The name of Peru was not known to the natives.

The town was disincorporated in 1938 as part of the building of the Quabbin Reservoir and the land now makes up Prescott Peninsula which divides the main branches of the reservoir. The city of Prescott Arizona is also named in honor of his scholarly grandson. When the American military commanders were alerted to British plans to capture undefended high ground at Dorchester Heights and Charlestown Prescott was chosen to lead 1200 men onto the Charlestown peninsula and erect defenses on Bunker Hill on the night of June 16 1775.

It is debated whether Prescott or someone earlier coined this memorable saying. 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 and therefore more accurately and lethally and so conserve their limited stocks of ammunition.