On April 19, 1775, the first armed conflict of the American Revolutionary War took place on the village green in Lexington, Massachusetts. I picture the tension in those early morning hours—Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott had just alerted the local militia, and two of my 5th great-grandfathers, Joseph Simonds and Joel Viles, stood among the seventy-seven men of Captain John Parker’s Company. Together, they faced roughly 800 British soldiers at dawn, prepared to resist. The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere and Some Other Guys.

As the standoff unfolded, a shot suddenly rang out—its origin remains a mystery—and the British troops opened fire. Eight colonists were killed, and several others wounded, marking the beginning of open revolution. I feel immense pride knowing that my ancestors were there, part of that “shot heard round the world.”

Joshua Simonds, another of my relatives, recounted a striking moment: when the British arrived in front of the meeting house, Joshua was in the upper gallery with an open cask of powder. He cocked his gun, placed the muzzle close to the cask, and determined he would “touch it off” if the troops entered the gallery—a remarkable act of resolve and defiance. Joshua Simonds – Boston 1775 Blog.

Reflecting on the spirit of those times, I’m reminded of James Madison’s warning, “Accumulation of all powers…in the same hands…may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” And Thomas Paine’s words echo: “In absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king.”

For my blog’s header, I gratefully feature the painting “Lexington Green 19th of April 1775” by Don Troiani, whose American Revolution and Civil War works capture these historic moments so powerfully.

Copyright © 2025. All Rights Reserved by David R. French

The header for my blog features a painting by American academic realist painter Don Troiani and is titled “Lexington Common.” The painting captures the emotions of the local militia as they prepared to meet the British in Lexington, Massachusetts on the 19th of April 1775. (Mr. Troiani kindly gave me permission to feature his amazing work).

I choose the painting to honor my 5th great grandfathers Joseph Simonds and Joel Viles, two of the seventy-seven men of Captain John Parker’s Company of Lexington Militia who stood bravely before the vanguard of 800 advancing British regulars.

As the British advance guard assembled on the Lexington Common, Captain Parker, vastly outnumbered, ordered his company to disperse. A shot was fired (historians debate who fired the shot) and the British then fired several quick volleys killing 8 and injuring 10 militia. This brief skirmish is regarded as the first exchange of gunfire in the Revolutionary War.

Buckman Tavern – In this later print of the Battle of Lexington (above), Buckman’s Tavern can be seen in the background (left-middle) on the edge of Lexington Green. The initial construction of the tavern was started between 1709-13 by my 7th great-grandparents John Muzzy and wife Elizabeth Bradshaw on land conveyed to him by his father Benjamin. Following is a brief history of Buckman Tavern, which is still standing and a furnished historic site with audio tour and exhibit space managed by the Lexington Historical Society.

The Buckman Tavern is most renowned for its role in the events of April 19, 1775. However, the site is important in other ways. It has been a notable presence in Lexington since it became a tavern in 1713, shortly after it was built. As a “Public House of Entertainment,” the Tavern was faithfully tended by John Muzzy from 1713 to about 1755, *Samuel Stone from 1764 or earlier to 1768, John Buckman from 1768 to 1784, **Joseph Simonds from 1784 to 1794, and Rufus Meriam from 1794 to about 1815 when the building ceased to be used as a tavern. (Source: Historic Structure Report – Buckman Tavern, Lexington Historical Society)

*Samuel Stone, my 6th great-grandfather, married to Jane Muzzy, the daughter of John.

**Joseph Simonds, my 5th great grandfather who fought in the Battle of Lexington, married to Elizabeth Stone, the daughter of Jane and Samuel Stone.

Side Note: After Samuel Stones death, his wife Jane sold the tavern to John Buckman (hence Buckman Tavern) who was the husband of Ruth Stone (who I am guessing was her sister-in-law?)

Comments, corrections and and suggestions appreciated.

Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved by David R. French.