Colonel Azor Orne and his half-brother Major Joshua Orne were fervent patriots and supporters of the Revolutionary cause. They both served on the Committee of Correspondence, which was formed to call the world’s attention to Colonial grievances, including the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party.
They recommended non-importation of tea, challenged the tea tax and actively supported the town of Marblehead’s right to defend itself against injustice.
Azor Orne was part of a group of men who petitioned the town of Marblehead and financed a smallpox hospital on Cat Island in 1773 (now known as Children’s Island). Their intentions were good, but people in Marblehead felt alarmed and angry about the hospital. Though many were vaccinated, some cases of smallpox were reported, and there was panic about the hospital. Then in 1774 the hospital was burned down. This was a confusing and unfortunate incident, in which many of Marblehead’s leaders tried to do what they thought was right, but the venture failed. For more information about the Cat Island Smallpox Hospital, read “Colonial Marblehead: From Rogues to Revolutionaries” by Lauren Fogle.
Azor Orne continued to be active in town affairs, and to promote the Patriotic cause. He was one of several men from Marblehead, including Elbridge Gerry and Jeremiah Lee, who met at the Black Horse Tavern on the road between Cambridge and Lexington on April 19, 1775. They met with Sam Adams and John Hancock. All the men were members of the important Province Committee of Safety and Supplies. They hid from the Redcoats who were searching for what the British called the “Rebel Congress.” They all escaped capture, but Lee died several weeks later from a cold caught that night while hiding out in the fields.
Azor Orne contributed a great deal of money to the Revolution. During the war, there was no government, no treasury and no funding except what was donated by those who believed in the cause. Orne was active in government all his life. After the Revolution he was a delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention and voted in favor of the U.S. Constitution.
Samuel Roads in “The History and Traditions of Marblehead” noted that for the year 1799, “little of especial interest to the people of Marblehead appears to have occurred except the death of Colonel Azor Orne.”
Pam Peterson chairs the Marblehead Historical Commission. She is the former Marblehead Museum executive director.
