Boston Massacre Monument
Boston Common
Boston, MA
GPS: N42° 21.255; W71° 3.862
Short Description:
The Boston Massacre Monument is located in the Boston Common opposite Tremont Street.
Long Description:
The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770 when British soldiers fired upon a group of colonists protesting the presence of British soldiers in Boston sent to enforce the Townsend Revenue Act of 1767 which placed taxes on glass, paint, oil, lead, paper, and tea. Five protesters were killed, including the African-American, Crispus Attucks.
An 7' by 5' by 6' bronze allegorical female figure, which represents the Spirit of the Revolution, stands on top of granite base in front of a 25.5' high, round, granite obelisk. She is wearing loose robes and holding a flag in her left hand. In her upraised right hand she holds a piece of broken chain. She is stepping on a broken crown with her right foot. By her left foot is an eagle.
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| Engraving by Paul Revere |
On the base there is a 10' by 4' bronze plaque with a relief sculpture based of the the engraving by Paul Revere of the Boston Massacre taking place in front of the Old State House. Depicted are Crispus Attucks, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, Samuel Gray, and Patrick Carr, all of whom were killed by British soldiers.
The sculpture for the monument was created by Robert Kraus, cast at the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company and dedicated on November 14, 1889.
The bronze plaque is inscribed:
FROM THAT MOMENT
WE MAY DATE
THE SEVERANCE OF
THE BRITISH EMPIRE.
DANIEL WEBSTER
and
ON THAT NIGHT
THE FOUNDATION OF
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
WAS LAID.
JOHN ADAMS
Inscribed on the obelisk:
Top
CRISPUS ATTUCKS
SAMUEL MAVERICK
JAMES CALDWELL
SAMUEL GRAY
PATRICK CARR
Lower Part
MARCH 5, 1770
Lower Rear
Lower Rear
ERECTED IN 1888 BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO FELL
AT THE
BOSTON MASSACRE
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