The Royal Commissioners of Customs administered customs in Boston during the colonial period . In the late 17th century , the customhouse was located at the waterfront , on the corner of Richmond St. and Ann St. " At the time of the Boston Massacre in 1770 , it was located on King Street , very near the Old State House . Private Hugh White was on sentry guard duty . Paul Revere 's illustration of the massacre depicts the customhouse ( along the right-most edge of the picture )
Boston Massacre
Boston Massacre
Boston Custom House