Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/716

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THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON.

outside the State, made him an authority in charity and correction management. His tender sympathies, good judgment, and wise counsels brought him into close contact with the people he was called on to aid, and the officials, responsible for their care. The unfortunate of all classes and conditions found in Mr. Wightman a true friend as well as a faithful officer, who was in touch with their infirmities and sorrows. He had the strength of will and magnetic energy that gave strength and courage to the weak and erring, and cheered the hopeless to hopefulness. At his death, the Board, whose Agent he had been for twenty-four years, said:

"During this long period, Mr. Wightman had the fullest confidence and esteem of the Board, and they desire to record here their appreciation of him, as a true and an able man, and an honest and efficient officer.

"Mr. Wightman was a man of marked and masterful individuality, and it was not at first interchange of relations with him that he was always estimated at his true value; but when the relations became closer few failed to find him a man of strong intellect, excellent judgment, and kindly and sympathetic feeling."

Moses Tyler. Was a prominent citizen of the town of Barrington, and was descended from an honorable English ancestry.

His great grandfather was Thomas Tyler, who came from England soon after the Pilgrims and settled in Boston. His great grandmother was Miriam Simpkins, daughter of Pilgrim Simpkins of the Mayflower party.

He was the son of Moses Tyler and Hannah (Luther) Tyler of Boston. He was born Nov. 26, 1734, and in early manhood came to Rhode Island He married Elizabeth Adams and settled in Barrington near Duncan Kelley's ferry, the place of crossing the main or post road between the towns of Bristol and Providence.

Inheriting the thrifty habits of his Tyler ancestry, he became in early manhood a freeholder and at middle life was one of the largest owners of real property in the town.

The tract of land on which he resided extended bewteen Palmer's River on the east to Barrington River on the west and has ever since been known as "Tyler's Point." On the upland of this land is one of the old burying grounds of the town and is known as the "Tyler Burial Ground."

The sturdy virtues and independence of character of his Pilgrim ancestors were prominent in Moses Tyler's life, and while yet a young man he took an active interest in the affairs of the town, and was always to be found in favor of all measures that had for their object the general welfare of the people. He noted with concern and anxiety the disposition of the British Parliament to enact measures of oppression towards the American Colonies, and was among the first to raise his voice and exert his influence in resisting them. He never hesitated to affirm that "the instincts of freedom are inherited from the Creator, and the oppressive