Hadley, Mass

settled in 1659, became the refuge of the two English regicides, Gofie and Whalley, in 1664. The town was attacked by Indians during King Philip’s War. The savages were repulsed by the townspeople under the leadership of Colonel Goffe, one of the regicides, who suddenly came from his hiding-place for that purpose, “ Hail Columbia,’’ a stirring national song. The music was composed in 1798 by Pfyles, leader of the orchestra at the John Street Theater, New York, and was for a time known as the “ President’s March.”’ The words were composed the same year by Judge Hopkins on, after which the air became immensely popular, it having been produced in a period of great political excitement.