Appleton's Pulpit facts for kids
Appleton's Pulpit is a special historical spot in Saugus, Massachusetts, United States. It's famous because people believe a brave man named Major Samuel Appleton gave an important speech there. He spoke out against the unfair rule of the Colonial Governor, Sir Edmund Andros.
The Story of the Speech
In 1687, the government issued official papers to arrest Samuel Appleton. They believed he was causing trouble and disagreeing with the King's rule. Two other men, Dudley Bradstreet and Nathaniel Saltonstall, were also wanted.
People believe that during this time, Major Appleton hid at his son's house. His son, also named Samuel Appleton, owned the Saugus Iron Works property. This area was then part of Lynn, Massachusetts.
While hiding, Major Appleton is said to have given a powerful speech. He spoke from a rocky cliff near the Iron Works. In his speech, he strongly criticized Governor Andros's unfair actions. This place later became known as Appleton's Pulpit.
Was the Story True?
Some historians have questioned if the speech really happened as told. Thomas Franklin Waters, a historian, wrote about this in his book Ipswich in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
He pointed out that Major Samuel Appleton said he was arrested on September 20, 1687. He remained in custody after that date. This means he couldn't have been hiding and giving a speech in October.
Waters suggested that the warrant issued in October might have been for Major Appleton's son. The son was also named Samuel Appleton and lived in Lynn. Waters also thought it was unlikely that someone hiding from the law would openly give a speech from a high rock. However, if the event did happen, Waters believed it was the younger Samuel Appleton who spoke.
Remembering the Speech
Even with questions about the exact story, Appleton's Pulpit is still an important landmark. People wanted to remember the spirit of standing up for freedom.
Thomas Gold Appleton, a descendant of Samuel Appleton, placed a special stone tablet on the cliff. This tablet was about two and a half feet square. It was officially given to the Town of Saugus in March 1882.
The tablet read:
APPLETON'S PULPIT
IN SEPTEMBER 1687 FROM THIS ROCK TRADITION ASSERTS THAT RESISTING THE TYRANNY OF SIR EDMUND ANDROS MAJOR SAMUEL APPLETON OF IPSWICH SPOKE TO THE PEOPLE IN BEHALF OF THOSE PRINCIPALS WHICH LATER WERE EMBODIED IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
In 1930, the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission put up many historical markers. Appleton's Pulpit was one of nine places in Saugus chosen for a marker.
This marker reads:
APPLETON'S PULPIT
IN 1687 MAJOR APPLETON OF IPSWICH MADE A SPEECH ON THIS ROCK DENOUNCING THE TYRANNY OF THE ROYAL GOVERNOR, SIR EDMUND ANDROS. A WATCH WAS STATIONED ON THE HILL TO GIVE WARNING OF ANY APPROACH OF THE CROWN OFFICERS.
