Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-04-23
Il DARING MASON OF THE
REVOLUTION.

was named, Is CaKen from Inc american
TIIer:
Among the many Masons of the
American Revolution, the pages OF
history introduce to US Col. William
Barton, who was born in Providence
Rhode Island, in 1850, Of humble
honest American ancestry. Of Col
Barton's boyhood days we have but
little account. When war began with
the mother country he took up arms
on the side of freedom. And in 1777,
before the eyes of the people of New
England, stood that young man hold
| ing commission of lieutenant colonel
in the troops of his native state.
British General Prescott was quarter
ed in Rhode Island and made himself
obnoxious to those taking sides with
the colonies. The Tory and Quaker
influences were at this time strong,
thus making it very smooth and
pleasant for the invading army.
Gen. Prescott's headquarters were
at the home of aged Quaker named
Overton, at distance of about five
miles from the pretty village of New
port. Homes were broken into, val
uables stolen, old people murdered,
and general excitement prevailed.
Col. Barton thought it possible to
either capture his opponent or force
his removal, and on hot night in
July, 1777, the Colonel picked his men
and at once commenced his danger
Gus task. He at a late hour took two
whaleboats, muff1ed his oars and
crossed the Narraganset Bay direct
from Warnich Point, passing through
the center of the British fleet, and in
a short time safely landing near
Prescott's headquarters. While pas
sing the British guardboats Colonel
Barton cried, s'All's WE'LL" thus ap
pearing to be British subject. Upon
landing he divided his band into two
commands and at once approached
the house where the royal commander
slept. On Barton's arrival at the
gate a sentinel hailed them for a
countersign. eve have none to
give" quickly replied the Colonel.
"Have you seen any deserter here
tonight?' continued the American in
a cool voice. The sentinel supposed
them friends, and let them pass; the
last of the company seized the senti-
nel's musket and made him prisoner.
Barton then entered the Quaker's
house, and found them reading, drink
ing and playing games. He inquired
aged father of the home pointed to
the rude chamber door. With five
men Barton assembled the stairs and
smashed in the door. Prescott thought
them robbers and grasped his watch.
The Rhode Island Yankee at once
seized the royal Britisher, reminding
him that no clothing was required, it
being a hot night in July. They
again passed the British sentinels uu-
discovered, and returned as they
came in the open boat. The English
man first broke silence by saying,
"Sir, you have made bold push to-
night" eve have been Fortunate"
replied Colonel Barton. Prescott was
conveyed to Providence in an old
stage coach and soon sent to General
Washington's headquarters in New
Jersey. Barton was rewarded for his
gallant services in capturing Prescott
by vote of thanks from congress,
was also given an elegant sword and
promoted to the rank and pay of a
colonel in the Continental army.
The next engagement in which he
was that of Butts Hill, in
1878, where he was SO badly
that he was unfit for service
during the remainder of the war. In
1879 Colonel Barton was made a
Mason in st. Johns Lodge in Provi-
dence.
Congress gave him land in the
Green Mountain State" but owing
to some debts contracted during his
old age, over trades and speculations,
the rigid laws of Vermont forced him |
to prison. He would doubtless have |
filed debtors cell the remainder of |
his life had it not been for the gene
rosity of his old friend and Mason |
brother, General Lafayette, who,
while on his visit to this country in |
1925, paid a considerable sum and |
freed from imprisonment Colonel |
Barton, who so boldly dared the
British during the war of the Ameri- |
can Revolution. This brave patriot |
died at Providence, r. T., in 1881,
honored and beloved by the Masons
of that city and all who knew him.
II. Clark, Chauncey, Ga, says DeWitt's Witch |