Flat Jane Austen in Providence
May --, 1816 con't
We continue walking along Main Street and up a hill to Benefit Street. This one mile street features the original homes of the merchants and tradesmen of Providence.
First, we walk along South Main Street to see the former home of 10-time colonial governor and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Stephen Hopkins. It was first built as a small, sort of shack, in 1707. Mr. Hopkins later enlarged the home. It is simple, in keeping with his Quaker faith but well enough for a colonial.
He was a very important man in the colonies and supported the cause of Independence from the beginning. For some unusual reason, this man who espoused liberty and freedom for all enslaved a number of people in spite of opposition from his fellow Quakers.
[Editor's note: Read a timeline of his life. Read more about the house. We were unable to go inside.]
Also on South Main Street we see the home of Mr. Joseph Brown, the architect and brother of Mr. John Brown. He designed a number of important buildings in the neighborhood including the Market House, the Baptist Meeting House and College edifice using English design books. This house was begun in 1774. He also taught mathematics at the University. Mr. Brown passed away in '85 and the home passed to his brothers. In 1791 Mr. John and Mr. Moses Brown opened the Providence Bank and used this building as their headquarters.
We pass by a few homes along this street likely belonging to merchants or mariners.
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| Early Federal style home Planet Street? |
The very grand people are beginning to build their homes up the hill now, near to Mr. John Brown's house. I shall write to you about them soon. Now we walk up the hill and in the opposite direction away from Susanna's home.
We walk up Planet Street, so-called for the Transit of Venus that occurred in June 1769. (There is also a Transit Street). Local scientists, including Mr. Joseph Brown, placed an observation platform and installed equipment installation on the crest of the hill above the Town House, near the college edifice.
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| Flat Jane Planet St Providence, RI |
They Observed the passage of the planet Venus between the earth and the sun occurring in a pattern of two December observations 8 years apart, followed some years later by two June observations 8 years apart. 243 years pass between one June observation pair and the next, and the same between each December observation pair.
Mr. John Brown's house is just up the hill on Benefit Street. We walk along the street paying calls and nodding to the neighbors.
Here is a map to help guide you.
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| A map of Benefit Street |
At the foot of College Hill and Benefit Streets, at the opposite end from Roger Williams is the Town House, hosting offices of public officials.
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| Old Town House c. 1850; built 1795, demolished 1860 |
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| The site of the Town House is now part of Brown University. All that is left is this plaque to note what was once there. |
Next door is a charming subscription library. It is not open today so we must return.
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| Providence Athenaeum built 1838- more later |
There are not many homes completed here at the South end of the street so we head North. Past the street where we saw Stephen Hopkins's home, past the street where we saw the Shakespeare's Head and brick schoolhouse, Old State House, St. John's...
This house is said to be cursed!
Local legend has it that Stephen Harris had the house built his home over the top of a Huguenot (French Protestant) burying ground. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Harris, a merchant, fell on hard financial times. He lost a number of his trading vessels at sea; several children; his wife went mad and was confined to the upper floor of the dwelling! According to the story, Mrs. Harris could be heard to rant tirades in French, a language she did not know. There is much potential for a Gothic story there.
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| Jane and the Shunned House |
Editor's note:
This house is best known as "The Shunned House" from an H.P. Lovecraft story. His aunt lived next door and shared gossip with him that became the basis for the story about I know for a fact the family suffered many misfortunes. Grandson-in-law misappropriated their finances; a granddaughter had mental health issues and was institutionalized off and on in Worcester. A granddaughter died in her 20s, a great-grandson almost died when a maid purchased the wrong medication and daughter-in-law Sarah Hawes Harris was forced to sell her family property to the railroad.
Here lives Thomas Holden at 118 Benefit Street, the first of the brick homes built here along Benefit Street, in 1809. The land was part of Major Jabez Gorham's estate, sold to the printers John and Amy Carter, then to the printer John Updike. A mariner, John Miller Noyes, owned the lot and sold it to Josiah Humphrey. Mr. Humphrey left his house and land to his wife. She then sold it to Thomas Holden who made improvements. He has put his home up for sale to pay war taxes. I believe Mr. Holden is a tailor.
Nathaniel Smith House, a small scale merchant lives at 58 [106] Benefit Street. His house is newer, [1795-1798] and is quite comfortable for an American home. It looks much like a cottage to me. The architecture is very different here than in Hampshire and Somerset or even Dorset. The neighbors are middle class families: reformers, politicians and businessmen.
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| Flat Jane Nathaniel Smith House |
This is the home of the father of the free-school system, John Howland. A direct descendant of a servant upon a ship called The Mayflower, Mr. Howland of Providence is a barber and member of the Providence School Committee. His house was built in 1784 on land purchased from Gersham Jones, a pewterer.
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| Flat Jane John Howland House |
Next door lives Col. James Burr and Mrs. Burr, on the corner of Church St., in the pink house.
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| Burr House and Snow House |
William Snow House. Another typical dwelling of this place. Built in 1784 and restored in 1798. We pay a call on Mrs. Marcy Snow. Her husband served in the navy during the War for Independence.
The Providence Benevolent Congregational Society Parsonage, a ladies benevolent society.
This home, 56 Benefit Street, was built for a very important family of tradesmen. It was built in '93 for Jabez Gorham, now deceased, a cousin of John Howland. His family no longer lives on the property but his son and namesake has been making quite a name for himself here in town as a silversmith.
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| Jabez Gorham House |
Jabez Gorham, silversmith is only 24 years of age and already has formed a partnership in business with four other young men to make jewelry.
Editor's note: in 1831 Jabez Gorham, Jr. formed the Gorham Manufacturing Company, once world famous for their silverware, castings, jewelry, tea sets, statuary, etc.
Samuel Staples built two houses. The small, narrow house squeezed in here was built in 1760 and moved to this spot more recently.
Samuel Staples, a housewright, built 52 Benefit Street as well. It is a typical late 18th-century clapboard house with gable roof, two stories, five bay façade and pedimented centre entrance. It is built close to the street with an additional lower floor at the rear.
Elisha Angell's house, at 48 Benefit Street, is a newer house, completed in 1810. The Angells are one of the first families in Providence.
There are many empty lots to be filled. Our carriage awaits us here to return home.
I am saving the most delightful accounts of my visits with the elite of Providence for when my hosts are not around. I shall share my impressions with you soon. Until then I am
ever yours,
Jane
Follow Susanna and her freind Felicity from Virginia to see more homes.
Read more
historic images from
Providence's Benefit Street (Images Of America) by Elyssa Tardif, Peggy Chang, published by the Rhode Island Historical Society
Providence's Benefit Street (Images Of America) by Elyssa Tardif, Peggy Chang, published by the Rhode Island Historical Society
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