USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > A hand-book of Newport, and Rhode Island > Part 5
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several literary and scientific gentlemen. He landed at Newport, after a tedious passage of five months, January 23, 1729.
A sort of pen-and-ink sketch of him is given in the New England Weekly Journal of January 24, 1729 :
" Yesterday, arrived here, Dean Berkeley, of London- derry, in a pretty large ship. He is a gentleman of middle stature, of an agreeable, pleasant and erect as- pect. He was ushered into the town with a great num- ber of gentlemen. 'Tis said he purposes to tarry here with his family about three months."
The following sketch of Newport, in "the olden time," occurs in a letter of the Dean's to a friend in Dublin, shortly after his arrival :-
" The inhabitants are of a mixed kind, consisting of many sects and subdivisions of sects. Here are four sects of Anabaptists, besides Presbyterians, Quakers, Inde- pendents, and many of no profession at all. Notwith- standing so many differences, here are fewer quarrels about religion than elsewhere, the people living peace- ably with their neighbors, of whatever persuasion. They all agree in one point-that the Church of England is the second best. The climate is like that of Italy, and not at all colder in the winter than I have known it everywhere north of Rome. * *
* The island is pleasantly laid out in hills and vales and rising grounds ; hath plenty of excellent springs and fine rivulets, and many delightful prospects of fine promontories and ad- jacent lands. The provisions are very good, so are the fruits, which are quite neglected, though vines sprout of themselves to an extraordinary size, and seem as natural to this soil as to any I ever saw. The town of Newport contains about six thousand souls, and is the most thriv- ing place in all America for business. It is very pretty and pleasantly situated. I was never more agree- ably surprised than at the first sight of the town and harbor."
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Soon after the Dean's arrival, he erected White- hall, where he resided about two years and a half, and often preached at Trinity Church. Afterwards he visited Cambridge, Mass., and was a donator to Harvard University. To Yale College he presented eight hundred and eighty volumes, and on his de- parture he gave the Whitehall estate for three scholarships in Latin and Greek. After his return to England (in 1733), he sent a magnificent organ as a gift to Trinity Church, Newport, which is still in constant use, and bears an inscription which per- petuates the generosity of the donor.
His college project having failed, he returned home, and in 1734 was raised to the see of Cloyne. He died in Oxford January 14, 1753, in the seventy- third year of his age.
The other two Newport beaches are Almy's, which we have described in our account of Coggles- hell's Ledge, and Smyth's, which does not require particular description. As we before intimated, for pic-nics they are admirably suited.
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CHAPTER IX.
A REMINISCENCE OF THE REVOLUTION-OVERING HOUSE- DARING CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT BY BARTON- DEATH OF THE VETERAN-THE GLEN-TEA HOUSE.
THE spots where remarkable events transpired have at all times been objects of interest to the tourist. In the Old World, the battered castle, the ruined abbey, or the renowned battle-field, year after year, attract their hosts of curious visitors, and the birth- places of eminent men are thronged by crowds of enthusiasts. Genius, when it folds its wing, seems to sanctify the very grave ; and the places where the bones of a Shakspeare or of a Washington are de- posited become points of pilgrimage. In this land we have no venerable piles, beautiful even in decay, such as are to be found in Europe; only, perchance, an Indian mound, or, far amid almost impenetrable forests, isolated stones, which, in their lonely gran- deur, intimate that they once formed portions of a vast city.
But if America can furnish the searcher after the picturesque with no ivy-clad and time-worn struc- tures of the kind referred to, she has numberless places to which her sons can point with feelings of
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proud and peculiar interest. The house and the grave of Washington, for instance, will be always sacred places; and we might mention other such honored localities. For the present, we must con- fine ourselves to the neighborhood of Newport, and here we shall find a spot rendered memorable by one of the boldest and bravest achievements which history has ever recorded.
About five miles from Newport, on the western road, at a distance of a mile from the shore, is a dwelling which no American can regard without emotion. The road to it from the town is good, and the landscape is enlivened by mansions in situations of great beauty, and of considerable architectural taste. About four miles from Newport is a very picturesque little Episcopal Church. The house to which we would now particularly direct the attention of the reader is not far beyond.
It is a substantial, old-fashioned building, situated on rising ground. In the front is an entrance, with three windows on the basement, and four on the floor above it; a stream running before it makes a tiny waterfall over a low stone wall, which bounds the premises in that direction. Within these are pan- elled walls, and a broad old staircase, and heavy cor- nices, and arched mantel-pieces. It is, in fact, a mix- ture of the country-seat and the farm-house.
In 1777 this dwelling was the residence of Mr. Overing, who has been described as a genuine Tory. Its last resident was Mr. John T. Tilley, whose name
5
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is connected with the property on Walling's map. It was in this house that the celebrated capture of Gen- eral Prescott was effected by Major-General Barton.
In November, 1776, Major-General Lee was sur- prised and taken by a detachment of British troops. With a view to procure the exchange of that valuable officer, William Barton, then a Major in the Rhode Island line, projected the bold and adventurous ex- pedition which is the subject of the following narra- tive.
Some months elapsed after the capture of General Lee before an opportunity offered of effecting the object which Major Barton had in view. In the month following that of the capture of General Lee, the enemy took possession of the islands of Rhode Island, Canonicut, and Prudence. Major Barton was then stationed at Tiverton, and there he anxiously watched the motions of the enemy, with but feeble prospect of obtaining the opportunity he desired. At length, on the 20th of June, 1777, a man of the name of Coffin, who had made his escape from the British, was seized by some American troops and carried to Major Barton's quarters. From this man Barton ob- tained valuable information respecting Prescott's head- quarters, and he now became convinced of the prac- ticability of effecting his favorite object. There were, however, great difficulties to be surmounted. Nei- ther his troops nor their commander had been long inured to service, and the intended service was of a nature as novel as it was hazardous. Besides, Major
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Barton was aware that the undertaking, should it prove unsuccessful, would be pronounced rash and unadvised, and its consequences, though his life should be preserved, would be followed by degradation and disgrace.
Having communicated his plan to Colonel Stanton, and received his permission to "attack the enemy when and where he pleased," he prepared for action. His confidential comrades were selected from among the officers, and each of them having perfect confi- dence in Barton's prudence and bravery, agreed to share in the possible glory and the certain risk of the undertaking. Five whale-boats were not without difficulty procured and equipped for service. Barton had purposely postponed procuring the necessary number of men, until the last moment, from an ap- prehension that their earlier selection might excite suspicion and defeat the object of the enterprise. In a short but animated address, Barton informed the soldiers that he projected an expedition against the enemy, and that he desired the voluntary assistance of about forty of their number, and directed those " who would hazard their lives in the enterprise, to advance two paces in front." Without one exception, or a moment's hesitation, the whole regiment advanced. Having thus obtained officers and men, and every thing being ready, the party, on the 4th of July, 1777, embarked from Tiverton for Bristol. On the morn- ing of the 5th Major Barton, with his officers, went to Hog Island, which was within view of the British
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encampment and shipping. Here he disclosed to his officers the particular object of the enterprise, and allotted the part each was to perform. The most in- violable secrecy was enjoined, and the party returned to Bristol.
At nine o'clock on the evening of the ninth, Barton addressed his party at Warwick Neck, and concluded by offering his fervent petition to the Great King of armies, that He would smile upon their intended en- terprise and crown it with success. The whole party now proceeded to the shore, and took possession of the boats in the manner directed. That which con- tained Major Barton was posted in front, with a pole about ten feet long in her stern, to the end of which was attached a handkerchief, in order that his boat might be distinguished from the others, that none might go before it. In this manner they proceeded between the islands of Prudence and Patience, in order that they might not be seen by the shipping of the enemy, that lay off Hope Island. While passing the north end of Prudence Island, they heard from the sentinels on board the shipping of the enemy the cry of "all's well !" As they approached the shore of Rhode Island, a noise like the running of horses was heard, which alarmed them, but not a word was spoken. A moment's reflection satisfied Barton that his designs could not be known by the enemy, and he pushed boldly for the shore. Apprehensive that, if discovered, the enemy might attempt to cut off his retreat, Barton ordered one man to remain in each
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boat and be prepared for departure at a moment's warning. The remainder of the party landed without delay.
To the head-quarters of General Prescott, about a mile, as he said, from the shore, the party, in five di- visions, now proceeded in silence. There was a door on the south, the east, and the west sides of the house in which he resided. The first division was ordered to advance upon the south door, the second on the west, and the third on the east-the fourth to guard the road, and the fifth to act in emergencies. In their march they passed the guard-house of the enemy on their left, and, in their right, occupied by a company of cavalry, for the purpose of carrying, with expedition, the orders of the General to remote parts of the Island. On arriving at the head-quarters of the enemy, as the gate of the front yard was opened, they were challenged by the sentinel on guard. The party was at the distance of about twenty-five yards from the sentinel, but their number was partially concealed from him by a row of trees. No reply having been given, the sentinel again demanded, " Who comes there ?" "Friends !" replied Barton. " Friends," said the sentinel, " advance and give the countersign !" Barton, affecting to be angry, said to the sentinel-" D- you, we have no countersign ; have you seen any deserters to-night ?"-and before the sentinel could determine the character of those who approached him, Barton had seized his musket, told him he was a prisoner, and threatened him in
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case of noise with instant death. In reply to ques- tions put to him he said that the General was in the house. By this time each division had got its station, and the door was burst in-and they ascended first to a chamber above, where it chanced the worthy host himself lodged. He said the General was not there, appeared much frightened, and pointed with his finger to the apartment below. However, they did not be- lieve him, but securing him proceeded to the next chamber where Mr. Overing's son lay, and, not find- ing him, descended to the room below, which was fastened ; but one of the party named Guy, a colored man, whose head was as hard as a cannon ball, made one plunge and burst through, head-first. Previous to this, on the head of the stairs, Colonel Barton called to his men, and told them to set the house on fire at the four corners, as he was determined to have General Prescott, dead or alive ! and Prescott, aroused probably for the first time, called out- " What is the matter ?" Guided by the sound, they immediately descended to the room, and the Colonel, as he entered, saw a man sitting on the side of the bed; clapping him on the shoulder, the Colonel asked him "if he was General Prescott ?" He answered, " Yes, sir." The Colonel then told him he was his prisoner. He replied, " I acknowledge it, sir." The Colonel then telling him he must go with them, he begged the privilege of putting on his clothes ; the Colonel told him, Very few, for their business required haste-and, in fact, such was the haste, that they were
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under the necessity of hurrying the General away without his clothes ; a circumstance which afterwards gave rise to much merriment. In the beginning of the assault upon the house, Major Barrington leaped out of his chamber window, and was immediately secured by the guard-soldiers of the Colonel below ; him they took, with the simple sentinel, in the midst of the party, and marched towards the shore. The sentinel, be it remembered, was the only one of the party that had shoes on-and, to expedite the travel- ling, General Prescott and his aid were compelled to hug their foes, and cling, with each arm, around a neck, while they were borne, or rather dragged, through the stubble. There being no particular obligation on the party to return by the way they came, they took the liberty to go back by the nearest path, and crossed a field of rye, in which were blackberry bushes. In crossing, the poor General got a severe scratching-and, as his tormentors would not slacken their speed, he was obliged to pursue his journey in a most uncomfortable manner. The leisurely and cautious pace in which they crept on towards the house, was discarded now, and, dashing on by the nearest route, they soon left house and pursuers all far behind, and gained the boats in safety. Then seating the prisoners in number one, the Colonel put his own cloak over the shivering General and pushed off. Somebody, however, had given the alarm, for they had no sooner put from the shore than the sig- nal of alarm was given-the firing of three cannon
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and three rockets. Nevertheless, the little party pursued its way in safety. General Prescott just asked if Colonel Barton commanded ? Upon getting into the boats he was answered in the affirmative. " You have made a - bold push to-night," said he. He appeared much confused when taken, and when he found himself so near the British shipping, agitated and perplexed, he wisely forbore any vain attempts at escape or alarm ; instead of which, how- ever, he said he hoped they would not hurt him! " Oh! no," said Mr. Barton, "you shall not be hurt while you are under my care !"
The adventurous little boats continued their way through the waves with great rapidity. The deep- mouthed cannon was echoing far and near ; the bea- con of alarm was blazing from a hundred different stations, and streaming rockets were illuminating the darkness of the night. The weary tread of the mid- night watch on board the enemy's ships was ex- changed for bustling confusion ; while the boatswain's shrill whistle, the speaking-trumpet, and the roll of the drum were summoning all hands on deck, be- neath the very stern of one vessel and the bow- sprit of another, the hardy band of patriots pushed their way, favored by that intense darkness which in this latitude invariably precedes the dawn; and just as morning appeared the boats found themselves under the guns of the fort, safe from their enemies.
Although Prescott had been extremely cruel during his stay on the Island, Barton was too noble-minded to retaliate now. He escorted his prisoner to com-
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fortable quarters. On the third day after his capture, he was conveyed to Connecticut, and eventually the General was exchanged for Lee.
After much suffering in consequence of a gunshot wound, and some painful vicissitudes, Colonel Bar- ton died in Providence of apoplexy, on the 22d of October 1831, at the ripe year of 85.
Not long before Barton's death, he attended an annual meeting, on the 4th of July, of the Cin- cinnati at Newport, and then with remarkable spirit, gave an account of his exploit. Our informant is a gentleman who was present on the occasion.
THE GLEN.
While in the neighborhood of Overing House, the visitor would do well to pay a visit to a charming spot not far distant; it is called THE GLEN.
A cross road leads from the west road, a little north of the house we have been describing, to the east road, and half a mile from this the Glen is situated. In summer the walk is an exceedingly pleasant one.
The Glen is formed by two wooded hills which gradually slope to a valley, through which flows a bright and sparkling stream which dances to its own sweet music. The water is o'er-canopied with trees, through which the sunshine streams, paving as with mosaic gold the grass on the rivulet's margin ; and through the foliage, the soft air creeps shedding a delicious coolness over the retired spot. Near the 5*
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entrance there is a small pond which has been damn- med to supply a grist mill. Beyond this is a grove through which the stream may be followed to the shore on the east side of the Island. Here beauti- ful views of the East River and of the opposite shore may be enjoyed.
Are you fatigued, reader, with your ramble ? if so, near the Glen, and between it and the main road, are the snug quarters of a lady who cheerfully dis- penses the cup which cheers but not inebriates, to all those who require soothing souchong, or glo- rious green, or magnificent mixed tea. Capital coffee too, may here be found, and choicest cakes, (we are
growing alliterative.) What can be pleasanter after a ramble through that charming glen, than a quiet gossip over the incomparable infusion of the Chinese leaf ? The very idea of it inspires us, and so we close the chapter by saying or singing :- a la Mary Wort- ley Montague :
And then, when our lovely GLEN RAMBLE is past, And we rest our tired limbs on a sofa at last, How delightful to mark on the table outspread The primrose-hued butter, the delicate bread ! The cakes and the cream, the preserves and the ham, The eggs, the hung beef, the sliced peaches and jam, The coffee so fragrant, the fine flavored tea, And the other good things of good Mrs. Durfee !
Reader, Mrs. Durfee is no fiction of our imagi- nation ; she keeps the Tea-House of THE GLEN !
Another charming spot is Lawton's Valley, about a mile beyond Overing House, which the visitor would do well to explore.
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CHAPTER X.
REVOLUTIONARY REMINISCENCES - CURIOUS EXTRACTS FOUND IN AN OLD DIARY IN NEWPORT.
WHILST engaged in writing this little work, a rather curious document has been placed in our hands. It is an old diary, kept by one Fleet S. Greene, a resi- dent of Newport during the Revolutionary War. The manuscript is in a very mutilated condition and dif- ficult to make out, both from age and orthography. In the extracts we may make from it we shall some- times take the liberty of correcting the latter. In a sort of preface-a letter addressed to Captain John Cahoone, of the United States Revenue Service-Mr. Greene tells the story of his diary. It has no date, and runs as follows :
To Captain John Cahoone.
" SIR-According to your desire, I have recovered from oblivion the few remarks I made on the British Garrison in Town, in a very ragged condition. It is nearly forty- five years since they were wrote and not fit to appear in public.
" But as you were in the Garrison at the same time, and was a spectator in every thing that passed, you will make excuses for these papers and the time they [were] wri- ting. At a time that a single line, if discovered, would have [sent ] the writer to a close jail. The British Army
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and Navy arrived here on the 7th December, 1776, and landed on the 8th under General Clinton-about 9,000 men without opposition. The town remained peaceable for a few days. But there was a great number of people in town-chiefly inhabitants who called themselves Friends to Government-meaning the English Govern- ment-who were continually complaining to the officers, to gain their favor, of every person in town that was friends to country, calling them Rebels ; and by their re- ports the Jails and Prison-Ships were continually crowded with the principal Inhabitants. There was a Company formed by the principal Inhabitants who carried arms, and called themselves Associators, that undertook the defence of the Town and form a night watch, of twenty men each night, consisting of the Inhabitants in general. They were in four posts, five men each, which they called a Patrol. These men were under the orders [of ] these Associators, and were called by turns to do duty-and as you were a spectator of all their transactions, you [have] the best information.
FLEET S. GREENE."
The first six or eight pages of the Diary are de- stroyed. From what remains we shall make a few extracts, which may convey some idea of the state of things in Newport during the struggle for Liberty.
" June 5, 1777 .- A woman, Mrs. Squire, was commit- ted to the Provost [the military gaol ; it was situated at the corner of Spring and Pelham streets, opposite Mr. Thayer's church, ] for wishing the Provincials to come to the Island."
Here is a reference to Barton's capture of Pres- cott :-
" June 11, Thursday .- Last night came on the west side of the Island supposed to be about forty men, of the Provintials against Mr. John Overain's house, without
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the least opposition-carried Major-General Prescott, his Aide de Camp, Mr. Warrington, and what others is not known. Immediately, on intelligence that the General was carried off, the Drums beat to arms-the Dragoons scoured the shore, but the bird was flown. The town appears in the utmost confusion at the loss of the General. Confusion appears in every face ; even the greatest friends of liberty are obligated to show some marks of sorrow for the loss of such an accomplished General."
" June 15 .- The whole command of the town is in- vested in Major Barry, formerly town Major. He abuses the inhabitants, friends to liberty, in a most shocking manner, not suffering them to talk in the streets."
Things seemed to be becoming serious, for on
"July 31 .- This morning at 10 o'clock a vessel sailed for Providence, having on board 130 women and children belonging to this town. Their trunks were all searched, and some things, such as tea, pins, linen, and men's clothes, seized by the Provost Marshall and Hessian Town Sergeant."
" August 17 .- Last night a man came from the Main (land) to this Island. He reports that Admiral Howe has arrived at Boston and burnt the Town ; he was im- mediately committed to the Provost."
" Sept. 20 .- A guard of a Sergeant and six men are ordered to attend the Market, from nine to ten o'clock in the morning, to regulate the selling of fresh Meat."
"Sept. 22 .- This morning a number of carpenters were discharged from the King's Works, for refusing to work on Sunday."
"Oct. 27 .- Great numbers of the inhabitants, who are now imprisoned, have left their families in great distress. Upon application to the Governor for relief they are treated with contempt and turned out."
"Nov. 9 .- The Presbyterian meeting-houses are taken up for Barracks-all the pews pulled down."
66 10 .- The keys of the Baptist meeting-house are taken by the Barrack Master, in order to quarter sol- diers."
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To add to the troubles of the people of Newport, on-
"Nov. 12 .- The Small Pox breaks out in town among the inhabitants."
" The prisoners at the Pest House die very fast from the want of the common necessaries of life."
It seems even the dead were not allowed to rest in those stirring times :-
"Nov. 21 .- Last night the body of Mr. Magee was taken up, and robbed of the linen, after being buried upwards of 6 weeks."
There was " sharp practice" in the British fleet- as witness :-
"Dec. 11 .- This day at 12 o'clock a man was executed on board the Lark frigate, who had deserted. He was taken on board a privateer."
" A soldier belonging to the New Regiment cut off his fore finger, in consequence of which he received 7000 lashes !" | 700 most likely. ]
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