Primary Source: 1915 Program and Lexington Town Meeting Minutes
(Images courtesy of the Library at Minute Man National Historical Park and Cary Memorial Library)
Lexington's town records include the handwritten Town Meeting Minutes kept by the town clerk (on right.) Some might say these public manuscripts are proof to support that Lexington is the Birthplace of America, because they illustrate how Lexingtonians went from being provincials with farming concerns to being armed patriots. On 13 February 1769, it is recorded: "Minutes of Board of Selectmen Lexington: Call Town Meeting for March 6...to see if the town will suffer swine to go at large;" 7 March 1769, "Meeting of Freeholders and Other Inhabitants of the Town: voted that swine go at large;" 10 November 1774, "Meeting of Freeholders and Other Inhabitants of the Town: Voted to bring the Two pieces of Cannon mentioned in the Warrant from Watertown and mount them at the Towns charge...Voted that the Town provide a Pair of Drums for the use of the Military Company in Town;" 28 November 1774, "Meeting of Freeholders and Other Inhabitants of the town: Voted that the Training Band and alarm meet on Thursday the 12th of December next in Order to View Arms and Ammunition."
On the first anniversary of April 19, 1775, Jonas Clarke commemorated the day with a fiery sermon. Only a year after the battle, Clark called it an "evermemorable day...full of importance to all around-- to this whole land and nation." After the war, luminaries such as George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette began visiting Lexington. As Clarke had predicted, the town and the day had become a part of history. Eventually everyday tourists started coming to the green dubbed "the birthplace of American liberty." The printed documents shown here (on left, and center) are from the Sequi-centennial celebration of 1925. They are two images of many since to feature the minuteman as the enduring symbol that has defined the town of Lexington since the battle.
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