We call it “Founders’ Brook” because that was what the Portsmouth Tercentenary Committee called it when they unveiled a monument to Portsmouth’s founders there in 1936.

In old records it was known as the “watering place” and later it was called “Stony Brook.” Today it is a place set aside to remember our founders, the Portsmouth Compact and the life of the community in its earliest days. 

Although there is debate about whether Founders’ Brook was the original spring where the earlier settlement was centered, this area has traditionally been an important spot to remember the founders. t took the celebration of Rhode Island’s tricentennial in 1936 and Portsmouth’s tricentennial in 1938 to bring this location back into focus. 

Preserving historic landscapes takes persistence. The Tercentenary Committee chairwoman, Barbara Norman Jones Cook (also known as “Kittymouse”) and Vice Chair Dr. Berton Storrs and Isaac Macomber devoted their energies to preserve this landscape as a memorial to the town founders. 

Funds are always needed and the tercentenary group wanted to add land by the brook. Donors like Mrs. Edith Taylor of Glen Farm along with other Portsmouth residents made it possible for us to enjoy this land around the puddingstone. The state tercentenary group donated back to Portsmouth funds that Portsmouth citizens had donated to the statewide celebration. 

The Town of Portsmouth may have kept the strip of land around the brook. The tricentennial organizers recognized the importance of the location and bought a chunk of land adjacent to the brook from the estate of Luther Chase. They wanted it to serve as a central location to honor the town founders. Celebrations were held, a plaque honoring the Portsmouth Compact was placed on the puddingstone rock, and members of founding families added stepping stone rocks leading to the area. Founders’ Brook was saved as a treasured spot.

Another save

However, Founders’ Brook needed to be saved once again. In 1960, the state planned to construct a cloverleaf for Route 24 which would have obliterated Founders’ Brook. This time it was the Portsmouth Historical Society and the Route 138 business association that pressured the State Department of Public Works to make the changes to preserve the site.

With the celebration of Portsmouth’s 375th Anniversary in 2013, new efforts came to preserve and highlight the site. Memorial stones were added, new signage and a parking lot made it easier for visitors, and special events were held. Doug Smith and the 375th Committee organized the improvements and celebrations. Right now, the benches need cleaning and are hard to read.

One of the Deer Isle granite benches has quotes from Anne Hutchinson: “I believe the soul to be nothing but light,” and “Is there one standard for men and another for women?” 

Another bench bears the inscription: “I am in the hands of the eternal Jehovah, my savior.” These words were virtually the last words Hutchinson said during her trial in Boston. That was considered heresy and she was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

A third bench was dedicated in honor to Edith Taylor Nicholson, the owner of Glen Farm and a major donor to the effort to buy the extra land. It reads: “In commemoration of Portsmouth’s proud heritage and bright future since its founding at this site in 1638.” All the benches were privately donated. 

Preserving this beautiful site took vigilance, effort and passion. Hopefully we have the vigilance, effort and passion to preserve other historic landscapes in our town. We are richer as a community when we have these historic landscapes to remind us of our past. 

Gloria Schmidt is a local historian whose writings can be found on her blog, portsmouthhistorynotes.com.