Crispus Attucks: "Molatto" in the ads, sometimes "Indian" at trial (Framingham, 1750; Boston, 1770)
Record: the document says itPattern: documents line upLens: our readingOpen: not yet provenDisputed: argued, often by a hostile witness
Year: 1750 · Places: Northeast, Europe, Africa
SUMMARYCrispus Attucks: "Molatto" in the ads, sometimes "Indian" at trial (Framingham, 1750; Boston, 1770) [Connections: Northeast & Mid-Atlantic, Nov 5, 2026]
RECORDA Boston Gazette advertisement of October 2, 1750, placed by William Brown of Framingham: "Ran away from his master William Brown of Framingham, on the 30th of Sept. last, a Molatto Fellow, about 27 Years of Age, named Crispas, 6 Feet 2 Inches high, short curl'd Hair." After the March 5, 1770 shooting, the Boston Gazette (March 12) called him "A mulatto man, named Crispus Attucks, who was born in Framingham." At the soldiers' trial witnesses called him "the Molatto" and sometimes identified him as "Indian." John Adams called him "a stout Molatto fellow." The name "Auttuck" appears in Roger Williams's 1643 Narragansett word list, meaning deer, and a "John Auttuck, Indian" was executed after a 1676 warrant
DISPUTEDJ.L. Bell says his parents are unknown. The "Natick Praying Indian mother" and "African father" story traces to secondary and children's books
PATTERNThe first man killed in the Boston Massacre was recorded as "mulatto" and as "Indian."
LENS (WW9)The Revolution's first martyr carried a Native name
OPENThis needs deep research before any claim about his parents: Framingham and Natick vital records, and the "Peterattucks" surname
SOURCEJerome J. Palliser, "The Hidden Life of Crispus Attucks," Journal of the American Revolution, Mar. 5, 2014; J.L. Bell, Boston 1775, "Mysteries of Crispus Attucks," Feb. 24, 2008.