Rowland G. Hazard
Encyclopedia
Rowland Gibson Hazard was an American industrialist, politician, and social reformer.
in 1801. His parents were Rowland Hazard (sometimes referred to as Rowland Hazard I), founder in 1802 of the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company in Peace Dale, Rhode Island
, and the former Mary Peace. He grew up in Bristol, Pennsylvania
, in the home of his maternal grandfather and was educated in a Quaker boarding school
in Burlington, New Jersey
. In 1819 he returned to Rhode Island
to join his elder brother Isaac in the management of the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company.
In 1828 he married Caroline Newbold. The couple had two sons, Rowland II and John.
owners in the southern United States, particularly Louisiana
, Alabama
and Mississippi
. He spent winters in New Orleans from about 1833 to 1842 to sell goods that included cotton
bagging
cloth, pre-cut garments, low-priced shoes, and raw "Negro cloth" for use by African-American slaves.
After an 1845 fire destroyed one of the mill buildings, the brothers built new facilities, including expanded hydropower
systems and a fireproof stone factory.
In 1848 the partnership incorporated, becoming the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company, with Isaac P. Hazard as president and Rowland Hazard as secretary/treasurer. In 1849 the business started a transition into making woolen shawls and other high-quality woolens instead of cheaper fabrics.
, and renamed the mill and its surrounding village in honor of his wife. The Carolina Mills Company remained in family ownership until 1863 and was operated by his son Rowland II until at least 1877.
was in custody in Louisiana
as an escaped slave
, his investigations found that many free African-Americans were being detained under the assumption they were escaped slaves. He worked with Jacob Barker
, then a New Orleans lawyer, to obtain freedom for nearly 100 people being held as slaves. The action later led to charges being filed against several public officials who were responsible for the illegal detentions.
His involvement with abolitionist causes
and in the Republican Party eventually caused his company to lose favor with its markets in the southern United States
. This helped to prompt the Peace Dale mills' transition from making cheap cotton products to selling higher quality woolens.
, winning election as a state representative in 1851, 1854 and 1880. He also was a state senator
from 1866 to 1867. In 1856 he was one of Rhode Island's delegates to the founding convention
of the Republican Party
. Four years later he was a delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention
.
. After Union Pacific fell into financial disarray and became a party to the Crédit Mobilier scandal of 1872, Hazard spent much time dealing with the company's financial affairs.
He died in Peace Dale on June 24, 1888.
Early life
Hazard was born in South Kingstown, Rhode IslandSouth Kingstown, Rhode Island
South Kingstown is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 30,639 at the 2010 census.South Kingstown includes the villages of Kingston, West Kingston, Wakefield, Peace Dale, Snug Harbor, Tuckertown, East Matunuck, Matunuck, Green Hill, and Perryville. Peace...
in 1801. His parents were Rowland Hazard (sometimes referred to as Rowland Hazard I), founder in 1802 of the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company in Peace Dale, Rhode Island
Peace Dale, Rhode Island
Peace Dale is a village in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Together with the village of Wakefield, it is treated by the U.S...
, and the former Mary Peace. He grew up in Bristol, Pennsylvania
Bristol, Pennsylvania
Bristol is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, northeast of Philadelphia opposite Burlington, N.J. on the Delaware River. Bristol was first incorporated in 1720. Although its charter was revised in 1905, the original charter remains in effect, making Bristol one of the older boroughs in...
, in the home of his maternal grandfather and was educated in a Quaker boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
in Burlington, New Jersey
Burlington, New Jersey
Burlington is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,920....
. In 1819 he returned to Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
to join his elder brother Isaac in the management of the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company.
In 1828 he married Caroline Newbold. The couple had two sons, Rowland II and John.
Peace Dale textile mills
A third brother, Joseph P. Hazard, became a partner in the Peace Dale operation in 1828, and the business took the name "R.G. Hazard & Co." One of Rowland Hazard's responsibilities was selling the company's products to plantationPlantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
owners in the southern United States, particularly Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
and Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. He spent winters in New Orleans from about 1833 to 1842 to sell goods that included cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
bagging
Bag
- Types of flexible containers :* Antistatic bag, used for shipping electronic components* Bag-In-Box* Bin bag, garbage bag, or trash bag* Book bag* Bulk bag, a name for a flexible intermediate bulk container* Burn bag* Diplomatic bag* Duffel bag...
cloth, pre-cut garments, low-priced shoes, and raw "Negro cloth" for use by African-American slaves.
After an 1845 fire destroyed one of the mill buildings, the brothers built new facilities, including expanded hydropower
Hydropower
Hydropower, hydraulic power, hydrokinetic power or water power is power that is derived from the force or energy of falling water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since ancient times, hydropower has been used for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical devices, such as...
systems and a fireproof stone factory.
In 1848 the partnership incorporated, becoming the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company, with Isaac P. Hazard as president and Rowland Hazard as secretary/treasurer. In 1849 the business started a transition into making woolen shawls and other high-quality woolens instead of cheaper fabrics.
Carolina Mills Company
In 1843, Hazard acquired a textile mill complex at the village now known as Carolina, Rhode IslandCarolina, Rhode Island
Carolina is a village that straddles the border of the towns of Charlestown and Richmond on the Pawcatuck River in Washington County, Rhode Island. Rhode Island Route 112 passes through the village...
, and renamed the mill and its surrounding village in honor of his wife. The Carolina Mills Company remained in family ownership until 1863 and was operated by his son Rowland II until at least 1877.
Activity related to slavery
The activity that Hazard considered "as the greatest effort of his life" (according to his granddaughter) began when he was in New Orleans on business in the winter of 1841. After he learned that a free African-American man from Newport, Rhode IslandNewport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
was in custody in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
as an escaped slave
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
, his investigations found that many free African-Americans were being detained under the assumption they were escaped slaves. He worked with Jacob Barker
Jacob Barker
Jacob Barker was an American financier and lawyer.He was born in Swan Island, Maine, in 1779, of Quaker parentage. He went to New York at the age of 16, engaged in trade, and soon amassed a considerable fortune. Beginning in 1811, Fitz-Greene Halleck was employed by him for twenty years...
, then a New Orleans lawyer, to obtain freedom for nearly 100 people being held as slaves. The action later led to charges being filed against several public officials who were responsible for the illegal detentions.
His involvement with abolitionist causes
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
and in the Republican Party eventually caused his company to lose favor with its markets in the southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
. This helped to prompt the Peace Dale mills' transition from making cheap cotton products to selling higher quality woolens.
Political career
Hazard served three one-year terms in the Rhode Island House of RepresentativesRhode Island House of Representatives
The Rhode Island House of Representatives is the lower house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It is composed of 75 members, elected to two year terms from 75 districts of equal population. The Rhode Island General Assembly does not have...
, winning election as a state representative in 1851, 1854 and 1880. He also was a state senator
Rhode Island Senate
The Rhode Island Senate is the upper house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It is composed of 38 Senators, each of whom is elected to a two-year term. Rhode Island is one of the 14 states where its upper house serves at a two-year...
from 1866 to 1867. In 1856 he was one of Rhode Island's delegates to the founding convention
1856 Republican National Convention
The 1856 Republican National Convention convened from June 17 to June 19, 1856 at the Musical Fund Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, and nominated General John C. Frémont of California and former Senator William Dayton of New Jersey for President and Vice President of the United...
of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. Four years later he was a delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention
1860 Republican National Convention
The 1860 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States, held in Chicago, Illinois at the Wigwam, nominated former U.S. Representative Abraham Lincoln of Illinois for President and U.S. Senator Hannibal Hamlin of Maine for Vice President...
.
Retirement and death
Hazard retired from the textile business in 1866 and invested in the Union Pacific RailroadUnion Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
. After Union Pacific fell into financial disarray and became a party to the Crédit Mobilier scandal of 1872, Hazard spent much time dealing with the company's financial affairs.
He died in Peace Dale on June 24, 1888.
Writings
Hazard was a prolific writer in the fields of philosophy, economics, and politics. Among his published works were:- Language or Essay on Language (1835)
- Causes of Decline of Political Morality (1841)
- Freedom of Mind in Willing (1866)
- Causation and Freedom in Willing (1869)
- The Duty of Individuals to Support Science and Literature (essay; 1885)
Further reading
- Peter H. Hare (1972), "Rowland G. Hazard (1801-88) on Freedom in Willing", Journal of the History of Ideas, Vol. 33, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1972), pp. 155–164