Joseph Myrick
Joseph is a relative of Jonathan Myrick. Joseph’s father, Andrew, was a shipbuilder and moved to Nantucket after marrying Jedida Pinkham of the Nantucket Pinkhams.
Letter of Marquis signed by John Hancock,
President of the Continental Congress.
Joseph was a Nantucket sailor who took part in the American Revolution as a privateer on two different French ships. Since the colonies had no Navy, they relied on these private ships to battle the British. The Privateer’s contribution to the war was considerable and these American sailors sank over 2,000 British vessels during the war. They also protected cargo from Europe, including weapons and ammunition. Privateers received certificates from the Continental Congress giving them express permission to attack enemy shipping:
“We have granted...license and authority to fit [a ship] and set forth...in a warlike Manner...to attack, seize, and take the Ships and the Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants of Great Britain...on the High Seas...and to bring the same to some convenient Ports in the said Colonies, in order that the Courts...may proceed in due Form to condemn the said captives...”
Letter from Joseph Myrick (brother of Jonathan Myrick) to Benjamin Franklin (links to PDF), June 27, 1780
Letter detailing the capture of the privateering ship the Black Prince.
Founders Online, National Archives
In a letter dated June 27, 1780, Myrick writes to Benjamin Franklin, who was in Paris negotiating aid from the French, detailing the capture of the Black Prince, a privateer ship under the command of Captain Marchant, of which Myrick was on the crew. Myrick requests Franklin’s assistance since their “Commission is French, but as all of us are American Subjects [and] Claims yr. Excelency’s protection in the following Case...” He further urges Franklin as there are “twenty four of us here detained, yr. Excellency’s Commands we are Ready to obey.” Without assistance from Franklin, Myrick secured his own release from an English prison by switching sides and enlisting in the Royal Navy. However, at the end of war he deserted the British forces and returned to Nantucket.