Capt. Peter Richards

Peter was a lieutenant on Paul Jones' old ship "Alfred" and later a captain on his privateer brig "Hancock."

Military Service: Revolutionary War Patriot, a volunteer at Col Ledyards solicitation during the Fort Griswold Massacre led by Benedict Arnold of the British forces Will: 2 OCT 1781 probated at New London County, CT, USA

"Peter Richards a son of Guy Richards was a lieutenant under Captain Hinman in Paul Jones's old ship Alfred when March 9 1778 she was surrendered to the Ariadne and Ceres He with two other lieutenants escaped from Fortune Prison near Portsmouth and by the aid of friends reached the coast of France in safety and returned home in the spring of 1 779 He was captain of the privateer brig Hancock which arrived in port the last day of August He entered the fort as a volunteer at Colonel Ledyard's solicitation On the morning of the battle he went aboard his vessel called such of his crew as remained aboard made a short speech telling what was needed at the fort and asked for volunteers to accompany him Every man stepped out

He left a widow Catharine Mumford and an only daughter who married Levi Huntington of Norwich "

source: The Battle of Groton Heights: A Collection of Narratives, Official Reports ...

By William Wallace Harris p. 232-3

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