Throughout the year, in celebration of our nation’s Sesquicentennial, the West Greenwich Preservation and Heritage Commission will be profiling Revolutionary War soldiers from our town. By highlighting these individuals, we hope to honor their service while continuing our mission of preserving and sharing the rich history of West Greenwich for future generations.

The first in this series is Ebenezer Hopkins.

Ebenezer Hopkins was born on November 6, 1751, in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. He was the son of Honor Brown, who was 41 years old at the time of his birth, and Judge Samuel Hopkins, who was 47.

On March 22, 1773, at the age of 21, Ebenezer Hopkins married Abigail Davis in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. Together, they had three known sons: Davis (often recorded as David), Christopher, and Alexander.

During the American Revolutionary War, Ebenezer Hopkins served as an Ensign representing West Greenwich. He served in the 2nd Regiment of the Kent County Militia and is listed in Civil and Military Lists of Rhode Island, page 510.

Ebenezer Hopkins died on April 5, 1827, in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, at the age of 75.

His gravestone is in the Theophilus Whaley Lot, designated as Rhode Island Historical Cemetery WG-033.

The second in this series is Sergeant Gideon Waite, Esq.

Sergeant Gideon Waite was born in 1745, the son of Thomas Waite, Jr., and his wife Tabitha Ellis of Dartmouth in Bristol County, Massachusetts. He was also the great-grandson of the immigrant ancestor Thomas Waite, who was born in Northern Wales and later settled in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

On April 6, 1766, Gideon Waite married Lois Tripp. Together they raised a large family and were the parents of thirteen children, though one sadly died in infancy. Their children were Dorcus, Eunice, Silas, Jeremiah, Simon, Thomas, Gideon II, Reynolds, Benjamin, Lois, Stephen, and Hannah. The Waite family became part of the growing community that would help shape the early history of West Greenwich.

During the struggle for American independence, Gideon Waite served with honor as a Sergeant in the Revolutionary War, answering the call to defend the liberties of the American colonies. He served under Captain Joseph Hopkins and Major Samuel Wall, contributing his efforts to the cause of independence during one of the most pivotal moments in the nation’s history.

Records of his service can be found in several historical sources, including the Rhode Island State Archives Index to Military and Naval Records, 1774–1805 (Family History Library Roll #934773) and John Russell Bartlett’s Civil and Military Lists of Rhode Island, 1647–1800, Volume I, pages 385, 398, 412, and 418. These records preserve the names of the men who stood in defense of their communities and country.

Following the war, Gideon Waite continued to serve his community in civic life. He held the office of Justice of the Peace and served as a member of the West Greenwich Town Council, demonstrating the same dedication to public service in peace that he had shown in wartime.

Sergeant Gideon Waite died on April 1, 1808, and was laid to rest in Plain Meeting House Cemetery (WG-002) in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. His life stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of those early citizens of West Greenwich whose service, sacrifice, and leadership helped shape both their town and their nation.

Our third Revolutionary War soldier profile is:

David Matteson II, Esq.

DAR#: A075349

Born on October 25, 1763, in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, David Matteson II entered the world at a time when the American colonies stood on the brink of revolution. He was the son of David Matteson and Rebecca Andrews and would come of age during one of the most defining struggles in our nation’s history.

As a young man, David answered the call to service, taking up arms as a private in the American Revolutionary War. In doing so, he joined countless ordinary citizens who became extraordinary through their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the cause of liberty. His service helped secure the freedoms that future generations would come to cherish.

Following the war, David returned home to West Greenwich, where he built a life rooted in family and perseverance. On January 2, 1785, he married Dorcus Waite, the daughter of Gideon Waite and Lois Tripp. Together, they raised five known children: Amos, Peleg, Andrew, Benoni, and Lois. Through them, his legacy carried forward into the growing nation he had helped defend.

David Matteson II lived a long and full life, passing away on June 25, 1847, in West Greenwich, the same town in which he was born. He now rests in the David Matteson Lot, known as WG-008, on the Alton Jones Campus—a quiet and enduring reminder of a life marked by both service and strength. David Matteson’s epitaph on his headstone reads:

 “Though long thy life, thy race is run. The years and toils of life are done. When ours shall cease O may we meet to cast our crowns at Jesus feet.”

Today, we remember David Matteson II not only as a husband and father, but as a patriot—one of the many whose bravery laid the foundation of our nation. His story continues to live on in the fields, forests, and historic grounds of West Greenwich.

James Congdon

DAR #A024934

James Congdon was born on November 23, 1753, the son of John Congdon and Mary Reynolds. A lifelong resident of West Greenwich, he became part of a growing young nation during a time of great uncertainty and sacrifice.

On July 23, 1778, he married Hannah Nichols in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. Together, they raised a large family of ten children: John, Henry, Samuel, Abigail, James II, Mary, Joseph, Tabitha, George, and Archibald. Following Hannah’s passing, James married a second time in 1802 to Freelove (last name unknown). No children are known from this second marriage.

During the American Revolution, James Congdon answered the call to serve his country. He enlisted as a Private in the Second Rhode Island Regiment, serving under Captain Bates, Captain Hopkins, Colonel Dyer, and Colonel Brown. His recorded pension, S-21712, stands as a lasting testament to his service and dedication.

 James Congdon passed away on July 7, 1839, leaving behind a legacy rooted in family, service, and the early history of West Greenwich.

He is laid to rest in the Niles-Nichols-Congdon Lot, also known as Rhode Island Historical Cemetery WG-054, located within the Big River Management Area.

David Strait (1746–1837)

Born in 1746 in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, David Strait was the son of John Strait and Mary Shippee. Raised in a colonial town on the eve of revolution, he would come of age just as the American colonies began their fight for independence.

At only 19 years old, David married Mary Almy Aylesworth on February 12, 1766, in West Greenwich. As tensions grew between the colonies and Great Britain, he answered the call to service, joining his fellow Rhode Islanders in the cause of liberty.

David served in the Revolutionary War as a private in the Rhode Island Militia and was later placed on the pension rolls on November 14, 1832, in recognition of his service and sacrifice.

Following the war, David returned to West Greenwich, where he and Mary raised a large family of eight children over 15 years: Thankful, Sarah, Franklin, Mary, Ruth, Damaris, Phebe, and David II. His life reflected both the sacrifice of war and the resilience required to build a nation in its aftermath.

David Strait lived to the remarkable age of 91, passing away on September 26, 1837, in the same town where he was born. He was laid to rest in West Greenwich at the Strait Family Cemetery, designated as Rhode Island Historical Cemetery WG-043, where his legacy endures among the stones of early West Greenwich.

Captain Caleb Hall, Esq.

SAR #38333

Born July 15, 1738, Captain Caleb Hall, Esq. was the son of Preserved Hall and Elizabeth Vaugh. A respected member of his community, he married Meribah Havens, daughter of Robert Havens and Elizabeth Wightman, in 1769. Together, they raised a large family of eleven children: Mary, Frances, Elizabeth, Dorcus, Sarah, Preserved (who died in infancy), Abigail, Preserved, Caleb, Robert, and Havens.

When the call to service came, Caleb answered. At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, he enlisted in Connecticut, serving in the 7th Regiment of the Connecticut Militia in Jones’ Company of Artillery. His role in the artillery placed him at the heart of the fight, contributing to the struggle for independence during a pivotal moment in our nation’s history.

After completing his service in 1779, Captain Caleb Hall, Esq. returned home to West Greenwich, where he resumed his life as a devoted husband, father, and community member.

 A soldier, a leader, and a gentleman of standing—his legacy lives on in the history of West Greenwich and the generations that followed. Let us continue to honor and preserve the memory of Captain Caleb Hall, Esq.

Amasa Pratt (1752-1827)

Amasa Pratt was born in 1752, the son of Jedediah Pratt and Ana Barns. In 1775, he married Freelove Tefft, daughter of Peter Tefft and Sarah Barns. Together, they were known to have 12 children: Simon, Marcy, Sarah, Israel, John, Freelove, Lydia, Hannah, Cynthia, William, Amasa II, and Job. Amasa was also a Mayflower descendant.

During the Revolutionary War, Amasa served under Captain Steven Knight in Company 1, answering the call to support the cause of American independence.

Amasa Pratt died on March 11, 1827, at the age of 75. He is buried in the Amasa Pratt Lot, known as WG-007, here in West Greenwich.

Lieutenant Abel Greene
October 14, 1741 – May 3, 1829

Abel Greene was born on October 14, 1741, the son of James Greene and Elizabeth Straight. 

On April 1, 1764, Abel married Nancy Ann King in Rhode Island. They were married by Thomas Rogers, Justice of the Peace. Nancy Ann King was the daughter of Marie LaValley and Magdalen King and was baptized on August 22, 1742, in the Episcopal Church at Cowesett, now Frenchtown, near East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The King family came from France in 1741.

Together, Abel and Nancy Ann were known to have ten children: Samuel, Nathan, Mary, Elizabeth, Obadiah, Paul, James, Jeremiah, John, and Able.

During the American Revolution, Abel Greene served as a Lieutenant in the First West Greenwich Company under Captain Eleazar Carr. During his service, he was wounded in battle and suffered the loss of an eye.

After the war, Abel continued to serve his community through his work, operating a grist mill and sawmill for many years. He lived in West Greenwich for most of his life.

Abel Greene died on May 3, 1829, in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, at the age of 87. He is buried in the Abel Greene Lot, also known as WG-036.

Augustus Ellis April 9, 1758 - August 19, 1836

Augustus Ellis was born in West Greenwich on April 9, 1758. He was the son of Ayers Ellis and Susannah Hill.

During the American Revolution, Augustus Ellis served as a Private in the Rhode Island State Troops in Captain Benjamin Hoppen’s Company under Colonel William Barton’s Regiment. Records also note that he served under Captain Sweet and Captain Greene.

He married Deserie Slocum, daughter of Charles Slocum and Sarah Allen, in 1785. Together, they were known to have eight children: Mary, Cynthia, Charles, Allen, Sarah, Halsey, Augustus II, and Desire.

Augustus Ellis died on August 19, 1836. He is buried in the Ellis Lot, also known as WG-042, in West Greenwich.

🇺🇸 We remember Captain Augustus Ellis for his service and dedication during the American Revolution. His life and legacy remain an important part of West Greenwich history and the stories we continue to preserve for future generations.

Thomas Tillinghast Esq.
DAR# A115494
April 27, 1732 – October 21, 1827

Thomas Tillinghast Esq. was born on April 27, 1732. He was the son of John Tillinghast and Ann Allen.

Thomas Tillinghast was married three times. His first marriage was to Mary Thomas, and together they had two children: John and Abigail. His second marriage was to Mary Himes, and they were known to have seven children: Job, Mary, Ruth, Amey, Thomas II, Phebe, and Mary. His third marriage was to Mary Casey, and together they had five children: Phebe, Anna, Hapey, Esther, and Thankful. In total, Thomas was the father of 13 known children.

During the American Revolution, Thomas Tillinghast served under Civil Service to the Regiment as a Justice of the Peace for West Greenwich from 1775 to 1779, holding the rank of Lieutenant. His service is documented in Smith, Civil & Military Lists of Rhode Island, 1647–1800, Volume I, pages 326–327, 345–346, 360–361, 364–365, and 373–374.

Thomas Tillinghast died on October 21, 1827, in West Greenwich. He is buried in the Thomas Tillinghast Lot, also known as WG-034.

Recently, the West Greenwich Preservation and Heritage Commission cleaned and preserved WG-034 and proudly flagged Thomas Tillinghast’s gravestone with both the American Flag and the Betsy Ross Flag, recognizing his Revolutionary War service as part of America’s Semiquincentennial remembrance.

Capt. Job Harrington 4th 

December 18, 1759 - June 30, 1840

Capt. Job Harrington IV was born on December 18, 1759, in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. He was the son of Job Harrington III and Rebecca Carr. On October 14, 1781, he married Meribah Whitford, and together they raised nine children: Ebenezer, Aaron, Job V, Nicholas, Carmi, Rebecca, Paul, Daniel, and Whitman.

Job Harrington entered Revolutionary War service in December 1776, serving under Capt. Alexander Hopkins at Warwick in Col. Nathan Brown’s Regiment. Throughout the war, he answered repeated calls to service and alarms across Rhode Island.

In February 1777, he served in Capt. Jeremiah Austin’s Company. He later served under Capt. Michael Spencer after being hired by Joseph Whitman and was drafted into service under Capt. Sam C. Hopkins at North Kingstown and later in Tiverton, RI in October 1777.

George Potter of West Greenwich later testified that Job Harrington completed approximately 14 to 15 months of service during the Revolution. Records show he was drafted four times in 1778, four times in 1779, and four times in 1780, while also responding to military alarms throughout the war.

Several sworn depositions later confirmed his Revolutionary War service:
• Benjamin Green of Coventry testified to Job’s March 1777 service.
• Stephen Breen testified to his 33 days of service under Capt. Alexander Hopkins.
• William Green, himself a pensioner, confirmed Job’s service in June 1777.
• Silas James of West Greenwich also confirmed knowledge of Job’s Revolutionary War service.

In 1790, Job Harrington served as an Ensign of the West Greenwich Company. His name appeared on the Rhode Island Civil and Military Lists and on the Revolutionary War Pension Rolls.

Most notably, he was the only Job Harrington to receive a Revolutionary War pension.

Capt. Job Harrington IV passed away on June 30, 1840, in West Greenwich. He is interned in the Job Harrington Lot, also known as WG-047.

As we approach America’s 250th Anniversary, we proudly remember and honor Capt. Job Harrington IV for his service, sacrifice, and dedication to the cause of American independence.