Samuel Whittemore P2

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. After shooting 3 of them he was shot in the face, when he fell to the ground, they struck him on the head with the butt of a musket and bayonetted him 13 times before leaving him to die. Four hours later he was found lying in a pool of blood- trying to reload his musket.

The family doctor stated his case was hopeless but the family implored the doctor to treat him anyway, so the doctor did what he could before sending Sam home to be surrounded by family as he died.

But to the surprise of all, Sam did not die; he fully recovered. He had terrible scars but lived another 18 years, carrying to his grave the marks from the wounds he received while fighting for American Independence.

In 1878, a marble tablet, erected near the location where he met the British, carried the inscription: “Near this spot Samuel Whittemore, then 80 years old, killed three British soldiers April 19, 1775. He was shot, bayoneted, beaten and left for dead, but recovered, and lived to be 98 years of age.” Samuel Whittemore is reflective of the committed character of many Americans at that time.

More on this next week for another American Moment.

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