Bristol is a coastal town located on the Mount Hope Peninsula in the State of Rhode Island. It is the county seat of Bristol County. Like many other places throughout New England, Bristol was heavily involved in the Revolutionary War. This website exists to tell the stories of the town and its people between 1775 and 1783.

The profiles of people on this site are compiled from various primary sources, including: vital records, town records, the Civil and Military List, newspapers, and service-related documents from the U.S. National Archives. It is very much a work in progress and is always being updated.

Overview:

Bristol, like other colonial towns, had a militia company. This company was commanded at various times by Jeremiah Ingraham, Stephen Smith, and William Throope. When the war Broke out, Rhode Island sent its Army of Observation to Boston. In November of 1775, Bristol was bombarded by the British Royal Navy. During the New York Campaign of 1776, Rhode Island sent troops, including Christopher Lippitt’s Regiment, to fight with George Washington. Rhode Island had two regular regiments in the Continental Army.  The First was commanded by Christopher Greene, the Second by Israel Angell. In 1778, Bristol was burned by a British raiding party from Newport. Later that year, men from Bristol joined Major General John Sullivan’s army at the Battle of Rhode Island. During the 1778 Campaign, Bristolians were present with the militia, both Continental regiments, and State regiments like Crary’s, Topham’s, and Elliott’s. In 1781, the two Continental regiments were combined into one, commanded by Jeremiah Olney. This regiment fought at Yorktown and served until the end of the war in 1783.

The Revolution is very fondly remembered in Bristol. The town is home to the oldest Independence Day celebration in the country. The veterans are remembered in books and monuments.