The fate of the crew
One aspect of the story that especially interested me was the fate of Patty’s crew, five of whom never made it back to Connecticut after the trip to the Caribbean.
Captain Hempsted’s list of the men who sailed on Patty’s ill-fated voyage to St. Bartholomew can be seen by clicking on the fourth page of the invoice of the cargo and crew displayed in the "cargo" chapter of this exhibit where the numbers to the right of each name may represent their wages. But another list on a document titled “Crew of Brig Patty copied from the shipping bill”, dated December 22, 1823 and displayed to the left, includes more details about the crew and shows thirteen names, including four men who ran away before sailing. From the 1823 list we learn that Patty sailed with a crew of nine but of those nine only four returned. Three died at St. Croix and two were lost coming home on a Boston schooner commanded by Captain Horner. It reminds us that the seizure of Patty by the French privateer had a human cost in addition to the financial loss.
The following men survived the trip to St. Bartholomew:
Josiah Hempsted, Captain
Joseph L. Hubbard (1775-1823) was born in Middletown, Connecticut. He later became a captain. He carried Seamen’s Protection Certificate #31, issued at New London on 7/29/1796.
Harry Collins Lamphear, 24, was born in Stonington, Connecticut. He was a cooper and seaman and carried Seamen’s Protection Certificate #40, issued at New London on 7/30/1796.
Thomas Shaw of New London. (A search in Ancestry.com turned up no further information about him.)
The following crew members died at St. Croix:
Prosper Jonson was born in Middletown, the son of Jedediah and Lydia. He died on September 20, 1796 at St. Croix, age 18. He carried Seamen’s Protection Certificate #33, issued at New London on 7/29/1796.
Giles Jonson was born in Middletown, the son of Jedediah and Lydia. He died on September 21, 1796 at St. Croix, age 20. He carried Seamen’s Protection Certificate #32, issued at New London on 7/29/1796. There is a memorial marker for the Jonson brothers in the Old Farm Hill Cemetery in Middletown.
Lent Munson was born in Wallingford, the son of Levi and Mary. He died on September 21, 1796 at St. Croix, age 28. He carried Seamen’s Protection Certificate #34, issued at New London on 7/29/1796.
Lost while sailing home on Captain Horner’s Boston schooner:
Patrick Roberts was born in Middletown, the son of Jonathan and Lucy, and died at the age of 21. He carried Seamen’s Protection Certificate #35, issued at New London on 7/29/1796.
Edward Thompson, age 31, was born in New York and was acting as mate aboard Patty. He carried Seamen’s Protection Certificate #36, issued at New London on 7/29/1796.
Runaways:
Edward Drink Watertomar, runaway at NL before sailing
Lemuel Brucher, runaway at New London before sailing
Harry Jepul, runaway at New London before sailing
Roswell Smith, runaway at Middletown before sailing