The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-10
BOOKS OF The WEEK.


OF PRoViDENCE. BEING THE FIRST
BOOK OF THE TOWN OF PROVIDENCE.
8d6kHWlfh 8o6k WITH pAkD APAEcHmENF rs rS COVER Hi
PRINTED UNDER AUTHORITY or THE CRY
OF PROVIDENCE ny HoRArIo RocERs,
WARD FIELD RECORD COMMISSIONERS.
Providence: Snow a. Farnham, CITY Print
ers.
An inestimable benefit has been con-
ferred upon future students OF local his
tory by this reprint OF the earliest records
of the town, which We're rapidly going TO
pieces from sheer age, aud OF which the
celebrated transcript OF 1900 Is by no
means infallible representative. The Com
missioners have earned the thanks of the
community for their labor OF love, and
Miss Sheldon, who prepared the copy,
and Mr.. Chenery and Mr.. Hall, who are
responsible for the mechanical portion OF
the work, are to be included with its
editors In commendation.
The book begins: I'VE whose names are
hereunder desirous 10 inhabitt in ye towne
of providence do promise TO subject our
selpes In actiue or passiue obedience TO all
such orders or agreements as shall DC
made for publick good of or body In an
orderly lody by the major consent OF the
present Inhabitants masters of families
Incorporated together into a towne fell
lowship and Others whome they shall
admit unto them
only in ciuil things"
The entry is without punctuation. The
words or letters In italic are missing from
the original record. Then follow the names
of Richard Scott, William Renolds, John
field, Chad browne, John Warner. George
Thomas Harris, francis weekes, Benedict
Arnold, Josua winsor and William Wick
cnder Reynolds, Angel. Field and
Weekes could not write, and made their
mark to this unique document.
The second entry is equally interesting,
for in it il is agreed that "whosoeuer be
wanting to ye meetiDge above one-quarter
of an noure after ye time appointed by
him that gave ye warninge shall pay 10
We Towne for every such default il S."
The same fine was imposed upon whose
euer shall depart wyout Leave"
Many of the early records are of deeds,
transfers and mortgages. In these we
recognize the familiar names OF the Provi-
dence Of to-day under strangely diverse
spelling. "Nanhigansett, Wanasqua-
tuckett," "Neotaconconitt," "Massha,,,
pauge," 'pautuXett," "Saxefrax coaue"
and many other entries illustrate these new
old names. "Wissowyanake, an Injen,"
who in deed of gift speaks OF "Sekescute
ner prouidino' and OF "Wenasbetuckit
ruer," and promises TO defend it in the
possession of "thomis Clemenes agaynst
all Engens and men what euer," might be
called n worse speller than his white
brethren, save that the writing is not his
except the X mark OK illiteracy in the sig
nature.
One of the minor pleasantries of the
book is the will obligingly made for
Nicolas power" who had neglected that
duty, by the town council. There had
been no strife among the natural heirs,
but the council thought there ought TO be
will and so they made it "by His Males
ties Authoretye." They were fairly con.
siderate of "his Widow Jane powers"
feelings, giving her as her "Widdow
Right as ffolloweth Wiz The dwelling
house wherein she now liveth * halle the
siller which shee built, namely. which
halle shee pleaseth; all the sd lott where
on the house & siller standeth with the
Appearances; We six acres lott bought of
William Barrows," etc, etc, for three
long pages.
The book is substantially bound in red
cloth and fully indexed by name and sub
ject. IL is a monument TO the liberality
and wise discretion OF the city council.
We hope To see further volumes Of like
sort follow it.