Abraham Redwood
by Samuel King, 1817
Oil on canvas, 42 1/4 " x 33 1/2"
Redwood Library Painting
Collection
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Abraham Redwood
b. Island of Antigua, April
15, 1709
d. Newport, RI, March 8, 1788
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Abraham Redwood, one of the founders of the Redwood Library, was born April 15, 1709, on his father's plantation, "Cassandra Garden," in Antigua. He became one of the richest men in Newport. He was a ship owner, merchant, plantation and slave owner, state assemblyman, botanist, and philanthropist.
Abraham Redwood was educated in Philadelphia. While still in his teens, he was given responsibility as business agent for the family plantation in Antigua. When his father died in 1729, he inherited this property.
On March 6, 1726, he married Martha Coggeshall. Shortly thereafter they built a home on Thames Street. Their home and garden was enclosed by a brick wall. In 1731, the wall was completed with a pair or ornamental wrought iron gates imported from London. This home, which no longer exists, stood on the west side of Thames Street across from Ann Street. His private wharf and warehouse were located behind the house to the west. His wharf and warehouse were used to distribute sugar and other commodities from his various holdings.
In 1743, Abraham Redwood paid 6500 pounds sterling for a 140 acre farm on the west side of Country Road (West Main Road) at Union Street. He developed the property into a country estate that was considered one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in North America. The garden consisted of plant and trees imported from all over the world. In 1766 he completed a summer house in the garden on the estate. This summer house was moved to the Redwood Library Garden in the late 1920s.
In 1747, Abraham Redwood gave 500 pounds sterling to purchase a "library of Arts and Sciences 'whereunto the curious individual inquirer after resolution of doubts, and the bewildered ignorant, may freely repair for discovery and demonstration of the one the true knowledge and satisfaction of the other.'"
Abraham Redwood along with his daughter left Newport prior to the American Revolutionary War and moved to Mendon, Massachusetts, where he lived the remainder of his life.
Abraham Redwood died March 8, 1788, and his tomb is in the Coggeshall family plot on Coggeshall Avenue, just south of the Breaker's stable.
The library has in its possession two portraits of Abraham Redwood - one
done during his lifetime by Samuel King and 19th century copy by Charles
Bird King.
Concerning Mr. Redwood, Benjamin Waterhouse [q.v.] would state, "He was
the greatest public and private benefactor of any man I ever knew on Rhode
Island; and his style of living, & appearance was the best."
Bibliography
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