Essential Facts
- Also Known As: Capture of the Turtle Bay Storehouse
- Date: July 20, 1775
- Location: Turtle Bay, a small cove in the East River
- Key Patriot Leaders: John Lamb, Isaac Sears, Alexander McDougall, Marinus Willett
- Who Won: American forces
- Part of: Operations in New York City (1775–1776), American Revolutionary War (1775–1783)
Historical Context
The Raid on Turtle Bay happened during the Siege of Boston (1775–1776), roughly one month after the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775), the first British offensive of the war. It was more than a year before the Battle of Long Island (August 27–29, 1776), which opened the New York Campaign (1776).
History
The American Revolutionary War Begins in New York City
Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775), American forces laid siege to Boston, trapping British forces inside the city. When the news reached New York City on April 23, members of the New York Sons of Liberty, led by Isaac “King” Sears, were determined to prevent British forces from seizing military supplies, as they had done at Concord. According to Judge Thomas Jones:
“…the republicans instantly took the alarm; they had wished for it for a long time, they received the news with avidity. Isaac Sears, John Lamb and Donald Campbell (a half pay officer) paraded the town with drums beating and colours flying (attended by a mob of negroes, boys, sailors, and pickpockets) inviting all mankind to take up arms in defence of the ‘injured rights and liberties of America.’”
Sears and the others went to the docks at New York Harbor and boldly ordered all ships carrying British supplies to be detained. At least two British ships that were prepared to carry provisions to Boston were unloaded under the watchful eye of Sears and John Lamb.
That night, Sears led a small group to City Hall, where military supplies were stored. When they arrived, Sears demanded entrance but was denied. The Sons of Liberty responded by breaking down the door and forcing their way into the armory. They seized 500 muskets, 1,200 pounds of gunpowder, and an assortment of military supplies, including bayonets. Everything was taken to a safe location outside the city.
In the weeks that followed, Sears organized his own military force to keep watch throughout the city. According to Mayor Whitehead Hicks, “…the Magistratic Authority was gone.”
Isaac Low, who had been a delegate to the First Continental Congress (1774), said that “…the Tumults in this City are solely conducted by Isaac Sears & a parcel of the meanest people…” At the time, Low was the chairman of the New York Committee of Observation.
- Isaac Sears (1730–1786) — A prominent leader of the Sons of Liberty in New York, Sears played a critical role in pre-Revolutionary protests against British policies. Known as “King Sears,” he organized opposition to the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts and played a prominent role in the Battle of Golden Hill (January 1770). His efforts helped maintain the Patriot Resistance Movement in New York.
- Whitehead Hicks (1728–1780) — Hicks served as the Mayor of New York City (1766–1776) during a period of rising tensions between Britain and the American Colonies. A Loyalist, he sought to maintain British control of the city and colony.
- Isaac Low (1735–1791) — Low was a merchant and political leader from New York who initially supported the Patriot cause. He represented New York as a delegate to the First Continental Congress (1774) and signed the Continental Association. However, as tensions escalated, he shifted his allegiance to the British Crown and joined the Loyalist Opposition.
- New York Committee of Observation—Also known as the Committee of Sixty, this committee enforced the provisions of the Continental Association, which prohibited trade with the British. It was established as a Committee of Correspondence, known as the Committee of Fifty-One. Later, it became the Committee of One Hundred and established the New York Provincial Congress and New York Committee of Safety.
Military Association of the City of New York
Sears established the “Military Association of the City of New York,” and the guns seized from the city arsenal were distributed to men who signed this resolution:
“Whereas it is essentially necessary in all Free States, that the People should become perfectly acquainted with the Use of Arms, and be regularly disciplined, in order the more effectually to defend their Liberty, Property, and Country, against any Power whatsoever, that may attempt to invade the same — And whereas there is a Militia Law now in Force, for the salutary Purpose aforesaid — We the Subscribers, do voluntarily agree to form ourselves into a Body, immediately, under the Denomination of the Military Association of the City of New York, for which Purpose we will provide ourselves with a good Firelock, Bayonet, Cutlass, and a Cartouch-Box, capable of containing (at least) Twenty-four Rounds of Cartridges; and that we will meet, at such Times and Places as shall hereafter be agreed on, by the Majority to learn the Manual, and other Exercises and to perfect ourselves in the Military Art.”
Sears signed his name to this proclamation, and roughly 100 men joined him, including Hugh Hughes, John Lamb, Alexander McDougall, Gershom Mott, and Marinus Willett.
Peter Vandervoort, a prominent New York merchant and Patriot, supported Sears but was concerned about the impact the presence of the Military Association was having on the local economy. He remarked, “Our City has been in such Tumult & confusion since Sunday last that Scarcely any Business has been done, and every day we have had People Marching…day & Night through the Streets with Arms & they are Exercising and Entering into Companies every day.”
- Hugh Hughes (1727–1802) — Born in Pennsylvania, Hughes moved to New York City, where he worked as a tanner. He became involved in the Patriot Resistance Movement after the Stamp Act Crisis. He served as a Quartermaster for the Continental Army during the war. He played a key role in the evacuation of American troops from Brooklyn Heights after the Battle of Long Island by gathering boats that were used to ferry Washington’s men across the East River to Manhattan.
- John Lamb (1735–1800) — Lamb was a prominent leader of the New York Sons of Liberty and fought in the American Revolutionary War as an artillery commander. Lamb participated in the Invasion of Quebec (1775–1776), served as commander of West Point, and was involved in the Yorktown Campaign (1781).
- Alexander McDougall (1732–1786) — Like Lamb, McDougall was a prominent leader of the New York Sons of Liberty and served as a General in the Continental Army during the war. He is perhaps most famous for publishing the broadside that contributed to the outbreak of the Battle of Golden Hill (1770).
- Gershom Mott (1744–1789) — Mott was a native of New Jersey who moved to New York City and became involved with the Sons of Liberty during the Stamp Act Crisis. Mott served under Lamb and Colonel John Nicholson as an artillery captain during the war.
- Marinus Willett (1740–1830) — Willett was another prominent New York Son of Liberty. A veteran of the French and Indian War, he supported the Patriot Cause. He served in the army during several key campaigns, including Quebec, New York, Saratoga, Philadelphia, and Sullivan’s Expedition.
New York Raises the Alarm
At the time, the British garrison in New York consisted of about 100 men. They stayed safe in their barracks while the Mayor, city officials, and Lieutenant Governor Cadwallader Colden asked General Thomas Gage for help.
On April 27, Sears and others learned from an informant that New York officials had sent a message to General Gage in Boston, asking him to send 1,000 troops to New York City to maintain order. To Sears and the Sons of Liberty, it was clear the British intended to increase the use of military force to maintain control over the colonies. A message was sent to the Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence that said:
“Can there be a Doubt, then, but that some of us are destined by these bloody-minded Wretches, to Carnage, and others to the most abject Slavery. We must therefore, most earnestly entreat you to succour us as soon as possible, and that efficatiously too, or we shall not be able, perhaps, to make a Stand long. Depend upon it that every Engine will be set to work to raise a Clamour against the Friends of America.”
Further, Sears made it clear that he intended to stop all ships carrying British supplies from leaving New York Harbor.
The Philadelphia Committee responded by forwarding the message to other Committees with the message:
“Our Brethren at New-York, seem to have two objects in view, to stop all provisions and supplies for the army at Boston and the fishery, and to ask our assistance in case the General should send a Regiment to New York.”
- Cadwallader Colden (1688–1776) — Born in Scotland, Colden moved to Philadephia in 1710 and was named Surveyor General of New York in 1720. He served as an advisor to Governor George Clinton and was Lieutenant Governor during the Stamp Act Crisis. In 1770, he helped develop a scheme to use New York money to pay for the expenditures of British troops in the city, which contributed to the Battle of Golden Hill (1770).
Sears Takes Control of the Customs House
That same day, Sears and his men acquired the keys to the Customs House from Andrew Elliott, the New York Customs Collector. However, this was done under the threat of violence. Elliott said:
“…the Gentlemen of the Committee told him, he would not be Suffered to Act in character of Collector any longer — The Collector pointing to the Bayonets at the Doors and Windows of his House, told them they had given a full view of their power, what use they meant. to make of it rested entirely with themselves…”
With control of the Customs House, the Sons of Liberty controlled traffic in New York Harbor, and could prevent ships from leaving that were planning to carry supplies to the besieged army in Boston.
Committee of One Hundred
The actions of April 27 led to the printing and circulation of a handbill calling on the Committee of Observation to expand and establish a Provincial Congress.
The Committee compiled a list of nominees, including some men associated with the DeLancey Faction, a Loyalist group. Sears and the Sons of Liberty objected to them and some of the other nominees. After a few days of revisions, including protests from Sears, the Committee was expanded and became known as the Committee of One Hundred, which served as the government, starting on May 1.
This Committee announced its loyalty to the Patriot Cause, announcing it was forming an Association to:
“…endeavour to carry into execution whatever Measures may be recommended by the Continental Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention for the purpose of preserving our constitution, and opposing the execution of the several arbitrary and oppressive acts of the British Parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America, (which we most ardently desire) can be obtained.”
News of Lord North’s Conciliatory Proposal reached New York on April 29, but it was too late. The bloodshed on April 19 made it clear to many Patriots that submission was not a viable option.
- Lord North’s Conciliatory Proposal (1775) — A proposal from Lord Frederick North in which Parliament agreed to end taxation, provided each colony provided for its own defenses. However, the proposal was addressed to each colony, not the Continental Congress. Parliament refused to acknowledge the Congress as a legal authority, even though the colonies had accepted it as a de facto government.
The New York Assembly met for the last time on May 3. When it adjourned, the city and colony were under the control of the Committee of One Hundred, which was organizing a Provincial Congress.
On May 5, the Committee sent a letter to the Mayor and others, making it clear that New York would no longer submit to the idea of Taxation Without Representation:
“That America is grown so irritable by oppression, that the least shock in any part is, by the most powerful and sympathetic affection, instantaneously felt through the whole continent — that while the whole continent are ardently wishing for peace upon such terms as can be acceded to by Englishmen, they are indefatigable in preparing for the last appeal…We speak the real sentiments of the confederated colonies on the continent, from Nova-Scotia to Georgia, when we declare, that all the horrors of a civil war will never compel America to submit to taxation by authority of parliament.”
On May 6, hundreds of New Yorkers turned out to sign the Articles of Association that were issued by the Committee of One Hundred. Of this, Cadwalader Colden, the long-time British official, wrote:
“The Moment of Consternation and anxiety was seized, the People were assembled, and that Scene of Violence and Disorder was begun which has entirely prostrated the Powers of Government and produced an Association by which this Province has solemnly united with the others in resisting the Acts of Parliament.”
A few days later, the Massachusetts delegates to the Second Continental Congress, including John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, stopped in New York City on their way to Philadelphia. Upon arrival, they were met by Sears. Hancock recalled, “Sears is the King here.”
The Committee of One Hundred set May 22 as the date for a Provincial Congress to convene.
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Meanwhile, the Siege of Boston continued. While the New England Army of Observation was organized, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress gave Benedict Arnold permission to raise an army to attack Fort Ticonderoga and seize its cannons and guns. Once secured, the artillery would be moved to Boston to help drive the British out of the city and harbor.
However, Connecticut had already devised a similar plan and sent Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys toward Ticonderoga. Arnold caught up with them and tried to take command of the expedition, but the Green Mountain Boys refused to take orders from him. Allen remained in command, but they allowed Arnold to accompany them. On May 10, the same day the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, Allen, Arnold, and the Green Mountain Boys captured Fort Ticonderoga, 250 miles north of New York City.
- New England Army of Observation — Organized by Massachusetts and the other New England Colonies in anticipation of hostilities with Great Britain. In the aftermath of the Battle of Concord (April 19, 1775), Massachusetts Militia forces followed the British back to Boston and remained there, initiating the Siege of Boston. Those troops formed the initial ranks of the New England Army of Observation. Over the next few days, they were joined by militia from the other New England Colonies. This army was eventually taken over by the Continental Congress and became the Continental Army.
British Depot at Turtle Bay
This aggressive action was troubling to Congress and New York’s leaders because it was a blatant attack on the King’s forces at a time when no declaration of war existed. In fact, Congress was taking cautious steps to guide Americans to defend themselves while also hoping for a diplomatic resolution to the situation.
On May 15, Congress sent a letter to the Committee of Observation suggesting that military supplies should be removed from the city. However, the New York delegates also specified that British supplies should not be touched. On June 8, the Committee issued a warning that the British depot at Turtle Bay should be left alone.
Seizure of British Supply Carts
General Gage wrote a letter to Major Isaac Hamilton, commanding officer of the 18th Royal Irish Regiment, on May 7 and suggested he move his men out of the city onto the 64-gun man-of-war Asia in New York Harbor. By the end of the month, Gage ordered the New York troops to join him in Boston.
On the morning of June 6, the troops collected their belongings and marched through the streets toward the harbor. There, they intended to board a transport and sail to Boston. They pulled carts filled with arms and supplies.
Marinus Willett and the Sons of Liberty gathered a large group of people and met the British column at the corner of Broadway and Beaver Street. Willett informed the commanding officer that the Committee of Safety did not give him permission to take more arms and ammunition with them than what they could carry on their person.
Mayor Hicks arrived, and while he discussed the situation with the commanding officer, the crowd seized the carts filled with military supplies and pulled them away. According to historian Wilbur Cortez Abbott, this was “…almost…if not quite…the last overt acts of the Sons of Liberty before the Revolution proper.”
However, there was still one more maneuver to take place — the Raid on the Turtle Bay Depot.
General Washington Visits New York City
In Philadelphia, Congress organized the Continental Army and appointed George Washington of Virginia as its Commander-in-Chief. At the same time, the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775) took place.
Washington traveled from Philadelphia to Boston to take command of his new army. On June 25, he stopped and visited with Patriot leaders in New York City. This happened to be the same day that the Royal Governor, William Tryon, was returning to the city after a long absence. The simultaneous arrival of two leading figures put the Provincial Congress in a difficult situation. They made arrangements to welcome both men to the city, but when Tryon heard about it, he delayed his arrival to avoid any conflict.
Around 4:00 in the afternoon, Washington arrived, escorted by troops. He was met by members of the Provincial Congress and nine companies of the New York Militia. That night, he made his first official move as Commander-in-Chief, placing Philip Schuyler in command of the New York Militia and ordering him to keep a close watch on the actions of Governor Tryon.
The next day, Washington met with the Provincial Congress. It was in this meeting that he made his legendary promise to give up his command and return to private life, but he also warned that “having once drawn the sword,” he did not “expect to sheath it without establishing American liberty on its most firm and solid foundations.”
Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay was a small cove in the East River at the foot of what is now 47th Street in Manhattan. It was filled in in the 1860s and is now covered by United Nations Park, which is located north of the United Nations building.
- Its name may have derived from the fact that there were turtles in the bay or that it was called ‘Deutal Bay’ by the Dutch. In Dutch, ‘deutal’ means ‘bent blade’ and was used to refer to the shape of the cove.
- When the English took control of New York, they pronounced ‘duetal’ like ‘turtle,’ hence the name Turtle Bay.
Raid on the Turtle Bay Depot
Rumors continued to spread that the British intended to send troops to New York City. To improve the city’s defenses, John Lamb organized an expedition to raid the British depot at Turtle Bay. The expedition included Lamb, Isaac Sears, Alexander McDougall, and Marinus Willett.
- Around July 19, Lamb and the group traveled to Greenwich, Connecticut.
- Greenwich was on Long Island Sound, about 35 miles northeast of New York City.
- While they were in Greenwich, they seized food and clothing stored there by Loyalists.
On the 19th, they boarded a sloop—a small sailing warship—and headed southwest toward Turtle Bay.
- The sloop passed through Hell Gate, seven miles north of the city, and arrived at Turtle Bay around sunset.
- They waited until later in the evening before disembarking and rowing to shore in longboats.
- Around midnight, they surprised the lone British guard.
- The guard was quickly overpowered, and the Sons of Liberty seized what was in the depot, loaded everything on the longboats, and returned to their ship.
According to Lamb’s memoirs, “A part of the stores thus obtained, was sent to the grand army at Cambridge, and the residue, destined for the Northern campaign, were in part, expended by Lamb’s company at the siege of St. Johns some time afterwards.”
AP US History Alignment
The Turtle Bay Raid is part of the following units, topics, and chapters in the AP US History curriculum:
Unit 3: 1754–1800
- 3.5 — The American Revolution
American Pageant Notes
- Chapter 8 — America Secedes from the Empire (1775–1783)
Bibliography
- Abbott, Wilbur Cortez, New York in the American Revolution, 1929.
- Blanco, Richard, The American Revolution 1775–1783: An Encyclopedia, Volume 1, 2021.
- Blanco, Richard, The American Revolution 1775–1783: An Encyclopedia, Volume 2, 2021.
- Champagne, Robert J., Alexander McDougall and the American Revolution in New York, 1975.
- Christen, Robert J., King Sears, Politician and Patriot in a Decade of Revolution, 1982.
- Gordon, William, The History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment of the Independence of the United States of America, 1788.
- Howard, Thomas, Marinus Willett, Soldier-Patriot, 1740–1830, 1954.
- Leak, Isaac Q., Memoir of the Life and Times of General John Lamb, 1857.
- New York Mercantile Association, New York City During the American Revolution, 1861.
- Selesky, Harold E., Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, Second Edition, 2006.
