Category Archives: Continental Navy Officers

Mordecai Matlack, Midshipman

What we know of Continental Navy Midshipman Mordecai Matlack comes primarily from two sources: “Col. Timothy Matlack, patriot and soldier, a paper read before the Gloucester County Historical Society at the Old Tavern House, Haddonfield, N.J., April 14, 1908” by … Continue reading

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Ebenezer Simmons, Lieutenant 1st SC Regiment

According to an entry in Captain Robert Parker Saunders’ “Order Book of the 1st SC Regiment” dated at ‘Charles Town’ on 23 January 1778; one Captain, one Subaltern (Lieutenant), two Sergeants and forty-eight “Rank & file” from the regiment were … Continue reading

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Thomas Hore, Surgeon

The frigate Randolph’s surgeon Dr. Thomas Hore has proved to be an elusive figure in the historical record. No mention of his upbringing, education, Philadelphia connections or private pre-war practice has yet been uncovered. In “Give Me a Fast Ship: … Continue reading

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Thomas Budd, Surgeon’s Mate

     Dr. Thomas Budd appears to have been one of two Surgeon’s Mates serving on the frigate Randolph at the time of her 7 March 1778 catastrophic destruction. Much of Dr. Budd’s biographical information comes from Stephen Wickes’ “History of … Continue reading

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Joseph Cauffman, Surgeon’s Mate

What is known of Joseph Cauffman (1755-1778) comes primarily from his letter of Wednesday 23 April 1777 sent from Vienna, Austria to Benjamin Franklin and found in the American Philosophical Society. The letter indicates that Cauffman was born in Philadelphia, … Continue reading

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