A Public Execution by the Sons of Liberty

The Sons of Liberty in all the colonies participated in a number of activities. Their major purpose was to work cooperatively to make sure that their rights, as they perceived them, were being protected against those who they believed threatened them. The execution described here in Farmington, Connecticut, took place on or about May 19, 1774. Such actions were not unusual for these men.

Early in the morning was found the following handbill, posted up in various parts of the town:

To pass through the fire at six o'clock this evening, in honour to the immortal goddess of Liberty, the late infamous [Boston Port] Act of the British Parliament for farther distressing the American Colonies; the place of execution [of this act] will be the public parade, where all Sons of Liberty are desired to attend.

Accordingly, a very numerous and respectable body [of people] were assembled of near one thousand people, when a huge pole, just fourty-five feet high, was erected and consecrated to the shrine of liberty; after which the Act of Parliament for blocking up the Boston harbor was read aloud, sentenced to the flames and executed by the hands of the common hangman; then the following resolves were passed nem. con. [nemine contradicente, unanimous]:

1st. That it is with the greatest dignity, interest and happiness of every American to be united with our parent State, while our liberties are duly secured, maintained and supported by our rightful Sovereign, whose person we greatly revere; whose government, while duly administered, we are ready with our lives and properties to support.

2d. That the present ministry, being instigated by the devil and led on by their wicked and corrupt hearts, have a design to take away our liberties and properties and to enslave us forever.

3d. That the late Act which their malice hath caused to be passed in Parliament, for blocking up the port of Boston, is unjust, illegal and oppressive; and that we and every American are sharers in the insults offered to the town of Boston.

4th. That those pimps and parasites who dared to advise their master to such detestable measures be held in utter abhorrence by us and every American, and their names loaded with the curses of all succeeding generations.

5th. That we scorn the chains of slavery; we despise every attempt to rivet them upon us; we are the sons of freedom and resolved that, till time shall be no more, godlike virtue shall blazon our hemisphere.