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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Castle Island: Castle William


In 1691 monarchs William and Mary issued a new charter for the “Province of Massachusetts Bay.” The King ordered improved fortifications for Castle Island, now known as “Castle William” in his honor.


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“It seems the Castle is ordered to be called Fort William: and the governor went down yesterday, and caus’d the inscription to be set up, a pretty many guns fired.”

– Samuel Sewall, October 27, 1705

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Looking impossibly smug in these portraits, King William and Queen Mary agreed to serve as constitutional monarchs with limited powers after the 1689 overthrow of King James II. Their reign was welcomed by most Massachusetts colonists. - Hampton Court Palace
Looking impossibly smug in these portraits, King William and Queen Mary agreed to serve as constitutional monarchs with limited powers after the 1689 overthrow of King James II. Their reign was welcomed by most Massachusetts colonists.
- Hampton Court Palace

Culture Clash: Colonel Wolfgang Wilhelm Romer
 Early fortifications had a provincial quality. In 1698 Colonel Wolfgang Wilhelm Romer, “chief engineer to their royal majesties in North America,” arrived at the Castle. A professional military officer, Romer was disdainful of the colonists. He complained that the workers followed Captain Clarke’s orders “they must expect their payment of him.” Romer wished to give directions “without like contradiction from Clarke or any other ignorant person who give direction in matters they are wholly ignorant of.” In turn, the puritanical workmen objected to Romer’s profane language.

Detail from a 1720 map by Cyprian Southack showing Colonel Romer’s name, highlighting his various projects and contributions in Maine.

Romer was here

Map illustrating the shape of Castle William after Colonel Romer’s design, showing two defensive lines between the main fort building and potential landing places on the harbor side, as preserved in the British Museum.

Castle William

A portrait of Justice Cushing

- Official portrait of Chief Justice William Cushing

Justice Cushing’s Decision
Chief Justice Cushing ruled against detaining former slaves. In an explanatory letter to South Carolina, he avoided the terms “slaves” and “property” (not wishing to acknowledge the institution of slavery.) Cushing characterized those remaining in Massachusetts as servants or laborers bound by a service contract. While the Pawley’s were entitled to their service, Massachusetts had no obligation to hold them or pay for their return. The practical effect was to free the “Pawley” slaves because the family did not have the resources to recover them.

Exit interview excerpt from Massachusetts Archives. Romer criticizes fort construction under Captain Clarke, calling it irrational and contrary to military architecture rules. Despite this, the colony’s council thanks both Romer and Captain Clarke.
Exit Interview 
After fawning references to the late King William and present Queen Anne, Romer presents a detailed listing of flaws in the fort’s construction under the orders of Captain Clarke, “the work done is very irrationally and Ridiculously altogether contrary to Reason and the Rules of Military Architecture.” In a hometown decision the colony’s Council thanks Romer but states “That he be Acquainted that this Court are also well satisfied with the good service of Captain Clarke.”
- Massachusetts Archives