History of Warren, (Bristol County) Rhode Island United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Warren, (Bristol County) Rhode Island, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Biographies:

William Barton, soldier, was born at Warren, Bristol county, R. I., May 26, 1748. He acquired a rudimentary education, was apprenticed to a hatter, and entered into business for himself. He volunteered in the Continental army after the battle of Bunker Hill, and in December entered formally as a corporal, soon gaining the rank of captain, and in July, 1777, he fixed upon a feasible plan for surprising and taking captive General Prescott. Ascertaining that the British general was quartered at a house on the west side of the island, and taking with him five officers, forty-five privates, and a black servant, he reached the house after dark, secured the sentinel, and breaking in the door of the room in which Prescott was sleeping, they took him prisoner. On July 25, 1777, Congress presented him with a sword in acknowledgment of his services, and in October he was given the commission of brevet colonel. In 1778, when the British retreated from Warren, Colonel Barton received a wound which prevented his taking active part in the military actions of the following year. He was a member of the state committee that adopted the constitution of the United States, a member of the legislature and inspector of customs. Some time after the close of the war he became involved in a lawsuit in Vermont regarding a township in Orleans county, which he claimed to have bought. His title, however, being disputed, he was required to pay the costs, which he refused to do. He was consequently held in Danville for fourteen years. He boarded at the hotel, where he was well treated and apparently contented. In 1824, when Lafayette visited this country, he was surprised and shocked to learn that Barton was held a prisoner and at once paid the debt without his knowledge, and Colonel Barton returned to Warren. He wrote a book entitled "Capture of Richard Prescott" (1777). He died Oct. 22, 1831.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Hill Luther, educator, was born in Warren, R.I., June 21, 1824. His mother was of Huguenot descent and the Luthers were Welsh emigrants who came to Rhode Island and rounded one of the earliest Baptist churches in America, the Rev. Samuel Luther being second pastor of Swansea Baptist church. John Hill Luther was graduated at Brown, A.B., 1847, A.M., 1850, and from the Newton Theological institution in 1850. He taught school in Georgia, 1850-53; was ordained to the Baptist ministry in 1853, at Cuthbert, Ga., and was pastor at Robertsville, S.C., 1853-57. He was president of a seminary in Kansas City, Mo., 1858-61; pastor at Miami and Palmyra, Mo., 1864-65; edited the Baptist Journal, 1866-68, and the Central Baptist, 1868-78; was president of the Baylor Female college, Belton, Texas, 1878-91; pastor at Temple, Texas, 1891-92; professor of homilitics, Baylor university, Waco, Texas, 1892-94; and a missionary in Brazil, 1896-97. He resided in Dallas, Texas, 1894-96, and in 1897 made his home in Temple, Texas. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from William Jewell college in 1871. He is the author of Souvenir Poems.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

George Maxwell Randall, first missionary bishop of Colorado, and 77th in succession in the American episcopate, was born in Warren, R.I., Nov. 23, 1810, son of Samuel and Martha (Maxwell) Randall. He obtained employment in a printing office, but later decided on a professional life and was graduated from Brown university, A.B., 1835, A.M., 1838, and from the General Theological seminary, N.Y., in 1838. He was ordered deacon July 17, 1838, and ordained priest Nov. 2, 1839. He was married in May, 1839, to Eliza, daughter of Lewis Hoar of Warren. He was rector of the Church of the Ascension, Fall River, Mass., 1838?44, and of the Church of the Messiah, Boston, 1844?66. He was a member of the school committee of Boston; secretary of the general convention, a member of the standing committee of the diocese of Massachusetts, 1850?65, and for many years edited the Christian Witness, the representative organ of the church in New England. He was elected missionary bishop of Colorado with jurisdiction in adjacent territories (Wyoming and New Mexico) in 1865, and was consecrated Dec. 28, 1865, by Bishops Hopkins, Smith and Eastburn, assisted by Bishops Chase, Clark, Vail, and Staley of Honolulu. When he entered upon the charge of his episcopal duties, there were but two parishes in the diocese, and at the end of seven years' work, the parishes had increased to twenty-four, with twenty churches and a theological school. He promoted good will toward the Indians and was closely identified with the progress of civilization. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on him by Brown university in 1856. He is the author of: Why I am a Churchman, and Observation on Confirmation (1868). He died in Denver, Colorado Territory, Sept. 28, 1873.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Hezekiah Butterworth, author, was born at Warren, Bristol county, R. I., Dec. 22, 1839. His education was acquired at the schools of his native place and as a special student at Brown university. He remained at home until 1857, editing a newspaper and contributing frequently to various periodicals. He spent some years in foreign travel, including in his journeyings South America, and in his wanderings he collected much material for his subsequent books. In 1870 he became assistant editor of the Youth's Companion, and was influential in promoting the success and high standing of that paper. Among his published books are: The Story of the Hymns; or Hymns that have a History (1875); The Story of the Notable Prayers of Christian History (1880); Young Folks' History of America (1881); Young Folks' History of Boston (1883); The Great Composers (1884, rev. and enl., 1894); Poems for Christmas, Easter and New Year (1884); Wonderful Christmases, of Old (1885); Ballads and Stories for Readings, with Musical Accompaniments for Public Entertainments (1886); Songs of History (1887); The Story of the Tunes (1890); The Log Schoolhouse on the Columbia (1890); In the Boyhood of Lincoln (1892); Little Arthur's History of Rome, from the Golden Age to Constantine (1892); The Parson's Miracle, and My Grandmother's Grandmother's Christmas Candle (1894); The Patriot Schoolmaster (1894); In Old New England: the Romance of a Colonial Fire-side (1895); The Knight of Liberty: A Tale of the Fortunes of LaFayette (1895); The Wampum Belt (1896); and Zig-Zag Journeys in all parts of the world, in fifteen volumes, from 1880 to 1894. Of the Zig-Zag Journeys more than five hundred thousand volumes were sold. He also wrote librettos for several successful cantatas, including Under the Palms, Faith, and Faith Triumphant.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor