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Balloon Ascension, Providence, R. I. – 1859
Balloon Ascension, Providence, Rhode Island – October 27, 1859
The following article appeared in the Woonsocket Patriot, October 28, 1859.
It appears to have been taken from the Providence Journal.
“Balloon Ascension – Mr. James Allen, of the firm of King & Allen, aeronauts, made a successful balloon ascension from Exchange Place at 3:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon. The balloon took a southeasterly direction, and landed at 4 o’clock about eight miles from this city, on the farm of William Wheaton, in the center of Rehoboth. Mr. Allen was assisted in securing his balloon by Master Henry Frost, who swam Palmer’s River and was first at the spot. Mr. Horton, and by Mr. Nelson Goff, who took him to his residence, where he was hospitably entertained and sent to this city. Mr. Allen states that he distinctly saw Pawtucket and Woonsocket on the north, Boston on the east, and Fall River, Warren, and Bristol on the south. – Providence Journal ”
This is one of the earliest recorded balloon flights in Rhode Island. The Allen family was famous for their balloon flights.