Israel Thorndike
Encyclopedia
Israel Thorndike was a sailor and merchant, born in Beverly, Massachusetts
. He went to sea at an early age, commanded a privateer during the American Revolution
, and became active in the early China trade. He was elected to the Massachusetts legislature 13 times. In 1810 he moved to Boston, and his mansion became a center for political and social discourse. Along with Elbridge Gerry
, he helped to create the gerrymander. A member of the Federalist Party, he belonged to its Essex Junto
.
In 1814 he sailed the 14 gun vessel Hyder Ally from Portland, Maine
on a privateering voyage to the East Indies. She had a crew of 30 and carried sixteen guns: 10 18-pounder carronades, two long 18-pounders, and two long 9 pounders. Apparently some of her armament may have come from HMS Boxer
. In May, HMS Owen Glendower
captured the Hyder Ally off the Nicobars. The American had already taken two prizes, and sent them back to the US, but the Royal Navy later intercepted both and retook them, one at Cape Elizabeth, Maine
and the other at Mount Desert Island
.
Thorndike is considered to have been the fiftieth wealthiest American of all time (adjusted for inflation), having left an enormous fortune.
Beverly, Massachusetts
Beverly is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 39,343 on , which differs by no more than several hundred from the 39,862 obtained in the 2000 census. A resort, residential and manufacturing community on the North Shore, Beverly includes Beverly Farms and Prides...
. He went to sea at an early age, commanded a privateer during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, and became active in the early China trade. He was elected to the Massachusetts legislature 13 times. In 1810 he moved to Boston, and his mansion became a center for political and social discourse. Along with Elbridge Gerry
Elbridge Gerry
Elbridge Thomas Gerry was an American statesman and diplomat. As a Democratic-Republican he was selected as the fifth Vice President of the United States , serving under James Madison, until his death a year and a half into his term...
, he helped to create the gerrymander. A member of the Federalist Party, he belonged to its Essex Junto
Essex Junto
The Essex Junto was a group of lawyers and merchants from Essex County, Massachusetts. These Federalists supported Alexander Hamilton and the Massachusetts radicals. When Hamilton was offered a place in the plot to secede New England from the Union, he denied the offer. Consequently, the Essex...
.
In 1814 he sailed the 14 gun vessel Hyder Ally from Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
on a privateering voyage to the East Indies. She had a crew of 30 and carried sixteen guns: 10 18-pounder carronades, two long 18-pounders, and two long 9 pounders. Apparently some of her armament may have come from HMS Boxer
HMS Boxer (1812)
HMS Boxer was a 12-gun built and launched in July 1812. The ship had a short service history with the Royal Navy before the 16-gun USS Enterprise captured her near Portland, Maine in September 1813. She then went to have at least a decade-long commercial career.-Design and construction:The Bold...
. In May, HMS Owen Glendower
HMS Owen Glendower (1808)
HMS Owen Glendower was a Royal Navy 36-gun fifth-rate Apollo class frigate launched in 1808 and disposed of in 1884...
captured the Hyder Ally off the Nicobars. The American had already taken two prizes, and sent them back to the US, but the Royal Navy later intercepted both and retook them, one at Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Cape Elizabeth is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The town is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area...
and the other at Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island , in Hancock County, Maine, is the largest island off the coast of Maine. With an area of it is the 6th largest island in the contiguous United States. Though it is often claimed to be the third largest island on the eastern seaboard of the United States, it is actually second...
.
Thorndike is considered to have been the fiftieth wealthiest American of all time (adjusted for inflation), having left an enormous fortune.