“During the [Revolutionary] war Newport was occupied by
the British troops, who built their intrenchments on the farm
of Mr. Bliss, cut down his trees, and destroyed his fences.
He was, however, permitted to remain with his family, on
account of his sacred calling. Yet his house was made the
quarters of the British officers, and all he had was at their
mercy. . . .
"When the British were expecting Gen. Sullivan
with the American troops to land upon the Island, the officers
who quartered in his house frequently expressed in his
presence their desire to meet the rebels. Not many days
afterward, several of the officers accompanied him to the
seaside to see him shoot wild fowl — an exercise in which
he was frequently engaged, and in which he was very skillful.
"After observing him for a while, they expressed their
astonishment at his skill in killing birds flying. He replied, ‘You
seem to be very anxious for the Americans to land upon the
Island; now, when they come they will take you down as
easy as I do these birds.’ They seemed to be much agitated
with this reply, and expressed no more desire to meet
the rebels.”
– Seventh-Day Baptist Memorial magazine, volume 1,
number 1, pages 14ff.
REV. WILLIAM BLISS
born 5 February 1728 Newport, Rhode Island
married (1) 20 Apr 1750 Barbara Phillips -- 12 children
married (2) 9 Jan 1780 Elizabeth Ward -- no children
died 4 May 1808 Middletown, Rhode Island
ANCESTORS: We know all four of his grandparents,
three of his eight great-grandparents, and more in a few
lines.
COUSINS: Four of his five siblings married.
DESCENDANTS: Five of their twelve children are known to have had descendants.
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