John Adams Returns to Braintree!
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By Rick Durham
On
Sunday, September 24, 2006, “Patriot John Adams” delivered a rousing
attack on the tyranny of British taxation without representation,
regarding Britain’s 1765 Stamp Act, in a live re-enactment of the reading
of The Braintree Instructions from Braintree Town Meeting on
September 24, 1765, held at the Middle Parish Meeting House (now First
Congregational Church).
Ten years before shots were fired at Lexington and Concord to open the
American Revolution, John Adams raised the first voice of freedom against
“slavery to Britain” in his instructions to Braintree’s Colonial
Representative, Hon. Ebenezer Thayer, Jr. Braintree Town Meeting’s
contribution was significant in American history because it led to the
first American Congress in 1765 to protest against British repression,
nine years before the First Continental Congress of 1774. John Adams’
voice of freedom at Braintree Town Meeting eventually led to the repeal of
Britain’s Stamp Act in 1766.
The modern re-enactment, held in the Sanctuary of First Church, was attended by over 200 members of First Congregational Church (many of whom appeared in period dress), the Braintree community, State Rep. Joseph Driscoll, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Boy Scout Troop #22. Hosted by Braintree Selectman Joseph Powers, the 45-minute program included speakers John Dennehy from the Braintree Historical Society, and First Church’s own Don Porter, Marge Maxham, and Pastor Dick.
The highlight of the program was the spirited reading from the 1765 Town Meeting minutes of The Braintree Instructions by costumed re-enactors, “Moderator Mr. Norton Quincy” (Matthew Mees), “Town Meeting Representative John Adams” (Geoffrey Campbell), and “Judge Samuel Niles, Deacon of Middle Parish Meeting House” (Gordon Campbell), and was followed by a musket salute from the Braintree 3rd Militia delivered from the church steps.
Refreshments followed, organized and hosted by Adrienne Allen and Hope Gray, with donations by Brian’s Fine Desserts and church members.
This tremendously successful event, sponsored by First Congregational Church’s 300th Celebration Committee and the Braintree Historical Society, officially kicks off 2006-2007 as “The Year of First Congregational Church” in recognition of our 300 years of serving the community of Braintree as both a religious and civil leader. This contribution was officially recognized by the Town of Braintree in a Proclamation read into the Board of Selectman’s Meeting minutes on September 25, 2006, and will be recognized again in a Proclamation at a special Braintree Town Meeting called on October 3, 2006.
To see an the actual text and history of The Braintree Instructions, click here.