Isaac Davis (soldier)

Isaac Davis
The Minute Man (1875) by Daniel Chester French, depicting Davis
Born	(1745-02-23)February 23, 1745 Acton, Massachusetts Bay
Died	April 19, 1775(1775-04-19) (aged 30) Concord, Massachusetts Bay
Allegiance	Provisional government of Massachusetts
Service / branch	Militia
Years of service	1775
Rank	Captain
Battles / wars	American Revolutionary War Battle of Concord †
Other work	Gunsmith

Isaac Davis (February 23, 1745 – April 19, 1775) was a gunsmith and a militia officer who commanded a company of Minutemen from Acton, Massachusetts, during the first battle of the American Revolutionary War. In the months leading up to the Revolution, Davis set unusually high standards for his company in terms of equipment, training, and preparedness. His company was selected to lead the advance on the British Regulars during the Battle of Concord because his men were entirely outfitted with bayonets.^[1][2] During the American advance on the British at the Old North Bridge, Davis was among the first killed and was the first American officer to die in the Revolution.^[3]

Davis is memorialized through the Isaac Davis Monument on the Acton Town Common. He was also the inspiration behind The Minute Man (1875), the sculpture at the Old North Bridge by Daniel Chester French. The sculpture, which French attempted to model after Davis using photographs of Davis's descendants,^[4] is now an iconic national symbol.