Newport, Rhode Island, USA
1892 - Newport

CITY OF NEWPORT

Even the closest observer to-day would fail to discover any evidence to indicate that Newport once held a proud position in the maritime commerce of the western world. Yet such was the case. There was a time when this place was the seat of great commercial activity, being for years a more important port of entry than New York, and second only to Boston. This was previous to the War of Independence. 'For over one hundred and fifty years from the arrival of the first emigrants', says Benjamin B. Howland, the historian, 'Newport and Boston were the chief cities of New England, and their commerce rendered each of them superior to New York.' The Revolution, which gave birth to the Republic of the United States, gave the deathblow to the commercial supremacy of Newport. The close of the struggle found the merchants of this city impoverished and their trade utterly destroyed. Having a safe and convenient harbor, easy of ingress and egress, and possessing all advantages for navigation, it is difficult to understand why Newport never regained its lost prestige on the sea. It did not, however. The commerce of the city steadily declined, until it became reduced to insignificant proportions, as may be inferred from the fact that the exports and imports now aggregate less than $20,000 annually. But though the glory of Newport as a centre of commerce and trade has probably passed away forever, this city has gained the distinction of being the most fashionable and most noted watering-place in the country. Situated on the west coast of the island from which the State of Rhode Island derives its name, on the isthmus of the southern peninsula, it is exceptionally favored as a summer resort. In front lies an excellent harbor, opening into Narragansett Bay, with a fine anchorage in thirty feet of water, between the great miliary post Fort Adams and Goat Island, the headquarters of the torpedo division of the United States Navy, and allowing vessels of eighteen feet draught to reach the piers at low water. By rail it is 19 miles south-south-west of Fall River, and by steamer 162 miles from New York. The natural scenery is romantic and beautiful, the climate is salubrious and equable, and the country round about is exceedingly productive. Speaking of the island of Aquidneck, on which Newport is situated, a writer many years ago said: 'It is deservedly esteemed the paradise of New England for the fruitfulness of the soil and the temperateness of the climate. Though it is not above sixty miles from Boston, it is a coat warmer in winter, and being surrounded by the ocean, is not so much affected in summer with the hot land-breezes as the towns on the continent.'

The history of Newport extends back to the year 1639. The first settlers were Puritans from Massachusetts Bay colony, who were forced to leave that province owing to the intolerance prevailing there. Having taken part in what is known as the 'Hutchinson dispute,' and being in the minority, they suffered the fate of Roger Williams and his associates a few years before. Banished from the territory of Massachusetts, the little party, to whom this city owes its origin, had intended to seek a home in Delaware, whither they had sent their worldly possessions. Before leaving they resolved to pay a visit to the little colony at Providence established by Roger Williams. Becoming impressed with the appearance of things on the shores of Narragansett Bay, these exiles determined to abandon the idea of going to Delaware. Accordingly, with a view of settling hereabouts, they purchased from the Indians the island of Aquidneck, with the right to the grass on the neighboring islands, for forty fathoms of white peage, ten coats, twenty hoes, and five fathoms of wampum. A civil compact to this effect was entered into on March 7, 1638, and the new-comers planted themselves on the north-eastern part of the island and founded the town of Portsmouth. The signers of the compact, and presumably the first settlers, were William Coddington, John Clarke, William Hutchinson, John Coggeshall, William Aspinwall, Samuel Wilbore, John Porter, John Sanford, Edward Hutchinson, jr., Thomas Savage, William Dyre (sic), William Freeborne, Philip Shearman, John Walker, Richard Carder, William Baulstone, Edward Hutchinson, sr., and Henry Bull. The witnesses to the agreement were Roger Williams and Randall Holden. The pioneer settlement in the island grew so rapidly, that in the following spring a new colony was projected on the shores of the Aquidneck. With this end in view three of the settlers, Nicholas Easton, William Brenton, and Thomas Hazard, set out in search of a suitable spot for the purpose, and selected the site where now stands the city of Newport. They entered into a contract with the natives to clear the 'swamp', the price paid for the work being a coat with brass buttons. In a short time the Indians had effected a clearing, and then the place was filled up with sand and gravel, and rendered fit for building upon. So rapid was the progress made, that in May, 1639, the town was created and settled. The settlement was named Newport, and the first town officials were: William Coddington, Judge; William Dyre, Clerk; Nicholas Easton, William Brenton, Thomas Hazard, John Coggeshall, John Clarke, Jeremiah Clarke, and Henry Bull, Elders. Four acres were assigned for each house-lot, and William Coddington, who was afterwards Governor of the State, had six acres allotted to him for an orchard. This was the second orchard laid out in New England. The first buildings here were erected at a point in the rear of the site of the State House, around a spring where the fountain now stands. The stone house built by Henry Bull, one of the original settlers and one of the early governors of the colony, who died in 1693, is still standing on the east side of Spring Street. Thames Street, now the leading business thoroughfare, was the first street laid out by the early settlers. Most of the old landmarks have disappeared with the march of progress in late years, but there still remain many historic features to remind one of what Newport once was. The names of the more prominent among the old settlers are preserved in the street nomenclature. In the older section of the city the streets are narrow and the buildings quaint and ancient looking, but in the modern portion of Newport the thoroughfares are broad and excellently kept, and are lined with elegant villas and handsome cottages, the homes of luxury, wealth, and fashion.

As has been intimated, trade and commerce flourished here as they did nowhere else on the American continent prior to the Revolution. Many of those who settled in Newport in the early days of its history were men of stamp, learned and refined, and the society of this place was polite and literary, notwithstanding that the people were nearly all engaged in commercial pursuits. The streets of the town were thronged with the intelligent and enterprising merchants of distant lands, and the canvas on the ships of different nations whitened the harbor. There were several large oil and candle factories, sugar-refineries, rope-manufactories, breweries, distilleries, and numerous other industries here at the time of which we speak, and the wharves and warehouses were insufficient to accommodate the commerce of the port. There were at one period fully two hundred vessels connected with this port engaged in foreign commerce, and about four hundred craft in the coasting trade, while a line of packets plied between Newport and London. There was an extensive business carried on with the Indies, and when it was considered reputable to buy and sell human beings there was a very large trade in slaves. The lower stories of some of the warehouses still in existence served as slave-pens; and here on the wharves, almost within the recollection of men yet in the flesh, merchants and traders bartered and dickered over the purchase and sale of men, women, and children. It is said that in the early part of the eighteenth century the street leading to the State House from Thames Street was paved out of profits made in traffic in negro slaves.

Formerly there was a very considerable Hebrew element in this city, and the Jews were a highly important factor in the development of the trade of the port. They were mostly of Dutch extraction from Curacoa, and from Spain and Portugal, and it was during their commercial sway that Newport reached the zenith of its prosperity. The place had then a population of ten thousand, or about half of what it is to-day. During the War of Independence the population dwindled down to five thousand, and when again the War of 1812 broke out Newport received another severe blow at its prosperity. About 1830, however, the town began to assume something of its former liveliness and activity, but it was not until 1850 that Newport regained the population it had in 1775.

Newport is the semi-capital of Rhode Island, Providence dividing with it the honors of the State, and it is also the seat of justice for Newport County. The city is built upon a gentle declivity, looking towards the southwest, and presents an attractive appearance as it is approached by water. The harbor is considered one of the finest on the Atlantic coast, and in the summer season it is studded all over with the white sails of pleasure craft, presenting an exceedingly gay and animated scene.

Newport was chartered as a city June 1, 1784, but on March 27, 1787, the charter was surrendered. From the last-mentioned period until 1853 it remained under a town form of government, and then once more took on the dignity of a municipality. Among the more noteworthy buildings of the city are the State House, erected in 1742; the City Hall, which was built in 1763; the Jewish Synagogue, erected in 1763; the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, bearing date of 1750; the Market House or Granary, which was put up in 1762; the Custom House, Masonic Hall, Armory Hall and the Channing Memorial Church. Newport is well supplied with first-class hotels. Many of the summer hotels in and around the city are very imposing in their architectural ornamentation, and magnificently appointed. In its surroundings the city has many beautiful and interesting spots, with attractions for persons of all tastes. Touro Park, the Cliffs, Conrad's Cave, Spouting Rock, Forty Steps, and Ochre Point are all worth a visit from the sojourner at Newport. Narragansett Pier in the summer months, with its superb hotels and elegant cottages, is famous all over the country. To the antiquary, to the lover of the curious in nature, and to the seeker after repose, health, and pleasure, Newport abounds in charms and attractions. As a summer resort it is growing in popularity every year, and its summer houses and cottages are increasing in number notably each season.

Industries and Wealth of the Principal Points in Rhode Island, being the city of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, Newport, Narragansett Pier, Bristol & Westerly.
New York: A. F. Parsons Publishing Co., 1892



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