Rhode Island Tercentenary Issue First Day Cover
300th Anniversary of the Settlement of Rhode Island
Issued on May 4, 1936 in Providence, RI - Scott #777

Unofficial Town Cancel - Manville, RI
1st John B. Kilton Cachet - Planty 777-61j

The Manville Post Office, (Lincoln Township, Providence County) was established on July 16, 1850 under Postmaster 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.

Sources:
Check List of Rhode Island Post Offices 1790-1994 - Del Beaudreau
Rhode Island Postal History: The Post Offices - Merolla, Jackson & Crowther