The above painting by Louis S. Glanzman is courtesy of the National Park Service.
The siege of Boston by Patriot forces began on April 19, 1775, in the aftermath of the battles at Lexington and Concord. In June the British technically won the Battle of Bunker Hill, but suffered heavier casualties, with no effect on the Continental Army’s siege.
In November, Continental forces began the incomprehensible feat of secretly hauling heavy artillery from Ticonderoga through the New England wilderness to fortify Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston Harbor, which they accomplished on March 4, 1776. Thirteen days later, British commander William Howe evacuated his forces and ships from Boston to Halifax on March 17, destroying their fort on Castle Island as they departed.
Joseph Hodgkins’ letters to his wife Sarah Perkins
In 1775, a company of Ipswich and Rowley Minuteman was formed with Captain Nathaniel Wade and Lieutenant Joseph Hodgkins of Ipswich in command. The Ipswich Company took part in the siege of Boston and the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, and helped surround Boston.
Their winter camp at Prospect Hill in Charlestown (now part of Somerville) was difficult for the volunteer soldiers. In January, Joseph Hodgkins wrote his wife, “Buried Willeby Nason Last Thursday. John Sweet is Very Sick in Camp & Josiah Persons of Cape Ann in our Company is Just moved to the hospital. John Holladay Died Last Thursday night. There were five Buried that Day.”
From 1775 to 1778, Joseph wrote 86 letters to his wife Sarah Perkins detailing conditions and providing updates from the front. Twenty of Sarah’s letters to Joseph survive. (The handwritten letters were transcribed into readable English by Gordon Harris.)
“In Camp at Prospect Hill March ye 12, 1776. My dear, I take this opportunity to write a line or two to you to let you know that I am well & I hope these lines will find you possessed of the same blessing. I want to hear from you very much. Do write as often as you can, for whether you will have the opportunity of sending here to me much longer is uncertain, for the army, in general, has had orders to be ready to march, but what regiments will march is uncertain yet. But I would not have you make yourself uneasy about it, for I hope we shall be carried through all the difficulties we may meet with in the way of our duty, so I must conclude at this time by subscribing myself your most affectionate companion till death, Joseph Hodgkins.”
“March ye 18, 1776. My dear, I wrote a letter yesterday morning, and soon after I wrote there appeared a great movement among the enemy, and we soon found that they had left Bunker Hill & Boston, and all gone on board the shipping & our army took possession of Bunker Hill and also of Boston, but none went to Boston but those that have had the small pox. Brother can inform you of matters better than I can by writing. All I can say is that we must move somewhere very soon, but I would not have you make yourself uneasy about that, for our enemy seems to be fleeing before us, which seems to give a spring to our spirits. I must conclude as before by subscribing, Joseph Hodgkins”
“In Camp Prospect March ye 20, 1776. Loving wife, I take this opportunity to write a line or two to let you know that I am well through the goodness of God & I hope these lines will find you possessed of the same blessing. I received your letter by Thomas and I am glad to hear that you are well & as you informed me that you were full of trouble for fear that I should be called away. I would not have you be uneasy about me, for I am willing to serve my Country in the best way & manner that I am capable of and as our enemy are gone from us, I expect we must follow them. It is not certain yet who will stay here. But it is generally thought that our Regt. will march somewhere.
I would not be understood that I should choose to march, but as I am engaged in this glorious cause, I am willing to go where I am called with a desire to commit myself & you to the care of him who is able to carry on through all the difficulties that we may be called to. I am sensible that the fatigues of marching will be great. But I hope if we are called to it we shall march with cheerfulness, My Dear. As for news, we have nothing but what you will have in the papers. The Regulars have burnt and blown up the castle. I must conclude at present by subscribing myself your most affectionate companion till death, Joseph Hodgkins.”
On March 17, 1776, the British forces abandoned Boston after awakening to the Patriot fortification of Dorchester Heights.
The Town of Ipswich Calls for Independence
In April, the Town of Ipswich voted to instruct their representatives to the Provincial Congress to prevent the town of Gloucester from being retaken. On May 21 the voters of the town were ordered to meet on the 27th, where they voted “to instruct their Representatives that if the Continental Congress should, for the safety of the said Colonies, Declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Brittain, they, the said Inhabitants will solemnly engage with their lives and Fortunes to support them in the measure.”
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Historic Ipswich 
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