 The house was built in 1878 for Theodore Waters Foster , born on May 19 , 1847 , to Chauncey Foster and Ophelia Remington . He was educated in Pawtucket and joined the Rhode Island Cavalry in 1863 . He served in the American Civil War under Nathaniel P. Banks in the Red River Campaign . In 1873 , he formed a jewelry @-@ manufacturing partnership with Walter E. White and Samuel H. Baily , named White , Foster & Company . After White retired in 1878 , the company was renamed Foster & Bailey . During this time , Foster constructed the house and lived in it for a period of four years , commuting to his place of business in Providence , Rhode Island . Foster would continue to be successful in his jewelry manufacturing business and his son , Theodore Clyde Foster , would succeed him upon his death in 1928 . In 1882 , Theodore Foster sold the home to George W. Payne , the owner of the G. W. Payne & Company . 
