USA > Rhode Island > History of Rhode Island > Part 18
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It is a well known fact in the history of those times, that lit- tle was effected by the blockading squadron of Wallace, except keeping the inhabitants in constant alarm, by threats and petty depredations on the adjacent islands and neighborhoods. He effected the landing of three hundred troops on Prudence Island, and laid in ruins every building, with their contents. One of the inhabitants of the island was shot by a British sol-
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207
THE WANTON FAMILY.
dier, in attempting to escape. Mr. Pierce, the father of the late Hon. Dexter T. Pierce, received a letter from Governor Wan- ton, of Newport, whose tenant he was, informing him the fleet would appear off Prudence next day, and that he would be able to dispose of his stock at good prices. But he, being a patriot of the first water, was determined not to gratify Wan- ton, or the British for whom he appeared so deeply interested. As the wind did not favor the ships, he was able to get off his stock and provisions before they took possession of the Island. A glance at the Wanton family may be interesting to the reader.
" Edward Wanton emigrated from London to Boston, before 1658. He assisted in the execution of the Quakers in 1659. Convinced of the injustice of their persecution, and won by the fortitude and resignation with which they suffered, he became a convert to them. He removed to Scituate, Mass., in 1661, where he had previously purchased an estate. He became a Quaker preacher, and was a popular propagator of their doc- trines. He died at Scituate, aged 85.
His eldest son, Joseph, settled at Tiverton, R. I., in 1688, and both he and his wife were speakers in the Society of Friends. William Wanton (son of Edward) left Scituate and settled in Newport. Before his removal, he married Ruth, the daughter of Deacon Bryant ; she was a Congregationalist, and he a Quaker. Religious objections were made against the match on both sides. He said : 'Friend Ruth, let us. break from this unreasonable bondage-I will give up my religion, and thou shalt thine, and we will go over to the Church of Eng- land, and go to the Devil together.' They fulfilled this resolu- tion so far as to go to the Church of England, and marrying, and adhering to the Church of England during life. He sus- tained many offices. In 1732, he was elected Governor of the State, and was reelected in 1733. He died in December of that year. John Wanton, brother of William, from success in trade, had become one of the most wealthy citizens of New- port. He adhered to the faith of the Quakers. To heal party divisions, which ran high at this period, he was induced to per- mit himself to be voted for, and was elected Governor in 1734, and was successively reelected for six years. He died in office, July 5th, 1740. Gideon Wanton, son of Philip, and nephew
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
of William and John, was an enterprising merchant of New- port, and in addition to other offices, was elected Governor of Rhode Island in 1745, and 1747. He died in September, 1767, aged 74.
Joseph Wanton was the son of William, who died governor in 1733, and grand-son of the first Edward. He was an opu- lent merchant in Newport, and connected by blood and affinity with the wealthiest and most popular families in the Colony. In 1764 and 1767, he was elected Lieutenant-Governor through the Hopkins' influence. In 1769 he succeeded Governor Lyndon as Governor of the Colony, and was annually reelected, until the political troubles of 1775, when the office was declared va- cant."- Updike.
American blood had been shed at Lexington, and the Colony of Rhode Island was aroused. The Legislature then in ses- sion, April 1775, passed a resolution to raise and embody 1,500 men, to repel any insult or violence that may be offered to the inhabitants, &c. Governor Wanton sent in his protest against the measures of that body, which, in the present excited state of the public mind, rendered his conduct highly obnoxious to the people. The General Assembly declared the seat vacant, and Nicholas Cook, then Lieutenant-Governor, was elected to fill his place.
Extract of a letter addressed to the northern part of the Co- lony, by Stephen Ilopkins, in 1764, in justification of the character of Mr. Wanton, who was Deputy-Governor under him :
" I hear it said he is but a boy, is a proud, foppish fellow, wears ruffles and laced clothes, and will not take any notice of or speak to a poor man. As to the first, he is about thirty-four years old. He has been genteelly bred, and received a liberal education, which was matured and polished, a sound under- standing and enterprising genius. His haughty carriage and despising of the poor, is nothing more than an unworthy cal- umny of his enemies ; and this I can safely affirm, that in Gen- eral Assembly, where I have been chiefly acquainted with him, he remarkably and invariably appeared to be the poor man's friend, as all can testify who have served there with him. Per- haps many of you are desirous that the northern part of the
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THE WANTON FAMILY.
Colony should have its equal share in the administration of gov- ernment. If this be the case, you may be fully assured that no- thing can tend so directly to weaken and destroy that intention, as the placing both Governor and Deputy.Governor in one town in the northern part of the Colony.
STEPHEN HOPKINS.
Providence, April 16th, 1764."
The family of Wantons, from having occupied a high position in the Colony, by their subsequent conduct, in opposing all measures of resistance against the invaders of their country, and also in favoring the British interest at the expense of the rights and liberties of the Colonies, died a political death. Gov- ernor Wanton is said to have been a man " of amiable disposi- tion, elegant manners, handsome person, and splendid appear. ance. He dressed in the finest style of the times, with a large white wig, with three curls, one falling down his back, and one forward of each shoulder." His likeness is placed in the Red- wood Library. He died at Newport, July 19, 1780, aged 75 years, and was interred in the family vault in the Clifton burial place. The name has become extinct in Newport. His former residence in Thames-street, is now owned by the heirs of the late Captain Robert Lawton.
" We hear from Newport that Joseph Wanton, Esq., finding the British were about to evacuate that place, loaded a vessel with his effects, in order to take his departure with them, but the master being on shore, and the mate having a fair gale for putting off, slipped out of the harbor, and instead of taking the desired course, carried the vessel and effects to Providence, where they were cheerfully received."
It would have been far more gratifying could we have en- rolled his name as a patriot in the war of the Revolution, instead of favoring the enemies of his country.
About this period a regiment was raised for this station, commanded by Col. Babcock. General Lee was also sent from Boston, to our assistance, by General Washington, with several companies of riflemen. He arrested all the Tories he could find, imposed upon them the most severe restrictions, and soon after returned to Boston.
In the antumn of this year, a large number of the Rhode
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Island troops stationed at Boston, embarked in Montgomery's expedition against Quebec, under command of General Arnold. No expedition during the war, was attended with greater diffi- culties, or displayed a more unconquerable spirit of persever- ance, than this. Their march through a trackless, unexplored wilderness, for more than three hundred miles, rendered their progress slow and difficult. To support life, they were compel- led to eat their dogs, shoes, &c., and when at one hundred miles from a human habitation, they divided their last morsel of bread. And yet such was their unconquerable spirit of patriotism, that their fortitude remained unshaken. On the 1st of December, a siege was commenced upon Quebec, by the united forces of Arnold and Montgomery. The attempt proved unsuccessful, and fatal to the brave Montgomery, who fell at the onset, with two distin- guished officers at his side.
General Arnold was wounded in the action, and carried from the field, when the command devolved on, and the fort was taken by Col. Morgan, a gallant and intrepid officer.
General Arnold remained encamped during the winter, a few miles from Quebec, but the following spring, not being rein- forced, and his own forces being insufficient to attempt the re- duction of the place, he retired, and by the middle of June, the Americans had wholly evacuated Canada. We could almost have wished the wound of Arnold had proved mortal, and he not have been left to disgrace his country, and involve a valu- · able officer in obloquy and ruin.
The fate of Major Andre, who was a most highly accomplished and meritorious officer, has continued to be a subject of univer- sal regret ; and could Washington, consistently with the usages of war, have pardoned the unfortunate man, it would most cheer- fully have been done. But the decision of the Court Martial, of which Gen. Greene was President, adjudged him worthy of death, and it was not within the province of the Commander-in- Chief to reverse that decision, without subjecting himself to censure and reproach.
Major Andre, it is said, was strongly attached to a lady in England, and while in prison, penned the following striking and significant lines :
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DEPARTURE OF WALLACE.
" Return, enraptured hours, When Delia's heart was mine, When she with wreaths of flowers My temples did entwine.
No jealousy or care Corroded o'er my breast; No visions, light as air, Presided o'er my rest.
Since I'm removed from state, And bid adieu to time, At my unhappy fate Let Delia not repine.
Oh, may the mighty Jore Crown her with happiness ; Grant! grant ! ye powers above, To take her home to rest."
Wallace maintained the possession of the harbor until the spring of 1776.
A newspaper called " The Newport Gazette," was established under the patronage of the British authorities at Newport. It was published by John Howe, in 1777.
On the 6th of April, troops having arrived from Providence to our assistance, with two row galleys of two eighteen pound- ers each, and while the fleet lay at anchor about a mile from Newport, Col. Babcock directed that two eighteen pounders be placed on an eminence near the shore, in open view of the enemy, and without any works to protect them. Here the in- trepid Col. Elliot, together with the galleys, under command of Commodore Grimes, soon rendered the situation of the cow- ardly Wallace extremely uncomfortable, and he abandoned the harbor with the whole squadron. The Glasgow, of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Snow, returned to Newport, and came to anchor near Fort Island, having fallen in with, and received a severe chastisement from, Admiral Hopkins, off Block Island. The same evening, Col. Richmond ordered several pieces of heavy artillery to be brought and placed on Brenton's Point, where a slight breastwork was thrown up during the night. The following morning he opened so vigorous and well directed a fire upon her and the transport ship Snow, that they hastily cut their cables and went out to sea. A few days subsequently
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
the British ship of war Scarborough, of twenty guns, and two hundred and twenty-five men, with the Cimetar, of eighteen guns and one hundred and forty men, having with them two prize ships, put into Newport harbor, and came to anchor a little to the south of Rose Island. A resolution was at once formed to attempt the rescue of the prizes. The plan adopted was for Captain Hyers, of the Washington galley, to attack and hold the Scarborough at bay, while Captain Grimes, of the Spitfire galley, was to board and bring off the prizes. Col. Babcock had also made preparations, in case either of the ships should approach sufficiently near the North Battery at Bren- ton's Point, to give them at these places a warm reception. About 11 o'clock at night, Capt. Grimes came along-side, and boarded and took the prize brig from under the stern of the man-of-war. The Scarborough immediately prepared to give chase, but was so annoyed and embarrassed in her course by Captain Hyers, that the brig was brought safely to harbor, and the Scarborough brought within reach of the North Battery, when Col. Babcock poured upon her such an incessant shower of balls, together with the well-directed and galling fire of the Washington galley, as entirely to arrest her progress and pre- vent further pursuit. At that moment the prize sloop was sail- ing with the intention of getting under the protecting wing of the Scarborough, but was disappointed by the intrepidity of Capt. Grimes, who cut her off, boarded, and sent her to Pro- vidence.
The British ships having both received a severe chastisement, the Scarborough from the North Battery, and the Washington galley, and the Cimetar from the battery at Brenton's Point and the Spitfire galley, Capt. Grimes, came to anchor between- Connanicut and Rose Island. But this position was as unpropi- tious as the former, for a battery was opened and the storm of death soon came down upon them from the shores of Connani- cut, so that finding no safety in the harbor, and danger threat- ening them whichever way they flew, they deemed it the better part of valor to abandon their position, by a hasty and inglorious re- treat. But in leaving the harbor they had another fiery ordeal to pass, both at Brenton's Point and Castle Hill, where they re- ceived a severe and vigorous cannonade from the American bat- teries at these places. The ships returned the fire with great
213
ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH FLEET AND ARMY.
rage, and departed in mortification and disgrace. During these eight or ten days of almost incessant and successful struggles, the Americans had only one man slightly wounded.
During this season a number of privateers were fitted out at Newport and Providence, which captured from fifty to one hundred valuable prizes, which were sent to Providence, New. London, &c.
Early in the fall, intelligence was received that a large Bri- tish fleet and army were soon expected to arrive, to take pos- session of the Island. All the cattle the American commander could collect, probably one-half on the Island, were driven to Howland's Ferry, and swam over the river, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy.
In December the British fleet and army arrived, under the command of Sir Peter Parker. The American force being alto- gether insufficient to make any effectual resistance, retreated from the Island, and many of the inhabitants left at the same time.
The consternation is said to have been dreadful. Many of the inhabitants could not procure vehicles, as everything of the kind was in requisition, and they were obliged to travel on foot to Howland's Ferry, and on arriving there, were compelled to wait before they could be ferried over, as the crowd assembled was so numerous. The fleet ran up the west side of Connanicut, crossed over from the north point of that Island, and landed their troops in Middletown, about four and a half miles from Newport.
The British army consisted of about eight or ten thousand men, English and Hessians, of each about an equal number, commanded by General Clinton and Lord Percy. They marched up and encamped on Gould's and Weaver's Hill, except a few who landed at Coddington's Cove, and marched into Newport. The Hessians who accompanied the British, were hired for a small sum, and were made to believe that the people they were about to subdue were weak and inefficient. And so sanguine were they of success, that it is said many had prepared them- selves with milking pails and other apparatus to cultivate the land.
When the fleet arrived here, there were two new Rhode Island frigates, called the Warren, and the Providence, lying
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
in the harbor of. Newport, with eight or ten privateers, which all got under weigh, and ran up the river. Both frigates and privateers, however, during the winter, taking advantage of the north-east wind, made their escape and went to sea, notwith- standing the utmost vigilance and care with which each passage was guarded by the British fleet ; demonstrating the import- ance of the bay, and proving the impossibility of its being blockaded.
In 1778, in the month of November, there was collected in the harbor of Newport, twelve British ships of the line, and two frigates.
As soon as the army landed, they commenced plundering the inhabitants ; sheep, fowls, stacks of hay, and every thing else they could lay their hands on, went off as by magic, the first night. This was their intention at the outset, and as they could not unjustly tax the Colonies, and rob them of their earnings with impunity, they had recourse to powder and ball, in order more effectually to carry out their diabolical plans, and compel them to yield obedience to their arbitrary mandates.
After having remained in camp for one week, the barrack officer went through the neighborhood, surveying every house, and unceremoniously quartering in each, from ten to forty, and even forty-five men, according to the size and convenience of the house. They remained quartered on the inhabitants until the following May, when they again returned to camp. The female portion of the inhabitants of the town, who were accus- tomed to the needle, made clothing for the soldiers, and in this way obtained a living, while the place was a British garrison. It has been said, that the people who remained at Newport, fared much better than many who left, and went on the main. It was undoubtedly a time of trial, and no place suffered more severely than did Newport.
About this time, several thousands of the British troops left Rhode Island for New York, under the command of General Clinton, and Lord Percy. The command then devolved upon General Prescott. This officer was a haughty, tyrannical, and despicable character ; and actuated by principles and habits purely aristocratical, founded on his position as commander, he was poorly qualified to gain the friendship and esteem of his enemies, or strengthen the confidence of his friends.
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ANECDOTE OF MR. ANTHONY.
His constant habit while walking the streets, if he saw any of the inhabitants conversing together, was to shake his cane at them, and say, " Disperse, ye rebels." During one of his perambulations about the streets, he chanced to meet with one Elisha Anthony, a member of the Society of Friends, and one asking Friend Anthony, in passing, " why he did not take his hat off ?" Anthony said, " It was against his principles to shew those signs of respect to man." Prescott hearing the observa- tion, ordered his servant to knock off his hat, which he did ; and they passed on, leaving the Friend, who very coolly picked up his broad-brim, and passed on.
This Mr. Anthony's residence was on the corner of King and Thames-street, formerly the old Crown Coffee-house. He possessed a span of the finest horses on the island, and he at- tended and caressed them with almost as much tenderness as he would have bestowed upon human beings, and the very next day after the hat transaction, Prescott sent for these horses, saying he wanted them to carry an express to Boston.
What he did with one of them is not known ; but Mr. An- thony, having occasion to go out on the island next day, found one of them rode to death, on the road side. The poor horse was dying, and as his master came up to him, he recognized him, and lifting his head from the ground, gave him such a pitiful and reproachful look as penetrated his heart. He said he could never get over the feeling it gave him. Warned by this instance of malice, Mr. Anthony secreted his cow, and other domestic animals, in his kitchen.
No wonder Prescott was sent back to Newport, after his exchange. He was a worthy minion of arbitrary power, though if he had had the feelings of a man, he would rather have been hanged than have appeared there again.
July 10, 1777, Colonel Barton, of Providence, conceived and executed one of the most bold and hazardous enterprises recorded in the history of the Revolution. General Prescott was quartered at this time about five miles from Newport, on the west road, leading to the ferry, at the seat of Mr. Overing. Barton's design was to pass over to Rhode Island from the main, seize Prescott at his quarters, and carry him to the American camp.
This enterprise, though hazardous in the extreme, was plan-
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
· ned with cool deliberation and consummate prudence. Having chosen several officers in whom he could repose unlimited con- fidence, he selected about forty men, whom he knew well under- stood rowing, and on whose tried valor he could rely in the most perilous exigency.
David P. Hall, Esq., of New-York, stated, "that Quako Honyman, formerly a servant of the Rev. James Honyman, who was at this time a waiter of General Prescott, communicated to Col. Barton his exact position, and accompanied him on the enterprise."
At this time there were three British frigates, the Lark, the Diamond, and the Juno, lying with their guard-boats out, on the east side of Prudence. On the 10th of the month, at about nine o'clock in the evening, the Colonel, with his company, embarked on board their boats, from Warwick Neck, and with muffled oars passed over to Rhode Island, between Prudence and Patience. As they passed the south end of Prudence, they heard from the guard-boats of the enemy, the sentinel's cry, " All's well." As they landed, Barton divided his men into several divisions, assigning to each their station, when they advanced toward the house, preserving the strictest order, and the most profound silence. They passed the British guard- house from eighty to one hundred rods on the left, and a company of light horse at about an equal distance on the right, and a little left of that was the Redwood seat, where General Smith, second in command, was stationed. (The house is now the property of Elbert J. Anderson, Esq., of New-York, who married a descendant of Mr. Redwood.)
One of the divisions was directed by a circuitous course to advance upon the house in the rear, and secure the doors, while Barton, with the other division, was to advance up in front of the house, through the gate. As they approached the gate, the sentinel, who stood a few yards from them, cried out, " Who comes there ?" Not readily receiving an answer, he hailed the second time, and demanded the countersign, when Barton sternly replied, " We have no countersign to give; have you seen any deserters to-night ?" This had the intended effect. They continued to advance upon him, Barton still demanding with greater vehemence, " Have you seen any de- serters ?" so that he never suspected them as foes, until his
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SEIZURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT.
musket was seized, and he was told that if he made the least noise, he was a dead man.
The other division had already taken possession of, and secured the doors, so that egress from it by its inmates was impossible. General Prescott was not alarmed, till his captors were at the door of his bed-chamber, which was fast closed. The negro before mentioned, Quako Honyman, instantly thrust his beetle-head through the panel-door and secured his victim.
In the mean time, Major Barrington, aid-de-camp to General Prescott, finding the house attacked, leaped out of a window, intending to seek security in flight ; but when he reached the ground, was secured a prisoner.
Colonel Barton, placing his hand on Prescott's shoulder, told him he was his prisoner, and that silence was his only safety. General Prescott requested permission to dress, but was told by Barton that their business required haste, and that he could only have time to wrap his cloak around him.
For security, and in order that the General might keep time with the light hearts and quick step of the Colonel's party, he was compelled to walk between two officers, one arm resting on the shoulder of each, while Major Barrington and the sen- tinel, were stationed in the centre of the party.
They passed through a barley-field, a few rods north of where Mr. Peleg Coggeshall's barn now stands, and but a short dis- tance from the guard-house. When they arrived at the boats, General Prescott was permitted to dress ; when he was seated in the boat commanded by Col. Barton, Gen. Prescott implicitly obeyed the injunction of silence, until they had passed for . some distance the British ships. As they landed at Warwick Neck, he turned to Colonel Barton, and said, " Sir, you have made a bold push to-night." Barton replied, " We have been fortunate." Colonel Elliot was found waiting there, with a coach, to receive and convey him to Providence, where himself, with Col. Barton and prisoner, arrived early in the morning.
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