I am continuing to compile research on the ships owned or commanded by the Jauncey’s in the early part of their business careers and have created a page in the website’s top menu (Timeline – The Jauncey Ships) to keep a chronological record. Their privateers (and piracy) were how they amassed their wealth, and are the basis for the immense fortune that Colonel Thorn later burned through.
(**Just a note here to say that the Colonel must have had an incredible sense of entitlement to be so fiscally irresponsible. But I suppose they were different times-though he certainly didn’t seem to be motivated to leave anything for his children. I suppose grief must have been a huge part of their life. Losing four of his sons is kind of unfathomable today. In some ways, he must have felt cursed.)
Anyway, here is some more information on the Jauncey’s ships. I’m starting to think that James Jauncey Sr might deserve his own story. Certainly, the privateer’s life was exciting and dangerous:
The brig Mary and Ann arrives from Jamaica with small-pox on board. It is quarantined off “Bedlars” Island (see June 28, 1738), and the health certificate issued by Dr. Roeloff Kiersted is called into question. James Jauncey, master of the vessel, refuses to go into quarantine, and prosecution against him for contempt is ordered. After Dr. Kiersted is examined, the brig is allowed to come up to the town. General quarantine measures are now ordered.— Ca/. Coun. Min., 343.
A fine new ship, called the Clarendon, lately launched, commanded by Capt. John Jauncey, and a Brig commanded by Capt. Rosewel, are both fitting out also for a privateering Voyage, and are to sail in Consort. “Tis expected the above mentioned Privateers will be all ready at Sea before Spring; when we shall have from this City 3 stout Ships, 4 Briggs and Six Sloops, all well fitted for War.— N. T. Post-Boy, Nov. 12, 1744
News from Curasao is published here that the privateers under command of Capt. Jauncey (the “Lincoln”) and Capt. Rosewel (the “Triton”)— see Jan. 21, 1745 — have “taken a large Spanish Ship off Cayan, and were carrying her up to Barbados.” — -N. 2′. Post-Boy, Dec. 30, 1745.
Regarding the loss of the “Lincoln,” see March 26, 1746 Capt. John Jauncey, “late Commander of the Privateer Ship Lincoln of this Port, which has been lost, arrives “with a French Tartan Prize, taken by Capt. Rosewel, of the Privateer Brig Triton [see Jan. 21, 1745], on the 22d Day of February last, off the North Side of Hispaniola.
The prize is the “Annunciation” (Mons. Raponiilet, commander), of 140 tons, which had only 23 men on board, passengers included, and two guns; her cargo con-sisted of wine, oil, olives, almonds, etc., and would have been accounted a pretty valuable Prize, had it not been for a busy Rhode Island Privateer called the Hector, Capt. Higgins, who appeared in Sight just as she struck to Capt. Rosewel, and by that Means claims a Part of her. — A’. T. Post-Boy, March 31, 1746. The Lincoln was lost on the Spanish coast on Dec. 11, 1745, ^’hiie the crew were “putting the Vessel on the Careen.” — Ibid.., March 17, 1746.
A warrant is issued to Richard Jeffery to be master warden, and to Leonard Lispenard, John Waddel, James Jauncey, Henry Cuyler, Jr., John Griffith, Daniel Stiles, Thomas Vardil, and John Smith, to be wardens, of the port of New York. — Cal. Hht. MSS., Eng., 690. On June 23, allowance was made for their expenses. — Cal. Court. Min., 440.
I’m also collecting a few other mentions here, to explore later:
Commission of flag of truce granted to James Jauncey (see A”. col. mss. 86:36). 242
Mate McCuddy of the Hunter, John Jauncey, John Chris, Elias Davis, Wm Murray, Alderman Bogart, David van Home, Carmer, seaman of the sloop Good Intent, and Widgery master of the schooner Little Esther summoned before the council. 339
James Jauncey jr appointed master of the rolls; commission for him to be prepared by the attorney general. Benj. Hough
Feb. 2 Royal mandamus to swear James Jauncey of the council; he is sworn in and takes his seat. 419
The Colonel and Mrs Thorn 
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