Nestled in downtown Machias, in the state of Maine, is a rather unassuming old house. Not unlike many others found across the state, it has an historic marker along a busy road that is often ignored by tourists headed to more exciting places, and taken for granted by local residents as they go about their daily lives. However, within the walls of Burnham Tavern, unfolded the plot which led to one of the first naval engagements of the American Revolution.
Built in 1770 by Job Burnham, the tavern served the community as a place of refreshment, rest for weary travelers, a social gathering spot, and most importantly a meeting place for the residents to discuss important issues. And they sure had a lot to discuss in 1775! News of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, in which colonists rose up against the British troops in April, had reached this remote outpost. At the time Maine was part of Massachusetts, but being hundreds of miles away, did the residents of Machias, settled just 12 years earlier, realize that by June the battle for independence would be at their tavern door?
On June 2, 1775 two Loyalist merchant ships, accompanied by the armed British sloop HMS Margaretta arrived. Their mission was get lumber to build much needed infrastructure for the British troops in Boston, including barracks. It is easy in hindsight to know what to do in this situation. However, the residents of Machias were at a crossroads. Do they risk the wrath of the British warship, if they don’t comply with this order? Or do they betray their fellow colonists and the Continental Congress who were preparing for war? Remember this was before the Declaration of Independence which didn’t happen until over a year later in July of 1776.
One can only imagine the heated debates that took place at the tavern. At first the residents refused to trade with the owner of the merchant ships, Ichabod Jones. But then Jones had the British commander, Midshipman James Moore, move his ship within firing distance of their homes. The residents succumbed to the threat, and allowed Jones’ ship Unity to dock and begin conducting business. However, Jones refused to sell his pork, flour and other much needed supplies with the townspeople who initially refused to trade with him. This sparked another discussion at the tavern where it was ultimately decided that they would arrest the owner of merchant ships, as well as the British commander. This decision proved to be complicated. After all, Moore did have an armed ship at his disposal aimed at their village. So they devised a plan to capture both men off guard when they were at church that Sunday, on June 11, 1775.
However, Moore and Jones probably sensed something was amiss that morning, especially when they saw the armed residents heading towards the church. Moore was able to escape the church and return to the safety of his ship, while Jones fled to the woods, and was later captured. As Moore repositioned his ship in a more secure location in the river, 40 residents, under the leadership of Captain Jeremiah O’Brien and Captain Benjamin Foster, decided the following day, on June 12, 1775, to pursue the HMS Margaretta in two merchant vessels. One of the vessels, the Unity, was actually commandeered from Jones. In the ensuing battle, Moore was gravely wounded and the HMS Margaretta captured. Following the battle, the Burnham Tavern served as a hospital for the wounded from both sides.
Known today as the Battle of Machias (1775), this is considered to be one of the first naval engagements of the American Revolutionary War. Today the Burnham Tavern stands as a quiet reminder of the history of these brave residents. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, and tours are available. For more information, please visit BurnhamTavern.com. For a more detailed history and first hand accounts of how the events unfolded that day, please visit “The Village of Machias Confronts the Royal Navy, June 1775,” (Journal of the American Revolution, July 2015). Concerned that the British Navy would retaliate, following these events a fort was built in Machias, that also saw action during the war. However, that is a story for another day.
