Local Author to Speak About Connecticut's State Navy and Privateers in the American Revolution

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Connecticut author Jackson Kuhl will give a presentation about Revolutionary War hero Samuel Smedley at the Hagaman Memorial Library on Thursday, September 10.

At the outbreak of war between Great Britain and the American colonies in 1775, Connecticut established its own state navy “for the Defence of the sea-coasts.” This fleet was separate from the Continental navy, which was authorized and overseen by the Continental Congress.

At the age of 23, Samuel Smedley of Fairfield was commissioned as a lieutenant of marines onboard the Connecticut navy flagship Defence. Less than a year later he was her captain, scouring the seas for British prey.

Smedley captured prizes, battled British ships in Boston Harbor and privateers off the coast of South Carolina, survived smallpox, a devastating shipwreck, was captured twice and escaped from an English prison, only to lose everything he owned.

Jackson Kuhl is the author of Samuel Smedley, Connecticut Privateer, a biography of the Revolutionary War’s most daring sea captain. Kuhl is also the author of the acclaimed gothic mysteries The Island of Small Misfortunes and A Season of Whispers. He has worked as an editor, journalist, ghostwriter, and freelance writer. Kuhl teaches writing at Mitchell College and lives in coastal Connecticut.

Kuhl will discuss Smedley’s Revolutionary War adventures and sign copies of Samuel Smedley, Connecticut Privateer at the Hagaman Memorial Library on Thursday, September 10 at 6 pm. The library is located at 227 Main Street in East Haven, and no RSVP is required.