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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

ROBERT SAYER (1725?-29 JANUARY 1794) AND JOHN BENNETT (ACTIVE 1774-83. D.1787)

New England and Boston, 1775

THE SEAT OF WAR, / IN / NEW ENGLAND, / by / an American Volunteer. / with THE MARCHES / of the Several Corps Sent by the / COLONIES. / Towards BOSTON. / with the Attack on BUNKERS-HILL

1775

Engraving; printed from two copperplates on one sheet of paper; hand coloured; mounted in a cream card Royal Library mount | Scale: 1:447,000 approx. | RCIN 734008

A map of New England showing the marches of the rebel troops towards Boston and the Battle of Bunker Hill, fought on 17 June 1775 between the British army, commanded by William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe (1729-1814), Commander-in-Chief, British forces, and the United Colonies of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, commanded by General Israel Putnam (1718-90), resulting in a British victory. American War of Independence (1775-83). Oriented with north to top.

This map shows in pictorial form the marches of General Washington's army from the west; the troops from Connecticut and Providence from the south west and south; the rangers from New Hampshire from the north-west, and other New Hampshire troops from the north, all converging on Boston. The identity of the ‘American Volunteer’ who is reputed to have made this map is unknown.

Insets: (1) PLAN OF BOSTON HARBOUR, from an Actual Survey. Scale: 1:146,304 approx. Scale bar: Three Miles [33 mm =]. Size: 14.9 x 13.4 cm (neatline). [and] (2) PLAN OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON WITH THE / ATTACK on BUNKERS-HILL in the Peninsula of CHARLESTOWN, / the 17.th of June 1775. [with a key, A-I, K-M, to the main buildings in the town, a list of dates of the ten fires which the town had suffered since it was settled in 1630, and the names of the twelve wards into which it was divided in 1735.] Scale: not stated. Size: 29.9 x 13.4 cm (neatline).

Condition: one fold line; very unevenly trimmed.
  • Robert Sayer (1725?-29 January 1794); John Bennett (active 1774-83. d.8 December 1787) (publisher) [bottom centre of map, between border and plate mark:] London, Printed for R. Sayer, & J. Bennett. N.o 53 Fleet Street, as the Act directs, 2. Sept.r 1775; [bottom right, below outsets, between border and plate mark:] London, Printed for R. Sayer & J. Bennett, N.o 53 Fleet Street as the Act directs. 2.d Sept.r 1775.

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

    Condition: one fold line; very unevenly trimmed

  • Scale: 1:447,000 approx. Scale bar: map of New England: English Miles 20 [72 mm =].

    45.9 x 53.8 cm (image)

    46.9 x 55.4 cm (platemark)

    43.7 x 38.0 cm (neatline of map of New England)

    29.8 x 13.3 cm (neatline of map of the Town of Boston)

    50.1 x 59.0 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    THE SEAT OF WAR, / IN / NEW ENGLAND, / by / an American Volunteer. / with THE MARCHES / of the Several Corps Sent by the / COLONIES. / Towards BOSTON. / with the Attack on BUNKERS-HILL. [map with two larger-scale plans to the right; top right of map, in scrolled cartouche]

    Insets:

    (1) PLAN OF BOSTON HARBOUR, from an Actual Survey. Scale: 1:146,304 approx. Scale bar: Three Miles [33 mm =]. Size: 14.9 x 13.4 cm (neatline). [and]

    (2) PLAN OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON WITH THE / ATTACK on BUNKERS-HILL in the Peninsula of CHARLESTOWN, / the 17.th of June 1775. [with a key, A-I, K-M, to the main buildings in the town, a list of dates of the ten fires which the town had suffered since it was settled in 1630, and the names of the twelve wards into which it was divided in 1735.] Scale: not stated. Size: 29.9 x 13.4 cm (neatline). 

    Annotations:

    George III heading: [black pencil, underlining in red ink:] Seat of the War in New England in 1775 and Battle of Bunker's Hill 17 June 1775.

    Other annotations: (Recto) None. (Verso) [bottom, right of centre, red pencil:] 14/2; [bottom, right of centre, black pencil, erased:] Battle of Bunkers Hill 17 June 1775; [top, right of centre, black pencil, erased, underlined and illegible].

    George III catalogue entry:

    England, New A Map of the Seat of War in New England in 1775, with the Marches of the several corps sent by the colonies towards Boston: and the attack on Bunker’s Hill on the 17.th of June 1775: published by Sayer and Bennett, 1775. [The same entry appears under the heading Bunker’s Hill.]

  • Subject(s)

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

  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    A. Krieger, D. Cobb and A. Turner, Mapping Boston, Cambridge MA 2001, plate 17

    K. Nebenzahl, A bibliography of printed battle plans of the American Revolution 1775-1795, Chicago and London 1975, no.6, p.5

    I.N.P. Stokes and D.C. Haskell, American historical prints, early views of American cities, New York 1932, p.47

    Exhibited:

    London. British Library, (1975), American War of Independence 1775-1783.

Page revisions

  • 27 March 2024