Many thanks to Lee Harris who has generously shared her family information. Lee's gr-grandfather, George Washington Clement, was Captain of the Schooner "Thornton" in 1864, and she has copies of his Ship's Log Book.  Lee has provided more information on her Clement family, as well as a few tidbits of information on other families engaged in the marine trade out of the Port of Oswego. Lee says she has " copied many bits of information here and there in the early stages of my research and it may help other researchers. I am hoping someone might be able to help me establish a relationship with the Spencers and Pattens."   You may contact Lee at:  wdharris@mars.ark.com

The Oswego City Directories 1859 through 1867 provide us with some useful
information.  

In 1859 we find the following: 
Clement, George   Sailor   -  boarding -  12 E. Schuyler
Clement, Charles  Sailor   -  boarding -  12 E. Schuyler
Clement, John     Sailor   -  boarding -  12 E. Schuyler 

In 1861 there have been a few changes:
Clement, George W.   Ship-Master   78 East Fifth.
Clement, Charles E.  Ship-Master   21 East Sixth.
Clement, William     Student - 164 West Fourth (Boarding).

In the 1862/63 Directory only George is mentioned:
Clement, George      Ship Master, house - 78 East Fifth. 

The 1864/65 Directory again lists George and John. 
Clement, Capt Geo.   Ship Master,  house - 78 East Fifth.
Clement, John        Sailor,       house - 54 East Fifth. 
(Charles died in 1863 and John in 1864)

The 1866/67 Directory only lists Elizabeth Clement, the wife of George:
Clement, Mrs. Geo.    house  - 78 East Fifth.

In the book "Old Shipping Days in Oswego" (Pages 49/52) Vessels Hailing 
From Oswego up to 1891, “Some Identified as Built Here”, includes the 
Schooners "CONQUEST" built in 1853 and "CORNWELL" built in 1855; both 
schooners captained at one time by a "Capt. Clement", although it is not 
known which Clement this was it was likely George or his brother, Charles. 

"Captains out of Oswego from 1830 to 1877" include G. Clement, H. Manwaring,
W. Manwaring, S. Patten, L. Turner, C. Turner, J. S. Turner, J.M. Turner
and J.A. Turner. 

The 1865 Census of Oswego, Oswego County, NY, North half of the 4th Ward,
14 June 1865: 
Clement, George       35      Male,   White, Mariner, Born in Canada.
Clement, Elizabeth    24      Female, White, Wife,    Born in Oswego.
Clement, Albert        8      Male,   White
Clement, Samuel P.     2      Male,   White            
Clement, Sarah  E.     8/12   Female, White
Spencer, Anna         65      Female, White, Widow,   Born in Canada, 
Listed as mother-in-law to head of household.

John Colby6 Clement (Adam Crysler5, James4, Lodovicus Cobes3, Joseph Janse2, Jan1_ ) was born in Zorra Township, Oxford County, Ontario 25 JAN 1839; died on or about about 
6 SEP 1864 in Lake Erie, Point Pelee, North America.  He was buried  in the Rural Union Cemetery, Oswego, New York. John was a Master Mariner/Captain of the Schooner “Opeechee”.

He married Agnes Delilah Rogers  8 JAN 1862.  Agnes was born in Niagara, Lincoln County, Ontario 10 MAR 1844.  Their marriage is recorded in the Lincoln County Marriage Register; 1858-1869; “John Clement,  23, Oswego, N.Y., born Niagara, son of Adam/Catharine. Agnes Rogers, 18, of Grantham, born Niagara, dau of George/Susan, married January 8, 1862, by Rev. Benjamin W. Rogers of Niagara. Witnesses: Wm Cooper, of Niagara, and Wm Thompson, of Grantham”.  In 1866, after the death of her husband, John, Agnes married James Wesley Clement in Brant Township, Bruce County, Ontario.  She died in Waskada, Manitoba.

The 1851 census of Canada West; Brant Township, Bruce County, indicated John would be 12 yrs old on his next birthday. 

The  Oswego City Directory; 1859 lists: Clement, John, sailor, boarding at 12 East Schuyler, with his brothers, George and Charles. 

The  Directory for 1864 lists: Clement, John, sailor, house 54 East Fifth, just down the street from his brother, George, who lived at 78 East Fifth. 

The Oswego Public Library Cemetery Records; Rural Union Cemetery; Oswego, NY list: "Clement, John C., d. 5 Sept. 1864, age 25 yrs 9 mos.  Kin:  G.W. Clement."

The Ontario Probate Records state that John C. Clement, Master Mariner, died on or about the sixth day of September 1864 in Lake Erie, North America.

The 1860 census of Oswego County, City of Oswego, lists the following Canadians who were also engaged in the marine trade in Oswego:
Spencer, George:   34 years old, sailor, with Real Estate valued at $1200 and personal estate at  $300;born in Canada.

Spencer, William W: 29 years old, born in Canada, sailor.  On the 1865 census he is 36 years   old, born in Canada and now a “policeman”.  The Oswego Public Library Cemetery records; Riverside Cemetery, list: “Spencer, William W., Sr., born 1830, d. Oswego, NY, 
Apr. 06, 1905.

The 1865 census of New York, Oswego Co., City of Oswego, lists: 
Spencer, Nelson:  45 years old, Ship Master, born in Canada, owns land and has a plank  house. Nelson has the same wife and family as that which was listed for George Spencer 
on the 1860 census, although there is an age difference,  it would appear that George Spencer  and Nelson Spencer are one and  the same person.

The Oswego City Directory, 1859, lists:
Spencer, Nelson, Ship Master (Mohawk near Eleventh)

Oswego City Directory, 1861. Lists:
Spencer, George N., Harbor Master (corner of E. Mohawk &  Eleventh)
(Also listed in the 1862/63 and 1864/65 Directories as Harbor Master,  but in 1866/67 he 
is again listed as Ship Master).
Spencer, Samuel:      37 years old, boatman, born in Canada.  Has a frame home valued 
at  $2,000.
McKinnon, Patrick:     28 years old, mariner,  born in Canada.
Popple, James:         35 years old, mariner, born in Canada.
Dewey(?), Thomas:    30 years old, boatman, born in Canada.
Chatterton, Samuel:   23 years old, mariner, born in Canada. 

Hotchkiss, John A:   23 years, born in Oswego, mariner.
Bigelow, Daniel:     34 years, born in Connecticut, mariner.
Stone, Benjamin:     30 years, born in Connecticut, mariner.
Garrett, Bernard:    35 years, born in Ireland, sailor.
Thompson, Oscar:     25 years, born in Oswego, boatman.
Atkinson, George:    32 years, born in England, mariner.
Allard, Augustus:    18 years, born in Oswego, mariner.
Allard, Willis:      17 years, born in Oswego, mariner.
Farrell, Edward Jr.  20 years, born in Oswego, mariner.
Thompson, Orin:      55 years, born in Cayuga, boatman.

Patten, Samuel:    39 years on the 1860 census of Oswego, sailor,
born in NY State, with real estate worth $1500 and personal estate of $750. 
Samuel is listed as a “Ship Master” in the Oswego City Directories from 1852 
through 1863. In the 1864/65 Directory, Mrs. S. Patten is listed as a widow.

The Oswego Daily Palladium, May 25, 1861, Marine News:
Arrived: Schooner W.S. Nelson, Patten, Kingston; 101,409 ft lumber
(Middlebrook & Co.)

Cemetery Records: Rural Union Cemetery, Oswego, NY:
“Patten, Samuel"; d. 2 Aug 1863, age 43 yrs.”

*Note: Samuel Patten lived next door to Captain George W. Clement in Oswego.
The Patten’s, Spencers and George W. Clement were believed to be related.
Mary Elizabeth Spencer was the second wife of George W. Clement. 
Although no proof has been found, Anna Spencer, mother of Mary 
Elizabeth, was believed to have been Anna Patten prior to marriage.
The “Patten” name has been handed down in that branch of the 
Clement family.

Eloy, George:           25 years, born in England, mariner.
(Boarding in the Thompson home)
Palmer, Charles R:      30 years, born in Jefferson, mariner.
Crop, Elias W:          40 years, born in Oswego, mariner.
Turner, James M:        45 years, born in Oswego, mariner.
McVicker, James:        21 years, born in Ireland, mariner.
Eason, Henry:           29 years, born in Oswego, mariner.
Hill, Morgan:           57 years, born in Connecticut, sailor
Middleton, John:        43 years, born in England, boatman.
Chapman, Edward:        35 years, born in Jefferson, Ship’s Master.
King, Daniel:           40 years, born in Oswego, Ship Master.
Johnson, Ruben:         37 years, born in Oswego, mariner.
Tuttle, I. V:           31 years, born (?), mariner
Turner, George L.       28 years, born in Jefferson, sailor.
Chatterton, Bruce:      33 years, born in Oswego, Locktender.
Brown, Sylvester:       33 years, born in Jefferson, locktender.
Lookintully, Ira:       31 years, born in Onandaga, locktender.

Maritime Articles in Oswego, N.Y.

PORT OF OSWEGO - MAY 2, 1861 - MARINE NEWS:
Arrived: Schooner Conquest, Clement, Toledo 244 tons pork, ham & lard - Gardner, Howlett & Co. Cleared:  May 3rd, 1861 - Schooner Conquest, Clement, Toledo. 

PORT OF OSWEGO - MAY 7, 1861 - MARINE NEWS: 
The barque Niagara, ashore near Port Colborne, has been got off and taken to Port Dalhousie by the tug Relief. (Buffalo paper).  The steamer Geo. Moffat, of Holcomb's & Henderson's line, which was run ashore and sunk a few miles this side of Cornwall, last week, is being raised. Niether hull nor cargo will be seriously damaged. - Ib. 

AN UNKNOWN VESSEL  - Capt. Linder, of the Schooner, Yankee Blade, reports that on the morning of the 29th ult., he passed a large vessel, bottom upwards, bearing WSW from the head of the Big Beaver, distant about six miles, which he believes was capsized in the heavy squall of the night previous.  He is afraid all hands are lost, as the boat was at her davits, bottom upwards.  He could not make her name out, as it was below water. (Detroit Tribune). 

THE SCHOONER BEMIS - the work of raising the sunken schooner Bemis, near Fighting Island, progresses somewhat slowly. Vessels having been placed on either side of her, on which arches have been erected and chains under her.  The process of screwing her up will not occupy probably more than two days, when she will be pumped out, relieved of her cargo, and towed up to dry-dock. - Ib. 

PORT OF OSWEGO - MAY 8, 1861 - MARINE NEWS:
The Schooner Rebecca Foster, which arrived here this morning from Port Dover, split her fore sail
and lost her deck load in the gale up the lake, on Monday night. 

SAD SHIPWRECK AND LOSS OF LIFE - The Schooner Freeman, of Detroit, Capt. Newhall, with a cargo of 8,983 bushels of corn, shipped by J. Aspinwall & Son, Detroit, and consigned to Messrs. Griffin & McDonald, of Buffalo, struck on a reef some four miles above, on the Canada shore, during the height of the gale, last night, and before she could be beached or the boat cleared away, capsized, filled and sunk in twenty feet of water, between the beacon light and Canada shore, in the mouth of the Niagara river.  The crew betook themselves to the rigging. Subsequently, the mate, Sylvester A. Newhall, son of the master, three seamen and the cook, were washed off and lost. Capt. Newall and one seaman clung to the wreck until released by a Mr. Harris and another fisherman, this morning.  The vessel and cargo will probably be a total loss. (Buffalo Commercial Advertiser. 7th). 

THE BEMIS - UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT - The wrecking expedition organized to raise the Schooner Bemis, returned this morning having been unsuccessful in its object.  Yesterday the force employed succeeded in screwing up the stern until the cabin was out of water, when the chains - three in number, all 1 1/2 inch - parted at once.  Eight screws were also in use, each capable of lifting 80 tons.  Ten men were precipitated into the water, all of whom were in imminent danger, but fortunately they all made their escape.  More chains and other appliances are to be procured from Buffalo when another attempt will be made.  The cargo of the bemis consists of 850 tons iron and 700 bbls apples. (Detroit Tribune). 
 

OSWEGO DAILY PALLADIUM, PORT OF OSWEGO, JUNE 4, 1861;  MARINE NEWS: ASHORE - We learn by a private despatch that the schooner Nicaragua, bound from Milwaukee to this port with wheat, is ashore and full of water about nine miles above Gravelly Bay.  The Schooner Bemis is now in a fair way of being finally raised, and it is thought by those engaged in the undertaking that she will be got into dry-dock by Saturday night or Sunday (Detroit Tribune).

ANOTHER COLLISION - the propeller Michigan of the Northern Transportation Co's Line, bound up, collided with the schooner Storm King, bound down from Milwaukee, with a cargo of 16,000 bu wheat on Friday night in the Straits.  The vessel went down in five minutes after the collision, in 400 feet of water. The captain and crew were taken off by the propeller and landed at Milwaukee.  The vessel was owned by G.B. Hazard of this city, and valued at $12,000.  Both vessel and cargo insured. (Buffalo Com. Adv.). 

The Schooner Thornton, of Oswego, on her recent passage up through Lake Erie sprung her foremast, and on her arrival at Port Huron was obliged to have  it replaced by a new one.  She will be ready to proceed on her voyage again on Monday next. (Detroit Tribune).

STRIKE AMONG THE SAILORS - Yesterday afternoon, a number of sailors who could not get employment, got up a "strike." A party numbering about forty, paraded about the docks, and swore that they would not ship at a less price than $25 per month, nor would they permit others to do so.  They went on board several vessels and compelled the crews to leave, by threats of violence.  On the schooner St. James, which lies near Clark Street bridge, one of the strikers presented a sheath knife to the breast of one of the crew, and threatened to take his life if he did not instantly get his "dunnage" and go on shore.  Other singular exhibitions took place, but no violence was committed except on one vessel where they had a fight.  (Chicago Journal).
 
 

OSWEGO DAILY PALLADIUM, Vol. 1, No. 287, Oswego, NY, Saturday, Sept. 16,   1864 - "MARINE NEWS:  Messrs. Editors:  Being the master of a vessel and not fully informed in regard to the new regulations about lights that took effect Sept. 1st, I wish to ask some information.  Must I carry these lights in Canada waters, and in case of collision in Canada waters, either by lake or river, if I have these lights displayed, who is liable for the damages.
                                                                                Capt. G. W. Clement. 
       (We are not familiar with the Act of Congress on this subject, but perhaps some of  our skippers or ship masters may be able to inform our correspondent.  Edit. Pall.)." 

OSWEGO DAILY PALLADIUM, Vol 1, No. 294, Oswego, NY, Monday, Sept. 26, 1864.  PORT OF OSWEGO:   Arrived: Sept. 26th, 1864 Thornton, Clement, Chicago,  15,200 bushels wheat, Irwin & Sloan.

OSWEGO DAILY PALLADIUM, Vol 1, No. 295, Oswego, NY, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 1864.  PORT OF OSWEGO:  Cleared: Sept. 27, 1864. Thornton, Turner, Chicago, 2300 bbls Salt.

OSWEGO COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER & TIMES, October 18, 1868: MARINE NEWS: Tuesday, October 18, 1868 Lake Disasters - It appears from trustworthy statistics that the aggregate number of disasters of all kinds on the North American lakes for 8 years, from 1860 to 1868 inclusive, show an average of 419 per annum.  During the last two years there has been a large increase of disasters, the number in 1865 being 421, while 1867 reached startling figures of 931 - by far the largest number of casualties and wrecks on these lakes ever previously recorded for one year.  Of this number, 574 were disasters of a serious nature, and 357 were cases in which the vessels suffered comparatively slight damages.

OSWEGO COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER & TIMES, October 20, 1868.   MARINE NEWS: THE STORM ON LAKE HURON - Detroit, Oct. 18th. Captains of vessels report that the storm on Lake Huron Friday night was the severest and most destructive felt for many years. Several vessels have been returned to port dismasted and several collisions occurred on the lake and river.  Three or four lumber barges had broken loose from Tug Point.  Two men, a woman and child were drowned from the barge Paragon. The Canadian gunboat Prince Alfred brought the bodies of the woman and child to Sarnia and also towed the Paragon there, where she lies waterlogged. The bodies of the men have not been recovered. The crews of the other barges were rescued and brought to Port Huron by tugs.

Obituary in the "Oswego Commercial Advertiser & Times", Oswego, NY, October 29, 1868.   "DIED - In Saginaw, Mich., on the 25th of October, Capt. Geo. W. Clement.  Remains will arrive this afternoon on the 4:20 train.  Notice of funeral hereafter."

Funeral:  "Oswego Commercial Advertiser & Times", Oswego, NY. Friday Evening, October 30, 1868, Vol V. "The members of Oswego Lodge, No. 127. are requested to meet at their rooms in the Hungerford block, Saturday morning at 9 o'clock  for the purpose of attending the funeral of our late Brother, Geo. W. Clement.  The officers and members of Frontier City and Aeonian Lodges are invited to participate. By Order, W.M." 

DAILY PALLADIUM, OSWEGO, NY, Monday; Sept. 12; 1864 Vol 1; No. 282;  "MARINE NEWS - REPORTED LOSS OF AN OSWEGO SCHOONER - A report is current to-day that the schooner Opeechee, Capt. John Clement, foundered off Long Point, on Friday last, and that the Captain and all the crew were lost.  The report seems to have some foundation, as it is stated the owner, Mr. Willard Kitts, has received a dispatch from Port Colborne to that effect.  We anxiously await further particulars." 

DAILY PALLADIUM, OSWEGO, NY,  Tuesday; Sept. 13; 1864; Vol 1; No. 283; “MARINE NEWS” - It is rumored in the street to-day that the brig Mayflower, Capt ..........(name not given), with his wife, and the schooner Sylph, Capt. Murphy, were lost with their respective crews in the late storm on Lake Erie." 

DAILY PALLADIUM, OSWEGO, NY, Thursday, Sep. 15, 1864:
DEATHS CLEMENT - Found dead, on the 8th inst., lashed to the rigging of the schooner, Opeechee, near Point Pelee, Lake Erie, Capt. John Clement, of this city, in the 26th year of his age. Funeral tomorrow (Friday) at 10 o'clock A.M. from his late residence on East Fifth St., between Bridge and Cayuga Streets. Friends and acquaintances are invited to attend without further notice.