Name of Vessel:

Unity

Master of Vessel:

Rig of Vessel:

Sloop

Date of Capture:

11 June 1775

Place of Capture:

Machias, Massachusetts [Maine]

Captor:

Jeremiah O’Brien and Massachusetts militia

Home Port:

Boston, Massachusetts

From What Port:

Boston, Massachusetts

To What Port:

Machias, Massachusetts [Maine]

Cargo:

Provisions

Tonnage:

70

Battery:

Crew:

Owners:

Ichabod Jones

Prizemaster:

Prize crew:

Ordered Into:

Machias, Massachusetts [Maine]

Into What Port:

Machias, Massachusetts [Maine]

Date Arrived:

12 June 1775

Date Tried:

Date Sold:

Action:

Yes

Recaptured:

No

Comments: Sloops Unity and Polly were escorted by HM Schooner Tender Margaretta from Boston to Machias for the purpose of trading provisions for firewood and lumber in June 1775. In 11 June, in a lengthy skirmish, the two sloops were captured and Jones taken into custody. The Unity was armed and used to capture the Margaretta on 12 June, under command of Captain Jeremiah O'Brien. Ichabod Jones was placed in close confinement and was only permitted to walk about the town of Northampton on 10 May 1776, after his son gave bond for his good conduct. The two sloops were detained at Machias. On 26 June the Massachusetts Provincial Congress awarded use of the sloop to the captors. About 29 June 1776 the agent for the Machias Committee of Safety, William Tupper, requested the Massachusetts General Court to bring forward the trial of various prizes captured in Machias, including the Unity and Polly.

[NDAR, I, 655-656, 676-677, 697, 740, 745, 747 and note, 757, 759, 767-768, 796, 848-849, 1059; NDAR, V, 24 and note, 810-811 and 811 note]

Posted 3 June 2008