CAPTAIN JONATHON MALTBIE, 3d
(CHA-A)
The following sketch was written by Miss Lynes:
My great-grandfather, Jonathon Maltbie, 3d, was the only child of Jonathon, Jr., and Abigail Holmes Maltbie; born at Stamford, Conn., December 17, 1744. He removed to Fairfield, Conn., and married Elizabeth, the daughter of David and Sarah Gold Allen Oct. 23d, 1768. He was a sea captain in the East India trade and lived in one of the historical house given in the “History of Fairfield Country” as “”Colonial No. 4.” This house was built in 1766 by Isaac Tucker, who sold it to Captain Maltbie, who owned and occupied it during Revolutionary times, and was one of the few houses left standing at the burning of Fairfield. Mr. Henry Rowland, a grandson, in writing some reminiscences, states that “grandfather Maltbie’s (house) was reserved for a cook house. After the conflagration the inhibitants returned (when the British had gone aboard their ships). Grandfather Maltbie on returning to his house found all their valuable china scooped off the shelves on to the floor and broken into pieces and everything upside down. In the kitchen in the fireplace hung a large brass kettle filled with their hams, but they dare not eat them, fearing that they were poisoned (so they started anew with provisions).”
Captain Maltbie’s son, William, inherited this place and sold it to Justin Hobart. The house is still standing today in good condition. Jonathon Maltie was 1st Lieutenant of the “Trumboll,” one of the first cruisers built for the Continental navy; Dudley Saltonstall, Commander. She went into service about April, 1780, carrying 28 guns and her crew numbered 200. Her first engagement under Captain Nicholson, occurred June 2nd of the same year, with the “Watt,” (Query: Wasp?) an English letter-of-marque, under Captain Colehart. She carried 34 guns and 250 men. The “Watt” was a private vessel with a cargo of great value and was especially equipped to fight her way. This was the first action of any moment that occurred in 1780 and had the reputation of being the most obstinate and sanguinary naval battle during the Revolution. The “Trumbull,” being badly disabled, failed to capture the “Watt,” although she defeated her.
The next summer, 1781, she left the Delaware, still under Captain Nicholson, having been thoroughly equipped as convoy to 28 sail of merchant craft bound for Cape Francois, West Indies. Off the capes, the “Trumbull” met three British cruisers astern. Two of them, one being a frigate, stood for the “Trumbull,” which ship, by hauling up gained the wind of them. While standing on in this manner, hoping everything from the darkeness which was fast approaching, a gale carried away the “Trumbull’s foretop mast, which, in falling, brought down the main gallant mast. She was otherwise disabled and night coming in was unable to clear up the wreck. At 10 o’clock the “Iris,” 32 guns, one of the vessels in chase, closed with her and forced her to combat. In the midst of rain and tempestuous winds, Captain Nicholson found himself obliged to go to quarters or to strike without resistance. He preferred to do the first, but the English volunteers on board his ship, instead of obeying orders, went below, extinguished lights and secreted themselves. Near half the remaining men followed their example and Captain Nicholson could not muster fifty or even the diminished crew he had at the guns. The battle that followed might almost be said to have been fought by the officers. These brave men sustained by a party of petty officers and seamen managed a few of the guns for more than an hour, when the “General Monk,” 18 guns, coming up and joining in the fire of the “Iris,” the “Trumbull” submitted. The “Trumbull,” after her capture, was towed into New York harbor and condemned. Through unsuccessful in her battles, she still fought two of the most famous fights that took place on the ocean during the exciting times of the Revolution.
Jonathon Maltby was afterwards appointed Master of the “Argus,” a cutter in the service of the United States for the protection of the revenue. He died Feb. 11th, 1798, while in command of this vessel, and was buried in the old cemetery at Fairfield, Conn. The date of Jonathon Maltbie’s commission as 1st Lieutenant is Oct. 12th, 1776. Date of commission as Captain by George Washington, March 21th, 1791.
Through the kindness of Mr. Frank Pentecost of Lawrenceville, Georgia, we have received a copy of the commission of Jonathon (4) Maltbie, signed by George Washington. Mr. Pentecost tried to obtain a photograph of the document for us, but the photographers said it would be impossible as the type has become too indistinct.
Mr. Pentecost is a great-grandson of Captain Jonathon (4) Maltbie, descending from William (5) Maltbie (CHA-AG) who went south, and from William’s daughter, Mary (6) Maltbie (CHA-AGe). The Commission: George Washington, President of the United States of America. To all who shall see these Presents Greeting:
Know ye, That reposing special Trust and confidence in the Integrity Diligence and good Conduct of Jonathon Maltbie of Connecticut I do appoint him Master of a Cutter in the service of the United States, for the protection of the Revenue and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfil the Duties of that Office according to law and to have to hold said office, with all the rights and Emoluments thereunto legally appertaining unto him the said Jonathon Maltbie during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the Time being.
In testimony whereof I have caused these Letters to be made Patent and the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Given under my Hand, at the City of Philadelphia, the 21st day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one and of the Independence of the United States of American the Fifteenth.
Signed G. WASHINGTON.
By the President,
Thos. Jefferson.
A few records obtained by the compiler are appended:
In Dec., 1775, we find the following record: “Continental Fleet, in which were many Rhode Island officers, as well as from the other colonies, under command of Commodore Esek Hopkins of Providence. Ship Alfred, one of the fleet, Dec., 1775, Cpt. Dudley Saltonstall, 1st Lieut. John Paul Jones. Among three other Lieutenants was Lieut. Jonathon Maltbie.” (Ref. Civil and Military List of Rhode Island, 1800-1850, by Smith, p. 704.)
1776. His commission as lieutenant is dated October 12, 1776, and signed by John Hancock.
1778. Frigate “Trumbull,” Capt. Dudley Saltonstall, was launched. Jonathon Maltby, 1st Lieutenant. Capt. J. Nicholson of Pa., afterwards, Capt. Saltonstall being transferred to the “Warren.” “Trumbull” captured off the Delaware Cape by the British ships “Isis” and “General Monk,” after a gallant resistance of more than one hour, during which she was completely dismantled and lost five killed and eleven wounded (Ref. Navy of the United States, by Lieutenant Emmons, p. 3).
1791. Commission as Captain dated March 21, 1791, signed by Gen. George Washington.
In Collections, Conn. Hist. Soc. Is a letter from Col. Gurdon Saltonstall, dated “New London, Jan. 23, 1776,” to Silas Deane, Delegate to the 1st and 2nd Congress at Philadelphia. It mentions “Second Lieut. Maltbie’s crew,” Vol. II., p. 353.
Mr. John H. Beach of Bridgeport writes that several years ago Mrs. Florence Isham Cross read a very interesting paper at a meeting of the Mary Silliman Chapter, D.A.R., on Lieut. Jonathon Maltbie, in which she describes him as “having red hair and a quick temper.” It would be interesting to know how Mrs. Cross obtained this information, whether from written documents or if perchance from a portrait which has been lost to the family.