Spies of Revolutionary Rhode Island Explored in Upcoming Lecture at Linden Place Mansion
Author, Christian M. McBurney, unravels the world of spies and covert operations in Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War.
Rhode Island was a hotbed of espionage during the Revolutionary War. Many ordinary Rhode Islanders— some with Tory sympathies, and some Patriots— became spies, in some cases risking their lives repeatedly to serve the cause they believed in.
The British and Americans each employed spies to discover the secrets, plans and positions of their enemy. Continental navy lieutenant, John Trevett, dressed as an ordinary sailor, grew out his beard and went from tavern to tavern in Newport gathering intelligence.
Metcalf Bowler became a traitor on the order of Benedict Arnold, as he spied for the British while serving as a Patriot leader in Providence.
Disguised as a peddler, Ann Bates spied for the British during the Rhode Island Campaign.
Learn about these fascinating stories and more on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 2 pm, when Linden Place Mansion hosts Christian McBurney, author of Spies of Revolutionary Rhode Island, to speak in the historic ballroom at 500 Hope Street, Bristol.
A graduate of Brown University, Christian M. McBurney, is the author of several books including The Rhode Island Campaign: The First French and American Operation of the Revolutionary War and Kidnapping the Enemy: The Special Operations to Capture Generals Charles Lee & Richard Prescott.
Tickets are $10, $5 for Linden Place members. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Linden Place office at 401-253-0390 or email
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