USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The Pilgrims of Boston and their descendants: with an introduction by Hon. Edward Everett, LL. D.; also, inscriptions from the monuments in the Granary burial ground, Tremont street > Part 12
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It seems very strange that this sensible arrangement should have led
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PETER FANEUIL.
to violent outrage. The malecontents assembled together in the night, " disguised like clergymen,"-the devil, sometimes, assumes this ex- terior,-and "totally demolished the centre market-house." This occurred about the year 1736-7, or about the time of Andrew Faneuil's death. Such is the account of good old Thomas Pemberton. (M. H. C. iii. 255.)
The popular sentiment prevented the reconstruction of the centre market-house, till, in 1740, July 14, a town-meeting was held to con- sider a petition for this object, from Thomas Palmer and three hundred and forty others. At this meeting, it was stated that Peter Faneuil had offered, at his own cost, to build a market-house on the town's land, in Dock-square, for the use of the town, if the citizens would legally em- power him so to do, place the same under proper regulations, and main- tain it for that use.
An impression has somewhat extensively prevailed that Mr. Faneuil's proposal was not courteously received by his fellow-citizens, and that a majority of seven only were in favor of it.
On the contrary, Mr. Faneuil's proposal was received with the most ample demonstrations of grateful respect. There were two questions before the meeting : First, shall a vote of thanks be passed to Peter Faneuil for his liberal offer ? Secondly, shall we give up the itinerant system, and have a market-house on any conditions ? Upon the first question, there was but one mind; on the second, there were two. A vote of thanks to Mr. Faneuil was instantly passed, without a dis- sentient. But the second question was the vexed question revived, and excited the passions of the people. Of seven hundred and twenty-seven persons present, three hundred and sixty-seven only voted in favor of granting the petition of Palmer and others, giving a majority of seven only.
Accordingly, the work was commenced ; and it was completed Sept. 10, 1742, " on which day," says Dr. Snow, " Mr. Samuel Ruggles, who was employed in building the market-house, waited on the selectmen, by order of P. Faneuil, Esq., and delivered them the key of said house."
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THE GRANARY BURIAL GROUND.
Peter was a magnificent fellow. An antiquarian friend, to whom the fancy has lineally descended through a line of highly respectable anti- quarian ancestors, informs me that his father handed down to him a tradition which is certainly plausible. It runs thus : While the market- house was in progress,-probably on paper,-it was suggested to Peter that, with very little additional expense, a splendid town-hall might be constructed over it. Peter's heart was quite as roomy as the market- house and town-hall together, and he cheerfully embraced the sugges- tion. The tradition goes a little further. When the cost was summed up, Peter scolded-a little. Very likely. Mr. Peter Faneuil was not an exception, I presume, to the common rule.
The keys, as I have stated, were presented to the town Sept. 10, 1742, with all that courtesy, doubtless, for which he was remarkable. Peter's relatives and connections are somewhat numerous. The de- scendants of Benjamin, his brother, are scattered over the country. It will be equally grateful to them and honorable to our forefathers, to exhibit a portion of the record.
Sept. 13, 1742, at a meeting, in the new hall, a vote of thanks was moved by the Hon. John Jeffries, uncle of the late Dr. John Jeffries. In this vote, it is stated that, whereas Peter Faneuil has, "at a very great expense, erected a noble structure, far exceeding his first proposal, inasmuch as it contains not only a large and sufficient accommodation for a market-place, but a spacious and most beautiful town-hall over it, and several other convenient rooms which may prove very beneficial to the town for offices or otherwise : as the said building being now finished, he has delivered possession thereof to the selectmen for the use of the town : it is therefore voted that the town do, with the utmost gratitude, receive and accept this most generous and noble benefaction, for the use and intentions it is designed for ; and do appoint the Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esquire, the moderator of this meeting, the Hon. Adam Win- throp, Edward Hutchinson, Ezekiel Lewis, and Samuel Waldo, Esquires, Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., the selectmen and representatives of the town of Boston, the Hon. Jacob Wendell, James Bowdoin, Esq.,
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PETER FANEUIL.
Andrew Oliver, Esq., Captain Nathaniel Cunningham, Peter Chardon, Esq., and Mr. Charles Apthorp, to wait upon Peter Faneuil, Esq., and in the name of the town to render him their most hearty thanks for so bountiful a gift, with their prayers that this and other expressions of his bounty and charity may be abundantly recompensed with the Divine blessing."
In addition to this vote, the citizens passed another, that the hall should be called Faneuil Hall for ever, and that the portrait of Faneuil should be painted at full length and placed therein. On the 14th of March, 1744, a vote was passed " to purchase the Faneuil arms, carved and gilt by Moses Deshon, to be fixed in the hall."
Pemberton says : "Previous to the Revolution, the portraits of Mr. Faneuil, Gen. Conway and Col. Barré, were procured by the town, and hung up in the Hall. It is supposed they were carried off by the British." The portrait of Faneuil at present in the Hall was painted by Henry Sargent, from the portrait presented to the Massachusetts Historical Society by Miss Jones, a grandchild of Peter's sister, Mary Ann.
The original building was but half the width of the present, and but two stories high. The Hall could contain but one thousand persons. In the memorable fire of Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1761, Faneuil Hall was destroyed, and nothing left standing but the walls. On the 23d of the following March, the town voted to rebuild, and the State authorized a lottery to meet the expense. There were several classes. A ticket of the seventh class lies before me, bearing date March, 1767, with the spacious autograph of John Hancock at the bottom.
The building retained its primitive proportions till 1806, when, the occasions of the public requiring its enlargement, its width was increased from forty to eighty feet, and a third story added. A very simple rule may be furnished for those who would compare the size of the present building with that of the genuine Peter Faneuil Hall. Take a north- east view of the Hall. There are seven windows before you, in each story. Run a perpendicular line from the ground through the centre of
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THE GRANARY BURIAL GROUND.
the middle window to the top of the belt, at the bottom of the third story ; carry a straight line from that point nearly to the top of the second window, on the right, in the third story. That point is the apex of the old pediment. From that point, draw the corresponding roof line down to the belt at the corner, and you have a profile of the ancient structure, all of which is well exhibited by Dr. Snow on the plan in his history of Boston .- A Sexton of the Old School.
INSCRIPTIONS. 217
AR ** TON,
SON TO NATH'L AND PRISSILLA A. BIRD, AGED 2 YEARS, DIED JAN. YE 17, 1744.
MARY BIRD,
DAUGHTER TO MR. NATHANIEL AND MRS. PRISSILLA BIRD,
AGED 3 WEEKS, DIED NOV. YE 10TH, 1741.
MARY,
DAUGHTER TO MR. NATHANIEL AND MRS. PRISSILLA BIRD, AGED 6 MONTHS, DIED DEC'R 25TH, 1738.
THOMAS PITCARNE, OF SCOTLAND,
DEC'D MAY YE 10TH, 1742, IN YE 18TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
HERE LYES YE BODY OF MR. JOHN MANNING, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, DEC'D FEB. YE 3D, 1726-7.
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THE GRANARY BURIAL GROUND.
[NOTE.] The following was politely handed to us by Mr. WM. B. TRASK ; it was copied from an ancient monument in the Sudbury Burial Ground.
CAPT. SAMUEL WADSWORTH, OF MILTON, HIS LIEU'T SHARP OF BROOKLIN, CAPT. BROCKLEBANK OF ROWLEY, WITH ABOUT TWENTY-SIX OTHER SOULD'RS
FIGHTING FOR YE DEFENCE OF THEIR COUNTRY, WERE SLAIN BY YE INDIAN ENEMY APRIL 18TH,
1676, & LYE BURIED IN THIS PLACE.
HERE LYES BURIED THE BODY OF
THOMAS RUCK, JUN'R,
AGED 34 YEARS, DIED MAY YE 7TH, 1744.
HANNAH GOULD,
YE DAUGHTER TO MR. THOMAS AND MRS. HANNAH GOULD, AGED 5 MONTHS, DIED MARCH 16TH, 1744.
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INSCRIPTIONS.
HERE LYES THE BODY OF
MR. JOSEPH FITCH, JUN'R, AGED 27 YEARS, DIED OCT'R YE 31ST, 1748.
HERE LIES BURIED THE BODY OF
MR. JONATHAN BELCHER, WHO DIED APRIL YE 26TH, 1764, AGED 27 YEARS & 10 MO.
"BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DIE IN THE LORD, THEY REST
FROM THEIR LABOURS & THEIR WORKS DO FOLLOW THEM.
HERE LIES INTERED THE BODY OF · MRS. MARTHA JACKSON, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE OCT'R THE 2D, 1766, AGED 56 YEARS.
ALSO,
FIVE OF HER CHILDREN.
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THE GRANARY BURIAL GROUND.
HERE LIES YE BODY OF ANNE HARDEN, WIFE TO JOHN HARDEN, AGED 80 YEARS, DIED JUNE YE 6TH, 1722.
ELISA ELIAS, DAU. TO MR. JOHN & MRS. ELISABETH ELIAS, DIED AUG. 25, 1752, AGED 13 MONTHS.
HERE LYES YE BODY OF
MR. JOHN LANE, AGED 43 YEARS, DEC'D DECEMBER YE 2D, 1736.
MRS. MARGARET LOCKE, 1736.
CHRISTOPHER,
SON TO JOHN & REBECCA KILBY,
AGED 4 YEARS AND 6 MO., DIED JUNE YE 23D, 1698.
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INSCRIPTIONS. JOHN,
SON TO EBENESER & BATHSHEBA KILBY,
AGED 12 MONTHS, DEC'D SEPT. YE 4, 1735.
HERE LYES THE BODY OF
MR. THOMAS KILBEY,
AGED 42 YEARS, DEC'D SEPT. YE 26TH, 1732.
CAPT. JOHN DECOSTER, 1773.
HERE LYES YE BODY OF
CAPT, JONATHAN ROUSE,
AGED 56 YEARS,
WHO DEC'D DECEM'R YE 30, 1732. -
HERE LYES YE BODY OF
MRS. SARAH DECOSTER,
THE WIFE OF MR. JOHN DECOSTER,
SHE DIED JULY YE 20TH, 1762, AGED 51 YEARS.
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BUNKER HILL.
ERECTED A. D. 1794, BY KING SOLOMON'S LODGE OF FREE MASONS, CONSTITUTED AT CHARLESTOWN, 1783, IN MEMORY OF MAJOR GENERAL WARREN, AND HIS ASSOCIATES, WHO WERE SLAIN ON THIS MEMORABLE SPOT, JUNE 17, 1775.
" None but they who set a just value upon the blessings of liberty are worthy to enjoy her. In vain we toiled, in vain we fought, we bled in vain, if you, our offspring, want valor to repel the assaults of her invaders !"
CHARLESTOWN SETTLED, 1628 : BURNT, 1775; REBUILT, 1776. THE ENCLOSED LAND GIVEN BY HON. JAMES RUSSELL.
IN THIS TOMB
ARE DEPOSITED THE EARTHLY REMAINS OF MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH WARREN, WHO WAS KILLED IN THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL, ON THE 17TH JUNE, 1775.
NOTE .-- The above is from St. Paul's church .*
WARREN.
-
ANCESTRY OF GENERAL WARREN OF BUNKER HILL.
[From Loring's Hundred Boston Orators.]
The name of Warren appears on the Roll of Battle Abbey, as being of those engaged in the Battle of Hastings, under William the Con- queror, Oct. 14, 1066. It appears also in Doomsday Book, published in 1081. William de Warrene, the first of the name according to Dun- can's Dukes of Normandy, related to Duke William on the side of his mother, who was niece to the Duchess Gouner, took his name from the fief of Varenne, or Warrene, in the district of St. Aub-in-le-Cauf. Warrene received from the Conqueror two hundred and ninety-eight manors, and in 1073 he was adjoined to Richard de Bienfaite as Grand Justiciary of England. He was created Earl of Surrey, by William
* It should be stated that the remains of General Warren were formerly deposited in the tomb of Stephen Minot, Esq., a merchant of Boston, and father of Hon. George Richards Minot, who was at that period a student in Harvard College, and in 1824 were removed to St. Paul's Church.
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THE GRANARY BURIAL GROUND.
Rufus, in 1089, and died shortly afterwards. He was buried in the Abbey of Lewes, in Sussex, which he had founded.
The ancestry of General Joseph Warren has long been a subject of doubtful speculation, as it could not be traced to the ancient families either of Plymouth or Watertown. After careful research, we believe it traceable to the public records of Boston. Doubtless the ancestor of this family was Peter Warren, a mariner, who, according to Suffolk Deeds, purchased an estate of Theodore Atkinson, of Boston, March 8, 1659, " situated on the south side of Boston, next the water-side, oppo- site and against Dorchester Neck." This was a part of ancient Matta- pan, now South Boston. On his decease, he gave his dwelling-house and land to his widow Esther, for and during her natural life, in case she continue a widow, and not otherwise. In case she happen to marry again, the estate should revert to his son Joseph ; or, at her decease, if a widow, he bequeathed the same to him. He married three times, and died at Boston, Nov. 15, 1704, aged 76 years. His will is in Suffolk Probate. His son Joseph, according to Suffolk Deeds, conveyed, April 15, 1714, this estate to Henry Hill, distiller, for eighty pounds, with the reserve, that his widowed mother Esther should have a life occupancy, and profits and benefits of the same. It was located in Boston, at the south part of the town, and bounded southerly at the front by Essex- street, fifty-seven feet ; westerly by the land of Isaac Goose, eighty-one feet ; northerly by the land of Henry Cole, thirty-one feet ; easterly by the land of Whitman, eighty-four feet ;- with the buildings, wells, water-courses, &c. A distillery has long been located on this estate, bounded by South street, and is improved by William E. French. This was doubtless the ancestral residence. We find no conveyance of real estate to Peter Warren at any other period.
Sarah, the first wife of Peter Warren, was admitted to the Old South Church, by dismission, May 22, 1670. His second wife, Hannah, was received in the same church, by dismission also, April 30, 1675 ; and his third wife, Esther, was admitted to that church, also by dismis- sion, Oct. 11, 1687.
The baptisms of the children are on the records of the Old South
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WARREN.
Church, and correspond with the births on the records of Boston, as follows: Peter Warren married Sarah, a daughter of Robert Tucker, of Dorchester, Aug. 1, 1660, by whom he had John, born Sept. 8, 1661; Joseph, born Feb. 19, 1662; Benjamin, born July 25, 1665 ; Eliza- beth, born Jan. 4, 1667; Robert, born Dec. 14, 1670; Ebenezer, born Feb. 11, 1672; Peter, born April 20, 1676 ; Hannah, by his wife Han- nah, born May 19, 1680; Mary, born Nov. 24, 1683; Robert, born Dec. 24, 1684.
Joseph, the second son of Peter, who, according to Suffolk Deeds, was a housewright, married Deborah, a daughter of Samuel Williams, of Roxbury, where he settled, and had eight children ; among whom was Joseph, born Feb. 2, 1696. He died at Roxbury, July 13, 1729, aged 66 ; and this corresponds with the Boston record of his birth. His will was proved August 1st of that date.
Joseph, Jr., son of Joseph of Roxbury, married Mary, daughter of Dr. Samuel Stevens, of that town, May 29, 1740. He is named, on Suffolk Probate, as "gentleman." He was a respectable farmer, and was the first person who cultivated an apple, with a fine blush on one side, famous as the Warren Russet. The Boston News-letter thus relates the tale of his decease, in a note dated Roxbury, Oct. 25, 1755 :
" On Wednesday last a sorrowful accident happened here. As Mr. Joseph Warren, of this town, was gathering apples from a tree, stand- ing upon a ladder at a considerable distance from the ground, he fell from thence, broke his neck, and expired in a few moments. He was esteemed a man of good understanding, industrious, upright, honest, and faithful,-a serious, exemplary Christian, a useful member of society. He was generally respected amongst us, and his death is universally lamented."
Joseph, 3d, a son of Joseph, Jr., was born at Roxbury, June 11, 1741. He graduated at Harvard College, 1759, and was a public- school teacher at Roxbury, in 1760. The old mansion in which he was born has been demolished, and an exact model of it, made partly of the' original materials, is retained in the family of Dr. Brown, who married a daughter of Dr. John Warren. A painting of the estate is in the
15
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THE GRANARY BURIAL GROUND.
family of Dr. John C. Warren. An elegant stone building has been erected on the location. The inscriptions herewith are chiselled on the front side of the second story of the edifice; that on the right hand is as follows :
" On this spot stood the house erected in 1720 by Joseph Warren, of Boston, remarkable for being the birthplace of General Joseph War- ren, his grandson, who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775." The inscription on the left hand is as follows: "John Warren, a distinguished physician and anatomist, was also born here. The original mansion being in ruins, this house was built by John C. Warren, M. D., in 1846, son of the last named, as a permanent memo- rial of the spot." The estate is in Warren-street, on Warren-place, opposite St. James'-street.
Warren was ever remarkable for fearless intrepidity. When at college, some of his classmates were engaged in a merriment which they knew Warren would not approve, and adopted a plan to prevent his attendance. They fastened the door of the apartment, which was in the upper story of a college building. Warren, finding that he could not get in at the door, and perceiving that there was an open window, deter- mined to effect his entrance by that way, from the roof. He accord- ingly ascended the stairs to the top of the building, and, getting out upon the roof, let himself down to the eaves, and thence, by the aid of a spout, to a level with the open window, through which he leaped into the midst of the conspirators. The spout, which was of wood, was so much decayed by time, that it fell to the ground as Warren relaxed his hold upon it. His classmates, hearing the crash, rushed to the window, and when they perceived the cause, loudly congratulated him upon the escape. He coolly remarked that the spout had retained its position just long enough to serve his purpose; and, without further notice of the accident, proceeded to remonstrate with them on the mischief they intended to perpetrate, which had the desired effect.
In the period of the Revolution a gallows was erected on the Neck, near Roxbury, for the public execution of criminals. One day, when he was passing the spot, he met three British officers, one of whom
227
WARREN.
called to him, saying, " Go on, Warren ; you will soon come to the gal- lows !" It was very evident they meant to insult him, as they burst into a loud laugh as soon as it was uttered. Warren was not a man to submit to an insult from any one, least of all from them. He immedi- ately turned back, walked up to them, and calmly requested to know which of them had thus addressed him. Not one of them had the courage to avow his insolence. Finding he could obtain no answer, he at last left them, ashamed of themselves and each other, but pleased to escape so easily. This is related on the authority of Dr. John C. Warren.
Gen. Warren resided several years in Boston, on the location of the present American House, nearly opposite Elm-street. Wired skulls, from his anatomical room, were discovered, in excavating the earth, about the year 1835. He was a member of Rev. Dr. Cooper's church, in Brattle-street, and his pew was located opposite the old southern door, in the body of the house, which he selected for the prevention of dis- turbance, when abruptly called on for medical aid.
The late Governor Eustis, who was, in 1774, a student of medicine under Warren, relates that, in returning to his dwelling, he passed several British officers in Queen-street, among whom was Col. Wolcott, who subsequently became notorious for a paltry insult, in addressing General Washington as " Mr. Washington," in a letter on the subject of prisoners ; and, as the friends of Warren were then constantly expecting that some attempt would be made to seize him by the regulars, Eustis stated the circumstance, and advised him not to leave the house. War- ren replied, "I have a visit to make to a lady in Cornhill, this evening, and I will go at once ; come with me." He then put his pistols in his pocket, and they went out. They passed several British officers, with- out molestation from them. It was ascertained, the next day, that they were watching for two pieces of cannon which had been removed by some Bostonians, of which a relation is given in the outline of John Hancock. Warren, having his spirit fretted, one day, by some of the taunts frequently uttered by British officers, exclaimed, " These fellows say we won't fight. By heavens ! I hope I shall die up to my knees in
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THE GRANARY BURIAL GROUND.
blood !" This was spoken but a few weeks before the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Gen. Warren married Elizabeth, a daughter of the late Dr. Richard Hooton, of Boston, Sept. 6, 1764. Their children were Joseph, who graduated at Harvard College, in 1786,-died single in 1790; Richard, who died at twenty-one years of age; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Gen. Arnold Welles; and Mary, wife of Judge Newcomb, of Green- field, who died Feb. 7, 1826. Their son Joseph Warren Newcomb, counsellor at Springfield, has two children, the last living descendants. The three younger children of Gen. Warren were for a period under the care of Miss Mercy Scollay, of Boston, a lady to whom he was be- trothed for a second wife. His wife died April 29, 1773, aged twenty- six years. This impressive tribute to the virtues of his lamented partner appeared in the Boston Gazette of that year :
" If fading lilies, when they droop and die, Robbed of each charm that pleased the gazing eye, With sad regret the grieving mind inspire, What, then, when virtue's brightest lamps expire ? Ethereal spirits see the systems right, But mortal minds demand a clearer sight. In spite of reason's philosophic art, A tear must fall to indicate the heart. Could reason's force disarm the tyrant foe, Or calm the mind that feels the fatal blow, No clouded thought had discomposed the mind Of him whom Heaven ordained her dearest friend. Good sense and modesty with virtue crowned, A sober mind, when fortune smiled or frowned ; So keen a feeling for a friend distressed, She could not bear to see a worm oppressed. These virtues fallen enhance the scene of woe, Swell the big drops that scarce confinement know, And force them down in copious showers to flow. But know, thou tyrant Death, thy force is spent,- Thine arm is weakened, and thy bow unbent. Secured from insults of your guilty train Of marshalled slaves, inflict disease and pain,
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WARREN.
She rides triumphant on the aerial course, To land at pleasure's inexhausted source ; Celestial Genii line the heavenly way, And guard her passage to the realms of day."
[The following memoir is taken from the Monthly Magazine, published in Boston, June, 1826, and is the production of Samuel L. Knapp, Esq.]
Major-General Joseph Warren was born in Roxbury, in 1741. His father was a respectable farmer in that place, who had held several mu- nicipal offices to the acceptance of his fellow-citizens. Joseph, with several of his brothers, was instructed in the elementary branches of knowledge at the public grammar school of the town, which was distin- guished for its successive instructors of superior attainments. In 1755, he entered college, where he sustained the character of a youth of talents, fine manners, and of a generous, independent deportment, united to great personal courage and perseverance.
On the 18th of April, 1775, by his agents in Boston, he discovered the design of the British commander to seize or destroy our few stores at Concord. He instantly despatched several confidential messengers to Lexington. The late venerable patriot, Paul Revere, was one of them. This gentleman has given a very interesting account of the difficulties he encountered in the discharge of this duty. The alarm was given, and the militia, burning with resentment, were, at daybreak on the 19th, on the road to repel insult and aggression. The drama was opened about sunrise, within a few yards of the house of God, in Lexington. Warren hastened to the field of action, in the full ardor of his soul, and shared the dangers of the day. While pressing on the enemy, a musket ball took off a lock of his hair close to his ear. The lock was rolled and pinned after the fashion of that day, and considera- ble force must have been necessary to have cut it away. The people were delighted with his cool, collected bravery, and already considered him as a leader, whose gallantry they were to admire and in whose talents they were to confide.
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THE GRANARY BURIAL GROUND.
On the 14th of June, 1775, the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts made him a Major General of their forces. He was at this time presi- dent of the Provincial Congress, having been elected the preceding year a member from the town of Boston.
Several respectable historians have fallen into some errors in describ- ing the battle in which he fell, by giving the command of the troops on that day to Warren, when he was only a volunteer in the fight. He did not arrive on the battle-ground until the enemy had commenced their movements for the attack. As soon as he made his appearace on the field, the veteran commander of the day, Colonel Prescott, desired to act under his directions; but Warren declined taking any other part than that of a volunteer, and added, that he came to learn the art of war from an experienced soldier, whose orders he should be happy to obey. In the battle, he was armed with a musket, and stood in the ranks, now and then changing his place, to encourage his fellow-soldiers by words and example. When the battle was decided, and our people fled, Warren was one of the last who left the breastwork, and was slain within a few yards of it, as he was slowly retiring. His death brought a sickness to the heart of the community, and the people mourned his fall; not with the convulsive agony of a betrothed virgin over the bleeding corpse of her lover, but with the pride of the Spartan mother, who, in the intensity of her grief, smiled to see that the wounds whence life had flown were on the breast of her son, and was satisfied that he had died in defence of his country.
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