March 18, 1775

A return of Sutton militia in companies in the Regiment commanded by Ebenezer Learned, March 18th, 1885

A month before the Lexington Alarm, Sutton was asked to provide the number of men it had in its militia companies. John Blanchard was given the task and this document was the result. 

Each company lists men, flintlocks, powder, bullets, flints, swords or bayonets, and cartridge boxes. Sutton had six companies:

• Captain John Putnam (47 men)
• Captain Elliot (56 men)
• Captain Dagget (43 men)
• Captain Samuel Sibley (33 men, plus 87 "training soldiers")
• Captain Nathaniel Sibley (46 men, plus 74 "training soldiers")
• the North Parish under the command of Captain Trask (74 men, plus 84 "training soldiers")

This totals 550 men. Unfortunately, there were only 400 flintlocks, and the provision of powder was worse, with only 371 measures available. 

Regardless of their ammunition shortcomings, it must have been an incredible sight, seeing hundreds of Sutton men training in the center of town, knowing that at any moment they might be called to fight for their freedom. 

Images from the collection "Sutton (Mass.) : Records [manuscript], 1683-1883; 1940."  Courtesy, American Antiquarian Society.