DAR presents a patriot from the Revolutionary War

TEMECULA – Beginning in March, 249 years ago, events occurred which changed the lives of those living in the American Colonies. During March through June 1774, the Intolerable Acts were enacted by the British Parliament. Also known as the Coercive Acts, they were four measures instituted in retaliation for colonial resistance to British rule.

The Boston Port Act closed “the Port from all commerce and ordered the citizens of Boston to pay a large fine to compensate for the tea thrown into the river during the Boston Tea Party” (American Battlefield Trust).

The Massachusetts Government Act – also an Intolerable Act – rescinded “the colony’s charter of 1691, replacing the elective local council with an appointive one, enhancing the powers of English Military Governor General Thomas Gage, and forbidding town meetings without approval” (Encyclopedia Britannica).

The third coercive act was the Administration of Justice Act which ensured a “fair trial for British officials charged with offenses” while suppressing riots in Massachusetts Colony (Encyclopedia Britannica). The final Intolerable Act was the Quartering Act of 1774 allowing British troops to be housed in private homes and facilities (American Battlefield Trust).

The result of these mandates on the citizens of the Thirteen Colonies was anger against the English Crown, and the First Continental Congress met to coordinate a response to the Acts.

Massachusetts patriot Simeon Duncan was angry and turned his emotions to serving as a bombardier in Captain David Henshaw’s 10th Company, Colonel Thomas Craft’s Artillery Regiment. As a bombardier, he worked one of the three rear positions of a cannon. At age 52, he served in battles of the Revolutionary War which occurred between Feb. 1 and May 8, 1777.

Simeon married Bridget Richardson during 1743, and they were the parents of nine children. Little more is known about this man after his Revolutionary War service, yet he is one of thousands of colonists who put their families and homes behind them to enter the fight for independence from Great Britain.

Patriots like Simeon Duncan – the quiet, not-famous citizens who fought in our war for independence – are the focus of the America250 and National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The Luiseño Chapter NSDAR honors Patriot Simeon Duncan this month for his contribution to our freedom.

Another patriot will be honored next month by the Luiseño America250 Committee. You are encouraged to visit the public Facebook page “Luiseño Chapter DAR - Temecula Valley, CA” for more information.

Submitted by the Luiseño Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.