There were two types of military units during the Revolution: independent chartered commands, like the Pawtuxet Rangers, and Continental Regulars.  General George Washington repeatedly commissioned these militia companies either for garrison duty or as auxiliary forces to the depleted Continental Line.  Members of the Pawtuxet Rangers served in many military actions: the Battle of Rhode Island, the Battle of Saratoga, and the Siege of Boston. Local history has it that the Pawtuxet Rangers escorted British prisoners from Saratoga through Pawtuxet on their way to Boston and with two brass French cannons which later were given to another unit by orders of George Washington. 

Following the 1789 Treaty of Paris, the men of the Company were called upon once again to serve in the War of 1812 as the Pawtuxet Artillery Company.  The fort at Pawtuxet Neck was resurrected and the Company went on duty again. The Company petitioned the General Assembly to change the name to the Pawtuxet Artillery Company. In June of 1812, “An Act to alter the name of the Independent Company in the towns of Warwick an Cranston, called the Pawtuxet Rangers and to continue the same as an Artillery Company. At the request of said Company, be it enacted by the General Assembly and by the authority thereof it is enacted, That the said Company be and the same hereby is constituted an artillery company by the name of the Pawtuxet Artillery Company…”.

In 1841-1842, The Dorr Rebellion occurred in Rhode Island. Thomas Dorr led an armed insurrection against the state for changes to the electoral system.  The Pawtuxet Artillery was ready for duty to assist the Law & Order Party. On July 24-25 of 1842, the Company marched to Providence in order to be ready for service to the state.  After arriving, they received orders to return to Pawtuxet where they maintained two artillery pieces throughout the rebellion. One of the pieces being “accidently” fired at some Dorrite clam diggers in Narragansett Bay. The General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island was pleased with the assistance of the Pawtuxet Artillery in remaining loyal to the Law & Order party during the Dorr Rebellion. This, coupled with the fact that the Company’s cannons were attempted to be stolen caused the General Assembly to appropriate money ($800) for the building of a small armory on the corner of Remington and Bank Streets on the Warwick side in the village of Pawtuxet.  The armory was built in 1843 by Irish immigrants as a one-floor building.  It was constructed of stone and coated with smooth stucco to resemble large stone blocks.  It was used as an armory (drill floor, artillery storage) and meeting hall for the militia until 1847, at which time the Company's last report was made to the State.  The armory was sold in 1849 and used for a time as a local volunteer firehouse.  In 1853, it was sold for $105 to the Harmony Lodge and it became a Masonic Hall and a second floor and attic were added for their lodge.  The Masons sold the structure in 1906 and it became a private residence on two occasions. 

The reactivation of the unit began in 1972. The Gaspee Days Committee wanted a hometown fife & drum corps in their colonial parade to act as “host corps” and thus the committee raised such a corps. In 1972, the Pawtuxet Rangers Fife & Drum Corps hit the street led by Hoot Hartman. The original charter was reactivated at this time for the corps to operate under. When the nation’s Bi-Centennial celebrations were being planned, many of the chartered commands were re-activated to reenact the life styles of the Colonial soldier, who played such an important part in the history of the United States.  The Pawtuxet Rangers militia company was formed in 1974 and the charter transferred to it. The fife & drum corps was integrated with the militia in 1975. The commander was Col. Robert Lynch who would command the unit for 22 years. In 1985, the last owner of the original armory sold the property back to the Rangers. After extensive renovation and restoration by the Rangers themselves, the armory building was re-dedicated on July 15, 1989 to its original purpose-- as an armory and meeting hall for this historic and venerable state-chartered militia unit located in one of New England's oldest villages.

Today the Pawtuxet Rangers are among the oldest existing chartered commands in the country. They still operate under their original charter of 1774. Under the overall command of the Governor as Captain General, and the direct command of the Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard, the Rangers still retain the independent status of their charter while also available on a voluntary basis to assist in certain State functions if so requested. The Pawtuxet Rangers are among the most active of Rhode Island's militia groups and are one of only four fife and drum corps in the United States that are part of an actual military organization. Today the Company has Militia including color guard, musket line and artillery and a Fife & Drum corps. They are constantly sought for participation in a wide variety of parades and public appearances, including ceremonial State functions, battle reenactments, living history demonstrations, educational visits and speaking engagements.