Thomas Barnard, Jr., born in 1748, was 27 years old on February 26, 1775 (250 years ago). Fewer than three years before, he had become pastor of North Church in Salem after his father had become paralyzed in 1770.
Thomas’ legacy of reformed theology went back to his great-grandfather, Thomas Barnard, who had later repented for not doing more to stop the witchcraft trials of 1692. He grew up hearing and reading his father’s sermons on the righteous role of soldiers, the right to self-defense, and the proper role of civil magistrates. He had been schooled that Christ’s Kingdom was the standard for true justice. Though brought up as a Loyalist, he entered the public eye as a Patriot clergyman who peacefully resisted the attempt of British Col. Leslie’s 64th Regiment to seize cannons and powder as crown prerogative, disrespecting individual and colonial rights.
Alexander Leslie, Lieutenant Colonel of the 64th Regiment of Foot, was about 44 years of age on that Sunday in February of 1775. He and Gen. Gage had been residing in Salem for a few months in 1774, as the “capital” had been moved from Boston to Salem. During the Revolution, he would shine at Kip’s Bay, White Plains, Harlem Heights, Princeton, and the Siege of Charleston. As the Essex Institute Historical Collection reports, “Leslie was much trusted and esteemed by Cornwallis at every period of the American war, and the good opinion of Cornwallis was a tribute worth having.” The character of British generals was one of pride, and Leslie “did not always escape the imputation of rashness.” The British Army was considered the best in the world, and they knew it!
Barnard and Leslie were destined by God’s Providence to meet at the North Bridge in Salem on Sunday, February 26 in mid-afternoon. Using spies, Gage had learned that craftsmen in Salem were making land carriages for cannons. Colonel Leslie was dispatched with 250 soldiers from Castle Island in Boston, with the goal of seizing cannon and powder stored in Salem on the north side of the river. After a nine-hour voyage, they hid themselves below deck, presumably until those in Marblehead were in church. They offloaded and marched the five miles to Salem. If Leslie hoped to be secretive, marching with fife and drum mockingly playing “Yankee Doodle” was hardly a good plan. Marblehead was a Patriot stronghold, and soon Major Pedrick was on horseback to alert Salem. He caught up with Leslie, and since they both knew each other, Leslie allowed him to pass (not knowing Pedrick had become a Patriot.)
When Pedrick arrived, he found Col. David Mason’s home hosting an emergency meeting of the town’s selectmen discussing plans. Mason then went to the North Church, interrupting the afternoon service. He informed his pastor and the rest of those in attendance that “the Regulars are coming and are now near Maloon’s Mills!” Two other Patriot pastors were alerted, and the church bells began to chime. Mason then rode across the bridge to help secure (hide) cannon and powder, as they had planned.
As Leslie came into town, he realized his plan was already well-known. He passed the court house, turned left on Lynde Street, passed by the North Church on his left, and then turned right toward the North Bridge. Almost immediately, he was surrounded by townspeople and church attenders, and flanked by John Felt, captain of the minutemen (unknown to Leslie.) John Sargeant, a Loyalist, was whispering in Leslie’s ear. Richard Derby, Sr., a town selectman, wanted to know Leslie’s purpose. Mason and the crowd on the other side lifted the drawbridge, blocking Leslie’s approach to cross. It was now four o-clock in the afternoon.
Leslie had his orders: no violence was to take place, nor property destroyed; he was simply to seize cannon and powder. He demanded that the drawbridge be lowered. When refused, Leslie was heard saying, “We must fire upon this people,” to which John Felt cried out, “If you fire, you will be dead men, for there is a multitude, every man of whom is ready to die in this strife.” Tension mounted, and when Leslie asserted that it was the “King’s Highway,” old James Barr stated that it had been built and was owned by those along the bridge. Both the Patriots and Leslie’s men spotted three flat-bottom boats with the intent of bypassing the bridge, but the owners gave permission to destroy them. During the scuffle, Joseph Wicher received a bayonet wound, the first blood of the Revolution. (He was proud of the wound the rest of his life.)
Pastor Barnard now approached the street where Leslie was. He said, “I desire you will not fire upon these innocent people. Pray restrain your troops from pushing with their bayonets.” Leslie asked, “Who are you, Sir?” Pastor Barnard responded: “I am Thomas Barnard, a minister of the Gospel, and my mission is peace. You cannot commit this violation against innocent men, here, on this holy day, without sinning against God and humanity. The blood of every murdered man will cry from the ground for vengeance upon yourself, and the Nation which you represent. Let me entreat you to return.”
Leslie had his honor and pride to protect. Barnard knew the Patriots had their God-given rights to protect. It was now getting late, and Leslie asked Felt if he had the authority to lower the draw. Barnard gave his proposal to Felt, Col. Pickering, and Derby. The drawbridge would be lowered, and Leslie’s troops could cross, on the condition that they would go no more than 30 rods (about 500 feet), about face, and then return. Leslie gave his word that he would do so, and Felt ordered the draw to be lowered.
The Providence of God can be seen in this event. As Peter Hoffer wrote, it was “the first incidence of the gathering of a republican citizenry asserting the right of self-government of their own land and the unforced recession of British might.” The Gentleman’s Magazine wrote on April 29, 1775: “The Americans have hoisted their standard of liberty at Salem.” That standard was peacefully exercising their self-government based on God-given rights!
William Cowper wrote of Pastor Barnard, Jr., “There stands the messenger of truth; there stands the legate of the skies! Whose heart is warm, whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and whose life coincident, exhibit lucid proofs, that he is honest in a sacred cause.”
Providentially, the standard hoisted in Salem prepared town militias across Massachusetts for Lexington and Concord.
As we face uncertain times, may we pray we can also peacefully assert our responsibility of self-government, expecting the Lord to intervene, that His purposes would be accomplished.
