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| Colonial Housewife Vision of the
Massacre Uncovered by Michelle M.
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March 1,1770
Dear Journal,
My mother just gave me this journal to write in for my sixteenth
wedding anniversary. It has two hearts sewn into the leather binding. I
enjoy it, and I thank her oh so much. Please promise me to keep my
secrets safe, Thank you. Well many things have happened. I dare
not speak of. It’s both very sad, and very scary. I must write it
down, to let go of these scary thoughts that haunt me.
The British soldiers came to Boston, and took over. Those
Bloodybacks came to our house and told us to take them in. We told
them,” NO! We don’t want BloodyBacks in this house! Just because there
are taxes does not mean the British soldiers have to come down here and
try and make colonists give them a place to stay and feed them. Who do
they think they are?, the Royal Kingdom?Well they are not that makes me
so mad.
My husband John is a successful merchant. He makes a lot of money. His
mother and father left him money before they passed away. I feel kind
of bad though because I never got to meet them. I really would like to
have met them and tell them about their wonderful son. John
always talk ill about them.
My youngest daughter Annie is ten years old. She has been learning how
to read. When I have extra time I have been teaching her how to
cook too. I Ataught her my mother’s secret recipe for her
wonderful shepherd pie. She loves the meat and vegetables. My oldest
daughter, Sarah left home two years ago when she married, but only
lives a few miles away. Still, I miss her dearly. I have to go take a
washing. Please keep my secrets safe!
Yours truly,
Elizabeth Rose
March
5,1770
Dear Journal
As I finally sit down, I see the fresh new snow on this cold winter
day. I went to the market and tried to barter, but all I got was two
fish. I went home as fast as I could, because I left little Annie at
home cooking the dinner for tonight. I got there and asked if the
shepard’s pie was almost done, and Annie said “ Yes Mother”. Then John
came home, and Annie said “How was your day daddy?” John didn’t answer.
So then I started to set the table and serve the dinner. Then John came
to me and told me all about his day and how the British may close down
his shop. It’s those taxes. I hate how they are taxing us colonists.
Those bloodybacks cause such a pain. John is a wealthy merchant, and
this would mean we would lose great amounts of money. It makes me feel
awful that the shop is his life. I can not stand those Bloodybacks. I
wonder what they will do to the shop?
After we finished eating dinner, we heard the church bells ring. Fire!
I thought. I was worried about Sarah. (Later, we found out there
was no fire.) I went to get buckets and bags to help fight the
fire. As I was going down to where the fire started, I saw my wonderful
oldest daughter. She told me to follow her, because her husband was
there too, and throwing insults at the British soldiers.
There was a group of people down in front of the Town House. So I
dropped the bags and ran down to the crowd . I heard people say “Dare
you fire” , “Lobster back” , “ Bloodybacks” and another mean
names I dare not say. But we didn’t see her Samuel.
We were walking back to the house near Milk street, when we I heard gun
shots. I didn’t know what to do, so I just ran back home. Isn’t this
horrible! See what these British soldiers are doing to us? All we have
to do is find out who yelled “ Fire! “, and then we can punish them.
With everyone safely inside, including John, but no Samuel we all
quickly rushed into bed and here I am now writing to you about this
horrible day.
Yours truly,
Elizabeth Rose
March 7,1770
Dear Journal,
My daughter’s husband Samuel Gray has died in this horrible tragedy
they are calling the Boston Massacre. She has been up and down
crying. She has come back home to be with her family. Two days
have passed since then. I heard is that the total of
two deaths, has gone up to four. I feel horrible about this. I
think they should never had brought soldiers to Boston. I just
had a feeling something bad was going to happen. I hate those damn
bloodybacks. Why did they have to come here? They killed my son in law.
John is calling back in just a couple of minutes. Sorry for the wait.
John told sarah that she should find someone just right for her. Sarah
has stopped crying, now all she does is talk about how Samuel was a
great husband. I wonder what family and friends are feeling right now.
I wonder if how there son or husband or father has died in this bad
tragedy. Thank you for keeping my serects safe.
Yours truly,
Elizabeth Rose
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Historical References:
Hakim,Joy. From
Colonies to Country. 2003, New York. Oxford University
Press,Inc.,
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