Major John Buttrick House

Here was the home of the Colonial officer who led the advance to the North Bridge. With British soldiers firing directly at his men, Major John Buttrick gave the order, “Fire, fellow soldiers, for God’s sake, fire!” It was the first time that Colonists were ordered to fire on the King’s troops, an act of treason.

Although this house was built in 1715 (and later altered), the Buttrick family lived on this hillside since the founding of Concord in 1635. At the time of the battle in 1775, John was a 44 year old farmer who was well respected in Concord and active in town government. He and his wife Abigail had eight children.

After the battle, the bodies of the two Colonists killed at the bridge, Isaac Davis and Abner Hosmer, were laid out in the house.