Brief History

William Winsor was born in Greenville, RI in 1819. He was a direct descendent of some of the first purchasers of Providence County from the Indians.

William Winsor taught school for a short time and then tried other occupations. He had a very long career of over fifty years as a cashier for the National Exchange Bank in Greenville. Mr. Winsor also served for over thirty years as Town Treasurer, and was the Treasurer of the Smithfield Savings Bank from its establishment in 1872 until his death. Throughout his life, Mr. Winsor was interested in education.

A new school was built in Greenville in 1930, on Putnam Pike. The Parent-Teacher Association petitioned the Smithfield School Committee to name the new school William Winsor Memorial School. They wanted to honor a man who had given so much in service to the town of Greenville.