North End in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Birthplace of Samuel Francis Smith

Birthplace of Rev. S.F. Smith D.D. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 8, 2026

1. Birthplace of Rev. S.F. Smith D.D. Marker

Inscription. Birthplace of Rev. S.F. Smith D.D.
Author of "America"
1808—1895

Erected 1897 by Old South Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Patriots & Patriotism • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1808.

Location. 42° 21.996′ N, 71° 3.378′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in North End. It is on Sheafe Street east of Snow Hill Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is affixed to the wall outside the second floor of the building, partially obscured by the metal balcony. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37 Sheafe Street, Boston MA 02109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Boston. It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western

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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 walking distance of this marker: Tombs and Monuments (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Copp’s Hill Burying Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Copp's Hill Burying Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Copp’s Hill Burying Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Gravestone Art: Skulls, Wings, and Other Symbols (within shouting distance of this marker); Copp’s Hill and the American Revolution (within shouting distance of this marker); Anthony J. Corlito (within shouting distance of this marker); From Colonial Burying Ground to Victorian Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Regarding Birthplace of Samuel Francis Smith. Samuel F. Smith was born on this street in Boston's North End in October 1808, and attended the nearby Eliot School as a child. Smith was a student at Andover Theological Seminary in 1831 when

37 Sheafe Street, birthplace of Samuel Francis Smith image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 8, 2026

2. 37 Sheafe Street, birthplace of Samuel Francis Smith

he wrote "America." Also known as "My Country Tis of Thee" after its first line, the song uses the same tune as "God Save the King," the de facto national anthem of Great Britain. "America" was first performed on July 4, 1831, at a children's service at Park Street Church, which still stands today near Boston Common.

Smith spent his life as a minister and an editor, and he wrote dozens of hymns. The D.D. on this marker stands for Doctor of Divinity; he received that degree from Waterville College (now Colby) in 1854. He died in Boston in 1895 at age 87 and is buried in Newton.

Also see . . .
1. Samuel Francis Smith's obituary. From the Harvard Crimson on November 17, 1895. (Submitted on November 12, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. My Country 'Tis of Thee. From the Library of Congress, the history behind one of the United States' best known patriotic songs.

Excerpt: "The words that eventually became a tradition, particularly among U.S. school children, were written by Samuel Francis Smith while he was studying at Andover Theological Seminary in 1831. Smith was approached by the famed organist
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 8, 2026

3. Sheafe Street
and composer Lowell Mason who had with him some German school music books. Mason wanted Smith to either translate the German, or write new text for the tunes. Smith was particularly struck by one tune (most likely unaware that it was the same melody as 'God Save the King') and wrote his lyrics to it. The song was debuted by Mason on July 4, 1831, at a children's service at the Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts."

(Submitted on November 12, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

S.F. Smith (1808-1893) image. Click for full size.

Cabinet Card Collection, Boston Public Library, circa 1880

4. S.F. Smith (1808-1893)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.