William Barton (1748-1831) was the second child of Benjamin and Lydia Barton of Warren. He married Rhoda Carver in Providence in 1771. William and Rhoda had nine children: William, Benjamin, George Washington, Daniel, Henry, Robert, John, Anna, and Sarah. In 1775, William commanded the Colonel’s Company of William Richmond’s Regiment. In 1776, he held the position of brigade-major. In 1777, he was a colonel, and led a nighttime raid to Aquidneck Island to capture General Richard Prescott, commander of the British garrison. For this success, he was presented with a sword by Congress.
During the 1778 Warren/Bristol Raid, William was sent to command by General Sullivan. He was wounded multiple times and never fully recovered. In 1779, he returned to command a corps of light infantry. In 1788, William was adjutant general of the Rhode Island Militia. In 1791, he was appointed by George Washington to be an inspector of Rhode Island’s ports. He was inspector general in 1793, and commander of the Providence County Brigade in 1795. The Town of Barton, Vermont was named for him, and founded on land he was granted for his service. Due to complications with the ownership of this land, William spent several years in debtors prison in Vermont. He was eventually released due to the intercession of the Marquis de La Fayette. William Barton is buried at North Burial Ground in Providence.
He could be confused with another William Barton who lived in Warren at the time of the Revolution.
Rev War Bristol 