Navigating the Revolution
“At sixteen Paul had never been to school, nor had he ever been away from home. Now, all at once, there began his introduction to life on water and his education by participation in the ways of men engaged in a dangerous calling. There began also the Revolutionary War, of which no one could foretell the outcome.” (Sally Loomis)
The Westport Historical Society presents this chapter of an unpublished manuscript to Westport and the wider world on the 250th anniversary of Independence. Written by Sally Loomis, these pages will immerse the reader in culture, politics, and religion as navigated by Paul Cuffe during the American Revolution.
During her retirement, Sally Loomis devoted her energies to extensive original research and writing on the subject of Paul Cuffe. Her goal of publishing a book on Cuffe, however, never came to pass. Sally died in February of 1985. Her archives and unpublished manuscript are held in the collection of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
https://www.whalingmuseum.org/research/research-resources/manuscripts/mss-101/
With special thanks to the family of Sally Loomis and to the New Bedford Whaling Museum for allowing us to share a portion of her work.
Read more at https://wpthistory.org/2026/06/captain-paul-cuffe-1759-1817-chapter-ii-the-revolutionary-war-by-sally-loomis/
