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In the American Revolution the fort witnessed the first act of open rebellion in New Hampshire. On December 14, 1774 a local mob of several hundred from the Portsmouth area, led by John Langdon, stormed the post and seized the powder, which was distributed through several New Hampshire towns for the use of their militia. This action was duplicated around this time in many of the 13 colonies. Thus, the William and Mary incident can be viewed as typical.
Fort William and Mary was the only military post in the Portsmouth area, and was normally used only to store supplies and during militia training or drills. But, as tensions increased before the revolutionary war Lord North's ministry had cautioned the colonial governors to secure arms, powder, and shot. Accordingly, in the summer of 1774 Governor John Wentworth installed a small garrison to guard it. Then on October 19, King George forbade the export of arms and powder to America. Like North's orders, this was kept confidential, but word of it reached the colonies.
The port at Boston had been closed and the city occupied. The Portsmouth Committees of Safety and Correspondence were aware that powder and shot had been seized elsewhere, including a recent action in Rhode Island. There were rumors that additional naval and troop support were expected from Boston, and might be used to expand the regular army's occupation. Then on December 13December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 18 days remaining. Events 1545 Council of Trent begins 1577 Sir Francis Drake sets out from Plymouth, on his round-the-world voyage 1642 Abel Janszoon Tasm, Paul RevereJohn Singleton Copley, c. 1768-70 Paul Revere ( January 1, 1735 (assumed) May 10, 1818) was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolutionary War. Immortalized after his death for his role as a messenger in the Battle of Lexington and Co brought word that the rumors of expected troops were true.
The next day, John Langdon made his way through Portsmouth with a drummer. When he had collected a crowd, he spoke to them. About 400 then became a mob that went with him to take the powder from the Fort. A single volley rang from the fort. and was answered by some shots from the crowd, but there were no injuries. They stormed into the fort, quickly overwhelming the garrison of six. Breaking into the magazine, they removed about 100 barrels of powder.
One day later, additional rebel forces came from throughout the colony, led by John SullivanThere are several articles for people named John Sullivan John Sullivan ( 1740 1795) was a General during the Revolutionary War and a delegate in the Continental Cogress. John Sullivan is a British TV scriptwriter. John Sullivan was a recipient of the Vic. The first surrounded the governor's home, but violence was avoided there, based on his giving in to their demands. That evening December 15December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 16 days remaining. Events 687 St. Sergius I becomes Pope 1702 Forty-seven ronin, formerly in the service of Asano Naganori, assault the household of Kira Y, they returned to the fort, and removed all of the arms and supplies and some cannons.