William Palfrey

William Palfrey (1741 – 1780) was an American Patriot.

Early life

William Palfrey was born in 1741 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Freemasonry

In 1769, Palfrey was Substitute Master of the Lodge of St Andrew, a masonic lodge warranted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1756. Palfrey was Substitute Master when the Master was Joseph Warren and the lodge Secretary was Paul Revere.

Career

Working as John Hancock's chief clerk, he was active in the movements that preceded the American Revolution, and visited England in 1771. During the War of Independence, he served as an aide-de-camp to George Washington in March and April 1776, after which Hancock arranged to have him appointed paymaster-general in the Continental Army, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In November 1780, he was appointed consul-general in France by a unanimous vote of Congress, and embarked in a ship for that country, which was never heard of after she had left the capes.

Death

He died in 1780.

Legacy

His grandson John G. Palfrey was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.