The Kentish Guards’ Influence on Rhode Island’s National Guard

The Origins of the Kentish Guards

The Kentish Guards, one of America’s earliest independent militia companies, was established in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, in 1774. This organization was crafted in response to increasing tensions with British forces, a precursor to the American Revolutionary War. Its formation reflects the colonial commitment to self-defense and regional protection.

The initiation of the Kentish Guards occurred at a critical juncture in American colonial history. Relations between the thirteen colonies and Great Britain were deteriorating rapidly, as colonial dissatisfaction with British governance grew. The imposition of taxes without representation and other restrictive policies by the British Parliament exacerbated the situation, leading to a sense of unrest and a desire for self-governance among the colonists. In this atmosphere of increasing discord, the formation of local militia units like the Kentish Guards was not just an act of defiance but also a crucial step towards self-preservation and community security.

Organized by a group of influential local leaders in East Greenwich, the Kentish Guards attracted members who were deeply committed to the