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.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Coll. 371, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.
Comments by the author
One of the richest sources of Connecticut history during the American Revolution is its maritime court records. Generated in four county courts – Fairfield, New Haven, Hartford, and New London – they are full of drama and human striving as hundreds of captains and thousands of crewmen went after and captured British and Tory ships, vessels, and supplies on the high seas and on Long Island Sound. As required, they then sought remuneration by having their captures deemed lawful by court decree before the vessels and supplies were publicly auctioned. A portion of proceeds also went to the State or County treasury. Aside from many exciting revelations on circumstances of such captures, it is sometimes court depositions of other claimants which make for intriguing insight on human attitudes and behavior in wartime.
Most, if not all, of those records survived to be deposited in the Connecticut State Library and it appears that, other than Lewis F. Middlebrook’s exploration of them in preparation for his outstanding two-volume work, Maritime Connecticut During the American Revolution (Salem, MA. Essex Institute, 1935), they have received little attention by other scholars. Over time, the documents’ fragile, deteriorating condition has rendered them closed to general research. However, in the early 1970s, at the request of several historians searching for new material for the US Bicentennial celebrations (myself, Ronald Marcus of Stamford, and Lois Bayles of New Canaan), the State Archivist, the late Robert Claus, agreed to have the collection prepared for copying. Each case packet was opened, its contents unfolded and then given curatorial treatment. Intriguingly, in the process of the unfolding, it appeared quite a number of the documents had never been opened as evidenced by the falling out of ink-drying caster sand often used by 18th century scribes.
Using only the photocopies, I created an index for each county’s records to enable more access to that trove of data, especially on individuals. There are close to 5000 men and a few women cited. In addition to the indexing, I had planned to make abstracts of all the court cases but was unable to complete more than those for Fairfield County before life’s circumstances interfered. At least the indexes are now available from the State Library’s online database and hopefully someday the rest of the counties’ case abstracts will be completed.
WHALEBOATS TO THE FORE
Since Fairfield County Maritime Court cases are almost entirely concerned with captures by captains and their oarsmen in doubled-ended, open-to-the-weather whaleboats, it seems appropriate to provide here not only abstracts of all that court’s records, but also include what I have found concerning whaleboat captains in action along the Connecticut coast generally. There are 175 names from various sources, but no doubt numerous others are yet to be discovered. While most men on the list have considerable documentation, some have little more than say-so. However, the term ‘captain’ has been applied to all on the list – commissioned and otherwise authorized commanders of the boats and the ‘say-sos’. Often, a given captain had two or more boats under his command and occasionally his lieutenant or ensign in one of the boats lead or was given authority in a capture.
As to the designation of ‘whaleboat’, a careful reading of court cases show the term also applied to boats cited as ‘armed boats’ and even sometimes to a boat initially description as a sloop. The latter is understandable since whaleboats were commonly outfitted with a removal mast, a spritsail or other rig to make way for battle or drawing ashore. For some of the boats’ wartime history, readers are referred to Whaleboat Warfare On the Sound by John Gardner in The Log of Mystic Seaport, Vol. 28, No. 2, (July 1976). For further history, and design of such boats, see The Whaleboat “Middlesex” Technical Notes by eminent naval architect, William Avery Baker, in Nautical Research Journal, Vol. 29, No. 3 (September 1983). The Middlesex, by the way, is a full-size replica of the type of 18th century boat used during the Revolution and was built from William Baker’s original design under the auspices of the Darien Historical Society in honor of the US 1775 Bicentennial. Though I suggested the idea and acted as coordinator, that amazing educational project only came about as a result of a dedicated core of volunteers, fund raises, and patient, believing committee members.
Constructed in an old carriage house in Darien by a group of amateur volunteers (mostly New York Wall Street commuters) in their spare time under the close direction of a professional boat builder and entirely funded by local donations, the whaleboat was outfitted with 16-foot oars made by high school students, its canvas spritsail partly handsewn by some middle schoolers, and its ensign (copied from an 18th design) was embroidered by several women. (1) For further authenticity, a small bow cannon was obtained from a foundry in Connecticut. Christened the Middlesex after Darien’s original parish name, the boat was drawn to water in summer 1977 by a team of oxen and launched amid a huge cheering crowd and follies of musket shot by reenactors of Revolutionary militia. Soon, teams began training in preparation for cross-Sound races with another whaleboat, the Henry Scudder, built from Baker’s plans under much the same circumstances by Huntington, Long Island’s Historical Society volunteers. For the next four or so years, history of a sort came alive in summer whaleboat races and also at various coastal New England Bicentennial events when the Middlesex was conveyed by trailer in company with her militia reenactors to take part. Recently restored, she is now on display at Darien’s Museum Center. Regrettably, the Henry Scudder has gone the way of all things. (For that saga, see League Bulletin, Connecticut League of Historical Societies, Inc., Vol.28, No. 3 (July 1976) or The Darien Historical Society Annual, volume 3, No. 3, (May 1977).
A CHALLENGE TO SCHOLARS
I believe another important reason for bringing this collection of Revolutionary maritime data online is to encourage professional historians and history students at the graduate level to take a fresh and objective look at the subject of whaleboats in the American Revolution in all the various theatres of action from Maine on down the Atlantic coast to the Delaware River. Their employment during the war involved untold thousands of oarsmen – at first, intrepid New England fishermen, local militia, and then Continentals re the blockading British fleet in spring 1775. It was armed whaleboats that was on Washington’s mind in June 1775 as he commenced taking command of the new Continental Army in Boston – a squadron of 100 of those boats, some equipped with swivel guns and grappling hooks, and manned by 601 men plus a contingent of officers. Their daring, spunky service for about the next five or so months offer some of the most exciting, gratifying stories of the early Revolutionary fight. (2)
Then, come April 1776, before Congressional efforts to form a navy, the members established rules for privateering. And of course, that ruling would drive a great deal of the story of whaleboat employment and action from then on. When given a careful search, it is intriguing to discover how continuous is the strong thread of that story – oarsmen’s fighting and enterprising – throughout the years of the Revolution. For the Connecticut-Long Island struggle, General Washington would eventually name it “The Petite Guerre” – a fight which he seemed to view with mixed feeling. (3)
Even before the Lexington and Concord encounters, the stage was being set for future hostility between Connecticut and neighboring Long Island as Liberty-determined Rebels acted to quelch Tory (British loyalist) opposition, eventually causing a thousand or more of them and their families to seek refuge on the Island – primarily in the loyalist stronghold of the Huntington-Oyster Bay region. And, after Washington’s army lost the Battle for Long Island in fall 1776, the British swept down that extensive Island causing a thousand or more Rebels to flee to Connecticut.
Inevitably, that key wartime factor began taking hold – supply. For the refugees, both groups were generally destitute, having left most everything behind. Their needs, especially those of the loyalists, would prove a source of increasing conflict and disasters as the war progressed. As for the British forces, they set about making Long Island their breadbasket and woodshed – a major source of provisions, of fodder for their horses, and most especially, firewood from the Island’s vast forests to provide not only warmth, but a steady supply of fuel for camp and hearth cookers and ship’s galley stoves. By early 1777, a main depot for supplies and shipping to New York would be centered at Huntington and Oyster Bay.
Of course, rebels—military and self-motivated—would do everything in their power to keep preventing or disrupting that supply and its shipping. And, as things turned out it was determined captains and brawny oarsmen in humble double-ender whaleboats that waged most of that effort in Connecticut waters and likely a considerable amount of that in the waters of New Jersey, the Hudson and elsewhere. True, the literature abounds with articles on whaleboat warfare, but nearly all of is limited to selected heroes and scattered incidents. A fresh, more comprehensive study of the historical records soon reveals ever so more to the saga of oarsmen’s role in the Revolution than what has come into print. When the late naval historian, David Syrett, wrote that there were “thousands of whaleboat raids carried out by the Americans” and that “ships of the Royal Navy appeared almost helpless when confronted with one of the most effective American weapon systems – whaleboats” – it appears well-past time to cast brighter light on the saga and role of the Revolution’s fighting oarsmen. (4)
—Patricia Q. Wall, 2023
Footnotes
(1) – Illustration of a flag, Middlebrook, Maritime Connecticut During the American Revolution, vol. 2:16.
(2) – Joshua Davis to General Washington, 22 July 1775. The George Washington Papers, Founders Online.
(3) – Fitzpatrick, Writings of George Washington 1745 to 1799, vol. 23:21.
(4) – David Syrett, “Defeat at Sea: The Impact of American Naval Operations upon the British, 1775-1778.” Maritime Dimensions of the American Revolution. Naval History Division, Department of the Navy. Washington DC, 1977, pages 14 and 15.
Also see Whaleboat Captains in the American Revolution: the Connecticut Theatre of Operations
Patricia Q. Wall, historian and lecturer, is the author of Lives of Consequences: Blacks in Early Kittery & Berwick in the Massachusetts Province of Maine (2017) and two children’s books on New England’s black history: Child Out of Place (2004) and Beyond Freedom (2011).
Connecticut Maritime Court Abstracts.
Fairfield County 1777 – 1783
Note: With a few exceptions, all court sessions were held in Fairfield.
CAPTURE DATE: May 1777.
PRIZE: sloop Fanny.
COURT SESSION (58): August 5, 1777.
LIBELLANT: Capt. David Hawley of the sloop Schuyler.
CLAIMANT: William Stuart of New London.
ABSTRACT: William Stuart asked that the sloop not be condemned because he had ordered Daniel Rice to take 200 bushels of salt and a quantity of sugar from New London to Derby and bring back a load of pork, rye, and flour “which he believed Rice was doing when his vessel was captured by Captain Hawley.”
DECREE: Not found.
CAPTURE DATE: May 28, 1777.
PRIZE: sloop Princess Mary (50 tons), Isaac Whippo, Master; sloop Dolphin (alias Polly) (30 tons), Thomas Roger, Master.
COURT SESSION (1): August 5, 1777.
LIBELLANT: Capt. David Hawley of sloop Schuyler, 6 carriage guns, 40 men
WITNESS: David Chadeayne [sic].
ABSTRACT: The Dolphin, bound from Setauket to Flushing, Long Island, loaded with posts and rails, was pursued by Lt. John Jones in the Schuyler’s boat, and capture off of Black rock Harbor and carried as prize to Norwalk. Chadeayne testified that Dolphin was owned by John Williams of Oyster Bay. Sloop Princess Mary was also captured the same day by Captain Hawley off of Brookhaven.
DECREE: Not found.
CAPTURE DATE: June 1777.
PRIZE: sloop Sally (40 tons), Joseph Bunce, Master.
COURT SESSION (1): August 5, 1777.
LIBELLANT: Capt. David Hawley of sloop Schuyler.
ABSTRACT: The Sally was captured on its way to New York City from Huntington, Long Island.
DECREE: Not found.
CAPTURE DATE: July 31, 1777.
PRIZE: sloop Ann (15 tons), Ezekial Bishop of Long Island, Master; sloop Peggy (40 tons), Charles Thomas of New Haven, Master.
COURT SESSION (1): August 5, 1777.
LIBELLANT: Capt. David Hawley of sloop Schuyler.
WITNESSES: Robert Warren, Stephen William Johnson, Ezekiel Bishop.
ABSTRACT: Captain Hawley sailed from Horseneck on July 30th and discovered sloop Peggy in Hampsted Bay and dispatched Robert Warren in the ship’s boat to pursue and board her. Eleazor Scott as prize master brough the Peggy to Norwalk. Later that same date, the Schuyler closed in on the enemy sloop Ann off of Mamaroneck Rock and Stephen William Johnson was sent on board as prize master and sailed her to Norwalk Harbor “without incident.” Ezekial Bishop confessed to transporting food supplies to the British in New York.
DECREE: Prizes condemned in favor of libellant.
(File contains captured ships’ papers including a small account book apparently kept by Capt. Charles Thomas.)
CAPTURE DATE: Not found.
PRIZE: schooner Liberty, William Buchannon of Smithtown, Long Island, Master.
COURT SESSION (1): August 5, 1777.
LIBELLANT: Capt. David Hawley of sloop Schuyler.
CLAIMANTS: Nathaniel Platt, Long Island refugee to Connecticut and William Buchannon.
ABSTRACT: Nathaniel Plat claimed half ownership with Buchannon in the Liberty and said she was purchased from Jonas Platt of New York city in 1774. Buchannon said he “was forced against my will and mind by the enemy to transport wood to New York City since August 1776” and he now rejoiced at the capture of his vessel and asked that it be restored to him. Captain Hawley said Buchannon used every means to avoid being captured and even ran his vessel on shore at Long Island. The jury found that Nathaniel Plat did purchase goods on Long Island and was bringing them to Nowalk without permission from authorities and selectmen of Norwalk.
DECREE: Vessel condemned in favor of the libellant.
CAPTURE DATE: January 1778.
PRIZE: $4440 in bills of credit issued by the Continental Congress.
COURT SESSION (3): February 10, 1779.
LIBELLANT: Brig. Gen. Samuel H. Parsons.
WITNESS: D. Humphrey.
ABSTRACT: In August of 1777, General Parson examined papers and letters of a prisoner, Joseph Chew, who was returning to New York. Among the items was a letter from John Alsop of Middletown, Connecticut, to Miss Fanny Also in New York informing her that Charles McEver’s money was received by Nat Shaylor and put out to his use. John Alsop recommended to his friends to send what Continental money they had to him for the same purpose. In January 1778, another letter was intercepted from Miss Alsop to John Alsop containing $4440 and a list of names. (List not found.) General Parsons informed Gov. Jonathan Trumbull and the Council of Safety that “it appears a mutual confidence and agency had been established between numbers of gentlemen in New York and this State by which their interest were confidentially secured to each other.”
DECREE: “Jury finds that the dollars were justly captured and find for condemnation in favor of General Parson.”
CAPTURE DATE: February 20, 1778.
PRIZE: British goods.
COURT SESSION (7): July 6, 1779.
LIBELLANT: Lt. Col. Hezekiah Holdridge, Commander at Horseneck.
WITNESSES: Nathan Frink and Israel Knapp, Jr. of Greenwich.
ABSTRACT: Witnesses said Diah Cooke of New Haven was intercepted coming from New York with several bundles of goods which he attempted to hide in his wagon. Cooke was taken to Colonel Holdridge’s headquarters at Israel Knapp’s house.
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of libellant.
CAPTURE DATE: December 1, 1778.
PRIZE: sloop Success (50 tons), George Dial, Master.
COURT SESSION (9): March 16, 17, and November 15, 1779.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. Jesse Brush of armed whale boats, Refugee and Revenge.
Ezekial Weeks, “commanding one of the boats.”
ABSTRACT: Captain Brush and crews discovered the sloop in Stoney Brook Harbor, Long Island, and after some exchange of fire they boarded her. They found two dead men and four other men, “three of whom were negroes hiding in the cabin.” The prize and prisoners were brought to Norwalk.
DECREE: Vessel declared forfeit, benefit of the captors. (Docket contains captured ship’s papers.)
CAPTURE DATE: December 7, 1778.
PRIZE: 24 guineas and 10 Spanish-milled dollars.
COURT SESSION (4): March 16, 17, 1778.
LIBELLANT: Col. Enos Rogers.
CLAIMANT: Samuel Palmer of Greenwich.
WITNESSES: Brig. Gen. Samuel H. Parsons, Garrit Scutter and Wynis [sic] Palmer of Greenwich.
ABSTRACT: Colonel Rogers at Horseneck gave a flag of truce to Sylvanus Marshal on November 30, 1778, to convey Mrs. Partelee [sic] and four children and her effects (to New York) and also a wagon and two horses. Samuel Palmer and Samuel Palmer, Jr. had leave to accompany the flag. General Parsons later examined Samuel Palmer and found he had sold his animals and cart to the enemy in New York for ₤55 York money. Palmer complained he could not get grain to feed the animals and it was too much trouble to guard them (from being stolen). Garrit Scutter told in detail of being at Palmer’s house when Colonel Enos and armed men came and searched it and took away ₤36 and 20s in gold.
DECREE: Money condemned in favor of libellant.
CAPTURE DATE: December 12, 1778.
PRIZE: a whale boat and load of British goods.
COURT SESSION(2): January 1, February 10, 1779.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. William Scudder of the armed boat Ranger, “commissioned by Governor George Clinton (of New York), navigated by 7 men armed with muskets”.
CLAIMANTS: For the boat: Gen. Gold Selleck Silliman, Ebenezer Silliman, William Silliman, Nathaniel Fairweather, Jesse Burr, Chauncey Wheeler, Abel Gold – all of Fairfield. For the goods: Capt. Joshua Rogers of Norwalk, Daniel Platt, formerly of Smithtown, Long Island, now Norwalk, and Elias Glover of Newtown, Connecticut. Josiah Buffett of Norwalk claimed salvage.
WITNESSES: For Silliman: David Wheeler. For Rogers: Daniel Platt, Josiah Buffett, and George Smith. For (other?) libelants: Conklin Shaddon, Jacob Conklin, and Ezekial Weeks. Other matter: Continental officer, Maj. Ebenezer Gray.
ABSTRACT: The Ranger under Captain Scudder went to Chimon’s Island, one of the Nowalk Islands, and sighted a whale boat rowing in from Long Island. Scudder seized the boat, its load of goods, and made prisoners of Rogers, Platt, Buffett, Smith “and others and brought all to Old Well.” (Norwalk)
Major Gray testified that “as ordered by the General” (Washington), he hired Capt. Joshua Rogers, his boat, and crew on October 22, 1778, to go to Long Island on special occasions as needed “for the benefit of the Continental Army” and that there was to be no plundering. Captain Rogers testified his orders from Major Gray required him “to make prisoners of the Enemy and destroy their property in all ways agreeable to the rules of war.”
The suspected goods in the libel, in addition to being claimed by Rogers and crew, were also claimed Elias Glover, a peddler of Newtown, as having been stolen from him on Long Island on December 7, 1778. General Silliman, et al, claimed the whale boat was their property at the time it was captured by an enemy vessel on November 8, 1778. Josiah Buffett said he bought the whale boat from a Captain Lockwood.
DECREE: the whale boat was restored to General Silliman, et al, after the salvage claim of Josiah Buffett was paid. Goods were condemned in favor of libellant, Scudder, and crew. (List of jurors in file.)
CAPTURE DATE: December 16, 1778.
PRIZE: cattle, horses, a bridle, and saddle.
COURT SESSION (6): April 19, May 3, 1779.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Odell Close, Commander of a Company of Rangers.
CLAIMANTS: Joshua (aka Jonathan) Lounsbury, Jr., of North Castle, NY, for the horses and Jonathan Guion of King Street, NY, for the cattle.
WITNESSES: Sgt Gershom Lockwood, Luce Hustead, John McKay, Benjamin Mead, Neazer Knapp, Caleb Finch and John Ogdon – all of Greenwich.
ABSTRACT: Capt. Close claimed cattle and horses were being driven through Greenwich to Rye, New York, in order to sell them to the enemy. Lounsbury said that was not true and Sargent Lockwood testified to Lounsbury’s loyalty to the American cause.
DECREE: Cattle and horses condemned in favor of libellant. Saddle and bridle returned to Lounsbury.
CAPTURE DATE: December 21, 1778.
PRIZE: British goods.
COURT SESSION (5): February 10, April 19, May 3, 1779.
LIBELLANT: Capt. William Scudder of the armed boat, Ranger, 7 men and muskets.
CLAIMANTS: Jesse Wicks, Lieutenant —- Hosmer.
WITNESSES: Col. Ebenezer Gray, Gen. Samuel H. Parsons and Samuel Persal [sic] and Ananias Bush, both of Fairfield.
ABSTRACT: Captain Scudder testified that on December 20, 1778, he took British goods from Joseph Hanford on Long Island and, as he was returning across the Sound, he stopped the whale boat of Jesse Wicks and seized a load of British goods which he claimed Sarah Wicks had bought on December 9th to sell in Connecticut. As Scudder’s boat came ashore it was seized by Lieutenant Hosmer and his men under Colonel Gray’s orders. The colonel testified he “had orders to prevent plundering of Long Island residents whether Whig or Tory.” Scudder produced his commission from Gov. George Clinton of New York State as authority for confiscation of enemy goods. Jessie wicks claimed the goods in his boat had been his property long before the time when Scudder said they were purchased.
DECREE: Joseph Hanford’s goods condemned in favor of Captain Scudder. Jesse Wick’s goods were restored to him.
ADDENDA: Col. Ebenezer Gray posted a bond of ₤10,000 for an appeal to the Continental Congress.
CAPTURE DATE: December 21, 1778.
PRIZE: cattle.
COURT SESSION (5): April 19, 1779.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Sylvanus Mead of Greenwich.
CLAIMANT: Isaac Brown of Rye, New York.
WITNESS: Nehemiah Brown of Greenwich.
ABSTRACT: Captain Mead seized the cattle as they were being driven from Greenwich to Rye and claimed Brown intended to sell them to the British.
DECREE: Not found.
CAPTURE DATE: February 23, 1779.
PRIZE: 160 barrels containing flour, rum, other goods and also a chest and wrought plate.
COURT SESSION (10): March 7, 1780.
LIBELLANT: Maj. William Heath.
CLAIMANT: Thomas Mitchell of Fishkill, New York.
WITNESS: Brig. Gen. Samuel H. Parsons.
ABSTRACT: General Heath seized the goods and plate and brought them to Fairfield County for condemnation on February 23, 1779. Captain Mitchell said that in the latter part of December 1776, he was ordered to go to Hackensack River with 20 men and capture an enemy brig anchored there. This he did but being unable to bring the brig upriver, he removed the chest of goods and the wrought plate and brought them to a landing 3 miles below Hackensack. He said he was unable to get permission from either General Heath or General Parson for a wagon to transport “the items”…until sometime later, so he transported them, himself.
DECREE: “Tried and condemned.” (No other information.)
CAPTURE DATE: May 1, 1779.
PRIZE: sloop Betsy (40 tons), Thomas Carpenter, Master.
COURT SESSION (11): April 17, 1780.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Samuel Lockwood of Greenwich and crew of an armed whale boat.
WITNESS: Samuel Webb of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: (There is some confusion among the documents. The one in which Captain Lockwood stated the Betsy “was captured on or about May 1, 1779” has a number of corrections and insertions and John Davenport as Proctor, dated it November 14, 1779 – perhaps as a trial date? The only other document relating to such a vessel is the statement of Lockwood and Webb “on the 15th Day of November last in consort with Capt. Johnson, commander of the privateer schooner, Hazard, we captured the sloop Betsy (40 tons) under the protection of the brig Edward in the service of Great Britain in Hempstead Harbor, Long Island Sound, and brought her into Stamford Harbor. Saif sloop was loaded with wood.” That document was dated March 25, 1780.)
DECREE: (Document with date of May 1, 1779, is marked, “Condemned according to law.” )
CAPTURE DATE: May 26, 1779.
PRIZE: English and India goods.
COURT SESSION (8): September 1, 1779 “in Nathan Waring’s house in Norwalk.”
LIBELLANT: Thomas Hoyt, Hezekiah Wood, William Raymond, Isaac Raymond, Nathaniel Raymond, Jr., Nathan Hoyt, Jr., John Hoyt, Jr., James Quintard – all of Norwalk.
ABSTRACT: Libellants were on guard at Roton on the shore of the Sound when they found bundles of goods hidden in the bushes.
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of libellants.
CAPTURE DATE: June 10, 1779.
PRIZE: sloop Friendship (40 TONS), Joseph Conklin or Thomas Bates, Master, Sloop Margaret (50 tons), Jacob Burgess, Master, sloop Elizabeth (60 tons).
COURT SESSION (7): July 6, 1779.
LIBELLANTS: Whale boat Captains, James Hallet of Rye, New York; Ebenezer Jones of Stamford; Clement Bishop of Hartford; Thomas Hender of Hartford.
ABSTRACT: The four captain’s armed whaleboats “acting as consorts to each other”, captured the above sloops on Long Island Sound and brought them “to Fairfield County.”
DECREE: Vessels condemned in favor of the libellants.
(File contains captured ship’s papers.)
CAPTURE DATE: June 14, 1779.
PRIZE: Illegal goods.
COURT SESSION (8): September 1, 1779 “at Nathan Waring’s house in Nowalk.”
LIBELLANT: Hezekiah Raymond of Norwalk.
ABSTRACT: Raymond claimed he discovered the illegal goods in Norwalk which were said to have been purchased in New York by person unknown on or about June 9, 1779. He obtained a warrant from Thaddeus Betts, JP, and seized the goods on June 14th.
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of libellant.
CAPTURE DATES: August 20 and October 11, 1779; September 7, 1780.
PRIZE: British goods and slaves.
COURT SESSION (20): November 7, 1780.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Samuel Lockwood and crews of two, armed whale boats.
WITNESSES: Abraham Smith, Ebenezer Ayres, and Stephen Smith – all of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Captain Lockwood’s crews landed at Flushing, Long Island on August 20, 1779, and took goods and a negro man from the house of Capt. John Wooley. On October 11, they landed at Oyster Bay and took goods and two negro women from the house of Sgt. William Frost. Testimony included fact that Frost and Wooley were militiamen under British control. On September 7, 1780, the whale boatmen landed on Hog Island and took goods from the house of Thomas Smith, JP.
DECREE: “Declared forfeit benefit of the captors.”
Re Capture Date: October 11, 1779 – see August 20, 1779.
CAPTURE DATE: Not found.
COURT SESSION (9): November 15, 1779.
ABSTRACT: There is only one undetailed document referring to a case between William S. Scudder and “one, Close.” (Perhaps Elnathan or Odell Close.)
DECREE: None.
CAPTURE DATE: December 1, 1779.
PRIZE: schooner Mifflin (20 tons), Zerobabel [sic] Slater, Master.
COURT SESSION (11): April 17, 1780.
LIBELLANT: Thomas Nash of Fairfield.
WITNESSES “called”: Capt. Daniel Bennet, Capt. John Sherwood, Ebenezer Lewis, Stephen Godfrey, Daniel Bennet, Jr., Joseph Silliman, Nehemiah Fowler, Hezekiah Hubbell, Talcott Gould, Daniel Ketchem, Samuel Thorp, Stephen Guyer, Ebenezer Bartrum, Samuel Squire, John Squire, John Squire, Jr., Woolcott Chauncey, Amos Hubbell – all of Fairfield. David Parry of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Nash testified that the Mifflin “while lying in Black rock Harbor did ship and lade on board said schooner embargoes articles…not having given Bond before such shipping and lading…and therefore the vessel and her cargo should be
Forfeit.”
DECREE: None found.
CAPTURE DATE: April 6,1780.
PRIZE: sloop Sally (30 tons), Charles Penny, Master.
COURT SESSION (12): July 4, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: Captains, David Hawley, (Elisha?) Elderkin, John Clark, and Ebenezer Jones – “all of Fairfield County” and crews of 4 commissioned whale boats.
ABSTRACT: The four whale boats, “acting in consort to each other”, fell in with and seized the sloop on Long Island Sound.
DECREE: Vessel condemned in favor of libellants.
CAPTURE DATE: May 7, 1780.
PRIZE: a boat and British good.
COURT SESSION (17): September 13, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: Daniel Jackson and unidentified “others.”
ABSTRACT: Jackson and others with him captured a boat coming from Long Island to Norwalk. They obtained a warrant for tis seizure from Eliphalet Lockwood, JP.
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of libellant.
CAPTURE DATE: May 17, 22, 1780.
PRIZE: British goods.
COURT SESSION (16): August 31, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: David St. John, Justis Hait, Andrew Powers, Levi Hanford, Jeremiah Bard Ellis, John Carter, Eleazor Bouton – all of Norwalk. Daniel Bouton, Hezekiah Reed, Gold Selleck Pennoyer, John Davenport, Thaddeus Husted, Abraham Weed, Eliphalet Seeley, Jr., James Weed, Nathaniel Husted, Robert Young, Isaac Weed, Jr., Amos Waring, Josiah Jones, James Smith, Bejamin Weed, 3rd., Samuel Waterbury, Reuben Weed, Samuel Stevens – all of Stamford.
CLAIMANTS: Samuel Middlebrook, Josiah Raymond – both of Norwalk.
ABSTRACT: On May 17, British goods consisting of thread, pins, skeins of silk, yard goods, tea, silk handkerchiefs, etc. were seized at the house of Stephen Hanford of Norwalk and more goods seized at the houses of Seymour Talmadge and Frederick Hoyt at Stamford. Middlebrook claimed some of the items were his which he bought from John Carl, a refugee from Long Island who he said had permission from Norwalk Selectmen to transport his effects to Connecticut. Josiah Raymond said the tea in question was his and had been legally imported into the State. Other than a list of goods, there is little regarding the second incident of seizure on May22, 1780.
DECREE: Tea was restored Josiah Raymond and all other goods condemned in favor of the libellants.
CAPTURE DATE: May 30, 1780.
PRIZE: sloop Lively (30 tons), one Butler, Master.
COURT SESSION (12): July 14, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. Samuel Lockwood of Greenwich, Captains, Ebenezer Jones and John Clark of Stamford and crews of 3 whale boats.
WITNESS: Capt. Ebenezer Ayres of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Captains, Jones and Ayres testified that on May 30th while cruising Long Island Sound with Lockwood and others in their whale boats “against the enemies of the United States”, they captured the Lively and her cargo of Bohea tea, rum, English and India goods, etc.
DECREE: Vessel and goods condemned in favor of libellants.
CAPTURE DATE: June 11, 1780.
PRIZE: British goods and a whale boat.
COURT SESSION (14): August 9, 1780.
LIBELLANT: Lt. Hezekiah Wood of Norwalk.
WITNESSES: Jarvis Rogers, Josiah Baldwin, Nathan Brown, Jr. – all of Norwalk.
ABSTRACT: Lieutenant Wood said he found the whale boat and goods near the shore of Long Island Sound and got a warrant from Eliphalet Lockwood, PJ, to have Constable James Seymour seize them.
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of the libellant.
CAPTURE DATE: June 21, 1780.
PRIZE: British goods.
COURT SESSION (13) August 3, 1780, at Stamford.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Samuel Lockwood of Greenwich and crew of an armed whale boat.
CLAIMANT: Capt. William Bradford of Providence, Rhode Island.
ABSTRACT: Lockwood said he discovered the contraband goods on a flag of truce vessel which was returning from New York, Its Master, Capt. Bradford, testified that the goods were merely payment for debts owed him by the British officers he had taken to New York. The officers, as prisoners, had been boarding at Bradford’s house and also those of Jeremiah Whipple, John Dexter, and Nathan Dummer in Providence prior to being exchanged.
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of libellant.
CAPTURE DATE: c. July 19, 1780.
PRIZE: British goods.
COURT SESSION (15): August 29, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. David Olmsted, Capt. Benjamin Mills, Lt. Giles Gaylord, Ens. Henry Bull, Ens. Jesse Hoyt – officers of the 2nd Regiment of State Troops on duty in Greenwich.
ABSTRACT: Capt. Olmsted said goods were seized from John Wullys [sic] (Willis?) of Greenwich and were imported from New York City contrary to law.
DECREE: “Declared forfeit according to law.”
CAPTURE DATE: “End of July 17.”
PRIZE: 12 horses.
COURT SESSION (18): September 14, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: Captains John Sutton of Stamford and Jabez Fitch of Greenwich and crews of two, armed, whale boats.
ABSTRACT: While on a cruise in the Sound “against the enemies of the United States” the two whale boats landed at Tinnecock [sic] Point (Shinnecock?) on Long Island and took the 12 horses from some British officers.
DECREE: Horse condemned in favor of libellants.
CAPTURE DATE: August 10, 1780.
PRIZE: British goods.
COURT SESSION (19): September 18, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. Samuel Lockwood and crew of an armed whale boat.
WITNESS: Abraham Morrel of Greenwich.
ABSTRACT: Lockwood and crew landed on Long Island and “seized goods of some of the subjects of the King of Great Britian.”
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of the libellants.
CAPTURE DATE: August 12, 1780.
PRIZE: British goods.
COURT SESSION (17): September 13, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: James Quintard and Lt. Hezekiah Wood – both of Norwalk.
WITNESSES: Thomas Keeler, Jabez Gregory, Jedidiah Brown, John Conklin, Benjamin Blatchly, Lewis Cornwell, Jesse Soaper, Edward Wentworth, Asa Hoyt, John Carle, Samuel Seymour, Joshua Rogers, Nathan Waring, Cornelious Conklin, Deborah Hoyt, Lydia Seymour, Mrs. John Seymour (Rebecca), Noah Smith, John Conklin – all of Norwalk.
ABSTRACT: James Quintard claimed he found the goods on Jack’s Island in Norwalk on August 12 and took them to the house of William Seymour while he procured a warrant from Stephen St, John to have Constable, Thomas Keeler, take the goods into custody. Lt. Wood, at Capt. Eliphalet Lockwood’s orders, seized the goods claiming they were in Keeler’s possession without proper authority.
DECREE: Libel of Lt. Wood was abated, and goods condemned in favor of James Quintard.
CAPTURE DATE: August 13, 1780.
PRIZE: schooner Sally (50 tons), Jared Bell, Master.
COURT SESSION (18): September 14, 1780, at Stamford.
LIBELLANTS: Captains, David Hawley of Stratford and Ebenezer Jones of Stamford and crews of two, armed whale boats.
ABSTRACT: The whale boats fell in with and seized sloop Sally on her way from New York City to Oyster Bay with a cargo of bar iron and tea.
DECREE: Vessel and cargo condemned in favor of libellants.
(File contains captured ship’s papers)
CAPTURE DATE: Not found.
PRIZE: Sloop Andrew (40 tons with 2 carriage guns, 4 swivels), Isaac Ketcham, Master.
COURT SESSION (13): August 30, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: Captains Ebenezer Jones of Stamford and Gideon Hoxlee of Rhode Island, Master, and crews of two, armed whale boats.
ABSRACT: A single document states the vessel was captured on Long Island Sound.
DECREE: Condemned in favor of libellants.
CAPTURE DATE: September 4, 1780.
PRIZE: sloop Fanny (40 tons).
COURT SESSION (20): November 7, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: Captains, Samuel Lockwood and Ebenezer Ayres and crews of two, armed whale boats.
WITNESSES: Ebenezer Ayres, Stephen Smith of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Ayes and Smith testified being present when the Fanny was taken and also regarding the Fly and the Sally in a different libel. (See capture date, 9 October 1780.) They also went with Capt. Samuel Lockwood when the house of Thomas Smith, JP., was raided on September 7, 1780.
DECREE: Vessel condemned in favor of libellants.
Re Capture Date: September 7, 1780 – see August 20, 1780.
CAPTURE DATE: October 4, 1780.
PRIZE: British goods.
COURT SESSION (20): November 7, 1780.
LIBELLANT: David Wood of Greenwich.
ABSTRACT: Wood testified he was in Stamford when he met Valentine Rider, a refugee from Westchester, near the house of Daniel Briggs. He “imagined said Rider was upon no good design and upon examining him found him with a quantity of English and India goods.”
DECREE: Goods declared forfeit in favor of libellant.
CAPTURE DATE: October 9, 1780.
PRIZE: schooner Fly (40 tons), one Davis, Master; schooner Sally and the sails and rigging of a third (unnamed) vessel.
COURT SESSION (20): November 7, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: Captains, Ebenezer Jones and David Hawley and crews of two, armed whale boats.
ABSTRACT: Vessels and other equipment taken on Long Island Sound.
DECREE: Condemned in favor of libellants.
CAPTURE DATES: October 15, 22, 1780.
PRIZE: sloop Dorset (30 tons), one Doty, Master; sloop Tryon (50 tons); schooner Anson (or Union?) and cargos of wood.
COURT SESSION (20): November 7, 1780.
LIBELLANTS: Captains, David Hawley of Stratford and Ebenezer Jones of Stamford and crews of two, armed whale boats.
WITNESS: Capt. Ebenezer Ayres.
ABSTRACT: Ayres testified to the truth in the libel that all three vessels were captured on Long Island Sound. The Tryon and Dorset were loaded with wood.
DECREE: Vessels condemned in favor of libellants.
(File contains captured ship’s papers.)
Session (20) – no information other than a single document listing three names.
CAPTURE DATES: December 8, 31, 1780 and January 7, 1781.
PRIZE: sloops Polly (30 tons), Sally (30 tons) and Fanny.
COURT SESSION (22): January 29, 1780, February 27, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Captain Ebenezer Jones of Stamford and crew of an armed whale boat.
WITNESS: Isaac Jones.
ABSTRACT: Isaac Jones testified being with Captain Jones on a cruise on Long Island Sound when they intercepted the above vessels “belonging to some of the subjects of the King of Great Britain.”
DECREE: Vessels condemned in favor of libellant.
CAPTURE DATE: January 13, 1781.
PRIZE: British goods.
COURT SESSION (25): February 27, March 21, April 16, 1781.
LIBELLANT: James Bennett of Fairfield.
CLAIMANTS: Isaac Gorham of Redding, Shubeal Gorham of Fairfield.
WITNESSES: Captains, Thomas Nash, Joseph Bennett, Caleb Brewster – all of Fairfield.
ABSTRACT: On January 13, James Bennett seized a large load of British goods valued at ₤156 coming into Fairfield. Isaac Gorham testified he bought the goods from Capt. John Barlow of New Haven who had captured the enemy sloop Tartar and its cargo on December 18, 1780, and the goods were from Barlow’s successful libel regarding that in the New Haven County Maritime Court.
DECREE: Goods restored to the claimant.
CAPTURE DATE: January 29, 1781.
PRIZE: schooner Betsy (30 tons).
COURT SESSION(23): February 27, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones and crew of an armed whale boat.
WITNESS: Selleck Jones, “whale boatman of Stamford.”
ABSTRACT: Selleck Jones testified to being with Capt. Jones when Betsy was captured and also when the sloop Fanny was taken on January 7, 1781.
DECREE: Vessel condemned in favor of Libellant.
CAPTURE DATE: March 1 and 24, 1781.
PRIZES: On March 1 – sloop Polly (40 tons), William Hughes, Master; schooner Betsy (30 tons); schooner Sally (20 tons). On March 24 – schooner Sally (60 tons); schooner Polly (50 tons).
COURT SESSIONS ( 25) April 16, 1781; (26) June 12, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones and crews of two, armed whale boats
WITNESS: Lewis Jones of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Lewis Jones testified to being with Captain Jones and his men when they captured the vessels on Long Island Sound. (No other details.)
DECREE: All vessels condemned in favor of the libellant.
(File contains captured ship’s papers referring to sloop General Grant and schooner Resource and also a detailed record of a British Vice Admiralty Court held in New York City on February 19, 1779, regarding the schooner Planter’s Folly (60 tons), Ebenezer Andrews, Master. It was captured by the HMS Ardent on January 25, 1779, on the high seas west of London. Prize condemned and sold at auction.)
NOTE: Documents missing for Court Session (24), March 21, 1781.
CAPTURE DATES: April 1, 30, and May 2, 1781.
PRIZE: two whale boats and British goods.
COURT SESSION (26): June 12, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Jabez fitch of Greenwich and crews of two, armed whale boats.
WITNESS: Ens. Andrew Mead, “whale boatman of Greenwich.”
ABSTRACT: Captain Fitch testified that “about the first of April 1781, I with two boats in company with five whale boats from the eastward part of this State captured a whale boat and crew of the enemy at the mouth of Huntington Bay commanded by Ebenezer Hathaway with bedding, furniture, etc., which said Hathaway and crew had been plundering at Guildford as they confessed. Also about the last of said April, I with three whale boats took and captured a whale boat commanded on one Glover who cruised from Lloyd’s Neck.** Also on the 2nd of May, 1781, I with four whale boats went on Long Island at Coram where I took from Nehemiah Hanford and Thacher Sears, refugee from the Main (Connecticut), a quantity of British and India goods….”
DECREE: Whale boats and goods condemned in favor of libellant.
** Hathaway and Elias Glover were captains of armed whale boats commissioned by the Board of Directors of the Associated Loyalists.
CAPTURE DATE: April 16, 1781.
PRIZE: British and India goods.
COURT SESSION (26): June 12, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones of Stamford and crew of an armed whale boat.
WITNESS: Samuel Hickox of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Jones and Hickox testified that they “with others did land on Long Island at Cow Bay and take goods belonging to subjects of the King of Great Britain.”
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of libellant.
Re Capture Date: May 2, 1781 – see April 1, 1781.
CAPTURE DATE: May 19, 1781.
PRIZE: English goods.
COURT SESSION (27): July 10, 1781.
LIBELLANTS: Maj. Ebenezer Ayres and Capt. Ezekial Weeks and crew of an armed whale boat.
WITNESS: Timothy Wise of New Haven.
ABSTRACT: Timothy Wise testified being with Major Ayres when goods were taken near Cow Harbor, Long Island.
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of libellant.
CAPTURE DATE: May 22 and June 8, 1781.
PRIZE: sloop Seaflower (30 tons), one Scribner, Master; sloop Georgia (30 tons), one Ashley, Master, and sloop Betsy ( 20 tons). Also English goods including paper, 6 lbs. lead, 3 lbs. (gun) powder, and “a load of books.”
COURT SESSION (27): July 10, August 20, 1780.
LIBELLANT : Capt. Ebenezer Jones and crews of two, armed whale boats.
CLAIMANT: Thomas Hicks of Little Neck, Long Island.
WITNESS: George Mills.
ABSTRACT: Captain Jones said they landed on June 8th at Thorn Bay. George Mills testified to the truth of the captain’s libel. Hicks put in a claim for some of the goods and all of the books. (Detailed list of books in the file.)
DECREE: Vessels condemned in favor of libellant. Decision on Hick’s claim postponed to August 20, then to November 19, 1781. No final decision found.
CAPTURE DATE: May 25, June 3, 1781.
PRIZE: English goods.
COURT SESSION (27): July 10, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. David Hawley and “several crews of whale boats under his direction.”
WITNESSES: Henry Chitester, Samuel Hawley.
ABSTRACT: (The language of this libel is slightly different from the usual.) Several different whale boats “under the direction of a commission from David Hawley” made captures. There is a list of goods taken by “privateer boats, Seven Brothers and the Satisfaction” on May 25 and a list of those taken by “privateer boats Friendship and Seven Brothers on June 3, 1781. Henry Chitester and Samuel Hawley told of being with Stephen Martin (presumably boat commander) when they took goods on Long Island in May, 1781. A list of goods with names of Stephen Martin and Gideon Hoxlee appears to match that of May 25th.
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of libellants.
CAPTURE DATE: May 29, 1781.
PRIZE: English and India goods.
COURT SESSION (27): July 10, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. George Smith of Hartford and crew of an armed whale boat, Polly (4 tons) with one swivel gun and 8 men.
CLAIMANT: David Munroe of Brook Haven, Long Island.
ABSTRACT: Captain Smith said he landed on Long Island at Coram and took goods from several persons under protection of the King of Great Britain. He produced his March 13, 1781, commission with special instructions from Gov. Jonathan Trumbull and a letter from Lt. Col. William Ledyard of New London reminding Smith of his instruction and asking for a report at the end of Smith’s cruise. David Munroe claimed he was a resident at Coram, Brook Haven long before the British occupation and his goods should be restored to him.
DECREE: Munroe’s goods were restored. All other goods condemned in favor of the libellant.
ADDENDA: “ruled by this court, for the future, that all captures made shall be delivered into the hands of the Marshall or a sufficient Bond to be lodged with him in lieu of securing same provided no condemnation be had thereon.” Capt. George Smith and Thomas Ferris of Westchester County, New York, posted a Bond to appeal the court’s decision to the “Supreme Congress Maritime Court.”
Re Capture Date June 3, 1781 – see May 25.
Re Capture Date June 8, 1781 – see May 22.
CAPTURE DATES: June 11, 22; September 24; October 17, 28, 1781.
PRIZES: a long boat, 3 pettiaugers [sic], 1 skiff, a load of oysters, and other goods.
COURT SESSION (35): November 26, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Ayres of Stamford and crew of a “commissioned whale boat.”
WITNESSES: Isaac Bates, Rutger Baker [or Beeker], both of Stamford
ABSTRACT: The June 11 raid at Setauket yielded a boy’s watch, yard good, household items, a large number of saddles, harnesses, a set of sulky brasses and other tack. Isaac Bates testified to the truth of this libel. On June 22nd “between Wading River and Southold”, the raiders seized “4 muskets, shoe buttons, buckles, many knitting needles, sundry small remnants, nutmegs” and other goods. On the September 24 raid on Cow Bay at Setauket, two pettiaugers, a skiff and 8000 oysters were captured. Near City Island, New York, on October 17, the raiders captured another pettiauger and on October 28 at the Captain Islands near Greenwich, they captured a long boat containing window glass, china, cutlery, 20 lbs. tea and other goods.
DECREE: Vessels and goods condemned, “benefit of the captors.”
CAPTURE DATES: June 18, July 2, 8, August 4,5, 1781.
PRIZE: English goods, wares and merchandise and a two-masted boat, Elisha Sisson, Master.
COURT SESSION (36): November 19, December 26, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Nathan Peet Jackson of Fairfield and crews of two, armed whale boats.
CLAIMANTS: Philip Rowe of Brookhaven, John Baron and Hubbard Latham of South Hampton and Elisha Sisson of Plum Island.
ANSTRACT: Captain Jackson said he seized yard goods, thread, tea, pepper, etc. at South Hampton on June 18th and he seized sugar, 62 cases of lamp black, 3 muskets, etc. at Sag Harbor on July 2nd. He captured the small, two-masted boat on July 8th near Plumb Island and the two August raids occurred at Brookhaven. The court ordered the libeled goods to be seized and held by the sheriff pending court decision. Sheriff, Elijah Abel, of Fairfield “made a diligent search of Captain Jackson’s house” but he could not locate the goods listed in the libel.
DECREE: “Libellant failed to appear and pursue his libel.”
CAPTURE DATE: June 19, 1781.
PRIZE: English goods, wares, and money.
COURT SESSION (28): August 14, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Simeon Crossman of Norwalk and 7 crewmen of the armed whale boat, Ranger.
ABSTRACT: Captain Crossman testified that, “On June 19 AD 1781 I went in a whale boat called the Revenge with seven men and we proceeded to Smithtown on Long Island near the Meetinghouse and at Epenetus Smiths and the Widow Blindboroughs we took the articles and money. The goods belonged to Refugees from the United States and the money was taken from two men that were purchasing cattle to drive to New York. I went on a commission from Governor Trumbull.”
DECREE: “Declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.”
CAPTURE DATE: June 30, 1781.
PRIZE: English goods.
COURT SESSION (29): August 20, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Caleb Frisbie of Branford.
ABSTRACT: Captain Frisbie said he learned that goods and money were hidden in the store of David Curtis and in the house of Col. John Chandler of Newtown. Goods amounting to ₤60:14s:7p (in value) were seized by Constable, David Baldwin. Goods were said to have been imported from New York.
DECREE: Declared forfeit, ½ to the libellant and ½ to the Treasure of Fairfield County.
Re Capture Date: July 2 – see June 18, 1781.
CAPTURE DATE: July 4, 9, 1781.
PRIZE: English goods.
COURT SESSION (28): August 14, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones and crews of two, armed whale boats.
WITNESSES: Isaac Jones, Zillac (Selleck?) Stickney, both of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Witnesses testified to the truth of Captain Jones’ libel on goods taken at Long Island on the above dates.
DECREE: Goods declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
(Interesting list of goods in file.)
Re Capture Date: July 8 – see June 18, 1781.
CAPTURE DATES: n. d. July 1781, August 25, and September 16, 178l.
PRIZE: English goods, wares, and merchandise.
COURT SESSION (34): October 16, November 19, 21, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Simeon Crossman of Norwalk and crew of an armed whale boat.
CLAIMANTS: William and Zophar Davis and William Sweezey (Sweeney?) of Coram at Brookhaven, Silas and Jesse Wicks of Dick’s Hill at Huntington, Long Island.
WITNESSES: Sarah Davis of Coram, Capt. Jonathan Titus, Joseph and Timothy Titus of Salem, New York, and Ebenezer Conklin of Ridgefield, Connecticut
ABSRACT: Wilmot Oakley testified that 150 lbs. of tea had been taken from him in the month of July by Captain Crossman. Silas and Jesse wicks, merchants of Huntington, said two pieces of grey coating, one piece of green baize and one piece of serge had been taken from them in July. The three Titus men and Conklin all testified to the loyalty of Silas and Jesse Wicks to the American Cause and said, at the time when he (Conklin) and his men lost their boats last June, the Wicks concealed them and often assisted them and brought them victuals on their trips to Long Island.”
Among the many goods William Sweezy claimed were taken from him at Coram on august 25th were a large scale, 8 lbs. lead weights, muskets, 105 nutmegs, tea, allspice, a dictionary, and spelling books. Sarah Davis testified that the night of August 26th a party of armed men under Capt. Simeon Crossman and George Munroe, formerly of Brookhaven, “took by violence out of the house of Zophar Davis at Coram, one silver watch, one pair brass scales, one pair money scales, ₤7 hard cash, 1 ½ gallon rum and two square bottles…the party endeavored to make them think they came from Lloyd’s Neck and when they left the house they threatened to urn it if we made any noise about their plundering.”
William Davis claimed 1 gun, 2 muskets, 1 pistol, and various other goods were taken from him at Coram on September 16, 1781. Capt. Simeon Crossman claimed that all the claimants were unfriendly to the American Cause, and he had a right to take the goods.
DECREE: The jury found that at the time of said captures, all the claimants, except Silas and Jesse Wicks, were friendly to the American Cause and the court ruled that “no sentence of condemnation is passed against any of the goods except those of Silas and Jesse Wicks. (The only goods condemned benefit of libellants, Crossman and crew, were the four pieces of cloth taken in July.)
CAPTURE DATES: n.d. July 1781, August 20, and September 16, 1781.
PRIZE: English goods, wares, and merchandise.
COURT SESSION (36): October 16, November 19, December 26, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. David Hawley of Stratford for the crews of his commissioned whale boats involving Capt. Stephen Martin and Samuel Hawley.
CLAIMANTS: David Gardiner of Southold, Long Island, “now of Goshen”; James and Nicholas Havens, Rufus, and John Paine, all of Southold.
WITNESSES: Ezra L’Hommedieu of Middletown, Connecticut, Matthew Griswold, Esq, of Lyme; Jared Ladon, Daniel Osborn, Benjamin Moore, John Leverett Hutson, Jonathan Conklin, David Ladon and Deborah L’Hommedieu – all of Southold; John Ingraham, Joseph Griffing and Jacob Conklin – all formerly of Southold, “now of Guilford.”
ABSTRACT: Location of the raids in July and August are not given in the libel and just a few items were taken. On September 15 or 16, Capt. Stephen Martin and Samuel Hawley led a party of armed men on a late-night raid on Shelter Island residents and captured a very large quantity of goods. According to witnesses, the houses of David Gardiner, James Haven, Nicholas Haven, Jared Landon, Mrs. Deborah L’Hommedieu, widow Deliverance Paine, John Paine and Rufus Paine were entered and thoroughly searched for illegal goods. When David Gardiner asked to see their commission, they showed him that of David Hawley, but the bearer identified himself as Samuel Hawley. One witness said Methiah Clark claimed to have led the raiders.
The libellants considered the claimants to be enemies to American Liberties. To prove his loyalty, David Gardiner obtained depositions from 11 witnesses (Griswold to Conklin above). For similar proof, David Havens obtained a deposition from Ezra L’Hommedieu. Among the papers are several dramatic descriptions of the Shelter Island raid, including that of Mrs. L’Hommedieu who said he husband was beaten and she received a blow from a musket and a gun was pointed at her little daughter.
DECREE: Except for a few items restored to David Gardiner and Nicolas Havens, the rest of the goods were condemned, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: “Several times in July and August 1781.”
PRIZE: 31 horses, 87 sheep, 6 oxen, 1 steer.
COURT SESSION(30): September 19, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Jabez Fitch for officers and 60 men of a whale boat company.
WITNESSES: Andrew Mead, Jonathn Guernsey, Samuel Lewis.
ABSTRACT: Witnesses testified to being present when animals were taken on Long Island.
DECREE: Declared forfeit benefit of captors.
Re Capture Date: August 4, 5 1781 – see case June 18, 1781.
CAPTURE DATE: August 5, 1781.
PRIZE: English goods.
COURT SESSION (30): September 19, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. David Maltbie of Stamford and crew of an armed whale boat.
WITNESSES: Jacob June, Titus Conklin.
ABSTRACT: Witnesses testify to the truth of Captain Maltbie’s libel that goods were taken on Long Island.
DECREE: Declared forfeit benefit of captors.
CAPTURE DATE: August 10, 1781.
PRIZE: English goods and three chests of tea.
COURT SESSION (30): August 10, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Samuel Lockwood and crew of an armed whale boat.
ABSTRACT: Captain Lockwood said goods were taken on Long Island.
DECREE: “Declared forfeit as lawful prize to libellant.”
Re Capture Dates: August 20, 25 – see n.d. July 1781.
CAPTURE DATE: August 28, 1781.
PRIZE: un-named 10-ton schooner and English goods.
COURT SESSION (31): September 26, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Ebenezer Jones and crews of two, armed whale boats.
WITNESS: Samuel Hickox.
ABSRTACT: The small schooner was taken “on the high seas” on August 28 and the same day Captain Jones’ men landed on Block Island “a place subject to the powers and control of the Enemy” and took yard goods, stockings, buttons, lace, gloves, etc.
DECREE: Declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: August 30, 1781.
PRIZE: 7 horses.
COURT SESSION (31): September 26, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Jabez Fitch of Greenwich and Company of 60 whale boatmen.
CLAIMANT: Isaac Bogart of Long Island.
WITNESSES: Andrew Mead, Jonathan Guernsey.
ABSTRACT: Witnesses testified they landed on Long Island and took the horse from some inhabitants “unfriendly to American Independence”. Isaac Bogart said he was friendly to American Independence and claimed one brown mare.
DECREE: The mare restored to Bogart and other horses declared forfeit, benefit of captors.
CAPTURE DATE: September 14, 1781.
PRIZE: sloop Elizabeth (30 tons), one Hutchins, Master; sloop Sally, one Williams, Master, and vessels’ cargo of wood.
COURT SESSION (32): October 16, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones and crew of two, armed whale boats.
WITNESSES: Isaac Jones, William Wardwell, Jr.
ABSTRACT: Captain Jones testified vessels were taken “on the high seas.” Witnesses testified to the truth of the libel.
DECREE: Vessels and cargo condemned in favor of the captors.
Re Capture Date: September 16 – See n.d. July 1781 cases: Hawley, and Crossman.
CAPTURE DATE: September 19, 1781.
PRIZE: leather gloves, thread, and yard goods.
COURT SESSEION (32): October 16, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Conklin and “crew of a commissioned whale boat.”
ABSTRACT: Goods taken at Huntington, Long Island.
DECREE: Goods condemned in favor of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: September 22, 1781.
PRIZE: schooner Nancy and cargo of wood.
COURT SESSION(33): November 19, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones and crew of an armed whale boat.
WITNESS: Jacob Smith.
ABSTRACT: Vessel “taken on the high seas” and Jacob Smith testified to truth of the libel.
DECREE: Vessel condemned, benefit of the captors.
Re Capture Date: September 24 – see June 11, 1781.
Re Capture Date: October 17 – see June 11, 1781.
CAPTURE DATE: October 21, 1781.
PRIZE: schooner Catherine (60 tons) and sloop Speedwell (40 tons).
COURT SESSION ( 33): November 19, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones and crews of two whale boats.
WITNESS: Jacob Smith.
ABSTRACT: Vessel “taken while on a cruise” and Jacob Smith testified to the truth in the libel.
DECREE: Vessel condemned, benefit of the captors.
Re Capture Date: October 28 – see June 11, 1781.
CAPTURE DATE: November 11, 1781.
PRIZE: sloop Unity (15 tons), Ezekiel Howel, Master.
COURT SESSION (36): November 28, December 26, 1781.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Stephen Martin of Stratford and crew of the armed whale boat, American Glory.
CLAIMANTS: Ezekiel Howel and David Woodruff of Saybrook; Joseph Woodbridge of Groton for Capt. Thomas Parks and crew of the sloop Prudence; Obadiah Jones of Lyme; Eli Jones and Eli Warren both of Middletown.
WITNESSES: Capt. Josiah Savage and Luther Savage of Middletown; Abel Gore of Groton; Frederick and Bebe Denison of Stonington; Martin Kirtland, Jabez Stone, Samuel Beamont (or Raemont) from the fort at Saybrook; Thomas Parks of Groton; Thomas; Zineiss (?) Gibbs; William Havens, David Conklin, Eleazor Hodges – all of Saybrook.
ABSTRACT: Zineiss Gibbs testified to being on a cruise with Capt. Stephen Martin when they saw a sloop coming out of Sag Harbor. Upon seeing the whale boat, the sloop headed back into shore, but Martin’s boat took the sloop Unity about ½ mile from the wharf. On board were Capt. Ezekiel Howel, Obadiah Jones, Eli Barns, William Bailey,and John Russell, (latter two) of New Jersey; Peleg Miller and Daniel Conklin both of East Hampton and William Havens “an others.”
Joseph Woodbridge said the Prudence under Capt. Thomas Parks, in conjunction with Captain Martin’s whale boat seized the Unity and therefore should have a just share in the prize. Abel Gore said he boarded the Unity as prize master at Captain Parks’ orders and found three men from Captain Martin’s crew already on Board. Gore took over command and set a course for Mystic. When about halfway across the Sound, Captain Martin came on board and he and his crew seized control of the Unity and took her into Newfield Harbor. Frederick and Bebe Denison verified the testimony of Woodbridge.
Ezekiel Howel and David Woodruff claimed joint ownership of sloop Unity. Kirtland, Stone, and Beamont (or Raemont) testified that Howel was an honest man never involved in illicit trade and that he occasionally brought useful intelligence from Long Island. William Havens said he hear Captain Howel warn people no to bring British goods on his ship.
Josiah and Luther Savage said Eli Barns went to Long Island to get money from his father to buy real estate from Josiah Savage. David Conklin and Eleazor Hedges told of Eli Barns going in Capt. Isaiah Dibbles’ whale boat to Long Island and returning on the Unity. Eli Warren claimed some goods and money taken from him by the libellants.
DECREE: In each case the money claimed was restored to the claimants, but the vessel and goods were condemned, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: November 13, 1781.
PRIZE: sloop Shuldam (60 tons) “having 8 three-pound carriage guns”, one Ronoi, Master; 2 small sloops each 30 tons, and a schooner of 30 tons.
COURT SESSION (36): December 26, 1781.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. Samuel Lockwood, Capt. Ebenezer Ayres, Capt. Ebenezer Jones, and crews of their armed whale boats.
ABSTRACT: Content simply states that “the vessels were taken on the high seas.”
DECREE: Vessels condemned, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: November 25, 1781.
PRIZE: sloop Charlotte (40 tons), Jesse Sammon, Master; sloop Nancy (40 tons) and a long boat.
COURT SESSION (36): December 26, 1781.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. Valentine Rider, Capt. James Vincent, both of Stamford and crews of their commissioned whale boats.
WITNESS: Patrick Mattew Reardon of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Rider and Vincent said that on November 25 they fell in with and seized the two sloops within the waters of New York State. Reardon testified to being with Captain Rider on the same date when they captured a long boat near Hog Island. In the boat were Gilbert and Silvanus Marshall and a quantity of English goods. (File contains a copy of Rider’s Commission from Gov. George Clinton of New York for “the vessel or boat called Resolution with 10 armed men.” Dated 18 May 1781.)
DECREE: Vessels and goods condemned, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: December 5, 1781.
PRIZE: schooner Rose (60 tons), Josiah Roberts, Master.
COURT SESSION (37): January 1 to 3, 1781.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. William Johnson of Middletown and crew of the armed boat, Retaliation (1 swivel gun, 8 muskets). Capt. Isaac Jarvis and Lt. Aaron Turney, militiamen of Fairfield.
WITNESSES: For Johnson: his crewmen, Giles Star, Josiah Griswold, Elisha Driggs and Gurdon Wetmore. Col. Nathaniel Brown, Jabez Brooks, Jr., George Philips, Amos Tryon, Ebenezer Markham, Timothy Johnson, Moses Griswold, Joseph Starr, Chauncey Whitteby, George Hubbard, Jeremiah Markham, John Dickinson, Lamberton Cooper, Samuel Russell, John Clark, Josep Driggs, Jr., Josiah Starr, William Starr- all of Middletown. Joshua Griffiths, Jonathan Doane, both of Chatham, Connecticut.
Against Johnson: his crewman, Zacheus Cook, Jr. and Col. Comfort Sage and Matthew Talcott of Middletown. Other witnesses called: Josiah Roberts, Robert Welch of Stratford, James McKay, Joseph Gold, Nathan Jennings, Eleazor Osborn, Jesse Burr, Elisah Sisson, Isaac Jennings – all of Fairfield. Maj. Edward Shipman and Samuel Webb of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Crewmen, Giles Starr and Josiah Griswold of the Retaliation testified that “about the 7th of November 1781, we set out from Middletown on a cruise. We went as far as Saybrook where we stayed one or two days then stood up the Sound as far as Killingworth, then stood over to (Long) Island to try and intercept some trading boats, then stood for Gardiner’s Bay and stayed about 4 or 5 days, then stook back to Montauk Point and stayed 4 or 5 more, from there stood to South Bay and cruised about 7 or 8 days and then came back to Montauk and went up the Sound as far as Harts and Huckleberry Islands and we came back. Went into Oyster Bay where we boarded a schooner. We hove up the anchor and Captain Johnson cut the other cable with an ax and we brought her into Fairfield Harbor….”
Upon learning that some members of Captain Johnson’s crew were suspected of illicit trade, Capt. Isaac Jarvis and Aaron Turney, under warrant, seized the schooner Rose and cargo at Black Rock Harbor and presented their libel to the court. Accused crewmen were Gurdon Wetmore, Charles Plum, Josiah Griswold, and Jonathan Mill – all of Middletown.
Nathaniel Brown and others said Matthew Talcott and Gurdon Wetmore had had a longstanding controversy in the law. Witnesses said Col. Comfort Sage had quarreled with Wetmore in the summer of 1781. Colonel Sage believed Captain Johnson to be an honest man but having Wetmore in his crew made him suspect. There was much testimony as to the patriotism of the whale boat crewmen and Zacheus Cooke, Jr. was the only crewman to testify against the captain.
Cooke, while a prisoner on Long Island recently, had expressed an opinion to Tory Capt. Joseph Trowbridge that Capt. Johnson and crew were Tory sympathizers. Trowbridge was skeptical, saying that Johnson’s boat had been lurking around Lloyd’s Neck pretending to be Tories, but he was sure “they were really damn Rebels hoping for an opportunity to capture a trade vessel.” Cooke said the Rose was owned by Thomas Hanford of New York and others at Lloyd’s Neck.
DECREE: On Captain Johnson’s libel, “Nothing granted.” The schooner and cargo declared forfeit – ½ proceeds of sale to benefit Jarvis and Turney, 1/2/ to the Treasury of Fairfield County.
NOTE: Records for this case are particularly rich in additional testimony as to associated and/or other whale boat activities, especially those of Capt. Joshua Griffith and the whaleboat, Chatham; Capt. Asa Fuller re pursuit of escaped Tory prisoner, Ebenezer Hathaway; various crewmen’s testimony.
CAPTURE DATE: December 20, 1781, January 5, 1782.
PRIZE: two boats and English goods, wares, merchandise.
COURT SESSION (39): February 12, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Henry Waring for boatmen Philip Lockwood, Titus Knap, Charles Knap, Benjamin Clason – all of Greenwich.
CLAIMANT: David Bush of Greenwich.
WITNESSES: Philip Lockwood, Titus Knap, John Mackay, John Wilson, Andrew Marshall, Wright Craft, Henry Sands, Thomas Benedict, Samuel Lockwood – all of Greenwich; Joseph Merritt and Lewis Avery of Long Island and Brig. Gen. David Waterbury
ABSTRACT: A boat with yard goods and tea was captured by Philip Lockwood and Titus Knap on Long Island Sound on December 20, 1781, and there was no claimant for that part of the libel.
Regarding David Bush claim: Lockwood and Knap further testified that on the night of January 5, 1782, they were cruising on the Sound under Capt. Henry Waring by orders of General Waterbury when they saw a boat two miles from shore coming from Long Island. They chased and captured it near Goose Island and found on board Joseph Merritt, Avery Lewis, Miss Susanna Roe of Stamford, and Miss Ether Isaacs with a load of suspect goods.
Merritt and Lewis testified that at the request of Susanna Roe they set out from Long Island on January 4, 1782, to transport her, Esther Isaacs, and the goods to Greenwich and were captured by Capt. Waring near the mouth of the Mianis River. John MacKay told of originally meeting David Bush in November 1781 when Bush was on his way to answering his prisoner’s parole by orders of Col. (Oliver) Delancey. MacKay said he later heard Bush ask James Townsend of Musketty [Mosquito?] Cove, Long Island, how Bush could get some goods out of New York for his family. Townsend had replied that Henry Onderdonk of Cow Cove, Long Island, had a permit that would cover part of the goods and Townsend’s permit would cover the rest. Witnesses, Henry Sands and Wright Craft, were called to testify as to the character of Townsend and Onderdonk and said they considered them to be firm Whigs.
MacKay said when he and David Bush were in New York City he learned that Samuel Jarvis, Nathan Frink, and Lt. Erick Sutherland then living in the City, owed large sums of money to Bush and Bush said he was afraid he would never be able to recover the money “unless he took goods for the money and, as he could not keep sheep in his situation or otherwise procure a supply of clothing for his large family and others who depended on him (amounting to 40 people) he would run the risk of taking goods.” According to MacKay, Bush had ordered Esther Isaacs to select such articles of clothing she thought suitable for Bush’s family.
John Wilson told of being with David Bush when he and Bush were first captured by the British and then paroled on October 27, 1781, near Cos Cob. General Waterbury said he believed David Bush to be friendly to the British, but MacKay said Bush had been very hospitable to the officers and soldiers of the American Army and, though he (Bush) had hired substitutes to serve in the Continental Army for himself and his son, Bush would never “betray his country nor any who serve in its defense.”
DECREE: Goods declared forfeit benefit of the captors. “Nothing granted on the claim of David Bush.”
CAPTURE DATE: January 1 and 10, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Betsy ( 25 tons), one Mulner, Master; sloop Sally (30 tons), Michael Poor, Master.
COURT SESSION (39): February 12, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones of Stamford and crew of an armed whale boat.
WITNESSES: Isaac Jones and John Judson of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Sloops were taken on Long Island Sound – the Betsy on January 1st and the Sally on the 10th.
DECREE: Vessels condemned benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: January 5, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Diamond (45 tons), Spicer Davis, Master; sloop Hannah (60 tons), Sylvanus Seamans, Master; vessels’ cargo of wood and one long boat.
COURT SESSION (39): February 12, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Valentine Rider of Stamford and crew of an armed boat.
WITNESS: James Hallet of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: sloops and long boat all taken the same night on Long Island sound.
DECREE: Vessels and cargo condemned benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: January 5, 1782.
PRIZE: a Vinyard pilot boat and English goods, wares, and merchandise.
COURT SESSION (41): February 20, 1782.
LIBELLANTS: John Stratton, Abel Sherwood, Benjamin Darrow, Samuel Stratton, Stephen Stratton and Jonathan Dimon, Jr. – all of Fairfield.
ABSTRACT: Goods were apparently seized in Fairfield but in whose possession is not given.
DECREE: Boat and goods condemned, ½ of the sale proceeds benefit of the libellants and ½ to the Treasury of Fairfield County.
Re Capture Date: January 5 – see also December 20, 1781.
Re Capture Date: January 10, 1782 – see January 1, 1782.
CAPTURE DATE: January 15, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Ranger (30 tons), Neil McNeil, Master.
COURT SESSION (42): March 4, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Samuel Lockwood and crew of an armed whale boat.
CLAIMANT: Hezekiah Bradley of Fairfield.
WITNESSES: Oliver Lockwood, Abraham Morrell, Henry Sands – all of Greenwich; William Seymour, David Garner, Moses Bixbee – all of Norwalk; Benjamin Betts of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Oliver Lockwood testified that on January 15, 1782, he went with his father, Capt. Samuel Lockwood and Abraham Morrell and Henry Sands in a whale boat and landed on one of the Captains’ Islands. They saw a sloop nearby and 2 men rowing ashore from it. Lockwood’s party captured the men, took them back to the sloop which they boarded and brought it as prize to Greenwich Cove. Captain McNeil and “one Grant” of the Ranger admitted they were preparing to land goods on shore. At Greenwich, Hezekiah Bradley suspected collusion so he seized the vessel and goods and filed a libel with Judge Abraham Davenport.
Henry Sands of Lockwood’s crew said he understood that Lockwood had made an agreement with Henry Utter on the Ranger to betray the ship for a reward.
DECREE: Vessel declared forfeit benefit of the captors. Nothing was granted on Hezekiah Bradley’s claim. (Bradley then posted bond for an appeal to the “Honorable Continental Congress.”)
CAPTURE DATE: January 21, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Shuldam (tonnage not given) with cargo of English goods.
COURT SESSION (42) including: February 4, 18 and March 4, 1782.
LIBELLANTS: Col. Benjamin Tallmadge and Continental officers, Capt. Hezekiah Rogers, and Jedidiah Rogers.
CLAIMANTS: Capt. John Scranton of Hartford; Nathaniel Williams of Huntington, Long Island, and Walter Symonds (or Seaman).
ABSTRACT: The Shuldam was captured near the Norwalk Islands by Colonel Tallmadge. Captain Scranton of the armed galley Hero claimed a just portion of the prize because his vessel was pursuing the Shuldam when it was captured by the libellants. Walter Symond (Seaman?) claimed ownership for himself and company in the Shuldam, valued at ₤700, and maintained it was not involved in illicit trade. Nathaniel Williams asked that the goods, valued at ₤692:2:0, be restored to him as they were taken from him on January 9, 1782, at Drowned Meadow, Long Island.
DECREE: Vessel and cargo declared forfeit, benefit of the libellants. Nothing was granted on any of the claims.
CAPTURE DATE: February 19, 1782 ? (The ‘2’ is crossed out on document)
PRIZE: yard goods, window glass, ginger, 59 lbs. allspice, 171 lbs. tea, 441 Lbs. coffee.
COURT SESSION (51): November 18, 1782.
LIBELLANTS: Asahel Fitch and Daniel Bartram of Redding.
CLAIMANT: Joseph Guyer of Redding.
WITNESSES: Nathaniel Bartlet, Capt. Gershom Morehouse, Thaddeus Benedict, Ephriam Robbins – all of Redding. Capt. Daniel Dunking, Ebenezer Squire and Sarah his wife – all of Fairfield.
ABSTRACT: Goods were seized at the house of Joseph Guyer. However, Guyer claimed that the goods, except for a few items, were never seen at his house by the appointed appraisers. He said the excepted items were worth less than ₤30 and had been in his possession for over a year and therefore not liable to come under that court’s consideration. A bill of sale showed Guyer had purchased 70 lbs. of coffee from George Cable on February 2, 1781.
DECREE: All goods declared forfeit, benefit of the Treasury of Fairfield County.
CAPTURE DATE: March 2, 1782.
PRIZE: English goods, wares and merchandise valued at ₤75.
COURTS SESSION (43): April 15, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Jesse Bell of Stamford.
WITNESSES: Samuel Wheaton, Thomas Tucker, Benjamin Tryon – all of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Samuel Wheaton testified that “about the 2nd day of March having information of a quantity of goods being brought from Long Island upon which I called upon Capt. Jesse Bell and (we) soon met with Daniel McCarter (who had) a horse and cart with straw therein. Capt. Bell asked McCarter what he had in his cart. Said McCarter answered that he had some grain and apples. Said McCarter being told he had something else in his cart confessed he had some goods and a box of pipes. Capt. Bell asked if the goods was his own, he answered no, that he was employed by a certain person to bring the goods from Shiphand [sic] up to his house and keep them until they were redeemed. McCarter requested to have his horse and cart again, that he was sorry to be catched in such an affair, but a poor man must undertake any business.”
Thomas Tucker verified some of Wheaton’s testimony. Benjamin Tryon told of going to Long Island in Capt. Daniel McCarter’s boat and bringing goods back to Stamford…and of hiding them in John Belding’s barn.
DECREE: Goods declared forfeit, ½ to benefit of the captors and ½ to the Treasury of Fairfield County.
CAPTURE DATE: March 4 and 10, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Peggy (30 tons); sloop Industry (30 Tons); a quantity of English goods.
COURT SESSION (44): April 16, 1782.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. Valentine Rider, Capt. Isaac Jones, and crews of armed whale boats.
ABSTRACT: The two vessels, both in ballast, were taken on Long Island Sound. The goods were taken from William Frost on Long Island on March 10, 1782.
DECREE: Vessels and goods declared forfeit benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: March 5, 1782.
PRIZE: English goods, wares, merchandise and “a large new whaleboat, 7 oars and 2 sail.”
COURT SESSION (43): April 15, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Ozias Marvin of Norwalk.
WITNESSES: Ezekiel Wicks and Patt Conroy, Long Island refugees living in Nowalk.
ABSTRACT: No data other than the above facts.
DECREE: Whale boat and goods declared forfeit, ½ (of sale proceeds) to benefit of the captors and ½ to the Treasury of Fairfield County.
Re Capture Date: March 10, 1782 – see March 4, 1782.
CAPTURE DATE: March 17, 1782.
PRIZE: schooner Maria (40 tons), 4 carriage guns, 4 swivels.
COURT SESSION (44): April 16, 1782.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. Valentine Rider, Capt. Isaac Jones, and crews of their armed whale boats.
ABSTRACT: The schooner was captured on Long Island Sound.
DECREE: Vessel declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: April 5, 1782.
PRIZE: English goods, wares, and merchandise.
COURT SESSION (51): November 18, 1782.
LIBELLANTS: Timothy Reed and Aaron Waring of Stamford.
CLAIMANT: James Betts of Norwalk.
WITNESSES: John Smith, Thomas Carpenter, Peter Benedict, Jr., Isaac Smith, Jonathan Conklin – all of Fairfield.
ABSTRACT: Goods valued at ₤350 were seized at the house of James Betts, but Betts claimed most of the items were lawfully his.
DECREE: The goods claimed by Betts were restored to him and the rest of the goods were declared forfeit, ½ to benefit of the captors and ½ to the Treasury of Fairfield County.
CAPTURE DATE: April 14, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Dove (75 tons), Isaiah Rogers, Master; sloop Hero (20 tons), one Smith, Master.
COURT SESSION (45): May 6, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones and crews of three, armed whale boats.
WITNESS: Charles McKensie of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Vessels were captured on Long Island Sound and McKensie verified Captain Jones’ libel.
DECREE: Vessels declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: c. July 4, 1782.
PRIZE: English goods, wares, and merchandise.
COURT SESSIONS: September 9 and November 9, 1782.
LIBELLANTS: Lt. Joseph Hull of Derby and crew of an armed whale boat and John Blackleach of Stratford.
CLAIMANT: Capt. Ebenezer Dayton and crew of the armed whale boat, Suffolk.
WITNESS: Jabez Thompson.
ABSTRACT: Thompson testified, “I was with Lt. Hull in his boat going to Stamford on our way down Stratford River. We stopped at Silas Curtess’s where we meant to tarry until next morning. Lt. Hull ordered us to keep a sentinel on the bank of the river for the security of the boat and so that no boats passed undiscovered. About eleven o’clock we heard a boat rowing up river and we all went onboard our boat and rowed out into the river to see what she was. We hailed them and someone answered that it was Captain Dayton’s boat. We rowed up under their stern they asked if we would like a drink, accordingly (they) gave a bottle to the bowman and we drank. We perceived bags in the boat…informed Lt. Hull.” Dayton’s boat and goods were captured.
Possibly due to a delay in Lt. Hull getting a proper warrant, John Blackleach obtained a warrant to seize and libel the goods but he did not pursue his libel. Captain Dayton declared a libel for the goods but did not pursue it.
DECREE: goods declared forfeit, ½ benefit of the captors and ½ to the Treasury of Fairfield County.
Re Capture Date: July 10 – see September 13, 1782.
Re Capture Date: n. d. July – see August 18, 1782.
Note: No court session 46 found.
CAPTURE DATE: July 24, August 29, and n.d. August 1782.
PRIZE: seven small boats and English goods.
COURT SESSION (47): October 8, 1782.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. John Ritch, Capt. Isaiah Betts, both of Norwalk and whale boat crews.
ABSTRACT: Three incidents of captures occurred on Long Island Sound. One boat and goods were captured by Captain Ritch on July 24th. Two small boats and two skiffs containing food, sheep, etc. valued at ₤85:9:01 were captured sometime in August. Captain Betts “under the commission of John Ritch” intercepted two more boats and English goods on August 29th.
DECREE: Boats and goods declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATES: August 18, July n.d., and September 12, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Exchange (100 tons), William Seymour, Master; a two-masted boat and goods, and another boat and goods.
COURT SESSION (48) October 8, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Valentine Rider and crew of a whale boat.
WITNESSES: James Vincent, Patrick Reardon.
ABSTRACT: Vessels captured on Long Island Sound. The two-masted boat was captured on August 18th going from Connecticut to Long Island with meat and cheese. The sloop was captured on September 12 and the other boat captured sometime in July. Vincent and Readon verified the facts in the libel.
DECREE: Vessels and goods declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
Re Capture Dates: n.d. August and 29 August – see July 24, 1782.
Re Capture Date: n.d. August – see October 28, 1782.
CAPTURE DATE: September 2, 1782.
PRIZE: a sloop (40 tons) without sails containing 600 lbs. tea, 230 bushels of salt, 22 packages of pins and other goods.
COURT SESSION (50) Date unknown.
LIBELLANT: Peter Betts and Samuel Crane of Norwalk.
WITNESSES: Thomas and George Cable, Stephen Goreham, John Allen, Capt. Joseph Bennet, Mathew Hanford, Samuel Ketchum, Samuel wood, James Bennet, Capt. Thomas Hoyt – all of Norwalk.
ABSTRACT: Sloop valued at ₤142:10:00 and goods valued at ₤519 were captured at Norwalk.
DECREE: None. “Libellant and the claimant were called and do not appear to pursue their claims.”
CAPTURE DATE: September 8, 1782.
PRIZE: schooner Tryon (40 tons); schooner William (40 tons).
COURT SESSION (46) October 8, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Isaac Jones of Stamford and his whale boat crew.
WITNESSES: John Seely and Isaac Bates of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: Witnesses verify vessels were taken on Long Island Sound.
DECREE: Vessels declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: September 9, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Betsy and load of flour.
COURT SESSION (48) October 9, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Stephen Martin of Stratford for James Brown of Stamford.
WITNESS: Edmund Snow of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: James Brown, acting under the whale boat commission of Stephen Martin, captured the Betsy on Long Island Sound and also seized a load of flour from another vessel. Edmund Snow verified the facts of the libel.
DECREE: Vessel and flour declared forfeit, benefit of the captor.
Re Capture Date: September 12 – see August 18, 1782.
CAPTURE DATE: September 13, 1782, ref. July 10, 1782.
PRIZE: schooner Polly (50 tons).
COURT SESSION (48): October 9, 31; November 22, 1782.
LIBELLANTS: (1) Capt. Stephen Martin of Stratfield for Capt. James Brown of Stamford; (2) Lt. Isaiah Betts (of Norwalk).
CLAIMANTS: Samuel Penfield and Jacob June of Stamford, Timothy, and Benjamin Titus of Salem (NY?), Titus Conklin and Daniel Platt of Norwalk.
WITNESSES: Edmund Snow, Thadeus Waring, Nathaniel Clock – all of Stamford.
ABSTRACT: This libel was first in court in October and was adjourned to November 22. Existing records are disjointed and confusing. At the November court session, reference was made to an earlier, (undated) libel of Lt. Isaiah Betts and information that on November 1, 1782, James Brown had received “1/4 value of the schooner Polly in lieu of salvage.” Owners of the Polly, Samuel Penfield, et al, entered a plea that she be restored to them and explained that the schooner “had been on her way to Boston on July 10, 1782, when she was captured by the enemy. She was re-captured but not properly condemned by Connecticut Maritime Courts.” Included in this file is a deposition of Thaddeus Waring and Nathaniel Clock apparently referring to the Polly.
They said, “two persons in December of November of 1781 ran away with a schooner loaded with wood and brought her to the mouth of the Noroton River and ran her on the rocks and she overset.” Waring and Clock salvaged the vessel and “brought her up to Noroton Harbor in January or February 1782 and sold her to Stephen Platt who acted for Gilbert Wheeler of New Milford.” On October 1, 1782, Waring and Clock were asked to view a schooner than in Stamford Harbor and they said, “it was the same as that mentioned above.”
DECREE: Vessel is condemned, benefit of her former owners, Samuel Penfield, et al.
CAPTURE DATE: September 22, 29, 1782.
PRIZE: schooner Lively (35 tons) John Corney, Master; sloop Peggy (30 tons), John Stanton, Master; a boat and English goods and (possibly 1 or 2 other boats).
COURT SESSION (49): October 30, 1782.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. Jabez Fitch, Capt. Ebenezer Jones and their whale boat crews .
CLAIMANT: Jonathan Peck of Stamford.
WITNESSES: Sgt. Elijah Cooke, Jedediah Turner, Edmund Richards, all crewmen under Captain Fitch.
ABSTRACT: The schooner and sloop were captured on Long Island Sound on September 22nd and Edmund Richards credited with capture of the boat and goods on September 29. Crewmen, Cooke, and Turner testified that “sometime in September last (they) with the Gunboat and in company with four other boats near the Norwalk Islands, took two of the enemy’s whale boats with one crew.”
DECREE: Vessels and goods declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: September 23, 1782.
PRIZE: schooner Delight (70 tons), Isaac Ketchem, Master, and cargo of salt.
COURT SESSION (49): October 30, 31, 1782.
LIBELLANT: (1) Capt. John Ritch of Norwalk and crew of a whale boat. (2) Capt. Ebenezer Jones, Reynolds Finch, Peter Smith, George Mills – all of Stamford.
CLAIMANT: Solomon Simson of Norwalk.
WITNESSES: Isaac Ketchem and Isaac Ketchem, Jr., of Huntington, Long Island; Solomon Simson of Norwalk; Ethan Smith and John Hait of Stamford; Edmund Kelly and William Moore “now residents in Stamford.”
ABSTRACT: Captain Ritch and his whale boat crew captured the Delight near
Hog Island reef as she was coming from Lloyd’s Neck. In suspicion of collusion, Capt. Ebenezer Jones obtained a warrant to have that vessel and her cargo seized in Stamford Harbor. Ritch and Jones each filed a libel. Solomon Simson, owner of the Delight, was able to prove that he had a permit to bring the vessel and salt into Connecticut. This case is particularly rich in detailed testimony. Stamford constable, John Hait, told of his troubles in attempting to bring the schooner into Stamford Harbor under Captain Jones’ warrant. The Delight got caught up on some rocks on the west side of the harbor, spilling much of her cargo of salt. John Hait with the help of two other sloops was only able to rescue 300 bushels of salt (valued at ₤300) out of the original 1448 bushels aboard.
Solomon Simson told of fleeing from New York City to Norwalk in July 1776 and being unable to collect large sums of money owed him by residents in the City and on Long Island. He said Governor Trumbull gave him a permit on October 24, 1781, to go as a Flag of Truce under direction of Col. Abraham Davenport and negotiate his lawful business in New York and bring out “any articles except British and India goods.” Simson left the schooner Delight and the business of collecting the debt in the hands of Thomas Jarvis at Huntington, Long Island and then returned to Norwalk.
Capt. Ebenezer Jones questioned Capt. Isaac Ketcham regarding the capture of the Delight and Ketcham admitted to talking with Capt. John Ritch, Capt. David Jackson and Jacob Arnold on land at Lloyd’s Neck the night before the capture but not about collusion. Edmund Kelly and William Moore said that while dining at Mr. Fairchild’s on Lloyd’s Neck they asked Captain Ritch to take them to Stamford as Mr. Kelly hoped to go on to Philadelphia and they heard rumors at Lloyd’s Neck that “Captain Ritch meant to make a friendly prize of the schooner and salt then in the harbor off the Neck.”
Ethan smith, a crewman under a Captain Johnson told of their boat encountering Captain Ritch’s boat in the Sound the latter part of August 1782 and on board were Captains Ritch and Jackson and two women and a trunk and other goods. He said Captain Johnson demanded to see their commission to cruise and was told that, by leaving their commission in safekeeping in Connecticut, “they were able to go to Lloyd’s Neck whenever they pleased.” Captain Ritch testified that the trip was a Flag of Truce to exchange a prisoner, Lt. Quintard.
DECREE: Vessel and cargo restored to Solomon Simson, et al. Libellant, Captain Jones permitted to recover cost of the trial from the County Treasury “there being probable cause of the seizure.”
Re Capture Date: September 29 – see September 22, 1782.
Re Capture Date: September n. d – see October 28, 1782.
CAPTURE DATE: October 5, 14; November 2, 12, 1782.
PRIZE: a two-masted boat, Benjamin Hutchins, Master; a Vineyard-built boat, James McKauzy, Master, and a whale boat and goods.
COURT SESSION (52): November 22, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Valentine Rider and James Vincent, both of Stamford and their whale boat crews.
WITNESSES: William Smith Scudder, James Southerland, Peter Danielson. Richard Valentine.
ABSTRACT: The two-masted boat was taken at Cow Bay, Long Island, on October 5th and the whale boat and goods were taken from Ebenezer Fitch on the Sound October 14th. The Vineyard-built boat was also taken on the Sound on November 2nd. Captain Rider “and others” removed goods from the sloop of John Barns at Cow Harbor on November 12th. Each witness testified to the truth of the libel.
DECREE: vessels and goods declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: October 19, 1782.
PRIZE: a small pettiauger and goods.
COURT SESSION (52): November 22, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Lt. Isaiah Betts of Norwalk under Capt. John Ritch.
WITNESSES: John Hyatt of Nowalk; Samuel Osborn and White Raymond of Lloyd’s Neck, Long Island.
ABSTRACT: Osborn and Raymond testified that having heard the American whale boats were now forbidden to plunder on the land, they were attempting to return their goods to Lloyd’s Neck from their place of safekeeping in Cold Spring Harbor. They were boarded by a whale boat commanded by Lt. Isaiah Betts and carried to Norwalk.
DECREE: vessel and gods declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATES: October 25 and November 20, 1782.
PRIZE: two boats and goods.
COURT SESSION (53): December 24, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Abraham Morrell of Greenwich and crew.
ABSTRACT: Both boats with goods taken on Long Island Sound – one in October and the other on November 20th.
DECREE: Boats and goods declared forfeit, benefit of captors.
CAPTURE DATES: October 28, November 9, 26, 1782, also n.d. August and n.d. September 1782
PRIZE: four whale boats and goods and a small boat and English goods.
COURT SESSION: December 24, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Samuel Hickox of Stamford and whale boat crew.
WITNESSES: Isaac Lockwood, Nathan Knap, Jr.
ABSTRACT: Two whale boats were captured on October 28th; a small boat and goods captured on November 9th , and a whale boat and goods on November 26th . The previous August, English goods were taken from a boat near New Rochelle, New York, and a whale boat was taken during September 1782.
DECREE: Boats and goods declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
Re Capture Date: November 2 – see October 5, 1782.
Re Capture Date: November 9 – see October 28, 1782.
CAPTURE DATES: November 14, 19, 1782.
PRIZE: two Vineyard boats and goods.
COURT SESSION: December 24, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Renold Finch of Stamford and crews of an armed whale boat.
WITNESSES: Jacob Smith under Captain Finch; Hancock Rose and Godfrey Trim of Block Island.
ABSTRACT: Rose and Trim testified they were in a two-masted, open boat bound from Block Island to New York when they were captured near the mouth of Hempstead Harbor by a whale boat commanded by Captain Finch and brought to Samford. Their boat was loaded with spermaceti candles, pickled cod fish and 1500 lbs. of cheese. Boat owners were Rose, Trim, and Mark Dodge. The other boat in the case was taken November 19th on Long Island Sound.
DECREE: Boats and good declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATES: November 14, 16, December 2, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Goodluck (30 tons), Anthony Selleck, Master; a boat (undescribed), George Friend, Master; a whale boat, Ebenezer Sturges, Master.
COURT SESSION (54): January 8, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones of Stamford and crews of two, armed whale boats.
WITNESSES: Peter Smith, Jonathan Guernsey; Anthony Selleck and Thomas Thorn, both of New York City.
ABSTRACT: George Friend’s boat and cargo of beef, tallow, cheese, etc., was captured on November 14th and Sturge’s whale boat with similar cargo was captured on the 16th, both On Long Island Sound. Selleck and Thorn testified their sloop was taken on December 2nd near Hunts Point in the narrows of Long Island Sound by two whale boats, one commanded by Captain Jones and the other by Stephen Smith and it was brought into Stamford Harbor. Abraham Selleck, “now resident in New York”, was owner of Goodluck. Peter Smith and Jonathan Guernsey testified to the truth of the facts in the libel.
DECREE: vessels and cargos declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATES: November 15, 16, 18, 26, 1782.
PRIZE: a whale boat, one Titus, Master; a boat, one Spicer, Master; a small skiff and goods; the sloop Peggy (40 tons).
COURT SESSION (53): December 24, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Jabez Fitch and crews of armed whale boats.
WITNESSES: Henry Stewart and Lewis Longshaw under Capt. Fitch; Peter Riesbury and Samuel Smith of Stoneybrook, Long Island.
ABSTRACT: The whale boat under Titus was captured November 15, Spicer’s boat on the 16th and the skiff on the 18th – all on Long Island Sound. According to the deposition of Peter Riesbury and Samuel Smith who were aboard the Peggy, she was captured on November 26th near Stoneybrook by two whale boats, one under Captain Fitch and the other under Stephen Smith.
DECREE: Vessels and goods declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
Re Capture Date: November 19 – see November 14, 1782.
CAPTURE DATE: November 20, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Sally (30 tons), one Simons, Master; a pettiauger and goods.
COURT SESSION (54): January 8, 1783.
LIBELLANTS: Capt. Isaac Jones and Capt. Reynolds Finch of Stamford and crews of armed whale boats.
WITNESS : Jacob Smith.
ABSTRACT: The Sally was captured on Long Island Sound and Jacob Smith testified to the truth in the libel.
DECREE: vessel declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
Re Capture Date: November 20 – October 25, 1782.
CAPTURE DATE: November 24, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Betsy (40 tons), James Mitchell, Master.
COURT SESSION (53): December 24, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Abraham Morrell of Greenwich and crew of a whale boat.
WITNESSES: James and August Mitchell of Cow Neck, Long Island.
ABSTRACT: Witnesses told of being aboard the Betsy at Cow Bay under protection of a Hessian guard on November 24th when the sloop was boarded at midnight by a whale boat crew under Capt. Morrell and the vessel taken to Greenwich. Mitchell was asked if he suspected collusion in the capture and he replied, “none at all.”
DECREE: Vessel and goods declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
Re Capture Date: November 26 – see October 28.
Re Capture Date: November 26 – see November 15, 1782.
CAPTURE DATE: November 30, 1782.
PRIZE: 24 head horned cattle, oxen, and other cattle.
COURT SESSION (54): January 7, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Samuel Keeler of Norwalk.
CLAIMANT: Aaron Barlow of Redding.
WITNESSES: Stephen Jackson and Jacob Crossman of Redding; Squire Monrow of Ridgefield.
ABSTRACT: Samuel Keeler said he got a warrant to seize the cattle which were passing through Norwalk “with a view to be transported to the enemy.”
DECREE: Cattle restored to the claimant.
Re Capture Date: December 2 – see November 14, 1782.
CAPTURE DATE: December 20, 1782.
PRIZE: schooner Peggy (30 tons), John Vedeto, Master.
COURT SESSION (54): January 8, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones and whale boat crew.
WITNESSES: Isaac Jones and Peter Smith; John Vedeto of Oyster Bay, Long Island.
ABSTRACT: According to the testimony of John Vedeto, he had been hired by Thomas Cox to carry wood to New York from Oyster Bay aboard a small schooner and that “there was on board the schooner a quantity of goods, wares and merchandise which he the deponent had a suspicion were designed to be taken over to the Main (Connecticut) in that said Cox did yesterday tell the deponent that this day he must lay said schooner ashore at Ship Point and discharge the goods and take in wood from Capt. Abraham VanWyck. That on last evening as the vessel was lying a little distance from the armed brig Clinton, she was boarded by Capt. Isaac Jones with 2 men in a whale boat who brought the vessel out of the harbor, that after the said schooner got to the mouth of said harbor, Capt. Ebenezer Jones came on board with a number of men from a whale boat and that said schooner was about daylight brought into Stamford harbor.” (There may have been another claimant as Jones’ question that followed suggest.) He asked Vedeto, “How far was it from the place you was taken that the boat which Brown commanded was first in sight or hail of the schooner which you was on board of ? Answer: about four miles and when I was boarded by Captain Jones there was no other boat in sight.” Peter Smith and Isaac Jones verified the facts in the libel.
DECREE: Vessel declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: December 20, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Peggy and cargo.
COURT SESSION (55): March 3, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Eli Leavenworth of New Haven.
CLAIMANTS: David Coley, Jr., and Samuel Hazard of Fairfield; Silas Miller of Lyme; Hezekiah Ketcham of Red Hook, Albany County, New York; Henry Prentice of Boston.
ABSTRACT: Leavenworth said he found the sloop in Norwalk having on board 134 barrels of tar, 3 barrels of Flour and 443 bushels of Indian corn, and he maintained the sloop was involved in transporting goods to the enemy.
DECREE: None. Libellant did not pursue his libel.
CAPTURE DATE: December 20, 1782.
PRIZE: sloop Crane and cargo.
COURT SESSION (55): March 3, 1782.
LIBELLANT: Eli Leavenworth of New Haven.
CLAIMANTS: John Squire, Albert Chapman, David Coley, Jr., Shubael Gorham, Jr., and Stepen Gorham – all of Fairfield; Samuel Crane of Dutchess County, New York.
WITNESSES: Abel Walker of Stratford, William Wheeler formerly of Long Island, now of Stratford.
ABSTRACT: This vessel was also seized in Norwalk as Leavenworth suspected it being involved in illegal trade with the enemy.
DECREE: None. Libellant did not pursue his libel.
CAPTURE DATE: December 22, 1782.
PRIZE: schooner Robinhood (30 tons), James Tearing (or Fearing?), Master.
COURT SESSION (53): December 24, 1782 .
LIBELLANT: Capt. Abraham Cooper Woodhull of Fairfield and crews of armed whale boats, Spy, Fox, and Firebrand.
ABSTRACT: None.
DECREE: None. “This libel withdrawn December 28, 1782.”
CAPTURE DATE: January 4, 1783.
PRIZE: schooner Betsy (70 tons), William Wallace, Master.
COURT SESSION (56): March 10, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Reynolds Finch of Stamford and whale boat crew.
WITNESS: William Wallace.
ABSTRACT: Wallace said his vessel, loaded with wood, was bound from Huntington, Long Island, to New York City when it was captured by a boat commanded by Reynolds Finch and brought to Stamford.
DECREE: vessel declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: January 5 and n. d. January and February 1783.
PRIZE: sloop Sally (30 tons), Abel Fairchild, Master; sloop Betsy (40 tons), William Hunt, Master and also three boats and a whale boat.
COURT SESSION (56): March 10, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones and whale boat crew.
WITNESS: Jared Lockwood.
ABSTRACT: The sloops were taken on Long Island Sound on January 5th but exact dates of boats captured not given. Jared Lockwood testified to the truth of the libel. (A copy of Jones’ commission dated March 14, 1781, is in the file.)
DECREE: Vessels and goods declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
Re Capture Date: n.d. January – see January 5, 1783.
CAPTURE DATE: February 10, 1783, n.d. January 1783.
PRIZE: two boats, Joseph Smith, Master; a small skiff and cargo.
COURT SESSION (56): March 10, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Isaac Jones and whale boat crew.
WITNESSES: John Seely, Henry Lockwood.
ABSTRACT: Boats were taken on Long Island Sound and Seely and Lockwood testified to the truth of the facts in the libel.
DECREE: “Property declared forfeit.”
CAPTURE DATE: February 15, 1783.
PRIZE: English goods, wares, and merchandise.
COURT SESSION (57): April 2, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Obadiah Wright of Long Island, refugee in Fairfield.
ABSTRACT: Yard goods, cutlery, buttons, etc., were seized at the house of Samuel Middlebrook, Innholder in Norwalk.
DECREE: None. Libellant did not pursue his libel.
CAPTURE DATE: February 18, 1783.
PRIZE: a Moses boat “so-called” and cargo.
COURT SESSION (56): March 10, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Samuel Crane of Salem, New York, and crew of an armed whale boat.
WITNESS: Robert Hicks of New York.
ABSTRACT: Hicks testified that on February 13, 1783 “I took a quantity of goods out of a store near Crab Meadow on Long Island and was going to transport them to a place a little eastward in order to sell them and was taken in the Sound between Crab Meadow and Smithtown by Samuel Crane in a whale boat and brought to Norwalk. The goods I bought at Crab Meadow of Bartholomew Ryan and they were my own property and there was no collusions in the capture.”
DECREE: “Property declared forfeit.”
CAPTURE DATE: February 20, 1783.
PRIZE: sloop Three Brothers (50 tons) mounting 11 carriage guns, 4 swivels and 25 stands of arms, one Cornwall, Master.
COURT SESSION (58): April 15, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Amos Hubbell of Fairfield of the armed sloop Juleus Caesar.
ABSTRACT: Vessel captured on Long Island Sound.
DECREE: Vessel declared forfeit, benefit of the captor.
CAPTURE DATE: February 26, 1783.
PRIZE: English goods, wares, and merchandise.
COURT SESSION (57): April 2, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Obadiah Wright of Long Island, refugee in Fairfield.
ABSTRACT: The goods were said to be in Danbury at the stores of Peter Field, one Washborn and Richard Lewis and at the house of widow White and John Lyad Bliakum [sic] and also in another store called the Office.
DECREE: None. Libellant did not pursue his libel.
Re Capture Date: n.d. February – see January 5, 1783.
CAPTURE DATE: March 4, 1783.
PRIZE: sloop Defiance and cargo and a boat.
COURT SESSION (57): April 2, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Lt. Aaron Rhea under Maj. Benejamin Tallmadge.
ABSTRACT: Lt. Rhea said that Major Tallmadge, having been ordered by General Washington to be stationed at Fairfield since December 1782, then ordered him (Rhea) to seize any vessels or goods going from Connecticut to Long Island or New York City. On March 4, 1783, Rhea’s vessel fell in with and captured the Defiance and brought it to the Mill River (Fairfield).
DECREE: None. Libellant did not pursue his libel.
CAPTURE DATES: March 4, 5, 15, 1783.
PRIZE: a schooner, 2 small sloops, a skiff, and 3 boats and goods.
COURT SESSION (57): April 2, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Ebenezer Jones of Stamford and crews of whale boats.
WITNESSES: Timothy Lockwood, Jr., and Frederick Weed.
ABSTRACT: On March 4 the schooner and 2 small sloops were taken on the Sound and on March 5, James Hallet, under Capt. Jones, took a skiff with goods and (he) also (took) goods on land near New Rochelle. On March 15, Hallett captured three boats and sheep on Long Island Sound. Timothy Lockwood, Jr., and Frederick Weed testified to the truth of the facts in the libel.
DECREE: Vessels, goods, and sheep declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
CAPTURE DATE: March 28, 31, 1783.
PRIZE: schooner Peggy (60 ton) mounting 2 swivel guns, Anthony Baker, Master, and a five-oared whale boat.
COURT SESSION (58): April 19, 1783.
LIBELLANT: Capt. Abraham Cooper Woodhull of Fairfield and crew of an armed boat.
WITNESSES: Anthony Baker of Huntington, Log Island and James Morgan Fairchild.
ABSTRACT: Anthony Baker said the Peggy was taken at 12 midnight of the 31st “in the deep hole in Stoney Brook Harbor by an armed boat under Captain Woodhull and brought to Black Rock Harbor. James Morgan Fairchild was aboard the Peggy which was owned by Jonathan Burnham and George Smith of Smithtown, Long Island. A Captain Odell questioned the witnesses as to a possible collusion and they said they knew of none. The 5-oared whale boat was taken on the Sound on March 28th, 1783.
DECREE: Vessels declared forfeit, benefit of the captors.
(Note: Included in the docket of the above case is a document labelled “Reg. Bill on trial of Jamaica property ship NATHANIEL & ELIZABETH 20th September 1776.” The case is part of the New London County Maritime Court Records. (See Connecticut Gazette, September 6, 1776.) This item might simply be out of place or was introduced for its content for some reason. The document contains a list of costs, the names of William Hillhouse and J. Miller and the following information: “NB – The Marshal has always sold the goods and the Regr. has always attended the sales as Clerk. Where a condemnation happens the money has always been paid to the captors and the Exn. endorsed by their parties or their agent. When an appeal takes place & the parties agree in a motion for a sale of the goods the Court generally allow the Motion & in that case the Monies are lodged with the Regr. as a servant of the Court. Where the condemnation has happened of a Continental vessel the avails thereof, the wages when awarded by the jury & charges of condemnation being deducted has always been paid to the Continental agent by whom tis expected division is made. The Register for services at sales has charged 2% viz: ½ % for sales, ½ % for collecting, ½ % for paying and ½ % for the Clerk.”
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This resource is the result of research by Patricia Q. Wall. Copyright, 2023.