Hi Westoe,
I am researching the slave Olaudah Equiano for my University dissertation. He was given the name Gustavus Vassa and he claimed, and it is believed, that he was on board the Racehorse during its Arctic expedition, serving as an associate of Dr Charles Irving.
I am aware that there was a Gustavus Weston on board, who, like Vassa, was purported to have been born in South Carolina, and many academics believe this is Vassa, however despite searching Captain Phipps, and a boatswain's log, I can find nothing to suggest that this is the same man, other than a 'soundex' name. Moreover, there is no mention of Gustavus Weston being an associate - he is a ship's mate, and Charles Irvings associate is listed in Phipps log as an Alexander Gain.
I have also compared the accounts of all three men and there are many inconsistencies in Vassa's account, while the similarities are so similar it is evident that he has quoted Phipps verbatim.
I was hoping to provide evidence of the muster roll, but also to ascertain more info on Gustavus Weston, and to check if Vassa provided any other inconsistent, or plagiarised information on the Narum and the Charming Sally, which he also sailed on.
Thank you very much for the information you have provided so far, it has been a huge help. This is the first time in 14 years of Genealogy I have ever had to search for muster rolls and I am lost! x