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| A Tavern Owner Witnessed A
Devastating Attack by Reatray T. |
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1770, February
22
Dear father,
I apologize if I have not sent you a letter for quite a while now. I am
very glad of the progress I am making at my tavern. It is also very
difficult since my husband Richard died of a terrible disease called
smallpox, even though I’m a making a good living, I didn’t have enough
money to pay for the medicine. Many of the guests are always asking me
where the owner is. I tell them that it is unusual, but that I am
the owner. Yesterday was Sunday I didn’t get to go to church because of
all the guests in my tavern. Sunday I made about fifty pence.
Yesterday I came down to work before sunrise, and I dare say that the
coldness was chilling my bones. When I arrived to my tavern I was
shivering and I couldn't stop. It was difficult for me because I was so
tired and I have a cold.
A terrible thing happened today. While I was cleaning the windows in
front of the door I saw a mob of angry Patriots throwing stones at a
man name Ebenezer Richardson. Someone opened a gash on Mr. Richardson’s
head, when an object was thrown.
The wise man ran back to his house to get his musket. The angry
Loyalist went back to the mob and shot wildly. Mr. Richardson hit
a young lad name Christopher Seider. It was very disgusting how
Christopher looked when he got shot. I believe Christopher was shot
twice, on the chest and on the eye. I dare say that Mr. Richardson
should be hanged for making a gruesome attack on Christopher Seider . I
will write back soon.
Your dearest daughter,
Abigail Richardson
1770 February 26
Dear Father,
Today was the most surprising day for the colonists and especially for
me. While I serving ale to a couple of young men, I looked out the
window. There were old and young men and women that were gathering on
King Street. Many of the guests from my tavern left to see what was
happening. I was concerned myself so I decided to see what was going on.
When I was walking a women was mourning. I think it was Mrs.
Seider a frequent customer in the tavern. It was so crowded I could not
see where I was going. While we passed Summer street I finally asked
someone what we were doing. A young man said that they were walking to
the Common for Christopher Seider’s funeral. I was so surprised at the
amount of people that were joining the joining. I love you and I will
write back.
Your dearest daughter,
Abigail Richardson
1770 March 5
Dear Father,
It's been difficult lately, since Christopher Seider's death. The
tension in the air is thick. The Lobsterbacks, which you probably
know as the British soldiers, are getting into many arguments with the
colonists.
Today an argument exploded into a large fight. I was in my tavern
about to cook johnny cakes for the guests, when I heard a church bell
ringing. All the guests heard the word fire. Men and women
took buckets of water running. When the colonists reached the
town house they didn't see a fire. Instead they saw Lobsterbacks
and colonists shooting each other. Some people got wounded.
It was terrifying. The guests in my tavern were discussing
how disgusting they Crown is. I am really angry with the
Crown. I hope the colonists will stop them, and end all this
madness. I love you father and I will write back as soon as I can.
Your daughter,
Abigail Richardson
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Historical References:
1. Allison, Robert. A Short
history of History of
Boston. United
States. 2004.
2. Boston, Massacre. 25 April 2006. www. home.att.net/2
bestnewmark/Boston info.html
3. Hoose, Phillip. We were
there too. United States. 2001.
4. Martin, James. Boston
Massacre. April 26, 06 <world book>.
5. Murray, Stuart. Eyewitness.
375 Hudson Street, New York: Dk
publishing, inc. 2005.
6. O., Billy. Tavern. April 3. 2006 <http://www.mcps.k12.md.us>
7. The Boston Massacre. 25 April 2006.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/cmx/adams/_Massacre html
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