Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025 Welcome to Saugus, ZipTrip people Rachel Proctor Roby tells the story of her husband’s role as a preacher and town leader in the American Revolution By Janice K. Jarosz Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) O ur DAR Regent, Gail Cassarino, and Vice Regent Wendy Renda were both in Washington, D.C., at a DAR conference unable to participate in the ZipTrip ride through Saugus organized last Friday (June 27) by Boston 25 News. I appeared as Rachel Proctor Roby, the wife of the late Parson Joseph Roby and told the following story. My husband was born in 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. CLOSED FOR VACATION 6/24/25 – 7/9/25 Reopening on 7/10/25 at 4PM Looking forward to seeing you then! Happy 4th of July! Aluminum Aluminum Everett Supplies 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Celebrating 66 Years in Business! •Vinyl Siding • • •Carpentry Work •Decks Carpentry Work Decks Free Estimates Fully Licensed • Roong •Free Estimates •Fully Licensed •Roong • • • Fully Insured Fully Insured • Replacement Windows• Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! Boston, Mass., on May 12, 1724. After graduating from Harvard College, he set out to become a minister. Once he was ordained as a minister, we married and moved to Saugus. We were the parents of seven children – Joseph, our fi rst-born son, participated in throwing boxes of tea into Boston Harbor. My husband served in Saugus as a Congregationalist minister for 51 years and always supported the American Revolution movement. He was never without his musket and a Bible during his sermons. He organized The First Company from the Third Parish, enlisting 62 Saugus patriots. Each man “had to furnish their own musket or fi rearm and no one reached the dignity of a uniform.” On the morning of April 19, 1775, the Parson and his men met at Newhall’s Tavern in East Saugus. Some historians believe they ordered milk, but it was more likely rum!! Then it was on to Lexington to fi ght in the Battles of Lexington and Concord. When peace was fi nally established between the United States and Great Britain, my husband was one of the fi rst to advocate for cordial relations between the two countries. Parson Roby passed away on January 31, 1803, at 78 RECALLING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: Saugus native Janice Jarosz, dressed up like Rachel Proctor Roby – the wife of the famous town minister who helped lead Saugus patriots to the Battles of Lexington and Concord – was one of the Saugus residents interviewed last Friday by Boston 25 News during the television station’s three-hour ZipTrip. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) years of age. We are all buried in the Revolutionary War Cemetery, right across the street from our home that still stands today at 39 Main Street. In a time of revolution, Parson Roby stood fi rm in his convictions, both spiritual and political, leaving his mark on the Town of Saugus. In honoring this man, the Parson Roby Chapter of the DAR in Saugus fi rst formed in 1928 but disbanded in 1964. In 2020, Our first Regent, Charlotte Line, became the driving force in reestablishing the Parson Roby DAR Chapter in Saugus once again. We are a nonprofi t volunteer service organization and any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. Our motto is “GOD, HOME, and COUNTRY.” Today, we have 35 members. We started with 12 in 2020. We have 18 associates. And there are about 2,500 DAR members across Massachusetts. There are 156 C.A.R. or young members, in the RACHEL | SEE PAGE 13 Summer is Here!
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