Fox, Dring, and Andros’s discussing offers to join British: Dandridge, American Prisoners, p. 254. Fox ultimately enlists: Dandridge, American Prisoners, p. 277.
Blatchford’s recollection of survival: Dandridge, American Prisoners, pp. 146–160.
“Vermin” inside “snuff box”: Fox, Adventures, p. 145.
Descriptions and quotes about preparing for July 4 celebration: Lowenthal, Hell on the East River, pp. 25–26; and Dring, Recollections, pp. 97–98. Angry response by the guards, “triumphantly demolished” and “Down, Rebels, down”: Dring, Recollections, pp. 98, 133; and Armbruster, Wallabout Prison Ships, p. 18.
Numbers on the prisoners being killed on July 4: Taylor, Martyrs to the Revolution, p. 20, and Dring, Recollections, p. 105. “The helpless prisoners”: Stiles, History of the City of Brooklyn. Attack by guards belowdecks and quotes of it: Dring, Recollections, p. 100; and Taylor, Martyrs to the Revolution, p. 21.
Dring’s recalling the evening, thirst, and the ghastly scene the next day: Dring, Recollections, p. 100. Dring’s quote “thronged to the water”: Dring, p. 103. Andros’s remembering “more spiteful”: Andros, Old Jersey Captive, p. 10, “Turn out your dead” and what happened the day after the attack: Onderdonk, Revolutionary Incidents, p. 237; Dring, Recollections, p. 105; and Taylor, Martyrs to the Revolution, p. 22.
The Hessians being preferable: Dring, Recollections, p. 104.
“For god’s sake”: Taylor, Martyrs to the Revolution, pp. 22–23.
CHAPTER 14. ESCAPE
General information on Elizabeth Burgin: see Hagist, “Elizabeth Burgin Helps the Prisoners”; and Silcox-Jarrett, Heroines, p. 26.
Burgin’s writing to Rev. Calville: “Elizabeth Burgin to Reverend James Calville,” November 19, 1779, in Papers of the Continental Congress, http://research.archives.gov/description/5916026. Washington’s writing on behalf of Burgin: “George Washington to the President of Congress,” December 25, 1779, in Papers of the Continental Congress, http://research.archives.gov/description/5913711. Burgin’s writing to Washington: “Elizabeth Burgin to George Washington,” March 16, 1780, Founders Online, National Archives, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/washington/99–01–02–01137.
Rivington Gazette article is from March 1, 1780; see Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 21.
Number of guards versus the number of prisoners on the Jersey: Dring, Recollections, p. 38.
“The physical force” and “occasionally brought back”: Dandridge, American Prisoners, pp. 258–259.
“By having our miserable” and “hardly sufficient”: Dandridge, American Prisoners, p. 263.
Stories of reprisal by the guards for attempted escapes: Armbruster, Wallabout Prison Ships, p. 19.
Stories of escapes: See Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 31; Dring, Recollections, p. 469, and Connecticut Gazette, May 25, 1780.
Ebenezer Fox’s stories of escape: New Jersey Gazette, June 4, 1780; and Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 21. January 1780 escape to New London: Onderdonk, Revolutionary Incidents, p. 231, February 16, 1780.
CHAPTER 15. RUN!
Hawkins’s escape: Hawkins, Life and Adventure. Hawkins and Waterman quotes about planning to escape: Hawkins, p. 9. The challenge of escaping and quotes about getting off the ship: Hawkins, pp. 9–10. In the water swimming: Hawkins, pp. 9–10. Coming ashore: Hawkins, p. 10. First night off the ship: Hawkins, p. 11. Eluding the Tories and Hessians: Hawkins, p. 11. Encountering young woman with a basket: Hawkins, p. 11. Sleeping in barns: Hawkins, p. 12. Meeting old woman and her son who fed him: Hawkins, pp. 12–13. Arriving home: Hawkins, pp. 13–14.
Dring’s planned escape: Dring, Recollections, pp. 107–108. Prisoners crawling through the wall and the guards catching them: Dring, pp. 109–110. “Perverse” action by guards and prisoners panicking: Dring, pp. 111–112.
Andros escape: Andros, Old Jersey Captive. “While on board”: Andros, p. 14. An opportunity presented itself in a prisoner exchange: Andros, p. 15. Andros in despair after not getting off Jersey: Andros, p. 14. Believes he must escape or die: Andros, pp. 15–16. Story about Young and Spicer: Andros, pp. 12–13. Poems and quotes about God’s plan: Andros, p. 16. Quotes about going ashore on a work party: Andros, p. 17. Hiding in swamp: Andros, pp. 18–19. First night and day on the run: Andros, pp. 20–21. In woods and avoiding the dragoons: Andros, pp. 21–22. Asking for milk from a patriot: Andros, p. 23. Giving the helpful couple money: Andros, p. 25. Day of judgment: Andros, p. 26. Belief in providence and signs from God: Andros, pp. 26–27. “Sink under such trials” and sobbing: Andros, p. 32. Whaling boat back home: Andros, pp. 39–40. Arriving home: Andros, pp. 42–43.
CHAPTER 16. TURNING POINT
Ferling quote: Ferling, “Myths of the American Revolution.”
Fluctuations between the number of loyalists and patriots: USHistory.org, “Loyalists, Fence-sitters, and Patriots.”
“The Adams Third”: “John Adams to James Lloyd,” in Adams, Works, vol. X, pp. 108–111.
Academic debate over “Adams Third”: Smith, A New Age, vol. I, p. 656; Marina, “Only 1/3 of Americans”; Aptheker, American Revolution, pp. 54–55; Alden, American Revolution, p. 87; Palmer, Age of the Democratic Revolution, vol. I, p. 200; Schellhammer, “John Adams’s Rule of Thirds”; Rutman, Morning of America, p. 178; Greene, Comparative Revolutionary Movements, p. 47.
McKean’s response to Adams: Schellhammer, “John Adams’s Rule of Thirds.”
Studies that estimate the number of patriots and loyalists: Calhoon, Loyalist; Fleming, Liberty; and Smith, A New Age.
Loyalists in different colonies: Middlekauff, Glorious Cause, p. 550.
The number of British loyalists in uniform: Schellhammer, “John Adams’s Rule of Thirds”; Smith, A New Age, pp. 264–267; and Calhoon, Loyalist, p. 502.
George Washington’s comment about the number of countrymen who support cause: Aptheker, American Revolution, pp. 54–55.
Adams’s “Divided” quote: Schellhammer, “John Adams’s Rule of Thirds.”
Hawkins’s commenting on escapes: Hawkins, Life and Adventure, p. iv.
The Freeman’s Journal: Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 21; and Freeman’s Journal, January 19, 1777.
Holt’s New York Journal and the king’s intention: Lossing, Pictoral Field-Book; Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 21 (article from October 19, 1775, which was reprinted from a London newspaper on August 5, 1775).
“Associations of intense horror”: Lossing, Pictoral Field-Book, 1850.
Quotes about the “Old Jersey” “striking terror”: Dring, Recollections, p. 5.
Hawkins’s getting help from a woman: Hawkins, Life and Adventure, pp. 12–13.
Dring’s quote about yellow fever: Dring, Recollections, p. 142.
The Connecticut Journal report on Captain Calhoon: Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 21; see also Connecticut Journal, March 22, 1781. Connecticut Gazette story about 200 prisoners: Connecticut Gazette, January 8, 1777. 130 prisoners’ arriving near New London: article is from January 4, 1782.
Report on the prisons for Connecticut Legislature and the Babcock, Trumbull, and Washington letters about Connecticut prisoners: letters “Babcock to Trumbull,” January 7, 1777, and “Trumbull to Washington,” December 12, 1776, in Washington, Papers (ed. Chase), vol. 7, pp. 322–324, “Washington to Trumbull,” December 21, 1776, in vol. 7, p. 406, “Trumbull to Washington,” January 12, 1777, in vol. 8, pp. 53–54, and “Trumbull to Washington,” January 14, 1777, in vol. 8, pp. 70–71.
Pennsylvania Council of Safety report: letter, “Pennsylvania Council of Safety to Washington,” January 15, 1777, in Washington, Papers (ed. Chase), vol. 8, pp. 74–76.
Reports on how many prisoners died in winter: Amerman, “Treatment of American Prisoners,” pp. 267–268.
Disturbing reports of the guard’s behavior toward prisoners: Taylor, Martyrs to the Revolution, pp. 34, 38–40, 42.
George Batterman’s allegations in the newspaper and David Spr
oat’s reply: Philadelphia Journal, January 17, 1781; see also “Batterman’s Declaration” in Banks, David Sproat, pp. 34–37. The Sproat letter is from January 29, 1781; see Banks, pp. 39–43.
“It is painful to repeat”: New Hampshire Gazette, February 4, 1779; see also Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 21.
Christopher Vail story: DeWan, “Wretched Prison Ships.”
Robert Sheffield story: Dandridge, American Prisoners.
The lengthy report in the Connecticut Journal: see Connecticut Journal, January 30, 1777; see also Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 21; Taylor, Martyrs to the Revolution, p. 39; and Thatcher’s Journal, p. 76.
“I am now a prisoner”: Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 21.
Pennsylvania Packet story: letter from August 10, 1781, published in the Pennsylvania Packet, September 4, 1781.
The Tory newspaper: the paper was run by James Rivington and allegedly quoted an American prisoner named John Cooper. See “John Cooper to James Rivington,” June 11, 1782, in Banks, David Sproat, pp. 72, 78. The newspaper article was “Cooper and Others to Friends and Fellow Countrymen of America.”
Cunningham’s propaganda: Lossing, Pictoral Field-Book. British telling Americans that their country did not care for them: Taylor, Martyrs to the Revolution, p. 38. Captain Dawson’s report: Amerman, “Treatment of American Prisoners,” p. 257; see also Brumbaugh, “Report,” pp. 237–238; and “Report of an Enquiry on Board His Majesty’s Prison Ship Jersey,” February 2, 1781, in Banks, David Sproat, pp. 50–53. Sproat’s reports: “Captains’ Report,” June 22, 1782, in Banks, pp. 82–84; and Morris, Papers, vol. V, pp. 583–584, July 15, 1782.
The letters between Dawson and Washington: “Captain Dawson to General Washington,” February 2, 1781, in Banks, David Sproat, pp. 49–50. “Washington to Skinner,” February 18, 1781, in Washington, Writings (ed. Fitzpatrick), vol. XXI, pp. 243–244. “Arbuthnot to Washington,” April 21, 1781, in Washington, Writings (ed. Sparks), vol. VII, p. 384; see also reports in New York Mercury, February 5, 1781, and Boston Gazette, May 28, 1781.
“I was refused permission”: Taylor, Martyrs to the Revolution, p. 37, letter “Skinner to David Sproat.”
British papers criticizing Americans as “outlaws”: Burrows, Forgotten Patriots, p. 36; and Lutnick, American Revolution and the British Press, pp. 80–85.
“There are now 5000 prisoners”: Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 21.
British were not able to restore order by force alone: Marina, “Only 1/3 of Americans”; and Shy, “The American Revolution,” pp. 130–139.
Concerns by General Gage and quote “Americans lose 600”: Kuhn, Structure of Scientific Revolutions, p. 148; and Marina, “Only 1/3 of Americans.”
Historian John Shy: Shy, “The American Revolution,” p. 148. “Constant skirmish”: Marina, “Only 1/3 of Americans.”
Nathanael Greene’s motto: Thayer, “Nathanael Greene.” “A war of ravage and destruction”: Shy, “The American Revolution,” p. 146; and Marina, “Only 1/3 of Americans.”
CHAPTER 17. FREEDOM
Continental Congress approves prisoner exchanges: Journal of the Continental Congress, vol. 3, p. 400.
Reports in the Virginia Gazette and Gen. Washington’s letter to Gen. Gage: Virginia Gazette, Issue 1, July 1775; and Ramsay, History of the American Revolution.
“A sufficient supply”: Connecticut Gazette, April 30, 1777, and Connecticut Gazette, January 4, 1782.
Gov. Trumbull to Washington, “In New York”: Force, Archives, 5th Series, vol. 3, p. 1193.
Corrupt negotiations by British commissaries: Jones, History of New York, p. 304.
Gov. Clinton’s pushing for exchanges: Lowenthal, Hell on the East River, p. 46.
New London paper report on 500–600 prisoners: see letters of August 18, 1779, and September 29, 1779, in the Connecticut Gazette; see also Onderdonk, Revolutionary Incidents, pp. 228–232. Their “countenances indicate”: the article is from September 2, 1779.
Early newspaper reports: Onderdonk, Revolutionary Incidents, p. 240. “The prisoners, instead”: Dandridge, American Prisoners, ch. 21.
Washington’s difficult decision on exchanges: Armbruster, Wallabout Prison Ships, p. 8.
Admirals Rodney and Arbuthnot and the exchanges: Ranlet, “Tory David Sproat,” pp. 191–192; “Rodney to Stephens,” October 28, 1780, and “Rodney to Navy Board,” November 13, 1780, in Rodney, Letter-Books, vol. I, pp. 55–56, 76.
Washington and Digby on exchanges: “George Washington to Robert Morris,” December 11, 1782, in Morris, Papers, vol. VII, pp. 193–194. Adm. Digby’s concerns and intentions: “David Sproat to Abraham Skinner,” January 25, 1782, in Papers of the Continental Congress, Item 169, Reel 188, pp. 292–293; see also “Abraham Skinner to George Washington,” February 18, 1782, in Papers of the Continental Congress, Item 169, Reel 188, p. 284. Adm. Digby’s playing games and Washington’s anger: “George Washington to Tench Tilghman,” July 10, 1782, in Washington, Writings (ed. Fitzpatrick), vol. XXIV, p. 423, “George Washington to President of Congress,” February 18, 1782, in Washington, Writings (ed. Fitzpatrick), vol. XXIV, pp. 5–6; and “Abraham Skinner to David Sproat,” June 24, 1782, in Banks, David Sproat, pp. 88–93.
Ben Franklin letter: April 24, 1782, in Wharton, Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence, vol. 5, pp. 326–327.
Sherburne’s learning he would be exchanged: Sherburne, Memoirs, p. 118. Worrying about “lice and vermin”: Sherburne, pp. 119–120. Being rescued by the captain of the small boat: Sherburne, p. 121. Meeting the family of a former crewmate: Sherburne, p. 122. Arriving home: Sherburne, p. 127.
Dring still on the Jersey: Dring, Recollections, p. 117.
Washington, Clinton, and Digby’s ongoing efforts for an exchange: “General Washington to Admiral Digby,” June 5, 1782, in Washington, Writings (ed. Fitzpatrick), vol. XXIV, pp. 315–316.
Sproat and Skinner letters: Onderdonk, Revolutionary Incidents, p. 240, “David Sproat to Abraham Skinner,” June 1, 1782.
Washington agrees to meet with three prisoners: “Admiral Digby to General Washington,” June 10, 1782, in Banks, David Sproat, p. 87. “Abraham Skinner to David Sproat,” June 9, 1782, in Banks, pp. 75–77. “Abraham Skinner to George Washington,” June 11, 1782, in Banks, pp. 79–80. Washington gets minor improvements on the Jersey: Armbruster, Wallabout Prison Ships, pp. 18–19.
Three prisoners meet Washington: Stiles, History of the City of Brooklyn, vol. I, p. 356; and Dring, Recollections, p. 119. Washington explains the dilemma to the three prisoners: Dring, Recollections, pp. 122–123. Dring reads Washington letter to Jersey prisoners: Dring, p. 121.
Capt. Aborn arrives back at the Jersey: Dring, Recollections, p. 127. Prisoners are told the mission was a failure: “David Sproat to Prisoners on Jersey,” June 11, 1782, in Banks, David Sproat, p. 73.
The sloop arrives: Dring, Recollections, p. 128. Prisoners learn that there is an exchange from a cartel: Dring, p. 169. Dring’s quotes on his thoughts and feelings about exchange: Dring, pp. 129–130. Prisoners are called to board sloop: Dring, p. 130. Dring’s apprehension on board sloop: Dring, p. 131. Dring is finally free: Dring, p. 132.
CHAPTER 18. DEATH AND DEMISE
Gen. Carleton and change of command at the end of the war: Lowenthal, Hell on the East River, p. 53; and Onderdonk, Revolutionary Incidents, p. 244, letters from New London paper, June 21, 1782.
British “paroles” at the end of the war: Schaukirk, Occupation of New York City, p. 26.
Descriptions from a New London paper of the ship at the end of the war: Connecticut Gazette, February 14, 1783.
Final releases at the end of the war: Sherburne, Memoirs, p. 116; see also Wertenbaker, Father Knickerbocker, p. 170.
Sproat’s announcement: “Sproat to Major MacKinzey,” May 10, 1783, in British Headquarters Papers, No. 7660, New York Public Library.
Drowne’s fate: Dandridge, American Prisoners, p. 432.
“The old hulk” quote: West,
Horrors, p. 7.
The Jersey’s finally sinking: Dring, Recollections, p. 145; and Armbruster, Wallabout Prison Ships, p. 22.
“The thousands” quote: West, “Prison Ships,” p. 123.
Sherburne’s visiting the sunken Jersey: Sherburne, Memoirs, pp. 151, 247.
Additional accounts of seeing the Jersey: Stokes, Iconography, vol. 5, p. 1319. (The account on April 18, 1795, was by Dr. Alexander Anderson.) See also Dandridge, American Prisoners, p. 306; and the letter from Silas Talbot in Onderdonk, Revolutionary Incidents, p. 236. The letter from Captain Roswell Palmer’s son to Henry Drowne in 1856 is in Dandridge, American Prisoners, p. 306.
George Washington’s farewell at Fraunces Tavern: “Memoirs of Col. Benjamin Tallmidge,” 1820, available at Fraunces Tavern Museum in New York City.
Heath’s account of the Jersey: Heath, Heath’s Memoirs, pp. 388–389. Sproat’s meticulous records: Ranlet, “Tory David Sproat,” p. 198.
Accounts by West and Taylor: West, “Prison Ships,” p. 123; and Taylor, Martyrs to the Revolution, p. 32.
Onderdonk’s version: Newspaper article from May 8, 1783, in Onderdonk, Revolutionary Incidents, p. 245.
Town of Fishkill and Samuel Loudon: Lowenthal, Hell on the East River, p. 58. (The Connecticut Gazette, April 25, and the Pennsylvania Packet, April 29.) See also Stokes, Iconography, vol. 5, p. 1044. “Baseless conjecture”: Lowenthal, Hell on the East River, p. 60.
Jefferson’s deposition: letter “Thomas Jefferson to William Phillips,” July 22, 1779, in Jefferson, Papers, vol. II, p. 45; “Jefferson to Jean Nicolas Demeunier,” June 26, 1786, vol. X, pp. 61–62; “Deposition of Richard Riddy,” August 17, 1786, vol. X, p. 269.
Remsen’s account: Malone, Jefferson, pp. 232–233. Remsen on the Riddy deposition: Jefferson, Papers, vol. X, p. 269. See also West, “Prison Ships,” p. 123; and Lowenthal, Hell on the East River, p. 65.
Elias Boudinot’s account: Dandridge, American Prisoners, p. 445. Dring “has never been”: Dring, Recollections, p. 5. “Three to eight per day”: Webb, Correspondence and Journals, vol. II, pp. 191–193. Henry Laurens’s estimate: Letter “Henry Laurens to John Burnett,” July 24, 1778, in Smith, Letters of Delegates, vol. X, p. 345.
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