.0 -V iC^^o ^^^/ ;^ O .^^ 0' 4 O 4" .^ .^ 4 o ' . e^^^ •» ^^ ^ -^wSy^'* ^ ^ . ^^^ ■» ■or ^ 0' Hbe Bfttbplace of Hmedcan Xibert^ Class Book. >/f(.7£-7 Gwriglit]^'. COPnUCHT DGPOSUi ERRATA. Page G. For 1779 read 17{>9. Page 30. Line 2. For oi read of. Line 14. For Jonas read John. miVM llEATEN AT THE UATTI.E OV I.EXIXC.TOX BY WM. niAMONn, NOW IN THE POSSESSION 01' THE LEXINGTON HISTORICAL SOCI- ETY. THE l,ONG R01,l, ON THIS nUl'M WAS THE FIRST OVERT ACT OF THE ItEVOEUTION. HAYES JlKMOUIAl, lOlNTAlX AND STATIK OK CAl'TATN JOHN I'AHKKU, l,KXINGTON COJIMON. DEnit'ATKn 1900. HENKY H. KITSON. SITI.PTOR. The foundation and drinkinji' basin an- of field stont*s. At the ground level are small basins (one on either side) for animals unable to drink from the prineipal or horse basin. LEXINGTON BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN LIBERTY A HANDBOOK COXTAIXINCi AN Af'COUNT OF THE BATTLK OF LEXINGTON PAUL RKVERE's NARRATIVE OF HIS FAMOUS RIDE A SKETCH OF THE TOWN AND THE PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST INSCRIP- TIONS ON ALL HISTORIC TARLETS DIRECTORY M\P AND NUMEROITS ILLUSTRATIONS By FRKD S. PI PER II 'RESlnKXT (If THi: Li:XIX(iTON' HISrOHICAI. SOCIETY Copyright \90-2. 1910. by Lexington Historical Soi-iety THIRD EDITION LKXIXGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY LEXINGTON 1910 ''> THE OLD MONUMENT ON THE COMMON. Sacred to Liberty anu the Rights of Mankind ! ! ! To THE Freedom and Independence of America Sealed and Defended with the Blood of her Sons. This Monument is erected By the inhabitants of Lexington, under the patronage and at the expense of The Commonwealth ok Massachusetts, To THE Memory of their Fellow Citizens, Ensign Robert Munroe and Messrs. Jonas Parker, Samuel Hadley, Jonathan FIarrington, Jr., FsAAC Muzzy, Caleb Harrington and John Brown OF Lexington, and Asahel Porter of Woburn, Who fell on this Field, the First Victims to the Sword of British Tyranny and Oppression, ON THE morning OF THE EVER MEMORABLE Nineteenth of April An. Dom. 1775, The Die was Cast ! ! ! The Blood of these Martyrs In the cause of God and their Country was the Cement of the Union of thesiJ States, then Colonies, and gave the spring to the Spirit, Firmness ANij Resolution of their Fellow Citizens. They rose as one Man to revenge their Brethren's Blood, and at the Point of the Sword, to Assert and Defend their native Rights. They nobly dar'd to be free!! THE Contest was long, bloody and affecting. Righteous Heaven approved the solemn appeal. Victory crowned their arms; and The Peace, Liberty, and Inde^'endence of the United States of America was the4r Glorious Reward. built in the year J779. inscription by rev. JONAS CLARKE. (0;C!.A268a64 4 , V MINHOK TAVEKX r WAS ill tlie yi-ay dawn of that April iiu)niini>- 177^) — "A jilorious niorniiif)- tor America"" — when the Royal troops reached Lexinoton Common. They had heard tlie drum beat of the minute men and advanced on double- (piick"" with l(»aded muskets. About seventy minute men, brave de- fenders of their rijilits, had assembled to meet six hundred trained soldiers. "Too few to resist, too brave to fly,"" they did tiie best they could, and after years of conflict here be<)un, American Liberty was born. The colonists had linig contended aoainst British opjjression. James Otis resijined his office as the Kino"s advo- cate and defended the riobts of Bostonians, — the first stei^ in the revolution. The stamp act had been jjassed and repealed. Patrick Henry had si)oken out boldly in Viroinia. The first Continental Congress met September 5, 1774.. STDNK t'ANNOX The Provincial Congress assembled one month later, assumed the gov- ernment of the colony, except in Boston where the British troops were stationed, took measures to organize militia com- panies and to prej>are for resistance by force if nec- essary. Executive power was placed in the hands of the Connnittee of Safety, prominent members of which were Dr. Joseph Warren and John Hancock. A close watch was kept over the movements of the British soldiers. The King had entrusted the government of Massa- chusetts to Gen. Gage, the commander of the British army in America. He was a man of weak character, and his petty and injudicious acts aggravated the inhabitants. Large (juantities of military supplies had been collected at Salem and Concord. Gage's attempt to take the stores at Salem, Fel). 'iU, 177.'), resulted in a ridiculous failure. In March it was reported that he intended to capture or destroy the stores at Concord, which, from this time on, were carefully guarded. The Provincial Congress, which had been in session in Concord, adjourned April I.'). The Committee of Safety adjourned at Concord April 17, and Samuel Adams and John Hancock, arch traitors in the esti- mation of the Royal government, then became the guests of Rev. Jonas Clarke, pastor at Lexington. Gen. Gage kept his plans secret, and it is interesting to conjecture the part jilayed by his wife who was the daughter of a New Jersey patriot. (iordon, who was chaplain of the Provincial Congress, says in his History of the Independence of the United States": A daughter of liberty sent word by a trusty hand to Mr. Samuel Adams, residing in company with Mr. Hancock about thirteen miles from Charlestown, that the troops were coming 8 V out ill a few days — ."' Several historical writers seem to con- firm tlie belief that tliis "Daughter of Liberty*" was the wife of Gen. Gage, and that she gave Dr. Warren valuable inform- ation, which was sent by the "trusty liand" of Paul Revere, and by William Dawes as well, to Adams and Hancock at Lexington. (General Thomas Ciage born 1721, died 1787; married Dec. 8, 175S, Margaret Kembal, daughter of Peter Kembal, President of the Council of New Jersey.) Relative to what followed, what can be more interesting or authentic than Paul Revere's own written narrative? The Saturday njulit pivceding- the 19th of April, about twelve o'clock at nifiht. the boats belonjjinj;,- to the transports were all launched, and carried under the sterns of the men-of-war. (They had been pre- viously hauled up and repaired). We likewise founil that the firenadiers and light infantry were all taken oiFduty. From these movements we expected something- serious was to be transacted. On Tuesday evening, the 18th, it was observeil that a number of soldiers were marching towards the bottom of the Common. About ten o'clock. Dr. Warren sent in great haste for me, and begged that I would immediately set off for Lexington, where Messrs. Hancock and Adams were, and acquaint them of the movement, and that it was thought they were the objet-ts. When I got to Dr. Warren's house. I found he had sent an express by land to Lexington. — a Mr. William Dawes. The Sunday before, by desire of Dr. Warren. I had been to Lexington, to Messrs. Hancock ant! Adams, who were at the Kev. Mr. Clark's. I returned at night througli Charlestown; there I agreed with a Col- onel Conant and some other gentlemen, that if the British went out by water, we would show two lanthorns in the North Church steeple; and if by land, one as a signal; for we were apprehensive it would be difficult to cross the Ciiarles River, or get over Boston Neck. I left Dr. Warren, called upon a friend, and desired liiin to make the signals. I then wc-nt honu-. took my boots and surtout, went to the north part of the town, where I kept a boat; two friends rowed me across Charles River a little to the eastward where the Somerset 9 uorKT'i'i: oi' .ION AS CI.AKKi: )itin Air \i\ s'liAin man-o f-war lay. It was then youn^ flood, the ship was windinfi", and the moon was rising'. They landed me on the Charlestown side. When I got into town, I met Colonel Conant and several others; they said they had seen our signals. I told them what was acting, and went to get me a horse; I got a horse of Deacon Larkin. While the horse was preparing, Rich- ard Devens, Esq., who was one of the Committee of Safety, came to me, and told me that he came down the road from Lexington, after sundown, that evening; that he met ten Britisii officers, well luounted and armed, going up the road. I set off upon a very good horse; it was then about eleven o"cloc-k. and very pleasant. After I had passed Charlestown Neck, and got nearly opposite where Mark was hung in i-hains, I saw two men on horseback under a tree. When I got near them. I discovered they were British officers. One tried to get ahead of me, and the other to take me. I turned my horse very quick and galloped towards Charlestown Neck, and then pushed for the Medford road. The one who chased me, en- deavoring to cut me off. got into a clay pond, near where the new tavern is now built. I got clear of him. and went through Medford, over the bridge, and up to Menotomy. In Medford, I awakened the Captain of the Minute Men; and after that. I alarmed almost every house, till I got to Lexington. I found Messrs. Hancock and Adams at the Rev. Mr. Clark's; I told them my errand, and enquired for Mr. Dawes; they said he had not been there; I related the story of the two officers, and supposed that he must have been stopped, as he ought to have been there before me. After I had been there about half an hour. Mr. Dawes came; we refreshed ourselves, and set off for Concord, to secure the stores, etc., there. We were overtaken by a young Dr. Prescott, whom we foimd to be a high Son of Liberty. I told them of the ten officers that Mr. Devens met, and that it was probable we might be stopped before we got to Concord; for I supposed that after night they divided themselves, and that two of 10 11 tlit-m liad fixed themselves in such passages as were most likely to stop any intelliuence ftoing- to Coneord. I likewise mentioned that we had better alarm all the inhabitants till we ^ot to Coneord; the young- Doetor much approved of it. and said he would stop with either of us. for the people between that and Concortl knew him. and would give the more c-redit to what we said. We had got nearly half way; Mr. Dawes and the Doctor stopped to alarm the people of a house; I was about one hun- dred rods ahead, when I saw two men. in nearly the same situations as those officers were, near Charlestown. I called for the Doctor and Mr. Dawes to come up; in an instant I was sin-rounded by four; — they had placed themselves in a straight road, that inclined each way; they had taken down a pair of bars on the north side of the road, and two of them were under a tree in the pasture. The Doctor being foremost, he came up; and we tried to get past them; but they being armed with pistols and swords, they forced us into the pasture; the Doctor jumped his horse over a low stone wall, and got to Conc-ortl, I observed a wood at a small distance, anti made for that. When I got there, out started six officers, on horseback, and ordered me to dismount; — one of them, who appeared to have the command, examined me. where I came from, and what my name was? I told him. He asked me if I was an express? I answered in the affirmative. He demanded what time I left Boston? I told him: and added, that their troops had catched aground in passing the river, and that there would be five hundred Americans there in a short time for I had alarmed the country all the way up. He im- mediately rode towards those who stopped us. when all five of theni came down uj)on a full gallop; one of them, whom I afterwartls found to be a Major Mitchell of the .>th Regiment, clapped his pistol to my head, called me by name, and said he was going to ask me some (piestions. and if I did not give him true answers he would blow my braiTis out. He then asked me similar (|ucstions to those above. He then ordered me to mount my horse after searc'hing me for arms. He then ordered them to advance and to lead me in front. When we got to the road, thev turned down I'ourKAi'r oi- SIA.lOl! UII.I.l.X.M DAWKS 1^2 MA. Hilt ITIlATItS toward Lexinjiton. and wlien we had jj-ot about one mile, the Major rode up to the offieer that was leadinjj,- me and told him to give \i\c to the Ser- jj,i-ant. As soon as he told me, the Major ordered him. if I attempted to run. or anybody insulted tiicm. to lilow my biviins out. \\'e rode till we j>ot near lA'xinjiton meeting-house. when till' militia tired a volley of jj'uns. whieh ajjpeared to alarm lliem very mucdi. The major in(|uired of me how far it was to C';imbridne. and if there were any other road. After some consultation, the Major rode up to the Sergeant, and asked if his horse was tired. He answered him he was — he was a Sergeant of Grenadiers, and had a small horse — then take that man's horse. I dismounted and the Sergeant mounted my horse, when they all rode toward Lexington meeting-house. I went across the burying'-groimd and some pastures, and came to the Rev. Mr. Clark's house, where I found Messrs. Hancock and Adams. I told them of my treatment, and they concluded to go from that house towards Wobinai. I went with them, and a Mr. Lowell, who was a clerk to Mr. Hancock. When we got to the house where they intended to stop. Mr. Lowell and myself returned to Mr. Clark's to find what was going on. When we got there an elderly man came in; he said he had just come from the tavern, that a man had c-onn- from Boston, who said there were no British troops coming. Mr. Lowell and myself went towards the tavern, when we met a man on a full galloji. who told us the troops were coming up the rocks. We afterwards met another, who said they were close by. Mr. Lowell asked me to go to the tavern with him. to get a trinik of papers belonging to Mr. Hancock. We went up chamber, and while we were getting the trunk, we saw the British very near, upon a full march. We hurried towards Mr. Clark's house. In our way. we passed through the militia. There were about fifty. When we had got about one hun- dred yards from the meeting-house, the British troops appeared on both sides of the meeting-house. In their front was an officer on horseback. They made a halt; when I .saw and heard a gun tired, which appeared to be a pistol. Then I could distinguish two guns, and then a continual roar of musketry: when we madi' off with the trunk. Captain Parker cominanded liis company not to fire unless fired upon. The British approached on both sides of the meet- incr house following the lead of Maj. Pitcairn, who ordered the Minute Men to disperse. As they did not disperse he repeated the order with added emphasis, and fired his pistol at them. Each side claimed that the other fired first ; but it seems con- clusive that the first shot came from the British, who fired two volleys, the second with fatal effect. The Minute Men returned a few shots from the position they had taken, and dispersed, continuing the fire as best they could from their places of re- treat. Relative to one of the Minute Men, Edward Everett wrote in 1835 : '• Roman history does not furnish an example of bravery that out- shines that of Jonas Parker. A truer heart did not bleed at Thermopylae. Parker was often heard to say. that be the consequences what they might, and let others do what they pleased, he would never run from the enemy. He was as good as his word — better. Having loaded his musket, he placed his hat. containing his ammunition, on the ground between his feet in readiness for a second charge. At the second fire he was wounded and sank upon his knees; and in this condition, dis- charged his gun. While loading it again, upon his knees, and striving in the agonies of death to redeem his pledge, he was transfixed by a bayonet: — and thus died on the spot where he first stood and fell."" After about lialf an hour's delay the British i)roceeded to Concord, Avhere they were so warmly received that they soon began their r e t r e a t over the same route. They were attacked by the gathering army of patriots from all sides. The British officers tried to restore order among their sol- diers and check tlie retreat but in vain, till they met Earl Percy with reinforcements half a mile beyond Lexington Common tomhstone oi cu-r. i'arker 14 15 THE DK. .lOSKl'H FISKK HOTSE toward Boston. Hert% under tlie i)rotection of two field pieces and the reinforeenients, the British liad their Hrst rest after six- teen hours steady niarc-hinji. They remained in this vicinity ahout two hours, |)illa^>iny and hurniny several buildinjis, killing cattle, ett'. After cariny for the wounded at Munroe Tavern, eating' and drinkin<> all that they could ui8hed before nuu-h damage had been done. Seven Lexin<)ton men (and one Woburn man) were killed, and nine wounded on or near the Common in the morniny, and ■'> were killed and 1 wounded in the afternoon. Thus Lexinf^ton lost more men durin<>- the day tlian any other town, Danvers being second with a loss of 7 killed, 'A wounded, and 1 missing. The total losses for the dav were, Provincials, W killed, .S(i wounded and Fi missing; British, ~'.i killed, 174 wounded and ;i() missing. Such, in brief, were the events which, in Lexing- ton, ushered in the Dawn of Liberty. Id IT was twenty years after the I'ilyriins landed at Plymouth and five years after Peter Bulkley settled at Concord when Robert Herlarkenden built the first house in Cambrid<>e Farms. Cambrid<>e, about this time, (•onii)rised a lar<>e tract of land extendin<>' from tlie diaries and alon^i' the Shawshine to the Merrimac River. riie first settlement was near \'ine Brook. Most of the meadows and some of the uplands were found free from W(»od and brush, |)robably havin<)- been burned by the Indians. Before these lands were permanently settled, Cambridge people used them as an additional source of hay. Prominent among the early inliabitants who settled here are the names Munroe, Tidd, Bowman, Bridge, Reid, Wellington and Merriani. Cambridge Farms remained the north precinct of Cambridge till ](i!>l when it was incorjiorated as a separate parish. Benjamin FiStal)rook was the first minister of tiie town at a salary of <£40 a year. A meeting house was built on tlie south- east corner of the Connnon where the marble tablet now stands. Mr. Kstabrook died July ^'2, K)!'?, and on the 7th of Novem- ber, 1()97, John Hancock of Cambridge was chosen a can- didate to preach till the fol- lowing May. He was |)ublicly ordained Nov. 'i, ItiDS, and contimied his ministry here for fifty-five years. The town was inc-orpor- atedas Lexington, Marcli ,S 1 , 171.'^, taking its name prob- ably from Lord Lexington, a British statesman of promi- nence at that time. Town officers were immediately chosen and the following month the selectmen voted to erect a payer of stocks'" 17 REV. .JOHN HANCOCK (Painted by Smibert) 1 ^■-^^^^m ^^^^HL'-^ 1 I^Hj ^^^^M ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H EIJZABETH t'l.ARK HANCOCK. WIl'E OF IlEV. JOHN HANCOCK (Painted by Smibert) as required by law. Just where the stocks was built is uncertain, but probably, according- to common custom, near the meeting house. This same year a new meeting house was built near the old one. It was .50 ft. b_v 40 ft. and 28 ft. high. The first school house was erected in 171.5 on the Common where the granite monument now stands. The town early became noted for its military spirit and took an active part in the French and Indian wars. The staunch character and determination of the men composing the militia were finally displayed in tlie battle on the Common, April 10, 177.5, when Cajjt. John Parker and 70 men faced 600 trained soldiers of Britain. Lexington men participated in 17 different camjjaigns during the revolution. The ])opulation of the town in 177.5 was not more than 800. In the Civil war the town furnished more than her full (]uota. In 1875 the town celebrated the centennial anniversary of the battle in an elaborate way. Business in Boston and through- out this part of the State was generally suspended, and from an early hour i)eoi)le i)oured into Lexington by every possible con- veyance. The streets were soon so crowded that carriages could not approach within a mile of the center. Careful estimates placed the number of visitors at 100,000. Tlie day was ushered in by a salute of 100 guns at sunrise. The weather was fair but very cold for the seasf)n, and the experiences at dinner in the big tent on the Connnon and at the ball in the evening have been an unending source of anecdote. Among the guests of honor were President L . S. Grant and 18 19 STATUE OF SAJrUEI, ADAMS IN TOWN HAIJ. STATIK Ul' JOHN HANC'Ol'K IN TOWN HAIJ. his cabinet. Oneofthe most interesting' cere- monies of the day was the unveilinfi; of tlie statues of Adams and Hancock, cut from Car- rara marble. The statue of Adams was made in Rome b.v Martin Mil- more, a Boston artist. The statue of Hancock was made in Florence by Thomas R. (iould, also a Boston artist. The contracts stii)ula ted that tlie statues should be delivered in Lexin<>- ton on or before Jaiuiary 1, 187.5, but with intense anxiety their arrival was witnessed by the li' was done in Lex- ington, but to-day it is chiefly a residential suburb. There are many t>()od farms devoted to ' and the jjroduction of milk. In 187.5 Worcester was the only |>lace in the Strife that ])roduced more milk than Lexinoton. The land is ru^j>ed and much diversified. For the most part it is producti\e and con- 20 l{()ri.l)i:U MAKKINC l.IXK OF BATTLE tains several rich peat meadows. The town is noted for its healthfulness and hif>h elevation, beino- about 10 miles from the coast and "iliO feet above sea level. A steam railroad was built from Lexinjiton to Boston in l.SK), and in 1 !»()()- liU)! electric street railroads were built to Arlino'ton, Bedford, Wa\erly, Concord, Waltham and Woburn. The i)o|)ulation of the town and valuation by 50 year ])eriods has I'.een as follows: — ](i.)0. jxipulation SO, valuation unknown; 17()(). population ,'550, \aluation unknown; 1750, ])opulation 7()1, valuation unknown; ISOO, ])opulation lOOti, valuation $'25 1,05^2.00: 1.S50. |)opulatioii 1S8S, valuation $1 ,.S()9,4.5;5. 00 ; lf)()(), population .'!,S;;i, valuation $5,182,000.00; liMO, popu- lation about 5000, valuation about 17,250,000.00. BOULDER. Tlie words of C'ai)t. Parker are found in a letter 1).\ his •srandson, Theodore Parker, to (ie(»r<>e Bancroft, as a tradition in the Parker family. It was confirmed by Col. Wm. Munroe, orderly serj^eant of Capt. Parker's company. The estimated weight of this boulder is fifteen tons. 21 LEXINGTON COMMON. A committee was chosen at a public meeting in 1707 to treat with " Nibour Muzzy '" about the purchase of a piece of land lying north of the meeting house. Four years later nego- tiations were completed and in consideration of £16 Nibour Muzzy " deeded to the inhabitants of Cambridge Farms a cer- tain parcel of land estimated to contain one and one-half acres. In l7'-22, the town enlarged the Common by the purchase of an additional acre at a cost of £25. This was the origin of Lex- ington Common, the birthplace of American liberty. BUCKMAN TAVERN. There are at least ten houses standing in Lexington to-day that antedate the Revolution. Of the twelve taverns (mce doing active business in Lex- ington, tlie oldest was built in 1G9() by Benjamin Muzzey, and is now known as Buckman Tavern. It stands on Bedford street beside the old battle ground, and although the tablet giving brief historical data has been recently removed it may be easily recftgnized. .^-y V^ ^ )&fl ^ ^/ L "\ ' i \^j^ £^f b^- -N r\ ^fi^a ^. /^ P i\ 'SrS^ff"!^ V~^ ^*-^~.. ^;^Me^' T^'-N Rf \ \ ^jj^^^j^ |fl^^^ ^i ""^^ i 1 1 \ IHR m MM ^F>^^,;i^^ 1^ ^ ^^M WM| H Mj H Hi ■ 1 ^- i K^ ■■ ,^j_ / ^ ; ._ _ B««aar'6?,*r«-.'.j^,' 7>;!^vi^^-^,-., ^M^ ri. _ l:--l.*?i.*i-iiV- -«aii BUCKMAN TAVEUX ■^^ ~ CM Ft'i I f< ^^-H c o sj Oj >> crt !.', ■ ' c C O Oj o H X 11 tS ? *^ C^ o s .-/! * •r 1; Oj ;^ ^ s .= o 23 It contained the first store in town and in it the first post office was opened m 1812. The business of this house was said to be more with "carriage folks" than with teamsters. It contained nine fireplaces and is architecturally the finest of the old houses in town. John Buckman, a member of Cai)t. Parker's company, was the landlord in 1775, and here the Minute Men assembled on the morniny of the battle. Two wounded British soldiers were brouoht here on the afternoon of the conflict, one of whom died and was buried in the old cemetery. The house is in <>ood condition to-day, and proudly retains the scars made by British bullets during the only official visit ever paid to Lexington by His Majesty's soldiers. MONUMENT. On the west side of the old Common stands the granite monument, erected in 1799, in memory of the men killed in the Battle of Lexington and the cause for which they fought and died. It is probably the first monu- ment of the Revolution. The bodies of the slain were originally buried in a common grave in the old cemetery, but in 18,S.5 the remains were taken up, placed in a lead covered casket, this encased in a mahogany sarcojjhagus aiul dejjosited in a tomb tliat had been constructed in front of the foundation of this monument. Ed- ward Kverett was the ora- tor of the occasion. The kkvoi. tk.nahv soinrKHs' MoxrMKXT ^4. ^^ M ^i^ '^ar^Spjk L ^^^S^ «H f '-^g fe> 1 ji^^^M J.-IV' c- '.,' k.'" ^^mH n ^mf^i m 1 m^^^^^^^WSIl inscription on tliis monu- ment was written by Rev. Jonas Clarke, the minister of the town from IToa to ]S().5. (See jwiye (!. ) Here, beside this old monument, Lafayette was welcomed to Lexin<>ton Sept. 2, 18^21, and here Kossuth was received by the town May 11, 18.52. A cojn' of the inscrip- tion will be found facin<>' the title paye of this book. In recent years it has be- come a custom on Memo- rial Day to decorate this monument with wreaths and flowers. THE OLD BEl.I'KV BELFRY. At a Town Meeting held June l.'i, 17()1, " Mr. Isaac Stone came into said meetin<>- and <>ave the Town a Bell to be for the Town's use forever — wliicli Hell was there, and weighed P'our Hundred and Sixty Three pounds — for which the Moderator in the name of the Town returned him thanks. "Then voted. To lian<>- y'' Bell on y*^ toj) of >" Hill u|)on y^ south side of Lieut. James Munroe's house."" Tlie committee for buildin"- this "Bell free"" rendered their account the followinji' > ear, wliicli sliows the cost to liaxf been £21 -1 2-V-l 'i-^/. In 17()8, it was I'emoved to tlie south side of the Common near the present site of the old monument. ' Hei-e it remained for thirty years sunnnoniny- the peojjle to worship, warning' them at nine at nij>ht to rake up the fires and "o to bed and tolling for them when, one after anotlier, they passed away."* From this belfr\- the alarm was runu' on the mornini)- of April I !•. I 77."), HOJIF. 01" 3IABRETT AXI) NATHAX Ml'XKOE callinj),- the Miiuite^Men|[t() the Common. It was purchased by a son of ('apt. Parker in 17!>7, and removed to the Parker place in the south ])art of the town where it was used for a wheel- wrioht's sliop. There it remained till ISiU, when it was pre- sented to the Lexinoton Historical Society and removed to Belfry Hill near the spot where it was built. Much weakened by decay and beyond preservation, it was destroyed by a gale on June '20, HU)!>. The Belfry now on the site where the original last stood, is an exact reproduction, erected by The Lexington Historical Society 1910. The bell long ago disap- peared, but tlie tongue is treasured by the town as a \aluable relic of tlie past and may be seen in the vault at the Hancock- Clarke House. MARRETT MUNROE HOUSE. On tlic ojjposite side of the avenue fnmi the Soldier's Monu- ment, stands the house of Marrett and Nathan Munroe, built 1729. 26 BIl.I. OF T)K. FISKE FOH t AH K Ol' WOIV DKI) HHITISM SOLDIERS. 21 HANCOCK-CLARKE HOUSE. Next after the battle- and important place, historically, in Lexington. It stands on Hancock street, about five minutes walk from the Common. The one-story <)ambrel roofed ell was the origi- nal house built by Rev. Jolm Hancock in 1G98. It contained a good sized living room and the parson's study down stairs, and two small, low chambers. Rev. John Hancock married Elizabeth Clark of Chelmsford, and to them three sons and two daughters were born and reared to maturity in this small dwell- ing. The frame is oak, hewed by hand, and shows little signs of decay . In 1734 Thomas Hancock, the second son of Rev. John Hancock, at this time a prosperous Boston merchant, built the main portion of the house for his parents. The wainscotting in this part of the house is particularly handsome. In all, there are eight rooms with a fireplace in each, except one chamber. The outer walls of the main ]jart of the house contain a layer of bricks extending from tlie sills to the eaves. Here Rev. John Hancock lived from KilKS till his death in 1752. In 175.5 Rev. Jonas Clarke, who married a grand- daughter of Mr. Hancock, became the jjastor of Lex- ington and occupant of this I10USC. John Hancock, the governor a n d signer of the Decla- ration, si)cnt nuicli time in his boyliood at this old home of" h i s grandparents, mketinci-house tahi.f.t, t.kxinctox co^nrox 1 . N T R Y — M IT N K O E T A V E U N Showing Chair used by GEowiK Wash ington at the dinner given for him, Nov. 5, 1789. and liere lie was visitiiiji' in C'(»in|)any with Samuel Adams when Paul Revere made his famous ride. Here, also, at tliis time was the beautiful Dorothy Quiney, John H a ii e o c k * s fiancee, to wliom he was mar- ried the following)- August. Solomon Brown of Le\- in<>ton had been to market at Boston Ajjril IS, and on his return late in the afternoon informed Seryt. Munroe tliat he had seen nine British offi- cers ])assiny u|) the road. Munroe, suspectin«j,' that their intention was to cai)ture Ad- ams and Hancock, |)lace(l a jiuard of well-arnu-d men al)out this old house. Some time after Paul Revere delivered his messaji'e of warning, Adams and Hancock, for their f>reater safety, were conducted to the old parsonajie in Bui'linyton and later to Mr. Amos Wyman's house in Billerica. Hancock sent a letter back to Dorothy Quiney, retiuestin^' her to follow liiin and l)rin<>' the fine salmon that had been sent to them for their dinner, which she accordinjily did. At the time of the battle it was all open country between Mr. Clarke's house and the battle oTound, and the firinjj,- was i)lainly seen from tlie cliambers. The house ori<>inally stood on the opposite side of the street from its i^resent location. With the aid of patriotic men and women in various i)arts of tlie country, Lexinofon Historical Society purchased the house, removed it to its jiresent position in 1896, and restored it as far as possible to its original condi- tion. It contains the valuable and interestinrandfather. C'apt. John Parker, had lived, and from this |)lace he was summoned by the alarm bell to command his com])any. April 19, l~~ri. Theodore Parker was one of the most notable men Lexinoton has pro- duced. He was born Auy. 24, 1810, in the old house whose former location is now marked by the gran- ite monument placed there by his devoted parishion- ers. The house in which he was born was destroyed some time jirevious to 18.50. He was a remark- able scholar, a liberal THEODORE PARKER (At a se of 42) 31 Ol.l) BiniYIXG GKOrxn, HAXCOCK-Cr.AUKI'; TOJIB IX CEXTRE thinker, a lover of nature and his feHoAV creatures. He died in Florence, May 10, 1860, and was buried in tlie Protestant cemetery there. THE OLD BURYING GROUND. A short distance off Massachusetts Avenue near the junc- tion of Klin Avenue and in tlie rear of the Unitarian Church is the old bin-yiny j>round. It is a ])leasant ])lot with outlook across broad meadows to risinj>' liills in the distance. So far as known, it contains the oldest {>raves in town; there arc two or three stones bearing the date of ]()!K), and l)i(»l)ably older unniarkcd <>raves. Here the bodies of the Lex- ington men, killed in tlie battle. Mere originally buried in one grave. Here a British soldier who was Mounded on A))ril 19 and died in Buckman Tavern April '21, 177.'), Mas buried. It contains the graves of tlie first tln-ee ministers of the toMii — Kstabrook, Hancock and Clarke. In 1884 the toM-n erected a substantial granite monument over the grave of Capt. John S2 Parker. A marble obelisk marks the grave of Gov. Wm. Eustice, governor of Massachusetts 1823-182.5 and a member of Capt. Parker's com))any. John Augustus was buried in tomb No. 4, near the entrance. The Hancock tomb contains the remains of Rev. and Mrs. John Hancock, Rev. VAienezer Hancock, Rev. and Mrs. Jonas Clarke, Mrs. Mary Clarke Ware, — wife of Rev. Henry Ware, D.D., — and three other children of Mr. Clarke. The tomb was sealed in 184.'i, when the last daughter of Mr. Clarke was buried there. John Greenleaf Whittier wrote the following poem to a( company the bust of Sewall in Cary Memorial Library : — Like that ancestral judge who bore his name. Faithful to Freedom and to Truth, he gave, When all the air was hot with wrath and blame. His youth and manhood to the fettered slave. And never Woman in her suffering saw A helper tender, wise and brave as he. Lifting her burden of unrighteous law. He shamed the boast of ancient chivalry. Noiseless as light that melts the darkness is. He wrought as duty led and honor bid. No trumpet heralds victories like his. The unselfish worker in his work is hid. 33 THE OLDEST GRAVESTONE IN THE OLD GRAVEYAHD RELICS. Liexingtoii possesses many interesting and valiial>le relics of past centuries many of wliicU are referred to elsewiiere in tliis book. In The Town Hall is a fine oil painting- 8 x 1^ feet of the Battle of Lexint>ton by Henry Sandhani, owned by the Lexing- ton Historical Society. On tlie frame are these inscriptions — TOO FEW TO RESIST, TOO BRAVE TO FLY." "THE DAWN OF LIBERTY.** APRIL 10 LEXINGTON 1775. (This picture is reproduced on the cover of this book.) 34 CAUV MKMOIUAI. l.lllHAltV GARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY was establislied in 18()S, and the present memorial buildino; was dedicated in HXXi. Willard D. Brown of Lexington, architect. It is open every week day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It contains alxHit ':25, ()()() xolumes with a capacity for r)0,000 volumes ; read- ing, study and art rooms ; a marble bust of Theodore Parker, made by Sidney H. Morse, 1870; a bust of Samuel K. Sewall by Amos Whitney (see i)age IVA); a bust of Brig. GenT William Francis Bartlett ; a fine large oil painting of Colum- bus at the court of Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile," by V, Bro/ik of Paris; i)ortrait of Karl Percy, a co])v by Pope, 1879, from the original by Pompeo Bartoni ; |K)rtrait of Paul Revere by Jane K. Bartlett 188;i, after (Gilbert Stuart 181.S; portrait of William Dawes (copy), painter of the original unknown; portrait of Col. William Munroe, Orderly Sergeant of Capt. Parker's company, by Greenwood (painted on wood); portrait of Samuel Bowman; portrait of William H. Cary by Edgar Parker (from piiotograph) ; portrait of Mrs. William H. Cary by Edgar Parker, 187-i; etc. 35 HANCOCK-CLARKE HOUSE is the chief repository of the town and contains nearly the whole collection oi the Historical Society, numbering- over one thou- sand articles. Connected with this house is a commodious fire- proof vault for the preservation of the more valuable property. Prominent in this collection are portraits of Rev. and Mrs. John Hancock, painted by Smibert, silhouette — life size — of Rev. Jonas Clarke, set of Doolittle's engravings of the battle of Lex- ington and Concord, sword of Robert Newman who hung the lanterns in the North Church steeple for Paul Revere, pocket- book of Joshua Bentley who rowed Revere across the Charles River on the night of April 18, 1775, cannon balls fired by Earl Percy's troops April 19, 1775, muskets and swords used by Minute Men, silk vest and gold ring once worn by Gov. Jonas Hancock, ink well and sermon case and letter seal of Theodore Parker, lantern formerly used by Paul Revere, the drum that beat the alarm for the Minute Men to assemble, Maj. Pitcairn's pistols, minature on ivory of Maj. Pitcairn, copied from original, tongue of the bell which alarmed the town on April 19. 1775, bill of Dr. Joseph Fiske of Lexington for caring for the wounded British soldiers, banner which welcomed Lafayette 1824, furniture and implements of colonial days, valuable manuscripts and publications. 36 arODKKN LEXINGTON. THK 01,1) HKI.FRY Cl.UB GUIDE TO PLACES OF INTEREST. Visitors will find it to their advantage to see the various places in the following order, starting at the " Minute Man" and going north on the west side of the Common. 1. Fountain and Minutk Man. 2. Lexington Common. 3. Meeting House Tablet on the Common. 4. House of Marrett and Nathan Munroe. Massachusetts Ave., beside the Conimon. See p. -26'. 5. Monument on the Common. U. "Ye Old Burying Ground." Massachusetts Ave., in rear of First Church. 7. First Parish Church, erected 184>7, Isaac Melvin, Architect. Eiin Ave. 8. Harrington House. Corner of Elm Ave., and Bedford St. See p. 'AO. 9. Normal School Building. Elm Ave., called Historic Hall, where the first Normal School in America was opened Julj^ 3, 1H3}>. 10. Hancock"Clarke HoiTSE. Hancock Street. In this old house Hancock and Adams were sleepinf,? when aroused by Paul Revere. It contains the valuable collection belonging to Lexington Historical So- ciety. Open to the public. 3T 1 1 . FisKE House. The home of Surgeon Fiske who cared for the provincial and British soldiers who were wounded April 19, 177.5. "^^ Returning along East Side of Common . 12. Boulder Marking the Position of the Minute Men on THE Common. See p. 21. 13. BucKMAN Tavern, Containing British Bullet Holes. Bedford St.. beside the Common. See p. -22. 14. Old Belfry. Belfry Hill off Clarke St., to the right near Hancock School. See p. 2.'). 15. Carv Memorial Library. Massachusetts Ave., open from 10 a.m. to S i'.:m, 10. Town Hall. Containing- the Sandliam painting of the Battle. 17. Stone Cannon. Massachusetts Ave., on High School Grounds. 18. Stone Tablet. Massachusetts Ave., near Bloomfield Street. 19. Munroe Tavern. See p. 80. Massachusetts Ave., about three quarters of a mile from the Common. 20. Sanderson House. Near Munroe Tavern. A wounded British soldier was left here. 21. House of Jonathan Harrington, the Last Survivor OF THE Battle of Lexington, Massachusetts Ave.. East Lexington. 22. Tablet. Cor. of Pleasant Street and Massachusetts Avenue. East Lexington. 23. Birthplace of Theodore Parker. About two miles south of the Common. 24. Tablets on Concord Road. I'lTCAIRN S I'ISTOI.S, IX CARV I.IBHARV 38 INSCRIPTIONS ON ALL THE HISTORIC TABLETS IN THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON. ON THE STONE PULPIT ON THE COMMON. Site of the First Three Meeting Houses in Lexington I Bl'Il.T Hiihi WHEN THK ToWN WAS A PaHISII OK CaMKKIDGK. II Brii.T 1713 ox Tin: iNroiiroitAiioN of Lexinc.tox. III Brii.T 1794-. BriiNKO JSKi. This si'or is THIS IDENTIKlEl) WITH THE ToWn"s HiSTOUY lOR 1.50 YEARS. 1 PASTORATES BeN.IAJIIN EsiAHHOOK - - - l(;<)i-l«f)r John Hancock _ . - _ l69H-n52 Jonas Ceakke ----- 17.55-1805 AvEItV M^IM.IASIS - - - - 1807-1815 Chaimes Bni(ii;s _ - - - 1819-1835 Wll.l.lAM C. SWETT - - - I8:}()-1839 Jason Whit^ian - _ - - 1845-184.6 TABLETS ON HOUSES FACING THE COMMON. HOITSE BUILT 1(J90 KNOWN AS THE BucKMAN Tavern It E N n EZ V O IS OI' T H E MiNi'TE Men MAUK FOlt MKITISH BUEEETS APRIl, 19, 1775 HOUSE OF .Jt)NATHAN Harrington WHO WOlINDEn ON THE I'OMJION Ai'niE 19 1775 DHAGGED HIMSEI.I' TO I'HE DOOR AND DIED AT HIS wife's FEET HOUSE OF M arrett and Nathan MUNROE B U I L T 1 7 2 9 A WITNESS OF THE BATTLE BIRTHl'l.ACE OF DeLIVERENCE MlNROK DAUGHTER OF Marreit and 1)ei,iveren( e Munroe AM) WIFE OI' Knsign .Iohn Winshii' THIS TABLET PLACED BY DFI.IV Fit i:Nl E 31UXROE CHAPTER DAI;GHTI:KS OI' REVOLUTION MARCH 1900 ON THE BOULDER. TABLET ON THE OLD BELFRY. LINE OF THE MINUTE MEN APRIL li) 177.'5 STAND YOUR (! ROUND DOn't FIRE UNLESS FIRED UPON BliT IF THEY JIEAN TO HAVE A WAR LET IT BEGIN HERE — Captain Parker THIS Belfry was erected on this hill in 176'1 AND REMOVED TO THE COMMON IN 1768. Ix IT WAS HUNG THE BELL WHICH HUNG OUT THE ALARM ON THE 19tH OF APRIL 1775 in 1797 it was reivroved to the parker home- stead in the soi'th part of the town in 1891 it was brought back to this spot by the Lexington Historical Society REBUILT 1910 39 TABLETS ON HANCOCK STREET. Bl'II.T l«f)H ENLARGED 1734 RESIDENCE OE Rev. John Hancock .5.5 years AND OE HIS SITC'CESSOH Rev. Jonas Clarke .50 years HERE SaJIUEI, AdaMS AND JoHN HaNCOCK WERE SLEEPING WHEN AROUSED BY Pai I, Revere April 19 1773 BUILT 1732 HOUSE OE Dr. Joseph Fiske WHO ATTENDED THE WOUNDED APRIL 19 1775 AND SERVED IN THE CONTINENTAL ARMY AS SURGEON THROUGHOUT THE WAR STONE TABLETS ON THE CONCORD ROAD. at this well april 19 1775 James Hayward of Acton met a british soldier who raising his gun SAID YOU ARE A DEAD MAN AND SO ARE YOU REPLIED HaYWARD BOTH EIRED THE SOLDIER WAS INSTANTLY KILLED AND HaYWARD MORTALLY WOUNDED This Bluff was used as a Rallying Point by the British April 19 177.5 after a sharp eight they retreated to FiSKE Hill from which they were DRIVEN IN GREAT CONFUSION STONE CANNON ON THE GROUNDS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. NEAR THIS SPOT EARL PERCY with reenforcejlents planted a fieldpiece to cover the retreat of the British Troops APRIL 19 1775 WOBURN STREET. MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE. HOUSE OF Benjamin Merriam ONE oj THE Mini TE Men whose family eled ON the approach of the British who pillaged the house APRIL 19 1775 On the Hill to the South was Planted One of the British Fieldpieces APRIL 19 1775 to command the village AND its approaches AND NEAR THIS PI.AC E SEVERAL BUILDINGS WERE BURNED MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE. EAST LEXINGTON. Earl Percy's Headquarters and Hospital APRIL 19 1775 THE MUNROE TAVERN BUILT 1695 HOME OF Jonathan Harrington THE LAST Survivor of the Battle of Lexington BORN JULY 8 1758 died march 27 1854 40 Parker. A marble obelisk marks the grave of Gov. Wm. Eustice, governor of Massachusetts 182,3-182.5 and a member of Capt. Parker's eomi)any. John Augustus Avas buried in tomb No. 4, near the entrance. The Hancock tomb contains the remains of Rev. and Mrs. John Hancock, Rev. Kbenezer Hancock, Rev. and Mrs. Jonas Clarke, Mrs. Mary Clarke Ware, — wife of Rev. Henry Ware, D.D., — and three other children of Mr. Clarke. The tomb was sealed in 184,S, when the last daughter of Mr. Clarke was buried there. John Greenleaf Whittier wrote the following poein to ac- company the bust f)f Sewall in Cary Memorial Library : — • Like that ancestral judge who bore his name, Faithful to Freedom and to Truth, he gave, W^hen all the air was hot with wrath and blame. His youth and manhotKl to the fettered slave. And never Woman in her suffering saw A helper tender, wise and brave as he, Lifting her burden of unrighteous law. He shamed the boast of ancient chivalry. Noiseless as light that melts the darkness is. He wrought as dutv led and honor bid. No trumpet heralds victories like his. The unselfish worker in his work is hid. 33 THE OLDEST GRAVESTONE IN THE OLD GRAVEYARD RELICS. £ STAND YOUIt G HOUND DOn't FIRE UNLESS FIRED UPON BUT IF THEV .^lEAN TO HAVE A WAR LET IT BEGIN HERE — Captain Parker THIS Belfry was erected on this hill in 1761 AND REMOVED TO THE COMMON IN 1768. In IT WAS HUNG THE BELL WHICH RUNG OUT THE ALARM ON THE 19tH OF APRIL 1775 in 1797 it was removed to the parker hojie- stead in the south part of the town in 1891 it was brought back to this spot by the Lexincjton Historical Socif:ty REBUILT 1910 39 TABLETS ON HANCOCK STREET. Brii/r 169H BESIDENt'E Ot ENLARGED 1734 Rev. John Hancock 55 years and of his successor Rev. Jonas Clarke .50 years nEKK Sami'ei, Adams and John HAXtocK were si.eel'ing when aboused bv Paiti. Revere Ai'rii, 19 1775 BUILT 1732 house of Dr. Joseph Fiske who attended the wounded APRIL 19 1775 AND SERVED IN THE CONTINENTAL ARMY AS SURGEON THROUGHOUT THE WAR STONE TABLETS ON THE CONCORD ROAD. AT THIS WELL APRIL 19 1775 James H a y w a r d of Acton MET A BRITISH SOLDIER WHO RAISING HIS GUN SAID YOU ARE A DEAD MAN AND SO ARE VOU REPLIED HaYWARD BOTH FIRED THE SOLDIER WAS INSTANTLY KILLED AND HaYWARD .MORTALLY WOUNDED This Bluff was used as a Rallying Point by the British April 19 1775 after a sharp fight they retreated to Fiske Hill from which they were DRIVEN in great CONFUSION STONE CANNON ON THE GROUNDS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. near this spot EARL PERCY WITH HEENFORCEMENTS PLANTED A FIELDPIECE to COVER THE RETREAT OF THE British Troops APRIL 19 1775 WOBURN STREET. MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE. house of Benjamin Merriam ONE of the MiNlTTE MeN WHOSE FAMILY FLED ON THE APPROACH OF THE BrITISH WHO PILLAGED THE HOI'SE APRIL 19 1775 On the Hill to the South avas Planted One of the British Fieldpieces APRIL 19 1775 TO COMMAND THE VILLAGE AND ITS APPROAC HES AND NEAR THIS PLACE SEVERAL Bl'ILDINGS WERE BURNED MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE. EAST LEXINGTON. Earl Percy's Headquarters and Hospital APRIL 19 1775 THE MUNROE TAVERN BUILT 1695 HOME OF Jonathan Harrington THE LAST Survivor of the Baitle of Lexington BORN JULY 8 1758 died march 27 1854 40 STONE TABLI'/r, KAST LEXINGTON (corner of pleasant street) Near tliis spot at early dawn on tlie 19th of April, 1775, Benjamin Wellin>)ton, a minute man, was suriJrised by British scouts and disarmed. With undaunted courage he borrowed another- gun and hastened to join his comrades on Lexington Green. He also served his c-ountry at White Plains and Saratoga, The first armed man taken in the Revolution. 41 TABLET ON THE ROAD TO CONCORD (in the town of Lincoln) AT THIS POINT on the i>ld Concord road, as it then was, ended tlie midnioht ride of Paul Revere. He had at about two o'clock of the evenino- of April 19, 1775, the nioht beino; clear and the moon in its third quarter, t>ot thus far on his way from Lexiny,- ton to Concord, alarmin<>' the in- habitants as he went, when lie and his companions, William Dawes of Boston and Dr. Samuel Prescott of Concord, were suddenly lialted by a British patrol, who had stationed themselves at this bend of the road. Dawes, turn- in<>' back, made his escape. Pres- cott, clearing the stone wall and following a path known to him through the low ground, regained the liigliway at a i)oint further on and gave the alarm at Concord. Revere tried to reach the neigh- boring wood, but was intercepted by a i^arty of officers accompany- ing the patrol, detained and kei)t in arrest. Presently he was car- ried by the patrol back to Lex- ington and there released. He next morning joined Hancock and Ad- ams. Tliree men of Lexington Sanderson, Brown and Loriug, stop|)ed at an earlier liour of the night by the same |)atr(»l, were also taken back witli Revere. A-2 TONGUE OF THE OLD CHURCH BELL WWich, on the morning jf April igrh, .775. sounded tWe Alar summoning the Citizens of Lei'ogtnn to rally and resist the appfoach of the S'ltuh. JUL p 11 1& a r. ^^0^ i^' o V V "^