Cambridge, Massachusetts is one of the most historic and storied towns in New England. While it is primarily known as the home of Harvard University, Cambridge holds a bounty of incredible Revolutionary War history. Today, multiple historic homes, churches, cemeteries, monuments, and cannon remain within the town that invite visitors to take a step back in time and learn about Cambridge’s role in the American Revolution!
History
On the eve of the American Revolution, Cambridge became embroiled with revolutionary fervor; however, not all of the citizens sided with the patriot cause. There were many loyalists who called Cambridge home- mostly wealthy families that built large estates away from the confines of nearby Boston. Many of these families lived along Brattle Street, which today is still known as “Tory Row.” Yet as those Cambridge citizens who supported the patriot movement became more bold and outspoken, loyalist families fled to Boston (some were threatened and the home of Jonathan Sewell, state attorney general, was vandalized).
On September 1, 1774, the “Powder Alarm” occurred, which was an incident where approximately 260 British regulars carried out a clandestine operation to obtain 250 half-barrels of gunpowder from the powder house on Quarry Hill (in modern-day Somerville, MA). On their return to Boston, a small detachment seized two cannon that were on Cambridge Common. When word of this mission spread, so did the rumors. Colonists heard all sorts of tales, to include that six militiamen were killed by the British troops. This sparked the Powder Alarm, during which thousands of patriot militiamen hastily made their way to Cambridge Common in belief that war had begun. In the end, no militiamen were killed, the British successfully seized the gunpowder and cannon, and the war had not begun.
When the war did begin after fighting at Lexington and Concord broke out on April 19, 1775, Cambridge became a central hub for the gathering militia. Thousands of volunteer soldiers streamed into town from nearby communities, as the nascent American army became to take shape. Undoubtedly, the roughly 1,600 citizens of Cambridge were not too thrilled by the influx of people (food and supplies immediately became scarce). General Artemas Ward was in charge of organizing this make-shift force, which numbered nearly 16,000 men by May 1775.
Perhaps the most famous event to take place in Cambridge occurred on July 3, 1775. A few weeks prior, on June 19th, a Virginian named George Washington was commissioned by the Continental Congress to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the newly-established Continental Army. He set out from Philadelphia with aide-de-camp Thomas Mifflin, secretary Joseph Reed, and Generals Charles Lee and Philip Schuyler, and arrived to Cambridge on July 2nd. On July 3rd, General Washington took command of the rabble force on Cambridge Common. Legend has it that he assumed command under the shade of a towering elm tree on the common, though there is no substantial documentation to confirm this. That same day, he reviewed the army on Cambridge Common and was dismayed by the lack of discipline and order.
Throughout the siege of Boston from April 1775 – March 1776, Cambridge served as the central camp for the American army. General Washington established his headquarters at the house of John Vassall Jr., a loyalist who fled to Boston when war broke out. This stately mansion was but a few blocks from Cambridge Common and was abuzz with activity over the coming months. At this house, Washington welcomed a delegation of congressmen (led by Benjamin Franklin), in order to determine the best way ahead with the siege.
In late January 1776, General Washington and the army received a major boost, which helped shift the siege in their favor. Henry Knox, a 25-year-old Boston native, bookseller, and mostly self-trained artillery expert, had arrived in Cambridge with 58 cannon and mortars recently taken from Fort Ticonderoga. Over three winter months, Knox and a group hearty men moved over 60 tons of cannon and weaponry over snow-covered mountain ranges, poor roads (and no roads), icy rivers, and frozen ground by boat and oxen-drawn sleds. These cannon were used to fortify Dorchester Heights on the night of March 4-5, which ultimately forced British General Howe and his army to evacuate Boston on March 17, 1776. Shortly thereafter, the Continental Army departed Cambridge and the surrounding regions, bound for New York City (Washington officially departed the house on April 4, 1776).
The American Revolution returned to Cambridge in the autumn of 1777, when approximately 5,900 British, Hessian, and Canadian troops recently captured at the Battle of Saratoga arrived. This “convention army” (as it was known following their surrender) arrived on November 8th and were quartered in barracks, while the officers were mostly put up in houses in Cambridge. They would remain in Cambridge for a year and departed in November 1778 for Virginia (it is said that nearly 1,300 of these soldiers escaped during their time in Cambridge).
Our Visit & Recommendations
Historic Cambridge, Massachusetts, is home to an incredible collection of 18th-century houses and buildings and of course, Harvard University. It is but a short drive if you are visiting Boston, although one could easily spend a few days exploring all that it has to offer. We have visited Cambridge on two occasions (spring and summer) and in this article, highlight four of the primary sites associated with the American Revolution, to include: Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site (formerly the John Vassall Jr. House), Cambridge Common, Christ Church, and the Old Burying Ground.
If you have the time, be sure to check out some of the other outstanding historic sites, such as the other homes along “Tory Row” (William Brattle House, Henry Vassall House, etc.) or the oldest buildings of Harvard University- Massachusetts Hall (1720), Holden Chapel (1744), Hollis Hall (1763), and Harvard Hall (1766). Heck- even the path of modern-day streets hold a great deal of history, as seen in the picture above. Truly, you will be astounded by all the monuments, informative signs, and historic sites you will see by simply walking around Cambridge!
the
Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
The Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site (105 Brattle Street), also known as the Vassall-Craigie-Longfellow House, preserves the former home of John Vassall Jr., built in 1759. It is so named because it was used by General George Washington as his headquarters from July – April 1776, purchased by Andrew Craigie in 1791 and kept in their family until the 1840s, and later lived in and owned by famed poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Today, the National Park Service operates the historic home, which is open seasonally (May-October), with tours generally offered Friday-Monday. Check out their website for updated information to best plan your visit.
While this beautiful estate is probably best known as General Washington’s headquarters, it was also the cherished home of Longfellow. In the fall of 1837, Longfellow became a boarder at the house after he became a professor of modern languages at Harvard University (he occupied a second-story room that was once used by General Nathanael Greene). In 1843, Longfellow married Frances “Fanny” Appleton, whose father purchased the house for the newlyweds (quite the wedding gift, huh?). The next year, Longfellow made sure to have a terra-cotta bust of George Washington (a copy of Houdon’s original) placed in the entry hall, where it remains to this day. It remained the home of the Henry Longfellow until his death in 1882 (Frances died in 1861). From 1882 until 1950, the house was occupied by Longfellow’s children and other family members, but it was actually opened to the public beginning in 1920!
the
Cambridge Common
Cambridge Common has long been a central green space for the town of Cambridge. In colonial times, it was used as pastureland for animals to graze and also as a central meeting/drilling place for the local militia. Not only that, but the northern portion of this wide-open space was also used for public executions. During the siege of Boston, thousands of patriot soldiers camped out and drilled upon the common. Then on July 3rd, 1775, General George Washington took command of the Continental Army on Cambridge Common, supposedly under an Elm Tree. Although there is no historical evidence that this occurred under said tree, there is a stone monument on the site, inscribed “Under this tree, Washington first took command of the American Army, July 3rd, 1775.” The first marker was placed here in 1861, while private citizens placed a fence around the original tree in 1847 (this tree fell on October 26, 1923).
Nearby is another monument dedicated to this event, on which is inscribed “General George Washington. Having taken command of the Army of the United Colonies at Cambridge, inspects the troops near this spot on the fourth of July 1775.” On the back of this monument is Washington’s General Orders given that day, which read:
The Continental Congress, having now taken all the troops of the several colonies which have been raised or which may be hereafter raised for the support and defence of the liberties of America into their pay and service, they are now the troops of the United Provinces of North America, and it is hoped that the distinction of colonies will be laid aside so that one and the same spirit may animate the whole, and the only contest be who shall render of this great and trying occasion the most essential service to the great and common cause in which we are all engage.”
Perhaps the most interesting pieces of history on display on Cambridge Common are three large cannon, with point out in all directions. These three British-made artillery pieces were abandoned at Fort Independence (known by the British as Castle William) in Boston Harbor when they evacuated the city on March 17, 1776. It is incredible to think that these cannon have survived all of these years and can be admired by the public!
When portions of Cambridge Common were re-designed and updated in 2010, one important monument that was erected was the Prince Hall Monument. Designed by local artist Ted Clausen, this monument is dedicated to the life of Prince Hall, an abolitionist, leader of the African American community in Boston, and founder of the first African American Lodge of Freemasons. These five stone pillars describe the life, contributions, and beliefs of Prince Hall by providing quotes of his from 1792 and from a speech he gave in West Cambridge in 1797.
During the American Revolution, Hall advocated for enslaved and free blacks to fight for the patriot cause, in hopes that involving blacks in the founding of the United States would help them gain freedom. While it is not known for sure, Hall may have served in the army himself (six men from Massachusetts with that name were known to have served). After the war, Hall continued to push for freedom and equality for black people in America and he hosted multiple events and forums to improve their lives.
Nearby are two additional monuments (near the street), dedicated to General Casimir Pulaski (1986) and General Thaddeus Kosciuszko (1975). Pulaski was a Polish-born patriot who volunteered his service to the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He is best known for establishing the American cavalry (the Pulaski Legion), which served valiantly throughout the war. Pulaski was mortally wounded while leading a charge again British troops during the Siege of Savannah and died shortly thereafter.
Similarly, Kosciuszko was a Polish patriot who served the American cause. He was primarily a military engineer, who helped design, establish, and upgrade numerous military fortifications throughout the United States during the American Revolution. Unlike Pulaski, Kosciuszko survived the war and died in Switzerland in 1817.
the
Christ Church
Christ Church, located adjacent to Cambridge Common at 0 Garden Street, is the oldest church building in Cambridge. The church was established in 1759 and the current structure was built between 1760-1761. It was designed by renowned colonial architect, Peter Harrison, who also designed the steeple of Christ Church in Philadelphia, Old Brick Market, the steeple of Trinity Church, and the Redwood Library in Newport, and King’s Chapel in Boston (to name a few).
During the onset of the American Revolution, patriots spoke out against Christ Church, because it had loyalist leanings. This did not bode well for the many loyalist parishioners, who fled Cambridge for Boston in 1774. When the Continental Army was stationed in Cambridge during the Siege of Boston, Connecticut troops quartered in the church. One of the most famous events to take place here during this time occurred on December 31, 1775, when George and Martha Washington worshipped here.
Since Christ Church was essentially abandoned, its organ was melted down to make musket balls and for many years after the war, it remained vacant. Towards the end of the 18th-century, it was finally re-established as an Episcopal church. Despite updates and changes throughout the 1800s, Christ Church was restored to its original design in 1920 and in 1960, listed as a National Historic Landmark. To this day, Christ Church remains a centerpiece for the Cambridge community and the students of Harvard University.
the
Old Burying Ground
Cambridge’s Old Burying Ground (also known as the Old Burial Ground) was first established in 1636 (it has no affiliation with neighboring Christ Church) and has 1,218 known graves. In this hallowed ground are laid to rest former professors and presidents of Harvard University, soldiers of the American Revolution (to include black soldiers, such as Cato Stedman and Neptune Frost), a signer of the Articles of Confederation, and many members of the well-known families of Cambridge, such as the Brattles, Craigies, Hancocks, and Porters. One could easily spend hours wandering the ancient tombstones and learning about the many people buried there, but we will focus on a few gravesites and monuments.
Near the Garden Street side are two distinct monuments that immediately caught my attention. One is the grave marker for Joseph Taylor of Petersborough, New Hampshire, who was wounded in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Taylor survived a few more months before dying in an army hospital on August 17, 1775- he was only 18-years-old.
Another monument nearby was erected by the city of Cambridge in 1876 to memorialize militiamen from Cambridge who were killed on April 19, 1775. John Hicks, William Marcy, and Moses Richardson are all buried within the Old Burying Ground, while Jason Russell, Jabez Wyman, and Jason Winship are buried in nearby Arlington (then known as Menotomy).
Perhaps the most unique tombstone lies near the fence on the eastern side of the cemetery. The large stone cross you see marks the resting spot for multiple members of the Dana family, to include patriot Francis Dana (1743 – 1811) and his wife, Elizabeth Ellery Dana (daughter of William Ellery, a Rhode Island signer of the Declaration of Independence).
Francis Dana was a 1762 graduate of Harvard University, leader of the local Sons of Liberty, and also considered a founding father of sorts. In 1774, he was elected to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and later member of the Continental Congress from 1776 – 1778. During his time in congress, he signed the Articles of Confederation, which was the first established government of the United States (later replaced by the United States Constitution). In 1788, he was a member of the Massachusetts state convention that adopted the US Constitution.
