THE GHASTLY HISTORIAN

The Waterman Tavern (aka Resolved Waterman Tavern, Greenville Tavern, Smithfield Exchange Bank) is located in Greenville, Rhode Island. It was originally built in 1733, with extensions built in later years. It has been purported that the tavern is haunted. Two tales/ghost stories are that of the “Snake Man” and a disappearing peddler. The “Snake Man” (whose identity was unknown) came to the Waterman Tavern and stated that his pet rattlesnake could perform tricks. After some libations, he unveiled the rattlesnake, who subsequently bit the man who died shortly after. The tale was made famous by the Western Rhode Island Civic Historical Society in 1949. The disappearing peddler legend states that a man was sleeping in the basement due to full vacancy, but was found missing the next morning, never to be seen again. Some say he fell in an open well and drowned, with others speculating a more supernatural demise. As for the tavern itself, the main building was demolished in 1936 for road improvements, with one of its extensions (pictured on the right) remaining. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, with funds being raised to prevent complete demolition and restore it.

Images courtesy of the Smith-Appleby House Museum and the Historical Society of Smithfield and Swampyank via Wikipedia
IMAGE LINK 1 / IMAGE LINK 2

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