American Revolution – John Adams and the Boston Massacre Trial of 1770

Description

Timeline of Events: Boston Massacre Trial (Based on Source)

• March 5, 1770: A riot occurs in Boston. During this riot, eight British soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot are involved in the deaths of five individuals: Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, and Patrick Carr.
• November 27, 1770: The trial of the eight British soldiers (William Wemms, James Hartegan, William McCauley, Hugh White, Matthew Killroy, William Warren, John Carrol, and Hugh Montgomery) for the murders of the five men begins in Boston. The trial is held before the Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Goal Delivery.
• November 27, 1770 (and subsequent days): The trial proceeds with John Adams acting as counsel for the defense of the British soldiers. Justices presiding over the trial include Benjamin Lynde, John Cushing, Peter Oliver, and Edmund Trowbridge.

Cast of Characters:

• John Adams (1735-1826): A young lawyer at the time of the trial, he served as the counsel for the defense of the eight British soldiers accused in the Boston Massacre. He later became the second President of the United States.
• Crispus Attucks: One of the five individuals killed during the riot on March 5, 1770. He is often considered one of the first martyrs of the American Revolution.
• Samuel Gray: One of the five individuals killed during the riot on March 5, 1770.
• Samuel Maverick: One of the five individuals killed during the riot on March 5, 1770.
• James Caldwell: One of the five individuals killed during the riot on March 5, 1770.
• Patrick Carr: One of the five individuals killed during the riot on March 5, 1770.
• William Wemms: One of the eight British soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot who were accused of murder in the deaths of the five men during the Boston Massacre. He was a defendant in the trial.
• James Hartegan: One of the eight British soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot who were accused of murder in the deaths of the five men during the Boston Massacre. He was a defendant in the trial.
• William McCauley: One of the eight British soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot who were accused of murder in the deaths of the five men during the Boston Massacre. He was a defendant in the trial.
• Hugh White: One of the eight British soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot who were accused of murder in the deaths of the five men during the Boston Massacre. He was a defendant in the trial.
• Matthew Killroy: One of the eight British soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot who were accused of murder in the deaths of the five men during the Boston Massacre. He was a defendant in the trial.
• William Warren: One of the eight British soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot who were accused of murder in the deaths of the five men during the Boston Massacre. He was a defendant in the trial.
• John Carrol: One of the eight British soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot who were accused of murder in the deaths of the five men during the Boston Massacre. He was a defendant in the trial.
• Hugh Montgomery: One of the eight British soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot who were accused of murder in the deaths of the five men during the Boston Massacre. He was a defendant in the trial.
• Benjamin Lynde: One of the justices of the Superior Court of Judicature who presided over the trial of the British soldiers.
• John Cushing: One of the justices of the Superior Court of Judicature who presided over the trial of the British soldiers.
• Peter Oliver: One of the justices of the Superior Court of Judicature who presided over the trial of the British soldiers.
• Edmund Trowbridge: One of the justices of the Superior Court of Judicature who presided over the trial of the British soldiers.

American Revolution – John Adams and the Boston Massacre Trial of 1770

440 pages of trial transcripts and history of the trial of British soldiers

The future president John Adams (1735-1826), as a young lawyer served as counsel for the defense in the trial of eight British soldiers accused of murder during a riot in Boston on March 5, 1770.

William Wemms, James Hartegan, William McCauley, Hugh White, Matthew Killroy, William Warren, John Carrol, and Hugh Montgomery, soldiers in the English 29th regiment of foot, were accused of murdering Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, and Patrick Carr.

The case was heard at the Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Goal Delivery, on November 27, 1770, by adjournment, before justices Benjamin Lynde, John Cushing, Peter Oliver, and Edmund Troweridge.

Contents include: Title: The trial of the British soldiers, of the 29th regiment of foot, for the murder of Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, and Patrick Carr, on Monday evening, March 5, 1770,
before the Honorable Benjamin Lynde, John Cushing, Peter Oliver, and Edmund Trowbridge, esquires, justices of the Superior court of judicature, Court of assize, and general goal delivery, held at Boston, byadjournment, November 27, 1770.

Title: History ofthe Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770: consisting of the narrative of the town, the trial of the soldiers, and a historical introduction, containing unpublished documents of John Adams, and explanatory notes.