1775

June 12, 1775 New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury
Run away from on board the Sloop Seaflower, a young Negro Fellow named America, about 20 years old, very black, pitted with a small pox, and his under lip very thick. Had on a striped shirt and trowsers, red cap and is supposed to be secreted in this city. Five dollars reward will be given to any person who brings the said Negro to the printer hereof, or John Sebring.
 [Editor's Note: There were several sloops named Seaflower at about this time, incl. one that sailed regularly between Rhode Island and New York; a John Sebring was a businessman in New York City in the early 1770s.} 

---

 September 7, 1775. New-York Journal; or, The General Advertiser (New York, N. Y.),  
NEW YORK, September 7
            ***
Tuesday se'nnight a small Sloop came down the North River from a Place called Little Esopus, and anchored along side the Asia Man of War in order 'tis supposed to supply that Ship with Necessaries:  A strict Watch was kept on her from that Day until Sunday Morning, when she set Sail and stood up the River, attended by an armed Sloop and some Boats from the Asia, but she was immediately pursued by a Number of Boats from the City, and soon taken, with 12 Men in her, who were committed to Gaol.    

---

November 9, 1775. ​New-York Journal; or, The General Advertiser (New York, New York)
Information Wanted. OF the sloop Springfield-galley, burthen about sixteen tons, three years old, slender built, with second hand sails; hath been employed above two years in carrying Oysters and Clams out of the bay, on the south side of Long Island, and owned until June past, equally between the subscriber and John Rider, both of Brook Haven on Long Island; but said Rider, in June last, sold his half of said sloop to Jenkinson Jeanes, while my half was in the care of Capt. John Jones, immediately after which purchase, the said Jenkinson Jeanes, for various reasons, was suspected of an intention of running away with my half of said sloop, Springfield-galley; and therefore was, by myself and Capt. Jones, forewarned and admonished, not to do it, but he took an opportunity, about the middle of June last, when Capt. Jones was ashore at Brook Haven, and went off with her, taking with him for a hand, his brother Meshack Jeanes, a lad about 15 years old, since which he has not returned, nor sent me any account of himself or said sloop, that I have received.  But I am informed he has been at New-York and other places with said sloop, pretending he was sole owner, and trying to sell the whole of her at an under rate. -- These are therefore, to forewarn all persons, not to buy or hire of him, more than his half of said sloop, nr furnish him with any thing on account of me, or the sloop, as I will not pay any debts he may contract.  And I do hereby desire him, or whoever hath possession of her, to return her to me immediately; and I do hereby desire any person, that can give me information of him or said sloop, to do it, for which I promise a reasonable reward.  And I do further offer a reward of FIVE DOLLARS, and all reasonable charges, to any one not now in possession of said sloop, that will take her up, and bring her safe, and deliver her to me at Blue Point, in Brook Haven.
           
The last account I have heard of him is, that he was lately in New York, where he had married a base woman, and were both cured of the foul disorder, and took her on board, saying he was bound up the river, above Albany, where he would sell the sloop, and settle in some back part of the country.  A particular account of him may be had at the goal in New-York.  I would be glad to sell my half of said sloop, very cheap.
 EBENEZER DAYTON.Corumin, Brook-Haven, October 25, 1775.