John Rowe (merchant)

John Rowe (1715-1787) was a prominent merchant and shipowner in colonial Boston, Massachusetts, during the 18th century. He played a significant role in the city's economic and political life, particularly leading up to and during the American Revolution.

Rowe was born in Exeter, England, and immigrated to Boston in the 1730s. He established a successful mercantile business, importing goods from Europe and the West Indies and exporting American products. His business interests extended to shipbuilding and maritime trade, making him a wealthy and influential figure in the Boston community.

Politically, Rowe initially held moderate views, but his opposition to increasingly stringent British policies, such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, gradually solidified his stance as a Patriot. He actively participated in town meetings and committees of correspondence, advocating for colonial rights and resisting British measures perceived as unjust. He played a role in the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party, although the precise extent of his involvement remains debated by historians.

Rowe’s detailed diaries, covering the period from 1764 to 1779, provide valuable insights into the daily life, political climate, and economic conditions of Boston during this turbulent era. These diaries are an important primary source for historians studying the American Revolution and colonial Massachusetts. He meticulously recorded events, opinions, and economic transactions, offering a firsthand perspective on the period.

Following the American Revolution, Rowe continued to be a prominent figure in Boston. He died in 1787, leaving behind a significant legacy as a successful merchant, a participant in the revolutionary movement, and an important chronicler of his time. His diaries are preserved by the Massachusetts Historical Society.