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Omaha Beach WWII Memorials of Smithfield, R. I., Residents
August 16, 2024
In August of 2024, Smithfield resident and Historical Preservation Commission member Benjamin Caisse visited the World War II American Cemetery in Coleville-Sur-Mer, France, (Omaha Beach). Two former Smithfield residents, Peter Celentano, and Hugh Finlay, both killed in action during the war, are memorialized there.
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Memorial for the Mission at Coleville-Sur-Mer Cemetery.
Photos by Benjamin Caisse
PFC. Hugh Finlay
L – R: Herbert Paquette, Gene Belanger, Jerry Paquette, Hugh Finlay.
Plot 2 at Coleville-Sur-Mer Cemetery in France where PFC, Hugh Finlay of Smithfield is buried. The plot was closed due to grass restoration at the time this photo was taken. Photo by Benjamin Caisse.
PFC Peter Celentano, Ser #31465741
PFC Hugh Finlay, Ser# 31292293
19th Century Providence And Worcester Railroad Articles
March 29, 2024
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Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle
October 27, 1847
Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle
December 14, 1849
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
January 23, 1852
Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle
January 30, 1852
Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle
June 17, 1853
Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle
June 17, 1853
Pawtucket Business Directory
August 4, 1855
Pawtucket Business Directory
August 4, 1855
Pawtucket Business Directory
August 4, 1855
Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle
January 3, 1868
Pawtucket & Central Falls Directory
January 1, 1881
Friends District Sabbath School – 1868
March 29, 2024
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Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
January 3, 1868
New England Pacific Bank
March 29, 2024
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According to the website ricurrency.com, the New England Pacific Bank was founded in Smithfield in October of 1818. It moved to Pawtucket in 1832; chartered as the Pacific National Bank on June 27, 1865,; and was absorbed by Industrial Trust on February 15, 1900.
Pawtucket Chronicle and Manufacturers and Artizans Advocate
June 3, 1826
Pawtucket Chronicle and Manufacturers and Artizans Advocate
June 3, 1826
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
June 7, 1839
Pawtucket Gazette And Chronicle
June 19, 1846
Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle
January 9, 1857
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
June 15, 1860
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
June 9, 1865
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
May 18, 1866
Greenville Manufacturing Co. Sheriff’s Sale – 1858
March 27, 2024
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Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
January 1, 1858
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
January 1, 1858
Smithfield, R. I., First Fire Engine
March 27, 2024
In 1829, the present day city of Central Falls, R. I., was still part of the town of Smithfield. In some ways, it was “downtown” Smithfield. On January 11, 1829, a fire destroyed a cotton factory belonging to Stephen Jenks & Sons in Central Falls. Afterwards, some of the local citizens advocated for the purchase of a fire engine, but for reasons unknown, the idea was opposed by others. It’s unclear if a fire engine for Central Falls was purchased at that time.
According to the history section the Central Falls Fire Department website, the Central Falls Fire District wasn’t established until 1847.
In June of 1848, two fire engines were purchased, one for Pawtucket, and the other for Central Falls. Both were made by the L Button Company of Waterford, New York. Both engines are believed to have been “hand tubs”.
Smithfield’s first fire engine, the Water Witch. Chief Andrew Whipple in photo.
The Pawtucket engine later came to be owned by the Greenville Fire Company in Smithfield in 1876, and was dubbed by Greenville firemen “The Water Witch”. The Water Witch saw service in Greenville until the early 1920s when a motorized fire engine was purchased by the fire company. The Water Witch was then kept as a parade piece by the fire company until World War II when it mysteriously disappeared while on loan to the Chepachet Fire Company. Its whereabouts today is still unknown.
To learn more about the Water Witch click here: Mystery of the Water Witch
To learn more about the origin of the Greenville Fire Co., click here: Greenville Fire Company
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Pawtucket Chronicle and Rhode Island and Massachusetts Register
January 17, 1829
Pawtucket Chronicle and Rhode Island and Massachusetts Register
January 17, 1829
Herald of the Times & Rhode Islander
January 21, 1847
Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle
April 7, 1848
Pawtucket Gazette and Rhode Island and Massachusetts Register
June 30, 1848
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
August 30, 1861
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
September 20, 1861
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
May 4, 1866
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
November 12, 1869
Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
April 21, 1882
Smithfield, R. I., Property For Sale – 1833
March 27, 2024
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Pawtucket Chronicle and Rhode Island and Massachusetts Register
March 8, 1833
Union Worsted Company Fire – 1866
March 25, 2024
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Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
September 26, 1866
Smithfield, R. I., Civil War Military Company – 1861
March 25, 2024
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Pawtucket Gazette & Chronicle
May 10, 1861
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