As part of the recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, the Town of Warren has partnered with the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and the nonprofit group Revolution 250 to commemorate a participant in the world’s most infamous tea-slinging act of revolution, who lies interred at the North Burial Ground.

The ceremony is free and open to the public, and will occur on Monday, Aug. 14 at 11 a.m. at the North Burial Ground (221 Main St.).

Nicholas Campbell was born on Dec. 24, 1732 in Malta, and records show he was employed in the “marine service,” indicating he was a sailor by trade. At that time in Malta, privateering and raiding were common activities among maritime workers; although there is no records indicating whether Campbell was a privateer or an unarmed merchant sailor.

Regardless, records do indicate that Campbell came to Boston ahead of the American Revolution, although he does not show up on census or tax documents from that time period. Some records indicate that Campbell fought in the war as a part of the navy, but likely as a low-ranking sailor or as a privateer.

The proof of his involvement in the Boston Tea Party, which occurred on Dec. 16, 1773, comes mostly from his first-hand account that he gave to the Essex Register, a newspaper out of Salem, Mass., which published on July 20, 1826 when he was 93 years old.

“There is a man by the name of Nicholas Campbell, now living in his 94th year, in the town of Warren, R.I., who made one of the celebrated Tea Party in Boston harbor,” the account in the paper reads. “Of the particulars of the affair, we learn that the expedition was led by Mr. Suel and Mr. Brown. The party was in number about 40, and marched to the foot of the wharf, all of them armed, and a few disguised, where they halted. The leaders went on board, represented to the captains and consignee that the tea was wanted, and requested them to seek another market for it. These having no effect, the whole party, after leaving a guard at the wharf to resist the approach of any stranger, “even unto blood,” proceeded to the vessels and began the work of removal. The attack had been foreseen; and consequently the party were obliged, in their process, to remove hatches, coiled ropes, casks of provisions and other articles, placed above the tea for its concealment. The mates were permitted to look on, in order to satisfy them that the sole object was the destruction of the tea; the captains and consignee were bound and confined. After effecting the object, every thing was carefully replaced, and the party went to Brown’s house, where a pipe of Lisbon was broached for their use.”

Campbell likely came to Warren around 1775 during a period of mass migration that followed the siege of Boston. He appears in the 1777 Military Census for Rhode Island, and appears to have settled in Warren following the war. Those researching Campbell’s history, which includes Warren’s historian Sarah Weed, found a passage in Fessenden’s “The History of Warren, R.I.” describing Campbell’s life in town.

“He discharged the duties of a good citizen, and was highly respected; he accumulated property by industry and upright dealing, and at his death, (which occurred in his 97th year, on July 21, 1829) he left by will about $5,000, as follows; ‘My will is that the residue of my estate shall be by my Executors placed in some public funds, the interest whereof to be appropriated to the schooling of indigent children, both male and female, of the Town of Warren, and for other charitable purposes.’ He then directed that the above fund should be managed, in perpetuum, by his three executors, on the demise of one of whom, the survivors were to appoint another in his place, and so on forever.”

Speakers will include Town Council President John Hanley, Town Manager Kate Michaud, Evan O’Brien, Creative Manager of the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, Jonathan Lane, Executive Director of Revolution 250, and the aforementioned Sarah Weed.

Following the remarks, a costumed interpreter will place a marker on Campbell’s grave.

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum website lists 116 total members known who participated in some way to the Tea Party, Campbell among them.