Madness and Haranguing at Boston Town Meeting

Author: John Adams Date: July 21, 1805,-referring to events of 1768 or 1769 “I was solicited to go to the Town Meetings and harrangue there. This I constantly refused. My Friend Dr. Warren the most frequently urged me to this: My Answer to him always was “That way madness lies.” The Symptoms of our great […]

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Independence Declared in 1776 but Settled in Boston in 1768

Date: 1780, referring to events of 1768 Author: Peter Oliver “…Independence, it is true, was declared in Congress in 1776, but it was settled in Boston, in 1768, by [Samuel] Adams & his Junto.  I have Authority for this Assertion; the Authority of a Gentleman who was tampered with by the aforementioned Major Genl. Warren, […]

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College Room Assignments and Shenanigans

Date: Late 1750s Research notes: Joseph Warren, Class of 1759, occupied: Mass[achusetts Hall] 20 with [Josiah] Bridge (Class of 1758) in 1756 Stoughton [Hall] 3 with [Abiel] Leonard (Class of 1759) in 1757 Mass[achusetts Hall] 8 with [Samuel] Cotton (Class of 1759) in 1758 Source: Cambridge, MA: Harvard University, Pusey Library, 1755-1959. UAIII 15.22 Commentary: […]

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Committee to Prepare a Vote Relative to Late Transaction

Date: June 14, 1768 “Upon a Motion made and seconded, Voted, that Dr. Joseph Warren Dr. Benjamin Church Mr. Samuel Adams be a Committee to prepare the form of a Vote, to be laid before the Town at the Adjournment; expressing their great dislike at the manners of procedure in the Custom house Officers in […]

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Committee Relative to Difficulties of Trade

Date: May 4, 1768 “The Article in the Warrant Viz. ‘To consider of some proper Representations to be made respecting the Difficulties the Trade labour under by means of the late Regulations, and Methods to be taken for our Relief’ was read – whereupon Voted, that Mr. Henderson Inches Joshua Henshaw Esq The Honble. James […]

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Boston Sons of Liberty to John Wilkes (I)

Authors: Joseph Warren in Committee Date: June 6, 1768 “Illustrious Patriot The friends of Liberty, Wilkes, Peace and good order to the number of Forty five, assembled at the Whig Tavern Boston New England, take this first opportunity to congratulate your Country, the British Colonies and yourself, on your happy return to the land worthy […]

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Boston Sons of Liberty to John Wilkes (II)

By: Joseph Warren in Committee Date: October 5, 1768 “Sir Your very obliging favor we receiv’d by Capt. Bruce the 18th ultimo.  The members were immediately assembled and inexpressible was the satisfaction of our regale on the genuine sentiments of a worthy Briton. Your health your friends and cause were the toasts of the evening.  […]

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Addison’s “Cato” Performed at Harvard

Date: 1758 Author: Nathaniel Ames July 3, 1758 “Cato a Play acted at [Joseph] Warren’s Chamber” July 6, 1758 “Cato to Perfection” July 14, 1758 “Cato more perfect than before.” Sources: Nathaniel Ames’ Diary (extracts), manuscript, Dedham Historical Society, Massachusetts Ames, Nathaniel. “Year of a College Student’s Life.” In American History Told by Contemporaries, Vol […]

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Quotations from Addison’s “Cato”

Date: 1713 Author: John Addison “A day, an hour of virtuous liberty is worth a whole eternity in bondage.” (Act II, Scene 1, lines 99-100) “What pity is it than we can die but once to serve our country!” (Act IV, scene 4, lines 81-82) Sources: Addison, John. Cato: A Tragedy – as It Is […]

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Joseph Warren II Real Estate Valuation

Authors: Eleazer Williams, Joseph Williams, Ebenezer Cheney Date: July 13, 1765 (extract)“…Total value 1052 pounds 13 shillings and 4 pence. Mansion house, barns, buildings and 7 acres 292 pounds. Submitted by Eleazer Williams, Joseph Williams, Ebenezer Cheney. –F[oster]. Hutchinson, Judge Probate Suffolk County; Wm Cooper, Registrar” Source: In John Warren Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston […]

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