History of the Fife Pitcairns

MAJOR JOHN PITCAIRN. 447
Major Pitcairn's pistols were captured on Fiske Hill with
his horse in the afternoon.
The accompanying sketch represents the brace of pistols
used by Major Pitcairn on Lexington Common.
rrrgsgfg
These pistols have a full and authenticated history.
During the retreat in the latter part of the day, Pitcairn's
horse was shot under him, and he barely escaped with
his life, leaving his equipage in the hands of the pursuing
Americans. These pistols were then taken, and presented
to General Israel Putnam, who used them throughout the
war.
At his death they were placed on the drapery of his
coffin, as he was borne to the grave. They became an
heirloom in the Putnam family, and in 1827 were brought
to Lexington, and shown to three members of Capt.
Parker's Company, one of whom, Col. Munroe, recognised
them from their peculiar construction and ornament, and
said he saw Major Pitcairn discharge one of them, before
any other shot was fired.
It is, therefore, the first weapon used in formal action
in the Revolutionary war ; an additional certificate accom-
panies the pistols signed by Colonel Aaron Burr, Aide-
de-Camp to General Putnam. They were loaned for Ex-
hibition at the Lexington Centennial by the widow of
John P. Putnam of Cambridge, N.Y. The Exhibition
was held in 1875.