156 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia Ship Building Was

156 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia

SOME COLONIAL SHIPS BUILT IN PHILADELPHIA By HAKROLD E. GILLINGHAM

Ship building was started in Philadelphia soon after the arrival of William Penn, who wrote, in 1681, in his Some Account of the Province of Pennsylvania, that "Shipwrights, Carpenters, Sawyers, Hewers, Trunnelmakers and Joyners" were among those who had already settled in the colony or who contemplated doing so. Penn even conditioned that in clearing the land or cutting timber, all good oak trees should be reserved for ship building, and vessels were being built in the city in 1685. A map of "Philadelphia in 1702'7 shows several shipyards along the Delaware Eiver shore, one of which was that of James West, who is said to have built a vessel for the Proprietor in part payment for the land. On 1 mo. 8,1689-90, James West requested from the Commissioners forty feet of the bank, as an addition to the sixty feet formerly laid out to him, "for a con- veniency to build Ships and Vessels upon, he haveing bought the penny pott House of the Widdow."2 West, in his Account Book,3 shows payments of quitrents for this lot, which was north of Vine Street, where he resided at the time of his death, in 1701. The same book shows that, in 1689, he charged William Mark- ham for "work done on the Constant." West, dying intestate, his widow, Prudence West, was appointed administratrix of his estate and by her will, proved August 14, 1702, bequeathed the property to her chil-

1 Philadelphia in 1102, F. J. Wade, Lith., Philadelphia (1875). 2 Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, XIX. 29. 3 In the possession of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 157 dren, one of whom, Charles West, carried on ship- building, as will appear later on. James Parrock was styled a '' shipwright,'' when he married in 1698; Daniel James carried on the trade in 1720; William Hayes, shipwright is mentioned in 1722; Thomas Ashton advertised in 1726; Arnold Cassel, a ship-joiner, petitioned the Orphans Court to administer the estate of Susannah Cassel, and in 1731, his widow, Lidiah Cassel, was granted letters of administration for his estate. Philadelphia sail-makers were mentioned by Logan, in 1718 ;4 also, Step. Beeseley, a block-maker.5 Rope makers were also established early in the city, as the Proprietor wrote in 1683: "We have also a rope-walk, made by B. Wilcox." This was Benjamin Wilcox, who became Mayor of the city, whose plant was on Cable Lane (now New Market Street), near Front and Vine Streets, so called on account of the rope-walk. The Commissioners granted John Walker land for a rope- walk in 1705, and William Rakestraw and William Coats, Jr., were rope makers in 1748.6 Almost all the paraphernalia for a ship, such as ropes, blocks, sails, and iron work could be procured from local craftsmen. Penn mentioned the Trunnel makers. These were specialists in making the wooden trunnels or tree nails, as some called them; wooden pegs, to fasten ship or building timbers together, and usually made of hickory wood, but sometimes from locust trees. Philadelphia soon became such an important city and progressed so rapidly in ship building that many

4 James Logan's Account Book, p. 304; in The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 5 Ibid., p. 312. 6 The Penn Manuscripts (XV. 81), in The Historical Society of Penn- sylvania, contain a letter from Robert Hiscox, English merchant and Treasurer of the "Naval Store Company for the raising of hemp in America," written May 6, 1717, which states that the company is raising hemp in Kent County, Delaware. 158 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia vessels were built on the banks of the Delaware and sold to West Indian, English and European merchants. It is unfortunate that so few records exist showing the extent of this branch of the city's industry; as the ships were famed for their workmanship and the material from which they were built.7 It is well for those seeking information concerning Philadelphia's early shipping that some of the letters, books of account, and other records kept by one of the prominent shipping merchants of the City are available. John Reynell seemed to have preserved much of his correspondence and many of his account books from the time he first entered the mercantile and shipping business, about 1729, until his retirement in 1784. It is from these books of record and correspondence, in a privately owned collection, that the following information relating to several ships, built in Philadelphia, has been obtained. John Reynell, the son of Samuel and Sarah Reynell, was born in Bristol, England, in 1708. Just when he came to Philadelphia is not recorded, but he early started in the shipping business and seemed to have had the confidence of many merchants of England as early as 1729. In 1736, he married Mary (w,ee Coates) Nicholas, widow of Samuel Nicholas, and daughter of Thomas and Buelah (nee Jacques) Coates of Phila- delphia. He was a member of the Society of Friends; first Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Hospital (1751-52); third President of its Board of Managers (1757-1780); President of the Friendly Association for Preserving Peace with the Indians, and a prominent and apparently successful shipping and commission merchant. His wife died in March, 1773, and his own death occurred September 3, 1784, at his home,

7 A list of the ships registered at the port of Philadelphia, from 1726 to 1775, is published in The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, XXIII.-XXVII. Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 159 the northwest corner of Front and Walnut Streets.8 On October 25,1763, Eeynell reported to the Managers of the Hospital that he had received a letter from Elias Bland, a London merchant, dated July 12, in which he said I have put on Board the Brittania, Captain Simble, a small fire Engine, which please present in my name to the Managers of the Pennsylva. Hospital, shall be pleased to hear it delivered in good order & works well the person who had the fitting it for Service Desires the inclosed directions may be regarded. This was the first fire apparatus of the Hospital, and on May 30, 1791, the Steward was directed to have "the fire engine played every month at the meetings of the Board/' The books of John Eeynell show that he had the ship Torrington built in Philadelphia for his correspondent, Eichard Deeble of Plymouth, England, in 172&-1729, but it is to be regretted that none of the correspondence ordering the vessel has been found. The following extract taken from Eeynell's Journal,9 dated January 6,1729, shows not only the total cost of the ship, but all of the several craftsmen who did work thereon. His receipt book confirms many of these payments. Measurements of the vessel have not been found and her tonnage cannot be given; but most of the transatlantic merchantmen of the early seven- teenth century were small, some of not more than one hundred and fifty tons. Captain Thomas Warcup, who commanded the new ship, formerly had been master of the John and Anna owned by Eichard Deeble, which vessel arrived in Philadelphia, July 3, 1729, and sailed for England, August 28, 1729, according to the Pennsylvania Gazette- Captain Warcup must have immediately returned to the Quaker City in another

8 Thomas Coates and His Descendants, 1882; The History of the Penn- sylvania Hospital, 1897. •P. 7. 160 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia ship, so that he could sail the Torrington to Plymouth on her maiden voyage, which is recorded in the Gazette of December 4, 1729. When the Torrington was registered at Philadelphia she was classed as a fifty ton ship, owned by Eichard Deeble and Thomas Warcup, both of Plymouth, England.10 Entries in Keynell's Journal show the cost of this vessel. Eichard Deeble Merch1. In Plymouth his Accou. Curru. for the Building and Out Set of the Ship Torrington and for Sundry other Disbursements on Ditto Dr. To Aaron Goforth for Building the above said Ship &c. £487- 7- 0 To Joseph Oldman the Smith for the Iron Work of said Ship 110- 4- 4£ To Author Oliver the Eopemaker for his Bill being 22-14- 8 To Eob1. Ellis ye Ship Chandler for his Bill for Sundrys 13- 2- 8£ To Wm. Attwood for 289£lb Spikes @ 7J d. 9- 1- 0£ To Sam1. Bond Ship Chandler for his Bill for Sundrys 7- 4- 7 To Thos. Bourne Ditto for Ditto 2- 1- 3 To Edwd. Bradley the plumer for his Bill for Work done 7- 9- 2 To Thos. Welling for Spikes & Brimstone 5- 3-10 To Hugh Cordry Blockmaker for his Bill for Blocks &c. 7- 6- 6 To Stephen Beezley Blockmaker for his Bill for Blocks &c. 12-12- 2 To James Lewis for his Bill for Bread 21- 8- 3 To Carving a Lyon &c done by Ant: Wilkinson 4- 6- 6 To Sam1. Austin for an Oval Table for the Ship 1-15- 0 To Tho8. Peters for Nails & Sundry other Things for ye Ship 3-12- 9£ To paid Sam1. Nicholas Bricklayer for making ye fireplace 1-13- 1 To paid Wm. Saunders for Clensing Fire Arms for ye Ship 0- 6- 0 To Cash paid for an Iron Back 0- 8- 9 To John Noble for painting the Ship 12- 0- 0 To Mary Preston for Oyl and a Horses Hide 0-16- 3 To Cash for 9£ Gallons of Wine for the Launch at 5/ 2- 7- 6 To Cash for 3 bbs. of Tar 1-16- 0 To Ditto for 2 bbs. of pitch 1- 6- 0 10 The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, XXIII. 263. Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 161

To Ditto for 4 bbs. of Turpentine 5-12- 6 To Ditto for 7 doz: of Candles at 9/ 3- 3- 0 To 18lb Hog's Lard at 5d 0- 7- 6 To Cash paid a Cooper for 26lb Iron Hoops & Work he did 1-12- 8 To the Butcher's Bills for Meat 18- 1-10 To 3 Brushes & 2lb Thrums11 0- 4- 0 To 9ilb Loaf Sugar 0-14- 8 To a Barrel of Flour 1- 4- 0 To 2 Cord Wood & Sawing & Spliting 1- 8- 6 To 3 Bushels of Turnips 0- 5- 0 To Cash to Clear ye Boy from the Work House 0- 5- 6 To paid J: Clear for 3 days Work 0- 9- 0 To 2 doz: & 4 Cringles12 0- 2- 6 To Cash for 5 Bushels of Corn 0-12- 6 To 4lb Tallow at 8d 0- 2- 8 To 45lb Ditto at 7d 1- 6- 3 To Soft Soap 30lb 0- 4- 2 To Cash for a Boat to Carry a man after ye Ship to Glouster 0- 2- 6 To Cash pd pylotage down 5- 5- 0 To Cash pd Charles 0-13- 0 To Cash pd for Expences on y** Men at Sundry Times and Lodging for Ditto &c. 1-10- 9 To Ditto for Expences at Newcastle & going there &c. 1- 6- 5 To Cash Advanced to John Bourn 6- 8- 7 To Ditto to James Newman 4- 0- 0 To Cash paid Cap1 Warcup for Disbursements on said Ship 22- 3-10 To 14 & i Days Horse Hire and Expences 2- 3- 6 To Horse Hire & Expences at Marcus Hook 1-10- 0 To Cash pd A. Vining for Salt &c. 0- 6- 3 To Cash paid for 2 Sheets of Tinn 0- 1- 6 To Cash for 6 plates & a Frying pan 0-17- 0 To 2 hhds Eum 200 Gallons at 2/11 29- 3- 4 To 1.2.0 of Sugar 2- 6- 6 To Cash paid for Launching Dinner 5- 0- 0 To Wm Chancellor Sailmaker for his Bill for making ye Sails 20- 9- 7 To Cash gave Fretwell the Deputy Collector by Cap1 Warcups Order 0- 5- 0 £ 875-12- 4f

11 Thrums are canvas bags filled with rope yarn to prevent chafing. 12 Cringles are metallic eye loops or grommets fastened to a sail or canvas to pass a rope through. VOL.LVL—11 162 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia Aaron Goforth, the builder of the Torrington was an English Quaker from Horslydown Meeting, South- wark, who came to this city in 1711, and became a free man in 1717, when he was styled a Joiner. He seems to have carried on a carpentering business as well as a general store. Beynell's books show he sold Goforth quantities of dry-goods, hardware, and other merchandise. One entry is for four dozen knives and six tobacco boxes. Anthony "Wilkinson, the carver of the lion figurehead for this British ship, and Samuel Austin, the maker of the oval table, are craftsmen whose names appear in several account books of the period. An item of interest in this bill is that of "Sam'l Nicholas, Bricklayer for making y6 fireplace" also that of "Cash paid for an Iron Back."13 One would naturally suppose when reading that the "Launching Dinner" cost five pounds, that the news- papers of the day would have some account of the event. Such is not the case; the editors of 1729 did not fill their columns with local news of that character. The same Journal14 gives the invoice of the first cargo carried by the Torrington when she left Phila- delphia, as follows: Eichard Deeble's Accou. Curru. for Sundry Goods Shipt on Board the Ship Torrington, Thomas Warcup Mr [master] for Plymouth, On His Own proper Accou. & Kisqz Viz: To 33 Hogsheads Tobacco Containing 22258 lb. wt. at 12/6 pr Cent £143-13-11 Prising 3-15- 0 porterage 6d pr hhd 0-16- 6 Weighing 6d pr hhd 0-16- 6 £149- 1-11

13 A ship's cooking plant or galley, before the more general use of iron, and prior to the invention of cooking stoves or ranges, was made of fire brick or soapstone, properly cemented and securely fastened with angle irons; the chimney being of square construction and of the same material. The iron piping and smoke-sail did not appear until much later in the eighteenth century. 14 P. 10. A BRITISH SNOW Early eighteenth century type. Drawn by Louis W. Middlebrook from the recorded description of the snow Delaware, John Bellwood, Master

Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 163 To 13i Thousand of Staves at 50/ pr Thousand 33-15- 0 To 4438 of Heading at 55/ 12- 5- 4 To Freight of Staves and Heading to Town 7- 4- 0 53- 4- 4 To 1177 foot of plank at 13/ 7-12- 9 To 50 foot of Hickery at 18/ 0- 9- 0 To 22 Knees at 2/ Each 2- 4- 0 To 14 Oars at 1/6 Each 1- 1- 0 To 9 bbs Flour Cost 10-11- 6

£224- 4- 6 When the Torrington sailed for Plymouth, she apparently had two passengers, as Reynell credited Deeble's account, under date of April 23, 1730, with £12. cash received "for the passage of 2 men Home in ye Torrington." Richard Deeble, the Plymouth merchant, must have been well satisfied with the character of ships built in Philadelphia, as we find John Reynell had a second vessel built for him by Aaron Goforth. This was the snow15 Delaware, and which was, from the cost, apparently much smaller than the Torrington, which by the way, was probably named for George Byng, Vis- count Torrington, the first lord of the admiralty, during whose administration the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth was established. It is regrettable that none of the correspondence relating to this vessel has been found, but from Reynell's Journal the following record of the cost of construction of the Delaware is obtained: Philadelphia 23 of 9mo. 1730 Biehard Deeble's Accou. Currtt. Dr for the Building & Outsett of the Snow Delaware John Sellwood Mr. 15 A snow is a two-masted square-rigged vessel somewhat like a brig, save that abaft the mainmast it has a spar or mast separate from, but attached to the mainmast, upon which is hoisted the spanker or driver sale. It is this separate or auxiliary mast which denotes a snow. 164 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia

To Aaron Goforth Carpenter for Building the Said Snow &c £280-14- 2 To Joseph Aldman, Smith for the Iron Work 51-10- 6 To John Mason for making ye Sails &c 10-12- 5 To Arthur Oliver for Sundrys 12-16- 2 To Saml. Bond for his Bill for Sundrys 2-13- 8 To S & S Beezalee16 for Blocks &c 24-16- 2 To Edward Bradley Plumer for Work done 4-16- 6 To John Noble for Painting the Snow &c 9-14- 0 To Ant. Wilkingson for Carving ye Lyon [figurehead] 4- 2- 6 To Ant. Furnace for the Joyner's Work 25- 0- 0 To Samuel Austin for an Oval Table 1-15- 0 To John Snowden for a Hide 0-16- 0 To Thos. Williams for Nails for ye Boat 0-12- 0 To Elez. Massey for Sundrys 1-6-8 To Edwd. Brooks for his Bill for Beef 15-4-6 To B. Engledew for Beef & Sundrys 3-0-8 To Norton Pryor his Bill for Bread 3-7-4 To Wm. Gray for Bread 1-17- 2 To John Jones for Bread & Flour 5-4-8 To 68U of Brimstone 1-4-3 To Wm. Bantoft his Bill for Bread 2-3-6 To Simon Edgill for Pewter 1-1-0 To Wight Massey for Cooperage 4-19- 7 To 45 galls. Bum & 19 Sugar & 2U Tallow Expended in Building 7-4-6 To 27 galls. Eum more at Sundry Times 3-7-6 To Cash for The Launching Dinner 4-0-0 To Cash for 7 galls. Wine for ye Launch 1-15- 0 To Thos. Hatton for 101 yds of Duck 13-16- 6 To Cash for 40tt. of Tallow 1-0-0 To Austin Parris for 3 doz. Candles 1-4-0 To a Tierce for Bread 0-4-0 To John Sellwood's Accott. of Disbursmts 40-3-4 To Geo. Emlen his Bill for Beer 1-18- 0 To S. Nicols for making ye Cabbooth17 0-15- 0 To Cash for Twine Sail & Needles & Salt 0-5-9 To Wm. Fishbourn for Wharfage & Dockage 1-10- 0 To Cash for i a Hide 0-8-4 To Pylotage Down ye Bay 5-0-0 To Turnips Cabbage Partatoes &c 0-11- 2 To Expences on ye Masr. & men and Horshire &c at Sundry Times 2-10- 0 To 28" of Bolt Eope 0-13- 9

£555-15- 3 18 Stephen and Simon Beesley, block-makers. 17 Caboose, or small deck house where the cook was in command. Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 165 From ReynelPs Journal we learn of the first cargo shipped from this port in the Delaware; part of which was consigned to Richard Deeble, the owner of the vessel, and part to Robert Stevenson. Philadelphia 23 of 9mo. 1730 Eichard Deeble's Accott. Currtt. Dr. for Sundry Goods Shipt in ye Snow Delaware Jno. Sellwood Mr. for Plymouth To 45 hhds Tobacco qt. 32984 at 16/9 276- 4-10 Prising & Cooperage 8-4-0 Porterage & Weighing 0-15- 0 285- 3-10 To 31 Barrels of Pitch at 13/ 20-3-0 To 55 Barrels of Tarr at 12/3 33-13- 9 To 8 bis. Eice qt. 32-1-22 at 15/ 24-6-8/2 To 32 bis. Turpentine qt 95-3-24 at 10/ 47-19- 8 To 22 bis. Ditto 49-3-12 at 10/ 24-18- 7 To Porterage & Cooperage of Pitch Tarr Eice & Turpentine 1-10- 5£ To 6£ Thousand Staves at 45/ 14-12- 6 To 5 hundred of Heading at 45/ 1-2-6 To 102 Oak Billets 1-10- 0 To 354 foot of Hickory plank 3-0-0 To 20 Sparrs at 4/ 4-0-0 £462- 1- 0 Eobert Stevensons Accott. Curant Dr for 50 bbs. of Turpentine, 20 bbs. Pitch & 6 bbs. Eice Shipt in ye Snow Delaware, Jno Sellwood Mr. for Plimouth, vizt. To 50 bbs. of Turpentine Containing nt. 161-0-9 at 10/ is £80-10-10 To 20 bbs of Pitch at 13/ p. bb. 13- 0- 0 To 6 bbs. of Eice Containing nt. 22-1-19 at 15/ is 16-16- 3£ 110- 7- lj To Cash paid Porterage 0-19- 0 To Ditto for Cooperage 0-15- 0 To Comiss. & Storage at 6 p.ct. 6-12- 5 8-6-5 £118-13- 64 According to the Pennsylvania Gazette for Novem- ber 26, 1730, the snow Delaware, John Sellwood, Mas- ter, cleared outward bound for Plymouth, England, 166 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia and it is hoped that she arrived safely, made many voyages for her owner, and upheld the reputation of the local shipbuilders. There is no evidence that she was armed.18 In the correspondence between Richard Deeble and John Reynell are many references to the first John and Anna, which seems to have traded regularly between Plymouth and Philadelphia. When Thomas Warcup gave up his command of this ship to take the Torrington, he was succeeded by James Shirley as master. Deeble wrote to Reynell, June 14, 1733: These only serve to advise thee that my Jno. & Anna arrived here the 10th. of April last and being leakey, old and Decayed we have since broake her up. Capt. Shirley I hope will be with thee soon after this In a Ship which I have freighted . . . Capt. Shirley is to get a New Ship built, he stays behind. Mind the above & act accordingly. On November 17, following, Deeble again wrote his "Loving Friend" John Eeynell in Philadelphia: I must Eemark something now Concerning the new Ship thou has ordered. When she is Built We Shall get a Frt. for her to ye West Indies. Eeynell replied May 2, 1734: Thy Ship was launched the 13ult. & they have been Eigging of her & are still about it but when y* is done know not what we shall do with her for Frt. is Exceeding Scarce for all parts of the West Indies. On May 29, he wrote that he would "fill her up with Staves and Heading for thy AccoV and send her to Jamaica. His letter to Deeble of July 1,1734, states: Thou has herewith an Acco*. of what I have Disbursed for thy New Ship the John & Anna being £ 1123-7-8, Also Invoice of what goods I shipt for thy Accot. in her for Jamaica, Amounting to £ 215-5-1. 18 When the snow Delaware was registered in Philadelphia, October 9, 1730, she was classed as a forty ton vessel, owned by Richard Deeble of Plymouth, England, and William Rabley of Philadelphia (The Pennsyl- vania Magazine of History and Biography, XXIII. 373). Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 167 Herewith is the invoice: Philadelphia 25 June 1734 Eichard Deeble Dr. to Sundry Accot's for the Building & Outlet of his New Ship the John & Anna Vizt. To Michael Hulings for Building the said Ship the Carpenters Wages being £276- deducted19 £522-19- 9 To Cassell & Maugridge for the Joyner's Work of said Ship being 55-0-0 To Thomas Ellis Plummer for his Bill for Work done & Lead &c for said Ship 10-13- 8 To Edward Eobert for his Bill for Nails 6-17- 6 To Arthur Oliver's Bill Eope Maker 6-11-11 To Wm. Connoly Ship Chandler for his Bill 13-18- 7 To John Noble for Painting the Ship 13-10- 0 To Peter Baynton's Bill for Sundrys 5-18- 5 To Thomas Williams's Bill for Oars 1- 0- 8 To Widow Parris's Bill for Soap Candles & Tallow 3-17- 71 To Hugh Eoberts's Bill for Sundrys at Launching 3- 5- 7 To Samuel Samuel Austin's Bill for Wharfage Storage Table &c 11-0-7 To James Piller for 10 lb. Nails 0- 8- 4 To Wm. PyewelFs Bill for Oyl 0-19- 0 To Abram Vining for Brimstone 1- 5- 0 To Wm. Parker for a bb. of Turpentine 1- 0-10 To John Mason for making & mending the Sails 13- 2-11^ To Wm. Fishbourne for 2 Water Casks 0-18- 0 To Sam'l Brimodge for 2 Ditto 0-12- 0 To Blackstone Ingledew's Bill for Beef &c. 8- 0- 4 To Eobert Hopkin's Bill for Bread 1-13- 6 To Step. & Simon Bazelee for Blocks &c 19-14- 0 To Wm. Hunt for Carving the Lyon &c. 9-18- 0 To Eichard Holmes, Cooper for his Bill 1-17- 4 To a bb. of Tarr & a bb. of Turpentine 1- 2- 0 To Joseph Oldman, Smith for his Bill 133- 6- 6-|

19 In the Logan Papers (XVIII. 118) is the following receipt: "Phila- delphia 8bre. 11, 1732. Then rec'd of Lloyd Zachary, one of the Executors of Richard Hill deceased ye Sum of Eighteen pounds, as a Consideration in taking of John Willett as an Apprentice to be taught the Art & Mistery of a Shipwright, which said Sum was the remain- ing part which was to have been allowed to his former Master Aaron Goforth, jr. who Delivered him up his Indentures Micha1. Hewlings." Aaron Goforth, Jr., son of Aaron Goforth, the shipbuilder and joiner, was a cabinetmaker, and took John Willette as an apprentice, in 1728, to teach him the trade of a joiner. According to a map of 1734, Hewlings' shipyard and wharf were on the Delaware River above Vine Street. 168 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia To Ditto for the Carpenters Dyet & Lodging 9-13- 0 To George Emlen for Beer 6- 6- 6 To Cash for 7 Barrels of Bread midling 5-19-11 To 4 Barrels of Beef 6- 2- 0 To 1 hhd. Bum 1 bb. Sugar & 1 Loaf of Sugar to Michael Hulings at Kaising 14- 9- 2 To Cash to Mich1. Hulings for Launching Dinner 6- 0- 0 To Arent Hassert for his Bill 7- 8- 9 To the Pylotage of the Ship Down 6- 0- 0 To Cash to Capt. Shirley for his Disbursements &c. 159- 6- 4

£1069-17- 91 To my Comissions at 5 p.Cent is 53- 9- 10J Following is the "Invoice of what goods ' shipt for thy Accot": Eichard Deeble's Accot. Currant Dr. for 62247 Hoggshead Staves & 5288 Hoggshead Heading Shipt in his new Ship the John & Anna, James Shirley Mr. for Jamaica for Accot & Eisque of said Deeble & Consigned to the said Mr. James Shirley Vizt.— To 62247 Hoggshead Staves with Culling & Sawing Cost me 57/3 p.Thousand is £ 178- 1- 6 To 5288 Hoggshead Heading wth. Cut ing & Sawing Cost me £4-15 p.Thousand 24-19-11 203- 1- 5

To Comission & Storage at 6 p.Cent is 12- 3- 8

£215- 5- 1 In addition to the above cargo for the owner of the John and Anna, Eeynell sent to his cousin Samuel Dicker, a Jamaica merchant, the following: June 25, 1734 Michael Lee Dicker's Accot. Currant Dr. for a parcel of Barr Iron Shipt in the John & Anna, James Shirley Mr. for Jamaica, for his Accot. & Eisque & Consigned to Samuel Dicker Mercht. there Vizt: To 34 Barrs whole flats wt 16- 1- 3 To 10 Barrs Half Ditto wt 3- 3- 7 52 Ditto Inch Square wt 20- 0- 0 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 169 48 Ditto Inch & \ Ditto wt20- 0-21 44 Ditto 2 Inch Ditto wt20- 0- 0 188Barrs 80- 1- 3 at £30- pr Tunn £120- 8- 3£ To Comission Storage &c 6 p.Cent 7- 4- 5 £ 127-12- 8i According to the Pennsylvania Gazette of June 27, 1734, the John and Anna cleared for Jamaica that day, but Captain Shirley's letter of July 3, said they were then "without the Capes" after "touching once in the Bay on the middle, but received no damage." The voyage to Jamaica consumed forty-seven days and the ship was back in Philadelphia on October 19, to un- load and reload, sailing for Plymouth, November 28, 1734. The new John and Anna made several voyages between Plymouth and Philadelphia, frequently stop- ping at Jamaica on her eastward passage and at New- foundland on her voyage westward, according to the correspondence still preserved. It will be noticed that John Reynell had supervised the building of the Torrington, the Delaware, and the John and Anna, for his "Loving Friend" Richard Deeble, and that only in the latter case did he charge the commission of five per cent. This extra amount apparently aroused the economical spirit of the Ply- mouth quaker merchant for on April 1, 1735, he wrote as follows :

Lo: Friend John Eeynell. . . . There is one thing which I do not like in thy Acco*. of the charge of the Ship that is thy Com°. at 5 p.cent for what that is charged I cannot tell, when Shirley was the Contractor and thy name not so much as mentioned in the Agreement, and Shirley all the time in Pay on purpose to look after it ... I expect thee will give my Acco*. Credit for £ 53-9-lOf if thee intend to have any of my further favours. 170 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia Eeynell replied to this under date of September 10, 1735, stating it was the common practice in the city at the time, and cited the case of Daniel Flaxney of Lon- don who had a ship built in Philadelphia for which he was charged twenty per cent commission, and pro- tested. The case finally went to arbitration and the local merchants who supervised the building and paid the bills, won their case. Captain Shirley was drawn into the dispute, charged by his employer in Plymouth with sharing in the proceeds, which apparently was not the case. Eeynell offered to compromise by dividing the charge, to which Deeble would not consent, and wrote on May 15, 1736, "for until thee hast made me satisfaction for that unjust Commission I never will put anything into thy hands"; and he gave Captain Shirley instructions to take back to Plymouth all goods still in Eeynell's hands or place them with another merchant. Just how the question of the commission was finally settled is not known. Deeble sent a few small invoices of goods to Reynell for sale within a year or two, but soon the business relations between these "Loving Friends" ceased and all accounts were closed. Eeynell's books and letters show his extensive foreign dealings and that he supervised the building of ships for other English merchants, one of which was the Tetsworth built in Philadelphia for Elias Bland and his associates. Probably the troublesome times existing during the reign of George II. and the Pelham ministry, with continental wars, and England engaged in a war with Spain, may have induced the Londoners to have their vessel built in Pennsylvania where it would be free from seizure by the British authorities for a war ship. On November 3, 1744, Elias Bland a London merchant, wrote to James Pemberton: "I agree with thee (my friend) times are very Precarious. Trade is Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 171 greatly Burthened here by Tedious Delay of Convoy, High Insurance &c." He no doubt came to Philadel- phia soon after writing the above, for on July 31,1746, Bland in a letter to John Eeynell, the Philadelphia merchant, states that he "Should be Glad to receive at thy leisure an accot. of my Outstanding Debts and Effects, Left With thee on my Departure from Phila- delphia," proving his presence in this city a short time before. No doubt during this visit he observed the character of the shipwrights and the product of their yards, and reported these facts to his associates at home. In less than a month after the above letter was written, Bland again wrote to Reynell, giving him an order for the building of the Tetsworth,21 and even sug- gested Charles West as the builder thereof. Just why Eeynell did not employ Charles West is not revealed, but the records show his son, James West constructed the vessel. The West shipyard was at the foot of Vine Street, on the Delaware River, as noted on Scull's map of Philadelphia of 1754. The 1702 map also shows a shipyard at this location, without giving the name of the owner. Bland's letter to Reynell reads: London 21st 6/Mo. 1746 Worthy Friend ... As it is a particular Satisfaction to Eender all Agreeable Service to my kind Correspond18 Especially such as deserve my Greatest Eegard; I have Kesolv'd to be Concerned with two Gentlemen Here whose House at Jamaica may Probably Come in for 1/4; being Intended for that Trade to Get a Vessell Built Under thy Prudent direction, Charles West, if not Engag'd,

21 The name of this vessel was probably derived from the village of Tetsworth, Oxfordshire, England; evidently the home of John Wood- bridge, one of the owners thereof. The parish register of St. Giles Church, Tetsworth, shows that "John Woodbrigs the son of Geoge Woodbrigd" was baptised July 31, 1701. As this baptism was forty- three years before Elias Bland and his associates ordered the ship to be built in Philadelphia, it may have been John Woodbridge, one of the owners. 172 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia should esteem a proper Person for the Performance. Thou art desir'd to follow the Dimentions &c herewith Strictly, & as Expeditiously as possible; so as to Ansr in every Respect our Aim. Length by the Keel Seventy four Feet Extream Breadth Twenty five Feet Depth in the Hold from ) ^ f t Plank to Plank j Height Between Decks Four feet, Eight Inches In the Waist Three feet, Four D° A Rise abaft the Main Mast of Sixteen Inches, to Say 6 Foot at the Forepart of the Steerage. ft. in. A Top Gallant Forecastle ab* four foot High or 4. 4. The Ship to be Stagg-boat Stern, and to Have four ports Spaced out Below, abaft the Main Mast, regular With the Ballast port amid Ships which will be the Fifth; only the other ports to be cut through. The Drift on the Quarter Deck at pleasure as usual. One Port on Each Side in the Forecastle Regularly Spaced with those in the Wash.22 A Round Bow. To Be Built Strong. Let all the Knees of the Lower Deck Bolt Holes be Bored with a full Inch Augur. The Concerned are in Hopes with these Instructions thou will be Capable of Loosing no Time in the Building. Her Materials, a Cargo Sorted abt £500—With a Master Will be dispatched pr the John Gaily,23 pr Which App may Send Trunnels. (Also a Wing Transom). To Enable thee to pursue our Interest in the best Manner It's also agreed thy Drafts be Honoured for Five Hundred pounds Stg. when in Advance on this Concern to that Amo*; not doubting our Cargo will meet ready Sale, & afford thy Indulgence in drawing on me for Some Time. As this Vessel will be Loaded with Lumber from your place pr Jamaica, Thou art desired at a proper Time to be providing Her Cargo, that no Delay may obstruct her Arrival Timely to Load Sugar pr London early Next Summer, & proceed Hence pr Philada. in the Fall to thy Address; Being fully intended to give the Needfull dispatch Here, & likewise Expected, She will Meet the same in the West Indies, When Tr. don't offer Here for Yr ports, May direct, She proceed pr Madeira, & take on Board Wine, & Sand, What may not sell wth you, at Jamaica. 22 The "wash" was the upper surface or deck which was given a slope to shed water. M In all letters this vessel is called the John Galley, and her name was probably John. The word galley was usually added to the name to distinguish the galley type of vessel; one that is pierced on the spar deck for oars, or long sweeps, with two men at each, to be used as auxiliary to the sails. A BRITISH ARMED MERCHANT SHIP Early eighteenth century type. Drawn by Louis F. Middlebrook from the recorded description of the Tetsworth, Captain Joseph Cornish

Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 173 Please to Use thy Endeavour With the Builder to have an Allowance of one foot in the Bredth given, which will make Twenty Six feet. It's fully expected thouFt obtain the Same; being desirous She be full that Bredth. Shall write again in a Day or two. Now remain Thy Sincere Lovg. Friend Elias Bland Upon the receipt of this letter and with his usual care, Eeynell entered in the front of his Day Book, under date of November 17, 1746, the following, "Agreed with Joseph Oldman for the Smith's Work of the New Ship at 6d.pr.lb. half Cash, Quarter Barr Iron & Quarter Goods. The Barr Iron at £25.p.Tunn." And below—"Agreed with John Ridge for Rigging the New Ship and am to give him £18.'' Under date of August 1, 1747, he wrote: "Agreed with Samuel Chandler to do the Ship Joyner's Work of the New Ship James West now is Building, calPd the Tetsworth for Seventy Pounds.'' On October 3, he further writes: "Agreed with John Winckles for Painting the new Ship Compleatly for £25.'' No record has been found of any written agreement with James West the builder, or with those who did other work on the ship, but in the final accounting of cost the above figures were closely followed and varied but little from the first agreement. It will be noted that Elias Bland gave particular instructions about the placing of the port-holes, and in examining the invoice one will see the owners expected to equip the ship with a number of four and six pound guns and a plentiful supply of cutlasses, muskets, musketoons,24 and pistols, so that the crew could pro- tect their ship in the event of attempted capture by an enemy. In addition to the above mentioned equipment for the Tetsworth, the John carried other merchandise for 24 A musketoon is a short, large-bore musket, somewhat of the blunder- bus type. 174 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia local merchants. There are invoices in the same collection showing the following:

Account of John Eeynell, goods valued at £ 249-10- 4 Account of Eeynell & Allen, do 219-14-11 Account of Elias Bland & Co. do 662- 1- 7 Account of John Eeynell do 182-11- 2£ The John apparently arrived in Philadelphia within eleven months, as John Beynell's Journal shows the entry of the above invoices under date of March 6, 1746/7, when he credited merchandise account with the goods received under the following system: "£ 249-10-4 Sterling @ 75 pr.Cent. £436-13-1," and the Eeynell & Allen shipment at "£ 219-14-11 Stg. @ 75 p.Cent. £ 384-11-li" Elias Bland told Eeynell that "Her Materials, a Cargo Sorted abt. £500.—With a Master Will be despatched pr the John Galley." The London merchants were apparently of the opinion that no colony of England could supply all the necessary materials for the equipment of a ship, hence they sent Captain Joseph Cornish (who was to command the new vessel), and all her equipment in the John as shown by the following invoice, the original of which is in the pre- viously mentioned collection: London 11th. of 7th. Mo. 1746 INVOICE of Sundry Stores ShipM by Elias Bland & Co. on their Proper Aceo*. & Eisque in the John Galley, Thos. Crosth- waite Commr. p. Philada. & Consigned John Eeynell Marcht. there being Designed for their Ship the Tetsworth (Capt. Cornish) to be built under Direction of Said John Eeynell. Vizt. No. 1 A A Bale qt. 12 Pieces Canvas25 465J Yards @ l-3£ £ 30- 1- 3J No. 2 B A Bale qt. 12 Pieces Canvas 461^ Yards @ 1-3J 29-16- lj

25 The original invoice gives the number and yardage of each piece of canvas in each particular bale. Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 175 3C A Bale qt. 14 Pieces Canvas 539 Yards 1-3 33-13- 9 4 D A Bale qt. 14 Pieces Canvas 535£ Yards 33- 9- 4J 5 E A Bale qt. 6 Pieces Canvas 231 Yards 13£ 12-19-10J 5 & 6 F A Bale qt. 26 Pieces Canvas 1004£ Yards of No. 7 @ lid. 46- 0- 9£

£ 186- 1- 2 7 G 2 Pieces Brown Duck qt. 75 Yds @ 13d. 4- 1- 3 2 Do For Awnings qt. 140 Yds. @ 10 5-16- 8 Old Canvas for Pass Line qt. 200 @ 4£ 3-15- 0 Fine Twine 80 @ 14d 4-13- 4 Eoping Do 40 @ 11 1-16- 8 20- 2-11 8 H Bolt Ropes qt. 3 C :2 qr: 6 @ 43 7-12- 9 Matts, Cords & Baleins 2- 0- 0 Entry, Oath, Searchers, Cartage, Wharfage, Waterage & Cockett 2- 4- 6 4-4-6

£218- 1- 4 Deduct Bounty on 2763 Ells at 2d pr. 23- 0- 6

£195- 0-10 10 A Cable 13 Inches full 125 Fathoms £ 44- 1-17 11 Ditto 12 do 125 " 38- 3-24 12 Ditto 8 do 80 " 12- 0-23 13 Main Shrouds & Tye 6£ 120 " 11- 1- 0 14 Fore Do 6£ 80 8- 0- 3 15 Main & Fore Stay & Main Collar 4- 1- 9 16 Main Shrouds & Main Top Cack Stays 4i Inch. 120 Vathoms 5- 1- 9 17 Main Top Ditto & Fore Top Cack Stays 3f Inch. 130 Fathm. 4- 3- 7 18 Fore Top Shrouds, Mizzen Gears & Other Uses 3| In. 130 Fathm 4- 0-13 19 Main & Fore Tacks 2- 1-21 20 Main & Fore Sheets 2- 2- 4 21 Main & Fore Sail Sheets 3- 0- 4 22 Main & Fore Gears & Strupp 4 Inches. 130 Fathm. 5- 1-19 22 Top Tyes & Runners 3| In. 60 Fathm.26 1- 3- 3 5No. 22 is duplicated; No. 9 is omitted. 176 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia

23 Kunners Top ropes & Strups 5 In. 80 Fathm 4- 2-23 24 2 Buoy ropes & Boat rope 5£ In. full 60 do 3- 3- 4 25 1 Hawser 5| Inches 100 Fathom 6- 0- 0 26 A Coyle 3 do for Lanyards 2- 3- 2 27 Ditto 2f do 2- 2- 6 28 Ditto 3 do dor do & Mizzen Shrouds 3- 0- 9 29 Ditto 2f do 2- 2-14 30 Ditto 2i do 2- 0- 1 31 Ditto n do 1- 3- 1 32 Ditto 2£ do 1- 2-23 33 Ditto 2J do 1- 2-16 34 Ditto 2| do 1- 2-16 35 Ditto 2 do 1- 1-13 36 Ditto 2 do 1- 1- 7 37 Ditto 2 do 1- 1- 8 38 Ditto 2 do 1- 2- 0 39 Ditto If do 1- 0-23 40 Ditto 1} do 1- 0-17 41 Ditto If do 1- 0-21 42 Ditto 1} do 1- 0-23 43 Ditto li do 1- 0- 2 44 Ditto H do 1- 0- 7 45 Ditto li do 1- 0- 7 46 Ditto li do 1- 0- 0 47 Ditto 1^ do 0- 3-25 48 Ditto 1 do 0- 2- 0 49 Ditto 1 do 0- 1-26 50 Ditto 1 do 0- 2- 0 51 Ditto 1 do 0- 1-26 52 Ditto 1 do 0- 2- 3 53 Ditto f do 0- 1-11 54 Ditto f do 0- 1-15 55 Ditto f do 0- 1-16 56 Ditto f do 0- 1-21 57 Ditto f do 0- 1-16 58 Ditto Worming 0- 1-23 59 Ditto do 0- 1-14 60 Ditto Spun Yarn 1- 0-10 61 Ditto do 0- 2-21 62 Ditto do 1- 0-14 63 Ditto do 1- 0- 6 64 Ditto do 0- 2-13 65 Ditto do 0- 2-22 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 111 66 Ditto do 0- 2-22 67 Ditto do 0- 2-20 68 A Tow Line, 3£ Inch 3- 3-12

214- 0-10 @ 34 p.Ct. £363-19- 0 69 Mar Line & tr Line wt. 5 Ct. qt. 112 Skains @ 4d 1-17- 4 I In a Case 0- 7- 6 24 Muskets full Tower bore proved Barrels Wallnut Stocks brass Furniture @ 16 19- 4- 0 6 Brass Musketoons proved Barrels @ 18 5- 8- 0 6 pr. Pistols Ditto Wallnut Stocks Brass Furniture with Eibs fixd. @ 17 5- 2- 0 (I Scouring Eods 0- 2- 9 30- 4- 3

K Iri a Cask 0- 4- 6 1 Dox. best buckhorn handle Cuttlases 1- 2- 0 100 Gun & Pistol Flints Sorted 0- 0- 6 3 pcs. best broad Crimson Bunting ingrn. 31/ 4-13- 0 1 pc. Broad & Blue Bunting 1- 3- 0 1 ps White Bunting 1- 1- 0 1 pc. qt. 19| Yards Eed Bays 14d. 1- 2- 9 3 Wood Box Ship Compases 4s. 0-12- 0 1 Brass do 0-11- 0 2 J Minute] 4 •J Minute f Glasses 4d 0- 3- 4 4 £ Hour J 1 2 Hour Ditto 0- 0-11 1 Deep Sea Line 0- 3- 6 2 Hand Lines lid 0- 1-10 10 Log Lines lid 0- 9- 2 11- 8- 6

L In a Cask 0- 1- 6 1 Deep Sea Lead] 2 Hand do ^qt. 331d. 2£d 0- 6-10 14 Id. Pistil Ball J 56 " Muskett Dittol 1ft n IA n 28 Musketoon Ditto J lb U"14" U 4 Bags pr. Ditto 0- 0- 6 1- 2-10 One Anchor 1 4 cwt. 2 qr. \l9 cwt. 1 qr. @ 27/ 25-19- 9 one Ditto 14- 0- 3J VOL. LVL—12 178 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia one 4 Pounder 11-1-7 one Ditto 11-1-0 one Ditto 12-3-0 one Ditto 12- 1-14 one Ditto 11- 1-16 117- 1- 1 one Ditto 11- 2-16 @ 14/ 82- 1- 7 one Ditto 11- 2- 0 one Ditto 11- 3-12 one Ditto 11-3-0 one Ditto 11- 1-20 one 6 Pounder 16- 1-21 33- 1- 7 one Ditto 16- 3-14 } @ 12/ 19-19- 9 Sixty Deck Shells 16d 4- 0- 0 132- 1- 1

162 4 1 Shott 6 3 69 3- 1- 3 19 6 1 Ditto tti] - - / Two Brass Chambers 41 1 lOd. 1-14- 2 One Anchor 12 cwt /25 15- 0- 0 19-15- 5

200 30 InchL Tree nails27 1-12- 0 3000 24 do do 13-10- 0 5333 18 do do 11- 0- 0 4000 15 do do 7- 0- 0 4000 12 do do 5- 0- 0 38- 2- 0 one 2d. hand Anchor 10 cwt. 3 qr. 22 lb. /23 12-11- 9 12-11- 9 4 Cags 0- 2- 0 2 cwt. Bullets Sorter 14-6 1- 9- 0 1-11- 0

20 Cross Barr Shott 6 pound 2 cwt. 1 qr. 70 Ditto 4 pound 5- 0-14

7- 1-14 @ /16 5-18- 0 10 Langrel Shott 6 lb 2 qr.7 1.1 o . ^ QO/ 30 do 4 1-1-21 \2cwt @ 32/ 3- 4- 0 Four Cags 0- 1- 4 2 cwt. 1 qr. 3 lb. Ball for Grape Shott 20/ 2- 5- 7 2- 6-11

27 Tree nails or trunnels are the long wooden pins or pegs, formerly used to fasten ship or building timbers together. These were made generally of hickory or locust wood. ReynelPs ledger D (p. 109) shows an entry in 1748: "to Cash pd for 4000 Locust Tree Nails @ £3-10-0; £14-0-0," and on p. 57 we see that 16,000 tree nails cost £12-0-0. Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 179 5 Dozen Prepared Cartridges 6 lb. 0- 6- 3 26 Dozen Ditto 4 1-6-0 A Bag 0- 0- 4 1-12- 7

One Deep Sea Two hand Lead 0- 7- 6

18 Half Barrels Tower Powder! 90 _ ,„- Q? in ft 2 Ditto F Ditto J ™ @ /75 d7"1U" U 7 16 Iron Shott 10/ 3-11 -6 £ 862- 4- 6 Charges Entry &ca. Freight &ca. £58- 1- 0 Premio £1000. 98 at 15 Guis. p Ct. PoL 4/6 157-14- 6 215-15- 6 £1078- 0- 0 Comm11. 2£ p Cent 26-19- 0

£1104-19- 0 Errors excepted, For Compy. & Self E. Bland. The available records do not reveal the agreed cost of the Tetsworth; but in the letter of instructions, Bland wrote: " To Enable thee to pursue our Interest in the best Manner It's also agreed thy Drafts be honoured for Five Hundred pounds Stg. when in Ad- vance on this Concern to that Amo\" Apparently there was some correspondence on the matter, and while Reynell's letters have not been found, the following from Bland throw some light on that question. Under date of July 13,1747, he wrote Eeynell, answer- ing letters of April 15 and 30, via New York, as follows: " Shall Consult my Partners in the Tetsworth, Agreeable to thy Last: Should be Sorry Friend West proves a Sufferer; Expect He will Loose no Necessary Endeavours to Launch Her by Agreement, which will please the Owners and may be Assured of my Friend- ship Pr.Appearing in His Behalf." Again, on Sep- tember 4,1747, he wrote: The Owners of the Tetsworth are Surprised thou had Keceived no advice from Jamaica Eespecting a Suitable Cargo; Are well pleased thou art making Provision for Her Despatch When 180 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia Launched, which are anxious may be Effected with the Utmost Expedition. Since Eeceived thine Mentioning J. West's Com- plaints : He wrote me Himself Pr. Budden, which Have Shewn to the Owners: Cannot Say what will conclude on. Intend Writing Him. Should Bather pay Him some Consideration My self, than be tho*. Unreasonable. Don't find any Disapproval at a Suitable Time by the others Concerned . . . On October 20, 1747, Bland again wrote: ". . . The Owners of the Tetsworth are very desirous She be Launched this fall: Which flatter our selves will be effected if Moderate Weather [prevails]." Just when the launching took place is not known, but Reynell's Ledger shows that on September 16 and 29, 1747, ninety one gallons of rum and a barrel of sugar were charged to the ship's account, and on April 6, 1748, "10 Barrels of Pork for Sea Stores" were also charged. This latter charge would not have appeared unless the vessel was ready to proceed on a voyage fairly soon. Reynell's books were kept in the most meticulous manner and exceedingly well written. His Journal28 shows not only the actual cost of the Tetsworth, but also the names of the various craftsmen who aided in her construction. Here follows the Journal entry: Philadelphia 2d. Mon. 27th. 1748 ELIAS BLAND & COM. for their New Ship Dr. to Sundry Accounts To James West, Carpenter for Building of her pr Aeco1. 1370- 4- 6 To Joseph Oldman, Smith for his Bill 521-10- 4 To William Spafford, Ship Chandler for his 3 Bills 135- 0- 1 To Samuel Austin, Blockmaker for his Bill 94- 0- 4 To Henry Elves, Ship Chandler for his Bill 3-10- 3 To Thomas Williams, Boat Builder for his Bill for Building 2 Boats &c29 31-14- 5 _____ a About this period (1748), a ship's boats were housed midship on the spar-deck, and hoisted out by means of blocks and falls on the fore and main yards, and sometimes by use of euphore, or crowfoot-tackle made into the main brace directly over the boat cradles. Ship's davits and cranes were not in use in the Colonial period. Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 181

To Eden Haddeck, Plummer for his Bill 32- 5- 8 To Abraham Mason, Sailmaker for his Bill 47- 8- 6 To John Wincle, Painter for his Bill 26-10- 0 To Henry Wells, Carver for his Bill30 21-16- 4 To Jonathan Evans, Cooper for his Bill 20- 5- 0 To Andrew Hodge, Baker for his Bill 47- 1- 0 To William Sims & John Eidge for Eigging ye Ship 18- 0- 0 To George Emlen, Brewer for his 2 Bills 2-18- 6 To Timothy Matlack, Brewer for his Bill 0- 9- 0 To Cash pd Capt. Hill for Storage of Powder in the Magazine 5- 1- 0 To Samuel Hazzard for a Store and Eigging Loft 13-10- 0 To Oswald Peel for Wharfage 3-17- 0 To Preserve Brown for 5 Barrels of Pork 15- 0- 0 To Cash pd. Francis Johnson Butcher for Beef 13-13- 5 To Thomas Walker, Butcher for Ditto 11-11- 0 To Cash pd. Samuel Chandler Ship Joyner 48- 9- 2 To John Maul for Pyloting the Ship out 9- 0- 0 To Capt. Joseph Cornish for Cash Advanced to him at Sundry times for the Ship's use 830-14- 0 To Trade for my Commissions on £3436-19-l£ @ 5 pr. Ct. 171-16-11^ £ 3513- 6- 5J Eeynell's Ledger "D"81 has the following entry: THE NEW SHIP Built by Order of Elias Bland, Named ye Tetsworth. Dr. 1746 10 mon. 13 To a Hhd of Eum given James West the Builder pr. Agreement No. 10 Qt. 105 Galls. @ 3/ £ 15-15- 0 1747 7 mon. 16 To Cash for 1 Tierce Eum 91 gas. @ 4/8 gave Ditto 21- 4- 8 29 To Ditto pd. for 1 Barrel Sugar wt. 2 cwt. 2 qr. 71 @ 55/ gade Do. 7- 0-ll£ 9 mon. 25 To Ditto pd. for 4 Bbls. Turpentine & 5 Bbls. Pitch &c 8-14- 0

30 As a lion figurehead was not mentioned in the order for the Tetsworth or in the statement of its final cost, it is presumed Henry Wells, the carver, executed the usual regulation "fiddle-head," and the carving on the larboard "wing transom." 31 P. 45. 182 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 12 mon. 2 To Sundry Accounts 12-15- 0 1748 2 mon. 6 To 10 Barrels of Pork for Sea Stores 30- 0- 0 27 To Sundry Accounts 3513- 6- 5£

£ 3608-16- Of The above Journal account is particularly interesting in that it gives the full names of all the different craftsmen who worked on this ship, with their occupations. The Eeynell Eeceipt Book also shows payments to these men at different times. The actual owners of the Tetsworth have not been ascertained. Elias Bland no doubt had a quarter interest, as his letter says "I have resolved to be concerned with two Gentlemen Here whose House at Jamaica may Probably come in for J"; and Edward Wilson of Kingston, in his correspondence with Rey- nell regarding the first cargo, said "I understand by Capt. Cornish You have Contracted with John Wood- bridge and other Gentm. in London for building the Ship Tetsworth &c." It is reasonable to assume that Elias Bland, John Woodbridge, and Edward Wilson each had a quarter interest. The other participant is not revealed.32 In the same private manuscript collection is the following letter from Edward Wilson to John Beynell: Kingston Jamaica 30th April 1747 Mr. John Eeynell Sr I understand by Capt. Cornish You have Contracted with John Woodbridge & other gentn. in London for building the Ship Tetsworth & furnishing her Cargo for this place. I have there fore taken the Liberty of recommending to You a Suitable assortment for this Place, if any alteration happens in Eespect to those articles you shall be advised to which I have only to add I am Very Eespectfully Sr Your most humble serv* 32 When the Tetsworth was registered in Philadelphia, February 25, 1747/8, she was classed as a 200 ton vessel, owned by Elias Bland & Co., of London. The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, XXIV. 502. Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 183

Copy 50 M Staves red & White Oak J the 10 M hoops White & | red 10 M White Oak heading for puncheons 400 Barrells Common flour 20 Barrells Burlington Pork 40 Kegs White or Milk bread 10 Casks Hams Burlington 20 Kegs Tallow, 50 boxes Green Candles a few hhd Wooden hoops a few fkns. butter well Salted if arrives here about Xmass Gen- erally Sells well, Beef is also Generally in Demand at that time Kingston July 6, 1747 Sr On the other side is Copy of my last and as I find the Ship will Probably carry more I have therefore made an alteration, but that matter must be left to you to Proportion Either more or less, as you are a much better Judge than I can pretend to be I am Sr Your most hum Serv*. Edward Wilsonn 10 M Hoops 11^ ft. long 10 M D° 13J ft. D°. Corn ig & hag been a yery gQod 50 M Wh OakLgtaves Article y°u may send 100° bushell 50 M red OakJ sOme in barrells 10 M White oak heading 400 bis flour 20 bis Burlington Pork 40 or 50 Kegs White & Milk bread 10 Casks Burlington hams 20 Kegs Tallow 50 boxes green Candles 50 fkns. Butter well Salted & Pressed The available records do not divulge the date of launching of the Tetsworth, but the Pennsylvania Gazette for April 21, 1748, indicates her clearance through the Customs House for Jamaica, and John Beynell's Journal33 shows the following cargo charged under date of April eighteenth: Elias Bland & Co: Owners of the Ship Tetsworth their Accot. Currt. Dr. to Sundry Accounts. For 400 Barrels of Flour. 40 Cags of white Bread. 10 Tearces of Gammons. 20 Barries of

33 P. 169. 184 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia Pork. 9 Boxes of Myrtle Wax Candles. 10800 of Bricks, 11700 Hhd. Heading. 14600 White Oak and 53600 Eed Oak Hhd. Staves. Shipt on their Account and Risque in the sd Ship Tetsworth, Joseph Cornish Mr. for Jamaica, Consigned to Edward Willsonn Merchant there. The value of this cargo, with Reynell's commission of 6 per cent added, amounted to £1O94-1O-3|. The "sundry accounts" mentioned, do not divulge the names of those from whom he purchased the various items of cargo, save the 9 boxes of Myrtle wax candles; which were bought from Mary Dicas, the widow of Eandle (sic) Dicas, and cost £24-14-6. Although the Tetsworth cleared the 21st of April, they were delayed ten days before leaving the Capes. A letter from Capt. Cornish, written off New Castle, Delaware, stated that three of the men deserted them at Chester. He again wrote from Lewes and stated that Captain Stamper's vessel joined him at Reedy Island and he expected to discharge the pilot and proceed to sea. In finding this complete record and the history of the building of the Tetsworth, it would be natural to anticipate a long life and many successful voyages for the staunch Philadelphia-built ship. Alas! those were strenuous times. English shipping, both at home and abroad, was being preyed upon by both the French and Spanish privateers. The Pennsylvania Gazette of June 2, 1748, printed a report that the enemy ships were hovering off the capes, and that some had even ventured up the Delaware River as far as New Castle. And while the Tetsworth succeeded in escaping them, she never reached the port of her first consignment. She was captured by a Spanish sloop on the 16th of May off Santo Domingo, less than three weeks after leaving the Delaware River. Edward Wilson, the Kingston, Jamaica representa- Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia 185 tive of the London owners of the Tetsworth, wrote to Eeynell on May 9,1748:

I am favoured with yours of 8th. March and also one from Capt. Cornish both wch agree to the Tetsworths sailing in the beginning of Aprill, if she did sail at that time I despair of seeing her almost tho' I cant say she's altogether out of time, We hear Don Pedro De Anacochea is gone from the Havanna with sundry other Privateers to Cruize of Your Collonys, and several vessells are Missing from Boston & York, I hope Cornish may Escape as he'd meet a good Markett & Dispatch for London. Bland wrote to John Eeynell under date of May 5, 1748:

It's agreeable to find said Ship is at last in the Water, tho' fear shall be full Late at Jamaica, to get dispatched thence Home, before the Freights may drop on the News of a peace on the Anvil. Am sorry so many unexpected cross circumstances has put Back her being finished. Again on August 23, 1748, he writes that

We don't hear of the Tetsworths Arrival at Jamaica, tho' ships are Arrived that saild thence beginning June, Which Gives us Concern, As expect She will be too Late to secure a Freight at 10/ pr. C. Home. Owing to conditions of sailings and the risk of capture by privateers, it was but natural that the owners of the Tetsworth would be anxious of her safe arrival at Jamaica. On September 5, 1748, Bland wrote to Eeynell (which letter was received in Philadelphia, November 23,1748), that we

Are much discouraged to Heare by Capt. Stevenson (who reports had it from Capt. Stamper) that Capt. Cornish was Taken near Jamaica by a Large Spanish Sloop.34 I admire Capt. Stamper neglected hinting the same to me, ... as he knew I was Concerned in the Ship. We have no Accot. any other way, & what to think we are at a Loss; As we have no confirmation the Tetsworth was actually Taken . . .

34 Sloop of war, or a full rigged ship. 186 Some Colonial Ships Built in Philadelphia On December 3, 1748, he writes that We are told Capt. Cornish's men did not stand by Him, neither did Capt. Stamper perform his agreement to assist as much as Possible. Captain Cornish advised Eeynell, from Kingston on June 24th, of the capture of his ship by the Spaniards, off St. Domingo, and how he and the crew were put off in a small vessel, with little water, and allowed to shift for themselves. After many trials, and being sick with a fever, he reached Jamaica, ill but thankful to be alive. This letter was received by Eeynell on the 9th of August, and two days later the Pennsylvania Gazette published an account of the capture, which came from another source, and said the Spanish sloop carried twelve guns and a crew of one hundred and twenty men. Thus ended the career of the Tetsworth, of which vessel no doubt John Eeynell and James West felt so proud.85

35 The writer wishes to express appreciative thanks to Louis F. Middlebrook for his assistance in explaining some of the old nautical terms and for other shipping information.