New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-21
ROGER WILLIAMS RELICS
Those Uncovered in Providence
Arouse Much Interest.

That relics OF The time OF Roger Will
Jams. nearly 30 years ago. should be
buried within a few feet OF tho surface
Of tho ground. almost on the site OF his
first home I'm Providence without being
uncovered until the present time. has
aroused an unusual amount OF interest
In that city. says The Providence
Journal
Further digging in the rear OF the
building at SO. 2p North Main street, by
men In the employ OF Joseph Levye VIII
be watched with keen interest Recently
many Viewed the uncovered remains OF
what was citho- burial vault or tie
i-root cellar Of a building which was
about 10 feet long and feet wide.
There IL no doubt that the property WAS
once that Of Roger Williams. Historians
agree that the land extending from the
northwest corner ~ Rowland street TO
Alamo Lane northward and TO Hope
streef westward was Roger Villiams's al
Iotment among the original collection or
house lots apportioIed among the early
settlers They also agree that the iaues
running eastward from North and South
Main streets were the boundaries between
the lots and that all of the original resi-
dcuccs were built amous these TWO
streets. Roger Wnliamss house stood Oh
the northwest corner Of what IS now
Howlaud street. \ tablet has marked the
spot since the fireplace OF his home was
dug up. several years ago.
The tablet reads. a few rods east OF
this spot stood the house ~ Roger VIII
Jams. Founder 81 Providence, 1896 The
present owner 81 the house says that the
fireplace is still there, but Is covered b.
his garden. as ne wanted "a use his land
for that purpose.
Across the street II the house where
Roger Williams sprns was located. The
tablet on This house reads: Under this
house still flows the Roger Williams
spring. In the rear Of this house is
2 square brick enclosure from which
water was formerly drawn. but which
IL now full OF stagnant water, as the
house has been deserted for some time.
Formerly. before the nllinS in of Canal
street and the construction OF the ancient
canal 10 Worcester. tide water flowed
almost into the back yard Of this house.
and flat stones are still there TO snow
where people objected to walking In the
mud
The mace where the vault has been
uncovered. containing bones. parts OF
veil and numerous pieces Of dishes is
abor, ,eu feet north OF Roger Williams
6repIacc. At present the ground where
the excavation has been made Shows
that there was sloping line OF loam
bout three feet below the surface, Whicn
was evidently part OF garden. II
comes on a level with the top or the
stone vault and runs across TO POINT
which is about on level With the bottom
OF the ancient fireplace.
\ sheer wall about ten feet high e1-
tends from the black streak upward,
showing where people. when they built
the house facing on Benefit street, hlled
In here 90 make their back yard level.
The fact that this vault has never been
before, Is easily explained by
the fact that no digging has been done
there AS far back as old inhabitants can
remember Practically all Of the build
ings. the ono on the front OF the lot
the one next TO it and the one across the
street. are said 10 be more than i5o years
old. Whether this IS true or not, II IS
certain that they are very ancient. the
doors are OF the old latch type, the beams
arc hand hewu and htted together with
wooden pins, and the brick and stone
work shows signs Of age that arc I'M
mistakable.
Another thing that is pulling Joseph
Levye. is tho bottle Of black liquid, which
was dug out OF the cellar II is I'M
broken. and If It had been any kind OF
wine would have had sufficient age TO
make Il as fine as anything In existence
II has q peculiar odor The suggestion
has been advanced that II this were to
be analysed, 1t might shed some light
on the Colonial mystery. 4 surgeon may
be called in 10 look at tho bones I'M
covered. 10 sec whether or not they gro
those OF human beings.