The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-31
SOCIETY IN
OLD south
COUNTY

The seating capacity OF the Historical
society's rooms on Waterman street was
crowded 10 it's utmost last night when
Rev. Daniel Goodwin OF East Greenwich
spoke on Social Life OF Old Narragan-
sett as Chronced by Mr.. Updlke." Few
men are better qualified TO speak on this
subject than the former East Greenwich.
rector. who has spent much time delving
I'm the records OF the earliest Episcopal
parish in Rhode Island and who has edit
ed the diary OF the old rector, Rev. James
McSparTon.
In connection with his work on the
forthcoming edition of the Updikes Mar
ragansett church, Mr. Goodwin has the
facts fresh I'm his mind and his talk last
night was n sympathetls. scholarly and in
teresting account OF the early life OF the
Weather class in South counay.
President Wilfred Munro called the
meeting 10 order and introduced the
speaker who proceeded to tell first Of the
great estates which were held in old Mar
ragansett, having been obtained by land
grants from the crown. and then OF the
fine old manors which had been erected
thereon which with their slave quarters
and out buildings made each plantation
quite n village by itself. The greater part
Of the people were OF pure English an
Cestry but the few others were OF the bet
ter class OF Scotch and French Hugue-
nots as well as a few Dutch and as they
were OF the gentry their guests were
chiefly Of the gentry and so with the
rounds OF visits there was considerable
social life even in 1852
EARLY EDUCATION.
Although there was little general edu-
cation the children OF the manors were
provided with private tutors and each big
house had school roofn for bo ,yo,,r,
er children. When they grew older the
boys were sent to the various colleges and
academies and the girls TO the finishing
schools which were conducted I'm the
larger places. There were many fine libra
ries, some books having titles none but an
educated person could read
While fine feathers do not alvavs make
fine birds the fine birds can usually get
them. he said and told OF the great con-
trast between the present day black and
white combination and the gay garb OF
the men OF the old colony There were
scarlet coats and walstcoats, with lace
rufrles at neck and wristbands. the hair
was turned back over the forehead, all
wore small clothes and the shoes we're or
namented with silver or gold buckles.
The dress OF the ladies was also referred
to as OF gay colors and OF brocade with
high heeled, buckled shoes. and high
dressed hair.
TRIBUTE TO MR.. BAKER.
Graphically and sympthetically he p,ct-
ured wedding of bne OF the Hazards.
May T. 175o TO second cousin describing
those who came as guests referring par
ticularly to Queen Esther" as portly.
masculine appearing dame from PIT Ju-
dith appeared while social arbiter OF the
colony.
The rector. Rev. Mr. McSparron. and
his good Wife came in for their share ot
the description and the flow OF the good
cheer and the mountains OF viands that
were served were dwelt upon.
In comparison he referred to the sad
scene less than dozen years later at
the funeral OF the beloved rector, in the
dead OF winter at the little church
Thomas w Bicknell proposed n vote Of
thanks for the speaker, which was voted
and Col. William Goddard expressed his
appreciation OF the sturdy South county
characters portrayed. He then made a
feeling reference TO the death OF David 8
Baker. I'VE have today laid away a South
county boy, a man such as has been de-
scribed by the speaker OF sweet strong
and upright character, one who Il was a
privilege 20 know and TO call friend
There was a general discussion on the
topic afterward