The Most Hated Man in Revolutionary Boston

The Most Hated Man in Revolutionary Boston

How a local scoundrel and hated customs agent escaped hanging for murder in 1770 Boston

By Stoneham Historical Society & Museum

Date and time

Tuesday, June 4 · 7 - 8pm EDT

Location

Stoneham Public Library

431 Main Street Stoneham, MA 02180

About this event

  • 1 hour

Join the Stoneham Historical Society in welcoming historian and author John Bell to speak on "As yet Unhanged”: Ebenezer Richardson and the Coming of the American Revolution. The focus is on Ebenezer Richardson, a customs agent and British informer convicted of shooting and killing a boy protesting outside of his house in 1770, making him "the most hated man in Boston." The incident provoked a similar response as the Boston Massacre less than two weeks later, and played a large role in turning public sentiment toward supporting an open rebellion. Over 1,000 people attended Seider's funeral procession from Boston's Liberty Tree.

Richardson was a well-known scoundrel who fled his native Woburn admidst sexual and financial scandal.

Sponsored by the Stoneham Historical Society & Musuem, with a grant from the Stoneham and Massachusetts Cultural Councils.

About the speaker: John Bell (who writes as J.L.Bell) is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults and just published a book, The Road to Concord, which follows the fate of 4 cannon smuggled out of Boston to Concord - helping spark the Revolution. Mr. Bell has been a consultant for History Detectives, contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park and has produced other material for the National Park Service. His research can be found at at https://boston1775.blogspot.com/

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