Sparks ~ Christopher Seider

In the journals cataloged to the right, readers will find first hand accounts of the murder and funeral of Christopher Seider. Readers may find it helpful to review the historical facts of this event before exploring the primary documents.

It was a cold dreary winter day when Christopher Seider was murdered. Christopher Seider along with a dozen other school boys were among an angry mob in front of a building throwing rocks at the shop of a Loyalist merchant. Ebenezer Richardson, a Loyalist came along, and tried to defend the merchant but was hit in the head with a rock. Ebenezer decided to go back to his house and fetch his musket. From there he climbed up a two story building and aiming his musket into the mob began to fire at random. In doing that Ebenezer shot Christopher Seider instantly killing him. Christopher Seider died with two bullets inserted in him, one right above the heart and the other in the eye. A gruesome death. After Christopher was shot the angry mob dragged Ebenezer to jail. Christopher Seider's body was taken to Faneuil Hall.

A funeral procession took place four days later for Christopher Seider. His body was carried from Faneuil Hall, past the Town House where the governor and council met, down to the liberty tree, and to the Granary Burying Ground. His body was laid to rest there. People left flowers as a tribute. As for Ebenezer Richardson the judge found him “not guilty”, but he was later tortured by local Patriots. Christopher Seider's death united the citizens of Boston against the British. A few weeks later the Massacre on King Street took place. That though is another story.