were used originally for defense against threats posed against the Colonies in the 18th Century. They were also used as forces and were utilized agains the British at Concord and . The of helped warn the militias during the night that the British were coming to take their away from them. After the heard 'round the , the British forced the militia to retreat and they marched toward where colonists used warfare agains the marching British. Soon after the beginning of the Revolution, John Murray, also know as the Earl of , signed a granting freedom to any who fought on the side of the British. In one last dith effort for peace, the sent the Petition to who rejected it. Several months later, wrote Sense, thsi pamphlet turned colonial opinion against the King. After the enforcement of the Act, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.