A Hub for History

This site is your “jumping off point” for information and resources for Portsmouth, RI’s rich history.  Click on the sites  above to be directed to the major sites that provide important information and services that support the preservation of our historical documents, artifacts and other important information.

The Portsmouth History Center Project

A dedicated area has been established as the “Portsmouth History Center” within the Portsmouth Free Public Library. (Click Here for more information.)

Got Any Historical Items in Your Attic or Basement?

Contact us and we can do a high resolution scan and return them to you or keep them for preservation.

mailto:PHSinfo@PortsmouthHistorical.org

Help us serve the community better.

Please leave us a reply below if you have comments or recommendations that will make our efforts to preserve Portsmouth history more effective.

 

3 Replies to “A Hub for History”

  1. Erick Taylor

    Hello, My name is Erick Taylor and I’m in the midst of doing a family geological project that leads me to you. I’m looking for the location of a family cemetery from the period of the late 1700’s to about 1833. I’ve located in the Portsmouth Town Hall “back vault” the Probate Record that describes in detail the size and location of a 2 acre site that includes a cemetery at the Portsmouth Middletown line. The graves are of my relatives from the late 1700’s early 1800’s. One Reuben Taylor died 1810 his daughter Martha Taylor is also buried there according to family letters I have. I also have a description of the cemetery “4 rods square” and “bounded by southerly by land of “Richard Mitchel” and every other way by land given to my grandson Peleg Taylor” I also found a description of the land in the Middletown Land Evidence Book. My hope is that with your local knowledge you might be able to put together what I have and narrow down the area where it might be. I have more details but it would be easier to share in person or over the phone but I don’t have your number.

    From what I gather the property overlaps the Portsmouh/Middletown town line and abuts East Main Rd. If you have an Earlier Map then 1850 that shows property owners in that area that would be really helpful. Yesterday I actually spent a good portion of the day in the Middletown Town Clerks Office and unfortunately they only have a Map that goes back to 1850 nothing earlier. I also left a voice mail at the Middletown Historical Society and emailed them but I haven’t heard back as of yet.

    I have a deed from the Land Evidence Book that describes in great detail where the property and the abutters names from that period (1762-!835). It mentions that it’s on the line between Portsmouth and Middletown and on the highway.

    These relatives were very likely Quakers and I wonder if the Quaker Meeting House in Portsmouth has any records of Quakers in the area?

    Than you,
    Erick Taylor

    Reply
    • admin Post author

      Thank you Mr. Taylor.

      We have forwarded your information and request to our Cemetery Group and will get back to you.

      Reply
  2. Carolyn Neary

    Hello Mr. Garman,
    I do the calendar of events at Newport This Week and am hoping you will be able to give me details or contact information re: a Barton’s Raid event that could be coming up soon.

    I am currently working on the calendar for next week’s issue; the calendar will cover July 4-14.

    It would be great if I could get the details/contact info. by my deadline, which is tomorrow night. If not, please send ASAP because I still might be able to get it in.

    Thanks so much,

    Carolyn Neary

    Reply

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