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  The Walk-up to the Boston Massacre  John Rowe      Finds Himself in the Middle 2 Days into the British                                         Occupation

2/7/2017

 
Picture
John Rowe's Wharf today.
The walk up to the Boston Massacre began on Long Wharf, October 1, 1768.  Four British regiments supported by fourteen ships of the line landed to occupy Boston.  Their intent was to end mob rule and permit customs’ officials to collect taxes.  An explosion did not happen on the first day of occupation.  In fact, the British troops were expected and ignored.  In no time, the impact of 2,000 soldiers supported by 1,000 sailors among a Boston population of 15,000, became overwhelming and explosive.  By November the head count of the British Army in Boston would reach four-thousand, nearly the equal of the number of adult citizens of Boston. 

 To John Rowe, the second day of the occupation quickly challenged his loyalty to the “Crown”.  While sitting at the British Coffee House, with other loyal citizens and customs’ officials, he was orally accosted by Captain Dundass of the British Navy.  Here is John Rowe’s diary entry of the conversation;

              “Ha John are you there—Dammy I expected to have heard of your being hanged before now, for Dammy You deserve it”.  Captain Dundass confirmed to John he was not joking.  Dundass continued on, “Damn Incendiary . . . I shall see you hanged in your Shoes. . . .” [i]
 
John Rowe was a wealthy merchant. He immigrated to Boston with his brother.   It appears they arrived before 1740 and they came with wealth.  He was quick to capitalize on his position as a merchant by providing the British Admiralty with space to rent in his warehouse.  It became convenient to store and purchase provisions for the Navy.  He was active in criticizing the customs’ officials use of their office for personal gain. [ii]  Yet, he was a loyal Englishman until March 17, 1776, as the British evacuated Boston and ransacked his warehouses.
​
John Rowe maintained his balance through the critical events that lead to the Boston Massacre and the Tea Party by working with everyone regardless of their political disposition.
  1. His warehouse at Rowe’s Wharf was rented by the British Admiralty as their administrative headquarters for North America.  He housed gunpowder for the British military. 
  2. He rented two houses to British officers, each for 20 pounds sterling per year.  In today’s dollar, this would be $3,589.96, for a year’s rental.  It is probable John could not elicit this amount from a local citizen.  To his benefit, British officers often came with hard currency.
  3. General Thomas Gage and Loyalist, James Oliver, lawyer, treasurer, stamp tax administrator and Thomas Hutchinson Assistant Governor, were often dinner guests. 
  4. Yet it was well known that John associated with the radical merchants and lawyers, like James Otis, William Molineux, John Adams, John Hancock and Paul Revere.
 
In our blog, we will continue to provide abstracts similar to this on the events leading to the Boston Massacre.  If you wish to follow us, please enter your contact information to our mailing list on any page within, http://www.walkbostonhistory.com/.


[i] John Rowe’s extensive Diary from 1759-1779, (1763 has yet to be found).
Google Scholar:  https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=KhOj0RMfDz0C&oi=fnd&pg=PA61&dq=John+Rowes+Diary&ots=u2vw3Lqpek&sig=OJQdds0enY6tnfkro3CRZZR970Y#v=onepage&q=John%20Rowes%20Diary&f=false
 

[ii] http://www.celebrateboston.com/biography/john-rowe.htm
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    Local Bostonians engulfed in the unique history of our town.  We enjoy walking and talking  history, it is more interesting than historical fiction. We will tailor any tour to the nature of your group, college, high school/middle school, international, retirees, history buffs, general public wishing to walk beyond the Freedom Trail.,  Tours can be adjusted to be ADA compliant.

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9/5/2017
Hi Sheila,


I just wanted to tell you and Mitch how very much I enjoyed today. Mitch is passion for history comes through loud and clear in his delivery.

I learned new facts about Paul Revere that I had never known before.

Mitch was so well-prepared including all of the pictures and it was obvious that heput a lot of time and effort into this tour and the presentation.

So thank you so much for the invitation
He did a great job!
leslie b, Natick


10/18/2017Hi Mitch, finally getting to say thank you for such an enjoyable day and tour of Paul Revere etc.. I truly learned so much and loved walking through so much of historic Boston! PHYLIS, nh

9/5/2017
Hi Beth,

Thanks for asking us to go on your tour, Mitch, of Boston’s historic sites. Your enthusiasm and love of history is contagious. You made history come alive. Sorry I had to leave early. I bet the tour of the North End was equally exciting! You put your all into it.
sarah r. Wellesley

6/15/2017 gxxxxen@snhu.edu Comment 6/1/2017, Your remarks about John Hancock really painted a historical image of the man.
​
6/1/2016
Hi Mitch, resume services reviews has just posted a comment on your blog post,     Why Did Paul Revere Become a Coroner at the   Age of Sixty-two? : This is a very interesting piece of historical information. I was never aware of this information before. I didn't even know how relevant Paul Revere is in the history of Boston. It seems that he is a very important figure on Boston's foundation. I'm definitely going to dwell further into matter and research more about him.
Comment actions:

​

6/3/2017 GS, SNHU,edu,  Mitch your remarks about John Hancock really painted an historical image of the man.

10/15/2016 Thank you so much for the Boston Massacre Tour.  I never knew it was such a complicated affair.  I particularly liked the incidental historical stops about Colonial Boston.  I hadn't been downtown for years.  You opened up so much for me.  June, Natick Ma.

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  • Tour 18thC of Paul Revere
    • ADDITIONAL TOURS >
      • The Boston Massacre Tour >
        • The Boston Massacre per the Pennsylvania Gzette
        • The Boston Massacre Lesson Plan
      • Boston Civil War Tours
      • The Kennedy Tour
  • Revere Bells Index
    • Revere Bells in Boston
    • California's 2 Paul Revere Bells >
      • Paul Revere & Son's Bell Westborough Massachusetts
    • First Parish Church of Kennebunk
    • Revere Bells in Maine
    • Revere Bell of Michigan
    • Singapore Revere Bell
    • Revere Bells Washington DC
    • Tuscaloosa Bell >
      • History of the St John and Leavens Patriarchs
      • Samuel St John Jr Estate Genealogy
      • Authenticating the Revere Tuscaloosa Bell
      • Joshua B Leavens Last Will and Testament
      • 20th Century Tuscaloosa bell
    • Revere Bells Woodstock VT
    • Revere Bells Lost in Time
  • History Blog
  • Bostonians
    • Edward F Alexander of The Harvard 20th Civil War Regiment
    • Polly Baker
    • John Wilkes Booth
    • The Mad Hatter, Thomas, Boston Corbett who Killed John Wilkes Booth
    • Mayor's of Boston
    • James Franklin
    • Amos Lincoln
    • King Philip
    • James Otis
    • Edward Hutchinson Robbins Revere
    • Paul Joseph Revere
    • John Rowe >
      • Joh Rowe's Tea Ship
      • John Rowe and the Jail Fire
      • Hang John Rowe?????
      • John Rowe the Fisherman
    • Be Proud to be Called a Lucy Stoner
    • Rachel Wall , Pirate
    • Paul Revere the Coroner of Boston
    • Deborah Sampson
    • Who was Mrs. Silence Dogood?
    • Dr. Joseph Warren's Dedication
  • Collage of Boston
    • Boston Harbor
    • Forest Hills Cemetery
    • The Battle Road
    • Skate bike and scooter park
    • Cassin Young & USS Cassin Young
    • MIT
    • Historic Charles River
    • The Customs House
    • John & Abigail Adams National Park
✕