A recent genealogical discovery led Hollywood legend Kurt Russell and aptly named son Boston Russell to the historic town of Arlington, Massachusetts. The British killed Kurt's 8th great-grandfather on the front steps of the Jason Russell House during the Battle of Menotomy. The battle took place 250 years ago on April 19, 1775, shortly after the highly publicized Battle of Lexington and Concord. The Battle of Menotomy, now Arlington, is often overlooked despite being the site of one of the bloodiest skirmishes on the first day of the American Revolution. The Arlington Historical Society reached out to the descendants of Jason to make them aware of their rich history in New England, inspiring these two Russells to make the trip to Arlington on July 4, 2025.
"We're learning about this. That's somebody who, from now on, is in our family. I can't believe that we were unaware of it." - Kurt Russell
The Russells revealed they have some serendipitous connections to the battle that outdate their knowledge of Jason's contribution to history. Notably, Boston's name and the date April 19, which is Kurt's step-daughter, Kate Hudson's, birthday.
Kurt Russell and Boston Russell photographed by Samantha Davidson
The Battle of Menotomy was brutal, and there are at least 13 bullet holes from that day preserved in the house Jason Russell built from re-salvaged materials. Various other artifacts are frozen in time at the museum, memorializing Jason and his legacy. Kurt and Boston recounted essential details from the battle, infusing humor into the story:
"By the way, they stabbed him somewhere between 11 and 27 times with their bayonets. It only takes one to kill a man, so you can understand what they were doing...One of the British soldiers was yelling epithets that we can't print. Sounds like my family!" - Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell, Boston Russell, and Matt Beres photographed by Samantha Davidson
"He and the others that died with him, that was the first day of a world that you live in, that you wouldn't live in if it weren't for them. That's reality. I find that fascinating to be connected to them any way, other than the most direct way." - Kurt Russell
Kurt was particularly struck by the connections he could draw between Jason's personality and that of his father and relatives. His love for history and art converged when he saw the painting by Ruth L. Berry titled The Fight at the Jason Russell House, which is displayed in the museum.
"Somehow, I want to get a representation of that, and I want to have it in my house. I have a very interesting friend...he sent me this wonderful painting of George Washington before he crossed the Delaware." - Kurt Russell
Following Boston asked the father-son pair how they plan to carry this discovery with them in their lives and careers. Boston's message? To dive into your ancestral story:
"I think ancestry always makes you [seize the moment], no matter where you come from, historically, what continent your people are from. Feeling your ancestry and feeling connected to it always brings you into the present in a different way. And that's why I think it's extremely important for everybody to do, to trace that back as well as they can." - Boston Russell
This news had a profound impact on both Kurt and Boston, who plan to keep exploring their ancestral story and sharing it with their entire family. Perhaps there could be movie about Jason's life on the horizon.
"I've had an interesting connection to the American Revolution, not knowing anything about this. So from now on, I want this to be part of my family. We can't wait to come back with my sisters and family members too, you know, to understand and try to grasp it." - Kurt Russell
The Arlington Historical Society organizes tours at the Jason Russell House & Museum. Visiting hours are from Thursday-Sunday 1:00-4:00PM. Click here to learn more.
Boston and Kurt Russell on Polaroid photographed by Samantha Davidson
