This Independence Day held a deeply personal meaning for actor and veteran Kurt Russell.

Instead of the typical barbecues and fireworks, Russell traveled to Arlington, Massachusetts, to visit the Jason Russell House — a colonial-era home that once belonged to his ancestor, who died heroically on the first day of the Revolutionary War.

Jason Russell, the actor’s great-grandfather eight times removed, fought and died on April 19, 1775, as British soldiers retreated from the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Though 59 years old and physically impaired with a lame leg, he chose to defend his home in Menotomy — now Arlington — in what became the bloodiest fighting of the day.

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“He was shot twice and bayonetted at least 11 times,” Russell shared while touring the historic home and museum. “He was 59 with a lame leg, yet he defended his home. He died on the doorstep, yelling things at the British you can’t print. He was a badass dude, and I’m digging it!”

The star of beloved films such as Tombstone, The Thing, Miracle, and The Hateful Eight, Russell only recently learned about this powerful chapter in his family’s history.

The discovery came when Arlington 250 — a group organizing commemorations of the town’s Revolutionary War involvement — reached out to inform him of his surprising connection.

“I was stunned by [the news],” said Russell, who served in the California Air National Guard’s 146th Tactical Airlift Wing from 1969 to 1975. “I don’t know why, but this was never talked about in our family.”

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The revelation came at an opportune time, as his sons, Boston and Wyatt, had already begun tracing the family’s ancestry.

“I was looking at one branch of the family while Wyatt’s search took him to Jason Russell,” said Boston Russell, who accompanied his father on the tour. “He was right and I was wrong.”

Image Credit: Screenshot, YouTube / @WATDNEWS

Originally, museum staff had hoped to host Russell at next year’s 250th anniversary event on April 19, 2025, but scheduling conflicts meant a July 4th visit instead. This marked Kurt Russell’s first time stepping inside the house his ancestor had built and lived in.

“The bizarre thing is we have a family photo of me when I was three with my father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Edwin Oliver Russell, who actually lived in this house,” he said, marveling at the personal connection.

Despite his own military service, Russell was humble about comparing it to Jason Russell’s sacrifice.

“My connection is minuscule at best,” he admitted. “I did my part.” He also recalled with humor, “I played baseball [in the National Guard]. We had a great team. Never lost a game in six years.”

Jason Russell’s actions on that fateful day defied his age and physical limitations.

After Paul Revere warned the area that British troops were on the march, Russell evacuated his wife and youngest son to safety before returning to the house to stand his ground.

As British forces retreated from Concord, local militias rallied at the Russell property, fortifying the area with bundles of wooden shingles meant for home repairs.

Tragically, the British flanking parties surprised the militiamen. While many tried to escape through the back door, Jason Russell was unable to flee.

He was shot twice and fell at the doorstep. Some accounts suggest he was still alive when British light infantry stormed in, stabbing him repeatedly.

Image Credit: Screenshot, YouTube / @WATDNEWS

“As a soldier, you’re trained to thrust the bayonet into the heart,” Russell explained. “They didn’t want to kill him; they wanted to hurt him. He was stabbed anywhere from 11 to 27 times. That’s a hate crime. The British were pissed off because they were being shot at.”

The fighting around the Jason Russell House was some of the fiercest of the day.

According to historian Jonathan Lane of Revolution 250, “As part of Battle Road, the British suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Menotomy. Some 40 British soldiers died and 25 militiamen were killed in and around the Jason Russell House.”

When Elizabeth Russell returned home, she discovered her husband’s body along with 10 other dead militiamen.

Blood pooled so deeply in the kitchen that it was said to reach the ankles. Today, bullet holes still pockmark the walls of the home, bearing silent witness to the violence that unfolded there.

After touring the home, Kurt and Boston Russell visited the Old Burying Ground in Arlington.

They viewed Jason Russell’s grave, a nearby memorial to Revolutionary War patriots, and a mass grave for the fallen British soldiers. The visit concluded in Boston, where they attended the Boston Pops concert and joined the 101st Field Artillery Regiment in firing a M102 105mm howitzer cannon during Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”

Reflecting on the experience, Kurt Russell expressed a desire to share it with his wider family. “He was a farmer,” Russell said.

“He wasn’t looking for trouble, but trouble came to him. He was ready to defend his home. I’m so glad Boston and I came here to learn about him.”

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