Oswego County, N.Y. History Site!


 
 

SHIP'S LOG BOOK 
OF
"CAPTAIN GEORGE WASHINGTON CLEMENT"

MASTER OF THE SCHOONER 
“THORNTON” 
FOR THE YEAR 1864


Many thanks to Lee Harris who has generously shared her gr-grandfather's log book when he was Captain of the Schooner "Thornton" in 1864, and which are very scarce.  "Lee says the log was written in pencil and has survived many trials over the years including being scribbled on by his grandchildren and being thrown into the garbage, then retrieved by someone who thought it might be of interest in a historical museum. 

My gr grandfather was George Washington Clement.  He lived in Oswego during the 1860's and died on or about 25 Oct 1868, presumably in a shipping accident. I have the notification of his death and his funeral from the Oswego papers. 

During the course of my research I traced as much as possible his trips in and out of the port of Oswego.  His log contains the names of the seamen on board his ship and lists the cargo carried, plus expenses, etc, including the pay for each of the men. 

The log is currently held in the historical museum in Waskada, Manitoba. On a research trip there about three years ago, the museum allowed me to photocopy the entire log.  I am using part of it in a "Clement" family history which I am hoping to publish soon.

I also have the cemetery inscriptions, etc for my gr-grandfather and two of his brothers, who were also schooner captains in the 1860's.  All appear to have gone down with their ships during storms on the Great Lakes.
Cemetery Inscriptions from the Oswego City Library - Cemetery Records - Granby & Scriba Vol 2, include the following: Hall Rd., Town of Scriba, Oswego Co., NY, burials in the South Road Rural Cemetery:

Manwaring, Sarah, wife of Capt. Wm. H. Manwaring, died Dec. 28, 1886, age 67.
Manwaring, Capt. William H., born Oct 19, 1818, killed 6 Aug 1876 by the explosion of the tug “Tornado”.  (Tombstone records.  Original records lost in a fire)." 

Lee Harris can be contacted at:  wdharris@mars.ark.com

 

“THORNTON” LOG BOOK

1864         G.W. Clement         Rec’d on Freight          Schr Thornton

April 28 Rec’d on freight of wheat from Toledo to Oswego $ 1420.40
May  17  Rec’d on freight of wheat from Toledo to Oswego    1206.32
June    7 Rec’d on up freight from Oswego to Chicago      403.00
June  16 Rec’d on down freight of corn from Chicago to Buffalo    2330.24
July   15 Rec’d on down freight of corn from Chicago to Buffalo    2103.84
July   15 Rec’d for the Thornton old mainsail
  175.00
Aug    3 Rec’d on up freight of cole from Oswego to Chicago      954.60
Aug   20 Rec’d on down freight of wheat from Chicago to Kingston    1762.77
- - $10,356.17

1864       G.W. Clement      Rec’d on Freight       Schr Thornton

Brought over $10,356.17
Sept  12 Rec’d on freight of cole from Oswego to Chicago
Rec’d demurage		     1318.67
        25.00
Sept  27 Rec’d on freight of wheat from Chicago to Oswego     2031.64
April 20 Rec’d on freight of salt from Buffalo to Toledo
Rec’d back tolls on cole		         30.00
        14.00
Oct    14 Rec’d on freight of salt from Oswego to Chicago       871.60
Dec     6 Rec’d inshurence on cargo       503.24
Dec     7 Rec’d inshurence from N. Western       925.76
Dec   15 Rec’d on freight of wheat from Chicago to Oswego
Rec’d inshurence on freight list		     2084.33
        21.19
- - $18,181.60

DISBURSEMENTS
SCHOONER THORNTON 1864

March 15 For Searches & discharges of Morgaes (mortgages ?) 2.50
16
 one $2. Stamp 
2.00
22
 To Perry makeing out papers
Costom (Custom) House discharging Morgaes
Hospital Money
tonages dues
Recording Bill of Sale 		 5.00
2.00
4.00
35.52
.50
28
 Fair to Buffalo 
4.15
April    2 temporary papers 2.50
          5 washing & repairing Beden (?) 4.50
9 telegraphing to Oswego .43
11 blacksmith work
Ship carpenters Bill
Capt. Bond Bill
Hooks & Kees for Cabin & (unreadable)
paper & ink		 3.90
23.83
14.00
1.75
.60
18 Hoisting 1000 B. Salt  6.25
19 trimming(?) Cargo wheat
tug Bills
commission getting cargo
provision Bill 
telegraphing & nails
Brand(?) For drieing Hole		 27.13
28.00
10.00
10.90
1.65
  .75
- - $191.86

*Notes:  The disbursements for the balance of April, May and early June appear to be missing - perhaps a page or two torn out of the log by the grandchildren.
 
 

DISBURSEMENTS (cont’d)
SCHOONER THORNTON 1864

Brought Over
$ 1732.15
June 11 Towing from Lake H. To Lake E.
60.00
16 provision Bill
meat
tug Bills
60 ton of Sand
for draft on N York (bank?) Of $1600
41.50
20.70
35.00
24.00
6.00
       20 towing from Lke E. To Lake H.
cost of wood
44 ½ Butter at 23 cts
60.00
4.50
10.23
27 Labour & Horse Hoisting Sand
13.00
29 tug Bills
provision & meat bills
towing cargo corn
to Magill & Latham
inshurence on freight 
Discount on $102 Canada Money
Schooners Washing
53.00
38.68
33.00
15.00
8.05
147.25
2.50
July   6 towing from Lake H. To Lake Erie
provisions & Rope 
70.00
8.44
9  Welland tollls 
provision Bill 
2 tug Bills
100.83
19.05
    15.00
- -
$2,517.88

DISBURSEMENTS (cont’d)
SCHOONER THORNTON 1864

Brought over $ 2517.88
July 15 Shovling Cargo Corn
   Stewart Bill Repairing mainsail
   Meat Bill
   Read & Stones provision Bill 
   Kitts & Chandler Bill 
   R. Green Bill Repairing Jib
   Pease & Barrow Bill
   C. P. Kellog Bill
   to Doolettle, McLeod Oil & Co.
   Labour Loading coal
   tug Bills
   Discount for Canada Money
   Washing		 65.88
40.85
14.15
102.67
80.34
15.63
135.28
6.69
108.91
51.60
42.00
156.20
1.25
July 19 Welland Tolls 
   Towing three trips in canall
   paid McMahon for Canada Money
   paid 2 tug Bills
   provisions & meat
   telegraphing		 95.00
250.00
91.30
11.00
11.50
1.25
July 22 towing from Lake Erie to Lake Huron
   for cord of wood		 65.00
3.00
Aug   3 discharging cargo cole
   towing cargo wheat
   tug Bills		 150.50
31.00
39.00
- - $4,087.88

DISBURSEMENTS (cont’d)
SCHOONER THORNTON 1864

Brought Over $4087.88
Aug   3 provision Bill 
   Meat & vegtables
   Maggill & Latham(?)
   Inshurence on freight 
   telegraphing
   Discount on $108 Canada Curency
   Washing ($1.25), Clearances & Buss. Forms
   Blacksmithing 		 71.52
29.58
15.00
17.55
1.95
169.00
3.25
1.50
Aug  12 ½ cord of wood
towing from Lake H. To Lake Erie		 2.00
70.00
Aug  14 tug Bill
meat 		 10.00
5.53
Aug  15
16
20		 Welland tolls 
tug Bill
tug Bill
provision Bill 
tug		 103.13
5.00
10.00
22.40
6.00
Aug  24 Meat
tug Bills
Inshurence on fr (freight)
Loading cargo cole 
Discount for $75 Gold
Thornton washing		 17.95
16.00
12.44
66.45
120.00
2.00
- - $4,866.13

*Note:  (There appears to be another page or two missing.  The next page has the dates missing and has been scribbled over by the grandchildren but the carry over is larger than the figure above so we assume it is for perhaps the month of October).

DISBURSEMENTS (cont’d)
SCHOONER THORNTON 1864

Brought forward $6666.34
No date
 tug Bill
Histing (hoisting) Salt 
tug Bill
for S-----(?) Salt
4 Salt Barles (barrels?)
Sailmakers Bill
washing
puting in glass
Rope
vegetable Bill 
meat Bill
labour 
Latham & Magill
triming(?) Cargo
tug Bill
Exchange for gold
provision Bill 
tug Bill
tug Bill
½ cord wood 
tug Bill
meat 
provisions
½ wood		 10.00
16.50
65.00
17.46
1.16
22.00
4.00
.75
1.50
13.00
23.66
4.75
15.00
30.00
10.00
113.05
73.98
9.00
15.00
5.00
17.00
7.47
5.75
5.00
- - $7,152.37

DISBURSEMENTS (cont’d)
SCHOONER THORNTON 1864

Brought Over $7152.37
No date Meat Bill  4.00
"
 telegraphing 2.00
"
 washing 2.50
"
 towing Bill 55.00
"
 twg Bill 30.00
"
 W. Canall tolls 98.73
"
 ----------Bill (torn page) 30.00
"
 ----------Bill (torn page) 30.00
"
 ----------(unable to read) 8.00
"
 ----------(unable to read) 6.00
"
 paid divers(?)  3.00
"
 tug Bill 5.00
"
 2 tug Bills 15.00
"
 -----------Bill Canall(?) 19.40
"
 wood in ----------(?)  6.25
Nov 19 paid out at L---------(?)
611.21
"
    James Shipyard
"
    Tug Bills 30.00
"
    Trowbridge(?), Wilcox & Co. 
397.53
"
    Trowbridge(?), Wilcox & Co. Provisions 61.16
"
    Sailmakers Bill 608.00
"
    towing to Detroit 55.00
"
    discharging & loading cargo 394.33
"
    G. W. Clements travling Expences     32.56
-
 - $9,657.04

DISBURSEMENTS (cont’d)
SCHOONER THORNTON 1864

Brought Over $9657.04
Nov 19 telegraphing
   Surviving(?) Protest		 2.50
50.00
Nov 26 Sweeping out Thornton
   inshurence on down freight
   inshurence on Sails
   washing Bedding
   Carting Sails & Beding
   Labour Laying up		 2.00
67.20
18.00
5.00
2.15
11.00
Dec   6 Pease & Barrow Bill
   Kitts & Chandler Bill
   Doolittle Hicks & Co. Bill 
   paid to W. Johnson, past inshurence		 73.29
14.32
9.53
34.59
Dec   7 to W. Morgan Makeing out adjustment
   Inshurence on down freight
   paid two notes on Schnr Thornton
   Repairing & puting in New pump		 15.00
12.50
2036.82
36.50
Dec 15  internal Revenue tax
   to O. McMahon towing 2 ½ trips
   to Masch & Meek/Week(?) For advice		 42.50
275.00
1.00
-- - $12,365.94

Next came the pay sheets.  Each crewman on board the “Thornton” had a pay sheet listing their position on board, dates and payments earned, advances given, etc.  Each pay sheet was signed by the individual.

P. 46 (1864)
 

James W. Clement shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Buffalo at $2.00 per day, April 7th
Apr  11
        28		 By Cash at Buffalo
By Cash at Oswego		 20.00
2.30
May 16 By Cash at Oswego 4.00
June   4 By Cash at Chicago 5.00
June 15 By Cash at Buffalo
40.00
June 15 Left -
July 13
       15
       25		 commenced work
by cash at Oswego
By cash at Oswego
10.00
10.00
Aug  3
       23		 By cash at Chicago
By cash at Oswego		 5.00
122.75
Sep 12 By cash at Chicago
23.75
- - 242.80
     34.00
$276.80

Received, Oswego Sept 26, 1864, from G.W. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton, $276.80 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Thornton.

Signed: James W. Clement

James Wesley Clement was the younger brother of Captain George W. Clement.

***************************************************

P. 47 (1864)
 

Joel Turner shipped as Mate on board Schnr Thornton at Buffalo at $75.00 per month, April 7th. While Captain $100.00 per month.
April 11
        18
        28
        28		 By Cash at Buffalo
By Cash at Toledo
By Cash at Oswego
By Cash at Oswego
3.00
10.00
15.00
5.00
May 16 By Cash at Oswego
42.00
June   4
        15
        28		 By Cash at Chicago
By Cash at Buffalo
By Cash at Chicago
8.00
55.00
2.00
July    6
          9
        15
        26		 By Cash at Detroit
By Cash at ---------(?)
By Cash at Oswego
By Cash at Michigan
.50
5.00
60.00
2.00
Aug    3
         22		 By Cash at Chicago
By Cash at Oswego
7.00
80.00
Sept  12
         26		 By Cash at Chicago
By Cash at Oswego
22.00
100.00
Nov   26 By Cash at Oswego
98.54
-
             Balance

             Total 
515.04
132.46

647.50

Received Oswego, Nov 26 1864, from G. W. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton, $647.50 Dollars in full for services rendered as Mate and Captain on said Thornton.

Signed: J. A. Turner

***************************************************

P.48 (1864)
 

Jeff Goodman shipped as________________on board Schnr Thornton at Buffalo at $2.00 per day, April 7th, 1864. 
April 11 
         28		 By Cash at Buffalo
By Cash at Oswego
$8.00
20.00
May  16 By Cash at Oswego
30.00
June    4
         15
         28		 By Cash at Chicago
By Cash at Chicago
By Cash at Chicago
1.00
5.00
2.00
- -
66.00
-
Balance
120.00
-
Total 
$186.00

Oswego, July 15th, 1864, from G. W. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton, sum of $120 Dollars in full for services rendered as Seaman on said schooner.

Signed: Jeff Goodman

***************************************************

P.49 (1864)
 

J. S. Manwaring shipped as Cook on board Schnr Thornton at Buffalo at $2.00 per day, April 7th, 1864.
April 18
         28		 By Cash at Toledo
By Cash at Oswego
$ 3.00
10.00
May  16 By Cash at Oswego
24.00
June    4
         15		 By Cash at Chicago
By Cash at Buffalo
3.00
10.00
July   15 By Cash at Oswego
110.00
Aug    3
         23		 By Cash at Chicago
By Cash at Oswego
1.25
92.00
Sept  12
         26		 By Cash at Oswego
By Cash at Oswego
5.50
  50.00
-
Balance
308.75
216.00
-
Total
$524.75

Received Oswego, Nov 26th 1864, from G.W. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton, $524.75 Dollars in full for services rendered as Cook on board said Thornton.

Signed: J. S. or T. Manwaring

***************************************************

P. 50 (1864)
 

Ben Armstrong shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Buffalo at $2.00 per day, April 11th, 1864.
April 11
        18
        28		 By Cash at Buffalo
By Cash at Toledo
By Cash at Oswego
$ 2.00
1.00
30.00
May 16 By Cash at Oswego
30.00
June 15 By Cash at Buffalo
30.00
July 15 By Cash at Oswego
25.00
Aug   3
       23
       23		 By Cash at Chicago
By Cash at Oswego
By Cash at Oswego		 5.00
35.00
1.75
Sept 12 By Cash at Chicago
  18.75
-
Total 
178.50
142.00
$320.50

Received Oswego, Sept 26th 1864, from G. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton, the sum of $320.50 Dollars in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Schnr.

Signed: Benj Armstrong

***************************************************

P. 51 (1864)
 
Culoin Manwaring shipped as Boy on board Schnr Thornton at Buffalo at $20 per month, April 11th.
April 24 By Cash at Port Colborne
Balance
.50
 10.83
April 27 Left 
$11.33

Received Oswego May 17 1864, from G. W. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton the sum of $11.33 Dollars in full for services rendered as ordinary seaman on Schnr.

Signed C. S.(?) Manwaring

***************************************************

P. 52 (1864)
 

G. W.(?) Wahl shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Buffalo at $2.00 per day, April 11th, 1864.
April 28 By Cash at Oswego
$2.00
May  16 By Cash at Oswego
3.00
June    4
          15		 By Cash at Chicago
By Cash at Buffalo
1.00
   20.00
- --
26.00
146.40
$172.40

Received, Oswego July 13th 1864, from G.W. Clement, captain of Schnr Thornton, the sum of $172.40 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Thornton.

Signed: George T. Wahl
 
 

***************************************************

P. 53 (1864)
 
 
John Porter shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Buffalo at $2 per day, April 11th 1864
April 28 By Cash at Oswego
$ 12.00
May  15 By Cash at Oswego
20.00
June  15 By Cash at Buffalo
70.00
- -
102.00
June  15 Left at Noon
      46.40
June  28 Comenced work again, Total
$148.40

Received Oswego, July 13th, 1864, from G. W. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton, the sum of $46.40 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Thornton.

Signed: John Porter

***************************************************

P. 54 (1864)
 

Thomas Gwin shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Oswego at $12(?) per month, May 16th.
May 20 By Cash on board (?)
1.00
June   4 By Cash at Chicago
30.00
June 15 By Cash at Buffalo
10.00
-
Balance
41.00
37.00

$78.00

Received, Chicago June 27th, 1864, from G. W. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton the sum of $78.00 Dollars in full for services rendered  as Seaman on said Schnr.

Signed: Thomas Gwin

***************************************************

P. 55 (1864)
 
 
H. Armstrong shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Buffalo at $2 per day.  June 16th-Aug 22d 14/per day Sept 12th 20/per day.
Aug 23  By Cash at Oswego
$100.00
Aug 23  By Cash at Oswego
1.75
Sept 12 By Cash at Chicago
    5.00
- -
106.75
 101.00
-
Total 
$207.75

Received Oswego Sept 26th 1864, from G. W. Clement Captain of Schnr Thornton, the sum of $207.75 Dollars, in full for services rendered as______________on said________________.

Signed: H. B. Armstrong

***************************************************

P. 56 (1864)
 

Thomas Roxbeary shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Chicago at $2.00 per day June 28th at noon.
Total    $30.00

Received, Oswego July 13th 1864, from G. W. Clement Captain of Schnr Thornton, the sum of $30 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Thornton.

Signed: Thomas Roxbeary.

***************************************************

P. 57 (1864)
 

Edward Dunovan shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Oswego at $2 per day, July 15th.
Aug   9 By Cash at Chicago
$20.00
Aug 19 By Cash from Mate
  .50
-
Balance
 20.50
 55.50
-
Total
$76.00

Received, Oswego, Aug 22d 1864, from G. W. Clement Captain of Schnr Thornton, the sum of $76 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Thornton.

Signed:   Edward Donovan

***************************************************

P. 58 (1864)
 
Orin Caprin shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Oswego at $2 per day.
Aug   3 By Cash at Chicago 
$ 5.00
Aug  23 By Cash at Oswego 
61.00
Aug  23 By Cash last/lost(?) time
  5.75
-  
71.75
 32.50
-
Total 
$104.26

Received, Chicago Sept 7th 1864, from G. W. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton, the sum of $32.50 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Schnr.

Signed: Orin Caprin

***************************************************

P. 59 (1864)
 

G. Greenfield shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Oswego at $2 per day, July 16th.
Aug 22 Total  $74.00

Received, Oswego Aug 22d 1864, from G. W. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton, the sum of $74 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Schnr.

Signed: George Greenfield

***************************************************

P. 60 (1864)
 

Charles Lawrence shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Oswego at $1.75 per day, Aug 23d - Sept 12th 1864.
Aug  24 By Cash at Oswego
$ 7.00
Sept  12 By Cash at Chicago
  18.75
-
Total
25.75
  40.55
$66.30

Received, Oswego Sept 26th 1864, from G. W. Clement, Captain of Schnr Thornton, the sum of $66.30 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Thornton.

Signed: Charles Lawrence

***************************************************

P. 61 (1864)
 
 
John Lavin shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Oswego at $1.75 per day, Aug 24th.
Total $26.25

Received Chicago Sept 7th 1864, from G. W. Clement Captain of Schnr Thornton, the sum of $26.25 Dollars in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Schnr.

Signed: John T. Lavin

***************************************************

P. 62 (1864)
 

Edward Eles shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Chicago at $___(?)_ per day, Sept 12th at noon.
Total $30.27

Received, Oswego Sept 26th 1864 from G. W. Clement Captain of Schnr Thornton the sum of $30.27 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Schnr.

Signed: Edward Ells/Eles(?)

***************************************************

P. 63 (1864)
 

Harvey Crouch shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Chicago at $ 18/ (?) Per day, Sept 13th.
Sept 26 By Cash at Oswego
$ 5.00
24.15
-
Total 
$29.15

Received Oswego Sept 26th 1864, from G. W. Clement Captain of Schnr Thornton the sum of $29.15 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Schnr.

Harvey T. (?) Crouch

***************************************************

P. 64 (1864)
 

T. B. Wiman shipped as Seaman on board Schnr Thornton at Chicago at $18/(?) Per day Sept 12th at noon.
Total  $30.27

Oswego Sept 26th 1864, from G. W. Clement Captain of Schnr Thornton the sum of $30.27 Dollars, in full for services rendered as Seaman on said Schnr.

Signed: T. B. Wiman
 
 
 

Mens Wages from Capt J. A. Turner

E.M. Bow, Mate 
A. Nielsen, Seaman 
C. Berdan(?), Seaman
C.M. Dunn, Seaman
G.M. Wood, Seaman
H. Armstrong, Mate 
T.B. Wiman, Seaman
W. Turner, Seaman
H. Crouch, Seaman
E. Ellis, Seaman
E. Ellis, Seaman
J. W. Clement, Seaman
J. W. Clement, Seaman
B. Armstrong, Seaman		 $ 96.10
74.10
74.10
73.50
73.50
49.40
39.27
38.15
39.27
38.15
75.00
40.40
80.85
39.27
$831.06

Mens Wages of Schnr Thornton 1864.

J. W. Clement 
J. A. Turner 
J. Goodman 
J. I. (?) Manwaring 
B. Armstrong 
C. Manwaring 
G. Wahl 
J. Porter 
T. Gwin 
H. Armstrong 
T. Boxbeary 
E. Dunoven 
O. Caprin 
G. Greenfield 
C. Larence (?)/Lawrence 
J. Lavin 
E. Ellis 
H. Cronch(?)/Crouch 
T. Wiman 
Amount of crew while Turner Master 

G. W. Clement Wages 

Disbursements 
 

 $276.80
647.50
186.00
 524.75
320.50
11.33
172.40
148.40
78.00
207.75
30.00
76.00
104.26
74.00
66.30
26.25
30.27
29.15
30.27
831.06
3870.99
800.00
 $4,670.99
 $12,365.94
- $17,036.93


The Great Lakes Migration Trail

Main Page


Copyright ©  2000 by Lee Harris / Historical Museum in Waskada, Manitoba/ Laura Perkins

All Rights Reserved