I20557: Marie DONNET (ABT 1555

Notes

HON. ROBERT FIELD STOCKTON, A.M., “The Commodore,” of Princeton, New Jersey; b. there 20th August, 1795; d. there 7th October, 1866 (see “Life of Commodore STOCKTON,” published by Derby and Jackson, New York, 1856); Midshipman, United States Navy, 18th September, 1811; served on Frigate President, under Commodore ROGERS; active service in the War of 1812; participated in the defense of Baltimore, June, 1814, being promoted for his gallantry; on 9th September, 1814, gained the name of “Fighting Bob,” and said to be the original man with that nickname;

served as Aide to the Secretary of the Navy. During War of the Barbary Powers, he served first as Junior Lieutenant on the Guerrier, Commodore DECATUR'S flagship and subsequently as First Lieutenant on the schooner Spitfire, taking part in the capture of the Algerian frigate Mishoun, 17th June, 1815, and of the brig, Estecio a few days following. In 1816, he again cruised in [p.433] the Mediterreanean as Seventh Lieutenant on the Washington, Commodore CHAUNCEY'S Squadron; was promoted Second Lieutenant and subsequently First Lieutenant of the Eric, returning to the United States in 1812;

was transferred soon after to the command of the schooner Alligston and under the auspices of the American Colonization Society, visited the west coast of Africa where, in 1822, he founded a Colony at Mcsurado, which became in 1847 the Republic of Liberia.

He subsequently captured the Portuguese Letter of Marque Marrianna Flora and the French slaver Jeune Eugenie. This latter case was taken to Court and Captain STOCKTON, defended by Daniel WEBSTER, won the case. Thus he was the first to establish the right of a warship to capture slave vessels under a foreign flag.

Was ordered to the West Indies to check the depredations of the pirates and surveyed the Southern Coasts, 1823-1824; during which time he married. Obtained leave of absence from 1826-1838 and made his home in Princeton, New Jersey, where he established a newspaper to which he contributed editorials, stating that his support of President ADAMS would be based upon the latter's “good behavior in office,” an independent attitude which he continued to maintain throughout his career.

Was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention, 1826; was the Founder and first President of the New Jersey Colonization Society and the chief promoter of the Delaware and Raritan Canal, visiting Europe to obtain a loan for the completion;

he served as executive officer of the flagship Ohio, Mediterranean Squadron, Commodore Isaac HULL, 8th December, 1838-1839, bearing official dispatches to Great Britain where he investigated the improvements in naval architecture; was promoted Port Captain, 1839. Supported Gen. William Henry HARRISON for the Presidency, 1840, and declined the portfolio of the Navy offered by President TYLER, 1841.

He was one of the first commanders to apply steam to naval purposes; building in 1842-1844, the famous sloop of war Princeton of which he was placed in command. On the trial down the Potomac River, 28th February, 1844, through the accidental explosion of one of the guns, opposite Mount Vernon, Able P. UPSHUR, Secretary of State, Thomas W. GILMER, Secretary of the Navy and David GARDINER, father-in-law of President TYLER were killed as well as several of the crew, while Captain STOCKTON, and others were severely injured. A court of inquiry showed that this gun was fired at the order of the Secretary of the Navy, contrary to Captain STOCKTON'S desires. Captain STOCKTON was completely acquitted of all blame.

Later on in the same year, he was appointed to carry the annexation resolutions to the Government of Texas, and sailed in the Princeton. Was promoted Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Squadron, October, 1845, and sailed in the frigate Conyers with Mr. TEN EYCK, commissioner, from Norfolk, Virginia, around Cape Horn to the Sandwich Island and finally to Monterey, California, of which place Commodore John D. SLOAT, U. S. N., had taken possession of, 7th July, 1846.

Commodore STOCKTON took command by proclamation of the entire American force on the Pacific Coast and in coöperation with Col. John C. FREMONT, captured Los Angeles, 13th August, 1846; assumed office as the first American Governor of California (military), appointing Colonel FREMONT, [p.434] Commander of the military forces; recaptured San Diego, San Gabriel and Le Mesa; Maj.-Gen. S. W. KEARNEY was later second in command.

Commodore STOCKTON returned to San Diego 17th January, 1847, after having successfully negotiated with Mexico for the ceding of California to the United States, which act was formally ratified by the treaty of 2d February, 1848. Upon his return to New Jersey, he received the thanks of the State Legislature and was tendered a reception. He resigned from the Navy, 28th May, 1850.

Was elected to the United States Senate from New Jersey to the Thirty-second Congress for the full term, 1851-1857, but resigned 20th January, 1853; was President of the Dclaware and Raritan Canal, 1853-1866; was a Delegate to the Peace Congress at Washington, D. C., 13th February, 1861;

received the honorary degree of A.M. from the College of New Jersey, 1851;
the city of Stockton, California, the torpedo boat and the destroyer Stockton, were named in the Commodore's honor; a memorial window in memory of Commodore STOCKTON and of Admirals SLOAT and FARRAGUT was placed in St. Peter's Chapel, Mare Island Navy Yard, California, in 1902;

m. 1823, Harriet Maria POTTER, who d. 1862, dau. of John POTTER of Charleston, South Carolina."

Arms.—Gules, a chevron vaire, argent and azure between three mullets, or.
Crest.—A lion rampant, supporting an Ionic pillar.
Motto.—Omnia Deo Pendent.

Children:
I. Richard, b. 22d January, 1824; d. 5th April, 1876; m. (firstly) Caroline Bayard DODD; m. (secondly) Susan B. DODD.
II. JOHN POTTER, “The Senator;” b. 2d August, 1826, of whom later.
III. Catherine Elizabeth, m. William Armstrong DODD.
IV. Mary, b. 1830; m. Rear Admiral John C. HOWELL.
V. Robert Field, b. 22d January, 1832; d. 5th May, 1898; m. Anna Margaretta POTTER.
VI. Harriet Maria, b. 1834.
VII. Caroline, m. Capt. William Rawle BROWN of the United States Navy.
VIII. Julia, b. 1837; m. Edward M. HOPKINS.
IX. Annis, m. 21st February, 1865, Franklin Davenport HOWELL.

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My Southern Family

Marie DONNET

ABT 1555 - AFT 1602

ID Number: I20557

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Weldon Oliver DUNAWAY

11 Mar 1906 - 30 Jan 1981

ID Number: I39416

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Susannah Graham FRIERSON

ABT 1800 - ____

ID Number: I89765

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Nora GATEWOOD

Dec 1894 - 11 Oct 1927

ID Number: I43332

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Cmdr. Robert Field "the Commodore" STOCKTON

20 Aug 1795 - 7 Oct 1866

ID Number: I91311

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