Elisha Hunt Rhodes (1805 - 1858)

Born 28 Jul 1805 in Cranston, Providence, Rhode Island

Died 10 Dec 1858 at age 53 in Lynyard Cay, Abaco, Bahama Islands

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Biography

Capt. Rhodes was the master mariner in charge of the schooner, Worcester, from Providence Rhode Island, USA. ^[1]

Quoted from the Rhodes family genealogy:

Captain Elisha Hunt Rhodes, son of Captain James P. Rhodes, was born at Warwick, July 28, 1805, in a house now standing (1912) on the west side of Main street, nearly opposite Shelden street. When he was thirteen years of age he began a seafaring life, which he continued until his death. He began on board a coasting vessel owned by his father, and received quick promotions until he became captain when he was only eighteen years of age. In 1826 he was master of the sloop "Harmony," and in 1833 of the schooner "Mary," owned by Elisha H. Rhodes, David Barton and John Pierce. In 1839 he was master of the schooner "Charleston Packett," owned by Elisha H. Rhodes, James E. Anthony and Jefferson Booden; in 1839 of the schooner "Holder Border." In 1847 he built the schooner "Worcester," named in honor of the opening of the Providence and Worcester railroad, which occurred the day the vessel was launched. This vessel was considered large for the times. He worked in the coasting trade, going to and from Philadelphia with occasional trips to other ports until 1855-56, when the "Worcester" was dismasted off Sandy Hook and towed into New York by the United States revenue cutter "Washington," commanded by Captain Faunce. In 1858 he sailed as master, with Captain John S. Adamson as first mate, with a cargo from Providence to Philadelphia; they then loaded for Mobile, and during a gale on the night of December 10, 1858, the vessel struck on a reef near Lynyard Cay, Abaco, Bahama Islands, and became a total wreck. He and his first mate were drowned, and their bodies were recovered and buried on Linyards Key. The rest of the crew were saved. In appearance Captain Rhodes was nearly six feet in height, of light complexion, blue eyes, and when he died he weighed two hundred and sixty-five pounds. His death was mourned by many friends. The funeral service was held in the Pawtuxet Baptist Church, January 23, 1859, the Rev. Foster Henry, pastor of the church, conducting it.

He married, June 17, 1823, at Danby, Vermont, Eliza Ann, daughter of Dudley Chase (see Chase V). She was born at Steep Brook, Fall River, July 30, 1805, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah Louise (Rhodes) Barton, wife of John Barton, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, May 5, 1885, aged seventynine years. Children: Mary Eliza, born April 22, 1824, married Colville d: Brown, July 16, 1840, died March 8, 1864; Sarah Louise, July 28, 1833, died February 16, 1834; Sarah Louise, January 25, 1835, married, May 9, 1852, John Barton; Emily Chace, November 20, 1836, died January 6, 1839; Emily Chace, February 5, 1839, died August 8, 1868; Elisha Hunt, mentioned below; Elizabeth Potter, December 12, 1843, died January 2, 1847; James Dudley, December 28, 1845, married, October 4, 1870, Rebecca H. Hastings, died in Ellsworth, Maine, December 25, 1893; Colville Brown, December 10, 1849, married, August 29, 1881, Laura E. Cheney.

Sources

1. ↑ Bahamas Civil Registration, 1850-1959 Deaths 1858-1859, Image 100 of 268, [1] Entry for Master Mariner, Capt. Elisha H. Rhodes, who drowned on Len Yards Cay, Abaco, Bahamas 11 Dec. 1858. Ship details: Schooner Worcester, Providence Rhode Island, USA; Registrar John McDonald. N.B. His first mate, John S. Adamson, drowned on the same day, same place, as his death was registered on the same page by Registrar McDonald. Both died on 11 Dec. 1858 and the deaths were reported on 12 Dec. 1858.

• "Rhode Island Births and Christenings, 1600-1914," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8Q9-3BL : accessed 6 May 2016), Elisha Hunt Rhodes, 28 Jul 1805; citing CIVIL, CRANSTON, PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, reference 2:17591Q0; FHL microfilm 931,513.

"United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDJ8-XDT : accessed 6 May 2016), Elisha H Rhodes, Cranston, Providence, Rhode Island, United States; citing family 667, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

"Rhode Island Deaths and Burials, 1802-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8DG-TLM : accessed 6 May 2016), Elisha H. Rhodes, 11 Dec 1858; citing Cranston, , Rhode Island, reference p 25; FHL microfilm 931,514.

Find a Grave - http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=28082914

Rhodes Family Genealogy - http://rhodesfamily.org/ancestors_elisha_hunt_rhodes.php

• Bahamas Civil Registration, 1850-1959 Deaths 1858-1859, Image 100 of 268, [2] Entry for Master Mariner, Capt. Elisha H. Rhodes, who drowned on Len Yards Cay, Abaco, Bahamas 11 Dec. 1858. Ship details: Schooner Worcester, Providence Rhode Island, USA; Registrar John McDonald. N.B. His first mate, John S. Adamson, drowned on the same day, same place, as his death was registered on the same page by Registrar McDonald. Both died on 11 Dec. 1858 and the deaths were reported on 12 Dec. 1858.