BillericaTownNews: True Meaning of Patriots Day
Billerica Townie News - Joan Parcewski• Tue, Apr 19, 2011
Many of us here in Billerica and throughout Massachusetts associate Patriots Day with the annual Boston Marathon. But what is Patriots Day all about and how is it celebrated in the neighborhood towns of Concord and Lexington?
In reality Patriot's Day is a special Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolution - April 19, 1775. For the neighboring towns of Concord and Lexington, it is a weekend celebration. There are also several events prior to the weekend and after the weekend held in Lexington, Concord, Bedford and Lincoln which commemorate and also help to explain the life and the dangers that our forefathers faced from the British.
This year's events actually began on Saturday, April 9th, with the Bedford Pole Capping ceremony in Wilson Park in Bedford . The event featured an all Minuteman parade and the capping of a liberty pole, followed by a visit by the British. .
History has it that before the firing began in Lexington, Bedford's Minutemen were warned
that the British were on the march from Boston. The Bedford Minutemen gathered at Fitch Tavern in the center of Bedford. It was here that they were served up cold cornmeal mush and hot buttered rum and Captain Jonathan Wilson spoke the famous words - "It is a cold breakfast, boys, but we'll give the British a hot dinner. We'll have every dog of them before night."
From there the Minutemen marched to Concord, joining the fifty Bedford militia en route. They carried the Bedford flag, the first flag taken into an American battle. It was in Concord that they were met by the British who mortally wounded several of their members, including Captain Jonathan Wilson who died at Merriam's Corner.
The annual Pole Capping ceremony itself began in 1765 with a tree (aka the Liberty Tree), not a pole, by a group of American Colonials in Boston. The ground below the tree was called "Liberty Hall". The intentions were to carry the voice of the Sons of Liberty to rise and fight against the country's oppressors. Bedford continues this tradition to this day.
While unfortunately the 2011 Merriam's Corner Exercise was canceled due to Washington DC's near closing down of the Federal Government, the event is generally held each year by the Town of Concord, joined by area Minutemen companies, fife and drum units, and the Concord Independent Battery to commemorate the fight at Merriam's Corner, marking the beginning of the 6 hour running battle back to Boston.
Events on the 9th were capped by the Paul Revere Capture Ceremony in Lincoln at 3pm. This event is repeated on Friday, April 15th at 7:30pm. The Lincoln Minutemen and the Town of Lincoln were joined by other re-enactors and fife and drum units to observe the historic capture of Paul Revere.
History reads that Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Dr Samuel Prescott helped spread the alarm that "the Regulars were out." They ran into a patrol of 10 mounted British officers meant to prevent the spreading of the word. Revere was captured. Dawes escaped back towards Lexington. Prescott was able to elude the British and carried the alarm to Concord and beyond.
Revere was questioned and finally released. The British confiscated his horse, forcing him to walk back to Lexington.
On Thursday, April 14th, a Naturalization Ceremony was held at North Bridge in Concord. Here is where citizens stood together and risked their lives to defend their rights. How more fitting a place than this to hold such a ceremony?
On Saturday, April 16th, the main events begin. The opening battle of the American Revolution is celebrated in Minute Man National Historic Park with a day full of living history activities with hundreds of Colonial and British re-enactors from many towns and states.
At Hartwell Tavern and the Captain William Smith House in Lincoln, re-enactors and park rangers were available to help the public explore these historic homes as well as watch a variety of 18th century activities including drill and musket demonstrations, 18th century artillery demonstrations, crafts, domestic activities, games..
At Tower Park in Lexington, British and Colonial Re-enactors bring back the Revolutionary War battle using period appropriate weapons and tactics.
In Concord British and Colonial Re-enactors, park rangers and volunteers brought the fateful morning of Apri 19, 1775 to life by reenacting "the shot heard round the world."
On Sunday, April 17th, costumed Re-enactors present a retelling of the first day of the American Revolution from eyewitness accounts performed by members of the Lexington Historical Society, the Lexington Militia and His Majesty's 11t Regiment of Foot at 8pm the Pilgrim Congregational Church . There is a small admission fee. Information may be obtained by calling 781-862-1703
At 11:30pm from the Hancock-Clarke House the Lexington Historical Society, the Lexington Minutemen, and the National Lancers recreate Paul Revere's arrival at midnight with the drama of the reactions of the occupants of the house.
On Monday April 18th, the Town of Lexington celebrates the start of the American Revolution by reenacting the Minutemen arriving at the Green to defend Lexington from the advancing British Redcoats at 5:30am. This is followed by the Lexington Minutemen Company presenting the story of the Battle of Lexington on the Battle Green. Shortly thereafter the Lexington Minutemen, and His Majesty's 10th Regiment of Foot commemorate the 235th anniversary of the first day of the Revolutionary War by reenacting the skirmish that took place on the Lexington Green, early on the morning of April 19, 1775.
Several pancake breakfasts follow at a variety of locations - St Brigid's Church, First Baptist Church of Lexington and the Church of Our Redeemer - to feed the hungry on looks to all these early morning events.
At 9am, 10am. and 11am an orientation film, "The Day The Revolution Began", is shown, followed by questions and answers with the Re-enactors.
On the Battle Green the Lexington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution join members of the Lexington Minutemen in memorial services and to place a wreath at the obelisk across the Green honoring the 8 patriots who fell in the battle.
The National Heritage Museum will hold arts and crafts from 10:30am to 1:30pm depicting life back in 1775.
There will be a concert of patriotic music at the Hancock Church, a Patriot's Day lunch at the First Parish Church, float judging before the 2pm annual parade, and the arrival of Paul Revere who will be greeted by the Board of Selectmen and the Lexington Minutemen Company.
Later in the day at approximately 2pm Lexington holds its annual parade starting at Mass Ave and Maple Street in East Lexington.
In Concord at 6:30am the Concord Minutemen and the Concord Independent Bettery observe the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War with a 21 gun musket and cannon salute. This is followed at 10:30am with the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minutemen arriving at the North Bridge as an end to their annual march from Sudbury. A musket salute is then held at the Bridge.
On Saturday, April 23rd, the Battle Road Heroes will be at the Hartwell Tavern from 7pm to 8:30pm. The public is invited to walk down a candle lit path to the past, listening to the personal accounts of people who lived along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775 (Captain William Smith, the Lincoln Minutemen, the Hartwells). All proceeds benefit the Friends of Minute Man National Park.
