The house was built in 1767 by John Goddard on land originally purchased by his grandfather Joseph. Goddard, a teamster, was active in local civic affairs, notably serving in the Massachusetts Provincial Congress prior to the American Revolutionary War in 1775. Goddard's property was one of several places in Massachusetts used by rebellious colonists for the storage of munitions (probably in the barn, since demolished). During the Siege of Boston, Goddard acted as wagon-master to the Continental Army during the Fortification of Dorchester Heights, a nighttime act that required the wagons to be rendered as quiet as possible to avoid notice. Goddard refused George Washington's offer of continued service in the military effort.