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News of Washington’s Death reaches a Duxbury Sailor

At the start of 1800, Americans were mourning the death of their first president, George Washington, who died on December 14, 1799.

Because news traveled slowly, word of Washington’s death reached Americans abroad weeks later. On January 3, 1800, Sally Hickling of Boston wrote to her fiancé, Gershom Bradford, who was serving as First Mate aboard the merchant ship Industry in Leghorn (Livorno), Italy.

In her letter, Sally described the deep public mourning in Boston. She noted that the town was “in deep mourning for the bravest man that lived” and that a grand eulogy was planned. She observed that people could speak of little else.

At the time, the Industry was commanded by Gershom’s brother, Capt. Gamaliel Bradford, who was also Sally’s brother-in-law. Sally signed her letter “your friend and your sister,” reflecting the close family ties that already connected them.

Below is the transcription of her January 3, 1800 letter from the Bradford Family Collection, DAL MSS 024:

My friend Gershom I beg your kind attention a few moments to tell your famaly is well as common and Sarah has a fine little son named Charles Mr. Spooner has left Duxbury to come and live in Boston I wish you was here my friend to spend a long evening the town is in deep mourning for the bravest man that lived. The Hero’s dead the pride of all our hearts Washington no more you see the papers will tell the rest I wish we cou’d hear if you had arrived in port. When you intended coming home the winter is pleasant as yet I have no news to write and know not what to say if you was present I could talk a week about nothing and think myself very entertaining next Thursday we are to have delivered a grand Euloge on the late glory of America we cannot hear think or speak of anybody but him the theatre was elegant a monument a leaning on it Barret dressed in black the weather is very cold mama is waiting for me to go to bed I must bid good night pleasant dreams when sleeping agreeable thouts when waking my love to Gam believe me in every respect your friend
And Sister Sarah B. Hickling

Later that same year, the Industry was attacked by French privateers near the Straits of Gibraltar. During a five-hour engagement, Capt. Gamaliel Bradford was severely wounded and lost his leg. Gershom assumed command of the vessel and successfully defended the ship.

Gershom and Sally married in 1802. In 1807, they built the home that is now the Bradford House Museum in Duxbury.