Recollections of April 19th

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#006633" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="175d6c00ddvuru.jpg"> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="7db7b6c0.jpg" border=0 width="123" height="364" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#0066FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Colonial Acton</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT> |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Colonial Acton"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Acton Genealogies"><U>Acton Genealogies</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Town of Acton"><U>Town of Acton</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Landmarks"><U>Landmarks</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id141.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1774 Prelude to War"><U>1774 Prelude to War</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Acton Minutemen and Militia Companies "><U>Acton Minutemen and Militia Companies </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="April 19, 1775"><U>April 19, 1775</U></A>   |   <B>Recollections of April 19th</B>   |   <A HREF="id140.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Isaac Davis Trail"><U>Isaac Davis Trail</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id170.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Davis Monument"><U>Davis Monument</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id135.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U>History of Patriot's Day</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id176.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Acton Cemeteries"><U>Acton Cemeteries</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id177.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Town Clerks Report"><U>Town Clerk's Report</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id173.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Poems and Songs"><U>Stories, Poems and Songs</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id175.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Footprints of Acton Patriots"><U>Footprints of Acton Patriots</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id197.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links"><U>Related Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id174.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Me"><U>Contact Me</U></A></div> <div> Recollections of April 19th</div> <div> <B> <A NAME="depositions"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Depositions of the events of April 19th 1775<IMG SRC="7ca67ed0.jpg" border=0 width="359" height="237" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <A HREF="#first_deposition_of_solomon_smith" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">First Deposition of Solomon Smith</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#second_deposition_of_solomon_smith" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Second Deposition of Solomon Smith</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#first_deposition_of_thomas_thorp" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">First Deposition of Thomas Thorp</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#second_deposition_of_thomas_thorp" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Second Deposition of Thomas Thorp</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#deposition_of_charles_handley" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Deposition of Charles Handley</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#deposition_of_seth_brooks" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Deposition of Seth Brooks</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#__deposition_of_the_wife_of_capt__davis" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Deposition of the wife of Capt. Davis</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#hannah__brown__davis_jones_leighton_1" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hannah (Brown) Davis Jones Leighton</B></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </B><A HREF="#letter_requesting_a_federal_pension" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B>Letter Requesting a Federal Pension</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="reflections"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><A HREF="id170_remembering_the_events_of_april_19_1775.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Davis Monument"><U><B>Remembering the events of April 19 1775</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id170_mrs__joseph_harris_aged_eighty_one_at.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Davis Monument"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Mrs. Joseph Harris</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id170_dr__charles_tuttle_aged_nine_at_the.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Davis Monument"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Dr. Charles Tuttle </B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="recollections"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><A HREF="#recollections_of_april_19_1775" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B>Recollections of April 19 1775</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#mrs__mehitable_piper_" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Mrs. Mehitable Piper</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#mary_ann__hosmer__hapgood" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Mary Ann (Hosmer) Hapgood</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#sarah_hosmer" TITLE="Recollections of April 19th"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Sarah Hosmer</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="first_deposition_of_solomon_smith"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" >First Deposition of Solomon Smith</FONT></div> <div> History of the Town of Acton</div> <div> By Harold R. Phalen - copyright 1954</div> <div> Middlesex Printing, Inc. Cambridge, Mass. </div> <div> Pages 400-403</div> <bR> <div>      I Solomon Smith of Acton testify that I am now in my eighty-second year. I have lived in Acton from about 1760 to the present time. I was a member of Captain Isaac Davis Company of minutemen and was in the fight at Concord in 1775. We turned out to drill and exercise twice a week from November preceding. I think the company consisted of about forty. The company was raised by voluntary enlistment. The town paid us eight pence for every half day. John Hayward was lieutenant and John Heald the ensign. They were both good officers and had the confidence of their men. I was alarmed on the 19<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> about daybreak. I gave notice to several of the company went to Capt. Davis's house and found several of the company there. His family were sick. He had four children some of whom had the canker rash and the others were unwell. Capt. Davis appeared to be heavy hearted. One of the men used some light language and was reproved by Capt. Davis.</div> <bR> <div>      We set out for Concord when the sun was something more than an hour high. Other members of the company joined us on the road and the remainder in the course pf the forenoon most of them before the fight. We made some delay near Col. Barrett's and then proceeded to the high ground of the bridge. There were a considerable number of men from Concord and other towns assembled there are others were fast joining them. Immediately after our arrival the officers of the companies including ours went by themselves a few rods and held a consultation for a few minutes. Capt. Davis the came to the head of his company, and drew his sword and said “I haven't a man that is afraid to go” and gave the word “march”. We proceeded towards the bridge in double file. Major Buttrick and Col. Robinson marched with Capt. Davis. I do not know the order the other companies fell in. When we came on the ground Capt. Davis took the left of the Concord minute men as he had done weeks before at a muster and he went from this position when he took the front as above stated.</div> <bR> <div>      After we began to move the British were beginning to take up the bridge. Someone. I believe it was Major Buttrick, remonstrated in a loud voice and about the same time they desisted and formed for action. I next saw a ball from the enemy strike in the river and heard the report of two others directly after which were thought not to be aimed us. A volley immediately followed by which Luther Blanchard our fifer was slightly wounded and hearing him cry out Major Buttrick exclaimed “Fire, for God's sake fire”. The order was obeyed and the British returned the fire and killed Capt. Davis and Abner Hosmer a private of his company and wounded Ezekiel Davis, a brother of the Captain, on the head. They then retreated towards the village. Two of the British were killed there. One was left on the ground and in that situation was killed by an American with a hatchet. This act met with universal disapprobation and was excused only by the excitement and inexperience of the perpetrator. The enemy retreated until they met reinforcement near the village. I do not know what proportion of the Americans followed over the bridge but our company and the Concord minute company very many others proceeded to an eminence on the east side of the road back of Elisha Jones' house behind a wall. It was perhaps forty rods from where the enemy had halted. After a short time we dispersed and without any regularity went back over the bridge. While we were there the detachment which had been to destroy stores at Col. Barrett's returned and passed without molestation. It was owing to our want of order and our confused state that they were not taken prisoners.</div> <bR> <div>      They passed the two of their number who had been killed and saw that the head of one had been split open. It was said that this circumstance gave them the impression that the Americans would give no quarter. It was soon after ascertained that the British were leaving the village and we followed after them without any order firing when we could see the last of them for that day on Bunker Hill. Capt. Davis was a man of great firmness and energy of character, an excellent officer and had the respect and esteem of who knew him. Lieutenant Hayward did all that could be done but it was felt at the time that the loss of our captain was the cause of the confusion that followed.</div> <bR> <div>           Signed           SOLOMON SMITH</div> <bR> <div> Middlesex Co. July 10, 1835. The Solomon Smith who is well known to me as a man of veracity subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made that the same is true according to the best knowledge and belief.</div> <bR> <div>      Before me Francis Tuttle, Justice of the Peace</div> <div>           Copy Attested Joseph W. Tuttle, Town Clerk</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="second_deposition_of_solomon_smith"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" >Second Deposition of Solomon Smith</FONT></div> <bR> <div>      I Solomon Smith testify that according to the best of my recollection and judgment the number of the enemy at the bridge at the time of the fight at Concord was only one company, perhaps about eighty. The detachment, which went to Col. Barrett's, was about the same number. They passed near me as they returned. The reinforcement from the village appeared to me consisted of about the same number. I saw them from the hill of Elisha Jones' house. I did not notice that there were troops on Lee's Hill but heard of it soon after. </div> <bR> <div>      There were no guns fired on either side after the British returned our fire till the troops left the village.</div> <bR> <div>      I have no remembrance of seeing or hearing from Col. Barrett or Major Buttrick after the fight. The enemy left the village about noon. </div> <bR> <div>      I was in the Revolutionary Army thirteen months and am now a pensioner.</div> <div>      </div> <div>      Our company marched to Concord by the Strawberry hill road; when we arrived near Col Barrett's we left that road and went partly in a crossroad and partly across the field in nearly a straight-line course to the widow Brown's tavern. We took the back or east road to the high ground.</div> <bR> <div>      The bodies of Davis and Hosmer were carried as I was told to the house a Major Buttrick very soon after they were killed and before the detachment returned from Col. Barrett's.</div> <bR> <div>      I did not see any Americans leap over the wall on the north side of the road to fire at the bridge nor did I ever hear so till of late. There was no time nor occasion to do so as the enemy retreated with a quickstep immediately on returning our fire. </div> <bR> <div>      I may have been mistaken in saying in my former deposition that Davis and Hosmer were killed by return fire and not by the volley, there was but very little time intervened between them.</div> <bR> <div>                     SOLOMON SMITH</div> <bR> <div> Middlesex Co., Dec. 2, 1835. Then Solomon Smith who is known to me as a man of truth made oath that the above affidavit is true according to his best knowledge and belief.</div> <bR> <div>           Before me Simon Hosmer, Justice of the Peace</div> <div>                Copy Attested Joseph W. Tuttle, Town Clerk</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="first_deposition_of_thomas_thorp"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" >First Deposition of Thomas Thorp</FONT></div> <div> History of the Town of Acton</div> <div> By Harold R. Phalen - copyright 1954</div> <div> Middlesex Printing, Inc. Cambridge, Mass. </div> <div> Pages 398-400</div> <bR> <div> I, Thomas Thorp of Acton testify that I am in my eightieth year and have lived here ever since I was fifteen years old. I was a member of Capt. Isaac Davis's Company, which was formed in November 1774. We met twice a week for drill. Capt. Davis was a gunsmith. He was esteemed a man of courage and prudence and had the love and veneration of all his company. On the morning of the 19<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> of April, 1775 I had noticed that the regulars were coming to Concord. I took my equipment and proceeded to Capt. Davis's house. I passed the house of the rev. Mr. Swift. His son, Doctor Swift, made me a present of a cartridge box as saw I had none. I well remember that there was on the outside a piece of red clothe in the shape of a heart. Several of the company before me and some of then were putting powder flour on their hair. About half the company formed there and the remainder, as many as forty in the whole, joined us early in the day and most of them before the fight. We made a short stay near Col Barrett's and proceeded to the North Bridge where we formed a great collection of armed men from Concord and other towns - there were several hundreds - cannot say how many. The officer seemed to be talking by himself or herself and the British were at the Bridge. Our officers joined the others; and in a few minutes, not exceeding five, Capt. Davis returned to his company and said something, which I do not recollect and gave the word “march”. It seemed to have been agreed that Capt. Davis should go in front. He has not taken the right of the other companies as has been stated. The Concord minute company was the oldest and as such had taken its place at muster a short time before. Our Company, however, marched in front and Major Buttrick and Col. Robinson were with Capt. Davis.</div> <bR> <div>      As we were advancing the British began to take up the bridge; on which we quickened our pace and ran towards them. The desisted and joined their ranks.</div> <bR> <div>      I saw a ball strike the water on my right and some guns were fired over our heads. A volley was the discharged at us and Luther Blanchard, our fifer was wounded. We were then ordered to fire and did so. The fire was returned and Capt. Davis and Abner Hosmer, one of his men, were killed and Ezekiel Davis, a brother of the captain, has a ball pass through his hat. I did not understand that he was injured but have since understood that his head was slightly touched by the ball.</div> <bR> <div>      Two of the enemy were killed - one with a hatchet after being wounded and helpless. This act was a matter of horror to us all. I saw him sitting up and wounded as we had passed the bridge. Our company and most of the others perused but in great disorder went to an eminence back of Elisha Jones' and stood behind a wall forty rods or more from where the British had joined a reinforcement. In a short time we returned over the bridge but did not form in any order. As we stood there detachment from Col. Barrett's returned and passed us and might easily have been taken prisoners if we had not been in such confusion. I do not remember that anyone there assumed command.</div> <bR> <div> About this time the troops left the village and after some delay to take refreshments the Americans pursued and various skirmishes took place till the British encamped on Bunker Hill a little before sunset. It was impossible for me to know that all our company pursued; but I did not know at the time nor since that any one deserted.</div> <bR> <div>      I cannot say how many were at the bridge in the morning but I should say not more than forty or fifty at most. I could see a great number on Lee's Hill about a mile distant. I should judge there were three or for hundred. I saw them in the morning at the time of the fight.</div> <bR> <div>           Signed               THOMAS THORP</div> <bR> <div>      Middlesex Co. July 10, 1835. Then Thomas Thorp who is and long has been personally known to me as a man of truth subscribed the forgoing affidavit and made oath that the same is true according to his best knowledge and belief.</div> <bR> <div>           Before me Francis Tuttle, Justice of the Peace</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="second_deposition_of_thomas_thorp"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" >Second Deposition of Thomas Thorp</FONT></div> <bR> <div> I Thomas Thorp testify that according to the lest of my recollections and judgments the number of the British at and near the north bridge before the fight was about eighty but they were scattered about so that I cannot be certain; there might be more. It was supposed to be one company. I saw the detachment returns from Col. Barrett's. It consisted of one company as I judged by appearance.</div> <bR> <div>      I should think the reinforcements that came out from the village consisted of about the same number but of this I am not certain. The British retreated from the bridge immediately after returning our fire and there were no guns fired afterwards till they had left the village. I have no remembrance of seeing or hearing Col, Barrett or major Buttrick after the enemy retreated from the Bridge. The British left the village about noon without any interruption from the Americans.</div> <bR> <div>      I remained in the army during the whole war and am now a pensioner. I never knew or heard till lately that any of our men leaped over the wall on the north side of the causeway to fire at the British at the bridge. We had no time to fire but once as the British retreated in great haste.</div> <bR> <div>      I may have been mistaken in stating in my first deposition that Davis and Hosmer were killed by the return volley; it might have been otherwise as there was very little time between volley and the return fire.</div> <bR> <div>                                         THOMAS THORP</div> <bR> <div> Middlesex Co. Dec. 2, 1835. The Thomas Thorp who is known to me as a man of truth made oath that the above affidavit is true according to his best knowledge and belief.</div> <div>           Before me Simon Hosmer, Justice of the Peace</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="deposition_of_seth_brooks"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" >Deposition of Seth Brooks</FONT></div> <bR> <div> I, Seth Brooks of Acton in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts testify and say that I was a non-commissioned officer in the company by commanded by Isaac Davis of said Acton in the year 1775. That on the ninetieth day of April in said year, said Davis marched his company to meet a party of the British troops just from Boston to Concord. That said Davis with his company met the British troops in Concord, when the British troops fired on said Davis Company, and killed said Davis while he was leading on his company and in the discharge of his duty as captain of the same. I saw when he breathed his last and gave orders to have his body carried to a neighboring house</div> <bR> <div>                               SETH BROOKS</div> <bR> <div> Commonwealth of Massachusetts, </div> <div> Middlesex; Concord March 7, 1818</div> <div> Then the above names Seth Brooks personally appeared and made oaths that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.</div> <bR> <div> Before me, </div> <div> John Vesyn, Justice of the Peace</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="__deposition_of_the_wife_of_capt__davis"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" ><B>Deposition of the wife of Capt. Davis </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>   </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>                 </B></FONT></div> <div>  <A NAME="hannah__brown__davis_jones_leighton_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" ><B>Hannah (Brown) Davis Jones Leighton</B></FONT></div> <div> History of the Town of Acton</div> <div> By Harold R. Phalen - copyright 1954 </div> <div>  Middlesex Printing, Inc. Cambridge, Ma.</div> <div>   Pages 403-404</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> I Hannah Leighton of Acton testify that I am eighty-nine years of age. Isaac Davis who was killed in Concord Fight in 1775 was my husband.</div> <bR> <div>      He was then thirty years of age. We had four children, the youngest about fifteen months old.</div> <bR> <div>      They were all unwell when he left me in the morning some of then with the canker rash.</div> <bR> <div>      The alarm was given early in the morning and my husband lost no time making ready to go to Concord with his company. A considerable number of then came to the house and made their cartridges there. The sun was from one to two hours high when they marched for Concord.</div> <bR> <div>      My husband said little that morning. He seemed serious and thoughtful but never hesitated as to the course of his duty. As he led the company from the house he turned round and seemed to have something to communicate. He only said take good care of the children and was soon out of sight. In the afternoon he was brought home a corpse. He was placed in my bedroom till the funeral. His countenance was pleasant and seemed little altered. The bodies of Abner Hosmer one of the company and of James Hayward one of the militia company who was killed in Lexington in the afternoon were brought by their friends to the house where the funeral of the three were attended together.</div> <bR> <div>                          HANNAH LEIGHTON</div> <bR> <div> Middlesex Co.  August 14, 1835. Then the above named Hannah Leighton who has long been known to me as a respectable and credible woman made oath that the forgoing affidavit by her subscribed is true according to her best knowledge and belief.</div> <bR> <div>           Before me Francis Tuttle, Justice of the Peace</div> <div>           Copy Attest Joseph W. Tuttle, Town Clerk</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Hannah Brown Davis Jones Leighton </div> <div>  <A NAME="letter_requesting_a_federal_pension"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" >Letter Requesting a Federal Pension</FONT></div> <bR> <div>     <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >Hannah Brown Davis Jones Leighton Letter Requesting a Federal Pension based on her marriage to Captain Isaac Davis. (first copy sent to Congress, second copy has minor changes). Taken from pension file located in Washington DC (file contains about 36 pages). </FONT></div> <bR> <div> To the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled. </div> <div> The Petition of Hannah Leighton of Acton in the County of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts widow respectfully represents. </div> <bR> <div>      That on the nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred + seventy five. She was the wife of Isaac Davis, who was the Captain of a company of minute men, raised in that town, and who was killed on that day in advancing at the head of his Company which was in the front of the militia, at the north bridge in Concord. Though the conduct of Capt Davis on that occasion has been honorably mentioned in history, yet she asks leave to state some particulars, which till lately have never been published, + which are substantiated by the Depositions of two of his company. </div> <bR> <div>      As soon as the alarm was given which was about day break. Captain Davis lost no time in preparing for the march, and went directly with his Company, a distance of six miles, to the scene of action. When he arrived within sight of the bridge, about nine o’clock, he found that between four and five hundred of the militia had collected there from Concord and the vicinity, he immediately joined the officers who were consulting whether they should pass the detachment of the enemy, which guarded the bridge, and attempt to save the village from the fires which were seen to be kindling, and the public stores from the ravages of the enemy. As soon as he had to learn the subject of the consultation, Capt Davis returned to his Company; though he received no orders, was the junior of the Captains present, he said to his Company "I haven’t a man that’s afraid to go march." On which he advanced with his company toward the bridge, with Major Buttrick and Colonel Robinson at his si! de and the other companies followed. When Captain Davis arrived within a few rods of the bridge, a single shot followed by a volley from the enemy wounded one of his musicians; on which the Americans fired by order of Major Buttrick, the fire was returned. Two only of the Americans were killed - those two were the husband of your petitioner and Abner Hosmer a member of his Company. The enemy retreated immediately to the village without pursuit. </div> <bR> <div>      There was no further firing on either side, the enemy were no further molested till after they had left the village, two hours afterward. During that time, no one assumed command or gave any orders. The detachment of one hundred men who had been destroying the military stores at Col. Barretts, were permitted to repair the bridge unmolested, and return to the village. </div> <bR> <div>      From these facts, your petitioner affirms that her husband was the principal efficient cause of all that was done at Concord before he fell; that nothing was done afterward, while the British remained at the village. Of the value of such services to the American cause, she does not pretend to judge; nor can any one, but herself children know their loss. </div> <bR> <div>      The circumstance under which Captain Davis left his family in the morning were disturbing. We had four children from one to ten years of age. They were all sick - - some of them with a dangerous disorder. He was strongly attached to them, had a presentiment that he should not return. He well knew his danger; but was a stranger to fear, had determined the enemy. Between him his Company there was strong attachment unlimited confidence. When he ordered the Company to be formed at the door of his house, all things were ready, he turned to his wife as if to take issue. But his heart was too full for words. he could only say; "take good care of the children"; and immediately with firm step and voice, he was on the march for Concord _______ </div> <bR> <div>      Although your petitioner has since twice married, she has been a widow many years has lived a long cherished life. At the age of ninety two she is without the means of comfortable living, has long been indebted to the kindness and charity of friends especially a grand daughter of Captain Davis, who is herself a widow, but poorly able to spare her charities----- </div> <bR> <div>      Your Petitioner cannot expect to continue much longer. She will soon be beyond the need of necessities of life. She has a desire to have means of rewarding liberally the kindness of her friends; to leave something to the descendants of her first husband. Nor will she deny her wishes that such measures may be adopted by Congress, as shall honor the memory do justice to the character of the husband of her youth---She therefore respectfully prays that such some maybe granted to her, as to the justice liberality of Congress shall seem proper. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Signed </div> <div> <I>Hannah Leighton </I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="deposition_of_charles_handley"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" ><B>Deposition of Charles Handley</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> History of the Town of Acton</div> <div> By Harold R. Phalen - copyright 1954</div> <div> Middlesex Printing, Inc. Cambridge, Mass. </div> <div> <B>Page 403</B></div> <bR> <div>      I Charles Handley of Acton testify that I am a native of Concord, at the time of the Concord Fight. I was in my thirteenth year and lived at the tavern kept by Mrs. Brown nearly a mile northwest of the north bridge. At the time of the fight the British consisting of about one hundred had returned from Col. Barrett's as far as the tavern and three or four officers were in the house taking some drink. The soldiers were sitting by the roadside and some drink was carried out to them. The officers offered to pay and Mrs. Brown declined. They told her not to be afraid for they should do her no harm and paid for their drink.</div> <bR> <div>      I heard the guns at the bridge but the British did not appear to hear them. They marched on very soon but did not appear in haste. It was always said that they had no knowledge of the fight till they passed the bridge and saw the man that has been killed. I heard at the time and many times since that one of the two British who were killed at the bridge was killed with a hatchet after he was wounded. The young man who killed him told me in 1807 that it had worried him very much but thought he was doing right at the time.</div> <bR> <div>      I saw Capt. Davis' company as they came from Acton. I first saw them coming through the fields north of Barrett's Mills and they kept the fields till they came to the road at Mrs. Brown's tavern. They took the back road leading to the bridge. </div> <div> They marched quite fast to the musick of a fife and drum. I remember the tune but am not sure of its name; think it was called the White Cockade.</div> <bR> <div>      Middlesex Co. Dec. 1, 1835, Personally appeared Charles Handley who has for many years been known to me as a man of veracity and made the oath the above affidavit is true according to his best knowledge and belief</div> <bR> <div>           CHARLES HANDLEY</div> <bR> <div>           Before me Josiah Adams, Justice of the Peace </div> <div>                Copy Attest Jos. W. Tuttle, Town Clerk</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="bradley_stone_s_deposition"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" ><B>Bradley Stone's Deposition</B></FONT></div> <div> History of the Town of Acton</div> <div> By Harold R. Phalen - copyright 1954</div> <div> Middlesex Printing, Inc. Cambridge, Mass. </div> <div> <B>Pages 404-405</B></div> <bR> <div>      I, Bradley Stone, of Acton, aged forty- two, certify that in the year eighteen hundreds and twenty nine or thirty, while I was a tenant of a part of the house in Concord belonging to William Parkman, Esquire, of that place. I had a conversation with him relative to the Concord Fight of April 19<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT>, 1775. I had read the “History of the Fight, by Ezra Ripley, D. D. and other citizens of Concord” and had a curiosity to know more of the history of that day. I asked him what part he took in the affairs of the day. He replied that he did not bear arms but acted as one of the Committee of Vigilance, and he explained to me the duties of that committee. He said he was present on the hill when the companies were formed, as they arrived in the morning. Capt. Davis of Acton, he said arrived after most or all of the companies had formed, and placed his company on the left. Capt. Davis and his officers then went to the other officers, who were standing in consultation; they were advising with the Committee of Vigilance, ass to what should be done, as to the military stores at Col. Barrett's house. A detachment of the enemy was supposed to be about to make an attack, and major Buttrick ordered the Captain of one of the Concord companies to meet them. The Captain replied that he would rather not. Major Buttrick turned to Capt. Davis and asked him if he was afraid to go. Capt. Davis replied promptly. “No I am not and there isn't a man in my company that is!” Deacon Parkman said he saw Capt. Davis, immediately after, march his company towards the enemy, and soon after heard the firing, as he was going towards Col. Barrett's in the discharge of his duty.</div> <bR> <div>      Deacon Parkman spoke in high terms of approbation of the Acton Company, and particularly of the dignified and solder like appearance of their Commander. He said it was his belief that if Capt. Davis had not been killed, not one of the enemy would have returned to Boston. I asked him how it was that Concord had taken all the praise? He replied with emphasis and feeling. “It is wrong - Acton ought to have the credit of it.”</div> <bR> <div>                BRADLEY STONE</div> <bR> <div> Commonwealth of Massachusetts</div> <bR> <div> Middlesex, as August 16, 1845, then Bradley Stone, who is personally known to me as a man of veracity, Made that the foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed, contains the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, relative to the subject matter thereof. Before me:</div> <bR> <div>                SAMUEL HAYWARD, Justice of the Peace</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="recollections_of_april_19_1775"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000CC" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" >Recollections of April 19, 1775</FONT></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="mrs__mehitable_piper_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Mrs. Mehitable Piper.</FONT></div> <div> From James Fletcher, Acton in History, p. 257</div> <bR> <div> She saw her mother 'weep in her father's embrace when he tore himself from the bosom of his family to take the part of a patriot in the Concord fight. She was living at the time where Moses Taylor, Esq., now lives, and went up to the top of Raspberry Hill, back of Rev. F. P. Wood's present residence, to see or hear something from Concord . . . .Her father stood beside Captain Davis after he fell, and exclaimed to his comrades, "Boys, don't give up!"</div> <bR> <div> Mehitable Barker, daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Fletcher) Barker, born January 24,1771; married Silas Piper, June 7,1791; died March 25,1872, aged 101 years, 2 months, 1 day.</div> <bR> <div> Mrs. Kelsey Reed of Acton, a descendant, has the following tradition of Mehitable Barker Piper.</div> <bR> <div> She was very young in 1775, and in the afternoon of April 19th she was standing near the road; she saw them bring Isaac Davis' body, on a board, back to his house, and she always remembered how his silver shoe buckles sparkled in the sun_</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="mary_ann__hosmer__hapgood"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Mary Ann (Hosmer) Hapgood's recollections, c. 1886.</FONT></div> <div> From James Fletcher, Acton in History, p. 270.</div> <bR> <div> H. A. Gould's Place, now 138 Prospect st.</div> <bR> <div> Deacon Jonathan Hosmer was the first settler on the place . . .he had four sons -- Jonathan, Stephen, Abner and Jonas. Abner was the one that fell, April 19, 1775, at Concord Bridge, with Captain Davis. I remember of hearing my aunt Sarah Hosmer, sister of N. D. Hosmer and wife of Samuel Hosmer; when she was very young, say that her grandfather went out to see if he could hear any news on that day, and when he returned he groaned when he passed their window to go into the front door. What sorrow was then experienced!</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Mrs. Mary Ann (Hosmer) Hapgood's recollections.</div> <bR> <div> Compare with J. T. Woodbury's version, taken directly from  <A NAME="sarah_hosmer"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Sarah (Hosmer) Hosmer. in 1851.</div> <div> From James Fletcher, Acton in History, p. 271</div> <bR> <div> Coffin Place, now 107 Central at, owned by Harold M. Richardson.</div> <bR> <div> Owned and occupied in 1775 by John Hunt, son of Simon Hunt and brother of Deacon Simon Hunt.</div> <bR> <div> The reference is to John Hunt's daughter, Molly Hunt, born Nov. 21,1765 married Ephraim Hapgood, Jan. 23, 1800. Their son John Hapgood married Mary Ann Hosmer.</div> <bR> <div> "Mother Hapgood said (Molly Hunt, daughter of Deacon J. Hunt) when she was very small she remembered the 19th of April, and looked out of the window and saw James Hayward walking along as fast as he could, with gun in his hand. He seemed to be in a great hurry. It was the morning of the day he was killed in Lexington. 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