250th Anniversary of the First Massachusetts Provincial Congress

On October 7, 1774, ninety chosen representatives met at Salem in defiance of General Gage’s order. They elected John Hancock to serve as chairman. They resolved to form themselves into “a Provincial Congress…to take into consideration the dangerous and alarming situation of public affairs in this province, and to consult and determine on such measures as they shall judge will tend to promote the true interest of his majesty, and the peace, welfare, and prosperity of the province.” The establishment of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress was essentially a coup détat: a sudden, violent, and unlawful seizure of power. The royal government, headed by General Gage, was now isolated and virtually powerless except for the presence of the army and navy in Boston.

• Welcome and Introduction: Jonathan Lane, Executive Director of Revolution 250 Massachusetts

• Brief lecture on the significance of Oct 7, 1774: Alexander Cain, author of We Stood Our Ground: Lexington in the First Year of the American Revolution

• Presentation of the Citations: Presentations of the federal, state, and local citations commemorating the bravery of those who met at Salem in defiance of the lawful government.

• Keynote Address: Robert A. Gross, author of The Minutemen and their World.

The event will conclude with a brief Q& A followed by reception with light refreshments, and a cash bar. In attendance will also be American Revolutionary War reenactors from the Danvers Alarm List Company and the Lexington Minute Men.

Event presented by Essex Heritage in partnership with the Hawthorne Hotel

This program is part of Essex County Revolution 250. Essex County Revolution 250 is an initiative of Essex Heritage in partnership with Massachusetts Rev250 and dozens of regional museums, heritage sites, and organizations, with the intention of raising awareness and highlighting the diverse stories of Essex County, Massachusetts residents, free and unfree, during the American Revolutionary period.

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