Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/633

 BENJAMIN B. VIALL. 517 One of Mr. Potter's valuable services for Barrington was the opening of a summer hotel at Nayatt, and inducing Mr. Benjamin B. Viall to become its manager and proprietor. Mr. Viall was the son of Benjamin and Hannah (Kinnicutt) Vial], had received a good business education in Providence, was well married, and splendidly equipped for the position. The hotel attractions, joined with those of Nayatt Point, brought large numbers of the best people in Providence to see, know, and enjoy Barrington. Mr. Viall made these people at home in his house and the town, and his genial qualities and large hospitality introduced permanent and valuable residents to the town, who remain with us to this day. In co-operation with Mr. Potter, and his son. Earl C. Potter, roads and drives were l^id out and made, shade trees planted, wharves built, and all the section was made as at- tractive as possible. Mr. Viall's excellent taste and sound judgment were in constant use in developing the possibilities which Nayatt and Barrington possessed, and in all parts of the town, improvements were apparent, suggested by the Nayatt experiment. Mrs. Viall was as well qualified for her department of work as was Mr. Viall for his, and the labors of both gave a new direction to town affairs, and inspired the people with ideals of taste, culture, and business ability, which will never pass away. While matters were progressing so rapidly at Nayatt in material ways, the people were aroused to the need of better schools and school privileges, and this sketch would be in- complete without mentioning four Barrington teachers, whose influence at this period was felt in a remarkable manner for good. Two of these were Miss Lydia B. Smith and Miss Elizabeth J. Smith, sisters of Lewis B. Smith. Both had been connected with the B. M. I. Association, had received a good academic training at the Seminary in Warren, and both carried to their schools the spirit and labors of true teachers, and to the homes the cheer of true friends and fel- low- helpers. Miss Lydia B. Smith married Mr, George W. Wightman. Miss Elizabeth devoted the best years of her