William Molineux was likely born in 1717, or possibly 1716, possibly in Wolverhampton, England. His family are believed to be French Protestants who had fled oppression in Catholic France. There are records of William being in Boston in the 1740s. Cam Molineux, a descendent of William’s and author of the novel “The Spirit of a Revolution”, has found a record of William being a ‘constable’ or officer of the court in 1742. In 1747, William put out a notice regarding an escaped slave, and in 1748, there is a record of his marriage in Boston.
William was a hardware merchant, until at least the end of the French & Indian War. In 1760, the British achieved a major victory against the French in Quebec. This effectively ended the land war in the northeast. With the end of the land war in the northeast, came the end of the lucrative government contracts that made many merchants wealthy, whether this was from supplying the British Army and the militia, or supplying goods to other wealthy families. Sometime after his fortunes fell, in order to make ends meet, Molineux became the Boston agent for wealthy New York merchant Charles Apthorp, Jr.
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William Molineux:
A Most Infamous Disturber of the Peace
by David J Samuels | October 21, 2024
William was a strong supporter of the resistance to British rule in the colonies, and a loyal lieutenant of Samuel Adams. Unlike other well-to-do Sons of Liberty aka “the Better Sort”, Molineux was often found in the streets protesting with the “Middle” and “Lesser” Sort.
For example, in October of 1769, Whig (Patriot) leaders sent their supporters among the “lesser sort” to smear the signs, doors, and windows of the importers who refused to abide by the nonimportation agreement with “every kind of filth”. Molineux frequently led or urged these groups on.
William Molineux was a Son of Liberty, a member of the Committee of Correspondence, and a participant in the Boston Tea Party.
William was extremely passionate and had a flair for the dramatic, perhaps even the melodramatic. In a town meeting when the body would not go his way, one witness described how Molineux threatened to kill himself:
In response, Doctor Thomas Young spoke up:
"It would be impossible Sir to describe the looks of Mollineaux when he found so many had deserted him, he drew his hand across his Throat, and declar’d he was ready to Die that Minute, that for his part he scorn’d to have any thing more to do with them, and then immediately Jump’d down from his Seat among the People with a view to march off, upon this Dr. [Thomas] Young ascended a Form [i.e., a bench], and in the most earnest manner beg’d him for Gods sake to stay, otherwise their Plan would be entirely overthrown, with much perswasion and a great deal of pulling, he was at last fix’d in his former Seat"
Obviously, William was not the only one with a flair for the dramatic. In October of 1774, William suddenly fell ill, and after three days, died. There have been several theories as to his cause of death. Some say Loyalists or British officers poisoned him. Some evidence suggests that he poisoned himself because he had badly mismanaged Charles Apthorp, Jr’s affairs in Boston and Apthorp was on his way to Boston to settle the matter. The truth may never be known.
Here's what William’s contemporaries, both Patriot and Loyalist, thought of him:
Stop Mr. Molineux, stop Mr. Molineux… Gentlemen, if Mr. Molineux leaves us, we are forever undone! This day is the last dawn of liberty we ever shall see.
The Essex Gazette, 10/24/1774
On Saturday morning last, after 3 days illness, departed this lie (life), Mr. WILLIAM MOLINEAUX, in the 58th year of his age, a noted merchant of this town.
But what rendered this Gentleman more eminently conspicuous was, his inflexible attachment to the Liberties of America—At this crisis, when to evidence a desire to serve or relieve their distressed, and oppressed country, is denominated folly, by the mercenary or timorous worldling, ’tis not to be wondered that Mr. Molineaux, who was unappalled at danger, and inaccessible to bribe or corruption, should become obnoxious to the Minion and Sycophant, for his ebullient zeal in so noble a cause.
His time and his labour were with unremitted ardor applied to the public service: That Boston should become the victim of brutal oppressors, was to be insupportable: He could not suppress his resentment on seeing the sons of riot and rapine thus prey on her desolated bosom: It was his pride to confront the power and malice of his country’s foes; it was his constant wish and unremitted effort to defeat them.
It may with truth be said of this friend of mankind, that he died a martyr to the interests of America. His watchfulness, labour, distresses, and exertions to promote the general interest, produced an inflammation in his bowels: The disease was rapid and poignant: But in the severest pangs, he rose superior to complaint, he felt no distresses, but for the Public.
Boston Merchant and Patriot John Rowe:
This afternoon William Molineux was buried-he has been famous among the Sons of Liberty. Many things are attributed to him & tis believed he was the First Leader of Dirty Matters.
Boston Merchant John Andrews:
After surviving a fit of apoplexy two days, at six o’clock this morning died that zealous advocate for American liberties, William Molineaux. If he was too rash, and drove matters to an imprudent pitch, it was owing to his natural temper; as when he was in business, he pursued it with the same impetuous zeal. His loss is not much regretted by the more prudent and judicious part of the community.
Loyalist Peter Oliver (a relative of Thomas Hutchinson):
This Man was a most infamous Disturber of the Peace, & urged on the Mobs to commit their mad & desperate Schemes.
Loyalist Physician Thomas Bolton:
...he had an aversion to all order, civil or Ecclesiasitc; he Swore the King was a Tyrant, the Queen a Whore, the prince a Bastard, the Bishops papists, and the house of Lords & Commons a Den of thieves. 
Through the Strength of his own Villainy, and the Laudanum, of Doctor Warren, he quitted this planet and went to a Secondary one, in search of Liberty.
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