Art and paintings of the
American Revolutionary War
 by D. W. Roth

ISRAEL BISSELL
Revolutionary War Patriot

This is a special edition print is of the painting "Israel Bissell's Ride" as seen in the HBO documentary ASSUME THE POSITION WITH MR. WUHL and featured in the TimeLab 2000 Series on the History Channel.

Article from the Worcester Telegram about Israel Bissell and D. W. Roth
     Israel Bissell's Ride           -  Prints of this painting are only available here.
Who was Israel Bissell?
Available for collection - is this 13x19in. Giclee print on archival watercolor paper, signed in pencil by D. W. Roth

Unframed: $24.99 (plus $5.00 for shipping and handling)

To order by check: Click here
Please allow up to three weeks for delivery.
Contact: bissellprint2(at)dwroth.com
1 (508) 872-2077
This print includes the following text from the letter carried by Israel Bissell from Watertown to Philadelphia:

“Watertown, To all friends of American Liberty be it known that this morning before break of day a Brigade consisting of about 1,000 or 1,200 men landed at Phip’s farm at Cambridge and Marched to Lexington, where they found a company of our Colony Militia in Arms, upon whom they fired without provocation, and killed six men and wounded 4 others. By an express from Boston we find that another brigade is now upon their march from Boston, supposed to be about 1,000. The bearer, Israel Bissell, is charged to alarm the country quite to Connecticut, and all persons are desired to furnish him with fresh horses, as they may be need.”

Copyright © D. W. Roth 2009, All rights reserved

Who was Israel Bissell?  Heard of Paul Revere's ride? Same thing, but much, much more... It's the difference between 20 miles and 345 miles.

Israel Bissell was a 23-year old, little known post rider who carried the "call to arms" from Watertown, Massachusetts to the City Hall in Philadelphia.  He alerted the colonists along the way of the British attack on April 19, 1775 in Lexington. He rode day and night for four days, six hours and some minutes covering 345 miles and roused citizens in tiny hamlets, towns and cities shouting of the impending danger that started with the "shot heard round the world" for American independence.

"To arms to arms, the war has begun" he warned. Sleeping little, eating sparingly, changing horses, he persevered and sounded the alarm. The exhausted and disheveled Bissell delivered the message which was to change the course of this country. The rest is history.

His body lies in a tiny cemetery in Hinsdale, Ma., a few miles from his home site that is marked by a simple boulder where the memory of his heroic ride is carefully preserved.

Text  ©  by Dorothy W. Chapman (modified)                                Back
 

 
 
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