The Acton Minutemen | home
Isaac Davis Trail
The Isaac Davis Trail Historic Trail - Acton and Concord, MA
The alarm started by Paul Revere and brought to Concord and then to Acton by Dr. Prescott, who riding at a furious pace, banged with a club on the side of Captain Joseph Robbins' house and shouted, “Captain Robbins! Captain Robbins! Up! Up! The regulars have come to Concord! Rendezvous at Old North Bridge quick as possible! Alarm Acton!"
Captain Robbins at once dispatched his son John on horseback to alarm Captain Davis and then Simon Hunt at West Acton, who commanded the West Company........
Captain Davis' Route to the North Bridge
By Rev. James Fletcher
and The Captain Isaac Davis Trail
By Frank Putnam
The Line of March of the Acton Minutemen to the Old North Bridge at Concord - April 19, 1775
COMPILED IN 1965, REVISED IN 1968, 1973 AND 1974
BY Mary Davis Hunt
1983
Residents are invited to participate in annual Patriot's Day activities to be held this coming weekend. The holiday honors the fateful day when farmers were called to arms to fight for the county's independence.
The Capt. Isaac Davis chapter of the Daughter of the American Revolution
preserve the Line of March of the Acton Minute Men.
By Mary Davis Hunt
March the trail with the Acton Minutemen and become a part of history itself!
By Steve Crosby
For the Acton Minutemen, like Colonial militias in nearby towns, the events of
this week in 1775 give them a reason for being.
By Donna Novak
The Isaac Davis Trail was first retraced, after much researching, by ten members of
Troop No.1 Acton Boy Scouts of America
Awards presented to Acton Citizens
Robert Wilson's project consisted of erecting a presentational kiosk on the Isaac Davis Trail
PATRIOT'S DAY - ISAAC DAVIS MARCH
March the trail with the Acton Minutemen and become a part of history itself!
We need townspeople to walk the trail with us, so that this tradition will not fade away and be forgotten.
By Steve Crosby, Major Acton Minutemen
2005
Each year on the morning of April 19th, the Acton Minutemen recreate the original march from Isaac Davis's house on Hayward Rd. in Acton, to the old North Bridge in Concord, a distance of about 7 miles.
On that date in 1775, the original Acton militia, as well as the Acton Minutemen, led by their captain, Isaac Davis, responded to the call to arms by riders coming out from Boston, that the British regulars were moving on Concord. Militia and Minute companies from many surrounding towns also responded, rallying their members by ringing churchbells and going door-to-door waking everyone up. The militia companies for each town were raised under the direction of the British crown, years earlier, so that each town had its own protection against outside forces. The Minuteman companies, however, were raised by each individual town, only in the winter of 1774 as tensions with Great Britain reached a pinnacle. The members of the Minute companies were hand-picked from the existing militia units, and were considered the best of the best. Their sole purpose was to be ready for that moment when they were needed to oppose the British regulars, the Redcoats, should that day ever come. That day came on April 19th, 1775.
Early on the morning of the 19th, riders came out from Boston (Paul Revere, Samuel Prescott, and William Dawes) alarming each town along the way that the regulars were on the march from Boston, and headed for Concord, where they sought stored colonial ammunition and weapons. The riders awakened the captains of each town's militia and Minute companies, setting into motion a plan which combined the forces of all the local communities. Eventually other post riders picked up the alarm and continued the call to arms way out into the countryside. When the word reached John Robbins in Acton, captain of one of the militia companies, he saddled up his horse and took off to the homes of the other militia and Minute company captains, including Isaac Davis. (Robbins' ride is remembered and reenacted each year on Patriot's Day weekend.)
Once awakened, Isaac Davis dressed quickly and his wife Hannah prepared breakfast to feed the Minutemen once they arrived at the house. The entire company of 39 Acton Minutemen, including the young fifer Luther Blanchard, of Boxborough, mustered at the Davis house in the pre-dawn hours, had a quick meal, and prepared to march off to Concord. Two of the Davis children were very ill at the time, and it is said that Isaac Davis told his wife "Take care of the children," gave her a long look, and then turned to lead the Acton Minutemen into history.
They made the march to the bridge in Concord, encountering a small British raiding party in a field along the way. Not wishing an engagement without more support, both groups ignored each other, the Acton Minutemen taking a trail through the woods so as to avoid interaction with the British unit.
When they arrived at the North bridge in Concord, the Acton Minutemen joined hundreds of other Minute and militia men on the hill overlooking the bridge. A column of British regulars crossed over the bridge and took up a position just below the massed colonial forces. When smoke suddenly began rising on the horizon, the colonials immediately thought the British had set fire to the town of Concord, and the order was given to move toward the bridge and the British that were positioned there. One of the Concord militia captains, when asked, refused to take the lead position, possibly because his unit was not outfitted with bayonets or cartridge boxes, but no one can say for sure. The Acton Minutemen were fully outfitted with bayonets (the only company that was) and had drilled twice a week for months, thus making them possibly one of the best trained colonial units on the field. The question was posed to captain Isaac Davis, "what about you, are you afraid to lead?" Davis responded "I am not, and I haven't a man who is!"
The column formed up to advance down the hill toward the British, with Captain Isaac Davis and the Acton Minutemen at the front. The outnumbered British unit immediately withdrew back across the bridge and stood their ground on the other side. As the colonials reached the bridge, the British regulars fired a vicious volley across the bridge at the colonials, killing Isaac Davis instantly, and mortally wounding one other Acton Minuteman. Thus Isaac Davis became the first officer to die in the service of the United States. The order was screamed to the colonials."Fire, for God's sake, fire!" and the return volley back across the bridge dropped a number of British regulars. This unnerved the British unit and they turned and began a running retreat back into Concord.
The battle was eventually joined by more colonial units and more British units later in the day, and continued all the way back into Boston, a distance of nearly 16 miles. Many lives were lost, and many military careers were born. But it was the Acton Minutemen, led by captain Isaac Davis, that turned the British at the old North bridge in Concord that day, and became the first military force in the American Revolution to do so.
In the 1960's and 70's, hundreds of Acton residents used to march the trail with the Acton Minutemen, keeping alive a tradition steeped in history and patriotism. But in the decades since, the numbers have dwindled and today only a handful of residents make the trek with the Minutemen. Many current residents do not know about the march, or even who the Minutemen were, and that saddens many members of the current Minutemen. "It's sad that so many people live in this town and know nothing about its history or its traditions," says Alan St. Lawrence, the commander of the present-day Acton Minutemen. "This trail march is a way for people to really connect with the community's past, and it's future. It's a great tradition for kids and parents alike to start doing together."
The trail march itself begins at the Davis homestead on Hayward Rd. in Acton at 5:45am with a ceremony and musket salute. The Boy Scouts join the march there, and it then winds it's way over roads and trails to Acton Center, and the Isaac Davis monument, where there is another ceremony and musket salute. There they are joined by the Boxborough Minutemen, and at approximately 6:30am they all head off to Concord, taking the same route that was taken 231 years ago.
Please join us on Patriot's Day weekend as we recreate the march of the Acton Minutemen, over the same roads and trails that were used 231 years ago, to the North bridge in Concord. If you join us, you will be treated to fife and drum music along the way, and the reenactment of the battle at the bridge once we arrive in Concord. Stick around after the battle reenactment for a parade through the streets of Concord, and immerse yourself in the celebration of the day that made Acton, and all the surrounding communities, proud.
Come on out and walk the trail!!
Steve Crosby
Oct. 2005
Line of March
The Capt. Isaac Davis chapter of the Daughter of the American Revolution
preserve the Line of March of the Acton Minute Men.
Mary Davis Hunt
TO THE DISTINGUISHED AWARDS JURY
I have the honor of nominating for an Americana or Community Award, THE CAPTAIN ISAAC DAVIS CHAPTER, DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION of Acton Massachusetts.
TO PRESERVE AND PERPETUATE THE LINE OF MARCH OF THE ACTON MINUTEMEN FROM THE HOME OF CAPTAIN ISAAC DAVIS TO THE OLD NORTH BRIDGE IN CONCORD, TO RETRACE IT ANNUALLY TO THE TUNE OF THE WHITE COCKADE, TO MARK IT, TO HAVE BELLS RUNG ONCE AGAIN AND TO MAKE IT A
TOWN WIDE CELEBRATION has achieved a spectacular success.
In 1959 there was NO activity in the little village of Acton, no bells, no flags and a definite sense of hurt that Acton's special pride in heritage received NO PUBLIC ACCLAIM
On Patriot's Day this year in Acton 6, 000 person retraced the six miles over the old roads to the Musket Field, then on to the Old North Bridge in Concord, where a single Musket shot symbolizes the “Shot heard round the World” and the death of Captain Isaac Davis.
There is now a total reenactment of the events of April 18-19. As after the capture of Paul Revere, Dr. Sam Prescott rode on to carry the alarm. “The Regulars are' coming.” The musket shot signals resound across the countryside and Minutemen hasten to their Captain's home.
The object of the Captain leans Davie Chapter to safeguard the knowledge of this famous LINE OF MARCH has resulted in designing and presenting Replica scrolls of this route.
From the first 100 given in 1960 rapidly becoming many hundreds, then thousands, until now the total replica scrolls and awards numbers 19,000 that have been received and earned by this reenactment in simple tribute to that brave little company of 38 on April 19,1775.
After completing the reenactment and Joining in Concord's time honored, Celebration, participants are “bussed back to Acton to the beautiful Colonial Town Hall, go up over the flying staircases to the upper HALL.
Here they receive their earned replica scroll or an award certificate on which they affix a. prized small blue legal seal for each additional reenactment. They are so prized that one mother of adult family said, “No snow' or sleet was going to keep me from earning this 18th little blue seal.
Members in Colonial Costume present these earned scrolls in 1968, 3,000 boy scouts came to Acton to join in this tribute, each, carried home his proof that he, too, had gone over the same roads at the same hour.
Rolling and tying 3 or 6,000 scrolls is formidable task, this is done b chapter members, girl scouts, even firemen have helped roll and tie them.
In addition to families of 5-6-7 `sometimes little children are carried Indian fashion.
1,000 men from the United States Security Training Agency Regiment came from Fort Devens in simple tribute, they formed their own Minutemen company dressed in Continental blue uniforms both in 1967 and 1968t these men joined with 17 other recently formed Minutemen, companies, from all the surrounding towns. These Special Training Men are representing us ALL over the world in the United States Army
It is a special pride our chapter members to personally sign each soldiers “earned scroll”.
These are presented in special ceremonies at Fort Devens before the men leave for their foreign assignments.
Each men, receives THE STORY OF THE SCHOLLS, both History and actual detail of growth of project contained therein.
Since 1965 all persons earning a scroll or presented with Replica Pictorial Scroll receives one of these bird eye stories and histories.
Contained in. this volume_ from giving of a. Flag IF the TOWN would erect a Flag Pole 1961, to planning designing, arranging for placing of markers, giving them to Town of Acton and Concord and Dedicating them are evidences of the effort and dedication of the chapter members of whom many are out of town and unable to assist.
Acton's story has now reverberated across the country thru a Magazine article of the Daughters of the American. Revolution.
It inspired one .DAR member to determine to earn for Laguna Beach a George Washington Honor Medal. This she did in one year! This has stimulated many many Southern California communities to Patriotic activities and Patriot Days
One of our Replica Pictorial Scrolls was purchased to send to Arizona where a request was made to Governor Fannin to issue a Patriot's Day Proclamation .Our chapter was asked to send sample proclamation from our Massachusetts Archives. Since1964. Arizona has had Patriots' `Day proclamation!
Our scrolls and their story are now in many nations of the world (see Chapter Letters) They are framed and hung in many Distinguished Places.
Freedoms Foundation received one of the Chapter Scrolls from the Town of Acton. They have become Acton's Presentations. The Boy scouts have taken them to Philmont Scout Ranch - to West Point
American Field Service Students are given one with an American Flag to take home from our Chapter when we entertain them on Good Citizen Girl's Day each year.
We were pleased to send one to Vietnam and to receive his reply from General Westmoreland, General Chapman Commandant of the Marines has one in his office in Washington as has Lt. General E. Nickerson Jr. who left his I n Vietnam when we sent to the Men of the 1st Div. Marines, this on Patriot's Day with a message
The Volume that is submitted is an indication of what this small chapter has stimulated in a revival or beginning of Patriotic Celebrations, formation of Historical Societies and Public Celebrations Committees without whom the Mechanics of this project would not be possible.
Because of our project 19,000 persons, their families and friends are more aware of their American Heritage
Honors have come to the Town, the Minutemen and an individual for this project that has been quietly and unassumedly been financed and carried thru almost entirely by the efforts of the chapter but really with wonderful community cooperation.
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION I RESPECTFULY SUBMIT THIS MATERIAL.
Marie Davis Hunt
Spirit of patriots still inspires
By Donna Novak
Globe Correspondent April 16, 2006
For the Acton Minutemen, like Colonial militias in nearby towns, the events of this week in 1775 give them a reason for being.
''Patriots Day celebrates the start of the American Revolution and the first battle when tensions finally exploded into all-out war," said Steve Crosby, a major with the Acton Minutemen reenactment group. The most rewarding part of what he does, Crosby said, is to know men who fought for independence live on in the Acton Minutemen and other groups.
''Our unit celebrates the fact that the Acton Minutemen were brave enough to march off to Concord in the face of certain death," he said. ''Those who come to see the reenactments will, to some degree, be transported back in time. They get to be part of a tradition."
During today's Robbins Ride, David Stone, one of the Acton Minutemen, will play the parts of Dr. Samuel Prescott and John Robbins, wearing period costumes and riding horseback through town to the Robbins House Memorial on Concord Road.
''After Paul Revere was captured in Lincoln, Samuel Prescott continued on and made it to Acton," said Crosby. According to Crosby, Prescott arrived at the house of the militia leader, Joseph Robbins, waking him up to warn him. Because Robbins had to stay to gather his militia together, he sent his 13-year old son, John, to help Prescott wake the militia.
Tomorrow's Isaac Davis Trail March to the Old North Bridge in Concord will follow the route that militia captain Isaac Davis took on the day he became the first commissioned officer to die for his country. Alan St. Lawrence, commander of the Acton Minutemen, will portray Davis as he begins his travels at the Davis Homestead on Hayward Road in Acton, where Davis gathered his militia.
Next, St. Lawrence, joined by anyone who wishes to march alongside him, will head to the monument in Acton Center where the rock Davis died upon now rests. Finally, everyone is invited to join St. Lawrence on the march to the Old North Bridge, where Davis was shot in the first volley by the Redcoats. At the bridge, the group will reenact the clash in which militiamen drove the Redcoats back to Boston.
''The infamous 'shot heard 'round the world' could refer to the shot that killed Isaac Davis" Crosby said, because the British weren't used to losing and these Colonial farmers and riff-raff, as the British considered them, had made them retreat. ''That was a first for them," he said. ''It is a metaphor for the act of defiance."
Crosby added that he participated in the march many times as a child. ''It was a long walk for a kid, but we have many youngsters in our unit that march with us," he said, adding that his memories of those events are what prompted him to join the Acton Minutemen five years ago.
After marching to the Old North Bridge and witnessing what it was like to be a member of a militia during the Revolutionary War, the public is invited to meet at Town Hall; from there trolley rides will take them to three of Acton's historic houses: Hosmer House on Main Street, Faulkner House on High Street, and Jones Tavern on Route 27.
''They'll be looking at what life was like back then," said Crosby. ''There will be games for the kids, cooking and spinning demonstrations, and fife and drum music."
On Wednesday, a dawn musket and artillery salute at the Buttrick Mansion at the Old North Bridge in Concord will honor the men who fought and died there. A musket salute honoring the original 10 militia companies that fought at the Old North Bridge will follow.
''Nowadays, a lot of that tradition and history of each town doesn't get ingrained into the kids that are growing up," said Crosby. ''Tradition is a big part of why we do this -- so it doesn't get lost in history."
THE STORY OF THE REPLICA SCROLLS OF
The Line of March of the Acton Minutemen to the Old North Bridge at Concord - April 19, 1775
COMPILED IN 1965, REVISED IN 1968, 1973 AND 1974
BY Mary Davis Hunt
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge presented to the Town of Acton, Massachusetts the George Washington Honor Medal and One Hundred Dollar Cash Award
April 19, 1965
Honoring the 80th Anniversary of Massachusetts' First Patriot's Day Proclamation April 19, 1984, signed with eagles quill pen by Governor Greenhalge.
PRESENTED BY
Captain Isaac Davis Chapter - Daughters of the American Revolution
Summoned by the three musket shot signal that ringed the village and countryside, 1 the Minutemen hastened to the home of their young Captain, a skilled gunsmith who had made his own gun and equipped his company with bayonets.2
After saying farewell to his wife Hannah, shown standing in the doorway, Captain Davis turned and said, "take good care of the children Hannah." 3
Then, at the head of his company, Captain Davis gave the order to march.4 In that early spring dawn, to the tune of fife and drum playing the "White Cockade" they marched the more than six miles over the old roads to the agreed upon rendezvous at the Muster Field in Concord.
There, after a conference of Officers, Captain Davis was heard to say "I haven't a man afraid to go," He then wheeled his men to the right of the column and with Major Buttrick of Concord and Colonel Robinson of Westford led his men to meet the attack at the Bridge.
He was shot through the heart by the first British volley on the spot where the Minuteman
Statue now stands.5 Another of the, company, Abner Hosmer, was killed by that same volley.
Captain Davis, the first commissioned officer to be killed in the War of Independence, became the symbolic model for the Statue, chosen by Daniel Chester French as best typifying the spirit he wished to portray.6
Years passed, the old roads no longer used were in danger of being overgrown and forgotten. The Line of March to be interrupted by rapid housing developments. IT IS STILL IN DANGER!
In January, 1959 the Captain Isaac Davis Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
recognized this danger and voted this; project:
TO PRESERVE AND PERPETUATE THE LINE OF MARCH OF THE ACTON MINUTEMEN FROM THE HOME OF CAPTAIN ISAAC DAVIS TO THE OLD NORTH BRIDGE IN CONCORD, TO RETRACE IT ANNUALLY TO THE TUNE OF THE WHITE COCKADE, TO MARK IT, TO HAVE BELLS RUNG ONCE AGAIN AND TO HAVE IT A TOWNWIDE CELEBRATION.
We found that Mrs. Daniel Lothrop, Founder of the National Society, Children of the American Revolution in 1895, had announced a survey of the Line of March on April 19, 1897 7 as "too important to American History ever to be forgotten,"
One of the two original surveys had recently been sent to the Acton Library. To make certain that many copies of this famous route would be in existence it was superimposed over the lithograph of Arthur Davis' oil painting of the Acton Minutemen leaving the Home of Captain Isaac Davis, April 19,1775. The original is in the Acton Memorial Library as are his sword and shoe buckles.
The deeds of April 19, 1775, of the Young Captain's and the brave men who fought that day
in defense of their Liberty and Freedom have been perpetuated in song, poetry and literature.8
Words from Emerson's Concord Hymn are carved on the statue's base. Their deeds are reverberating across the country and around the world through the annual total reenactment, and the replica scrolls. They are stimulating a revival of Patriotism.
To perpetuate the knowledge of the route The Captain Isaac Davis Chapter designed two scrolls, one to be given by the Chapter to each person retracing the route on April 19 each year. The second, a Pictorial Scroll, is used to support the project and for special presentations.
Since 1960, in Acton's Fine Colonial Town Hall, Chapter Members assisted by Girl Scouts have presented over 45,000 scrolls and awards to those repeating annually the tribute to the Acton Minutemen in a reenactment of the march of that brave little company, who on that day marched into history. 10
Funds for granite markers are being raised to replace the Colonial Red Markers for the route presented to the towns of Acton and Concord in 1962 by our Chapter as a community project.
Today's Minuteman Company was mustered in, in 1963. They have inspired and assisted neighboring towns to revive their Minuteman companies and in 1967 organized a revival of Acton's first Crown Resistance Day," October 3, 1774. Their Story of Our Flags drill has been done at Valley Forge and Washington's Crossing. They have gained National Recognition.
Acton's Patriot's Day has become a truly Town-Wide Celebration, with all groups participating, under the enthusiastic leadership of Raymond A. Shamel, Public Celebrations Chairman 1961-1966, and Commander Clark McElvein - USNR, 1967-1971, Richmond Miller, 1971, and their committees.
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge has presented to
1965 Raymond A. Shamel, Chairman, Public Celebrations Committee - Duplicate George Washington Honor Medal in Acton.
1966 Marie Davis Hunt of Captain Isaac Davis Chapter DAR - National Recognition Award at Valley Forge, Acton, and Boston.
1967 The Acton Minutemen - The Credo Plaque at Valley Forge (a special award) and George Washington Honor Medal, in Acton.
1967 To United States Army Security Agency Training Division at Fort Devens and to their Commander, Col. Lewis Millett, U. S. Army, creator of "Legacy of Freedom" program George Washington Honor Medal, in Acton.
1969 Captain Isaac Davis Chapter DAR-George Washington Honor Medal, in Acton, June 14. 1969 Earle W. Tuttle, Publisher-George Washington Honor Medal, in Acton, June 14.
1972 Earle W. Tuttle, Publisher-George Washington Honor Medal, in Acton, April 19.
1973 Earle W. Tuttle, Publisher-George Washington Honor Medal, in Bedford, April 19.
1. After the capture of Paul Revere and Colonel Dawes in Lexington by the British, Dr. Sam Prescott of
Concord who knew the area, jumped his horse over a stone wall and rode on into Concord, Acton and Stow, spreading the alarm, "The Regulars are coming."
2. The only company so equipped that day.
3. His four children ill with scarlet fever.
4. Before leaving the town Captain Davis gave any member of his company who was doubtful of his courage
the privilege to return to his home. No one accepted the offer. They were inspired by the words of their leader when he said "Let every man gird himself for battle and NOT be afraid - for God is on Our side"
5. Statue was dedicated April 19, 1875. The stone on which he fell was given to Acton on April 19, 1900.
6. Roland Wells Robbins - Story of the Minute Man. Affidavit of Oliver D. Wood, property of Captain Isaac Davis Chapter.
7. One of the first meetings of the C.A.R. was at the invitation of Lucy Emily Noyes of Acton, a descendant of Captain Davis, the first President of Old North Bridge Society, to retrace the Line of March with The Honorable Luther Conant as guide and historian. It was after this that the route was surveyed.
8. Longfellow's Paul Revere Ride. . . Emerson's Concord Hymn. . . Philip Spencer's Day of Glory. . .Coffin's "Boys of '76."
9. The Captain Isaac Davis Chapter presented the Plow to the Tawn in 1951, the lOath anniversary of the dedication of the 75-foot Acton 'granite monument to Capt. Isaac Davis, James Hayward and Abner Hosmer. Its purchase was made possible by contributions of school children, townspeople and Chapter members.
10. On April 19, 1957, under Scoutmaster Ivan Wold, Troop I of Acton Boy Scouts, quietly retraced the Line of March as an historic exercise for the first time. In 1959 Dr. Francis McDonald, Chairman, Concord's Public Celebration Committee, discovered them at the Bridge. In 1960 they were honored guests of Concord. The "earned" scrolls were first planned to be given to these scouts in recognition and as a means of assuring that there would always be many copies of the valued Line of March in existence. Scouts are invited from
all over the East to participate in the Line of March on"Patriots' Day. Through the 4,000 men of Security Trammg. Agency Divison from Fort Devens, our "earned scrolls" are 10 every state, Puerto Rico, Philippines, South VIetnam and Korea, and In many countnes of the world thru AFS students. Replica Pictorial Scrolls are in every state, on every continent, and have been framed and hung in many places of honor, as they tell this basic story of the Beginning of Our Struggle for Independence
Isaac Davis Trail walk this weekend
By Kristen Kelleher Staff Writer
Acton Beacon
1983
ACTON - Residents are invited to participate in annual Patriot's Day activities to be held this coming weekend. The holiday honors the fateful day when farmers were called to arms to fight for the county's independence.
The activities will be similar to past years, according to Rich Miller of the Public Ceremonies and Celebrations Committee. The 216th anniversary w1ll again include hundreds of scouts at the Isaac Davis Camporee.
Ceremonies will take place on April 13, 14 and I5, culminating with a march to Concord following the Isaac Davis Trail on Monday.
On Saturday, April 13, at 8:30 a.m. about 100 troops from the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion stationed at Fort Devens w1ll march to Concord from the Davis Homestead.
According to Miller, years ago Fort Devens sent hundreds of troops to Acton to march, but because of cuts to traveling accounts, the practice was phased out until this year.
On Sunday, April 14, their will be an early evening re-enactment of the rides of Dr. Samuel Prescott and Captain John Robbins, who warned of the pending arrival of the British troops.
Dr. Prescott. played by Wendy Werner, will arrive at Captain Robbins' House on Old Concord Road at 5:30 p.m., then Captain Robbins, also played by Werner, w1ll ride to Captain Isaac Davis' house on Hayward Road at 5:40 p.m.
Dr. Prescott is due to proceed to Colonel Faulkner's house at 6 p.m. and then move on to the Captain Simon Hunt House on Liberty Street in South Acton.
At each stop, a Flintlock Musket Alarm will be fired by the Acton Minuteman. Miller said Werner was recruited to play both horsemen this year since only one horse is being used.
Activities start early on Monday, April 15, the legal Patriot's Day. At 6 a.m., there w1ll be a ceremony in front of the Isaac Davis Homestead, including flag raising by the scouts from the camporee.
The Acton Minutemen will lay a wreath in honor of Captain Davis and there will be another Flintlock Musket Salute.
The Acton Rotary Club is sponsoring a pancake breakfast at the junior high school cafeteria from 6:30 to 10 a.m. The cost is $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens and children under 12. There is a $10 maximum per family.
The Acton Minutemen will lead marchers to retrace the path of the Isaac Davis Company from Acton to Concord at 6:30 a.m. The Davis Blues, the Minutemen band unit, will play the original Colonial Air, "The White Cockade:'
The Boxborough Minutemen will join the march at Acton Center.
A wreath will be laid at the Isaac Davis Monument at Acton Center at 6:45 a.m. The march will continue down Main Street, across the Conant land to Strawberry Hill Road to Barrett's M1ll Road to Barnes Hill Road to the intersection of Liberty Street, adjacent to the North Bridge area of the Minuteman National Historical Park.
The Acton Minutemen will place a wreath in memory of Captain Davis, Abner Hosmer and James Hayward at the Minuteman Statue at 9 a.m. A bus will be available at the Monument Street Parking lot at the North Bridge area of the park at 10 a.m. to bring anyone back to the junior or senior high schools or Acton center. The cost is $2 per person and the buses will run until all are picked up.
This year Concord will hold its celebration on Saturday, so the Acton contingent will not join the Concord parade as in past years.
The Minutemen are then off to Arlington where they will. march in Arlington's parade.
From noon to 4 p.m., the Hosmer House at 300 Main St. will be open to the public as will the Faulkner House from 1 to 5 p.m. The Faulkner House, the oldest house in Acton, is on High Street in South Acton.
The Acton Historical Society will give out scroll cards along the r march to Concord. Walking citizens may return the cards to Acton and. rece1ve a copy of the Daughters of r the American Revolution Scroll for a donation of 25 cents at the Hosmer House that day.
Scout earns Eagle rank
The Beacon
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Robert Wilson, Acton resident and 10th-grader at Willow Hill School in Sudbury celebrated the achievement of Eagle Scout on May 21. Wilson, 15, is a member of Boy Scout Troop 284, Acton and venture Crew 4000 of Acton. He has earned 36 merit badges.
His project consisted of erecting a presentational kiosk on the Isaac Davis Trail at the intersection of the trail itself and Simon Willard Road in Acton. With the help of Dean Charter and the Conservation Commission, Wilson's idea of this information kiosk stemmed from Robert's 10-year history of marching the trail as a snare drummer with the Acton Minutemen, and his love for revolutionary history. The kiosk will be utilized by the town of Acton, the Acton Historical Society and the Acton Minutemen for informational and educational purposes.
Wilson was sworn into Eagle by his grandfather, Jack Wilson, Eagle Scout and his father, Dale Wilson, Eagle Scout. Robert Wilson represents the third generation of Eagle Scouts in his family.
