Amen. Thank God that men like this arose to the occasion. Thank God for their conviction and resolve to see it through no matter the cost. I just wanted to share one of my favorite stories of courage and commitment during that war. A true Caleb of his time.
Samuel Whittemore
Samuel Whittemore first came to North America in his late 40’s.
As a Captain in the British Army, he was sent to fight in King George’s War. After the British Victory, he carried home a French sword as a souvenir.
Whittemore liked what he saw in the colonies and decided to take up residence in Massachusetts. He married and lived a normal farmer’s life.
When the French and Indian War broke out, Samuel (now in his mid-60’s) again went to fight for King and Country.
As he approached 70 years old, the lifelong soldiers went out to fight once more in Pontiac’s War. He returned with another souvenir, this time a set of pistols.
Passing Troops
When he saw British soldiers marching through his hometown of Menotomy, MA, Samuel Whittemore thought little of it. Troops had moved through that part of the colony before and nothing came of it. Later that day, however, another group of soldiers passed through. This was strange. If the British needed reinforcements, something must have happened.
To Arms
Sure enough, word began to arrive of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The British were in retreat. They would be passing back through Menotomy. The town Militia took up arms and stationed themselves on the hillside, gaining an advantage as the British took the road back to Boston. Well, except Samuel Whittemore.
Surprise Attack
Despite the frenzied recommendations of his neighbors to take up a more strategic position on higher ground, Samuel Whittemore situated himself behind a stone wall not far from the road.
When the British passed through the colonists fired down at them. The Redcoats began to make their way up the hillside.
Suddenly, an almost-80-year-old Samuel sprang up and fired his musket at point-blank range, killing a man instantly.
The surprised enemy did not react before Whittemore drew his two souvenir pistols and fired them both. Each shot struck a Redcoat, one of whom died instantly and another who was mortally wounded.
Last Stand
Whittemore was surrounded and the British began to pounce on him.
Samuel drew his souvenir sword to engage his opponents.
A musket was held to his face and fired.
Whittemore went down in a pool of blood. The British proceeded to bayonet him thirteen times.
Samuel Whittemore was left for dead.
Survivor
After the smoke cleared and the dust settled, the people of Menotomy searched for survivors.
Many of the militiamen who saw Whittemore ‘John Wayne’ in the face of his adversaries went to collect his body.
Shockingly, Samuel wasn’t dead.
Though he was badly wounded, they found him sprawled on the ground…attempting to load his musket!
The old man was taken to a nearby doctor who (though confident Whittemore would die) stitched him back up.
Samuel was brought home to finish his life surrounded by family but, somehow, the Patriot survived.
Whittemore would proudly wear the scars on the face for the rest of his life. That life spanned eighteen more years, long enough to see a new nation formed.
Samuel Whittemore passed away just short of the century mark.
https://www.founderoftheday.com/founder-of-the-day/whittemore
A prayer. Father I ask that the stories and words of our forefathers be brought to life again to inspire the courage to stand against tyranny. Let it be a wildfire that instills a resolve to uproot every wicked seat of power that has usurped its way into our government. Father pour out your spirit upon this nation just as you did in the first great awakening that preceded that war, Father let your spirit awaken its people to good and evil, right and wrong, that they would find the courage to face the risk and sacrifice themselves, to stand up for their neighbor, to stand up for the oppressed and speak out and stand against the oppressor. “Heaven knows how to put a proper price on its goods”. Father give us the resolve and courage to see it through and to be a light to others along the way in Jesus name, amen.
Amen. Thank God that men like this arose to the occasion. Thank God for their conviction and resolve to see it through no matter the cost. I just wanted to share one of my favorite stories of courage and commitment during that war. A true Caleb of his time.
Samuel Whittemore
Samuel Whittemore first came to North America in his late 40’s.
As a Captain in the British Army, he was sent to fight in King George’s War. After the British Victory, he carried home a French sword as a souvenir.
Whittemore liked what he saw in the colonies and decided to take up residence in Massachusetts. He married and lived a normal farmer’s life.
When the French and Indian War broke out, Samuel (now in his mid-60’s) again went to fight for King and Country.
As he approached 70 years old, the lifelong soldiers went out to fight once more in Pontiac’s War. He returned with another souvenir, this time a set of pistols.
Passing Troops
When he saw British soldiers marching through his hometown of Menotomy, MA, Samuel Whittemore thought little of it. Troops had moved through that part of the colony before and nothing came of it. Later that day, however, another group of soldiers passed through. This was strange. If the British needed reinforcements, something must have happened.
To Arms
Sure enough, word began to arrive of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The British were in retreat. They would be passing back through Menotomy. The town Militia took up arms and stationed themselves on the hillside, gaining an advantage as the British took the road back to Boston. Well, except Samuel Whittemore.
Surprise Attack
Despite the frenzied recommendations of his neighbors to take up a more strategic position on higher ground, Samuel Whittemore situated himself behind a stone wall not far from the road.
When the British passed through the colonists fired down at them. The Redcoats began to make their way up the hillside.
Suddenly, an almost-80-year-old Samuel sprang up and fired his musket at point-blank range, killing a man instantly.
The surprised enemy did not react before Whittemore drew his two souvenir pistols and fired them both. Each shot struck a Redcoat, one of whom died instantly and another who was mortally wounded.
Last Stand
Whittemore was surrounded and the British began to pounce on him.
Samuel drew his souvenir sword to engage his opponents.
A musket was held to his face and fired.
Whittemore went down in a pool of blood. The British proceeded to bayonet him thirteen times.
Samuel Whittemore was left for dead.
Survivor
After the smoke cleared and the dust settled, the people of Menotomy searched for survivors.
Many of the militiamen who saw Whittemore ‘John Wayne’ in the face of his adversaries went to collect his body.
Shockingly, Samuel wasn’t dead.
Though he was badly wounded, they found him sprawled on the ground…attempting to load his musket!
The old man was taken to a nearby doctor who (though confident Whittemore would die) stitched him back up.
Samuel was brought home to finish his life surrounded by family but, somehow, the Patriot survived.
Whittemore would proudly wear the scars on the face for the rest of his life. That life spanned eighteen more years, long enough to see a new nation formed.
Samuel Whittemore passed away just short of the century mark.
https://www.founderoftheday.com/founder-of-the-day/whittemore
A prayer. Father I ask that the stories and words of our forefathers be brought to life again to inspire the courage to stand against tyranny. Let it be a wildfire that instills a resolve to uproot every wicked seat of power that has usurped its way into our government. Father pour out your spirit upon this nation just as you did in the great awakening that it awakens its people to good and evil, right and wrong, that they find the courage to face the risk and sacrifice themselves, to stand up for their neighbor, to stand up for the oppressed and speak out and stand against the oppressor. “Heaven knows how to put a proper price on its goods”. Father give us the resolve and courage to see it through and to be a light to others along the way in Jesus name, amen.