The Death of Christopher Seider

OVERVIEW:

Early in 1770, the effectiveness of boycotting British goods was uneven (some boycotted British goods while others did not), so colonial radicals, many of them members of the Sons of Liberty, began directing their anger against those businesses that had ignored the boycott. The radicals posted signs (large hands emblazoned with the word importer) on the establishments of boycott-violating merchants and berated their customers. 

On February 22, when Ebenezer Richardson tried to take down one of those signs from the shop of his neighbor, Theophilus Lillie, he was attacked by a group of boys. The boys chased Richardson back into his own nearby home, from which he emerged to yell at his tormentors, drawing a hail of stones that broke Richardson’s door and front window along with hitting his wife.

Richardson and George Wilmont, a British soldier who had come to Richardson's defense, armed themselves with muskets and stepped outside onto his doorstep to confront the boys who had entered Richardson’s backyard.  Richardson then fired into the crowd, hitting at least two people one being 11-year-old Christopher Seider (or Snyder or Snider; sources differ on his last name), who died later that night. 

Seemingly, the only thing that prevented the crowd from seeking justice on Richardson was the belief that they would be brought to justice in court.

Samuel Adams, one of the leaders of The Sons of Liberty, arranged for Seider’s funeral, and a public display was made of what Richardson had done.  An estimated 2,000 people attended the funeral which fueled the outrage of the people of Boston.

Seider died two hours later in his mother’s arms with eleven pieces of shrapnel in his body.  Richardson and his accomplice would have been hanged if not for the intervention of the mob’s leader, purported to be George Wilmont, a British Soldier.

The non-importation riot had been pre-planned.  Richardson’s neighbor, Theophilus Lillie, had signed an agreement with the Sons of Liberty not to sell any products imported from England for nine months or until the Townshend Acts were repealed.  On this day Lillie was accused of violating that agreement.  The mob arrived with Lillie as their target, but intervention by Richardson changed the focus.

Richardson, the customs informer, was hated by most of the merchants that supported the Sons of Liberty.  He and the loyalist newspapers did their best to identify those radical merchants that violated the non-importation agreement. As a result, the merchant was then in the cross-hairs of the Sons of Liberty. Richardson was additionally loathed for identifying the location of smuggled merchandise causing them to be subject to confiscation and taxation.

Since the arrival of the British occupying Army on October 1, 1768, the tension in the city of Boston and throughout the colonies built up over months of physical, emotional and legal confrontations.  Sam Adams then politicized Seider’s murder. He arranged a funeral estimated to be 2,000 strong, with many limousines followed by the Sons of Liberty marching in military precision. The entire town was draped in black to show their sympathy and solidarity with the radicals.

As Seider was buried, Richardson waited in jail for his manslaughter trial. 

Here’s a summary of the aftermath for the two men involved in the Death of Seider:

1. Ebenezer Richardson: Richardson was the one who directly shot Seider. After the incident, he was arrested and put on trial for murder. However, he was acquitted of the killing, largely due to the fact that his actions were presented as self-defense against a threatening crowd. Richardson's acquittal fueled further outrage in Boston, as many colonists viewed the trial as an example of British injustice.

2. Thomas Wilmot: His role in the death of Seider was less clear. There were allegations that Wilmot may have been involved in the confrontation, but he was not specifically charged or tried for the killing.

With tensions running high in the wake of Seider’s funeral, brawls broke out between soldiers and rope makers in Boston’s South End on March 2 and 3.

The following article appeared in The Boston-Gazette, and Country Journal, on March 5, 1770.  That night, the Boston Massacre would occur.  This article describes the burial of young Christopher Seider (sometimes spelled Snider) on February 26, 1770.

(The original text has been modified slightly)

The remains of young Snider, the unfortunate boy who was barbarously Murdered the 22nd of February last week, was decently interred on the following Monday (February 25th) -- His tragic death & the peculiar circumstances surrounding it had touched the heart of all with the tenderest sympathy, except for a few who have long shown themselves to be void of the Feelings of Humanity. 

The little Corpse was set down under the Tree of Liberty, from where the funeral procession began. 

NOTE: The Tree of Liberty was a large elm tree that stood on Boston Common( a large public park located in the center of the city) from 1640 to 1775. It was a popular gathering place for colonists, and it became a symbol of liberty during the American Revolution. In 1765, a group of colonists protested the Stamp Act by hanging effigies of British officials from the Tree of Liberty. The British government responded by sending troops to Boston to enforce the Stamp Act.

About five hundred school boys preceded (led the funeral procession); and a very numerous train of citizens followed.  It is estimated that at least Two Thousand of all ranks (members of society) were among the crowd of spectators; who in their facial expressions and behaviors showed the evidence of true Sorrow.

The Pall was supported by six youths, chosen by the Parents of the Deceased. 

Pall - a pall in a funeral context, is a cloth, often black, that is draped over a coffin. It symbolizes mourning and respect for the deceased.

Upon the Foot of the Coffin was the Inscription: “Latet Anguis in Herba!” - a Latin phrase that translates to "A snake is hidden in the grass!" or more figuratively, "Beware of hidden dangers." It's a warning to be cautious and to watch out for potential threats, even when things seem peaceful or harmless.

This Latin phrase was hinting that even in the happiest time of life, amidst the most flattering scenes, and without the least apprehension (fear) of evil; we are continually exposed to the unseen Arrows of Death: The Serpent is lurking in the grass, ready to infuse his deadly poison! 

Upon each side of the coffin was the inscription: “Hæret Lateri lethalis arundo!”  In English this means, “the fatal dart is fixed in the side!”  And on the head of the coffin was yet another inscription, Innocentia nusquam tuta! This is the original inscription reversed indicating that we have fallen into the most unhappy of times, when even Innocence itself is nowhere safe!

Upon this very mournful occasion, and during this solemn occasion, the Sons of Liberty ordered a board to be affixed to the Liberty Tree, inscribed with the following quotations from the sacred writings, which perhaps cannot easily be misapplied.

Thou shall take no satisfaction (revenge) for the life of a MURDERER; -- He shall surely be put to Death. Though Hand joined in Hand, the Wicked shall not pass unpunished.

The Memory of the Just is Blessed. The parents of the unfortunate youth who was murdered, would publicly like to acknowledge with gratitude the respect shown to their Son by the attendance of so great a number of the friends of Liberty, at his funeral on Monday.

We can assure the public, that a monument will be erected over the Grave of young Snider, with an inscription, to perpetuate his memory: A number of patriotic Gentlemen having generously donated money for that purpose -- It is said it will be done in an elegant simplicity, and that the leftover money, if any, will be given to the Parents.

It is whispered that the Trial of Richardson and Wilmot will be put off until - 

NOTE: It ends like this, without giving a date for their trial because only Richardson had been arrested and his trial date had not been set yet.