The City Upon a Hill. The Athens of America. The Cradle of Liberty.
Boston has many names because it has played important roles in the history of North America. But how did Boston, or “The Hub,” come to be?
Why did the Puritans who sailed from England in 1630, choose to settle in Massachusetts Bay on the Shawmut Peninsula?
What were their early days like?
Today, we explore answers to those questions by exploring the history of the two Bostons—Boston, England & Boston, New England— during the 17th century with Rose Doherty, President of the Partnership of Historic Bostons.
About the Show
Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.
It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.
Each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.
Episode Summary
In this episode, we explore the establishment of Boston, Massachusetts by investigating the history of Boston, England and Boston, New England during the 17th century. Our guide for this exploration is Rose Doherty, President of the Partnership of Historic Bostons.
During our exploration, Rose reveals details about Boston, England in 1630; The Puritans’ migration experience and what they brought with them to Massachusetts; And, how Boston, England and Boston, Massachusetts became sister cities and what it means to have a sister city.
What You’ll Discover
- Details about Boston, England in 1630
- The Puritan faith
- How the Puritans migrated to Massachusetts
- Items Puritans brought to Massachusetts
- The Massachusetts Bay Company
- Natural resources in Massachusetts
- John Winthrop
- Migrants who migrated from Boston, England to Boston, New England
- The Puritans’ transatlantic crossing
- Why the Bostonians chose to settle on the Shawmut Peninsula
- William Blackstone and Boston Common
- How Boston became known as Boston
- How Boston, England and Boston, Massachusetts became sister cities
- Boston Charter Day
Links to People, Places, and Publications
- Rose Doherty
- Partnership of Historic Bostons
- Massachusetts Historical Society
- Episode 049: Malcolm Gaskill, How the English Became American
- Episode 069: Abby Chandler, Law, Order, & Sexual Misconduct in Colonial New England
- Episode 075: Peter Drummey, How Archives Work/History of the Massachusetts Historical Society
- Episode 079: James Horn, What is a Historical Source?/Jamestown
- Episode 083: Jared Hardesty, Unfreedom: Slavery in Colonial Boston
Time Warp Question
In your opinion, what might have happened if the Boston migrants had not settled in Boston, New England? How would the traditions and settlement of the area we now know as Boston and Massachusetts be different?
Questions, Comments, Suggestions
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