Washington District of Columbia

Washington Navy Yard
Employee listing dated 23 May 1806 (148 names)
Furnished by : John Sharp

Washington Navy Yard Employee listing dated 23 May 1806 (148 names)

Introduction           This transcribed letter and employee roll below from, Captain John Cassin of the Washington Navy Yard to Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith dated 23 May 1806 are important historical and genealogical records. Cassin’s letter to Secretary Smith was sent with, a muster role of 148 civilian employees of the Navy Yard Washington. The 1806 roll is one of the earliest surviving of these documents. This roll also contains approximate dates of hire and on whose authority civilian employees names were entered on WNY rolls. Today these lists provide valuable insights as to the early WNY workforce composition, social structure and wage rates.           This information requested by the Smith allowed him to gain a better idea of the number of civilian employees then working for the new Navy. For instance there are seventeen apprentices listed which reflects the prevailing method of passing on trade knowledge but also the financial benefits acceding to master mechanics who collected a percentage of each apprentices wage. Another trend that Robert Smith began to note was the increased use of enslaved labor in 1808 he would unsuccessfully attempt to curtail the practice. Most of the employees listed were per diem labor paid only for days actually worked and subject to dismissal or discharge due to changes in naval appropriations or work available.           Enslaved labor was an integral component of the WNY workforce since its inception. Leasing enslaved labor was lucrative practice and by 1808 many WNY officers and civilians were leasing their own slaves to the Navy. This 1806 roll only enumerates the four enslaved workers of Thomas Washington, though the status of four other enslaved individuals can be confirmed by reference to later pay and muster rolls which I have identified in the end notes. Among sixty laborers listed on this roll, I am confident, further research will recover the names of other enslaved workers. Today, these 1806 documents provide a valuable record for historians and genealogists seeking to understand the history of federal employment and the important role of labor and African Americans in the early naval yard. Transcription           This transcription of Captain Cassin’s letter and the listing signed by his superior Commandant Thomas Tingey are both dated 23 May 1806 and were addressed to Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith. In transcribing this letter and enclosures, I have striven to adhere as closely as possible to the original in spelling, capitalization, punctuation and abbreviation (e.g. “d” "Do" or "do" for ditto or same as above) including the retention of dashes, ampersands and overstrikes. I have retained the original roll’s variant spellings for employee first and surnames which prevail even on the same page in addition I have noted original clerical oversights which resulted in omissions in the employee listing sequence at 84-87. Where I was unable to print a clear image or where it was not possible to determine what was written, I have so noted in brackets. Where achievable, I have attempted to arrange the transcribed material in a similar manner to that found in the letters and enclosure. The notations in italics contained in the “Numeral References” are those of Captain Thomas Cassin and Commodore Thomas Tingey. Source           The transcription was made from the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 45, microfilm M125a, Roll 7, /Volume 7, Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy, Captains Letters. John G. Sharp                     April 9, 2009

23rd May 1806 Wash: Navy Yard Sir,      In compliance with yours of the 15th inst the Augmentation of the Mechanics & Laborers employed in this Yard from 22 May 1805 to 30 April 1806 therein were in consequence of the great increase of work and to meet to meet the common exigencies of this Navy Yard which I not conceive contrary to the supplemental appropriation provided this station. I have the honor to fill Very respectfully your Obedt Servt John Cassin [Signed] Thomas Tingey Esq Captain Commandant Navy Yard

Statement Exhibit of the Increase of the Number of Persons Employed in the U.S. Navy Yard Washington with their several Occupations & Wages May 22nd 1805 to 1st May 1806 Date Day No. Names Occupation Wages Remarks June 1805 1 John Walkins Carpenter 2.06     2 Hudson Cheeseman " .75 Apprentice to J.Fox Discharged July 3 John Coleson " 1.81     4 Stephen Hurly " 1.81 Discharged August 5 Ezekiel Herman " 2.06   September 6 William Peters " 2.06     7 James Taylor " 2.06     8 Lamuel Townsend " 2.06     9 John Petherbridge Quarterman 2.56   October 10 Mich Cummings [Carpenter] 2.06   November 11 John Moore " 2.06     12 Matthew Thomas " 1.06     13 charles Stevens " 2.06     14 Ronald Donaldson " 2.06     15 Robert Cooper " 2.06     16 John Flint " 2.06 Discharged December 17 Thomas Young " 2.06     18 James Clark " 1.06 Discharged   19 Leonard Forrest " 1.06     20 Patrick Mahan " 1.81 Discharged   21 Christopher Moore " 2.06   January 22 Kirby Needham " .75 Apprentice to J.Fox   23 Richard Filiat " 1.81     24 Abraham Coleman " 1.81 Discharged February 25 Charles Cannon " .81 Apprentice to James Owner   26 George " .75 In service to James Owner March 27 Winthrope Striggins " 2.06     28 Samuel Striggins " 2.06   May 29 Francis Ford Laborers .81 Discharged   30 Thos Thompson " 2.06 d June 31 Wm Fowler " .81 d   32 William Adams " .81 d   33 Reason Venable " .81 d   34 Richard Simmons " .81 d   35 Jefferson Garlie " .81     36 Jos Barrows " .81     37 Horatio Barrows " .81     38 Henry Thompson " .81 Discharged July 39 Ignatius Taylor " ,81     40 Charles Connell " .81     41 John Fisher " .81     42 George Barclay " .81     43 John Quincy " .81 Discharged   44 Samuel Bond " .81 d August 45 Paul Ley " .81 d October 46 Pine Maddox " .81     47 Jim Gallow " .81     48 Ivy " .81 Discharged   49 Jim Lynn " .81 d   50 Thomas Peck " .81 d   51 Stephen Smoot " .81     52 Charles Smoot " .81     53 Joseph Goudry " .81 Discharged November 54 Dennis Lomau " .81 d   55 Bill Shorter " .81 d   56 Jesse Barley " .81 d December 57 William Davis " .81 d   58 Basil Smith " .81 d December 59 Dick Kelly Laborers .81 Discharged   60 Francis Richards " .81     61 Robin Ferrous " .81     62 William Rider " .81     63 James boyd " .81     64 harry King " .81     65 Isaac Cary " .81     66 William Day " .81     67 Henry North " .81     68 Rodger Howard " .81     69 Adam Howard " .81   February 70 Thos Fry " .81     71 Joseph White " .81     72 William Baker " .81     73 Charles Neal " .81     74 Wm Murphy " .81 Discharged   75 henry Weedow " .81 d   76 Thos Butler " .81 d March 77 John Simmons " .81 d   78 John Sarratt " .81 d   79 William Johnson " .81 d   80 Allen Hood " .81     81 Wm Brown " .81     82 Ned Douglas " .81     83 Bennet Collins " .81     [Omission   Number 84-87] 88 Christian Wert " .81 Discharged   89 Enoch Ennis " .81     90 Moses Burrows " .81     91 Frances Fenwick " .81   April 92 Tom Washington " .81   April 93 Dick Washington Laborers .81     94 Anthony " .81     95 Charles " .81   May 96 Joseph Parrott Joiner .75 Apprentice to Shad Davis August 97 Gustavius Howard " 1.31     98 John Gibbons " 1.56     99 Thomas Welsh " 1.56     100 James Thompkins " 1.43     101 Wm Erickson " 1.43     102 Henry Vanderslice " 1.56     103 John Brown " 1.56     104 Geo Oliver " 1.56     105 Thos Weary " 1.56     106 Abraham Sniedeker " 1.43     107 Francis Wagner " 1.56     108 Isaac Perkins " 1.56     109 Adam Kaizer Levi Lockridge " 1.31 1.56   April 110 George Brown " 1.31 Apprentice to Shad Davis July 1805 111 Nathan Frame Blacksmith 1.56 Discharged   112 William Addrey " 1.06 Apprentice to B. King   113 Frederick Bopp " 1.06   Oct 114 Tom King " 1.06   Dec 115 John [Illegible] " 1.81     116 Joshua Clark " 1.25 Discharged   117 James Bury " 1.31     118 Edw Mullin " 1.31   April 119 Nicholas Stage " .75     120 Rich Diamand Thos Sutter " .50 ,75 Apprentice to John Davis   121 James Green " 1.81   July 122 Lewis Dennison Painter .75 Discharged   123 Thos Bushby " 1.56   April 124 Sam Leonard Wheelright 1.81     125 James Wood Riggers 1.56 Discharged   126 Edward Linseal " 1.56     127 Peter Joseph " 1.56     128 William Erwin " 1.56     129 William Wright " 1.06   Nov 130 Robert Duplex " 1.56 Discharged   131 Zachariah Bond " 1.56     132 John Jones " 1.06     133 David Carroll " 1.06     134 John Hodgson Sail makers .75 Apprentice to Wm Sanford   135 John Mankins " 1.81     136 Buyrus Goods " 1.56     137 John Mustanby " .75     138 John Matthews " 1.81     139 Thos Bagwell " 1.81     140 Stephen Dykes Mast maker 2.06     141 George Mc Cauly Foreman B. Builder 3.00   June 142 Thos Appleton [Boatbuilders] 1.56 Apprentice to Geo Mc Cauly   143 Saml " 2.06 d     Rodgers     Discharged   144 Charles Shrieve " 1.56 Apprentice to Geo Mc Cauly   145 John Leyferhild " 1.06 d   146 William Formby .50 d   147 John Hebron Foreman Calker 2.50     148 William,br>Boone " 1.81 Apprentice to John Hebron Sept 149 Edw Gottlier Carver 2.06     49 Discharged         100 real Increase         deduct 43 appear to have been entered properly           deduct 3 absentees           deduct 4 belonging to the Ordinary

Numerical References Continued

No.11	John Moore	Ship carpenter	No 29 to 91 Laborers Endorsed by Capt Cassin Excepting however No 62 Will Rider 70 Thos Fry & 90 Moses Brownwell
12	Matt Thomas	d
13	Char Stevens	d	No 92-93-94&95 four Slaves of Mr. Thos Washington entered by written permission of the Secretary of the Navy
14	Ronald Donaldson	d
15	Robt Cooper	d
16	John Flint	d
17	Thos Young	d
18	Jas Clark	d
19	Len Forrest	d
21	Chris Moore	d
23	Rich Filiat	d
24	Abraham Coleman	d
Reported	By Capt Cassin	to have been employed by him on the application of Mr. Fox
No.97	Gus Howard	Joiner
98	John Gibbons	d
99	Thos Welsh	d
100	Jas Thompkins	d
101	Wm Erickson	d
102	Henry Vanderslice	d
103	John Brown	d
104	Geo Oliver	d
105	Thos Weary	d
107	Francis Wagner	d	The Smiths it is believed have been occasionally increased at the Request of Mr. King and that there has been written permission of the Secretary of the Navy to that effect.
Ditto as	Above, in consequence	Of application of the Master Joiner	Navy Yard Washington 23rd May 1806 Thos Tingey

END NOTES Enslaved workers:The following workers while not specially enumerated as enslaved on this list are documented as such in the: WNY 1808 roll http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/wny_1808rif.html No. 51 Charles Smoot, owner Alexandra Smoot No. 52 Stephen Smoot, owner Alexandra Smoot No 68 Rodger Howard, owner Thomas Howard, Overseer of WNY Laborers &later Clerk of the Yard. No.114 Tom King, owner WNY Benjamin King Master Blacksmith John Cassin Captain USN http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/bio_cassin_j.html Thomas Tingey Commandant Washington Navy Yard http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/bio_wayson_e.html Robert Smith Secretary of the Navy http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/bio_smith_r.html Benjamin King: Master Blacksmith http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/bio_king_b.html John Davis of Abel Master Blacksmith http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/bio_davis_j.html Josiah Fox Master Shipwright and Ship Builder http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/bio_fox_j.html Josiah Fox’s Apprentices see 10 August 1809 letter http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/apprentice.html Thomas Howard Overseer of the Yard Laborers later Clerk WNY http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/howard_will.html The Ordinary http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/wny_1808ordinary.html William Addrey Blacksmith Apprentice http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/wny_app_reward.html