On Saturday, April 19, Massachusetts was bustling with events as the state commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Area towns, including Norfolk, also played a part in that historic day many years ago. 

As tensions between the American colonies and the British crown reached their peak, Norfolk’s residents were quick to respond to the call for action, providing soldiers and resources to aid the colonial cause.

In 1775, as war loomed on the horizon, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress convened in Cambridge, and the General Court was held in Concord. These gatherings were critical in organizing the defense of the colonies and storing ammunition, much of which the British soldiers in Boston sought to seize. Local communities, including Norfolk, became crucial in the effort to resist British advances.

One of the more significant moments in Norfolk’s Revolutionary history occurred on the morning of April 19, 1775. As British troops began their march to Lexington, a messenger came through Walpole, a neighboring town, bringing the alarming news that the Redcoats were on the move. A group of 157 men from South Walpole, including many from Norfolk, quickly mobilized and headed toward Concord, though they arrived too late to engage in the famous battles that day. This group represented about one-fifth of the able male population of the town, illustrating the level of commitment to the cause.

In addition to providing men for the militia, Norfolk’s residents also contributed by participating in local military regiments. Among the notable Norfolk men who served in the Revolutionary War were Captain Oliver Pond’s Regiment, Captain Benjamin Hawes’ Company, and Captain Lemuel Kollock’s Company. Key figures from Norfolk and its surrounding areas included Hezekiah Ware, James Blake, Daniel Ware, and Aaron Clark Fales, a Walpole native whose family history tied the region together. Other notable soldiers were John Jepson, who, though born in Boston, became a resident of Norfolk after marrying and raising children there, adding his legacy to the town’s involvement in the revolution.

These early military efforts and the active participation of Norfolk’s residents helped lay the foundation for the resistance that would eventually lead to the formation of the United States. The sacrifices of these local heroes, from marching to distant battlefields to guarding critical supplies, demonstrated Norfolk’s deep commitment to the cause of American independence.

As the Revolution progressed, Norfolk, like many towns in the region, continued to send troops and resources, ensuring its place in the history of the American fight for liberty. The men and women of Norfolk played a key role not just in the military, but in the collective resistance that would shape the future of the nation.

Material used in this article is taken from the “History of Norfolk” by Bertha Fales.