Nine historic figures from Framingham’s past had their stories told to a sold out crowd during a cemetery tour over the weekend.
On the evening of April 18, 1775, a Framingham boy, just 9 years old and a descendant of slavery, helped alert Colonists with blasts of his trumpet.
Abel Benson’s story and his connection to Framingham was one of nine historic figures, whose life came alive during the Framingham History Center’s ”Voices from the Old Burying Ground” tour.
The event held on a crisp, sunny fall Saturday afternoon was a sell out.
“We filled beyond capacity,” said Jennifer Toth, one of the guides.
Odean Lee, who recently moved to Framingham, portrayed Benson. He told those on the tours, that In 1781, at the age of 14, Benson enlisted, stating he was 16 on his official papers. He served as trumpeter with the Massachusetts 8th and 3rd Regiments.
Attendees, who ranged from elementary aged children to senior citizens, also learned how Jonathan Maynard, the town’s first postmaster and who also served as a selectman, town clerk, state representative, and state senator, got his white hair.
Maynard, of whom a road and building bears his name in Town, fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill and in a little know battle, where everyone under his command was killed. He survived the battle but was captured by Mohawk Indians. The Chief – Joseph Brant – planned to burn the officer alive at the stake, but upon finding out he was a Mason spared his life. As the chief, who was educated by the founder of Dartmouth College, was also a fellow Mason.
McCarthy Elementary teacher James Parr brought Maynard to life Saturday in the historic cemetery, located off main Street in Framingham.
Town Historian Fred Wallace portrayed Rev. John Swift, a graduate of Harvard and Framingham’s first minister. Ordained in 1701, he served in Framingham for 45 years.
Boston architect Adam Walker portrayed Peter Salem. Born a slave, Salem was sold to the Buckminster Family of Framingham.
Major Lawson Buckminister gave Salem his freedom to join the military and he took part in the battle of Concord on April 19, 1775. Later, he participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill, where it is believed he killed British Major John Pitcairn with his last shot.
Other historical figures on the tour were:
- Sarah Clayes, who fled from Salem in 1693 and settled a farming community called Salem End, now known as Salem End Road. Janice Thompson portrayed Clayes.
- Mrs. Twitchell, portrayed by Dana Ricciardi
- Madame Buckminster, portrayed by Pat Lavin
- Rev. Matthew Bridge, portrayed by Adam Walker
- Rev. David Kellogg, portrayed by Glenn Pruszinski
Besides Toth, History Center Director Annie Murphy, Kevin Swope, and Libby Franck were guides during the sold out event.
First staged in Framingham in 1984, the scripts were written by Franck, Wallace, Thompson, Parr and Hugo Hollerroth.