William Bollan

Background

William Bollan was born in 1710 in England. He came to America while young.

Education

William studied law in Massachusetts with Robert Auchmuty.

Career

As early as 1732 Bollan was "Counsellour at Law" for Harvard College, and the next year was retained by King's Chapel on behalf of "the suffering members of the Church of England. " As a prominent Anglican he was associated with John Checkley. He acquired land in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. On September 18, 1736, he made a motion before the court at Bristol in the case of Frost vs. Leighton, the motion being renewed at York on June 22 following. This interesting colonial case, arising from an incident connected with the King's rights to timber in New England, resembled in some respects the celebrated case of Marbury vs. Madison in the United States Supreme Court. In 1743 Bollan had become advocate general.

In 1745 Bollan was sent as colonial agent to London to endeavor to obtain repayment to Massachusetts of money spent by that colony for the Louisburg expedition. In this he was successful, after three years' negotiating, the British government finally sending the necessary amout in silver to Massachusetts. Bollan continued in England as agent. In spite of this he does not seem to have been popular with the more radical patriots of the lower house, perhaps in part from his being a Churchman and in part from his too close connection with the governor, who was succeeded by Pownall in 1757. In 1762 Bollan was rather curtly dismissed as agent of the colony although he continued to act as agent for the Council.

In 1769, Bollan gained popularity with the Assembly by obtaining and sending to them thirty-three letters of Bernard and Gage, for which act he was denounced by Lord North. He wrote several pamphlets, published in London, in favor of the colonies and was for conciliatory measures in 1775. He was a man of property and at one time was lending nearly 5, 000 dollars to the colony where he had real estate at the time he died. The colony, however, delayed eight years before paying the salary due him to his daughter.

Achievements

• William Bollan was known as a devoted colonial agent. He always stood stoutly for the interests of the colony, opposing, for example, the attempts against the charters in 1749, resisting the order against erecting slitting mills in 1750, and the legislation forbidding paper money in 1751.

Works

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  • A succinct view of the origin of our colonies

    (A succinct view of the origin of our colonies with their ...)

  • The Free Britons Supplemental Memorial to the Electors of the Members of the British Parliament; Wherein the Origin of Parliaments in Europe, and Other Interesting Matters Are Considered

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • The importance and advantage of Cape Breton, truly stated by W. Bollan

    (This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for ki...)

  • The Freedom Of Speech and Writing Upon Public Affairs: Considered; With An Historical View Of The Roman Imperial Laws Against Libels, as Violations of ... Among the Romans and Modern Europeans

    (This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for ki...)

Connections

On September 8, 1743, Bollan married Frances, the daughter of the governor, William Shirley. His wife died in childbirth and was buried February 18, 1744/5 leaving a daughter, Frances Shirley Bollan.

Spouse:

Frances (Shirley) Bollan

Daughter:

Frances Shirley Bollan