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Rhode
Island Slavery Data
BENJAMIN
J.
BURTON
This remarkable man was born in Darien, Conn., July3,1826. He
came to Newport in 1845 and worked as a teamster for Gifford &
Devens, coal dealers, on Commercial Wharf. In 1849, during the gold
rush, he went to California and remained several years. By hard work and
industrious habits he accumulated considerable money. While in
California he worked side by side and became an intimate friend of
Flood, the noted New York banker of fifty years ago. He returned to
Newport in the early fifties and launched an express business under most
trying circumstances. His
horses were frequently injured, harness
often cut, wagons sometimes badly damaged. He was not a man to be easily
discouraged; he met every reverse with increased determination and was
soon the acknowledged leader in that business in this community. With
the express business established, he introduced busses and was the first
citizen to operate those vehicles on Bellevue Avenue. Later on he
operated busses in the Point district as well as on Broadway. While an
extremely busy man, he found time to take an active part in all matters
pertaining to the welfae of his people. For a great many years he led
the choir at the Union Congregational Church and presented to that
church its first organ. His fraternal interests were limited to the Star
of the East Beneficial Society. He died October 6,1885.
Source: Negroes of Rhode Island, by
Charles A. Battle, 1932 - Transcribed by C.
Anthony
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