Seafarers of New England - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Sea men who were Whalers

DebZavadil — 2013-03-17 14:28:15Z

http://library.mysticseaport.org/Images/wsl/18580921.pdf or
http://nmdl.org/wsl/wslindes.cfm?year=1858

I found a great site for looking for lost seamen in the Whaling industry.
The site is newspapers from the 1800's. On the 2nd page of each paper you find more names then one knows what to do with of men who went to sea on Whalers. It's tedious looking thru the papers but there are so many names and interesting stories that the search is actually fun.

Re: Who did this Benjamin Shackford of the WAREDALE of Eastport marry?

SearchShack — 2013-02-06 17:58:33Z

Believe that this Benjamin Batson Shackford married Harriet C Bibber (1813-1895)on May 8, 1833 in Eastport, Maine, daughter of Thomas Bibber and Dorcas Pettengill. She died in Lubec, age 82 on Sept 8, 1896. Am now researching what ships he captained and where he went in those ships. So far I've found articles that mention the Waredale and the LL Wadsworth. Any help with other ships or trips would be greatly appreciated.
www.shackfordgenealogy.weebly.com

Ships captains and ship builders - 1700's & 1800's

2013-01-28 20:07:22Z

Can anyone point me to sites that may help me in finding records of my ancestor who was supposed to be a ships captain as well as a ship builder? Were there records kept of these things besides by individual families? This HARDY family came from the Maine area. Thank you.

Re: Ships captains and ship builders - 1700's & 1800's

cmmonaghan1 — 2013-01-28 19:39:56Z

This web page may be helpful:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~smithhouse...

Re: Where there two Little Cherub's?

SearchShack — 2013-01-03 19:04:18Z

Wondering if anyone has any records of this brig while John Shackford was aboard. Trying to learn more about him as he died aboard the brig at the age of 38.THANKS!

Re: American Revolution veterans buried in Hawaii

peeej — 2012-09-19 23:23:21Z

Aaron R Powers was my great great grandfather. He married Mary Francis and they had 2 children. Emma born 1871 and Margaret(my great gma) born 1873. He was lost at sea in Feb 1877. His ship was the Iolani. Any other info you have would be appreciated.

Jacob Isaac Vandewater

CrystalPremox51 — 2012-07-07 13:13:42Z

Jacob Isaac was my gg-grandfather, and captain of a canal boat. His father was also Jacob, and also the captain of a boat. I cannot find anything about them before 1850, although there are plenty of other Vandewaters. Possibly they lived on their boat. Anybody familiar with these names?

Re: McFadden

johnpstaub — 2012-05-29 17:26:31Z

Linda,

In 1930 research on my McFadden Family a paragraph refers to John McFadden the father of John McFadden (born in Hagerstown, MD). It states that our Aunt Cora tells of John McFadden being shipwrecked then returning to Ireland ? and then back to the U.S. to settle in Hagerstown, MD.

John

A.R. Powers

crimpd — 2012-05-25 22:32:59Z

I wish to contact the family/descendants of Capt. A.R. (Aaron R.?) Powers, captain of the Iolani when she foundered off Lanai 13th Feb. 1877, and the captain drowned, his body never recovered. I have information on his wife Mary Francis and two daughters.

Re: Captain William VICARY of Philadelphia, USA 1806

juliekerr3000 — 2011-11-19 22:41:36Z

Hi
I have an 1813 book on 'Upper Canada' which was owned by this William Vicary - has his signature and ink stamp inside.
I am looking to sell - let me know if you are interested. Email me at: mikev@bigpond.com

RHODE ISLAND CAP'N JOSEPH SPENCER & SONS-RI 2 HAWAII 1830s

dimari1 — 2011-08-14 05:37:02Z

Does anyone have any info on JOSEPH SPENCER (down from Michael of the 4 SPENCER BROTHERS from Stotfold, England to Mass.c.1630? CAPTAIN Joseph ("Head of Cove")SPENCER went from his family's seat in E.Greenwich, RI to HAWAII in the early 1800s (c.1830-ish) with his sons, to carry-on their Whaling and Seafaring businesses there, in the islands.

The DESCENT goes like this---Michael-1; John-2,3,4,5; Thomas-6; then Capt.Joseph Spencer-7th generation down from Michael(the emigrant to America from Stofold,Beds.,England, c.1630).

Capt.Joseph Spencer was b.in Warwick,RI Dec.23,1792.He d.there 5 April, 1880.

Capt.Joseph Spencer m. (c.1813) a Lucy Ann Nichols (b. 11 Jun, 1797/d.Warwick,RI-Apr.20,1871). Lucy was daughter of James & Elizabeth(Spencer)Nichols. Lucy's mom Elizabeth was daughter of Ebenezer Spencer.

It's known that Joseph had sons....Giles (1814-56, lost at sea); Thomas Spencer(1815-84,d.in Hawaii); Rhodes Greene Spencer (1819-d.c.1900??); Charles Nichols Spencer & Joseph Reynolds Spencer (b.1830).

Rhodes Greene Spencer (Capt.Joseph's son) had a son, Lincoln Dyer Spencer--who in 1893 was still living IN Hawaii.

Does Lincoln have descendants still IN Hawaii??

I am also of Michael (the emigrant)'s line (ie-Michael-1; John-2; Peleg Spencer,SR-3; Peleg,jr.-4; Charles W.Spencer,SR-5; C.W.S.,jr.-6; Wright C. Spencer-7; Neal W.Spencer-8; Edwin Neal Spencer-9; then, (me!)Diane M.Spencer-10th generation down from Michael Spencer the emigrant from England(of the 4bros.Spencer!).

SEEK FURTHER INFO ON THE SEAFARING LIVES OF JOSEPH SPENCER and his SONS while they were STILL IN RHODE ISLAND. Any biz documents, any family stories, photos, whatever!! I have much to share/exchange w/anyone of MY family who has anything about the above people to tell me! Thanks so much-

Diane M. Spencer
my reg.email addy is...

dimari_ (then the) @ (symbol, then) hotmail (dotcom)

just run all the above together--no spaces--BUT DON'T FORGET
to put the _ (underscore/underline symbol) AFTER dimari and
B4 the hotmail(dotcom)

thanks-
diane

Re: "Argo"

ntraill2007 — 2010-05-16 14:06:57Z

Yes I am also interested in crews or captain of this boat as it works into our family traills. I am interested in the name of the captain or a Crew Traill/Trail. As my g-grandfather is a decendent of a Traill who was rescued around 1802. Left behind a tongan wife and his son a traill who later came to the fiji islands.

Re: S.S. Independence 1927

pokanoka — 2010-03-15 20:42:48Z

Actually, the photo says M.S. Independence

S.S. Independence 1927

pokanoka — 2010-03-15 20:35:16Z

I have a holiday card that my great grandfather had received from his brother who was the Chief Officer of the SS Independence 1927. I can't find anything about this ship!
Is there a resource that I don't know about?

Captain William VICARY of Philadelphia, USA 1806

2009-11-19 21:17:37Z

I am searching for information on the seafaring career of Captain William Vicary of Philadelphia. His last voyage as a merchant sea captain was to the east Indies and ended in 1806. The ship was apparently named the Liberty.

There is also a mention of a Captain Vicary (Vickery) carrying the Jay Treaty back to the U.S. in a brig named "The Thomas" in 1794 or 1795. Any ideas on how I can research this?

Look for seafarer information here:

Lhendri479 — 2009-08-20 15:38:26Z

There are 2 places I am aware of to find some information about New England seafarers.

Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT has some records online and so does the Essex Institute in MA.

As I remember, at least at Mystic Seaport, there is a list of some ships, the crew (by name and title aboard ship), names of the ship owners and more information about the ship itself (Builder, owner, size, type, etc)

I am not as familiar with the Essex Inst. site, but it's worth a try. Or do a search for "Whaling Museums, Early NE ships", etc)

Hopefully this will turn up some information.

Re: Albert Pearson Brown b. c1835 New Jersey, USA

fionaknox17 — 2009-08-19 14:15:31Z

Hi Ann,

not sure if you are still following this as your post is now 4 years old, but heres hoping! i dont know what ship Albert sailed but i was wondering if you had any other info on him. he is my GGG Grandfather and im looking for any information anyone may have on him. All i know is that he was a ships carpenter on a whaling ship and the ship was wrecked off the coast of the Chatham Islands where he married and had 10 children. Im looking primarily for his parentage and ancestry.

Many thanks,
Fiona

Re: Capt. Thomas Bacon

jeanv1 — 2008-10-10 20:01:10Z

Suzi,
I just came across your query about Thomas Bacon and Mary Abby White of Sullivan, Maine. I have just started researching my family and have found a connection to Thomas Bacon and Mary Abby Sawyer White. Could they be the same ones you were asking about? From the 1860 census they had 2 children, Jennett and Clovis N.

Clovis N. is my great, great, grandfather. In 1880 Clovis was married to a Nancy M. and they had two children, Bessie M. and Zola Estelle, Zola is my Great grandmother. She married Herbert Huntington Hatfield Gillis in Boston in 1898, his family immigrated from Nova Scotia. They had 7 children, six survived, the oldest son, Herbert H. Gillis, Jr. is my grandfather. He died in an accident at the age of 27 in Waukegan, Ill. He was survived by his widow, Minerva Fickert Gillis and two children, Herbert Clovis Gillis, and a daughter, Zola. Herbert Clovis Gillis passed away on Jan. 28, 1987, he was married to June Mitchell of Oswego Co. New York. I am Herbert C. and June Gillis' daughter. If you are interested in Herbert and Zola's 5 other children I have that information for you.

Re: Captain John N. Pritchard, Newburyport, MA.

JacksonGoddard1 — 2008-08-21 01:14:27Z

Thanks for looking - about a year ago a librarian
in the Peabody-Essex system located a number of ships
and dates when he sailed. I think the reference book
was publishd courtesy of the WPA in the 1930's.
I suspect (based on 1790-1810 census) that he lived in
the Newburyport area.
Later when the war of 1812 came he moved to Salisbury,NH
and opened a store. I've actually visited the house.
Sometime during 1815-1820 he moved to Alexandria,Va
and still later to Troy,NY. where he passed away.

Re: Captain John N. Pritchard, Newburyport, MA.

SueYG — 2008-08-20 23:35:14Z

I looked through my files, but did not find anything on Joseph Rutherford. Was he specifically in Newburyport, or could it be another nearby port such as Gloucester, Marblehead or Salem? You might try the libraries, and I also think it is NARA (in Waltham, MA) that has the ships logs and records for many of the local ports.
Sue Gagnon

Re: Captain John N. Pritchard, Newburyport, MA.

JacksonGoddard1 — 2008-08-19 16:53:41Z

Please look to see if you have any information on my
ancestor Joseph Rutherford a sea captain who plied ships
in the vicinity of Newburyport,Mass in the late 1700's to early 1800's interrupted by the war of 1812.

Re: Captain John N. Pritchard, Newburyport, MA.

asthayer1 — 2008-04-23 23:22:05Z

Susan,
My great grandfather's name was Lucius Thayer. I am more interested in the ship and his voyage and teatments for illnesses in the 1870's and I was wondering if the Lucy S. Wills of Boston went from Balcutta or Calcutta to New York in Dec. 27th 1877 to April 13th 1878.
Alexandra

Re: Captain John N. Pritchard, Newburyport, MA.

SueYG — 2008-04-23 02:34:09Z

Hi Alexandra, I will look through my papers to see what I can come up with. May I ask who your great grandfather was ? Perhaps I might find mention of him somewhere.
Susan

Re: Captain John N. Pritchard, Newburyport, MA.

asthayer1 — 2008-04-22 23:55:50Z

Betty,
Thank you so much for the sites I'm sure that they will help a lot! I love the internet too!
Alexandra

Re: Captain John N. Pritchard, Newburyport, MA.

bbffrrpp — 2008-04-22 10:27:38Z

Hi Alexandra. Out of curiousity, I did a couple Google searches, and wasn't finding ship information. So, I changed the search term to "Ship Lucy" and found a picture of the "clipper ship" you are interested in:

http://www.artnet.com/artist/17485/samuel-walters.html

Changing the search term to "Clipper Ship Lucy," this site is about the painting, but it offers a brief history of the ship - including that it was built in Medford, MA, in 1870:

http://www.artfact.com/catalog/viewLot.cfm?lotCode=Y3ngFKKU&...

It seems that "artwork" is famous.

It would be interesting to see a list of the ships built in Medford, MA.

Betty (near Lowell, MA)

P.S. I love the internet, in this search I found this site which might be of interest to others. It's about "Seafaring Women."

http://www.sunymaritime.edu/stephenblucelibrary/pdfs/Seafari...

And, I found a site which is of interest to me - for health reasons. It's about a Dr. Lucy WILLS who found that folate helps with anemia.

Re: Captain John N. Pritchard, Newburyport, MA.

asthayer1 — 2008-04-22 01:22:25Z

Susan,
I was wondering if you know anything about the ship Lucy S. Wills. My great grandfather sailed on it and I would like some info on it but can't find anything. The only thing that I know is what he wrote in his journal which wasn't much but it's much more then what I can find. Perhaps you know something about it from the journals that John N. Pritchard wrote. This is for a school project and I need info asap so please hurry and tell me as much as you possibly know about that ship and it would be great if you could tell me about Captain John N. Pritchard. The more I know about this ship and anything that is related to it the better. So please hurry and reply to me!
Alexandra

Middlesex passenger ship of Boston ca. 1840

CKelloff — 2008-04-13 20:46:28Z

I am looking for anyone with information of the crew of the Middlesex of Boston that sailed from New Orleans and Galveston Tx.

My GG-grandfather Joseph Vickers "commenced aboard the ship Middleton [sic] of Boston about 1945" - We believe this ship was the Middlesex of Boston - a passenger ship.

Joseph Vickers was about 11 when an uncle took him to sea.

What would a boy of 11 do aboard such a ship and how do I go about finding out about the crew and maybe who the uncle was.

We do not know anything about the parents of Joseph other than the mother was from Louisana and the father from France?? Joseph was an only child from what we understand. Born 10 July 1834, Galveston, Texas.

Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all.

Re: Schooner "William and Nancy"

aperfectgent52 — 2008-03-26 15:53:40Z

all i can add is that she weighed out at 71 tons burden

Captain Green(e),Yarmouth,Mass.,1775

WARDGREENE — 2007-11-05 00:53:42Z

My ancestor,John Green(e),and his brothers Robert and(unknown) lived in Boston in the 1700s, and either bought a schooner or brought one to Yarmouth,MA in 1775. Don't know schooner name. They were Quakers,and traded on their schooner from Boston through Nova Scotia(which then included nearby provinces) to Placentia,Newfoundland.There is supposed to be a record of their schooner at Yarmouth in 1775.Anyone know how I can find it ?(I'm in Australia so can't go personally.)
Robert Green(e) was briefly on USA side in Revolution,then he and John returned permanently to Placentia,Newfoundland about late 1778. John,fervent Quaker,tried to stay out of whole thing. John's descendants from early 1800s started returning to Boston, until today there'd be many thousands in USA.
I'd like any information anyone has on this family(Point Verde Greenes of Nfld.)and of course anyone in USA descended from them. The clan is huge,so if your ancestry has any connection to Placentia,Nfld.,please contact me.
Especially of course seeking information on Yarmouth schooner,and the descendants of the brother(and anoy other relative) who remained behind in 1778 era.Thanks.Ward.wardgreene@hotmail.com

Re: tugboats and steamships- captains/workers Tanger , Hammond

pattanger — 2007-04-10 23:53:16Z

My Tangers came to the US thru NY, on the Rhein in 1884. They were Maria the step-mother, Louisa, Max, Wilhelm and Emil. I don't know what became of all but Wilhelm. I found him as a farm worker on the 1900 census in Galen NY. He later became a tugbaot captain. Sorry my response is so late, I have been out of Ancestry for a while.

A. Simmons or Simmonds, Captain during Arctic Whaling

tappa — 2007-04-10 21:14:11Z

I am looking for information on Abraham or Abram Simmons/Simmonds who was a whaler and captain during the Arctic Whaling expeditions through from the late 1880's through the early 1900's. The Arcic whaling season took him through northern Alaska (Barrow) and Canada (Herschel Island). We believe he was from Massachusettes and started whaling out of New Bedord.

Please Help with SHIPS Lists ?

HeatherGraham66 — 2007-02-21 09:49:59Z

Where can I find on the internet a list of SHIPS names and their Captains / skippers from the 1750s onwards. Particularly Ships sailing from IRELAND.

I am particularly looking for Captain JOHN ANGUS who lived in HOWTH ,North Dublin, Ireland. I have looked for the last few years for him without success, also the name of his 3-masted ship again without success.

Nobody seems to be able to help me.

Maybe there is someone who can help me find a list of names of ships and there capatins.

Thanks,

Heather

Hiram Baker

donnaboileau — 2006-11-21 03:25:01Z

Looking for information on a Hiram Baker. I have no dates but he was born in Yarmouth/Dennis MA. He married Melissa Riley also born same. He lived in RI also. He was a "sea captian"according to some info I came across. His childern were Frederick Allanson Mason Baker, Leander Baker,and Christopher Baker. Leander may have been a photographer in Providence RI. If you have any info- please e-mail me at rolspecs@aol.com Thanks Donna

Re: The Ship-"JP Wheeler", Capt. Henry Gadd-1866-New York

2006-10-10 06:10:43Z

hello again,
so sorry to hear of your fathers' passing as well as his brothers.
Did the W in your grandfathers name stand for Weston?
Yes, the picture is of your ggggrandfather, according to Arthur Prentice. Black cape is not far from where Art lives--we actually drove passed there!
Perhaps we should carry on our conversations by reg. email?
mine-
pandabee@shaw.ca
I live on Vancouver Island in BC Canada,
the wet West Coast--ha ha -not so this year!!

looking forward to more contact,
Pat

Re: The Ship-"JP Wheeler", Capt. Henry Gadd-1866-New York

2006-10-10 02:17:17Z

Great to hear from you. We are, indeed, related. My full name is Francis Oliver Gadd, Jr. The 3 men in the photo were brothers, my Dad being the youngest. Uncle Chuck passed away a year ago this month. Uncle Rich died in the early 90's. My Dad, Frank, died this past February.

You mentioned having a photo of Henry Gadd. Do you mean the sea captain? My grandfather's name was Henry Campbell W. Gadd. He was from Black Cape, Quebec.

My wife, Cinda, and I have recently retired to West Virginia. Where are you?

Re: The Ship-"JP Wheeler", Capt. Henry Gadd-1866-New York

2006-10-09 19:31:57Z

further to your reply Skip--this past summer I paid a visit to Arthur Prentice Campbell in Grand-Cascapedia Quebec.From some of the many files of information he has on the Gadds he gave me a copy of a picture
of Henry Gadd as well as a copy of a picture of 3 Gadd men-Charles Winford, Richard Henry, and Francis Oliver. Picture is dated 1970. Are you related to anyone of these men??
Cheers, Pat

Re: The Ship-"JP Wheeler", Capt. Henry Gadd-1866-New York

2006-10-09 16:03:11Z

Well hello to you Skip,

according to my files we are definitely related.!!
This man was my great great Grandfather.
He was married to Emeline Shaw Prentice,

their daughter
Alice Weston Gadd
married John Archibald Campbell

Would be pleased to hear from you again,
kind regards, Pat

Re: The Ship-"JP Wheeler", Capt. Henry Gadd-1866-New York

2006-10-09 00:44:40Z

Hi, Pat. How does Henry Gadd fit into your geneology research? He was my great great great grandfather. We may have a family painting of the J.P. Wheeler.

Re: Archibald Campbell of Bath,Maine 2nd Mate on ship International

kh440 — 2006-08-07 14:25:49Z

Matt,
You can check for some of your Campbell ancestors from Maine by researching the following:

Ship Register List:
http://www.mysticseaport.org/library/initiative/ShipRegister...

Click on "Search Ship Registers" under the CUNARD signage.
Then you can search by Vessel or shipmaster.

There is also a section to input the state or country to see the names of sea men who had protection certificates for themselves and their vessels.

Good luck,

Kathleen

Digital archives provided by: The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
G.W. Blunt White Library
Mystic Seaport - not-for-profit

Re: Chanticleer (Bark)

2006-06-13 17:32:18Z

Hi Joan ,
I typed - in the name ' Shackford ' into this web page ,
http://www.ci.new-bedford.ma.us/SERVICES/LIBRARY/whalingproj... , and even though the page could find the ship you requested , it did tell me that a '' Wm. Shackford '' ,
most likely ' William Shackford ' was a crew member on another ship a couple of years earlier . It would stand to reason that if he was a Captain on a later vessel , then he obviously had to ' learn the ropes ' as a crew man on other ships . Thank's , Bill Delker ...

New England Whaling Crews - online

2006-06-13 17:20:26Z

Hello Everyone ,
I don't know how many of you are aware of this new
online listing of New England Whaling crews or not ,
but this page gives a wonderful glimpse of the people
whom were on board these ships . Try this site :
http://www.ci.new-bedford.ma.us/SERVICES/LIBRARY/whalingproj... . While we're at it , you might also want to try this page , if you're ancestors came from New England ,
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ArchivesSearch/ . The second page has a wonderful selection of early Massachusetts records , and some from other New England states as well . Thank's , Good Luck , Bill Delker ...

Mid Atlantic Mariner Records

2006-05-01 16:16:12Z

Are there any records of commercial fishing vessels, and the crew aboard that may have left port from MD, VA, NC. and SC?

Re: The Ship-"JP Wheeler", Capt. Henry Gadd-1866-New York

jrt35_1 — 2006-04-13 20:08:44Z

In the American Lloyd's Register, 1866:

http://www.mysticseaport.org/library/initiative/ShipPageImag...
Ship J.P. Wheeler, Capt. H. Gadd, class (not given), weight N928 tonnes, draft '20', wood 'm' (mixed)', When metalled: Mar '65, built 1852 in Bath, ME, by J. Rideout, owners Wm and A Nelson (and Co), dimensions 159 34(6/12) 22. Model: F (full). Notes: half-poop, repairs.

http://www.mysticseaport.org/library/initiative/VMSearch.cfm - you can search here for Gadd - he's listed with the J. P. Wheeler from 1861 till 1866, then previously as Captain of the Pacific - a smaller ship, also listed with a W. Nelson as owner.

Or search for the ship - after Henry Gadd died a T. R. Harris was captain until 1872, then in 1873 a James M. Jenkins takes over, until 1876, when it's J. P. Thompson - a McKay is Captain in 1879, the last record.

Before Henry Gadd, a Mr Robinson was Captain 1858/1859.

Capt. William White, owner and manager of schooners - Boston 1900-1929

RonWhite405 — 2006-03-21 03:44:39Z

Looking for information on Capt. WILLIAM (Willie) WHITE (from Gilbert's Cove, N.S.) who ran coasting schooners out of Boston from about 1905 to 1929. His sons IRVING J. WHITE, HARRY T. WHITE, and ARTHUR WHITE, were also Masters in the schooner trade. Schooners (2 & 3 masts) known to be connected to the WHITE's are: Race Horse, Pearl Nelson, Fly Away, Ella Cliffton, Hazel Dell, Orizimbo, Sallie E. Ludlam, James L. Malloy, Samuel Heart, Moonlight, Rebecca G. Whilldin, F. A. Smith. IRVING WHITE was Master on the Mary G. Maynard, a 4 master built in 1920. If you have any information on any of these White's or these Schooners, please contact me.

Re: Capt. William White, owner and manager of schooners - Boston 1900-1929

RonWhite405 — 2006-03-21 03:44:39Z

Thanks for the reply! I do not think this vessel had any connection to my Grandfather, Capt. William White. He originally came from outside of Digby, Nova Scotia and sailed out of there until around 1904 when he moved the family to Boston, Mass. He was usually associated with schooners that were quite old when he aquired them and I don't think he built any. My Uncle, Capt. Irving White identified, for me, most of the schooners the family were associated with and the "William White" was not one of them. Capt. Irving is the only one of my Family that I believe sailed a four master. He was Capt. of the Mary G. Maynard built in Booth Bay, for Crowell and Thurlow, and I believe skippered other schooners of theirs. Thanks, I really appreciate your effort to help in my search.

Re: Capt. William White, owner and manager of schooners - Boston 1900-1929

RonWhite405 — 2006-03-21 03:44:39Z

Thanks, I had a look at the book on the web site and have marked it, for reading at a later date. It looks very interesting. Thanks for putting me on to it. I have a daughter that lives in Annapolis, Md and I have sailed a bit on the Cheseapeake which makes it all the more interesting.

Re: Letter of Marque

2006-03-14 23:42:24Z

I can't speak for Rhode Island, but I found Captain Newton Cannon of the sloop General Wayne through a transcribed document from the National Archives.

It appears that the sloop sailed out of Baltimore in 1779. The Captain posted the bond which I found is unusual in that usually it was one of the owners.

It seems that the sloop disappeared and it was never heard from again. I wrote to the US Navy history section to ask why the bond was never requested and they replied that if there was no reason for doubt, it would not have been requested.

I did have the opportunity to visit the RI Archives in January, but I was searching for whalers, not priveteers at that point. They were most helpful and friendly. You might want to inquire there if they have any documentation regarding bonds and letters of Marque..

Also there are several books out there by men such as Jamison, Lincoln, JA Manemin, etc. that have lists and information which can lead you in the right direction. Let me know if you need specific titles.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
Kathy

Chanticleer (Bark)

2006-03-09 00:18:27Z

New York Marine Register, 1858 lists SHACKFORD as the captain of the Chanticleer (Bark). Does any know his first name?

Thanks!

Letter of Marque

sunkawakan — 2006-01-05 13:29:04Z

I am trying to determine whether an ancestor, of the name William Rhodes, of Burrillville, RI, was in fact a Privateer. My understanding is that they would carry a Letter of Marque from the government to be able to establish this status, and would have to post a Privateer's Bond. The information I'm going on is rather sketchy (from History of Burrillville, RI):

"William Rhodes was also among the early inhabitants of the town. Possessed of no worldly wealth, he learned the trade of a cooper, and subsequently removed to the West Indies and engaged in his occupation as cooper. He afterwards became engaged in navigation, and fitting out a privateer, he intercepted many English vessels laden with sugar, molasses, &c. He became quite wealthy, and at Providence the wharves were often covered with his merchandise; and he used to remark, that he was so 'rich that he didn't care for John Brown and Nightingale, nor the d----l.' He purchased large tracts of land in and about Harrisville, then called Rhodesville, and also owned a store in South Carolina, whither he used to journey to look after his interests and to make new purchases."

Any thoughts on where to look for a Bond or the Letter of Marque?

Thanks,

Mark Webb

Re: Ships captains and ship builders - 1700's & 1800's

CalGal12326 — 2005-12-14 21:27:32Z

Try this site. You will have to dig a little, but there is a lot of information on ships and captains. Good luck.
http://www.mysticseaport.org/library/initiative/ShipRegister...