New Jersey Privateers and Investors
New Jersey's privateer interests were a blend of local communities, continental Captains, businessmen and finance capital. The success of New Jersey privateers is credited to local fishermen and baymen experienced in navigating the treacherous shoal waters. Investors from NJ and Philadelphia financed the ventures and bonded the NJ Captains against piracy.
Both Patriot and Loyalist privateers staged raids along New Jersey's Coast. Crew members included seaman, land men, indentured servants and formerly enslaved African Americans. Only men were commissioned and bonded, but women were fighting during the Revolutionary War, they assisted loyalist refugee bandits, and played a role in smuggling contraband.
|
The Little Egg Harbor privateer sloop Comet illustrated in the 1779 diary of Capt. Wiederholt. Image courtesy of Rare Book and Manuscript Collection of the University of Pennsylvania Library
|
|
Captains, crew members, investors and traitors....Who were the Privateers of New Jersey? Click on the links below and learn more.
.
Benedict Arnold What were Benedict Arnold's privateering interests? Read more about the Charming Nancy.
John Bacon Perhaps the most villianous Loyalist privateer of them all.
Joseph Ball What do iron works, investment capital and supplies for the Continental Army have in common?
Tom Brown Tom Brown was a crew member of the whaleboat Civil Usage built by his father Samuel Brown. Tom Browns pension application includes detailed life of a whaleboat crewman, the loyalities of local communities, and a clever trap against loyalist privateer Davenport which can be considered the First Barnegat Bay 'Decoy'.
Elijah Clark Colonel in the militia and Vendue Master at Payne's Tavern.
Davenport Loyalist privateer who made a home base in Clamtown (today Tuckerton).
James Forten The famous African American businessman and abolistionist was a Patriot privateer in his youth.
Adam Hyler New Brunswick Patriot privateer known for many daring raids on Loyalists from New York to Clamtown (Tuckerton).
Joshua Huddy His hanging created an international crisis and almost scuttled the Treaty of Paris.
Thomas Leaming Major Cape May investor had numerous interests in New Jersey privateers.
William Marriner- New Brunswick whaleboat Captain and tavern owner known to George Washington as a "Jovial Host". Capt. Marriner operated in the shadow of the British stronghold, and is known for many daring raids and exploits.
Timothy Shaler LM Boat Chance Mar.20, 1778 Petition of Timothy Shaler to Gov. Livingston- Mary Records NJSA
Andrew Steelman- Privateer Captain killed in Barnegat Massacre.
David Stevens Patriot privateer Capt. David Stevens took the rich prize ship Venus which so enraged the British they attacked the privateer community of Chestnut Neck.
Stillwell Sisters Brave women who defended Cape May and shot at armed British Frigates.
Soper Family Privateers and Patriot family of Brigantine who suffered many losses and vendetta style attacks at the hands of Loyalist refugees.
Yelverton Taylor- Patriot privateer Capt. Taylor captured the Mars which had 214 recently released Hessian Soldiers on it.
William Treen The adventurous Capt. Treen was bold and fearless and very successful in taking prizes. He was also beset with many misfortunes.
Colonel Tye The couragous and feared Colonel Tye of Shrewsbury, NJ.
James Vaulone An indentured servant who served on a privateer brig the Holker.
Richard Westcott Tavern owner at Chestnut Neck, the mini Tortuga of the Jersey Shore.
|
