Barton, William, 1784-1831
Military officer; born in Warren, R. I., May 26, 1784. Holding the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Rhode Island militia, he, with a small party, crossed Narraganset Bay in the night (July 10, 1777) and seized and carried away the British General Prescott (see Prescott, Richard). For this service Congress gave him a sword and a commission of colonel in the Continental army. He was wounded at Bristol Ferry in August, 1778, and was disabled from [293] further service in the war. He was a member of the Rhode Island conventionWilliam Barton. |