Rehoboth, on account of its remoteness from the seat of Massachusetts government, and its not being a part of Rhode Island,  was for a long time virtually independent.  As Rehoboth and the east side of the Pawtucket Falls grew in population and prosperity, and connections were solidified by the bridge at Pawtucket Falls with Pawtucket on the west side of the Falls,  Rehoboth / Pawtucket grew to identify itself with the interests of Providence.

Rehoboth was prosperous as the center of an agricultural area in the 1700's.

In the 10 year period before the Gaspee attack, Rehoboth was roughly comparable in size to Providence. The Massachusetts census of 1763-65 shows that Rehoboth had 617 families and a population of 3,637. The Rhode Island census of 1774 shows Providence with 655 heads of families and a total of 3,950 persons.

Rehoboth of the time included both what is now know as East Providence, on the east side of the Seekonk River, across from Providence, and also what is now known as the portion of Pawtucket on the east side of the river,.

As you review the persons involved in the Gaspee Raid, you will be struck with how many persons either lived in, came from, or had business connections in Rehoboth.