^' A^ 4 O 'i€^ BULLETIN OF THE Newport Historical Society Number Twenty-Six NEWPORT, R. 1. July, 1918 RESOLUTIONS ON THE DEATH OF OUR LATE PRESIDENT Hon. DANIEL B. FEARING The President of the Society, the Hon. Daniel B. Fearing, died on May 26th, while assisting at a patriotic meeting for the benefit of the Red Cross at the Newport Beach. A special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Society was held on Monday, May 27th, when the follow- ing resolutions were unanimously adopted: Resolved: That the death of the Hon. Daniel B. Fearing has come as a shock to the Newport Historical Society, of which for the past six years he has been President. A native and all his life a resident of Newport, Mr. Fearing's interest in its history and development has always been most marked. For thirty-one years he has been connected with this Society as Member, Director, Treasurer, Vice Pres- ident and President. His kindly feelings toward his fellow-directors and intelligent interest in the affairs of the Society have made him an honored member of our body, and his loss will be deeply felt. He was called from this life in the very midst of leading activity in a great international cause. Linked with the Society's expression of its deep sense of loss is the hope that the family and friends of our late honored President may find a measure of consolation in the fact that he died in the performance of a great duty. The Directors of the Newport Historical Society beg to offer to Mrs. Fearing their profound sympathy in her bereavement. Resolved : That this Board attend the funeral in a body. Oift " ~>ciftty MA.t 5 I9W Measures of Defence in Old Newport A Paper Read before the Society at the Amial Meeting May 22, 1918 By MAUD LYMAN STEVENS A Member of the Society In these days of war, when our country is preparing on so great a scale to throw all its resources into the w^orld struggle, it has seemed that it might be of interest to recall the day of small things, when a determined handful of homeseekers planted a town in the wilderness, far removed from any English settlers, depending there altogether on their native vigor and resolution to hold what they had so hardly won. The Island of Rhode Island was first chosen as a place of habitation by Englishmen in 1638, when a small body of men, dissenters from Massachusetts Bay, set up here a new state, one on an orderly plan, where they hoped to find homes and carry out their own ideas— among them the startling innovation of religious liberty. It was a serious venture to leave the established towns of the Bay and begin a new settlement with no nearer white neighbors than those of the small plantations of Providence and Titicut or Taunton, and within so short a distance of the populous Indian country on the other side of Narragan- sett Bay. The Island of Aquidneck had been bought in proper fashion from the Indian chiefs of Narragansett, who claimed suzerainty over it, but experiences with the natives elsewhere indicated that difficulties were not un- likely to arise with such savage neighbors. The Indians were faithful to their friends, but prone to take offence at real or fancied injuries, and in such case might vei'y prob- ably revenge themselves on any member of the white man's tribe within reach, as was their custom in warfare among themselves. It was certainly the part of wisdom to be pre- pared. So thought our founders, and at their first repre- sentative meeting, after ordering the building of the town at the "Springe," near the present Bristol Ferry, they imme- diately passed an order in reference to defence, reading thus: — "It is further ordered that every Inhabitant of this Island shall be always provided of one muskett, one pound of powder, twenty bulletts and two fademe of match, with Sword and rest and Bandeliers, all completely furnished." The eighteen persons, heads of families, who signed the agreement, whereby a new body politic was formed, were a portion of that influential party who had followed Mrs. Hutchinson in the religious division at the Bay, which had threatened dire consequences. The more conservative views prevailing, a large number of persons were disfran- chised, disarmed or banished, some going to the northward, others forming our first Island town as aforesaid. It is to be hoped that they received their weapons again, before beginning the journey which was to end in so uncertain an experiment, such being a prime necessity in wilderness conditions. ' The arms of the day were the old-fashioned matchlock, long and heavy, fired from a rest, the sword and halberd, and the pike used with such eft'ect by Cromwell's men, not many years later. Corslets were rather commonly worn, and this defence proved most effective against Indian ar- rows, the warriors declaring that it was like fighting with spirits, as their shafts fell back harmless. The slow- burnng match was carried to ignite the powder in the piece and was a necessary part of the soldier's equipment. In the following month of the existence of this, our first Island town, another meeting was held, at which we first hear of that important institution, the "Traine Band." This body included all the men between sixteen and fifty who were able to bear arms, and at this time its officers were appointed, Sergeants, Corporals and a "Clarke." It is difficult to see why it should be cited in the plural "The Traine Bands," as among the eighteen founders and possi- ble dozen other inhabitants, a single organization should have seemed sufficient. No doubt the younger generation, not yet freemen, and servants, swelled their numbers. In the following November, the first day of "Trayning" is recorded, and from this time the "Traine Bands" play an important part in the life of the settlements. Their or- ganization was carefully planned and frequent reference to the subject in our Colonial records shows that the au- thorities were fully alive to the importance of military discipline, as a measure of protection, not to be neglected. We find careful rules laid down at the meeting held at Portsmouth eighteen months later, after the founding of Newport and the meeting of the two towns. It is ordered at this time that all men, allowed and assigned to bear arms, shall make their appearance "com- pletely armed with muskett and all its furniture or pike with its furniture, to attend their Coulers by Eight of the clock in the morning, at the second beat of the Drum, on such days as they are appointed to Traine." These days were to take place eight several times in the year, and there were to be two "General Musters" each year, "the one to be disciplined at Newport, the other at Portsmouth." Herds- men, lightermen and one caretaker at each farm only were exempted from this order and they only on the payment of a fine. The "Commanders, Vidg't Chieftains and Lieuten- ant" were to "appoint the days and times of these s'd meetings." This training was kept up for many years, though at times less sedulously practised, and we find reference to it twenty years later, when the rule Is laid down that "no excuse to be taken as sufficient for non-trayneing as lawfull, but age, nonage, sicknes, lamenes, or publique barringe (bearing) of office at that time in the common- wealth." The style of weapons having by this time changed, to "muskett and match" are added "Firelockes and snaphaunces with powder homes." The establishment of the Train Band was not the only measure taken for safety. Some means of calling the inhabitants together was necessary, in the event of a sudden alarm, and accordingly we find, at the April meeting of 1639, the following : "It is ordered, that in regard to the many Incursions that the Island is subject unto, and that an Alarum for the securing of the place is necessary therefor; it is thought meet for the present that an Alarum be appointed to give notice to all who inhabit the place that they may forthwith repair and gather together at the House of the Judge for the defending of the Island or quelling any Insolences that shall be tunuiltuously raysed within the Plantation. Therefore, the Alarum that we appoynt shall be this. Three Musketts to be discharged distinctly, and a Herauld appointed to goe speedily throw the Towne and crye Alarum ! Alarum ! Upon which all are to repaire immediately to the place aforesayd." In the month after this order, May 1639, an important part of the settlers of Pocasset removed themselves to the south end of the Island, and founded Newport. For a time each town acted independently, but by the following March the "Body Politicke in the Isle of Aquethnec, Inhab- iting Niew-Port" had re-united with the older colony, once Pocasset, now Portsmouth. At the next meeting the order concerning "Alarums" is repeated, with the addition that, the "Drum or Drummes" are to incessantly beat an Alarum and that forthwith every man bearing arms is to repair to the "coulers," which are lodged at the Chief Magistrate's house, as he will answer it at his peril. That Portsmouth might have colors whereunto to repair, they were voted at the following meeting — "It is ordered, that the Treasury shall provide and fitt up on Drum Collers and halberts for the Band of Portsmouth;" as one drum, the colors and hal- berds for occasions of ceremony, would put them on a level with the better equipped Newport train band. During Newport's short time of independent action it was ordered "that no man shall go two miles from the Towne unarmed, eyther with Gunn or Sword; and that none shall come to any public meeting without his weapon. Upon the default of eyther he shall forfeitt five shillings." Nicholas Easton, later President of Providence Planta- tins, was fined in the following month, for breach of this order. Defects in arms were also looked to, and "Every Traine Soldier shall be provided sufficiently of his own Arms by the last day of April, 1640, as they shall answer it att their peril." That the arms were forthcoming is shown by many wills of later date in which a sword or musket is carefully handed down. So much for the personal side of it. In the town Treasury were also to be kept stores — pikes, powder, bullets and match — in 1640 two barrels of gunpowder in each Island town, "Bulletts and match," and also'Thirtie two pikes to lye by alway in readiness in the Magazines of each town." By 1650, the supply ordered had been increased to three barrels of good powder, one thousand weight of lead, twelve pikes and twenty-four muskets, all in good case and fit for ser- vice. It was only in very recent years that Newjiort dis- continued the use of a powder house. By 1643 came the first time of serious anxiety concern- ing possible Indian outbreaks. It was in this year that Mrs. Hutchinson was killed at East Chester, the Dutch and Indians being plunged into war, which drew in many English settlers in those parts. The records are missing for this year on Newport's part, but Portsmouth tells of orders CO the blacksmiths to repair all defective arms, an order that every man shall have four pounds of shot lying by him and two pounds of powder; that there be a town watch kept every night, and "that every man do come armed unto the meeting upon every first day," thus carrying out the familiar conception of the settler with his Bible and long gun, pray- ing and watching. One great difficultj'^ experienced in carrying out meas- ures of defence was the scarcity of the necessary ammuni- tion. At the time of the founding of Newport, affairs were in a most unsettled condition in the mother country, and it is probable that no very great amount of so important a commodity as powder could be exported. Then again, Massachusetts Bay, never friendly to the rival community, was having her own troubles and would hardly wish to part with so vital a necessitiy on its arrival at her ports. The situation had grown acute by 1647, when Island and main- land had united in one colony, and in the laws drawn up at that time a useful substitute for the ordinary weapons is suggested. The section is headed "Archerie." "Forasmuch as we are cast among the Archers, and know not how soone we may be deprived of Powder and Shott, without which our guns will advantage us nothing; to the end also that we may come to outshoot these natives in their own bow; Be it enacted by the authoritie of this present Assembly, that that statute touching Archerie shall be revived and propagated throuout the whole Colonie, and that every person from the age of seventeen yeares to the age of seventy, that is not lame, debilitated in his body, or otherwise exempted by the Colonie, shall have a Bow and four arrowes and shall use and exercise shooting; and every Father having Children, shall provide for every man-child from the age of seven years till he come to seventeen yeares, a Bow and two arrowes or shafts, to induce them and to bring them up to shooting." Masters w^ere also to provide for servants and every town to have a pair of butts. How fully this order was carried out we cannot now say. Bows were still in use at this time in England, but for the most part crossbows or arbalasts. The need for powder still continued. By 1655 when war between the English and Dutch had emboldened the Indians and general massacres were feared, Roger Williams wrote some really desperate letters to Massachusetts, setting forth the danger of leaving this colony, "your thorny hedge on this side of you," unprovided with the means of defence. The Indians had been "filled with artillery and ammunition from the Dutch openly and horridly, and from all the English over the country (by stealth)" and it seemed a hard case that the Colonists should be unable to procure the same to defend themselves withal. Whether Massachusetts would have for- gotten her ancient grudge in spite of our "desperately erro- neous" opinions, it is hard to say. Fortunately, one of New- port's best friends. Dr. John Clark, was then in England, and procured and sent "fower barrels of powder and eight barrels of shott and bulletts" for the use of the Colony, which much relieved the situation. We grieve to say that he had much trouble in getting reimbursed for his outlay, the Colony being exceedingly short of ready money, using at home "well-strung peague" or wampum, which would hardly pass as legal tender in London. One other matter remains to be mentioned in regard to early war-like activities. Our very earliest essay against an outside enemy is through privateering, later to be so much practised in the Colony. In 1652, when England and Holland were at war, the Council of State in the northern country sent over an order, primarily referring to Governor Codding- ton's commission, but adding permission to defend the Colony against the Dutch and also to offend this or any other enemy of the commonwealth. The opportunity was willingly seizd by the Island. Commissions were granted to three men, one of them the old Massachusetts soldier of fortune, Captain Underhill, and one, William Dj^re, one-time Colonial Secretary and General Recorder, the third. Captain Edward Hull. The committee chosen for "ripening matters that concern Long Island and in ye case concerning ye Dutch," ostensibly contains repre- sentatives from the mainland towns, but the names, as given, appear to be of the Island, with the exception of Mr. Randall Holden and Mr. John Smith, both of Warwick. In any case, Providence and Warwick, meeting immediately after, utterly repudiated any share in the matter, expressing themselves much shocked at the action of the Island, which, they said, tending to war, was like, for ought they saw, to set all New England on tire, "For the event of war is various and uncer- taine." They therefore refused to be party to any such pro- ceeding, conceiving "that this Colonic lyeth in eminent danger," with which alarmed conclusion their meeting was adjourned. The commissions were, nevertheless, taken up. Help had been at the same time voted to "our countremen on Long Island" in the form of "Two great guns and what Murtherers are with us, on promise of returning them," and also the despatching of "Twenty voluntaries out of ye Col- onic, provided they be such as be under noe fixed relation or ingagement." In the following month the vessel, Debora, was granted a commision, "To defend themselves and to offend the enemies of the commonwealth of England." It is possible that this was that vessel of Captain Raxter's, which caused so much annoyance to the Connecticut towns by attracting the Dutch in their direction. It is certain that William Dyre made use of his commission, for in his enthusiasm he captured a vessel claimed by Massachusetts, giving opportu- nity to Providence to call his actions "unnecessary and unrighteous," "all to our great grief e, who protested against such abuse of power from England." Some legitimate cap- tures he evidently made, as a substantial sum of prize monejj the State's part, and subject to England's demand, was held by the President for five years or more thereafter. 9 The war with Holhind not being of long duration, our maritime prowess had but little opportunity at this time, as peace was concluded actually before the vessel Debora put to sea, news from the other side reaching us but slowly in those days. It will thus be seen that Newport early took measures for her protection. As far as in them lay, our founders attempted to be prepared for revolt or aggression. The pikes and muskets lay ready in the treasury, privately owned arms were kept repaired, "all excuses aside," and no doubt the little boys practised diligently with bow and arrow. The train band kept up miliary discipline, held its general mus- ters, and paraded on all occasions of ceremony with halberds, drum and "coulers." No doubt the place of such formality in Newport was the Parade, the center of the life of the old town. Here, then, the train band must have met on a March day in 1659, at high noon, and "drawn up in their military posture," listened to the proclamation of Richard Cromwell's acces- sion,read by their "Clarke" at the head of the Company, all "well elected people" in the town assmbling to hear the same. The Colony joyfull}^ accepted His Highness, Richard, Lord Protector, and sent him a loyal address, which however was never presented, as his power had departed before it reached the hands of Mr. Clark, the Colony's agent. Benedict Arnold was President of Providence Plantations in this year, to be succeeded at the next election by William Brenton. This was in May. In October a most momentous letter from Mr. John Clark was opened and read in the Assembly, then sitting at Warwick. The order was given; again the Train Band paraded to solemnize a proclamation; and His Royal Majesty, King Charles the Second, was proclaimed "King of England, Scotland, Fraunce and Ireland, with all the dominions and territories thereto belonging," with all the ceremony of which it was capable. We were under Royal rule once more, and it is to be hoped that our worthy bur- gesses were not too much disturbed by the change. There were ever King's men here, unsuitcd to the more Puritan atmosphere of the older colony, and Rhode Island was always more closely connected with the mother country than the settlements founded more directly in dissent from lords 10 and bishops. No doubt there were many in Newport to rejoice that the King had come to his own again. As the children and servants had their liberty for the day of procla- mation, they, at least, were well pleased. And so we leave the "Trayne Band", worthy defence of the old town, drawn up in its military posture. Newport's peace was, until Revolutionarj^ days, never invaded by an enemy. It may well be that the firmness of our fathers' position averted the troubles suffered by other colonies. Well prepared, they ably kept the little State free from dan- gers and distresses, and rested undisturbed, thus enabled freely to develop a society, remarkable for advanced thought and steady prosperity. 11 REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN The review of a year — a weighty matter^especially in the case of an Historical Society; and more especially still in the case of this Historical Society, because it is a part of one of the most seriously historical cities in all the length and breadth of our great country. Fortunate it may well be for the writer of this report, that its subject may be likened to a new and powerful steam- ship, well built, thoroughly equipped, and ably manned, which was ploughing the seas of past events and giving perfect satisfaction as regards speed and stability, long be- fore he was privileged to take his trick at the wheel. For, so obedient to the helm is the good ship, that the steersman has time to glance about him even while she is under full head- way and to take ample notice of all the passengers who step aboard and of the attractive looking luggage that many of them carry. Also, be it said with regret, that those who slipped overboard, or who have been politely shown the gangway because of non-payment of passage money, have been duly accounted for. Thirty-seven new members have been elected, and seven former Annual have become Sustaining members. Additions to the Library include a vast number of peri- odicals and pamphlets on historical and international sub- jects, war literature, etc. Among the books purchased and donated may be men- tioned: "The Wonders of the Invisible World," by Cotton and Increase Mather, being a very curious and in- teresting treatise on Witchcraft in New England. "Some Neglected History of North Carolina," by William Edward Fitch, M. D. "Correspondence of William Shirley, Governor of Massachusetts and Military Commander in America, 1731-1760." (By Charles Henry Lincoln). 12 ^ "Correspondence of William Pitt when Secretary of State under the Duke of Devonshire, 1756-1757, with Colonial Governors and Military and Naval Commissioners in America. (By Gertrude Selwyn Kimball) . (These last two works were edited under the auspices of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America). "The Photographic History of the Civil War." Especially interesting at this time when so much attention is called to the building of ships, because it presents pictures of the warships of the United States at the period when they were in the midst of the process of evolution from sails to steam and their motive power was in many cases a combina- tion of both. The gift of Mrs. French E. Chadwick. "Annals of Trinity Church, 1682-1821," by George Champlin Mason. The gift of Hon. George P. Wetmore. "The Journal of William Loughton Smith, 1790- 1791." Gift of Albert Matthews, the Editor, Etc., etc., etc. Weeden Broadside Among the most interesting additions to our collections during the year is a Broadside entitled "FRESH INTELLI- GENCE," the gift of Mr. Hamilton B. Tompkins, issued prob- ably at the end of the year 1780, and which is noted in our April Bulletin. Its especial value consists in the fact that it bears at the bottom of the page, "Newport, Rhode Island, Printed by J. Weeden." The finding of this item makes a hitherto unknown addition to the list of Newport printers. Weeden's name seems to have escaped the notice of Hammett, the Newport bibliographer; of Winship in his book of Rhode Island imprints, and also of Evans in his American Bibliography. It is the only spec- imen thus far known of Weeden's printing and our Society is fortunate in having it in its possession. 13 Hammett Mss. As noted in our April Bulletin the Hammett Mss., entitled "A Sketch of the History of the Congregational Churches of Newport, R. I. Compiled from the Records and other Sources by Charles E. Hammett, Jr., 1891," ranks among our most valuable acquisitions. The gift of A. L. Hammett, of Pelham Manor, N. Y. Newport Mercury Photostat Reproductions Our members may not be generally aware that the John Carter Brown Library of Providence has undertaken the task, by its photostat jDrocess, of making as complete a set as possible of the Newport Mercury up to 1800. Copies of the paper are somewhat widely scattered; the largest collection being in the library of our Society, the Redwood Library, the Rhode Island Historical Society, the Antiquarian Society at Worcester, Massachusetts, the Library of Congress and the British Museum. These sources of sujjply are being repro- duced so that as full a set of the Mercury as far as possible can be furnished to institutions desiring them, and also to make up the deficiencies existing in libraries already pos- sessing a certain number. Through the efforts of our Board of Directors arrangements have been made to add to our file so as to make it as complete as possible taken in connection with the copies of the Mercury now in the Redwod Library. Up to this time we have received 125 sheets. We believe that this acquisition, when completed, will add much to the use- fulness of our Society for consultation and reference. Other acquisitions worthy of mention are : A valuable collection of Egyptian relics The gift of Hon. Daniel B. Fearing. The Sword worn by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie Loaned by its owner, Captain Perry Belmont. An interesting collection of documents, bills of lading, ships' manifests, letters, etc., connected with the shipping industry of Newport in the period 1780-1790. The gift of Mr. Hamilton B. Tompkins and Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs. 14 • To enumerate and dilate upon even a small percentage of the gifts and loans would involve more time than could reasonably be devoted to that pleasure. The riches thus accumulated are always open to the view of our members and their friends. I have been requested to include in this report the fol- lowing remarks by a former President of the Society : CODDINGTON PORTRAIT "As it is the object and purpose of an Historical Society not merely to collet and preserve material of various kinds relating to its local history, but also to point out and rectify errors, w^e think our Society has reason to take a little pride in what it has done in regard to the assumed portrait of Governor Wilham Coddington. A paper was read before our Society in August, 1913, calling attention to the doubtful authenticity of the so-called portrait of William Coddington in the City Hall, and showing that it could not be that of the first Governor. At a meeting of the Society held on the 25th of February of this year, one of our valued members, Hon. Darius Baker, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Rhode Island, who had made a more thorough examination of the matter than the writer of the first paper, confirming many of the objections which that writer had raised, also came to the conclusion that the portrait in question could not be that of the first Governor; and the claim that this por- trait which has been masquerading for so many years as that of the first William Coddington, is finally set at rest. And we think our Society has reason to congratulate itself upon the work which has been done by it in this matter." It is, of course, well known that our Society possesses many of the attributes of an ORACLE — let us say the DELPHIC — because of the beauty of its temple. From far and wide come requests for its authoritative utterances. Here is one that came a few months ago : "To the Young Lady I met in charge last Tuesday I find that Hannah Haswell was born in Newl^ort, R. I., daughter of Hiscock and Hannah Hiscock. Father's name not given in records at City Hall. Hannah Haswell died in Providence, R. 15 I., May 2nd, 1867; married October 15th, 1826, Ephraim Haswell, married in Providence. Who was j Hannah Hiscock before marriage, born in Newport, R. I. Hannah (Hiscox) Haswell died in Providence 70 years old May 2nd, 1867, so she must have been in Newport about 1797. Hannah Hiscox Haswell was tlie mother of my grandmother Mary Ann Perry and Mrs. Jane R. Vaughan before marriage was Jane R. Haswell born in Providence, R. I. Mary Ann Perry was daughter of Stephen Perry, mother's name in blank. Mary Ann Perry married Samuel Brown of Providence, R. I., died March 27, 1877—69, born February 22nd, 1808, Newport. How was Jane R. (Haswell) Vaughan my grandmother's M. A. Perry Brown's aunt and thus my great-great aunt is what I have got to prove to attorney soon within two weeks or lose what I should get. There are a humber of Providence people who know she was my aunt, but births, marriages, etc., by records in New- port, South Kingston and Providence must prove it. If you can give me any data 1 shall be grateful. I am awaiting your reply. Faithfully yours. My grandmother came from Oliver Hazard Perry Commodore's family." The handwriting of this appeal might well entitle it to an exalted position among the Egyptian relics already referred to. The letter has the distinction of being the exception that proves the rule. We were not able to satisfy the demand. But in many other cases of like nature that have pre- sented themselves within the past twelve month, we have been so successful as to receive substantial tokens of appre- ciation from those whose family trees we have climbed without getting lost among the branches. ViCOMTE ISHII Is it presumptuous to imagine that the Society has had a finger in matters of international moment? What of the visit to the Society's rooms last summer of the Vicomte Ishii and his suite? May not the view of the sword which Perry 16 wore at the Battle of Lake Erie, the reminders of that other Perry who opened relations with Japan, and above all the courtesy and cordiality of our reception, have stirred the heart of this able representative of the Island Empire and predisposed him in some measure to greater kindliness in the treatment of the delicate questions with which his mission to our country was concerned? All these experiences are very interesting, and the Society feels itself greatly enriched thereby. But today there is so much history in the making, that the thoughts of men and women are much diverted from excursions into the past, and forced to dwell upon the thrilling activities of the present. Fortunately for our Society, this invasion of new interests does not involve it in even temporary obscurity, for its rooms have been freely and gladly placed at the disposal of many patriotic organizations whose meetings may justly be considered a part of the greatest work ever attempted in the cause of humanity. LLOYD M. MAYER, Librarian, 17 Report of the Chairman of the Finance i Committee May 22, 1918. When I was honored with election to the position of Chairman of your Finance Committee a year ago the condi- tion of the treasury was found to be very unsatisfactory. The annual expenses were in excess of the income; and the funds of the Society had been borrowed from for some years. Three agencies have been at work during the year for our financial betterment. First : The Librarian has been most diligent in reducing expenses, himself performing the duties of furnace-mau and t aking care of the building, whereby our running and taking care of the building, whereby our running expenses have been reduced by almost $700. Second : Two legacies have fallen to us — one of $872.79 already received, and one of $5,000 soon to be paid; by which most of the money borrowed in the past from our funds can be restored. Third: The Directors have subscribed $1,900 to repay all the remaining debts. So that within probably a month when all this is received the Society will for the first time since I have been acquainted with its atf airs, be entirely free of debt. For this we are, I am sure, all truly grateful — but, if our gratitude does not take a practical form we shall not remain free of debt. In spite of the utmost retrenchment our income is not sufficient for our expenses, by almost $400, and it is the duty of the Society to raise this. You cannot expect your Directors to longer bear the burden. The simplest manner of meeting the difficulty is that which I suggested some time ago — that as many annual members as can do so should become sustaining members, increasing their annual payments from $2 to $10 each. Surely 18 this is no great thing to ask and I confidently hope that of our 250 annual members at least 100 may accept the proposition. To keep our Society free of debt is certainly worth this small effort on the part of all. (Signed) RODERICK TERRY, Chairman Finance Committee. July 25. — The expectation expressed in the above report has been fulfilled and all debts of the Association have been paid; as given in the following report issued this day: STATEMENT OF MONEYS BORROWED IN PAST YEARS BY THE NEWPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND NOW REPAID Total amount borrowed from Society Funds and other sources $7,147 74 Repaid as follows : From the Tilley bequest, $5,000 00 " " White bequest. 247 74 $5,247 74 Subscriptions : Hamilton B. Tompkins, $50 00 F. K. Sturgis, 250 00 A. Tuckerman, 100 00 L. L. Gillespie, 100 00 Mrs. French Vanderbilt, 400 00 Roderick Terry, 1,000 00 $1,900 00 - $7,147 74 Funds of the Society King Book Fund $4,000 00 in Liberty Bonds Russell Fund $1,000 00 in Savings Bank Life Membership Fund, $1,680 00 ($1,320 00 in Savings Bank $360 00 in Bank Stock). $6,680 00 (Signed) RODERICK TERRY, Chairman Finance Committee. 19 The Society's Funds arc as follows: j I The King Book Fund ' Amounts to $4,000 00 Its foundation is expressed in the following quotation from the will of David King, M. D., who died March 7th, 1882. "Second: I give and bequeath to the Newport Histori- cal Society in Newport, incorporated in January, 1854, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, to be by said Corporation safely invested, till the whole sum, by the addition of the annual interest to the original bequest, shall amount to Four Thousand Dollars, and then to remain a perpetual fund, the annual interest whereof to be by said Corporation applied in the purchase of Historical Books, and in purchasing the Historical Documents and Papers relating to the State of Rhode Island." II. The Russell Fund Amounts to $1,000. It;; foundalion is explained in the following letter: No. 2 Nassau Street, New Yo:k, Feby. 19, 1886. Hon. Francis Brinley, President Newport Historical Society, Newport, R. I. Dear Sir: — My father, Mr. Charles H. Russell, deceased, left written directioos to my sister. Miss Fanny G. Russell, also since deceased, and myself, in regard to some gifts of money which he wished should be made out of his estate to certain societies and individuals; and among these was one of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.) to the Newport Historical Society. Under the provisions of his will, the funds which he designated for this purpose have only recently become avail- able, and have just been paid to me by the Executors, with eight months interest at four per cent. I therefore with much pleasure hasten to remit to you the amount of my father's bequest to the Society, together with the four per cent, interest referred to; and for which please find herewith my cheque on the National Bank of Commerce in New York, to your order as President, for One Thousand and Forty Dollars ($1,040.) 20 Please be so good as to acknowledge the receipt of this enclosure at your early convenience, and believe me, dear Sir, very truly yours, (Signed) CHARLES H. RUSSELL, Jr. P^roni the n;iiniles o+ the Special Meeting Roard o Di- rectors Feb. 23. 1886. Upon motion the following was Voted: That the gift of One Thousand Dollars by the late Charles H. Russell, for the benefit of the Newport His- torical Society, be invested as a permanent fund to be known as the "Charles H. Russell Fund." Upon motion, the President was directed to convey the Russell heirs a suitable expression of the Society's grati- tude. III. The Permanent Life Membership Fund Amounts to -$1680. It is composed of the Life Membership dues received by the Society, including the donation described in the follow- ing quotations. Extract from the minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Newport Historical Society, July 19th, 1886. Dr. Storer, the Treasurer, announced the receipt of $1023 with the books and property of the Newport Associa- tion of Mechanics and Manufacturers, which have been deliv- ered to the Historical Society under the recent Act of the Legislature. He proposed as life members the thirty-eight (38) surviving members of said Association, which was unanimously voted. The Secretary was instructed to notify them of their election. The Newport Association of Mechanics and Manufac- turers, was incorporated in 1792 for the purpose "of pro- moting industry and giving a just encouragement to inge- nuity, that our manufactures may be improved to the general advancement not only of the manufacturers themselves, but to the State at large; and for raising a fund by free and voluntary subscriptions, contributions, legacies, donations and in such other manner as is hereinafter mentioned, to be appropriated as the Association may direct, for the purposes aforesaid." In 1887 its mission having been accomplished it was disbanded and its documents and funds given to this Society, as above described. 21 SOCIETY NOTES The Society plumes itself upon its ever increasing utility as an active member of the community. There have been no less than eight meetings of various organizations held in its rooms since the annual meeting of the Society on May 22nd. Were the Society capa- ble of blushing, the immaculate walls of the meeting-house might have vied with the roses on the cheeks of many of the ladies present, so warm were the praises bestowed upon the roonis for their beauty, their comfort and convenience. It is hard to strike a sad chord in the midst of all this harmony. A long time member of our staff, tempted by the al- luring bait which Government dangles before the noses of the world of employees, has left our service. We have had the good fortune, however, to dis- cover and secure a substitute \yhose performance of the du- ties allotted to her is so far very satisfactory.^ Within the past month a great many interesting and val- uable donations have been made to the Society. Promi- nent among these are: A German propaganda-disr tributing balloon, the gift of Miss Louise Scott of Belmead. This balloon was secured on the battlefield by a young offi- cer who last year was stationed at Fort Adams, and sent to Miss Scott as one of the spoils of war. A beautiful specimen of em- broidery, the work of Belgian women executed upon a com- mon flour sack as a token of gratitude for food sent from our country; the gift of Mrs. D. B. Fearing. "The Recollections of Jacob Chase," an interesting MSS. de- scriptive of life and conditions in the farming districts of our Island a centurv a^'o; the gift of Mr. Charles P. Coggf shaM. The original "Long Wharf and Public School Loftery Pro spectus" with the signatures, including names of many of the most prominent families in Newport in 1795: the gift of Mr. Fred M. Hammett. Life Members Allen, John B. Allen, William American Jewish Historical So- ciety Auchincloss, Mrs. Hugh Batonyi, Aureil Belmont, August Belmont, Perry Bergner, Jonas Birckhead, Mrs.William Brown, Mrs. Harold Caswell, William Connolly, Thomas B. d'Hauteville, Mrs. Grand 22 Fearing, Mrs. Daniel B. Fearing, George R. Gammell, Mrs. Robert Ives Gammell, William Gerry, Elbridge T. Gibbs, Mrs. Theodore K. Goelet, Mrs. Ogden Goelet, Robert Grosvenor, Miss Rosa A. Hunter, Mrs. William R. James, Com. Arthur Curtiss James, Mrs. Arthur Curtiss Jamestown Historical Society Jennings, Miss Annie B. King, Mrs. David King, George Gordon Lorillard, Louis L. Marquand, Prof. Allan Marquand, Henry Mason, Miss Ellen Mason, Miss Ida McLean, Edward B. McLean, Mrs, Edward B. Moriarty, George A., Jr. Peck, Hon. Frederick S. Peckham, Job A. Powel, Thomas Ives Hare Rhode Island Historical Society Richardson, Mrs. Thomas Russell, Charles H. Safe, Mrs. T. Shaw Sherman, Mrs. William Watts Smith, Miss Esther Morton Swan, James Swan, Mrs. James A. Taylor, H. A. C. Taylor, Henry R. Thaver, Mrs. Nathaniel Tilley, Miss Edith May Tompkins, Hamilton B. Tuckerman, Mrs. Alfred Tuckerman, Alfred Van Alen. James Laurens Vanderbilt, Mrs. Vanderbilt, Mrs. French Vernon, Mrs. J. Peace Warren, George Henry Warren, Mrs. Whitney Webster, Hamilton Fish Wetmore, Hon. George Peabody Wildey, Mrs. Anna Chesebrough Sustaining Members Barger, Miss Edna Beeckman, Mrs. R. Livingston Bliss, Miss Sarah D. Brown, Mrs. John Nicholas Clarke, Miss Elizabeth Clarke, Mrs. J. Francis A, Codman, Miss Martha de Forest, George B. Drexel, Mrs. John R. Duncan, Mrs. Stuart Dunn, Mrs. Thomas Emmons, Arthur B. Gillespie, Lawrence L. Gillespie, Mrs. Lawrence L. Glyn, Mrs. William E. Grosvenor, Mrs. William Havemeyer, Henry O., Jr. Hayden, Col. Charles Hazard, Miss Caroline Hunt, Mrs. Livingston Hunter, Miss Anna F. Jacobs, Dr. Henry Barton Lippitt, Hon. Charles W. Neilson, Mrs. Norman, Mrs. Bradford Padelford, Mrs. Edward M. Padelford, Edward M. Pierson, Gen. J. Fred Potter, Mrs. Edward T. Pumpelly, Prof. Raphael Redmond, Henry Rives, Dr. William C. Robinson, Mrs. C. L. F. Schreier, Eugene Sherman, Miss Elizabeth G. Sims, Mrs. William S. Spencer, Mrs. Lorillard Stevens, Mrs. Harriet L. Stevens, Miss Maud Lyman Sturgis, Frank K. Tailer, T. Suffern Terry, Rev. Roderick 23 Terry, Mrs. Roderick Van Alcn. James J. Weaver, Miss Sarah C. Webster, Mrs. Hamilton Fish Wright, Mrs. Walter A. Burke-Roche, Mrs. Frances Annual Members Abney, John R. Allen, Mrs. Crawford C. Anderson, Dr. Alexander J. Andrews, Mrs. Walter S. Appleton, Miss Mary Anstin, Amory Austin, George H. Baker, Hon. Darius Bakhmetett", Madam Baldwin, Frederick H. Ball, Alwyn, Jr. Barry, Louis J. Bateman, Clarence Bates, Mrs. Francis E. Bergman, Isaac B. Berwind, Mrs. Eldward J. Birckhead, Miss Kate deC. Bispham, Mrs. George T. Bliss, Richard Bokee, Miss Margaret Borden, Mrs. Jerome C. Brightman, Miss Eva S. C. Bristow, Mrs. W. B. Buttum, William P. Bufium, Mrs. William P. Bull, Mrs. Charles M. BuUard, Mrs. B. F. Burdick, Hon. Clark Burdick, David J. Bur(Uck, Edwin S. Burgess, Prof. John W. Burliiigame. Hon. Robert S. Burlingham, Hiram Cabell,^ Walter Coles Caldwell, Guy C. Campbell, Dudley E. Carr, Leander K. Case, Philip B. Cerio, Mrs. George Chadwick, Mrs. French E. Clarke, Henrv W. Clarke, Dr. Philip E. Clarke, Mrs. Philip E. Clarke, Hon. William P. Coggeshall, Charles P. Coggeshall, Dr. Henry Cole, Mrs. Charles M. Cortazzo, Miss Katherine Cottrell, Charles M. Cottrell, Dr. Samuel P. Covell, William W. Covell, Mrs. WiUiam W. Cozzens, Ensign J. Powel Creighton. Mrs. J. McPherson Curry, Robert W. Davis, Mrs. Dudley Davis, Galen Davis, Rear Admiral C. H. de'Congongo, Countess deSan Esteban Deming, Rev. John Howard Dennis, William E., Jr. de Tahy, Prof. Joannes Downing, George Fay Downing, Miss Harriet S. Downing, Miss Julia T. Drur3% James H. Duncan, Stuart Dj^er, Herbert Easton, Arthur H. Easton, Dr. Charles D. Easton, Fred W. Edgar, Miss Lucille R. Ellerv, Miss Henrietta C. Elliott, Mrs. John EUis, Miss Helen Ellis, Miss Lizzie E. Ennis, Mrs. William Estes, Dr. Nathan A. Estes, Mrs. Nathan A. Eustis, George Peabody Eustis, Mrs. George Peabody Fagan, James P. Ferry, Mrs. E. Hayward 24 Forsyth, Mrs. J. B. Franklin, Miss Ruth B. FrankHn, William B. Franklin, Mrs. William B. French, Miss Loresta Gardiner, Mrs. Charles C. Garrettson, Frederick P. Graham, Howard S. Green, Arthur Leslie Greene, Fred W. Greene, John H., Jr. Haggin, Mrs. James B. Hamilton, William Hammond, Ogden H. Hazard, Miss Abby C. Hazard, Peyton Hendy, Henry S. Higbee, Edward W. Hill, Mrs. Walter N. Hillhouse, Mrs. Charles B. HotYman, Charles F. Hoppin, Samuel H. Horton, Hon. Jeremiah Howard, Mrs. E. W. Hughes, Rev. Stanley C. Hull, Prof. William I. Hunter, Miss Augusta Ingalls, Mrs. John J. Ingrahm, Phoenix Jacobs, Mrs. Henry Barton Jones, Mrs. Pembroke Jones, Rev. William S. Josephs, Mrs. Lyman C. Judge, Mrs. Cyril B. Kimball, Frank G. King, Col. Frank P. King, Frederic R. King, Miss Georgeiana G. King, Le Roy King, Mrs. Le Roy Kling, Charles Potter Knight, Rear Admiral Austin M. Knight, Edward Collings, Jr. Koehne, Charles H., Jr. La Farge, Mrs. John Landers, Albert C. Langley, Mrs. W^alter S. Lauterbach, Mrs. Lawson, John A. Lawton, Mrs. Thomas Lee, William H. Levy, Hon. Max Libby, Mrs. William T. Lippitt, Mrs. Charles W. Lippitt, Charles W., Jr. Lockrow, Mrs. Harvey J. Lorah, James R. Loew, William G., Jr. Macomber, Isaac Marvin, Miss Elizabeth B. Mason, Mrs. John J. Maver, Lloyd E. M. Mayer, Mrs. Lloyd M. McAllister, Miss Louise Ward McCormick, Michael A. McLennan, John K. MacLeod, Hon. William McMahon, Andrew K. Morgan, Mrs. William Rogers Moriarty, Mrs. George A. Morris, Harrison S. Morrison, Charles E. Murdock, Rear Admiral Joseph B. Naval War College Norman, Bradford Norman, Maxwell Norman, Reginald Nowell, Mrs. T. S. Noyes, Mrs. Boutelle Pattison, Mrs. E. J. Pearson, Mrs. Frederick Pearson, Miss Lillian Peck, Rev. Charles Russell Peckham, Miss Antoinette Peckham, Mrs. Felix Peckham, Miss Lillian Peckham, Thomas P. Peckham, Mrs. R. Wallace Perry, Mrs. Henrv P. Perry, Marsden J. Petterson, Gustof L. Phillips, Arthur S. Phillips, Hon. N. Taylor Pitman, T. T. Powel, Miss Mary E. Powel, Mrs, Samuel Price, Brig. Gen. Butler D. 25 Redmond, Miss Lydia Renter, J. Henry Reynal, Mrs. Engene S. Richards, Edgar Richardson, Mrs. George Ridlon, Dr. John Riggs, Edward (). Robinson, Dr. E. P. Robinson, Mrs. Edwin P. Riisso, Marco Sage, Mrs. George E. Sanborn, Alvah H. Sanborn, Hon. John P. Sanborn, Mrs. John P. Sanford, Dr. A. Cliase Sayer, Miss Mary A. Scott, Mrs. George S. Seabury, Col. John C. Shannahan, Dennis Shea, Michael F. Sheilield, Hon. Wilham P. Sherman, Mrs. Albert K. Sherman, Mrs. B. B. H. Sherman, Col. Edward A, Sherman, Dr. William A. Sherman, Mrs. William A. Sherman, Dr. William S. Sherman, Mrs. William S. Siegrist, Mrs. John, Jr. Slade, Mrs. Abbott E. Slocum, William S. Smith, Daniel Smith, Edward Smith, Mrs, R. Manson Spencer, John Thompson Spencer, Mrs. John Thompson Sprague, Mrs. Frank J. Stanhope, Clarence Stanton, Dr. N. G. Stetson, George R. Stevens, Miss Abby Stevens, Miss Austin Stevens, Henry C, Jr. Stevens, Joseph G., 2nd Stevens, Miss Katherine M. Stevenson, Dr. Arthur W. Stewart, Anthony Stickney, Mrs. Albert Stoddard, Dr. William C, Stone, Mrs. J. F. Stoneman, Michael Storer, Dr. Horatio R. Sullivan, Jeremiah A. Sullivan, Hon. John B. Sullivan, Dr. M. H. Swinburne, Miss Elizabeth H. Swinburne, Dr. George K. Taber, Henry R. Tatgenhorst, George W. Taylor, Grant Taylor, James P. Tajior, John M. Tanner, Benjamin F. Thaw, Benjamin Thomas, Mrs. Charles M. Thomas, Miss Harriet Thompson, Frank E. Tibbetts, Wilham H. Turner, Mrs. Andrew J. Underwood, Mrs. William J. Van Allen, Mrs. Garrett A. Van Beuren, Mrs. Michael M. Vanderbilt, Reginald C. Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Peyton Varnum, Miss Amy Vernon, Miss Elizabeth H, Walsh, John K. Walsh, William J. Wanton, Charles A. N. Ward. Miss A. Louise Ward, Rev. William I. Warren, George Henry, Jr. Watts, John S. Weaver, Mrs. Charles B. Weaver, Harry R. Weaver, Thomas L. S. Wetherell, Gen. John H. Wharton, Mrs. Henry White, Elias Henley White, Mrs. Elias Henley Whitehouse, J. Norman deR. Whitman, Hon. Charles S. Wilks, Harry Wilks, Mrs. Harry Wood, Mrs. Henry A. 26 Associate Members Adams, William F. Andrews, Mrs. \Yilliam, Jr. Atkinson, Mrs. Mary Bailey, Vernon Howe Balis, Clarence Wanton Barlow, Mrs. George Belknap, Mrs. Reginald R. Benson, Mrs. A. S. Benson, Robert Bosworth, Miss Rebecca T. Brackett, Mrs. Charles A. Br am an, Mrs. Packer Branston, Mrs. Joseph Brightman, William E. Brown, Mrs. James J. Brownell, Miss Ella Brownell, Miss Nancy Bull, Miss Phoebe Borlingham, Mrs. Thomas Burlingham, Rev. Edward J. Casey, Miss Sophie P. Chester, Charles E. Chester, Dr. Frank Dyer Chinn, Miss E. Bertha Clarke, Miss Lena Commerford, A. B. Congdon, Mrs. Henry B, Cottrell, Miss Annie Davis, Salmon W. Dudley, Mrs. Beverley R. Du Fais, John Fludder, Mrs. Alexander Fowler, Miss A. Sybil Franklin, Mrs. Robert M. Gash, Mrs. Robert GoiTe, Mrs. Walter Hayes, Robert S. Hayes, Mrs. Robert S. Hazard, Miss Mary A. Howard, Mrs. William R. Jones, Rev. William S. Kalkman, Henry A. Kalkman, Mrs. Henry A, Lantz, John P. Lewrence, Mrs. Henry Lawton, George P. Lieber, Mrs. Hamilton Lieber, Miss Marsh, Mrs. Herbert McCarthy, Miss Alice Mead, Mrs. George Whitfield Newton, Henry Newton, Mrs. Henry Newton, Simon Nichols, Miss Martha Parrish, Miss Margaret Parrish, Miss Mary Peckham, Frank L. Peckham, Mrs. Frank L, Peckham, Mrs. Thomas P. Perry, Howard B. Perry, Mrs. Joseph Perry, Thomas Sergeant Pinniger, Mrs. David Potter, Mrs. Ralph G. Powell, Mrs. Frank Richmond, Henry I. Rogers, Mrs. Elisha Sayer, Miss Mary A. Sherman, Miss Annie A. Sherman, Mrs. William B., Jr. Smith, Miss Elizabeth B. Smith, Miss Helen Fairchild Smith, Mrs. Nathan B. Stanton, Miss Bessie Stanton, William H. Staton, Mrs. J. G.- Stewart, Mrs. John Sw^an, Frank Malbone Swasey, Miss Jeannette Swinburne, Henry H. Taylor, Miss Annie Tetlow, Mrs. Albert Thurston, Mrs. George W. Titus, Mrs. Harry A. Underwood, Mrs. Nicholas Vernon, Miss Annie Vose, Miss Caroline M. Ward, Howard Gould Waring, Miss E. B. Wharton, Joseph S. L. Wheeler, Henry Whitehead, Hon. John M. Willard, Miss Mary A. Wing, W^illiam Arthur Wood, Trist 27 OFFICERS OF THE Newport Historical Society For the year e7iding May, igig President, REV. DR. RODERICK TERRY First Vice-President, FRANK K. STURGIS Second Vice-President, ALFRED TUCKERMAN Recording Secretary, JOHN P. SANBORN Corresponding Secretary, MAUD LYMAN STEVENS Treasurer, HENRY C. STEVENS, Jr. Librarian, LLOYD M. MAYER Curator of Coins and Medals, EDWIN P. ROBINSON Members of the Board of Directors FOR three years MRS. HAROLD BROWN MISS EDITH M. TILLEY DR. WILLIAM S. SHERMAN FOR TWO YEARS MRS. THOMAS A. LAWTON HAMILTON B. TOMPKINS MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT MISS ELIZABETH G. SWINBURNE FOR ONE YEAR MRS. C. L. F. ROBINSON MRS. CHAS. C. GARDNER JONAS BERGNER LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE 28 Committees for the Year 1918=1919 FINANCE DR. RODERICK TERRY COM. ARTHUR C. JAMES MR. FRANK K. STURGIS THE TREASURER, ex-officio LIBRARY AND MUSEUM MRS. CHARLES C. GARDNER MISS EDITH MAY TILLEY THE LIBRARIAN BUILDING AND GROUNDS MR. JONAS BERGNER DR. EDWIN P. ROBINSON MR. L. L. GILLESPIE LITERARY EXERCISES THE PRESIDENT MISS MAUD L. STEVENS THE LIBRARIAN PUBLICATIONS DR. TERRY * THE LIBRARIAN NOMINATING COMMITTEE REV. STANLEY C. HUGHES MRS. AUCHINCLOSS MISS KATHARINE STEVENS INCREASE OF MEMBERSHIP MRS. FRENCH VANDERBILT MRS. LIVINGSTON HUNT MRS. HARVEY J. LOCKROW MISS ANTOINETTE PECKHAM MR. LAWRENCE L. GILLESPIE AUDITING COMMITTEE MR. JONAS BERGNER MUSEUM ACQUISITIONS DR. TERRY MISS MAUD STEVENS MRS. T. A. LAWTON 29 ^0 t8M »S 2jI ' * < . A ^-^ '^. .^• ).0v: ^, ^M^_ '^ m DOBBS BROS. LIBRARY BINDING ST. AUGUSTINE ^ FLA. 32084 m