29/04/2026
On May 3, 2026 as part of the United States’ Semiquincentenial 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Woonsocket Historical Society will sponsor a talk on
General Nathanael Greene, the American military officer and war hero who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Paul Bourget, Woonsocket historian and interpreter, will speak on this very important Rhode Islander. The program will take place at the American French Genealogical Society at 78 Earle Street, Wooonsocket, at 1:00 PM,
second floor.
General Greene emerged from the war with a reputation as being one of George Washington’s most talented and dependable officers and is best known for his successful command in the Southern theatre of the conflict.
Major fighting on land came to an end following the surrender of Cornwallis at the siege of Yorktown in October, 1781. After the war Greene was given a plantation in Georgia called Mulbury Grove outside of Savannah. In June, 1786 Greene fell ill due to sunstroke and died at the age of 43. General Nathanael Greene was born in Warwick, RI in 1742 and is buried in Johnson Square, Savannah.
Today, numerous buildings and schools located in the United States are named for him.
This is a free program and all are invited to attend.
Fun Fact:
In 1793, seven years after Greene’s death, Eli Whitney produced the first cotton gin at Mulbury Grove. Whitney was the tutor to Greene’s children. A large ginning machine was built on the plantation in 1794 and the foundation is still there.
