Father of the American Navy
Accounts payable for the Sloop Elizabeth: "Sloop Elizabeth to Esek Hopkins"
[Newport? n.d., ca. 1750.]. Autograph manuscript approx. 9" x 7" accomplished in ink on both sides of the sheet. At the bottom of the verso in another (contemporary) hand: "This is all in the handwriting of Esek Hopkins the first Admiral of the American Navy--in the Rev. War." Light foxing, left edge slight tear. Clean and legible. Written by Esek Hopkins (1718-1802), first Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Navy, when he was a privateer. The sheet lists expenses such as "To Wm Perce for 2500 hoops 150." And: "To 1 lode wood 6: to 3 day work my negro 10:10". Items such as "an old foresail" , "flower and freight" and "to John Brown for rigen (rigging?)" are listed together with approximately 30 other line items, each with a cost, totaling "3,362:17:57." Esek Hopkins was the brother of Stephen Hopkins (1707-1785), who served as Governor of Rhode Island for ten terms between 1755 and 1768 and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Esek Hopkins spent his childhood on his parents' farm until he left at the age of twenty to pursue a career as a sailor. He quickly rose up the ranks and became a prominent master mariner by the time he married Desire Burroughs (c.1722-1794) of Newport in 1741, with whom he had eight children. Hopkins flourished as a captain and soon became highly successful and involved in privateering, Rhode Island's most profitable enterprise during the years before the American Revolution (1775-1783). Rhode Island was one of the first colonies to provide naval protection from the British, and Esek Hopkins was asked to command the colony's naval forces. Hopkins did have some success as the country's Commander but his navy failed to meet Congress' expectations. (Some historians say he continued to act like a privateer rather than a military commander) and by October 16, 1776, Congress took a vote of censure against Hopkins and he went before a Naval Committee with John Adams (1735-1826) as his defender. Unfortunately, Adams' defense of him did not succeed, and Commodore Hopkins was dismissed from the Navy on January 2, 1777. Later, Hopkins settled near Providence and continued to serve as a member of the state general assembly. Item #55319
Price: $2,500.00
