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

Thorning Boulder

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

1. Thorning Boulder Marker

Inscription. This site, called “Minute Man Boulder,” is associated with Lincoln Minute Man William Thorning’s heroic action on April 19th, 1775.

According to local tradition, Thorning, who lived along this stretch of the Battle Road, joined in the pursuit of the British column. He encountered a flanking party of British light infantry. Dropping down into one of the farm ditches that crossed the landscape, he hid until the flanking party moved on. Thorning then ran to this rocky pasture and, sheltered behind a boulder, fired at the column again. He killed two British soldiers who are buried on a knoll across the road.

Erected by Minute Man National Historical Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1914.

Location. 42° 26.995′ N, 71° 16.472′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. Marker can be reached from N Great Road (Massachusetts Route 2A), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in Minute Man National Historic Park, along the Battle Road. 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 of this marker. Josiah Nelson House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Nelson Jr. House

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(about 700 feet away); Minute Man Visitor Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); Paul Revere Capture Site (approx. ¼ mile away); April 19, 1775-The Dawn of Revolution (approx. ¼ mile away); End of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride (approx. ¼ mile away); The Capture of Paul Revere (approx. ¼ mile away); The Midnight Riders (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.

More about this marker. The bottom right of the marker contains a picture of a colonial soldier firing his weapon.

Also see . . .
1. Minute Man National Historical Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on April 24, 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 along the Battle Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

2. Marker along the Battle Road

Thorning Boulder image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

3. Thorning Boulder

This photo of the Thorning Boulder was taken from the Battle Road.

Minute Man Boulder image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

4. Minute Man Boulder

William Thorning, a Minute Man from Lincoln, hid behind this boulder while the British Regulars passed by on their retreat to Boston. After they passed, Thorning fired on the British, killing two.

British Soldier Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009

5. British Soldier Grave

Near this site were buried the bodies of the two British Soldiers killed by William Thorning on April 19, 1775. This marker is found across the road from the Thorning Boulder.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,409 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 24, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.