Revolutionary War Historical Article
Tory Account of Whig Leaders Before the Revolutionary War
(MANY WERE KNOWN LEADERS OF THE ORIGINAL SONS OF LIBERTY)
By the Sons of Liberty Chapter of the SAR
Editor's Note: This article was reprinted from the July/August 2001 Edition of the Liberty Tree Magazine . Image of John Hancock Added for Illustrative Purposes.
Editors Note: This transcription is a true copy of the original document that was gifted on December 9, 1869 by the Hon. C. F. Adams to the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston, Massachusetts. The author of the document is unknown, but was written in London on the same day that the signal lanterns were hung at Christ Church, Boston, just prior to Paul Revere's famous ride. This document was transcribed on May 28, 2001 by Marston Watson, Former Vice President General - Western District, Sons of the American Revolution and a dual member of The Sons of Liberty Chapter. It is believed that this document has never been published before July 2001. Additionally, it is transcribed exactly as written, spelling errors and all.
" London 18th April 1775
As the True Born Sons of Liberty in Boston always make it a Rule to publish the Names and Office [of] the Characters to those who they Vote Inimical to their favourite Cause it may not be amiss by way of tit for tat to give the Public a List of Sixty three Persons who were appointed in the Town of Boston to Carry into Execution in the Town of Boston the Agreement and Association of the Respected Continental Congress.
As the characters that follow are known to be just by many people in this City and universally in Boston, the author makes no Apology for Introducing them in this public Manner.
Thomas Cushing a Distiller of Spirits, and Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Commons, a Dealer in Cannon & warlike Stores, also a Manager of Lotteries that Yielded immense Sums, unaccounted for.
Samuel Adams Formerly a Collector of Taxes & Largely in Debt to the Town of Boston, the principall Spring and manager of Plotts and Conspiraces against the State, famous for making Bacon, and always shudders at the sight of Hemp (1).
John Hancock (a Merchant) Orator & Milch Cow of the Faction (2) but whether Public Spirit or Vanity has been his governing principle is Uncertain.
William Phillips (a Deacon) of the Old South meeting Formality & a Presbyterian face are his Ornaments, an Occasionall Moderator at Town Meetings
Thos. Marshall (Taylor) A very Brave man, no one dare Question his Courage on Pain of being pinhed with his Bodkin (2) also a great Scholar & well versed in the Languages
John Pitts (a Selectman) Wise, prudent and discerning & very fond of soft music, Prompter to the Provinciall Congress
Oliver Wendell (Oilman) A very worthy Man
Samuel Austin (a Selectman) By his Connections it is thought Cyder may make Good Wine
Benjamin Austin (Ropemaker) Very Officious in Politicks and a rejected Councellor
Caleb Davis (Shopkeeper) A new made Deacon but in trade Esteemed an Honest man
William Davis (Merchant) of Small Importance & great Conceit
Wm Whitwell (Bonesetter) Key keeper in the Time of the Last (illegible) Non Importation & of a Jesuiticall (4) Turn
Saml Barrett (Shopkeeper) A Prim Politician
Jona Mason (Brasier) of a dark Surly Countenance, the true Index of the mind
John Bradford (Mariner) A Brave & Valiant sea Commander, only a Little Bashfull which known to the underwriters in London
John Brown a wigmakers Daily Assistant
Wm. Powell (Merchant) A high Son of Liberty
Rich. Boynton (Blacksmith) A Deacon and Excessive Civil & Smooth in Conversation
Ezek Cheever (Distiller) of Low Proof
Edward Procter Retailer of Lemmons and Pluievian in Principle
Jamers Ivers An Idle Politician
Eben. Hancock (Brasier) (Auctioner) Brother to Orater John
Wm Greenleaf (Auctioneer) very soft & pretty in his address, but is not without bad Humours
Sam. Whitwell (Leather Dresser) A very Boney man, N.B. Horns on his sign Post. (alias Hugh Peters Meeting House. N.B. he sings well
Herman Brimmer (Shopkeeper) A Sudden Deserter from the Church of England and a Candidate for a Deacon place at Doctor Chauncey
Martin Brimmer (Apothecary ) Civil & well Esteemed
Peter Boyer (Dealer) In Partnership with Major Thompson, Clerk to the Provinciall Congress
Benja. Church (Physician) Well versed in the art of Banting, a Qualification requisite for a Delagate
Joseph Warren (Ditto) Ditto
Jos. Greenleaf (Retailer) of Pamphlets, formerly a Justice of the Peace but broke for Malpractices
Benja. Waldo (Mariner) A Surly Humdrum son of Liberty
John Pulling Bully of the Mohawk Tribe (5)
Paul Revere (Silver Smith) Ambasadour from the Committee of Correspondence to the Congress in Philadelphia
John Winthrop Chairman of the Committee for Tarring & Feathering, who alias Joyce Junior is now Strolling in the West Indies
Samuel Pitts (Fishmonger) Formerly a Salmon Catcher at an Indian Harbour
Capt. Ruddock Supposed to be one Abiel Ruddock, formerly Head of the mob on
5th November
Charles Jarvis (Physician) A Turn Coat & of no Consequence
Thos. Chace (Retailer) Well known under Liberty Tree in the Time of the Stamp Act
Nat Barber (Ins. Broker) Remarkable for Bullying & Rioting
Fortesque Vernon A Broken merchant one day & a whole one the next
Job Prince (Mariner) Remarkable for his pretended Hospitallity to Strangers
Caleb Hopkins (Ditto) The northern Politician & Talks on both sides the Question Occasionally
Moses Gill (Brasier) A Great Puritan without Religion
Thos. Roylston (Merchant) One who Loves his money better than his Country, largely Concerned in the Slave trade
John Marston (Publican) Keeper of a gaming House, very Tyrannicall & Oppressive
Newn Greenough (Sailmaker) whose House was built by Unrighteousnes
Moses Grant (Feathr. Seller) A Cashiered Cadet for Abusing one of the Honourable the Commissioners of is Majesties Customs
Foster Condy (Shopkeeper) Ditto & Broke for the same Crime
Henry Bromfield (Merchant) One who talks much & Does Little
Cyrus Baldwin (Shopkeeper) of Little Consequence, Strongly Suspected to be a Roman Catholic
Boz Foster (Retailer) of Spirits very warm in Politics
Isaac Peirce (Victualer (6)) A Person of Little Consequence
Enoch Brown (Retailer) said to be in Partnership with a Certain Auctioner, of whom he buys many Bargains
Jos. Eayrs Carpenter Emminent for erecting Liberty Poles
Henry Bass A very Important Man in his own Opinion and a Grindstone Facter
Sam Patridge (Mariner) A Busy, Foolish empty Town.Officer
Jos. Bracket (Publican (7)) Well known under Cromwell Head.
Jona. Williams (Merchant) Moderator at the Old South Meeting, Often troubled with Qualms of Conscience
Edwd Davis (Pedlar) A Tatler and minds every Bodys Business but his own
Eben. Johnston (Mariner) Mean Spiritted Sneering & Silly very Amourous with Kitchen Furniture
Elias Parkman (Shopkeeper) An Impudent Boy.
John Avery, Jr. Son in Law to the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Commons & formerly (illegible) Secratary
Nat. Noyes A Trifling Apothecary whose Medicines like himself are without Virtue well known among the Butchers for buying Lean meat."
NOTES AND COMMENTS
(1) Hemp = The reference is the material used to manufacture a hangman noose.
(2) Milch Cow of the Faction = Translates in modern English to Financier of the Organization (Sons of Liberty?)
(3) Bodkin = A small sharp instrument for making holes in leather of fabric.
(4) Jesuiticall = Archaic term meaning "Jesuiticall Order, men brought up and devoted to the religion and court of Rome"
(5) Bully of the Mohawk Tribe = The Sons of Liberty usually diguised themselves as Mohawk Indians.
(6) Victualer = Translates in modern English to an Inn Keeper or a supplier of victuals (fresh food stuffs).
(7) Publican = A tavern keeper.
