Whaley's Hollow, Rhode Island facts for kids
Whaley's Hollow (also known as Pottersville and Maple Valley) is a small village located in Coventry, Rhode Island, in the United States. This historic area has changed names a few times over the years, reflecting its interesting past and the people who lived there.
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Discovering Whaley's Hollow: A Look Back
The story of Whaley's Hollow begins with its first settlers. One of the earliest was Thomas Whaley. He was an important person in the community because he ran a saw mill. A saw mill is a place where logs are cut into lumber, which was very useful for building homes and other structures. Thomas Whaley's original home is still standing today on Maple Valley Road.
Waterman's Tavern: A Community Hub
Around 1747, a man named John Waterman built Waterman’s Tavern. A tavern was like a community center back then. It was a place where people could gather, eat, and talk. Waterman's Tavern was especially important because it was used for town meetings. People would come together there to discuss important village matters and make decisions. This continued until a new building, called the Town House, was built in 1835.
French Army's Visit
During the American Revolution, a famous event happened near Waterman's Tavern. The French Army, led by General Rochambeau, camped there. This was in 1781 when they were marching to Virginia to help the American forces. They also stopped there again in 1782 on their way back. Imagine soldiers from another country camping right in your village!
From Whaley's Hollow to Pottersville
The village's name changed in 1851. This happened when Robert Potter, John Potter II, and Albert Potter started a new business. They built a water-powered bobbin mill. A bobbin mill makes spools, which are used in textile factories to hold thread. They built their mill using Thomas Whaley's old saw mill. Because of the Potter family's new mill, the village became known as Pottersville.
The Union Bobbin Manufacturing Company
Later, in 1872, a larger company called the Union Bobbin Manufacturing Company was formed. This company operated the mill from 1895 until the land was sold to Lewis E. Williams. The mill was a big part of the village's economy for many years.
Whaley's Hollow Today
Today, Waterman’s Tavern is no longer a public meeting place. It is now a family home, but it still stands on Maple Valley Road. Near the old Whaley family homes, you can find three family cemeteries. These are places where members of the early families were buried. Today, many people know Whaley’s Hollow by its more modern name, Maple Valley.
