James R. Edwards, eldest son of Captain Thomas J. Edwards and the father of Lafayette Edwards, was born May 22, 1822, at Hopkinton. He was yet a small child when he removed with his parents to Canonchet, at which place he made his home up to the time of his death, which occurred there September 16, 1893. He was engaged in manufacturing at that place, and was exceedingly successful. For a time he followed in the footsteps of his father and made spools and bobbins, but he later entered the shoddy business, in which he remained for about five years of until 1867, when his mill and stock were destroyed by fire. It is a tribute to the esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen that these started to raise funds for him by subscription, without his knowledge. Mr. Edwards, however, when he learned of this, declined to benefit by their efforts and paid back what had been given him. He was still a young man and he and his wife turned their attention to once more building up their mill and continuing in its operation. He then formed an association with his son Lafayette Edwards and engaged in the manufacture of cotton yarn. Later this association was dissolved and during the last ten years of his life, he continued in this line on his own account. James R. Edwards was a staunch Republican and a prominent member of the Rockville Seventh Day Baptist Church. He married in the year 1844, Emeline Kenyon, born April 5, 1827, a daughter of Simon and Mary (Brightman) Kenyon, and they were the parents of the following children: Lafayette, who is mentioned at length below; James C., of Shannock Hill; Annie, who became the wife of Edward Langworthy and is now deceased; Mary, who became the wife of George H. Langworthy, of Westerly; Sarah, who became the wife of George Kenyon, of Hopkinton City; George, who resides at Canonchet; Oscar, and Osmas, who also make their home at that place; and Leonard, deceased, who died September 16, 1893.
