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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Pharoah Fitzpatrick's sworn account of capture during the Revolutionary War, brutal imprisonment on a New York prison ship, failed mutiny on a privateer leading to amputation, and a taunting insult, dated August 25, 1780.
Merged-components note: Continuation of the personal narrative about the capture and treatment of Pharoah Fitzpatrick across pages 2 and 3.
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In my homeward bound passage on board the schooner Mandel, belonging to Colonel Josiah Parker, I fell in with the brig Dunmore, commanded by John Buchanan, and after some time was carried to New York and put on board the Good Hope, a prison ship, where I remained five weeks, under such cruelties as are exercised alone by British savages- during this five weeks (shocking to humanity) a great number of American prisoners died through extreme severe treatment, and a variety of disorders. At the expiration of which five weeks, Captain Goodrich sent a Capt. Ford to release me from the prison ship, after being in the possession of the said Ford under his promise of setting me on shore at Cape Henry. Ford put me on board of a privateer, and such was his unremitting cruelty, that I was forced of necessity to form a scheme with a number of others on board, to rise upon the crew of Capt. Ford and take the vessel; but unluckily for me, the plot was discovered by the boatswain, upon which Ford had me seized, lashed hands and feet with strong rope yarns, and laid flat on my back for six nights and days, and the fore scuttle nailed fast over me. This position caused a mortification in my hand and feet, and in this condition was carried back to New York, and had both legs, and four fingers cut off. While in this painful situation, a British Gentleman came by with laced clothes, a sword by his side and a large walking cane, and accosted me thus; halloo, and struck me on my thigh, and said, "you must now pray to God Almighty, your Congress, and General Washington, for a new pair of legs." Which so hurt me that I shall remember it to my grave, if I cannot get revenge. I take the liberty to mention the names of the crew of the privateer, that all masters of vessels and others may take notice. Phillip Ford (of Maryland) commander, John Milbrey 1st Lieutenant, James Lynd 2d Lieutenant, William Staughan sailing master, Duncan M'Neal 1st prize master, John Ashburn 2d prize master, John Bolton boatswain, of Marblehead, who betrayed me.
PHAROAH FITZPATRICK.
Henrico, August 25, 1780. Sworn before
ISAAC YOUNGHUSBAND.
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Story Details
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Location
New York Prison Ship, Privateer Vessel, Henrico
Event Date
August 25, 1780
Story Details
Pharoah Fitzpatrick describes his capture aboard the schooner Mandel, transfer to the prison ship Good Hope in New York where many died from cruel treatment, release to Capt. Ford who promised parole but instead imprisoned him on a privateer; Fitzpatrick and others plotted to seize the vessel but were betrayed by the boatswain, leading to severe punishment, mortification, and amputation of legs and fingers; he vows revenge after being taunted by a British gentleman.