Forgotten Heroes of the Revolution
We know most of the more famous characters of the Revolution… John and Samuel Adams, Franklin, Washington, Madison and Jefferson. But with the exception of the Adams cousins, the others entered the fray after shots were fired in Lexington and Concord. The really interesting story along the Freedom Trail is how lesser-known Revolutionaries built support for separation and convinced Colonists to go to war with the most powerful army and navy in the world.
Two of the most influential Bostonians were Dr. Joseph Warren, and lawyer, James Otis.
James Otis — Otis might be credited with starting the revolution in the hearts of Bostonians – in 1761.
Otis was an Advocate General for Parliament, responsible for enforcing Great Britain’s laws in the Colony. But when Parliament overstepped their authority, Otis quit his job and took Parliament to court.
Otis had a reputation as a firebrand and he argued in court for four hours on the unconstitutionality of the Writs of Assistance, a law that allowed customs officials to conduct unwarranted searches. Otis lost his case, he was doomed from the onset because of the mutual hatred between him and the judge. But, the young lawyer and future President, John Adams proclaimed after the trial that there was not a person present in the courtroom who was not ready to take up arms… “Then and there, the child of Liberty was born”.
Why don’t we know more about Otis? His full story is revealed on my tour!
Dr. Joseph Warren, like fellow revolutionaries, Samuel Adams and John Hancock, was a star student at Harvard College where he learned the art of debate. He became a skillful speaker at rallies decrying British rule and was a leader of the movement to separate from Great Britain. He was also very well connected, through the multiple club memberships and medical patients, among whom were the leaders of British government and military. This put him in a perfect position to collect intelligence. If you ever wondered how Paul Revere knew when to sound the alarm that British Regulars were marching on Concord, look no further that Dr. Warren. Warren was so popular a leader that many though he would have become the first President of the new nation. But this was the son of a man who said “I’d rather my sons dead than cowards.” Warren gave his life in service of the cause of independence on a hillside in June 1775 and faded from memory in favor of those who were fortunate enough to survive.