Benjamin Church

Benjamin Church (24 August 1734 – 1778) was a member of the Templar Order and a surgeon for the Continental Army.

Biography

Colonial Templar

Church attended Harvard University where he studied medicine and surgery. Soon after he graduated in 1754 and became a qualified and talented physician, residing in Boston. Church also became affiliated with the Templar Order and was to be recruited by Haytham Kenway. However, due to his wealth, Church was abducted and tortured by Silas Thatcher and Cutter for protection money, during which Cutter threatened to cut off his tongue, ears, hands and even castrate him. Cutter sliced Church's left nostril but was saved the arrival of Kenway and Charles Lee.

Church soon after took part in infiltration of Southgate Fort to free the Mohawk slaves, during which Silas was wounded by Haytham, allowing Church to personally execute him for the torture he received. Church later assisted in the assassination of General Edward Braddock, allowing Haytham access to information and the location of the "Precursor Site".

Betraying the Order

By 1775, Church joined the Continental Army commissioned as a physician, however he also spied for the British Army. Church was caught by the Continental Army, but insisted that he was innocent by claiming that he gave falsified information to British to deter their attacks. Church was imprisoned and upon his release he abandoned both the Continental Army and Templar Order, stealing a large supply of weapons and medicine from a convoy intended for the Continental Army.

Church suspected that Haytham would kill him for this betrayal, hence hired several mercenaries to help guard and escort the stolen supplies as well ambush and kill Haytham. However, Church was also pursued by Connor, an assassin, who allowed a temporary truce and alliance with Haytham to kill Church and retrieve the supplies. Church's traps failed as he fled aboard the naval ship Welcome and into Martinique.

Death

The Aqulia, captained by Connor, was able to catch up and disable the Welcome by destroying the ship's mast, allowing Haytham and Connor to board the ship. Haytham caught up with Church first below deck and proceeded to brutally beat him, enraged by his betrayal. Connor intervened and swiftly ended Church's life by impaling him through the chest. Church revealed the location of the supplies, stashed on a nearby island, before finally passing away.

Personality and Characteristics

Church was a highly self-serving and duplicitous man, despite his years as a surgeon and as part of the Templar order, Church's only motivation was personal gain. Church pursued a career as a surgeon believing it to be the most profitable profession, he had little to no actual concern for the well being of his fellow man and was quick to dismiss those who could not afford his services. Church was very wealthy, although he had problems with debts, and owned a mansion that was later seized and ransacked in order to pay for the Continental Army's war efforts. He was also married but neglected his wife and pursued another woman.

To further support his treacherous nature, Church played both sides of Revolutionary War, but even betrayed his true loyalties to the Templars. His final words to Connor suggest that he ultimately became disillusioned with the Templar's cause and saw neither side of the Revolutionary War as just.

Reference

• Assassin's Creed III