Rhode Island
Genealogy Express

A Part of Genealogy Express
 

Welcome to
Newport County, Rhode Island

History & Genealogy


 

Newspaper Excerpts
 
Source: Baltimore Patriot - Maryland
Dated: Apr. 7, 1828
     There is no spot, of its size, on earth containing so much wealth, enterprise, industry, comfort and morality, as Rhode Island ~ Prov. Patriot.
     To this may be added - that Rhode Island, small as it is, has been as fruitful in eminent men as any state in the union, be it ever so large.  As early as 1723, it was the residence of that truly eminent and widely celebrated divine and philosopher, Dean BERKLEY, afterwards Bishop of Cloyne.  It is said that he wrote his minute philosopher while there.  The first anatomical and surgical lectures ever delivered in America, (about 1760) were given at Newport by Dr. William HUNTER.  A year or two after, lectures on electricity, with the Franklinian experiments, were given by Solomon SOUTHWICK, the father of the gentleman of the same name in Albany.  From about 1756, there was more general literature in Newport, and through the Island, then perhaps any other park of America, owning to a very well selected public library given by Abraham REDWOOD, Esq., a very opulent and generous person belonging to the Society of Friends.  He gave five hundred pounds sterling for the books in London.  These were selected by a colony agent with great judgment, and some were added by private donations President STYLES was its librarian between twenty and thirty years.  After British army took possession of the Island, this valuable selection of books was despoiled of a great portion of the English classics, histories, voyages and travels, and whatever came under the head of entertaining books - The library is still respectable.
     Among military men, Rhode Island gave to the nation General GREEN and Commodore PERRY.  - The once very beautiful scenery which embellished the Island, and its character for healthfullness, drew to it every summer numbers of opulent invalids, with not a few men of property, who sought pleasure and agreeable residence. - It was the permanent residence of many men of independent fortune past the meridian of life, from different parts of Europe and from the West India Islands who choose that spot in which to spend their days.  This accounts for the large number of Tories, or gentlemen who wished for no alteration in government, and the habitual order of things.
     Beside very handsome country seats, taht Island contained three gardens that merited in some measure the name of Botanical gardens, having green-houses, and hot houses, with curious foreign plants.  Those belonging to Malbone, Redwood and Bowler, were the most distinguished - The most elegant and costly dwelling house in the twelve colonies, was the country-seat of Col. Malborne, which was accidentally burnt before the revolution.  The beautiful spot now belongs to the Nestor of New Bedford.
     Before the revolution, Rhode Island and its capital, Newport, was the most agreeable spot on the Atlantic shores.  It enjoyed a very considerable commerce.  The most lucrative, if not the most moral, was the trade to Africa.  Newport was then a lively, genteel and literary town from the causes already mentioned, and Providence was comparatively small.  But after the British took possession of it, the town of Providence rose rapidly on the ruins of the capital.  The British destroyed upwards of 900 buildings of all descriptions, principally for fuel; and what was equally to be lamented, if not more, they destroyed, through necessity, all the beautiful woods and ornamental trees on that fine Island.  During these calamites, Providence, Bristol, Warren, and several towns on the Narraganset shore increased in size and consequence; leaving the Island, like an old battered shield, held up against the enemy.  If the general government can do any thing to recover it to any condition like its former consequence, they ought in gratitude to do it; for where is the spot in the United States that has suffered so much as Newport on Rhode Island!
     While we are disposed to eulogise Rhode Island, there is one thing we have always regretted, and that is its penal code.  Their prisons were in point of health and propriety far behind those in other states; and the severity of their punishments far more rigorous than in most other of the colonies and states.  There whippings at the cart's tail fell a little short of the Russian knot. after other states had ameliorated their punishments for theft and forgery.  Whether they have seen fit to make any alterations in these respects, we are unable to say; but from the morals and friendly cast of the inhabitants we should hope that they would not remain behind Massachusetts in mitigating the severity of their penal code.
 
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer - Pennsylvania
Dated: April 5, 1889
HAHNEMANN ALUMNI DINE.
The Annual Reunion and Banquet at the Stratford Last Evening.
     The annual reunion and banquet of the Hahneman Alumni Association was held at the Stratford last evening, at which two hundred members and their guests sat down to the table.  A Business meeting preceded the banquet at, which Dr. John C. BUDLONG, of Providence, R. I., surgeon general of the Rhode Island Militia, presided, Dr. Wm. W. Van BAUN, acted as secretary.  Dr. Pemberton DUDLEY read an address in memoriam of the dead members.  The election of officers for 1889 resulted as follows:  President, Hugh PITCAIRN, of Harrisburg; first vice president, Dr. STARR, (Chester); second vice president, J. Heaber SMITH, Boston; third vice president, Allen KROTER, of Trenton; permanent secretary, W. W. Van BAUN; provisional secretary, Clarence BARTLETT; treasurer, W. W. BIGLER; Executive Committee, Chas. KARSNER, W. B. Van LEUNEP, J. W. MESSERVE, J. W. MITCHELL.
    
At the banquet letters and telegrams of regret were read from Governor BEAVER, Postmaster General WANAMAKER, Mayor FITLER, Dr. J. H. McCLELLAND, of Pittsburg, Pa.; William M. SINGERLY, Walter GARRETT, J. Lewis CROZER, Theodore W. BEAN, Robert R. DEARDEN, Adjutant-General HASTINGS, and others.
     The toasts responded to were "The Alumni," Dr. J. C. BUDLONG, of Rhode Island; "The Trustees," Judge William B. HANNA; "The faculty," Dr. A. R. THOMAS; "Higher Medical Education," Dr. TRITES, and "Medical Legislation and for Whom Required, by Dr. Hugh PITCAIRN, of Harrisburg.
Source:  Pawtucket Times - Providence, R. I.
Dated Feb. 24, 1905
DIED.
BENNETT -
At Rhode Island Hospital Feb. 24th, Ann, widow of the late Joseph BENNETT.  Funeral from the residence of their son, John J. BENNETT, 111 Garden St., Sunday, Feb. 30th at 1:30 p.m.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
CHACE - In Providence, Feb. 24th Charles CHACE, in the 65th? year of his age.  Funeral services Sunday, Feb. 26th, at 3 p.m., at the Woodbury Memorial Church, Adelaide Ave., Providence.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
RAMPE - In this city, Feb. 23d Mary H., wife of John W. RAMPE,.  Funeral from her late residence 27 Harrison St.  Saturday Feb. 25t)th.  Requiem mass at St. Mary's Church, at ) a.m.  Burial at Worcester.
DOYLE - in Central Falls, Sunday, Feb. 24th at 1:15 p.m.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
ROBERTS - In Pawtucket, Feb. 24th, Edith Gertrude, daughter of Alfred and Mary ROBERTS, aged 13 years, 3 months, 12 days.  Notice of funeral later.
WHITEHEAD - In Pawtucket, Feb. 24th, James, son of Thomas and Mary A. Whitehead aged 31 years, 10 months, 6 days.  Notice of funeral later.
IN MEMORIAM.
     In loving memory of our father, Eli G_EDHILL, who died Feb. 24, 190_.
Source:  Pawtucket Times
Dated Jan. 25, 1900
Several Deaths of Pawtucket People are Recorded Today.
Mrs. A. C. ALMY Gone.
Daughter of George A. Carpenter and a Niece of L. B. Darling.
    Amy, the wife of William H. MEALEY, passed away yesterday in her 50th: y6ear, at her residence, 7 Boutwell street.  The funeral will take place tomorrow at 2 p.m. from the late home of the deceased, and the remains will be interred at Shirley Village, Mass.

     At the untimely age of 26, Frances Darling CARPENTER, the wife of Arthur C. ALMY, of Providence breathed her last this morning.  The deceased was the daughter of George A. and Ada E. CARPENTER, both well-known residents of this city.  She was also the niece of Lucius B. DARLING, and was associated with he most prominent people in the neighborhood of Providence.
     The date of interment will be announced later.

     William HARGRAVES was taken suddenly ill last night at his residence at Darlington.  Dr. HUDNUT was immediately summoned, but before he arrived death ensued, the cause being subsequently stated as heart disease.  The deceased had been employed as foreman by the Hand Brewing Company during the past year, prior to which time he had lived in Providence.  He was in his 50th year, and leaves a widow, but no children.
     The date of interment is not yet announced.

     At the age of 6 years, Mary M., the daughter of Henry and Mary E. PERRY, died at the residence of her parents on Dexter street last night.  The interment will take place Saturday afternoon.

     At the age of 19, Winifred, the daughter of John and Winifred Durkin, died last night at her parents residence, 890 Weeden street.  The funeral will take place on Saturday morning from St. Mary's Church, and the remains will be interred at Old St. Mary's Cemetery.

Source: Pawtucket Times
Date: Oct. 12, 1905
IN MEMORIAM
     The Rhode Island Citizen's Historical Association held a memorial service this afternoon in Mathewson Street M. E> Church, Providence, at which Francis Gallagher corresponding secretary of the association and a vice-president of the Universal Peace Union, gave the following address.
     The membership of the Universal Peace Union, in common with that of other organizations interested in the welfare of humanity, join in heartfelt sympathy with all concerned in the loss occasioned by the recent death of Hezekial BUTTERWORTH of Boston and Warren, who for many years previous was one of its vice-presidents.  He always received most cordial greetings and other indications of sincere affection wherever he attended, as was his custom, the annual peace and arbitration meetings held at Mystic, Conn., under the auspices of the union and of the Connecticut Christian Peace Society, on which occasions he bestowed the use of his rare gifts as an orator and writer of prose and poetry, especially on "Children's Day" when he delighted as well as instructed large and attentive audiences.
     President Alfred H. LOVE of the Peace Union, being unable to take part by his presence in the funeral services in honor of his former esteemed friend and eminent co-worker sent a written tribute which was read to those assembled by Rev. Mr. Wa__en one of the officiating clergy men and pastor of the First Baptist Church Warren, in which the service s were held.  It was addressed to the bereaved family, being in part as follows:
     How can I fittingly convey my sorrows at the loss of one of my dearest friends? How can I tell you and the world how highly I appreciated his rare character and virtue?  Let me come very near to you in sympathy in affection in admiration and in gratitude to our Heavenly Father for his beneficent gift.
     He was a vice-president of the Universal Peace Union and was always ready to help us.  I have his last beautiful letter, where he said he feared he could not attend our 39th anniversary of the Universal Peace Union and it is a treasure of real strength.  What a time for him to leave this life just as the great treaty between Russia and Japan was signed.  How he labored with is to prevent and to close the appalling war.  There is in all a memorable coincidence.  It all marks a notable event in history.  His grand works and labors were crowned with success and his translation comes with peace.
     Our whole Peace Society will mourn with the countless friends who have admired and loved him.  His nature was so full of affection, his very presence made joy and peace.  His clear and gentle voice always drew up near the truth.  The magnetism of his spirituality was so true is nature that it joined hearts in one united brotherhood.`
Source:  Philadelphia Inquirer - Pennsylvania
Dated: April 24, 1921
ROBINSON, April 23d Helena Porter THOMAS, wife of Edward W. ROBINSON, at New York.  Services Mon., at 3:30 p.m. 14 E. 39th st.  New York city.  Burial at Wickford, Rhode Island.  Tues: at 3:30 p.m.
 

 

 

RETURN TO
NEWPORT COUNTY INDEX PAGE

RETURN TO
RHODE ISLAND INDEX PAGE

GENEALOGY EXPRESS
FREE GENEALOGY RESEARCH is My MISSION

This Webpage has been created by Sharon Wick exclusively for Genealogy Express  ©2008
Submitters retain all copyrights