Groton and the Battles of Lexington and Concord

Overview

Groton, Massachusetts, was one of the towns that mobilized its militia forces in response to the Lexington Alarm. The Groton Militia was joined by the Militia from the districts of Pepperell and Shirley, but none of these companies arrived in time to participate in the battles that day. However, many men in those companies served in the New England Army of Observation and the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

The following account of the Groton Militia and its response to the Lexington Alarm is taken from History of the Town of Groton, Including Pepperell and Shirley, written by Caleb Butler and published in 1848. This account includes the town’s response to key events during the American Revolution, including the Stamp Act, Tea Crisis, and Intolerable Acts.

This entry only includes Butler’s information about Groton during the American Revolutionary War and the town’s response to the Lexington Alarm. At the time, Pepperell and Shirley were smaller districts associated with Groton.

Please note that we have made minor text corrections and edits but have not changed the author’s meaning or intent. These changes have been made to help readers, particularly younger ones, understand the text. We have also added spacing and section headings to help readers scan the text and added notes for context.

Essential Facts

• Location: Groton is about 20 miles northwest of Lexington, Massachusetts.
• Commanding Officers: Captain Henry Farwell and Captain Asa Lawrence.
• Entered the Battle: Groton responded to the Lexington Alarm but did not engage the British.
• Lexington Alarm: The Alarm “was given at Groton at an early hour…”Although the exact time is unknown, it was before 9:00 a.m. This is certain because Pepperell is north of Groton, and the Alarm reached there between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.

Key Details

• The residents of Groton opposed Taxation Without Representation, including the Stamp Act (1765), Townshend Acts (1767–1768), and Tea Act (1773).
• Groton supported the Boston Non-Importation Agreement (1768).
• In January 1773, Groton passed resolutions declaring their rights and outlining their grievances against Great Britain.
• Groton formed a Committee of Correspondence to communicate with the Committee in Boston.
• In December 1773, the residents of Groton voted to abstain from tea consumption while tea was subject to taxes.
• Two companies of Minutemen, numbering 101 men, mustered and marched toward Concord on April 19, 1775, but were too late to engage the British.

History

The sentiments and opinions of the people, in relation to the measures pursued by the government of Great Britain towards their provinces in America, which were the incipient causes of the Revolutionary War, and the separation of the provinces from their parent country, and becoming an independent nation, the part taken by them in resisting those measures, and uniting their energies to gain their independence, are prominent topics in the history of every village in our country. 

Individuals uniting in small circles of neighbors and districts, these circles combining in larger associations of towns, and these again into conventions of counties and provinces, and the union and combined action of the whole produce those revolutions in governments and nations, which constitute a great portion of general history. 

The smallest matters, then, which took place at the commencement of, and even during, that struggle, which has had consequences of the greatest moment, not only to the United States but throughout Christendom and the whole world, are interesting to us, the descendants of the actors therein, and must not be omitted in the present volume.

The Stamp Act

At a town meeting held in Groton on October 14, 1766, almost ten years before hostilities commenced, the inhabitants voted to instruct their representative in the General Court and chose a committee to frame proper instructions, who soon after reported the following, which, says the record, “being read, paragraph by paragraph, was unanimously accepted and ordered to be recorded.”

“To Abel Lawrence, Esq., Representative for the town of Groton, and districts of Shirley and Pepperell.

Sir — We, the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Groton, being legally assembled and met at the public meeting-house in said town, to consider what measures are needful to be taken at this alarming crisis, when the American subjects of Great Britain are universally complaining of unconstitutional innovations, think proper to communicate our united sentiments and instructions to you thereupon.

We are greatly alarmed, and filled with the utmost concern to find, that such measures have been taken by the British ministry, and acts of Parliament made, which press hard upon the invaluable rights and liberties of the British American subjects, and more especially at the act called the ‘Stamp Act’ by which we apprehend a very unconstitutional, unequal and insupportable tax is to be laid on the Colonies. 

And, if this should be carried into execution, we expect it will become a further grievance to us, as it will afford a precedent for the Parliament, in future time, to tax us without our consent, in all such ways and measures as they shall judge meet. 

We think it, therefore, our indispensable duty and undoubted privilege, in the most open in the General Assembly, to have the just and unalienable rights of this province asserted, vindicated and left upon the public records; and by no means to join in any public measures for countenancing and assisting in the execution of the aforesaid law; so that posterity may never have reason to charge the present time with the guilt of tamely giving away the unalienable rights and privileges of the people of this province but respectful terms, to declare our greatest dissatisfaction with this law. 

And we think it is incumbent on you, Sir, to use your best endeavors in the General Assembly, to have the just and unalienable rights of this province asserted, vindicated and left upon the public records; and by no means to join in any public measures for countenancing and assisting in the execution of the aforesaid law; so that posterity may never have reason to charge the present time with the guilt of tamely giving away the unalienable rights and privileges of the people of this province.

And as at this time almost every avenue of our trade is obstructed, we doubt not but that you will take particular care, that there be no unusual and unnecessary grants made to those, that serve the government, and that the monies drawn from individuals of this province be expended with the best economy, and not upon any pretence whatever be applied for any other purposes, but what are evidently intended in the act for supplying the province treasury.”

Dr. Oliver Prescott, who was chairman of the committee that reported these instructions, undoubtedly penned them.

AHC Notes

• Oliver Prescott (1731-1804) — Prescott was a physician, soldier, and judge from Groton. One of his brothers was William Prescott, who commanded American forces at the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775).
• Stamp Act (1765) — The Stamp Act required documents and other items to be printed on special paper that had a stamp on it. Americans widely resisted the Stamp Act because they believed it violated their rights as Englishmen under the British Constitution by levying taxes on them without their consent.

Townshend Acts

The selectmen, having received from the selectmen of Boston a letter relating to the state of the country, called for a town meeting to be held on December 21, 1767, to devise measures to promote industry, economy, and manufactures, and discouraging the use of foreign superfluities (unnecessary things). Having met and deliberated upon the business of the meeting, the inhabitants unanimously passed the following resolution, viz.

“Whereas, this province labors under a heavy debt, incurred in the late war, and the inhabitants by this means must be for some time subject to very heavy and burdensome taxes; and as idleness and the excessive use of foreign superfluities appear to be the chief cause of the present distressed state of the province — we, therefore, the inhabitants of this town, being sensible, that it is the duty of every well-wisher to his country, at all times, but more especially at this melancholy prospect, to endeavor by some method to extricate the inhabitants out of these embarrassed circumstances; and being of opinion, that industry, economy, and application to our own manufactures, are absolutely necessary for the future well-being of the community, do promise and engage to and with each other, that we will, in our several stations and characters, from this time forward, discountenance and discourage idleness and the unnecessary use of all foreign manufactures and superfluities of what nature or denomination soever. And, whereas wool, flax, and hemp are the natural produce of this province, we will, so far as we can, encourage the raising and manufacturing of those articles, and also all other articles of manufactures which are or may be fabricated in North America, and more especially in this province. We also further agree to strictly adhere to the late regulations respecting funerals.

• Author Note — The regulations respecting funerals were probably the same or similar to the “Association agreed upon by the Grand American Continental Congress” assembled at Philadelphia, in 1774, which were, “On the death of any relation or friend, none of us, or any of our families, will go into any further mourning dress, than a black crape or ribbon on the arm or hat, for gentlemen, and black ribl>on and necklace for ladies, and we will discountenance the giving of gloves and scarfs at funerals.”

Voted, unanimously. That Col. James Prescott, the representative for the town of Groton, be desired to return a copy of these votes and resolutions to the gentlemen, the selectmen of Boston, with the thanks of this town, for the prudential measures they have been pursuing for lessening foreign importations, and encouraging frugality and our own manufactures, and for the laudable example the town of Boston have set the country.”

AHC Notes

• James Prescott (1721–1800) — Prescott was a soldier and public official from Groton who was known to support the Patriot Cause. His brothers were Dr. Oliver Prescott and William Prescott.
• Townshend Acts (1767–1768) — The Townshend Acts were a series of laws that tightened British control of the American Colonies. One of the laws, the Townshend Revenue Act, levied taxes on various goods, which continued the controversy over Taxation Without Representation. It was also controversial because some of the money raised from the taxes was to be used to pay the salaries of Royal officials, including governors and judges.

Non-Importation

In the warrant for the March meeting, 1770, an article was inserted to consider how to prevent the importation of English goods; upon which the town chose a committee, who reported —

“’That we, the inhabitants of the town of Groton, do most heartily approve of the non-importation agreement, of the merchants; and that we will not knowingly, directly or indirectly, purchase any goods of any person, that imports the same, or trades with an importer, contrary to the agreement of the merchants. We also appoint a committee to inspect the buyers and sellers of goods within the said town, and to caution them against counteracting the intent and meaning of the non-importation agreement of this people.”

• AHC Note — The Boston Non-Importation Agreement (1768) was signed by Boston merchants and traders on August 1, 1768. The agreement established a trade boycott against British goods and products in protest of the Townshend Acts.

Committee of Correspondence

In January 1773, the selectmen called a town meeting, by their warrant, “to inquire into and consider the matters of grievance, which the people of North America, and the inhabitants of this province in particular, labor under, relating to the violation and infringement of their rights and liberties; and to agree upon some salutary and constitutional method for redress; and to give their representative such instructions as the town shall think fit.”

The inhabitants met, considered the subject, were read a letter from the committee of correspondence of the town of Boston, and chose a committee of eleven of the principal inhabitants, who, after an adjournment of a fortnight, reported as follows, viz.

“The subscribers, a committee, chosen by the town of Groton to consider what is best for the town to do, and report a draft of votes and resolves, relative to the rights of this province and the violation of the same, beg leave to report the following resolves and votes, viz.

1. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this town, that the people of this province are entitled by the royal charter to all the rights, liberties, and privileges of native Britons.

• AHC Note — The people of Groton believed the rights guaranteed in the British Constitution were legally extended to them through the Massachusetts Charter.

2. Resolved, That the inhabitants of this town, as a part of the province of the Massachusetts Bay, have a right to keep and enjoy their private interest and proper possessions, and that no power on earth can justly take any part of them without the consent of the owners, or their representatives. Therefore, the raising of a revenue, by an act of the British Parliament, from the colonies, without their consent, and applying of it contrary to their approbation — the extension of the jurisdiction of the courts of vice admiralty — the affixing of stipends or salaries to the offices of the judges of our superior court, whereby they are made entirely independent of any grant from our Great and General Court — and the act entitled, an act for the better preserving his majesty’s dock-yards, magazines, ships, ammunition, stores, &c., are, in our opinion, intolerable grievances, and contrary to the essential principles of our constitution, and ought not to be submitted to any longer, than to obtain a redress in a constitutional way.

• AHC Note — The people of Groton protested the use of tax revenue to pay government officials and other laws enacted by Parliament, which were considered Taxation Without Representation.

3. Resolved, That every part of the British dominions have a right to petition, or join in petitioning and remonstrating, to the king of Great Britain, that all acts of Parliament which are unconstitutional and grievous to them, may be repealed, and their grievances redressed, and that we will, in a manly, united manner, use all legal and constitutional methods to recover and preserve all the rights of America, sacred as our lives.

Then the town voted, that the representative be instructed, and he accordingly is instructed, to use his utmost endeavors, in every constitutional way, in the General Court, to obtain a speedy redress of all our grievances, that so Great Britain and the colonies may be restored to their former unanimity; and more particularly, that he make inquiry into the former support of the honorable judges of the superior court, and if it be not adequate to the dignity of their station, and trouble of Iheir office, that he use his influence, that an honorable support be appointed them, upon such a lasting foundation, as the General Court in their great wisdom shall think fit, and that he in no wise consent to give up any of our rights, which we derive from nature or compact.

Voted, That the foregoing resolves, and these votes, be recorded in the town book, and a copy of the same transmitted to the committee of correspondence and communication of the town of Boston, with a letter to express our gratitude to the town for their vigilance and activity for the common safety.

Committee } Oliver Prescott, Josiah Sawtell, Nathaniel Parker, Joseph Sheple, Jonathan Clark Lewis, Isaac Farnsworth, Henry Farwell, Amos Lawrence”

• Author Note — Three of the committee chosen — Jonas Cutler, John Bulkley, and Colonel James Prescott — did not sign the report, but for what reason does not appear. Colonel Prescott was representative, and it seems proper he should not sign it. Cutler was a Tory during the time of the war.

“To the Committee of Correspondence! within the town of Boston.

Gentlemen — I am directed to transmit to you a copy of the proceedings of the town of Groton, being legally warned and assembled January 25, 1773, and observe to you, that we view ourselves, in connection with the other towns of this province, in the common cause of natural and constitutional liberty; and with the utmost gratitude acknowledge the vigilance and activity of the town of Boston for the general safety; and that we are willing to correspond with the committees of other towns, that are and may be chosen within this province, so often as it may be thought requisite.

I am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

Oliver Prescott, Town Clerk”

Tea Crisis

The next subject, which agitated the whole community, was the memorable act laying a duty on tea. The inhabitants of Groton were called together for the special and only purpose of consulting and acting upon that which, most of all others, led to commencing hostilities between the colonies and Great Britain. The following is the record of proceedings.

“At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Groton, assembled at the public meetinghouse, in said town, on Thursday, December 16, 1773, to consider what is proper for this town to do, relative to the large quantities of tea, belonging to the honorable East India Company, arrived and expected to arrive in this province, subject to an American duty.

• AHC Note — While Groton was deciding how to respond to the Tea Act, the Boston Tea Party occurred. A mob organized by the Sons of Liberty raided three ships at Griffin’s Wharf in Boston and threw the tea chests they were carrying into Boston Harbor.

The committee of correspondence for said town laid before them a letter, which had been agreed upon by the committees of several towns, to be sent to all the towns in this province, in order to know their minds at this critical juncture, and having read the same, as also the votes and proceedings of the town of Boston at their late meetings — the town came into the following votes and resolves unanimously.

That we highly approve of the conduct of the town of Boston in their late town meetings, and the several resolves they came into relative to the teas sent by the East India Company to America; and as we esteem the late act of parliament for the benefit of said India Company an intolerable grievance, and as a very subtile plan of the ministry to enforce and enslave the Americans, preferring the public happiness to our own private advantage, we will readily afford all the assistance in our power to the town of Boston, and all other of our oppressed American brethren, and heartily unite with them in every constitutional method to oppose this and every other scheme, that shall appear to us to be subversive of American rights and liberties, and dishonorary to his Majesty’s crown and dignity, at the risk of our lives and substance.

Voted, That our most cordial thanks be presented to the inhabitants of the town of Boston, for their wise, prudent, and spirited conduct at this alarming crisis, and for their repeated vigilance and unwearied endeavors to recover and preserve the rights and liberties of America.

Voted, unanimously, that the inhabitants of this town will not buy, sell, or make use of any tea while subject to an American duty.

Voted, That the committee of correspondence for this town be desired to wait upon the several shopkeepers and traders within the town, and desire them not to buy, sell or any way dispose of any tea while subject to an American duty.

Committee } Oliver Prescott, Josiah Sawtell, James Prescott, Amos Lawrence, Isaac Farnsworth.

Intolerable Acts

On July 18, 1774, the town chose a committee to report on what measures the town ought to pursue in relation to the act of Parliament, commonly called the “Boston Port Bill,” but their report does not appear on the record.

• AHC Note — The Boston Port Bill was one of the Intolerable Acts enacted by Parliament to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party and its ongoing resistance to British policies.

Continental Association and the Committee of Inspection

At a town meeting held on January 3, 1775, the following was adopted, viz.

“Whereas, it is expressly recommended by the Continental Congress, to the provincial conventions and to the committees in the respective colonies, to establish such further regulations, as they may think proper, for carrying into execution their association, — and, whereas, the Provincial Congress did, on the 5th December last, resolve and recommend as their opinion for the effectual carrying into execution the American Congress Association, that from and after the 10th of October next, there shall not be sold or purchased, from Great Britain or Ireland, any molasses, syrups, paneles, coffee or pimento from the British plantations, or from Dominico; wines from Madeira or the Western Islands, and foreign indigo, either before or after the first of December instant, unless the acts and parts of acts of parliament, enumerated in a paragraph of the American Association, subsequent to the fourteenth article, shall then be repealed. That the several towns and districts do forthwith assemble and choose committees of inspection for the purpose aforesaid, and that the towns do vigorously assist and support their committees in discharging the duties of their office, &c. 

• AHC Note — This refers to the Articles of Association and the establishment of the Continental Association, one of the most significant achievements of the First Continental Congress.

Therefore, voted and chose. Dr. Oliver Prescott, Capt. Josiah Sawtell, Dea. Isaac Earns worth, Mr. Moses Child, Dea. James Stone, Col. James Prescott, Lieut. Elisha Rockwood, Lieut. Isaac Woods, Joseph Allen, Jonas Stone, John Tarbell, Capt. John Sawtell, Jonathan Lawrence, Capt. Amos Lawrence, and Capt. Henry Farwell, a committee of inspection, whose business it shall be to see that the American Congress Association and the Provincial Congress resolves, and recommendations relative thereto, be well and faithfully observed and complied with, and that this town will not fail of lending all necessary assistance to the said committee in doing their duty.”

• AHC Note —  Per the Articles of Association, Committees of Inspection were established to enforce the trade embargo against British merchants.

At the March meeting, 1775, the Committee of Inspection reported to the town:

“That some of the inhabitants had refused to sign the covenant agreed upon by the town in consequence of the recommendation of Congress, and that some others had not had the offer of signing.

Thereupon the town voted, that all those persons, that have not had the offer of signing said covenant, have the liberty to do it within eight days from this time, and that all those who have already had the offer, and refused to sign, shall not be allowed to sign said covenant without first obtaining leave from the town.

Voted, That the names of those persons that refuse to sign the Association paper, shall be posted in the public houses in this town by the committee of correspondence, and their names entered in the town book by the town clerk.”

The record goes on stating, that the committee presented the covenant to sundry persons, for their signatures, who refused to sign; but the committee delayed to post their names, according to the above vote, until the inhabitants grew uneasy about the matter; whereupon the committee set up the following notice, and the same was recorded by the town clerk, viz.

In compliance with said vote, we hereby notify the public that said Association paper was offered to the Reverend Samuel Dana, Joseph Sheple, Jonas Cutler, and Joseph Chase, who did refuse to sign the same, and it is expected that all those who have signed said Association will remember their covenant. — Signed by the committee, Groton, April 12, 1775.”

Lexington Alarm

Seven days later, hostilities commenced between the provincials and the British troops at Lexington and Concord.

• AHC Note — “Provincials” refers to the people living in the Province (or Colony).

The alarm was given at Groton at an early hour, and the minute men, so called, were soon collected, preparatory to march towards the scene of the first bloodshed in the war, which resulted in our independence.

It now came to the test, whether the patriotic votes and resolves, heretofore so unanimously passed, would be followed up in meeting the disciplined forces of Great Britain, well armed and equipped, by cultivators of the ground, with such fowling pieces and muskets as they happened to hold. The decision was in the affirmative. 

Two companies of minute men, with officers complete, numbering in all one hundred and one men, marched on the ever memorable 19th of April, 1775, too late to take a part in the actions of that day, but to be at headquarters in readiness for future operations. The commanders of these companies were Captain Henry Farwell and Captain Asa Lawrence.

AHC Notes

• In The Battle of April 19, 1775, Frank Warren Coburn says, “Even in Pepperell, thirty-five miles northwesterly from Boston, the alarm went, reaching there about 9 o’clock. Gen. Prescott gave orders to the Pepperell and Hollis companies to march to Groton…to join others of the regiment.”
• The names of the men in the Groton Militia who mustered on April 19 not documented.

Patriotism of the Women in Groton (and Pepperell)

The patriotism of the women in those times, “which tried men’s souls,” must not be passed over in silence. After the departure of Col. William Prescott’s regiment of minute men from Pepperell, Mrs. David Wright of Pepperell, Mrs. Job Shattuck of Groton, and the neighboring women, collected at what is now Jewett’s bridge, over the Nashua, between Pepperell and Groton, clothed in their absent husbands’ apparel, and armed with muskets, pitchforks, and such other weapons as they could find, and having elected Mrs. Wright their commander, resolutely determined, that no foe to freedom, foreign or domestic, should pass that bridge. For rumors were rife that the Regulars were approaching, and frightful stories of slaughter flew rapidly from place to place and from house to house.

AHC Notes

• The phrase “times which tried men’s souls” comes from Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis, which was published in 1776 while General George Washington and his men were retreating to New Jersey. The first installment opens with the words, “These are the times that try men/s souls.”
• “Mrs. David Wright” was Prudence Cummings Wright. “Mrs. Job Shattuck” was Sarah Hartwell Shattuck. It is believed there were 30-40 women in this group.

Soon, there appeared one on horseback, supposed to be treasonably engaged in conveying intelligence to the enemy. By the implicit command of Sergeant Wright, he was immediately arrested, unhorsed, searched, and the treasonable correspondence found concealed in his boots. He was detained prisoner and sent to Oliver Prescott, Esq., of Groton, and his despatches were sent to the Committee of Safety.

• Author Note — The rider was Capt. Leonard Whiting, of Hollis, New Hampshire, north of Pepperell, was a known Loyalist. He was carrying correspondence from Canada, which was to be delivered to British officials in Boston.

Significance

The events of April 18–19, 1775, include some of the most historic — and legendary — moments in American History. Many of the details about the events are found in the letters and depositions written at the time and have been used by many historians as the basis for articles and books about the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

However, interesting details that can be found in the histories of the towns that responded to the Midnight Riders and the Lexington Alarm, including Groton, are often overlooked. Militia and Minuteman companies from approximately 27 towns fought the British from Lexington to Concord and then from Concord back to Boston. Many of those men remained there and participated in the Siege of Boston and the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Although these local histories are sometimes embellished and border on folklore, they still provide valuable insight into the pride towns felt over standing up against the British forces who fired on the King’s subjects at Lexington and Concord.

This entry about the role of the Groton Militia is part of “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” a collection of entries, images, and objects covering the events of April 18–19, 1775.

Appendix

Caleb Butler

Caleb Butler (1776–1854) was an educator, lawyer, and surveyor from Pelham, New Hampshire. After graduating from Dartmouth (1800), he moved to Groton, where he studied the law and taught at Groton Academy. Butler died in Groton on October 7, 1844, at the age of 78.

Groton

The town of Groton started as a trading post that was established by John Tinker to trade with the Nashaway People. At that time, the Nashaway called the area “Petapawg,” meaning “swampy land.” 

By 1655, the trading post had grown into the Plantation of Groton, which was settled by a group of men, including Deane Winthrop, one of John Winthrop’s children. The settlement was named after Groton, England, the town where Winthrop was born.

• The town was involved in King Phillip’s War, and the Native American Indians burned all but four buildings. The residents were forced to flee and went to Concord, Massachusetts. They remained there for two years before returning to Groton.
• The town was attacked again in 1694, during King William’s War, and in 1704, during Queen Anne’s War.