250 and Counting

Tag: Rhode Island History

  • Mr. Washington Goes to Providence–April 5, 1776

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    Cover art for April 5, 1776: Detail of Theodore Foster's diary relating the arrival of George Washington. via Rhode Island Historical Society

    The war was less than a year old, but heroes were already beginning to emerge, as we learn from contemporary writings. The arrival of George Washington in Providence, RI, was considered a big event each time he came through.

    In fact, it was such a big deal that the website for Stephen Hopkins’ house in Providence notes that “George Washington was
    a guest here. Twice.”

    I suppose they could have hung up two “George Washington Slept Here” signs but nobody would get it. Then again, “George Washington Slept Here” isn’t quite the trope it used to be. Leave me alone, I’m old. And get off my lawn.

    Hopkins, for what it’s worth, was an important person in his own right, having been central to the development of the colony and then the early days of the state. If you visit the house, though, be forewarned that it’s not in the same place it was when Hopkins lived there; it’s been moved twice since he was there. Although, to be fair, it’s always been on that street.

  • A Death In Rhode Island–March 26, 1776

    Cover art for March 26, 1776: Portrait of Samuel Ward, probably by David McNeely Stauffer. (image cropped) via New York Public Library Digital Archives.

    Samuel Ward Sr. was a farmer and a politician, the governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and a Justice of that colony’s Supreme Court.

    As a younger man, Ward believed in governments issuing hard money rather than paper, often battling with Stephen Hopkins over this issue. Because of this specific topic, the two men became bitter rivals and for several terms they alternated being governor of Rhode Island.

    His final term as governor ended in 1767, at which he left politics to work on his farm. But in 1774 he was called back into service as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Fortunately, he and Hopkins had buried the hatchet and the two were more friendly with one another. I say “fortunately” because Stephen Hopkins was also called to join the Congress.

    Ward died in Philadelphia and was buried there, but over 80 years later he was moved to the Common Burying Ground in Newport, RI and reinterred there.

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  • Prudence Island Under Attack–January 12, 1776

    Cover art for January 12, 1776: Prudence Park on Prudence Island, from a 1930s-era postcard. Via Wikimedia Commons.
    Prudence Park on Prudence Island, from a 1930s-era postcard. Via Wikimedia Commons.

    Prudence Island, in the Narragansett Bay off Rhode Island, didn’t have a lot of strategic value to anyone. What it DID have was livestock, and the British were hard-pressed to get supplies, especially for Boston, which had been under siege since mid-April.

    And, as Mike notes during the episode, neither army was really shy about stealing what they needed to advance their cause.

    While the residents of Prudence Island managed to repel the British on their second engagement, everyone just pretty much noped out of there, with only a few ever returning. So in the long run, it was a win for the British.

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  • Raid on Conanicut–December 10, 1775

    Cover art for December 10, 1775: Portrait of Admiral Richard Graves by Sir WIlliam Beechey, dated to the 19th century.

    Conanicut Island isn’t much of an island to look at, but they had supplies of some kind, and the British were looking.

    Admiral Graves had the task of finding supplies for the British who were under siege in Boston, and he decided to move beyond the local waters, and went into Narragansett Bay. In some towns (such as Newport, which was Loyalist) he was able to just buy supplies. But if the locals resisted, that’s when he broke out the guns.

    Conanicut Island looked like a vulnerable place to get supplies. He was able to get some of what he needed, but it wasn’t the cake walk he thought it would be.

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  • October 7, 1775: The Bombardment of Bristol

    Cover art for October 7, 1775: A commemorative plaque in Bristol, RI, marking several events in the War for Independence, including the Bristol Bombing. via Wikimedia Commons.

    While Boston was under siege, the British were having a hard time getting food and other supplies. But they still controlled the water, so British naval vessels went in search.

    Captain James Wallace was especially good at procuring supplies, largely because he harassed people until they gave in, or he would threaten to shoot up the place.

    This second tactic was the one he chose for Bristol, Rhode Island, and it’s unclear how much actual damage he did to the town (reports vary wildly). But what is known is that he came in search of 200 sheep and 30 cattle, and came away with 40 sheep after he cut a deal with the town.

    We’re calling this one a draw.

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  • October 3, 1775: Rhode Island Suggests a Navy

    It’s often tough to remember that when the fighting first broke out, it wasn’t a bid for independence from Britain. It was an attempt to protect and defend rights that the Colonists thought they had as part of their relationship with Britain. Reconciliation was (amazingly) still on the table, even six months after Lexington.

    So while many colonies had created their own small navies (with Congress’ encouragement), there were several in Congress who felt that creation of a navy was a step too far. They were okay with an army, but not a navy? I don’t really get it either.

    When Rhode Island finally put forth a formal proposal for a Continental Navy, it met with almost universal resistance. Why? Tune in and find out.

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  • August 26, 1775: Rhode Island Wants Some Naval Action

    Cover art for August 26, 1775: Map of Rhode Island in 1775

    Rhode Island has been proactive about the war effort ever since the events at Lexington and Concord. And one thing you’re going to learn today is just how much coastline there is to Rhode Island, and why having a navy was important to them.

    But it’s important to get an outsider’s view of things, and this wasn’t necessarily the Continental Congress’ viewpoint. It took a long while before any real action was taken.

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  • August 21, 1775: Rhode Island Cracks Down

    Cover art for August 21, 1775: Public requisition of supplies for the Continental Army. Source unknown, via Wikimedia Commons.

    We have two events taking place on this day. First, Rhode Island allows the death penalty for certain activities at sea.

    Next, word goes out that the Continental Army is in need of supplies…lots of supplies. It’s looking like General Washington isn’t seeing an end to the Siege of Boston anytime soon.

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  • May 7, 1775: Joseph Wanton is Prevented from Becoming Governor

    Cover art for May 7, 1775: detail of the document officially preventing Governor Joseph Wanton from taking the oath of office.

    Joseph Wanton was elected governor of Rhode Island in 1769, and every year he was re-elected to the position. By all accounts he did a good job and looked out for his constituents.

    Then came the events at Lexington and Concord.

    Wanton wasn’t a Loyalist, but he did think that a war with England wouldn’t be especially productive, and when the General Assembly thought that it was time to raise an army, Wanton refused to do so. Unfortunately for him, he was in the space between his re-election and his taking the oath of office, and the Assembly used the opportunity to run him out of the office.

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  • April 10, 1775: Skirmishes in Assonet, MA

    Cover art for April 10, 1775: Profile Rock in Assonet, MA. Scanned from a 1902 postcard. The formation collapsed in 2019.

    This isn’t the first time you’ll see a statement like this, but the bottom line is: the history books aren’t 100% correct. Sure, the Shot Heard Round The World was at Lexington and Concord. But that’s not where the fighting started.

    Nearly two weeks before Concord, there were small battles going on in Assonet, Massachusetts, near the Rhode Island border.

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