My ancestor was Levi Stetson born in Abington, MA. in June of 1747. In the Revolutionary War, he was a Corporal in Capt. E Hamblin’s Co. in 1775 and a Sergeant in Captain Nathan Snow’s company in 1777. Both companies were from Abington, MA. Levi was the fifth son of Peleg Stetson and the 5th generation of Coronet Robert Stetson who came to Scituate, Massachusetts in 1632. After the Revolutionary War he and his wife Elizabeth Pratt moved to Plainfield, MA where he died in March of 1826. Levi and Elizabeth had nine children. Their fourth son Whitcomb Stetson is my direct ancestor. I am the 11th generation from Coronet Robert Stetson. Our family is traced two earlier generations in Modbury, England. The record says he was assigned to a secret mission and the following accounts give the story of the secret mission to Rhode Island in which Levi Stetson was a participant.

Secret Expedition to Rhode Island
Excerpts from an article by Sandra Ball: In April of 1777, as the Revolutionary War raged throughout all the lands of the now-declared United States of America, a little-known decision by Congress led to a dangerous mission calling on the ranks of the state of Rhode Island. British troops occupied Newport Island at the time, and it was the feeling of all that they should be removed. On April 16th, Congress resolved to recommend to the General Assembly of Rhode Island that with the assistance of both Massachusetts and Connecticut, they were to use all their power to rid the island of the unwanted troops. The recommendation was accepted wholeheartedly, and the preparations for attack began immediately. General Joseph Spencer was selected by General George Washington to take command. For the attack to be effective, it was agreed that it must be kept secret. So much pains were taken to fulfill this wish that it became known as the "secret expedition."1 Soldiers for the expedition were called up on September 22, 1777, consisting of one-half of the militia of Rhode Island and members of both the Massachusetts and Connecticut militias. All in all they formed a formidable army of 10,000 men, willing and eager to fight for the cause of freedom. The men were mobilized, trained, and then stationed at a little town called Tiverton near a stone bridge. The plan was to attack the British by boat but there was a lengthy delay in the preparations. It was nearly October before the expedition was ready for the attack. Richard M. Bayles, a historian of the nineteenth century, stated that the "delay caused great dissatisfaction among the troops, especially among those from Massachusetts; they attributed it to the want of tact and energy in their General."1 With a sincere, but perhaps naive hunger for action-little did the men know of the terrors and blood of war-they waited for battle. General Spencer on leaving his quarters one morning during the long wait, found the following verse, written in large letters, placed in full view of the public: "Israel wanted bread, The Lord sent them manna; Rhode Island wants a head, And Congress sends– a Granny!” After this, the Major-General was forever known as "Granny Spencer," a less than satisfying but probably not altogether unwarranted nickname, as long as he remained in Rhode Island. As the summer waned and autumn came in full force, a night was finally chosen for the American forces to cross over from Tiverton to the Island, and a large fleet of boats was prepared for the embarkation. The plan was to take the enemy by surprise in the middle of the night. Col. Hawes, Colonel of one of the Massachusetts militia regiments which was to be among the first to embark, made a speech to his regiment "encouraging them to behave like men, and to win for themselves the title of heroes and patriots in their country's cause." Although seldom seen in the history books, the Colonel’s words were indeed inspiring. "Perhaps," said he, "this night will be our last, but if it is, let us go to sleep in the arms of glory.”2 Inspired as the men may have been, they could not fight Mother Nature. For good or ill depending on who offered an opinion, heavy gales of wind arrived, dashing hopes of the boats making safe passage. 2 The attack was postponed and the embarkation point changed to a landing place above Fogland Ferry. Again the weather was against them, and since the British were now aware of the attack, some of the boats were fired upon. The whole affair was abandoned at that time, the value of secrecy quenched by the enemy having gotten information of their plan. The troops had become uneasy, some of their earlier courage and hastiness chilled by reason and the arduous wait, and so many of the men had already marched off that it was said there were only about 5000 troops left. In the end, it would not matter. On October 17, 1777, a flag arrived at Newport from Providence, with the news of the surrender of the British General, Burgoyne, and his army to the American forces. General Spencer's "secret expedition" was over, harshly branded a failure. A court of inquiry was later held in Providence, and a report was issued exonerating General Spencer from fault, and assigning the cause of the expedition's failure to Palmer's brigade. It was concluded that they were to supposed to have the boats ready the first night set for the attack. Much blame was also placed on the bad weather.


Sources: 1. History of Newport County Rhode Island by Richard M. Bayles, L.E. Preston & Co. 1888 2. Spirit of '76 in Rhode Island on Sketches of the efforts of the Government and People 3. History of Rhode Island, by Rev. Edward Peterson, John S. Taylor, Pub. 1853.