CHAPTER XI.TOWN OF NORTH KINGSTOWN.
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SAUNDERSTOWN is situated in the extreme southeast portion of the town. The male population of this place are engaged in fishing, building boats, yachts, etc. The village was started in 1855, and was first named Willettville, but afterward the name was changed in honor of the many people who settled here by the name of Saunders. During the revolution the old Willett mansion was fired on by the enemy. Thomas Willett, before mentioned, purchased a large tract of land in this part of the town, and his son Captain AndrewWillett first settled in the place.
KETTLE HOLE is situated a short distance south of Oak Hill. A small factory was built here by James Thomas. He sold to Joseph C. Sanford, who began the spinning of yarn about the year 1851. In 1853 James and Benjamin Sweet began the manufacture of roll covers, but from 1855 to 1861 the factory remained idle. In 1861 Charles H. Rose converted it into a grist mill, the finest in town. It is two stories and a half high, built of wood and stone. At this place is a large spring at the bottom of a hill, resembling in form a kettle, which singular feature has given the place the name of Kettle Hole.
NICHOL'S CORNERS. Fifty years ago there were only five dwelling houses at what is called Nichol's Corners. Captain George T. Nichols, then one of the leading business men of the town, owned a very fine residence there, and also the old Red Store, which fell victim to the flames a dozen years or more ago.
SLOCUMVILLE is a station on the Stonington railroad, and contains a store, post office and a Baptist church. W. N. Rose, deacon of the Baptist church of this place, has been trading at the point for about twelve years. He is also station agent and postmaster. Mr. Rose is a descendant of Thomas Rose, of St. Kitts, whose son John was father of James, grandfather of George, great-grandfather of William, and great-great-grandfather of W. N. Rose.
THE GREGORY WOOLEN MILLS at Wickford village were built about 1865 by Walter Chapin for a bobbin mill. He made satinets until 1871. Mr. Chapin failed and the property then passed into the hands of S. H. Vaughn, who used the power for grinding . In 1881 Mr. William Gregory (who was born in Pennsylvania and married the daughter of Mr. Vaughn), bought it and is manufacturing a specialty of worsted goods for men's wear - "Bancroft [p. 420] suitings." Mr. Gregory employs about seventy-five hands, and in 1887 produced $175,000 worth of goods. The building is of brick, two stories in height, 100 by 50 feet, with an ell 50 by 30 feet.
TOWN FARM. "The first provision made by the town for the maintenance of its poor was in 1769, when the freeholders of North Kingstown representing that they were greatly burdened with poor people, and that a workhouse in which to employ them would be of great advantage, prayed the general assembly to grant them a lottery to raise the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds, lawful money, to be applied toward the building of said workhouse, agreeable to the scheme presented in the petition. The petition was granted. It is impossible to say how long this system was in vogue, but from time immemorial the poor have been farmed out to the lowest bidder and the keeper annually elected in town meeting.
"In 1868, the town purchased a farm and erected suitable buildings where the unfortunate may now be well provided for and enjoy the comforts and conveniences of a home. It may seem strange to us that philanthropy should call to its aid such an auxiliary as the lottery, but in those days this manner of raising money was resorted to in every emergency. By it public works were constructed, churches were built, and the losses of individuals reimbursed. We read that in 1762 'a lottery to raise $4,500 was granted by the General Assembly to William Wall and Henry Wall, of North Kingstown, whose merchandise was destroyed by fire in Newport.' In the five years ending in 1775, no less than thirteen religious societies in Rhode Island, of every denomination, were granted lotteries to assist them in building or repairing their houses of worship."
MURDERS. The first murder of which we have record in the town of North Kingstown was the killing of Walter House by Thomas Flounders. A jury of twelve persons on July 12, 1670, found that the said House came to his death by an act of Thomas Flounders. At this time there was much wrangling between the Rhode Island and Connecticut authorities, and the parties in some way were engaged in this contest. Flounders admitted "having stuck a blow with a small stick and that House holding up his arm fell over backward, hit his head against a rafter, said House being on the threshold of Flounders in the shop."
Flounders was executed and on October 26th, 1670, the assembly [p. 421] confiscated the estate. John Greene, however, circulated a petition in behalf of the widow of Flounders, and because she was the mother of an infant, there was left to her for her support and relief, all the bedding, household stuff, a cow and a hog, together with the corn.
William E. Pierce, an eye witness in part to the scenes and events incident to what follows, thus describes a horrible murder which occurred in the town of North Kingstown during the earlier years of the present century.He says: "The murder of Rovelto by Turner brings to the writer's mind one that was committed some fifty years ago in the town of North Kingstown by a colored man by the name of James Browning, a well-to-do, respectablecitizen farmer, owner of a small farm about one and one-half miles southeast of Allenton post office and about one-half mile southeast of Shady Lea Mills, so called. James Browning, a very stout, robust man, weighing sometwo hundred and fifty, murdered an old feeble man of color by the name of Cato Room, a highly respected citizen of this town living at Allenton village. The feebleness of Mr. Room was partly caused by having had a [ ] taken from between his shoulder blades, weighing twenty-seven pounds, by Doctor Shaws of Wickford.
"The circumstances of the murder are as follows, as near as the writer can recollect, being quite young at the time. Mr. Browning had been to Providence with a horse team carrying a load of poultry and farm produce, and to bring back winter stores. On his return he stopped at the house of Mr. Room, late at night, complaining of feeling very bad, and invited the old man Cato to go home with him and stay all night, but he declined and gave as an excuse that he was not feeling well himself. Some two or three hours afterward the old man Cato and his wife were awakened by the wife of Mr. Browning, asking him to come with her to her house as her husbandwas acting very strangely, and had driven her out of doors, threatening to kill her. Cato went reluctantly, and on arriving at the house was met in the entry by Browning, who pounded him to death against the sides ofthe room and on the threshold of the door, and not being satisfied with this, pounded his head to a jelly with a piece of stone that was used to hold the door open. The wife immediately alarmed the neighbors, who flockedto the scene of the tragedy, the writer being one of the number, and by sunrise there were fifty people or more on the ground, but Mr. Browning, [p. 422] with his dog and gun had taken to the woods. In the course ofan hour or two he made his appearance with his dog and gun, threatening to shoot, which made the people scatter in all directions. The soon rallied and sought shelter in and around the house and other buildings. His dog got to fighting with another dog, and he laid down his gun and tried to part them. The people then rushed and secured him, carried him into the house and lashed him to the bedstead, and it took as many men as could stand around the bedstead to hold him on while being tied.
"When lashed to the bedstead his only weapon was to spit, which he did to every one that came into the room. He was carried to Kingston jail, where he died in a short time, a raving maniac, leaving a widow and threesons, Samuel, Jonathan an Daniel. The first two are dead. Daniel is at the state farm for life for the murder of his mother some thirty years ago on the same farm and near the same place, but in another house. Thewriter called on Daniel at the state farm a few years ago and found him tending boilers. He seemed very rational at first, was very glad to see me, and inquired very particularly after his neighbors and acquaintances, but soon began to be uneasy, and said that it would not do for him to talk more as he was fearful he might lose his place, as it was the best he ever had."
ELM GROVE CEMETERY. In 1850 a few enterprising citizens of the town of North Kingstown conceived an idea of purchasing a suitable tract of land and dividing it into lots for a burying ground. Prior to this there was no public cemetery in the town, and every family buried as it could, which was generally on their own lands. The plan above mentioned was soon carried into execution. A tract of land consisting of five acres was obtained of Joseph Stanton, which is in a pleasant locality some two miles south of Wickford. This tract was graded and avenues laid out at proper distances, and everything made ready for interment of the dead. Twice since that time this enclosure has been enlarged, and at present contains some twenty acres of graded lands, and many of the avenues are now shaded with stately elms, pines and evergreens. The number of graves has increased to over twelve hundred.
The plot of the Holland family, inclosed (sic) with evergreens and having a marble monument in memory of father, mother, sisters and a brother, who were killed by pirates near the island of Cuba, is just within the gates. Next is that of Doctor George H. [p. 423] Church, who took great interest in the establishing of these grounds, and did more for the cause than any other one man; and near by his shaft is a beautiful monument erected to the memory of William N. Sherman, also one of the founders of the cemetery. In this same plot is the marble slab that marks the grave of the Reverend William Northup, who was pastor of the First Baptist church in North Kingstown fifty-seven years. There are also many other monuments and shafts of later date, of which may be mentioned those of the late James Eldredge, Joseph W. Gardiner, Jeremiah G. Chadsey, Alfred Reynolds, Nicholas B. Spink, Captain Hefferman, C. A. Chadsey, and J. J. Reynolds.
SCHOOLS. In the year 1800 there was not a school house in the town of North Kingstown, and but one literary institution besides Brown University in the state. At this time, however, a new era was dawning, and the subject of building school houses began to receive attention. A large per cent of the common people could neither read nor write, and with these facts in view, the citizens of Newport, Providence and North Kingstown united in the establishment of an academy, and Wickford was the location selected. After the establishment of the academy school houses were built. The first in the town was built by Thomas Allen, John Wightman and Thomas G. Allen, about the year 1806. This house was afterward bought by Thomas G. Allen and it was used for meeting and school purposes till 1837, when it was moved and became a part of the dwelling house on the Gould Mount farm. This school house stood in the northern part of Quidnessett, now District No. 1, a little in front of the present building. It was about 24 feet by 26, with an entry across the east end, nine feet posts and arched overhead. There was an elevated pulpit and desks and benches without backs, fastened to the walls of the house on two sides.
The second house was built by William Reynolds in 1808. It stood on the hill one-fourth of a mile south of Potowomut mill, near the residence of the owner. It was used first for a school and meeting house and afterward converted into a dwelling house. About this time a school house was built near Davisville depot by Ezra and Jeffrey Davis. This house was subsequently supplanted by another of much larger dimensions in a more central locality. Following the erection of these buildings others [p. 424] were soon build, each furnished with some improvement in school appliances. Patent desks, seats, chairs, etc., however, did not make their appearance until about the year 1855. The long writing desks on either side of the house, and the seats without backs and made of slabs, gave way in the rapid strides of civilization to chairs and settees and other appliances of ease and comfort for the school room.
In the early days grammar and geography were not taught in the common schools. In the year 1828 money began to be appropriated by the state and the district system commenced. At the June town meeting of this year aschool committee of fifteen persons was elected, comprising the most substantial citizens of the town. They were Reverend Lemuel Burge, Francis Chappell, Joseph W. Allen, William P. Maxwell, Willet Carpenter, Esbon Sanford, Silas Richmond, Beriah Brown, Samuel Browning, Jeffrey Davis, William Reynolds, Philip N. Tillinghast, Perry Greene, James Allen and Daniel Congdon. At the first meeting of this committee, held June 21st, 1828, Lemuel Burge was chosen chairman, and Silas Richmond, secretary.
The town was divided into ten districts, and soon after another was added. The following enactments were passed by the board:
"Voted, That schools be opened in each district on the first Monday in December, and be continued twelve weeks. Voted, that each school teacher keep an exact account of the actual attendance of each scholar, and lay the same before this Committee at the end of the quarter. Voted, That the money received from the state be divided amount the districts in proportion to the number of children that have actually attended school. Voted, That Lemuel Burge be a committee to examine such teachers as shallbe directed to him. Voted, That the Committee of each District shall hire the teachers, pay their portion of the money and the balance they must receive from the parents of the scholars, and each Committee is to locatethe school."In March and April, 1830, the sum of $378.84 was divided among the schools of the town. On November 9th, 1835, a census of school children was ordered, but we find no report until October, 1838, when the committee reported fourteen districts and 1,044 children under sixteen years of age.In 1846 the districts wee organized as incorporated bodies, and trustees, clerks, collectors and treasurers were elected. In 1848 the school committee voted that districts having no school houses [p. 425] should build or the public money should be withheld, and during this year and the next the school houses became the property of the districts.
In 1860 Hamilton district was made from the three contiguous districts. The money divided this year was $2,033.29. In 1870 the state appropriated $2,083.16, and the town $1,500. In 1853 George H. Church was allowed $22 for visiting schools of the town. In 1868 Alfred B. Chadsey received $50 for the same purpose, and $20 for publishing his report. Mr. Chadsey again visited the schools in 1875. In 1887 the town apportionment for public schools was $3,500, and to William C. Baker, superintendent of public schools, $200.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. On a gentle slope of the western shore of Narragansett bay, about midway between the South Ferry and Plum beach, a few rods above the water, may be seen a little excavation, where once stood the pleasant and happy home of William Northup. His father, Gideon Northup, was the proprietor of this beautiful and romantic abode. The house was one of the olden time, but it answered well for the ferrymanand his frequent transient guests, as well as his little family group. The background was composed of a long, high hill dotted with grassy undulations and ledges of granite, with here and there a tree that had defied the storm of ages.
The bay in beauty and loveliness extended in full view for miles to the north, and to the south until it emerged into the broad Atlantic. The variety of scenery along the bay formed a grand panorama, including pebbly beaches and rugged rocks, against which the blue waves were ever in motion, sometimes giving dulcimer notes, and ever and anon dashing in stormy thunder tones. Such was the early dwelling place and the surroundings of the founder of the First Baptist church in North Kingstown. William Northup was born on the 23d of July, 1760. At the age of fifteen, when the war of the revolution broke out, he enlisted as a soldier, and became a drummer. He soon afterward became drum major, and subsequently received a military commission. Hewas in the service of his country about three years, engaged in several battles by sea and land, and closed his military career as a prize master. Just previous to leaving the service, while on the yard arm of the shipreefing a top sail during a gale, William Northup became a new creature. This conversion changed the whole purpose of his life, and he at once [p. 426] gave up his commission and returned home to preach the gospel, and began immediately.
The First Baptist church in North Kingstown was constituted November 12th, 1782. A little band of professing Christians scattered over a territory of several miles, which had been under the instruction of Elder Rogers, met in conference at the house of Rowse Northup and voted themselves a church of Christ. At this meeting a conference was appointed to be held at the house of Joshua Allen in Boston Neck, the next day. In this conference the flock was met by Elder Philip Jenkins (who was settled near Devil's Foot as pastor of a little company of the faithful that worshipped there), Elder Isaiah Wilcox and Elder Silas Burroughs, of Groton, Conn. The conference approved of constituting a new church. Elder Jenkins was chosen moderator. At this meeting, on the request of twelve brethren and twenty sisters, William Northup was unanimously called to the work of a watchman upon the wall.
In accordance with this decision it was concluded that the double services of ratifying the formation of the church and ordination should take place the next day. A conference that evening and preliminary arrangements kept the people together until three o'clock the next morning. The rising sun on that morning shone brightly on the little church, which was that day to be acknowledged, and William Northup to be ordained its pastor. The meeting was held at the house of Joshua Allen, and commenced at nine o'clock in the morning.
The ordaining sermon was preached by Elder Burroughs. Text: Second Timothy, IV, 2. Elder Wilcox gave the charge, Elder Jenkins the right hand of fellowship, and Deacon Parker offered the concluding prayer. Immediately after these services seven persons stepped forward and laid their demands to go through the ordinance of baptism on the next Sabbath. The next Sabbath arrived and a great multitude assembled at the same place to participate in and witness the exercises and ordinances of the day. It was the day for Elder Northup to preach his first sermon after his ordination and his first administration of the rite of baptism. His text was: Acts II, 38. The baptismal scene was solemn and affecting. Seven happy converts went down into the waterand were baptized. On Christmas day following Elder Northup preached at the house of Rowse Northup from Matthew XI, 8. After the sermon William Cory stood [p. 427] up and made confession of his sins and profession of his faith, was received by the church, baptized the same day, and received laying on of hands.
John Morey was the first deacon ordained, probably November 24th, 1782.
In January, 1783, at a meeting of the church it was agreed that no member on conference, covenant, preparatory or church meetings should speak anything in regard to business or renewing covenant without standing to his or her feet; likewise that the members stand on their feet in time of singing. On the 2d of August, William Cory was chosen clerk of the meeting, the records having been previously kept by the pastor. In November a brotherhad been cited to appear at the conference to answer a charge of entire absence from the meetings of the church. The brother appeared and sat in conference with his hat on, and on being questioned answered he had noshoes. The brother's wants were soon supplied.
In 1784 a sister of the church being very poor, it was voted in conference that she be boarded during the winter at the expense of the church. A brother present then engaged to board her until the following 25th ofMarch at "fourteen pence hapenny" per week. In 1785, on the 12th of November, the church agreed to send messengers to the general conference to be held at Elder Burroughs' meeting house in Groton.
In 1786 the church joined the Groton Union Conference and continued in that association until 1818, when it united with the Stonington Association, having been dismissed from the former to join the latter. It remained in the latter association until 1827, when it was dropped, as it did not report itself to the association. The church joined the Warren Association in 1839 and continued in that body until 1859, when it was dismissed to help from the Narragansett Association.
At a meeting of the church September 30th, it was voted that Elder Northup should draw up a subscription and circulate it to raise money to build a meeting house. Money was raised and a house was built. Previouslymeetings had been held at dwelling houses in different parts of North Kingstown and adjoining towns.
In 1793, on the 30th of August, the church set apart Samuel Northup, a member of the church and a brother of William, to the work of an evangelist. He was subsequently settled as a [p. 428] pastor over in Swansea, Mass., where he continued four hears, until his death, during which time he baptized twenty-nine converts, the visible fruits of his labors.
In 1799, the church being destitute of a proper hymn book, Elder Northup prepared a variety of original hymns, and published a book of "Divine Hymns and Spiritual Songs." This work passed through its ninth edition. The manner and style of singing in those days would be amusing to the present generation.
In 1816 (July 6th) the church voted that Thurston Northup and another brother of the elder, and Beriah Gardiner, serve the church in the capacity of assistant deacons this year. A second meeting house was built on the foundation of the former one. In 1817 George Tillinghast was elected church clerk. In 1830 new articles of faith and covenant were adopted. In 1882 two branches were set off from this church, one in accordance with a petition of brethren residing in Wickford, and the other by request of about seventy members residing in the north part of the town, to be called the Quidnessett Union church. In 1834 Elder Northup, feeling the infirmities of old age coming upon him, left his home and removed to Deacon George Allen's, in Quidnessett, but after one year returned home.
In 1848 the third house of worship was erected. It is in the village of Allenton, two and a half miles south of Wickford.
The pastors of this church have been: Elder Northup, to 1840; Thomas Tew, 1842-45; Edwin Stillman, 1846-48; Joseph A. Tillinghast, James Donovan, C. L. Frost, in 1867. The church as the last mentioned date had one hundred and fifty members. In 1869 it had no pastor again. The present pastor is the Reverend Isaac Chesboro, and the society is now in a flourishing condition again.
During the fifty-nine years' stay of Elder Northup, he was even more than a pastor, he was the church. During this whole period he preached the gospel at this one place and never received a salary. A church of more than four hundred members was gathered under his ministration. He was a man full of the Holy Ghost, and his efforts were crowned with numerous revivals. The last time he addressed the congregation was a few months before he died. He was then so feeble he could not walk, and was carried by a few brethren in an easy chair from his carriage to his pulpit, and with all solemnity bearing upon the spirit land. When [p. 429] his benediction(the last one) was pronounced, all hearts felt the solemnity of the scene, and every eye was a fountain. On the 31st of June, 1839, in the 80th year of his age, Elder Northup closed a long and eventful life, and triumphantly ascended to his heavenly home.
Elder Northup was very early in life converted. In his earlier years he not only received the care of kind parents but the almost constant attention spiritually of an old slave of his grandfather's. This old colored man would time and again take his little charge by the hand on Sabbath days to some lonely dwelling place in the neighborhood, where the devout gathered to hear Benjamin expound the scriptures.
QUIDNESSETT BAPTIST CHURCH.* In the northeastern part of North Kingstown (stretching out into the Narragansett bay) is a neck of land still known by its Indian name, Quidnessett. Here, early in the present century, were well cultivated farms, and a prosperous and industrious people. A stream or two, also, coursing their way here and there through the green fields and beneath the shadowy forests, had given rise to small but lucrative manufactories. Altogether it was a busy, well-ordered community. One thing, however, the dwellers there stood sadlyin need of - they were a religious people, and they were in want of near and permanent religious privileges. It is true that an occasionalpreacher came among them declaring the word of life. It is true, also, that there were churches of the living God around them. In the village of East Greenwich at the north, and the village of Wickford at the south, were religious interests already, though feebly sustained; farther to the south, near what is now the Allenton post office, stood the meeting house of the First Baptist church of North Kingstown; and in the extreme westernpart of the town of East Greenwich was the East Greenwich and Warwick Baptist church. But all of these religious interests, though occasionally enjoyed, presented, nevertheless, one and the same great disadvantage to the dwellers in Quidnessett—they were too far away to be of the best practical value. What this people needed was a church among themselves, and a house of worship sufficiently central in its location to be readily accessible to all. The time was ripening for this great blessing, though they knew it not. And God was to find all the material for its accomplishment on the field itself.
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Living within the bounds of Quidnessett Neck at this time were a few families of Baptists, members of the First Baptist church of North Kingstown. Among them were two men, near relatives, named Allen, each alike distinguished in after years for his unusual devotedness to the work of the Master. One, George Allen, became a deacon of the First Baptist church, an office he held and honored to the day of his death. The other, Joseph W. Allen, was destined for even a more remarkable career. He early manifested a decided talent for preaching, and was soon (about 1815) licensed by the First church "to preach the gospel wherever God should open the way." The proper field of labor for the young brother was soon proved to be around his own home, among his own associates and neighbors, and here he labored for a few years with marked success. The tokens of Divine favor which were constantly attending him in the gospel work led directly on to his ordination. At the call of the First Baptist church of North Kingstown, a council met in the village of Wickford, May 30th, 1822, "for the purpose of receiving and ordaining Brother Joseph W. Allen to the work of the gospel ministry." The council numbered twelve—representing three churches, the First, Exeter; East Greenwich and Warwick; and the First, North Kingstown. It was unanimously decided to ordain the brother, but it was also expressly stipulated that"the young brother should be ordained an elder in the First Baptist church of North Kingstown under the watch and care of Elder William Northup." The order of services was as follows: Prayer, Elder Daniel Greene, of Pawtucket; sermon, Elder Gershom Palmer, of Exeter, from the text, 1 Tim. iv., 16: "Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt save thyself, and them that hear thee"; ordaining prayer, Elder John Ormsbee; charge to the candidate, Elder William Northup, of North Kingstown. Brother Allen, as indeed it was expressly intended at his ordination, made every arrangement to continue his work in Quidnessett Neck. From house to house, in barn or open field, wherever the opportunity offered, he preached the gospel of Christ. In every respect he showed himself "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." The history of the Baptist cause and of the growth of Baptist principles in Quidnessett for the next forty years is virtually the history of this devoted and godly man.
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Six years now rolled on. They were years of toil to this honored servant of the Lord. No perfect record has been left of the work done. It is known, however, that there were frequent baptisms, but as those baptized at this time became members of the First church, their number cannot be ascertained. That the work was deemed successful is indicated by a record made June 1st, 1828. It was an action on the part of the First Baptistchurch of North Kingstown, signed by the pastor and deacons, and reads thus:
"The church of Christ in North Kingstown under the pastoral care of Elder William Northup, taking into consideration the local situation of a number of brethren and sisters in Quidnessett Neck and vicinity, have thought proper to set them off a branch of the above named church, in full fellowship and communion with us, deposing in them and giving them equal authority and power of a constituted church; still they remain a Branch with the above said body, and yet with power to receive and discipline members abstractly and separately from the church; and that Brother Joseph W. Allen have charge and care of the said Branch. And we agree that when it is their wish to be set off as a separate church to assist and constitute them as such."In connection with this record it is further added, "Religious services were performed in Brother James Allen's barn, from the fact that the congregation could not be seated in his house." Elder William Northup preached the sermon. At the close of the services ten were baptized.The minutes of the branch unfortunately, have not been preserved. From the memories of some of the older members of the church, however, these facts have been learned. For a time after the branch had been set off,the little band of Christians, following the apostolic custom, met from house to house. But so much did they need a house of worship that the most strenuous efforts were put forth to obtain one. Deacon George Allen, ofthe mother church, gave the land, and a sufficient sum of money was raised among the other friends of the enterprise on Quidnessett Neck, to erect, in 1830, a small, but substantial building, designed to be used for school, as well as religious purposes. It was familiarly known form that time on, so long as it was used as a house of worship, as the Union meeting house.
At the formation of the branch, it is also worthy of note that a young brother, Thomas Hill, was ordained to the office of [p. 432] deacon, and having officiated in this capacity during the time the relation of thebranch was sustained, he became the first deacon of the church at its organization, an office that he held also for more than forty years afterward.
The relation of the branch with the mother church continued for nearly eleven years. These were years of spiritual prosperity and success. Many were baptized. The little one grew apace. But she forgot not the motherwho had given her birth. The pleasantest relations ever existed between mother and child. It was a frequent custom for the members of the branch to suspend their own services on the third Sunday of the month and go inone united band over the seven miles that separated them from the mother church, and there they observed together the memorial supper of their common Master and Lord.
On January 12th, 1839, a council met at the Union meeting house in Quidnessett Neck, "to take in consideration the propriety of recognizing the Quidnessett Branch of the First Baptist church of North Kingstown as a distinct and independent church." Elder Benjamin C. Grafton was moderator of that council. Nine churches were represented by sixteen delegates. The Pine Street, Providence; the First, East Greenwich; the First, Pawtucket: the First, Valley Falls; the First, Wickford; the First, Exeter: the Second, Richmond; the Warwick and Coventry; the First, Wakefield. The council approved the "Articles of Faith" and the "Church Covenant." It was voted to recognize the Quidnessett branch as an independent church. The sermon was by Reverend John Dowling, of Providence. Brethren Byram, Tew, Grafton, Johnson, Thomas Dowling, E. K. Fuller and J. H. Baker also took part in the services. The constituent members numbered thirty-eight.
The little church, once organized, extended a call to Brother Allen to become their pastor, and he, accepting that call, began his pastoral office with the day of the church organization. Scarcely had the relation been assumed when it was evident that God's special favor and blessing were resting upon them. There were additions by baptism every month of the following summer, and the church membership was more than doubled ere the year closed. With the spring of 1840 the good work was revived. In [p. 433] fact it may be said it had scarcely ceased, as many during the winter months had made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. On Sunday, May 8th, eight were baptized. Among the number an old lady of eighty-three, the mother of Elder Allen, who for a number of years had been a helpless invalid. Borne down into the water in a chair, she by the hands of her own son was there baptized, and came forth rejoicing that she had thus been able to follow in the footsteps of her Lord. Again and again were the waters visited that summer, until fourteen happy converts had been buried in baptism. A quiet work of grace, with occasional baptisms, continued throughout the next year. Then came the year of 1842, a year remarkable in the history of the Quidnessett church in two respects.It was the year of the Dorr war. But the little church was agitated with other than state troubles or gubernatorial conflicts. The question of slavery, destined a number of years later to terminate in a nationalconflict, had already begun to be agitated. Already an honest indignation was creeping over the North at this, our national shame. A few slaves were still held, even in Rhode Island. The Quidnessett church at once took occasion to express a decided conviction respecting this all-important question. In April of this year the church unanimously adopted the following resolution:
"Whereas, We, the members of the Quidnessett Baptist Church in North Kingstown, R. I., believing it to be wrong to hold any of our fellow-beings in slavery, and that it is contrary to our religious principles, and also contrary to the precepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ, "Therefore, Resolved, That all persons holding a slave or slaves, and not treating them as subjects of their own family, and also who do not intend to emancipate them at the first proper and suitable opportunity, shall be excluded from the communion and fellowship of this church."
The animus of the church respecting this question is still further shownby a resolution presented a few years later by one of its deacons. It wasa frequent occurrence for Southern Baptists, often slave-holders, who werevisiting Rhode Island, to sit at the table of the Lord with their Northernbrethren of the same faith and order. The resolution of the deacon, takingcognizance of this fact, was, in effect: "That the Quidnessett church shoulddecline to receive any slave-holder, however good his standing in [p. 434]the church of which he was a member, to the table of the Lord; and furthermore,that the church should refuse to fellowship those churches which did invitesuch slave-holders to the Lord's Supper." This resolution, while freelydiscussed and heartily sympathized with by the church, was finally withdrawn.The church taking the occasion, however, to express "the hope that all churches with whom they were in fellowship might be led to adopt a similar position with themselves respecting this vital question."
Another matter, more local in its influence, claimed also the attention of the church at this time. Their house of worship had long been too small for their use. It also was not sufficiently central in its location as to be adapted to the best development of the religious interests of the field. It was decided, therefore, to build anew. Samuel Austin, a member of a neighboring Six Principle Baptist church, gave the building site,situated on the post road from Wickford to East Greenwich, about equally distant from each village, and near the three manufacturing villages of the Quidnessett field. Possible no site could have been selected more central, or better adapted to the wants of the Quidnessett people than this. Funds were raised by subscription on the field itself to build the new meeting house, which was dedicated Thursday, August 11th, 1842, freefrom debt. The dedication sermon was preached by Reverend John Dowling, of Providence, from the test, Haggai ii.,7: "And I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of Hosts."
This new sacrifice on the part of the church seemed to meet also theapproval of the Lord, for the Holy Spirit was manifest with renewed power.Souls were converted, baptisms were frequent, and the good work did notcease until the following year, fifty-four in all having been baptized.
In 1844 the Quidnessett church, in common with many others at this time,was agitated with what may be termed a musical war. For some time the questionhad been discussed, "Shall musical instruments be used in the worship ofthe Lord?" On January 13th, the church put all discussion forthe time being at an end by voting that "all instrumental music be excludedfrom the house of God."
It was the same day also, that the question of allowing the sistersto have a voice in the church government was emphatically decided as follows:"All the members of this church, male [p. 435] and female, shall have equalprivileges in the government and discipline of the church, believing thisto be agreeable to the letter and spirit of the gospel of our Lord JesusChrist." This resolution is in force at the present hour.
On May 12th, 1849, Mr. Allen owing to ill health, resignedhis pastoral charge. For ten years and two months he had been pastor ofthe church. In that time one hundred and forty had been baptized, and thechurch membership had more than quadrupled. But what was better, underthe wise and earnest leadership of Brother Allen, the foundation for futuregrowth and usefulness had been successfully laid.
On July 22d, of the same year, 1849, the church called Reverend Charles C. Lewis, of Hopkinton, to the pastorate, at a salary of $300. He accepted the call and began his work among them July 29th. At the beginningof this pastorate the resolution against the use of instrumental music in the house of God, passed five years before, was repealed. On the 8th of September of this year the church joined the Warren Association. In 1850 special religious services were held, resulting in the baptism of fifteen. On August 9th, 1851, Brother Lewis resigned to take effect the following October. He went to New Shoreham. His pastorate had been a brief on of two years and two months. Twenty had been baptized during this time. But there had also been several cases of severe discipline, and the result was to weaken, for a time at least, the spiritual power of the church.
On November 8th, 1851, one month after the departure of Brother Lewis, Brother Joseph W. Allen, who still resided in Quidnessett Neck, and whose health was restored, was invited to assume for the second time the pastoral care of the church. He accepted, and at once entered upon his duties. In 1856 the meeting house was repaired and painted. A few months after a most gracious revival began. Through the fall and winter of 1857 it continued, on into the following summer. Fifty-four were baptized. In 1860, at the formation of the Narragansett Association, the Quidnessett church, in common with the other Baptist churches west of the Bay, withdrew from the Warren and joined the new association. Eight years now followed of a marked prosperity and growth on the part of the church. On April 15th, 1868, Brother Allen, old and feeble, resigned the pastorate and retired from active ministerial service. This pastorate had lasted [p. 436] over sixteen years. If we add to this the ten years of the first pastorate, the eleven years he had served in the branch, and the six years he had labored in Quidnessett Neck before the formation of the branch, we have the long and exceptional service of over forty-three years in one field, and to one people. During the second pastorate ninety-eight had been baptized, making for the two pastorates a total of two hundred and thirty eight. For five years after his resignation Brother Allen continued to live among the people for whom he had so long labored. He died May 2d, 1873. Resolutions appropriate to his long and devoted labors were adopted by the Quidnessett church. To-day his name is held in honored respect throughout the community where he so long preached the gospel of Christ.
More than a year and a half now passed during which the Quidnessettchurch was without a pastor. The summer of 1868 was spent in enlargingand repairing the house of worship, at an expense of nearly fifteen hundreddollars. This expense was met by two of the members of the church, BrothersHenry Sweet and James M. Davis. The house was re-dedicated November 12thof this year. Reverend Joseph W. Allen, the late pastor, preached the sermon.
On November 22d, 1868, the church extended a unanimous call to Reverend Amasa Howard, of Providence, to become their pastor, at a salary of $800. This call was declined. For some months the church was served by differentsupplies. On September 19th, 1869, Reverend C. C. Burrows of Newton Center was called to the pastorate. He accepted, beginning his labors October 17th. The church at this time experienced great difficulty in finding a suitable residence for their pastor, but through the liberality of Brother James M. Davis, this want was soon met. He caused to be erected at his own expense, in the village of Davisville, near the depot and post-officeand but one mile from the church building, a large and commodious parsonage. This, while still the property of Brother Davis, has nevertheless been occupied ever since, free of rent, by the pastors of the Quidnessett church. Another great want of the church was also met at this time. It was the erection of large and convenient sheds in the rear of the meeting house. This involved an expense of $1,200, also, which was met by the church itself.
With the fall of 1869 a deep sense of its responsibility for the salvation of souls fell upon the church. In January, 1870, [p. 437] twenty-five were baptized. There was no cessation of monthly baptisms during the year. Many who witnessed this revival pronounce it was the most powerful that ever came under their observation. One hundred and five were baptized that year. In March, 1871, Brother Burrows tendered his resignation. It was, however, not accepted. Another prosperous year followed. June 1st, 1872, Mr. Burrows, for the second time, resigned his pastoral charge. The church again refusing to accept the resignation, prevailed upon Brother Burrows to remain with them. On August 17th, 1873, he again sent in his resignation, to take effect the following October. This time it was accepted, though with much regret on the part of the church. His pastoratewas of exactly four years. It had been in many respects highly successful. One hundred and eleven had been baptized, and the church had reached a membership of two hundred and fifty-eight.
During the winter and spring of 1876, the church pulpit was supplied by different preachers. Early n the spring a call was extended to Reverend Fredric Denison, of Providence, to become their pastor, but he declined. On August 13th W. P. Chipman, a student from Rochester Theological Seminary, supplied the pulpit. At the request of the church committee, he continued to supply the pulpit for the remainder of the month. September 1st he was invited to become stated supply for three months. December 1st he was called to the pastorate. He, accepting the call, began his labors January 1st, 1877. His ordination took place at the Quidnessett meeting house January 3d.
At the beginning of the pastorate the church membership numbered 215.
The house of worship was enlarged and renovated in 1882 at an expense of about four thousand dollars; all of which was raised on the home field.
The condition of the church September 1st, 1882, was as follows: the original membership of the church was 38. During the entire history of the church there had been baptized, 403; [p. 438] received by letter, 69; received by experience, 16; making the total additions 526. There had been dismissed 86; died, 93; excluded, 32; erased, 118; making a total diminution of 329; the membership (September 1882) was 197.
The deacons of the church have been: Thomas Hill, from the formation of Branch, June 1st, 1828, to his death, September 16th, 1880, a period of over fifty years; Charles Spencer, from June 29th, 1843, to this death, March, 1870; Alfred B. Chadsey, from December 11th, 1859, to October, 1877, when he took a letter to the Wickford Baptist church; Smith W. Pearce, from December 11th, 1859, to the present time, except one year of absence, 1864-5; Russell C. Baton, from January 11th, 1862, to the present time; Thomas W. Arnold, from January 7th, 1878, to the present time.
The clerks of the church have been: Henry Sweet, from May 1839, to November 8th, 1845; James M. Davis, from November 8th, 1845 to April 18th, 1846; James L. Congdon, from April 18th, 1846, to January 7th, 1856; Reuben H. Alexander, from January 7th, 1856 to April 5th, 1868; William H. Congdon, from April 5th, 1868, to December 11th, 1869; Reuben H. Alexander from December 11th, 1869 to August 7th, 1870; Allen Reynolds, from August 7th, 1870, to present time.
Two have been licensed by the church to preach. Bowen Reynolds, in May, 1846. This license was recalled three years after. Joseph R. Berie in January, 1881.
The Quidnessett church since its organization has only been a trifleover two years without a pastor. It never has had a church debt. It hasnever received outside aid. On the other hand, it has contributed to amore or less extent to send the gospel of Christ to other parts of thestate and world.
By unanimous invitation Reverend C. A. Maryott, of Lonsdale, entered upon the pastoral office October 1st, 1883. This relation continues at the present writing, May 1st, 1888.
NORTH KINGSTOWN SIX PRINCIPLE BAPTIST CHURCH. This church dates back to the time of Roger Williams, its first teacher, who, it is supposed, was instrumental in securing the services of Elder Thomas Baker, who was ordained in 1659 and settled here in 1664. Elder Baker collected a devoted flock of worshipers and preached to them until his death. He was succeeded by Elder Richard Sweet, who preached here from 1710 to 1740, when he died. Elder David Sprague was ordained his [p. 439] colleague in 1733, and after Elder Sweet's death had charge of the church and society. His views, however, were not tolerated, and seventy-four members signeda call for his dismissal.
He was succeeded by James Wightman, who continued his labors until his death in 1791. Nathan Hill was ordained assistant in 1781, and after Elder Wightman's death he had charge of the society until 1794. He was an ableman, and the church appeared to prosper under his pastorate; but he was dismissed for some misdemeanor.
Elder John Gardner succeeded after some supplies, and preached from 1808 to 1850, when he became blind. He died in Connecticut about 1861. Elder John Slocum was ordained in 1834, and from 1850 until succeeded by Elder S. K. Matthewson, had charge of the society and the church. Under Elder Matthewson's pastorate the church is prospering.
LAFAYETTE ADVENT CHURCH. This church was erected in 1848 as a Free Will Baptist church. In 1854 it organized as an Advent church, and again reorganized November 16th, 1869, Its present membership is encouraging in numbers and it supports a flourishing Sabbath school. The new church was built in 1881. The Reverend Charles Preston is pastor.
ST. BERNARD'S CHURCH is located at West Wickford and belongs to the Roman Catholic denomination. It was built in 1874 by Reverend W. Halligan. There is no resident pastor here, it being simply a mission and a branch of the church of East Greenwich.
BAPTIST CHURCH, SLOCUMVILLE. The Baptist people of this vicinity, after a series of meetings held in the upper rooms of a tenement house during the fall and winter of 1886 and 1887, organized their society April 2d, 1887, and in the fall of this same year built their chapel, dedicating the same November 30th, 1887. The society belongs to the Narragansett Association. Reverend Francis Purvis, then pastor of the Allenton church,was called as pastor, supplying both desks until the spring of 1888, when he severed his connection with the Allenton society, and since then has preached a Slocumville and Narragansett. The membership of the church,most of which is made up of young men, is twenty-two. The officers are as follows: Pastor, Reverend F. Purvis; deacon, W. N. Rose; clerk W. C. Champlin; Sabbath school superintendent, L. G. Schofield.
* By W. P. Chipman
These documents are made available freeto the public for non-commercial purposes by the Rhode Island USGenWebProject.
Transcribed by Pat Dyer, 1999.
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