Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 3.

In August, 1774, Medford began to be anxious about her supply of powder, stored with that of the surrounding towns in the Powder House on Quarry Hill, near Medford line.

Thomas Patten was sent to remove the town's supply on August 27. His services cost five shillings. Three days after, General Gage sent the troops out from Boston and carried all the ammunition that remained to Castle William.

This act of Gage caused great indignation, and whatever element of conservatism remained was speedily swept away.

Benjamin Hall, the chief business man of Medford, was chosen to represent the town in the General Court, which held its last meeting in Boston March 31, 1774. On June 1 General Gage transferred the government to Salem, and appointed the Assembly to meet June 7. The meeting on that day was so revolutionary that Gage sent his secretary to dissolve it; but he was forced to read his proclamation on the stairs, for the patriots were holding their session behind locked doors.

Gage called another meeting of the Assembly for October 5, but countermanded the order. The patriots ignored his right to do this, and ninety Representatives met and formed themselves into a Provincial Congress.

They appointed Benjamin Hall a member of the Committee of Supplies. Flour, rice, pease, pickaxes, saws, cartridge-paper, and other necessaries were shipped to Concord and Worcester.

In November seven cannon were bought, and Mr. Gill and Mr. Benjamin Hall were desired to get them out of Boston to some place in the country. This was a hazardous undertaking. The guns were loaded with other goods, concealed in loads of hay and wood, and in other ingenious ways the strict watch of the guards was