James Otis, the pre-revolutionist

by John Clark Ridpath

Near the northeast corner of the old Common of Boston a section of ground was put apart long before the beginning of the eighteenth century to be a burying ground for some of the heroic dead of the city of the Puritans. For some quaint reason or caprice this acre of God was called "The Granary" and is so called to this day. Perhaps the name was given because the dead were here, garnered as grain from the reaping until the bins be opened at the last day's threshing when the chaff shall be driven from the wheat. Here the thoughtless throng looking through the iron railing may see the old weather-beaten and time-eaten slabs with their curious lettering which designate the spots where many of the men of the pre-revolutionary epoch were laid to their last repose. The word cemetery is from Greek and means the little place where I lie down.

Genres: History

142 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1898

About the author

John Clark Ridpath (April 26, 1840 – July 31, 1900) was an American educator, historian, and editor. His mother was a descendant of Samuel Matthews, a colonial governor of Virginia.

Reviews

[Skip · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to know the beginning of the American Revolution, look no further than James Otis, Jr. Without him shoulder to shoulder with Samuel Adams, there is no way the US would have declared independence in 1776. The lethargy and complacency was as astounding then as it is today. People then as they are today, chasing their comforts, their "trifles," as Adams called them, and their cult of the dollar. Otis was the lawyer, the Orator, Adams the writer. Both were brilliant. Both were relentless....I just finished reading this book, another in the series of books I am using in researching the book I am writing about the Freedom Trail. Here is a book with all the tiny details needed for in-depth research. It is also a good read.

[Richard Seltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as research for my novel Parallel Lives.

[Debby Douglas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Content = 4 ⭐️
Writing = 2 ⭐️
I wanted to learn more about James Otis and his contributions to our national foundation. The first portions of the book are so difficult to read due to the writing style that I gave up and skimmed the rest.

The book could be reproduced with more clear writing.

Disappointing.