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A 1788 Rhode Island home that houses the ‘oldest gingerbread ovens in America’ for $754k

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A 1788 Rhode Island home that houses the ‘oldest gingerbread ovens in America’ for 4k


Real Estate

In the basement, Stephen “Baker” Greene created his beloved gingerbread that, in the 1800s, earned him acclaim throughout South County, Rhode Island.

1724 South Road. courtesy

From the wide-plank floors to the five fireplaces, 1724 South Road in Kingston is steeped in history. But the biggest clue of its storied past lies in its basement. 

There, you’ll find the oldest gingerbread ovens in America, where Stephen “Baker” Greene created his beloved gingerbread that, in the 1800s, earned him acclaim throughout South County, Rhode Island, historic documents confirm.

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‘Baker’ Greene’s gingerbread oven. – courtesy

The 1,803-square-foot home dates back to 1788 and is currently listed for $754,000, is a three-bed, one-and-a-half bath home, dubbed the “Gem at Little Rest.” (Little Rest is the original name for the town of Kingston.)

“When we bought it, it was in bad shape. There was wallpaper peeling off the walls. Plaster was coming down, but the structure itself was in good shape,” said owner Chris England, who has lived in the home for 13 years with his wife, Emily, and their four children.

Pull through the old horse gate onto the property that’s surrounded by 18th-century stone walls. Stroll the walkway up to the back foyer, which was originally the back porch of the house back in the 1700s. It features slate floors and wood walls. You’ll find the downstairs bedroom with an outside entrance, which was added in the 1930s as a garage for a Model T, and is now ideal as an in-law space or guest room.

The first-floor bedroom. – courtesy

Follow a narrow hallway, and on your right, you’ll find the library, where a giant working fireplace and a small beehive oven are tucked within the inglenook under a built-in bookshelf mantlepiece made of hand-planed wood.

The library. – courtesy

Keep going straight to the kitchen, where the countertops are made of the original wide pumpkin pine boards used by Baker Greene to bake his gingerbread. A stove is tucked away in a small, separate nook, and there’s a center island that sits under a chandelier. The cabinets are pumpkin pine wood, adorned with iron hinges. Back in the hallway, you’ll find a powder room on the left, which has a stacked washer and dryer that’s included in the sale of the home. 

In the dining room, a wall of curved multi-paned windows streams in natural light. The black oak floors are illuminated by sconces, and a large working fireplace creates a centerpiece that reminds us why the space is meant for conversation. The front foyer, which is completely original, features a stairway, as well as the entrance to the original basement that’s the size of the entire house. In addition to the gingerbread oven, there’s a fireplace in the basement that’s almost seven feet wide, which was used to heat the entire house throughout the winter. 

The dining room. – courtesy

Back on the main floor, the living room features the original 18th-century raised panel fireplace wall. Everything there is also “largely original,” said England. The space overlooks the front of the house, which looks out onto South Road.

The living room. – courtesy

Upstairs, you’ll find two bedrooms. The first is the primary, a strong remnant of its time with low, sloping ceilings and wide-plank floors. It features a fireplace, two closets, and storage spaces. The second bedroom overlooks the natural wooded setting, and the upstairs bathroom features a full bathtub with a shower. 

The front foyer. – courtesy
The primary bedroom. – courtesy
The primary bedroom. – courtesy

Outside the home, the right side of the house has been cleared for a dye garden, which was traditionally used to grow plants and herbs used to dye wool. The back of the house is surrounded by woods and welcomes wildlife ranging from deer and foxes to owls and turkeys. On the left of the house, a rolling lawn space is a peaceful setting. 

The carriage house, which functions as a separate two-car garage, also has a heated office space.

The backside of the house. – courtesy
The carriage house. – courtesy

“It’s largely original, but the electric, plumbing, and major systems have been updated,” England said of the home, which is currently listed by Edward H. Berube of FLAGSHIP Real Estate Advisors and FORBES Global Properties. 

As for England and his wife, they’re taking off for sunnier pastures: They’re leaving for their condo in Honolulu, where their youngest son is currently in college.


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Megan Johnson

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Megan Johnson is a Boston-based writer and reporter whose work appears in People, Architectural Digest, The Boston Globe, and more.





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Rhode Island

Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash

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Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash


Local News

The two victims were identified as a husband and wife from Rhode Island, local officials said.

A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.

Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.

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The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.

Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.

The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said. 

Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.

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Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event


Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday.

The event was held at the Cranston Public Library at 9 a.m.

Reed and other leaders of WFRI hosted a panel discussion with women leaders in environmental and agricultural advocacy, education, community resilience, housing, finance, workforce development, and more, officials said.

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday. (WJAR)

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“Women have played a critical role in this process, most often without any recognition,” Reed said. “Today’s panel brings together an extraordinary group of women who are addressing the challenged of sustainability from various angles and I want to thank you all for your great efforts.”

The panelists highlighted their experiences, shared insights and tips on lifting up women’s voices, provided strategies for sparking change and more.

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According to officials, some of the panelists included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council Nessa Richman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Rhode Island College Kim Bright, Newport Housing Authority Executive Director Rhonda Mitchell and more.

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Man allegedly kills man in R.I. before causing car crash that killed 2 in Mass.

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Man allegedly kills man in R.I. before causing car crash that killed 2 in Mass.


Local News

“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Col. Michael J. Winquist said.

A Seekonk man is accused of murder after he allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island before causing a car crash in Swansea that killed two people last week, police said.  

Demitri Sousa, 28, is charged with murder, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, the Cranston Police Department said.

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The shooting occurred Thursday night in Cranston, police said in a press release.

That night, Sousa allegedly arrived at the Cranston home of Javon Lawson, 35. Sousa began banging on the side door of the home, police said. 

When Lawson approached the door, he was hit by gunfire from outside, police said.

First responders transported Lawson to the Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Cranston police said.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, the motive is believed to be a dispute between the suspect and the victim over a mutual female acquaintance. Detectives are continuing this investigation to gain more insight, as well as to collect and analyze evidence,” Colonel Michael Winquist, Chief of Cranston police, said in an emailed statement to Boston.com.

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Neighbors gave police video footage that “showed a male subject wearing dark clothing and a mask walking toward the residence moments before the shooting and fleeing immediately afterward,” Winquist said.

The suspect was also seen running to a white Infiniti sedan which then drove off, the Cranston police chief said.

Shortly after the shooting, a license plate reader captured the vehicle driving southbound on Route 10, and then later in Fall River and Westport, Massachusetts. The sedan’s license plate was registered in Sousa’s name, Winquist said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said.

Just moments later, Sousa allegedly “crashed into the side of another vehicle, a blue 2022 Subaru Ascent that had been traveling southbound on Route 136,” Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley and Fire Chief Eric Hajder said in a joint press release.

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Both vehicles had “catastrophic damage,” and the struck car was engulfed in flames, the Swansea officials said.

The driver and passenger of the hit car — a man and a woman — were declared dead at the scene, they said.

“Swansea Police had been alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle. However, Swansea Police were not involved in the pursuit and were not pursuing the vehicle at the time of the crash,” the Swansea chiefs wrote. Swansea official have not announced charges related to the fatal crash.

Sousa had been driving the Infiniti and appeared to be suffering from serious injuries, Winquist said. Inside the car, police found a pistol and “additional .22 caliber ammunition was recovered” from Sousa at Rhode Island Hospital, Winquist said.

Police arrested Sousa and transported him to Rhode Island Hospital. Sousa is expected to survive, Winquist said. Sousa will be held in Cranston police custody until he is conscious and medically cleared, Winquist said.

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“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Winquist said.

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