Discover Danvers history as we trace the events of 250 years ago, leading up to the War of Independence.
October 4, 1774 – As reported in the Essex Gazette, Oct. 18-25, 1774: “At a meeting of the following commissioned Officers of the first Regiment in Essex (under the Command of Wm. Browne, Esq.,) held at Danvers, 4th Day of October, 1774, William Putnam, William Pickman, Benj. Ward, tertius, Capt. Low, Joseph Gowen, Samuel Flagg, Jeremiah Page, Ephram Fuller, Samuel Gardner, Christopher Osgood, William Brown, Ezekiel Marsh, Nathaniel Sherman, Robert Foster, Enoch Putnam, Samuel Eppes, John Hathorne, Samuel King, John Dodge, James Bancroft, Amos Curtis, Ebenezer Proctor, Elias Endicott. Voted unanimously. That they resign their Commissions as Officers in said Regiment, and they do hereby declare their Resignation thereof.
N. B. The above Vote passed in Consequence of the said Col. Browne's refusing to resign his Seat at the Council Board.”
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October 5, 1774 – General Court convenes in Salem despite Governor’s latest decree. But Gage finds out and sends troops to arrest the rabblerousers. They all escape and later reconvene in Concord.
October 6, 1774 -- The General Court resolves itself into a Convention with John Hancock as President to consider Governor Gage’s September 28 proclamation.
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October 7, 1774 – The Massachusetts Convention then resolves itself into Provincial Congress, specifically, “to take into consideration the dangerous and alarming situation of public affairs in this province, and to consult and determine on such measures as they shall judge will tend to promote the true interest of his majesty, and the peace, welfare, and prosperity of the province.”
October 7, 1774 -- A Great fire in Salem burns a number of houses and buildings causing £20,000 damage.
October 11, 1774 – Provincial congress meets at the First Church of Concord. John Hancock is chosen President.
October 12, 1774 – Three companies of the 65th Regiment of Foot arrive in Boston.
October 13, 1774 – In Concord, a committee chosen to consider the state of the province reported same and addressed General Gage for the purpose in Boston.
October 18, 1774 – In Newburyport, tea was outlawed, but people openly continued to drink it. The result was a newspaper account of Teas being destroyed by Fire and Water.
October 20, 1774 – In Concord, Mandamus Councilors who refuse to resign are ordered to be entered onto town records as rebels against the state and their names ordered to be published. Those who have resigned are to be forgiven for their “past misconduct” and to be free from molestation. Provincial Congress issues a resolution to encourage the entire disuse of tea and that those who use or sell the same have their names posted in a public place.
October 23, 1774 – Three companies of the Royal Irish Regiment arrive from New York.
October 24, 1774 – The 47th Regiment of Foot arrives from New York.
October 26, 1774 -- Provincial Congress Resolves – officers of the militia companies to assemble and elect field officers to command the regiments formed and that the field officers enlist ¼ of the militia companies to equip themselves and hold themselves in readiness on the shortest notice (minute regiments). Every company to have a Captain and 2 Lieutenants and at least 50 men. Ordered the citizens to train and procure arms. Towns must fund and equip the militia companies. Cottage industries sprang up to make supplies: swords, bayonets, cartridge boxes, knapsacks etc. Each man had a musket or fowling piece and supplied his own ball as they were all different calibers. Minutemen companies (men aged 16-30 yrs) were formed from the Militias (men aged 16-60 yrs) and regiments formed by County. Each town was required to have at least one militia company, some had several. Danvers had at least three.
October 27, 1774 – The Third Company in Danvers, part of the First Essex, met and chose Jeremiah Page as their chairman. As reported in the Essex Gazette:
“At a Meeting of the People (both the Alarm and Training Band) of the third Company in Danvers, being part of the first Regiment in the County of Essex, held at Danvers, 27th October, 1774, for the Purpose of choosing Officers for said Company, in Consequence of their former Officers resigning their Post of office.
Capt. Jeremiah Page, Chairman,
Voted, Capt. Jeremiah Page, Captain.
Voted, Lieut. Enoch Putnam, First Lieut.
Voted, Mr. William Towne, Second Lieut.
Voted, Mr. Joseph Porter, Ensign.
Voted, That the said Officers be acknowledged by the said People as their Officers, until the said Company shall be otherwise settled in the old constitutional way.
Attest, Arch. Dale, Clerk."
Essex Gazette, Oct. 25-Nov. 1, 1774.
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