General Mifflin

Posted by JH on Wednesday 8th of January 2025 01:50

From the veteran pension application of 76 year old Thomas Fay filed in 1832 which he recited from memory to a probate judge in Vermont:

"That in April 1780 he volunteered in the naval service for five months and entered onboard a square rigged vessel called the “General Mifflin” mounting 20 double fortified 6 pounders, Captain George Babcock, Lieutenant Eldridge, Lieutenant Brown, Sailing Master Murphy, Captain of Marines West Lieutenant Babcock. That he sailed from Boston, Massachusetts in April 1780 and that sometime in May following he fell in with a British armed vessel, called the Glasgow of 19 guns and that after a short engagement, they succeeded in capturing the Glasgow without the loss of a single man, and that the captain of the Glasgow was the only man killed on the part of the enemy that they returned with the prize to Newport, Rhode Island And sent her to Providence and that the prisoners about 50 and number were lodged in Newport jail that the General Mifflin immediately proceeded on a second cruise and took a privateer sloop of about six guns and also a vessel called the “Snow” bound to the west Indies laden with brooms, pitch, etc., that on board of these vessels, they took about 20 prisoners and return to Boston a few days before the expiration of the term for which he volunteered without the loss of a man."

Posted by dana zulager on Monday 5th of March 2018 16:29

i recently came across an early deed, Rockingham County NH 109-412 which mentions this war ship, here is a partial and quick transcript:

"Benjamin Morse, Exeter, laborer being engaged as a marine on board the private Ship of War called the General Mifflin commanded by Daniel McNeal Esq. and bound from Portsmouth on a cruise against the enemies of the United American (interlined) States. For and in consideration of the sum of 28 pounds 10 shillings L.M. to me in hand before the delivery hereof paid by Joseph Tilton, Exeter, physician, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have given granted bargained and sold and by these presents do give grant bargain sell convey and confirm to the said Joseph Tilton his heirs and assigns one quarter and an half quarter part of all the prizes prize money and prize goods that I shall be entitled to taken by the said Ship the general Mifflin on her said intended l… and until the full end of six months next after the commencement of the said cruise. to have and to hold ... "