''The Fifth of March'' is a 1993 novel about the Boston Massacre (of March 5, 1770, pre-Revolutionary War) by historian and author

Ann Rinaldi Ann Rinaldi (August 27, 1934 – July 1, 2021)
- Shannon Maughan. July ...

, who was also the author of many other historical fiction novels such as '' Girl in Blue'' and ''

A Break with Charity ''A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials'' () is a novel by Ann Rinaldi released in 1992, and is part of the ''Great Episodes'' series. Plot synopsis The story begins with a girl named Susanna English. She is the second chi ...

''. This book is about a fourteen-year-old

indentured servant Indentured servitude is a form of labor in which a person is contracted to work without salary for a specific number of years. The contract, called an " indenture", may be entered "voluntarily" for purported eventual compensation or debt repayment ...

named Rachel Marsh who finds herself changing as she meets many people, including young Matthew Kilroy, a British private in the 29th regiment who is not very easy to get along with. She has a friend named Jane, who was her first ever friend.

Plot

Rachel Marsh, aged 14, is an indentured servant to

John Adams John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Befor ...

and his wife

Abigail Adams Abigail Adams ( ''née'' Smith; November 22, [ O.S. November 11] 1744 – October 28, 1818) was the wife and closest advisor of John Adams, as well as the mother of John Quincy Adams. She was a founder of the United States, an ...

. Her father and mother have died, leaving Uncle Eb as her only living relative. However, Eb is greedy, uncaring, and often exploits Rachel. After a falling out over Eb wanting Rachel to spy on the Adamses, Eb disowns her. Rachel confides this to Abigail Adams, who comforts her and gives her money to go buy books at

Henry Knox Henry Knox (July 25, 1750 – October 25, 1806), a Founding Father of the United States, was a senior general of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, serving as chief of artillery in most of Washington's campaigns. Following the ...

's bookstore. Rachel is inspired by Knox and begins working to better her education. Later, a British ship arrives. Many Bostonians are unhappy with this new change and begin rioting. Nevertheless, the British post sentries outside many residences, including the Adams'. While coming back from the bakery, the sentry outside the Adams house, Private Matthew Kilroy, challenges Rachel. She notices that he is fearful and hungry looking. Taking pity on him, she gives the freezing sentry a few scraps of food. As their friendship develops, Matthew begins pushing Rachel for more and wants her to kiss him. However, Rachel does not want to do so, and would rather remain friends. Their relationship is very tumultuous. Rachel's close friend, Jane, suddenly drags Rachel out of bed one night. Rachel follows Jane to find a mob of citizens fighting against the British soldiers. She sees Matthew shoot and stab a defenseless man. This event would be known as the Boston Massacre. Later, Matthew is accused of murder. Rachel sneaks food to Matthew, feeling pity for him. John Adams defends the British soldiers, but two of them, including Matthew, are accused of manslaughter. Matthew is branded and shipped back to England. Matthew proposes matrimony to Rachel but she refuses him. Mr. Adams feels that it would be best to let go of Rachel when they move back to Braintree. He gets Rachel a position in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

which he thinks would suit her. She is about to begin a new chapter in her life. 1993 American novels Historical novels Novels by Ann Rinaldi Fiction set in 1770 Novels set in the 1770s Novels set in Boston Boston Massacre {{1990s-hist-novel-stub