On this day 250 years ago, William Molineux died after an unexpected illness. Although little known today, at the time of his death Molineux was known to both the Loyalists and the Patriots as the leader of the Boston crowds who agitated against the British. Molineux participated in the Boston Tea Party and in almost every street action challenging British rule. Although Molineux was born in Britain he was committed to American liberty, and the Patriots of Boston suspected that he was poisoned by the British. His last words were “O save my Country, Heaven.”

Sources: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/william-molineux.htm

http://www.boston-tea-party.org/participants/William-Molineux.html

Also on this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, Peyton Randolph resigned as President of the Continental Congress so he could return to Virginia to resume his duties as Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses. Randolph was succeeded as President of the Congress by Henry Middleton of South Carolina.

Sources: https://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/peyton-randolph/;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Middleton