Trails to the Past

Kent County, Rhode Island Biographies

Personal Paragraphs of East Greenwich

T - W

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

David Tarbox is of French descent. He was born here in 1808. He is of the seventh generation of the family who have lived in New England. His father was Joseph, son of Samuel, son of John, son of John, son of John, son of John Tarbox, who in 1639 was a resident of Lynn, Mass. John Tarbox, the grandson of the first John of Lynn, Mass., bought a farm in East Greenwich, including the place where Joseph J. Spencer now resides. Here this John Tarbox and several generations of his descendants lived, died and were buried in the family plot. David Tarbox, now living, married in 1833 Mary, daughter of William Spencer, who was a brother of Deacon Richard Spencer. Of their fourteen children three are living: Oliver C, Wealthy F. and Anna E.

Joseph Tarbox, deceased, was born in 1816 and died in 1888. He was of the eighth generation of the Tarbox family in New England, being son of Matteson, son of David, son of Samuel, son of John, son of John, son of John, son of the John Tarbox who settled at Lynn, Mass., in 1639. Joseph Tarbox married in 1841 Phebe W. Bailey, whose father, George Bailey, was of the fifth generation of Baileys in New England, being a son of Robert, son of Joseph, son of Samuel, son of Hugh Bailey, who came from England about 1690. Joseph Tarbox (1816-1888) was a farmer. He owned and operated the granite quarries in West Greenwich, where his sons are now interested. This quarry yields the fine light granite in general use in this part of Rhode Island and produced the major portion of the cut stone in the village of East Greenwich. Joseph Tarbox's descendants are : William H., Daniel, Ann M. (Mrs. Andrews), Charles A., Joseph M. and Phebe M. (Mrs. George C. Goodwin).

Richard Thornley was born in 1843 in Lincoln, R. I., and came to East Greenwich in 1857. He began business as dealer in wool and cotton waste, buying new wool of the farmers. In 1879 he opened an office in Providence in the same business. He has been in town council one year, representative 1886-87, and was elected to the state senate in March, 1888. His wife is Alice M., daughter of Benjamin Crompton.

Doctor Charles J. Thurston is a native of East Greenwich. His early days were spent in Western New York, where he learned dentistry. After practicing that art in Buffalo and Philadelphia, he returned to his native village in 1866 and continued work as a practical dentist until about ten years ago, since which time he has lived retired, devoting his leisure to such studies and investigations as are most to his taste.

Mumford D. Tillinghast was born in 1803 and died in 1876. His father was Job, a son of George. Mr. Tillinghast was principally a farmer, but with that he combined, in a profitable way, the purchase and slaughter of cattle. His farm where he lived and died is in the old Huguenot settlement in District No. 5 of East Greenwich. He married Clarissa, daughter of Henry Tibbitts and she survives him. Their children are: Harriet N. (Mrs. Albert S. Reynolds), Caroline D. (Mrs. George W. Reynolds), Elizabeth (Mrs. Nathaniel S. Allen), John G., Henry M. (who was in the federal army in 1861-65), and Isabella G. (Mrs. Thomas Allen).

Charles A. Vaughn was born here on the homestead he now owns. His father, Christopher C, was a son of Ebenezer and grandson of Christopher Vaughn. Mr. Vaughn lives a plain and rural life, and has had but little to do with public affairs. He, however, has acted on the school committee and as tax assessor. In 1866 he was married to Lydia E., daughter of Gardiner Spencer. They have a family, the eldest of whom, their daughter Margarette, is a teacher.

Edward A. Vaughn, born in 1850, is a son of Arnold Vaughn, (Isaac, Daniel, Isaac, John). Arnold Vaughn was born in the town of Charlestown in 1819, and came here when seven years of age. John Vaughn settled in North Kingstown about 1700. His four sons were Caleb, Christopher, Robert and Isaac. The sons of Isaac were: John, Daniel, Aaron and Joshua. E. A. Vaughn is of the firm of A. Vaughn & Son. They began business in 1871 in a building now vacant, known as the Judge Tillinghast store, a place where the judge dispensed West India goods years ago. Mrs. Edward A. Vaughn was Elizabeth Allen. Their children are Berthia and Ethel.

Stukely B. Wickes was born in 1830 in Warwick. His father, Stukely, was a son of Stukely, who was a son of Stukely. He began in 1857 as merchant tailor, when he succeeded Colonel William Bodfish. Mrs. Wickes was Sarah J. Aylesworth, a sister of Lyman Aylesworth, of North Kingstown. Mr. Wickes is junior warden of St. Luke's church.

George H. Wilcox was born in 1827 in West Greenwich. His father was Varnum Wilcox, and his grandfather was George Wilcox. He was educated as an engineer, and came to East Greenwich in 1850, was engineer in a mill three years, and machinist seven years, and superintendent until October, 1884. The mill was at Wattawanock. Then the name was changed to "Bay Mill," then to Elizabeth Mill No. 2, by which it is now known. They have one daughter who is married and away.

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