Early Life
Greene was born in Warwick, RI, the son of a prosperous Quaker farmer and ironmaster. A childhood accident left him with a stiff right leg and a limp. He also suffered from occasional asthma attacks. He had little formal schooling but was an avid reader. Under the guidance of Ezra Stiles, a clergyman and later president of Yale college, he acquired a good education.
In 1770, he moved to Coventry, RI to manage his father's forge. Following his father's death in 1770 he took over the whole family foundry business. In 1774 he met and married Katherine Littlefield.
He served in the Rhode Island Assembly from 1770 to 1772 and again in 1775. He was expelled from the Quaker meeting in 1773 for attending a military parade.
He served in the Rhode Island Assembly from 1770 to 1772 and again in 1775. He was expelled from the Quaker meeting in 1773 for attending a military parade.
