Prescott and Linzee Swords
Wooden plaque with crossed swords
Silver-hilted sword belonging to Col. William Prescott, created by Jacob Hurd, circa 1730-1750 and sword for an officer of the Royal Navy, belonging to Capt. John Linzee, created by unidentified maker, circa 1780s
These swords belonged to Col. William Prescott and Capt. John Linzee, who fought on opposite sides in the American Revolution. The inscription on Prescott's sword reads, "The Sword of Col. William Prescott, and worn by him at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775," while Linzee's sword reads, "Sword of Capt. John Linzee R. N. who Commanded the British Sloop of War Falcon while acting against the Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775." Both swords were given to the society by descendants of the two families. The MHS commissioned the swords to be mounted on the walnut plaque in 1859. The swords cross through a carved wreath of olive leaves, and the shields over the leaves bear the Prescott and Linzee family crests.
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