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[First American Map of the Revolution]
To the Hon.e Jn.o Hancock, Esq.re, President of Ye Continental Congress [The Seat of Civil War in America]
Artifact IDTL 2026.1.19
Object Type
Temporary Loan
Date
1775
Maker
Bernard Romans
(Dutch born, 1720 - 1784)
Place MadePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Medium
engraved map
DimensionsOverall H 16 1/4 in x W 19 in (41.3 cm x 48.3 cm )
Physical DescriptionA single-sheet engraved regional map illustrating eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and parts of Connecticut and New Hampshire. The composition details county divisions typeset in large serif capitals across the terrain, including "PART OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY," "ESSEX COUNTY," "SUFFOLK COUNTY," "BRISTOL COUNTY," and "PLYMOUTH COUNTY." The map precisely traces coastlines, inlets, bays (such as Narragansett Bay and Buzzards Bay), rivers, and early colonial postal roads, with individual townships represented by localized font clusters.
Engraved in Boston just after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, this landmark work is the first map printed in America to depict the opening theater of the Revolutionary War. Dedicated directly to John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, it outlines the critical road networks, waterways, and township boundaries surrounding British-occupied Boston. Romans' map served as an immediate strategic guide for colonial military leaders. The upper-right inset features a detailed tactical chart of Boston Harbor.
Engraved in Boston just after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, this landmark work is the first map printed in America to depict the opening theater of the Revolutionary War. Dedicated directly to John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, it outlines the critical road networks, waterways, and township boundaries surrounding British-occupied Boston. Romans' map served as an immediate strategic guide for colonial military leaders. The upper-right inset features a detailed tactical chart of Boston Harbor.
Historical NoteThe colonial militias knew the British were coming. Before the king’s army began its march from Boston late on April 18th, an American spy ring had learned that an operation was planned.Lexington’s fighters were gathered near its village green; when the British arrived, they positioned themselves. Someone pulled the trigger—what is called “the shot heard round the world.” It was the first gunfire of the Revolutionary War, and we still do not know who did it. Then more shots came from both sides, and eight Americans lay dead. At nearby Concord, in the morning, a larger militia contingent met the British troops. After volleys of fire, the British retreated—and continued retreating, 25 miles back to Boston, with the number of armed, avenging colonials chasing and sniping at them reaching an estimated 4,000.
This is the first separate Revolutionary War map printed in America. Published in Philadelphia in 1775, it was engraved by Bernard Romans, a Dutch-born surveyor then
serving with the New England militias. It provides a cartographic understanding of the events of April 18th-19th. In advance of the British mission, Paul Revere, working as an anti-British operative, rode by horse from Boston to warn the Massachusetts
shadow government of the impending incursion. In his “Midnight Ride,” he raced through Charlestown, Medford, and Menotomy (now Arlington) to reach the men hiding in Lexington. The British retreat on the afternoon of the 19th followed nearly the same path in reverse; to avoid a colonial ambush in Boston, they marched to Charlestown, where the guns of royal warships in the nearby harbor gave them cover.
Additional DetailsThis is the first separate Revolutionary War map printed in America. Published in Philadelphia in 1775, it was engraved by Bernard Romans, a Dutch-born surveyor then
serving with the New England militias. It provides a cartographic understanding of the events of April 18th-19th. In advance of the British mission, Paul Revere, working as an anti-British operative, rode by horse from Boston to warn the Massachusetts
shadow government of the impending incursion. In his “Midnight Ride,” he raced through Charlestown, Medford, and Menotomy (now Arlington) to reach the men hiding in Lexington. The British retreat on the afternoon of the 19th followed nearly the same path in reverse; to avoid a colonial ambush in Boston, they marched to Charlestown, where the guns of royal warships in the nearby harbor gave them cover.
Credit Lineon loan courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPolitical Memorabilia (National Archives Identifier 1677287)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction NoteThe use of this image and document information is fully restricted. Reproduction in any manner is not allowed.On view