Luther Blanchard was a Private and the fifer in Captain Isaac Davis’ company of Acton Massachusetts Minutemen, and marched on the alarm of 19 April 1775. Luther was the first hit by a British bullet at the North Bridge in Concord, wounded in the neck and side. Despite his wounds, Luther joined the pursuers as the British retreated to Charlestown.
Luther was born in Boxborough, in that portion which was formerly a part of Littleton, the son of Simon Blanchard and Sara Fales Blanchard. He had left home to learn the mason’s trade, and was living with Deacon Jonathan Hosmer in West Acton on 19 Apr 1775.
Five days later, 24 April 1775, Luther enlisted in the Army, is listed on the pay roll of Captain William Smith’s company on 7 July 1775, and is listed as a Corporal on the muster roll on 1 Aug 1775. Luther is reported deceased on the company return on 30 Sep 1775. His brother Calvin stated that Luther died of his wounds received at Concord.
Luther is believed buried in an unmarked grave in the Old Burying Ground, Littleton, Massachusetts.
Luther Blanchard
Luther Blanchard cenotaph, Old Burying Ground, Littleton, Massachusetts.
Born in Littleton, June 4, 1756.
Fifer of the Acton Minute Men and
the first man hit by a British
bullet at the North Bridge, Concord
April 19, 1775.
On the muster rolls of the
Continental Army reported dead
September 30, 1775.
He is also memorialized on the town seal of Boxborough, Massachusetts.
To learn more, read these excellent books:
- The Battle of April 19, 1775, in Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Arlington, Cambridge, Somerville and Charlestown, Massachusetts, by Frank Warren Coburn, revised 1912.
- The Minute Men—The First Fight: Myths and Realities of the American Revolution, by John R. Galvin, revised 2006.
- Commemorative of Calvin and Luther Blanchard, Action Minute-Men, 1775, by Alfred Sereno Hudson, 1899.
Luther Blanchard (1756-19 Apr 1775) is the great-uncle of Caroline Blanchard who married Simeon Wetherbee II, half 5th cousin 5x removed of MKS in the Wetherbee branch.
References:
[1] findagrave.com member Denise (photograph).