Biography on crispus attucks
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The program gives immediate feedback. He never raised suspicion as ran-away slave as his employers considered him Indian.
Schools, parks, roads, and theaters across America bear his name. Remember that all of our bundles are FREE when you subscribe to MrN365.com. Historians who claim he was a runaway slave believe he used the name “Michael Johnson” to elude capture.
Background on the Boston Massacre
Following the 1768 issuance of the Townshend Act, and the subsequent unrest in Boston, British soldiers patrolled Boston’s streets, leading to resentment and bitterness among the citizens.
Another witness, an enslaved man named Andrew, described Attucks—“this stout man”—stepping into the fray and swinging his stick at Captain Thomas Preston, and then knocking away a soldier’s gun and hitting him in the face or head. His cultural heritage is the subject of much debate.
Who was Crispus Attucks?
Crispus Attucks was born sometime in 1723 in or near Framingham, Massachusetts.
Long after his death, Crispus Attucks remains a hero and symbol of freedom. According to Andrew, Attucks grabbed the solder’s bayonet in his other hand and then yelled for the crowed to “kill the dogs, knock them over,” just moments before the soldier regained control of his gun and shot him.
The jury acquitted the soldiers of murder in the deaths of the five Americans, though two of them—Matthew Kilroy and Hugh Montgomery—were convicted of the lesser crime of manslaughter and branded on their hands as a punishment and then released.
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He was the first to die in the event known as the Boston Massacre.He used the name Michael Johnson as an alias and had no trouble finding occupation in a whaling ship. Although his mother was a slave, it is not clear whether Attucks was considered a free black man, or, was a runaway slave himself. Buried in this cemetery are many notable citizens such as three of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Robert Treat Paine and patriots Paul Revere and James Otis, among other notable citizens.
The following is a transcription of the Inquisition of Michael Johnson’s death that took place one day after his death on March 6th, 1770.
Crispus Attucks was named after the word “attucks” that comes from the native Wampanoag language and means small, male deer.
Attucks might have had an older sister and a younger brother who died as a child. He lived with his parents serving Colonel Buckminster until he was 16 when he was sold to Deacon William Brown who also resided in Framingham.
The first notice appeared on Tuesday, October 2, 1750 offering a 10 pound reward for the return of a run-away slave named “Crispas”.
“Ran-away from his Master William Browne of Framingham, on the 30th of September, last, a Mulatto Fellow, about 27 years of age, named Crispas, six feet, two inches high, short curl’s Hair, his Knees nearer together than common; had on a light colour’d Bearskin Coat, plain brown Fustian Jacket, or brown all-Wool one, new Buckskin Breeches, blue Yarn Stockings, and a checked woolen Shirt.
Whoever shall take up said Run-away, and convey him to abovesaid Master, shall have ten pounds, old Tenor Reward, and all the necessary Charges paid.
Students can use the Crispus Attucks biography for reference.
The life of Crispus Attucks cannot be fully substantiated as records of slaves during the colony were poorly documented.
In witness whereof, as well I the Coroner aforesaid, as the Jurors aforesaid, to this Inquisition have interchangeably put our Hands and Seals, the Day and year aforesaid.
Source: The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, pg.382, Volume 44, Henry Fitz-Gilbert Waters, New England Historic Genealogical Society.
Over the next few days media refereed to the dead mulatto as Crispus Attucks.
Next – How did Crispus Attucks die?
8 Things We Know About Crispus Attucks
“The prudent thing to do for a man like Attucks was to back away from that confrontation, but he did not,” Egerton says.
He would row a small boat, harpoon the whale and transport it to the ship.
Boston, October 2, 1750.”
A second and a third notice dated November 13 and November 20, 1750 appeared in the Boston Gazette and Country Journal also offering a detailed description of Attucks and a reward for his return. It's designed to reinforce the importance of elaboration. When the mob finally dispersed, five Bostonians were left dead including Crispus Attucks, who was thought to be the first killed.