Joseph Peabody facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Peabody
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| Born | December 9, 1757 |
| Died | January 5, 1844 (aged 86) |
| Burial place | Harmony Grove Cemetery Salem MA |
| Occupation | Merchant, shipowner, sailor |
| Spouse(s) | Catherine Smith, Elizabeth Smith |
| Children | Joseph Augustus Peabody, Francis Peabody, George Peabody, Catherine Endicott Peabody |
| Parent(s) | Francis Peabody and Margaret Knight |
| Signature | |
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Joseph Peabody (born December 9, 1757 – died January 5, 1844) was a very successful businessman. He owned many ships and traded goods all over the world. For many years, he was a leader in trade between Massachusetts and countries far away like China.
Contents
Who Was Joseph Peabody?
Joseph Peabody came from a family that settled in Massachusetts a long time ago. His family first came from England in 1635. They were among the first people to settle in Topsfield, Massachusetts.
Peabody's Early Career
When the American Revolutionary War began, Joseph Peabody joined the fight. He became an officer on ships called privateers. These were private ships that helped fight the enemy. He was a brave second officer on a ship called the Ranger.
After the war, he became a captain of merchant ships. These ships carried goods for trade. His company eventually built 83 ships! He became very rich from his trading business. Joseph Peabody was known for using his wealth to help others.
A Top Merchant in Salem
Joseph Peabody was the richest shipowner in Salem, Massachusetts. This was during a time from 1807 to 1845. Salem was a very important port city back then.
Peabody's Famous Ships
Joseph Peabody owned many ships that sailed all over the world. Two of his most famous ships were the Leander and the George.
The Brig Leander
The Leander was a type of ship called a brig. It was built in Salem in 1821. This ship was about 223 tons in size. The Leander made 26 trips to many different places. It sailed to Europe, parts of Asia, Africa, and the Far East. It was a very busy ship for 23 years!
The Ship George
The ship George was built in Salem in 1814. It was first made to be a privateer. Joseph Peabody bought it for $5,250. The George was about 110 feet long. It was designed to be fast, a bit like a Baltimore clipper.
The George was famous for its speed. It once sailed from the Cape of Good Hope to Salem in just 41 days! This ship made 21 round trips from Salem to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in India. It did this between 1815 and 1837. It was so regular that people called it the "Salem Frigate."
Many young boys from Salem worked on Peabody's ships. On the George alone, 26 of these boys became mates (officers). An amazing 45 of them went on to become captains themselves!
Trading Around the World
Joseph Peabody was involved in important trade routes.
The China and Pepper Trade
For several years, Joseph Peabody was part of the Old China Trade. This was trade between America and China. He also continued the famous pepper trade. This trade brought pepper from Sumatra to Salem, Massachusetts.
A Pirate Attack on the Friendship
In 1830, one of Peabody's ships, the Friendship, faced a big problem. It was attacked by Malay pirates. This happened off a village called Quallah-Battoo (now Kuala Batee) in Aceh, Indonesia. The Friendship was loading pepper when the pirates attacked.
Rescue and Aftermath
Other ships came to help. The James Monroe from New York led the rescue. Crews from the Governor Endicott and the brig Palmer also helped. The pirates fought back at first. But they jumped overboard and ran away when the three ships started firing.
The next morning, four survivors from the Friendship were found. They had swum two miles and hidden in the jungle to escape. Because of this attack, the United States sent a special mission in 1832. This event is known as the First Sumatran Expedition.
Peabody's Family Life
In 1791, Joseph Peabody married his first wife, Catherine. She was the daughter of a minister. Sadly, she passed away a few years later. In 1795, he married Catherine's sister, Elizabeth. They had four children together.
One of his sons, Joseph Augustus, went to Harvard University. Another son, George, had a daughter who married William Crowninshield Endicott. Joseph Peabody also had a descendant named Augustus Peabody Gardner.
Images for kids
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Joseph Peabody
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Joseph Peabody's signature
