res24349

R 349

2024 -- H 8338
Enacted 06/06/2024

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PAWTUXET RANGERS

Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Baginski, Edwards, Bennett, Vella-Wilkinson, Shanley, and Kennedy

Date Introduced: June 06, 2024

WHEREAS, The Pawtuxet Rangers are an active Rhode Island militia group originally

formed in 1774. They are one of only four fife and drum corps in the United States that are part of

an existing military group. Today, the Pawtuxet Rangers Company has a color guard, musket line

and artillery, and a Fife & Drum Corps; and

WHEREAS, The Pawtuxet Rangers, under the original command of officers Samuel

Aborn, Benjamin Arnold, Rhodes Arnold, and Stephen Greene, were chartered by the Colony of

Rhode Island in 1774 in response to the tyranny and cruelty that had been propagated by the

British Empire against the American people and, in particular, the people of Rhode Island. The

British had imposed the Sugar Act in 1764, the Stamp act in 1765 and the Townsend Acts of

1767, all of which had a very deleterious impact on the Rhode Island economy, and which

fostered great resistance within the Colony of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, The original purpose for chartering the Pawtuxet Rangers was to protect the

Village of Pawtuxet, which at the time was a thriving commercial seaport and village. The

responsibilities of the company soon expanded to include assisting in the construction and

manning of the fort located on Pawtucket Neck and thereby protecting Rhode Island’s 400 miles

of coastline which became vital during the American Revolutionary War, particularly after

Newport and Bristol were occupied by the enemy; and

WHEREAS, The Pawtuxet Rangers once again answered the call of duty and served our

nation with distinction during the War of 1812, and were on call to serve the State of Rhode

Island during the Dorr Rebellion. Following the Dorr Rebellion, Armory Hall was built by the

State of Rhode Island in 1843 for use by the Pawtuxet Rangers, After the Company was

deactivated in 1847, the Armory was sold to be used for other purposes; and

WHEREAS, The Pawtuxet Rangers were reactivated in 1972 when the Gaspee Days

Committee expressed a desire to have a hometown fife & drum corps to act as the host corps

during the colonial parade. The original charter was reactivated at this time. In 1974, the

Pawtuxet Rangers Militia was formed and the charter was transferred to this company. The fife &

drum corps were integrated into the militia in 1975 under the command of Colonel Robert Lynch,

who would command the company for 22 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, the last owner of the original Armory sold the building back to the

Pawtuxet Rangers, which was extensively renovated and restored by the Pawtuxet Rangers, and

the Armory was rededicated in 1989 back to its original purpose as an armory and meeting hall.

In the first decade of the 20th century, the exterior of Armory Hall was restored to its former

original glory thanks in large part to the $10,000 raised through the donations of the members of

the Pawtuxet Rangers, which were matched and exceeded by the Rhode Island Historical

Preservation & Heritage Commission and the Champlin Foundation; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

joyously celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the Pawtuxet Rangers and their rich heritage of

distinguished service to the United States and the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Commanding Officer Colonel Ronald W.

Barnes, Pawtuxet Rangers.

========

LC006201

========