Christopher Seider facts for kids

Christopher Seider (born 1758 – died February 22, 1770) was a young boy, just 11 years old, who is often seen as the first person to die for the American cause before the American Revolution officially began. He was shot and killed by a British customs officer named Ebenezer Richardson in Boston on February 22, 1770. His death and large funeral made people even more angry, leading to the Boston Massacre just a few days later on March 5, 1770.

Christopher Seider's Early Life

Christopher Seider was born in 1758. He was the son of poor German immigrants. His family lived in Boston, a busy city that was part of the British colonies in America.

The Day Christopher Seider Died

The Bloody Massacre, Paul Revere's famous picture of The Boston Massacre in March 1770. In the background, a building called "Butcher's Hall" has a gun firing from a window, which reminds people of Seider's death.

On February 22, 1770, Christopher joined a crowd of people. They were protesting outside the home of Ebenezer Richardson in the North End neighborhood. Richardson was a British customs officer. He had tried to stop a protest earlier that day. The protest was aimed at a shop owner named Theophilus Lillie. Lillie was a Loyalist, meaning he supported the British government.

The crowd threw stones at Lillie's shop. Some stones broke windows and hit Lillie's wife. Ebenezer Richardson then fired a gun into the crowd. Christopher Seider was hit in the arm and chest. He died later that evening.

A Funeral That Changed History

Christopher Seider's death shocked many people in Boston. A well-known leader named Samuel Adams helped arrange his funeral. More than 2,000 people attended, which was a huge number for that time. Christopher was buried in the Granary Burying Ground. The victims of the Boston Massacre were later buried nearby.

Christopher's killing and his large public funeral made people in Boston very angry. This anger grew even stronger. It reached a peak just 11 days later with the Boston Massacre.

What Happened Next

Ebenezer Richardson, the officer who shot Christopher, was found responsible for the boy's death. However, he later received a special pardon from the British king. He was even given a new job within the customs service. The British government said he had acted to protect himself.

This decision made many Americans even more upset with the British government. They felt it was unfair and showed how little the British cared about the colonists. Christopher Seider's death became an important moment. It helped push the American colonies closer to demanding their independence from Britain.