The Gladding Book; Being an Historical Record and Genealogical Chart of the Gladdding Family, with Accounts of the Family Reunions of 1890 and 1900, at Bristol, R. I., the Gladdings' American Ancestral Home (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 Excerpt: ...faithful service is still green in the memory of his master's descendants. In less than two years after Capt. Gladding's death came the great Gale of 1815. In the early morning the family looked out upon a beautiful estate. Later in the day, the gale threatened such destruction, the house was not considered safe; and the men, taking the women and children in their arms, carried them to a place of comparative safety. The next morning, when the winds had subsided and the waters had receded, a scene of desolation met the eye. Wharf, storehouse, indeed everything but the dwelling house had been swept away. The old stage-road too was gone. The sea had made such inroads that repairs were impossible. In proportion to the valuation of her property it has been often said that no one suffered so much as the Widow Gladding. The house was however made inhabitable once more and there Mrs. Gladding spent the remainder of her days. She was the worthy wife of a noble husband. It is a story often told in the family that the first Sunday after their marriage Capt. Gladding said to his wife, "Where shall we go to church, my dear?" She dutifully replied, "With you, of course;' and ever after they were constant attendants at the Congregational church. For over twenty years after her husband's death, she lived a quiet, retired life. No word of repining ever fell from her lips, though bereavement and loss of property came upon her. She lived a Christian's life and died a Christian's death. Together husband and wife lie side by side, in the East Cemetery. May they rest in Peace. The old house continued, for many years, to be occupied by their descendants. Later, it passed into the hands of strangers and became a tenement house. Its glory has departed and no one woul...