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Hive Boston Massacre Presentation PDF
Hive Boston Massacre Presentation PDF
Gregory S. Theberge
When the smoke cleared on the evening of
March 5, 1770, blood stained the foot of snow
which covered Boston’s Town House Square.
Three men lay dead, a man and boy lay
mortally wounded, six men were taken away
to recover from their wounds, and a day of
infamy was recorded in the annals of
American history…
7 March
Days 12
1875
Chromolithograph of the Boston Massacre by J. H. Buford
After a Painting by William L. Champney c. 1855
(Boston Athenaeum)
“BOSTON MASSACRE” Lithograph
After a Painting by Alonzo Chapel c. 1868
(New York Public Library)
Harpers Magazine Illustration of “The Boston Massacre”
by Howard Pyle 1883
(Private Collection)
“The Death of Attucks”
by J.E. Taylor 1899
(Getty Images)
The 20th & 21st
Centuries
Unknown Piece of Crap Labeled as “The Boston Massacre” (Ropewalk Brawl???)
Unknown Artist
(Getty Images)
“The Bloody Massacre Story”
by an Unknown School Child
(Private Collection)
The Boston Massacre
“Assassin’s Creed” Video Game
(Private Collection)
The Boston Massacre Scene
“John Adams” H.B.O. Series
After “John Adams” by David McCullough
Boston Massacre Scene
2015
(American Heroes Channel)
Boston Massacre Reenactment
2015
(The Bostonian Sociery)
But How Accurate Are
Any Of
These Depictions?
To find the TRUTH…
Exchange Tavern
Exchange Tavern
Town
Guard House House
Pudding Lane
Court Square
Exchange Tavern
(Royal)
Quaker Lane Exchange Lane
Sentry Box
Customs House
Michael Paine
Homestead
Massacre Site Drawing by Paul Revere (1770) - Possibly Used at the Trial of the 29th Regiment of Foot
(Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library)
“The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street, Boston on March 5th, 1770 by a party of the 29th Regiment”
by Paul Revere 1770
(Library of Congress)
“A S.W. (Southwest) View of the STATE HOUSE in BOSTON”
1791
(Boston Public Library)
Royal Exchange Lane
Quaker Lane
Court Square
Boston
March 5, 1770
“5 March Monday
much snow fell too night
dind at home with Mrs. Rowe Sucky G. Speakman
& Antony-- Spent the Evening at Mrs Cordis with
the Fire Club”
(Diary of John Rowe, 1770)
Boston
March 5, 1770
“I saw three men lay dead on the snow; the snow being at
that time near a foot deep.”
(Testimony of Robert Patterson)
I turned about and saw the officer standing before the men,
and one or two persons engaged in talk with him. A number
were jumping on the backs of those that were talking with the
officer, to get as near as they could.”
Jane Crothers
Jane Whitehouse
Mrs. John Whitehouse, H.M. 14th Regt. of Foot
“During this the rest of the guns were fired, one after
another when I saw two more fall, I ran to one and seeing the
blood gush out of his head tho' just expiring, I felt for the
wound and found a hole as big as my hand. This I have since
learned was Mr. Gray. I then went to Attucks and found him
gasping, pulled his head out of the gutter and left him;”
“I knew the Captain by sight and name. He stood to the left of the
whole rather behind with his back towards the long Wharfe. He had
his Regimentals, a hat on, his breast plate and Sash round his body
and Sword in his hand.”
(Deposition of Benjamin Lee)
“Were in a line with an Officer before 'em, with a Sword in his hand,
a laced hat on, and a red Coat, and I remember Silver on his
Shoulder.”
(Deposition of Andrew, A Negro Servant)
Captain Thomas Preston
H.M. 29th Regiment of Foot
“... as I got there I saw Capt. Preston at the head of six or eight
soldiers; the soldiers had their guns breast high, with their bayonets
fixed. I went immediately to Capt. Preston, and asked him if the
soldiers guns were loaded; his answer was, "They were loaded with
powder and ball;" I then asked him if he intended they should fire on
the inhabitants, his answer to me was, "By no means." I did not hear
him tell the soldiers not to fire, nor did I hear him speak to them. I
saw a piece of ice fall among the soldiers; immediately upon this the
soldier upon his right hand fired his gun, that instant I heard the
word "Fire," but by whom I know not; the soldier at his left hand
fired next, and the others one after another, as fast as they could...”
(Testimony of Richard Palmes)
Captain Thomas Preston
H.M. 29th Regiment of Foot
“I turned myself to my left, and saw one man dead, upon which I
struck at the soldier who first fired the gun, and hit his left arm or
hand, which made his gun fall; I then struck at Capt. Preston, and
thought I hit his head, but he says I hit his arm; on my making the
stroke at him I fell on my right knee. I saw the soldier that fired the
first fire going to push his bayonet at me, upon which I threw my stick
at his head; he gave back, and gave me an opportunity to jump out of
his way, or must been run through the body. I directly passed through
Exchange-lane,”
(Testimony of Richard Palmes)
Corporal William Wemms
Captain Ponsonby Molesworth's Battalion Company
“ I did not see any thing thrown at the Centinel. I stood at the foot of
the Town house when the Guns were fired. I heard the People cry
damn your bloods fire on. To the best of my recollection the Corporal
had a Surtout on. I had none.”
(Testimony of Henry Knox)
Private Hugh White (The Sentinel)
Captain Pierce Butler’s Battalion Company
“ He desired his Men to halt and the Centinel to recover his Arm, fall
into his Rank and march up to the Main Guard. The Centinel fell in
and the men wanted to move forward to the Guard house but could
not for the Riot.”
(Testimony of Jane Whitehouse)
“A little boy run along and cryed, fire! fire! fire! as people generally
do when there is fire, a soldier pointed his gun to him and fired, but
did not hit him, he was the last but one on the left.”
(Testimony of Joseph Hiller)
Private Hugh White (The Sentinel)
Captain Pierce Butler’s Battalion Company
“Immediately they loaded again. The people then gave three cheers,
and cry'd out, let's go in upon them, and prevent their firing again:
upon which they put on their hats and advanced towards them. My
hand being raised to put on my hat, still advancing towards the
soldiers, the centinel up with his gun and fired, the balls going
through my lower right arm, my hand immediately falling; and
finding myself wounded, made the best of my way home with help.
And further I say not.”
(Deposition of Robert Patterson)
Private William Warren
Captain John Corrance’s Grenadier Company
Q. What part of the circle did the tall man stand in?
A. He stood next but one to the Corporal. The tall man whoever he
was, was the man I saw discharge his piece.”
(Testimony of Ebenezer Bridgeham, Merchant)
Private William McCauley
Captain John Corrance’s Grenadier Company
“I saw Kilroy fire, and Saml. Gray fell and struck my left foot. I knew
him before, very well, and know it was he. [ . . . ] there was 2 or 3 at
Kilroys right. With red [coa]ts, but cant say whether armed or not. I
said God d—n you, dont fire, or damn you dont, and he fired at
once. Gray stood still by me. Kilroys Gun went off and S. Gray fell,
and I heard no Gun by his at that time. Gray spoke to nobody but me,
that I heard. He had no Weapen, was naked. Threw no snow Ball, or
any Thing. Grays Hands were in his Bosom. I was looking Kilroy
right in the Face. I heard the Ratling of Guns, but saw nothing flung.
I took it Kilroys Gun kill'd Gray. Did not see that Kilroy aimed at
Gray any more than me. He designed to kill both of us I suppose”
(Deposition of Edward Gambett Langsford - Watchman)
Private John Carroll
Captain John Corrance’s Grenadier Company
“Montgomery was knockd down and his Musquet fell out of his Hand
by a Clubb or stick of Wood by one of the Inhabitants and as soon as
he got up he fired his Gun, I think Carrol fired next.”
(Testimony of James Bailey)
Private James Hartigan
Captain John Corrance’s Grenadier Company
xx
Private Edward / Hugh Montgomery
Captain John Corrance’s Grenadier Company
“Montgomery was knockd down and his Musquet fell out of his Hand
by a Clubb or stick of Wood by one of the Inhabitants and as soon as
he got up he fired his Gun, I think Carrol fired next. The Clubb was
not thrown but I saw him struck with it. He fell down himself and the
Gun fell out of his Hand. The Person that struck was a tall, stout man.
There was 50 or 60 People near. Montgomery fired, about where the
Molatto fell. It was pointing towards the Place where we saw Attucks
lie. It was not the Mollato that struck Montgomery. But the Blow was
very violent...”
(Testimony of James Bailey)
Private Edward / Hugh Montgomery
Captain John Corrance’s Grenadier Company
“The Man that struck Montgomery down stood at the right of the
right Hand Grenadier. The Blow was before the firing.. Did not see
any Blow given or any Thing sent but the Blow I gave myself and the
Piece of Ice which hit Montgomery. Montgomery could not have
been knockd down and I not have seen it before the firing, for he
stood close to Captn. Preston. I struck Montgomery and knockd him
down just as the last Gun was fired”
(Testimony of James Bailey)
Private Edward / Hugh Montgomery
Captain John Corrance’s Grenadier Company
While the 29th Regiment of Foot may have received new clothing
and accoutrements that met the standards of the 1768 Warrant in
November of 1769, there is no evidence to suggest that it was issued
to the troops by March of 1770. Given the details displayed by the
Pelham and Revere illustrations, it is highly likely that these troops
were wearing their old uniforms at the time of the “Massacre”.
Detail: Grenadier, H.M. 29th Regiment of Foot
by David Morier c. 1751 - 1760
(The Royal Collection)
“A View of Part of the Town of Boston in New - England And British Ships of War Landing Their Troops 1768”
by Paul Revere c. 1770
(American Antiquarian Society)
“A View of Part of the Town of Boston in New - England And British Ships of War Landing Their Troops 1768”
by Paul Revere c. 1770
(American Antiquarian Society)
Cloth Grenadier Cap, H.M. 12th Regiment of Foot with Regimental Designation in Roman Numerals c. 1759
Height 28 cm, Width 20 cm, Diameter 20 cm
(Zeghaus)
Arms
The 29th Regiment of Foot was issued new Firearms in 1765
These were likely 1756 Long Land Pattern Firelocks
Altered
Pre - 1768 Warrant
Cartridge Pouch
(Don Troiani)
Accoutrements
Altered
Pre - 1768 Warrant
Cartridge Pouch
(Don Troiani)
Accoutrements
British Grenadier Cartridge Pouch Belt with Replaced Wires vs. Leather Thongs
c. 1765 - 1775
(Don Troiani)
Timing the Scene
English Gilt Pair Cased Watch with Verge Movement
by Dollop of London c. 1760
(Cogs & Pieces, Antique Pocket Watches)
Town House Square
Boston, Massachusetts (Royal)
5 March, 1770 Exchange Lane
8:00 P.M.
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Edward Garrick
Benjamin Broaders
Ann Green
Mary Rogers
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Edward Garrick
Benjamin Broaders
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Edward Garrick
Benjamin Broaders
(Royal)
Lieutenant-Captain John Goldfinch Exchange Lane
H.M. 14th Regiment of Foot
Hitching
Post
Edward Garrick
Benjamin Broaders
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
(Royal)
Exchange Lane
Hitching
Post
Private Hugh White
Battalion Co.
H.M. 29th Regiment of Foot
Edward Garrick
Benjamin Broaders
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Private Hugh White
Battalion Co.
H.M. 29th Regiment of Foot
Edward Garrick
Benjamin Broaders
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Private Warren
Corporal Wemms
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Unknown Woman
(Or NOT)
Hitching
Post
Jane Crothers
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Captain Thomas Preston
Hitching
Post
“Man in Black”
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
(Royal)
Captain Thomas Preston Exchange Lane
Private James Hartigan
Grenadier Co. Private Edward / Hugh Montgomery
Grenadier Co.
Private John Carroll
Grenadier Co.
Private Matthew Kilroy
Grenadier Co.
Private William McCauley
Grenadier Co.
Private William Warren
Grenadier Co.
Private Hugh White
Battalion Co.
Corporal WilliamWemms
Battalion Co. Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Attucks
Hickling
Palmes
Hitching
Post
Burdick
Jane Crothers
Private White
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Montgomery
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Sam. Gray
Hitching
Post
Hartigan
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Kilroy
Warren
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Kilroy
Warren
Sentry The
Box
PAINT IT! Customs
House
Hitching
Post
Kilroy
Warren
Sentry The
Box
Customs
House
Troiani Painting
View
Creating a New Vision
Of the Boston Massacre:
Reconstructing
The 5th of March, 1770
Based on Period Accounts
BOSTON
March
2016
THE FUTURE
250 Years
THANK YOU!