USA > Rhode Island > A history of Block Island : from its discovery, in 1514, to the present time, 1876 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
76
HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
the Manisseans and their successors, a remembrance of which is a rich legacy to the rising generations.
WITH THE FRENCH.
War between France and England in 1690 greatly dis- turbed the peace of the colonies, no part of which, per- haps, was more exposed to the depredations of the former than was Block Island. In the month of March of that year the opening conflict was "proclaimed by beat of drum " in the streets of Newport, and not long after the notes of war vibrated across the waters to this Island and caused many a tearful cheek, and deep anxiety in the hearts of the bravest. In May, 1690, came a tax of seven- teen pounds and ten shillings to be collected of the Island- ers "for the support of their Majesty's interest against the French and Indian enemies." Thus after thirty years of perils at home, they saw the distant war-cloud gathering and from its border saw its first few hail stones striking on their shores. A merciless enemy was coming on the wind-one that purposed, with an infidelity unbecoming a savage, to exhaust his own resources of cruelty, and with these combine the fierceness of the Indians. In no di- rection from their shores could the Islanders look for protection, except upward. The enemy came.
To fight the American colonies was to fight England. The colonies on the main-land, assisted by England, were · comparatively safe against the French invaders. But it was impossible to keep the ships of France from lighting, like harpies, on this well stored Island.
In July, 1689, "a large bark, a barge, a large sloop, and a lesser one "-three men of war with their transport stood towards the bay on the east side of Block Island. The inhabitants were greatly alarmed, and doubtful whether the vessels were French or English, hostile or friendly. The vessels anchored, while on the shore were
77
WITH THE FRENCH.
standing brave men filled with anxiety.
A boat was low- ered and a few approached the shore. One, when near enough, left the boat and stepped from rock to rock until he addressed, in English, with friendly words, those upon the shore. His name was William Trimming. They questioned him closely, as they stood holding their arms for defense. He made them believe his vessels were under the command of George Astin, a noted English privateer to whom they were friendly, that they were in need of wood, water, and a pilot to conduct them safely into Newport harbor. Having gained the confidence of the Islanders he returned to his vessel, and soon made signal for a pilot. Several, "in hopes of some great re- ward," at once went aboard, and were immediately clapped under the hatches, and there under threats were com- pelled to tell what they knew of the means of defense on the Island. Upon this information the French, still sup- posed to be English, lowered three boats, and with about fifty men in each, having their guns concealed, approached the deceived and amused spectators who directed the enemy how to shun the hidden rocks in the Bay until they came to the wharf where the said guns were sud- denly seized and leveled at the Islanders with horrid threats from the invaders. The soldiers thus overpowered and taken prisoners, the Island became a prey to the per- fidious Trimming, whose men broke the guns of the Islanders in pieces upon the rocks and confined the owners in the stone house of Captain James Sands. The French pillaged the Island, killing all kinds of cattle for food, and what they did not need they killed for spoil to im- poverish the people. Our informant, Rev. Samuel Niles, says,-" they continued about a week on the Island, plun- dering houses, stripping the people of their clothing, rip- ping up beds, throwing out the feathers, and carrying away the ticking." Their abuses to the venerable Simon
7*
78
HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
Ray are related in our biographical sketch of him. They entered the house of Dr. John Rodman, a skillful physi- cian and devoted Quaker and insulted his wife, “a very desirable gentlewoman," between whom and the insolent Frenchman the Doctor sprang, as the ruffian cocked his pistol at Rodman who bared his bosom and said,-" Thee mayest do it if thou pleasest, but thou shalt not abuse my wife." During the week of plundering on the Island the French in the vessels captured two English vessels bound up the Sound, sinking the one laden with steel, and pre- serving the other for her cargo of liquors.
News of this invasion in some way reached the main- land while the French were upon the Island, and quickly, at night, a ribbon of bonfires was seen along the shore from Pawcatuck Point (south of Westerly, R. I.) to Seconet Point. This alarmed the privateers and they left with the intention of taking New London, but the fire upon them there in the harbor was so hot that they retreated. Meanwhile two vessels of war were fitted out at Newport for the defense of Block Island, under the command of Commodore Paine, and Captain John God- frey. On their arrival here, and learning of the sacking of the Island, they pursued the enemy. On Fisher's Island they surprised seventeen Frenchmen and killed the deceitful Trimming through whose perfidy Block Island had been captured.
The French, on their way from New London to con- tinue their plundering of Block Island, met our men-of- war under Commodore Paine to the westward of Sandy Hill. There, perhaps, it was that our informant, the Rev. Mr. Niles, was stationed while viewing the naval battle, the first, probably, fought within the waters of Block Island. As Mr. Niles was an eye-witness, his description is most reliable, and we quote it here in full.
"Our English vessels stretched off to the southward,
79
WITH THE FRENCH.
and soon made a discovery of a small fleet standing east- ward. Supposing them to be the French they were in quest of, they tacked and came as near the shore as they could with safety, carrying one anchor to wear and another to seaboard, to prevent the French boarding them on each side at once, and to bring their guns and men all on one side the better to defend themselves and annoy the enemy. The French probably discovered them also, and made all the sail they could, expecting to make prizes of them. Accordingly they sent a periauger before them, full of men, with design to pour in their small arms on them, and take them, as their manner was, supposing they were unarmed vessels, and only bound upon trade. Cap- tain Paine's gunner urged to fire on them. The Captain denied, alleging it more advisable to let the enemy come nearer under their command. But the gunner still urging it, being certain (as he said) he should rake fore and aft, thus with much importunity, at length the Captain gave him liberty. He fired on them, but the bullet went wide of them, and I saw it skip on the surface of the water several times, and finally lodged in a bank, as they were not very far distant from the shore. This brought them to a stand, and to row off as fast as they could and wait until their vessels came up. When they came they bore down on the English, and there ensued a very hot. sea- fight for several hours, though under the land, the great bark foremost, pouring in a broadside with small arms. Ours bravely answered them in the same manner, with their huzzas and shouting. Then followed the larger sloop, the captain whereof was a very violent, resolute fellow. He took a glass of wine to drink, and wished it might be his damnation if he did not board them immedi- ately. But as he was drinking a bullet struck him in the neck, with which he instantly fell down dead, as the prisoners (before spoken of) afterwards reported. How-
30
HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
ever, the large sloop proceeded, as the foremost vessel had done, and the lesser sloop likewise. Thus they passed by in course, and then tacked and brought their other broad- side to bear. In this manner they continued the fight until the night came on and prevented their further con- flict. Our men as valiantly paid them back in their own coin, and bravely repulsed them, and killed several of them.
"In this action the continued fire was so sharp and violent, that the echo in the woods made a noise as though the limbs of the trees were rent and tore off from their bodies ; yet they killed but one man, an Indian of the English party, and wounded six white men who after recovered. They overshot our men, so that many of their bullets, both great and small, were picked up on the adjacent shore.
" During the next night our vessels were replenished with ammunition from the Island, but in the morning it was discovered that the enemy had taken [French] leave. Our vessels pursued them so closely that they were obliged to scuttle the prize vessels before mentioned-the one laden with liquors, and she was overtaken while sinking."
This first invasion of Block Island by French privateers aroused the country to such a degree that men-of-war from Boston, and from New York were dispatched to the rescue and for the pursuit of the enemy.
The next act of hostilities on the Island was by a part of the former invaders, before the close of the same year 1689. This second attack was in the night, and, though brief, was very alarming and destructive of property in a manner similar to that previously described. No one was killed. Mr. Niles, our informant, was the chief sufferer, as seen in our sketch of him. But as the war between France and England continued, the depredations of the
81
WITH THE FRENCH.
enemy were repeated. Of the next alarm and plundering of the Island Mr. Niles says :
"The French came a third time while I was on the Island, and came to anchor in the bay on Saturday, some time before night ; and acquainted us who they were and what they intended, by hoisting up their white colors. None of the people appearing to oppose them, and having at this time, my aged grandparents, Mr. James Sands and his wife, to take care of, with whom I then dwelt ; know- ing also, that if they landed they would make his house the chief seat of their rendezvous, as they had done twice before, and not knowing what insults or outrage they might commit on them, I advised to the leaving of their house, and betaking themselves to the woods for shelter, till they might return under prospects of safety ; which they consented to. Accordingly we took our flight into the woods, which were at a considerable distance, where we encamped that night as well as the place and circum- stances would allow, with some others, that for the like reasons fell into our company. The next morning being Lord's day morning, I expressed my desire to go occultly and see the conduct of the French, and their proceedings. (See on Capt. James Sands.)
" Having had but little sleep the night before, I pro. posed to Mr. Thomas Mitchell to keep a good look-out, and.watch their motions, till I endeavored to sleep a little, and thus to proceed interchangeably ; when I made the hard ground my lodging for the time, which was long. Upon my awaking he lay down, and as he lay and slept, the French fired many guns at the house, and I heard several bullets whistling over my head. Suspecting they had made some discovery of us, I awakened him, telling him what I had observed, therefore that it was advisable to shift our quarters. Accordingly, as we were moving from the place we espied a large ship about a league to
82
HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
leeward of the township, riding at anchor (the fog at sea had been very thick till then), which happened to be Cap- tain Dobbins, in the Nonesuch man-of-war, stationed in those seas, which we at first sight supposed. This ship appearing put the Frenchmen into a great surprise, by their motions, by running up to their standard on the hill, then down again, and others doing the like. The man-of- war still making all sail possible, there being but a small breeze of wind at southwest, and right ahead, according to the sailors' phrase, they soon left the house [Capt. James Sands' stone house, then standing where Mr. Al- memzo Littlefield's lawn, east of his house, is], and with all speed and seeming confusion hastened to their vessel. Upon this we went boldly to the house, and found the floor covered with geese, with blood and feathers ; the quarters of the hogs they had killed hanging up in one and another part of the house-a melancholy sight to behold ! Their manner of dressing hogs after they had quartered them was to singe off the hair over a flame ; and their method to command the cattle was (as I saw when they took us before) to thrust their cutlasses in at their loins, and on a sudden the hind quarter would drop down, and as the poor creature strove to go forward, the blood would spout out of the hole, and fly up near or full out a yard in height."
"Soon after these privateers took to their heels," they were hotly pursued by the Nonesuch. The former steered for Noman's Land, but in the fog missed their course, ran into Buzzards Bay, where they were land-locked and captured by their pursuers. Forty of the French endeav- ored to escape by running ashore, but were soon seized by the people and sent as prisoners to Boston. The rest Captain Dobbins made prisoners of war, and took their ship as a prize back to Newport."
By this time it would seem that there could be but little
-
83
WITH THE FRENCH.
left on Block Island to tempt the enemy. But its fat cat- tle, swine, sheep, and poultry, together with the fabrics of household industry, for many years, were scented from afar by the freebooters of the sea. Hither they continued to come for plunder, and from 1698 until after 1706 it was in a condition like that of a continued siege, for in 1706, the Governor and Council of Rhode Island reported as follows : " We have been also this summer as well as the last obliged to maintain a quota of men at Block Island for the defence of Her Majesty's interest there."
Meanwhile a fourth hostile demonstration was made upon this little "Isle of the sea," whether by the French, or by pirates, is a matter of uncertainty, as the latter were then numerous. At that time Capt. Robert Kidd with his piratical crew was roaming the seas and striking terror to many an island and seacoast city. But at this fourth and last attack during the long wars between France and England, the Islanders met the enemy " in an open pitched battle, and drove them off from the shore," no one in return receiving any injury, "except one man slightly wounded in his finger." Where that bloodless battle-field, on the part of the Islanders is, we are not informed. Probably it was in the vicinity of the old Pier.
During the above period of. hostilities on Block Island, its inhabitants were not only plundered by privateers, and burdened with the expenses of self defence, but heavy taxes came upon them from abroad. In response to their remonstrances the Rhode Island Assembly, in 1696, re- mitted to them "one penny on the pound," of the levy on the Islanders. This was "penny wise." In 1700 the proportion of the colony tax of £800 allotted Block Island was £22, and this was remitted on the ground of the great expense they had borne in maintaining their soldiers. So great was the danger from deceitful visitors.
-
84
HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
then, that the town passed the stringent law of fining a man five pounds for bringing ashore any man or woman from abroad without reporting the same to the town au- thorities immediately. Judge of the anxious days and sleepless nights during a period of twenty years, while threatened with a neighboring host of savages, while repeatedly invaded by privateers and pirates ; while con- stantly watching the surrounding waters, and maintaining laws that disarmed their superior numbers at sunset, and punished them for walking abroad after nine o'clock at night ; while burdened with the expense of maintaining their own little standing army, and also that upon the main-land ; and while, for their own support the fields must be cultivated, and material raised upon their farms for the distaff. the big spinning-wheel, and the loom. It was in reference to the above manifold burdens that in 1697 the following memorial was indicted, probably by Simon Ray :
" SEPTEMBER the 5th, 1697.
"To the Honoured Governor, Deputy Governor and the Rest of the Members of the General Assembly of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations :
" The humble petition of the poor distressed Inhabitants of Block Island which expect daily No other than to be Invaded, our houses demolished, our persons and Estates become a prey to the enemy If no other assistance can be had than what we can Raise within ourselves. We both think and find it very hard that we should be forced to hire and pay men's wages at our own charge since we are or should be a member of a Colony that in our opinion ought to protect us who as yet have Not any from as a Colony we do suppose a thing not to be paralleled with In the King's Dominion that one part of a province or Col- ony that think themselves most secure should rather Re-
-
85
WITH THE FRENCH.
ject than protect that part that Is. In imminent danger. We your humble petitioners humbly consider the charge will be easier for a whole Colony to bare than a poor handful of distressed people which are always in fears, horrors, and troubles. We do suppose that one hundred and sixty pounds a year would supply with men and am- unition which is but a little for a Colony to raise. We do suppose that as Justly as submission may be expected from us we may expect Relief in time of distress. We find that if we have money enough we may have men enough. If they cannot be spared in our own Colony we can be supplied otherwheres. Thus your distressed petitioners wait for your favorable and speedy result."
(Signed by 30 freeholders.)
To the foregoing piratical period in the history of Block Island the following case of kidnapping in 1717 properly belongs. It is still involved in mystery. The occurrence is authenticated by the depositions of reli- able witnesses, and by the town record of the same, still preserved, of which we give here a copy :
" BLOCK ISLAND ales NEW SHORAM Aprell ye 18th 1717.
We the subscribers testifie and say that as we went on board of a large Sloop, Baulsgrave Williams Commander, as by some of his men's Report, and he Likewise being® on shore to get some refreshment in order as he said to go to Boston on sª day aforementioned, we and severall others went on bord with him. after that we had been on bord of him about an houre or two (being then in our Harbour Bay) we all came out of sª Sloop into our Boat without any molestation ; but after that we were put off from the Sloop Some distance Rowing to make the Har- bour we were imediatly Comanded on bord again, not knowing what their business was with us ; as soon as we came along side of the Sloop three of our men that were in our Boat with us were forcibly taken from us and com- manded to come on bord of them, one of which was 8
86
HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
pulled out of the boat into the Sloop by violence and the other two commanded to go on boarde of them. After this manner were those men taken from us (viz.) George Mitchell, William Toesh, and Doctur James Sweete ; and forthere Deponents say not.
THOMAS DANIELS, JOHN RATHBUN, THOMAS PAIN.
The three persons within personally apeared before me one of his majesty's Wardins or Justices of the peace of Block Island and took their Sollem Ingagements to the contents within mentioned as attest pr. me JOHN SANDS, Dep. Warden.
MAY ye 19th, 1717.
my Self being present on bord the boat when the men were taken out as within mentioned."
The last-mentioned act of hostility justifies the pre- ceding and subsequent measures of defense adopted by the Islanders and assisted by the Colony of Rhode Island. In 1708 the Assembly, on condition the Islanders had truly laid out their due proportion of money for arms and ammunition, enacted that they should have a quota of fifteen soldiers for their defense, and that " The Honored Governor, Assistant, and Major of the Island shall order said quota from time to time as they shall see cause, and to abate the number as they shall see cause for, and the men of Block Island to use said quota kindly, and find them with provisions (at their own charge), as is conven- ient for soldiers." In May 1711, a quota of twelve sol- diers was furnished the Island, they finding their own arms and ammunition, and receiving thirty shillings a month. In November of the same year their pay was increased to forty shillings a month. But at this time they were, perhaps, less needful, as the notes of war began to die away, and soon after were only heard faintly echoing like far distant thunder from foreign shores. Nations hostile to England found it easier to fight her
-
87
WITH THE FRENCH.
elsewhere than among the American Colonies. If the war of King George in 1744, and the conquest of the Canadas ten years after affected Block Island at all it was only as the spent shock of a far-off earthquake, leaving the inhabitants to pursue their peaceful avocations with very little interruption until the sad day arrived when the Colonists, by civil oppression, were compelled to turn their guns upon the government from which they had sought and obtained protection. Meanwhile, how- ever, lessons of self-government and of timely prepara- tions for defense had been learned, and, in the year 1740, we find the same put in practice by an act of the General Assembly of R. I., authorizing the field officers of Provi- dence, and Kings counties to impress from each ten able- bodied men to be sent to Block Island, by the 20th of April of that year, to serve there six months, to be under the care and command of the Captain of the Island [Capt. Edward Sands], and by him "billeted out at the charge of the inhabitants of said Island," receiving £3 per month each from the general treasury. A battery, it seems by the following act of 1740, had been planted here pre- viously upon Harbor Hill; nearly back of the gothic cot- tage of Mr. Darius Dodge, a suitable place for protecting the bay and harbor. This act was, "That the six great guns at New Shoreham be mounted on carriages, in the most convenient manner, as shall be judged by the inhabi- tants ; and that they, at their own charge, procure two barrels of gunpowder, one hundred and twenty great shot and forty pounds weight of musket-balls ; and that Cap- tain Edward Sands, and Mr. Nathaniel Littlefield procure carriages for said guns, and draw money out of the gene- ral treasury to pay for the same." This was done with special reference to the war between Spain and England.
In 1745 the Islanders petitioned the General Assembly for increased protection, and in response it was " Voted
88
HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND.
and resolved that twenty-one soldiers be sent to New Shoreham, seven out of each county * and there to remain * * until the return of the Colony sloop from the expedition against Cape Breton, or till further order from the General Assembly."
THE REVOLUTION.
That Block Island, a little speck out in the sea, should take any active part in so great a struggle as that which began its premonitions in 1774 could hardly be expected. But as the pulse of the smallest artery beats in harmony with the greater-all being one organic system-so the energetic, public-spirited men of this Island in the latter part of the eighteenth century were ready to move in any direction with the organic body of American Colonies for the maintenance of their most cherished rights and privi- leges. The leading men here then, too, were known abroad, and esteemed for their personal excellences, and their patriotism and sacrifices in the hostilities of the Revolution were an honor to the Island. While the storm of war between the Colonies and the Mother Coun- try was gathering, the inhabitants of Block Island, after having enjoyed the sweets of civil and religious freedom for more than a century, and being in themselves a little model democracy, joined heart and hand with all Amer- ican patriots, as they put upon record the following senti- ments relative to
BRITISH DUTIES ON TEA.
" Proceedings of the People of New Shoreham, in Town Meeting."
" At a town meeting held at New Shoreham, March 2, 1774, John Sands, Esq., moderator.
WHEREAS, there has been sent to this town a copy of the resolves entered into by the town of Newport, and a
89.
THE REVOLUTION.
request to lay the same before this town, with a design that said town would unite with the other towns in this Colony in supporting their just rights and liberties :
1. Therefore we the inhabitants of this town, being legally convened in town meeting, do firmly resolve, as the opinion of said town, that the Americans have as good a right to be as free a people as any upon the earth; and to enjoy at all times an uninterrupted possession of their rights and properties.
2. That the act of the British Parliament, claiming the right to make laws binding upon the Colonies, in all cases whatsoever, is inconsistent with the natural, consti- tutional, and charter rights and privileges of the inhabi- tants of this Colony.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.