“Guys…could you just like not…” – King George III
Much like with New York City, Boston has such a rich and long history it could have a site all of its own.
Boston was founded in 1630 by a group of Puritans who stumbled upon a lone white guy was just trying to off-grid alone. He was nice and welcomed them, for his kindness they said you can have 50 acres of your land all to yourself. While that’s not a small amount, it’s a hell of a lot less than what he started with. Needless to say, the off-gridder (Rev. William Blackstone or Blaxton depending on who you ask) left a few years later.
A lot happened in the 17th century in Boston, as New England seemed to thrive. They established churches, cemeteries, government, and colleges. But of course what Boston is most known for is their involvement in the American Revolution. From the Boston Massacre in 1770 until the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Boston was a major point of activity for the rising tensions that would bring on the war.
Like most other major cities in the U.S., Boston’s population grew rapidly in the mid to late 1800s. The 1880 census shows that 1/3 of Boston’s population were immigrants (mostly Irish).
“But, BEHOLD what followed ! A number of brave & resolute men, determined to do all in their power to save their country from the
ruin which their enemies had plotted, in less than four hours, emptied every chest of tea on board the three ships commanded by the captains Hall, Bruce, and Coffin, amounting to 342 chests, into the sea !! without the least damaged done to the ships or any other property.”
Being at the Boston Harbor and walking by the ships and buildings, it’s fun to imagine the excitement and energy that must have been there in 1773. The Boston Tea Party was our nation’s first major act of defiance against the crown and our history might look very different had the people of Boston decided to not rebel. Anyone interested in the history of Boston should 100% check out the Boston Tea Party & Ship Museum while there. I’m not normally one for guided tours and the skit is a little corny at parts, but it was entertaining and the information was well worth it. Even if you think you are an expert on the Revolutionary War, or maybe especially if you think you are, it’s well worth the $25 bucks.
342 Chests of Tea into the Sea
