Marblehead Regiment

Ordinary men—Black, Native, and White—played a vital role in preventing the American Revolution from collapsing in its early years. Known as the Marblehead Regiment, these experienced sailors from Massachusetts supported Brigadier General John Glover in a series of crucial nautical operations that helped sustain the Patriot cause. Most famously, they helped ferry General George Washington and his army across the Delaware River on Christmas night, 1776, to win a crucial victory at the Battle of Trenton.

The Woodson Center’s lesson on the Marblehead Regiment offers students a unique opportunity to learn about the often-overlooked contributors to the Revolution. Teachers have flexibility in selecting which sub-topics and stories to emphasize, allowing them to tailor the lesson to their students’ needs and interests.