Nathaniel was born in 1799, probably in New Bedford MA. No information could be found about his parents. He married Jane Keeney of New London on July 29, 1824. The marriage record refers to Nathaniel as “of New Bedford” and “Capt”. No record was found of any children. Most records show that Nathaniel, described as “mariner”, died in New Bedford on August 16, 1846. One record shows August 16, 1847 as the year of death while another shows August 16, 1861. The latter shows his then age as 47, which is inconsistent with his birth in 1799. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in New Bedford. After Nathaniel’s death, Jane returned to New London, her home town. Her name as “widow of Nathaniel” appears in the 1865 New London City Directory.
Based on the records of AOWV, Nathaniel had a brief career at sea. He served as master for two voyages of STONINGTON (AS2437): (ship, 351 tons, length 103 ft., built in Stonington in 1821, broken up in 1848).
STONINGTON sailed on September 8, 1824 for the Pacific and returned on February 15, 1827. T.W. Williams was the agent. Less than three months later, on May 2, 1827, it sailed again for the Pacific, returned on June 5, 1829. W. Williams Jr & Barns was the agent for this voyage. AV13475 and AV 12476 respectively.
Colby writes (p. 33) that multi-year whaling voyages did not begin for New London ships until about 1823, and STONINGTON under Nathaniel’s command was one of only four ships that sailed from New London in 1824. One master returned with 2,210 barrels of oil taken during an eleven month voyage while another took 1,820 barrels in ten months. Nathaniel, on the other hand, took nearly 29 months to take 2,100 barrels.
Sources used: see sidebar and sources cited in text.
George Shaw
American Institute for Maritime Studies
Mystic Seaport Museum
November 2025