Robert Sedgwick (c. 1611 - 1656) was an English colonist, born in Woburn, Bedfordshire, England, and baptised on May 6, 1613.[1] He settled at Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1635, where he became a successful merchant and for many years represented the town in the General Court. He was active in organizing the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, of which he became captain in 1640. In 1652 he was appointed commander of all the Massachusetts militia. He built the first fort at Boston, and Cromwell promoted him to major general, making him the first Major General of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. With John Winthrop, Jr., and others he established in 1643-1644 the first ironworks in the North America. Under authority from Cromwell, he drove the French from the Penobscot region and Fort Pentagouet in 1654 and in 1655 accompanied the expedition which captured Jamaica. Just before his death there, Cromwell gave him sole command as the first Governor General of Jamaica. He is buried half way up the canyon to Spanish Town from Ocho Rios in a small Sir Christopher Wren styled chapel.[2]
References
- ^ Records of Saint Mary's Church, Woburn, Bedfordshire, England
- ^ http://www.sedgwick.org/na/families/robert1613/sedgwick-robert1613.html
- This article incorporates text from an edition of the New International Encyclopedia that is in the public domain.
