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was settled in 1638 by a party of colonists from Massachusetts under William Coddington. Newport was in the last century an important seat of commerce. It early resisted the overbearing policy of the British Government, and her citizens burned the English sloop "Liberty," stationed in the harbor to exact an unpopular tax. During the Revolution 8,000 British and Hessian troops held the town and committed ravages on all sides. On their retirement many prominent Loyalist citizens emigrated with them. Newport contains the "Old Stone Mill," supposed by some to have been built by the Northmen. It was permanently incorporated as a city in 1853.