el Atkinson and David Flanders, who were under Stark, by the
rail fence. They were near neighbors, pensioners of the government,
and found pleasure in rehearsing the events of the Revolutionary War.
My grandfather, Eliphalet Kilburn, was at Winter Hill at the time of
the battle.

It was also my privilege to walk over Bunker Hill with Richard
Frothingham, author of the "Siege of Boston," whose home was on the
spot where Pigot's brigade was cut down by the withering fire from the
redoubt. Mr. Frothingham had conversed with many old pensioners who
were in the redoubt at the time of the battle. In my account of the
engagement I have endeavored to picture it in accordance with the
various narratives.

I hardly need say that Ruth Newville, Berinthia Brandon, and Mary
Shrimpton are typical characters, representing the young women of the
period,--a period in which families were divided, parents adhering to
King George, sons and daughters giving their allegiance to Liberty.

I am under obligations to the proprietors of the "Memorial History of
Boston" for the portrait of Mrs. Joseph Warren. The portrait of
Dorothy Quincy is from that in possession of the Bostonian Society;
that of Mrs. John Adams from her "Life and Letters."

The historic houses are from recent photographs.

I trust the reader will not regard this volume wholly as a romance,
but rather as a presentation of the events, scenes, incidents, and
spirit of the people at the beginning of the Revolution.

CHARLES CARLETON COFFIN.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION iii

I. ROBERT WALDEN GOES TO MARKET 1

II. FIRST DAY IN BOSTON 20

III. THE SONS OF LIBERTY 38

IV. AN EVENING WITH SAM ADAMS 49

V. A GARDEN TEA-PARTY 69

VI. CHRIST CHURCH CHIMES 93

VII. LAUNCHING OF THE BERINTHIA BRANDON 104

VIII. CHRISTOPHER SNIDER 119

IX. THE LOBSTERS AND ROPEMAKERS 130

X. MRS. NEWVILLE'S DINNER-PARTY 149

XI. SOCIETY LIFE IN LONDON 174

XII. A NEW ENGLAND GIRL 188

XIII. THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY 203

XIV. BENEVOLENCE AND BROTHERHOOD 221

XV. THE MI