Sewall, John S. (John Smith), 1830-1911

John Smith Sewall (1830-1911) was an American sailor, minister, and professor who is best known for his book The Ship's Log of the Captain's Clerk: Adventures in the China Seas, which tells of his experiences aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga .

Sewall was born in 1830. After graduating from Bowdoin College in Portland, Maine in 1850, Sewall enlisted in the United States Navy. His first assignment was to the U.S.S. Saratoga as a captain's clerk. This ship accompanied Commodore Matthew C. Perry to Japan from 1853-1854.

Once back in the United States, Sewall was ordained a Congregational minister. He worked as a pastor in Wenham, Massachusetts from 1859-1867. Sewall then served as Chaplain to the 8th Massachusetts regiment during the Civil War in 1864.

In 1875, Sewall accepted a professorship position at Bowdoin College, where he remained until 1903. Two years later, Sewall wrote a book, The Ship's Log of the Captain's Clerk: Adventures in the China Seas, about his experiences aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga . He died in 1911.

From the guide to the John S. Sewall Ship's Log, 1850-1903, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)