American Revolutionary War Soldier. He was killed on the first day of the American Revolution, one of fifty Americans either killed or mortally wounded on that day. He died that afternoon at Fiske's Well in a duel with a British soldier. As both men raised their weapons, the British soldier exclaimed, "You are a dead man!" Hayward responded with "And so are you!" Both men fired -- the soldier was killed instantly and Hayward was mortally wounded.
American Revolutionary War Soldier. He was killed on the first day of the American Revolution, one of fifty Americans either killed or mortally wounded on that day. He died that afternoon at Fiske's Well in a duel with a British soldier. As both men raised their weapons, the British soldier exclaimed, "You are a dead man!" Hayward responded with "And so are you!" Both men fired -- the soldier was killed instantly and Hayward was mortally wounded.
Inscription
In memory of Mr. James Hayward
The son of Capt. Samuel and Mrs. Mary Hayward
Who was killed in Concord Fight April 19th, 1775
Aged 25 years and 4 days
This monument may unborn ages tell
How brave young Hayward like a hero fell
When fighting for his country's liberty was slain
And here his body now lies
He and his foe were by each other slain
His victim's blood with his the Earth did stain
Upon the field he was with victory crowned
And Yet must yield his breath upon that ground
He expressed his hope in God before his death
After his foe had yielded up his breath
O may his death a lasting witness be
Against oppresor's bloody cruelty
[A rough transcription due to the
difficulty in reading the stone.]
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