Elizabeth Clarke – Lexington

Elizabeth Clarke was the twelve-year-old daughter of Reverend Jonas Clarke.  I can’t wait to share more information about this amazing man.  It has been said that, if you had none of the writings of the founders, but had the writings of Jonas Clarke, you would know very well what the Revolution was about. As his daughter, Elizabeth would have been very familiar both with the reasons for the Revolution – her father taught so much about the rights the Americans had as British citizens and how they must stand for those rights.  But she also would have known the people of the times.  Sam Adams and John Hancock were at the house all the time.  John Hancock was Elizabeth’s second cousin.  John Hancock had nearly grown up in that very house. Not only did Elizabeth know Hancock and Adams, she surely knew Captain Parker, the head of the Lexington Militia, Will Munroe, who owned the tavern and was Parker’s second in command, and even Samuel Prescott, who was a High Son of Liberty and, I have little doubt, spent time at the house updating Adams and Hancock and her father Jonas on the preparations in Concord. Elizabeth would have been awakened when Revere rode up.  Yes, Will Munroe asked him to be quiet as the family was asleep, but Revere would have none of that.  She was likely awake all night with all the comings and goings and warnings sounded. And then, she watched as the Militia gathered, as her father walked among them giving them words of strength and encouragement.  Watched as Captain Parker told them to disburse.  And finally, watched as shots rang out and people she knew and loved fell dead or wounded – her father would call it murder.