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American War of Independence (1775-83)

George III’s maps and views showing the development of the war at home and abroad, from North America to India

ANONYMOUS MILITARY ENGINEER

Boston, 1775

A PLAN / of BOSTON and its Environs shewing the several / Encampments and Works constructed by His / Majesty’s Troops; and also those of the Rebels

1775 or later

Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper | Scale: 1:14,630. | RCIN 734011

A map of Boston and environs showing the encampments and works of the British and Rebel armies in 1775. American War of Independence (1775-83). Oriented with north-west to top.

The 'Engineer at Boston' to whom this map refers as the author, is possibly John Montresor (1736-99), who was Commanding Engineer at Boston in 1775. This map appears to be a reduction of RCIN 734010 but lacks any details relating to the shipping and distances which were marked across certain sections of the bay. The section of foreshores between Dorchester Point and Castle Island which, on RCIN 734010, was marked as never dry at low water, is on this map represented as dry at low water. It is possible that the pinholes in the margins result from a copying exercise; perhaps this map was copied from RCIN 734012, or vice versa.

Additional text: [right, below title panel, in rectangular panel, a key, A-I, K-O to the military positions:] REFERENCE [and:] EXPLANATION / The Works shaded Green / shew those constructed by / His Majesty's Troops. / The Works shaded Yel- / low shew those thrown up / by ye Rebels, as they appear / from Boston.

Condition: one fold line; slight brown discolouration; double pinholes to each corner and centre of top and bottom margins.
  • Anonymous military engineer (draughtsman)

  • Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, the letters G R below; countermark: JWHATMAN

    Condition: one fold line; slight brown discolouration; double pinholes to each corner and centre of top and bottom margins

  • Scale: 1:14,630. Scale bar: [55 mm =] 880 Yards, or Half a Mile.

    45.9 x 65.2 cm (image and neatline)

    51.4 x 71.7 cm (sheet)

  • Manuscript title:

    A PLAN / of BOSTON and its Environs shewing the several / Encampments and Works constructed by His / Majesty’s Troops; and also those of the Rebels. [top right, in rectangular panel]

    Additional text:

    [right, below title panel, in rectangular panel, a key, A-I, K-O to the military positions:] REFERENCE [and:] EXPLANATION / The Works shaded Green / shew those constructed by / His Majesty's Troops. / The Works shaded Yel- / low shew those thrown up / by ye Rebels, as they appear / from Boston.

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Boston 1775.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom, right of centre, black pencil:] 14/3 [the ‘3’ is crossed out in black pencil]; [bottom, right of centre, black pencil:] XVII/28-a.

    George III catalogue entry:

    Boston A drawn Plan of Boston and its Environs, shewing the several Encampments and Works constructed by His Majesty’s Troops and also those of the Rebels in 1775.

  • Subject(s)

    Boston, Massachusetts, USA (42°21'30"N 71°03'35"W)

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024