Copley, John Singleton

Highly important autograph letter signed, 2 pages (9 1/8 x 7 3/8 in.; 233 x 187 mm), Boston. 26 April 1774, to his brother-in-law Isaac Winslow Clarke; integral address panel with red wax seal remnants and seal tear; some light browning Together with: John Singleton Copley, Jr. Autograph letter signed ("J. Copley"), 1 page, [no place], 20 May [no year], to an unidentified gentleman arranging dinner with his son.

Letters & Papers of John Singleton Copley and Henry Pelham 1739-1776. Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1914, pp. 217-218

Turbulent times in Boston. Political and economic conditions continued to worsen in Boston. Copley's father-in-law, Richard Clarke, was the wealthy agent of the East India Company and was the merchant to whom was consigned the tea that provoked the Boston Tea Party. Copley's in-laws were all Loyalists and he defended them fervently. Copley recounts the ghastly experience of a mob visiting his home demanding the person of Colonel George Watson, a Loyalist mandamus counselor who had gone elsewhere. Copley writes: " I told them he had been here but he was gone & I supposed out of Town . . . they then desired to know how I came to entertain such a Rogue & Villin [sic], my reply was he was with Colll. Hancock in the afternoon at his House & from thence came here & was now gone . . . they seemed somewhat satisfied with this & retired a little way up the Street but soon returned & kept up the Indian Yell for sometime . . . ." Copley recounts he went to the window yet again to reassure the mob Colonel Watson was not there and begged them not to disturb his family. He continues: " . . .they said they would take no Mans [sic] word  . . . & my Blood would be on my own head if I deceived them; or if I entertained him or any such Villain for the future must expect Resentment of Force . . . ." Copley advises his brother-in-law to be continually on his guard and concludes: " What a spirit! that if Mr. Watson had stayed (as I pressed him to) to spend the night I must either have given up a friend to the insults of a Mob or had my House pulled Down & perhaps my family Murthered [sic]."