Revolutionary War Concerns
By: Kyle P., Donovan J., Peter S.
A lot of Ludlow residents have served in the United States wars. Our earliest war, the Revolutionary War, had men of Ludlow fighting in it. This war was started because the colonists were angry about taxes that the British were putting on tea and other items. In 1774, Massachusetts colonists were acting more and more independent. There was a lot going on in Boston and colonists were protesting English rules. Joseph Miller, a Ludlow resident, was chosen to represent the District of Ludlow at a Congress meeting at Concord. At this meeting, the men decided to buy weapons to fight the British. Joseph Miller joined this group who later were called the Minutemen, men who could be ready to fight in a minute. An active patriot in Boston, he might have even taken part in the Boston Tea Party. Joseph’s brother, Aaron John Miller, was a doctor that served in the Revolutionary War and was also thought to be one of the colonists at the Boston Tea Party.
Ludlow made a Committee of Correspondence in May, 1775. Members were Aaron King, Oliver Chapin, Joshua Fuller, Joseph Miller, and Joseph Hitchcock. We learned about these committees in social studies. They were formed so the colonists could let each other know what was going on. They wrote letters and delivered them to other towns by horseback. That was the only way they could get the news.
Ludlow supported the colonists in the war. The town gave 20 pounds to buy ammo to add to the ammunition given to them by Springfield. We were surprised to find out that our town was so involved in the Revolutionary War.
Joseph Miller's headstone Fuller Cemetery |
Aaron Miller's headstone Fuller Cemetery |