Jonathan Boucher facts for kids
Jonathan Boucher was an English clergyman, teacher, and writer who lived from 1738 to 1804. He was also a philologist, which means he studied languages and their history. Boucher spent many years in America, where he was a respected preacher and teacher, even tutoring George Washington's stepson. He was known for his strong loyalty to the British King during the time of the American Revolution.
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Who Was Jonathan Boucher?
Jonathan Boucher was born in a place called Blencogo, in Cumberland, England, in 1738. He went to school at Wigton Grammar School. After finishing his studies, he became a teacher.
Early Life and Teaching
In 1759, Jonathan Boucher traveled to Virginia in America. There, he worked as a private tutor for the children of wealthy families. He was invited to become a vicar, a type of church leader, but first, he needed to be officially trained. So, he went back to England for a short time and became a priest in March 1762.
He returned to America in July 1762. For many years, until 1775, he served as a rector for different Anglican churches in Virginia and Maryland. He also ran a school. One of his most famous students, starting in 1768, was John Parke Custis. John was the stepson of George Washington, who later became the first President of the United States. Boucher and Washington became close friends. In 1766, Boucher also baptized many adults in his church in Caroline County.
A Preacher in America
Jonathan Boucher was known as a very good speaker and preacher. His knowledge also earned him the friendship of many smart people in the colonies. He was a strong supporter of the British King and believed that any disagreements with the government should be handled peacefully and within the law.
Facing Challenges in Maryland
Boucher did not always agree with British policies. For example, he thought the Stamp Act of 1765, which taxed paper goods, was unfair and unwise. He also disagreed with a rule that stopped colonists from moving west. However, as the disagreements between the American colonies and Britain grew, Boucher remained loyal to the King. He believed that using force was wrong.
This loyalty caused problems with his church members. The feelings were so strong that he faced danger while preaching. In 1775, after fighting had already begun, he gave a powerful farewell sermon. He told a crowd of about 200 people that he would continue to pray for the King. After his sermon, he bravely confronted the leader of the crowd. Both men were able to leave without harm.
Returning to England
As the American Revolution continued, George Washington had to make a difficult choice between his friend Jonathan Boucher and the cause of the American colonists. In the autumn of 1775, Boucher and his wife, Eleanor Addison, returned to England. Because of his strong loyalty to Britain, the government gave him a pension, which is like a regular payment.
In 1784, he became the vicar of Epsom in Surrey, England. He continued to serve there until he passed away on April 27, 1804. He was still known as one of the best preachers of his time. Shortly before his death, he was recognized for his achievements and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
A Man of Words and Wisdom
Jonathan Boucher was a talented writer and scholar. He helped write a book called History of the County of Cumberland. He also published his own book in 1797, titled A View of the Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution. This book was dedicated to George Washington and contained thirteen sermons he had given in America. In this work, Boucher shared his strong conservative views about the revolution.
He spent the last fourteen years of his life studying languages, a field called philology. He worked on a large dictionary project called A Glossary of Provincial and Archaic Words. This book was meant to add to Samuel Johnson's famous dictionary. Although it was never fully published during his lifetime, parts of his work were later used by the people who created Webster's Dictionary in 1831. His personal memories, called "Reminiscences of an American Loyalist," were also published much later in the 1870s.
His Family Life
Jonathan Boucher was married three times. His first marriage was in America in 1772 to Eleanor Addison. They had a daughter named Eleanor Boucher.
Later, in England, he married Elizabeth James in 1789. Together, they had seven children. One of his sons, Barton Boucher (1794–1864), also became a church leader and a well-known writer of religious books and songs. His daughter Eleanor married Edward Hawke Locker.
