Rhode Island Postal Cards - Fist Day of Issue

Settling of Rhode Island by Roger Williams in 1636
Designed by David Blossom - Scott #UX112
Issued on June 26, 1986 in Providence, RI
Rhode Island Town Cancels (by RIPS)

The Post Office at Manville, (Lincoln Township, Providence County) Rhode Island  was established on July 16, 1850. The First Postmaster was Alex W. Fenner.  The Post Office is currently in operation under Postmaster Joseph E. Sweet appointed on October 2, 2004.

Alexander W. Fenner is listed on the Census of 1850 as living in Cumberland, Rhode Island. The Census lists Alex's age as 30 and a wife; Sarah C. - age 27.

One of the historic attractions of the town is the Manville Music Hall built in 1895 by Ephrem B. Mandeville. Ephrem formed a group called The Manville Brass Band and built the Music Hall to house his band. After the group broke up; the Hall was used as a Social Center and at one time even housed the local jail.

Manville and Cumberland are home to the Rhode Island Prowlers. The Prowlers are one of 9 teams in the Eastern Football League and the only team that calls Rhode Island home. The other 8 teams are all in Massachusetts. The League was formed in 1961 and is currently the oldest Amateur Football League in America.

Manville Post Office