East  Providence
250th Celebration

Captain John Viall was born on November 26, 1759 in Rehoboth to Benjamin and Keziah (Browne) Viall. On March 22, 1780 he married Esther Peck, daughter of Solomon and Keziah (Barnes) Peck. Together they had four children: Samuel, Benjamin, Keziah, and Esther. After the death of his wife, he married Elizabeth (Barnes) Coy. 

 

John Viall served in the American Revolutionary War, enlisting in Captain Joseph Franklin’s Company in Colonel Thomas Carpenter’s Regiment to answer the alarm at Rhode Island on December 8, 1776. This 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. He served for 16 days. 

 

On July 23, 1777, he enlisted in Captain Peleg Sherman’s Company in Colonel Thomas Carpenter’s Regiment. Records indicate the unit traveled to North Kingston.

In July 1777, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, was a critical base for patriot activity against the British occupation of Newport. He served until August 25th, for a total of 34 days.

 

John served from September 29, 1777 until October 30, 1777 in Captain Peleg Peck’s Company in Colonel George William’s Regiment under Major General Spencer 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. 

 

Captain Viall re-entered service on January 16, 1778 in Captain Peck’s Company in Colonel John Daggett’s Regiment. He was discharged on April 1, 1778 after serving 2 months and 15 days in Warwick. And lastly, he served in Captain Jabez Bulluck’s Company in Colonel Thomas Carpenter’s between August 1 and August 9, 1780, marching to Tiverton, RI in the response to the alarm of August 1, 1780. This alarm refers to a period of heightened military alerts in New England—particularly Rhode Island—regarding expected British movements against French forces and American allies in Newport. 

 

Not much is known about his life after his service. According to Census records,  he remained in Rehoboth, which was renamed Seekonk in 1812. The house still standing at 787 Willett Ave in Riverside, known as the Viall House, was owned by Captain John from 1801-1812. The property the house stands on had been in the Viall family from 1679 to 1874. He died  on April 7, 1833 in Seekonk at the age of 73. He is buried in Little Neck Cemetery in Riverside, RI. His gravesite is marked with a slate stone.

 

Captain John Viall is remembered for his service in the fight for American independence. His contribution helped secure freedom for future generations.