State of Facts Relative to the loss of the Sloop Mary Burthen 55. Ton Navigated by three Men Josiah Stover Master ー

The said Josiah was Comamnder & Sole owner of the said Sloop and Sailed from York in the County of York on or about the Third Day of Ocr 1775 to carry some Passengers and necessys to Penobscutt in Massa Bay and That on the Day after The Vessell Sailed from York they were attacked Seized at long Island and taken in Penobsc[ot] Bay by a Schooner of Warr, Commanded by one Patten who belongs to a Small Squadron Commd by one Capt Bishop from Boston That after keeping the said Josiah about Three Weeks in Custody They set him ashore at Penobs[co]t But the Vessell and her appurtenances Which the said Josiah Values at Two hundred & forty Pounds Lawfull Money the said Bishop Carryed away and as the said Josiah Verely believes to Boston. The said Josiah declares and says That he had large offers made him by said Bishop to enter into the Kings Service as a pilot But He absolutely Refused & That He was not in any manner attempting any Trade or Traffick against the Libertys of America, But that His Business in this Voyage was to assist the Poor and distressd Inhabitants at Penobscutt ー

York Novemr 25th 1775

[Endorsed] York Ss. November 25th 1775

Then Josiah Stover before Named made Oath to the Truth of the declaration aforesaid Before me

David Sewall Jus Peace

[Second endorsement] York in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay Novemr 25th 1775 ー

We do hereby testify That Capt Josiah Stover who has made the declaration on the other Side is and has been an Inhabitant of this Town from his Birth, That He is a person of Credibility and Reputation, That He was the Reputed owner of a Small Sloop, and We Imagine The Vessell and her appurtenances, is not over Valued by him at Eight Hundred Dollars That said Stover has never been Suspected of doing or attempg anything against the Libertys of America, and Verily believe The account He has given as aforesaid Respecting the loss of his Vessell is Just and true

Edwd Grow	Jos: Grant		Selectmen of York
Saml Harris	Jeremiah Weare