At a Court Martial held at Philadelphia, the 13^th of August, 1778.

PRISONER BEFORE THE COURT.

Samuel Ford, 2^d Lieu^t of the Effingham Galley, Charged by Cap^t Hugh Montgomery, of s^d Galley, for deserting to the Enemy during the Siege of Fort Mifflin.¹

The Prisoner acknowledges he deserted from the s^d Galley. That W^m Kilpatrick, (the 1^st Lieu^t of s^d Galley) told him to go into the Boat. That he did not know where he was going. That he asked where they were going. That they told him to see their Wifes. That they said they could not leave him behind, for fear he should discover the Plot. That a Scotch Guard lay at the place where they landed, and took them. That they was sent to Philadelphia before Lord Cornwallis. That he had his liberty to go about the City, sold Liquor, and used to go down the River as far as Tenicum Island,² to buy Provisions for his family while the Enemy were in Philadelphia. That before the Enemy left the City, an English Officer call’d upon him to know if he would go with them. That he answered No. That the s^d Officer then took him up and put him in the Provo. That he then Apply’d to s^d Officer by Letter, and inform’d him that he would go with them. That he went with the Enemy to Monmouth Court House, and on the day of Action there,³ left them, Bought a Horse, and came to Head Quarters at Brunswick. That he there received orders to go to General Arnold,⁴ at Philadelphia, which he did, and there got a Certificate from s^d General to go to Lewis Nicola, Town Major, and deliver himself up, which he did, and had a Certificate from s^d Nicola, who told him to go to the Commodore,⁵ or his Captain, and deliver himself up.

EVIDENCE.

Cap^t William Watkin, (of the Guard Boat Brimstone) declareth on Oath, That there was two Galleys and two Arm’d Boats ordered upon Guard to look out behind Hog Island. That Cap^t Montgomery asked him to come on board, which he did. That they eat Supper and he went to Bed with Cap^t Montgomery betwixt 9 and 10 o’Clock. That the Prisoner had the 1^st Watch upon Deck. That when the Watch was call’d at 12 o’Clock, s^d Watkin came upon Deck, and at the same time Mr. Kilpatrick, the 1st Lieu^t, came upon Deck. That the Prisoner and s^d Kilpatrick were together on Deck. That the Prisoner and s^d Kilpatrick went into the Cabbin. That s^d Watkin went into the Cabbin and saw one of them have a handkerchief in their hand with something in it, which they put under the Ladder going into the Cabbin, as s^d Watkin went down. That s^d Kilpatrick said, Cap^t Watkin had better turn into his birth. That s^d Watkin answered and said that Mr. Ford had been upon Deck four hours, and that he had better take a Nap. That Kilpatrick said Mr. Ford did not want to turn in, and Mr. Ford said he was not sleepy. That s^d Watkin then turn’d in and went to sleep. That in the morning at day light, one of the People came and call’d Cap^t Montgomery, and acquainted him that there was no Officers nor Men upon Deck, that they were all gone. That Cap^t Montgomery put his hand behind him to feel for s^d Watkin, and said, “Watkin, are you gone too?” (having miss’d him). That s^d Watkin said, “Not yet, Mess Mate.”

The Court refer’d their Opinion to the next day.

At a Court Martial held at Philadelphia the 14th of August, 1778.

PRISONER

Samuel Ford, 2^d Lieu^t of the Effingham Galley, being brought on Trial the day before, Was brought before the Court and asked several Questions, also if had had any Evidences to bring, or any thing more to say in his defence.

Prisoner answer’d, not any.

OPINION

The Court Seriously considered the Charge alledged against the Prisoner, having heard his defence, and the Evidence. The Court are of Opinion that the Prisoner, Samuel Ford, is Guilty of Death, and Therefore the Court do

Sentence the s^d Prisoner, Samuel Ford, to suffer Death by being Shott.⁶