15 Jan 26:
Captain John Pasteur and the little sloop MOLLY are on our minds...Pasteur was a Patriot Privateer and later a "Virginia Boats" Captain...
From the minutes of the Virginia Navy Board in Williamsburg... January 3rd, 1777:
"Capt John Pasteur appeared and agreed for the Sum of four hundred and twenty five pounds, to deliver unto the Naval Board of Commissioners a Schooner Boat called the MOLLY, together with the Rigging Tackle and Apparel belonging to her - The money to be paid him upon his giving a Bill of Sale for the said Vessel."
"Ordered that Capt John Pasteur take the Command of the Schooner Boat Molly this day Purchased of him by the Board."
John Pasteur was close friends with John Sinclair, both mariners and residents of Church Street, and both who eventually took commissions in the Virginia Navy. And both married to Wilson women, Honour and Ann. Also in the mix is Sinclair's sister Margaret, who married Edward Lattimer, who later became Pasteur's First Lieutenant. There is more to learn about all of them, and their ties to other Isle of Wight County Mariners.
But enough about people, let's talk about boats! The little sloop MOLLY was built in Baltimore in 1770 and her original registered owner was Josiah Parker. MOLLY had a crew of four men and her first Master was Charles Fulgham of Smithfield, and before March of 1774 MOLLY was sold to a syndicate headed by John Pasteur. In early 1776 she cast off with John Pasteur as Master and was sent "to southward," returning with 7500 pounds of powder....and we're not talking flour, although flour was a prized cargo as well.
Gunpowder was essential to the Patriot's cause, and it is mind boggling to picture MOLLY and her crew braving the hazards of the coastal Atlantic, the vagaries of the West Indies and evading British warships during her round trip voyage from the Tidewater. MOLLY's service continues until 1794, there is much more to her record, and Pasteur's, that we will get into this Spring. So stand fast!
(Reference and Image Credit: Lanciano, Claude O.. "Captain John Sinclair of Virginia." 1975.
