boston history
Boston and its surrounding area are steeped in history, but when you think of Boston, what is the first thing that springs to mind? – I would imagine most people would say “The Boston Tea Party”.
Boston was actually founded way back in 1630 with the arrival of the Pilgrims from England; it was named after Boston in Lincolnshire. At this time the majority of the population were English Puritans and the harbour was kept busy with trading ships heading to England and the West Indies.
The famous Boston Tea Party was not really much of a party! In fact, it was anything but. On 16th December 1773, the Sons of Liberty (a political group made up of American Patriots) rebelled against the high taxation on tea imposed by the British. They disguised themselves and boarded the trade ships at Boston Harbour where they proceeded to through hundreds of boxes of tea into the sea in protest.
(Presently undergoing a refurbishment, the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum, situated in Congress Street Bridge, Boston offers visitors a realistic insight to what really happened. The museum re-opens in the Spring of 2012).
The Boston Tea Party was just the beginning of much unrest in Boston – by 1775 the siege of Boston had started, with colonial militia surrounding the city and two days of constant fighting. At this time, General John Thomas; accompanied by 2000 troops and 56 canons embarked upon a campaign at Dorchester Heights against the British.
The British Military used Castle William in South Boston as their base. In February 1776 they swept through the Dorchester Neck and destroyed everything in their path. A month later; realising that their position was indefensible again the continental army; the British were forced to leave the island, burning the castle on their departure. They sailed to the safety of Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 17th.
Following the Revolutionary War, Boston continued to thrive, attracting more people to the area which gradually became over-crowded.