Prescott Farm in Middletown in Newport County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Summer Headquarters
While many Rhode Islanders protested violently against British laws in the 1770s, about half of Newport's population remained loyal to the Crown, including Henry Overing who owned the blue house to the left ans surrounding farm.
Because of Narragansett Bay's strategic importance, 6,000 British soldiers occupied this island during the Revolutionary War. Their commander, General Richard Prescott, made his summer headquarters in Overing's house in 1777.
"This is among the finest partisan exploits…of the war on either side."
George Washington
A Daring Raid
Alerted to the General's vulnerable position, patriot commander Lieutenant Colonel William Barton led 40 soldiers in a raid on the night of July 10, 1777. Making their way from Warwick across the bay in whale boats and avoiding detection by two British warships, they landed about a mile from here. Arriving to find only one guard on duty, they quickly overpowered him and made their way inside, capturing Prescott. Prescott was traded for George Washington's third in command, British captive Major General Charles Lee. After the trade, Prescott returned to his
this page online
Look Around You
In every direction the landscape holds clues to our past.
The rows of apple trees to your right evoke the colonial era when New Englanders preferred home-fermented cider because water was not reliably safe to drink.
Stone walls represent our ancient past. Formed between 150,000 and 15,000 years ago, these stones were dug up by farmers who transformed forest into farmland in the late 1600s and early 1700s.
Next to the windmill is a kitchen garden. Its cross-shaped pathways and vegetable varieties are similar to the garden that fed the Overing household, which includes family members and African slaves.
Erected by Newport Restoration Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is July 10, 1777.
Location. 41° 33.198′ N, 71° 17.428′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Rhode Island, in Newport County. It is in Prescott Farm. It is on West Main Road (Rhode Island Route 114) south of Freedom Trail Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map.
Regionally, this marker is on Narragansett Bay and in Newport and Aquidneck Island. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Prescott’s Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Prescott Farm (a few steps from this marker); Wind at Work (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial Tower (approx. 3.1 miles away); Green End Fort (approx. 3.4 miles away); The Black Regiment (approx. 3.7 miles away); The 1st Rhode Island Regiment and the Battle of Rhode Island (approx. 3.7 miles away); Site of the Battle of Rhode Island (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
