USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Warren > The history of Warren, Rhode Island, in the War of the Revolution, 1776-1783 > Part 2
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*The house occupied by Holland is still standing on Church Street, just east of the Methodist Church.
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,
a table near by, and, followed by her companions, ran into the street. Pointing the candlestick at her vic- tim, she commanded him to halt. Pale with terror the little man staggered back exclaiming, "Don't fire, ladies ! Don't fire! I surrender." The ladies surrounded him and triumphantly conducted him into the house where they locked him securely in a closet. He expressed great pleasure at being cap- tured, saying that he was exhausted with the weight of his heavy drum.
Despite the precautions of the enemy messengers had early been despatched to Barrington, Providence, and other points to secure aid, and as Campbell be- gan the march towards Bristol a portion of Capt. Vial Allen's company which had been stationed at Rumstick Point entered Warren. They were, how-
ever, too few, in number to render assistance. Shortly afterward Gen. William Barton, with a party of mounted troops in advance of a large body of in- fantry under Gen. Sullivan, appeared and hastened in pursuit of the foe, collecting a number of volun- teers along the route. Mrs. Williams, in her bio- graphy of Barton, states that as the doughty General galloped along he hailed Col. Campbell, daring him to single combat. "Come back you d-d coward," he shouted in thunder tones. "I am the man who took Prescott, and by if you will just step out of your lurking place I'll hack you to pieces in less
23
IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
time than it took to take him." Barton overtook the British near Bristol Ferry where he received a severe wound in the leg from a musket ball. This accident and the insufficiency of his force induced him to abandon the pursuit. After repeating in Bristol the scenes enacted in Warren, the enemy re- embarked in their ship and set sail for Newport, barely in time to escape attack from Sullivan who ar- rived at Bristol shortly afterwards.
The disastrous effect of this raid upon Warren cannot be adequately portrayed. Yet with praise- worthy courage and energy the citizens immediately resumed their labors in the cause of liberty. On June 1st it was voted to levy a tax of £900 for the town's use. The fortifications at Burr's Hills were strengthened and a watch stationed there during the day as well as at night, the town being further pro- tected by a guard boat placed at the entrance to the river by order of Congress. The privateer "Gener- al Stark" was repaired and towards the last of June started on her first cruise. Gen. Sullivan had be- gun negotiations for release of the prisoners cap- tured at Warren and Bristol. Many of these were men too advanced in years to bear arms, who were treated with unnecessary harshness by their captors. Pigot signified his willingness to exchange them on the usual terms, but stated that if the exchange was not effected at once the prisoners would be removed
24
THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,
to New York. After a sharp correspondence the ex- change of several was arranged, and three or four were released on parole. Among the citizens of Warren who were transferred to the Jersey prison ship were Rev. Charles Thompson, Caleb Turner, and James Maxwell. The privations endured by those confined upon this foul and overcrowded vessel were of the most severe nature. Rev. Mr. Thompson after being detained in captivity for several weeks was given his freedom, but was never able to discover to whom he owed his release.
The arrival of the French fleet in American waters early in July caused intense joy throughout the country. Immediately, however, the enemy began to send reinforcements from New York to Rhode Island. On July 15th, 300 troops were landed at Newport. The Council of War fearing an attack on Providence called out half the military force of the state to serve for twenty days, ordering the re- maining half to hold themselves in readiness for action at a moment's notice. On the 29th D'Es- taing's fleet appeared in the bay and blockaded New- port. On August 9th Sullivan, with about 10,000 troops, crossed from Tiverton to Portsmouth. On the 21st D'Estaing withdrew his ships, but: Sullivar. continued his preparations while awaiting the re- turn of the fleet. On the 29th the Battle of Rhode Island, which Lafayette pronounced "the best fought
25
IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
action of the war," took place. To this "Rhode Isl- and Expedition," as it was termed, Warren contri- buted its full quota of men. One company in Col. Miller's regiment was commanded by Captain Rob- ert Carr, a native of the town and a most zealous patriot. Warren Mason, a negro belonging to John Mason of Warren, was one of the slaves who ob- tained freedom by enlisting in the "black regiment," which under the leadership of Col. Christopher Greene distinguished itself by three times repelling the furious attacks of the Hessian columns with the most desperate courage and determination.
On August 31st the care of the troops on the eas- tern shore of Narragansett Bay was entrusted by Gen. Sullivan to the Marquis de Lafayette, who es- tablished his headquarters at Bristol. Toward the latter part of September he removed them to Warren where a portion of Varnum's brigade was stationed. Col. Israel Angell's regiment encamped in the fields on the eastern slope of Windmill Hill in the norther- ly part of the town near the Kickemuit river. A little more than half a century ago a post driven. into the ground indicated the spot where Lafayette's marquee stood, just southeast of the ledge of rocks on the summit of the hill. On the farm of Mr. Henry Clark on the east side of Belcher's Cove are still to be seen the remains of earth works which it is said were thrown up under the supervision of the
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.
marquis. The gallant French officer was very popu- lar with the townspeople, his frank and engaging manner winning all hearts. Tradition states that he was extremely partial to the old-fashioned "Rhode Island johnny-cakes" baked on a board at the hos- telry of Ebenezer Cole, famous throughout the colonies for its good cheer ; and that he and an Ameri- can officer once engaged in a "johnny-cake match," which he easily won, outstripping or rather out eat- ing his competitor by two or three cakes of more than ordinary size. Lafayette's stay in Warren was of short duration, the middle of October finding him in Philadelphia. ,
Though the enemy maintained great watchfulness, the privateers belonging to the seaboard towns man- aged to elude all vigilance and to constantly cross and recross the bay. In September the "General Stark" returned to Rhode Island, having captured two prizes, one a brig laden with cotton-wool and red-wood, the other a ship from Halifax bound for Jamaica and carrying a cargo of fish and spars. About the same time the schooner "Weasel," Mau- ran, master, another privateer sent out from Warren, succeeded in taking a brig of 140 tons which sailed from New York with wood and provisions for the king's troops at Newport.
The winter of 1778-9 was a severe one. ,
The camp at Windmill Hill was abandoned and the troops
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
were quartered in stores on the wharves and in pri- vate dwellings. On Christmas Eve the Warren river was completely frozen over, and Col. Angell excused his men from the usual drill. A violent storm raged on the 26th, the baracks being filled with snow and huge drifts blocking the roads. On New Year's Day, Warren received the melancholy tidings of the wreck of the "General Stark." Nineteen members of the ill-fated vessel perished by freezing. The extremely cold weather and the scarcity and high price of provisions caused great suffering among the poor. The inhabitants of the town numbered at this period 789, together with fourteen refugees from the county of Newport, some of whom were en- tirely dependent upon charity for support. The town treasury was nearly depleted, and in March it became necessary to hire the sum of $1,500 for the purchase of grain from Connecticut for the town's use.
On March 11th, Daniel Cole, Joseph Smith, and William Barton were appointed a committee to as- certain what persons had performed more than their proportion of military duty in the two expeditions against Rhode Island, and to allow such persons whatever sums of money they might deem were just- ly due them. In April the militia of the several counties were, by order of the Assembly, formed into brigades, Col. Nathan Miller being elected brigadier
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.
of the counties of Newport and Bristol. As the enemy greatly outnumbered the American forces, and continued to make incursions upon the seaboard towns, it was deemed prudent to increase the guard at Warren, and August 4th Shubael Kinnicutt and Nathan Bardin were empowered to enlist twenty- six men to serve for twenty days. £300 was appro- priated to pay the guard, and Moses Turner was di- rected to "draught a petition to Gen. Gates for Ra- tions for Sd. Guard." This guard was stationed at points along the shore where it was feared the Brit- ish might attempt to make a landing. Fortunately Warren was destined to escape a repetition of the misfortunes which had befallen her the previous year. The South having become the seat of war it became necessary for Sir Henry Clinton to centralize his forces there, and on October 25th, to the unbound- ed joy of the suffering inhabitants of Rhode Island, the enemy evacuated Newport.
As winter approached the weather became extreme- ly cold. Again was Warren river frozen completely over, and communication with Barrington was main- tained by crossing the ice on foot or in ox teams. Fire-wood was very scarce, commanding twenty dol- lars per cord, and so insufficient was the supply of food that a famine seemed imminent. But it was not, alone, temporal privations that the people of Warren were forced to endure. There were spiritual hard-
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
ships also. The destruction of their meeting-house had compelled the Society of Baptists to unite, tem- porarily, with the neighboring church of Swansea. The severity of the weather and condition of the country roads, however, prevented the regular atten- dance of church. But all trials of what nature so- ever were borne cheerfully, indeed, in many in- stances, heroic fortitude was displayed.
Early in the summer of 1780 active military operations were begun in anticipation of the arrival of the French fleet in Rhode Island. Washington asked for additional troops to co-operate with the allies, and a militia force was called out to serve for three months. Recruiting officers were appoint- ed for each town, those chosen for Warren being Na- than Miller, Sylvester Child, Daniel Cole, Robert Carr, and William Barton. On July 2d, the town voted that Nathan Bardin and Edward Mason "be added to the Committe for Enlisting Soldiers," and on the same day it was ordered that "a Propper Per- son be appointed at the Expense of the Town to Carry Such Winter Clothing as the friends and Con- nections of Such Soldiers as May enter into the Con- tinental Service at the Present Campaign may pro- vide for them." De Corny, the French Commis- sary General, having requested the General Assem- bly to repair the ferries between Providence and Newport, a committee consisting of Hon. Wm.
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.
Bradford, Gen. Miller and Col. Joseph Nightingale was appointed by the Assembly to confer with him were appointed by the Assembly to confer with him regarding "the accommodation of the expected arma- ment," and Ephraim Bowen, the Deputy Quarter- master General, was empowered to draw £10,000 from the state treasury for the purpose of making the necessary repairs at Providence, Warren, and Bristol. On July 10th, De Terney, with a fleet of twelve ships of war and thirty-two transports and six thousand troops under Count Rochambeau, ar- rived at Newport where, on the following day, the troops were landed. In August a dinner at the ex- pense of the state was given in honor of the allies. Gen. Miller was a member of the entertainment com- mittee. He was popular with the French officers owing to the fact that a strain of Huguenot blood ran through his veins. A warm friendship sprang up between him and Count Rochambeau with whom he exchanged rapiers. The Rochambeau weapon is now owned by a descendant of General Miller.
The work of raising the British vessels sunk in the harbor of Newport had begun in June. Cromwell Child purchased a portion of this wreckage which was transported on scows to Warren. Tradition states that Ebenezer Cole built a barn of some of the timbers, which was for many years a landmark in the town, and which the owner was very fond of pointing out to the guests who frequented his hos- telry.
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
On August 5th, the town of Warren appointed Ezra Ormsbee to furnish the militia with camp fur- niture. He was directed to purchase "21 Mess Pots, 21 Pails, 21 Mess Boles, 5 Narrow, Axes, 3 Baggage Carts and give his Receipt for the articles in Behalf of the Town." At the same time it was voted to raise $10,000 as a town tax.
In October a detachment of French troops was quartered in Warren and remained there during the winter. These troops occupied during a portion of their stay the old camping place at Windmill Hill. They are said to have been admirably disciplined, and were very friendly with the neighboring farmers, whose wives supplied them with brown bread for which they displayed as great partiality as Lafayette evinced for Landlord Cole's Rhode Island johnny- cakes.
In February, 1781, the Assembly, in expectation of the withdrawal of the French troops, called out twelve hundred militia to serve for one month under Brigadier General Miller. On March 6th, Gen. Washington arrived at Newport for the purpose of arranging with Rochambeau for the coming cam- paign. On the 10th the French fleet sailed and all but three hundred of the Rhode Island militia were dismissed. On the 13th Washington proceeded to Providence, passing through Bristol and Warren en route. In Warren he was entertained at the expense
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.
of the state at the famous hostelry of Shubael Burr, which, like its rival Cole's Tavern, was noted throughout New. England. Burr's Tavern was lo- cated at the corner of Main and King (afterwards Washington ) streets. The room assigned to Wash- ington was a rather small apartment, but considered at the time a very elegant guest chamber. Burr's tavern, after standing for more than a century, was a few years since torn down.
On March 22d, the town voted to purchase 3-4 cwt. of sugar, 1-4 cwt. of coffee, and a bushel of rye meal for the "Soldiers Doing Duty on Rhode Island that Went from the Town;" John Child was directed to procure these articles. The depreciation of con- tinental currency caused the town to vote in June "that the Town Treasurer Receive no more old Con- tinental Money into the Treasury for Taxes Due from the Collector." The privateer sloop "George" of Warren, Thomas Champlin, master, was this month captured off Sandy Hook by Arbuthnot's fleet. In July Gen. Miller, wearied with his un- ceasing labors, tendered his resignation to the As- sembly, but at the earnest request of that body with- drew it. In August he was appointed to proceed to New York in "the flag-of-truce Nancy," for the pur- pose of arranging for the exchange of citizens of Rhode Island held prisoners by the enemy. His mission proved successful and, at a later date, the
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
released prisoners returned in a "flag" to Rhode Island.
In August the schooner "Hunter" of Warren sail- ed for Virginia with provisions and hospital stores for the American troops. In a letter addressed to his wife from "Off Jamestown in James River," and dated September 19, 1781, the captain, William Tur- ner Miller, predicted the fall of Cornwallis which oc- curred on the 17th of the following month. The tidings of the victory at Yorktown caused the most intense joy throughout Rhode Island. By the dis- play of flags, the ringing of bells, and the firing of cannon the people demonstrated their satisfaction. Several prisoners of war * were tranported from Yorktown to Rhode Island by the sloop "Abigail" of Warren, John Haile master. Thirteen of these prisoners were privates, the remainder were officers. Two negro servants accompanied the latter.
*Among papers preserved by the descendants of Capt. Haile is a partial list of these prisoners as follows:
"Capt. Steward, -
Lt. James Campbell,
Lt. Donald Campbell,
N. C. Loyalists.
Ens'n Dugald Campbell, 1 Ens'n Donald Campbell, J' Ens'n O'Boyle,
1 Ens'n Eald,
De Soucy 1st. Bat.,
Capt. Althouse, N. Y. V.,
Ens'n Althouse,
Lieut. Murphy, South C. Corpse, Lieut. Searjeant Kings, A Reg't.,
Mr. Ker, Comis'y.
Corn't White, B. Legion.
Mr. Edwards, Comis'y."
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,
The Assembly, in December, directed the several towns to prepare estimates of the damage inflicted in each by the enemy during the war. Warren's loss by the incursion of British troops on May 25, 1778, as appraised by William Turner Miller, amounted to the sum of £12,101; 17s .; 3d.
The closing year of the war was a comparatively eventless one as regarded Warren. In March, Capt. David Barton was appointed to enlist the town's proportion of men for the continental army. The same month John Child was authorized "to purchase fifty-six yards of tow-cloth and eight pairs of stock- ings according to the act of the General Assembly and to deliver these articles to their use at East Greenwich." In October Gen. Miller requested the Assembly to furnish him with a "flag" in which to proceed to New York for the purpose of obtaining the release of certain prisoners confined there. He was authorized to commission a vessel under Wm. Turner Miller for the purpose specified.
The condition of Warren at the end of the war was a most unhappy one. Business was almost entirely prostrated, and many families were impoverished. The town treasury was nearly depleted. The loss of shipping amounted to 1,090 tons. Household after household mourned the loss of dearly beloved mem- bers. Many a man who had gone forth to do ser- vice for his country in the full glory of vigorous
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,
manhood had returned the mere shadow of his former self. Young women had grown prematurely old under the too heavy burdens of anxiety, privation, and grief. The farms were neglected, the streets overgrown with grass, the ship-yards were deserted, the docks empty. But with the same courage and determination that had distinguished them in the darkest hours of adversity, the people instantly set about the bettering of their condition. The build- ing of vessels was resumed, the farms were tilled, shops were re opened, a new church built, and in less than a decade after the signing of the treaty of peace at Paris, Warren was once more a busy and prosper- ous maritime town.
1134401
APPENDIX.
(From original, Fessenden Mss.)
Roll of Capt. Ezra Ormsbee's Company of Militia in the Town of Warren, 1776.
Sargant, Amos Haile,
Thomas Easterbrooks,
Curtis Cole,
Gardner Mason,
Corporal, William Child,
Jacob Sanders,
Oliver Salisbury, Jr.,
Ichabod Cole,
Drummer, - -- Fifer, - James Child,
*Cromwell Child, Samuel Miller,
*William Salisbury,
*Daniel Richards, *Joseph Kelley,
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,
Edward Eddy,
Thomas Barden,
*Jonathan Salisbury, Jeremiah Child, *James Salisbury,
Richard Barton, *Samuel Hicks,
Hezekiah Buterworth,
Isaac Gorham,
Gideon Luther,
Jesse Baker,
Elisha Finney,
Georg Cogashell,
Richard Haile,
William Lewis,
Isaiah Cole,
Joseph Smith,
*Frederick Luther, James Mason,
Peleg Easterbrooks,
Caleb Eddy,
Nathan Haile,
Haile Child,
John O'Kelley,
John Harding,
Edward Mason,
Joseph Kelley,
Joseph Mason,
Daniel Kelley,
Joshua Whiting,
Jonathan Bliss,
Whitfield Whiting,
Barnaby Luther,
Mial Luther,
Nathan Bowen,
Job Salisbury,
William Haile,
Perez Wheaton,
Caleb Turner,
William Hill,
Jeremiah Comstock,
Amariah Cole,
John Bowen, 2nd.,
William Wheaton,
Stephen Bowen, Jr.,
John Bowen,
William Hoar,
Edward Kinnicutt,
Samuel Wheaton, 2nd.,
Sam'l D. Wolf,
Samuel Mason,
Caleb Miller,
Haile Barton,
Job Miller,
David Barton,
Rufus Chase,
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Level Maxwell,
** Ebenezer Bosworth,
James Bowen,
Ellicksander Mason,
Warring Easterbrooks,
Joseph McMilon,
William Miller,
William Luther,
James Maxwell,
William Arnold, Jr.,
Edward Easterbrooks,
Stephen Hicks,
Jeremiah Joles,
** Samson Sims,
Barnard Salisbury,
Caleb Salisbury,
William Salisbury,
Joseph Barton, Jr.,
John Cowin,
Daniel Easterbrooks,
John Sisson, Jr.,
James Cole,
John Cole,
Jonathan Carr,
Jonathan Towgood,
Barnard Haile,
Daniel Cole, Jr.,
Edward Cole,
Barnard Hale, Jun'r,
Gideon Cole,
Marmaduke Mason,
Samuel Hicks, 2nd.,
Martin Easterbrooks.
Roll of Captain Caleb Carr's Company, Col. Wm. Richmond's Regiment, Oct. 10, 1776.
Caleb Carr, Captain, Thomas Pearse,
Samuel Stevens, lieuten- Consider Tripp,
ant, Nathaniel Humphrey,
Samuel Hicks, Ensign, Samuel Bosworth,
*In the original muster-roll a line is drawn through these names.
** Ebenezer Bosworth and Samson Sims were members of the crew of the privateer "Warren," which was captured by the enemy Dec. 29, 1777. They were committed to Mill Prison, Plymouth, Eng., June, 1778.
John Haile, Benjamin Easterbrooks, 2nd ..
40 THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,
George Ox,
Joseph Shana,
Joseph Gladding,
John Pearse,
Gideon Hathaway,
Hail Child,
John Easterbrooks,
James Bushee,
Daniel Wardwell,
Thomas Peck,
Constant Church,
Gideon Read,
Walter Durfee,
Joseph Turner,
David Luther,
Wm. Read,
Caleb Miller,
Wilson Low,
Esex Jones,
John E. Cedrup,
John Norris,
Gideon Cole,
Amos Luther,
Nathaniel Humphrey, 2d.
Philip Carr,
Nathaniel West,
David Maxfield,
John Sunday,
Wheaton Turner,
Samuel Wheaton,
James Pike,
Hicks West,
Daniel Maxfield,
Levi Cole,
Samuel Martin,
Asa West,
Nathaniel Wilson,
Joseph Hathaway,
Elisha Hathaway,
John More.
(From original, Carr Mss.)
A True List of all the Soldiers in the Town of Warren both in the Alarm and Militia who were Drafted the 28th day of Sep't'm., A. D. 1777. To Serve one Month from the First day of October En- suing the date above in my Company under the com- mand of the Hon'l. Major General Spencer, viz. :
.
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IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Men's Names Drafted.
Their Substitutes.
Where Subs. Belonged.
Martin Luther Sylvester Child Benjamin Cole John Mason Benjamin Diman Shuael Burr Barnard Miller Daniel Cole James Miller James Child, 2d John Child, 2d Shubael Kinnicutt Marmaduke Mason William Barton Benjamin Barton Edward Gardner
Jeremiah Jolles Joshua Turner William Meeker John Woodmansee Ebenezer Blanding Samuel Viall
Job Miller Esquire Pearse
James Brown Daniel Bullock Joseph Mason Christopher Bowen Grindall Chase Joseph Thayer
Bristol Palmer's River Rehoboth
Swanzey Palmer's River Barrington Warren Rehoboth
Barrington Rehoboth Warren Palmer's River Swansea Mendon
Warren Militia who were added to my Company:
Men's Names Drafted.
Their Substitutes.
Where Subs. belonged.
Ichabod Cole Edward Mason James Child Gardner Mason William Lewis Benj. Cole, 2d Edward Eddy Jesse Baker James Maxwell Nathan Haile James Short Nath'1 B. Whitting John Child, 2d Richard Barton Richard Haile, Jr. Elisha Finney Thomas Burden Bennajah Cole* Johnathan Sissont Cromwell Child, 2d Samuel Miller Samuel Burr Hezekiah Butterworth
James Bowen Rufus Chase Joseph Allen
Warren Swansea Barrington
Peter McMillion Elisha Mason Nathaniel Cole George Briggs
Warren Palmer's River Swansea Newton
Peter Richards Joseph McMillion Ephriam Cole
Newport Warren Swanzey
Henry Peck Thomas Stevens
Rehoboth Newport
James Chase
Swanzey
John Bowen Anthony Thracher
Warren Rehoboth
*Entered the Eleventh of the Month.
t Sick Child, Abner Baker, 15 day.
N. B .- All those with a Long Stroke did their own Tower of Duty. Witness Dan'1 Bradford, Capt. Alarm.
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THE HISTORY OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND,
(From original, Carr Mss.)
A Muster Roll of Capt. Robart Carr's Company of Col. Nathan Miller's Reg't. of Militia now, in Ser- vice of the United States Engaged for the Term of Twenty Days after our arrival at Place of Rende- fuse. Taken to August 1, 1778.
Robart Carr, Captain,
Joshua Bicknel, 1st Lieu-Joseph Vial,
tenant, Thomas Swan,
Joseph Moran, (Mau-
Benjamin Bosworth, 2d, No. of Sargants. ran ?)
Nathan Bardeen,
Hezekiah Hicks,
Thomas Pearse,
Negro Premous,
Luther Cole,
John Childes,
Esek Remington,
Samuel Bosworth,
No. of Corprols.
William Greene,
John Linsey,
Stephen Paine,
No. of Privates.
Jehobad Carey,
Ephraim Southard,
Sheapard Pearce,
Asel Crossman,
Joseph Emmerson,
Ezra Briggs,
Sam'l Carpenter,
Sam'l Pearce,
Elijah Shaw,
Wm. Arnold,
Sam'l Newman,
Joseph Munro,
Nath'l Smith,
Ambros Cole,
Jeames Hervey,
Joseph Oldridge,
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