Walter Sherman, Newport & Middletown, RI

From: Representative Men & Old Families Of Rhode Island: Genealogical Records & Historical Sketches of Prominent & Representative Citizens & of Many of the Old Families. J. H. Beers & Co.; 1908, Vol. III pages 1830-1831

SHERMAN. No resident of the State of Rhode Island has a more honorable lineage or can trace his ancestry to an earlier period in American history than the descendents of Hon. Phillip Sherman, whose connection with the Colony began in 1634. The family is now represented by various branches, many of them residents of Newport county. One well known member is Walter Sherman, of Middletown, a prominent breeder of poultry, whose direct descent from Hon. Phillip Sherman, the founder of the family, follows [early generations shortened]:

Hon. Phillip Sherman and Sarah Odding
Samson Sherman and Isabel Tripp
Job Sherman and Amie Spencer
Samson Sherman and Ruth Fish
Job Sherman and Alice Sherman

Edward A. Sherman was educated in Newport, his birth place, and in due time became a clerk in his father’s dry goods store in that city. Later he went into business for himself at No. 76 Thames street [later numbered 140], and at the time of his death, Dec. 5, 1865, he had been successfully engaged there for thirty years, becoming one of the established men of the city. His chief characteristics were his keen sense of honor and his high moral principles, and throughout life his uprightness and honesty were universally conceded. A member of the Society of Friends, hi remains were interred in their cemetery at Newport. In politics he was a Whig.

Edward A. Sherman married, July 20, 1837, Elizabeth M. Almy, who was born in Newport Sept. 25, 1810, daughter of Jonathan Thurston and Ann (Cranston) Almy, and granddaughter of Jonathan Thurston, at one time town clerk of Newport. Mrs. Sherman died at her home on Thames street, Sep. 9, 1888, and was buried in the "Factory Lot" of the old common burying grounds. Mrs. Sherman was a woman of much refinement and culture, and was much loved. The children born to Edward A. Sherman and wife were: Edward S., born March 13, 1838, deceased Sept. 14, 1841; John Almy, July 12, 1840, deceased Sept. 19, 1841; Anne Almy, July 30, 1842, at home; Alice, Jan. 29, 1845, deceased Aug. 2, 1847; Walter, Aug. 2, 1847; Elizabeth Moore, March 3, 1852, at home; and William Roger, Feb. 20, 1855, deceased Dec. 5, 1880.

Walter, Annie and Elizabeth Sherman 7-5-1917

VII. Walter Sherman grew to manhood in his native Newport, receiving a good education, and beginning his business career as a clerk in his father’s store. After the latter’s death the young man undertook the management of the establishment, although he was still in his teens and conducted it successfully until 1885, when he sold out. He finally removed to Middletown, located on Vernon avenue, and began the raising and breeding of poultry in which he has so successfully continued for nearly twenty years. He has been constantly adding improvements to his place and has built barns, silos and poultry houses. His eggs are shipped not only to all parts of the United States and Canada, but also to Germany. His specialties are Rhode Island Reds, Light Brahmas, the Silver and White Wyandottes and Barred Rocks. Mr. Sherman has taken prizes at many fairs and shows, while, perhaps, the greatest honor won by him was the selection of his Rhode Island Red Poultry above the numerous competitors to be a part of the permanent exhibition of the "Model Poultry Farm" at the Louisiana Exposition at St. Louis in 1904. Mr. Sherman’s fowls were selected as being the most typical of the breed obtainable, having been line-bred in direct descent from the original flock of the Tripp-Macomber stock, of Little Compton, R. I. Both rose combs and single combs were exhibited.

Walter's Ad in Poultry Success (click to enlarge)

The picture of the farm and the advertisement above are from the February 1908 issue of Poultry Success. There was no mention of Walter in the article that the picture illustrated.

click on images to enlarge

This is both sides of a mailed version of the postcard above. It was mailed April 16, 1908 from Newport to Gertrude Cuff (?) in Meadville, Pennsylvania. The message on the back says:

We have had at our Local and Pomna Granges, considerable discussion in regard to using printed programs for the year. I am to investigate how far they are in general use and are they a success. If you use them will you kindly mail me a copy of this year's or last, or both. So far we find that the notice in advance of a good subject for discussion does interest many and promotes better attendance, and that those programs having a complete list of active members, as well as a list of subjects, officers, committees, etc., and dates of meetings are the best.

WALTER SHERMAN
Past Master, Newport Co. Pomona

Mr. Sherman has never married. His home is presided over by his two sisters, and bears the impress of the taste and refinement of the family. It contains many old paintings and portraits as well as antique furniture which have been in the possession of the Sherman family for generations. Mr. Sherman himself is a man of unusual sound judgment, while he is broad-minded and liberal in his views, both on religious matters and civil subjects. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Portsmouth Grange, No. 29, and is Past Master of Pomona Grange and generally attends the conventions of the National Grange.

Walter died in 1926, the last of the three, and the last of Edward A. Sherman's line. When members of the Sherman family cleaned out the farm, they found in the windmill boxes of payments for eggs in the form of cash and postage stamps. Apparently he kept them in case there was a report of a problem. From these it was obvious that he gave the farm a different name for every publication in which he advertised. The fanciful "Fashionview" was used in Poultry Success, while others that are remembered include Beachview, Oceanview (the water could not be seen), Meadowslope and Ash Walk.

In the Middletown Municipal Year Books the property was listed under the names of Annie and Elizabeth. The 1909-1910 book has "Sherman, Annie A. and Elizabeth M., Chace land... 6 acres, value $10,400" and for 1912-1913, "Sherman, Annie A. and Elizabeth M., land with buildings on Vernon Ave... 6 acres, value of land $6000, buildings and improvements $4400, intangible personal $500."

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Updated June 7, 2010