American Revolution

When the Revolutionary War broke out General George Washington requested the assistance of the Wabanaki People.  In 1775, a British warship destroyed Fort Pownall, which the Penobscots had used for trade.  The Penobscots received a letter from the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts urging them to join with the American colonies to defend the liberty of both parties.  Joseph Orono urged his fellow Penobscots to side with the Americans.

In June 1777, Colonel John Allan of the Massachusetts militia, who was the director of the federal government's Eastern Indian Department, negotiated a treaty with the Wabanaki People.  They were to assist in the Revolutionary War in return for protection of their lands by the United States and provision of supplies in times of need.   However, this treaty was never ratified by the United States.

Also in 1777, the British occupied the St. John Valley and 500 Maliseets went south to Machias.  In August of that year the British attacked Machias with four ships and were repulsed by Wabanaki and American volunteers.  A number of Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, Micmac, St. Francis Abenaki, and Becancour soldiers remained in the Machias area throughout the war.  These actions helped secure that boundary area for the Americans.