James Varnum was one of the most influential and important figures in New England on the eve of the American Revolution and he served admirably in the Continental Army. In his time, famous figures such as Thomas Paine, the Marquis de Lafayette, General Comte de Rochambeau, and possibly even George Washington visited his house in East Greenwich, Rhode Island- yet many people today have never heard of him. Americans should learn about James Varnum and his contributions to our nation’s freedom, which include his instrumental work in creating the Rhode Island Black Regiment, which provided an opportunity for Rhode Island slaves to achieve freedom (these men served faithfully and fought valiantly for our independence). A visit to the Varnum House Museum is sure to be a fun and informative experience!
History
James Mitchell Varnum was born on December 17, 1748 in Dracut, Massachusetts Bay Colony. In his teenage years he attended Harvard College, but transferred to Rhode Island College (today’s Brown University), where he graduated with honors in September 1769 as part of the first graduating class. Shortly thereafter, he married Rhode Islander Martha “Patty” Child in 1770.
Following his graduation, Varnum studied law under Rhode Island Attorney General Oliver Arnold and in 1771, was admitted to the bar and became a lawyer. James and Patty settled in the important coastal town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island and in 1773, began construction on a house right by Town Hall (today known as the Varnum House). Interestingly, it was not fully completed until 1779, largely because Varnum desired to be present during construction.
As a lawyer, Varnum quickly gained a reputation as a skilled orator, who could seemingly rattle off articulate and convincing arguments. What people did not know is that he devoted a great deal of time writing out and going over his arguments, purportedly using his bed to spread out papers and rehearse.
On the eve of the American Revolution, Varnum continued to work as a lawyer and even represented his friend, Nathanael Greene, after his family-owned ship, Fortune, was seized by British customs officials (a case that he won). In October 1774, he was elected as Captain of the Kentish Guards, the local militia company (Nathanael Greene served as a private). The fighting at Lexington and Concord sparked a flood of patriot militia units into the area surrounding Boston and the men of the Kentish Guards followed suit. In May 1775, Varnum was commissioned as a colonel of a Rhode Island Regiment under the overall command of his friend, now Brigadier General, Nathanael Greene.
After taking part in the siege of Boston, Varnum and his regiment (established as the 9th Continental Regiment in January 1776) marched with the newly-formed Continental Army westward to protect New York City. Throughout the autumn of 1776, Varnum took part in the Battle of Long Island and the Battle of White Plains. But as the tattered American Army retreated across New Jersey, Varnum headed back towards Rhode Island in December 1776 to recruit more soldiers from his home state. On December 8th, British warships arrived in Newport Harbor and easily captured the crucial port town. In anticipation of further British forays, Varnum was commissioned a Brigadier General in the Rhode Island militia and given command of the state troops. Yet after a few months, it became clear that the British Army was content to remain in the comfortable confines of Newport.
In February 1777, Varnum learned that he was commissioned as a Brigadier General in the Continental Army and prepared to return to the main army. In October 1777, Varnum participated in the Battle of Red Bank and that winter, he remained with the Continental Army at its Valley Forge winter encampment.
Varnum openly advocated for the enlistment of slaves, which would help meet state troop quotas. After bringing up the idea in a letter to George Washington (who forwarded the idea to the Rhode Island governor), the Rhode Island General Assembly voted and on February 14, 1778, approved the plan to enlist slaves into a state regiment. In return for their service, those slaves would be “immediately discharged from the service of his master or mistress, and be absolutely free.” These men comprised the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, the only one in the Continental Army to have companies of black soldiers.
Varnum’s last major involvement with the army occurred in his home state in August 1778. A plan was concocted for a Franco-American force (France had officially entered the war in 1778) to attack British forces stationed in Newport. If successful, the land and sea-based assault would capture an entire British army and free the crucial trading port from enemy control. What is known as the Battle of Rhode Island was fought on August 29, 1778; however, it did not go as planned.
Unfortunately for the American troops on the ground, the French naval forces meant to support to assault headed out to sea to face an oncoming British fleet, taking the French troops with them. But before the two fleets could effectively engage, a massive storm scattered and badly damaged both navies. The French fleet, after a brief stop outside Newport, limped towards Boston for repairs. Without French naval support and additional troops, Generals John Sullivan, James Varnum, and other patriot leaders realized an assault on the heavily fortified Newport wouldn’t be successful; therefore, a withdrawal was ordered. It was on August 29, 1778, that British forces left their defenses and set out in pursuit of the retreating Americans. Thankfully, the patriot forces, to include the black regiments of the 1st Rhode Regiment, valiantly fought off British and Hessian troops and ensured a safe and effective withdrawal off Aquidneck Island.
The Battle of Rhode Island would be General Varnum’s final curtain call with the Continental Army. He resigned his commission in March 1779, largely due to personal business reasons; however, his contributions to the United States were not finished. From May 3, 1780 to May 1, 1782, Varnum represented Rhode Island at the Continental Congress (he also served in the 8th Confederation Congress from November 1786 to October 1787). In 1783, James Varnum joined George Washington, Henry Knox, Alexander Hamilton, and other officers of the Continental Army in becoming charter members of the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization created to honor the officers of the revolution and their progeny. Varnum served as president of the Rhode Island Society from 1786 to 1789.
On August 29, 1787 (exactly nine years and one day after his participation in the Battle of Rhode Island), Varnum was selected as one of the directors of the Ohio Company of Associates and in November, as a judge for the recently established Northwest Territory. In this capacity, Varnum moved to modern-day Marietta, Ohio in the summer of 1788. Sadly, his contributions to the Northwest Territory and the nascent United States were limited- he died at the age of 40 in January 1789 of consumption. He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio.
Interesting Facts
- The Varnum House has an impressive list of visitor: Thomas Paine, the Marquis de Lafayette, French General Comte de Rochambeau, John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene, and possibly even George Washington
- The Varnum House Museum displays an incredible array of artifacts from the Far East (the pride of the house is the remarkable 1850 hand-painted Chinese wallpaper that covers the walls of the first floor hallway)
- James Varnum and Patty Child never had any children
- Originally buried in the Mound Cemetery (near the town’s original settlement), Varnum was eventually moved to Oak Grove Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio
Our Visit & Recommendations
The Varnum House Museum (57 Peirce Street, East Greenwich, RI) offers an outstanding experience that provides a detailed view on the life of General James Mitchell Varnum. Generally, the museum is open only on Sundays from 1-3PM, the entrance fee is a suggested $5 donation per person, and free parking is available on the street. We visited on opening day 2021, which was joyfully celebrated by all in attendance.
The Varnum House Museum tour provides access to both the first and second floors, with eight rooms on display (four on each floor). The tour we went on was partially-guided, in that a docent was available in each room to explain what that space was used for and to provide information on unique pieces of furniture and items on display. Upon walking through the front door, you will be met by the stunning Chinese hand-painted wallpaper which lines the first floor hallway, which was recently restored (circa 1850).
The first floor consists of a front room/parlor, a dining room, a keep, and a library. The parlor is delightfully decorated with a 1797 pianoforte by William Frecker and replica drapes that match those from Versailles, all accented by the appealing yellow walls and accents. The dining room was actually used as an office by Varnum, since it was right by the front door. The keep, where the cooking fireplace is located, is one of the warmest rooms int he house (pun intended) and has rustic wooden beams and accents throughout. Lastly, the first floor library displays a neat collection of books and is thoughtfully furnished (keep an eye out for the house’s originally key and Varnum’s Society of the Cincinnati certificate, both on display in the library).
On the second floor, the four rooms on display are James Varnum’s bedroom, a guest room, the Lafayette room, and a fourth room furnished as a kids space. Varnum’s bedroom displays two paintings of the general (one of his as a small child) and a unique desk, with key holes shaped like the Society of the Cincinnati eagle. A display in the guest room provides a detailed history of the Varnum Continentals and the other room is furnished as a children’s room, complete with period toys and dolls.
Perhaps the most fascinating room in the house is dubbed the “Lafayette Room,” because it was the exact room that the Marquis stayed in during his visit to the Varnum House. As a housewarming gift, Lafayette presented Varnum with a beautiful miniature punch bowl, which is on display in this room. Interestingly, this room also displays a painting of Napoleon Bonaparte on horseback, which has the bottom portion blacked out (it was painted prior to Napoleon’s devastating defeat at Waterloo).
As it is with any of these historic homes, it’s amazing to think that we are walking the very same hallways as famous men such as Varnum, Lafayette, Greene, and others.
Before you leave, be sure to head out to the side yard of the Varnum House Museum to enjoy the beautiful Period Herb Garden, which is managed by the University of Rhode Island’s master gardeners. There are dozens of flowers, herbs, and plants that one might have seen in a colonial garden, each with a specific purpose (medicinal and otherwise).
Source: Varnum House Museum website
1 thought on “General James Varnum House (East Greenwich, RI)”