Now is the time for true confessions. Iím embarrassed to admit to having some biased opinions about things I donít always fully comprehend. For instance, as a native-born American citizen with a very cursory understanding of what actually went into the formation of our country, Iíve generally considered those who did not side with the Patriots during the Revolutionary War to be traitors.
But learning more about the history of Lancaster has given me a better understanding of our countryís beginnings along with some insight into human nature.
It took studying the life of one particular Lancastrian. who followed his conscience during the Revolutionary War. to make me rethink what being a traitor actually means.
Some of Lancasterís wealthy, intellectual leaders were British Loyalists whose love of country equaled that of their rebellious neighbors. Both sides wanted change for the colonies, but their tactics differed. Abijah Willard (July 27, 1724 Ė May 1789) was a Loyalist.
The second of three sons, Abijah, like his parents Samuel and Elizabeth Phelps Willard, was born in Lancaster. He became its wealthiest citizen, owning property in Lancaster, a farm in Beverly, and an estate in Stafford, Conn.
Well thought of and respected, Willard, his first wife Elizabeth Prescott (Lancaster founder John Prescottís great-granddaughter) and second wife Anne Prentice joined Lancasterís First Church. He helped build a school in Lancaster and was a grantee of Walpole, N.H., and Chester, Mass.
Willard served the public with distinction. An honored military colonel under Lord Jeffrey Amherst, he was also Lancasterís town clerk, justice of the peace, trial justice and selectman. The man seemed to have it all ó until the Revolution changed everything.
Opposing the rebellion, Willard refused to fight against the British. His countrymen turned against him, confiscated his estate and he was exiled.
Did he deserve such punishment? Was he a traitor? Or, might we consider him a conscientious objector of the Revolutionary War?
In 1745, Willard served as captain of the Lancaster Company during the Louisburg expedition, participated in the 1748 reduction of Canada, and the French and Indian Warís 1755 Nova Scotia campaign. He was not afraid of combat. But, opposing the rebellion that was tearing his country apart, he refused to fight against the kingís men.
Because some Englishmen in high places supported the cause of the colonies, Loyalists didnít want to revolt. They believed the Patriots were committing suicide. Although they opposed the rebelsí tactics, many Loyalists, like Willard, refused to take up arms against their rebellious fellow countrymen.
After his exile, Willard sailed to Nova Scotiaís Bay of Fundy. He never returned to Lancaster. Itís ironic that he ended up where he and his soldiers worked in earlier years to deport the French in Acadia. He was exiled to a place heíd once exiled people from.
Willardís sense of loss is reflected in the name he gave to his new community ó Lancaster. Lancaster historian Henry Nourse wrote, ďAbijah Willard, so long as he lived, looked westward with yearning heart toward that elm-shaded home so familiar to all Lancastrians.Ē After his death in May 1789, Willardís wife and three children returned to Lancaster. They received a pension from the British government.
The poignant story of Abijah Willard has changed my views on what being a traitor means. I realize Willard could have sacrificed his integrity in order to remain in Lancaster. He might have kept silent and done nothing while others did what they felt called to do. Or, he could have played the fraudulent role of rebellious agitator to cast off suspicion.
But he did neither of those things. Although we know he chose the losing side, I can no longer label him a traitor. Abijah Willard was a man who stood by his conviction and paid the price for the rest of his life.
Karen Silverthorn is a member of the Lancaster Historical Commission.