Rhode Island History

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  Reminiscences of East Greenwich

  Henry E. Turner

  Address delivered before the East Greenwich Business Men’s Association by Henry E. Turner, April 11, 1892.

  Henry E. Turner, a member of the East Greenwich Business Men’s Association, recounts the early history of notable events and people of the town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, during the first half of the 19^thcentury.

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  Franklin’s Claims to Greatness with Remarks on the Religious Aspects of Patriotism

  Harry Lyman Koopman

  An Address before The Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars, December 30, 1922 by Harry Lyman Koopman. Issued by the courtesy of Henry Dexter Sharpe, Esquire, in the administration of William Bates Greenough, Governor, 1923.

  Koopman argues that in the past religion was closely linked with national identity, but with the founding of the nation – which Benjamin Franklin helped facilitate – such a connection no longer existed or was needed. And that Franklin’s greatness came at a unique moment in history and that his lifetime of accomplishments sets him apart from the other founding fathers.

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  A Letter from the Council of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay to the Council of Connecticut

  Edward Rawson

  Written April 7, 1676, by Edward Rawson, the Secretary. Issued at the General Court of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations by its Governor, Frederick Dickman Carr, Esq. and the Council of the Society December 30, 1921.

  The letter begins with a formal expression of sympathy and condolence on the passing of Connecticut’s Governor John Winthrop (April 5, 1676). The letter goes on to discuss two matters of diplomacy, the impressment of Massachusetts sojourners in Connecticut, and the embargo or "stop" on the exportation of corn.

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  Ships and Shipmasters of Old Providence

  Providence Institution for Savings

  A brief account of some of the famous Merchants, Sea Captains and Ships of the past together with reminiscences of a few notable voyages made in Providence ships. Printed for the Providence Institution for Savings, Providence, R.I. 1919.

  Produced by the Providence Institution for Savings as a promotional piece to highlight the bank’s involvement in financing the Providence whaling industry of the 19^th century. Includes illustrations and histories of the more notable sea captains and ships that hailed from Rhode Island along with the economic and social impact of the whaling industry in New England.

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  Pawtucket Past and Present, being a brief account of the beginning and progress of its industries and a resume of the early history of the city.

  Slater Trust Company

  A history of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, from its first settlement by William Blackstone in 1635 to the early 20^th century. Published by the banking firm, The Slater Trust Company, as a promotional and advertising tool, the pamphlet focuses on the development of Pawtucket as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in America and the city’s industrial legacy.

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  A Preliminary Report on the Excavations at the House of Jireh Bull on Tower Hill in Rhode Island.

  Henry Clinton Dexter

  Issued at the General Court of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, by its Governor, Henry Clinton Dexter, Esquire and the Council of the Society December 31, 1917.

  An account of the archaeological research done by the Society of Colonial Wars in investigating the Jireh Bull homestead in Washington County, Rhode Island. The homestead had been fortified for defensive purposes during King Phillips War, but had been attacked and burned by the Indians on December 15, 1675 with the loss of some fifteen lives.

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  The Visit of General Washington to Newport in 1781

  French E. Chadwick

  A paper read before the Society December 17^th, 1912 by Mrs. French E. Chadwick. Bulletin of the Newport Historical Society, Number Six (extra number), Newport, R.I., February, 1913.

  Using original source material, the author discusses George Washington’s visit to Newport, Rhode Island, in order to confer with Count Rochambeau upon his arrival from France in 1780 to assist the American colonies in gaining their freedom from England.

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  Oliver Hazard Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie

  George Bancroft

  Together with the addresses of Dr. Usher Parsons, Fleet Surgeon under Commodore Perry, and of Governor William Sprague of Rhode Island, delivered in Cleveland, Sept. 10, 1860, and other papers of interest. 1912.

  The author details the events leading up to the Battle of Lake Erie (September 10, 1813) and Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s role in defeating the British fleet. The victory ensured American control of the lake for the rest of the war, which in turn allowed for the recovery of Detroit from the British. It was one of the biggest naval battles of the War of 1812.

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  Points of Historical Interest in the State of Rhode Island

  Rhode Island Department of Education

  Prepared with the co-operation of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Department of Education, State of Rhode Island. Rhode Island Education Circulars, Historical Series – V, 1911.

  An education circular for use in the state public school system to provide students with a descriptive sketch of historical sites in Rhode Island. The circular was also promoted as a tourist guide for visitors to the state.

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  Tenement House Conditions in Five Rhode Island Cities

  George H. Webb and Carol Aronovici

  George H. Webb, Commissioner. Carol Aronovici, Special Agent. Rhode Island Bureau of Industrial Statistics. Part I of the Annual Report for 1910.

  A report commissioned by the Rhode Island Bureau of Industrial Statistics conducted in cooperation with the Rhode Island Bureau of Social Research, an agency of the Union for Christian Work, which examined the tenement housing conditions found in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, and Newport, RI.

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  Roger Williams, The Founder of Providence – The Pioneer of Religious Liberty

  Amasa M. Eaton

  By Amasa M. Eaton, A.M., LL.B. With Suggestions for Study in Schools by Clara E. Craig.

  Department of Education, State of Rhode Island. Rhode Island Education Circulars, Historical Series II – 1908.

  A biography of Roger Williams first delivered as an address before the Rhode Island Historical Society on October 2, 1906, on the unveiling of the tablets placed by the state to mark the site of the spring where the settlers first landed and on the site the Roger Williams Home Lot.

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  The Destruction of the Gaspee

  Horatio B. Knox

  By Horatio B. Knox, A. M. Instructor in History and Civics, Rhode Island Normal School. Department of Education, State of Rhode Island. Rhode Island Education Circulars, Historical Series – III, 1908.

  As part of the Rhode Island Education Circulars, this booklet was written for use by teachers in the Rhode Island grade school system. Teachers are admonished to modify the telling of the Gaspee destruction accordingly for the intended grade level.

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  Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

  Prescott O. Clarke

  A short Historical Sketch and Statistical Compilation by Prescott O. Clarke. Together with a Catalogue of the Rhode Island Exhibit at the North, Central, and South American Exposition: New Orleans, 1885-6. William Carver Bates, Rhode Island Commissioner. 1885.

  Published for distribution for the 1885 American Exposition held in New Orleans, the booklet was designed to provide visitors to the Exposition with a history of the state. Includes a list materials used during the exhibit and a list of Rhode Island business contributors.

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  The Burnside Expedition

  Ambrose E. Burnside

  By Ambrose E. Burnside, Late Major-General, United States Army. Personal Narratives of Events of the War of the Rebellion being papers read before the Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society. No.6 – Second Series. 1882.

  Written by Ambrose Burnside and read before the Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society on July 7, 1880, the author discusses his military expedition along the North Carolina Coast between February and June of 1862. The expedition was part of General Winfield Scott’s overall Anaconda Plan, which was aimed at closing the blockade-running ports inside the Outer Banks.

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  Opinion of the Judges of the Supreme Court relative to the right of a Husband to Vote on his Wife’s Real Estate [Given March 30, 1878].

  Rhode Island State Supreme Court

  The Rhode Island State Supreme Court issued this opinion in response to the question of “Can a husband, under the State constitution, Article II, Section 1, be entitled to vote by virtue of any right or interest which he may have as husband in the real estate of his wife, and if so, under what circumstances?” Rhode Island State law at the time required its citizens to own property of a certain value in order to vote. The point in question was can a husband use his wife’s property to qualify as a voter.

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  An Historical Address delivered in Scituate, Rhode Island, July 4th, 1876, at the request of the town authorities

  C.C. Beaman

  Given on the Centennial of the Nation’s anniversary, the author gives a brief overview of the founding of the Nation then narrates the early history of the town of Scituate and its founding settlers, including the family of Stephen Hopkins – signatory of the Declaration of Independence.

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  Counting the Electoral Votes

  Benjamin T. Eames

  Speech of Hon. Benj. T. Eames, of Rhode Island in the House of Representatives, January 25, 1877.

  A speech by Rhode Island Congressman Benjamin Eames given on the floor of the House of Representatives discussing the constitutionality of which branch of government has the authority to count electoral votes in national elections.

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  A Discourse Delivered at Providence, August 5, 1836, in commemoration of the first settlement of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Being the second centennial anniversary of the Settlement of Providence

  John Pitman

  By John Pitman, Member of the Rhode Island Historical Society. 1836.

  An address given on the bi-centennial of the founding of the colony of Rhode Island focusing mainly on Roger Williams and the early history of Rhode Island.

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  Ancient Documents relative to the Old Grist-Mill with some remarks and opinions of Messrs. Hunter and Greene, Counsel employed by the town to examine the same

  Messrs. Hunter & Greene

  A discussion regarding the legal and financial responsibilities in maintaining a certain grist mill used by the city of Providence, which was constructed in the mid-17^th century by one of the town’s early settlers under a shared use agreement with the town.