The Continental Navy ship-of-war Ranger was launched on 10 May 1777. She departed Portsmouth under the command of John Paul Jones on 1 November 1777 carrying dispatches to France bearing news of General Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga. Two British prizes were taken on the crossing before Ranger arrived at Nantes on 2 December 1777 where the prizes were sold. Captain Jones next sailed the Ranger to Brest where the vessel received an official salute to America’s new flag the “Stars and Stripes” from the French fleet at Quiberon Bay. On 10 April 1778, Ranger sailed from Brest for the Irish Sea, taking a prize four days later. She took another prize on 17 April, before Jones led a daring raid on the Scottish port of Whitehaven on 23 April. After a failed plan to capture the Earl of Selkirk, the captain sailed across the North Channel to Ireland in order to draw the 14-gun HMS Drake into action. After an engagement of one hour, the Drake struck her colors, after which the two vessels circumnavigated the west coast of Ireland before returning to Brest on 8 May 1778. After considerable drama between John Paul Jones and his first officer Thomas Simpson, during which the lieutenant was temporarily arrested and threatened with court-martial by his unpopular superior, Captain Jones was detached from the Ranger to command the Bon Homme Richard. Owing to the fervent loyalty of his crew, Lieutenant Thomas Simpson was exonerated of wrongdoing by Jones and offered a commission as captain of the Ranger. Simpson and the ship Ranger departed Brest on 21 August 1778, arriving at Portsmouth on 15 October 1778 , in company with Continental Navy frigates Providence and Boston and three prizes taken during the transatlantic crossing.
No muster roll of Ranger’s officers and crew for her maiden voyage is known to have survived although several serious efforts have been made to reconstruct that list. According to the testimony of 1st Lieutenant Elijah Hall found in pension applications, the rolls of Ranger’s first cruise “are lost or mislaid”. Following is yet another list which builds on earlier work by Augustus Buell and more recently Joseph G. Sawtelle. This alphabetized list includes alternate spellings of each in parentheses, followed by a hometown if known or previously hypothesized, their rate or quality on the ship, a pension application number if applicable, assorted comments and in brackets- footnoted references to the individual.
Amos Abbot (Abbo, Albert), Portsmouth, Prize Crew of ship Malaga & brig George 11/26/1777-1/12/1778 [2,3,7,8]
Thomas Adams, Boston [3,7,8]
Scipio Africanus, Negro [3,7,8]
Joseph Afrin [3,8]
Nathan Aldrich, Nantucket [4,7]
Nelson Aldrich, Boy, Nantucket [4,7]
William Allen, New Castle, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,7,8]
Andrew Anderson, New Bedford [3,7,8]
Francis Andros (François André), Castine [3,7,8]
John Arney, Boatswain’s Yeoman [1,8]
Charles Ball (Balls), Portsmouth [3,7,8]
Samuel Ball [3,8]
Thomas Beck (Becke, Beckett), Portsmouth, Boy/Private of Marines/Coxswain, NH S45524 [1,2,3,7,8]
John Bettenham, Philadelphia, Captain’s Steward [1,3,7,8]
William Bicknell, Cape Ann, Boy/Private of Marines [2,4,7]
Bertprich, one of two Prisoners entered 12/1777 [2]
William Blunt, Seaman, Portsmouth, NH Pensioner W23633
Denis Bouchinet, entered at Brest, Sergeant of Marines [6]
Louis Boutelle, Castine [4,7]
Robert Bowers, Philadelphia [4,7]
Samuel Bowers, Philadelphia [4,7]
Edmund Boyenton (Edward Boynton), Boston, Boy, Runaway with the Cutter 3/10/1778, Returned and put in Irons 3/13/1778, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [2,3,5,7,8]
Benjamin Brackett (Racklett), Berwick, Boy/Private of Marines [2,3,7,8]
Joseph Brien (O’Brian), Castine [4,7]
John Brown, taken Down With the Small pox 3/7/1778 [2,3,8]
Captain Bullfinch [2,8]
John Byerly, Philadelphia [4,7]
Cato Carlile (Calite), Negro [3,7,8]
John Casey, Portsmouth [3,7,8]
John Caverly, Sergeant of Marines, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [1,5,8]
Nicholas Caverly (Coverley), Portsmouth [3,7,8]
Samuel Chandler, Prize Crew of Lord Chatham 4/17/1778-5/8/1778 [2,8]
William Chandler, Portsmouth [4,7]
James Chase, Nantucket, later commanded whale ship Harmony [4,7]
Reuben Chase, Nantucket, afterward Midshipman of Bon Homme Richard [4,7]
Albert Cogswell, Nantucket [4,7]
John Colbath (Colbaith), Portsmouth, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [3,5,7,8]
Frank Conroy, New Bedford [4,7]
Jacob Coxe, Philadelphia [4,7]
Charles Crampton [Frampton], Nantucket, Boy/Private of Marines [3,5,7,8]
Oliver Crommett (Crummet), Portsmouth, Boy, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,7,8]
David Cullam (Collam, Collum), Sailing Master/Lieutenant of Marines, replaced Wallingford [2,7]
William Dahuere [3,8]
Darby Daley (Dayley), Portsmouth [3,7,8]
Pierre Daniel, entered at Brest, Private of Marines, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [6]
Matthew Davis, Philadelphia [4,7]
Thomas Davis, New Bedford, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [4,7]
John Delain, Prize Crew of Lord Chatham 4/17/1778-5/8/1778 [8]
Stephen Dickson, Kittery, Boy [3,7,8]
John Dolan (Doelan), Cape Ann, Boy [3,7,8]
John Dougall [Dougal, John W. Dangle], Boston, Seaman/Quartermaster, Killed in Action with Drake 4/25/1778 [7,8]
Obediah Donnell (Donell, Dowell), York, Seaman, MA Pensioner W24870, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,7,8]
Jonathan Dore, Milton, NH Pensioner S10581
John Douglas, prisoner in Dublin sloop sunk 4/20/1778 [2,8]
Johnny Downs (John Downes), Portsmouth, Boy, Simpson writes to JPJ “Jack is very unwell”, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [2,8]
Caleb Emery (Emory), Kittery, Boy, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,7,8]
William English, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [2,3,5,8]
William Evers, Boatswain’s Mate [1,8]
James Falls (Thomas M. Falls), Salem, Gunner, Wounded in Action with Drake 4/25/1778 [1,7,8]
Pierre Fanchot, entered at L’Orient, Seaman & Pilot, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [2,4]
Nathaniel Fanning, Salem, Midshipman, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [4,7]
William Farrant, Master’s Mate [1,8]
William Fennel (Finnel, Finney), Portsmouth, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,7,8]
Joseph Fernald, Kittery [3,7,8]
Barzillai Folger, Nantucket, later commanded the whaling brig Fox [4,7]
Seth Folger, Nantucket, later commanded the ships Harmony and Rebecca [4,7]
Stephen Folger, Boy, Nantucket [4,7]
Nicolas Forestier, entered at Brest, Corporal of Marines [6]
John G. (Joseph) Frazer (Fraiser), Major of Marines, entered as Volunteer [2,8]
David Freeman, Irishman, Deserted at Whitehaven [2]
William Furness [8]
Edward Gale, Carpenter’s Mate, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [5,8]
John Garoin (Gardin), Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,8]
Joseph Galois, entered at Brest, Corporal of Marines, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [6]
Henry Gardner, Nantucket, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [4,7]
Latham Gardner, Nantucket, later commanded a whaling and sealing schooner [4,7]
William Garth, New Bedford, Boy [4,7]
Charles Gaudreau (Gaudraw, Goodro, Goodrew), Castine, Runaway with the Cutter 3/10/1778, Returned and put in Irons 3/13/1778 [2,3,7,8]
Gabriel Gautier (Gortrey, Gauthier, Gurtrey), Castine, Runaway at Nantes 12/29/1777 [2,3,7,8]
William Gerrish Gerrith (Garish, Gerrith, Gerritt, Garritt), Portsmouth Boy, Prize Crew Lord Chatham 4/17/1778-5/8/1778 [3,7,8]
James Gooch (George), Captain’s Clerk, Portsmouth, NH Pensioner S22268 [1,7,8]
Aaron Goodwin, Boy, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [4]
Ephraim Grant, Berwick, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,7,8]
George Grant, Berwick, Boy [4,7]
Arthur Green, Kittery, Midshipman [4,7]
Dr. Ezra Green, Dover, Surgeon, NH Pensioner S4303 [7,8]
Captain Joseph Green, Portsmouth, NH Pensioner S37044, Midshipman, Prize Master brig Mary 11/23/1777-12/17/1777, Prize Master brig Independence [1,2,8]
Nelson Green, Portsmouth, Surgeon/Purser [4]
John W. Grohmarney [3,8]
John Grosvenor, Portsmouth [4,7]
Gabral Gurtrey [8]
Elijah Hall, Portsmouth, Second Lieutenant, Sent on Drake 5/6/1778 in room of Mr. Simpson [2,7,8]
Reuben Hanscom, Kittery [3,7,8]
William Hart, Runaway 2/12/1778 [2,8]
John Hartly (Hartley), Philadelphia [4,7]
William Hitchburn (Hichburn), Salem, Carpenter, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [4,7]
Benjamin Hill, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [5,8]
Charles Hill, Barnstable, Midshipman, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [4,7]
Samuel Holbrook, Portsmouth, Boy/Private of Marines, NH Pensioner W16605, Prize Crew of ship Malaga & brig George 11/26/1777-1/12/1778 [2,3,7,8]
John Holliday, Portsmouth, Boy/Private of Marines [2,7]
Joel Hutchings (Hutchins), Cooper, Prize Crew of brig Mary 11/23/1777-12/17/1777, Prize Crew of brig Independence [1,2,8]
Solomon Hutchings (Hutchins), Kittery, Seaman/Coxswain, Kittery, MA Pensioner S10891, Sick with Smallpox 3/9/1778 but Recovered [2,3,7,8]
Daniel Jackson, Portsmouth, Seaman/Private of Marines, Prize Crew of brig Mary 11/23/1777-12/17/1777, Prize Crew of brig Independence [2,3,7,8]
John Jackson, Quartermaster [1,8]
Daniel Jacobs, Kittery [3,7,8]
Thomas Palmer James, Gunner’s Mate [1,8]
Captain Jenkins [8]
Anthony Jeremiah, Martha’s Vineyard, Narragansett Indian [4,7]
John Paul Jones, Philadelphia, Captain [7,8]
William Jones, Runaway with the Cutter 3/10/1778, Returned and put in Irons 3/13/1778, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [2,3,5,8]
Reuben Joy, Nantucket [4,7]
James Keen, Philadelphia [4,7]
Amos Kenneston (Kenarton), Prize Crew of Lord Chatham 4/17/1778-5/8/1778 [2,3,8]
Samuel Knap, Cook [1,8]
Abraham Knight, Nottingham, Boy, Prize Crew of Lord Chatham 4/17/1778-5/8/1778 [2,3,7,8]
Thomas Knight, Kittery, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [4,7]
Pierre L’Eveque, entered at L’Orient, Seaman & Pilot, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [2]
Charles Lamont, Portsmouth [4,7]
Joseph La Plante (La Plant), Portsmouth, Runaway with the Cutter 3/10/1778 [2,3,7,8]
James Laighton (Leighton), Mariner, NH Pension S44506 [3,8]
Samuel Lock (Locke), Salem or Rye, Boy [3,7]
Solomon Loud (Lowd), Prize Master of brig George 11/26/1777-1/12/1778, Prize Master of brig Patience 4/26/1778-5/11/1778 [2,8]
Thomas Low (Lowe), Boston, Sailmaker, Captain of the Forecastle, Runaway & Caught, Put in Irons, 1/26/1778, Runaway with the Cutter 3/10/1778, Returned and put in Irons 3/13/1778 [1,2,3,7,8] Refer to letter from Thomas Pearson Low to Benjamin Franklin dated April 1778
Freeman Lufkin, Nantucket [4,7]
Peter Marcom, Captain of the Forecastle [1,8]
Felix Marselle (Marrel), entered at Brest, Private of Marines, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [6]
James Marston, Boston [4,7]
Henry Martin, Nantucket, afterwards warrant officer on Bon Homme Richard, killed in action with Serapis [4,7]
Joseph Mathieu (Matthew, Methew), Castine, Runaway at Nantes 12/29/1777, Runaway with the Cutter 3/10/1778, Returned and put in Irons 3/13/1778 [2,3,7,8]
Adam McAdam, prisoner in Dublin sloop sunk 4/20/1778 [2,8]
Thomas Mead, Gunner’s Yeoman, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [1,5,8]
James Meserve, Portsmouth, Midshipman [4,7]
Edmund Meyers, Gentleman Volunteer [4] probably Jean Meyer (Meijer), lieutenant in the Swedish army, enlisted as a volunteer in February 1778, Jones’ second in command during the Whitehaven raid
John Munson (Monson), Boston, Prize Crew of brig Mary 11/23/1777-12/17/1777 [2,3,7,8]
Robert Moore, New Bedford or Kittery [3,4,7]
C. Ford Morris, Gentleman Volunteer [4]
Lewis Morris, Philadelphia [4,7]
Jacob Muchmore, Quartermaster, Prize Crew of Lord Chatham 4/17/1778-5/8/1778 [1,2,8]
Edward Myers (Myer, Mires, Miers), Boatswain’s Mate, Runaway with the Cutter 3/10/1778, Returned and put in Irons 3/13/1778, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [1,2,5,8]
Daniel Nelson, Marine, Canaan, ME Pensioner W21841 [3,8]
Richard Nolan, Runaway 2/12/1778 [2,8]
James Nicholson, Nantucket, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [4,7]
William Nye, Nantucket [4,7]
Samuel Odiorne (Ordiorne, O’Dorne), Kittery, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,7,8]
Thomas Palmer, Gunner’s Mate, Portsmouth, NH Pensioner S45054
Matthew Parke, Captain of Marines, Dismissed in France to return in frigate Deane 2/1778 [2,8]
John Parsons, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,8]
William Perkins (Pirkins), Boston, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,7,8]
Robert Poor (Poore), Cape Ann, Boy/Private of Marines, NH Pensioner W26925 [3,5,7,8]
Pierce Powers, Portsmouth, Midshipman, NH Pensioner W24264, Lost right hand in action with Drake 4/24/1778 [7,8]
John Price, Philadelphia [4,7]
Benjamin Quint, NH Pensioner S45091, Prize Crew of brig Mary 11/23/1777-12/17/1777, Prize Crew of brig Independence [2,8]
Joseph Rackyeft (Rackley, Ratcliffe), Sick with Smallpox, Put on Shore at Pont Laibbe 3/5/1778, Returned on Board 4/4/1778 [1,2,3,8]
William Redden (Reading), Portsmouth, Sick 3 weeks and Died, Buried Ashore at Camarat Bay 3/18/1778 [2,8]
James Ricker (Recker, Rickor), Sag Harbor or Berwick, Boy [3,7,8]
John Ricker (Recker), Sergeant of Marines, NH Pensioner S11290 [1,2,8]
Paul Ricker (Recker) [2,8]
Reuben Ricker (Recker), Berwick, Boy [2,3,7,8]
George Roberts, Mariner, Middleton, NH Pensioner W22105
James Roberts (Robarts), Berwick, Seaman/Private of Marines [2,3,7,8]
John Roberts, Berwick, Boy [3,7]
William Roberts, Nantucket, afterwards petty officer on Bon Homme Richard [4,7]
John Calvin Robinson, Philadelphia, Boatswain, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [4,7]
Michael Ryan, Seaman, NH Pensioner S45133
Peter Santgrath (Sontgerath, Sangrath, Sangrate), Philadelphia, Runaway with the Cutter 3/10/1778, Returned and put in Irons 3/13/1778 [2,3,7,8]
Daniel Sargent (Sargant), Kittery [3,7]
Daniel Sargent Jr., Cape Ann, Seaman, Wounded in Action with Drake, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [3,5,7,8]
Nathan Sargent, Portsmouth, Chief Quartermaster, Acting Master [4,7]
Francois Sentier, Refer to Letter to Benjamin Franklin January 1778
John Seward (Seaward), Master’s Mate, Prize Master of Lord Chatham 4/16/1778-5/8/1778 [1,2,8]
John Shannon, entered at Nantes 1/3/1778, Runaway 1/26/1778 [2]
Edward Shapley (Shapleigh), Portsmouth, Boy, Prize Crew of ship Malaga & brig George 11/26/1777-1/12/1778, Prize Crew of Lord Chatham 4/17/1778-5/8/1778 [2,3,7,8]
John Shapley, Coxswain [1,8]
Daniel Sherburne, Portsmouth [3,7,8]
William Shores, Portsmouth or New Hampton, Boy/Seaman, NH Pensioner S43133 [3,7,8]
Theophilus Simpson, York [3,7,8]
Thomas Simpson, Portsmouth, First Lieutenant, Prizemaster of Drake 4/26/1778-5/8/1778 [2,7,8]
Duncan Sinclair (Sinclour), prisoner in Dublin sloop sunk 4/20/1778 [2,8]
David Smith, Deserted at Whitehaven 4/23/1778 [8]
James Smith, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [2,3,5,8]
William Smith [2,8]
William Stacy, Kittery, Marine/Seaman, MA Pensioner S37446 [3,7,8]
Mark Staples, Kittery, MA Pensioner W22297, Wounded in Action with Drake, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [2,3,5,7,8]
Simon Staples (Staple, Raples), Kittery [3,7,8]
Thomas Staples (Staple), Kittery, Coxswain [3,7,8]
Matthew Starbuck, Nantucket, Seaman, Wounded in Action with Drake, later commanded the ships Warren and Hudson [4,7]
Owen Starbuck, Nantucket, Quarter Gunner [4,7]
Samuel Stark (Starke), Dover, Boy/Private of Marines [2,7]
Amos Stockham, Philadelphia [4,7]
Jean Tardif, entered at Brest, Private of Marines, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [6]
Thomas Taylor, Quartermaster, Wounded in Action with Drake 4/25/1778 [8]
Joseph Trefethen (George Trefathen, Trepethen), deserted from the Cutter 1/24/1778, Returned 1/26/1778, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [2,8]
Leis Turtain, Runaway at Nantes 12/29/1777 [2,8]
Thomas Turner, Nantucket, afterwards warrant officer on Bon Homme Richard, killed in action with Serapis [4,7]
John Vance Runaway 2/2/1778 [2,8]
John Varney [2,8]
John Voiler, Prize Crew of ship Malaga & brig George 11/26/1777-1/12/1778 [2,8]
Jacob Walden (Walderon), Steward, Portsmouth, NH Pensioner S23061 [1,7,8]
Thomas Walden (Waldon), Carpenter [1,8]
John Walker, Portsmouth, Boy, went with JPJ to Bon Homme Richard [3,7,8]
Samuel (Richard) Wallingford, Philadelphia, Lieutenant of Marines, Killed in Action with Drake 4/25/1778 [2,7,8]
Charles Ward, Portsmouth, Prize Crew of ship Malaga & brig George 11/26/1777-1/12/1778, Prize Crew of Lord Chatham 4/17/1778-5/8/1778 [2,3,7,8]
Ebenezer Watson, Portsmouth, Seaman/Private of Marines, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [2,3,5,7,8]
Hugh Watson, prisoner in Dublin sloop sunk 4/20/1778 [2,8]
Nathaniel (Jonathan) Wells, Portsmouth, Seaman/Quartermaster, Wounded in Action with Drake 4/24/1778, Died of Wounds 5/4/1778 [7,8]
Daniel Wentworth Wendell (Windell), Midshipman, Son of JPJ’s friend John Wendell, Prize Master of brig Patience 5/11/1778 in Room of Solomon Lowd [2,8]
John Whalen, Prize Crew of Drake 4/25/1778-5/8/1778 [5,8]
John Wheeler, Quartermaster, Wilton, NH Pensioner S37540, Prize Crew of ship Bordeau & brig George 11/26/1777-1/12/1778 [1,2,8]
Mahlon Williams, Philadelphia [4,7]
Nathaniel Willis [4]
Richard Wilson, Boatswain [1,8]
Davis Wood (Woodde) [3,8]
David Woodhouse, Cooper [2,8]
Paul Worth, Nantucket, later commanded ship Beaver “first American whaler in the Pacific” [4,7]
Philander Wright, Philadelphia [4,7]
William Young, York [3,7]
Jonathan Young, Armorer [1,8]
1) List of Warrant & Petty officers of the Ranger (28 total) on “Petition to the American Commissioners, Road of Brest, 15 June 1778”
2) Noted in Correspondence or Ranger’s Logbook
3) List of Crew Members (77 total) on Petition from the Ranger’s Men to the Commissioners dated June 1778 from the ”Jovial Tars Now on Board the Continental Sloop of War Ranger”
4) List of Nantucket Men who served under John Paul Jones during the Revolutionary War published in 1907 by the Nantucket Historical Association
5) List of Prize Crew of Drake in Defense of Thomas Simpson dated 5/16/1778
6) List of eight Frenchmen enlisted on Ranger in early spring 1778 in letter from Jones to Franklin
7) Included in “A nearly correct roll of the officers and crew (129 total) of the Continental ship Ranger when she sailed on her first cruise, Nov. 1, 1777, from the Piscataqua River” published in Augustus Buell’s “Paul Jones, Founder of the American Navy” (1900)
8) Included in “Roster of the Ranger” (136 total) published in Joseph G. Sawtelle’s “John Paul Jones and the Ranger” (1994)
9) Included in “A record of the services of the commissioned officers and enlisted men (131 total) of Kittery and Eliot, Maine, who served their country on land and sea in the American Revolution, from 1775 to 1783” (1901) published by Oliver P. Remick.