Boston 1775

This is the last of the series of postings analyzing Dr. Benjamin Church ’s 24 Sept 1775 letter to Maj. Edward Cane , now preserved in the f...

Yesterday I discussed the precedent-setting marriage of Capt. James Smithwick in 1800. He appears to have died just ten years later, leavi...

The sea captain James Smithwick , who disappeared at sea with Dr. Benjamin Church in 1778, left behind a son, also named James. I mentione...

Sometime in early 1778, Capt. James Smithwick directed the sloop Welcome out of Boston harbor, carrying accused spy Dr. Benjamin Church, J...

James Smithwick was a mariner from Britain or Ireland, according to the understanding of descendants related in Charles Hudson’s History of...

Yesterday I quoted from the Massachusetts House records on that body’s vote on 8 Jan 1778 to put accused but unproven spy Dr. Benjamin Churc...