Peter Penniman : Dedicated Patriot of the American Revolution

    Peter Penniman of Mendon demonstrated the spirit of the American Revolution in many ways. His years of
    service as a soldier and as a public servant were extraordinary.

    The alarm of Lexington  and Concord reached Mendon during the day of April 19, 1775. The town was well
    prepared. Through communications with the Committee of Correspondence and delegates at the
    Provincial Congress, it was well known that the British authorities stationed in Boston would be attempting
    to kidnap and arrest colonial ring leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock. As the news spread through
    Mendon, our Minutemen assembled and mustered at the training field now known as Founders' Park,  
    across from Ammidon Tavern. There were four Mendon companies, 164 soldiers,  each  equipped with a
    fire arm, a bayonet, a pouch, a knapsack, and thirty rounds of ammunition.

    Captain Peter Penniman and his courageous soldiers marched up North Avenue about 150 yards and
    turned right onto Middle Post Road and headed to Boston. There they met Minutemen from many other
    towns and surrounded British troops who had returned from Concord. Peter served in the Continental Army
    in various companies for four years until his retirement in 1779. At that time, his spirit of patriotism was
    directed from the military to a legislative life of creating a new government.

    Peter participated in the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention and became a representative and a
    senator in the new Massachusetts Legislature.  He later served in the Governor's Council. He exemplified
    the spirit of the American Revolution at the highest level. He was the ultimate patriot. He died July 8, 1805,
    and he is buried in Old Cemetery.

    The Penniman family lived at 49 Blackstone Street, currently the historic home of Janice Muldoon --Moors.  

    Richard Grady, October 2015

                                                                                              HOME