Elijah Cobb (July 4, 1768 – November 21, 1848) was an American sea captain who was captured by the French in 1794 and was released by order of Maximilian Robespierre. Captain Cobb was born in Harwich, Massachusetts, on July 4, 1768. His father died at sea, leaving his mother with six children. In 1794, his ship was captured by the French, but Captain Cobb managed to get a private audience with Maximilian Robespierre, the French leader at the time. Captain Cobb was among the 1,000 people who watched his execution by guillotine 10 days later. Captain Cobb was later captured during the War of 1812 and imprisoned in Canada. He retired in 1820 and spent the rest of his life on his

Brewster, Massachusetts Brewster is a New England town, town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population of Brewster was 10,318 at the 2020 census. Initially settled in 1659, the Town of Brewster ...

, farm until he died in 1848. His home was later visited by

Helen Keller Helen Adams Keller (June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968) was an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer. Born in West Tuscumbia, Alabama, she lost her sight and her hearing after a bout of illness when ...

and

Annie Sullivan Anne Sullivan Macy (born as Johanna Mansfield Sullivan; April 14, 1866 – October 20, 1936) was an American teacher best known for being the instructor and lifelong companion of Helen Keller.Herrmann, Dorothy. ''Helen Keller: A Life'', Alfred ...

and they may have posed for a photograph in the backyard.

References

1768 births 1848 deaths People from Harwich, Massachusetts American sailors People from Massachusetts in the War of 1812 American prisoners and detainees 18th-century American people 19th-century American people {{US-business-bio-1760s-stub