American Prisoners of the Revolution. Danske Dandridge

Six tailors brought here from prison ship to work in making clothes for prisoners. They say the people on board are very sickly. Three hundred sent on board reduced to one hundred.

      25. Mr. Dean and others brought to jail from the town.

      26. Dean locked up by himself, and Mr. Forman brought upstairs attended by Rev. Mr. Inglis, and afterwards ordered downstairs. New order—one of the prisoners ordered to go to the Commissary’s and see the provisions dealt out for the prisoners. Vast numbers of people assembled at the Provost in expectation of seeing an execution.

      27. John, one of the milkmen, locked upstairs with a sentry at his door. A report by Mr. Webb that a prisoner, Herring, was come down to be exchanged for Mr. Van Zandt or me.

      30. Captain Cunningham came to the Provost.

      Dec. 1. Capt. Money came down with Mr. Webb to be exchanged for Major Wells.

      2. Col. Butler visited the Provost and promised a doctor should attend. Received from Mr. Bend cloth for a great coat, etc. Mr. Pmtard took a list of clothing wanted for the prisoners.

      3. Several prisoners of war sent from here on board the prison shop, & some of the sick sent to the hospital, Dr. Romaine being ordered by Sir H. Clinton to examine the sick Prisoners sickly: cause, cold. Prisoners in upper room (have) scanty clothing and only two bushels of coal for room of twenty men per week.

      5. Mr. Blanch ordered out; said to be to go to Morristown to get prisoners exchanged. Cold.

      7. Mr. Webb came to acquaint Major Wells his exchange was agreed to with Capt. Money.

      8. Major Gen. Robertson, with Mayor came to Provost to examine prisoners. I was called and examined, and requested my parole. The General said I had made bad use of indulgence granted me, in letting my daughter come to see me. * * *

      9. Major Wells exchanged.

      10. Mr. Pintard sent 100 loaves for the prisoners. A. M. Walter Thurston died. Prisoners very sickly and die very fast from the hospitals and prison ships.

      11. Some flags from North River.

      12. Abel Wells died, a tailor from the prison ship. Mr. Pintard brought letters for sundry people.

      14. Sunday. Guards more severe than ever notwithstanding General Robertson’s promise of more indulgence. Capt. Van Zandt brought from Long Island.

      16. Sent message to Mr. Pintard for wood. Cold and entirely out of wood.

      17. Commissary Winslow came and released Major Winslow on his parole on Long Island.

      18. Mr. Pintard sent four cords of wood for the prisoners.

      19. Capt. John Paul Schoot released on parole. Mr. Pintard with clothing for the people.

      21. A paper found at the door of the Provost, intimating that three prisoners had a rope concealed in a bag in one of the rooms in order to make their escape. The Sergt. examined all the rooms, and at night we were all locked up.

      22. Received from Mr. Pintard 100 loaves and a quarter of beef.

      24. Distributed clothing, etc., to the prisoners.

      28. Gen. Robertson sent a doctor to examine me in consequence of the petition sent by Col. Allen for my releasement. The doctor reported to Dr. Mallet.

      29. Gen. Robertson sent me word I should be liberated in town, provided I procured a gentleman in town to be responsible for my appearance. Accordingly I wrote to Hon. H. White, Esq.

      30. Dr. Romaine, with whom I sent the letter, said Mr. White had a number of objections, but the doctor hoped to succeed in the afternoon. Mr. Winslow came and told the same story I heard the day before.

      31. Sergt. Keath brought a message from the General to the same purpose as yesterday. N. B. I lost the memoranda from this date to the time of my being liberated from the Provost on Jan. 7, 1778.

      New York Feb. 11. ’78. Received a letter from Joshua Loring, Esq, Commissary of Prisoners, with leave from Gen. Robertson for my having the bounds of the city allowed me.

      March. 23. Wrote to Major Gen. Robertson and told him this was the eleventh month of my imprisonment.

      Fell’s note to the general follows, in which he begs to be liberated to the house of Mrs. Marriner, who kept an ordinary in the town. A card in reply from the general states that it is impossible to comply with his request until Mr. Fell’s friends give him sufficient security that he will not attempt to escape. A Mr. Langdon having broken his faith in like circumstances has given rise to a rule, which it is out of the general’s power to dispense with, etc, etc.

      “Feb. 4, 1778. I delivered to Mr. Pintard the wills of Garret Miller and Benjamin Goldsmith, to be forwarded to their respective families. Present E. Boudinot.

      “May 20 ’78, I had my parole extended by order of Gen. Daniel Jones, to my own house in Bergen County, for thirty days.

      “July 2. I left town, and next day arrived safe home.

      “Nov. 15, 1778 I received a certificate from A. Skinner, Deputy Com. of Prisoners of my being exchanged for Gov. Skene. Signed by Joshua Loring, Commissary General of Prisoners, dated New York, Oct 26 1778.”