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

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

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