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    Elisha Small

    Birth: unknown

    Death: 12-1-1842

    Alternate First Name: Elijah

Biography

Seaman Elisha Small (one source gives his first name as Elijah) was hanged aboard the USS Somers along with Boatswain’s Mate Samuel Cromwell and Acting Midshipman Philip Spencer. Small and Cromwell were suspected of plotting with Spencer to mutiny. Spencer was the 18-year old son of Secretary of War John C. Spencer and a native of Canandaigua, NY. FMS commented on the controversial case in a letter to her sister (18430108FMS_LMW), expressing her opinion that the evidence did not support the hangings.
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Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
Seaman Elisha Small (one source gives his first name as Elijah) was hanged aboard the USS Somers along with Boatswain’s Mate Samuel Cromwell and Acting Midshipman Philip Spencer. Small and Cromwell were suspected of plotting with Spencer to mutiny. Spencer was the 18-year old son of Secretary of War John C. Spencer and a native of Canandaigua, NY. FMS commented on the controversial case in a letter to her sister (18430108FMS_LMW), expressing her opinion that the evidence did not support the hangings. .
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://cdm16099.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15241coll1
Title of Webpage: 
The Somers Affair--Digital Collection at the Nimitz Library of the US Naval Academy
Website Viewing Date: 
Thursday, September 28, 2017 - 14:30
Website's Last Modified Date: 
Thursday, September 28, 2017 - 14:30
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Notes: 
unknown
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=73414524
Title of Webpage: 
Find A Grave
Website Viewing Date: 
Thursday, September 28, 2017 - 14:30
Website Last Modified Date: 
Thursday, September 28, 2017 - 14:30