Thomas Dawes
Encyclopedia
Thomas Dawes was a Patriot
who served as a Massachusetts militia
colonel
during the American Revolution
and afterward assumed prominent positions in Massachusetts
's government. His positions included state councilor, member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and representative in both the House and Senate. He was a cousin of William Dawes
.
Dawes was born in Boston
. Prior to the Revolution, he attended a regular school and worked as a mechanic
. He ardently supported the Whigs
, gaining infamy among Royalists
; his house was raided by Redcoat invaders during the war. Later, he became active in politics, lived in a roomy house on Purchase Street beside John Adams
, and worked as an architect
and builder designing many notable buildings in Boston, including the Old Street House and the Brattle Street Church
. He attended Old South Church in Deacon
from 1786 until his death in 1809, and was a good friend of John Hancock
.
Dawes married Hannah Blake on July 1, 1752. Their son Thomas (July 8, 1757 – July 21, 1825) was a jurist and an alumnus of Harvard University
, graduating in 1777, and served in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
from 1792 to 1802; he married Margaret Greenleaf.
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
who served as a Massachusetts militia
Massachusetts militia
Militia of the Colony and later Commonwealth of Massachusetts.-List of Massachusetts militia units of the American Revolution:*Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts *Cogswell's Regiment of Militia...
colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
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 afterward assumed prominent positions in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
's government. His positions included state councilor, member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and representative in both the House and Senate. He was a cousin of William Dawes
William Dawes
William Dawes, Jr. was one of several men and a woman who alerted colonial minutemen of the approach of British army troops prior to the Battle of Lexington and Concord at the outset of the American Revolution....
.
Dawes was born in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Prior to the Revolution, he attended a regular school and worked as a mechanic
Mechanic
A mechanic is a craftsman or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.Many mechanics are specialized in a particular field such as auto mechanics, bicycle mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, boiler mechanics, general mechanics, industrial maintenance mechanics , air conditioning and...
. He ardently supported the Whigs
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
, gaining infamy among Royalists
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
; his house was raided by Redcoat invaders during the war. Later, he became active in politics, lived in a roomy house on Purchase Street beside John Adams
John Adams
John Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...
, and worked as an architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and builder designing many notable buildings in Boston, including the Old Street House and the Brattle Street Church
Brattle Street Church
The Brattle Street Church was a Congregational and Unitarian church on Brattle Street in Boston, Massachusetts.- Brief history :...
. He attended Old South Church in Deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
from 1786 until his death in 1809, and was a good friend of John Hancock
John Hancock
John Hancock was a merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...
.
Dawes married Hannah Blake on July 1, 1752. Their son Thomas (July 8, 1757 – July 21, 1825) was a jurist and an alumnus of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, graduating in 1777, and served in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The SJC has the distinction of being the oldest continuously functioning appellate court in the Western Hemisphere.-History:...
from 1792 to 1802; he married Margaret Greenleaf.
Further reading
- Frederic C. Detwiller. Thomas Dawes: Boston's patriot architect. Old-Time New England, 1977.