The day had started under a low fog over Concord. The type of fog that settled into the low areas of town. People rose early and started fires in their hearths for warmth from the cool spring night. They began to prepare their meals and set about with activity after a long night. Concord would still see the absence of some of their citizens today, fighting in the Revolutionary War against the British. Somewhat isolated up in the north there was always concern for their own safety as well as the safe return of those they loved.
The people still lived in fear of the crown, sometimes a bit too close for comfort. Their beloved town of Rumford was renamed Concord by Governor Benning Wentworth just 15 years prior to this day. Yes, life here in Concord was good with simple pleasure alongside that fear.
The morning that started as usual soon turned on the good people. The date was Friday, May 19, 1780 and yes, the sun did come up that morning in an attempt to clear the fog over the town. As the morning progressed and high noon anticipated there was an uneasiness that settled as the hours proceeded. The day darkened as each moment passed, the birds became silent and those fowl did roost. The air was thick and hazy, as seen through a smoke colored glass. Candles were lit all over the village as the hours melted the light into darkness further. It is said that by noon the town of Concord was as dark as midnight, the “blackest of darkness” ever seen during the waking hours.
Business was cancelled for the day, school-aged children sent back to their homes to sit in the glimmering candlelight. The cattle were returned to the barns for the evening amid intense alarm and distress experienced by our ancestors. This, my friend, was the day of reckoning … a day of judgement that was known and preached here in Concord at the end of the colonial period. No period of intense darkness was ever recorded since the day of Moses and the fear was real.
As those early citizens of Concord, isolated and with loved ones still fighting in the Revolution, settled in their homes that fear was indeed real. Sometimes it is the unknown that presents the worst fear.
As the midnight noon continued for the remainder of the day there was little resolution. The intense darkness did lessen to a slight degree prior to the sunset over Rattlesnake Hill and there was a moment of hope, but the missing sun did not appear and the good people of Concord retired to bed for an early evening. The approaching night was intensely dark and a mug of rum and an early night of sleep would perhaps serve the people well, if indeed this was the day of reckoning.
This unexplained phenomenon did in fact occur on May 19, 1780. The early citizens of Concord had no way of knowing that it was an event that was experienced in all of New England, to one degree or another. Speculation continued over many years and it was thought that a massive forest fire in Canada, coupled with clouds and fog did filter the sun on that unfortunate Friday in Concord.
On Saturday morning, May 20, 1780 the good citizens did rise. There was sun and cause for celebration for they did rejoice. The church bells were rung and the people returned to the routine that brought them comfort each day, for the fear was real that Friday in the town of Concord. They did survive, win the war with England three short years later and prospered.
The soldiers, some came home, while others sadly returned to the Old North Cemetery rather than the comfort of their loved ones. Life continued and the day of darkness, with the fowls returning to roost, the birds silent and the candles lit in the windows at high noon simply became a legend. A story to be told and passed from one generation to the next … right up to this very day.