Siege of Boston Map

Following the battles at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, Boston became the center of a quickly developing war between rebelling colonists and the forces of the British government. Colonial militia from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island formed an Army of New England to surround and contain the British forces occupying Boston. Over the course of the next 11 months, both sides engaged in what became known as the Siege of Boston.

This period included the devastating Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, countless skirmishes and small engagements, regular periods artillery fire, and a constant buildup of defensive lines on both sides. In early March, 1776, the Continental Army under command of George Washington successfully fortified Dorchester Heights to the south of Boston. The control of these heights ultimately forced the British troops out of town. The final evacuation of the British by sea on March 17, 1776 marked the end of the Siege of Boston.

Explore the sites of fortifications, confrontations, and conflicts on this map. Select the points or lines on the map to learn more. You can manipulate the transparency of the 1775/6 Siege of Boston map layer to locate the approximate place in modern metro Boston.

During the Siege, many of those loyal to the British government remained confined inside Boston. This included the artist Henry Pelham. With a pass from British authorities, Pelham surveyed and observed the defensive lines inside Boston and throughout Boston Harbor. When mapping the areas outside of British control, Pelham relied on careful observations and personal memory to map the roads, houses, and terrain of the communities of Roxbury, Dorchester, Brookline, Cambridge, and Medford. In the end he created a map that depicted, with great detail, what the siege lines looked like surrounding Boston.

Like many loyalists, Pelham evacuated Boston after the siege. He ultimately settled in London and published his map "A Plan of Boston in New England with its Environs..." in 1777. Using other primary sources, secondary accounts, as well as the surviving terrain and landmarks in the area, we used Photoshop and GIS resources to manipulate and correct Henry Pelhams’ work so that it fit accurately on a modern digital map.

Featured Stories of the Siege

Journey for Country and Community

Luther Jotham

On paper, Luther Jotham's Revolutionary War service record reads like a typical service record of a Minute Man from rural Massachusetts.

Peter Salem

Peter Salem most notably fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and some observers attributed the death of Major John Pitcairn to him

A Revolutionary Life of Service

Primus Hall

Follow Primus Hall's journey from Revolutionary War soldier to respected community leader on Black Beacon Hill.

Places of the Siege of Boston

• Boston Light — Since its original establishment in 1715, Boston Light has served as an integral beacon for Boston Harbor.
• Boston Harbor — A major port and center for commerce, Boston Harbor played an integral role in many aspects of Boston's history, including the American Revolution and the Underground Railroad.
• Grape Island — Grape Island sits right off the coast of Weymouth, south of Boston. Its size varies depending on the tides: 54 acres at high tide, 101 acres at low tide. Grape Island is recognized as a wildlife haven, offering an abundance of wild berries for birds and other animals to enjoy. An island for the outdoor enthusiast, Grape Island features trails, beaches, picnic areas, and camp sites.
• Chelsea Creek — Now a 2.6 mile riverway, Chelsea Creek became the location of a two-day skirmish during the Siege of Boston in May 1775.
• Fort Washington (MA) — Today known as Fort Washington Park, this Cambridge location is home to the last remaining physical remnant of the many fortifications built around Boston by the Continental Army during the Revolution.
• Apple Island — Formerly a 10-acre island, Apple Island became absorbed by Boston Logan Airport as part of a runway expansion project in the 1950s, the island has since disappeared.1 Like other islands in the harbor, indigenous people in the area likely accessed the island seasonally for thousands of years. After European colonization, the town of Boston owned the island and used it for pasturage.
• Beacon Hill — Beacon Hill, the historic Boston neighborhood and the hill from which that neighborhood takes its name, has served the inhabitants of Boston for centuries. Its residents, their homes, and their gathering spaces played a transformational role in Boston's unique social, cultural, and political history.
• Fort Revere — Fort Revere stands on Telegraph Hill in Hull. The fort played an important role in the defense of Boston Harbor throughout history, from the colonial era to World War II.
• Lamb's Dam — Continental forces built fortifications at Lamb's Dam in Roxbury during the Siege of Boston.
• Long Island, Boston — Just five miles out from Boston sits the biggest of the Boston Harbor Islands, aptly named Long Island. This island has served numerous military and social purposes throughout its existence.

Where this belongs

• Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
• Boston National Historical Park

Where this page came from

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