Captain James Mugford, an early Revolutionary War Martyr in 1776
On his 27th birthday in May 1776 (May 19th), Captain James Mugford became an early Revolutionary War hero and martyr, killed in combat by the British in retaliation for his having audaciously and fortuitously captured a 300-ton British supply ship a day or two before. It’s a sad but fascinating story! – as his young wife successfully negotiated with the captain of the British warship for his release after the young Marblehead ship’s master had been “impressed” (essentially kidnapped from off a Marblehead street) and held prisoner on that British ship. While on board, though, Mugford heard about the supply ship’s imminent arrival. Soon after, commanding the Franklin out of Marblehead, he and his crew, posing as a harmless fishing vessel, captured the valuable munitions transport. Tragically, he died in a retaliatory battle the following day. But the vital and desperately needed munitions and supplies, however, remained in American hands.
Donald Doliber was appointed as Marblehead’s Town Historian after 24 years as an award-winning history teacher, who was selected as the “Outstanding American History Teacher in the United States” by the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.), followed by 17 years as an assistant high school principal. His ancestors arrived in Marblehead in the 1630s and were fishermen, selectmen, and merchants in the early community, and later, a few served in the Revolutionary War.
This event is presented in collaboration with the Marblehead 250 Committee and Abbot Public Library.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Marblehead Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
