Lewis Girdler (1766-1844) was a son of Richard (b.1740- d. before 1828) and Hannah (1741-1828) nee Russel Girdler. He married Sarah Brooks in 1793. His first sea voyage was in 1780 as a seaman on the ship “Thorn.” As a seaman on the ship “Disdain” in 1781 he was captured and was imprisoned in England. Subsequently upon his return he served on the schooner “Lydia” in 1793; the schooner “Industry” in 1795; the schooner “Polly” in 1796; in 1798 “Jeremiah;” 1799 “Samuel;” in 1804 “Betsy;” 1805 “Cato.” In 1817 Lewis Girdler had a commission signed by Andrew Jackson for the brigantine “Orient.” In 1834 he commanded the revenue cutter “Hamilton.” At his death, he was listed as a captain in the church records of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. According to the book “Old Marblehead Sea Captains …” he was listed as master/commander of the Schooner “Betsy” in 1804. The book lists three Lewis Girdlers but it is fairly certain that the Lewis Girdler (1766-1844) who is listed in this document is the person being traced in this note. In 1807 the date of this document, the commander of the “Betsy” was listed as Richard Brown according to the previously mentioned book. The schooner “Betsy” originated in 1791 and was condemned in 1812 according to Capt. George Cloutman’s Letter Book. During the sailing history of the Schooner “Betsy” there were several sailing masters: Thomas Barker (b.1750); George Barker (b. 1766); Elias Grant (b.1755); William Cole (b.1759); John Roads Russell (b.1755) who claimed to be one of the oarsmen who ferried George Washington across the Delaware; as well as Lewis Girdler listed on this document. As a schooner, the “Betsy” was listed at approximately 66 to 71 tons.