John Montrésor

1736-1799

British

Captain John Montrésor was a British military engineer and cartographer active in North America. Stationed at Fort George (the former site of Fort William Henry) in 1765, he witnessed rioting in Albany and New York City in response to the Stamp Act, and in the same year was promoted to captain lieutenant, and engineer extraordinary, as well as barrack-master for ordnance in North America. Over the next several years, he surveyed the boundary between New York and New Jersey, and he repaired or constructed barracks and fortifications in Boston, New York City, the Bahamas, and Philadelphia, where he would build a fortification on Mud Island. During this period he also took a six-month leave in England, and spent time on Bermuda. He purchased an island in New York Harbor which would be called Montresor's Island (now Randall's Island).

Artist profile image: Detroit Institute of Arts