The Stoodley's Tavern is now part the the Strawbery Banke Museum located in Portsmouth. It was also the stage coach stop, and the Masonic Hall as early as 1753. It was a gathering place for revolutionaries during the American Revolution and Paul Revere's pitstop when he rode to Portsmouth to warn us that the British were coming.

The original tavern burned down in 1761. "Sunday morning, January 25th, a fire broke out in a barber's shop in King's street, which communicated to the house of Mr. James Stoodly, innholder, and raged with such fury as in two hours to consume his house, barn, and other out-houses. Its progress was then arrested by the exertions of the inhabitants." 10

James Stoodly was an officer in the First Regiment of Militia in the Province of New Hampshire. He was given an order found here that orders him to gather 30 men to guard Fort William and Mary for the King of England on the afternoon of December 15, 1774. This fort was the scene of the first act of aggression against England and the start of the Revolutionary War when it was captured by local militia and townspeople later that night. Paul Revere rode to Stoodley's Tavern to warn the locals that the "British were coming" to take possession of the fort. They overtook the fort quickly from British Captain Cockran and his five soldiers that were stationed there without a single injury. Much of the gunpowder taken from the fort went to the supply for the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Read the story of Paul Revere's ride to Portsmouth and the raid and capture of Fort William and Mary.

Read more about the history of Fort William and Mary.