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Summary and Objective
Though most of the history of the American Revolution focuses on the activities of the Patriots, it is important for students to understand the experience of the Loyalists, those who maintained their allegiance to the British Crown. Students will examine historical records to discover how Massachusetts Loyalists were treated in retribution for their refusal to support independence from Great Britain.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Prior to teaching the lesson, review the information compiled by the New England Historic Genealogical Society on the Loyalists in Massachusetts at the time of the American Revolution.
Step 2.
Begin the lesson by reading aloud to the class the book LOVE THY NEIGHBOR: THE TORY DIARY OF PRUDENCE EMERSON, GREENMARSH, MASSACHUSETTS, 1774 by Ann Turner (192 pages).
Step 3.
Briefly describe to the students the political and economic reasons why some MA colonists resisted independence from Great Britain. Describe the variety of consequences for MA Loyalists who refused to join the Rebellion.
Step 4.
Break the class into small groups of four. Assign two of the students to read the minutes of the Shelburne Town Meeting and the Petition to the Judges of the Supreme Court. Assign the other two students the Letter to Elihu Ashley.
Step 5.
After completing their assigned readings, instruct each pair of students to report in their small group on how local townspeople treated known Loyalists at the time of the Revolution.
Step 6.
After recounting the actions taken against local Loyalists, have the students choose one of the historical accounts to recreate in a short story (1-2 pages).
Step 7.
Reconvene the small groups to share their short stories.
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