John Lamb was an American soldier and politician. He was also a staunch anti-Federalist, fighting against the Constitution in New York.
Background
John Lamb was born in New York City. His father, Anthony Lamb, a native of England, was apprenticed to Henry Carter, a mathematical instrument maker near St. Clement's Church, London, but in July 1724 became an accomplice of Jack Sheppard, one of the most noted burglars in history. Sheppard died on the gallows at Tyburn, November 16, 1724, but because it was Lamb's only offense, he received "a favourable prosecution" (Borrow, post) and was sentenced to be transported to the American colonies. In Virginia he served out his time, then settled in New York City, where he worked at his trade, married a Dutch lady named Ham, and became a respectable citizen.
Career
John Lamb joined his father in the manufacture of mathematical instruments, then became prosperous as a wine merchant. After the passage of the Stamp Act in 1765 he was a leader of the Sons of Liberty, was active in haranguing the populace, corresponded with patriots in the other colonies, and continued to be an irrepressible agitator during the next decade. He signed the nonimportation agreement, wrote articles for the patriot press in New York and Boston, and published anonymous handbills.
In December 1769 he publicly denounced the New York Assembly for its subserviency to the royal governor. The Assembly, suspecting Lamb of being the author of two handbills which were considered libels on the house, ordered him to its bar. He was examined, but dismissed for lack of evidence.
During the excitement over the tea tax he was a member of the committee of the Sons of Liberty chosen to correspond with similar committees elsewhere. When news of the battle of Lexington reached New York, Lamb and Isaac Sears seized the custom house and prevented vessels from leaving the harbor. Lamb and his men seized the military stores at Turtle Bay. He was commissioned captain of an artillery company in July 1775 and joined the army of Gen. Richard Montgomery for the invasion of Canada.
At the siege of St. Johns he aroused the displeasure of Montgomery. Brave, intelligent and active he was, "but very turbulent and troublesome" (B. J. Lossing, The Life and Times of Philip Schuyler, 1860, I, 469).
Wounded and captured during the assault on Quebec (December 31, 1775), Lamb was released on parole a few months later. Congress appointed him major of artillery in command of the northern department (January 9, 1776) but he remained inactive because of his parole. On November 29, 1776, Congress ordered Washington to include Lamb in the next exchange of prisoners.
In January 1777 he was exchanged and appointed colonel of the 2nd Continental Artillery. He was wounded at Compo Hill in April 1777 while assisting Benedict Arnold in harassing the British retreat following the British attack on Danbury, Connecticut. He commanded the artillery at West Point in 1779 and 1780, and was brevetted brigadier-general (1783) by virtue of the general act for promotions passed by Congress at the close of the Revolution.
In 1784, the New York legislature, of which he was a member, appointed him collector of the customs for the port of New York. He was chairman of an association of "Federal Republicans" opposed to the ratification of the federal Constitution and corresponded with Anti-Federalist leaders--Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, William Grayson, and others. A Federalist mob took note of his activities by threatening his house, which he hastily fortified. The Constitution ratified, Washington promptly appointed Lamb to the collectorship at New York. A few years later a large shortage occurred, and although it is supposed that Lamb's deputy, a former criminal, was guilty, Lamb, held responsible by the government, sold his lands to cover the lost funds, resigned his office (1797), and died in poverty.
Achievements
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
Montgomery wrote (Nov. 24, 1775) to Gen. Philip Schuyler, that Lamb was "a restless genius" and had "a bad temper. .. . He has been used to haranguing his fellow-citizens in New York, and can not restrain his talent here. "
Connections
On November 13, 1755, Lamb married Catherine Jandine, of Huguenot descent.