a strong patriot, colburn, a lumberman and shipbuilder, took up arms in 1775 when the revolution started, obtaining command of his local committee of safety. to bring local indians in on the american side, he gathered the abenaki tribes of the st. francis. traveling by canoe colburn led them to cambridge, massachusetts for an audience with general george washington at his temporary headquarters. a surprised washington welcomed them with open arms and enlisted the chiefs on the spot.