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Also know as the Bird-Sawyer house. Thomas Bird of England emigrated to Dorchester, Massachusetts aboard the ship John & Mary in 1635. He built his homestead shortly thereafter. The house remained in the family and sheltered ten generations until it fell into disrepair in the late 1930's-1940
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 | Thomas Bird's House 1637.
Thomas Bird of England emigrated to Dorchester, Massachusetts aboard the ship Mary & John in 1635 on it's second voyage. He built his homestead shortly thereafter. As originally built the house had only two rooms and a loft.
Thomas made a living in the tannery business. The house remained in the family and sheltered ten generations until it fell into disrepair in the late 1930's and burned down shortly after 1940. |
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 | Thomas Birds House 1667.
Thomas the emigrant died 8 Jun 1667 at Dorchester. He was 54 years old. That same year the roof was raised and a second story added. His widow, Ann, died 21 Aug 1673. The house then passed to his son Thomas Bird and his wife Thankful Atherton.
His son Benjamin Bird and his wife Johanna (nee Harrise) would become the third owners. |
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 | Thomas Birds House 1776.
Corporal Thomas Bird was the fifth owner. He was 21 when he inherited it. Thomas fought at Concord, Lexington and, Bunker Hill. At some point before 1776 an addition was added to the rear of the house.
His house served as the American Army Engineers headquarters during the fortification of Dorchester heights.
Colonel Gridley of the American engineers was quartered there with his staff; Putnam, Waters, Baldwin and Knox, later to become the famous general.
One of the upper rooms was used as drafting room for drawing up the fortification plan for Dorchester Heights, a hill that was within a short distance. General George Washington rode over from Cambridge to direct the work. When the timber used to construct the ramparts was carried to the Heights, it passed down the lane in front of the house. |
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 | Boston 1776.
The fortifications on the Heights were maintained through the end of the Revolutionary War. At the outbreak of the the War of 1812, the Heights were refortified to guard against potential British invasion.
In the later years of the 19th century, the Dorchester hills were used as a source of fill for modifying Boston's coastline. This accounts for why the coast in this map does not exactly match the coast on a modern map. |
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| 5 |
 | Washington at Dorchester Heights.
Washington at Dorchester Heights. A painting by Gilbert Stuart. |
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 | Thomas Birds House 1930.
By the 30's the house was given the address; 41 Humphreys Street, Dorchester, MA. |
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 | Thomas Birds House 1930 2.
Thomas Birds House 1930 2. |
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 | Thomas Birds House 1940.
Thomas Birds House 1940. |
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 | Thomas Birds House East Wall 1940.
Thomas Birds House East Wall 1940. |
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| 10 |
 | Bird-Sawyer House drawing.
Bird-Sawyer House drawing. |
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| 11 |
 | Bird-Sawyer House Flooor Plan.
Bird-Sawyer House Flooor Plan. |
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| 12 |
 | Bird-Sawyer House Interior.
Bird-Sawyer House Interior. |
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