Alphabetical List of the Crew of the Frigate Alliance (1782-1783) who received prize money associated with the capture and sale of the Kingston, Brittannia, Anna and Commerce. A modern tag in the front of the rebound original ledger, designated as Collection # 3033 in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, indicates prize monies distributed to the crew between 1782-1783 are included. According to the HSP website, “Each man has an account, and each account is numbered. There were a total of 237 men, but the first twelve accounts became detached from the volume at some point and are now absent. Each account has an October 1782 entry for “prize money on account of the Kingston, Britannia, Anna, and Commerce.” The amount paid was almost always ₤120, which was probably the amount awarded to the lowest-ranking crew members for those particular prizes. Each account also has a December 1782 entry for “an order on Thomas Barclay Esq. in favour of Mr. P. F. L. Doinet.” Those sums varied, but most were in excess of ₤200. Thomas Barclay was the American Consul in France and was often responsible for doling out prize money from captured vessels that were brought to French ports. Mr. Doinet is not identified, but it was noted that he was a merchant. A few men’s accounts have one or two additional entries for prize money that the men received in the early months of 1783. No account has more than four entries, and no credits were ever posted in the ledger.”
The Britannia and Anna and their cargos of coffee, logwood, sugar and rum were taken by the frigate Alliance under Captain John Barry during a North Atlantic cruise on 24 September 1782. The snow Commerce was taken three days later on 27 September and the following day Alliance captured the dismasted Kingston. Barry led the convoy to France arriving at Groix Roads on 17 October. Records indicate that some of the prize crew aboard the Commerce conspired to seize the vessel and carry her into Ireland instead. Interestingly, the culprits- seamen Robert Cane, Denis Dohorty, Francis Courteal and Manuel Jack do not appear to be awarded any prize monies associated with her capture. All four prize vessels were condemned by Benjamin Franklin and sold at public auction in France. The final accounting attested to by naval agent Thomas Barclay on 15 April 1783 indicates the Commerce brought £198,597, the Kingston £144,446, the Anna £136,488, the Brittannia £83,087 for a total of £562,618. The amount of prize money advanced to the crew of the Alliance totaled £107,091. The later payment adjusted for the balance of the half total portion due the officers and men, minus expenses. The captain was entitled to six shares with other officers due less but more than the single share entitled each crew member. Based on the ledger entries, each crew member typically received £355-365 total prize money, while the Surgeon’s Mate and Midshipmen received approximately £1,275-1,350, Lieutenant of Marines £2,580 and the vessel’s Lieutenant £3,040. The remaining half of total prize monies was due the Continental Congress. The Alliance returned to America on 20 March 1783, arriving at Newport, RI and anchoring just below Providence. After refitting and re-manning, the Alliance sailed for the Chesapeake on 20 June but through a series of misfortunes, sailed into Philadelphia instead where the vessel was taken out of service and her crew dismissed.
These 223 names of crew members of the Alliance receiving prize monies between October 1782 and March 1783 have been transcribed by Joseph Ross with the full Christian name first and the surname following as they are recorded in the ledger with several noteworthy editorial changes. Entry names were cross checked with other Alliance manuscripts for accuracy. Invariably errors in spelling are to be anticipated in transcribing eighteenth century script and the author welcomes corrections. Some restraint was exercised to refrain from using a more contemporary spelling of the surname which may negatively affect the accessibility of the records to an internet surfing public. The transcribed name is generally taken from the ledger with alternate spellings in parenthesis. “Qualities” or rates denoting pay grade and thereby rank or position are listed next for reference purposes although they do not appear in the ledger. Finally, editorial notations have been added to some names indicating significant facts pertaining to the individual, such as death at sea. The actual order of prize money recipients found in the ledger is included for reference at the end of the alphabetized list.
Aaron Abbot, Marine
Nathaniel Abbot, Marine
William Abbot, Boy
John Allin (Allen), Seaman
Francis Alworthy (Alivorthy), Seaman
Amos Anderson, Seaman
Thomas Anderson, Steward
Pissant Antonio, Landsman
William Archer, Landsman
John Auline, Rate Unknown
Samuel Badger, Carpenter’s Crew
Chipman Bangs, Midshipman
Andrew Barber, Carpenter’s Crew
Samuel Barron (Barson), Boy
John Bassey Seaman
Moses Beard, Carpenter’s Crew
Robert Bell, Marine
Robert Bingham, Landsman
John Blanchard, Marine
James Boman, Seaman
James Boyles (Boyle), Seaman
Peter Bristor (Bristow), Landsman
Peter Brock, Landsman
Thomas Brown, Landsman
Thomas L. Brown, Surgeon’s Mate
William Brown, Landsman
Joseph Bryer (Breyer), Landsman
Abraham Bump, Marine
Uriah Bunker, Rate Unknown
Joseph Burnes (Burns), Seaman
John Byrnes (Byrne), Marine
Mial Camp, Landsman
Francis Caramo, Seaman
Michael Carter, Marine
John Carthwright (Cartwright), Marine
Samuel Cavanah (Cavanaugh) Ordinary Seaman
John Childs, Landsman
Job Clary, Marine
Jonathan Coffin, Boy
Thomas Collins, Seaman
John Cook, Gunner’s Crew
Ambrose Coones (Coines), Seaman
Patrick Cowen, Seaman
Patrick Cunningham, Seaman
Stephen Curtis, Marine
Thomas Curtis, Seaman
Prentice Cushing, Midshipman
Benjamin Darrow, Seaman
John Davey (Davy), Seaman
William Davis, Seaman
John Dawson, Seaman
James Deacon, Landsman
Antonio Decost (Decot), Seaman
Francis Derma, Seaman
Daniel Dixon, Boy
Jerathmeel Doty (Jarathmial Dotty), Marine
George Douglass, Carpenter’s Crew
John Drew, Carpenter
Nestis Drouse (Droise), Seaman
Charles Dubois, Seaman
Luke Durfey, Marine
Timothy Dwire (Dwise), Marine
Joseph Eayres, Captain’s Clerk
William Ebons, Gunner’s Crew
Thomas Edwards, Carpenter’s Crew
Thomas Ellis, Marine
Thomas Elwood, Lieutenant of Marines
Benoni Evens (Benony Evans), Marine
Even Evens, Ordinary Seaman
David Fairbanks, Marine
Thomas Farmer, Carpenter
John Farrell, Boy
John Fearig, Landsman
Maurice FitzGerald (Fitzgerald), Marine
William FitzMorris (Fitzmorris), Armourer
John Flechner (Flitchner), Marine
Hugh Flemming (Fleming), Gunner’s Crew
John Fobester (Fobister), Seaman
Francis Forrester, Seaman
William Fowler, Seaman
Antonio Francisco, Seaman
Robert Frazer, Marine
James Gardiner, Gunner’s Crew
Shubald Gardner (Gardiner), Master’s Mate [Died at Sea 3/11/1783]
Thomas Giles, Seaman
Charles Gleason, Landsman
Ceasar Godfrey, Boy
Eli Greene (Ely), Landsman
John Greene, Carpenter’s Crew
Joseph Young Greene (Youngreen), Boy
Thomas Gunner, Landsman
Samuel Hacker, Acting Midshipman
James Halfpenny, Marine
Benjamin Hall, Boy
York Hallam, Landsman
Thomas Hambleton (Hamilton), Seaman
John Harmon, Rate Unknown
John Harris (Jonathan), Seaman
Samuel Harris, Cook
Charles Hayes, Seaman
John Hayes, Landsman
John Haynes, Quarter Master
John Hearsey, Landsman
Samuel Hearsey (Hearsy), Landsman
Robert Hill, Rate Unknown
Pleasant Hitch, Landsman
William Hogan, Quarter Master
Thomas Holland, Seaman
John Holley (Holly), Rate Unknown
Thomas Hope, Boatswain’s Mate
Ebenezer Hopkins, Midshipman
Rufus Hopkins, Midshipman
James Hotchkins, Boy
Anor Hotchkiss (Amor), Landsman
George Hudson, Seaman
Job Hull, Landsman
Thomas Hunter, Landsman
Peter Hussey, Landsman
Steward Jemmison (Jammison), Landsman [Died at Sea 3/15/1783]
Thomas Joice, Sergeant of Marines
James Jorden (Jourdan), Gunner’s Crew
Manuel Joseph, Seaman
John Karr, Midshipman/ Master
John Keese (Kease), Lieutenant of Marines
Philip Kelly, Landsman
John Kessler, Master’s Mate
James King, Seaman
Thomas Laing, Seaman
Peter Larry, Seaman
William Leadbetter, Carpenter’s Crew
Jesse Leason (Leeson), Seaman [Died at Sea 12/14/1782]
Richard Leet, Landsman
Mathew Lemmon (Lerman), Seaman
Phineas Lemonier (Limonier, Limoniex), Landsman
Sebastine Lepine (Spine), Seaman
Joseph Lewis, Boatswain
Antonio Lorego (Lorejo), Seaman
Antonio Lorenzo (Lorentz), Landsman
Richard Ludlow, Landsman
John Marrin (Marren), Seaman
James Marshall, Seaman
John Martin, Seaman
Manuel Martins (Matthias Martin), Marine
Alexander McClelland, Landsman
Neal McComb (McConnel), Seaman
Hugh McCoy (McCery), Landsman
John McDonnell (McDonnel), Seaman
Michael McDonnell (McDonnal), Boat’s Yeoman
James McGuire, Marine
Thomas McGuire, Landsman
Jonathan Merry, Gunner’s Mate
John Middleton, Landsman
Joshua Misick (Messick), Gunner’s Crew
Richard Molineux (Mullinex), Landsman
William Moodey (Moody), Seaman
Charles Moon (Moore), Corporal of Marines
Francis Moses, Seaman
Joseph O’Bryan, Landsman
William O’Bryan, Seaman
John O’Bryant (O’Bryan), Ordinary Seaman
David O’Herron, Landsman
Samuel Orr, Landsman
Hugh Osborne, Marine
Thomas Osborne, Marine
James Owens, Boatswain’s Mate
Migal Pass (Myal), Landsman
John Payne, Landsman
Jeremiah Perry, Ordinary Seaman
James Peters, Landsman
Samuel Pitman, Landsman
John Pratt, Seaman
Thomas Ramsey, Landsman
Joseph Ransford, Fifer
Robert Ransom, Landsman
David Rice, Acting Midshipman
William Richardson, Landsman
John Rieves (Reeves), Landsman
John Roberts, seaman
Thomas Robbinson (Robeson), Seaman
Isaac Royall, Marine
William Rugg, Landsman
Josiah Sawyer, Seaman
John Scott, Seaman
William Scurry, Landsman
John Sears, Corporal of Marines
Nathaniel Service, Sailmaker
Patrick Shea, Landsman
Robert Sinnet (Sinnet), Landsman
Hugh Smith, Master’s Mate, Acting Lieutenant
Lawton Spencer, Landsman
William Stanley, Rate Unknown
Jerry Stanton, Landsman
Jepther Stevens (Jepthar), Boy
Even Stevenson, Seaman
Daniel Stewart, Carpenter’s Mate
Robert Stout, Seaman
Thomas Sweetser (Sweetzer), Seaman
John Tarr, Gunner’s Crew
John Thompson, Seaman
Thomas Thompson, Seaman
John Trepon (Trippon), Marine
Joseph Trippet, Marine
Elisha Turner, Marine
William Turner, Seaman
John Turril (Tirrell), Marine
Nathaniel Veal, Marine
Samuel Vose, Landsman
Ebenezer Welch, Cooper
Benjamin Welsh, Boy
Hezekiah Welsh, Lieutenant
James Welsh, Gunner
John Welsh, Boy
John Williams, Seaman
Solomon Williams, Landsman
Thomas Williams 1st, Seaman
Thomas Williams (Black), Seaman
Peter Wilson, Landsman
Ebenezer Witham (Whitaker), Seaman
John Wright, Sergeant of Marines
Samuel Wright, Carpenter’s Crew
William Wroth, Rate Unknown- Likely an Officer
Vincent Wymondesole (Wymodisol), Landsman
William Wyott (Wyatt), Seaman
George Hudson, James King
James Boyles, Thomas Williams 1st
Thomas Laing, Joseph Burnes
Thomas Ramsey, Francis Moses
John Pratt, William FitzMorris
Charles Dubois, John Trepon
John Blanchard, Daniel Dixon
Benjamin Darrow, Eli Greene
Jeremiah Perry, Lawton Spencer
Samuel Pitman, Joseph Eayres
James Boman, Neal McComb
Samuel Vose, Joseph Bryer
Peter Larry, James Peters
Ebenezer Welch, James McGuire
Joseph Ransford, Charles Moon
Benoni Evens, Samuel Cavanah
Robert Stout, William O’Bryan
John Martin, Thomas Ellis
William Stanley, John Allin
Benjamin Welsh, William Fowler
James Gardiner, Thomas Curtis
Francis Derma, Richard Ludlow
John Flechner, John Sears
Luke Durfey, Phineas Lemonier
Ebenezer Hopkins, Joseph Youngreen
Francis Forrester, Even Stevenson
James Jorden, Amos Anderson
Even Evens, William Abbot
James Hotchkins, Francis Alworthy
Pissant Antonio, Migal Pass
Francis Caramo, Manuel Martins
Alonio Lorego, Sebastine Lepine
Patrick Cunningham, Prentice Cushing
Ambrose Coones, Antonio Decost
John Harmon, Robert Hill
Nathaniel Service, Anor Hotchkiss
John Holley, Thomas Sweetser
Thomas Collins, John Thompson
Jonathan Merry, Hugh Flemming
John Haynes, Samuel Harris
John Davey, Moses Beard
Samuel Orr, John Marrin
John Fobester, Samuel Hacker
Joseph O’Bryan, Mathew Lemmon
William Scurrey, Samuel Hearsey
Thomas Hambleton, Josiah Sawyer
William Archer, Daniel Stewart
Jonathan Coffin, Charles Gleason
William Moodey, Solomon Williams
James Marshall, Antonio Lorenzo
John Bassey, Joshua Misick
Charles Hayes, Peter Hussey
John Dawson, Isaac Royall
Nathaniel Veal, James Halfpenny
John Wright, Antonio Francisco
Thomas Hope, Thomas Giles
Michael Carter, Patrick Cowen
Septher Stevens, Thomas Anderson
David Fairbanks, William Brown
Thomas Joice, William Leadbetter
John Middleton, John Farrell
John Cook, William Rugg
Samuel Badger, Andrew Barber
Robert Sinnet, John Harris
John Roberts, Joseph Trippet
John Keese, Alexander McClelland
Thomas Holland, John Williams
John Childs, Robert Frazer
Timothy Dwire, Thomas Hunter
James Owens, William Richardson
Thomas Edwards, John Welsh
John Auline, John Fearig
John Byrnes, Vincent Wymondesole
Patrick Shea, Thomas Thompson
Samuel Barron, David Rice
James Deacon, Robert Bingham
Robert Ransom, Ebenezer Witham
John Kessler, John Rieves
John Greene, Samuel Wright
Thomas Gunner, Hugh McCoy
David O’Herron, William Wyott
Manuel Joseph, John Tarr
John Scott, Jerry Stanton
Aaron Abbot, Nathaniel Abbot
Elisha Turner, Benjamin Hall
Uriah Bunker, George Douglass
John Payne, William Turner
Steward Jemmison, Ceasar Godfrey
Richard Leet, Michael McDonnell
Philip Kelly, Thomas Osborne
Abraham Bump, Job Clary
Mial Camp, Hugh Osborne
John Hayes, William Hogan
Thomas McGuire, Thomas Robbinson
Pleasant Hitch, Richard Molineux
Stephen Curtis, John Turril
Maurice FitzGerald, Jerathmeel Doty
Shubald Gardner, John Hearsey
John O’Bryant, John Drew
John Carthwright, York Hallam
John McDonnell, Robert Bell
Peter Brock, Job Hull
Thomas L. Brown, Nestis Drouse
Thomas Brown, James Welsh
Hugh Smith, Thomas Farmer
John Karr, William Wroth
Peter Bristor, Joseph Lewis
Hezekiah Welsh, Thomas Williams (Blk)
Jesse Leason, William Ebons
Peter Wilson, Thomas Elwood
William Davis, Chipman Bangs
Rufus Hopkins