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Apprentice
Witnesses Major Attack by
Kennedy
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1767. May 9
To my dearest mother,
I thank you for your work in helping me find an occupation. My master’s
name is William Preston. He is about forty years old. Let me tell thee
it is not easy. There are three stages. For the first stage I
will spend three to four years training, as in watching my master
do the work. The second stage I will have to spend two years helping my
master William with common tasks such as carrying his tools and heating
up iron that would be used to bend the metal. Now, in the final
stage I will have to perform an advance training as in making a
pot, bending iron, making fences, and melting iron for tools.
While aiding Master William, I have befriended an apprentice of
William's named Patrick Preston, son of master William. I also
befriended a boy named Paul Adams. First, Paul and I went to his house
to play qutios with his siblings. While running to tag the other
person, Paul was feeling a little ill so, I went to the doctor with
him. The doctor said he had a cold and bled him until a lot of blood
flowed out. I felt really badly for him and almost fainted. After
walking Paul home he felt really tired so I carried him back to his
house.
When I went back to the shop, I had to go to the merchant. When going
to a merchant to deliver a knife, I had overheard that the crown had
created the Townshead Act. The Townshead Act is when tax is placed on
paint, lead, glass, and your favorite tea.
Done with my chores, I went back to the shop with Patrick. On my way
back to the shop I saw angry faces of people walking down Queen street.
They must be angry because of the Townshead Act. When I got back to the
shop, I watched master William make a fence. I wanted to tell him of
what I heard, but I did not want to disturb him in his action. After he
made that, I told him of how mad I was that the King passed the
Townshead Act. I am afraid that this might affect our job. Talking
to William for hours, I had no energy to help him so I went to
bed.
Your dearest son,
James Thomas
1770. March 6
Dearest Mother and Father,
I have been working hard, trying to be a blacksmith. I treat Mr.
William's as an uncle because he treats me as I am his son. He told me
that I had two years until I am a blacksmith. It would take five to
seven years to be a blacksmith and children usually start at the age of
twelve. Master William is feeding me well; we eat soup at least
three times a week. He also provides me some of his tattered pants anG
shirts. Every sunday, William and I always go to the church to
worship the god with the Reverend.
Earlier in the day yesterday, I went to Constance milliner’s shop to
pick up some clothing for my master. While waiting for her to give me
the clothes, I heard the church bell ring. Constance told me to
grab a bucket of water and rush outside. I ran out and wondered
where the fire was. Puzzled, I waited for Constance to come out. She
asked me what was going on, but I wondered the same thing. I saw a mob
of Bostonians in front of the Customs House guarded with a few
Lobsterbacks. The next thing I knew there was a gun shot, and another
shot, then someone said “fire” and the Redcoats started shooting.
There were three people laying dead and I think two or more people
wounded. I new this was going to happen because of all the hatred in
the air of Boston. When I was walking home I felt really mad and
thought that the Lobsterbacks should be executed, but now when I think
about it I feel like they shot down those people in self-defense.
I must say, I was frightened of the massacre on King Street. I hope
nothing like this happens again.
You dear son,
James Thomas
1771. January 2
My dearest Mother and Father,
A few months ago, there were nary enough people coming to the shop
because of the massacre on King Street. I dare say I am still feeling
stress and anger at the soldiers. I am also upset at the King. He is
the one who started all this mess in the first place. While I was
chopping the trees to relieve my stress Paul came and asked me if I
wanted to play nine pins, so I said sure. Did I forget to tell you that
Paul is an apprentice ship builder. He told me that it was hard work
and you needed to know algebra and geometry.
There was also a trial a few months ago on the massacre of King Street.
The eight soldiers had to stay in the back of the court room for the
whole trial. After the trial, two of the eight soldiers were
convicted of manslaughter. The accusers had to have their thumb
branded. The other soldiers were shipped away to a different place.
Bostonians around Boston were feeling a lot better because the
Lobsterbacks we4mre gone. Although things were quieting down, the
families of the victims are still sad. I thank God that I am not the
one that was shot by the regulars. I hope to write to you soon.
You dearest son,
James Thomas
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Historical References:
Avery, Steve. Revolutionary America Boston Massacre 1770.
U-S-History.com 28 April . 2006
<http://www.U-S-history.com/pages/h644.html>
Boston Massacre Historical Society. Boston Massacre. 26 april,
2006
<www.Boston Massacre.net/>
Gaddes,Holly.Blacksmith. 1 April. 2006
<http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/forestoakms/site%20
pages/academics/social%20 studies/colonist% 20 time/blacksmith.html>.
Kakim,Joy For Colonies to country. 1993 oxford university press, Ney
work. pg 64-65
Reiser K.L. The colonial Blacksmith. The most important man in
the village. 7 april 2006. www.associated
content.com/article/22266/the_colonial_blacksmith_the_most_important.html
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Blacksmith. 7 april 2006
<www.history.org/Almanack/life/trades/tradebla.cfm>
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Historical Terms
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Apprentice
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Lobsterback
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massacre
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mob
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tax
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Townshead Acts
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About the Historian
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Kennedy lives in Portland,
Maine. In his spare time he likes to play sports and hang with
his
friends. His favorite thing to do is play games and video games.
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