John Parker Day

A special opportunity in order to commemorate and express gratitude to Captain John Parker, a militia commander during the Battles of Lexington and Concord is John Parker Day on April 19th every year.

Captain John Parker Facts: The Early Life

John Parker is no stranger to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Reading, the Massachusetts Bay Colony as well as the Parker family at the colony were founded by his father. Josiah Parker married Anna Stone and then born John on July 13, 1729.

John Parker would work the land as a farmer in Lexington Bay, Massachusetts and get a taste of military life for the first time during the French and Indian Wars. The Siege of Louisburg and the Battle of the Plains of Abraham were two battles that he took part in. During this time, he got more knowledge about the combination of military tactics. He got knowledge about how to become a British soldier and how to do Indian guerrilla warfare.

During the Battles of Lexington and Concord, John Parker had died of Tuberculosis, in fact. Because of his physical decline, it would have been unrecognizable on the morning of April 19th, 1775.

Captain John Parker: Lexington Green Event

On the morning of April 19th, 1775, Captain John Parker received an alert about the British march to Concord by Paul Revere. He quickly gathered his men and gathered them on Lexington Green. Here, he ordered them not to open fire and let them pass unless they opened fire first. This command “Stand your ground. Don’t start fire unless being shot, but if they are going to go to war, let it start.” was slightly dramatized and later repeated by one of his men with the name. Regardless of the right word, all orders were simple. Captain Parker ordered everyone to stay away.

Major John Pitcairn arrived in Lexington first. He was sent ahead by his senior commander, Francis Smith. He also received orders not to engage in war with the provinces. There is no official evidence about who fired the first shot; however, there is a strong argument that Pitcairn stared fighting the provinces first. Regardless, no one knows for sure and shots were fired. There were eight killed men such as Jonas Parker, John Parker's cousin, who was slashed in front of him. When Francis Smith arrived in Lexington, he quickly ordered a ceasefire and punished Pitcairn. The war has begun.

Captain John Parker Event: Parker's Revenge

The British were repulsed to Concord and later were their infamous retreat to Boston. At every step, there were new militiamen waiting behind the trees. The British suffered heavy casualties and their valor and discipleship should be noted because a smaller army would become chaotic under intense pressure.

The provinces used an Indian-style tactic where they would attack quickly from hidden positions then move further away to find another vantage point to attack. The British sent troops but throughout the day they grew tired and fell behind the main force.

Parker waited patiently for the British to approach. There is no danger of being engaged by flanking units that have fallen behind. Colonel Smith and Captain Parsons were allowed to walk along their hiding positions and then allowed to open fire. Colonel Smith was hit in the thigh and thrown from his horse, Captain Parsons was also shot, and many British soldiers fell. The British reorganized again and sent soldiers to throw grenades behind the Lexington border guards. It all took time and they were repeatedly shot by people they had run from the yard earlier that day. The task of taking Parker down the hill Major was requested for John Pitcairn; however, before Parker and his Lexington regiment inflicted much damage on the British.

History of John Parker Day

John Parker’s birthday was on July 13th, 1729. He worked via many jobs such as farmer, mechanic. Furthermore, he also fought in the French and Indian Wars. He was chosen as a militia captain in his hometown of Lexington, Massachusetts, and on one fateful morning in April 1775, events occurred that set a group of colonists on the unshakable path to freedom, and it is this that has made Captain John Parker Tror his own historical figure and anniversaries.

How to celebrate John Parker Day

Commemorate John Parker and the Battles of Lexington and Concord by visiting Minuteman National Historic Park. There is a statue on Lexington Battle Green that represents the militia in general but already represents John Parker. While taking a visit to the statue, you can also see the Men's Minutes Memorial Line, on which engraved words are belonged to John Parker before the beginning of the battle. The John Parker cenotaph is also nearby and can be visited. In addition, you can read a book about the battle of Lexington and Concord or watch the April Morning TV movie.