From The Gazetteer of the State of New Hampshire (in three parts), 
compiled from the best authorities, by Eliphalet Merrill and the Late 
Phinehas Merrill, Esq.,
Printed by C. Norris & Co. , Exeter, NH, ©1817, pg  64-65
Part I - General View- History

1774 - General Gage arrived at Boston with a large force of British troops, and the town 
of Boston was blockaded.  The general assembly of New Hampshire, at their meeting in 
the spring, in conformity to the example of similar bodies in the other colonies, appointed 
a committee of correspondence, and transmitted letters to all towns in the province, 
requesting them to send deputies to a general convention at Exeter, where delegates were 
to be chosen for a general congress.  Eighty-five deputies assembled at Exeter, where they 
chose Nathaniel Folsom and John Sullivan, esquires, to attend the proposed congress to be 
holden the next September at Philadelphia.
	An order having been passed by the king in council prohibiting the exportation to 
America of gun powder and other military stores, a copy of it was brought by express to 
Portsmouth at the moment when a ship was daily expected from Boston with a party of 
troops to take possession of Fort William and Mary at the entrance of the harbour.  The 
committee of Portsmouth, with all possible dispatch, collected a company from that and 
the neighbouring towns, and before the governor had any suspicion of their intentions they 
proceeded to New castle and attacked the fort.  The whole garrison (consisting  of five 
men beside the Capt.) were captured, and on hundred barrels of gunpowder were carried 
off.  Another party removed fifteen of the lightest cannon and all the small arms, besides 
some military stores.  Maj. John Sullivan and Capt. John Langdon signalized themselves as 
the leaders of this affair.  The next day the Scarborough frigate and Cansean sloop of war, 
with several companies of soldiers, took possession of the fort and of the heavy cannon 
which had not been removed.


Submitted by T.C. Parziale 5/30/00
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