The history of Warren, Rhode Island, in the war of the revolution, 1776-1783

Class ^=" 8^ _

Book^_^ _

1

CopyrightN^

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.

THE

HISTORY OF WARREN,

RHODE ISLAND,

IN THE WAR

OF

THE REVOLUTION, 1 776-1 783

BY VIRGINIA BAKER.

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR,

WARREN, R. I.

I90I

THE LIBRARV OF
CONGRESS,

Two Copits Received

JUL. 11 1901

Copyright entry

CLASS^;l^XXc N»

COPY 8.

Entered according to the Acts of Congress at the Office of the Librarian
of Congress, by Virginia Baker, on the 27th day of March, One Thous-
and, Nine Hundred and One, CI 90 1,) at Washington, D. C.

AUTHOK'S NOTE,

The material composing this sketch has been col-
lected from various sources. Among authorities
consulted may be mentioned Rhode Island Colonial,
and Warren Town Records, Arnold's "History of
Rhode Island," Fessenden's "History of Warren,"
the "Spirit of '76," "Our French Allies," the "Diary
of Col. Israel Angell," files of the "Providence Ga-
zette," and Warren "JS'orthern Star," manuscript
notes of Gen. G. M. Fessenden, and unpublished let-
ters, doc^uments, etc., of the Revolutionary period.
The author desires to express her gratitude to those
persons wbo, by the loan of private papers, have as-
sisted her in her work.

Warren, March, 1901.

THE HISTOEY OF WAEKEN, RHODE ISL-
AND, m THE WAR OF THE REVOLU-
TION^, 1776-1783.
Ar the beginning of the Revolutionary War, War-
ren, Rhode Island, was one of the most flourishing
towns on the l^ew England sea-coast. Though
within its limits agricultural pursuits were followed
to some extent, the inhabitants were chiefly employed
in the various branches of maritime trade. The
building of vessels was an important industry, and
the Warren ship-yards were justly noted for the
variety and excellence of the craft launched from
their stocks. Remote, indeed, were the regions un-
penetrated by the hardy sailors of the little seaport,
which was engaged in coasting, in the West India
and merchant service, and in the whale fishery. To a
community almost entirely dependent upon favor-
able commercial conditions for its existence the
breaking out of war with the mother country was a
most alarming portent, threatening serious disaster
if not ultimate ruin.

The pioneer settlers of Swansea, Massachusetts,
of which town Warren originally formed a part,
were a strong and steadfast race of men, resolute,
courageous, and liberty loving. The characteristics
so marked in them descended to their posterity.
ISTaturally, therefore, at the outset, the inhabitants

6 THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

of Warren quietly but firmly resisted the oppressive
policy of George III, though no people more fully
realized the dangers that would beset them in the
event of an open rupture with England. The sen-
timents of the citizens were first openly voiced in
January, 1774, when, following the example of N'ew-
port and Providence, Warren held a public meeting
to consider the tea question, at which the right of
Parliament to tax the American colonies was em-
phatically denied. When a few months later the
odious Port Bill closed Boston harbor against all
commerce, Warren was among the first localities in
Rhode Island to render material assistance to the
distressed town. It is a noteworthy fact that
throughout the entire Revolutionary period the in-
habitants of Warren acted unanimously in defend-
ing their rights. Indeed, tradition asserts that but
one native of the place was ever proved to have
cherished Tory principles and, so far as can be as-
certained, tradition in this instance is correct.

Although a maritime community Warren could
boast an honorable military record. The opening
scenes of that terrible tragedy. King Philip's War,
had been enacted within its limits. It had sent stal-
wart sons to Louisburg and Crown Point. So when
armed resistance to British misrule became neces-
sary, the sturdy little seaport was not unprepared to
do its share in the struggle for liberty.

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 7

The news of the Battle of Lexington created in
Rhode Island, as elsewhere, the most intense excite-
ment. Thronghont the colony active preparations
for military service were begun. Ammunition was
distributed to all the towns, Warren's proportion
being 24 pounds of powder, 38 pounds of lead,
and 152 flints. The General Assembly voted
to raise an "Army of Observation" to consist
of 1,500 men. One regiment was enlisted in
the counties of Newport and Bristol under Col.
Thomas Church, William Turner Miller of Warren
being appointed Lieutenant-Colonel. A committee
of safety consisting of t^^•» members from Provi-
dence and one from each of the other counties was
appointed, and the several towns adopted such pre-
cautionary measures as they deemed advisable. At
a Town Meeting held in Warren, June 5, 1775, it
was voted to purchase "six good guns" for the town.
Fearing possible attack from the British fleet under
Wallace which occupied the bay it was voted, Nov.
20th, to keep a watch in the town and Daniel Cole
and Samuel Miller were appointed to "decide how
often each man should watch." Captain Ezra
Ormsbee was selected to "have the care of sd. watch
and to Notify the people when they should watch,"
and how many should "Stand upon the watch in one
night." The penalty for refusing to watch was fixed
at three shillings. Captain Ormsbee was required

8 THE HISTORY OP WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

"to Provide wood for the sd. watch," and was em-
powered to "furnish the watch house that is built in
Bristol by the inhabitants of Warren and to build a
Centrj Box." The watch house stood upon one of
the elevations still known as "Burr's Hills," located
on the east bank of Warren river and now included
within the limits of that part of the town termed
South Warren. It commanded a view of ISTarragan-
sett Bay and the shores of Bristol and Barrington.
During the previous year a "Trained Band" * had
been formed in Warren, and there was also in the
to^^m a company of "Alarm Men." Many members
of the Alarm company were mere striplings. Some
of the firearms that appeared at "trainings" had
seen service at Crown Point and Ticonderoga. The
men utilized as flints the Indian arrow-heads which
abounded in the vicinity of Burr's Hills and along
the shores of Belcher's Cove and the Kickemuit
river.

On January 12, 1Y76, about 250 British troops
from Wallace's fleet landed on Prudence Island
where they burned seven dwellings, dispersed a com-
pany of minute men, and seized a number of sheep.
On the following day reinforcements from Warren
and Bristol proceeded in whaleboats and other craft

♦The officers of the Trained Band, in 1775 were Amos
Halle, Captain; John Ormsbee, Lieutenant; Smith Bo wen,
Ensign.

IN THS WAR OF THE) REVOLUTION. 9

to the island and an action ensued which lasted three
hours. The British were driven off with a loss of
fourteen killed and several wounded, the Americans
losing only four killed and one taken prisoner. On
the next night two houses on Patience Island were
fired bv the enemy. Fearing that Bristol might be
attacked the troops Avere withdrawn from Prudence
and stationed in that to^vn. The General Assembly
appointed a committee to draft a memorial to Con-
gress representing the inability of Rhode Island,
"from its situation, smallness, and poverty" to defend
itself, and praying for assistance. Sylvester Child,
one of the Deputies from Warren, was a member of
this committee. His colleagues were Deputy Gover-
nor Bradford, Henry Ward, William Ellery, Joseph
Bro\vii, Henry Marchant and Gideon Mumford.

The seaboard towns now redoubled their precau-
tions. In Town Meeting, Feb. 5th, it was voted
that the To^vn Council of Warren should "make a
list of all persons in the tovni who were not able to
equip themselves with arms and accoutrements ac-
cording to law." The Council reported only two in-
dividuals who lacked the necessary equipment and
the town supplied them with "two good firearms
with bayonets and cartuch boxes." It was also voted
to raise an Artillery company in the town, of which
Daniel Fisk was chosen Captain and Benajah Cole,
Lieutenant. On Mav 6th, the Toum Treasurer was

lO THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND^

ordered to "imploy Suitable Persons to make up the
powder and Balls into Carteriges Belonging to the
town stock as soon as Conveniently May Be" and all
persons possessing lead or bullets were desired to
bring them to the To^^'Il Treasurer who was directed
to purchase them. It was voted also that "all the
Militia and Alarm men should Bring their guns to
the tow^n treasurer at or Before the fifteenth Day of
this instant May in order that their Carteriges May
be Made."

The scarcity of provisions at this time had become
a serious question. Common salt, alone, commanded
six dollars per bushel. To prevent extortion the
iGeneral Assembly at length took charge of this
necessary commodity, and sold it to the various
towns at six shillings per bushel. Warren's pro-
portion was fifty bushels, and on July 1st William
Turner Miller was appointed to divide the salt
among the different families in town. It was voted
that all persons who should neglect to make appli-
cation for salt by July 12th should be refused a
share, and the Town Clerk was directed to "Set up
three advertisements in three Publick Places in the
Town to Notify the inhabitants of the promises."

The population of Warren at this time (1776)
was 1,005 including slaves. The toTsm was required
by law to furnish ten men for military service, but
in September it was voted to increase the number to

IN the; war of the revolution. II

I

twelve. Ten shillings were allowed to every sol-
dier found able to "Equip himself With a Gun,
Bayonet, and Cartuch Box," and ten shillings in ad-
dition to each man for the "Use of a Blanket and
I^apsack." In October the Deputies Avere requested
to tender the Test Act to all male citizens, and the
Town Clerk was directed to "make record of the
number of Guns, Cartuch Boxes, Blankets, and
Napsacks Belonging to the to\vn." William Tur-
ner Miller was authorized to make a second distri-
bution of salt, it being stipulated, however, that "Xo
Person Be allowed to Receive Salt that Refused to
Subscribe the Test Act."

The appearance, on December 2d, of seven
ships of the line and four frigates in the vicinity of
Block Island caused widespread consternation
throughout Rhode Island. The militia was at once
called to arms. On December 8th, the enemy landed
at Newport and took possession of the town.
American troops were despatched to Tiverton,
Bristol, and other points on the coast. Many in-
habitants of Newport took refuge on the main land.
The court records of Newport County were hastily
transported to Warren, but the exposed situation of
the town caused the Assembly to order the Clerk of
the Court to remove them "to some safer place
further distant from Rhode Island."

At a later date a guard of sixteen men was sta-

12 the; history op WARRE:n, RHODE ISLAND,

tioned at Warren, and the row^galley Washington
was sent to protect the entrances to Warren and
Kickemuit rivers. On the 2d of April, 1777, an
explosion occurred on board the galley by which
eight lives were destroyed. The vessel was, how-
ever, afterward repaired, schooner rigged, and put
in service again. The bodies of the unfortunate vic-
tims of this accident were buried on the west shore
of Kickemuit river near the "narrows" of the
stream, not far from the scene of the disaster.

The Artillery company, which had previously
been supplied with two field pieces, was furnished
with drums, colors, and an ammunition cart. Re-
cruiting was briskly carried on in the town and there
was scarcely a household that had not one or more
members engaged in military service. It must not
be imagined that while the men of Warren devoted
themselves to the cause of liberty, the women dis-
played a less patriotic spirit. Though debarred from
carrying muskets their hands were not idle, as the
number of stout woolen stockings and other articles
of clothing furnished by them to the troops amply
testified.

Provisions still continued scarce, while the in-
crease of current expenses rendered necessary a pro-
portionate increase of taxes. The poll tax which
had been fixed at 6s. 5d. was raised to 12 shillings.
A number of flat-bottomed boats for use of the state

IN the: war of* the revolution. 13

were this year constructed at the shipyard of Crom-
well Child. These boats were destined to play an
important part in the history of Warren. The cap-
ture of the British General Prescott by Lieut. Col.
William Barton in July, raised the hopes of Rhode
Islanders, Warren being especially gratified at this
brilliant achievement of one of her sons. An ex-
pedition under Gen. Spencer against Bhode Island
was planned and, in October, a number of boats, in-
cluding those built at Warren, were collected at
Tiverton. Unfavorable weather, however, delayed
the execution of the scheme which was finally aban-
doned.

With the opening of another year (1778) a new
danger confronted Warren. Small-pox, that scourge
of the olden times, made its appearance. On Janu-
ary 3d, it was voted that innoculation for the disease
"be set up Within the Town," and Col. :N'athan Mil-
ler was appointed "to Prepare an Innoculatory Hos-
pital under the direction of the Council." The site
selected for this hospital was a point on the right
bank of the Kickemuit river a few rods north of the
present pimiping station. It was also voted to fine
any person receiving one ill of small-pox into his
house the sum of £50.

It being deemed expedient to attempt a second
expedition against Rhode Island the flat-bottomed
boats before alluded to, about seventy in number,

14 THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

were brought up the Kickemuit river and moored
near the stone bridge, to which point a quantity of
tar and other stores was transported. Great secrecy
was preserved in regard to their plans by the Ameri-
cans. But, unfortunately, there lurked within their
midst an enemy in disguise. The school master of
Warren was an Englislmian named Holland, De-
spite his nationality, he professed allegiance to the
patriot cause, and was generally believed to be sin-
cere in his professions. He discovered the designs
of the Americans and found means to communicate
his knowledge to Gen. Pigot, the commander of the
British forces on Rhode Island, who at once deter-
mined to frustrate the schemes of his opponents.

On Monday, the 25th of May, a party of British
and Hessians troops numbering about 500, under
command of Lieut. Col. Campbell, were despatched
by boat from N^ewport to Bristol where they arrived
before daybreak, and landing near Peck's Rocks
marched up Bristol I^J'eck towards Warren. On
reaching the Gorham farm, they paused and raised
a sheet from the chimney of the farm house as a
signal to their shipping in the bay that all was well.
They then resumed their line of march and entered
Warren, rousing the terrified inhabitants with their
loud huzzas for King George. At the centre of the
town Campbell divided his forces into parties- One
detachment was sent to guard Kelley's ferry in the

IN THE WAR OP THE REVOLUTION. I5

north part, while a second hastened to the foot of
King, now Washington street, where was another
ferry known as Carr's ferry.* The greater portion
of the troops were, however, hurried through Mar-
ket street to Kickemuit, where they piled the unfor-
tunate flat-bottomed boats together and burned them
with the row-galley Washington, and a quantity of
tar, pitch, and other stores. They then set fire to
two dwelling houses and a grist mill near the lower
bridge. Tradition relates that the terrified miller
when he saw his property about to be destroyed cried
out, "Spare the mill, brothers !" "Brothers," re-
peated one of the soldiers, "Do you call us that? If
we are your brothers we shall do you a favor by tak-
ing you out of this nest of rebels," and he beckoned
to his companions who immediately made the poor
miller their prisoner. In the attic of the Phinney
farm house near the bridge a number of arms were
concealed. The redcoats visited this house but fail-
ed to discover the hidden muskets. A party of sol-
diers approached the innoculatory hospital. Its in-
mates, three in number, rushed to the windows and
throwing them open shouted frantically, "Don't
come here. We are sick with small-pox !" The soldiers
at once hastily retreated. But their disappearance
failed to reassure the panic stricken invalids. Terri-

♦Seeing the red-coats at this ferry a man on the opposite
shore of Barrington shouted wildly for "quarter," greatly to
the amusement of the soldiers.

16 THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODIJ ISI.AND,

fied lest a second detachment of redcoats less afraid
of disease should appear, they rushed from the

ZZ Z^'^ r -^-^' "The Re^ilars have
come! The Regulars have come!" At the stone
bndge the, turned up the School House Road th 1
:nto the Birch Swamp Road, still uttering the
warning cry One of the good housewives of the
neighborhood who was engaged in preparing break-
fast heard the shouts. She looked from the tindow
and recognmng the men grasped the situation.'
Seizing the coffee-pot in one hand and a large bowl
m the other, she opened the kitchen door and com-
manding the men to halt inquired where they were
going. "To Swansea to give the alarm," thev re-
plied. "Well," she answei.d, "you doii'l go a'step
farther until you have drank some coffee," and de-
spite the expostulations of her family she compelled
the not unwilling travellers to each swallow a bowl-
lul of the smoking beverage. She then resumed her
domestic labors, while the refreshed pilgrims con-
tinued on to Swansea where their appearance creat-
ed as much consternation as the Regulars themselves
would have occasioned. Finding no place of refuge
offered them, the weary sick men were forced to re-
turn to Warren and re-enter the hospital. Strangely,
their long journey was productive of no ill results
either to them or any of the various persons with
whom they came in contact during it.

IN THK WAR OF THE) RIJVOLUTION. 17

While the capture of the miller was being effected
at the bridge, a scene of quite an opposite nature
transpired in another part of Kickemuit. A trio
of soldiers crossed some fields and approached the
farm of Mr. Ephraim Cole. The sun was now high
in the heavens, and Mr. Cole was hoeing in his corn-
field. Himself unperceived, he espied the advan-
cing redcoats. ISTot seeing any way of escape he
quietly dropped behind a stone wall, hoe in hand.
The soldiers reached the wall and were about to
clamber over it when, suddenly, Mr. Cole sprang
erect and brandishing the hoe in their faces ex-
claimed in a voice of thunder, "Come on, my brave
boys, and we'll have every lobster '^f 'em!" The
astonished "lobsters," thinking a large party of
Americans concealed behind the walls, turned in con-
fusion and ran in different directions, Mr. Cole pursu-
ing- them shoutinof, "March to the east'ard! Head 'em
off to the west'ard !" JSTot daring to glance behind
them the soldiers continued their flight. Two of
them escaped, but Mr. Cole overtook the third and,
as he afterwards drily remarked, "surrounded him
and took him prisoner."

Having completed the main object of the expedi-
tion, the destruction of the boats, Col. Campbell
marched his men back to the compact part of the
town where terror and confusion reigned supreme.
The citizens endeavored to protect their property,

18 THK HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.

but the overwhelming number of the enemy rendered
their efforts futile. Many households were with-
out male protectors as a large portion of the able-
bodied men of the town were engaged elsewhere in
military service. The Baptist meeting-house and
parsonage and other buildings were burned to the
ground, the powder magazine was blown up, and the
privateer "General Stark," which stood ready for
launching in one of the shipyards, was partially de-
stroyed. Cattle and poultry were killed, stores and
houses pillaged, and women and children terrified.
The appearance of the marauders is described by
Fessenden in his historical sketch of Warren. The
British were attired in red coats, cocked hats, and
small clothes, with shoe and knee buckles and a pro-
fusion of gold lace. The Hessians wore huge fur
caps and great boots, and the latter they utilized as
receptacles for booty of every description. These
German mercenaries rendered themselves particu-
larly obnoxious to the townspeople. A party of
them who had been wounded in a skirmish with some
citizens visited the Burr Tavern on Main street.
Mrs. Burr, the landlady, kindly dressed their
wounds and they displayed their gratitude to her by
destroying her dishes and furniture. At another
house they fired several shots at the women and
children whom they found assembled there. Five
burly giants effected an entrance at the residence of

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 19

Jesse Baker on what is now Water street bj dashing
in the windows. Mrs. Baker was alone in the house
at the time. They compelled her to mount a chair
and from the upper shelves of the china closet to
pass to them such articles as thev desired. ISTatural-
ly as they addressed her in German she did not un-
derstand their orders very readily, but she trem-
blingly handed to them dish after dish each of which
they dashed to the ground with oaths and laughter.
In the midst of their sport an English officer sudden-
ly made his appearance. At a glance he compre-
hended the situation and raising a silver handled
riding-whip, which Mrs. Baker recognized as the
property of Col. JSTathan Miller, he struck the ring-
leader of the party across the cheek cutting the flesh
open. He then sternly ordered him and his com-
panions to leave the house, and after they had dis-
appeared courteously assisted the half fainting
woman to alight from the chair, assuring her that he
would protect her from further molestation — a
promise he faithfully performed. jSTo other in-
stance of forbearance on the part of the assailants is
recorded, the officers, generally, rather encouraging
than restraining their men in the work of devasta-
tion. Some of the soldiers even went so far as to
tear the brass rings from the fingers of the negro ser-
vants. The guard posted at Kelley's ferry intercept-
ed a respectable Irishman who was endeavoring to es-

20 THE HISTORY OF WARREN^ RHODE ISEAND.

cape from the town. They turned him around on his
horse, set his wig and hat awry, and putting the muz-
zle of a gun to his cheek compelled him to swear alle-
giance to King George which he did with a very ill
grace. Mr. Peter Cole, a prominent citizen, eluded
capture by a clever ruse. Seizing a large butcher's
knife, he rushed from his house along Main street
brandishing his blade and crying, "I am Peter Cole
and I don't care for a d — d soul!" The British
soldiers, supposing him deranged, permitted him to
pass through their midst unmolested. Other of the
the townspeople were less fortunate and a number of
prisoners were secured, among them Sylvester Child
and his son-in-law Eev. Charles Thompson, a chap-
lain in the Continental service who was then at
home on a furlough. The family of Col. JSTathan
Miller escaped by boat to Barrington, carrying with
them valuable state papers which Campbell had
hoped to secure. One of the British soldiers fired a
shot at the boat which whistled close to the head of
the Colonel's young daughter. The Miller resi-
dence was ransacked, the soldiers expressing great
regret that they had not captured the "fellow with
the big boots" as they nicknamed Col. Miller.*
They quenched their disappointment in a barrel of
cider which they discovered in the cellar, first, how-

*Col. Miller weighed upwards of 300 pounds. His boots
held a bushel of corn each.

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 21

ever, compelling a young slave girl whom they found
hidden in the house to taste it as an assurance that
it contained no poison.

As the morning sun rose high, Col. Campbell,
fearing the Americans would rally from the neigh-
boring towns prepared to retreat, and the straggling
squads of soldiers were called together on Main street.
One detachment passing the home of the Tory
schoolmaster cheered loudly, whereupon Holland
emerged from the door and joined them.* Camp-
bell placed his prisoners and their guards in the van.
Behind them marched the Hessians, j^resenting an
exceedingly grotesque appearance with articles of
every description peeping and dangling from the
wide tops of their huge boots. The English com-
panies followed with Campbell himself at the rear of
the procession. As the retreating column filed slow-
ly along Main street, a party of ladies who were
watching it from the windows of what is now the
Fessenden Hotel espied, lagging far behind his com-
rades, a diminutive individual encumbered with a
large drum, and very much the worse for the numer-
ous drams of West India rum with which he had re-
galed himself. The ladies determined to make him
their prisoner. One of them placing herself at the
head of the party snatched a brass candlestick from

*The house occupied by Holland is still standing on
Church Street, just east of the Methodist Church.

22 THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE) ISLAND,

a table near bv, and, followed bj her companions, ran
into the street. Pointing the candlestick at her vic-
tim, she commanded him to halt. Pale with terror
the little man staggered back exclaiming, "Don't
fire, ladies ! Don't fire ! I surrender." The ladies
surrounded him and triumphantly conducted him
into the house where they locked him securely in a
closet. He expressed great pleasure at being cap-
tured, saying that he was exhausted with the weight
of his heavy drum.

Despite the precautions of the enemy messengers
had early been despatched to Barrington, Providence,
and other points to secure aid, and as Campbell be-
gan the march towards Bristol a portion of Capt.
Vial Allen'b company which had been stationed at
Eumstick Point entered Warren. They were, how-
ever, too few in number to render assistance.
Shortly afterward Gen. William Barton, with a party
of mounted troops in advance of a large body of in-
fantry under Gen. Sullivan, appeared and hastened
in pursuit of the foe, collecting a number of volun-
teers along the route. Mrs. Williams, in her bio-
graphy of Barton, states that as the doughty General
galloped along he hailed Col. Campbell, daring him
to single combat. "Come back you d — d coward,"
he shouted in thunder tones, "I am the man who

took Prescott, and by if you will just step out

of Youi' I'jrking place I'll hack you to pieces in less

IN the; war op the revolution. 23

time than it took to take him." Barton overtook the
British near Bristol Ferry where he received a
severe woimd in the leg from a musket ball. This
accident and the insufficiency of his force induced
him to abandon the pursuit. After repeating in
Bristol the scenes enacted in Warren, the enemy re-
embarked in their ship and set sail for ISTewport,
barely in time to escape attack from Sullivan who ar-
rived at Bristol shortly afterwards.

The disastrous effect of this raid upon Warren
cannot be adequately portrayed. Yet with praise-
M'orthy courage and energy the citizens immediately
resumed their labors in the cause of liberty. On
June 1st it was voted to levy a tax of £900 for the
to%\ni's use. The fortifications at Burr's Hills were
strengthened and a watch stationed there during the
day as well as at night, the town being further pro-
tected by a guard boat placed at the entrance to the
river by order of Congress. The privateer ''Gener-
al Stark" was repaired and towards the last of June
started on her first cruise. Gen. Sullivan had be-
gun negotiations for release of the prisoners cap-
tured at Warren and Bristol. Many of these were
men too advanced in years to bear arms, who were
treated with unnecessary harshness by their captors.
Pigot signified his willingness to exchange them on
the usual terms, but stated that if the exchange was
not effected at once the prisoners would be removed

24 the: history of warren, RHODE ISLAND,

to 'New York. After a sharp correspondence the ex-
change of several was arrano-ed, and three or four were
released on parole. Among the citizens of Warren
who were transferred to the Jersey prison ship were
Rev. Charles Thompson, Caleb Turner, and James
Maxwell. The privations endured bj those confined
upon this foul and overcrowded vessel were of ihe
most severe nature. Rev. Mr. Thompson after being
detained in captivity for several weeks was given
his freedom, but was never able to discover to wjiom
he owed his release.

The arrival of the French fleet in American waters
early in July caused intense joy throughout the
country. Immediately, however, the enemy began
to send reinforcements from jSTew York to Rhode
Island. On July 15th, 300 troops were landed at
Newport. The Council of War fearing an attack
on Providence called out half the military force of
the state to serve for twenty days, ordering the re-
maining half to hold themselves in readiness for
action at a moment's notice. On the 29th D'Es-
taing's fleet appeared in the bay and blockaded JSTew-
port. On Augaist 9th Sullivan, with about 10,000
troops, crossed from Tiverton to Portsmouth. On
the 21st D'Estaing withdrew his ships. bu1; Sullivai,
continued his preparations while awaiting the re-
turn of the fleet. On the 29th the Battle of Rhode
Island, which Lafayette pronounced "the best fought

IN the; war of the revolution. 25

action of the war," took place. To this ''Ehode Isl-
and Expedition," as it was termed, Warren contri-
buted its full quota of men. One company in Col.
Miller's regiment was commanded by Captain Rob-
ert Carr, a native of the town and a most zealous
patriot. Warren Mason, a negro belonging to
John Mason of Warren, was one of the slaves who ob-
tained freedom by enlisting in the '^black regiment,"
which under the leadership of Col. Christopher
Greene distinguished itself by three times repelling
the furious attacks of the Hessian columns with the
most desperate courage and determination.

On August 31st the care of the troops on the eas-
tern shore of !N"arragansett Bay was entnisted by
Gen. Sullivan to the Marquis de Lafayette, who es-
tablished his headquarters at Bristol. Toward the
latter part of September he removed them to Warren
where a portion of Varnum's brigade w^as stationed.
Col. Israel Angell's regiment encamped in the fields
on the eastern slope of Windmill Hill in the norther-
ly part of the to^vn near the Kickemuit river. A
little more than half a century ago a jDOst driven into
the ground indicated the spot where Lafayette's
marquee stood, just southeast of the ledge of rocks
on the summit of the hill. On the farm of Mr.
Henry Clark on the east side of Belcher's Cove are
still to be seen the remains of earth works which it is
said were thrown up under the supervision of the

26 the; history of warren, RHODE ISLAND.

marquis. The gallant French officer was very popu-
lar with the townspeople, his frank and engaging
manner winning all hearts. Tradition states that
he was extremely partial to the old-fashioned "Rhode
Island johnny-cakes" baked on a board at the hos-
telry of Ebenezer Cole, famous throughout the
colonies for its good cheer ; and that he and an Ameri-
can officer once engaged in a "johnny-cake match,"
which he easily won, outstripping or rather out eat-
ing his competitor by two or three cakes of more
than ordinary size. Lafayette's stay in Warren was of
short duration, the middle of October finding him in
Philadelphia. ,

Though the enemy maintained great watchfulness,
the privateers belonging to the seaboard towns man-
aged to elude all vigilance and to constantly cross
and recross the bay. In September the "General
Stark" returned to Rhode Island, having captured
two prizes, one a brig laden with cotton-wool and
red-wood, the other a ship from Halifax bound for
Jamaica and carrying a cargo of fish and spars.
About the same time the schooner "Weasel," Mau-
ran, master, another privateer sent out from Warren,
succeeded in taking a brig of 140 tons which sailed
from I^ew York with wood and provisions for the
king's troops at Newport. ,

The winter of 17Y8-9 was a severe one. The
camp at Windmill Hill was abandoned and the troops

IN THE WAR OF the: REVOLUTION. 27

were quartered in stores on the wharves and in pri-
vate dwellings. On Christmas Eve the Warren river
was completely frozen over, and Col. Angell excused
his men from the nsual drill. A violent storm
raged on the 26thj the baracks being filled with snow
and huge drifts blocking the roads. On 'New Year's
Day, Warren received the melancholy tidings of the
wreck of the "General Stark." ]S[ineteen members
of the ill-fated vessel perished by freezing. The
extremely cold weather and the scarcity and high
price of provisions caused great suffering among the
poor. The inhabitants of the town numbered at
this period 789, together with fourteen refugees
from the county of JSTewport, some of whom were en-
tirely dependent upon charity for support. The
town treasury was nearly depleted, and in March it
became necessary to hire the sum of $1,500 for the
purchase of grain from Connecticut for the town's
use.

On March 11th, Daniel Cole, Joseph Smith, and
William Barton were apj)ointed a committee to as-
certain what persons had performed more than their
proportion of military duty in the two expeditions
against Ehode Island, and to allow such persons
whatever sums of money they might deem were just-
ly due them. In April the militia of the several
counties were, by order of the Assembly, formed into
brigades. Col. Nathan Miller being elected brigadier

28 THi; HISTORY OF^ WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.

of the counties of ISTewport and Bristol. As the
enemy greatly outnumbered the American forces,
and continued to make incursions upon the seaboard
towns, it was deemed prudent to increase the guard
at Warren, and August 4th Shubael Kinnicutt and
l^athan Bardin were empowered to enlist twenty-
six men to serve for twenty days. £300 was appro-
priated to pay the guard, and Moses Turner was di-
rected to "draught a petition to Gen. Gates for Ra-
tions for Sd. Guard." This guard was stationed at
points along the shore where it was feared the Brit-
ish might attempt to make a landing. Fortunately
Warren was destined to escape a repetition of the
misfortunes which had befallen her the previous
year. The South having become the seat of war it
became necessary for Sir Henry Clinton to centralize
his forces there, and on October 25th, to the unbound-
ed joy of the suffering inhabitants of Rhode Island,
the enemy evacuated ISTewport.

As winter approached the weather became extreme-
ly cold. Again was Warren river frozen completely
over, and communication with Barrington was main-
tained by crossing the ice on foot or in ox teams,
rire-wood was very scarce, commanding twenty dol-
lars per cord, and so insufficient was the supply of
food that a famine seemed imminent. But it was not,
alone, temporal privations that the people of Warren
were forced to endure. There were spiritual hard-

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION, 29

ships also. The destruction of their meeting-house
had compelled the Society of Baptists to unite, tem-
porarily, with the neighboring church of Swansea.
The severity of the weather and condition of the
country roads, however, prevented the regular atten-
dance of church. But all trials of what nature so-
ever were borne cheerfully, indeed, in many in-
stances, heroic fortitude was displayed.

Early in the simimer of 1780 active military
operations were begun in anticipation of the arrival
of the French fleet in Rhode Island. Washington
asked for additional troops to co-operate with the
allies, and a militia force was called out to serve
for three months. Recruiting officers were appoint-
ed for each to\^TL, those chosen for Warren being ISTa-
than Miller, Sylvester Child, Daniel Cole, Robert
Carr, and William Barton. On July 2d, the town
voted that jSTathan Bardin and Edward Mason "be
added to the Committe for Enlisting Soldiers," and
on the same day it was ordered that "a Propper Per-
son be appointed at the Expense of the Town to
Carry Such Winter Clothing as the friends and Con-
nections of Such Soldiers as May enter into the Con-
tinental Service at the Present Campaign may pro-
vide for them." De Corny, the French Commis-
sary Greneral, having requested the General Assem-
bly to repair the ferries between Providence and
^Newport, a committee consisting of Hon. Wm.

30 THE HISTORY OP WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.

Bradford, Gen. Miller and Col. Joseph JSTiglitingale
was appointed by the Assembly to confer with him
were appointed by the Assembly to confer with him
regarding "the accommodation of the expected arma-
ment/' and Ephraim Bowen, the Depnty Quarter-
master General, was empowered to draw £10,000
from the state treasury for the purpose of making
the necessary repairs at Providence, Warren, and
Bristol. On July 10th, De Terney, with a fleet of
twelve ships of war and thirty-two transports and
six thousand troops under Count Rochambeau, ar-
rived at JSTewport where, on the following day, the
troops were landed. In August a dinner at the ex-
pense of the state was given in honor of the allies.
Gen. Miller was a member of the entertainment com-
mittee. He was popular with the French officers
owing to the fact that a strain of Huguenot blood ran
through his veins. A warm friendship sprang up
between him and Count Rochambeau with whom he
exchanged rapiers. The Rochambeau weapon is
now o\^'3ied by a descendant of General Miller.

The work of raising the British vessels sunk in the
harbor of ISTewport had begun in June. Cromwell
Child i^urchased a portion of this wreckage which
was transported on scows to Warren. Tradition
states that Ebenezer Cole built a barn of some of the
timbers, which was for many years a landmark in
the town, and which the owner was very fond of
pointing out to the guests who frequented his hos-
telry.

IN TPIE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION, 3 1

On August 5 th, the town of Warren appointed
Ezra Ormsbee to furnish the militia with camp fur-
niture. He was directed to purchase "21 Mess Pots,
21 Pails, 21 Mess Boles, 5 J^arrow Axes, 3 Baggage
Carts and give his Receipt for the articles in Behalf
of the Town." At the same time it was voted to
raise $10,000 as a town tax.

In October a detachment of French troops was
quartered in Warren and remained there during the
winter. These troops occupied during a portion of
their stay the old camping place at Windmill Hill.
They are said to have been admirably disciplined, and
were very friendly with the neighboring farmers,
whose wives supplied them with brown bread for
which they displayed as great partiality as Lafayette
evinced for Landlord Cole's Rhode Island johnny-
cakes.

In February, 1781, the Assembly, in expectation
of the withdrawal of the French troops, called out
twelve hundred militia to serve for one month under
Brigadier General Miller. On March 6th, Gen.
Washington arrived at jSTewport for the purpose of
arranging with Rochambeau for the coming cam-
paign. On the 10th the French fleet sailed and all
but three hundred of the Rhode Island militia were
dismissed. On the 13th Washington proceeded to
Providence, passing through Bristol and Warren en
route. In Warren he was entertained at the expense

32 THE HISTORY OP WARRl^N, RHODE ISLAND.

of the state at the famous hostelry of Shubael Burr,
which, like its rival Cole's Tavejrn, was noted
throughout ISTew England. Burr's Tavern was lo-
cated at the corner of Main and King (afterwards
Washington) streets. The room assigned to Wash-
ington was a rather small apartment, but considered
at the time a very elegant guest chamber. Burr's
tavern, after standing for more than a century, was a
few years since torn do^^m.

On March 22d, the town voted to purchase 3-4 cwt.
of sugar, 1-4 cwt. of coffee, and a bushel of rye meal
for the '^ Soldiers Doing Duty on Ehode Island that
Went from the Town;" John Child was directed
to procure these articles. The depreciation of con-
tinental currency caused the town to vote in June
"that the Town Treasurer Receive no more old Con-
tinental Money into the Treasury for Taxes Due
from the Collector." The privateer sloop "George"
of Warren, Thomas Champlin, master, was this
month captured off Sandy Hook by Arbuthnot's
fleet. In July Gen. Miller, wearied with his un-
ceasing labors, tendered his resignation to the As-
sembly, but at the earnest request of that body with-
drewi it. In August he was appointed to proceed to
l^ew York in "the flag-of-truce :N'ancy," for the pur-
pose of arranging for the exchange of citizens of
Rhode Island held prisoners by the enemy. His
mission proved successful and, at a later date, the

IN THE WAR OF* THE RE;V0I.UTI0N. 33

released prisoners returned in a "flag" to Rhode
Island.

In August the schooner "Hunter" of Warren sail-
ed for Virginia with provisions and hospital stores
for the American trooj)s. In a letter addressed to
his wife from "Off Jamestown in James River," and
dated September 19, 1781, the captain, William Tur-
ner Miller, predicted the fall of Cornwallis which oc-
curred on the 17th of the following month. The
tidings of the victory at Yorktown caused the most
intense joy throughout Rhode Island. By the dis-
play of flags, the ringing of bells, and the firing of
cannon the people demonstrated their satisfaction.
Several prisoners of war * were tranported from
Yorktown to Rhode Island by the sloop "Abigail" of
Warren, John Haile master. Thirteen of these
prisoners were privates, the remainder were officers.
Two negro servants accompanied the latter.

*Among papers preserved by the descendants of Capt.
Haile is a partial list of these prisoners as follows:
"Capt. Steward, ]

Lt. James Campbell, j

Lt. Donald Campbell, )■ N. C. Loyalists.

Ens'n Dugald Campbell. |
Ens'n Donald Campbell, J

^SK bST'- }

Capt. Althouse, }^ N Y V

Ens'n Althouse, i . . .,

Lieut. Murphy, South C. Corpse,
Lieut. Searjeant Kings, A Reg't.,
Mr. Ker, Comis'y.
Corn't White, B. Legion,
r Mr. Edwards, Comis'y."

34 THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

The Assembly, in December, directed the several
towns to prepare estimates of the damage inflicted
in each by the enemy during the war. Warren's loss
by the incursion of British troops on May 25, 1778,
as a2:>praised by William Turner Miller, amounted
to the sum of £12,101 ; 17s. ; 3d.

The closing year of the war was a comparatively
eventless one as regarded Warren. In March, Capt.
David Barton was appointed to enlist the town's
proportion of men for the continental army. The
same month John Child was authorized "to purchase
fifty-six yards of tow-cloth and eight pairs of stock-
ings according to the act of the General Assembly
and to deliver these articles to their use at East
Greenwich." In October Gen. Miller requested the
Assembly to furnish him v"ith a "flag" in v/hich to
proceed to ISTew York for the purpose of obtaining
the release of certain prisoners confined there. He
was authorized to commission a vessel under Wm.
Turner Miller for the purpose specified.

The condition of Warren at the end of the war was
a most unhappy one. Business was almost entirely
prostrated, and many families were impoverished.
The town treasury was nearly depleted. The loss of
shipping amounted to 1,090 tons. Household after
household mourned the loss of dearly beloved mem-
bers. Many a man who had gone forth to do ser-
vice for his country in the full glory of vigorous

the: history of warren, RHODE ISLAND, 35

manhood had returned the mere shadow of his former
self. Young women had grown prematurely old
under the too heavy burdens of anxiety, privation,
and grief. The farma were neglected, the streets
overgrown with grass, the ship-yards were deserted,
the docks empty. But with the same courage and
determination that had distinguished them in the
darkest hours of adversity, the people instantly set
about the bettering of their condition. The build-
ing of vessels was resumed, the farms were tilled,
shops were re-opened, a new church built, and in less
than a decade after the signing of the treaty of peace
at Paris, Warren was once more a busy and prosper-
ous maritime town.

APPENDIX.

{From original, Fessenden Mss.)

Koll of Capt. Ezra Ormsbee's Company of Militia
in the Town of Warren, 1776.

Sargant, Amos Haile,

" Thomas Easterbrooks,
<' Curtis Cole,
" Gardner Mason,

Corporal, William Child,
" Jacob Sanders,

" Oliver Salisbury, Jr.,
" Ichabod Cole,

Drummer,

Fifer, —

James Child,

^Cromwell Child,

Samuel Miller,

*William Salisbury,

*Daniel Richards,

*Joseph Kelley,

38 THE HISTORY OF WARR^N^ RHODE; ISIvAND,

Edward Eddy,
*Jonatlian Salisbury,
Jeremiah Child,
*James Salisbury,
Isaac Gorham,
Jesse Baker,
Georg Cogashell,
William Lewis,
Joseph Smith,
Peleg Easterbrooks,
Caleb Eddy,
Haile Child,
John Harding,
Joseph Kelley,
Daniel Kelley,
Jonathan Bliss,
Barnaby Luther,
ISJ'athan Bowien,
William Haile,
Caleb Turner,
Jeremiah Comstock,
John Bowen, 2nd.,
Stephen Bowen, Jr.,
William Hoar,
Samuel Wheaton, 2nd.,
Samuel Mason,
Haile Barton,
David Barton,

Thomas Barden,
Richard Barton,
* Samuel Hicks,
Hezekiah Buterworth,
Gideon Luther,
Elisha Finney,
Richard Haile, Jr.,
Isaiah Cole,
*rrederick Luther,
James Mason,
l^athan Haile,
John O' Kelley,
Edward Mason,
Joseph Mason,
Joshua Whiting,
Whitfield Whiting, .
Mial Luther,
Job Salisbury,
Perez Wheaton,
William Hill,
Amariah Cole,
William Wheaton,
John Bowen,
Edward Kinnicutt,
Sam'l D. Wolf,
Caleb Miller,
Job Miller,
Rufus Chase,

IN The war op the; revoIvUTion.

39

Level Maxwell,
**Ebenezer Bosworth,
James Bowen,
Ellicksander Mason,
Joseph McMilon,
William Luther,
William Arnold, Jr.,
Stephen Hicks,
**Samson Sims,
Caleb Salisbury,
Joseph Barton, Jr.,
Daniel Easterbrooks,
James Cole,
Jonathan Carr,
Barnard Ilaile,
Edward Cole,
Gideon Cole,
Samuel Hicks, 2nd.,

John Haile,

Benjamin Easterbrooks,

2nd..
Warring Easterbrooks,
William Miller,
James Maxwell,
Edward Easterbrooks,
Jeremiah Joles,
Barnard Salisbury,
William Salisbury,
John Cowin,
John Sisson, Jr.,
Jolui Cole,
Jonathan Towgood,
Daniel Cole, Jr.,
Barnard Hale, Junh',
Marmaduke Mason,
Martin Easterbrooks.

Roll of Captain Caleb Carr's Company, Col. Wm.
Richmond's Regiment, Oct. 10, 1Y76.
Caleb Carr, Captain, Thomas Pearse,

Samuel Stevens, lieuten- Consider Tripp,

ant, ISTathaniel Humphrey,

Samuel Hicks, Ensign, Samuel Bosworth,

*In the original muster-roll a line is drawn through these
names.

**Ebenezer Bosworth and Samson Sims were members of
the crew of the privateer "Warren," which was captured by
the enemy Dec. 29, 1777. They were committed to Mill
Prison, Plymouth, Eng., June, 1778.

40 the; history of warren, rhode; isivAnd,

George Ox,
Joseph Gladding,
Gideon Hathaway,
John Easterbrooks,
Daniel Wardwell,
Constant Church,
Walter Durfee,
David Luther,
Caleb Miller,
Esex Jones,
John ISTorris,
Amos Luther,
Philip Carr,
David Maxfield,
Wheaton Turner,
James Pike,
Daniel Maxfield,
Samuel Martin,
JSTathaniel Wilson,
Elisha Hathaway,

Joseph Shana,

John Pearse,

Hail Child,

James Bushee,

Thomas Peck,

Gideon Read,

Joseph Turner,

Wm. Read,

Wilson Low,

John E. Cedrup,

Gideon Cole,

i^athaniel Humphrey, 2d.

]^athaniel West,

John Sunday,

Samuel Wheaton,

Hicks West,

Levi Cole,

Asa West,

Josej^h Hathaway,

John More.

{From original, Carr Mss.)
A True List of all the Soldiers in the Town of
Warren both in the Alarm and Militia who were
Drafted the 28th day of Sep't'm., A. D. 17Y7. To
Serve one Month from the First day of October En-
suing the date above in my Company under the com-
mand of the Hon'l. Major General Spencer, viz. :

IN The; war of the rkvolution.

41

Men's Names Drafted.

Their Substitutes.

Where Subs. Belong-ed.

Martin Luther
Sylvester Child
Benjamin Cole
John Mason
Benjamin Diman
Shuael Burr
Barnard Miller
Daniel Cole
James Miller
James Child, 2d
John Child, 2d
Shubael Kinnicutt
Marmaduke Mason
William Barton
Benjamin Barton
Edward Gardner

Jeremiah Jollea
Joshua Turner
William Meeker
John Woodmansee
Ebenezer Blauding-
Samuel Viall
Job Miller
Esquire Pearse

James Brown
Daniel Bullock
Joseph Mason
Christopher Bowen
Grindall Chase
Joseph Thayer

Bristol

Palmer's River
Rehobolh
Swanzey
Palmer's River
Barring'ton
Warren
Rehoboth

Barring-ton

Rehoboth

Warren

Palmer's River

Swansea

Mendon

Warren Militia who were added to my Company:

Men's Names Drafted.

Their Substitutes.

Where Subs, belonged.

Ichabod Cole
Edward Mason
James Child
Gardner Mason
William Il,ewis
Benj. Cole, 2d
Edward Eddy
Jesse Baker
James Maxwell
Nathan Haile
James Short
Nath'l B. Whitting-
John Child, 2d
Richard Barton
Richard Haile, Jr.
Elisha Finney
Thomas Burden
Bennajah Cole*
Johnathan Sissoat
Cromwell Child, 2d
Samuel Miller
Samuel Burr
Hezekiah Butterworth

James Bowea
Rufus Chase
Joseph Allen

Peter McMilliou
Elisha Mason
Nathaniel Cole
George Brig-g-s

Peter Richards
Joseph McMillion
Ephriam Cole

Henry Peck
Thomas Stevens

James Chase

John Bowen
Anthony Thracher

Warren

Swansea

Barring-ton

Warren
Palmer's River
Swansea
Newton

Newport

Warren

Swanzey

Rehoboth
Newport

Swanzey

Warren
Rehoboth

♦Entered the Eleventh of the Month.
t Sick Child, Abner Baker, 15 day.

N. B.— All those with a hoag Stroke did their own Tower of Duty.
Witness Dan'l Bradford, Capt. Alarm.

42 THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE) ISLAND,

{From original, Carr Mss.)

A Muster Roll of Capt. Robart Carr's Company
of Col. N"athan Miller's Reg't. of Militia now, in Ser-
vice of the United States Engaged for the Term of
Twenty Days after our arrival at Place of Rende-
fuse. Taken to August 1, 1778.

Robart Carr, Captain,
Joshua Bicknel, 1st Lieu-
tenant,
Benjamin Bosworth, 2d,

No. of Sargants.
Nathan Bardeen,
Thomas Pearse,
Luther Cole,
Esek Remington,

No. of Corprols.
John Linsey,

No. of Privates.
Ephraim Southard,
Asel Grossman,
Ezra Briggs,
Sam'l Pearce,
Wm. Arnold,
Joseph Munro,
Ambros Cole,
Joseph Oldridge,
Nath'l Philips,

Joseph Vial,
Thomas Swan,
Joseph Moran,

ran ?)
Hezekiah Hicks,
Negro Premous,
John Childes,
Samuel Bosworth,
William Greene,
Stephen Paine,
Jehobad Carey,
Sheapard Pearce,
Joseph Enmierson,
Sam'l Carpenter,
Elijah Shaw,
Sam'l Newman,
Nath'l Smith,
Jeames Hervey,
Jacob Sanders,
John In2:raham,

(Man-

IN THE WAR 01? THE REVOIvUTION. 43

Sam'l Bowen, Aaron Knap,

Joab Reede, Thomas Tempten,

Amos Haile, Joseph Williams,

Jeames Goff, Sam'l Allen,

Wm. Munro, 3rd., Thomas Snmner,

Thomas Gray, Joshna Tngrehara,

Bristol Miller, Paul Mumford.

(Warren men who were members of the Alarm
Company of Bristol Comity in 1Y79 were: John
Mason, Edward Gardner, Benjamin Barton, Daniel
C^ole, Smith Bowen, Ebenezer Lnther, James Miller,
Samuel Pearse, William Arnold, Ezra Ormsbee,
John Kinnicutt, Barnard Miller, Jacob Sanders,
Crnmel Child, Caleb Child, Sylvester Child, Mar-
tin Lnther, Samuel Luther, Moses Turner, Shubael
Burr, John Child, 2d., Caleb Carr, Samuel Wise,
2nd., James Child, 2nd., Benjamin Cranston, Mar-
maduke Mason, William Barton, John Wheaton,
Joseph Eddy, Wm. Bliss.)

{From original, Carr Mss.)

Captain Robert Carr's Company of the Senior
Class in the County of Bristol in Gen. Miller's Brig-
ade, 1780.

Men's ISTames. Benjamin Bosworth, 3d.,

Robert Carr, Capt., Ensign,

Thomas Allen, Lieut., Luther Cole, Sergt.,

44 the; history of warren, rhode isi^and.

Shubal Kinnicutt, Sergt., Moses Turner,
Thomas Pearse, Sergt., John Child,

John Haile,
Parley How,
Benjamin Cranston,
Rufus Barton,
William Barton,
l^athaniel Heath,
Henry Bowen,
Samuel Allen,
Josiah Vial,
Samuel Bosworth,
Matthew Watson, Jr.,
James Brown,
Matthew Allin,
Samuel Kint,
Moses Tyler,
Elkanah Humphrey,
Joseph Smith,
Consider Tripp,
Solamon Townsend,
JSTathan Bardeen,
Samuel Hix,
Luther Martin.

Joseph Vial,

Privitts.
Jonathan Russell,
Nathaniel Waldron,
Anthony Vandoran,
Jeremiah Ingraham.
Hezekiah Monrow,
Thomas Swan,
Samuel Barker,
Jeremiah Finney,
Amos Haile,
John Howland, Jr.,
Samuel Wardwell,
William Wardwell,
Stephen Smith,
Ephraim Carey,
William Lawless,
Arehabel Monrow,
James Miller,
Jacob Sanders,
Caleb Child,
Samuel Luther,

Fifteen of this Company belongs to Warren,
Cole's Company, 16 of this Company belongs to
Bristol Troop's Company, 15 of this Company be-
longs to Barrington Viol Allen's Company. Total
46.

IN The; war of* the; revolution.
{From original, Fessenden Mss.)

45

Tugiid, (Too-

A List of Capt. Curtis Cole's Company in Cur'nl
Nathan Miller's Eegiment. 1781.

Thomas Easterbrooks, Samuel Fish,
Leftenant, Jesse Baker,

Ichabod Cole, Ensine,
Edwar Mason, Sarjant,
David Barton,
Landon Col,
Barney Luther,
Jonathan Easterbrooks,
William Luis,
Benjamin Cole, 2d.,
Edward Cole,

Crumil Child, 2d.,
Caleb Child, Jr.,
John Child, 2d.,
TsTathel B. Whitin,
William O. Bron,,

Simeon

good,)
Samuel Bur,
John Bowen, 2d.
N'athan Haile,
Josif Mason,
Josif McMilyon,
William Bowen,
John O. Killey,
Joabe Millar,
Barnot Haile,
Ellick Sandas

brooks,
Eichard Haill, Jr

Easter-

Peter Keynolds,
Jeremiah Comstock,
Josier Bowen,
Seth Snell,
Jeames Cole,
Caleb Turner,
Jonathan Blis,

(O'Brien,) Caleb Solberry, (Salis-

bury,)
William Luther,
Jeames Graves,
Jeames Goff,
John Haill,
John Cole,
Jabez Luther, Jr.,

46 THK HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

John D. Wolf,
Hezekiah Buterwork,
Seth Cole,
Elislier Finey,
Jeames Shoart,
Jeames Mason,
John T. CUiild,
Josif Tugud,
Isack Cole,
GaiT;er Mason,
George Sisson, Jr.,
John Sisson Jr.,
Thomas Bnardin,
Samnel Mason,
ISTathan Bowen,
Josif Killey,
Daniel Killej,
Jonathan Bowen, Jr.,
Benjamin Barton, Jr.,
John Thiirber,
William Hoar,
John Haill,
Jonathan Haile,
Lavil Maxwell,
Thomas Parse,
Ebenezer Cole, Jr.,
Thomas Cole,
John Whetin, (When ton,)
Abner Luther,

Martin Easterbrooks,
Daniel Easterbrooks,
Abner Butter,
Charles Collins,
Gideon Luther,
Beniah Cole,
John Killey,
Samuel Bowen,
eleames Maxwel,
Abrejn Butter,
Holder Mason,
Josif Eddy,
John Brown,
Josif Barton,
Jonathan Carr,
Filip Carr,
Caleb Miller,
Samuel Miller,
Sylvester Haile,
John Bowen,
Caleb Hill,
Edward Eddy,
Caleb Cranston,
Jerrimiah Child,
Jeames Child,
Barnot Solberry,
Joarge ISTeals,
**I^iclis Camil,
Benjamin Bowen.

♦Nicholas Cambell was a member of the "Boston Tea
Party."

IN The: war of the revoIvUTion. 47

"VALUATION LIST" OF WARREN, R. I. 177S.

168 Polls.
14 slaves from 10 to 50 years of age.
57 Horses.
345 Horn Cattle including 40 oxen.
340 Sheep and Goats.
7 chaises.
5 Wharfs.
147 Ounces Plate.
149 Hogs.

2 Grist mills, one each wind and water.
1 Distil House.

1 Tan yard.

3 Ship yards.

2700 acres of land in the township.
(176 acres wood and waste.)
4600 bushels of grain.

127 Barrels cider made.
Amount total of debts owed $367.
7 Acres orcharding.

314 Tons English hay (cut.)
Taxable value of real estate and personal $126,000.
Total value cash and trading stock $15,000 and
$14,800, all other personal.

48 THE HISTORY 01^ WARREjN, RHODE) ISLAND,

Keal estate $96,200.

Personal $29,800.

$126,000 total as above.

2 slaves o^vned by Sylvester Child.

2 "

«

John Child.

2 "

iC

John Mason.

2 "

a

Martin Luther.

2 "

a

IsTathan Miller.

1 "

a

Cromwell Child.

1 "

iC

William LeAvis.

1 "

a

Robert Carr..^

1 "

a

l^athan Whiting.

1 "

u

John Haile.

1 Chaise

owned

by John Child.

1 "

a

James Miller.

1 "

a

Wm. Lewis.

1 "

a

Martin Luther.*^

1 "

u

Shubael Burr.

1 "

a

George Coggeshall.

1 "

a

ISTathan Miller.

1 Wharf owned

by Sylvester Child.

1 "

a

Martin Luther.

1 "

a

Cromwell & Caleb Child

1 "

((

:^\rathan Miller.

1 "

a

Charles Collins.

207 Dwelling Houses and other buildings.

789 Inhabitants.

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 49

SOUVENIRS OF THE REVOLUTION.

There are in the possession of the Warren Artil-
lery Company two field-pieces of peculiar historic in-
terest. These guns are brass six-pounders, one hav-
ing engraved upon it the name "Pallas," the other
'"Tantae," while both bear the inscription "Stras-
bourg, 1762." They were captured from the Brit-
ish at the surrender of Burgoyne, Oct. 17, 1777, and
were either given or transferred to the State of
Rhode Island. They remained in the custody of
the United Train of Artillery, Providence, from 1781
until the "Dorr War," when they were presented to
the Warren Artillery in recognition of the services
of that company at Federal Hill, May 18, 1842.

SHIPPING LOST DURING THE REVOLU-
TION.

Beside the privateers "General Stark," and
"George," the following vessels belonging to War-
ren were lost during the Revolution. Schooner

"Roby," Kingsley, 100 tons, brig Mason, 120

tons, sloop "United States," Coddington, 45 tons,
schooner "Weasel" (privateer) Pain, 15 tons,

brig , Mauran, 120 tons, schooner "Moses,"

Miller, 60 tons, sloop "Polly," Whiting, 45 tons,
brig "General Wayne," Pearce, 120 tons, sloop
"Abigail," Miller, 45 tons, schooner "Swordfish,"

5© THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

Collins, 120 tons, sloop "Rebecca," Champlin, 60
tons, and schooner "Hunter," Crawford, 60 tons.

{From original, Fesenden Mss.)
An account of the Losses sustained by the Inhabi-
tants of Warren by an Excurtion of the Enemy from
Rhode Island, May 25, 1778.

ACCOUNT OF PETER REYNOLD'S LOSS
STISTAINED BY THE BRITISH TROOPS
25TH OF MAY, 1778.

1 Blacksmith's Vise — 5 gowns. ... £8 2 0
25 yds. Toe Cloth whitened — 10 yds.

Kersey 3 15 0

9 yds. Sagatha — 1 pair Woman's

Stays 2 11 0

1 pair Cloth Shoes — one Axe — Coffe

mill 1 10 0

2 Silk Cloaks— 1 Looking Glass ... 3 3 0
4 Table Cloths— 6 Towels 2 11 0

1 Doz. Earthen Plates 1 Large Stone

Platter 1 1 0

Glasses, Cups, Saucers and Bowls .. . 0 12 0

1-2 Doz. Aprons — 6 pairs Stockings. 3 12 0
Shirts, Shifts, &c. — 3 pair Pillow

Cases 3 0 0

2 Petticoats — 2 pewter Plates and

Porringer 2 0 0

31 17 0

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 5 1

EBENEZER BOSWOKTH'S LOSS.

1 Suit :N'ew Broad Cloth Cloaths. . . 12 0 0

2 Shirts — 1 Silver Spoon and 1-2

Doz. Tea Ditto 2 2 0

1 Pair Silver Buckles 0 18 0

15 0 0

JACOB SANDEKS' LOSS.

2 Bed Blanketts— 1 Bed Broad Cloth

Long Cloak £5 8 0

1 Chinee Gown — 2 Lawn Aprons. . 5 5 6

1 Lawn Handkerchiff — 1 Kenting

Ditto 0 15 0

1 Check'd Handkerchiff— 1 Pr. Silk

Stockings 1 7 0

1 Great Coat— 1 Hollen Shirt 2 18 0

1 Gun — 1 Teapot — 1 pair Sheets . . 3 8 0

Children's Go^vns — 1 Curtain 2 Caps 0 18 6

1 Towel — 2 pillow cases 0 5 0

Damage done his house bj Explosion

of the Magazine 12 0 0

1 yard Gauze — 1 Pair Buckles 2

Handkerchiffs 1 14 0

1 pair Silk Gloves 3 yds. Kibbon —

1 porringer 0 9 2

34 8

52 THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

:n'athaatiel b. whitii^g's loss.

50 Paper Dollars— 1 Cutlass £4 7 0

WILLIAM T. MILLER'S LOSS.

1 Gun 1 pair Leather Breeches .... £3 0 0

1 Dressed Calf Skin— 1 pair Stays 0 18 0

1 Table Cloth— 2 Jacketts 0 7 0

1 Sword— 1 ax 2 2 0

Tea Cups and Saucers 0 3 0

6 10 0

RUFUS WHITTAKER'S LOSS

as Per Bill £60 7 0

DAISTIEL COLE, ESQ.'S, LOSS.

2 Pair Shoes £0 12 0

1 Grind stone 0 12 0

2 Pair Stockings 0 10 0

2 Pillows 0 4 0

6 Check'd Handkerchiffs 0 8 0

1 Pair good Deerskin Breeches. ... 1 16 0

7 Pair Stockings good 1 10 0

1 new Linning Sheet 0 10 0

1 Pair pillow cases 0 4 0

3 good Shifts 1 16 0

4 yds. 'New Linning Cloth 0 8 0

1 Stock and Buckle Silver 0 12 0

1 Lawn Handkerchiff 0 3 0

9 05 0

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 53

EEBEKAH SHELDON'S LOSS

as Per Bill 9 15 6

THE BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE

Valued at 630 6 4|

THE PARSONAGE HOUSE

Valued at 309 8 11^

EBENEZER COLE, ESQ., LOSS BY THE
ENEMY.

350 Paper Dollars 26 5 0

2 Hollen Shirts — 1 Linning 2 2 0

5 Silk Handkerchiffs 1 10 0

2 Linning Ditto 0 4 0

2 pair Stockings 0 12 0

1 Sword— 1 Cannister & Tea 1 1 0

31 14 0

BELONGING TO THE TOWN.

3 Muskets — 3 Cartoush Boxes 4 10 0

EBENEZER COLE, JUN'E, LOSS

as per Bill 5 4 0

LEAH HANDY'S LOSS 3 12 0

ELISHA PHINNEY'S LOSS ... 85 6 0

SAMUEL LUHTER'S LOSS.... 14 11 0

DEACON BENJAMIN COLE'S LOSS

as per bill 52 10 0

54 THE HISTORY OF WARRKN, RHODE ISLAND,

MAKTII^ LUTHEK'S LOSS.

27 yards Hollen 6 15 0

1 Frock 0 16 0

1 Shirt— 2 Handkerchiffs 0 15 0

1 Silk Gown 3 12 0

1 Frock 0 9 0

Damage done the Desk 0 12 0

1 Broad Ax 0 15 0

13 14 0
BENAJAH COLE'S LOSS.

1 Sheet I^Tew 0 10 0

JAMES CHILD, 2D'S., LOSS.

3 New Sheets £1 10 0

WIDOW ABIGAIL HILL'S LOSS.

One Silver Table Spoon 0 12 0

1 Hollen Apron— 1 Check'd Ditto. . 0 12 0

1 pair Gold Sleeve Buttons 0 14 0

1 Hollen Handkerchiff 0 4 0

1 Check'd Handkerchiff 0 3 0

1 Black Belong Handkerchiff 0 6 0

1 Beticoat — 1 porringer 0 6 6

1 Cannester & Tea 0 4 6

1 yard Black Ribbond 0 1 0

1 Fair Shears 0 2 0

8 5 0

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 55

l^ATHANIEL HILL'S LOSS.

I pair Cotton Stockings .

6 Gallons Rum

1 Pair Tavlor's Shears.

0

6

0

1

16

0

0

6

0

2 8

Loss sustained by :N'ATHA:N' MILLER, May 25,
1778, when the Enemy made an Excursion from
N^ewport to Burn the Boates and destroy the Maga-
zeen.

3-8 of a Privateer 125 Tuns set on fire

the whole loss £900 the 3-8 £337 10 0

1 Hogshead W. I. Rum in the Store

adjoining the Magizeen 240

1 Sword and Hanger 30

3 small Arms 10

4 Silver Tea Spoons 1

7 Shirts 25

6 Pairs Stockings 9

1 Pair Buck Skin Breeches 9

1 Paire Hollen Sheets 3

3 yards & 1-2 New Linning Hollen 4
1 pair Gold Sleeve Buttons belonging

to Caleb 2

1 Gold Ring 1

1 Pair Paste Buckles ■ S

0

0

0

0

16

0

16

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

0

16

0

12

0

0

J

56 THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

1 Black Handkerchiff— 2 Silk and

Cotton Ditto 3 4 0

3 Pair Pillow Cases 2 8 0

701 6 0

(Consolidated at 4 for one 175 6 0

SAMUEL MILLER'S LOSS.

4 Hollen Shirts 3 10 0

4 Pairs Silk and Worsted Stockings 1 16 0

5 8 0

The Mill belonging to SMITH
BOWEN and SAMUEL PEARSE

at Kickemuit £88 12 0

SMITH BOWEN'S LOSS OUT OF HIS HOUSE.

35 Skeins yam £1 3 4

1 Silver Watch 6 0 0

2 Axes 1 7 0

2 Saws — 4 Chizzels 1 4 0

2 Guns— 1 Sword 7 10 0

9 Sheets 3 7 6

7 Pillow Cases 0 14 0

3 fine Shirts 1 16 0

4 other Shirts 1 16 0

3 Shifts 1 16 0

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 57

2 Table Cloths 0 16 0

4 Towels— 6 Handkerchiifs 1 16 0

5 Aprons — 24 pair Stockings 7 15 0

3 Gowns 6 0 0

2 Petticoats — 1 Jacket 2 5 0

1 Pair Buckles 0 15 0

1 pair Gloves — Children's Clothing 2 0 0

1 Looking Glass — 2 Basons 0 16 0

2 plates — 2 porringers 0 6 0

2 Quart Pots — 1 punch Bowie 0 18 0

50 0 10
CEOMWELL CHILD, CALEB CHILD & MOSES

TURNER'S LOSS
as apprised by Samuel Pearse & Shu-
bel Kinnicutt on the 24th of Dec,

ITTS £8450 18 6

Lawful Paper Money which Consoli-
date 6 and 1-2 for one 1300 0 0

ALLIN COLE'S LOSS

as per Bill 18 4 0

SYLVESTER CHILD'S LOSS

as per Bill 100 1 0

The Damage done the Other Half
of the GEX. STARK, PRIVA-
TEER, not Charged in any bill be-
fore 112 10 0

58 THE HISTORY OI' WARREN^ RHODE ISLAND.

JAMES CHILD'S LOSS.

Two Beds— 4 Blankets £10 10 0

Four pair Sheets — Six pe^vter plates 3 7 0
4 Pewter Porringers — one Copper

Tea Kittle 1 9 6

4 Pillow Cases — Two pair Leather

Breeches 2 8 0

1 Coat— 3 Jaeketts 4 16 0

Shirts 3 Silk Handkerchiffs 2 5 0

2 Shifts— five Children's Shirts 2 17 0

5 Children's Gowns — 2 pair Shoes. 2 5 0

1 Frying Pan — one Warming Pan . . 18 0

3 Pewter Plattei-s — one Looking Glass 0 18 0
15 ponnds Candles — Twenty pounds

Beef 0 17 0

30 lbs. Pork— three lbs. Sugar 0 17 3

2 lbs. Coffe — one Barrel Soap 1 0 5

1-2 Bushel Meal 0 1 6

1 Silk Cloak— five yds. silk 3 14 0

6 yards Hollon — thirty skeins yarn 2 16 0

4 yards Drab— 6 yds. Toe Cloth . . 118 0
1 Bonnet — Two Pewter Basons .... 0 16 0

1 Quart Pot — 1 pint ditto 0 9 0

1 Milk Kittle— one Coffe Pot 0 11 0

1 Bowie — one Earthen Platter 0 8 0

9 Earthen Plates — one Teapot 0 10 0

15 Pe^vter Spoons — 3 Earthen Tea-
pots 0 9 3

IN the; war of THE REVOLUTION. 59

1 Sett Tea Cups & Saucers

6 Bowls for Coffc

3 Case Bottles — 18 Eound ditto . .

1 Case Knives and forks

Rasors — 1 yarn Coverlid

2 Lawn Aprons — Baby's Cloathes,

50 19 8

EICHARD HAILE'S LOSS
as pr. Bill 9 17 0

JAMES BUSHEE'S LOSS.

54 Squares Glass 1 17 G

Other Damage to the House 3 0 0

0

3

0

0

4

6

0

11

3

0

3

0

1

7

0

1

18

0

4 17 6

JOHN HARDBT'S LOSS

1 Pair Pillow Cases ...

1 Bed

1 Calico Gown

1 Pair Stays

1 Velvet Jacket

1 Teapot — half Barrel pork

BARNARD SALISBURY'S LOSS

RUFUS BARTON'S LOSS

CALEB CARR'S LOSS

0

4

0

3

15

0

3

0

0

1

4

0

2

0

0

3

8

0

18

11

0

95

16

0

9

9

6

5

17

0

6o THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

REV'D CHARLES THOMPSON'S LOSS

Saddle and curb bridle just bouglit. . 3 0 0
Two Bever Hatts one wore a little, the

the other not wore 4 0 0

Two new Hollen Shirts and seven

new Hollen stocks 3 10 0

pair of new lather Boots of the first

rate 2 2 0

Three home made shirts half wore . . 0 15 0

four pocket handkerchiefs 2 8 0

twelve pair stockens all wore some. . 2 8 0

One flannel gown 0 15 0

two home made shirts wore some. . 0 12 0

two Check Aprons 0 8 0

One lawn henkerchief 0 5 0

four lawn and cambric caps 0 9 0

two pairs stockens 0 6 0

pair of cloth shews 0 5 0

Childrens cloaths the whole I judge

at the lowest computation could

not be less than 3 0 0

Bab J things to the amount of 1 10 1

2 yds. and 1-4 of linning 0 11 0

1 yd. of home made broad cloth .... 0 6 0

2 yds. ticking 0 6 0

five pair of sheets half wore 5 0 0

two pair of pillow caises 0 9 0

two table cloaths one cersy the other

Diaper 0 18 0

IN the; war of the R^VOI^UTION. 6 1

four cersj towels 0 8 0

two caises of knives and forks 0 8 0

Onfc Dozen of Mettle Spoons 0 <) 0

four pewter porringers 0 6 0

one Quart Bason 0 4 6

one pewter plait 0 1 6

one set of china 0 15 0

four small Delph boals 0 4 0

two pairs of common beaker glasses . 0 3 0

warming pan 0 10 5

large frying pan 0 4 0

one pair brass candlesticks 0 9 0

one large Iron Dish Kittle 0 12 0

Iron tea kittle 0 6 0

two Cedar washing tubs 0 15 0

Milkpail water pail and canny pail . . 0 7 2
One Barrel full and firken half full

of sope 1 4 0

four Cider Barrels almost as good as

as new 0 12 0

one pounding tub with 160 weight

of beef 3 12 0

one pounding tub with 180 weight

of pork 6 0 0

two bushels of indien and one of ry

meal 0 9 0

flower perhaps no more than 14

weight 0 6 0

62 the; history of warren, RHODE ISLAND,

Three chiezes about eight pounds

each 0 16 0

Three pounds of butter 0 3 0

a firken with six pounds of ho^s

fat 0 6 0

six pounds of candles 0 6 0

a new icder firken with 30 weight of

shuger 1 2 0

Coffee twelve pounds 0 14 0

fifty weight of flax 2 0 0

Eio'ht pounds of wool 6 0 0

pair of Cotton Cards 0 5 0

two common cheirs 0 6 6

beadstead and whale sinew, cord. ... 1 4 0

two large brown stone pots 0 3 0

one large white stone pot for butter . 0 4 0

one Dozen chunk bottles 0 9 0

Cloaths brush, harth brush and flore

brush 0 9 0

Six milk pans 4 quarts apeace. ... 0 4 0

two ginn gugs 0 1 0

one black gug held 3 quarts 0 1 2

two earthen pots 0 1 6

bread trough common size 0 8 0

paire of seal skin saddle bags 0 18 0

two large cloathes baskets 0 6 0

One Iron candlestick and pair of

snuffers 0 4 0

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 63

1 cord of wood 1 0 0

Snuffers 0 4 0

Barrel of sand 0 4 0

Pair of steel spnrs 0 G 0

four flower barrels 0 6 0

6Y 14 3

The REV'D ERASMUS KELLEY
lost almost all his furniture which

cannot be Estimated at less than £G0

JOB MILLER'S LOSS 139 0 0

CALEB SALISBURY'S LOSS. . 12 0 0

MARY SIMS' LOSS 11 10 0

Total Loss £12,101 17 03

THE "GEIsTERxiL STARK."

The privateer "General Stark" was a sloop of
about 130 tons burden and mounted 14 guns. She
was owned by Lebaron Bradford, Benjamin Pearce,
Samuel Browne, ISTathan Miller, and Cromwell
Child. Her officers and crew, were Benjamin
Pearce, Captain ; Josiah Church, 1st Lieut. ; Dan'l
Scovil, 2d. Lieut. ; Chris. Prince, Master ; Jno. Bart-
lett. Surgeon ; Edmund Tiley, P. Master ; Simon De-
Wolf, P. Master; Benjamin Fry, Officer of Marines,
and 2nd. M. ; Geo. Viall, Boatswain ; Jona Carr, Car-
penter, Benj. Cranston, Sen'r, Thos. Tripp, Master's
Mate; Peter McMillen, Jno. Wilbur, Nathan San-

64 THE HISTORY OF WARREN^ RHODE ISLAND,

ders, Caleb Hill, James Allen, Alexander Mason,
Wm. DeWolf (boy,) Augustus Sanders, Warren
Easterbrooks, Preserved Alger (boy,) James Bowen,
Thomas Cole, Wm. Gorham, John Bowen, Haile
Child, Lenox Bullock, Geo. Shaw, Pomp Gardner,
Cuff I^ixon, :N'elson Miller, Wm. Brown, Caleb Mil-
ler, Jos. Rhodes, Jared Holmes, Isaac Babcock,
Jun., David Brown (boy,) Paul Burdick, Henry
Champlin, James Hancox, P. Master; James W.
Brayton, Peleg Hancox, Gilbert Thomas (boy,) Wil-
liam Easterbrooks, Joshua Palmer, P. Master; Wil-
liam Sheffield, Joshua Gladding, Andrew Cheese-
borough, Josiah Sanborn, George Welles, Wm.
Hammet, Elisha Tilton (boy,) Solomon Daggett,

Daggett, Daniel Babcock, Collinji's York, Jun.,

Gardner Stanton, Jos. Brand, Josiah Wardwell, Ste-
phen Andrews, Preserved Briggs, Thomas Finney,
David Latham, Sylvester Haile, Lairs Crandall,
John Burdick, Robert Fisto (boy,) ISTathan Brand,
Prize Master.

LETTER OF WILLIAM TURNER MILLER.

"Hunter off James To\^'n in James River
Virginia, September 19, 1781.
'T)ear Lydia — I arrived here three days agoe after
being 15 days at Sea and the Rest of the time which
hath Elapsed since the 25 of august in the Chessa-

IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 65

peek, we had Some pretty Rough Weather at Sea but
we all arrived safe but Ru'fus Barton's vessel which
parted from the fleet in a Gale of Wind on the 10th
day of our passage as near as I can Remember and
we have not heard from him Since but presume they
have Returned to Rhode Island, there is now Lying
in the Harbor, the Hunter — the Delight — the Lydia
— the Molly and two other Small Vessels that Sailed
with us from Rhode Island. Captain James Mar-
tin's Vessell is at Cape Charles about 100 miles from
hence but he is here himself all the people are in good
health and High Spirits belonging to the fore men-
tioned Vessells. I unloaded wjiat hospital Stores I
had on board yesterday and am Lying to wait for
orders where to Land my Provisions — and it is Im-
possible for me to tell when that will be as the Event
of a battle between the Two Armies may decide the
matter so that the time and place for Landing the
provisions be better known. Lord Cornwallis Lies
on a Neck of Land between this and York River
with about 6 Thousand Troops besides Re-
fugees and Negroes perhaps to the amount of
3 Thousand and more which they Say are so badly
Armed and Disciplined as can Render him but little
Service. Gen. Roshambeau and the Marquis are
Said to have an Army of about 20 Thousand good
Troops and I think from all Circimistances that
Cornwallis must fall but I believe he will fight first

66 THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

he hath a Large number of Transports in York
River but they will not avail him to make his escape
for Count DeGrass and Count Barrass with their
Combined fleets Lies in the Chessapeek in both fleets
is 35 Sail of the Line besides Frigates and they have
Sent Ships up to block York River which puts an
Effectual Stop to the British bv water. There were
a few days agoe 27 Ships of the British Line seen just
at the Mouth of the Chessepeek who I dare say wish
to come in with Safety but the French appear to wish
for no better Sport than to meet them.

The French Captured Two British Frigates who
attempted to come in while I Lay in sight of them
about a week agoe. I hope to be able to Load my ves-
sell with Corn home on my own account as Corn here
could be purchased for Six Shillings pr. Barrell
(which is five Bushells) my hogshead of Rum I
have sold part of for Two Dollars a gallon and make
no doubt I shall Dispose of the Rest as well. I ex-
pect Caj^t. Stephen Olney on board to Dine with me
to-day it is impossible to tell you when to Look for
me home I wish it may be within one month but don't
be Impatient if it be Two. I am my dearest your
most Efl'ectionate & Loving Husband,

WILLIAM T. MILLER.

IN THD WAR 01? THK REVOLUTION. 67

ANCIENT LANDMAEKS.

The Baptist meeting-house destroyed by the Brit-
ish troops was located near the site of the present
stone church at the corner of Main and Miller
streets. It was a plain wooden structure, having up-
on the roof a cupola surmounted by a vane. With-
in the cupola hung a bell, bearing the date 17G4.
This bell was bought in England and paid for with
tobacco, and was generally styled the "tobacco bell."
In this meeting-house was held the first commence-
ment of Rhode Island College, now Brown Univer-
sity, which was originally situated in Warren.
South of the meeting-house stood the parsonage built
by subscription in 1765 and designed for the Rev.
James Manning then pastor of the church and his
successors. The cost of the parsonage was £4630
"old tenor."

The building at the corner of Main and Market
streets, now occupied by the Warren Bank was, in
1778, one of the finest residences in the town and
was painted a peach-bloom tint. When the powder
magazine on the opposite corner blew up this house
was considerably damaged. Among other houses
still standing in Warren which were built prior to the
Revolution, are the Gen. Miller house, at the foot
of Miller street., the Baker house, comer Water and
Baker streets, the brick house at the corner of Water
and Church streets, the Hail house, comer Washing-

68 THK HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,

ton and Water streets, the old Ormsbee house, located
on the west side of Main street between Broad and
Wheaton streets, and the Bo wen house at the junc-
tion of Water and Main streets. Some of the farm-
houses in the east part of the town are probably old-
er than the houses in the compact portion. Cole's
Hotel erected in 1762 was destroyed by fire in 1893.
This building was one of the most interesting land-
marks of Warren.

FRANKLIN PRESS COMPANY

PRINTERS

PROVIDENCE, R. I.

^JVQS'-it. l^OX