|
3. Provenance 5. Inventory 6. Subjects |
First Light Infantry Company Records Militia company, Providence, R.I. Records, 1818-1952 Size: 5 linear feet Catalog number: MSS 673 sg 5 Processed by: Rick Stattler, September 1997 ©Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts Division |
Historical note:
The First Light Infantry Company was formed in 1818 as a state militia company based in Providence, R.I., and was affiliated with the Second Regiment of the Rhode Island militia. It became the First Light Infantry Regiment in 1863. In 1879, Infantry Hall was built by the regiment's Infantry Building Association on South Main Street. When this building was torn down in 1952, a time capsule was found in the cornerstone, the contents of which have been added to this collection.
Like most militia units, the regiment never saw active duty, and frequently resembled a social club more than a military regiment. However, it did play an important role in providing trained soldiers when circumstances required. It helped suppress the Olney's Lane riots in 1831, and the Dorr Rebellion in 1842. Many of its members served in the Civil War in Companies C and D of the First Regiment, Rhode Island Detached Militia. Similarly, many of its members served in the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Scope and content:
Provenance:
Many of these records were donated by Nino Scotti in 1972. Another substantial portion was donated by Mrs. John W. DeWolf in 1926. Smaller portions were purchased from Frances Edwards in 1944, the Lincoln Book Shoppe in 1967, and Nino Scotti in 1969. The photocopy of the 1861 roll was donated in 1968 by Prof. Robert George, who made it from the original at the Infantry's offices in Cranston, R.I. The provenance of some items is unknown.
Processing note:
Inventory:
Minutes. The first four record books, dating 1818 to 1873, are not in this collection.
Oversized volume 1. Record book #5, 1873-1889 Quarterly and annual meetings.
In box 1. Record book #6, 1891-1905. Quarterly and annual meetings.
In box 1. Record book, 1904-1910. Weekly meetings.
In box 1. Record book, 1910-1915. Weekly meetings.
In box 1. Fair Committee minutes, 1885-1886
In box 1. Joint committee with Veteran's Association, 1879-1910
Membership. See also historical roll in box 3.
In box 1. Roll call and dues book, 1820-1837. With general accounts, 1820-1844.
In box 1. "Declaration of intent, signatures of those who would enlist", 4/16/1861.
Oversized volume 2. Roll book, 1879, 1893, 1908-1916.
Oversized volume 3. Dues book, 1890-1905
In box 1. Rifle scores, 1885-1901
In box 1. Signed clothing receipts, 1858-1872
In box 1. Quartermaster's list of clothing issued, 1948.
Finances. See also roll call book for cash accounts, 1820-1844.
In box 2. Ledger, 1818-1844
In box 2. Ledger, 1859-1869
In box 2. Ledger, 1942-1947
In box 2. Cash book, 1861-1889
In box 2. Cash book, 1889-1930
In box 2. Cash accounts of fairs, 1880, 1885, 1886
Order books.
In box 2. 1898-1902, manuscript
In box 2. 1911-1913, printed and bound in binder
In box 2. 1916-1917, printed and bound in binder
Historical material.
Box 3, folder 1. Regimental history through 1873 by Frederic Hayes. 342 pages plus index.
Box 3, folder 2. "Report of the First Light Infantry, 1818-1905" by Hayes. 104 pages.
Box 3, folder 3. History of regimental uniform, undated, by Hayes. Two copies.
Box 3, folder 4. Historical rosters, 1818-1911, compiled by Hayes.
Box 3, folder 5. Roll, 1870-1883
Box 3, folder 6. Charter, constitution, by-laws. 3 copies.
Box 3, folder 7. "Memorandum of articles received for relic room", 1880
Box 3, folder 8. Letters received by Capt. Brown, 1831-1838. 5 items.
Box 3, folder 9. Miscellaneous material assembled by Hayes:
Court martial of Col. William W. Brown, 1856
Various clippings and transcriptions, 1906-1911
Box 3, folder 10. Miscellaneous material:
9 printed orders to members, 1843-1868
2 bills for fines to George A. Church, 1860
Share certificate to Mrs. C.R. Goddard for Infantry Building Ass'n, 1875
State act re election of officers, 1843
Resolution of thanks to Col. Nathaniel W. Brown, 1858
Bill for "expenses incurred in consequence of the late riots", 1831
Return and roll, 1820
Cornerstone contents, 1879
Box 3, folder 11. Miscellaneous:
History of the Infantry Building Association, 1879 (with 1952 transcript)
Note regarding cornerstone box by creator, Thomas Phillips & Co., 1879
Inventories of contents, 1879 and 1952.
Poem by G.W. Pettes, 1879
Note on flagstaff, 1839
Roster of officers, and of Company C, 1879
Roster of Prescott Post #1, G.A.R., 1879
Box 3, folder 12. Printed programs, invitations, Thomas Phillips ephemera, 1879
In oversized folder. Printed rolls of Companies C and D, 1st R.I.D.M., ca. 1861
Large parchment rolls of companies A, B, D, circa 1879
Roll of Arnold Post #4, G.A.R., 1879
Company A
In box 4. Minutes, 1872-1876
In box 4. Minutes, 1877-1881
In box 4. Minutes, 1881-1885
In box 4. Minutes, 1885-1891
In box 4. Minutes, 1891-1897
Oversized volume 4. Quartermaster book, 1913
Company B
In box 4. Minutes, 1872-1878
In box 4. Minutes, 1879-1880
In box 4. Minutes, 1881-1885
In box 4. Minutes, 1917-1919
Company C
In box 4. Minutes, 1872-1878
In box 4. Minutes, 1878-1882
In box 4. Minutes, 1882-1889
In box 4. Minutes, 1889-1897
In box 4. Minutes, 1897-1903
Company D
In box 4. Treasurer's accounts, 1876-1898
In box 5. Minutes, 1892-1896
In box 5. Minutes, 1903-1910
In box 5. Minutes, 1910-1914
In box 5. Minutes, 1917-1919
Company E
Oversized volume 5. Minutes, 1897-1903
Oversized volume 6. Minutes, 1903-1914
In box 5. Drill reports, 1909-1913
In box 5. Dues and accounts, 1881-1936 (sporadic)
Subjects:
Dorr Rebellion
x First Light Infantry Regiment
x First Regiment
Hayes, Frederic
Providence, R.I. - Militia
Rhode Island Military Papers
Riots - Rhode Island
End of finding aid - return to top
RIHS1822