USA > Rhode Island > The "Old Stone Bank" history of Rhode Island, Vol. I > Part 9
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The strange thing is that the authorities who wished to punish these men for burn- ing the schooner never were able to find out who they were. Almost everyone in town must have known, but no one would tell.
Governor Wanton offered a reward of $500 for any information as to who they were. The King of England offered $5,000 reward for the leader of the expedition and $2500 for the arrest of any of the men who had been with him, but no one could be bribed or frightened into betraying the patriots who had delivered their Colony from the hated "Gaspee."
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THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
R ESIDENTS of this historic old city and State walk 'neath the honored land- marks of centuries gone by. Colonial man- sions, old taverns, grass-covered ramparts, ivy covered walls, rusty cannon, shady church-yards, lofty spires and ancient bel- fries all are daily reminders of men and days in Providence that time can never erase from memory. Who can pass the old Mansion House that stands in all its dilapi- dated dignity on Benefit Street just behind the old State House, without picturing for a moment the gay occasion when, as an over- night guest, General George Washington honored it with his presence? Who can pass through the portals of the old State House and not paint a mental picture of august General Lafayette bowing low to the people who had gathered outside to greet him? Who can visit the magnificent John Brown House on Power Street and not imagine that wealthy merchant sitting at his richly carved Chippendale desk, signing the papers that would send some fast sailing merchantman away to the East Indies? Who can wander through the lower rooms in old University Hall and not see visions of tired French troopers amusing themselves with song and refreshment?
And who can view the lofty and beauti- ful spire of the old First Baptist Church on North Main Street and not think of that dark day in September, 1815, when the city of Providence was the victim of one of the strangest pranks ever played by Nature? "The Second Baptist Meeting
House succumbed and went to pieces under the combined force of the wind and waves, while the tall spire of the First Baptist Church wavered and bent to the blast, but it fell not."
Not far from the site of the Baptist Church, Roger Williams and his five refu- gee companions were greeted by friendly Indians and invited to share their meal of corn and fish; a short distance away once stood the home of Roger Williams. His spring was nearby, and near it he carried on his successful peace negotiations with the redmen. He established his civil state in this vicinity. He lived, was baptized, and was buried close to the spot, since hallowed by the presence of this historic place of worship.
Roger Williams organized the church and was its first pastor. For the first sixty years of the Colony's existence there was no meeting house for the church, and for over a century no salaries were paid its ministers. Each pastor had to earn his own living in everyday pursuits. When Brown University was moved to the city of Provi- dence, there were about 400 inhabitants in the town, 118 of whom were members of the Baptist Church. The location nearby of this school of learning meant much to the church, and led to the building, in May, 1775, of the very meeting house that stands now on North Main Street, impressing all with its great dignity and stern beauty. It cost the sum of $25,000, and is considered a fine example of excellent colonial archi-
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tecture. It was dedicated during the period of the Revolutionary War.
Since its erection it has been the scene of the annual Commencement exercises of Brown University, and from its pulpit hun- dreds of national and foreign dignitaries have delivered historic addresses.
Here were held the funeral solemnities observed when the news of the death of President Washington reached Providence. Manifestations of grief were everywhere. Amid muffled drums, pealing cannon, and tolling bells, the procession marched from Broad Street to the home of Colonel Jere- miah Olney, where the bier lay; and from there, with its symbolic burden, the pro- cession approached the Baptist Meeting House. From a pulpit draped in black, Colonel George R. Burrill delivered the funeral oration. Beneath him lay the bier, partially concealed by a mourning piece like a pedestal, on which was a representa- tion of the urn containing the sacred ashes of Washington, guarded by three angels. The motto was, "Sacred to the memory of the illustrious Washington." The entire ceremony was carried out with the precision of a military funeral. Half-hour guns pealed at sunset, and the bells tolled their solemn notes until curfew time.
The bell belonging to this church has a varied and unique history. It was first cast in London with a weight of 2,515 pounds, and bore the following inscription :
"For freedom of conscience the town was first planted,
Persuasion not force, was used by the people:
This church is the eldest and has not recanted,
Enjoying and granting bell, temple and steeple."
In the spring of 1787 this bell was broken while pealing, and was recast at the Hope Furnace. It served for 57 years, not only to call people to the house of worship, but also to indicate the hour of sunrise, of noon, and of nine o'clock at night on each week-day. This bell was again broken and recast twice during the year 1844.
In 1804 the old opposition to singing in church reappeared when the proposition was made that a bass viol be used as a part of the services. This prejudice, with others, gave way to the progressive spirit and in- creased enlightenment of later years. The first important change in the audience room occurred in 1832, when the square pews were replaced by those of a more modern style, the sounding board was re- moved, and the pulpit altered. Important changes were again made in 1885 when a new organ was installed at a cost of $6,000. The pulpit platform was completely re- modeled, and a new baptistry was construc- ted. To afford adequate room for these changes, an "apse" was built on the east side of the house.
It is refreshing to stand in the shadow of this building with its steeple of ever-nar- rowing sections. Here is the true atmos- phere of other centuries. This historic land- mark, so noble in tradition, so priceless in its heritage of the past, provides a live stage-setting for bright visions of men, women and children who live only in the pages of history.
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THE PROVIDENCE TEA PARTY
T HE 2nd of March, is the anniversary of that significant event in Rhode Island history, the Providence Tea Party. Every one seems to be well posted on the tea party staged at Boston, but for some reason or other our own equally important and much more daring local affair isn't as clearly fixed in the minds of folks hereabouts. Be- fore the story of the party itself is told it would be well to review, rather sketchily, the conditions which brought it about.
England, the mother country to which our colonial forefathers acknowledged allegi- ance, was unfortunate enough to have a King with a narrow, unstable policy who allowed himself to be dominated by a group of self-seeking politicians. These men looked upon the rapidly advancing Amer- ican Colonies as inexhaustible sources of valuable raw materials which should be con- trolled with a firm hand. There were con- stantly growing indications of dissatisfac- tion with the methods of the governing country, however. The unification of Col- ony interests brought about by battling side by side against the Indians here, was de- veloping an independence of spirit which threatened to become difficult to cope with.
Lord Grenville, who was head of the English Cabinet in 1763, convinced the King, against the advice of more liberal counsellors, that the Colonies must real- ize that they would not be allowed to do as they pleased, but must pay heavy tribute to England or suffer the consequences. Eng- land was especially interested in the exten- sive trade in sugar and molasses carried on by Rhode Island and Lord Grenville took steps to control it. This was too much for the Rhode Islanders, and they notified the King in very plain language that they would not stand for interference with their
commerce. This protest brought even harsher restrictions, which eventually re- sulted in the notorious Stamp Act, passed in March, 1765. This Act was so grasping in its demands that its enforcement was al- most impossible. Collectors sent over from England to collect the proceeds found nothing to collect. Even the stamps them- selves had disappeared and nobody seemed to know, or appeared to care, where they went.
From this time on things grew rapidly worse until the Stamp Act was finally re- pealed, only to be replaced by another just as objectionable to the colonists. A tax of three-pence on tea rankled the most deeply. At this time the trade with China was quite limited and tea was just beginning to be a thing of interest. The tea drinking fad in England naturally spread to the Colonies and tea parties of the social world became the subject of much discussion. England didn't approve of the colonial ladies en- joying their cup of tea without paying tribute. The stiff tax demanded stirred up trouble with a vengeance, and the Colo- nial Assemblies tried to induce the colo- nists to give up tea drinking until the onerous tax was removed. Feeling ran high and soon resulted in the demonstration known as the Boston Tea Party. Prevalent opinion was that, inasmuch as the tea-loaded ships would not leave until their cargoes were discharged, a way had to be found to get rid of the tea and the ships without sub- mitting to the tax.
The men participating in the Boston party attempted to disguise themselves as Indians to make difficult their identification, should effort be made to investigate. The Providence Tea Party was conducted boldly and openly and no one cared whether he was
1927
RY ODS.
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BA
THE OLD STONE BANK"
PAINT
THE OLNEYVILLE BRANCH OF THE PROVIDENCE INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS, 1917-21 WESTMINSTER STREET, OLNEYVILLE SQUARE. ERECTED 1927.
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known or not. Some ships from China were tied up at the docks alongside the Market Place, and on the afternoon of March Ist, 1775, a group of angry citizens took posses- sion of the cargoes amounting to over 300 pounds of tea. The cases were carried to the middle of Market Square, broken open and thrown into a big pile.
To make the destruction doubly certain, and possibly more spectacular, the contents of a barrel of tar were added. With com- mendable attention to detail and considera- tion for the fitness of things, every available copy of certain English newspapers which favored the unreasonable tax was gathered and put into the pile. The whole was topped with a copy of the speech of Lord North favoring the Stamp Act, which was carefully placed so that it would be the first to catch fire. There was nothing secret about the per- formance. On the contrary every effort was made to bring out a large attendance to witness the protest. Messengers spread the news and church bells added their appeal to every loyal colonist to lend approval by his presence at the impressive spectacle.
During the height of the fire one over- zealous patriot, feeling the urge to give vent to his personal ire, armed himself with a brush and a pot of lamp black, and went up and down Towne Street (now North and South Main Streets) painting out the word "Tea" on every store sign he could find. It is not surprising that many of the wom- en, while deploring the tax, were not en- thusiastic over the prospect of being de-
prived of their cup of tea. It is recorded that many a family argument resulted from the discovery by the man of the house of small quantities of the forbidden herb se- creted in some out of the way spot in his home. Happily these cases were so few as to amount to nothing and had no effect on the force of the protest.
You will find, on the wall of the Chamber of Commerce Building, a tablet in commem- oration of this event. The Chamber of Com- merce Building, was at that time the Market Building around which all civic activities centered.
An interesting broadside circulated throughout the Colony a few days after the Tea Party, is worthy quoting in full. It purports to record the death of "Madame Souchang," the name popularly given to China tea. The broadside states:
"Thus the funeral of Madame Souchang was observed. She was a native of China, and after travelling into several parts of the world where she found great notice among the rich and luxurious, she took a trip to America. She came to this country about forty years ago, and hath been greatly ca- ressed by all ranks. She lived in reputation for several years, but finally became very poor and one might have her company for almost nothing. The quality deserted her, and by hard living, in log houses and wig- wams, her health was impaired. Broken spirits and hysterics seized her and she died on the first of March at midnight."
THE FLAG
F LAGS symbolize the noble aspirations and glorious achievements of the hu- man race; they epitomize the romance of history; they are the emblems of chivalry throughout the ages. Around the bits of vari- colored bunting which the people of each
land nominate as a national flag, there clus- ter thoughts of loyalty, of patriotism, and of personal sacrifice, the thoughts which have enabled the world to move forward from the days when each individual struggled for himself alone, like other wild animals of
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plain and mountainside, until, through com- munity of interests and unity of effort, man- kind has been enabled to rear the splendid structure of twentieth-century civilization.
When the savage began to acknowledge his fellow beings as friends and not enemies, and when these friends joined into groups and became social entities rather than segre- gated individuals, it became necessary during primitive battles, for each group or tribe to have its members distinguished by some sign or symbol so that they would not slaughter their own comrades. A particular type of club, a splotch of colored clay on the warrior's body, and later, some rough inscription on his awkward shield, served the purpose for a time. Eventually, how- ever, these various means of distinction were improved upon in the form of animal skins fastened to long poles so that they might be seen at a distance. From such beginnings it is easy to follow the evolution of the flags used by civilized man.
For an army, the flag stands for its high principles in the midst of battle. It keeps ever before the soldier those ideals without which he would revert to savagery. It repre- sents his native land, and all that his native land means to him, and even when he is in mortal combat, the significance of his flag makes him forgetful of personal gain and vengeance, and makes him glad to offer his life in the cause of his country.
Many of the old battle flags of the State of Rhode Island are still preserved. They are tattered now, and riddled by the enemy's bullets-mute but eloquent testimonies of sacrifice, conflict, valor and victory. And it is believed, with good reason, that the design of the Star Spangled Banner was suggested by the original flag of the State of Rhode Island. Certain facts about national and State flags should be familiar to every Rhode Island citizen.
The flag of the First Regiment was borne to the Siege of Boston, and carried trium- phantly into the town after the evacuation by the British on March 17, 1776. The thir- teen white stars on the field of blue, repre- senting the united Colonies, seems beyond a reasonable doubt to be the design from which was adopted that of the Star Span- gled Banner. In this the blue field with its thirteen white stars replaced the former English cross.
At Brandywine, the flag of the Second Regiment was carried. And when, at Fort Mercer, Colonel Christopher Greene de- clared, "We shall defend the fort or make it our tomb," this flag floated above him from the redoubt and confirmed his de- fiance. It was carried conspicuously at Monmouth, and at the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778. At Springfield and at York- town it floated in triumph.
A brave array of battle flags of the War of the Rebellion can be seen in the State House. When President Lincoln issued his first call for troops, the First Rhode Island De- tached Militia answered with a completely- equipped and perfectly-drilled regiment. Due to the efforts of Governor William Sprague, this Regiment was reorganized in three days as the First Rhode Island Volun- teers, and set out for Washington.
Shortly following this the Second Rhode Island Volunteer Regiment was organized. Both fought valiantly at Bull Run. Many Rhode Islanders gave their lives, but the colors were saved, riddled with bullets be- cause our troops had gone into the thick of battle. Three of these tattered and torn stan- dards remain, precious mementos of the Second Regiment's valor in the battles of Mechanicsville, Seven Pines, Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville, and many other en- gagements.
Organized simultaneously with the Sec- ond Regiment were eight batteries of the First Light Artillery, which saw three years of active and varied service. At least one of them was in every major engagement, and the battle flags of Batteries F and D are shot- riddled, wind-torn, and faded, but more to be cherished for all that.
The Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery was one of Rhode Island's most outstanding contributions to the Union Armies in the Civil War. Rhode Island was the first State to organize both a light artillery and a regi- ment of heavy artillery, and the Third Rhode Island was the first in the world to use monster rifled guns capable of destroy- ing enemy forts at long range. Rhode Is- land's fame for this branch of warfare spread throughout the world and gave justi- fied statement that Rhode Island's indus- tries contributed as much to the advance- ment of the Union's cause as any other fac- tor in the war. The Third Rhode Island's
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flag bears on its red stripes the names of six of the enemy's forts which their guns helped demolish.
The battle flags of the Fourth Rhode Is- land Volunteer Infantry are inseparably linked with its brilliant military record. When Fort Bartow in North Carolina was captured, under General Burnside, its colors were the first to be planted there. After landing at Newbern, North Carolina, the Regiment drew up into formation, charged, and took Latham's Battery. Later, together with the Army of the Potomac, it took part in the terrific battles of South Mountain and Antietam. At the latter the bearer of the flag, Corporal Thomas B. Tanner, was killed with his emblem within twenty feet of the enemy. The colors were saved by Lieutenant George E. Curtis.
The "Coast Division," the name by which the Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers, Heavy Artillery were known, was organized under General Burnside. With its cannon it de- stroyed Fort Macon, and after this singular victory the colors had to be brought forward to the scene. General Burnside then pre- sented them to the Regiment, which immedi- ately entered the battered fort and planted its flag. Later it took part in one of the most
famous Civil War episodes. Riding on a river steamer, it ran the gauntlet of Confed- erate batteries at Newbern so as to aid two distressed Massachusetts regiments at the seige of Washington. For this famous mili- tary feat the Forty-fourth Massachusetts presented the Fifth Rhode Island with a stand of colors.
Many other Civil War flags rest enshrined in the State House halls, some telling of exciting action in the thick of battle, others speaking rather of conflict with circum- stances than with the enemy-the long, wearying marches, biting winters, endless drill in the southern swamps, and hours of suffering in the over-crowded hospitals.
Although the Spanish-American War was pre-eminently a struggle between the navies, Rhode Island was among the first to contri- bute men for land service. When the gov- ernment was unable to give its soldiers proper equipment, Rhode Island sent three battalions to the front almost at a moment's notice. The World War flags recall more recent memories-the days in France after hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders had left school, office, factory and home, when President Wilson offered America's assistance to our allies across the sea.
THE SENSATIONAL CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT
N OTHING ventured, nothing gained" is an old and true adage. It is equally true that many a venture which would have been considered foolhardy and ill-advised had it failed, has, through its successful ac- complishment, made heroes of those who
conceived and executed it. One of these epi- sodes occurred right here in Rhode Island, during the Revolutionary War, when Colo- nel William Barton succeeded in capturing the British General, Richard Prescott. While of little military or political importance,
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this courageous and dramatic deed is gen- erally considered the bravest coup of the entire War.
In the month of December, 1776, Narra- gansett Bay was occupied by two English and two Hessian brigades under the com- mand of Sir Henry Clinton, with Earl Percy and General Prescott as his Aides. Most of the troops were quartered in the farm houses on the Island of Rhode Island, and eleven warships guarded the surrounding waters. Sir Henry Clinton returned to Eng- land in January and Lord Percy followed in May, leaving General Prescott in com- mand. Prescott was somewhat of a tartar and was warmly hated because of his in- solence and the inhuman way in which he treated his prisoners. He got a liberal dose of his own medicine while he was himself a prisoner at Philadelphia. He was exchanged for General Sullivan and returned to Rhode Island, making his headquarters in New- port, where he continued his former tactics.
At this time the Second Rhode Island Regiment, commanded by Colonel Joseph Stanton, Jr., had as its Major an ardent young patriot named William Barton, a native of Warren. Barton was a great ad- mirer of General Charles Lee, second in command of the American forces, who was held a prisoner by the British after being captured under rather humiliating circum- stances. General Lee, was the subject of much adverse criticism which many felt was unjustified. His detention sorely rankled with Barton who made up his mind to dis- cover some way to capture a British officer of equal rank for whom his idol could be exchanged. In June, 1777, a native who managed to escape from the Island brought the information that General Prescott was quartered in the house of Mr. Overing on the Island of Rhode Island.
It seemed strange that Prescott would occupy a position so exposed and so far from his troops. A British deserter, how- ever, confirmed the story and gave detailed description of the manner in which the Island was guarded. Here, then, was Bar- ton's long sought opportunity. The hazard- ous nature of his plot compelled Barton to keep his plans strictly to himself. Finally, however, he discussed the scheme with Colonel Stanton who told him to proceed,
but warned him against taking anyone into his confidence. Barton needed help, so he quietly interviewed five of his brother of- ficers, telling them that he contemplated a very serious enterprise which must be kept secret, even from them. They all promptly agreed to join him and proceeded at once to obtain the five whale boats needed. The entire Regiment also volunteered, but as Barton wanted only 40 men, he selected those he felt were most dependable and who proved themselves able to row a boat.
On the 5th of July, the party left Tiverton for Bristol. A violent storm sep- arated the boats, and it was late in the evening on the 6th when all arrived. Bar- ton immediately took them to Hog Island, where, in full view of the British ships, he told all hands just what they were about to attempt. Each man agreed to take the great risk and returned to Bristol for the night. On the evening of the 7th, they embarked for Warwick Neck. A second storm kept them there until about nine o'clock on the evening of the 9th, when the expedition finally set forth on its peril- ous mission. One member of the party, John Hunt, had grown up near the house in which Prescott was quartered, and he, with two other natives familiar with the locality, acted as guides. Barton's final instructions, delivered in whispers, admonished his men "to preserve the strictest order, to have no thought of plunder, to observe profound silence, and to take with them no spirituous liquors."
After invoking the divine blessing each man raised his hat and silently took the place assigned him in the boats. The com- mander at Warwick Neck was warned to keep a sharp lookout, and on hearing three musket shots to come at once to the north end of Prudence Island to take them off. Under the bright stars of the balmy sum- mer's night, the warriors set out with Bar- ton in the first boat, identified by a hand- kerchief tied to the top of a 10-ft. pole. Successfully running the gauntlet of the enemy ships, they landed in a secluded spot on the Island. Leaving a man to watch each boat they formed into five divisions, and moving in absolute silence reached the house safely.
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