Hopkinton & Richmond NEW 45 PAGE BOOKLET 

The history of two Washington County towns (townships) are recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this spiral-bound booklet, reprinted from two hard-to-find books: History of the State of Rhode Island  published in 1878 by Hoag, Wade & Co., Philadelphia, and Rhode Island, a Guide to the Smallest State, a WPA project published in 1937. The booklet measures 11" x 8 1/2" and is printed one-sided on 60# paper. A clear vinyl sheet has been added to protect cover, which is printed in copper, dark blue and black on Natural Skytone Parchtone stock.

Hopkinton encompasses:  Ashaway, Hope Valley, and Hopkinton City.
Richmond encompasses: Arcadia, Carolina, Hillsdale, Kenyon, Richmond, Shannock, Tug Hollow, Usquepaug, Woodville and Wyoming

The 1878 book excerpts cover the early development of this area, while passages from the WPA book, give a nostalgic glimpse from a later vantage point, including interesting historical notes, especially as they relate to sightseeing possibilities.  Among the many and diverse subjects taken from these books are: Physical features and geological traits; Early Settlers and Population Origins; Boundary Disputes; Indians; Romantic beginning of Hopkinton; Prominent pioneer families, including Daniel Lewis, George Babock, William Clarke, Thomas Lillebridge, Henry Collins, and John Moore; How a child saved her people from a massacre; Division of the town of Westerly; Town Organization and first town officiers; Early businesses and industries; Granny Mott, a supposed witch; "spells" cast by James McDaniel; and other strange tales;  Shakers, Beldentes and Morseites sects; First Day, and Seventh-Day Baptist, and other churches; Secret Societies; Banks; Education; Transportation; Richmond in the Revolution; a post office dispute; and other interesting bits of history and trivia. trivia. There's also an early map of the state, a population table, and descriptions of notable homes and other points of interest in the area.

The booklet contains two very nice full-page sketches: the residence of A.L. and F.S. Wells and the A. L. Wells & Co., Carriage Manufactory in Hopkinton; E. Kenyon's Mills in Richmond; and Nichols and Langworthy's Machine Works in Hope Valley.  

Wouldn't this make a unique gift?