Crispus Attucks (1723-1770)
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.
Who was Crispus Attucks?
Was he a hero?
Was he a patriot who died for freedom, or just someone who was in the wrong place at the wrong time?
The truth may never be known, but these facts we do know;
He was born a negro slave and was believed to have had a Native American (Indian) mother.
He was given the name Crispus Attucks. 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)
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 Slave
Ran away from his master William Brown of Framingham on the 30th of Sept.
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. Whoever shall take up said
runaway and convey him to his aforesaid master shall have 10
pounds old tenor reward, and all necessary charges paid. And all
masters of vessels and others are hereby cautioned against concealing
or carrying off said servant on penalty of law.
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A poet wrote of Crispus Attucks and the Boston Massacre;
"And honor to Crispus Attucks,
who was leader and voice that day;
The first to defy,
and the first to die,
with Maverick, Carr and Gray.
It riot or revolution,
or mob or crowd as you may,
such deaths have been seeds of nations,
such lives shall be honored for ay".
- John Boyle O'Reilly
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The Trial
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Related Links:
The Murder of Crispus Attucks -
Documents and story about the trial of Crispus Attucks' murderers, (U.S. Library of Congress).
Africans in America: Crispus Attucks -
PBS teachers resources and information.
Poem "Crispus Attucks" -
from book "Original Poems", Olivia Bush, published Providence, Rhode Island,
by Louis A. Basinet Press, 1899.
Crispus Attucks Association -
organization located in York, Pennsylvania (USA), actively promotes city rehabilitation
projects and community programs.
Site contains historical information about Crispus Attucks.
Biography of Crispus Attucks -
by Robin N.
Crispus Attucks Grave -
picture of gravestone where Attucks and other four vistims of Boston Massacre are
buried, (www.findagrave.com)
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