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Massachusetts State Seal
Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

The Weight of Occupation

“

As if in an Enemy's country ... "

- Massachusetts Council to the Earl of Hillsborough (Colonial Secretary) Protesting the Deployment of Troops. April 15, 1769

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British soldiers portrayed on Boston Common.
British soldiers portrayed on Boston Common.
- Photo By Gerri Palladino, Courtesy of North End Waterfront.Com
British soldiers portrayed on Boston Common.
British soldiers portrayed on Boston Common.
- Photo By Gerri Palladino, Courtesy of North End Waterfront.Com
Selected in part for their height, Brittish grenadiers wore tall helmets to enhance the effect and intimidate opponents.
Selected in part for their height, Brittish grenadiers wore tall helmets to enhance the effect and intimidate opponents.
- Photo By Gerri Palladino, Courtesy of North End Waterfront.Com
Selected in part for their height, Brittish grenadiers wore tall helmets to enhance the effect and intimidate opponents.
Selected in part for their height, Brittish grenadiers wore tall helmets to enhance the effect and intimidate opponents.
- Photo By Gerri Palladino, Courtesy of North End Waterfront.Com
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Desertion
British soldiers were often very poor and some saw oppor-tunities in the Massachusetts countryside. During the first two weeks more than forty deserted, encouraged by townspeople. The response was shocking. On October 31 regiments were gathered on the Common to witness the execution by firing squad of Private Richard Ames for deser-tion. A guard post appeared at Boston Neck (then the only way in and out of town) to check on all entering or leaving.

Close Quarters
Eighteenth Century Boston was really a small town with a population near 15,000. During the occupation it is estimated that one in three adult males was a British soldier. The fact of occupation was obvious with redcoats on the streets, at check points, in shops and taverns. Some fought with townspeople and increased tension by competing with locals for scarce part time jobs to supplement their modest incomes.

John Hancock's home
John Hancock's home  John Hancock's home is no longer standing. Its location was to the left of the present Massachusetts State House on today's Beacon Street. 
- Library of Congress

The View from John Hancock's Window
John Hancock's Beacon Hill home overlooked Boston Common. He witnessed floggings and possibly an execution. Displays of harsh army discipline conveyed a sense of potential danger to civilians.