History of West Acton, (Middlesex County) Massachusetts United States of America

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Biographies:

A Short Biography of Isaac Davis

Isaac Davis, patriot, was born at West Acton, Mass., Feb. 23, 1745; son of Ezekiel and Mary (Gibson) Davis. In November, 1774, he was made commander of a company of minute men consisting of about forty young men of Acton. On the morning of April 19, 1775, on hearing of the approach of the British he called his company together and marched to the North bridge, at Concord. Captain Davis was assigned to the post of danger, saying, "I haven't a man that's afraid to go." At the first volley from the British three men fell, Captain Davis being instantly killed. He .thus headed the first column of attack on the king's troops in the Revolutionary war. After his death his widow was twice married, and died in 1841, at the age of ninety-five years. In 1851 a monument was erected to Captain Davis and the two other patriots who fell on the same day: Abner Hosmer and James Hayward. In 1895 a tablet was placed in front of the Davis homestead, bearing this inscription: "This farm was the home of Capt. Isaac Davis, who was killed in battle by the British at the old North Bridge in Concord, April 19, 1775."

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor