Collecting Evidence: The Preston Deposition

What information have I collected from this source? 

I want to record all the information in this deposition that might help me answer my essential question.  I also want to note anything that just seems interesting.  Who knows--the stuff that just seems interesting may turn out to be really important to my research! 


Preston Deposition:

  • The people of Boston insulted and provoked the British troops in the weeks before the massacre
  • There had been several fights between the troops and the people of Boston in the days and weeks before the massacre
  • An incident took place 3 days before the massacre that resulted in a fight between some soldiers and rope-workers
  • There was a fight early on March 5th (the day of the massacre) and two soldiers were beaten
  • A 'mob' gathered around a single soldier who was guarding the custom house, where the king's money was kept.  This soldier called for help and twelve other soldiers came to help him
  • A 'mob' of about 100 people threatened the soldiers with words, clubs, moving close to the soldiers' bayonetes, and by throwing things at them
  • One soldier was hit by a club and then shot into the crowd
  • Three or four other soldiers then fired into the crowd
  • 3 colonists were instantly killed, 4 others seriously injured and then the crowd ran away 

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Take Action:
Collect evidence from your written documents

  • record information that you think will help answer your essential question
  • record facts and details that just seems interesting (you may use them later) 

Terry's Tips

Support ways of working with a variety of documents

Working with primary sources, and testimony in particular, can be challenging. Support students in gaining the skills to approach different types of documents as you model how you would approach different types of documents.  Focus on the different ways these sources communicate information: for example, color and position in visual documents, key words, typeface, formatting in writing, emotionally charged language in speech. Pointing out these key features highlights critical aspects of each form for students.

For an online lesson, the website Testimony v. Evidence provides an overview and exercises to support students and teachers in thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of different types of historical sources.