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From Farmhand to Freeholder
Manuel Furtado Dutra arrived barefoot and alone in Jamestown in 1917 when he was 13 years old. He had never worn shoes in his life, could not read or write, and had never been to school.
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“Babe” Caswell: Model Maker and Mariner
William Foster Caswell, commonly known as “Babe” was born in Jamestown in November 1909, the fifth child of John and Isabel Caswell. The census-taker six months later recorded “no name” for him.
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The Jamestown Forum
Non-governmental organizations were also formed to address the problems ahead, among them the Jamestown Forum, which first entered the public eye in 1947.
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Town, residents made ultimate sacrifice in WWII
Many Jamestown residents have given the ultimate sacrifice to their nation during wartime. While honoring the local men and women who have died, the community also is compelled to take stock of the causes for which they fought, as these causes still have echoes in the world today.
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John Robert Caswell
Jamestown has had many inventive and colorful residents over the years, among them John Robert Caswell.
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Women in Our Post Office
The first post office in Jamestown was established in 1847. At the time, women were less than 1 percent of federal Postmasters, and the Postmaster’s salary was a percentage of the stamps sold. Mail was not delivered door-to-door; it was held by the Postmaster for pick up.
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Black Inventor Stakes Claim with Toy Bird, Blinds
In August 1890, the magazine Scientific American announced a new “device for operating and fastening blind slats which is the invention of Mr. Abraham Pugsley of Jamestown, Rhode Island.”
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Camp Meade
Camp Meade (sometimes spelled Mead) was the training camp for the Third Rhode Island Cavalry. It was established between June 26 and August 18, 1863, and probably named for General George Gordon Meade who had just taken command of the Army of the Potomac.
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The Jamestown Holiday Season over the Years
During the holiday season in the 21st century Christians of many faiths celebrate the birthday of Jesus with Christmas parties and presents. Jews gather for Hanukkah, the festival of lights. Americans of African heritage express their unity at Kwanzaa.
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Jamestown Inherited Two Thanksgiving Traditions
Jamestown’s first European Thanksgiving was in 1687, imposed by royal fiat. Religious separatists and Quakers eschewed all “pagan” holidays.
