The Greenes of Rhode Island, with historical records of English ...

Settlement of Warwick, R. I. 47
In addition to these purchases the inhabitants of the town of Warwick
purchased on the 13th of July, 1654, from Taccomanan (the deed being
signed also by Amashetuck and Wawamockashaw his sons) the tract of
land now known as Potowomut, on the south side of Coweset Ba}^ This
tract of land has ever since formed a part of the town of Warwick. James
Greene, son of John Greene, surgeon, was the first settler of this territory
of Potowomut.
It was not, as before mentioned, till the year 1647 that a permanent
settlement was made in Shawomet, when the name Warwick was assumed
in honor of the Earl of Warwick, the powerful protector in England of
Gorton and his friends and the " Governor in Chief and Lord High Admiral
of the English Plantations" in America. During King Philip's War (1675-6)
there was a general exodus of the inhabitants of the town to the island of
Rhode Island.' But one house, the Greene " Stone Castle," as it was known
for centuries, remained inhabited. A garrison stayed there during the
entire war and for many months afterward, before the return of the inhabitants,
who had meantime organized themselves at Portsmouth as the town
of Warwick, and for fifteen months maintained such organization there,
tmtil it was safe for them to return to their own territory. Excepting this
" Stone Castle," every house in the town was destroyed.
After the close of King Philip's War, the town of Warwick w^as resettled
and commenced a prosperous career, which has ever since then continued.
Among the early manufacturing interests established were the Greene
Anchor Forge and Mills at Potowomut, which had an extensive reputation
many years before the Revolutionary War. All through this period Warwick
was noted for the numerous men of ability which she contributed to
the patriotic cause, prominent among whom, as before stated, were members
of the Greene family, the most noted being Major-General Nathanael
Greene and Colonel Christopher Greene of the Revolutionary Army. Thus,
through varying fortunes, the town of Warwick survived all difficulties.^
I On 13th March, 1675-6, the General Assembly of the Colony, in session at Newport, sent a
message to the people of Warwick, stating that the Colony was unable to defend them and advisinothem
to seek safety at the island of Rhode Island, promising them hospitality from the inhabitants
of Newport and Portsmouth. Four days later the town of Warwick was burned (on the night of
i6th and 17th of March, 1675-6) by the Indians, excepting the stone house of Thomas Greene.
^ " Many of the original settlers of the Colony lived through all the dangers and difficulties after
their coming above forty years. WilUam Arnold, John Greene, William Harris, and Thomas Olney
lived to a great age, and many of the second generation reached to fourscore and some to ninety
years. Here is evidence, not only of health and vigor, but of sober and temperate habits, so that
we are justified in saying that the first century of this Colony was marked by a fair degree of moral
character corresponding to the conscientious views of the early Puritans " {Sketches of Congregationalism
in Rhode Island, p. 44, by Rev. James Gardiner Vose, D.D.).