CHAPTER XVII.
TOWN OF RICHMOND. p. 710:
EARLY MILLS.---Reverend James R. Irish, in his centennial sketch of the town of Richmond, gives a complete history of the earlier mills, which we here insert:
"Grist and saw mills were a necessity to the early settlers, and happy for them the power to operate them was found in the streams that formed a part of their domain. How early, and where the first mills in town were built, no known record shows.
p. 712
The small streams were larger and nearer perennial when the hills were covered with forests than now.
"Probably their first mills were built along these, as dams were more cheaply constructed than on the larger streams. In the memory of some now living, many of the streams now not occupied as mill forces had their saw mills, grist mills and forgingsmith shops. For similar purposes, the stream passing south of Reverend G. Tillinghast's was used just east on the Caleb Barber property, where also, early in the present century, Archibald Barber and Gardner Nichols had a wagon shop, doing much of their work by water power. White brook long ago carried a trip hammer for the manufacture of axes, hoes, etc.
"At Arcadia, just on the line between Exeter and Richmond, there was a saw mill. The evidences are still manifest there.
"At Wyoming mills were early built, and on the Hopkinton side were located the famous Brand's iron works.
"At Hope Valley, where the cotton factory now stands, there was a grist mill, having for one side of the flume a perpendicular rock.
"Where now is the village of Clark's Mills, on December 1st, 1759, Jeffrey Wilcox gave by will to his son, Abraham Wilcox, one acre of land. This was deeded by said Wilcox to Jeremiah Browning, March 8th, 1762, with a saw mill and grist mill in good running order.
"No mention is made of the saw mill in any subsequent transfer. The price paid by Browning for these mills and privilege was £ 3,000 current money of New England. We should judge that New England money must have had a current value that had run to a low ebb. This property was deeded by several transfers, till on January 16, 1771, it was deeded to Joshua Clarke, in the line of whose family it is still owned, and where a grist mill still runs for the mutual benefit of the proprietor and the community.
"As early as 1772 a saw mill and an iron manufactory existed where Kenyon's mills are now located. The establishment was then deeded by Samuel Stuart to Christopher Clarke.
"Mills existed at Usquepaug, early known as Mumford's Mills, but I believe these were always situated on the east side of the stream, in South Kingstown.
"Some more than one hundred and twenty years ago [p 713] Wm. Sweet owned a saw mill near where David Moore now lives. A mill still exists on the site.
"At Tug Hollow and Bellville there early existed saw and grist mills.
"Other similar mills may have existed elsewhere, but we omit any further details of them and turn to notice the progress in the manufacture of woolen and cotton yarn and cloths."
FIRST WAGONS.---The first one horse wagon introduced into town was said to have been imported from Connecticut by George Perry, the grandfather of Halsey P. Clarke. It was a primitive wagon without elliptical steel springs, but with a long wooden spring extending the entire length of the body. Before the introduction of one horse wagons marketing was done by carrying light burdens by horseback in bags or baskets.
"The venerable Simon Lillibridge informed me," says Reverend Mr. Irish, "that one of his father's neighbors contracted to deliver a dressed hog at Wickford, which weighed about three hundred pounds. He did not wish to drive his oxen so far, and as there was not a one horse wagon within eight or ten miles, he loaded his hog upon the back of his horse, and walked by his side to the market, some fourteen miles.
"Country stores were not then in the habit of receiving farm produce in exchange for merchandise, and each man marketed his own. If not wanted near home, it was carried usually to Newport or to Wickford. Mr. Lillibridge says the first wagon he ever saw was at Plainfield at a schoolbreak. The first he ever owned was made by Rowse Clarke. This Rowse Clarke had a wagon shop a little west of Shannock hill, near where Remington Clarke had a trip-hammer, blacksmith shop on Tony brook, a small stream a little west of Richard Chappell's. I have been thus minute both to give a proper idea of the facts as then existing, and also that those enjoying the facilities of the present day may more fully realize the great advantages they possess, and the consequent increase in obligation."
SCHOOLS ---There were no school houses and but few private schools in the early history of this town. The children were mainly instructed by their parents at home. Sometimes several families would unite and establish a school. The schools were usually kept in some large room, having a fire place from six to ten feet in length and from four to six feet in height. Round the walls of the room on three sides wide boards were fastened [p. 714] at a suitable height and inclination for writing desks, in front of which seats, usually made of slabs or plank, were placed. The rooms were rarely or ever plastered.
"The first school house erected in this town was about the year 1806, in District No. 7, on the highway near the burying ground a little west of H. P. Clarke's. This house was built by Amos Lillibridge, George Perry, David Kenyon and Sprague Kenyon. In this house schools of more or less note were kept until about 1825, when it was burned down. The same year in District No. 8 a building partly of stone was erected by Caleb Barber near his house. It was called Barber's Academy. In this building schools were kept for several years.
"A few years after these houses were built, Judge James built a house near where Silas James lately lived, in District No. 8. This house was afterward moved up on Tefft's hill and used for a school house for a number of years, until 1838, when the new district school house was erected.
"About 1818 two houses were erected; one, called Clarke's school house, near Stanton's corners, in District No. 15, built by Judge Samuel Clarke; the other, called Kenyon school house, erected near the residence of the Reverend Gilbert Tillinghast, in District No. 13. This house was built by the Kenyons, five brothers, namely, Samuel, John, Silas, Benedict and Cory. In these houses schools were kept for a number of years.
"In 1826 a school house was erected in District No. 9. This house was called the Bell school house, and was built by Jesse Reynolds, Robert Reynolds, Wells Reynolds, Reynolds Hoxsie, Clark Sisson, Job Hoxsie, Rouse Hoxsie, Varnum Hoxsie and others. It was considered at the time a very nice house, and readily shows their enterprise and interest in the cause of education. A few years after the passage of the free school act (1828) this house was received as a district school house. It has since been repaired and furnished with new seats, and is now far from being the poorest school house in the town."
"Some years before the establishment of Free Schools," says Mr. Church, "an eccentric individual, giving his name as A. B., came into what is now District No. 9, and established a free school. Having taught the school during the winter term, he hired a lady to teach in the same school during the summer term. He paid his own board and all the expenses of the schools. The history of his life he never told to any of the people, nor [p 715] was it, so far as I know, ever known. He was considered to be a man of fine education and good moral character. He gave as his reason for teaching that he thought the children ought to have a chance to obtain an education. His discipline was mild but efficient. The conditions on which the children could attend his school seemed to be that they should behave well and mind their studies. Great benefit was derived from the school, and much interest awakened in the cause of education."
District No. 1.---The school house in this district was built in 1839. It was a small, cheap affair, located in a field near pine woods, and at considerable distance from the public highway. It was abandoned in 1859, and a neat substantial house, with modern improvements was erected on the highway. In 1865, the village of Plainville having been recently built up in the southwest corner of the district, it was thought best to divide the district, which was done, and District No. 1 was moved further north to its present location, and a new house was erected.
District No. 2.---A school house was built in this district in 1836. The house was of rather meagre proportions, and was located on the north side of the highway north of the village. In 1845 Rowland G. Hazard erected a nice stone building near his village of Carolina, in which the school has been kept since. In 1871 the district bought this property. In 1850 this district became joint with a portion of No. 5, of Charlestown, but in 1871 the Charlestown portion was withdrawn.
District No. 3.---The school house in this district was not erected till 1844. When the villages of Shannock Mills, Clark's Mills and Kenyon's Mills were built up, it was found that the house was inadequate, and in the year 1867, the district was divided and District No. 15 was formed from this. Soon after this a house was built near Kenyon's Mills, and in 1868 the old house was abandoned.
District No. 4 became joint with No. 17 of South Kingstown in 1838. The school house is located in that town.
Districts Nos. 5 and 6.---Small houses were erected in these districts in 1836.
District No. 7.---A school house was erected in this district in 1837. It was burned down in 1862 and a new one erected in 1864. In 1838 a portion of District No. 9, of Hopkinton became joint with this district. In 1870 a new and independent district was formed in Hopkinton, and become joint with this district.
p. 716
District No. 8.---In 1837 a house was erected in this district.
Districts Nos. 9, 10 and 11.---No. 9 has been alluded to. Houses were erected in 10 and 11 in 1836. The houses are both small.
District No. 12.---A house was erected in this district in 1837. In 1869 it was abandoned and a new house built on the site.
District No. 13.---A house was erected in this district in 1842. In 1851 it was moved to its present location and enlarged, at which time it was made joint with portions of Nos. 3 and 4 of Exeter.
There seems to be a commendable interest upon the part of the inhabitants of the town to support the schools; not only the day schools receive attention, but evening schools, also, have been established at Carolina and at Wyoming.
HOPE VALLEY. --- During the early years of Richmond's history, manufacturies for wool and cotton were unknown in the country. The clothing of the inhabitants was manufactured by hand. Every farmer devoted a plat of ground to the raising of flax, and in his pastures grazed the sheep whose fleeces furnished the material for the garment's that were to protect their persons from the piercing blasts of wintry winds. The flax was broken and swingled by the swain himself, or some neighbor more skilled in the art. The mother hatcheled the flax and early taught her daughters to card and spin the coarser parts known as tow. The finer parts, she wound on the distaff and spun it on a wheel propelled by the foot. This part formed the warp, and the tow the woof which the mother, or older girls, wove for the work-day wear of summer pants. In process of time cotton was introduced as a supplement to the tow and linen, or to take the place of the pure linen for those who could afford to keep a separate suit for Sabbath-day wear.
The cotton factory in town was built on the site of the old grist mill at Hope Valley. The articles of agreement between the partners was dated May 9th, 1810. The persons signing this agreement were: Joseph Arnold, Godfrey Arnold, John Godfrey, Joseph Tefft, Gordon W. Arnold, Weeden Clarke, Jr. and Slocum Godfrey. June 10th, 1811, George Perry, Benjamin Perry and John Manchester became subscribers to the agreement. Gardner Barber also became a subscriber December 12th, 1812. This mill was run for the purpose only of making yarn. It was built two stories high and was thirty-four feet wide and forty-eight feet long. It has changed owners several times and has been enlarged.
p. 717
It is now three stories high, fifty-two feet wide and one hundred and sixty-three feet long. At first it run four hundred dead spindles and made about three hundred pounds of yarn per week. It now runs over four thousand spindles and turn off ten thousand pounds per week. Its dam is regarded as a model one, curving toward the pond in the center, and is based on a rock which receives the falling water. Nichols & Langworthy are joint proprietors of this water power.
This party operated these mills until about 1843, then it passed through the hands of various parties until in 1853 it came into the possession of David L. Aldrich, the present proprietor, who enlarged the plant to three times its original size, and manufactured warps and negro cloth until 1861, when he manufactured army blankets for the United States government. Since the war the mills have been used in manufacturing carpet yarns.
A store is connected with these mills on the same side of Wood river in the town of Richmond. It is owned and managed by W. E. Browning, but both mills and store have become an important part of the village of Hope Valley.
ARCADIA. --- The original Arcadia mill was built in Richmond about the year 1836 by the Spragues and Harrises, and operated by them under the superintendence of James T. Harris until 1842, when it was destroyed by lightning. The water privilege in this place was long ago used to run a saw mill, and this site was deeded May 23d, 1836, by Samuel Barber to the parties above named. The mill was soon rebuilt by the Spragues and No. 2 mill was built and run by them until 1865. The production was fine wide sheeting. At the last mentioned date the property was purchased by Mr. David L. Aldrich, the present owner, who enlarged the plant one half and is running on print cloths, operating about 175 looms, with William B. Tillinghast superintendent.
The Millville mill is a small yarn mill built by Job Reynolds, Esq., about 1840 and run by him some years, then a few years by William R. Greene & Co., and then by the Spragues. In 1865 it was purchased by David L. Aldrich, the present owner and has since been run on coarse yarns.
The first store in Arcadia was built about the time of the building of the mills there in 1845, and was the property of the mill owners until 1865, when it passed from the Spragues into the hands of D. L. Aldrich. The old store is now changed into a tenement house. The new store was built in 1872. It is under the superintendence of Anson Greene.
p. 718
November 24th, 1872, a hall erected by D. L. Aldrich & Co., over the store, was dedicated to public worship and social improvement. Religious services and Sunday school have been maintained there most of the time since on Sundays, and at such other times as the interests of the people seemed to demand. No church has been organized here but churches in this vicinity have a patronage from the inhabitants of this place.
WYOMING. --- This little village is situated on the Richmond side of the river and on the former site of the Brand Iron Works, built by Samuel Brand, who resided in an old house west of W. F. Segar's store, and gave name to the place. There was also a grist mill in the place. Mr. Brand then owned the land now occupied by the village of Wyoming.
June 1st, 1814, a company was organized here for the purpose of erecting a factory, the name being The Brothers Cotton Manufacturing Company, consisting of Ezekiel Tefft, Samuel Tefft, Nathan Lillibridge, Stephen Tefft and Nathan Tefft. The factory erected by the Brothers' Manufacturing Company was burned about 1862. It was then owned by Pardon Olney and Lewis C. Kenyon. The fire caught from the whipper. The factory had a capacity for, and was running, thirty-six looms. Mr. Olney also had a factory on the other side of the stream, which was burned December 10th, 1875.
The first factory erected where the Tyler Batting and Warp Company's factory now is, was built by John and Pardon Olney in 1837. This was operated for a time by the brothers. Pardon, however, sold his interest to his brother John, who owned and occupied it till about 1844, when it was burned. This is supposed to have been set on fire by a boy who was dissatisfied that he was compelled to work in the mill. He is supposed to have perished in the mill, as he was not heard of afterward.
A second mill was soon after built by John Olney, afterward owned by J. T. Sheldon, who renovated it, making some additions and replacing the old machinery by that which is of the most approved modern structure. It run five thousand spindles employing about forty operatives, and producing from seven thousand to ten thousand pounds of yarn per week. Mr. Sheldon operated this mill until 1887, when it was sold to the "Tyler Bating and Warp Manufacturing Company" by the Hopkinton Savings Bank. This firm, under the superintendence of Henry [p. 719] Phillips, who has had an experience of eighteen years in the mills, is carrying on an extensive business. The company is an incorporated one, having for president, C. C. Tyler; vice-president, J. L. Field; secretary and treasurer, M. R. Meyers. The company employs sixty hands and manufactures bats, warps, wicks, twines and yarns.
The first store of any prominence in the place was operated as early as 1837 by Olney and Richmond, who continued to trade there a number of years. N. & A. Fenner, owners of the mill, took the store finally. They sold to Potter and James, who carried on the mercantile trade till 1880, then John T. Sheldon and lastly J. P. Clarke, who trades there now and has the post office.
Frances B. Segar came to the village in 1850 and in 1851 succeeded W. R. Greene in the post office. In 1860 W. F. Segar built the store he now owns and occupies, where he has continued to trade in a general way for the past thirty-nine years. The postmasters have been: W. R. Greene, F. B. Segar, Luther A. Palmer, Brightman Tucker, F. B. Segar, W. F. Segar and J. P. Clarke.
Blacksmithing was carried on in the village by Daniel Kenyon as early as 1830 and afterward by his son John L. Kenyon, who is now in business. Carriage making as early as 1850 and since has been conducted by George Niles, and later by A. L. & C. L. Niles.
Francis Brown, who was a son-in-law of Samuel Brand, is supposed to have built the tavern where now stands the hotel of A. J. Dawley. That building was subsequently burned and the present building erected in its place. Mr. Brown also kept a jewelry shop and manufactured shoe and knee buckles, employing several men, among them being Tertius Bailey, his foreman, who was the father of Reverend S. B. Bailey, well known throughout this section. Joseph Irish, who died in 1818, owned and occupied it, and then Mrs. Fields. Both Mr. Irish and Mrs. Fields made a typical old fashioned tavern stand out of their business, but it did not pay. Mr. Mathew G. Wilbur next came into possession and kept a temperance house for ten or fifteen years. Following him came Silas R. Kenyon for about ten years, when he left deeply in debt. A. J. Dawley, the present occupant, took the house over forty years ago and still has possession.
p. 720
Richmond Bank was organized in 1856 and continued its existence until 1866. The officers were: President, Francis B. Segar; cashier, J. B. Potter; directors, F. B. Segar, D. L. Aldrich, H. P. Clarke, Jesse Potter, A. G. Nichols, E. Barber, T. T. Hoxsie and C. A. Crandall. Capital, $50,000. Mr. F. B. Segar filled the office of president until May, 1862, when he was succeeded by Mr. A. G. Nichols, who continued in office until the closing of the bank.
CAROLINA. --- In 1802, Joseph Nichols built a grist mill near the present location of Carolina Mills. His dam was a wooden structure, utilizing only a small portion of the head and fall of the stream as at present obtained. There was then only one house in the vicinity. In 1834, this, with nearly three hundred acres of land, was sold to Aaron and Sands Kenyon, who in 1836 sold it G. H. P. Wilcox. The present dam was built by Mr. Wilcox in 1837, he having in contemplation the building of a machine shop and factory. In consequence of the financial pressure of 1837 the work was suspended.
Rowland G. Hazard purchased the property in 1841 and built most of the present buildings there now for the manufacture of cotton cloth, running about one hundred looms. In September, 1863, the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company purchased the property, and on December 1st, 1863, they sold it to Theophilus Hyde. His right was sold by virtue of a mortgage September 5th, 1868, to R. G. Hazard, who in turn deeded the same to Messers. Tinkham, Metcalf & Co., February 1st, 1869. The Carolina Mills Company, who now own and operate the mills for the manufacture of fancy cassimeres, purchased the property of Tinkham, Metcalf & Co., February 1st, 1782. This company employ a hundred hands and more constantly, and operate forty-four broad looms.
About the year 1837 a store was established here. E. A. Kenyon & Co. now own the store and post office.
This village is mostly on the Charlestown side. In 1845 Rowland G. Hazard erected a school house in Richmond, northwest of the village, and in 1871 the property, consisting of a house and lot, was sold to the district for $700. January 27th, 1872, District No. 8 of Charlestown, and District No. 2 of Richmond were consolidated, and this school became a part of the Carolina Joint District.
Samoset Hall at Carolina Mills was built in 1872. In this hall [p. 721] the Richmond and Charlestown Teachers' Institute, which was organized in December, 1874, always assembles.
The Carolina Free Baptist Church is located at this point, but on the Charlestown side. It is, however, composed largely of members from the town of Richmond. The pastors of this society have been as follows: J. Burnham Davis, 1866 to 1867; J. M. Rich, from 1867 to 1873; L. W. Manning, from 1873 to 1875; M. W. Burlingame, from 1875 to 1876; B. D. Peck, from 1877 to 1879; H. W. Waldron, from 1879 to 1881; F. H. Peckham, from 1882 to 1884; J. Herbert Yeomans, from 1884 to 1887; Arthur E. Cox, from 1887 to the present time.
SHANNOCK. --- Jesse Babcock had a grist mill here at an early date. It was in one part of his dwelling. It was an old mill as early as 1828, but it is not known when it was built. John T. Knowles purchased the site and built a small wooden mill, mostly for custom work. This was subsequently enlarged and run by George Weeden, and still later by Alexander Carmichael & Co., and was burned down in January, 1885.
On the Richmond side Joshua Clarke of Block Island came here and purchased the water privilege and a large tract of land in 1771. He married Elizabeth Dodge February 26th, 1769, and died in Richmond in 1796. His son, Perry Clarke, built the grist mill, with an old fashioned overshot wheel, which was run for many years. He would go to Providence with his products once a week with his team. He also owned and operated a store, now used as a storage room. He carried on considerable business here as early as 1815. Lodowick Hoxsie then owned a saw mill in the place; and a cotton factory was erected in 1838 by Samuel Hoxsie, which in some way became in part the property of Perry Clarke. The cotton factory operated about one thousand spindles. This property was purchased by Charles and Simeon P. Clarke in 1864, and is now included in the present mills. The present mill was erected in 1849.
The first cotton mill, built in 1834, passed into the hands of Greene & Daniels, in 1855, and in 1856 Charles and Simeon P. Clark bought it. In 1870 Simeon P. Clark took it alone, and in 1876 George H. Clark became a partner. In 1884 the property passed into the hands of George H. Clark, who now operates 3000 spindles, and is manufacturing yarns.
The first store was the one long used by Perry Clark in an early day. The next one was erected in 1848, and managed for [p. 722] years by Simeon P. Clark, an old trader, and since 1888 by A. P. Allen, a most estimable gentleman, who has recently died. W. C. Lanphear came to Shannock in 1858. At that time Henry Hoxsie had a store in the place, which he kept for twenty years. He was succeeded by James Collins a few years ago, and Collins was succeeded by C. E. Sullivan & Co., a very enterprising business firm of the place, who also kept the post office. Mr. Lanphear traded from 1858 to 1878, when he closed up. He took the railroad station in 1857, and has been one of the faithful railroad employees in that position ever since.
CLARK'S MILLS. --- William Clark, Jr., one of the early settlers of the town, lived on the east side of Shannock, on a tract of land he owned, bounded on the east by Beaver river, north by the highway, west by Babcock's land, and south by what is now called Clarkâs Mills. His homestead was on the same farm now owned and occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Henry Kenyon. Thomas Clark located in the northern part of the town. In 1848 Charles Clark and his brother Simeon P. built the mill at this place, and in 1850 a Mr. Greene commenced operations. Mr. Simeon P. Clark eventually purchased his brother's interests and run the mills alone. The estate is now owned by George H. Clark.
At Clark's Mills an Advent society or church was organized about 1855, with members from adjacent towns as well as Richmond. Its meetings, which were at first held in this town, have been transferred to a hall on the Charlestown side of the stream.
KENYON'S MILLS. ---This place is situated on the main line of the New York, Providence & Boston railroad, and as early as 1772 a saw mill and an iron manufactory existed where the mills are now located. The property was then deeded by Samuel Stuart to Christopher Clark. The factory when first built was for the purpose of carding wool into rolls to be spun by hand. Connected with this was a fulling mill and cloth dressing apparatus. A man by the name of "Mallard" built a factory of this kind here, which was subsequently known as Holburton's Mills. In 1820 Lewis Kenyon purchased the estate of Thomas Holburton, and continued the business as a dresser of cloth until his death. A copartnership was then formed by his sons, Abial S. and Elijah Kenyon, who operated the mill. They continued the cloth dressing for a short time, but soon put in spinning and weaving [p. 723] machines and commenced to manufacture cloth. In 1844 they erected a new mill, more complete and with better facilities. This they operated until Elijah Kenyon bought his brother's interest in the property. In 1862 he erected a spacious building near the mill, for the purpose of carrying on a general store business in connection with the manufacturing.
In 1863 C. B. Coon was admitted as a partner, and business was conducted under the firm name of Kenyon & Coon. In 1864 new tenement houses were built for the operatives, and in 1866 a cotton mill was built for the manufacture of cotton yarns, to be used in the goods that were being manufactured, they heretofore having purchased yarns needed in the manufacture of their goods, of other parties.
A new dye house was also built at this time, with increased facilities for dyeing and scouring wool. The water power being insufficient after the new mill was built, an engine was put in capable of giving sufficient power to run all the works, if necessary, independent of the power derived from the water-wheel. The style of the firm was changed in 1881 from Kenyon & Coon to E. Kenyon & Son, John S. Kenyon being admitted to an interest in the business. The mills now have a capacity of eight sets, and have been operated since the death of Mr. Kenyon in 1881, by his son John S. Kenyon.
A post office has recently been established at this place, and the postmaster is Levi J. Cornell, who is also worthy master of Grange No. 6.
In January, 1889, a railroad station was established here, which has been named Kenyon Station.
WOODVILLE. --- Captain Nicholas Larkin originally owned a grist mill and the water privilege situated higher up the stream than where the dam is now. Larkin joined with Simon Perry and built the Woodville dam. He built the grist mill on the Richmond side and Perry commenced the manufacture of iron on the Hopkinton side, and hence the village was first called Perry's Iron Works.
Black sand was obtained from Point Judith beach and mixed with scrap and cast iron in the manufacture of wrought iron, which was esteemed a good article. When then this power began to be used for factory purposes the village took the name of Woodville.
On the Richmond side a stone factory, erected some twenty-five [p. 724] years since by J. F. Harris, was later run by the Rhode Island Hosiery Company. C. Larned was the superintendent, and the company employed twenty-five hands. They sent out about seventy dozen pairs of socks per day. The mill had five jacks, with one thousand spindles. The socks manufactured here were not disfigured with those unpleasant seams so annoying in socks manufactured in many mills. They made socks of all wool, all cotton, or a mixture of the two, to meet the exigencies of the trade. The Wood River Mills Company now owned the property.
The Woodville Seventh Day Baptist Church is located just out of the village of Woodville near the Wood River Branch railroad. The house now in use was erected in 1847. The society was organized in 1843, in a school house near Shannock mills. At that time an appropriate address was made by Elder Coon, who gave the right hand of fellowship to Elder Solomon Carpenter in behalf of the little band of brethren thus set apart as a church. This society, never large, is now almost extinct. It has been largely influenced by the manufacturing interests at Woodville. Since the organization the following persons have been its pastors, viz.: Reverend Solomon Carpenter, A. M. State, missionary of the Seventh Day Baptist church, Reverends John Greene, S. S. Griswold, Henry Clarke, J. W. Morton, L. M. Cottrell, Forbes Beebee, Herbert Babcock and Reverend Horace Stillman, the present pastor.
PLAINVILLE. --- N. Sheffield Wilbur owned extensive landed property here at one time. To D. L. Aldrich he made the offer of a mill privilege and the right of flowage, with four acres of ground for village purposes, as a free donation, on condition that he (Mr. Aldrich) should erect a factory there. This was about the year 1862. Mr. Aldrich built the factory and the village. The mill was an excellent one, built for eight sets of woolen machinery, all gotten up in the most approved style, and superior cassimeres were manufactured. Thirty-two tenements and a store evidence the growth of the place.
The Wood River Chapel was incorporated by the Rhode Island state legislature for the perpetual use of the Christians, irrespective of denomination. It was erected on rising ground just outside the village on the road running from Plainville to Wood River Junction and formally dedicated July 14th, 1878. The land on which the building stands was given by Messrs. Aldrich [p. 725] & Milner, the owners of the Plainville mill and village, who also contributed some five hundred dollars toward its erection. Two New York commission houses gave fifty dollars each, and friends elsewhere gave liberally. Mr. William A. Burdick, of Westerly, contributed the stone work. Mr. J. P. Palmer, of Rockville, was the builder.
HILLSDALE. ---There was an old grist mill at Hillsdale, said to have been built by Jonathan Potter. This was sold to George James. December 10th, 1827, William Jenks purchased it of George James, and March 20th, 1828, deeded three sixteenths to Ebenezer Carpenter. They together, erected a factory and carded wool for customers, as report has it.
Between 1830 and 1836, Whitman Kenyon and Wanton Lillibridge engaged at this place in the manufacture of coarse mixed cloth, popularly know as "negro cloth." Their sons continued to carry on a similar business at this place subsequently.
TUG HOLLOW MILLS. --- In 1811 Robert Reynolds erected a factory here and first used it as a woolen mill, and engaged in custom carding. Subsequently it was enlarged and machinery added for the spinning and weaving of cotton. It continued to be used for this purpose until 1836, when the property came into the possession of Sheldon & Hoxsie, who changed the manufacture to that of warps for satinets. The old mill formerly here was burned down and has not been rebuilt. This factory was erected by Wells Reynolds.
Richmond Continued
These documents are made available free to the public for non-commercial purposes by the Rhode Island USGenWeb Project. Transcribed by Bob Tefft, 2000.
Back
to the Washington County USGenWeb Home Page
