History - Kings Orange Rangers

45
& Provide us with Ammunition.” 152 On November 29th a meeting was held at Mrs. Snows to
discuss further the arming of a Liverpool vessel as a privateer. Those attending included
Perkins, Capt. Collins, Capt. Howard, Mr. Tinkham, Captain William Freeman, Captain
Bradford, Mr. McDonald and Capt. Howard. They agree to outfit the schooner Lucy as the first
of the Liverpool privateers. 153 On December 8th a further meeting was held at Mrs. Snow’s
respecting the privateer Lucy that again included Captain Howard. A number of candidates were
considered as captain, the final choice falling on Captain Bartlett Bradford. 154 On the 13th it was
settled that there would be 14 shareholders in the Lucy including Captain Howard with two
shares. 155
On the afternoon of November 24th a ship and two schooners came into Liverpool Harbour.
Captain Howard mustered his men only to find they were short of cartridges so that time was lost
while they made them. The vessels continued to work up the harbour. Perkins ordered the
militia to arms and in the evening put them at critical points in the community. The Light
Infantry Company was stationed at Perkins’ house with a sentry at the Moose Harbour Road.
Captain Freeman’s Company was sent to Captain Drew’s and sentries were ordered to the back
of the meeting house and in the vicinity of the gallows. Several other militiamen were divided
into parties and set to patrolling the town’s streets. Perkins stayed up to 10 o’clock, the night
proving uneventful. 156
1780
February 5th 1780 the Lucy arrived in Liverpool with two prizes. They were the sloop Sally,
Benjamin Cole, Master and the schooner Little Joe, Giles Latham, Master. 157 Upon examining
Cole’s mate, a Mr. Brown, it is discovered that he was bound for the states which makes her a
legitimate prize. The next day all parties appear before Samuel Hunt in order for testimony to be
heard regarding the captured vessels. Cole has several of his crew appear on his behalf
supporting his statement that he was on legitimate business and was not providing assistance to
the rebels. Cole’s mate tells a very different story. 158 The prizes were sent to Halifax and
condemned by the Court of Vice-Admiralty, notification reaching Liverpool on March 18th. 159
Throughout the winter months the King’s Orange Rangers continued to provide security along
the Queens County coast frequenting both Port Medway and Port Mouton. In early march
Howard and a party of soldiers went to the westward with a warrant from Perkins to “Defend &
Swear the Inhabitants”. 160 Captain Howard took the opportunity to invest further in the Lucy. 161
152
Ibid. p. 256.
153
Ibid. p. 265.
154
Ibid. p. 266. Bradford’s house at 16 Main Street in 2000 is owned by Mrs. Norma William Lenco RN.
155
Ibid. p. 267.
156
Ibid. pp. 264-5.
157
Ibid. p. 278.
158
Ibid. p. 273.
159
Ibid. p.278.
160
Ibid. p. 276.
161
Ibid. p. 278.
King’s Orange Rangers