History of the Billerica Colonial Minute Men 1774 to Present:
In December 1774, upon recommendation of the Billerica Committee of Safety, a unanimous town meeting vote commenced the raising of a company of minute men in addition to the militia already established. They also voted to issue each man a bayonet and cartridge box. Those people donating this equipment would be compensated in their taxes. An unknown alarm rider rode from neighboring Bedford reaching Billerica around 2:00 AM the morning of April 19, 1775. The alarm was sounded throughout the town and soon the Minute men and the militia were mustered on the common and at the Pollard tavern. Over 100 men marched to Concord that morning including Thomas Ditson who only a month earlier had been tarred and feathered by British soldiers in Boston. The Billerica patriots saw action beside the Meriam farmhouse in Concord. Meriam’s Corner marked the beginning of the running battle between the growing ranks of militia and minutemen companies and Lt. Francis Smith’s 700 British troops as they attempted to return to the safety of Boston. One of our men was killed and 2 were injured that day. Billerica minute men participated in the battle of Bunker Hill, where over one thousand Americans fought, the Battle at Bennington, VT and in the Rhode Island campaign. After the war, a Militia Company was mustered well into the 19th century. Annual musters were held at which attendance was mandatory. The present day Billerica Company, known as the Billerica Colonial Minute Men, was formed by proclamation of the Board of Selectmen on August 5, 1968. The purpose of the unit as stated by the bylaws is to: "Perpetuate the memory of the original Colonial Minute Men of 1775 and through example of steady, solemn refusal to be subjected to tyranny, the suppressive ways of rulers of the colony, and the whims and caprices of any body of men". The objectives are to promote, encourage and maintain patriotic, historic, and educational interest in town, state, and country, and to further encourage our youth to become responsible and useful citizens by teaching and by example. Today the group actively participates in re-enactments, living history events, artillery demonstrations along with remembrance ceremonies & parades. Old Sturbridge Village- Rebels to Redcoats
Yankee Doodle Weekend Encampment
Sudbury Colonial Faire at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, MA
Battle Road Black Rock Fort (New Haven CT. )
Battle of Bennington (Bennington VT.) Battle of Hubberton (Hubberton VT.) The Old North Church Ceremonies
Smith Castle Encampment (Wickford RI)
Hartwell Tavern Encampment (M.M.
