Benjamin Bourne

Benjamin Bourne (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 a representative in Congress. In 1812, his estate was valued at $7,585.17.