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Kentish Guards Armory and Drill Field

Historic armory constructed in 1843 for the Kentish Guard in Rhode Island

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Rhode Island
1774 Armory Street East Greenwich, RI 02818
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East Greenwich, RI

The Kentish Guards were formed on September 24, 1774, to protect East Greenwich, Rhode Island, from a Tory mob. They were chartered by the Colonial Assembly on October 29, 1774, as the first Independent Militia Company for Kent County. Using the Kent County Courthouse as their armory, they participated in establishing the Rhode Island Navy in 1775. The Guards built Fort Daniel at Greenwich Cove, equipped it with nine cannons, and garrisoned it throughout the Revolutionary War to defend Warwick Bay from naval attacks. There is a marker about 400' away denoting their drill field. Noted members of the Guards include James Mitchell Varnum and Nathanael Greene.

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A small white historic building with four columns and green shutters stands at a roadside; the sign above the door reads “Kentish Guards 1774.”
Kentish Guards Armory

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Former armory and drill field of the Kentish Guard

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