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Did the British keep records of prisoners of war?

Did the British keep records of prisoners of war?

Posted: 12 Apr 2014 4:50AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Jennings
On his pension record, my husband's ancestor, James Jennings, says he was taken prisoner at Charleston in 1780 and was kept prisoner for three years. He enlisted at the Pacolet River probably near Fairfield or Spartanburg in George Wiley's company of the Sixth Regiment on Jan. 7, 1778. But he was transferred to the third regiment and was serving there when he says he was taken prisoner. I found his records and everything he did serve that time with those units, but I am wondering if there are records to prove he WAS taken prisoner. Thank you.

Re: Did the British keep records of prisoners of war?

Posted: 12 Apr 2014 8:36AM GMT
Classification: Query
You can find a very few records of prisoners held on prison ships, but from what I've seen they are very incomplete regarding folks taken at Charleston. I think the majority were held in the vicinity where they surrendered. There may be records of POWs and release on parole and exchanges in Colonial Office records at The National Archives in Kew. You can explore their wonderful website for a sign of such records' existence, but they will not be available to look at on the site.

Records of those taken at Charleston are a big hole in American-held records.

Re: Did the British keep records of prisoners of war?

Posted: 12 Apr 2014 4:23PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you! I just found and sent for a book I found through the Charleston Museum called Relieve Us of This Burthen that has some recollections of prisoners from Charleston. I got it from Amazon though because the shipping charges from the Museum were almost as much as the book itself! I will check out the National Archives, also. Thank you!
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