Boston Massacre
by
Scott Cardinal & Marc Newman
Smashwords Edition. License Notes
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This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are the product of the author’s imaginations and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
*****
Authors' Note:
After the French and Indian Wars, the British Government accumulated a debt of more than $135,000,000 pounds. It was necessary for King George III to obtain the needed revenue to pay this debt in order to maintain its Empire. By the late 1760's Americans rebelled against British tax laws that infringed on their right to tax themselves as British subjects. British soldiers were brought in to major towns such as New York and Boston to enforce these laws. American agitators seeking to repeal the tax laws and the evacuation of British soldiers in their town led to a clash of arms. This event gave Americans their rally cry, became a catalyst in converting conservative Americans into radicals. The event came in the form of the Boston Massacre.
King Street
Boston, Massachusetts
February 22nd. 1770
The skies are clear on this cold afternoon. Two teenagers don’t seem to pay much notice to the frigid temperature as they briskly walk down the street Carrying wood signs. They are sixteen-year-old Elijah Bowen, and fourteen year old Christopher James. Elijah’s sign reads:
DEATH TO TRAITORS!
Christopher’s sign reads:
TAR & FEATHER LILLIE!
Elijah screams out, "This should scare the heck out of old man Lillie. Maybe we really will tar and feather him."
"Do you really think he deserves that?" his friend Christopher asks.
"Are you kidding? Everyone knows that Theophilus Lillie is a traitor. He has violated our boycott on English goods."
Christopher shakes his head. "Maybe this isn’t any of our business."
Elijah grabs Christopher’s arm. "Oh, yes it is. Look, we’ve grown up together and we’re going to become men together. We’re a team. And think about it -- this just might get us the attention of Samuel Adams and Paul Revere."
Christopher looks into his friend's eyes and scrunches his forehead. "And even if it does, why -"
"--- I told you, maybe they’ll let us join the Sons of Liberty."
"Why is that so important?"
Elijah tells his friend, "If they like us, "see that we are hard workers, maybe we can get jobs as apprentices to them. Not only that, but everyone in town fears the Sons of Liberty."
Christopher begins to walk faster. "I don’t know if I want to be feared."
His friend quickens his pace and catches up. "But you want a job, right?"
"Yes, "but all this --"
"-- Take my word for it, this will make us look great."
Christopher takes in a deep breath. "I don’t know. I mean --"
“-- Forget all that. What we’re doing is right. Lillie deserves this. He is a Loyalist."
The two friends turn a corner, and journey down Corn Hill Street.
"You sound just like Samuel at a meeting of the town assembly," Christopher tells his friend. They friends turn a corner and see five teenagers in the street, a hundred yards from them.
"Good," Elijah says with a slight smile. “Mr. Adams is one of our most important patriots. A true son of Liberty. And we can be, too, but you’ve got to trust me." He points to some teenagers. “They do."
Theophilus Lillie’s House
*****
Elijah approaches the five teenagers and shakes some of their hands. They are happy to see him. They look up to him. There are more wooden signs than there are teenagers.
"All right, “Elijah begins, “I see you all have the signs I made. This is it. Are you ready?"
The teenagers nod that they are and they begin to chant: "Death to Lillie! Lillie is a traitor!"
A crowd begins to swell near the boys. Elijah turns to Christopher. "Where is Lillie?"
The teenagers, led by Elijah, move toward the front door of Theophilus Lillie's home and begin to chant louder: "Lillie! Lillie!"
"Come out or we will drag you out!"
"Lillie! Lillie! Traitor! Traitor!"
The crowd begins to chant with the teenagers. A few members of the crowd pick up some of the signs that were on the ground. They read:
Death to Traitors!
British Go Home!
Death To Violators Of Non-Importation!
The crowd screams, "Loyalist! Traitor! Loyalist! Traitor!"
Christopher turns to Elijah. "I don't think he’s home. What shall we do?"
The crowd swells to five people. More teenagers approach Elijah, shake his hand, and pick up some of the signs that are on the ground.
"Let’s break the windows in," Elijah suggests.
Christopher turns. "Maybe we should go."
Elijah looks at his friend and in an angry tone says, "If you're afraid, then go home." He turns to the crowd. “Let’s post the signs around his house!"
The crowd continues to chant: "Death to tyrants! Death to informers!"
More and more men and women look on to see what is happening. A neighbor of Theophilus peers out of his window from the second story and is furious to see the crowd in front of his neighbor’s house.
Elijah is disappointed. He screams to the crowd, "He’s not home now, but we’ll get him later."
Ebenezer Richardson breaks through the crowd. "What’s going on here?" He turns to Elijah and Christopher. “What are you doing?"
Mind your own business," Elijah tells him.
Seventeen-year-old Patrick Carr says, “Step forward or we will tar and feather you, and run you out of town too!"
The crowd screams, "Yeah!"
"We are here to teach that violator, Lillie, a lesson for trying to break up the town's boycott on English imported goods."
Richardson can't believe what he is hearing. "This is perjury! Lies!"
The sincerity in his tone males Christopher curious. “What do you mean?"
Richardson turns to Christopher and tells him, "Lillie has always been an honest man - a loyal servant of his majesty. How dare you falsely accuse him of being a traitor."
Some of the teenagers pick up sticks and stones and begin to pelt Richardson. Christopher is horrified, but is powerless to do anything. Richardson covers himself with his arms. Christopher turns to Elijah to see his reaction. Elijah is throwing rocks at Richardson too. This inspires members of the crowd to begin to do the same. Richardson breaks through the crowd and runs toward his own house for safety. Eighteen-year-old Christopher Monk, and fourteen year old Eric Harrison, step forward.
Christopher Monk screams out, "Loyalists like you and him have spoken out against our boycott of English goods."
"You seek to destroy our rights and liberties," Eric Harrison adds.
Elijah and other members of the crowd follow Richardson to his house and continue to pelt him with dirt, sticks and rocks. Richardson finally reaches his house. He stops at the front door, opens it slightly, and turns to the crowd and screams, "I am an important man! You will pay for this." He enters his house while the crowd continues to pelt objects at the front door.
Richardson peers out the first floor window to see if the crowd is breaking up. It hasn’t. In fact, the crowd is getting larger. Elijah walks up the steps of Richardson’s house and screams, "Come out, you damn Loyalist sympathizer!"
Richardson comes out of the house, wielding a stick, as Elijah steps one foot back. "Go off! All of you! Break this up! Richardson screams.
The crowd gets closer and closer while they continue to throw things at him. Christopher is worried. He approaches Elijah and tugs at his arm, but Elijah pays him no mind. Elijah is in his element. He is thriving on the chaos.
"If you don't disperse, I’ll make a lane through you!" Richardson screams and takes one step outside the doorway of his house and throws the stick at the crowd. Patrick picks it up and heaves it through a window of Richardson's house.
Richardson is furious. He retreats to the safety of his house once again.
Windows are smashing as the crowd throws rocks and sticks through them. Richardson covers his face to protect himself. Richardson’s wife and two teenage daughters are behind a couch, cuddled together, crying and screaming.
“Stay where you are!" Richardson instructs his family.
A rock hits Mrs. Richardson on the head, drawing blood that drips profusely down her temple.
The crowd is no longer made up of individuals. They are automatons, caught up in the energy of the moment. They are programmed to keep the momentum building until something busts. They continue to chant.
"Death to traitors! Death to Informers! Death to Lillie! Death to Richardson!"
Christopher's face is covered in disbelief. He too is caught up in the moment and finds himself gripping a rock. He is about to throw it at Richardson’s house, when a hand appears and shakes the rock out of his hand. The hand belongs to George Wilmot, another neighbor. Wilmot is calm, collected, and yet angry at the scene he is witnessing. Christopher lets the rock fall and makes no effort to pick it up. Wilmot breaks through the crowd and makes it to Richardson’s front door and screams to the crowd, "Enough! Enough!"
The crowd begins pelting Wilmot with dirt. Wilmot turns to the front door of the house and calls to Richardson, “Open up, Richardson! I will stand by you!" The front door opens slightly and Wilmot slips inside. There is dirt and rocks and sticks everywhere. A lot of the furniture is filthy and destroyed. Robinson is ready to explode.
Wilmot asks, "Ebenezer, do you have a gun?"
The crowd has created chaos in the front lawn of the house.
Elijah screams to the crowd, "Richardson deserves to be hanged, too! That damned revenue informer!"
The crowd cheers and laughs.
Across the street three Bostonians who are not part of the mob are talking to each other. They are: John Codman, Elias Dupree, and John Richardson.
"Maybe we should leave?" Codman suggests.
Dupree nods his head. "The town will pay for this. The soldiers will soon be here. I'm going to leave."
Robinson agrees. "Good idea. This is none of our business."
Richardson returns with two muskets. He hands one to Wilmot. Richardson approaches his wife and daughters. He leads them up the stairs. Mrs. Richardson sees the musket and is horrified.
"No. Don’t. You’ll kill someone," Mrs. Richardson implores.
Richardson turns to his wife and tells her. "Take the children and yourself, and remain upstairs."
The women run up the stairs and Richardson approaches a window at the front of the house.
Christopher sees the musket, "Look out. He has a musket!”
Richardson puts the musket through the window, takes aim, and snaps off a shot into the air to scare the crowd.
Elijah and Patrick pick up a horse rail and proceed to batter the front door in. Stones continue to be thrown by the crowd.
"If you don't leave I will fire. I warn you!"
Wilmot is at the front window. He cocks his musket and aims at the crowd.
Patrick Carr screams, "Let’s get him!"
Rocks are thrown by the mob, hitting the ceiling of the room occupied by Wilmot.
An eleven-year-old boy, Christopher Seider, watches the riot. He draws closer to the confrontation, watching people as they pick up rocks and throw them at the house. He kneels down to pick up a large stone. Christopher watches in amazement. Seider throws it at a front window.
Clonk! Seider’s rock hits Richardson in the head.
“I warned you!" Richardson screams.
A shot rings out.
Twelve-year-old Robert Paterson is hit in the thigh and falls to the ground.
Another shot rings out. Nineteen-year-old John Gore is hit in the fingers of the right hand and thigh. He falls down. Another shot rings out. Christopher Seider is hit in the chest and abdomen. Everyone watches this in horror.
"Let’s go in and get him!"
Elijah and Patrick Carr finally break down the front door. A crowd of people storm Richardson’s house. Christopher is unable to get inside. He is shoved to the side and falls to the grass. He stands and brushes himself off and looks toward the street at the victims of the massacre. A man from the crowd picks up the body of Christopher Seider. Two women tend to the body of Robert Patterson. Two men bend over the body of John Gore, and carry him away."
Richardson runs upstairs. The living room is filling with members of the crowd. Furniture and possessions are toppled over as more and more people enter the residence. They approach Wilmot who throws down his musket and offers no resistance.
Wilmot explains, "It wasn’t I that shot. The screw pin is missing from the lock. Look! Look!"
Three teenagers surround Wilmot and begin to pummel him. Elijah and five teenagers proceed up to the second story. Richardson aims his musket at the Elijah and the other teenagers at the end of the hall. Mrs. Richardson and daughters open a bedroom door and peer out in fear and shock. The daughters are clutching the mother's dress.
Elijah boldly approaches Richardson. "Throw down your musket and give yourself up."
"I will surrender to the proper authorities," Richardson responds.
Christopher rushes in and up the stairs.
"The boy is dead!"
Richardson’s face goes deathly white but he remains steadfast.
Elijah screams, "You killed a boy, you Loyalist pig!"
“Damn his blood! I don't care what I've done." Richardson pulls the trigger, but it misfires. Elijah and Patrick grab Richardson and kick him down the stairs. He lands at Christopher’ feet. Members of the crowd move forward and start kicking at him. They drag him out of the house.
Richardson is battered and abused by the crowd. They are shouting obscenities at him. Mrs. Richardson and her daughters are crying. Elijah is wielding Richardson’s musket in the street.
"Bring these Loyalist pigs to the jail. Another victory for Liberty. For freedom," Elijah says.
The crowd screams, "Yeah. Freedom. Liberty.
Four men in the crowd drag Richardson and Wilmot away. Christopher approaches Elijah, who smiles broadly. "Are you sure the Sons of Liberty will be impressed by this?"
"No doubt, friend. No doubt," Elijah answers.
Elijah then joins the crowd as they march down the street, following the men who are dragging Richardson and Wilmot.
"Come on, Christopher! This is just the beginning!"
Christopher remains where he is. Confused. Afraid.
Green Dragon Inn
5 p.m. February 23. 1770
Several dozen colonists inhabit the smoke-filled tavern. At a corner Table sits Samuel, Paul, and Dr. James Warren.
Samuel says, “Citizens are at each others throats over quartering those damn bloody-back troops, as well as supporting our boycott on British goods. We will never have peace as long as English soldiers remain in town."
Dr. Warren raises a glass of wine in a toast, "To the removal of all of His Majesty's troops from our town and the continued reinforcement of our boycott on British imports."
All the men lift their glasses and drink to the toast.
Paul says, "If the troops are removed from town then it would be a lot easier to enforce the boycott, but what can we do? We number few and have no arms, while the majority of the citizens of the town seem to be unconcerned about the taxes on British imports."
Dr. Warren, "If we could get the majority of the people to support our disapproval of the Townshend Taxes we might have sufficient force to pressure the town assembly to demand that the King and Parliament repeal the act."
Samuel, "No. The time is not ripe for Revolutionary action. We have only a few arms and scattered loyalties to our cause in Massachusetts and the other colonies. We are isolated by political contentment on the part of most Americans. We need a cause. That the people will be so incensed about, "that they would be most willing to support us because we represent the opposition to British rule. We need a cause to move the masses."
Dr. Warren whispers, "By the way, yesterday I was brought in to consult with several doctors on a case concerning a young boy who was shot. We extracted eleven pellets out of his stomach and chest. The boy died this morning. My room was filled with people who were heartbroken at the news of his death."
Revere quickly says, "Oh, you mean that Richardson Affair. I heard from a few friends that this madman Richardson ran into his house and began shooting at people at random. I think the boy that was killed was called Carl or Chris."
"Christopher Seider," Dr. Warren corrects.
"That Richardson ... there’s talk he was an agent of the English, or something like that."
Dr. Warren says, "I don't know if he was an agent of the English but the people were surely upset. Some of them were talking about organizing and beating up some of the soldiers in the town for revenge against Seider's death."
Paul thinks for a second and then says, "That's understandable. As I said, there’s talk Richardson was a Loyalist and informer to the English."
Dr. Warren, "If he had killed a member of the Sons of Liberty there would be enough of us to demand action be taken against the English for creating political division in the town."
Samuel is quiet for a moment and then says, "Wait. I think I have an idea. Since many of the people are upset about the killing of Seider, "why not play it up to the town to keep their feelings aroused against the English and use that hate to pressure the Governor to remove the troops from the town?"
Paul and Dr. Warren lean in close, interested.
"If the troops are removed from town, then Parliament would not be able to enforce the collection of taxes." Samuel pauses. “We can tell the people that this boy was a member of the Sons of Liberty one of us. Killed in the line of Patriotism in trying to rid the town of informers and Loyalists and was killed by an agent of the English Richardson."
"But he was not one of us,” Paul says. “What value can be served in glorifying the killing of an eleven year old boy?"
Samuel looks at his friends and says, "We will glorify his murder as a tool and act committed by an agent of the English."
Dr. Warren adds, "Some people believe that Richardson was an agent of the English, but most believe that he was just a madman."
“What better reason for Richardson becoming the dupe?” Samuel inquires. “If he denies he was an agent, the people will believe he is lying, or that he really is crazy."
Dr. Warren shakes his head. "I don't know."
"It might work,” Paul begins. “After all Richardson was a friend and a neighbor of Theophilus Lillie and everyone knows that he is a Loyalist and English informant."
John Rowe, an American Merchant, and Dr. Benjamin Church, join Adams, Revere and Warren at the table. All the gentlemen stand and shake hands."
"Good day, Dr." Pause. “Good day Rowe."
"Good day to you perhaps, but try being a merchant these days. I have lost a great deal of business and money."
"Be strong, John. If you continue to support our boycott the act will gradually be repealed,” Samuel assures him. “You must continue to refrain from buying goods from the English."
Rowe nods. "But I will not make enough money to pay my bills and then I will be bankrupt. I am not as fortunate as your friend John Hancock." He shakes his head. “Time is running out." Pause. “There are many merchants in town who feel as I."
Four English soldiers, led by a Sergeant, enter the Green Dragon Inn. They approach the bar. The Sergeant makes his way to a vacant table, fifteen feet from the Sons of Liberty.
The Sergeant clears his throat and says, “Rum. Rum for me and my men."
The men join their Sergeant at the Table. One of the Privates is disgusted and says, “This place is crowded with colonists."
The Bar Maid brings over a bottle of rum and five glasses.
Another Private says, “Well, here's a pretty wench."
The men begin to laugh as one of the Privates puts his arms around the Bar Maid. The patrons look on and are annoyed.
“Watch Yourselves. She’s mine," the Sergeant says. He grabs her and puts her on his lap. The Bar Maid struggles.
“Please, Sergeant. I have customers."
Revere raises from his seat and turns to the Sergeant. Dr. Warren says to his friend, "Please sit down. She's alright."
The Sergeant releases the Bar Maid.
"That will be cash, Sergeant," The Bar Maid demands.