The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-10
VETERAN
CITIZENS
meet
Rhode Island Historical AsSo-
citation Listens TO Addresses
by Mr.. Arnold and Others.

A public meeting of the Rhode Island
Veteran Citizens Historical association
was held yesterday afternoon at the
Mathewson street NJ. r. church. There
was a good attendance and much interest
manifested I'm the proceedings. The presi-
dent OF the association. Mr. Daniel A.
Cook presided.
The secretary, Mr.. Francis Gallagher.
was present and read reports of previous
meetings. which were accepted. Mr.
Thomas ]. Griffen. Mr.. Frederick Pearce'
Mr.. Edwin Upham. Mr.. Edward s. Rhodes
of Providence and General Thomas W.
Chace OF East Greenwich were chosen
members OF the association.
A communication from the treasurer OF
the association. Mrs Hattie w. h. Chaf-
fee. was read by the secretary. In which
she expressed her continued interest In
the work OF the association and regret
for her necessary abSence by reason OF
disability from attendance at the meet
ing
The secretary stated that II might be
expected that al no distant date tree IN
memory Of the late Henry A. Howland,
for many years an honored resident or
Providence and one OF the founders of the
association. would be placed IN Hayward
Park He also suggested that, as formerly
the association. with its friends visit
places Of historic interest. A committee
consisting OF the secretary and Mr. John
N. Rounds and one other was appointed
10 make necessary arrangements.
Mr.. James n. Arnold, the well and ia
vorably known genealogist and historian
was introduced and read an able. inter
ssting and instructive paper entitled;
.~rhe Huguenot Settlement in Rhode ISL
and" He stated that THE settlement of
the Huguenots in Rhode Island came
about by the London agent OF the Boston
company representing the attractions OF
the place. The Boston company first
quartered these people at what is now
Hamilton They were offered a perma-
nent settlement at Newbury. which was
declined Afterwards 'Frenchtown' was
accepted The colonization was vigorously
opposed by the colonial government OF
Rhode Island.
THE Huguenots were invited to- give
their allegiance TO the colony, and TO re-
pndiate the company, and II they would
do so they should receive fun protection
and equal rights and courtesies with
themselves. Upon this the settlement di.
vided. Some thirty families agreed to re-
main. The rest emigrated TO the other
colonies"
Mr.. Arnold stated that his paper was
mainly a defence OF our fathers position,
but that there were other interesting
features as yet unpublished that could be
given and would be OF deep interest to all
students OF history.
Francis Gallagher, the secretary, In
brief address made reference TO the fact
as stated by Mr.. Arnold that many OF
eur best known and most noted families
trace their ancestry from the Huguenots.
Gabriel Bernon. the ancestor OF the Aliens
after a residence OF few years In New
port came TO Providence In 1106. Six
years later he went 10 Kingstown, but
returned to Providence, where he re-
NAMED until his death I'm 1885. mural
tablet In st. Johns Episcopal church on
North Main street, Providence, bears the
following inscription
In memory OF Gabriel Bernon, son OF
Andre and Suzanne Bernon. born at La
Rochelle France. April s. A. d. 1914 A
Huguenot. After two years imprison-
ment for his religious faith. previous TO
the revocation OF the edict of Nantes, he
took refuge in England. and came to
steadfast In promoting the honor OF the
church and the glory Of God.
II is recorded I'm the history of Rhode
Island that ITO the persevering piety and
untiring zeal OF Gabriel Berhon the first
three Episcopal churches I'm Rhode Island
owed their origin" Kings. now St Johns
church. Providence. founded A. ID. l122.
being one of them. He died I'm the faith
once delivered TO the saints Feb. j. "A.
D. 1896 aged az. and is buried beneath
this church. Everyone that has forsaken
houses. or brethren. or sisters, or father
or mother. or wife. or children. or lands
for my names sake shall receive an hun
dresfold, and shall inherit eternal life.
st. Matt.
The presiding officer and others made
remarks In praise OF the paper after which
a vote OF thanks was rendered TO Mr. Ar
mold for his valuable service.
The Hon. Thomas w Bicknell give ar
address entitled THE Preservation NJ
Rhode Island Burial Grounds" The ad
dress was well received and vote oi
thanks rendered 10 the speaker after
which the meeting adjourned.