History of Providence County, Vol I & II

Ed. by Richard M. Bayles; W.W. Preston & Co., NY. 1891

Biographical sketches Volume II (except as noted), Town of Cumberland

p. 257: JOHN BARNES, son of George Barnes, was born in Accrington, Lancashire, England, in 1844. He came to this country in 1865, and to Cumberland in 1869, and until 1874 was in the employ of the Lonsdale Company at Ashton. At that date he engaged in mercantile business, doing a large dry goods and grocery trade. He was elected justice of the peace in 1888. He is a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, F. & A.M., of Lime Rock, also a member of Foresters of Ashton. He was married in 1872 to Lydia Hirst, and has had three sons and five daughters, of whom all but one daughter are living.
p. 257: WILLIAM BISHOP, a son of James, was born at Plymouth, England, May 9th, 1809, came to Providence in 1856, and a few months later settled in Lincoln. He was a ship builder. He married Sarah Hooper, and had three sons and five daughters. The sons are: John W., born 1847; William born August 11th, 1850; and Nathaniel S., born November 29th, 1854. The daughters living are: Rachel, Annie, Sarah and Maria. Eliza is dead. John W. Bishop is a resident of Worcester, Mass. He is a contractor and builder, and does an extensive business. He built the Ann & Hope Mill for the Lonsdale Company, the largest and best building of the kind in the country. William and Nathaniel engaged in the grocery trade in 1876 at Lonsdale, which they conduct at the present date. Nathaniel marred Annie Tucker of Lincoln. They have no children. William married Millie Atkins of Amherst, Mass. They have one daughter, Edith Bishop.
p258: WILLIAM H. BOLSTER, born in Scituate in 1847, is a son of Daniel J. and grandson of Rufus Bolster. His mother was Susan E., daughter of Captain Lyman Thayer, of Bellingham, Mass. From 1869 to 1877 Mr. Bolster was employed in stores in Blackstone and Grafton, Mass. At the latter date he came to Valley Falls and engaged in the dry goods and men's furnishing trade, and still continues in that business. He has one brother, Daniel J., a resident of Millbury, Mass., who has been connected with the Worcester Gazette for 15 years. He was married in 1882 to Esther M., daughter of Joseph F. Esten, of Southbridge, Mass. They have two sons, William A., and Herbert R., and one daughter, Marion I. Mr. Bolster is a member of Blackstone River Lodge, F. & A. M.
p. 258: FENNER BROWN was born in Cumberland, October 21st, 1791, and was descended from one of the oldest families in Rhode Island, being a son of Elijah, he a son of Stephen, he a son of Joseph, he a son of Henry, and he a son of Henry, who came from England at an early date. Fenner Brown was one of Cumberland's prominent citizens in his day. Several years of his early life were spent upon the sea, and later he engaged in farming. He was a democrat and always took an active interest in political affairs. He represented the town of Cumberland in the general assembly for many years, and was several times elected to the town council and was president of the same. He was also justice of the peace and overseer of the poor for several years. He was married in 1817 to Sally Follett, born 1794. They had two daughters, Caroline A., born 1818, and Betsey J., born 1819. Only Caroline A. is still living. She married William A. Weeden, who was born in Jamestown, R. I., in 1819, and died in 1888. Fenner Brown became a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1868, and died in 1869. His wife still survives him, living with her daughter, Mrs. Weeden.
p. 258: DAVID O. CARGILL, born in Cumberland April 21st, 1850, is a son of Olney, grandson of David and great-grandson of James Cargill, who owned the farm now occupied by David O. His mother's maiden name was Rhobe G. Fales. He was married in 1877 to Sarah E. Flagg. By that marriage were born one daugher, Edna. M., and two sons, James E., and John Otis. Mrs Cargill died January 25th, 1884. May 13th, 1885, Mr. Cargill was married to Effie L. Tarbox. They have two daughters: Alice L. and Rhobe L. Mr. Cargill's farming interests are extensive, in addition to which he is engaged in the grain business, having a mill at Abbott Run.
p. 258: EDMUND CLARK, born in Salisbury, Mass., June 11th, 1843, is a son of Edmund N. and Sophronia L. Clark (her maiden name was Locke), and a grandson of Seth Clark, who was a prominent man in Essex County, Mass. Edmund Clark came to Pawtucket in 1856 and in 1858 removed to Valley Falls (Cumberland), where he has since resided. He is one of the stockholders in the Blackstone Coal Mining Company, and is treasurer of the same. He was president of the town council in 1883-84. He is a member of the Baptist Church and has been superintendent of the Sabbath school for 25 years. He has written several books designed for the Sabbath school and has contributed to various religious publications.
p. 259: DAVIS COOK --- Ariel Cook, the grandfather of Davis Cook, resided in the town of Cumberland. He married Dorcas Whipple in 1772. Their son Davis Cook was born in 1788, and married to Abigail Ballou, whose birth occurred in 1786. Their children are five daughters: Almira (married Lyman Cook), Lucina, Dorcas (married Elias Ballou), Abigail, and Sarah (married Isaac C. Ballou ); and two sons, Cyrus (born in Cumberland 1819, unmarried) and Davis. Davis Cook settled in Cumberland, where he became a prosperous farmer and an influential and respected citizen. He took an active part in the affairs of the town, in which he held various offices and represented his constituents in the state legislature. He was one of the incorporators of the Cumberland Bank and its president at the time of his death, which occurred on the 5th of February, 1870.
His son, Davis Cook, the subject of this biography, was born January 29th, 1826, in Cumberland, with which town he has during his whole life been identified. His education was obtained in the schools at Cumberland Hill, with an additional winter at the Smithfield Seminary at Scituate. He first engaged in work on the farm, and after- ward conducted a grocery store at Cumberland Hill with success for 20 or more years. During this time his farming enterprises were continued and still occupy his attention, though the necessary labor is performed by others. He was on the 4th of December, 1872, married to Frances, daughter of James Thompson of Cumberland. Mr. Cook is a republican in politics. He was for five years president of the town council, and has held other local offices. In 1870-1 he represented the town in the Rhode Island legislature. He was for 30 years a director and for ten years president of the Cumberland Bank, now extinct. Mr. Cook's religious faith is that of the Universalist Church, with which he worships. His services are much sought in the settlement of estates and in kindred trusts, for which his long experience, no less than his unquestioned integrity, eminently fit him.
p. 259: ANDREW J. CURRIER, a native of Massachusetts, was born in Fall River in 1850, and is a son of Andrew R. Currier. In 1868 he entered the office of the Albion Manufacturing Company, and is at the present time agent of the company. He was a member of the town council for six years and president of the same for four years; was a member of the republican state central committee and chairman of the town committee several years. He was married in 1875 to Lucy S., daughter of John L. Clark. They have two children, a son and a daughter.
p. 259: JAMES C. DEXTER, born in Cumberland in 1836, is a son of James M., he a son of Timothy W., he a son of James Dexter, who with two brothers, John and Daniel, settled in the town of Cumberland. Timothy W. married Sarah Messenger. James M. married Phebe Sanborn. James C. Dexter removed with his parents to Illinois when he was only eight months old and resided there until 1862, when he returned to Cumberland, owning and residing on the old Dexter homestead, which has been in the Dexter family nearly 150 years. Mr. Dexter was married in 1859 to Sarah Frances Barrows, a native of Maine. They have three daughters: Fannie O., now Mrs. Bryant, Minerva W., now Reverend Mrs. Lane, and Hattie B., now Mrs. England. Mr. Dexter represented the town of Cumberland for the years 1871, 1872 and 1873; was a member of the town council for three years, and has held many other offices in the town. He is a member of Unity Lodge, No. 34, F.& A.M., of Lonsdale, and a member of the Lonsdale Episcopal church.
p. 260: THOMAS D. ELSBREE, son of James and Amelia (Follett) Elsbree, was born in Lincoln in 1842. He engaged in mercantile trade in Valley Falls in 1866, carrying on that business for nearly 20 years, retiring in 1885. He was elected to the house of representatives from Cumberland in 1887-88, and has been assessor of taxes for three years. He is a member of Superior Lodge of Odd Fellows of Central Falls, Washington Lodge, No. 4, Knights of Pythias, Union Lodge, No. 10, F. & A. M., of Pawtucket, Pawtucket Royal Arch Chapter, Holy Sepulchre Commandery, No. 8, of Pawtucket, and also a member of the Ancient Order of Scottish Rites, of Providence. He was married in 1864 to Sarah E. Arnold, daughter of James Arnold of Pawtucket.
Volume I, p. 103: LUCIUS F. C. GARVIN, of Cumberland, was born in Knoxville, Tenn., November 13th, 1841. His parents were James A. and Sarah A. (Gunn) Garvin. When our subject was eight years of age his mother removed to Greensboro, N. C., his father, who was a professor in East Tennessee University, having died a year of two before. He was fitted for college in part at a private school in Greensboro, and later at New Garden (now Guilford College), a Friends' boarding school, six miles from his home. At 16 years of age he entered Amherst College, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1862, and from Harvard Medical School in 1867. Meanwhile he served in the war, enlisting as a private in company E, 51st Mass. Vols., under General Foster, in North Carolina. He taught school at different times, before and after the war. In the spring of 1867 he began the practice of his profession at Lonsdale, where he still resides. He is medical examiner for District No. 7 (town of Cumberland), and has held the office of moderator of the town of Cumberland for two years, and representative from that town from March 6th, 1883, to May, 1884, and again in 1885 to 1887. In 1880 he entered upon an active propaganda of the extension of suffrage in the state, and in the spring of 1888 had the gratification of witnessing the adoption of an amendment to the constitution granting a free suffrage to all adult male citizens in the election of all civil officers excepting members of city councils. In 1869-90 he represented his town in the state legislature as senator. He was married at Middletown, Conn., December 23rd, 1869, to Lucy W. Southmayd, and they have three children -- Ethel, Norma and Florence.
p. 260: EDWARD F. GURRY, born in England in 1846, is a son of Patrick Gurry. He came to this country the same year and settled in Cumberland. He is a carpenter by trade, but since 1875 has carried on a meat and vegetable market at Valley Falls. He was in the civil war, being a member of the 12th Rhode Island Infantry. He was married in 1880 to Miss Virginia W. Tinney. They have one son, Edmund Gurry. Mr. Gurry is a member of the G.A.R.
Volume I, p. 106: GEORGE B. HAINES, M.D., of Valley Falls, was born in Northfield, N.H., May 31st, 1843, and was the eldest son of Benjamin and Martha (Kenison) Haines. After attending the local schools he entered the New Hampshire Conference Seminary, at Tilton, after which he studied medicine with C.B. Willis, M. D., of Tilton, and with Doctors John H. Clark and Thomas Hilard, of the U.S. Navy. From 1865 to 1872 he was in the employ of the U.S. Government, being stationed at Portsmouth, N.H., on board the receiving ships "Vandalia" and "Sabine". In 1870 he graduated from Dartmouth College, where he received his diploma. He commenced the practice of medicine at Valley Falls in 1872, and there he still continues to practice. he is a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society.
Volume I, p. 106: JOHN R. HARRINGTON, M.D., of Valley Falls, is the eldest son of Patrick and Ann Harrington, and was born in Fall River, Mass., December 10th, 1849. After attending local schools he became a student at the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Providence. Later he pursued the study of medicine, and in 1877 graduated from Harvard Medical College. In the same year he commenced the practice of medicine in Pawtucket, and remained there until 1879, when he moved to Central Falls. Thence he moved to Valley Falls in 1883, and there he has since continued to practice. His wife was Jennie Quigley, and their two children are John Edward, and Jennie G. Harrington.
p. 260: DUTEE JOHNSON, born in North Providence January 17th, 1844, is one of a family of 14 children. He is a son of Dutee, grandson of Stukley and great-grandson of Benjamin, all of whom were born in Warwick, R.I. Benjamin owned at one time a large part of the land where the village of Washington now stands. Mr. Johnson removed to Bristol, R.I., with his parents when quite young and resided there until 1861. He served over three years in the late war; was senior lieutenant in the Fifth R. I. Artillery. He is a member of Slocum Post, G. A. R., of Providence. He is a carpenter by trade. He came to Cumberland in 1881 and has been in the employ of the Rhode Island Horse Shoe Company since that time. He was married in 1867 to Julia Langley. They had three sons and two daughters. One son and the daughters are living. Mr. Johnson was married again in 1884 to Fannie L. Avery.
p. 260: ADDISON KINSMAN, born in Heath, Franklin County, Mass., in 1810, is a son of David and Abigail (Putnam) Kinsman. Addison settled in Cumberland over 40 years ago. He was married in 1861 to Sarah A. Dexter, sister of James M. and daughter of Timothy W. Dexter. Mr. Kinsman was agent at Lonsdale for the Providence and Worcester railroad for twelve years. He has been twice elected to the town council, and has also been a member of the school committee eight years, and was trustee for School District No. 12, Lonsdale, 23 years. He is a member of Lonsdale Episcopal Church.
p. 261: ROBERT G. McMEEHAN was born in Providence in 1865, and is a son of Robert and Margaret (McIntosh) McMeehan. He has been a resident of Cumberland since 1884, occupying the position of bookkeeper with the Lonsdale Company. He is a member of Unity Lodge, No. 34, F. & A. M.
p. 261: WILLIAM H. MAGEE, son of Johnson and Elizabeth Magee, was born in Eastport, Me., in 1840, came to Woonsocket in 1871, and until 1881 was overseer of the spinning department in a cotton factory at that place. He came to Cumberland in 1883 as superintendent of the Lonsdale Company's Berkeley Mill. He is a member of Solomon Temple Lodge, F. &A. M., of Uxbridge, Mass., and of the Chapter and Commandery of Woonsocket. He was married in 1870 to Emily A., daughter of N. L. Peck, of Woonsocket. He is a Baptist and she a Universalist.
p. 261: OMAR METCALF is a son of Charles and Lydia B. (Smith) Metcalf and grandson of David. Charles Metcalf was engaged in the manufacture of cotton machinery at Arnold's Mills. Charles and Lydia Metcalf had a family of six children: Horace E., Omar, Henry, Sarah, Mary and Eunice. Henry and Omar own and reside upon the Metcalf homestead, formerly owned by their grandfather.
p. 261: THOMAS MUNROE was born in 1842 in Seekonk, Mass., now a part of East Providence. He is a son of William S. and Lucy R. (Weber) Munroe. From 1869 to 1877 he was in the employ of the Providence and Worcester Railroad. He came to Cumberland in 1871 and until 1877 was station agent at Lonsdale. Since 1873 he has been engaged in the coal business at Lonsdale. He was elected to the town council in 1885. He is a charter member of Unity Lodge, No. 34, F. & A. M., of Lonsdale. He was married in 1874 to Ruth W. Grant. They have one daughter, Hattie D.
p. 261: JASON NEWELL, son of John and Polly (Grant) Newell, was born in Cumberland in 1827. His grandparents were Jason and Sarah (Spalding) Newell. Jason Newell was born in Smithfield in 1746 and had a family of ten children: Jabe, born 1772; Mary, born 1773; William, born 1775; Sarah, born 1777; Amey, born 1780; Jesse, born 1782; Jason, born 1784; John, born 1788; Spalding, born 1790, and Nathaniel, born 1795. Jason Newell was married in 1852 to Mary A., daughter of Columbia Tingley. They had three children: Isabel F., Ellis J., and Mary L. Mrs Newell died in 1874, and in 1881 he was married to Jennie E. Holmes. Mr. Newell has always been engaged in farming and milling. He was representative from Cumberland for three years during Governor Sprague's administration, and he has been a member of town council several years.
p. 261: JOHN A. POLLITT, born March 6th, 1847 in Lincoln, RI, is a son of William and Edna Carter Pollitt, who came from England about 1844. He was overseer of the weave room for the Lonsdale Company until his death in 1886. He moved to the Cumberland side in 1862 and ever after resided there. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church of Lonsdale, also a vestryman for a great number of years, and always took an active interest in all the affairs of the society. They had four children, John. A., being the only one living. He is a machinist and was in the employ of the Lonsdale Company for many years, but for the past eight years has been engaged in farming, and also carries on a wood yard. He is a member of Unity Lodge, No. 34, F. & A. M., of Lonsdale. He was married in 1870 to Margaret J. Simpson. They have two sons and five daughters.
p. 262: GILBERT WALKER PRATT, superintendent of the Lonsdale Company, has been employed by the company for 24 years. He is a native of Taunton, Mass., and a descendant of the Walkers of old colony, his genealogy tracing to Widow Walker, who settled in Rehoboth, Mass., in the year 1632. Mr. Pratt was born in 1833 and resided in Taunton until 1866. He was under the mechanical instruction of the Mason Machine Works for 14 years, and was called to the service of the Lonsdale Company in 1866. He is a strong republican but averse to holding any political office.
p. 262: HALSEY C. RAWSON, born in Cumberland in 1847, is a son of William M. and Caroline A. (Carpenter) Rawson, and a grandson of Thomas Rawson, who was a native of Massachusetts. William M. Rawson resided in Cumberland, and for over 40 years was engaged in the manufacture of cotton yarn. He represented the town of Cumberland in the assembly and also in the senate, and was a member of the town council several years. Halsey C. engaged in mercantile trade at Abbott Run in 1878, and conducted that business until 1884, at which time he went into the grain business, which he carried on for two or three years. In November of 1888 he resumed the grocery business. He is postmaster at Abbott Run. He is a member of Jenks Lodge, No. 24, of Central Falls, and the Canonchet Tribe of Red Men. He was married in 1868 to Esta E. Jencks of Cumberland. They have two sons, William H. and Elbert L.
p. 262: STAFFORD W. RAZEE, born in Cumberland, R.I., March 8th, 1827, is a son of Whipple and grandson of Anthony Razee. He engaged in mercantile business at Diamond Hill, R.I., in 1849 and in 1851 carried on another large store at Attleboro Falls, Mass. In 1854 he sold out both stores and engaged in the grain business at 28 and 29 South Water Street, Providence, which he continued successfully until 1864, in the meantime leasing a portion of the Perry Wharf, so called, on West Water Street, and erecting the first steam grain elevator in Providence. In 1864 he connected himself with Hon. Edward Harris, of Woonsocket, R.I., and was agent of the Harris Woolen Company, and a member of that company until 1869. In the latter year he again engaged in the wholesale grain business, selling only in car-load lots, delivered at any railroad station in New England. He was also a large operator in the hazardous trade of Chicago grain "options", and shipped a large amount of grain from the West to New York and Boston on consignment.
In 1863 and 1864 Mr. Razee represented the old town of Smithfield in the general assembly. Since his residence in Cumberland he was elected state senator for the years 1879, 1880, 1881 and 1882. He was also one of the directors and vice-president of the Rhode Island & Massachusetts railroad, and it is believed that, had it not been for his untiring efforts in its interests, the road would not have been built. This road now forms the connecting link in the New York & New England system between Providence and Boston. Mr. Razee is a prominent member of the Masonic order, was elected eminent commander of the Woonsocket Commandery in the years 1869 and 1870, and has held offices in the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He was elected first lieutenant of the Union Guards, Central Falls, R.I., in May 1863, and in October of the same year was elected captain of the company. He was elected colonel of the Woonsocket Guards in April, 1867, and was re-elected the following year. Mr. Razee was married May 12th, 1851 to Eunice P. Metcalf, daughter of the late Joseph Metcalf. They have had four children: Arlon M., Alice A., Abbie H., and Stafford W., Jr.
p. 263: JOHN M. RYAN was born in the county of Tipperary, Ireland, in 1834, came to this country in 1850, and, with the exception of a short residence in the state of New York, has resided in Rhode Island. In 1862 he engaged in the dry goods and grocery trade at Lonsdale. In 1875 he built a large and commodious store at Ashton, where he does an extensive business. He was elected a member of the town council in 1887. He was trustee of the Ashton school in 1885 and again in 1889. He is a large real estate owner. He has been trustee of St. Joseph's Church at Ashton for 15 years and gave the land upon which it stands. He was married in 1852 to Mary Finn. They have six children living: Michael, John P., Katie, Elizabeth, Minnie and Jessie.
p. 263: CYRUS TAFT, born in Providence in 1857, is a son of Cyrus Taft, of Providence, who was a manufacturer and cotton broker. Mr. Taft was connected with the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company as bookkeeper for nine years. He settled in Cumberland in 1887 and has fitted up one of the finest residences in the town. He was elected town treasurer in 1889 and re-elected in 1890. He was married in 1886 to Harriet A., daughter of John A. Taft, who was formerly president of the Manville Company.
p. 263: ALEXANDER THOMPSON, born in Cumberland December 8th, 1834, is a son of James and Lucina (Sheldon) Thompson, grandson of Alexander, and great-grandson of Alexander Thompson , who settled in Rhode Island. They were of Scotch descent. Mr. Thompson was married in 1865 to Sarah A. Grant. He was one of the assessors of Cumberland for eight years and has always been engaged in farming.
p. 263: WILLIAM H. TOBEY is a son of William and grandson of Archibald Tobey. His mother was Sarah A., daughter of Lemuel Angell of North Providence. He was born in Smithfield in 1842. He began life as clerk in his father's store at Greenville, R. I., and was afterward bookkeeper and paymaster for Pooke & Steere, at that time woolen manufacturers at Greenville. In 1869 he entered the employ of the Lonsdale Manufacturing Company as bookkeeper and paymaster, and ever since has held that position. He was elected to the town council of Cumberland in 1886, has also been assessor of taxes, and is chairman of the republican town committee. He was married in 1865 to Emma F. Cook. They have two sons and one daughter.
p. 264: ORLANDO R. VOSE, born in Lincoln in the year 1835, is a son of Alanson and Abbie Vose, and grandson of Amariah Vose. Alanson Vose was a farmer, but during the last years of this life he kept a hotel and store at Manville, R.I. Orlando R. removed to Cumberland about 1855, and has been engaged in farming. He was married in 1855 to Phebe F. Aldrich. They have four sons living: Fred. I., Frank E., Alfred W. and Edgar; and two daughters, Mabel and Abbie. They lost two sons. Mr. Vose has been a member of the town council. In 1888 he moved to Cumberland Hill and engaged in building houses and renting tenements very successfully at Manville.
p. 264: RICHARD WATERMAN, born in Cumberland in 1834, is a son of Amaziah and Hannah (Lee) Waterman, grandson of James, great-grandson of Elisha and great-great grandson of Amaziah. All were residents of Cumberland. Richard Waterman married Rebecca S. Carpenter. they have two sons, Elisha A. and Byron L., and one daughter, Elsie G. Mr. Waterman has always been a farmer. The farm he occupies was settled by Elisha Waterman, his great-grandfather. He is a member of the Canonchet Tribe of Red Men, and his son Elisha is a member of the same society, and a member of Unity Lodge, No. 34, F. & A. M., Pawtucket Chapter No. 4, and council No. 2.
p. 264: JOSEPH D. WEATHERHEAD, born in Cumberland in 1815, is a son of James and grandson of Nathan Weatherhead. He was married May 22nd, 1839 to Amy M. Thomas. She was born August 11th, 1818, and died January 10th, 1878. They had three children: one son, Charles E., born in Franklin, Mass., February 6th, 1844, and two daughters, Catherine T, born in Cumberland July 24th, 1840, and Janette E., born in Franklin May 8th, 1850. Mr. Weatherhead is a farmer and with the exception of several years residence in Illinois, he has resided in Cumberland.
p. 264: ELIAB D. WHIPPLE, born in Cumberland in 1831, is a son of Eliab and Ardelia C. Whipple, the latter a daughter of Comfort Haskell. Eliab Whipple was a son of Daniel and he a son of Simon. Mr. Whipple was married in 1862 to Sarah Wheaton, she being descended from the Ballous. They have one son, Fenner E., who is a draughtsman in Hartford, Conn., and two daughters, Cora L. and Inez L., both teachers. Mr. Whipple was elected to the town council in 1873, was a member of the school committee for ten years and justice of the peace for 15 years. He is a farmer.
p. 265: PARDON R. WHIPPLE, born in Cumberland, October 5th, 1828, is a son of David and Hannah (Reed) Whipple, grandson of Eleazer, great-grandson of Eleazer, and great-great-grandson of William Whipple. Eleazer the first was a colonel in the continental army during the revolutionary war. He settled upon the land now owned by Pardon R. William Whipple had 17 children, and when the youngest son reached the age of 21 all of them were living, and at a family gathering they with their parents all sat down at the same table. Pardon R. was a mason for ten years, but since 1858 he has been engaged in farming. He was married in 1860 to Emma H. Phillips, of Dartmouth, Mass. They have two daughters, Carrie E., now Mrs. Greenleaf, and Almira A.
p. 265: JOSIAH WILLIAMS, born in Staffordshire, England, in 1842, came to this country in 1864, settled in Rhode Island, and came to Cumberland in 1874. He is a contractor in the Rhode Island Horse Shoe Works. He is a member of What Cheer Lodge, F. & A. M., of Providence, and of Iron Hall. He was married in 1864 to Diana Darby. They have five sons and five daughters.
p. 265: THOMAS C. WOOD was born in Gloucester, R. I. in 1830, and is a son of Luther Wood. He was married in 1859 to Rachel Alexander. They have one daughter, Emma F., who married Watson F. Hastings. Mr. Wood is a farmer and resides upon and owns the old Razee homestead. Near the house stands a gigantic elm tree, the trunk measuring nearly 20 feet in circumference. The town of Cumberland was incorporated in 1747, and Joseph Razee was the first male child born within its limits after said incorporation. That would make Joseph Razee born nearly 143 years ago. The elm tree was a sapling when Joseph's father built his house, which is the ell still standing, therefore it is safe to conclude that the venerable tree is upwards of 143 years of age. It is said that when Joseph's father was building his house, it was broken off, which caused it to branch out nearer the ground than other elms ordinarily do. Mrs. Wood is a daughter of Ira and Frances C. (Sherman) Alexander. Ira was son of David, and he a son of Roger, all of whom were residents of Cumberland. Ira Alexander had a family of five children. One daughter died in infancy, and two sons and two daughters are living. The sons are David, born 1828, and George S., born 1832. The daughters are Rachel F. (Mrs. Wood), born 1834, and Charlotte M., born 1843.

These documents are made available free to the public for non-commercial purposes by the Rhode Island USGenWeb Project. Transcribed by Marcia Carr Carvalho, 1999

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