Book Released on New England Privateer's Exploits Chronicled by Descendant

A Great Read for Maritime History Lovers, War of 1812, American Revolution, Privateer Tales, and Local History and Genealogy. Below are photos descriptions and a link to My Full Article in Genealogy Magazine

Newburyport, Massachusetts, once harbored an ancient company of seafaring nobles known as the Marine Society. The grand lines of merchants, master mariners and privateers who battled ferocious enemies and treacherous seas are in the old chronicles. The ships that once brought exotic wares from the east and prized cargo of enemy vessels are no more. However, Newburyport’s War of 1812 champion privateer Captain William Nichols, known to surpass in glory and brevity all the maritime legends, has been resurrected from the magical waters.

Dr. G. William Freeman, a sixth-generation descendant of the great seafarer, recently wrote The Holy Terror: Captain William Nichols. Freeman says from an early age he felt compelled to share his ancestor’s story which he asserts “needs to be brought out of the shadows of history.”

To Continue the article click here The Holy Terror

Here are Additional Photos that are not published in magazine.

The Nichols Home 5 Harris Street Newburyport MA On May 3, 1831 Captain Nichols purchased half of the house and Miss Elizabeth Wood the other, but Wood later sold her half to Rev Frederick Gray who in turn sold it to Capt. Nichols in 1842. Later, a descendant Miss Emma Hale, widow of George E Hale sold the home in 1937. Mrs. Harry Horton Benkard purchased the woodwork parlor and incorporated it into her home with an add on wing in her Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York home. The room was mater donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and on display in the American wing (1945).

Portrait of Captain William Nichols by Charles Delin (1756-1818) done in Amsterdam. From a Private Collection Newburyport home.

The Constitution Portraits Leaving Newburyport on Aug. 4, 1812, Captain Nichols and his crew on the Decatur sailed out to make history. Nichols’ first encounter was not with the enemy, but rather a two-hour pursuit with the Constitution, during which he threw off 12 of his 14 guns to out-run her. When this famous quick-fire frigate finally approached, Nichols suspected he would become a prize; however, he was pleased to find Captain Isaac Hull wearing an American naval uniform. Nichols tipped Hull off that the Brit frigate Guerriere had indeed given him chase the day before — the very vessel Hull was in hot pursuit of. The next day the Constitution fell in with the Guerriere, and the legend of “Old Ironsides” was born.

Certificates of Prison Release donated by Nichols Descendants.

Newburyport Maritime Society Certificate for Captain Benjamin Felt Knap The Marine Society did not commission a printing plate for membership certificates until 1810. Once they received the plate, they printed membership certificates in order, starting with the original members in 1772, and issuing certificates posthumously to deceased members. This certificate was issued posthumously to Captain Knap who, as noted on the certificate, was voted into the Society on Nov. 24, 1785 - he was the 60th member, and as such was issued certificate #60. As per their charter, the Society continued to financially support Knap’s widow for years following his death. According to the NMS History, Knap “died at Martha’s Vineyard on his passage home in the schooner Polly from Havana” on April 28, 1803. Information provided by Kevin MacDonald of Custom House Maritime Museum

Sampler made by Mary Batchelder in 1773 Cooper Hewitt Museum of Design

Newspaper Clippings Captain Samuel Batchelder Newburyport Ma