USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Early History of Naushon Island > Part 19
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. This prize sloop, which was taken on September 8th and . brought into Newport September 9th, had been commissioned from Placentia in Newfoundland and was the one that had ravaged Block Island in August. She had also taken four prizes : two fishing shallops and two coasters, Kitch from New London and Smalage from Boston.
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1711
Block Island Sound and Vineyard Sound were favorite haunts for French privateersmen,* for, besides being the main water- ways for coastwise commerce, these sounds are rather open and so allowed an easy escape to seaward in case an expedition was sent out against a roving privateer.
An "express" or messenger from Tarpaulin Cove reached Newport at midnight on August 11, 1711, and aroused Governor Cranston to inform him that a French privateer sloop of 4 guns and 45 men was causing havoc to the shipping in Vineyard Sound. On the 4th she chased a vessel ashore, on the 9th captured two coasters, one commanded by Aaron Hardin from Pennsylvania, and the other by John Picket from New London, both bound for Canada, and on the 10th captured one of Gross' sloops laden with grain. They took pork and canvas out of this sloop and gave her to Hardin and his crew, who brought her into Tarpaulin Cove.
An alarm was sounded through the streets of Newport and in an hour's time two sloops were provided, and in 4 hours' time fitted out for sea. They sailed under the command of Colonel John Cranston and Captain Michael Hicks, one carrying 74 men and the other 65 men. On Monday, August 13th, at two o'clock in the afternoon, they spied a sail five leagues southeast of Block Island and immediately gave chase. A stern chase is a long chase, according to the well-known sailor's adage, and it proved so in this case. The Rhode Island sloops chased the Frenchman all that day and all the next, but he was too swift and finally pulled away from them, whereupon they returned to Newport.
1712
Captain Michael Hicks returning from Antigua in a brigan-
*The French Watering Place may have been named because of its use by these French privateers rather than by one of the French Revolutionary fleets, as is usually supposed.
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tine laden with rum, molasses, cotton, and wool, sighted Block Island on May 25th, 1712, and expected to make Newport in a few hours, thus completing a very successful voyage. Unkind fate was against him for when off Block Island he was suddenly attacked by a French privateer of 4 guns and 125 men, under the command of Captain Clenant, Hicks was forced to surrender his brigantine and was put on shore with most of his crew at Tar- paulin Cove.
His mate and two others of the crew were sent to Placentia with the prize. Captain Hicks made his way to Newport and in- formed Governor Cranston of his misfortune, while Captain Clenant continued cruising in Vineyard Sound and took 4 more prizes. On May 31st, Governor Cranston sent two sloops out in search of Captain Clenant. These sloops carried altogether 12 guns and 134 men with a good supply of small arms and ammuni- tion, and were commanded by Captain Michael Hicks and Captain Job Almy. Captain Hicks, smarting under the loss of his vessel, was especially eager to fall in with Captain Clenant and to punish him.
The two vessels scoured Vineyard Sound, visited Tarpaulin Cove and Block Island, and finally went 40 leagues out to sea, but saw no sign of Captain Clenant.
The Frenchman either heard or suspected that Captain Hicks would come after him with a strong force, and so discreetly dis- appeared.
1721
JOHN MENZIES TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY
July 20, 1721
Sir
. This comes that the Lords Commissioners for Executing . .
the Office of Lord High Admiral may be informed of a Case that
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hath lately occurred within the jurisdiction of Admiralty con- tained in my Commission, Namely, One Benjamin Norton of Rhode-Island, and one Joseph Whipple, a Considerable Mer- chant of that Colony, did fit out a Brigantine, and sent her under the Command of the said Norton to the West Indies last Fall (a Vessel by Common Observation more fit for Pirates than Trade for which they pretended to Employ her) who Fell in with the Pirates at St. Lucia in January last, and was (as he saith) taken by One Roberts a Pirate, though by the Sequel it appears, he is more to be considered as one of their Assistants and Correspond- ents, for after he had remained with them Six or Seven Weeks, they took a Ship Dutch Built of 250 Tuns Burthen, or thereby, and having Loaded her with Sugars, Cocoa, Negroes etc. of very considerable Value, All this they gave to him for his Brigantine though of much more Value than She, and by the most Judicious in the Country is supposed to have been committed to him as one of their Trusties, to Vend the Cargo in that Colony, a Practice not without precedent in that Colony, these several Years past, if my Information fail not; however, be that as it will, he comes with his Ship and Cargo into Tarpaulin Cove, a Place lying between the Province of the Massachusetts Bay and Rhode Island, where (by the by) the Pirates used to come to infest Our Coasts in April last; And did in a Clandestine Manner advise the said Joseph Whipple of his arrival.
And having dropped Anchor there, he fired at, and brought too several of Our Coasters, upon which a Rumour arose, that the Pirates were on the Coast, whereby Our Coasters, except his Accomplices who understood better, were deterred for some Days from Falling within his reach. And in the interim the aforesaid Whipple, with one Christopher Almy, and One Pease, also con- siderable Traders of New Port in Rhode Island, with some others, did improve that Opportunity, and carried off and conveyed about 30 Of the Negroes, with considerable Quantities of the Sugars,
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Cocoa etc. partly in Sloops sent out by them for that purpose, and partly in such others as they intrusted therewith, and a great part of which was by the said Almy and Whipple directed to Providence Plantacion and recommended to the Care and Con- duct of One Whipple, Brother to the said Joseph, that Place be- ing their Ordinary Mart and Recepticles for such Cargoes. But so many accessories were concerned and the Cargo so considerable, the Secret was Discovered and thereupon the Officers of His Majesties Customs, both in the Province of Massachussets Bay and Colony of Rhode Island, did exert themselves, and the Col- lector at Boston did Seize upon the Ship and remainder of the Cargo, the said Benjamin Norton upon the discovery having re- linquished the Ship and absconded. . .
Sir Your most humble Servant J. Menzies
Boston 20th. July 1721
1727
Lunæ die 18 Junii A.D. 1727
A Petition of Charles Church Esq. Sheriff of the County of Bristol shewing that in the month of May 1721. Pursuant to a Warrant from the Clerks Office of the Court of general Sessions of the Peace for the Co. of Bristol, he Impressed Twelve Men and Horses, and proceeded to Tarpolin-Cove to take into his Custody, a certain Ship brought in there by one Benjamin Norton, the charge whereof Amounted to £23. 9s. the one half whereof he paid out of his own pocket, an for which he has received no satisfaction, Praying allowance for the said sum of £23. 9s. for the Reasons Mentioned. Read and committed.
Major Quincy, On the Accompt of Charles Church etc. as entered yesterday which was Read accepted and Resolved, That
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the sum of £20 17s. be allowed and paid out of the Public Treasury to the Petitioner Charles Church, in full discharge of the said services etc.
1740
Governor Belcher of Massachusetts wrote to Governor Wan- ton of Rhode Island on June 30, 1740, that "last week there ar- rived at one of our harbors a ship of upwards of one hundred tons from the Canaries, one William, master who pretends to be last from Madeira. I am told that the Master though an Englishman, is a Roman, a subject of Spain, and married at the Canaries."
She was said to be trading with the enemy and also smuggling. At nine o'clock in the morning of June 30, the Charming Betty sailed from Newport in quest of this vessel, news of her presence in Vineyard Sound having reached Newport.
The Charming Betty sighted the Spanish brigantine at about 10 o'clock on July 1st, at anchor between Elizabeth Island and Martha's Vineyard. Captain Collingwood sent his lieutenant, John Robinson, in a canoe with five men to board her, but when they approached, the brigantine fired several shots at them, and they returned to the Charming Betty. In about a quarter of an hour the Charming Betty fired a shot through the rigging of the brigantine, whereupon the Spaniards went ashore, and Lieutenant John Robinson, accompanied by John Gale, master, and James Clarke, captain's quartermaster of the Charming Betty and 12 men in a canoe and launch, boarded the brigantine and found no one on board.
She was the brig Orotava of Boston, Robert Williamson, master, but in her log was called the galley Fortune, George Simp- son, master. . .
She was built at Newbury, Massachusetts, registered as 70 tons, and in 1739 carried two guns according to her papers, but mounted 9 guns when taken. John Gale brought her into New-
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port on July 2nd, in company with the Vernon, Captain Willis, and the Tartar, Colonel Cranston.
The Orotava was judged a lawful prize on July 12, 1740, and together with her cargo was valued at £7979. 17. 06. From the Court proceedings, it appeared that she was owned by James Bowdoin and John Cross of Boston and no transfer of ownership was proved, although it was claimed she was chartered by parties unknown.
She loaded at Teneriffe in the Canaries, an enemy port, in April, with wine and brandy, and carried contradictory ship's papers. ... She had intentions to smuggle the wine on shore at Cape Cod if possible, and to buy beef and wheat, which was to be taken back to the enemy port of Teneriffe.
George Simpson was supercargo, not captain, and one of the crew, Mr. Hubbard, landed at Cape Cod and secretly sold wine and fruit there. When asked why they fired on the party from the Charming Betty, the captain said he thought that the Charm- ing Betty was a Spanish privateer, that he had heard was on the coast, when he landed at Holmes Hole. They had letters to James Bowdoin of Boston and Richard Malbone, collector of the port of Newport, and instructions to carry on illegal trade at St. Eustatia if they failed at Massachusetts and Rhode Island. . . . Although the Orotava and her cargo were adjudged a prize to the Charming Betty, yet an appeal was entered from the Vice- Admiralty Court. Malbone and Collingwood distributed £612 of the prize money among the crew, and the latter signed an agreement to return this money if the decision in the case should be reversed in the High Court of Admiralty.
1741
On May 14, 1741, the General Assembly ordered the com- mittee in charge of the sloop that went to Annapolis to supply "The Colony Sloop with what is proper thereof," of provisions
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and stores that are returned. Captain Wickham continued as commander of the Tartar, which cruised as a guard ship between Long Island and the Vineyard.
Orders and Instructions to be observed by Captain Wickham Commander of the Colony Sloop called the Tartar you having received a Commission from me, are to proceed as soon as you have got on board the Complement of One hundred Men (officers included) persuant to an act of Assembly, with the said sloop Tartar on a cruise for the space of fourteen Days or thereabouts from your departure from hence, During which time you are to range along the Coast on the back of Long Island and from thence to Marthas Vineyard or Tarpaulin Cove as you shall think proper, In order to secure this Coast and to take and destroy any Enemy that shall be upon it, and do every other needful pursuant to your said commission.
1746
November 4th. Tuesday Saild from Newport aboard the Briganteen Leopard with my officers and Company (being favored with Coll. Kinnicutt and Dr Moffatt as fellow passen- gers) together with the Snow Africa and the Brigt. Neptune under the convoy of the Tartar commanded by Capt. Peter Marshal. The weather was agreable and favorable when we came from Port, but the wind toward evening proving short it was determined by the Commodore that we should anchor in Tar- paulin Cove on Elizabeths Island whither accordingly came to about midnight.
Wednesday being the 5th. The Commodore displayed his signals for sailing early in the morning and brought us into Holmes Hole on Marthas Vineyard where we anchored. The Africa was driven ashore in a storm on the night of November 5th.
Further accounts of shipping will be found in two later chapters.
Chapter VI THE REVOLUTION
T HE outbreak of the Revolution brought anxiety and fear to the people of the unprotected coasts menaced by the British fleets. Fortunately the mother country was more interested in gathering food supplies than in shedding blood. The commander of the fleet stationed at Newport was ordered to avoid extreme force in deal- ing with the inhabitants. Nevertheless, within six weeks of the fight at Concord Bridge, the British sloop of war Faulkland made a descent upon the Elizabeth Islands. Captain Linzey carried off a flock of sheep from Pasque and landed and took account of the stock on Naushon, but did little actual damage.
Tarpaulin Cove became a favorite haunt of the British vessels. The innkeeper Elisha Nye must have had a difficult time, while he remained there, keeping in the good graces of the British officers and at the same time protecting the stock intrusted to his care.
1775
STEPHEN NYE TO COLONEL NATHAN FREEMAN TO BE COMMUNICATED TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
Sir;
Sandwich May 31st. 1775
I would give you a relation of Capt" Linseys proceeding at the Islands. Since your going from here on Sunday he recd. a rein- forcement by a Schooner from Boston, & proceeded from thence to the West End of the Island where they took off about two Hun- dred Sheep, chiefly from Tucker's Island which belonged to John
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Wing. From there they came down to the Cove & ordered the Sheep there to be yarded which was accordingly done, but it being near Night they concluded to leave them in the yard until morning. They really insulted, abused & threatened the people for their backwardness in assisting them. In the night, word was brought off to Falmouth of the above proceedings (by Nye who imme- diately went back to take care of his family) on which a Number of men well equipt immediately went on the Island; before their arrival at the Cove the Sheep were turned out of the yard into the woods. The People from the Ship had been on Shore & on finding the Sheep were gone were still more enraged & took all the arms they could find, 6 calves and the Hoggs and carried them off. When the People from Falmouth got to the Cove (which was before Day) they Placed themselves in the bushes & lay undiscovered. In the morning the Boat came on shore with the Doctor, Boat- swain etc. whom they might have taken had they not expected the Capt" ashore soon, however the Boat soon went back without going to the House & both Vessells immediately weighed anchor & went down to Homes' Hole where they lay last night at Anchor. Cap" Bassett is now on the Island with about 50 men & will Tarry to Guard the Stock until we have the advice of the Congress what method is best to take. By the best account there is not less than Four Thousand Sheep & between two & three Hundred Horned Cattle & a number of Horses on the Island of Naushaun & Per- haps nigh as many on the other Islands. It is generally judged that Fifty or Sixty men Placed on the Island at Tarpaulin Cove would Guard the above Stock. It is certainly impracticable to bring it off & it must most certainly either be destroyed where it is or fall into the Hands of our Enemies. Which is best the Con- gress must Judge. Their Determination we should be glad of as soon as Possible for we fear the men now there will be impatient to come off unless they are put under Pay. Cap" Bassett is perhaps the best officer that can be placed there. His courage and conduct
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have heretofore been well approved, & he is moreover well ac- quainted with the Ground on the Island which must certainly be of great advantage. There went a number of Men from this Town Some of whom are (we conclude now on the Island). We hope the Congress will let us have their advice and Determination as soon as Possible and Pray that in all their Determinations they will be councelled by the Supreme Councellor, and are Sirs.
Your Humble Servant
Stephen Nye
DEPOSITION OF ELISHA NYE
May 31, 1775
Elisha Nye Innholder living on one of the Elizabeth Islands commonly called Naushon, and near to Tarpolan Cove, Testifieth and saith, that some time about the 5th. of May the Sloop of War called the Faulkland, commanded by Capt. Linzey came into the Cove, and as soon as the vessel had come to anchor, the Captain came on shore with his boats crew, all armed, and came to the house and said to the deponent, "you need not be scared," upon which he told him it was enough to scare anybody to see so many men come on shore armed: and the Women all Fled to where he knew not, upon which Capt. Linzey told them to call them in, for he did not mean to hurt any Body, upon which promise I and my family were satisfied. Soon after that the Captain asked to walk with him which he complied with; and in the course of their walk he de- manded to know what stock I had, and added to tell him right, for if I did not, he would take all that he met; upon which I gave him the Account. Then the Captain told me, the deponent, if I sold any of them he would take the remainder by force; upon which I
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told him, if he were here when they were fit for market he might have them, paying the price I used to have.
Soon after he went to Rhode Island, and returned back in a few days, after which he used to pass and repass the island almost every day, mostly in company with the Doctor of the Ship, leaving down the fences repeatedly, which let the cattle often mix together, which I told the Doctor was a great damage; the Doctors answer was, "Then you may put it up your selves for I will not"; and often talked in an abusive insulting manner that, he the Doctor, would soon take what he wanted without any pay. On the 26 inst. a Sloop came into the Cove, with about twenty passengers, men, women and children in great distress for provisions, and made ap- plication to me for supplies. Capt. Linzey knowing that, (his boat having boarded her), sent his boat on shore and forbid my letting them have any, then I advised them to apply to Capt. Linzey, and see if they could not prevail upon him to let them have some. Ac- cordingly they went; afterward the Captain of the sloop told me that he absolutely refused them and said, "Damn the dog that would let them have any"; and if they were not gone Immediately he would sink them, upon which they set sail immediately without any supplies, and farther the deponent declareth, that the Doctor came on shore, and said that the Captain's orders were that I should go with him, the said Doctor, and Destroy all the Boats belonging to the Island. I told him I could not go on such business as that ; he said he would send me on board the ship if I did not go, upon which I found I must comply, and accordingly went with him, and saw him, the Doctor stave three boats. On the 29th. about 8 o'clock in the evening he, the said Doctor, came on shore, and told me he had come for my sheep, upon which I told him they were out in the pasture and I could not get them into the pen it being dark, but could fetch them in as early in the morning as he pleased. The answer from the Doctor was, "Damn you! what did you turn them out for?" The reason, I told him, was that they had got out their
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own sheep, and did not say anything about when they should want mine, and I thought it best the sheep should be let out to feed; upon which the said Doctor said to me, "Damn you! go on board the ship and I'll see what they were turned out for." I told him I would not, but would go and try to get the sheep up; He said, "Well damn you make haste," and swang his sword over my head, but upon trial I found it so Dark I could not get them in; but on my return was informed that he, the Doctor had sent on board for more help to carry me and my brother on board the ship; upon which with the abuses and threats I had received before, I thought it time to make my Escape, which I did to the mainland, and begged the assistance of the people, who readily came to my as- sistance.
When I returned, which was about 3 o'clock in the morning, some of my family told me, they had been on shore armed and taken all my calves, being seven in number ; two of the poorest and smallest they had sent on shore in the morning; the others with four sheep they had some days before: they carried them off with- out paying for them. I do further declare the abuses and threats I received from Capt. Linzey and the Doctor were the occasion of my moving off the island, leaving my interest. I declare I never refused Capt. Linzey or any other person belonging to any ship of war entertainment in my house or supply of provisions that I had on my farm that I could spare, and I further declare that on the night of the 29th. the aforesaid Doctor, (as my wife informs me) came on shore and demanded my gun with his sword in hand which she delivered him and I have not seen it since, the only weapon of defense that I had on the Island. The value of the sheep, calves & gun which they took from me, and the use of my horse and well are as follows, viz.
MRS. JAMES BOWDOIN, WIFE OF GOVERNOR BOWDOIN, BY ROBERT FEKE
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four sheep value £2.16.0
2 (?) calves four months old 3. 6. 0
3 calves 2 months old 2. 8.0
4 quarters of veal weyht 60 lb. sold before and delivered 0. 16. 0
One gun taken out of my house by the Doctor of the ship, of great value 3. 0. 0
Riding my horse and use of my well 3. ·
£15. 6.0
Barnstable May 31 1775
Charge of man and horse from the Island to Boston 86 miles.
Elisha Nye
MRS. BOWDOIN TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY
Dorchester June 4 1775
Gentlemen ;
Mr Bowdoin has just received the enclosed Deposition, and being in a very weak state desires me to inform you that for some time past the Faulkland, sloop of War, commanded by Capt. Lin- zey, has been cruising about the Islands called the Elizabeth Islands near Marthas Vineyard. That the said sloop's boats have divers times landed armed men on the said Islands, who have abused the inhabitants, stove the boats and by force taken away a considerable part of their property, as may fully appear by the said deposition.
It is humbly apprehended that if about 100 armed men were properly posted on the said Island, they would be a sufficient force to defend the inhabitants and protect their stock of cattle and sheep which is very considerable and which have hitherto every
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year furnished divers parts of this colony with fat sheep & cattle for provisions and particularly with a large quantity of wool for our home manufacture.
I beg leave to make this Representation, that you may take such measures as your Wisdom shall Dictate, and am most Re- spectfully in Mr Bowdoin's behalf, who is part owner of one of said Islands,
Gentlemen your most Obedient humble Servant
Elizabeth Bowdoin
In the correspondence of Governor Bowdoin is this letter, an- nouncing that appointment which in all the history of our country probably affected it most vitally.
THOMAS CUSHING TO JAMES BOWDOIN
Philadelphia June 21 1775
Dear Sir;
You will doubtless have been informed that the Congress have unanimously appointed George Washington Esq. General & Commander-in-Chief of the American forces.
I beg leave to recommend him to your respectful notice. He is a compleat gentleman. He is sensible, amiable, virtuous, modest and brave. I promise myself that your acquaintance with him will afford you great pleasure and I doubt not his agreable behavior and good conduct will give great satisfaction to our people of all denominations.
Thomas Cushing
The petition of Mrs. Bowdoin and the authorities at Falmouth for troops to be stationed on the Elizabeth Islands met the follow- ing response.
GOVERNOR JAMES BOWDOIN BY ROBERT FEKE
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Elizabeth Islands September the thirteenth day A.D. one thousand and seven hundred and seventy five.
This is to certify that Mr John Read hath provided billeting barracks & firewood for thirty men from the twenty ninth day of June to the thirteenth day of July & for fifty men from the thir- teenth day of July to the thirtyth day of September instant, which company men are under my command & are stationed on the Eliza- beth Islands by order of the Congress per me . . . John Grannis. In Council Oct. 11 1775 Read & ordered that a warrant be drawn on the treasury for £100 in favor of John Read to pay the Co. sta- tioned on Elizabeth Island 2 months billeting to be accountable to this Board for the same.
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