• Born: 20 Oct 1747, Boston MA

  General notes:

Pewtersmith

  Events in his life were:

• He worked circa 1770 as a pewtersmith in Boston MA

• Letter To the Tax Assessors 20 Oct 1783
  Boston MA
  
  To the Gentlemen Assessors
  Edward Kneeland begs leave to inform the Gentlemen Assessors that he is taxed July 18th 1782 £7.12.3 March 14th 1783 £5.5.6 and July 24, 1783 £10.17.10 1/2 amounting in the whole to £23.15.7 1/2 all which remain unpaid.
  I have spent much time and money in Public Service as an Officer of Militia and have sent into Actual Service not Less than Four hundred men for a Longer or Shorter time.
  I have punctually adhered [to] the Several regulation Schemes — I have met with Losses by bad Debts & by Sea — The Peace has nearly destroyed My Present Business (a Pewterer) by the Great importations of Pewter from England — From all which Causes I have sunk Four Tons of Stock.
  Finally I owe more money that I (at Present) am worth.
  I am now depending on my Friends and my Own Exertions to Enter on some other Business in addition to my Own.
  A vigorous Exaction of Taxes at this Time will severely Check my Exertions and perhaps incapacitate me from paying Taxes in future — I pray your attention to the above Circumstances, and that I may be relieved as in your Wisdom may seem meet.
  I am Gentlemen your humble Servant
  
  Edward Kneeland