The Phinney Family

In 1736, after the winter's snow had melted, Capt. John Phinney and his son, Edmund, set out to explore and settle Narragansett No. 7, Gorhamtown. On the southern edge of Fort Hill, they found an area to build their home and to plant crops. Capt. Phinney gave the honor of cutting down the first tree to Edmund. The first crops planted were corn, watermelon and peas. The Phinneys not only rejoiced over a bountiful harvest, but Gorhamtown's first recorded birth... their daughter, Mary Gorham Phinney.