Charles H. Smith was born in Providence around 1846 to John H. Smith and Betsy Briggs Smith. After graduating from Providence High School, he worked as a figuring clerk for some time in the 1860s for Gorham Manufacturing, before establishing himself as a real estate agent and investor in the 1870s. In 1875, he married Clara Danforth Cheney Holbrook and they adopted a son, Henry Beckwith Smith, in 1886. In 1882, Charles Smith joined the Rhode Island Historical Society as a member of the Finance Committee and throughout his life, he gave many benefactions to educational institutions and hospitals in Providence.
After Smith’s passing in 1900, his estate was inherited by his son, Henry B. Smith, and managed by a board of trustees until Henry Smith’s death when it was given to the City of Providence under the condition that revenue from the estate be used to maintain Roger Williams Park.
The collection is divided into two series. The first consists of Charles H. Smith’s own papers and documents related to his life. The second series contains all materials associated with the management and maintenance of the Charles H. Smith Estate following the death Smith.
Researchers are advised to contact Rhode Island College Special Collections for questions regarding permissions to reproduce, distribute, or otherwise publish material from this collection. Although Rhode Island College has physical ownership of the collection, it does not necessarily hold literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
The collection is open for research.
Charles H. Smith collection, MSS-0006, Special Collections, James P. Adams Library, Rhode Island College.
The collection has been arranged into the following series:
The collection was compiled and donated by Dr. John Salesses, long-time Rhode Island College professor, who held such positions as Associate Professor, Chair of the English Department, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dean of Graduate Studies. The collection was donated to Adams Library Special Collections by Dr. John Salesses in 1980 in memory of Dr. Paul R. Maixner of the Rhode Island College Department of English.
The collection was arranged and partially described in the 1980s by Special Collections staff. Further description was added and the finding aid created by Hydin Stallman, Special Collections student worker, under the supervision of Veronica L. Denison, Digital Archivist and Special Collections Librarian.
Works used in preparation of inventory: State of Rhode Island in General Assembly January Session, A.D. 2002. May 02, 2002. Date accessed August 20, 2024. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText02/SenateText02/S2982.pdf
Two copies of the copy of the Last Will and Testament of Charles H. Smith with Codicil were removed from the collection as they were duplicate copies and in poor condition.
This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact the Rhode Island College Special Collections.
This series contains a journal kept by Smith that includes information on Gorham Manufacturing, the impeachment procedures of President Johnson, the Providence water supply, cutlery, and notable quotes printed and pasted into the journal. The series also includes short biographical information on Smith, and a letterpress book containing letters written by him, as well as several newspaper clippings and notes kept by Smith.