The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists" Irish dramatist & socialist (1856 - 1950)
We are familiar with the Minute Man Statue of Issac Davis at Concord, sculpted by an unknown who later became famous for another statue. What we may not know was that this memorial was not created and presented to the world until the centenary celebrations in 1875.
We are probably less familiar with the story of how this came
to be and how, but for one unreasonable man, we might still be
only looking at the original Battle Monument
obelisk to the
fallen at the site of the British Soldiers who died at the
bridge... Meet my old friend Ebenezer Hubbard.
I first met him in a book I've often given reference to and I'll link to his chapter here.
Some of you may not also know that the Old North Bridge was torn up and forgotten by the time of the centenary so Ebenezer also left $600 to have a replica of the bridge built and another stalwart of the area donated the land for the statue.
The true feelings of most of the population at that time could possibly be summarized by the end of the above story
The death of Ebenezer Hubbard marks the beginning of a new epoch in the development of Old Concord. With the close of his life there terminated two centuries of Hubbard possession. This farm was a most desirable location for building purposes. The broad acres, coveted by many, were purchased by a syndicate of progressive citizens. The ancient dwelling was taken down, the unsightly obstacles removed, and a broad avenue cut through the farm, on which have been erected some of the best residences of the town.
The old elms which mark the site of the old house, and the new street through the farm, are all that remind the people of to-day of the little old man, Ebenezer Hubbard.
I will not forget you my old unreasonable friend.
