May 1: A Day of Mourning and Mobilization

The New York Committee of 100 calls for every man to arm himself and get military training. Jemima Condict, a 17-year-old West Orange, New Jersey farmgirl, writes in her diary, “This day I think is a Day of Mourning. We have word come that the fleet is coming to New-York and the men of our Town… have chosen men to act for them… I hope the Lord will Give them Wisdom.”

May 2: New Jersey Prepares for Action

Alarmed by news of Lexington and Concord, the New Jersey Committee of Correspondence calls for a Provincial Congress to meet in Trenton on May 23.

May 3: Benedict Arnold Is Commissioned

The Massachusetts Committee of Safety authorizes Benedict Arnold to lead 400 men to capture Fort Ticonderoga and gives him the rank of Colonel.

May 4: Rhode Island Rejects the King

Rhode Island renounces its allegiance to the King.

May 5: Franklin Returns from London

Benjamin Franklin and his grandson, Temple, arrive in Philadelphia after leaving London, unable to convince the Crown of its mistaken American policies. He has been chosen to be a delegate to the Pennsylvania Assembly.

May 6: Franklin the Loyalist Responds

New Jersey Royal Governor William Franklin, the bastard son of Benjamin Franklin, writes to the Ministry that the battles of Lexington and Concord have “greatly diminished” the chances at reconciliation.

May 7: Franklin the Patriot Writes Back

Benjamin Franklin writes to William, encouraging him to support American independence, as news of Lexington and Concord reaches North Carolina.

May 8: Militia Formations Spread

The Bucks County, Pennsylvania Committee of Safety calls for the formation of militia groups as the brigantine Industry lands in Charleston, SC, with news of the fighting in Massachusetts.

May 9: Boats Gather on Lake Champlain

Arnold and Ethan Allen arrive across Lake Champlain and round up boats to make their attack.

May 10: Fort Ticonderoga Falls

Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold lead a successful attack on Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York, while the Second Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

May 11: Patriots Arm in Savannah

In Savannah, Georgia, Patriots seize gunpowder from the Royal Magazine and arm themselves.

May 12: Crown Point Captured

Bergen County, New Jersey Freeholders agree to join non-importation of British goods in order to support “the present struggle for Liberty.” Americans capture the British fort at Crown Point, NY.

May 13: A Revolutionary Postal Network

The Massachusetts Provincial Congress begins to establish a colonial postal system.

May 14: Quebec in Arnold’s Sights

Arnold and 50 soldiers prepare to make a surprise attack on Fort St. Jean in Quebec.

May 15: Tensions Rise in New Jersey

The New Jersey (Royal) Assembly convenes in Burlington. William Franklin asks it to ratify Lord North’s tax and contribution proposals, as militia march in Perth Amboy.

May 16: Congress Considers War

Congress forms itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider the “State of America.” Virginia’s Richard Henry Lee proposes that Congress “raise an army.”

May 17: St. Jean Captured

American forces under Benedict Arnold capture St. Jean, Quebec, as the New York Provincial Congress assumes de facto power in that colony.

May 18: Congress Celebrates Ticonderoga

Congress learns of the American capture of Fort Ticonderoga.

May 19: Royal Marines Reinforce Boston

Six transports of Royal Marines reinforce Boston’s Crown forces.

May 20: Mecklenburg Declares Defiance

In response to Lexington and Concord, Patriots in Charlotte, North Carolina sign the Mecklenburg Accords, proposing independence. The British are penned up in Boston by New England militia.

May 21: Grape Island Skirmish

The British attempt to capture hay on Grape Island in Boston Harbor but are repulsed by American militia. New Hampshire’s Provincial Congress enacts legislation creating a 2,000-man standing army.

May 22: A Common Cause Emerges

South Carolina’s Henry Laurens writes that the fighting has created in the colonies “an amazing readiness to contribute to the common cause.”

May 23: New Jersey Assembles

The New Jersey Provincial Congress is formed and meets in Trenton. Future Signers Abraham Clark of Elizabeth, Hopewell farmer John Hart, and the Rev. John Witherspoon of Princeton are delegates. Princeton’s Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, Jonathan Baldwin, and Enos Kelsey also serve as delegates.

May 24: Hendrick Fischer Named President

The New Jersey Provincial Congress chooses Somerset County’s Hendrick Fischer as President of the Congress.

May 25: British Generals Arrive

The 32-gun HMS Cerberus sails into Boston Harbor carrying three British major generals who would play important roles in the War: William Howe, John Burgoyne, and Henry Clinton.

May 26: Congress Authorizes Armament

Congress authorizes the colonies to make preparations to arm themselves.

May 27: Raid on the Diana

Militia capture stores from the British schooner Diana in a British raid to capture livestock.

May 28: Princeton Prepares for War

Somerset County, New Jersey Freeholders choose Rev. Witherspoon and Princeton innkeeper Jacob Bergen to serve on the County Committee of Correspondence. Princeton student Charles Beatty writes to his sister of being part of a “company in College” of 50 at the school, drilling for war. “Another company they have in town.”

May 29: Quero Reaches England

The fast-sailing Quero, dispatched by Sam Adams and John Hancock, arrives in England with the American version of Lexington and Concord, blaming the British for the start of hostilities.

May 30: Besieged Boston Struggles

British officers complain about shortages of food and fuel in besieged Boston.

May 31: Mecklenburg Resolves Passed

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, agrees on its “Resolves,” “annulling and vacating” all laws originating from the King or Parliament and ending recognition of the Crown’s power in the American colonies. In New Jersey, the Provincial Congress signs the non-importation “Association,” vowing to defend their liberties—though they do not yet speak of independence.