240 years ago, not too far from Manchester By the Sea there were a few of those “crazy nutcases” that decided that they did not like their government.
Those crazy nutcases were named Samuel Adams, Paul Revere,
Samuel Prescott and John Sullivan among others
.
From the History of Fort William & Mary Portsmouth,NH :
“On December 13, 1774, Paul Revere rode from Boston with a message that the fort at Rhode Island had been dismantled and troops were coming to take over Fort William and Mary. The following day the drums beat to collect the Sons of Liberty, and 400 men from Portsmouth, Rye and New Castle raided the fort and removed 98 barrels (approximately five tons) of gun powder.
The next night, a small party led by John Sullivan carried off 16 pieces of small cannon and military stores. This raid took place months before the incidents at Concord and Lexington in April 1775(know as the shot heard round the world).
These raids on the British Fort William and Mary on New Castle Island, NH resulted in the death of one British soldier. These were the first real shots fired in the American Revolution. They took place five months prior to the battle at Lexington & Concord, MA.
Just a history tidbit.