Alexander Edwards, a true Son of Liberty, believed in the patriot cause and served in the colonial militia. It is not clear if he ever joined the Continental army. His greatest focus was raising his adopted children. His family grew larger in 1774 when his brother Robert's five daughters were also orphaned. Alexander and his wife Sarah were now the guardians for seven girls and two boys. Like his father before him, Alexander brought his children to the New Brick Church each Sunday. The Edwards family still sat in pew # 28 while an acquaintance of Alexander's, a fellow Son of Liberty named Paul Revere, sat with his family in pew # 59. It is not clear if they met in church or about town, but Paul Revere's first-born son, Paul Jr., became friends with Alexander Edwards' niece Sally. They were separated for a time when Paul Jr. served with his father during the Revolution. By the time the war was over, however, the couple's friendship had grown into love and they were married on July 25, 1782.

By the 1780s, Paul Jr. had taken over the day-to-day operations of his father's silver shop. The ad shown here from June 6, 1787 mentions Revere's shop and promotes his silver work. At the time it was printed, Paul Jr. and Sally Edwards Revere had two children (Sally and Alexander Edwards Revere) and lived in the North End of Boston. The couple eventually had 12 children. Paul Revere opened a foundry in 1788. Soon after, Paul Jr. became engaged in the manufacture of church bells there with his father and brother Joseph Warren Revere. Sally's brother, my ancestor Benjamin Edwards, would become a cooper in Boston. In April 1789, he turned 24. That same month, residents of the town learned that George Washington had been elected President of the United States. News came that the president planned a triumphant tour through the eastern states and he would pay a visit to Boston in October. Town leaders began to make arrangements for the historic event. The artisans in town, including cabinetmaker Alexander Edwards, and silversmiths Paul Revere and his son Paul Jr. would have an important role to play.

President Washington's visit to Boston began on Saturday, October 24, 1789. On that day, at 10 o'clock in the morning, 55-year-old Alexander Edwards, the Reveres and other inhabitants of the town assembled and formed a Procession in the Mall. The artisans, tradesmen, and manufacturers were alphabetically arranged. Each group stood behind white silk flags of a yard square that flew from handsomely painted seven-foot long staffs. Each flag contained a device noting the group's trade. Alexander Edwards marched behind the flag of the Cabinet and Chair-Makers while the Reveres likely followed behind the flag containing the Goldsmith's Arms.

The procession made its way to the entrance of the town where the entire group halted and opened ranks. Facing inwards, they formed an avenue reaching from the neck to the State House for the President to pass through. At one o'clock, the President's approach was announced by discharges of artillery from Roxbury, Dorchester Heights, and Castle William; a salute from the ships, and by the ringing of all the bells. As President Washington reached the Roxbury line (at Boston Neck) he changed into Continental uniform and mounted an elegant white horse. He was attended by Major Jackson, and Mr. Lear, his Secretaries. Vice President John Adams followed on horseback. The Selectmen welcomed the President and he was escorted into town followed by the Procession.

Benjamin Edwards and his sister Sally made their way through the jubilant crowd near the State House to catch a glimpse of the legendary General Washington. The nation's new president soon passed through a richly decorated triumphal arch and canopy to the Colonnade, erected for the occasion at the west end of the State House. President Washington was seated on a temporary balcony here, an Ode was sung, and the Procession passed him, proceeded into Court Street and was dismissed. Benjamin and Sally gathered with their Uncle Alexander and Sally's husband Paul Revere Jr. All agreed that it was a day they would never forget. That evening, they viewed fireworks that were exhibited in several parts of the town.

Less than two years after President Washington's visit, on June 22, 1791, Benjamin Edwards was married to Polly Bangs at the First Church of Boston located just behind the State House (today's Old State House). After the ceremony, he and Polly strode past Faneuil Hall on their way back to the North End. The building's grasshopper weather vane turned slowly in the wind to follow their progress. Early copies of the Boston City Directory list Benjamin as a cooper on Back Street and Ship Street. For a few years during this period, there are no listings for him. During this time, it is likely that he applied his trade working aboard sailing ships departing from Boston Harbor. Between the years 1793 and 1803, Benjamin and Polly had 5 children. Their first-born son, Benjamin, became a cooper like his father. Their second son, Alexander, became a blacksmith. The couple's third son, Joseph Bragdon Edwards (my ancestor), born on December 29, 1799 was employed as a paver in Boston.

Cooper Benjamin Edwards, grandson of Captain Edwards, died on June 9,1808 at the age of 43. His son Joseph made note of his passing in the family record section of a Bible printed in 1812. In this Bible, Joseph also recorded the births of his siblings and his marriage to Sarah Mace in 1823. Joseph and Sarah had 5 children. Beginning in 1826, the Boston City Directory mentions that Joseph B. Edwards lived in the West End just a few blocks from Boston Common. Joseph often walked through the Common where cattle grazed until 1830. He passed these stories on to his son Benjamin (my ancestor) who was born in 1836.

Shortly after his father died in 1852, Benjamin left Boston and eventually settled in Connecticut. He carried the 1812 family Bible with him and kept it in his East Haddam farmhouse. Benjamin lived to the age of 90 and told stories about life in Boston to his 10 children and numerous grandchildren. In 1921, Benjamin placed a newspaper clipping inside the family Bible that contained the text of a moving farewell letter written by his grandson Private Philip Edwards who was killed in France in World War I. I first read that clipping as a 10-year-old child. My children's book One April in Boston pays tribute to both my early Boston ancestors and a remarkable 23-year-old American named Philip Edwards. You can learn more about him in the section of this site called "A Hero's Words."