Samuel Whittemore P3

Last week I ended with the story of 80 year old Captain Samuel Whittemore, who fearlessly went out to meet the British and took on a squad of 5 British soldiers by himself, how he was shot, bayoneted, beaten and left for dead, but recovered, and lived to be 98 years of age.” And Samuel Whittemore being reflective of the committed character of many Americans at that time. By the end of the day, it was evident that armed conflict was now fully underway. And it did not remain limited just to Massachusetts.

A few days later far to the south, Patrick Henry led several hundred Virginians against British forces who tried to seize the colonists’ weapons. However, most hostilities and conflicts at this time still centered primarily around Massachusetts, so the British ordered it placed under martial law. The continental Congress called for a time of fasting and prayer to be held on the day the onerous order was to go into effect. Although fighting had begun, it was another 14 months before the colonists declared their independence.

They still considered themselves British citizens and sought all means possible to settle the conflict without a total break from England. For 11 years (from 1765) until 1776), the Americans worked hard to achieve reconciliation. Even after armed battles had occurred not only in Massachusetts and Virginia but also in New Hampshire and New York, the Americans sent the Olive Branch Petition (1775) to the king, still seeking to settle their differences peacefully. But the king flatly rejected it without even reading it.

More on this next week for another American Moment.

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