Mariners-L Archives

Archiver > Mariners > 1999-10 > 0939052766


From: "Patricia Kruger" <>
Subject: [Mar] Roebuck?
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 10:59:26 -0500


Family tradition (and an 'unfound commission paper') says my 5th
great-grandfather 'commanded' the British ship Roebuck. I have been trying
to verify this for years, to no avail. Any suggestions on where to look ?.
Facts I have:

My 5th great grandfather, Oswell EVE, was a mariner, ship's captain, and
ship owner. He was born about 1720 (in England, I think) and died in the
Bahamas in 1793. He was on a privateer out of Philadelphia in 1743, and
commanded at least 25 vessels throughout his maritime career according to
various customs records in Philadelphia, sailing to Lisbon and the West
Indies.

He appears to have spent about 5 years in the British Honduras logging
mahogany between 1768 and 1773. He helped the British when they occupied
Philadelphia during the American Revolution, was attainted of treason, fled
to New York with the British when they evacuated and ultimately sailed with
a boatload of colonists to settle Cat Island in the Bahamas in 1783.

His Loyalist claim provides some details of his efforts on behalf of the
British from 1777 to 1780 while they were in Philadelphia, but no mention of
the Roebuck.

It appears to me that he was a merchant mariner, not in the Royal Navy. Any
suggetions on where else to look for references to the Roebuck. It seems
the ship might have crossed paths with him at varous times, but there is no
mention that he had a commission or was in command. Any ideas welcome!.
Pat

This thread: