Concord Prologue Script - Male Characters

(Does not include interspersed female characters)

Samuel Adams: (Spoken in December, 1773)

It was November of 1773, when I saw those three ships bearing tea sail into Boston Harbor. I, Samuel Adams, Clerk of the Massachusetts Legislature, and patriot, was furious that they were allowed to dock. This was not permitted in Philadelphia and New York. Well, here in Boston, the Sons of Liberty took care of that tea!

John Andrews: (Spoken in July, 1774)

John Andrews, Boston Merchant and Selectman, July, 1774. Our port is closed. It has been a long and difficult summer here in Boston. Our sister colonies have pledged to support us. There is talk of establishing a colonial congress to unite our efforts.

Samuel Adams: (Spoken in July, 1774) We detest the presence of His Majesty’s troops in our town. Militias are mustering from New England to the Carolinas. The King shall not prevail!

William Emerson: (Spoken in August, 1774)

William Emerson, pastor of the First Parish Church, Concord. People everywhere are angry. By order of the King, we can no longer hold our own town meetings as we have been doing for over a hundred years! And they have removed all our judges and sheriffs, and replaced them with appointments from the Crown. We are determined not to let any of this happen. No court will open, and no British judge will rule, no matter what! My wife, Phebe, witnessed a confrontation right here in Concord.

John Andrews: (Spoken in January, 1775)

January, 1775. All through the fall and winter, we have had constant brushes between the citizens and the soldiers. The King has now officially declared Massachusetts in a state of rebellion. Because of the volatile situation here in Boston, there have been skirmishes elsewhere. Our new continental congress has decreed that all colonies should make preparations for war.

William Emerson: (Spoken in March, 1775)

In Concord, we formed two companies of “Minutemen.” These young volunteers from our general militia will stand ready on a moment’s notice in the event of an emergency. In April, the “illegal” Provincial Congress will convene right here in the Meeting House to direct the resistance in all of Massachusetts.

Samuel Adams: (Spoken in April, 1775)

On the 19^th of April, I was in Lexington. John Hancock and I had just finished meeting with the Provincial Congress. We were staying with Reverend Jonas Clarke. We were alarmed quite early in the morning by express rider Paul Revere that British troops were heading to Lexington. Word had it they were looking to arrest John and me. The town militia, under Captain Parker, collected on the green - about 70 or so. John and I made our escape before the regulars entered the Common. We later learned that eight patriots were left dead upon the ground, ten wounded, in this murderous action by the British! The regulars then proceeded on to Concord to seize and destroy munitions that were deposited there.

William Emerson: (Spoken in April, 1775)

Recruits from neighboring towns joined our men on Punkatasset Hill. As the redcoats entered the town, they searched for war supplies and burned gun carriages. We saw the smoke and it appeared as though the town was set on fire! Our militia had grown to 500 men, so Colonel Barrett gave the order to approach the 100 British Guards stationed at the bridge. They were unsettled by our numbers and fired first. Two were killed on each side and several enemy wounded. The British troops soon quitted their post in the greatest disorder and confusion. They paid a dear price as they marched back to Boston, with our men lying in ambush all along the way.

Samuel Adams: (Spoken in June, 1775)

Following Lexington and Concord, hostilities broke out throughout the colonies. In June, one of the bloodiest battles occurred right here in Boston - at Bunker’s Hill. Seven hundred brave patriots held off more than 3,000 of the enemy for as long as they could, killing or wounding at least half of them. (Pause) The British burned Charlestown to the ground.

John Andrews: (Spoken in July, 1775)

July, 1775. A total of eleven redcoat regiments are now quartered here in Boston. The city is occupied. Our wharfs are deserted, our stores are closed, and thousands of residents have fled. Our once-great seaport is a corpse, rotting on its own empty piers – lifetimes of labor lost.

Sam Adams: (Spoken in August, 1775)

A proclamation was issued for people to give in their names to go out of town, designed to continue the vexation of the people. Many are being imprisoned without cause and charged with sedition.

John Andrews: (Spoken in September, 1775)

It’s hard to stay cooped up here in Boston, but I find it absolutely necessary. The soldiers think they have a license to plunder the house or store of anyone who leaves the city. Families have been forced out and their homes taken by the troops. Living through the bombardments night and day is nerve-rattling.

John Andrews: (Spoken in December, 1775)

Thankfully this past July, General George Washington of Virginia assumed command of our growing Continental Army over in Cambridge. Throughout the fall and winter, we have received news of several intense conflicts – the battles of Roxbury Neck, Gloucester Harbor, Montreal, Quebec.

Samuel Adams: (Spoken in February, 1776)

February, 1776. England has prohibited all trade with the colonies, and denounced resisters and rebel

leaders. . . like me, as traitors, to be punished by hanging.

John Andrews: (Spoken in March, 1776)

In March, General Washington ordered the Continental Army to bombard the British fleet in the harbor using cannon placed on Dorchester Heights. It was a brilliant strategy! And on Saint Patrick’s Day the British finally sailed out of Boston Harbor. Thus was this distressed town relieved from its long and cruel siege.