Sparks Journal

April 14, 1775

Dear Mr. Revere,

Today I was repairing Captain Isaac Davis’ musket when my brother, James, returned from Philadelphia where he has been for over a year now. Whilst he was informing me of what was going on down in Philadelphia, he told me something that left me breathless: A piece of information that I knew I had to tell you. The information is this-

During James’ long carriage ride home he happened to overhear some regulars that were conversing below his bedroom window at the tavern that he was lodged at. According to what James told me and Emily, he couldn't hear every word that was said by the soldiers but he is certain that he heard them saying something about General Gage and the other generals planning to attack the stockade of weapons at Concord. So as I was pulling on my waistcoat and putting on my new tricorner hat that I had gotten for a birthday present from dear kindhearted James, getting ready to head to Samuel Adams house, I was forced to leave my gun shop in James’ hand. Because James, as you know, was a gunsmith before he left his shop in his apprentice’s hands and became a lawyer. Then I set off at a run for Samuel Adams’ house. What happened at Samuel's house I can not tell you in full. I can, however, tell you that in short Samuel told me that he would inform Dr Joseph Warren that I was requesting to have a meeting with him. When I inquired to why I was to meet with Dr Warren, he answered that although he himself hasn't any idea of what actions to take to resolve the problem with which we are faced but, he said pausing. that he was confident enough to bet his life that Dr. Warren would know what to do.

Until next time,
Job Williams

April 17, 1775

My Dearest Emily,

Today I went to Dr. Warrens house concerning the safety of our friends John Hancock and Samuel Adams . I am growing wary that the tories might find out my choice of which side I support. Every night I fear that i will be found out and be tossed into prison for some unknown reason fabricated by those CONFOUNDED GOOD FOR NOTHING LOBSTERBACKS. Any way I am straying from the point of this letter. Whilst I was visiting Joseph Warrens’ house today not only did I ask him what to do concerning our friends safety I also told him about the bloodybacks plans to capture the weapons store in Concord.

Anyways, he told me that I had to bring him to my brother James house in Lexington. He told me not to worry and that the plans had already been made and that all that I was required to do was accompany them to Lexington for protection and stay there an extra night just for precautions and though I will miss you so; but as you and I both are aware, I must do because I do still have some duties towards Dr Warren and would do any thing if it meant saving as close a friend as Samuel and John are to me. My other reason for risking my my life and my freedom is that as both you and I are aware sacrifices must be made for the freedom of our colony and our country. I will see you on the night of the nineteenth but it will seem like to me an eternity tell Paul Revere that tomorrow night he is to to ride to all of the captains and other whigs houses and warn them that the regulars are in fact coming tell him that he will be accompanied by William Dawes and Dr Samuel Prescott to Concord and then Lexington. Tell him that I will meet him at Lexington at James house and will do any thing to help him with his duty.

With Love,
Your Husband

p.s. give my love to
the children

April 21, 1775

Dear Dr Warren,

I am writing to you to tell you of the events of last night as relayed by Mr. Paul Revere. Mr. Revere did not in fact complete the task assigned to him by you, but he did complete some of it. According to Paul, he left Boston last night by riding across the Charles River. He tied cloth around the blades of the oars to soften the sound. He then walked to Charlestown where he then acquired a horse and began his ride to his first checkpoint which, as I am sure you are aware, was the town of Lexington. Although his final destination was Concord he never made it there. Luckily he was able to warn those who you ordered him to warn (or most of them) and he also succeeded in raising the alarm to those whose houses he passed during his ride. Revere would have completed his task if not for the fact that; on his way to Lexington, he, William Dawes and, Samuel Prescott ran into a group of regulars that had been waiting for them and, although Revere was captured, William and Samuel were not. But still, how could we have been so foolish, that we would have looked over this detail anyways. According to Revere a man in the infantry, Major Mitchell told him that if he attempted to escape that he would blow his brains out.

According to Revere during the travel to Lexington the Lobsterbacks insulted him often. Revere also told me that when he and the troops that had captured him came within a half of an hour of Lexington he heard a gunshot and told the soldiers that it was a warning to citizens of the town. the british soldiers brought him to Lexington but ran off once they heard the warning bells taking Reveres horse with them and leaving Revere. Revere told me that he then set off for my brother James house and warned Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Hancock then ordered Mr. revere and I to go to the Buckman Tavern to retrieve a trunk filled with important documents and papers for him and meet him at the edge of town where we were to accompany him somewhere although he would not tell us where. Alas I must leave now but if I hear any more I will be sure that you will be the first person I inform.

Your Friend,
Job Williams

Historical References:

<>
Hakim, Joy. From Colonies to Country.
    1992 Oxford University Press, New York

Miller, Christian. Paul Revere. 28 April. 2006
    <http://darter.ocps.net/classroom/revolution/revere.htm>

Revere’s ride - His own story. 25 April.2006           <http://www.americanrevolution.org/revere.html>

Artist's Rendering

Historical Reenactment

Historical Terms
musket	liberty
lobsterback	Tory
whigs	infantry

About the Historian
Michael is a seventh grade student student at King Middle School in Portland, Me. He enjoys reading, listening to music, and hanging out with his friends.