The Revolution's First Blood - Isaac Sears and the Battle of Golden Hill
The Battle of Golden Hill wasn’t much of a battle.
At best it could be called a hostage negotiation. Truthfully, it was more like a standoff.
Led by Isaac Sears, this confrontation, by my estimate, should be recognized as the first violence of the American Revolution…minor as it was.
Isaac Sears
Isaac Sears went to sea as a young man, quickly rising from apprentice to Captain on a series of merchant vessels.
By the age of 33, Isaac had accumulated enough money and knowledge to move to New York City and begin his own trading firm.
This is when new taxes started flowing in from across the ocean, and Sears quickly radicalized.
King Sears
Following the passing of the Stamp Act, Isaac Sears became an organizer and original member of New York’s Chapter of the Sons of Liberty.
Sears was influential in prohibiting the importation of goods from Great Britain. He used scare tactics and threats of violence to compel the city’s citizens to comply.
Earning the nickname ‘King Sears’ for his ability to assemble a mob on short notice, Isaac and his cohorts continued to boycott the Mother Country well after the other colonies had given up.
Liberty Poles and Pamphlets
Over the ensuing years, Sears and other early Patriots erected liberty poles several times.
On each occasion, the Redcoats tore them down.
Several Patriots posted pamphlets criticizing the new taxes.
Again, they were removed.
Eventually, the British soldiers began posting pamphlets of their own which, in modern words, accused Sears and the Sons of Liberty of terrorism.
The Battle of Golden Hill
On January 19, 1770, a group of Redcoats attempted to post a notice against the Sons of Liberty.
Seeing this, Sears and several of his followers accosted the soldiers and took them prisoner. Isaac began to move his hostages toward the Mayor’s Office when other Redcoats sounded the alarm.
Soldiers took to arms and flooded the streets but were nearly engulfed by a mass of city dwellers. Seeing the superior numbers of the mob, British Officers corralled their soldiers back into the barracks in a successful attempt to end the standoff.
Although, fortunately, no one was killed, several people were wounded. Violence had, to a small degree, erupted.
Six weeks later more violence would erupt in the much more famous Boston Massacre.
China
As for Isaac Sears, he would play a role in New York’s Revolutionary Government.
Sears was also at the top of John Adams’ list of ‘Persons Suitable for Naval Commands’ though Isaac was disappointed when this was not offered.
Fleeing NYC after the British regained control, Sears spent several years (and made a fortune) privateering off the American Coast.
After the Revolutionary War, Isaac attempted to become the first person to establish a trade with China. He sailed to the other side of the world but upon arrival fell ill and passed away.
He was buried in Canton Harbor, making him one of the few (and possibly only) Founder to be buried in China.
Here are some more early New York rebels:
John Haring Radicalizes the New York Delegation
Isaac Low Organizes the Committee of Fifty-One
Isaac Sears and the Battle of Golden Hill do not have any books on them.
The closest thing I know of which discusses these subjects is ‘Farewell to Old England.’
If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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