The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-09-19
MEMOIR OF RHoDE-IsLAND.


The following narrative the author re-
ceived from Mr. Isaac Barker, in the year
1884, he then being about so years of age:
In the year I77S, while the American ar
my under General Sullivan was on the ISL
and, the aforesaid Isaac Barker and Samu-
el Barker, both residing in the Eastern part
of the town of MiddIetown, agreed with
Lieutenant Seth Chafee to furnish the Off
GERS of Col. Richmond's Regiment, which
was afterwards stationed at Little Compton,
with regular intelligence of what passed on
the Island, and thus keep up commun'ca-
ton with tho American forces on the main
The signals agreed upon were--that in two
certain bar ways, on the highest land in that
part of Middletown, being about one mile
from the sea shore-a movable stake was
to be put up in some fifty or sixty diferen,
places !; each station having its Telegraph
ic meaning, previously agreed upon, and
written explanation was in the hands Of
both parties. When the stake was put up
--ifthat signal required il-a boat came over
in the night, at the time indicated, and one
of the before named persons met the boat
at the place designated by the signal, to
communicate with the American messenger.
Some contrivance of the kind was suspected
by the British, who, in the monh Of A pril
following, stationed regiment in that neigh
borhood and gusrtercd some aien in every
farmhouse, to detect the persons concerned.
They then had to invent another plan in
addition to the stake signal, which was as
follows A fiat stone on the north part of
Sachucst Point, near the shore, was agreed
upon, under which all printed or written
communications were deposited by each
party, to be exchanged. The vigilance with
which the British watched the shore, made
it very difficult to keep up the correspon-
dence, as none Of the inhabitants were al
lowed to go to the shore except for fishing
and then only by a special licence given
for thu, purpose.
These young men eluded the vigilance of
the British by sometimes obtaining permits
for themselves To fish-but oftenes by bor-
sowing the permits Of their neishbors, and
in the latter case, assuming the names of
the person, or persons, whose permits they
had borrowed.
BY these means all the movements in the
Garrison were known to Col. Richmond,
especially when the refugees were muster
ing for a plundering expedition to the main,
which they often did.
This Intercourse was kept up during the
rest Of the time the British occupied the Is
land, and was never detected They were
rcwardedin small degree by General Gates
afterwards-but Mr.. Isaac Barker refused
to accept any reward for his own use, aud
gave up what was so received to his part
ner Samuel.
In the month f September, l77s, LorG
Howe and General Pigo, sailed for Eng
land, when the command of the troops, on
Rhode-Islaud, agnin devolved on General
Prescott.
November 4th, the Pigot Galley, which
was stationed in the East passage, wac ta-
keu by Major Talbot, who, by order Of Gen.
eral Sullivan. sailed with u detachment Of
troops, in u Sloop from Providence and
boarded and took the Galley in the nightly
surprise, before her ued could be muster
ed to quarter. The Galley carried 6 guns
and IS men. The prize was carried into
Stonington.
In the month of November there had
collected a, Newport, II capital ships of
war aud , Frgaies
IN December large number Of the in
h,bi;anis of Newport were allowed TO re-
mors, aud 30 of them went in one flag Of
True to Providence.
M !