Captain Edwards

The painting of Captain Benjamin Edwards, circa. 1716*, that appears in One April in Boston gives us a rare glimpse at the face of one of Boston's early mariners. The sea captain's painting has been in the Edwards family for over 280 years. During his lifetime, it hung in Captain Edwards' home on Back Street (now Salem Street) in the north part of Boston. At that time, we believe it was a full-length portrait similar to a painting of the Captain's father, Jacob Edwards, produced around 1685. At some point, the painting of Captain Edwards was damaged and only the canvas showing his head was cut out and re-framed. What might the original have looked like? Click here to see Cortney Skinner's rendering.

In the story, on April 14, 1775, Uncle Alex shows the painting of Captain Edwards to his nephew Ben. Young Ben learns more about his grandfather's voyages from Boston Harbor and the names of his ships: the Sarah and the Greyhound. Ben's uncles did not tell him about his grandfather's most dangerous adventure. Knowledge of this fearful incident might have made 10-year-old Ben reconsider his goal to work on a sailing ship. As Ben grew older, he likely learned that in 1722 Captain Edwards had battled the ruthless pirate George Lowther, was taken prisoner and his ship burned! This amazing tale did not appear in One April in Boston but you'll learn it here.

Captain Edwards' first known voyage was in 1710 aboard the sloop Adventure. Aboard this vessel, he returned from Suriname in South America. Aboard the Sarah and the Greyhound Captain Edwards sailed to Lisbon, Portugal; London, England; Leghorn, Italy; Bay of Campeche, Mexico; and many islands and ports in the Caribbean. He went on to become a well respected merchant and public servant in the town of Boston. For the last six years of his life, he served as collector of taxes. Captain Edwards died in 1751. His real estate was divided between his 6 children, guardians were selected for them and his personal property was sold at public auction. Captain Edwards is buried at Copp's Hill Burying Ground in Boston's North End. For more information, click on Ben's spyglass below.

* This painting is now believed to be from 1722 or 1723 after Captain Edwards' battle with Pirates in the Caribbean. Note the scar on the right side of his chin.