In February of 1836 Charles Cheever, 44, came to Saugus and wrote down his father’s memoirs. This material was found among some old family papers by David Cheever, the great, great grandson of the revolutionary hero. In addition to the memoirs, material by Abijah’s grandson was found concerning the great man’s background and childhood. Several years ago, David Cheever gave me copies of both the memoirs and the writing of the grandson.

As far as I know, the memoirs first appeared in print in the 1970’s when I presented excerpts from them in my columns for the old Saugus Town Crier but the material written by the grandson has never appeared in print. Below is an account from this material which tells of a very young Abijah and how he met British “regulars” for the first time. This of course was many years before the outbreak of the Revolution.

According to this early account, young Abijah was sent by his father to the mill some distance away. He rode on a high spirited mare between two sacks of corn. For a while, all went well and the boy was well satisfied with the way the horse was behaving. When they got to the top of a hill, however, the heard the sound of martial music and soon came in full sight of an entire British regiment “which, with harness flying, bayonets gleaming, and music playing” was on the march from Salem to Boston. The mare rose up and unseated young Abijah and the corn and took off. The boy, minding his manners and without wiping the blood streaming from his nose, climbed a stone wall and “taking off the remnants of his cap, made his best bow to the astonished ‘reg’lars’.”

We continue the tale in the exact words of the account:

“The sight of a little urchin, with torn clothes and bloody face, pulling away at his forelock with the politeness of despair, was so excessively ludicrous that officers and men simultaneously paused, and indulged in a hearty laugh. The Commander, compassionating his misfortune, sent two privates to catch the mare, while the men collected pennies enough to fill his pockets. He was then replaced on his horse, with that portion of the scattered grist which could be hastily collected, and bade adieu to the British, with a light heart, a damaged nose, and a mine of copper in his breeches.”

The account then reads “That was how my Grandfather first met the enemy…” In my opinion, the story reflects well on both the British soldiers and the boy who later became their foe!

Over the recent April vacation, Mrs. Jane Osgood, an English teacher at Saugus High School, brought about a great opportunity for several students at Saugus High School. Sophomore, Sarah Thibodeux, juniors Stephen Lamonica and Katie Noyes, and seniors Sydney Hayward, Meagan Lynch, Amara Georges, Ashley Trun, Derek Tusa, Christine Bentz, Patrick Maguire, Jessica Herr, Ashley Medeiros, and myself traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to the great and beautiful city of London, England.

Stephen Lamonica and Jessica Herr pose with one of the guards outside of Buckingham Palace.

Taking off at around 6:00 P.M. out of Logan Airport on Monday, April 21st, the group of Saugus students arrived in Heathrow Airport in London at about 5:00 A.M. the next day and were immediately sent out to start their tour without a wink of sleep at the hotel. Viewing the city, the students were able to see the spectacular gothic-style architecture of the city. The tower holding the bell of Big Ben along with the rest of Parliament which it was connected to was a standout sight, head and heels above the rest with its enormous stature and bold yet elegant appearance.

Beyond sightseeing, the students had the chance to enter many of the museums in London as the majority of their museums are free of charge. Paintings by Da-Vinci and the actual Rosetta Stone were just some of the pieces of art and history that were viewable.

The tour itself was fantastic. It incorporated of a trip to King Henry VIII’s palace, viewing the Changing of the Guard at Bucking-ham Palace, a two hour trip outside of the city towards Wales to see Stone Henge and the Roman Baths, a cruise under the River Thames that took the students underneath the famous London Bridge and Tower Bridge, viewing the Crowned Jewels in the Tower of London, a tour of the recreated Globe Theater, and a Jack the Ripper tour where the students followed the path of the Jack the Ripper murders.

Another standout moment during the trip was the fantastic Eye of London that the Saugus students had the chance to ride. The gigantic Ferris wheel type contraption took the students far above the bank of the River Thames in only an all glass capsule that allowed the students a fantastic view of London. The half hour ride was a beautiful one as one could actually see the weather changing in London from that height.

Perhaps the most entertaining of the event that the tour included were the two live plays that the students were able to witness. The second one seen was The Lord of the Rings, a musical version of the infamous novels by J.R.R. Tolkein. The special effects provided in this play were unlike anything any live performance had ever achieved and the actors were very interactive with the crowd, causing an interested and curious reaction from the audience.

The first play that was witnessed though was the world famous Wicked. This play is based off of the Wizard of Oz. Told from the point of view of the Wicked Witch, Wicked was a fantastic all around performance that changed everything and anything previously known about the Wizard of Oz. Then an even more special of an event took place after the show where one of the leading characters actually signed autographs and took pictures with several of the Saugus students.

The trip to England was long but went by so fast. It seemed that just as we had gotten there, it was time to pack again. The old and beautiful buildings and churches would be sorely missed although some of us had come home with a slight English accent that helped us to remember these magnificent sites. However nothing will replace the beauty and elegance that the students witnessed in the city of London.

Project Bread raised over $3 million as more than 40,000 people participated in 20-mile Walk for Hunger, including members of the Waybright School Community. This year the fourth grade teachers at the Douglas Waybright Elementary School organized a group of students and parents to raise funds for this event. This group walked approximately five miles and raised over $1500.00 for this charity. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Piercey coordinated the group of thirty individuals to complete this worthy task. This type of activity exemplifies what it means to be part of the Waybright community where we recognize the need and importance of community within the school and we work diligently to instill this sense of community in each individual.

We thank all of the volunteers as well as Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Pircey for their sense of community and for their concerted efforts toward the fight against hunger.

Senior Mike Scuzzarella is one of the leading scorers for the Sachems. Advocate photos by Al Terminello Jr.

“We changed our transition game at halftime,” pointed out Robinson, who played for the Sachems a few years ago.

The score was tied at five at the break before the Sac-hems outscored the Big Blue 3-1 in the second half. Gilson Fernandes led the Sachems offense as the attacker scored four goals and one assist. Mike Scuzzarella had three points with a goal and a pair of assists.

“We are going to be without Mike for the rest of the sea-son as he is getting surgery for a separated shoulder next week,” pointed out Robinson.

It has been a tough year for the senior as he broke his arm in three places back in February in hockey and he had to miss out on the postseason.

Junior Eric Knibbs was the story of the game for the locals as he had a career-high 26 saves in net.

“He is getting better in goal day-by-day,” stated Coach Robinson.

In a non-league game last Friday, the Sachems were edged by host Tewksbury, 9-8. The Redmen, who led 5-3 at the half, scored the game-winning goal with just over one minute remaining in the game.

Fernandes, Scuzzarella and Craig Cooper led the Saugus offense with two goals each. Hudson Henriques added two assists.

Fernandes and Scuzzarella lead the team on offense while senior defensemen Cory Rutledge and Nick Ortega have been the anchors on defense.

“Both Cory and Nick have played every minute and they have been outstanding all year,” stated Robinson.

Today (Friday), the Sachems will visit Danvers at 4 pm. Saugus lost by just one goal in the first meeting in Saugus a few weeks ago. Next Tuesday night at 7, the Sachems go to Lynn. Lynn is a combination team between student from Lynn English and Lynn Classical. Saugus is looking to complete the season sweep against Lynn.

Amara Georges, Concetta Leo, Ashley Medeiros, Laura Mytkowicz, Michelle Mytkowicz, Emily Sanphy, Desiree Ciaramitaro, Christine Cuddemi, Leila Fajardo, Jessica Jankowski, Megan Joyce, Caitlin McElwaney, Katie Noyes, Alison Piercey, Laura Sierra, Jessica Spinale, Meredith Swanson, Kerry Tretola, Megan Callahan, Kristina DeRosa, Maria Leo, Paige Maggiore, Erin McElroy, CiCi Pham, Ashley Sanders, Shannon Seely, Lauren Torres, Lisa Belyea, Tayla Corrado, Sheri DeMeo, Josephine Hoang, Christine Lichwala, Taryn Medeiros, Amanda Terrazzano, Isatou Conteh, Jackie Buenrostro.

Katelyn DeSimone started and went the first three inn-ings allowing four runs (three earned), five hits and four walks. She struck out one.

The Saugus offense had seven hits with senior co-captains Cassie LaBella, Haley Erickson and junior Kelly Garrity all going 2 for 4. LaBella and Erickson each knocked in one run. Senior Sam Russo had the other Sachems hit.

Saugus scored on run in the bottom of the first, and their other three in the bottom of the third, Marblehead scored four in the third and the eventual game-winner in the fourth.

The Sachems record dipped to 8-7 overall and 6-7 in the Northeastern Conference.

“The umpires missed a couple of close calls,” said Saugus head coach Bobbie Finocchio.

Finocchio thought that an Ashlee DiChiara steal of third base was safe but the junior was called out by the home plate umpire.

In a pitchers duel last Wed. afternoon, the Sachems lost 1-0 at Beverly. The only run of the game came in the bottom of the first as the Panthers scored on a Sac-hems error.

Patterson was the tough-luck loser in this game as the NEC All-Star went all six innings allowing no earned runs and six hits. She struck out two and did not allow a base-on-balls.

“We had eight hits but couldn’t get any of them in a row,” recalled Finocchio.

LaBella was the lone multiple hitter for the Sachems as she was 3 for 4.

Heading into their final five games of the year, the Sac-hems must go at least 2-3 in order to make the state tournament. Friday at 7, the Sachems visit Swampscott. Next Monday they host Danvers and on Tuesday they host Salem in a make-up game that was rained out last Friday.

The Saugus Federal Credit Union (SFCU) is the major sponsor of the upcoming Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School 2nd Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the school’s athletic programs. SFCU President John Smolinsky, (back row, right) was at the school to meet with captains of the school’s varsity teams. Taking part in the meeting were (kneeling, left to right) Tom Dacey, Lacrosse; Matt Belanger, Baseball; and Sergio Velez, Track, (Middle row, left to right) Rene DeLeon, Track; Brittany Baker, Softball; Chris Colleameno, Baseball; Melissa Waugh, Softball; and Northeast Metro Tech Athletic Director Dave Keough. (Back row, left to right) Northeast Metro Tech Principal John X. Crowley; Sean McSheehy, Baseball; Mike Capotosto, Baseball; David Papagni, Baseball; and John Smolinsky.

The tournament will be held on Monday, June 30 at Hillview Country Club in North Reading. The scramble format begins with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. sharp. For information contact Athletic Director Dave Keough at 781-246-0810 X1251.

Tryouts will be held this Sunday, May 18 at 5pm at World Series Park. Girls and women of all ages are eligible. Softball or baseball experience is welcome. The registration fee is $20.

This is the only women’s hardball, baseball league in Massachusetts. Games will be played in Lynn and Saugus. The season runs June-August. For more information contact Robin Wallace at robinwallace17@hotmail.com.

During the season the team will be conducting a free clinic at World Series Park for girls and women interested in learning how to play baseball or how to improve their skills. A date for the clinic has not as yet been decided.

Breakheart Reservation is a 640-acre hardwood forest with jagged, rocky outcroppings, two freshwater lakes, and a rambling section of the Saugus River. Seven rocky hills, over 200 feet high, provide vistas of Boston, southern New Hampshire and central Massachusetts. An extensive trail system through the woodlands guides visitors to various areas of the reservation. Fishing in Silver and Pearce Lakes, hiking the trails and birdwatching by the Saugus River are popular year-round activities.

The work on Park Serve Day will include trail maintenance work, brush clearing, trash pickup and perhaps some painting and remarking of blazes on several popular trails, including the Flume Trail and Upper Lakes Area. Volunteers will be divided into groups for specific trails and activities and guided by DCR personnel. Please dress appropriately and bring work gloves, sturdy shoes or boots and tools if you have them

Drinks and water will be provided. Free lunch provided by Friends of Breakheart Reservation at 1 p.m.