Kingston's Seafaring Leaders

The Captains

From the Mayflower's historic voyage to the Revolutionary War at sea — the captains whose stories are woven into Kingston's identity

Portrait of a Continental Navy captain on the deck of a warship during the American Revolution

1736 – 1789

Captain Simeon Samson

Kingston’s Naval Hero of the Revolution

One of the first naval captains commissioned by Massachusetts, Simeon Samson commanded the legendary Brig Independence and fought for American freedom on the open seas during the Revolutionary War.

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c. 1570 – 1622

Captain Christopher Jones

The Man Behind the River’s Name

Master of the Mayflower, Captain Jones brought the Pilgrims to the New World in 1620. The Jones River in Kingston bears his name — a legacy that shaped the town’s identity for centuries.

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More Captains Coming

Kingston's maritime history runs deep. Follow the Kingston Heritage Project on Facebook as we uncover more of the town's seafaring leaders.