John W. Bentley Papers

Overview of the Collection
	Repository:	G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport
	Creator:	Bentley, John W., d. 1864
	Title:	John W. Bentley Papers
	Dates:	1858-1866
	Extent:	23 pieces
	Abstract:	Naval orders, instructions, and official correspondence to John W. Bentley. Naval vessels mentioned include CUMBERLAND, frigate WABASH, ship AMELIA, bark GEM OF THE SEAS, schooner MARY STEWART, steamer MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.S. SHENANDOAH, and U.S.S. BANSHEE. In addition, there is a letter copybook/notebook, August to November 1861, a watch and quarter book for U.S.S. SHENANDOAH, and a navigation notebook from the U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE, all kept by Bently between 1861 and 1864.
	Identification:	Coll 16

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Biography of John W. Bentley

John W. Bentley was a U.S. naval officer from Norwich, Connecticut and was acting master of the U.S.S. SHENANDOAH and the U.S.S. BAINBRIDGE. He also served as prize master for schooners MARY ALICE and MARY STEWART, and the ship AMELIA. Bentley died in 1864.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Available for use in the Manuscripts Division.

Restrictions on Use

Various copying restriction apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.

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Index Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the G. W. Blunt White Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

 Organizations:

United States–Navy–Officers
Amelia (Ship)
Bainbridge (Brig)
Mary Alice (Schooner)
Mary Stewart (Schooner)
Shenandoah (Screw sloop-of-war)

Places:

United States–History–Civil War, 1861-1865–Naval operations

Subjects:

Privateering–United States–History–19th century

Document Types:

Letterpress copybooks

Occupations:

Shipmasters–United States

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Coll. 16, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.

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Indexes (to Box 1, Folder 1 only)

Index to Personal Names
	NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about J.B. Baxter in Box 1, Folder 1 of the collection.
	Baxter, J. B.	1/1
	Breeze, Samuel L.	1/1
	Gastride, R.	1/1
	Gregory, ? (Admiral)	1/1
	Jankins, George W.	1/1
	Lee, S.T.	1/1
	Mercer, Samuel	1/1
	Paulding, N.	1/1
	Pendergrast, G.T.	1/1
	Radford, Williams	1/1
	Ridgley, D.B.	1/1
	Shoemaker, D.H.	1/1
	Sidlemun, ?	1/1
	Stringham, S.H.	1/1
	Van Brunt, F.J.	1/1
	Welles, Gideon	1/1

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Index to Vessel Names
	NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about the ship AMELIA in Box 1, Folder 1 of the collection.
	AMELIA (Ship)	1/1
	BANSHEE (Ship)	1/1
	CUMBERLAND (Ship)	1/1
	ELLA & ANNIE (Steamer)	1/1
	GEM OF THE SEAS (Bark)	1/1
	MARY ALICE (Schooner)	1/1
	MARY STEWART (Schooner)	1/1
	MASSACHUSETTS (Steamer)	1/1
	MINNESOTA (Ship)	1/1
	NORTH CAROLINA (Ship)	1/1
	SHENANDOAN (Sloop)	1/1
	WABASH (Frigate)	1/1

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

 

Papers 1858-1866
Box	Folder
1	1		Papers pertaining to John W. Bentley of Norwich, Connecticut, acting master, U.S. Navy, including letters, bills, accounts, circulars, and orders; 1858-1866
	1		Notebook of John W. Bentley of Norwich, Connecticut, acting master, U.S. Navy, including navigation data, notes, and copies of letters; 1861-1863
	2		Watch and quarter book kept by John W. Bentley of Norwich, Connecticut, acting master, U.S. Navy on board the USS Shenandoah; 1863-1864
	3		Notebook kept by John W. Bentley of Norwich, Connecticut, acting master, U.S. Navy, on board the brig USS Bainbridge, including a crew list and navigation data; 1863

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