How do I get this settlement to unlock?

I've already beat the MQ with the BoS. Never had a Bunker Hill Battle as that wasn't in the BoS line of quests. I've tried talking to everyone there but the only quest I ever got was the one for that Cabot house ghoul, which I've done. I can't get Joe to give the quest about his dad's hat as all he wants to do is sell drinks.

Everyone else just wants to sell something or play doctor.

Did I somehow skip something entirely and now can't get this settlement?

Thanks.

On a side note I had already cleared the ghouls and got the reward from Deb for that. I also already rescued the traders without getting the quest to do it. Can't find Kessler anywhere though for her to at least acknowledge it.

one time i did those two quests and got to use the workbench there. a second time after doing those two quests, no offer to use the workbench there. so your guess is good as mine.

I'm guessing the key is to find Kessler, whom I can't seem to find. I know she didn't get killed in the Battle for Bunker Hill because there was no Battler for Bunker Hill. I'll keep looking around for her I guess.

I believe you need to do a quest for the trader lady there and after that she tells you "you should talk to Kessler" then Kessler gives you a quest, then I think you will unlock the workbench.

Also don't take anything from the monument (up top) I think that stuff is all bugged. Even though it was all green (lootable) when I came down with it the entire place started shooting at me like I had stolen something, that was my "battle of Bunker Hill". (Also love how no one could possibly see me take it, yet everyone psychically "knows" I am a thief.)

I had already killed the ghouls before I had first talked to the trader lady so I told her so and that quest was immediately done. I believe she did say something about talking to Kessler but I can't seem to find her. Oddly enough I have already cleared out and freed the traders from the place I know Kessler will send me, so I'm curious how that will go.

Can you actually unlock the settlement if you are BoS? What 'settlements' do they actually have, as opposed to armed camps?

They are still being unlocked for the MM. I just beat the MQ with the BoS. I'm still the General though ... still managing settlements ... still avoiding Preston like the plague.