. . '<...' .0^ 'o, '- .. >■ .<% <> . 0^^ , - » , -^O A* . - ' • , v.^^ '^ '-^-' -.^ ^^ ;>M, \^/ /-^'~ \^'--^-' v-^^ ** ,..>..K^-. %.„,^ .■:^-. -,„/ .•^;.- %. |: ^^^ ' J^'^ ^^^ "^^ ^^^ -A "^^^ '^' "^^^ '^* "^^ .V'*' .^^<^ "''» O^ s • • f> :^^° ^^f -'Mil N^ '■^^ .<^ ^"-<., V \^ o :^^ ■^^-0^ •7'' A> -> ,xV-, ^^v -^^ ^/;;fefe:Xo^^ f^ •^ . •<-i .^^'%. ^:Sln^' ■5^ •"^ -'^^ T," ■^r. <^ .^' ... ^^ V ^ -^ '^l^^V^V / ^ ,-^^ ■ :=, -^o -i^-': , *^ * o « o ■ •''• ^.<. ^ 'MiW^^ ^0^ c ° " " •^^c^ AO^ 'V 'o.o' , '01.0 A^ -J. ^ ■p E E P O R T OF THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, ON THE TWENTY-FOURTH OF JUNE, 1865, AT PAWTUCKET, OF THE IKCOnPOBATIOM OF THE TOW.Tf OF NORTH PROVIDENCE. QJ3I PRO VIDENCiS 18 6 5. Ji NQf^^ FIFTY COPIES QUARTO, Printed for Albert V. Jenks No. A- -/ KSOWLES, ASTHOHY & Co„ PRI^•TEKB. ESPECIALLY TO THE NATIVES AND OLDER RESIDENTS OF THIS TOWN. WHO HAVE WELCOMED TALENT AND SKILL FROM ABROjVD, AND HAVE HtTBTtTBED Iin>08TRY AND ENTEKPKI8K AT HOME ; lyi^a to tlje §^^5.?ut f 0WS of litis iowxT, WHO STILL LOVE THE PLACE OF THEIR BIKTll, AND PKAVPOK ITS rKOSPERITY, THIS BOOK IS Jtl.SP ECTFVI.LY niSnlCATEJt. ACTION IN TOWN MEETING Ncyrth Providence, Septembei- 26, l^t54. IN TOWN MEETING, legally called, the following Preaiiilile and Resolutions were presented by Edward S. Wilkinson, Esq., and unanimously adopted : TFZi.e?'e«s, in the month of June, A. D. ISGo, will be the One Hun- dredth Anniversary of the incorporation of the town by the General Assembly : therefore. Resolved, That a Committee of nine be appointed for the purpose of making such arrangements as they may deem expedient for the proper celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the incorporation of this town, and that said Committee be authorized to draw on the Town Treasurer for any expense that may be incurred in such celebration, provided the amount does not exceed the sum of one thousand dollars. Resolved, That Daniel Wilkinson, Charlks S. Bradley, Henry Armington, Olney Arnold, Hiram H. Thomas, Obadiah Brown, William F. Sayles, Le\vi>; Fairbrother, and Amasa M. Eaton compose said Conunitteu. and that tin y be authorized to fill any vacancies that luav occur in their own number.-. TRAXSAOTIONS C ( ) M M I T r E E O F A K* K A N G E i\T E N 'P IN APRIL. 1S()"), the Committee met, and organized by clioosing Daniel Wilkinson, Chairman, and Amasa M. Eaton, Secretary- After n free interchange of opinion between several of tlie Committee as to what kind (if a eelebration to get up, it was VoteJ, That Daniel Wilkinson, Henry Armington and Amasa M. Eaton be a sub-connnittee to make all the necessary arrangements for getting up a celebration worthy of the occasion. The (Jommitteo (^^wtenl^ed an invitation to ihe Kev. Massena Good- lucn, Pastor of the Mill Street Universalist Society, of Pawtucket, to deliver an Address, wiiicii lie kindly accepted. All the preliminary arrangements having been made, Satnnhiv, June 24lh. Isii"), was fixed upon as the day for the celcbriition. THE CELEBRATION, AT TEN o'clock, on the morning of Saturday, June 24tli, 18G5, the procession commenced forming on Summer street : and all things being in readiness, moved in the following order: THE PROCESSION. Chief Ifarshnl— W 11.1.1 AU It. Walker, Esq. j^lds — Col. Stephen K. Bucklin, Capt. Christopher Duckwoktii, and Joseph F. Brown, Esq. American Brass Band, twenty-four pieces. Company H, Pawtucket Light Guard, Capt. Crocker. Returned Veterans of the town of North Providence, in unifm-m. Drum Band. Rhode Island Engine Company No. 1, Capt. Jenks. Monitor Steam Fire Engine Company, Capt. McQuiSTiox. Rouoh and Ready Engine Company, No. 2, Capt. Collyer. Fairmount Engine Company, No. 3, Capt. Bennett. Committee of Arrangements. Orator of the day and Officiating Clergyman. Clergymen of the town. Town Officers. Fircward.- and Presidents of Fireward.'<. State Officer,*. S THE CELEBRATION. Members of the General Assomhly. Invited Guests. r;irriiiife eontiiiniiig tliirty-six young ladies, representing the thirty-six States, under the direction of Capt. C. Duckwouth. Citizens of the town and vicinity. 'i'lic procession marched through North Union to Main street, down -Alain to Pleasant, down Pleasant to Jenks, up Jenks, through Cedar tn George street, through George to Common, uj) Common to Main street, down Main street, over the Bridge, up Main street to Walcott, down Walcott street to Front, through Front street and over the Bridge, up Mill street to Exchange, up Exchange street to High, through High street to the First Baptist Church. EXERCISES AT THE CHURCH. EXEECISES AT THE CHURCH. ARRIVING at the Cluircli, the Assembly was called to order by the Hon. Charles S. Bradley, President of the day. The exei'clses commenced by the singing of the MoTETT — " Praise the Lord," by a select choir, under the direction of Paudox E. Tillixghast, Esq. Then followed an original hymn, written for the occasion by James Wood, Esq. : To-- unon all who are in authority, whether in the General Government, the State, or our town corporation, beseeching Tiiee to direct in wisdom the issue of those important political questions which ju>t now agitate the public mind, we entreat Thee to add Tliy blessing to the present occasion, making the words of him who sliall address us, together with all the exercises of the Iiour, minister to our profit, and to Tiiy gli)ry, through Jesus Christ, our Lokd. Amen. Then followed anotiier original hymn, written foi' llie occasion by J.vMEs Wood, Esq.: To (iOD— our fatliers' GoD — we raise The tribute of our lieartt'elt praise; Through eutlles.s ages still the same, We hless anil niaguity Tliy name. 14 EXERCISES AT THE CHURCH. We tliank Thee that Tliy own right hand Hath saved and sanctified our land, Where GoD-crowued Liberty alone Shall hold dominion ou her throne. We bless Thee for the grace that comes To grateful hearts and happy homes, To teach our souls to feel and know The source from whence these blessings flow. Let greater love each bospm swell, Tliau pen can write or tongue can teU, Till each and all around shall be, As near as mortals may, — like Tliee. So when we leave these earthly scenes, To pass the gulf that intervenes, A Saviour's arms shall bear us o'er. And land us safe on Canaan's shore. After whicli, the President of the (hiy introduced to the audience the Rev. Massena Goodrich, wlio delivered the following historical and interestincT Centennial Addres.s. CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. INTRODUCTORY NOTE. Gratitude and ])ropriety demand that I acknowledge my indebtedness to some of my fellow-citizens, for information supplied. I forbear to mention the books which I have consulted, as they are public property. I name simply those persons from whom I have received oral information. To Rev. Dr. Benedict, to E. S. Wilkinson, Esq., to Capt. K. G. B. Dexter, Stephen Randall, Esq., Lemuel Angell, Esq., Francis H. Shep- AHD, Esq., and to Daniel Wilkinson, Esq., I return my thanks. I must add to these names, those of Capt. James S. Bkown, of Pawtucket, and Mr. Samuel Greene, of Woonsocket. If this address has any merit, it is largely attributable to the information given, and services rendered, by the gentlemen above named. M. G. CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. I T Is interesting in treating of the history of a town or State, to trace it from its feeble beginning through its various stages of growth. It is pleasing to be able to answer the questions, Who felled the first trees of the^primeval' forests within its borders? Whose plowshare turned the first furrow? Whose hoe broke the first sod? Whose cabin sheltered the first residents? These are questions, fellow-citizens, that cannot be answered with regard to our town. It had no independent existence till a century ago. It commenced its race, not a blushing maiden, but the mother of an already large family. Its early history is therefore connected with that of Providence. Several of the most thriving towns of our State can say, Providence is the mother of us all. A word on this point, however, may not be out of place. The settlement of Providence was probably begun two hundred and twenty- nine years ago this very month. Its territory was then very extensive. In the year 1731, however, its boundaries were materially curtailed. Smithfield, Scituate and Gloucester were cut off, and Incorporated as Independent towns. In 1754, Its area was diminished still more : Crans- ton was incorporated. In 1759, the town of Johnston was established. And lastly our own town was cut off; and then the territory of our common mother was left in peace. 18 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. The petition for tlie severing of our own town from Providence was presented to the General Assembly at the February session in 1765. Action was, however, deferred to the next session in June. At tliat time an act was passed granting the prayer of the petitioners, save in respect to the name. Tiiey had desired that the new town be called AVenscutt. The Assembly decreed, however, that the name should be North Providence. The grounds on which the petitioners based their recjuest, are stated in the preamble of the act of incorporation. I quote from that duciunent : " Wiicrcas, a large number of the inhabitants of the northern part of the town (if Priividence, preferred a petition, and represented to this Assembly, tliat tliere are witliin the limits of said township, upwards of four hundred freemen ; that those who dwell in the most comjjact part, are altogether merchants and tradesmen ; and that far the greater portion of the ijetition- ers dwell in the more remote part of said township, and are near all far- mers, whose interest and business differ from the merchants ; that town meetings have been often called and held in the compact part, upon matters and things which did not, and d(j not, concern the farmers in the northern and more remote parts of said town ; that they, the petitioners, neverthe- less, have been, and still are, obliged to leave farming business, and to attend upon said meetings, to prevent things being voted to their disadvan- tage, wiiich hath occasioned much loss of time, contention, and exj)ense, which ought to be borne by the merchants and tradesmen ; all which, being very inconvenient, they j)rayed to be set off, erected, and made into a township," &c. After tills [)reanible the iVssembly proceed to enact that the town of Providence be divided, and they designate the boundaries. Tiiere ap[)ear to liave been one hundred and fifteen petitioners to the original prayei-, and tliey represent that out of the tour hundred freemen of the town, about one hundred and sixty reside in the part proposed to be set off. The act of the Assembly led, however, to no little criminati(jn and strife. The boundary line, instead of being so CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 19 * run as to separate the fanning section of the town from the more compact portion, threw quite a strip of" the hitter part into flic new township ; and cool historians, who cannot participate in tiie fierce personal or ])olitical controversies of a hundred years ago, liave been constrained to conclude that the ostensible reason for dividing Pr. Of the heads of families, 132 were males, 6 females. It may not be uninteresting to note here, that the jiopu- CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 23 lation of our town, by the last census, taken five years ago, was 11,820 souls. In eighty-six years, therefore, it had increased more than four- teen fold. And here, fellow-citizens, I may pause one moment to note the special character of the early New P^ngland towns. A good historian, in speaking of the Roman Empire, remarks that tliere were, properly speaking, " no country places, no villages. At least, the country was nothing like wliat it is in the present day. It was cultivated, no doubt, but it was not peopled. The proprietors of lands dwelt in cities ; they left these occasionally to visit their rural property, where they usually kept a certain number of slaves ; but that which we now call the country, — that scattered population, sometimes in lone houses, some- times in hamlets and villages, — was altogether unknown in ancient Italy. 'Twas with cities that Rume fnught, with citie?' that she made compacts, and into cities that she sent colonies." In distinction from this, our New England population was largely distributed in little country villages, every one of them a miniature democracy. But unlike the towns of Greece, there was, from the beginning, a tendency to union. In Greece, every city was autonomous. It claimed the extreme of individualitv and isolation. Tiic most threateiiinir dantrers could hardly drive the cities of that land to united ett'ort. Among our New England towns, on the contrary, while, from the iirst, local needs were provided for, local rights, in minor things, watched over, there was a recollection of the fact that evCry little hamlet, in every colony, was but a member of a larger body. The tendency was, in fine, not to selfish isolation, but to nationalitv. And if resentment auainst rea^ or fancied wrongs, committed bv the stronger colonies against their feebler neighbors, had tended to repulsion, the perils to which our ancestors were exposed uraed to vmion. Our fathers gloried in their En"lish descent. They were not ready t(» be absorbed by the French colonies. Constant perils threatened from the Indians and the French. Every 24 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. town felt, therefore, the need of sympatliy and help. Every colony had at tunes to seek the assistance of Its neighbors. By consequence, while our country villages grew up democratic in tendency, and exer- cising in many respects a manly self-reliance, they yet clung closely to the large towns for protection or aid. The preamble to the act of incorporation, which I have already quoted, shows that the majority of the inhabitants of our town, a cen- tury ago, were tillers of the soil. But our territory is not extensive enough, nor is our soil sufficiently rich, to have sustained a laro-e population; North Providence would hardly have quadrupled her pop- ulation in eighty-six years, had she depended on agriculture alone. The explanation of tiie large growth of our town is found in the establishment of manufacturing within our borders. I propose now, therefore, to give a brief sketch of the early attempts in that department. I have mentioned the arrival of Joseph Jenks here upwards of two centuries ago. A man so energetic and enterprising as he, would not be slow to use the power which the falls of Pawtucket supply. In a case brought before the Circuit Court nearly forty years ago, Judge Story, in giving his decision, rehearsed certain facts that had been established in the trial. Speaking of the dams on the Pawtucket river, he says : "The lower dam was built as early as the year 1718, by the proprietors on both sides of the river, and is indispensable for the use of these mills respectively. There was ])reviously an old dam on the western side extend- ing about three-quarters of the way across the river, and a separate dam for a saw mill on the east side. The lower dam was a substitute for both. About the year 1714, a canal was dug, or an old channel widened and cleared on thg western side of the river ; beginniny: at the river a few rods above the lower dam, and running round the west end thereof until it emptied into the river, about ten rods below the same dam. It has been long known by the name of Sergeant's Trench, and was originally cut CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 25 for the passage of fisli up and down the river. But liaviug wholly failed for this purpose, about the year 1780, an anchor mill and dam were built across it by the then proprietors of the land; and between that peri(jd and the year 1790, several other dams and mills were built over the same, and since that period more expensive mills have been liuilt tlicre. In 17'J2 another dam was built across the river at a place above the head of the trench, and almost twenty rods above the lower dam ; and the mills on the upper dam, as well as those on Sergeant's Trench, arc now sup])lied with water by proper flumes, &c., from the pond formed by the upper dam." I forbear to quote farther from the opinion of Judge Storv, fellow citizens. Enough that I remind you that the trial just referred to showed that early in the last century, jjerhaps indeed during the pre- vious century, dams had been built at the Pawtucket Falls. Already the buzzing of machinery, the roar of hammers, and the stir of men, prophesied of the business that should make this region an important manufacturing centre, within a century or more. But it is amusing, not to say mortifying, to see how slow hundreds are to discern the sources of their thrift. The falls at Pawtucket, and the dams that had been built, were alike voted a nuisance by scores of the dwellers by the Blackstone.* Those obstructions hindered the free mio-ration of shad and alewives to what is now Woonsocket. Accordingly, the General Assembly, in 17G1, authorized a lottery, to raise fifteen hundred pounds, old tenor, for the purpose of making a passage around Pawtucket Falls. *The Blackstone river rises in Massacliiisetts, north of Worcester. It takes its name from William Blackstone, tlie first i)ermanent settler of our little State. He was a clergjnnau of the Church of England, but early left his native laud on account of non- conformity. He was the first English resident of Boston, the early settlers of Charlestomi finding him already occupying the peninsula. After residing there a few years, he came down to this region, and settled in what is now Cumberlajid, E. I. The. reason of his seeking a home, for the second time, in the wilderness, is quaintly stated by himself : " 1 left England to get fi-om under the power of the lord bishops, but in America I am fallen under the power of the lord brethren." The river, from its source to the Pawtucket Falls, bears the name of the Blackstone. Below the falls, it receives the name of the Pawtucket. 4 26 ■ CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. " so that fish of almost every kind, who choose fresh water at certain seasons of the year, may pass with ease." Of course this legislation was proper enough, bating the lottery ; but twelve years later, the General Assembly went a ste[) farther, and passed an act making it lawful for any one to break down or blow up the rocks at I'awtucket Falls, to "let fish pass up;" and "the said river" was "declared a public river." Had the men who jjctitioned for such an act but pos- sessed power propoi-tioned to their wishes, shad might have freely spawned at Woonsockct ; l)ut Samuel Slater had probably never turned his steps toward our town. The enterprising family, of whom I have already spoken, continued to carrv on the iron business in its various liranches. The descendants, for generations, of these men trod in the footsteps of their ancestors. Muskets were manufactured for several of the militia companies of the colony, as early as 177;"), by Stephen Jenk8,* of this town. Indeed, the iron bilsiness made Pawtucket famous in a wide circuit. This was the principal workshop of Providence for anchors, screws, and other heavy articles, that needed a water power and trip-hammers, which were lackinn- in the mother town. Among the men who came to » Through tlie kindness of Gen. Olney Arnold, the present treasurer of onr town, 1 have been permitteit to examine the early treasurers' books. I find that one of tliose officers occasionally makes a nienioranilum on his pages. I copy the following obituary: "Died at Pawtucket, in North I'rovidence, on Sunday, Nov. Ifitli, A. D. l.tOO, Capt- Stephen Jenks, in the 7ith year of his age. He was descended from a long line of respectable ancestors, and has left a disconsolate widow, and sixty descendants to the fourth generation. He was a kind husband, an indulgent parent, and an obliging neighlior. The widow, the orphan, and others in distress were partakers of his benevolence. He was a man of sound judgment and integrity, and had been a member of the General Assembly many years. He was a zealous patriot of 177.5, and im]iai-tially presided at most of the public business of his town. During his last sickness he was exceedingly calm, and per- fectly resigned to the will of God. His remains were attended to the meeting house on Tue-sday, where a pertinent discourse was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Hurley, of Cambridge; after wliich they were decently interred." I have also been permitted to read two or three manu.script letters of Capt. jENKs's, written in 17!);), giving an extended genealogy of his family. Prom him comes the tradi- tion of his ancestor's coming hither in 1053. CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 27 increase the activity of Nortii rrovidence was Oziel Wilkinson. He had resided, for years, in Sinithfiekl, and done a great deal of work \\)x tiie merchants of Providence. Obtaining his stock kirgely fr^nt that town, it seemed more convenient to transfer his business to the neigh- borhood of Pawtucket Falls ; but as the British long held possession of the southern part of the State, and the capture of Providence seemed not unlikel}', his customers advised him not to remove, lest his sho[)s be destroyed by some marauding party. \\\i\\ tiie coming of peace, however, all danger seemed dispelled, and ]\Ir. Wilkinsox removed to this place. Mr. W. had five sons, all blacksmiths, and father and sons, with characteristic energy, enlarged the business of the town. They speedily availed themselves of a part of the water power, commenced making anchors, and extended their operations to other departments- At a very early date, the senior Wilkixsox manufactured cut nails; and is supposed to have been the first manufacturer of those useful articles in any land. For a period, Daniel Wilkinson was foreman of his father's shop, and years afterwards he and his brother, David Wilkinson, begun an independent establishment. All the younger Wilkinsons, indeed, were like their father, men of energy and business capacity. One of them, in a few years, turned his steps to Connecticut, and won eminence and thrift there. The other four long continued to promote the prosperity of the town of their adoption. Abkaham and Isaac Wilkixsox formed one firm, David and Daniel another, and largely expanded the business of manufacturing iron. Here, screws were made ; and for years, the heavy oil presses of Nantucket and New Bedford were prin- cipally supplied from the shops of the Wilkinsons. Here, in 1794, was cast the iron for the draw of tiie Camliridge bridge ; here were made the patterns, here cast the wheels for the first canal of the conn- try. Of the younger Wilkinsons, David had rare inventive genius. His was one of those minds fertile in expedients, and teeming with 28 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. contrivances to abridjje toil, and jjive man laro-er control over the material world. I have read one of his letters published in the Trans- actions of the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry; and could not but notice the truth of the poet's saying, "the child is father to the man."' In speaking of a new screw-machine, which he had invented as early as 17U4, he describes it as on the principle of the gauge or sliding-lathe, " the perfection of which," says he, " consists in that most faithful agent, grainty, making the joint, and that almighty, perfect number, three, which is harmony itself. I was young when I learnt that principle. I had never seen my grandmother putting a chip under a three-legged milking-stool ; but she always had to put a chip under a four-legged table to keep it steady. I cut screws of all dimensions by this machine, and did them perfectly." A great many other lads had doubtless seen their mothers or grandmothers use a three-legged stool, but how few had noticed the steadiness, or the great mechanical invention based on the firmness of the tripod ! But I shall have occasion ajiain to reter to the 'inventive skill of David Wilkinson. I have slightly disregarded chronological order, but it is proper now to speak of the successful establishment of cotton manufacturing in this town. The early history of attempts to spin cotton by water power, in our land, may be briefly told. Our coxuitry had passed through the Kevolutionary War, and emerged from it fettered by debt. Importations from foreign countries threatened to impoverish us still more, and thoughtful capitalists and skillful mechanics were trying to relieve us fi'om the necessity of dependence on foreign looms. In Worcester and Bevei-ly, in Massachusetts, in Providence and other places, in our State, experiments were making prior to 1790, to solve the problem, whether we could spin, in America, the cotton needed for our own use. MoSES Bkown, of Providence, had purchased a spinning-frame, with which CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 29 others liad fiiiled to succeed, and removed it, with certMiii other iiia- chines, to this place, and attached tlieni to a water-wheel. In vain, however. Success seemed as unlikely by the falls of the Pawtucket as elsewhere. At this juncture, — near the close of the year 1789, — Samuel Slater, a young English artisan, arrived in New York. He had been induced to leave his native land, by seeing in the newspapers what bounties were giving, what encouragements were proffered, particularly in Pennsylvania, for machines for manufacturing cotton. He left Eng- land, however, by stealth. From the very settlement of our country, there had been a jealousy, on the part of English manufacturers, against every attempt of the colonists to provide for anything but their simplest wants. Statesmen were willing, nay, desirous, that tlie colonies should furnish the raw materials for the use of the artisan in the fatherland ; for that would relieve Great Britain of dependence on foreign countries ; but tolerated nothing further. Parliament was constantly seeking to repress every branch of industry that might make the colonists rivals of their trans-atlantic fellow-subjects. The war of the Eevolution sev- ered the political dependence of the colonies on England, but British statesmen and manufacturers were alike resolved that it should not ;sunder the commercial dependence. For this reason, harsli laws were enacted, forbidding any person, under pain of forfeiture, to carry or send from the United Kingdom, models, ])atterns, or machinery, that would be likely to aid a young people in setting up a new branch of bu.siuess. Nay, artisans themselves were liable to detention. Under these circum- stances, young Slater neither dares inform his family of his destination, nor take with him patterns, drawings, or -memoranda, that can betray his occupation, or reveal his plans. He arrives in New York, and engages with a manufacturing com- pany. The water power of that neighborhood, however, does not satisfy him. The business wherein he was employed seems inferior and un- promising, compared with that to which he had been accustomed ; and 30 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. tluit CrOD wlio directs man's steps, and prepares the heart, tlirew hhii into contact witii the captain of a Providence packet, and he informs liim of the efforts that MoSES Brown is making to introduce the manufacture of cotton. Witli characteristic promptness, the young man writes to Mr. Brown. In the business of cotton spinning, he says, "I Hatter myself that I can give tlie greatest satisfaction, in making ma- chinerv, making good yarn, either for stockings or twist, as any that is made in Enghmd : as I have had opportunity, and an oversight of Sir Richard Arkwright's works, and in Mr. Strut's mill, for upwards of eight years." Mr. Brown replies that he has transferred the business to Ai.my ct Brown. He candidly informs the young man that he fears that they can hai'dly give him such encouragement as he could receive in his present place of business. "■ As the frame we have," he writes, " is the first attempt of the kind that has been made in America, it is too imperfect to aflbrd much encouragement ; we hardly know what to say to thee ; l>ut if thou thought thou couldst perfect and conduct them to profit, if thou wilt come and do it, thou shalt have all the profits made of them, over and above the interest of the money they cost, and the wear and tear of them. We will find stock and be rejjaid in yarn as we may agree, for six months. ^\.nd this we do for the information thou can give, if fully acquainted with the business We have secured only a temporary water convenience, l)ut if we find the business profi- table, can perpetuate one thnt is convenient If thy present situa- tion does not come up to what thou wishest, and, from thy knowledge of the business, can be ascertained of the advantages of the mills, so as to come and work ours, and have the credit as well as advantage of perfecting the first water-mill in America, we should be glad to engage thy care so long as they can be made profitable to both, and we can agree." This letter, from which I have been quoting, was dated " Provl- CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 31 dence, 10th 12tli month, 1789." Soon after, Mr. Slater conies to Providence : and hite in tliat year, or early in 1790, is taken to tlie village of Pawtucket, in this town, to see the machines. He does not view them with admiration by any means. Says Mr. Biiowx, "When Samuel saw the okl machines, he felt down-hearted with disappoint- ment, and shook his head, and said, ' These will not do ; they are good for nothing in their present condition, nor can they be made to answer.'" Fortunately, however, fellow-citizens, the spirit of botli these men was too resolute to succumb to trifling difficulties. After various disappoint- ments, it was proposed that Mr. Slater should erect the series of machines termed the Arkwright patents. He accedes to the proposi- tion on one condition, namely, that "a man should be furnished for him to work on wood, who should be put under bonds neither to steal the patterns nor disclose the nature of the works. " Under my proposals," says he, " if I do not make as good yarn as they do in England, I will have nothing for my services, but will throw the whole of what 1 have attempted over the bridge." The shop in which Mr. Slater begun the manufacture of his ma- chines stood on what was then called Quaker lane, now Pleasant street. The mechanic employed to assist him was Mr. Sylvanus 13rown, father of our enterprising fellow-citizen, Capt. James S. Brown. That shop is now the salesroom of Mr. Beers, and adjoins his baker's shop. Everything was managed with the greatest secrecy. Shutters were put on the front windows, and the back windows were shielded by blinds. The various patterns were made of wood, all the parts being first con- structed of that material, to see whether they could be made to work. The motive power was furnished by a wheel, which was turned by an aged negro by the name of Prime, or, fully. Primus Jenks, as he had once been a slave of one of the Jenkses. There was no fear that he would pilfer their patterns, or disclose their plans. MosES Brown visited the shop every day, to witness the progress making. In due o'i CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. time, Mr. Slatek built a water-frame of twenty-four spindles, tAvo curding-maciiines, and tlie drawing and roping-frames necessary to pre- pare fur the spinning ; and soon after added a frame of forty-eight spindles. When all the preliminary work was done, everything was found to work satisfactoiily but the carder. After vainly tryin"- to remedy that, Mr. Slater was almost in despair. The most awonizincr thought with him was not, however, that he had failed, but that the men who had confided in him would think him an impostor. He even contem]ilated running aw^ay, but his companion dissuaded him from so rash a step. " Have you ever seen one of these carders work in your own country ? " asks Mr. Sylvanus Brown, looking him steadily in the eye. " Yes," was the prompt reply. " Then it can be made to work here.'' As Mr. B. was waiting, a few minutes, for his dinner one day, he took up a pair of hand-cards that his wife had Keen using, and examined the shape of the teeth. He saw that they were bent some- what ditferentlv from those in the machine, and the thought suffffests ' D DO itself, " by altering the shape of the teeth, we can surmount the diffi- culty." Mr. Browx promptly tried the experiment, and the machine worked. From the patterns thus made, such castings as were needed were supplied from Mr. Wilkinson's shop, and the machines were set up in a small building then standing on what was then the southwest abutment of the bridge over the Pawtucket. That shop no longer stands, for it was swept away by the angry surges of the Blackstone, in the great freshet of 1807. Operations were begun in the fall of 1790, or the winter of 1791. " I was then in my tenth year," says Mr. Smith Wilkinson, " and went to work with him, and began attending the breaker. The mode of laying the cotton was by hand, taking up a handful, and pulling it apart with both hands, shifting it all into the right hand, to get the staple of the cotton straight, and fix the handful, so as to hold it firm, 'and then applying it to the surface CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 33 of the breaker, moving the hand liorizontall}' across the card to anil tVo, until the cotton was fully prepared." I hai'dly need remind you, however, that in prejiai-ino- even this machinery, Mr. Slatek encountered no trifling obstacles. Skilled mechanics of the class needed for his work were entirely lacking ; drawings, models, patterns, he had none ; his sole reliance was on a retentive memory, a determined will, and the help of God. He was fortunate, however, in the home that he fcmnd. He went to board in the family of Oziel Wilkixson ; from him and from his ingeni(»us son he doubtless received many a profitable hint; from Mrs. Wilkin- son he had genial sympathy and motherly care ; and from a daughter, who afterwards became Mrs. Slater, coilperation and tender love. Only the Omniscient One knows the mighty aid which that house- hold aflbrded the otherwise lonely stranger, who was striving to trans- plant to the shores of the Pawtucket the perfected invention of England. In the restricted quarters of that rude mill, Mr. Slater continued his operations for about twenty months, at the end of which time several thousand pounds of yarn had accumulated on the hands of himself and partners, notwithstanding every effort to sell and weave it. AYhen, indeed, five hundred j)ounds had accumulated, Moses Brown writes to Mr. S., " Thee must shut down thy gates, or thee will spin up all my farms into cotton yarn." Obstacles had, meanwhile, been successfully surmounted ; Arkavright's machines had been reproduced ; mechanics had been trained ; the problem had been solved ; the waters of the Pawtucket were made subservient to a new kind of manufacture ; and the spinning of cotton by water was acclimated in the United States. Who has despised the day of small things ? What an expansion of industry was destined to flow from that successful enteri)rise I Well did President Jackson say to Mr. Slater, some forty odd years afterwards, " I understand you taught us how to spin, so as to rival Great Britain in her manufactures ; you set all these thousands of spindles at work. 34 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. u'liieli I have been delighted to view, and which have made so many happy by a kicrative employment." " Yes, sir," was the modest reply ; " I suppose that I gave out the psalm, and they have been singing to tlie tune ever since." Happily, fellow-citizens, it is a psalm whose singing brings profit, as well as pleasui-e. The experiment had succeeded in that old shop, and a new mill was erected. The building so long known by the name of Slater's Mill, and which has, for several years, been occupied by the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Com})any, was built in 1793. During the same year, mills were reared by Oziel Wilkinson and Thomas Arnold ; the former was a slitting mill, and the latter, a flouring mill. Indeed, the claim can be justly put forth that tlie first flouring mill in the State was erected in this town. I have already spoken, in brief, of the extent to which the manufac- turing of iron was carried on, in North Providence, at this early period. In a letter written by MosKs Brown, near the close of 1791, he says : " The manufacture of iron into blistered steel, equal in quality to Eng- lisii, lias been begun, within about a year, in North Providence, and is carried on by Oziel Wilkinson. I thought of speaking also of pig and bar iron, slitting it into nail-rods, rolling into hoops and {whites, making it into spades and shovels, hot and cold nails, anchors, &c., all in this district." Another interesting fiict may be named. In speaking of the inventive genius of David Wilkinson, I mentioned that I should have occasion to speak of him again. About the year 1791, there was a man living in Providence named Elljah Okmsbee. He was born in Rehoboth, but had worked, fin- a season, near Albany. While there, his observa- tion of the difficulty of navigating the Hudson by sails alone, led him to think of steam as a propelling power. While employed at Cranston, repairing a large steam engine used for pumping water from an ore bed. CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 35 he was called on by Mr. David Wilkinson, and conununicated to him the idea of a steamboat. He offered to furnish the boat, ])rovl(lcd Mr. W. would provide the engine. The proposition was accepted ; Mr. Wilkinson went home, made his patterns, cast and bored the cylinder, suggested two plans of paddles, and the boat was finished. At a retired place called Winsor's cove, about three miles and a half from Provi- dence, Ormsbee completed his arrangements, and, on one pleasant evening, made his first trip to Providence. On the following dav, lif went in his steamboat to Pawtucket, to show her to his friends ; and the two ingenious mechanics exhibited her between the two bridges. "After our frolic was over," says Mr. Wilkinson, in writing of the matter more than half a century afterwards, " being short of funds, we hauled the boat up and gave it over." It is fair to claim that, had the Pawtucket been a longer stream, so that steam had been as imjiortant for it as for the Hudson, or had some discerning capitalist been ready to afford the pecuniary aid needful for testing and perfecting the inven- tion, tlie cliaplet that adorns the head of Fulton might have been woven for the brows of Wilkinson and Ormsbee. And the Paw- tucket Kiver and Narragansett Bay would have had an additional claim to fame. In 1797, Mr. David Wilkinson perfected his slide-lathe, and on the following year obtained a patent for it. As, however, the machine business was then in its infancy, but little profit flowed to the ingenious inventor. Before the time arrived for its extensive use, the original patent ran out, and Mr. W. being occupied with other business, and planning other contrivances, neglected to secure a renewal. Fifty years after the original patent was granted. Congress voted him ten thousand dollars as a partial remuneration " for the benefits accruing to the public service from the use of the principle of the gauge and sliding-lathe, of which he was the inventor, now in use in the workshops of the govern- •36 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. ment at tho ditfurent national arsenals and armories." The Senate Committee on Military Affair.^, who recommended the above-named appropriation, was composed of Messrs. EuSK, of Texas ; Ca8S, of Michigan: Davis, of Mississipjii : Dix, of New York, and Benton, of Missouri. This enterprisiiiLj man was not onl^r occupied with his own private business, but was interested with others in more extensive operations. At a furnace in this town, owned by him in connection with other parties, cannon were cast solid and bored out by water power, early in the century. " It was then the current conversation, that to Pawtucket belonged the creilit of the first cannon cast solid in the world. They were bored by making the drill or borer stationary, and having the cannon revolve against the drill." A paragraph from a familiar letter of Mr. Wilkinson's, written yeai-s afterwards, gives a succint state- ment of the business activity of North Providence, between the years 1800 and 1829: "We built machinery to go to almost every part of the country : — to Ponifret and Killingly, Conn. : to Hartford, Vt. ; to Waltham, Norton, Kaynham, Plymouth, Halifax, Plympton, Middleboro', and other places in Massachusetts : for Wall & Wells, Trenton, N. J. ; for Union & Gray, on the Patapsco ; for the Warren factories, on the Gunpowder, near Balti- more ; to Tarboro' and Martinbnrgh, N. C. ; to two factories in Georgia ; to Louisiana; to Pittsburg; to Delaware; to Virginia, and other ^^laces. Indeed. Pawtucket was doing something for almost every j)artof the conn- try." In 179!), the second cotton mill was begun. This was reared by Mr. OziEL Wilkinson and his three sons-in-law, Samuel Slater, Timothy Greexe and William Wilkinson, and was built on the Massachusetts side of the river. I have named Mr. Greene, as a son- in-law of OziEL Wilkinson. He had been previously engaged in the manufacture of leather. His tannery occupied the site of what are now CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 37 called Grreenc's mills. Indeed, his original Imsinoss was tlic inanuf'icturc of shoes, and, even after he gave his attention to tanning, he eniploj'od several men in the former business. As illusti-ating the extent of his operations in tanning, the incidental statement of one of his workmen may be quoted : " We ground two hundred cords of bark per year, while I worked for Mr. Greene. We tanned one thousand hides a year for him, and fulled fifteen hun(h'ed for otiiers." Mr. Greexk'8 activity contributed to the prosperity of our town, and his descendants have continued to do their share of the business of this place. About this time another kind of business was begun. There was an ingenious clock-maker residing here, by the name of J. Field. He commenced the casting of brass in the anchor-shop of Mr. Oziel Wilkinson. Another important branch of business claims at least a passing- notice. It was that of sliip-buildiug. This was carried on extensively on both sides of the Pawtucket Kiver. In the Sergeant's Trench case, Geokge Robinson, who plied his business in North Providence, testi- fied, that between the years 17'J4 and 1805, he ])uilt seventeen vessels of from eighty to two hundred and eighty tons burden. He employed from ten to twenty ship carpenters. In the same case, Thomas Arnold testified, that he was concerned in building seven or eight vessels. Other parties were also erajdoyed in this business, and all of them had the iron-work done in the shop of the Wilkinsons, and obtained their anchors from the vai'ious anchor shops of tliis town. The above facts I obtain from an interesting abstract of the testi- mony in the case just spoken of, which is now in the possession of Samuel Greene, of AYoonsocket, who was himself an enterprising- artisan in this place, years ago. And in glancing hastily over that volume, I find evidence of the existence of other kinds of industry. One witness speaks, at one time, of having worked in a chocolate mill. He was also employed, in 1797 and 17U8, in the lower anchor shop. 38 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. While there, he was engaged in welding gun-barrels and making scythes. In those two years he welded fourteen hundred gun-barrels, and assisted in making forty dozen scythes. These may seem like trifling details, but before machinery was perfected, as has since been done, they bespeak activity and enterprise here. In the beginning of the present century, also, two manufactories of snuff were in operation. For years, manufacturing was mainly confined to the village of Paw- tucket, in our town. Near the close of the Kevolutionaiy War, indeed, a lime-kiln was in operation near the present residence of Lemuel Angell, Esq. ; but, after a while, the (juarrj- whence the limestone was obtained was exhausted, and tjie business was given up. The employment of the residue of the inhabitants was mainly agricultural. Indeed, there is reason to believe that more farming was done in our town, about the commencement of the present century, than now. Every farmer, sixty years ago, raised his own rye and corn, and provided the entire food of his household from his own soil. Tobacco' was also reared to some extent. Tracts are uow covered with forests, which, half a century ago, were meadows. The time came, however, when other parts of the town were to engage in manufacturing. In 1807, Judge Lyman and others bought a j^rivilege on the Woonasquatucket River, and erected a mill. In later years, along the western part of the town, the Greystone mill, the Allendale, Centredale, Manton, Dyerville, and the Atlantic De Laine mills have been constructed. And it may be interesting to note the increase of wealth, in our town, from the introduction of new forms of industry. In 181"), Lemuel Angell, Esq., was collector of taxes. At that time, from what is now Olneyville to Manton, there were but five estates taxed, and the whole amount assessed was fifteen dollars. During the past year, the tax of the Atlantic De Laine works alone was nearly four thousand dollars. As indicating the same fact, another CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 39 incident may be mentioned. About the year ISIO, Ozief, Wilkinson and his son Abraham were estimating the expenses of the town, for the ensuing year. As they were both influential politicians, they were making arrangements in advance for tlie annual town meetino-. With a piece of chalk they marked, on the counter of their store, the sums supposed to be needed for the various departments, to wit, for highway tax, support of poor, &c. As common schools were not then estab- lished by law, there was no sum specified for them. As they added up the column, they found the amount to be about eight hundred dol- lars. And the elder Wilkinson energetically exclaimed, " It will not answer, Abrahaji ; we must cut some of these figures down. The town of North Providence will not stand such a tax as that." Times have changed, fellow-citizens. This year, a tax is assessed of seventy thousand dollars ; and the only question debated was, " Shall we raise this sum, or a larger one ? " For years, the mode of weaving cloth was by hand-looms. The cotton was first sent out from the various shops and mills to be picked. This involved much waste, delay, and expense. Four cents per pound was paid for picking, and the owners complained that wliat was stolen by the various families, to whom tlie cotton was entrusted, doubled this sum. In addition to this, after the yarn was spun, it must be sent out to be woven into the various kinds of cloth. From six to twelve cents per yard was the current price. Of course the proprietors of mills were anxious to be rid of such inconvenience. In a few years, a ijicker was devised ; and, about the year lHj4, weaving by power-looms was commenced. The first loom used in this town was J. Thorpe's, which was, if I am rightly Informed, an upright loom. In 1816, however, the Scotch loom was introduced into Lyman's mill. It was brought to the notice of Judge Lyman by Mr. William Gilmore. The loom was made under the insjjection of Mr. G. himself, and, at first, failed to 40 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. work. Judge Ly.max, of course, thinks of David AVilkinsox when any difficulty ai'ises, and ]Mr. W. goes over to see the machine. He quickly discovers tiie trouble, suggests a means of removing it, and, in due time, the loom docs its work. Aranufacturers, in other parts of the country, soon hear tliat a loom is working successfully in North Provi- dence, and flock from every quarter to see the wonder. All gladly purchase from INIr. G. the right to use his pattern ; and, to the present time, the same loom, with trifling change, is used in all the cotton mills in our land. I have not time, fellow-citizens, to specify the period when other mills were erected in our town. My object has been, mainly, to men- tion the earliest essays in manufacturing here. Where a branch of business, largely carried on elsewhere in our country, has been estab- lished here, there seems little to challenge attention. But before I dismiss this part of my subject, I may properly enumerate some of the important inventions that have been made, during the pi'esent century, in our town. I ought to have mentioned that Mr. GiLiiOHE introduced a dresser from a Scotch invention. In 1822, Mr. Asa Arnold invented the diflPerential speeder. In 1823, Pitcher & Gale invented a geared cone speeder. In 1S24, Pitcher & Gale having dissolved, our ingenious fellow-citizen, Mr. James S. Brown, became associated with the former in business, their shop being on the eastern side of the Pawtucket. In 18o8, [Mr. Brown invented a machine for boring pas- sage for rover and speeder flyers. In 1842, Mr. Broavn dissolved partnership with Mr. Pitcher, and. in 1849, commenced the erection of the spacious building which he now occupies, in our town. In 1852, he took out a patent for turning irregular forms ; in 1857, a patent for improvement in speeder. In 18G8, he obtained a patent for grinding files, and another, for improvement in fui-nace for hardening files. I am aware that I am here treading on delicate grovuid. My edu- cation and mode of life have not given me knowledge of mechanical CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 41 Inventions. I know that I am not presenting an cxliaustive account of the important inventions which have given Pawtncket fame. A hiwyer, of hirge experience in patent cases, lately remarked, tliat it is truly surprising, in investigating the history of valuable inventions, to sec how many of them you can trace back to Pawtncket. I stop my account, therefore, here, by remarking that important improvements in the manu- facture of hair-cloth have been made in this town, and that during the present year, E. O. Pottek has obtained a patent for an improvement in the mode of cutting files. But though I have closed my account of inventions, I am not pre- cluded from remarking that, for years, calico printing has been exten- sively carried on near the Woonasquatucket Piver. The establishment owned by Eichmond & Co. has proved a centre around which other branches of manufacttiring have largely clustered. And still another kind of business deserves a passing notice, from the largeness of its increase. In 1834, Lewis Fairijrother, Esq., came here to establish himself. He began the manufacture of picker-string and lace leather. At that time, there was but one other manufactory of a like character in the country, and that was conducted on a very small scale. So light was the demand for the commodity, that the proprietor of the other establishment began with tubs alone in preparing his leather. Mr. F. was more enterprisinof and far-si iilited. He had the hardihood to beoin with a vat or two. Those who see, from day to day, the activity of ilr. F.'s successors in business, and of their rivals in this neighborhood, need no other assurance of Mr. Faikbrother's forecast. In 1850. Messrs. Corliss & Nightingale moved from Providence to our own town. Their establishment, too, has proved a nucleus around which other and different kinds of manufacturing have gathered. The prox- imity of that neighborhood to the busy jjart of Providence invites capital from the city. Indeed, a stranger, ignorant of tlie boundary lines, knows not where the city ends, and the town begins. 42 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. I have tliiis completed, fellow-citizens, what I designed to say of the industrial history of our town. I cannot close this branch of my sub- ject, however, without a word as to our indebtedness to the men whose energy and industry brought such activity and thrift to our region. We have borrowed, from the Greek language, the word aristocrat. Too often the term is employed to describe a mushroom class, who are sub- sisting on the wealth which their ancestors won, and, by their conceit and disdain, are trying to fasten a reproach on the class fi-om whom their ancestors sprung. Inherited riches are their sole passport to emi- nence. Among the Greeks, it is said that the class who styled them- selves the aristoi, that is, the best, were generally least entitled to that term. They were lawless, reckless, tyrannical, and frequently disturbed the peace of their communities by their insufferably disorderly conduct. It is our boast as a people, that we have no order of nobility. As some one said of Cincinnati, " the democracy there consists of those who now kill hogs for a living ; the aristocracy, of those whose fathers killed hogs." Our true aristocracy are those who, springing from the laboring class, by sheer force of character and untiring toil, work their way to eminence and thrift, and who never forget the people from whom they spring. And if to this capacity and energy, they but add high- toned principle, and seek but to make the conununity nobler, as well as richer, they have a higher patent of nobility than any monarch can bestow. Jefferson is reported to have said that that man is a public benefactor who makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew before. And has not the artisan who acclimates a useful branch of industry, the inventor who perfects a new machine, and thus introduces a new branch of employment, or provides comforts that render life easier, or home more dear, an equal claim to be regarded as a bene- factor ? As local benefactors, our Jenkses, our Broavns, our Slaters, our Wilkinsons, our Greenes, of past generations, (it Avere invidious to speak of the living,) may challenge the love of tlieir successors. CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 43 How much dill they do to give permanence to society ! How many did they help cHng around the okl homestead ! How much thrift and con- tent were they instrumental in fostering ! Our town owes them a debt of o-ratitude. We share, fellow-citizens, in the benefits they conferred. "Other men labored, and we have entered into their labor." Inscribe their names high on the roll of honor, and let their memory be ever crreen. But let us not forget that there are business successors of these men, whose energy, and enterprise, and faith, have established new branches of industry in this place. Too often men fiiil of justice from their contemporaries. Envy blinds multitudes to their real merits. Let us be prompt to recognize worth and energy and skill. If a CoELiSS introduce among us the manufacture of steam engines ; a Jeffees, that of the fire-engine ; a Dextee cling worthily to his knitting-cotton, wherein he has won a national fame ; if a Beoavn wield his influence to introduce among us file manufacturing: if he make inventions, and transplant branches of industry that swell our population, and increase our wealth, let us rejoice in whatever prosperity they win. In their success we are all interested. No farmer that brings a dozen eggs to market ; no landlord that has even a cottage to let ; no laborer seeking employment; but that is benefited by the thrift of our citizens. We constitute one body, and if one member be benefited, all the other members should rejoice. Let Envy be forever hushed, and Detraction be dumb ! FIRE DEPARTMENT. So long as our town remained a part of Providence, it, of course, depended on the fire department of that town to extinguish any serious conflagration. And even after North Providence was incorporated, many years "elapsed before any steps were taken for organizing a fire company here. The General Assembly granted, in February, 1801, a charter for a fire district in the village of Pawtucket. A single company was 44 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. authorized, to have not exceeding fourteen members. The company was not organized, however, till 1803. The first captain was David Wil- kinson, and that skillful mechanic built the first fire engine. It lacked suction hose, and was filled by hand. From that time to the present, as necessity has required, additions have been made to our effective force. At the present time, the Pawtncket fire district has three fire engines, and one hook and ladder company. This force, in conjunction with the fire companies of the town of Pawtuckct, and the village of Central Falls, constitutes a very efiicient body in protecting us from the devouring element. Our citizens rely confidently on their promptitude, courage, and skill, and have never found their confidence misplaced. BANKS. The first incorporated moneyed institution established in this town was the Manufacturei's Bank, which was chartei'ed in 1814, and remained here till after the disastrous business revulsion in 1829. Having sus- tained heavy losses, it was removed to Providence. The next bank was styled the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, and obtained its charter in 1822 or 1823. The same cause that crippled the Manufacturers Bank carried down this institution also. A new company was organized, however, upon its forfeited chai-ter, and now does business, in Provi- dence, under the name of the Phenix Bank. Of the banks now existing in this town, the oldest is the New England Pacific, which, originally chartered in 1818, and established in Smithfield, was, after certain reverses, transferi'cd to the village of Pawtucket, North Providence. The North Providence Bank was chartered in 1834. The Peoples Bank was incorporated in 184H. The Slater Bank, in 1855. Dviring the current year, a new bank has been organized under the United States Banking Laws, called the First National Bank of Pawtucket. The Peoples Bank having decided to close its business, most of the cajjital CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 45 is absorbed by the National Bank. The Slater Bank ha? al^o become a nation al institution. Of savings institutions, there are two located in tliis town. The eldest, thougli incorporated, under the style of The Pawtucket Institution for Savings, in 1828, was not organized till 1836. Its present number of depositors is 2500 ; amount deposited, $777,000. The Providence County Savings Bank was organized in 1853. Its present number of dej)ositors is 2060 ; amount deposited, $644,576. NEWSPAPERS. But few towns in New England possessing a population of thousands, can be found, but that boast of having had a newspaper. For years, however, from various causes, the country newspapers have been dwind- ling in number. The larger city jo.urnals are so easily supplied, tlirough the multiplication of railroads, to the citizens of our various villages, and the expenses of publication have so largely increased, that merely local journals have been allowed to die. It argues, therefore, not a little merit in an editor, not a little tact and enterprise in a publisher, when a country journal has been successfully maintained in the immediate vicinity of a city so large as Providence. The Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle has existed upwards of twenty-eight years. The Chronicle was first published in 1825, by John C. Harwood, and was edited by William H. Sturtevant. After Mr. H. had published it for about two years, he sold it to Randall Meacham. In a short time, Mr. M. engaged Samuel M. Fowler as editor, and the two subse- quently were associated. Mr. M. afterwards withdrew, and i\Ir. F. remained proprietor till his death, in 1832. On his decease, the paper passed into the hands of H. & J. E. Rousmaniere, and remained in their possession till 1839. At that time, Robert Sherman, Esq., who, in connection with Shubael Kinnicutt, Esq., had established the 46 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. Pavvtucket Gazette, in 1838, purchased the Clironicle, and united the two papers. In January, 1864, Mr. Axsel D. Nickersox purchased an interest in tlie establishment, and became associated in the publica- tion of the Gazette and Clironicle. Tiic united journal enjoys a large local circulation, and can claim the merit of being managed with ability, courtesy, and dignity. And it has a merit which too many country papers lack ; it is a good local paper. BRIDGES OVER THE PAWTUCKET. It was many years after the settlement of our town before any bridge was erected over the Pawtucket. The water now flowing in the Black- stone is more regular in quantity than it was years ago. The building of dams on the Blackstone, and the forming of numerous reservoirs, make the volume of water much larger in summer than formerly. For weeks, in the warmer season of the year, it used to be easy to cross the Pawtucket, a few rods below the falls, by fording. In 1713, how- ever, a bridge was erected at the joint expense of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In about sixteen years, the bridge became so weak that the General Assembly voted to rebuild it, provided Massachusetts would bear half the expense. On that colony's delaying, our General Assem- bly passed a resolve, advising that the bridge be " demolished, that it may not remain as a trap to endanger men's lives." Massachusetts appointed a conunittee to assist in this work, and, in 1730, the bridge was taken down. A year or two afterwards, the bridge was rebuilt ; and, in 1741, was again rebuilt. In 1746, a new boundary line was run by authority of ovu- General Assembly, and, from that time to the present, Massachusetts refused to pay anything for maintaining a bridge over the Pawtucket. Originally, the bridge stood a little south of the place which the present bridge occupies ; but the advantages of its present site became CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 47 so manifest that it was chosen. On the loth day of February, 1807, about two-thirds of the west end of the bridge was swept away by what was well styled the great frexhet : but the bridge was promptly rebuilt. In 1817, it was again reconstructed, chiefly at the expense of our town. In 1832, it was rebuilt once more, at the expense, in part, of the town, — in part, of private subscribers. In 1839, the bridge needed rejjairs, and the question was now earnestly put among our citizens, " Whose duty is it to maintain this bridge ? '" Investigation showed that the obligation rested on the State. In 1843, the old bridge was removed, and a new one built. In 1857, this bridge was found badly needing repair, and the question arose, " Is it worth while for us to be annoyed, every few years, with the work and discomfort of build- ing a new bridge ? " This question was answered negatively, and measures were at once taken for rearing a stone bridge. Preparations were made during the fall and winter of that year : stones were quar- ried and shaped ; and, on the Gth of July of the following year, travel was suspended on the old bridge, and its destruction commenced. In four months the work was completed, and, on the 4th of November, 1858, the present structure was ojiened for travel. It is at once an ornament and a credit to our town ; and, unless shaken by an earth- quake, or blown up by malice, will stand long after the youngest child who witnessed its dedication has passed away. EDUCATION. Rhode Island was long behind the other New England States in providing for the education of her youth. Providence, indeed, early sought to establish free schools ; but the liberality of her wealthier citizens was overruled by the short-sightedness of poorer, but more sordid men. For nearly two centuries, whatever education was furnished to the young was supplied by private schools. In the village of Paw- 48 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. tucket, a company was organized, near the close of the last centuiy, to build a school-house. In due time, the edifice long-known as the "Red School-house " was reared near the site of our town hall. For years, this was the only building that could be used for any secular public gathering. It was long used by the First Baptist Society, as a kind of vestry. Here, the day school was taught ; liere, the Simday school long held. At a time when tlie poj)ulation of what is now the town of Pawtucket was quite small, as that territory was then in Massachu- setts, and the laws of that State required the free education of the j'oung, the peojile of that district made a contract with the teacher on the Rhode Island side of the Pawtucket, to teach their children ; and they were also sent to the Red School-house. Subsequently, a school was established by a Mr. Bailey, who taught his pupils in the base- ment of his house, not far from the school-house now owned by the first district of this town. The time came, however, when the citizens of our State jjerceived that sound policy, no less than duty, required that as many of our youth as possible should receive education. In 1828, common schools were established by law. Our town was not slow to j^rovide them ; and, from tliat time to the present, the youth of both sexes have been permitted to enjoy advantages which only the children of the wealthy had enjoyed before. At the present time, there are ten school districts in our town. Over two thousand scholars have attended our public schools during tiie past year. Eleven thousand dollars have been paid for teachers' salaries, in addition to the various sums paid for fuel and other expenses bj- tlie dirtercnt districts. Large sums have also been paid for private schools, and a proper high-school seems now a neces- sity in a town so rich and populous as ours. If not every citizen can feel that he owns a portion of our soil, let every one, at least, feel that his children have a right in our schools. And may I not say, fullow-citlzeus, that still another agent is needed. CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 49 It has well been said, that the youth, when he leaves the school or the college. Instead of having finislied his education, has but just begun it. Apart from that instruction which the world can give him, however, he still needs the help of books. Talents and aptitude are not confined to the wealthy, and many a youth would gladly increase his knowledge had he suitable books to read. Some of the cities and larger towns, in our country, have public libraries, which are an honor to them. As yet, North Providence has nothing of the kind. It were, perhaps, too much to hope that some son of our town, resident elsewhere, will imitate the liberality of a Peabodv to his native town ; but we have rich men in abundance here, who can provide such a library. Will not some of them soon g-ive their townsmen reason to thank them ? THE PATRIOTIC HISTORY OF OUR TOWN. Since the organization of our town, there have been calls, more than once, for the more obtrusive virtues of patriotism and manly courage. North Providence was incorporated in a brief breathing-place between two exhausting wars. The French and Indian War had but just closed, and the lurid folds of the storm that was soon to break over our devoted land, and to rage for eight weary years, were descried on the horizon. Of those whose homes were in this town, and who did bold service during the Tvevolutionary Wai', the name of Commodore Hop- Kixs stands eminent. Though born in another town, he made, for years, this place his abode, and his ashes are mouldering within our borders. It were superfiuous to praise him. His valor is a part of the heroic heritage of his native State. His name and Perry's, who alike, in diflFerent wf.rs, upheld the honor of our country on tlie sea, have given our little commonwealth cause to glory in her na\ al warriors. For between two and three years, Hopkins was commander-in-chief of the navy ; but the bitter sectional feeling in Congi'ess, which operated 50 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. so much on many an occasion to the (ii^*paragcnlent of New England men, finally succeeded in ousting him from his honorable position. But by this act our country sufFei-ed most. Another eminent patriot of the Kevolution was Capt. Stephen Olney, a native and resident of North Providence. During the entire contest, he remained in the service, and signalized his vahn- on many a well-fought field. His heroism was specially manifest at Yorktown. Two redoubts were occu- pied by the British, which checked the advance of our army, and Washingtox decided that they must be carried. To gratify and pro- voke national emulation, the task of capturing one was assigned to tiie French ; that of tlic other to the Americans. Lafayette and Col. Hamilton commanded the American force. In selecting an officer to head the storming column, Lafayette made choice of Capt. Olney. The company which the latter commanded is said to have been mainly composed of North Providence men. Capt. O. well knew the jjeril of the undertaking. He calls his company together, and frankly states to them the dangerous work to which he had been assigned. "Most of us will probably fall, and I want nobody to go, but such as are willino- to i-isk their lives. I order no one : let those that are i-eady to volun- teer step two paces in front." Listantly every man stepped forward. The American forlorn hope was led by Col. GiMATT, a French offi- cer. The entire column marched in perfect silence, and with unloaded guns, resolved to carry the works at the j)oint of tiic Ijayonet. At the distance of two hundred yards from the redoubt, the colunm halted, to make the final arrangements for the assault. One man from every company of the force was detailed for tlie forlorn hope. Six or eight pioneers lead the way ; as many of the forlorn hope come next ; then Col. GriMATT, with half a dozen volunteers ; and then the main column led by Capt. Olxey himself. The dread silence was broken by a heavy discharge of the musketry-, as our force reached the abatis. AVhile the pioneers were attempting to cut this away, some of the main CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 51 force climbed throusli it and entered tlie ditch. Foremost amono- these is Ca|)t. Olxey. As soon as a few of his men are collected, he forces his way between the palisades, and with a voice that rises above even the roar of the conflict, cries out, " Capt. Olney's company — form here ! " Tiie audacious order meets a stern response. A gun-shot wound in the arm, a bayonet-thrust in the thigh, and another in the abdomen, admonish our brave townsman that war is no holiday aifair. "With one liand, he presses in his intestines, while with the other he parries the bayonets of his foes. -He is obliged to be carried from the field, but not until most of the regiment have entered the redoubt, and he has given the command to " Form in order." In ten minutes frcjni the first fire of the British, the redoubt was in our possession. Lafayette praised the gallantry of Olxey in general orders, and still more warmly acknowledged it in private correspondence. In 1824, when the chivalric Frenchman was makin"; his tour through our land, he visited Providence. Among those who gathered to irrcet our nation's benefactor, was Capt. Olney. Standing on the steps of the State House, he waited the approach of his old commander. As they met. though years had weakened the vigor of both, they disregarded cold, tame conventionalities, and, like fond brothers, clasped each other in a warm embrace. Capt. O. was, for twenty-five years, president of the town council, and, for fifteen years, represented North Providence in the General Assembly. The reputation of those earlier days has been well maintained in later times. When Treason reared its unhallowed hand, and struck at the life of our common govei-nraent, Ehode Island was not wholly unprepared for the struggle that ensued. Many others of the Northern States, which have since rendered good service, were destitute of any organized militia ; and when Baltimore was in possession of a treach- ei-ous mob, and Washington was severed from the loyal North, our little State heard the cry for help. Our patriotic governor had been in 52 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. intimate correspondence with Gen. Scott ; and, when the exigency came, the sokliers of Ehode Island followed close on the heels of those of Massachusetts. On the eve of the Eevolution, among other com- panies, the North Providence Rangers was chartered. Two or three years before the late rebellion commenced, the Pawtucket Light (luard was organized. And when volunteers were called for, four years ago, to open the road to our national capital, one company, largely composed of our own citizens, went from North Providence and Pawtucket. When, too, Burxside first showed, on the field of battle, those quali- ties which have since won fjr him a national i-eputation, in those llhode Island regiments which followed his lead, a Slocum and a Tower. from our own town, sealed their devotion to country with their blood. And from the day when that first battle of Bull Run was fought, how many a son of our town, in fortress and in camp, on the lone picket and in the dread fray, has watched and prayed and fought, till victory has come, and we can rejoice together in a saved, a free, a regenerated country ! MORAL HISTORY. But another branch of history claims attention. Inventive genius and mechanical skill give man control over the material world, but not over his own passions. Education may sharpen the intellect, but leave man a shrewd savage. Heroism on the battle-field is not incompatible with the character of a barbarian. The pen of inspiration has written that " righteousness exalteth a nation." Integrity, high moral principle, religion, are our safeguard, and constitute the mightiest conservative power in a community. A few words, therefore, about our religious societies, and other moral agencies, seem in order. I preface this account with a reference to one of our present hon- ored citizens. Near the close of tlie last century, a lad came to this place from a farming town in Massachusetts. Though born in that CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 53 State, there seemed a kind of poetic justice in his coming to spend the larger part of a useful life in this commonwealth. In the deed from which I quoted, conveying to Joseph Jenks the land once owned by Ezekiel Holliman, it is mentioned that it bordered on land owned by a Mr. Dexter. Dr. Benedict suggests that this was Gregory Dexter, an eminent clergyman in the Baptist denomina- tion, and fourth pastor of the First Baptist Church in Providence. This lad was a descendant, in the sixth generation, from Gregory Dexter, and bore the name of Xathaniel Gregory B. Dexter. The free and easy condition of matters here, in respect to religion, jarred rudely with the native sentiment of reverence that he had for the Sabbath. He was soon employed by Mr. Slater, in his mill. At that time, no regular meetings were held. A small Baptist meeting- house was standing, which could be used by any other denomination, when the Baptists were not using it, but was not always used. Sun- day was observed by some as a holiday, though the sound of the trip- hammers and forges could be heard, and young men and old were seen playing ball, and occupied in other sports. " Mr. Slater," said the ■wondering lad, " you don't have any Sabbath here in Rhode Island. I don't know what to do." Mr. S., doubtless, felt the truth of the boy's words ; and when, a while after, he found seven of the lads engaged in his employ, debating whether they should go, on that Sabbath-day, to Smithfield, to rob a farmer's orchard, he rightly decided to try and shield them from temptation. " Boys," said he, " go into my house, and I will give you as many apples as j'ou want, and I will keep a Sunday school." That school, commenced in 1799, was comj)osed of seven scholars ; its library consisted of three Web- ster's Spelling-books ; the branches taught were reading, writing, and arithmetic. A year or two ago, Capt, Dexter met the present hon- ored governor of Massachusetts, in Boston, and the governor was read- ing the inscription on the patriarch's gold-headed cane, which stated e 54 CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. that lie was a scholar in tlii' first Sunday school in America. "Ah I" said Gov. Andrew, " I would rather have that distinction than to be governor of Massachusetts." Our honored townsman, a link connect- in"- us with past generations, with eye scarce dimmed, and natural force but slightly abated, while he entertains an honest pride that he has, for half a ccnturv or more, prosecuted a business whose fabric has won a national reputation, glories still more in his connection with th Sabbath school. And whatever men may think, in the estimate of angels, that act of ]Mr. Slater's, in assuming, for a season, in addi- tion to the cares of a harassing business, the personal charge of educatinn; those voutli cast under his care, is his noblest crown. It is not unlikely that a Sabbath school was kept prior to this, for a few weeks, in this place, but we know nothing of its history, and it could have been maintained for but a short time.* Our first cii'cum- stantial knowledge comes through Capt. Dexter. After attending that school for a time, he was himself employed by Mr. Slater and part- ners, to teach, on the Sabbath, the youth employed in the mills. And that Sunday school, though designed to furnish simply secular instruc- tion, was the germ, in New England, of the mighty agency which all sects are now using to impart religious knowledge to the young. But I pass to the history of religious societies. The first society organized here was a Baptist one. It was incor- porated, as a kind of village organization, about the year 1793. A small house was erected on the lot now held by that society. The ecclesiastical body, or church proper, was fully organized in 1805. Dr. Benedict, then a student in Brown University, begun his labors here in 1ri,sing meclianics were allowed to leave the place. Tlie capital- ists of the neigliborliood should have prohibited it. A few words of encouragement, and, in due time, seasonable pecuniary aid, had kept them here. Other revulsions may occur in the future, but it is not worth wliile for rich men to conclude tliat the world is coming to an end because the wheels of business are temporarily stopped. The wants of a young, \igorous, thrifty nati(jn like ours, a nation so rich in n'sinirces and all the elements of material wealth, are constant. A little patience, a little faith, and the storm blows over, and industry resumes its wonted acti\ ity. No, fellow-citizens, if you are but true to yourselves, your town will continue to grow. A hundred years afo, and your population was less than a thousand; to-day, it cannot be much less than fourteen thoiu«and ; and in respect to capital, the dis- CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 61 parity is still more largely in our favor. More mills, more workshops, more houses, are yet to be reared within our borders. The time must come when our farmers must vary their agriculture, and, leaving to richer soils the work of supplying the commoner fruits and grains, con- vert their farms into gardens. I rejoice in such a j^rospect. There has been quite too strong a tendency for our New England youth to desei-t their homes, and emi- grate to distant States. True, those States have gained by their com- ing, but we cannot aiford this constant drain. Like the Koman matron, we can say of our sons and daughters, These are our jewels. Fain would I see them kept around the old homesteads. Here, Avhere there are a thousand fond recollections of childhood, a thousand dear associa- tions, would we see them lingering in manhood and womanhood, and contributing, by their industry, talents and virtue, to the real weal of our State. Nurture we, then, every laudable enterprise ; build we our community up ; and let us ever recollect that where Christian institu- tions are vigorously sustained, education fostered, order, temperance, and integrity maintained, there property is safest, life dearest, and man hap- piest. The past record of our town is in many respects honoi'able. It is a record of unconquerable energy, inventive skill, unflagging toil. The citizens of to-day need not blush for their ancestry. Shall our children's children have equal cause to glory in our wisdom and fidel- ity? God grant tliat they who stand here a hundred years hence, to celebrate the second centennial anniversary of our town, may be able to exult in a free, a united nation, a prosperous Christian people, a thrifty, vigorous community I O loved town and land, peace be within your homes, prosperity witliin your marts and mills I At the close of the address, the choir sung the old anthem, Denmark. The services at the church closed with the benediction by the ven- erable Rev. David Benedict, D. D. CENTENNIAL DINNER CENTENNIAL DINNER. AFTER the services at the cliurch, the military and firemen formed a procession and marched to Manchester Hall, where an ample table was spread for their entertainment. The citizens, both ladies and gentlemen, to the number of about two hundred, together with invited guests, proceded to the Armory of the Pawtucket Light Guard, where a dinner had been prepared by Messrs. Dispeau & Childs. The dinner was a magnificent one, and every seat was filled. When the company were seated, the Rev. Geoege Taft, D. D., invoked the Divine blessing. After the viands had been disposed of, the Hon. Charles S. Bradley, President of the day, called to order, and spoke as follows. REMARKS OF MR. BRADLEY. Neighbors, Fellow-townsmen and Friends : No body of American citizens can assemble upon an historical occasion to-day, without their first emotion being that of thanksgiving to Almighty God, who, if for a time, in His wisdom, He has allowed us to be punished for our sins by the scourge of civil war, has at length, in His mercy, restored to us the Union and peace. If our minds run back a hvmdred years in the history of this country, y 6G CENTENNIAL DINNER. they re?t, at tlie other end of the century, upon the revered form of \Vasiiix(;t()X, sind we cannot but insthictively pray tliat his spirit may chasten tlie cliaracters of the youth of our land, so that his moderation, his dignity, the moral grandeur of his nature, may become the type of Ameri- can mind. Upon these themes it doth not become me to speak. For, to whom shall we turn when we ask for an interpretation of the elements of moral cliaracter, but to the reverend clergy around us; and to whom shall we turn, for a consideration of the matters pertaining to education, except to those whose life-lonji labor it is to mould the human intellect. I introduce President Seaks of Brown University. REMARKS CF REV. DR. SEARS. I rise, with uuafTected diffidence, to answer the sentiment which has been given by the President of the day. Personally I cannot profess to respond. But, holding by accident of office, a representative place in respect to education, and also, sir, in respect to the ministerial functions, I speak for the class to which I have the honor to belong. Undoubted reference has been made to the seat of education with which I am connected. Tiiat, from the beginning, was the representative of piety and learning. Tiie first two Presidents were distinguished, particularly, f)r tiieir advocacy of religious and moral liberty, and for tiieir zeal in the diffusion of knowledge for the benefit of all the learned professions. Tliose first Presidents, in their own persons, illustrated the excellence of the doctrines- they proclaimed, — tiiemselves the best specimens both of pulpit eloquence and also of that kind of education which befits men to exert a salutary influence upon society. I I'enieniljer, furthermore, on this occasion, that the college actually went into operation the very year that this town was incorporated, although we had our centennial one year ago, dating it from the first meeting of the corporation ; so that, in a certain sense, we may be looked upon, in connec- tion with the town, as two sister manufacturing establishments. I will not attempt to describe the quality of the manufacture in either establishment. There is one disadvantage, however, under which we labor, and that is, CENTENNIAL DINNER. 67 tliat while you can select and pnrcliuse bucli materials as yuu choose, wc are ohlised to take such as are sent to iis, and make the best of tluin. licligion, Education, Industry ; these arc associated with this occasion. They are the foundation of the success and power and dominion of the State. To my mind it is a happy comhination ; — Religion, fir>t and chief; Education, its hand-maid and subject, to minister to all the wants of society; and Industry, without which. Education fails of its practical object. And never, in the history of this country, has the importance of these three qualities been more prominent and more clearly observable than at the present moment. If we have been taught any lesson by the sad scenes through which we have passed, during th.e last four years, it is, in the first place, that all national prosperity nuist be founded on .--ure moral and reli- gious principle, — that we cannot depend upon anything short of a religious foundation for the political fabric ; and equally has it been demonstrated that intelligence, under the influence of religious sentiment, is the great power to act upon matter and upon mind. And in the struggles that have been in progress for the last four years, in how manj- instances have we looked with delight to see the achievements of mind,— to see how vastly superior the intellect is to the mere accumulation of physical sti-ength. We have had mighty physical foixes wasted for want of directive energy. We have expended treasure and blood beyond what we can estimate, for want of mind sufficient in grasp and power to control the vast machinery we have put in operation. But, thank God, we were not to remain in this humiliating position. (tOD put before us men who had intellectual power, and could wield the mighty forces we had called into being. We, to-day, see the happy results. And the mechanical ingenuity and industry of our people is that which has distinguished the New Enoland States durinc: this war. We have met the boldness and dash of the South, and found that they would not bear a moment's comparison with the ingenuity, energy and practical Intelligence which can make things work efftctnally when tliey are put into the hands of men trained to Xew England principles, New England habits and New England ideas. We admit that the Northwest has shown magnificent ability, both In the command of forces and In the executing of the great achievements which have distinguished them in the war, but still we look to the New England army, as a whole, for an amount of power, distributed 68 CENTENNIAL DINNER. through all the ranks, unequalled, so fur as ingenuity and intellect are concerned, by anything to be found on the continent. And now, I ask, what is the office which we, in this small State, — this little angle of a vast continent, — have to perform ? What is the mission of Xew Ensrland ? I answer. It lies in these three words, — Edition, Edu- cation. Industry. Carry these sacred three all the way to the Gulf of Mexico ; carry them all the way to the Pacific, and let them shed their benign influence on tlie isles beyond. If there is salvation for this country, it is to come through these means, and no other. There never was a britrhter era for an inhabitant of the New England States to live in than the present. There never was a nobler opportunity for the genius of New England character to infuse itself into all the institutions of the land than at this time ; and the appeal made to young men to know their own mis- sion, which is to diffuse these sentiments all over the land, is scarcely less sacred than tliat for missionary enterprise to give the gospel to the nations of the earth. The sentiment which lies nearest my heart is the mission we owe to the country, beautifully illustrated in more than one of its aspects in the history of your town, by such men as have commenced and guided the enterprise of this place ; men who have started the manufacturing interests of Pawtucket ; men wIkj have shown such bravery by land and sea ; men who, in every emergency, have stood up and shown their loyalty to the State and the nation. I tiiink we shall not always need to be told of the fact, although it will be of interest, that the State of Khode Island is situated near to Pawtucket. I think the influence of town and State will expand itself to a larger sphere. The ideas that go forth from the history of this town are the ideas we wish to spread all over the land. I close with these three single words, — Religion, Education, Industry. Mil. Bradley. We have paid our first respects to Religion and Education : and I think every New England man will see the justness of the reverend speaker's claim, that the diffusion of these ideas constitutes our mission as a peoj)le. He has complimented our State, as well he might, upon being one of those workshops or hives of Industry which unite this last with Religion and Education. Our little State, — is she not, in her industry and energy, like that statue of Hercules, which, only a cubit CENTENNIAL DINNER. 69 hlgli, was so perfect in its jiroportions as to give a better idea of muscular vigor than the Colossus ? Our little State is repi-esented here by one of her chief magistrates, than whom none is more versed in historic lore, none more fit to occupy a seat upon tlie Bench where Justice sits serene and impartial. I introduce Judge Beayton. REMARKS OF JUSTICE BRAY TON. My business is not to make addresses, but to weigh arguments and decide causes. I, of all men, should least be called upon for such a speech as would entertain this assembly. But since I am called upon, and since I do know something of the his- tory of this State, I will refer, for an instant, to that history. I will not detain you many minutes. We have been called upon, for the last four years, to consider something of government : What is government? who are to be governed? and who has the ri"ht to jjovern ? This has been one of the groiuids of this great contest, — whether these Southern States had a right to secede from this young government, or what is there that binds a man under his government? Now, I refer to this matter simply because it is connected, and materiall)' connected, with the very early history of this colony. The first planter here was a man who was driven away by the intolerance of a government. There grew up a necessity with those who went with him to have some sort of a government. They formed a union among themselves by voluntary association, and made experiment of that as a government. It was not long before they quarreled among themselves, and the experiment failed. Not many years after this, there was a new settlement formed. The settlers came from a similar (juartcr of the coun- try, and for similar reasons. Xot being allowed to remain where they were, they sought a new home three thousand miles from the sovereign power which thrust them forth. One portion of them were merchants. Another were farmers. They went on well for a year, and then they had a diffi- culty. There was a secession and afterwards a reiinion. But it was not so perfect but that an individual could resist the power of the government. Now, for a series of years, this has involved the question, " In what does oovernment consist?" We have o;one throu"h all the iihasos; and it was 70 CENTENNIAL DINNER. in tliis State that liberty was cratlled. Tliij; State was able to resist all cncroacliments, maintain its stand, and make a government. After tlie formation of this government, there came hither an individual of whom much has been said, and who said that the government at Portsmouth was no legitimate government ; that the people were subjects of the crown of England, and until they received authority from it, they had no govern- ment. There was a difficulty, and he was banisl:ed from that State. He came to Providence, and they refused to admit him there. They denied the validity of any government but that of Providence. They said they miglit get along by voluntary agreement, and if they got into difficulty they could submit it to arbitration. They did so, and said there was no power aside from that agreement, for one man to bind another. He claimed that they must have the authority cf the crown or sovereign power to which they were subject, in order to form an association to exercise the powers- of government, — the power to issue judgment, pass a decree and carry it into execution ; — then every man would be bound by it, and no man have the right to secede. Now, he went on and formed an association. They acted upon that pi'inciple. They did not attempt to exercise the powers of government until they had received a charter from the sovereign of the mother country and from its Parliament. From that time they went on, and this man, whom they charged with being so turliident and opposed to all govern- ment, sat down as quietly as any individual even under the government of Massachusetts. Now, look at these phases which we have gone through. They came and established a government, but not luitil they had received power from an authorized source. They felt that they were bound, from all considera- tions, to pay deference to the sovereign power. And I may say that this is the jirinciple which they have wrought out. It was wrought out here, through all these phases, from necessity. And that principle must operate, and is operating'now. It is a principle that must be established throughout this Union, if it is a Union at all. That is all that I intended to say. Mu. Bradley. The Judge has spoken of the State laws and of gov- ernment. There is a section of the State which gives name, indeed, to the whole of it, M'hich, through one of its citizens, (not iiersonally present, CENTENNIAL DINNER. 71 however,) has sent lis its courteous greeting. This section I often heard your Lite colleague, Judge Bullock, apostrojihize in tlic language of his favorite poet and philosopher, CoLERlDGE : "O rare and beauteous island! thou liast Ijeeu Jly sole and most adorable temple." That great man, historian, philosopher and poet, loved that island almost to idolatry, as did that philosopher of whom Pope spoke as possessed of every virtue under heaven, the founder of colleges, libraries and churches, who wrote the immortal prophecy : "■Westward the star of empire takes its way. Time's uoblest oiisxiriug is the last." Well might Berkeley, arid men of culture and leisure and genius, choose their home.s upon that verdant Isle, whose climate is made so genial by the influence of that stream which comes up from the tropics, laden with balmy fragrance "From the sjjicy shore Of Araby the blest" We are remembered, kindly and courteously, by that distinguished gentleman who has shared your favor, (though the breath of popular favor is always unstable.) I will read a letter from the learned author of Treatises on International Law, the lion. William Beach Lawrence, of Newport. [The letter having been mislaid, it Is necessarily omitted in this report.] Mr. Bradley. We have among us a distinguished guest who has acquired fame and fortune in other States, although he is proud to date his nativity from this town. I will Introduce to you Mr. MosES Fierce, now of Xorwich, Conn., but formerly one of our own citizens. 72 CENTENNIAL DINNER. REMARKS OF MOSES PIERCE, ESQ. Mr. President : During the rebellion which has just been put down, I liave looked with pride upon what ray native State has done in tlie raising of men, and upon tlieir heroic action in battle. And I have liad an especial eye upon this town, where I first drew breath, and where I spent some seventeen years of my earl}' life. But I cannot but think, at this moment, that you must be largely indebted to my old friend, the chairman of your committee, for your success in raising recruits, if, indeed, he took the same advantage of them which he did of me, in making his application to me to be present here, while I was in the church, completely absorbed in the celebration, without one idea of making a speech ; for I le of voluntary collections. But there is a growth of formality and a loss of spirituality which want of religious freedom particu- larly superinduces." But, notwithstanding all the imperfections of old Rhode Island, I feel attached to her and cannot help it. The village of Pawtucket, — wluit was it when I came here, sixty years ago? Our orator, to-day, has given some description of it. I believe there were but fifty houses within half a mile of the bridge, on both sides of the river. It was a steady population, — a pretty regidar population, — until ship-building came in and brought a set of Iiands rather wanting in stability. Afterwards, cotton mills came in, and emploj-ers were obliged to pick up hands from all quarters. It was exceedingly uncomfortable, and tills class of people were very unpopular. And even against Mr. Sla- ter, — would you think it of a man so famous ? — there was a prejudice because he was an Englishman and a foreigner. This lasted some time, and attached to everything pertaining to cotton manufacturing. JosiAU Wilkinson did not want Mr. Slater to form a connection with his S8 CENTENNIAL DINNER. * daughter. Wlieu the two Latter were m conversation, one evening, Josiah abruptly said, " Hannah, it is time for thee to go to bed." Tiiat showed the prejudice he had against Mr. Slater, and tliat he did not want his daughter to continue tlie conversation. The manufacturers were obliged to pick up all sorts of help, in every place, from Dan to Beersheba. They could get no other than such as they did. Peo[)le considered the place a very nest of corruption and disorder, with a helter-skelter population. They compared it to " forty live crabs in a bucket." Mr. Pierce has noted a singular peculiarity in the fact that they had to pick cotton by hand, — the long-staple cotton. In my jiarochial visits, I would often find the women each with a basket of cotton waste before them, and they got as mucli for picking the waste as the cotton has been sold for, ordinarily, before the war. I cannot go into details concerning the Sunday-school cause. Capt. Dexter and myself disagree a little about dates. I was not present at the formation of the first Sunday school. I came to the place a short time afterwards. I became chief manager of the Sunday school. I have sub- scription papers in my possession on which cotton mill owners were the only subscribers to the funds for procuring preachers, teachers, books, and everything that was required. Mr. Bradley. There is one theme which, at every festival gatherino-, is left to the last. That must be the worthiest and the best. And I shall call upon the most acceptable person, namely, the bachelor clergyman, to answer to the last regular toast, which is — The Ladies— While we acconl to man clue praise for his enterprise and labors, we do not forget that woman, by her virtues and graces, her aftections and s.acrifioes, her restrain- ing influences and wholesome admonitions, contributes lier full share to those features of society and those enterprises most acceptable to the Creator and His creatures. I will call upon Mr. Spauldixg to respond. REMARKS OF MR. C. H. SPAULDING. Mr. President: I hardly know wherein consists the peculiar sacredness of this subject, that a clergyman should be called upon to speak in reference to it. It was CENTENNIAL DINNER. 89 with great reluctance that I consented to do so. I think, perhaps, that I could have found greater inspiration at an earlier hour than this. But there is some left, surely. We, to-day, are celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of this town. We have seen that there was a link which allied the town to the nation and to the commonwealth. It becomes me now to say that there is another step in this gradation, — an ultimate point which is strongly allied to the town, through the town to the commonwealth, and through the com- monwealth to the nation. Need I say that that ultimate point is the home where is felt the influence of the Christian mother and of the Christian system. I read before me, to-day, in a most beautiful pro^jhecy of the future, what is to pi-oceed from the home ; for I see " Louisiana " (or the lady bearing the name of that State) beside " Maine." I see, singular!)- enough, " Rhode Island " between " Florida " and " Tennessee." I see all these States linked together, to-day, in this beautiful picture. And what is the influence that is to effect this ? It is the influence of Christian mothers and of Christian sisters. Through the influence of these, there is to be brought about a beautiful fulfillment of the prophecy, '" Mei-cy and Truth have met together : Rijihteousness and Peace have kissed each other." I will mention two incidents which will illustrate the point. We have no more beautiful picture, in our American histor}', than that of our im- mortal Washington, about to depart from his home to the high and responsible offices which awaited him, receiving the benediction of a Chris- tian mother. I recollect, when a lad, hearing the orator of the day, on some great festive occasion, make the statement : "This George Wash- ington had a good mother, and that was tlie secret of his greatness." And so we may say that there is a great deal of unwritten and unrecorded heroism which proceeds from the home where a mother has sent forth to the war, with a " God bless you, my son," those who have fought and suffered for us, yea, died for us ; and we, to-day, through their unwritten heroism, are enjoying the fruits of peace, which wc trust will be as lasting as time. There is one other incident to which I will allude, and that is the letter which was written to Mrs. Lincoln by Queen Victoria of England. Ever since the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria has presented one of the most beautiful spectacles of grief and son-ow which the world 12 90 CENTENNIAL DINNER. has known ; and who, more fittingly than herself, could have written a letter of condolence to Mrs. Lincoln in the hour of her great sorrow ? Yes, in the picture before me we read a beautiful prophecy of the future greatness of our country. Me. Bradley. I am almost unwilling to say anything which shall disturb the picture, in living canvass, to which the speaker alludes. I would we might carry the memory of it with us when we leave this place. But I fear that it is nearly time to bring the exercises to a close. The pleasure we have had has been largely owing to the kindness of the gen- tlemen who have addressed you. The following volunteer sentiment was given : The Xew Pol,iCE Couet of Pawtpcket — Behold " a second Da-SEEI, come to judgment." Responded to by Mr. Damel Wllkinson. REMARKS OF MR. DANIEL WILKINSON. There used to be a play among young folks, when I went to see the girls, called " cross questions and unlucky answers," and I think this illus- trates it exactly. I was notified that there was a sentiment to be read applying to me, but they would not tell me what It was. You may all take off your hats to me imtil the first day of July. The court will not be organized till then. After that, if any of these gentlemen, clergymen or laymen, are brought before me, as Justice, I shall endeavor to administer to them according to their deserts, and treat them more fairly than I have been treated in this respect. Mr. Bradlet. Is it your pleasure that we shall hear what remains to be beard from the lips of the beautiful and fair ? If so, we will turn to them in silence. "America " was then sung bv a choir of voung ladies, the band accom- panying them. ]\Ir. Bradley. Let us close this celebration with the wish, that the good old mother town will not wait another hundred years before she assembles her children under the roof-tree of the old homestead again. APPENDIX NOTE. In the preparation of the foregoing address, I have been haunted by the dread of making it too long. For this reason I have omitted many things, whicli, tlimigli interest- ing, seemed of minor consequence. Now that the final sentence is penned, I find that I could have used more space without rebuke. I therefore append, at the suggestion of some of our older citizens, the "Reminiscences of David Wilkinson." These have been pre- viously published, but are not, |>erhaps, generally accessible. It has also seemed to me desirable to publish, in a shape convenient for preservation, a history of the various bridges built over the Pawtucket. This history was published in the Gazette and Chronicle of April 8th, 18«. M. G. APPENDIX. DAVID WILKINSON'S REMINISCENCES. Autumn, 1846. IN APRIL, 1776, Eleazer Smith, who had been at work for Jere- miah Wilkinson, junior, a Quaker, of Cumberland, came to my father's blacksmith shop, which was making scythes, in the town of Cum- berland, Ehode Island, to make a machine to manufacture card-teeth, for Daniel Anthony, of Providence, who was going into the card-making business. While at work. Smith told my father of Jeremiah Wilkin- son's making card-tacks of cold iron. In laying the strip of leather around the hand-card, he lacked four large tacks to hold the corners in place while driving the tacks around the outer edge. He took a plate of an old door- lock off the floor, cut four points with shears, and made heads In the vice : but afterwards made a steel bow with scores in it, and put it ni the vice, and in that way made tacks. I think, in 1777, my flither made a small pinch-press, with different sized Impressions, placed on an oak log, with a stirrup for the foot, and set me astraddle on the log, to heading nails, which were cut with common shears. He cut the points off of plates drawn liy trip-hammer. This was the commencement, in the world, of making nails from cold iron. I think, about 1820, I went to Cumberland with Samuel Greene, my nephew, and purchased of Jeremiah Wilkinson the old shears with which he cut the first four nails. He was, I think, ninety years of age at that time. The shears were a pair of tailor's shears, with bows straight- 94 APPENDIX. ened out, and tlic blades cut off lialf the lengtli. They were deposited with the Historical Society, in Providence, by Samuel Greexe. My father, OziEL Wilkinson, lived in the town of Smithficld, Ehode Island, in 177o, at the commencement of the war, and owned a blacksmith shop, with a hammer worked by water. It was here, Eleazek Smith made the machine for Daniel Anthony. I was then about five years old, and my curiosity was so great to see the work going on, that my father set me on Mr. Smith's bench, to look on, while he worked. And at this time, — seventy years afterwards, — I could make a likeness of nearlj^ every piece of that machine, — so durable are the first impressions on the mind of youth. After Smith had finished the machine, so as to make a perfect card-tooth, he told the people in the shop that he could make a machine to make the tooth, prick the leather, and set the tooth, at one operation. Jeremiah Wilkinson carried on the business of making hand-cards for carding sheep's wool, and it being difficult to import wire, he drew the wire out by horse power. In 1784 or 1785, my father put the anchor shop in operation at Paw- tucket Falls, on the Blackstone Kiver, in Xorth Providence, Ehode Island. About this time, I heard of cotton yarn being made in or near East Greenwich, in which John Reynolds and James Macareis, who em- ployed a Mr. Mackwire, or Maguire, to make yarn on a jenny, for which I forged and ground spindles. I made a small machine to grind with, which had a roller of wood to roll on the stone, which turned the spindle against the stone, and so ground the steel spindles perfectly. I heard of no ma- chines for cardinn% making clothiers' screws. He was welding an iron guide on the end of his taj), and forcing it through a socket with an iron bar, by hand, which was the old imperfection that troubled me always. I could hear of no other in New York. I had heard of one in Canaan, in Con- necticut. I went on board a sloop, old Captain WiCks, of Long Island, master, bound for Albany. In five days I landed at Fishkill, and went ashore, and walked some thirty miles to Canaan. I found screws made there by Foruks & Adajis, by water power, but they welded on, and forced through a socket in the old way. I heard of screws being made in Canaan, from AnuAM Burt, of Taunton, Massachusetts. He called at Pawtucket, and looking at the old machine I was at work with by horse power, said he had been making screws, at Canaan, by water power ; that he could " set his cutter in the socket, draw the gate, and then it lathered away like the devil," which I fully believed when I saw the machine. I returned to New York, and from there went to Philadelphia, and found no screws made there except after the same mode as in New York. I heard of screws being made on the Brandywine, but my informant assured me they were made the same way as his, and Barton's, at New York. I now returned home ; and, in the year 1797, went on to Philadelphia, when Congress was in session, and made application for a patent ; Mr. Joseph APPENDIX. 101 TiLLTNGHAST, then a Senator from Rhode Island, assisting me. On my return home, my father informed me tliat Jacob Perkins had been there, and wanted to sec my maciiine ; and that when he saw it, he laughed out, and remarked that he could do his engraving on cast steel, for bank-note plates, with that machine ; that he could make a hair stroke with that, for it would never tremble ; that he could put an oval under the end of the rut, and, with an eccentric, make all his oval figures. I suppose Mr. Pekkins afterwards derived great benefit from the thin"-. Whilst I Avas at work on Slateii's machinery, the owners were unwill- ing that I sliould make a slide-lathe on the principle of my screw machine, which was made for large turning: it was too heavy for cotton machinery. Mr. Slater said he had heard of one being made in England since he left, which would turn rollers. He wrote to Derbyshire, to his brother, John Slater, to come over, and bring a man who could build one. John came, and brought a Mr. JoHX Blackburn, who made a slide-lathe, which was on the principle of the old Muting machine, with the slide-rest grooved in, in four edges, on two-edged bars, forced in towards each other by wedges, in mortices, behind the tenon. They worked this lathe some few weeks, and then threw it out of doors, and afterwards did their work by the old hand-tool, as before. About that time, my fiither, brothers, brothers-in-law — William W1LKIX8ON and Timothy Greene — and James, William and Chris- topher Rhodes, purchased a water power on the Quinnebaug River, Connecticut, at Pomfret, and commenced building a cotton factory. These owners consented that I might build a gauge-lathe like my large one. I then went to work, and made my patterns in Sylvanus Brown's shop, in Pawtucket. I left out the three friction rollers from under the rut, as for light work and slow motion I was willins to risk the friction. About this time, a company in Providence got a master-machinist from England, named Samuel Ogden, to build a factory at Hope Furnace. He was a man of great experience and good abilities. He advised me, as a friend, to abandon my new machine ; " for," said he, " you can ne'er do it, for we have tried it out and out at 'ome, and given it up ; and don't vou think we should have been doing it at 'owe, if it could have been done ? " Mr. Pitkin, of East Hartford, had an Englishman, named Warbur- TON, with him, building a factory. Warburton told me, " they could 102 APPENDIX. never make our work in Europe ; that Watt & Boltox gave it to a man, for a month's work, to finlsli a piston rod with liaud tools." When I had finished my jiatterns for tlie lathe, and was all ready to start, next morning, for the furnace in Foxborough, Sylvaxus Bkowx took it into his head to put them into the stove and burn them up. I made others then, and got them cast, and made my hitlie, and it worked to a charm. Mr. Richaed Axthoxv, wlio was building a factory in Coventry, with his brother AVilliam, paid me ten dollars for the use of my lathe patterns, to cast after. And this is all I ever received tor so valuable an invention. Captain Bexjamix Walcott, father of the Walcotts at York Mills, Oneida county. New York, and of Edwakd Walcott, of Pawtucket, with Nathan J. Sweetlaxd, put the "live centre" arbour, and the rack, in place of the screw for the feeder, to a lathe they built afterwards. But, on long experience, the screw is found best, and the two " dead centres " will make the truest work, though they are not quite so convenient, perhaps, as the " live centre " arbour. But the two great principles of my machine can never be improved upon, — that is, three beari/u/s to the rest, and loeight to hold it down, where you may weigh your friction to an ounce. The slide-lathe has been sent to all parts of the world. A certain mechanic commenced business in this country, but after using one of my slide-lathes a while, he bought one, and returned to England with it ; remarking, that with that lathe in England, he could do better than at any business he could get into in this country. It was unfortunate for me, patenting my machine when the machine- making and manufacturing business, in this country, was only in its infancv. The patent would run out before it could be brought into very extensive use. It certainly did run out without my deriving that benefit from the invention I was so justly entitled to. One solitary ten-dollar note is surely but small recompense for an improvement that is wcuth all the other tools in use in any workshop in the world, for finishing brass and iron work. The weighted slide, the joint made by gravity, apj)lies to planing, turn- ing, and boring of metals of every kind, and every way, as it needs no watching ; and, instead of wearing out of repair, it is always wearing into repair. I was always too much engaged in various business to look after and APPENDIX. 103 make profit out of mj' inventions. Other people, I hope, gained something by them. We built machinery to go to almost every part of the country, — to Pomfret and Killingly, Connecticut ; to Haitford, Vermont ; to Waltham, Norton, Eaynham, Plymouth, Halifax, Plympton, Middleboro", and other places in ilassachusetts ; for Wall & Wells, Trenton, New Jersey ; for Union & Gray, on the Patapsco ; for the Warren Factories, on the Gun- powder, near Baltimore ; to Tarboro' and Martinburgh, North Carolina ; to two factories in Georgia ; to Louisiana ; to Pittsburgh ; to Delaware ; to Virginia, and other places. Indeed, Pawtucket was doing something for almost every part of the Union, and I had my hands too full of busi- ness, and was laboring too much for the general j^rosperity to take proper care of the details, perhaiis, and the advancement of my own individual interests. In 1829, we all broke down : and, although I was sixty years of age and in very bad healtli, I thought I would move away, and see if I could not earn ray own living. I moved, with my family, to Cohoes Falls, in the State of New Yoi'k, and there fixed my new home. I have since recovered my health wonderfully, and, at this moment, being about seventy-six years old, I am hearty and well, — enjoy my food as well as any one, and can bear a good deal of fatigue and exposure. Few men of my age enjoy their faculties and health l)etter than I do. Have I not much to be thankful for? I have, and am most sincerely thankful to a merciful God for the many and srreat blessings. The prospects at Cohoes were flattering for a time. But nullification, free trade, and such abominations, killed the new village just born. Euro- peans, who were applying for water power at Cohoes, at this time, went away, saying, — now we were going to have free trade, they could do our work cheaper at " 'onie " than they could in this country, and they would build their factories there. We were compelled, now, to get our living where we could, — to go abroad if we could not tret work at home. I went to w^ork on the Dela- ware and Raritan Canal, in New Jersey : then on the St. Lawrence improvements, in Canada ; then to Ohio, on the Sandy and Beaver Canal ; then to the new Wire Bridge, on the Ottawa Piver, at Bvtowu, 104 APPENDIX. Canada, and Virginia. Wlierevev I could find anytiiing to do, I went ; and it is wonderful how I endured exposure to wet and cold as I did. In 183.5-6, while engaged on the St. Lawrence Kiver, I met a gentle- man at Kingston, who advised me to go back of the Rideau Lake, to get what I wanted, about seventy miles north of Kingston, to a village named Perth, which was siven to the officers and soldiers who served in the late war with the United States. At the hotel at Perth, the landlord showed me a silver clasp, which was taken from the leg of a large eagle which was shot in the village. The plate, or clasp, was from some place in Connec- ticut ; I do not remember the town, nor the person's name ; but directed to Henrt Clay. It was after the war, and the bearer of the express proba- bly thought he might safely take a circuitous route through the British provinces. But these Canadians didn't like the name of Heney. Clay ; his policy had too anti-British a tendency to suit them ; so they took the poor express eagle as a spy, I suppose, and refused to sell the clasp at any price. Perhaps they wanted to have the story to tell, that our American eagle had been struck to them, at least. These are the recollections of an old man, and you will please take them for what they are worth. If they are worth anything to any one, I shall be glad. To yourself, I believe they will be valuable, and be the means of recalling many ^ileasant incidents of olden times, and of an old friend. David Wilkinson. CoJioes, Albany County, N. Y., December 1, 184G. Rev. George Taft, Pawtuchet, R. I. HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET BRIDGES. The following interesting history of the bridges built over the Paw- tucket Eiver was presented by the Presidents of Firewards, at the annual meeting of the District of Pawtucket, held on April 4tli, 18G4 : The Presidents of Firewards take this opportunity to congratulate the APPENDIX. 105 citizens of the District upon being relieved from all liabilities assumed by them more than six years ago, toward the erection of the stone bridge across the river in this village. It will be renioinbered, by most of you, that bonds to the anioiuit of twelve tliousaiid dollars were issued by the District, tlic payment of which was assumed and guaranteed by the .State of Rhode Island. Tlie last of these bonds, for two thousands dollars, fell due on the first day of July last, and was paid, thereby relieving the District from any further liabilities. As the building of the present stone bridge, of such a substantial and permanent character, was an event of the greatest importance to the busi- ness and travel of our village, it has been suggested that a brief and com- prehensive sketch or history of the \arlous bridges across the river at this place, running back nearly or quite one hundred and fifty years, might prove interesting to the present inhabitants, and find a place on the records of the District, which can be referred to in years to come. From an examination of the State records of Rhode Island and Massa- chusetts, it has been ascertained that, up to the year 174(3, the bridges were built and kept in repair by the two States jointly. In 1712, a joint com- mittee was appointed by the two States, to make a thorough examination of the bridge then standing, and, if in their judgment they deemed it necessary, they were authorized and empowered to destroy the old bridge and build a new one. At that time, the bridge crossed the river over the " Fishing Rock," (so called,) a little south of the present locality, and the road passed up through the coal-yard to Main street. The bridge and the roads connected with it, at that time, constituted a part of the great thoroughfare for travel from Boston, tlu-ough the State of Rhode Island, to New York. In 17-J:fj, the General Assembly of Rhode Island appointed a connnittee to run a new boundary line between this State and Massachusetts, and from that time up to the present, Massachusetts has refused to appropriate any money towai'ds said bridge, or to exercise any ownership or control over it. From 1712 to 1840, Rhode Island, as appears by tlie records of the General Assembly, took action and passed votes and resolutions in more than eighty instances, in relation to the Pawtucket Bridge. The records of the town of North Providence also show various reso- 14 106 APPENDIX. lutions and votes, — the appointment of committees, and the apjiropriatlon of money for repairs and toward the erection of the bridge. On tlie loth day of February, 1807, about two-thirds of the west end of tiie bridge was swept away by wliat is called the " Great Freshet." The General Assembly of Rhode Island took immediate action in the matter, and appointed Abraham Wilkinson, who was the Representative from North Providence at the time, a committee to rebuild the bridge, and an appropriation was made for that purpose. In 1817, the bridge was rebuilt, (under the direction of JoHN W. Dex- ter, Surveyor of Highways for North Providence,) principally by an appropriation from the town of North Providence. In 1832, the bridge was again rebuilt, under the supervision and direc- tion of Messrs. Clark Sayles and Isaac Ellis, at an expense of about sixteen hundred dollars, — six hundred of which was an appropriation from the town of North Providence, and the balance of one thousand dollars, by subscription made by the inhabitants on both sides of the river. In 1839, the bridge needing repairs, much dissatisfaction was expressed by the tax-payers of North Providence at being further taxed, believing that the bridtje belonged to the State of Rhode Island, and that the State should bear the expense. Messrs. Stephen Randall, Jr., and Edward S. Wilkinson who were the members of the General Assembly from North Providence, commenced an examination of the i^ecords of the Gen- eral Assembly, to ascertain who rightfully should maintain the bridge. Commencing back nearly or quite one hundred and fifty years, and making a careful and minute examination, up to the year 1839, they found the evidence so strong, that, at the January session of the General Assembly in 1810, Mr. Wilkinson introduced a resolution into that body, appoint- ing a committee " to ascertain who is bound to keep the bridge over Paw- tucket Falls in repair." Messrs. Randolph, of Newport, Mathewsox, of Scituate, E. R. Potter, of South Kingstown, Spencer, of Warwick, and Bosworth, of Warren, were that committee. Subsequently, Wil- liam A. Robinson, of South Kingstown, was appointed in the place of E. R. Potter. The committee of the General Assembly held several meetings, and the evidence that had been collected by Messrs. Randall and Wilkinson was laid before them. After hearing all the evidence, the committee came APPENDIX. 107 to the unanimous conclusion that the bridge was State property, and that it was incumbent on tlie State to maintain and keep it in repair. In accordance with that decision, they submitted their report to the May ses- sion of the General Assembly, with a recommendation that the Providence and Pawtucket Turnpike (which then had become State property) be extended through Pleasant and Main streets in the villase of Pawtucket to the Massachusetts line, including the Pawtucket Bridge. In accordance with that report, at that same session the following act was passed : " Be it enacted hy the General Assembly as folloivs : " That said road be, and the same Is hereby extended as the road is now established from the present northern termination thereof, to the Massachusetts line, including the bridge at Pawtucket Falls, in the town- ship of North Providence and in the village of Pawtucket ; and the agent of said turnpike, for the State, is hereby directed to take charge of said bridge and additional I'oad, and keep the same in proper repair. And said agent is also hereby required to make an annual report to the General Assembly at its January session." At a special session of the General Assembly in March, 1842, the following resolutions were introduced by Mr. Edward S. Wilkinson, and adopted : '■'■Resolved, That Stephen Eandall, Jr., Gideon L. Spencer and Edward S. Wilkinson be authorized to erect a substantial wood bridge over the falls at Pawtucket, provided the exjiense thereof does not exceed the sum of three thousand dollars. " Resolved, That the agent of the State having charge of the Pawtucket Turnpike Road, be directed (after having paid for the necessary repairs of said road) to retain in his hands the balance of the moneys that may be collected on the said turnpike, from and after the 1st day of April, 1842, for the purpose of paying the expense of erecting the aforesaid bridge ; and to pay over the aforesaid amount of three thousand dollars to the order of the Building Committee, in such sums and at such times as they may require." 108 APPENDIX. The committee at once entered into a contract with jNIr. Albert Cot- TRELL, of Ne\v])i)rt, and a new bridge was built in the suninier of 1843, for $3000. Complaints being made to the General Assembly, at their January session, 1857, that tiie bridge was very much out of repair, and even dangerous for travel, they appointed a committee, consisting of Jonathan C. Kenton, of North Providence, Stephen N. Mason, of Smithfield, Nathaniel Spaulding, of Smithfield, and James C. Moulton, of Cumberland, and Ohadiah Brown, of North Providence, to examine Pawtucket Bridge, and decide whether the present bridge could be re- paired, or whether a new bridge would have to be erected. The town of North Providence, at their April town meeting of the same year, appointed a committee, consisting of John H. Weeden, Gideon L. Spencer, Andrew K. Slade, Enoch Brown and Edward S. Wilkin- son, to meet and confer with the State committee in rerrard to the bridge. Early that season, the State committee met at Pawtucket ; the town com- mittee met at the same time, and a thorough examination of the bridtte was made. The State committee came to the unanimous conclusion that it was absolutely necessary to erect a new bridge, and that it ought to be done immediately. Some estimates were made of the cost of a new bridge, and it was found that to build a bridge of wood would cost five or six thousand dollars; to erect a stone bridge would incur an expense of twelve or fifteen thousand dollars. The State committee raised the objection, that the con- stitution prohibited the General Assembly from creating a debt exceeding the sum of fifty thousand dollars, and that the debt of the State already amounted to about that sum. The State committee, with the constitutiona' objection, could not see their way clear to recommend the erection of a bridge by the State, and decided to rej)ort the facts. At this stage of the proceedings, Mr. P^dward S. Wilkinson, one of the town committee, stated that he had foreseen the constitutional objection, and had been maturing, in his own mind, some pliui to overcome the diffi- culty. He then made the proposition, — that the General Assembly should authorize the District of Pawtucket to issue its bonds for the purpose of raising funds to build a stone bridge. At the same time, the General Assembly should pledge the net amount of tolls, collected from the Provi- dence and PawtUL'ket Turnpike, for the payment of principal and interest APPENDIX. 109 of said bonds. He estimated that a stone bridge could be erected for about twelve thousand dollars. From a careful examination of the receipts of the turnpike, the last ten years, a basis could be arrived at to fix the income for the next few years. Upon that basis, he estimated that a small annual appropriation from the State treasury, together with the annual income from the road, two thousand dollars of the principal and the interest on said bonds would be paid each year, and that, in the course of six years, the whole amount of bonds would be liquidated. This plan was favorably received, and, at the request of the committee, he drew up an act, embrac- ing the main features as proposed, and also a statement containing an esti- mate of the receipts of tolls for the next six years, and also a statement of the estimated amount that would annually be required to be paid from the State treasury. The State committee made their report at the next session, recommend- ing the erection of a stone bridge, which report was accepted and adopted. Subsequently the following act was passed : "AN ACT IN RELATION TO PAWTUCKET BRIDGE. " It is enacted htj the General Assembly as follows : " Section 1. Lewis Fairbrother, Enoch Brown and Daniel Wilkinson are hereby appointed commissioners to receive proposals for the erection of a stone bridge across the Pawtucket Eiver, at the east end of the State turnpike, and to superintend the erection of the same, jjrovided its total cost shall not exceed the sum of twelve thousand dollars. '• Sec. 2. The ' District of Pawtucket ' are hereby authorized and empowered, at any regular meeting of said District, to issue bonds not exceeding the sum of twelve thousand dollars, bearing interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum, payable semi-annually. The proceeds of said bonds are to be used by the commissioners to defray the costs of the erection of the aforesaid bridge. " Sec. 3. Tiie net amount of tolls collected from the State turnpike are hereby appropriated, together with such other sum as may be found necessaiy, to be paid from the State treasur}', for the purpose of liquidating the interest on the aforesaid bonds, and two thousand dollars of the princi- pal of said bonds annually until the whole are discharged. 110 APPENDIX. " Sec. 4. The agent of the State turnpike is hereby directed to retain, in his hands, the net amount of tolls collected from said turnpike, and from the same to pay the interest on the aforesaid bonds, and draw on the General Treasurer for such amount as may be necessary to annually dis- charge the amount to be paid as specified in the preceding section." The commissioners, under the act, at once secured the services of Sam- uel B. Gushing, Esq., of Providence, as engineer, to draft a plan, with specification, for a stone bridge. Proposals were advertised for, and when opened, the commissioners found that such a bridge as was designed and needed could not be built for the amount appropriated by the State. Fifteen thousand dollars would be required. The District of Pawtucket authorized their treasurer to issue bonds to the amount of twelve thousand dollars, — two thousand dollars of which were to mature annually. The bonds were issued and pliiced in the hands of the commissioners. Applica- tion was made to the towns of North Providence and Pawtucket to con- tribute the three thousand dollars wanted to make up the fifteen thousand dollars. By votes in special town meetings, those two towns contributed the sum of fifteen hundred dollars each. With the fifteen thousand dollars thus secured, the commissioners at once entered into a contract with Mr. Luther Kinsley, of Fall River, to build the bridge, and, at the same time, engaged Samuel B. Cusiiing, Esq., as engineer, to superintend the work. The heavy rains of that summer rendered it hazardous to commence the work that season, and the commissioners concluded to delay the work till the following year. Durinji the fiill and winter of 1857, the stone was being quarried and put in shape. All due preparations being made, on the sixth (lav of July, ISoS, travel was suspended on the old bridge, and its demolition commenced. From that day the work was vigorously prose- cuted ; and the present stone bridge, built complete in all its parts, was opened for travel on the fourth day of November, 1858. The event was one of sifrnal satisfaction to all of our citizens, and the day was given u}) to [lulilic re;joicings. The bridge is an ornament to our village. Its beauty and svmnietry have been the admiration of all who have seen it, reflecting the highest credit upon Mr. Gushing, the engineer, and Mr. Kinsley, the APPENDIX. Ill builder. It will stand long after all those who now travel over it have passed into the spirit-land. Time, only, can work its decay. The foregoing brief history discloses the fact, that to our fellow-citizen, Mr. Edward S. Wilkinson, this community are, in a very great degree, indebted for the present noble structure, and we take pleasure in thus putting upon record the merit that is due him. Respectfully submitted. G. A. MUMFORD, Secretary Presidents of Firewards. Pawtucket, April 4th, 1864. INDEX 15 INDEX. Adains, John, President •''** Albert, Prince *' Allen, Benjamin . . ^ Allen, Zachariali •'_'__ Allendale Baptist Clmrcli 57 Alniy & Brown ^0'-_>^ Ahuy, Brown & Slater «+ Anilrew, Gov. John A 53, 54 Angell, Elder ^» Angell, Lemuel Ifi, 38, 77 Anthony, Daniel i'3, 'J-t, '.15 Anthony, Daniel, Jr !'•'' Anthony, Josejih •'■^ Anthony, Richard '■•>', 10- Anthony, Willi.am 'J'^ Ark Wright "Water-Frame US Armington, Henry 5. '> Arnold, Asa i'^ " " invents Diflerential Speeder... 40 Arnold, Major Gen. Olney 5, 2fi Arnold, Thomas ^i 37 Axletree, rolling, for railroads, invented by Gardner Wilkinson 09, 100 Bailey, Col. Charles E 84 Baldwin, Col. Noami . . 9!) Bank, Farmers and Miudianics 44 Fir.st National, of Pawtiu.'ket ... 44 Manufacturers 44 New Englamt Pacific 44 North Providence 44 Pawtuoket Institution for Havin.'is 4.'i Bank, Poples 44 Phenix H Providenci' County Savings ... 45 Slater 41 Battle of Ilhoile Islaml ■ . ■ 95 Benedict, Rev. David, 1(1, 53, .54, .55, .59, C.l, 79, 85 Beverly, Mass '^ Blaeklmrn, John 95 Blaekstone, William -5 Blackstone River 25, 32 Blake, Rev. 55 Blodget, Rev. C 5<>> ■''9 Boston, Mass 28 Boundary Line, Massachus(^tts and Uhodc Island *' Bradley, Charles S., 05, (i8, 70, 71, 74, 78, 83, 88, 90 Brass Foundry 37 Braytou, Hon. George A 09, 83 Brown Bridge 73 Brown, Enoch 10*^ Brown, James S Ifi, 31, 40 Brown, John '">. -^ Brown, Joseph O" Brown. .Tosejih F ' Brown, Moses 28, 30, 31, 33, 79, 94, 9(! Browni, Nicholas 90 Erown, Obadiah .5, 84, 85 Brown. Sylvanus 31, 32, 101,102 Brown University •>^. '•'' Buiklin's Island ''3 Buck'in, Col. S. i: ^ P.ullofk, Hon. J. U. 'I P.uuU.'r Hill ... "-' 116 INDEX. Bnrnsidd, Major Geu. A. E 52 Burt, Abnim ' 100 Callender's Historical Discourse S7 Calico printing 41 Camljridge Bricl<;e, iron worl< cast in Xortli Providence 27, !)!) Canals 22, S)!l, 100 Cannon cast hy Oavid Wilkinson :5U Card-tacks made from cold iron !)3 Census of North Providenc(! 22 Charlestown, Mass 25 Cliiiipewanoxsctt 73 Chocolate mill 37 Church, Allendale B.aiitist, 57 First Baptist, I'rovideiu'e 53 First Bajitist, North Providenc-;.. . 54 First Methodist 5fi Fu'st Universalis! .511 Hifjh Street Bai]tist 5(i of Immaculate Conc'cption 57 Mill Street Universalist 5(1 Pawtucket Congregational oij St Mary's 57 St. Paul's 55 Second Bajttist 55 Clay, Henry 104 (!ooney, Rev. E. 1 57 Corliss & Nightingale 41, 43 Cotton manufacture, 28, 2'J, .30, 32, 33, .34, 3(!, 3S. 39, 40,41, 7.3, 82, !)3, 04, il5, yii, Slil, 100, 101 Cottrell, Albert 108 Cranston, li. 1 17, :M, 07 Cumberland, K. 1 25 Gushing, Samuel B 110 Davis, Hon. Thomas 74 De Lany, Rev. P. G 57 Dexter, Andrew 94 Dexter, Gregory 53 Dexter, John \V I0(i Dexter, Newton S 94 Dexter, N. G. B Hi, 43, 53, 8(), 88 Differential Sjieeder, invented by Asa Ar- nolil 40 Doyle, Hon. Thomas A., letter from 84 Duckworth, Capt Chri.stophi-r 8 Eaton, Ama.sa M . . . .5, l> Ela, Rev. D. H.... ...'xi, 82 Ellis, Isaac . 1 0(> Fairbrother, Lewis 5, 41 Field, J 37 File manufacture 40, 41 Fire Engines in North Providence 7, 43 Flouring null erected 34 Fowler, Samuel M 48 Fox, ( ieorge 81 French, Daniel 98,99 Freshet of Blackstone River 32, 47 Friends, Society of 57 Fulton, Robert 35,98,99 Gloucest,(n' . 17 Goodrich, Rev. Mas.sena (1, 51), 78, 8f) Greene, Samuel. ... IG, 37, 7(i Greene, Timothy 3li, 73, 101 Hair-cloth manufacture . . 34, 41 Harvard College 80 H.arwood, .John C 45 Hatfield, Rev. R. M 5<>' Holliman, Rev. Ezekiel - . .20, 53 Hopkins, Cojn. Esek 49 Hopkins, Prince 95 Hojikins, Gov. Steidien 19 Hurley, Rev. , of Cambridge, Mass.. . 2f> Iron manufacture, 20, 20, 27, 32, 34, .36, 40,41 , 93, 94 Jackson, Andrew .'. 33 Jack.son, Daniel 94 Jack.son, John 94 Jackson, Samuel 94 Jeft'ers, William 43 Jenks, Rev. Ebenezer 21 Jenks, Joseph, Gen 21, 22, 24, 86 .Jenks, Jeremiah .' 73 Jenks, Moses 73 Jenks, M.ajor Nathaniel 21 Jenks, Primus 31 Jenks, Pardon 73 Jenks, Stephen 2(>, 73 Jenckes, William 21 Johnston, Town of 17 Kenyon, Jonathan C 108 Kinnicutt, Shubael 43 Kinsley, Luther 110 Lafayette, Marquis de 50, 51, 72, 96 Lathe (Slide), patented by David Wilkin- son 35 INDEX. 11" Lawi'ence, Amey 'J^ Lawrence, Hon. William Beach 71 Leather Diaiiufacturo 3G, 37, 41 Leather belts first used in North Providence 'J5 Lime manufacture •'*' Lincoln, JIis. Abraham 89 Liudlej-, Joshua 9* Lyman, Judf^e 38, 31), 40 Macarris, James ^4 Manchester, Dr. Cliarles K 21, 74 Manchester Hall I'3 Mann, Aaron 94 JIann, Samuel V 94 Mason, Stephen N 108 Meacham, Randall 4 j Slilitia 7, 52, 05 Jloshauticut, Providence, City and town of. Public Schools 17, l.S, 'Jl, -1-1,-jri. .51, 3.". 47, 4.H, r,:; Quaker Lane. Nail manufacture . . . Newspapers Nickerson, Ansel D .27, U3 ...45 ... 40 Ogden, Col., of New Jersey 'JS Trial between Col. O. and Kobert Fulton 08 Ogden, Samuel 101 Olney, John ID Olney, CaiJt. Stephen .jO, 51, 57, 72, 74 Olney, Capt. Tliomas 10 Ormsbee, Elijah 34, 07 Pawtucket, E.I 21, 31 Pawtucket, Mass 21, 36, 41 Pawtucket Bridge, act iu relation to 100 " " History of 104 Pawtucket Hair-Clotli Comi^any 34, 41 Pawtucket Light Guard 7, 52, O.j Pawtucket River. .20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 20, 20, 35, 4i; Pawtucket Turnpike 107, 108 Peck, Lewis 04 Perkins, Jacob 101 Perry, Com. Oliver H 46 Pierce, Capt., killed near the Pawtucket River 22 Pitcher & Gale 40 Potter, Abel 20 Potter, E. 41 •Potter, Rachel 20 Rimdall, Stephen "' Rehoboth, Mass 21 , .34 Religion loose in Rhode Island *^7 Reynolds, John 04 Rhodes, Christopher 101 Rhodes, Rev. Christopher 57 Rhodes, James "" Rhodes, William 101 Rhode Island Historical Society 04 Rhode Island Society for the Kucourage- ment of Domestic Industry 2.s Ilichmond & Sons 41 Ilobbin.s, Charles 07 llobinsou, George - ■ ''7 Uousmaniere, H. & 'T. E 4:i S.-iyles, CLark 100 Sayles, William F 5,84,8.", Scituate, Town of 17 Scott, Lieut. Gen. Winfleld 52 Screw cutting 27, 28, 07, 100 Sear.s, Rev. Barnas 00, 8(> Seekonk,Mass -1 Sergeant's Trench 24 Shepard, Francis H b' Sherman, Robert 45 Shiji-building ■ ^7 Slade, Andrew R 108 Slater, John 101 Slater, Samuel, 26,29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 53,54, 85,87,88,95,96,101 Slitting mill erected 34 Smith, Rev. C. E 12 Smith, Eleazer 03, 04 Smith, Gov. James Y 83 Smitlifield, Town of 17, 27, 44 Snuft' manufacture 'M South Boston Bridge 09 SpaiUding, Rev. C. H 88 Spauldlng, Nathaniel 1 08 Spencer, Gideon L 107, 108 Steamboats in Narragansett Bay, 34, 35, 77, 97 Steere, Thomas 73 Stevens, Col. John, of Hoboken, N.J... . 0« Story, Chief Justice 24 25 Sturtevant, William H 45 118 INDEX. Sullivun, Majiir (Jcueral Joliu !i."i .Suiulay Schools .>j, .14, ^2 Swan Point 73 S weatland, Natlian .J 102 Taft, Kev. Georse 55, 57, 5'J, (>5, 79, 8G Taxes :«l Thomas, Hiram H 5 Thorp-i, J :«) Tifft, ftlder 55 Tillinghast, Joseph L., Senator from Rliode Island 101 Tillingliast, I'ardon E 11 Tobacco 38 Uliham, Eev. S. F 5i> Victoria, Queen «l Walcott, Cai)t. Benjamin 102 Walker. Nathaniel 73 W.alker, William K 7 Ward. Gov 1 y Warner, Kaehel 20 Washlinrn, Uf'V. Israel .10 Wasliiiii;ton, (ien (Teorj;e (it; We«deu,JohnH 108 Wen.scnft, North Providence )iroposed to he called IS WestA^ott, KiUv.ard 1(12 Wilkinson, Ahraham 27, 3!), 73 Wilkinson, Daniel .5, (i, l(i, 27, 73, 84, 8.5, ^-^ - - - . - ^^ - . . ■ , u <^> V V , 4>^ , " . , <« „V . . . . , ^0^ ^-^ C^°-^ v'5'-^ .^^ -^^ V--^ \"-' .. ^ j,0 -r-, ' '• .^ ° '-^ A' ^0' "^^ <*-, •aO^ \'---V ^^S^V \'---^y ^'--•. c" , • ' .'V -c, • . . < .0 >2.^ = • 4 O A .1* • .Jr'J^K. <^^ ^/r7->z>- ..\*^ .''-".'■'. t/.o'^ o V ■6- . * xV ->■ ^^ O^ -^c ^:- ^ "1^, ^°--^ A •^^' ^r<- o " , .^ ■MT- .^ C, vT ■ < o a^ ^ °- <> o ,