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To Prepare for Revolution: Essex County Enters a Wartime Phase
In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress ordered the towns across the colony to prepare for revolution against England. In response, Essex County entered a wartime phase. It included creating minute-man companies and stockpiling arms, ammunition and equipment. The county also established a defense network ready to mobilize if the redcoats marched from Boston into the countryside.
To Prepare for Revolution
Join Alexander Cain as he discusses the county’s response to the British threat of war on the eve of Lexington and Concord.
After the lecture, attendees can stay to witness live demonstrations of the types of drills used by local militias in 1775. Reenactors from the Danvers Alarm List Company will demonstrate the Pickering Manual of Arms. The Lexington Minutemen will demonstrate the 1764 Crown Manual. These demonstrations will offer a hands-on look at how militias trained and prepared for battle in the years leading up to the Revolution.
Essex County landscape
Guests are welcome to arrive at 9:00 a.m. for some coffee and light refreshment. The lecture will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the drilling demonstrations to follow right after.
The lecture portion will be limited to 75 participants, but all are welcome to attend the drill demonstrations. Please be aware that the reenactors will be firing muskets during these demonstrations, which will result in loud booms and smoke.
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Learn more Revolutionary history in this complete guide to Revolutionary War sites in New England. Brought to you by the New England Historical Society. Click here to order your copy in paperback, here to order an ebook.
Images: Essex County landscape By John Phelan – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11189622.
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