B. Pendleton. Re. John E. Weeden.
1857.
Se. Bradford Bliven. Re. Daniel F. Larkin.
1858-9.
Se. Daniel F. Larkin. Re. Nathan F. Dixon.
1860.
Se. Charles H. Denison. Re. Nathan F. Dixon.
1861.
Se. Charles H. Denison. Re. Nathan F. Dixon. " John E. Weeden.
1862.
Se. James M. Pendleton. Re. Nathan F. Dixon. " John E. Weeden.
160
WESTERLY AND ITS WITNESSES.
1863-4.
Se. James M. Pendleton.
Re. John E. Weeden. " .Rowse Babcock.
1865.
Se. James M. Pendleton. Re. Edwin G. Champlin. " John E. Weeden.
1866-7.
Se. Edwin G. Champlin. Re. John E. Weeden.
" Thomas V. Stillman. 1868.
Se. Edwin G. Champlin. Re. James W. Stillman. " Samuel II. Cross.
1869.
Se. Samuel HI. Cross.
Re. John E. Weeden. " John Loveland.
1870.
Se. Samuel H. Cross.
Re. John E. Weeden. ". John Loveland.
1871.
Se. Samuel H. Cross.
Re. Nathan F. Dixon.
John Loveland.
1872. Se. Samuel H. Cross.
Re. Nathan F. Dixon.
" Daniel F. Larkin.
1873. Se. Samuel H. Cross. Re. Nathan F. Dixon. .6 J. Alonzo Babcock.
1874. Se. Samuel H. Cross. Re. Nathan F. Dixon. " Nathan H. Langworthy.
1875. Sc. Samuel H. Cross. Re. Nathan F. Dixon. " Nathan H. Langworthy. 1876. Se. Samuel H. Cross. Re. Nathan F. Dixon.
J. Alonzo Babcock.
Of the political history of Westerly, in respect to parties, it may suffice to state, that the people were loyal and true to Great Britain till the middle of the last century, when monarchical legislation began to infringe upon plain charter rights and the principles of liberty. From that hour republicanism began to come into the ascendant. The people were early ripe for the Revolution, and but few opened their lips for the oppressive crown. Only crown-favored persons failed to espouse the great struggle for freedom. Through the Rev- olution, the town was intensely republican.
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After Rhode Island gave her adhesion to the United States, the people of Westerly became Federalists, and so remained till about 1830. From this date to 1840, the majority were ranked as Demo- crats. The Whigs came into the van about 1840, and have held their rank to the present time, although changing their name to suit the requirements of modern politics. As during the Rebellion, so now, the majority are known as Republicans.
CHAPTER XXIII.
DELUSIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
HITHERTO no generation has been able to vaunt itself of exemp- tion from infirmities and mistakes. Infallibility and perfection have not yet become attributes of our race. Every age inust reveal its weakness as well as its strength. If our ancestors had their virtues, they had their credulities too. The imagination sometimes usurped the seat of reason, rumor commanded the province of testimony, and emotion pronounced law to the conscience. Thus delusions and superstitions have always played a part in human affairs. Some ignorant and ill-proportioned people there ever will be, incapable of instituting thorough inquiries, and destitute of the power of always discriminating between imaginations and realities. The history of any township would be devoid both of a portion of its vital facts and of its instructive lessons, if no mention were made of the fan- cies and follies, the superstitions and delusions of the people. The errors of the past are a part of our warnings for the future.
There are delusions in science, such as the old notion that the earth was flat and stationary, while the sun moves around it; some in politics, as the divine right of kings, and the unity of church and state ; some in commerce, as the South Sea Bubble and the king- ship of cotton ; some in agriculture, as the vast wealth in morus multi- caulus ; some in medicine, as witness the great demand for, and exten- sive sale of, many worthless patent medicines, and the belief in mes- meric manipulations. It is a great mistake to suppose that delusions and superstitions are confined, or are even most general, in the domain of religion ; they have entered into all human affairs. Even Luther, the great reformer, said, " Experience has proved the toad to be endowed with valuable qualities. If you run a stick through three toads, and, after having dried them in the sun, apply them to any pestilent tumor, they draw out all the poison, and the malady will disappear." King James believed in witchcraft ; and the Puritans cast out devils by hanging. Thousands have asserted that they have seen ghosts, been ridden by witches, and have had their fortunes told; and multitudes have dug for water at the tipping of a willow
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