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

Unknown Cachet Maker - Planty 777-66
Unofficial Town - Hope, RI

The Hope Post office, (Scituate Township, Providence County) was established on February 14, 1865. under Postmaster Daniel Hall. This post office is currently in operation under Postmaster Mary Lou Clark appointed on August 21, 2004.

The village of Hope was the site of the Hope Furnace built in 1765 and owned by the Brown Family of Providence. The Hope Furnace manufactured bar iron and nails and also cast cannon used in the Revolutionary War. In 1806-07 cotton manufacturing began in the village and a second mill was built in 1825 by Ephraim Talbot. Around 1827 Brown and Ives purchased the property and formed the Hope Company.

The brothers Stephen Hopkins, Governor of Rhode Island and signer of the Declaration of Independence and Esek Hopkins, first Commander in Chief and Commodore of the United States Navy were both born in Scituate Township.

From: "The History of Rhode Island with Illustrations" published by Hong Wade & Co., Philadelphia in 1878 

HOPE VILLAGE (1878)
This is a thriving little village, situated in the southeast part of the town of Scituate, and is the terminus of the Pawtuxet Valley Railroad, being a branch road from River Point to Hope, about three and a half miles long, making connection with Providence.  It has two or three stores, and some mechanical trade is engaged in.  The Hope Manufacturing Company's mills are located here, which give the village a large supply trade, and a consequent appearance of enterprise and thrift.  In 1872, the company built some thirteen large, two-story tenement houses, for the accommodation of their employees.  In 1874, they also erected a church for the use of those in their employ, and others who might desire to attend services on the Sabbath.  It cost about $15,000, is pleasantly located, and is at present used by the Methodist denomination.  Hope is one of the oldest places in the State, and is noted, in its early history, as being the place where cannon were cast for use in the Revolutionary War.  They also used to make bar-iron and nails, the ore being carted from the Cranston ore-beds.  Thirteen new cannon, cast at the Hope furnace, were fired at the Great Bridge in Providence, in honor of the Declaration of Independence