On April 19, 1775, 335 Andover men answered the Lexington alarm. For the next eight years fathers and sons, brothers and uncles, even servants and free men, served side by side in the historic effort for American independence.

Two companies of Minute Men marched from Andover that fateful morning, followed by four foot companies. Included in the last group were eight "aged" or physically unqualified men who delivered provisions to Cambridge. The units marched under Colonel James Frye of this town who headed the 1st Massachusetts Regiment of Minute Men.

Andover troops arrived too late for the battle at Lexington but their presence was noted at Bunker Hill. Captains Benjamin Ames, Benjamin Farnum and Charles Furbush led 177 men into action against the British who greatly outnumbered the Americans in troops and equipment.

In the battle that cut British forces in half, four Andover men were killed. Twelve others, including Col. Frye and Captains Farnum and Furbush, were wounded. One of the wounded men died four days later. Among the prisoners taken was Darius Sessions. Salem Poor, a Negro, was recognized for outstanding bravery for reportedly shooting a British officer.

During the course of the war, Andover citizens fought and died at Valley Forge, Ticonderoga and Lake Champlain. Several local men were listed as "unfit to serve" at Valley Forge because they lacked shoes or clothing. Some residents, like Peter Martin, served throughout the war. Martin marched on the April alarm, saw action at Bunker Hill and served from 1778 to 1780 with General George Washington's elite Life Guard. He later re-enlisted with the Continental Army for three years.

Colonel Samuel Johnson, who commanded the 4th Essex County Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, served for the duration of the war. During that time he was appointed Representative to the General Court and sat on several town committees.

Since enlistment age ranged from 16 to 60, it was not unusual that generations of a family served together. Col. Johnson's five sons were Minute Men. Samuel Jr. was a Captain. Phineas Ingalls, his two brothers and their uncle Abijah enrolled from Andover. Four Haggett brothers went off to war; three of them never returned.

Included in the rosters are the names of more than 20 Negro soldiers who represented Andover. Some, like Salem Poor, were distinguished as "free." Philip Abbot, a servant, was one of the fatalities at Bunker Hill.

Women also contributed to the war effort. Lucy Osgood, whose husband Jacob marched on the alarm, fed troops that marched through Andover. Phebe Foxcroft Phillips kept the town records when Judge Phillips' duties as mill owner and lawmaker kept him from his responsibilities as town clerk. Women also cared for sick and wounded loved ones and made homespun clothing to boycott English imports.

Samuel Phillips responded to the Army's need for gunpowder by operating a powder mill on Stevens Street. Although it made a major contribution to the war effort, the mill had some difficulties. Early production was inferior, generating a complaint from General Washington that "There must certainly be either roguery or gross ignorance in your powder-makers..." In 1778 an explosion killed three men.

The prevalence of Holt and Abbot families in early Andover is reflected in the Revolutionary rolls. Thirty-seven Holts and as many Abbots served in the conflict. Twenty-two Abbots and 26 Holts marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775. Both families suffered losses at Bunker Hill.

From 1775 to 1783 an estimated 700 men represented the town of Andover in the struggle to make America an independent nation. Twenty-three sacrificed their lives.

Joan Patrakis

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