To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Avery, 27 October 1781
From Jonathan Avery1
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Kinsale Prison 27th. October 1781.
Sir
On the 29th. Ulto: was captur’d by his Majesties Frigate Recovery & carried into this Port. I was on board the Brigg Wexford—Commanded by the Gallant Jno. Peck Rathburn Esqr. Captn: N.U.S. & was obligd to strike after firing a few Guns.2 I acted in the Capacity of Surgeon but am now a Prisoner & destitute of Money or Friends which obliges Me now to trouble You with these few Lines— You may be acquainted with My Name. I have a Cousin Member of Congress3 & another Secy: in the State of Massachusetts Bay. I am very well acquainted with Saml. Huntingdon Esqr. late Prest. Congress upon whom I will draw a Bill for whatever You may be kind enough to advance. I servd my Apprenticeship with Doctor Prentice of N: London with whom you are probably acquainted.
I have the Honour to be Sir Your most obedt. humble Servt:
Jonathan Avery
Addressed: His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / Plenipotentiary from the United States / of North America to the / Court of Versailles
Notations in different hands: Avery 27 Oct. 1781. / venüe par Granville
1. Probably the Jonathan Avery (b. 1762) who was a second cousin of John Avery (1739–1806), the secretary of the Mass. General Court: Jane G. (Avery) Carter and Susie P. Holmes, comps., Genealogical Record of the Dedham Branch of the Avery Family in America (Plymouth, Mass., 1893), pp. 83, 143–5.
2. The Wexford carried twenty guns and a crew of 120. By the following Jan. 25, seventeen of the crew were dead at Kinsale Prison, Avery possibly among them as we have no further record of him: John A. McManemin, Captains of the Continental Navy (Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J., 1981), pp. 373–4. For Rathburn see Claghorn, Naval Officers.
3. Whose identity eludes us, unless he is referring to John Avery’s father-in-law, Thomas Cushing.