Westport's Revolutionary Stories Archives - Westport Historical Society

Posted on October 9, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

Westport’s Revolutionary War Veterans of Color by Richard Gifford

Local historian Richard Gifford, has focused his powers of deduction supported by an encyclopedic familiarity with this region’s history, to identify local African American and Native American individuals who served in the Revolutionary War. He has identified veterans not just by direct local residency, but by family connections (spouses, siblings, children) and ancestral ties to […]

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

A Skirmish on Gooseberry

Illustration by Ray Shaw Westport militiamen described a brief “skirmish” with British soldiers who were in search of livestock on Gooseberry. The difficulty of obtaining fresh meat for the British soldiers was an ongoing challenge, and an effort was made to guard the shoreline to prevent the enemy from “committing depredations.” Soldiers were quartered in […]

Posted on June 2, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFE (1759 – 1817) CHAPTER II: THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR by Sally Loomis

The Westport Historical Society presents this chapter of an unpublished manuscript to Westport and the wider world on the 250th anniversary of independence. Written by Sally Loomis, these pages will immerse the reader in culture, politics, and religion as navigated by Paul Cuffe during the American Revolution. With special thanks to the family of Sally […]

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

In Our Own Words: Revolutionary War-era town records of Old Dartmouth Presenting Four Perspectives

The transcribed town records can be accessed at https://wpthistory.org/in-our-own-words-the-path-to-independence-1760-1790/ The late 1700s was an era of revolution for the American colonies. It was also a time of formation for Westport and other neighboring towns. In the decade following the Revolution, Westport separated from Dartmouth and, in 1787, was incorporated as a town, forging its own unique […]

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

Paul Cuffe’s Activities During the Revolutionary War

Image: Paul Cuffe Nearing Nantucket after a Night at Sea Resolving Some Lingering Questions David C. Cole Paul Cuffe was just sixteen years old in 1775 when the Battles of Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill occurred, and he was reportedly at sea on a whaling voyage during those events. He set forth on another whaling […]

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

Cookbooks and Quilts: Westport Women and the Spirit of ‘76

1976 was a busy year for Westporters. Local headlines record youthful unrest at the Head of Westport, and worries about a night soil lagoon, the sand and gravel pit, and hog cholera. However, the Bicentennial celebrations proved to be a more positive outlet, inspiring many community projects such as an exhibition, tree planting at the […]

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

The RI privateer Swallow sought sailors in Acoaxet

Photo pre 1938 showing Westport Harbor, known during the Revolutionary War era as the Devil’s Pocket Hole 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 purchase […]

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

Continental Army soldiers endured a terrible winter at Valley Forge

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 […]

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

Joseph Allen: Westport blacksmith served in the Continental Army

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 […]

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Jenny ONeill

Jeremiah Greenman A Common Soldier in the American Revolution

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 […]