Choosing Sides in Revolutionary Massachusetts
Inquiry Questions
Supporting Question:
Era of the American Revolution: Key Vocabulary
Loyalist: a person who believed the British government was both fair and effective, and supported the colonies remaining in the British Empire
Patriot: a person who supported the colonies separating from Great Britain and becoming an independent nation. Patriots did not all agree on what the new nation would look like
Neutral: a person who did not support or help either side during the Revolutionary Era
Banish: To punish someone by sending them away or forbidding them to return
Exile: A person who has been forced, either by law or by war, from their home
Who lived in Boston,1760-1780?
3-2-1: Analyzing and Interpreting Images
For the image on the next slide:
👀Write down three things that stand out to you in this image.
🔎Look closer. Describe two things that catch your attention.
❓Write one question you have about this image.
3-2-1
Context: Rising Tensions
This is the home of the Governor of Massachusetts, Thomas Hutchinson. Look closely at the decorations on the pilaster of the building. What details do you see? Is there anything in the imagery of this column that tells you Thomas Hutchinson worked for or supported the British government? Is there anything to tell you about his status, or social class?
“...this was one of the most elegant dwelling houses in Boston…”
Loyalist: Governor Thomas Hutchinson
“Having waited some time to sell this tea, but not having any opportunity to do so: I am trying to get rid of it and want to let you know that it is still unsold…
I think that somehow or other quantities of tea have found a way into the Town, notwithstanding the Vigilance of our worthy Patriots, who are as careful in Detecting & removing any small package, as if tea itself were evil and could forever change the relationship between Great Britain and the colonies. The Patriots have treated me poorly for trying to sell tea; excuse me for my bad temper and impatience in bothering you for your help.”
Thomas Robie lived in Marblehead, Massachusetts, where he ran a shop selling goods he imported from Britain. The boycott of British imports greatly hurt his business. In this letter, Robie mocks colonists for refusing to buy British tea and complains about the unfair treatment he has faced. He fled Marblehead as a Loyalist with his family in May 1775 and reopened his business in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Here is an excerpt from a letter Mr. Robie wrote to Massachusetts colonists about the difficulties he faced as a merchant under the boycotts.
Loyalist: Merchant Thomas Robie
17 June 1775 - Two Perspectives
Boston merchant William Cheever kept a diary during the Siege of Boston from April 19, 1775 to March 17, 1776.
“A large number (2 or 3000) Regulars…were boated over to Charlestown…to dislodge the Provincials…; this they did, and set the Town of Charlestown on fire…a great many are killed & wounded (10 or 1100 of the Regulars). A melancholy Scene of Fire & Slaughter.”
Nathaniel Ober was a shoemaker who served in the Continental Army.
“...our People and the Kings trops Began a warme ingaigment about three a clock this after none this was a melancly Day not only a grait numb of our Braive frinds fel But a grait Deal of Substance was Consumed by fire for the our unattrel Enemies Sat fier to the Town of Charlstown which Consumed almost Every house in that town: But it is Said that we Ciled in the Batel 29 Comeshand offesers and 220 non comishand offesers and 752 Privets So grait was the Fall of our Enemys how are the mighty Falen.”
William Cheever and Nathaniel Ober both wrote diary entries for June 17, 1775. Read their entries. How do the men describe the Battle of Bunker Hill that took place in Charlestown (near Boston)?
Comparing Firsthand Accounts
Battle of Bunker Hill, Charlestown, MA: June 17, 1775 | ||
| William Cheever | Nathaniel Ober |
Time of Day | | |
Number of Troops | | |
Results of Fire | | |
Results of Battle | | |
Adjectives Used to Describe Events | | |
Black Loyalist: Newton Prince
Indigenous Ally to the British: Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant)
Think-Pair-Share
Think: Why did some people choose to remain loyal to Britain?
Pair: Discuss with a partner!
Share: Tell the class!
Be prepared to give an example of a person from one of the slides.
Consequences: Siege of Boston and Evacuation Day
Context: For 11 months, the British Army occupied Boston. Many Patriots left the city. Loyalists remained for protection. On March 17, 1776, the British Army was forced to withdraw. Boston became a Patriot city once again.
Loyalists each had to make a decision:
Leave with the British Army and go somewhere they’ve never lived
OR
Stay in Massachusetts and lose the protection of the British government
“...this day at noon, Gen'l Howe notified that all Persons who intended to follow the Army
should give in their names, as he must withdraw
his Troops.”
William Cheever’s diary, 5 March 1775
Consequences: Massachusetts
Banishment Act of 1778
The Massachusetts Legislature passed a law banishing more than 300 Loyalists from the state. The law also aimed at identifying Loyalists from other states and banning them from settling in Massachusetts. Despite being banished, some of these Loyalists returned after the war.
“An act to prevent the return to this state of certain Persons…who have left this State, or either of the United States, and joined the Enemies thereof.”
Whereas many dangers may accrue to this state and the United States, if such persons should again reside in this state.”
Think-Pair-Share
Think: What consequences did Loyalists face for their choices?
Pair: Discuss with a partner!
Share: Tell the class!
Be prepared to give an example from one of the previous slides.
Consequences: Life in Exile
The following two letters describe the lives of children,
whose fathers were ministers, living in exile. Their
Loyalist families had fled Massachusetts when the
British Army left Boston. The Banishment Act kept
them from returning.
What do you think life was like for the children of Loyalist families in exile?
Eliza Byles, Age 11, Writes to Her Aunts
In March 1776, the Byles family fled Boston with the British army for Halifax, Canada. In a letter written to her aunts in 1778, Eliza Byles shows off her handwriting and describes a sampler, similar to the one shown here, that she has stitched herself. She also writes,
“I a young exile from my native Shore."
What do you think Eliza means when she states, “I a young Exile from my native Shore”? Where is Eliza’s native shore? Why do you think Eliza wanted to include this statement on her sampler?
Mary Badger Writes to Her Mother from Exile in Rhode Island
“Nat has not ceased talking about his Uncle & Aunt an hour at a time since he left them. The People of our Acquaintance wonder where this Haverhill is he talks so much about. He says if he had been up there While the Ice was in the street he should have skated more than he has here. Dick remains the same quiet, sedate boy he always was. He has been remarkably healthy during our residence here, [so] we shall think ourselves very happy although separated from our nearest connections.”
Mary's husband was a Loyalist minister. She fled Haverhill, MA with her two young sons, Nat and Dick. In 1784, Badger wrote to her mother about her children’s experiences in exile.
What did you learn about Nat and Dick’s personalities? What does Mary mean by ‘our nearest connections’?
Think-Pair-Share
Think: What was life in exile like for Loyalist kids?
Pair: Discuss with a partner!
Share: Tell the class!
Be prepared to give an example from one of the letters we read.