Concord Town (part 8 of 10)

Dea. Samuel Farrar was moderator of the church from the death of Mr. Lawrence to the ordination of his successor. A day of fasting and prayer w^as held, according to the usual custom in such cases, on the last Thursday in August, 1780, and the Rev. Messrs. Cushing, Woodward, and Clark were present on the occasion.

Mr. Charles Stearns was first employed to preach in Lincoln in October, 1780, and on the 15th of January, 1781, the church voted unanimously (29 votes) to invite him to be their pastor ; and in this vote the town concurred on February 5th, 65 to 5 ; and agreed to give him " £220 in hard money, or its equivalent," (to which £70 were subsequently added,) as a settlement, and £80 and 15 cords of wood, as an annual salary. His ordination took place November 7^ 1781. The church then consisted of 96 members. The churches in Waltham, Weston, Lexington, Lunenburgh, Leominster, East Sudbury, Sudbury, 1st in Reading, StoW', and Concord, were represented in the council, of which the Rev. Mr. Gushing was moderator. The Rev. Zabdiel Adams preached on the occasion from 1 Timothy iii. 3, and his sermon was printed.

In consequence of the fluctuating relative value of money, the town voted, in 1797, " that the Rev. Mr. Stearns's salary should be £S0 per year, at all times when the current price of Indian corn is 35. and rye 45. per bushel, and beef 205. and pork 335. per hundred ; and to be increased or diminished according as the prices of those articles vary."

The church has never had a confession of faith. The covenant into which the communicants enter does not differ materially from that in the Concord church. The principles of the first organization of the church appear to have been somewhat more liberal than those of the Rev. Mr. Bliss. As early as 1749, it was voted not to " require public relations of religious exercises, as a condition of admission into the church," but it was left optional with the candidates to do it or not. Public confessions before the whole church and congregation for crimes, were not uncommon until late in Dr. Stearns's ministry.

The Rev. Charles Stearns, D. D. was son of Thomas, and grandson of Charles Stearns, whose ancestors first settled in Lynn. He was born in Leominster, graduated at Harvard College in 1773, and died July 26, 1826, in the 75th year of his age, and 45th of his ministry. At the time of his ordination the church consisted of 96 members, and during his ministry 155 persons were admitted to full communion, 78 owned the covenant, 536 were baptized, 201 marriages were solemnized, and up to 1818, 387 died. The town erected a monument to his memory, on which the distinguishing traits of his character are drawn with force and accuracy.

" He was distinguished for his high attainments in various branches of science ; for strength and soundness of mind ; for method and accuracy in reasoning, and facility in communicating knowledge. By his piety, benevolence, and learning, he gained the affection and respect of his beloved people, the esteem and confidence of his numerous friends, and the well-deserved honors of literary societies. His life was full of practical good- ness, the genuine fruit of deep-felt piety, and his death of religious hope and peace. By the habitual exercise of faith, humility, patience, and charity, he exhibited Christianity in a strong and prominent light ; and is gone, it is believed, to enjoy the rewards of a good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ."

The Rev. Dr. Stearns ^ married Miss Susanna Cowdry, of Reading, 1731, and had the following children, Susanna, Charles, Thomas, Julia, Sarah, Elizabeth Francis, William Lawrence, Daniel JNIansfield, Rebecca, Samuel, and Edwin.

During the ministry of Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Stearns, the church and town were in great harmony. No council was at any time called to settle difficulties. After the death of the latter, Dea. Thomas Wheeler was chosen moderator, and Dea. Eleazer Brooks, clerk, to serve till the ordination of another minister.

On the 13th of August, 1827, the church gave the Rev. Elijah Demond a unanimous call to be their pastor. He was born at Barre, November 1, 1790 ; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1316 ; and had been minister of West Newbury. In this vote the town concurred, and voted him $600, as an annual salary. He was installed November 7, 1827. The public exercises were performed as follows : Introductory prayer, by the Rev. Rufus Hurlbut, of Sudbury ; sermon by the Rev. John Codman, D. D., of the 2d church in Dorchester; installing prayer by the Rev. Gardner B. Perry, of Bradford ; charge by the Rev. Samuel Stearns, of Bedford ; right hand of fellowship by the Rev. Sewall Harding, of Waltham ; address to the people, by the Rev. Rodney G. Dennis, of Topsfield ; and the concluding prayer by the Rev. Marshall Shed, of Acton. These and the churches in East Sudbury and Weston composed the council, of which the Rev. Mr. Stearns was moderator. He was dismissed in 1S32, and installed at Holliston, October 31, 1833.

On the 16th of January, 1833, the Rev. Ebenezer Newhall, a native of New Ipswich, New-Hampshire, and recently a minister at Oxford, was installed over this society. The introductory prayer on the occasion was by the Rev. Mr. Gilbert, of Newton ; sermon by the Rev. Mr. Nelson, of Leicester ; installing prayer by the Rev. Mr. Hurlbut, of Sudbury- ; charge by the Rev. Mr. Allen, of Shrewsbury ; right hand of fellowship by the Rev. Mr. Demond, the late pastor ; and the address to the people by the Rev. Mr. Harding, of Waltham.

Succession Of The Deacons Chosen

Description. Lincoln lies about three miles and a half southeasterly from Concord, and is bounded southwesterly by East Sudbury, southerly by Weston, southeasterly by Waltham, easterly by Lexington, northerly by Bedford, and northwesterly by Concord. Its greatest length is about five miles, and greatest breadth three and a half, nearly ; and it contains about 7000 acres. It has all the varieties of soil from the richest to the poorest. Though rough and uneven, it contains some of the best farms in the county. The most celebrated is that known at different times as the Russell, Codman, and Percival farm.

Description

Farming constitutes the principal employment of the inhabitants. The hill on which the meeting-house stands is 470 feet above high water mark in Boston. Two other hills, one 370 and the other 323 feet high, lie near the Lexington bounds.

Flint's or Sajidy Pond, the only considerable collection of water, contains, according to the estimate of the Hon. Samuel Hoar,^ 197 acres. It derives its name from the first owner, being situated in the farm of Ephraim Flint, one of the principal original owners of Lincoln. This pond is a favorite resort for pickerel ; and its fisheries have been considered of sufficient importance to require the interference of the Legislature to regulate them. An Act was passed February 16, 1824, prohibiting any person, under penalty of from fishing with more than one hook I between the first of December and April ; providing, however, that the town may repeal its operation for one year at a time. This pond is the source of Stony Brook, and receives Lilly Brook, the outlet of Beaver Pond, lying near the south fine, and containing about 50 acres ; and it flows into Charles River at the northwest corner of Waltham. Its waters also have flowed by an artificial channel, made, as is supposed, for the benefit of the 3Iill which once stood in the centre of Concord, by Mill Brook into Concord River.

A Post-office was established in the southwest part of the town, in 1825, in which the Post-masters have been, David S. Jones, from January 24, 1825, to September 18, 1826, resigned ; Luke Gates, from September 19, 1826, present Post-master.

A county road and the Cambridge and Concord Turnpike (which was also made a county road in May, 1829,) run through the north part of the town. Another similar road nms through the south part. These add greatly to the expense, and very little to the convenience of the inhabitants.

According to a valuation taken in 1784, it appears that there were then 143 polls, 26 of whom were not rateable ; 88 dwellinghouses, 84 barns, 1 tan-yard, 1 grist-mill, and 21 other buildings ;

1 Hon. Samuel Hoar, Lt. William Lawrence, and Mr. Nathan Weston, were chosen a Committee, August 21, 1794, to take a plan of the town . agreeably to a resolve of the General Court the previous June, to be deposited in the Secretary's office.

In 1820, there were 3 foreigners not naturalized, 81 engaged in agriculture, 5 in commerce, and 34 in manufactures. The militia is comprised in one company of about 50. An estimate, made by Dr. Stearns in 1820, appears in the church records in whicli the following " averages from the beginning of the town are determined, (the nearest being taken when there is a fraction :) births, 22 in a year; baptisms, 19; admissions into church, 4; marriages, 4 ; and deaths, 10." These average annual estimates, will hold good now, excepting in the baptisms, the number of which has diminished.

The existing records are not sufficiently particular to enable us to compile the annual bill of mortality. A summary of several years is sometimes placed together. The subjoined statement may be considered as nearly correct.

It appears from this table that the excess of births over the deaths is 484, more than tw^o to one ; and, according to the census, that, from 1790 to 1800, one in 86 died annually ; from 1800 to 1810, one in 64; and from 1810 to 1820, one in 7S ; a result which is highly favorable to the healthiness of the town.

Schools. Lincoln has always given liberal support to her common schools, and has been rewarded in the distinguished character of her educated sons. At its incorporation in 1754, it was divided into three districts ; and a * moving school'' was kept in each. A school-house was built in the middle of the town in 1762; and in 1763, £5 were granted to build one in the southwest district, £5 for the southeast, and £10 for the north. In 1768, the schools were kept in three instead of four places ; and in 1770, and some other years, the grammar school was substituted for all the others. In 1780, the town was again divided into four districts, which have been continued, excepting a few years since. In 1791, a committee was appointed to make a general regulation for dividing the school money, who reported^ that the east district have 21 weeks, the south 17 weeks, and the north 14 weeks, in proportion to the 12 months' schooling. This regulation w as accepted by the town, which was divided into three districts ; but continued a few years only. It was so altered in 1791, as to give 17 weeks to the south, 14 to the north, 11 to the east, and 10 to the middle district. Since 1812, the south has drawn -j^ and the three others each of the money. Among the teachers of the grammar school, I find the names of Jacob Bigelow, Timothy Farrar, Fisher Ames, and others w^ho have been distinguished in public life, Mr. Joseph Brooks, among olher liberal donations, made one for the support of schools, which has been of great service to the town. It amounted in 1761, to £388, and now to more than $1,000, the annual interest of which is divided among the districts in the same proportion as other school money. An institution called the " liberal school," similar to an academy, was established by the Rev. Dr. Stearns, and several other gentlemen in 1793, and was successfully continued about 10 years. From the annual return made to the State in 1829, it appears that the aggregate time, for which the four public schools were kept, was 32 months, 17 by males, and 15 by females ; and that they w^ere attended by 220 scholars. $576*70 were paid for their support. There w^ere tw^o private schools, and 8 pupils attending academies. The estimated amount of tuition was $70. None are unable to read in the town. The north district contains 40 scholars, the south 86, the east 42, and the middle 44.

The poor were supported previous to 1785 in such families as undertook it at the lowest rates. £8 were granted for this purpose in 1760, £35 in 1762, and £18 in 1783. A committee was chosen in 1785, consisting of the Hon. James Russell, Edmund Wheeler, and Eleazer Melvin, by whom a poor-house was built ; piincipally from the liberal donation of the chairman. The land on which it stood was presented by Mr. John Adams. The poor were supported here till about 1800, when the house was abandoned, and the old system of letting them out to the lowest bidder was again adopted. The annual expense now is between $400 and $500.

Clergymen and Physicians are the only professional men who have resided in town. The former have already been noticed in the Ecclesiastical History ; the physicians are the following :

Dr. Charles Russell, son of the Hon. James Russell, born in Charlestown, graduated at Harvard College, 1757, and inherited his uncle Chambers's estate in Lincoln, where he resided as a physician. He married Miss Elizabeth Vassall of Cambridge, and from his father-in-law he contracted opinions opposed to the measures of the people in the revolution, and left Lincoln on the 19th of April, 1775, and went to Martinique, in the West- Indies, where he died.

Dr. Richard Russell was son of Mr. Richard, a brother of the Hon. Chambers Russell, born in Charlestown, settled in Lincoln in 1778, drowned in Beaver Pond August 12th, 1796, aged 46.

Dr. George Russell, son of Dr. Richard Russell, born September 23d, 1795, graduated at the Medical Institution at Cambridge, in 1820, and has since practised in Lincoln.

Graduates At College

Stephen Fahrar, son of Dea. Samuel Farrar, was bom September 8tb, 1738, and graduated 1755. He studied divinity, and was ordained as the first minister of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, October 22d, 1760, and perfonLed the duties of bis office with distinguished abibty till his death, June 23d, 1809.

Timothy Farrar, brother of the foregoing, was born June 28, 1747, and graduated 1767. He studied law and settled in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, under the temporary constitution of N. H. in January, 1776 ; was a Counsellor in the year 1780, 1782, and 1783 ; appointed Judge of the Superior Court in 1790; resigned that office 1803; appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1803 or 1804 ; and was afterwards Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas. Besides these offices, he w^as an elector of President and Vice-President of the United States in 1792, 1796, 1800, and 1808 1; and in 1804, and since, one of the trustees of Dartmouth College.

Joseph Farrar, son of George Farrar, w^as born June 30th, 1744, and graduated 1767 ; w^as ordained at Dublin, Neg-Hampshire, June 10th, 1772, when the church was organizecl^dismissed, January 7th, 1776 ; installed at Dummerston, Vermont, in 1779 ; dismissed 1784 ; and is probably the same who afterwards settled in Eden, Vermont. He died at Petersham.^

Jonathan Gove, son of Dea. John Gove, born August 22d, 1746, and graduated 1768. He studied medicine and lived many years in New Boston, New Hampshire ; was Representative at the General Court, a popular physician, and one of the oldest in practice, at the time of his death, in tj^ county of Hillsborough. He was also a Justice of the Peace. One of his sons, Charles F. Gove, is an Attorney at Law in GofFstown.^

Moses Brown, graduated in 1768, and settled as a merchant at Beverly ; Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum ; died June 15th, 13-20, aged 7*2.

Jonas Hartwell, son of Ephraim Hartwell, was born June 26th, 1754, and graduated 1779. After he graduated he engaged in mercantile pursuits, went to Bilboa in Spain, and while innocently engaged in his vocation, was arrested and confined in the Inquisition, where he died, March 2d, 1784.

Nathaniel Pierce, was born September 27th, 1754, and graduated 1775. He was a merchant in Boston. Died in Watertown, December 3d, 1783, aged 30.

Abel Flint, son of Mr. Ephraim Flint, was born June 22d, 1758, and graduated 1780. He taught a School several years in Haverhill and elsewhere, and died in Lincoln of consumption January 25th, 1789, aged 32.

William Brooks, son of Dea. Joshua Brooks, was born March 13th, 1757, and graduated 1780. He settled as a merchant in Augusta, Maine, and has held several civil and military offices in that State.

Daniel Stone, graduated 1791, and was ordained at Augusta, Maine, October 21st, 1795, and dismissed b," mutual consent, May, 1809. He has since lived a respectable private citizen in that town.

Daniel Adams, son of Joseph Adams, graduated at Dartmouth College 1797, and received a medical degree at Harvard College ; settled in Keene, New Hampshire, and obtained an extensive professional business.

Samuel Farrar, son of Dea. Samuel Farrar, born December 13th, 1773, graduated 1797, was tutor one year, studied law and settled in Andover, is the President of the Bank in that place, and Treasurer of the Theological Seminary.

1778, graduated 1802. He studied law and was admitted to the bar September, 1805, and immediately after settled in Concord. He was a member of the Convention for revising the Constitution of the State in 1821, and of the Senate in 1825 and 1832.

Nathan Brooks, son of Joshua Brooks, Esq. born October I8th, 1785, graduated in 1809, established himself in the profession of IdiW in Concord, represented the town in 1823, 1824, and 1825, and was Counsellor in 1829, and Senator in 1831.

Nathaniel Pierce Hoar, son of the Hon. Samuel Hoar, born September 2d, 1784, and graduated 1810. He read law with his brother in Concord, and commenced practice in his profession at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1813, where he soon obtained an extensive business. Being attacked by a fatal disease, he removed to his native town, and died deeply lamented, May 24th, 1820, aged 35.

Thomas Fiske, son of Elijah Fiske, Esq., graduated 1819, read law, and began his professional business in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1826.

William Lawrence Stearns, son of the Rev. Dr. Stearns, born October 13th, 1793, graduated in 1820, studied divinity and was ordained at Stoughton, November 21st, 1827.

Daniel Mansfield Stearns, a twin-brother of the preceding, graduated at Brown University, 1822, and was ordained minister at Dennis, May 21st, 1828.

Joseph Green Cole, son of Capt. Abraham Cole, graduated 1822, read law with Gov. Lincoln in Maine, and is now settled in his profession at Paris in that state.

George Fiske, son of Ehjah Fiske, Esq., born August 22d, 1804, graduated at Brown University in 1825, and is now Episcopal minister in New- York.

George Farrar, graduated at Dartmouth College, ]800, brother to the two abovementioned, and is an eminent physician in Derry, New Hampshire, and Fellow of the New Hampshire Medical Society.

Biographical Notices

Mr. Joseph Brooks died September 17th, 1759, aged 78. He was son of Joshua, and grandson of Thomas Brooks, the first American ancestor of the Brooks family. He acquired a respectable estate, as a farmer, and while living was distinguished for his liberality. From him the church in Lincoln received a part of its communion plate ; and the town, the meeting-house bell, and the school fund. These, and several other acts of liberality, render his name deserving of lasting remembrance.

Hon. Chambers Russell, was son of the Hon. Daniel Russell, of Charlestown, who died December 6th, 1763, aged 78, a member of the Council, commissioner of imposts, and treasurer of the County of Middlesex upwards of fifty years. His grandfather was the Hon. James, and great-grandfather the Hon. Richard Russell, who, in 1640, at the age of 29, came from Herefordshire, England, and settled in Charlestown, was a most eminent merchant, a member of the Council, and otherwise distinguished. His mother was daughter of the Hon. Charles Chambers. He graduated at Harvard College in 1731, and soon settled in that part of Concord which is now Lincoln, on the estate of his father-in-law, which has since been known as the Russell, Codman, and Percival estate. He represented the town of Concord several years in the General Court ; and was the chief instrument in obtaining the act of incorporation for the town of Lincoln. After this town was set off, he was eight times elected its representative. In 1759 he was chosen a Counsellor, just a century from the time when his great-grandfather was chosen to the same office. He was appointed, September, 1747, Judge of the Court of Admiralty, and at his death sustaiaed that office, and also that of Judge of the Superior Court. He died without issue, according to the Lincoln records, at Guilford, in Surry, England, 24th of November, 1767. He married Mary Atkins, who died in Lincoln, 13th of August, 1762.

Hon. James Russell, brother of the foregoing, was born in Charlestown, 5th of August, 1715, and succeeded to all the public honors of his respected ancestors, as a Representative,

Counsellor, and Judge. He represented the town of Charlestown 13 years from 1746, was a Counsellor many years, and 16th of May, 1771, was appointed one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas. When Charlestown was invaded by the British in 1775, he removed to Dunstable ; and after his son Charles, who inherited his brother Chambers's estate, left the country, he removed to Lincoln, where he Hved fifteen or twenty years. This town is indebted to him for several valuable donations. The expense of the poor-house, erected in 1786, was principally borne by him. He married Katharine, daughter of the Hon. Thomas Graves, a descendant, of the third generation, from the Hon. Thomas Graves, who arrived in Salem in 1629, and soon after settled in Charlestown. She died in Lincoln 17th of September, 1778, aged 61. He died in Charlestown. His children were Hon. Thomas, a most eminent and opulent merchant of Boston ; James, who went to England ; Dr. Charles, Harvard College, 1757 ; Chambers, who died in S. Carolina ; Katharine, who married Mr. Henly of Charlestown ; Rebecca, who married, first. Judge Tyng, and secondly. Judge Sewall ; Margaret, who married John Codman ; and Sarah and Mary, who died single.

Hon. Eleazer Brooks, was the son of Mr. Job Brooks, and a descendant of the fourth generation from Capt. Thomas Brooks, one of the first settlers of Concord, was born 10th of September, 1727, and died 19th of November, 1806, aged 79. His grandfather was Daniel, and great-grandfather Joshua Brooks. His father was a respectable farmer, and intended his son for the same employment. The circumstances of the times, when he lived, were such, that his education did not equal that of many of his contemporary young farmers, which at best w^as veryordinary. Considering that he was self-instructed, his future intellectual improvements were truly remarkable. He early discovered indications of talents ; and, before the great work of the Revolution commenced, he was called into office. He was appointed, by Governor Barnard, a Lieutenant of a foot company in Lincoln, 11th of May, 1768, and a Captain by Hutchinson, 13th of July, 1773 ; by the Council, a Colonel of the 3d regiment, 14th of February, 1776, and a Brigadier-General, 15th of October, 1778, and to the same office under the new constitution, 22d of August, 1781. He commanded a regiment of the Middlesex militia at the battle of White Plains, in 1776, and at several other times appeared in the camp, where he distinguished himself for his cool and determined bravery. The laborious duties, which his military office imposed during the revolutionary war, were performed with great ability and decision. He was often chosen a member of the town's committee of safety, and the state's committee of secrecy, was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1774, and was afterwards annually a member of the General Court or executive Council till 1800. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1777 ; and on the 27th of March, 1786, a special Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was delegate to the convention at Cambridge in July, 1779, to form the constitution, and at Boston, in 1788, to ratify the Constitution of the United States ; and in various other places, during his public life, his services were put in requisition. After being 27 years a public man, he declined, in 1800, being a candidate for the suffi:-ages of his fellow-citizens, and retired to private life. As a military man, he was brave, patriotic, and considerate in designing, but expeditious in executing his plans. His habits of thought and action were systematic and correct ; his industry untiring. By a judicious improvement of his faculties, by reading, conversation, and reflection, he compensated for the neglect of his early education. Possessing the confidence of his associates in public life, he acquired great influence, and his opinions were much respected. But for nothing was he more respected than for his strict probity, real goodness of heart, and exemplary piety. He united with the church early in life, and was chosen one of its deacons in 1794. In all his important trusts he set a noble example of what may be accompfished by a judicious application of one's own powers of mind, and left a character worthy of remembrance and imitation.

Chapter Xx History Of Carlisle

The internal party divisions in Concord, occasioned principally by the religious controversies from 1740 to 1750, originated several projects for separate societies and districts. From this cause Lincoln was incorporated ; and an unsuccessful attempt was made by the inhabitants of the Nine Acre Corner to be set off. The northerly part of Concord also had several times petitioned the town for a separation ; and though liberty was not granted, a petition was presented to the General Court, and Carlisle was incorporated as a district of Concord, April 19th, 1754. The ostensible reason for this petition was " being remote from the public worship of God." The bounds . began at the mouth of Ralph's or Sawmill Brook, on Concord River, southeasterly of Capt. Jonathan Buttrick's house, and run westerly over Gravel Hill, by Daniel Cole's (now Mr. Clark's,) to Acton line, including the Temple farm ; from thence on the - old bounds of Concord, between Acton and Billerica, till it came to Concord River, including Blood's farms, and by the river to the place first mentioned. These bounds included about one quarter of the present hmits of Concord.

The first meeting was held at Joseph Adams's, May 3d, 1754, when John Hartwell was chosen District Clerk, and he and Messrs. John Green, Joseph Adams, Jonathan Puffer, and William Fletcher, Selectmen, and Dea. Ephraim Brown, Treasurer.

The first object of the inhabitants was the selection of a site on which to erect a meeting-house. This was a peculiarly fruitful source of difficulty. The discordant materials, which could not agree while connected with the town of Concord, were found equally fond of disunion here. Their proceedings are, perhaps, more a subject of curiosity, than utility ; yet, as they caused

The selection of a site for the moeting-house was first brought before the district 2d of iMay, 1754, considered, and referred to the next meeting. July 17th, it was agreed to select a convenient place on Lt. Jonathan Buttrick's plain. October 9th, a committee was chosen to take a plan of the district and find its centre. This survey was made by Capt. Stephen Hosmer. On the 13lh of the same month, Messrs. John Varnum of Dracut, Jonas Prescott of Westford, and Samuel Dakin of Sudbury, were chosen a committee to view the district, and select a place where to build a house. Five men in the east and five in the west part were a committee to wait on those gentlemen. They reported January 1st, 1755 ; but not agreeably to the wishes of the district. January 22d, voted to build on Capt. J. Buttrick's land. Marcli 3d, Messrs. Jonathan Puffer, Thomas Davis, and Samuel Heald, were chosen a committee to petition the General Court for an increase of territory on the south line as far as Concord river. April 30th, voted to build on "Poplar Hill." June 3d, four places proposed to the meeting were rejected. July 9th, a committee was chosen to petition the General Court for a committee to select a spot. January 27th, 1756, voted to build, but to refer the selection of a place to the next meeting. February 3d, voted to build on Capt. Buttrick's plain. 3Iarch 1st, a committee was chosen to purchase two acres of land of Capt. Buttrick, and £50 was ordered to be raised towards the payment. April 6th, "chose Maj. John Jones, Esq., Col. William Lawrence, Esq., of Groton, and Maj. Ephraim Curtis, Esq., of Sudbury, to view all the circumstances of the district and prefix a place." It was surveyed by Maj. Jones, and a new plan taken. The committee reported that the most convenient place " is south 41 degrees west, 26 poles from the centre of the angles," which is on Poplar Hill. This report was accepted June 16th, and a committee chosen to purchase two acres of land there for the purposes contemplated. This however was not generally satisfactory, and another unsuccessful attempt was made to fix the spot on Dea. Brown's land.

History Of Carlisle

" We, the subscribers, being sensible of the great difficulties we labor under, and the great hardships we are unavoidably exposed to, if we are obliged, under such circumstances, as we are in at present, to build a meeting-house and settle a minister, and pay for highways, that will be necessary to accommodate the inhabitants, if we proceed according to tlie design of being set off: the situation of the district being such that but a small part of the inl.abitants can be much better accommodated with the public worship in any place that has been proposed, than they ai e in the to\^ n of Concord ; - desire that you would call a meeting of the district, as soon as can or may be, to see if the district will not agree by their vote to petition the General Court, that said district may be set back to tlie town of Concord, with all our former privileges ; and choose a committee for that j)urpose. - Carlisle, June 24th, 1756. - Ephraim Stow, Samuel Laughtcn, Jonathan Puffer, Samuel Buttrick, Jr., Ephraim Melvin, David Whittaker, Phineas Blood, Abraham Temple, Ephraim Whittaker, Jonathan Harris, John Laughion."

A committee was chosen July 14, 1756, to petition the General Court agreeably to the views above expressed. The following persons, however, remonstrated against it. Jonathan Blood, David Blood, Zaccheus Green, Nathaniel Taylor, Nathaniel Taylor, Jr., Joseph Taylor, John Hartwell, David Parlin, Joseph Parlin, James Russell, Leonard Spaulding, Timothy Wilkins, John Green, Jr., James Russell, Jr.

An act was passed, January 11th, 1757, setting the district back to Concord, with all its former privileges. The necessary measu 'es being taken for closing the concerns of the district, a vote w^as passed, " that none of the inhabitants be set off again into a separate town, district, or precinct, excepting such as shall hereafter sign a petition to the General Court to be set off."

During the existence of " Old Carlisle," as this incorporation is called, religious worship was generally maintained either at Dea. Brown's, Mr. Ephraim Smith's, or elsewhere. Money was raised to pay the expenses for schools and other usual municipal purposes.

After the occurrence of those unpleasant circumstances which led to the dissolution of Old Carlisle, no more definite attempts were made to obtain a separation, till about fifteen years after- v^rds. During this time, however, the occasional preaching of tlie gospel had been supported, and a meeting-house was begun as early as 1760, though not completed before 1733. Several petitions were presented to the adjoining towns to obtain their consent, and one to the General Court by the inhabitants of Blood's farms and the extreme parts of Concord, Acton, Ciielmsford, and Billerica ; and an act was passed April 23th, 1780, incorporating them as a district of Acfon, by the name of Car- Jisk.^ Tliis act provided that one sixth part of the expense of maintaining the north bridge in Concord, should be paid till another be built by themselves; and that all the poor within the district should be supported there. It also provided, that the farms of Thomas Brown, JVathan Buttrick, Oliver Barron, Samuel Kibby, John Blood, and Willard Blood, of Concord, living witliin the limits prescribed by the act, should be exempted, and continue to belong to Concord, unless they should within one year " insert their names in the Secretary's office, that they choose to belong to Carlisle." These families had not petitioned for the act : and, agreeably to the vote passed at the dissolution of Old Carlisle, they were exempted from its operation. They never left their names with the Secretary, and still belong to Concord. Hence arises that zigzag, crooked line, which runs round these farms, and now separates Concord from Carlisle, An act passed March 1st, 1733, to annex David Parker to Chelmsford, and another September ISih, 1730, to annex Josiah Blood to Concord.

nishing men, money, and provisions to prosecute the revolutionarywar to its close. On the SOtb of May, 17S0, seven men were raised for the continental army, and six more on the following February. When the subject was brought before the district, a committee was chosen to procure the men, and Capt. Samuel Heald embodied the men then present, to see if any would enlist, but none volunteered. The district was then divided into six classes to procure one in each class. One man was sent to Rhode Island in 1781, and three more to the Continental army. Committtees of safety were regularly chosen.

On the 6th of June, 1804, the district voted, that "it is expedient to be disconnected from the town of Acton." Jonathan Heald, Esq. was chosen to present the subject to the General Court, and an act was passed, February 18th, 1805, conferring on the district all the privileges of a town.

Since this period the general history of the town, is doubtless familiar to the inhabitants ; and no event of importance has taken place to render it expedient to pursue it further.

Miscellaneous Notices. The surface of the town is generally uneven and rocky, though there are no considerable elevations ; and the soil is unfavorable to agriculture. Concord River washes its eastern bounds ; and a brook arising in Heat Pond in Chelmsford, runs easterly through the north part, which affords sites for two or three small mills. The principal employment of the inhabitants is agriculture. There is one physician, one store, two taverns, and a few mechanics' shops to accommodate the immediate wants of the inhabitants.

The valuation in 1831 gives the following results: 138 rateable polls, 17 not rateable, 83 dwelling-houses, 83 barns, 4 grist and saw mills ; 314 acres of tillage land, 524 acres of upland mowing, 661 acres of meadow, 294 acres of pasturing, 882 acres of woodland, 3607 acres unimproved, 884 unimprovable, 213 acres used for roads, and 109 acres covered with water ; 46 horses, 200 oxen, 474 cows and steers ; 366S bushels of corn, 541 bushels of rye, 490 of oats, 362 tons of English hay, and 468 tons of meadow hay. By comparing the valuations for several periods since tlie incorporation, it will appear that the town has made little or no progress, but in many things has retrograded.

Schools. The town from its first incorporation has been divided into six school districts ; and the money raised by the town has been divided equally among them. There is a school fund amounting to $'500 given by Mr. Simon Blood, the annual interest of which is appropriated in the same manner as other moneys.

Amos Spaulding, son of Zebulon Spaulding, graduated at Dartmouth College 1805, and settled as a lawyer in Andover. He has been member of the House of Representatives and the Senate of Massachusetts several years.

Joel Adams, son of Capt. Timothy Adams, graduated at Harvard College 1S05, admitted to the bar September, 1808, and settled as a lawyer in Chelmsford, where he has since resided.

Franklin Litchfield, son of the Rev. Paul Litchfield, w^as born August 18th, 1790, and graduated at Harvard College 1810. He went to Charleston, S. Carolina, and studied physic under Dr. Ramsay, but left there in June 1312, for Carthagena, South America, where he resided till 1815, having, during this time, made a tcur to the city Quibdo or Zetara by the river Atrato, near 500 miles from Carthagena. Tl.is tour has been mentioned by Baptiste Irvine. At the last mentioned date he emigrated with other distinguished citizens to the Island of Jamaica, where he remained till 1819, when he removed to St. Thomas, and resided tliere till 1621. Ai this time the city of Caraccas was occupied by the Patriots, under the command of the distinguished Bolivar ; and he now proceeded to that city, and remained there till 1S24, when he removed to Puerto Cabello, having been appointed Consul of the United States for that city, by President Monroe in December, 1823. Here he has since resided, and been extensively engaged as a commission merchant. From the time of his departure from Charleston, he devoted much time in giving statements of the proj:i;ress of the war in South America, which eventuated in the final overthrow of the Spanish authority in that region and the acknowledgment of its independence. He married Garcia de Sena, a lady of the city of Caraccas, at Jamaica in 1326. Her eldest brother, Ramon, was Secretary at War of the government under General Bolivar, and was killed at the battle of La Puerta, as Adjutant-General of the Army. Another brother, Manuel, was Secretary at War of the government of Carthagena. JMr. Litchfield's life has been must eventful. In the various revolutions he has witnessed, he has experienced in an eminent degree, the enjoyments and trials, resulting from the ups and downs of life, and the acquisition and loss of fortune.

Albert Nelson, son of Dr. John Nelson, born March 12th, 1812, graduated at Harvard College 1832, and is now a student at law at that institution.

With the exception of the clergy, the physicians have been . the only professional men. Thomas Jewett, now of Rindge, New Hampshire, practised physic here several years.

Dr. John Nelson, son of Josiah Nelson of Milford, was born Sept. 8th, 1790. After brnng two years at Brown University, he left it, and afterwards studied his profession with Dr. Thurber of Mendon. He came to Carlisle in 1816, and is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

Sticctweu. The town cleik has always been the first selectman ; and the board have acted as assessors and overseers of the poor. Tb.e rdlowing persons have been selectnnen, arranged in order as they were first chosen : Zebulon Spaiild"ng, Phinehas J3lood, John Heald, Samuel Green, Issachar Andrews, Asa Parlin, Zacclieus Green, JNathaniel Hutchinson, Nathan Parlin, Jonathan Heald, Simon Blood, Jr., Ephraim Robblns, Leonard Green, John Jacob'^, Nathan Green, Jr., John Green, Thomas Spaulding, Frederick Blood, Ezekiel Nichols, Nehemiah Andrews, Timothy Heald, Thomas Heald, Jor.athan Heald, Jr., Benjamin Bobbins, Jonas Parker, John Heald, Eliakim Hulchins, Aaron Bobbins, Aaron Fletcher, Paul Furbush, Isaiah Green, Cyrus Heald, James Green, Cyrus Green, Tliomas Heald, Jr.

Representatives, While Carlisle was a district of Acton, Dea. Ephraim Bobbins, in 1790, and Asa Parlin, Esq., in 1803, were chosen jointly by both places. Since its incorporation, as a town, the following individuals have been its representatives. (Except in the years specified, it was not represented.)

Mr. Litchfield regularly recorded the deaths as they took place. From these records the following facts are obtained. The total number of deaths in these 27 years is 334, about 13, or one in 50 of the inhabitants annually ; the aggregate amount of ages is J 1600, and the mean average 34^ nearly. The least average age was 15, in 180S ; and the greatest 58, in 1626. Of these 334 deaths, 58 died under the age of 1 year, 44 between 1 and 5; 17 between 5 and 10 ; 18 between 10 and 20; 29 between 20 and 30 ; 23 between 30 and 40 ; 20 between 40 and 50 ; 36 between 50 and 60 ; 20 between 60 and 70 ; 30 between 70 and SO; 26 between 80 and 90 ; and 13 between £0 and 100. The proportion of males to females, who died from 90 and upwards was as 6 to 7 ; and 80 to 90, as 11 to 15. By this it appears that I in 20 nearly arrive to the age of 90 ; 1 in 9 to 80 ; 1 in 5 to 70 ; 1 in 4 to 60 ; and 1 in 3 to 50. One fifth nearly, die under 1 year, and one third under 2 years. It appears from a careful examination of the records that the month in which the least number of deaths occurred was May, and the greatest, in October. 23 died in January, 23 in February, 22 in Marcli, 37 in April, 19 in May, 22 in June, 22 in July, 32 in August, 35 in September, 41 in October, 33 in November, and 25 in December. In 1817, fourteen died of the disentery, 10 of whom were under 5 years. In 1819, of those under 1 year, 8 died. In 1821, the canker rash prevailed and w'as fatal to many. I subjoin a few remarkable instances of longevity, which may interest some readers.

Ecclesiastical History. The first house for public religious worship was commenced about 1760, and completed in 1781, when 24 pews on the lower floor were sold for $950*50; and in 1793, nineteen in the gallery for £58. This house was struck by lightning in May, 1810, and entirely consumed. The present house was dedicated the second Sabbath in December, 1811, and contains 44 pews on the lower floor and 16 in the gallery, which were sold that year for ^2T46'50. The builders were Joseph Wyman and John Sawyer ; and the whole expense of the house, including the preparation of the spot, was $4866-81. A bell was procured in 1812 at an expense of $350. In consequence of the unfortunate loss of the old house the state tax for 1811 was remitted.

The church was organized February 2Sth5 1781, and then consisted of 10 male and 24 female members. Nathaniel Taylor, John Green, Phinehas Blood, and their wives, Joseph Monroe, Ebenezer Chase, Agnes Foster, Mercy Monroe, Ruth Monroe, Abigair Parlin, and Rebecca Heald had been members of the church in Concord. The other male members were Joshua Monroe, Jonathan Spaulding, Thomas Spaulding, Job Spaulding, John Robbins, and David Dickinson.

On the 17th of May, 1781, the church voted unanimously to invite Mr. Paul Litchfield to become their first pastor. In this vote the town concurred the 25th of the same month by a vote of 43 to 3. It was agreed to give him £150 as a settlement ; and £80 in silver money, and 20 cords of wood annually, as a salary, so long as he should supply the pulpit. He was ordained November the 7th, 1781, on the same day as Mr. Stearns at Lincoln. The council on the occasion was composed of pastors and delegates from the churches in Billerica, Bedford, Concord, Acton, Westford, Ashby, 2d in Scituate, Abington, 2d in Medway, Franklin, North in Newburyport, and 2d in Salem ; and were invited by Jonathan Spaulding, Thomas Spaulding, and John Green, a committee of the church. In the public religious exercises, the Rev. Samuel Spring, of Newburyport, made the introductory prayer ; the Rev. Samuel Niles, of Abington, preached the sermon from 1 Cor. iv. 2 ; the Rev. Nathaniel Emmons of Franklin, made " the prayer during the imposition of hands " ; the Rev. David Sanford of Medway, gave the charge, the Rev. Samuel Spring the right hand of fellowship, and the Rev. Samuel Whitman of Ashby made the concluding prayer.

The first communion was held December 31st, 1781, when it was voted to require a written or verbal relation by candidates, before the church and congregation, of the religious exercises of their minds before admission into the church. This embarrassing regulation was so modified two years afterwards, as to permit them to do it before a committee of the church. The doctrines contained in the confession of faith, and preached by Mr. Litchfield were strictly Calvinistic, coinciding in many points with that system of theology known by the name of Hopkinsianism.

No records are preserved to show the number of admissions into the church during Mr. Litchfield's long and peaceful ministry. In 1798, an interesting revival of religion prevailed, in which considerable additions were made to the church. The number of communicants in 1829, were 3 males and 24 females.

Deacons of the Church, Dea. John Robbins, chosen November 29th, 1781, excused from active duty, on account of infirmities October 5th, 1815, and died March 28th, 1826, aged 82 years ; Dea. Ephraim Robbins, a brother of the preceding, admitted to the church May 9th, 1784, chosen into office soon after, and died July 29th, 1820, aged 63 ; Dea. John Green, chosen October 5th, 1815, and Dea. John Jacobs, chosen in 1812, are at present in office ; the former in the Rev. Mr. Hull's, and the latter in the other church.

The Rev. Paul Litchfield, died November 7th, 1827, in the 76th year of his age ; and on the 46th anniversary of his ordination. He was the eldest of twelve children, and born of respectable parents in Scituate, March 12th, 1752. His youth was marked for sober and exemplary deportment, and for warm attachment to the friends of evangelical truth. With an intention to qualify himself for the gospel ministry, he entered Harvard College, and graduated in 1775. After he left college, he studied theology with the Rev. Dr. West, of Stockbridge ; and was subsequently employed at several places till his engagement in Carlisle. Here he performed the ministerial duties with general acceptance. His views of evangelical truth were formed in the school of Hopkins, Emmons, and their associates ; and were agreeable to the views of orthodoxy which were maintained by the rigid Calvinists at the time of his ordination. Of doctrinal theology, he was particularly fond, and was often accustomed to present its peculiar traits to his hearers. In his intercourse with his people he was kind, familiar, charitable, and peaceful. Ho rejoiced at the prosperity of the church, and aided by his personal services, and his wealth, many of the great religious charities of the age. To the jMassachusetts Domestic Missionary Society he bequeathed, at his death, a generous legacy. He died in the full belief of that Christian faith, which he had inculcated, and of that hope which the Christian religion inspires.

The funeral sermon preached at his interment by the Rev. John H. Church, D. D., was printed, to which the reader is referred for a more particular notice of his character. Mr. Litchfield married, for his first wife. Miss Mary Bailey of Scituate, who died July 12th, 1809, aged 59, by whom he had 6 children, - 5 sons, Paul, Roland, Philo, Benjamin, and Franklin (who was graduated at Harvard College), and a daughter, who died in childhood. He married, for his second wife, Mrs. Sarah Capen of Braintree, October 12th, 1811, who still survives.

The Rev. Stephen Hull, the successor of the Rev. Mr. Litchfield, was born at Stonington, Connecticut, February 17th, 1779, and installed at Carlisle, December 29th, 1830, having previously been minister at Amesbury and Raynham, and dismissed at his own request. On this occasion, the Rev. Mr. Whitman made the introductory prayer ; the Rev. Mr. Barry read selections from Scripture ; the Rev. Peter Eaton, D. D., of Boxford, preached the sermon ; the Rev. Dr. Ripley made the consecrating prayer ; the Rev. Mr. Allen gave the charge ; the Rev. Ephraim Randall gave the right hand of fellowship ; the Rev. Charles Briggs addressed the people ; and the Rev. John Goldsberry, of North Bridgewater, made the concluding prayer. These gentlemen, and the Rev. Mr. White of Littleton, and the Rev. Dr. Packard of Chelmsford, with delegates from their respective churches, composed the council. The Rev. Messrs. Samuel Stearns, Marshall Shed, and William Lawrence were invited to the council, but did not attend. Mr. Hull's church then consisted of one male, and teri female members, and worship in the meetinghouse erected by the town. Three male and eight female members had before seceded, and, with several others not members, erected a separate house, where they worship.

Appendix

Fifty years after the events of the 19th of April, 1775, occurred, some statements relating to the history of those events became the subject of controversy. The following questions embrace the most material points in discussion.

2. Was the first forcible resistance to the British armed soldiers made by the provincials at Lexington in the morning ; and did they then return the fire of the enemy ?

Some individuals are satisfied with a history which describes the whole of the events of that day under the local name of Lexington Battle, whether reference be had to the affair at Lexington in the morning, or to the fight at Concord, or to that in the afternoon, continued during the whole course of the retreat from Concord to Charlestown ; and they will consider it of little importance how these questions are answered. But those who regard truth as important in historical matters, even in minute particulars, will look at the subject in a different light. Without any intention of reviving the controversy, or of stating at length the reasons for the opinions I entertain, or of casting a comparative shade over the honor acquired by the brave " sons of liberty " in either town for the part they acted, I deem it due to historical truth to make the following detail of facts, that the subject may be fairly understood ; and that those who entertain or promulgate opinions relating to these historical events, may have the means of doing it accurately.

The origin of this controversy will appear from the following statements. On the 2d of September, 1824, Lafayette passed through Lexington and Concord ; and in an address to him in on which the first forcible resistance was made " to British oppression. The same idea had often been given before by Morse, Worcester, and others, who had in their Gazetteers, described the geography of the town. In the following October the Bunker Hill Monument Association published an address to the public, soliciting subscriptions in aid of its objects, in which it is said, " At Concord the first [British] blood was shed between the British and armed Americans." - "It is also intended to erect a suitable monument at Concord, where the first conflict was had, bearing proper inscriptions to commemorate the glorious spirit of independence which manifested itself there." This produced two illiberal newspaper articles in " The Boston Patriot," and a reply from the Hon. William Sullivan, chairman of the committee. During the approaching winter the citizens of Concord made arrangements to celebrate by public performances the fiftieth anniversary of the 19th of April, 1775. The Hon. Edward Everett was engaged as the orator, and Lexington and the neighbouring towns were invited to unite in the ceremony. The Bunker Hill Monument Association appropriated $500, - which was somewhat less than the amount of the subscriptions to that Association in Concord, - towards the erection of a monument in that town, and sent to the committee of arrangements a plan of the monument, and proposed that the cornerstone should be laid on the day of the celebration.^

In the mean time the inhabitants of Lexington had taken measures to collect and publish a statement, intended, as we are informed in the preface to the publication, to counteract the influence of the two statements above mentioned ; and also the testimony given under oath in 1775; and the narrative of the Rev. Mr. Clark published in 1776. The result of these measures was, " The History of the Battle at Lexington," written by Elias Phinney, Esq., a member of the committee chosen by the town for that purpose. This pamphlet was placed in the hands of the honorable and accomplished orator, and he states in a note to the historical Oration, pronounced at the celebration, that his " aim has been not to pronounce on questions in con-

1 This money has been vested on interest by the town for this object. Tbe Directors of the Bunker Hill Monument Association have also more recently pledged themselves to pay the additional sum of $1000; and when received, the whole will be appropriated to building a monument, probably on the very spot where the first British blood was shed, - where the first British life was taken, in the cause of American liberty, and where are the graves of the slain.

troversy," - " reference being had to the testimony contained " in Mr. Phinney's pamphlet. These two pubHcations (the Oration and History) appeared in print about the same time ; and, so far as relates to the particular facts in question, stand equally on controversial ground. In 1827, ''the Rev. Ezra Ripley, D. D., and other citizens of Concord, published a History of the Fight at Concord," intended to invalidate some of the statements contained in the two pamphlets just mentioned. All three of these publications, thouo;h they contain much valuable historical matter, must be considered in regard to the points at issue, controversial.

About the time these publications were made, several highly controversial articles appeared in the newspapers ; but they cannot be regarded by candid minds in the serious light of historical truth. A new lithographic edition of Doolittle's Historical Engraving, first published in 1775, also appeared. In the original no one is represented as firing at the British soldiers at Lexington, but several as dispersing and some as slain. As this would be rather an awkward representation of a battle, the editors, as is sometimes the practice of historians, thought fit to improve the original to suit their views of what the engagement should have been. From this picture wood cuts have been prepared, which appear in some school-books to perpetuate error.

The original evidence, which was for the first time obtained and printed in the above pamphlets, was taken ex parte, and designed, so far as relates to the question at issue, to establish some particular facts in controversy, and cannot therefore be considered strictly impartial. If there was an influence which produced defective evidence in 1775, as has been stated, is it not more reasonable to suppose that some other influence, operating fifty years afterwards, when the facts could not be so distinctly remembered, and the points then in controversy were a subject of frequent conversation, might produce evidence so stated and expressed as to give erroneous impressions? Whatever weight might be attached to either of these publications, no accurate historian will be satisfied with their statements merely, or pronounce on questions in controversy, without a reference to the whole original evidence. In this case, as well as in many others, where historians copy the errors of other writers, it will be found to differ materially from the modern version. And what are the original sources of the evidence ? What is its purport ? And how was it understood ?

including an introduction, a list of the killed and wounded, and a " Funeral elegy to the immortal memory of those worthies which were slain in the Battle of Concord, April 19, 1775," soon after appeared in a hand-bill 20 inches long and 15 wide, entitled ^' Bloody Butchery by the British Troops, or the Runaway Fight of the Regulars"; - being the Particulars of the Victorious Battle fought at and near Concord." Just above the title were pictured 40 coffins over which were printed the names of the slain.

On the 22d of April a committee of the Provincial Congress, consisting of Col. Elbridge Gerry of Marblehead, Hon. Thomas Cushing of Cohasset, Col. James Barrett of Concord, Capt. Josiah Stone of Dracut, Dr. John Taylor of Lunenburgh, Mr. Samuel Freeman of Falmouth, Abraham Watson, Esq. of Cambridge, and Jonas Dix, Esq. of Waltham, was chosen to take the depositions relating to the conduct of the British on the 19th ; another was appointed to draw up a narrative, and another to make an additional copy of the depositions. After it was collected, the evidence was transmitted to the Continental Congress, and to England;^ part of it was published in the " Pennsylvania Ledger," and copied into other American and English newspapers. The whole was published by Isaiah Thomas, by an order of the Provincial Congress passed May 28th, in a pamphlet of 22 pages, 8vo., entitled, " A Narrative of the Incursions and Ravages of the King's Troops under command of General Gage on the Nineteenth of April, 1775, together with the Depositions taken by order of Congress to support the truth of it." The pamphlet was ordered to be sent to every town in the province, though I have seen but one copy, which is owned by William Lincoln, Esq., of Worcester. These depositions were all taken the next week after the battle ; and it is a fact worthy of notice, that those

1 Capt. John Derby of Salem was despatched with these papers to England, where he arrived the 29th of May. He was the bearer of the " Essex Gazette," containing the first published account of these events, which was printed and circulated in London on the day of his arrival, and gave the first notice of the affair in England. It produced great commotion. General Gage's official account, although despatched four days before Capt. Derby sailed, did not arrive until the 10th of June, eleven days after Capt. Derby's arrival, subjecting the ministry to no small embarrassment and cha^^rin. The depositions taken out by Capt. Derby were the originals first taiien, and contain the real signatures of the deponents. They were intended for the British government, but for some causes not known were never communicated. They have been returned to this country, and are now in the Library of Harvard College. See Washington's Writings, Vol. HL p. 35. The depositions and the letters sent by Capt Derby may be found in the printed Journals of Congress for

" A Narrative of the Concord Figlit, with 104 Depositions to support the truth of it," was written by the Rev. Mr. Gordon of Roxbiiry, and })ublished in George's Almanac for 1776, by particular desire and for the use of the gentlemen officers and soldiers of the American Army." Lowe's Almanac for that year contains another account by the same gentleman, describing ^' what he saw, or collected from unquestionable authority on the spot," relating to the same events.

The Rev. Jonas Clark published his Narrative, referred to in our General History, in connexion with his Anniversary Sermon in 1776. He informs us that he was an eye-witness; and that it is " a plain and faithful narrative of facts, as they appeared unto us in this place."

A " circumstantial account " of this affair was transmitted by Gov. Gage to Gov. Trumbull ; ^ and an official account was sent to England, which was not published by the ministry till June 10th, and which drew forth some severe but well deserved criticisms in the Remembrancer " and other English papers. Gordon says it " had little truth in it ; " and all who had even an imperfect knowledge of the facts will say the same. This statement of the material facts is contradicted by the original depositions, by Mr. Clark's Narrative, and by all the recent publications above noticed. It was so drawn up as especially to answer a particular purpose, and as a lame apology of Gage to England for murdering innocent citizens. It was probably compiled from letters of Smith and Percy, or from a narrative of the occurrences written by Ensign D. Bernicre, which was left in Boston, when the British evacuated it, and published in 1779, says the title, ^' for the information and amusement of the curious." ^ This remark in some measure shows the estimation in which its statements were then held. It was not believed by most of the English historians of those times, who have been considered accurate and impartial ; though some, who appear willing to adopt the errors of others from prejudice or without careful investigation, have beheved and sent it forth as truth.

events without being eye-witnesses, - without thorough examination, or have been mere copyists from some one of these authorities with comments to suit their own pecuhar views.

In these depositions, Capt. Parker, commander of the Lexington company, testifies under oath, that on the approach of the British troops he " immediately ordered the mihtia to disperse, and not to fire ; immediately said troops made their appearance." John Robbins, that when commanded by the British troops to disperse, they did disperse before any firing took place. 34 others, that " the company began to disperse, and, when their backs were turned upon the troops, they were fired upon." Timothy Smith, that "the troops marched up to the company then dispersing" before the firing. Thomas Fessenden, that " as soon as ever the officer cried ' Disperse, you rebels,' the said company dispersed as fast as they could ; and, while they were dispersing, the regulars kept firing at them." Edward T. Gould, a British officer, that " on our approach they dispersed, and, soon after, firing began." The Rev. Mr. Clark fully confirms these depositions. The British account says, " when the troops came within one hundred yards of them they began to file off towards some stone walls."

How was this testimony understood ? Isaiah Thomas, in the - Massachusetts Spy of May 3d, 1775, pubhshed an account of this affair, " collected from those whose veracity is unquestioned," in which he says, " it is to be noticed they fired upon our people as they were dispersing agreeably to their command, and that they did not even return the fire.'''' - " Thus did the troops of the British king fire first at two several times [at Lexington and Concord] upon his loyal Am.erican subjects, and put a period to ten lives before a gun was fired upon them. Our people then returned the fire and obliged them to retreat." The London "Remembrancer" (Vol. I, p. 56) says, "The positive oaths and veracity of witnesses render it unquestionable that the King's troops began the fire, and that too upon a very small body of provincials who were dispersing.'^ Gordon, in the Narrative to which I have referred, says, " Upon seeing the regulars they dispersed." - " The Lexington company upon seeing these troops, and being of themselves so unequal a match for them, were deliberating for a few moments what they should do, when several dispersing of their own heads, the Captain soon ordered the rest to disperse for their own safety." This was before the firing of the British. " They killed 3 or 4 on the common, the rest on the other side of the walls, and while dispersing." This is confirmed by the British account. The Rev. Mr. Pemberton says, " They were

It has been said that this evidence was ex 'parte and made for particular purposes," - to decide the question "whether the Americans fired first, and not whether they fired' at all." It has also been said, that those " who gave in their evidence would not disclose any " facts which might in all probability expose themselves or their friends to the British halter." These objections, to be of force, must, as seems to me, apply equally to all the testimony, to that which relates to Concord as well as to Lexington ; and even to the Narrative of Mr. Clark. The Concord deponents testified before " Gen. Gage and other apologists of British outrage," (in the language of Mr. Phinney's preface,) " had asserted that the people of Lexington commenced the attack on the king's troops," that they returned the fire and killed some of the British troops ; and they testified two days before the Lexington deponents gave in their testimony to the same committee. If the Lexington company returned the fire, why, it has been asked, should they not have testified to it after the Concord deponents had done it ? Why should one fear the halter more than the other ? And why should it be more criminal in one to tell the whole truth than in the other ? And it is especially difficult to perceive how Mr. Clark should be influenced by such or any other improper motives. His Narrative was drawn up after being a year on the spot, and after daily conversations on the subject. It is not easy to perceive how any motive could have influenced him to make an imperfect statement, or " color it for a particular purpose." He could not have suppressed the truth, because he feared " the halter " ; nor was it necessary at that time to rouse the indignation of the Americans towards the British by erroneous statements, nor to refute their assertions, nor to show that they had commuted " the most deliberate murder" at Lexington. Bunker Hill battle had been fought, Washington for some time had had the command of the army ; and, among other great events, the enemy had removed from our neighbourhood, and evacuated Boston. Why should his Narrative not be believed and received as he says it is, - as "a plain and faithful Narrative of facts as they appeared to us in this place " [Lexington] ? And with far more authority than any foreign historian ?

None of the original authorities to which I have referred, states that the fire was returned, though it is inferred from w^hat is testified that some guns were fired. But these could not have disperse and not to fire." - " Very few of our people," says Mr. Clark, fired at all ; and even they did not fire till, after being fired upon by the troops, they were wounded themselves, or saw others killed, or w^ounded by them, and looked upon it next to impossible to escape." But does not the expression returning the Jire, as usually understood, convey some other meaning than that implied by Mr. Clark ? Would two or three guns from behind the walls or from neighbouring houses or even on the common, on each one's own responsibility, after orders had been given by the commanding officer " to disperse and not to fire," be considered, in military affairs, or in the ordinary use of language, as returning the fire, and making a regular, forcible resistance ? Whether any British blood was shed or not at Lexington in the morning, so far as regards the sources of evidence to which we have adverted, rests entirely on the assertion in the British account, that a single man was wounded in the leg. Whether this be true is problematical, since this account is not now relied on by any one as authority. It is not pretended by any one, that a single individual of the enemy was killed at Lexington in the morning.

Notwithstanding the distinguished part Concord acted on that occasion, her citizens never took the trouble to have the particulars published to the world. This is partly to be ascribed to the premature death of that devoted patriot, the Rev. William Emerson. He and several others left matter in manuscript which has aided me in this work. Lexington, on the other hand, celebrated the day by military parades and religious services on eight successive anniversaries ; and the sermons preached on the occasion were printed. The legislature also granted on the 28th of February, 1797, on the petition of Joseph Simonds, then a representative from Lexington, ^200 to erect a monument in that town. Mr. Thomas Park of Harvard built the monument. After some progress had been made in its erection it was found that a further sum would be necessary to complete it, and the selectmen petitioned for more aid. ^200 more were granted on the 13th of January, 1798.^ It was proper that such a monument should be placed there ; and the inscription it bears is happily designed for its object. This monument, however, and the celebrations above noticed, combined with various other circumstances, have tended to take off the public mind from an examination of the whole history of the events of the 19th of April, 1775, and to mark this spot for other purposes than the monument

The inhabitants of Lexington deserve great credit for the stand they took in the morning, and the part they acted during the day. That her niihtia were sUiin with arms in their hands is an important fact, and highly honorable to their patriotism and valor. As to resistance there, it is not contended by any one that any was made or attempted, which could have impeded the progress of the troops. Mr. Clark speaks of the place, as " the field, not of battle, but of murder and bloodshed." This was undoubtedly true. It would have been rash and inconsiderate for 70 militia men to have placed themselves in the attitude of opposition to 800 chosen troops ; and much more so to have engaged in a battle. It would have been folly, and not bravery. It was much more honorable to disperse. It was not so at Concord. There the circumstances were different, and the numbers of both opposing parties more nearly equal. All testimony concurs in saying that there was cool, deliberate, and effectual opposition, by order of the commanding officer. There was the first forcible resistance, - there the enemy were first compelled to retreat : and there the first British life was taken.

I annex all the depositions taken by authority of the Provincial Congress, and published officially in the pamphlet of which we have given the title on page 336. The signatures of the deponents, and the certificates of the Justices of the Peace and Notaries Public, only, are omitted.

We, Solomon Brown, Jonathan Loring, and Elijah Sanderson, all of lawful age and of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, do testify and declare. That on the evening of the eighteenth of April instant, being on the road between Lexington and Concord, and all of us mounted on horses, we were, about ten of the clock, suddenly surprised by nine persons whom we took to be regular officers, who rode up to us, mounted and armed, each holding a pistol in his hand, and after putting pistols to our breasts, and seizing the bridles of our horses, they swore that if we stirred another step we should be all dead men, upon which we surrendered ourselves, they detained us until two o'clock the next morning, in which time they searched and greatly abused us, having first enquired about the magazine at Concord, whether any guards were posted there and whether the bridges were up, and said four or five regiments of regulars would be in possession of the stores soon, they then brought us back to Lexington, cut the horses bridles and girts, turned them loose, and then left us. " Lexington, April 25th, 1775."

I, Elijah Sanderson above-named, do farther testify and declare that I was in Lexington Common the morning of the nineteenth of April aforesaid, having been dismissed by the officers above-mentioned, and saw a large body of regular troops advancing towards Lexington Company, many of whom were then dispersing, I heard one of the regulars, whom I took to be an officer, say, ' Damn them we will have them,' and immediately the regulars shouted aloud, run, and fired on the Lexington Company, which did not fire a gun before the regulars discharged on them, eight of the Lexington company were killed, while they were dispersing and at considerable distance from each other, and many wounded, and, although a spectator, I narrowly escaped with my life.

"I, Thomas Rice Willard, of lawful age, do testify and declare, that being in the house of Daniel Harrington, of Lexington, on the nineteenth instant, in the morning, about half an hour before sun-rise, looked out at the window of said house and saw (as I suppose) about four hundred of regulars in one body coming up the road and marched toward the north part of the Common back of the meeting-house, of said Lexington, and as soon as said regulars were against the East-End of the meeting-house, the commanding officer said something, what I know not, but upon that the regulars ran till they came within about eight or nine rods of about an hundred of the militia of Lexington who were collected on said common, at which time the militia of Lexington dispersed, then the officers made an huzza, and the private soldiers succeeded them, directly after this, an officer rode before the regulars, to the other side of the body, and hollowed after the Militia of said Lexington, and said ' Lay down your arms, damn you, why don't you lay down your arms,' and that there was not a gun fired till the militia of Lexington were dispersed, and further saith not.

Lexington, 2oth of April, 1775. Simon Winshtp of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex, and province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, being of lawful age testifieth and saith, that on the nineteenth of April instant, about four o'clock in the morning, as he was passing the public road in said Lexington, peaceably and unarmed, about two miles and an half distant from the meeting-house in said Lexington, he was met by a body of the King's regular troops, and being stopped by some officers of said troops was commanded to dismount, upon asking why he must dismount, he was obliged by force to quit his horse, and ordered to march in the midst of the body, and being examined whether he had been warning the minute-men he answered no, but had been out and was then returning to his father's. Said Winship further testifies, that he marched with said troops until he came within about half a quar- ter of .1 mile of said meeting-house, where an ofllcer commanded tlie troops to halt, and then to prime and load ; this being done, the said troops marched on till they came within a few rods of Capt. Parker, and company, who were partly collected on the place of parade, when said Winship observed an oflicer at the head of said troops, flourishing his sword and with a loud voice giving the word ' Fire,' which was instantly followed by a discharge of arms from said regular troops, and said Winship is positive, and in the most solemn manner declares, that there was no discharge of arms on either side, till the word fire was given by said officer as above."

" Lexington, April ^otJi, 1775. " I, John Parker, of lawful age, and commander of the militia in Lexington, do testify and declare, that, on the 19th instant, in the morning about one of the clock, being informed that there were a number of the regular officers riding up and down the road, stopping and insulting people as they passed the road, and also was informed that a number of the regular troops were on their march from Boston, in order to take the province stores at Concord, ordered our militia to meet on the common in said Lexington, to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered nor meddle or make with said regular troops (if they should approach) unless they should insult or molest us, and upon their sudden approach, I immediately ordered our militia to disperse and not to fire. Immediately said troops made their appearance and rushing furiously, fired upon and killed eight of our party, without receiving any provocation therefor from us."

Lexington, April 24?A, 1775. " I, John Robbins, being of lawful age, do testify and say, that on the 19th instant, the company under the command of Captain John Parker, being drawn up sometime before sunrise, on the green or common, and I being in the front rank, there suddenly appeared a number of the King's troops, about a thousand, as I thought, at the distance of about sixty or seventy yards from us, huzzaing, and on a quick pace towards us, with three officers in their front on horseback, and on full gallop towards us, the foremost of which cried, ' Throw down your arms, ye villains, ye rebels,' upon which said company dispersing, the foremost of the three officers ordered their men, saying, ' Fire, by God, fire,' at which moment we received a very heavy and close fire from them, at which instant, being wounded, I fell, and several of our men were shot dead by me. Capt. Parker's men, I believe, had not then fired a gun, and further the deponent saith not."

" We, Benjamin Tidd, of Lexington, and Joseph Abbot, of Lincoln, in the county of Middlesex, and colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, of lawful age, do testify and declare, that, on the morning of the nineteenth of April instant, about five o'clock, being on Lexington common and mounted on horses, we saw a body of Regular Troops marching up to the Lexington company which was then dispersing ; soon after, the regulars fired, first a few guns, which we took to be pistols, from some of the regulars who were mounted on horses, and then the said regulars fired a volley or two before any guns were fired by the Lexington company. Our horses immediately started and we rode off and further say not.

" We, Nathaniel Mulliken, Philip Russell, Moses Harrington, Jun., Thomas and Daniel Harrington, William Gri- MER, William Tidd, Isaac Hastings, Jonas Stone, Jun., James Wyman, Thaddeus Harrington, John Chandler, Joshua Reed, Jun., Joseph Simonds, Phineas SxMith, John Chandler, Jun., Rueben Lock, Joel Viles, Nathan Reed, Samuel Tidd, Benjamin Lock, Thomas Winship, Simeon Snow, John Smith, Moses Harrington, 3d., Joshua Reed, Ebenezer Parker, John Harrington, Enoch Willington, John Hosmer, Isaac Green, Phineas Stearns, Isaac Durant, and Thomas Headly, Jun., all of lawful age, and inhabitants of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex, and Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, do testify and declare, that on the nineteenth of April instant, about one or two o'clock in the morning, being informed that several officers of the regulars had, the evening before, been riding up and down the road, and had detained and insulted the inhabitants passing the same, and also understanding that a body of regulars were marching from Boston, towards Concord, with intent (as it was supposed) to take the stores belonging to the colony in that town, we were alarmed and having met at the place of our Company's parade, were dismissed by our Captain, John Parker, for the present, with orders to be ready to attend at the beat of the drum, we further testify and declare, that about five o'clock in the morning, hearing our drum beat, we proceeded towards the parade, and soon found that a large body of troops were marching towards us, some of our company were coming up to the parade and others had reached it, at which time the company began to disperse, whilst our backs were turned on the troops, we were fired on by them, and a number of our men were instantly killed and wounded, not a gun was fired by any person in our company on the regulars, to our knowledge, before they fired on us, and they continued firing until we had all made our escape.

ROE, 3tl., MicAii Hagar, Samuel Sanderson, Samuel Hastings, and James Brown, of Lexington in the county of INIiddlesex and colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, and all of lawful age, do testify and say, that on the morning of the nineteenth of April, instant, about one or two o'clock, being informed that a number of regular otlicers had been riding up and down the road the evening and night preceding, and that some of the inhabitants as they were passing had been insulted by the officers and stopped by them, and being also informed that the regular troops were on their march from Boston, in order (as it was said) to take the colony stores then deposited in Concord, we met on the parade of our company in this town; after the company had collected, we were ordered by Capt. John Parker (who commanded us) to disperse for the present, and to be ready to attend the beat of the drum, and accordingly the company went into houses near the place of parade. We further testify and say, that about five o'clock in the morning, we attended the beat of our drum, and were formed on the parade; we were faced towards the regulars then marching up to us, and some of our company were coming to the parade, with their backs towards the troops, and others on the parade began to disperse, when the regulars fired on the company, before a gun was fired by any of our company on them ; they killed eight of our company and wounded several, and continued their fire until we had all made our escape. " Lexington^ 2oth April, 1775."

"I, Timothy Smith of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex and colony of Massachusetts-Bay, in New^ England, being of lawful age, do testify and declare, that on the morning of the nineteenth of April instant, being at Lexington common, as a spectator, I saw a large body of regular troops, marching up towards the Lexington company, then dispersing, and likewise saw the regular troops fire on the Lexington company, before the latter fired a gun. I immediately ran, and a volley was discharged at me, which put me in imminent danger of losing my life : I soon returned to the Common, and saw eight of the Lexington men, who were killed, and lay bleeding at a considerable distance from each other, and several were wounded ; and further saith not. Lexington, April '2oth, 1775."

" We, Levi Mead and Levi Harrington, both of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex, and colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, and of lawful age, do testify and declare, that on the morning of the nineteenth of April, being on Lexington Common, as spectators, we saw a large body of regular troops marching up towards the Lexington company, and some of the regulars on horses, whom we took to be officers, fired a pistol or two on the Lexington company, which was then dispersing. These were the first guns that were fired, and they were immedi- ately followed by several volleys from the regulars, by which eight men belonging to said company were killed, and several wounded. Lexington, April ^^th, 1775."

" Lexington, April 25ih, 1775. "I, William Draper, of lawful age, and an inhabitant of Colrain, in the county of Hampshire, and colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, do testify and declare, that being on the parade of said Lexington, April 19th, instant, about half an hour before sunrise, the King's regular troops appeared at the meeting-house of Lexington; Captain Parker's company, who were drawn up back of said meeting-house on the parade, turned from said troops, making their escape by dispersing, in the mean time the regular troops made an huzza, and ran towards Captain Parker's company who were dispersing, and, immediately after the huzza was made, the commanding officer of said troops (as I took him) gave the command to the troops, ' Fire, fire, damn you, fire,* and immediately they fired, before any of Captain Parker's company fired, I then being within three or four rods of said regular troops ; and further saith not."

" Lexington, April 2Sd, 1775. "I, Thomas Fessenden, of lawful age, testify and declare, that being in a pasture near the meeting-house, at said Lexington, on "Wednesday last, at about half an hour before sunrise, I saw a number of regular troops pass speedily by said meeting-house, on their way towards a company of militia of said Lexington, who were assembled to the number of about an hundred in a company, at the distance of eighteen or twenty rods from said meeting-house, and, after they had passed by said meeting-house, I saw three oflScers on horseback advance to the front of said regulars, when one of them, being within six rods of said militia, cried out, * Disperse, you rebels, immediately,' on which he brandished his sword over his head three times ; meanwhile the second officer, who was about two rods behind him, fired a pistol, pointed at said militia, and the regulars kept huzzaing till he had finished brandishing his sword, and when he had thus finished brandishing his sword, he pointed it down towards said militia, and immedidiately on which, the said regulars fired a volley at said njilitia, and then I ran off as fast as I could, while they continued firing till I got out of their reach. I further testify, that as soon as ever the officer cried, ' Disperse, you rebels,' the said company of militia dispersed every way as fast as they could, and while they were dispersing, the regulars kept firing at them incessantly ; and further saith not."

"Lincoln, ^pril 2Sd, 1775. ** I, John Bateman, belonging to the fifty-second regiment^ commanded by Colonel Jones, on Wednesday morning, on the nineteenth day of April instant, was in the party marching to Concord, being at Lexington in the county of Middlesex, being nigli the meeting-house in said Lexington, tliere was a sniali party of men gatliered together in that place, when our said troops marciied by, and I testify and declare, that I heard the word of command given to the troops to fire, and some of said troops did fire, and I saw one of said small party lie dead on the ground nigh said meeting-house, and I testify, that I never heard any of the inhabitants so much as fire one gun on said troops."

Lexington^ April 23r/, 1775. We, John Hoar, John Whitehead, Abraham Garfield, Benjamin Munroe, Isaac Parks, William Hosmer, John Adams, and Gregory Stone, all of Lincoln, in the county of Middlesex, Massachusetts-Bay, all of lawful age, do testify and say, that, on Wednesday last, we were assembled at Concord, in the morning of said day, in consequence of information received, that a brigade of regular troops were on their march to the said town of Concord, who had killed six men at the town of Lexington : about an hour afterwards we saw them approaching, to the number, as we apprehended, of about twelve hundred, on which we retreated to a hill about eighty rods back, and the said troops then took possession of the hill where we were first posted ; presently after this, we saw the troops moving towards the North Bridge about one mile from the said Concord meeting-house, we then immediately went before them and passed the bridge, just before a party of them, to the number of about two hundred, arrived : They there left about one half of their two hundred at the bridge, and proceeded with the rest towards Colonel Barret's, about two miles from the said bridge ; we then, seeing several fires in the town, thought the houses in Concord were in danger, and marched towards the said bridge, and the troops who were stationed there, observing our approach, marched back over the bridge, and then took up some of the plank ; we then hastened our march towards the bridge, and when we had got near the bridge, they fired on our men, first, three guns one after the other, and then a considerable number more, and then, and not before, (having orders from our commanding officers not to fire till we were fired upon,) we fired upon the regulars, and they retreated ; on their retreat through this town and Lexington, to Charlestown, they ravaged and destroyed private property and burned three houses, one barn, and one shop."

Edward Richardson, all of Concord, in the county of Middlesex, in the province of the Massachusetts-Bay, of lawful age, testify and declare, that on Wednesday, the 19th instant, about an hour after sunrise, we assembled on a hill near the meeting-house in Concord aforesaid, in consequence of an information that a number of regular troops had killed six of our countrymen at Lexington, and were on their march to said Concord, and about an hour after we saw them approaching, to the number, as we imagine, of about twelve hundred, on which we retreated to a hill about eighty rods back, and the aforesaid troops then took possession of the hill where we were first posted. Presently after this, we saw them moving towards the North Bridge, about one mile from said meeting-house ; we then immediately went before them, and passed the bridge just before a party of them, to the number of about two hundred, arrived ; they there left about one half of those two hundred at the bridge, and proceeded with the rest towards Colonel Barrett's, about two miles from the said bridge ; we then, seeing several fires in the town, thouirht our houses were in danorer, and immediately marched back towards said bridge and the troops who were stationed there, observing our approach, marched back over the bridge, and then took up some of the planks ; we then hastened our steps towards the bridge, and when we had got near the bridge, they fired on our men, first, three guns, one after the other, and then a considerable number more, upon which, and not before, (having orders from our commanding officers not to fire till we were fired upon,) we fired upon the regulars, and they retreated. At Concord, and on their retreat through Lexington, they plundered many houses, burnt three at Lexington, together with a shop and a barn, and committed damage, more or less, to almost every house from Concord to Charlestown."

" Lexington, April 2Sd, 1775. ^* We, Joseph Butler and Ephraim Melvin, do testify and declare, that when the regular troops fired upon our people at the North Bridge, in Concord, as related in the foregoing depositions, they shot one, and, we believe, two of our people, before we fired a single gun at them."

Concord, April 23d, 1775. "I, Timothy JMinot, Jun., of Concord, on the nineteenth day of this instant April, after that I had heard of the regular troops firing upon the Lexington men, and fearing that hostilities might be committed at Concord, thought it my incumbent duty to secure my family : After I had secured my family, some time after that, returning towards my own dwelling, and finding that the bridge on the northern part of said Concord, was guarded by regular troops, being a spectator of what had happened at said bridge, declare that the regular troops stationed on the bridge, after they saw the men that were collected on the westerly side of said bridge, marched towards said bridge, then the troops returned towards the easterly side of said bridge, and formed themselves, as I thought, for a regular tight, after that, they fired one gun, then two or three more, before the men that were stationed on the westerly part of said bridge fired upon them."

''Lexington, April 2Sd, 1775. " I, James Barrett, of Concord, Colonel of a regiment of militia in the county of Middlesex, do testify and say, that on Wednesday morning last, about day-break, I was informed of the approach of a number of the regular troops to the town of Concord, where were some magazines belonging to this province, when there was assembled some of the militia of this and the neighbouring towns, when I ordered them to march to the North Bridge, so called, which they had passed and were taking up ; I ordered said militia to march to said bridge and pass the same, but not to fire on the King's troops unless they were first fired upon ; we advanced near said bridge, when the said troops fired upon our militia, and killed two men dead on the spot, and wounded several others, which was the first firing of guns in the town of Concord ; my de» tachment then returned the fire, which killed and wounded several of the King's troops."

" Lexington, April 23d, 1775. We, Bradbury Robinson, Samuel Spring, Thaddeus Bancroft, all of Concord, and James Adams, of Lincoln, all in the County of Middlesex, all of lawful age, do testify and say, that on W^ednesday morning last, near ten of the clock, we saw near one hundred of regular troops, being in the town of Concord, at the North Bridge in said town (so called), and, having passed the same, they were taking up said bridge, when about three hundred of our militia were advancing toward said bridge, in order to pass said bridge, when, without saying any thing to us, they discharged a number of guns on us, which killed two men dead on the spot, and wounded several others, when we returned the fire on them, which killed two of them, and wounded several, which was the beginning of hostilities in the town of Concord."