Boston Evacuation Day

March 17th is annually celebrated in Boston as "Evacuation Day," commemorating the departure of the British from the city after an extended eleven month occupation at the start of the American War for Independence. That occupation lasted from April 19, 1775, through March 17, 1776, encompassing the Siege of Boston and including important events, such as the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, and George Washington's taking command of the American army.

The occupation started when British leader Thomas Gage led troops into Boston, and then dispatched hundreds of men to seize or destroy ammunitions stored in Concord. Riders such as Paul Revere set out to warn local inhabitants, and also to alert John Hancock and Samuel Adams (who were under threat of death by the British) of the approaching British army.

Hancock and Adams were staying in the home of Lexington Pastor Jonas Clark. Pastor Clark and 77 militia from his church gathered to meet the approaching British–a skirmish followed, which was easily won by the 800 British troops. (In the WallBuilders library is a sermon preached by Jonas Clark on the one-year anniversary of the Battle of Lexington.)

After Lexington, the British pressed on to Concord, where they were met by Rev. William Emerson and some 400 Americans. With the British suffering casualties in that skirmish, they retreated to Boston. The word of the attacks having spread to surrounding communities, the British forces were fired upon by American militias throughout their retreat. Pastors such as Philips Payson and Benjamin Balch led groups of fighters. (Many additional preachers also fought in other engagements throughout the War.)

Evacuation Day is a reminder of the courage and backbone shown by the spiritual leaders of earlier generations–a spiritual leadership that is badly needed today!