Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/419

BRITISH DEPREDATIONS ON THE BAY. 335 demic was raging in Bristol. More than sixty persons were carried out on sick beds, and sought refuge in flight in War- ren and Barrington. More than one hundred and twenty cannon shot were discharged upon the defenceless town, and much damage was done to public and private buildings. Wallace demanded one hundred sheep and fifty head of cattle, but finally reduced his demand to forty sheep, which the town furnished, and he sailed away with his fleet the next day. Not only was there a large fleet of British ships in the Bay, menacing our peace, and threatening the destruction of our property, but a large force of British soldiers took pos- session of Newport, and carried on their work of destruction from that convenient centre of operation. Engagements in our bay, and land expeditions foraging on the people, were matters of common occurrence. In December, 1775, a Brit- ish force landed on Conanicut, burned twelve houses besides the barns, plundered the inhabitants, and carried off a quan- tity of live stock. All the houses on the islands of Pfudence and Patience, save one, were burned by the British troops. Barrington was equally exposed and our people were on guard by day and by night, to protect their homes and prop- erty. Two guard houses were established in the town, one at Nayatt, at the house of James Brown, and the other at Rumstick, at the house of Nathaniel Smith. The militia of the town was constantly on duty at these points from the commencement of the war until the departure of the British from Newport in 1779, during a period of four years. This guard duty was essential, not only for the protection of our exposed coast line, but also to aid in keeping the enemy out of Providence. Forts had been built at Foi Point, Field's Point, and Sassafras Points, but if the enemy could effect a landing at Barrington, they could march to Providence and attack this important source of supplies from the land side. The only hindrance to such action was an incessant patrol along our south shore, from Nayatt to Rumstick. so that if a landing were once effected, warning could be carried to Providence in short order.