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.

Now, 250 years later, Essex County met once again to honor the anniversary of this crucial moment in the lead up to independence. On October 7, 2024, Essex Heritage and the Hawthorne Hotel hosted a gathering to commemorate and discuss the significance of the First Massachusetts Provincial Congress.

Here is the full video of the 250th Provincial Congress event:

  • Welcome and Introduction: Jonathan Lane, Executive Director of Revolution 250 Massachusetts
  • Brief lecture on the significance of Oct 7, 1774Alexander Cain, author of We Stood Our Ground: Lexington in the First Year of the American Revolution
  • Presentation of the Resolutions: Presentations of the federal, state, and local resolutions commemorating the bravery of those who met at Salem in defiance of the lawful government. See below for a gallery of the resolutions.
  • Keynote AddressRobert A. Gross, author of The Minutemen and their World.

In attendance at the 250th event were American Revolutionary War reenactors from the Danvers Alarm List Company and the Lexington Minute Men.

Resolutions from state and local officials:

Essex County Provincial Congress Delegates

NameCityCountyBirthdatePlace of BirthDeath DateAge September 1774Occupation
John Pickering, Jr.SalemEssexbp March 2, 1731Salem, MAAugust 23, 181143Lawyer / Farmer
Jonathan Ropes, JrSalemEssexDecember 26, 1718Salem, MAJanuary 18, 179956Coastal Trader
Dr Samuel HoltenDanversEssexJune 9, 1738Danvers, MAJan 2, 181636Medical Doctor / Farmer
Michael FarleyIpswichEssexApril 24, 1720Ipswich, MAJune 20, 178954Tanner / Farmer
Daniel NoyesIpswichEssexJanuary 29, 1738Ipswich, MAMarch 21, 181536Teacher / Postmaster / Public Servant
Joseph GerrishNewburyEssexSeptember 10, 1708Newbury, MAMay 26, 177666Farmer
Jonathan GreenleafNewburyportEssexJuly 15, 1723Newburyport, MAMay 24, 180751Shipbuilder
Jeremiah LeeMarbleheadEssexApril 16, 1721Marblehead, MAMay 10, 177553Merchant / Import-Export
Azor OrneMarbleheadEssexJuly 22, 1731Marblehead, MAJune 6, 179643Merchant
Elbridge GerryMarbleheadEssexJuly 17, 1744Marblehead, MANovember 23, 181430Merchant / Public Servant
Ebenezer BurrillLynnEssexFebruary 6 , 1703Lynn, MAMay 20, 177871Farmer
John MansfieldLynnEssexFebruary 29, 1721Lynn, MAApril 24, 180953Farmer
Moody BridgesAndoverEssexJanuary 19, 1723Andover, MAJuly 14, 180151Farmer / Maltster
Josiah BatchelderBeverlyEssexOctober 2, 1737Beverly, MADecember 10, 180937Ship Captain / Merchant / Surveyor
Nathaniel MighillRowleyEssexJune 2, 1715Rowley, MAMarch 26, 178859Farmer
Samuel SmithSalisburyEssexJune 18, 1714Salisbury, MAOctober 25, 177860Farmer
Samuel WhiteHaverhillEssexSeptember 15, 1718Haverhill, MAAugust 21, 180156Merchant / Farmer
Joseph HaynesHaverhillEssexJanuary 25, 1716Haverhill, MADecember 20, 180458Farmer / Trader / Shopkeeper
Peter CoffinGloucesterEssexAugust 10, 1723Gloucester, MAFebruary 14, 179651Farmer / Shopkeeper
Samuel SmithTopsfieldEssexJanuary 26, 1714Topsfield, MANovember 14, 178560Farmer
Aaron WoodBoxfordEssex1720Boxford, MAJanuary 20, 179154Farmer
Isaac MerrillAmesburyEssexFebruary 25, 1708Newbury, MAFebruary 7, 178766Farmer
Daniel ThurstonBradfordEssexMarch 1, 1719Bradford, MAJuly 14, 180555Farmer / House Builder
Benjamin FairfieldWenhamEssexOctober 29, 1708Wenham, MAJanuary 12, 178866Farmer
Andrew WoodburyManchesterEssexNovember 7, 1731Manchester, MAJuly 24, 180843Farmer
James InglesMethuenEssexAugust 30, 1720Andover, MAAugust 8, 180454Farmer
Archelaus FullerMiddletonEssexMay 4, 1727Middleton, MAAugust 25, 177647Farmer
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. For more information visit essexheritage.org/rev250
Presented by Essex Heritage and the Hawthorne Hotel