Nathaniel Shaw, and was a successful privateer. She was advertised as lying at anchor in the harbor of New London, fitted in the best manner and ready for sailing under Captain Allon, May 13, 1778, when all gentlemen volunteers who were inclined for a cruise were desired to apply on board or at Nathan Douglass's tavern at the sign of the Golden Ball.

On Sept. 18, 1778, Captain Allon of the Putnam returned to New London from a cruise, during which time he captured six brigs, several of which arrived at different ports to the eastward. (Conn. Gaz., Sept. 25, 1778.)

On the next cruise, early in 1779, Nathaniel Saltonstall of New London was in command, and in May, 1779, is recorded as having captured the British privateer sloop Hunter, Florence Sullivan late master; the sloop Polly, John Pettigrew late master; and the British snow Clinton of 10 guns, from Glasgow, with a cargo of provisions. John Chapman was First Lieutenant in the Putnam. In June, 1779, she was in Boston, having taken many prizes under the command of Capt. John Harmon.

On Oct. 23, 1779, she captured a British ship from Antigua with 200 hogsheads of sugar.

On Oct. 17, 1779, a small prize schooner was sent into Saco, Maine, with 300 bushels of salt and some oil.

On Oct. 18, 1779, another prize to Captain Harmon arrived at the same place, with a cargo of fish and oil.

She also took another vessel which arrived safely, and still another, which was afterwards driven ashore by a British frigate. The prize was lost but her people got aboard the Putnam again. The frigate drove the Putnam into the harbor of Saco, and came to anchor with the intention of keeping her in, but Captain Harmon got one of his guns ashore on a point of land and fired on the frigate when she returned whole broadsides into the woods, but did no damage. A shot from Captain Harmon's gun cut away the frigate's fore-stay, which obliged her to come to sail and put to sea. Later the General Putnam was taken into Continental service for the Penobscot expedition, in which she was burnt.

She was reported to be the fastest sailer from New England. Total 14 prizes.

GENERAL STARK, Sloop.

Ebenezer Peck of New Haven, commander; commissioned March 10, 1780. 6 guns, crew 20. 6 guns, crew 20. Bonded for $20,000. Bonders, Ebenezer Peck, Cornelius Cunningham and Ebenezer Douglas. Owned by Jesse Leffingworth & Co. of New Haven. July 23, 1780, news arrived of three valuable prizes, from London bound for Quebec, with a cargo of rum and British goods, one of which had a large consignment of 12,000 pieces of linen, which arrived at Cape Ann (Gloucester).

An earlier report of this vessel, before she became a privateer, appears in a written motion from Thaddeus Burr of Fairfield to the Council of Safety at Hartford, dated May 25, 1779, for a permit for the sloop General Stark to make a voyage to Surrinam and to receive sufficient provisions therefor, to last for six months. Permit granted by the Governor. Captain Peck was later in command of the Randolph, which would indicate that the Stark was captured and Captain Peck exchanged.

GENERAL WASHINGTON, Brigantine.

William Rogers, commander; commissioned July 25, 1777. 18 guns and 130 men. Bonded for $10,000. Bonders, Wm. Rogers, Jeremiah Platt and John Broome. Owned by Isaac Sears, Samuel Broome, Christopher Leffingwell, Jeremiah Platt and John Broome.

In the spring of 1778 this vessel captured the British ship York and sent her into Martinico, as evidenced by the testimony of Alexander Brymer, given in the Halifax Vice Admiralty Court, April 30, 1778, in the case of the recapture of the York. She mounted 4 carriage guns and a number of swivels and had 17 men, as a prize crew from the Washington when retaken. It was also shown that the privateer Washington herself was afterwards taken.

GOVERNOR TRUMBULL, Ship.

Henry Billings of Norwich, commander; commisioned Nov. 18, 1778. 20 guns and 150 men. Bonded for $10,000.

Bonders, Henry Billings, Joseph Howland and Henry Putnam. Owned by Howland & Co. and their associates. Witnessed by William Williams and John Trumbull. (Vol. 6, page 17, 196 Cont. Cong.)

This vessel was built at Willet's ship-yard in Norwich in 1777 for Howland and Coit. She was considered almost a model ship in all respects. Her first commander, Capt. Henry Billings, had been tested both for gallantry and skillful seamanship, first as lieutenant of the armed State brig Defence, and then as the commander of the privateer sloop Trumbull, and a career of brilliant successes was anticipated for her. She sailed on her first cruise in November, 1778, and made several small captures, but early in 1779 went out under command of Capt. Nathaniel Saltonstall, and meeting with the British frigate Venus, a vessel of greater size and efficiency, was obliged to surrender. Her capture was made April 5, 1779, and she was sent into St. Kitts. From there she was sent out by the British under a changed name to prey upon her former friends.

"The fine new ship Governor Trumbull, Henry Billings, commander, now lying in the harbor of New London, mounting 20 guns, will sail in 6 days. Apply on board or to Howland & Coit, Norwich." (Adv. Conn. Gaz., Nov. 17, 1778.)

From a Tory newspaper in New York the following is quoted:

"April 5, 1779. The rebel frigate Trumbull is taken by the Venus and sent into St. Kitts."

The Venus herself was originally the Bunker Hill, captured by the British and her named changed.

After the war, Captain Billings was in command of the schooner Humbird, March 5, 1786, at which time he was cast away at St. Eustatia and his vessel and cargo lost.

Adm. Captain's

Log. 1033

March 5, 1779

H. M. S. Venus.

Log.

At 11 made the Ariadne's sig to chace a ship to Leeward, North End N. end of St Barthws S.W. of St Bartholomews Ariadne W.N.W. Hull down, fired a Gun to