Members of the Artillery company of Newport, Rhode Island

This database contains the names of commanders and members of the Artillery Company of Newport, Rhode Island from 1741 to 1854. Also available on individual pages (but not part of the searchable database) are the Charter and By-Laws of the company and a description of its uniform. The original text was published in 1857.

The Artillery Company of the Town of Newport was chartered by the Royal Governor of King George II in 1741. In 1757 one quarter of the company was called to serve the British in the French and Indian Wars. In 1775 the company elected John Malbone as its captain, and the following year he surrendered Newport to the British. This led to half of the company leaving to join Patriot forces in Tiverton with the remainder electing to serve as Loyalists to the King.

In addition to the service mentioned above, the company also participated in the War of 1812, at the First Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War. According to its website, today the company is a "ceremonial unit of the Rhode Island Militia, Council of Historic Military Commands. As such, the company provides cannon salutes, color guards, and honor guards for official state and local ceremonies, as well as for privately sponsored patriotic and veterans' events."

The original text is available to NEHGS members at the R. Stanton Avery Collections room at the NEHGS Library.

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