page 17 VENTURE’S HOMELAND
July 17, 2019A Captain & Slave Owner: Isaac Mills
"Capt. Mills called for me to go on board his frigate. He brought me a sailor's jacket and kilts, and a new white shirt. ...
He was under sailing orders, and immediately put to sea, as I afterwards learned that he belonged to Admiral Hawk's fleet, which was then under sailing orders, upon a private expedition, against St. Croix.
I also learned that he had … purchased me for his cabin boy, or private waiter. But I being unable to understand the language did not answer his wishes; therefore I was put among the mariners and taught the military discipline by one William Burke, who taught me altogether by signs. We … then sailed for Havannah, or, as it was called New Spain, on the grand expedition to reduce that place.
On our passage we lost sight of the guide ship, just before day, in consequence of a thick fog. We got wind bound and could not find the fleet.
While thus stranded, a Spanish 64 came up to us and ordered us to [surrender.] Capt. Mills told him that he would never [surrender] to any Spanish or French force until he had given his English [sailors] an opportunity to try their bravery, and demanded in turn their surrender. Our ship was prepared, and every man upon his post. ...
The Spanish ship bore down upon us; the captain had given orders to take the first broad side and tack, so as to get the wind, and be prepared for the second fire, also that our smoke might assist us and injure them.
Strict orders were given that there should not be a gun fired. I not understanding their language, when we first received their broadside, thought it my duty to answer it, therefore took up my gun and fired upon them. When they came opposite to use on the second tack, we immediately gave them a broadside.
The battle lasted about fourteen minutes, at the expiration of which time they immediately [surrendered] and yielded themselves up to us as a lawful prize.
But during the battle, I can observe that I felt no other sensation than that if they killed me, I should go to my great father the sun; therefore I courted death.
I stood upon the upper deck, exposed to all the enemy's shot for about seven minutes, contemplating a meeting with my grandfather, who had gone before me. I was disappointed, for I received five wounds and was conveyed to the surgeon's apartment; on examination of which three were upon my head very slight, one on my ankle, where a musket ball passed through; the fifth was caused by a musket ball entering by the side of my back bone and lodging in my right hip.
I was confined with my wounds for about two months, in which time we sailed to Savannah [Georgia] with the prize. We stayed …but a few days, in order to make some repairs and take in fresh water; then we sailed to join the fleet. "
Source: Kari J. Winter, ed. The Blind African Slave, or Memoirs of Boyrereau Brinch, Nicknamed Jeffrey Brace (University of Wisconsin Press, 2004)
Introduction
This first person narrative by Boyrereau Brinch tells of the capture of a Spanish war ship by Captain Isaac Mills [or Miles] of Milford during the French and Indian War. Brinch gives us a window into the maritime part of the colonial economy. Maritime trading, particularly between Connecticut and the West Indies, was an important part of the colonial economy.
Mills was born in Milford in 1728 and married Katherine Baldwin, also of Milford, in 1751. He was active in the West Indies trade before and after the French and Indian War. The West Indies trade linked Connecticut with the slave economy of the Caribbean. As a sea captain and co-owner of the ship and cargo, Mills profited from slavery.
During the French and Indian War Mills captained a privateer. The war was between England and France. Spain was an ally of France. A privateer is a privately owned ship that attacks enemy ships on behalf of a government. The privateer could keep whatever bounty it captured.
In around 1759 or 1760, Mills bought Boyrereau Brinch in Barbados. Brinch says, he "purchased me for his cabin boy, or private waiter." But because he could not understand English yet, Brinch became a soldier/sailor. He was one of thousands of enslaved Africans who were forced to fight in this war.
Even during the war, Mills was involved in business with partners back in Milford. A newspaper ad in 1762 by John Gibbs and Isaac Mills advertised for horses, likely for export to sell in the West Indies.
After the war in 1763 Mills returned to New Haven and sold Brinch. Read more about Brinch HERE. Mills went into business with two Milford men: Edward Allen and Thomas Gibb (John Gibb's father). They purchased a new ship together, a 54-ton sloop built that year in Connecticut. They named the ship The Seaflower.
In early 1764 The Seaflower was loaded with products from New England: beef, pork, and tallow. Mills sailed The Seaflower to the West Indies to sell its cargo. The Seaflower stopped in Antiqua, Barbados, and Tortuga.
Mills may have retired soon after. In the 1770s, Mills served on town committees in Milford and represented Milford in the Connecticut General Assembly from 1776 to 1778. He died in Milford in November 1780 during the Revolutionary War.
Source: Kari J. Winter, ed. The Blind African Slave, or Memoirs of Boyrereau Brinch, Nicknamed Jeffrey Brace (University of Wisconsin Press, 2004)