Concord in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

House and Farm of Colonel James Barrett

Commanding Officer of the Middlese Militia

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

1. House and Farm of Colonel James Barrett Marker

Four brass cannons, stolen in September of 1774 from under British guard by Boston Patriots and hidden on Col. Barrett's farm, may have been the reason that British troops were sent to Concord on April 19th, 1775. The British never found the cannons at the farm.

Inscription. On the morning of April 19, 1775, the British march from Boston which resulted in the outbreak of the Revolutionary War ended here with a search for military stores. Gun carriages found by the light infantry were burned in front of the house. Other weapons and supplies were successfully concealed in the attic of the house, in furrows plowed near the farmyards and in spruce hollow behind the house.

Erected 1961 by Daughters of the American Revolution, Old Concord Chapter.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 19, 1842.

Location. 42° 28.373′ N, 71° 22.846′ W. Marker is in Concord, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. Marker is at the intersection of Barretts Mill Road and Strawberry Hill Road, on the right when traveling west on Barretts Mill Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 440 Barretts Mill Road, Concord MA 01742, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Acton Minutemen (approx. 0.8 miles away); Captain David Brown House Site (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Acton Minutemen

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(approx. 1.4 miles away); Major John Buttrick (approx. 1.4 miles away); Major John Buttrick House (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Road to Colonel Barrett’s (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Muster Field (approx. 1.4 miles away); The North Bridge (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Concord.

Also see . . .
1. Save Our Heritage – Help Save Barrett’s Farm. Protecting the birthplace of the American Revolution, the cradle of the American Environmental Movement, and the home of the American Literacy Renaissance. (Submitted on April 19, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Minute Man National Historical Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on April 19, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

3. The Battle of Concord. The American Revolutionary War website. (Submitted on May 7, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker on Barretts Mill Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

2. Marker on Barretts Mill Road

Marker can be seen on the right side of the house.

Colonel James Barrett House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

3. Colonel James Barrett House

The Barrett House is currently undergoing a much-needed restoration.

Inside Colonel Barrett House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

4. Inside Colonel Barrett House

The interior architecture of the house has changed little since the time of Col. Barrett.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

5. Inside Colonel Barrett House

Help Save Barrett's Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

6. Help Save Barrett's Farm

Barrett Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

7. Barrett Farm

Historic sites where great events took place have the power to evoke the ghosts and echoes of our inexpressibly wise past. Barrett's Farm is such a place. Please join me in supporting the effort to save Barrett's Farm, so that it can take its rightful place with other landmarks in telling the story of the first day of the American Revolution.
- Ken Burns

1894 View of the Barrett Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin

8. 1894 View of the Barrett Farm

Photo by Chas. B. Webster, courtesy of New England Landmarks.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 4,141 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 19, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 8. submitted on April 23, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.