He was born on February 20, 1726 in Groton, Massachussets, United States. His father, Benjamin Prescott, was a man of property and position, a descendant of John Prescott who arrived in New England in 1640 and in 1643 was one of the first settlers of Lancaster, Massachussets. His mother was Abigail, daughter of Thomas Oliver of Cambridge, a member of the governor's council. Of his boyhood little is known.
There is no information about his education.
For about twenty years prior to the Revolution he lived quietly as a farmer in Pepperell, Massachussets, and occasionally serving as a town officer. When the port of Boston was closed by act of Parliament in 1774, he was instrumental in sending supplies of food to the distressed inhabitants. He was presently chosen colonel of a regiment of minute-men.
On April 19, 1775, he led a detachment to Concord, but arrived too late to participate in the fighting. Proceeding to Cambridge, the headquarters of the provincial army, he became a member of the council of war. Ordered by Gen. Artemas Ward, the commander of the American troops, to fortify Bunker Hill, he left Cambridge on the night of June 16 with a detachment of about a thousand men. On arriving at Charlestown peninsula, he consented, after consultation with the officers, to fortify Breed's Hill instead of Bunker Hill, since the former commanded Boston more effectively. The task was partially accomplished by starlight. When the astonished British observed the American works in the morning, they opened fire. Despite the fact that his tall form offered an easy target, Prescott strolled nonchalantly along the top of the entrenchments, directing and encouraging his men.
Whether he or Israel Putnam was in general command of the patriot forces on the field of battle has been warmly debated. Whatever the merits of the controversy, it is certain that Prescott was in direct charge of operations at a vital point in the American lines, namely, the redoubt. After the engagement he offered, if supplied with three fresh regiments, to retake the hill lost to the British. While he took part in the operations connected with the evacuation of New York in 1776 and the surrender of Burgoyne in 1777, age and an injury sustained in agricultural work prevented him from winning further laurels as a soldier.
Retiring to his farm, he served the community in various civil capacities, including those of selectman and representative in the general court. On the occasion of Shays's Rebellion, he buckled on his sword and prepared to aid in the suppression of the uprising. He died at Pepperell and was buried with military honors.
Quotations: Prescott is known for his order to his soldiers, "Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes", such that the rebel troops may shoot at the enemy at shorter ranges.
He married Abigail Hale, of Sutton, on April 13, 1758 and they had one child, also named William.
