Copley, John Singleton “Jonathan Mayhew, D.D. Pastor of the West Church in Boston, in New England..."

Giovani Baptistta Cirpriani after John Singleton Copley.  “Jonathan Mayhew, D.D. Pastor of the West Church in Boston, in New England an Assertor of the Civil and Religious Liberties of his Country and Mankind, who, Overplied by Public Energies, Died of a Nervous Fever.” 

Privately published in London by Thomas Hollis, 1767.  9 ½ x 7 (platemark).  Etching and engraving on laid paper.  With inscription in old ink at bottom indicating Hollis as the publisher.  Paper is time toned.  Else very good condition.  

Thomas Hollis, the well known benefactor of Harvard College, published this print of his great friend Mayhew at his own expense.  Mayhew was an outspoken Boston preacher whose political and religious liberalism made him one of the most controversial pastors in New England.  He was close friends with John and Sam Adams, John Hancock and Thomas Paine. 

Born on Martha's Vineyard his family descended from first English settlers on the island.  Jonathan Mayhew played a key role in the American Revolution by promoting the ideas of natural rights, resistance to tyranny, and constitutionalism. He is considered by some to be the first Revolutionary preacher-patriot.

Thomas Hollis was an English philosopher and author and a great promoter libertarian thought of the time.  He was sympathetic to the American colonists and their plight of not being represented in London and foresaw the possible independence of the colonies from England.