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The House of the “Fighting Quaker”: The Nathanael Greene Homestead

High on a hill in Coventry, Rhode Island, overlooking the site of a long-gone iron forge, sits a simple Georgian house that was once the home of George Washington’s most trusted general.

This is the Nathanael Greene Homestead, historically known as “Spell Hall.” Built in 1770, this house offers a rare glimpse into the private life of the man who became the logistical genius of the Revolutionary War.

Unlike many historic homes that have been heavily altered, this homestead was saved in 1919 by the Nathanael Greene Homestead Association, making it one of the earliest examples of historic preservation in the United States.

The Quaker Who Went to War

Nathanael Greene was an unlikely soldier. Born in 1742 into a pacifist Quaker family, he was trained to run the family iron business, not an army.

• The Ironmaster: In 1770, Greene moved to Coventry to oversee the family’s new forge. He built this house nearby to serve as his base of operations.
• The Break: Despite his upbringing, Greene was fascinated by military tactics. He helped organize a local militia called the Kentish Guards but was initially denied an officer’s commission because of a childhood limp. Undeterred, he joined as a private.

By 1775, his brilliance was undeniable. He was promoted from private to Brigadier General in the Continental Army in a single leap—a meteoric rise almost unheard of in military history.

A House of Simplicity and Style

The house reflects Greene’s dual identity: a simple Quaker and a prosperous businessman.

• The Exterior: The house is a classic Georgian structure—two-and-a-half stories tall, five bays wide, with a symmetrical facade. It sits on a foundation of sandy-brown granite ashlar.
• The Entrance: While the rest of the house lacks ornamentation, the front door is a statement piece. It features a Greek Revival pediment with dentils and a fan motif, signaling Greene’s wealth and status to visitors.
• The Layout: The interior follows a traditional center-hall plan, with four rooms on each floor. Each room features a paneled fireplace, likely fitted with iron hardware forged right on the property.

Life at Spell Hall

Greene lived here with his wife, Catherine “Caty” Littlefield, whom he married in 1774.

• The Family: They had five children, all born during the war years. Their names reflected their loyalties: George Washington Greene, Martha Washington Greene, Cornelia, Nathanael Ray, and Louisa.
• The Servants and Slaves: Life at the homestead relied on a diverse workforce. While Quakers generally opposed slavery, records indicate that the Greene family did own slaves in their earlier years, and free Black workers were employed at the forge.
  • Note on Diversity: The Rhode Island regiments Greene later commanded were notable for being some of the few racially integrated units in the Continental Army, including the famous 1st Rhode Island Regiment (the “Black Regiment”).

The General’s Career

Greene’s military resume is staggering. He stood beside Washington at Trenton, Brandywine, and Valley Forge.

• The Quartermaster: During the brutal winter at Valley Forge, Greene accepted the thankless job of Quartermaster General. His logistical genius saved the army from starvation.
• The Southern Strategy: In 1780, Washington sent Greene south to replace the failed General Horatio Gates. Greene’s strategy of “exhaustion”—dividing his army to force the British to chase them across the Carolinas—ultimately wore down General Cornwallis and set the stage for the American victory at Yorktown.

Preservation and Restoration

After the war, Greene moved to Georgia, where the state granted him a plantation as thanks for his service. He died there in 1786 at the age of 44.

The Coventry house remained in the Greene family until 1899. After a brief period of decline where it was used as a tenement, it was purchased in 1919 by the Homestead Association.

• The Restoration: In the 1990s, a paint analysis revealed the original colors of the home. Today, the rooms are painted in authentic 18th-century hues, with one bedroom preserved in the Victorian style to honor the last family member who lived there in the late 1800s.

If You Visit

The homestead is a National Historic Landmark and operates as a museum.

• Location: 50 Taft Street, Coventry, RI 02816.
• The Cemetery: Just a short walk from the house is the Greene family cemetery. While the General is buried in Savannah, the cemetery contains the graves of his brother Jacob and four unknown Revolutionary War soldiers who died of smallpox while being nursed at the homestead.
• The Cannons: The lawn features two cannons, “The Admiral” and “The General,” which add to the martial atmosphere of the site.

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For More Information

Nathanael Greene Homestead Association (www.nathanaelgreenehomestead.org)