Sparks Journal

1775. April 16
I fear that war is inevitable. We are hiding munitions in Concord, just for that purpose. Many of my friends feel those munitions will be used. Regulars nearly fill the Common, now. More even than those who attended the funeral of that poor boy, Christopher Seider, killed by a Tory a few years back. Merchants are angry, too, for the Soldiers have cut off our ports. Anger and weapons rarely end in a favorable outcome. William Dawes has told me that the Regulars plan to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who are hiding in Lexington. If the Regulars don’t find Samuel and John, then they might find the munitions. Surely, it is not mad of me to think that blood will be split. With the need for liberty and presence of Regulars it will have to end in death.

I thought of this throughout the day, as I had much time on my hands. My shop was not busy, as people do not have enough money for silver or even pewter. There is not enough money for much these days. Not even a single shilling can be spared. I fear that my shop will not be around for much longer. But such is the life of a silversmith. Not allowed the rest of gentry, but at least not a slave or indentured. And I know what is like to be indentured.

I was finally able to go home to my family. Shamous had been learning my trade and entered with me. Michael hugged my legs as though I’d been gone a year, although I was in the same building the whole time. Colleen was holding little Darcy. Colleen asked if business had been good in her thick Irish accent. We were almost the only Irish family left in Boston. I remembered coming over from Ireland with my parents. I was an apprentice to a silversmith, where I learned my trade. My parents soon died of small pox. After I met Colleen, our first two children died. Since then two others have died. Why is it that I am still here but most of my family has gone away? What plans does He have for me?

That’s why not many wanted to be here, not with the tension, the death, and disease. But we could not leave, as the ports were closed. But, still, liberty was too tempting to give up now. That was why we stayed, that was why everyone stayed, even if the ports were open. The Patriots were not done yet. Nor would they be done until we had liberty.

1775. April 20
Business today was not much different from regular days; I had few customers. I need another trade, if we are to survive. Survival is not only the reason I need my shop, but also the reason why my shop is failing. The common man’s money goes all to provisions, and there is little else to spare. Only gentry, these days, seem to have enough, but they want nothing to do with my lowly self. And so, money is hard to come by. I wish for a better trade.

Tonight, as I was having supper with my family, I heard a knock on the door. It was William Dawes. He invited me outside, so I followed him. He explained hurriedly, and I could barely understand. He said Joseph Warren had told Paul Revere and William to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock in Lexington that the Regulars were coming. He told me that t if they find Samuel or John, they’ll hang them. I asked where Paul was. He replied almost mournfully that they encountered Regulars on the way. Paul was caught. He left and I went back upstairs to finish dinner with my family.

I finished the beef stew that Colleen had made. I thought of what William had said, of Paul Revere. I often visited him and Rachel. Sometimes we would talk about the Lobsterbacks over a game of whist. Paul was a kind man. I could not envision him dying. Samuel Adams, I also knew, but not very well. John Hancock I knew to be a merchant. The Regulars want to avoid war, but by killing people. I would rather have them take me then have to witness more death. If war comes, I want to fight the damned Regulars. They have tormented me enough.

1775. April 30
War has begun nearly a fortnight ago. It began in Concord, a battle which we have won. My forebodings were accurate as many are dead. I shall leave tomorrow to join the Patriots. It seems as though freedom is within our grasp, now. We will reach for it. Of course, I do feel sorrow to have to leave my family, but I will do it for them, ultimately. I don’t want a tyrannical leadership for my children, I will die before that happens.

Paul Revere has managed to escape the Regulars holding him captive. He even helped John Hancock and Samuel Adams escape. Those three will not be hung like burglars. They are not treasonous, but simply yearn for liberty. Something even Parliament can understand.

Everything appears to be unfolding rather favorably. Death is never good, but what it will contribute to is much more than just good. The King is sadly mistaken if he thinks we will give up. I will not allow death to go in vain. The bloodstained ground will hold my own blood before the King wins. But even if the British hold power, they will not control our hearts and minds. There will always be a yearning for freedom.

Historical References:

The American Revolution. April 10, 2006.                        <http://www.americanrevolution.com>

Collier, Christopher, and James Lincoln Collier. The American Revolution: 1763 - 1783. New York: Benchmark Books, 1998

Colonial Williamsburg. April 10, 2006.                 <http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/trades/tradesil.cfm>

Fisher, Leonard Everett. The Silversmiths. New York: Benchmark Books, 1997.

Hakim, Joy. Making Thirteen Colonies. New York: Oxford University Press Inc.,    1993.

Hakim, Joy. From Colonies to Countries. New York: Oxford University Press Inc.,    1993.

Kalman, Bobbie. The Blacksmith. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2002.

The Midnight Rider Virtual Museum. April 27, 2006.                <http://www.cvesd.k12.ca.us/finney/paulvm/foyer.html>

Paul Revere - His Ride and Associations with Freemasonry. April 27, 2006.    <http://www.bessel.org/revere.htm>

The Paul Revere House. April 27, 2006. <http://www.paulreverehouse.org/>

Artist's Rendering

Historical Reenactment

Historical Terms
Tory	liberty
apprentice	Patriots
Lobsterbacks	Parliament

About the Historian
I'm not a real historian. I'm just pretending for school. Most of the facts are true, but this is not actually real. I did not have a good amount of time to do this, so bare with me. But, I hope you enjoy it.