RECOLLECTIONS OF THE JERSEY PRISON SHIP

Few names compiled for genealogical purposes by Gaytha Wallace from RECOLLECTIONS OF THE JERSEY PRISON SHIP, written by Albert Green, from the manuscript of Captain Thomas Dring's account as a prisoner of war on the Jersey moored in the East River, New York, during the Revolution. Applewood Books: Bedford Massachusetts, 1829.

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Crew members of The Chance held prisoners on the Jersey Prison Ship.

Thomas Dring, born 3 Aug 1758, Providence, RI.  Died 8 August 1825, Providence RI.

Thomas Dring was held as a Prison of War on the Jersey Prison ship.  The book describes in wretching detail the horrors of illness, starvation, and brutality meted out to Americans held prisoner on The Jersey.

Officers of The Chance:

• Daniel Aborn, Commander, Pawtuxet, RI
• John Tillinghast, 1st LT, Providence, RI
• James Hawkins, 2nd LT, Providence
• Sylvester Rhodes, Sailing Master, Providence
• Thomas Dring, Master's Mate, Providence
• Joseph Bowen, Surgeon, Providence
• Robert Carver, Gunner, Providence
• Joseph Arnold, Carpentar, Providence
• John W. Gladding, Prize Master, Providence

Additional names mentioned:

• Captain Charles Collins, Warren, RI
• David Sprout, Commissary of Prisoners, American Rufugee, "universally detested for his cruelty"

Deaths during summer of 1782

• Robert Carver
• "lad named Palmer" age 12
• James Mitchell of Providence, RI
• Thomas Sturmey, son in law of James Mitchell, died same day as his father in law.
• Woman named as "Dame Grant" who supplied the prisoners with bread, fruit, and sundries until her untimely death from exposure to the diseases of the prisoners.
• A man known only as Cooper, a Virginian, who lamented about the fact that no clergy ever visited the jersey and thus assumed a ministering persona. Rather than the Bible, Cooper fervently read the ship's by-laws. Rejected any title and accepted being called, "Doctor".
• Young man named Lawrence, mate of ship from PA, attempted escape, captured, brutallized and shot, left dying in the midst of prisoners.
• Prisoner Nelson, one of the escapees, whereabouts unknown, Drill assumed he was murdered.
• James Pitcher, member of the Chance, successful escape.  Actually lived.
• Oct 1782, Captain William Corey retreived members of the Chance from the Jersey.  35 crew members had survived their imprisonment and were freed that day.  Forty prisoners were released.  Five members of "the Gun Room" were allowed to assume the identities of deceased crew members and thus gained their freedom.
• Last man to die:  young man named Bicknell, of Barrington, RI,  died of fever within sight of his father's house.  The Bicknell family rushed to the shore only to arrive after the young man had died.

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