As problems with Britain escalated and war with England became inevitable, William served on a Committee of Correspondence, petitioning the Royal Governor for relief from excess taxation and arbitrary and unjust rules and regulations. He became a leader as the town prepared for war. Meetings were arranged to obtain weapons and cannons. Militias were formed, military tactics planned, and farmers and tradesmen trained for war. They had enough of British rule. A new country was being born, and William was in the thick of it. Four of his sons served in the Revolutionary War, Joseph, our ancestor, Thomas, William and John.