I was given a 4th of July assignment by Justin. He asked that I put up a quick post of the Douglas citizens who served during the Revolutionary War. “It’s important to celebrate America’s Independence because without America, we would not have what is today’s modern public library.”
But me being me, I decided I can’t stop at just providing a list of those who served. I decided I would stop at the Common and take a photograph of the Soldiers’ Monument and also do a little more research. Because what is a Bits & Pieces without some of my babbling?
I decided to consult William A. Emerson’s History of the Town of Douglas as he has multiple chapters on the War of the Revolution. And I learned an interesting fact I found too compelling not to share. Apparently, many towns and cities adopted or approved the declaration in support of independence.
“The Declaration of Independence was approved by the town on the 24th of June, 1776, not a single vote being recorded in opposition to it. To show people were in earnest in declaring themselves “independent of the crown of Great Britain,” they at once forwarded for the use of the army six each of shovels, axes, picks and spades.”
Douglas, with her albeit small population of around 300, had around 45 of her citizens serve in the Revolutionary War. In 1774, during a reorganization of the Militia, Douglas (along with Mendon, Uxbridge, Northbridge, and Upton) was part of the 7th Regiment.
A quick bit of information regarding the monument: Douglas does not have an individual monument for the Revolutionary War. The Soldiers’ Monument was erected in 1908 and dedicated on September 19th, 1908. The monument is “A memorial to the unknown dead soldiers, sailors and marines of 1776-1812, 1861 to 1865, and 1898…” So even this monument, that is partially in honor of the Revolutionary War Soldiers, does not honor those men whose names we do know.
The photographs that are being shared are names of the Revolutionary Soldiers who are buried in Douglas. These names were compiled by A.L. Leonard, Abbie Marsh, Mary E. Burgess (Principal Archives Assistant) and Frank Young during the early 1900s. It is unclear what their affiliation was or for what purpose these names were compiled. Also, here are some photographs of Soldiers’ Monument. (If you right click on the image and open in new tab, you will be able to view in full size.)
Happy 4th of July!
