Barzillai Bowen

Barzillai Bowen (sometimes spelled Berzilla) was born on May 3, 1750 in Rehoboth, MA to John and Hannah (Peck) Bowen. On February 4, 1774, he married Lydia Ide, daughter of Nathaniel and Deborah (Barrows) Ide of Attleboro, MA. There is no evidence that the couple had children. Barzillai was a tavern owner in Rehoboth from at least 1770-1790 according to local historian John Erhardt’s maps. Research indicates the tavern was on the same property as his house.

Barzillai Bowen served in the American Revolutionary War with the ranks of private, captain, and sergeant. He enlisted in Captain Nathaniel Carpenter and Captain Isaac Burr’s companies to answer the alarm of April 19, 1775. The colonists, known as Minute Men, marched from Rehoboth to Lexington and Concord and fought in what was the first major military action of the Revolutionary War. His service lasted eight days as the role of Minute Men was to be ready at a moment’s notice to be deployed to specific battles. Once the battle was over, soldiers returned home.

On May 11, 1775, Barzillai enlisted in Captain John Perry’s Company in Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment. He served for 2 months, 3 weeks, and 5 days. He is also listed in their company return on October 6, 1775. This timeframe coincides with the Siege of Boston, which began after the Battles of Lexington and Concord. It was an eleven month operation, beginning in late April, 1775 where colonial militia surrounded British forces in Boston, ending with a decisive American victory and British evacuation in March of 1776.

An order for a bounty coat or its equivalent in money “due for the 8 months of service in 1775” was submitted on October 26, 1775 in Roxbury, MA. The “Bounty Coat” of the Revolutionary War refers to a simple, brown coat provided by Massachusetts towns in late 1775 to enlist soldiers for the Continental Army, America’s first national military force, established by the Continental Congress in 1775. It acted as an early, essential uniform to persuade men to join or stay during the Siege of Boston.

Barzillai also appeared on a list of men in Captain Ide’s book, dated December 8, 1776, who went to Bristol and Tiverton. They marched on an alarm to Bristol. The alarm was raised following a massive British naval invasion of Narragansett Bay. A fleet of 78 British ships carrying 7,000-8,000 troops entered Newport Bay. There was a rapid mobilization of nearby Massachusetts and Rhode Island militia to camp at Bristol and nearby Howland’s Ferry.

On July 17, 1777, Barzillai was placed on a list of men drafted to serve at Rhode Island for one month. From July 20, 1777, he was a sergeant in Captain Nathaniel Carpenter’s Company in Colonel Thomas Carpenter’s Regiment. He served at Rhode Island including travel to camp at Bristol and from Providence to Rehoboth. He served for one month and five days.

He appears on a list of men, dated September 23, 1777, drafted to serve until October 30, 1777 on a secret expedition. Known as Spencer’s Secret Expedition, it was a failed American military operation aimed at capturing British-occupied Newport, Rhode Island. In April 1777, the Continental Congress recommended that Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut should attempt to get the British out of Aquidneck Island. Organized by Major General Joseph Spencer, the plan involved a surprise amphibious assault using approximately 9,000 Continental and militia troops gathered at Tiverton. However, the "secret" was compromised by British spies, and the mission was ultimately paralyzed by logistical delays, a shortage of boats, and severe weather. Although the expedition was canceled without a battle and led to Spencer's resignation, it successfully prevented a planned British attack on New Bedford by forcing enemy forces to remain in Newport to defend against the gathered American army.

And lastly, Barzillai served as a private in Captain Zebedee Redding’s Company in Colonel Gamaliel Bradford’s 12th Regiment. He served from December 1, 1778 to Jan 1, 1779. It is not clear where he was deployed.

After his service, Barzillai returned to his homestead in Rehoboth. Research indicates that his house is the building still standing at 8 Greenwood Ave in what is now Rumford, RI. Maps and deeds indicate that he returned to tavern keeping until at least 1790. At some time between 1790 and 1801, Phanuel Bishop Sr and his son Phanuel ran the tavern. Phanuel Bishop Jr then purchased the tavern from Bowen in 1801. That building stood at the intersection of Greenwood and Pawtucket Avenues and Pleasant St until it was torn down in the 1930’s. Barzillai died on April 27, 1808 at the age of 58. He is buried in Newman Cemetery in Rumford, RI. His gravesite is marked with a slate stone.

Barzillai Bowen is remembered for his service in the fight for American independence. His contribution helped secure freedom for future generations.