Aboard a Prison Ship in the Revolution

Nathaniel Dickinson, my 4^th great grandfather, was a seaman living in New London, Connecticut in the late 1700’s.  He was married to Elizabeth Bill Dickinson.  Nathaniel not only sailed with privateer ships during the Revolutionary War, he was also aboard a privateer ship that was captured by the British.  And for a time, he was imprisoned on the Jersey, a British prison ship anchored in New York Harbor.

During the Revolution, American privateering became a way for colonists to harass the British for both financial gain and to fight for their cause.  The vessels were armed, and while not naval ships, they were quite effective.  Many privateer ships carried Letters of Marque which was an official authorization from the government allowing privateers to seize British merchant ships, and in return the owner and crew could receive a portion of the sale of the captured ship and its cargo.  Hundreds of ships were commissioned as privateers during the Revolutionary War.

Nathaniel’s experience is revealed by his son, David Bill Dickinson, in a family memorial letter:

“Nathaniel Dickinson served in several of the armed vessels of the United States during the war of the revolution, the Ships Hancock, Beaver and others from its commencement until the conclusion in 1783.  He was wounded and carried a prisoner on board the Jersey Prison Ship, and there remained until a cartel was sent from New London at the instance of his wife, the mother of your memorialist, when his exchange was affected.  During his confinement on board the British Prison Ship, he contracted the disease which ultimately terminated his existence, and he died in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety six leaving his wife and Six Children, entirely destitute of means for their support or education.”

-- “Circumstances relating to the Life and action of Capt Nathaniel Dickinson of New London, State of Connecticut” by David Bill Dickinson; 1842.

Ships logs exist to show that Nathaniel Dickinson was among the crew aboard the privateer sloop the Hancock (noted above) in 1780 and that he earned prize shares.

 

The armed schooner, Lively, was commissioned on March 27, 1781.  Family letters note that Nathaniel was aboard the Lively under Commander Edward Latham of Groton, Connecticut, probably as the Prize Master, when the Lively captured the British schooner Seaflower in April 1781.  But the Lively’s fortunes turned on July 9, 1781, when Commander Edward Latham of the Lively and his crew were captured by the British ship Goodrich.  Latham was known to be a prisoner aboard the prison ship Jersey after his capture, and it was probably also at that time when Nathaniel was on the prison ship. 

There were several British prison ships and confinement on one was often a death sentence. Many more Colonists died on prison ships during the Revolution than in battle.  David Bill Dickinson’s letter says that his father, Nathaniel, was “reduced almost to a skeleton” before the family was able to purchase his freedom.  Nathaniel died of illness while at sea in early 1797 at 48 years of age. 

Among the list of items recorded in Nathaniel Dickinson’s estate inventory, and valued at three-dollars, was a “Picture of General Washington on horseback.”

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Key Individuals:

Nathaniel Dickinson  (1749 – 1797)
Elizabeth Bill Dickinson   (~1760/1766 – 1819)

David Bill Dickinson  (1787 – 1846)

Notes: 

          Nathaniel Dickinson was noted in his obituary as Captain Nathaniel Dickinson.  During his privateering days, as a Prize Master, he would be given command of a captured vessel to deliver it to the authorities in port.

Several newspaper ads mention Nathaniel:

     “For Norfolk, Petersburgh, and Richmond, in Virginia, (via New York.)  The Sloop SALLY, burthen 35 Tons, Nath’l Dickinson, master, will sail by the 10^th of October.  Is a new vessel and well found.  For freight or passage, apply to said Dickinson, at his house in New-London, or of Thomas Latham at Gale’s Ferry in Groton.  New-London, Sept. 24, 1793.”  - Connecticut Gazette; New London, Connecticut

      “If any House-Carpenter or Joiner, a young Man, has a Mind to seek his Fortune over Sea, let him apply to Nath'l Dickinson.  New-London, June 15^th, 1784.” – Connecticut Gazette; New London, Connecticut

– Jane Scribner McCrary