The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-11-29
MEMOIR OF RHoDE-IsLAND.
Rhode.Islond B0r.

As gentleman of our acquaintance il
collecting the materials for a Biography o.
the members of the Rhode Island Colonial
Bar, we wait until lie has completed the
work, when we intend to publish extracts
from the same, provided we obtain his per-
mission.
There were in the town Of Newport, be-
fore the revolution, l6 manufactures of
Sperm Oil and Candles, in active operation,
the owners names Of nine of them we have
ascertained, viz:
Rivera, Pollock, Aaron Lopez, Seixas,
Thomas Robinson, Charles Handy, Maudes-
ley, Capt. Stll, Carpenter Pcase.
This was an extensive and lucrative
branch of business in Newport-it was in
troduced here by the Jews who emuerated
from Portugal, somewhere about the year
l745 or so. They possessed the art of
preparing the Sperm for Candles, which
they kept as great secret for IA number sf
years, BY which some of them became rich.
The Jewish population of Newport were
respectable. and respected by their neigh
bors. One Of the first merchants for wealth.
enterprise, and commercial intelligence.
then in the Colonies. was Aaron Lopez, of
Newport, native Of Portugal, aud Jew.
The Society built Synagogue in Newport,
and had numerous congregation who wor-
shipped there.
There were five Rope walk ; e, this time
--Ma!bone's, Brinley's, Flags, Tilley's s.
Buliod's.
-Four Sugar Reiineries, belonging to o.
vcring, Mnmford, Gibbs, and Green.
One very extensive: Brewery belong ing
to George Rome, whicI, stood South of the
First Baptis, Meeting Housc--lhe Beer was
carried in an ncqueduct to the Court House
cellar, where it was fcrmented, finished and
sold.
List of the Distiiicries in Nemport.
The town contained % Rum Dislilleries,
all said to have been in operation about
this time. The places where 2l of them
stood, and the names of their respective
owners, we nave ascertained, viz:
Peter Cookies, situated on the Marsh, at
the lower end Of the town.
Overing's, on the site now vacant, on
the lower wharf in the town.
Silas Cookies, since Audley Clarke's,
where the new Machine shop now stands.
Samuel Browns. on the East siIc (
of Thames-strcet, a little below Howard
street.
Samuel Beers, since John G. White
horne's, on the corner Of Thames and How
ard-streets.
Thomas Cranston's, where the widow
Babcock's garden now is, directly north of
the Newport Steam Cotton Factory.
Deacon CoggeshalI's, where the Cooper's
shop of the late Joseph Clarke now stands.
MaIbone's, where the Sea-Isle Woolen
Factory now stands.
Daniel Ayraull's, now converted into
Brewery, on the North side Of Brewers
street.
Scots, where John S. LangIey's house
now stands, on the North side of Fair street.
Peleg Thurston's, where the Perry Cot
ton Fa:tory now stands.
Jonathan Thurston's, on the lot West Of
the house now owned by Asher Robins.
Jonathan Marsl,'s, on Marsh's wharf
John Thurston's, where the Slil!homse Of
S. T.. Noriham now stands.
Samuel Wyatt's. on the wharf called
Warmers wharf.
Thomas Richardson's, next wharf North
in the cove.
Ebcnezer Richardson's. next North Of
TINT.
Joseph TiIIinghasl's, on the estate now
owned by the heirs Of Thomas Allen.
Ezekiel Burroughs, where the house Of
the late Capt Stephen Barker now stands,
on the Nor,l, side Of Bridgc-s,ree'.
Simon Newion's, on the South side OF
the Point Bridge.
Mr.. DeIiihr's, on The North side of the
Point Bridge, in the Marsh; making 81.
Where 'be osher ss,oJ, or TO whom il be- ,
lopged, we have no( sscertsised, but believe
il s;ood "e'r The Rdm B6drc, on tie