A still more serious matter was further to engross her parents’ thoughts. One evening late in April, as the squire sat on the front porch resting from his day’s labour, Charles, who had been sent to the village on some errand, came cantering up the road, and drew rein opposite.
“Have better care how ye ride that filly, sir,” said the squire, sharply. “I’ll not have her wind broke by hard riding.”
“I know enough of horses to do her no harm,” answered the man, dismounting easily and gracefully; “and if I rode a bit quick, ’t is because I’ve news that needs wings.”
“What’s to do?” demanded the master, laying down the “Rivington’s Royal Gazette” he had been reading.
“As I was buying the nails,” replied the servant, speaking with obvious excitement, “Mr. Bissel rode up to the tavern with a letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safety to the southward; and as ’t was of some moment, while he baited, I took a copy of it.” The groom held out a paper, his hand shaking a little in his excitement, and with an eager look on his face he watched the squire read the following:—
Water Town Wednesday Morning near 11 of Clock.
To all friends of american liberty, be it known, that this morning before break of day, a Brigade, consisting of about 1,000 or 1,200 Men, landed at Phipp’s Farm at Cambridge and marched to Lexington, where they found a Company of our Militia in Arms, upon whom they fired without any provocation and killed 6 Men & wounded 4 others—By an express from Boston we find another Brigade are now upon their march from Boston, supposed to be about 1,000—The bearer Israel Bissel is charged to alarm the Country quite to Connecticut; and all Persons are desired to furnish him with fresh Horses, as they may be needed—I have spoken with several, who have seen the dead & wounded.
J. Palmer one of the Committee of safety.
Forwarded from Worcester April 19, 1775.
| Brooklyn—Thursday | 11 o Clock |
| Norwich | 4 o Clock |
| New London | 7 o Clock |
| Lynne—Friday Morning | 1 o Clock |
| Say Brook | 4 o Clock |
| Shillingsworth | 7 o Clock |
| E. Gillford | 8 o Clock |
| Guilford | 10 o Clock |
| Bradford | 12 o Clock |
| New Haven—April 21 |