Trails to the Past

Kent County, Rhode Island Biographies

Personal Paragraphs of Coventry

M - N

Source: The History of Washington & Kent Counties
Written by J. R. Cole published in 1889 by W. W. Preston & Co.

Thomas Manchester was born in 1846 at Anthony. His father, John W., was a son of Joseph and grandson of Joseph, whose father, Matthew Manchester, was born in Tiverton, R. I., in 1720. His mother is Rebecca W. Manchester. She is a sister of Byron Read and a daughter of Henry Read. She had five children, three of whom are now living. Mr. Manchester and his brother Job carry on the business of farming on the old homestead in partnership. They run a milk and ice cart in Washington, Anthony and Quidnick. Thomas Manchester was married in 1866 to Susan Matteson, daughter of Ezra, who was a son of Rufus, he a son of Obadiah and grandson of Jonathan Matteson.

Ezekiel P. Mathewson, born in 1821, is a son of Wilbur, whose father, Russell, was a son of Josiah Mathewson. Mr. Mathewson is a farmer. He was married in 1843 to Harriet Bennett. They have six children living: Amanda M. (Mrs. Albert H. Bentley), Harriet (Mrs. Simeon S. Webster), George W., Daniel W., John F. and Charles H. They have lost three: Mary M., Olive Emeline and Eddie.

Henry Matteson was born in 1813 and died in 1880. He was married in 1833 to Almira Arnold, who survives him. She is a daughter of Thomas G. Arnold, son of Benjamin, son of Benjamin, son of Philip Arnold. Thomas G. Arnold built the house where Mrs. Matteson now lives. He owned and operated the acid works which were situated near the dwelling, from 1836 until his death in 1861. Afterward Mr. Matteson carried on the business one year. He was a machinist by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Matteson have had four children : Eliza E. (Mrs. Henry D. Spencer), Emeline (Mrs. Amos Fuller), Albert H. and one who died in infancy.

Asahel Matteson, son of Reuben, was born in West Greenwich in 1811. He was president of the national bank at Anthony several years. He carried on a store at Anthony about thirty-seven years. He was in the senate three terms. He was married in 1837 to Julia M. Johnson. They have had three children : Charles, Amy A. and Ella J.

Henry Matteson, son of Asher and grandson of Reuben Matteson, was born in 1828 in West Greenwich. He was in a store at Anthony about thirty years prior to January 18th, 1887, when the store burned. The last two years it was conducted under the firm name of J. Matteson & Co., and prior to that A. Matteson & Co. Mr. Matteson was married in 1851 to Lydia M. Barber. She died and he was married in 1853 to Mary A. Rous, who also died. He was married in 1873 to Susan M. Scott. He has two sons, Walter H. and Arthur J.

Leonard R. Matteson, son of Olney Matteson, was born in 1832 in Coventry. He first learned carriage making of his father and worked at that trade about ten years. He worked for the South Bridge print works about seventeen years. He has resided at Summit about five years, and runs a saw mill and farm. He was married in 1860 to Ellen S., daughter of Jason J. Potter, and has two children: Genevieve (Mrs. Alonzo Pearce) and Ellen Frances.

Thomas Matteson, born in 1815, is a son of Rufus, whose father, Obadiah, was a son of Jonathan Matteson. He is a carpenter and farmer, and has lived on the farm that he now occupies about thirty-three years. He was married in 1840 to Maria James. Their children are : Mary Ann, John S., George H. and Lucy Jane, who is now Mrs. George J. Andrews.

Stephen Matteson was born in 1818 in Coventry. Cory Matteson, his father, was a son of Daniel Matteson. Mr. Matteson has worked at stone cutting about forty years and at farming about twenty years. He was married in 1839 to Mary Ann Dyer. They have two children, Philip H. and Mary A., who is Mrs. Christopher Cushing. Mr. and Mrs. Cushing live with her father. Mr. Matteson has been deacon in the Quidnick Baptist church about thirty-six years.

Caleb R. Nicholas, born in 1838 in Cranston, is a son of Caleb, whose father, David, was a son of John Nicholas. Mr. Nicholas is a farmer. He has been assessor of taxes several times. In 1855 he was married to Mary M. L., daughter of Ambrose S. Hopkins, and has one son, Ambrose H., born 1857. Mr. Nicholas is a member of the Christian church of Rice City, and a member of Ionic Lodge, No. 28, A. F. & A. M.

Giles M. Nichols, born in 1817 in Coventry, is a son of William and grandson of Reuben, whose father was Joseph Nichols. He has worked at house carpentering twenty years. He came to Summit and built a part of the building which is now his residence, and has added to it until he now has a nice residence with a store in the east end. He was postmaster twenty-nine years and three months prior to 1885, when he was succeeded by Chester Franklin. He was station agent from 1856 to about 1888. In 1840 he was married to Celia E. Davis. She died in 1863, and he was married in 1864 to Betsey, daughter of Josiah Greene, son of Stafford, son of Reverend Elisha Greene, whose father was Reverend Philip Greene. Their children are : Ellen H., Susan M. (died aged two years), Huldah D., Mary E. (died aged five years), and Angle E. Mr. Nichols has been in the town council two years and was in the legislature one year.

Nicholas S. Northup, son of Absalom, was born in 1832 in North Kingstown. He is a machinist and has worked at the trade about thirty-two years. He was married in 1854 to Lucy Angell. They have six children : Orrin A., Isaac B., Horace H. and Julia S., twins, Mary F. and Nicholas S., Jr.

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