USA > Delaware > Sussex County > Some records of Sussex County, Delaware > Part 6
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"That this Deponent took some of the Privateer's Crew to be Eng- lish, some Irish, and some Scotch, but the most part of them were Frenchmen & Spaniards.
That the first land they made off Delaware was Cape May; that the Privateer hoisting English colours, one William Flower, a Pilot, came off from the said Cape and came on board the Privateer, that when the said William Flower came on board, the Commander of the Privateer, by a Linguist, ordered him to take Charge of the said Privateer & to carry the said Privateer where the Shipping lay; that the said William Flower at first misunderstanding the said Com- mander's Orders, as this Deponent imagines, made answer that there was water enough there, pointing towards the Sea, but upon being told that that was not what the Commander meant, he the said Will- iam Flower asked if they meant that he should carry the Privateer up the River, to which the said Commander answered, Yes, and then the said William Flower took Charge of the said Privateer and was carrying her round towards Cape Henlopen, when Luke Shields, another Pilot, came on board from Cape Henlopen, the said Privateer being under English Colours, that the said Commander of the said Privateer was very Inquisitive concerning Philada. and asked Will- iam Flower how Matters stood at Philadelphia, and what Shipping was coming down. William Flower answered that he could not tell as he had not been to Philadelphia for seven or eight days; that upon Luke Shields coming on board, the Commander of the Privateer asked him the like questions, and Luke Shields answered, that as he had not been at Philadelphia for a great while, he could not tell, but that his Man knew as he had been there lately.
" The Man being asked, answered that the Privateer Trembleur was then coming down, and that he believed the Pandour was fitting out.
" That after Shields coming on board the care of the Privateer was committed to him in conjunction with Flower, that this Deponent acquainted Shields that Flower had promised this Deponent to carry the Privateer within less than a Mile of Cape Henlopen, to the end this Deponent might swim on Shore in the Night, which this De- ponent had resolved to do in order to obtain his Liberty and inform the People of the said Privateer, and this Deponent made it his re- quest to the said Shields that he would assist this Deponent in his Design by bringing the said Privateer so near the shore that this Deponent might swim on shore with safety, but the said Shields re- fused to do it, & said he would carry the said Privateer where she might meet with the most Prizes; upon this Deponent asking him why he would do so, he answered that the Privateer came for Prizes and would not go away without them, and by this Means he should sooner get his Liberty; That the said Pilot brought the said Privateer
.
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SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
to an anchor somewhere about the Brown, but it blowing hard she afterwards came to an anchor within two leagues of the pitch of the Cape; That the Day after the taking of the last Prizes, the English Prisoners to the number of about seventy, were permitted to go on shore in three Pilot Boats which the Enemy had taken."
"Bernard Martin of Philada, Mariner, late Commander of the Ship Mary of London, Being within a mile of Cape Henlopen, and a signal for a Pilot being out on Tuesday the fourteenth Day of July 1747) about seven o'Clock in the Morning, this Deponent was hailed by a Privateer Sloop of about ten Guns, but as this Deponent had verything ready for an Engagement, the Privateer made off with- out making an attack.
"That about Eight o'Clock the same morning this Deponent saw a Pilot Boat coming towards him, which this Deponent well knew as the Pilot who this Deponent saw upon Deck; that this Deponent taking it to be an English Pilot permitted it to come along side of his ship; that thereupon a number of French & Spaniards, to the amount of Thirty Five or thereabouts, instantly boarded this Deponents Ship, and this Deponent offering to make some Resistance, he, this Deponent, was shott at by three of the Enemy, and one of the Balls grazed this Deponent's Cheek, and another his arm & side, and immediately after- wards this Deponent was knocked down; and then they tacked the Ship and stood out to Sea, but did not crowd Sail; and the next morn- ing they tack'd again and stood in for the Bay, and at about four o'Clock in the Afternoon on Wednesday they put this Deponent and seven of his men into the Pilot Boat and discharged them, and then stood off with the Ship with an Intention, after they had got provisions and other Things necessary (as this Deponent heard some of them say) to cruize between this Bay, the Capes of Virginia, and Cape Fear. That this Deponent understood the People on board the Pilot Boat who took this Deponent did belong to the Privateer Sloop which this Deponent had seen in the morning of the Day he was taken. That the Captain's name was - Barnard, a Frenchman, & had a French Commission which he shewed to this Deponent; that about half his Company were French and about half Spaniards. That among the said Privateers there was one Englishman who this De- ponent was told was a Boston Man, he having owned the same to one of this Deponent's Mariners as this Deponent was informed; that he spoke very good English, and like an Englishman, and told this Deponent he knew Philadelphia.
"That the Captain Barnard told this Deponent he did not doubt but he should be up at Philadelphia in Six Months. That from the scarcity of Provisions among the said Privateers this Deponent verily believes they intend to make a Descent in order to procure more, that what little Provisions they had they were very lavish of, washing their feet in fresh Water and throwing their offal Victuals overboard; that this Deponent understanding Spanish and French heard the said Privateers talking among themselves, and understood from them that they intended to make a Descent somewhere for provisions- this Deponent being in his Hammock he supposes they imagined he was asleep. "BERNARD MARTIN.
"Sworn the 17th July, 1747 before
"Jos. TURNER."
51
CIVIL RECORDS.
April 11th, 1748.
A Petition from the Pilots using the Bay & River of Delaware was read in these words, viz:
"To the Honourable Anthony Palmer, Esqr., Presidt of the Gov- ernment of the Counties of New-Castle Kent, and Sussex, on Dela- ware, & Province of Pennsylvania,"
"The humble Petition of the Pilots, Inhabitants of the County of Sussex, on Delaware.
"Whereas, Your Petitioners. as well Pursuant to an Act of General Assembly of this Government as Your Honour's late Proclamation, are prohibited going on board any inward bound vessell in the Bay & River Delaware, which said Act & Proclamation your Petitioners are fully convinced are justly Calculated for the safety of this Govern- ment, and therefore willing to pay all due obedience.
"And Whereas, The Pilots that dwell in the Government of New Jersey (from a false Representation . of Your Petitioners having Lycence to Cruise for Vessells & go on board the same as Pilots) are not restrained by any Law of that Government, but, as Your Peti- tioners are informed have leave to Cruize and go on board vessells as Pilots, & daily do the same within the Bay & River aforesaid, which in its Consequence may prove prejudicial to this Government and likewise prevent Your Petitioners acquiring a Competent sup- port for their Familys, for Your Honour may be assured that no inward bound Vessell will call at Lewes for a Pilot when any other may be had Cruizing off.
"Your Petitioners therefore humbly entreat your Honours Interest and Friendship with the Government of the Jersey for restraining the Pilots of that Government in such manner and by such measures as may be thought most expedient, not only for the safety of this Government but that Your Petitioners may have an Equal Chance for their Livelyhood in their proper Employments; And Your Pe- titioners shall ever pray.
"WM. FIELD, "LUKE FIELD, "SAMUEL ROWLAND, "SAMUEL ROWLAND, JUN., "WM. ROWLAND, "SIMON EDWARDS, "JOHN BAILY, "JOHN MAULL, "JOHN ADAMS.".
June 2d, 1748.
The President & Four Members sign'd a Commission to Abraham Wiltbank to Command an Intelligence Boat & wear a Flagg.
"By the Honable, the President and Council of the Province of Pennsylvania.
"To Abraham Wiltbank of Lewis Town, Pilot, Greeting:
"Whereas, by reason of the Bay and River Delaware being now greatly infested with the Enemie's Privateers, we have judged it necessary that some fit and proper Persons shall be forthwith em-
52
SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
ployed and commissioned to observe and give us constant intelli- gence of the Motions and Designs of the said Privateers; and we have thought you fitly qualified for that purpose & confiding in Your Loy- alty, Vigilance, & Integrity, Do hereby Grant Commission to Author- ize and appoint You the said Abraham Wiltbank to fit out and Com- mand an Intelligence Boat for the purposes aforesaid, & therewith immediately to proceed and continue to pass & repass down & up the said River & Bay (During our Pleasure) in order to discover, ob- serve, and get force, & designs of the said Privateers or other his Majesty's Enemies, & from time to time bring or transmit to Us with the utmost Expedition full Accounts and Advice thereof, Hereby giving & granting to you License & Authority during your acting and continuing in the same service to hoist & wear in Your said Boat A Red Pendant with two white Cresses, and for so doing this shall be your warrant.
"Given under our Hands in Council & the Lesser Seal of the Said Province, at Philadelphia, the 3d of June, in the Twenty-first Year of His Majesties Reign, Annogz Domini, 1748.
"ANTHONY PALMER."
Another of the same Tenor was Signed to John Maule, authorizing him to wear an English Jack.
May 31st, 1748.
Abraham Wiltbank, Commander of one of the Government Pilot Boats, bringing advice that he had been for a day or two off the Capes & met with no Enemies Vessells- the Embargo was taken off.
October 4th, 1755.
| Jacob Kollock, Jun, Sheriff Paynter Stockley, Corr. Sussex County.
October 5th, 1756.
John Rodney, Sheriff
Sussex Co. - Wrixam Lewis, Corr.
"Resolved that Mr. Samuel Morris Junr wait on Mr. William Rechards, Captain Falconer, and Captain Reed, and inform them they are (with any other person they may fix on) appointed a Com- mittee to fix up proper signals in the River and Bay of Delaware, to give the most speedy intelligence of any Enemy Ships that may arrive at or within the Capes of Delaware The Committee appoint James Maul with his Boat
"Whereas Captain William Bradford and Thomas Pryor report to this Board that Angus McBean made application yesterday to Nehemiah Maul for his Pilot Boat to go on board the Man of War, now in our Bay, with the assurance that he had the consent of this Committee &c McBean guaranteed £130 in case Man of War de- tained him. March 31, 1776."
April 15, 1776.
"A Pilot allowed the Sloop Congress provided the Captain of her will promise and engage to go down the Cape May Channel and land his Pilot there."
53
CIVIL RECORDS.
May 24, 1776.
"Lt George Ball, belonging to the Roebuck Man of War, taken in a Pilot Boat at Cape Henlopen some time past. Paroled."
September 19, 1776.
" James Maul appointed Pilot to carry vessels through the chevaux de frise, in room of Daniel Gordon, deceased."
October 15, 1776.
" Mr. Nesbit directed to pay James Thomson for 3512 gallons of Rum, and 4 quarts of Molasses, for use of Col. Miles Battlion* while at Lewes Town, to be charged to Congress. £18."
CHEVAUX DE FRIZE PILOTS.
Michael Dawson
October 11, 1775
Joseph Gamble.
October
11, 1775
Daniel Gordon. . October
11, 1775
William Marshall
October
11, 1775
Nehemiah Maul
October
11, 1775
William Molleston
October
11, 1775
James Roberts
October
11, 1775
William Ross
October
11, 1775
John Schnieder
October 11, 1775
James Maul.
February 20, 1776
Nathan Storey
February 20, 1776
Michael Dean.
. June 26, 1777
John Marshall was pilot on the fire ship "Hecla" July 21st, 1777.
*REV. C. H. B. TURNER, LEWES, DEL.
It appears from the official records that Captain David Hall's Company and Captain Charles Pope's Company of the Delaware Battalion (or Regiment) of Conti- nental troops, commanded by Colonel John Haslet, was in barracks at Lewes (or Lewis) Town April 11, 1776; and that a part of Captain Latimer's Independent Company, Delaware, was "On station at Lewes by order of the House of Assembly or Council of Safety of this Government" April 29, 1776. No original records of those organi- zations are on file in this office, but, from correspondence with the Secretary of State of Delaware, it appears that some records of those organizations are on file in his office.
From such an examination of the incomplete collection of Revolutionary records on file in this office as it has been practicable to make, it has been impossible to ascer- tain whether any other organization was quartered or stationed at Lewes, or in Sussex County, Delaware, during the Revolutionary war.
No record of any Colonel Miles' Battalion of Delaware troops in that war has been found on file in this office.
F. C. AINSWORTH, The Adjutant General.
1
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SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
COURT RECORDS.
[This begins with 2d entry in Record Book, the first being well faded out.]
DEALE COUNTY.
JUNE 15TH, 1681.
A patton of Land Acckowlidged in open [Court] by John Kiphaven and Bartree his wife to William Clark; and by william Clark and Hon- nor his wife to nathanil walker.
A patton of Land Accknowlidged in open Court by Elizabeth Par- ling and nathanil walker unto william Clark.
The Court fine nathanil walker ffifty pounds of Tobacco; for smoking of Tobacco in the Court.
The Court Grant unto Phillip Morrise foure hundred Acres of Land; warrant Given out 15th Insnt for these Lands.
The Court Grant unto John Dickerson foure hundred Acres of Land; warrant Given out the 15th, 2 mo, 1681.
The Court Grant unto Richard w[illiam] foure hundred Acres of Land; Richard william warrt given [torn].
John Kiphaven have a Grant from the Court of the third Towne Lott to the front from the Land of nathanil walker; he paying the Rent which shall be ordered by the Governor yearly.
The Court order and Grant unto John Hagester ffoure hundred Acres of Land; A warrant given out the 26th, 11 mo, 1681.
Halmanias wiltbanck peticoner Agt John vines shreife. The peticoner sett forth that the shreife have taken upon Execu- Henry Harmon at the suit of the peticoner; And that the said shreife doe Contrary to Law suffer his prissoner to goe at Larg; the shreife pleade that he have no prison provided to keepe his prissoners in at present; The Court doe there for order that the shreife shall confine these prisoners to the house and yards whare the sd shreif do or shall Live untill the said prisoner shall be Leagally discharged by the plt; and that in the mean time the plt shall A[llow] the prisoner Two shillings and six pe[nce] a week for his maintance; And the Like order that the Court doe make for all other pe[rsons] that shall be upon Execution for debt; u[ntill] there Can be a prison built and provid[ed] for that purpose.
[Two entries omitted, mostly torn away, only a few words remaining.]
The Court Grant unto Yoakim Goyl[torn] by his Atturney Henry Bowman; ffoure hundred Acres of Land; warrant Given out 26th day 5 mo, 1681.
The Court Grant unto John ffinch by his Atturney Henry Bowman six hundred Acres of Land; warrant Given out 26th day 5 mo, 1681.
The differences that are depending betwene Capt John Avery & Peter Groundyk Concerning the Account of Capt Avery over Charging the said Peter Groundyk, [etc., etc. Signatures torn].
55
COURT RECORDS.
I Mary Simons doe here in the presence of the Lord and you his people declare and depose upon my Corperall oath that I am free and Clear from being under the bonds of Mattrimony to any person now Liveinge whatsoever. In wittnes & Testamoney wharof I have hereunto sett my hand this seaventh day of the Moneth Called July Anno; Dm; 1681; signed MARY SIMONS Sworen befor me
I'M: CLARK.
Thomas Howard And Mary Simons ware Joyned Together in Marrig by me william Clark one of the Kings Justices of the peace for deale County [July 17, 1681, after due publication and in presence of several witnesses, not named].
[Ard Johnson van Kirk and Grace Bundock married by William Clark one of the Kings Justices of the peace, July 28, 1681, after due publication "and in presence of several wittneses."]
SEPT. 13 & 14th.
Att A Court held at Deale for the Towne and County of Deale; by the Kings Authori[ty] the 13th and 14th days of the Moneth Called September Anno; Dm; 1681; Commoners present; Luke Wattson John Roades John Kiphaven William Clark.
An Action of the Case Refered from the Last Court [etc. etc.] John Hagester plt, Harmon Corneling deft.
Alexander Moulston John Hagester Cornelius verhoofe & John vines Complantants Halmainas wiltbanck deft To be Tryd by bill and Answer as A Cause of Equeity.
Action of Traspass. John Dcpree plt, Will footcher deft, Corver- hoofe sworen. Jureymen-Alex Draper Alex Moulston Cor Johnson Mil Chambers will Troter Hen Stracher Robt Johnson Will Townsend will prantices Rich williams John Oakey Robt Traile.
The Court order and Appoint Alex Draper fachl Gray & william footcher to be Survayors of the High ways and bridges; and doe hereby order Impower and Authorize them or any or either of them to sumame In the Inhabitents of this County to mend make and repaire the High ways Roades and bridges with in this County; as soone as may be.
The Court Grant unto Richard Stevens by his Atturney Edward Southrin six hundred Acres of Land; warrant Given out the 14th, 7 mo, 1681.
The Court Grant unto Nortton Claypoole by his Atturney John Hill five Hundred Acres of Land; warrant Given out 25th, 11 mo, 1681.
The Court Grant unto Thomas wellborn by his Atturney Henry Bowman Eighte hundred Acres of Land; warrant Given out the 10th day of the 3 month 1683.
The Court Grant unto Robert Twelley by his Atturney John vines foure hundred Acres of Land.
The Court fine George young Cunstable for not giveing his Attend- ance in Court Two hundred pounds of Tobacco.
The Court fine John Roades one of the Justices of the peace for this County for his absence from Court the 14th day of September 1681; the sume of foure hundred pounds of good Marchantable Tobacco (in Caske) ;
56
SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
NOVEMBER 8th & 9th, 1681.
Att a Court Held at Deale for the Towne and County of Deale by the Kings Authority the 8th & 9th days of the Moneth Called novem- ber Anno; Dm: 1681; Comisconers presents: Luke Wattson John Roades William Clark.
An Action of Debts. Henry Bowman plt, Joseph Browne Deft. In Sept. Court the deft being out of the Govermt And his Atturney Capt John Avery being sick peticoned the Court for a Reference; the Court there for Grant the deft A reference untill the next Court; in novmber Court the plt declare &c., and brought in there verdict; that they finde that the deft have paid and satisfied the 10001b Tob by Capt Averys Ingaging for the paymt of it; and there for finde for the deft wt one shill damag and Cost of suit; the Court passe Judgmt Accord- ing to the verdict of the Jurey Alias Execution. Jurey Men Alexander Draper William ffootcher Daniell Browne John Smith William Emitt John King Simon Parling
An Action of Debt. Henry Bowman plt, Joseph Browne & Andrew Depree defts. John Smith Will Emitt Ri[ch] Williams John King Rich Gill Tho Davids Elij Cartle. In Sept Court the defts being out of the County And there Atturney Capt John Avery being sick peti- coned the Court for A Referance the Court there for Grant the deft A Referance untill the next Court; now in novmber Court the plt declare that the defts stands Indebted unto him in one Thousand pounds of Tobacco wone of the defts at a horse Race the defts pleaded that they wone and Craved A Jurey to Try the Cause; which being Granted the bussines was debated on both sides and severall wittneses Ex- camined After which the Jurey went out and brought in there verdict that they finde for the deft; with Cost of suit; & six pence Damages; the Court passe Judgmt According to the verdict of the Jurey; Alias Executcion; Alexander Draper William ffootcher Daniell Browne Simon Parling Henry Stracher Thomas Pinder Robert Bracey Jurey Men.
An Action of Trespass. Thomas Haward & Wight Haward plts. Nathanil Walker deft. Jurey finds for the deft and gives him Twelve pence Damages and the Court order Judgmt to be entered according to verdict of the Jurey. norton Claypoole Alexander Draper Henry Bowman James Welles John Smith Halmainas Wiltbanck William ffootcher Robert Bracey John Hill [S]amwell Gray Thomas Pinder Daniell Browne Jurey Men.
An Action of the Case. Andrew Depree plt, Thomas Denison deft. An Action of the Case. Capt John Avery plt, Ben Coudrey Deft. Attachment. Alexander Draper plt, Robert Millenor Deft.
An Action of the Case. ffrancis Gunby plt, Capt John Avery Deft. An Action of the Case. Bryant Rowles plt, Harmon Cornelison deft.
An Action of the Case. Henry Bowman plt, John Newall Deft.
An Action of the Case. Henry Bowman plt, James Welles & John Newall defts. Jo Croper Tho Pinder Robt Johnson Will Rodeney & Will Keene. The plt declare that the defts did Contract & Agree wt him to Run A horse Race for three Thousand pounds of Tobacco; and that he the said plt ded wine; the deft pleaded that the Contract was not Confirmed the Cause being debated on both sides and severall wittneses Excamined the Cause was Refered to a Jurey; wch went
57
COURT RECORDS.
out and brough in there verdict; that they finde for the plt with Cost of suit and one shill Damages; and the deft's arest the Judgmt of the Court & Craved an Appeale to have the Cause to be Tryd at the next Gennarall Court of Assisses at new york befor the Honorable Governor and Councell; the vallow being under Twenty pounds the Court Could not agree wheather it was Appealeable or not; and soe refered the same untill the next Court; there being sume thing dubous in the Testament of the wittneses [The following names are on the margin-] Alexander Draper Samwell Gray Nathanil Walker Daniell Browne John Smith Nathanil Bradford Henry Stracher.
An Action of Debt. John Roades plt, Richard Adkinson deft; with drawen by order of the plt.
drawen." An Action of Debt. John Roades plt, Richard Gill Deft. "with "refered.' An Action of Debt. William Clark plt, Robt Williams Deft-
An Action of Debt. William Clark plt, Thomas Davids Deft- "with Drawen."
An Action of the Case. William Clark plt, Richard Gill Deft- "with Drawen."
An Action of Debt. William Lewis plt, ffrancis Gunby Deft- "with Drawen." by order of James Welles the plts Atturney.
Peticon Henry Harmon Halm Wiltbanck. The peticoner setting forth in his peticon that whareas Halm wiltbank recovered Judgment of this Court Agt him for Twenty Thousand pounds of Tobacco; for the not giveing him the sd Halm wiltbanck possession of the house plantacon Land and premisses that Cornelie Johnson live upon Accord- ing to Contract; and that the sd Halm wiltbanck had no right to let the Land to the peticoner; but that befor that time the sd Halm had sold and delivered it to John Kurk there for the peticoner Craved a rehearing in the sd Cause; the Court order that it be rehard tomorrow and that Halm wiltbanck have nooties of it this night; the next dae upon the request of the sd Halm wiltbanck the Cause is refered to by Tryd the next Court.
The Court Grant unto John Davids by his Atturney Thomas Davids Two hundred Acres of Land.
The Court Grant unto John Croper One Thousand Acres of Land; warrants Given out the 6th 12 mo, 1681.
A Deede of sale Accknowlidged in open Court by Edward Southrin Atturney to John Outim unto Henry Bowman of A plantacon house and Land Lyeing and being near Ceeder Creeke.
This day Elizabeth Carter the Late wife of Otto Woollgast deceased peticoned the Court to be Admited to Adminnister on the Estate of hur deceased Husband; for that the Executrx Appointed in the Will by the said Otto Woollgast have nedglected to Adminnister for the space of six Months and upwards Afer the death of the said Otto Woollgast all though they had sone after his death nooties there of given unto them and a Copie of the said will; for which Reasons the Court doe grant Letters of Adminnistracon unto William Carter and Elizabeth his wife; They puting in sufficent securety to the Court to give in a true Inventory of all the Estate goods and Chattels that the said Otto Woollgast was possessed of at the time of his Death or just befor; and to be accoumptable for the same and pay and satisfie the
58
SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
debts and Leigeses of the said Otto Woollgast According as the Law directs in that Case. William Carter and Elizabeth his wife have this day in open Court proved the Last will and Testament of Otto Wool- gast deceased being in writinge; which is by the Court ordered to be recorded; Justices Luke Wattson John Roades Wm; Clark signed the dockett.
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