The Oliver Tufts House -- The American Revolution: 1775-1776

General Charles E. Lee

During the American Revolution, the Oliver Tufts house served as headquarters to General Charles E. Lee. General Lee was second major-general in the Continental Army, commanding the left wing of the American Army. General Lee was outranked only by first major-general Artemas Ward and commander-in-chief George Washington. Volumes have been written about Lee's military career, personal ambitions, eccentricities (the depiction included at left shows General Lee with "the invevitable dog" ... it is written that General Lee never had fewer than half a dozen dogs with him) and confused loyalties. I will not attempt to do justice to any of those topics.

History as we've learned it obscures an appropriate view of General Lee's stature in 1775. It is said that when Lee accompanied Washington to Cambridge, Lee was at every town as much an "object of curiousity and admiration" as General Washington. While not broadly written about or remembered today General Lee was a successful military commander and politician, and as much a celebrity as any military figure of his time.

General Lee's first headquarters was the Royal Mansion in Medford. Lee called the building "Hobgoblin Hall" after the echoes that filled the halls with every slightest sound. In 1775 Washington asked a committee of Congress to find more suitable housing for General Lee. The Oliver Tufts House was at this time unoccupied, was closer to his troops, and had a view clear down to the harbor. Thus General Lee moved his headquarters to this house.

The map included at right shows some of the nearby military fortifications of the revolution. The fortification at Prospect Hill and the location of the French Redoubt are well known. Writings from the time mention a "White House" redoubt about which less is known (and which is not shown on this map). One theory is that this redoubt was so called because of its proximity to a white house ... the most logical candidate being the Oliver Tufts house which was immediately to its rear. It is not known that the house was painted white at this time but it likely was so.

George Washington Slept Here

I have found few second-hand sources indicating that General Washington spent at least one night in this house. One reference is attributed to Warren Pollard in the late 1800's ... who would not have been alive to hear the story first hand. Another source states "Here Washington came, in consultation with his generals, and here, in the front chamber over the parlor, he slept with more or less unbroken slumber.” Another historical pamplet makes a mention which I believe is attributed to the same source. Recalling that Washington was not yet any more of a celebrity than Charles Lee and that the army had quite a lot on its hands at the time, it is not surprising that no one took the time to specifically document whether and when Washington visited this house.

That said, perhaps one of the most convincing references is one that speaks in a more general sense: “Tradition also has it that Washington frequented or visited certain houses within Somerville territory. He must have. That he did not, would be almost inconceivable. Several of his generals were quartered here. He must have stopped at their headquarters on his tours of inspection for purposes of consultation, shelter, rest and refreshment. Even if those reasons did not compel such visites, the most ordinary dictates of courtesy to his staff, and considerations of the military morale of the leaders, would make such measures of paramount necessity. …. “

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Last Updated: March 11, 2005