I've heard many summize that these were father and son. However, after reading through more material from our trip to Mass and researching online, Jonathon the fifer was the son of John Harrington, older brother to Jonathon H, Jr who died in his wife Ruth's arms just off the green. JH jr's 8 yr old son was there as well (another Jonathon), and died the next year just before his 10th birthday. The fifer's dad, John H, was also one of the 77 on the green that day. He was not killed. The fifer lived to 96, within 6 years of the Civil War.
Just some tidbits.
Quote from: kyjam on September 06, 2010, 02:10:09 AM
The fifer's dad, John H, was also one of the 77 on the green that day. He was not killed. The fifer lived to 96, within 6 years of the Civil War.
Which makes him the longest-living survivor of that day. IIRC, in PRR the claim is made that more American troops marched in his funeral parade than were present on April 19th, 1775 - which means (if they knew the actual number back in the 1850s -and they prob didn't) - more than 14,000 - and that's a lot!
The 'tidbits' of history are like salt, adding flavor to the bread.
In a way, it's a tidbit of history that the name "Jonathon Harrington" served in a way as "bookends" for the experience - a "Jonathon Harrington" was the both the first and the last to die, of those present that day...
Love reading your tidbits, Kyjam! O0
I liken my study of the Founders to an onion. As I peel each layer back, I find that my respect for them and more importantly, my amazement at the magnitude of their deeds, grows exponentially.
I am now digesting the 500 year leap and would recommend it. It delineates just how "revolutionary" the Constitution was and what it did for the entire human race.
To remember is to honor.