Author: John G. Battier Date: undated, probably late April 1775 “Capt: Gordon, Thos: Lugg, Wm: Lewis, Charles Carrier & Rich:d Grimshaw in the presence of Captn Battier of the 5th Light Company do solemnly declare, when they were returning to Join the Grenediers they saw a man belonging to the Light Company of the 4:th [...]

by Dr. Benjamin Church, Jr. To General Thomas “In Committee of Safety – Camb. May.10.1775 – Sir- As we are meditating a Blow against our restless Enemies – We therefore enjoin you as you would Evidence your Regard to Your Country, forthwith upon Receipt of this Order to repair to the Town of Cambridge, with [...]

Thomas Gage to Ticonderoga – Be Wary of Armed Vagabonds

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by Thomas Gage Date:  March 8, 1775 Letter to Capt De la Place 26th Regt: Ticonderoga “…no doubt have put you on your Guard against any attempts to Surprize your Fort; and I conclude that you have made Report thereof to Major General Carleton, to whom you will apply for any Succor you may stand [...]

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Baltimore’s Solidarity with Distressed Boston

 Joseph Warren to the Baltimore Committee of Correspondence “Boston, June 16, 1774. GENTLEMEN, -We last evening received your generous and affectionate letter, 3d instant, enclosing your noble and spirited resolves. Nothing gives us a more animating confidence of the happy event of our present struggle for the liberties of America, or offers us greater support [...]

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Blast the Venal Sycophants Who Dare Our Rights Betray

 “To the tune of the ‘British Grenadier.’ A Song on Liberty That seat of science, Athens, and earth’s proud mistress, Rome, Where now are all their glories? We scarce can find their tomb. Then guard your rights, Americans, nor stoop to lawless sway; Oppose, oppose, oppose, oppose for North America.   Proud Albion bowed to [...]

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Michael McHugh Goes the Distance

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Earlier this week an area resident and runner planned his sixth personal commemoration of Patriot’s Day.  On the actual anniversary of the Revolutionary era historic events, McHugh sets out at 9:30 PM from the location of Joseph Warren’s home office toward the Hancock-Clarke House in Lexington.  As described in a previous post, Dr. Joseph Warren [...]

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Michael McHugh’s Mini Boston Marathon

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Today we make a departure from posting primary source documents by and about Dr. Joseph Warren to note a bit of inspiration in the current day. A local runner has established a personal annual observance of the events, personalities, and principles that sparked a revolution.  In light of the tragic events of recent days, it [...]

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The Melancholy Walk of Death – Boston Massacre Oration Excerpts

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 Date:  March 6, 1775 “Approach we then the melancholy walk of death.  Hither let me call the gay companion; here let him drop a farewell tear upon that body which so late he saw vigorous and warm with social mirth; hither let me lead the tender mother to weep over her beloved son: come widowed [...]

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The Mistress we Court is LIBERTY

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“Boston, June 15,1774 Sir, – This afternoon was a meeting of a considerable number of the tradesmen of this town; but, after some altercations, they dissolved themselves without coming to any resolutions, for which I am very sorry, as we had some expectations from the meeting. We are industrious to save our country, but not [...]

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“Naturally Impelled to Acts of Treachery”- Benjamin Church’s 1773 Boston Massacre Oration – Full Text

Benjamin Church, Jr.

An ORATION; delivered March 5th, 1773, at the Request of the INHABITANTS of the TOWN of BOSTON; to Commemorate the bloody TRAGEDY of the FIFTH of March, 1770. By Dr. BENJAMIN CHURCH. Impius haec culta novalia miles habebit? Barbarus has segetes? En quo Discordia cives Perduxit miseros? En queis consevimus agros?    Virgil.  Ecl. I. O [...]

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