31 July 1746
Book of Deeds , Bills, Protests etc 1743-1747, pg 158.
(Benjamin Vesey, master mariner as master of the sloop "Elizabeth" registered a protest concerning a leak
which occurred on an intended voyage from New York to Jamaica. Came to Bermuda for repairs. Protest supported by John Brown mate and Jeremiah Smith mariner.)
Bermuda alias Somer Islands
By his Hono'ble Francis Jones Esq'r President, Commander in Chief, Vice Admiral of these Islands
To all to whom this present writing or instrument of protest shall come or may concern Greeting
These are to certify that this thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and forty six
before me personally came and appeared Benjamin Vesey, master of a certain sloop called the "Elizabeth" and solemnly deposed on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God
that on the twentieth dau of July instant he sailed from New York bound for Jamaica and accordingly proceeded on his said voiege. But it happened that on the twenty third day
of July instant in the latitude of thirty seven deg:es and fifty min's north, and seventy two deg:es and forty five min to east longitude on the said day the said sloop
sprung a leak which obliged the crew of the said vessel to keep constantly pumping with two pwople both pumps at work at the same instant and could but just keep her
free which obliged this deponent to _____ for these islands, in order to find out and discover the said leak. And in like manner also appeared John Brown, mate and
Jeremiah Smith, a mariner of the said vessel who solemnly made oath that all what the above Benjamin Vesey hath before deposed is true. Wherefor the said
Benjamin Vesey for himself, his mariners, owners, freighters, and all others whom it doth or may concern doth solemnly protest against the matter aforesaid, and all damages
occasioned thereby, as also against all costs, delays, disappointments, expences, and other matters and things which can or may lawfully be protested ag'st in as large and ample
manner as the same can or may be done by law or form. And persevering in the said protest of the said appearers have hereinto set their hands, the day and year first above written.
Benj Vesey
Jno Brown
Jerem'h Smith
This done and protested before me the President and Vice Admiral aforesaid. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the public seal of these Islands to be affixed the day and year within written.