Episode 5 | The Price of Freedom

After declaring independence from the British empire and with their towns coming under attack from enemy forces, the Rhode Island colonists learn that their war is far from over.

23 minutes | 1776 - 1778

Hear About:

📜The bloodless invasion of Aquidneck Island by the British military.

📜How a group of local militiamen snuck onto Aquidneck Island and captured one of Great Britain's lead Generals. 

📜The raids on Warren and Bristol by the British military.

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Key Historical Figures Introduced
General_William_Barton

William Barton

As we'll see throughout a couple of episodes in this season, William Barton was a daring soldier who was willing to do whatever it took to ensure the patriots won the Revolutionary War.

Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Barton_(soldier)#/media/File:General_William_Barton.jpg

Brigadier_General_Richard_Prescott_(NYPL_b12349146-424058)_(cropped)

General Richard Prescott

One of the most despised British Generals of the entire war, Richard Prescott will end up being the victim of a daring plot completed by a group of Rhode Island militiamen. 

Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Prescott#/media/File:Brigadier_General_Richard_Prescott_(NYPL_b12349146-424058)_(cropped).jpg

Major_General_John_Sullivan,_a_distinguished_officer_in_the_Continental_Army_(NYPL_NYPG94-F149-419970)

General John Sullivan

General Sullivan was in charge of the Continental forces stationed in Providence.  Sullivan will come under heavy scrutiny when he fails to send enough troops to protect the towns of Warren and Bristol when they are raided by British troops in 1778. 

Photo source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Sullivan_(general)#/media/File:Major_General_John_Sullivan,_a_distinguished_officer_in_the_Continental_Army_(NYPL_NYPG94-F149-419970).jpg

Visit Locations From the Show
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Nathanael Greene Homestead | Coventry, RI

While General Nathanael Greene was fighting alongside his fellow colonists in the Revolutionary War, his wife, Caty, was given the difficult responsibility of raising the children while constantly wondering if her husband would survive the war.  The home where she spent these long nights without her husband is still located in Coventry today.

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Prescott Farm | Middletown, RI

On the night of July 10th - 11th of 1777, a group of local militiamen under William Barton launched their boats off of Warwick Neck, crossed the Narragansett Bay, snuck onto Overing Family Farm in the Middletown, captured General Richard Prescott, and made it back to Warwick without being noticed.  One historian has called the mission the "most spectacular and successful special operation of the war".  In honor of the daring scheme, the farm has since been renamed Prescott Farm. 

Maps, Graphs, and Images
Royal Charter for Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (1)-1

The Route William Barton and the other militiamen took to capture General Richard Prescott

With rowboats and muffled oars, William Barton and his crew launched off of Warwick Neck, rowed in between Patience and Prudence Island, passed the southern tip of Prudence, and then landed on Aquidneck Island on a July night in 1777.  Then, they made their way to the John Overing house where General Richard Prescott was staying, kidnapped him, and returned back to Warwick Neck without any of the British ships in Narragansett Bay catching them.  

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The House Prescott was staying at when he was captured by William Barton

Although not open to the public, the actual house that General Richard Prescott was captured at is located just next door to Prescott Farm.

Learn More
Books:
  • Rhode Island's Founders: From Settlement to Statehood by Patrick T. Conley
  • A History of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island by Robert A. Geake
  • Rhode Island: A History by William G. McLoughlin
  • A History of Kingston, R.I., 1700 - 1900 by Christian McBurney
  • Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James
  • History of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, 1677-1960: With related genealogy by Martha R. McPartland (Author), S. Jerome Hoxie (Illustrator)
  • Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution by Terry Golway 
  • The Rhode Island Campaign: The First French and American Operation in the Revolutionary War by Christian M. McBurney
  • Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution by Terry Golway