Nathaniel F. Potter. Son of Earl C. and Hannah Potter; contracting builder, and brick maker; at the age of twenty-one he built the Groton monument in Conn., the Unitarian Church on Mathewson St., and many brick residences on High St. After the great fire in Charleston, S. C, he, together with his brothers, engaged in the reconstruction of much of the burnt district, including the Charleston hotel. In the year 1847 he started the Brick Works in Barrington, which grew into a large business through his energies. Nayatt Point at that time attracted his attention, and he became the owner of the original farmhouse with many acres of land, to which he added, establishing the Hotel known for many years as the Bay House. He beautified the place by planting hundreds of trees, which have now grown, and stand as a monument to his efforts, and also did much in making roads in the town of Barrington. [See p. 515.]
N. J. Smith. B. Prov. R. I., March 31, 1838; grad. of H. S.; banking and jewelry from 1855 to 1875; Junior partner in H. M. Coombs & Co.; had valuable military experience in connection with the F. L. I. and other bodies; resides at Barrington Centre; is Treas. of the B. R. Improv. Association, and is deeply interested in all town matters.
Rev. Luther Wright. Born at Acton, Mass, April 19, 1770; was ordained a Congregational minister at Medway, Mass, 1798: m. Anna, dau. of Rev. Josiah Bridges; preached at Medway seventeen years, and was installed at Barrington, Jan. 29, 1817, where he labored in the gospel ministry four and one-half years. "The Great Revival" occurred during his pastorate, and more than eighty persons united with the church. The Congregational Sunday School was established during Mr. Wright's ministry, and the Church Creed was adopted. The last generation of Barrington people remembered Mr. Wright's work with great satisfaction. He died at the ripe age of eighty-eight years, at Woburn, Mass., June 1858.
George W. Wightman. Son of Daniel and Charlotte Wightman; b. May 10, 1821; m. Lydia Bosworth Smith, May 10, 1843; children, Harriet Chace, Annie Wilson, Walter Russell, George Henry; d. Feb. 24, 1893; Mr. Wightman spent his early years on a farm in Barrington, but the most of his active life was devoted to the development of system and proper organization in benevolent, charitable, and correctional institutions, for which he had remarkable fitness and adaptability. His first experience as an executive officer over charitable work, was in the office of Overseer of the Poor of Providence, where he made a wise administration from 1857 to 1889. In June, 1869, at the organization of "The Board of State Charities and Corrections," Mr. Wightman was chosen the Agent and Acting Superintendent of the Board, continuing in office until his death. As Overseer of the Poor of the City, and Agent of the Board for many years, Mr. Wightman had the fullest opportunity to exercise his remarkable talent for the work, and in the study of the needs and care of the dependent classes, he learned and applied wiser and more humane methods of treatment. His large acquaintance with men and institutions
