The Paxton Boys were a group of Scots-Irish frontiersmen who formed a vigilante group in Pennsylvania in 1763. Driven by grievances over perceived inadequate protection from Native American attacks and frustration with the Quaker-dominated Pennsylvania government’s pacifist policies, they took matters into their own hands. Their most infamous action was the massacre of twenty innocent Conestoga Indians, who were under the protection of the colonial government, at Conestoga Town and in Lancaster. This act of violence highlighted the tensions between settlers and Native Americans on the frontier, as well as the political divisions within Pennsylvania.
The significance of this group lies in its demonstration of frontier resentment and the growing divide between the eastern and western regions of colonial Pennsylvania. The event exposed the weaknesses of the colonial government in protecting its citizens and maintaining order. Furthermore, it contributed to a broader narrative of escalating violence and mistrust leading up to the American Revolution. The actions also reflected a deep-seated prejudice against Native Americans, fueling further conflict and displacement.
