description- – The Lancaster Militia departing while the women console themselves during Episode IV, The Minutemen, in the Lancaster, Massachusetts 1912 Fourth of July Pageant. On the morning of April 19, 1775, the news that the British troops under General Thomas Gage had left Boston for Lexington and Concord, and that the first shots had been fired there in the American Revolutionary War reached Lancaster. The calls went out across the region, and men swarmed to the town common to join the American forces and come to the aid of Boston. In the end two hundred and fifty men set out from Lancaster. Most remained in Cambridge for only two weeks, but a third remained in service for the remaining months of 1775. The photograph is mounted on heavy cardboard and has text describing the activity and history depicted in the photograph. The text for this image has been transcribed.
- – Pageant at Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 4, 1912. DEPARTURE OF THE MINUTE-MEN, 1775
subjectcollectiondatecreatorpublishercontributor- – Thayer Memorial Library
relation- – From the archives at the Thayer Memorial Library, Lancaster, Massachusetts. http://thayermemoriallibrary.org
formatsource- – Image is the twentieth photograph in the Lancaster Massachusetts 1912 Fourth of July Pageant Exhibition created by the Thayer Memorial Library.
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description- – The arrival of the news that the first shots of the American Revolutionary War reached farmers in Lancaster during Episode IV, The Minutemen, in the Lancaster, Massachusetts 1912 Fourth of July Pageant. The photograph shows a group of farmers talking to a minister and his daughter, who sit in a cart behind them, just before the messenger arrives. On the morning of April 19, 1775, the news that the British troops under General Thomas Gage had left Boston for Lexington and Concord, and that the first shots had been fired there in the American Revolutionary War reached Lancaster. The calls went out across the region, and men swarmed to the town common to join the American forces and come to the aid of Boston. In the end two hundred and fifty men set out from Lancaster. Most remained in Cambridge for only two weeks, but a third remained in service for the remaining months of 1775.The photograph is mounted on heavy cardboard and has text describing the activity and history depicted in the photograph. The text for this image has been transcribed.
- – Pageant at Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 4, 1912. EPISODE IVMINUTE-MEN A group of farmers enters the peaceful scene, on their way to work in some distant fields, discussing local affairs. Their argument halts them for a time in the middle of the green, where they are presently joined by the minister and his daughter.The farmers ask him what news there may be from Boston, but he can give only vague and ominous rumors. He admits the situation is bad, and that he is greatly troubled. At this moment the postman on his horse arrives, and, seeing the minister, holds up a letter for him, - a letter from Boston, - and this brings the latest news to Lancaster. The minister reads the letter out loud to the keenly interested townsmen, who begin to talk over the situation with eagerness.The coming storm seems to be in the air, and it bursts when a breathless rider tears madly through the common, has heard news, and realizes his position amongst his fellow-townspeople. he goes to prepare for departure."Abijah Willard had just passed his fiftieth year. He had won a captaincy before Louisburg when but twenty-one, and was promoted to colonelcy in active service against the French; was a thorough soldier, a gentleman of stately presence and dignified manners, and a skilful manager of affairs. He was the wealthiest citizen of Lancaster, kept six horses in his stables, and dispensed liberal hospitality. He was offered a colonel's commission in the British army; but refused to serve against his countrymen. He afterwards settled in New Brunswick, near St. John, where he died in 1789."Nours's Military Annals of Lancaster.
subjectcollectiondatecreatorpublishercontributor- – Thayer Memorial Library
relation- – From the archives at the Thayer Memorial Library, Lancaster, Massachusetts. http://thayermemoriallibrary.org
formatsource- – Image is the seventeenth photograph in the Lancaster Massachusetts 1912 Fourth of July Pageant Exhibition created by the Thayer Memorial Library.
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description- – The gathering of the Minutemen in Lancaster during Episode IV, The Minutemen, in the Lancaster, Massachusetts 1912 Fourth of July Pageant. The photograph shows the men of the Lancaster Militia with their rifles gathering in the town common after the call was raised to defend Boston against the British. The woman and children rush off to say their farewells. On the morning of April 19, 1775, the news that the British troops under General Thomas Gage had left Boston for Lexington and Concord, and that the first shots had been fired there in the American Revolutionary War reached Lancaster. The calls went out across the region, and men swarmed to the town common to join the American forces and come to the aid of Boston. In the end two hundred and fifty men set out from Lancaster. Most remained in Cambridge for only two weeks, but a third remained in service for the remaining months of 1775. The photograph is mounted on heavy cardboard and has text describing the activity and history depicted in the photograph. The text for this image has been transcribed.
- – Pageant at Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 4, 1912. MINUTE-MENThe group of farmers disperse, and run to their various homes to spread the news to get their arms and ammunition, and then from all directions the inhabitants come rushing in, and report themselves to the captain of the troops. Affecting farewells take place between the men and the women and girls who have followed them. To the drum and fife the men march off.
subjectcollectiondatecreatorpublishercontributor- – Thayer Memorial Library
relation- – From the archives at the Thayer Memorial Library, Lancaster, Massachusetts. http://thayermemoriallibrary.org
formatsource- – Image is the eighteenth photograph in the Lancaster Massachusetts 1912 Fourth of July Pageant Exhibition created by the Thayer Memorial Library.
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description- – The Lancaster Militia all lined up during Episode IV, The Minutemen, in the Lancaster, Massachusetts 1912 Fourth of July Pageant. The photograph shows the Lancaster Militia in a line, while a man reads out a prayer to the men. Women bow their heads and weep. On the morning of April 19, 1775, the news that the British troops under General Thomas Gage had left Boston for Lexington and Concord, and that the first shots had been fired there in the American Revolutionary War reached Lancaster. The calls went out across the region, and men swarmed to the town common to join the American forces and come to the aid of Boston. In the end two hundred and fifty men set out from Lancaster. Most remained in Cambridge for only two weeks, but a third remained in service for the remaining months of 1775. The photograph is mounted on heavy cardboard and has text describing the activity and history depicted in the photograph. The text for this image has been transcribed.
- – Pageant at Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 4, 1912. MINUTE-MEN"When on the morning of April 19, 1775, the hurrying horseman sped through the town, shouting news of the sudden irruption from Boston of Gage's hated red-coats, almost before the clatter of galloping hoofs had faded away as a fresh horse bore the alarm courier westward, the roar of the town's four pounder field-pieces signaled the not unespected tidings, and speedily there swarmed from farm and shop down the Bay Road, under six company leaders, two hundred and fifty resolute men, eager to meet and drive the invaders back. it is possible that a part arrived in season to take active part in the fray, although no casualties were reported. The companies remained at Cambridge about two weeks, but many of the men were allowed to return to their homes some days sooner. About one in three enlisted for the remaining months of 1775 in the provincial service."Abridged from"Military Annals of Lancaster,"by Henry S. Nourse. On the same morning Colonel Abijah Willard, the richest and one of the most prominent citizens of Lancaster, who as a Loyalist, and especially as one of the hated Mandamus Councillors, had become very unpopular among his fellow-townsmen, fled to the British lines in Boston, never to return.
subjectcollectiondatecreatorpublishercontributor- – Thayer Memorial Library
relation- – From the archives at the Thayer Memorial Library, Lancaster, Massachusetts. http://thayermemoriallibrary.org
formatsource- – Image is the nineteenth photograph in the Lancaster Massachusetts 1912 Fourth of July Pageant Exhibition created by the Thayer Memorial Library.
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