The Willard Buttrick powder horn from 1775 was donated to Minute Man National Historical Park/NPS
Not quite 250 years ago a patriot in Massachusetts, Willard Buttrick, went to battle against the British army. Among the items he took with him was a powder horn for use in reloading his musket. Today that powder horn has found a new home at Minute Man National Historical Park thanks to his descendants.
On the morning of April 19, 1775, Buttrick, along with other members of the Concord Militia, turned out to defend their homes, families, and ideals of self determination. Like numerous citizen/soldiers of Concord and Middlesex County, they encountered the British army and fought with them at Concord’s North Bridge and later on the road to Boston. The American Revolution had begun.
On Saturday, September 15, 2018, members of the Buttrick Family arrived at the park and signed over a powder horn, owned by their ancestor and carried on that fateful day back in 1775. The powder horn returns to the location where it all began, North Bridge in Concord, just yards from the home he occupied. In front of the North Bridge Visitor Center, which occupies the former home of Stedman Buttrick, sits a foundation that was the home of Willard Buttrick.
Marshall Buttrick, a spokesperson for the Buttrick family and the official keeper of the powder horn, had spent many years proudly showing the powder horn off and keeping it’s story a part of Buttrick lore.
"I am pleased to donate to the National Park Service my ancestor Willard Buttrick's powder horn to be publicly displayed at the North Bridge Visitor Center. The powder horn was used at the North Bridge April 19th 1775. It is interesting to note that the remains of Willard Buttrick's house foundation are adjacent to the parking area at the visitor center. " said Marshall Buttrick.
When Mr. Buttrick and his siblings had to decide what the future of the powder horn would be, it was unanimous that the horn should be seen by the American public and the best way to do that would be to donate it to the park, according to park staff. Now, the personal story of the day will be displayed in the near future for all to understand and enjoy what the artifact can tell us about a patriot from almost 250 years ago.
Comments
That is wonderful and generous. My people didn't make the Mayflower, but came later and took advantage of what your family helped create. I hope to see the Buttrick Powderhorn on some future visit. Thank you for the gift.
Thank you so much for your generous donation! As an avid national parks person, a member of the DAR and Mayflower Society...it is imperative that your family's service and history be remembered!