W2I5W2 ficiit-tiiL 0amud JUartr^ OF RHODE ISLAND. 1756-1832. MijimlMsi THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GIFT OF COMMODORE BYRON MCCANDLESS *^CLAl^xu^j KiifjEttv"! L",- I I', Jtulfie IV.iiii in -lUfi.iiMiliiMriiniu!''; by Miio Amir HalLm ji«s-.jeiaivDf r^UohnWdril.NfTwTt.ilt o/i-^-i^*-^^ '<^f''/^^^T^(^ I.!' 'Mi) KhblMENT, . ^.'OLUTION. ciJa4K^m32. A MEMOIR 5icut,=(|oloncI Samuel W'mi FIRST RHODE ISLAND REGIMENT, A R !\r V OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION GENEALOGY OF THE WARD FAMILY JOHN WARD NEW YORK, 1875. K. 7/ PREFACE. This sketch was prepared for the July number of the New York Gene- alogical and Biographical Record, from family letters and other manu- scripts in the possession of the author. The various journals of the expedition to Quebec have also been consulted. It is to be regretted that Lieut.-Col. Ward's private journal of the e.xpedition is no longer in existence. The Life of Major-General Nalhanael Greene, by George W. Greene ; Washington's Letters (edited by Jared Sparks) ; and the " Order Book" kept by Col. Christopher Greene's Acting Adjutant-General, em- bodying Gen. Sullivan's orders, etc., have also been carefully consulted. The Genealogy of the Ward Family has been prepared with great care from the family records, with the assistance of a paper jointly compiled from the same sources by Henry T. Drowne, and the author, and with the valu- able aid oijohn R. Bartktfs Rhode Island Colonial Records. Governor Samuel Ward's life has been written by William Gammell, and will be found in the ninth volume of Sparks' Library of American Biography. It will be seen that an untimely death alone prevented his becoming one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, and thereby reaping the fruit of his great labors in the Continental Congress. Lieut.-Col. Ward's life has also been written by Professor Gammell as a closing portion of the biography just alluded to. AVilliam G. Goddard has described him in his biographical notices of graduates of Brown University : he has also been honorably mentioned by the Rev. Edwin M. Stone, in the sixth volume of the Collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society. On the 15th of August, 1775, Governor Ward wrote from Westerly, R. I., to his son at Cambridge : "It gives me inexpressible pleasure to find Gen- eral Washington so universally acceptable to all the troops. I was sure, from the intimate acquaintance I had with him, his appointment would certainly be attended with the most happy consequences." Professor A. P. Peabody, D.D., in his recent Centennial Oration at Cam- bridge, Massachusett.s, states that " only in the Rhode Island Regiments, under General Greene, did he [Washington] discover aught of military order, system, discipline and subordination." Lieut.-Col. Ward, then Captain, was an intimate friend of General Greene ; and the wise counsels of his father. Governor Ward, and his influence in the Assembly of Rhode Island, not only brought about (Greene's first appointment as Brigadier-General, but materially aided in putting the troops in the most effective condition. A manuscript Journal of the Count de Rochambeau in America, belong- ing to Mr. C. Fiske Harris of Providence, R. I., also praises the Rhode Island Regiments as being the best troops the writer had seen in this country. The engraving of Lieut.-Col. Ward is taken from a beautiful miniature by Miss Anne Hall, — one of her numerous and remarkable works,— now in the author's possession. New York, July 13, 1S75. 987:f'^0 LIEUT.-COLONEL SAMUEL WARD, OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. By Coi.. John Ward, of New York. Samuki. Ward, fifth child of Governor Samuel Ward, of Rhode Island, and Anne Ray, was born at Westerly hi that Colony, Nov. 17, 1756. On both sides he was descended from the celebrated Roger Williams. His ancestor, John Ward, born in 16 19, was a cavalry officer in Cromwell's army, and his sword was preserved by his descendants for five generations. He came over to America from Cloucester, England, and settled in New- |)ort, R. 1., about 1673, and died there in 169S. His tombstone, and those of his descendants for three generations, mav be seen in the old cemetery at Newport. His son, Thomas Ward, born in 1641, left England about 1671 ; and also settled at Newport, R. 1. He was successively elected 'Treasurer, and a member of both houses of the General Assembly of the Colony. He married, for his second wife, Amy Smith, and died in 1689, leaving two sons by this marriage, the elder of whom, Thomas, died in his thirteenth year, while the younger one, Richard, born in 1689, lived to be a very jirominent man in the Colony, l)ecoming Governor of Rhode Islanil from 1740-43. (Jov. Richard Ward married Mary 'Tillinghast, and died in 1763. His second son, Samuel, born in 1725, after having been a member of the General Assembly of Rhode Island, rei)resented that |)rovince, — with Governor Wm. Greene and Mr. John Anilrews, — in the Convention called at Hartford in 1758 by the Earl of l.oudoun, during the l''rench wai', for the purpose of arranging for the defence of the Colonies, and settling theii- (juotas of troops. Subse- (juently, in 1761, Mr. Ward became Chief Justice of the Colony, and then served several terms as Governor, in 1762, and from 1765-67. On the tSth of June, 1774, he was chosen, together with Stephen Hopkins, by the General Assembly of the (Jolony, to represent Rhode Island during the first session of the Continental Congress at Philadeli)hia. Governor Ward's great capacity as a legislator speedily brought him into prominent notice. His private journal of the proceedings of Congress in i 77.1^ and I 775 is full of interest. 'The session of the first Congress only lasted from Sept. 5th to Oct. 26lh, when an adjt)urnment took place ; a second Con- gress being chosen, and meeting at Philadelphia, May 10, 1775. Shortly I 5 JAeut.-ColoncI Samuel Ward. after this date, while the country was still ringing with the excitement occasioned by the battle of Lexington, the two colleagues, having been re- api)ointed by the Clcneral Assembly of their Colony, again lj tlie most furcihlc Terms ; and such measures were immediately adopted, as have, I imajjijie, secured all our Cattle from the Enemy, by this Time. The innumeraljle Difficulties which yuu must have encountered in the Command of an army under difTcrcnt Kslablishmcnts, in want of Arms and Ammunition, regtdar Supplies of Provisions, a military Chest, experienced Officers, a due Organization, and a hundrci otiier Thinys, 1 have some, thougli not an adequate Conception of; but, from the Ac- counts wiiich 1 liave the Pleasure to receive from my Friends in Congress, I doubt not but your w ise and steady attention to the Service will surnioimt all Oljstacles, and tliat, Ijy the 0[)ening of the next Campaign, you will have the finest Army under your Command which ever was formed in America. I am too sensible of the Multiplicity of Business in which you are engaged, to flatter myself with a regular Correspondence; but wlienever you shall conmiunieale anything necessary for the public good to me, you may rely upon my best and constant Endeavours, both in our own Colony and in Congress, to promote the Service. I most cheerfully entered into a solemn Engagement, upon your Appointment, to sup- port you with my Life ancl Fortune, and shall most religiously, and with the highest Pleasure, endeavour to Uiscliarge that duty. The Congress began to do business last Wednesday, but many Members are still absent. CoK Lee, Col". Harrison and Mr. Jef- ferson, and the North Carolina Delegates, and some others, have not arrived. Mr. Randolph has been confined with a fever two or three Days; Messrs. Wythe and Lee are under Enoculation ; so that Colo. Nelson alone attends from your Colony. We entered into the Consideration of your letters yesterday. Eor want of a thorougli knowledge of military affairs, it was not so well imderstood, how an Officer's having several Ap])ointments could make any Difference in Rank. For instance, how a General Officer's having a Regiment or Company, or a Field Officer's having a Company, could alter his Rank. It seemed to be tlie general Opinion, that all Officers should receive Pay only for one Commission, and that their highest ; and that when the Army was reformed, no I'erson should sustain more than one office. But some seemed to apprehend, that if a General Officer appointed by his Colony as Colonel of a particular Regiment, or a Field Officer as Cajjtain of a Company, were refused by the Congress commissions as such, that the Colonies wouhl apiiuint other Colonels and Captains in their Places. That this mcrease of Officers would augment the difficulties attending the Reduction of the Troops, if such a Measure should be adopted. Upon the whole, the Matter was referred, and as soon as your several Letters are considered, you will be acquainted with the Sentiments of the Congress. We have no News here from England later than the iSth of July. By the King's answer to the Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, of the City of Lon- don, it ajipears he is determined to ]iursue and enforce Iiis Measures. God be thanked, that however severe the Contest may ])rove, we are now in such a happy way, that the end must be the Establishment of American Liberty. ****** Samuel Ward. To General Washington. The second comtnission as Captain, of Governor Ward's cherished .son, is dated July ist, 1775. It is signed by John Hancock, under the autliority of Congress, as President of that body, and assigns Captain Samuel Ward to the TweU'th Regiment, commanded by Colonel \'arnuin. After remaining all summer at Cambridge and at Prospect Hill (near Charlestown, Mass.), in the American camp, — the monotony being varied by slight skirmishing with the British, — Captain Ward was one of two hun- dred and fifty of the Riiode Lsland troops, who volunteered (under Lieut. - Colonel Ciiristopher C.reene) to join Colonel Benedict Arnold's command of, altogether, eleven hundred men, directed to join Gen. Montgomery at Quebec, by way of the Kennebec River in Maine. They marched from Prospect Hill, Sept. loth ; tlie expedition sailing from Newbury port on the 19th of Septemifer, and reaching the Kennebec River the tollowing day. Their subsequent march is one of the most terrible on rpcord. The 3 Lieut. -Colonel Samuel Ward. men not being acquainted witli tlie use of bateaux, an immense amount of wading and fording had to be iierformed. The i)rovisions were strapped in kegs on the backs of the soldiers, and their necessary scantiness pro- duced great suffering. 'I'he force was chvided into two divisions, one commanded by Lieut.- Colimel (Ireene, and the other by Lieut.- Col. Enos. The latter turned back with his command, on arriving at Chaudicre Pond, owing to the great privations they endured. Lieut. -Col. Creene's battalion pressed on bravely to Point Levi on the St. Lawrence, opposite Quebec, and crossed the river on the night of the 13th of November, encamjjing near the city. It has been thought that Arnold might then have easily captured Quebec, but what appeared to be the more prudent jiolicy of waiting for the reinforce- ments under Cen. Montgomery was adopted, and early in the morning of the 20th of November, the Americans marched to Point-aux-Trembles to await the (ieneral's arrival. In a letter from the latter ])oint, dated Nov. 26, 1775, Captain Ward gives a vivid account to his family of the hardships of the expedition : " It would take too much time," he says, " to tell you what we have undergone. However, as a sununary of the whole, we have gone up one of the most ra|)id rivers in the world, where the water was so shoal that, moderately speaking, we have waded 100 miles. ^Ve were thirty days in a wilderness that none but savages ever attempted to pass. We marched 100 miles upon short, three days' i)rovisions, waded over three rapid rivers, marched tiirough snow and ice barefoot, passed over the St. Lawrence where it was guarded by the enemy's frigates, and are now about twenty-four miles from the city, to recruit our worn-out natures. General Montgomery intends to join us innnediately, so that we have a winter's campaign before us ; but I trust we shall have the glory of taking Quebec ! " After seizing Montreal, Gen. Montgomery sailed down the St. Lawrence to Point-aux-Trembles, arriving on the .second of December, and assuming conunand. Two days later, the .American forces returned to the immediate neighboriiood of Quebec. Gen. Carleton, who had evacuated Montreal, was now in command of the liritish forces in Quebec, and i)repared for a vigorous defence. The Americans arrived before the city on the fifth of December, and spent the month in preparations for an assault. Tiie attack was finally made early in the morning of the 31st of Decem- ber, under cover of a very heavy snow storm, Gen. Montgomery assailing the defences protecting the road at the base of Cape Diamond, with the New York troops, so as to reach the lower town ; Col. Livingston attack- ing St. John's Gate ; while Col. .Arnold's conunand, approaching from the North side on the St. Charles river, attacked tlie first barrier defending the lower town on that side, in face of a fire of artillery, Capt. \V'anrs company occupying about the centre of the forces ; and after an hour's fighting car- ried the barrier, and captured the battery, making sixty prisoners. Col. Arnold being wounded at the beginning of the attack, ('aptain Morgan with his company led the advance, and reached the second barrier, making more jirisoners. Owing to the wetting of their muskets the Americans were unable to take the second barrier, which was strongly defended, and after fighting for three hours more, i)rotecting themselves by occupying the houses on the narrow street, were all made prisoners, in turn, near Hope Gate ; a force sent by Gen. Carleton attacking them in the rear. They Lieut.-Coloncl Samuel Ward. g were kindly treated during their captivity ; but, the death of their beloved General Montgomery, who was killed by the random discharge of a Hritish cannon during his gallant attack on the block-house at the foot of Cape Diamond, added much to the sufferings incident to their position. Captain Ward was still a prisoner when his father Gov. Ward died, and remained so until August, 1776, when he was released on jiarole, the American prisoners being sent by sea to New York on the nth of August. He was exchanged before the close of the year. Towards the middle of November he visited Fort Washington on New York island, in company with General (ireene, siiortly before the fall of that fort. Among the garri- son Captain Ward recognized a number of those who had turned back from the expedition to Quebec. They are said to have shrunk back on seeing him. On the ist of January, 1777, Captain Ward was promoted Major in the First Regiment from Rhode Island (sometimes known as the "Ninth Foot, in the Continental Army "), commanded by Colonel Christopher Greene. His commission was signed by Henry Laurens, President of Congress, Jan. 5, 1778. From April to June, 1777, the regiment was stationed at Morristown, New Jersey, in Washington's army ; forming part of General V^arnum's brigade. On tiie 2d of July, General Washington writes toClov. Trumbull, that he has ordered General Parsons' and General Varnum's brigades to march off with all despatch towards Peekskill, in order to allow four of the strongest Massachusetts regiments at that point to reinforce Ticonderoga, which v,as threatened by Gen. Burgoyne. Wash- ington antici|)ated that the next step of (ien. Howe's army would be towards Peekskill, " in order to get ))ossession of the jiasses in the High- lands," and wished to prevent such a movement. Major Ward accom- panied his regiment on this march, crossing the Hudson, and remaining encamped at Peekskill until after the close of August, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Comstock. The last letter that reached Major Ward at this |)oint is dated August 31st. Brig.-General James Clinton conmianded the fortifications at the Highlands, and his name is attached to the muster rolls of the First Rhode Island Regiment. During Se]»tember the regiment, with the rest of Gen. Varnum's brigade, marched southward, after recrossing the Hudson, to reinforce Washington's army near Philadelphia. Washington mentions this detachment from Peekskill as about twelve hundred strong. On the 7th of October, General Washington wrote to General Varnum, who was near Coryell's Ferry on the march, directing him to detach Col. Greene's and Col. .Angell's regi- ments for the defence of Fort Mercer, at Red Hank on the Delaware river. Washington's letter of instructions to Colonel Greene is full of interest. He says : " Sir, I have directed General Varnum to send your regiment and that of Colonel Angell to Red Bank, by a route which has been marked out to him. The command of that detachment will of course de- volve upon you, with which you will proceed with all expedition, and throw yourself into that place. When you arrive there, you will immediately communicate your arrival to Colonel Smith, conmiander of the garrison at F'ort Mifllin, and Conunodore Ha/lewood, commander of the fleet in the river. Vou are to co-operate with them in every measure necessary for the defence of the obstructions in the river, and to counteract every attempt the enemy may make for their removal. You will tind a very lO Lie lU. Colonel Sainiul Ward. good fortification at Red I'.aiik ; but if anylliing should be requisite to ren- der it stronger, or proportion it to the size of your garrison, you will have it done. The cannon you will stand in need of, as much as can be spared, will be furnished from the galleys and Fort Milllin, from whence also you will derive supplies of military stores. I have sent Captain l)ui)lessis, with some officers and men, to take the immediate direction of the artil- lery, for your garrison. He is also to superintend any works that may be wanted. If there should be any deficiency of men for the artillery, the security of the garrison will re(iuiie you to assist them with a few additional ones from your detachment. You should not lose a moment's time in getting to the i)lace of your destination, and making every proper ])repara- tion for its defence. Any delay might give the enemy an opportunity of getting there before you, which could not fail of being most fatal in its con- sequences. If in the ])rogress of your march you should fall in with any detachment of the enemy, bending towards the same object, and likely to gain it before you, and from intelligence should have reason to think your- self etjual to tlie task, you will by all means attack them, and endeavour by that means to disappoint their design. I have written to (Jeneral New- comb, of the Jersey militia, to give you all the aid in his power, for which you will accordingly apply when necessary. Upon the whole, Sir, you will be pleased to remember, that the post with which you are now intrusted is of the utmost importance to America, and demands every exertion of which you are cajjable for its security and defence. The whole defence of the Delaware absolutely de|)ends upon it, and consequently all the enemy's hopes of keejiing Philadelphia, and iinally succeeding in tlie object of the liresent campaign. Inlluenced by these considerations, 1 doubt not your regaiil to the service, and your own reputation, will prompt you to every ])ossible efTort to accomplish the important end of your trust, and frustrate the intentions of the enemy. — (liven at Ileadipiarters, this 7th day of Octo- ber, 1777." — Colonel Cireene accordingly marched to this important ])osition, taking command of the two regiments, which, in numbers, only amounted to four hundred men, but were a gallant band of soldiers. Fort Mercer was situated on tlie east bank of the Delaware, and had originally been a much larger fortification, but the French engineer officer menlioneil in Washington's letter of instructions, Plessis de Mauduit, reduced the earth- works to tlie form of a pentagon mounting fourteen cannon, and abandoned the outer line of works as useless. On the evening of the 21st of October, twelve hundred Hessians, under the brave Count Donop, crossed the river from Philadelphia, and inarched to Haddonfield. The following morning, the eventful 22d of October, they marched before dawn to attack I'brt Mercer ; but being delayed by the l)rompt action of the guard at Timber Creek, who removed the lower bridge, they were obliged to cross by one four miles above, and did not reach the neighbourhood of the fort until about noon. The Americans awaited their apiMoach with great coolness. ColoneKireene mounted the ramparts, and paced up and down, spy-glass in hand, to encourage his men, advising them to aim at the enemy's broad waist belts. Major Ward has been described on this occasion by Ceo. W. dreene in the following words : "There, was young Samuel Ward, who had followed him" (Col. Cireene) "to Cambridge and Quebec as Cajjtain, and now stood by his side as his Major, slender, but tall, vigorous and erect, with a keen flash in his eye, and immovable firm- Lieut. -Cflhmd Stjinuel ]i\ird. \ \ ncss on his lip and brow.''* After a summons to surrender, coii|)led with a tiireat that no quarter would be given, which was received with projier scorn, the Hessians, at a (|iiarter to 5 p. m., opened a brisk fire with their cannon, and then advanced to the attack in two colinnns. Finding the outer works tmguarded, they rushed on with loud huzzas to the terrible doom that awaited them. The Americans reserved their fire until the right mo- ment, and then delivered it with fearful effect. Closing up their broken ranks, the first column reached the abatis, and commenced tearing away the branches; but the fire was so deadly that they at last moved toward the river, and there subjected themselves to a cross fire, which was very destructive. The other column attacked the fort toward tlic south, and met with such a severe reception, that finally all who survived retreated in confiision to Maddonfield. Some foin- hundred Hessians lay dead and wounded on the field. 'I'hoir connnander. Count 1 )onop, came into action in full uniform, and behaved very gallantly, but was soon mortally wounded in the thigh. He lay buried imder heaps of slain until rescued by the garrison, to die three da)'s later. Major Ward wrote the otiicial report of this memorable battle, in which he had bravely sustained his p.irt. It was addressed to General Washing- ton, and is as follows : "October 231I. Uy tlie desire i)f Ciilonel Circene, I coiifjratul.ile your ICxcellcnoy on llie success of the troops under his commaiul ycslcnlay. ()nthe21sl iusMiit, four l)nt- talions of Gennans, amounlin;; to al)out twelve luiudred men, comui.inded liy Count Donop, landed .It Cooper's Kerry, and marclied the same cvenint; to lladdoufield. At three o'eloclc yesterday niornint; they marched for tliis place. When tlie ijuard at 'Timher Creek Bridye were informed of llieir approach, lliey took up tliat liriilye, and llie enemy filed ofl'lo the left, and crossed a l)ridi;e four miles above. Their advanced parties were discovered within four miles of the fori at twelve o'clock. At half after four in the after- ncxm they sent a flaourhood. Count l)ono]> in partiddar is a man of importance, and ouj^ht by all means tii be taken care of. With respect to the arms you have taken, as they are no dtjubt j^oimI, it will be well to exchange all the indiOerenl arms you may have for them ; but after that is done, 1 would recommend to you to send all your superfluous arms away. They can be put in the wagons, that are on the way to you with ammunition. I am Sir, &c." Colonel Greene's gallantry and success were recognized by a vote of thanks on the part of C'ongress, an elegant sword being ordered to be pre- sented to him. On the nineteenth of November, Colonel (ireene wrote to Ceneral \Vasliington, whose headquarters were at \\'hitemarsh, giving an account of the state of affairs at l'"ort Mercer, which was in a very critical condition since the fall of Fort Milllin, three days previously ; the enemy being able to concentrate their entire attention upon Red Bank, the American fleet in the river having been destroyed. Colonel (Ireene was anxious to hold the jtost his gallant garrison had defendetl with such extreme bravery against overwhelming odds on the memorable twenty-second of October, and sent the letter by Major Ward, who also personally informed (General Washington of the condition of the place, as Lord Cornwallis was threatening the rear of the position with a large force, which, as was already known to Washington, had marched from Philadelphia to Chester on the scventeenlli of November, and had crossed the Delaware. As Fort Mercer now alone prevented the British ships from passing u]i the Delaware to Philadelphia, it was desirable to continue holding the fortification if (lossible; but it had now become untenable, and on the evening of the 20th, Col. (Ireene, in compliance with the advice of his immediate su|)eriors, evactiated the fort, contrary to his own wish. As the British army had for some time occupied Philadelphia, the army under General Washington went into winter (juarters at Valley l''orge, where the sufferings and privations the soldiers encountered, that terrible winter, were nobly sustained. Major Ward accompanied his regiment, and remained at \'alley I'orge until about February, 1778, when he went home to Rhode Island on furlough, and married Phebe Creene, eldest daughter of (lov- ernor William (Jreene, of that State. The marriage took place at Warwick, R. I., March 8, 177S, and, at the expiration of a month, the bridegroom returned to Valley h'orge, crossing the Hudson near West Point, so as to avoid the British ships. During the month of May, T778, Col. Christopher C.reene and Major Ward, — Lieut.-Col. Coinstock having resigned, — went home to Rhode Island, to raise a colored regiment, the remains of their gallant command being consolidated with Colonel Angell's regiment. The new command was successfully organized, and did good service during the remainder of the war, retaining the designation of the I'irst Rhode Island Regiment. It was attached to Major-(ieneral Sullivan's command, and stationed at East Greenwich, Rhode Island, on the mainland. Col. (Jreene now became actitig Brigadier-General, and Major Ward assumed command of his regi- ment during the ensuing movements. On the 9th of August following, Lieut.-Colonel Samuel Ward. j? (jcn. Sullivan's army crossed from Tiverton to Rhode Island proper, to attack the enemy's fortifications at Newport, expecting the cooperation of the French lleet under Count 13'lCstaing. The Hritish had evacua- ted their forts on the north end of the island, anticipating Sullivan's approach ; and the French fleet soon landed four thousand men to join him, under the Mar(|uis de Lafayette, who now for a time commanded the left wing of the army, Major-(ien. Nalh. CJreene commanding tlie right wing, while the celebrated John Hancock held a subordinate command as Major-Ciencral. A letter of Major Ward's describes the army as encamped at Kliddlctown, R. I., Aug. i8, 1778, and frequently exxhanging shots with the British, who were thoroughly fortified in their position. Tlie French fleet had sailed out to engage the Hritish ships, taking their troops wilh them. He hopes that the fleet will soon return, and describes the Ameri- can army as engaged in throwing up intrenchments, expecting to return the enemy's cannonade the following day. He writes the next day: "We drove the enemy from a small battery, killing and wounding several of them." The ca|)lure of New|>ort was confidently expected, as the French fleet was relied upon to cover the landing of American troops in rear of the Hritish works, which were remarkably strong, with but one narrow apiiroach. But Admiral D'Kstaing's vessels having been crippled in a storm, he sailed to Boston with the entire fleet, and Hritish vessels soon after arriving to reinforce General iMgot, General Sullivan retreated on the evening of the 28th of August, to the northern jiart of the island, where he had caused strong fortiricatit)ns to be ]irc|)ared. The British army followed, and on the 29lh, a sliarp engagement ensued, in which the Americans gained a decisive victory. During the 30th, both armies kept up a steady cannon- ading, but, in the evening, the American forces retreated in good order to Tiverton, on the mainland, without any loss. Major Ward commaiKied his regiment during the engagement and the subsequent retreat, behaving with great coolness and gallantry, and animating the colored levies by his great personal courage, as is shown in General Sullivan's orders compli- menting the regiment after the battle. Major Ward writes on the 30th : "The army retreatetl the evening of the 28th. Early yesterdav morning, the enemy moved out after us, expecting that we were leaving the island, and took possession of the Heights in our front. They sent out parties in their front, and we made detachments to drive them back again. After a skirmish of three or four hours, with various success, in which each party gave way three or four times, and were reinforced, we drove them quite back to the ground they first took in the morning, and have continued there ever since. Two ships and a couple of small vessels beat up oppo- site our lines, and fired several shots ; but, being pretty briskly fired upon from our heavy pieces, they fell down, and now la)' opposite the enemy's lines. Our loss was not very great ; it has not been ascertained yet ; and I can hardly make a tolerable conjecture. Several officers fell, and several are badly wounded. 1 am so happy as to have only one captain slightly wounded in the hand. I believe that a couple of the blacks were killed, and four or five wounded, but none badly. Previous to this, I should have told you that our picijuets and the light corps engaged their advance, and fought them with bravery." General Sullivan received the thanks of Con- gress for his masterly evacuation of Rhode Island. After General Sullivan's retreat, the First Rliode Island Regiment, under H Lieut. -Colonel Samuel Ward. Colonel Greene, was stationed at East Greenwich during the ensuing sea- son. Major Ward remained with his regiment, and, on the twelfth of April, 1779, was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, to fill the vacancy occa- sioned by the resignation of Lieut. -Col. Comstock, his rank, accordingly, dating from May 26, 1778. His conmiission was signed by John Jay, Presi- dent of Congress. In October, 1779, Newport was evacuated by the Uritish. Colonel Greene's regiment remained at East Greenwich, and, at the beginning of January 1780, Lieut. -Colonel Ward was ordered on detached duty to I'rovidence, to take command of a Light Corjis, previously commanded by Colonel Barton. He gave great satisfaction in his new position, as is shown by General Cornell's letters. Having been appointed on a committee to represent the Otticers of the Rhode Island Line, with regard to the dei)reciation of the Continental currency, he exerted himself before the General .Vssembly, so as to carry his point, and regulate the officers' i)ay to their satisfaction. He was stationed at North Kingston and at Newport during the remainder of the year, and was very active in ]ireparing the levies for the field. On the first day of January, 1781, a large niunber of the officers of the Rhode Island Line retired on half pay, it becoming necessary to reduce the number of officers. The gallant Colonel Angel! retired at this time, and Lieut. -Colonel Ward came ne.\t on the list. A copy of Horac. which Col. Ward carried with him tiirough the Revolution, is still prcservecl, as also his sword. A conunittee of three having been apiwinted by the General Assembly in November, 1780, to examine the abstracts of the several brigades of Rhode Island Militia, with regard to their service in July of that year, IJeut.-Col. Ward was appointed 011 tliis connuittee, reporting in Jan- uary, I 781. The following May, he had the misfortune to lose one of his best friends, Col. Christopher Greene being kilietl by the British near Croton River, N. Y. Lieut. -Col. Ward now went into business as a merchant, at Warwick, R. I., displaying great energy in his new career. In i 784 he became a member of the Rhode Island branch of the Society of the Cincinnati. In 1786 he was sent to Annapolis as a delegate to the Convention called to regulate com- merce between the ditferent States. On this occasion he visited Virginia. In 1788 he made a voyage from Providence to Canton, by way of Maileir.i, I'ondicherry, Madras, etc. The ship was called the George Washington, and was among the first to dis[)lay the American llag in the China seas. This voyage occupied considerably over a year, and Lt.-Col. Ward kept a careful journal, which shows his close attention to business. Upon his return to the United States, in 1789, he resumed business in Rhode Island. In 1790 he made a voyage to England, Holland, etc., and on his return established himself in New York as a merchant, under the firm name of Samuel Ward & lirother. In 1792-3 he again visited Englanil and I'' ranee on business, and being in Paris when Louis XVI. was condemned to death, he went to Versailles with General Lafayette, to avoid the s|>ectacle of the execution. He returned to New York on the first of August, 1793, and continued to reside there, engaged in business, until 1804, when he removed to East (ireenwich, R. I. The following year he maile a voyage to Bermuda. He was elected President of the New York Marine Insurance Company, Nov. 12, 1806, and returned to New York to accept this position, which he filled until the close of 1808, when he returned to t^ast Greenwich, where he The Ward Family. 15 owned a farm. He went as a delegate to the celebrated Hartford Conven- tion in 1814, Init had no sympathy with the extremists, and did his best to procure the triuini)h of moderate counsels, and to strengthen the National cause. In 1816, with a view of being near his children, several of whom had embarked in business in New York, he removed from Rhode Island to Jamaica, on Long Island, N. Y., and resided there until 1828, when he returned to New York City, where his wife died Oct. nth of the same year. He survived her until August 16, 1832, when he passed away at No. 7 Bond St., New York, after a noble and useful life. He was pro- nounced to have been "a ripe classical scholar, a gentleman of most winning urbanity of manners, and a man of sterling intellect and unblem- ished honor." ' Note.— Tliu letters from (leneral Wasliington quotecl in this article are principally taken from the fifth volume of his correspumlence, edited by Mr. Sparks. THE WARD FAMILY. The name ^/Ward, or \V.\ruk, isof Norman origin, and found on the an- cient Roll of Battle Abbey, England, as given by Duchesne, Holinshcd, and Leland. Arms, as borne by the Family in America, and originally brought over from England : '' azure, a cross patonce or. Crest : A wolfs head erased, proper, langued and dentated gules. Motto : Sub cruce salus. 1. John Ward, who had been an officer in one of Cromwell's cavalry regiments, came to America, from (lloucester, England, after the accession of'King Charles II. He settled at Newport, R. I., and is mentioned in the Records in 1673. He died at Newport, in April, 1698, aged 79. His sword was preserved in the family for nearly a century. — Issue : 2. Thomas Ward, who preceded his father to America, was born in 1641, married, first. Mary ? by whom he had daughters, i. Marv, who married Sion Arnold, son of Gov. Benedict Arnold, of Newport, R. I.; ii. Margaret, who married Capt. Robert Writington. His second wife was 1 In Col. Truinliull's p.ihiling of the dc.ith of Moiilgomcry .it (.Jucbcc. the middle soldier of the three grouped ill the left foregTound is Capt.lin Samuel W.ird. The artist painted the picture in Kuropc, Irom recollection, without having a portrait of Capt. W., the latter being at the time ui America. " The arms and crest are still to be seen engraved on the monument of Gov. Richard Ward in New- port, R. I. J 5 The Ward Family. Amy Smith (a granddaughter of Roger Williams). He settled at Newport soon nfter 1670, ami is first mentioned in Rhode Island liislory in May, 1671, and siibsciiucntly in 1677, when lie was elected (leneral Treasurer of the Colony. He was elected to the upper house of the (leneral Assembly as Assistant, equivalent to a modern Senator, in 1679, and was repeatedly chosen a Deputy from Newport until his death, September 25, 1689, aged 48. ]5ackus {History Bnptists, i, 516) says that he was a Baptist, and a very useful man in the Colony of Khode Island. His widow (Amy) after- wards married Arnold Collins, and their son Henry Collins (called by the late Dr. Benjamin VVaterhouse "the Lorenzo de Medicis of Rhode Island"), born March 25, 1699, died at Newport, R. I., about 1770. — Issue : 3. i. Tiios. Ward, died December 22, 1695, in his 13th year. 4. ii. (Cov.) Richard Ward, born April 15, 1689, at Newport, R. I., married Mary (daughter of John) Tillinghast, November 2, 1709 ; was many years Secretary, and afterwards Covcrnor of the Colony from 1740 to 1743, and died August 21, 1763. His able report to the English Board of Trade, on paper money, is printed in J. R. Bartlett's R. I. Colonial Records, Vol. 5. ps-ge 8. His wife, Mary, died October ig, 1767, in her 78th year. — Children: i. Amy, born September 4, ami died Oct. 22, 1710. ii. TnoMAS, born October 24, 1711, married Content (daughter of EHsha) Coggcshall, of Newjiort • was for many years .Secretary of Slate, wliicli ofiice he lielt! al tlie time of his deatli, December 21, 1760 (for issue see Coll. K. I. Hist. Soc. in, 310). iii. Mary, Irarn l)eccnil)er 10, 1713; married Ebenezer Flagg ; died May 21, 1781. iv. El-IZARKril, born Feb. 19, 1715 ; died Aug. 27, 1717. V. Amy, born July 21, 1717; ni.arried Samuel Vernon, of Newport, R. I., and ilieil Jan. 17, 1792. (The geologist and author, Clarence King, is descended from her.) vi. IsAiiEL, born .Sept. 19, 1719 ; married Huxford Marchant, ami died at Newport, Feb. 5, iSoS. vii. Han.nau, born Sept. 24, 1721 ; died Dec. 27, 17S3; unmarried, viii. John, born Aug. 4, 1723; died Aug. 15, 1724. vs.. Samuel (5), born May 27, 1725 ; died March 26, 1776. X. Meucv, born June 3, 1727; died Oct. 25, 1730. xi. Makgaret, born April 14, 1729; married Col. Sanmel Freebody, of Newport, K. I., Jan. i, 1765 ; died June 27, 1765. xii. KieilARI), born Jan. 22, I730;dieil Aug. 7, 1732. xiii. Henry, born Dec. 27, 1732; married Esther (daughter of Thomas) Freebody, of Newport, succeeded his brother Thomas as Secretary of State, which olfice he held, by successive annual re-elections, until his death, Nov. 25, 1797, at i'rovidcncc, R. I., leaving one daughter, Elizabeth, who married Dr. I'.ardim Bowen of that city. xiv. lii.iZAiiETH, Ijorn June 6, 1735, married Rev. William Bliss, of Newport, and died in 1815, without issue. 5. (Cov.) Samukl Ward was born May 27, 1725, at Newport, R. I. ; was C^hief Justice in 1761 ; and Governor of the Colony from 1762 to 1763, and from 1765 to I 767. He was a member of the Continental Congress in i 774, and from 1775; to 1776, constantly presiding in the Committee of the Whole, wliich sat daily (see commencement of article on I. lent. -Col. S. Ward). Many of his letters are printed in the sixth and seve.'ith volumes of Rhode Island Colonial Records, with a biographical sketch. His life, by Wm. Gammell, is given in the ninth volume of the Library of American Biography, Tlic Ward Family. 17 conducted by Jared Sparks. He niarriud Anne (daughter of Simon) Ray, of Wock Island (also a lineal descendant of Roger Williams), Dec. 20, 1745. He died of smallpox al Philadelphia, Pa., March 26, 1776. His tomb- stone, at New[)ort, was erected by the State of Rhode Island, and the inscription was written by John Jay. His wife died at Westerly, R. I., Dec. 3, 1770, in the 43d year of her age. — Children : i. CnARr,ES, born 1747, was an officer in the Revolutionary Army, died unmarried, ii. Hann.\h, born April 12, 1749, died unmarried 1774. iii. Anna, born Aug. 24, 1750, married Ethan Clarke, and died 1790. iv. Catherine, born Oct. 2, 1752, married Christopher Greene (brother ot Cen. Nathanael Greene), and died 1781, leaving two daughters, of whom Anna married A\'m. P. Ma.xwell, and died Nov. 9, 1S57, aged 81. V. Mary, born Dec. 5, 1754, died 1832, unmarried. vi. Samuei- (6), born Nov. 17, 1756, died Aug. 16, 1832. vii. Df.uorah, born Oct. 12, 1758, became the second wife of Christopher Greene, who had married her sister Catherine, and died in 1835, at Potowomut, R. I. Their son, Richard Ward Greene, born Jan. 21, 1792, became Chief Justice, R. I., and died March 14, 1875. viii. Simon Rav, born Oct. 4, 1760, was a Lieutenant in the Revolu- tionary Navy ; married Sarah Gardner, and died of yellow-fever in the West Indies, about 1790, leaving two daughters, ix. John, born July 26, 1762, married Elizabeth (daughter of Dr. P^jhraim) 15owen, of Providence, and died at IJrooklyn, N. Y., Sept., 1S23, without issue. X. Richard, born in 1764, married Eliza (daughter of Josei>h) Brown, of Providence; where he died in October, 1808, without issue, xi. Ei.izadeih, born 1766, died at Warwick, R. I., 1783, unmarried. 0. (I,t.-Col.) Samuel Ward was born Nov. 17, 1756, ftt Westerly, R. I. (see previous memoir of him). He was married March 8, 1778, to Phebe, daughter of (lovernor William and Catharine Ray Greene, of Rhode Island, the latter a daughter of Simon Ray, and noted as the witty correspondent of Henjamin Franklin. Hedied in New York City, Aug. 16, 1832. His wife, born March 20, 1760, at Warwick, R. 1., died Oct. u, 182S. — Children: i. Wii.i.iAM Greene, born .Aiiril i, 1779, at Warwick, R. I.; died .Aug. 17, 1798, in New York, of yellow-fever, ii. Samiei,, born Jan. 23, 1781 ; died Nov. 13, 1785. iii. Henry, born Dec. 15, 1782, died Sept. 3, 1783. iv. Henry (7), born March 17, 1784; died July 26, 1S38. v. Samiki. (8), born May i, 1786; died Nov. 27, 1839. vi. Anne Catherine, born Aug. 15, 1788; died Sei)t. 14, 1837, unmarried, vii. Phehe, born July 17, 1791, at Providence, R. I. ; died at Jamaica, I.. I., April 22, 1825, unmarried, viii. Richard Ray (9), born in New York City, Nov. 17, 1795 ; died there Dec. 8, 1873. ix. John (10), born October 26, 1797, and died March 31, 1866. X. William Greene (11), born Aug. 7, 1802, and died July 22, 1848, in New York City. 1 8 The Ward Family. 7. Henry Wakd, bum Marcli i 7, i 7enja- jamin Cutler, of Jamaica Plain.s, Mass. (sister of the late Rev. Dr. I'.enj. Cutler, of St. Ann's Church, Prooklyn, N. Y., and a relative of (Jen. Francis Marion, of Revolutionary fame). His wife died Nov. 11, 1&24. In 1828 he e.xerted himself to procure a buikling for the N. Y. Historical Society. In 1830, he was very active in founding the New York University. He became President of the City Temperance Society in 1831, and in 1836 assisted in founding the .Stuyvesant Institute. .After the financial crisis of 1S36-37, the liank of I'lngland, wisliing to assist the New York City banks in resuming specie payment, conlided a loan of nearly five millions of dollars gold to the firm of Prime, Ward tv King, a remarkable sign of con- fidence. Soon after, Samuel \Var(l bifcame President of the Hank of Com- merce, in New York. He had a fine gallery of paintings in his residence, corner of Pond Street aiul liroadway, New York. He died Nov. 27, 1839, respected and esteemed by all. — Children : i. SAMUK.r, Ward, born in 1814, was graduated at Columbia College, 1 83 1, was formerly a banker, lately a di|)lomatist and poet ; author of "Lyrical Recreations;" married ist, Kmily, daughter of Wil- liam B. Astor. [Their surviving child, Margarkt Astok Ward, married John Wmthroi) Chanler.] Married 2d, Medora Oynies. — Children : 1. Samuei,, (lied 1866. 2. Kandui.I'H G., died 1864. ii. Henrv Jr., born in 1818, was graduated at Columbia College, 1836 ; died in New York 1840. iii. Jui-iA, died in infancy, iv. Jiu.iA, born in New York, May 27, 1819, married Dr. Samuel O. Howe, of IJoston, Mass., in 1843. She is the gifted authoress of "Passion Flowers," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," and many other works. — Children : The Ward FaniHy. ig 1. Jui.lA RoMANA IIoWK, married Michael Anagnos. 2. Ki.oRKNCE M. IlowK, iiiarricil David P. Hail. 3. IIknky M. Howf., marrieil Fannie Gay. 4. l.AURA K. Howe, ni.anied Henry Ricliards. 5. Maud Howb. V. Francis Marion was born in Aug., 1820 ; was giadiiatcd at Col- umbia College, I1S38 ; became a merchant ; (lied in New Orleans, Sept., 1847. vi. Louisa Cuit.er, was born in Feb., 1823, married ist, in 1844, Thomas Crawford, the celebrated sculi)tor, who was born in New York City, March 22, 1813, and dieil in London, October 10, 1857. — CliUdic7i : 1. Annif. Crawfoki", married Uaron von Rahe. 2. Janf, Campiseli. Crawford, died immarried. 3. Marv Crawfouii, married lln[;li Kraser. 4. Francis Marion Crawford. .She married 2d, in 1862, Luther 'I'erry, artist, of Rome, Italy. — Children : Margarkt Terry and Arthur Nof.i. '1'ickkv. vii. Annk Im.iza, was born Nov. 2, 1824, married Adolphc Mailliard, in 1846; now of San Rafael, Cal. — Childie)i : 1. Louise Marguerite Maii.i.iard. 2. JosEi'H Maii.i.iard, died yi.nnt;. 3. Cora Maii.i.iard. 4. Jdsei'H Maii.i.iard. 5. John Mau.liard. 9. Richard Ray Ward, born in New York City, Nov. 17, 1795, became a lawyer in New York. He was an honorary member of the Rhode Island Historical Society from 1823, and was noted for antiquarian research. He married Certrude Eliza (daughter of Fdward) Doughty, of New York, November 3, 1835. She died May 21, 1859. He died in New York City, Dec. S , 1873. — CI I ildrcn : i. Okrtkudk Rav, married Dr. P.ethuel L. Dodd, of Newark, N. J., County Physician. — Cliildnn : Kdward Lewis and Annie May. ii. Annie C. 10. John Ward, born Oct. 26, 179.7, in New York City ; was brought up princijially at East Creenwich, R. 1. ; went into business in New \'ork, in 1818, in the office of Messrs. Nevins & Townsend. In 1824 he founded the linn of John Ward & Co. (changed to Ward & Co. in 1847). He was for many years President of the N. Y. Stock Exchange (his portrait, by Wen/.ler, is still preserved in their biiiUling), and ilied March 31, 1866, in New York City. He was greatly respected as an able fmancier, and a man of sterling integrity. 11. Wii.r.lAM CuEENE Ward, was born in New York City, Aug. 7, 1802. He was brought up at Fast Creenwich, R. I., and at Jamaica, L, 1. He went into business in New York City, became a member of the firm of John Ward & Co., and displayed unusual business capacity. He was noleil for his e-xcellent judgment of men and affiiirs. His energy was indomitable. He married Abby Maria (daughter of Dr. Jonathan) Hall, of Pomfret, Conn, (a sister of Mrs. Henry Ward, and of the late eminent lawyers, Jonathan Prcscott Hall, and David P. Hall), Nov. 17, 1830. His wife was born March 6, 1802. Another of her sisters was the late Miss Anne Hall, the 20 The M'ard Family. artist, several of whose miniatures rival those of Malboneand Isabey. AVni. Ci. Ward died in New York, July 22, 1848. — C/ii/tlnii : 12. i. VV'ii.l.lAM CkEENK Wakd, bom in New York City, July 20, 1832, was graduated at Columbia College, 1851 ; is a banker of llie firm of Ward & Co. ; was in LInited Stales service as JJeut.- Colonel, 'I'weifth Regiment, N. Y. S. M., from April 19 to Aug. .\, 1861 ; was Colonel of same regiment in U. S. service from May 31 to Oct. 8, 1862 ; ))arlici|)aled in the defence of Harper's I'erry, and was paroled at its surrender, Sept. 15, 1S62, exchanged Jan. 1 1, 1863 ; again in \J. S. service as Colo- nel of same regiment from June 17 to July 22, 1863, being in Dana's Division, and Couch's Corps, in the Pennsylvania campaign. lie partly invented and greatly improved the Ward-Hiirton breech-loading ritle. Deis Drigadier-Ceneral, First lirigade, ist Div. N. (,. S. N. Y. Married Kmily (ira- ham (daughter of John L.) McRniglU, of Itordciitown, N. J., June 17, 1857. — C/iili/iiii : 1. Maria Emily G. McK., Iiorn Oct. 4, 1S63. 2. Leila Kliza Pkescott, burn M.-iy27, 1867 ; dial M.-irdi 23, iSOS. 3. Caroli.ne CoNSTANTiA, borii .'\]>ril 12, 1S69. 13. ii. Charles Henry Ward, born in New Y'ork City, Oct. 17, 1S33, was graduated at Columbia College, 1851 ; is a banker of the firm of Ward & Co. ; has nnich taste for literature and art. Married Mary Montagu (daughter of Klea/.ar) I'armly, April 13, 1857. — Cliildicn: 1. Charles Mcntaou, liom June 16, 1S5S. 2. I''RAN'eis Khrick, born Kcl). 24, 1860. 3. Julia Prescott, born J.in. 23, 1S62; died Jan. 11, 1864. 4. Louisa Hall, horn April 4, 1S64. 5. John Prescott, born .Vpril 26, 1.S66; died March 27, i868. 6. William Frederick, born April 26, 1S66. 7. Henry Marion, born Nov. 8, 1S70. 14. iii. Anne Catherine, born May 5, 1835; died April (6, 1840. 15. iv. John, born Dec. 26, 1837; died Keb. 3, 1838. 16. V. John Ward, born in New York City, Nov. 30, 1838, was gra- duated at Columbia College. 1858, and at Col. Coll. l,aw School, i860, and as Doctor of Mediciiie at University Metli- cal College, 1864. In United States service as ist Lieutenant and Captain, Twelfth Regiment, N. Y. S. M., from April lyih to Aug. 4th, 1861, serving in defence of \Vashington and in Western V^irginia ; was Captain in same regiment, in U. S. service, from May 31st to Oct. 8th, 1862, partici|)ated in tiie defence of Harper's i'erry, and was paroled at its surrender. Sept. 15, 1862; exchanged Jan. 11, 1863; elected Colonel i2th Infantry N. G. S. N. Y., Jan. 4, 1867, and is still in command. Lawyer, author of "Campaigns of the Twelfth Infantry, N. G. S. N. Y., 1861-62-63," and of "The Over- land Route to California, and other Poems," etc. 17. vi. Prescoit Hai.l Ward, born Oct. 9, 1841, was graduated at Columbia College Law School, 1861 ; married Marian Poyn- tell (daughter of George W.) Turner, July 29, 1863 ; died in New York City, Oct. 16, 1870. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on tlie last date stamped below. «cs_ Ward - 71 Memoir of Lieut. WPI^WP - Tninnftl Samuel 71 W2l5W2 UCLA-Young fleftearch Library • CS71.W215 W2 i'' L 009 655 977 8 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FAOUTY D 001 110 583 ■ ■'•i.'i>ii'':":(rtyj'