Here’s another random pick from the deck. I don’t know this woman. But let’s explore.
Colonel James Barrett was the head of the Concord Militia on April 19th, 1775. His farmhouse was one of the main targets of the Redcoat search on that April morning. The Tory spies in the area had reported to General Gage that Barrett’s Farm was a depository for weaponry of the "rebels." But being warned earlier in April, most of those munitions had already been moved.
Even as the Redcoats marched to the Barrett Farm, his sons were "planting" muskets in the ground. One son was plowing, the next was kicking the muskets into the furrows and pushing the dirt over them with his foot. All the while waving at the passing Redcoats.
Nathan was one of the Colonel’s sons. Nathan was 40 years old and he and his Mrs. had a number of children.
The main Barrett Farm was about a mile west of the North bridge, where the main Concord battle was fought that day. From there, I suspect, Mrs. Barrett could not have watching the battle as she states on this card. So, the question is, where was she?
Sadly, we don’t know.
I find her story about chasing down one of the militia members fascinating. It also raises a number of other questions.
Would you have left your musket?
There are so many stories from that day, this is just one little one.