Lewis, James A. Neptune's Militia: The Frigate South Carolina during the American Revolution, (Kent, OH: The Kent State University Press, 1999.)
South Carolina Audited Accounts relating to John Brickford (Bickford) SC557
As the readership of this blog can see for themselves, John Brickford is one of those individuals for whom the correct spelling of his last name is even in contention. Lewis's work, Neptune's Militia, section entitled "Appendix: Crew and Marines of the South Carolina", page 139, cites possible spellings of his last name as being Brickford, Bickford, and Beckford. Revell's work, Copy of the Original Index Book, page 384, cites his last name as Bickford. Moss's work, South Carolina Patriots, page 99, cites his last name as being Brickford but, also contains citations for John Beckford (page 58) and John Bickford (page 68). Kaminkow's work, Mariners of the American Revolution, page , cites his last name as being either John Bickford (page 17) or John Brickford (page 23). The name that is most consistently used through out the South Carolina Audited Accounts documents as well as in his indented certificate is Brickford. Also, the above referenced document is clearly signed "Jno. Brickford" ostensibly by the individual in question himself. Thus, the writer of this blog will cite the individual's last name as Brickford in the course of this post.
(Note: There does exist a very comprehensive, exhaustive work entitled Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War. This set of consists of seventeen volumes, each over one thousand pages in length. It was compiled between 1896 and 1907 by the Secretary of the Massachusetts Commonwealth and addresses every Massachusetts's citizen who served in any capacity during the American Revolution. In Kaminkow's work, Mariners of the American Revolution, page 17, John Bickford is cited as being from Newburyport, Massachusetts. No individual appears in this all-encompassing work under either the last name of Beckford, Bickford, or Brickford that has the first name of John and was a resident of Newburyport, Massachusetts.)
The South Carolina Audited Accounts documents related to John Brickford, Carpenter's Mate on board the frigate South Carolina, are as follows:
"[page 2: Form of Indent]
Indent No. 670
Book C
May 31, 1787
Delivered to Mr. John Brickford this our Indented Certificate for the Sum of Seventy Nine Pounds four Shillings & three Pence Sterling for Balance of wages due him as Carpenter's Mate on Board the Frigate South Carolina per Certificate from the Auditor General.
[page 3: Reverse of the above Indent]
(First statement)
Received June 1, 1785 Two Years Interest on the within Indent 5p/5s/10d
5p/5s/10d
S/ John Brickford
This brief text cited above appears on the reverse of the above indented certificate. Yet, other written texts appears there and are as follows:
(Immediately below and seemingly a part of the above statement is the following:)
Received September the 16th 1785 from Theophilus Elsworth the Sum of Eight Pounds 2/6 (2 shillings and 6 pence) in full for the within indent & I John Brickford do Assign all my Right of the within for the Purposes therein Mentioned To Theophilus Elsworth.
S/ John Brickford
(The second, very brief statement is almost completely illegible due to ink smudges but, begins with the name "William" and is followed by a signature that begins with the name "Richard". Below this signature is the following text:
Received August 31, 1786 one years interest on Indent
S/ Theophilus Elsworth
(The third and final statement at the bottom on the reverse of this indent is as follows:)
Received June 29, 1784 from the Commissioners of the Treasury the Interest on this Indent to April 1 next in this Indent. This against Principal by discount on my Book for public Property.
S/ Theophilus Elsworth
5p/5s/10d
5p/5s/10d Interest
79p/4s/3d Principal