Claghorn, Charles E. Naval Officers of the American Revolution: A Concise Biographical Dictionary, (Metuchen, NJ & London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1988.)
Founders Online, National Archives. "To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, June 8, 1777", (founders.archives.gov, last modified - November 26, 2017.)
Founders Online, National Archives. "From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, September 20, 1790", (founders.archives,gov, last modified - November 26, 2017.)
Heitman, Francis B. Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army: During the War of the Revolution, April, 1775, to December, 1783, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1973.)
Jackson, John W. The Pennsylvania Navy, 1775-1781: The Defense of the Delaware, (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1974.)
Lewis, James A. Neptune's Militia: The Frigate South Carolina during the American Revolution, (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1999.)
Lincoln, Charles Henry. Naval Records of the American Revolution, 1775-1788, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1906.)
Private User. "Captain James Montgomery (1747-1810) - Genealogy", (www.geni.com, last modified - April 19, 2017.)
The State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania. "Pennsylvania Cincinnati Military History - Officer List: M", (www.pasocietyofthecincinnati.org, 2012.)
The title of this post is a reference to a quote form Lewis's work, Neptune's Militia, page 78. This passage addresses the approach the small American fleet to Philadelphia after having left their Spanish allies in New Providence, Bahamas after the capture of that town by the Spanish invasion force on May 8, 1781. The text of this passage is as follows:
"At least one ship joined the South Carolina in her approach to Delaware Bay, which she reached on May 28. By this time even the Philadelphia part of the fleet had scattered somewhat, one having been captured by British ships without the knowledge of the Commodore.".
It will be this ship-of-war, returning from the Spanish invasion of New Providence, Bahamas, as well as her captain that will be the focus of this post. She appears to be the only one of this small American fleet that did not make port safely, having been captured by elements of the Royal Navy. The writer of this blog feels that he has identified this lone American ship-of-war that fell victim to seizure on the high seas by a British man-of-war and her captain. The story of this ship-of-war and her captain will form the basis of this particular post.
There is a footnote associated with the brief passage from Lewis's work, Neptune's Militia, page 78, cited above. This is a very brief and enigmatic footnote when read. According to Lewis's work, Neptune's Militia, page 194, footnote 4, the following appears in this specific footnote:
"PRO, HCA 32/339/Pt.I, declaration of James Montgomery, New York, May 31, 1782.".
Based upon this footnote alone, as well as the brief citation contained within Lewis's work, Neptune's Militia, page 78, the writer of this blog has speculated that the brigantine Galvez, along with her entire crew and Captain James Montgomery, were indeed the single patriot ship-of-war that was seized by elements of the Royal Navy at some point just prior to May 28, 1781 as the returning fleet of patriot ships-of-war were entering the Delaware Bay area. An examination and translation of the brief, cryptic footnote above illustrates this fact. The initial abbreviation, "PRO", means the Public Records Office, based in London, England. This was the office in which all documents that related to the public aspects of the British Empire were filed and stored. All the men who were captured by the Royal Navy and appear in this overall blog have their records filed in the Public Records Office. This has been proven out in several of the preceding posts.
The second abbreviation in this cryptic entry is "HCA". This indicates that the department of the British government that produced this document was the High Court of the Admiralty, the military court that addressed all matters pertaining to the Royal Navy. One area in particular they addressed was captured ships-of-war and merchant ships seized on the high seas. But, they also recorded the captured American mariners and marine personnel who were on board these ships-of-war when they were captured.
The numeric designation immediately following this abbreviation is the number of that specific case within the overall files of the High Court of the Admiralty. But, this numeric designation is followed by the abbreviation of "Pt.I". This seems to indicate that there may well be multiple parts to this file or, at the very least, a "Pt.II". This abbreviation is followed by a very brief description of the nature or contents that make up this "Pt.I". This brief description, as clearly stated, simply indicates "...declaration of James Montgomery...". Evidently, the full text of this "declaration" is included in this file of the High Court of the Admiralty.
The concluding statement of the content of the file is followed by the location where the "declaration" was taken and the date of the declaration - "...New York, May 31, 1782...". New York City and its environs were still held by armed forces of the British Crown by the date indicated, May 31, 1782. All patriot ships-of-war and merchant vessels captured or seized along the eastern coast of North America were ultimately taken to New York City for final disposition. The ships and any cargo they carried were usually condemned (sold at public auction) and the crew members and marines of the seized vessels placed in British incarceration. Since James Montgomery was the commanding officer/captain of the brigantine Galvez, he would most likely have been paroled to Long Island to await his exchange for a British subject of equal rank and standing.
The brief, cryptic entry cited above and it's clear indication seem to point to James Montgomery and the brigantine Galvez being captured by elements of the Royal Navy on or slightly prior to May 28, 1782. The brigantine, her cargo, and captured crewmembers were taken to New York City were the crew was imprisoned and the brigantine and her cargo condemned. Three days after the capture, the "declaration of James Montgomery" was written and later recorded by clerical officials there in New York City. These seem to be the facts of the brigantine Galvez; her captain, James Montgomery; and her crew members at the end of the American Revolution. But, there were obviously events that lead up to this capture by the Royal Navy, constituting the earlier history of both Captain James Montgomery and the brigantine Galvez.
According to Claghorn's work, Naval Officers of the American Revolution, page 210-211, the following information is provided concerning James Montgomery. The information provided in this work is not organized in a proper chronological order but, here, for the sake of continuity, the information will be presented in proper chronological order. The brief outline of the services of James Montgomery during the American Revolution is as follows:
"James Montgomery (Pennsylvania) - b. 1810
A Captain in the Pennsylvania Navy. He was also a captain in the Continental Army. On November 18, 1778 he commanded the sloop Queen of France with 10 guns & 30 men. On June 2, 1779 he was ordered to sail on the ship General Greene from Philadelphia to Cape Henlopen with Captains Harding and Tucker to destroy enemy privateers. In 1779 Montgomery took five prize vessels. On April 7, 1780 he commanded the brig George with 8 guns & 20 men and on December 21, 1781 commanded the brigantine General Galvez with 8 guns & 30 men.".
(Note: the initial entry of "...b. 1810..." is clearly wrong in light of the subject addressed in Claghorn's work, Naval Officers of the American Revolution. If he were born in 1810, then he would have not participated in the American Revolution. The text of Claghorn's book is incorrect in this statement. The writer of this blog feels that the proper text should read "died 1810" because James Montgomery is stated to been born in or around 1747 and to have died in 1810 in various different sources.)
(Note: the writer of this blog feels that the second statement of this brief biography of James Montgomery - "...he was also a captain in the Continental Army..." - is incorrect. According to Heitman's work, Historical Register of Officers, page 397, there are four James Montgomery's cited as having served as officers during the American Revolution. Two of them are cited as being from Virginia. The remaining two are cited as being from Pennsylvania, which is the correct colonial association for the James Montgomery who is the subject of this particular post. The first James Montgomery from Pennsylvania only rose to the rank of Lieutenant before resigning from the service on September 1, 1777. The second James Montgomery did rise to the rank of captain in the Independent Company of Pennsylvania Artillery but, is cited as dying on August 26, 1777. Yet, the citation above for Claghorn's work stated that James Montgomery died in 1810, which other works cited in this post on James Montgomery corroborate. Thus, none of the four James Montgomery's cited in Heitman's work, Historical Register of Officers, page 397, seem to fit the proper chronological time frame of the James Montgomery who is the subject of this post. It is possible that the James Montgomery referenced in this passage above did indeed serve as a captain in the Continental Army but, for some reason, is not recorded in Heitman's work, Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army.
The sole source that alludes to James Montgomery serving in the Continental Army is found in a foot note contained within the Founders Online, National Archives letter, "To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin and dated "June 8, 1777". There is no indication of the primary source this reference is drawn from but, the text of this foot note to the letter is as follows:
"...Returning to Philadelphia in late November 1776 when George Washington was retreating across New Jersey, Montgomery on December 1 [1776] 'offered his service, with that of his crew, as an artillery company, to the Continent.' Congress the next day agreed to take them into Continental service for two months 'unless sooner discharged,' and it appointed Montgomery captain of the company...". Thus, it would appear that possibly the second captain cited in Heitman's work, Historical Register of Officers, page 397 could possibly be the correct James Montgomery but, the recitation of his death as taking place on August 26, 1777 is incorrect if this is indeed the correct James Montgomery as the subject of this post.)
Many of the preceding posts concerning personnel who served on board the frigate South Carolina have begun with a brief statement that there exists limited information addressing the early life of that individual. For James Montgomery, this is true because not much at all is recorded concerning his early life. It is recorded that he was born in the mid-sized town of Newry, located in the district of Newry and Mourne, Northern Ireland. There is no indication of his parent's names nor if he had any siblings. His birthdate is only given as his birth year - 1747. According to a footnote within the "Founders Online" letter, "From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 20 September 1790", James Montgomery is referred to as an "...Irish native...". There again is no indication of the date that he immigrated to America. But, we can extrapolate the date from the dated birth of his oldest child, Elizabeth Humphreys, a daughter, who was recorded as being born in Philadelphia, PA in 1771. Thus, he must have immigrated prior to 1771, though possibly not much prior to this date. Also, this is the only child who is recorded as being born prior to the beginning of the American Revolution.
Even once the American Revolution had commenced, information concerning James Montgomery seems to be sketchy, at best. According to Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, page 61, we first observe James Montgomery being directed by order of Captain Thomas Read, Commodore of the Pennsylvania Navy:
"...to purchase and equip two shallops to house the officers and crews of the guard boats, each shallop to accommodate forty men. These were needed because six new guard boats had been commissioned.".
(Note: Again, according to Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, page 61, these above orders were in preparation for the defense of "Fort Island". In referring to maps in Jackson's work and other works as well, this appears to be "Mud Island" where Mud Fort or Fort Mifflin was located. This locale played a part later on in the service of the frigate South Carolina. According to Lewis's work, Neptune's Militia, page 79, as the frigate was entering Philadelphia's environs, "...one crew member records that the frigate went aground on June 5 [1782] at "Mudfort", a site near Philadelphia, possibly Fort Mifflin on Mud Island." Thus, the frigate South Carolina ran aground just off Fort Mifflin just south of the city of Philadelphia, PA in early June 1782.)
The letter ordering James Montgomery to perform these tasks was dated between May 25-27, 1776. According to Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, page 337, James Montgomery had already been appointed the captain of the galley Ranger on August 31, 1775. At around the same time as the letter mentioned above, James Montgomery was commissioned to be the captain on board the galley Chatham with his commission effective May 29, 1776. Thus, it was as the captain of the galley Chatham that Captain James Montgomery was ordered to carry out the above cited duties.
The next word heard concerning the naval activities of James Montgomery are somewhat confusing. According to Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, page 63, it seems that "...on August 1, 1776, before the Davidson affair could be resolved, two galley captains, James Montgomery of the Chatham and John Hamilton of the Congress, resigned.". This confusion is due to Jackson not making it implicitly clear as to the motivating reason for the resignation of James Montgomery. Jackson simply related that the resignation took place and went on to state a reason for John Hamilton resigning but, no specific reason for the resignation of James Montgomery. Earlier, on June 15, 1776, a Captain Samuel Davidson was appointed as Commodore of the Pennsylvania Navy, replacing Captain Thomas Read following the latter's resignation in order to join the Continental Navy to command a frigate. Captain Samuel Davidson's appointment drew the ire of almost all the commanding officers of the Pennsylvania Navy's galleys moored at Fort Island. But, it would appear that only two of the galley captains took this radical action mentioned on August 1, 1776, being Montgomery and Hamilton. Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, simply relates the resignation on page 63, though clearly stating that Hamilton was involved in the charges being brought against Commodore Davidson. Further on in the work, within the section entitled "Appendix A: The Fleet", page 337, the text states that James Montgomery resigned on August 1, 1776 in order to enter the Continental Navy. Again, according to the same reference source, James Montgomery returned to the State Navy service almost three years later on March 30, 1779.
In the interim, Captain James Montgomery commanded the privateer ship-of-war, the Queen of France. According to Linclon's work, Naval Records of the American Revolution, page 423, the following information is provided concerning this patriot ship-of-war:
"Queen of France, Pennsylvania sloop
Date of Commission: November 18, 1778
Master: James Montgomery [Philadelphia, PA]
Guns: 10
Crew: 30
Bond: $10,000
Bonders: Sharp Delany, Philadelphia; Mathew Irwin, Philadelphia
Owner: Not stated
Witness: James Trimble"
There appears to be few other details concerning this patriot ship-of-war. Of interest to the writer of this blog is the amount of money for which the ship was bonded. The writer of this blog has been accustomed to seeing the amount of $20,000 as the proper amount of the bonding fee. Yet, Lincoln's work clearly states the amount of the bond for the Pennsylvania sloop Queen of France is half that amount - $10,000. Possibly, the Queen of France was a smaller vessel and thus required a smaller bond than larger ships-of-war. No reason is given in Lincoln's text for this discrepancy of amounts of money.
On March 30, 1779, Captain James Montgomery returned to the Pennsylvania State Navy. This was at a very opportune time for the furtherance of his career as a sea-going commanding officer. According to Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, pages 306-307, the following situation had existed for the city of Philadelphia, PA in the spring of 1779:
"Added to the misery of the inhabitants of the Delaware Valley was the toll being taken by British cruisers. Enemy frigates stationed at the entrance of the bay blockaded the port. Few merchant ships slipped through the capes, and legitimate and profiteering merchants alike were clamoring for protection.Merchants were suffering huge losses, but were willing to gamble. Inflation had sky-rocketed prices and the profits from one successful cruise more than offset the loss of several merchant ships. However, fewer ships were reaching the city's wharves and all merchants were aware that measures must be taken to protect shipping.
The merchants importuned [the] Council for protection, as the residue of the State fleet was capable of little except defensive action above the chevaux-de-frise. The few elements of the fleet that had been capable of operating in the lower bay, or venturing to sea, had been either sold or destroyed, and [the] Council took steps to lease or buy a vessel that could cruise near the capes.".
The story continues on page 308 of the same source:
"The Eyre Shipyard in Kensington was building a privateer for the firm of Irwin, Barclay, Coxe, and Mitchell. As the ship was nearly finished, and equipped with eight cannon, three pair of howitzers, and some ballast, [the] Council evinced interest. Irwin and his associates agreed to waive their claim to the ship to permit [the] Council to negotiate with Benjamin Eyre for her purchase. An agreement was apparently made about March 23 when the Irwin group asked [the] Council for a final determination on their intent to purchase the ship. Consummation of the sale would await an appraisal of the value of the ship, now called the General Greene, by impartial judges. McClenachan and Irwin were assigned to arm and equip the ship. Irwin suggested renaming the General Greene in honor of the President of [the] Council, the General Reed. Joseph Reed declined the honor out of respect for his friend, General Nathanael Greene.".
The narrative continues further down page 308:
"McClenachan and Irwin had proceeded with their recommendations of officers for the General Greene. They submitted three names for consideration: Captains James Montgomery and Thomas Houston, both former galley captains, and John Green of the Continental navy. On March 30 [1779], [the] Council selected James Montgomery.... Other officers appointed were First Lieutenant Samuel Cassan (from the galley Franklin), Second Lieutenant Jacob de Hart, and Samuel Hollingshead, master. A marine contingent independent of the ships's command was established with Robert Caldwell as captain and John Hambright, Jr., lieutenant.".
(Note: an examination of Lewis's work, Neptune's Militia, section entitled "Appendix: Crew and Marines of the South Carolina", pages 135-170, finds none of these other referenced officers as having served on board the frigate South Carolina. Also, according to Lincoln's work, Naval Records of the American Revolution, none of them appear to have participated as the master of a ship or first mate on a ship involved in the Spanish assault on New Providence, Bahamas.)
Again, according to Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, page 308, there is an description of the manner in which the General Greene was armed and outfitted:
"The General Greene was finally outfitted to carry fourteen cannon, with howitzers in the tops. The caliber of her cannon were three- and six-pounders with the former predominating. The issue of shot shows one thousand round-shot and six-hundred double-headed shot for three-pounders with only fifty round shot and one hundred fifty double-headed shot for six-pounders.".
According to Jackson's work, page 337, James Montgomery officially assumed command of the Pennsylvania State Navy privateer "ship" General Greene with the orders of the Council on March 30, 1779. It would be with the General Greene under his command that he would experience a shining period of achievement for himself and the colony of Pennsylvania. According to Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, page 337, James Montgomery only commanded the privateer General Greene only until October 1779 when he was discharged but, it would be a profitable period for the colony of Pennsylvania due to his capturing several British or Loyalist privateers and merchantmen.
According to Lincoln's work, Naval Records of the American Revolution, page 309, the following information is provided concerning the ship, General Greene:
General Greene, Pennsylvania ship
Date of Commission: December 11, 1779
Master: James Montgomery [Philadelphia]
Guns: 14
Crew: 40
Bond: $10,000
Bonders: George Henry, Philadelphia; James Ash, Philadelphia
Owners: George Henry and James Wharton & Co., Philadelphia
Witnesses: Waters Sitton, James Trimble
(Note: There exists a discrepancy of dates between the above information directly above and that contained in the fuller paragraph above the former. The fuller paragraph immediately above the above cited information clearly states that Captain James Montgomery commanded the Pennsylvania State Ship General Greene until October 1779. The information cited in Lincoln's work cites that the ship General Greene was not even commissioned until December 11, 1779.)
(Note: the writer of this blog has located at least one similarity between the experiences of the frigate South Carolina and the Pennsylvania State ship General Greene while both of them were in the environs of Philadelphia, PA. The issue of the relation between Fort Mifflin, the frigate, and James Montgomery has already been referenced. But, as commanding officers on board of state ships, both Commodore Alexander Gillon and Captain James Montgomery were faced with filling out the crew rosters prior to embarking on a voyage. According to Lewis's work, Neptune's Militia, page 90:
"...on December 12, 1782, the [frigate] South Carolina began dropping down the [Delaware] river from Billingsport, where the frigate had been anchored for some time. The next day [December 13, 1782] the frigate passed Chester, stooping to add crew from the local jail;...".
James Montgomery was confronted with a crew roster that was also lacking in proper numbers and resorted to "older practices", as instructed by higher authorities:
"Frustration beset the Council, Montgomery and Caldwell [Montgomery's Captain of Marines on board the ship General Greene] compelling them to take drastic action to find seamen and marines for the General Greene. Montgomery resorted to the old British custom of impressment. This expedient yielded only a handful of men, and finally [the] Council ordered Montgomery to take men from the city gaol. There Montgomery picked up deserters from the State galleys, British prisoners and deserters, and thieves and hoodlums. Sprogell, commissary of musters, made a return on May 24 [1779] showing eighty-three seamen and officers, and for the marines twenty-nine men and officers on board ship. The next day [May 25, 1779] [the] Council informed Montgomery that he should put to sea without further delay.".
In light of the citation from Lewis's work, the writer of this blog has always wondered exactly the type of men Commodore Gillon acquired "...from the local jail...". The assumption is that the men were most probably criminals, loiters and "free white men on the move" [homeless vagrants]. With the information acquired from Jackson's work, now the writer of this blog has a better idea of the types and quality of men picked up by Commodore Alexander Gillon of the frigate South Carolina.".)
In Claghorn's work, Naval Officers of the American Revolution, page 211, cited above, it states that "...in 1779, Montgomery took five prize vessels...". This is all that is stated concerning the cruises of the privateer General Greene for the year that James Montgomery was the commanding officer on board. But, according to Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, pages 312-316, the five prize vessels are named and some information is provided on some of them. Each chase is detailed in Jackson's work but, only the names and other pertinent details will be provided:
(Note: additional information also appears in Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, pages 317-318, mostly regarding the libelling of the prize vessels and how the distribution of prize money was decided. This information is included towards the end of each of the entries below.)
- the brigantine Impertinent, "...of ten duble [double] fortified four pounders Captain Jacob Getshues [Getchus]...". The Impertinent carried a total crew of fifty-three. She was captured some time around June 7, 1779. The Impertinent's libelling date was August 3, 1779. "...Net proceeds of 48,491p/15s/0d paid as per return to Blair McClenachan and Matthew Irwin, agents for the ship General Greene...".
- the schooner Hummingbird, she is simply cited as "...a small schooner from Virginia...". The Hummingbird was captured probably between June 7-9, 1779. The Hummingbird's libelling date was June 17, 1779. One-half of the prize money was decreed to the State and to the officers and crew of the General Greene. One-half was to remain until claimed. No return was made by the Marshall or was an account rendered to the Admiralty Office.
- the ship William and Mary, possibly the richest prize of the entire cruise. The ship was taken in early July 1779. The William and Mary was of three hundred tons and "...carried slaves and a cargo of molasses, sugar, and coffee. The captured ship's cargo was sold at public auction and brought 83,062p/12s/11d.". The William and Mary's libelling date was September 18, 1779. The above referenced amount was paid as per return to Blair McClenachan and Matthew Irwin as agents of the ship General Greene.
- the brigantine Bayard, an armed Loyalist privateer. She was taken some time around September 18, 1779. The Bayard had encountered severe weather and had to discard her guns overboard the lighten the ship. Thus, she was completely unarmed when she encountered the American patriot ship General Greene. The Bayard's libelling date was November 5, 1779. "...Net proceeds of 8,707p/4s/0d paid as per return, one-quarter thereof to Blair McClenachan and Matthew Irwin for the State and three-quarters to William Graham Agent for the Officers and Crew of the Ship General Greene.".
- the "ship" Langolee, a New York privateer. The Langolee was escorting two captured American vessels when she was taken, the sloop Bedord and the "ship" Generous Friend. These two vessels were retaken by the General Greene. The Langolee captured some time around October 6, 1779. The Langolee's libelling date was November 13, 1779. "...Prize to the State and Officers and Crew of the General Greene. No returns or accounts rendered...".
According to Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, page 316, "...these would be the last prizes taken by the General Greene as a State ship.". After this cruise in the General Greene, James Montgomery put into Philadelphia, PA for repairs with the intention of putting back to sea for another cruise as soon as possible. But, the state had other ideas for the Pennsylvania State's ship General Greene. According to Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, page 316, the following account was what transpired:
"Before Montgomery could put to sea, instructions were received to return to port. [The] Council had decided that the General Greene could not withstand the turbulent weather that prevailed off the New Jersey coast in the winter season. About November 1 [1779] they determined to sell the General Greene at public auction and Irwin was ordered to supervise the sale.
The sum of 67,450 [pounds] was realized from the sale of the State ship. According to a modern authority, the total cost to the State for the ship, its armament, provisions, and supplies was 80,734p/10s/11d.".
A fitting conclusion to the services of the Pennsylvania Ship General Greene during the American Revolution is found in Jackson's work, The Pennsylvania Navy, pages 318-319, and is as follows:
"Despite the many obstacles in obtaining and outfitting the General Greene and the subsequent threats of mutiny, the State ship fulfilled its mission. Along with the Continental frigates she was instrumental in opening the Delaware to commercial traffic. Merchant ships again docked at Philadelphia wharves. The needs of the city were satisfied and the specter of hunger disappeared.".
According to Lincoln's work, Naval Records of the American Revolution, page 316, in 1780, James Montgomery commanded yet another Pennsylvania privateer, the brig George. His command of this ship-of-war would be after the stint of command on board the General Greene. The information on this privateering ship-of-war is cited below:
George, Pennsylvania brig
Date of Commission: April 7, 1780
Master: James Montgomery
Guns: 8
Crew: 20
Bond: $10,000
Bonders: James Montgomery, Philadelphia; Philip Moore, Philadelphia
Owners: Philip Moore & Co., Philadelphia
Witness: James Trimble
It would appear from the number of guns on board the Pennsylvania brig George and the fact that she carried a crew of twenty men, that this was a smaller ship-of-war. According to all the references recorded in Lincoln's work, Naval Records of the American Revolution, this would have been James Montgomery's final command at sea until he was appointed as Master to the Pennsylvania brigantine General Galvez on December 21, 1781.
But, James Montgomery did also serve as a "witness" to at least two privateer ships-of-war being commissioned out of Philadelphia, PA. Again, according to Lincoln's work, Naval Records of the American Revolution, pages 373 and 433, James Montgomery witnessed the commission of both the Pennsylvania schooner Rebecca and the Pennsylvania sloop Liberty on the same day, August 31, 1779.
Thus, James Montgomery of Philadelphia, PA was a very experienced sea captain, having served as commanding officer on board of two Pennsylvania galleys, the Ranger and the Chatham, the Pennsylvania sloop Queen of France, the Pennsylvania ship General Greene, the Pennsylvania brig George, and finally the Pennsylvania brigantine General Galvez, on board of which he would be captured by elements of the Royal Navy sometime around May 28, 1782 and he would file his "declaration" in New York City on May 31, 1782, while New York City was still British-occupied territory. More than likely, as the commanding officer on board of a patriot/rebel ship-of-war, he would have been paroled on Long Island, like so many of the naval and marine officers from on board of the frigate South Carolina were when they reached New York City between December 23-24, 1782. It is completely possible that he was sent the same settlement on Long Island as John Henderson and other members of the frigate South Carolina, Flatbush, NY. We know that he survived his period of parole and was exchanged at the cessation of hostilities because he still had a role to play in the naval forces of the newly-independent United States of America in the post-war years.