The Battle Of Lexington P1

As the months progressed, the situation between America and England continued to deteriorate, especially in New England. Henry had warned Virginians that “the next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms,” and he was right.

Just four weeks after his speech, far to the north Paul Revere set out on his famous ride alerting the Massachusetts patriots that British forces were being sent out against them. Revere was specifically trying to find and warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock, whom the British had ordered to be seized. He rode directly to where he knew he would find them: the home of the Rev. Jonas Clark, a pastor in the small town of Lexington.

The Rev. Clark had taught the Biblical principles of liberty to his church members and prepared them to defend themselves if necessary. After being informed that British troops were on their way to Lexington, Clark was asked if his people would fight. He responded that he had trained them for that very hour. The “shot heard around the world” (that is, the first shot in the first battle of the American war for Independence) took place the next morning, April 19, 1775.

Approximately 70 members of the Rev. Clark’s congregation, including both black and white parishioners, gathered on the lawn of the church to face what Clark counted to be 800 British. At the end of the skirmish, 18 Americans — including white patriot John Robbins and black patriot Prince Estabrook— had been killed or wounded. All 18 of these brave Americans were members of the Rev. Clark’s church. After watching the momentous scene, the Rev. Clark declared, “From this day will be dated the liberty of the world.”

More on this next week for another American Moment.

Sourced From The American Story: The Beginnings by David Barton and Tim Barton.