Mather Byles was born March 15, 1707; died July 5, 1788. He was
ordained pastor of the Hollis Street Congregational Church, of
Boston, in 1733. He was a staunch Loyalist till the end of his days,
as were his daughters, who lived till 1837. His chief fame does not
rest on his name as a clergyman or an author, but as an inveterate
and unmerciful jester.