A magazine devoted to the antiquities, genealogy and
historical matter illustrating the History of the State of Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations. James N. Arnold, Ed.
Narragansett Historical Publishing Co., Hamilton, R. I.
E. L. Freeman & Co., Printers, Central Falls, R. I.
p. 313:
A List of Slaves Enlisted in to the Continental Army.
Date Slave's Name Master's Name Value Feb. 25 Dick Champlain Stephen Champlain, S. K. £130 Feb. 25 Jack Champlain Stephen Champlain, S. K 110 Apr. 2 Jack Fones Daniel Fones, N. K. 100 Apr. 3 Cudjo Carpenter Heirs of Ann (widow), S. 120 Apr. 3 Ceaser Wells James Wells, Jr., Hop. 100 Apr. 3 Cuff Gardiner Chris. Gardiner, S. K. 120 Apr. 3 Sharper Gardiner Benj. Gardiner, S. K. 120 Apr. 3 Prince Hammond Wm. Hammond, N. K. 120 Apr. 3 Quam Tanner Joshua Tanner, Hop. 120 Apr. 3 Prince Bent John Bent, Hop. 120 Apr. 11 York Champlain Robert Champlain, S. K. 120 Apr. 23 Isaac Rodman Daniel Rodman, S. K. 120 Apr. 24 Brittan Saltonstall Dudley Saltonstall, West. 105 May 8 James Clarke Gideon Clarke, S. K. 120 May 8 Mintel Gardiner Henry Gardiner, S. K. 110 May 8 Moses Updike Lodowick Updike, N. K. 93 May 8 Ceaser Updike Lodowick Updike, N. K. 120 May 8 Garrett Perry Benj. Perry, S. K. 120 May 8 Sampson Saunders Steph'n Saunders Heirs, West. 90 May 8 Ruttee Gardiner Nick's Gardiner, Ex 30 May 28 Ceaser Sheldon Palmer Sheldon, S. K. 120 May 29 Fortune Watson Sam'l Watson, N. K. 120 June 6 Ceaser Rose John Rose, S. K. 120 June 6 Edward Rose John Rose, S. K. 120 June 6 Peter Hazard Rob't, of Rich. Hazard, S. K.110 June 6 Primus Babcock Samuel Babcock, Hop. 120 July 2 Prince Rodman Rob't Rodman, Jr., S. K. 120 July 2 Mingo Rodman William Rodman, S. K. 120 July 2 Jacob Hazard Carder Hazard, S. K. 110 July 16 Primus Gardiner Nich's Gardiner, S. K. 105 July 16 Peter Hazard Joseph Hazard, S. K. 120 July 16 Mingo Robertson Sylv'r Robinson, S. K. 120 July 16 William Greene Henry Greene, S. K. 120 July 31 Prince Vaughn Jonathan Vaughn, N. K. 114 Sept. 5 July Champlain Stephen Champlain, S. K. 120 Sept. 28 Hercules Gardiner Ezekiel Gardiner, N. K. 60 Sept. 28 Philon Phillips Chris. Phillips, N. K. 120 Oct. 14 Newport Champlain Jeffrey Champlain, S. K. 120
NOTE. - Ex., Exeter; S. K., South Kingstown; N. K., North Kingstown; Hop., Hopkinton; and West., Westerly.
A magazine devoted to the antiquities, genealogy and
historical matter illustrating the History of the State of Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations. James N. Arnold, Ed.
Narragansett Historical Publishing Co., Hamilton, R. I.
E. L. Freeman & Co., Printers, Central Falls, R. I.
pp. 186 - 189.
This organization, known as the Improved Order of Red Men, is a fraternal and benevolent institution, of purely American origin. The exact date of its origin is not known, as evidence can be traced back to a period previous to the Revolution. But documents in possession of the Great Council of the United States, tell us that in the year 1813, a society of Red Men was formed at Fort Mifflin, on the Delaware River, then garrisoned by American troops; after peace was declared, members of the society became widely scattered, but being much impressed with the customs and habits, also the pleasant memories of its existence, formed new Societies, under the same laws and with the same intentions of the Society of Fort Mifflin. In the year 1835 we find many council fires kindled throughout the country, and in May of the same year, delegates from different jurisdictions convened at Baltimore, and adopted substantially the Ritual, Laws, and Regulations that govern it to-day. Since which time the organization is known as the Improved Order of Red Men. Its growth has been slow but sure, until now nearly every State in the Union contains Tribes and Great Councils, in full fellowship with the Great Council of the United States. The order is founded on the manners and customs of the Indian Race, and its Ritual perpetuates the memory of the forms and religious ceremonies peculiar to that unfortunate people. They believe in a Great Spirit who governs the world, so any one joining this Order much declare his belief in the Great Spirit, the Creator and Preserver of the universe. The subordinate branches or primary assemblies of the Order are denominated Tribes. The Ritual is divided into four Degrees: Adoption, Hunter's, Warrior's and Chief's; and for beauty and originality they are unsurpassed. The Supreme Body of a State is known by the title of Great Council of the United States. The forms, ceremonies and lectures used in the adoption of members and conferring of degrees are interesting and instructive, and free from anything frivolous or disagreeable. The meetings are held for the transaction of business of a moral, benevolent and charitable character, and everything partaking of levity, or political or sectarian tendencies, is excluded therefrom.
Its objects are to promote among men the exercise and practice of the true principles of benevolence and charity; the care and protection of the Widow and Orphans and the cultivation of friendly relations among mankind, in short the Motto -- "Freedom, Friendship and Charity" -- indicates quite clearly the objects and aim of the Brotherhood, whilst the preservation from oblivion of much that relates to one of the declining Races of mankind, and which will prove interesting to the student and antiquarian, may not be considered unimportant results of the organization, and it now has an existence in more than thirty-five jurisdictions; in some of these it equals the strongest of kindred societies in zeal and prosperity, and in many of them has a nucleus both healthy and promising.
The Order is not very strong in the Eastern States. It was first introduced into Rhode Island on the 4th day of September, 1871, at which time instituted King Philip Tribe No. 1, at Olneyville, when the following Chiefs were raised up to their respective stumps: Sachem, Sr. Sagamore, Jr. Sagamore, Chief of Records, Keeper of Wampum, First Sanop, Second Sanop, Guard of the Wigwam, Guard of the Forest.
The Tribe increased rapidly in membership and in a very short time numbered over a hundred members.
Canonicus Tribe No. 2, of Phenix, also Miantonomah Tribe No. 3, of Providence, was instituted the following year. On the 5th day of August, 1872, Great Incohonie William B. Eckert, assisted by Morris H. Gorham, instituted the Great Council of the State at Miantonomah Wigwam No. 41, Weybossett Street, when the following Great Chiefs were raised up to their respective stumps:
Great Prophet, John L. Perrin.
Great Sachem, W. V. Slocum.
Great Sr. Sagamore, Andrew McKenzie.
Great Jr. Sagamore, N. R. Tilton.
Great Chief of Records, H. B. Winslow.
Great Keeper of Wampum, A. R. Sherman.
Great Sanop, S. R. Nicholas.
Great Guard of Forest, H. L. Howard.
Great Guard of Wigwam, ----- ------.
Shortly after the institution of the Great Council the following tribes were instituted: Wampanoag No. 4, of Pawtucket; Narragansett No. 5, of Natick; and Red Jacket No. 6, of Newport. In 1874 Wamsutta Tribe No. 7, was instituted, but owing to the financial depression of the times they did not prosper, and in 1876 they surrendered their Charter to the Great Council.
There is [are] six Tribes in the State at the present time (1878) with a membership of a little less than four hundred, the most prosperous of which is King Philip No. 1, of Providence, Canonicas No. 2, of Phenix, and Narragansett No. 5, of Natick.
The following are the present Great Chiefs of the Great Council of the
State:
Great Prophet, Fred. J. Smith, No. 1
Great Sachem, Hiram L. Howard, No. 4.
Great Sr. Sagamore, H. C. Burdick, No. 6.
Great Jr. Sagamore, Fred A. Knight, No. 3.
Great Chief of Records, John Wells, No. 5.
Great Keeper of Wampum, O. D. Tillinghast, No. 5.
Great Sanop, John Gallington, No. 1.
Great Mishenawa, A. E. Spencer.
Great Guard of Wigwam, S. A. Ballou.
Great Guard of Forest, Earl Fenner.
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