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In reality, the colonists probably could not have won though if France had not joined in the conflict on the side of the Americans in the wake of the British surrender at Saratoga October 17, 1777. The Americans were hard men to beat, although they knew little about European methods of warfare and were inadequately equipped, fed and clothed. Because of their efforts, our nation was born. Hopefully, this story will breathe life into the legend of those men who endured those trying times. Let's imagine ourselves back in those days walking through history in the footsteps of Joel Pratt, one of those typical, very dedicated patriots. What an exciting journey back in time!
CHAPTER 1
SEEDS OF CONFLICT
Joel Pratt was born on a farm in Oxford, Massachusetts February 2, l752, eight years before a "plump, popeyed" 22-year old became King George III of England. Joel's father, David Pratt III, died before Joel was a year old and Joel lived a short time with his grandmother Brewer.
Before reaching the age of eight, he had lived with three different families in Farmington. He lived with Captain Jessie Bingham from age ten to 21. It involved an indenture agreement from age 14, whereby he was to work for his keep and be able to attend school. He endured ill treatment during this contract and wasn't permitted to attend school more than one month out of a year.
At 21, he worked as a farm laborer for a year and then worked for Abraham Wood in Northboro learning the clothier's trade. Joel developed an interest in music from Wood who was also an accomplished musician.
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He joined a company of 59 Minute-men under the command of Capt. Samuel Wood at Northborough, Massachusetts. This was in the fall of 1774 before war broke out.
The American colonists had become increasingly unhappy with the way the mother country was taxing and imposing galling controls on them. England had been preoccupied with its European wars until King George III came to power in 1760. His ego demanded total submission to the throne. He had been waiting for the opportunity to quell the independent spirit of America. Now, with the conclusion of a peace treaty after the French and Indian War, British garrison troops still remained and were increasingly opposed by the Americans.
Worse yet the colonies had to pay a staggering sum to support these troops by the imposition of various acts and duties. First came the Molasses Act which allowed the Colonies to buy molasses for the making of sugar and rum only from British interests in the West Indies. Then, the old Navigation Acts were strictly enforced by corrupt customs commissioners collecting duties.
New tariffs were imposed, like the Stamp Act of 1765 whereby every legal document required the stamp of the British government. Even more infuriating were the Townshend Acts of 1767, which imposed duties on such items as glass, tea, paper, etc. It now became clear that the purpose of raising revenue went far beyond the cost of garrison troops. The mood in America got increasingly ugly, to the point that two additional regiments of British troops were sent to Boston in 1768.
A year later, tensions were relieved somewhat when the Townshend Acts were repealed, except for the one on tea. Two years
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afterward though, the East India Tea Company was excluded from these duties because of the company's impending bankruptcy. This threatened the end of many American tea companies and precipitated the Boston Tea Party. When the party culprits could not be found, the King decided to punish the entire city of Boston by closing her port to all commerce in 1774.
To be Continued in Next Issue
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