Jonathan Harrington

Lexington on the morning on April 19, 1775 Jonathan Harrington’s home faced the Lexington Common in the center of town. After being shot he managed to crawl to his doorstep before dying. His cousin, Caleb Harrington also died that morning he was the first one killed. In fact, of the Eighty militiamen on the Common on April 19, nine of them had the name Harrington. His cousin Abraham marched on alert and engaged the British while they retreated after the engagement at the Old North bridge.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7517425/jonathan-harrington

Grave Inscription:

Sacred to Liberty & the Rights of mankind!!!

The Freedom & Independence of America,

Sealed & defended with the blood of her sons.

This Monument is erected

By the inhabitants of Lexington,

Under the patronage, & at the expense, of

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

To the memory of their Fellow Citizens,

Ensign Robert Munroe, Messrs. Jonas Parker,

Samuel Hadley, Jonathan Harrington Junr.

Isaac Muzzy, Caleb Harrington and John Brown

Of Lexington, & Asahel Porter of Woburn,

Who fell on this field, the first Victims to the

Sword of British Tyranny & Oppression,

On the morning of the ever memorable

Nineteenth of April, An. Dom. 1775.

The Die was cast!!!

The Blood of these Martyrs,

In the cause of God & their Country,

Was the Cement of the Union of these States, then

Colonies; & gave the spring to the spirit, Firmness

And resolution of their Fellow Citizens.

They rose as one man, to revenge their brethren's

Blood and at the point of the sword, to assert &

Defend their native Rights.

They nobly dar'd to be free!!

The contest was long, bloody & affecting;

Righteous Heaven approved the solemn appeal;

Victory crowned their arms; and

The Peace, Liberty & Independence of the United

States of America, was their glorious Reward.

Built in the year 1799.