James Barrett was a colonel in the rebel militia for Concord, and the town's representative in the Boston legislature in the years leading up to the revolution. Barrett didn't exactly want the position at the head of the militia. He was 65 when the war started. He had his pipe and slippers ready and probably just wanted to watch game shows. Unfortunately for him, experienced commanders were in short supply, and Barrett had fought in the French and Indian war - so, colonel it was.