The Delaware River crossing of Colonel Earl Hand of the 1st Pennsylvania was later than Washington's crossing. Colonel Varnum's 9th Continentals being led by Lt Col. Archibald Crary with Christopher Lippitt's regiment were the Rhode Islanders who went across the Delaware with Hand at( McCloskey's ?) crossing. Consequently, they were not at first Battle of Trenton. However, these two regiments fought in the summer 1776 at the Battle Brooklyn on Long Island and the Battle of Harlem Heights in New York City. That winter they fought Second Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton in New Jersey. Several Africans served in these two regiments and many of these men would enlist for three years in the new First and Second Rhode Island regiments being formed in January 1777.
Prince Allen Benjamin Hoppens Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment
Samuel Ceasar Arthur Fenners Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment
Ceasar Cole Varnum's 9th Continental Regiment in 1777 Second RI
Ceasar Cook Varnum's 9th Continental Regiment in 1777 Second RI
James Dailey John S. Dexters Co. Varnum's 9th Continental Regiment, in 1777 First RI
Ceasar Eason Arthur Fenners Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment
Windsor Fry Christopher Lippitt's Regiment,in 1777 First RI
Jack Hazzard Christopher Dyer's Co. Christo pher Lippitt's Regiment, in 1777 First RI
Pharaoh Hazzard Christopher Dyer's Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment, in 1777 First RI
Benoni Hunt Thomas Groton's Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment,in 1777 First RI
Cato Mawney Thomas Groton's Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment,in 1777 First RI
Nathan Pero Nathaneil Blackmars Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment
John Perry Christopher Dyer's Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment in1781 Flagg'sCo. First RI
James Profit Christopher Smith Co. Varnum's 9th Continental Regiment
Phillip Rodman Baley's Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment
Thomas Sambo Thomas Grotons Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment, in 1781 he joined the R.I. regiment
Benoni Taylor David Dexters Co. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment, in 1777 First RI
Resources:
Rhode Island Military Census of 1777
United States Census for Rhode Island 1790
Benjamin Cowell "The Spirit of 76 In Rhode Island" Boston 1850
Pension Records
Service Records Film M881-
Rhode Island Archives (Folder) Minorites in the Revolution, Providence R.I.
Black Courage (DAR) 1984
Debra Newman's List of Black Revolutionary Soldiers (NARA )1976
“The Pennsylvania Line “ John Trussell 1977
"So few the Brave" Anthony Walker 1981
Submitted by
Sgt. Joe Becton
Captain John Dexter's Company
Colonel Christopher Greene's First Rhode Island Regiment
"I joined the Army to Obtain my Freedom"
