James Lovell (John, John)
Called “The Patriot.”
Son of John Lovell, The Tory, was born in Boston Oct. 31, 1737, married Mary Middleton Nov. 24, 1760 and died in Windham, Maine Oct. 14, 1814 ; was a graduate of Harvard and assisted his father in the Latin School. He delivered the oration on the first anniversary of the Boston Massacre. Was a member of the “Committee on Correspondence” with the patriots of the other colonies and was an ardent and active participant in the struggle for independence. For this he was seized by the British authorities and carried to Halifax in irons and was there subjected to rigorous imprisonment and suffered great hardships. Information as to his unfortunate situation was carried to Washington and to Congress by fellow prisoners who succeeded in obtaining their liberty, and after long and irritating negotiations he was finally exchanged for Governor Skene. So intense was his desire for the success of the colonies that becoming impatient over what he termed the “Fabian Policy” of Washington as Commander in Chief, he was led to criticize him sharply and for a time a coldness existed between them which was later adjusted. Upon his return to Boston he was the recipient of a great ovation from his fellow citizens and was immediately elected a delegate to the Continental Congress in which he became one of the leaders. He was at the head of the Committee on Foreign Relations and was in that capacity practically the first American Secretary of State, and he was one of the signers of the Articles of Confederation that preceded the Constitution of the United Colonies as the United States of America. He was
appointed First Naval Officer by Washington and reappointed by Jefferson and Madison and held that office until his death on October 14, 1814.
