Crispus Attucks

Crispus Attucks, believed to have been born around 1723 in Framingham, Massachusetts, was the son of a Wampanoag woman and an African American man. Enslaved by Deacon William Brown, he was known as Michael Johnson, a name reflecting his mixed ancestry. Attucks later escaped from slavery, possibly adopting a new name to sever ties with his past. However, when he became widely recognized as the “large stout man” from the Boston docks, some still referred to him by his former enslaved name.

A skilled sailor and whaler, Attucks spent much of his life at sea and working along the Atlantic seaboard. His experiences made him acutely aware of both economic struggles and the aggressive policing of colonists by British troops. These tensions culminated in the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers fired into a crowd protesting British rule. Attucks was the first to be shot and killed, making him one of the first martyrs of the American Revolution. It remains unclear whether he was a free man at the time or still considered a fugitive from slavery.

Though historical records do not fully document his role in the protest, Attuck’s death became a powerful symbol of resistance against British oppression. In the 19th century, abolitionists embraced his legacy, hailing him as a hero in the fight for freedom. His sacrifice has been widely recognized in American history, and he remains an enduring figure in the struggle for liberty and justice.

Attucks was buried at the Granary Burying Ground in Boston, and a monument honoring him and the other victims of the Boston Massacre stands on Boston Common. His image appeared on the 1998 U.S. one-dollar coin—though no verified portrait of him exists.

Framingham honors its connection to Attucks through historical recognition, acknowledging his roots in the town and his lasting impact on the nation's history.