Lincoln, RI

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Lincoln, Rhode Island formerly belonged to the town of Smithfield, which was then one of the largest towns in the State, comprising a population of some fourteen thousand.  The early history of the town would seem, therefore, to more properly belong to that of its parent town, Smithfield.  And yet, the territory embraced within the limits of the present town of Lincoln has been the scene of many historic achievements.  It was here that King Philip’s war was commenced and finished, and many hard-fought battles attest the courage and self-sacrificing devotion of its early pioneers.  Although the town, as has been remarked, is of but recent birth, still it is fast progressing in the development of all its manufacturing and business interests, and the future of Lincoln is a destiny of undoubted progress and success.

A large section of the old town of Smithfield was devoted almost exclusively to agriculture.  That portion now embraced within the limits of Lincoln, had most its business along the lines of the Blackstone and Moshassuck rivers.  For many years the advisability of dividing the old town of Smithfield, owing to the diversity of occupations and business interests, had attracted the attention of people, and many discussions ensued.

The matter assumed no definite form until 1871.  On the 21st of January, 1871, a special town meeting was called for that purpose, and a vote was taken and resulted favorable to the friends of a separate town formation.  A committee was immediately appointed, consisting of the following-named gentlemen:  Hon. Charles Moies, George Kilburn, Esq., Mr. Thomas A. Paine, and Mr. Job Shaw.  This committee was duly authorized to introduce this subject to the State legislature for its favorable consideration, which they did at the January session of 1871.  Through their judicious management it was favorably entertained by this body, and on the eighth day of March, 1871, the legislature of the State of Rhode Island passed an act authorizing the division of the town of Smithfield, incorporated the new towns thereby formed, and fixing the boundaries of the several towns therein interested.

Thus the young town started into life under very auspicious circumstances, inheriting from its mother town the sum of $2,500 in cash, the records and archives of the old town, — which are now in the town clerk’s office, — and the duty of paying a share of the old town’s debt, which was $26,000; the total indebtedness being $53,000.  The first members of the General Assembly elected from the town of Lincoln were:  Senator, Hon. Edward L. Freeman; Representatives, Edward A. Brown and Samuel Clark.  There has been no change in the general form of the government since its first formation.

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