January 11 » The first American life insurance company, the Corporation for Relief of Poor and Distressed Presbyterian Ministers and of the Poor and Distressed Widows and Children of the Presbyterian Ministers (now part of Unum Group), is incorporated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
January 15 » The British Museum opens to the public.
May 1 » Josiah Wedgwood founds the Wedgwood pottery company in Great Britain.
July 25 » French and Indian War: In Western New York, British forces capture Fort Niagara from the French, who subsequently abandon Fort Rouillé.
August 1 » Seven Years' War: The Battle of Minden, an allied Anglo-German army victory over the French. In Britain this was one of a number of events that constituted the Annus Mirabilis of 1759 and is celebrated as Minden Day by certain British Army regiments.
December 31 » Arthur Guinness signs a 9,000 year lease at £45 per annum and starts brewing Guinness.
Day of death October 1, 1779
The temperature on October 1, 1779 was about 13.0 °C. Wind direction mainly southwest. Weather type: omtrent helder. Source: KNMI
March 3 » American Revolutionary War: The Continental Army is routed at the Battle of Brier Creek near Savannah, Georgia.
June 1 » The court-martial for malfeasance of Benedict Arnold, a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, begins.
June 16 » Spain declares war on the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Great Siege of Gibraltar begins.
September 23 » American Revolution: John Paul Jones, naval commander of the United States, on board the USSBonhomme Richard, wins the Battle of Flamborough Head.
September 28 » American Revolution: Samuel Huntington is elected President of the Continental Congress, succeeding John Jay.
October 18 » American Revolutionary War: The Franco-American Siege of Savannah is lifted.
When copying data from this family tree, please include a reference to the origin: K. Groot, "Genealogy Groot", database, Genealogy Online (https://www.genealogieonline.nl/genealogie-groot/I429.php : accessed February 14, 2026), "Aagje Smit (????-1779)".
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