Isaac Sears
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Isaac Sears (1729? or 1730? – October 28, 1786) was an American merchant, sailor, and political figure who played an important role in the American Revolution.
He was nicknamed "King Sears" for his influential role in organizing and leading Patriot ([2]).
Sources vary on Sears' place of birth and birthdate: Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography claims Sears was born in 1729 in Norwalk, Connecticut, while Encyclopædia Britannica claims he was born in West Brewster, Massachusetts, in 1730, suggesting a birthdate of July 1.[1][2]
He was a descendant of Richard Sears, who emigrated to the colonies from Colchester, England, in 1630.[2] Sears established his reputation as a privateer during the French and Indian War, commanding a vessel from 1758 until 1761, when he lost his ship.[2] After the war he moved to New York City and engaged in the triangular trade in the West Indies and Europe.[2]
Sears became a revolutionary after the passage of the Stamp Act[1] and helped organize the Sons of Liberty in 1766.[2] He acted as a revolutionary leader in New York and along with John Lamb helped lead a mob that drove British loyalists out of the city, as well as capturing the British armory. In 1774, Sears led "a New York version of the Boston Tea Party,"[1] and lent his support for a meeting of delegates from all the colonies.[1]
On November 20, 1775, Sears led a group of 80 citizens in apprehending Parson Seabury, Judge Fowler, and Lord Underhill.[3]
At some point the mob forced Fowler to write (or else they forged his name) an apology and a promise not to interfere with the Second Continental Congress.[3] While some of the mob escorted the three prisoners to Connecticut,[3] Sears led the remaining 75 in a march to James Rivington's Royal Gazette, where they destroyed the printing press (which was melted and made into bullets (presumably for the war effort) in November 1775.[2] According to the Diary of the American Revolution, Volume I:
- They then faced and wheeled to the left, and marched out of town to the tune of Yankee Doodle. A vast concourse of people assembled at the Coffee House, on their leaving the ground, and gave them three very hearty cheers.
The group then disarmed many of the loyalists along their route before disbanding. After the capture of New York, Sears returned to Massachusetts, promoting privateering and spending time at sea as a privateer from Boston from 1777 to 1783.[1] After the war, he was twice elected to the New York State Assembly, in 1784 and again in 1786.
Having "lost his fortune by the war"[2] Sears became supercargo on a merchant ship on a trading venture to China.[2] He contracted a fever[2] and died in Canton on October 28, 1786.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Sears, Issac." Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography. 1889.[1]
- ^ a b c Moore, Frank. [1860] (2001). Diary of the American Revolution Vol. I.: 122-123 Edited by Jay Carper. Internet: Third Millennium Publishing. ISBN 1-929381-81-6
[edit] External links
- Diary of the American Revolution, Vols I & II - Newspaper articles, letters, and diary entries from the American Revolution
