Continental Navy

A partial list of 91 Officers and Crew of the frigate Queen of France compiled from the “Statement of claims which have been adjusted and allowed at the Treasury Department…on the 27th of March 1792” and published beginning page 387 in American State Papers (1834). With the exception of John Peck and Caesar Greene, the claimants represent the last crew of the Queen of France prior to her scuttling at the siege of Charleston which resulted in the surrender of over 5,200 American soldiers and sailors on 12 May 1780. Each man’s rate, date the claim was adjusted to and amount of claim is noted. The date noted is the last date of pay and presumably the date of release from confinement. A second simplified and alphabetized list follows for ease of internet browsing.

April 12, 1792, Samuel Wall, Purser, March 1, 1783, $1,956.63

April 12, 1792, Fortune Wall, Marine, July 15, 1780, $109.19

June 1, 1792, William Loring, Acting midshipman, July 15, 1780, $75.37

June 9, 1792, Joseph Murphy, Boatswain, July 16, 1780, $154.28

June 9, 1792, John McMickle, Seaman, July 16, 1780, $98.34

June 11, 1792, Benjamin Burroughs, Midshipman, July 16, 1780, $196.38

June 11, 1792, Samuel Thayer, Boy, July 16, 1780, $49.17

June 13, 1792, Benjamin Hutchins, Marine, July 15, 1780, $94.18

June 13, 1792, John Ridgeway, Seaman (also Boston), July 11, 1780, $80.49

June 13, 1792, James Sisk, Marine (also Boston), July 15, 1780, $51.04

June 13, 1792, Timothy Cartwright, Mate (also Providence), July 11, 1780, $299.74

June 13, 1792, Thomas Orrell, Boy (also Providence), July 11, 1780, $50.21

June 14, 1792, Thomas Dolbear, Boy (also Providence), July 11, 1780, $58.43

June 14, 1792, Isaac Collins, Mate, July 16, 1780, $275.46

June 14, 1792, John Dow, Sergeant marines (also Warren), July 15, 1780, $82.34

June 14, 1792, Andrew Gardiner, Midshipman, July 15, 1780, $140.68

July 30, 1792, John Peck, Boy, Sept 1, 1779, $13.76

July 30, 1792, Robert M. Peck, Midshipman, July 15, 1780, $137.63

Aug 22, 1792, John Dawson, Boy, July 16, 1780, $51.54

Aug 23, 1792, A. Wollace Thaxter, Lieutenant, July 15, 1780, $310.87

Oct 5, 1792, Comfort Carpenter, Marine, July 15, 1780, $43.60

Oct 29, 1792, James Johnson, Quartermaster, July 15, 1780, $123.48

Oct 30, 1792, Alexander Jenkins, Boy, July 15, 1780, $45.70

Oct 31, 1792, Eseack Walker, Marine, July 15, 1780, $67.57

Nov 3, 1792, John Brown, Marine, July 15, 1780, $41.79

Nov 19, 1792, Josiah Pierce, Drummer (also Boston), July 15, 1780, $70.93

Nov 22, 1792, Fortune Dennison, Marine, July 15, 1780, $39.17

Nov 30, 1792, John McVay, Boy, July 11, 1780, $52.69

Nov 30, 1792, Samuel Thompson, Marine, July 15, 1780, $52.35

Dec 11, 1792, Eben Hemmingway, Landsman, July 16, 1780, $64.87

Dec 13, 1792, John Adlington, Boy (also Providence), July 11, 1780, $63.22

Dec 14, 1792, Thomas Butler, Marine (also Providence), July 15, 1780, $45.79

Dec 14, 1792, Morris Hinch, Sweeper (also Providence), July 15, 1780, $30.69

Dec 14, 1792, Henry Doile, Marine (also Providence), July 15, 1780, $58.92

Jan 23, 1793, James Head, Boy, July 15, 1780, $45.60

Feb 5, 1793, Jonathan Cogswell, Sailmaker, July 5, 1780, $90.91

April 6, 1793, Richard Harper, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $53.36

May 14, 1793, Thomas Rea, Boy, July 15, 1780, $53.13

May 15, 1793, Increase Blake, Boy (also Warren), July 15, 1780, $64.04

June 18, 1793, Potter White, Boy, July 15, 1780, $74.66

Aug 7, 1793, William Warner, Boy, June 25, 1780, $32.97

Aug 8, 1793, John Spencer, Marine, July 15, 1780, $35.69

Aug 19, 1793, John King, Boy, July 15, 1780, $56.12

Aug 22, 1793, William Jones, Boy, July 15, 1780, $44.15

Aug 22, 1793, Abel Holton, Boy, July 15, 1780, $38.26

Aug 22, 1793, John Clever, Boy, July 15, 1780, $41.56

Aug 22, 1793, John Mahany, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $56.66

Aug 22, 1793, Thomas Kelly, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $56.72

Aug 22, 1793, Joseph Raggo, Boy, July 15, 1780, $46.95

Aug 23, 1793, Levi Dennis, Seaman, July 6, 1780, $46.78

Nov 26, 1793, Caesar Greene, Marine, March 31, 1780, $38.13

Nov 26, 1793, William Milwood, Seaman, July 6, 1780, $39.62

Nov 26, 1793, Peter Seaver, Cook’s mate, May 15, 1780, $27.91

Jan 27, 1794, Stephen Johnson, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $60.55

Jan 27, 1794, John Collins, Seaman, July 6, 1780, $56.00

Jan 31, 1794, Thomas Perfect, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $116.61

Jan 31, 1794, Ephraim Finck, Marine, July 15, 1780, $39.63

Jan 31, 1794, George Mew, Marine, July 15, 1780, $54.25

Jan 31, 1794, John Smith, Marine, July 15, 1780, $41.41

Feb 12, 1794, John Shine, Barber, July 15, 1780, $51.14

Feb 12, 1794, George Davidson, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $91.12

Feb 12, 1794, John Ding, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $66.64

Feb 12, 1794, James Carril, Sailmaker’s mate, July 15, 1780, $54.94

Feb 12, 1794, Thomas Low, Marine, July 15, 1780, $51.28

Feb 12, 1794, Cato Room, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $110.14

Feb 12, 1794, Robert Lovill, Marine, July 15, 1780, $60.70

Feb 12, 1794, William Berrins, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $53.44

Feb 14, 1794, William Partlow, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $61.47

Feb 14, 1794, Alexander Carter, Marine, July 15, 1780, $40.78

Feb 14, 1794, Joseph Stephens, Boy, July 15, 1780, $59.09

Feb 14, 1794, Thomas Taylor, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $78.35

Feb 14, 1794, William Edwards, Marine, July 15, 1780, $45.68

Feb 14, 1794, Thomas Dimond, Marine, July 15, 1780, $42.63

Feb 14, 1794, John Cochran, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $89.39

Feb 20, 1794, Thomas Wall, Marine, July 11, 1780, $31.99

Feb 20, 1794, Nathan Smith, Marine, July 11, 1780, $33.84

Feb 20, 1794, Henry Sheppard, Marine, July 11, 1780, $40.70

Feb 20, 1794, John Elsditt, Marine, July 11, 1780, $63.43

Feb 28, 1794, Stephen Coats, Marine, July 15, 1780, $40.26

March 3, 1794, Thomas Holeman, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $49.82

March 3, 1794, William Rogers, Boy, July 15, 1780, $43.64

March 4, 1794, Morris Poor, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $74.78

March 7, 1794, Owen Ryan, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $68.40

March 8, 1794, Eseck Whipple, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $67.83

March 8, 1794, William Spaul, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $54.15

March 11, 1794, Richard Lilley, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $62.35

April 1, 1794, John P. Rathbon, Captain, July 15, 1780, $1,503.66

April 4, 1794, Charles Clickley, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $53.43

April 4, 1794, Ebenezer Price, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $58.21

April 4, 1794, John Brown, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $56.25

April 4, 1794, James Hayes, Mate, July 15, 1780, $128.60

April 10, 1794, Nathaniel Bailey, Seaman, July 15, 1780, $56.86

Nathaniel Bailey, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $56.86
William Berrins, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $53.44
Increase Blake, Boy (also frigate Warren), 15 July 1780, $64.04
John Brown, Marine, 15 July 1780, $41.79
John Brown, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $56.25
Benjamin Burroughs, Midshipman, 16 July 1780, $196.38
Thomas Butler, Marine (also frigate Providence), 15 July 1780, $45.79
Comfort Carpenter, Marine, 15 July 1780, $43.60
James Carril, Sailmaker’s Mate, 15 July 1780, $54.94
Alexander Carter, Marine, 15 July 1780, $40.78
Timothy Cartwright, Mate (also frigate Providence), 11 July 1780, $299.74
John Clever, Boy, 15 July 1780, $41.56
Charles Clickley, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $53.43
Stephen Coats, Marine, 15 July 1780, $40.26
John Cochran, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $89.39
Jonathan Cogswell, Sailmaker, 5 July 1780, $90.91
John Collins, Seaman, 6 July 1780, $56.00
George Davidson, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $91.12
John Dawson, Boy, 16 July 1780, $51.54
Levi Dennis, Seaman, 6 July 1780, $46.78
Fortune Dennison, Marine, 15 July 1780, $39.17
Thomas Dimond, Marine, 15 July 1780, $42.63
John Ding, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $66.64
Henry Doile, Marine (also frigate Providence), 15 July 1780, $58.92
Thomas Dolbear, Boy (also frigate Providence), 11 July 1780, $58.43
John Dow, Sergeant of Marines (also frigate Warren), 15 July 1780, $82.34
William Edwards, Marine, 15 July 1780, $45.68
John Elsditt, Marine, 11 July 1780, $63.43
Ephraim Finck, Marine, 15 July 1780, $39.63
Caesar Greene, Marine, 31 March 1780, $38.13
Richard Harper, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $53.36
James Hayes, Mate, 15 July 1780, $128.60
James Head, Boy, 15 July 1780, $45.60
Eben Hemmingway, Landsman, 16 July 1780, $64.87
Morris Hinch, Sweeper (also frigate Providence), 15 July 1780, $30.69
Thomas Holeman, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $49.82
Abel Holton, Boy, 15 July 1780, $38.26
Benjamin Hutchins, Marine, 15 July 1780, $94.18
Alexander Jenkins, Boy, 15 July 1780, $45.70
James Johnson, Quartermaster, 15 July 1780, $123.48
Stephen Johnson, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $60.55
William Jones, Boy, 15 July 1780, $44.15
Thomas Kelly, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $56.72
John King, Boy, 15 July 1780, $56.12
Richard Lilley, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $62.35
William Loring, Acting Midshipman, 15 July 1780, $75.37
Robert Lovill, Marine, 15 July 1780, $60.70
Thomas Low, Marine, 15 July 1780, $51.28

John Mahany, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $56.66
John McMickle, Seaman, 16 July 1780, $98.34
John McVay, Boy, 11 July 1780, $52.69
George Mew, Marine, 15 July 1780, $54.25
William Milwood, Seaman, 6 July 1780, $39.62
Joseph Murphy, Boatswain, 16 July 1780, $154.28
Thomas Orrell, Boy (also frigate Providence), 11 July 1780, $50.21
William Partlow, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $61.47
John Peck, Boy, 1 Sept 1779, $13.76
Robert M. Peck, Midshipman, 15 July 1780, $137.63
Thomas Perfect, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $116.61
Josiah Pierce, Drummer (also frigate Boston), 15 July 1780, $70.93
Morris Poor, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $74.78
Ebenezer Price, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $58.21
Joseph Raggo, Boy, 15 July 1780, $46.95
John P. Rathbon, Captain, 15 July 1780, $1,503.66
Thomas Rea, Boy, 15 July 1780, $53.13
John Ridgeway, Seaman (also frigate Boston), 11 July 1780, $80.49
William Rogers, Boy, 15 July 1780, $43.64
Cato Room, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $110.14
Owen Ryan, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $68.40
Peter Seaver, Cook’s Mate, 15 May 1780, $27.91
Henry Sheppard, Marine, 11 July 1780, $40.70
John Shine, Barber, 15 July 1780, $51.14
James Sisk, Marine (also frigate Boston), 15 July 1780, $51.04
John Smith, Marine, 15 July 1780, $41.41
Nathan Smith, Marine, 11 July 1780, $33.84
William Spaul, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $54.15
John Spencer, Marine, 15 July 1780, $35.69
Joseph Stephens, Boy, 15 July 1780, $59.09
Thomas Taylor, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $78.35
Samuel Thayer, Boy, 16 July 1780, $49.17
A. Wollace Thaxter, Lieutenant, 15 July 1780, $310.87
Samuel Thompson, Marine, 15 July 1780, $52.35
Eseack Walker, Marine, 15 July 1780, $67.57
Fortune Wall, Marine, 15 July 1780, $109.19
Samuel Wall, Purser, 1 March 1783, $1,956.63
Thomas Wall, Marine, 11 July 1780, $31.99
William Warner, Boy, 25 June 1780, $32.97
Eseck Whipple, Seaman, 15 July 1780, $67.83
Potter White, Boy, 15 July 1780, $74.66

List of seventy-one of the frigate Queen of France’s crew taken at Charleston onboard HMS Roebuck on 12 May 1780 as recorded in Roebuck’s Muster Book (ADM36/8643) transcribed by Joseph Ross in April 2023. Many thanks to Todd Braisted of The Online Institute for Advanced Loyalist Studies at www.royalprovincial.com who graciously made available the materials necessary to transcribe this list. Unless otherwise specifically noted as entering British service, all of the prisoners are recorded as entered on the HMS Renown on 24 May 1780. It is estimated that this list represents only approximately half of the Queen of France’s typical complement and that the balance of her sailors, fifty marines and officers under the command of Captain John Peck Rathbun and Captain of Marines Edmund Arrowsmith will be identified with additional research. A second list has been included with full Christian name to assist in internet browsing as most in the original are recorded in abbreviated form. Invariably errors in spelling are to be anticipated in transcribing eighteenth century script and the author welcomes corrections.

Departing Boston on 23 November 1779, a Continental Navy squadron consisting of the frigates Boston, Queen of France and Providence and sloop Ranger under the command of Commodore Abraham Whipple briefly cruised off Bermuda before arriving at Charleston, SC one month later to participate in the defense of the port city from threatening British forces. The vessels’ guns, munitions, gun crews and marines were removed to reinforce shore batteries and repulse the anticipated assault. After a six-week siege beginning on 1 April 1780, Major General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered Continental forces totaling over 5,200 soldiers and sailors on 12 May 1780. The 28-gun Queen of France was scuttled in the Cooper River to block the channel between Charleston and Shutes Folly during the siege, however the 30-gun Boston, 32-gun Providence and 20-gun Ranger were taken by the enemy and put into British naval service. While some militia and civilians were paroled and other prisoners housed at two barracks on the site of today’s College of Charleston and at the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon; the bulk of the approximately 2,600 Continental prisoners were confined on British ships. The Journal of William Jennison, Jr., a Marine officer attached to the frigate Boston, describes the sequence of events characterizing his experience, “March 24. Got our guns, powder and provisions out and put our provisions under the Exchange. March 25. Lieut. Deval was ordered to command a fort at Governor’s Bridge, to which I was attached. May 8. A flag from the enemy with a second summons. May 9. A flag was sent to the enemy with alterations to the articles of capitulation, but they were refused. May 11. A flag to the enemy accepting the terms offered. May 12. At 2 p.m. the British Grenadiers marched in and took possession of the Horn Work. Flags at all the forts were struck and the forts taken possession of by different parties of soldiers. June 10. Those of us who had been taken belonging to the sea service, were sent on board three vessels as cartels. June 23. We arrived at Chester below Philadelphia and were transported in a schooner to the city. Took lodgings on Spruce street until the 18th of July.”

Esek Whipple

Jn’o Morrison

Jn’o Collins

Jn’o Mehany, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

Ja’s Johnson

Sam’l Dellingham

W’m Millwood

Jn’o Dalley, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

Sam’l Thompson

Ben’n Briganton, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

Jn’o McCarty, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

Jo’s Gardner

Jn’o Barker, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

Rich’d Harper

Jn’o Scannell

Step’n Johnson

Benj’n Hutchins

Alex’r Jenkins

W’m Rogers

Owen Ryan

Jo’s Crosby

Jn’o Shine

W’m Parklow

Cha’s Rowlin, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

Comp’t Carpenter

Geo’ Uperton

R’t Lovell

Na’l Bailey

Tho’s Dimond

Jn’o Brown

Eben’r Stasey

Jn’o Fulse

Mor’s Poore

Jn’o Ryan, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

Tho’s Kelly, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

Jn’o Waters, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

R’d Lilly

Eb’r Price

Jn’o Brown

W’m Small

Ab’m Bristo

Moses Beard

Jn’o Martin, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

War’k Pears

Ja’s Lewis

Ja’s Stroud, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

Eph’m Finch

Cha’s Lickney

W’m Edward

Wha’ Denison

Edw’d Ackason

Whatta White

Step’n Coats

Jn’o Howard

Jn’o Cockran, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

Levi Carter

Esek Whipple

John Morrison

John Collins

John Mehany, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

James Johnson

Samuel Dellingham

William Millwood

John Dalley, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

Samuel Thompson

Benjamin Briganton, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

John McCarty, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

Joseph Gardner

John Barker, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

Richard Harper

John Scannell

Stephen Johnson

Benjamin Hutchins

Alexander Jenkins

William Rogers

Owen Ryan

Joseph Crosby

John Shine

William Parklow

Charles Rowlin, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

Comp’t Carpenter

George Uperton

Robert Lovell

Nathaniel Bailey

Thomas Dimond

John Brown

Ebenezer Stasey

John Fulse

Morris Poore

John Ryan, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

Thomas Kelly, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

John Waters, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

Richard Lilly

Ebenezer Price

John Brown

William Small

Abraham Bristo

Moses Beard

John Martin, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

Warwick Pears

James Lewis

James Stroud, 17 May 1780, Romulus Vol

Ephraim Finch

Charles Lickney

William Edward

Wha’ Denison

Edward Ackason

Whatta White

Stephen Coats

John Howard

John Cockran, 18 May 1780, Richmond Vol

Levi Carter