WILLIAM RUSSELL, PRISONER OF WAR

. . .he was of an ardent temperament and entered with great zeal into the political movement of the Colonies. . . ~ Ralph Paine on William Russell

William Russell, Patriot

In 1772, William Russell married our cousin Mary Richardson (5C6X). Mary was the daughter of Moses Richardson (4C7X) who, three years after his daughter's marriage, was killed by the British on April 19, 1775, the day of the first alarm. We wrote of Moses in our "The British Retreat" post.

Ralph Paine, author of The Ships and Sailors of Old Salem, wrote that records of William Russell indicate that:

"he was of an ardent temperament and entered with great zeal into the political movement of the Colonies,' and was early enrolled among the "Sons of Liberty." At the age of twenty-three this undignified school teacher was one of the band of lawless patriots who, painted and garbed as red Indians, dumped a certain famous cargo of tea into Boston Harbor.

William and Mary lived in Boston when the British arrived in the city. Below is William's record of the British movement before and during the early days of the war. His record reads:

Boston June 14th 1774: The 4th Regiment of Foot Landed

June 15th: The 43 Regiment Landed and encamped on the Common.

May 19th 1775. I and my family left Boston. March 17th 1776 George's Butchers left the town of Boston, and went on board the Transports after Plundering the Town. The same day they sailed below the Castle. 18th March I entered the Town, 19th I came out again.

After the British took over the city in April, 1775, the family only stayed for a month. In May, Mary moved to a safer town and William threw his lot in with the army. It appears that William's schooling served him well for most of the war. His first duties in the war were under the command of Col. Thomas Crafts and Lt. Col. Paul Revere. According to J. L. Bell in his 1775 Boston blog:

Handwriting was a major part of the colonial curriculum, and Russell’s ability to write clearly was a big part of his military career. As sergeant major of Crafts’s regiment, he wrote out the first list of recruits. Later he was the regiment’s adjutant, or administrative officer, during an attempt to drive the British military from Newport (RI).

to sea

It wasn't until June of 1779 that William decided to give the seafaring life a go. He was hired by the esteemed Captain John Manley as a clerk aboard the privateer Jason which had been captured from the British only months before.

According to Paine, William must have been well aware of the dangers aboard a privateer:

During the Revolution, when privateers were swarming from every port from Maine to the Carolinas, scores of them were captured by superior force and their crews carried off to be laid by the heels, often for two and three years, in British prisons of war. Brilliant as was the record of the private armed ships of Salem, her seamen, in large numbers, became acquainted with the grim walls of Old Mill Prison at Plymouth and Forton Prison near Portsmouth.

Not surprisingly, three months after setting sail, the Jason was recaptured by the British. In a later account of his experience, William wrote: "Sept. 30, 1781. This year two years gone, I was captured by the Surprise Frigate (commanded by one Reaves) on the Banks of New Foundland, in the Ship Jason, John Manley, Esq., Commander, and carried into St. Johns." William, along with his crew mates, was then sent across the ocean to Old Mill Prison in Plymouth, England and charged with piracy, treason and rebellion.

Note: Our cousins Cutting and Henry Lunt had also been confined in Old Mill Prison in 1778. We wrote of their exploits in our "Cutting Lunt" and "Henry Lunt" posts."

Below is a copy of William's commitment papers to the prison which accuse him of "being found in Arms, and in Rebellion on the High Seas:"

After seven months in prison, William wrote Mary about his frustration with exchange efforts:

April 1780:

My dear:

I transmit these few lines to you with my best love, hoping by the blessing of God they will find you and my children, with our Mother, Brother and Sisters, and all relations in as good state of health as they leave me, but more composed in mind. . .all hope of our being exchanged was and still is at an end, except kind Providence interposes. . .We have been informed by one of our friends that saw a letter from Doctor Franklin which mentioned that the reason of our not being exchanged was owing to the neglect of Monsieur Le Sardine, Minister at France. If so I shall never love a Frenchman. . .I understand Mr. John Adams has superseded Doctor Franklin at France, to whom I am going to write if he can't get us exchanged this Fall. If he don't I think many in the yard will enter into the King's service. And I should myself, was it not that (by so doing) I must sell my Country, and that which is much more dearer to me, yourself and my children, but I rely wholly on God, knowing He will deliver me in His own good time.

Old Mill Prison

During his entire term of imprisonment in Old Mill, William kept a record of his ordeal. Paine calls William's prison journal "by far the most complete and entertaining account of the experience of the Revolutionary privateersmen and naval seamen who suffered capture that has been preserved." The journal was passed down in the family, finally into the hands of William's grandson, James Kimball (7C4X) who made it available to the public ca. 1884.

Throughout his journal, William described in great detail the main diversion of the prisoners in Forton: trying to escape. On January 1, 1780, less than two weeks after arriving at the prison, he wrote:

Made a breach in the wall of the Prison, with the design of escaping, but it was discovered by the Sentinel on the other side. The masons were sent to mend it but it being dinner time they left for dinner and two Sentinels were placed to prevent our escape. Eight of our men put on frocks and took mortar and daubed their clothing, going through the hole as workmen. One of them came back into the yard undiscovered, but the rest were taken or gave themselves up.

Another attempt was made only a week later:

Jan. 7th. Began another hole at the south end of the prison. The dirt was put in our bread sacks which was the occasion of our being found out. were put upon one half diet and confined to the Black Hole for forty days.

In spite of the numerous escape attempts, Paine maintains that the prisoners in Mill Prison were luckier than most. He decribes them as "of dauntless and cheerful temper" and goes on to describe why:

And whereas in other British jails and in their prison ships there were scenes of barbarous oppression and suffering, these sea-dogs behind the gray walls at Plymouth appear to have been on terms of considerable friendliness with their guards, except for the frequent and painful excursions to the "Black Hole."

life in prison

Soon after his arrival, William Russell organized a school for his fellow prisoners. According to Paine, "the small store of pence received as 'tuition fees' enabled him to buy many extras in the way of food and clothing." Paine also wrote that there were a number of young cabins boys in the prison and William's school helped to "keep these small firebrands out of mischief."

It also appears that the prisoners were allowed to participate in certain celebrations. From William's journal:

July 4, 1780. To-day being the Anniversary of American Independence, the American prisoners wore the thirteen Stars and Stripes drawn on pieces of paper on their hats with the motto, Independence, Liberty or Death. Just before one o'clock we drew up in line in the yard and gave Thirteen Cheers for the Thirteen United States of America and were answered by the French prisoners. The whole was conducted in a decent manner and the day spent in mirth.

From a letter to William's wife written March 2, 1781

Notwithstanding my long confinement, I bless God that I have not experienced the want of any of the necessaries of life in this prison, for with my industry and what I am allowed, I live comfortably for a prisoner. I have never been in the Black Hole once, for I have made it my study to behave as a prisoner ought and I am treated according.

Another letter to his wife in April, 1781, after eighteen months in prison:

You can't imagine the anxiety I have to hear from home, for my spirits are depressed and I grow melancholy to think in what situation you must be, with three young children to maintain. But I hope you will be carried through all your trouble and remember that there is a God that never suffers such as put their trust in Him to want.

Though it appears that William was treated reasonably well in Mill Prison, that wasn't true for all the prisoners. In June, 1781, a group of prisoners submitted petitions to the British House of Commons complaining that Americans were "debarred of the many benefits which are usually and generally shown to all other prisoners and captives, almost naked and barefooted, and in their being allowed and supplied with only two-thirds the quantity of bread usually and daily allowed the prisoners of France, Spain and Holland, etc."

On the 20th of July, William described what happend to a spy who had been furnishing the French with information:

Francis Henry de la Motte was tried at the Old Bailey last week for Treason and found guilty. He was sentenced to be hanged by the neck, not dead, his bowels to be taken out, and burnt before his face, his head severed from his body, his body cut in four quarters and them with his head to be at the King's disposal.

Note: de la Motte was sentenced to be quartered, but according Wikipedia and other sources "after hanging for nearly an hour, he was taken down and his heart cut out and burned, but he was not quartered. . ."

The day of the hanging, William complained about the allowance of water:

This P.M. the whole Prison was brought to an allowance of Water, one quart per man, and that took from a Ditch, very thick and dirty, resembling Water from our Frog Ponds. Be astonished, Heavens, and tremble, oh Earth, when thou comest to hear of People on an allowance of Water in an Inhabited Land. May the All Wise God whose Omnipotence and Omnipresence is Universal quickly extricate us from the cruel and tryannical Power of Britain who wantonly sports with our Calamity and like Pharoah of old will not let us go. However, we hope to have some rain to flow in the Springs.

In spite of their complaints, the American prisoners sought to have a good relationship with the guards who they were dependent on. Below is a letter to the captain of the guards:

Mill Prison, Monday Morning, 6th August, 1781. Honor'd Sir: We return you our warmest thanks for the many favors we have experienced from you whilst on Guard, especially in ordering and seeing that we was supplied with Water, and the Indulgence, in permitting us to refresh ourselves by purchasing a Drink of Strong Beer, which is not allowed us on Sunday, for which kind favors we shall ever retain a grateful acknowledgment.

Signed American Prisoners. To Capt. of Guard.

From William's Journal:

13th (August): This morning Mr. Cowdry (Warden of Mill Prison) turned us all out, and locked the Prison. . .one of our People threw a stone at him which lodged in his hat whereupon he ordered the Soldiers to draw their Bayonets, and seize the man by the collar and bring him before him. The Soldiers did not obey through fear — we laughed, and the Agent tum'd, and went out of the Yard. . .

That incident, however, wasn't without repercussions:

14th. This morning we were turned out of our Prison to have it smoked by the Agent's orders. 188 men are on half diet. P.M. The Turnkeys and Soldiers came to turn us out of the long Prison, and lock the door. Our People refused and told the Corporal they would not go out, that Mr. Cowdry had done as much as he could by putting them on half allowance, and shewed the meat which was not four ounces. . .The Agent came in at the same time. Opening his window, he told us he was sorry that the innocent were punished with the guilty, but he was determined to keep us on half allowance 'till we gave up the man who threw the stone.

In October of 1781, after two years of imprisonment, an exchange was negotiated for some of the prisoners but William was not one of the lucky ones:

25 oct 1781 The sixty that were to be exchanged have fallen to fifty-three and the Essex crew are to be included which leaves me to spend my days in a disagreeable, loathsome Prison.

Oct 28 I am under the dreadful apprehension of being left out of the present exchange for I'm informed it's to be a partial one; when we shall have a chance to get from this awful place, God alone knows, for I see not the least prospect. Our number increases daily and we are now 442 Americans, and are daily expecting 200 more from Ireland. We have no one to blame but our own Countrymen, who wickedly let their Prisoners go when captured. Neither has Congress made any provision for prisoners in France; therefore, we have not the least prospect of being Exchanged till the War is over.

In November, William recorded another escape attempt:

Nov. 6, 1781. Last night as our people were digging under the Prison Wall, the Earth broke in and discovered their light to the Sentinel on the outside, who alarmed the Guard who came in and found the hole. A Sergeant had his sword broke and scabbard cut up by our People. One of the officer's servants, being with the Soldiers, used high words and threatened to knock us down, whereupon one of our People threw a stone at him which broke his leg. Mr. Cowdry has debarred us from the privilege of the market to-day, and demands two men for digging the hole and a man for throwing the stone at the servant, and says when the Black Hole is full, he'll put us in Irons on board the Guard ship, and that everyone that is detected in digging shall be put back on the list and lose his turn in the Cartel.

With the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in October of 1781, the Revolutionary War had been effectively won by the Americans. Scattered fighting would continue for two more years until the Treaty of Paris was signed in September of 1783. The British, however, were evidently still offering freedom to American prisoners who would switch their allegience. Four out of five Americans, however, chose to stay in prison rather than to betray their country. On New Years Eve, 1781 William mused on the subject:

Dec. 31st. Mr. Jos. M * of Nantucket wrote a letter to us from on Board a British Man of War advising our People to enter British Service, telling them they will not be exchanged 'till the War is over, and says that he has lost the use of one arm. It is a pity it was not his Neck, for what business had he to sell his Country, and go to the worst of Enemies. For my part I wish that every one that joins them may meet with worse fate.

This is the last day of the year. I am 29 months from my Dear Wife & Family, & 27 months in Captivity. May the Great and Allies God, in the midst of His Judgements remember mercy and like Israel (of Old) enjoy the Promised Land (America) w[h]ere we may sit down with our Wives and Families, each under their own vine and Fig tree, and the Sons of Violence not make them afraid.

In March of 1782, perhaps sensing release was imminent, the men were able to enjoy a celebratory "frolic." From William's diary:

March 11th (1782) Captain Green and several of the Gentlemen made a Frolic, and invited the Officers, eighty in number, to dinner. A hog that weighed four and one-half score pounds was barbecued in the yard, a sight never seen in Mill Prison before. We dined at two o'clock. After dinner a number of very good Toasts were drunk and the day spent in jollity and mirth.

12th. All hands Merry and myself rather Groggy still kept it up, fiddling and dancing all day in our Ward, everything conducted peaceably.

In early 1782, the traitor Benedict Arnold left the country of his birth to make his fortune in Britain. From William's journal entry on the 25th of March, we can see that Arnold was not wholly welcomed:

Benedict Arnold was introduced last week into the House of Commons and room made for him in the Gallery. After he was seated, the Speaker arose, and said no business could be done with that man Arnold in the House. The People turned him out. It's said that Arnold and Elizabeth his Wife have a pension of £1,000 a year settled on them.

In March, William got an inkling of a possible exchange though the actual event wouldn't happen for three more months:

March 31: We are to be exchanged for the Grenadiers and Light Infantry of Cornwallis' Army which has enough to Exchange every American Prisoner in this Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, and all Public Prisons, and then have 7,000 and some hundred left.

April 1, 1782. A new Ministry has been formed, and they have desired his Majesty to declare America Independent. He desires longer time to consider it.

June 3d. This P.M. Mr. Saurey brought a letter from Mr. Hodgson informing us of our Exchange immediately. We are to be Cloathed, and furnished with necessaries for our voyage in a decent manner.

June 5, 1782. Yesterday was 'George the Foolish's' Birthday.

June 14 Mr. Pollard received a letter from Mr. John Joy formerly of Boston, informing him that the Cartels were fitting out and were to sail the next day, wind permitting. We are in high spirits, and hope soon to be delivered from this Castle of Despair.

June 15 15th. We are informed by a letter from Mr. Joy to Jacob Homer, that His Majesty has been pleased to pardon us, in order for our Exchange, and that we are to be immediately delivered from this Awful place of Confinement.

June 19 This day I am thirty months a Prisoner in this disagreeable 'place. We have had the happiness of receiving the joyful news of the arrival of the Northern Cartel. The men for the Southward embarque on Saturday, and the men for the North on Monday or Tuesday next. The long-looked for day is come at last for us to leave these Gloomy Walls, where nothing but Horror and Despair reigns.

21. I desire to bless God that I once more have my health, but I am in a Miserable condition for want of cash, and what I am to do for Sea-stores I am at a loss.

Finally the great day arrived:

June 24th. The Escort came and the Agent opened the Gate of the Castle of Despair, and 400 Americans marched out to the Water side, where we found four Launches, and a Cutter waiting to receive us, I went on board the Cutter, and in a short time was on board the Good Ship Lady's Adventure, a Cartel bound to Boston. . .We immediately hove up anchors, and at 8 o'clock made sail. I was transported with Joy at my deliverance from a loathsome Prison, where I've been confined thirty Months and five days, almost despairing of ever seeing my Native Country, my Loving Wife and Dear Children and my relatives and friends who are so dear to me; but ' Glory to God in the Highest ' for His goodness unto us. I thank God I've a prospect now before me of seeing America, that Land of Liberty, and on my arrival of finding all connected with me in health and happiness.

It seems the lure of the sea was too powerful for some men, William Russell included. Not twenty days after arriving home to his family and friends, he upped for another stint on a privateer. That ship was also captured by the British and William was then confined in the horror of all horrors, the "horrible, hulking British prisoner ship Jersey, anchored off New York." That story in a future post.