Nathan Meriam House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nathan Meriam House |
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The property in the mid-20th century
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| General information | |
| Location | Concord, Massachusetts |
| Address | Old Bedford Road |
| Coordinates | 42°27′36″N 71°19′26″W / 42.46002°N 71.32383°W |
| Completed | c. 1705 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
The Nathan Meriam House is a very old building. It played a part in the American Revolutionary War. This war started with the first battles in 1775. These were the battles of Lexington and Concord. The house was built around 1705. You can find it on Old Bedford Road in Concord, Massachusetts. This spot is now called Meriam's Corner. It is one of eleven houses still standing today. These houses are part of the Minute Man National Historical Park. This area was once known as the Battle Road.
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The Story of the House
The Meriam family came to Concord in 1638. Joseph and Sarah Meriam arrived from Kent, England. They had six children with them. Another son, John, was born after they arrived.
Early Meriam Homes
John Meriam and his wife, Mary, built the first home. This was at Meriam's Corner in 1663. Their son, also named John, built a second house. He built it in 1691 for himself and his wife, Sarah. Another son, Joseph, built a third house in 1705. He lived there with his wife, Dorothy Brooks. This is the house we call the Nathan Meriam House today. Nathan and Abigail Meriam later owned it.
Life in the House
Nathan and Abigail Meriam lived in the house. They had seven children. Their children's ages ranged from eleven to 29 years old. The house stayed in the Meriam family for a long time. It was sold in 1871 to Thomas Burke.
Changes Over Time
In 1925, a fire happened at the house. It was still owned by the Burke family. This fire led to some big changes. The house was renovated after the fire. Other changes were made before the fire too. Because of these updates, the house looks different now. It is not exactly like it was when it was first built.
A Witness to War
The Nathan Meriam House stood right on the path of history. It saw the start of the American Revolution.
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The battles of Lexington and Concord began early in the morning. It was April 19, 1775. British soldiers marched past the house. They were on their way to Concord. Later, they marched past it again. This time, they were going back to Boston. The house was a silent witness to these important events.
