This resource is the result of research by Patricia Q. Wall. Also see Records of Connecticut Maritime Courts, 1777-1783
Andrews/ Andress, Jedidiah, Jr. – of New Haven.
Activity: Boat named Kingfisher. Cruised with Capt. Elisha Elderkin in 1779.
Source: NHCMCR: 25, 27, 158, 246-249. Middlebrook 2:142.
Ayres, Ebenezer – of Stamford
Activity: Cruising 1779-1781 alone and in concert with Samuel Lockwood, Caleb Brewster, and others.
Sources: FCMCR: index re sessions 12, 27, 35, 36. McDonald Papers, vol. 4:586, Coll. Westchester County Historical Society. Onderdonk’s Suffield County: 107.
Baldwin, Nathan – of Milford
Activity: Authorized to cruise using whale boat belonging to Milford’s fort, 14 May 1782.
Source: PRSC 4: 241.
Barlow, John – of New Haven, later Stratford
Activity: Cruised in 1780 with two whale boats, one named Betsy.
Sources: PRSC 1:543. FCMCR: index re session 25. NHCMCR: 162, 164. HCMCR: 362-374, 793. NLCMCR: 12. Middlebrook: 2:61.
Bentley, James
Activity: Cruised with Valentine Rider.
Source: Onderdonk, Queens County in Olden Time: 59.
Bessie, John
Activity: Cruising in 1776.
Source: Onderdonk, Documents and Letters: 205.
Betts, Isaiah – of Norwalk
Activity: Warranted by Town to cruise.
Source: FCMCR, index re sessions 48, 52. Middlebrook 2:255.
Betts, Peter – of Norwalk
Activity: Warrant by Town to cruise.
Source: FCMCR, index re session 50. Middlebrook 2:255.
Bird, Samuel, Jr. – of New Haven
Activity: Authorized to cruise the Sound using the boat at Black Rock Fort, 12 June 1782.
Sources: NHCMCR: 159, 430. Middlebrook 2:263.
Bishop, Clement – of Hartford
Activity: Commissioned, cruising in whaleboat, Gull 1779-1780.
Sources: HCMCR: 325, 327-331, 1022, 1023, 1029. FCMCR, index re session 7. Middlebrook 2:255.
Bleeker/ Blacker, Rutger
Sources: FCMCR, index re session 52. Onderdonk, Queens County in Olden Time: 59. As Blacker, Documents and Letters: 137.
Bradley, Aaron – of Hartford
Activity: Commissioned 6 June 1777.
Source: Trumbull Papers CSL 9:256, 258.
Bradley, Phineas – of New Haven
Activity: In charge of whale boat patrol of New Haven, 1780.
Source: CARW 19:50-52, 92.
Brewster, Caleb – of Fairfield, formerly of Setauket, LI.
Activity: Commissioned under various State and Continental Authorities 1777-1783 for cruising and intelligence gathering.
Sources: Jacobus 3:240. FCMCR, index re session 25. NHCMCR: 5a.Tallmadge Memoir and see index to the Washington Papers, LC. Pennypacker, Washington’s Spies.
Brooks, David – of Chatham
Activity: Cruising in 1777, Boat named Chatham.
Source: Middlebrook 2:215. NHCMCR: 125. NLCMCR: 80, 88. 101, 230. HCMCR: 203, 204, 251, 289, 303, 310, 545, more in index.
Brooks, Samuel – of Saybrook
Sources: NLCMCR: 1701. HCMCR: 425, 692, 712, 730, 748.
Brown, James – of Stamford, formerly of LI
Activity: Cruised under commission of Capt. Stephen Martin.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 13:244h. FCMCR index re session 48. Onderdonk, Queens County in Olden Time:58, 59.
Brush, Jesse – of Norwalk, formerly of NY.
Activity: Commissioned 1778 by NY Gov. George Clinton – armed whale boats, Refugee and Revenge.
Sources: FCMCR index re session 9. Middlebrook 2:188, 255. Mather Refugees: 206, 222, 284.
Buckland, Stephen
Activity: Commissioned 1 January 1781 under command of Col. William Ledyard.
Sources: Trumbull diary: 59. HCMCR: 476, 765, 774, 999, more in index.
Bulkley, Justus
Activity: Armed boat named Fortune
Source: Middlebrook 2:218. HCMCR: 1251, 1257, 1262, 1430.
Burnham, Gurdon
Activity: Commander of armed whale boat, Rattlesnake.
Sources: HCMCR: 57, 327, 331, 343, more in index. Middlebrook 2:255.
Butler, Moses
Activity: Cruising with boats, Gull and Rattlesnake.
Sources: HCMCR: 327, 331, 339, 343, 1023, 1026, 1028, 1029.
Chester, Jason – of Middletown
Activity: Active beginning in 1777. Cruised with Ebenezer Dayton 1778.
Sources: NDAR 13:191. HCMCR: 496, 500-506, 512, 516, more in index. Stuart, Trumbull: 348. New London Gazette 10 May 1778. Onderdonk Suffolk:73,74. Onderdonk Documents & Letters: 37.
Clark, John – New Haven
Activity: c. 1780.
Sources: FCMCR index re session 12. NLCMCR: 448, 455, 1090, 1099. HCMCR: 422. NHCMCR: 127. CARW 21:339. Mather Refugees: 294.
Clark, Maltiah – of LI
Activity: “In privateers 2 years and whale boat Activity 2 months.”
Sources: undated MSS, Long Island Collection, East Hampton Free Library. FCMCR index re session 36.
Clark, Oliver
Activity: Commissioned 13 March 1781.
Sources: PRSC 3:346, 358. FCMCR index re session 36. NHCMCR: 181, 324-326.
Clark, Thomas
Activity: Commissioned well before 28 December 1780 when being among a group of Connecticut “Masters of Whale Boats” appealing to the Congress for funds for food and clothing while in Provost Prison in NYC.
Source: National Archives. US Continental Congress – Papers 1774-1789, roll 66, p. 154.
Close, Elnathan – of Greenwich
Activity: Recommended for a commission by Col. John Mead, 10 July 1781. Cruised with Samuel Lockwood and Andrew Mead.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 14:338. FCMCR index re sessions (B) and 11. Mead Greenwich:176, 178. Public Papers of George Clinton, 5:381.
Collins, Daniel – of Stonington
Activity: Commissioned 25 January 1781 under Col. William Ledyard.
Sources: Trumbull Diary: 59. HCMCR: 476. NHCMCR: 322, 323, 335.
Combs, Samuel – of Saybrook, formerly of LI
Activity: Cruised in coordination with CT vessel, Trumbull in 1778.
Sources: PRSC 1:573. CARW 9:300a. Mather, Refugees: 887, 889, 890.
Conklin, Benjamin – of Lyme
Activity: Commissioned 8 May 1778, boat named John. Also a permit 6 April 1781.
Sources: Trumbull Diary: 32. NLCMCR: 210-212. Middlebrook 2:11, 138.
Conklin, Ebenezer – of Norwalk, formerly of Huntington, LI.
Activity: Active 1780, limited commission 30 May 1781.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 13:174. PRSC 3:448. FCMCR index re session 32, 34. HCMCR:1329, 1583, 1620. Mather, Refugees: 301.
Conklin, John – of Norwalk, formerly of Huntington, LI.
Activity: Probably a WB captain at some point. Acted as spy to LI for Maj. Gen. Howe in 1780.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 13:102, 174. FCMCR index re sessions, 17, 32, 34. NLCMCR: 1747. Mather Refugees: 303.
Conklin, Titus – of New York
Activity: Commissioned by NY Council of Appointments, 2 April 1778.
Source: Mather, Refugees: 218.
Cornell, A.
Activity: Leader of 50 men and 7 whaleboats in a raid on Colonel and Judge Ludlow at Hempstead LI, 23 August 1779.
Source: Onderdonk Documents and Letters :171.
Crane, Elisha or Elijah
Activity: Boat named Gallant. Commissioned prior to 8 February 1783 when it was suspended.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 18:23. NHCMCR: 200 (Elijah). Middlebrook 2:231
Crane, Samuel
Activity: Commission suspended 8 February 1783. Joshua Couch of Fairfield served under him 1781-1782.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 18:23. Jacobus 3:93. FCMCR index re session 56.
Crossman, Simeon – of Norwalk, formerly of LI.
Activity: Commanded armed whale boat, Ranger, or Revenge. Limited commission 30 May 1781. Accused of plundering at Huntington, LI., October 1778.
Sources: PRSC 3:448. FCMCR index re sessions 28, 34. HCMCR: 1329, 1330, 1332. Mather: Refugees: 204.
Davis, John – of Guilford, formerly of LI. (records refer without clarity to both a captain and a colonel.)
Activity: Commander of 30 whale boats for coastal defense, February 1781.
Source: Magazine of American History 10:499, 500. Mather, Refugees: 217, 243. HCMCR: 83.
Dayton, Ebenezer – formerly of Brookhaven, LI.
Activity: Whale boat captain 1777-1781. Acting on his proposal in May 1777, the New York Provincial Congress formed one or more Ranging Companies to raid British supplies, their suppliers, and their vessels. Dayton was active through 1780.
Sources: JNYPPC 1:449, 450. CARW 18:327c. FCMCR re index session 48. NHCMCR: 10, 12, 13, 36, 49, 51, more in index. HCMCR: 55, 1327-1336, 1363, 1524, more in index. NLCMCR: 1499, 1505, 1507. Also Onderdonk’s Suffolk: 734.
Dean or Deane, Gilbert – of Bedford, NY
Activity: Spying for General Washington via a whale boat in company with William Smith Scudder to Long Island.
Sources: Fitzpatrick, Writings, 22:7. Dean to Washington, May 14, 1781. Washington Papers, LC. MacDonald Papers: 561. Pennypacker: 220, 224.
Deshone, Richard
Activity: Boat named General Mifflin or Mifflin
Source: Middlebrook 2:206. NLCMTC: 112, 114,196, 943, 978.
Dibble, Isaiah
Source: Court deposition of David Conklin of Saybrook, said Dibble had permits from both Gov. George Clinton and Gov. Jonathan Trumbull to cruise the Sound.
FCMCR re index session 36.
Donaldson, Frederick – of New Rochelle, NY
Activity: Cruising in fall 1779 probably under commission from NY Council of Appointments. Whale boat Activity along Greenwich shore, 1781. Hanged by Tories 22 January 1781 in revenge for the hanging of Brom Barrett of Greenwich.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL, 10: 239, 269. McDonald Papers, 3: 578, 4:581,586, 887, Coll. Westchester County Historical Society. “The Westchester Historian,” Westchester County Historical Society Quarterly, vol.43, No. 1, 1967, pp.6,7.
Durkee, Benjamin
Activity: Boat named Ranger
Source: Middlebrook 2:187. NLCMTC: 1444, 1661, 1668-1709, 1848.
Elderkin, Elisha – of New Haven
Activity: Commander of two, armed whale boats, one named True Blue.
Sources: FCMCR index re session 12. NHCMCR: 25, 27, 45, 132, 142, 144 And also index. HCMCR: 1371, 1372. Also see Archives On-line, Autobiography of Thomas Painter, p. 19 (Privately printed, Wash. DC, 1910). Middlebrook 2:233.
Elgar, Abner
Activity: Boat named Polly.
Source: Middlebrook 2:172. HCMTC: 865, 1071-1073, 1076, 1081.
Ely, Abner – of Lyme
Activity: Commissioned 24 March 1781, whale boat Defense.
Sources: Trumbull Diary: 30. Stuart, Trumbull: 550. CARW 18:337. HCMCR: 1128.
Fairweather, Nathaniel – of Fairfield
Activity: Commissioned 30 October 1778. Captured 28 November 1778.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 8:234, 265. CARW 14:5. FCMCR index session 2.
Field, Timothy
Source: NHCMCR: 369, 506, 507, 568.
Finch, Daniel – of Norwalk
Activity: Commissioned 30 May 1781 “to go one time only.”
Source: PRSC 3:448.
Finch, Reynolds – of Stamford
Activity: Warranted by Town to cruise 1781/82.
Sources: FCMCR index re sessions 49, 53, 54, 56. Also see Middlebrook 2:255.
Fitch, Jabez – of Greenwich
Activity: Commissioned March 1782. Captain of Independent Volunteers.
Sources: PRSC 3:297. FCMCR index re sessions 18, 26, 30, 31, 49, 53. NHCMCR: 473. HCMCR: 756. NLCMCR: 1495, 1517. See Trumbull Papers CSL 14: 180, 194 and index re other reports. Also see McDonald Papers: 306. Middlebrook 2:256-258.
Foster, Peter
Activity: Commissioned prior to 11 December 1779 when seeking prisoner exchange. Was among a group of Connecticut “Masters of Whale Boats” appealing to the Congress for funds while in Provost Prison, 28 December 1780.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 10:269. PRSC 3:476. National Archives, US, Continental Congress Papers 1774-1789, roll 66, p. 154. Onderdonk, Documents & Letters, p.55.
Fowler, William
Activity: His whale boat, William the Conqueror, destroyed by British c. November 30, 1781.
Sources: Onderdonk Suffolk:102. NHCMCR:363. Mather Refugees: 217.
Friend, John – of Saugatuck, Norwalk
Activity: Commissioned by Trumbull, 30 June 1780. Warranted to cruise by Town authority c. December 1780. Accused involvement in illicit trade, March 1781.
Source: PRSC 3:119. Trumbull Papers CSL 14:125. 15:324.
Fuller, Asa – of Middletown
Activity: Boat named Flying Fish
Sources: Middlebrook 2:92. FCMCR index re session 37. HCMCR: 327, 331, 720, 725, more in index.
Goldsmith, Wilmot – formerly of Southold, LI
Source: Onderdonk, Suffolk: 71. Mather, Refugees: 222.
Gray, Maj. Ebenezer – of Windham
Activity: Continental Army, ‘spy master’ for General Washington and led whale boat raids to Long Island 1777, 1778.
Sources: FCMCR index re sessions A, 2, 3, 6. NHCMCR: 113-115, 124. Gray’s report 10 September 1778, Washington Papers, L. History of Windham County 2:154-160, 177, 184, 189, 200, 208, 210, 308.
Griffith, Daniel – formerly of New York
Activity: Commissioned by NY Council of Appointments, 2 April 1778 with boat, Revenge.
Source: Mather Refugees: 218.
Griffith, Joshua – of Chatham, formerly Southold, LI
Activity: Commissioned 1 January 1781, also 25 January 1781 under Col. William Ledyard. Boat named Chatham.
Sources: Trumbull Diary: 23. PRSC 3:151, 298. Trumbull Papers 10:264. FCMCR index re session 37. HCMCR: 203, 251, 303, 310, 473, 476, and also index. NLCMCR: 374, 399, 585, 592, 594 and also index. Stuart, Trumbull:550.
Griffith, Peter – of Guilford, formerly Southold, LI
Activity: Commissioned for Ranging Company for coastal defense 3 September 1777. Summoned 4 August 1778 to account re abuse of commission. Seeks reinstatement 10 December 1779.
Sources: PRSC 1:391, 572. 2:107. Vessels captured, CARW 9:367, 18:406, 407. NLCMCR: 522, 524, 528. Mather’s Refugees: 202, 371, 877-879.
Griffith, Robert – of Guilford, formerly Riverhead, LI
Source: Mather, Refugees: 371.
Grinnell, John – of Fairfield
Activity: 5 February 1781 recommended for commission by General Silliman saying Grinnell had lost everything in the burning of Fairfield. Was captured during raid at Sag Harbor, L.I. c 30 November 1781.
Sources: Trumbull Papers 14:77, 79h. Mather, Refugees: 217. NLCMCR:120.
Hale, David
Activity: Commissioned 1 January 1781 under Col. William Ledyard.
Source: Trumbull Diary: 59. HCMCR: 476.
Hale/Hall, Daniel – of Hartford
Activity: Reported to Governor Trumbull 6 November 1780. Commissioned 1 Janaury 1781 under direction of Col. William Ledyard. Boats named Jenny and Hawk.
Sources: Trumbull Diary: 23. Trumbull Papers CSL 13:124. PRSC 3:342. HCMCR: 18, 153, 476, 859, 864 and also index. (As Daniel Hall – NHCMCR: 261-263, 498. NLCMCR: 448, 455). Middlebrook 2:262.
Hallet, James – of Rye, NY
Activity: Commissioned prior to December 1779 when seeking his prisoner exchange. Among a group of Connecticut “Masters of Whale Boats” appealing to the Congress for funds while in Provost Prison 28 December 1780.
Source: Trumbull Papers 10: 269. National Archives, US, Continental Congress Papers 1774-1789, roll 66, p.154. FCMCR index re sessions 7, 39, 57.
Hallet/Halleck, Peter – refugee from Southold, LI.
Activity: Accused of abuse of commission, 11 August 1778.
Sources: PRSC 2:110. Also Mather, Refugees: 378.
Hanford, Matthew
Source: FCMCR index re session 50.
Harris, James
Sources: NLCMCR: 1538. HCMCR: 441-451. Mather Refugees: 218.
Harrison, Asahel – of Branford
Activity: Warrant to cruise with two armed boats 2 July 1782.
Sources: PRSC 4:261. NHCMCR: 459.
Hawley, David – of Stratford
Activity: Famous naval captain 1776 – 1779. Whale boat Activity 1778-1781.
Various raids to Long Island. Led successful raid 4 November 1779 to capture Judge Thomas Jones as an exchange for Gen. Gold Selleck Silliman.
Sources: FCMCR index re sessions 1, 12, 18, 20, 27, 36. HCMCR: 903, 904, 1101, 1102, 1104, 1107, 1109, 1603. Middlebrook 2: 204.
Hawley, Gideon – of Stratford
Activity: “In whale boat Activity 2 years and on raid to Oyster Bay.”
Sources: Misc. mss, RG-53, Long Island Collection, East Hampton Free Library. HCMCR:1104.
Hawley, Samuel
Activity: Commissioned 14 September 1781.
Sources: FCMCR index re sessions 27, 36. HCMCR: 1103, 1104, 1598, 1600-1603.
Hender, Thomas – of Hartford
Sources: FCMCR index re sessions B & 7. HCMCR: 337, 621.
Heron, William
Activity: Reportedly commissioned to cruise by Governor Trumbull c. April 1781. Spy for General Parsons, particularly regarding Benedict Arnold’s treason.
Sources: Magazine of American History 12: 60, 65, 164, 169. Washington to Waterbury 29 April 1781. Parsons to Washington, 6 April 1782, Washington Papers, LC. Pennypacker: 222, 224. See editor’s comment, Founders On-Line, Heron to Washington, 26 July 1790.
Hickox, Samuel – of Stamford
Activity: Warranted to cruise by Town authority.
Sources: Middlebrook 2:255. FCMCR index re sessions 26, 32, 53. Pension record.
Horlikkins, Levi – of Derby
Activity: Commissioned 1781.
Source: PRSC 3:341. Trumbull Diary: 59.
Hoxlee, Gideon – of Rhode Island
Activity: 1780
Source: FCMCR index re sessions 13, 27.
Hull, Joseph – of Derby
Activity: Commanded a flotilla of boats in 1779. Heroic accomplishment at Hempstead Bay 24 November 1781. Pending commission from Governor Trumbull 12 December 1781. With Jabez Fitch Ranging Company 1782/83. Boat named Rover.
Sources: Onderdonk Documents and Letters: 229. Trumbull Papers CSL 15:286a. NHCMCR: 95, 104b, 125-128, 348. FCMCR index re session 48. NLCMCR: 416. Middlebrook 2:212. Connecticut Gazette, 24 November 1781.
Ingraham, John – of New York
Activity: Commissioned 2 April 1778 by NY Council of Appointments, boat named Retaliation.
Sources: Mather, Refugees: 218. FCMCR index re session 36. NLCMCR: 1023.
Jackson, John – of Stamford, formerly of LI.
Activity: Cruised out of Stamford, 1780.
Sources: Onderdonk Queens county in Olden Time: 59. HCMCR:1642.
Jackson, Nathan Peet – of Fairfield
Activity: Warranted by Town of Fairfield, 18 June 1781. Commanded two boats.
Sources: Middlebrook 2:262. Jacobus 3:447. FCMTC index re session 3.
Jackson, Thomas
Activity: Took part in Fort St. George Raid, 21 November 1780.
Sources: Long Island Collection, Document box 1:41-43, East Hampton Free Library. NHCMCR: 482.
Jenks, Charles
Activity: Whale boat named Hornet.
Source: Trumbull Papers CSL 24:33a. Middlebrook 2:132.
Jennings, Elnathan – of Middletown, formerly of Sag Harbor, LI.
Activity: c. 1776, commander of 3 whale boats. Later, as a Continental soldier, his suggestion led to Col. R. J. Meigs whale boat raid on Sag Harbor, 22 May 1777.
Sources: Mather Refugees: 226. Dann, The Revolution Remembered: 324, 325. Gen. Samuel H. Parsons to Washington, 29 May 1777, Hall: 99.
Johnson, Edward (NOTE: possibly 2 men of this name, one of Greenwich)
Activity: Commissioned 25 January 1781under Col. Wm. Ledyard.
Sources: HCMCR: 229, 240, 476. NLCMCR: 229, 240. Middlebrook 2:242.
Johnson, William Stephen – of Middletown
Activity: 1779 – 1782, boat named, Retaliation.
Sources: Trumbull Diary:59. FCMCR index re sessions A, 37, 42: HCMCR: 7, 9, 17. NLCMCR: 1538. Middlebrook 2:256.
Jones, Daniel
Source: NHCMCR: 44, 98, 349, 350.
Jones, Ebenezer – of Stamford
Activity: Commissioned by Trumbull 1781, very active 1779-1782 for the State and the Continental Army.
Sources: CARW 16:453-457. FCMCR index re sessions 7, 12, 13, 18, 20, 22, and numerous others. HCMCR: 727a, 729, 1450, 1455. CARW 16: 453-457. Also, McDonald Papers 5:621.
Jones, Isaac – of Stamford
Activity: 1781-1782, Warranted by Town authority, boat Jay. Cruised with various whale boat captains.
Sources: Middlebrook 2:137, 255. FCMCR index re session 22, 32, 44, 47, 54, 56.
Jones, John
Sources: FCMCR index re session 1. NLCMCR: 93.
Judson, Amos
Activity: Commissioned 25 January 1781 under Col. William Ledyard. Boat Revenge.
Source: HCMCR: 476, 1153, 1174, 1177, 1179, 1193. Middlebrook 2:210.
Kelsey, Ephriam
Activity: Authority to command “a boat” to cruise the Sound. 13 September 1782.
Sources: PRSC 4:281. NLCMCR: 1444-1449, 1558-156, 1635-1644. NHCMCR: 415, 416, 488, 553.
Keyes, Peabody
Source: NHCMCR: 200.
Landon, David – of New Haven
Activity: Commissioned 29 May 1778.
Sources: PRSC 2:85. NHCMCR: 336, 364, 567. Mather, Refugees: 218, 885.
Lawrence, Daniel
Activity: Commissioned prior to 11 December 1779 when seeking prisoner exchange. Was among a group of Connecticut “Masters of Whale Boats” appealing to the Congress for funds while in Provost Prison, 28 December 1780.
Source: Trumbull Papers CSL 10:269. National Archives, US, Continental Congress Papers 1774-1789, roll 66, p.154.
Lay, Asa
Activity: Continental soldier with Col. R. J. Meigs on raids to LI.
Sources: NDAR 11: 496, 497. Connecticut Gazette 11 March 1778. Onderdonk Suffolk: 71, 72.
Leavenworth, Eli – of New Haven
Activity: Commissioned to cruise and seek intelligence for Gen. Charles Scott fall 1778.
Sources: Scott to Washington, 2 November 1778, Washington Papers LC. PRSC 4: 327. FCMCR: index re sessions 3, 54 (corrected to 55). NHCMCR: 49b, 201, 409, 327, 439, 441, 421, 422, 510, 546.
Ledyard, Col. William
Activity: It is unknown if he ever commanded a whale boat, but he is included here because he was instrumental re commissions and supervision of numerous whaleboats guarding and cruising along the State’s coast.
Sources: NLCMCR: 120, 570. HCMCR: 77, 473, 476, 867, 1508, 1515, 1518, 1607. Also index PRSC 3.
Lockwood, Isaac – of Stamford
Activity: Possibly warranted by Town authority.
Sources: FCMCR index re session 53. HCMCR: 730.
Lockwood, Joseph – of Stamford
Source : Onderdonk, Queens County Olden Times: 63. Middlebrook 2:255.
Lockwood, Philip
Activity: Cruised under commission of Capt. Henry Waring 20 Dember 1781.
Source: FCMCR session 39.
Lockwood, Samuel – of Greenwich
Activity: (several contemporaries of same name cause uncertainties) Most prominent of this name was a very active whale boat privateer and spy for General Washington. Made numerous raids to LI, accused of illicit trade, reportedly aided inventor, David Bushnell, in use of the first submersible in New York Harbor.
Sources: Washington to Gen. Charles Scott, 31 October 1778, Washington Papers, LC (There are other ref. to Samuel Lockwood in that collection). McDonald Papers: 581. FCMCR re sessions 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 30, 36, 42. HCMCR: 965.
Lyman, George – of Stratfield Parish, Stratford
Activity: Commissioned commander of armed vessel of boat, Retaliation, one gun, 40 men, by Governor Trumbull 5 October 1779. Raid on Setauket 14 October 1779. Commander of 3 whaleboats at some point. Captured during whale boat raid to take Judge Thomas Jones 4 November 1779. On 28 December 1780 he was among a group of Connecticut “Masters of Whale Boats” appealing to the Congress for funds for food and clothing while in prison. Was killed during a whale boat raid on Gardiner’s Bay, 1 July 1781.
Sources: Papers of Sir Henry Clinton #3129, Clements Library, Un. of Mich.. Trumbull Papers CSL 13:35, 10:239, 269. National Archives, US, Continental Congress Papers 1774-1789, roll 66, p. 154. Onderdonk, Suffolk: 260. Joseph Knap Journal A:260. Private collection of Patricia Q. Wall.
Lyon, Samuel – of Rye Manor, New York
Activity: On 6 February 1777, Lyon and Col. Thomas Thomas of the small boat Flying Fish captured the sloop Industry, commanded by Abe Selleck who identified his captor’s boat as “a Rebel whale boat.”
Sources: Jour. NY Provincial Congress :798. Grt. Brit. Hist. Comm. Report #2631. Onderdonk Documents and Letters: 167, 205.
McKenzie, Charles – of Stamford, formerly of LI
Activity: Served with the British in an unknown capacity before siding with the Rebels and began cruising out of Stamford.
Sources: McDonald Papers: 593. FCMCR index re session 45.
McQueen, William
Source: NHCMCR: 205, 206, 455-459.
Maltbie, David – of Stamford
Source: FCMCR index re session 30.
Markham, Ebenezer
Activity: Commissioned 13 March 1781
Sources: PRSC 3:346. FCMCR index re session 37.
Martin, Caleb
Activity: Reportedly commissioned
Source: Jacobus 3:260.
Martin, Stephen – of Hartford, later Stratford
Activity: Had commission from Massachusetts signed by John Hancock for whale boat Rochester. Also cruised with whale boat, American Glory. Killed during raid 26 October 1782.
Sources: Onderdonk Documents & Letters: 177, 178. FCMCR index re sessions 27, 36, 48. HCMCR: 1598-1603.
Mead, Andrew – of Greenwich
Activity: Cruised in concert with Elnathan Close c. Lead in the capture of the Shuldam 13 November 1781.
Sources: CARW 25:50. FCMCR index re session 26. Mead, Greenwich: 176, 178. McDonald Papers: 290. See on-line, “The Taking of the Shuldam”, Journal of the American Revolution.
Meigs. Col. Return Jonathan
Activity: Continental officer, famous for his whale boat raid on Sag Harbor 22 May 1777. Active in SW Connecticut on raids to LI, 1777/78.
Sources: Re latter area, NDAR 11:496, 497. Stuart, Trumbull: 398, 395. Onderdonk, Suffolk: 71,72. Magazine of American History 4:282-292.
Merrow, John
Activity: Commissioned under Col. William Ledyard 25 January 1781.
Source: HCMCR: 476, 1014, 1017.
Miller, Elisha – of New York
Source: HCMCR: 327, 331. Mather, Refugees: 242.
Minor, Thomas – of Norwalk
Activity: Warranted to cruise by Town authority
Source: Middlebrook 2: 255.
Morrell, Abraham – of Greenwich
Activity: Warranted to cruise by Town authority.
Source: Middlebrook 2:255. FCMCR index re sessions 19, 42, 53.
Muirson, Heathcote – of Fairfield, formerly Setauket LI
Activity: On raids with Caleb Brewster. Died as result of wound during French aided attempt on Lloyd’s Neck, 12 July 1781.
Sources: Rice, American Campaigns of Rochambeau’s Army: 130-132. Mather,
Refugees:476.
Norris, Oliver
Activity: Commission or orders for cruising 6 August 1780
Source: CARW 21:269.
Norton, Matthew
Activity: Commission suspended by Governor Trumbull 8 February 1783.
Source: Trumbull Papers CSL 18:23.
Norton, Nathaniel – of New York
Activity: Commissioned by NY Council of Appointments 28 April 1781. Also commissioned by Governor Trumbull, armed boat SUFFOLK.
Source: Mather, Refugees: 218. NHCMCR: 187. HCMCR: 1460. Governor Clinton Papers 6:824.
Nott, William
Sources: Trumbull Diary: 59. Middlebrook 2:133. NHCMCR: 124, 180, 189. HCMCR: 362, 763, 778-785, 976, 977.
Olmsted, Ezekial
Activity: Boat named Hawk.
Source: Middlebrook 2:172. HCMTC: 1084, 1089.
Palmer, Edward
Source: NHCMCR: 196, 198.
Pierce, Benjamin – of Norwalk
Activity: Warranted by Town authority.
Source: Middlebrook 2:255.
Pierpont, ___ – of New Haven
Activity: Cruising with armed boat prior to being captured by the enemy 14 April 1781.
Source: Middlebrook 2:262.
Pond, Charles
Activity: commander of armed boat, who may have been taken prisoner during raid on Setauket in 1780 and held prisoner by Col. Upham of the Associated Loyalists and paroled 14 December 1780. On return to Connecticut was imprisoned but then released by the General Assembly.
Source: CARW 23:332.
Quintard, James
Activity: At an unknown date, his boat and crew were captured at Norwalk Islands when returning from cruising and were imprisoned in NY. They sought prisoner exchange, September 1782.
Sources: Col. Samuel Canfield to General Washington, 8 September 1782, Presidential Papers, General Washington, microfilm edition, reel 84. Norwalk Authorities to General Washington, 9 September 1782, ibid, reel 87. FCMCR index re sessions 8, 17, 42. McDonald Papers, 4: 608, 612.
Raymond, Uriah – of Norwalk
Source: CARW 16:378.
Rhea, Aaron – of Fairfield
Activity: Warranted to cruise by Town authority.
Sources: Middlebrook 2:253. FCMCR index re session 57.
Rich, Benajmin (?)
Source: Trumbull Diary: 59
Richards, Edmund – of Middlesex Parish, Stamford
Activity: commissioned by Governor Trumbull and served with Capt. Jabez Fitch, 1782/83.
Sources: Pension record. FCMTC re index session 49. Middlebrook 2:264.
Rider/Ryder, Valentine – of Stamford
Activity: Commissioned by NY Gov. George Clinton 18 May 1781 for whale boat Resolution. NY Council recalled his commission 29 June 1781 but evidently Rider regained authorization by Stamford Town authority to cruise for prizes later in 1781 and 1782.
Sources: FCMCR session 36. Mather Refugees:218. FCMCR index re sessions 20, 36, 44, 48, 52. Middlebrook 2:263. See also indexes of Onderdonk Queens County and Documents & Letters.
Riggs, John, Jr. – of Derby
Activity: Commissioned 1781
Source: PRSC 3:341. Trumbull Diary:59
Riley, Ackley – of Weathersfield.
Service: boat Snake, variously designated as whaleboat, armed boat, and sloop, 1778-1780. Cruised c. 23 June 1780 with Abe Wright. (See my Introduction.)
Sources: Middlebrook 2:61. PRSC 3:114. HCMCR: 791-799, 815, 817, 1047, 1129, 1232-1266, 1430.
Ritch, John – of Norwalk
Activity: Warranted to cruise by Town authority.
Sources: FCMCR index re sessions A, 47, 49, 52. HCMCR: 1329, 1330, 1630. Middlebrook 2: 255.
Rogers, George
Activity: Boat Spy.
Source: Middlebrook 2:219.
Rogers, Jeremiah – of Killingworth, formerly Bridge Hampton, NY
Activity: Recommended for commission 6 May 1778 by General Parsons. Accused of abuse of commission and summoned by Governor Trumbull 11 August 1778.
Sources: Trumbull Papers 8:128. PRSC 2:110. Mather, Refugees: 218.
Rogers, Joshua – of Norwalk
Activity: Hired 22 October 1778 by Col. Ebenezer Gray to do intelligence work for General Washington on Long Island. Commissioned by NY Council of Appointments 6 March 1779, whale boat Grayhound.
Sources: FCMCR index re session A, 2, 17: Mather Refugees: 218, 878.
St. John, Col. Stephen – of Norwalk
Activity: appears to have commanded a whale boat to capture 3 of the enemy on the Sound 29 August 1780.
Sources: PRSC 3:156, Trumbull Papers CSL 12:268. FCMCR index re sessions 8, 42, 54.
Sawyer, Moses
Activity: ordered on whale boat activity for “private expedition” to LI for Col. William Ledyard c. July 30, 1779. Submitted a bill for same on 4 August 1779.
Source: CARW 25: 371, 372.
Scranton, John – of New London
Activity: cruised out of Stamford.
Source: McDonald Papers: 616.
Scranton, Thomas
Activity: boat named Retaliation
Source: Middlebrook 2:06.
Scudder, Henry – of Norwalk, formerly of LI
Activity: Messenger and intelligence work 1781
Source: Trumbull Papers Onderdonk Suffolk: 95, 105. Mather, Refugees: 222.
Scudder, William Smith – of Norwalk, formerly of LI.
Activity: Acted as pilot for raider, John Bessie, in 1776. March 3,1778, after his capture apparently by HMS Halifax and imprisoned, he confessed re his various whale boat raids. Once exchanged, he was commissioned 30 October 1778 by NY Council of Appointments, whale boat named Ranger “7 men and muskets.” Spy for General Washington in 1781. His commission recalled 6/29/81.
Sources: Onderdonk Documents and Letters: 205, 206. Gilbert Dean and William Scudder to Washington, 14 May 1781. Washington Papers, LC. FCMCR index re sessions A, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 52. Mather Refugees: 218.
Sellew, Thomas
Activity: Commissioned prior to 11 December 1779 when seeking prisoner exchange. Was among a group of Connecticut “Masters of Whale Boats” appealing to the Congress for funds while in Provost Prison in NYC.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 10:269. PRSC 3:476. National Archives, US, Continental Congress Papers 1774-1789, roll 66, P.154. NHCMCR: 38-41. HCMCR: 983, 986, 992, 1037-1044.
Shipman, Benoi – of Saybrook
Activity: Commissioned to cruise under Col. William Ledyard, 25 January 1781. Boat Success. Warranted to cruise by Col. Samuel McClellan 11 July 1782.
Sources: Trumbull Diary: 59. HCMTC: 476. Middlebrook 2:230. NLCMTC: 662, 664, 668, 848-868, 887, 891, 1078-1081, more in index.
Shipman, John, 2nd – Saybrook
Activity: boat Revenge
Source: Middlebrook 2:210. NLCMTC: 117, 505-507, 542, 543, 553-555.
Simmons, Robert – of Westchester
Source: Onderdonk Queens County: 59, 60..
Smith, George – of Hartford
Activity: Commissioned by Governor Trumbull 13 March 1781. Boat named, Polly, with one swivel and 8 men. A man of this name on 1776 expedition to Brookhaven and did secret activity.
Sources: Trumbull Diary: 29, 59. FCMCR index re sessions 3, 27, 58. HCMCR: 476, 999, 1014, 1084-1089. Mather, Refugees: 569. Onderdonk, Suffolk: 85. Middlebrook 2:172, 262. Pension record.
Smith, Samuel – of Stonington
Activity: Boat Hope
Source: Middlebrook 2:132. FCMTC index re session 53. NHCMTC: 24, 479, 480. HCMTC: 89, 107, 108, 113.
Smith, Stephen
Activity: worked in concert with Ebenezer Jones, Samuel Lockwood, Ebenezer Ayres.
Source: FCMCR index re sessions 20, 49, 53, 54.
Solomon, Jonathan
Activity: summoned by Governor Trumbull re abuse of commission 11 August 1778. Boat named Refugee.
Sources: PRSC 2:110. NHCMCR: 528: Mather Refugees: 218. Middlebrook 2:203.
Stoddard, Israel
Activity: commissioned with whale boat named Prudence.
Source: Trumbull Papers CSL 24:33. Middlebrook 2:178.
Sturges, Benjamin – of Fairfield
Activity: Commanded 3 whale boats, was wounded 7 December 1782 by a bayonet while attempting to grapple (for boarding) an enemy vessel on Long Island Sound.
Source: Jacobus 3:319.
Sutton, John – of Stamford
Activity: Warranted to cruise by Town authority c. 1781. Clerk of accounts for whale boatmen of Stamford.
Sources: James Cogswell to James Cogswell, Sr. 19 September 1781. James Cogswell mss, Yale University Library. FCMCR index re session 18. Middlebrook 2: 255. Possible information: Sutton’s Memorial 15 December 1778 to the Continental Congress which was referred to the Board of the Treasury. Petition. See 9 April 1779 in Letters of the Members of the Continental Congress, 12: 1220, 1243. Petition denied 4/9/79.
Thomas, Thomas – of New York
Activity: Commissioned by NY Council Appointments, n.d. Capture of sloop Industry by his whale boat Flying Fish, 6 February 1777. Accused of illicit trade October 1780.
Source: Trumbull Papers 15:188. SEE Samuel Lyon in this list.
Titus, Jonathan
Activity: active 1781
Source: FCMCR index re session 34
Turney, Aaron – of Fairfield
Activity: commissioned by Governor Trumbull 7 July 1782 as 2nd Lieutenant with Abraham C. Woodhill and whale boats, Spy, Fox, and Firebrand.
Source: FCMCR index re session 37. Pension Record.
Tyler, Simon
Activity: Commissioned prior to 11 December 1779 when seeking prisoner exchange. Was among a group of Connecticut “Masters of Whale Boats” appealing to the Congress for funds while in Provost Prison 28 December 1780.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 10:269. National Archives, US, Continental Congress Papers 1774-1789, roll 66, p. 154. HCMCR: 1039, 1041, 1044.
Vail, Jonathan – of Guilford, formerly Southold, LI
Activity: accused of abuse of commission 11 August 1778.
Sources: PRSC 2:110. NHCMCR: 520, 526, 528, 535, 541. HCMCR: 1172. Mather Refugees: 218.
Vail, Peter (or Vallen)
Activity: Commissioned 1778, boat named Hawk.
Sources: NLCMCR: 122, 141, 143, 150, 578. HCMCR:692.
Valentine, Richard
Source: Onderdonk, Queens County: 59, 60.
Vincent, James – of Stamford
Activity: Commissioned by NY Council of Appointments 6 March 1781, boat named Porpoise. Also warranted to cruise by Town authority, n.d. NY commission recalled 29 June 1781.
Sources: Middlebrook 2:255. FCMCR index re sessions 36, 48, 52.
Waite, Daniel
Activity: 16 February 1777 ordered by General Parsons to take a party of 20 soldiers to LI in whaleboats to seize provisions bound for NYC. First occurrence of such and Washington objected to starting such practice.
Sources: Hall: 89. Parson to Washington, 23 February 1777, Washington to Parsons 20 March 1777. Washington Papers LC.
Waterman, John
Activity: Commissioned by Governor Trumbull, 26 March & 4 April 1781.
Sources: Trumbull Diary: 31, 32. NLCMCR: 406.
Webster, Joshua
Activity: Commissioned under Col. William Ledyard, 25 January 1781.
Source: HCMCR: 476.
Weeks, Ezekiel – of Norwalk, formerly of Huntington, LI.
Activity: Commissioned ‘to go one time & no more’ – 5 May 1781.
Sources: PRSC 3:448. FCMCR index re session 27. HCMCR: 1329, 1450, 1579-1581. Mather Refugees: 634.
Wheeler, Chauncey
Activity: Commissioned by Governor Trumbull 22 June 1778, boat named, Wheeler. He ended his activity 30 October 1778. (See Nathaniel Fairweather)
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 8:145, 234. FCMCR index re session 2.
Whiting, Samuel
Activity: commissioned 3 March 1781
Source: PRSC 3:346
Wicks, Jesse – of Norwalk
Source: FCMCR index re sessions A, 6, 9, 34. Onderdonk Suffolk: 104.
Wilkinson, John – of Stamford, formerly of Lloyd’s Neck
Activity: Left British service to re-join Rebels in Connecticut. Permission to cruise for coastal defense from Gen. David Waterbury 16 September 1781.
Sources: Onderdonk Queens County :59. McDonald Papers, Thaddeus Bell interview. Waterbury Orderly Book: 138, 141.
Woodhull, Abraham Cooper – of Setauket, LI
Activity: Captain of whale boats Spy, Fox, and Firebrand 1782. Warranted by Town of Fairfield.
Sources: Middlebrook 2: 91, 219, 255. FCMCR index re sessions 53, 58. Jacobus 3:319, 321, 333.
Wright, Abraham – of Saybrook or Farmington
Activity: Captured 4 November 1779 during raid to take Judge Thomas Jones. Arrangement proposed for his prisoner exchange 25 November 1779. Commander of whale boat, Betsy June 1780.
Sources: Trumbull Papers CSL 9 or 8:132. ibid 10:269. Public Papers of George Clinton 5:387. HCMCR: 791-796. Middlebrook 2:61.
Youngs, Jonas – of Stamford, formerly of Oyster Bay
Activity: Raiding as of summer 1779.
Sources: Mather Refugees: 120, 656. Onderdonk, Queens County: 171, 217.