Thayer, John, 1758-1815
Dates
- Existence: 1758-05-15 - 1815-02-05
Biographical note
John Thayer was born on May 15, 1758 in Boston, Massachusetts to Cornelius and Sarah (Plaisted) Thayer. Thayer was a Protestant in his early life, graduated from Yale University, and was educated as a Congregational minister. He served as a chaplain during the American Revolutionary War. While visiting Rome in 1783 he converted to Catholicism. Thayer studied for the priesthood in Paris and was ordained in 1787. Upon his return to Boston, he established a small chapel in Boston and traveled to Kentucky as a missionary. In 1803, he returned to Europe and settled in Limerick, Ireland. He died there on February 5, 1815.
Social Networks and Archival Context (SNAC) Identifier
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
John Thayer manuscript
Consists of one manuscript, "A Discourse Delivered, at the Roman Catholic Church in Boston, on the 9th of May, 1798, a Day Remembered by the President for Humiliation and Prayer throughout the United States" (1798) composed by Boston-born, Catholic convert, revolutionary, and priest, John Thayer.
Original manuscript closed pending conservation review; preservation copy in Shared box 1672 available for use.