In 78th year
__________
Vital Records of Westport, MA
Gravestone Record

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Barney Hicks, son of Joseph, was born at Westport, Mass., was reared on the farm and was still in his 'teens when the war of the Revolution broke out. After serving some time in the Continental army he returned to his home and fitted out a sloop for engaging in the West Indian trade. He started on a voyage, but the first day out was overhauled and captured by a British cruiser, but stress of weather prevented the taking of this prize onto the nearby port of Newport, and the vessels were headed for New York. In the violent storm which was then raging, the ships were wrecked off the New Jersey coast, and all hands were drowned except Captain Hicks and five of his shipmates and his dog. It was in the winter season, the cold was intense, food and water they had none, and one after another the unfortunate men died of cold, starvation and exposure. During this time Captain Hicks' faithful dog clung to him and assisted in keeping him from being entirely frozen. His feet were frozen so badly that in later years he had them amputated. After several days of intense suffering, during which his dog died, Captain Hicks was discovered and taken by his rescuers to a shelter where he was cared for. In the course of time he partially recovered his health and fitted out a privateer, and within weeks assisted in capturing a British vessel, and with his share of the prize he was able to pay his way for a year.
For a time he was very successful in his privateering venture but was subsequently captured and held a prisoner of war for two years. After a cessation of hostilities he entered the merchant service, and before retiring from the sea, made forty-two trips to the West Indies, as captain of his vessel.
After he had lost both feet, he used crutches and a sort of iron boot. His last trip was a voyage to Africa, around by the West Indies, and after his return he spent the rest of his days at Westport.
Captain Hicks married Sarah Cook, of Tiverton, daughter of Issac and Lydia (Gray) Cook, and they had twelve children.

Betsey married Nathaniel Tompkins of Little Compton
Andrew died unmarried at Westport Point
Lydia married Nathaniel Church of Fair Haven, Mass.
Isaac married Huldah Tompkins of Westport
John married Caroline Almy of Westport Point
Hannah married Capt. Edward Gray Sowle of Westport Point
Barney married Catherine Seabury of Tiverton
William Bates married Eliza Seabury of Westport
Reuben Cook married Sarah Kirby of Westport
Alexander married (first) Elizabeth Howland of Westport Point and (second) Susan Kempton of New Bedford
Sarah married Ephraim Woodbridge Brownell of Adamsville
Joseph married (first) Betsy Briggs, of Little Compton and (second) Mary Willier of Frostburg Maryland.

-- From “Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island” volume 3