In April of 1775 — 249 years ago — the members of Capt. Bancroft’s company of militia gathered at Gowing’s Tavern on Summer Street, prepared for war. When Martin Herrick rode his panting steed into town, he informed the captain that the British troops were on the march to Lexington and Concord. The little company then set off for the battle. They met the British forces in Menotomy (today, Arlington) where three Lynnfieldites were killed.
As darkness descends on Lynnfield, this April 18, the Lynnfield Historical Society will hold a statewide patriot vigil called “IllumiNation,” through which communities have an opportunity to hold a ceremony at some “historically sacred spot.”
The Lynnfield observance begins at 7 p.m. on April 18 as townspeople gather in front of the Centre Congregational Church on Summer Street.
At 7:30, the town crier will call everyone to form a procession, which will cross the common to a point directly across from the Old Burial Ground.
As Lynnfield’s part in the statewide “IllumiNation” observance, the graves of the 14 militia members buried there, together with the grave of Martin Herrick, will be lit with lanterns and marked with a “Capt. Bancroft’s Company” flag. Following the ceremony, at 8 p.m., Paul Hogman, an expert on the Battle at Menotomy, where the Lynnfield troops engaged the British Regulars, will present a talk on the subject inside the church chapel.
The Lynnfield Historical Society, host of the event, invites all townspeople to attend and participate in this opening event of Revolution 250.
Check out LynnfieldHistoricalSociety.org and its Facebook page for more details.
