USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Warren > The history of Warren, Rhode Island, in the War of the Revolution, 1776-1783 > Part 1
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND, IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION, 1776-1783,
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974.502 W256
Gc 974.502 W25b 1134401
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01067 6986
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofwarrenr00bake_0
BURR'S TAVERN.
THE
HISTORY OF WARREN,
RHODE ISLAND,
IN THE WAR
OF
THE REVOLUTION, 1776-1783.
BY VIRGINIA BAKER.
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, WARREN, R. I.
1901
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, (1901,) at Washington, D. C.
2.50 Tyson
AUTHOR'S NOTE.
1134401
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 "Northern Star," manuscript notes of Gen. G. M. Fessenden, and unpublished let- ters, documents, etc., of the Revolutionary period. The author desires to express her gratitude to those persons who, by the loan of private papers, have as- sisted her in her work.
Warren, March, 1901.
THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISL- AND, IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLU- TION, 1776-1783.
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, War- ren, Rhode Island, was one of the most flourishing towns on the New 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. Naturally, therefore, at the outset, the inhabitants
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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 New- 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.
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
The news of the Battle of Lexington created in Rhode Island, as elsewhere, the most intense excite- ment. Throughout 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 two 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
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THE HISTORY OF 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 Centry 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 Narragan- 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 town 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, 1776, 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 Haile, Captain; John Ormsbee, Lieutenant; Smith Bowen, Ensign.
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
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 by the enemy. Fearing that Bristol might be attacked the troops were withdrawn from Prudence and stationed in that town. 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 Brown, Henry Marchant and Gideon Mumford.
The seaboard towns now redoubled their precau- tions. In Town Meeting, Feb. 5th, it was voted that the Town Council of Warren should "make a list of all persons in the town 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 May 6th, the Town Treasurer was
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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 Town Treasurer who was directed to purchase them. It was voted also that "all the Militia and Alarm men should Bring their guns to the town 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 General 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 town was required by law to furnish ten men for military service, but in September it was voted to increase the number to
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
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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 Napsack." In October the Deputies were 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 town." William Tur- ner Miller was authorized to make a second distri- bution of salt, it being stipulated, however, that "No 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-
THE HISTORY OF WARREN, 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
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
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 Rhode 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. Nathan 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 pumping 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,
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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 Englishman 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 Newport to Bristol where they arrived before daybreak, and landing near Peck's Rocks marched up Bristol Neck 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
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
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.
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,
fied lest a second detachment of redcoats less afraid of disease should appear, they rushed from the house down the road crying, "The Regulars have come! The Regulars have come!" At the stone bridge they turned up the School House Road, thence into the Birch Swamp Road, still uttering their warning cry. One of the good housewives of the neighborhood who was engaged in preparing break- fast heard the shouts. She looked from the window, and recognizing the men grasped the situation. Seizing the coffee-pot in one hand and a large bowl in 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," they re- plied. "Well," she answered, "you don't 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- ful 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.
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
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. Not 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 of '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 shouting, "March to the east'ard! Head 'em off to the west'ard !" Not 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,
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THE 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
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Jesse Baker on what is now Water street by 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 they desired. Natural- 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. Nathan 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. No 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-
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.
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 Rev. Charles Thompson, a chap- lain in the Continental service who was then at home on a furlough. The family of Col. Nathan 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.
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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 raily 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, presenting 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
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