John Hicks House

   

 The John Hicks House is not only a rare example of an 18th century home, but it is also the former home of one of Cambridge’s most famous patriots, who bravely fought and died on April 19, 1775. 

John Hicks had been politically active in Cambridge and resisted many new laws and measures instituted by the British government. He was one of two Cambridge men who participated in The Boston Tea Party in 1773, and although he was too old to join a militia at the outbreak of The American Revolution, he did his part to impact the situation.

On the night of April 18, 1775 William Dawes rode through Cambridge warning its citizens that the British were on their way to Concord to seize gunpowder and told the Cambridge militia to prepare for the British to come through Cambridge. While some Cambridge men tore apart The Great Bridge Hicks took this opportunity to prepare for the British retreat. He and two other men, Moses Richardson of Cambridge and Isaac Gardner of Brookline prepared themselves at Watson’s Corner, or Massachusetts Avenue and Rindge Avenue, to fire upon the British while they were retreating through Cambridge. When the British arrived a deadly skirmish broke at Watson’s Corner and Hicks, Richardson, and Gardner were all killed. Hicks is said to have been shot through the heart. William Marcy, an innocent bystander was also killed as a result of this skirmish; he thought he was watching a parade.

With all three killed and all of the commotion of the day, it took a long time for his death to become known. Later in the day, Hick’s wife sent out their son to look for him and the son soon found his body, along with the others, on the side of the road.  The young Hicks got help and prepared to bury the fallen patriots in the same grave. Moses Richardson’s son joined him to help and put a cape over the body’s faces because he thought it was wrong to throw dirt directly on their faces. Hicks was later moved to the Patriots Grave in The Old Burying Ground.

 

John Hick's House Today

 

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