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Today, we welcome new History Buzz contributor Chris Klein and the Andover Celebrates America 250 Committee.
The American Revolution shook the world, but the rumblings were first felt in towns such as Andover where ordinary citizens kindled the sparks of independence. Debates about whether to take the radical step of severing ties with the motherland in 1776 were occurring not just inside Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, but wherever neighbors gathered inside taverns, churches, and town meetings.
On June 12, 1776, Andover residents assembled in defiance of the Massachusetts Government Act of 1774 that restricted town meetings in the colony as punishment for the Boston Tea Party. Rejecting the direct assault on democracy, the unsanctioned town meeting considered the defining question of the age, as appears in the town records:
“The question being put, whether should the Honorable Congress for the safety of the Colonies declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, you will solemnly engage with your Lives and Fortunes to support them in the measure.”
The “Andover Resolve” passed—unanimously. The illegal assembly granted its mandate for the Massachusetts delegation at the Second Continental Congress to vote for revolution. Weeks later, Andover’s town clerk would ink the Declaration of Independence into the town records.
Watch for more Andover Celebrates Revolution 250 posts coming up! Leave a comment. Ask a question. We look forward to connecting with you.Thanks for reading!
~Chris
References:
Bailey, Sarah Loring. Historical Sketches of Andover
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