September 12, 2025

Contests of Authority: Policing, Jurisdiction, and Violence in Occupied Boston, 1768–1770

Key Points

The occupation of Boston transformed the duties of local law enforcement, influencing public safety and order.
During 1768-1770, the regular police powers were disrupted, leading to notable changes in governance practices.
This article uses historical writings to explore changes to the night watch system in Boston during the occupation.
The findings point to the implications of external authority on local policing, suggesting broader historical relevance.

Abstract

Abstract This article examines the first occupation of Boston (1768-1770) through the writings of Boston’s night watch. The arrival of a competing police power unsettled regular systems of policing and governance and transformed the customary duties of Boston’s night watch, remaking familiar spaces like the streets themselves.

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Cite This Study

Nicole Breault (Mon,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68d44a3731b076d99fa5341c https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1162/tneq.a.3

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