Crispus Attucks (by Carly)

Crispus Attucks by Carly


Many know Crispus Attucks as the first African-American to be killed in the
Revolutionary War, but he has a much more complicated story.

Little is known about Attucks's childhood. Attucks was born in Framingham,
Massachusetts in 1723, but the exact date is not known. His family was his mother, his father, his sister Pheobe, and his unnamed baby brother who died of a fever the day he was born. He was a slave growing up and he ran away from his owner, William Brown of Framingham. When
Attucks escaped from Brown, Brown reported Attucks as "twenty seven-years old, six foot two, tall, short brown curly hair, and knock-kneed."

Crispus Attucks had a major role leading up to the Revolutionary War and not many
people are familiar with the exact events surrounding the Boston Massacre. Attucks gathered a crowd of Patriots on a dock in the Port of Boston. Attucks gave a rousing speech and led the group up King Street, charging straight toward the main guard. Attucks and the other colonists were teasing the British soldiers and throwing rocks and sticks at them. Attucks and the other men were yelling, "Fire, why will you not fire at us?" Attucks went to grab a soldier's musket and was shot.

After the Massacre, Attucks was honored by the city of Boston. A little while later, there
was a statue built in honor of Attucks. He is considered to be first African-American to be killed in the
Revolutionary War, though the Boston Massacre occurred before the war began.

Attucks was very brave and inspiring to some people. He died March 5,1770 and was buried in Faneuil Hall and his body was there until March 8, 1770 and then he was
buried in a common graveyard.

His parents both died soon after him and his sister lived ten more years until she passed
away, also. Crispus Attucks was a hero, not only the first to be shot in the Boston Massacre, but a
very strong leader too.