The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-05-02
DANDWHITMAN'S HOME.
h Burned at Phenix on Saturday
Evening.
IT WAS A LANDMARK FOR MILES.
An Ola Homestead Where for Two Centu-
ries = Famous Rhode Island Family
Lfved-The Career of David whitman
An the M Manufacturing Business.

II this article should say that the
old farm house on Bald Hill owned by
Euclid Mumford was burned on Saturday
night 1t would convey interest to but
few. But il stated it is the celebrated old
homestead was once occupied by Gen.
whitman and for years by David Whit
man, the intelligence Will be OF personal
concern to hundreds OF the older business
men throughout New England.
The house was built many years ago by
Cen. Whitman to replace one built in the
seyenteenth century. The place where it
stood, four miles above Phenix, was on a
a high elevation; from the windows of the
house could be seen glorious panorama
of misty gray distance. sombre pine COW
cred hills, the compact settlements OF the
north and south Pawtuxet Valley viii
lagos and nearer foreground OF verdant
fields. In front of the house stood an elm
tree which was visible landmark for all
western Rhode Island. It was over 200
years old and waving forest OF itself.
Here for many years lived David Whit
man. Only the rising generation need be
told about him.
He was to the world of cotton manufac-
turing exactly what ID. M. Thompson is
to-day to the business OF the Knights.
Forty years ago a cotton factory could
scarcely be planned or its consumation
hoped for except as prepared by David
Whitman. Nearly all Of the earlier cot
ton mills in Rhode Island and other parts
of New England were the direct pro-
ducts of his planning. He was also the
inventor Of most valuable mechanisms for
textile manufacturing in use or i'm
proved upon.
Fifty years ago Mr.. Whitman was a
cotton manufacturer running the Phenix
mills Each morning he rode down from
the homestead and each night went
speeding up the hills back again; his
chaise, and switch-tailed trotter "Anti-
Mason" were familiar figures in the
landscape.
The homestead has renowned history
as a place where guests always found
abundant hospitality. Life there the sea-
sons around was like that which tradition
gives to slavery days in the South. To
day IL this meets the perusal of many a
grey-haired man or woman it will give
them mental pictures Others may not be-
hold. 1t will set the camera Of memory
to photograph scenes when young men
and women filled the old halls, sat at the
great round dining table, roamed about
the shaded lanes, or celebrated all holi-
days there among the happy band of
guests.
Many anecdotes have been associated
with the old house in connection with the
Dorr war. For it was here that some of
the less doughty heroes hied themselves,
not TO say more truly hid themselves,
from the rigors OF the press gang. And
It was here that young bellies found conso
lation in each others company while
lovers fought on Ascot's Hill, or with
heavy tread guided their ranks to Che
pachet.
The house has held as honored guests
many celebrated personages high in the
worlds renown, drawn there as friends
to the talented master of the home.
Mrs. Whitman was celebrated as an en-
tertainer and q traveller. She was bril-
liant woman who loved society, but who
possessed all the old-fashioned ideas of
what were the duties of housewife. She
outlived her husband by many years, and
after his death never mingled in society
again.
After her demise. in large room in
the attic were found numerous trunks
and cases !: In these were carefully packed
the many lovely costumes worn by her in
happier times. Old brocades, morie an-
tiques, priceless India shawls, velvets, ex-
quisite laces were there, and furs which
would have been modern bellies pride.
Jewelry she left, too, some mosaics,
canoes ana corals being heirlooms Of
great value.
Mr.. Whitman's death, which occurred
just before the civil war, came suddenly.
and resulted from an accident received in
Lewiston, Me-, where he was getting mills
IN order TO start His body was brought
to the homestead for burial. and no such
assembiage of celebrated men has often
been seen in rural New England.
Mr.. and Mrs. Whitman had but one
child, Mrs. Mary A. Whitman Westcott,
now residing in Southern California. The
place was tenanted by strangers, then
sold, passing out of the family after two
centuries Of possession.
The old homestead burned on Saturday
pight; IL was occupied by tenant to
whom the owner, Mr.. Mumford, leased it
. few weeks ago. Besides the house two
small buildings were also burned and it
was with great difficulty the house of
William Shay located across the high
way, was kept from being consumed.
The Whitman farm is located but a very
short distance from the Lawton place.
where, on April lst, seven buildings were
DESTROYED by fire, and the sad tragedy of
Mrs. Lawton's death ensued.
On Sunday many people visited the
place. All that is now left 10 identity il.
write the Whitman family, is the beauti.
full marble monument in the family burial
ground, which was erected by the busi-
ness men and admirers of David Whit
man. to stand forever q memorial from
them to him.