Captain Jonathan MALTBIE and Elizabeth (ALLEN) MALTBY
His Parents - Jonathan and Abigail (HOLMES) MALTBIE
Spouse's Parents -
Kids - Jonathan , Sarah , Elizabeth , Jonathan , Abigail , William , Anna and Hannah
CHA-A. Captain Jonathan MALTBIE, b. Dec. 17, 1744, at Stamford, Conn. (Jonathan 3, Jonathan 2, Wm.1). He m. Oct. 23, 1768, Elizabeth ALLEN, dau. of David and Sarah (Gold) Allen. They were mar. at Fairfield. (Conn. Marriages).
Capt. Jonathan Maltbie served his Country as First Lieutenant of the Connecticut Cruiser "Trumbull," during the Revolutionary War, and at the time of his death, he was in command of the "Argus," a cutter in the service of the United States for the protection of the revenue.
His commission as Lieut. is dated "Oct. 12, 1776," and signed by John Hancock. His commission as Captain, is dated "March 21, 1791," (Records of Connecticut Men in the Rev. War.)
"1778. Frigate 'Trumbull.' Captain Dudley Saltonstall, Command- er, was launched."
Jonathan Maltby, 1st Lieutenant, Capt. J. Nicholson of Pennsylvan- ia, afterwards Capt. Saltonstall being transferred to "Warren."
"Trumbull captured off the Deleware Cape by British Ship "Iris" and "General Monk." After a galant resistance of more than one hour during which she was completely dismantled and lost five killed and eleven wounded." (Navy of the United States, by Lieut. Emmons, p.3).
For the following sketch of the life of Captain Jonathan Maltbie, we are indebted to Miss Emily A. Lynes of Norwalk, Conn.
"My great grandfather, Jonathan Maltbie, was the only child of Jonathan, Jr. and Abigail (Holmes) Maltbie, born at Stamford, Conn., Dec. 17, 1744. He moved to Fairfield, Conn., and married Elizabeth the daughter of David and Sarah (Gold) Allen, Oct. 23, 1768. He was a sea captain in the East India trade and lived in one of the histor- ical homes given in the "History of Fairfield County" as "Colonial No. 4." This house was built in 1766 by Isaac Tucker who sold it to Capt. Maltbie who owned it 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 down reminisences, states that: "Grandfather Maltbie's house was reserved for a cook house. After the conflagration the inhabitants 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 the floor and broken into pieces and everything upside down. In the kitch- en in the fireplace hung a large brass kettle filled with their hams, but they dare not eat them, fearing they were poisoned--so they start- ed anew with provisions."
Capt. Maltbie's son, William (5) inherited this place and sold it to Justice Hobart. The house is still standing today (1909) in good condition.
Jonathan Maltbie was 1st Lieutenant of the "Trumbull," one of the first cruisers built fot the Continental Navy.
She went into service about April 1780, carrying 28 guns, and her crew numbered 200. Her first engagement under Capt. Nicholson, occured June 2nd of the same year; with the "Watt," an English letter- of-marque, under Capt. 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 in 1781, she left the Deleware, still under Cat. Nicholson, having been thoroughly equipped as convoy to 208 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 against the wind of them. (sic)
While standing on in this manner, hoping everything from the darkness, which was fast aproaching, a gale carried away the "Trum- bull's" 'fore top mast' which in falling, brought down the main gall- ant mast. She was otherwise disabled and night coming on 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 rains and tempestuous winds Capt. Nicholson found himself obliged to go to quarters or to strike without resistance. He pre- fered to do the first, but the English volunteers on board his ship, instead of obeying orders, went below, extinguished lights and se- creted themselves.
Near half the remaining men followed their example and Capt. Nicholson could not muster fifty of 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 the petty officers and seamen, managed a few of the guns for more than an hour and when the "General Monk," 18 guns, coming up and join- ing in the fire of the "Iris," the "Trumbull" submitted.
The "Trumbull" after her capture, was towed into New York harbor and condemmed. Though unsuccesful 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."
"Jonathan Maltbie 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. 11, 1798, while in command of this vessel.
An interesting record of Jonathan Maltbie follows: (Civil and Military Lists of Rhode Island, 1800-1850, by Smith, p.704)
"Centinental Fleet, in which were many Rhode Island officers as well as from the other Colonies, under command of Commodore Ezek. Hopkins of Providence, ship "Alfred" one of the fleet, Dec. 1775.
Captain--Dudley Saltonstall
1st. Lieut. John Paul Jones
among three other lieutenants--"Lieut. Jonathan Maltbie."
Having served in the same ship with John Paul Jones, makes Jonathan Maltbie's Rev. War service doubly historical.
In a lost note-book, I had an account of Jonathan Maltbie on a ship sent to assist at the "Battle of Bunker Hill," Boston. The item was in "Sketches of Bunker Hill and Monument," Third Edition, 1843". . .
(Coll. Conn. Hist. Soc.) This contains a letter from Col. Gurton Saltonstall, dated "New London. Jan. 23, 1776--to Silas Dean, delegate at the 1st and 2nd Continental Congress at Philadelphia." This letter mentions: "Second Lieut. Maltbie's crew."
Some years ago Florence Isham Cross, wife of a Congregational minister, read an interesting paper at a D.A.R. meeting of the "Mary Silliman Chapter, Bridgeport, Conn. Her subject: Lieut. Jonathan Maltbie. She speaks of him as "24 in 1778"--possibly a mis-print, as he was 34 at this date. She describes him as having "red hair and a quick temper, and the ready sympathy that go with it."
Copy. "George Washington, President of the United States of America."
"To all who shall see these Presents Greetings:----- Know ye That reposing special Trust and confidence in the Integrity, Diligence and good Conduct of---
Jonathan Maltbie of Connicticut
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 em- power him to execute and fulfil the Duties of that Office, according to law and to have and to hold said office, with all the Rights and Emoluments thereunto legally appertaining unto him the said Jonathan Maltbie during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being--
In testimony where of 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 nine- ty One and of the Independence of the United States of America, the Fifteenth-----
Signed: G. Washington
By The President.
Thos. Jefferson."
(The Photographer said it was impossible to photograph the original-- the writing being too faint. This is owned by Mr. Frank Pentecost, of Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Notes from Florence Isham Cross' paper, "Lieutenant Jonathan Maltbie of the Continental Navy."
"A farm which ran back to the water, as did that of our hero's home, was thought to be useful only for harvesting salt meadow grass and the gathering of oysters, scallops and clams.
On the east side of the Fairfield green facing the Episcopal Church, there still stands the home of the Maltbies. . .the house only escaped burning because the officers chose it for their head- quarters. . .
After the war Lieut. Maltbie returned to Fairfield. . .one day in going about the yard, Jonathan Maltbie saw the toe of a boot stick- ing out of the ground and on digging down, he discovered the body of and English officer evidently of high degree." (Article dated June 8, 1898.)
I have two copies of the 1790 Census of Connecticut. One reads: "Jonathan Malbey of Fairfield Town and County, as head of a family of eight persons." The other transcription is:--
"Jonathan Malbey. Fairfield. Fairfield."
2 males over 16 - John, bp. 1769 and Self?
1 male under 16 - William.
1 female - Sarah, bpt. 1772.
1 slave.
(Fairfield. Marriages)
"Christopher (negro) servant of Jonathan Maltby, and Dinah (negro) servant of Gershorn Burr, mar. Feb. 1791."
A list of Jonathan Maltbie's children was compiled by Miss Ethel C. Yates of Camden, South Carolina, who, in 1926, visited the New York Library and the Library at Stamford. List follows:
Children of Capt. Jonathan Maltbie and wife Elizabeth Allen: V.408. John Maltbie, bp. 20 Apr. 1769.
CHA-AA. Jonathan " bp. Feb. 4, 1770; "d. in infancy."
CHA-Ab. Sarah " bp. 17 Apr. 1772.
CHA-Ac. Elizabeth " bp. Jan. 2, 1774.
CHA-AD. Jonathan " bp. Mar. 5, 1775.
CHA-Ae. Abigail " bp. Aug. 25, 1782.
CHA-AF. William " bp. April 11, 1784.
CHA-Ag. Anna " bp. July 11, 1787.
CHA-Ah. Hannah " b. April 7, 1789.
The children named in the will of Capt. Jonathan Maltbie, 1798, are:
"John, eldest son.
Betty Malbie
Abigail
William
Nancy
Hannah."
Mrs. Maltbie's will, (she d. March, 1799), mentions: "a silk dress and best cloak to one daughter, and to another a silk dress, and to one other, a calico dress and petticoat, and to another, a calico dress and petticoat." These notes are only about cloathes; there was mention of real estate and money." (The copyist had only time for these brief notes.) Presumably Sarah and Elizabeth had the silk dresses and Abigail and Anna the calicoes.
Elizabeth Allen, wife of Capt. Jonathan Maltbie, was dau. of Lieut. David Allen and wife, Sarah, dau. of Mr. John Gold. He was son of Lieut. Gideon Allen and wife Anna, dau. of Nathaniel Burr. He was son of Gideon Allen of Swansey, Mass., 1669, and wife Sarah Prud- den.
Reproductions of the tombstones of Capt. Maltbie and wife, Elizabeth, were published in the "Maltby-Maltbie Family," Booklet II, p. 49. Tombstones.
"Captain
Jonathan Maltbie
died Febr. 11th
1798
Aged 53 years."
"Mrs.
Elizabeth Maltbie
Widow of
Capt.
Jonathan Maltbie
died March 14th
1799
Aged 50 years."
CHA-A
Parents
Jonathan