This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/hAC.2ACE/1226.2.2.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Captain John Sinclair. Believed born in Smithfield, Virginia on 14 Mar 1755. John was a very colorful citizen and figured in much of the early and vital history of his locality. Being a ship Captain and sailing his own vessels, he traded regularly on the Atlantic Coast in particular the West Indies, also England and France. John lived at "Berry Hill," southwest of Smithfield, Virginia, until he acquired the house now known as 335 S. Church Street, Smithfield, Virginia, from Andrew Mackie in 1778. John and family lived at this address for several years. His wife, Elizabeth died and he shortly thereafter married his second wife, Mary Mackie Ianson, daughter of Andrew Mackie, from whom he purfchased the house in 1778. John and Mary, his second wife continued to live at Church street. It is thought he built the house at "Lands End" and lived there until his death in 1820. John was a member of the Episcopal Church. Sea Captain, farmer and merchant trader. He completed h! is active live at "Lands End," Gloucester cou., Virginia in 1820 and is believed buried at "Sherwood" cemetery nearby. Captain John Sinclair of Virginia, pirate, a patriot, or a tyrannical crank? Is said to have had several occupations in his career. Among these he is remembered as shipowner, merchant ship captain, privateer, privateer agent, ship chandler, naval officer, farmer and landholding entrepreneur. In these roles he has been judged: enterprising leader, patriot, opportunist, charlatan and anarchist. Perhaps he was all of these. Miostly his activities involved the sea, and at the center of all his endeavors was privateering. This was as much because of his seafaring background as from the demands of the times. Captain John Sinclair was active during the Revolution as a privateer who served America during dangerous wartime trade with the Caribbean. There is so much more that can be written of him, but as time and space does not permit I will stop there. He lead a very colorful life and much more information is available on him and his life if needed, let me know. Thank you for your interest in Capt. Sinclair. Pat Scherzinger