The "Westford Knight" to be Preserved for Posterity
The following is a report from Niven Sinclair on the results of his presentation to the Historical Commissioners of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
At a meeting with the Historical Commissioners of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which was held in the Archives Building in Boston on Friday 15th October, 1999, representatives of the Clan Sinclair and Clan Gunn put forward proposals to support the submissions of the Westford Knight Committee for the preservation and protection of the petroglyph known as the "Westford Knight".
After a prolonged discussion it was agreed that Mr. Leonard W. Loparto, the current Massachusetts State Archaeologist, would prepare a feasibility study as to the best method to secure the protection of the "knight" against acid rain, frost damage, salt slush from the nearby road and chemical seepage from the adjacent garden.
A letter (attached) was read out from Mr. Joseph A. Sincott, the previous Massachusetts State Archivist, in which he gave his full support to the plan to protect the knight against further erosion.
Later on the same day, a call was received from Ms. Joanne Barnett (who had attended the meeting in her capacity as Director of the office of the State representative, Geoffrey D. Hall) inviting us to a further meeting at the State House on Tuesday 20th October, 1999 at 0900 hours.
At this subsequent meeting a much more decisive approach was apparent. It was no longer a question of whether the "knight" should be preserved by a matter of how and when this could best be done. Mr. Leonard Loparto would still carry out a feasibility study but Mr. Ken Tebbetts, Chair of the Westford Historical Commission, would ensure that his Committee were made aware of the views of the Historical Commissioners and those of the State Administration in order that constructive plans might be drawn up to finance and carry out the project as a matter of urgency.
Those Attending the Meeting
| Mr. Leonard W. Loparto | Massachusetts State Archaeologist | |
| Joanne Barnett | Staff Director, Office of State Representative Geoffrey D. Hall | |
| Frank Makarewicz | Political Aide to Chairman of Committee of State Administration | |
| Kenneth Tebbetts | Chairman of the Westford Historical Commission and of the Museum and Historical Society | |
| Norman B. Biggart | Westford Knight Committee and of the Clan Gunn Association of the U.S.A. and meeting originator and coordinator. | |
| C. Thomas Paul | Westford Knight Committee and Research Engineer | |
| Malcolm Pearson | Westford Knight Committee and Sutton Historical Commission | |
| Michael S. Kaulback | Grand Lodge of Freemasons, Massachusetts | |
| Dr. Tim Wallace Murphy | historian and author of definitive work on the voyage of Henry Sinclair | |
| Marilyn Hopkins | co-author with Dr. Tim Wallace-Murphy | |
| Niven Sinclair | representative of Clan Sinclair |
Those Consulted
| Thomas Brennan | Head of J.V. Fletcher Reference Library, Westford, Massachusetts | |
| Elizabeth Lane | J.V. Fletcher Reference Library with special responsibility for Westford Knight exhibits at the library | |
| David P. Barron | Chairman of Gungywamp Society | |
| Robert E. Stone | President of America's "Stonehenge" | |
| Richard White | historian and author of "The Sword of the North" about Prince Henry Sinclair |
Letter from Joseph A. Sinnott, Massachusetts State Geologist (Ret)
Chairman
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMITTEE
202 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA
Re: The Westford Knight
Dear Sir,
After a lengthy and detailed study of the rock outcropping in the field it is my considered opinion that a pecked and etched image of an historical event has been employed on the bedrock.
I can discern the outline of a sword, a sailing vessel etc. Natural or glacial markings such as striations, grooves, polishing and weathering are all apparent on the rock but do not diminish the stature of the image placed there at a much later date.
I have been the State Geologist for Massachusetts for twenty two years and studied rocks all over this state and elsewhere. I was also the Director of the Massachusetts Underwater Archaeology Broad for five years and understand the commissions desire for authenticity.
As with the Pirate Ship "Whydah" in Wellfleet, even though we brought up and recovered cannon, guns, Spanish silver and gold coins, it wasn't until we discovered a ships bell with the name "Whydah" inscribed, that the archaeologist began to agree with the authenticity.
In this case, there will be no ships bell, but the etching is solidly and authentically placed on the bedrock and deserves historical preservation.
Yours Truly,
(Signed)
Joseph A. Sinnott
Mass State Geologist (Ret)
