By HELEN BREEN
LYNNFIELD — The spirit of the “Lynn End” Minutemen, who responded to the call of the “Midnight Rider” Martin Herrick 250 years ago, lived again in the April 18 evening production of “Shadows of 1775.”
The one-act play, sponsored by the Lynnfield Historical Society, was written by Dianne Foulds and her brother Alan Foulds using local primary sources.
The Chapel of the Centre Congregational Church provided an appropriate backdrop as the cast, in Colonial garb, entered the darkened space with lanterns held high. Alan Foulds was the narrator, weaving the tale of that fateful night in Lynnfield’s history.
Martin Herrick, a student from Reading, had been dispatched by Paul Revere to spread the alarm in Essex County. Captain Bancroft’s Company gathered at Gowing’s Tavern before heading to Menotomy (now Arlington), where three of our men fell to the fire of British Redcoats retreating from Concord. Later that night, the body of Daniel Townsend was returned to his grieving widow in Lynnfield. The remains of Thomas Hadley and William Flint were buried at the site of the Jason Russell House where the skirmish occurred.
Foulds concluded the narrative by describing what happened to our Minutemen after the battle. Most returned to their farms while some joined other militias during the War of Independence. Martin Herrick settled in Lynnfield practicing medicine and teaching school.
Personal reflection
Dianne and Alan’s father Arthur Foulds served the longest term as president of the Lynnfield Historical Society from 1980-1988. He and his wife, Lillian, were faithful custodians of the Meeting House and all of the Society’s programs and projects. How proud they would have been of Dianne and Alan for writing and producing “Shadows of 1775,” and of the Revolution 250 Committee for April 19’s events preserving the rich history of Lynnfield.
The cast of “Shadows of 1775” featured Reverend Tom Bentley, Dave Bjorkman, Elyssa Bjorkman, Helen Breen, Allan Eyden, Alan Foulds, Christopher Flaherty, Joan Colucci Lemberger, Carolyn Sarro, Ron Sarro, Tad Stephniak and Roy Sorli.
Bob Gillon served as the play’s floor/lighting manager, Erline Trites was the costume designer, Ron Sarro served as the music director, Matt Lassiter was the sound designer and Ace Foulds and Linda Gillon were charge of publicity.