Thomas H. Jones' narrative describes his escape on the Brig Bell sometime between August 30 and October 30, 1849. He notes that because of fumes from the cargo of turpentine he could not hide in the hold for the duration of the voyage.
This newspaper announcement, from the September 11, 1849 issue of the Tri-Weekly Commercial, establishes that the Brig Belle cleared the port of Wilmington on that day.
Transcription of the "Marine News":
PORT OF WILMINGTON, SEPTEMBER 11.
CLEARED
11. Brig Belle, Jones, for New York, by G. W. Davis, with 569 bbls. Spirits Turpentine, 300 bbls. Turpentine, 850 bbls. Resin.
Microfilm copies of the Wilmington Tri-Weekly Commercial are available in the North Carolina Collection, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Call Number FILM C071 C73.1