Participants of Boston Massacre

At the high point of the famous protest, the crowd of people in front of the Customs House was estimated to be between 300 and 400 men. As it often happens in such situations, it was hard establish who did what. We tried to add some clarity by creating a list of the key participants of each group, the British solders, the Agitators and the Victims.

The British Soldiers

Private Hugh White

Private White was the soldier on duty outside fo the Customs House on Mar 5 1770 when the incident started.

Captain Lieutenant John Goldfinch

The British officer John Goldfinch was also on duty that night when a young wigmaker's apprentice named Edward Garrick showed up an accused him of not having paied his master's bill.

Thomas Preston

Thomas Preston was the captain of the 14th regiment, the Officer of the Day who commanded the British soldiers outside of the Customs House.

Corporal William Wemms

The non-commissioned officer who lead the soldiers of the 29th Regiment Hugh Montgomery, John Carroll, James Hartigan, William McCauley, William Warren and Matthew Kilroy arriving to help Hugh White who was surrounded by the croud.

James Basset

A british soldier who arrived shortly thereafter with Thomas Preston

Private Hugh Montgomery

In the midst of the commotion, private Hugh Montgomery was struck down onto the ground by a club. When he recovered to his feet, he fired his musket, later admitting to one of his defense attorneys that he had yelled "Damn you, fire!"

The Agitators

Edward Garrick (sometimes spelled Gerrish)

A young wigmaker's apprentice who arrived to the Customs House and called out to a British officer, Captain Lieutenant John Goldfinch, that he had not paid his master's bill.

Bartholomew Broaders

Broaders was a friend of Edward Garrick. After Garrick was struck on on the side of the head by Hugh White, Broaders exchanged insults with White. This attracted a larger crowd.

The Victims

Crispus Attucks

A sailor mulatto (African American and Native American descent), died on the spot

Mr. Samuel Gray

A rope-maker, died on the spot

Mr. James Caldwell

A mariner, died on the spot

Mr. Samuel Maverick

A youth of seventeen years of age mortally wounded, he died the next morning.

Patrick Carr

A leather worker. Carr was also an Irish immigrant died two weeks later

View the photograph of the burrial place on Boston Massacre Victims at Granary Burying Ground, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Also available are the obituaries of the victims.