Powder Horn 360

Thomas Williams’ Map Horn, January 30, 1776

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This powder horn belonged to Captain Thomas Williams of Stockbridge who served in Patterson’s 26th Continental regiment in 1775. It is a “map horn”: an exquisite piece of folk art carved by an unknown, but talented amateur artist
and an expert horner(perhaps two different people). Along with the houses and wharfs of Boston, it shows a number of sailing vessels in the harbor, from schooners and brigs to the 3rd rate British Ship “Somerset” at anchor at the mouth of the Charles River. Various fish, birds, animals and human figures appear throughout.

The horn commemorates William’s service in 1775 during the Siege of Boston, and the date – January 30, 1776 – corresponds with when he was a newly commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, back home in Stockbridge and preparing for a new campaign in Canada, where unfortunately he took sick and died on July 10, 1776. The horn was likely left behind in Stockbridge and never used.

The map depicts the northern half of Boston, the ruins of Charlestown, nearby islands, and several fortifications and named places in what are now Somerville, Everett and Chelsea. It is oriented from North to South, with William’s name at the bottom of the map. Some geographic features are compressed, including Castle Island, but other details are very precise, such as the mill pond at Charlestown Neck and the region of the Mystic River with Penny Ferry and Winnisimet Ferry. Intriguingly, Fort #3 which was built by Patterson’s men and fortified by them, is not depicted. The engraver either knew Boston well, had a map for reference, or was given specific details by Williams. Perhaps he was one of the men under his command.

“Bechom’s Pinte” at the bottom of the map on the north side of the Mystic River and east of the Penny Ferry corresponds with Beacham Point in modern Everett. The site identified as “Brintin Hill” is in modern Chelsea. ”P. Hill” (Prospect Hill) and “Ran[d] Hill’ were among the American fortifications in what is now modern Somerville. Near Charlestown Neck is “Cobbel Hill” (Cobble Hill), another American position. There is a British fortification on the actual Bunker Hill and the ruins of Charleston nearby are rendered as standing chimneys. “L.M. Point” (Lechmere Point) is where the British landed after crossing the Charles River and advancing towards Concord. Boston’s Long Wharf is a distinct feature of the Town, as are its churches and Mill Pond, but the map ends before reaching the narrow Boston Neck.

Research and text by Timothy Abbott, photography by Dien Vo and  Flonia Telegrafi.