Life in Newport During the British Army Occupation, 1776-1779

With the British Army forced to leave Boston in March 1776, General Howe ordered the occupation of Newport, Rhode Island, starting December 8, 1776, seizing its vital deep-water harbor for a naval base. With approximately 7,000 British and Hessian troops fortifying Aquidneck Island until October 1779, the British were able to interrupt maritime trade between Boston and New York. Learn what life was like for the residents who faced shortages, overcrowding, forced quartering of British and Hessian troops and restrictions on movement. Patriot and Loyalist sentiments created deep community divisions. This lecture is a part of a series commemorating the sesquicentennial of the American Revolution.

Murray Norcross, M.D., M.P.H., is a 30-year career U.S. Navy medical officer and family physician who has served in the Cold War, Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terror. An eyewitness to many historic events of the past 30 years, Murray served two staff tours in Washington, D.C., deployed in support of several Joint Task Forces, and was stationed overseas for six years, split between Bahrain and Japan. Murray holds master’s degrees in international relations, public health and health care administration. He is an avid photographer, writer, researcher, artist and lifelong learner.