TIES TO BOSTON – USA

CONTENT COVERED

The initial tie linking Boston, Lincolnshire, and Boston, Massachusetts was established September 7, 1630, when immigrants from Boston, Lincolnshire helped found the Massachusetts Bay Company and named their settlement on the Shawmut Peninsula after Boston, Lincolnshire. From the founding of Boston, Massachusetts in 1630 until 1849, no documented historical ties between the two Bostons have been documented in my research. During this period Boston struggled under the Dominion of New England, established independence from England in 1776 and again reaffirmed independence in the War of 1812. By 1849 Boston had transformed into America’s cultural center and third largest city. Since then, Bostonians have re-established ties with Boston, Lincolnshire, England.

• 1849 six seals from old Boston was presented to the City of Boston
• 1857 restoration of the Cotton Chapel in the St. Botolph Church.
• 1879 gift of a Tracery Window to Boston, USA from Boston, UK.
• 1880 gift of Boston Borough Coat of Arms to St. Botolph Club
• 1907 the Cotton Memorial installed in the 1st Church, Boston MA
• 1913 Boston Common Memorial dedicated in Boston MA
• 1915 Statue of Anne Hutchinson erected in Boston MA
• 1919 Box made from Guildhall Railing presented to Boston MA
• 1919 Section of Guildhall Railing presented to Boston MA
• 1924 Plaque honoring William Blaxton installed in Boston MA
• 1929-1934  Restoration of St. Botolph’s Church, Boston UK
• 1930 the Governors Plaque was installed in St. Botolph’s Church
• 1930 Dignitaries from Boston, England visit Boston MA
• 1930 Memorial Plaques erected in Boston 300th Anniversary
• 1930 Founders Memorial erected on 300th Anniversary of Boston, MA
• 1930 the Coat of Arms of Boston, UK was erected on Ashburton Gate
• 1931 Luncheon in Boston, England honoring American Gift
• 1938 American Room in Fydell House opened in Boston, UK
• 1939 Poem of Thanks for the American Gift to St. Botolph’s Church
• 1944 Stain glass window erected at St. Botolph’s Church, Boston, UK
• 2004 dedication of Cotton Chapel chairs at St. Botolph’s, Boston, UK
• 2008 American Friends of St. Botolph’s commemorated
• 2013 the Puritan Path at St. Botolph’s Church is opened in Boston, UK

BOSTON 400 is a collaborative aspirational work in progress that:

1. promotes public awareness of the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Boston in 2030,
2. elucidates the pivotal role Boston, Lincolnshire played in founding the Mass. Bay Company and Boston USA,
3. and explores the life of Rev. John Cotton.

BOSTON 400 welcomes content contributions from others regarding 17^thcentury England, the Massachusetts Bay Company and migrants from Boston, Lincolnshire and its surrounding villages.

Inquiries, content contributions, oversights, corrections, and additions can best be submitted through this CONTACT LINK.