Isaac Sears was an American merchant, sailor, and political figure. He was at Battle of Long Island, and had helped with cause in Connecticut and Massconnects during the Revolutionary War. Besides, he was elected to the New York state legislature.
Background
Isaac was born probablu on July 1, 1730 at West Brewster, Massachussets, United States, and christened at Harwich, July 12, 1730. He was a son of Joshua and Mary (Thacher) Sears, and a descendant of Richard Sears who emigrated from England to Plymouth, Massachussets, about 1630. His father moved to Norwich, Connecticut, about 1734.
Career
At twenty-two Isaac was commanding a sloop trading between New York and Canada; and from then until his death he was nearly always either commander or part owner of a merchantman or a privateer. While commanding privateers during the French and Indian War he won a reputation for bravery which made him a recognized leader among the sailors and petty artisans of the New York waterfront. When the Stamp Act was passed, he became a leader of the resistance in New York City and with John Lamb and Joseph Allicocke projected a continental military union of the Sons of Liberty.
During the next decade, Sears was at the head of nearly every demonstration of mob violence in New York City, his success as a leader of the populace winning him the appellation "King, " and membership on most of the important patriotic committees. In 1774 he led the Sons of Liberty in returning the first tea ship and dumping the cargo of the second into the river.
With Alexander McDougall, another radical member of the Committee of Fifty-one, he wrote a letter to the Boston Committee of Correspondence, May 15, 1774, proposing a meeting of delegates from the principal towns. While this action was disclaimed by the New York Committee, it was practically ratified by the Committee's letter of May 23, recommending the holding of a general congress. When arrested for his anti-British activities, April 15, 1775, Sears was rescued at the prison door by his admirers and paraded through the streets like a great hero.
Upon the arrival in New York, April 23, 1775, of the news of Lexington and Concord, he and 360 followers put to flight the Loyalist leaders and officials, seized a supply of arms from the arsenal and the keys of the Custom House, and began regular military exercises. Thereafter, although nominally governed by various committees and congresses, until Washington's army arrived the city was virtually under the dictatorship of Sears and his comrades.
Late in 1775 he removed to New Haven, but in November led a raid into New York, burning a naval supply ship, threatening to seize the provincial records, imprisoning the Rev. Samuel Seabury and other Westchester Loyalists, and destroying the New York shop of the Loyalist printer James Rivington. This raid was condemned by the Revolutionary Committee of New York City, the Provincial Congress, and the New York delegation to the Continental Congress, but public opinion was elated by the raiders' display of patriotic spirit.
In January 1776 General Lee commissioned Sears to administer the oath of allegiance to Loyalists on Long Island, to recruit volunteers in Connecticut, and to capture British supplies for the colonial forces. During 1777-83, Sears resided in Boston, promoting privateering and otherwise endeavoring to aid the American cause. After the war, he resumed his general merchandise business in New York. With Alexander McDougall and Marinus Willett, he waited upon Rivington, December 31, 1783, and silenced his paper forever.
In 1784 and 1786 he was elected to the state Assembly. He was made a trustee and a vestryman (1784 - 86) of Trinity Church, and in 1784 vice-president of the reorganized Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York. On February 4, 1786, with Samuel Shaw and Thomas Randall, he sailed for China to promote a business venture but died of fever at Canton in October.
Achievements
Connections
Isaac married Sarah Drake, and had eleven children.