Colonial soldier of the American Revolution .
Minutemen were first organized in Massachusetts in September 1774, when revolutionary leaders sought to eliminate Tories, or British sympathizers, from the militia by replacing all officers. One-third of the members of each new regiment was to be ready for military duty "at a minute's warning." Their first great test took place at the Battles of Lexington and Concord . On July 18 the Continental Congress recommended that other colonies organize minuteman units.