The Rebellion Begins: Westborough and the Start of the American Revolution

The time is September 1774, and the Westborough militia is stepping up its training in order to march to Worcester to shut down the Worcester County courts, now operating under the Intolerable Acts. Word has it that General Thomas Gage will be sending armed British soldiers into western Massachusetts to protect the courts and enforce these new laws, which limit the ability of citizens to select their own government representatives and to hold their own town meetings. Westborough, along with other surrounding towns, is preparing for the confrontation. Most people think April 19, 1775 marks the beginning of the American Revolution. The truth is, when the British marched into Lexington on that day they were attempting to take back a colony that was no longer under their control. "The Rebellion Begins" uses recently discovered documents to tell the story of how the people of Westborough rose up against the mighty British Empire to protect their way of life and help start the American Revolution.