Jack Santos, local historian, will speak about the Wheelwrights, a prominent merchant family in Newburyport during the early to mid-1800s.  An original Boston Brahmin clan, we’ll tell the story of Rev. John  Wheelwright, who narrowly escaped severe Puritan punishment in the 1600s.  We’ll learn of Reverend John’s great great grandson Jeremiah Wheelwright, an Ipswich schoolmaster, who answered Benedict Arnold’s rallying call at Old South to join Arnold’s army in a surprise attack on the British.  We’ll end our talk with Jeremiah’s son, eighteen year old Abraham. With first person accounts of battles on land and at sea, the war for independence would be Abraham’s focus for eight years of his life. 

This program is part of Mid-day History at the HIST, a series of talks designed to offer a refreshing twist to your typical lunch hour.  Bring your lunch, get away from the office or out of the house for a bit, and learn something new about your community.  

Please RSVP to info@newburyhistory.org or 978-462-2681.
Members: Free; Non-Members: $5
Beverages Provided