Samuel Peirson's house stood on the site of Phillip's garrison house, which was destroyed by Indians in 1675 during King Phillip's War. The house was erected in 1767 by Jeremiah Hill, who died in 1820, and Samuel Peirson's son-in-law bought it that year and lived there until his death in 1852 at age 93. Samuel Peirson was a Revolutionary War soldier and a clerk to George Washington during the siege of Boston. Sharing a February 22 birthday with Washington, he began a local custom called Tar Tub Day, marked by bonfires of used Christmas trees, roasted apples, and much noise-making. He was also the last person known to wear small clothes, or colonial dress, complete with knee breeches and silver buckles. The spelling of Peirson is unusual, and the house was demolished around 1970.