Benjamin Bourne (or Bourn, 1755-1808) was the third child of Shearjashub Bourne and Ruth Church. He was baptized in the Congregational Church in Bristol. He studied at Harvard College. During the Revolution, Benjamin served as a quartermaster in multiple different units. In 1775, he was quartermaster of Thomas Church’s Regiment in the Army of Observation. He then served in Christopher Lippitt’s Regiment. During the winter of 1776-77 Bourne’s tent caught fire and was destroyed. After Lippitt’s Regiment was disbanded, Benjamin returned to Bristol and continued serving as a quartermaster. In 1779, he became a member of Rhode Island’s General Assembly. Benjamin’s older brother Shearjashub served as quartermaster for the Bristol Militia for years. After the war, Benjamin served as a justice of the peace and in other legal positions. By 1790, he was living in Providence. In the General Assembly, Benjamin proposed a convention to discuss and vote on ratification of The United States Constitution. This convention was held in South Kingstown and did not vote to ratify. During the Convention, some of Benjamin’s positions were interpreted as signs of support for slavery. He responded describing himself as a “friend to the Freedom of all Men.” Later in 1790 (after the Constitution had been ratified) Benjamin was elected to serve as a representative in Congress. He served as a representative until 1796 and then became a judge of the District Court. By 1800, he was again living in Bristol. In 1801, Benjamin became a judge of the First Circuit Court. That same year, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Law from Rhode Island College (now Brown University). In 1812, his estate was valued at $7,585.17.
