The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-15
MEMORIAL
ERECTED
TO SLAVES
Dedication Of Monument TO
Negroes Once Held In Ssrvl.
tudo at Darlington.

What Is probably the most remarkable
yesterday at Princes Hill cemetery at
harrington. where a monument was un-
veiled and dedicated to the memory OF the
slaves who once served families OF that
section.
The monument is near the family
monument OF the Bicknells. IL is a
white quartz boulder. five feet high. four
feet wide and pa feet thick On the four
corners ironstones are placed for support.
n bronze tablet, 14xlS inches, Is riveted
into the stone with bronze rivets. The
tablet contains this inscription:
In Memory OF
Negro Slaves and Their Descendants.
Who Faithfully Served
harrington Families.
Erected 1903
Thomas W. Bicknell. whose family once
owned many slaves. was prominent
mover In the. and he was supported
by descendants Of other families who
held slaves In harrington.
There were about 200 people in attend
ance. including prominent Barrinston
citizens and representatives OF the Sons
OF the Revolution from Bristol chapter.
The exercises began at $3.50. with singing
by the school children and church congre-
cations OF harrington. after which Rev.
William NJ Chaplin OF st. Johns Episco-
pal church. harrington. said prayer.
A passage from the Bible was read by
Rev. j. Coughlln OF the M. +. church of
harrington. The specta tors then joined
In singing the Battle Hymn OF the Re-
public" T. w. Bicknell read a letter of
regret from Ex-Governor Elisha Dyer,
which was In part:
THE Rhode Island society OF the Sons
of the American Revolution Is very glad
20 add its testimony OF commendation TO
any patriotic effort made by its fellow
citizens 10 mark the Incidents OF the War
OF the Revolution, and surely this tablet
erected TO the memoryNof the slaves of
harrington and their descendants will
also be reminder that II was undoubt-
edly by reason OF the loyalty and patriot
ism OF those slaves in the struggle for
Independence that brought them by act
OF legislature In 1854 their well-earned
emancipation.
I'VE, who are assembled on Prince $
Hill today. stand by the graves OF men
and women who served the families OF
harrington faithfully. and some OF them
offered their lives 10 freedoms cause in
the Revolutionary struggle. BY these
humble mounds, under which sleep the
dusky children of African birth, by the
marker Of the Society OF the Sons OF the
represent all their patriot dead. by this
white boulder buttressed at each corner
by it's black ironstone support. embe-
matte OF the relations OF the two races
in trusty union. let us. as members of
the Loyal Legion OF America. pledge a
solemn oath that We will be true 10 the
race that has always been true to us.
that we will defend its rights when as
sailed. and that In our support OF the
great principles for which our fathers
lived and died we will know no creed. no
race, no color, under the fatherhood of
God, In the brotherhood of man. and in
the full hope OF the final emancipation
OF the human race to freedom under
gracious laws and wise rulers 10 earth s
remotest limits"
Hezekiah Butterworth. former editor
of the Youths Companion and well
known author. read a poem on an incl
dent In the life OF President Lincoln called
the Silent Dispatch"
Other speakers were Judge o. l.. Bos-
worth. Town Clerk Church and Rev. Mr..
Paine.
The exercises closed by the singing of
the Battle Cry OF Freedom"