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An Inquisition Indented, taken at Boson within the said County of Suffolk the Sixth Day of March in the tenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the third by the Grace of God, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, & c. 246-256), under the title "War of the Revolution" provides some details of Attucks' life in Framingham, some details leading up Attucks' death, and some telling of the aftermath which ensued.
He never raised suspicion as ran-away slave as his employers considered him Indian. Being a whaler was a physically demanding and dangerous job. 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.
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The life of Crispus Attucks cannot be fully substantiated as records of slaves during the colony were poorly documented. 1723–March 5, 1770
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History
Portrait of Crispus Attucks
Remembered as the "First to Die in the American Revolution", the life of Crispus Attucks is as controversial as the debates historians engage in when they discuss the negro runaway slave and question his place in history.
Was he a patriot who died for freedom, or just someone who was in the wrong place at the wrong time?
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?
Facts
- Crispus Attucks was born circa 1723.
- His father, Prince, was from Africa and brought as a slave to America.
- Attucks was raised as a slave in Colonel Buckminster farm.
- He was sold to Deacon William Brown when he was 16 years old.
- He was 6 feet 2 inches tall.
- Deacon William Brown published a first notice in The Boston Gazette and Country Journal on Tuesday, October 2, 1750 offering a reward of £10 for his return.
- 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.
- He worked in a whaler for about 10 years.
- He worked as a sea merchant for the next 10 years and as a rope maker between sailings.
- Citizens were angry at the soldiers’ occupation of Boston and altercations were common occurrence leading up to the Boston Massacre.
- The Boston Massacre was the killing of five civilians on the night of March 5, 1770.
- John Adams became the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801.
- The jury acquitted six of the soldiers on all charges; William Wemms, William M’Cauley, Hugh White, William Warren, John Carrol and James Hartegan were found not guilty.
Read more about the role of Crispus Attucks in the Boston Massacre.
Attucks and the other victims of the Massacre were buried like heroes in the Granary Burial Ground in Boston, thousands followed their funeral. 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.
He was the first to die in the event known as the Boston Massacre. Note the coroner’s jury referring to Michael Johnson and not Crispus Attucks.
SUFFOLK,ss. last a mulatto fellow about 27 years of age, named Crispus, 6 feet and 2 inches high, short curl'd hair, his knees nearer together than common; and had on a light colour'd beaver skin coat, plain new buckskin breeches, blue yarn stockings and a checked woolen shirt.
The others killed were: Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, and Patrick Carr.
- The event was instantly known and publicized as the “Boston Massacre” and the victims were presented as martyrs and symbols of liberty throughout the colonies.
- The bodies of Attucks and the others were taken to Faneuil Hall, where they laid in state until March 8.
- Boston city leaders waived segregation laws and allowed Attucks to be buried with the other victims.
Both his parents were slaves owned by Colonel Buckminster from Framingham, Massachusetts.
Death of Crispus Attucks at the Boston Massacre
by James Wells Champney, (American artist, 1843-1908)Read the original documents from The Trial of the British soldiers charged with the murder of Crispus Attucks and other patriots at the Boston Massacre.
He would row a small boat, harpoon the whale and transport it to the ship.
The following text is from a fugitive slave notice which ran on October 2, 1750 in The Boston Gazette-
10 Pound Reward
For Return of Run Away SlaveRan away from his master William Brown of Framingham on the 30th of Sept.
The name "Crispus" was most likely after Roman nobility "Crispus Ceasar" who was son of Constantine, c.300 AD. The name "Attucks" is believed to have been a Native American word -- many believe to also be the origin of the name for the Town of Natick (Massachusetts). When the regulars retaliated, he was the first person killed in what was quickly known as the Boston Massacre.