2006-08-08

Boston Vacation, Day Two: The Freedom Trail

So the bulk of today's activities revolved around the Freedom Trail. The local Girl Scout troop has a special patch for this, so we were working off of some activities to accommodate that as well as enjoy some of Boston's sights and history. Today was to be a walking tour. Well, ok so I didn't really think a walking tour of Boston would entail actually walking across the entire city. On foot. Yes, walking with a six and nine year old. More like dragging the six-year-old to keep up with the nine-year-old who couldn't stay with her parents no matter the threat or physical restraint. Did I mention we were on foot the whole time?

Anyways, we started out at the Commons once again, with a delightful lady by the anachronistic name of Freelove Bliss (yes that was her tour guide name, but this was an authentic historical figure):

Donna did a much better rendition of Freelove's personage than I could with my wholly holey memory (yep, like a steel sieve, that's me):
Freelove Bliss was born in Connecticut, and was wanted in at least 5 states, not including Massachusetts where she is currently hiding out and counterfeiting currency for Virginia and other colonies.
One of her favorite people is in the Granary burying ground- he was a goldsmith and invented the metal copper plates used to print money, making her job easier.
She was very familiar with the back alleys of Boston, and thought we should slum through them like part of the south mob instead of follow the red line like "tourists"
She knew lots of history about the north end mob and the south mob and their joining to become the Sons of Liberty, as well as their runnings with Sam Adams.
Back in her day, while it was frowned upon to create the currency of the state in which you were a resident of, there was nothing illegal in creating another state's currency. Nice loopholes for independent colonies (I know, I keep mixing colonies and states, see this is why I never finished my history degree...).

So we walked a goodly amount (I think I already covered my viewpoint on this) and hit some landmarks with extremely colorful and dry commentary by our tourguide.

Only John Hancock (of the ostentatious signature's fame) could have such a huge monument overshadowing all others in the graveyard, according to Freelove. And phallic to boot.

Amusing story on how much John hated George (well yes, he did hate the King, but also the Washington): When the time came to pick a leader for the rebel rabble, John seemed the obvious choice - handsome and rich (half of Boston worked for him) - yet he lacked any military experience. Washington did, however the fact that he kept losing the battles he fought was of small import, that could be worked with. John was so humiliated by Washington getting the job over him, he never forgave him. And of course, who was the guy that ended up with the top job? Not John, who always wanted to be a king himself, oh no... When Washington went around for his inaugural speeches and ceremonies, all the colonies turned out for him. Yet when he came to Boston, no-one lined the streets or came to meet him. See, the governor of Boston (guess who?) neglected to inform the populace that Washington was coming at all. And who said petty politics were a recent trend...

Mrs. Hancock did not share her husband's misgivings about Washington. In fact, she didn't really get along with John at all. And when their first son was born, can you guess what she named him? George Washington Hancock.

To be continued...

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