Newburyport’s Road to Revolution: A Timeline of Key Points
This powder horn, carved with the British symbols of a lion and unicorn, highlights the shifting loyalties of late 18th century colonists. Made on June 29, 1759, the powder horn accompanied Richard Dole when he served on the side of the British during the French and Indian War. Twenty years later, Dole joined the 10th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army, fighting against the British. During his three years at war, Dole (and likely his powder horn) saw action at Valley Forge, Saratoga, Brandywine, and Germantown.
Aaron Williams publishes in Newburyport the landmark music book “The American harmony; or, Royal melody complete.” It was “Printed and sold by Daniel Bailey, at his house next door to St. Paul's church. Sold also by most booksellers in Boston, 1769.” The book would influence young American music composers and singers over the next decade.
The Rev. George Whitfield dies in Newburyport. The previous day Whitfield had given his last sermon in a field “atop a large barrel”.
Newburyport’s Henry Pelham engraves “The Fruits of Arbitrary Power, or The Bloody Massacre”. It is considered the first public image of the Boston Massacre. Paul Revere will later copy the image and sell it as his own.
The Newburyport Marine Society is formed. In 1774, this organization, composed of ship captains, would form an independent military company that ultimately responded to the Lexington alarm. The society also contributed many men, ships and materials to the Newburyport privateer effort.
October 23, 1775 – Eleazar Johnson (1718-1792) was ordered to “Build & Sink a Number of Piers for the further Security of this Harbour”. An adze is a cutting tool used to smooth or carve wood. This one was owned by shipbuilder and patriot Eleazer Johnson. In addition to building piers, Johnson may have used this tool in a protest against British taxes on tea. In 1775, several hundred crates of imported tea were confiscated by Newburyport town officials and stored in the powder house. According to Johnson family history, he and others broke into the powder house, stole the tea, and burned it in Market Square. Although most Newburyport residents were patriots, Johnson’s actions were generally regarded as unnecessary and disorderly, given the official confiscation of the contraband tea.
According to the Essex Packet and Merrimack Journal, notifications were posted up in all parts of Newburyport “detailing a proposal to block the landing of tea in Newburyport with “a united and forceful resistance.” However, no attempt to unload tea in Newburyport was ever made.
An anonymous author publishes an article in the Essex Journal criticizing Newburyport for its inaction on the issue of tea.
The Town of Newburyport resolved “to protect and preserve the rights and privileges granted and guaranteed by the charter of the Province . . . Voted that all the Inhabitants of this Town be desired to furnish themselves with arms and ammunition according to Law, and that they have, also, Bayonets fixed to their Guns as soon as may be.”
Alarm riders arrive near noon in Newburyport to warn that British forces had marched on Concord and fighting had erupted in Lexington. After sending riders to Danvers to confirm that the news was true, Newburyport minute and militia companies, as well as the Independent Marines, mobilized for war.
Militiamen from New Hampshire and the Maine Province clog Newburyport, Salisbury, Amesbury and Haverhill ferries along the Merrimack River as they march to the Siege of Boston.
The “Ipswich Fright,” caused by a rumor of a local British invasion, reaches Newburyport and sends people fleeing.
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Wooden piers near Black Rocks are sunk to obstruct the channel of the “Merrimack river … in order to prevent vessels from passing in or out unless in charge of pilots familiar with the harbor.”
A small manned vessel was to be placed in the Merrimac River near the newly sunken piers, per a vote of the Committee of Safety. The ship and its crew would help to pilot "friends" into the harbor and " prevent Enemies coming upon us unawares."
The citizens of Newburyport have “selected a committee of prominent citizens” to craft the town’s position of support for the growing protests in Boston. According to town records, the committee ultimately pledged “[we] are Determined to give them all the Assistance in our power even at the Risque of our Lives & Fortunes.” The next week, a town meeting was held “to consider the serious condition of public affairs.” After some debate the citizens voted to assist the residents in Boston “with utmost Endeavors.”
June 26, 1777 - Simeon Plumer, born in 1740 in Newbury, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in Captain Jonathan Poor’s (1st) Company. Plumer owned this tri-corner hat, also called a cocked hat or a tricorne. The style was popular across Europe and the American colonies during the 18th century. While worn by many soldiers during the Revolutionary War, it was also a staple of everyday fashion due to its ability to show off the popular powdered wig. When worn by members of the military, the front point would be cocked over the left eyebrow, since the musket would be carried over the right. A colored cockade placed on the hat indicated the wearer’s station before the use of a standardized military uniform.
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"In 1775, despite complex and conflicting loyalties, Newburyport men volunteered for the militia, sailors became privateers, and a local Committee of Correspondence communicated regularly with surrounding communities about their plans and actions. We were on the "Road to Revolution".
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Newburyport’s Road to Revolution explores the events and decisions, from the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and its links to Newburyport’s legendary Wolfe Tavern, to public “tea party” protests, that led inexorably to Newburyport’s early and ardent support of the Revolutionary cause.
