In 1780 Abraham was ordered to Charleston, South Carolina,
under siege by the British. The British succeeded in sinking
Whipple’s small fleet, and the Commodore was taken prisoner. He and
his officers were confined
until the close of the war. Abraham signed the following Parole of Honour
for the British. (Submitted to the Whipple Website by Ralph W. Lange [ralsal@eriecoast.com].)
Transcript | Facsimile
I the subscriber Abraham Whipple Commodore and Commander
of the Continental Ship of War Providence do here by acknowledge myself a prisoner of War to his Majesty and most
solemnly and strictly find myself by all the full in spirit and extensive faith and meaning of a Parole of Honour, which I
hereby give to his Excellency Vice Admiral Arbuthnot - and that I will not directly or indirectly
either by word or act take any farther part in the Dispute between Great Britain & the British
Colonies in North America until regularly exchanged for an Officer of Equal rank in his Majesties
Service.
Abraham Whipple
May 20 1780
(A copy)

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11/24/00
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