THE GREAT IPSWICH FRIGHT
The 21st of April 1775 witnessed an awful commotion in the village of Ipswich. A rumor which no one attempted to trace spread from lip to lip that the British regulars had landed on the beach and were marching on the town.
All able-bodied men had gone to the battle of Lexington leaving only the old men and women. The stories from Lexington told of the terrible atrocities committed by the British regulars and it was believed that nothing short of total extermination of all patriots, men, women and children was held. Everybody gathered on the village green. Every means of transportation was used to carry the frightened people out of town, those who had no other means walked or ran. The frightened mob spread the news and Newbury people joined in the flight. Some never stopped till they got clear up in New Hampshire. Couriers on horseback spread the bad news "Turn out, turn out or you’ll all be killed". Rumor had it that the British had reached Oldtown Bridge, killing and devastating the countryside as they came along. Some threw their valuables in the well. It is told of one man fleeing in a boat, when the baby started to cry told his wife to throw it overboard and when they landed and she started to nurse the baby found she had the family cat. All through that memorable night the terror spread onward. Those running heard the running feet of the mob behind them and thinking it was the British following grabbed every boat on the Merrimac and fled into New Hampshire. Fast as they went they found the homes and streets strewn with household goods abandoned in the hurry to escape. Many exhausted stopped in Salisbury in the houses that had been abandoned by the owners who had gone further on.
In the morning things began to be partially quieted down. A young man from Exeter satisfied that the whole thing was a delusion mounted his horse and followed after the mob and quieting their fears and telling it was all a delusion. So the sun arose. A tired haggard multitude returned to their homes worn out with excitement and fatigue.
Table of Contents The Great Ipswich Fright The 21st of April