I am currently researching Thomas Davis Francis and trying to prove his service in the American Revolution. According to History of the Town of Leeds, Thomas was born in Wales and was sent to London at the age of 7 to be educated and apprenticed to a Dr Williams. At the age of 13, Thomas ran away and became a cabin boy. He enlisted on various voyages before he enlisted on an “English man-of-war”.
This vessel was captured by the American ship Black Prince, commanded by Richard Crowninshield. He and his shipmates were confined in irons and nearly devoured by lice. On application to the commodore, who was moved with sympathy for the youth, his shackles were removed and permission given him to mingle and labor with the sailors of the Black Prince who manned the captured man-of-war vessel and took her into an American port (presumably Boston), where they landed in May 1778. The succeeding fall, this vessel was impressed into the American service, sent to the Maine coast to aid in driving the Bristish from the Peneobscot, and young Francis, having sworn allegiance to the cause of America, acted in the capacity of “captain of the top” in the engagement at Castine that soon followed, in which this vessel was an active participant. Soon after this engagement, having proceeded up the Penobscot River to near where the city of Bangor is now situated, and being hemmed in and pursued by a superior force of Red Coats, the vessel was abandoned, blown up and sunk in that river. (p56 – Leeds History)
You may say, “what are you trying to the prove, the information is listed right there!??!” The issue that I have is History of the Town of Leeds has no sources listed for this information. This information could be family (or town) legend.
I will begin my search looking for information on the Black Prince.