By Joseph Lacirignola, Rae Gedangoni, & Jared Provost ’24
Esop Hale
Esop Hale was a soldier in the Revolutionary War born in 1755 in Beverly, Massachusetts. Esop’s last name is most known for the house in Beverly, Massachusetts, named the Hale House. The Hale House was owned by John Hale, who was also the owner of Esop. In 1776, Esop Hale joined a group in the Revolutionary War, run by Colonel John Glover. The town of Beverly feared a possible battle from Beverly’s port. The 14th regiment, which Hale was assigned to, was stationed in Beverly to add more support and kept the British at bay. Before 1778, after Esop left Beverly to fight along with George Washington in New York, he passed away.
Home of Esop Hale
If you ever want to learn more about Esop Hale and more stories, go to historicbeverly.net
Privateer Caesar Larcom Davis (1740–1780)
Caesar Larcom Davis was a black man from Beverly. He was also one of hundreds of privateers during the Revolution. A privateer is a person that manages a ship in a war. Caesar was 17 when his parents sold him to Thomas Davis, a Beverly merchant. In 1780, Caesar joined the privateer ship, the Saratoga, as a cook and a servant. Over the course of many voyages, the Saratoga, which was owned by John and Andrew Cabot, was able to capture enemy British ships. Saratoga’s last voyage was a tragic one, and Caesar was lost at sea. Caesar was remembered as a hero by many.
