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First Friday Member Event: Dr. G. William Freeman & Jeffrey Briggs Debut Newburyport’s Newest Legend – Capt. William Nichols
April 7, 2023 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Join us on Friday, April 7th at 6 pm for this month’s First Friday.
Presenting will be Dr. G. William Freeman & Jeffrey Briggs
Join us as we unveil the newest Legendary Newburyporter – Captain William Nichols! Our panel will include author and historian Dr. G. William Freeman and sculptor Jeffrey Briggs.
About the Speakers:
Dr. G. William Freeman is a 6th generation descendant of Captain Nichols. In 2015, he completed a book about Nichols, titled, The Holy Terror: Captain William Nichols, which is a historical biography about his exploits at sea during the War of 1812. In May 2016, the National Society of the U.S. Daughters of 1812 presented him with a Spirit of 1812 Award for the book.
Most of Nichols’s artifacts have been donated to the CHMM. They had been in the home of Freeman’s grandmother for years. She was the only child of an only child who descended from Captain Nichols. and who grew up in the refined household of Captain Nichols home at 5 Harris Street, Newburyport.
Freeman has also published a book about another illustrious Newburyporter, Benjamin Hale, who is also a 6th generation ancestor. The title of that book is Jehu Stage Driver: Benjamin Hale; this is another historical biography about his leadership of the Eastern Stage Company during the Golden Age of Stagecoaches and his purchase of the Wolfe Tavern.
Dr. Freeman resides in Lawrence, KS, having lived in Groveland and Haverhill for years. He has frequently visited his many relatives in Newburyport, and it was his Aunt Eleanor who first suggested that the Nichols artifacts should go to the CHMM.
Jeffrey Briggs is known for his sculptures of people, animals, carousels, and public fountains. His 15 sculptures shown at the Custom House Maritime Museum exhibition are not done as art commissions or for a sculptural design company. This work is his personal journey of discovery.
He is also known for the Swan Sculpture crowning the 100-year-old fountain in The Bartlett Mall and the Carousel animals on the Rose Kennedy Greenway Carousel in Boston.
*As a reminder wine and cheese will be served on the first floor from 6 – 6:30 pm.