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Dliver Hazard Perry
"Detroit," and in two hours only one gun was left mounted, and the deck was cumbered with dead and wounded. The "Niagara" drifted out of range for want of wind to fill her sails, and in consequence was unable to give assistance to the "Lawrence," while the other American vessels could render little assistance on account of their light armament. Perry, assisted by Chaplain Breeze, Hambleton, the purser, and two unwounded sailors, con- tinued to work the one remaining gun of the "Lawrence" until a shot killed Hambleton and dismantled the gun. A British victory seemed imminent, when the undaunted Perry determined on a bold move. Ordering a boat lowered, with four sailors and his brother Alexander, and with the flag of the "Lawrence" on his arm, he left the ship, and, sheltered by the smoke and escaping a volley fired by the enemy, was rowed to the "Niagara," where he hoisted his flag. Captain Elliott volunteered to bring up the laggard schooners to his support, and a new line of battle was formed at close quar- ters. The wind freshened, and the American fleet under full sail bore down upon the enemy. In endeavoring to wear ship, the British ships "Detroit" and "Queen Charlotte" fell foul, and, taking advantage of the situation, the "Niagara" dashed through the enemy's line, discharging both broadsides as she passed between their ships. The "Caledonia," "Scorpion" and "Trippe" broke the line at other points, and the batteries of the "Niagara," assisted by the riflemen in the tops, so disabled the enemy that after ten minutes of brisk cannonading the flag of the "Detroit" was lowered, and four of the six British vessels surrendered. The two smaller craft that attempted to escape were pursued and captured by the "Scorpion" and "Trippe." After securing his prisoners and manning his prize vessels, Perry dispatched a letter to General Harrison in words which have ever been an inspiration to the Amer- ican navy : "We have met the enemy and they are ours: Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop." Later, in a letter to Secretary of the Navy Jones, he informed the country of the victory more fully. The British loss was over one hundred and sixty men killed and wounded, while Perry lost twenty-seven killed and ninety-six wounded. He was commis- sioned post captain in the navy, presented with the thanks of Congress; a sword and a gold medal, with a set of silver by the city of Boston; and was voted thanks by other cities. He cooperated with the army of General Harrison in the invasion of Canada, and took an important part as con- mander of the fleet and of the naval battalion on land in the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, where the British troops were almost entirely annihilated, and Tecumseh, the great Indian chief, was killed. He par- ticipated in the defence of Baltimore, and commanded the frigate "Java" in the Mediterranean squadron under Commodore Stephen Decatur during the operations against Algiers in 1815-18. He was promoted to commodore and placed in command of the naval station in the West Indies in IS19, and during the service fell a victim to the yellow fever, and died August 23, 1819, on board his ship, off Port of Spain, Trinidad. His remains were interred there, but were later removed to Newport, in a ship-of-war, and buried there, December 4, 1826. A granite obelisk was erected to his memory by the State of Rhode Island; a marble statue was unveiled in Cleveland, Ohio, in September, 1860; and a bronze statue by William G. Turner, erected by
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Oliver Dazaru Dette
the citizens of Newport, Rhode Island, was unveiled opposite his old home, September 10, 1885. The State of Ohio presented to the capitol at Wash- ington pictures of the "Battle of Lake Erie" and of "Perry leaving the Law- rence for the Niagara." His name received twenty-six votes for a place in the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, New York University, October, 1900.
He was married, May 5, 1811, to Elizabeth Champlain, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Mason, Newport.
William Jones
W ILLIAM JONES, a gallant soldier of the Revolution, and Governor of Rhode Island, was born in Newport, Rhode Island, October 8, 1753, son of William and Elizabeth (Pearce) Jones. The father, who died in 1759, entered the privateer service in the war against France, becoming first lieutenant of the "Duke of Marlborough."
William Jones, after completing his studies, learned the trade of carpenter, at which occupation he was working in January, 1776, when he obtained a commission as lieutenant in Babcock's (subsequently Lippitt's) regiment, one of two raised by order of the General Assembly for the War of Independence. He was promoted to captain in September, 1776, and on September 14-15 the regiment, under the command of Colonel Lippitt, marched from Rhode Island through Connecticut and joined Gen- eral Washington's army at Harlem Heights, New York. Eventually the regiment was incorporated with McDougall's brigade, and formed part of the division under Major General Lee until the latter was taken prisoner, when Colonel Hitchcock succeeded to the command. Captain Jones served in the battle of White Plains and in all the operations preceding the retreat into New Jersey. The repulse of the British at Assanpink bridge, on Janu- ary 2, 1777, was largely due to the Rhode Island troops, and at the battle of Princeton their battery was so conspicuous that General Washington thanked Colonel Hitchcock in the presence of the army. The term of this regiment was to expire on the following January 18, but a stirring appeal from General Washington induced the men to volunteer for another month, although the severity of the winter campaign in New Jersey had well nigh discouraged them. The regiment returned to Rhode Island in February, 1777, Captain Jones accompanying them, and a year later he was commis- sioned captain of marines on board the frigate "Providence," one of the two frigates ordered by Congress to be built in Rhode Island, and which sailed on April 30, 1778, commanded by Abraham Whipple, with despatches to the United States commissioners at Paris, France, arriving there on May 30, 1778. In company with the "Ranger" and the "Queen of France," the "Providence" sailed from Boston on a privateering cruise June 17, 1779, and captured nine British ships and one brig bound from Jamaica to Eng- land. off the banks of Newfoundland, and brought eight of them to Boston as prizes. On November 24, 1779, the "Providence" again left Boston, with the "Boston," "Ranger" and "Queen of France," for Charleston, South Carolina, and was there at the time the British reduced the city, in the spring of 1780. The crews and guns of three of the ships were put on shore to strengthen the batteries at Charleston, and Captain Jones was one of those who were made prisoners of war, on May 10, 1780, when General Lincoln surrendered the town and garrison.
On being released on parole, Captain Jones returned to Providence, Rhode Island, where he engaged in the hardware business in connection
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William Montes
with his brothers, and subsequently on his own account. He served as justice of the peace, and was elected one of the four members of the General Assembly from Providence in 1807, and was elected each year until 1811, acting as speaker of the body in 1809 and 1810. In April, ISII, he was elected Governor of Rhode Island by the Federalists, and was annually re- elected until 1817, retiring from public life when he left the gubernatorial chair. He was a fellow and trustee of Brown University, 1817-22; president of the American Bible Society and of the Peace Society; member of the Society of the Cincinnati from its organization; and a member of the Be- neficent Congregational Church. He was a man of pleasing personality, courteous manners and the utmost integrity, and was honored and respected by all.
He was married in Providence, February 28, 1787, to Anne, daughter of Samuel Dunn, of Providence, Rhode Island. They were the parents of one child, Harriet, who became the wife of Thomas C. Hoppin, who by a special resolution of the Society of the Cincinnati succeeded Governor Jones as a member of that order. Governor Jones died in Providence, Rhode Island, April 22, 1822.
Seo. O. Gorton)
George Olney Gorton
ROM 1636 until the present, Gortons have borne a promi- nent part in Rhode Island affairs and won lasting fame as business and professional men. George Olney Gorton, of the eighth American generation, pursued an honorable business career in Providence, the city of his birth, was a veteran of the Civil War, took a deep interest in archaeology, history and genealogy, an important addition to gene- alogical literature being his carefully compiled "Gorton Family Genealogy."
He was a man of high character, noted for his frankness and hatred of deceit. He was very strong in his opinions, outspoken and ready to yield only after being shown his error. He was most thorough in everything he undertook, hence the special value of his Gorton family history, nothing founded only on legend or tradition being allowed to enter its pages, the proved facts only being considered worthy of preservation.
The American founder of the family was Samuel Gorton, born in Gor- ton. England, about 1592, died at Warwick, Rhode Island, after November 27, and prior to December 10, 1677. He came from England in 1636, and was one of the first settlers of Warwick, being referred to by careful writers as "Samuel Gorton the first settler of Warwick." The firm stand he took at the time did much to prevent Massachusetts from annexing Rhode Island, and probably the first time the English flag was ever fired upon in America by white men was when the soldiers from Massachusetts fired upon the flag raised over the house of Samuel Gorton in Warwick. Samuel Gorton mar- ried Mary Maplet, who bore him three sons, Samuel, Benjamin, John. Both Samuel first and second spelled their names with the double "1". From these sons spring the Gortons of America, and in the subsequent family history the Gortons have intermarried with the prominent families of Rhode Island including the Potters, Holdens, Remingtons, Mathewsons, Budlongs, Lip- pitts, Watermans, Jacksons, Richmonds, Hawkins, Burlingames, Carders and many others. The line of descent to George O. Gorton is through the founder's son John.
John Gorton lived on land given him by his father, near Warwick, located on the western edge of Gorton's pond which the Indians knew as Coweset. There is yet an old house standing which is said to contain some hewn timber taken from John Gorton's house at Gorton's pond. His wife was Margaret (Weston) Gorton, spoken of by some writers as Margaret Wheaton or Weeden.
Their son, Samuel Gorton, born July 22, 1672, died June 5, 1721. He is recorded as having been made a "freeman" in 1696. He married, May 9, 1695, Elizabeth Collins, born November 1, 1672, died September 9, 1724, daughter of Lieutenant Elizur Collins, a physician of Warwick.
Their son, William Gorton, was born at Warwick in 1708, died De- cember 3, 1789. He was a prosperous farmer and prominent in the town. He married, January 7, 1731, Mercy, daughter of Zachariah and Sarah
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George Dinep Borton
Mathewson. She was a noted widwife, a profession she followed for thirty years prior to her death, October 3, 1788, in her seventy-sixth year. Both William and his wife Mercy are buried in the old Gorton burial ground on the Buttonwoods road in Warwick, their graves marked with simple stones bearing the inscriptions "W. G. 1789" and "M. G. 1788." At Mercy Gorton's death she was survived by all her six children; twenty-seven grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.
Nathan Gorton, son of William and Mercy (Mathewson) Gorton, was born October 12, 1734, died in 1809, and with his wife is buried in the Bud- long burial ground in Warwick. He was apprenticed at the age of eighteen years to Preserved Pierce, of East Greenwich, to learn the tailor's trade. He was a soldier of the Revolution, serving as a private in Captain Thomas Rice's company, Colonel John Waterman's regiment. Nathan Gorton married Mary Pierce, daughter of Rev. Benjamin and Mary (Budlong) Pierce, and maternal great-granddaughter of Captain Michael Pierce, the noted Indian fighter. She was a great-great-granddaughter of Robert Potter, whose wife Isabel perished from exposure in the woods at the time Massachusetts soldiers invaded Shawomet. The home of Nathan and Mary Gorton on the Apponaug road was noted for its immense stone chimney, outside the house; a chimney so large that their son Joseph erected his home on the opposite side of it, the one chimney serving for both families.
Joseph Gorton, son of Nathan Gorton, the Revolutionary soldier, was born May 29, 1760, died in ISI4. His home, at the corner of Apponaug and Buttonwoods road, where he was born, lived and died was the original possession of Samuel Gorton, the founder, and had never been out of the family. The large chimney was a noted feature of the house, which with small window panes, leaded sash and red paint was one of the striking houses of that section. Death came suddenly to Joseph Gorton while remov- ing a rail in the gateway that his son Nathan might pass through. He mar- ried (first) September 15, 1781, Cynthia, daughter of William and Deliver- ance (Stafford) Havens. She was born October 5, 1760, died after the birth of her twelfth child, Sarah Ann. He married (second) Rosana Remington, widow of Captain Olney Wood, Sr., who was born January 13, 1769, died February 3, 1858, the mother of one son, Captain Nathan Gorton.
Captain Nathan Gorton, son of Joseph and Rosana Remington (Wood) Gorton, was born at the old Gorton homestead in Warwick, November 5, 1805, died in Providence, Rhode Island, June 4, 1896. He lost his father at the age of nine years, and at the age of sixteen shipped on a sailing vessel, and as seaman, mate and master made many voyages to the various parts of the world, but was principally engaged in trade with the West Indies. He is said to have brought the first cargo of Picton coal to Providence. At about the age of forty he retired from the sea, and with Captain Caleb Harris engaged in Providence in the importation of Picton coal and in the lumber business separately. He retired from business several years prior to his death, but at one time he was one of the most prominent men of Providence, both in public and private affairs. He was one of the most upright and benevolent of men, and particularly noted for his kindly heart.
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George DInep Gorton
He possessed that peculiarly Gorton trait, adherence to the right, and when once settled in an opinion he deemed right, nothing could swerve him.
Captain Gorton married, October 22, 1831, Rhoba Jackson, born April 19, 1801, died December 12, 1889, daughter of Major Samuel and Elizabeth (Richmond) Jackson, a descendant of John Richmond, one of the incor- porators of Taunton, Massachusetts, also a descendant of John Rogers and of John Alden, both of the "Mayflower."
George Olney Gorton, of the eighth American generation, son of Captain Nathan and Rhoba (Jackson) Gorton, was born at Providence, Rhode Island, January 27, 1835, died there January 24, 1915. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Providence, and began his business career as clerk in a shoe store. Later he decided to become a jeweler and served an apprenticeship of three years with John Bradford, giving especial attention to jewelry chasing, a branch of the trade in which he became most proficient. He continued in the jewelry business until his retirement several years prior to his death. From his youth he was deeply interested in matters military and was a charter member of that old organization, the Mechanic Rifles, which in later years became the Slocum Light Guard. He was adjutant on the staff of the commanding officer, and until his death retained membership in the Veteran Association of the guard.
When President Lincoln first called for volunteers in 1861, Mr. Gorton at once responded by enlisting, April 17, 1861, as a private in Company C, First Regiment Rhode Island Detached Militia. He was a crack rifle shot and was appointed first sergeant of the Carbineers (sharpshooters) and with them was engaged at the first battle of Bull Run. He later was com- missioned second lieutenant of the Third Regiment Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, was promoted to a first lieutenancy and regimental adjutant. A captain's commission was offered him, and declined, a tender of promotion to the rank of major. He was not ambitious for higher rank, his position as regimental sergeant fully satisfying him. At the end of his term he was honorably discharged and mustered out of the United States service. He retained a hearty interest in the veterans of his regiment, and was a member of and an ex-president of the Veteran Association of the Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery.
After his retirement from business, Mr. Gorton gave himself up to the pursuits for which he had ever had a fondness, the study of history, biography, genealogy and archaeology. He continued his researches with definite purpose and is the author of the "Gorton Family Genealogy," a standard authority. This was a labor of love only and in its compilation, as in many acts of his life, he derived remuneration in the pleasure it gave him to be of service to others. He was a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, and as a student of history and archaeology he read widely and was one of the best informed of men on these subjects. He was an Independent in politics, selecting the candidates and supporting the issues which to him seemed most worthy. In national politics he usually supported the candi- dates of the Republican party.
Adjutant Gorton married (first) January 21, 1864, Mary M. Carter, born September 29, 1836, died May 14, 1902, daughter of Henry and Maria
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George Diner Gorton
(Richmond) Carter, of South Boston. Children: Henry Foster, died young; Walter Jackson, died at the age of twenty-two years, a young archi- tect of great promise, a graduate of the school of design and Providence Technical School. Adjutant Gorton married (second) June 15, 1905, Mrs. Lillie (Brayton) Tew, daughter of Samuel H. and Harriet (Drew) Brayton, a descendant of some of the proudest of Rhode Island families. Mrs. Lillie Gorton survives her husband and resides at the family home, No. 20 Taber avenue, Providence.
Bilbert (Charles) Stuart
T
HE ACCOMPLISHED ARTIST, Gilbert (Charles) Stuart, was born on the shores of the Petaquamscott pond, in the Narragansett country, Rhode Island, December 3, 1755. He acquired the rudiments of learning from his mother, and afterward received instruction from a. clergyman, Rev. George Bissitt.
His talent for drawing manifested itself in early life, and Dr. William Hunter, upon the occasion of a visit to America in 1767, noticed his tracings in various places, and was so impressed that he invited young Gilbert, then only about twelve years old, to visit him at Newport, and during this period the young artist painted a picture of two dogs lying under a table in the room. At the age of thirteen he painted portraits of Mr. and Mrs. John Bannister, prominent people of Newport. The portraits were remarkably faithful and attracted wide attention. In 1770, when a lad of fifteen years, young Stuart was brought into contact with Cosmo Alex- ander, a European artist, who recognized his abilities and took him to Scot- land. Shortly after arrival his patron died, but in his last moments com- mended his protegé to the care of his friend, Sir George Chambers, who unfortunately also died almost immediately afterward, and young Stuart was left alone. Before his death, Mr. Alexander had found an opening for' the young artist in the University of Glasgow, where he was studying diligently, but owing to the death of his patron he could not remain. He determined to return to America, and embarked on a collier bound for Nova Scotia, but soon went to Rhode Island. There his merits soon became recognized, and he was called upon to paint portraits for various Rhode Island families. In the spring of 1775 he sailed from Boston for Europe, and two years later, not having been at all successful in securing employ- ment, he decided to call upon Benjamin West, although without the advan- tage of an introduction, and his appearance and courage gained for him admission into the household of that distinguished painter. In addition to his genius for art, Mr. Stuart had an unusual aptitude for music, was master of a number of instruments, and had also met with some success as a com- poser. He remained with Mr. West for several years, and then opened an atelier of his own. The first picture that brought him into notice before he left Mr. West's studio was the portrait of a Mr. Grant, a statesman, who wanted a "full-length." The weather was excessively cold, and it was mutually decided to spend the day in skating instead of sitting for a portrait. Stuart was not only physically active on skates, but mentally active in reference to the requirements for a "full-length." The picture, painted on a winter background, was exhibited at Somerset House and established Stuart's reputation as an artist of rarest ability. He immediately came into prominence, and became the fashionable artist of London, and was quickly established as a portrait painter. His success enabled him to take a mag-
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Gilbert (Charles) Stuatt
nificent establishment, and the orders that poured in upon him were so many that he reduced his task to six sitters a day.
In 1788, two years after his marriage, Stuart became financially em- barassed, and was induced to transfer his easel to Ireland, where he remained about four years. In 1792 he determined on returning to America and paint- ing the portrait of General Washington. Accordingly he sailed direct from Dublin, and was cordially welcomed in this country. He had gone abroad a poor youth, and returned a portrait painter without an equal in the world. An atelier was opened in New York City, and orders were abundant. His most cherished ambition was that he might paint the portrait of the hero of American Independence, and, while Congress was in session in Philadelphia in 1794, Stuart went thither with a letter of introduction to Washington from John Jay, and met his illustrious subject. In order that his work would not be interfered with, he removed to Germantown, a suburb of Phil- adelphia, as he was determined to make the portrait of Washington the master effort of his life, and thereby have his name associated with that of the father of his country. From Philadelphia Stuart removed to Washing- ton, where he remained about two years. His studio was thronged, but he was induced to go to Boston, where the remaining years of his life were spent.
Gilbert Stuart was in its widest sense a philosopher in his art; he under- stood its principles thoroughly, and showed an exquisite sense of it as a whole, as only a man of genius can realize and embody. Of his celebrated portrait of Washington, several replicas were made, and among his papers were found a list of thirty-nine special orders from prominent people. He afterward produced the "Athenaeum Portrait," thought by many to be superior to his first portrait. The first full-length of a Stuart's Washington was a commission from the Marquis of Landsdowne. After the death of Lord Landsdowne his pictures were sold at auction, and the Washington was purchased by Samuel Williams, an English merchant, for $2,000. It afterward went into the possession of Mr. J. Delaware Lewis, who loaned it to the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia. At the close of the exhibition it was returned to its owner in England, and thereby lost to America. While Stuart was residing in Boston, a copy of the Marquis of Landsdowne Washington was made by a copyist, Winstanley, and taken to Boston for sale, the suggestion being that it be hung in Faneuil Hall. When the gift was offered in a town meeting, a blacksmith from the north end rose up and vehemently opposed its acceptance, saying it would be a lasting disgrace to the town of Boston to accept a copy of Stuart's portrait of Washington, when the artist himself was residing in Boston, and who ought to be employed to paint an original for Faneuil Hall. The blacksmith carried his point, and Mr. Stuart was engaged to paint the full-length por- trait of Washington which was afterward hung in the great hall of the celebrated "Cradle of Liberty." Another of Stuart's Washingtons, together with a companion picture of Mrs. Washington by the same hand, belongs to the Boston Athenaeum. During his career he produced an exceedingly large number of portraits, how many it is impossible to ascertain. A cata- logue prepared for an exhibition held in Boston in 1880 gave a list of 754
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Gilbert (Charles) Stuatt
numbers, but this was acknowledged to be far from complete. The greater number are in the hands of private individuals, there being but a few in the possession of public institutions. The last picture that he began and finished was a portrait of Mrs. Samuel Hayward, of Boston.
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