April 25, 1776

Major General Joseph Warren died on June 17, 1775 at Bunker’s Hill. Various reports claimed that the British forces had desecrated his body. After the British evacuation of Boston, Warren’s body was exhumed, and he was given a Masonic funeral at King’s Chapel and interred at Granary Burying Ground in Boston. 

This extract of correspondence from Boston, dated April 13 and first published in New York on April 24, describes how Warren’s body was identified: “The General’s remains were known by two artificial teeth fastened in with gold wire, and by being found under the remains of a person buried in trousers, agreeable to the account given by one who was well acquainted with that circumstance.” As the story goes, it was Paul Revere who had done this dental work and helped identify the remains.

Abigail Adams also described Warren’s recovery and reinterment in a letter, noting “the Masons walking in procession from the State House, with the Military in uniforms and a large concourse of people attending.” Referencing William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Adams wrote that “the amiable and heroick virtues of the disceased recent in the minds of the Audience, the noble cause to which he fell a Martir, their own Sufferings and unparralled injuries all fresh in their minds, must give weight and energy to whatever could be deliverd upon the occasion, the Dead Body like that of Caesars before their Eyes, whilst each wound, ‘like dumb mouths did ope their ruby lips, and beg the voice and utterance of a Tongue.’”

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

NEW-YORK, April 24.
Extract of a letter from Boston, dated April 13. 

“Last Monday the remains of the brave General Warren were reinterred at Boston. Col. Phiney’s regiment marched first with drums and fifes in mourning—then the Free-Masons—the remains—the relations—friends and town’s people. They repaired to the King’s chapel. Dr. Cooper prayed. Dr. Moreton delivered a funeral oration, closed with a solemn funeral dirge. The General’s remains were known by two artificial teeth fastened in with gold wire, and by being found under the remains of a person buried in trousers, agreeable to the account given by one who was well acquainted with that circumstance.”