North Weymouth Eastern Neck in Norfolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Grape Island Alarm
Sunday May 21, 1775
| | Back River Trail | |
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 19, 2026
1. Grape Island Alarm Marker
Sunday May 21, 1775
From this site Weymouth
militiamen repulsed an
attempt by the British
to secure supplies from
Grape Island for General
Howe's beleaguered Army
in Boston
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1775.
Location. 42° 15.781′ N, 70° 55.442′ W. Memorial is in Weymouth, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County. It is in North Weymouth Eastern Neck. It can be reached from River Street 0.6 miles north of Broad Reach, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: North Weymouth MA 02191, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Webb Memorial State Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hingham "Town Farm" (approx. 1.2 miles away); Abigail Adams to John Adams, May 18, 1778 (approx. 1.2 miles away); Third Almshouse (approx. 1.2 miles away); Abigail Adams to John Adams, August 5, 1777 (approx. 1.2 miles away); Abigail Adams to John Adams, March-April 1776 (approx. 1.2 miles away); Great Esker Park (approx. 1.3 miles away); Abigail Smith Adams (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weymouth.
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of Grape Island - National Park Service
this page online
As British forces began searching for resources on the islands, they found support in Loyalist Elisha Leavitt, who owned Grape Island in Hingham Bay. On May 21, 1775, Leavitt offered the British access to his island so they could collect hay. This activity drew the attention of colonial militia in nearby Weymouth. Abigail Adams, living in the area, reported to husband John: "The allarm flew [like] lightning, and men from all parts came flocking down till 2000 were collected."(Submitted on May 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
2. Battle of Grape Island Commemoration Day - Hingham Historical Society.
Witness the only local battle of the American Revolution! On May 21, 1775, a skirmish broke out on Grape Island, then owned by Hingham loyalist Elijah Leavitt. To commemorate the 250th anniversary, the Hingham Militia, Wareham Militia, and the 64th Light Infantry will reenact this pivotal moment.(Submitted on May 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
3. Back River Trail - North & South Rivers Watershed Association.
The paved Back River Trail currently (2026) extends along the Back River in Weymouth from Bridge Street (Route 3A) through Great Esker Park and Osprey Overlook Park, for about 2 miles. It will eventually(Submitted on May 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)extend from Webb Memorial State Park, along Weymouth Neck to the Kibby Property and Abigail Adams Park. After passing under Route 3A via boardwalk, it will continue through Great Esker Park and Osprey Overlook Park, and then along Wharf Street, through the Durante Property, and south to Lovell Field, the Stephen Rennie Herring Run Park, Herring Run Pool Park, Iron Hill Park and Whitmans Pond.Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 19, 20262. Grape Island Alarm MarkerGrape Island is visible across the strait.
4. Assembled on a Point of Land next to Grape Island - Boston 1775. Meanwhile, local militia companies gathered in the towns, eventually augmented by three companies from the provincial army camp at Roxbury. Once those local men reached the shoreline, however, they discovered that there was little they could do. Eventually the tide came in.
Abigail Adams wrote of the shoreline defenders:
"At last they musterd a Lighter, and a Sloop from Hingham which had six port holes. Our men eagerly jumpt on board, and put of for the Island. As soon as they [the regulars] perceived it, they decamped. Our people landed upon [the] Island, and in an instant set fire to the Hay which with the Barn was soon consumed, about 80 ton tis said." (Submitted on May 20, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Additional keywords.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 17, 2026
3. Grape Island Alarm Reenactment
Each year the Hingham Militia (and other groups who may join) performs a reenactment of the "Battle of Grape Island" at the Hingham Band Stand and Bathing Beach on the Sunday closest to May 21st.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 19, 2026
4. Boston Skyline
Near the Grape Island Alarm marker, the trail continues to the tip of the Lower Neck with a view across Paddock's Island and Long Island to the City of Boston.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
