Boston Harbor at the cusp of an 18th-century dusk, where the warm hues of the setting sun cast a soft glow over the serene waters. The horizon is a canvas of fiery oranges and purples, blending seamlessly with the historic skyline. Tall-masted sailing ships, their sails partially furled, rest at anchor, their wooden hulls reflecting the amber light. In the foreground, a small rowboat navigates through the gentle waves, manned by a solitary figure in period attire. Along the bustling wharf, figures in tricorn hats and long coats go about their evening routines, unloading crates and securing ropes. Lanterns and candles flicker to life in the windows of the nearby buildings, hinting at the cozy scenes unfolding within. (Jeffrey Campbell, Boston Harbor, 2025. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator).
The following is a series of contemporary correspondence related to General Amherst's visit to the city of Boston, Massachusetts, which included about 4,500 of his troops, all of whom arrived on September 13, 1758, on 35 transport ships after their victory at Louisbourg. Although alcohol was provided by the locals in plentiful quantities, a search of surviving historical records did not reveal any unlawful incidents with the civilian populace.
Boston Daily Advertiser
BOSTON September 18
Last Wednesday arrived in our Harbour from Louisbourg His Majesty's Ship the Captain, commanded by Capt. Amherst, in which came Major General Amherst, who had chief Command of His Majesty's Land-Forces, in the late successful Expedition against Cape-Breton: - He was received and congratulated upon his Arrival, with the Respect and Esteem due to so brave a Commander. - On this occasion, the Guns at Castle-William, those of the Batteries in this Town and at Charlestown, &c. were discharged, and the Bells of the Town were rung. - Between 30 and 40 Transports which came out with the Captain Man of War, having on board the 2d Battalion of Royal Scots, as also Forbe's, Lascells's and Webb's Regiments, with Fraser's Highlanders, are also arrived: The Troops are in good Health, and were disembarked the Day following, and encamped on the Common: On Saturday the General set out, with the whole of the Troops, & march'd from hence to the westward.
The first night the above troops encamped, the patrols being out, and meeting with a soldier at the south part of town, who not giving an answer when hailed, was fired at by one of the party and wounded in the shoulder, but it is said he was likely to recover.
We hear from Lake George, that Preparation were making there to cross the Lake again, and only waited arrival of the Troops which came lately from Louisbourg, in order to proceed.
Gigantic Serjeant in Boston
Worcester Feb. 11, 1759.
I have been in this Town a Week this night. How much I have improved my Health by Exercise, or my mind by Study of Conversation, in this Space? I have exercised little, eat and drank and slept intemperately. Have inquired a little of Mr. Putnam and of Abel Willard, concerning some Points of Practice in Law. But dining once at Coll. Chandlers, once at Mr. Pains, once at the Doctors, drinking Tea once at Mr. Paines, once at the Drs. and spending one Evening at the Drs., one at Gardi[ner]s and several at Putnams in Company has wasted insensibly the greatest and best Part of my time since I have been in Town. Oh how I have fulfilled the vain Boast I made to Dr. Webb, of reading 12 Hours a day! What a fine scene of study in this office! a fine collection of Law, oratory, History, and Phylosophy, But I must not stay. I must return to Braintree. I must attend a long Superiour Court at Boston. How shall I pursue my Plan of Study?
Bo[b] Paine acted a scene that happened on the Com[mon] when the Troops were reviewed by the Governor. People crouded very near the Troops, till a highland serjeant of a gigantic size, and accoutred with a Variety of Instruments of Curelty and Death, stalked out with his vast Halbert to drive them back. He brandished his Halbert and smote it on the Ground and cryed with a broad, Roaring voice, Sta ban, i.e. Stand Back. Sta. ba. His size, armour, Phyz, and Voise, frightned People so that they presd backwards and almost tramples on one another. But in the highest of his fury, he sprung onward, and shri[ek]ed out Sta, but then saw some Ladies before him, which softened him. At once, he drops his Halbert, takes off his Bonnet, and makes very complaisant Bow, pray Ladies, please to stand a little back, you will see a great deal better.
Pain lifts up his Eyes and Hands to Heaven and cryes, of all Instruments of Defence, good Heavens, give me Beauty. It could soften the ferocity of your highland serjeant.
Paine and Dr. Wendel took Katy Quincy and Polly Jackson, and led them into a retired Room and there laughed, and screamed, and kissed and hussled. They came out glowing like furnaces.
Source:
Diary of John Adams, volume 1, Adams Papers Digital Edition online. Massachusetts Historical Society, https://www.masshist.org/publications/adams-papers/index.php/view/ADMS-01-01-02-0004-0002-0003#sn=0. Acc: 10 December 2024.
Namur, Louisbourg harbr. 31st Augt. 1758
Rd. & recd. 29 Sepr.
Sir,Agreeable to the Resolution agree on between Major General Amherst and myself on the 8th instant Sir Charles Hardy with the Royal William, Bedford, Vanguard, Devonshire, Lancaster, Pembroke, Kennington, Juno, & Etna, and ten transports with Brigadier Wolfe and the Regiments of Amherst, Brag, & Anstruthers, sailed for the River St. Lawrence on the 29th, and yesterday Major General Amherst with the Royals, Webbs, Lascelles, Frasers, and Forbes sailed for Boston, convoyed by the Captain & Tyloe; and at the same time sailed the Squirrel & Scarborough, to convoy Monckton's & Otway's to the Bay of Fundi, and Lawrence's for the Garrison of Halifax.
The Trent is here down, & repaired of the Damages she sustained at Gabarus Bay when covering the Landing of the Troops, and will sail to cruize in the Streights of Bell Isle for a month, and then proceed to England; The Sutherland will also sail in two days to disturb the French Fishery to the north part of Newfoundland.
[Inclosed I send you the State and Condition of the ships now here, the want of provision has kept many ships in this harbour]
I am,
Sir
your most obedielt
humble Servant
Ed. Boscowan
John Cleveland Esqr.
Minute: 29 Septr.
Note: HMS Namur (1756) was a British ship that participated in the 1758 Siege of Louisbourg. The British captured Louisbourg in seven weeks after a massive attack of over 13,000 troops and 14,000 crew members on over 100 ships.
Source:
Admiralty and Secretariat: Papers: North America, Admirals Boscawen, Hardy, Holburne, Homes and Durel, 1755-1760, Adm. 1, vol. 481. LAC, Microfilm #12851, images 1106-07.
The Diary of Rev. Ebenezer Parkman
Extracts of 13-19 September 1758
Born in 1703 in Boston, Suffolk County, Reverend Parkman served as the first minister of Westborough, Massachusetts, from 1724 until his death in 1782. It appears the reverend had very limited time spent with the regiments as they passed through the various towns on their march through Massachusetts.
The original manuscript for the Diary entries is at the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) and the Massachusetts Historical Society.
1758 September 13 (Wednesday). Deacon Tainter observably carefull to have me supplyed with fresh meat, etc.
1758 September 14 (Thursday). Day of public Prayer and Thanksgiving on Account of the Reduction of Cape Briton and its Dependencies; and the present Critical State of our publick affairs relating to the War. I preached on those words in Ps. 2.11 -- rejoice with trembling. Was not successfull in any of my Invitation or Endeavours to have Strangers or Widows dine with us. Mr. Ebenezer Rice, his wife and divers Children ill.
1758 September 15 (Friday). Visit Mr. E. Rice. N.B. a great Addition to his Trouble is Mr. Thomas Frost Cattle break in upon the Apples and Rowing. I went to him, and he promised to take effectual Care of them. P.M. Coll. Timothy Brigham was here and desires me to go with him to Mr. James Maynards on the Difficult Affair of the Difference between John and his wife but I did not think it wise to go. He returned at Night here, to me, Supped with me, and gave me Some Account of his Discourse with John: and what he (himself) proposed to do if John did not come to See him. P.M. Capt. Daniel Barns of Marlborough here in his Journey to Cornet Sherman who has been to the Lake lately (as aforesaid), Capt. Barns having two Sons in the Service. In the Evening Charles Brigham Esq. here, and I paid him 50£ old Tenor for the Mare I bought of him Feb. 20th and gave him a Note of 26/8 L.M. which was the remainder. N.B. I have Striven a great deal to get help in ploughing, mowing, rowing etc. but in Vain. Went to Mr. Williams’s this Evening to get help there, but in Vain. So it has pleased the Sovereign God.
1758 September 16 (Saturday). Jejun. and Prec. I perceived Some Company were come to See us. But I did not dare to go down to them lest the work of this important Day Should be obstructed. I afterwards perceived that they were Mrs. My wife’s Kinswomen, the widow Brigham and Miss Betty Gott. Abel Chase junior here at Evening with a Letter from Mr. Welman etc. desiring a Council.
1758 September 17 (Sunday). Mr. Martyn preached here on 2 Cor. 3.13-16. I for him on Joh. 14.[ blot] a. and p.m. We, both of us, returned at Eve. N.B. Capt. Bezaleal Eager delivered me a Letter from Mr. Bellamy with a packet -- containing [three Greek words], which I had lent him.
1758 September 18 (Monday). I Sent by Mr. Ephraim Bruce, to Lt. Rice and to Billy in the army. Mr. Bruce goes to bring home Jonas Bradish. I visited the Hows at each House -- and other where. P.M. I went [southward?] to raise a Team to plough the Field behind the Meeting House. Was at Monsieur LeBlanc’s, and at Joseph Bruce’s. Towards Eve I rode to Marlborough to See General Amhirst’s Army of 4500 -- they had pitched their Tents some Time before I got there; but I went to them and walked among them. Lodged at Mr. Smith’s, as did Mr. Buckminster. Likewise two field Officers, viz. Coll. Townshend (Son of L. Viscount Townshend) and Major Richardson. Heard the Sorrowfull News of the Death of Mr. Porter of Sherbourn and that he is to be buryed to Day.
1758 September 19 (Tuesday). We rose extreme early, waked by the Officers waiters. Mr. Smith, Buckminster and I, walked to the Camp before the Day broke: tarryed and saw them Striking their Tents and Marching. They were Rangers, advanced Guard of Royal Scotts, Royal, [Lascells?], Fraziers, and Webbs Regiments. Broke fast at Mr. Smiths. Mr. Humphrey of Poquaog came likewise. I returned home, and gave my Horse to Thomas and Sarah who rode up the Road to See the Army, as they march to Worcester. I walked to Mr. Joslins to Catechizing -- had a Number of Young Men and Young Women attending -- great and Small 35. At the Request of the more adult, and of the people of the House we sung. It was part of Ps. 34.11-16. Rode home on Mr. Joslyns Horse. Visited Father Bradish going and returning.
Source: The Diary of Rev. Ebenezer Parkman (part of the Ebenezer Parkman project online). https://diary.ebenezerparkman.org/diary-1751-1760-pdf. Acc: 10 December 2024.
© Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2025.