Remembering Harwich's Revolutionary War Soldiers

 HARWICH – There were approximately 450 residents of Harwich who fought in the Revolutionary War, including soldiers from the North Precinct, now Brewster. On the 250th anniversary of the county’s independence, the Harwich Historical Society has done some deep research focusing on a few of those soldiers and their homes, structures that remain standing today. 

“With 450 Revolutionary War soldiers in town, I thought it would be a good idea to see if some of their homes still existed,” said Lynne Zalesak, a society member.  

 The historical society will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, May 17 at 1 p.m. in Brooks Academy, where the research will be presented. The event is open to the public as will be the first floor of the historic academy, which will allow viewing of interior renovations now taking place there. Several exhibits that will be on display, including those featuring cranberries, Cape Verdean culture, renowned birdcarver Elmer Crowell, master landscape painter Charles D. Cahoon and the Revolutionary War connection.

 The annual meeting will also feature an in-depth presentation on the West Harwich Baptist Church by J. Duncan Berry, a local historian who has done exhaustive research into the history of the church, the first Baptist congregation on Cape Cod.

Zalesak said that after a quick search she came up with nine Revolutionary War soldiers whose homes still exist. She said she is certain there are more, but she didn’t have time to dig deeper into the research.

She not only connected soldiers to property, she also did research into their participation in the war and where they now are laid to rest in local cemeteries. 

 Zalesak’s research on Job Chase, for instance, includes the following: Born in Yarmouth in 1736, he died 19 July 1833 in Harwich, and is buried in the North Harwich Cemetery. During the American Revolution his rank was sergeant in Capt. Thomas Nickerson’s Company on Major Zenas Winslow’s Regiment. His service included responding to the Bedford and Falmouth alarm in September of 1778. After the war his economic activities included ship building and trading. His first home was 76 Main St. West Harwich.”

 In Harwich Center she found Ebenezer Broadbrooks (Brooks), Esq. who was born Dec. 19, 1750 and died Feb. 4, 1828. He is buried in the First Congregational Cemetery in Harwich Center. One of his many occupations was store owner. He and his son Obed built a store in 1807 which later became a residence and today is a barn/garage. His home is located at 745 Main St. and the store/barn is now located at 76 Oak St.

 Some of the homes have suffered neglect, but Zalesak said all of the photos illustrate the condition of the homes today. A couple of the homes have suffered from benign neglect, such as one built by Chase and located at 126 Route 28, which once housed the Bishops Terrance restaurant in West Harwich, and the Capt. David Clark house, now located at 70 Deep Hole Rd.

“The effort allows people to know these buildings are still here,” Zalesak said. “It also allows people to find out about their roots.” 

 Zalesak said Harwich was pro-Revolution as was clear from the 450 soldiers who fought against the English.

 “Harwich actually declared independence two weeks before the Colonies did,” she said of a town meeting action.

 “No one wanted to be the constable because he collected the taxes that went to England,” she added.  

 The  Powderhouse on the lawn at Brooks Academy was a symbol of defiance. Zalesak said in April 1775 the town decided to arm its citizens, providing guns and shot. The town loaned guns to those who did not have one. The guns were all stored in the Powderhouse.

 “It’s important to honor these people,” Zalesak said of the exhibit.

 Access to the Brooks Academy Museum has been shuttered over the past couple of years because of construction and access problems. But Harwich Historical Society President Anita Doucette said the museum will be open on the first floor this summer. The plan is to open on Tuesday, June 23 at 1 p.m., and the museum will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. through Aug. 29.