Sparks Journal

February 10, 1770

Dearest Mother and Father,
Timothy and I have been doing very well. Our tavern, the Crystal Swan, is having exceptional business. I am filled with joy every time I remember you let me move to Boston and marry Timothy.

Life has been very interesting since I saw you last. For say, this day around mid noon, an event of oddity happened. A couple young men came in and ordered some beef and ale. At first I thought nothing of them, just a couple of ingrates. After they ordered a few more pints of ale the entire tavern was almost forced to listen. They were acting as if they were in an angry rage against the Loyalist, Richardson. At that moment I decided that they were Patriots. Also, they spoke of finding a traitor. I was astonished to hear that it was Theofulis Lillie. At the same time they said it, little Christopher Seider came in and quickly told them to hush up. Today Chris was acting different. He did not smile or say hello to me. It was as if it were not even him.

By then the curiosity had gotten to me. Since the two gentleman were staying and Christopher decided to join them, I thought I might hear why the words they were speaking were such a hush. After all, a tavern is a place for the people to gossip in safety, in safety from everybody except the tavern owner that is. Even when I strained my ears, the only pieces of information I gathered were “We go in about a fortnight.” and “Richardson has what’s comin’ to him.”

When Timothy arrived home from the wharfs and saw what I was doing, leaning over the counter and straining my ears,he said, “Aren't you going a little far?” I admitted to him that I indeed had gone a little far. Then I turned the conversation around and asked him how much meat he was able to get with one pound and ten pence. A lot, is what he replied.

Even knowing that they are sending troops I still can not decide my true loyalty. I can feel for the people. Timothy and I are buying some smuggled goods because of those of darn British. If I did not care about my dignity I too would run throughout the cobblestone streets saying “Taxation without Representation.” But don’t let me lose myself.

I am extremely thankful that the smallpox have missed Boston this year. Death of fellow citizens would be horrible.
Mother and Father you have my prayers.                                                  Your beloved daughter
Katherine

February 23, 1770

Dearest Mother and Father,
The most terrible thing has happened. Little Christopher Seider has been murdered. I feel as if I have just been trampled by a mess of horses. The word I have caught was that it was that loyalist, Richardson. May he be hunted down for his deed.

Timothy told me that his old friend Sampson, a Patriot, had been at Christopher's aid. It was hard to hear this news through my constant sobbing. The pain I feel is that of a thousand bullets piercing flesh and shattering bone. Timothy said that Sampson is an apprentice apothecary. Sampson said that the mob of boys told him the whole story. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to hear it. But I told him to continue. I had to be strong. He told Timothy that the Sons of Liberty went out the previous night. They started out at the new found traitor Theofulis Lillie's place and something happened. Timothy said Sampson told him that most of the boys did not even realize that they were not fighting Lillie until Christopher was shot and fell bleeding onto the street.

The boys had been throwing an assortment of objects at Richardson until one struck him and he saw his own blood. The coward got angry or scared, but either way that is when he lost it and shot Christopher. Maybe a couple of days of hard work to set their minds straight but murder. That Richardson is just so unbearable.

Christopher died just last night from being shot to death. I don’t know when his funeral will be but I hope that it will be, extravagant. Timothy said he heard that Samuel Adams, the cousin of John Adams, will be organizing the funeral.

I feel for his mother for as you know I too have lost a son. He went the same way as Christopher, not by being a Son of Liberty, but drowning. Both young men died without honor. Christopher used to give me so much joy. Now that he has departed I feel the emptiness of death once again. Timothy told me to hold tight and hope the law will right this wrong. I am using all my power not to go over and shoot that man. Also I am using my mothering instinct more now since Christopher's mother is not around.

The people are starting to get out of control. Now that one of their own has died they will not step back. I fear that no good will come of it.
Mother and Father you have my prayers. Your beloved daughter,
Katherine

February 27,1770

Dearest Mother and Father,
Last afternoon was Christopher's funeral. Timothy and I closed our tavern in honor of young Christopher. I remember about a fortnight ago when he came in and started acting unnatural. Even though he is gone, I can still hear his gentle voice and at night I feel the burn from his soft amber eyes. At the beginning of the funeral march my heart sank and my toes were so cold the feeling in them had almost disappeared. But I didn’t care. There were so many people there. I asked Timothy if they all knew Chris. He replied that only a few actually knew him like we did. The others marched in sadness and rage, hoping for the government to see what they had brought upon them. I was disgusted. How dare they use his death as a proclamation to the British nation.

Halfway up the common on the way to the Granary a young woman tripped right in front of me. I was so lost in thought that I almost toppled on top of her. Timothy and I helped her up since we knew that no one else would. When I saw her face I suddenly realized that I was looking into the face of the Ivory Creek tavern owner’s wife. Boston is strange that way, having more than one tavern. I felt dreadfully sorry for her since her clothes had been soiled in the muddy snow. It also looked like she had gotten separated from her husband. She then thanked us and was on her way with the rest of the crowd. I asked Timothy if we could leave right then. Christopher's funeral was a disrespectful waste. We could go back in a day or two to show some proper respect. Maybe on Sunday since we are Christian and our tavern will be closed. Timothy and I then returned home.

This night at closing I discovered a note left on the counter. It read “ From this day forth if you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you very much for helping my wife when we got separated. She really needed some kindness after her fall. Your friends, the Van Howell's.”

We were happy to know that something good came of the day. Soon the joy will recede as sadness and hatred come back. Right now I am only certain of one thing. This is only the beginning of something far greater.
Mother and Father you have my prayers.
Your beloved daughter,
Katherine

Historical References:

Allison, Robert J: A Short History of Boston. Beverly,                Massachusetts, Common wealth Editions. 2004.

American Revolution. China: Andrew Berkhut, 2005.

History of Early American Taverns. 4/6/06 <                     http://www.2020site.org/americantavern/>

4. “Occupations and Customs” History of the U.S.A.

5. Rules of this Tavern Poster. “Historical Documents co.

6. Shoales, Gary Parker, Justice and Dissent: Ready to use        Materials materials for recreating five great trail in American History. 25 of April, 2006 <                    http.//home.att.net/betsy/newmark/Bostinfo.html>

7. Taverns in the American Colonies. 3/31/06 <                http://www.dobbinhouse.com/tavern.htm>

8. Webber, Katie: Death and Funeral of Christopher Seider.

Artist's Rendering

Historical Reenactment

Historical Terms
Patriot	Loyalist
Liberty	Lobster Back
Granary	Bayonet

About the Historian
The young adventurer Katherine W. has been doing a lot of research and is a hard worker. She has focused all her talents and abilities to bring you this piece.