The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Biographical
American Historical Society, Inc., 1920

JAMES MONROE PENDLETON-- A New England family for almost three centuries, with members representative in Westerly, R. I., for the past hundred years, the Pendleton line of which James Monroe Pendleton is a member has acquired distinguished reputation and has given to the local and national service men of strong abilities. Descendant in the eighth American generation from James Brian Pendleton, of English birth, a freeman of Sudbury, Mass., in 1634, James M. Pendleton, manager of the Westerly branch of the Industrial Trust Company of Rhode Island, is a son of Enoch B. Pendleton, and grandson of General Nathan Pendleton.

Enoch B. Pendleton was born in North Stonington, Conn., September 5, 1808, and died November 11, 1875. His youthful years were spent in his Connecticut birthplace, and as a young man he began a mercantile career that continued through many years. For a time he was a clerk in a store and then was engaged in business in New York, in 1847 forming an association in Westerly, R. I., with his brother, James M. Pendleton. The latter retired in 1854, and from that date until 1861 Mr. Pendleton was the partner of James f. Pendleton, under the firm name of Pendleton & Company, a prosperous commercial house of Westerly.

Mr. Pendleton, always a loyal supporter of the Republican party, was a delegate to the first convention of that party, and in 1856 made his entry into public life as member of the State Senate from Westerly. He also served as assistant United States assessor, and in 1861 he was appointed postmaster of Westerly. He filled this office until his death with efficiency and satisfaction, and throughout the years of his official life enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his associates in unlimited degree. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, and a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Enoch B. Pendleton married, October 30, 1843, Mary E. Chapman, daughter of Andrew and Welthy (Palmer) Chapman, who was born May 13, 1821, and died in Westerly, R. I., April 5, 1901. They were the parents of: Mary E., died in 1901; Josephine A., died in 1910; Eugene B. (q. V.); Charles H., married Harriet E. Noyes, and has children; Edwin Palmer, married Anna Kate Eaton, and has children; Annie C., died aged twenty-one years; James Monroe, of whom further; Ellen Fitz (q. v.).

James Monroe Pendleton, son of Enoch B. and Mary e. (Chapman) Pendleton, was born in Westerly, R. I., and there attended public schools. After graduation from the high school, in 1880, he entered Brown University, receiving his Ph. B. degree in 1885, and M. A. in 1890. His social fraternity at college was the Delta Kappa Epsilon, and high scholarship won him the coveted Phi Beta Kappa election. In August of the year of his graduation from Brown University, he became a clerk in the National Niantic Bank of Westerly, and in 1887 became assistant cashier. In April, 1889, he entered upon the duties of secretary and treasurer of the Niantic Savings Bank, offices he held until the National Niantic Bank came under the direction of the Industrial Trust Company as its Westerly branch, when he was appointed manager under the new regime in December, 1904. He was elected a director in January, 1912, and since the first date has been in charge of this substantial, prosperous branch, which has become an important factor in the banking system of the locality. He is widely known in financial circles, in which his entire active life has been passed, and has served his community in many capacities.

Since 1892, with the exception of one year, Mr. Pendleton has been town treasurer of Westerly, was for three years on the school committee, on year superintendent of health, was a member of the building committee for the public library, the high school, the town hall and court house, and has served as trustee and treasurer of the public library since its organization in 1892. His church is the Calvary Baptist, of which his is a trustee and president of the board of corporation. Mr. Pendleton has been president of the Westerly Board of Trade, and has been closely identified with progress and civic improvement in Westerly. His cooperation and support have been granted every enterprise looking toward municipal development in any line, and in most local affairs of public interest he has taken leading part. Particularly during the World War was his public spirit in evidence, when he worked in and out of season in the drives of the government and relief and social service organizations. He was chairman of the Rhode Island "four-minute men" for Westerly district, a member of the executive committee of the United War Work drive in Westerly, and, filling the office of treasurer of the Westerly Chapter of the American Red Cross, directed, as chairman, the campaigns held by that organization. He was called upon to handle the finances of numerous other war activities, and as final service in connection with the war, served as a member of the Sate Committee to welcome home returning service men in 1919. Conspicuous as this work was, it was only the performance under pressure of the duties of good citizenship, as he had done them in many capacities long before. His clubs are the University, of Providence, and the Misquamicut Golf, of Watch Hill, of which he was president for many years, and the Colonial, of Westerly.

Mr. Pendleton married, May 21, 1901, Beatrice N. Nicol, of Newark, N. J., and they are the parents of: James Monroe, Jr., born April 11, 1902, died July 26, 1916; Stuart Nicol, born Sept. 24, 1905.

COLONEL EUGENE B. PENDLETON, son of Enoch B. Pendleton, and nephew of the Hon. James M. Pendleton, was born in Westerly, R. I., June 18, 1849, and received his education in the public and private schools of his native town. The conditions and circumstances of his childhood developed in him reliance and independence. His father’s family was quite large, and he early felt it incumbent upon him to take his support upon himself and also contribute his share towards the family finances.

He therefore practically saw himself through school, and was graduated in 1866 from Scholfield’s Commercial School at Providence. After his graduation he became a clerk in the postoffice at Westerly, in which position his habits and qualities were recognized, and this led to his promotion to the assistant postmastership in 1872. In that position he soon found much of the management of the affairs of the office left to him. He received the appointment of postmaster in 1875, and from that time until April 1, 1887, he most successfully and satisfactorily performed the duties of that office, being an efficient and popular public servant. It was during his incumbency of the office that the delivery system was projected. From the time of his retiring from the postmastership of Westerly, Mr. Pendleton has been successfully and extensively engaged in a kind of miscellaneous business. He is an auctioneer, master-in-chancery, notary public, and commissioner of deeds for New York, New Jersey and Iowa. He also deals in real estate.

Colonel Pendleton, it is needless to say, is a Republican. He has been town moderator of Westerly since 1909, moderator of Westerly Fire district since 1912. He has given considerable attention to military affairs, and is prominent in Masonry. As early as 1866 he became a member of the Westerly Rifles, and in 1884 was chosen captain of Company E. It was largely through his efforts that an appropriation was obtained in 1877, by which the Armory was remodeled and enlarged. In 1888 he was appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Royal C. Taft, with the rank of colonel. He is now a member of the Home Guards of Rhode Island and very active. He is a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 20, Free and Accepted Masons; Palmer Chapter, No. 28, Royal Arch Masons; and Narragansett Commandery, Knights Templar, all of Westerly, and received the degrees of Heller Shrine, of Dallas, Texas. He was one of the organizers of the Westerly Business Men’s Association, the prosperity of which he did much to advance. He was for many years a trustee of Niantic Savings Bank. Colonel Pendleton’s religious connections are with the Calvary Baptist Church at Westerly, of which he has been an active and useful member, as well as a generous contributor to its support. He has served as church treasurer for thirty-five years, and as secretary and treasurer of its Sunday school for fifty years.

ELLEN FITZ PENDLETON-- Since 1911, after a career in educational pursuits extending from 186., Miss Pendleton has been president of Wellesley College. She is a member of an old and distinguished Colonial New England family, daughter of Enoch Burrows and Mary Ette (Chapman) Pendleton, and was born in Westerly, R. I., August 7, 1864.

She received an A. B., from Wellesley College in 1886, and an A. M. in 1891, having during 1889-1890 pursued studies in Newnham College, in Cambridge, England. From 1886 to 1888 she was a tutor in mathematics at Wellesley, in this capacity beginning her long association with the college. From 1888 to 1897 she was instructor; from 1891 to 1901 secretary; and from 1901 to 1911, when she became president, she was dean and associate professor of mathematics.

As Wellesley’s head, Miss Pendleton’s position in the educational world, particularly in its relation to the higher education of women, is one of eminence in this field, and is a worthy chapter in the history of the family that has contributed in substantial manner to the upbuilding and progress of New England. Miss Pendleton, in 1911, was honored with the degree of Doctor of Literature from Brown University, and in 1912 Mount Holyoke College conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws.


Susan Carter White Pieroth 2000
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