Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ... far more courageous as sailors than otherwise. They have never had a jail nor a resident lawyer. Chief Warden Wm. P. Lewis, in 1877 had tried 100 cases, 80 civil, 20 criminal, without a lawyer except in one case, and then he was defeated. The Women of the Island have been noted for their in dusty and devotion to the domestic relations. Vigorous, virtuous, dignified and genial, they have heartily cooperated with the men in obtaining a livelihood, and in promoting the welfare of society. Tidy, but not gaudy; frank, but never simpering, what they have lacked in refined education has been compensated for by a large supply of common sense and native genius. Some of them have well improved their advantages in schools abroad, and the boys and girls of the rising generation are obtaining a degree of intelligence and refinement quite in advance of former generations. The morals of the Islanders will compare favorably with any other locality of equal population. Their self imposed taxes for educational and religious purposes have been considerably heavier than the average of such taxes on the main land. Indeed, the first settlers were distinguished by their intelligence and good morals, and as such attracted the attention of Benjamin Franklin, Major-General Greene, and otbers of distinction. The wife of Simon Ray, jr., was the granddaughter of Roger Williams, and this Mr. Ray and his father were the resident, unordained ministers of the Island ninety years. Anna Ray married Governor Samuel Ward of Rhode .Island, and her sister Catharine married Governor William Greene, of the same state, and as they had no brothers their family disappeared, but their good influence has been perpetuated with the surname Ray, so common among the Islanders, until the...