[1]In a little cemetery at West Fairlee, Vt., is a memorial stone which reads "Wm. Cox, died July 27, 1838, Aged 88. He helped steep the tea in the Atlantic." His name seems to have been overlooked by historians, so I mention it here.
[1]In a little cemetery at West Fairlee, Vt., is a memorial stone which reads "Wm. Cox, died July 27, 1838, Aged 88. He helped steep the tea in the Atlantic." His name seems to have been overlooked by historians, so I mention it here.
[2]Lossing's History of the United States, page 226.
[2]Lossing's History of the United States, page 226.
[3]Frothingham's Rise of the Republic, page 326.
[3]Frothingham's Rise of the Republic, page 326.
[4]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, cols. 238, 240.
[4]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, cols. 238, 240.
[5]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, col. 154.
[5]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, col. 154.
[6]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, col. 215.
[6]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, col. 215.
[7]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, col. 355.
[7]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, col. 355.
[8]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, cols. 442, 443.
[8]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, cols. 442, 443.
[9]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, col. 446.
[9]Hansard's Parliamentary History, XVIII, col. 446.
[10]See their "advice" to constables and to tax collectors Oct. 14, 1774, not to pay moneys collected by them to the royal treasurer of the province, Hon. Harrison Gray (Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 19) and their "recommendation" to towns, Oct. 28, to direct their constables and tax collectors to pay such moneys to their appointee as Receiver General, Henry Gardner (Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 38.)
[10]See their "advice" to constables and to tax collectors Oct. 14, 1774, not to pay moneys collected by them to the royal treasurer of the province, Hon. Harrison Gray (Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 19) and their "recommendation" to towns, Oct. 28, to direct their constables and tax collectors to pay such moneys to their appointee as Receiver General, Henry Gardner (Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 38.)
[11]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 230.
[11]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 230.
[12]Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Mass., page 18.
[12]Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Mass., page 18.
[13]Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Mass., page 22.
[13]Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Mass., page 22.
[14]Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Mass., page 23.
[14]Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Mass., page 23.
[15]Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Mass., page 29.
[15]Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Mass., page 29.
[16]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 29.
[16]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 29.
[17]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 30.
[17]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 30.
[18]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 32.
[18]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 32.
[19]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 34.
[19]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 34.
[20]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 35.
[20]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 35.
[21]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 35.
[21]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 35.
[22]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 41.
[22]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 41.
[23]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 45.
[23]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 45.
[24]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 48.
[24]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 48.
[25]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 90.
[25]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 90.
[26]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 92.
[26]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, page 92.
[27]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, pages115, 116.
[27]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, pages115, 116.
[28]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, pages 505, 509.
[28]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, pages 505, 509.
[29]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, pages 146-7.
[29]Journals of Each Provincial Congress, pages 146-7.
[30]Frothingham's Rise of the Republic of the U. S., page 330.
[30]Frothingham's Rise of the Republic of the U. S., page 330.
[31]Frothingham's Rise of the Republic of the U. S., page 318.
[31]Frothingham's Rise of the Republic of the U. S., page 318.
[32]Hale in Memorial History of Boston, III, 79.
[32]Hale in Memorial History of Boston, III, 79.
[33]This list I make up from a document from among the Swett papers, and an article in the Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877, entitled A British Officer in Boston in 1775. The SwettMS.is interesting as giving the distinctive uniforms as follows:Fourth or King's Own, red faced with white; 5th, Lord Percy, red faced with blue; 10th, red faced with green; 17th, Light Dragoons, red faced with yellow; 22d, Gen. Gage, red faced with white; 23d, Gen. Howe, red faced with blue; 38th, Gen. Piget, red faced with yellow; 43rd, red faced with light buff; 44th, red faced with yellow; 52d, red faced with white; 59th, called the Pompadours, red faced with crimson; 63d, red faced with yellow; 64th, red faced with black; artillery, blue faced with red; Marines, red faced with white.Some of these were encamped on the Common.
[33]This list I make up from a document from among the Swett papers, and an article in the Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877, entitled A British Officer in Boston in 1775. The SwettMS.is interesting as giving the distinctive uniforms as follows:
Fourth or King's Own, red faced with white; 5th, Lord Percy, red faced with blue; 10th, red faced with green; 17th, Light Dragoons, red faced with yellow; 22d, Gen. Gage, red faced with white; 23d, Gen. Howe, red faced with blue; 38th, Gen. Piget, red faced with yellow; 43rd, red faced with light buff; 44th, red faced with yellow; 52d, red faced with white; 59th, called the Pompadours, red faced with crimson; 63d, red faced with yellow; 64th, red faced with black; artillery, blue faced with red; Marines, red faced with white.
Some of these were encamped on the Common.
[34]Heath's Memoirs, written by himself. Boston, 1798. Page 11.
[34]Heath's Memoirs, written by himself. Boston, 1798. Page 11.
[35]Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Mass., page 114.
[35]Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Mass., page 114.
[36]Rev. Mr. Gordon, of Roxbury, wrote a very interesting account of the commencement of hostilities which was published in the North American Almanack for 1776. He speaks of one of their practice marches, on March 30, when about1100men marched to Jamaica Plain, by way of Dorchester and back to Boston, about five miles. On this particular march the soldiers amused themselves by pushing over stone walls.
[36]Rev. Mr. Gordon, of Roxbury, wrote a very interesting account of the commencement of hostilities which was published in the North American Almanack for 1776. He speaks of one of their practice marches, on March 30, when about1100men marched to Jamaica Plain, by way of Dorchester and back to Boston, about five miles. On this particular march the soldiers amused themselves by pushing over stone walls.
[37]Frothingham's Siege of Boston, page 56.
[37]Frothingham's Siege of Boston, page 56.
[38]Holland, pages 7, 8.
[38]Holland, pages 7, 8.
[39]Holland, page 9.
[39]Holland, page 9.
[40]Holland, page 9.
[40]Holland, page 9.
[41]Known also as the Black Horse Tavern.
[41]Known also as the Black Horse Tavern.
[42]Frothingham, page 10.
[42]Frothingham, page 10.
[43]Frothingham's Siege of Boston.
[43]Frothingham's Siege of Boston.
[44]Diary of a British Officer in Boston in 1775.
[44]Diary of a British Officer in Boston in 1775.
[45]Boston Sunday Globe, Apr. 19, 1908. Article on Lanterns Hung in the Steeple.
[45]Boston Sunday Globe, Apr. 19, 1908. Article on Lanterns Hung in the Steeple.
[46]Goss, E. H., Life of Paul Revere.
[46]Goss, E. H., Life of Paul Revere.
[47]Full moon April 15. Moon rose on April 18, at 9.45 P. M. Low's Almanack for 1775.
[47]Full moon April 15. Moon rose on April 18, at 9.45 P. M. Low's Almanack for 1775.
[48]She was an ancestor of John R. Adan, and lived in the Ochterlong-Adan house at the corner of North and North Centre Streets. Goss, Life of Paul Revere.
[48]She was an ancestor of John R. Adan, and lived in the Ochterlong-Adan house at the corner of North and North Centre Streets. Goss, Life of Paul Revere.
[49]Goss, Life of Paul Revere.
[49]Goss, Life of Paul Revere.
[50]Capt. John Pulling, Jr., was son of John and Martha Pulling. Born in Boston, Feb. 18, 1737. Resided on corner of Ann and Cross Streets in 1775. Died in 1787. Goss, Life of Paul Revere.
[50]Capt. John Pulling, Jr., was son of John and Martha Pulling. Born in Boston, Feb. 18, 1737. Resided on corner of Ann and Cross Streets in 1775. Died in 1787. Goss, Life of Paul Revere.
[51]In Somerville on Washington Street, near Crescent Street.
[51]In Somerville on Washington Street, near Crescent Street.
[52]Now Broadway and Main Street, in Somerville, and Main Street in Medford.
[52]Now Broadway and Main Street, in Somerville, and Main Street in Medford.
[53]Bedford Road is now called Hancock Street and a newer road to Bedford is called Bedford Street. The old parsonage is still standing, though moved from its original location to a few rods across the street.
[53]Bedford Road is now called Hancock Street and a newer road to Bedford is called Bedford Street. The old parsonage is still standing, though moved from its original location to a few rods across the street.
[54]Revere's ride was 1286/88miles and Dawes's ride was 1661/88miles.
[54]Revere's ride was 1286/88miles and Dawes's ride was 1661/88miles.
[55]Unfortunately no poet has ever thought the ride of William Dawes a sufficiently thrilling one for a place in poetic literature. When he left the farm house he rode into obscurity. For the incidents in Lincoln that he took part in, I am indebted to his granddaughter, Mrs. Mehitable May Goddard, as narrated in Henry W. Holland's book, William Dawes and his Ride With Paul Revere.
[55]Unfortunately no poet has ever thought the ride of William Dawes a sufficiently thrilling one for a place in poetic literature. When he left the farm house he rode into obscurity. For the incidents in Lincoln that he took part in, I am indebted to his granddaughter, Mrs. Mehitable May Goddard, as narrated in Henry W. Holland's book, William Dawes and his Ride With Paul Revere.
[56]Tradition says that Deacon Larkin's horse died from the effects of the strenuous ride of Revere, but it is probable that his second rider may have been equally or more of a contributory cause, as Revere's ride was not long and fast enough to kill a horse in sound condition.
[56]Tradition says that Deacon Larkin's horse died from the effects of the strenuous ride of Revere, but it is probable that his second rider may have been equally or more of a contributory cause, as Revere's ride was not long and fast enough to kill a horse in sound condition.
[57]Holland.
[57]Holland.
[58]It has sometimes been written that Hancock and Adams first went to a little wooded hill southeasterly from the parsonage overlooking Lexington Common, and perhaps half a mile away, and where they remained concealed until after the British had passed, and that Adams, looking down upon that first scene of bloodshed expressed himself as above quoted. But I cannot reconcile that statement with Revere's own version of the flight wherein he speaks of going with them two miles and then returning for Hancock's trunk at the Buckman Tavern, and which he succeeded in getting just before the British arrived there at five o'clock. Thus Adams could not have witnessed the opening scene on Lexington Common.
[58]It has sometimes been written that Hancock and Adams first went to a little wooded hill southeasterly from the parsonage overlooking Lexington Common, and perhaps half a mile away, and where they remained concealed until after the British had passed, and that Adams, looking down upon that first scene of bloodshed expressed himself as above quoted. But I cannot reconcile that statement with Revere's own version of the flight wherein he speaks of going with them two miles and then returning for Hancock's trunk at the Buckman Tavern, and which he succeeded in getting just before the British arrived there at five o'clock. Thus Adams could not have witnessed the opening scene on Lexington Common.
[59]Revere's Narrative. Otherwise quoted as "Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they want war, let it begin here." Lexington Hist. Soc. I, 46.
[59]Revere's Narrative. Otherwise quoted as "Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they want war, let it begin here." Lexington Hist. Soc. I, 46.
[60]Lewis and Newhall's History of Lynn, page 338.
[60]Lewis and Newhall's History of Lynn, page 338.
[61]Deposition of Robert Douglass.
[61]Deposition of Robert Douglass.
[62]Beneath Old Roof Trees. A. E. Brown.
[62]Beneath Old Roof Trees. A. E. Brown.
[63]Hansen's History of Beverly, page 88; Hurd's Middlesex County, II, page 1010.
[63]Hansen's History of Beverly, page 88; Hurd's Middlesex County, II, page 1010.
[64]Journal of Thomas Boynton of Capt. Ames's Company, and Hurd's History of Essex County, II., page 1572.
[64]Journal of Thomas Boynton of Capt. Ames's Company, and Hurd's History of Essex County, II., page 1572.
[65]In an articleon the Munroe Tavern in the Proceedings of the Lexington Hist. Soc., III., 146, Albert W. Bryant recites a tradition that the information of ten British officers riding up the road was given to Sergeant Munroe, who gave the first general alarm that assembled Captain Parker's Company. A messenger later was sent down the road on a scouting trip for the British, but who did not return. A second was sent who did not return. A third was sent who also did not return. A fourth was despatched who did return with the news that the British Army was really marching on Lexington, and that the previous messengers who had been sent down the road had met and passed two or more British soldiers riding in advance of the main body, who then closed in on them as prisoners. The horse of the fourth messenger had become frightened at the two advancing Britons and turned back in spite of his rider, who caught a glimpse of the British front ranks on the march. [This last messenger was Captain Thaddeus Bowman, F. W. C.]
[65]In an articleon the Munroe Tavern in the Proceedings of the Lexington Hist. Soc., III., 146, Albert W. Bryant recites a tradition that the information of ten British officers riding up the road was given to Sergeant Munroe, who gave the first general alarm that assembled Captain Parker's Company. A messenger later was sent down the road on a scouting trip for the British, but who did not return. A second was sent who did not return. A third was sent who also did not return. A fourth was despatched who did return with the news that the British Army was really marching on Lexington, and that the previous messengers who had been sent down the road had met and passed two or more British soldiers riding in advance of the main body, who then closed in on them as prisoners. The horse of the fourth messenger had become frightened at the two advancing Britons and turned back in spite of his rider, who caught a glimpse of the British front ranks on the march. [This last messenger was Captain Thaddeus Bowman, F. W. C.]
[66]Our Grandmothers of 1775, by Miss Elizabeth W. Harrington in Lex. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, I, 51.
[66]Our Grandmothers of 1775, by Miss Elizabeth W. Harrington in Lex. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, I, 51.
[67]Rev. Jonas Clarke's Narrative.
[67]Rev. Jonas Clarke's Narrative.
[68]Life of Elbridge Gerry, by James T. Austin, page 67.
[68]Life of Elbridge Gerry, by James T. Austin, page 67.
[69]Dep. of Joseph Underwood.
[69]Dep. of Joseph Underwood.
[70]Sanderson having no horse was offered one by Thaddeus Harrington, which he accepted. Dep. of Elijah Sanderson.
[70]Sanderson having no horse was offered one by Thaddeus Harrington, which he accepted. Dep. of Elijah Sanderson.
[71]Dep. of William Munroe containing statement also of a British prisoner.
[71]Dep. of William Munroe containing statement also of a British prisoner.
[72]Brown's History of Bedford, page 24.
[72]Brown's History of Bedford, page 24.
[73]Brown's History of Bedford, page 53.
[73]Brown's History of Bedford, page 53.
[74]Deposition of Tidd and Abbot.
[74]Deposition of Tidd and Abbot.
[75]Brown's History of Bedford, pages 218, 219.
[75]Brown's History of Bedford, pages 218, 219.
[76]Hazen's History of Billerica, page 235.
[76]Hazen's History of Billerica, page 235.
[77]Diary of Rev. Wm. Emerson in R. W. Emerson's Discourse, and Capt. Amos Barrett's Account of the Battle in True's Journal.
[77]Diary of Rev. Wm. Emerson in R. W. Emerson's Discourse, and Capt. Amos Barrett's Account of the Battle in True's Journal.
[78]Dep. of Capt. Nathan Barret and fifteen others of Concord, and Dep. of John Hoar and seven others of Lincoln, present in Concord before the arrival of the British.
[78]Dep. of Capt. Nathan Barret and fifteen others of Concord, and Dep. of John Hoar and seven others of Lincoln, present in Concord before the arrival of the British.
[79]Capt. Amos Barrett's Account of the Battle.
[79]Capt. Amos Barrett's Account of the Battle.
[80]Drake's Middlesex County, II, 375-6.
[80]Drake's Middlesex County, II, 375-6.
[81]Deposition of his widow.
[81]Deposition of his widow.
[82]Between one and two hours after sunrise. Deposition of his widow.
[82]Between one and two hours after sunrise. Deposition of his widow.
[83]Deposition of Charles Handley.
[83]Deposition of Charles Handley.
[84]Lorenzo P. Blood in Hurd's Middlesex County, III, 231.
[84]Lorenzo P. Blood in Hurd's Middlesex County, III, 231.
[85]There is a tradition in the Greaton family that Mrs. Greaton took her younger children and such articles as she could carry in a cart and fled to Brookline; the older children walking beside the vehicle. Drake's Roxbury, 61.
[85]There is a tradition in the Greaton family that Mrs. Greaton took her younger children and such articles as she could carry in a cart and fled to Brookline; the older children walking beside the vehicle. Drake's Roxbury, 61.
[86]Haven's Historical Address, page 46.
[86]Haven's Historical Address, page 46.
[87]Rev. Josiah H. Temple, in Hurd's Middlesex County, III, 624.
[87]Rev. Josiah H. Temple, in Hurd's Middlesex County, III, 624.
[88]Smith's Newton, 341.
[88]Smith's Newton, 341.
[89]Hudson's Sudbury, 374-5, and Hudson in Hurd's Middlesex County, II, 401.
[89]Hudson's Sudbury, 374-5, and Hudson in Hurd's Middlesex County, II, 401.
[90]Lincoln and Hersey's History of Worcester, 97.
[90]Lincoln and Hersey's History of Worcester, 97.
[91]A British officer in Boston in 1775 (See Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877). In his Diary he places the time of starting at two o'clock, and De Bernicre, in his report, at about two o'clock, but I am compelled to compute it about one o'clock considering the distance they had to march and the well known time they arrived at Lexington Common, viz., almost eleven miles and reaching there at half past four.
[91]A British officer in Boston in 1775 (See Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877). In his Diary he places the time of starting at two o'clock, and De Bernicre, in his report, at about two o'clock, but I am compelled to compute it about one o'clock considering the distance they had to march and the well known time they arrived at Lexington Common, viz., almost eleven miles and reaching there at half past four.
[92]E. C. Booth, in The Somerville Journal, April, 1875.
[92]E. C. Booth, in The Somerville Journal, April, 1875.
[93]Diary of a British officer in Boston in 1775.
[93]Diary of a British officer in Boston in 1775.
[94]The interested reader should consult the map of Boston and vicinity by J. F. W. Des Barres first published, May 5, 1775, and reprinted in Shattuck's History of Boston, and the one by Henry Pelham, first published in London, June 2, 1777, and reprinted in the Siege and Evacuation of Boston. A study of them will enable one to more fully understand the topography of the country about Boston at that time.
[94]The interested reader should consult the map of Boston and vicinity by J. F. W. Des Barres first published, May 5, 1775, and reprinted in Shattuck's History of Boston, and the one by Henry Pelham, first published in London, June 2, 1777, and reprinted in the Siege and Evacuation of Boston. A study of them will enable one to more fully understand the topography of the country about Boston at that time.
[95]E. C. Booth in The Somerville Journal, April, 1875.
[95]E. C. Booth in The Somerville Journal, April, 1875.
[96]Francis H. Brown, M.D., in Lexington Historical Society Proceedings, III, 101.
[96]Francis H. Brown, M.D., in Lexington Historical Society Proceedings, III, 101.
[97]House still standing, (1912) and numbered 54 Massachusetts Avenue.
[97]House still standing, (1912) and numbered 54 Massachusetts Avenue.
[98]Samuel A. Smith's Address at West Cambridge, page 17.
[98]Samuel A. Smith's Address at West Cambridge, page 17.
[99]House still standing on the northerly side of Massachusetts Avenue, numbered 417, nearly opposite Whittemore Street. Arlington Past and Present, Parker, page 141.
[99]House still standing on the northerly side of Massachusetts Avenue, numbered 417, nearly opposite Whittemore Street. Arlington Past and Present, Parker, page 141.
[100]Statement of Mrs. Hill, daughter of Bowman, in Smith's Address, page 18.
[100]Statement of Mrs. Hill, daughter of Bowman, in Smith's Address, page 18.
[101]Smith, 18.
[101]Smith, 18.
[102]Lieut.-Col. Smith's Report.
[102]Lieut.-Col. Smith's Report.
[103]A. R. Proctor, who heard it from William Hill and told it to Mr. Smith. The shop stood front of the residence occupied by James Schouler in 1864. Smith, West Cambridge Address, page 19.
[103]A. R. Proctor, who heard it from William Hill and told it to Mr. Smith. The shop stood front of the residence occupied by James Schouler in 1864. Smith, West Cambridge Address, page 19.
[104]Mrs. Almira T. Whittemore in Parker's Arlington, 194-5.
[104]Mrs. Almira T. Whittemore in Parker's Arlington, 194-5.
[105]Mrs. Henry Whittemore's Statement, Smith's West Cambridge Address, 20.
[105]Mrs. Henry Whittemore's Statement, Smith's West Cambridge Address, 20.
[106]Deposition of Wm. Munroe who states that he saw about two hundred cartridge ends dropped by the soldiers when loading.
[106]Deposition of Wm. Munroe who states that he saw about two hundred cartridge ends dropped by the soldiers when loading.
[107]Deposition of William Munroe, reciting a statement to him by a British prisoner.
[107]Deposition of William Munroe, reciting a statement to him by a British prisoner.
[108]Deposition of Captain John Parker.
[108]Deposition of Captain John Parker.
[109]Article by Elizabeth S. Parker in Lexington Historical Society, I, 47.
[109]Article by Elizabeth S. Parker in Lexington Historical Society, I, 47.
[110]"William Dimond. Died July 29, 1828. Aged 73." Inscription on his gravestone in Peterboro, N. H. See article in the Boston Globe, Sept. 23, 1903, speaking of him at length as the drummer in Capt. Parker's Company. See also the deposition of Sylvanus Wood who called him William Dimon. See also list of Capt. Parker's Company in Boutwell's Oration at Acton.
[110]"William Dimond. Died July 29, 1828. Aged 73." Inscription on his gravestone in Peterboro, N. H. See article in the Boston Globe, Sept. 23, 1903, speaking of him at length as the drummer in Capt. Parker's Company. See also the deposition of Sylvanus Wood who called him William Dimon. See also list of Capt. Parker's Company in Boutwell's Oration at Acton.
[111]Deposition of Sylvanus Wood.
[111]Deposition of Sylvanus Wood.
[112]Deposition of Sylvanus Wood.
[112]Deposition of Sylvanus Wood.
[113]Deposition of William Munroe.
[113]Deposition of William Munroe.
[114]Depositions of Nathaniel Parkhurst and thirteen others, and of Nathaniel Mulliken and thirty-three others.
[114]Depositions of Nathaniel Parkhurst and thirteen others, and of Nathaniel Mulliken and thirty-three others.
[115]Depositions of John Munroe, of Ebenezer Munroe, and of William Tidd. Also of Lieut. Edward Thornton Gould, of the Fourth or King's Own Regiment, taken prisoner at Concord.
[115]Depositions of John Munroe, of Ebenezer Munroe, and of William Tidd. Also of Lieut. Edward Thornton Gould, of the Fourth or King's Own Regiment, taken prisoner at Concord.
[116]Depositions of Robert Douglass and of Joseph Underwood.
[116]Depositions of Robert Douglass and of Joseph Underwood.
[117]Deposition of William Draper.
[117]Deposition of William Draper.
[118]Historical Memoirs of the 52nd Regiment copied in Evelyn's Memoirs, pages 56-7.
[118]Historical Memoirs of the 52nd Regiment copied in Evelyn's Memoirs, pages 56-7.
[119]Depositions of Thomas Fessenden and of John Robbins.
[119]Depositions of Thomas Fessenden and of John Robbins.
[120]When this scene was re-enacted in 1822, William Munroe, Orderly Sergeant under Parker that morning, repeated the words of Captain Parker as above quoted, and added: "Them are the very words that Captain Parker said." Report of the Committee on Historical Monuments and Tablets, 1884. Paul Revere heard Captain Parker say: "Let the troops pass by and don't molest them without they begin first." See Revere's Narrative.
[120]When this scene was re-enacted in 1822, William Munroe, Orderly Sergeant under Parker that morning, repeated the words of Captain Parker as above quoted, and added: "Them are the very words that Captain Parker said." Report of the Committee on Historical Monuments and Tablets, 1884. Paul Revere heard Captain Parker say: "Let the troops pass by and don't molest them without they begin first." See Revere's Narrative.
[121]Deposition of Captain John Parker.
[121]Deposition of Captain John Parker.
[122]Rev. Jonas Clarke.
[122]Rev. Jonas Clarke.
[123]Deposition of Thomas Fessenden.
[123]Deposition of Thomas Fessenden.
[124]The English contention is that the Americans fired first. See letter of W. S. Evelyn, who was with Percy; De Bernicre's Account, and Lieut.-Col. Smith's Report. It seems to me of but little moment as to who fired first. The council of war, convened by Gen. Gage, April 18, wherein it was determined to march out and destroy the public stores of Massachusetts was the first real hostile act and could only lead to war. Major Pitcairn has denied that he authorized that first shot. I believe him to have been gruff and profane, but honest, brave, and faithful to his King. He died from wounds received in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
[124]The English contention is that the Americans fired first. See letter of W. S. Evelyn, who was with Percy; De Bernicre's Account, and Lieut.-Col. Smith's Report. It seems to me of but little moment as to who fired first. The council of war, convened by Gen. Gage, April 18, wherein it was determined to march out and destroy the public stores of Massachusetts was the first real hostile act and could only lead to war. Major Pitcairn has denied that he authorized that first shot. I believe him to have been gruff and profane, but honest, brave, and faithful to his King. He died from wounds received in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
[125]Depositions of William Draper; of William Munroe; of Simon Winship; of John Munroe; and of John Bateman, a British soldier.
[125]Depositions of William Draper; of William Munroe; of Simon Winship; of John Munroe; and of John Bateman, a British soldier.
[126]Deposition of William Wood.
[126]Deposition of William Wood.
[127]MSS. narrative of Levi Harrington, a youthful spectator.
[127]MSS. narrative of Levi Harrington, a youthful spectator.
[128]Deposition of John Munroe.
[128]Deposition of John Munroe.
[129]Deposition of John Munroe.
[129]Deposition of John Munroe.
[130]MSS. narrative of Levi Harrington, and Deposition of John Munroe.
[130]MSS. narrative of Levi Harrington, and Deposition of John Munroe.
[131]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[131]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[132]Deposition of William Munroe.
[132]Deposition of William Munroe.
[133]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[133]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[134]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[134]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[135]Phinney's History of the Battle of Lexington.
[135]Phinney's History of the Battle of Lexington.
[136]Deposition of Ebenezer Munroe.
[136]Deposition of Ebenezer Munroe.
[137]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[137]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[138]Deposition of William Tidd.
[138]Deposition of William Tidd.
[139]Miss Mary Merriam, ninety years of age in 1887, reported to Edward P. Bliss, that she had heard her father say (and he was thirteen years old when the battle took place) that on that morning some who would not stand up for their country believed the British would not fire onthem. They were at the Tavern. The British fired on them, however, and they promptly retreated to the cellar and attic. Edward P. Bliss in Lexington Hist. Society Proceedings, I, 71.
[139]Miss Mary Merriam, ninety years of age in 1887, reported to Edward P. Bliss, that she had heard her father say (and he was thirteen years old when the battle took place) that on that morning some who would not stand up for their country believed the British would not fire onthem. They were at the Tavern. The British fired on them, however, and they promptly retreated to the cellar and attic. Edward P. Bliss in Lexington Hist. Society Proceedings, I, 71.
[140]Depositions of William Munroe, minute-man, and of Elijah Sanderson, spectator. Also statement of Rufus Merriam, spectator, then in his thirteenth year, to Rev. A. B. Muzzey. Young Merriam overheard Buckman's remonstrance. Muzzey's Battle of Lexington, page 6. MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[140]Depositions of William Munroe, minute-man, and of Elijah Sanderson, spectator. Also statement of Rufus Merriam, spectator, then in his thirteenth year, to Rev. A. B. Muzzey. Young Merriam overheard Buckman's remonstrance. Muzzey's Battle of Lexington, page 6. MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington.
[141]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington; Deposition of Abijah Harrington.
[141]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington; Deposition of Abijah Harrington.
[142]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington, who, however, erroneously names them John Parker and Isaac Hadley.
[142]MSS. Narrative of Levi Harrington, who, however, erroneously names them John Parker and Isaac Hadley.
[143]A British officer in Boston in 1775, De Bernicre's Account, Report of Lieut.-Col. Smith, Statement of a British Prisoner as recited in Ebenezer Munroe's Deposition.
[143]A British officer in Boston in 1775, De Bernicre's Account, Report of Lieut.-Col. Smith, Statement of a British Prisoner as recited in Ebenezer Munroe's Deposition.
[144]A British Officer in Boston in 1775.
[144]A British Officer in Boston in 1775.
[145]Rev. Jonas Clarke, an eye-witness of this incident.
[145]Rev. Jonas Clarke, an eye-witness of this incident.
[146]At 5.19 A. M. Astronomical Diary and Almanack for 1775, by Nathaniel Low.
[146]At 5.19 A. M. Astronomical Diary and Almanack for 1775, by Nathaniel Low.
[147]From a patriotic resolution passed in Town Meeting in December, 1773. Hudson's History of Lexington, page 92.
[147]From a patriotic resolution passed in Town Meeting in December, 1773. Hudson's History of Lexington, page 92.