Reading Public Library hosts historian Christopher Hall for a deep dive into the capture and imprisonment of Highland soldiers in 1776 Massachusetts
Reading, MA — Join the Reading Public Library and Reading Antiquarian Society as Chris Hall presents his talk on Scottish Prisoners of War in Reading and Beyond During the American Revolution.
In June 1776, the 71st Regiment of Foot, British Army soldiers from the highlands of Scotland, were captured by American privateers in Boston Harbor. The regiment, along with their families, servants, and families of their servants, were imprisoned and paroled across Massachusetts. The Lieutenant Colonel of this regiment, Archibald Campbell, was paroled at the Parker Tavern in Reading, and his Officers were paroled in an encampment nearby. This talk will investigate the contextual wartime dynamic during which this regiment was kept as prisoners of war, and the effect it had on Patriots, Loyalists, and everyday people in Reading and across Massachusetts.
The program will begin at 1:30 on May 2 at Reading Public Library in the A/B conference room, but come early to mingle with other history buffs!
Christopher Hall, the caretaker at Parker Tavern, will give the talk. He also works in other capacities for the National Park Service as a historical interpreter in Boston.
