Walpole, Massachusetts in the Revolution facts for kids
The town of Walpole, Massachusetts played an important part in the years leading up to and during the Revolutionary War. People in Walpole took action to support American patriots and fight for their rights.
Contents
Walpole's Early Steps for Freedom
Even before the war officially started, Walpole was ready to join other American towns. On September 21, 1768, Walpole decided to send a person to a special meeting in Boston. This meeting was held to discuss how to keep the people of Massachusetts safe and free. Joshua Clapp was chosen to represent Walpole. He joined representatives from many other towns to plan for peace and safety.
After British ships arrived in Boston Harbor in September 1768, Walpole became even more interested in what was happening outside its borders. The town elected its first representative, Captain Seth Kingsbury, to the General Court in May 1769. This was a big step for Walpole to have its own voice in the colony's government.
In early 1773, Walpole held a special town meeting. They talked about the many problems the colonies were facing. On January 12, 1773, Walpole voted that their rights and freedoms were being taken away. They formed a committee to guide their future representatives.
The Suffolk Resolves: Walpole's Bold Move
In August 1774, the British made town meetings illegal in Massachusetts. But Walpole bravely ignored this rule and held a meeting on August 29, 1774. At this meeting, Walpole chose "delegates" to meet with other towns in Suffolk County. Their goal was to figure out the best ways to keep the county safe. Nathaniel Guild, Enoch Ellis, and Dr. Samuel Cheney were chosen for this important task.
These representatives from Suffolk County met on September 9, 1774, in Milton. There, they created a powerful document called the Suffolk Resolves. This document was one of the most revolutionary statements made by the colonies at that time. It showed how determined they were to stand up for their rights. Walpole was specifically mentioned in the Resolves, as Nathaniel Guild was appointed to a committee to encourage local arts and manufacturing. This was a way to become less dependent on British goods.
Preparing for War: The Provincial Congress
Walpole also joined the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, which was like a new government formed by the colonies. On September 23, 1774, Walpole voted for Enoch Ellis to be their representative. At the same time, the town started getting ready for a fight. They decided to buy "Two field Pieces," which were small cannons.
On December 5, 1774, the Provincial Congress asked towns to stop buying British goods. A few days later, Walpole appointed a special Committee of Inspection to make sure this boycott happened. To help Boston, whose port was closed by the British, Walpole voted on December 30, 1774, to send wood to the "Suffering Industrious Poor in the Town of Boston." This showed their support for their neighbors.
On January 9, 1775, Walpole formed its own group of "minutemen." These were soldiers who had to be ready to fight at a minute's notice. One-quarter of the town's trained soldiers joined this group. They were paid for their time and had leaders like William Fisher, Esq. Clapp, and Captain Seth Kingsbury to arrange their drills.
The Revolution Begins
Just before the Battles of Lexington and Concord, a Walpole resident named Philip Robbins visited Boston. While there, he heard British soldiers talking about how easy it would be for General Gage to march from Boston to New York. Robbins bravely told them they were wrong. He said Americans would fight even without officers and would defeat the British if they marched into the countryside. The British soldiers were angry and arrested Robbins for several hours.
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
In the early morning of April 19, 1775, Robbins, Captain Jeremiah Smith, and Lieutenant John Boyden left Walpole for Boston with wood. As they reached Roxbury, they heard that the British were marching towards Lexington and that the minutemen were being called to action. The three men quickly got horses and rushed back to Walpole. All of them were officers in Walpole's militia.
They arrived in town around noon, just as the news of the British march reached other citizens. They quickly gathered 64 men and headed out to meet the British. Another Walpole company, led by Captain Seth Bullard, also marched with 67 men. In total, at least 160 men from Walpole, out of a population of less than 800, marched to answer the alarm. While they likely didn't fight that day, their quick response showed Walpole's dedication.
On May 17, 1775, Walpole leaders ordered money to be paid to some of Captain Seth Bullard's minutemen for their service during the Lexington alarm.
The Siege of Boston
By April 21, 1775, about 20,000 American soldiers had surrounded Boston. Many soldiers from Rhode Island and Connecticut passed through Walpole on their way. Walpole soldiers were among those who gathered around Boston. Some served for a few days, while others stayed longer. Many returned to fight after the Massachusetts Provincial Congress decided to raise a larger army of 30,000 men.
Captain Seth Bullard's company, made up mostly of men from Walpole and Medfield, was part of Colonel Joseph Read's regiment stationed near Boston.
On December 4, 1775, Captain Jeremiah Smith's company of 64 men marched from Walpole to Boston. They went to replace Connecticut troops who were leaving. Around the same time, another company with First Lieutenant John Boyden of Walpole also answered the call. As 1775 ended, Walpole men were serving in camps around Boston, ready to defend their homes.
Walpole in 1776
On March 27, 1776, 25 Walpole men were part of a company led by Captain Aaron Guild and First Lieutenant John Boyden. These men had joined the army in January. They helped build defenses on Dorchester Heights, which forced the British General Howe to leave Boston on March 17. These Walpole soldiers continued to serve until June and were stationed in Hull during the summer and fall.
On April 5, 1776, General Washington himself passed through Walpole on his way to New York. It is said that he stopped at the Smith household, where Zilpha Smith gave him a drink of water from a gourd.
On May 10, 1776, Walpole voted unanimously that if the Continental Congress declared the colonies independent from Great Britain, they would support this decision with their "Lives and Fortunes." This was a strong statement of their commitment to freedom.
In December 1776, Rhode Island called for help because the British had taken control of Newport Harbor. Two companies of Walpole minutemen quickly responded. They stayed for three weeks to help defend Rhode Island.
Later Years of the War
On September 23, 1777, the two Walpole companies that had marched to Newport joined together into one larger company. Captain Oliver Clapp became the new commander. This company became part of Colonel Benjamin Hawes' regiment. Captain Clapp led Walpole men in defending Warwick, Rhode Island.
In March 1778, the town voted to spend £5,000 to help pay for the war. This shows how much Walpole was willing to contribute.
In June 1779, Captain Clapp left active service and Timothy Mann took over as captain. In July 1780, Captain Timothy Mann's company of 44 men marched to Rhode Island to continue the fight.
When peace was finally declared between the new United States of America and Great Britain, Walpole celebrated. They held a special Peace Ball at Ebenezer Fales' house on Kendall Street.
Walpole's Revolutionary Legacy
Walpole has remembered its Revolutionary War heroes in many ways over the years. Several roads and streets in town are named after these brave veterans, such as Clapp Street, Guild Street, and Bullard Street. One of the town's elementary schools is also named after the family of John Boyden, honoring their contributions.
Brave Soldiers from Walpole
- Holland Wood - He fought under General Washington. During the Battle of Monmouth, Wood bravely pulled a cannon off the battlefield by himself so the enemy couldn't capture it. It's said the cannon was so hot it burned his skin, but he still put it back in place and kept firing!
- Josiah Barden - He fought in the important Battle of Trenton.
- David Wilkinson - He served under Benedict Arnold before Arnold betrayed the American cause.
- Ebenezer Clapp - He became a lieutenant colonel, the highest rank achieved by any Walpole man in active field service during the Revolution. He served with the Continental Army in New York City.
- Timothy Mann - Born in 1746, he lived to be 97 years old! He started as a private soldier and later became an officer. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1789 and then to colonel in 1791, showing his long and dedicated service.
