Chapter III: Part 3

William Browne, age 17 or 18 yeares, Saith that he was to goe passenger for England with mr. Robert Cook, master of the Shipe Called the _blow dove_ of london. the sd. wm. Browne heard the master Say that the Said Ship did belonge to Sr. wm. Davidson in Amsterdam[2] and I know that James wattson who came owt of holand befoire the Ship, did frawght the Sd. Ship with Some goods marked with WD. and I doe not know certanly whether there was ane S. in the midle or not, and that the Said James wattson was going with the Sd Shipe first for England and then for Amsterdam, and that the Sd. wm. Browne did See a Jewe Marke Qwicksilver and wax, which was Shiped Aboard of the Sd. Shipe, which Jewe kept a Shope publickly in Jamaica and did dispose of Some of the goods q'ch [which] came from holdand in the Said Shipe, and I doe know that there was ane English man Aboard which was a pasenger which had Some goods A board, as Cocco, 2 Tunne marked with ane O burned with the Barrell of A mwscket.[3] the Sd Shipe coming out of port Royall with 10 men or there About, with Some passengers, went in Company with Captaine Hatchwell to blewefilds bay,[4] a bowte 20 Leagwes distance from Pt. Royall, and tooke in some watter and Some Ballace, and being at ane Ankore the Captane of a little Barke with his Company boarded them and gave them a voly of Shoat, being in nwmber about 27 men, and being Some what darke the master was Shote in the Arme and the men of the _blow dove_ were put in the howll of the Shipe: and then the Asaylants Cut the Cables, and Caryed away both veshells and them, untill they came to poynt Niggereell,[5] where they met with ane English barke coming from Caymanws and bownd for Porte Royall in Jamaica, where they putte the Said mr. of the _blowe dove_ Aboard According to his desire and furnished them with Some victwales and a Caise of Spirits: and after they were gone owt of Sight they lasht there barke aboard of the prise and took most of there things owt of her and Let her goe Adrifte.

[Footnote 2: See document 27.]

[Footnote 3: Musket.]

[Footnote 4: This Blewfields Bay is at the SW. side of Jamaica.]

[Footnote 5: Cape Negril.]

There was Aboarde the Shipe when shee was taken from Ro't Cooke bowt 48 hogsheads of Sugar, Some Cocco, Ebbony, Granadilla, Brasilita,[6] Oakem, Stockfish, match, Qwick Silver 29 or 30 Chists, 2 gold Crownes with diveres other Jewelles, 1 Barill of knives, Some Swords, 1 Barill with Sheathes and Corvall, 60 Jares of oyle, 9 Caises with Spirits, 7 or 8 packes of whyte waxe, Lignavita, Gwmme about 5 or 7 pak.

[Footnote 6: Braziletto, a wood resembling brazil-wood.]

Taken upon oath this 25th of July 1664 befor me
THOMAS SAVAGE, Commiss'r.

Acknowledged in Court 5th August 1664.
EDW. RAWSON, secret.

_22. Deposition of Robert Lord. July 26, 1664._[1]

[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 224.]

The deposition of Robert Lord aged 42 yeares July 26, 1664.

Saith

That being at Jamaica about the moneth of January last past, there came in the pincke _blew dove_ which was seized at sea betweene Hispaniola and Jamaica by John Morrice Captn. of the _Virgin Queene_ (an english man of war), who putt two or three of his men aboad to bring her into Jamaica harbor, hee with his man of war bearing her Company neere to the harbour; when the sd _blew dove_ had bin three or foure daies at Jamaica there was a Court of Admiralty appointed for the triall of the sd _Blew-dove_, it being expected by the sd Captn. Morrice and Company that the sd Ship would have been a prize to them, and their great Argument was that they were sailing towards Cuba before they had seized them, and that they were laden with ammunition and goods sutable to the spanish trade: but uppon triall in the Court, their billes of Lading appeared that they were bound to Jamaica, their cocketts and dispatches being cleere from the Kings Custome-house at Dover; this deponent speaking in Court to Sr Charles Littelton (then sitting Judge of the Court)[2] that hee knew the Master Robert Cooke, and that hee lived in Ratliffe[3] neere to him, which also testifies Captn: Isack Bowles Comander of the _Blackmore_ (one of the Royall Companies Ships),[4] the Governor (Sr Charles Littelton) did thereupon declare them to be a free ship, and to have their liberty of trade as any other Ship whatsoever that was then in the Harbour; And further saith that the aforesd Captn. John Morrice told this deponent that hee had hoped to have had a good prize of the _blew-dove_, but hee gott nothing of them but an English Ensigne, and a hogshead of strong beare, and that the sd _Blew-dove_ came in with English colours, and did on all occasions weare them.

[Footnote 2: Lord Windsor was governor of Jamaica in January, 1664, Sir Charles Lyttelton deputy governor.]

[Footnote 3: Ratcliff, London.]

[Footnote 4: Bowles was one of the captains, and the _Blackamoor_ one of the ships, of the "Company of the Royal Adventurers of England trading into Africa", the predecessor of the Royal African Company.]

Taken upon oath, 27: 5: 64. Before me
ELIA. LUSHER.

_23. Deposition of John Hunter. July 26, 1664._[1]

[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 225.]

John Hunter Aged a bout 40 years deposeth and sayth

That this deponant was shipped by Captaine Robert Cooke, Commander of the _blew dove_ of London so Caled, to sayle as a sayler in the said shipp from Jameco to Dover and so for Amsterdam: the time this deponant was shipped was about the begining of Aprill Last past in Jameco.

This Shipp _blew dove_, as I was informed by the people in Jameco, was brought in by a Captaine of a privat man of war uppon susspition that shee was to trade with the Spaniard as a hollander, haveing Jewes Goods on bord as thay Alleged, but was there Clered by the Governer, sir Charles Littelton, and had fower moneths trade there afterwards. this was the Common report of the people there. farther this deponant testifieth uppon his owne knowlidg, being about two moneths a seaman uppon the said Shipp before shee was taken, and when wee Came out of Jameco wee had a let pas[2] from the Governer to saile to dover and there to pay the Kings Customs and from thenc wee were to sayle unto Amsterdam and to deliver our goods unto Sir william Davis[3] or his order, as the bills of Lading maketh manifest, which this deponant did see in the hands of Captaine Dugles Now a prisner, who desired this deponant to Reade the bill of Lading unto him at sea as wee were Coming in to these parts, allso a nother bill of Lading for sum smale quantitie of wax and quicksilver which belonged unto a Jue, as I did aprehend. also I red a nother bill of Lading for severall goods belonging unto an Englishman Living in Jameco, who was going passenger for dover in the said shipp, but was turned a shore in blewfilds bay as the rest were by the said Duglas and his Company. farther this deponant testifieth that Captaine Duglas was at Jameco and did here that this shipp was there Clered and did then tell this deponant that hee would take this shipp, which this deponant towld him hee Could not Legally doe for shee beelonged unto Sir william davis in Amsterdam, his maisties Resident there. this deponant did acquaint Captaine Cooke what the said duglas said. farther this depont testifieth that when we were in blewfilds bay this duglas Came Rowing upp with two oars about eight of the Clock at night. Wee haild them and Asked whenc thay were and thayer Answer was, from the Barbados. wee Asked who was there to friend. thay Answered peter prier,[4] who said thay had lost Camanos and were going to seeke for it Againe, but presently thay Clapt thayer helme a starbord and shered Abord us giving a volly of smale shott, in which thay shot our master through the Arme, and so Came on bord and beate us doune in to the howld without Asking of us what wee weare and so Cut our Cable and presently put forth to sea. farther this deponant testifieth that two of the sailers being Englishmen Leaft the said Captaine Cooke at Jameco, uppon which the said Cooke was forced to shipp this deponant and a nother. and farther this deponant sayth not.

[Footnote 2: Let-pass, a permit; see doc. no. 130.]

[Footnote 3: Davidson; see doc. no. 27.]

[Footnote 4: Probably a pun on "pry", to fob off intrusive questioning.]

Taken upon Oath the 26th of 5th mo 1664
before mee ANTHONY STODDARD, Comissr.

owned in Court 5th August 1664 EDW. RAWSON.

_24. Deposition of Charles Hadsall. July 27, 1664._[1]

[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, pp. 231, 232.]

The deposition off Charls Hadsall, aged forty six years or thereabouts:

Testefieth and saith that mr Robt Cooke, Comandor of the shipp _blew dove_, together with my selfe Comandor of the shipp _Lucretia_ sett sayl from port Royall harbor In Jemaicah with free Lett Pases from Collonall morgan deputy Governer of Jemaicah:[2] And Coming down In Company to blew feilds bay where we Came to An Anchor to fetch our wood and watter on board and as soon as we were at anchor there Came of a Conoo from Capt John Dowglas Lying Closs under the shoar on board of my shipp with two men for to Inquire among my men whether I woold Ingage to defend the shipp _blew dove_, I then being on board of her the said shipp _blew dove_, with Squire wattson, Marchant of the said shipp, with whome I went a shoare: and Coming on board about seven a Clok In the Evning with squire wattson to the shipp _blew dove_ and having taken my Leave of him went on board of my owne shipp: and halfe an hour after there Came a Conoo from the vessell of sd Dowglass on board of my shipp _Lucretiah_, where I demanded of the said men that Came In the Conoo whether they were bound: and they Replied for the Camanes, which they said they were formerly bound for and had mist: and now pretended they woold goe with mee to Cemanes: And further saith that they said they woold be at new england before mee. I Replied, "In whatt shipp": they said It was no matter In whatt shipp: and while these men were discoursing with mee Dowglas his barke Clapt the shipp _blew dove_ on board, Cutt her Cables and sett sayle, and the men that were on board my shipp with me went away on board the said shipp _blew dove_: and soe went away, and three days after the master, marcha[nt] and sum of the Company being putt Into a small vessell Came Into blew feilds bay where I then Rod att Anchor and I going on board of them, saw the master of the shipp _blew dove_, shott In the arme, who told mee that they the said dowglass and his Company had took all they had from them only the Close uppon his back: And further this deponent saith that squire wattson told him that the shipp _blew dove_ belonged to Sr Wm Davison and Captain Taillur: and that the master and marchant of the said shipp told mee there were Letters on board of the said shipp _blew dove_ for his majesty and the duke of yorke:[3] being such Letters as were Considerable. And further saith that the master and marchant of the shipp _blew dove_ told mee that there was In Jewells on board of said shipp to the vallue of three hundred pound sterling and about thirty Chests of quik silver and sugger he said was on board but I have forgott whatt quantity he spake off. And further this deponent saith that the shipp _blew dove_ Rod In Jemaicah severall sabbeth days with her english Cullers out.

[Footnote 2: Col. Edward Morgan, commissioned deputy governor January 18, did not reach Jamaica till May 21 or 22. _Cal. St. P. Col._, 1661-1668, pp. 182, 211.]

[Footnote 3: The king's brother, afterward James II.]

Taken upon oath 27: 5: 64
Before me ELIA. LUSHER.

owned in Court 5th August 1664 by the sd Hadsell
E.R.[4]

[Footnote 4: Edward Rawson, secretary of the council.]

_25. Petition of John Douglass. August, 1664._[1]

[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 230a. In response apparently to this petition, the General Court on August 8 ordered 40 shillings to be given to Captain Douglas, and 20 to each of his men, "to preserve them alive till they can provide some honest imploy for themselves, and that their particcular cloathes, so cleerely prooved [_i.e._, if clearly proved to be theirs] ... be ... delivered to them." _Records of Mass. Bay_, IV., pt. 2, p. 128. But the capture was declared illegal.]

To the honored Governor, Deputy Governor, Majestrates and Deputies of this honoured Generall Court now sitting in Boston in the Massachusetts Colonie of New England.

The peticion of captayne John Duglas late Commandor of the Prise called the _Blew Dove_ of Anserdam in behalfe of himselfe and Company (servants and seamen to the said Ship belonging), whose names are hereunder Subscribed.

Humbly shewing, That whereas the said Ship was seized uppon at Puscataque in his Majesties name about the eighteenth-day of July-last with all the Seamens chests and Clothes save what they have on their backs, And that the said Seamen have bin here about fiveteene dayes without any allowance from the Countrey and not a penny of money to releeve themselves, so that they had perished eare this tyme had they not bin releeved by som freinds, some of which company have bin without victualls three dayes together, They humbly crave this honored Court that they may have a speedy triall whether their prise be a lawfull prise or not, otherwise that they may have their chests, clothes and armes, which request of your Peticioners they humbly crave may be taken into Consideration and they shall, as by duty they ar bound, pray, etc.

JOHN DOUGLASS.

THOMAS BERKENHEAD. JOAN CLOBARTEXE [?]. THOMAS MARTTIN. LAMESTE [?] ABRAHAM WILKERSON. WILLIAM GIOTTE. HALLIGAR JOHNSON. JOHN HORRE. his [X] marke his [+] Marke MIHILL HENDERSON. PIERRE PERWALLE. his [MH] marke SOLOMON. CLINE the Dutchman. his [X] marke JOAN PAGE.

_26. Plea of John Douglass. (August 8?), 1664._[1]

[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, pp. 271, 272.]

The tenth day of October, one thousand Sixe hundred Sixtey and Tow, One Capt John Daglas Brought one Commision from the king of Portugall, Sayling out of Lisborren[2] for to Make ware according to His Commision in his Ship Called _St John_, force 4 Gones, with men and Amunission Convennent, to Make Ware with the Ennemes of the Sayed king.

[Footnote 2: Lisbon.]

Having lived about the time of 4 or 5 Monthes about the Ilandes of the Canares with out taking any Prise, this same Capt. tucke Resselution to Sayle to wardes the Endges[3] with his Ship and Men, and After Som dayes of his Arivall to this Enges, som thing Neare the Iland Martenekea[4] he Mett with a man of ware. the Sayed Captaine dagles was ingadged to fight having a great many of his Men kild and wounded and hee him Self Deapley Wounded with a Shote from a Mosquit, the whch Shote Bracke his Arrem, and was in danger of his Life.

[Footnote 3: Indies.]

[Footnote 4: Martinique.]

And for his helth he and his men was forcest to Retier to the Iland of Monseratt, inhabeated by the Engles under the Goverment of Correnall Roger Asborn.[5] thare this Sayed Capt. was Courtiously Receved by this Sayed Govenar and brought him a shoure, whare hee was in dyett and dwelt a twel month upon this sayed Iland in which this his Sayed Ship which he brought Out of Lisborne Perresed[6] thare and was uncapabell of the ware.

[Footnote 5: Col. Roger Osborn.]

[Footnote 6: Perished.]

Afterward the Sayed Capt. Dagles he went to Jemekea and the Jenerell of the Iland of Jemekea did Exammine the Commision of Capt. John Dagles, and having found itt Good the Sayed Jenerall gave him Permision to baye[7] a frigat for the Sayed ware according to his Commision, and touck men, Arrems and Amunision for the ware with the Ennemis of the king of Portagall, and the Sayed Capt. John Daglas Sayeled from the Iland Jemeake with permision of the sayed Jenearell.

[Footnote 7: Buy.]

And about 3 Mounth After Sayling out of thees harbor Jemeke, this Sayed Capt. Dagles had Nouse by Severell Engles Vessells that thar was a vessell Redey to Sayell Out of the harbor of Jemeake loden by the Jues under the king of Spaine, and the Sayed Captaine vas very Diligant to mite with the Sayed Shipe, the which Shipe was called the _blau Duff_, mr. Robart Coxe Commander, and this Sayed Capt. John Daglas had knowledge of this sayed Shipe in the baye of blue fild, whare no one Inhabeted, distant 32 Leages from the harbor of Jemekea, the which Capt. went with his Sayed frigett and found a Commission from the Engea Compenia of Ansterdam,[8] With letters and loden from thes Jues for Ansterdam, and after that toucke the Depousision of 5 prisnores, the which did all Declare that the Sayed Shipe did Beloung to Ansterdam and bound for Ansterdam with his loden, and the Sayed Prisnores Gave the Sayed depusison befor Capt. Pemmellton,[9] Chefe Justes in Pescatabay.

[Footnote 8: The Dutch West India Company, Amsterdam Chamber.]

[Footnote 9: Pendleton.]

And After the Sayed Capt. John Dagles toucke the prise, Sayled outt of the Channell Called bahem[10] and Steared his Cource to Sayle into portag'll with this his Sayed Prise, to give knowledg to the king of portugall, in which Sayed vaydge wanting vettiells and watter he Arived in Now England for to tack watter and fitt his Ship for this his Sayed vaydge to portugall.

[Footnote 10: The Bahama Channel.]

And [after] he did Arive att the port of Pescatabay, the Sayed Capt. Daglas Did Send ashore one of his Offecers to the Sayed Capt. Pemmellton, Justice of Putatabay, desiering Permision to watter and to give him libertey to sell som goods for to baye vittells and to be goine in his vaydge to Portugall.

And upon his Desier the sayed Justase Capt. Pemmellton Sent word to the sayed Capt. Dagles that hee was verey wellcom and that he had his libertey to doue in seviletey[11] what his mind was and upon this his word the sayed Capt. Dagles was Obleged to him.

[Footnote 11: To do in civility.]

And After 8 Dayes the touck the Sayed Capt. Dagles prisnor and his men and seased upon his vessell and goods and pout all his men out and pout outher men abord, the which did Plonder me and my men Just to Ouer Sherts.

Sertenly itt tis a very Sad Cace that a Jntallman[12] of his qualetea Should youse a stranger soe unsivell, because of the Aleance between the Crounes,[13] and not to give him libertey to goe a bout his bousnes--and he had seased my Commision and all my paperes as if I ware an Enneme to the Croune of England.

[Footnote 12: Gentleman.]

[Footnote 13: Of England and Portugal, 1661.]

_27. Power of Attorney from Sir William Davidson. September 13, 1664._[1]

[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, pp. 259-261. In the _Calendar of State Papers, Colonial_, 1661-1668, p. 284, appears a letter from King Charles II. to the governor of Jamaica, March 1, 1665, in which he speaks of Douglas's piratical seizure of Davidson's ship, and declares that he (the king) has written to the governor and council at Boston to apprehend the pirate, but has heard nothing of them.]

Bee it knowne Unto all men by these presents that on the Thirteenth day of the month of September, Anno domini one thousand six hundred sixty and Foure, And in the sixteenth yeare of the raigne of our soveraigne Lord Charles the second, by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, Frannce and Ireland, defendor of the faith, etca. Before me William Allen, notary and tabellion publicke dwelling in this Citty of London, by the Authority of the said Kings Majesty admitted and sworne, and in the presence of the witnesses here after named personnally appeared Sir William Davidson, Knight and Barronett, his Majestyes Royall Commissionner at Amsterdam in Holland, etca., at present in this Citty of London, one of the Gentlemen of his Majestyes privy Chamber in ordinary;

Who hath declared that Whereas The ship or Vessell lately Called the _Blew Dove_ of London, where of Robert Cooke of Ratcliffe was lately master and James Watson servant to the said Sir William Davidson Supra Cargoe on the said shipp, or by whatsoever other name the said ship may be Called or knowne, Together with all her Loading of Sugar, quicksilver, Cacau, Tobaccoe, Brazillet wood, and other goods, merchandises, silver mony, and other things whatsoever, lately loaden at Jamaica by the servants of the said sir William Davidson, was (as hee the said William Davidson is Certainely informed) villanously and Roguishly taken by Pyratts, Rovers, and Theeves, Comeing from Jamaica aforesaid; and Brought upp to Boston in New England, or thereabouts; Now hee the said Sir William Davidson hath, in the best manner way and forme unto him possible, made, ordained and Constituted and by these presents in his stead and place doth make, ordaine and Constitute Mr. Francis Willoughby of Charles Towne in New England, merchant,[2] his true and lawfull Atturny, Giving and by these presents graunting unto his said Atturny full power, Commission, and lawfull authority, for and in the name and to the Use of the said Sir William Davidson, to demaund, sue for, leavy, recover, receave and take possession of the said shipp lately Called the _Blew dove_ of London (or by whatsoever other name shee may bee Called or knowne), And all furniture and appurtenances to her belonging, Together with all her Loading of sugar, quick silver, Cacau, Tobaccoe, Brazillet wood, and other goods, merchandises, silver mony, and other things whatsoever, And to make and give such acquittances and discharges as shall be requisite, And in all thinges to follow the orders and directions of the said Sir William Davidson; And further to take, seize upon, and apprehend the said Pyratts, Rovers, and Theeves, and prossecute them according to law, And if neede bee by reason of the premisses to appeare before whatsoever Lords Judges and Justices in any Court or Courts, there to answere, defend and reply in all matters and Causes touching or Concerneing the premisses, to doe, say, pursue, Implead, arrest, seize, sequester, attache, Imprison, and to Condemne, and out of prison againe to deliver; And further generally in and Concerneing the premisses to doe all thinges which hee the said Sir William Davidson might or Could doe if that hee should be then and there personnally present, with power to substitute one or more Atturnyes under him with like or lymmitted power and the same againe to revoake; And the said Sir William Davidson doth promise to rattify, Confirme, allow and approove of all and whatsoever his said Atturny, or his substitute or substitutes shall lawfully doe, or Cause or procure to bee donne, in and about the premisses, by vertue of these presents; In witnesse whereof the said Sir William Davidson hath signed, sealed and delivered these presents;

[Footnote 2: Deputy-governor of Massachusetts 1665-1671.]

Thus donne and passed at London aforesaid in the presence of Captaine John Tailor of London, merchant,[3] and Mr. Nicholas Corsellis alsoe of London, merchant, as witnesses hereunto required.

[Footnote 3: Willoughby's father-in-law. Waters, _Genealogical Gleanings_, pp. 970-977. Corsellis was a Dutch merchant in London.]

JOHN TAYLOR. WILLIAM DAVIDSON. NICOLAS CORSELLIS.

In testimonium veritatis
WM. ALLEN, Not's Pub'cus,
1664

THE _PROVIDENCE_.

_28. Certificate of Cornelius de Lincourt. April 12/22, 1673._[1]

[Footnote 1: Suffolk Court Files, Boston, no. 1257, paper 11. There was war between England and the United Provinces, 1672-1674. The Dutch privateer _'s Landswelvaren_ (Commonweal) captures the _Providence_ on April 4/14, 1673, and puts on board her a prize crew. The two vessels become separated. On April 11/21 the _'s Landswelvaren_ makes prize of the ketch mentioned in this document, in which Captain de Lincourt presents the ketch, by way of consolation, to the master of the _Providence_. On April 12/22 the prize crew of the _Providence_, by a ruse, possesses itself of the _Little Barkley_, but presently both English crews separately recover possession of their vessels, and they separately make their way to Boston. Raddon, master of the _Providence_, arrives there later.]

Lett it bee knowne to all kings, princes and potentates in Christendom and to all those that it may Concerne, how that upon the 21th day of aprill 1673 before the River of Virginia have taken and overmastered Under the Comition of his highness my lord prince William the third of Oringe, taken a Cetch called _Dergens_ [?] Coming from Boston out of new england, goeing to the River of Virginia, whearof was skiper John Cox, which ketch I was intended for to burne or to sinck, but after severall Considerations I doe give the same ketch and all that belongs unto her freely and liberaly unto the honorable Capt. Thomas Raddon and Mr. Joseph Fox, whoe both likewise weare taken by mee, to have and to hold as their owne Ketch and to dispose thereof to their owne Content.

Signed by mee in the Ship Called _Slanswelvarn_ at sea the 22th day of Aprill 1673.

CORNELIS DE LINCOURT. Stierman, JAN CORNELISSE. Stierman, PIETER GERRITSZ. bootsman,[2] THOMAS SEVERS. Constapel,[3] ANTONI FERO. Schyman,[4] JACOB WALLE.

[Footnote 2: Boatswain.]

[Footnote 3: Gunner.]

[Footnote 4: Boatswain's mate.]

I the underwritten do acknowledge that this above mentioned act is done and signed in the presence of my officers and signed by them before skiper Cox, Master of the above mentioned ketch, dated as above.

CORNELIOUS DELINCOURT.
Copia vera. G. SWERINGEN.

_29. Deposition of John Johnson and Henry Harris. April 26, 1673._[1]

[Footnote 1: Suffolk Court Files, Boston, no. 1257, paper 19.]

The depositions of John Johnson, aged 18 yeers, steersman, and Henry Harris, aged about 24 yeers:

These depon'ts testifie and say that they these deponts together with severall other seamen belonging unto Flushing, under the comand of Capt. Cornelious Lincort, Comand'r of the shipp _Slandt Welvaeren_, in English the _Comonwelth_, by vertu of a Comisson from his highness the prince of orange, we came up with the _Providence_ of Falmouth (who was bound to Virginia) in the Latitude of 36: and 40: and tooke her, which when taken these depon'ts and ten more were put on bord her to Keepe and secure her, and after wee had been on bord some hours, in the night wee lost our own shipp and saw them no more, and about seven dayes after wee came up with a Londoner and thinking to take him, four of our company went on bord in the night but never returned, and the next day after the English that belonged to the sd Ship _Providence_, and some of the other ship before mencioned that wee had on bord with us prisoners, rose and retook her and suppressed us and have brought sd shipp and us into Piscattay River.

Grt Island[2] the 26th April 1673. taken upon oath by the persons above named before me

[Footnote 2: Great Island, lying in the mouth of the Piscataqua River; at that time a part of Portsmouth, now New Castle, N.H.]

ELIAS STILEMAN, Comisr.[3]

[Footnote 3: From 1658 to 1679, under the Massachusetts government of New Hampshire, Elias Stileman was a magistrate and county commissioner for Portsmouth.]

_30. Petition of Edward Bant. About April 28, 1673._[1]

[Footnote 1: Suffolk Court Files, Boston, no. 1257, paper 1.]

To the Honorable County Court now sitting in Boston The humble petition of Edward Bant on the Behalf of himself and the rest of the Company belonging unto the Ship called the _Little Barklay_, being five men in number, Humbly sheweth

That they your Hon'rs petitioners, with the sd ship, were taken about Eighty Leagues East and by North from the Capes of Virginia by a Prize formerly taken by Capt. Cornelius Lincoint, commander of a ship belonging to Flushing called in English the _Commonwealth_. And the next day following the Commander of the said prize went on board the said _Barkley_, intending to have taken out her goods to put them on board his own vessell, whilst wee your petit'rs were on board his vessell as prisoners held in the Hold. And then the English Company remaining on board the sd. _Barkley_ surprized them, the sd. Commander and his Company, and sailed away with them. And about six hours after, your petitioners, together with the other English men belonging to the aforesd prize (when in possession of the English), made an Insurrection and took the ship by violence from the Dutch men and have brought her into the harbour at Puscataqua with eight Dutch men prisoners in her, and her goods and Loading secured in the wearhouse of Mr. Nathaniell Fryer.[2]

[Footnote 2: Merchant and county commissioner in Portsmouth.]

Whereupon your Hon'rs serious wise Consideration of the premises your petitioners humbly pray your Hon'rs be pleased to order what salvage they shall have out of the said ship and cargo now in Puscataqua, and that with all expedition that may be, because they are all Strangers and willing[3] to returne to their hoames, And lying here upon great Charges, having nothing but what they borrow and cloathes on their back. And as in duty bound they shall pray for your prosperity, etc.

[Footnote 3: _I.e._, desirous.]

8 May 1673. At a Court of Assistants on adjourmt.

In ans'r to the petition of Edward Bant in behalfe of himself and fower seamen, the Court judgeth it meet to order that Mr. Nathaniel Fryer allow and pay the sum of fiveteene pounds for their salvage, taking their receipts for the same.

past. EDW. RAWSON, Secre'ty.

_31. Order of the Suffolk County Court. April 29, 1673._[1]

[Footnote 1: Suffolk Court Files, no. 1257, paper 6.]

At a County Court held at Boston Aprill 29th 1673.

In answer to the petition presented to this Court by Henry King and Edward Bant who lately brought into the River of Piscataquay the Ship _Providence_ of Falmoth, whereof said King was Mate in a voiadge from England to Virginia, in which voiadge they were surprized by a Dutch man of War,[2] and by the Petitioners and Company rescued out of theire hands: who have since Surrendred the said Ship and her loading into the hands of Mr. Nathaniel Fryer for the Securing and looking after both in behalf of the Owners.

[Footnote 2: The term then included privateers. The _'s Landswelvaren_ was not a public vessel.]

This Court doe order and Empower Mr. Elias Stileman and Mr. Henry Deering, together with said Fryer, or any two of them, to take a particular acco't of the state of said ship, and to Inventory the Goods brought in by and belonging to her, and to make provition for the Securing of both for the right Owners, making a return thereof to the present Dept. Govr. by the 7th of May next, and the said Fryer is further ordered to disburse for the Company arrived in the said Ship what may bee for the Supply of theire present necessities, and also order that hee take care that the 8 Dutch men brought in prisoners in the saide Ship bee forthwith brought to Boston before Authority, to be disposed of as the matter may require, and for the other parts of the petition's, touching Salvage or wages, The Court refers them to the Counsell at theire next meeting.

Copia vera per ISAAC ADDINGTON, Cler.[3]

[Footnote 3: Afterward speaker 1685, assistant 1686, councillor and secretary of the province 1692-1715.]

_32. Petition of Henry King. April 30, 1673._[1]

[Footnote 1: Suffolk Court Files, no. 1257, paper 4.]

To the Hon'able the Deputy Governor and Majest's[2] now assembled in Court.

[Footnote 2: Magistrates, or members of the Court of Assistants.]

Hen. King.

Humbly Recommendeth to your worships candid consideration his present case and Condition, hoping to obtaine your worships Juditious approbation therein, to the end and intent that all persons Conserned and Related to the ship _providence_ of Falmouth, which was taken by a Dutch ship of warr on the 4th instant[3] about 40 Leagues short of the Capes of Virginia and Retaken again by the means and directions of your suppliants, who requeste that your worships will please to Grant orders that your petitioner and those other seamen belonging to the said ship who were asistant in Retaking her may have their wages according to agreem't, from the time of their being shipt till the said ship _providence_ with her Loading was brought into pascataqua River and there put into the Custody of Mr. Nathaniel Fryar, who is the Correspondant of one of the Owners of said ship with her Cargoe, where she is to Continue till orders from authority or instructions from the proprietors. Boston 30 Apr. 1673. And Your Petitioner shall Ever Pray.

[Footnote 3: April 4, old style, the style still used by the English in 1673; April 14, new style, the style used by the Dutch, as in document no. 28, above.]

At a Court of Assistants held in Boston on adjourm't, 8 May 1673.

In answer to the petition of Henry King in behalf of himself and the six seamen according to their Portlidge bills[4] Given into this Court with their declaration, the Court Judgeth it meete to Grant and order that Mr. Nathaniell Fryer pay them their severall wages, he taking their receipts for the same. Past by the Court, as Attest

EDWARD RAWSON, Secrety.

[Footnote 4: A mariner's portage or portledge was originally his own venture in the ship, in freight or cargo, but by this time "portledge bill" frequently meant merely a list of sailor's claims for wages or allowances.]

_33. Inventory of the Providence. May 5, 1673._[1]

[Footnote 1: Suffolk Court Files, no. 1257, paper 16. In the margin of the original document, each indication of a parcel (such as "a large hhd.") is accompanied by a representation of the monogram or other symbol which the parcel bore as a distinguishing mark.]

An Inventory of the goods and things taken into the custody of Mr. Nathaniel Fryer that came in the Shipp _Providence_ of Falmouth, of which shipp Mr. Henry King was Mate in a voyage from England to Virgenia but now Master.

_a large hhd._

13 pa. fr. falls[2] 11 pa. pl.[3] shooes 1 wier kage 6 pa. mens wollen hose 12 pa. Irish cloath hose 2 old hatt 2 new shirts 2 p'ces shearge 20 pa. worsted hose 1 p'ce blue linnon 28 1 dito 29 1 dito 44 1 halfe p'ce lockram[4] 3 halfe pound of wt. thread 1 lb. browne thread 1 paper col. filleting 1 paper col. thread about a ld. 1 p'ce sheeting canvas 123 27-1/2 yards dowlas[5] 1 coat } 1 dublet } part worn 2 pa. briches } and oakum to fill up the hhd. that these things were in.

[Footnote 2: French (?) falls; a fall was a collar falling flat around the neck.]

[Footnote 3: Plain.]

[Footnote 4: A linen fabric.]

[Footnote 5: Coarse linen.]

_a large hhd._

1 doz. 10 paire mens fr. falls 4 pa. pumps with heeles 2 saddles 7 curb bitts 6 snaffall bitts 1 pa. black head stall and raynes and crupp and breastplate 1 dubble girt 4 halters 1 doz. white raynes and headstalls 6 pa. white stirrup leathers 1 doz. pa. boyes and girles shooes 2 doz. 1/2 mens pl. shooes 1 p'ce kersie no. 1: 26-3/4 1 p'ce dito--2:26 1 p'ce. searge

_a little hhd._

6 large pewter basons 3 large Iron shovels 1 curb bitt 1 side saddle and furniture 2 doz. pa. mens fr. falls 10 pa. mens pl. shooes 2 pa. woodden heele weo.[6] shooes

[Footnote 6: Women's.]

_a little hhd._

40 pa. fr. falls and woodden heele shooes for men and w. 18 pa. mens pl. shooes 2 pa. boyes pl. shooes

_a broad hamper._

5 doz: 1/2 low crowne black hatts

* * * * *

9 reams of paper Damnified[7] 2 peeces of haire cloath ell wide a small baile of 2 small p'ces of small canvas 1 p'ce ell wide fine canvas in a bundall 1 p'ce Lockram } halfe a peece fine dowlas } in a bundall

[Footnote 7: Damaged.]

_a box._

3 gounds[8] 2 Jasto Corps[9] 4 stuffe coates for men

[Footnote 8: Gowns.]

[Footnote 9: Justaucorps.]

_a box._

2 stuffe vest for boyes 2 boyes little coates 2 childrens coates 2 scarlett parragon[10] coates 2 childes parragon coate 1 boyes coat

[Footnote 10: Double camlet.]

_a box._

5 coates and briches for men 2 weo. Stuffe gounes 2 mens cloakes

_a box._

1 p'ce blue linnon a small parcell dowlas a small parcell lockram 22 small bundles black thread 1 doz. mens white worsted hose, ratt eaten

_a box, the baile in it._

13 peeces blue linnon

_a box._

23 low crowne black hatts 16 p'ces of taffeta ribbon severall colours 20 p'ces of black dito

_a box._

12 peeces blue linnon

* * * * *

a barrell of powder

_a small box broak open._

7 yards ticking 28 yards blue linnon 2 pa. weo. parragon bodices and Stomegers[11] 17 yards 1/2 of Stuffe 1 lb. black thread

[Footnote 11: Stomachers.]

* * * * *

1 small barrell of nayles

_a great chest._

7 peeces kersie 2 p'ces red playnes[12] 1 p'ce white cotton 12 grose coat button 2 doz. pins 4 peeces galloune[13] 3 papers white filleting 12 peeces white tape a paper sewing and stiching silks about a ld. 6 paire woe. parragon bodices and stomegers 6 pa. childrens bodices

[Footnote 12: Flannel.]

[Footnote 13: Narrow braid of gold, silver, or silk thread.]

* * * * *

2 brass panns 69 Duch blue potts 2 small sloope sayles 3 small quoiles[14] cordidge 4 quarter casks of brandy 2 puncheons of mault 3 small casks of wine, 1 pt out sd to be Masters. 40 white Jarrs of oyle 13 doz. stone bottles 11 barrells of Bread 1 old missen 1 old fore saile 1 new fore topsaile 1 maine topsaile 1 maine saile 1 fore saile 1 maine topsaile 1 Ensigne[15] 1 Jack 1 pennant 1 long boats new maine saile and fore saile 1 sprittsell topsaile 1 new spritsaile 1 maine saile 1 missen top saile 1 missen 1 old fore topsaile 1 fore topsaile 1 old fore saile fore bouelings and braces and clue garnets[16] fore Jeere buntlins and fore topsaile clulings fore top mast stays topsaile bouleings and lifts topsaile sheets topmast backstayes topsaile tie and halliards tacks topmast shrouds sheets sheet blocks Topsaile sheets blocks Maine boleings--missen Brailes Maine topsaile lifts Maine topsaile braces brases topsaile tie and Halliardes clue garnetes leich linees topmast backstaiees topmast sheets topmast shroudes buntlins topsaile bowlelings tackes topmast clulings and lifts and maine Jeere topmast staye, topmast buntlins sheets, sheete blocks

[Footnote 14: Coils.]

[Footnote 15: The ensign was the ship's chief flag. The jack was a small flag, in this case no doubt the union jack, combining the crosses on the flags of England and of Scotland, and was at this time commonly flown at the spritsail-topmast head.]

[Footnote 16: Of the various ropes here mentioned, bowlines and brails ran to the perpendicular sides of square sails, buntlines across their fronts; clew-garnets and clewlines were tackles for clewing up the lower and the upper square sails respectively, jeers for hoisting the lower yards; lifts ran from the masthead to the yard-arms, leech lines to the sides of the topsails.]

_What in 3 Chests (of the Seamens)_

_No. 1._

4 horse whips 1 weo. coat 3 doz. thread laces 2 pa. childrens hose 1 grose brest buttons 1 p'ce diaper tape 3 pocket paper bookes 2 whisks 1 band 1 silke neck cloath 1 demity wastcoat 1 old shirt 2 yards striped linnon 6 yards Stuffe 1 p'ce kersie 1 coat 1 pa. briches 3 forestaffs[17] and vaines

[Footnote 17: Simple instruments for taking altitudes (and so determining latitudes).]

_No. 2._

1 lookeing glass 1 doz. pa. white worsted hose for men 1 brass old trumpett 5 shirts } 3 pa. drawers } foule 1 pa. fine gloves 2 stuffe coates 1 pa. briches, wast coat, and Jacket 1 wast coat and Jacket more 1 pa. new and 3 pa. old shooes 1 pa. yarne stockings 3 neckcloaths 2 pa. hose 1 pa. linnon sleeves 2 napkins, and severall other small things.

_No. 3._

1 peece fine broad cloath 6 yards 1/2 branch and Streaked stuffe 6 coates for men 1 stuffe pa. briches and dublet 3 pa. cloath briches 1 old dublet 1 girles petticoat 2 pa. Irish stockings 3 pa. childrens hose 1 woe. boddy of a gowne 1 pewter candlestick and socket 5 boyes hatts 17 yards blue linnon one perriwig 2 white tiffeny[18] hoods 2 pa. gloves 12 yards stuffe in 2 p'ces 3 bands[19] 1 laced 5 yards searge 2 pa. sleeves 2 small p'ces diaper filleting 4 yards 1/4 searge 1 gr. and 11 doz. buttons 4 yards striped stuffe 3 doz. thread laces 6 yards shalloune[20] a parcell of thread about 1/2 ld. 1 childes silke cap and a little parcell of silke and severall other small things.

[Footnote 18: Tiffany, thin transparent silk.]

[Footnote 19: Collars.]

[Footnote 20: Woollen stuff used for linings.]

* * * * *

1 kettle } 1 pott } left on board 1 stuepann } 26 Iron potts 25 Iron long bolts 6 chaine plates with dead eyes[21] 10 Iron bound dead eyes 7 wood axes 6 pump speires 12 small boltes 17 Iron clamps 1 bagg of 2d. nayles 2 baggs of 4d. nayles. 2 pruneing hookes for gardens 8 musquets (1 noe lock) 5 Iron hinges for ports 80 great speeks[22] 2 pintles 2 good Irons 1 top chaine 3 great rings 1 basket of sheathing nayles } halfe full each. 1 basket of 40d. nayles } 1 fiz gigg[23] 4 hookes 1 shovel 12 small rings 1 poope lanthhorne 1 Iron mill with 2 winches 1 cross cutt saw 2 chaine bolts more 2 pumpe Irons 2 table hookes 1 shirk hooke[24] 2 dogg Irons 2 doz. of 8 Inch blocks 1 doz. of 6 Inch blocks 1 doz. of 4 Inch blocks 11 blocks of 6 and 4 Inch 1 doz. of 5 Inch blocks 7 of 14 Inch blocks 1 topsaile sheete block 3 double table blocks 17 dead eyes 9 pump uper boxes 10 dito lower 5 blacking barrels 8 small glasses 1 wach glass 4 cumpasses 12 sk. twine about halfe a barrel of powder 8 yards of canvas 2 pa. Stilliards without peises 3 small baggs of 2d. nayles (in a bagg) 1 dipsey lead[25] 18 lb. 2 pistalls 1 carbine 1 p'ce Leather 1 small fouleing peece 3 straw hatts 3 cables and 2 hallsers 4 anckors (sheet, best bower, small bower and kedge) 5 Iron gunns The Ship _Providence_ and standing rigging with long boat and Skiffe.

[Footnote 21: Wooden blocks for extending the stays.]

[Footnote 22: A speek was a large nail; a pintle, then as now, a rudder-pin.]

[Footnote 23: A kind of harpoon.]

[Footnote 24: Hook for sturgeons; dog-irons were probably fire-dogs.]

[Footnote 25: Deep-sea lead (for sounding).]

In Obedience to a Warrant Comeing from the County Court held in Boston the 30th day of Aprill 1673, Unto us whose names are hereunder written, for to take an Inventory of the Estate and goods in the Shipp _Providence_ of Falmouth, lately arived in Piscataqua River, etc., and to Render an acco't thereof unto the present Deputy Governor by the 7th of May, wee haveing accordingly done the same (as time would afford) Doe Signifie Unto the Honourable Deputy Governor, that the before mentioned particulars are the whole, that to our certaine knowleidg is come (in the said shipp) and that, according to the wrighting at the beginning hereof, they are Secured in the said Fryers hands and the shipp well mored in the harbour at the Great Island in Piscataqua River.

NATHANIELL FRYER.
May the 5th, 1673. HENRY DERING.

_34. Examination of John Johnson. May 5, 1673._[1]

[Footnote 1: Suffolk Court Files, no. 1257, paper 18.]

The examination of John Johnson steersman of the frigott _commonwealth_, Capt. Cornelius Lincourt Comd'r.

December the 15th their stile[2] they came out of Flushing in the above sd Frigott with 20 gunns and ninety six men and boys, bound from Flushing to the Canarie Island, and in their way they tooke a Londoner bound from Malaga laden with fruit, which they sent to the Groyne,[3] and the men they putt on shore at the canaries. from the Canaries we sailed to the Cape de Verd Islands and from thence to Barbados, where they tooke a small French sloope, and from thence we sailed to the Capes of Verginia and in our way we mett with the _Providence_ of Falmouth, which ship we tooke on the 15 day of Aprill, our Stile,[4] in the latitude of the capes, about 30 Leagues to the Eastward. it being a stormy night they drive away under a maine course to the northward. for 2 days afterward they stood in againe to the capes but could not see their frigott, so then we stood away for the Groine, and meet with a small Londoner bound for Verginia, who came abord on us for water, and we took the men being 5 and putt them in to the hold, then he that was Master of the ship went on board the Londoner and those men with him, whome the Londoner carried away, so then we followed them but could not overtake him, so the night following the English that were upon Decke conspireing with them in the hold, in the morneing they tooke the ship from us, and brought us to Piscataqua.

[Footnote 2: _I.e._, new style, which the Dutch used.]

[Footnote 3: The name then used by the English for Coruna, in northwestern Spain.]

[Footnote 4: April 5, O.S. See documents 32 and 36.]

Taken in Boston 5 May 1673 before

JOHN LEVERETT, Dep. Gov.[5]

[Footnote 5: John Leverett was deputy-governor 1671-1673. Two days later, May 7, 1673, he was elected governor, and so continued till 1679.]

_35. Declaration of Edward Bant and Others. May 8, 1673._[1]

[Footnote 1: Suffolk Court Files, no. 1257, paper 12.]

A Declaration of some Occurrents that happened to us in our late voiadge from London in the Ship _Barkely_ of the saide port, Nicholas Prynne Commander, intended for Virginia, Anno 1672/3.

On the twelfth Aprill 1673 being in saide Ship about the Lattitude of the Capes of Virginia about 80 Leagues distant, wee saw a sail towards Evening, and being in want of provitions, seeing her to be a Fly boate,[2] made towards her and came up with her about Eight a clock and hailed them asking them of whence theire Ship. they answered of Falmoth. wee ask't them from whence they came. they answered from Virginia, and called mee by my name and asked mee how I did. wee asked them what places they loaded at. they answered, in Petuxin River.[3] wee told them wee wanted some provitions. they answered us if we would hoise out our Boate and come on boarde, they would spare us water and other provitions what they could. in order thereunto wee did soe, and I being desired by the Master and Merchant[4] to goe on board with the Boate to Endeavor to gett what provitions I could, our Marchant who was the owner also desired mee to stay, and hee and the Doctor would goe with mee as soon as they had sealed theire letters. Our Master not having ended his writing the marchant desired him to goe on board with us also and to finish his letter there, and accordingly with three more Seamen wee went on board saide Ship, and when wee came there founded severall Dutchmen on board who had the Command of her, they having lately taken her from the English. the Ship was called the _Providence_, belonging to Falmoth, Thomas Radden having been lately master of her. the saide Dutchman Surprized six of us and kept us prisoners and sent one of our Company with three Dutchmen on board our Ship, who lay by us till the next morning. then the Dutch Commander comanded our Ships' Boate to come on board his Ship againe, which accordingly they did, hee promising our merchant to take out our goods and to give us our Ship againe, in order whereunto hee provided one hogshead of bread to have given us as hee saide and tooke our marchant with him and went on board our Ship, and about halfe an hour after our Ship made sail and Steered to the westward: and then the Dutch men put us who formerly belonged to her down into the hole and made sail after the saide Ship for about two houres, and seeing they could not come up with her stood on theire course againe to the Eastward, and by receiving advice from those Englishmen that were at liberty were combined together for them to make way for our coming up and soe to rush out upon the Dutchmen at once and to Subdue them, for the rescueing of ourselves and Ship, which with god's blessing wee Effected, without loss of life or bloodshed to any, and then agreed among our Selves to come away with saide Ship to New England, which accordingly wee did and after Eleven days passage by reason of contrary wind and foggy weather arrived in Piscataquay River on the 23th Aprill 1673.

[Footnote 2: A small swift ship of Dutch pattern (originally _Vlie boot_).]

[Footnote 3: Patuxent River, in Maryland.]

[Footnote 4: _I.e._, supercargo.]

EDWARD BANT, Mate. JOHN RESSELL. JONAS LEWIS.

Att a Court of Assistants on Adjournment the 8th May 1673, Edward Bant, John Russell and Jonas Lewis deposed in Court that having subscribed their names to this declaration that it was the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth:

As Attests EDWARD RAWSON Sec'ty

_36. Declaration of Henry King and John Champion. May 8, 1673._[1]

[Footnote 1: Suffolk Court Files, no. 1257, paper 10.]

A Declaracion of some Occurrents that happened us in our late voiadge from Falmouth intended for Virginia in the Ship _Providence_ of Falmoth, Anno 1672/3, Thomas Radden Commander.