--- title: Episode 8 - Nathanael Greene Saves the Revolution description: Just when it seems as though the Americans are about to lose the War for Independence, Major General Nathanael Greene saves the day. --- **Episode 9 | Outcasts Once Again** With the Revolutionary War having come to an end, Rhode Island finds itself in opposition to the direction the nation is heading. 25 minutes | 1781 - 1790 Hear About: 📜Why Rhode Island was the last state to ratiy the Constitution. 📜Their monetary policy that played a critical role in keeping them from joining the United States of America.   📜The consequences Rhode Island was threatened with if they chose not to ratify the Constitution. [ LISTEN NOW ](https://storyofrhodeislandpodcast.transistor.fm/) ![10](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/10.png "10") **Key Historical Figures Introduced** ![1024px-Bristol_Fourth_of_July_Parade_2017](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/1024px-Bristol_Fourth_of_July_Parade_2017.jpg) ### Henry Wight Henry Wight, a Pastor and veteran of the Revolutionary War is the man who started Bristol's 4th of July celebration in 1785. Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Fourth_of_July_Parade#/media/File:Bristol_Fourth_of_July_Parade_2017.jpg   ![Cocumscussoc North Kingstown, RI (4)-1](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/Cocumscussoc%20North%20Kingstown%2c%20RI%20(4)-1.png) ### The Narragansett Planters Although we were introduced to the planters earlier on in Season 2, when we're reacquainted with them in this episode we'll see just how much life has changed for this once illustrious farming community.  Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Cornwallis,_1st_Marquess_Cornwallis#/media/File:Thomas_Gainsborough_(1727-88)_-_Charles,_Second_Earl_and_First_Marquess_Cornwallis_(1738-1805)_-_RCIN_400748_-_Royal_Collection.jpg   ![Cocumscussoc North Kingstown, RI (4)-1](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/Cocumscussoc%20North%20Kingstown%2c%20RI%20(4)-1.png) ### Jonathan Hazard Jonathan Hazard played a key role in leading  the Country Party, a Rhode Island political group that focused on improving the lives of the state's rural communities, to prominence following the Revolutionary War.  Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Morgan#/media/File:DanielMorgan.jpeg   **Visit Locations From the Show** ![kingston](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/kingston.png "kingston") **Downtown Kingston | South Kingstown, RI** Although not specifically discussed in this episode, a visit to the Nathanael Greene homestead allows one to imagine the images of home that probably lingered in his mind while fighting in the southern colonies.  There must of been numerous times while being chased by Cornwallis that Greene wished he was back home with his wife and kids.  [ Google Map Location ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/General+Nathanael+Greene+Homestead/@41.6942799,-71.5489237,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e44aec392bfee3:0x93cb90760441c380!8m2!3d41.694276!4d-71.5440528!16s%2Fm%2F03m7bhy?entry=ttu) ![kingston free librar](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/kingston%20free%20librar.png "kingston free librar") **Kingston Free Library | Kingston, RI** Although not specifically discussed in this episode, a visit to the Nathanael Greene homestead allows one to imagine the images of home that probably lingered in his mind while fighting in the southern colonies.  There must of been numerous times while being chased by Cornwallis that Greene wished he was back home with his wife and kids.  [ Google Map Location ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/General+Nathanael+Greene+Homestead/@41.6942799,-71.5489237,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e44aec392bfee3:0x93cb90760441c380!8m2!3d41.694276!4d-71.5440528!16s%2Fm%2F03m7bhy?entry=ttu) ![newport colony house](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/newport%20colony%20house.png "newport colony house") **Newport Colony House | Newport, RI** Although not specifically discussed in this episode, a visit to the Nathanael Greene homestead allows one to imagine the images of home that probably lingered in his mind while fighting in the southern colonies.  There must of been numerous times while being chased by Cornwallis that Greene wished he was back home with his wife and kids.  [ Google Map Location ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/General+Nathanael+Greene+Homestead/@41.6942799,-71.5489237,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e44aec392bfee3:0x93cb90760441c380!8m2!3d41.694276!4d-71.5440528!16s%2Fm%2F03m7bhy?entry=ttu) **Maps, Graphs, and Images** ![West Channel (3)](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hs-fs/hubfs/West%20Channel%20(3).png?width=1080&height=1080&name=West%20Channel%20(3).png "West Channel (3)") **Timeline of Ratification by the 13 States** While those in favor of ratification, The Federalists, were in heated debates with those who opposed ratification, The Anti-Federalists, Rhode Island continued to implement its paper money policy that would allow their rural farming communities to remain afloat during difficult economic times.  However, by remaining so comitted to the implementation of that policy it also played a critical role in preventing them from ratifying the Constitution.  By the start of 1790, Rhode Island was the only state who had yet to join the Union. **What This Episode Doesn't Tell You** **Rhode Island did not participate in the first presidential election ** From December 1788 to January 1789, the first ever presidential election took place in the United States of America.  However, since Rhode Island wouldn't go on to ratify the Constitution until May 1790 they did not participate in the election.  When President Washington toured New England in the Fall of 1789 he made it a point not to visit Rhode Island.  After all, why would he visit a state that wasn't even part of the nation he was leading.  **Learn More** **Books:** - Rhode Island: A History by William G. McLoughlin - Colonial Rhode Island: A History by Sydney V. James - Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution by Terry Golway  - Battles of the Revolutionary War by W.J. Wood - Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution by Terry Golway - The Glorious Cause by Robert Middlekauff - The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents by Joseph J. Ellis - Power and Liberty by Gordon Wood - A History of Kingston, RI: 1700 - 1900 by Christina McBurney - The Summer of 1787 by David O. Stewart **Articles:** - [The Bristol Fourth of July Parade, From Pious Henry Wight to Rascally Buddy Cianci](https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/rev-henry-wight-father-fourth-july/) by New England Historical Society  - [Introduction to the Ratification of the Constitution in Rhode Island ](https://archive.csac.history.wisc.edu/3.%20Rhode%20Island.pdf)by Author Unknown Â