Broad Street Raid

The Broad Street Raid in June 1775 was one of the boldest early acts of Patriot resistance in New York City. Marinus Willett, one of the most aggressive Sons of Liberty in the city, led a party of men to intercept British troops in New York City who were transporting muskets, bayonets, and cartridge boxes from the city arsenal to British ships.

Willett and his men blocked the wagons on Broad Street and seized the weapons before they could be loaded aboard ship. The soldiers accompanying the wagons were prevented from interfering by the press of the crowd and the boldness of Willett's party. The seized weapons were distributed to Patriot forces preparing for the conflict that had already begun in Massachusetts.

The raid demonstrated the radical Patriot spirit in New York and the willingness of activists like Willett to take direct action against British military operations even in a city with a substantial Loyalist population. Marinus Willett went on to become one of the most effective Continental officers in the New York theater, distinguishing himself at Fort Stanwix, Johnstown, and throughout the Mohawk Valley operations.