Crispus Attucks: A Rebellion Martyr

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Crispus Attucks, who was he; a patriot, a rebel rouser, a martyr? The ones who simply do not care will never know, but the ones who look closer will find an inspiring life. Known as the first casualty of the Revolution, he is honored and revered by many. We don’t know much about his childhood, being a slave, but here is what experts do know as fact. He was believed to be born in 1723; his mother, Nancy was a Natick Indian, and his father was named Prince Yonger, an African American slave, shipped to America on a slave trading vessel. As a boy, in Framingham, Massachusetts, he showed great skill in buying and selling goods, resented the chains he wore, and didn’t fear the consequences of his actions. As an example of this, at the age of 27 …show more content…

The conflict arose one night when a British soldier entered a pub looking for work, and was greeted by angry sailors, one of whom was Attucks. Later that night some Boston citizens approached a British soldier on guard and began taunting him. The situation soon escalated as more British soldiers joined their companion, and more angry Bostonians and visitors from other colonies joined the fray, throwing snowballs and other objects. Attucks was one of the people at the front of the fight, amid many a people. So, when the British opened fire for a continually debated reason, Attucks died instantly, making him the first casualty of the American Revolution. The conflict quickly becoming known as “The Bloody Massacre” or “The Boston Massacre”; it fanned the flames of anger to the British, and was one of the main reasons the Revolution started. The eight British soldiers, and their captain, Thomas Preston, were all given trials, their lawyer being John Adams, future president. Adams claimed that the colonists were an angry, unorganized mob, that forced his clients to open fire on them. According to Adams, Attucks was leading the fight, though constant debate raged about how he was involved in it. Samuel Adams said that Attucks was simply “leaning on a stick” when the firing started. Attucks body was taken to Faneuil Hall, where he and the other casualties were laid until March 3rd. Leaders waived segregation laws in that case, and permitted Attucks to be buried with the