USA > Rhode Island > Revolutionary defences in Rhode Island; an historical account of the fortifications and beacons erected during the American revolution, with muster rolls of the companies stationed along the shores of Narragansett bay > Part 3
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Saltpetre mills were also built, one of which was in East Greenwich, and was operated by Richard Mathewson. It was located on what is now Division Street, near the old windmill grounds. This lot is even to-day known as the " saltpetre lot."
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REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES
CHAPTER III.
The Providence Beacon. - Fox Hill Fort. - Rules and Reg- ulations for its Conduct. - Trial of the Beacon. - Notice to the Country. - Master and Wardens of the Beacon. - Tonomy Hill, Scituate, and Cumberland Beacons. - Watch at Tower Hill.
THE news of the battle of Bunker Hill filled the inhabitants of Rhode Island with terror and alarm. A peaceful adjustment of the grievances of the colonies was now im- possible. The blow had been struck; and if, before, diplomacy could have averted the impending storm, the time had passed for such a settlement.
The Continental Congress at this time had particularly urged upon the inhabitants of the seaport towns in the colonies, the necessity of strongly fortifying such ports and taking such other precautions as might be expedient; this had been promptly en- dorsed by the General Assembly of Rhode Island, on June 28, 1775.
The first act of precaution taken at Provi- dence was the erection of a beacon to alarm
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IN RHODE ISLAND
.
the country about, in case of the approach of an enemy. This action was taken at a town meeting held on July 3, 1775. A week later, a committee consisting of Joseph Brown, Joseph Bucklin, and Benjamin Thurber were appointed to "erect a beacon on the hill to the eastward of the town to alarm the coun- try in case of an enemy's approach."
The hill selected for the location of this beacon was that now called Prospect or Col- lege Hill, and the spot was near what is now the corner of Prospect and Meeting streets. A beacon had been erected here more than a century before, in May, 1667, during the troublesome times with the Indians. This undertaking was commenced at once. The Providence Gazette, on July 29, 1775, in- formed its readers that "a beacon is now erecting on a very high hill in the town by order of the Honorable General Assem- bly. A watch is likewise kept on Tower Hill in case of any attempt by water from our savage enemies."
.
Great activity was going on in the various military companies in the colony, and the people were alive to the situation, and were diligently at work.
As early as January, 1775, Stephen Jenckes,
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REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES
of North Providence, had supplied to several of the military companies muskets of his own manufacture, and by the middle of June, Mr. Paul Allen had made up the town stock of powder and lead into cartridges, agreeable to a vote of the town; these he was directed to deliver to such of the inhabitants as he thought would make a proper use of them, and to take a receipt for the number deliv- ered. That these cartridges might not be wasted, a promise was exacted to return them on demand, if not used in the colony's ser- vice. Not more than seventeen cartridges for each firearm fit for use was to be deliv- ered, and a fine of ninepence in lawful money was imposed for each missing cartridge at any ordered review.
On the 20th of July, 1775, news of a startling nature was received from Newport.
The British ships, under the command of Captain James Wallace, lay in a line of battle, with the intention of bombarding the town ..
The greatest excitement prevailed through- out the colony. Two days later the British commander, probably realizing the impor- tance of Newport as a rendezvous, abandoned this intention and withdrew his fleet.
7
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IN RHODE ISLAND
At Providence the news of the departure of Wallace was gladly welcomed; for, had the British commander desired, nothing was in his way to prevent his vessels from sailing into the harbor and laying waste all within his reach, for the defences of the town were entirely inadequate to cope with the British ships.
Newport had been left unharmed, but no one knew how soon the fleet would return. In consequence of this proposed attack, the inhabitants of Providence resolved to take immediate action toward the town's further defence.
A town meeting was convened July 31, 1775, and the Hon. Nicholas Cooke chosen moderator; little business other than that appertaining to the defence of the town was transacted at this meeting.
Fortifications were ordered built on Fox Hill, at Fox Point, and intrenchments and breastworks were ordered "to be hove up between Field's and Sassafras points of suffi- cient capacity to cover a body of men ordered there on any emergency."
Captain Nicholas Power was directed to superintend their construction, and was or- dered to advise and consult with Captain
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REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES
Esek Hopkins, Ambrose Page, Captain John Updike, Samuel Nightingale, Jr., Captain William Earle, and Captain Simon Smith, who were made a committee on the manner . of building these fortifications. A battery of six 18-pounders was ordered to be located at the Fox Hill fort, and four cannon to be mounted as field-pieces.
This committee was also ordered to draw up a set of rules for the conduct of the Fox Point Battery, and this they did, presenting it to the town meeting, August 29, 1775, for its approval. It is a most remarkable mili- tary paper, and shows the crude way in which such affairs were managed in the early days of the Revolution. It is as follows : -
" Regulations of the Fox Point Battery Drawn by Committee Presented to the Town in Town Meeting August 29 1775,"
" Voted one capt E Hopkins be appointed to commd the Battery at Fox Hill
" Voted one luft that Samuel Warner
" Voted one gunner Christopher Sheldon "do 7 men to each gun Including offi- cers that such be select'd from the town Inhabits. as are acq'd with the use of
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Cannon and doe not belong to Any of the Independt. Companys who Attend- ing this Duty be excused from the Militia Duties.
" Voted that the Battery compy Appt a capt & gunner for Each Gun out of their compy.
" Voted that upon any person quiting the Battery compy the officers thereunto Belonging have power to sellect others as above said to keep their number complete
" Voted that two Persons be app'd to Guard said Battery on Day who shall attend there on morning to Relieve the Night watch and Tarry until the Evening watch is Sett.
" Voted that the Great Guns be No & Each persons name who belong to said Guns be Wrote on a Card & stuck on the Gun they may belong to that they may know where to repair in case of an Alarm - Vot'd that the Capt. Lieut & Gunner of said Battery have the Care of preparing & keeping the Stores Be- longing Thereto in Good Order
" Voted that the Battery Compy Exercise their cannon once a month or oftener
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to Perfect themselves in the use of Great Guns.
" It is recomended that 2 more 18 . . pounders be mounted at the Battery at Fox Hill.
" William Earle
" Simon Smith
"John Updike
Committee."
" Esek Hopkins
" Ambrose Page
"Saml Nightingale Jr
The location of the Fox Hill fort is shown on an old map of the town of Provi- dence made by Daniel Anthony in 1803, but on account of the many changes that have from time to time been made in this vicinity its exact location is somewhat uncertain ; but the square now bounded by Brook, Thomp- son, and Tockwotten streets covers the ground on which this important work was erected. A high bluff lay to the south of the fort; but this, like a greater portion of the hill, has been cut away to bring the streets in the district to grade. Nothing remains there to-day to remind us of the days of the Revolution.
The committee having in charge the erection of these defences appointed Captain
3
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Samuel Warner to take charge of the Fox Hill fort upon its completion, with all its guns, stores, and material. The engine house, which stood next to the market house (City Building, where the Board of Trade is now located), partly over the water, and wherein was located one of the town's fire- engines, was ordered removed to the fort at Fox Hill to be used as a guard-house.
Meanwhile the beacon approached com- pletion, and the committee under whose direction it had been built was ordered "to fire the same on Thursday the 17th day of August, at the setting of the sun, and that they procure one thousand handbills to be. printed to advertise the country thereof, that proper observations may be made of the bearings of the beacon from different parts of the country, and that they notify the country that the beacon will not be fired at any time after August 17th, unless the town or some part of the colony should be attacked by an enemy, in which case the beacon will be fired and three cannon discharged to alarm the country that they may immedi- ately repair to the town, duly equipped with arms and accoutrements."
These handbills were at once printed, and
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REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES
widely scattered about the neighboring coun- try. They read as follows : -
" PROVIDENCE BEACON.
" The Town of Providence to the inhabitants of the towns adjacent :
" LOVING FRIENDS AND BRETHREN: In con- sequence of the recommendation of the Con- tinental Congress that those seaport towns, which are principally exposed to the ravages and depredations of our common enemies, should be fortified and put into as good a state of defence as may be, which has also received the approbation of the legislature of this colony; besides a strong battery and intrenchments on the river, there has been lately erected on the greatest eminence in this town, A BEACON for the purpose of alarming the country whenever it shall be- come necessary in our defence, and as we doubt not of the readiness of our friends and brethren, both within and without this government, to give us every assistance in their power on such an occasion if timely apprized thereof. This is, therefore, to in- form you that it is our urgent request that you all hold yourselves in readiness, and
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whenever you see said BEACON on fire you immediately and without delay, with the best accoutrements, warlike weapons, and stores you have by you, repair to the town of Providence, there to receive from the mili- tary officers present such orders as may be given by the authority of this jurisdiction for our common safety and defence. In case of an alarm we intend to fire the BEACON, and also discharge cannon to notify all to look out for the BEACON. Be it observed and carefully remembered that the discharge of cannon Alone is not an alarm, but the firing of the BEACON itself, even without cannon, will be an alarm in all cases, except- ing on Thursday, the 17th inst., at sunset, when the BEACON will be fired not as an alarm, but that all may ascertain its bear- ings and fix such ranges as may secure them from a false alarm, and that they may know where to look for it hereafter. Whenever you hear cannon look out for the BEACON."
This same notice was published in the Gazette, on August 12, in order to give additional warning of this trial.
At the time appointed the beacon was put to a test, and it was clearly demonstrated that it would serve the purpose for which it
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REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES
had been built; for a letter, received by the publisher of the Gazette, stated that it was observed over a wide area of country, ex- tending from Cambridge Hill to New Lon- don and Norwich, and from Newport to Pomfret. It is also stated that many of the inhabitants of the neighboring country, not understanding the nature of this signal fire, hurriedly left their homes and promptly re- paired to Providence all armed and equipped, imagining that the town was about to be attacked by the enemy. The beacon itself was a simple affair, consisting of a spar or mast, some eighty odd feet in height, securely braced at the foundation ; wooden pegs for steps, at regular intervals, enabled those managing it to ascend to the " kettle," which hung from an iron crane or mast-arm. This kettle was filled with inflammable stuff so as to produce a brilliant light.
The material of which the beacon was built is shown by the following bill, yet pre- served among the documentary possessions of the city of Providence.
.
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IN RHODE ISLAND
" THE TOWN OF PROVIDENCE
To N. ANGELL, DR.
1775.
July 25 To I Spar for Beacon £2.8
Dld. Joseph Brown
[ENDORSEMENT.]
Pay the within Acc. to Nathan Angell it being for the Use of the Town for the Beacon, Two pounds Eight shillings
To James Arnold, Town Treasr.,
Joseph Brown, Received the above,
PR. JAS. ANGELL."
Solomon Drowne, Jr., writing to his brother in Mendon, Mass., August 12, 1775, said : -
" I herewith send you a handbill, pub- lished to be sent into the country for in- forming the inhabitants of our beacon, &c. The beacon-pole mast, or whatever you please, is raised on the hill, not very far above the powder house, nearly opposite the church; the top of it, I have heard said, is about eighty feet higher than the top of the new meeting-house steeple which, perhaps you have heard, is up- wards of one hundred and eighty feet
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REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES
from the ground. Judge what an ex- treme view it commands. If this reaches you before the 17th inst., I wish you would go up on the hill near your habi- tation at the time appointed, and direct your eye towards Providence, to descry, if possible, that light, on which one time, perhaps, our safety may in a considerable measure depend."
If William Drowne complied with his brother's request, he must have seen, from the green hills of Mendon, the glare of this watch-fire that August night. Mr. Joseph Brown was appointed to the office of " Mas- ter of the Beacon," and James Marvin, James Berry, James Wheaton, and Abimelech Riggs were "appointed Wardens to rig the kettle, &c. when orders are Given to alarm the country."
A house was constructed at the base of this beacon, wherein to store the combusti- bles, so as to be ready at a moment's warning.
Beacons were established on the high lands in other parts of the colony to further the spreading of news, in case of any unusual demonstration or attack by the enemy. Be- sides the Providence beacon there was a
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. similar one erected, on Tonomy Hill on the island of Rhode Island. A trial of this was made June 20, 1776, but no record is found regarding the arc of illumination.
Another was in Cumberland, on the hill now called Beacon Pole Hill; and a hole drilled in a rock, which caps the summit of the hill, is shown as the location of this signal. Yet another was on Chopmist Hill in Scituate. Here Squire Williams was stationed as a guard and keeper of the bea- con during most of the time when the British were located within the borders of the state. It does not appear these latter signals were ever lighted.
In June, 1775, a post was established on Tower Hill in South Kingstown, for the pur- pose of giving "intelligence to the northern counties in case any squadron of ships should be seen off." Job Watson was appointed to this important station, with orders, that in case he should discover an enemy's fleet, to give immediate warning, whereupon the alarm companies in the northern counties were directed to immediately repair to Provi- dence.
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REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES
CHAPTER IV.
Intrenchments at Field's Point and Sassafras Point. - Bombardment of Bristol. - John Howland's Narrative. - Works at Kettle Point and Pawtuxet. - Fort Independ- ence. - Cost of the Work. - Boom and Chain. - The Redoubts on the Road to the Upper Ferry.
DURING the latter part of August, 1775, the British ships cruising about the bay threatened an attack on Providence, and the batteries in the harbor were manned, and the militia assembled under arms ; the enemy, however, did not approach the town.
Before August 30, the fort at Fox Hill had been completed and was ready for ser- vice; on that day Thomas Gilman was sta- tioned at the fort as a permanent guard. The works in the lower harbor, between Field's and Sassafras points had also been completed by the hard work of the towns- men. Solomon Drowne, in the letter to his brother, already referred to, says, regarding these latter defences : -
" One day last week Mr. Compton, with one of the Light Infantry drummers and
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two of the Cadet -fifers, went round to notify the sons of freedom who had the public good and safety at heart to repair to Hacker's wharf, with such im- plements as are useful in intrenching, where a boat was ready to take them on board and transport them to the shore between Sassafras and Field's Point. About sixty of us went in a packet, many had gone before, some in J. Brown's boat, &c., so when all had got there the number was not much short of 200. I don't know that ever I worked harder a day in my life before. With what had been done by a number that went the day before, we threw up a breast- work that extended near one quarter of a mile.
"A large quantity of bread was carried down, and several were off catching qua- haugs, which were cooked for dinner à la mode de Indian.
" The channel runs at not a great dis- tance from this shore so that when cousin Wallace comes up to fire our town, his men who work the ship can easily be picked down by small arms, from our in- trenchment, which is designed .principally
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for musqueteers. However we have a little twentyfication growing at Fox Point, where six pretty lusty bulldogs are to be placed; perhaps this creature may grow into a fortification in time."
ROBIN HILL
:0-20
FORT
N
18.0
To further corroborate this the bill of William Compton, the town sergeant, which was rendered to the town about this time, contains this item : -
" August 2, to warning the town to work on fortifications, -4-0 "
ROBIN HILL FORT, NEAR SASSAFRAS POINT, PROVIDENCE
The fort is on the hill at the left. The line of breastworks extended along the bluff sloping towards the water
---
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The result of a portion of this labor by the inhabitants has been called Robin Hill Fort. It is still well preserved, and is located on the bluff overlooking the river, in the rear of the spot where the powder house once stood; southward from it was the line of intrenchments running along the edge of the bluff. Of these, however, there is little now remaining.
During the intervening time, until Octo- ber, 1775, the town was not in great danger from an attack by the enemy, but the bom- bardment of Bristol, the 7th of this month, again aroused the townsmen to the dangers which might follow, if the British ships should continue up the river.
John Howland, of Providence, then a boy of eighteen years, belonged to one of the military companies which marched to New- port to protect that town from the depreda- tions of Wallace. He was an eye-witness to this attack on Bristol, and in his remi- niscences says : -
" No houses were burnt by Wallace, as he did not land any men, but kept up a severe cannonade; and from his bomb brig threw several shells among the
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houses, which did but little damage. Of this transaction I was a witness, as Cap- tain Tallman's Company of minutemen, to which I belonged, and Captain Power's Company were stationed on the Dudley and Bannister farms, not far from New- port. I saw Wallace with his fleet when they got under way between Cost Harbor and Gould Island, and as he sailed slowly up the river, we commenced our march in range with him. As it was our business to attack any men he might attempt to 'land, we kept even pace with him, till we arrived at Bristol Ferry, when one of his fleet grounded on the extreme northwest point of the island.
" Wallace with the rest of his squadron came, too, waiting for the tide to rise to float the grounded one. Several of our minutemen, without any orders of the of- ficers, ran across the meadow, near as possible to the grounded vessel, and dis- charged their muskets at her.
" Wallace then brought two of his larg- est ships to bear upon them and by re- . peated broadsides tore up the turf among them. They all began the retreat up- hill to the road, and came tumbling
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IN RHODE ISLAND
over the stone-wall among us. It was dark when the vessel floated, and Wal- lace stood with all his fleet for Bristol Harbor. We stood on the high ground near the ferry, and saw the flash of his . guns, which appeared to be mostly dis- charged in broadsides; but such was the state of the air we could hear none of the report, though only four miles off. In Providence they were heard distinctly."
Howland made this statement to correct a story which had been published and exten- sively circulated, that on this occasion much damage was done to the town by the British ships. It was reserved to a later day for Bristol to suffer from the hands of the enemy.
Following this affair at Bristol, the works at Kettle Point and Pawtuxet were thrown up, batteries were located all along the seaboard, and permanent guards were estab- lished. Another fort was considered neces- sary for the safety of Providence; and at a town meeting held October 26, 1775, a com- mittee was appointed, authorized "to direct where, and in what manner, fortifications shall be made upon the hill to the south- ward of the house of William Field." A
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portion of this ancient dwelling is yet stand- ing, although the land about it is materially changed; for what was then the garden and door-yard of William Field's house has been
FORT
SECTION OF RAMPART
INDEPENDENCE
W
E
5
dug away, to carry out the plan of the city's sewerage system.
The old house, the ancestral home of the Fields, of Pumgansett, yet - remains to mark
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IN RHODE ISLAND
· the spot where Thomas Field builded more than two centuries ago. This committee evidently performed the duty required of them both promptly and faithfully; for, on the same day, it was voted " that the part of the town below the Gaol Lane (Meeting Street), on the east side of the river, be re- quired by warrant from the town clerk, as usual, by beat of drum, to repair to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock, to Field's Point, to make proper fortifications there; to provide themselves with tools and provisions for the day, that the inhabitants capable of bearing arms, who dwell on the west side of the river, be required in the same manner to repair thither, for the same purpose, on Sat- urday next; and that the inhabitants of that part of the town to the northward of the Gaol Lane, be required, in the same man- ner, to repair thither for the same purpose on Monday next."
The fort built at this time was located on the high hill at Field's Point. This hill is a conspicuous point from the river and bay, and its flat top suggests the fort which even now crowns its height.
On the maps of this locality the fort is named Fort Independence, but no mention
-
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REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES
of such a name is found on the records of this period. The name quite likely origi- nated with some map-maker in later years. Fort Independence, so-called, is one hundred and ten feet long in its greatest length, and varies in width from fifty-three to sixty feet inside of the embankment. The construc- tion of this fort was superintended by Cap- tain Barnard Eddy, and his bill to the town for labor and material was made up of the following items: -
TOWN OF PROVIDENCE TO BARNARD EDDY
1775
November 20 to 13 days work William Field & 2 hands & his team at 12s per day 0 18 0
to Boards & Other Stuff to mend Wheale Barers & mack hand Barers 0 8 0 to 7 Days Work by William Field attendance on the men at the fortification at 4/6 pr day I 13 6
2 19 6
FORT INDEPENDENCE, FIELD'S POINT, PROVIDENCE Looking southerly from the chimney of the Sewerage Pumping Station
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IN RHODE ISLAND
To I day of Joseph Eddy in going to Johnston for the Spars O
to 24 days for myself from the 27 of October to 25 of November at 5s pr day
4 6
6 0 0
9= 4=0
Erors Excepted
BARNARD EDDY
to 7 Spars of Obediah Brown for the Boam 12 -I
to 7 do of Samuel Winsor at 15s per ton 41 feet - 15 4.3
BARNARD EDDY IO II 53
The last two charges in this bill suggest another means of protection which had been adopted, for these were for the boom and chain which was ordered stretched across the river at the Field's Point narrows to prevent any hostile vessel from entering the harbor. Captain John Updike was put in charge of preparing this obstruction, and was directed to "prepare a number of scows and proper combustible materials with chains of a suit- able length to fasten them together to be used when necessary for the purpose of an-
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REVOLUTIONARY DEFENCES
noying any Enemy who may come against the Town by water." He was also instructed to procure an anchor with which to moor the boom and chain when it was placed in position.
For some unexplained reason, objections had been made to the situation of the guard- house and magazine at the Fox Hill fort, and the officers of the battery located there were authorized to remove them, if they thought necessary, to some safer place nearer the fort. They were also empowered to give direction " where and in what manner in- trenchments shall be made to the northwest of the fort, for covering a body of men which may be placed there to oppose an enemy coming up the river."
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