1768 attended Princeton Uninversity.
1771 graduated from Princeton Univenty, worked as a teacher, studied theology, wrote anti-British satires.
1776 left for the West Indies, studied navigation wrote about the beauty of nature.
1778 joined the militia, served as a ship's captain. was captured and held on a British prison ship published two collections of poetry. established the National Gazette.
1790 retired to farm to wrile essays and poety.
1880s retired to farm to write essays and poetry.