General John Glover, 1732-1797 + 2007
photos by Liam Breck
Hilarious History
Merry Christmas, Marblehead! In 1776, on December 25, General John Glover of Marblehead and his 1,000 strong Marine Regiment rowed Washington's army across the Delaware River to deliver a "present" to the Hessians at Trenton. In 2007, for July 4,
I'm presenting a living statue of John Glover on Washington Street at the Marblehead Festival of Arts Street Festival. Thanks, John! My costume, created by Liam Breck and myself, is
based on the statue of Glover on Boston's Commonwealth Mall. Some parents take a moment to enact a history lesson when reading my plaque about Glover's famous mission.
Two Step
As a statue, I'm not speaking, but communicating volumes with eye contact and body language. With no verbal agreement, two sisters attentively mirror the measured steps of my slow-motion roving. A band of boys try to make me laugh with zany jumps and goofy faces, but having been a whimsical theater teacher for almost ten years, I stand no chance of cracking. I'm smiling big on the inside, of course! Parents ask their smaller children: is he real or is he a statue? Thoughtful small faces watch my occasional movements. The jury is still out among the under-4 set!
The Fashionable General
A Day in the Life of John Glover, circa 2007
People of all ages enjoy the surreal experience of playing with a statue:Staring contest
Lift my arm
Try to make me laugh
Say, "Move"
Say, "Don't Move"
Pet my bird
| Ask for a kiss
Step on my foot
Tap my shoulder
. . . and hide
Share salutes
Wink back |
3 comments:
Thank you for paying tribute to a forgotten hero. He was my 7th Gr-grandfather. Beth in Cincinnati
I'm delighted, Beth! Thank you for writing. Your Great Grandfather was Great.
To whom ever reads this. My name is Steve Glover of Dothan, Ala.
I am trying to find information on the geneology of John Glover. My grandfather was John Glover, my great grandfather was John Glover, and my great-great grandfather was John Glover. I've done some research but I hit a brick wall after several generations. steveglover@graceba.net
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