Skip to main content

Primary sourceDiary entry1883 (writings from Hutchinson's lifetime)

The Diary and Letters of His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson

Thomas Hutchinson · 1883 (writings from Hutchinson's lifetime)

An 1883 compilation of Hutchinson's own diary and letters, a major primary source on his governorship of Massachusetts Bay.

This is Hutchinson's own diary and letters, a core primary source for his life and governorship.

Ask Thomas Hutchinson about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Full text (Internet Archive)

About this source

What it is

This book collects the diary and letters of Thomas Hutchinson, compiled from original documents kept by his descendants and published by his great-grandson Peter Orlando Hutchinson in 1883. It includes Hutchinson's own writings about his time as a member and speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and later as governor.

Why it matters

These are Hutchinson's own words, written during the years leading up to the American Revolution. They give historians direct access to how he saw the growing conflict between the colonies and Britain, from the perspective of a loyal royal official rather than a revolutionary.

Look closer

  • Why might a family member, rather than a historian, have been the one to publish these papers?
  • How might Hutchinson's position as governor have shaped what he chose to write down?
  • What can a diary tell us that an official government record cannot?

This diary entry is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Hutchinson on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Thomas Hutchinson sources

Meet the AI Thomas Hutchinson →
Front cover of a bound book with reddish-brown and cream marbled paper boards, dark brown leather spine and corners with gold tooling along the edges, photographed against a light background.Letter

Primary source

Hutchinson–Whately Letters

Thomas Hutchinson · 1767–1769 (published 1773)

Front cover of a dark brown leather-bound book with a thin gold-tooled border line inset around the edges. The spine is visible on the left side. No title or text is visible on the cover.Book

Primary source

The History of the Colony and Province of Massachusetts-Bay

Thomas Hutchinson · 1764, 1767, 1828

Oil painting of a young man with pale face, grey-powdered hair, and dark eyes, wearing a brown coat with gold embroidered waistcoat edge and a white cravat, against a dark brown background.Painting

Primary source

Portrait of Thomas Hutchinson

Edward Truman · 1741

Photograph of a handwritten letter on aged paper behind glass, headed 'Massachusetts Bay' and 'By the Governor', addressed to Iohn Hancock and the people assembled in Boston. Text has crossed-out words and a stain.Document

Primary source

Letter Directing the Old South Tea Meeting to Adjourn

Thomas Hutchinson · November 30, 1773

Black-and-white woodcut-style print. A skeleton figure labeled Death thrusts a spear toward a seated man in a wig and coat, who has a halo of light behind him. A horned devil holds a tablet reading "List of Crimes" and is behind the skeleton. A skull and a money bag are on a table. A caption below reads "The wicked Statesman, or the Traitor to his Country, at the Hour of Death."Painting

Primary source

The Wicked Statesman political cartoon

Paul Revere · published 1774

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Thomas Hutchinson now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions