Description:

Tavern Owner Seeks Money for Feeding French Deserters 1778

Desertions from British, French, and American ships were common in the Revolutionary War, and commanders often turned to newspapers to seek the return of their deserted crewmembers. For example, in late April 1778, Jean Michel, the captain of the armed French merchant ship Lyon, offered a $20 reward for the return of any French seamen who had deserted from his ship. On April 16, a recruiting officer of the Continental Army had recruited several of Michel's crew, and several more seem disposed to leave him. Captain Michel complained to Governor Jonathan Trumbull through a New London port official about the practice, and Trumbull expressed his disapproval of the practice.

In his notice offering a reward, Michel warned all recruiting officers not to enlist them in the Continental Army or Navy, explicitly declaring that it was "contrary to the opinion of his Excellency Governor Trumbull" and explained that his sailors "cannot speak the English Tongue, consequently may be easily known." One month later, Michel offered a separate $200 reward for Labe Galand, who had been taken on board as a priest but who had taken with him "a Quantity of Silver, Gold and Paper Currency not his own." He had departed about three weeks earlier, and Michel described him as "a short, thick, well-set Man, of light Complexion, large black Eyes, short strait black Hair, looks like a Jew, speaks very little English, can speak French, German and Latin, has a good Notion of slight of hand, rode a small black Horse." In early November 1778, the HMS Maidstone, under the command of Captain Alan Gardner twice engaged the Lyon and forced Michel to surrender off Cape Henry, Virginia. Both ships were heavily damaged and seven weeks later they reached Antigua, where the Lyon's cargo of tobacco was sold.

Brigadier General John Tyler (1721-1804) had been active in the Connecticut militia since 1752 and in 1776, he joined the army as a brigadier general. He led some of the Connecticut militia in an attempt to dislodge the British from Newport, Rhode Island, in August 1778.

In April 1779, he apparently ordered a tavern owner in Norwich, Connecticut, to provide refreshments for five French deserters on their way to Boston. Whether these deserters were from a French merchant ship like the Lyon and thus "recruits" for the Continental Army or Navy is difficult to determine. This document represents the tavern owner's effort to obtain payment from the town for the service.

[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.] Account for Azariah Lathrop, Manuscript Document Signed, December 10, 1779, Norwich, Connecticut. 1 p., 7.5" x 4.625". Expected folds; general toning.

Complete Transcript
The Town of Norwich to Azariah Lothrop Dr:
To Refreshments for 5 French Deserters recommended by Genl Tyler April last on their way to Boston by ordr £7..10..0
Decr 10th 1779 Azariah Lathrop

Saml Tracy
The above Acct Examind & allowd By Zabdiel Rogers } Select
Thomas Hyde Junr } Men
Saml Lovett

Azariah Lathrop (1728-1810) was born in New London, Connecticut. He married Abigail Huntington (1739-1820), and they had at least eight children. He kept a tavern in Norwich.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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