Historic Marker: Boston Common Tablet - Boston, MA

Boston Common Tablet

Boston, MA

GPS: N42° 21.398; W071° 03.734

Short Description:

The Boston Common Tablet is located at the southeastern corner of Boston Common at Park and Tremont Streets.

Long Description: 

In 1634, the Massachusetts Bay Colony purchased land owned by William Blackstone to create a public training field and a common pasture for Boston’s cattle. British forces camped here before the Revolutionary War began with Battles of Lexington and Concord.  Cattle grazing continued until 1830 when the area became the oldest public park in the United States.

In 1913, R. Clipston Sturgis created this marble monument that recounts the history of the Boston Common. The tablet is inscribed:

Boston Common

In or about

the year of our Lord

One thousand six hundred

thirty and four

the then present inhabitants

of Sd Town of Boston of whom

the Honble John Winthrop Esqr

Govnr of the Colony was chiefe

did treate and agree with

Mr William Blackstone

for the purchase of his

Estate and rights in any

Lands lying within said

neck of Land called

Boston

after which purchase the

Town laid out a plan for

a trayning field which ever

since and now is used for

that purpose and for

the feeding of cattell

The deposition of John Odlin and others Concerning

the sale of Blackstone's land known as Boston Common