Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-11-03
The Spirit of the Revolutionary Times

The following story, related by moth
er 10 her children, few years since, will
show the spirit that existed among the
people of New England at the trying
period 10 which IL relates:
-I-a,e IN tho sftarno.,as of ono of lotc1,
days of May, l776, when | was a few
months short OF nineteen Years cid, notice
came TO Townsend, Mass, where nay ia
Their used to live, that fifteen soldiers
were wanted.
The training band was Instantly called
out, and my brother next older than my
self was one that was selected He did
not return I'LL late at night, when all were
IN bed. When | rose in the morning |
found my mother in tears, who informed
me that my brother ohm was to march
the day after to marrow, at sun rise NV
father was IN Boston, In the Massachus-
cts assembly; mother said that lhopsh
John was supplied with summer clothes,
he must be away seven or eight months,
and would suffer for want of winter gar
meuts. There was at this time no store,
and 10 articles could be had, except such
as a family would make itself. The
sight of mothers tears always brought
all the hidden strength of my mind to ac-
ton. | immediately asked her what gar
ments were needful. She replied, pant
aloons.
"Oh, if that is ALL" said l, eve will
spin and weave him a pair before he
goes"
True, true said my mother, g the
wool is on the Sleeps back, and the sheep
are IN the pasture"
l Immediately turned to a younger bro
ther, and babe him take the salt dish and
call them to the yard. Mother replied,
"Poor child, there are no sheep shears
within three miles and a half"
" have some small shears al the loom.
said l.
" But we can't spin and weave in so
short time"
l am certain we can, mother.
How can you weave it! There is a
long web of linen in the loom."
. No matter, | can find an empty loom. :"
By this time the sound of the sheep
made me quicken my steps towards the
yard. | requested my sister to bring me
the wheel and cards, while | went for the
wool. Invent to the yard with my broth
er, and secured white sheep, from which
| sheared with my loom shears half
enough for web; we then let her 60
with the res: of the flock | sent the
wool in with my sister. Luther ran off
for 4 black sheep, and held her, while
cut off wool for my filling and half the
warp, aud then we a llowed her to 60 with
the remaining part of her fleece.
The wool thus Obtained was duly card
ed and spun, washed, sized and dried
i loom was found a few doors off. the
web GOT in, woven ana prepared, cat aud
made, two or three hours before my bro
theirs departure that is to say, in forty
hours from the commencement, without
help from any modern improvement.
The good lady closed by saying,
fell no WEAKNESS, | wepl not--l was serv-
ing my country-I was assisting my poor
mother-I was preparing garments for
my darling brother. The garment being
/ finished, | retired and wept till my over
charged and bursting heart was relieved
: The brother was, perhaps, one of Gen
Stark's best soldiers, and with such g
spirit to cope with, need we wonder tha
Burgoyne did not execute his threat o
marching through the beart of America