9. (1 soldier - officer) Near hill, just over the line into Lexington.
This is a sign with text (not like the other
markers) for “Parker’s Revenge”. It is
located where the walking trail crosses over Marrett (or Airport) road. This is east of the Visitor’s Center.
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Coburn
(pages 105-106):
“Just over the line into Lexington and a few
rods north of the road the land rises about fifty feet rather abruptly and with
a ledgy face. This little summit
commands a grand view up and down the road for quite a distance, and therefore
was an ideal location for the Minute Men.
Many were there awaiting the passing of the British, and when they were
opposite poured down on them a volley.
At least one fell, an officer, for a few years ago a sword was taken up
from the depth of about four feet, evidently from his grave. It was almost consumed with rust, but enough
remained to identify it as of British make and of that period. The reports of muskets and little puffs of
blue smoke betrayed the location of the marksmen, and the British at once
returned the fire. Their aim was without
effect. One of their bullets flattened
against the ledge was also found by the present owner of the land buried in the
decayed leaves and refuse at the base of the ledge.1”
1 The sword and bullet
were found by Mr. John Lannon about 1895, from whom I obtained them. He was then as now owner of the farm. In removing a bowlder from his garden it was
necessary to dig around it and on one side to a depth of about four feet. There he found the sword and a little of its
rust-eaten scabbard, quite likely in the grave by the side of its wearer. The bullet once round, now not half that, had
struck in the ledge rather than the American on its summit, and fell harmlessly
at the base.”
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