Posted on March 2, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
Image: Edwin Austin Abbey (1852-1911) painting of Baron Steuben drilling American troops at Valley Forge in 1778. Written by Robert Barboza Historical researcher Robert Barboza has written two books about local patriots in the American Revolution. His 2025 book, Patriots of the South Coast, and his 2014 history book, Patriots of Old Dartmouth, are available for […]
Continue ReadingPosted on March 2, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
By ROBERT BARBOZA Historical researcher Robert Barboza has written two books about local patriots in the American Revolution. His 2025 book, Patriots of the South Coast, and his 2014 history book, Patriots of Old Dartmouth, are available for purchase at the Westport Historical Society bookstore. Westport native Joseph Allen was one of the many men from […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 27, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
Jeremiah Greenman (1758–1828): A career soldier who served for eight years, Greenman is notable for keeping a detailed personal record titled “Diary of a Common Soldier in the American Revolution.” During the war, his father moved from Newport to Westport (Acoaxet) and Jeremiah visited his family frequently. He was constantly on the move throughout the […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 25, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
Image: Pearlware from Waite Kirby Potter House The temptations of prize sugar Women’s voices are, of course, absent from the Dartmouth town meeting debates. But fortunately, another source provides some insights from a Quaker perspective, into their activities during this era of upheaval. The recently transcribed minutes of the Dartmouth Monthly Meeting of Friends include […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 16, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
“The inhabitants of said Town of Westport who were qualified by law to vote, being legally notified and warned by the said William Almy, assembled at the dwelling house of William Gifford in said Westport on Monday the Twentieth day of August 1787 at ten of the clock A.M.” An open field at 1074 Main Road marks […]
Continue ReadingPosted on February 16, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
I still recall the sense of disbelief and mild shock when I came across a reference to “a lock of George Washington’s hair” presented to and preserved by the Noquochoke Masonic Lodge in Westport MA. The lock of hair had been handed down through generations of the Cameron family of Philadelphia who were close to […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 28, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
By Tony Connors “We have a Sunday wooden leg covered with leather, and for just around the farm, an ordinary wooden one.” (Mary Hicks Brown, interviewed in 1976 about her family history) When we turn a spotlight on figures from the past, we’re usually looking for people with admirable qualities. What was it that […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 27, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
Westport’s Revolutionary Stories 113 Reed Road, Head of Westport MA A small plaque located at 113 Reed Road commemorates the military service of Robert Cottle during the American Revolution. Cottle enlisted in 1775 and participated in many of the pivotal events of the war: the retreat from Long Island, the battle of Ticonderoga, the capture […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 27, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
Westport’s Revolutionary Stories Bread and Cheese Brook flows from Fall River to the Westport River. In the 18th century, it provided waterpower for a grain mill and shingle mill. But what is the origin of its unusual name? A story handed down through time is that of a Westport militia, who quenched their thirst with […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 27, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
Westport’s Revolutionary Stories This story of French soldiers stopping for refreshments at 365 Old County Road appeared in a newspaper article and has been retold over the years, appearing in Eleanor Tripp’s notebooks and in the articles written by Gladys Gifford Kirby. The original source is not known. However, a similar story was related by […]
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