Posted on: Guthrie Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Guthrie/10198 Surname: Guthrie ------------------------- Perhaps this is the ship Mel was talking about. It was the practice to commit dissenters, those who refused to take an Oath of Allegiance, to be imprisoned but there were so many that a policy evolved whereby Covenanters could emigrate to the American colonies. If, however, they were convicted they were sent as slaves. A Scottish laird by the name of Scott was allowed to select a party of about 100 prisoners to take with him to New Jersey. He was required to land the party in America before September 1686. To this purpose Scott chartered a 350 ton ship, armed with 20 cannon, called the "Henry and Francis" captained by Richard Hutton. There were other emigrants who were required to pay £5 passage money but they could alternatively be indentured servants for four years after which they would receive 25 acres of land. The ship set sail on September 5, 1685, from Leith and made landfall at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, in December. It was a traumatic journey with the ship suffering leaks, shortages of food and water, as well as fever. Of the 125 that set out some 31 of their number died, including Scott and his wife. During the voyage, Scott's son-in-law (named Johnstone) had urged the prisoners to accept a four year servitude so that the costs of the venture could be recovered, which the prisoners resisted. The ship's master wanted to sail for Jamacia or Virginia since a better price would be obtained in either place for the prisoners. Perhaps it was Divine Providence intervening for these Covenanters, but a change of wind forced the ship into New Jersey as originally planned. Although Johnstone sought to recover costs in the courts, which could have resulted in the imprisonment or slavery of the emigrants, they were cleared of charges because they had not come voluntarily nor had they entered into any agreements. Thus this party were scattered throughout Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut succeeding where their earlier compatriots had failed.