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Maryland Privateer Schooner Beggar’s Benison |
| Beggar’s Benison | Commander Thomas Steel |
| Schooner | 7 July 1777- |
| Maryland Privateer Schooner |
| Commissioned/First Date: | 7 July 1777 |
| Out of Service/Cause: |
| Owners: | James Williams, William Hammond, Thomas Russell, and Statia Hepburn, all of Maryland |
| Tonnage: | 10 |
| Battery: | Date Reported: 7 July 1777 Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 2/3-pounder 6 pounds 3 pounds Total: 4 cannon/14 pounds Broadside: 2 cannon/7 pounds Swivels: |
| Crew: | 7 July 1777: 7 [total] |
| Description: |
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| Cruises: |
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Comments:
The owners (James Williams, William Hammond, Thomas Russell, and Statia Hepburn) of Maryland Privateer Schooner Beggar’s Benison petitioned for a commission for Commander Thomas Steel 1 of Baltimore, Maryland,2 on 7 July 1777. They listed her as a 10 ton schooner, armed with two 3-pounders and two 4-pounders.3 Maryland granted the commission the same day, listing the schooner as having a battery of six guns and a crew of six men. Her $5000 bond was signed by Steel and James Williams of Annapolis, Maryland.4 See also Maryland Privateer Schooner Two Sallys.
1 NDAR, “Petition of James Williams for Maryland Letter of Marque Schooner Beggars Benison,” IX, 236
2 NRAR, 233
3 NDAR, “Petition of James Williams for Maryland Letter of Marque Schooner Beggars Benison,” IX, 236
4 NRAR, 233; see also NDAR, “List of Bonds given on issuing Commissions for Privateers in the State of Maryland, delivered into the Office,” X, 703-704; Archives of Maryland: Journal and Correspondence of the Maryland Council of Safety, January 1-March 20, 1777, 16:309