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

Josiah Nelson House

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

1. Josiah Nelson House Marker

Inscription. This was the site of Josiah and Elizabeth Nelson’s home. Josiah was a farmer as well as a housewright – a person who built and repaired houses. According to family tradition, when a party of men on horseback was passing his house during the night, Josiah ran out and asked if there was news of the British march. Unfortunately for Josiah, these men were British officers, the same party that captured Paul Revere west of here. According to the legend, one of the officers drew his sword and wounded Josiah in the head, thus making him the first casualty of the American Revolution. After Elizabeth bandaged his wound, Josiah mounted his horse and carried the alarm north to the town of Bedford.

Erected by Minute Man National Historical Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 42° 27.007′ N, 71° 16.386′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. Marker can be reached from Battle Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in Minute Man National Historical Park on the Battle Road, just west of the parking lot of the Minute Man Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lincoln MA 01773, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Thomas Nelson Jr. House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thorning Boulder (about 400 feet away); Minute Man Visitor Center (about 500 feet away); April 19, 1775-The Dawn of Revolution (approx. 0.2 miles away); Whittemore House (approx. ¼ mile away); Paul Revere Capture Site (approx. 0.3 miles away); End of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Capture of Paul Revere (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.

More about this marker. The bottom of the marker contains a 1900 photograph of the Josiah Nelson House, which burned down in 1908.

Also see . . .
1. Minute Man National Historical Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on April 25, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

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

Marker in Minute Man Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

2. Marker in Minute Man Park

Marker on the Battle Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

3. Marker on the Battle Road

The Josiah Nelson House marker can be seen here on the left on the Battle Road.

Foundations of the Josiah Nelson House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

4. Foundations of the Josiah Nelson House

First Casualty of Battle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon Stahl, May 2019

5. First Casualty of Battle

Original marker has been replaced with this one

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,285 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 25, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on May 24, 2021, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia.