The Brig Independence
1776 • 16 Guns • Massachusetts State Navy
One of the first warships commissioned for American independence, built on Kingston's Jones River and immortalized on the town seal
Type
Brigantine (Brig)
Guns
16 cannons
Built
1776, Kingston, MA
Builder
Drew Family Shipyard
Launched
Days after July 4, 1776
Commander
Captain Simeon Samson
Service
Massachusetts State Navy
Fate
Captured Nov 1776
A Symbol of Independence
The Brig Independence, a 16-gun warship built in Kingston, Massachusetts, in 1776, stands as a significant symbol of local contribution to the American Revolutionary War. Constructed on the historic Jones River, the vessel was one of the first ships commissioned by the Massachusetts State Navy, tasked with defending the coastline and American trade interests against the formidable British Royal Navy.
Under the command of Captain Simeon Samson, a decorated and resilient mariner, the Independence achieved notable early successes, capturing several British prize ships before its own capture in November 1776. Its legacy endures. The Independence remains a potent icon for the town of Kingston, immortalized on the official town seal and commemorated by a historical marker on River Street.
The Genesis of a Warship: Jones River Shipbuilding
The story of the Brig Independence begins on the banks of the Jones River in Kingston, Massachusetts. This area possesses one of the most storied maritime histories in North America, with a legacy of shipbuilding dating back to the early 1700s. The Jones River Landing is considered by some to be the site of the longest continuously operating boatyard in the United States.
The construction of the Independence was championed by William Sever, a prominent Kingston merchant and an influential member of the wartime Massachusetts Council. Sever successfully secured the necessary public funds to build the vessel. The physical construction took place in a shipyard owned by the Drew family, renowned boatbuilders on the Jones River for over 150 years.
Construction Details
- • Built by the Drew Family Shipyard
- • Championed by merchant William Sever
- • Supervised by Captain Simeon Samson
- • Launched days after Declaration of Independence
- • Armed with 16 cannons
- • One of first three Massachusetts State Navy ships
Captain Simeon Samson: Commander
The first and only American commander of the Brig Independence was Captain Simeon Samson (1736-1789). Born in Kingston to Peleg and Mary (Ring) Sampson, he was appointed as the first naval captain in the service of Massachusetts by the Provincial Congress. A formal manuscript document dated April 17, 1776 confirms his appointment to "take command of the Armed Brigantine called the Independence."
Read Captain Samson's Full Story