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Local History - Time Capsule
Ballad of Obadiah Slade
Obadiah Slade was a patriot living at Brayton Point during the Revolutionary War. Brayton Point was part of Swansea at that time. Slade went to great lengths to secure food and supplies for Revolutionary War soldiers serving in Tiverton and Portsmouth. He was warned by his neighbors that the British would learn of his activities. Their prediction came true and one night the British raided his farm, burned his home and took Slade into captivity. He was imprisoned on a British prison ship called the Jersey where he died.
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This is the Story of Obadiah Slade
Who was kidnapped one night in a British raid
His friends had warned him to be discrete
But Obadiah said "Our army must eat"
Provisions I'll bring them if I can
There never was a braver man
He died a man with his honor bright
For he did the things he thought were right
Then he was marked by the Redcoat British
Slade and his work they vowed they'd finish
One dark night they crossed Mt. Hope Bay
Crept up to his house where asleep he lay
They burned his house right down to the ground
They took poor old Slade to Long Island Sound
Where he died of malnutrition and misery
On a rotten jail ship called the Jersey
by Atty Harold K Hudner
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Town History
