Ruggles-Fayerweather House

The Ruggles-Fayerweather House is another historic mansion of Cambridge which holds particular significance to the Revolutionary War. Before the war began the house was owned by George Ruggles, who was related to the wealthy and prominent Vassall family through marriage. Like the Vassall family George Ruggles earned his wealth through plantations in the Caribbean. By 1774 Ruggles sold the house and property to Thomas Fayerweather, a Patriot. The Ruggles-Fayerweather House is located on Brattle Street which was known as Tory Row at the time of The American Revolution. The street was referred to as Tory Row because of the numerous wealthy families, who were loyal to the King, which lived on it.

By 1774 tensions between Massachusetts’ colonists and the British government had spiked and on September 2nd a massive protest took place on Cambridge Common and in Harvard Square consisting of thousands of protestors, protesting the British seizure of gunpowder and the creation of the Mandamus Council. (British General Gage sent troops to Somerville the night before to seize gunpowder and a couple months prior the British government established the Mandamus Council which replaced elected councils in Massachusetts’ as punishment for the Boston Tea Party.) The thousands of protestors demanded that the three Cambridge men appointed to the Mandamus Council resign. In order to make their point the protestors marched down Tory Row and surrounded the house of Oliver. The protest made it clear to the surrounding Tory families that they were outnumbered and in danger. In the months following the September 2nd protest the Loyalist families of Tory Row abandoned their homes. 

Soon after the homes on Tory Row were abandoned, The Revolutionary War began and Cambridge became the headquarters of the American Army. The abandoned mansions were needed as headquarters for officers, barracks for troops, and hospitals for the wounded. Like the other Tory Row mansions, the Ruggles-Fayerweather house was needed to house some of the thousands of minutemen who marched to Cambridge after the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The Ruggles-Fayerweather House served as the barracks for Experience Storr’s militia from Connecticut in the beginning months of the Siege of Boston.

On June 17, 1775 The American Army marched from Cambridge to attempt to take strategic Bunker Hill in Somerville. The American Army met British resistance and was unable to fortify Bunker Hill. Although the Americans were able to kill more British they sustained many casualties. After the battle, troops marched back to Cambridge and the Ruggles-Fayerweather house was turned into a hospital to tend to the wounded soldiers of the Battle of Bunker Hill. It served as a hospital for the remainder of the Siege of Boston.

 

 

Ruggles-Fayerweather House Today

Ruggles-Fayerweather Deed

To all people unto whom these presents shall come George Ruggles of Cambridge in the county of Middlesex in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England Esq. sends greeting.  Know Ye that I the said George Ruggles for and in consideration of the sum of the two thousand pounds (lawyered) money of said Province to me in hand before the sealing hereof well and truly paid by Thomas Fayerweather of Boston in the county of Suffolk in said Province Esq. the receipt of whereof I do hereby acknowledge.  So Are granted, bargained and sold by these presents Do grant, bargain, sell, convey, and confirm unto the said Thomas Fayerweather. 

A (message) and tract of land in Cambridge aforesaid containing about forty acres bounded westerly on Samuel Thatcher’s land, northerly on the way leading to Fresh Pond, easterly on the Land of Joseph Lee Esq. southerly on the highway leading to Watertown & southwesterly on a private way leading to the said Thatcher’s land aforesaid.  Also another tract of land in Cambridge aforesaid containing about two acres and bounded northerly the same private way easterly on the said highway southerly and westerly on Stephan Palmer’s land. Also a piece of salt marsh in Cambridge aforesaid containing about four acres and bounded southeasterly on Charles River southwesterly on Christopher Grants land Northwesterly on Samuel Thatcher’s land and the highway Northeasterly John Hastings land.  Also a tract of land of meadow land in Cambridge aforesaid about nine acres bounded westerly on the way running by Fresh Pond northwesterly on the Brook called Fresh Pond Brook northerly and northwesterly on Abraham Watson’s land and southerly on land of William Brattle Esq. Together with all and (singular) the houses, out houses, edifices, buildings, (basements), and fences thereon standing yards, gardens, orchards, wells or water rights member profit privileges and (apprehences) whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining or there with _______ at any time here afore used occupied or enjoyed. 

To Save and To Sold the before described lands premises and ______ unto the said Thomas Fayerweather his heir and assigns to his and they only use and (behoof) forever and I the said George Ruggles for myself my heir Executors and Administrator do hereby (covenant) to and with the said Thomas Fayerweather his heirs and assigns that the sealing hereof I am lawful owner of said granted and sold premises and stand seized thereof an own right as a good estate of inheritance in (fee) Simple that I have lawful right to sell the same aforesaid that they are free of all (incumbrances) whatsoever and further that I and my heirs executors and Administrators will warrant and defend all the said granted and described premises unto the said Thomas Fayerweather and to his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever; In Witness whereof I do heredo sel my hand and seal this thirty first day of October Anno Domini One Thousand seven hundred and seventy four.

George Ruggles

Sign Sealed and Delivered
In the Presence of US
John Hill
John Winslow

Back to Interactive Map