NOTE C. The exact time when the Society of Friends or Quakers, formed themselves into a body for Church government, cannot now be exactly stated. When William Leddra and Marmaduke Stevenson came to Newport, in the year 1658 or 9, they found their brethren here; and Daniel Gould, the first minister they have any account of in Newport, went to Boston with them, whom they hanged, and severely whipped Gould at the carriage of a great gun, as appears by his account written by himself, and published in the year 1700 The first records of the monthly meeting, commenced in the year 1676. But it is evident that they were formed into a Society previous to that time, as John Burnyeat, a minister here from England, speaks in his journal of attending a yearly meeting in Newport, as early as the year 1671, and George Fox, the following year, 1672, which was held at the house of William Coddington. The first records of the yearly meeting commence in the year 1683, by all which, a tradition existing among them appears to be true, that the first records were burned in the house in which they were kept, and accounts for their not being able to determine the exact time they were founded as a Society. In early times, the Society was very large, about one half the population in 1700, being of that persuasion, and in that year they built the present meeting-house,* in which they now worship.— There have been many ministers, and other conspicuous members of that Society, who lived in Newport and its vicinity. The most distinguished ministers who appeared among them, were Daniel Gould, Jacob Mott, John Hewlett, Ebenezer Slocum, Thomas Cornell, Samuel Freeborn, William Anthony, Gov. John Wanton, Joseph Wanton, Dr. Clarke Rodman, grand-father of the present Clarke Rodman, John Casey, Christopher Townsend, Joseph Mitchell, Isaac Lawton, and David Buffum, with many others. * Mr. Bull says, there was a Friends' meeting-house in Newport, long before this was built, probably soon after they came to this country. It stood on the East side of Farewell-street, opposite the Coddington burial-place--which house was taken down in 1705and some of the materials worked into that which is now the North room of the present meeting-house, which extends 30 feet North of the main building. Since the revolutionary war, the Society has decreased in Newport, and on the Island. There are, however, a respectable number, who meet both at Newport and at Portsmouth, and hold regular meetings in the middle of the week. Previous to the war of the revolution, the present house was well filled, above and below; but at that time, many of its most wealthy members removed to other places, and never returned-and it is now remarked, that there are few settlements of Friends in the State of Vermont, and the Northern and Western parts of New-York, where the seed of Rhode-Island is not to be found. And it is now easily shown, that within forty years, more of the Island, than now dwell upon it. Society have removed from the This Society, at one period of the settlement, say from 1660, down to 1760, were very influential in the government of the Colony. A large proportion of its Governors and other officers, were of that denomination. Among whom may be enumerated William Coddington, Nicholas Easton, John Easton, Walter Clarke, and Henry Bull, who died the last of the first settlers; and John Wanton, Gideon Wanton, and Gov. Hopkins, were all members of the Society. John Wanton was a very eminent and popular preacher among them. But, it was found that such offices were inconsistent with their profession of religion, and of latter years it is uncommon for them to be elected, where military or criminal questions are involved. Under the government of this State, they have from the beginning enjoyed far greater civil and religious liberty, than in any other. Here, their yearly meeting is held, which brings together a large concourse of that body, from different parts of New-England, and frequently, there are attendants from many other parts of the United States, as well as occasional visiters from England and Ireland. On these occasions, no people receive a more respectful attention, and every class of Christians is glad to see them coming into town, in June, when their annual meeting is held. They have for some time contemplated removing the yearly meeting to some place where there are more of the Society; but it is apprehended, that there is no place in New-England, where their rights and privileges will be better secured, or where the mass of the popula tion will so cordially receive them. That part of Newport called Easton's Point, was once wholly the property of the Society of Friends, and till within forty or fifty years, was under quit-rent to them. Since that time, they have sold out the greater part of the quit-rented lots. There are, however, some unsold; and about twenty acres that have been used for meadows and gardens, still remain their property. The Point was originally the property of Gov. Nicholas Easton, who, on his marriage with Ann Clayton, gave it by deed to her, and confirmed it in his will to her, as his wife. In the year 1694, a certain William Edwards, a member of the Society, gave by will to his executors, who were Daniel Gould, Edward Thurston, William James, and John Lurkett, the residue of his estate, for the ben efit of that Society. With a part of which residue, in the year 1698, they purchased of Ann Bull, widow of Gov. Henry Bull, and previously widow of Nicholas Easton, the Point farm, consisting of about sixty-five acres, part of which in 1714, they laid out in house lots, and made a second division in 1725, which they rented out at a very low rate. The Society has the original plat, and regular minutes of the proprietors, ever since. NOTE D. The Sabbatarian, or Seventh-day Baptist Church, was constituted in 1671. Several members of Mr. Clarke's Church, entertaining conscientious scruples in regard to keeping the first day of the week as the Christian Sabbath, withdrew from the fellowship of that Church, and organized themselves into a Church, with Mr. WILLIAM HISCox as their leader. He died May 24th, 1704, in the 66th year of his age. The second Pastor of this Church, was Rev. WILLIAM GIBSON, of London. He died March 12th, 1717, aged 79. He was succeeded by Rev. JOSEPH CRANDALL, who died in 1737. Their next Pastor was Rev. JOSEPH MAXON. He was ordained as an evangelist at Newport, October 8th, 1732, and preached alternately at Newport and Westerly, serving the Church with great faithfulness, until his death, which occurred September, 1748. Elder JOHN MAXSON was the fifth Pastor of this Church, from the year 1754, until his death, in March, 1778. Mr. EBENEZER DAVID, who was converted in Brown University, during his collegiate course of study, became a member of this Church, and was ordained May 31st, 1775. He accepted the place of Chaplain in the army, in which place he died, near Philadelphia, March 19th, 1778. Mr. WILLIAM BLISS became their next Pastor. He was admitted a member of the Church, June, 1764, was ordained an evangelist at Hopkinton, December 7th, 1779, and was installed Pastor of this Church, December 25th, 1780. He continued faithfully to discharge the duties of his office, until his death, which occurred May 4th, 1808, aged 81 years. The Rev. HENRY BURDICK, the present Pastor of the Church, was admitted as a member of this body, January 30th, 1802, and was ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, December 10th, 1807. This Church previous to the revolutionary war, embraced a number of talented and influential men. The Hon. Samuel Ward, who for several years was Governor of Rhode-Island, and a member also of the Continental Congress, belonged to this Church. But the war |