From Colrain to Concord
COLRAIN — The distance from Colrain to Lexington
and Concord is about 90 miles, but in April 1775, at least 44 Colrain
men headed east, to join Massachusetts militia during the first battles
of the Revolutionary War.
While Boston still celebrates these battles with
re-enactments on Patriots’ Day Weekend, the Colrain Historical Society
will observe them “with a look back at April, 1775,” and the role that
townsmen played.
The Historical Society’s first meeting of the
season takes place on Thursday at the home of Joan McQuade, 9 Main Road,
across from the G. William Pitt house.
Joseph Caldwell of Colrain was known to be among the company of men who rode from Colrain to Lexington to fight the British. “We know he was among the men who heeded the
call, but we know they didn’t get there in time for the battle,” says
Belden Merim. She said some may have ridden horses, exchanging horses along the way, while others may have walked. “All we know is, they left to answer the call,” she said.
The would-be militia met one last time before
heading out at the home of Rachel McGee, who would become Joseph
Caldwell’s wife a year later. “All the women there made doughnuts like crazy — and that’s what they (the men) took with them, for food,” said Merim. She said they arrived after the first battles were over, but remained in the east for about two weeks before coming home.
The Historical Society recently acquired a carved
busk that once belonged to Rachel McGee, which came from one of her
descendants. Busks were rigid, decorative disks used in women’s corsets, to keep the stays erect. Merim said sailors used to carve busks out of whalebone for their sweethearts. The framed busk will be available for viewing at the meeting.
The program at 7:30 p.m. will follow a potluck supper at 6, and a business meeting at 7. The meeting is open to the public. Those coming
to the potluck supper should bring a main dish or dessert to share and a
place setting. Cider and coffee will be provided. For information,
call Merim at 625-2003.
Source URL:http://www.recorder.com/news/townbytown/colrain/16374550-95/from-colrain-to-concord
