6. In the fall of the year 1782, I went out in the capacity of a mariner or sailor on a cruise in the Privateer Brig Scammel. She was a square-rigged _______ commanded by Capt. Stoddard. She sailed from Providence in the State of Rhode Island - I recollect that the sailing master's name was Pierson - We sailed out on the cruise about a fortnight and were then taken in about a days sail off Sandy Hook, by the British Frigate Jason - the 50 gun ship Renown being in Company with her. Part of the Crew of the Privateer was put on board the Jason and a part of them on board the Renown. I was put on board the Renown and taken into New York. I was then transfered to the old Jersey Prison Ship - I remained a prisoner until May following when Peace was proclaimed. Parts of the time I was confined onboard the Jersey Prison ship and part of the time onboard the Hospital ships. I recollect that the news of Peace was publicly read onboard the Jersey Prison ship to the prisoners and we were immediately discharged. We went out up with a flag to Dobb's Ferry __________. I stopped at _____ Point, where I received two days provisions by the direction of the Commanding officer. Then I went to Newburg where the army there lay. I there got six days of provisions and a half pint of rum and then came home to Albany in a sloupe.
I was taken prisoner as above mentioned sometime in November and remained a prisoner not less than five months.
At the time I made my original declaration I was not informed whether I was entitled to my allowance for the time I was a prisoner as above stated, and therefore did not mention or claim it in my first declaration. But I now claim it if the Law entitles me to it - in addition to my other services.
I further state that in regard to my services in the year 1779 under Capt. Jorleman at Fort Plains, I was never satisfied that the statement of the time I was engaged in said term in my original declaration is a mistake - that the time should have been stated as one month or about and not twelve weeks.
Sworn and proclaimed in open Court this 23rd day of October 1833, John G. Watson, Clerk
National Archives and Records Administration. Selected Records from Revolutionary War Pension Application Files [Microfilm M-805]. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.
Excerpt from the New England Genealogical and Historical Record:
293
JONATHAN KIDNEY (says the Eve. Journal,) was born in this City, where he has resided for eighty eight years He was consequently one of the oldest connecting links between the past and the present. He has sustained through life a blameless reputation, and died, as he lived, greatly beloved by his descendants and universally respected by all who
knew him. Mr. KIDNEY served his time as a Blacksmith and followed the business always.
At the age of 17, Mr. KIDNEY was drafted as a militia-man, under Gen. Schuyler.in 1777. Hisdivision was at first ordered
to Fort Edward ; but soon fell back
upon Saratoga. Afterwards we hear of
him at Bennington, in both engagements
at that place. Again, upon the intelligence
reaching thai place of the expected battle
with Burgoyne. he was ordered
back to Saratoga, but did not arrive there
until after the battle. To the just tribute of the Eve. Journal to his private character, we add briefly tome ol the principal incidents of his life :
Mr. KIDNEY took an active part with
the friends of George Clinton, Robert
Yates, Samuel Jones, Abm. Ten Eyck,
Gen. Peter Gansevoort, Chancellor Lan-
ting.and other prominent anti-federalists,
against the adoption of the U. S. Constitution
in 1788; and he participated in the
high scene of excitement and collision •
which in this City followed the attempt
of the federalists of that day to celebrate
the event. To the day of his death, as we
are informed, he held in possession the
cannon which on that occasion was
planted in Green street, to dispute the
passage through it of the procession headed
by Gen. Schuyler, Stephen Van
Rensselaer, and their friends. The venerable
Isaac Denniston is now the only
survivor of those who witnessed that
conflict. The most eventful period of his life was that which followed. He was one of a party who embarked at New Haven, Conn., in a privateer vessel. With the entire party he was taken prisoner by the British, and placed on board the Jersey Prison ship at the Wallabout. He was confined there some six months, at the expiration of which he was released, but in a weak state, from the tyrannical and barbarous treatment be received. He travelled on foot from Jersey City to Newburgh, where General Washington had his head-quarters, not being able to accomplish more than five miles a day. He there received assistance, by order of the Commanding General, and took passage in a sloop for Albany.
A patriot of the Revolution, he was ever earnest in what he regarded as synonymous with the principles and duties of that great epoch, and throughout his life was a decided and consistent democrat.
March, 1849.