Skip to Main Content

American Revolution in Massachusetts

An overview of Massachusetts' history during America's Revolutionary Era.

Spring, 1775

A small contingent of British soldiers landed on Grape Island in Hingham Bay to gather provisions from the farm there owned by Loyalist Elisha Leavitt. Hingham militiamen, who were initially fearful that a land invasion was underway, were unable to make it to the island for most of the time the British were there due to the low tide. By the time they got there the British were on their way out. A brief exchange of gunfire ensued as the ships retreated, and the British got away with a few tons of hay.

The militiamen then burned Leavitt’s farm to the ground, destroying 80 tons of hay in the process, and relocated his cattle to the mainland. Supposedly they sought to destroy Leavitt’s house in Hingham as well, but were mollified after he offered them food and alcohol.

Casualties
None

Result
British technical victory, American strategic victory

Aftermath
The British would be unable to secure provisions from Grape Island for the rest of the war

In an effort to halt the British practice of raiding farms on the harbor islands and coastal towns for supplies, the Massachusetts Committee of Safety under Joseph Warren ordered that the livestock be removed from Noddle's Island, Hog Island, Snake Island, and coastal Chelsea. A few days after the skirmish on Grape Island a contingent of local colonial soldiers headed by Colonel John Stark were spotted by the British burning hay on Noddle’s Island.

British Vice Admiral Graves then ordered the royal marines to land on the island and engage the colonists. The two-day running battle on the islands, salt marshes, and mudflats of the harbor was the second major military engagement of the war. Several ships and barges were sent to provide support to the British, including the armed schooner HMS Diana. The Diana became stuck in the shallow waters of Chelsea Creek, and was subsequently abandoned by her crew. Colonists quickly stripped the ship of anything valuable before destroying it by setting it on fire.

Casualties
Colonists: 4 wounded
British: 2 killed, several wounded

Result
American victory

Aftermath
The Colonists succeeding in removing or destroying livestock and other supplies, thus keeping them out of reach of the British. The successful capture and destruction of the Diana would also prove to be a significant morale booster. Israel Putnam, who had led a group of colonial reinforcements during the battle, would be made a General in the Continental Army.

General Gage ordered canons to be placed atop Copp’s Hill, Vice Admiral Graves had one of his ships moved to deeper water and sent a contingent of army regulars to secure Noddle’s Island.  


Burnham Tavern, c. 1911

The first naval battle of the war was fought in Machias Bay in Eastern Maine. A local merchant with suspected Loyalist ties, Ichabod Jones, was attempting to ship out a load of lumber from Maine to Boston on two of his ships. A British armed sloop commanded by James Moore, the HMS Margaretta, was accompanying Jones’ ships.

Their sympathies lying with the Patriot cause, the townspeople of Machias decided to arrest Jones and Moore after meeting at the Burnham Tavern. While they were successful in detaining Jones, Moore escaped the harbor on the Margaretta and was pursued by locals on two ships (one of which had been taken from Jones.) Damage to the Margaretta allowed the two ships to catch up to Moore, and he was fatally injured in the ensuing battle. His crew surrendered.

Casualties
Colonists: 10 killed, 3 wounded
British: 5 killed, 9 wounded

Result
American victory

Aftermath
Expecting reprisals from the British, the people of Machias armed the ships they’d taken from Jones and began building up their defenses under the guidance of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress.

The British attempted to attack Machias a second time in August of 1777, but were quickly driven off by the local militia and allied Native Americans.