Events

Join us at the Fort Devens Museum at 1:00 PM on September 19^th to learn about a different aspect of Revolutionary America with “I Have Scarcely a Mouthful of Bread for Myself or My Children”: The Plight of Loyalists on the Eve of Independence. This lecture, presented by historian Alexander Cain, examines the often-overlooked experiences of American Loyalists from New England and New York during the Revolutionary War. It examines how unwavering loyalty to the Crown led to the loss of homes, freedom, and security for numerous families. Drawing on original petitions and firsthand accounts, the presentation traces the harrowing flight of Loyalists from so-called “patriot” mobs and Committees of Safety. The discussion further explores the severe hardships endured by Loyalist families, including those from Massachusetts, who sought refuge with the British army in Canada, facing starvation, violations of civil liberties, and exile. The lecture also highlights the resilience that enabled these individuals to persevere in the face of such adversity.

Alexander Cain, JD, has authored numerous research articles and presentations on the American Revolution, including the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, the Siege of Boston, and the experiences of New England and New York loyalist refugees during the Burgoyne Campaign. In addition, he has published two books: We Stood Our Ground: Lexington in the First Year of the American Revolution and I See Nothing but the Horrors of a Civil War: The Loyalists of McAlpin’s Corps of American Volunteers. He is also the creator of the blog and podcast Historical Nerdery (historicalnerdery.com). Currently, he is in the process of writing his upcoming book, “For God’s Sake, Fire!” – The Massachusetts Militia System on the Eve of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which is anticipated to be released in 2027. Alex is also the Executive Director of Apprenticeship Pathways at North Shore Community College in Danvers, Massachusetts. He leads an educational initiative that introduces high school students and incumbent workers to apprenticeship opportunities in Allied Health.

The Fort Devens Museum is open from 10 AM to 3 PM on Saturday September 19^th with the program at 1:00 PM. The museum is located on the 3^rd floor of 94 Jackson Road, Devens, MA and is wheelchair accessible. This program is free and open to the public with donations appreciated. Thank you to the Ayer Cultural Council, part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. For more information email info@fortdevensmuseum.org

When British regiments were deployed overseas, many soldiers brought their wives and families with them. Their presence is pervasive in the military documents and iconography of the era, and yet they are seldom mentioned in literature about the war. These women filled vital roles in the army infrastructure, and were an integral part of the military society. This book is the first ever to deeply investigate the lives and circumstances of British army wives in the American Revolution, including the rationale for having families accompany the army, the roles wives fulfilled, and the challenges they faced.

Signed copies can be preordered here

Don N. Hagist is managing editor of Journal of the American Revolution. His historical studies focus on presenting an accurate picture of individual soldiers and their families, especially those of the British army who served in America. This research is done using exclusively primary sources, mostly from archives in North America and Europe. He appears in the Netflix series The American Experiment, and was an advisor for the PBS documentary The American Revolution produced by Ken Burns. He has written several recent books including Noble Volunteers: the British Soldiers who fought the American Revolution, The Revolution’s Last Men: The Soldiers behind the Photographs and Invisible Lives: British Soldiers’ Wives in the American Revolution. Don is an engineering consultant, and also writes for several well-known syndicated cartoonists. For more information, see his website.

This program is free and open to the public. Thank you to the Shirley Cultural Council