Woonsocket Radio News Room

Legislators honor Black Revolutionary War soldiers of the
1st R.I. Regiment

Members of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment visited the General Assembly this week as the House and Senate passed resolutions honoring the contributions of the Revolutionary War regiment’s Black soldiers’ contributions. From left, Rep. Justine Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich), Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket), Jason Roomes and Major Michael Breslin of the 1st Regiment, Varnum House Museum curator and caretaker John D. Harvey, 1st Regiment Commanding Colonel Joanne Breslin, Sen. Linda Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) and Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown).

 

STATE HOUSE – In honor of Black History Month, the Senate and House of Representatives this week recognized the contribution of the Black soldiers of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment who helped the nation win the Revolutionary War.

The Senate and House on Tuesday passed resolutions (2025-S 0224, 2025-H 5411) introduced by Sen. Linda Ujifusa and Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart to commemorate the contributions of 1st Rhode Island Regiment, also known as the Black Regiment and Varnum’s Regiment.

On hand for the passage of the resolution were re-enactors who portray members of the 1st Regiment, Commanding Officer Joanne Breslin, Major Michael Breslin and Jason Roomes, who is also a descendent of a member of the 1st Regiment. John D. Harvey, curator and caretaker of the Varnum House Museum in East Greenwich joined them.

“It is not widely known that Black soldiers served during the Revolutionary War and it is important to raise public awareness of their contributions,” said Senator Ujifusa (D-Dist.11, Portsmouth, Bristol), who introduced the resolution in part because the Black Regiment fought the Battle of Rhode Island in Portsmouth.

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was an integrated unit composed of Black, Indigenous and white soldiers who served together from 1778 through the end of the war in 1783. 

“During Black History Month, I am especially delighted to sponsor this resolution in the House of Representatives. By honoring the contributions and heroism of these soldiers, we recognize the ways in which Black people have been fighting to expand liberty since the very beginning of the United States nearly 250 years ago,” said Representative Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket).

The resolution officially designated Feb. 11, 2025, “1st Rhode Island Regiment/Black Regiment Day” to commemorate the contribution of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

The resolution states, “In August of 1778, the First Rhode Island Regiment stood bravely on the right flank of the Continental Army at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and drove back three Hessian charges and held the line against the British forces to ‘distinguish itself with deeds of great valor.’”

The Varnum Continentals, which operates the Varnum House and Varnum Armory Museums, will host an event Saturday, Feb. 15, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Varnum Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, to honor the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. There will also be a lecture on the Black Regiment hosted by the Battle of Rhode Island Association at Common Fence Point Arts, Wellness, & Community Center, 933 Anthony Road, Portsmouth, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 6:30 p.m.

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